Microsoft is reportedly planning a substantial overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which could introduce an "à la carte" approach allowing subscribers to select individual features. This potential change was detailed in a recent Fortune profile on Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
According to people familiar with the strategy, the revamped Game Pass would operate on a tiered structure and offer add-ons for specific features such as console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer access. This move comes as the company navigates internal challenges with the current Game Pass model, which has been credited with building a subscription business but also potentially cannibalizing sales of first-party titles, particularly during their launch periods.
The Fortune report also touches on future Xbox hardware, referencing a next-generation Xbox handheld and the rumored "Project Helix" console, suggesting that these devices may come with a significant price tag unless Microsoft opts for subsidies.
This potential Game Pass restructuring would be the latest in a series of significant initiatives undertaken by Sharma since she took the helm of Xbox. Her tenure has already seen a reduction in the price of Game Pass Ultimate, the acquisition of Hideo Kojima's next-gen Metal Gear Solid spiritual successor project, Physint, under the Xbox publishing umbrella, and the establishment of new entertainment and R&D divisions within Xbox. Additionally, responsibility for the Halo franchise's development has reportedly been transferred to Activision, and Sharma has been noted for personally engaging with customer support and reviewing development builds of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6.