Tag: Microsoft - Page 3
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 24)
Featuring a shadow drop!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Initially, today was going to just be a one game update - but we got an awesome shadow drop late last night in the form of driving survival game Pacific Drive - so we're going to include that one in today's roundup as well. Without further ado, here's what's new on Xbox Game...
News Microsoft's 'This Is An Xbox' Ad Evolves As Holiday Marketing Ramps Up
"This is an Xbox - yup!"
Almost a year ago now (yep, it's been that long), Microsoft unveiled its 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign which defined a huge shift in messaging for the company - and this year the whole thing has evolved, as Microsoft tweaks its advertising strategy for Holiday 2025. You can check out the new advert up above, which...
Report Xbox Has Been Asking Its Studios To Hit 'Higher Profit Margins' Since 2023
Right as the Activision Blizzard deal closed...
Bloomberg's ever-reliable gaming journalist Jason Schreier (along with colleague Dina Bass) has today put out an extensive report on Xbox, and how Microsoft is now asking the division to deliver "higher profit margins" in the wake of its massive acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The report says that...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (October 23-26)
Your latest roundup of free titles
Free Play Days is here! This weekend, Xbox has five games playable as part of the program - including the latest EA Sports FC release, ghost-hunting sim Phasmophobia and multiplayer horror title The Outlast Trials; right as the game gets its brand-new 'Invasion' update which we've showcased up above. Here's...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 23)
Two new additions to the Ultimate library!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we have two new additions to the library - both being day one releases including the hotly-anticipated PowerWash Simulator 2. Here's some more information on FuturLab's sequel, alongside your other new Game Pass title for October 23rd: Bounty Star...
News Digital Foundry Analyses ROG Xbox Ally X In New Review-In-Progress
Games tested, thoughts shared
We — along with lots of other gaming and tech outlets — delivered our ROG Xbox Ally review last week, and despite us having a great time with the system - opinions on the device(s) are certainly mixed across the board. Now though, the tech experts at Digital Foundry have shared some of their initial thoughts on the...
News Two Games Are Moving Over To Xbox Game Pass Premium Today (October 22)
Just announced by Microsoft!
With Microsoft's recent Xbox Game Pass overhaul, the new 'Premium' tier is a much more affordable option - and despite a lack of day one launches on there, plenty of games are still being added on a regular basis. Today, two major additions to the Premium library have been announced by Xbox, including first-party title
News These 11 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (October 22 - November 4)
Your latest roundup of new additions
Microsoft has today unveiled its latest roundup of new Xbox Game Pass titles, a few weeks on from overhauling the service with an Ultimate price bump and two refreshed tiers in Essential and Premium. Before we get into the full list of titles coming to XGP over the next few weeks, we want to remind folks to be...
News Microsoft Is Reportedly Increasing The Cost Of Xbox Dev Kits In Latest Price Hike
Said to be a 33% price bump
A new report is being shared by The Verge today (paywalled) that claims Microsoft is making another Xbox-related price increase; this time for its Series X|S console dev kits. This isn't looking like a small bump in price either, according to the report. The Verge says we're looking at a 33% cost jump for these Xbox dev...
News Sarah Bond: Our Next-Gen Console Will Be 'Very Premium' & Informed By ROG Xbox Ally
The Xbox President speaks...
Shortly following the release of ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft's Sarah Bond has been dropping hints about the team's next-gen plans - and the Xbox President has had some interesting things to say about the next console from Microsoft. In a new interview with Mashable, Bond was quizzed about rumours that the next-gen Xbox...
Rumour Xbox Won't Announce Starfield For PS5 Until 2026, It's Claimed
"Unless plans change..."
Back in August, we heard separate rumours to do with Xbox's Starfield - both relating to the game expanding to more platforms in 2026. First we heard about a PS5 version coming in Spring, before leaker NateTheHate added that a Switch 2 version was also planned for some point next year. Now, that same insider is claiming that...
News Two More First-Party Games Get Dynamic Backgrounds On Xbox Series X|S
The collection grows again!
Microsoft has added two more dynamic backgrounds to its Xbox Series X|S collection, following a batch of recent additions that we covered on PX last week. These two new options are based on The Elder Scrolls Online and The Outer Worlds 2, with the latter
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 21)
Including a new first-party release!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Today, we have two titles coming to the library, including Microsoft's Ninja Gaiden 4 - which has just launched for Xbox Series X and S. Down below is a quick introduction to NG4, alongside today's other Xbox Game Pass addition; which returns to the library after...
