Tag: Microsoft
News Forza Horizon 6 PC Specs Revealed, Ray Tracing & ROG Xbox Ally Compatibility Confirmed
Here are all the details
Ahead of launch on Xbox Game Pass this May, Playground Games has detailed the key PC specs required for Forza Horizon 6, including confirmation of ray tracing features and ROG Xbox Ally compatibility for its new open-world racer. The team has provided detailed PC specs for Minimu
Guide Xbox Partner Preview Showcase March 2026: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
Our first partner preview of the year!
As confirmed a few days ago, Microsoft will host its latest Xbox Partner Preview showcase this week, featuring a bunch of third-party titles from the likes of SEGA, GSC Game World, Owlcat Games and others. Alongside the announcement of this year's first Xbox Partner Preview, the team also confirmed some of the...
News Microsoft Beats Out Sony & Nintendo In Metacritic's 2026 Game Publisher Rankings
A spot in the top five!
Metacritic has today revealed its list of top game publishers for 2026 (based on their 2025 output), and this year, Microsoft has made the top five - beating out the likes of Sony and Nintendo in terms of average Metascores. Based on its 2025 releases, Microsoft managed a Metacritic average rating of 80 - with Forza Horizon...
News Microsoft Adds Three New Dynamic Backgrounds For Xbox Series X|S (March 2026)
Including two first-party additions!
Microsoft has added three new dynamic backgrounds to its Xbox Series X|S collection here in March 2026 - two first-party efforts from the Xbox team, alongside a brand-new drop to coincide with the release of epic RPG Crimson Desert. The first of which you can take a look at up above; the Crimson Desert effort...
Talking Point Do You Think Project Helix Will Support Physical Xbox Games?
Or is MS going all-digital?
With lots of talk about Project Helix coming out of GDC 2026, we know a little bit more about Microsoft's next-gen vision - including high-level details on the hardware, how developers will be able to make use of it, and the fact that
News Three Games Are Available This Week With Xbox Game Pass (March 24-26)
Including some day one goodness!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! We have a few games spread over the course of the coming week here, including indie hit Absolum which makes its Xbox debut in just a few days' time. Here's a quick breakdown on what's coming to Xbox Game Pass this week (March 24-26): Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth -...
News Xbox Partner Preview Event Announced For March 2026
SEGA, GSC Game World & more will feature!
Microsoft has today announced an Xbox Partner Preview event for March 2026! The third-party focused showcase takes place later this week, and will feature the likes of SEGA, GSC Game World, Owlcat Games and more. Here's what Xbox has to say about its Partner Preview event ahead of time: "During Xbox...
News Xbox's Call Of Duty Team Drops Hint About 2026 Title As Modern Warfare Gets Huge Steam Sale
MW4 is coming...
Earlier this month, we got our first hint at what to expect from Call of Duty 2026 as branded soda cans began showing up at certain retailers, but over the last few days, some official happenings in the world of COD have provided real teases about this year's title. It's very much looking like Modern Warfare is back for 2026. This...
News Two Xbox Executives Announce Their Departures From Microsoft
Both had worked at the company for around a decade
We've got a couple more departures to share from Team Xbox, as it's been announced this week that Lori Wright and Haiyan Zhang will be leaving Microsoft soon, with both having spent around a decade each at the company. Lori Wright was the Corporate Vice President of Partnerships, Business...
News 'Energized' Xbox Engineer Talks New Dashboard Update & Its 'Unusually' Fast Turnaround
"We got an unusual amount of stuff done"
This week, Xbox Insiders received some new dashboard features thanks to what feels like the first meaningful console update in ages - and now newly-"energized" Xbox engineer Eden Marie has given us a bit more context on its "unusual" development time over at Microsoft HQ. Following the update's mid-week
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (March 19-22)
All playable from now until Sunday night
The latest edition of Xbox Free Play Days has officially begun on the Xbox Store today, with five games available to play until late on Sunday night, three of which are totally free for everyone (even non-Xbox Game Pass subscribers). Here's your full Xbox Free Play Days selection for March 19th to March...
News Microsoft's Next First-Party Release Officially Launches On Xbox Game Pass This April
Early playtests also announced!
We have a new Xbox Game Studios launch date! Kiln, from the fine folks over at Double Fine Productions, officially releases for Xbox, PS5 and PC on April 23rd, 2026 - including on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Early playtests are also planned, but we're not 100% sure on the specific platforms for those j
News Xbox Series X|S Is Getting Its First Dashboard Update In Ages, Quick Resume Upgrade Included
New console features are coming
After what feels like months and months of Xbox updates centred around PC and Cloud, Microsoft has today unveiled a new set of Xbox Series X|S console features, rolling out now to Xbox Insiders. Yep, the Xbox dashboard is getting some fresh refinements, including the ability to add more Groups to your home page, new...
