On Mar. 31, Microsoft announced that it is adding a Netflix-like subscription service to its Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass, which gives users hundreds of games to play for an affordable monthly fee, is getting a Family Plan.
Xbox Game Pass to Get Family Plan
The gaming subscription service provides users with games across PC, Xbox consoles, and cloud on mobile games. Now, with the Family Plan, users can share access to the service among their households.
Microsoft's decision to add this type of plan to the Xbox Game Pass came after Nintendo offered a Family Plan for its online services, and streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have had it for years now.
Microsoft did not reveal how the royalties will be distributed when the Family Plan rolls out and how licenses from third-party publishers would be compensated for users who were not attacked by the main plan.
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The software company also did not reveal if there will be a separate Family Plan for PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass console or exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
According to Windows Central, the Xbox Game Pass Family Plan will be rolled out sometime this year.
Paying on a higher tier for the Family Plan will net access for a maximum of five players for games across the entire gaming library and will be far cheaper than paying for five different Xbox Game Pass accounts.
Using Microsoft's Family Account system that is already in use for Office 365, players within the same country will be able to play together using only one Xbox Game Pass subscription managed by a central account holder, which is similar to Netflix's style.
Xbox Game Pass Subscription Fee
Before the rollout of the Family Plan, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers pay $14.99 a month, and subscribers can cancel the subscription at any time, according to Pocket Lint.
The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Games Pass for PC, and EA Play. Also, Microsoft's cloud service, Cloud Gaming, is already a part of the subscription at no extra fee.
The standard console-only version of the subscription does not include EA Play, Gold, Cloud Gaming or the PC version. It costs $9,99 a month.
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it would stop charging its inactive Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Sony's Answer to Xbox Game Pass
As Microsoft is preparing to launch the Family Plan subscription for Xbox Game Pass, its rival, Sony, is also preparing to launch a subscription service for PlayStation. This can kick start a race between the two console firms, according to Business Insider.
The PlayStation service will offer a wide selection of titles for a cheap monthly subscription fee. The PlayStation Plus subscription will offer members two free games a month and access to multiplayer options for $65 a year.
Later this year, Sony will rebrand the PS+ Essentials and add two more expensive tiers, Extra and Premium. Premium will add up to 400 of the most played PS4 and PS5 games, including hits from the PlayStation Studios catalog and third-party partners, for $110 a year.
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Written by Sophie Webster
