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[DoubleClutch]

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Ninja-Gaiden-2-Black-disappoints-Xbox-Game-Pass-PC-players-with-no-DLSS-option.952286.0.html

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black just came out, and yet the Game Pass version is missing:

- DLSS
- 120 FPS
- Frame-gen (regardless of what you think of it)
- Latest patch

Steam version has all of it. There is no word when the Game Pass version will be patched.

"Developers give gamers some clues when asked about these differences. Games must go through a longer certification process to launch on Microsoft's service, and features and updates are often granted to Steam players first. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Game Pass gamers are left wondering if DLSS will arrive in a patch."

This is obviously a huge negative as newer GPUs rely more and more on such features. Regardless, it is inexcusable that, Microsoft, of all companies, would have a storefront that makes it difficult to ensure the latest version is always available.

Before anyone says this is a one-off, it's not. Palworld for example was another such case where DLSS was missing, along with the latest updates and features such as the ability to play with 32 people as opposed to 4.

 

[Topher]

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Ninja-Gaiden-2-Black-disappoints-Xbox-Game-Pass-PC-players-with-no-DLSS-option.952286.0.html

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black just came out, and yet the Game Pass version is missing:

- DLSS
- 120 FPS
- Frame-gen (regardless of what you think of it)
- Latest patch

Steam version has all of it. There is no word when the Game Pass version will be patched.

"Developers give gamers some clues when asked about these differences. Games must go through a longer certification process to launch on Microsoft's service, and features and updates are often granted to Steam players first. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Game Pass gamers are left wondering if DLSS will arrive in a patch."

This is obviously a huge negative as newer GPUs rely more and more on such features. Regardless, it is inexcusable that, Microsoft, of all companies, would have a storefront that makes it difficult to ensure the latest version is always available.

Before anyone says this is a one-off, it's not. Palworld for example was another such case where DLSS was missing, along with the latest updates and features such as the ability to play with 32 people as opposed to 4.

Starfield released without DLSS as well even on the Steam version. This kind of thing is beyond annoying on PC.

 

[IFireflyl]

Either Microsoft's certification process is too stringent, or they need to have a parity clause that ensures crap like this doesn't happen. Why would you be okay with this kind of thing making your service (Game Pass and Microsoft Store) look unappealing?

 

[T4keD0wN]

Not a game pass version issue, but Xbox store issue as a whole.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Starfield released without DLSS as well even on the Steam version. This kind of thing is beyond annoying on PC.

Indeed, and that's from a Microsoft subsidiary no less. These kinds of blunders are what has destroyed the Xbox brand. Some shoot themselves in the foot, others shoot themselves in the head like Xbox.

Then you add that almost every Game Pass game you can't mod due to how Windows Apps work.

There is just no reality where a Microsoft product should be better on a competitor's platform, than their own. Halo Master Chief Collection comes into mind. Better on Steam, up to date, availability of mods, etc...

 

[adamsapple]

You mean the Windows Store PC versions, this isn't a Game Pass thing.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

How is this a Gamepass thing?

It’s a Microsoft store issue which their store sucks ass anyhow

 

[Topher]

How is this a Gamepass thing?

It’s a Microsoft store issue which their store sucks ass anyhow

More of a Microsoft thing, but fact of the matter is that Game Pass is the only reason the vast majority of PC gamers are even going to bother with that store.

 

[Hohenheim]

I cannot believe how a company like MS, with their unlimited money can't get their games up to the standard others platforms do day 1.
This is one of the reasons I prefer to buy the games I really look forward to on Steam instead of playing them on Game Pass, even if they're on the service day 1.

 

[Big Baller]

Xboxwon

 

[hououinkyouma00]

You know I was really confused when I was in the settings and couldn’t find DLSS but then found FG which says it requires DLSS or FSR.

This makes sense.

 

[SmurfMustard]

Thread title "...almost always the worst version of the game."

Then proceeds to give one game to proof his point. And even one that just released.
There really should be some standard for opening threads.
OP has proven time and time again that they are probably just too challenged for that task.

 

[DoubleClutch]

You mean the Windows Store PC versions, this isn't a Game Pass thing.

How is this a Gamepass thing?

It’s a Microsoft store issue which their store sucks ass anyhow

It’s one and the same. Game Pass is a subscription to games on the Windows Store.

 

[adamsapple]

It’s one and the same. Game Pass is a subscription to games on the Windows Store.

