What Xbox Game Pass includes and how much it costs
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service run by Microsoft that gives you access to a library of games you can read and play on Xbox consoles, PC, or mobile devices. You pay a monthly fee and can play as many games from the library as you want during that month. When your subscription ends, you lose access to those games unless you renew.
Microsoft offers three separate Game Pass plans, each with a different price and set of games available. The plans are Game Pass for Console, Game Pass for PC, and Game Pass Ultimate. Console and PC plans each cover only their platform — a Console plan does not work on PC, and a PC plan does not work on Xbox hardware. Game Pass Ultimate includes both Console and PC access, plus Xbox Cloud Gaming (which lets you play games on a phone or tablet without downloading them), and Xbox Live Gold (the online multiplayer service).
The monthly cost of each plan varies by region and changes over time. You can find the current price for your region on the Xbox website or in the Xbox app on your device. Some plans offer a discounted first month or trial period for new members, though the terms change periodically.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pass for Console works only on Xbox hardware, Game Pass for PC works only on Windows computers, and Game Pass Ultimate works on both plus mobile devices.
- The game library changes monthly — Microsoft adds new titles and removes others, so a game you want to play may not be available when you subscribe.
- You can read games to your device and play offline, or stream them through Xbox Cloud Gaming without downloading if you have a strong internet connection.
- Cancelling your subscription ends your access to Game Pass games when ready, though your save files remain tied to your Xbox account if you resubscribe later.
Which games are in the library and how often it changes
The Game Pass library includes hundreds of games across many genres — action, sports, puzzle, role-playing, and others. Microsoft adds new games to the service regularly, typically announcing them a month in advance. The company also removes games from the library on a set schedule, usually giving members a few weeks' notice before a title leaves.
The exact games available depend on which plan you hold. Console, PC, and Ultimate each have slightly different libraries, though there is significant overlap. You can browse the full current list of available games in the Xbox app or on the Xbox website before you subscribe, so you can see whether the games you want to play are there.
New releases from Microsoft's own studios (like Halo, Forza, and Starfield) are typically added to Game Pass on their launch day. Third-party games are added on a rotating basis, and whether a particular game stays in the library long-term or leaves after a few months depends on licensing agreements between Microsoft and the game publisher.
How to read and play games on different devices
On Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, you read games directly to your device's storage using the Xbox app. Once downloaded, you can play offline without an internet connection, as long as your subscription is active. Downloaded games take up storage space on your device, so you may need to delete games you are not playing to make room for new ones.
On mobile devices (phones and tablets), you cannot read Game Pass games directly. Instead, you use Xbox Cloud Gaming to stream games over the internet. This requires a strong, stable internet connection — typically at least 10 Mbps for 1080p resolution. Cloud Gaming works through a web browser or the Xbox app on Android devices, and lets you play without taking up storage space on your phone.
Your save files and achievements are stored in your Xbox account, not on the individual device. If you play a game on console, stop your subscription, then resubscribe months later, your progress in that game remains tied to your account and you can pick up where you left off.
Differences between Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold
Xbox Live Gold is a separate subscription service that covers online multiplayer gaming and gives you access to a small rotating library of free games each month. Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold are different products with different purposes. Game Pass is about accessing a large library of games to read and play. Xbox Live Gold is about playing online against other people and getting a few free games monthly.
Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, so if you hold Ultimate, you do not need to buy Gold separately. If you hold Game Pass for Console or Game Pass for PC, you still need to buy Xbox Live Gold separately if you want to play online multiplayer games. Some games on Game Pass (like single-player campaigns) do not require Gold to play, but most online multiplayer modes do.
What happens when your subscription ends or you cancel
When your Game Pass subscription ends — either because you cancelled it or your payment failed — you when ready lose the ability to play Game Pass games. You cannot launch them or access them through the app. Your save files remain stored in your Xbox account, so if you resubscribe later, you can resume playing where you left off.
If you cancel your subscription, Microsoft does not charge you again unless you manually resubscribe. There is no automatic renewal after cancellation. You can cancel through the Xbox app, the Xbox website, or your payment method's settings (depending on how you signed up).
Games you have purchased separately (outside of Game Pass) remain yours to play even after your subscription ends. Game Pass only affects games you accessed through the subscription library.
How Game Pass compares to buying games individually
Buying a new game outright typically costs $40 to $70 per title, depending on the platform and whether it is a major release. A Game Pass subscription costs less per month than a single new game, but only if you play multiple games during that month. If you play just one or two games per year, buying them individually may cost less overall.
Game Pass is most cost-effective if you play a variety of games regularly and want to try titles you might not otherwise buy. The trade-off is that you do not own the games — you can only play them while your subscription is active. Games also leave the library periodically, so a title you are playing may become unavailable if Microsoft removes it.
Some players use Game Pass to try a game before deciding whether to buy it permanently. If you find a game you love and want to keep playing after it leaves Game Pass, you can purchase it at full price or wait for a sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Game Pass games offline?
On console and PC, yes — once you read a game, you can play it offline as long as your subscription is active. On mobile devices, you cannot play offline because games are streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires an internet connection.
Do I need Xbox Live Gold to play Game Pass games?
For single-player games, no. For online multiplayer, yes — you need Xbox Live Gold in addition to Game Pass (unless you have Game Pass Ultimate, which includes Gold). Check the game's description to see whether it requires Gold for the features you want to use.
What happens to my games if a title leaves Game Pass?
You lose access to that game through Game Pass. If you want to keep playing it, you can purchase it at full price. Your save file remains in your Xbox account, so if the game returns to Game Pass later, you can resume from where you stopped.
Can I share my Game Pass subscription with family members?
On console, you can set up a home Xbox and share your subscription with other accounts on that device. On PC, only the account that holds the subscription can use it. Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, which has its own sharing rules that differ slightly from Game Pass.
Is there a trial or introductory offer for new members?
Microsoft periodically offers discounted first months or trial periods for new Game Pass members, but the terms change frequently. Check the Xbox website or the Xbox app to see what offer is currently available in your region.