Tag: Microsoft
News Microsoft Spends Up To $50m On Xbox Game Pass Partnerships, Says Former Manager
"Deals ranging from $50k to over $50m"
Microsoft's own first-party titles are a big draw with Xbox Game Pass — particularly these days with this many studios under its belt — but that's not to say that big partnerships with third party teams aren't also needed. In fact, some of these partnerships are pretty darn huge, with deals going all the...
News Xbox Fan 'Shocked' That Latest First-Party Release Ships Completely On Disc
No download required!
In recent months, there's been a bit of controversy surrounding physical Xbox releases and the amount of data stored on-disc, with both Indiana Jones and DOOM: The Dark Ages requiring big downloads before being able to play. However, the company's latest first-par
News Marvel's Blade Seemingly Entered Full Production At Xbox In Late 2024
It could be a good few years until we see it
At The Game Awards 2023, Xbox announced that Bethesda studio Arkane was making a Marvel's Blade game, and in the time since we've seen very little on the project - aside from some early concept art shared shortly after the show. It should be no surprise, then, to learn that the game has seemingly only...
News Former Exec Says He's 'Not Sure Xbox Would Be Around' If Microsoft Didn't Fix 360 RROD Issue
"This was, for us, a defining moment"
Former Microsoft exec Peter Moore has been getting all nostalgic again recently in his new chat with outlet The Game Business; touching on the Xbox 360 era when Moore helped lead the team. While we've heard some of this chatter before, he did make
News Microsoft Said To Have 'Unrealistic' Expectations For Xbox, But Not Everyone Agrees
"An utterly unrealistic financial requirement"
With last week's Xbox layoffs still fresh in everyone's minds, there's been plenty of debate over the past few days about why they happened and what needs to be done to ensure they're not repeated on such a large scale again. In Windows Central's report about this a few days ago, it was mentioned that...
News Three Games Are Available This Week With Xbox Game Pass (July 8-11)
Including another big first-party release
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we're highlighting all three of this week's new XGP additions (because they fall on separate days, so they're easily missed), with these including the return of The Ascent, a brand-new Xbox release in Minami Lane, and a new first-party release in Tony...
News Xbox Series S Compared To Switch 2 In Hogwarts Legacy Analysis, And The Results Are Surprising
Series S provides a much better experience!
Nintendo Switch 2 is now out in the wild, and after a month or so on the market, the system has seen mixed results with it when it comes to third-party experiences. While developers like Koei Tecmo recently came out and said that the hybrid console is pretty close to Xbox Series S, the results so far haven
News Kojima's Xbox Game 'OD' Hasn't Been Affected By Microsoft Layoffs, Says Report
Hopefully we see it in action soon
Alongside multiple project cancellations from inside Xbox HQ, certain external efforts have also been affected by this week's Microsoft layoffs - including Romero Games and its now-canned AAA FPS. However, t
News Three Xbox Games Are Shutting Down Their Servers In July & August 2025
The closures we know about so far
Every month, we like to bring you an update on the Xbox games shutting down their servers, but there's not a whole lot going on in both July and August 2025 so far - with just three Xbox games getting the treatment as things stand. That's obviously a good thing though! These are all pretty small titles as well,...
News Former Xbox Dev Claims Turn 10's Forza Motorsport Team 'Is No More'
"A very sad day"
As part of Microsoft's sweeping job cuts this week, it's been reported that Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios has lost almost 50% of its staff - and according to a former worker, the losses are even more significant than that. Fred Russell — former content coordinator at Turn 10 — has posted out to
News PlayStation Is Publishing Helldivers 2 On Xbox, Signalling A Shift In Strategy From Sony
Will more PlayStation games move over?
We got some big news today in the form of Helldivers 2 making its way over to Xbox; a super well-regarded multiplayer shooter from the folks over at Arrowhead Game Studios. In isolation this is big news, but with extra context this is massive news - as it's the first-ever PlayStation Publishing release to...
News DOOM Co-Creator Has Funding Pulled For AAA Title, Seemingly By Xbox
Another Microsoft casualty
At this point, we know that Microsoft's latest round of layoffs has affected lots of projects at Xbox's internal studios, but the casualties seemingly don't stop there. Romero Games, the studio being helmed by DOOM co-creator John Romero, has just had funding pulled on its next title "along with several other unannounced...
