Is Game Pass Available In The United States For Friends And Family?

Microsoft is ending its Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan, which allowed Xbox Game Pass members to share Game Pass Ultimate benefits with up to four friends and family members. The plan has already spread to eight countries as of February, allowing Xbox Game Pass members to save games, track achievements, and receive personalized recommendations. Starting today, Xbox players in Chile, Hungary, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sweden will be able to join a plan that enables up to five friends and family members to share Game Pass Ultimate benefits.

The Friends and Family plan will be available for the US, EU, and the UK in the coming months. The plan allows users to enjoy the subscription service at a discount by grouping up five Xbox accounts. Each account can only be in one Friends and Family Plan at a time, and users can only share a Friends and Family Plan with accounts in their own country or region. The Friends and Family program is for up to six people and gives everyone an active gamepass subscription.

The Friends and Family plan is currently available in Colombia and Ireland in a limited Beta version, but the service may soon be extended to the United States. Microsoft launched an official Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family page where prospective customers can learn more about the new subscription plan. The plan was designed to make it “even easier” to play Game Pass games with friends and family members across console, PC, and cloud. If the plan is made available in the United States and elsewhere, it would reportedly cost around $30 a month compared to the standard $15.

As of July 10, 2024, Xbox Game Pass for Console is no longer available for new members. Members who are already subscribed to Game Pass for Console and have played for at least one year will receive an “Xbox Game Pass offer” as a thank you for joining the Friends and Family plan.

Is Xbox Game Pass Only Available In US?

Xbox Game Pass is a gaming subscription service available in various countries, including Argentina, Australia, and Canada. It provides users with access to a library of high-quality games for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. Subscription cards can only be redeemed in the country of purchase, ensuring pricing aligns with local economies. To play games, an active Game Pass subscription is mandatory, and some titles are restricted to players 18 years and older. The list of available games may change over time and can differ by region.

As of July 10, 2024, Xbox Game Pass for Console is no longer available for new subscribers, but existing members can continue their subscriptions. Xbox Game Pass Standard includes benefits from the Xbox Game Pass Core, which allows access to multiplayer games. In addition, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription provides comprehensive access to both console and PC gaming, with features like cloud gaming available on various platforms.

The service is compatible with Xbox One and newer consoles as well as Windows 10 and 11 PCs. For mobile users, the Xbox Game Pass app offers accessibility to gaming on the go. Unfortunately, the service's availability may vary by country, and to confirm, users should check the official Xbox website.

What Happens If I Change My Xbox Location?

When relocating to a new country or region, it's crucial that your Xbox Live account's region aligns with your physical location to avoid "region block" errors and purchasing issues. You'll need a valid billing address and payment method that correspond to your new locale. If you must change your Xbox Live account's region, some aspects like your profile remain unchanged, while subscriptions may be affected if they're unavailable in the new region. To update your Xbox console's location, navigate to Settings > Time and Language > Region. Changing your region can impact online gaming, as you'll be matched with players primarily from that area. You can switch your home Xbox up to five times a year and reverse changes at any time if needed. It’s not advised to alter your region unless you're physically moving, as it may result in compatibility issues. Any existing Xbox subscriptions will also transfer to the new region. Therefore, it's essential to ensure all settings reflect your new residency for a seamless Xbox experience. Be cautious when modifying settings to prevent account or system issues.

What Happened To Game Pass Family?

The Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan, which was in preview since September 2022, is set to end on August 15, 2023. Microsoft announced the discontinuation of this plan earlier in July, confirming that it was terminating the trial across eight countries where it allowed sharing of Game Pass Ultimate benefits among family and friends. According to reports, Xbox head Phil Spencer provided insights regarding the decision, which has left many fans wondering if Microsoft will completely abandon the subscription model.

The program aimed to lower barriers to gaming variety, enabling up to four users to share a single subscription. However, Microsoft seems to be reconsidering its approach, possibly exploring other subscription options, including a cloud-only tier. The Friends and Family plan's ending followed a temporary deal expiration with a publisher, raising concerns about pricing and game availability in future offerings. As the landscape of subscription services evolves, the company is investigating ways to adjust its Game Pass structure, signaling potential changes ahead.

Current subscribers to the Friends and Family plan will be presented with an alternative Xbox Game Pass offer once the trial concludes. Further updates and changes to the Game Pass tiers may arrive in the coming months.

Are Xbox Game Pass Games Region Locked?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is not region-locked, allowing access to most games in supported regions. However, specific games can face restrictions based on local laws or licensing agreements. Subscription cards for Xbox Game Pass are region-locked and can only be redeemed in the region where they were purchased. Additionally, availability of games can differ between Xbox Game Pass for console and PC due to various legal reasons. Some users have encountered region-specific access issues, particularly if their account's region does not match their physical location, resulting in "region not supported" messages.

If such issues arise, changing the account setting back to the original region can solve the problem. While the Xbox Game Pass provides a broad access to games across various regions, certain titles may not be accessible due to content regulations. The Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles are generally region-locked, but some games are region-free. Users can often play cloud games from different regions, and while there are methods to bypass restrictions such as using a VPN, it may not always work seamlessly. Overall, while Xbox Game Pass isn’t inherently region-locked, individual games may be affected by regional laws, so it’s wise to check each title’s availability based on your location.

How Does Game Pass Family And Friends Work?

The Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan allows one primary member to share their subscription benefits with up to four additional accounts, whether those users live together or not. Each member has their own Xbox profile to save games, track achievements, and receive personalized recommendations. To utilize this plan, the primary account must be signed into the console where family members play.

In early 2023, the plan expanded to six new countries before its temporary closure in July. Members enjoy full access to the Game Pass library on both PC and Xbox, including day-one releases and EA Play membership. The sharing setup allows seamless online console multiplayer, facilitating connections with friends and the broader Xbox community.

