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Microsoft Reveals All 32 Games in Game Pass Core

Like all good things, there's a catch
by Joe Wilcock on September 13, 2023   



Microsoft's gaming subscription landscape is undergoing a transformation as it retires the long-standing Xbox Live Gold service and introduces Game Pass Core. The transition, scheduled for September 14th, has raised some eyebrows, with its pricing and game offerings leaving room for scrutiny.

Game Pass Core, essentially a budget version of the more comprehensive Game Pass service, comes with a price tag of $10 per month, mirroring the cost of Xbox Live Gold. While it's tempting to see this as a frugal option for budget-conscious gamers, a closer look at the offerings may raise questions.

The selling point of Game Pass Core is its curated selection of 36 games, which includes titles like Stardew Valley, Vampire Survivors, Among Us, Firewatch, and Dead Cells, alongside some AAA heavyweights such as Dishonored 2, Doom Eternal, and Forza Horizon 4. On the surface, this might seem like a decent lineup, but the catch here is that games will only be added to Core two or three times a year.

The full list is as follows: 

  • Among Us 
  • Astroneer 
  • Celeste 
  • Dead Cells 
  • Descenders 
  • Dishonored 2 
  • Doom Eternal Standard Edition 
  • Fable Anniversary 
  • Fallout 4 
  • Fallout 76 
  • Firewatch 
  • Forza Horizon 4 Standard Edition 
  • Gang Beasts 
  • Gears 5 Game of the Year Edition 
  • Golf with your Friends 
  • Grounded 
  • Halo 5: Guardians 
  • Halo Wars 2 
  • Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice 
  • Human Fall Flat 
  • Inside 
  • Limbo 
  • Ori & the Will of the Wisps 
  • Overcooked! 2 
  • Payday 2: Crimewave Edition 
  • Powerwash Simulator 
  • Psychonauts 2 
  • Slay the Spire Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition 
  • Stardew Valley 
  • State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition 
  • Superliminal 
  • The Elder Scrolls Online 
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge 
  • Unpacking 
  • Vampire Survivors

Compared to the outgoing Xbox Live Gold, which used to offer two different games each month, this shift represents a substantial reduction in the quantity of games available to subscribers. While the quality of the games on the list is undeniable, the sporadic additions might leave some gamers feeling shortchanged.

Adding to the pricing dilemma is the fact that the full-fledged Game Pass, offering a vastly larger library of games, is just a dollar more expensive at $11 per month. It raises the question of why anyone would opt for Core when they can have access to a significantly broader selection for just a marginal increase in cost.

While there is an option to purchase a year's worth of Core subscription for $60, effectively halving the monthly price, such discounts are conspicuously absent for the higher tiers of Game Pass. This pricing structure appears contradictory and might leave potential subscribers pondering their choices.

Microsoft seems to be positioning Game Pass Core as an entry-level gaming experience, ideal for newcomers to the world of console gaming. However, it's essential to note that experienced gamers are unlikely to find much value here, especially if they've been collecting titles over the last few years.

Game Pass Core introduces an intriguing yet somewhat baffling proposition to Microsoft's gaming subscription lineup. While the quality of games included is commendable, the sporadic additions and pricing structure may deter many potential subscribers, especially when the more comprehensive Game Pass option is just a dollar away. Ultimately, whether Game Pass Core succeeds or fades into obscurity will depend on how well it caters to its target audience and whether gamers find its value proposition compelling enough to make the switch from the departing Xbox Live Gold.
 


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