Previously, $1 was all it took for anyone interested in getting a Game Pass subscription to give it a shot. This promotion was synonymous with Microsoft’s video game subscription service for a long time. But, just like all good things, it seems its time has come to an end.
Xbox head of global communications Kari Perez revealed in a statement sent to The Verge that this long-time offer will no longer be available, saying:
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.
Eagle-eyed observers pointed this out before Xbox confirmed that the promotion had ended. It isn’t clear what Microsoft is planning to introduce as a “replacement,” if anything.
A feature Xbox could add next is the Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family Plan. This new subscription allows up to four friends and/or family members to share a singular subscription plan. The service was introduced in September last year in certain countries, but it hasn’t had a big rollout yet.
If implemented at its current price point, the Friends and Family plan for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost each individual $5, which is just a third of the current Game Pass Ultimate pricing at $15.
Speaking of the Game Pass, Microsoft recently expanded the PC Game Pass to include 40 additional countries, for a total of 86 markets.
Microsoft is currently waiting for the results of several investigations on its $70 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard. The latest news is a big win for Microsoft as it effectively guarantees that the deal will get approved before the second half of the year.
