Microsoft Stops $1 Trials for Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft is no longer offering $1 trials for its various Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. In a statement shared with Windows Central, the company explained that it’s looking for other ways to promote its game subscription service.

“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,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.

For many years, Microsoft has allowed enthusiasts to get 1 month of Game Pass for just $1. A regular Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass subscription costs $9.99/month, while the Ultimate tier that includes both plus Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and EA Play is priced at $14.99/month. This remains a great value considering that you get access to hundreds of games on Xbox, PC, and the cloud.

The timing for this announcement is quite interesting: Microsoft has a good lineup of blockbuster games coming to Game Pass on day one in the coming months, including Minecraft Legends, Redfall, Forza Motorsport, and the much-anticipated Starfield. Great games available on day one are a great way to drive push more gamers to subscribe to Game Pass, even though Microsoft recently struggled to keep its promise to deliver a new first-party game every quarter.

If Microsoft is no longer allowing gamers to try its game subscription services for just $1, the company has made a new Friends & Family plan available in Colombia, Chile, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sweden. It’s priced at €21.99/month in Europe and it lets subscribers share Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits with up to five friends and family members. However, there’s still no word on where this Friends & Family plan will launch in the US, the UK, and other markets.