Microsoft released details on its new Xbox All Access program on Xbox Wire Monday, and it’s a better deal than we initially expected. For $21.99 monthly, customers can own a 1TB Xbox One S, a 24 month Xbox Live membership, and an Xbox Game Pass. The payments continue for 24 months, but with no interest accruing and no upfront cost, it’s an incredible deal. For the next step up, the Xbox One X plan is $34.99 monthly.
“This is one of the most value-driven ways to join the Xbox family we’ve ever offered,” Microsoft’s Bogdan Bilan wrote in the post.
Joining the Xbox family seems to be Microsoft’s motivation behind the new program, which can get Xbox consoles into more homes with its lower barrier of entry cost.
“For no upfront cost and one low monthly price for 24 months, Xbox All Access gets you a new Xbox One S or Xbox One X, access to more than 100 great games through Xbox Game Pass, and online multiplayer with Xbox Live Gold,” Bilan wrote. “That’s more than 100 all-you-can-play games—including highly-anticipated new Xbox One exclusives the day they’re released, plus more games added all the time— the fastest, most reliable gaming network and an Xbox One console.”
While it might be taking a hit on console profit, players using Xbox Games Pass could be more likely to purchase more games outside of the subscription, which means a larger customer base and, eventually, profits, for Microsoft.
To break it down by price, an Xbox One S retails for $299.99. Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99 per month, as does Xbox Live Gold. Players that already have a console would pay $20 a month for just these two services, and those that don’t can own a console for just $2 more.
Of course, those who already enjoy Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer know that the service is highly discounted for those who buy in bulk. While the membership is $9.99 a month, a 12-month membership is $59.99. Even after factoring in this discount, the Xbox All Access program saves money for the customer:
The total cost is $660 or $27.50 a month if you were to divide it by 24. With the Xbox All Access plan, it costs $22 a month for $528 total. What this adds up to is $132 in savings – more if you were to purchase Xbox Live month-to-month.
The $34.99 plan for the Xbox One X console saves less, as the console is more expensive at $500. The $860 becomes $840 after 24 payments, but is still a good deal considering there is no upfront cost and no interest if it is paid off within 24 months.
This “lease to own” model may set up the program as a temporary (albeit untraditional) loss leader for Microsoft, but the gains that they’ll make both in terms of market saturation and in good will with the gaming community will certainly make up for it over the long term. It has the potential to encourage the lessee to spend the money saved up front on full-price games, as well.
But what makes Xbox All Access all the more noteworthy is in how it makes good on Phil Spencer’s DICE keynote and the continued dedication to “Gaming For Everyone” at Xbox. By giving families that may not have access to the funds up front to pay for an Xbox and its services, they’re removing a large barrier to gamers and making console (and service) acquisition affordable.
The program is only available in store for a “limited time.” GameDaily reached out for clarification on this point, but a Microsoft representative declined to comment.
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