Game Pass
Ongoing coverage on Game Pass.
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Games Inbox: Is the new Resident Evil the best video game movie ever?
Readers discuss the highly anticipated new Resident Evil movie, praising its critical reception and director Zach Cregger. Other topics include the high cost of next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 6, the value of Game Pass, and the merits of remaking classic games like Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Gears of War: E-Day Leads the Next Xbox Game Pass Wave
Xbox has announced new additions to its Game Pass service, including Gears of War: E-Day, which is set to release on October 6. The article notes that access to these games may vary depending on the specific Game Pass subscription tier.
Aniimo Takes Free Game Pass Creature Collecting Into A Vast Open World
Aniimo, a free-to-play open-world creature-collecting RPG, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, also available on Game Pass Day One. Developed by Pawprint Studio, the game features a unique 'Twining' mechanic allowing players to merge with creatures and utilize their abilities. It also includes competitive multiplayer modes and home-building elements, with a mobile release planned for September 23rd.
Xbox Doesn’t “Have Any Changes to Announce” For Game Pass Following Leak About Losing Day-One Games
Xbox has stated that there are no immediate changes planned for its Game Pass subscription service, despite rumors of significant alterations. These rumors suggested a consolidation into two tiers, removal of day-one game releases, and separate charges for cloud gaming and multiplayer access. Xbox confirmed it regularly tests offerings to maintain value for subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass is "extremely poorly managed" and Doom should never have been part of it, says former producer
Former id Software producer Andrew Willis describes Xbox Game Pass as "extremely poorly managed" with a lack of foresight and understanding of the consumer market. He argues that Doom should not have been included on the service, suggesting its inclusion negatively impacted sales and contributed to id Software's layoffs. Willis believes Microsoft struggles to define and measure the success of Game Pass, leading to flawed business decisions.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding a variety of new titles throughout September and October, including Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Several games are also leaving the service on September 30th.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds Opens Up A Magical New Game Pass Adventure
RuneScape: Dragonwilds has officially launched out of Early Access on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, also serving as a Day One Game Pass release for Ultimate, Premium, and PC subscribers. The co-op survival adventure takes players to the new continent of Ashenfall, where they must gather resources, build, craft, and face dragons and wild magic.
Xbox Game Pass to Lose Day-One Games, Split Into Two Tiers in 2027 – Rumor
A rumor suggests Xbox will restructure Game Pass in 2027 into two tiers, one with ads for $12.99 and one without for $19.99, both losing day-one first-party releases and cloud streaming. Cloud gaming will be a separate $5.99 bundle, and console multiplayer access will be unbundled at $10.99 per month. These potential changes come amid internal criticism of Game Pass's business model and past publisher objections to features like a family plan.
Xbox Regional Pricing Explained: Why Game Prices Differ Between Countries
This article explains why Xbox game prices and Game Pass subscriptions vary significantly between countries. Microsoft sets base prices, which are then adjusted for local currency, taxes, competition, and player purchasing power. While regional pricing can offer savings, attempting to exploit it through region-hopping carries risks like account restrictions and revoked codes.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for September 14 to 18
Microsoft has announced a slate of new games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between September 14 and 18. Titles include TCG Card Shop Simulator, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, Aniimo, Train Sim World 7, and Dune: Awakening, among many others across various genres.
Amazon Luna Introduces Its Most Ambitious Feature Yet In A Rough Month For Cloud Gaming
Amazon Luna has launched a new Remote Play feature allowing up to seven users to play games together remotely, regardless of subscription status. This update arrives during a challenging period for cloud gaming, highlighted by Xbox's new monthly hour limits for Game Pass cloud play. Luna also added several new multiplayer and single-player titles to its catalog.
XBOX @ Tokyo Game Show 2026
Xbox will be present at Tokyo Game Show 2026 with a special broadcast and show floor presence, featuring playable demos of Minecraft Dungeons II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The broadcast, hosted by Misuzu Araki, will showcase upcoming games for the platform, with playable demos available on the show floor. Xbox FanFest will also return to Japan on September 17.
Survive Together in the Strange Worlds: Once Human (F2P) Is Available Now on XBOX Series X|S With Game Pass!
The free-to-play survival shooter Once Human is now available on Xbox Series X|S and is included with Xbox Game Pass. The game features cross-play and cross-progression, with no pay-to-win mechanics. An upcoming Ocean Expansion is planned for October.
The hidden value behind your Gamertag and library
The value of an Xbox account has significantly increased beyond a simple login, encompassing achievements, Gamerscore, purchased libraries, and Game Pass subscriptions, effectively becoming a digital identity. This growing value has led to a secondary market for established accounts, with platforms like eldorado.gg facilitating more secure transactions.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for September 7 to 11
This week's Xbox releases include NHL 27, Halloween: The Game, Mewgenics, and Train Sim World 7, among many others. Several titles are optimized for Xbox Series X|S and available on Game Pass, including The Royal Writ and Dumb Ways to Build.
Games Inbox: Did Sony just put on the worst State of Play ever?
Readers express significant disappointment with Sony's recent State of Play presentations, criticizing them as lazy and lacking excitement, especially in contrast to the company's stated business plans. Concerns are also raised about Microsoft's new cloud gaming limits on Game Pass and potential IP sales.
Xbox Caps Cloud Gaming on Game Pass in November, But Will Let You Purchase Additional Hours
Xbox is implementing monthly hour limits for cloud gaming across all Game Pass tiers starting in November, with Ultimate subscribers receiving 15 hours, Premium 10, and Essential 5. Players will have the option to purchase additional hours if they exceed their limit. The company cites rising costs as the reason for the change, acknowledging it will increase expenses for some users.
Xbox Announces Cloud Streaming Caps, And New Option To Stream Without Game Pass
Xbox announced new monthly hour caps for its cloud streaming service, starting in November. Subscribers will have their streaming hours limited based on their Game Pass tier, with options to purchase additional hours at an undisclosed price.
Microsoft announces cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, admits most aren't using it much…
Microsoft announced it will implement a monthly hour cap for Xbox Cloud Gaming on Game Pass subscriptions starting in November, with limits varying by tier. The company stated this change is a cost-saving measure, estimating it will affect only 4% of subscribers, while also planning to offer cloud gaming access to non-subscribers for a fee.
SpeedRunners 2: King Of Speed Drops Chaos On Game Pass And More!
SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, available day one on Game Pass. The sequel to the indie racer features frantic multiplayer action for up to eight players, with new visuals and improved netcode.