New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- Starting Wednesday, 1 October, Xbox players will see changes to their subscriptions. Game Pass Core members will be moved to the new Essential plan; Game Pass Standard subscribers will shift to Premium. Game Pass Ultimate remains Ultimate, but with added perks.

Microsoft says the update aims to give players more flexibility, choice and value depending on how and where they play. In a briefing with The Verge, Dustin Blackwell, director of gaming and platform communications at Microsoft, said, "We're listening to the feedback of players and the community to try to provide them with more of what they're asking for."

Ultimate has been expanded for those who want everything. The plan now includes more than 75 day-one rel...