Avowed made its debut in early access just yesterday, and it’s been met with a generally favorable reception. From the folks at Obsidian—who you might know as the minds behind Fallout New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity—comes this latest RPG installment. Exclusively available on Xbox and Steam, Avowed has an additional price tag of $10 during this premium early access phase, ahead of its wider release on Xbox Game Pass next week. It’s a strategic move by Microsoft to recoup some revenue that the Game Pass subscription model might otherwise overshadow. Still, if you’re one of those eager gamers who shelled out for the early access while also having an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan, Microsoft has essentially turned a cold shoulder.
Stepping into the universe of Pillars of Eternity, Avowed presents itself as a first-person action RPG. True to Obsidian’s style, it offers a rich tapestry of choice-driven storytelling, expansive explorations, and a variety of playstyle options. You’d think this game is tailor-made for Xbox Cloud Gaming, considering its setup, but puzzlingly, Microsoft begs to differ.
Shortly after its release, messages started popping up on X (formerly Twitter), with users expressing confusion about Avowed’s absence on Xbox Cloud Gaming during early access. Despite owning the premium access version, players were greeted with a surprising delay until next week for Cloud Gaming availability.
While Microsoft might have its corporate reasons for this arrangement, it’s hard to ignore the irony that Avowed’s early access can be found on competitor NVIDIA’s GeForce Now service.
I’m not insinuating any favoritism towards NVIDIA; rather, it’s yet another example of the kind of inconsistencies that seem to plague Microsoft’s gaming services. These gaps make campaigns like “This is an Xbox” particularly exasperating to sit through, as they highlight features like Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming, neither of which can be called a fully polished experience just yet.
Interestingly, Microsoft recently rolled out a feature allowing players to enjoy “buy to own” games on Xbox Cloud Gaming, which could’ve been the perfect channel to spotlight Avowed. The platform does accommodate DLC and premium edition perks, so a technical limitation seems unlikely. Some speculate regulatory hurdles, possibly stemming from the UK’s CMA action that forced Microsoft to relinquish certain cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft. However, no such constraints are known for Obsidian titles, though I’m currently investigating further.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for clarity on why Avowed’s early access includes NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, but not Xbox Cloud Gaming, and to learn what guidelines Microsoft follows regarding games with premium early access and cloud support.
Microsoft is poised to shape a remarkable gaming future with its interconnected platforms. The prospect of purchasing Avowed on various platforms, seamlessly transferring save files, and enjoying gameplay across myriad devices is enticing. Yet, I believe getting these finer details right is crucial for them.
Punishing loyal customers who have not only paid for early access but also subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate is, in my opinion, a misstep. Microsoft needs to up its game here.
We’ll keep you updated on any moves Microsoft makes to rectify this situation, so stay tuned!
