Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service offered by Xbox as part of the latter's ecosystem. Launched on June 1, 2017, the service allows users to download and play video games via video game consoles, Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, iPadOS, web browsers, smart televisions, and cloud. Game Pass contains a rotating library of games, with the games remaining accessible as long as the user has an active subscription. Game Pass subscribers also receive discounts on purchases of games from the service's library and their respective downloadable content (DLC). The service consists of two products; the main Xbox Game Pass for the Xbox One and Series X/S, and PC Game Pass for PCs running under Microsoft's Windows brand exclusive to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass are available as separate subscription products. A premium tier known as Game Pass Ultimate includes access to both services, in addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming, an on-demand cloud gaming available on console, PC, and mobile platforms, and Xbox Game Pass Essential subscription benefits. The service features titles from Xbox subsidiaries Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks and Activision Blizzard, as well as other companies. Since January 2018, all new Xbox Game Studios titles have been available to Game Pass subscribers immediately upon their release. Microsoft has also offered access to Electronic Arts's EA Play service, Ubisoft's Ubisoft+ and Riot Games special bonus rewards for PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Xbox Live Gold was discontinued on September 14, 2023, with the service being merged into Xbox Game Pass as a new low price tier, Xbox Game Pass Core, which offers a limited set of free titles to subscribers.