Game Pass subscription Archives

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

After getting Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on PC Game Pass, unlocking its ‘Unobtanium’ max graphics mode, and then upgrading those stunning visuals even more with mods, I’m convinced this is the ‘But can it run Crysis?’ FPS PC gamers should install today

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is available for PC Game Pass subscribers and is considered Ubisoft's best open-world game in years. It features impressive graphics, enhanced by Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine, and includes a mode called 'Unobtanium' that challenges current hardware capabilities. To achieve 4K at 60fps with this mode, a powerful system is necessary. The game has undergone improvements and now includes a third-person mode, along with expansions like From the Ashes, which adds new characters and gameplay refinements. Despite initial technical issues, it is regarded as a solid first-person shooter and a benchmark for PC gaming setups.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Here’s the next batch of Xbox Game Pass games for February

Microsoft is adding several new titles to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service in February and early March. The upcoming titles include: - Aerial_Knight's DropShot (Available February 17th) - Death Howl (Launching February 19th) - EA Sports College Football 26 (Arriving February 19th) - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition (Available February 19th) - TCG Card Shop Simulator (Launching February 24th) - Dice A Million (Coming February 25th) - Towerborne (Available February 26th) - Final Fantasy 3 (Arriving March 3rd) - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Launching March 3rd) Notable games leaving the service on February 28th include: - Monster Train - Expeditions: A MudRunner Game - Injustice 2 - Middle Earth: Shadow of War

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Microsoft may soon merge PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Premium

Microsoft is planning to restructure its Xbox Game Pass tiers to simplify the subscription model. The current Game Pass structure includes the Essential tier at £6.99, the PC Game Pass at £13.49, the Xbox Game Pass Premium at £10.99, and the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at £22.99. Reports suggest a potential merger of the Premium and PC Game Pass tiers into a streamlined subscription. Microsoft is also focusing on enhancing the Ultimate experience by integrating third-party services like EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics. Additionally, there are indications that the next-generation Xbox, expected in 2027, may operate on a Windows 11 hybrid environment, which could change the subscription model by eliminating the need for separate PC and console categories.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Arm-Based Windows 11 PCs Can Now Download and Play Games from the Xbox App

Microsoft's Xbox app on Windows 11 now supports game downloads on all ARM-based PCs, expanding functionality beyond cloud gaming for Qualcomm-powered devices. This update follows an initial rollout for Xbox Insiders in August, coinciding with Epic Games' compatibility of its Easy Anti-Cheat system with Windows on ARM. The Prism emulator was updated in December to support more x86 games on ARM devices, and the Xbox app now includes a Windows Performance Fit feature to assess game performance based on hardware. Over 85% of the Game Pass catalog is compatible with ARM PCs, with ongoing efforts to increase support. Emulation performance has improved on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series chips, with further enhancements expected from upcoming X2 series chips, although native ARM64 game versions are still anticipated.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

VG Insights: Souls-like games on PC and Consoles

The Souls-like genre saw a release of 371 titles in 2024, marking a 41% year-over-year growth, with 207 games tagged as Souls-like by October 2025. Best-selling titles include Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (41.3 million copies), Elden Ring (40.6 million), and Monster Hunter: World (35 million). AAA developers generated approximately 75% of Souls-like revenue on Steam by 2024. Souls-like games represent about 4-5% of all titles on Steam. The APAC region accounts for 80% of all Souls-like projects and 97% of total revenue as of 2025. Chinese players make up 47% of the audience for top Souls-like games on Steam, followed by the US at 23%. Most AAA titles in the genre are priced between .99 and .99.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Terra Invicta Finally Enters Full Release, Day One On Game Pass And PC

Terra Invicta has officially launched on PC and is available on Game Pass. Developed by Pavonis Interactive and published by Hooded Horse, the game focuses on humanity's response to an impending alien invasion, featuring seven factions with distinct ideologies. The game includes political maneuvering, space colonization, and hard science fiction elements, emphasizing realistic mechanics in space combat and resource management. It is priced at £34.99 for standalone purchase and has received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam. Currently, there are no plans for an Xbox console version.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

The predecessor to one of Xbox’s biggest new games is getting delisted from a popular PC gaming store — you have less than a week to get it

GOG announced that two games, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey and The Outer Worlds, will be removed from its catalog on December 15. Both titles were published by Private Division, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. The 2023 Spacer's Choice Edition of The Outer Worlds will also be delisted on the same date. These games will still be available on other platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is currently priced at .99, while The Outer Worlds is priced at .99, and the Spacer's Choice Edition is at its full MSRP of .99. The reasons for the delistings are unclear, but they may be related to the sale of Private Division.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The 20 Best Xbox 360 Games of All Time

Microsoft transformed the Xbox brand from a traditional gaming console into a multifaceted platform emphasizing software accessibility across various devices, with the Game Pass subscription model allowing users to access a vast library of games on mobile phones and rival consoles. The Xbox 360 was launched on November 22, 2005, a year ahead of competitors, and became the most advanced console for a year despite technical challenges like the Red Ring of Death. Strategic partnerships and a diverse range of titles, including blockbuster franchises like Halo and Gears of War, contributed to its success. The Xbox 360's architecture resembled that of a personal computer, providing a technological edge over the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Innovations such as Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade distinguished the console, making it a hub for competitive and indie gaming. The Xbox 360 remains the best-selling device in the Xbox lineup, with defining titles including Perfect Dark Zero, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Dead or Alive 4, Viva Piñata, Fable II, Ninja Gaiden II, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Fez, and Oblivion, highlighting its lasting legacy in gaming culture.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Total Chaos, which started life as a Doom II mod, is now out for Xbox and PC

Total Chaos is a survival horror game now available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and is included in the Game Pass subscription. The game features an art style similar to Alan Wake and introduces an insanity mechanic. It is set in an old fort and was developed by the team behind Turbo Overkill. Total Chaos originated as a mod for Doom II and has a soundtrack composed by Akira Yamaoka, known for his work on the Silent Hill series. The game can be purchased on various platforms, and there are introductory sales currently available. An update on November 20 confirmed its launch on PlayStation 5.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Game Pass is about to lose its most immersive, hardcore survival game, so play it while you can

Stalker 2 and Frostpunk are set to exit Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service on Saturday, November 15. Stalker 2, known for its FPS combat and narrative set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, has improved since its initial release. Frostpunk challenges players to build a city in a post-disaster world and will be succeeded by Frostpunk 2, which remains available on Game Pass. Other titles leaving on the same date include Blacksmith Master, Football Manager 2024, and Spirittea.