Combo Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass sub coming

If you’ve wondered why there’s no combination subscription service coming for Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, you may wonder no longer.

Ultimate

“Ultimate” is what Microsoft is calling this new service, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be more accurate. And yes, it includes exactly what you think that it does.

Today, we’re excited to announce Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will include all of the benefits of Xbox Live Gold with Xbox Game Pass. That means the full Xbox Game Pass library of over 100 high quality games, and Xbox Live Gold online multiplayer, in one convenient membership for $14.99 a month. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, gamers will be able to play together on the most-advanced multiplayer network and discover their next favorite game. 

Read more at https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2019/04/16/introducing-xbox-game-pass-ultimate/#UJTYl7qwsopzvewS.99

Microsoft press release

Is this a deal?

Not really. For $14.99 USD a month, you get both Gold and the Game Pass service. That’s a pretty good deal if you go by the month. Remember that Xbox Live Gold (by itself) is $9.99 a month. It’s less great if you’re a once yearly Goldie however, since that’s $59.99 anyway, which works out to $4.99 a month.

As for Game Pass, that service $9.99 per month, and $29.97 for a period of 3 months. There is no yearly option. So the new setup is pretty much a push when it comes to price. It basically shakes out to mean that you’ll have one tidy bill per month, instead of multiple bills yearly, monthly, or whenever. Not bad.

Microsoft says that limited invites will be going out to some Xbox Insiders for the new subscription. Everyone else will get a chance to buy-in some time later this year.

I should also mention that for a limited time Game Pass 3 month subscriptions are only $1. And that’s a deal that’s going on right now. So if you’re thinking you’d like to try Xbox’ all-you-can-play gaming buffet, now might be the time.