Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service confirmed

Microsoft has officially announced the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service.

Confirming previous reports, it’ll combine Xbox Live Gold membership with Xbox Game Pass in one subscription package.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will cost $14.99/£10.99 per month when it launches later in 2019, representing a monthly saving of about $5/£3 compared to subscribing to the two services separately.

Normally priced at $9.99/£5.99 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. In the UK, Xbox Live prices will rise by up to 25% from May 8.

Launched in mid-2017, Xbox Games Pass offers unlimited access to almost 200 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, including new first-party titles when they launch, for $9.99/£7.99 per month. Minecraft was added to the service in early April.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was announced alongside the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition console.

The disc-free system, which comes with a 1TB hard drive, a wireless controller and three games (Minecraft, Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 3), is available to pre-order from selected retailers for $249.99/£199.99 ahead of its launch on Tuesday May 7.