Xbox Game Pass for PC raising subscription price as it leaves beta

Microsoft has announced it is raising the subscription price for Xbox Game Pass for PC as soon as next week, as the service is leaving its beta status. According to the details revealed on Twitter, the company is “retiring the introductory price on the 17th, but if you’re already a member, you’ll pay the same rate through the next billing cycle.”

Xbox Game Pass for PC will be issuing its users “a notification” on the September 17 to include “more details” on this shift. The current subscription fee for Xbox Game Pass on PC is $4.99, but as it leaves the beta on September 17, it will raise to $9.99 per month. “It depends on your region,” it is mentioned, though.

It is unclear which other improvements or additions will be implemented, as “we’re going into General Availability next week,” said Microsoft, “and we’re continuing to add great games and experiences to Xbox Game Pass for PC.”

However, the platform is also introducing EA Play as part of the same subscription price this Holiday, with more than 60 Electronic Arts games and franchises and discounts on EA titles. Some of the best EA Play games will also be available for Ultimate members to play on Android devices from the cloud at no additional cost. This was the big news Microsoft’s Phil Spencer promised several weeks ago for August and was slightly delayed into September.

In January, Spencer said the platform owner wasn’t planning on raising Xbox Game Pass’ subscription price “anytime soon.” It was clear it was doing it sooner or later, though, as a marketing executive added that the service isn’t particularly remunerative as it is now.