A new subscription tier, exclusively for the cloud, is reportedly in the works for Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass. As per a report by Jez Corden from Windows Central, this will allegedly be what the tech company is working on in an effort to expand the reach even further for the popular gaming service. This new subscription tier will permit access to the Game Pass catalog strictly via cloud gaming.
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New Subscription Tier under development
Sources close to the matter have told GameSpot that Microsoft is working on a more budget-friendly, entry-level tier of Xbox Game Pass that would operate entirely in the cloud.
This tier would be priced lower than today's Game Pass Ultimate tier since it's envisioned to attract those who are not ready to shell out cash for an Xbox console, and those that have invested in a different console brand who want the ability to play games in the Game Pass library. It is also possible that the company may offer to purchase any single game from the catalogue directly.
Possible Changes to Xbox Game Pass Plans
On top of that potential cloud-only tier, rumour has it there's still life left in Microsoft's plans for an Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family Plan. In that, up to five people could share Game Pass Ultimate at a discounted price; it was tested from September 2022 to August 2023 but never launched worldwide. Now, if this rumour is anything to go by, the plan may get another look.
On the other hand, an ad-supported tier of Xbox Game Pass, that is said to be in works according to Microsoft, is no longer being developed. The recent changes in Xbox Game Pass-dropping day-one game releases and increasing its price-have invited the ire of the Federal Trade Commission. According to the FTC, such changes deteriorate the product at issue and harm consumers-a claim which Microsoft disputes.
Despite all these mishaps, Microsoft has confirmed a pretty strong lineup of new games that will be coming to Xbox Game Pass in July. The list includes Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Dungeons of Hinterberg, and many more.
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