Tales of the Shire seems like a simple, cozy game. Since it is a cozy game, it wouldn’t be outrageous to expect the game on the Xbox platform. These games often end up on Game Pass either on release or some time after.
Still, there are plenty of factors that go into whether a game will end up on Xbox Game Pass or not. While it is not always guaranteed, there are plenty of ways to make educated guesses.
Can I play Tales of the Shire on Xbox Game Pass?
Unfortunately, for those who were looking forward to enjoying a cozy life in Middle-earth through Xbox Game Pass, Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game is not available on Game Pass. The game officially came out on July 29, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, but it was confirmed that it would not be part of Game Pass on its release day.
The reasoning for the game’s exclusion from Game Pass is mainly because Tales of the Shire is not a first-party Xbox game. Also, neither Microsoft nor the developer, Wētā Workshop, made any announcements about adding it to Game Pass before or at launch.
This means players cannot play the game through their Game Pass subscription right away, but that doesn’t mean it will never come to the service. So, if you’re excited to explore the charming world of Bywater as a Hobbit, the only way to do so is by buying the game yourself.
More Tales of the Shire guides: All Townsfolk (Hobbit) Locations in Tales of the Shire
Will Tales of the Shire Ever Go to Game Pass?
Even though Tales of the Shire did not launch on Game Pass, there is still a chance it could be added later. Xbox often includes third-party games in its subscription service months after their original release. So, it is possible that Tales of the Shire might join Game Pass at some point in the future.
Still, it is important to mention that neither Wētā Workshop nor Microsoft has given any official statement or hint suggesting this will happen. Since this is Wētā Workshop’s first video game, there is no previous pattern to indicate whether they usually put their games on subscription services after launch.
If the game does poorly, then it will likely end up on Game Pass eventually. We’ve seen plenty of games that didn’t get enough sales, so it could go to Game Pass for more attention.
