Throughout all of 2021, Microsoft has added over $6,000 worth of games to its Xbox Game Pass service, according to an accumulation of prices from the Microsoft Store. This in turn has transformed the Xbox Game Pass service into almost a necessity when it comes to owning an Xbox console or PC.
The people over at The Loadout sat down and put the calculations together from the Microsoft Store prices, and ultimately came up with an exact total of $6,317.35 worth of games to be found on Xbox Game Pass. The team commented and said that this proves just have much value can found in Xbox's subscription service and that this number will grow exponentially by this time next year. Indeed, with the (hopeful) release of high-profile Xbox exclusives and what is sure to be more surprise third-party launch-day agreements with Xbox, the service is on track to really up its game in the new year.
The Loadout also claims that March 2021 was the month this past year that offered the most value at any one time. This coincided with Xbox's acquisition of Bethesda and its many affiliated studios, which also brought almost every single major title from the company to Xbox Game Pass indefinitely. Interestingly, April was reported to be the quietest month with the selection of games only totaling out to $330.91. What's curious about this statistic is that April played host to the surprise release of Outriders on the service as well as other high-profile releases such as MLB The Show 21 (the franchise's first time on an Xbox console) and Grand Theft Auto 5.
Xbox Game Pass has enjoyed an incredible 12 months, and while Xbox and Microsoft seem reticent to give out hard subscriber numbers, the service has without a doubt grown its number of users in 2021. Along with the release of surprise Xbox Game Pass hits like Outriders and MLB The Show 21, Xbox exclusives Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite were the flag-bearers for the value of the service. If 2022 can deliver surefire hits such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 a along with quality third-party titles, it will be another landmark year for the service.
It will be interesting to see if Sony's PlayStation competitor to Game Pass will be something to note of in the coming year as the company looks to ape Microsoft in its streaming strategy. If Sony can really allow its back catalog to be mostly fully available, it may stand a fighting chance of standing up to Xbox's ever-growing behemoth.
Source: The Loadout