Game Pass is more than just the games on the Windows Store, the issue you're having is specifically just for the games on the Windows Store, it's not the same thing.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

You mean the Windows Store PC versions, this isn't a Game Pass thing.

This is what drives people like me so batshit crazy about Microsoft. The store version is so godawful bad of many of their games. You can barely do any modding

PC Gamepass COULD be a lot more successful if they would let it work like Steam.

 

[adamsapple]

This is what drives people like me so batshit crazy about Microsoft. The store version is so godawful bad of many of their games. You can barely do any modding

PC Gamepass COULD be a lot more successful if they would let it work like Steam.

It's a bit slow but they do eventually catch up, but yeah, it's odd when XGS published games are a revision or two behind on Windows's own store versus Steam.

 

[JohnnyFootball]

It's a bit slow but they do eventually catch up, but yeah, it's odd when XGS published games are a revision or two behind on Windows's own store versus Steam.

I can kind of understand them keeping unpurchased Gamepass games behind restrictions, but games that are purchased should have full modding support.

Although....Steam is largely filling that void. If MS continues to allow Xbox Achievements through Steam versions, there will be no reason to buy on the Windows Store.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Game Pass is more than just the games on the Windows Store, the issue you're having is specifically just for the games on the Windows Store, it's not the same thing.

How are Game Pass games on PC delivered?

 

[Bojji]

Starfield released without DLSS as well even on the Steam version. This kind of thing is beyond annoying on PC.

Starfield had AMD deal that blocked DLSS for months.

Gamepass games are often older/differen build. Thing mentioned in op happened before with Jusant and Still Wakes the Deep.

Took some time for those games to reach parity with Steam versions, shit is fucked up.

Thread title "...almost always the worst version of the game."

Then proceeds to give one game to proof his point. And even one that just released.
There really should be some standard for opening threads.
OP has proven time and time again that they are probably just too challenged for that task.

NG2 on gamepass is missing features, same was true with games I mentioned above.

 

[Topher]

Starfield had AMD deal that blocked DLSS for months.

Gamepass games are often older/differen build. Thing mentioned in op happened before with Jusant and Still Wakes the Deep.

Took some time for those games to reach parity with Steam versions, shit is fucked up.

Yeah, I recall Todd Howard announcing the AMD deal. Lot of us were pissed about it.

Thread title "...almost always the worst version of the game."

Then proceeds to give one game to proof his point. And even one that just released.
There really should be some standard for opening threads.
OP has proven time and time again that they are probably just too challenged for that task.

He's right though and follow up posts have backed him up.

 

[adamsapple]

How are Game Pass games on PC delivered?

Game Pass is more than just PC though, you should be clearer in the titles.

"As good as Game Pass has been, the PC Game Pass / Windows Store versions are almost always the worst version of a game".

 

[ResilientBanana]

Those are literally nvidia technologies. Sony and Microsoft chose AMD.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Not a game pass version issue, but Xbox store issue as a whole.

Windows Store fuckery is the exact reason I cancelled my sub years ago. Having to download Windows updates to access newer games is a travesty.

 

[SmurfMustard]

He's right though and follow up posts have backed him up.

Then maybe "almost always" has a different meaning in english than in mine. Keep it up guys.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Game Pass is more than just PC though, you should be clearer in the titles.

"As good as Game Pass has been, the PC Game Pass / Windows Store versions are almost always the worst version of a game".

LOL, get out of here with that pettiness. The title is factually correct.

 

[Topher]

Then maybe "almost always" has a different meaning in english than in mine. Keep it up guys.

 

[JTCx]

Microsoft likes to deliver the worst of everything.

 

[SmurfMustard]

Thanks!

 

[Bojji]

Those are literally nvidia technologies. Sony and Microsoft chose AMD.

Gamepass versions of games are sometimes derived from Xbox builds and totally different than steam builds. That's why they differ in features:

Game Pass PC Once Again Lacks NVIDIA DLSS/AMD FSR at Still Wakes the Deep's Launch

Game Pass PC once again disappoints, delivering an inferior version of Still Wakes the Deep that lacks NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR.

wccftech.com

 

[BennyBlanco]

their store sucks ass anyhow

This can’t be overstated enough and completely drove me away from game pass

 

[DoubleClutch]

Then maybe "almost always" has a different meaning in english than in mine. Keep it up guys.

