Microsoft Announces Xbox Game Pass for PC
Microsoft launched its subscription-based Xbox Game Pass in 2017, and the service has proven popular with avid console gamers. There has always been limited PC integration with Microsoft-developed titles, but the company’s new initiative goes a step further. The new PC version of Game Pass will bring more than 100 games to PC on a subscription basis.
On the Xbox console, those on the Game Pass subscription have access to a few dozen games, including some new releases like Mortal Kombat X and Forza Horizon 4. These games usually appear on Game Pass on the same day as they arrive at retail. It’s important to note that this isn’t a streaming system like Microsoft’s upcoming xCloud product. Game Pass titles are downloaded in a traditional manner and played on your local hardware. You can continue playing them for as long as you keep paying the $10 monthly fee.
The newly unveiled PC version of Game Pass will be a similar setup: you download games to install on your PC and render them locally. That means you’ll need a capable gaming PC for Game Pass. Technically, this is an expansion of the PC capabilities already included in Game Pass. Some games available in Xbox Game Pass already work on Windows, but that’s mostly limited to Microsoft titles like Gears of War 4.
Microsoft has partnered with more than 75 developers to start including Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Sega, and Paradox Interactive. Games on PC Game Pass will launch on the same day as the standard purchased versions. In titles that have DLC and consumable microtransactions, you’ll get up to 10 percent off those purchases. You also get up to 20 percent off the Microsoft Store on Windows.
There are still some details missing, and they happen to be vital details. For instance, we don’t know how much Xbox Game Pass on PC will cost. It’s only $10 on the Xbox, but that relies entirely on Microsoft’s hardware, and there aren’t as many games. With more than 100 titles, Microsoft might think it can get away with a higher price like $15-20 monthly. Microsoft was also unwilling to provide a specific launch date or full game list. It does say there will be more information available at E3 this year, which kicks off on June 11th.
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