The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
According to reports on a leaked internal memo, Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma told employees that Game Pass had become “too expensive for players” and needed “a better value equation.” Xbox later cut the U.S. monthly prices of Ultimate and PC Game Pass—but future Call of Duty games will no longer arrive on either plan at launch.
What Xbox’s boss reportedly said
The “too expensive” line was not part of a public Xbox announcement. It came from reporting on an internal employee memo attributed to Asha Sharma, Microsoft Gaming’s CEO. Reports said Sharma described Game Pass as having “become too expensive for players,” called for “a better value equation,” and said the long-term plan involved a “more flexible system.” MobileSyrup’s report covered the memo; Techmeme’s roundup collected related coverage.
That distinction matters: the memo’s wording was reported, not formally confirmed in a public Xbox statement. And saying that a service costs too much can mean its price no longer matches what players believe they get for it; it is not, by itself, a promise to lower every plan’s price.
Xbox did cut two U.S. prices
On April 21, 2026, Xbox announced lower U.S. monthly prices for Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The reductions are real, but they are only part of the story.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
| Plan | Before April 21, 2026 | After the announcement | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99/month | $22.99/month | $7 less per month |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49/month | $13.99/month | $2.50 less per month |
At those announced prices, Ultimate costs $275.88 over 12 months before tax, while PC Game Pass costs $167.88. The cuts save $84 and $30 per year respectively compared with the immediately preceding prices. These are U.S. figures from Xbox’s April 21 announcement, not a guarantee of what subscribers pay in other countries or after future changes.
The cut also did not fully undo the earlier Ultimate increase. Secondary coverage described the previous move to $29.99 as roughly a 50% rise; that historical comparison should be treated as reported coverage, rather than a figure established by the April price announcement. On that comparison, Ultimate remains above its pre-increase price.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
The trade-off: future Call of Duty games are no longer day one
Under Xbox’s April update, future Call of Duty titles will not join Ultimate or PC Game Pass on their release day. Xbox says they are expected to arrive during the following holiday season, approximately a year after launch. Call of Duty games already in the catalog are not being removed by this change and remain available under the announcement’s terms.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
That makes the change more than a straightforward discount. Day-one access to major releases helped distinguish the more expensive plans; now, subscribers get a lower price alongside a narrower launch-day offer for one of Xbox’s biggest franchises. Check the listing for an individual game rather than assuming every Xbox-published release—or every Call of Duty—has identical timing.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
Why Call of Duty matters to the subscription equation
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition brought Call of Duty into its first-party portfolio. Putting a new Call of Duty into a subscription at launch can make Game Pass more attractive, but it may also lead some players to subscribe instead of buying that game outright. That tension between subscription value and direct game sales is a widely discussed business explanation for the pricing debate—not a confirmed statement from Microsoft that it caused the earlier increase.
Microsoft has not supplied subscriber figures in the cited reporting that would show whether the previous prices changed sign-ups or cancellations. It would be speculation to claim that subscribers left, or that the new price is a response to a measured exodus.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
Which Game Pass plan fits your use?
Xbox’s current U.S. plan page lists Essential, Premium, Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Its public page describes features and catalog sizes, but the pricing display may vary; the dated prices above come from the April announcement. Availability, games, features and benefits can differ by region, platform, plan and time. Treat catalog counts as broad descriptions, not promises that a particular title will always be available. See Xbox’s plan page for the current details in your market.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Plan | What Xbox describes | Day-one and notable benefits | Practical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | More than 50 games; cloud gaming, online console multiplayer, in-game benefits and rewards | No new-release games on day one, according to Xbox’s FAQ | Consider it if you mainly want multiplayer, a smaller library and basic benefits. |
| Premium | More than 200 games; cloud gaming with shorter waits than lower plans, multiplayer, benefits and rewards | Xbox-published games are added within one year of launch | A catalog-focused option if you can wait for new Xbox-published titles. |
| Ultimate | More than 500 games; Xbox and PC access, cloud gaming, multiplayer and rewards | Includes EA Play, Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics; future Call of Duty releases are not day one | Most relevant if you use several of its platforms and bundled services, or play enough included releases to justify the recurring cost. |
| PC Game Pass | More than 300 PC games, plus EA Play, in-game benefits and rewards | Offers day-one PC releases, with future Call of Duty titles excluded from launch-day access | Compare it with buying your PC games individually if you mainly play on PC. |
Xbox’s descriptions have caveats: some games are excluded from day-one claims, and availability changes. Cloud gaming requires a supported device, compatible game and supported region; the service also describes different quality and wait-time levels across plans. Some PC games may use third-party launchers. Confirm the conditions for the games and devices you actually use.
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Is Ultimate still worth paying for?
There is no single answer based on the lower sticker price alone. At $22.99 a month in the U.S. announcement, Ultimate is still a substantial recurring expense. Its annualized cost is $275.88 before tax, promotions or any later price change.
- Ultimate may suit you if you play on both Xbox and PC, regularly use cloud gaming, play several included releases, or would otherwise pay for benefits such as EA Play, Fortnite Crew or Ubisoft+ Classics. Count only benefits you would actually use.
- PC Game Pass may suit you if you play on PC and want its library and day-one releases without needing Ultimate’s console-oriented bundle. Its announced U.S. price is $13.99 a month, or $167.88 a year before tax.
- Premium may suit you if older and catalog games matter more than playing Xbox-published releases at launch. Its stated window for those releases is within one year.
- Essential may suit you if your priorities are online console multiplayer and a smaller game library, and you do not need new releases on day one.
- Buying individually may suit you if you play only one or two games for long stretches and want access that does not depend on a rotating subscription catalog. The upfront cost may be higher, but a subscription does not give permanent ownership.
Before renewing, compare the monthly charge with the games and extras you would otherwise pay for. A game can leave the catalog, and access through Game Pass ends if your subscription expires or the title leaves. If you buy a game separately, that purchase is distinct from subscription access. Introductory offers, where available, may be limited to new subscribers and automatically renew at the then-current regular price unless canceled; do not treat a promotion as the standard price.
What “more flexible” could mean—and what is not confirmed
The reported memo’s reference to a “more flexible system” does not announce a new tier or modular subscription. More sharply separated tiers, a cheaper plan without day-one releases, or separate options for platforms or premium launches are possible ways a service could be structured, but none is established by the cited announcement. Xbox said it would continue listening and learning; it did not provide a public blueprint for another restructuring.
If you subscribe, check your local plan page for prices and terms, and manage recurring billing through Microsoft account services or your console settings. Xbox subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. The central change is clear even while the longer-term plan is not: Microsoft lowered two premium prices, while reducing the launch-day value of those plans for future Call of Duty releases.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
