Following the announcement of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to PlayStation 5, an interesting development has surfaced: PS5 players may get access to the game before some Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The game, which is an Xbox first-party title, is set for release on December 9, 2024, on Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a PS5 version planned for spring 2025.

Xbox Game Pass Changes Impact Day One Access

As an Xbox first-party game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be available on day one through Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for PC. However, it will not be accessible on the standard console tier of Game Pass, now rebranded as “Xbox Game Pass Standard.” This change is part of a broader shift Microsoft announced earlier this year, which includes the removal of day one access to first-party games from the standard console subscription. The update also brought a price hike to the service.

Starting from September 12, 2024, only Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers will have day one access to Xbox titles. Microsoft has stated that first-party games could come to Game Pass Standard on a “case-by-case basis,” which means it could take 6–12 months, or even longer, for some games to become available on the standard tier.

PS5 Could Get Indiana Jones Earlier Than Game Pass Standard

Given the current timelines, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is expected to launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC in December 2024, but it might not arrive on Game Pass Standard until mid-2025 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the PS5 version is reportedly slated for release in April 2025, according to sources cited by The Verge.

If these reports hold true, PS5 players could potentially access the game two months before it becomes available on Xbox Game Pass Standard. This scenario would place Xbox’s own subscribers at a disadvantage compared to those on a competing platform, especially if Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sees strong initial sales. Depending on the game’s success, Game Pass Standard subscribers might not get their hands on it until late 2025, or even later.

The Implications for Microsoft’s Strategy

Microsoft may attempt to fast-track the Game Pass Standard release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle before the game launches on PS5 in spring 2025. However, this remains speculative, and the current situation does not present the best optics for the company. The perception of Game Pass has already faced scrutiny following the service’s recent changes, and this development could further fuel concerns among subscribers.

Notably, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently criticized the practice of day one Game Pass releases, calling it an irrational decision. This sentiment echoes growing skepticism among industry leaders and gamers alike following the July 2024 adjustments to Game Pass.

Also Read: