This week brought us the news that Xbox Game Pass reportedly now has 23 million subscribers, which means that five million more people have signed up since January. Those are some pretty insane numbers!
And it's not really a surprise. Xbox Game Pass has been firing on all cylinders this year, from the inclusion of a massive batch of Bethesda titles a couple of months ago, to day one releases such as Outriders and MLB The Show 21. That's not to mention EA Play or Xbox Cloud Gaming, both of which continue to expand regularly as well.
That said, Microsoft has been very clear that Xbox Game Pass should be a choice, and the company has no intention of forcing its users onto the service. You can still buy every game included in the library if you want to, and that even extends to the Steam platform on PC for many first-party titles, so it's very much a matter of preference.
Even if you've been sceptical of Xbox Game Pass in the past though, it's really becoming difficult to ignore. The service provides incredible value for what it offers, includes Xbox Live Gold as standard, and there are actually multiple ways to pay even less per-month for its services, as Microsoft is very generous with its Game Pass conversion rates.
And yes, it's true that third-party games do get rotated out of the service from time-to-time, but first-party games are effectively set to stay on the service forever. That means the likes of Psychonauts 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator and even Halo Infinite are going to be available at no extra charge later in 2021, and they'll remain that way.
It makes the prospect of buying an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S (or even an Xbox One) in 2021 without a Game Pass membership hard to recommend for most users. You're getting so much value with the service in its current form, and based on what we've seen so far, it looks like 2021 will be by far its biggest year yet.
Would you still buy an Xbox with Xbox Game Pass in 2021? Tell us in the comments below.
Comments 64
Great article @fraserGilbert and a very interesting point you have raised. I have to admit that for the past 4 years I have only owned a Nintendo Switch due to tight finances and the fact I didn’t feel I needed anything else.
But I have bought a Series S and GPU because it is crazy value for money! The amount of games, the content is of the highest quality and its saving me a fortune! Would I have bought one if not for GPU? I have to be honest and say it is highly unlikely I would have. Game Pass will be around for a very long time now and let’s be straight about it - Microsoft have hit the jackpot!
I'm a recent convert to Xbox, having gotten a Series S back in December. 90% of my gaming time since then has been on the Xbox, and other than Control and some smaller games, everything I've been playing on it has been Game Pass. It was absolutely the system-seller for me, and I don't think the Series S would've held much appeal for me otherwise.
I would buy an Xbox if Game Pass didn't exist, and I would keep my Xbox if I couldn't afford Game Pass, but as currently neither of those situations exist I have both quite happily.
Yeah, I think Game Pass was the decider for me when deciding whether or not to go for PS5 or Xbox at the start of the generation.
If Xbox didn't have Game Pass, I almost certainly would have gone with a PS5.
Yes i would, I'm a die hard Xbox fan so i would get it with or without gamepass..
No, the only thing that attracted me to xbox and the reason I got my series s is gamepass, I can't see any xbox exclusives worth buying and paying full price for right now atleast not until bethesdas new games release. Plus Japanese support is no where near as good as playstation or Nintendo and I love my jrpgs. But like i said gamepass is so good plus I believe more and more third party games will get added day one so I had to get me a series S this gen to go with my switch and ps5
For me its a yes as I've got quite a few games in my collection since the early 360 days and I like the path MS is taking. With or Without as I've got a Series X and don't mind buying Physical. To me GPU is the icing on the cake as there are some decent games there.
Yes, I would still buy an Xbox on 2021 without Game Pass.
While it's an amazing service, if I didn't get it for free, I am not 100% sure I would pay for it. I mean, maybe I would just do the stock Console Game Pass for $9.99/mo, but it would depend on the current game availability at the time.
I also have a monthly game budget (that I hardly use, actually) so buying games is still always an option.
I mean, I have Game Pass Ultimate until at least 2023 at this point, so it's kind of a non-issue for at least a couple more years.
Xbox has FPS boost, which in my opinion is possibly the best thing that Xbox has going for it outside of GamePass. An absolutely incredible feature that literally makes great games even better, and something you just can't get on Playstation.
Yes, I did buy it and would have done so even if game pass didn't exist.
Game pass just isn't a match for my needs and doesn't even provide enough value for me to justify it's cost.
Game pass is a great value if you play through lots of games and move on. However, that isn't the only way to enjoy games.
