Gone are the days of stacking subscriptions with Game Pass for Console.
One of the best things about Xbox Microsoft recently announced that it will be removing the console version of Game Pass from its services entirely. Announced This leads to increased costs Xbox Game PassNot only will all tiers of the subscription platform be increasing in price, but a new service called “Xbox Game Pass Standard” is also set to launch in the coming months. Now, with Game Pass Standard in place, it’s unfortunate that Microsoft is looking to phase out the console-only version of the platform.
In the official analysis Xbox websiteMicrosoft has revealed that it will no longer be possible to purchase Xbox Game Pass for Console for multiple years at the same time. Previously, when Game Pass was available at various retailers, some subscribers chose to purchase several months or years of the service and add it to their account at once in order to keep their membership active for a lower price over a longer period of time. But at the end of September, this will no longer be possible as Microsoft will limit subscriptions to a maximum of 13 months.
“As of September 18, 2024, the maximum extension period for Game Pass for Console will be 13 months,” Microsoft said in the FAQ. “This does not affect any months beyond 13 months currently accumulated in your account. It only affects future features that allow you to accumulate more than 13 months after September 18, 2024.”
The main reason Microsoft is ending subscription stacking for Xbox Game Pass for Console is because it wants to shut down this service tier entirely. Game Pass for Console won’t disappear for active members, but Microsoft has phased out the ability for new subscribers to join this tier. Instead, Game Pass Standard will take the place of Game Pass for Console, but it won’t include all of the same benefits. Notably, Game Pass Standard will not include the “Day One” add-ons to Game Pass, which was previously one of the service’s biggest selling points.
The good news here is that if you’re already an Xbox Game Pass for Console subscriber, you’ll remain a subscriber forever, so long as you keep auto-renewing your membership. Additionally, Game Pass Ultimate won’t be affected much by these major changes, aside from a big price increase to $19.99 per month.
