For those unfamiliar with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, it’s a service that is similar to Netflix. For $9.99 a month, you gain access to a vast library of Xbox 360 and Xbox One games. It’s a decent service and one that I’ve been a member of since it’s launch (and beta). And now, the service just got a bit more enticing thanks to Microsoft’s recent announcement. Starting today and for the duration of the service, all Microsoft Studio titles will be added to Xbox Game Pass upon release.
Meaning that when Sea of Thieves or State of Decay 2 releases, they’ll be included in Xbox Game Pass. Which basically gives gamers a chance to check out a brand new game, for just $9.99. What’s more is that games included in the Xbox Game Pass are usually discounted if you want to buy it.
Today, we announced that all new games published by Microsoft Studios will be released into Xbox Game Pass on the same date as their global release. This means that when “Sea of Thieves” launches on March 20, it will be included in Xbox Game Pass to all members.
This plan to bring new games timed with their global release into Xbox Game Pass not only includes announced titles like “Sea of Thieves,” “State of Decay 2,” and “Crackdown 3” but future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza and Gears of War, on the same day they launch.
If anything, it just goes to show how much faith Microsoft is placing in the Xbox Game Pass. Honestly, it’s a pretty bold move to push brand new titles into a service that costs a fraction of an actual game. How this will work out for them, well that remains to be seen.
For more information regarding Xbox Game Pass, check out our previous article on the service here.
https://youtu.be/2fy2W1HiB0s
But that’s not all! Microsoft is rolling out a new update for the Xbox One that will give Xbox Game Pass its own tab. You must be in the Xbox One Preview Update Alpha ring. This update will be rolled out at 2PM PST/ 5PM EST. If your Xbox One is set up for instant-On more, then the download will start automatically. For more on what will be included in this update, see below.
DETAILS:
OS version released: rs3_release_xbox_dev_1802.180119-1917
Available: 2:00PM PST 1/23/18 (10:00PM GMT 23/1)
NEW FEATURES:
• My Games and Apps Collection – Game Pass
We have enabled a new feature to show an “Xbox Game Pass” tab within “My games & apps” for users on Preview Alpha with an active Game Pass subscription.
If someone has an active Game Pass subscription, they will see this tab appear in “My games & apps” and be able to quickly install available games from Game Pass. It works just like ‘Ready to install’ but for Game Pass.
For users in Preview Alpha who do not have Game Pass, they will see the updated left navigation—section dividers added and Memberships tab has moved.
FIXES:
• Profile
Fixed an issue which caused the incorrect profile color to display after powering on the console.
• System Update
Resolved an issue which sometimes caused the console to get stuck at a loading screen (with a loading spinner only) when downloading a system update.
• Party Chat
Resolved an issue which sometimes caused party chat to crash in the Guide.
KNOWN ISSUES:
• Home
You may be unable to add/remove/edit content blocks by pressing Y.
• System Setup – Kinect
When setting up a Kinect during the initial console set-up experience, the setup fails when tuning audio.
• Network Transfer
The network transfer fails when initiated from a console on 1802 (this update).
Workaround: You can perform a network transfer using an 1802 console as the source and initiating the network transfer from a 1711 console on the same network.
• Pseudo-Localization
You may notice strange characters which replace normal translated text on the dashboard, Guide, and other areas. Please use Report a problem when you encounter these issues.
• Games Installation
Games that are installed fail to launch.
Workaround: If the games are installed to an external drive please copy the game to the internal drive or attempt to delete the title and redownload to fix the launch error.
• Display
We are investigating the inaccurate RGB colors that have been reported when displaying in 4K HDR mode when playing a UHD disc.
• Tournaments
• The left and right navigation for selecting date and time during Tournament creation is currently reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew.
• Left and right navigation in Tournament twists is reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew.
• Left and right navigation in the bracket view of Tournaments is reversed when the console language is set to Arabic or Hebrew
• Avatars on Home
Users wishing to represent themselves as an avatar can do so by changing their settings under My profile > Customize profile > Show my avatar.
