Microsoft Ends $1 Game Pass Trial Again Ahead of Major Launches

Once again, Microsoft has quietly pulled its $1 Xbox Game Pass trial offer, just ahead of some of the biggest first-party releases of the year. The popular promotion—which allowed new members to access a month of Game Pass for just a buck—has been a key on-ramp for new users since the subscription service launched. Its removal now, with Starfield and Forza Motorsport on the horizon, is raising eyebrows across the gaming community.

The $1 trial has sporadically disappeared before, most recently earlier in 2023, only to return briefly in the summer. Today’s removal marks another strategic chess move from Microsoft, seemingly designed to boost full-price memberships as anticipation builds for the company’s most high-profile first-party titles in years.

Starfield, Bethesda’s massive sci-fi RPG, is due to launch on September 6 and is expected to bring a huge influx of interest to Game Pass. Similarly, Forza Motorsport is set to arrive in October, giving racing fans another reason to jump into the subscription. By eliminating the $1 trial, Microsoft could be attempting to capitalize on heightened gamer engagement during these blockbuster releases, converting interest into higher revenue subscriptions.

Reactions from fans have been mixed. Some understand the business rationale, noting that Game Pass offers tremendous value even at standard pricing, currently $10.99/month for the console tier and $16.99/month for Ultimate. Others, however, lament losing a low-risk entry point, especially as inflation and rising subscription costs continue to tighten wallets.

In a statement to The Verge earlier this year when the trial was previously canceled, Microsoft said it was “evaluating different marketing promotions” for Game Pass. With no new offer announced today, it’s unclear if an alternative promotion may be introduced in the near future—though the timing suggests Microsoft is confident Starfield and Forza alone can drive subscriptions.

For now, new users will have to pay full price if they want to experience Microsoft’s upcoming exclusive heavy-hitters on day one. And while Game Pass still stands as one of gaming’s best values, its most generous deal just became a nostalgic memory—again.