Two fees, one game: 'Final Fantasy XIV' on Xbox

Image: Square Enix

After more than a decade, the highly anticipated arrival of Final Fantasy XIV on Xbox has been confirmed for 2024. Square Enix made the exciting announcement on February 2, unveiling a beta test for the Xbox Series version scheduled to commence on February 21. This beta will be open to newcomers to the MMO genre. However, Xbox players keen on delving into the realms of Eorzea will not only need to subscribe to the game itself but also require an additional Xbox Game Pass subscription.

A Square Enix's blog post, details this announcement in the "How to Participate" section. It clarifies that while the Free Trial version, including the beta, doesn't mandate a Game Pass subscription, the full Xbox Series X|S version will need an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan for access. This is a departure from the norm for FF14, which typically only requires a game subscription on PlayStation and PC. 

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Microsoft halts its $1 Xbox Game Pass trial offer

Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft is stopping its $1 trial offer for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This offer has been available for years, with brief periods where it wasn't available. But now, Microsoft says it's considering other promotions in its place. This $1 trial allowed users to sign up for Xbox Game Pass for a month before the full Xbox Game Pass subscription kicks in. It costs CAD 11.99 per month for the console and PC subscription and CAD 16.99 monthly for the Ultimate membership for console and PC, EA Play, Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Microsoft currently offers a Friends & Family plan for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in some markets. It benefits up to four other friends or family members, with pricing starting at EUR 21.99 per month in Ireland (around CAD 32).

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Microsoft, Electronic Arts partner to bring EA Play access to Xbox Game Pass members for free

New Xbox Series X and Series S owners can take advantage of the new EA Play membership through Xbox Game Pass (Source: Microsoft)

A new partnership between Microsoft and Electronic Arts brings EA Play to Xbox Game Pass at no additional charge. Both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC members get the free EA Play membership starting this holiday season. Ultimate members get to enjoy EA Play on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Windows 10 PCs, while PC members get EA Play on Windows 10 machines.

Ultimate and PC members will be able to play over 60 of EA's biggest and best console and PC games like FIFA 20, Titanfall 2, and Need for Speed Heat, as well as titles from some of EA's most popular franchises like Battlefield, Mass Effect, Skate, and The Sims. Some of the best EA Play games will also be available to Ultimate members on their Android devices via the cloud. And Microsoft promises to add more titles for those who play on the PC. Game Pass for PC and the Xbox App will become generally available starting September 17.

Source: Xbox Wire