Tag: Microsoft - Page 5
News 450+ Diablo Devs Vote For Union Representation Amidst Concerns Around Job Instability
"We are ready to begin fighting for real change"
It's been announced this week that over 450 developers on the Diablo series have voted for union representation with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), voicing their concerns about potentially being laid off at Microsoft. In a press release shared yesterday, various employees and organising...
News Following Xbox's Perfect Dark Cancellation, Crystal Dynamics Suffers More 2025 Layoffs
"This decision was not made lightly"
Back in March, prior to Perfect Dark being cancelled by Microsoft, one of its dev teams Crystal Dynamics suffered several layoffs - and now that the Xbox cancellation has settled in, the studio has laid off even more people here in 2025. Posting out to
News Xbox Highlights Six Of The Best Indie Releases This Month (August 2025)
'Ready or Not' headlines a big month for indies
To say we're in the height of the 'quiet' summer period in gaming, we've had quite a big month on Xbox, propelled by some major indie releases on the platform. Everything from realistic shooters to serene puzzlers have graced Xbox in recent weeks, and Microsoft has picked out its top six indie titles...
News 10 Xbox Games Are Shutting Down Their Servers In September & October 2025
The closures we know about so far
It's that time again! As we head into a new month, we usually bring you an update on all the Xbox games shutting down their servers, and we're actually combining both September and October 2025 for this particular update. Why? Well, there's seemingly one server closure planned for September right now, but we don't...
News Final Fantasy Boss Says 'There's No Real Need' For Next-Gen Consoles Like A Series X Successor
"People are happy with the Xbox Series X..."
We're now almost five years into the Xbox Series X|S generation, which means in normal times we'd be well on the way to getting excited about next-gen hardware. However, this gen has played out a little differently, and we're not the only ones that struggle to see what an Xbox Series X successor could...
News You'll Soon Be Able To See 'Personalised' Ads On Your Xbox Dashboard
A new option from Microsoft
Dashboard ads have long been a bit of an issue within the Xbox community - it seems as though they're a common complaint amongst users whenever the topic of a dashboard redesign comes up. While ads are unlikely to be going away anytime soon, Microsoft is adding a new option that may at least make them a bit more...
News Microsoft Is Adding Free Gamerpics To Celebrate Gears Of War: Reloaded's Xbox Release
Pick your favourite Gears hero, or villain
Gears of War: Reloaded launches in just a few hours here, and ahead of its nearby Game Pass release, Microsoft is dropping a bunch of free Gears gamerpics on Xbox consoles. We've got the series' classic Crimson Omen logo as an option, alongside a bunch of COG heroes, and the original game's infamous...
Talking Point Are You Looking Forward To This Week's Big Xbox X PlayStation Crossover?
It's almost unbelievable!
Two years ago, Xbox and PlayStation were very much closed-off gaming ecosystems. Yes, you had Microsoft releasing the likes of Minecraft and its various spin-offs on Sony systems, while MLB The Show on Xbox had become a thing in recent years - but for the most part, Xbox was Xbox and PlayStation was PlayStation. Well, not...
News Two Huge Games Are Available This Week With Xbox Game Pass (August 26-28)
Ready for a big week on XGP?
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! Today, we're gathering up this week's upcoming Game Pass arrivals - with the end of August 2025 delivering two absolutely massive titles into the library, including a new first-party release from Microsoft. Without further ado, here's your pair of Xbox Game Pass additions...
News Xbox's Multi-Store Approach Comes Together In New 'My Apps' Feature For PC & ROG Xbox Ally
Access games from anywhere, anytime!
As Microsoft builds towards ROG Xbox Ally and a more 'open' approach to its gaming ecosystem, it's begun talking about allowing users to access multiple storefronts on its devices, rather than just being locked down to the Microsoft Store. Well, that approach is being further realised in a new update for
News Three Xbox Game Pass Titles Revealed During Second Gamescom Broadcast
Including a big launch date reveal
Today's second Xbox Gamescom stream has treated us to new reveals for three Xbox Game Pass titles in total, including some brand-new announcements alongside release date updates for already-announced titles. One of those updates is of course, Hollow Knight: Silksong, which finally has a confirmed
News Forza Fans Speculate Horizon 6 Location With Japanese Kei Cars Confirmed
"It is an honour to be supporting Forza"
With Phil Spencer confirming that a new Forza game is coming to Xbox next year, all eyes are on a potential Forza Horizon 6 gracing our screens within the next year or so - and now, fans reckon that they've sussed out where exactly the game will be set. Basically, Australian car import company 'Cult &...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (August 21-24)
All free with Xbox Game Pass
Welcome to another round of Free Play Days from Microsoft! This week, we have three Xbox titles playable for free over the next few days - all based around gaming icon Pac-Man. Here's the full Free Play Days selection this weekend: Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Pac-Man Museum+ Pac-Man World Re-Pac Xbox's...
