Xbox Game Pass Day One Games Will Be ‘Case-by-Case Basis’ Moving Forward
Day one games may take 6-12 months to reach Xbox Game Pass Standard, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Recent reports indicate that games developed by Microsoft-owned studios may take from six months to “sometimes longer” to reach Xbox Game Pass Standard and that each title will be evaluated on a “case-by-case basis.” This may be bad news for gamers who don’t want to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Earlier this week, Microsoft announced huge changes to Xbox Game Pass. Not only did Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’s price go from $16.99 to $19.99, but Xbox Game Pass Console will no longer exist (except for current users), and a new tier called Xbox Game Pass Standard, which will not have day one releases or access to cloud gaming, will be available for $11.99. These changes are likely related to introducing Activision Blizzard games to Game Pass, including the eagerly awaited Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Now, Windows Central’s Jez Corden shed some light on Microsoft’s upcoming plans for when new third-party games will reach the service. According to Corden, Microsoft representatives told him that new releases will enter Game Pass Standard after some time, but it will be on a “case-by-case basis,” with the best-selling titles probably not being available for a while. Jez confirmed that most games could take between 6 to 12 months to be on the subscription service, but they may take longer sometimes. So, gamers who want to avoid the recent Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price increase will need to be patient.
Recent Releases May Take 12 Months or More to Reach Game Pass Standard
While this news is likely upsetting for Xbox Game Pass subscribers who wish to move to Standard to avoid the price hike, at least the service still offers a pretty good variety of games. Earlier this week, Game Pass added two new games: Tchia and Neon White. While Tchia is an open-world game that was formerly a PlayStation exclusive, Neon White is a fast-paced FPS with platforming elements.
Also, recent rumors seem to indicate that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 may be coming to Xbox Game Pass this month. COD: MW3 is the newest iteration of the Call of Duty franchise, and if these rumors are confirmed, this may be a good opportunity for fans who are eager to play the franchise using the subscription service but don’t want to wait until October, when Black Ops 6 will finally be released. It’s possible, but not guaranteed, that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will be added to Game Pass Standard, as the rumor is still unconfirmed, and it’s not a day one game.
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