Xbox reveals disappointing Game Pass lineup following price increase but confirms fans’ biggest suspicion

XBOX used to be known as the budget-friendly option for gamers, with the Xbox Series S being one of the cheapest modern consoles on the market, and the excellent value offered with Xbox Game Pass.

However, there have been a number of signs that this is no longer the case, and even long-time Xbox fans seem to be turning on the company.

Xbox recently announced a huge price increase for Xbox Game Pass, including the replacement of the Xbox Game Pass for Console tier with Xbox Game Pass Standard, which doesn’t include day one releases.

Immediately afterwards, the next Game Pass line up included three games that were all day-one releases, meaning there were no games available at the Standard tier.

Xbox fans were hoping that the company would make up for it in August by releasing a large and stacked lineup, particularly as the price of Xbox consoles has risen in Japan.

However, while Game Pass usually announces around 6-8 games coming to the service every few weeks, the first half of August will see just three new additions.

The first of these arrives on August 7, and is a day-one release, meaning it will not be available to Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers.

Creatures of Ava is an action-adventure creature collector where you try to save the animals around you.

The second new game is actually a three-in-one as the Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy includes remakes of the first three games from the Crash Bandicoot series.

The platforming games in this collection have been considered some of the best in gaming ever since they were originally released for the PS1 in the ‘90s.

Finally, Game Pass subscribers can pick up Mafia: Definitive Edition, which is an upgraded version of the first game in the classic third-person shooter series.

Here’s the full list of games coming to Game Pass in August with their release dates:

• August 7
  • Creatures of Ava – (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S & PC) *Ultimate & PC only
• August 8
  • Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy – (Cloud, console & PC)
• August 13
  • Mafia: Definitive Edition – (Cloud, console & PC)

While fans are disappointed by this month’s Game Pass offerings, they have given players a clue as to things to come.

Ever since the almost $70billion acquisition of publisher Activision Blizzard last year, players have expected more of its games to be released on Game Pass.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was added last month, and Diablo 4 earlier this year, but those are the only two.

With the addition of Crash Bandicoot so close to the launch of Call of Duty on the service, fans think that their prayers might have finally been answered.

If you want to read more about upcoming games, check out the new Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom trailer.