E3 2021 is right around the corner, and as usual, it's expected to have all kinds of major gaming announcements. While most gamers may be tuning in to E3 to see new game reveals, others may be more interested in seeing other announcements. In particular, fans may be excited to see if Microsoft uses E3 2021 to hype up its increasingly popular Xbox Game Pass service.
Xbox Game Pass has been a major focus for Microsoft in recent years, and it will continue to be a main pillar of its games industry strategy moving forward. Considering this, it's highly likely that Microsoft will use its platform at E3 2021 to highlight Xbox Game Pass. This could include reminding fans what Xbox Game Pass already brings to the table, as well as what else Microsoft is doing to make it a must-have service.
Here are some ways E3 2021 could be huge for Xbox Game Pass.
Ubisoft+
While the base Xbox Game Pass certainly has its merits, those with an Xbox can get the best deal possible by signing up for the slightly more expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. For an additional $5 per month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all of the benefits of a base Xbox Game Pass subscription in addition to Xbox Live Gold features and access to even more free games, like all of the titles included in the EA Play library.
The free EA Play games and the other benefits associated with the service go a long way in making Xbox Game Pass Ultimate a worthwhile service. And rumor has it that Microsoft is looking to bolster Xbox Game Pass Ultimate even further by adding a ton of Ubisoft games to the service through the Ubisoft+ subscription service. For the uninitiated, Ubisoft+ is essentially the same concept as EA Play or Xbox Game Pass - it gives players instant access to various games in Ubisoft's library in exchange for a low monthly fee.
If Ubisoft+ is coming to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as has been rumored for some time now, it would be huge for Xbox to make the announcement at E3 2021. The E3 2021 spotlight would make many more gamers aware of all the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits, and for some, the addition of Ubisoft games could be what finally gets them to break down and sign up for the service. It would also generate quite a bit of buzz for Xbox Game Pass in a general sense.
Of course, it's always possible that the rumors about Ubisoft+ coming to Xbox Game Pass aren't true, and so fans should keep that in mind. But even if Ubisoft+ integration for Xbox Game Pass isn't announced at E3, the show should still be huge for the service.
Xbox Exclusives
Microsoft and Bethesda are hosting a joint press conference at E3 2021 where the two companies will have about 90 minutes to showcase their major upcoming games. This will include Xbox console exclusives that are in development, like Halo Infinite. Originally meant to launch alongside the Xbox Series X last year, fans are still waiting to see Halo Infinite's multiplayer in action, as well as more campaign footage, so hopefully some big reveals for the game take place at E3.
Halo Infinite is going to be a huge boon for Xbox Game Pass when it launches later this year, as will the many other Xbox console exclusive games that are in the works. Starfield from Bethesda is another huge Xbox console exclusive that's in development and is expected to be showcased at E3 2021. All Bethesda games are coming to Xbox Game Pass the day that they launch, so if Starfield has an impressive showing, it too should give Xbox Game Pass a significant boost.
As it stands, Microsoft has kept most of its E3 2021 presentation secret, and so there will likely be many other Xbox console exclusives in the works that will be shown at the big show next week that will also be coming to Xbox Game Pass. Anyone interested should be sure to tune in to the Xbox/Bethesda joint E3 2021 press conference when it goes live on Sunday, June 13 at 10am PT.
Other Xbox Game Pass Surprises
E3 2021 could have all kinds of surprises relating to Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft's big focus these past couple of years has been pushing Xbox Game Pass as much as possible, and that trend will undoubtedly continue at E3 2021. Besides Xbox console exclusives, it's possible that major multiplatform games will also be confirmed for Game Pass. Another possibility is that some other new perks and benefits for Xbox Game Pass could be revealed at the show.
Something else fans may be able to look forward to is a deal for Xbox Game Pass new subscribers. In the past, Microsoft has used E3 to heavily discount Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to draw in new subscribers, and it's certainly possible that it will do something similar at this year's E3 as well. Xbox fans will just have to tune in to E3 to find out.