Starfield is Coming to Xbox Game Pass Standard in February

The first wave of new Game Pass games for February will bring Starfield and three other games to the new Game Pass Standard tier. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will also get access to Avowed, the next Xbox-exclusive game from Obsidian Entertainment on day one. Madden 25 is also coming to the premium Game Pass tier via EA Play.

Microsoft’s $14.99 Game Pass Standard tier offers access to hundreds of games, but subscribers can’t play new Xbox Games Studios releases like Starfield on day one. Starfield launched on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass back in September 2023, so it’s coming to Microsoft’s new Game Pass Standard tier after one year and five months.

Starfield is probably one of the biggest recent Xbox-exclusive games to become available on this new Game Pass Standard tier. Other games from Microsoft-owned studios released in 2023, including Diablo IV or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, are still unavailable for Game Pass Standard members. However, if Starfield is any indication, they may well come to the library later this year.

Starfield received a big marketing push ahead of its release in the fall of 2023 as it was the first new IP from Bethesda in almost 20 years. The upcoming Avowed from Obsidian is also a brand new IP, but it’s a far less ambitious game. It may also not remain exclusive to Xbox consoles for a long time as Microsoft appears ready to bring more of its games to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles this year. This will start with the PS5 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5 this Spring.

Anyway, here are the new Game Pass games that Microsoft announced today with their availability dates:

• Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available today on Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard
• Another Crab’s Treasure (Console) – Coming to Game Pass Standard on February 5
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Console) – Coming to Game Pass Standard on February 5
• Starfield (Xbox Series X|S) – Coming to Game Pass Standard on February 5
• Madden NFL 25 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game on February 6
• Kingdom Two Crowns (Cloud and Console) – Coming to Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard on February 13
• Avowed (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Coming on day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on February 18

It’s worth noting that Far Cry New Dawn just received a next-gen update for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 players. This update will replace the existing FPS Boost support that made the game run at 60FPS on Xbox Series X|S at the cost of a decreased resolution.

Lastly, Microsoft revealed today that seven games will leave the Game Pass library on February 15. The list includes Bloodstained Ritual of the Night, EA Sports UFC 3 (also leaving EA Play), Indivisible, Return to Grace, and Tales of Arise. As usual, these games can be purchased with a 20% discount before they disappear from the Game Pass library.