Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Game Pass tweet was 'not accurate'

News
By published

In a deleted tweet, the Xbox Portugal Twitter account claimed that Cyberpunk 2077 would be on Xbox Game Pass at launch.

Cyberpunk 2077 Maelstrom
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Cyberpunk 2077 is going to be one of the biggest game releases of 2020—maybe even the biggest—so it was surprising when the Xbox Portugal Twitter account revealed that it would be available through Xbox Game Pass on launch day.

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription-based service that goes for $10 per month (currently $5 on PC, which is still in beta), and offers unlimited access to more than 100 games. It's a really good deal—too good, you might think, for CD Projekt's next landmark game, especially since putting it there on launch day would seriously undercut sales.

And on that count, you'd be correct. The tweet was quickly deleted, and the account apologized for posting incorrect information. "Unfortunately, this was a mistake on our part. We wanted to talk about Xbox One X Special Edition of Cyberpunk 2077," it said. "We have no information regarding Xbox Game Pass and, for that, we extend our deepest apologies."

There was some question about whether the Xbox Portugal Twitter is an official Xbox account at all, as it's not verified and has fewer than 1,000 followers. It's also a relatively new account, and its first tweet went up on April 1, which is a big red flag all by itself. Its followers include the blue-checked Xbox Brazil Twitter account and Xbox marketing GM Aaron Greenberg, though, which lends it an appearance of legitimacy, and if it's faking it certainly seems committed to the bit: Scrolling back through old tweets, it looks like nothing more than a conventional Xbox account.

Whatever the case, the important point here is that the tweet was not accurate, as CD Projekt also confirmed. "That was not accurate information [or] was a mistranslation," a rep said. "We have no details or information to share regarding participation in Game Pass."

Cyberpunk 2077 is scheduled to come out on September 17. In case you hadn't heard, there will be customizable genitals.

Update: A Microsoft rep confirmed that the account is an official Xbox Twitter handle for the region.

Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.