News Highguard Players Are Getting Refunded As Developer Seemingly Closes Its Doors
Sony is issuing refunds, will Xbox follow suit?
Xbox FPS Highguard has been offline for almost a week now, and we have a few more developments regarding the ill-fated shooter cropping up online this week. The first of those surrounds refunds for the game's DLC, while another is a second unfortunate casualty that relates to the game's developer...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass Premium (March 18)
Including an Xbox first-party release!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we've got just the two games moving over to Microsoft's XGP Premium library, including first-party release South of Midnight. Here's what's new on Game Pass Premium today (March 18): South of Midnight (Series X|S, PC, Cloud) - Premium: "S
News Just Two Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Late March 2026
The final batch of departures this month
Microsoft has just revealed the final games leaving Xbox Game Pass in late March 2026, and the good news is that we only have two of them — both of which arguably aren't massive losses for the service. The first of these is Mad Streets, which is a fun multiplayer brawler that's actually exclusive to Xbox...
News These 12 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (March 17 - April 7)
We have our next batch of XGP titles!
Microsoft has today revealed the latest official roundup of Xbox Game Pass titles for March and April 2026, with 12 games joining the service from March 17th to April 7th, including Disco Elysium and Resident Evil 7. If you're a Premium Xbox Game Pass member, South of Midnight, The Alters
Talking Point What Should Xbox Call Its 'Project Helix' Console?
Any ideas for the name of the next Xbox?
With details slowly starting to trickle out about Project Helix and Microsoft's next generation plans, we've begun thinking about what the team may end up calling its next-gen Xbox console once the Project Helix codename is presumably retired. This is always an interesting topic with Xbox because, well...
News Two Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In April 2026 So Far
An early look at what's coming next month
As we always do around this time of the month, we're taking an early look today at what's ahead for April 2026's Xbox Game Pass selection - and at the time of writing, we have two games confirmed for the lineup next month so far. One of those games is Replaced from Sad Cat Studios; the long-in-development...
News Data Firm Predicts PC Revenue Will Soon Surpass Console As Xbox Prepares To Bridge The Gap
"PC revenue will surpass console revenue by 2028"
With everything we've heard about Project Helix recently and all of the Xbox news coming out GDC this week, we know that Microsoft is moving towards bridging the gap between console and PC as part of its
News 'Xbox Mode' For Windows 11 Is Progress, And It Could Shape Microsoft's Project Helix Console
An evolution of the Xbox Full Screen Experience
As part of this week's GDC news, Microsoft has announced 'Xbox Mode' for Windows 11 PCs, and it sounds like a big step forward for the team's existing Xbox Full Screen Experience. Xbox Mode will be a new way to play games on PC starting next month, aiming to streamline the Windows gami
News Microsoft's 'This Is An Xbox' Post Taken Down As Fans Wonder If The Controversial Ad Is No More
Maybe it's not an Xbox after all
Remember Microsoft's late 2024 'This is an Xbox' ad campaign? The one that proved pretty controversial amongst long-time Xbox fans? Well, despite the marketing slogan cropping up multiple times since its introduction well over a year ago, it's looking like Microsoft might be starting to erase its existence. First...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (March 12-15)
Including a big Activision title!
Microsoft's latest Free Play Days lineup is starting to roll out now on Xbox - and we've got five games playable as part of the program this week, including Activision Blizzard's Diablo 4. Here's your full Free Play Days selection for the coming weekend: Bassmaster Fishing Diablo 4 Killing Floor 3 Tropico 6
News One Of 2025's Biggest Indie Titles Joins Xbox Game Pass Premium Today (March 12)
Silky
Welcome to today's Xbox Game Pass update! While we don't have any new titles joining the main Ultimate library, one major indie title is making the jump to Game Pass Premium - meaning middle tier XGP subscribers can now jump into this one at no extra cost. Here's some more information on today's new Xbox Game Pass Premium addition (March 12):
News Xbox Says Backwards Compatibility Program Will Be Revived For 25th Anniversary
But we're not sure what's being released
As part of a keynote at this year's GDC event, Xbox's VP of Next Generation — Jason Ronald — has teased that Microsoft's backwards compatibility program is being revived in some fashion this year. Now, we'll be upfront here and say that we don't know for sure if this means more unreleased games will be...
News 'Xbox 25' Fanta Collab Hints At What We Might Be Getting With Call Of Duty 2026
Getting the band back together?
