Looking for a Game Pass option for PC?
Looking for a Game Pass option for PC?
Everyone's opinions about Game Pass for PC vary. Personally, I’m not opposed to it. Over the past weeks, I’ve been shifting more toward PC gaming, and I’ve already paid for Gold and Game Pass on Xbox. Right now, Game Pass Ultimate costs $1, and even when it’s $5 less than what I pay, I still get all three benefits.
I find it really appealing right now. Microsoft seems likely to tweak the cost in the next few months, possibly bringing it up to 10€ per month. They’ve got some titles that I’ve been excited about playing, and the price definitely isn’t high. It’s nice to have competition, and it’s great that many or most games on the pass can also be bought elsewhere. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with where things are heading.
It’s wasted effort when you can easily find good offers online and leverage Microsoft Rewards to purchase titles. My balance exceeds 150,000 points, which roughly equals $150 for any game I want. With a big spend, it adds up to over $150. For example, State of Decay 2 dropped for just $15, and I used 9,000 points to cover the cost plus an extra $5. The highlight is Xbox Anywhere—playable on both PC and Xbox One. I installed it on my PC for better performance. Another perk is cross-platform play, letting me team up with friends on either device. Game Pass isn’t worth it unless you pay $1, but it’s still a decent deal since you’re renting games. It’s only sensible when prices drop again. Unless you’re a big fan of Daddy Warbucks.
Someone could challenge these numbers... I think it’s linked to the fact that the latest titles are now widely accessible. How would the payment structure function? For instance, Total War 3 Kingdoms sold a million copies in its first week at around 60 euros each—about 60 million euros, with a development budget possibly in the 80 or 90 million range. Companies would be amazed if they launched games with such large budgets unless they diversify their income streams...
I’m ready to try it out. I already have Xbox Live and Game Pass; combining them makes sense. Just paid a dollar this month for Game Pass Ultimate. I’m almost done with Wolfenstein 1, so now I feel motivated to finish it and jump onto Wolftenstein 2 since it’s available through Game Pass now.
I considered the situation from that angle when Xbox Game Pass launched. It’s worth noting a few things. For example, if someone plans to purchase two Microsoft titles each year, they might opt for Game Pass instead, which could be more economical—especially in places like Australia where you’d save around $70 annually. I understand my own experience; many games have been purchased over time, and even if I usually buy titles like State of Decay 2, there are hidden gems that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. People often try new things just because others are playing them.
If Game Pass becomes more popular, it’s likely to align with the cost of other services. Game Pass for PC also offers some exclusive titles, though not all games are available there. Marcin Iwiński (CD Project founder) mentioned that certain games, such as The Witcher 3, are released without strict copy protection, emphasizing their commitment to accessibility. He highlighted that piracy isn’t the main issue; rather, it’s about persuading people to choose legal options.
He shared that they once received feedback from fans who felt they couldn’t afford full-priced games but appreciated the fairness and added value—like free DLC or content. This approach helped the game sell well despite being mid-price. Phil Spencer also commented on the impact of adding popular titles like Forza Horizon 4 to Game Pass, noting that it boosted visibility and sales.
When a game gains traction on platforms like Game Pass, it naturally draws more attention from players who follow trends on sites like Mixer, Twitch, or Discord. This collective interest amplifies awareness quickly.
The idea revolves around a dollar-based pass system for game access. What they’re suggesting seems realistic, but I’ve also heard from creators whose player numbers are mostly made up by users who play modified versions of their titles. A $10 pass is quite different from the $1 figures some developers use. I’m more supportive of a developer leveraging their own platform to connect with fans, especially if you’re young or enjoy playing many games. Just don’t expect the game quality to drop so much over time that it only matters for profit.