Are you tired of shelling out $60-70 for each new game release? What if I told you there was a way to get access to a huge library of high-quality games, including brand new titles, for a low monthly fee? Enter Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft‘s gaming subscription service that has taken the industry by storm.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into everything Xbox Game Pass has to offer, from pricing and plans to game selection to bonus features and perks. By the end, you‘ll have a clear picture of whether Game Pass is right for your gaming needs and budget. Let‘s jump in!
Understanding the Game Pass Tiers
Xbox Game Pass is available in three different subscription tiers:
- Xbox Game Pass for Console ($9.99/month) – Access to 100+ games on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles
- PC Game Pass ($9.99/month) – Access to 100+ games on Windows PCs
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($14.99/month) – Includes Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold online multiplayer, EA Play membership, and access to cloud gaming
Here‘s a more detailed breakdown of what‘s included with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan:
- Access to 400+ games across console, PC, and mobile devices
- All the benefits of Xbox Live Gold ($9.99/month value), including online multiplayer, free games, and exclusive discounts
- Access to EA Play ($4.99/month value), with 60+ of EA‘s top titles like FIFA, Madden, and Star Wars Battlefront
- Exclusive perks like in-game content, partner offers, and consumables
- Play games from the cloud on Android, iOS, and web browsers
- New games added all the time, with some available on day one of release
As you can see, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a ton of value for just $5 more than the base console or PC plans. In a recent survey, 89% of Game Pass Ultimate subscribers said they felt they were getting their money‘s worth.
The Game Pass Library
One of the biggest selling points of Game Pass is the sheer size and diversity of its game library. At any given time, you‘ll find 400+ titles from all genres including action, adventure, RPG, shooter, racing, fighting, strategy, puzzle, and more. The library includes a mix of blockbuster hits from major publishers as well as innovative indies.
Some of the most popular games currently available on Game Pass include:
- Halo Infinite
- Forza Horizon 5
- Minecraft
- Doom Eternal
- Gears 5
- Sea of Thieves
- Psychonauts 2
- Age of Empires IV
- Back 4 Blood
- Hades
But the real magic of Game Pass is getting new releases from Xbox Game Studios on launch day at no extra cost. This means you can play highly anticipated first-party titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Ark 2 the moment they release, without spending $60-70 to buy the game outright. With Xbox‘s acquisition of Bethesda in 2020 and Activision Blizzard in 2022, the lineup of day one releases will only get stronger in the years ahead.
According to Xbox head Phil Spencer, Game Pass subscribers play 40% more games and play 30% more genres compared to before they had Game Pass. The service encourages players to discover and try new games they otherwise wouldn‘t have.
How Game Pass Stacks Up
Of course, Microsoft isn‘t the only company offering a gaming subscription service. So how does Xbox Game Pass compare to the competition? Let‘s take a look at a few key rivals:
| Service | Price | Platforms | Game Library Size | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $14.99/month | Xbox, PC, Mobile | 400+ | Day one first-party releases, cloud gaming, bundled subscriptions |
| PlayStation Now | $9.99/month | PS4, PS5, PC | 800+ | Stream PS3 games, download PS4/PS5 games, mainly older titles |
| Nintendo Switch Online | $3.99/month | Switch | 100+ | NES & SNES games, online multiplayer, cloud saves |
| EA Play | $4.99/month | Xbox, PlayStation, PC | 60+ | Catalog of select EA games, early access trials |
As you can see, Game Pass offers the most well-rounded package in terms of game selection, platforms, and extra features. While PlayStation Now has a larger library, many of the included games are older PS3 titles that can only be streamed. Nintendo Switch Online is much cheaper, but is limited to classic NES and SNES games.
One area where Xbox Game Pass stands out is its inclusion of day one releases from Xbox Game Studios. With PlayStation Now and Switch Online, you typically need to wait a few years for new first-party games to be added to the catalog, if they come at all. The fact that Game Pass subscribers can play brand new Xbox exclusives at launch gives it a big edge for players who want to stay on the cutting edge.