@jarvismp I always thought games were more expensive on the switch? Wouldn't mind getting proven wrong because I do want to pick one up one day.
I had an og xbo, so I got a series s to play some BC games, which was a big upgrade. Gamepass is a nice plus, but I wouldnt have needed it to go nextgen. I'm sure others feel the same, just as others feel different.
I think Xbox has the better console, so I’d have still bought it. But GamePass is next level and I love it.
Honestly I wouldn't bother with Xbox without gamepass due to the Xbox one gen. Not until they released some killer exclusives at least.
But that's what makes gamepass so great you don't need exclusives the value alone makes it worth it.
Absolutely not. The whole reason I bought an Xbox Series S over a PS5 was Game Pass.
I bought an Xbox Series S (and I would have loved a Series X, but c'est la vie) — my first Xbox console — specifically for Game Pass, and to a lesser degree in response to being opposed to the direction Nintendo and Sony are going at the moment. So I can't really imagine having an Xbox without Game Pass.
I always had playstation.
Now not more, happy with series x with gamepass.
Nope. Haven't had an Xbox since the original Xbox. Got a Series X this time around because of Game Pass Ultimate. Don't regret it.
Well currently maybe not essential but good value for money.
However once some of the Microsoft AAA studio games start coming out, then it seems to make more sense and to get game pass ultimate.
Annoyingly I can't have the older version of a system, needing it or not so I did sell my XboxOne X and bought a Series X.
That said, I would 99.9% only be using for the media stuff and not playing games. GamePass has me playing more console then I have been in the last 20 years. (bit of a PC arpg/mmo type guy)
I don't use gamepass & my PS4 is my main console I only bought my Xbox one s to play gears of war , halo & crackdown
At £3.40 a month I paid. Game pass is a good service. Although I use it less than I thought I would.
At 10.99 (or more) it’s far from essential and overrated.
If Xbox and their new acquisitions start pumping out games that’s a different matter but currently 3rd party is propping the service up massively.
There was no option for Yes I would have still bought a Xbox but also I love Gamepass.
I have had every Xbox since the first and I would have purchased it regardless but Gamepass is Amazing and has become essential too.
@Cherip-the-Ripper unfortunately they are
The poll option aren't very good so I won't vote. I would buy Xbox if Game Pass didn't exist but I still have and enjoy Game Pass.
Game Pass might decrease chances of some people buying an Xbox if they can run Game Pass on PC, Web browser, or mobile. If you are a bigger fan of Sony or Nintendo I don't see you leaving them for Game Pass when you can likely play Xbox exclusives from Game Pass on something you already have.
It's hard to tell. I still think that the Xbox is a much better piece of hardware and the games are cheaper so i think I'd still have swung to team green this gen without gamepass...but can't say for sure. Gamepass made the switch a no brainer
Game Pass is great and good for our bank accounts. Profitable yet money saving ideas are what is needed in the industry. When that happens, it takes the bite out of exclusivity attempts and creeping prices upward.
I knew I was getting a next gen console at launch. My ps4 just was not handling well and very loud. I don't like the playstation controllers either. No charge and kept tearing the thumb sticks and hitting the middle button.
I had game pass on my laptop and loved it. I don't really like gaming on my PC's because they were made for music and video editing. My PC is slowly becoming obsolete for gaming so I needed a switch. I really missed the xbox exclusives and Game Pass made it available for me to jump right back into the XBOX ecosystem smoothly. I love it. I love all games and being able to play whatever I want is very refreshing besides having to do tons of research on games to make a wise choice.
Still hard convincing my friends and family to try it out. Sony and Nintendo diehards. I'll always get Nintendo to play with my immediate family but lost a lot of dignity from Sony from my experience with the PS4.
While it is essential for me and my family, I know my brother and his family do not subscribe and probably won't. They wander in and wander out of the Live Gold account. Now that the free games do not require Live, they likely will stop subscribing all together.
You can't deny that Xbox have some really great innovations this gen but ultimately from my point of view, XGP has become the very soul of Xbox today. So the answer is simply no.
@GateCrasherUK that was my preferred option as well.
I think the series X is a great console thats had all the things well thought about such as smart delivery and cloud saves and expandable storage that all work great rather than the mess thats on ps5
While gamepass is nice to have its not essential. its just and excellent value proposition
Love Xbox games and don't have game pass.
