Google Play Pass is a $5 subscription service for premium apps and games

Apple Arcade hasn't even launched yet and already Google is on the ball testing out its own take on the service. Google Play Pass, the tech giant’s upcoming subscription service, has now entered its testing phase. For $5 a month, you get access to a host of premium, sometimes exclusive, games and apps.

The news first arrived thanks to Android Police, which received screenshots of the test version from a reader. You can clearly see some of the games that will be offered as well as the monthly cost of the service. There’s currently no ETA for Play Pass, though with Apple Arcade launching later this year, I’d be surprised if it’s any more than a couple of months away.

While they’re not exactly in direct competition – what with Apple Arcade being for iOS users and Play Pass being for Android – the existence of Google Play Pass has certainly complicated the question of where exactly I want to be doing the majority of my mobile gaming.

I’d previously been pretty much sold on Apple Arcade thanks to its hugely impressive line-up of developers and publishers, including Annapurna Interactive, Cartoon Network, Giant Squid, Klei Entertainment, ustwo games, SEGA, Konami, and LEGO.

By comparison, it’s looking like Google has nabbed the likes of Stardew Valley, Limbo, and Marvel Pinball. It’s worth noting that Play Pass will also include premium apps, whereas Apple Arcade is all about games.

From the screenshots, we can see that Google will offer a 10-day trial to new subscribers. With so many premium games and apps now costing way more than $5, Google Play Pass could end up offering decent value for money. I’m interested to see where they take it, even more so after hearing the promise of exclusive games and apps.