News Xbox President Explains Why Microsoft Ditched Its First-Party Handheld
It came down to "speed" and being "innovative"
When rumours of a handheld Xbox console first started doing the rounds a while ago, it became apparent that Microsoft was not only working with Asus on a 'partner' device (now known as ROG Xbox Ally), but also on its own first-party handheld similar to existing home consoles. Once development on the two...
News Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
"It really was Asus, because this is their hardware"
One of the most controversial aspects of Microsoft's new ROG Xbox Ally device is the eyewatering price tag — particularly the X version, which comes in at a thousand bucks — and in a new interview with Variety, Xbox exec Sarah Bond says that it was largely manufacturer Asus that decided on...
Poll Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
The device is available to the public right now
Microsoft's big handheld launch day has come and gone — the ROG Xbox Ally is now available to the public, and plenty of impressions are already out there — so our poll today revolves around whether the device's launch reviews have tempted you into picking one up, or at least have you considering...
News Microsoft Debuts ROG Xbox Ally At Gamescom Asia With Impressive Hands-On Booth
"Make sure you stop by and say hello"
The ROG Xbox Ally is out now of course, and neatly coinciding with the device's launch, Gamescom is currently hosting its Asia x Thailand edition of the convention - and Microsoft SEA is there in full force with the new handheld Xbox! We're starting to see Gamescom Asia Xbox booth pics crop up on our social...
News Four New Retro Classics Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 16)
More classics to play on Game Pass!
Microsoft has added four new titles to its Retro Classics library this week, shortly after adding the same amount of games to the collection back in September. Although this is another slightly smaller list than what we've become used to since Xbox Retro Classics launched in May, any new addition
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (October 16-19)
Your latest batch of free trials
Xbox Free Play Days has landed! We've got a big batch of games playable on the service this week, with five games available as part of Microsoft's main list - and a bonus sixth game thanks to Focus Interactive and a new Space Marine 2 trial. Here's your main FPD list this weekend: Everspace F1 25 Hell Let Loose
News Xbox Says It 'Defines Success' By How Much Time Players Spend On The Platform
All about the engagement
With the ROG Xbox Ally now spreading its wings around the globe, the Xbox Wire team has shared a blog post about the device's day one launch and what updates are coming in future - and they've used some interesting language here as Microsoft enters new territory with its first handheld system. <related ids="192638">
News Xbox Indie Showcase Announced For October 2025
"Packed with exclusive trailers, new looks, and gameplay"
We have a new Xbox showcase coming this month! Yep, in partnership with IGN, ID@Xbox will be showcasing some of the platform's hottest indies on October 28th - and we're expecting some fresh Xbox Game Pass announcements here as well. IGN hasn't confirmed any XGP announcements just yet, but t
News Three Games Are Moving Over To Xbox Game Pass Premium Today (October 15)
Along with a bonus fourth title!
With Microsoft's recent Xbox Game Pass overhaul, the new 'Premium' tier is a much more affordable option - and despite a lack of day one launches on there, plenty of games are still being added on a regular basis. Back on Monday,
Rumour Halo Remake To Feature 'Modern Mechanics', Could Be Announced This Month
Keep an eye on the Halo World Champs
In recent months, we've heard little bits and pieces about a Halo: Combat Evolved remake potentially coming to Xbox next year - and now some new information has been shared that hints at the sorts of changes we can expect Halo Studios to make with its new version of the original Halo. Twitter account Halo Leaks...
News Summer Game Fest 2026 Date Revealed With 'Spectacular Cross-Platform Showcase' Teased
Geoff is back, back again
Ahh, we're just about settling down after this year's showcase season, with the fall games rush about to begin here in late 2025. Well, as ever, this industry just keeps on ploughing forward - and today, The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley has revealed the date for their Summer Game Fest 2026 showcase. Yep, the de-facto...
News The Outer Worlds 2 Is Bringing 'Big Sequel Energy' To Xbox Game Pass This Month
New live action trailer is very Obsidian
We're just about two weeks away from The Outer Worlds 2 at this point, and as the game's marketing cycle starts to ramp up, the team has dropped a new live action trailer that takes the mick out of sequels - and it's very tongue-in-cheek Obsidian. As usual, we've chucked this trailer up above for you to take...
