Meta Horizon+ adds Xbox Game Pass Starter to Quest subscription

Meta has expanded the benefits of its Horizon+ subscription by adding Xbox Game Pass Starter for eligible subscribers at no additional cost. The new offering gives Meta Quest headset owners access to a library of more than 50 Xbox games, further strengthening the long-running partnership between Meta and Microsoft.

The addition means Horizon+ members can stream a selection of Xbox titles directly on their virtual reality headsets while also downloading supported games to a Windows PC or Xbox console. The bundled Game Pass Starter membership includes 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, allowing subscribers to play across multiple devices using a single account.

Rather than introducing a separate subscription, the companies have integrated the Starter tier into the existing Horizon+ service. This approach expands the value of the subscription while giving Quest users another way to access Xbox content without purchasing an additional Game Pass plan. The move also follows Microsoft’s wider strategy of making Xbox games available across a growing range of devices beyond its own consoles.

Horizon+ subscribers gain access to more Xbox games

The bundled Game Pass Starter catalogue includes more than 50 titles covering a wide range of genres. Players can access games such as Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Grounded, Overcooked 2, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic and SnowRunner. The library combines major releases with popular independent games, giving subscribers a broader selection alongside Horizon+’s existing catalogue of virtual reality experiences.

Subscribers can stream supported games to their Quest headset using cloud gaming for up to 10 hours each month. Games can also be downloaded to a compatible PC or Xbox console without the cloud gaming time limit, allowing users to continue playing locally whenever they choose. Cloud saves are supported, making it possible to resume progress seamlessly across Quest headsets, Xbox consoles, PCs and other compatible devices linked to the same Microsoft account.

The Starter membership also includes online multiplayer support for cloud and PC gaming where available. In addition, players can stream selected games they already own through compatible services and earn Microsoft Rewards while playing eligible titles. These features are intended to provide a more connected gaming experience regardless of which supported device is being used.

Microsoft said the new benefit builds on its existing collaboration with Meta and offers subscribers another way to discover games across platforms. The company described the service as providing access to “50+ games, 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, and Rewards for playing.”

Quest gaming experience continues to improve

Streaming Xbox games through a Meta Quest headset offers several display options designed to recreate the feel of playing on a large television. Users can choose from different virtual screen sizes, including one that appears as large as 26 feet. At the same time, an Xbox-themed immersive environment provides a dedicated space for gameplay inside virtual reality.

Players can use a traditional Bluetooth-compatible controller to play supported Xbox games on Quest. Meta has also confirmed that, in the coming weeks, Quest Touch controllers will gain the ability to emulate an Xbox gamepad. This feature is expected to simplify gaming for users who do not own a separate controller while making Xbox titles more accessible within the headset ecosystem.

The latest announcement builds on a partnership that has been evolving for several years. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have already been able to stream games through Meta Quest headsets, giving players access to console-style experiences in a virtual environment. The addition of the Starter tier extends that relationship by making a selection of Game Pass content available directly through the Horizon+ subscription instead of requiring the higher-priced Ultimate membership.

The move also follows Microsoft’s recent expansion of the Game Pass Starter programme through other subscription services. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Discord to include the same Starter edition with eligible Discord Nitro memberships. By extending the benefit to Horizon+ subscribers, Microsoft continues its strategy of reaching players across multiple platforms while encouraging broader adoption of Xbox services beyond dedicated gaming hardware.