Microsoft-published Quantum Break is curiously leaving Xbox Game Pass (Update)

It will be back

[Update: Today, April 4, Remedy provided an update confirming that Quantum Break will return to Game Pass. “It is being temporarily removed due to some licenses that expired that were in the process of being removed,” reads today’s statement. “We will let you know as soon as it is back.” Our original story follows.]

Back in 2016 Remedy and Microsoft teamed up for a live action TV show/game hybrid starring Shawn Ashmore called Quantum Break. It was a wild endeavor; and while it had plenty of flaws, even the most ardent detractors had to admit that it was unique. It’s also uniquely leaving the Xbox Game Pass service soon, despite being published by Microsoft.

As a reminder, Quantum Break was indeed developed by Remedy Entertainment (the purveyors of Alan Wake, Control, and more), and published by Microsoft. For nearly seven years running it’s been a console exclusive, only ever appearing on Xbox One and PC. It was also added to Xbox Game Pass in late 2018 (September 1), but it seems that was just temporary. If you look at the “leaving soon” section on your Xbox console, it’s listed there alongside of a small selection of other titles.

Why is Quantum Break leaving Xbox Game Pass?

As many have pointed out, Quantum Break seems like a licensing nightmare, even if kept within the “family” of Microsoft. There are multiple production studios involved in this, as well as direct likeness rights. Reminiscent of the time Forza Motorsport 7 left Xbox Game Pass (and general sale), nothing lasts forever.

We’ve also reached out to Microsoft for clarification on the issue, and to see if the act of removal is possibly a mistake. We’ll update the article if we hear back.

Also “leaving soon” in April of 2023 for Xbox Game Pass:

• Rift Breaker
• Moonglow Bay
• Rainbow Six Extraction
• The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos
• Life is Strange: True Colors
• The Long Dark