Beyond Game Pass, the remainder of the year is filled with exciting video game releases. However, a select few could be excellent choices to launch on the Xbox subscription service. Smaller titles likeOlliOlli World, Blood Bowl 3,andF1 2021could very easily find their way to theincreasingly popular and growing Xbox Game Pass, but a few more heavy hitters would launch Game Pass to even greater heights.
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At the beginning of 2021, Head of XboxPhil Spencer teased a big year for Game Pass. Based on the addition of Bethesda games to the service (after the acquisition of ZeniMax Media), the shocking turnaround ofMLB The Show 21, andOutridersalone, that is already true. But there are likely more day-one Xbox Game Pass titles on the way.
Back 4 Blood
One of the most intriguing and exciting upcoming 2021 games is Turtle Rock Studios’Back 4 Blood.The developer behind the creative but ultimately flawedEvolveis now working on a spiritual successor toLeft 4 Dead;the beloved co-op zombie title.Back 4 Bloodis under a lot of pressurethanks to the comparisons to the zombie shooter and the shortcomings ofEvolve,but a lot of that could be alleviated if the game launched on day one for Xbox Game Pass.
The recentOutriderson Xbox Game Pass announcement felt perfectand also shocking. But the scale of the game feels similar toBack 4 Blood. Now that Microsoft has opened the door to day-one Xbox Game Pass deals such asOutriders —a game that has no affiliation with Xbox but feels like a great fit on the service — titles likeBack 4 Bloodcould follow suit.
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Tales of Arise
Tales of Ariseis a highly anticipated upcoming action RPG that is set to release in September. The Bandai Namco title would be a big get for Microsoft, asPhil Spencer specifically has worked at strengthening relationships with Japanese developers.
A stronger bond with the region would mean that Xbox consoles and the services would likely perform better in Japan, but also Japanese-developed games may have more success on Xbox consoles in the U.S. and beyond. There have been whispers thatTales of Arisecould launch on Xbox Game Pass, and if this is indeed true, it would be a breath of fresh air to see a very different type of game come to the service.
Crimson Desert
A sneaky pick for an Xbox Game Pass launch title would beCrimson Desert, the upcoming open-world action-adventure from Pearl Abyss. Thebreathtaking gameplay trailer ofCrimson Desertshown at last year’s The Game Awards almost stole the show.
Crimson Desertwas originally planned as a sequel to Pearl Abyss’Black Desert Online, but the title morphed into something more: A singleplayer adventure set in the same universe. CurrentlyBlack Desert Onlineis anXbox Game Passtitle, which makesCrimson Deserta perfect candidate to launch on Game Pass when it releases later this winter.
Madden NFL 22
Based on some of the recent additions to the Xbox subscription service, aMadden NFL 22and Game Pass marriage almost feels inevitable. One of the major positives is that EA and Microsoft already have a relationship thanks to EA Play’s integration with Xbox Game Pass. Because of the deal and integration, Xbox Game Pass users can currently play games likeMadden NFL 21, FIFA 21,andStar Wars: Squadrons(among many others). While releasing aMaddengame on Game Pass day one has not happened yet, it seems like a feasible next step.
Madden NFL 22would not be asshocking a win asMLB The Show 21coming to Xbox Game Pass, but it would still be a big deal.MLB The Showwas a series that was once exclusive to PlayStation, so it was a shock that it jumped ship by joining Xbox Game Pass on its launch day. ButMadden NFL 22is one of the more popular sports games in the U.S. Additionally, with the title also having plenty of microtransactions, EA would likely benefit quickly from players being able to play the game for free with a Game Pass subscription all while quickly getting hooked on the gameplay loop.
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Battlefield 6
With every “win” that Xbox has been able to muster for Game Pass in 2021, perhaps none of them would compare to snaggingBattlefield 6on day one. This first-person-shooter is highly anticipated, as it has been three years sinceBattlefield 5was released. There have been rumors that thenewestBattlefieldwill be coming to Xbox Game Pass on launch day, and if that is indeed the case, Xbox would be flying high.
From the EA andBattlefieldperspective, the competition againstCall of Dutyis as real as ever. The games come with controversy and complaints from time to time, butCall of Dutybrought in 3 billion in net bookingslast year; thanks toCall of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War,andCall of Duty: Mobileall actively being supported in that time frame.Battlefield 6needs to challenge that.
A wise decision would be forBattlefield 6to “jump-start” its launch by releasing on Xbox Game Pass on day one. If the option isCall of Duty 2021for $60 USD orBattlefield 6for “free” on Xbox Game Pass, the decision may be easy for many. The more players that have the opportunity to playBattlefield 6the better. This same principle helpedFall Guyskickstart its rise to stardom last year on PS Plus, for example.Battlefield 6on Xbox Game Pass would be a huge winfor all.
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