Xbox Game Pass launches on 1 June, early access starts today

Microsoft has announced that Xbox Game Pass will begin its service on 1 June. Priced at $14.90 monthly, subscribers will get unlimited access to a catalog of more than 100 games, comprising of Xbox One and Xbox 360 backward compatible titles. There’s a 14-day trial for anyone curious, with current Xbox Live Gold members getting first dibs today.

Xbox Game Pass isn’t a streaming service. Users will download the full game onto their Xbox One or Xbox One S consoles, playable either online or offline for up to 30 days. The catalog updates every month, mimicking Netflix’s model of adding and removing titles — a game’s length of stay on the service will vary. The service was initially rolled out to members of the Xbox Insiders Program last month.

We’ve summarized a few key points from the FAQ below:

This is separate from Xbox Live Gold

You don’t need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access Xbox Game Pass. However, the former is still required for any multiplayer game, so do bear that added cost in mind.

There’s no download limit

You’re free to play as many games on the catalog as you wish. The only limitations here are going to be your storage space and time.

Everything is tied to your account

You won’t lose anything if your subscription expires or when a game leaves the Xbox Game Pass catalog. To be more specific: game saves, progress, DLCs, add-ons, virtual currency, achievements, and Gamerscore are all yours.

That means re-subscribing lets you resume where you stopped, provided the game is still in the catalog. Otherwise, your only immediate option is to purchase a retail or digital copy of the game.

You’ll save on featured titles

Xbox One titles will be on 20% discount while on Xbox Game Pass. Likewise, add-ons, season passes, and consumables will have 10% discounts while the base game is in the active catalog. This does not apply to backward compatible Xbox 360 games and content.

These discounts cannot be stacked or combined with other offers, but users will always receive the best deal for which they’re eligible for.

It’s a recurring subscription

Xbox Game Pass will automatically continue and renew itself unless cancelled. If you only intend to use the 14-day trial then you might want to cancel immediately. Access to the service will resume until the end of the specified billing cycle, just like Xbox Live Gold.

Games you can find

Finally, here’s a peek at the current games catalog — it’s pretty diverse!

• Banjo-Kazooie
• BioShock Infinite
• Brothers: a Tale of Two Sons0
• CAPCOM ARCADE CABINET
• Defense Grid 2
• DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition
• Electronic Super Joy
• Fable III
• Farming Simulator 15
• Gears of War Ultimate Edition
• Halo 5: Guardians
• LEGO Batman
• Mega Man Legacy Collection
• NBA 2K17
• Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
• Perfect Dark Zero
• Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
• Samurai Shodown II
• Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe
• Sunset Overdrive
• TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2
• Terraria
• WWE 2K16
• XCOM: Enemy Within

Source: Xbox Wire & Xbox Game Pass
Lead Image: Xbox Game Pass