It is not often that we see the price of a digital subscription service move in a downward direction. In an era where “subscription fatigue” is a common phrase and monthly costs seem to creep up every few months, Xbox has just delivered a surprising (and very welcome) reversal for the local gaming community.
Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is receiving a massive price adjustment in Australia, alongside a shift in how its biggest blockbuster franchise, Call of Duty, will be delivered to subscribers.
The Big Price Drop: What You Will Save
The most striking part of this announcement is the scale of the reduction. Previously sitting at $35.95 AUD per month, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has been slashed to $25.95 AUD per month.
For those keeping track of their annual household budget, that is a saving of $120 per year. It is a rare win for the consumer that brings the “all-you-can-eat” gaming model back into a much more justifiable price bracket for the casual player.
PC gamers have not been forgotten either. The PC Game Pass tier is dropping from $19.45 AUD to $16.45 AUD per month. While the lower tiers of Game Pass Premium and Essential, remain unchanged, the price cuts to the flagship tiers suggest a strategic pivot by Microsoft to keep their most active users engaged.
Here’s The Catch ” Call of Duty”
Of course, a price drop this significant rarely comes without a caveat. Xbox has confirmed a major change to their “Day One” release strategy specifically regarding the Call of Duty franchise.
Historically, one of the biggest selling points of the Ultimate tier was the promise that every first-party title would land on the service the moment it hit retail shelves. Moving forward, new Call of Duty titles will no longer join Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. Instead, these titles are expected to arrive on the service approximately a year after their initial release.
Updated Xbox Game Pass Monthly Pricing (Australia)
| Tier | New Monthly Price | Previous Price |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $25.95 AUD | $35.95 AUD |
| PC Game Pass | $16.45 AUD | $19.45 AUD |
| Xbox Game Pass Premium | $17.95 AUD | No Change |
| Xbox Game Pass Essential | $12.95 AUD | No Change |
A New Direction Under New Leadership
This shift comes under the guidance of the new Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, who has noted that the change is a direct response to player feedback and the diverse needs of a global audience.
For the average Australian gamer who plays a variety of indie gems, racing simulators, and RPGs, this is an incredible deal. If you aren’t a “Day One” Call of Duty devotee, you essentially just received a $120 annual discount for the exact same service you were already enjoying.
