Tag: Microsoft - Page 10
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (May 1-4)
Included with Xbox Game Pass
Our first Free Play Days selection for May 2025 is here, and although it's a small list this week, a big Xbox first-party game is leading the lineup for Microsoft. Here's what you can play with Xbox Free Play Days over the coming weekend: Forza Motorsport The Escapists You'll need a subscription to
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (May 1)
Kicking off the month in style!
Welcome to your first Xbox Game Pass update for May 2025! Today, we have a couple of new additions to the XGP library, including more Call of Duty as Microsoft slowly brings the ActiBlizz back catalogue to the service. Here's what's new to Xbox Game Pass on May 1st: Anno 180
News Microsoft CEO Announces 'Top Publisher' Milestone For Xbox Games On PS5
As Xbox titles reach over 500 million monthly active users
As mentioned elsewhere on Pure Xbox, Microsoft has announced its latest earnings report today for the quarter that ended March 31st, and the company has revealed some record-breaking results for the Xbox brand in the process. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took part in an earnings call...
Talking Point Has This Been The Best Month Ever For Xbox Game Pass?
Seriously, what an incredible month for XGP!
With today's final Xbox Game Pass update for April 2025, we're almost done talking about this month's new additions to the library - but not before we can wax lyrical about just how amazing April 2025 has been for Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service. In fact, we think this could be the best month ever for
News Indie Dev Defends Xbox Game Pass As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sells Most On PS5
"It is very worth having your game on Game Pass"
It's no secret that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been doing very well for itself so far. On top of some incredible review scores, we just found out that the game has already sold one million copies in less than a week - even if the
News Two Xbox Game Pass Titles Are Available This Week To Finish Off April 2025
Microsoft's April lineup comes to a close
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update - and the final one for April 2025! We have two more titles coming to the library this month; starting today with a new first-party title from Microsoft launching in Xbox Game Preview. So, let's take a look at today's brand-new addition, alongside our final drop...
News Xbox Studio Obsidian Explains Tweaks & Improvements To Gameplay In The Outer Worlds 2
"We've added a lot to the combat experience"
As part of IGN's ongoing coverage of The Outer Worlds 2 this month, Xbox studio Obsidian has been speaking to the outlet about its FPS gameplay mechanics in the upcoming sequel - and how the team has worked to tweak & improve those mechanics since the first Outer Worlds title. Studio members Rob...
News Subscriptions Like Xbox Game Pass 'Not The Future Of Gaming', Says Analyst
Despite COD giving Game Pass a boost
There's been a long-running debate amongst gaming communities about subscription services and their sustainability within the industry, especially with the likes of Xbox Game Pass flatlining on console in recent years. Despite some growth over on PC and Cloud, the core XGP has definitely slowed down recently, and...
PSA These Six Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass This Week (April 30)
Your last chance to try them out!
We're into a fresh week of gaming goodness today, and with us fast approaching the end of the month here, we have another selection of Xbox Game Pass titles departing the service very soon. In total, six games will exit the library this Wednesday, April 30. Here's your full list of leavers for late April 2025:...
Talking Point What Have You Picked Up In The Xbox Spring Sale 2025?
We're into the final week of the promotion!
Just over a week ago now, Microsoft finally unleashed the Xbox Spring Sale 2025, and it's been a biggie - featuring more than 1,000 discounted games in total. There's a lot to choose from here, then, but the question is - have you grabbed anything in the spring sale so far? We tend to wait until towards...
News Bethesda Partners Directly With PlayStation On Strange DOOM: The Dark Ages Trailer
What about Xbox players, ay?
So, this afternoon we've been treated to a brand-new DOOM: The Dark Ages trailer here, as Bethesda starts to ramp up its marketing efforts before next month's release. Normally, that'd be a fairly standard thing to happen, right? Well, you'd think so, until you actually watch the trailer through - and then things get a...
Reaction Xbox's Third-Party Strategy Is Finally Making Sense To Me
Will it work out in the long term?
I think I had the same reaction that many Xbox fans did when it was revealed that the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5 would be coming to PS5. Why are we losing our exclusives? Doesn't Xbox care about the potential harm to console sales? Is a third-party strategy really the best way...
News Digital-Only Xbox Series X|S Consoles Have Accounted For 75% Of Sales So Far In 2025
The big digital switch
Circana's Mat Piscatella has today provided some fresh sales data for games industry spending in the US - and it's provided some quite interesting stats for Xbox in 2025. According to the data firm, 75% of Xbox console sales so far this year have been for digital-only units - spread across the white Xbox Series X and all Xbox...
