Microsoft is planning even more new tiers for Xbox Game Pass, according to a new report, with the possible return of the Friends & Family Plan.
Microsoft has made big changes to Game Pass this month – provoking complaints from the FTC about the price rises – but the fundamental problem they face is that for many people the core concept of a gaming subscription service isn’t as appealing as expected, with many not having the time or inclination to play unknown games.
It’s a problem Sony has also found with PlayStation Plus, but Microsoft’s future is much more closely tied to Game Pass and a new report suggests that they are looking to shake up the service even further, with a tier based solely around streaming and the return of the Friends & Family Plan.
A cloud-only version of Game Pass is an easy thing to guess at even without rumours, with the only problem being when it is technically viable. According to the report though Microsoft is ‘working towards’ a new tier for people that have no interest in buying a console.
The recent collaborations with Samsung TVs and Amazon Fire sticks are already a step towards a cloud-only future for Xbox, but the new subscription is apparently intended to be ‘cheaper and more approachable’ than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
That suggests that Microsoft realises that many casual gamers are actually put off by the choice provided by Game Pass, rather than being attracted by it.
At the same time, the report on Windows Central also suggests that subscribers will be able to buy and own games digitally, and play existing digital games, that they already own, via the streaming service (if the various publishers involved allow it).
The report also claims to have heard ‘very tentative’ rumours of Microsoft bringing back the Friends & Family Plan for Game Pass, as another means to cut costs for customers.
The Friends & Family Plan was trialled for a year in some countries, beginning in September 2022, and allowed five people to share the cost of a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Microsoft never went through with it fully though and stopped the trial last year.
However, it’s suggested that at the moment Microsoft is not planning an ad-based tier, even though that would’ve allowed them to reduce the price of a subscription too. Microsoft has previously hinted at such a thing but apparently they’ve decided against it for now.
Despite these rumours there’s no indication that there’ll be any new tier announced in the near future, with Microsoft no doubting wanting to make sure the new Standard tier is a success first.
Email [email protected], leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE : Two Hollywood legend’s buttocks are literally up for grabs thanks to Xbox
MORE : ‘We’re not blessed with big marketing budgets’ admits Xbox Europe boss
MORE : FTC complains of Xbox Game Pass ‘degradation’ following Activision Blizzard acquisition
Sign up to all the exclusive gaming content, latest releases before they're seen on the site.
Share this with