Now that Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) is now available, playing games on your Windows 10 PC with Xbox Live is easier than ever. The Xbox Game Pass for PC is in beta as Microsoft is working on refining the program on Windows 10.
In an effort to get more people to try out Xbox Game Pass for PC, Microsoft is offering the app for just $1 for the first month. If you already prepaid for Xbox Live Gold, it may make more sense to upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
For example, on October 18, 2018, I prepaid for Xbox Live Gold for one year. Once I upgraded to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, I don’t have to make a new payment for Ultimate until October 18, 2019. It is a no-brainer for me as I play Xbox games on Xbox One and Windows 10, so I get the best of both worlds with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Metro Exodus, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Imperator: Rome are just a few of the featured games you can play on Xbox Game Pass for PC right now. Microsoft is working on adding more games soon, but until then, there are plenty of games to keep you busy.
Personally, I am more excited to have Xbox Game Pass on PC so I can play Metro Exodus without having to buy the game outright. If you do decide to buy, Xbox Game Pass members get up to 20% off games and up to 10% off DLC and add-ons.
As you may have already heard, you need the latest Windows 10 version on your PC and the Xbox (beta) app installed to use Xbox Game Pass for your PC. When you visit the Xbox Game Pass for PC website, it can be confusing as you are prompted to “Download the App.”
The app that Xbox is referring to is the Xbox (beta) app, which is available through the Microsoft Store. If you already have the app installed, you have one of the steps done already.
Here are the steps you need to follow to use the Xbox Game Pass for PC on Windows 10.
- Download the Xbox (beta) app installer or download the app from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the Xbox (beta) app on Windows 10.
- Sign up for the Xbox Game Pass for PC.
- Download a game to play from the Xbox Game Pass for PC game library.
Since the Xbox Game Pass for PC is still in beta, after the first month, the subscription price will be $4.99 a month. Once the program leaves beta, Xbox Game Pass for PC will cost $9.99 a month.
Update: 2/28/2023
Microsoft has renamed the subscription service to PC Game Pass which is now available across 86 countries, though you’ll need to sign up for the preview program to access the subscription offerings in 40 of those countries.
This means that the company is well on its way to achieving its main goal, bringing joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet.
At the moment, once you get admission to the program, you’ll have access to a new library featuring hundreds of high-quality PC games on Windows, this is inclusive of new Xbox Game Studios releases on day one, iconic Bethesda games, an EA Play membership, and member-only benefits in Riot Games.
