Microsoft has officially announced the return of its annual Shocktober event for Xbox, offering players an array of seasonal content, game discounts, and horror-themed updates across several live service titles. Running from October 16 through November 2, 2025, the event marks one of Xbox’s largest Halloween celebrations to date, combining special promotions with fresh additions to Xbox Game Pass.
Shocktober 2025 will feature multiple categories of content designed to appeal to both new and existing players. These include a wide-ranging sale on horror and thriller titles, limited-time in-game events, and the addition of new horror experiences to the Game Pass library. Players on console, PC, and cloud platforms will have access to discounted games and seasonal features across several franchises during the two-week event period.
Among the highlights of this year’s sale are three notable titles. Hell is Us, an action-adventure game focused on exploration and melee combat, returns to the spotlight with its blend of supernatural creatures and civil conflict. Dead by Daylight, the long-running asymmetrical multiplayer horror title from Behaviour Interactive, is also featured as part of the promotion. Additionally, Little Nightmares III Deluxe Edition joins the lineup, continuing the franchise’s tradition of atmospheric storytelling and cooperative survival gameplay.
In terms of new additions to Xbox Game Pass, two titles lead the Shocktober lineup. Hogwarts Legacy, the open-world action RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, joins the subscription library for both console and PC users. The event also welcomes The Casting of Frank Stone, a horror narrative game from Supermassive Games set within the Dead by Daylight universe. Both titles are available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium subscribers.
The Shocktober event extends beyond new releases and sales, incorporating themed updates across major multiplayer games. Fortnitemares 2025 introduces a crossover featuring pop artist Doja Cat as the “Mother of Thorns,” alongside guest appearances from horror icons such as Jason Voorhees, Wednesday Addams, and Ghost Face. Overwatch 2 is hosting its Haunted Masquerade event, bringing a three-week seasonal celebration filled with cosmetics, map changes, and festive challenges. Meanwhile, FragPunk introduces a new player-versus-environment tower defense mode centered around purifying corrupted shards while fending off monstrous enemies.
Xbox describes Shocktober as a seasonal celebration designed to highlight the variety of horror and supernatural themes across its ecosystem. With an emphasis on community engagement, the event encourages players to explore discounted titles, participate in seasonal updates, and discover new experiences through Game Pass.
Players can access all Shocktober 2025 offers via Xbox consoles, the Windows Store, or Xbox on PC beginning October 16. The event concludes on November 2.
