Game Pass Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?

Bethesda's latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is priced at £70 for both PC and console and can be completed in about 13 hours. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among gamers, especially since PC games typically have lower price points. Some gamers believe this may be an attempt by Microsoft to promote its subscription service, Game Pass, while others plan to wait for sales. Additionally, there are concerns about Bungie's management following its acquisition by Sony, with critics questioning the effectiveness of such corporate acquisitions in revitalizing franchises. In contrast, Nintendo is innovating with its upcoming Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, moving the series to an open-world format, which has generated excitement among fans. The gaming community remains engaged in discussions about pricing, management, and innovation as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Warhammer Skulls PC Game Deals – Save On Space Marine 2, Dawn Of War, Vermintide, And More

A wave of excitement in the gaming community has followed the Warhammer Skulls event, leading to significant discounts on Warhammer PC games across various online platforms. Discounts include Vermintide 2 Collector's Edition for .19 (down from ) and Space Marine 2 for .15 (down from ). Free offerings include a Warhammer Goodie Bag with wallpapers and discount codes, as well as the classic game Rites of War available for free on GOG. Deals are available on platforms like Fanatical, GOG, Humble Bundle, and Green Man Gaming, with varying prices and availability. Notable deals include the Warhammer 40K Bundle for (originally 0) and the Shooter Dual Pack for .70 (originally ) on GOG. Fanatical offers Total War: Warhammer III for .59 (down from ), while Green Man Gaming lists Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Voidfarer Edition for (down from 0). Humble Bundle features Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Imperial Edition at .80 (down from ). Console gamers can access a selection of eight Warhammer Xbox games available for Game Pass subscribers at no additional cost until May 25.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Revenge of the Savage Planet hits 1m players

Revenge of the Savage Planet has attracted over one million players within ten days of its release on May 8th, as reported by developer Raccoon Logic on Steam. Raccoon Logic was formed by former members of Typhoon Studios, which was acquired by Google in 2019 and faced challenges due to the Google Stadia project's fallout in 2021. The developers expressed gratitude to players and are committed to improving the game with regular updates and a roadmap for future features. The game is available through Xbox Game Pass, but no distinctions have been made between purchased copies and those accessed via the subscription service.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox’s PC Game Bar Just Raised The Bar With Refreshed Quick Settings

Microsoft has updated its PC Game Bar, enhancing the settings widget for easier access to audio adjustments and screen brightness controls. The update allows users to toggle between compact and desktop modes. The Xbox app for PC now includes simplified options for an on-screen keyboard, Bluetooth device management, and airplane mode activation. It also features Wi-Fi and battery status icons in compact mode. The broader Xbox update has added Retro Classics to all Game Pass tiers, including titles like Pitfall and MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat. Xbox Insider Program members can customize their console home screens by hiding system apps from the "recently played" section and pinning up to three games or apps. Microsoft has scheduled the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 for June 8 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK, followed by a presentation on The Outer Worlds 2.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox Launches Retro Classics Collection With 50+ Activision Titles; PC App Adds Game Assist, GeForce Now Support

Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Games Inbox: Would you buy a PlayStation that was a PC?

The next-generation Xbox may resemble a standard PC, leading to speculation that Sony's PlayStation 6 or 7 could also adopt a 'PC in a box' design due to rising hardware development costs. This shift towards a PC-like architecture could allow Sony to focus more on game development rather than hardware. Players have expressed mixed feelings about recent titles, with some prioritizing gameplay over storytelling. The launch of the Sea Of Stars DLC has been positively received for its free availability, and there is interest in purchasing Hogwarts Legacy on the Switch 2 at a discount for existing owners. Anticipation is building for the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, with fans hoping for new cities to explore. The pre-order situation for the Switch 2 appears more favorable compared to previous console launches, indicating better management of supply and demand by Nintendo.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4: Fighting game on wheels

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is set to launch on July 11 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, and will be available on Game Pass on day one. The game features enhanced gameplay quality and playability, making it more enjoyable. A preview by Mike Nelson highlights the need for practice to master the game, which involves combining button presses with analog stick movements. The THPS Fest in May showcased new levels, skaters, and features, celebrating the franchise's legacy. The Official Xbox Podcast includes a discussion with developers about the remastering process and new content for players.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages has hit three million players

Doom: The Dark Ages has attracted over three million players since its release, making it the largest launch in Id Software's history, according to Bethesda. The game reached this milestone seven times faster than its predecessor, Doom Eternal. More than two million players engaged with the game on Xbox, likely through Xbox Game Pass. It ranked as the second highest-grossing title on Steam during its launch week, behind Counter-Strike 2. Doom: The Dark Ages peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, while Doom Eternal had 104.9k concurrent players during its opening weekend. The launch of Doom Eternal coincided with COVID-19 lockdowns, which may have influenced player engagement.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

The 14 most underappreciated games of the last year that you shouldn’t have ignored

Skin Deep: Released on December 5th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (771); Peak player count: 953. Loco Motive: Released on November 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (659); Peak player count: 336. Straftat: Released on October 24th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (7523); Peak player count: 960; Price: Free on Steam. Penny’s Big Breakaway: Released on February 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (800); Peak player count: 228. Solium Infernum: Released on February 22, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1,362); Peak player count: 1,108. MechWarrior 5: Clans: Released on October 17th, 2024; Steam reviews: Mostly Positive (4303); Peak player count: 5,548. Xenotilt: Released on November 12th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (594); Peak player count: 81. Anton Blast: Released on December 3rd, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (2919); Peak player count: 1,104. The Thaumaturge: Released on March 4th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (2866); Peak player count: 2,733. Still Wakes the Deep: Released on June 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (5639); Peak player count: 729. Dungeons of Hinterberg: Released on July 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1597); Peak player count: 486. Drova: Forsaken Kin: Released on October 15th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (6618); Peak player count: 2,717. 1000xRESIST: Released on May 9th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (3471); Peak player count: 278.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Have Less Than Two Weeks With These Five Games

Five titles are set to leave Xbox Game Pass after May 31, requiring subscribers to purchase them individually to continue playing. Subscribers can receive a 20 percent discount on these games while they are still available. The departing games include: 1. Remnant 2 (Metacritic Score: 85) - A sequel where players face new creatures and bosses. 2. Humanity (Metacritic Score: 86) - A puzzle-action game where players command crowds as a dog. 3. Cassette Beasts (Metacritic Score: 83) - An indie RPG focused on collecting monster forms for battles. 4. Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath (Metacritic Score: 80) - A chaotic battle against evil forces in a survival setting. 5. Firework (Metacritic Score: N/A) - A horror puzzle game involving a police investigation in a mountain village. Once these titles leave, their return to the service is uncertain.