News Microsoft Is Seemingly Cutting Back On Its Quality Assurance Efforts With Xbox
"The Xbox user research team has been hit hard"
As we're sure you're all aware by now, Microsoft has been cutting staff like nobody's business this week, and their efforts are in-part due to 'streamlining' the business - or as Xbox exec Matt Booty says: "to adjust priorities and focus resources". Well, it seems as though these adjustments will be...
News Phil Spencer Isn't Retiring Anytime Soon, Says Xbox In Response To Rumour
Xbox's head of communications chimes in
As if today hasn't been enough of a whirlwind for us at PX HQ — and everyone else closely following Xbox right now — fresh rumours are doing the rounds that long time boss Phil Spencer may step down from his role in the near future. Call of Duty insider TheGhostOfHope has gone public with this, claiming...
News Forza Motorsport Team Reportedly Loses 'Nearly 50% Of Staff' In Xbox Job Cuts
Brutal losses for Turn 10
Microsoft's current round of layoffs is starting to feel particularly brutal, with Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios reportedly losing almost 50% of its entire staff as part of these ongoing Xbox job cuts. This latest news is coming from
News Xbox's Everwild Gets Cancelled As Layoffs Hit Sea Of Thieves Developer
Update: It's now official
We told you folks to brace yourselves today and that's exactly what's needed. Following news earlier that fresh Microsoft layoffs were starting to hit Xbox teams, it's being reported that Rare is now one of the studios affected - and its Everwild project has seemingly been cancelled as a result. This is coming from outlet
News Xbox Has Briefly Taken Down A Bunch Of Classic COD Games For 'Maintenance'
Are they being prepped for Game Pass?
We have an intriguing development in the world of Call of Duty today, folks. As part of what appears to be quite a hefty maintenance effort from the Activision team, a big batch of COD titles have gone offline for roughly four hours today - including some Xbox 360 classics like Modern Warfare 2 and the original...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass Standard (July 2)
A couple of fresh additions
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Today, Microsoft's mid-tier XGP service grows in the form of two new additions to Game Pass Standard - both now live in the library. Here's a quick introduction to today's new Game Pass Standard titles: Legend of Mana (Game Pass Standard):
Feature Xbox's Hot Streak Continues With Two New First-Party Releases This Month
Microsoft's seriously impressive games pipeline
It's been a busy first half of the year for Microsoft, hasn't it? Truth be told, we can't remember a more stacked first half of a year for Xbox Game Studios titles in ages, with massive launches like Avowed, Oblivion Remastered, DOOM: The Dark Ages and more landing before the midway point of 202
News Six Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Early July 2025
This month's first batch of leavers
Microsoft has announced the first batch of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in July 2025 today, with six games set to depart the service on July 15th - all of them across console, PC and the cloud. Here's the full list of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in early July 2025: Date Game Leaving Xbox Game...
News These Seven Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (July 2-15)
Your latest roundup of new titles
Microsoft has just revealed the next batch of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass in July, featuring some newly-announced additions alongside its next first-party release in the form of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4. We also saw two new additions to the library today, remember, including the fantastic
Feature Despite Being Very Familiar, I Can't Wait To Play More Gears Reloaded Later This Year
Gears is back, and it feels oh so good
When the first weekend of Xbox's recent Gears of War: Reloaded beta wrapped up just a few weeks ago, I shared my opinions on the upcoming release; talking about how the game was a great time despite it being "overly familiar" for Xbox players who'd already chainsaw'd their way through Gears: Ultimate Edition...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (July 1)
Alongside a third title getting free Game Pass perks!
Welcome to your first Xbox Game Pass update for July 2025! Today, we have two major additions to the library, alongside some bonus Xbox Game Pass Perks for brand-new free-to-play title Mecha BREAK. <related ids="184422"> Here's a quick breakdown on what's new to Xbox Game Pass today:
News Ex Blizzard Boss Thinks Microsoft Should Pick Its Xbox Strategy And 'Stick To It'
"Tough to see Xbox confused"
Over the last year, year and a half, Microsoft has certainly changed things up in terms of its Xbox strategy - mainly by focusing more on software and launching some of its biggest in-house games on other platforms. This took some time getting used to at the beginning, and even though things are much clearer now, some...
News Elder Scrolls 6 Trailer 'Getting Closer' Despite No-Show At Xbox Games Showcase 2025
"It's getting closer, it's getting closer"
The Elder Scrolls 6 didn't show up at Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase despite the game's announcement trailer now being over seven years old, but Windows Central reporter Jez Corden believes that the timeline for a new trailer may still be relatively close. Speaking on a new episode of
News Halo Fan Game To Release On Xbox After Microsoft & Halo Studios Give Approval
"We want to thank them for their real sympathy"
When it comes to "fan games" based around famous IP, we already know that some companies really frown upon it and end up shutting the project down. Fortunately, that's not going to happen to Halo fan game Spartan Survivors. The team behind this blend of "roguelite and bullet heaven" have confirmed on...
