Xbox Game Pass hasn't changed its name after all (updated)

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Is Microsoft opting for a more PC gaming-friendly rebrand?

Game Pass for PC
(Image credit: Microsoft)

UPDATE: Microsoft has reached out to us to clarify that while the logo has in fact dropped the ‘Xbox’ from the name, the official name continues to be Xbox Game Pass. “Xbox recently revealed a redesigned logo for Xbox Game Pass. While the logo is new, there have been no changes to the name of the service, it remains Xbox Game Pass,” said a Microsoft spokesperson. 

In addition, the Game Pass account tweeted the following:

Original article continues below.

In the lead up to the release of its next generation Xbox Series X console later this year, it seems as though a number of pots are being stirred over at Microsoft in regards to its online services.

First, it quietly discontinued 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, and now the Redmond company has updated two of its social media accounts with new logos which remove the word 'Xbox' from Xbox Game Pass.

"Trying out a new look" reads a tweet from the official @XboxGamePass Twitter account, showing off a profile picture of the Game Pass branding with the word 'Xbox' removed.

This was followed soon after with a reply from the @XboxGamePassPC account reading "Same". It too dropped 'Xbox' from its branding, only with the addition of the words 'for PC' in a box accompanying the words 'Game Pass'.

Although the word Xbox has been removed from each profile picture, both are still joined by the Xbox logo. Curiously, both Twitter accounts still feature the word Xbox in their names. 

Could the move be a signal of Microsoft's more open embrace of PC for this upcoming generation? It seems appropriate, given that the inclusion of the word Xbox in Game Pass stopped making sense once the subscription service launched on PC.

There's no indication of when the official rebranding is set to take effect, so for now both services still include the Xbox name.

[source: Eurogamer]

Stephen Lambrechts
Stephen Lambrechts
Senior Journalist, Phones and Entertainment

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible. 

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.