Surprising fans today, Dead Island 2 has made its debut on Xbox Game Pass, but there's a catch - only Ultimate members on consoles can access it. The reason behind this limitation is the ongoing exclusivity of Dead Island 2's PC version on the Epic Games Store until a later date.

The stealthy Game Pass release of Dead Island 2 left fans in awe, as neither Microsoft nor Dambuster Studios had promoted its arrival. This silent drop mirrors recent additions like Tales of Arise to Game Pass. As a well-received sequel to 2011's Dead Island, Dead Island 2 receives regular updates, making it a promising inclusion in Xbox's subscription service. However, a significant portion of Game Pass subscribers are currently unable to enjoy the game.

PC Game Pass Ultimate subscribers may get their hands on Dead Island 2 on April 22, when its exclusivity on the Epic Games Store ends. However, there's a chance that Dead Island 2 might no longer be on Game Pass by then, although a short lifespan would be unexpected. The Game Pass release of Dead Island 2 grants console Ultimate subscribers access to the base game and opportunities to earn rewards, like the Trickster's Smile knife, by linking their account to Dead Island 2's PROS platform. Moreover, users can now unlock the legendary-tier Malibu Nightstick bat by dismembering 1,000 limbs.

Will Dead Island 2 Be Available for PC Game Pass Subscribers?

• No, but there's a possibility of it being added to PC Game Pass after April 22, once its exclusivity on the Epic Games Store ends.

Restricted access for eligible Game Pass subscribers implies that fans might need to make additional purchases to acquire Dead Island 2's Sola Festival DLC upon its upcoming release. The DLC's specific launch date is still unknown, but it is slated for a Q2 2024 release window, featuring a post-apocalyptic rave community theme. A previous Dead Island 2 expansion called Haus was well-received by fans for its inclusion of human characters.

Looking ahead to 2024, Dead Island 2 may have more surprises in store, such as a potential release on the Switch. The parent company of Dead Island 2 had previously hinted at a new platform release this year, possibly referring to its imminent launch on Steam.

Game Pass subscribers can anticipate more upcoming titles. PC and console subscribers are set to gain access to Maneater on February 27, Indivisible on February 28, Space Engineers on February 29, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on March 5, and Diablo 4 on March 28.