Microsoft ends Game Pass $1 promotion, claims new marketing promotion incoming

Microsoft has discontinued its introductory Game Pass promotion, where new Game Pass subscribers could get the first month's subscription for just $1 (approximately Rs 82). The Australian version of the service currently displays the price of the standard subscription at AU$ 15.95 (approximately Rs 875) per month.

According to a statement given by Xbox head of global communications Kari Perez to The Verge, "We have stopped our previous introductory offer for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and are evaluating different marketing promotions for new members in the future."

The $1 trial was introduced in the service's infancy as a promotion to popularise the platform. Since then, Microsoft did not bother to change anything with the offer. After a month, the prices for the Ultimate, Xbox and PC Game Passes would revert to normal.

Microsoft has not yet revealed what would be its new promotion to capture new users. It would be interesting to see what the marketing geniuses at the tech giant cook up this time.

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Apart from this, the company might also be looking to increase the price of the service also. Last year, Xbox's Phil Spencer said, "I do think at some point we'll have to raise some prices on certain things." Soon after Spencer made the statement, Microsoft raised its prices on new, first-party games to $70 (approximately Rs 5,765). However, till now, the price for the Game Pass service has held firm.

In other news, Microsoft could soon be looking to introduce a new Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family Plan. Under this new plan, the company will allow its subscribers to share the Game Pass subscription with up to four other friends or family members. It has already begun to test the new tier in multiple countries.