Microsoft is reportedly considering breaking Xbox Game Pass into separately purchasable components, a change that could make cloud gaming, online multiplayer and console game access optional additions to a base subscription. The proposal has not been formally announced, according to Fortune.
Game Pass currently uses predefined membership tiers with fixed sets of benefits. Under the reported approach, Microsoft would retain a tiered structure while adding a more à la carte system, allowing subscribers to pay for only the services they want.
- Access to games available exclusively on consoles
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Online multiplayer
- Additional content and service packages
That structure could give PC-focused players a way to avoid paying for cloud features they do not use, while console players who do not stream games could select a library and multiplayer package instead. The eventual value, however, will depend on the combined price of the add-ons rather than the starting price of the base plan.
The reported review follows another Game Pass adjustment in April 2026, when Microsoft cut the price of some subscriptions but removed future Call of Duty releases from day-one availability. That move came after a major 2025 price increase triggered a strong customer backlash, including heavy traffic on the subscription cancellation page.
Pressure on Xbox’s subscription business
The potential overhaul comes as Xbox reportedly operates with a profit margin of about 3%, below those of competitors and other Microsoft operations. Game Pass is also said to have missed its targets, while Xbox’s new leadership has begun a restructuring that includes thousands of job cuts.
Microsoft is also reportedly accelerating internal timelines for its next Xbox generation, known as Project Helix, by at least several months. The console is planned for late 2028, while an Xbox handheld could arrive during the 2027 holiday period. Teams are being encouraged to use AI tools for some engineering work.
Beyond game sales, Microsoft views Xbox as a demanding test bed for Azure, where low-latency gaming workloads can stress cloud infrastructure. Final Game Pass bundles, pricing and a rollout date remain unconfirmed, and the current subscriptions have not changed.