Someone who still likes to own their games. I totally see the value in it, and will probably pick it up at some point but I like physical media and the sense of ownership which gamepass just doesn't provide.
Definitely getting a Series X as soon as I'm able to secure one, but will just buy the games for it. Gears Tactics already is going for around £30 online. Just two months cost of game pass.
For that price I'd rather own my games still
Yes, I plan on getting a Series X without GP. I wouldn't get my money's worth with the service since my gaming time is very limited. It's good for those that have the time, though.
Game pass is pretty much the reason I bought my Series S! Along with a way to get on next gen cheap until I have abit more money for a upgrade!
For me I would buy one either way and have.
Despite some opinions on here I am going to say something I am sure I will get it in the neck for.
I dont think for the average joe they would see Game Pass as essential until next gen first party games start to appear on there and Microsofts first party output on there increases.
What I wont get it in the neck for saying is when that does happen. That 23 million? Will double in a very short space of time. E3 will be big for that. The value is great as it is but with all the first party output on there too? Immense.
Would still have bought the XSX if Gamepass didn't exist but i'm very glad it does as i now play a lot more games and a lot more variety of games too
Honestly, I'd probably still buy an Xbox even without Game Pass. The Series X is a fantastic gaming console regardless of Game Pass, and that's still the selling point for me over an extra feature. An extremely good and helpful one, but an extra feature nonetheless.
@jarvismp plus xCloud for Console will make that Series S even better!
Yes 100% Yes. I bought a series s on launch day, my first xbox so didn't know much about game pass. I think game pass is great, but I would still be happy with my console if game pass didn't exist. Always had PlayStations, was planning to get a PS5 but after a couple of weeks with the Series S I decided I don't need a PS5 Xbox fixed all the gaming "problems" I had with PlayStation so I can finally get some enjoyment out of gaming again!!
Yes, if I didn't already have a Series X. The backwards compatibility and the rewards system still gives you a lot of content for less.
Series X is my first XBox. There’s no way I would have even considered purchasing it without GamePass. In general, I prefer the Nintendo and PS exclusives to what XBox offers. I’ve been a Nintendo diehard since the 80s, and it was only a few years ago that I got my first PS. But I wanted in on GamePass so Series X means I’m a 3 console owner this generation.
I’d never subscribe to Game Pass, it’s just not for me. I see the appeal for others but as a collector it doesn’t interest me. Even an all-digital generation would be enough for me to stop buying the consoles and just enjoy collecting and playing the past 9 generations.
"includes Xbox Live Gold as standard" no it doesn't, that's £3 a month more then standard Gamepass.
For me it's in two camps, I see little reason to buy a Series S and not have Gamepass due to the huge limitation of not having a disc drive. However for Series X I wouldn't call it essential, no doubt many great games have been added but also these can be bought very cheaply too, you could buy most of the recent Bethesda games for around £20. Then you have the major third party releases which aren't on there day one anyway, I can see why it appeals to many but if I were to pick up a Series X then Gamepass wouldn't be much of a consideration at the moment
Gamepass Ultimate is precisely the very reason which made me choose a Series X over a PS5 to start the next gen. I resisted this programm during all the previous generations, continuing to buy my games on discs, even on Xbox One X, but when Microsoft announced the "All Access Programm", I just couldn't resist.
And honestly, I cannot go back, now. The thing is : I continue to buy games now and then, even with my subscription going on, but what this new choice of play made me do is going all out on digital.
I don't plan to buy any game on disc, now. And I've always said that I want to keep my games on physical. To see them on my shelf. But not anymore.
There's just too much choice, it's just so damn easy to go for all digital, right now. I'm looking throught the gamepass catalog, and i'm looking throught sales event on Xbox store. And that's it.
I think, right now, the only thing that I keep resisting like that is for movies. I still prefer to buy my movies on blurays and blurays 4K.
yes, if there's games there I wanna play ill still buy and play an Xbox.
Gamepass is an amazing service if you have the free time to play a wide range of games but as someone with limited time to play due to work, family, football & seeing friends (again finally) I can be playing the same game for months.
For instance I finished AssCreed Odyssey at the start of April I started it in mid December, 4 months of game time for £7. Its very rare I have 2 big games on the go at one time nowadays.
Right now I think the Xbox Series X is the better choice for just about everything EXCEPT exclusives. PlayStation and Nintendo currently still have a better range of those for my taste.
