Microsoft has quietly removed Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 from the list of upcoming games for Xbox Game Pass, despite owning the intellectual property. The move was confirmed following an update to the original Game Pass announcement, which initially included the popular skateboarding title.
An Xbox spokesperson told Windows Central that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 has not been cancelled for the service. Instead, it remains in development for Game Pass with Microsoft “continuing to work through the necessary licensor approvals.” The company promised an update will be issued once further information becomes available.
Xbox Game Pass lineup changes and platform impact
This adjustment follows Xbox’s recent showcase of a range of titles confirmed for Game Pass, including anticipated releases like Palworld 1.0. While Palworld 1.0 remains unaffected, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is now explicitly stated as removed from the upcoming roster, reflecting potential complications behind the scenes.
The situation is notable given that Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is a first-party property under Microsoft’s ownership. That the title’s inclusion in Game Pass is delayed or withheld due to licensing challenges—possibly around music rights embedded in the game—is uncommon for first-party releases.
Context within Xbox’s broader business changes
Reports in the industry have recently suggested ongoing concerns about the financial sustainability of Game Pass, with insider insights pointing towards structural changes at Xbox. These include massive layoffs and studio reorganisations affecting the company’s broader gaming strategy.
Although the removal of a single game does not confirm any strategic reversal, it comes at a time when Xbox’s subscription service is reportedly seeing a decline in active users, down from approximately 34 million to 30 million subscribers. This adjustment to the Game Pass lineup adds to the questions around the service’s near-term content offerings.
For Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo players monitoring subscription services, the shift underlines ongoing challenges in maintaining stable, consistent game availability, even for titles owned outright. How Microsoft addresses these licensing and approval hurdles will be important for Game Pass’s role in the market moving forward.
At present, Xbox has not suggested any changes beyond the licensing work, and the release timing for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 on Xbox Game Pass remains officially unconfirmed.
