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Alexa Can Now Download Xbox Game Pass Games to Your Console

Subscribers can also find out what’s popular, what’s new, and what’s leaving the service by asking Alexa.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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If the convenience of Xbox Game Pass wasn't enough already, Amazon is making it even easier to select and install the next game to play using the service.

Today, Amazon announced it has partnered with Microsoft to add a new feature to the Xbox Alexa skill. It's now possible to ask Alexa to download specific games to your console, simply by saying, "Alexa, download (game) from Xbox Game Pass." This should work anywhere Alexa is available, be it at home using an Echo smart speaker, in your Echo Auto-equipped car, or wearing your Echo Buds.

With over 100 games available to play on Xbox Game Pass it can be difficult choosing which one to play next. You may decide on the next one after watching a YouTube video or reading about it on a gaming website, but at that point you're probably not near your console. With this Alexa skill option, you can have the game prepared for you then and there. It doesn't get much more convenient than that.

For now, the new feature is limited to US customers, but Amazon is promising to roll it out to other territories soon. To initiate game downloads, your account needs to be linked through the Alexa app. However, without account linking it's still possible to ask what’s popular, what’s new, what’s leaving Xbox Game Pass, or if a specific game is available, so it's useful simply as an information resource, too.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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