The price ofSkyrim Anniversary Editionwas finally revealed to be $49.99, which is less than many worried it would be, and it’s also below the normal price point of AAA titles. There’s a lot of new content to justify this price for the hardcoreSkyrimfans interested, though others might instead choose to stick with their older copies of the game or simply modding their PC versions.
Unfortunately,Skyrim Anniversary Editionwon’t be free on Xbox Game Passalong with the handful of Bethesda titles on the service, despite the publisher being bought out by Microsoft. This is certainly disappointing to many as they were likely expecting Xbox to bring the enhanced version alongside its otherElder Scrollsand Bethesda games, includingMorrowind, Oblivion, Fallout: New Vegas,Fallout 3, 4,Doom, and so on. Still, if players want to avoid paying the full price of $49.99, there is a workaround that will help many players on PC and Xbox get access toSkyrim Anniversary Editionfor a lowered price.
RELATED:Skyrim Anniversary Edition Adding New Content Based on Morrowind, Oblivion
How to Get a Discount If You Don’t Already Have Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass is a live subscription service that allows players to access a massive number of titles, not only Xbox exclusives, but big and small games from other developers and publishers as well. Xbox continuously rotates about 4 to 6 games in and out monthly, with many third-party titles staying for a few months or even a year. It also allows players to get access to many titles Day One, or the day it launches, such as the recent indie gameUnpackingand the highly anticipatedHalo Infinitewill be added when it releases on December 8. As for Microsoft-owned development studios like Bethesda and Obsidian, those titles are likely here to stay for good.
Currently, players can get Xbox Game Pass on PC, which has many of the same games including Bethesda titles andSkyrim, for $1 for the first 3 months. Additionally, this massive deal seems to be going on indefinitely, meaning that onSkyrim Anniversary Edition’s launch day, they can get access toSkyrimfor a dollar—nearly free—for a few months, but would simply have to pay the$19.99 upgrade fee for theAnniversary Editionenhancementslike the coveted fishing mechanic. For Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S users, they can pick up the same deal, but at $1 for one month rather than three, if they pick up Game Pass Ultimate instead.
While it’s not as great as being able to get all ofSkyrim Anniversary Editionand its Creation Club contentwith the Xbox subscription service, it’s still better than paying $49.99 for folks who don’t already own the game or have Game Pass. And it’s not permanent, but it’s still a useful workaround for frugal consumers. Alternatively, if players aren’t interested in the Creation Club content, they’ll get access to the next-gen upgrades for free withSkyrim Special Editionprovided through Game Pass.
Unfortunately for folks who primarily play onPlayStation consoles, they’ll need to already ownSkyrim Special Editionif they want to upgrade toAnniversary Editionfor $19.99; otherwise it might benefit folks to simply buy the separate version ofAnniversary Editionwhen it launches if they don’t already own the game.
Skyrim Anniversary Editionlaunches on June 02, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
