Outriders is an upcoming third-person shooter from People Can Fly, the studio that brought fans Gears of War: Judgement and Bulletstorm. It has been confirmed the shooter is coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one, meaning that for those with a subscription, the brand new game will be available at no extra cost. Microsoft has recently confirmed that future Bethesda games will launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one, but with this being a third-party game, this could be a big deal and a sign of things to come for Xbox.
Microsoft's Xbox Games with Gold program offers players free games every month, but some gamers haven't been excited by its offerings for some time. Availing the games on offer is a great way to flesh out a player's library, but for some, the selection has been lacking in worthwhile releases. With Outriders coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one, the value of Xbox Games with Gold has become a more prevalent question in the minds of some gamers. Some gamers believe that there haven't been many remarkable additions to Games with Gold, and now with another big win for Xbox Game Pass in the books, the necessity of Games with Gold has come into question again.
The Value of Games with Gold
Many Xbox gamers have become disillusioned with Games with Gold due to the service's free game offerings. While there are some exceptions, such as February 2021 with Gears 5, the lineup of free games month-to-month doesn't seem to excite many fans. The issue that gamers have pointed out is that the lineup tends to be underwhelming most months, without any big titles being available for free. Some have started to considered Games with Gold as a program that's losing relevancy, especially when compared to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Currently, Games with Gold is often considered a service that doesn't offer an awful lot of value.
The Gold subscription required by players to engage in online multiplayer is a necessity for most gamers, especially those who prefer multiplayer experiences. Games with Gold is a part of this subscription and for some gamers, it's a nice add-on to online multiplayer access. Comparing the return on investment of Games with Gold and Xbox Game Pass, it quickly becomes apparent that if a gamer wants access to top titles and a vast library, Xbox Game Pass has the best value of the two services. With titles like Outriders coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one, the value of Games with Gold is brought into questioning even more so.
Outriders and Xbox Game Pass Fit Together
Outriders releasing on Xbox Game Pass is an easy match for both the developer, People Can Fly, and Microsoft. Outriders is entering a somewhat crowded market when it releases on April 1, with there being numerous titles that fit the mold of an online co-op shooter with RPG elements. Outriders' advantage is that Xbox Game Pass has millions of subscribers, and with there being no additional cost when the shooter releases, it gives subscribers more of a reason to try it out. It's unknown how long Outriders will be on Xbox Game Pass, but a prolonged opportunity to test the game might be enough to convince some to make a full purchase of the game.
This is a strategic release plan for both People Can Fly and Microsoft, and it could help Outriders become more successful than it would have otherwise. The Outriders demo saw huge success for People Can Fly, some gamers were already excited for the game before the Xbox Game Pass release was announced. Now that Outriders is officially coming to Xbox Game Pass, there has been even more excitement generated.
While Games with Gold has had some well-received lineups, there hasn't been much from the service that has equaled the enthusiasm of Outriders on Xbox Game Pass. If Outriders turns out to be successful on Xbox Game Pass, it could provide Microsoft with another reason to re-examine Games with Gold's place among its other offerings.
Outriders on Xbox Game Pass Furthers a Precedent
Microsoft has been putting a lot more work and energy into Xbox Game Pass than perhaps any other service it provides for Xbox. With the addition of Bethesda games and a lineup that continues to grow every month, it's clear to many that Microsoft's next-gen strategy remains focused on Xbox Game Pass. Outriders' impending debut on Xbox Game Pass goes to show that this is where Microsoft's attention is going to be, and sets a precedent for the possibility of future third-party games releasing day one on the service. By comparison, Games with Gold is continuing to pump out free games every month, but it doesn't seem to be nearly as much of a focal point for Xbox.
By comparison to Xbox Game Pass, Games with Gold has had little to excite or surprise gamers. There was some promise with the February 2021 lineup, which contained Gears 5, but it remains to be seen if Microsoft will continue to provide selections with high-profile and acclaimed titles. The March 2021 lineup contains games like Warface: Breakout, and Port Royale 3, and many gamers have expressed disappointment in the newest selection of titles. Games with Gold has been considered to be a far cry from Xbox Game Pass, with the quality and offerings being in stark contrast to each other.
Outriders' upcoming launch on Xbox Game Pass is another step forward for the subscription service. The service already has millions of subscribers and has been proven to be good for the Xbox brand in general, with gamers spending more money on gaming-related content. While Games with Gold certainly has a lot to offer with its free games every month, fans have largely seemed displeased with what has been offered by the service.
Microsoft has put a lot of time and effort into Game Pass, and with Outriders coming to it on day one, it sets a precedent for future third-party games launching on it as well. Games with Gold might need some radical re-working if it's to continue being considered a valuable service.