Big news has come out of Microsoft’s camp today, which will change how people view the company’s Game Pass subscription service and the value that it offers its customers.
In a move that cements the service’s valuation, Phil Spencer took to the Xbox Wire to announce that, going forward, all first party Microsoft titles will be made available through Game Pass on their day of release. This means that, starting on March 20th, Sea of Thieves will hit the digital subscription service, in addition to releasing in its expected, $60 physical and digital forms.
Following in Sea of Thieves‘ footsteps will be State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3, but this won’t stop there. It’s been promised that every game Microsoft publishes, be it the next Gears of War, another Halo, the next Forza, or what have you, will do the same.
“This plan to bring new games timed with their global release into Xbox Game Pass not only includes announced titles like Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 but future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza and Gears of War, on the same day they launch.”
Microsoft also plans to bring Game Pass subscription cards to retail, and has been working with partners like GameStop to get a $59.99, six-month subscription card out. It’s said that this option will also release on March 20th, making it available the same day that Sea of Thieves will be.
Needless to say, this is huge news for Microsoft, Xbox One owners and the future of gaming, itself.
For more information, check out Phil’s Xbox Wire post.