A new one Xbox Game Pass level may have leaked online, with a library that appears to be focused exclusively on older games published by Microsoft-owned studios. Building up Xbox Game Pass has been Xbox's primary focus during the current console generation, with the company bringing all of its first-party games to the service on day one. As more resources have been put into increasing the appeal of the service, Xbox has been actively looking for ways to bring in new subscribers. This has resulted in multiple subscription levels, which determine which specific games the user can access.
The increasing cost of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been a hot topic. Last October, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate rose to $29.99, an increase of $10. The new price resulted in a lot of frustration from subscribers, and has led to increased questions about whether the service is worth it. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate may still be a strong value for those who take advantage of playing games on their release dates, but $29.99 is roughly half of a new video game. Not everyone is still willing to spend that much money, especially if they have alternative entertainment options.
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Xbox Game Pass TRITON level
According to a new rumor, yet another Xbox Game Pass tier is in the planning stages, codenamed TRITON. Twitter user Better xCloud has discovered coding that refers to the TRITON name, which is linked to several older games published by Microsoft-owned studios. So far, games discovered include games like DOOM Eternal, Ori and the Blind Forest, Halo 5: Guardiansand more. Currently, the new tier hasn't been confirmed in any official capacity, but it would fit with new boss Asha Sharma's interest in exploring cheaper Xbox Game Pass subscription options. A focus on older games could still appeal to gamers, and costs would be much lower because Xbox wouldn't have to pay third-party studios to include their games.
For years, there has been speculation about the possibility of Xbox Game Pass coming to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For Xbox, this could significantly expand the number of potential subscribers, which is something the company has been actively looking for. However, there are some logical reasons why Nintendo and Sony might oppose such a move. The biggest hurdle is that both of these companies get a big cut when a third-party game is sold on Switch and PS5, and Xbox Game Pass would cut into those profits. For example games like Among us and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge might sell fewer copies on Switch if users could access the same titles on the system through an Xbox Game Pass app. Given that TRITON seems to be aimed exclusively at Microsoft-owned games, fans are wondering if this is the kind of Game Pass option that could be coming to Sony and Nintendo's platforms.
The Asha Sharma era at Xbox has only just begun, so it's hard to say what the change in leadership means for the brand. The controversial “This is an Xbox” campaign seems to have been quietly killed recently, and it's likely that more changes will happen in the coming months. Xbox fans have plenty of reason to worry about the future given the company's struggles in the current console generation, but it's possible that there could be some changes for the better. Cheaper Game Pass tiers would be a welcome start, especially if TRITON ends up being offered on multiple platforms. For now, those interested in checking out Xbox Game Pass will have to settle for the current tiers on offer.
