Xbox Live Gold subscribers will now have access to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)-like subscription service. The new Xbox Game Pass will be available to LIVE Gold subscribers starting June 1. The services come with a host of features including a 14-day free trial. Thereafter the subscribers can sign up for a $10-a-month service, which exposes them to more than 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.
The subscription service will be a $60 per year in all the 31 markets that host Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers. It takes the similarities of a Netflix-like subscription service whereby one can download and play compatible games. Apparently, T-Mobile US Inc (NASDAQ:TMUS) users will also have access to the one-month free service but from the T-Mobile, Tuesday’s promotion slated for June 6.
Xbox Game Pass will add a new set of games to the catalog
Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass means having an endless play of full-fidelity gaming experiences. Some of the games that catalog include Saints Row IV, Mad Max, Gears of War Ultimate Edition, Payday 2, SoulCalibur II, Terraria, Fable III, and LEGO Batman among others.
The Purchase of any Xbox One games from the service’s library by Game Pass subscribers will offer them a 20% discount along with DLC add-ons at 10% off. However, it is worth nothing that the expiry or cancellation of a subscription will not allow access to Xbox Game Pass titles but any progress and achievements will remain intact on that particular account.
Microsoft may seek deals from major publishers or indie developers
Looking at it keenly, Xbox Game Pass takes more similarities of Electronic Arts’ EA Access than Sony’s PlayStation, which primarily for the PS4 and PC. The latter is a streaming service costing around $20 a month while Microsoft’s subscription service is only $9.99 a month.
Microsoft’s library of Game Pass games can now be said to be old enough to meet its competitors. However, it is likely that the tech giant could look out for partnerships with established developers to have them launch their games Xbox Game Pass. This will be a big strife in promoting it. In the meantime, Microsoft’s stock closed at $68.77 witnessing an increase of $0.09 or 0.13%.