Reaction Oblivion Remastered Sets A New Standard For Xbox & Bethesda
Expertly modernised and great value gaming
To be honest, after covering Oblivion Remastered and all of its rumours for so long, by the time its scheduled reveal was officially confirmed, we were just ready for it to happen. We can't remember an unannounced game that's been this heavily reported on for quite some time, however, after a
Talking Point We Played Xbox's First Forza Release On PS5, And It Felt Weird
Press R2 to accelerate?! What?!
It's been a weird few years following Xbox, we must admit. A distinct shift in strategy has led to Microsoft spearheading a multiplatform plan that has, eventually, led to one of its biggest gaming franchises moving over to PlayStation - something that would have been unheard of just a couple of years ago. Well, we're...
News Microsoft Releases New Xbox Series X|S Dynamic Background For Oblivion Remastered
It's all happening!
We're officially renaming today Oblivion Remastered day with all of the surprise information that's being thrown our way, and now Microsoft has added another drop into the mix - a new dynamic background for Xbox Series X and S consoles. Yep, to celebrate the launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Team Green has...
News Bethesda Details Oblivion Remastered Tech Specs & Gameplay Changes On Xbox
It's an absolutely massive overhaul
With Bethesda's Oblivion Remastered now officially out there and fully revealed, the team has gone into detail on all of the big changes tucked into this Unreal Engine 5 overhaul - and it's a very impressive list of improvements for what's considered a 'remaster'. F
News The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Is Now Available On Xbox Game Pass
Yes, it's out now!!
We're finally here, folks! Today, the teams at Bethesda and Virtuos have officially revealed The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered - and it's out on Xbox Game Pass... right now! The shadow drop rumours were real, Game Pass subscribers can go hands on with this Unreal Engine 5 overhaul of Oblivion from April 22nd.
News Here's Your First Real-Life Look At Microsoft's Latest Xbox Series X Console Wrap
And it features lots of hidden messages!
Last week, Microsoft unveiled a new range of Xbox goodies for the upcoming releases of DOOM: The Dark Ages, with these console and PC accessories now out in the wild. While we've seen lots of posts about the pair of DOOM controllers already, we haven't seen much on the new Xbox Series X console wrap - but a
News Xbox First-Party Release Barges Into Top-10 Played Games During Launch Week
In the US, anyway
Microsoft's South of Midnight made its proper debut for Xbox Game Pass on April 8th, and within the first week of that release, the Xbox first-party title climbed into the top-10 most played games on the platform. With data shared by Circana's Mat Piscatella, we can see that SOM's Game Pass release propelled it to number nine on...
News Xbox Fan Shares Immaculate '360 Launch Team' Memorabilia From 2005
"Would anyone know how much this is worth?"
20 years ago, Microsoft's Xbox 360 console was about to cause shockwaves throughout the industry, and really put Xbox on the map as a main player in the console gaming space. That's a long time ago now, but every now and then it's nice to look back and revel in a bit of nostalgia for the era - and a new...
News Xbox & Bethesda Firing On All Cylinders With Fresh DOOM: The Dark Ages Gameplay
'Official Trailer 2' has entered hell
It's almost DOOM O'clock, folks. Since a fantastic Xbox Developer Direct showing all the way back in January, Bethesda has been consistently delivering tantalising information on DOOM: The Dark Ages - and now the team is properly firing on all cylinders with the game's 'Official Trailer 2' footage. Yep, you can...
News Oblivion Remastered PC File Size Leaks Ahead Of Rumoured Xbox Game Pass Launch
Better clear some SSD space!
Yep, we're into another week of 2025 without officially hearing about the much-rumoured Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster, but today brings even more evidence of its existence. Following a bunch of Oblivion Remastered images cropping up last week, the game's PC file size has now leaked via Steam - and it's a biggie...
News Atomfall's Xbox Game Pass Launch Has Done 'Really, Really Well' For Microsoft
"It’s been a huge success"
During the early months of 2025, Atomfall was a very hot topic in terms of its Xbox Game Pass release - we were seeing loads of marketing for it and big info dumps as the game approached launch. This led to a 'colossal success' for the game earlier this month, and as it turns out, it seems to have done fantastically well...
