The value of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription is what's led to the service's dramatic success since launching. For a low monthly price, Xbox Game Pass subscribers gain access to a large library of exciting games, including many Day One game releases and even first-party Xbox games. Given its relatively low cost, many have shrugged at the lack of certain key Xbox Game Pass features. One example is a Family Plan version of Xbox Game Pass, though that could be changing soon.A report from Windows Central claims that Microsoft is moving forward with plans to introduce an Xbox Game Pass Family Plan in the relatively near future. The report does not feature any specific details regarding an announcement date or release date, and no details on pricing, either. At best, the report confirms that the Xbox Game Pass Family Plan will be an upgradeable and more expensive version of what's currently available.Family plans are designed to be affordable alternatives for families with multiple accounts to use. Instead of paying full price for a subscription for each individual account, family members group their accounts under a family plan's umbrella and receive a discount in the process. The report indicates that the Xbox Game Pass Family Pass would allow for five separate accounts to be included under a single plan.
An Xbox Game Pass Family Plan will tentatively allow for five different accounts. If a standard subscription to either Xbox Game Pass on PC or console costs $9.99 a month, that would cost around $50 a month for five accounts. A family plan would assumedly cost more than 50% less than that. The Nintendo Switch Online plan, for example, allows for 8 accounts and costs just over 30% more than an individual plan. For Xbox, that would come out to $13 or $14 a month, though that seems like a very low estimate.
For those wondering whether an Xbox Game Pass Family Plan could be used by groups of friends to save money, the answer isn't clear. Many family plans, including Nintendo's, do allow friend groups spread across multiple households without restrictions. Xbox Game Pass could be different, however, with restrictions on playing games at the same time or similar.
What matters is that Microsoft could soon be correcting an oversight that's cost families some additional cash and frustration. Large families will be able to group their accounts together at a discounted price, where they can share Xbox Game Pass' library of titles together. Expect an official announcement regarding the Xbox Game Pass Family Plan to come down the line.
Source: Windows Central