Xbox Game Pass August 4 Adds Early-Access PC Factory Builder, Cricket and More

Microsoft is sticking to its August 4 plan by rolling out three new games to Xbox and PC subscription libraries today, expanding what members can play across Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass tiers. The lineup includes a new early-access factory builder on PC, plus a cricket title and a previously released metroidvania arriving on additional subscription levels.

Key takeaways

• Sandustry launches today in early access for PC and on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
• Cricket 26: The Official Game of the Ashes is added today for Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate members, plus PC Game Pass subscribers.
• MIO: Memories in Orbit is coming to Xbox Game Pass Premium, after already being available via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
• Sandustry is published by Hooded Horse, the studio behind the hit Manor Lords.
• Sandustry features terrain-altering sand, snow, and pixel-based seed objects that interact with machines.

Sandustry arrives in early access on multiple subscription tiers

Sandustry is the first of today’s additions, debuting in early access on PC and also landing in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Published by Hooded Horse, the game challenges players to build factories on alien planets, with gameplay set amid sand, snow, and “seeds” represented as individual pixel objects.

These seed pixels behave as physical items: they can interact with the environment and affect how machines function. While they can “mess you up” in the process, the same mechanics are intended to be turned to the player’s advantage—by reshaping terrain and uncovering areas that would otherwise remain hidden.

Sandustry system requirements

Minimal requirements

1. CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K / AMD FX-8100
2. RAM: 4 GB
3. GPU: 1 GB GeForce GTX 550 Ti / Radeon HD 77750
4. Storage: 1 GB HDD
5. OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Recommended requirements

1. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
2. RAM: 8 GB
3. GPU: 4 GB GeForce GTX 960 / Radeon RX 570
4. Storage: 1 GB SSD
5. OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Cricket 26 and MIO: Memories in Orbit expand across Game Pass

Alongside Sandustry, subscribers are also getting two more titles today. Cricket 26: The Official Game of the Ashes, a cricket-focused sports game, is available now for Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate members, as well as for PC Game Pass subscribers.

MIO: Memories in Orbit, a metroidvania that originally launched earlier this year in January, is also expanding—arriving on Xbox Game Pass Premium. The game was already playable for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers prior to this update.