News Microsoft Is Handing Out Free Xbox Gift Cards For The Spring Sale 2025
It might be worth checking your Xbox account(s)
This week, Microsoft finally unleashed the Xbox Spring Sale 2025 - with over 1,000 games currently discounted as part of the massive promotion. However, the team has gone one better for certain Xbox users - by handing out free gift cards to encourage some Spring Sale spending. As posted over on...
News Xbox Boss Teases Even More 'Unannounced' Games In The Pipeline For 2025
"I'm making sure I don't leak anything"
Xbox's release slate for 2025 is looking pretty strong already, with the likes of Avowed and South of Midnight already shipping, and then DOOM: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 to come - but Xbox boss Phil Spencer also sounds pretty excited about what's not been announced for this year yet. Talking in a...
News Microsoft Announces 25+ Titles For The Xbox 'Stream Your Own Game' Service
With 8 available right away!
Since Microsoft started making games cloud streamable outside of the Xbox Game Pass library, it has continued to deliver big updates to the Xbox 'Stream Your Own Game' collection - and as part of the team's April update, another huge batch of titles have been announced for the progr
News Xbox Backwards Compatibility Gets Even Better With New Remote Play Feature
Stream from your console on another device!
Here at Pure Xbox we've long raved about how good Xbox backwards compatibility is - having the option to play all of those OG Xbox and Xbox 360 games on modern hardware, often with notable performance boosts, is absolutely fantastic. This month, Team Xbox is improving the service even further with the...
News Xbox Boss Says Microsoft Remains Committed To Developing New IP
"We can do new IP. We can do new games"
In a fairly wide-ranging interview with outlet Variety this week, Xbox boss Phil Spencer was asked plenty of questions about the Microsoft Gaming business, including how Xbox Game Pass is faring these days. However, when posed a question about
News Phil Spencer Discusses Why Xbox Game Pass Isn't For Everyone These Days
"I look at Game Pass as a healthy option for certain people"
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service has been a huge part of its gaming plans in recent years, with much of the team's marketing involving Xbox Game Pass availability in some fashion. However, Team Xbox has begun broadening its horizons lately by releasing titles on platforms that don't...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (April 16)
One for Ultimate, one for Standard
Welcome to another Xbox Game Pass update, folks! Today, we have a couple of new arrivals across different XGP tiers - with one title making its debut on Game Pass Ultimate and Standard alongside another title solely being bumped over to the Xbox Game Pass Standard tier. Here are those two titles, alongside a quick...
News Six Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Late April 2025
Including some major departures
Alongside today's bumper Xbox Game Pass update, Microsoft has revealed the latest batch of titles departing the service - with six games on the way out of the library at the end of April. This list includes a big game in the form of Sniper Elite 5, alongside some smaller fan favourites like Kona 2 and The Last Case...
News These 10 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 16 - May 6)
Your latest batch of new titles
Microsoft has today revealed its latest batch of Xbox Game Pass titles for late April into early May, and we have some major additions in here - including more Call of Duty heading to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That's coming in the form of 2022's Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which follows the recent additions of...
News Bethesda's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remake Will Reportedly Shadow Drop Next Week
Update: It's real, and it's actually a "remaster"
Right, okay, we have another tidbit of Oblivion remake information to bring to you today - despite the reported re-release being in the headlines for months at this point. Now, according to industry reporter Jeff Grubb, Bethesda's remake of The Elder Scrolls IV will shadow drop in the week commencing...
News Indiana Jones PS5 Fans Not Happy With Xbox's Physical Media Habits
Once again, not complete on disc
Well, the time has almost arrived - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle moves over to PS5 in early access tomorrow, and in-full later this week on April 17th. While PlayStation players will undoubtedly be happy about the Bethesda title launching on PS5, it hasn'
Talking Point Do You Expect Xbox To Follow PlayStation With More Console Price Hikes?
Sony has upped its prices again
In what's becoming a very turbulent time for economies around the world, Sony has announced that its PS5 console will be going up in price for certain regions; effective today. This isn't the first time that the PlayStation maker has increased its console prices this generation, and Xbox has also made similar...
PSA These Seven Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass Tomorrow (April 15)
Last chance to try 'em out!
We're into a fresh week of gaming goodness today, and with us fast approaching the middle of the month here, we have another selection of Xbox Game Pass titles departing the service very soon. In total, seven games will exit the library tomorrow, April 15. Here's your full list of leavers for early April:...
Talking Point What Dream Reveal Would You Like To See At The Xbox Games Showcase 2025?
