Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) confirmed that subscribers to the Core and Standard tiers of the service might face extended wait times — up to 12 months or more — before gaining access to first-party titles previously available on the day of release.

This revelation marks a substantial shift from what Xbox Game Pass users have come to expect. Previously, all Game Pass subscribers enjoyed access to Xbox's first-party titles on the day of release.

However, with the introduction of these new tiers, that benefit will now be limited to subscribers of the higher-priced Ultimate ($20/month) and PC ($12/month) tiers.

These plans also include Electronic Arts Inc's (NASDAQ:EA) EA Play membership, further distinguishing them from the more affordable Core ($10/month) and Standard ($15/month) options.

The Core tier offers a curated catalogue of 25 "high-quality games on console," while the Standard tier boasts "hundreds of high-quality games on console."

Despite this, neither tier will grant immediate access to Xbox's latest releases.

"Some games coming to Game Pass Ultimate (day one games or other game entries) will not be immediately available with Game Pass Standard and may be added to the library at a future date (can be up to 12 months or more and will vary by title)," Megan Spurr, Xbox Game Pass's senior community lead, detailed in an Xbox Wire post.

This change is expected to influence how gamers choose their subscriptions, particularly as Microsoft has yet to confirm when the new Standard tier will become available.

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