Microsoft is trying to coax as many people as possible to subscribe to its Netflix-like game service, Xbox Game Pass. On Xbox One, this service offers over 100 Xbox titles for one flat flee. PC users can also take advantage of it as many Xbox Play Anywhere titles are included in the Game Pass line-up, such as Forza Horizon 4 and Zoo Tycoon. The usual fee for a membership is $9.99 per month, but there’s currently a deal lasting until the end of the year that has dropped the subscription price to only $1 for the first month of membership. After the first month, it returns to being $9.99.
Now, that sounds pretty exciting—but there’s a catch.
This offer is only available to brand-new subscribers. When I say brand-new, I mean your Microsoft Account must have had no prior interaction with Xbox Game Pass whatsoever. Even if you’ve only used the free 14-day starter trial, that will omit you from receiving this offer; you’ll instead only be shown the normal $9.99 option. If you have an untouched account, do not opt for the 14-day free trial. The minute you do, you will not have access to the $1 membership option. Just pay the $1 upfront.
Here’s a side-by-side screenshot of the difference between an untouched account, and one that’s already interacted with the service:
Sneaky Move, Microsoft
As you can tell by the time and date shown on the taskbar at the bottom right of each photo, these shots were taken just minutes apart. You can even go ahead and test it for yourself. Head to the Xbox Game Pass landing page. If you’ve used Xbox Game Pass in the past and are already signed-in to your Microsoft account, your result will be the one shown on the left. Sign out, and it will ‘magically’ change to the one on the right. But, if you then try to hit the “Join” button while signed-out, it will prompt you to login to your account, which will then omit the discount.
Nowhere on the page does it specify that this deal is limited to first-time members. That’s pretty sneaky, Microsoft.
Published: Nov 10, 2018 02:27 pm