Microsoft has made another round of changes to Xbox Game Pass. The company has removed the 10% discount that members used to get on game add-ons and downloadable content. The change first caught attention when users noticed Call of Duty DLCs no longer had any discount under the Ultimate plan. Items like Call of Duty Points and the BlackCell premium upgrade were suddenly listed at full price.
At first, it looked like this was limited to Activision content. But Microsoft has now confirmed the update covers all games and DLC on Game Pass. The discount option is gone entirely for add-ons, and in its place, the company is pushing reward points. Many players see this as another sign that the Game Pass model is shifting toward a reward-based system instead of direct price cuts.
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Microsoft confirms the new system
After the reports spread, Microsoft gave a statement to IGN explaining the changes. The company said the removal of discounts is not tied to any single title and applies to all games and DLC purchases. Instead of reduced pricing, players will now earn Microsoft Rewards points for buying games or content through Game Pass.
Ultimate subscribers will earn 10% back in points, while Premium users will get 5%. Microsoft added that these points can be redeemed for various rewards in the Xbox ecosystem, including gift cards, Game Pass time, and digital purchases.
The company also reminded players that Ultimate members still get up to 20% off select full games from the Game Pass library. But for DLCs and add-ons, the focus has fully shifted to earning points instead of saving money upfront.
How the rewards structure will work now
Under this new plan, Game Pass subscribers will earn more points depending on their membership tier. Ultimate users get four times the normal rate, while Premium members earn double. These points are part of Microsoft’s broader Rewards system, which ties together purchases, gameplay, and challenges across Xbox and PC.
Players can still earn points for completing quests, logging in, or finishing achievements. The difference now is that DLC purchases fall under the same system. Microsoft says this makes the rewards experience more consistent across its platform.
While the company has tried to frame it as a benefit, long-time members see it differently. Reward points have fluctuating value, meaning the savings depend on how and when you redeem them. The removal of straightforward discounts feels like an indirect price increase for those who regularly buy add-ons.
Recent Game Pass changes add pressure
This discount removal comes soon after Microsoft announced new subscription plans and higher prices. The Game Pass Ultimate plan now costs $29.99 / £22.99 / AU$35.95 per month, up from the previous $19.99 / £14.99 / AU$22.95. There’s still no yearly plan option. The company also rolled out new membership tiers like Game Pass Standard and Game Pass Core, each with different access levels and restrictions.
The higher pricing already frustrated many players, and now with DLC discounts gone, the overall value of Ultimate membership feels less convincing. Some users argue that Microsoft is gradually making Game Pass more expensive while offering fewer direct benefits. The company’s defense has been that new features and regular content drops justify the higher price, but reactions across social media and forums have been mixed at best.
