The first of the month is always an exciting time for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, but this October feels different. The gaming community is buzzing with anticipation over a rumored major announcement, and nobody is quite sure if it will be good news or bad. A well-known leaker has dropped hints of a big reveal, sparking a wave of speculation that ranges from a blockbuster game addition to a fundamental shake-up of the entire service.
The Leak That Sparked It All
The latest wave of speculation started with a post from Spanish insider eXtas1s, who has a track record of accurate leaks. They claimed that “big news” regarding Game Pass would be announced on October 1st. While the leaker kept the details vague, the community immediately began trying to piece together what it could mean. This is where the narrative splits into two very different possibilities: one that has gamers thrilled, and another that has them worried.
The Dream Scenario: Is Hogwarts Legacy Coming to Game Pass?
The most exciting rumor circulating is that Hogwarts Legacy, one of the best-selling games of the last couple of years, could be dropping on the service. Landing a third-party blockbuster of this magnitude would be a massive win for Microsoft and a huge value proposition for subscribers. It would demonstrate a continued commitment to bringing major titles to the platform and could attract a wave of new sign-ups. For many, this is the best-case scenario and the kind of “big news” that makes a Game Pass subscription feel essential.
The Other Side of the Coin: A Service Restructure?
Unfortunately, not all the rumors are so positive. Deeper threads of speculation suggest the announcement might be about a significant restructuring of the Game Pass tiers and pricing. These potential changes, pieced together from various online discussions, could make the service more expensive and complex. The rumored changes include:
- Merging Tiers: One of the strongest rumors is that PC Game Pass and the standard console Game Pass will be combined, effectively eliminating the cheaper, platform-specific options.
- Pushing Ultimate: This new combined tier might not include access to day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios. To get new games as soon as they launch, players would need to subscribe to the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate tier.
- Price Hike: An across-the-board price increase is also a possibility. With the industry facing economic pressures and Microsoft recently making unpopular changes to its Rewards program, a price hike would not be surprising.
- Cloud Gaming Updates: On a more positive note, the announcement could include updates to cloud gaming, with improved streaming quality and perhaps 4K support for Ultimate members.
If true, these changes would fundamentally alter the value of the service for many users, especially those who only play on one platform and have enjoyed the affordability of the lower tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the source of the Game Pass rumors?
The primary source is a Spanish leaker known as eXtas1s, who has a history of accurate predictions about Xbox and its services.
What big game is rumored to be coming to Game Pass?
The most prominent rumor is that Hogwarts Legacy, the hit action-RPG set in the Harry Potter universe, could be added to the Game Pass library.
What are the rumored negative changes to Game Pass?
Speculation points towards a potential price increase, the merging of the standard console and PC tiers, and a new structure where day-one releases are exclusive to the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate tier.
What are the current Xbox Game Pass tiers?
Currently, the main tiers are Game Pass Core (online multiplayer and a small catalog of games), Game Pass for Console, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate (which combines all of the above plus EA Play and cloud gaming).
Are there any confirmed big games coming to Game Pass soon?
Yes, Xbox has already confirmed a strong lineup for the rest of 2025, including major titles like Gears of War: Reloaded, The Outer Worlds 2, and the next Call of Duty.
Conclusion
For now, all we can do is wait and see. The rumored announcement could be a mix of good and bad news – a major new game to soften the blow of a price increase, for example. Whatever happens, the news will be a significant moment for the future of game subscription services. It will show how Microsoft plans to steer its most important gaming service as it aims for 50 million subscribers in an increasingly challenging market. Let’s hope the news is more magical than methodical.