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Xbox Game Pass Gets its Own Xbox One Home Tab

Say goodbye to the Entertainment tab and hello to the Game Pass tab. The Xbox game subscription service is proving very popular and that bodes well for Microsoft's next generation hardware plans.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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As Microsoft discovered over this past year, if you embrace a Netflix-style subscription service for games on Xbox One, it's going to prove very popular with gamers. So popular, in fact, it's triggered a redesign for the Xbox One Home interface.

Xbox Game Pass Tab Small

The Xbox Game Pass subscription is now just over a year old. In return for $9.99 a month, it allows Xbox owners to put on some headphones, sit back, relax, and play over 100 games as much as they like while their subscription remains active. Microsoft also promises to add all new and exclusive Xbox games to Game Pass on launch day.

As Xbox Wire reports, the feedback Microsoft received regarding the service is that subscribers want faster access to Game Pass on their consoles, but also an easier time discovering what games are available. Microsoft's response to this is a removal of the Entertainment tab on the Xbox One Home screen in favor of a Game Pass tab.

The new interface layout has been in testing with Xbox Insiders since June and was met with "overwhelmingly positive feedback" so Microsoft is rolling it out quickly worldwide.

Discoverability is thought to be much improved, with popular titles being up-leveled, new games added to the service are clearly highlighted, and deals on games and DLC exclusive to members get spotlights. There's also a game recommendation system which suggests new games based on what you have been playing recently.

Xbox Game Pass proving to be very popular is important for Microsoft if the rumors of what it has planned for the next generation of Xbox hardware are true. Two consoles are expected, with one being a streaming box that would rely on a subscription for access to games. Chances are, that subscription is Xbox Game Pass in expanded form.

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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