The fact you can’t mod games makes it worse by default. Few games like Skyrim have built in mod managers to bypass it.

 

[CrustyBritches]

It’s crazy not to have DLSS on the game pass PC version of NGII.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

How do you expect studios/publishers to prioritize versions of games where

1. The game is not sold
2. A Store Front even worse than the Epic Games Store
?

 

[Wolzard]

The fact that Microsoft Store games need to be packaged in UWP, makes this version of the game less attention than the others. The highest sales potential comes from Steam and Epic and they use the same classic standard format.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Gamepass versions of games are sometimes derived from Xbox builds and totally different than steam builds. That's why they differ in features:

Game Pass PC Once Again Lacks NVIDIA DLSS/AMD FSR at Still Wakes the Deep's Launch

Game Pass PC once again disappoints, delivering an inferior version of Still Wakes the Deep that lacks NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR.

wccftech.com

I’ll be damned. Gross.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

There's no game pass versions of games, game pass is a subscription.
You mean MS Store/XBOX app.

 

[StereoVsn]

More of a Microsoft thing, but fact of the matter is that Game Pass is the only reason the vast majority of PC gamers are even going to bother with that store.

Yep, for the most part that’s the only time anyone would use the store.

One other option is if someone bought a copy on Xbox with “Game Anywhere” or whatever the name is. That grants a copy in Windows Store. However, considering the reality of game sales on Xbox and how many of those folks have a gaming PC that doesn’t matter really.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

IIRC WinStore version are built through Games Development Kit (GDK), even PC-only games (don’t confuse them with discontinued UWP). That’s why you’re missing features and the file structure is not the same which is a royal pain for mods, hooks and overlays. The whole architecture of a PC side of service is broken. DLSS problems with GDK are not new and this whole story is dragging for years at this point. Too bad rhat Papa Phil is too busy with fondling his ego in an interviews, so MS is not even recognizing that PC Gamepass has glaring issues.

Good luck growing your PC audience, I guess.

 

[winjer]

It's very common that the Microsoft Store version of a game to run much worse than on other stores.
And to have older builds, with fewer features.
To make things much worse, the UWP system doesn't allow for much modding and tweaking, so users can't even try to fix it.
The Microsoft Store on PC is, by far, the worst place to buy and play games on PC.

 

[MMaRsu]

Yup. Instead of playing the gamepass version of Black I just found the high seas version, which does have dlss.

Like wtf. Im subbed to gamepass yet you cant even bring out the right pc version? But competitor platforms have it? Dafuq are they doing over there?

 

[MMaRsu]

It's very common that the Microsoft Store version of a game to run much worse than on other stores.
And to have older builds, with fewer features.
To make things much worse, the UWP system doesn't allow for much modding and tweaking, so users can't even try to fix it.
The Microsoft Store on PC is, by far, the worst place to buy and play games on PC.

Pretty sure UWP isnt a thing anymore.

 

[BlackTron]

Well come on. You have to leave some incentive for people to actually buy the game, right?

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Gamepass on console doesn’t have this issue. There is no steam.

Less headache.

 

[winjer]

Pretty sure UWP isnt a thing anymore.

It has been replaced by msix and win32.
But whatever the packaging MS is doing there, it really hurts performance and cause a lot of issues.

 

[Team Andromeda]

It's nothing to with Game pass since the 120 mode is in the Series X version on Game pass

 

[Donald mac Ronald]

As someone who signed up for a few months for blackops i barely used it. I literally hate having to deal with it.

Just to get updates to download at reasonable speeds I had to exit the Xbox app so the games would update faster using the window store..

And yeah many games have released half baked compared to their steam versions.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

The Gamepass version is played for free so it makes sense that the devs will prioritize it the least of all versions

 

[winjer]

Gamepass on console doesn’t have this issue. There is no steam.

Less headache.

Yes, it's a mostly a problem on PC. Microsoft's software on PC is unbelievably bad.
And it's not just games. I have to use Office 365 and Teams, and it's a pile of excrement.

 

[hemo memo]

I’d call myself relatively new to PC—about a year and a half in.

The only time I’ve encountered a truly unplayable game on PC was with two titles on Game Pass.

That said, Game Pass has been great value for money for me overall, but I have to admit that the worst version of a game is often the one on Game Pass.

 

[baphomet]

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black has both 120fps and Frame Gen on Game Pass.

Only thing it's really missing is DLSS.