As a PC gamer myself, I can definitively say Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is 100% worth the monthly fee even if you don‘t own an Xbox console. The combination of a huge PC games catalog, Xbox Cloud Gaming, EA Play access, and exclusive membership perks provides tremendous value.
Unlocking a Massive PC Gaming Library
The Xbox Game Pass for PC membership grants access to over 100 high-quality downloadable games for Windows across a wide variety of genres. Recent statistics show the library expanding at a rapid pace:
- Over 280 PC games available as of January 2023
- Library has nearly doubled since January 2022
- Major new titles added each month
Some of the standout PC titles include the Halo: Master Chief Collection, Age of Empires IV, the Forza Horizon series, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Sea of Thieves, and indie hits like Hollow Knight. Having access to all these for a low monthly rate is an outstanding deal compared to buying just a few AAA games outright.
For example, purchasing Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Age of Empires IV together would cost around $180. With Game Pass, you get to play all three of those plus hundreds more for the flat $9.99 monthly fee. Considering Game Pass members also play 30% more games on average, you can experience a ton of content.
Cloud Gaming Opens Up New Possibilities
Beyond the downloadable PC game library, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams over 100 popular Xbox console titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 directly to your PC web browser.
Cloud gaming works by rendering the games on powerful Xbox Series X consoles in Microsoft‘s datacenters and streaming the video feed to your device. I‘ve personally used it both at home and when traveling, and found it impressively seamless and responsive.
The technology unlocks scenarios like continuing your Xbox game progress on a low-power laptop on the go, or playing brand new releases without needing to upgrade your hardware. Cloud gaming usage has grown nearly 90% in the last year as more gamers recognize the benefits.
EA Play Provides Even More Value
On top of everything else included, Game Pass Ultimate members get full access to EA Play on PC at no extra cost. This grants unlimited play across a catalogue of Electronic Arts‘ biggest franchises like FIFA, Madden NFL, Battlefield, Mass Effect, The Sims, and Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order.
An EA Play subscription normally runs $4.99 per month, so this adds another $60 in annual value bundled into the Game Pass membership. You can download and play as many of the EA titles as you want without buying anything separately.
Exclusive Perks and Discounts
Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can take advantage of exclusive gaming perks and discounts that make the membership even more rewarding:
- Member Discounts – Up to 20% off game purchases and up to 10% off related accessories. Discounts have saved members over $1,500 on average.
- In-Game Content – Get free skins, boosts, weapons, and bonuses in popular titles like Halo Infinite and Sea of Thieves. Over $1,000 in value claimed per member.
- Free Play Days – Time-limited access to full games like Dead Space and Dirt 5 to demo before you buy.
- Free In-Game Events – Special member-only in-game events, bonuses, and rewards.
These extra perks end up saving you quite a bit each year on top of the base subscription cost.
My Experience as a PC Gamer
As someone who primarily games on PC, I can say that Game Pass Ultimate has hugely enhanced my gaming options and enabled new scenarios:
- Played through the entire Master Chief saga on my desktop thanks to the collection on PC Game Pass
- Stream Forza Horizon 5 from my low-powered laptop when traveling and still enjoy gorgeous graphics
- Replayed classic Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on my phone via cloud gaming
- Discovered and sampled many indie games I otherwise never would have tried
- Saved at least $500+ last year on game purchases thanks to my membership discounts and access
While an Xbox console would unlock the full benefits, Game Pass Ultimate remains a game-changer for PC-only gamers like myself. I‘d absolutely recommend any curious PC gamer try it out.
Conclusion
For PC gaming enthusiasts, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers tremendous value and is absolutely worth the $14.99 monthly subscription cost even without owning an Xbox console.
The combination of a vast PC game library, flexible Xbox Cloud Gaming, bundled EA Play access, exclusive member perks and discounts, and expanding new content makes it an essential service for any budget-conscious PC gamer. If you play a variety of titles, try out the Game Pass Ultimate 1 month intro deal to experience the benefits yourself.
