One of the best things to happen to the Xbox two years ago was a little service called Xbox Game Pass. It gives gamers access to more than a hundred games for a monthly fee. The service includes all Xbox first party games at launch. Game Pass is now making its debut to the PC. Rather than being called the PC Game Pass, Microsoft is still calling the service Xbox Game Pass, which leads many to think that their service from the console could be carried forward to the PC. Whether this is the case or not isn't clear as the release doesn't detail a price for the service nor a launch date. It also doesn't highlight whether the PC version of the Xbox Game Pass will be bundled with Game Pass Unlimited. For those unaware, Game Pass Unlimited gives users Xbox Live Gold subscription and Xbox Game Pass subscription in one roof. More information about the new service will come at E3 2019.
Coming back to Xbox Game Pass for the PC, the service will give players unlimited access to a curated library of more than 100 PC games on Windows 10. The list of developers that will support the service includes Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, SEGA, and more. Microsoft has said that titles from newly acquired studios like Obsidian and inXile will also be available to Game Pass subscribers on the PC and the consoles. Microsoft says, “We’re working with over 75 developers and publishers to bring PC content to the service and we’ll ensure the library remains curated and full of great PC titles across a variety of genres, with new games added every month.”
Xbox Game Pass for PC members will also receive the benefits enjoyed by console players. Gamers will get discounts in the Microsoft Store on Windows of up to 20% on games currently in the library and up to 10% off related game DLC and add-ons. Microsoft has also said that they are bringing cross-platform play and cross-network play across Windows 10 PCs and console. Microsoft says, “Building communities across all of those players, regardless of the store or platform they’ve chosen (console or PC), is also vitally important because it helps bring players together, allows games to find their largest audience and allows gaming to deliver its true potential of uniting people around the power of play.”
Microsoft has also said that their first party games will be available in multiple stores, including the Microsoft Store on Windows. The company has said that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will come to PC later this year, launching on Steam in addition to the Microsoft Store on Windows. “We will continue to add to the more than 20 Xbox Game Studios titles on Steam, starting with Gears 5 and all Age of Empires I, II & III: Definitive Editions. We know millions of PC gamers trust Steam as a great source to buy PC games and we’ve heard the feedback that PC gamers would like choice. We also know that there are other stores on PC, and we are working to enable more choice in which store you can find our Xbox Game Studios titles in the future.”
You can read the announcement in details on the Xbox News website here.