Key facts
- Announcement date
- August 4, 2026
- New titles added
- Over a dozen
- Grounded 2 tier expansion
- Now available on Game Pass Premium
- Grounded 2 update
- Into the Abyss
- Leaving Game Pass
- Aliens: Fireteam Elite on August 15
Background
Microsoft has announced the next wave of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass, with Grounded 2 expanding access to more subscription tiers, coinciding with the game's largest update yet. A number of new day-one releases and returning classics also appear in this week's update, though four titles will also be leaving Game Pass over the next couple of weeks.
Grounded 2 is now available to even more subscribers. Previously, the game had only been available through the Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers, but now access is extending to Game Pass Premium, which is the most popular tier amongst console-only Game Pass users. The timing is good too, as Grounded 2 is about to get the Into the Abyss update, adding new areas to explore, new survival systems and more.
Current situation
The full list of titles joining Game Pass over the next couple of weeks includes Heretic + Hexen (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) on August 4, Beast of Reincarnation (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 4, Monsters are Coming! (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 6, and PowerWash Simulator 2 (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, PC) on August 6.
Further additions include Bounty Star (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, PC) on August 11, Date Everything! (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 11, Grounded 2 (Game Preview) (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 11, Ball x Pit (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 12, Cricket 26 (Cloud, Console, PC) on August 13, Mio: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 13, Sandustry (Game Preview) (PC) on August 13, and Egging On (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC) on August 18.
The following games will leave the Game Pass library on August 15th: Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Cloud, Console, PC).
| Title | Platforms | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Heretic + Hexen | Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC | August 4 |
| Beast of Reincarnation | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 4 |
| Monsters are Coming! | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 6 |
| PowerWash Simulator 2 | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, PC | August 6 |
| Bounty Star | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, PC | August 11 |
| Date Everything! | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 11 |
| Grounded 2 (Game Preview) | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 11 |
| Ball x Pit | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 12 |
| Cricket 26 | Cloud, Console, PC | August 13 |
| Mio: Memories in Orbit | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 13 |
| Sandustry (Game Preview) | PC | August 13 |
| Egging On | Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, PC | August 18 |
Impacts
Subscribers across different Game Pass tiers will see changes in their available library. Grounded 2's expansion to Game Pass Premium means console-only users on that tier can now access the game, which was previously limited to Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
The departure of Aliens: Fireteam Elite on August 15 will remove that title from the Cloud, Console, and PC platforms, affecting players who have not yet completed it or purchased it separately. The exact impact on individual players depends on their subscription tier and platform preferences.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the Into the Abyss update for Grounded 2 delivers the promised new areas and survival systems, it could attract more players to the Game Pass Premium tier, especially among console-only users. However, the actual reception will depend on the quality and reception of the update.
The addition of over a dozen titles in August may increase engagement with Game Pass, but the departure of Aliens: Fireteam Elite could lead to some disappointment. If Microsoft continues to add day-one releases and popular classics, subscriber growth may continue, but if removals outpace additions, some users might reconsider their subscriptions.
The future composition of Game Pass will likely depend on Microsoft's ongoing licensing agreements and development pipeline. If more titles like Grounded 2 expand to additional tiers, it could further democratize access, but the specifics remain unclear.
Source: kitguru.net
