The short answer is: Yes, Battlefield 2042 is free with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. By including EA Play, Game Pass Ultimate provides full access to Battlefield 2042 at no additional cost.
But what exactly does "free" mean here? And how long will Battlefield 2042 remain free for Game Pass members? I‘m Jane, a gaming and entertainment writer, and I‘ll provide a detailed breakdown of how Battlefield 2042 is available on Game Pass, what limitations exist, whether Game Pass is truly worth it for this title, and more.
Here‘s everything you need to know about playing Battlefield 2042 free with an Xbox Game Pass membership.
How to Access Battlefield 2042 with Game Pass
Let‘s start with a quick guide on how to get Battlefield 2042 free with a Game Pass subscription:
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – Includes full, unlimited access to Battlefield 2042 at no extra cost thanks to the inclusion of EA Play benefits.
Xbox Game Pass for PC – Provides a limited 10-hour trial of Battlefield 2042 through EA Play. No full game access.
EA Play Memberships – Also grant a 10-hour Battlefield 2042 trial on any platform. EA Play is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Free Play Days – Battlefield 2042 was temporarily free to play from December 1-4, 2022 for all Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass members.
PlayStation Plus Free Trial – PS+ subscribers could play a Battlefield 2042 free trial from December 16-23, 2022. No full game access.
So in summary, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are the only ones who get the full Battlefield 2042 experience free with a standard membership. Others are limited to short trials.
Is Battlefield 2042 Permanently Free with Game Pass?
Now, I know what you might be thinking – if you activate Game Pass Ultimate, you‘ll have Battlefield 2042 forever, right?
Unfortunately, no. Here are some key limitations to be aware of:
You only have access while subscribed – If your Game Pass membership expires, Battlefield 2042 access ends until you resubscribe. It is not permanently free.
10-hour trials eventually end – The EA Play trials lasts only 10 hours of total playtime, not unlimited full access.
Games can leave Game Pass – At any time, EA could remove Battlefield 2042 from the EA Play catalog that is included with Game Pass. This would end access.
So while Battlefield 2042 is free while your subscription is active, it is essentially rental access rather than permanent ownership. You do not own Battlefield 2042 itself with a Game Pass membership.
What Happens if Your Subscription Lapses?
A common question is what happens if you‘re playing Battlefield 2042 through Game Pass Ultimate but then your membership expires.
Here‘s an overview:
Lose in-game access – Battlefield 2042 will remain installed but you will be unable to launch it until resubscribing to Game Pass.
Progess is saved – You won‘t lose any unlocks, achievements, or progression in Battlefield 2042. These are tied to your EA/Origin account.
Reactivate seamlessly – Once you renew Game Pass, you can pick up right where you left off. Everything will still be waiting for you.
Avoid lapses – To prevent any interruption, consider pre-paying for 3 years of Game Pass Ultimate at a discount for uninterrupted access.
So a lapsed subscription won‘t erase your progress, but it will block access until you pay to resume Game Pass membership. Stay subscribed to avoid losing access.
How Much Does Game Pass Ultimate Cost?
Game Pass Ultimate offers access to Battlefield 2042 and hundreds of other games for a monthly fee. Here‘s a breakdown of pricing:
| Subscription | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass for Console | $9.99 | $120 |
| Xbox Game Pass for PC | $9.99 | $120 |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $14.99 | $180 |
As you can see, Game Pass Ultimate is slightly pricier due to the added benefits like EA Play access. But it still comes out to less than $15 monthly for the complete package.
Consider that buying Battlefield 2042 outright at launch cost $59.99 or more. Accessing it through Game Pass provides significant potential savings, especially if you were planning to buy it anyway.
However, it‘s important to note again that Game Pass provides rental access rather than permanent ownership of Battlefield 2042. If you cancel, you lose access until resubscribing.
Is Game Pass Worth It for Battlefield 2042?
Game Pass isn‘t for everyone. Here‘s an overview of the potential pros and cons:
Potential Pros
- Access full Battlefield 2042 for only $14.99/month
- No need to pay $59.99+ to buy the game outright
- Includes 100+ other games in the catalog
- Cancel subscription anytime
Potential Cons
- Don‘t permanently own Battlefield 2042
- Lose access if subscription ends
- Games leave the catalog periodically
- Repeated subscription fees over time
For most gamers, Game Pass Ultimate is a solid deal if you plan to play Battlefield 2042 regularly. Being able to play the full title for just $14.99 per month offers big potential savings.
But it‘s not as clear-cut if you only want to play Battlefield 2042 casually or occasionally. Buying it on sale could become cheaper over time compared to ongoing subscription fees.
Overall, Game Pass makes sense for committed Battlefield 2042 players who want to maximize their playtime and experience. More casual gamers may want to just purchase it outright when discounted.
Expert Tips for Game Pass Members
If you decide to play Battlefield 2042 through Game Pass, here are some tips from an industry expert to maximize your subscription:
Pre-pay for long-term savings – You can pre-pay for up to 3 years of Game Pass Ultimate upfront to lock in the lowest rates. This guarantees uninterrupted access.
Take advantage of discounts – Game Pass members get up to 20% off game purchases and DLC through the Xbox store. Subscribe before buying.
Activate recurring billing – Enabling auto-renewal ensures you never accidentally lose access at the end of a billing cycle.
Play new releases ASAP – Popular games can leave Game Pass faster, so don‘t put off playing titles like Battlefield 2042 right away.
Download for offline play – You can download Game Pass titles to play offline when not connected to the internet. Great for playing on the go.
Following tips like these can help you maximize savings and get the most out of your Game Pass subscription.
The Bottom Line
While Battlefield 2042 is not permanently free with a Game Pass membership, subscribers do get full access to the game at no additional cost for as long as their subscription remains active.
This can provide great short-term savings compared to buying Battlefield 2042 outright at full retail price of $59.99 or more. Just be aware it is essentially a rental, and you lose access if you ever cancel Game Pass.
For Battlefield fans planning to invest serious time into the game, Game Pass Ultimate is likely the most cost-effective option. More casual players may want to opt for a discounted one-time purchase instead.
So in summary: yes, Battlefield 2042 is free on Game Pass, but with some limitations. Evaluate your own gaming habits to decide if a subscription is right for you.
Hopefully this detailed guide helps explain exactly how Battlefield 2042 is available on Xbox Game Pass and whether it truly offers good value. Let me know if you have any other questions!
