In today’s digital, online world where content is always readily available, users can subscribe to many online services, whether it’s for “free 2-day shipping” on Amazon or watching the latest streaming shows on video services like Netflix. Many gamers also subscribe to online gaming services like Xbox Game Pass in order play the latest video games they want, without having to buy the games individually, which can save gamers money ($$$) over a long period of time.
Understanding Xbox Game Pass: The Basics
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service from Microsoft, built to turn the Xbox platform into a kind of “Netflix for video games.” A single subscription lets players download and play hundreds of games right on the Xbox console or Windows PC. It also supports cloud gaming, allowing gamers to stream games to almost any device, including their phone or tablet, without hefty downloads or powerful hardware.
Game Pass has only been around since 2017, but its growth is wild. Today’s library includes Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and even older Xbox 360 classics, plus select PC exclusive titles. For players not wanting to miss out on new releases, they can play Microsoft’s own major titles that drop on Day 1 on Game Pass, which is one of the many good perks of this gaming subscription.
Xbox Game Pass Subscription Types
There are a few flavors of Xbox Game Pass, each designed for different types of gamers. Here’s how are some of the options and what each type has to offer:
- Game Pass Core: $9.99/mo. Think of this as a replacement for Xbox Live Gold. Grants multiplayer access and a smaller rotating library of roughly 25 games. A decent entry-level tier if you mostly want to play online with friends.
- Game Pass Standard (Console): $14.99/mo. For Xbox consoles only. Access to the full catalog (over 400 games), offline downloads and Game Pass discounts,
- PC Game Pass: $11.99/mo. All the same, but for Windows PCs. Also includes some games that aren’t on console, EA Play access, and regular updates.
- Game Pass Ultimate: $19.99/mo. Combines all above benefits plus Xbox Cloud Gaming, cross platform syncing, EA Play, and all first-party games on day one, and new games across console, PC, and mobile—all in one subscription.
Ultimate is great for any players bouncing between devices, use cloud gaming, or want everything bundled under one roof. For PC or Xbox players, the regular Console or PC tier can still be a super practical choice without all the bells and whistles they may not might not need.
How Xbox Cloud Gaming Works
If you haven’t checked out cloud gaming, it’s actually pretty cool for playing on the go or when you don’t want to wait for big downloads. Xbox Cloud Gaming (still sometimes called xCloud) is included with Game Pass Ultimate. It lets you stream tons of games straight to your Android or Apple device, your computer browser, and even older Xbox consoles.
More than 100 games support touch controls, but you can also hook up a wireless Xbox controller for the real console feel. According to PCWorld, “While the cloud gaming experience can have some notable amounts of compression artifacts from time to time, it still means playing some of the best games available without too much of an investment.“
The Game Library: What’s Included?
The Game Pass library has exploded to over 400 games, updating each month. There are first-party launches like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Starfield on there as soon as they debut. These stay in the Game Pass library for a long time, sometimes permanently.
There’s no shortage of hidden gems and indie treats too. Think Hades, Hollow Knight, Celeste, or Psychonauts 2. On top of Microsoft’s games, there are plenty of big third-party titles that rotate in and out, so there’s always something new to try for all kinds of players.
- First-party Xbox games: Launch on Game Pass day one and usually stay for years.
- Bethesda titles: Over 20 from franchises like DOOM, Elder Scrolls, and Hi-Fi Rush are in the mix since Microsoft bought Bethesda.
- EA Play: Included with PC and Ultimate. This gets you older FIFA, Battlefield, and Mass Effect games, plus early demos and discounts.
- Activision Blizzard: Big stuff like Call of Duty and Diablo are inching closer to Game Pass and will increase the variety even more soon.
One thing to remember: Third-party games usually rotate every couple of months, so there is only a short time to play the games before they disappear. Microsoft usually gives a warning before games leave so you don’t get caught off guard.
Key Features and Bonuses
Getting the most out of Xbox Game Pass means paying attention to the cool features that keep things fresh or saving some cash:
- Game Pass Perks: Members get regular perks, like in game skins, bonus DLC, or trial passes. These change every month.
- Discounts: Up to 20% off full game purchases and 10% off DLC for anything in the Game Pass catalog. This is useful if players want to own a favorite forever after it leaves the library.
