Game Pass Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

GTA V Enhanced Gets New Update To Fix Graphics Issues

The sixth post-launch update for GTA V Enhanced on PC has been released by Rockstar Games, focusing on improving graphics and addressing player concerns. The update size ranges from 400 to 900 MB, depending on the platform. Patch notes include fixes for Microsoft account communication issues, crash issues, texture problems, ray tracing performance, audio issues, and a progression halt in a Story Mode mission. Despite these updates, some larger issues remain unresolved, such as the lack of text chat functionality. GTA V is now available on Xbox and PC Game Pass, and the FiveM platform has also released an update to support these versions.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Will Microsoft finally give PC gamers the one series they should already have?

Gears of War: Reloaded will debut on PlayStation and is set for release on August 26, 2025. The game will feature native 4K assets, HDR and Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, variable refresh rate, super resolution, enhanced art direction, and no loading screens. It will support cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms. Players who own Gears of War: Ultimate Edition will receive a complimentary upgrade to this new version, and it will be available on day one through Game Pass.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Xbox Games The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 Top Sony’s PS5 Sales Charts

Microsoft's multiplatform gaming strategy is showing strong results, with its titles dominating sales charts on the PlayStation Store in April 2025. In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft games such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 occupied the top three positions in the non-free-to-play download chart for PS5. Europe also saw success with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launched on Game Pass, also appeared on both charts, alongside other Microsoft-owned titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, emphasized that this strategy is a calculated business move to enhance revenue, especially following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Discussions about transitioning Halo to other platforms have been ongoing, reflecting on the financial implications of exclusivity. While there may be pushback from Xbox fans regarding the dilution of brand identity, the focus remains on aligning with long-term business goals and evolving with the gaming audience.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Analyst claims Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling twice as fast as any other recent JRPG has on Steam—and it’s got me wondering what the secret sauce is

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2025, resonating with RPG fans and achieving significant sales success. It outsold major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Persona at a 2:1 ratio, selling over 785,000 copies on Steam in its first week and reaching a peak concurrent player count of 145,063. The game has garnered attention for its engaging opening hours, innovative parry-based combat system, and relatable characters, appealing to PC gamers. It combines elements of JRPGs with Western aesthetics, distinguishing itself from other titles in the genre.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Just Quietly Added The Most Chill Way To Play God In A Classic City Builder

Anno 1800 is a city-building game by Ubisoft set in a Victorian-inspired industrial era, recently launched on Xbox Game Pass. Players colonize resource-rich islands, managing production chains and trade networks while balancing the needs of a growing populace. The console version maintains the depth of the original PC experience with a redesigned user interface that features clean menus and a radial menu system for easier navigation. The game offers a rewarding loop of expansion, optimization, and strategic planning, encouraging immersive gameplay with vibrant visuals and smooth performance. It is designed for players willing to invest time in its complexities, with a campaign mode providing a structured introduction for newcomers.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling more than twice as fast as other JRPGs on PC, analyst says

Sandfall Interactive's game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has sold one million copies within three days of its release and surpassed 785,000 copies sold on Steam in its first week. It has also sold over 350,000 copies on PlayStation. The game has more than 1.5 million wishlists on Steam. Its success is attributed to quality visuals, a rewarding turn-based combat system, a compelling narrative, and a strategic pricing decision. The game is available on Xbox Game Pass, which has positively impacted its sales through increased visibility and word-of-mouth promotion. Expedition 33 has outperformed recent titles in the Japanese RPG genre, including Atlus's Metaphor Re:Fantazio, and has even surpassed Oblivion on Steam's global sales charts.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Kepler says Oblivion launch didn’t harm Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 release

Publisher Kepler Interactive stated that the launch of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered did not negatively impact the debut of their title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Senior portfolio director Matt Handrahan expressed optimism, noting that the remaster increased interest in the RPG genre. He highlighted the distinct identities within RPGs, with players often favoring either Western or Japanese styles. Handrahan felt confident about Expedition 33's launch due to its competitive price and inclusion in Game Pass. He reported that the launch week went well, with Oblivion becoming the highest-grossing game on Steam and Expedition 33 securing the No. 3 position.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

GeForce NOW to Get DOOM: The Dark Ages, Blades of Fire and More in May

NVIDIA's GeForce NOW platform is set to release several new PC games in May, including: - Survival Machine - May 7 - Revenge of the Savage Planet - May 8 - Spirit of the North 2 - May 8 - The Precinct - May 13 - DOOM: The Dark Ages - May 15 - Blacksmith Master - May 15 - 9 Kings - May 19 - RoadCraft - May 20 - Monster Train 2 - May 21 - Survive the Fall - May 21 - Blades of Fire - May 22 - Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Available on Steam - The Last Spell - Available on Steam - War Robots: Frontiers - Available on Steam - Torque Drift 2 - Available on Epic Games Store Recent additions to the library include: - Deadzone: Rogue - April 29 - Haunted House Renovator - April 30 - Far Cry 4 - April 30 - Anno 1800 - May 1 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered - May 1 - Blood Strike - Available on Steam - DREDGE - Available on Xbox - LONESTAR - Available on Steam - Soulstone Survivors - Available on Steam DOOM: The Dark Ages will feature path tracing and NVIDIA DLSS, with path tracing available shortly after launch.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Epic Games Store Has a New Free PC Game Now Available

The Epic Games Store is offering the free PC game Super Space Club, available for download until May 8. Players who claim the game during this period will permanently add it to their library without any subscription fees, requiring only a free Epic Games Store account. Super Space Club, developed by GrahamOfLegend, is typically priced at .99 and has a 94% approval rating on Steam from 36 reviews. It is an "endless arcade gunner" where players defend the galaxy as misfit pilots, featuring various characters, ships, and weapons. Players typically spend between 2 to 10 hours on the game.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

PC gaming can’t stop getting Ws, as Microsoft shares it’s being weighed down by console and hardware revenue woes

Gaming revenue increased by 5% (6% when adjusted for currency), while Xbox content and services revenue grew by 8%. However, Xbox hardware revenue declined by 6% (5% CC) and experienced a 30% drop between early 2024 and early 2023. Microsoft has acquired game studios, including Blizzard and Bethesda, but faces challenges such as layoffs and a lack of compelling console exclusives. Current standout titles on Xbox Game Pass do not require an Xbox purchase, reflecting a trend where console exclusivity is becoming less relevant, except for Nintendo.