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It should be noted that these departures only apply to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, and won’t be felt by those that pay for the core or standard tiers. At least in this case, we’re learning about the loss of Madden NFL 23 and F1 2022 well ahead of time. Usually, subscribers have just two weeks to play games before they’re removed. This time, there’s more than a month’s notice, giving everyone ample time to enjoy these games before they’re gone. It’s also worth noting that Madden NFL 24 and F1 23 are both playable on Xbox Game Pass, so it’s not like this is a huge loss. If players desperately want to play the older versions, they’re not available on the Microsoft Store anymore, so you can’t just go buy them. However, physical copies can be found very cheap on sites like eBay, with shrink-wrapped new options available for around $10.
With all of these games leaving Xbox Game Pass lately, hopefully January will have plenty to celebrate. Departures are a reality of subscription services, and it’s just how these things work. We should know what to expect in terms of arrivals in the next few days, but the only remaining game currently confirmed is Road 96, which is coming to Xbox Game Pass standard on January 7th. That’s actually a pretty notable arrival, as the game currently holds a “very positive” rating on Steam. For those that have never gotten a chance to play it, this should be the perfect opportunity.
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From everything revealed thus far, 2025 should be a pretty big year for Xbox. The company has some major first-party games that are set to be released this year, all of which will arrive day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Titles like Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Fable could make this a huge year for Xbox owners, especially those who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass. It remains to be seen whether all of these games will actually release this year, as some could end up delayed. Hopefully we won’t see too many games slip!
Are you disappointed about these Xbox Game Pass removals? What games are you hoping to see added to the service this month? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!
[H/T: True Achievements]
