Ethan Crossfield 
Xbox Game Pass subscribers have two more reasons to watch the October 2026 calendar. Chained Beasts and Bluey’s Happy Snaps are both scheduled to launch on October 15, with each joining the service on day one. The additions give players a multiplayer action roguelite and a family-focused adventure on the same date, while the rest of the month’s schedule remains only partially confirmed.
What changed for the October Game Pass schedule?
Chained Beasts is the newer announcement. Featherweight Games revealed the gladiatorial action roguelite in September 2026 through an 85-second gameplay trailer, confirming its October 15 launch and day-one Game Pass availability. The Sydney-based studio is publishing the game through the ID@Xbox program.
Bluey’s Happy Snaps had already been announced for Xbox Game Pass, but its specific release date had not been confirmed. Bandai Namco Entertainment has now set the family adventure for October 15 as well, putting both games on the same day-one release schedule.
Who should follow or play these two releases?
Chained Beasts is built for one to four players. Its campaign moves gladiators through arenas in Carthage, Germania, and Rome as they fight for freedom. The central chain mechanic links the fighters together, making coordinated movement important while also enabling players to trip opponents or pull them toward hazards. Melee and thrown weapons, environmental objects, and executions round out the combat.
The game will be available through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It is also planned for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, with PC availability through Steam and the Xbox/Microsoft Store.
Bluey’s Happy Snaps takes a much different approach. Developed by Gameloft Brisbane with BBC Studios and Bluey producer Ludo Studio, it follows Bluey and Bingo after they find their dad’s old camera. Players will explore the Heeler family home and recognizable locations around Brisbane while experimenting with photography.
What comes next for Xbox Game Pass?
The two new confirmations bring the number of officially announced day-one Xbox Game Pass releases for October 2026 to seven. Alongside Chained Beasts and Bluey’s Happy Snaps, the list includes Gears of War: E-Day, Forever Ago, Valor Mortis, The Seance of Blake Manor, and Terrible Lizards.
Keeper is not included in that count. It originally entered Xbox Game Pass in October 2025 and is expected to expand to the service’s Premium tier on October 2, 2026. Microsoft’s full October schedule is expected to become clearer through its usual wave announcements, with Wave 1 projected for October 6 and Wave 2 most likely arriving on October 20. Those dates are not yet presented as final announcements in the source information.
What players should know
- Both Chained Beasts and Bluey’s Happy Snaps launch on October 15, 2026.
- Each game is planned as a day-one Xbox Game Pass release.
- Chained Beasts supports one to four players and includes Xbox Cloud Gaming access.
- Chained Beasts is also planned for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
- The October day-one lineup currently contains seven officially confirmed games.
- Keeper is a returning title expanding to the Premium tier, not a new October 2026 day-one release.
The two newly dated October releases
| Game | Release date | Game Pass status | Verified platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chained Beasts | October 15, 2026 | Day one | Xbox Series X/S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming; also planned for Switch and PS5 |
| Bluey’s Happy Snaps | October 15, 2026 | Day one | Platform details not specified in the source |
Expert View
Editorial verdict: this is a useful expansion of October’s Game Pass calendar rather than a complete lineup reveal. Chained Beasts offers the stronger fit for players seeking coordinated multiplayer action, while Bluey’s Happy Snaps gives families a clearly different option. The shared October 15 date is worth marking, but readers should wait for Microsoft’s formal wave announcements before treating the month’s schedule as final.
