Xbox Game Pass Confirms Day-One Launch for Highly Anticipated Sci-Fi RPG ‘Starbounder’

In a win for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, Microsoft has confirmed that the upcoming sci-fi RPG *Starbounder* will launch day one on the service. Developed by acclaimed indie studio Helios Forge, the game has been on the radar of RPG fans since its surprise debut at last year’s Gamescom. With its mix of deep narrative, tactical combat, and expansive interstellar exploration, *Starbounder* has drawn comparisons to genre heavyweights like *Mass Effect* and *The Outer Worlds*.

Set in a crumbling galaxy where powerful AI factions wage covert wars across star systems, *Starbounder* casts players as a rogue hybrid operative navigating shifting allegiances and morally complex choices. The game features a classless progression system and highly customizable ships, allowing for a gameplay experience tailored to player preference. Fans of narrative-driven RPGs will be pleased to hear that choices made during planetary missions will have sweeping consequences across future story arcs.

“Offering *Starbounder* on Game Pass from day one allows us to bring our vision to the broadest possible audience,” said Helios Forge creative director Lina Moretti. “This partnership with Xbox has really empowered our team to focus on storytelling and player agency without the pressure of traditional sales expectations.”

*Starbounder* will be available across Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud Gaming at launch, continuing Microsoft’s strategy of making premium titles available on Game Pass with cross-platform support. This move further solidifies Game Pass’s growing influence as a launch platform for both major publishers and indie developers seeking to gain traction in a crowded market.

With its gripping sci-fi premise, promise of meaningful player choice, and now, its immediate accessibility through Game Pass, *Starbounder* is shaping up to be one of this year’s most intriguing RPGs. It launches globally on September 10, and with Game Pass backing it from day one, subscribers won’t need to hyper-jump far to get their hands on this stellar adventure.