News Flash Vol.23 | A Weekly Look at Game Pass Content Dynamics and the Rise of

Experience good games, come to Miracle Games Store！

Preface：The year-end holiday period is traditionally one of the most active phases for platform ecosystem changes. During this week, content additions and removals progressed in parallel, AI capabilities continued to move closer to core user entry points, and key products received concentrated exposure.
In this issue, we review platform strategies during the holiday season by examining Game Pass content rotation and the trends highlighted by the Microsoft Store annual awards. We also introduce a football title that combines official licensing, technical performance, and gameplay depth, as we look back on the major developments of the week.

I. The Dynamic Balance of the Xbox Game Pass Ecosystem

From December 25 to December 31, Xbox Game Pass (XGP) once again demonstrated the realities of operating as a dynamic content library. While the primary appeal of a subscription service lies in new additions, its long-term sustainability equally depends on content rotation. This week’s focus was not only on what players could enjoy during the holidays, but also on which titles were approaching their departure.

During the holiday period, integrated services played a key role through strategic collaboration with EA Play. Game Pass Ultimate includes EA Play membership, and this integration proved particularly effective as the “EA Play Holiday Picks” campaign entered its final stage between December 25 and 31.
Throughout the campaign, official daily spotlights highlighted individual EA titles and offered in-game rewards. Games such as EA Sports UFC 5 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor became prominent holiday selections. Microsoft also leveraged the seasonal popularity of the Star Wars franchise, often amplified by related film and television releases, to promote titles including Battlefront II and Jedi: Survivor. The latter, as a high-quality single-player adventure, was especially well suited to immersive at-home play during the holiday break.

In addition, limited-time trial benefits further lowered the barrier for players to explore new content. Ten-hour trials for titles such as Wild Hearts and the new release College Football 26 encouraged users to enter the ecosystem through free access, increasing the likelihood of full purchases or long-term subscriptions.

To reduce the risk of subscription churn caused by major titles leaving the service at year-end, Microsoft also released forward-looking signals regarding its January 2026 lineup. Upcoming additions included MIO: Memories in Orbit on January 20, a sci-fi action game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving; Nova Roma on January 22 for PC, a city-building title designed to strengthen the strategy category; and Terra Invicta on January 5 for PC, a hard science-fiction grand strategy game.
By emphasizing what is coming next, these announcements helped stabilize renewal expectations and smooth the impact of year-end content rotation.

II. Microsoft Store Awards 2025: AI Defining the Future

In its late-December recap, the Microsoft Store team clearly identified AI as a defining direction for future development. In the “AI Assistants” category, Perplexity and ChatGPT were jointly recognized with top honors.

Perplexity was awarded for its native voice dictation, multimodal AI search capabilities, and deep desktop integration. This recognition highlights Microsoft’s encouragement for developers to leverage Windows APIs to build system-level AI experiences rather than relying solely on web-based solutions.

ChatGPT was specifically noted for its support of the Alt + Space shortcut. This interaction change represents a milestone, aiming to reshape user habits by positioning AI assistants as a first-level entry point comparable to system search functionality.

Beyond AI, the Microsoft Store continued to expand its ecosystem by introducing well-known applications from the iOS ecosystem, such as Raycast for productivity and Goodnotes for note-taking, as well as mobile apps like Rednote through collaboration with Tencent. This inclusive approach reflects the Microsoft Store’s ambition to break platform boundaries and evolve into a more universal application distribution hub.

III. Game Recommendation | Football Tycoon — A FIFPro-Licensed Football Esports Title ⚽

For players who are passionate about football and seek an authentic competitive experience, Football Tycoon stands out as a strong recommendation. Officially licensed by FIFPro, the game features more than 60,000 real-world players, ranging from legendary stars such as Messi and Ronaldo to emerging talents, enabling players to build their own dream squads.

Powered by a proprietary SportsAI engine, the game supports refresh rates of up to 240 FPS. Combined with frame synchronization and real-time PvP, each pass, shot, and physical challenge delivers smooth and responsive gameplay that closely mirrors console-level football control. Whether focused on hands-on play or tactical management, players can find their preferred path to victory on the pitch.

The game offers seven core modes covering ranked matches, coach rankings, challenge modes, and elite weekly competitions, delivering fast-paced and highly competitive experiences. A dynamic transfer market adjusts player values based on supply and demand, testing players’ strategic planning and investment judgment. Cross-platform support between PC and Android ensures seamless account data synchronization, allowing uninterrupted play anytime and anywhere.

From visual presentation to gameplay depth, Football Tycoon provides football fans with a highly immersive experience. Players can step onto the pitch, compete at the highest level, and build their own football dynasty.

Weekly Summary:
Looking back on the week, the platform ecosystem demonstrated parallel developments across multiple fronts during the year-end holiday period. Xbox Game Pass continued to stabilize its subscription model through content rotation and forward-looking announcements, while Microsoft Store Awards 2025 clearly signaled deeper AI integration across system and application experiences. At the same time, high-quality game content remained the core connection between platforms and players. Across service strategy, technological direction, and product experience, this week marked a clear point of convergence. As the new year approaches, competition and evolution within the platform ecosystem are accelerating. We also take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year, with more great games and continually improving experiences in the year ahead.