As Good as Xbox Game Pass is, I'm Done Paying For It

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I had a good time with Game Pass, when I had it. The library of titles, from indie to AAA, is impressive. You can play classics too, from Xbox and Xbox 360. And I had a lot of fun playing silly titles like Goat Simulator 3 with my kids. But that still doesn’t change the fact that specific circumstances have turned Game Pass from a good deal to a waste on me.

I’m Tired of Paying for Another Subscription

In this day and age, everything wants you to pay a recurring subscription. Please save me from another subscription-based service. I’ve got Netflix and Max, and I use both pretty frequently. Way more than Game Pass, that’s for sure.

As good as a deal Game Pass is, I’m just not getting value out of it. And really, it’s only a good deal if you opt for the PC Game Pass. It’s like paying for the lowest tier of Netflix and putting up with ads all the time. If I pay for a subscription service, I want all the features, not just a slice.

It Burns My Urge to Game

xbox game pass ultimate catalog of games

Speaking of the Game Pass library, the smorgasbord of titles on there will definitely make you full. I got to try out some original Xbox games, a console I didn’t have growing up, like Psychonauts (and loved it). And then there’s the day one titles, giving me the ability to essentially demo games.

But you know what? It was putting a massive pressure on me. Rather than get excited over all the games, I started feeling like I needed to focus on Game Pass instead of what I was in the mood for. Not to mention some games having a limited run on the service, which just feeds into FOMO and that’s a party I don’t want an invitation to.

My Gaming Habits Have Changed Dramatically

My gaming habits have changed for the better. It’s not just because I have kids, although that’s a significant reason, but also how I approach games. I’m at the point where playing the new hotness isn’t all that interesting to me.

That means you’ll rarely ever see me in line for a new release, outside of needing to do my job. I’ve been playing single-player games more than ever before, too. It works perfectly for me because I’m playing at my own rate.

In fact, the games I play more often are ones from 10 or so years ago. And when I do buy a game, it’s usually indie, with a smattering of AA and AAA. When I do dip into the higher budget games, it’s never live service or multiplayer titles.

I’m More Concerned with Preservation

Most important of all, Game Pass doesn’t fit my big move towards preservation. I detest this popularity with digital games, especially on consoles. At least when I buy a game from GOG, I have a way of making backups as many times as I need.

At the end of the day, I like owning my games. I make it a point to buy physical discs as often as I can. I also want my support for a game to come from my copy, not because I played it on Game Pass for essentially pennies.