Xbox Game Pass
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Game Pass.
Latest coverage
More than 40% of people cancelling Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions blame rising costs
New data from Circana indicates that over 40% of US consumers cancelling Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions cite rising costs as the primary reason. While the overall number of cancellations may not be increasing, the perceived value for money is declining for many users, leading them to discontinue their subscriptions.
Gears Of War: E-Day Has A Smash Mouth-Inspired Achievement, And That’s Fantastic
Gears of War: E-Day will feature a "HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL STAR…" achievement inspired by Smash Mouth's "All Star," famously used in Shrek. The game is set to release on October 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. The article also touches on Microsoft's recent studio closures and game cancellations, and mentions a rumored but denied PlayStation 5 version.
Fall’s Video Game Release Slate Is Intimidatingly Good And Completely Doomed
The Fall 2026 video game release schedule is packed with highly anticipated titles, but this glut is predicted to cause a 'bloodbath' in the industry. Intense competition for consumer dollars and a worsening global economy are expected to lead to significant underperformance, layoffs, and potential studio closures, particularly for smaller developers. Even major publishers may struggle to navigate the crowded market, with few likely to emerge unscathed.
Free Play Days – EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several titles including EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves. EA Sports College Football 27 and The Survivalists have specific availability windows, with The Survivalists requiring Xbox Game Pass membership, while The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves are available as two-hour timed trials for all Xbox members.
Releasing Cyberpunk 2077 In Its Poor State “Was For Sure Wrong,” CD Projekt Admits
CD Projekt joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski admitted that releasing Cyberpunk 2077 in its poor technical state in December 2020 was "for sure wrong." He cited team exhaustion and external pressure as factors, but pushed back against the idea that investors forced the launch. Despite the rocky start, the game has since sold over 40 million copies and received significant improvements.
Xbox Game Pass Removes Cyberpunk 2077 And 9 Other Games Very Soon
Cyberpunk 2077 and nine other games, including Dead Cells, Frostpunk 2, and Spiritfarer, will be removed from Xbox Game Pass on September 15. Cyberpunk 2077 was added to the service in March and is now departing after a six-month period.
Take The Plunge With Shelldiver On Xbox Game Pass
Shelldiver, an incremental adventure game where players control a turtle catching jellyfish in a submarine, is now available on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Developed and published by Gagonfe, the game features resource gathering, submarine upgrades, and a branching skill tree, offering a charming and engaging experience for subscribers.
Rebuilding Better Together for the 1.0 Launch of Young Suns
Young Suns, a 1-to-4 player cozy narrative life sim developed by KO_OP, is launching its 1.0 version after a period in Game Preview. The update introduces twelve new moonlets, new quests, character customization options, and faction alignment systems. The developers emphasize community feedback in shaping the game's post-revolution setting on Jupiter.
Free Play Days – Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta, Control Ultimate Edition, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and More
Xbox is offering Free Play Days featuring Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4's open beta, Control Ultimate Edition, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Additionally, Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker and ARK: Survival Ascended are available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members. The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 open beta runs from August 28 to September 1, with a level cap of 30 and earnable rewards.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Exits Xbox Game Pass August 31 — And The Timing Is Odd
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition will be removed from Xbox Game Pass on August 31, 2026, after a six-month tenure on the service. This departure is considered unusual, especially with new DLC planned for the game. CD Projekt Red may be encouraging direct purchases ahead of the upcoming expansion, though players can utilize cross-save functionality to continue their progress on other platforms.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is coming to XBOX Game Pass | 15 September
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is coming to Xbox Game Pass on September 15. This announcement indicates an expansion of the popular MMORPG's reach through a major subscription service.
Five Games Exit Xbox Game Pass On August 31 — Including The Witcher 3 Remastered
Five games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition, will be removed from Xbox Game Pass on August 31. Microsoft confirmed the departures, which are typical for subscription services as contracts expire and new titles are added. NBA 2K26 will also leave on September 6.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds Confirmed for Day One Xbox Game Pass Launch
Developer Jagex has announced that RuneScape: Dragonwilds will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one next month. This marks a significant expansion for the long-running MMORPG, bringing it to a new audience via the subscription service.
Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 2 Lineup Announced
Microsoft has revealed the lineup for the second wave of Xbox Game Pass titles in August 2026. The announcement includes several games that will be available on day one of their release.
Xbox Game Pass Reveals Its Next Wave Of August 2026 Games
Xbox Game Pass has revealed its second wave of games for August, including several day-one releases available on PC and Xbox Series X. Notable additions include Egging On, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, and Starsand Island. The service will also lose The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on August 31.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Vapor World: Over the Mind, Blood Dungeon, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles to its library, including day-one releases like Vapor World: Over the Mind, Blood Dungeon, and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. The service will also see new additions such as Egging On, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, Relooted, Starsand Island, Aerial_Knight’s DropShot, Young Suns, and Shelldiver. Additionally, Wolfenstein 3D and Once Human are receiving in-game benefits for Game Pass subscribers, while several games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered Edition and NBA 2K26, will be leaving the service soon.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 14: Choices Matter Festival
This article highlights various PC game deals available over the weekend from multiple digital storefronts including Humble Store, Battle.net, Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, Green Man Gaming, and Humble Bundle. It also features the 'Choices Matter Festival' spotlighting games with significant player choices, such as the Life is Strange and The Walking Dead series.
The Future of Virtual Competition: Is Xbox Game Pass Primed to Launch the Next Big Esport?
This article analyzes the potential for Xbox Game Pass to foster the next major esport, highlighting how its subscription model lowers the barrier to entry for new multiplayer games. While services like Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, and Call of Duty already benefit from Game Pass integrations, the platform's true strength lies in providing a large player base for unproven titles. However, the article emphasizes that core game design, depth, and community building are still crucial for a game to achieve esport status, with Game Pass acting as a facilitator rather than a guarantee.
Ukie claims 'restrictive' subscription proposals could harm game businesses in the UK
The UK video game trade body Ukie is seeking clarification from the Labor government regarding new consumer subscription refund proposals. Ukie fears that a restrictive refund calculation could allow players to consume content exceeding the refund value, potentially harming UK game businesses and discouraging investment in subscription services.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes advancements in low-latency cloud gaming could significantly expand the market within three years. The article also highlights a critically acclaimed Soulslike game that has become a sleeper hit on Xbox Game Pass.