During a specific holiday promotion, Microsoft offered 100 free music albums to users of its Music Deals app. This initiative was designed to provide a substantial boost to users' digital music libraries at no cost. The offer was available to individuals using devices running Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 who possessed a Microsoft Account. Once the albums were claimed and downloaded as MP3 files, they could be played on virtually any audio device, offering flexibility beyond the Microsoft ecosystem.
The promotion included a diverse selection of popular titles across various genres. Notable albums available for free download included Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP2, Rihanna’s Unapologetic, Kanye West’s Graduation, and U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Other significant titles featured in the free catalog were: - Babel by Mumford and Sons - Watch the Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z - Exodus and Catch a Fire by Bob Marley - Believe Acoustic by Justin Bieber - 2Pac’s Greatest Hits - Quadrophenia by The Who - Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science - Born to Die – The Paradise Edition by Lana Del Rey - Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi - The Fame and The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga - The Bones of What You Believe by Chvrches - Clarity by Zedd - To the Sea by Jack Johnson - Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine
To access these free albums, users needed to install the Music Deals app. Within the app, a specific section labeled "Holiday Freebies" housed the collection. If the user did not already have the Xbox Music Player installed, they were required to download that application as well, which was also free. The availability of these albums was time-sensitive; they were scheduled to be accessible for download until December 15th of the promotional year. Users were advised that many of these deals would expire in approximately 20 days, prompting them to act quickly to secure the music. It was noted that this offer was specifically targeted at the U.S. market.
In addition to music downloads, Microsoft has historically utilized the holiday season to distribute other forms of digital content to its user base, specifically targeting the gaming community through the Xbox platform. One such promotion involved Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers receiving free trials of competing media services. Microsoft offered three-month free trials of both Apple Music and Apple TV+ to "newcomers" for those services. This promotion was available to subscribers on Xbox consoles and through the Xbox app for Windows. The trials were claimable until March 31st, 2023, and were accessible in all regions where Apple Music and Apple TV+ operated, with the specific exceptions of Russia and Turkey (for Apple TV+). This move was seen as a way to highlight the recent integration of Apple Music onto Xbox consoles and to foster greater interoperability between Microsoft and Apple ecosystems.
Another recurring type of promotion involves Electronic Arts (EA) providing free games to subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or EA Play. During a holiday celebration, EA allowed subscribers to claim specific titles to keep permanently. Following the release of Battlefield 1 and Battlefront 2 as part of this initiative, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Deluxe Edition became available as a "100% off" deal. These deals were valid for only one day at a time, requiring users to boot up their consoles to claim the game. The Deluxe Edition included the base game plus the "Deluxe Upgrade" DLC. The promotion was expected to continue through December 26th, with Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition previously listed as a future offering.
Furthermore, Microsoft regularly hosts "Free Play Days" events, allowing Xbox owners to access and play a selection of games for free during a specific weekend window. These events typically require an Xbox Game Pass membership (Core, Standard, or Ultimate). For example, a weekend event scheduled from May 29 to June 1 provided access to titles such as the latest Call of Duty, Football Manager 2024, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, and ARK: Survival Ascended. Access to these games required users to navigate to the subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and locate the Free Play Days collection. During the event, these titles were also offered at discounted purchase prices, allowing players to keep the games and their accumulated achievements and Gamerscore after the free period ended.
Conclusion
Microsoft has utilized various promotional strategies to offer free digital content to its users, particularly during holiday seasons. These initiatives have ranged from the distribution of 100 free MP3 albums via the Music Deals app to providing free trials of streaming services like Apple Music and Apple TV+ to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Additionally, the platform frequently offers free access to premium video games through "Free Play Days" events and permanent game ownership giveaways for subscribers. While the music album offer was specific to Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 users in the U.S., other promotions like game trials and free play weekends are generally accessible to Xbox Game Pass members. Consumers interested in these offers should monitor the Xbox Store and relevant Microsoft apps for active promotions, keeping in mind the specific eligibility requirements and time limitations associated with each event.