News Xbox Studio Double Fine Is Working On Multiple Games, All New IP
But which will be keepers?
Xbox first-party studio Double Fine is well-known for its near-endless creativity — as evidenced by the team's walking-lighthouse-starring Keeper — and it sounds as though Microsoft is allowing them to be as creative as possible; with multiple new IP in the works. Yep, studio head Tim Schafer has talked about this...
News Five Xbox Game Pass Titles Revealed During First Gamescom Broadcast
With one arriving today!
Today's first Xbox Gamescom broadcast has treated us to new reveals for five Xbox Game Pass titles in total, including one that's shadow dropping on the service today in the form of
News The Beefier ROG Xbox Ally X Is Set To Get More Powerful Over Time
Thanks to AI and other enhancements
Sick of all the ROG Xbox Ally news today, folks? Never! We've been waiting a long time to see what this device — or pair of devices, should we say — is capable of, and some fresh details on the beefier X model tell us that it'll actually get better over time. As part of today's lengthy Xbox Wire blog about...
News Here's What The Windows Gaming UI Looks Like On ROG Xbox Ally
A streamlined handheld experience
As part of today's information blowout on the ROG Xbox Ally, we finally have some direct feed footage of the system UI to look over; showcasing Microsoft's streamlined handheld gaming experience on Windows. This is all very reminiscent of the current Xbox PC app, but still, it's good to see it all running smoothly...
News ROG Xbox Ally Games Will Detail 30FPS Vs. 60FPS Frame Rate Targets Upfront
Via the "Handheld Compatibility Program"
As part of Microsoft's day one Gamescom broadcast, the team has gone into a lot more detail on its ROG Xbox Ally devices, including the software experience we can expect on launch. While that experience will evolve over time as more and more games get tested, the team has announced its 'Handheld Compatibility...
News Xbox Vet Rod Fergusson Has Been Drafted In To Help Launch BioShock 4
This guy ships games
Earlier this month, we heard from Bloomberg that BioShock 4 had hit development troubles over at 2K - and now the master of saving games from the brink has been drafted in to help ship the upcoming sequel. Rod Fergusson — an Xbox veteran who helped launch Gears of War, Bioshock Infinite and Diablo 4, amongst others — is now...
Rumour Bethesda Is Bringing Another Xbox Game To Switch 2 In 2026
Shooting for the stars
Yesterday evening, we brought you the news that Xbox is porting Indiana Jones and the Great Circle over to Switch 2 in 2026 - and now a well-known leaker has revealed that it's not the only Bethesda game planned for Nintendo's hybrid system next year. According to insider NateTheHate, Bethesda Game Studios' Starfield will...
News Five More Games Are Now Available With Xbox Game Pass (August 19-20)
Including some surprise additions!
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass roundup! With it being Gamescom this week, Microsoft is adding more games to the lineup left, right and centre - and we have four titles to update you on following the Opening Night Live showcase.
News Xbox Shares First Look At The Outer Worlds 2 Since Its Pricing U-Turn
Still coming in October, now for $70
So, The Outer Worlds 2, huh? Following recent controversy surrounding the game's price (which has now died down thanks to a Microsoft U-turn), the team at Obsidian has landed at Gamescom 2025 with a fresh look at its upcoming RPG. And, you know what, it's looking very
News Fallout Season 2 Heads To 'Iconic New Vegas Locations' This December
Taking direct inspiration from FNV
Following the massive popularity of Fallout Season 1, Prime Video is delivering another season of the post-apocalyptic TV show later this year - and we have a new air date and some fresh details on Fallout Season 2 coming out of Gamescom 2025. First off, the video game adaptation's second season begins airing on...
News Microsoft Explains Target Audiences For ROG Xbox Ally And ROG Xbox Ally X
Two consoles, two different audiences
So far, most of our ROG Xbox Ally focus has been on the more powerful X model - you know, the one that's finished in black and has been talked about as the next all-powerful handheld gaming machine. But, we shouldn't forget that the most accessible version is going to be the base ROG Xbox Ally, and Microsoft has...
News Gears Reloaded On PS5 'Thrills' Cliffy B As Series Creator Remains 'Open' To Return
"It doesn't feel strange"
To us it still feels a little weird to say that a new Gears of War release is coming to PS5 in a week's time - but clearly, series creator Cliff Bleszinski doesn't feel the same way. Speaking to Eurogamer ahead of the launch of Gears Reloaded, Cliffy B says that he's "thrilled" to see some of his most iconic work being...
