Microsoft is Ending The $1 Game Pass Promo Because of Starfield’s Release

Undoubtedly, Microsoft’s Game Pass is one of the best value propositions in all gaming. One of the highest priorities for Xbox is to expand the number of people using Game Pass. Not too long ago, Microsoft brought back the $1 Game Pass deal, where subscribers could pay a negligible amount to get a feel for how the service works. Once subscribed through the offer, users could access Game Pass without limits for a total of 14 days. While gearing up for Starfield, Microsoft is changing that, and the Game Pass offer will be going away for an indefinite period of time. Although this is speculation, the most likely reason for the removal of the $1 Game Pass offer is the upcoming release of Starfield.

Players Could Exploit the Promotion to Play Starfield

Starfield is one of the biggest releases of the year and definitely the biggest for Microsoft. Since the game is coming out on September 6 and will be available on Game Pass as a day 1 release, this might be a massive concern for Microsoft. Since people could simply subscribe to Game Pass for 14 days for only $1 and then play through Starfield before their subscription runs out.

Even though Starfield isn’t a small game by any means and will probably require hundreds of hours to experience fully, the main campaign is probably small enough that it can easily be finished within the allotted 2-week trial period.

The $1 promotion has been available for ages but comes and goes depending on Microsoft’s marketing plans at the time. The last time this offer returned was in March 2023, before being removed in July. Microsoft also recently increased the price of Xbox Game Pass, and that might have also been because of Starfield being a day-one release. The subscription price went up by $2 for consoles, but luckily, it remained unchanged for PC players.

Starfield will launch at $70 and has a Digital Premium Edition along with a maxed-out Constellation Edition that will cost $300. Bethesda has already confirmed that owners of the Constellation Edition will get the upcoming Starfield expansion for free.