I feel like the second‑hand market for Xbox games is about to take off. I’m going to hurry and check out the physical games on sale and hunt for good deals, before prices go up or everything gets snatched.
Strangely enough, this feature is actually going to revive physical games. And I’m sure Heloix, with its family of devices, will eventually have a model with a disc drive.
@FraserG Yes, but it’s still worth pointing out that you can play Xbox Series X games on your Xbox One, even if it’s through the cloud. Personally, I have two Xbox Series X consoles (one on a cinema projector and another on a TV). I started black flag on one console and finished it on the other.
The thing is, I hadn’t installed Black Flag on the second console (I was at 90% completion), so I finished the game in the cloud — and honestly, I didn’t notice any difference. Xcloud has improved a lot in terms of quality.
All this to say: cloud gaming is a perfectly viable option. It probably depends on the game — there’s still a bit of lag in very fast‑paced titles — but the native vs. cloud distinction isn’t always relevant, since the gameplay comfort remains intact or almost.
This is clearly going to boost the second‑hand market. It’s totally worth buying Xbox One games physically, and even taking advantage of xbox play anywhere, cloud and Smart Delivery when it’s available — meaning you buy the Xbox One version and automatically get the free next‑gen upgrade (Series X).
I’m thinking of Cyberpunk, Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, Metro Exodus, Resident Evil, Ori, Far Cry 6, etc.
For The Witcher 3, you can buy the Xbox One version for cheap and still get CD Projekt’s free remastered upgrade. Honestly, it’s a great deal.
Much more than the previous ones, and 20 hours is exactly my sweet spot. I no longer have the time to play games that take 80 hours to finish. And in any case, when it comes to the life‑simulation part, it’s basically infinite anyway.
About GTA 6’s supposed 80 hours of gameplay, let’s be realistic — it’ll be just like GTA V. Some missions will inevitably end up feeling repetitive.
Just like in GTA V: after a certain point, you mostly chain together hitman contracts for different mobsters without the main story really moving forward.
Rockstar usually manages to alternate standard missions with more colorful, standout ones to break the monotony.
But over 80 hours, you shouldn’t expect a Hollywood‑level mission every single time.
Basically, I prefer 20 intense, well‑crafted narrative hours rather than 80 hours mostly filled with filler missions that get boring
I think that with all the games there are to play, I’ll just wait for GTA 6 and play it on PC or on Helix, in the best possible conditions. And Fable is coming soon too, running at 60 fps…
Honestly, I was impressed by several things:
– The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay. They cleverly mixed pre‑rendered cutscenes and in‑engine scenes right before gameplay. They make you believe everything is in‑engine (or they crank the quality to the max during cutscenes), and the result is stunning.
– Everything is very polished — the animations, the overall liveliness.
– The gunfights, the cover system, the slow motion.
– And of course, the music.
To be honest, I have a hard time believing this runs on current‑gen consoles. If I didn’t know it was captured on PS5, I would’ve assumed it was PC gameplay on ultra settings. It really shows that with well‑optimized code, you can push the current consoles much further than expected.
That said, Digital Foundry will need to check whether we haven’t been fooled by this presentation, and whether the final rendering is actually identical, because honestly I’m not sure I fully believe it — even though I don’t doubt Rockstar’s talent
@MrMoses That’s a very good question, and it definitely deserves a place in the FAQ as well. Indeed, for people who own Series X games but don’t have an Xbox Series console, how does that work? I guess it must be an edge case, but still one that could affect thousands of players.
It’s exactly the kind of edge case that makes me think Xbox Helix will at least allow you to plug in a disc drive to handle situations like this. And simply for people who buy a Helix console for the first time and purchase a physical Series X game, how are they supposed to use it without a disc drive?
Really an amazing feature. It’s a shame for the Xbox 360 and OG Xbox , it would be great if they could find a technical way to make it work for those systems as well.
Something you don’t mention in the FAQ is that when a disc is converted into a digital version, you automatically get the associated services: stream your own game and Xbox Play Anywhere (if available for that game, of course). I think it would be good to point that out because it’s a major advantage.
As for the presence of a disc drive, it’s true that the situation is complicated, especially with the whole industry slowly starting to diversify and move away from manufacturing disc readers.
I believe there’s a market for a core group representing around 25% of physical sales, and if PlayStation completely abandons that segment, Xbox could easily capture those 25%, which still represents several tens of millions of players.
Actually, I think even some PC players would be interested in physical games , it’s just that they don’t have the choice.
We saw the same thing with music , CDs declined at first, then vinyl made a comeback, while CDs never fully disappeared. Right now, about 20% of music is bought in physical format (CD and Vynil), which is not insignificant.