The Impact of Game Pass
Since its launch in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has grown to become a cornerstone of Microsoft‘s gaming strategy. As of January 2022, the service had over 25 million subscribers, up from 18 million a year prior. While Microsoft doesn‘t disclose specific revenue figures for Game Pass, it‘s clear that the service is a major growth driver. In Q2 2022, Xbox content and services revenue increased 8.8% year-over-year, driven in part by Game Pass.
Perhaps more important than the raw numbers is how Game Pass is fundamentally changing the way people discover and consume games. In a 2020 survey of Game Pass subscribers:
- 91% said they played games they wouldn‘t have tried without Game Pass
- 17% said they bought additional games and downloadable content as a result of using Game Pass
- 22% said they bought additional in-game content after playing a game on Game Pass
For game developers, especially indies, inclusion in Game Pass can significantly boost player count and word-of-mouth buzz even if it doesn‘t generate direct sales revenue. Some developers have reported seeing player numbers jump 5-10x after their games were added to Game Pass.
As the gaming industry shifts away from one-time software sales and towards recurring subscriptions, expect to see other major publishers follow Microsoft‘s lead with competing services. But with Game Pass off to such a strong start, Xbox has a major head start in the race to become the "Netflix of gaming".
The Future of Game Pass
Looking ahead, Microsoft sees cloud gaming as the key to growing Game Pass even further. With Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly Project xCloud), Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can stream a selection of games directly to Android, iOS, and web browsers. No console or gaming PC required.
While cloud gaming is still a nascent technology, Microsoft is well-positioned to be a leader in the space thanks to its existing investments in global Azure data center infrastructure. The company is already testing Xbox Cloud Gaming on smart TVs and streaming sticks, which would bring Game Pass to a huge audience of casual gamers without dedicated gaming hardware.
As 5G networks become widely available in the coming years, Microsoft believes ubiquitous low-latency internet will enable a "Netflix moment" for gaming. The idea is that anyone with a 5G smartphone or tablet will be able to seamlessly stream the latest AAA games through Game Pass, no downloads or long installs required. Xbox head Phil Spencer has even hinted at a potential streaming-only Game Pass tier at a lower price point to reach even more players.
Further out, expect to see Game Pass integrated with emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality. With Microsoft‘s HoloLens mixed reality headset already finding applications in fields like industrial design and healthcare, it‘s not hard to imagine a future where Game Pass subscribers can stream immersive VR games from the cloud. As VR and AR devices become lighter, cheaper, and more comfortable to wear, they could become the primary way people experience games.
But even in the nearer term, Game Pass will continue to disrupt the traditional console business model. With Game Pass, Microsoft may not even need to release new Xbox hardware in the future. If subscribers can stream a Netflix-style library of games to any screen, the box under the TV starts to matter less and less.
Conclusion
After taking a deep dive into Xbox Game Pass, it‘s clear that Microsoft is onto something special. By offering a rotating library of high-quality games, including brand new releases, for a low monthly fee, Game Pass is delivering unbeatable value to players. The inclusion of cloud gaming, bundled subscriptions, and regular new game additions gives it an edge over competing services.
Of course, Game Pass isn‘t perfect. Some players will always prefer to own their games outright, and the service doesn‘t cover every title on the market. But for the vast majority of gamers, especially those who play across console and PC, Game Pass is an absolute no-brainer.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, expect Game Pass to be at the forefront of the shift towards subscription models and cloud streaming. With Xbox Cloud Gaming and potential streaming-only plans on the horizon, Microsoft is well-positioned to bring Game Pass to a massive casual audience. Don‘t be surprised if Game Pass hits 50 million or even 100 million subscribers by the end of the decade.
If you‘re a gamer and haven‘t tried Game Pass yet, what are you waiting for? For the price of a single new game each year, you can unlock access to hundreds of incredible gaming experiences. With an ever-growing library, regular new releases, and support for a wide range of platforms, Game Pass will change the way you discover and enjoy games.