Microsoft Mulls Pick-Your-Own Xbox Game Pass Model

XGP just dropped its price today and removed Call of Duty day-one access. That's not Microsoft's usual playbook. Turns out there's more to it—backend API references show two codenames: Duet and Triton.

Reporter Jez Corden got word from Microsoft insiders that XGP is testing a build-your-own subscription model. The idea: you pick what you want and drop what you don't. Don't use cloud gaming? Cut it, lower your bill. Want to bundle World of Warcraft subscription or Minecraft Realms into one payment? That's on the table. Family sharing plans might be included too.

The logic makes sense. Subscription services force you to pay for bundled features you never touch. I know several people who've never launched a cloud game but pay for it every month anyway. If you could customize like ordering off a menu, that's fairer.

My concern is pricing tricks. Look at Fortnite's skin system—it feels like freedom of choice, but when you add it up, you often spend more than buying a bundle outright. If Microsoft sets a low base price then charges per module, going all-in could cost more than the current plan. That's a common trap in subscription models.

Still, the direction is right. XGP has been raising prices and adding content for two years, but many players just want the game library. If they actually deliver pay-for-what-you-use, it helps budget-conscious gamers. The real test is how Microsoft prices each piece—hopefully it won't turn into a math problem.