Skip to main content

Xbox Game Pass for PC to launch with over 100 games, more coming soon to Steam

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass PC Gears of War Age of Empires Steam
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft has taken steps to expand the Xbox brand beyond their home console offerings with the Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which gives Xbox One and PC gamers unlimited access to a growing library of games for one price. The company is taking things a step further with the Xbox Game Pass for PC, a new subscription with a larger pool of PC gamers to play. Also, in addition to Halo: The Master Chief Collection launching on Steam later this year, Microsoft is launching Gears of War 5 and the definitive edition of all three Age of Empires games on Steam.

With the original Xbox Game Pass, subscribers had access to Xbox One and PC games. All of the titles in the library were available on Xbox One and a very limited selection including titles like State of Decay 2 and Forza Horizon 4 are playable on PC. The new Xbox Game Pass for PC will provide an experience better designed for PC gamers, including over 100 PC games on Windows 10.

Recommended Videos

In addition to news of this new Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft is furthering the relationship with PC gamers by bringing Gears of War 5 and the definitive editions of the Age of Empires series to Steam. Age of Empires 2 and 3 are both already on Steam, but the definitive edition of the first game was previously only available on the Microsoft store. Age of Empires: Definitive Edition overhauls the game with remastered visuals, sound, music, and UI. The versions for the sequels should provide similar improvements.

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass PC Gears of War Age of Empires Steam
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Beyond Age of Empires and Gears of War 5, specific titles for the new Xbox Game Pass weren’t named. The company did mention developers and publishers like Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, and Sega as providers of some of the games coming to the subscription. The team also mentioned plans to continue the original Game Pass’ inclusion of new games on launch day, specifically noting Microsoft’s newly-acquired studios Obsidian and inXile. Obsidian is currently working on the sci-fi RPG The Outer Worlds, though that title is being published by Private Division and may not be included in the Xbox Game Pass. InXile is currently working on the crowd-funded Wasteland 3. Gears of War 5 is expected to release sometime this year.

Charles Singletary Jr.
I'm a Birmingham, AL raised author, journalist, and gaming enthusiast currently residing in San Antonio, TX. My work has…
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (April 18-20)
Patrick using an umbrella to parachute.

Last week was a major one in terms of big day one Game Pass games, and next week is arguably even bigger with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 joining the service. But there are way more titles joining the catalog besides that one upcoming Xbox Series X game, and this is the perfect time to give some smaller, lesser-known games a chance. We're not going to burden you with a massive RPG that you won't be able to finish before Expedition, but a smattering of smaller titles that are the perfect size to give you a weekend of fun before wrapping up. Why not try something a little out of the ordinary this weekend with one of these games?

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game

Read more
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (April 11-13)
A wide shot of Hazel and Shakin Bones in South of Midnight.

While the news is starting to die down about the Switch 2, one conversation is only gaining steam. Game prices have been thrown into question with Nintendo breaking the $70 barrier on many upcoming Switch 2 games, which makes the already incredible value of Game Pass even more appealing. This week in particular saw not one, not two, but three day-one additions to really show its worth. We still have Clair Obscur to look forward to soon, but each of these games is perfect for filling a dead weekend.

South of Midnight

Read more
3 Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (April 4-6)
We Happy Few

The big news of the week was easily the full reveal and details for the Nintendo Switch 2. While there were a lot of exciting upcoming Switch 2 games shown off for later in the year, us Game Pass players don't have to wait long at all for some great upcoming Xbox Series X games. South of Midnight is right around the corner, and Clair Obscur is not far behind. This weekend, we got creative and fun to give you a nice trio of options on Game Pass you probably didn't get to when they came out. These are the best Game Pass games you should be playing this weekend.
We Happy Few
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGRHLmBNO_w&pp=ygUUV2UgSGFwcHkgRmV3IHRyYWlsZXLSBwkJvwCDtaTen9Q%3D

The last game Compulsion Games made before South of Midnight was the misunderstood We Happy Few. The initial trailers gave off the impression of a linear, BioShock-like experience which ended up not being the case. That said, if you take We Happy Few for what it is then you can start to appreciate it. Set in an alternate history 1960s England with various sci-fi elements tossed in. What players weren't expecting was a first-person survival game with some roguelike elements, but still has a distinct structure. You go through three acts as three different characters who are all trying to escape the city for various reasons. It's not perfect, but certainly worth a revisit before the team's next game to see how it stacks up.

Read more