Microsoft could be preparing another major restructuring of Xbox Game Pass in 2027, according to a new rumor claiming the service may introduce an ad-supported tier, remove day-one releases, separate cloud gaming from the core subscription and significantly simplify its membership structure.
The information originated from Slayven, a longtime ResetEra member and moderator, who reportedly shared details said to come from a source familiar with Microsoft’s plans. The claims were later highlighted across gaming communities, with insider NateTheHate noting that Slayven had previously shared accurate information regarding earlier Game Pass tier changes. However, NateTheHate’s comment does not independently confirm that the new 2027 details are accurate.
Microsoft has not announced any of the changes described in the rumor. For that reason, every price, tier and policy mentioned below should be treated as unverified and subject to change.
Rumor Claims Xbox Game Pass Could Introduce a $12.99 Ad-Supported Tier
According to the claim, Microsoft could move toward two primary versions of Game Pass.
One would reportedly cost $12.99 per month and include advertising, while an ad-free subscription would cost $19.99 per month or $239.99 annually.
Exactly how advertising would work inside a gaming subscription is not explained.
The rumor does not specify whether ads would appear before games launch, within the Xbox interface or through another system. Any assumptions about how advertisements would actually be displayed would therefore be speculation.
The reported $19.99 ad-free price would also be lower than the current U.S. price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $22.99 per month.
According to the rumor, that price reduction would be connected to one of the biggest potential changes of all: the removal of new day-one releases.
New Games Could Reportedly Stop Launching Day One on Game Pass
The same source claims that new games would no longer launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one, with the transition potentially beginning sometime between February and April 2027.
If accurate, this would represent a fundamental change to one of Microsoft’s most important Game Pass promises.
The current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription still advertises new games on day one, while PC Game Pass also continues to include day-one releases. Microsoft’s Premium plan, by comparison, receives selected Xbox-published titles within one year rather than immediately.
Microsoft has already shown some willingness to scale back day-one access in specific cases. Current Premium subscribers do not receive every new Xbox game immediately, and Call of Duty titles are specifically excluded from Premium’s “within one year” promise.
Still, removing day-one releases from Game Pass entirely would be considerably more significant than anything Microsoft has officially announced so far.
Cloud Gaming Could Become a Separate $5.99 Add-On
Another major part of the rumor concerns Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The claim states that cloud streaming could eventually be removed from the standard Game Pass subscription and converted into a separate add-on priced at $5.99 for 25 hours of cloud playtime.
That part of the rumor is particularly interesting because Microsoft has already officially announced significant changes to cloud gaming.
Beginning in November 2026, Game Pass Ultimate will include 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium will include 10 hours, and Essential will receive 5 hours. Players will be able to purchase additional cloud playtime after exhausting their included hours. Microsoft is also introducing the ability to buy cloud gaming time without having a Game Pass subscription.
However, Microsoft’s currently announced November system does not say that cloud gaming will be completely removed from Game Pass.
In fact, the company explicitly says cloud hours will remain included within Ultimate, Premium and Essential.
The new rumor could therefore represent a proposed later-stage restructuring for 2027, if accurate, rather than the already confirmed November 2026 changes.
Family Plan Could Reportedly Return as a $5.99 Add-On
The alleged restructuring may also include a new family option.
According to the claim, subscribers could pay an additional $5.99 per month for a family plan.
Details are extremely limited.
The leak does not specify how many additional users would be supported, whether everyone would share the same Game Pass benefits, or whether family access would be restricted by household or region.
Microsoft previously experimented with the Game Pass Friends & Family model in selected markets before ending that program, so the idea of another family-oriented subscription would not be unprecedented.
There is currently no official indication that Microsoft plans to bring such a feature back.
Game Pass Library and Online Multiplayer Could Cost $14.99
The rumor also claims Microsoft could offer a $14.99-per-month option combining access to the Game Pass library with online console multiplayer.
That would place the tier between the alleged $12.99 ad-supported plan and the $19.99 ad-free offering.
Interestingly, Microsoft’s current Game Pass Premium already costs $14.99 per month in the United States and includes more than 200 games, online multiplayer and cloud gaming.
