Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service launched by Microsoft on June 1, 2017, offering a rotating library of downloadable games across consoles, PC, mobile, and cloud platforms. The service is available in several tiers, including the standard Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and the premium Game Pass Ultimate, which bundles both services with Xbox Cloud Gaming and online multiplayer benefits. A defining feature is that all new first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard are available on the service day-one of their release, alongside partnerships with EA Play and Ubisoft+. The concept originated from Phil Spencer's vision to revitalize the Xbox brand, inspired by streaming services like Netflix, and was first tested with Rare's Sea of Thieves to prove the subscription model's viability. On September 14, 2023, the service absorbed the legacy Xbox Live Gold membership, replacing it with a budget tier called Game Pass Core that offers a limited set of free titles. This strategic pivot reflects Microsoft's broader corporate push toward cloud-based services under CEO Satya Nadella, making Game Pass a central pillar of its gaming ecosystem.