Microsoft launched Xbox Game Pass in June 2017. This video game subscription service allows users to install and play Xbox games (not just Xbox One ones, there are titles from the Xbox 360 and even the original Xbox) , with over 230 games currently available, a number that is constantly growing. Often called 'The Netflix of video games', the service has been improving its offering, but now the project will go beyond it's initial focus. Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, announced during an investor meeting that Xbox Game Pass will come to PCs soon.

Nadella gave no further details, so we still don't know what games will be included on that service or the subscription price (currently $9.99/month), but the announcement is promising and another sign that the company is moving forward to expand their reach and, of course, their earnings. On the latest earnings release (FY19 Q1) Microsoft pointed out how gaming revenue "increased 44% with Xbox software and services revenue growth of 36% mainly from third-party title strength". This move could make that growth go even higher, and it joins other recent announcements that could improve Microsoft's role in this market.Lately we've seen at least two smart moves from Redmond. The first one, the mouse and keyboard support for the Xbox One. This feature will arrive soon and will allow players to take advantage of these peripherals though there are critical voices that warn about an unfair situation for 'classic' gamers. The second, Microsoft effort to gave users an optional cross-play experience. The Play Anywhere titles allow Windows 10 PC and Xbox One players to enjoy online matches together amongst other things. Initiatives such the one led by Fornite's global cross-play (even Sony had to surrender) make the future look really interesting: players will play with (or against) other players on different platforms, with developers hopefully adjusting matchmaking to avoid unfair matches unless the players explicitly choose to go that way.

Xbox Game Pass won't be the only option on the market: Origin Access is an existing alternative that includes over 50 Electronic Arts games (there's an Xbox One version called EA Access), but we have also the elephant in the room: Steam, which doesn't have a subscription model and according to some people, won't ever have. Microsoft has some advantages on his strategy, but the problem for Microsoft could be not what they have on their game catalog, but precisely what they don't have. We'll have to wait and see if that version of Xbox Game Pass -the name should change, we guess- goes beyond what its current console service has gone, but the idea seems at least promising.