All articles tagged with #pc game pass
Microsoft confirms Xbox Mode, formerly Xbox Full-Screen Experience, will rollout in April 2026 to select markets. This Windows 11 UI offers a controller-friendly, console-like experience with a streamlined OS to boost performance, and features quick access to the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, and installed games, with an option to switch between standard Windows and Xbox Mode.
A new Insider Gaming report cites Tom Warren of The Verge, suggesting Microsoft could modify Xbox Game Pass by bundling third‑party services and potentially merging the Game Pass Premium tier with PC Game Pass. This comes after Game Pass Ultimate rose to $29.99/month and a yearly cadence of about 75 day‑one releases, with PC Game Pass currently at $16.49/month for PC access. Warren also cautions that he does not expect changes in 2026. The piece also notes broader Xbox context, including AMD’s hint that the next Xbox could launch in 2027 as a PC‑consol hybrid and a nod to Microsoft’s handheld efforts like the ROG Ally Xbox devices.
Microsoft is reportedly in the early stages of expanding Xbox Game Pass, examining third‑party service bundles and a potential merge of Premium and PC Game Pass. While no major changes are expected this year, future perks and partnerships for cloud and PC play are being discussed.
Microsoft is reportedly expanding Xbox Game Pass by merging PC Game Pass with another tier (likely Premium), bundling more third-party services, and possibly testing free Xbox Cloud Gaming for a 2026 launch, signaling a broader, more inclusive subscription strategy.
Four new games are added to Xbox and PC Game Pass on June 26, including Against the Storm on console and three Warcraft titles on PC, with the Warcraft remasters offering modernized visuals and gameplay of classic RTS games.
Manor Lords, a highly anticipated medieval strategy simulator, will be available on PC Game Pass when it launches into Early Access on April 26, and is expected to come to Xbox Game Pass when it releases on Microsoft's Xbox consoles. The game offers a blend of farming systems, city-building mechanics, and large-scale strategy battles, and has garnered significant hype as the most wishlisted game on Steam. While the price hasn't been revealed yet, it's expected to be around $30-40, and the game will also be available for purchase on the Microsoft Store, Steam, and GOG.
Diablo 4 is now available on PC Game Pass ahead of its upcoming significant update on May 14, allowing players to experience the game's campaign and prepare for the new season 4. Game Pass subscribers will need to create a Battle.net account and use the launcher to play the game, and they can also participate in testing the season 4 PTR next week. The game's campaign follows the events of Diablo 3's expansion and offers opportunities to earn essential upgrades for characters. Season 3 is ongoing, offering rewards for players who complete objectives, and will transition into season 4 on May 14.
Frostpunk 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the frosty survival city-management game, has been announced for release on July 25th this year. Set three decades after the original game, it introduces new challenges such as managing entire districts and dealing with factions' demands. The game will be available on Steam and PC Game Pass from day one, offering players an expanded and ambitious survival simulation experience.
Palworld's popularity on Xbox Game Pass has brought attention to ongoing deficiencies in the PC Game Pass and Xbox app on Windows 11, with issues including inconsistent game updates, missing features, and separated multiplayer pools. Users have reported problems with installations, pop-ups, and lack of configurability, highlighting the app's subpar user experience compared to Steam. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard and Battle.net has sparked discussions about potential improvements to the PC Game Pass operation, as the platform aims to compete with Steam and enhance its gaming offerings.
Developer 11 Bit Studio has released a stress-inducing gameplay trailer for Frostpunk 2, showcasing decision-making and city management in an unforgiving tundra setting. The sequel, set 30 years after the original game, will launch on PC Game Pass, Steam, The Epic Store, and GOG in the first half of 2024, with plans for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 releases.
Microsoft has secured Frostpunk 2 from 11 bit studios as a day-one PC Game Pass title, fulfilling the wishes of many gamers as one of the most wishlisted games on Steam. The city-builder sequel is set to launch on PC in the first half of 2024 and will later be available on consoles, including Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X and S, with a PlayStation 5 release also planned. The game challenges players to manage a growing metropolis and navigate societal demands and tensions in a post-apocalyptic world.
Frostpunk 2, the city-builder sequel by 11 bit studios, will be available on PC Game Pass from day one alongside its PC release. The game's first gameplay trailer reveals larger-scale city-building elements and political negotiations, set 30 years after the original Frostpunk. While the release window for console is unconfirmed, it will be available on Xbox Game Pass upon release on Xbox Series X/S.
Frostpunk 2, the highly anticipated city-building survival game, will be available on PC Game Pass on its release day, with Xbox Game Pass availability following on consoles. The first official gameplay trailer showcases the game's larger cities and rowdy citizens, highlighting tough decision-making and the new Council Hall feature, where faction representatives must pass and vote on laws. The game is set in a wasteland apocalypse and promises a "Quite A Grim Time," making it one of the most anticipated games of 2024.
Gunfire Games' Remnant: From the Ashes and its sequel, Remnant II, have been unexpectedly made available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Remnant II received critical acclaim upon its release in July, selling over one million copies in its first week and becoming the best-selling game in the US for July. The arrival of Remnant II on Game Pass follows the release of its first DLC, with two more DLC add-ons planned for 2024.
NVIDIA is offering a promotion where buyers of GeForce RTX 40 GPUs will receive a three-month subscription to PC Game Pass, giving them access to a library of games. The promotion also includes a three-month subscription to the GeForce NOW Priority service, allowing users to stream games to their devices. The offer is available until January 8th and is valid in various regions. This trend of bundling Game Pass subscriptions with graphics cards is expected to continue.