Microsoft's popular subscription gaming service Xbox Game Pass offers its members hundreds of games to play, old and new alike — and fresh titles are added to its library each and every month. But as fun as it is to see what's new, it can sometimes be equally frustrating to look at the games rotating out of the Game Pass catalog.
Such is the case right now, as players have come to realize that one of the service's biggest FPS games is scheduled to depart this month: STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. STALKER 2 first came out on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC in 2024 on November 20, and was a day one Game Pass release. Now, nearly a full year later, it's leaving the program.
While it's true that games often leave Game Pass after a year or two of being available on the service, it's still a surprise when certain major titles make an exit — and in my mind, STALKER 2 is definitely one of them. For one, it was launched as a timed Xbox console exclusive, only available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (Steam, Xbox app).
Microsoft and Xbox also supported STALKER 2's turbulent development quite a bit, backing studio GSC Game World and helping it navigate the challenges of relocating to Prague from Kyiv and working on the survival-horror FPS amidst Russia's ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine.
While it's true that games often leave Game Pass after a year or two of being available on the service, it's still a surprise when certain major titles make an exit — and in my mind, STALKER 2 is definitely one of them.
The publisher also helped platform the developers and give them space to tell their story of creating a video game in wartime. GSC was able to share their harrowing experience during an Xbox showcase in 2022, and Microsoft also backed the production of the studio's 2024 "War Game" documentary film. STALKER 2 and GSC Game World were given the Xbox Excellence Award earlier this year, as well.
Indeed, while GSC Game World isn't a first-party Xbox Game Studios developer, it's clear that Microsoft worked very closely with the studio. Thus, it's quite a shock to see STALKER 2 leaving Game Pass, especially since regular sales of the game have slowed down significantly this long after its launch in 2024.
As for the "why" of it? My first guess was that something contractual between Xbox and GSC has come to a close, though again, it seems mutually beneficial to both parties to keep the game on the program. Removing it doesn't really make sense for Microsoft or the game's developer.
Another possibility is that it has something to do with STALKER 2's imminent upcoming release on Sony's PS5 platform, which is scheduled for November 20 — the game's one-year anniversary. Perhaps taking the title off of Game Pass was a condition for a PS5 version of the FPS being possible, though this is just speculation.
Ultimately, we won't know why STALKER 2 is being rotated out of the service for sure unless Microsoft or GSC Game World put out an official explanation. Regardless of the reasoning, though, this is quite disappointing news for Xbox and PC players that use or planned to use Game Pass to enjoy the game.
2025 has brought countless improvements and fixes to the shooter, with more still on the way; Game Pass users won't get to experience these without buying a full copy.
It's particularly disappointing for those that played STALKER 2 closer to its launch, and wanted to use Game Pass to come back down the line and experience it after several big updates. 2025 has brought countless improvements and fixes to the shooter, with more still on the way; Game Pass users won't get to experience these without buying a full copy.
The good news, though? There's actually an amazing deal on the Steam version of STALKER 2 that knocks the Deluxe Edition — a version that includes some extra goodies and is usually $79.99, up from the Standard Edition's $59.99 price — down to just $42.19 at Loaded (formerly CDKeys).
That's a killer discount of nearly 50% off, so take advantage of it if you have a good gaming PC and want to play STALKER 2 even after it leaves Xbox Game Pass. Want to make sure your rig is up to snuff? Check out the official STALKER 2 PC system requirements and specs.
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