Title: Microsoft Eliminates £1 Trial Option for Xbox Game Pass as Starfield Launch Looms
In anticipation of the highly anticipated release of Starfield, Microsoft has made a pivotal change to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service that will impact gamers worldwide. Just days before the arrival of Starfield, deemed the biggest Microsoft launch of the year, the tech giant has removed the option for a £1/$1 trial of Xbox Game Pass. This decision follows a reduction in the trial period from a full month to a mere 14 days earlier this month.
Gaming enthusiasts and industry insiders alike were left curious and dubious as Eurogamer reached out to Microsoft for further information on this change, yet received no response. It’s worth noting that this offer had been recently relaunched in July after being available for several years, attracting a considerable number of users to Microsoft’s monthly subscription service.
Xbox Game Pass is revered in the gaming community for granting subscribers access to new Microsoft titles on release day without having to pay the full retail price. Consequently, the trial offer removal couldn’t have come at a more crucial time, as Starfield’s release approaches and eager gamers hunt for any opportunity to experience the highly anticipated game before making a purchase decision.
Potential players, who were reliant on the trial system to evaluate and test out games before committing to a full subscription or purchase, will now have to pay the full monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass on console (£9/month), PC (£8/month), or Ultimate (£13/month) to have a chance to try out Starfield. Alternatively, they can opt to purchase the game outright for £70 on console.
The decision to eliminate the £1 trial option raises speculation about Microsoft’s strategy leading up to Starfield’s debut. Some commentators believe the removal was intended to drive higher subscription numbers and boost revenue, while others maintain that it may be an attempt to maintain a level of exclusivity for the game.
As the excitement surrounding Starfield grows and the release date inches closer, the move by Microsoft has definitely stirred up conversations among gamers who now face the predicament of deciding whether to invest in a full subscription or purchase the game outright. Only time will tell if this strategic decision will pay off for the tech giant or if it might cause some backlash within the gaming community.
Ultimately, it appears that Starfield’s arrival has prompted Microsoft to modify its Xbox Game Pass in a manner that leaves dedicated gamers with the challenging task of deciding how to experience the highly anticipated game.
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