Xbox Game Pass explained: What is it? How much does it cost? What do you get?

The Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s game subscription service that is available on Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One and on the PC.

The Xbox Game Pass is basically Microsoft’s version of a Netflix subscription for video games. The service has 15 million global subscribers already and is quite popular amongst gamers. (Xbox)

Xbox Series X and Series S are now available in India, however, thanks to a short supply of consoles they are not that easy to get. However, what you can definitely get your hands on is the Xbox Game Pass whether you have the latest console or not.

So, what is the Xbox Game Pass? How much does it cost and what do you get from it?

Xbox Game pass - what is it?

The Xbox Game Pass is basically Microsoft's version of a Netflix subscription for video games. The service has 15 million global subscribers already and is quite popular amongst gamers.

The Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service that gives users access to a bunch of games that can be downloaded and played for as long as you subscribe to the service. It's like Sony's PlayStation Now but PS Now allows users to stream games, Xbox Game Pass only allows you to download and install games you want to play. Downloaded games can be played offline for up to 30 days.

The Xbox Game Pass involves a monthly fee and comes with more than 250 games. New games are added every month.

What all can you use the Xbox Game Pass on?

The Xbox Game Pass is available and can be used on the Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, and the PC.

How much does it cost?

The Xbox Game Pass is available in three tiers - PC, Console and Ultimate.

The Xbox Game Pass for PC costs ₹489/month and gives you access to more than 200 games monthly. Many of these games are first-party exclusives. Subscribers on this tier also get discounts on all Xbox Game Pass games. Right now, the Xbox Game Pass for PC can be bought for just ₹50 for the first month.

The Xbox Game Pass for Console and Ultimate work both on your Xbox console or the PC. The regular Xbox Game Pass costs ₹489/month and you get access to a library of more than 250 games including first-party titles on launch. You can download any of these games and play them for as long as you are subscribing to the Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games are also a part of the titles available on this Xbox Game Pass.

The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is priced at ₹699/month and gets you access to AAA titles and Indie games and lets you play select games on the PC as well. EA Play is included in the subscription and that gets you access to over 60 popular EA games, including FIFA and Mass Effect. In addition to discounts and free games, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also includes an Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Benefits of an Xbox Live Gold subscription include the ability to play multiplayer games online, weekly discounts on select Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles, add-ons, and exclusive deals.

So how many games do you actually get with the Xbox Game Pass?

The Xbox Game Pass library is constantly growing, and there are already hundreds of titles available including Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox backward compatible games. Some of the most popular games that are part of the Xbox Game Pass include - Minecraft Dungeons, Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5 Ultimate, Doom Eternal, Age of Empires II Definitive Edition, Resident Evil 7, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Dead Cells, The Outer Worlds, Destiny 2, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Tekken 7, Dishonored 2 and many more.

How do you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass?

You can sign up for the Xbox Game Pass on console or PC.

If you want to cancel at any point, you just need to disable auto-renew and cancel your service.