Subscription Services
Ongoing coverage on Subscription Services.
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Games Leaving PlayStation Plus in August 2026 Confirmed
Several games are confirmed to be leaving PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in August 2026, with Earth Defense Force 6 and Unicorn Overlord among the titles departing. Some games originally slated for a July departure have been pushed to August. The full list of games leaving the service by August 18th has been revealed from the Japanese and Asian PlayStation Stores.
PlayStation Plus Extra, Premium July 2026 Games Rolling Out Now
Sony's PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers are rolling out their July 2026 game additions, with staggered releases by region. Titles available this week include Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Rise of the Ronin, and Dying Light, among others. Specific release dates vary, with some games launching globally on July 21st and others on July 28th in the US, UK, and Japan.
Game Pass Was A Good Idea But It Didn’t Work, Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says
Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass, while a good idea, failed to attract enough subscribers to be a viable business model, contributing to current struggles at Xbox. He expressed sadness over potential studio closures and job losses resulting from the service not meeting expectations, despite significant investment from Microsoft. Brown believes changes are coming to Game Pass, such as delaying the inclusion of new major titles to maximize initial sales.
Premium Budget Entertainment at Modern Entertainment Platforms in New Zealand
Modern players evaluate games beyond their upfront price, considering factors like time investment, updates, social value, and ongoing costs. Free-to-play titles like Valorant and established franchises like Grand Theft Auto VI demonstrate how pricing models and player expectations for value have evolved. Players now scrutinize incentives, terms, and the perceived fairness of digital offers before committing.
The 7/10 Game Is Quietly the Best Thing on Game Pass
This article argues that the true value of services like Xbox Game Pass lies not in its blockbuster day-one releases, but in its vast library of "7/10" games. These competent, enjoyable titles offer a low-stakes way to discover new experiences without the commitment of a full-price purchase, making the subscription worthwhile even after recent price increases.
From Game Pass to Free Sweeps Slots: The Free Gaming Models Xbox Players Should Try
Xbox offers various gaming models to fit modern lifestyles, including subscription services like Xbox Game Pass for discovering new titles and cloud gaming for cross-device play. Free-to-play games such as Fortnite and Rocket League foster community, while casual browser games provide quick entertainment between longer sessions. These flexible options allow players to seamlessly integrate gaming into their daily routines.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Reports indicate that leaders within Xbox studios have expressed significant dissatisfaction with Game Pass, believing it has devalued their games, which are now perceived as being available for a fraction of their original $40+ price. This sentiment suggests internal conflict regarding the impact of the subscription service on traditional game sales and perceived worth.
Xbox Studio Leadership Has “A Lot of People” Who “Absolutely Detest Game Pass” – Rumor
According to a report by Jason Schreier, a significant number of Xbox studio leaders reportedly "detest" the Game Pass subscription service, believing it devalues their games and the industry. This sentiment comes amid questions about Game Pass's sustainability and subscriber growth targets, even as Xbox continues to add new titles to the service.
Why Game Pass Still Matters
Game Pass remains a significant factor in the evolving video game industry by changing how players discover, test, and experience games. Its large library and subscription model reduce the financial barrier for trying new genres and smaller titles, fostering experimentation and wider audience reach for developers. The service aligns with modern player habits of variety and convenience, and its role is expected to continue evolving with technological advancements.
Apple Music and Apple One prices rise for the first time in years
Apple has increased the prices for Apple Music and Apple One for the first time in years, citing rising licensing costs as the reason for the hike. This change affects the subscription services offered by the company.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved On Game Pass?
Halo: Combat Evolved will be available on Game Pass on day one for Ultimate and PC subscribers, with other tiers receiving it later. Preordering the game is necessary to receive additional bonuses, and Game Pass subscribers can upgrade to the Premium Edition for early access and customization options.
Nintendo Download – July 16, 2026 (North America) – Culdcept Begins, Moss: The Forgotten Relic, more
The North American Nintendo Download for the week of July 16, 2026, features new releases like Culdcept Begins and Moss: The Forgotten Relic on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The update also includes details on eShop sales, a closed network test for The Duskbloods, in-game events for Pokémon Pokopia and Donkey Kong Bananza, and sweepstakes related to Pikmin and Super Mario.
PlayStation 5 Players Can Get GTA Online Without PS Plus for Limited Time
Rockstar Games is offering PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X players the chance to play Grand Theft Auto Online without a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Essential subscription until July 20, 2026. This promotion coincides with the release of The Kortz Center Heist update, which is speculated to be the final major content addition for Grand Theft Auto V ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's launch on November 19, 2026.
The Crunchyroll Store change is even worse than it sounded: a $10 subscription lets you "browse" but you…
Crunchyroll is implementing changes to its online store, requiring a $10 monthly subscription for Fan tier members to simply browse items, while only Mega and Ultimate tier subscribers can purchase. This shift, effective August 14, has raised concerns about the future availability of physical media like manga and Blu-rays, especially following the absorption of Right Stuf and Sony's broader push away from physical game discs.
You'll soon be able to play the biggest football game on your iPhone thanks to an upcoming Apple Arcade release…
EA Sports Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is launching exclusively on Apple Arcade on August 6, 2026, playable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. This version will feature full controller support, no microtransactions, and streamlined controls for mobile play, alongside franchise management and a new narrative messaging system. EA believes Apple Arcade is the ideal platform for this no-compromise Madden experience.
PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium Games For July 2026 Revealed
Sony has announced the lineup of games coming to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers in July 2026. The offerings include titles like Rise of the Ronin, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Dying Light, with some games available starting July 15 and others rolling out later in the month. Premium subscribers will also gain access to classic titles such as Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy and Indigo Prophecy.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 Has Disappeared From Game Pass Without Explanation
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 has been mysteriously removed from the Xbox Game Pass July lineup without explanation. While Microsoft owns the IP, theories suggest potential licensing issues with music and brands may be the cause for its disappearance from the subscription service.
Microsoft Pulls Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 From July 2026 Xbox Game Pass Lineup Without Explanation
Microsoft has removed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 from the Xbox Game Pass lineup for July 2026 without providing any explanation. The game's sudden removal from the subscription service has raised questions among subscribers.
Rise of the Ronin is Out Today for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Subscribers
Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin is now available for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers on PlayStation 5 in the US and UK. Several other titles, including Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, are also being added to the Game Catalog throughout July. This staggered release approach is part of Sony's updated strategy for its subscription service offerings.
Sony's attack on physical goods spreads to Crunchyroll as it adds a $14 subscription requirement just to access its…
Crunchyroll, owned by Sony's Funimation, is implementing a significant change to its online store, requiring Mega or Ultimate tier subscriptions to make purchases starting in August. This move, which follows the absorption of Right Stuf, means only subscribers paying $13.99 or $17.99 per month will be able to access the store, impacting the availability of physical anime and manga merchandise.