- Multidevice play: Cross save means gamers’ progress are carries over between console, PC, and the cloud. This could be helpful for gamers who want to progress in their games while on the go.
- Touch controls: Over 100 cloud enabled games lets gamers play right on their phone or tablet with custom touch layouts—no controller needed.
What to Watch Out For: Common Game Pass Questions
Whenever gamers start a new subscription, there are a few things to be on the lookout for:
- Games rotate in and out: Popular titles eventually leave to make room for new stuff. Microsoft usually posts a list of “leaving soon” games at the start of each month.
- Need fast internet for cloud gaming: Cloud streaming is best on a strong Wi-Fi or wired connection. Weak connections lead to lag or blurry visuals, so it’s good to check if the setup is ready if you want a smooth experience.
- Automatic renewal: Subscriptions renew by default, so setting a reminder can help prevent any surprise charges. It’s better to stay ahead and avoid any accidental renewals.
- Region differences: Game libraries vary a little by country, so availability can change if gamers travel or have an international account. It’s something to keep in mind before buying codes from a different region too.
Redeeming and Managing Your Membership
Signing up or redeeming Xbox Game Pass codes is simple. Use redeem.microsoft.com, the Xbox Store on your console, the Microsoft Store on your PC, or the Xbox app for Windows. Once it’s applied, the subscription links right to your Microsoft account and covers every device you play on. Managing or canceling it is always an option from your Microsoft account settings, and you can switch up plans at any time without hassle.
Advanced Tips: Getting the Most Value
Maximizing your Game Pass experience can be easy with a few quick habits, and you don’t have to be a pro to get more out of your subscription:
- Keep an eye on the “Leaving Soon” section and plan accordingly so you don’t miss out on any favorite games before they rotate out. Play them first if they’re on your list.
- Use the Xbox app on mobile or PC to get notifications for new additions, pre-installs, and rewards. It’s a simple way to stay informed about what’s dropping next.
- Check out cloud gaming to preview new games quickly before downloading bigger titles to your main device. If your storage is tight, this can be a real lifesaver.
- Stack discounted codes, if available, for multi-month extensions during sales. This way, you can save money on long term subscriptions if you know you’ll keep playing.
- Don’t forget about Game Pass Quests and Rewards points. Earning achievements and playing featured games can build up your Microsoft Rewards balance, which you can trade for gift cards or Game Pass time.
If you’re new to Game Pass, there are also frequent promotions, from your first month for $1 to bundle deals with Xbox consoles, so look for those when signing up to score the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a game is leaving Game Pass soon?
Each month, Microsoft announces games that will rotate out soon in the Xbox Game Pass app and on their website. There’s also a “Leaving Soon” tab you can check anytime, so checking often helps avoid missing out.
Is Game Pass worth it if I only play a few games?
That depends on the titles you’re after. If you play current Microsoft exclusives like Halo or new releases, Game Pass is faster and cheaper than buying individually. For super casual players, it may be worth subscribing just for a month when something you want to play arrives, and then pausing your subscription after you finished playing the game.
Do I get to keep my games if they leave Game Pass or my sub expires?
No, Game Pass is basically a rental with tons of perks. If you buy a game at a discount before it leaves, it’s yours to keep for good. But once it rotates out, you’ll need to buy it or resubscribe if you want to keep playing.
Does Game Pass include Xbox Live Gold?
Sort of. Online multiplayer is now built into Game Pass Core and Ultimate.
Final Thoughts
Games and even game consoles are getting more expensive in 2025 and it does not seem that prices will decrease significantly in the near future. Subscribing to a new gaming subscription like Xbox Game Pass could be a cost-effective way to save a lot of money if you want to play Xbox first party games like Halo, or even games like Call of Duty from third-party publishers like Activision. You can browse around to find what games appeal to you and when you are finished with the games, you can look for new games to play or pause/cancel the subscription at any time. Playing games via cloud gaming gives you the ability to play when you want and where you want on almost any device, as long as the internet connection is good. All these features may lead to gaming subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass to becoming the future of how players play their games.
What do you think?
What do you think about Xbox Game Pass? Are you thinking of subscribing or maybe prefer to buying games individually? Does Cloud gaming appeal to you? Please feel to leave your thoughts down below. Thanks!
Disclaimer – This post was written by AI and me.