【News Flash Vol.26】Game Pass Welcomes AAA Titles, Windows 11 Settings Revamped

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This week, Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem saw a wave of major content updates. High-profile titles such as Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding: Director’s Cut have officially joined Game Pass. Games that were once closely associated with competing platforms are now opening up to the Xbox ecosystem, reflecting the continued dissolution of content distribution barriers across the gaming industry.
At the same time, the January update for Windows 11 introduced significant changes to system settings, upgrading “Developer Options” to “Advanced Settings” and lowering the barrier to access professional features. In addition, BeAProFootball, published by Miracle Games, continues to receive featured placement on the Microsoft Store.

Major Game Pass content update this month: Two AAA titles join the service

Windows 11 system settings rebuilt: “Advanced Settings” replace “Developer Options”

BeAProFootball continues to be featured on the Microsoft Store

01｜Major Game Pass Content Update This Month: Two AAA Titles Join the Service

Between January 15 and 21, Xbox Game Pass completed its largest content rotation of the quarter. The simultaneous arrival of two titles previously known for their strong PlayStation association is particularly symbolic.

Resident Evil Village: Completing the Survival Horror Ecosystem

Release Date: January 20, 2026
Platforms: Cloud Gaming, Console, PC
Included with: Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass

As the latest installment in Capcom’s flagship IP, Resident Evil Village continues the immersive first-person experience of its predecessor. Players take on the role of Ethan Winters, venturing deep into an Eastern European village filled with danger.
Microsoft has placed special emphasis on the game’s cloud gaming support. For a visually demanding AAA title of this scale, the cloud version allows users without high-end PCs—as well as mobile users—to play directly via browser or app, representing a concrete step in Microsoft’s strategy to “reach 3 billion players worldwide.”
Notably, when combined with previously available titles such as Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil 2/3 Remake, Game Pass has become the most cost-effective platform for experiencing the Resident Evil series. This type of franchise-level content aggregation significantly increases subscriber retention and reduces churn after completion of a single title.

Death Stranding: Director’s Cut: A Symbol of the Post-Exclusivity Era

Release Date: January 21, 2026
Platforms: Cloud Gaming, PC, Xbox Series X｜S
Key Tag: Handheld Optimization

Death Stranding, developed by Kojima Productions, was once a flagship PlayStation exclusive. The arrival of its Director’s Cut on PC Game Pass and Xbox consoles further highlights the ongoing breakdown of traditional platform exclusivity in the gaming industry.
Its launch on PC Game Pass directly weakens the long-standing dominance of Steam and the Epic Games Store as default platforms for PC players. Leveraging its financial and ecosystem advantages, Microsoft is converting what were once “timed exclusives” into long-term subscription value.
Of particular note, Microsoft’s official announcement explicitly labels the game as supporting “Handheld” devices. Given Death Stranding’s heavy UI text and precision requirements, this suggests that Microsoft or the developer has implemented dedicated UI adaptations or validation for Windows handheld devices with 7–8 inch screens, such as ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.

02｜Windows 11 System Settings Rebuilt: “Advanced Settings” Replace “Developer Options”

On January 15, Microsoft rolled out a monthly cumulative update for Windows 11 (versions 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2). Beyond routine security patches, the update introduced a notable restructuring of system settings.

“Developer Options” Upgraded to “Advanced Settings”
The original “Developer Options” (For Developers) settings page has been removed. In its place is the new “Advanced Settings” section, located under Settings ＞ System.

Professional Features Consolidated and Repositioned
The new “Advanced Settings” integrates multiple professional-level features, including:

GitHub Integration: Allows users to view version control information directly in File Explorer

Virtualization Management: Toggles for Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox have been moved here

Microsoft’s ecosystem strategy appears to blur the line between “developers” and “advanced users.” In the AI era, many non-programmers—such as data analysts and content creators—also rely on sandbox environments and version control tools. This UI adjustment lowers the psychological barrier to using such features and enhances Windows’ flexibility as a productivity platform.
For general users, functions that once appeared “highly technical” are now easier to find and understand. For developers, while the relocation of features may require a short adjustment period, overall functionality and accessibility remain unaffected.

03｜BeAProFootball Continues to Be Featured on the Microsoft Store

The FIFPro-licensed football competition game BeAProFootball, co-published by Miracle Games, continues to receive featured placement on the Microsoft Store, further increasing its visibility among core user groups.
The game combines real-time competitive gameplay with strategic management, featuring data from over 60,000 real-world football players across major leagues in England, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and other football-centric regions. Players can freely recruit and develop athletes, build their ideal squads, and compete across a wide range of tournaments.
Multiple game modes are available, including PVP Ranked Matches, Coach Ranked Matches, Peak Weekly Tournaments, Invitational Events, and limited-time competitions—balancing hands-on control with strategic depth. A dynamic transfer market system is also included, with player prices fluctuating in real time based on supply and demand, delivering a more authentic football management experience.
The game’s continued featuring on the Microsoft Store reflects the platform’s recognition of Football Master’s overall quality and gameplay performance. Looking ahead, Miracle Games will continue working closely with platform partners to support long-term operations and content development, delivering a deeper and more immersive digital football experience for fans worldwide.

From formerly platform-exclusive titles joining Game Pass to the user-friendly restructuring of Windows 11 system settings, Microsoft’s ecosystem strategy in mid-to-late January is clear: break down platform barriers with high-quality content, and lower the entry threshold for professional features through more intuitive system design.
For players, subscription services offer lower costs and broader platform access. For professional users, reorganized system functions make essential tools easier to reach and use.

Which title are you more excited to experience—Resident Evil Village or Death Stranding: Director’s Cut? And regarding Windows 11 replacing “Developer Options” with “Advanced Settings,” do you find it easier to understand, or more confusing? Share your thoughts in the comments.