Microsoft has launched the Game Pass Standard tier, priced at $15 per month, which provides access to hundreds of games and online multiplayer but excludes day-one releases and cloud gaming options. This new tier replaces the previous Xbox Game Pass for Console and marks a significant shift in the subscription model, as major titles like Starfield, Diablo IV, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 are notably missing. Subscribers to the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate, now $20 per month, will still have access to these day-one releases and additional perks like EA Play. The restructuring has led to criticism, with some calling the Standard plan a 'degraded product' and pointing out that over 40 games have been removed from the lower tier. The changes have sparked debate on whether Microsoft is prioritizing profit over consumer value, especially as console gamers appear to bear the brunt of the adjustments. Existing subscribers with automatic renewals can maintain their current benefits until the next billing cycle.