It’s unquestionable that Microsoft’sXbox Game Passsubscription offers great value for gamers. With three varieties to choose from — PC only, console only, or both — players will have access to a library of over 100 titles, many of them on launch day. The service is so enticing that PlayStation owners have begun asking forSony to combine PlayStation Now and PS Plusinto something similar. The only potential downside to Xbox Game Pass is that people may find themselves with too many games they want to play and not enough time before they are removed from the service.
In addition to the launch ofHalo Infinitebeing postponed to December, there haven’t been many big ticket Xbox exclusive titles released in 2021.Age of Empires 4will be launching on Xbox Game Pass for PC on October 28,Forza Horizon 5is scheduled for a November release, andRemedy’s first-person shooterCrossfireXis still expected sometime this year. Besides that, the decline in Xbox Game Pass subscription growth might be partly attributable to people returning to regular work after a year spent mostly in lockdown.
For owners of either a PlayStation or Xbox console, the corresponding subscription services may prove appealing. Even forXbox Game Pass Ultimate, the most expensive of them, the annual price equates to the cost of three new games. Sony very occasionally removes games from PlayStation Now, but currently offers more than 700 titles. Microsoft, on the other hand, removes games fromXbox Game Passevery month and replaces them with new ones. This can be a bit frustrating if a person is in the middle of playing a game and learns that it will no longer be available in two weeks, but titles leaving the service usually go on sale for those who want to keep playing.
