“Game Pass Has Become Too Expensive” Microsoft Gaming CEO Signals Potential Xbox Game Pass Price Changes In Leaked Memo

Xbox Game Pass prices could change in the future, according to an internal memo from Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma that was leaked and posted on social media. Although any Xbox Game Pass price change is unlikely to happen quickly, Sharma’s words could signal that Microsoft is at least contemplating it.

Periodically, Xbox Game Pass subscribers are offered various games on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs to play, including Day One Game Pass releases from Microsoft and its various game development studios. These Xbox Game Pass offers range from classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy 4 to cozy indie games such as Tiny Bookshop. Xbox Game Pass is available in four different subscription tiers, starting at $9.99 per month for the Xbox Game Pass Essential tier and up to $29.99 per month for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Xbox Boss Asha Sharma States Xbox Game Pass Is “Too Expensive”

Months after Xbox Game Pass Ultimate underwent a $10 price hike, the new Microsoft Gaming CEO has stated a desire to change the prices once again. In a leaked internal memo to Xbox employees (first reported by The Verge), Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma said, “Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation.” Sharma added that a possible long-term solution for Xbox Game Pass would be to evolve it “into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.” Sharma further stated in the memo that she would discuss the matter further with other Xbox staff members next week, though it is unlikely that any potential Xbox Game Pass price changes will be immediately implemented. It is also unclear to what extent Xbox Game Pass prices could change and if any benefits will be shuffled around to compensate.

Sharma’s latest comments came just a few months after she took over as Microsoft Gaming CEO following the retirement of Phil Spencer. Sharma previously acknowledged the demand for more Xbox console-exclusive games, despite Microsoft’s efforts to branch out and put games like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5 consoles. In response to one such demand on social media, Sharma simply replied, “Heard you.” Given that Xbox’s next home console, Project Helix, is still in active development, it remains to be seen how much focus Microsoft will put into releasing exclusive games for it.

Xbox Game Pass Changes are Likely Coming in Some Capacity

The memo from Sharma came just days after rumors about Call of Duty‘s possible removal from Xbox Game Pass made the rounds on social media. According to Jez Corden, reports stated that it is possible that the 2026 edition of Call of Duty could skip Xbox Game Pass entirely, which would be a blow to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 available as a Day One Game Pass title, the move has cost Microsoft hundreds of millions of dollars in lost game sales. However, it is currently unclear if Microsoft will renege on this potential plan.

Whether or not any significant changes are made to Xbox Game Pass in 2026, Microsoft’s subscription service is still loaded with various games for players to try out. With a loaded April 2026 release slate on Xbox Game Pass, time will tell what moves Microsoft will make to benefit both its users and its bottom line.