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After the company's recent declaration of an extensive restructuring of its Game Pass plans, the tech giant has explained what the updates mean for players who currently hold an legacy Console subscription in effect. According to Xbox, subscribers who presently holds a grandfathered Console subscription with automatic billing turned on will not be affected by the updated cost changes.

Latest Updates to Xbox Game Pass Subscription Plans

Earlier this week, Xbox announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be priced at $29.99 monthly, a controversial move among subscribers. The update accompanies two renamed options—Premium and Essential—which alter the service's offerings and do not include new titles at launch. The move followed a prior change in last year, which phased out the Console plan in favor of Core and Standard levels. At that time, Xbox allowed current Console subscribers to keep their membership at the same price of $11 per month with all perks, such as access to day-one releases.

“Players who are presently subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for Console and have recurring billing enabled can continue their membership,” an Xbox spokesperson stated. “If players disable automatic payment renewal, or their membership expires, they will have to select between the Essential, Premium, Ultimate, or PC Game Pass plans when resubscribing.”

Benefits and Costs Stay the Same

Benefits and pricing of the legacy subscription will not be changing, according to Xbox: “New releases are available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC plans, as well as for subscribers who continue to hold an active Game Pass for Console. Gamers who are presently enrolled in the Console plan and have automatic payment renewal enabled can keep their subscription at $10.99/month.”

When asked, a company representative declined to specify for what duration grandfathered Console plans will stay available for existing members.

Steps to Check If You Have a Console Plan

• Go to the official Game Pass page and log in with your Microsoft account.
• Click your profile name in the top right corner of the page once signed in.
• Click on “Account Settings.”
• If you find “Console subscription” shown as an current plan, you can still get day-one games for $11 a month as long as automatic billing are enabled.

Be sure to verify if you still have this exclusive benefit before ending your membership, as it will be impossible to get back into it once you opt out.