With Google’s game streaming service Stadia set to launch this Fall, the company appears to be looking into getting into the game subscription service business as well. First reported with screenshots by the website Android Police, the subscription service called ‘Play Pass’ will be tailored to Android devices and will reportedly cost $4.99 USD per month. When the site reached out to Google for a comment on the service, a spokesperson confirmed it is currently being tested.
Play Pass looks to be Google’s answer to Apple announcing their own game subscription service Apple Arcade earlier this year. However, while both have a focus on premium games, there is one major difference between the two subscription services. Google’s Play Pass will also include premium apps as part of the subscription service. A screenshot of an information excerpt reads:
Explore a curated catalog spanning puzzle games to premium music apps and everything in between. From action hits to puzzles and fitness trackers, with Google Play Pass you unlock access to hundreds of premium apps and games without ads, download fees or in-app purchases.
Though no games were confirmed for Play Pass by Google, screenshots reveal some major titles that look to be heading to the service when it launches. If the screenshots are to be believed, games such as Life is Strange, Monument Valley, Stardew Valley, Limbo, and Marvel Pinball will apparently be available on Play Pass. Unfortunately, no major apps that will be part of Play Pass could be discerned from the screenshots. It will be interesting to see what other games and apps will come to Play Pass.
There is currently no announced or possible window for when Google plans to launch Play Pass. Once the service does launch, there will be a free 10 day trial for users to try it out. There will also apparently be a family plan for multiple users to use Play Pass though no pricing was shown for that.