A season pass does not mean you only own the game for one year. A season pass is normally a DLC bundle – you pay once and you receive a set of extra content drops as they are released. What confuses people is the word season. In gaming, it often refers to a release plan (for example, Year 1 content) – not a time limit on your access to the base game.

Your questions – answered clearly

• Does a season pass mean I own the game for one year only? No – it is not a rental. It is typically a one-time purchase for DLC.
• Do I keep the base game forever? Usually yes in practical terms – but on digital platforms you are buying a license to use the game, not legal ownership of a copy.
• Do I keep the DLC forever? If the DLC is part of the season pass, you normally keep access to that DLC permanently as well – it does not expire just because Year 1 ends.
• Why do people say you do not own games on Steam? Because Steam’s terms state the content and services are licensed, not sold – meaning you get usage rights, not title/ownership.

What a season pass actually gives you

A season pass is usually sold as a discounted package for current and future DLC tied to a specific game. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

• You get access to DLC covered by that pass – often story expansions, missions, characters, or cosmetic packs.
• The DLC arrives over time – you do not necessarily get everything on day one.
• The pass covers only what is listed for that pass – it is not automatically “all future content”.

Why some passes mention Year 1

Many publishers use labels like Year 1 Pass or Season Pass to mean the same thing – a bundle that covers the first wave of post-launch releases. The key point:

• Year 1 describes the release window – which DLC drops are included.
• It does not describe how long you can play – you keep the content you received.

Season pass vs battle pass – this is where the one-year confusion comes from

A season pass is usually permanent DLC access. A battle pass is often time-limited progression.

• Season pass – you buy DLC access, and it stays in your library.
• Battle pass – you buy a seasonal reward track, you earn rewards during a limited season, and some rewards may be missable if you do not play in time.

What to check before buying a season pass

• What exactly is included – named DLC packs, a clear list, or a roadmap.
• Whether your edition already includes it – deluxe/gold/ultimate editions often bundle the pass.
• Whether it is a season pass or battle pass – they are different products.
• Platform restrictions – passes are typically tied to the platform account where you bought them.

About Steam – why it feels like you do not own it

On Steam (and most digital storefronts), you are not buying ownership in the old physical sense. You are receiving a license to access and use the game under the platform’s rules. Steam’s Subscriber Agreement states that the content and services are licensed, not sold, and that your license confers no title or ownership. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

What that means in plain terms:

• You can usually play indefinitely as long as your account remains in good standing and the service continues to provide access.
• Access is not the same as ownership – the platform can theoretically remove access in certain cases covered by its terms.
• Online-dependent games have an extra risk – if servers shut down, parts of the game can become unplayable even if you paid.