Microsoft has decided to discontinue its popular $1 trial offer for the Xbox Game Pass trial for Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This promotion has been available for several years, although it has not always been accessible in every market. Microsoft has stated that it is exploring new marketing strategies for new subscribers.
According to Kari Perez, the head of global communications at Xbox, “We have stopped our previous introductory offer for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and are evaluating different marketing promotions for new members in the future”.
The $1 trial allowed individuals to sign up for Xbox Game Pass for a month before the full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription kicked in at a cost of $14.99 per month or $9.99 a month for PC or console-only subscriptions. The Xbox Game Pass trial was an excellent way for people to try out the service, but it appears that we will have to wait to see what the new marketing strategies will be for new members.
What’s next for Microsoft after ending the Xbox Game Pass trial?
In addition to discontinuing the $1 Xbox Game Pass trial, Microsoft has been working on its Friends & Family plan for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This program allows subscribers to share their benefits with up to four other friends or family members. Pricing in Ireland is set at €21.99 per month (nearly $24), which equates to less than $5 per person.
You may subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass using the link here.
Microsoft has recently expanded this Friends & Family plan to several new countries, including New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Hungary, Israel, and Sweden. However, it is still not available in many European markets or the UK and US. This removal of the $1 Xbox Game Pass trial could indicate that Microsoft is preparing to expand Friends & Family even further, having tested this new subscription for less than a year.
Microsoft has also made its PC Game Pass subscription available in 40 new countries, bringing the total number of markets to 86. New availability has been added across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, which will be welcome news for gamers in those regions.
Xbox Game Pass offers several benefits for gamers:
Access to a large library of games: Xbox Game Pass provides subscribers with access to a vast selection of games, including new releases and popular titles, as well as Xbox exclusives. This means you can enjoy a diverse range of games without having to purchase each one individually.
Affordable pricing: Xbox Game Pass offers a monthly subscription service, which is more cost-effective than purchasing games separately. Additionally, the service often runs promotional offers, making it even more accessible to gamers on a budget.
Cross-platform compatibility: Xbox Game Pass is available on both Xbox consoles and PC, meaning you can access the service across different platforms and play your favorite games on the device of your choice.
Cloud gaming: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also have access to cloud gaming, allowing you to play games on your mobile device or browser without the need for a console or PC.
Early access to new releases: Xbox Game Pass subscribers often get early access to new releases, allowing them to play highly anticipated games before they are available for purchase.
Are games free with Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service offered by Microsoft, which provides access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. While each service can be paid for separately, the advantage of subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is that you get access to both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, as well as EA Play, Cloud Gaming, and exclusive discounts on games. By bundling these services, subscribers can enjoy a more affordable price point.
Xbox Game Pass also offers benefits to League of Legends and there will be other upcoming promotions soon.
Can you download games from Xbox Game Pass?
If you wish to download or purchase a game or app from the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass, it will automatically install on your console as long as your console is set as your home console and is either powered on or set to Sleep mode. This makes the process of installing new games and apps a seamless experience for users.
