Xbox Game Pass: new tier for the Chinese market

It looks like Xbox is adapting to the needs of gamers in China’s segment of the gaming market. A recent report has revealed that Microsoft is developing a new tier for Xbox Game Pass specifically aimed at Chinese players. This initiative, internally known as “Project Saluki,” is designed to meet China’s unique regulatory requirements and player preferences.

Project Saluki: made for China

The new Game Pass tier, Project Saluki, is intended to give Xbox a strong foothold in the emerging Chinese market. This comes at a time when China’s game industry is becoming increasingly powerful, with companies capable of achieving success on a global scale.

Market impact of Chinese games

One notable example of success in the region is Black Myth: Wukong, which recently sold more than 10 million copies across multiple platforms. That highlights the growing influence and popularity of Chinese developers in the global games industry. With Project Saluki, Xbox is hoping to tap into that expanding market.

Changes on Steam

In addition, a Steam user survey from March 2025 shows that the number of users using Simplified Chinese has increased by 20.88%. This growth means that nearly half of all Steam users now use the language, a clear sign of China’s increasingly important role in the global gaming community.

The new focus on the Chinese gaming market could be a crucial step for Xbox, which has recently faced disappointing sales, especially in regions like the UK. With Asha Sharma appointed as the new CEO, however, Xbox has a chance to rethink its direction and connect more closely with gamers’ needs worldwide.