Xbox exclusive CrossfireX joins Xbox Game Pass after launch day blunder
Smilegate Entertainment’s newest shooter has joined Microsoft’s subscription service following its troubled launch day rollout.
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What you need to know
Update, Feb. 15 (6:00 a.m. ET): CrossfireX’s single-player campaign has now joined Xbox Game Pass five days following its initial Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S debut.
Smilegate Entertainment launched its Xbox-exclusive shooter,CrossfireX, last Thursday, tied up to Xbox One andXbox Series X|Sconsoles. The military shooter has faced backlash over its poor launch state, with its free-to-play multiplayer offerings riddled with problematic bugs and game-breaking issues. The single-player campaign, developed with aid from Remedy Entertainment, has also seen mixed reviews due to its generic premise and overall uninspired gameplay.
While CrossfireX launched with a free-to-play multiplayer suite, its accompanying two-part campaign costs at least $20 via two separate add-ons. Smilegate promised half of the campaign, Operation Catalyst, would launch intoXbox Game Passon day one, while the remainder of its narrative comes via a paid $10 add-on. However, the launch has passed with CrossfireX still absent from Microsoft’s service, despite prior commitments from the studio.
“We are aware of the issue that some Game Pass members are unable to access Operation Catalyst,” stated the CrossfireX Twitter accounton Feb. 10. “We are currently working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and the feedback.”
It’s the week after launch, and as of publication, CrossfireX remains unavailable for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. While CrossfireX executive producer Sooro Boorecently apologizedfor the game’s launch state, Game Pass members remain cut off from its single-player offerings. Microsoft has also acknowledged issues via anXbox Support page, chalking the problem up to a pricing mishap via the Xbox Store.
The original CrossFire for PC remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time, with years of momentum, especially in eastern regions. While Microsoft pushed CrossfireX heavily following its initial reveal, translating a hit franchise to its Xbox consoles, the launch product has proven a shell of that first promise.
While ourCrossfireX reviewcommended the potential of Smilegate’s latest shooter, fundamental gameplay and technical issues marred our early hours. “I’ll be upfront — there’s not a ton of good things to say about CrossfireX,” stated Windows Central contributor Zachary Boddy. “That isn’t to say you can’t have fun with it, but any nugget of good you find in CrossfireX is often mired in mud.”
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Update, Feb. 15 (6:00 a.m. ET) — CrossfireX enters Xbox Game Pass
Smilegate Entertainment has issued its first post-launch update to CrossfireX, implementing a series of fixes, and addressing issues with Xbox Game Pass. The latest update also marks its arrival on Xbox Game Pass, granting access to the Operation Catalyst campaign, whichotherwise retails for $10.
“The XGP Issue should now be resolved,” a CrossfireXblog post stated. “All our XGP Players should now be able to unlock Operation Catalyst in-game. Please do note that you will have to download this additional content.”
The update also aims to address issues impacting its free-to-play multiplayer, including those impacting balancing and controller inputs. The update is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
CrossfireX can provide scant moments of fun, but ultimately feels like a severely flawed 15-year-old-game that was remastered five years ago, and failed in both cases to provide meaningful amounts of content.
Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central’s Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft’s gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter@mattjbrown.
