How Long Do Games Stay On Game Pass?
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How Long Do Games Stay On Game Pass? - What You Need To Know

Updated: Oct 24, 2023

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service allowing subscribers to play over 400 games on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Cloud Gaming. The service enables players to access the titles as long as they're subscribers. Some games, however, don't stay on Xbox Game Pass forever.


Games are added to the Game Pass library periodically. Still, they are also removed, like how Netflix adds and removes shows and movies over time. Games removed from the Xbox Game Pass catalog typically do so because their publisher's contract with Microsoft has expired. Games may sometimes be delisted due to quality issues or player feedback.


When a game is delisted from Xbox Game Pass, subscribers will no longer have access to it but can still purchase it if they wish. The publishers may also want their games available for a specific amount of time, either to make deals with other subscription services or negotiate with Microsoft if their game becomes popular on Game Pass.


Many games from Microsoft Studios and Microsoft-owned studios like Bethesda Games are available forever on Game Pass. Halo Infinite, Sea of Thieves, and Forza Horizon have been on Game Pass since day one.


How Long Do Games Stay on Game Pass?
How Long Do Games Stay on Game Pass?

What is Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service that offers gamers an array of video games. With over 400 titles, gamers can play exclusive games and access a wide range of games for a yearly fee of $120 (Standard, $9.99 /mo) or $204 (Ultimate, $16.99 /mo).


Xbox Game Pass is available for console and PC. With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, gamers can access the service on any device and enjoy the EA Play vault.


In addition, Xbox Game Pass offers members discounts. It regularly updates its games library monthly, ensuring a lot of great options for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. So, if you are an avid gamer, subscribing to Xbox Game Pass will give you instant access to a wide range of great games throughout the year, including exciting titles like Starfield and Payday 3.



Xbox Game Pass Perks - Smite x Vshojo, Sea of Thieves Gear, Peacock trial, Apple Music, Discord Nitro, Black Desert add-ons, Madden 23 add-ons, Phantasy Star Online New Genesis, Walmart Plus trial, Apex Legends gear, Kart Rider Drift gear, FIFA 23 add-ons
Xbox Game Pass Perks

Can You Still Play Games After Xbox Game Pass Expires?

Xbox Game Pass is a valuable gaming service that provides access to a vast library of games for a monthly subscription fee. However, there are a few things to remember when considering the Xbox Game Pass.


Firstly, games cannot be played after the subscription expires. Secondly, games previously installed during the Xbox Game Pass subscription will remain but cannot be played without an active subscription. Additionally, some games on Xbox Game Pass have a limited time in the library and may be removed.


Xbox app - Game Pass - Leaving soon section
Xbox Game Pass - Leaving Soon

When do games leave Game Pass?

With Game Pass, most games don't stay forever. The games typically leave Game Pass on the 15th and the last day of every month. Games typically stay on Game Pass for 12 to 18 months. Still, it varies depending on certain factors such as popularity, exclusivity, licensing issues, and developer priorities.


The stay time could range from 3 months for games like GTA to an indefinite period for first-party Microsoft games like Gears and Forza. Xbox provides a monthly list of games, leaving Game Pass to keep players informed. This ensures you know when your favorite game is about to leave, giving you ample time to play and complete it.


Players can check out the Xbox News Wire site for updates on upcoming games and games leaving the service.



How do I know when games will be leaving Game Pass?

The Game Pass and Xbox apps are the best options for seeing games that are leaving soon. The Xbox app has a Game Pass dashboard where one section is titled "Leaving Soon." This section lists all the games that are leaving in the next one to two weeks.


Sea of Thieves is one of hundreds of games available on Xbox Game Pass
Sea of Thieves on Xbox Game Pass

Do any games stay on Game Pass forever?

In general, the duration of games available on Game Pass is approximately one to one and a half years. However, there are exceptions where specific titles, such as Halo and Starfield from Microsoft's first-party lineup, may remain on the service for an extended period.


The good news is that games published by Microsoft, such as Gears and Forza, usually do not leave Xbox Game Pass. Popular games like Grand Theft Auto could stay on Game Pass for less time, like three to six months.


It's important to note that there isn't a fixed timeline for how long a game remains on Game Pass; it varies depending on the game. The Xbox news site sometimes reports games that are leaving soon. The Game Pass app will also mention if a game is leaving the service soon.


How Does Xbox Game Pass Work?

Xbox Game Pass is an online subscription service that gives players unlimited access to over 400 Xbox games for $9.99 a month for console or PC or $16.99 a month for both. Not only does Xbox Game Pass offer access to a wide range of classic and modern games, but they also have many Xbox exclusives on the day of their release. Additionally, you can get discounts on selected games in their library.


Subscribers can use their Xbox Game Pass subscriptions on multiple consoles under the same account. However, games cannot be played simultaneously. Microsoft is also testing plans allowing users to share their Game Pass subscriptions with friends and family (already available in some countries).


Although the Game Pass subscription is unavailable on PlayStation -- Android (mobile devices), PC, and Xbox system owners can enjoy the service.



Xbox Game Pass vs PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass are similar services. They both offer subscribers access to a wide selection of games. They both cost $9.99 per month. The main differences are that one is for Xbox consoles, and the other is for PCs. The other difference is that some games may be available on one service and not the other. This is mainly due to the game being unavailable on a console or PC.


How Long Do Games Stay On Game Pass Conclusion

Xbox Game Pass allows you to discover and play a growing library with hundreds of titles. You can play new Xbox Game Pass games as they launch and provide feedback that helps shape future Xbox Games. As a member, you also get discounts on select titles in the Xbox Store. If you love an Xbox game and want to buy it, you can purchase it through the game pass page in the Xbox Store. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also get an Xbox Live Gold Subscription, a reasonable cost saver.

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