Xbox Announces All Access Service, Providing Consoles and Subscriptions

If you want the full Xbox experience, it's an investment. The cost of the console and gear is a hefty start, followed by recurring subscription fees, such as Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass. But what if there was a simpler way?

Microsoft has announced a new program, titled Xbox All Access. This service will provide an Xbox One, a Gold subscription, and Game Pass for a monthly fee. The program is intended to provide new customers with a financing option at a cost lower than trying to purchase everything separately.

There are two financing options available. The first, at $21.99 a month, will provide an Xbox One S, as well as Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass. The second costs $34.99 a month and the bundle features an Xbox One X instead of the Xbox One S. Regardless of which, participating customers will have no initial start-up cost, and after 24 months, the service ends and they keep the console.

Is this a good deal, though? Let's do some math.

• Xbox Live Gold for 2 years ($60/year): $120
• Xbox Game Pass for 2 Years($10/month): $240
• Xbox One S Console: $300

The total cost of all the parts, purchased separately, would come to around $660. Compare this to the two years of the Xbox All Access service, costing a total sum of $528. So you'd save a good $140 on this deal. If you bump it up for the Xbox One X instead, it'd be $860 on its own, and $840 through the All Access service. That's fewer savings, but still a good deal.

This offer will only be available from August 27 until December 31. They will have to physically visit their nearest Microsoft location to sign up. Interested participants will be subject to a credit check before approval, with the program provided through Dell Financial Services. This means a Dell Preferred Account will be required. If all payments are made over the two-year span, and the balance is paid in full at that time, no interest will be applied.

This is a very tempting offer for those with limited budgets or lower incomes. Dropping $600+ isn't easy, but dropping $22 a month for two years is, especially if it costs LESS in the end.