Guide Keeper: Release Date, Launch Times & What To Expect From Xbox's Next First-Party Release
Double Fine is back!
Xbox Game Studios drops another release this week in the form of Keeper from Double Fine Productions - and so far, this one has been flying under the radar a little bit! Therefore, we're here with all the information you need ahead of its nearby launch - including the game's release date, exact launch times, Xbox download size...
News Xbox Journalist Says Latest Rumours Are 'A Huge Challenge For The Brand Right Now'
"Some Xbox fans have been worried..."
Rumours about the imminent demise of Xbox are hardly a new phenomenon — they seem to start swirling around every time Microsoft makes a controversial decision — but we've seen them dialled up to 11 after the recent Game Pass price hikes - and journalist Tom Warren believes they're becoming "a huge challenge...
News Insomniac's Xbox Exclusive Sunset Overdrive Celebrates Its 11-Year Anniversary This Month
Time flies when you're downing Overcharge
Around this time last year, we reminisced about one of Xbox's best-ever exclusives when Sunset Overdrive officially hit 10 years of age - and while its 2025 anniversary isn't quite as important, we have seen the Xbox community talking about the game once again, and we don't really need much of an excuse to...
News Xbox Adds Multiple Dynamic Backgrounds On Series X|S, Including A Few First-Party Additions
All available now!
Since we last posted an update on Xbox's dynamic background collection for Series X|S, Microsoft has added a bunch more options for players to customise their console home screens, including fresh wallpapers for some of the team's biggest Fall 2025 titles. Up above is an example of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 background that's...
News Everwild Screenshots Leak Online Several Months After Xbox Cancellation
Featuring gameplay & UI elements!
Back in July, as part of broader layoffs at Microsoft, Rare's Everwild was cancelled after more than five years in the making - and now a selection of in-development screenshots have been shared online; giving us an idea of what the Sea Of Thieves developer was looking to build with
News Microsoft Issues Statement Denying Target & Walmart Are Pulling Xbox Products
"Target and Walmart remain committed partners"
Over the weekend, there was a lot of rumour and speculation that both Target and Walmart might be pulling their Xbox products, with one particular Reddit post getting a bunch of attention after it was suggested that someone's local Target store had been "getting rid" of their Xbox section. Here's a...
News Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In November 2025 So Far
An early look at next month
As we always do around this time of the month, we're taking an early look today at what's ahead for November 2025's Xbox Game Pass selection, with four titles having been confirmed for the service next month already. The next Call of Duty title is the big one confirmed so far; Black Ops 7 comes to the main Game Pass...
News New Rumours Suggest PS6 & Next-Gen Xbox Could Both Release In 2027
Another head-to-head year?
Yesterday, we covered the big Xbox 'Magnus' Leak and what it could potentially mean for Microsoft's next-gen console - and while some of that information admittedly goes a little over our heads, the rumoured release window is something that we can fully understand. Yep, that leak again suggests that the next-gen Xbox is...
News Xbox's Minecraft Movie Is Officially Getting A Sequel, Airing In 2027
That was quick!
Following the incredible success of 2025's A Minecraft Movie, outlet Deadline has confirmed that A Minecraft Movie 2 is now officially in the works - and it's heading to theatres in summer 2027. Jared Hess returns to direct the u
News Xbox's The Outer Worlds 2 Is Now Available To Preload, More Than 2 Weeks Before Launch
Better clear some storage space
Excited for The Outer Worlds 2 from Xbox Game Studios developer Obsidian Entertainment? Well, we're less than three weeks out from launch - and the game has now gone gold, with pre-loading available on Xbox Game Pass as we speak.
News Call Of Duty Is Finally Removing Skill-Based Matchmaking In Black Ops 7
Disbanding lobbies are also going away!
Ever since the big Modern Warfare reboot in 2019, the whole matchmaking system in Call of Duty changed; to one that tries to match players up of a similar skill level above all other metrics. It's a system that should work in theory, but in practice has led to a feeling of being punished for playing well - and...
News Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Anniversary Update Brings New Game+ To Xbox
Available today!
To celebrate the studio's 15th anniversary, MachineGames has announced a major update for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - one that brings the much-requested New Game+ to Xbox's 2024 adventure. Available today and free for all Indiana Jones players, the anniversary patch is briefly showcased up above. The team's three major...
