Xbox Game Pass offers 100 game titles at $10 a month

Image: Microsoft

One of the most celebrated features of the Xbox One is its backwards compatibility for older games. Microsoft adds more options to play with older titles with their own “Netflix for games” concept called Xbox Game Pass.

The Xbox Game Pass is similar to Sony’s PlayStation Now where gamers may play games on their Xbox One without having to purchase the title, reports Engadget.

Subscription for the Xbox Game Pass is priced at $10 (around P500) and gives access to around 100 games from the old Xbox 360 library, as well as the more recent titles for the Xbox One.

A full list of available titles has not yet been released by Microsoft. However they did note that the games will come from notable publishers like 2K, 505 Games, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Capcom, Codemasters, Deep Silver, Focus Home Interactive, SEGA, SNK, THQ and Warner Bros. Games produced by Microsoft will also be included. Some of these are Halo 5: Guardians, Pay Day2 and SoulCalibur 2.

While the PlayStation Now service uses streaming technology to let users quickly start up a game without installation or setup, it becomes heavily reliant on the internet connection. Interruption in the connection causes games to drop midway which often leave gamers frustrated. The Xbox Game Pass uses a different approach, wherein users may download and install the games. It’s still too early to judge which approach is better and the verdict will have to wait until Xbox Game Pass launches.

Another difference between Sony and Microsoft’s service is the game library. The PlayStation Now has around 450 titles while the Xbox Game Pass will only offer 100 titles at launch. However, the Sony catalog is only composed of PS3 titles with no indication of PS4 games becoming available. The Xbox catalog will be cycled every month with new games being added and removed. Should a user want to purchase a game, it can be done at a 20 percent discount. Alfred Bayle/JB