The Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family plan, which allowed sharing the subscription with up to five people in the same country, has been canceled. According to Windows Central editor Jez Corden, the decision was not made by Microsoft, but was a response to pressure from Electronic Arts. The service launched in 2022 in markets such as Colombia and Ireland, but was withdrawn shortly after without official explanation.
The technical model of shared subscription clashed with EA's revenue 💰
The Friends & Family plan operated under a single subscription model that granted access to multiple accounts, reducing the payment per user. For EA, whose titles like FIFA and Battlefield generate recurring revenue through microtransactions and individual sales, this scheme represented a direct threat to their business model. The publisher's pressure allegedly forced Microsoft to withdraw the plan, prioritizing commercial agreements over user flexibility.
EA won't even let you play with family: they prefer everyone pays their own fee 😤
Apparently, for EA, sharing a Game Pass at home is a cardinal sin. They prefer that each family member pays their individual subscription, as if digital leisure were a per capita tax. Meanwhile, Microsoft washes its hands and lets players continue paying separate bills. Next time you want to play FIFA with your cousin, remember that EA doesn't like family discounts.