Google Play Pass: List of apps and games available - The Happy Android

If there were not enough subscription payment services, Google has just launched its own "Netflix-like" plan with which we can download a wide catalog of premium applications and games from the Play Store for a fixed price per month. The service is called Google Play Pass and it was just released this week.

The idea lands as a contrast to Apple Arcade, Apple's subscription service for mobile devices that just saw the light on September 19, with the difference that the latter only offers games and in Play Pass we can download both games and applications. Of course, Apple games are exclusive while in the case of the Play Pass we talk about content that is already available in the Google Play store (going through the box, of course).

Google Play Pass: this is how the Android “Netflix of apps” works

Currently, Google Play Pass has a catalog of 350 games and applications that we can download and install without any limit by paying a monthly subscription of $ 4.99. At the moment the service offers a free trial period of 10 days, although from October 10 we can register and pay only $ 1.99 during the first year. For now, the service is only available in the United States, although it is expected to reach the rest of the world in the not too distant future.

As far as the content itself is concerned, all games and apps are fully unlocked, and they do not offer ads or microtransactions. It is important to mention this, since not all the applications that appear in Play Pass are paid: some can be downloaded totally free without being subscribed (but they bring ads and in-game purchases).

Although right now there are only 350 titles in the portfolio, Google expects this figure to grow significantly as more developers join this new business model. If we are Android application developers, at this time we can only participate through an invitation, but we can request that they include us by filling out this form. Creator payments are made based on app usage percentage measurements, which is completely uncharted ground for developers, and it remains to be seen if it is a worthwhile and profitable system for content creators as well.

List of apps and games available on Google Play Pass

Let's get to the important thing: How are the games and apps offered by the Play Pass? Is it worth paying almost 5 euros for this every month? If we look at the catalog that the service currently offers we will see that there is quality. The fact that there has been a prior filtering by Google assures us that at least some minimums will be met and that any infected trash will not sneak up on us. Thus, we see that there are several very interesting and recognized games such as LIMBO, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Marvel Pinball, Stardew Valley or Space Marshalls.

As for the applications, we have from photo editors, players, recorders, audio editing tools, productivity tools and the occasional mythical app such as the great Tasker and AccuWeather. In addition to all this, there are also many educational apps and games for the little ones in the house: something to keep in mind, since subscription can be shared with up to 5 family members.

If we compare this service with the Apple Arcade, we see that it has its pros and cons. For one thing, we have apps in addition to games, which is great. But in the case of Apple we are talking about exclusive games (about 100 titles) that we are not supposed to be able to play anywhere else, and that are at a fairly high level. All this without considering that the most powerful games on the Play Pass are a few years old.

Taking all this into account, I am still not very clear about the success that a service like this can have, and if the subscription model format as in Spotify Premium or Netflix can be extrapolated to the world of apps. And it is that, in my case at least, when I buy an application I do it out of necessity or because it offers me something that I cannot find for free anywhere else (something that happens very rarely).

All of this also leads us to wonder how long users can hold out until the bubble bursts. If we are already paying for HBO, PS Plus, Amazon Music Unlimited and other services, there will undoubtedly come a time when the subscriber's pocket will not be able to give more of itself, and inevitably it will be time to start closing the blind. The question is whether by paying for all these subscriptions we are saving something or are we spending more and more money at the end of the month (instead of paying for the 2 or 3 things we really want).