Discord’s premium subscription service, Nitro, is about to get a major upgrade. Starting soon, one of its tiers will include access to Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers an expanded library of games without needing a separate Microsoft account. But for power users who already have Game Pass or are on a budget, this new addition raises questions: Is it worth the switch, or should you stick with what you’ve got?
The change comes as part of a broader push by Discord to deepen its integration with gaming ecosystems. While the exact details—like whether the Xbox account requirement will be removed—are still being finalized, the move signals another step toward making Discord a one-stop platform for both communication and gameplay.
What’s Changing—and What It Means
The new tier, which will cost around $10 per month (the same as Nitro Classic), will bundle Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That means subscribers get access to over 400 games on PC, including exclusives like Starfield and Forza Horizon 5, plus cloud gaming through the Xbox app. For users who already have a Microsoft account tied to their Discord, this could streamline gameplay by eliminating the need to log in separately.
However, there are caveats. The current Nitro tiers—Nitro Classic and Nitro Special (with extra customization options)—don’t include any gaming perks beyond what’s already available for free users. If you’re already paying for Game Pass, this new tier won’t save you money; it’ll just add another layer of convenience. That said, for casual gamers or those who use Discord primarily for its community features (like servers and bots), the addition could be a worthwhile upgrade.
Who Benefits—and Who Should Skip It
- Power users with existing Game Pass subscriptions may find little value in the new tier, as they’re already getting access to the same game library without extra cost.
- Casual gamers or Discord enthusiasts who don’t currently have Game Pass could see this as a bundled deal that simplifies their gaming setup.
- Users who rely on Discord for its non-gaming features (e.g., voice chats, bots) might not notice much of a difference unless they’re heavy Xbox players.
The bigger question is whether Discord will eventually expand this model to include other gaming services, like PlayStation Plus or EA Play. If so, it could position Nitro as a more competitive alternative to standalone subscriptions—but for now, the focus remains on Xbox integration.
For those deciding whether to upgrade, the key takeaway is this: If you’re already invested in Game Pass, this change doesn’t force an immediate switch. But if you’re on the fence or use Discord as your main gaming hub, it could be a smart move—just don’t expect revolutionary performance gains.