Infinity Ward is back at the helm of Call of Duty this year, which means that naturally, a new Modern Warfare title is likely for Fall 2026. We've already heard various rumours and reports that this is the case - and now a new Xbox x Fanta collaboration gives us our strongest hint at 'Modern Warfare 4' so far. Shared...
News Xbox Fan Shares Project Helix UI Concept, This Time Based On The 360 NXE Dashboard
"THIS should be the Xbox Project Helix dashboard!"
Earlier this week, we shared a Project Helix dashboard concept from Xbox superfan Klobrille, who based their design off the fan-favourite 'Blades' dash from the Xbox 360 era. Now, fellow enthusiast Colt Eastwood has shared their own concept on what the Project Helix UI could look like - this time...
News Three Xbox Games Are Being Delisted In March 2026
You haven't got long left to grab these
Earlier this month, we highlighted a few games that are shutting down their servers in February and March 2026, and we also mentioned that Yakuza 3 Remastered was set to be delisted on February 12th. Well, a lot more games have been added to the "delisted" pile since then, so we thought we'd put together a...
News Microsoft's 2026 GDC Booth Showcases An Impressive Look At The History Of Xbox Consoles
As the team "builds for what's next"
The 2026 edition of the Game Developers Conference gets underway this week, and Microsoft is there in a big way this year, with a huge display showcasing the storied history of its Xbox gaming brand. Indeed, alongside the team "building for what's next" at GDC, a collection of important moments throughout the...
News Fortnite Price Hikes Are Coming, And They'll Affect Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Fortnite Crew members get less V-Bucks per month
Epic Games has today announced sweeping changes to the Fortnite economy, starting March 19th for all players across all platforms. The main change here is that from that date, players will get less V-Bucks for their money. Before these changes come into effect, $8.99 grants you 1000 V-Bucks - and...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (March 10)
Including a massive Xbox RPG
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we've got two games joining the XGP library, including the absolutely mammoth RPG Cyberpunk 2077 from the folks over at CD Projekt RED. Here's a quick refresher on that one, alongside today's other addition to Xbox Game Pass: Construction Simulator (Console, PC,...
News Digital Foundry Speculates Whether There'll Be An Xbox Series S Successor Next-Gen
"They're talking about a range of devices..."
Just a few hours ago, we shared a discussion about Project Helix and the sort of price we can possibly expect it to launch at, and while it's sounding like that particularly device will be pretty high-end, another outlet has speculated on whether Microsoft will return to the lower end of the market with...
News Tech Journalist Predicts A Price Of 'At Least $1,000' For Xbox Project Helix
"They’ll probably charge $1,000 or more for this thing..."
Ever since Sarah Bond began talking about the next-gen Xbox as a 'Premium' high-end device, it's been assumed that the cost will be much higher than what we're used to seeing from a traditional console - and now tech journalist Moore's Law Is Dead has predicted that Project Helix could end...
News Xbox Must Live Up To Expectations Of Fans Who Have 'Counted On Us', Says Microsoft Boss
Satya Nadella stresses the importance of appealing to Xbox devotees
We mentioned earlier today how Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had pledged to "always invest in gaming" at a recent internal Q&A, and one of the other key things he mentioned at the event was the desire to appeal to devoted Xbox fans. The Microsoft boss mentioned this numerous times...
News Xbox Superfan Shares Blades Dashboard Concept For 'Project Helix' Console
Would you like to see this for the next-gen system?
With Project Helix now out in the wild at least in terms of name and concept, folks have started speculating on what exactly this console will look and play like, with Xbox seeking to merge console and PC in a bigger way than ever before. That obviously leads to questions about what the user...
News Microsoft CEO On Xbox's Future: 'We'll Always Invest In Gaming'
Satya Nadella says it's one of the main identities of the company
Last week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared at an internal Q&A session alongside new Xbox boss Asha Sharma, and some quotes from that event appeared online courtesy of Windows Central last night. A recent photo even showed that he was wearing an Xbox hoodie as part of it:
Talking Point Are You Happy With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate In 2026?
Or do you think Essential or Premium are better options?
Almost six months ago now, Microsoft overhauled its Xbox Game Pass subscription service; bringing in the likes of XGP Premium and bumping the price of its Ultimate tier. While Ultimate's core messaging still revolves around day one games — particularly from Xbox Game Studios — we are...
News Here's What Might Leave Xbox Game Pass In April 2026
Some early predictions!