However I expect Microsoft to AT LEAST hit parity if not exceed this in the next 2-4 years with the moves they have made in the last few years. Making games takes a long time and the results of decisions made now may not be felt for many years.
That said Game Pass is a must for me and the best deal in entertainment right now.
@Xeno_Aura I missed last generation and got back into gaming via the Switch when deciding between the 2 next gen consoles Game Pass was the decider as it has afforded me the opportunity to play most of what I want from last gen(apart from some Sony exclusives).
@Cherip-the-Ripper They are not cheap but there are some I like to own the physical edition of but in general now I am not buying many at all as with Game Pass I simply do not need to.
@Kilamanjaro Exactly my friend!
I believe Xbox and GamePass have become one in that there really isn’t any point imo if you don’t get GamePass.
In the next 2-4 years this may not be as big a deal when Xbox actually start releasing some games. But as of right now, there is no sense in it imo.
Yes. I was a Sony guy for years until I played TLOU2. I was so disappointed and bothered with that game I left the platform as a whole. So I would have gotten a Xbox even if it was inferior tech wise. I refuse to give Sony a dime again.
I bought Xbox Series X in Early December last year. Since then I've played 42 games of which 36 are game Pass games and only 6 that I've actually purchased. Game Pass is 100% essential.
@themightyant there are quite a few upcoming Xbox exclusives I'm very excited for such as Avowed and Perfect Dark, also the likes of Starfield (if they are). When I jump back into next gen it's more likely to be the Series X, for now I'm happy with my PC and Switch
Absolutely essential.
Unless you're someone who just plays Fornite, FIFA and COD, then I don't understand how you could NOT have Game Pass if you own an Xbox.
@Jaxx420 as an average Joe i think that gamepass is the biggest selling feature. I'd say it's less of a deal for hardcore gamers that play everything right away and have likely already bought/played most games on gamepass and the folks that like to own their games. But for average Joe's most of the titles will be new to them and it's a lot less risky because you can try anything on gamepass without additional cost. I think gamepass is a must have for any casual gamer as in reality it's all you need. I bought 3 games around the end of the year on crazy sale and haven't installed them yet and actually don't know when i will. I'm not buying games again for a long long time i think.
My Xbox is the 'Halo and other classic games' machine with the occassional third-party release.
@carlos82 I 100% agree. I'm very excited by these, but several of the titles are years off I think. Perfect Dark, Avowed, Fable etc. Others are longer away than many may assume Everwild, Hellbalde 2 etc. Game development, AAA and for a new gen in particular, is very time consuming.
However Starfield I expect in the next year.
But WHEN the games do come and the 24 studios start to cycle through releases there should be a wealth of first-party content. In the meantime Game Pass is absolutely CRUSHING it with 3rd party content.
I don’t have GamePass. I don’t have time to play more than 1-2 games at a time so a bottomless pit is largely redundant.
A 2nd hand copy of Forza Horizon 4 will set me back £30 and I’ll play it for more than 3 months but it’s mine to do with as I wish.
Q) Would you still buy an Xbox with Xbox Game Pass in 2021?
A) Given I own an Xbox Series X and have never owned Game Pass, I'm going to put that down as a yes.
Unless Game Pass plan an update where they will ship out each of these games physically to me, I somewhat doubt I will ever own it. I can certainly see the appeal of it and I approve of Xbox's generosity with it but my preference is for physical games and I'm not in the sort of financial situation where I can ensure a subscription service (be it monthly or yearly). I'm more than happy with Xbox Series X even without Game Pass though, so no worries from me.
I'll be buying a series x without game pass later in the year. I had it for 8 of the last 12 months, but it wasn't worth it for me. I'm better off going with gold for multiplayer and buying the games I want.
GamePass is the one big draw to Xbox right now unless you're particularly enamored with Gears, Halo, and Forza, I guess. And it's only going to become more appealing as first-party titles are permanently added to the service.
With or without Gamepass, I'd still get an Xbox. Might wanna change some of the options to choose a bit more different instead of not being interested in gmaepass.
I own an Xbox One X but don’t use Gamepass, so it wouldn’t affect me. I don’t like the idea of my games disappearing on me, I’d rather just buy the few games I actually want and keep them. Also I can go for months without playing games, so paying for a monthly service seems like a waste of money to me. I’ll eventually buy a Series X and it won’t have anything to do with Gamepass.
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