Is Realms Free with Gamepass?
The question on many Minecraft enthusiasts’ minds – is Realms free with Gamepass? In this article, we’ll delve into the details of what Realms are, how they work, and most importantly, whether you need to pay for them with a Gamepass subscription.
What are Realms?
Realms is a premium feature in Minecraft that allows you to play online with friends in a virtual world. With Realms, you can create, explore, and build your own world with others, without the need for complicated server configurations or technical knowledge. Realms are ideal for groups of friends, families, or communities that want to play together seamlessly.
How Do Realms Work?
Here’s a brief overview of how Realms work:
- Subscription Model: Realms operates on a subscription-based model, which means you need to pay a monthly fee to keep your Realm active.
- Hosting: Realms are hosted on dedicated servers, ensuring a stable and lag-free gaming experience.
- Multiplayer: Realms allow for multi-player gameplay, allowing friends to join and play together in the same world.
Is Realms Free with Gamepass?
Now, let’s answer the million-dollar question: is Realms free with Gamepass? The short answer is: mostly. With an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can play Minecraft Realms for free, but with some caveats.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Free Trial: You can enjoy a free trial period for Minecraft Realms, which lasts for 30 days. This allows you to try out Realms and see if it’s the right fit for you.
- Game Pass Subscription: Once the trial period ends, you’ll need to continue your subscription to Gamepass to keep your Realm active. Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions qualify for Realm access.
- Switch Online Subscription: If you’re playing on a Nintendo Switch, you’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play Realms.
What’s the Cost?
Now that we’ve clarified the free trial and subscription aspects, let’s talk about the cost. Monthly subscription fees for Minecraft Realms vary depending on the platform and the duration of your subscription:
- Java Edition: A monthly subscription fee of $7.99 USD or $9.99 CAD applies.
- Bedrock Edition: A monthly subscription fee of $4.99 USD or $6.99 CAD applies.
Additional Costs
Keep in mind that these fees are on top of any additional costs associated with:
- Gamepass: Your Gamepass subscription, which can range from $4.99 USD to $14.99 USD per month, depending on the plan.
- Nintendo Switch Online: A monthly or annual subscription fee for your Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which ranges from $3.99 USD to $19.99 USD.
Conclusion
In summary, Realms are mostly free with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. You can enjoy a free trial period, and then continue your subscription to Gamepass to keep your Realm active. Keep in mind the additional costs associated with monthly subscription fees, Gamepass, and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions.
Additional Resources
- Minecraft Realms Official Website
- Xbox Game Pass Official Website
- Nintendo Switch Online Official Website