Microsoft and Discord have officially joined forces to deliver a new perk for Discord Nitro subscribers: a slimmed-down version of Xbox Game Pass dubbed the Starter Edition. The new tier, which had been rumored for weeks following hints from Xbox head Asha Sharma, grants Nitro members access to a rotating library of more than 50 console and PC games without any increase to the existing $10 per month or $100 per year Nitro subscription price.
The Starter Edition catalog leans heavily on proven hits, featuring titles such as Fallout 4, Stardew Valley, Hades, Doom Eternal, Dishonored 2, Gears of War 5, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, Grounded, Cities: Skylines, and Overcooked 2. Microsoft has indicated the lineup will expand over time. The package also includes 10 hours of cloud gaming per month, allowing subscribers to stream games on a wider range of devices without needing to download anything, as reported by IGN.
The partnership extends beyond just the game library. Discord and Xbox are weaving their platforms more tightly together with features that let users jump directly into Game Pass titles their Discord friends are playing or streaming. Additionally, eligible Game Pass subscribers will soon receive 250 Discord Orbs each month, a 1.2x multiplier on Orbs earned through Discord Quests, and automatic discounts in the Discord Shop, according to GameSpot.
Discord spokesperson Lu Zhang framed the collaboration as a way to lower the barrier to trying new games. The idea is that Game Pass eliminates the risk of buying a title only to abandon it after a few sessions, while the cloud gaming component means players can get started instantly. The Starter Edition’s catalog appears to mirror the smaller selection already available through the existing Xbox Game Pass Essential tier.
The announcement arrives amid a broader shakeup of the Game Pass ecosystem. Microsoft recently slashed the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 per month and reduced PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99 per month. At the same time, the company pulled new Call of Duty releases from the subscription service at launch, signaling a strategic shift toward offering more flexible and affordable tiers rather than day-one blockbuster access.
For Discord, bundling Game Pass strengthens the platform’s pitch as more than just a communication tool, positioning Nitro as a gateway to actual gaming content. For Microsoft, embedding Game Pass inside one of the largest social platforms in gaming could expose the service to millions of potential new subscribers who might eventually upgrade to higher tiers. Both companies clearly see the arrangement as a win, though whether the Starter Edition’s modest catalog is enough to hook players long-term remains to be seen.