Microsoft is rolling out a major restructuring and significant price increases for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service in South Africa, with some plans seeing hikes of up to 109%. The overhaul is part of a global adjustment but brings controversial changes to the local market, including a dramatic reduction in the game library for the mid-tier option and the continued absence of a key feature.
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The changes involve renaming the tiers, adjusting the features, and implementing substantial price changes, which are already in effect for new subscribers. Existing subscribers will start paying the new rates after November 4, 2025.
Despite positioning the overall restructuring as “upgrades” due to additions like unlimited cloud gaming, PC access, and in-game benefits including Riot Games titles, the local implementation has drawn criticism:
See also
- Cloud Gaming Still Unavailable: The unlimited cloud gaming feature, a key selling point of the global “upgrade,” remains unavailable in South Africa.
- The Mid-Tier Massacre: The renamed Game Pass Premium plan saw its library slashed from about 400 games to just 200, alongside a 34% price hike. Subscribers to this tier will also have to wait 12 months for new Microsoft Studios releases to be added.
- The Steepest Hike: The PC-Only Game Pass saw the most drastic increase, jumping 109% from R119 to R249 per month.
To access the full library, all day-one Microsoft Studios releases, and other perks like the Ubisoft+ Classics and EA Play catalogues, users must subscribe to the top-end Ultimate plan, now priced at R349 a month.
