Summary
Xbox Game Passis testing the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier for a select group right now. Gamers eligible for theXbox Game PassStandard tier will be able to get a look at how many games are offered and learn whether the service is right for them, or if a higher or lower tier is more appropriate.
Initially announced earlier in the summer,Xbox Game Pass for Consoleis being replaced with Xbox Game Pass Standard tier. While existing members on the Xbox Game Pass for Console tier are allowed to stay there for as long as their subscriptions remain active, new members and lapsed members are not being accepted for the older version. However, since Xbox Game Pass Standard hasn’t yet been made available to public, this is the first opportunity for users to give it a try.
What Makes Xbox Game Pass Standard Different?
Xbox Game Pass will eventually have four standard tiers, ranging from the most basic Core subscription to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC tiers are still receiving new games on day one, butXbox Game Pass Coreand Standard will not. The number of available games to play will also differ. Xbox Game Pass Standard has access to “hundreds” of games on console, while Core has a minimum of 25. Xbox Game Pass Standard may add new titles that launch on Ultimate day one at a later date, up to 12 months post-release.
Of course, with different levels of benefits, there are also varying prices. Core, Xbox Game Pass’s most basic tier, is set to $9.99 a month. Standard will settle into its $14.99 pricing after the Xbox Insider preview, while PC is $11.99 a month and Ultimate is at its new price of $19.99 a month.
Whether Xbox gamers embrace this new tier remains to be seen. A big part of the appeal ofXbox Game Pass has been access to day one titles, which Standard lacks. The lower price may appeal to some, but it won’t be clear if users think the tier is worth the cost until it officially launches. For now, though, access to Xbox Game Pass Standard for a dollar a month is a great opportunity for Xbox Insiders to try it out and offer their feedback to help shape the future of the gaming ecosystem.