News These Seven Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (August 19-28)
Your latest batch of new titles
Microsoft has just revealed our latest batch of Xbox Game Pass titles for the second half of August 2025, which includes the previously announced Gears of War: Reloaded, as well as the likes of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Persona 4 Golden! Here's what's coming to Xbox Game Pass from August 19 through August 28
News Xbox Exec Talks About Three Core Aims For Microsoft's Next Console
"We're designing dedicated hardware..."
Alongside the ROG Xbox Ally, we know that Team Green is working with AMD on next-generation Xbox hardware, and Series X|S architect Jason Ronald has been talking on a new podcast about three of Microsoft's core aims for its next console. In the latest Official Xbox P
News Xbox's Latest Series X|S Background Isn't Very Dynamic, But It Does Look Great
And it takes into account tile space!
We're officially one week out from the release of Gears of War: Reloaded, and to celebrate its upcoming launch, Microsoft has dropped a themed dynamic background on Xbox Series X|S - although the term 'dynamic' is a bit of stretch here. As you can see in the clip down below, the team has based this off the...
Guide Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live Showcase: Date, Start Times & What To Expect
Just a few hours away!
Welcome to our Pure Xbox guide for Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live! As we're now closing in on Geoff Keighley's big August event, we're going to go over the exact date, length and start times for the upcoming livestream - alongside some of what we can expect to see during Gamescom's ONL showcase. We also have some official...
News ROG Xbox Ally Accessories Appear Online As Device Lands At Gamescom 2025
Allies for Ally
Earlier today, we learnt of the first game to be 'certified' for ROG Xbox Ally, and now the device's first accessory has been teased by third-party manufacturer Dbrand. Yep, live now on the official Dbrand website, an ROG Xbox Ally X version of the company's 'Killswitch' case has been teased. At the moment, it's just a
News Gears Of War: Reloaded Is The First Game To Be ROG Xbox Ally 'Certified'
"It's officially certified!"
It's Gamescom week, which means we're going to be hearing lots about the ROG Xbox Ally in the coming days, as Microsoft and ASUS plan to launch their new gaming handheld(s) in 2025. Oh, and they're kicking the week off with an announcement of the ROG Ally's first 'certified' game. Yep, taking to social media today,
News Microsoft 'Wraps Up' Xbox Series X|S Era As Hardware Chief Teases What's Next
"As we wrap up this journey..."
With ROG Xbox Ally right around the corner, it feels as though Microsoft is moving into a new era with Xbox devices, and fresh comments from a Microsoft hardware chief confirm that Team Green is about ready to move on from Xbox Series X|S. In a lengthy post over on LinkedIn, Partner Head of Design at Xbox Carl...
News Five Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass In Late August 2025
Some big titles are on the way out
Microsoft has just announced its latest batch of titles departing Xbox Game Pass, with five games leaving the service at the end of August. The most notable titles in here are the critically acclaimed Sea of Stars, which leaves after two years in the library, and Borderlands 3 - with the 2K shooter on its way out...
Talking Point What Are Your Plans For Gamescom 2025?
Watch party?
Next week, Europe's biggest gaming convention arrives in the form of Gamescom 2025 - with this year's show set to be one of the most expansive yet. Dozens of companies are confirmed to be attending the event, with in-person hands-on sessions being joined by plenty of livestream showcases - making this another busy week in the gaming...
Talking Point Will The ROG Xbox Ally Be Your First 'Handheld Gaming PC'?
If you're buying one, that is
With this week's Amazon leak providing our latest look at the ROG Xbox Ally, we're creeping ever closer to this thing potentially dominating the conversation at Gamescom 2025 - at least when it comes to Xbox news. The device is confirmed for both the show floor and Xbox's first livestream broadcast, and ahead of all the...
News 90+ 'Stream Your Own Game' Titles Added To Xbox Cloud Gaming Lineup
Another huge batch added!
Literally two weeks ago now, Microsoft made a bumper update to its Xbox 'Stream Your Own Game' service; adding 100 titles to the collection for early August 2025. Well, that number has now grown by almost the same amount in the middle of the month. <related ids="185944"> Yep, the team has now added another 91 games...
Report Microsoft Has No Plans To Bring Black Ops 7 To Switch 2 At Launch
It may come one day, but not for now
We're all set for Xbox's big worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 during Gamescom Opening Night Live next week, but Switch 2 players probably shouldn't get their hopes up for much just yet. According to the ever-reliable billbil-kun, Microsoft's upcoming Call of Duty title won't be releasing on...
