All-inclusive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate announced

Sugar, spice, and everything nice

Hard to believe, but we’re coming up on two years of Xbox Game Pass. As we inch toward the anniversary, Microsoft has a new offering: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That name might’ve been cause for concern had it not already leaked. Basically, this is Xbox Live Gold plus Xbox Game Pass for $14.99 a month. Nothing more, nothing less. You aren’t missing out on any exclusive new features.

If you want to stick with Game Pass for the usual $9.99 per month, go for it. If you’re fine outright buying Xbox One games and the only extra service you need is Xbox Live for online multiplayer and maybe Games with Gold, that’s fine too. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is just a consolidation of two existing subscriptions into one bill. This isn’t about savings; it’s quite simply a convenience thing.

While the general concept behind Xbox Game Pass hasn’t changed since its debut, Microsoft keeps finding ways to bolster the program with its games selection. It’s now at the point where if you’re an Xbox One regular and you intend to keep up with a handful of big-name releases throughout the year, the pass makes a strong case for itself. Including access to every first-party Microsoft game at launch (like Sea of Thieves and Crackdown 3) has been a significant selling point, and with all of the recent studio acquisitions under Microsoft’s belt, it’s not hard to plot out a bright future for Game Pass.

Notable additions to the Game Pass list include crowd favorites like Monster Hunter: World and Prey.

According to Microsoft, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate came about – at least in part  – because players asked for it. This sort of consolidated membership offer has been a “top request” since “day one.”

Speaking of which, “a limited number” of Xbox Insiders will have a chance to test Xbox Game Pass Ultimate starting today. The public launch is planned for 2019 “in current Xbox Game Pass markets.”