Xbox Game Pass Could Let You Pay Only For The Features You Actually Use
Xbox Game Pass might be heading towards a much more customisable future, and honestly, this could be a big deal for players in Malaysia and across SEA who are tired of paying for features they barely touch.
According to a report from Windows Central's Jez Corden, Microsoft is looking at a long-term plan where Game Pass subscribers can build their own package by choosing the features, perks, and content bundles they actually want. Instead of one big fixed subscription tier, the idea is that your monthly fee changes depending on what you include or remove.
So, for example, if you're on Game Pass Ultimate but don't care about Xbox Cloud Gaming or Fortnite Crew, you could drop those extras and pay less. On the flip side, Microsoft may also let users add other services or perks into the same package, such as a Minecraft Realm or a World of Warcraft subscription.
That sounds small, but for SEA players, it could solve one of Game Pass' biggest problems: value mismatch. Not everyone here plays on every device, not everyone has the internet stability for cloud gaming, and not everyone cares about every bonus bundled into Ultimate. A modular plan means a Malaysian PC gamer could, in theory, focus on PC access and selected game categories without subsidising features they never open.
The report also mentions content packages, which could mean subscribers may eventually pick game types instead of paying for the full library. If Microsoft goes that route, someone who only plays multiplayer titles could choose that bundle, while another player might prioritise RPGs, indies, or family-friendly games. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the direction is clearly more flexible than the current model.
This comes during a busy week for Game Pass. Microsoft announced on Tuesday, April 21 that it is lowering pricing for both Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Ultimate is reportedly dropping from US$30 to US$23, while PC Game Pass is going from US$16.50 to US$14. In Malaysian terms, that's roughly around RM108 for Ultimate and RM66 for PC Game Pass before regional pricing differences, fees, or currency changes.
There is a catch, though. The next Call of Duty will no longer launch day one on Game Pass. For a lot of players, especially those who subscribed mainly because Microsoft's Activision deal made day-one CoD feel like the killer feature, that's a pretty major downgrade. Cheaper pricing helps, but removing day-one Call of Duty changes the whole value equation.
The timing is interesting too. PCGamesN notes that this follows a leaked internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, reported by The Verge, which suggested Game Pass had become too costly for players and needed to offer better value. That lines up with the new direction: fewer one-size-fits-all bundles, more control for subscribers.
Even without day-one Call of Duty, Microsoft still has a strong 2026 Game Pass slate. Forza Horizon 6, Fable 4, and Subnautica 2 are all mentioned as major titles planned for the service this year. Those games still give Game Pass plenty of weight, especially for players who like trying big releases without paying full price upfront.
For Malaysia and SEA, the key question is simple: will Microsoft actually make this flexible model available globally, and will regional pricing make sense? Because if Game Pass lets us cut out unused features and keep the games we care about, that could be a proper win. If it becomes too complicated or the best perks stay locked behind expensive bundles, then bro, same problem different packaging.
Source: PCGamesN
