Xbox Game Pass Archives

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 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.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hits 1m sales in three days

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over one million copies shortly after its launch on April 24th, achieving over 500,000 copies sold within its first day. The game peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on Steam. It is the first release from Sandfall Interactive.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

This week’s hot PC gaming Steam Deals Apr. 20-26

A new wave of sales on Steam includes significant discounts on various games. The Xbox Game Studios Publisher Sale features discounts up to 90% on titles available until May 8, 2025. Highlights include: - The Hellblade Bundle - 34% off - State of Decay: Complete Collection - 75% off - Halo Infinite - Campaign - 67% off - Halo Master Chief Collection - 75% off - Avowed - 20% off - Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition - 50% off - Sea of Thieves - 50% off - Age of Mythology: Retold - 20% off - Grounded - 50% off - Ara: History Untold - 35% off - Age of Empires IV - 60% off - Sunset Overdrive - 80% off - Forza Horizon 5 - 50% off Indie games on sale include: - The Long Dark - 90% off - Little Nightmares II - 67% off - Overcooked! 2 - 75% off - Golf With Your Friends - 68% off - Ender Lillies: Quietus of the Knights - 60% off - Patrick's Parabox - 40% off - Trepang2 - 50% off - This War of Mine - 85% off - World of Goo - 66% off - Harold Halibut - 40% off Culturally significant games on sale include: - Returnal - 50% off - Resident Evil 7 - 60% off - Alien: Isolation - 80% off - Lies of P - 40% off - Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Zero - 25% off - Monster Hunter World - 67% off - Grand Theft Auto IV - 65% off - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - 10% off - Persona 5 Royal - 60% off - Resident Evil 4 - 50% off

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Oblivion Remastered Is Steam Deck Verified And Steeply Discounted For PC

Bethesda has unveiled The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, enhancing the original game from 2006. The game is available on Steam for .49 (originally .99), with a Deluxe Edition priced at .79 (down from .99). Fanatical is offering a free game with purchases over from a selection of 12 titles. The remaster includes the complete Oblivion experience with expansions and additional DLCs such as Fighter’s Stronghold and Mehrune’s Razor. The game has received Steam Deck Verification, and the Deluxe Edition features new quests and exclusive armors, alongside a digital art book and soundtrack app. It can also be accessed through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a 3-Month Membership costing .99.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Microsoft, get your Game Pass out of my face! I’m turning off your notifications. Here’s how

A college student experienced persistent notifications from Microsoft Windows promoting the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, priced at .99 per month. While Windows 11 can be acquired for free or with a product key, most users receive it pre-installed on their devices after manufacturers pay licensing fees. The student found these notifications distracting, especially during important tasks, and noted that Microsoft also uses the Second Chance Out of the Box Experience (SCOOBE) to promote additional products like Office 365 and OneDrive. The student provided instructions on how to disable Xbox Game Pass notifications and the SCOOBE process through the Settings menu.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

Kingsley: Game Pass helped mitigate risk on new IP Atomfall

Rebellion's new game, Atomfall, has benefited from its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which helped attract 1.5 million players since its March debut. CEO Jason Kingsley mentioned that Microsoft's financial support reduces risks by guaranteeing a certain level of income. However, he raised concerns about potentially cannibalizing hardcore gamers who might purchase new IPs. Kingsley emphasized the importance of budget management, stating that Rebellion cannot afford to invest large sums like 0 million into a single project and aims to keep budgets appropriate for their games. He acknowledged that larger games, like Assassin's Creed, will sell better but operate on significantly higher budgets.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

How to play GTA V on PC Game Pass

Grand Theft Auto V is now available on Xbox Game Pass for PC, accessible across Cloud, Console, and PC in both Legacy and Enhanced versions. Players must link their Rockstar account to their Xbox account to access the game. The game does not sync save data from Xbox consoles but can sync with Rockstar cloud saves on PC. The Legacy and Enhanced versions are separate installs with their own Xbox achievements. The Enhanced version features improved graphics and requires a more powerful PC, while the Legacy version has been updated over the years. Players can access GTA V through the Xbox PC app.