Xbox Game Pass Could Be Getting Cheaper, but Day One Games May Be Going

According to a new industry rumor from a somewhat reliable source, Xbox may remove day-one titles from Game Pass in the coming months. This would mean subscribers would no longer get access to new games on release day and would have to wait until they are added to the service’s catalog.

Over the past year, Xbox Game Pass has undergone numerous changes. It all started with a major price change that saw users forced to pay several additional dollars per month. However, due to backlash, Microsoft changed the pricing model and overall benefits of Game Pass subscription tiers again to make them more consumer-friendly. While those changes were well received, this new rumor might once again get Xbox into hot water over Game Pass.

Day One Game Pass Titles Might Be A Thing Of The Past

This new report regarding the future of Xbox Game Pass comes from a user on the ResetEra forum. While this might seem random at first, the user, Slayven, has predicted changes to Game Pass before, so this isn’t totally out of left field.

According to Slayven, Game Pass will be $3 cheaper in the coming months. This comes as part of broader changes to the entire service, which will now be priced according to whether you do or don’t allow ads. If you don’t allow ads, you’ll pay $19.99 a month, which is $3 less than the current price of Game Pass Ultimate. However, with ads, you pay $12.99, $3 less than Game Pass Premium right now.

While this is a separate conversation, Slayven says Game Pass is dropping in price because Xbox is removing day-one titles from the service. This is rumored to start in February/March/April 2027 and would mean Game Pass would only include ongoing titles in its catalog.

Many AAA titles now launch on Game Pass the day they release, and in some cases even earlier when early access is offered. If Slayven is correct, though, Xbox is rethinking that strategy moving forward.

Xbox did recently respond to the leak via Paul Tassi on Twitter, however. According to the spokesperson via Tassi, this rumor does not reflect Xbox’s current stance on Game Pass.

The statement emphasizes “plans that have been finalized.” This could simply mean Xbox is waiting to officially announce the Game Pass changes in the future.

As of September 2026, though, no confirmed changes are coming to Xbox Game Pass. Whether that changes in 2027 and beyond has yet to be seen.