That means the rumored $14.99 plan could potentially represent a replacement or restructuring of Premium rather than an entirely new price point.
Again, the source does not clearly explain how every proposed tier would differ from one another, which is another reason the information should be treated cautiously.
Online Multiplayer Could Become Its Own $10.99 Subscription
One of the more unusual claims suggests Microsoft may separate online console multiplayer into its own subscription costing $10.99 per month.
Online multiplayer is currently included with Game Pass Essential, Premium and Ultimate.
In the U.S., Game Pass Essential currently costs $9.99 per month and includes a library of more than 50 games, online console multiplayer and five monthly hours of cloud gaming under Microsoft’s upcoming cloud changes.
A $10.99 multiplayer-only option would therefore represent another major restructuring of Microsoft’s entry-level subscription strategy.
The rumor does not explain whether a standalone multiplayer plan would include any games or additional benefits.
Some Parts of the Rumor Align With Microsoft’s Recent Direction
While none of the claimed 2027 restructuring has been confirmed, certain elements resemble changes Microsoft is already making.
The company is officially introducing cloud gaming time limits in November and plans to sell extra streaming hours separately.
Microsoft has also already diversified the way new releases enter Game Pass.
Ultimate still includes new games on day one, while Premium typically receives Xbox-published games within 12 months. Essential does not include new release titles on day one.
There have also been reports throughout 2026 suggesting Microsoft has been reevaluating Game Pass deals with third-party publishers, although subsequent reporting indicated there was no blanket plan to stop funding third-party Game Pass additions entirely.
Those changes provide context for the rumor, but they do not prove it.
NateTheHate Says the Source Has Shared Game Pass Information Before
The rumor gained additional attention after NateTheHate commented on Slayven’s previous track record.
According to NateTheHate, Slayven had previously shared information about Game Pass tier changes before Microsoft transitioned its subscriptions toward models such as Core and Standard.
That is relevant when assessing the source, but it is important not to interpret the comment as direct confirmation of the new claims.
NateTheHate did not say that he independently verified the reported $12.99 ad tier, $19.99 ad-free plan, $5.99 cloud package or removal of day-one games.
For now, those details remain attributable to a single reported source.
Microsoft Has Not Announced Another Game Pass Restructuring
As of now, Microsoft’s official Game Pass structure remains Ultimate, Premium, Essential and PC Game Pass.
In the United States, Ultimate costs $22.99 per month, Premium costs $14.99, Essential costs $9.99, and PC Game Pass costs $13.99.
Microsoft’s official pages continue to advertise day-one games for Ultimate and PC Game Pass, while Premium receives selected Xbox releases within one year.
That means the rumored 2027 model should not be confused with Microsoft’s current plans.
If the leak is accurate, however, it could represent one of the biggest changes to Game Pass since Microsoft launched the service — potentially transforming it from an all-in-one subscription into a much more modular ecosystem where players separately choose access to games, multiplayer, cloud streaming and family features.
For now, though, nothing about the alleged 2027 Game Pass overhaul has been officially confirmed by Microsoft.
FAQ
Is Xbox Game Pass getting an ad-supported tier?
A new rumor claims Microsoft is considering a $12.99-per-month ad-supported Game Pass plan, but Microsoft has not confirmed it.
Will Xbox Game Pass stop getting games on day one?
The rumor claims that new day-one releases could disappear from Game Pass beginning sometime between February and April 2027. This remains unconfirmed.
Is Xbox Cloud Gaming leaving Game Pass?
Not officially. Microsoft has confirmed that Game Pass plans will still include limited cloud hours beginning in November 2026. A separate rumor claims cloud gaming could later become an add-on in 2027.
How much could the rumored cloud gaming add-on cost?
The rumor claims $5.99 for 25 hours of cloud gaming. Microsoft has not confirmed that price or package.
How much does Game Pass Ultimate currently cost?
In the United States, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate currently costs $22.99 per month.
Could Xbox Game Pass get a family plan?
The rumor claims a family option could be offered as a $5.99 monthly add-on, but no details have been announced by Microsoft.
Has Microsoft confirmed these 2027 Game Pass changes?
No. Microsoft has not officially announced the rumored restructuring, so all of these details should currently be treated as unverified.
