Is Shift at Midnight on Game Pass?
Xbox Wire lists Shift at Midnight as a July 22 day-one Game Pass release for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Because catalogs and regional availability can change after launch, confirm that the game appears as included in your own Xbox app or regional store before relying on access.
The same listing identifies Xbox Play Anywhere. That means an eligible Xbox-store entitlement can be used across supported Xbox and Windows devices with the same Microsoft account. It does not convert a Steam purchase into an Xbox entitlement.
Xbox capability record
| Capability | Current Xbox listing |
|---|---|
| Play modes | Single-player; online co-op for 2–3 players |
| Game Pass release devices | Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Cross-device entitlement | Xbox Play Anywhere |
| Xbox network play | Xbox cross-platform co-op |
| Progress services | Xbox cloud saves |
| Platform features | Xbox achievements; Series X|S optimization; 4K Ultra HD |
| Languages | 9 supported languages |
| Accessibility | 4 accessibility features listed |
This table describes the product listing, not a promise that every device runs with identical graphics, controls, or performance.
What console online play requires
Xbox states that online multiplayer on console requires an eligible Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription, sold separately. That requirement applies to console network play; it should not be confused with whether the game itself is included in a Game Pass catalog.
Solo support is listed, so a player can run shifts alone. For co-op, the Xbox page specifies two to three online players.
Launch crossplay boundaries
The developer FAQ gives a precise launch boundary:
| Group | Can connect at launch? |
|---|---|
| Xbox console ↔ Xbox console | Yes, within the Xbox ecosystem |
| Xbox console ↔ PC Game Pass / Xbox PC | Yes |
| PC Game Pass / Xbox PC ↔ PC Game Pass / Xbox PC | Yes |
| Steam ↔ Steam | Yes, through Steam online co-op |
| Steam ↔ Xbox console or PC Game Pass | No at launch |
Full crossplay and a server browser are planned for a later update. Until that update is explicitly live, treat the Steam and Xbox matchmaking pools as separate.
Play Anywhere is not universal cross-buy
Xbox Play Anywhere connects supported Xbox and Windows versions bought through the Xbox ecosystem. It does not grant:
- a Steam license;
- access to Steam friends or Steam matchmaking;
- automatic ownership on every PC storefront;
- a guarantee that saves transfer to or from Steam.
If a group is buying specifically for co-op, choose the storefront only after confirming that every player will be in a compatible launch pool.
Before you install
- Open the regional Xbox listing and confirm Ultimate or PC Game Pass inclusion for your account.
- Verify that the intended device is shown as supported.
- For console co-op, confirm an active eligible multiplayer subscription.
- Install pending Xbox app, console, and game updates.
- Use the same Microsoft account for Play Anywhere and cloud-save continuity.
- Test proximity chat before beginning a busy shift.
For role planning and Steam compatibility, continue to Multiplayer & Crossplay. For the official CPU, GPU, storage, and language tables, use System Requirements, Storage & Languages.