Game Pass
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Next Week on XBOX: New Games for July 13 to 17
This week's Xbox releases from July 13 to 17 include a variety of genres across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass. Notable titles include the roguelike 'Ascend to ZERO', the tactical train-builder 'Fogpiercer', and the open-world extreme sports game 'MAVRIX by Matt Jones'.
Wuthering Waves Makes Its Long-Awaited Xbox Debut – Free With Game Pass
Wuthering Waves, the free-to-play open-world action RPG, has launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC, coinciding with its Version 3.5 update. The game is also available through various Game Pass tiers, offering players access to new regions, characters, and story content alongside quality-of-life improvements.
Palworld Reaches A Huge Player Milestone Ahead Of 1.0 Launch
Palworld has surpassed 40 million players before its official 1.0 launch on July 10, developer Pocketpair announced. The game, currently available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, will maintain its $29.99 price point. The upcoming 1.0 update will introduce new Pals, an improved combat system, and revamped quests.
Xbox Makes First Game Pass Lineup Announcement Following Layoffs — and CEO Asha Sharma's Admission That Microsoft's Gaming Strategy Failed to Work Out
Xbox announced its July lineup for Game Pass following recent layoffs and CEO Asha Sharma's admission that Microsoft's gaming strategy has not been successful. This marks the first major announcement from the Xbox business after significant staff reductions.
State of Decay 3 may no longer launch into Game Pass, now that Microsoft is letting developer Undead Labs go
State of Decay 3 may no longer launch day one on Game Pass following Microsoft's sale of developer Undead Labs. While Microsoft will continue to fund the game's development until its 2027 release on PC and consoles, the sale agreement frees the studio from "Xbox-controlling terms." The new owner of Undead Labs, to be revealed this summer, will decide the game's distribution, potentially requiring a new deal with Xbox for a Game Pass launch.
Xbox Game Pass subscription numbers are reportedly well below where Microsoft wants them to be
Xbox Game Pass subscriber numbers have reportedly fallen to 30 million, significantly below Microsoft's target of 77 million by 2026. This decline follows a substantial price increase for Game Pass Ultimate and a change in strategy regarding day-one releases for Call of Duty titles. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited Game Pass growth troubles as a reason for recent job cuts within the Xbox division.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
A new report suggests that Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant restructure that could lead to major changes for its Game Pass subscription service. The article speculates on potential shifts in how subscriptions, cloud gaming, and game streaming are integrated.
Arkane Founder Asks Xbox How Much the Studio Would Cost “For a Friend”
Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio humorously inquired about the acquisition cost of the studio from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. This comes amid Xbox's recent layoffs and studio restructuring, which has put Arkane under review. Colantonio has previously criticized Xbox's Game Pass model as unsustainable.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, The Planet Crafter, and More Coming to Game Pass in July
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Game Pass in July, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 and The Planet Crafter. The service will also see additions like Winds of Arcana: Ruination, Gears of War: Reloaded, and PBA Pro Bowling 2026. Several titles, including EA Sports FC 24 and PowerWash Simulator, will be leaving the service on July 15th.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
CEO admits Xbox sees three to 10 times lower margins than "comparable platform and publishing businesses" after Game Pass and multiplatform bets didn't pay off
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a major restructuring for Microsoft's gaming division, including 3,200 job cuts by fiscal year 2027, citing profit margins that are significantly lower than comparable businesses. Sharma admitted that bets on Game Pass and multiplatform releases did not grow as expected, leading to a weakening of the core business and necessitating a reset. Several studios are being spun off or sold as part of this strategic shift.
New Xbox CEO Admits Game Pass Bet Has Not Worked Out
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a strategic reset for the Xbox business, acknowledging that major bets like Xbox Game Pass have not grown at the expected pace. The plan includes mass layoffs and selling off studios, as the company shifts focus to higher priority projects. Sharma admitted the core business has weakened, leading to this significant shakeup.
Winds of Arcana: Ruination Casts A Spell On Game Pass With Day One Xbox Launch
Winds of Arcana: Ruination has launched day one on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Developed by Brewed Games and published by 1312 Interactive, this Metroidvania Action RPG combines swordplay and spellcasting. It is also available for purchase separately.
State of Decay 3 Could Skip Game Pass, Third-Party Funding Still Lives – Rumor
A report suggests that State of Decay 3 might not be a day one release on Xbox Game Pass, despite Xbox funding its development, as Undead Labs is reportedly under new ownership. The article also touches on the shifting priorities at Xbox regarding Game Pass funding for third-party developers and the perceived underinvestment in the Minecraft IP.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for July 6 to 10
This weekly feature highlights new games releasing on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between July 6 and July 10. Titles include Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, EA SPORTS College Football 27, Palworld 1.0, and Wuthering Waves, among many others across various genres.
This Week In Games Was Bad, But Next Week May Be Worse
The gaming industry experienced a particularly bleak week with multiple significant layoffs, studio closures, and price increases. Microsoft's Xbox division saw widespread job cuts, while Sony announced plans to end physical disc production for PlayStation games by 2028. These events, coupled with delays and the ongoing impact of AI discussions, paint a grim picture for the industry's immediate future.
Modern Warfare 4 is coming to Xbox Game Pass, but not for a long time
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting in Holiday 2027, a year after its October 23, 2026 release date. While previous Call of Duty titles launched day one on Game Pass, Modern Warfare 4 will require a separate purchase for day-one access. This decision comes as Microsoft aims to boost sales for the new installment amidst ongoing studio closures and cost-cutting measures.
The Best Xbox And Game Pass Games Of 2026 So Far – The Must-Plays From January To June
The first half of 2026 has been a strong period for Xbox and Game Pass, featuring a diverse range of critically acclaimed titles. Highlights include the horror game REANIMAL, the reinvented Resident Evil Requiem, the unique word-based roguelike Beyond Words, and the highly anticipated Hades II. Other standout releases include TerraTech Legion, Dungeon Clawler, Forza Horizon 6, and the new James Bond title 007 First Light, many of which launched day one on Game Pass.
Game Pass Hits The Open Road With RV There Yet? On Xbox And PC
RV There Yet? is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Game Pass on day one. Developed and published by Nuggets Entertainment, the game challenges players to survive a perilous road trip through a dangerous wilderness. It features co-op gameplay focusing on vehicle maintenance, survival, and physics-based driving mechanics.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Activision is promoting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 by highlighting that it will not be available on Game Pass. Xbox has reportedly paused new third-party deals for Game Pass, impacting the availability of games on the subscription service.