A new gaming subscription service coming to Xbox One this spring for $9.99 USD per month, Xbox Game Pass was announced today by Microsoft.
Giving members unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One and backward compatible Xbox 360 games, Xbox Game Pass sees players downloading the titles rather than streaming them, meaning that it’s more like EA Access than PlayStation Now.
Microsoft says:
Download games directly to your console and play online or offline in full-fidelity, without any streaming or connectivity issues. Whether it’s a new story to immerse yourself in or an old journey you’re eager to revisit, experience your games as they were intended.
In the FAQ section for Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft says fan feedback from “competing game subscription services” was a reason why titles aren’t streamed:
Based on fan feedback, streaming/connectivity issues were identified as a major pain point for competing game subscription services. That’s why games on Xbox Game Pass will be downloaded to your Xbox One, providing fans with a native, full-fidelity gaming experience and the ability to play downloaded games offline for up to 30 days.
New games will be added to (and removed from) Xbox Game Pass each month, and some of the launch titles include Halo 5: Guardians, PayDay 2: Crimewave Edition, NBA 2K16, and SoulCalibur II. Microsoft says to also expect games from publishers like 2K, 505 Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Codemasters, Deep Silver, Focus Home Interactive, SEGA, SNK, THQ Nordic, and Warner Bros.
If Xbox Game Pass subscribers want to own a game that’s in the catalog, they’ll save 20% on Xbox One game purchases and 10% on all related add-ons.
Do you think Sony should offer something similar to the Xbox Game Pass?
