According to GameSpot, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now includes Fortnite Crew as part of its subscription package effective November 18. The Ultimate tier costs $30 per month, representing a significant $10 price increase from its previous $20 monthly rate. Fortnite Crew alone typically costs $12 monthly, offering the current battle pass, 1,000 V-Bucks monthly, Crew skins, and premium Rocket League access. Subscribers need to log into Fortnite through any Xbox platform at least once per month to claim benefits, which then work across all platforms. The bundle includes day-one access to Microsoft-published games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 plus Ubisoft Classics and EA Play. However, existing Fortnite Crew subscribers on Xbox will have their separate subscription automatically canceled when joining Game Pass Ultimate.
Is this actually a good deal?
Here’s the thing – on paper, this looks like a solid value. You’re getting what would normally cost $42 monthly (Game Pass Ultimate at $30 plus Fortnite Crew at $12) for just $30. But that math only works if you were already planning to pay for both services separately. For most people, the reality is more complicated.
Game Pass Ultimate’s price jump from $20 to $30 represents a 50% increase overnight. That’s massive. And while adding Fortnite Crew softens the blow, it doesn’t completely offset it unless you’re a die-hard Fortnite player who was already buying Crew monthly. Basically, Microsoft is betting that enough people value both services to swallow the higher price tag.
The subscription management headache
Now here’s where it gets tricky. If you already have Fortnite Crew through Xbox, it automatically cancels when you join Game Pass Ultimate. The official FAQ doesn’t explicitly promise prorated refunds for remaining time, though that would be standard practice. And if you subscribe to Crew through PlayStation? You get zero extra benefits until that subscription ends.
So what’s the play here? You basically need to time your subscriptions perfectly. Cancel your existing Crew subscription elsewhere, let it run out, then jump into Game Pass Ultimate. It’s not the seamless experience you might hope for.
Who should actually consider this?
Look, if you’re already a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber who also pays for Fortnite Crew, this is an easy win – you’re saving $12 monthly. But if you’re just a casual Fortnite player who doesn’t care about Game Pass? This makes zero sense. Paying $30 monthly just for Crew benefits is ridiculous when the standalone subscription costs $12.
The real target here seems to be the hybrid gamer – someone who plays both Fortnite regularly AND wants access to the broader Game Pass library. For that person, the value proposition is strong. But for everyone else? You’re probably better off sticking with what you already have.
