History of Xbox Game Pass in Timeline

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service offered by Microsoft Gaming that grants users access to a rotating library of downloadable video games. Launched in 2017, it's available on Xbox consoles, Windows, and via cloud gaming on other platforms. Subscribers can play games as long as their subscription is active and also receive discounts on game purchases and DLC within the Game Pass library.

2002: Microsoft Acquires Rare

In 2002, Microsoft acquired game developer Rare. Later, Rare's work on Kinect Sports influenced the development of Sea of Thieves, a major test for Game Pass adoption and economics.

2013: Conception of Xbox Game Pass

In 2013, following Phil Spencer's appointment as head of the Xbox brand, the conception of what would become Xbox Game Pass began. An idea was generated for a game rental service, codenamed Arches, which later transitioned into a subscription model, eventually becoming Game Pass. This fit into Microsoft's strategy to push cloud-based services.

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February 28, 2017: Xbox Game Pass Debut Announcement

On February 28, 2017, Microsoft announced the debut of Xbox Game Pass. A limited catalog of games was made available to select members of the Xbox Insider community for testing and feedback.

June 1, 2017: Xbox Game Pass Launch

On June 1, 2017, Xbox Game Pass launched as a subscription service by Microsoft Gaming. It allows users to download and play video games across various platforms including consoles, Windows, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. Subscribers receive access to a rotating library of games and discounts on game purchases and DLC.

2017: Xbox Titles on Backwards-Compatibility Feature

During Microsoft's E3 2017 press conference, Microsoft announced that selected Xbox titles would be made available through a new backwards-compatibility feature similar to that in place for Xbox 360 titles. Some of these games could also make their way onto Game Pass.

January 2018: First-Party Titles on Game Pass at Launch

In January 2018, Microsoft announced that all new Xbox Game Studios titles would be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers immediately upon their release, ensuring subscribers get access to first-party games on day one.

January 23, 2018: Expansion of Game Pass with Day-and-Date Releases

On January 23, 2018, Microsoft announced an expansion of Game Pass, stating that first-party titles would arrive on the catalog day-and-date with their retail release, starting with Sea of Thieves launched on March 20, 2018. Other titles like Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2 and Forza Horizon 4 would also be added upon launch.

March 20, 2018: Sea of Thieves Launch on Game Pass

On March 20, 2018, Sea of Thieves was launched on Xbox Game Pass day-and-date with its retail release, marking the beginning of Microsoft's strategy to release first-party titles on the service simultaneously with their general availability.

April 18, 2019: Announcement of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

On April 18, 2019, Microsoft announced Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which combines Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold into a single subscription. It became available for testing to Xbox Insiders that same day.

May 2019: Announcement of Game Pass for PC

In May 2019, Microsoft announced Game Pass for PC, supported on Windows 10, with over 100 games available at launch, expanding the Game Pass service to PC users.

June 9, 2019: General Availability of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Open Beta Launch

On June 9, 2019, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate became generally available, and Game Pass for PC launched in open beta. Game Pass for PC was also included in Ultimate.

April 2020: Xbox Game Pass Surpasses 10 Million Subscribers

In April 2020, during the Q3 2020 earnings call, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass had exceeded 10 million subscribers, marking a significant milestone for the subscription service.

July 2020: Game Pass Designed for Long-Term Value and Word-of-Mouth

In a July 2020 interview, Xbox's marketing director Aaron Greenberg stated that Xbox Game Pass is not necessarily meant to be profitable for Microsoft at the current time but is designed to draw more players through word-of-mouth by offering a large set of features as a seemingly underpriced value, aiming for long-term value.

September 15, 2020: Xbox Cloud Gaming Launch for Game Pass Ultimate Subscribers

On September 15, 2020, Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) launched for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, adding the ability for cloud gaming to select Android mobile devices, with initially over 100 games optimized for the services.

September 2020: Xbox Game Pass Reaches 15 Million Subscribers

In September 2020, Xbox Game Pass achieved 15 million subscribers, showcasing continued growth and adoption of the subscription service.

October 2020: Game Pass Pricing Model Considered Sustainable

In October 2020, Phil Spencer stated that the current pricing model for Xbox Game Pass was considered "completely sustainable" and that Microsoft had no plans to raise the price in the near future.

November 10, 2020: EA Play Added to Game Pass Ultimate Subscribers

On November 10, 2020, EA Play was added to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on console and Xbox Cloud Gaming, enhancing the value proposition for subscribers.

January 2021: Xbox Game Pass Subscriber Count Reaches 18 Million

In January 2021, Microsoft reported that Xbox Game Pass had reached 18 million subscribers, further solidifying its position in the gaming market.

January 2021: Game Pass Revenues Reach $2.9 Billion

In January 2021, it was reported that Game Pass had total revenues of $2.9 billion for the fiscal year ending in January 2021. This accounted for approximately 30% of Microsoft's games and services revenues, or 18% of Microsoft's total Xbox business.

March 18, 2021: EA Play Expansion to PC for Game Pass Subscribers

On March 18, 2021, EA Play was expanded to PC for Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for PC subscribers, further integrating EA's offerings into Microsoft's subscription services.

April 2021: Xbox Cloud Gaming Web Application Beta

In April 2021, a web application for Xbox Cloud Gaming entered an invite-only beta, expanding access to PC and mobile web browsers, including iOS devices.

