New Xbox Game Pass tier may have leaked online with a library that appears to be focused exclusively on older games published by Microsoft-owned studios. Building Xbox Game Pass has been a major focus for Xbox during the current console generation, with the company bringing all of its first-party games to the service on day one. As more resources were invested in increasing the appeal of the service, Xbox actively sought ways to bring in new subscribers. This led to several subscription tiers that determine the specific games a user can access.
The rising cost of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions has been a hot topic. Last October, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped to $29.99, an increase of $10. The new price led to a lot of frustration from subscribers and led to an increase in questions about whether the service was worth it. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate may still be a strong value for those who enjoy playing games on their release day, but $29.99 is roughly the equivalent of half off 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 Tier
According to a new rumor, another Xbox Game Pass tier, codenamed TRITON, is in the planning stages. Twitter user Better xCloud has discovered coding referring to the name TRITON, which is attached to several older games released by Microsoft-owned studios. Games discovered so far include games like DOOM Eternal, The Ori and the Blind Forest, Halo 5: Guardiansand others. At this point, the new tier isn't confirmed in any official capacity, but it would fit with new boss Ash Sharma's interest in exploring cheaper Xbox Game Pass subscription options. Focusing on older games could still appeal to players, and the cost would be much lower because Xbox wouldn't have to pay third-party studios to include their games.
For several years now, there has been speculation about the possibility of Xbox Game Pass being released on PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For Xbox, this could greatly expand the number of potential subscribers, something the company has been actively seeking. However, there are several logical reasons why Nintendo and Sony might be against 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 Between us and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge could sell fewer copies on Switch if users could access the same titles on the system through Xbox Game Pass. Since TRITON seems to be focused exclusively on Microsoft-owned games, fans are wondering if this is the kind of Game Pass option that could be coming to Sony and Nintendo platforms.
The Asha Sharma era at Xbox is just beginning, so it's hard to say what the change in leadership means for the brand. The controversial “This is Xbox” campaign appears to have been quietly killed recently, and more changes are likely to follow in the coming months. Xbox fans have plenty of reason to worry about the future given the company's struggles throughout the current generation of consoles, but it's possible that some changes could be coming for the better. Cheaper Game Pass tiers would be a welcome start, especially if TRITON is offered on multiple platforms. For now, those interested in an Xbox Game Pass subscription will have to make do with the current tiers on offer.
