Xbox gamers are diverse. The most hardcore fans seem to play nonstop and devote their lives to conquering dozens of games, and some have even made hundreds of thousands of dollars playing live in fan-packed arenas.
Most Xbox enthusiasts, however, are a bit more casual when it comes to gaming. We like to pick up a controller when we have some downtime during the day, or after work to unwind from the trials and tribulations of real life.
For us downtime Xbox warriors, the new and already infamous Xbox Game Pass is an intriguing concept. Much like other famed gaming passes, a membership to this service unlocks a massive trove of over 100 different games, many of which are brand new and never expire.
And if you’re a gamer on a budget, there’s an added appeal: the $9.99 monthly subscription costs roughly the same as a Netflix account, and you never have to worry about incurring additional fees from late returns or damaged tech. (It’s also important to consider that most individual games cost about the same as a monthly subscription.)
Xbox Game Pass also unlocks additional discounts that can be used to unlock premium games, and if you really love a specific game and want to ditch your subscription, you’ll be able to buy it for up to 20% off.
Microsoft has also sweetened the pot by promising that every new video game it releases will be available to Xbox Game Pass members the day it’s announced. And even when games cycle out of Xbox Game Pass, you can save up to 20% off if you decide to buy one for your collection — win, win.
Still on the fence about signing up? Xbox is offering a no-questions-asked 14-day free trial. So see for yourself if a Game Pass is the right move for you.