Microsoft has launched a new service that many are calling “The Netflix of Video Games.” That’s probably not the most accurate definition of the new service, called Xbox Game Pass, but it’s a good starting point. Xbox Game Pass is a simple subscription offering. You give Microsoft $9.99 every month, and as long as you do, you’ll have access to a library of over 100 games.
When you subscribe to Game Pass you immediately have access to download any of the games available in the library. That’s right, this isn’t a streaming solution. If you want a game, you download the whole thing to your console, just as if you were purchasing it from the store. You’ll be able to play it as long as you like, and as long as you continue to pay the monthly subscription fee.
Every month Microsoft will add more games to the Game Pass library. They haven’t given any indication as to how many new titles we should expect. They also haven’t said anything about the possibility of games being removed from the library. You have to assume that eventually games will be removed. If that’s a concern, or if there are just a couple of games you plan to play for the next few weeks, you can purchase games from the library at a 20% discount. That same discount also applies to any add-ons for those games.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a service like this is the quality of the library. Microsoft has definitely put some top-tier games in the library. You’ll be able to play Halo 5, all of the Gears of War games (except Gears of War 4), Mad Max, NBA 2k16, and the Bioshock games. There are Xbox One games, Xbox 360 games that are backward compatible, and of course indie favorites from the ID@Xbox program.
If you’re an Xbox Live Gold subscriber then Game Pass is already available to you. You don’t need to be an Xbox Insider either. Just go to the Store and scroll down to the section labeled Browse Xbox Game Pass. From there you’ll be able to sign up for a 14-day free trial, or give Microsoft $9.99 to sign up for a whole month. If you’re not an Xbox Live Gold subscriber then you’ll need to wait until June 1st to sign up. There’s one more great thing about Game Pass. It’s launching in 31 markets!
So now that you know what Xbox Game Pass is, how to get it, and how much it will cost, what are your thoughts? Will you be signing up for it? This service seems ideally suited for two groups of people. The first group as those who are brand new to the Xbox ecosystem. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a brand new Xbox than paying $10 and having access to over 100 games! The other group of people this seems perfect for are kids. A parent could spend just $10 a month instead of buying a large quantity of full, or even discount priced, games for their kids. Lets face it, children have a lot more free time than adults, and they are able to play through an entire game a lot more quickly.
Xbox Game Pass is poised to bring a lot of great content to a huge audience of gamers. We can’t wait to see how the library grows, and how the community reacts to the new program.
Source: Major Nelson
