One thing stands out as Obsidian's "Avowed" is an extremely hyped action RPG; it's going to drop on day one on Xbox Game Pass, maintaining Microsoft's campaign promise of first-party titles dropped directly to subscribers. It's interesting in light of the new Premium Edition upgrade raised concerns about the future of game pricing models and content accessibility.
"Avowed," set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, will come in two editions: a Standard Edition at $70 and a Premium Edition at $90. For Game Pass subscribers, a $25 Premium Upgrade is available, offering additional content. While premium versions of games are not new, what Avowed offers for the extra price is not okay for some gamers.
What's Included in 'Avowed's' Premium Edition?
According to the official listing, "Avowed's" Premium Upgrade includes:
- Two sets of companion skins
- A digital artbook and soundtrack
- Five days of early access (playable from February 13 instead of February 18)
While cosmetic updates and digital goodies feature in many deluxe editions, what's sorely missing is quality gameplay content; there's certainly no value placed on the update in the fact that this isn't packed to the brim with expansions or in-game money and bonus missions like so many other releases are, according to ScreenRant.
Early Access: Worth The Price Alone?
Many 2024 Xbox Game Pass titles have been released with premium or deluxe editions that bundle early access with DLC expansions or in-game bonuses. Some examples include "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" and "Starfield," which bundled early access with cosmetics and future DLC for $35. Major titles provided in-game currency or exclusive missions with their premium editions.
While "Avowed's" $25 upgrade provides no extra gameplay content, the deal seems less appealing to the player. As most of the value lies in early access, many fans are forced to buy the upgrade simply to get to play the game at launch.
The Problem With Paywalled Early Access
The greatest issue of a game launch is often the community involvement: players find mechanics, talk about storylines, and are immersed in the game's world together. Behind a paywall, early access splits the player base: people who pay more get to experience it sooner while others have to wait.
That is the case for a game such as "Avowed," which hinges on exploration and storytelling. It can be meant to have spoilers and more disjointed discussions within the fanbase, since not everyone will buy the upgrade, missing the excitement of launch-day conversations.
An Ominous Signal for Future Xbox Game Pass Titles
As one of the first major Game Pass releases of 2025, "Avowed" could set a precedent for future Microsoft-published games. If more titles adopt a similar pricing model, Game Pass subscribers may find themselves frequently paying extra for early access, increasing the overall cost of gaming despite the promise of an affordable subscription model.
If this happens, then that would mean further weakening the price advantage Game Pass has over game purchases. Customers would have no choice but to spend extra dollars to enjoy releases without the need for a long wait.
'Avowed 'Premium Upgrade Worth It?
This is justifiable to die-hard fans who want to jump into "Avowed" as soon as possible, but it actually feels more like a paywall for early access rather than any kind of true premium experience because it adds no meaningful gameplay to the package.
Considering that the gaming industry is already reeling from high prices and shady monetization, the pricing of Avowed makes one wonder if future Game Pass releases are in danger.
Even though Obsidian's new RPG is still one of the most eagerly anticipated titles of the year, a premium pricing strategy might just create a much larger debate in the gaming community.
If you want to stay out of "Avowed's" business for a while, you can explore other Game Pass titles that Kitguru mentioned below.
- "Far Cry New Dawn" (Cloud, Console, and PC): Feb. 4
- "Another Crab's Treasure" (Console): Feb. 5
- "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes" (Console): Feb. 5
- "Starfield" (Xbox Series X/S): Feb. 5
- "Madden NFL 25" (Cloud, Console and PC): Feb. 6
- "Kingdom Two Crowns" (Cloud and Console): Feb. 13
