Microsoft is preparing to launch a new tier of its subscription service, titled Xbox Game Pass 'Starter Edition,' as a perk for Discord Nitro users, according to reports from Kotaku.
Leaked images shared by Discord Previews suggest that the new tier will integrate Xbox's game library into Discord's existing $1-a-month Nitro subscription. The bundle is expected to provide access to more than 50 titles, including popular games like Stardew Valley and Fallout 4.
Users on this new tier will also receive up to 10 hours of cloud game streaming per month. Code discovered by xCloud open-source developer Redphx indicates that the Starter Edition will likely include third-party titles alongside Microsoft’s first-party lineup.
A shift in subscription strategy
The leak follows recent moves by Microsoft leadership to restructure its gaming services. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently met with Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters to discuss bundling Game Pass with other existing subscriptions.
This move comes shortly after Microsoft announced that day-and-date Call of Duty releases would be removed from Game Pass Ultimate to reduce costs. The company is reportedly exploring various methods to make the service more affordable and attract new subscribers.
In a recent internal memo, Sharma outlined her vision for the Xbox brand, emphasizing that daily active users represent the most critical metric for the company. Integrating Game Pass into Discord's ecosystem aligns with this goal of driving user engagement.
While the leak confirms the existence of a new tier, it remains unclear if Discord Nitro's price will increase to cover the cost of the partnership. Microsoft previously explored a $10 billion acquisition of Discord in 2021 before ultimately proceeding with the $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
