UK games retailer GAME has revealed a new console hire-purchase scheme that gives players an Xbox and a monthly Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for a monthly fee.
Called Xbox All Access, the scheme works like a phone contract, enabling players to spread out the cost of purchasing the hardware with monthly payments across two years. It’s thought to be the first such scheme available in the UK.
There are three Xbox All Access tiers available; an Xbox One X scheme, which includes a limited time offer upgrade option to Project Scarlett when it releases next year, Xbox One S, and the Xbox One S All Digital Edition. Each bundle includes 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes Xbox’s gaming library, as well as online multiplayer with Xbox Live Gold. They cost £25, £20, and £18 per month respectively.
“It’s the most affordable way to buy a console and play all the latest games. It also means people can treat their loved ones to the ultimate Christmas present without breaking the bank,” says Martyn Gibbs, CEO of GAME Digital.
In other GAME news, the UK video game retailer specialist recently called in a property consultancy to review its property portfolio, potentially leading to store closures, relocations, and job cuts. A spokesperson from property consultancy CBRE said it was advising GAME on its 259 video game stores and 21 Belong esports arenas.
Ashley first took an interest in the game retailer in 2017 after securing a 26 per cent share in the company. He then invested a further £3.2m for 50 per cent of the profits and IP ownership of GAME’s exhibition spaces, Belong, including a deal to set up Belong arenas in Sports Direct stores with possible GAME concessions. As rules stipulate that when a shareholder’s stake goes above 30 per cent a takeover offer must be made, GAME’s board of directors accepted Sports Direct’s mandatory cash offer made on June 5th at the end of June 2019.
