Microsoft Announces New Games On Demand Service: Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass Announcement

Microsoft unveiled a subscription based games-on-demand service called Xbox Game Pass today.

The service, which will cost $9.99 monthly, launches later this spring. It promises to offer over 100 Xbox One and backwards compatible Xbox 360 games for both Xbox One and Windows 10.

In a news post, Xbox head Phil Spencer said Microsoft has worked out deals with several publishers to ensure a steady stream of games. Publishers include 2K, Bandai Namco, Capcom and Warner Bros. among others. Electronic Arts, which already operates the similar EA Access service on Xbox, is absent from the list. The news post also doesn’t mention major publishers Activision Blizzard or Ubisoft. While a full list of titles has not been released, the news post specifically mentioned Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16, and SoulCalibur II.

Microsoft will constantly update the games library. “Every month new games will cycle into the subscription with some cycling out, giving you a constantly-updating library of games,” said Spencer in the news post. Subscribers can buy games on the service at a discount to keep them even after they are cycled out. A 20 percent discount will be offered on the game along with a ten percent discount on any DLC while the game is on the service.

To avoid latency issues with streaming, players will be required to download the full game. Microsoft said on their website this decision was due to gamer feedback. “Based on fan feedback, streaming/connectivity issues were identified as a major pain point for competing game subscription services,” says a FAQ on the Xbox website. Xbox Gold is not required to join the service but will still be required for online multiplayer.

Xbox Game Pass is the second game subscription service on the Xbox One after EA Access. Sony offers a similar streaming service called PlayStation Now on the PlayStation 4. Xbox Game Pass will launch late spring 2017. Select Xbox Insiders will be able to preview the service starting today.

Share this article:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Recent Posts

Master Chief holding his helmet. Halo Infinite Features

What Halo Infinite Should Have Been

https://youtu.be/Cagxj2RchQI?si=_fFf3fs_fsh7d0Fq Many people have a gaming franchise that changed their life in some way. I have life-long friendships that have been formed while playing games like Mario Kart and Golden …

Gaming News

Should You Buy A Meta Quest 3S?

https://youtu.be/EVSbA2Yxx2k?si=G2KXmPguAB_45u5n Meta recencetly heald their Meta Connect conference and announced some excited things if you’re into VR and AR. The Meta Quest 2 was once the hottest item in their …

Halo Project Foundry Gaming News

What Is The Future of Halo?

https://youtu.be/a2CCRgycbLI?si=3juhSUwirUTpKWoJ There have been rumors for years about what is next for Halo. Today during the Halo World Championships, we got our answers. 343 Industries will now be known as …

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind Gaming News

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind | Developer Interview

It may surprise many, but there has never been a Power Rangers arcade beat ’em up game. (I know right!?!?!) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a passion project …

Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch Gaming News

Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch | PAX West 2024

Going into PAX West 2024, I knew that I was going to enjoy ‘Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch’, but I did not know it was going to be …

Gaming News

Undisputed at PAX West 2024

Ash Habib has a true passion for boxing and Undisputed is his love letter to the sport. ‪@PlayUndisputed‬ aims to be both a technical and fun boxing game. The game …