An Xbox Game Pass is distribution service for Xbox One video games. You pay a monthly fee to subscribe to the service, and in exchange, you are able to download and play games from the Xbox Game Pass library on your Xbox One console. There are no limitations on how many games you can download, and the games are not limited in any way.

How Does Xbox Game Pass Work?

Xbox Game Pass is pretty simple. With the subscription, you gain access to a large library of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and even original Xbox games that you are then able to play for free.

Here’s a basic rundown of how the service works:

  • Sign up for an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Prices range from $9.99 to $14.99 per month.
  • Look through the catalog of free Xbox Game Pass games.
  • Install as many games as you like.
  • Play the games you have downloaded whenever you want for the duration of your subscription.

More on the Xbox Game Pass

With an Xbox Game Pass, there are no limitations on how many games you can download, or how much time you can spend playing them, but you are limited by your available storage space. If you run out of space on your Xbox One, you need to delete games that you aren’t using before you can download new ones.

Sign up for an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Prices range from $9.99 to $14.99 per month.

Look through the catalog of free Xbox Game Pass games.

Install as many games as you like.

Play the games you have downloaded whenever you want for the duration of your subscription.

Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are not the same things. You don’t need Xbox Live Gold to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, but multiplayer features in Xbox Game Pass games do require an active Xbox Live Gold subscription.

You only retain access to Xbox Game Pass games as long as you have an active subscription. When your subscription expires, you are no longer able to play any of the games you downloaded. You will, however, retain any progress you made in those games if you wish to subscribe and play again at a later date.

If you find a game you really enjoy, but you don’t want to remain subscribed, your subscription provides you with the option to buy Xbox Game Pass games at a discount.

How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Cost?

Xbox Game Pass requires a monthly subscription that costs between $9.99 and $14.99 per month. Microsoft offers free trials and special pricing from time to time, and you can also find deals on quarterly or yearly subscription cards from retailers.

You can connect your Xbox console to an Alexa device and download games via Xbox Game Pass. You don’t have to install a skill; Just say “Alexa, download [game] from Xbox Game Pass.”

What Platforms Does Xbox Game Pass Work On?

Xbox Game Pass is designed to work with the Xbox One platform, and it works with the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S, and the Xbox One X. Some games include additional features, better performance, and higher resolution graphics if you have an Xbox One X.

Since Xbox Game Pass is a download service and not a streaming service, you actually can take advantage of the higher graphical capabilities of the Xbox One X.

In addition to the Xbox One family of consoles, Xbox Game Pass also allows you to play some games on Windows 10 computers. This is part of Microsoft’s Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which allows you to play some Xbox One games on your Windows 10 computer.

What Games Are Available on Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass includes a large selection of both brand-new games and popular classics. Microsoft even includes games that it publishes itself, such as Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, and State of Decay 2 on the service the day they are released for sale.

There is no additional charge associated with using Xbox Game Pass on your Windows 10 computer, but not all Xbox Game Pass games are part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program.

There are more than 100 games included with an Xbox Game Pass. New games are added each month, and some may eventually be removed, so check out Microsoft’s official list to see if there are any games you’re interested in.

How to Get Xbox Game Pass

Since Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service, you need to sign up if you want to use it. You’ll need a Microsoft account to complete the transaction. To get the most out of the service, you should have an Xbox One.

However, you can sign up without an Xbox One and play on your Windows 10 computer if you’re satisfied with the Xbox Play Anywhere games on the service.

How to Sign Up for Xbox Game Pass on Your Xbox One

  • Turn on your Xbox One, and open the Store tab.
  • Scroll down to the Xbox Game Pass section, and select Get more info.
  • Select the Xbox Game Pass drop down box, and choose a subscription option or select the free trial.
  • Select Join.
  • Download any Xbox Game Pass games you want, and play them for the duration of your membership.

How to Sign Up for Xbox Game Pass on a PC

You can also sign up for Xbox Game Pass using a web browser on your computer through the Xbox website.

Turn on your Xbox One, and open the Store tab.

Scroll down to the Xbox Game Pass section, and select Get more info.

Select the Xbox Game Pass drop down box, and choose a subscription option or select the free trial.

Select Join.

Download any Xbox Game Pass games you want, and play them for the duration of your membership.

  • Navigate to Xbox Game Pass online, and click Join Now.
  • Select a plan, then click Join Now. (If you’re selecting a higher-tier plan, click Join for $1; you’ll get the first month for free, after which you’ll pay the stated price).
  • Select I accept to create an Xbox profile.
  • Click Join to confirm.
  • Select PayPal or click Add a New Payment Method, then select Credit Card.
  • Enter your payment details and click Save. You’ve purchased your Xbox Game Pass subscription.
  • Download any Xbox Game Pass games you like, and play them for the duration of your membership.

While you can use any computer to sign up for Xbox Game Pass, you can only play Xbox Game Pass games on the Xbox One and Windows 10 computers.

Navigate to Xbox Game Pass online, and click Join Now.

Select a plan, then click Join Now. (If you’re selecting a higher-tier plan, click Join for $1; you’ll get the first month for free, after which you’ll pay the stated price).

Select I accept to create an Xbox profile.

Click Join to confirm.

Select PayPal or click Add a New Payment Method, then select Credit Card.

Enter your payment details and click Save. You’ve purchased your Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Download any Xbox Game Pass games you like, and play them for the duration of your membership.

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