News Xbox Is Making It Easier To Find 'Play Anywhere' Titles In Your Library
Buy once, play on any device
Xbox Play Anywhere has been a huge focus for Microsoft in recent months, particularly as its builds towards launching the ROG Xbox Ally, and the team is introducing a handy new XPA feature in its latest preview update. Rolling out now on Xbox, players will be able to easily filter Play Anywhere titles within their games...
News Xbox Suffers Multi-Hour Server Outage, Invites & Party Chat Affected
Update: Now fixed
Having trouble with the Xbox servers this morning? It's not just you! Lots of players have been reporting issues over the past few hours - mainly with inviting friends to chats and multiplayer games - and Xbox Support has now confirmed there's a problem and the team is working on fixing it ASAP. The five specific issues mentioned...
News Two More Games Are Getting Delisted On Xbox In September 2025
Both disappearing from the Xbox Store next month
Yes, it's still early in the month to be talking about what's happening in September, but we thought you'd want to know about any potential delistings ASAP - and we already know of two games that are leaving the Xbox Store next month. The first of these has just been announced in the form of Star...
News ROG Xbox Ally Infographic Appears Alongside Early Amazon Listing
It's now been taken down...
Last month, we heard reports that Microsoft's ROG Xbox Ally device would go up for pre-order in August - and a now-removed Amazon listing points towards that becoming a reality very soon. <related ids="185783"> Yep, ahead of the system's reported pre-order drop during Gamescom 2025, Amazon listed the base ROG Xbox...
News Xbox's Latest 'Buy One, Get One Free' Promotion Is Now Live
Focusing on simulator titles
Xbox has just put another one of its 'Buy One, Get One Free' promotions live on the Microsoft Store, and this one focuses around a batch of simulators across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. As is usually the case with these Xbox BOGOF sales, the selection — along with their associated deal prices — is a bit of a mixed...
News Helldivers 2 'Bring The Boom' Trailer Teases Halo ODST Crossover On Xbox
Bringing the boom
Helldivers 2 is coming to Xbox Series X|S in exactly two weeks' time, and to celebrate, the team at Arrowhead has put together the Xbox's version official launch trailer - containing a little tease relating to Team Green's most famous franchise. Yep, we've chucked this 'Bring the Boom' trailer up above for you to feast your eyes...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (August 12)
Including a new first-party drop
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we have two new additions to the library - one of those being Microsoft's updated version of Hellblade 2, which brings a new 60FPS performance mode to proceedings. Here's an introduction to that addition, alongside today's other XGP title:
Talking Point Is Forza Horizon About To Become Xbox's Main Forza Franchise?
The future of Motorsport is in doubt
Last week, some of the Xbox community started taking note of how quiet Forza Motorsport had been on social media since Microsoft's recent layoffs, which the Xbox developer swiftly responded to with reassurances that both Forza Motorsport and For
News Three New Demos Have Been Added To The Xbox Store Already In August
Update: And we're getting more!
Xbox doesn't really talk about demos these days, so it's our job to sort through them and look for hidden gems every now and again - and we've spotted three from August already that are highlight-worthy additions to the Xbox Store. The first of these is the demo for Gothic 1 Remake, and this demo serves as a prologue...
News Xbox's Heretic + Hexen Remasters Are 'Exceptional', Says Digital Foundry
"Nightdive has done it again"
Last week, Bethesda and Nightdive Studios shadow dropped Heretic + Hexen on Xbox Game Pass following several teases from the remaster specialist developer - and now the folks over at
News Grounded 2 Is Off To An Impressive Start On Steam & Xbox Game Pass
Early sales & players numbers are in
Microsoft's latest first-party release, Grounded 2, launched at the back end of July on Xbox and PC — including Game Pass — and the early signs are suggesting that it's been a successful Early Access launch for Obsidian & co. First off, as pointed out by Klobrille, the game has infiltrated the top 10...
News Sony SVP Discusses 'Moving Away From A Hardware-Centric Business Model'
Update: SeekingAlpha transcript provides more context
With the upcoming release of Helldivers 2, Sony is bringing its first PlayStation published title to Xbox platforms - and since then, we've heard rumours that the Japanese firm is mulling over more multi-platform ports in the future. Now, an official comment from Sony's Senior Vice President has...
News Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (August 7-10)
Playable with any Game Pass tier
Free Play Days has officially landed on Xbox! This weekend, we have four games to get stuck into across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S - including Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited. Here's your full selection of Free Play Days titles this week: Cassette Beasts (two-hour trial) The Elder Scrolls...
