Xbox Game Pass might go to PC

Today owners of Xbox One consoles can subscribe to Game Pass for $10 a month and enjoy the selection of more than 200 old and new titles, including exclusives like Sea of Thieves. Many of those games are technically available on Windows 10 PCs through “Play everywhere” program, but the product is originally designed for console owners.

During the earnings conference call that took place last night, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hinted that the company might be preparing a Game Pass for PC gamers exclusively. Here is what he said:

Bringing Game Pass to even the PC is going to be a big element… of increasing the strength of our gaming community.

Why you shouldn’t hold your breath

For Game Pass to work on PC, Windows 10 Store needs to have a good variety of high-quality titles, which it now lacks. Also, to use this new subscription service, gamers will have to agree to download games through that store, which isn’t very popular right now.

Microsoft Game Pass might take off if the company releases a couple of killer exclusives with it, stacked with new Halo and Forza sequels, but I just don’t see it happening.

It would be enough for Steam to just release a subscription service without major exclusives to defeat Microsoft Game Pass since day 1.