Xbox Game Pass subscribers are in for a bit of a shakeup today as four titles are set to leave the service. Shadow Warrior 3, Airborne Kingdom, Offworld Trading Company, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are all scheduled to depart from Xbox Game Pass later today. This marks the first wave of departures for the month of August 2024, following a month that saw multiple instances of games leaving the service.
Microsoft’s subscription service typically rotates games out twice a month, with occasional deviations from this schedule. Last month, Xbox Game Pass experienced three separate instances of games leaving the catalog, including the unexpected departure of Cricket 22 on July 5. However, it seems that the service is now returning to its regular rotation schedule, with the removal of these four titles today.
The exact timing of when these games will be removed from Xbox Game Pass is not specified by Microsoft, but based on past patterns, they are likely to leave around the end of the day, local time. Players who have been enjoying these titles will need to make the most of their remaining time with them before they are no longer available through the service.
In terms of gameplay time, players may still have a chance to complete some of these titles before they leave Xbox Game Pass. For example, Shadow Warrior 3: Definitive Edition can be completed in around five and a half hours, while Airborne Kingdom offers a single campaign experience that can be finished in a shorter timeframe. However, completing all achievements or fully exploring these games may require more time.
With the departure of these four titles, Xbox Game Pass will see a net loss in content for the first half of August 2024. While Microsoft has not yet revealed the second wave of additions for the month, players can expect new titles to be announced soon. Third-party publisher announcements suggest that games like Core Keeper and SOPA: Tale of the Stolen Potato will be added to the service, with Core Keeper set to launch on August 27.
As Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve and offer a diverse range of games to subscribers, players can look forward to new additions and experiences in the coming weeks. While saying goodbye to beloved titles is always bittersweet, the constant rotation of games ensures that there is always something new and exciting to discover on Xbox Game Pass.