Talking Point Have This Month's Announcements Made You Excited About Xbox Again?
We're feeling some positive energy
It's been a pretty big month for Microsoft, hasn't it? Things slowly built up to the team's Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th — which then led to the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally — followed up this week by more talk on the b
News Xbox & AMD Are 'Delivering On A Promise' By Making Existing Libraries Work On Next-Gen
"Delivering on a promise to both gamers & developers"
This week, Microsoft and AMD have gone hard on next-gen Xbox plans - and even though those plans are fairly vague for now, we are starting to hear about some high-level features for the platform. On the back of these announcements earlier in the week, AMD's Dr. Lisa Su
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (June 19-22)
Included with Xbox Game Pass
Welcome to your latest Xbox Free Play Days selection! Today, Microsoft has unveiled the four games playable as part of its regular free-to-try promotion - and we have a good range of titles on offer this week! Here's everything you can try on Xbox Free Play Days through the end of the weekend: Dead By...
Talking Point Did Xbox Just Hint At A Hybrid Next-Gen Console?
Could we see a Switch-like device from Xbox?
Well, practically out of nowhere, Xbox just detailed even more of its next-gen gaming plans in partnership with AMD - and it sure sounds like Team Green has quite a few different devices planned for the next generation. <related ids="184041"> In the new announcement video, which we've covered up...
News Xbox Emphasises That Its Next-Gen Devices 'Aren't Locked To A Single Store'
"Not locked to a single store, or tied to one device"
With the ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft is pushing on with its plan to bring Windows and Xbox closer together - and it sounds a lot like that's also the plan for its lineup of next-gen devices as well. As we've already mentioned on PX today, Xbox president Sarah Bond has detailed the team's future...
News Xbox Announces Next-Gen Console Strategy, Promises 'Deeper Visuals' & Backwards Compatibility
"The next generation of Xbox is coming to life"
Out of nowhere, Xbox has announced its next-gen hardware strategy today in the form of a short YouTube video, revealing a "strategic, multi-year agreement with AMD" that includes work on the next generation of Xbox consoles. Xbox's Sarah Bond mentions in the video how this "next-generation hardware...
News These 11 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (June 18 - July 1)
Microsoft announces a new batch
Microsoft has announced the latest Xbox Game Pass lineup for June 2025 today (as well as two titles for next month!), specifically spanning June 18 to July 1. This includes highlights such as Rematch, Call of Duty: WW2, Little Nightmares 2 and a whole lot more. Before we get to the list, don't forget that three games...
News Six Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Late June 2025
This month's second batch of leavers
Microsoft has announced the second batch of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in June 2025 today, with six games set to depart the service on June 30th - most of them across console, PC and the cloud. Here's the full list of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in late June 2025: Date Game Leaving Xbox Game...
Talking Point Would You Like To See A New Type Of Forza Game In 2026?
Or just more Horizon next year?
During the big Xbox Games Showcase last month, boss Phil Spencer teased a brand-new Forza game coming in 2026, which we're assuming will be Forza Horizon 6. However, if you could make the call, would you create a new Forza spin-off instead? It's something we've started to think about a little bit here at Pure Xbox!...
News Gears Of War: Reloaded Is Top Of The PS5 Pre-Order Charts Right Now
Beating out Death Stranding 2 & more
Gears fever is in full swing right now, and despite Gears of War: Reloaded being largely a familiar experience for Xbox fans, it's clear that PlayStation users are lapping up Marcus Fenix's PS5 debut. Both the US and
Opinion It Feels Like Microsoft Is Planning A Huge Final Year Of Xbox Series X|S In 2026
Could next-gen follow in 2027?
The dust has now settled on the big Xbox Games Showcase this year, and overall, it was a decent show. It's provided us a good look at what's to come for the rest of 2025, and I'm definitely satisfied with how the lineup is looking for the full year. However, it
News Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In July 2025 So Far
An early look at what's to come
As we always do around this time of the month, we're taking a look today at what's ahead for July 2025's Xbox Game Pass selection, with four games having been confirmed for Game Pass next month at the time of writing. We've got some huge games coming to the service in July right now, including Xbox first-party...
