Google officially launches Play Pass – a $4.99 Apple Arcade competitor

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It seems that 2019 is the year of the subscription service, with Google now rolling out Play Pass. It’s a direct competitor to Apple Arcade, with over 350 games and apps, all with no advertising, no locked content, and no extra fees.

Oh, and it has Josiah’s favorite game in it, Stardew Valley. That might be enough to make him ditch his iPhone…

Google’s Play Pass is coming to take on the mighty Apple Arcade

This feels like a trial run from Google, with a different take on Apple Arcade. There are no exclusives, for a start – everything in Play Pass is available in the Play Store. It’s US-only for now, when Apple’s offering launched in 150+ countries.

And well… Android users aren’t the best case for subscriptions, as there’s a huge sideloading community of pirated apps.

Here’s what you need to know about Play Pass:

• 350+ unlocked premium Android apps and games, for $4.99 a month
• There’s a 10-day free trial
• Just like your normal library, Google Play Pass can be shared with up to five family members
• It’s US-only at launch

If you’re a mobile gamer, you should totally subscribe early. Google will be discounting the subscription cost for early adopters, to $1.99 per month, for the first 12 months you use it. You’ll have to sign up before October 10th though.

What do you think? Interested in Google’s Play Pass? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Sony is working with the UN to fight climate change with the PlayStation 5
• Untitled Goose Game lets you play as an asshole bird and it’s out now

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.