A new Xbox Game Pass tier may have leaked online, with a library that seems to be focused exclusively on older games published by Microsoft-owned studios. Building up Xbox Game Pass has been Xbox’s primary focus during the current console generation, with the company bringing all of its first-party games to the service on day one. As more resources have been put into growing the appeal of the service, Xbox has been actively looking for ways to bring in new subscribers. This has resulted in multiple subscription tiers, which determine the specific games the user can access.
The increasing cost of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been a heated topic. Last October, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped to $29.99, which was an increase of $10. The new price resulted in a lot of frustration from subscribers, and has led to increased questions about whether the service is worth it. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can still be a strong value for those that take advantage of playing games on their release date, but $29.99 is roughly the equivalent of half a new release video game. Not everyone is still willing to spend that much money, especially if they have alternate entertainment options.
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Xbox Game Pass TRITON Tier
According to a new rumor, yet another Xbox Game Pass tier is in the planning stages, under the codename TRITON. Twitter user Better xCloud has discovered coding referring to the TRITON name, which is attached to several older games published by Microsoft-owned studios. So far, the games discovered include games like DOOM Eternal, Ori and the Blind Forest, Halo 5: Guardians, and more. At this time, the new tier has not been confirmed in any official capacity, but it would fit with new boss Asha Sharma’s interest in exploring cheaper Xbox Game Pass subscription options. A focus on older games could still appeal to players, and the costs would be a lot lower since Xbox would not have to pay third-party studios to include their games.
For several years, there has been speculation about the possibility of Xbox Game Pass coming to PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For Xbox, this could greatly expand the number of potential subscribers, which is something the company has been actively seeking. However, there are some logical reasons Nintendo and Sony might oppose such a move. The biggest hurdle is that both of those companies get a large cut when a third-party game is sold on Switch and PS5, and Xbox Game Pass would cut into those profits. For example, games like Among Us and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge might sell fewer copies on Switch if users could access those same titles on the system through an Xbox Game Pass app. Given that TRITON seems to be focused exclusively on Microsoft-owned games, fans are wondering if this is the kind of Game Pass option that could come to Sony and Nintendo’s platforms.
The Asha Sharma era at Xbox is only just beginning, so it’s difficult to say what the leadership change means for the brand. The controversial “This is an Xbox” campaign seems to have been quietly killed recently, and it’s likely more changes will happen over the coming months. Xbox fans have plenty of reason to be concerned about the future given the company’s struggles throughout the current console generation, but it’s possible there could be some changes for the better. Cheaper Game Pass tiers would be a welcome start, especially if TRITON does end up being offered across multiple platforms. For the time being, those interested in checking out Xbox Game Pass will have to settle for the current tiers that are offered.