New Xbox Leadership Eyes Game Pass Tier Shakeup

Recent reports suggest a significant shift is coming to Microsoft's subscription model. According to Tom Warren at The Verge, the new head of Xbox, Asha Sharma, is reportedly considering a specialized Game Pass tier that would only include first-party Microsoft titles.

This move comes as part of a broader strategy to evolve the service into a more flexible system. Sharma has reportedly informed staff that "Game Pass has become too expensive for players," signaling a potential pivot toward affordability and restructured value propositions.

A Potential First-Party Only Subscription

If these Game Pass rumor details prove accurate, the new tier would leverage Microsoft’s massive library of internal studios. Following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, Microsoft's first-party catalog has become an industry powerhouse.

A budget-friendly tier could include access to massive franchises such as:

Upcoming heavy hitters like Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, and the next mainline Call of Duty (rumored to be Modern Warfare 4) would likely anchor this new offering.

Reassessing the Value of Day-One Releases

The potential restructuring of the service may also involve changes to how major blockbusters are handled. Microsoft is reportedly considering pulling this year's Call of Duty title away from its current Game Pass day-one release status.

Some reports indicate that adding massive titles like Call of Duty to the subscription was a primary driver behind recent price hikes. While former executives argued that subscription availability boosts overall sales, some industry veterans remain skeptical of the model's long-term sustainability.

The pressure on Microsoft is mounting as critics weigh in on the future of gaming subscriptions. Former Sony Interactive Entertainment America boss Shawn Layden recently offered a grim outlook, suggesting that despite Microsoft's efforts to maintain service health, the current trajectory faces "unfavorable diagnostics." Whether this new Game Pass tier can stabilize the platform remains to be seen.