June 2021: Game Pass App for Smart TVs and Standalone Streaming Device

In June 2021, Microsoft announced it was developing a Game Pass app for smart TVs and a standalone streaming device, both built around xCloud technology, expanding the service's reach.

June 2021: General Availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming Web App

In June 2021, the web application for Xbox Cloud Gaming became generally available, making it compatible with PC and mobile web browsers, including iOS devices.

August 2021: No Plans for Game Pass on Other Consoles

In an August 2021 interview, Phil Spencer stated that there are currently no plans to bring Xbox Game Pass to other closed console platforms like the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch, because they don't want something like Game Pass, and the focus was on open systems.

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December 2021: Rebranding of Xbox Game Pass for PC as PC Game Pass

In December 2021, Microsoft rebranded Xbox Game Pass for PC as "PC Game Pass" to reduce market confusion, although the service continued to be branded with the Xbox logo.

January 2022: Xbox Game Pass Exceeds 25 Million Subscribers

In January 2022, the number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers surpassed 25 million, demonstrating substantial growth and popularity of the gaming subscription service.

January 18, 2022: Game Pass Surpasses 25 Million Subscribers and Activision Blizzard Acquisition

On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced that Game Pass had surpassed 25 million subscribers. Additionally, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard and integrate its catalog of games into Game Pass.

March 29, 2022: PC Game Pass Preview Launches in Southeast Asia

On March 29, 2022, the PC Game Pass Preview became available in five additional Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, expanding beyond the initial launch in Singapore.

April 21, 2022: PC Game Pass Officially Launches in Southeast Asia

On April 21, 2022, PC Game Pass officially launched in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam after the preview launch on March 29, 2022.

June 2022: Riot Games to Add Games to Xbox Game Pass

In June 2022, Riot Games announced they would add their free-to-play games, including League of Legends, to Xbox Game Pass later in 2022, offering Game Pass subscribers full access to champions or heroes in these games and in-game rewards for other titles like Legends of Runeterra.

September 2022: Friends and Family Tier Revealed

In September 2022, a Friends and Family tier was revealed for Xbox Game Pass, with trials first released in Ireland and Colombia. This plan allows one to share their account with up to four others within the same country.

2022: Cannibalization of Game Sales by Game Pass

In 2022, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority reported that Game Pass cannibalized sales of games for around the first year they are present on the service. Spencer acknowledged the report, but noted that it resulted in more players and thus, more sales overall.

February 28, 2023: PC Game Pass Expands to Europe, North Africa, and Middle East

On February 28, 2023, PC Game Pass service expanded through a preview to several countries in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

March 2023: Discontinuation of $1/mo Introductory Rate

In March 2023, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of its introductory $1/month rate for new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, seeking potential replacement options to attract new subscribers.

September 14, 2023: Xbox Live Gold Discontinuation and Merger into Xbox Game Pass Core

On September 14, 2023, Xbox Live Gold was discontinued and merged into Xbox Game Pass as a new low-price tier called Xbox Game Pass Core. This new tier offers subscribers a limited set of free titles.

2023: Game Pass Criticized for Impact on Game Sales

In 2023, Game Pass faced criticism for potentially harming traditional game sales and developer revenue. Microsoft estimated a $300 million loss in sales for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to its Game Pass launch, compared to the previous title not on Game Pass. An estimated 80% loss in expected premium sales on Xbox was calculated for games featured on Game Pass including titles such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield.

2023: PC Game Pass Catalog Coming to GeForce Now

In 2023, it was announced that a portion of the PC Game Pass catalog would become available on the GeForce Now streaming service.

February 2024: Microsoft Announces 34 Million Game Pass Subscribers

In February 2024, Microsoft announced that Game Pass had reached 34 million subscribers, marking continued growth for the subscription service.

February 2024: No Plans to Bring Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo Switch

In February 2024, while Microsoft was making select Xbox exclusives available on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, Phil Spencer stated that there were no plans to bring Game Pass to these platforms, as it would remain the primary place for Xbox and Windows first-party games.

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September 12, 2024: Pricing Changes and Tier Restructuring

On September 12, 2024, Microsoft introduced pricing changes and tier restructuring for Xbox Game Pass. New users could no longer buy the console-only tier digitally, with a new Standard tier introduced. Other plans saw price increases by $2-3 per month ahead of the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

May 2025: Partnership with Antstream

In May 2025, Xbox partnered with Antstream to make numerous licensed retro games available through Antstream Arcade as part of the Game Pass subscription, enhancing the service's retro gaming offerings.

August 2025: Xbox Cloud Gaming Expanded to All Game Pass Tiers

In August 2025, Xbox Cloud Gaming was expanded to include all Game Pass tiers, making cloud gaming accessible to a wider range of subscribers.

October 1, 2025: Revamped Xbox Game Pass Tier Structure

On October 1, 2025, Microsoft unveiled a revamped Xbox Game Pass tier structure, offering three tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. The Ultimate tier includes Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew. The change was alongside Xbox Cloud Gaming leaving its beta period, with Premium and Ultimate subscribers having access, the latter with faster streaming. Day-one releases were limited to Ultimate users, with an increased number of games across all tiers. Prices were increased, facing criticism.