Microsoft bundles Forza with Xbox One in $27/month subscription plan

With the next-generation Xbox, currently codenamed “Project Scarlett”, due to be released in 2020, we’d forgive you for holding out on buying the current Xbox One S or One X. Not only is Project Scarlett expected to boast more than four times the processing power as any Xbox One, but with the One now notching up six years on the market it’s a little behind the times when it comes to doing justice to the next generation of games.

However, if you’re still console-less and eager to get your mitts on some gaming hardware before Project Scarlett lands (and options from Sony and Nintendo aren’t your thing), then a new console finance deal could provide a cost-effective solution to buying a brand-new Xbox outright.

In conjunction with Telstra, Microsoft has launched their ‘Xbox All Access’ program in Australia; offering players an all-inclusive Xbox experience with everything you need to start bashing wheels, for as little as $27 per month for 24 months.

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The package is available exclusively through Telstra, both in-store and online, and comes with an Xbox One console of your choice (either Xbox One X, or Xbox One S) with Forza Horizon 4 included, one Xbox wireless controller, and 24 months of membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The minimum cost over 24 months is $648 for the Xbox One S, or $912 for the more powerful Xbox One X ($38 per month).

Should you opt for the Xbox One S (lacking the One X’s 4K ability), you’ll save more than $100 in comparison to purchasing everything separately. It’s a similar margin for those opting for the One X.

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But it’s the inclusion of the Game Pass Ultimate that’s where the real value lies. With free access to more than 100 games, there’s plenty of content to keep you busy without having to splash out above the cost of the console subscription itself. As far as driving games are concerned, right now Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy F1 2018, Dirt Rally 2.0, Dirt 4, Grid 2, Rocket League and, of course, Forza Horizon 4.

Downsides? It’s a 24-month commitment, and breaking that contract means you’ll need to pay out the remainder of the console in a lump sum (a maximum of $409.37 for the One S and $659.95 for the One X) and your Game Pass Ultimate subscription will cease too unless you elect to take over those payments yourself. However, with Christmas fast approaching the All Access scheme could be a cost-effective way of bringing some console joy to the loungeroom without having to break the bank.

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And while Telstra says it will give subscribers the ability to upgrade their console to Microsoft’s next-gen console when it arrives, at this stage there are no details on exactly how that arrangement will work, or what additional costs there may be as a result. Watch this space.

Xbox All Access is available exclusively through Telstra, both in-store and online. See more info at Xbox.com