Xbox Game Pass
File:XboxGamePass.png | |
Developer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Type | Subscription gaming service |
Launch date | June 1, 2017 |
Platform(s) | |
Operating system(s) | |
Status | Active |
Pricing model |
|
Website | Official site |
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service from Microsoft for use with its Xbox One game console and Windows 10. Described as "Netflix for video games",[1] the Xbox Game Pass grants users access to a catalog of games from a range of publishers for a single monthly subscription price. The service was launched on June 1, 2017 while Xbox Live Gold subscribers received priority access on May 24.
History
On February 28, 2017, Microsoft announced the debut of Xbox Game Pass and made a limited catalog of games available to select members of its Xbox Insider community for testing and feedback.[1] Later in the second quarter of 2017, the service was opened up to players who subscribe to Xbox Live Gold, and then to the general user population. An Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required for Xbox Game Pass, but it is required for any online multiplayer content the games in the catalog may contain.
As part of Microsoft's E3 2017 press conference, Microsoft announced that selected Xbox titles would be made available through a new backwards-compatibility feature similar to that in place for Xbox 360 titles. In a later interview, Phil Spencer stated that some of those games could make their way onto Game Pass, as well.[2]
On January 23, 2018, Microsoft announced an expansion of Game Pass that would see first-party titles arrive on the catalog day-and-date with the retail release of the game.[3] Sea of Thieves was the first new title to appear on Game Pass on its retail launch date, March 20, 2018.[3] Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2 and Forza Horizon 4 would also be added upon launch, although their launch dates were not announced at the time, and future releases in existing Microsoft franchises, such as Halo and Gears of War, would also be added upon their release.[3] Additionally, select ID@Xbox titles are also added to the service on their release dates, the first being Robocraft Infinity.[4]
Spencer has stated that Microsoft's intent with the Xbox Game Pass is to make it available across many devices, including those of their competitors. Spencer stated "We want to bring Game Pass to any device that somebody wants to play on...Not just because it’s our business, but really because the business model allows for people to consume and find games that they wouldn’t have played in any other space."[5] Microsoft announced in May 2019 that Xbox Game Pass would be coming for Windows 10 computers, bringing over 100 games from Microsoft's own studios as well as third-parties when it launches.[6]
On April 18, 2019, Microsoft announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a new tier that combines both Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold into a single subscription package. It became available for testing to Xbox Insiders that same day, while general availability began on June 9, 2019.[7]
On June 9, 2019, Microsoft announced that Game Pass for PC would launch in open beta, and this would also be included in Ultimate.[8]
Versions
Xbox Game Pass for Console File:XboxGamePassConsole.png |
Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) |
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate |
---|---|---|
US$9.99/month | US$4.99/month | US$14.99/month |
Unlimited access to over 100 high-quality console games | Unlimited access to over 100 high-quality PC games | Unlimited access to over 100 high-quality console and PC games |
New games added all the time | New games added all the time | New games added all the time |
Xbox Game Studios titles when they premiere | Xbox Game Studios titles when they premiere | Xbox Game Studios titles when they premiere |
Exclusive member discounts and deals | Exclusive member discounts and deals | Exclusive member discounts and deals |
— | Includes ad-free music with Spotify Premium for 6 months for new subscribers | Includes Xbox Live Gold: Deals with Gold, Games with Gold, console multiplayer |
— | — | Includes ad-free music with Spotify Premium for 6 months for new subscribers |
Pricing models
The Xbox Game Pass for PC prices are not the final prices. It will change after the Beta.
