By: Max Cannon
Netflix was a game-changer for getting media to consumers. The cheap subscription plan and giant library made an awesome template that seemed like it was brimming with potential for the gaming market. PlayStation released their own attempt at a gaming subscription with PlayStation Now but they brushed a little too close to Netflix by streaming games instead of downloading, also the library is based around older PlayStation 3 games. A great idea but internet speeds aren't quite there yet and the pricing model was way too high.
Well on February 28th, Xbox announced an awesome subscription service: Xbox Game Pass. This seems like the gaming subscription service we've been waiting for.
A sneak-peek at what's to come with Xbox Game Pass.Courtesy of Xbox
The Details of Xbox Game Pass
For the reasonable price of $9.99 a month, Xbox Game Pass will give gamers full access to a library of over 100 Xbox One games and backwards compatible Xbox 360 games. This information came via Xbox.com in a post by Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox. Unlike PlayStation Now, the price point is awesome and you won't be streaming games. Instead you'll be downloading any available games straight to your console.
Here's a snippet of what Xbox had to say:
"With great games from top industry publishers such as 2K, 505 Games, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Capcom, Codemasters, Deep Silver, Focus Home Interactive, SEGA, SNK CORPORATION, THQ Nordic GmbH, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft Studios, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and you will always find something exciting to play across a variety of genres. Some of the fan-favorite titles coming to Xbox Game Pass when it launches to the broader Xbox community later this spring include Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16 and SoulCalibur II.
It’s important to us that Xbox Game Pass provides an enjoyable and seamless experience. Before the program rolls out to the broader community later this spring, we’ll be testing Xbox Game Pass with select members of the Xbox Insider Program in the Alpha Preview ring starting today with a very limited number of titles. The titles that are available in Preview are just a small glimpse at the expansive catalog of games that will be available when Xbox Game Pass launches this spring. Xbox Live Gold members will also be receiving exclusive access to Xbox Game Pass prior to the program launching to the broader community. We’ll have more details on timing closer to launch."
With this announcement, Xbox truly has a big leg-up over PlayStation.Courtesy of Twinfinite
What Xbox Game Pass Needs to be Awesome
Just announcing something like Xbox Game Pass is a really great step in the right direction for Xbox but what can they do to really make it sell? This is the exact thing EA has been doing with EA Access but their library is often a little on the weaker side. If Xbox can maintain the quality of the games in the subscription then they'll really have something good on their hands but if they fill it with low-level games the project may fizzle out.
The next potential issue is the pricing. Like I said, that 9.99 price is awesome but it's another subscription to pay to Xbox. It's a pipe dream but if we ever got to the point where this subscription was included alongside your Xbox Live subscription that would really make Xbox the place to play.
Though PlayStation Now seemed promising it has yet to make an impact, let's hope Xbox Game Pass isn't the same.Courtesy of PlayStation
Basically they just need to maintain what they promised. This all sounds very exciting and I cannot wait to get my hands on the list of games coming to the service. There's no official date but alphas have already started rolling out for some players and the full launch will happen sometime in the spring.
Have Your Say!
Are you going to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass? What services do you subscribe to? Comment below!
