Clair Obscur and Eight Other Titles Exit Xbox Game Pass on October 15

3 min read
Source: GameSpot
Clair Obscur and Eight Other Titles Exit Xbox Game Pass on October 15
Photo: GameSpot
TL;DR

Xbox Game Pass subscribers have until October 15 to play nine titles, including 2025 Game of the Year winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, before they are removed from the service. The departures also include A Plague Tale: Requiem, Pacific Drive, and The Casting of Frank Stone. Members can purchase these games at a 20-25% discount before the removal date to retain access permanently.

Key points

  • Nine games are leaving Xbox Game Pass on October 15, 2026.
  • The list includes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Pacific Drive, The Casting of Frank Stone, Evil West, Crime Scene Cleaner, Donut County, Nova Roma (Game Preview), and Superball.
  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG, is highlighted as a major loss, having won Game of the Year in 2025.
  • Subscribers can buy departing titles at a 20% discount, with Clair Obscur dropping from $49.99 to $37.49 for members.
  • September saw 18 total removals, including Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, setting a precedent for significant monthly rotations.

Background

Xbox Game Pass regularly rotates its library, with September 2026 seeing 18 removals across two waves, including major titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3. This October batch follows that pattern of significant monthly changes, where new additions often coincide with the departure of popular titles. The service also recently introduced pay-as-you-go cloud gaming options, though this specific news concerns the standard subscription library.

How outlets are covering it

GameSpot, Kotaku, Insider Gaming, and Gagadget all confirm the same nine titles leaving on October 15. Kotaku emphasizes the narrative depth of Clair Obscur and A Plague Tale: Requiem, noting the latter’s suitability for the spooky season. Gagadget highlights the financial aspect, detailing the specific 25% discount for Clair Obscur and warning that buying on Xbox does not guarantee future Switch 2 port access. All sources agree that Clair Obscur is the most significant departure due to its recent award-winning status.

Why it matters

The removal of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a recent Game of the Year winner, marks a notable shift in the Game Pass library. For subscribers, this creates a deadline to either complete long-running campaigns or purchase the games at a discount to retain access. The timing also affects players considering cross-platform purchases, as buying on Xbox does not ensure availability on other consoles like the Switch 2, which is rumored to receive the title later.

What to watch

Subscribers should check the 'Leaving Soon' tab in the Xbox app to prioritize playing or purchasing titles before October 15. Microsoft is expected to announce the first wave of new Game Pass titles for October soon. Players who purchase Clair Obscur now will retain access permanently, but those waiting for a potential Switch 2 port may need to wait, as the Xbox purchase does not carry over to Nintendo hardware.

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