Xbox Game Pass is undergoing a tier overhaul along with a hike in subscription fees.

Microsoft announced the changes on its official website on the 1st. First, the 'Core' plan is being rebranded as 'Essential', with the price increasing by 36% from 7,900 won to 10,800 won. The 'Standard' plan is being renamed to 'Premium', rising from 11,900 won to 14,900 won, an increase of approximately 25%. While the 'Ultimate' tier remains the same, it is seeing a 52% surge, moving from 19,000 won to 29,000 won.

The Ultimate tier includes additional perks to justify the price hike. Beyond EA Play, it now offers complimentary access to Ubisoft+ Classics and the Fortnite Crew. Furthermore, subscribers can play new releases on day one, including titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Ninja Gaiden 4, alongside other Xbox and third-party games.

However, despite these benefits, the reaction among users is overwhelmingly negative, with many finding the cost burdensome. Comments such as "I'd rather just buy games when they're on sale," "A 1.5x price increase is just too much," and "It’s finally time to let it go" have been common. In South Korea, where Game Pass is provided as a benefit through the Naver Plus Membership, there is also significant concern regarding the future of that service.