Microsoft just hiked Game Pass prices by 50%, but savvy gamers can still dodge the increase. While the company charges $29.99 monthly for Ultimate (up from $19.99) and $16.49 for PC Game Pass (up from $11.99), major retailers like Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy are still honoring the old pricing structure. The workaround could save subscribers hundreds annually.
Microsoft's latest price hike just made Xbox Game Pass 50% more expensive, but there's a simple workaround that's saving gamers serious money right now. The tech giant quietly rolled out the increases across its subscription tiers, pushing Game Pass Ultimate from $19.99 to $29.99 monthly while PC Game Pass jumped from $11.99 to $16.49. But here's the thing - major retailers apparently didn't get the memo.
Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart are all still selling Game Pass subscriptions at the old prices, creating a temporary arbitrage opportunity for subscribers willing to stock up. The savings are substantial: a three-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription costs $59.99 through these retailers versus the new rate of $89.97 if bought monthly through Microsoft.
The math gets even more compelling for PC Game Pass users. A three-month bundle runs $35.99 at retailers compared to $49.47 at Microsoft's new pricing - that's nearly $14 in savings for just a quarter-year of service. For annual subscribers, we're talking about potential savings of $120 on Ultimate and $54 on PC Game Pass.
GameStop appears to be offering the steepest discounts, with some three-month Ultimate bundles listed at $59.99 compared to Best Buy's $60 pricing. The retailer's digital subscription portal shows immediate delivery, making it a particularly attractive option for gamers looking to extend their current subscriptions before the price arbitrage disappears.
This isn't the first time Microsoft has faced pricing pressure on Game Pass. The service, which launched at $9.99 monthly in 2017, has steadily increased as the company adds more AAA titles and day-one releases. Industry analysts have long predicted that Game Pass would need significant price adjustments to reach profitability, especially as Microsoft continues investing billions in content acquisition.
The timing of the price increase coincides with broader gaming strategy pivot. The company has been aggressively expanding Game Pass content while simultaneously pushing into cloud gaming and cross-platform availability. Recent additions like Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard titles have added substantial value but also increased operational costs.
