Xbox Game Pass cuts price, adds Discord sub in new Starter Edition

References to a new Game Pass Starter Edition have surfaced, pointing to a significant shake-up in how Microsoft packages its subscription service. Code discovered by third-party developer Redphx, later linked to leaked images on Discord-focused accounts, suggests the tier will bundle Discord Nitro for $9.99 per month.

This Starter Edition would reportedly include access to more than 50 games, 10 hours of monthly cloud streaming, and Xbox rewards. The key draw is the inclusion of Discord Nitro, which normally costs $9.99 monthly on its own. If accurate, this creates clear value for subscribers who already use Discord, effectively offering a Game Pass subscription for the same price as the standalone Nitro service.

The move aligns with recent public statements from Xbox leadership. In an open letter published overnight, executives Asha Sharma and Matt Booty emphasized that Game Pass needs “clear differentiation and sustainable economics.” Introducing a new tier fits that directive, though it raises the question of whether more fragmentation is the right path forward.

Currently, Xbox offers three tiers: Essential at £6.99, Premium at £10.99, and Ultimate at £16.99 per month in the UK. Notably, the Ultimate tier was recently reduced from £22.99, a price cut Sharma championed. PlayStation runs a similar three-tier structure at nearly identical price points.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden reports that Sharma envisions a more modular and customizable Game Pass experience. This could allow subscribers to pick and choose specific features rather than committing to a fixed bundle. Microsoft already tested this approach by removing Call of Duty from day-one access in a recent tier adjustment, which helped lower the overall cost. The idea of a fully personalized Game Pass plan, where you select only the components you value, is an intriguing direction for the service’s evolution.