Why August 31 is Going to Be a Sad Day for Xbox Game Pass Subscribers

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Xbox Game Pass has changed how fans see the Xbox ecosystem and gaming at large. With every release, there is the constant question of whether it will release on Game Pass on day one, down the line, and so on. Xbox Game Pass also dominates a lot of gaming conversations because of how affordable it is, how it keeps itself in circulation with new reveals every two weeks (with the occasional surprise between major reveals), and how promising its future is. Microsoft itself might be racing to catch up with Xbox Game Pass' popularity, but the entire idea of every first-party Xbox game being on Game Pass on day one is incredibly enticing, if perhaps a little slow right now.

Because of this structure too, additions to Xbox Game Pass often far outpace the removal of games. Microsoft also gives fans enough heads up that anything they're interested in can likely be finished before being removed, and there's even a discount should someone opt to buy it. This schedule often softens the blow of removals, but August 31 is a little different. There's no softening that punch.

August 30 is Going to Be a Huge Day for Xbox Game Pass

Typically, Xbox Game Pass removes 5 games on the 15th and 5 games on the 30th/31st of the month. However, there is a total of ten games leaving on August 31. If it were just an increased number of games leaving, many fans may not bat an eye. But the truth is a lot of really good games are leaving the service.

The big loss is Hades, a game that has come to be the face of the roguelike genre. Hades is critically acclaimed, and many games are already being compared to it. It leaving Xbox Game Pass is an absolute bummer for everyone who loves it but is equally bad for anyone who was putting it off. It's one of the few