Is Sandustry on Game Pass?
Yes. Sandustry joined PC Game Pass on day one of its Early Access launch on August 13, 2026. This is no longer just an announcement: the game has a live product page on the Xbox store (listed as Sandustry (Game Preview), published by Hooded Horse), and it appears in the official PC Game Pass library with a release date of August 13. Xbox's own launch-week news post listed Sandustry among the Game Pass arrivals for that week.
One distinction matters: this is the PC Game Pass library. The game runs on Windows PCs - there is no Xbox console version of Sandustry, so console Game Pass subscribers cannot play it on an Xbox.
Where to Play Sandustry Without Game Pass
A subscription is one option, not the only one. Sandustry is sold on four stores, and every one of them sells the same Early Access build:
- Steam - the main store page, with the free demo and Steam Workshop support.
- Microsoft Store - the same product page the Game Pass version runs from (product ID 9PPH71DV44T7); you can buy it there outright.
- GOG - open for sale since launch week, DRM-free.
- itch.io - hosts the free browser demo, not the full game.
The full platform picture - including the launch discount that was still running on Steam and GOG as of August 17 - is in the where can I play Sandustry guide, and the price guide covers what it costs on each store.
Sandustry on Xbox Console: Not on Game Pass
There is no Xbox console version of Sandustry. The Xbox store page lists the platform as PC only, and the achievement tracker sites that indexed the Game Pass release describe it the same way: a PC-only title. If a search result tells you Sandustry is "on Xbox", read the fine print - it almost certainly means PC Game Pass, playable on a Windows PC through the Xbox app.
A console port is not impossible someday, but nothing has been announced, and the developer's published Early Access plans focus on content, not platforms. Do not buy a console Game Pass subscription expecting to play Sandustry on your Xbox.
Game Pass vs Steam for Sandustry: Which Version to Get
The two versions are the same game - single-player, same Early Access content - but they differ in the extras each platform bolts on:
- Game Pass / Microsoft Store version - includes Xbox achievements (tracked by sites like TrueAchievements) and Xbox cloud saves. If you care about Gamerscore, this is your version.
- Steam version - includes 16 Steam achievements, Steam Cloud saves, and Steam Workshop integration for mods. The mod ecosystem is easiest to use here.
There is no official cross-store comparison beyond that, so treat claims about save transfers or update timing between stores as unconfirmed. And if you mainly want to try before paying anything at all, the free demo needs no subscription - see the demo guide.
What Subscription Do You Need for Sandustry?
PC Game Pass is enough. The Xbox store page lists Sandustry under the PC Game Pass subscription, which covers games played on Windows. Game Pass Ultimate also includes it, since Ultimate bundles the PC library - but you do not need to upgrade to Ultimate just for this game. Anyone hoping for couch co-op or online multiplayer through Game Pass should note the game is single-player; the multiplayer guide explains what "Sandustry online" actually means.
Is the Sandustry Demo on Game Pass?
The demo doesn't need Game Pass at all. It is free for everyone: a standalone free demo app on Steam and a browser version on itch.io. Game Pass covers the full Early Access version, which is a rewrite of the simulation with far more content than the demo - the differences are laid out in the demo guide.
How to Verify Sandustry Game Pass Yourself
Game Pass libraries do change over time, so if you are reading this months later, take thirty seconds to check: open the Xbox store, search "Sandustry", and look at the "Included in these subscriptions" section of the product page. If it still lists PC Game Pass, you're covered. The official Discord and the r/SandustryGame subreddit are the fastest places to confirm after any Game Pass update.