Xbox may vary the delay period for bringing first party games to the cheaper Game Pass Standard subscription tier on a case by case basis.
Content creator Parris took to Twitter/X to highlight the lack of clarification from Microsoft regarding the delay period for the arrival of first party games to Xbox Game Pass Standard. Windows Central editor and the Xbox Two podcast host Jez Corden responded by saying that a Microsoft representative told him first party games will arrive on the cheaper subscription tier on a case-by-case basis. He was also told that the delay period would be anywhere between 6 and 12 months, and sometimes even longer.
Microsoft recently announced that, starting July 10, 2024, new members subscribing to Xbox Game Pass will see updated prices and other changes. While Xbox users are generally unhappy with said changes, Microsoft claims that they have been implemented with the aim of aligning subscription costs more closely with the value provided and market conditions.
Corden argued that nothing is certain with subscription services, and that Netflix, Amazon etc., have all changed what their subscriptions represent as they have moved from post-acquisition to saturation phase. He urged those who are dissatisfied the changes to Game Pass’ subscription tiers to vote with their wallet by quitting Xbox altogether.
However, we feel that the case-by-case delay in the arrival of first party games to Xbox Game Pass Standard as well as other changes to the subscription plan may hurt the service’s potential in the long run and make things needlessly confusing for the end user. The primary charm of Xbox Game Pass and its game catalog was day one access to all first party titles, and that has now become exclusive to the most expensive tier. Having a fixed delay period across all first party games would have at least brought some clarity and consistency, but it looks like Microsoft will continue to keep things vague.
