Some Xbox Game Pass Users Have Another Cozy Stardew Valley-Like Game to Play

Anime farming and life sim Starsand Island has joined the Xbox Game Pass Premium library as its 11th new addition in August 2026. Its wider release coincides with a massive update that officially marks the end of its early access period, with the title expected to remain on Xbox Game Pass until at least early 2027.

Developed and self-published by Chinese studio Seed Sparkle Lab, Starsand Island is a cozy genre hybrid combining farming with extensive life simulation elements. From a high-level perspective, it largely plays like a 3D Stardew Valley with an anime art style and a tropical open world setting, allowing players to farm, raise animals, fish, craft, build and decorate homes, and form (both platonic and romantic) relationships with residents. Its vibrant world also includes a neighboring archipelago and ancient ruins that serve as dungeon-like areas, where players can explore, fight enemies, and uncover various treasures. Starsand Island originally launched in early access on February 11, when it also joined Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It was the service’s 26th new addition of 2026.

Starsand Island Leaves Early Access, Enters Xbox Game Pass Premium Catalog

Six months after Starsand Island debuted on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Seed Sparkle Lab’s Stardew Valley-like life sim has joined the Premium tier of Microsoft’s content catalog, where it became available earlier today, August 20. The move comes just two days after the game officially left early access on August 18. Starsand Island‘s 1.0 update introduces four-player co-op, more three- and five-heart quests for 19 NPCs, additional dating activities for all 14 romanceable characters, and a new seasonal event with its own storyline, among many other additions.

Starsand Island Likely Staying on Xbox Game Pass Until at Least 2027

XGP Premium Subscribers Should Have Plenty of Time to Complete It at Their Own Pace

Among the titles that have left Xbox Game Pass in the first eight and a half months of 2026, the average catalog stint was 22 months, about four weeks longer than in 2025. Based on that trend, it seems plausible that Starsand Island could stick around for a while yet, potentially at least until the 12-month anniversary of its early access and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate launch in February 2027. There is no studio-specific precedent to consider, however, as Starsand Island is both Seed Sparkle Lab’s first Xbox Game Pass release and its first title overall.

Xbox Game Pass Release Schedule: August 20, 2026 Snapshot

Starsand Island brings the total number of Xbox Game Pass Premium titles to 579. For context, the Ultimate-tier catalog is roughly 58% larger, spanning 916 games as of August 20, 2026. The Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 2 lineup includes two more expanded releases that are yet to trickle down to the Premium library: Aerial_Knight’s DropShot is scheduled to make the jump on August 25, while Young Suns will join the middle tier of the service on August 31.

Shelldiver is currently the only confirmed Xbox Game Pass Premium addition for the month ahead. The incremental diving management game will join the service on September 1, launching simultaneously across XGP Premium, Ultimate, and PC Game Pass libraries.

Released

August 18, 2026

ESRB

Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases

Developer(s)

Seed Lab

Publisher(s)

Seed Lab