A Packed Month for Gamers
September is shaping up to be one of the busiest months in recent gaming history. Major titles such as Hollow Knight: Silksong and Borderlands 4 are set to launch within days of each other, and Hell Is Us is joining the lineup on September 4.
For players, this kind of release calendar can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so many high-profile games hitting the market, the cost of keeping up can quickly add up. That’s why Xbox Game Pass often becomes a deciding factor—helping players cut costs while still enjoying a steady stream of new releases.
But is Hell Is Us part of the deal? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Hell Is Us Coming to Xbox Game Pass at Launch?
The short answer is no. Hell Is Us will not be available on Xbox Game Pass when it launches on September 4.
The reason is straightforward: the game is not published by Xbox Game Studios, which means it does not qualify for automatic day-one inclusion on the service. Typically, Microsoft makes a big announcement when a third-party title of this scale joins Game Pass ahead of release. As no such announcement has been made, it’s safe to assume that the game will not appear on the subscription service at launch.
Could Hell Is Us Join Game Pass in the Future?
While Hell Is Us isn’t making its debut on Game Pass, that doesn’t mean it will never arrive. Many third-party titles eventually join the service months after their initial launch window, once sales momentum has slowed.
However, predicting Hell Is Us’s future with Game Pass is tricky. Developer Rogue Factor—best known for Necromunda: Underhive Wars and Mordheim: City of the Damned—has not historically brought its games to the platform. This track record suggests that immediate availability is unlikely, though Microsoft’s evolving partnerships with publishers mean the possibility can’t be ruled out entirely.
Why Game Pass Matters for Hell Is Us
Game Pass has become a major gateway for players, especially in crowded release windows like September. The service not only helps players discover new titles without the risk of a full-price purchase, but it also gives developers access to a wider audience.
That said, some publishers remain hesitant, citing concerns about long-term revenue and visibility. This divide in the industry could explain why Hell Is Us is launching independently, at least for now.
If the game does eventually arrive on Game Pass, it will likely be months down the line—once the initial sales surge has passed. For now, those eager to dive into the action will need to purchase it directly.
Mark Your Calendars
With its September 4 release date, Hell Is Us is set to compete in a crowded field of heavy-hitters. Whether it joins Game Pass later or not, it’s already on the radar of many players looking for their next big adventure.
So, while you shouldn’t expect to find Hell Is Us on Xbox Game Pass at launch, there’s always the chance it could be added in the future. Until then, gamers will need to weigh their options carefully as September delivers one of the most stacked gaming lineups of the year.
