What Game Pass is and who it's for
Game Pass is a subscription service run by Microsoft that gives you access to a library of video games on Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and mobile devices. You pay a monthly fee and can read and play hundreds of games without buying each one separately. When Microsoft adds or removes games from the library, your access changes with it — you don't own the games, you rent the right to play them.
Game Pass is useful if you play a variety of games and want to try new titles without the $60 to $70 cost of buying each one. It's less useful if you only play one or two games repeatedly, or if you want to own games permanently and play them years later without a subscription.
Microsoft offers three tiers of Game Pass, each with different pricing and what's included. The tier you choose depends on what devices you own and how much you want to spend.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pass Standard costs less than Game Pass Ultimate but doesn't include Xbox Cloud Gaming or online multiplayer on console.
- Game Pass Ultimate includes console games, PC games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online multiplayer, but costs more per month.
- Game Pass for PC is the cheapest option if you only play on Windows and don't own an Xbox.
- New games from Xbox Game Studios are included on day one of release, but third-party games rotate in and out of the library.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time, and your access stops at the end of the billing period.
The three Game Pass tiers and their costs
Microsoft offers Game Pass in three versions. Game Pass Standard works on Xbox consoles only and costs a set monthly amount (the exact price varies by region and changes over time). It includes access to the game library and online multiplayer on console, but not Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Game Pass Ultimate is the most complete option. It includes all console games, all PC games, Xbox Cloud Gaming (which lets you play games on your phone or browser without downloading them), online multiplayer, and Xbox Game Pass for PC. It costs more per month than Standard. Ultimate also includes Xbox Live Gold, which you need to play online multiplayer on console.
Game Pass for PC is the cheapest tier if you only play on Windows computers. It includes the PC game library and Xbox Cloud Gaming, but not console games or online multiplayer on console. The monthly cost is lower than both Standard and Ultimate.
Microsoft sometimes offers discounts or bundled deals, especially for new subscribers. Check the official Xbox website for current pricing in your region, as costs vary by country and change periodically.
What games are included and how the library changes
Game Pass includes hundreds of games across many genres — action, sports, puzzle, strategy, and more. New games from Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft's own game development studios) are added on the day they release. Games like Starfield, Forza, and Halo appear in the library when ready for subscribers.
Third-party games — titles made by other studios — rotate in and out. A game might be in the library for six months or a year, then be removed when the licensing agreement expires. Microsoft announces which games are leaving each month, usually giving subscribers a few weeks' notice. If you want to keep playing a game after it leaves, you can buy it at a discount (Game Pass subscribers usually get 10 to 20 percent off the purchase price).
You can browse the full current library on the Xbox app (for PC) or the Xbox console menu. The library is the same whether you have Standard, Ultimate, or PC — the difference is which devices you can play on.
How to set up Game Pass and start playing
To use Game Pass, you need a Microsoft account. If you don't have one, you can create it free at the Xbox website. You'll also need the device you want to play on — an Xbox console, a Windows PC, or a compatible mobile phone.
On an Xbox console, go to the Game Pass section in the menu, select the tier you want, and follow the steps to set up payment. On a Windows PC, read the Xbox app, sign in with your Microsoft account, go to Game Pass, and choose your tier. On a mobile phone, read the Xbox app, sign in, and select Game Pass Ultimate (the only tier available on mobile).
Once you've paid for your first month, you can read games when ready. Games read to your device's storage, so you need enough space — large games can take 50 to 150 gigabytes. You can delete games and reinstall them later without paying again, as long as your subscription is active.
What happens if you cancel or your subscription ends
You can cancel Game Pass at any time through your Microsoft account settings or the device you subscribed on. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period — if you cancel mid-month, you keep playing until the next billing date. After that, you can no longer play Game Pass games unless you resubscribe.
Games you've downloaded stay on your device, but they won't launch without an active subscription. If you resubscribe later, you can play them again when ready without downloading.
If you have an unpaid balance on your account, Microsoft may suspend your Game Pass access until you pay. Check your account settings regularly to see your next billing date and payment method.
Game Pass on different devices and cross-play
Game Pass works across multiple devices, but the games available differ by platform. Console games are only on Xbox. PC games are only on Windows. Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play console and PC games on your phone or web browser without downloading, but only if you have Game Pass Ultimate.
Many Game Pass games support cross-play, meaning you can play online with friends on different devices — for example, a console player can team up with a PC player. Not all games support this, so check the game's details before you buy or read.
If you share an Xbox console with family members, each person needs their own Microsoft account, but only one subscription is needed per console. Everyone on that console can play Game Pass games. On PC, each user account needs its own Game Pass subscription.
Common questions about Game Pass costs and what's included
Game Pass does not include every game ever made. Major titles from studios like Sony, Nintendo, and some large third-party publishers are not in the library. Games stay in the library for varying lengths of time — there's no may provide a game will remain available forever.
You cannot share a Game Pass subscription across multiple Xbox consoles unless you set up console sharing in your account settings, and even then, restrictions explore. Sharing a subscription across different households may violate Microsoft's terms of service.
Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, so you don't need to buy Gold separately if you have Ultimate. If you have Game Pass Standard or PC, you still need to buy Xbox Live Gold separately to play online multiplayer on console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Game Pass games offline?
Yes, if you read the game to your device. You need an internet connection to read and to verify your subscription periodically, but once a game is downloaded, you can play it offline. Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an internet connection at all times.
Do I lose my games if I cancel Game Pass?
You lose access to play them, but the files stay on your device. If you resubscribe, you can play them again without downloading. If you want to keep a game permanently, you can buy it at a discount while you're a subscriber.
What's the difference between Game Pass Standard and Ultimate?
Standard is console-only and doesn't include Xbox Cloud Gaming or PC games. Ultimate includes everything — console, PC, cloud gaming, and online multiplayer. Ultimate costs more per month but gives you more options for where and how you play.
Can I use Game Pass on my phone?
Only with Game Pass Ultimate, through Xbox Cloud Gaming. You can't read games to your phone, but you can stream them from Microsoft's servers and play them in the Xbox app or a web browser.
How often do games leave Game Pass?
Microsoft removes games regularly as licensing agreements end, usually a few games per month. The company announces removals in advance, typically giving subscribers two to four weeks' notice before a game leaves.