Microsoft is reportedly set to heavily promote its ‘All Access’ subscription program for the Xbox Series X launch later this year according to company chief Phil Spencer.
The All Access program, which exists for the current Xbox One X and S consoles, is similar to a mobile phone plan repayment scheme but for consoles – spreading out the cost of the hardware in monthly installments over a two year period.
Speaking with IGN, Spencer says Microsoft plans to “go big with [Xbox All Access] at the launch of the consoles” as the aim is for said program to help “lessen the single impact of a purchase.”
Spencer admits a major factor in this push is due to the Xbox One’s struggled launch which was in part tied to it being priced $100 higher than the PS4 at the time.
Spencer did not give a solid price point or either the console or All Access program, but says the impact of COVID-19 on the gaming industry can’t be underestimated: “There is a lot of uncertainty [in the market]. I think gaming is a luxury and we should all understand that… Gaming tends to be durable. It seems that people see it as a value and continue [playing games]. But obviously, people have to take care of their families first.”
