Xbox console-exclusive STALKER 2 is discontinuing Game Pass in November, but some subscribers aren't happy about it

Microsoft has confirmed that the next batch of games will be leaving Xbox Game Pass, and one of them has caused a certain amount of dissatisfaction among subscribers: Stalker 2.

GSC Game World's Stalker 2 launched last year as an Xbox console exclusive with support from Microsoft. While it's not an Xbox Game Studios-published video game, Microsoft played a key role in its marketing ahead of its delayed November 2024 release date. It even teamed up with a Ukrainian studio to create a 90-minute documentary that revealed the difficulties developers faced developing the game during a full-scale Russian invasion.

As confirmed on the Xbox app, STALKER 2 will be leaving Game Pass on November 16, 2025, along with four other games detailed below.

Games leaving Xbox Game Pass on November 16, 2025:

STALKER 2's exit caused the most serious confusion, with some Game Pass subscribers criticizing the move ahead of the game's release on PlayStation 5 on November 20, a year after launch.

“Microsoft supported GSC through all the delays and even the intrusion, so it's surprising they couldn't get a better deal,” Reddit user JBishie said. “I think it's a matter of principle: the game wasn't complete at launch and is only now starting to resemble a finished product, but with the 1.7 update looming it was removed from the service, and with the PS5 release looming the timing looks particularly bad.”

The fact that STALKER 2 had quite a few issues when it first launched on Xbox and PC that weren't resolved in time for the PS5 launch is being highlighted by those who think the game should have remained on Game Pass for longer.

“It's been a year, which is a pretty standard time for non-MiS games,” Vicky cried a lot. “I don't know why this is such a shock to people. Lmao.”

“Because the game just reached a good level that year?” Refutation davepars77. “It's still going to take a year to get everything sorted out, and we haven't even talked about DLC yet. It's still in early access and not a finished product, so now is a good time to pull it off the service.”

“I think it's a really bad precedent that the game stays in Game Pass for even less time than we have to wait for it to be released, rather than just waiting months to be playable in patch after patch.” complain.

"It's too bad the stalker is gone," Added @Matty_Cs_World. “It's good, but it basically releases a lot of bugs. I don't like that the premium subscription is used just as a beta testing area for developers. I do want to get back into the game. But I think that ship has sailed.”

Xbox Game Series Tier List

Xbox Game Series Tier List

“Xbox must stop funding unfinished Early Access games, primarily for Game Pass day one games.” Say minutes used -8489. “The two games that come to mind, S.T.A.L.K.E. 2 and Payday 3, are not finished yet and they've spent a year fixing and updating each game, but once their good games are removed from Game Pass, it seems to me like a scam to subscribers.”

It's worth noting that most of the games on this list are at least 20% off before they leave Xbox Game Pass in early November.

this doesn't help Microsoft recently raised the price of Game Pass, sparking backlash. Take Ultimate, for example. Its price has jumped 50% to $29.99 per month. This equates to an additional $120 per year. To justify the price increase, Microsoft increased the number of games released on the first day of each year to 75, adding Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classic for the first time. Xbox cloud game streaming quality has also been upgraded.

As for Stalker 2 on PS5, it was released on Sony's console and fully supports the features of the DualSense controller, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Further technical enhancements for PS5 Pro are also in development.

Wesley is IGN News Director. Find him on Twitter: @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or privately at [email protected].