Xbox Game Pass Shakes Up June Lineup with Elden Ring and Day-One Indie Surprises

In a move sure to spark excitement across the Xbox community, Microsoft has officially announced the June additions to Xbox Game Pass, headlined by none other than the critically acclaimed Elden Ring. The news dropped this morning via the Xbox Wire blog, sending waves through social media as fans celebrated the arrival of FromSoftware’s open-world epic to the subscription service.

Originally launched in February 2022, Elden Ring has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and earned Game of the Year honors at The Game Awards 2022. Its addition to Game Pass marks a significant win for the service, making one of the most celebrated titles of the generation more accessible than ever. This strategic inclusion is seen by many as a counterpunch to Sony’s recent PS Plus tier expansions.

But Elden Ring isn’t the only star in the spotlight this month. Game Pass is also welcoming a slew of highly anticipated indie titles with day-one access, including the puzzle-platformer “The Last Clockwinder” and the surreal roguelike “Voidborn.” These releases point to Microsoft’s continued investment in unique, offbeat experiences that complement the service’s growing AAA catalog.

Chris Charla, Head of ID@Xbox, commented during a developer roundtable, “We’re thrilled to bring community-driven and innovative games to our players on day one. Partnerships with talented indie developers are key to the heart of Game Pass.”

The mid-month update also includes major additions like Assassin’s Creed Origins on Cloud and Console, and Forza Horizon 5’s “Badlands Rally” DLC, offering subscribers new high-octane challenges. Games leaving the service include Slay the Spire, Amnesia: Rebirth, and Spelunky 2 — giving players a deadline to wrap up those adventures.

June’s offerings show Game Pass doubling down on its dual strategy: high-profile blockbusters to draw in players, and bold indies to keep the content fresh. With Elden Ring now just a download away, subscribers old and new have another reason to revisit the Lands Between — or discover them for the first time.