Gamers hoping to snag Xbox Game Pass’s £1 introductory offer to dive into the upcoming Black Ops 6 are out of luck.
With just over a week until the launch of the new Call of Duty game, Microsoft has quietly withdrawn the deal, leaving fans without a budget option to access the blockbuster.
Like the company’s other first-party exclusives, Black Ops 6 will be available on Game Pass on the day of its release (October 25).
Those subscribed to the Game Pass Ultimate plan can immediately enjoy the action by streaming the game instead of waiting for it to download.
Since it first appeared in 2019, Microsoft has used the trial to tempt new customers. While it puts you on the hook for a recurring subscription if you forget to cancel, it’s still an appealing way to sprint through a game.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has conspicuously shelved the deal before releasing a major new game. Last year, it withdrew the offer shortly before Bethesda’s space-faring epic Starfield arrived.
How to get Game Pass cheaply
Although the introductory offer is gone, budding subscribers can save money on Game Pass by employing a couple of (totally above board) hacks.
Firstly, you should always shop around for a Game Pass subscription instead of buying directly from Microsoft.
Gaming stores including CDKeys generally stock one-month, three-month, and 12-month Game Pass Ultimate codes at a modest discount, some of which you can also stack to extend your membership.
If you regularly play Xbox, purchase digital games, and use other Microsoft products including Bing or Edge, you may also have enough Microsoft Rewards points to redeem a free month of Game Pass.
What’s the best Game Pass plan?
Microsoft has repeatedly raised the price of the all-you-can-play service, chopped and changed subscription plans, and tapered the length of the introductory offer from one month to 14 days. The changes have confused gamers and attracted the ire of regulators in Microsoft’s native US.
For instance, Game Pass Ultimate now costs £15 per month, up 36.4 per cent from its launch price of £11 per month.
It’s the most popular option as it comes with the entire Game Pass library (including the latest releases), support for online multiplayer, and the ability to stream games on phones, web browsers and directly on select smart TVs.
Microsoft also recently launched a Standard tier to replace the cheaper console-only plan, but it doesn’t have access to new titles.
For its part, Microsoft has attributed the shake-up to market conditions and the need to continue investing in high-quality games and expanding the Game Pass library.
