The Xbox One introduced the Xbox Game Pass subscription service in 2017.
Microsoft launched Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One on June 1, 2017, giving subscribers access to a rotating library of downloadable console games for a monthly fee. The service initially focused on Xbox One and backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles.
Game Pass later expanded across Microsoft’s ecosystem. Xbox Game Pass for PC launched in 2019, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combined console, PC, and cloud-gaming benefits. Microsoft also began placing its first-party games into the service at launch, making the subscription more significant than a conventional rental catalog.
The Xbox Series X and Series S support Game Pass, but they did not introduce it. Those consoles launched in 2020 and inherited the service as part of Microsoft’s broader platform strategy. The service’s catalog changes over time, so availability depends on the current subscription plan and region.