What is a video game season pass, and what does it offer players? Below, we’ll explain what a season pass is and why you might want to purchase one for your favorite games. 
 

What is a season pass for games?

A season pass is an opportunity for players to purchase additional content for the games they enjoy. 
 

Advantages of season passes

A season pass lets you take full advantage of a game by enhancing and expanding its content. 

Season pass content varies from game to game, but it often includes future DLC, upgrades, cosmetics, and in-game currency. 
 

Season pass vs Battle Pass: What’s the difference?

Players who purchase a season pass or a Battle Pass both receive additional in-game content. The difference? Seasons passes are common with traditional, story-driven games, while Battle Passes are common in competitive, live-service, and free-to-play games. 

Let’s use actual games to illustrate the difference. 

Season pass

Buying a season pass gives players access to post-release content beyond what was available at a game’s launch. 

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla’s story-based campaign is its core feature. Finish the campaign, and you’ve effectively completed the game—but if you purchase the Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Season Pass, you’ll get more story to play through with two expansions, a new quest, and new gear. 

Similarly, developer Remedy Entertainment released the Control Season Pass, which bundled its two expansions together—and the season pass price offers a discount over buying the expansions separately. 

Battle Pass

Epic Games’ Fortnite is a perfect fit for a content-filled Battle Pass.

At a certain point after releasing story-driven games like Assassin's Creed or Control, developers finish their work and move on, and the era of creating significant new content for that specific game ends. 

Fortnite, on the other hand, is a living game. It’s always changing, growing, expanding, and receiving updates that give players new and exciting ways to play throughout each of the game’s seasons. 

Players who purchase the Fortnite Battle Pass receive access to the season’s content, cosmetics, and experiences, including character outfits, V-Bucks, and emotes. When a season ends, players can purchase the new Battle Pass for the game’s next season of new and updated content. 
 

Play your favorite season pass games on the Epic Games Store

If you want to get the most out of your favorite games, be sure to browse the Epic Games Store for season passes and battle passes, and make sure you check out the Epic Games Store's news page to catch up on the latest from all of your favorite developers about all of your favorite games.