There’s no inevitability. As long as there is demand, and it does exist, there will be a viable potential market. It’s that simple: The market is driven by demand !
@FraserG You used the wrong emoji, you meant to say:
"I spot Asha Sharma 💚"
With 👀 You sound like a stalker lool
More seriously, I watch a video of their booth — it’s magnificent. I especially loved the little staged setups of the Xbox lounges, the Xbox 360 version and the Series X one. You could choose a game, and the tiny miniature TV would automatically display it. Really well done.
Oh, and the Xbox Gears controller with the embossed details looks absolutely amazing. I had only seen it in photos before, but in the video you can really see how stunning it is
@FraserG I agree, it makes me more excited than GTA 6, even though I’ll definitely play both. But I’m more eager to play Fable. With GTA 6, I feel like I’m already on familiar ground and that I’ll end up being less surprised in the end
About affordability and efficiency, good to hear.... And that goes against those who say Xbox Helix will be too expensive. It’s not the first time Asha has said that, either.
About discs, I think Xbox should embrace both strategies at the same time: a strong digital ecosystem, while also giving players the choice by continuing to support physical media. Both approaches go in the same direction—preserving games and giving players freedom of choice. This is truly a differentiating element that can have a very strong impact on Xbox’s image, on hardware sales, and on Xbox’s overall success.
@FraserG "the Disc to Digital program is preparing us for an all-digital future"
Strangely enough, I think the opposite. It may seem counter‑intuitive, but to me what Xbox is doing is giving players choice. That’s exactly what Aasha repeats when talking about a ‘key choice.’ In the same way they offer users the option to play their physical games digitally, they also provide choice with backward compatibility—the ability to play old games on new consoles. And following that principle, physical media is just another choice given to players. So I really believe it goes in the same direction, and that they are also offering physical as part of that philosophy.
@Kang81 I think PlayStation has clearly proven that it’s a very bad idea to entrust your game library to PlayStation. When it comes to their first‑party titles, there’s not much choice, but when it comes to third‑party games, it’s really the last store where I would buy my games.
Xbox, let’s rock! Xbox once again proves that the Xbox game library is safe with Xbox. They show, once more, their commitment to preserving games, to backward compatibility, and to the fact that you can keep playing these titles for years on any Xbox hardware. This is truly a major differentiating factor compared to other manufacturers/publishers (no need to name them, no need to add to the general backlash against that sad blue brand that disrespects its players).
As Xbox fans, we should really be proud of the direction Xbox is taking. Along the same lines, I hope that Xbox Helix will give players the choice by including physical media in its strategy.
@Fiendish-Beaver same answer then for Tintin. You don’t compare a handheld console with a home console , they’re completely different, a home console doesn’t even have a screen, which is already a major cost‑driving element. On top of that, the miniaturization of components is more expensive than using “regular” parts (That’s also why the Steam Machine is both expensive and not very powerful.). In short, they’re absolutely not comparable..
I also don’t know how much it will cost, but basing the price of a home console on that of a handheld makes no sense.
Also, we don’t yet know the monetization details of the next generation, nor the modularity of the upcoming console (upgradeable RAM? upgradeable SSD?). So, in short, this whole discussion about Helix Price on a subject about an handheld console isn’t really relevant.
@Titntin You don’t compare a handheld console with a home console , they’re completely different, a home console doesn’t even have a screen, which is already a major cost‑driving element. On top of that, the miniaturization of components is more expensive than using “regular” parts. In short, they’re absolutely not comparable..
I also don’t know how much it will cost, but basing the price of a home console on that of a handheld makes no sense.
@Kloppo Please, Of course it’s expensive , it’s a premium console, I’m not saying otherwise. What I’m talking about is value for money: show me a console with a similar or close configuration that’s cheaper, that’s all I’m saying. Sure, it’s not meant for the masses, but for a niche that can afford it. Still, I don’t feel the price is unjustified given what it packs. The screen alone has moved to a 7.4‑inch OLED, not to mention the other improvements.
That said, the ROG Xbox Ally could look more attractive for those willing to accept the trade‑offs.
@Gabrie These are the prices of handheld consoles, and they’re not exactly new. If you take a look at other competitors, you’ll see that with equivalent configurations, you wouldn’t get anything cheaper. In fact, it’s actually a very competitive price when you consider the components.
Asus offers a nice lineup of handled consoles at different price points: ROG Xbox Ally — $599 ROG Xbox Ally X — $999 ROG Xbox Ally X20 — $1,299
The X20 is definitely a premium handheld, but it still keeps things reasonable. Even at $1,299.99, it’s about $500 cheaper than some of the ultra‑high‑end options , like MSI claw ex ai models, and others
We can acknowledge Xbox’s behavior in giving those studios back their licenses. That’s far from common in the industry, and Xbox deserves credit for it.
