EA Sports FC 26 introduces notable quality-of-life updates, including distinct gameplay presets for realism and fast-paced play, but is marred by a controversial Season Pass that locks iconic players behind paywalls and increased monetization across modes, raising concerns about the game's focus on profit over player experience.
Leaked physical copies of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds suggest upcoming DLC collaborations, including a Mega Man crossover in the Season Pass, with additional characters like NiGHTS, Persona, and Yakuza: Like A Dragon. The game is set to launch on Switch on September 25, 2025, with a Switch 2 version and paid upgrade planned.
Steam has introduced new rules requiring game developers to be transparent about their season pass content and release schedules. Developers must list all downloadable content (DLC) included in a season pass and provide expected release dates. Valve allows only one rescheduling of a season pass release date without its involvement, and refunds must be issued for any canceled content. This move aims to ensure clear communication between developers and players regarding future game content.
Valve has introduced new rules for selling DLC and season passes on Steam to ensure greater transparency and protect consumers. Developers must now provide clear details about included content and release dates, with the possibility of partial refunds for delays. Companies can only reschedule release timings once, and season passes must include at least one piece of content available at launch. Steam reserves the right to auto-refund players for any violations, aiming to encourage more responsible promises and pricing from developers.
Steam is integrating support for season passes on its platform, introducing guidelines to ensure transparency and protect buyers. Developers must provide a detailed list of expected content and adhere to timelines, with refunds required for canceled DLCs. Steam will only allow season passes from trusted partners, posing challenges for indie developers who may lack resources to meet these standards.
Valve has updated its Steam policy regarding Season Passes, requiring developers to clearly communicate details about DLC content, including a complete list, descriptions, and release dates. Developers must have at least one DLC released when offering a Season Pass, except for pre-purchase deluxe editions. Valve allows one rescheduling of DLC release dates within three months and offers refunds if DLC is canceled. Non-compliance may lead to removal of the Season Pass or customer refunds.
Valve has introduced new rules for season passes on Steam, requiring developers to commit to timely DLC releases and provide detailed information about each DLC pack. Developers can delay a DLC release only once, by up to three months. If delays exceed this period, Valve may remove the season pass from sale or offer refunds. The policy aims to ensure transparency and reliability in delivering promised content to customers.
Ubisoft's upcoming single-player game, Star Wars Outlaws, has sparked controversy as fans discovered that the highly anticipated Jabba the Hutt mission is locked behind a Season Pass, which is only available through the more expensive editions of the game. The mission, titled Jabba's Gambit, involves the protagonist, Kay, receiving a job from Jabba the Hutt himself. This move has frustrated fans, who feel that content that should be available at launch is being locked behind an extra paywall. Ubisoft has yet to clarify whether this content is part of the standard game or exclusive to the Season Pass.
Star Wars Outlaws will feature a Day 1 exclusive mission with Jabba the Hutt, called Jabba’s Gambit, which can only be accessed with the purchase of a Season Pass, locking it behind the $109 Gold Edition or the $129 Ultimate Edition of the game. This decision has sparked controversy as players who opt for the standard $70 edition won't have access to this mission, raising concerns about the practice of locking ready-to-play content behind premium editions.
Foamstars, Square Enix's foam-party shooter, will debut on PlayStation Plus next month before being available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. The game's season pass will offer free and premium tracks, with Square Enix committing to free seasonal updates for a year. The game features quirky characters, unique weapons, and foam-based gameplay in Bath Vegas, with various battle modes and a PvE Mission Mode. It's an exclusive non-violent party-style shooter for PlayStation consoles, with the PS5 version offering enhanced features.
The upcoming Season Pass for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will include a Bonus Quest at launch and two Story Packs next year, introducing new areas and narratives. The first Story Pack, "The Sky Breaker," is set for Summer 2024, while the second Story Pack, "Secrets of the Spires," will arrive in Fall 2024. The trailer hints at the possibility of encountering familiar characters from the Avatar movies. The Season Pass focuses on content rather than cosmetics, and the game's emphasis on aerial combat is generating excitement among fans.
Konami and Genvid Entertainment's interactive horror streaming series, Silent Hill: Ascension, will premiere on Halloween night. Viewers will have the opportunity to influence the fates of the characters and the Silent Hill canon through their choices. The series will be free to watch and interact with, but viewers can purchase a season pass that unlocks in-game cosmetics. The episodes will be streamed nightly, and viewers can vote in real-time using Influence Points to sway decisions. The season pass is priced at $19.99 and includes six months of content. Silent Hill: Ascension can be streamed on Android and iOS devices, as well as through the series' website and the Sony Pictures Core app.
2K has introduced two premium Season Pass options, Pro and Hall of Fame, for NBA 2K24, offering players additional premium rewards and benefits as they progress through Levels 1-40. The Season Pass options come with the new unified progression system that combines MyCAREER and MyTEAM modes, allowing players to earn free rewards from both modes as they reach new levels. The Pro Pass, priced at $9.99, offers 40 additional premium rewards, while the Hall of Fame Pass, priced at $19.99, includes even more rewards, a 15% XP Booster, and 10 Level Skips.
The new season pass outfit for rogues in Diablo IV has sparked controversy as it reveals too much of the character's backside, leading to jokes and discussions on Reddit. Despite the revealing design, it seems to have garnered attention and interest in the game, potentially boosting player retention for Blizzard.
Bandai Namco Entertainment and CyberConnect2 have announced a second season pass for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, containing three new playable characters and an exclusive costume. The Ultimate Edition of the game, including both season passes and special event outfits, will also be available. All-Star Battle R is a remaster of the original game released in 2013, featuring over 50 characters and available on multiple platforms.