What you need to know about Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
As Microsoft's next evolution of the Xbox Game Pass program, here's a roundup of everything you need to know about Game Pass Ultimate.
by Richard Devine
Announced back in 2019, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate program is Microsoft's latest evolution of its popular service. One of the big requests from subscribers was a single program to combine subscriptions for Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, and now, Microsoft is delivering.
That's exactly what Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is. With a little sprinkling of something for PC gamers bundled in for good measure.
Best of the best
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass for PC to the package so you can play online with your friends.
What exactly is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the combination of two current programs: Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. Subscribers to Ultimate will have access to both for one monthly subscription cost instead of two separate ones. Additionally, the newer Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription is also included with Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft's subscription service that offers complete access to a huge library of games covering both Xbox One and backwards compatible titles. You can download these to your console to play in full for as long as you're a paying subscriber or the games in question remain in the Game Pass library.
Better yet, if a Game Pass title also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, you get access to play those on your PC, as well, as part of your subscription, even if you don't have Game Pass Ultimate.
The PC-specific Game Pass subscription has its own list of games, some of which crossover with the console program on account of Xbox Play Anywhere. But many are exclusive to PC, such as Age of Empires and Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Complete list of Xbox Game Pass PC games
If you choose to buy any game you play in Game Pass Ultimate, you'll get a 10% discount on it while you're a member.
Xbox Live Gold provides you with a number of perks. The first is access to online multiplayer in any Xbox One game, so if you want to play with friends you need Gold. More than that, though, Gold gives you four free games every month, two Xbox One titles and two older games from Xbox and Xbox 360 that are backward compatible and are yours to keep.
Gold subscribers also get exclusive discounts every single week on games from the Microsoft Store, as well as additional discounts during special promotional periods.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate provides access to all of this under one easy to manage subscription.
How much does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cost?
Current pricing for the U.S. is $14.99 a month, but regional pricing may vary. As a special bonus, new subscribers can sign up and get their first month for only $1.
When does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate launch?
It's available right now! After an early access program for Xbox Insiders, Microsoft officially started letting anyone sign up from June 9, 2019.
Xbox Game Pass for PC is also now part of Game Pass Ultimate.
Where is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate available?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is available in all current Xbox Game Pass markets:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.
So, how do you get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Really easy. Simply visit the Microsoft Store from the account you wish to link to Game Pass Ultimate and buy a subscription.
Do you need to cancel Xbox Game Pass or Live Gold to get Ultimate?
When you sign up to Ultimate, any other current subscriptions are migrated across and automatically canceled for you.
What happens if you have prepaid subscriptions on your account already?
Any pre-paid codes will be automatically converted to Game Pass Ultimate subscription time based on the chart above.
More information can be found on the Xbox Game Pass FAQ page.
Best of the best
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends.
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