Xbox Game Pass Just Announced Another Exciting Day One Release

Summary Xbox Game Pass teases exciting Day One release for 2025, aiming to reassure subscribers after recent challenges.

Descenders Next promises improved features, including diverse biomes and enhanced character customization.

Microsoft's move to make Descenders Next a Day One release on Game Pass may entice users to stay subscribed.

Xbox Game Pass is already looking into 2025 as the subscription service announces a new Day One release for next year. As Microsoft attempts to recover from what many consider to be a disastrous start to 2024, the company is doing its best to reassure subscribers that Game Pass is still one of the best deals in the video game industry. The closure of several popular studios, including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, with a major price hike in July has many speculating about the platform's future.

Per a YouTube announcement by publisher No More Robots, those planning on sticking with Xbox Game Pass can look forward to the Day One release of Descenders Next, the sequel to the cult-classic downhill mountain biking game.

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While a release date has yet to be locked in, the game is confirmed to arrive in 2025 but it's currently unclear whether it will be exclusive to Xbox or whether it will also be available on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch like its predecessor. Whatever the case may be, it's a win for those subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate.

Related Xbox Game Pass August 2024: Every New Game & What's Leaving This Month August 2024 brings new excitement to Xbox Game Pass with fresh games joining and beloved titles leaving. Stay updated to catch all the action.

What Is Descenders Next All About?

An Offroad Evolution

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Building upon the foundation of its 2019 progenitor, Descenders Next will provide mountain bike fans with an opportunity to speed downhill while also catering to a variety of other sports. The game's reveal trailer confirms that players will be able to use snowboards to navigate down snowy mountains and even shred with mountain boards, a type of offroad longboard capable of withstanding even the rockiest terrain. Descenders Next will also feature a variety of different biomes to ensure that races are continually surprising and feel distinct from one another.

Much like the original Descenders, the sequel boasts character customization but this feature has been significantly improved to provide players with more options than ever before. Performing well in races and pulling off cool tricks is the key to generating points and "reputation" which can be used to earn new cosmetic items and equipment to make some of the more challenging events a little more approachable. Random unlocks are a thing of the past, a move that will likely please fans of the original game who grew tired of never finding the item they desperately wanted.

More information on Descenders Next will be unveiled in the coming weeks but the very fact that it will be a Day One release on Xbox Game Pass is exciting. Given that Microsoft has restricted access to Day One games to the higher tiers of the service, it needs to justify users spending more to play games as soon as they launch. Descenders Next may be an option that sways many into keeping their subscription.

Source: No More Robots/YouTube