News Gears Of War: Reloaded Physical Version Confirmed For PS5, Nothing Yet For Xbox
Rumour has it the full game is on-disc, too
Gears of War: Reloaded marks the series' PS5 debut later this year, and it seems as though PlayStation players will be getting even more bonuses beyond that. Not only is the game getting a proper disc-based physical release on PS5, but it's looking like the whole game will actually be printed onto the disc...
News PS6 To Provide 'New & Enhanced' Experience As Sony & Microsoft Plan For Next-Gen
Exciting times ahead
It's all starting to hot up in terms of new gaming devices from Sony and Microsoft, isn't it? Last year, the former delivered PS5 Pro, while Microsoft has just announced its ROG Xbox Ally handheld - and it sounds like the two teams aren't stopping there, as expected. Next-gen Xbox and PlayStation plans are well underway. In a...
Feature Here Are The Results From Our Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Predictions
Hey, we actually did okay this year...
So, each and every year we throw together a big predictions piece here at PX for the Xbox Games Showcase - you know, what we expect to see, what we'd love Microsoft to surprise us with and all the rest of it. Well, this year, we played it safer in our overall predictions - and while that didn't exactly grant us...
News Phil Spencer Says 2026 Is Going To Be 'A Really Special Year' For Xbox
He also explains why some big games are skipping 2025
Towards the end of Xbox's big summer showcase this year, boss Phil Spencer came out to introduce Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 - but not before he championed the ROG Xbox Ally and
News Xbox & Windows Worked 'As One Development Team' To Make The ROG Xbox Ally
"This is the tightest collaboration I've seen"
Since the Xbox Games Showcase wrapped up this past weekend, you've probably seen lots of PX content on the ROG Xbox Ally — because we're incredibly excited about it — and now Xbox boss Phil Spencer has chimed in on just how much work went into making the ASUS handheld a reality. Talking on a fresh...
News Two More Xbox First-Party Games Are Getting 'Code In A Box' Physical Releases In 2025
Including Microsoft's first $80 title
There's been some controversy about Microsoft's decision to move to $80 game releases with The Outer Worlds 2, and things are getting even more controversial with the way Xbox is handling its physical releases here in 2025. <related ids="181030"> Retail listings for both The Outer Worlds 2 and fellow...
Feature Xbox Game Studios: All Microsoft First-Party Developers & What They're Working On
Including Bethesda & Activision Blizzard
At this stage, Microsoft has lots of in-house development studios making Xbox games, including all those teams across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. So, as we begin another year of Xbox, we thought we'd gather up every Microsoft first-party developer and what they're working on right...
Talking Point How Much Do You Think The ROG Xbox Ally Will Cost?
Two skus, two price points
Since an Xbox 'partner' handheld was first rumoured many months ago, there's been lots of discussion about potential price points for it, and how Microsoft will compete in the portable PC market. Despite the team finally announcing the device(s) during the Xbox Games Showcase, we still didn't get any pricing details -...
News Two Huge Free Demos Were Added To The Xbox Store Last Night
Post-Showcase freebies!
The Xbox Games Showcase was packed full of interesting announcements for the coming months on the platform, but what about stuff you can get stuck into in the here and now? Well, thankfully, Microsoft treated us to a couple of freebies last night in the form of two major demos that are now live on the Xbox Store! One of...
Reaction Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Was Just OK, But Next Year Should Be Amazing
A big 2026 lineup is already being teased
Well, there we have it folks - the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 has officially come and gone. We got some fantastic new game reveals — including a slew of Xbox Game Pass announcements for the months and years ahead — and all-in-all we're pretty satisfied. However, this year's show did feel a little quiet...
News Clockwork Revolution Debuts First-Person RPG Gameplay Ahead Of Xbox Game Pass Release
"Control the future"
Clockwork Revolution has finally reappeared! Yep, Microsoft has another first-party title in the pipeline here - with inXile's steampunk RPG getting its first-ever gameplay showing during the big 2025 Xbox showcase. Unfortunately, the team is still saying that Clockwork Revolution will come out "in due time", so there's no date...
Talking Point Switch 2 Owners, Should Xbox Embrace Nintendo's New System?
What games should launch there first?
Well, there we have it, Nintendo Switch 2 is now officially released after years of waiting - and we promise we're not getting FOMO over here, not at all. Anyway, brushing aside that massive lie, we're curious to hear from any of you who've betrayed us and bought a Switch 2... should Microsoft embrace the system...
