Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has revealed that Microsoft's gaming division plans to introduce more flexible Xbox Game Pass offers to better adapt to different types of players. Sharma previously made headlines in April 2026 when she slashed the prices of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, a move that was generally well-received among gamers. However, the price reduction brought a significant compromise, as Call of Duty titles will no longer be included as first releases on the service.
Xbox Game Pass currently offers four subscription options: Ultimate, Premium, Essential, and a PC-exclusive tier. Essential is the most affordable plan at $9.99 per month, while Ultimate is the most expensive at $22.99 per month. Recently, there have been several rumors that more subscription plans and tiers could be added to the lineup. And Sharma's latest comments may lend further credence to these reports.
Xbox revealed huge number of game subscriptions lost after 2025 price hike
Xbox Game Pass apparently has far fewer subscribers than it used to, thanks to a big price increase that took place in 2025.
Xbox CEO hints at new game subscription deals coming this summer
“This summer, we're going to do more to create more flexible offerings that meet the needs of all types of players,” Asha Sharma said in a recent interview with YouTube channel Fortune Conversations. The new Xbox CEO did not elaborate on what these deals might mean for the future of Xbox Game Pass. However, many interpreted her comments as hinting at new subscription tiers, potentially something similar to the rumored Game Pass Starter Edition, which is said to be a cheaper tier associated with Discord Nitro. However, for now, these remain unconfirmed reports and it is unclear what the upcoming flexible offers will look like.
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Based on Sharma's comments, Game Pass may not be the only part of Microsoft's gaming business that is expected to change in the near future. She said the company will continue to explore new business models for Xbox consoles as well, saying the industry needs more than just delivering the most premium and powerful console possible.
Sharma also noted that it is increasingly difficult to imagine a mass-market audience spending thousands of dollars on a single console generation, suggesting that the gaming industry could see “radically different business models” this year. Her remarks have added significance given that Microsoft has already confirmed that it is working on its next-generation Xbox console, currently codenamed Project Helix.
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Sharma also reiterated her comments regarding the previous Xbox Game Pass price hike, saying the service “simply became too unaffordable.” She added that Xbox “was able to see a return to growth on Game Pass,” a claim echoed in a recent message sent to Team Xbox staff. In a statement, Sharma wrote, “Our Game Pass team has started working on fixing our offering and after 8+ months of decline, our service has started to grow again.”
However, Sharma's plans for the future of Xbox, also outlined in the memo, suggest that layoffs at Microsoft's gaming division may be on the horizon. She noted that the division has spent more than $20 billion on ongoing investments over the past five years, while annual revenue has fallen by nearly half a billion dollars. One encouraging takeaway from Sharma's comments is her statement that “Game Pass is at the heart of gaming,” indicating that Microsoft remains committed to the subscription service and will likely continue to invest in its future.
