Microsoft seems to be preparing to do a big clean up in its Xbox subscription offers. Microsoft is segmenting its subscriptions into four offers. The first, free, is Xbox LIVE: launched in 2003 in Europe, it is above all about connecting players and allowing them to compete online in all compatible games. Xbox LIVE also allows you to download DLCs for compatible games.
End of 12 months of Xbox Live Gold subscription: the sign that a new offer is coming?
Xbox LIVE also allows you to re reserve your Gamertag and download demos. There is also Xbox LIVE Gold (€ 6.99 per month) which allows you to have two games “free” each month. Then there are the Xbox Game Pass offers, available in console version (€ 9.99 per month) and PC (€ 3.99 per month). Both provide access to over 100 games but are incompatible with each other.
Finally, there is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (€ 12.99 per month) which brings together the two Xbox Game Passes and the Xbox Live Gold. In short, even for those who are used to the Xbox ecosystem, we imagine that these highly segmented offers are not always as clear as they should be . Especially since Microsoft must also appeal to players who are not at all used to its ecosystem. Especially since the competition already knows how to make it much simpler.
Nintendo’s cloud gaming service is available through a one-time subscription. At Sony, there is PlayStation Plus (multiplayer, two games offered per month, promotions…) from € 5 per month, and PS Now (PS4, PS3 and PS2 games on-demand on console and PC) also from € 5 per month. In such a context, Microsoft is giving all the signs that it is putting its Xbox subscriptions in order.
Last week, we learned about the upcoming merger between the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and xCloud – what better position to face competing streaming platforms like Stadia and PS Now. Microsoft today confirms the withdrawal of the sale of the 12-month subscription to the TrueAchievements blog: “At this point, Xbox has decided to withdraw the 12-month SKU of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions from the Microsoft Online Store”.
And Microsoft added: “Customers can still purchase a one-month or three-month Xbox Live Gold subscription from the Microsoft Online Store.” We can, therefore, expect offer mergers or even the launch of a new service that would be incompatible with maintaining the Xbox Live Gold subscription for the rest of the year. Something that synergizes the release of Xbox Series X and the arrival of xCloud.
Without segmenting customers as much as Microsoft had done until then. What do you think? Share your theories on what this new offer could be in the comments!