Microsoft has issued a statement addressing a recent rumor suggesting a significant overhaul of Xbox Game Pass by 2027, which included potential tiered subscriptions with and without ads, removal of day-one releases, and changes to cloud streaming access. The company emphasized that while various Game Pass offerings are regularly evaluated, no concrete plans have been finalized.
The rumor, originating from ResetEra user Slayven who has a history of accurate Xbox reporting, proposed a tiered structure for Game Pass. One tier, reportedly including ads, was suggested to cost $13 per month, while an ad-free version could be priced at $20 per month. This potential price adjustment is said to be linked to another significant change: the removal of day-one new releases from the service starting in early 2027. The report also indicated that cloud streaming access might be removed from the base subscription, with an optional $6 add-on offering 25 hours of streaming. Additionally, a Family Plan was rumored to be available for an extra $6 per month, alongside a $15 tier offering select titles and online multiplayer, and a $11 tier solely for online multiplayer.
Microsoft's response, as reported by Forbes and obtained by GameSpot, stated, "We regularly test different Game Pass offerings and look at what works best for players in different markets. We don’t have any changes to announce today or plans that have been finalized. There are no changes to previously announced games coming to Game Pass Ultimate on day one."
While user Slayven has a track record for some accuracy regarding unannounced Xbox news, including price increases and name changes for Game Pass tiers, they have also made inaccurate predictions, such as the removal of PC Game Pass. Another leaker, NateTheHate, acknowledged Slayven's sources as knowledgeable but did not corroborate the specific details of this latest rumor.
This speculation follows recent strategic shifts under Xbox's new CEO, Asha Sharma. Shortly after taking the helm in February 2026, Sharma implemented price cuts and removed new Call of Duty titles from immediate day-one Game Pass availability. Sharma had previously expressed that Game Pass was too expensive and alluded to a more flexible, long-term vision for the service. She has indicated consideration for a "range of options" for exclusives, including "windowing" games, which could see certain titles released to purchase first before becoming available on Game Pass.
Examples of this strategy are already in effect, with new Call of Duty games expected to arrive on Game Pass the holiday season after their initial release. Microsoft also recently announced monthly hour limits for its cloud gaming service, with options to purchase additional time, a move that could align with the rumor's suggestion of paid cloud streaming add-ons. Sharma has also explored potential partnerships, with discussions having taken place with Netflix regarding possible subscription bundles.
Sharma's stated ambitions for Game Pass include "fortifying" the service with "clear differentiation and sustainable economics." These efforts are occurring within a broader context of Xbox focusing on re-establishing a healthy financial standing, which has involved recent layoffs, studio divestitures, and game cancellations. In a move to bolster the platform, Xbox recently secured Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, for development.