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How Game Pass Just Keeps Getting Better

Another notch on the scorecard

By Joshua Hawkins Joshua Hawkins Freelance Technology Reporter Full Sail University Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 17, 2021 02:08PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Outriders is coming to Xbox Game Pass on consoles.This move will give even more gamers a chance to try out People Can Fly’s new looter shooter without having to pay anything extra.While PC players are disappointed it is only coming to consoles, this is a good move overall for Xbox Game Pass. Karunyapas Krueklad / EyeEmOwner Outriders coming to Xbox Game Pass is a big win for subscribers, making it the easiest way to jump into People Can Fly’s upcoming looter shooter. Microsoft recently announced that Outriders, a new looter shooter from developer People Can Fly, will arrive on the Game Pass service at launch. This move brings one of the first big third-party releases of the year to Game Pass subscribers. Microsoft also added Octopath Traveler, Undertale and other games to the service this past week, bringing more value to Game Pass. Not only does this help cement the impact that Microsoft is having on how gamers spend money on new games, but it also brings the game to many users who might not have been able to purchase it at full price when it launched. "Many Xbox users rely on their Game Pass subscription in order to play games," Bishal Biswas, the CEO at Word Finder, told Lifewire in an email. "A game as popular as Outriders should be available in all formats for maximum users to access it easily."

Building Reliance

Biswas, who has worked on and created multiple gaming blogs over the years, says that Game Pass has opened up new ways for users to access the games that matter to them. With Outriders joining the fray, Microsoft not only is adding value to the subscription, but it’s also further building the trust and reliance that users have put in the service as a whole. “Mind blown, the value I'm getting from #GamePass at the moment is incredible,” one user wrote on Twitter in response to the announcement. “I've never had a subscription service that I've been so happy with.” Other users shared their approval of the move, with some even commenting that they probably wouldn’t have tried the game otherwise. "This was one of those games that I kinda wanted to try but didn’t want to spend the money on it yet. Game Pass continues to be amazing," another user by the name of Matt wrote on Twitter. Of course, some are disappointed by the latest move by Xbox to bring Outriders to the Xbox Game Pass, but it isn’t because they think the move is bad. Unfortunately, Outriders is only available on the console version of Xbox Game Pass. This means that not everyone will be able to participate in the fun, thanks to their Game Pass subscription. Instead, PC players will still need to pre-order or purchase the game at launch to play. While some are disappointed, this isn’t the first time that Game Pass’s console version has received a game that PC hasn’t. Other titles like The Elder Scrolls Online and, more recently, Fallout: New Vegas only have appeared on the console version, and many users hope that Outriders will make the jump to PC not too long after its release on April 1. Biswas says that speculation about the game’s arrival on Game Pass also has been a topic of discussion for months. So, many users—though not all—probably were not expecting to be able to dive into the game and play it at launch. "Many Xbox users pre-ordered the game over speculations that it wouldn’t be released on Game Pass. This would have limited its access and availability, as not all users can afford to buy the game [at launch]," Biswas explained.

Increasing Value

Outriders, which launched a demo at the end of February, has garnered quite a bit of love for its unique approach to the looter shooter genre. According to the developers, instead of relying on the live services aspect that has made games like The Division 2 and Destiny 2 so long-standing, Outriders’ entire story is playable from beginning to end. This means you won’t need to wait months or possibly years to see the complete narrative play out. Instead, you can simply jump into the game and start collecting loot, similar to popular games like the Borderlands series. When you also consider that Microsoft just added over 20 of Bethesda Softworks’ most popular video games, like Fallout 4, Dishonored and Dishonored 2, Doom Eternal, The Evil Within, and more, the value for Game Pass continues to grow. More and more users are taking notice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Xbox All Access: What It Is and How to Use It How to Set Up Xbox Game Streaming for Your Phone Xbox Series S and X Backwards Compatibility Amazon Luna vs. Xbox Game Pass: What's the Difference? PlayStation 6: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors What Is the Xbox Game Pass? Xbox Game Pass vs Ultimate: What's the Difference? The Quick Guide to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate The Quick Guide to Cloud Gaming With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Xbox Series X Review: One Power-Packed 4K Console The Benefits of Buying Xbox Live Gold PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Which Console Is Right for You? PS4 vs Xbox One: Which Console Is Right for You? How to Get an Xbox Live Gold Subscription for Free Xbox Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know The 8 Best Current Gaming Consoles of 2022 by Lifewire Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies