Game Pass
Ongoing coverage on Game Pass.
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Xbox marketing takes embarrassing turn with new Call of Duty ads loudly disclaiming 'NOT ON XBOX GAME PASS THIS…
Xbox has launched new advertising campaigns for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 that explicitly state the game will not be available on Xbox Game Pass this year. This marketing shift follows a business decision to exclude new Call of Duty titles from the subscription service at launch to boost direct sales, after the service reportedly incurred significant losses.
Best New Xbox And Game Pass Games For July 2026
July 2026 will bring several notable game releases and Game Pass additions for Xbox players. Highlights include remakes of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Halo: Combat Evolved, alongside new titles like The Planet Crafter and Mistfall Hunter. The month offers a diverse range of genres, from action RPGs and puzzle adventures to survival and retro shooters, ensuring something for every player.
"Everybody got the rug pulled out from under them": Xbox are putting third-party Game Pass deals "on pause", claims publishing veteran
Industry veteran Fernando Rizo claims that Microsoft has put a pause on new third-party deals for Xbox Game Pass as the company reassesses its gaming business strategy. This alleged halt comes as Microsoft's financial year ends and follows decisions to reduce the price and remove day-one Call of Duty releases from the service. While Rizo believes Game Pass is not over, he suggests a hiatus on new third-party acquisitions is likely.
Why Modern Xbox Players Spend More Time in Menus Than Games
Modern Xbox consoles are criticized for excessive menu navigation and promotional content that delays gameplay. While Microsoft has introduced customization options and faster navigation, the dashboard's design prioritizes business interests over player experience. The article suggests that simplifying menus and utilizing features like Quick Resume can improve playtime efficiency.
Nintendo Switch Online is what Game Pass wanted to be - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Nintendo Switch Online is a more successful subscription service than Microsoft's Game Pass. The author highlights Nintendo's lower price point, retro game focus, and less aggressive marketing as key factors in its quiet success, contrasting it with Game Pass's perceived issues with rising prices and overwhelming choice.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for June 29 to July 3
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between June 29 and July 3. Titles include RV There Yet?, Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, EA SPORTS College Football 27, and many more indie and AA releases.
Xbox Series S Has Gone From No-Brainer To No Thank You
The Xbox Series S, once a compelling budget option for current-gen gaming and Game Pass, has lost its appeal due to significant price increases for both the console and the subscription service. Coupled with technical limitations that have impacted game development, such as the exclusion of local co-op in Baldur's Gate 3, the Series S is no longer considered an affordable or clear choice for consumers.
Ori Studio Head Says Game Pass Would Have Worked if Xbox Could “Understand What’s a Good Game”
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler believes Xbox Game Pass could have succeeded if Microsoft had focused on quality over quantity, comparing it unfavorably to premium streaming services. He criticized Xbox's first-party output, citing Starfield as an example of a game that failed to meet the potential of its predecessor, and suggested that Xbox leadership needs a better understanding of what constitutes a "good game" to truly connect with gamers.
Quoteworthy
The director of Ori believes that Xbox Game Pass could have been more successful if the platform had not released what he described as 'mediocre content like a factory'. This suggests a critique of the quantity over quality approach to game releases on the service.
We are watching the end of Xbox in real-time and it’s heartbreaking - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses concern over the current state of Xbox, suggesting Microsoft's management and strategy, including the costly Game Pass model and lack of console exclusives, have led to significant studio closures and layoffs. The author fears this marks the beginning of the end for the Xbox brand as a major console player, drawing parallels to Sega's transition to a third-party publisher.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for June 22 to 26
Xbox announced a slate of new games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between June 22 and June 26. Titles include Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition, DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, and EMPULSE (Game Preview), among many others. Specific release dates and optimizations for Xbox Series X|S are noted for several titles.
Xbox is Punishing its Studios For Following Previous Orders – Report
A report indicates that Xbox is punishing its studios for following previous directives, leading to significant layoffs and studio closures. This follows major investments like the Activision Blizzard acquisition and the push for Game Pass, with some studios being criticized for prioritizing the subscription service over individual game sales. The situation has created an environment of fear and uncertainty, impacting game development.
Xbox might introduce Buy Now, Pay Later options for games and console
Microsoft may be introducing Buy Now, Pay Later options to the Xbox storefront, with references to services like Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 found in the website's code. This feature would allow consumers to split purchases of consoles, games, and subscriptions into smaller payments. While not officially announced, this move aligns with industry trends to make expensive hardware and games more accessible.
Game Pass adds EA Sports FC 26, RV There Yet?, Winds of Arcana: Ruination, and more in late June to early July
Microsoft has announced new titles coming to Game Pass between late June and early July, including EA Sports FC 26, RV There Yet?, and Winds of Arcana: Ruination. Several other games like Junkster, Call of Duty: Vanguard, and Abyssus are also being added. Additionally, the article lists games that will be leaving the Game Pass library on June 30.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?
The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
From Scrap To Game Pass Gem? Junkster Arrives On Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC
Junkster, a 3D action-platformer developed by Stormcloud Games, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game is available on day one through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Players control a construction bot named UM-13 who must use repurposed junk to repair a crashed ship on a hostile junkyard planet, featuring comic book-inspired visuals and light combat.
Forza Horizon 6 Signals A New Peak For Open World Driving Games
Forza Horizon 6 has achieved significant success, setting new player engagement records and receiving critical acclaim for its open-world driving experience. The game features a detailed map of Japan, over 550 cars, and a campaign focused on becoming a Horizon Legend. Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, it is also included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, highlighting the service's growing value.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for June 15 to 19
This article provides a weekly roundup of new games releasing on Xbox platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, between June 15 and 19. It highlights titles like UFC 6, Junkster, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, noting their availability on Game Pass and optimization for current-gen consoles.
Even with PS5 Ports, Many of Xbox's Games Have Been Underperfoming
An internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the division is operating at a 3% accountability margin, leading to layoffs. Many of Xbox's first-party games, even those with PlayStation 5 ports, have underperformed in sales and Xbox Game Pass engagement, failing to meet expectations.
Frog Sqwad Hops Straight Into Game Pass
Frog Sqwad, a colorful co-op physics adventure game, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and is available day one on Game Pass. Developed and published by Panic Stations, the game tasks players with gathering food for a Swamp King, featuring physics-driven gameplay, tongue-based movement, and up to eight-player support. Players can grow their frog into a Megafrog by collecting food, but taking damage shrinks them back down.