As for Double Fine, it’s still a waste , with a major publisher like Xbox behind them, it’s a shame to see them only producing games like Kiln or Keeper. The last really good game they made was Psychonauts 2
@Fiendish-Beaver Yes, indeed. It really feels like PlayStation spends more money on timed third‑party exclusives than on its own first‑party games. Honestly, I’m a bit tired of Silent Hill — they’re milking the franchise way too much for my taste. But I find it pretty pathetic from Sony, and especially from Konami, to take part in this little game of six‑month timed exclusives, especially coming from a company as greedy as PlayStation that doesn’t even respect its own players.
Fortunately, fewer and fewer third‑party publishers are willing to offer timed exclusives to PlayStation, and as a result they’re getting fewer exclusives overall.
The latest example is Game Science with their new game Black Myth: Wukong, which will release on all platforms. Same for Square Enix and many others who have stopped making exclusives for them.
@Mr-Cage I think it’s simply a matter of an exclusivity contract. GSC most likely paid Xbox more to secure exclusive access to Xbox’s numbers. That kind of thing happens every day — it’s probably the case for EA and others as well. Nintendo doesn’t even share their figures with them, and yet, I don’t get the feeling their games sell poorly, (same for EA and Xbox who regularly sees very good sales), so I don’t think what you’re saying has anything to do with it.
That said, Xbox has a particular model since they offer their first‑party games on Game Pass, which naturally lowers sales on one side but also generates subscription revenue on the other — not to mention sales on other stores. So it makes the whole thing harder to read and analyze in any case.
On top of that, Circana’s editorial line is quite questionable, so maybe that also plays a role.
I guess that’s the price of a limited edition — it’s not every day Xbox turns 25, after all. And it’s barely more expensive than the standard version since the latest price increase
@Mr-Cage It’s true that I also prefer the Black Ops atmosphere (except for BO7), but I’m going to give this Modern Warfare 4 a try. I think Xbox/Activision has learned from past mistakes, and I’m curious to see how it turns out.
@Mr-Cage The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games follow one another, but they don’t look alike (apart from the last one). At least try the first campaign mission; based on the trailers, special care seems to have been given to the campaign
1.Well, the world doesn’t stop at the US, and in many countries the share of physical is even higher than digital.
2.These are Circana’s data, which have often shown in the past their rather random nature. The share is probably a bit higher than that.
3.We’re talking about “new physical games,” which limits the scope of the analysis.
4.Unfortunately, some games are only available digitally.
But above all, Xbox should not base itself on current figures but on the potential figures they could gain by reviving physical. In terms of image and hardware sales, if Helix adopts physical, the impact will be immediate — it will be another great differentiating element compared to the PS6. Helix must also bring back physical, in the same way they put the Xbox console back at the forefront. It’s a matter of giving players choice: the ability to insert a disc into the console, the option to play their existing library.
Up until now, Xbox has shown great attentiveness to players, and it turns out that demand for physical is among the top requests on Xbox Player Voice. So there are plenty of reasons to hope for physical integration on Xbox Helix.
And contrary to what Oopsiez says, the Positron project (disc to digital) is precisely proof of Xbox’s commitment to game preservation. To be able to transform a disc into digital, you first need to be able to insert your disc. I don’t think it’s only for owners of existing consoles. There will inevitably be an option on Helix to insert your CDs. They have everything to gain by doing it.
Delaying the release of consoles is not really a solution, since there’s no guarantee that RAM prices will drop. On the other hand, there are certainly opportunities to explore new monetization models with partners.
What’s certain is that Xbox will offer different pricing tiers for the next generation — not only with the Helix console, but also with Xbox PCs that will integrate the Magnus chip in OEM versions. These machines will be able to provide different options and therefore different price points, targeting various types of budgets.
Overall, I’m seeing a lot of excitement on social media. Personally, I’m loving it so far — I’m having a blast with the Horde Siege mode. What’s great is that this multiplayer beta is actually being used to improve the game based on player feedback, and the team is pretty responsive. I can’t wait to see the campaign as well.
Of course, there will always be things to improve, but what’s reassuring is that Xbox, as usual, is listening to the players.
lol, boomers complaining about not using just one button and about seeing changes. Good thing they made some adjustments to at least match today’s standards — if they hadn’t, a lot of people would be whining about the limits imposed by an overly rigid gameplay. Because let’s be honest: the old Gears games, even if I still find them fun, eventually suffer from a certain repetitiveness caused by that stiff gameplay.
