Xbox Game Pass family plan officially launches with a pretty agreeable price tag
Family matters
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TheXbox Game PassFriends & Family plan has officially launched, and while its availability is limited, its price tag is certainly appealing.
With theXbox Game PassFriends & Family plan, you and four others can access all the benefits ofXbox Game Pass Ultimatefor a monthly cost of €21.99 – that’s around $21.99 / £19.99 / AU$32.99. Previously,it was only available to Xbox Insiders, but the official launch means that even more players can now sign up.
Unfortunately, the service is currently only available in the Republic of Ireland and Colombia.Microsoft saysfuture countries and regions “might be added in the next months”.
The best part? The Ultimate tier subscription means that friends or family members won’t even need anXbox Series X|S console to benefit. The inclusion ofXbox Cloud Gamingmeans they can enjoy all that Game Pass has to offer on a compatible smartphone, laptop, or smart TV withSamsung Gaming Hub.
There’s some limitations to keep in mind, though. Players within your Friends & Family plan must be living in the same country or region, and only the primary account holder can decide who gets to join the group. If a user moves to a different country or region, then they’ll be removed from the group automatically.
It’s all in the family
Yes, Xbox Game Pass’s Friends & Family plan costs more than a standard Ultimate subscription, but I think the benefits outweigh the increased cost here. Especially if you’re making the most of it with five players who’ll frequently use it.
Having up to five people all under one Game Pass umbrella is beneficial in a number of ways. Chiefly, I think it’s an excellent way to organize multiplayer nights with friends and family. Everyone on the plan has access to the same games, making impromptu adventures onForza Horizon 5orSea of Thievesa doddle.
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While Xbox isn’t the first to show up to the family friendly party –Nintendo Switch Onlineoffers a similarly affordable family plan for up to eight users – its ecosystem is probably best positioned to make use of the format. If only for the swathes of games and perks offered by Xbox Game Pass.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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