Microsoft bamboozles players by removing one of its games from new Xbox Game Pass list
Is it a licensing issue?
Image by vfhnb12 | Shutterstock
- Microsoft removed Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 from its upcoming Xbox Game Pass list after first announcing it.
- Microsoft said the game is not canceled for Game Pass and cited needed licensor approvals.
- Players speculated licensing issues, including music rights, may have delayed the game’s Game Pass release.
- The confusion adds to concerns over digital ownership, account access, subscription price hikes, and Xbox gaming job cuts.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
After releasing a list of games coming to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft changed its mind about one of its own. Users are speculating about why this happened.
Microsoft recently released a list of new games coming to Xbox Game Pass. Among these games was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.
Soon, the company announced that the game would be removed.
“We’ve removed Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 from the list of titles coming soon to Game Pass,” wrote Microsoft.
This decision raised questions as to why it was removed from the list, since the game is owned by Xbox.
It was later revealed that the game hadn’t been canceled from Xbox Game Pass, but the company is working on “necessary licensor approvals,” according to a Microsoft spokesperson who shared the update with Windows Central.
The spokesperson also promised to come back with an update.
Before Microsoft cleared the air, the news sparked online discussions, with people guessing about the possible reasons for the removal.
“Music licensing issue?” speculated one Redditor.
“Even if they own it, a license dispute can stop that dead in the tracks, especially music on it if they haven't ironed out royalties for it, basically going to all the subscribers of Game Pass,” shared another netizen, concluding, “I bet the music companies wanted more money.”
Cracks are starting to show in Xbox Game Pass after Microsoft removed a previously promised first‑party game it literally owns
by u/WindowsCentral in windowscentral
“It’s not just music but backend deals in general,” wrote another user.
“If you make deals with like Tony Hawk, music owners, or even stars or producers, saying you get 1% or profits or x per copy sold, and make a sweetheart deal between two sister companies or business units, they can often sue you even if you technically have control.”
Disruptions in the gaming industry
The suspended release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 on Xbox Game Pass isn’t the only thing that might have left its users disappointed.
In a few instances, Xbox users have lost their accounts.
Twitch streamer Joshua Khane revealed that Microsoft deleted his hacked account, removing 25 years of games and personal files.
Another Microsoft Xbox owner in Brazil won a case against the company after his account was also hacked. After this, Microsoft told the user that the only way out was to suspend his account, forcing him to repurchase everything he had acquired over the years.
Stay updated with our latest stories and follow us on social media
Be the first to discover new stories, ideas, and updates from our team.
The user then sued Microsoft and won the case. However, he’s not celebrating the win just yet, since the company can still appeal.
These incidents have added to the already lively debate over digital ownership. Following Sony PlayStation’s decision to go disc-less starting in 2028, Microsoft has also been working on a feature that would allow users to digitize their physical games.
In 2025, the company raised the price of its Game Pass from $20 to $30, prompting many users to cancel their subscriptions.
Due to Game Pass subscriptions not bringing the profits and the expected growth, Microsoft is now cutting 3,200 gaming jobs, or 20% of the division's workforce.
