Xbox may be preparing another major overhaul of Game Pass in 2027, according to a new rumor that claims Microsoft could reduce the service to two primary subscription tiers while removing some of its most notable benefits.
The reported changes would represent a significant shift for Game Pass, particularly if subscribers no longer receive day-one first-party releases as part of the standard service.
Two Game Pass Tiers Reportedly Planned
According to information shared by ResetEra user Slayven, Xbox could introduce two Game Pass options sometime between February and April 2027.
The rumored plans are:
- $12.99/month: Ad-supported tier
- $19.99/month: Ad-free tier
Both subscriptions would reportedly exclude day-one first-party releases and cloud gaming.
The cloud gaming feature could instead become a separate add-on priced at $5.99 for 25 hours of playtime.
A separate family plan is also reportedly being considered for an additional $5.99 per month.
Multiplayer Could Become Separate
Another potentially significant change would involve online multiplayer.
The rumor claims Xbox could separate console multiplayer access from Game Pass entirely, with multiplayer reportedly costing $10.99 per month.
That would represent a notable return to the structure of the Xbox Live Gold era, when online multiplayer was handled independently from the company's broader subscription offerings.
How Reliable Is the Rumor?
The information remains unconfirmed by Microsoft, but there is some history behind the source.
Nate the Hate reportedly pointed out that Slayven previously shared information about Xbox restructuring Game Pass into Core and Standard tiers before Microsoft officially announced those changes.
That doesn't confirm the latest claims, however. Nate the Hate also noted that while the source appears to have access to legitimate information, the reported timeline could still change.
Game Pass Faces a Changing Future
The latest rumor arrives during a period of major changes across Xbox.
Microsoft has faced layoffs and questions about the long-term economics of Game Pass, while reports have also suggested internal disagreement over how much the subscription model benefits individual games and studios.
There have additionally been reports of Xbox reconsidering some of its third-party Game Pass agreements.
For now, Microsoft has not announced these rumored 2027 changes. If the report proves accurate, however, Game Pass could look very different by this time next year.