We knew it was coming and now Microsoft is slowly starting to pull back the curtains on its GamePass offering for the PC. Announced in a blog post this morning, Microsoft is introducing Game Pass for PC but won’t reveal everything until June 9th.

Here’s what Microsoft is saying about the new service, PC Game Pass will give subscribers access to 100+ games from publishers like Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, SEGA, and more. Further, just like on the console, new games from Xbox Game Studios will be included on the same day as their global release.

Xbox Game Pass for PC members will also receive discounts in the Microsoft Store on Windows of up to 20% on games currently in the library and up to 10% off related game DLC and add-ons.

As expected, Microsoft will continue to offer games via Steam and other stores. And of course, they will also offer their games through the Microsoft Store as well with the company saying that Gears 5 and all Age of Empires I, II & III: Definitive Editions, will be headed to Steam too.

And the last detail that Microsoft talks about is the fact that they will be enabling full support for native Win32 games via with Microsoft Store. This is a big step forward for gaming in the Microsoft store but also a big step away from UWP; Microsoft has slowly been moving away from the UWP model and this is one of the final last blows for the framework.

But Microsoft didn’t announce too many other details about GamePass on PC ahead of E3, but fret not, I have a few more to share.

At the conference, Microsoft will reveal the details of how you can actually sign up for Game Pass on the PC with the launch of the beta. According to people familiar with company plans, the PC version of Game Pass will be included with Ultimate Game Pass that was announced earlier this year for no additional cost.

Further, Microsoft is working on a specific PC Gaming app called Garrison, that will be used to help orchestrate the GamePass experience across multiple devices/stores. Phil Spencer had said previously that he was looking to overhaul the gaming experience in the Microsoft Store and the Garrison application is likely the fruit of that labor.

I have not heard yet if there will be a stand-alone SKU of PC Game Pass but it would seem odd to launch the new service without the option as not everyone needs the full Ultimate offering.

With E3 quickly approaching, Microsoft is getting some of the news out early regarding the event which goes to show that they have a big event planned. Next week, I will have an E3 preview post that will help set the stage for the event.

Tagged with Microsoft, PC Game Pass, Xbox