Microsoft reveals new Xbox Game Pass missions, but there's a problem

Key points

• New Xbox Game Pass missions in Australia allow players to earn Rewards points simply by playing.
• Points can be redeemed for Xbox gift cards, in-game currency, charitable donations, or sweepstakes entries.
• The reworked system might make it easier for players to earn points, but some are less safe.

Many Xbox players now have a brand new one Xbox Game Pass Missions as part of a completely reinvented framework to earn Rewards points. However, the reworked Xbox Game Pass missions are currently only available in Australia and require users to take a few steps to make the most of the new system.

Xbox Rewards is part of the Microsoft Rewards scheme, allowing participants to earn points for performing everyday tasks such as searching on Bing and playing Xbox games. Reward points can be redeemed for Xbox gift cards, in-game currency for titles such as League of Legends AND Robloxor monthly subscriptions to Game Pass. Benevolent players can also choose to donate to a wide range of charities or even try their luck at entering one of the program's regular contests, such as the current Microsoft Rewards $1,000,000 sweepstakes.

Microsoft Rewards is constantly being updated, and on November 5th Australian gamers booted up their consoles to find that their Xbox Game Pass missions have been completely redesigned. Players can earn points every day by playing any Game Pass game for at least 15 minutes as part of a “Daily Play” mission. However, the usual daily, weekly and monthly missions have been reworked into a system that grants bonus points for playing multiple games each month. Playing four unique Game Pass titles earns the player 50 points, while a total of eight different games awards an extra 350 points. Players can also accumulate streak bonuses by playing at least five days a week. Earning the weekly bonus in consecutive weeks will get you higher point multipliers for the following week, up to a whopping four times bonus.

New Xbox Game Pass missions now available, but only in Australia

• Daily Play: Play any Game Pass game for at least 15 minutes.
• Monthly 4-Pack: Earn points by playing four different Game Pass games for at least 15 minutes each calendar month.
• Monthly 8-Pack: Earn points by playing eight different Game Pass games for at least 15 minutes each calendar month.
• Weekly Streaks: Play at least five days a week to earn points and unlock the next week's multiplier. Play more days to earn more points. A two-week streak will earn 2x the base consecutive points, a three-week streak will earn 3x the base consecutive points, and streaks of four weeks and longer will earn 4x the base multiplier. Lost streaks will have to be built on from the start.

On the surface, this system could allow players to earn Rewards points more easily by eliminating the requirement to earn achievements in games to complete missions. Players can simply play Game Pass titles at their own pace, without feeling forced to constantly find new achievements to unlock. If players can maintain the quadruple point weekly bonus, they should be able to earn around 2000 points per month. However, Xbox owners who can't commit to playing five times a week, every week, may struggle to earn these high point totals. Some gamers have already suggested that with these changes Microsoft is actually continuing its trend of reducing the number of Xbox Rewards points the average gamer can earn.​​​​​​

While recent updates to Xbox Game Pass Rewards are currently only live for users in Australia, this update is likely a preview before rolling out to other areas, as Microsoft often tests updates in specific regions before rolling out worldwide . However, the ever-changing nature of Xbox Game Pass missions, along with the fluctuating value of Rewards points, has left some players skeptical about the program's future.