Xbox Game Pass Could Merge PC Game Pass with a Console Tier as Microsoft Explores Bundles and a Cleaner Subscription Stack
Microsoft is reportedly considering a significant reshuffle of its Game Pass lineup that could reduce subscription fragmentation across console and PC while also opening the door for more bundled third party services. The reporting comes from 2 outlets with strong track records on Xbox business strategy. The Verge’s Tom Warren says the plans are still far from finalized but that Microsoft is thinking about merging Xbox Game Pass Premium with PC Game Pass. Windows Central later backed that reporting with its own sources and additional context around service expansion.
Game Pass has become more complex over time as Microsoft tried to satisfy multiple audiences at once: console users who want online multiplayer and cloud, PC players who prioritize day one first party releases, and hybrid users who move between devices. A merger of Xbox Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass would be a straightforward way to align the value proposition around the 3 pillars that most subscribers actually care about.
First party day one access
EA Play inclusion
Cloud gaming access
If Microsoft combines those benefits into a single, more universal tier, it also creates a more coherent story for a future where Xbox hardware increasingly behaves like a Windows adjacent platform. The Verge specifically notes Microsoft is exploring ways to expand the subscription lineup and potentially merge these tiers, while emphasizing that changes are early stage and not guaranteed.
| Feature | PC Game Pass | Xbox Game Pass Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11.99/month | $14.99/month |
| Platforms | PC only | Console, PC, Cloud |
| First-Party Day-One Access | Yes | No (added within 1 year) |
| EA Play Included | Yes | No |
| Cloud Gaming | No | Yes (unlimited) |
| Online Multiplayer | N/A (PC only) | Yes (on console) |
| Game Library Size | Full PC catalog | ~200 games |
If Microsoft merges these into a single tier, the likely outcome is a more premium price point than either service today. Any number here is speculation until Microsoft confirms it, but a combined tier that includes cloud gaming, EA Play, and day one first party releases would reasonably land above $14.99. The market will read that as a value trade, more benefits, higher monthly fee, and less confusion at checkout.
This is where the strategy gets interesting. If the merged tier becomes a true sweet spot, Ultimate will need a clearer differentiation to justify its own premium positioning. Windows Central frames this as Microsoft looking to expand Game Pass and potentially bring more third party service bundles into the Ultimate value equation. Windows Central
In your context, Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew are already included since the October restructuring, so any future additions would likely need to be meaningfully distinct, either another major content library, a high engagement service, or a benefit that improves retention such as perks tied to cloud play, cosmetics, or cross platform entitlements.
Biggest Win
Simpler tiers, clearer messaging, and stronger conversion for players who move between console and PC. A unified structure reduces friction and improves perceived value, especially for cross-platform users.
Biggest Risk
Price sensitivity, particularly if the merger is positioned as a mandatory upgrade rather than an optional tier. Players may resist higher pricing if the added value is not immediately clear or personally relevant.
If Microsoft executes this cleanly, it becomes a strong platform play that reduces churn and keeps the ecosystem sticky while the company continues building toward a console and PC hybrid future.
Would you rather Microsoft merge tiers into a single stronger Game Pass option even if it costs more, or keep the current lineup so budget focused players can stay on cheaper plans?
