Xbox Game Pass subscriptions hit 10 million

Pay-monthly service sees huge surge in players and gaming time due to Coronavirus lockdown

Microsoft has announced that its Xbox Game Pass subscription service has passed 10 million members. The initiative, which adopts a similar model to Netflix and other streaming platforms, gives subscribers unlimited access to more than 100 Xbox and PC games for a monthly fee.

Commenting on the figure, Xbox chief Phil Spencer said that use of Game Pass, as well as the company's online multiplayer gaming service Xbox Live, had increased substantially in recent weeks due to Covid-19. Since March, Xbox Game Pass members have added over 23 million friends on Xbox Live, which is a 70% growth in friendship rate," he said. Game Pass members are also playing twice as much and engaging in more multiplayer gaming, which has increased by 130%."