It’s finally happening!
Prior to Xbox Game Pass being released for the Xbox One, there was an image that showed it was also coming to the PC. However, once the service was released the PC version wasn’t mentioned anywhere. After which, Microsoft danced around the questions regarding if Xbox Game Pass would ever come to PC. Nearly two years later, we have our answer as Microsoft has officially announced that Xbox Game Pass will be available for PC later this year.
According to Microsoft, the PC variant will sport over 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 10 from a variety of different developers. Such as SEGA, Deep Silver, Bethesda, Devolver Digital and more.
Xbox Game Pass for PC will give players unlimited access to a curated library of over 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 10, from well-known PC game developers and publishers such as Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, SEGA, and more. And just as we committed on the console, it is our intent to include new games from Xbox Game Studios in Xbox Game Pass for PC the same day as their global release, including titles from newly acquired studios like Obsidian and inXile. We’re working with over 75 developers and publishers to bring PC content to the service and we’ll ensure the library remains curated and full of great PC titles across a variety of genres, with new games added every month.
Needless to say, it would seem that Microsoft finally understands what the PC community has been asking for over the past two years. Xbox Game Pass was a game changer for the Xbox and if Microsoft does it correctly, I feel they can replicate that on the PC as well. It’s also nice to see that they’ve admitted that their PC gaming support has been less than desirable and that they’ve doubled down to put their best foot forward.
We’ve not always lived up to our aspiration of keeping gamers at the center of everything we do when it comes to the experience they’ve had on Windows.
Now, there are a few questions that won’t be answered until Microsoft’s E3 2019 conference. Such as how much will the subscription service cost, will this piggyback off the existing Xbox Game Pass. Will this remove the cross-buy availability from Xbox and PC games? And lastly, when exactly will this be available? So we’ll have to tune in on June 9th, 2019, to find out.
In addition to Xbox Game Pass on PC, Microsoft has also given up on putting all their titles on the Microsoft Store. An initiative they started when Windows 10 was released. I’m sure you’ve heard all the stories on how awful the store was in regards to Xbox Game Studios on Windows 10. As well as many getting frustrated that they weren’t able to purchase Xbox titles on their storefront of choice. As such, Microsoft has also announced that more Xbox Game Studios will be available on Steam. We’ve seen this in the past with several titles such as Quantum Break, Killer Instinct, Orin and the Blind Forest and Sunset Overdrive. Now going forward, Microsoft has confirmed that all of their PC gaming titles will be available on Steam.
As the creators of Windows, we have a unique responsibility to ensure we’re investing in experiences that benefit players everywhere, while respecting the PC community’s preference for an open, highly customizable platform. We’ve not always lived up to our aspiration of keeping gamers at the center of everything we do when it comes to the experience they’ve had on Windows…
Our intent is to make our Xbox Game Studios PC games available in multiple stores, including our own Microsoft Store on Windows, at their launch. We believe you should have choice in where you buy your PC games.
While we already knew that Halo: The Master Chief Collection was coming to Steam. Now we’re going to see a bunch of other titles. With 20 existing titles heading to Steam, likely those missing games such as Forza Motorsport 7 and Horizon, Sea of Thieves and Gears of War 4. As well as future Xbox Game Studios titles will be available on Steam at launch. Meaning that Gears of War 5 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will also be available on Steam.
This is huge news for PC gaming. Of course, I doubt Microsoft has abandoned its storefront on the PC. However, Phil Spencer did mention they were committed to revamping it, so in the meanwhile, this would be the best way to offer their titles without inconveniencing the PC gaming community.
Expect to hear more about this during Microsoft’s E3 2019 conference which takes place on June 9th, 2019 at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET.
