Xbox Game Pass Ultimate launches, includes PC Game Pass

Microsoft has quietly launched Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ahead of tonight’s Xbox E3 conference.

While Xbox Game Pass has been available to Xbox Insiders in Preview Beta since May, this is the first time it has been available to all. Microsoft will presumably confirm its general release later today.

Announced in April, Ultimate combines Xbox Live Gold membership with Xbox Game Pass in one subscription package.

Additionally, Microsoft has revealed that Ultimate includes the recently announced Xbox Game Pass for PC.

“The Ultimate plan includes the Xbox Game Pass Console Games plan, the Xbox Game Pass PC Games plan (Xbox Game Pass PC Games plan not available in South Korea and Turkey) and Xbox Live Gold,” reads the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate product description.

VGC was able to sign up to the service today using an introductory offer of $1/£1 for the first month. Thereafter, the service will cost $14.99/£10.99 per month.

Normally priced at $9.99/£6.99 per month, Xbox Live Gold is required to play Xbox games online. It also offers members up to four free games every month, and discounts of up to 75% on Xbox One products in Microsoft Store.

Launched in mid-2017, Xbox Games Pass offers unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, including new first-party titles when they launch, for $9.99/£7.99 per month.

While Xbox Game Pass for PC shares the same name as the subscription service on Xbox One, Xbox head Phil Spencer said last month it’s a new experience designed “specifically for the needs of PC gamers and PC game developers”.

Joining Xbox Game Pass Ultimate upgrades remaining Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass membership(s) into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for the same amount of time, up to a total of 36 months.

“For example, if you have 12 months of Xbox Live Gold time remaining, and 12 months of Xbox Game Pass time remaining, this will be converted to 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate when you upgrade,” Microsoft explained last month.