Users can also link their Riot Games accounts with their Xbox profiles to unlock exclusive characters and bonuses. Although game sharing primarily benefits the subbed account holder, everyone in the family plan can redeem perks. With this flexible option, users can enjoy gaming together while splitting the monthly fee, making it an affordable and engaging experience for families and friends alike. As a result, Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family enhances social gaming opportunities across various platforms.

Can You Have Three Home Xboxes?

Quando você adiciona uma nova conta a um console e não a configura para restringir durante a instalação, esse console se tornará automaticamente seu Xbox principal. Você só pode ter um Xbox principal por vez. Se você estiver conectado a vários consoles, recomenda-se escolher o mais utilizado como seu Xbox principal. Para três consoles, são necessárias três contas, pois apenas duas podem compartilhar o Xbox Live Gold; o terceiro precisará de uma assinatura separada.

Além disso, uma conta pode ser usada em apenas um console por vez. O compartilhamento de jogos e como o Xbox principal funciona permite que apenas um console seja designado para compartilhamento. O perfil que adquiriu os jogos deve definir um dos consoles como seu Xbox principal, permitindo que outras contas usem esse console, enquanto a conta compradora ainda pode fazer login e usar o outro. Assim, é necessário designar seu console como Xbox principal antes de ir offline.

É possível ter até três Xboxes principais, mas apenas um pode ser usado para compartilhar a assinatura. Para aproveitar os benefícios do Game Pass, é fundamental definir um dos consoles como seu Xbox principal, garantindo que amigos ou familiares também tenham acesso aos jogos digitais. É possível usar os conteúdos digitais entre dois consoles, mas não simultaneamente em mais de um.

Is There A Family Plan For Xbox Game Pass?

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan, effective August 15th. Initially launched as a preview, this plan allowed one main account to share Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits with up to four additional accounts, enabling users to enjoy a wide range of games on console, PC, and cloud services. Despite its brief availability and extension to additional countries in early 2023, the family plan will no longer be offered.

For those who were already subscribed, any remaining subscription would have automatically transitioned to the new family plan. Meanwhile, users could also invite family members for account sharing by accessing the Microsoft Family management page. Each participant in the plan enjoyed full access to Game Pass features, allowing personalized gaming experiences, including achievements, save tracking, and tailored recommendations.

The standard Xbox Game Pass and PC tiers remain priced at $9. 99 monthly, while Game Pass Ultimate combines both platforms. Although the family plan offered significant advantages like the sharing model prevalent in services like Netflix and Spotify, it ultimately couldn't sustain its existence in the Xbox ecosystem. Currently, Xbox subscribers can still enjoy various plans and features, but the Friends and Family plan has been definitively phased out.

Where Is Game Pass Family Plan?

Microsoft is discontinuing the Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan, which had expanded to eight countries by February 2023, allowing members to share benefits with up to four others, regardless of whether they lived together. Each participant maintained their own account to save games, track achievements, and receive personalized recommendations. Despite its brief operation, which included an expansion to six additional countries in early 2023, the plan was abruptly closed in July without indication of a potential return.

Xbox enthusiasts noted this program was beneficial, as it enabled shared experiences and cost savings among multiple players. Previously, a similar family plan was available under Xbox Gold, which Microsoft abandoned before fully launching Game Pass. Currently, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions for console and PC do not permit multiple users under one account, requiring individual subscriptions instead.

Although there's speculation about the future of family-oriented subscription models, such as cloud gaming options or ad-supported tiers, the likelihood of reviving the Friends and Family plan appears slim. Microsoft has not committed to reintroducing this feature, causing uncertainty among subscribers about shared benefits in upcoming services.

Is There An Xbox Live Gold Family Plan?

The Xbox Game Pass for Friends and Family plan, which allowed up to four users access to Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live Gold, was discontinued in 2023. Memberships ended by August 15, 2023. To share Game Pass benefits with friends and family, make your primary Xbox your "home Xbox," enabling anyone who signs in with their profile to use your subscription. You can add up to four family members or friends who will have individual accounts for saving progress and tracking achievements.

Starting September 14, 2023, Xbox Live Gold transitioned to Xbox Game Pass Core, providing online multiplayer and a collection of over 25 games for Xbox Series XS. Microsoft has removed the family gold pack from sale and there is currently no alternative for sharing a single gold membership. The old Xbox Live Gold Family Pack offered four accounts for $99. 99 but has since been discontinued. Microsoft has confirmed the new Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family plan, allowing five members to share Game Pass Ultimate, starting in Ireland and Colombia.

Each member can redeem perks, and the cost can be split among five licenses. Current Gold subscribers will automatically convert to Game Pass Core, which will see new titles added to the library annually.

Is It Possible To Share Xbox Game Pass With Family?

Yes, standard Xbox home sharing policies apply to Xbox Game Pass. With an Ultimate subscription and a designated home Xbox, you can automatically share your subscription with any user signed into that console. You can share Xbox Game Pass with family members, adding up to four friends and family members regardless of their living situation. Each user can maintain their own Xbox profile to save games, track achievements, and receive personalized recommendations.

To share your Game Pass subscription, designate your primary Xbox as your home device. This setting allows anyone who logs into that console to access your Game Pass benefits. If you're sharing your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits with household members, sign into the account with an active subscription on the designated home Xbox.

For sharing on PC, you can manage family memberships through the Microsoft Family management page by inviting family members to your group. It's important to note that while consoles can share Game Pass, PC subscriptions do not support multiple users on the same account; each person needs their own subscription.

To sum up, set up your consoles correctly and ensure all family profiles are linked to effectively share Xbox Game Pass among family and friends, enhancing your gaming experience together.