Microsoft is getting a little commitment shy as it relates to its Xbox Live service, removing the option for subscribers to renew their membership on an annual basis. The 12-month option is gone, but users can opt for monthly, quarterly, and six-month renewals to the service. Meanwhile, have you heard about Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, because Microsoft just so happens to be selling annual subs for that?
The 12-month Xbox Subscription used to sell for just under $60, giving players a year of online access for their Xbox consoles. Players could bolster that program – or any of the Xbox Live subscriptions – with memberships to Xbox Game Pass. That program gives subscribers access to a variety of games as well as early access to a handful of upcoming releases. An Ultimate version of Game Pass bundles it with Xbox Live, as well as the PC version of Game Pass, for a few bucks more. It appears that removing the annual Xbox Live subscription offer is Microsoft’s way of nudging customers looking for a long-term solution into more of an all-in-one package.
Game Pass Ultimate has an annual cost of $179.99, but it also has monthly ($14.99), three-month ($44.99), and six-month ($89.99) options, too. Vanilla Game Pass subs on console are $9.99 monthly, $29.97 for three months, and $59.94 for six months.
[Source: True Achievements via IGN]
Source: Game Informer
