The way players access their favorite games has steadily been shifting, with gaming subscriptions and digital-only copies becoming the norm. This is the case with games like Fortnite, where players can get the game digitally and subscribe for extra V-Bucks and new skins monthly through Fortnite Crew. However, another major subscription service has added Fortnite Crew as one of its benefits.

Xbox Game Pass has long been considered the best value in gaming, giving players access to thousands of games on day one as part of their membership. Recently, Game Pass underwent a major change, adding extra benefits like EA Play and Fortnite Crew, along with updated pricing. Here are all the changes to Xbox Game Pass and Fortnite Crew explained.

Microsoft Rewards May Be Losing A Major Perk
Microsoft Rewards May Be Losing One of Its Best Perks

Microsoft Rewards could be losing a major fan-favorite perk in the near future, with a popular reward option reportedly set to be removed.

By 

Xbox Game Pass Changes, Explained

xbox game pass price increase

Xbox Game Pass underwent an overhaul, effective October 1, 2025. Players can now subscribe to Essential, Premium, or Ultimate plans, each offering additional benefits. All plans are playable across PC, Xbox, and Cloud Gaming. Ubisoft + Classics, EA Play, and Fortnite Crew are now also included as part of the Game Pass Ultimate tier.

On top of that, day-one games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, The Outer Worlds 2, and High On Life 2 are accessible through the Ultimate Game Pass tier. For a full breakdown of the Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, and Ultimate plans, see below:

Essential ($9.99 per month)

Premium ($14.99 per month)

Ultimate ($29.99 per month)
  • Unlimited Cloud Gaming
  • In-game benefits (Riot Games included)
  • Online Console Multiplayer
  • Earn up to $25 a year in the Store with Rewards

  • New Xbox Published games within a year of release
  • Unlimited Cloud Gaming (Shorter wait times)
  • In-game benefits (Riot Games included)
  • Online Console Multiplayer
  • Earn up to $50 a year in the Store with Rewards

  • 75+ day-one games a year.
  • Access to all Xbox-published games day one
  • Ubisoft + Classics and EA Play included
  • Fortnite Crew (November 18)
  • Unlimited Cloud Gaming (Best Quality & Shorter wait times)
  • In-game benefits (Riot Games included)
  • Online Console Multiplayer
  • Earn up to $100 a year in the Store with Rewards

game pass ultimate price increase

For players who want to stick to PC only, Xbox Game Pass still offers a PC Only Plan for $16.49 per month. The PC Only Plan provides access to day-one games and now also includes EA Play as part of the subscription. Here is a full rundown of all the benefits included in the Game Pass PC Only Plan:

PC Only ($16.49 per month)
  • Access to hundreds of PC Games
  • Access to Xbox & third-party games day one
  • In-game benefits (Riot Games included)
  • Earn up to $50 a year in the Store with Rewards
  • EA Play included

To join Xbox Game Pass, head here.

How to Get Fortnite Crew with Xbox Game Pass

fortnite crew future benefits survey

Fortnite Crew is one of the new benefits coming to Xbox Game Pass. To access it through a Game Pass subscription, players will need to join Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $29.99 a month. This will give Ultimate subscribers access to the full Fortnite Crew benefits on the Epic account linked to their Xbox network account. However, Fortnite Crew won’t be available through Game Pass Ultimate until November 18, 2025.

Players who are already subscribed to Fortnite Crew can continue paying $11.99 a month to claim all benefits without Game Pass Ultimate. Those looking to switch from a standalone Fortnite Crew subscription to Game Pass Ultimate may need to cancel their current subscription first and ensure their Xbox and Epic Games accounts are linked if they play on another platform.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Fortnite Tag Page Cover Art
Fortnite
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget
Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
Released
September 26, 2017
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

ESRB
T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Epic Games
Genre(s)
Survival, Battle Royale, Shooter, Action, Adventure
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty