Microsoft has announced Xbox All Access – a subscription/financing service that will secure users an Xbox One console, access to 100 games via Xbox Game Pass and online play and free games from Xbox Live Gold.
The US-only service will cost $22 or $35 a month – over two years – depending on whether gamers want an Xbox One S or Xbox One X console. At the end of the two-year, interest-free contract, the console will be completely paid off and owned outright by the customer.
After the 24-months, it’ll also be up to gamers to decide whether they want to continue subscribing to Game Pass and Xbox Live on an individual basis.
There’s no up-front cost for the deal, which represents a significant saving over buying everything in the bundle individually. Over the course of two years it costs $528 for the basic Xbox One S All Access deal. Individually, it’d cost $669.
Related: Best Xbox One Games
However, it must be said, this offer isn’t the easiest thing in the world to get in on. Firstly, it’s only available from Microsoft Stores. Punters will have to visit their local brick and mortar location and choose a compatible Xbox One console bundle. Monthly prices will change based on which bundle you pick, but there appear to be no restrictions.
Next, customers have to apply for a Dell Preferred Account in order to start playing with no upfront costs. Microsoft is also saying this is a limited time deal, while supplies last, and it will only be available to qualifying customers. Talk about jumping through hoops!
It’s early days, but given Microsoft’s sales are way behind the PlayStation during this console generation, the company may have uncovered a way to reel in its old rival. There’s no news yet on whether Microsoft plans to expand this offer beyond the United States, but it’s certainly an enticing prospect for gamers who don’t want to pay up front for console hardware.
Is this what Microsoft needs to regain parity with PlayStation? Would you snap up this offer if it became available in the UK? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.