Country | Currency | Xbox Game Pass for Console |
Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) |
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Argentine peso | 399,00 | 199,00 | 599,00 |
Australia | Australian dollar | 10.95 | 4.95 | 15.95 |
Austria | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Belgium | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Brazil | Brazilian real | 29,00 | 13,99 | 39,99 |
Canada | Canadian dollar | 11.99 | 5.99 | 16.99 |
Chile | Chilean peso | 6.990 | 3.599 | 10.990 |
Colombia | Colombian peso | 25.900 | 13.300 | 39.900 |
Czech Republic | Czech koruna | 259,00 | 119,00 | 339,00 |
Denmark | Danish krone | 79,00 | 33,00 | 99,00 |
Finland | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
France | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Germany | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Greece | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Hong Kong | Hong Kong dollar | 79.00 | 39.00 | 119.00 |
Hugary | Hungarian forint | 3000,00 | 1390,00 | 4190,00 |
India | Indian rupee | 699.00 | 329.00 | 999.00 |
Ireland | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Israel | Israeli new shekel | 37.99 | 18.99 | 54.99 |
Italy | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Mexico | Mexican peso | 139.00 | 69.99 | 208.99 |
Netherlands | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
New Zealand | New Zealand dollar | 12.95 | 6.95 | 19.95 |
Norway | Norwegian krone | 99,00 | 40,00 | 125,00 |
Poland | Polish złoty | 40,00 | 18,99 | 54,99 |
Portugal | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Saudi Arabia | Saudi riyal | 39.00 | 18.99 | 54.99 |
Singapore | Singapore dollar | 14.90 | 6.99 | 19.99 |
South Africa | South African rand | 159,00 | 69,00 | 199,00 |
South Korea | South Korean won | 11,800 | — | 16,700 |
Spain | Euro | 9,99 | 3,99 | 12,99 |
Sweden | Swedish krona | 99,00 | 45,00 | 135,00 |
Switzerland | Swiss franc | 12.00 | 4,99 | 14,99 |
Taiwan | New Taiwan dollar | 320.00 | 159.00 | 459.00 |
Turkey | Turkish lira | 29,99 | 14,99 | 44,99 |
United Kingdom | Pound sterling | 7.99 | 3.99 | 10.99 |
United States | United States dollar | 9.99 | 4.99 | 14.99 |
Structure
Xbox Game Pass, its Netflix-style subscription service that lets you access to hundreds of console games or hundreds of PC games (Which service is selected: Xbox Game Pass for Console or Xbox Game Pass for PC or both).[9]
The catalog features select games for Xbox One and PC as well as select Xbox 360 and Xbox titles with which Xbox One is backwards-compatible. There is no limit to the number of games a player can download and install to their console/PC, other than the amount of storage space available to the console/PC. As long as a game remains in the catalog, it is available for unlimited download and play by subscribers. Players can purchase games in the catalog at a 20% discount, and any related add-on content for those games at a 10% discount. The discounted price is available only while the game is in the catalog and is only for the particular game.
If the game is removed from the catalog or the player ends their subscription, access is suspended until the player purchases the game, renews their subscription, or the game gets re-added to the catalog, but their in-game progress will be saved in the interim. If the game is an Xbox 360 title, it will be back-compatible and must be used on Xbox One; it cannot be downloaded to a player's Xbox 360 console unless the player chooses to purchase it.
Availability
The service is currently available in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea (PC Games plan not available), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b Paul Tassi (February 28, 2017). "Microsoft Takes Aim At PlayStation Now With Netflix-Like Xbox Game Pass". Forbes. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ^ Alex Osborn (June 11, 2017). "E3 2017: Xbox One Original Xbox Backwards Compatibility Details Revealed". ign.com. Ziff Davis, LLC. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ a b c Phil Spencer (January 23, 2018). "Xbox Game Pass Expands To Include New Releases From Microsoft Studios". news.xbox.com. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ "Robocraft Infinity is Available Now Exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox Game Pass". Xbox Wire. April 12, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (March 4, 2019). "Beyond the console: Xbox leaders detail Microsoft's gaming future, led by xCloud streaming service". Geek Wire. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ Statt, Nick (May 30, 2019). "Microsoft is bringing Xbox Game Pass to PC with over 100 titles". The Verge. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ Warren, Tom (2019-04-05). "Microsoft to combine Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live into $14.99-a-month subscription". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
- ^ Warren, Tom (2019-06-09). "Microsoft launches Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with PC and Xbox games for $14.99 per month". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
- ^ West, Josh (June 9, 2019). "Xbox Game Pass PC is live, pricing and first games confirmed". GamesRadar. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ https://support.xbox.com/en-US/billing/xbox-subscriptions/xbox-game-pass-faq