If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
So! We've officially got a date for the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, which is heading our way on June 8th this year. That means it's time to count down to the big event - as well as start creating our dream Xbox wishlists for it. There's plenty of stuff that we already know is likely to be there. The...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (April 10)
Including a Game of the Year contender!
Welcome to your latest April 2025 update for Xbox Game Pass! We've got another two titles entering the library today, including a game that debuted to unbelievable reviews this week in the form of Blue Prince. It's undoubtedly a Game of the Year contender, which is pretty cr
News Xbox Is Running A 'Buy One, Get Four Free' Sale On LEGO Games This Week
Is it really worth taking advantage of though?
Xbox is back with another 'Buy One, Get XX Free' offer on the Microsoft Store this week, and this time it's specifically a 'Buy One, Get Four Free' promotion for LEGO games, which at first glance looks to be an extremely good offer. When you look into it a bit further though, you realise why they're...
News Xbox Fans Aren't Happy About Microsoft's New Quake 2 AI Demo
"Thanks, I hate it"
Over the weekend, a bunch of Xbox fans began to take note of a new Quake 2 AI demo that Microsoft has made playable online, and the reaction has been so negative from the majority, it's started to make some headlines today! This is part of the whole "Copilot Gaming Experiences" initiative that was formerly unveiled as a new AI...
Talking Point Early Access Players, Have You Been Enjoying Xbox's South Of Midnight So Far?
Another big Xbox Game Studios release
So, after years of anticipation since We Happy Few first launched almost a decade ago, Compulsion Games is back with South of Midnight; an Xbox Game Studios title now available in early access on Xbox and PC. Yep, following the recent trend of early access DLC bundles, folks can hop into this Southern gothic...
News Xbox Game Pass Is Getting Another Simulator Game In May 2025
You can never have too many of them!
We've got a new game to add to our big Xbox Game Pass list for 2025 in the form of Spray Paint Simulator, which is officially heading to the service at some point in May. It'll be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. In Spray Paint Simulator, it'll be your job to give a fresh coat of paint to...
News Xbox Is Already Fixing The Number 1 Complaint With Game Hubs
"A change to the experience that we think you'll like"
Last week, it was announced that Microsoft was introducing a new Xbox Game Hubs feature on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and some Xbox Insiders have been testing out the new addition over the past few days. Although most people seem to be enjoying the Game Hubs, there was immediate...
News Four Games Are Joining Various Xbox Game Pass Tiers Today (April 3)
One is brand-new, the others are for the 'Standard' tier
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! The first drop of April is giving us four games across various Game Pass tiers, but three of them are only new to Standard members - whereas the other is new to everyone. Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition is the game that we're getting across Xbox...
Rumour Halo's Leap To Other Platforms Might Be More Limited Than Expected
UE5 has been a significant shift
There have been ongoing rumours about the Halo: Master Chief Collection making the jump across to certain other platforms, but now new information suggests it might not necessarily play out like expected. Speaking to 'The Xbox Two' podcast about the upcoming Switch 2 launch, The Verge's senior editor Tom Warren...
News Amazon Adds 'Frequently Returned Item' Warning To Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
"Check customer reviews to learn more"
Over the years, both iterations of Microsoft's Xbox Elite Controller have had pretty widespread reliability issues - that's not to say that every user will experience this sort of thing, but it's certainly more likely than it is with normal Xbox controllers. As a result, Amazon's new warning system that alerts...
News Microsoft Posts 'Farewell' Message As Xbox Game Pass Mobile App Goes Offline
Adios
Back in September of last year, Microsoft announced that it was going merge its Xbox mobile apps — ditching the dedicated Game Pass version in the process — and after halting new downloads from November, the team has now posted a farewell message as the app goes offline. As shared over on Reddit, user
News Microsoft Celebrates 50th Anniversary With New Dynamic Background For Xbox Series X|S
Featuring some iconic Xbox characters
Following three fresh additions to the Xbox Series X|S dynamic background collection earlier this month, Microsoft has added another new entry - and it features some pretty iconic Xbox characters for the company's 50th anniversary. Yep, live now on Xbox Series X and S consoles, the 50th anniversary background...
News Microsoft Unveils 'Backbone' Mobile Controller That Looks Like An OG Xbox Gamepad
The classic translucent green look
Microsoft is putting more and more focus on Xbox Cloud Gaming these days, and today's announcement of an OG Xbox-themed 'Backbone' controller fits in with that new strategy rather nicely. Coming in at $109.99, the Xbox-themed Backbone controller is available now in the US via the accessory maker's website - and...
