One of the most exciting new benefits for Xbox One users in recent months has been Xbox Game Pass, the Netflix-like service that gives subscribers access to a varied selection of Xbox Games that can be streamed and/or fully downloaded. Today, the service was further promoted by Microsoft with the announcement that their first party-developed titles would be available at their respective launch dates for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. This was announced to be the case with known upcoming first party titles, but this may also have confirmed Gears of War 5.

The big announcement regarding first party titles on Xbox Game Pass was made today on an Xbox Wire news release, which detailed the new boon for subscribers. Microsoft recognizes the positive response fans have had to the service since it launched last June, and has rewarded their loyalty with the promise of Xbox One-exclusive games developed by Microsoft Studios to be available on their launch days on Xbox Game Pass., with Sea of Thieves being the first such title when it releases on March 20th. Microsoft also confirmed the same will occur for previously known titles Crackdown 3 and State of Decay 2, but other titles not officially announced as well, which would seem to include a potential Gears of War 5.

This plan to bring new games timed with their global release into Xbox Game Pass not only includes announced titles like Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 but future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza and Gears of War, on the same day they launch.“

The announcement also indicates that future games from the biggest Xbox franchises would also see same-day availability. Naturally Halo and Forza were indicated as future titles, given their consistent status as some of the bestselling Xbox games, but somewhat less expected was the inclusion of Gears of War. The last game in the series, Gears of War 4, was critically well-received, and sold well, but still lagged behind other games in sales in 2016. Gears of War 5 has not been officially announced, and The Coalition has reportedly been working on a new IP, but given today’s acknowledgement of the series by Microsoft, it would seem that the Gears of War universe is set to return for another bloody adventure some time in the future. Do you guys think Microsoft confirmed Gears of War 5? Let us know in the comments below!

Be sure to stay tuned for the latest Gears of War news, such as one fan’s custom IRL Gears of War Lancer creation, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!