Microsoft reportedly plans à la carte Xbox Game Pass overhaul

On Oct. 20, 2026, IGN and Kotaku reported that Microsoft is planning a major overhaul of Xbox Game Pass that would let subscribers choose features à la carte, citing a Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. The plan would allow players to add options such as console‑only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer within a tiered structure. Neither outlet states that Microsoft has confirmed the overhaul.

Xbox is planning a major overhaul of Game Pass that would have players choose features à la carte

Fortune, IGN

Asha Sharma has been Xbox CEO for only six months and has already reduced the cost of Game Pass Ultimate. She also signed Hideo Kojima’s next‑gen Metal Gear Solid spiritual successor Physint, opened two new verticals within Xbox, and moved Halo development to Activision.

Sharma has personally answered customer support tickets. She has also examined the latest build of The Elder Scrolls 6.

Fortune’s piece also covers a next‑gen Xbox handheld and the next‑gen Project Helix console. The report suggests these devices will not be inexpensive unless Microsoft decides to subsidize their cost.

Competing internal metrics between teams such as subscription revenue versus store revenue made the cannibalization problem worse.

Leaked internal charts indicated Microsoft previously targeted more than 100 million Game Pass subscribers. Growth stalled at about 35 million, and the Xbox business model for this console generation fell apart as a result, Kotaku reported.

The reported overhaul aims to control costs and increase subscriber numbers. It would do so by removing services most people do not use or charging heavy users extra, Kotaku wrote.

Microsoft is already testing an ad‑supported Game Pass tier. The tier is designed to lower the barrier to entry for people who are not already diehard gamers, according to Kotaku.

Xbox has already been moving toward removing first‑party games from day‑one Game Pass through Premium Edition Upgrades. These upgrades charge $30 for early access to games available at no extra charge days later.

The next wave of Xbox blockbusters starts in February 2027 with Fable. Kotaku reported the title as a key upcoming release. A leak from ResetEra user Slayven claims Microsoft plans to remove day‑one games from Xbox Game Pass sometime between February and April 2027. VICE reported the claim.

The leak claims new games will stop launching on Xbox Game Pass on their release day. VICE identified ending day‑one releases as the most significant claim in the leak.

The leak claims Microsoft will lower the monthly Game Pass price by $3 after day‑one games are removed. VICE reported the proposed price adjustment. According to the leak, an ad‑supported Game Pass tier would be priced at $12.99 monthly. VICE listed this price among the rumored 2027 subscription options.

The leak claims an ad‑free Game Pass subscription would cost $19.99 monthly. It would also be available for $239.99 yearly, VICE reported. A separate Game Pass library tier including online multiplayer would cost $14.99 monthly. VICE described this tier as part of the rumored restructuring.

Online multiplayer would be sold separately for $10.99 per month.

Cloud gaming would be removed from standard Game Pass and offered as a $5.99 add‑on. The add‑on would include 25 hours of playtime, though the leak does not explain what happens after the limit.

A family plan would be offered as an extra $5.99 monthly add‑on. VICE reported the family plan without specifying how many accounts it covers. Microsoft has not made any official announcement regarding these Xbox Game Pass changes. VICE cautioned that the details remain unconfirmed.

Insider NateTheHate said he could not independently substantiate the Slayven report. He agreed that Slayven has been a trustworthy source for Game Pass leaks in the past. Several insiders predicted in July that day‑one games would be removed from Game Pass. VICE noted this earlier speculation to provide context for the latest leak.

Day‑one releases have been a major selling point for Xbox Game Pass. This is especially true after Microsoft bought major publishers including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Ubisoft quietly added Valiant Hearts: Coming Home to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate without an official announcement. It is available on Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, Geo News reported on Oct. 5, 2026.

Football Manager 27 will launch on Nov. 10 as a day‑one Xbox Game Pass title. Geo News listed it among the confirmed releases. Grave Seasons came out on March 9, 2027. Geo News included this date in its coverage of Game Pass titles scheduled for 2027.

Eight games will leave Xbox Game Pass in early October 2026. Geo News reported the departures alongside additions to illustrate regular catalog changes.

Day‑one releases continue to be the main selling point for Xbox Game Pass. The service mixes major releases with smaller experimental games, though some subscribers say the balance should change before 2027.