Microsoft has just launched a new layer of Game Pass on Xbox, officially known as Game Pass Standard This is effectively a replacement for the original Game Pass for console subscriptions, sitting between the Game Pass Core and Game Pass Ultimate And the change looks a bit bittersweet

Game Pass Standard was originally announced on May 7, along with another price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, and is now available monthlyIt will cost 20 The good news is that Standard is now able to enjoy all the benefits of Game Pass Core Previously, the Xbox subscription game pass didn't allow you to play online multiplayer unless you were playing a free-to-play game 

Obviously, Standard does not come with access to cloud gamingThis has always been the exclusive of Ultimate-tier It also deprives you of all other ultimate tier perks, including access to the EA Play catalog and the ability to play Game Pass games on your Pc

But the real bad news is that Game Pass Standard no longer has day 1 access to first-party Xbox games You will have to wait for these titles to move to the standard game Path catalog It is not clear how long it will take

Prices have also gone up to month15 in May to launch This is cheaper than paying for Game Pass and Game Pass Core for Xbox together However, many may not be satisfied with paying more money and losing day 1 access in the process Even if that means you can play Call of Duty Black Ops6 with someone from the other side of the planet

Microsoft stopped a new game pass for console subscribers some time ago, but existing subscribers were able to continue their subscription for now Sadly, if the automatic renewal expires or you revoke that subscription by completely canceling your plan, the only option is to subscribe to Game Pass Standard 

On paper, you'll have access to almost the same game library as before, without immediate access to some of Xbox's biggest titles on the release date