Microsoft launched the Xbox Game Pass subscription service in 2017. The service officially launched on June 1, 2017, giving subscribers access to a rotating catalog of downloadable Xbox games.
Microsoft first announced Game Pass on February 28, 2017, and initially tested it with selected members of the Xbox Insider community. After that testing period, the service opened to a wider audience during the second quarter of the year. This distinction explains why some references mention February while the launch date is listed as June.
Game Pass was designed as a game-library subscription rather than a single-game purchase. Subscribers can play titles while they remain in the catalog and while their membership is active. The service later expanded to include PC Game Pass, cloud gaming, and higher tiers combining console, PC, and online benefits.
Another important milestone came in January 2018, when Microsoft announced that new Xbox first-party games would be added to Game Pass on their release date. The service should not be confused with Xbox Live Gold, which was a separate online multiplayer and benefits program before its later integration into the Game Pass family.