A recent GameStop ad has been generating buzz by promoting 'Microsoft Game Pass' instead of Xbox Game Pass, triggering discussions about the future of Xbox ahead of an upcoming business update event.
The Xbox Game Pass service continually adds new and popular games each month across different subscription tiers. Subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate enjoy extra perks, including in-game offers from third-party developers and an EA Play membership. These additional benefits are regularly updated, similar to the rotating game lineup. Available on Xbox Series X|S and PC platforms, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines the offerings of the Core, Console, and PC memberships into one. Despite the speculation and confusion caused by the ad, it appears that Xbox Game Pass will remain unchanged for now, providing a consistent and positive experience for customers.
On Twitter, a new ad from GameStop promoting the in-store Xbox Demo Day event for February 10 also mentioned the Xbox Game Pass subscription service as 'Microsoft Game Pass,' sparking rumors that Microsoft might be rebranding the service as part of its future plans. This led to 'Microsoft Game Pass' trending on Twitter as concerns and speculation spread across the platform. Shortly after the ad gained attention, the official GameStop Twitter account removed the ad without offering any clarification.
Twitter Reacts to GameStop's Microsoft Game Pass Ad
Twitter user Wario64 pointed out that EA had previously referred to Xbox Game Pass as Microsoft Game Pass when announcing that EA Play was an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perk. This revelation alleviated some concerns, with some suggesting that Microsoft Game Pass could be the official name for the Xbox Game Pass brand. Additionally, Jez Corden, the managing editor of Windows Central, contacted GameStop for clarification, stating that the company had 'just made up Microsoft Game Pass' while promoting Xbox Game Pass. Corden also indicated that there are currently no plans for changes to the Xbox Game Pass service or branding.
The timing of the Microsoft Game Pass ad further fueled anxiety among fans, especially following Phil Spencer's recent comments about the Xbox brand. However, others are intrigued by the possibility of Xbox expanding its service to other platforms, in light of rumors about Xbox games coming to PlayStation 5. Fortunately, it seems that Xbox Game Pass will not undergo any negative changes that could impact customers in the near future.