Xbox is weighing a new subscription tier for Game Pass that would cover only games from Microsoft’s own studios, according to The Verge. The proposed game pass tier would exclude third-party titles entirely and is one of several options being discussed internally as Microsoft reconsiders the service’s structure and pricing.
Asha Sharma, who leads Xbox, said publicly that Game Pass needs “a better value equation” amid concerns about how the service is currently priced. Sharma did not confirm the first-party-only tier in those remarks, but The Verge reports it as a concept under active consideration.
A new game pass tier could open the door to rival platforms
One significant implication of a first-party-only game pass tier is what it could mean for cross-platform expansion. Both Sony and Nintendo have previously declined to carry Game Pass on their platforms. A major reason has been the inclusion of day-one third-party releases, which competing platform holders would be reluctant to distribute.
A tier that only includes Xbox-published games would sidestep that conflict. It would not contain third-party day-one content, removing at least one of the barriers to a potential deal. That does not make a cross-platform arrangement certain. Neither Sony nor Nintendo has indicated any openness to hosting a rival subscription service, and any agreement would require separate negotiations.
Call of Duty’s place in Game Pass is also being debated
The same Verge report describes separate, “intense” internal discussions about whether Call of Duty should continue to launch day one on Game Pass. Since Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Call of Duty titles have been included in Game Pass on release day, a move that became one of the subscription’s headline benefits.
Revisiting that arrangement would carry real consequences. Call of Duty’s day-one availability has been central to Xbox’s pitch for Game Pass, particularly as it competes with PlayStation Plus and other subscription services. Walking it back would weaken one of the subscription’s strongest selling points.
Microsoft has not announced any decisions on the first-party game pass tier or on Call of Duty’s status. The Verge’s reporting frames both as live discussions rather than resolved plans. Sharma’s comments about value suggest Xbox is actively questioning the current model, but the direction of any eventual change remains unclear.