Avowed Skips Xbox Cloud Gaming in Favor of NVIDIA GeForce Now

Xbox Cloud Gaming Misses the Mark with Avowed’s Early Access—Is Microsoft Dropping the Ball?

Avowed, the highly anticipated RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, launched in early access yesterday, and early reviews have been positive. Known for games like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian has fans excited for this new title. However, some players are voicing frustration over an unexpected issue with the game’s release—its availability on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The Issue: Missing Early Access on Xbox Cloud Gaming

Despite being launched on Xbox and Steam, Avowed’s early access period has been noticeably absent from Xbox Cloud Gaming. While players who purchased the premium early access edition could play the game, it seems that the cloud version of the game won’t be available until next week. This has left many feeling frustrated, particularly those who purchased the premium edition, expecting to play early on any platform, including cloud services.

In contrast, Avowed is currently available on NVIDIA GeForce Now, a competing cloud gaming service. This raises eyebrows, as Obsidian Entertainment is part of Xbox Game Studios, which is owned by Microsoft. Many are wondering why Microsoft wouldn’t prioritize its own service over a competitor’s, especially since the game is exclusive to Xbox platforms at launch.

Why It Feels Unfair to Xbox Users

Microsoft’s recent price hike on the Ultimate Game Pass subscription only adds fuel to the fire. For a service that’s becoming more expensive, players expect better value, especially when it comes to access to new games. Those who paid for the premium early access edition of Avowed feel like they’ve been left out in the cold, unable to take full advantage of the product they paid for.

This could have been an ideal opportunity for Microsoft to promote its new “buy to own” feature on Xbox Cloud Gaming. The feature, which supports DLC entitlements for players who purchase deluxe editions, could have easily extended to Avowed. But with early access unavailable on cloud gaming, it feels like Xbox users have been overlooked in favor of GeForce Now.

A Missed Opportunity or an Intentional Decision?

At this point, the reason behind this decision remains unclear. Was it an oversight by the teams at Microsoft, or is there a strategic reason for promoting a rival cloud gaming service? It’s hard to say. Either way, the result is the same—Xbox users feel left out and slightly cheated, unable to enjoy the game they paid for on the platform they rely on.

For some, this may not be a huge deal, but for those who enjoy cloud gaming and expect seamless access across all platforms, it’s a disappointment. A Reddit user who purchased the premium edition pointed out that the game was simply not showing up on Xbox Cloud Gaming, despite being promised early access.

What Does This Mean for Microsoft and Xbox Players?

For now, it’s unclear how Microsoft will respond to the backlash. With players taking to social media to voice their frustrations, it’s possible that the company will provide some clarification. However, it remains to be seen if this issue will be addressed before Avowed’s full release or if it’s simply a case of an unfortunate oversight.

A Plea for Better Customer Service

Ultimately, this situation highlights the importance of delivering on promises and making sure loyal customers get the value they’ve paid for. As services like Xbox Cloud Gaming grow in importance, Microsoft needs to ensure that players aren’t left feeling slighted. With the rising cost of Game Pass, customers expect more—not less—especially when it comes to getting the games they’ve invested in.

What Do You Think?

Have you been affected by this issue? Do you think Microsoft should prioritize its own cloud service, or is the decision to partner with GeForce Now reasonable? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for any updates as Microsoft addresses the concerns of its players.