How does MS game pass work

[Yonbi-illidan (Yonbi)]

So can someone explain microsoft’s game pass to me? I have a vague understanding but have some questions…

1. Is game pass basically MS’ Netflix for games?
2. Am I downloading the games and playing them locally, or are they streamed via the cloud?
3. Do I keep the games when they rotate in/out? Or is it some kind of DRM where I can no longer play them once they rotate out?
4. Do I own any of these games, or do I have to pay extra to buy them?
5. Is it sort of like Epic Games where occasionally you get a free game to own, or more like steam (a launcher for games you buy from them)?

[Irrenhaus-the-underbog (Irrenhaus)]

@Yonbi-illidan

Is game pass basically MS’ Netflix for games?

Yes.

@Yonbi-illidan

• Am I downloading the games and playing them locally, or are they streamed via the cloud?

Playing locally. There’s a different thing called xbox cloud gaming. https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/cloud-gaming

@Yonbi-illidan

Do I keep the games when they rotate in/out? Or is it some kind of DRM where I can no longer play them once they rotate out?

You don’t keep them, but I think they give out discounts if you want to buy it to keep it as an incentive.

@Yonbi-illidan

Do I own any of these games, or do I have to pay extra to buy them?

You don’t own them, it’s just like Netflix.

@Yonbi-illidan

Is it sort of like Epic Games where occasionally you get a free game to own, or more like steam (a launcher for games you buy from them)?

It does not work like that, no. But on the actual xbox console if you’re subscribed to xbox gold they give out free games.