Every month, Xbox Game Pass gives users a new reason to join by letting them know which games will be added or removed from the service. While losing a favorite game can be disappointing, it often brings excitement as players eagerly await new games to come to the service. With the holiday season over, January is expected to bring a mix of different games to Xbox Game Pass, perfect for keeping subscribers entertained during the colder months.
Xbox Game Pass offers a wide range of games across multiple genres. To keep things fresh, the list of available titles is updated regularly. Last year saw an increase in the number of games releasing on Game Pass on the same day they were fully released. While this doesn't always happen, these same-day launches make Game Pass – or at least Game Pass Ultimate since the tiers changed – a great option for gamers who want to try out the latest games alongside their friends. This happened with Game Pass in December, so it's always likely.
Every game coming to Game Pass in January 2024
New games start arriving on January 1st
This January, five new games will be available on Xbox Game Pass the same day it launches everywhere else. One of the most anticipated games is Sniper Elite: Endurance, what is the next game Elite Sniper franchise. Players will once again fight against Germany alongside the resistance in Nazi-occupied France. The launch is scheduled for January 30, 2025 and will be part of Game Pass from day one.
Game |
Game Pass Release Date |
Day One Launch |
---|---|---|
Carrion |
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 |
No |
Highway 96 |
Monday, January 6, 2025 |
No |
Eternal Threads |
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 |
Yes |
Sniper Elite: Endurance |
Thursday, January 30, 2025 |
Yes |
Citizen Sleeper 2: Star Vector |
Friday, January 31, 2025 |
Yes |
Additionally, Citizen Sleeper 2: Star Vector is also coming to Game Pass day one. It is a role-playing game that uses dice and is set in a warm and emotional sci-fi environment. You play as an escaped android with a broken body, a bounty on your head, and no memories of your past. Your goal is to get a spaceship, assemble a crew, and take on various jobs while traveling the Starward Belt.
It's a good idea to join Game Pass if you're interested in the benefits. If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you'll typically receive special perks, including exclusive in-game packs at launch and more packs with future updates. However, the two mentioned above are likely only available with an Ultimate subscription, as the new Game Pass tier misses out on day one games.
Every game leaving Game Pass in January 2025
All leaving January 1st
It's always a little disappointing to see games leaving Xbox Game Pass. In January, several titles will be removed from the schedule. Humanitywhich is a 4x turn-based strategy game, will not be available to play in 2025 via Game Pass. Unfortunately, other games like BlazBlue: Battle Crusade It will also disappear shortly after the holiday season ends, which might have been fun for friends and family to play together.
Game |
Game Pass exit date |
---|---|
Close to the Sun |
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 |
Humanity |
|
BlazBlue: Battle Crusade |
|
McPixel 3 |
It's hard to miss any game on Game Pass, but some games tend to come back after a while. THE Yakuza/Like a dragon series is a great example of this. Yakuza The games have fluctuated between being on Game Pass and leaving, but the series feels like a Game Pass staple, even if it doesn't have every entry in the series. This way, games that leave the service will be able to return later.
Games rumored for Game Pass in January
Games we want to see
While many new and exciting games are coming to Xbox Game Pass, there are still many titles that gamers want to see added. Many were disappointed to learn that Baldur's Gate 3 it will not yet be available on Game Pass. However, there are more releases that players wanted that will also not be included in January. For example, Dragon Age: The Veil Guard and deck-building roguelite Balatro tend to be requested on Game Pass, but probably won't end up in the service.
With the holidays just around the corner, some of the service's current games may receive new DLC or holiday-themed updates. More game additions will likely be announced soon to attract more players to Xbox Game Pass as the year begins. Now would be a great time to join if you're on the fence, as it's hard to pass up another year of free games and perks.