News AMD's Partnership On PS6 Will Benefit 'Every Gaming Platform', Says General Manager
Sony's next console releases "in a few years' time"
Sony and AMD have shared a new video today discussing "the Future of Play" for the two companies, and while the video naturally focuses on PlayStation and building towards the PS6, these tech advancements being made will benefit developers on "every gaming platform" according to the AMD...
News Former ZeniMax Devs Who Were Fired By Xbox Create New Company Called Sackbird Studios
They're not even trying to be subtle...
Back in July — when we first started hearing about mass layoffs and project cancellations at Xbox — we learnt that ZeniMax Online Studios' new game, Project Blackbird, was one of those cancellations. With it came several job losses, and now a few of those veterans who formerly headed up the Bethesda team...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (October 9-12)
Your latest batch of free trials
Xbox Free Play Days has landed! We've got a good batch of games playable on the service this week, alongside that huge Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 trial that goes live today as well. You can play the whole COD campaign with that one, and it's available to all Xbox players! <related ids="192306"> Without further...
News Two Classic PC RPGs Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 9)
Already on console, now on PC
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Today, the PC library is growing with the addition of two classic RPGs, but don't worry console players - these are actually already in the console XGP library! <related ids="183385"> Here's some more information on those two new additions to PC Game Pass:
News These 12 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (October 8-21)
Your first wave of October additions
Microsoft has today unveiled its latest roundup of new Xbox Game Pass titles, a week on from overhauling the service with an Ultimate price bump and two refreshed tiers in Essential and Premium. Before we get into the full list of titles coming to XGP over the next few weeks, we want to remind folks to be aware...
News Xbox's Playground Games Grew Substantially In 2024 To Prepare For Fable & Forza Horizon 6
70+ new employees
Xbox developer Playground Games has a big year on its hands in 2026 — with both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 due to release — and it seems the British studio has been growing substantially to prepare for these two huge releases. The team's financial statements for 2024 have just been released publicly, and they confirm that the...
News Activision Lays Into Black Ops 7 Hackers As 97% Of Early Access Beta Cheats Shut Down Instantly
A monumental effort from the COD team
The Black Ops 7 beta is now in full swing as Microsoft opens the doors for anyone and everyone to jump in, and as the tech test moves on from its early access period, Activision has provided a huge update on how it's handled cheaters during the first few days of the beta. The COD anti-cheat team says that...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (October 7)
Your first additions of a busy month!
Welcome to your first Xbox Game Pass update for October 2025! Today, we have two new additions landing on XGP, ahead of what's looking like a stacked month for the service. Here's some more information on today's two new Xbox Game Pass titles, and you can check out what else is coming this month via the link...
Talking Point Would You Still Buy An Elite Series 3 Controller For Xbox Series X|S?
Or is it too late?
Last week, Xbox President Sarah Bond was asked about the Elite Series 3 controller and whether we can expect to see another iteration of the device - to which she teased that "more information should come out in the future". It wasn't a definitive answer but it certainly hinted that we could see another Xbox Elite controller at...
News Xbox Report Details Cancelled 'Uncharted Rival' Once Being Made By Gears Of War Dev
Gears 4 was made instead
More than a decade ago now, The Coalition was known as 'Black Tusk Studios'; developing an original IP for Microsoft and Xbox. Some of you may remember the game's teaser trailer from E3 2013 that depicted a spy thriller of some sort, but the game never came to be. Well, a new report from DidYouKnowGaming goes into the...
News Xbox Issues Statement Denying Rumour That Next-Gen Console Could Be Cancelled
"We are actively investing in our future first-party consoles..."
Over the weekend, you may have seen that a rumour was doing the rounds suggesting Xbox's hardware plans were "up in the air" and that "the future of Xbox is software publishing" - something Microsoft has responded to in recent hours. The rumour came from a source known as SneakersSO...
Talking Point How Do You Feel About Ubisoft+ Classics Being Added To Game Pass Ultimate?
Good perk, bad perk, somewhere in the middle?
In order to pack out its newly price-hiked Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, Microsoft is bundling in a couple of bonus subscriptions for users - one of those being Fortnite Crew in November and the other bein
News Xbox Game Studios Titles Up For Several Awards At Golden Joysticks 2025
Indiana Jones, South of Midnight & more involved
Voting for this year's Golden Joystick Awards has gone live today, and while Xbox misses out on any Game of the Year nominations this time around, several of its titles are up for various other awards at the 2025 edition of the show. Xbox's Deep South-inspired adventure South of Midnight is up for...
