Is The Crew on Game Pass? The Ultimate Guide
The burning question on every racing enthusiast’s mind: Is The Crew on Game Pass? Let’s dive straight into the answer and explore the ever-evolving landscape of game subscriptions. The answer is complex. While The Crew and The Crew 2 have rotated in and out of Game Pass in the past, neither are currently on Xbox Game Pass. However, individual games from the franchise are sometimes part of promotions and available for free for limited times. The Crew Motorfest is not currently available on Xbox Game Pass as part of its standard library. Keep a close eye on official announcements from Xbox and Ubisoft, as these situations can change.
Delving Deeper into The Crew Franchise and Game Pass
The Crew franchise has always pushed the boundaries of online open-world racing. The ability to cruise with friends across a scaled-down version of the United States is undeniably appealing. But the subscription models for these kinds of games are often confusing, so let’s break down all the details.
The accessibility of these games has evolved over time, with temporary free trials and limited-time promotions offering a taste of the action. It’s also essential to note the distinction between accessing the game and playing online multiplayer. Even if a game is free to download, Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate is usually required to participate in online races and co-op missions on consoles.
The key takeaway here is to stay informed. Follow official channels, keep an eye on gaming news sites, and check the Xbox Game Pass library regularly to see if The Crew titles become available. The Crew Motorfest offers new open-world environments, and a different experience overall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Crew and Game Pass
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the availability, accessibility, and subscription requirements for The Crew franchise:
1. Is The Crew (Original) free on Xbox?
The Crew (the original game) is not permanently free on Xbox. However, it has been offered for free on various platforms (like Uplay/Ubisoft Connect) as part of promotions. Keep an eye on announcements from Ubisoft for potential future opportunities.
2. Can I play The Crew 2 without Game Pass?
You can download and start The Crew 2 without Game Pass, during designated free play weekends. The game is available on Epic Games Launcher, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Ubisoft Connect PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. However, an active Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription is required to access multiplayer modes on Xbox consoles.
3. Can you play The Crew 2 on Xbox Series X/S?
Yes, The Crew 2 is playable on Xbox Series X/S. The game even offers a Performance Mode on Xbox Series X, allowing you to experience the game at 60 FPS. Remember that multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate.
4. Will The Crew Motorfest be free?
The Crew Motorfest is not a free-to-play game. However, Ubisoft often offers free trials or limited-time access to the opening segments of the game. Watch for these promotions to get a free taste of the Motorfest experience.
5. How could I get The Crew 1 for free in the past?
In the past, The Crew was offered for free through the Ubisoft Uplay (now Ubisoft Connect) store as part of their anniversary celebrations or promotions. It’s always a good idea to check the Ubisoft Connect store for any current offers.
6. Can I play The Crew for free?
While not always permanently free, The Crew and The Crew 2 are sometimes available for free during specific promotional periods or weekends across different platforms. However, a subscription is needed to play multiplayer on consoles.
7. When did The Crew 1 come out?
The Crew was initially released in December 2014 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, with a later release for Xbox 360 and Amazon Luna.
8. Is Crew 2 open world?
Yes, The Crew 2 features a persistent open-world environment, allowing players to freely roam across a scaled-down recreation of the United States.
9. Do you need Xbox Live to play The Crew 1?
Yes, The Crew requires Xbox Live Gold (now Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate) to play on Xbox consoles. A subscription is necessary to access the game’s online features and multiplayer modes.
10. Can you free drive in Crew 2?
Absolutely! The Crew 2 encourages free driving. You can explore the open-world environment and switch between cars, motorcycles, airplanes, and powerboats at any time.
11. Can The Crew 2 be played solo?
Yes, The Crew 2 can be played solo. You can engage in races, challenges, and explore the open world without requiring other players.
12. Is there going to be a Crew 3?
Yes, The Crew Motorfest is essentially The Crew 3. It was released on September 14, 2023, and offers a new location and set of challenges.
13. Is Crew 3 free?
While The Crew Motorfest is not inherently free, it had a free trial period around its launch. During this period, players could play the first few hours of the game before deciding to purchase it.
14. Is Crew 1 online only? Can we play offline?
Yes, The Crew requires a constant internet connection. It cannot be played offline due to its online-focused design and persistent world.
15. Which is better, The Crew or The Crew 2?
The Crew 2 is widely regarded as an improvement over the original. It boasts a larger and more diverse open world, a wider range of vehicles (including planes and boats), and an enhanced progression system. The environments offer a vast, exciting, and expansive world to explore. The huge variety of racing events, alongside a near endless progression system, promises hours of play time, and the car customization is the best we have seen this generation. However, the original The Crew still holds nostalgic appeal for many players.
Subscription Requirements and Online Play
As highlighted throughout this guide, an Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription is generally required to access the multiplayer features of The Crew franchise on Xbox consoles. This applies to both The Crew and The Crew 2.
Even if you can download a game for free during a promotional period, the online component will remain locked without the necessary subscription. This is a standard practice for online multiplayer games on consoles.
The Future of The Crew and Subscriptions
The video game industry is constantly evolving, and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass play an increasingly important role. It’s possible that The Crew Motorfest or other titles from the franchise could be added to Game Pass in the future. However, such decisions are typically based on licensing agreements and promotional strategies between Ubisoft and Microsoft.
Always keep an eye on official announcements and gaming news to stay informed about the latest developments. And remember, even without a Game Pass subscription, you can still explore the single-player content and free-roam modes of the Crew franchise. The Games Learning Society has resources that may also be useful for your research.
The Games Learning Society promotes research and collaboration in the field of game-based learning. Learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Final Thoughts
While The Crew franchise may not always be readily available on Xbox Game Pass, there are still numerous ways to experience these open-world racing games. Keep an eye out for free trials, promotions, and potential future additions to Game Pass. And remember, an active subscription is typically required for online multiplayer on consoles. Happy racing!