Cyberpunk 2077 and 9 Other Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass on September 15

Announcement

Xbox Game Pass subscribers are facing another catalog rotation this month as ten games prepare to exit the service. Headlining the departures is CD Projekt Red's open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, which will leave the platform alongside nine other titles on September 15.

According to GameSpot, the upcoming departures coincide with fresh catalog additions, as Xbox Game Pass expands with seven new games in September. Meanwhile, IGN reported that CD Projekt Red's leadership isn't worried about delays for next-generation consoles, even as rising RAM prices create broader hardware industry pressures.

Game Context

The list of confirmed titles exiting the catalog on September 15 highlights several prominent indie and major studio releases. Alongside Cyberpunk 2077, subscribers will lose access to action-roguelike Dead Cells, society-survival strategy title Frostpunk 2, management adventure Spiritfarer, and simulation title Train Sim World 5. Five remaining games in the ten-title departure batch remain unconfirmed.

The departure of Cyberpunk 2077 comes after years of post-launch updates and reflection by developer CD Projekt Red. GameSpot reported that CD Projekt leadership previously acknowledged that releasing Cyberpunk 2077 in its initial poor state "was for sure wrong."

In addition to addressing Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red has maintained player-centric policies across its portfolio. As reported by Eurogamer, the studio never considered charging players for The Witcher 3 remaster, and leadership noted that the expansion Songs of the Past came together through a couple of "happy accidents."

Gameplay

Cyberpunk 2077 was added to Xbox Game Pass in March 2026. Its scheduled removal on September 15 indicates a six-month availability period for subscribers on the service.

The removal of major titles from subscription platforms reinforces ongoing conversations regarding digital game access and licensing. As reported by Eurogamer, PlayStation recently argued in legal contexts that "reasonable consumers" already know they do not actually own their digital games, highlighting the temporary nature of digital library access and licensing agreements.

These catalog adjustments arrive amid wider executive shifts and strategic moves across the gaming industry. Eurogamer reported that Brian Ward, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, recently stepped down after overseeing billions of dollars in mobile gaming acquisitions. At the same time, Rockstar Games unveiled its official GTA Online RP server mere months before the scheduled arrival of GTA 6.

Technology

Cyberpunk 2077's departure marks the second major CD Projekt Red title to leave Microsoft's subscription service in quick succession. CD Projekt Red's previous title on the service, The Witcher 3, was removed from Xbox Game Pass in August.

When the September 15 deadline hits, Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, Frostpunk 2, Spiritfarer, Train Sim World 5, and five additional games will officially no longer be accessible via the Xbox Game Pass library.

CD Projekt Red's efforts to fix Cyberpunk 2077 technical issues preceded its subscription run. The studio admitted that launching the game in a poor state "was for sure wrong," driving subsequent performance overhauls that improved stability across console platforms.

Release Timeline

The timeline for Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Game Pass spans six months, running from its arrival in March 2026 through its planned removal on September 15, 2026. This six-month availability period points to a structured short-term licensing deal between Microsoft and developer CD Projekt Red.

September 2026 also features notable events outside the gaming industry. As noted in Wired coverage regarding astronomical occurrences, September 2026 includes celestial events such as the Diamond Moon.

Looking toward future hardware cycles, IGN reported that CD Projekt Red leadership isn't worried about next-gen console delays despite soaring RAM prices impacting component markets. Furthermore, corporate transformations continue across the market, as Eurogamer reported that Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward stepped down following major multi-billion dollar mobile gaming acquisitions.

Community Expectations

For Xbox Game Pass members, short-term licensing windows require active management of backlog playthroughs. Following the removal of The Witcher 3 from Xbox Game Pass in August, the departure of Cyberpunk 2077 on September 15 completes the exit of CD Projekt Red's major titles from the platform's current rotation.

CD Projekt Red's approach to post-launch support remains a benchmark for community relations. Eurogamer reported that CD Projekt Red never considered charging for The Witcher 3 remaster, while the studio described the development of the Songs of the Past expansion as originating from "happy accidents."

Industry Impact

Catalog rotation is standard practice for subscription platforms balancing content licensing costs with new additions. GameSpot reported that while ten titles leave Xbox Game Pass on September 15, the service expands in September with seven new games.

Meanwhile, rival publishers are expanding their live-service ecosystems. Eurogamer reported that Rockstar Games unveiled its official GTA Online RP server, arriving mere months before GTA 6.

Conclusion

With Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Cells, Frostpunk 2, Spiritfarer, and Train Sim World 5 leaving Xbox Game Pass on September 15, subscribers have a limited window to finish their playthroughs. The six-month run of Cyberpunk 2077 emphasizes the temporary nature of AAA third-party licensing on subscription services.