new xbox game pass A tier containing a library that appears to focus only on older games released by Microsoft-owned studios may have been leaked online. Building Xbox Game Pass has been a major focus for Xbox during the current console generation, with the company offering all of its first-party games on the service from day one. As more resources are poured into increasing the appeal of its service, Xbox has been actively looking for ways to attract new subscribers. This has resulted in multiple subscription tiers that determine which specific games users can access.
The increasing cost of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been a hot topic. Last October, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped by $10 to $29.99. The new prices caused a lot of frustration among subscribers, raising questions about whether the service was worth it. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can still be a strong value for those playing games on launch day, but $29.99 costs roughly half of a newly released video game. Not everyone is still willing to spend that much money. This is especially true when alternative entertainment options are available.
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Xbox Game Pass TRITON Tiers
According to a new rumor, another Xbox Game Pass tier is in the planning stages, codenamed TRITON. Twitter user Better xCloud discovered coding referencing the TRITON name attached to several older games released by the Microsoft-owned studio. Games discovered so far include: Doom Eternal, Ori and the Blind Forest, Halo 5: GuardiansAnd more. As of now, the new tier hasn't been officially confirmed, but it would suit new boss Asha Sharma's interest in exploring cheaper Xbox Game Pass subscription options. Focusing on older games will still appeal to players, and costs will likely be much lower since Xbox won't have to pay third-party studios to include their games.
There has been speculation for several years about the possibility of Xbox Game Pass coming to PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For Xbox, this could significantly increase the number of potential subscribers the company has been actively pursuing. However, there are some logical reasons why Nintendo and Sony might oppose this move. The biggest hurdle is that both companies get a big cut when third-party games sell on Switch and PS5, and Xbox Game Pass gets a cut of those profits. For example, the following game among us and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge If users can access the same title on their system through the Xbox Game Pass app, they can sell fewer copies on Switch. Seeing as TRITON is only focusing on Microsoft-owned games, fans are wondering if this is a Game Pass option that could come to Sony and Nintendo platforms.
The Asha Sharma era at Xbox is just beginning, so it's hard to say what the leadership change means for the brand. The controversial “This is Xbox” campaign appears to have quietly ended recently, and more changes are likely to occur in the coming months. Xbox fans have plenty of reasons to worry about the future considering the company's struggles across the current console generation, but there may be some changes for the better. A cheaper Game Pass tier would be a welcome start. This is especially true when TRITON is available across multiple platforms. For now, those looking to check out Xbox Game Pass will have to be satisfied with the current tiers it offers.
