It started with games like World of Warcraft and eventually expanded to include services, such as Xbox Live Gold being a requirement for Xbox gaming online.

You can still find plenty of individual games that offer a monthly subscription, including WoW.

Then there are the service subscriptions, most of which give you unfettered access to a library of games alongside a handful of other features (such as streaming, cloud saves, and the like).

Annual subscription:!

Google Play Pass is a great place to start for new Android users or people who just want a 'greatest hits' of all the best games and apps.

Google Play Pass.

Google Play Pass is like a "greatest hits" of all the best older games – and apps.

Android users have a subscription service of their own in Google Play Pass.

Play Pass might be best suited to new Android users or people who just haven't picked up tons of popular apps and games over the years.

Online Xbox play still requires a Gold subscription?

Xbox Game Pass is basically a must-have if you only game on an Xbox but there's a lot here for PC players, too.

Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass is one of the more well-rounded subscriptions in gaming, with options for Xbox and PC users as well as upcoming streaming features.

Microsoft has gone out of its way to make sure Xbox owners know that Game Pass is basically unavoidable.

You do get a library of more than 250 games to choose from, and the list spans both Microsoft-published originals as well as Xbox favorites from outside publishers.

The big draw is Xbox Game Pass subscribers being able to count on having access to any Microsoft-published game or Xbox exclusive right when it comes out.

Xbox Game Pass also comes with the bonus of many Xbox games supporting "Play Anywhere," meaning you can download and install them if your PC supports it.

Alternatively, there's a separate "PC Game Pass" subscription, as well as a combo $14.99/month "Ultimate" subscription that gives you both of the Game Passes, along with an Xbox Live Gold subscription (normally $9.99/month, you'd need it to play online with an Xbox console).

Eventually Game Pass will offer streaming services as well, from both your console and the cloud7

Streaming to PS4 and PC • 800+ games span multiple generations • No need for PS Plus on PS Now games • Annual subscription cuts price in half.

Annual subscription:.

Sony doesn't give you every new PlayStation original on day one like Xbox Game Pass does.

One final thing to note: While Sony does require a PlayStation Plus subscription for online gaming (just like Xbox Live Gold), you don't need PS Plus for PS Now games.

Anything you can get from your Now subscription lets you play online, whether or not you're a Plus subscriber.

Cloud saves for many of your games • Access to a library of NES and SNES games • Low annual cost.

Nintendo Switch Online is necessary if you want to be able to back up your save data, but the low annual subscription price and addition of free games and online play sweetens the deal.

Annual subscription:.

Annual family subscription (up to 8):.

If the answer to that question is "yes" then Nintendo Switch Online is worth the $20 annual commitment.

Subscribers can download a pair of Switch apps that let you access a library of around 100 NES and SNES games.

Subscribers also have the ability to play multiplayer Switch games online (provided the game supports it) and will sometimes receive special offers from Nintendo.

EA Access is a good, reasonably priced subscription for EA fans but PC gamers get the most value by far.

Annual subscription - Console or PC (Basic):.

Annual subscription - PC (Premier):.

The basics of EA Access are simple: You get free access to a library of "vault" games, the ability to check out new and upcoming games for up to 10 hours, and a 10 percent discount on all Electronic Arts purchases.

PC is also the only place you can upgrade to "Premier" membership, which replaces 10-hour trials with unlimited access to all EA games, new and old, along with any add-ons

EA Access and its Origin equivalents are obviously good choices for fans of EA games

But if you're looking for a subscription that gets you all the latest games, Origin Access Premier is your only choice

Day one access to all new Ubisoft games • Includes all add-ons and bonus content • Guaranteed beta access

The $14.99/month subscription also includes access to a library of all the Ubisoft games and extra content

This is a great deal if must play every single Ubisoft game, and you play them on PC

Lite subscription (monthly / annual):

Basic subscription (monthly / annual):

Premium subscription (monthly / annual):

The big differentiating point: Any games you get from Humble during a subscription are yours to keep, even if that subscription lapses

The simplest "Lite" subscription lets you grab anything (and everything) from a "Humble Trove" library, which consists of close to 100 games

In addition to the Humble Trove and discount, stepping up to the "Basic" subscription also lets you choose from a selection of yours-to-keep games every month

That monthly selection is curated by Humble and usually consists of 10-15 games that are, for whatever reason, bigger and buzzier than what you'll find in the Trove

Humble Choice is a good option (again, for PC only) if you have varied tastes and an open mind about games but would rather take recommendations on what to play

Massive library of more than 1,000 games • You don't need a ton of storage for each game

Utomik sets you up with a huge library of games to play and it won't use up much storage space, but it's missing some major titles

Utomik may not have the biggest games or the top publishers, but it offers a huge library filled with indies and all manner of hidden gems

It's not quite a streaming service, but you're also not installing full games

So you never use more than a certain amount of storage for each game, and since it's all running on your home hardware you don't have to worry (as much) about streaming bandwidth

Stadia's promising game streaming technology isn't enough on its own to make the service appealing for anyone other than tech early adopters

Stadia is Google's game streaming service and it's best described as a work in progress

There's not much in the store yet, but not every game you'll find there is part of that Pro subscription

Shadow is a great option for people who aren't quite ready to buy a new PC but don't mind spending a little more for top-quality game streaming

Monthly subscription (with annual commitment):

If streaming your games seems appealing, you might want to give Shadow a peek

Your subscription pays for what is essentially a gaming PC rental that streams games to an app you install in Windows, MacOS, or Linux on PC; as well as Android, iOS, Apple TV, or Android TV

It's pricier than Stadia, with a monthly subscription starting at $12.99 – though that's an introductory price, and available only if you commit to an annual plan

It won't ever come home to you, but it also won't be streaming multiple games to multiple people all at once

Shadow is something to consider if you've got great internet at home and a desire to play PC games that your current machine can't handle

Cheap game streaming for Windows, Mac, and Nvidia Shield • Works with your games library • Free option lets you try it out first

Some major games disappeared once the beta ended • Four-hour "premium" play window might be too small for some

GeForce Now is a cheap game streaming service that works with your personal library and can be tried for free

GeForce Now brings game streaming to everyone with reasonable subscription pricing and a free option, but you have to supply the games

GeForce Now is the newest player on the game subscriptions scene, and it's another streaming service

There's no ready-made games library for subscribers, it's just streaming

For free and paid subscribers both, any game you play comes from your personal library