The launch of Xbox Game Pass Standard has sparked a wave of interest among players, but it’s also unveiled a significant issue – a notable lack of games. This includes titles that were previously accessible on the service before the switch to the new payment structure.
Xbox made a clear distinction with its new Game Pass tiers, offering Game Pass Core for multiplayer gaming, PC Game Pass for PC games, and the newly launched Game Pass Standard. The Standard tier, touted as a cost-effective way to “level up [your] Xbox console gaming experience,” is priced at $15 per month, compared to the Ultimate tier’s $20 (previously $17).
While Xbox announced that only the Ultimate tier would receive day-one launches (such as the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6), users have been quick to point out that some first-party titles, already available, are missing from the Standard tier. These include recent releases like Starfield, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Diablo 4, Forza Motorsport, Valorant, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
While the Standard tier does retain some first-party titles like Minecraft and its spinoffs, Pentiment, Prey, the Dishonored games, and Psychonauts games, the absence of recent third-party additions is particularly concerning. Popular titles like Age of Mythology: Retold, Still Wakes the Deep, Star Trucker, and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn are all missing from the Standard tier. A helpful list on the Xbox subreddit outlines the missing games, though it’s not exhaustive.
Xbox has remained vague about when these day-one launches will eventually become available on the Standard tier, only mentioning they could be added “up to 12 months late or more.” Furthermore, players need to be aware that cloud gaming is exclusively available through the Ultimate tier.
The changes to Xbox Game Pass subscriptions have certainly introduced new complexities. While the Standard tier offers a more affordable option, the missing games and lack of clarity regarding future availability raise questions about its overall value. As players navigate the new landscape, it will be interesting to see how Xbox responds to these concerns and whether the Standard tier can truly become a compelling option for gamers.