What's leaving Xbox Game Pass in April 2026? Well, Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything just yet, but based on some games that were added to the service this time last year, we can at least make a few predictions ahead of time. We know that a lot of Xbox users want more advance notice of games leaving Xbox Game Pass, but...
Talking Point Will 'Project Helix' Be A Niche Device, Or An Xbox Console For The Masses?
A curious next-gen is ahead of us
With Microsoft making the surprise announcement of 'Project Helix' this week — the codename for its next-gen Xbox console — we've started to wonder about the exact nature of this device. We finally know for sure that it'll play PC games as well as Xbox titles, and we know that it "will lead in performance"...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (March 5-8)
Including Black Desert & Sonic Racing CrossWorlds!
Microsoft has just revealed its Free Play Days lineup for the coming weekend! This time around, four Xbox games are playable for free over the next few days - headlined by Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds from the folks over at SEGA. Here's your full Xbox Free Play Days lineup this week: Black...
News Microsoft Has Explored Allowing AI & Other Xbox Players To Help Control Your Games
A Microsoft patent from 2024 calls these "help sessions"
You may have seen some rumblings doing the rounds about a patent that was discovered by the folks at Tech4Gamers, and it's a Microsoft patent that was first filed in 2024, but has only become publicly visibly over the past month. It's titled "STATE MANAGEMENT FOR VIDEO GAME HELP SESSIONS",...
News Xbox Hardly Ever Advertises Free Demos, But A Handful Have Been Added In Recent Weeks
Including a brand-new Fatal Frame 2 demo!
Here at Pure Xbox, we like to highlight Xbox demos wherever we can - at the end of the day, they give folks a taste of upcoming titles for free ahead of their respective launches. Having said that, the Microsoft Store kind of buries them these days (they're listed in popularity order rather than by release...
News The Gorgeous Planet Of Lana 2 Is Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (March 5)
Available for PC and Ultimate subscribers today!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today brings just the one new game to the library, but it's a much-welcome day one release in the form of Planet Of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf. Here's a quick introduction to your brand-new Xbox Game Pass title for March 5th - and we've thrown a roundup...
News Three Xbox Games Are Shutting Down Their Servers In March 2026
The closures we know about so far
With a new month upon us, it's time to see which Xbox games are shutting down their servers in February 2026, and the good news is that there's not much to discuss — which is why we've thrown March 2026 into this roundup as well! As things stand (and keep in mind this could change over the coming weeks), just...
News Two Games Are Available Across Xbox Game Pass Ultimate & Premium Today (March 4)
Including a big EA Play addition!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we have two new titles coming to various different XGP tiers; one Ultimate addition via EA Play and one game that's moving over to Game Pass Premium. We'll sum up both of these new Xbox Game Pass titles down below: F1 25 (Series X|S, PC, Cloud) - Ultimate, PC...
News These Seven Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass, Including Three Big Additions (March 4-17)
Microsoft reveals the latest batch
Microsoft has today revealed the latest official roundup of Xbox Game Pass titles for March 2026, with seven games joining the service from March 4 to March 17, including three big additions in the form of Cyberpunk 2077, EA Sports F1 25, and the day one launch of Planet of Lana 2! If you're a Premium Xbox Game...
News Support Studio Denies Teasing Work On Fallout Remasters With Xbox & Bethesda
Update: The dev has issued a statement
Long-time support developer Iron Galaxy Studios — which has worked with Xbox and Bethesda in the past — appears to have teased some sort of Fallout work on its LinkedIn page, leading to speculation that some sort of remaster work could be on the cards. Indeed, the studio shared a workplace update a few...
News Three Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (March 3)
Update: We've got a surprise third game!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today's a day that many folks have been waiting for, as the epic Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 becomes available to XGP subscribers. We'll sum up the Warhorse Studios RPG down below, alongside today's other addition to Xbox Game Pass (March 3): Final Fantasy III...
News Starfield Is Reportedly Launching For PS5 On April 7th, With Pre-Orders Starting This Month
Reliable leaker gives us some fresh details
We've all heard about these Starfield PS5 rumours for ages now, but today, we've gotten our most concrete details on the release yet. According to the ever-reliable billbil-kun over at Dealabs, Starfield launches for PS5 on April 7th, and pre-orders are set to go live later this month. Indeed, the leaker...
Opinion Xbox Should Consider Cancelling Halo: Campaign Evolved For PS5
Maybe Xbox's most iconic franchise should stay on Xbox
Look, there's been a lot of news, reactions and opinions about the new Xbox regime and where they should pivot to next. Indeed, there are lots of directions that Asha Sharma and her team could take over the next few years regarding hardware, software, general platform strategy and more. I can't...
