Xbox Game Passis often hailed as one of the best subscription services in gaming, and one could argue that extends beyond video games too. For its model and content, it comes at an incredible price, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.Xbox Game Passdrops the ball like all services do from time to time, but the end of the year is an odd time to do it.
People are currently spending time with loved ones and relaxing for a few days, while plenty of places are closed down for the next couple of weeks. If anything, that concept should be a shout-out to all those who continue to work during the holiday season. Regardless, many will likely sit down and relax with some video games, but if they were hoping for anything new from Xbox Game Pass for the rest of the month, then they’re in for a disappointment.
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No More Xbox Game Pass Games in 2022
Many noticed when the Xbox Game Pass game announcement for the second half of December was late, with some thinking it was going to be announced near the end of the normal week of instead of the start, but it has been recently confirmed that no more games are coming in the second half of the month. This is while similar services likePlayStation Plus Extra dropped a bunch of games on December 20, and Epic Games Store’s free mystery game promotion is well underway.
The final addition toXbox Game Pass this year was, underwhelmingly,Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathanon December 15. That’s no disrespect to the game, but its competition isDeath Strandingon EGS (as well as more on the way for the end of the year) and franchises likeYakuza, Far Cry, andMiddle-Earthon PS Plus.
It should be said that this end-of-year whimper comes from the number of games offered mostly, not the quality.High on Liferecently dropped on Xbox Game Pass, beating outMinecraftandForza Horizon 5in popularity, and being one of the biggest additions of the year. The downside of that it is a relatively short game, not something fans can sink their teeth into in the coming weeks. And for right now, there is more new on offer from its competitors than Xbox Game Pass.
That said, Xbox Game Pass is definitely the dominant force in the subscription service game right now. While sometimes the end of the year can be reflective of what’s coming in the new one, that doesn’t seem to be the case here. Xbox Game Pass will, almost certainly, get back to its regular programming in January, and many high-profile games are likely to fill it next year. After a long wait,RedfallandStarfieldare but two examples of games coming to the service next year, whileHollow Knight: Silksongis joining Xbox Game Passsome time in the first half of the year as well. Things will no doubt shift and shuffle and it’s a bit lackluster to see Xbox Game Pass end things this way this year, but 2023 is right around the corner.
