Rumored Xbox Game Pass Tier Could Cut Costs

Microsoft may be preparing a smaller Xbox Game Pass tier that includes only first-party games, and the timing matters. The rumor arrives as Game Pass has become pricier, while Microsoft’s own catalog is about to get much bigger, with Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, and the next mainline Call of Duty all in the pipeline.

That combination explains why this rumor has teeth. If Microsoft can bundle only its own games into a cheaper plan, it gets a cleaner way to segment the service for players who want the Xbox catalog without paying for every third-party deal layered on top.

What the rumor says

The report comes from The Verge's Tom Warren, who said Xbox boss Asha Sharma is considering a more flexible Game Pass structure. The idea is simple: one tier could focus on Microsoft-owned games, while higher-priced plans would keep the broader perks and third-party releases.

Microsoft has already spent years turning Game Pass into the center of its gaming business. After the company’s