UPDATE: GameStop has just announced that it will continue offering Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions at the old rate of $19.99 per month, despite Microsoft’s recent price increase. This bold move comes just one day after GameStop humorously referenced the price hike with a tweet saying, “own nothing.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated October 1, 2025, GameStop confirmed, “We will continue to sell Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $19.99/month in-store and online.” The response has been met with enthusiasm from gamers who are frustrated by the price surge, which saw Game Pass Ultimate rise to $29.99 per month, while Game Pass for PC increased from $11.99 to $16.49.
The reasons behind GameStop’s ability to maintain the old pricing structure remain unclear. However, it is evident that the company is responding to consumer backlash amid widespread cancellations of Game Pass subscriptions following the announcement of the price hikes. Gamers are expressing their concerns that the current costs make it impractical to use Game Pass as a viable option to access new titles, especially blockbuster releases like The Outer Worlds 2, which is set at $70.
Microsoft has tried to soften the blow by exploring a potential free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, but many gamers are still dissatisfied. As subscriptions dwindle, the urgency for an affordable gaming solution has intensified.
GameStop’s commitment to keeping the price at $19.99 offers a temporary relief for gamers who wish to avoid the new fees. In addition to GameStop, players can also find subscription codes at other retailers like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Loaded (formerly CDKeys) for the same price.
As this situation develops, gamers are left wondering whether Microsoft will reconsider its pricing strategy or if more retailers will follow GameStop’s lead. With Game Pass subscriptions becoming a hot topic, gamers are eager to see how this situation unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates and developments as this story continues to evolve.