Once more, Microsoft has chosen to cut back on the $1 Game Pass trial that is meant to give gamers a 14-day glimpse into what the subscription service provides. The timing of this decision seems rather suspicious, falling just before the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Changes to the Trial
Originally, the $1 trial (£1 in the UK, Rs 50 in India) lasted for a full month, but that was removed in March 2023. Instead, Microsoft rolled out a referral program for PC Game Pass, which permitted current members to invite other PC users to test the service for a period of 14 days. The trial returned in August, but it was shortened to 14 days, just a few weeks prior to the release of Bethesda's Starfield.
Availability of Black Ops 6
According to Microsoft’s plan, Black Ops 6 will be exclusively accessible through PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions on consoles. This comes despite the company's earlier commitment to making all first-party releases available for all Game Pass subscribers from the very first day.
Reasoning Behind the Change
One could argue that this strategy serves as a deterrent against potential cheaters who might want to access the multiplayer mode at a lower cost, possibly by creating multiple accounts.
The Verge, IGN.
