What you need to know
- Xbox Game Pass is a monthly subscription service like Netflix for games.
- You can subscribe for $10 a month or $15 if you bundle it with Xbox Live Gold.
- Third-party developers are witnessing increased sales because their games are featured.
- All Xbox exclusives are part of Xbox Game Pass at launch.
Xbox Game Pass is a monthly subscription service that gives you immediate access to over 100 games for $10 a month. You can even bundle Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold together with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $15 a month. According to a recent interview with Xbox's Phil Spencer, the subscription service as "millions of subscribers" and it seems like it's growing.
While Xbox Game Pass saves gamers a lot of money, it's beneficial to developers as well. According to a report by GamesIndustry, the service is seen as more of a promotional tool by third-party studios. For example, if you take a look at Descenders, it has been played by 600,000 gamers. Creator Mike Rose credits part of that success to Xbox Game Pass.
Rose said the following to GamesIndustry in a recent interview.
Sounded like b*******, right? Weirdly, it's true. It surprised me. Being on Xbox Game Pass means that you basically have constant featuring on Xbox. Your game is on the dashboard all the time... People are seeing our game every day. And because of that, during launch month, our Xbox sales — we didn't do any discounts on it or anything — quadrupled, and have now settled to about three times as much as before. It's essentially an advert; a straight-up advert. And now Xbox is asking, 'Oh, can we feature Descenders in more of the Xbox Game Pass advertising?' Yes, you can. Of course you f****** can.
While Microsoft has said that Xbox Game Pass boosts sales in the past, it's more concrete when a developer says it. The fact that it quadrupled how many copies Descenders sold is quite a feat. Hopefully, this success will continue into the future even as more titles are added to the service.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. Right now, you can purchase a three-month subscription for $45 through Amazon.
Ditch the discs
Secure your Xbox One S: All-Digital Edition today, Microsoft's new and ambitious disc-less console. It's the cheapest Xbox One ever made, bundled with three downloadable games like Forza Horizon 3. If you don't like physical media, then this is a great option.
Excellent and affordable Xbox accessories
Up your Xbox experience with one (or all) of these budget accessories, all of which are approved by the gamers of Windows Central.
PowerA Play & Charge Kit for Xbox One ($15 at Amazon)
This charging kit keeps your Xbox One wireless controllers juiced up, and it offers batteries for two controllers. At just $15, this is hands-down our favorite budget charging companion.
ElecGear 4 Port USB Xbox One S Hub ($19 at Amazon)
This brilliant little USB splitter hub attaches perfectly to the side of your Xbox One S console. It's ideal for use with chargers, controllers, headsets, and more.
Controller Gear stand ($13 at Amazon)
Proudly display your Xbox gamepads with this stylish and functional stand. The licensed design is minimalist and black, and it has a hidden storage compartment, making the price of $13 a real steal.
