Xbox Game Pass Ultimate High Res Horizontal Key Art
Do you or your kids really want an Xbox but can’t quite stump up the cash to get one?
An Xbox One S will cost you $329, an Xbox One X $459, but the best deal is the Xbox One S All Digital with games at $289. Still, a bit of coin.
Microsoft has just announced Telstra as the Australian partner for a new version of the “Xbox All Access” gaming subscription package.
For $27 a month you get an Xbox One S, and Xbox Games Pass Ultimate which gives you Xbox Live Gold and 100 great games.
The other option is $38 a month for the Xbox One X with all the same access.
Both come with Forza Horizon 4 bundled in.
Make no mistake, this is a very big deal for Microsoft. Telstra have had huge success getting their Streaming Box Telstra TV into Aussie homes on a subscription basis, and while the same million people won’t stump up . the $27 here – there would be tens of thousands who will.
Every single one who does is a potential loss for Sony Playstation – so the strategic power of this is massive on the gaming market.
Why Telstra? Go Figure:)
They say it’s their “entry into the gaming category” and “the beginning of a longer-term strategy that will ultimately bring gaming to the mass market through exclusive partnerships, backed by the country’s favourite network. As 5G matures, it will open new ways for gamers to play online and multiplayer games, on the go, on their device.“
One could argue it’s a strategic move from Telstra to get ahead of the proposed cloud gaming services that will come in the years ahead from Microsoft and even Google – that require no hardware, just an internet connection. Hmmm.. Who does Internet connections? Oh yeah – Telstra!
Tania Chee from Xbox in Australia says “At Xbox we believe strongly in choice, so we are thrilled to be bringing Xbox All Access to Aussie gamers with Telstra. With no upfront cost and everything you need to get the most out of your console, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox All Access is a great way to get into gaming,”
In terms of longevity – Telstra say you can “buyout their hardware at any time” and when it comes to the next generation console you can “upgrade to Project Scarlett once it’s available” – looks like a similar approach to mobiles is coming with a touch more hardware flexibility.
Of course, you have to be either a fixed landline/broadband or postpaid mobile customer to be eligible for this service.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair.
Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave.
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