The evolution of Gears E-Day was necessary to appeal to a wider audience, not just fans stuck in outdated ways of playing. I actually think they managed to keep what makes Gears… Gears: satisfying and gory close‑quarters combat, hip‑fire shotgun fights, dynamic movement, active reload, melee executions, the cover system — all of that is still there. But they clearly improved some mechanics to make the character more fluid, like the roadie run. I don’t know about you, but that old rigid truck‑like running that couldn’t turn properly was a real pain before.
I think they found the right balance, especially with the slide and the jump. Honestly, in 2026, a character who can’t jump is just nonsense. At some point you have to stop acting like old boomers and appreciate these welcome additions. I really don’t get some of the complaints, but nothing forces those people to use these moves — they can stick to the bare minimum if they want.
Basically, the game is more dynamic and accessible while still keeping the essence of the old Gears
I love the new movements and the added verticality — Gears really needed that. It gives the gameplay more depth, more possibilities, more ways to play, plain and simple. Technically and visually it’s very solid: the destructible environments, the animations… it’s probably the most polished Unreal Engine multiplayer game of the entire generation, alongside Call of Duty (in a different style). Kills are still just as satisfying, with body parts exploding, chainsaw executions — it’s gory, it’s fun, it’s pure Gears.
The focus on consoles has definitely been visible for several months now. I particularly appreciate the “Access Older Cloud Saves When Things Go Wrong” feature.
Xbox really should highlight this feature more , and others as well. Xbox objectively has many advantages that simply don’t exist in other ecosystems. Not only Play Anywhere, but also free cloud saves (while paid on other platforms), “stream your own game,” and Game Pass — which doesn’t really have an equivalent in terms of game catalog — and normally also a multi‑store system with Helix.
Glad to see Larian confirming that Xbox Play Anywhere is a major strength of the Xbox ecosystem . I remember they weren’t very fair to the Xbox Series S at the time, even though they ultimately did manage to bring the game to the console. (Surprising that the game isn’t coming to the Switch 2, by the way.)
@Mr-Cage On the cynicism side, that’s certainly possible — especially given how fast it happened. But it’s also possible that it was a “political” decision from the start, and with some players expressing dissatisfaction, they simply decided to backtrack. Either way, I can’t wait to play it, even though I’ll probably end up spending most of my time in Horde Siege mode.
You can really feel a huge difference in how Xbox listens to its players — especially compared to that sad blue brand next door.
Over the past few months, the change has been obvious: things like Xbox Player Voice, better handling of hacked accounts, the Game Pass price drop, the return of exclusives, new backward‑compatible titles, and more — all of which directly respond to player requests.
@Sol4ris I think a lot of people would disagree with you about the importance of having a physical drive, especially considering the current backlash around PlayStation. But I agree with you as well — keeping access to games from all stores on Helix is essential.
In reality, it’s a combination of things, and I do think the most important part is maintaining an open environment that supports all stores. And since it’s going to be a Windows‑based system, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be the case — especially since the Xbox ROG Ally already centralizes Steam games inside the Xbox app.
While some companies are shutting down the PS3 Store, the PS Vita Store, removing more than 500 movies… and doing nothing for game preservation, Xbox is doing the exact opposite: more and more Xbox 360 games, more and more backward‑compatible titles, the ability to preserve your physical games digitally, etc. I just hope Xbox Helix will continue to offer a physical drive ; at least an external one.
the trend is positive , strong recent game sales, Game Pass subs rising again after the price drop, small hardware rebounds in June or after FH6, etc.
Looking ahead, Xbox is refocusing on strong franchises, bringing back exclusives, doubling down on consoles, and preparing big releases like Gears E‑Day and Fable. Add the Helix console, new partnerships, stronger services (Play Anywhere, streaming your own games, backward compatibility, preservation), plus a new ad‑supported free Game Pass tier — lots of good signs.
Comments 973
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital Rolls Out To More People Ahead Of Full Public Release
I feel like the second‑hand market for Xbox games is about to take off. I’m going to hurry and check out the physical games on sale and hunt for good deals, before prices go up or everything gets snatched.
Strangely enough, this feature is actually going to revive physical games. And I’m sure Heloix, with its family of devices, will eventually have a model with a disc drive.
Re: Multiple Surprises Have Already Been Uncovered With The Xbox Disc To Digital Feature
@FraserG Yes, but it’s still worth pointing out that you can play Xbox Series X games on your Xbox One, even if it’s through the cloud. Personally, I have two Xbox Series X consoles (one on a cinema projector and another on a TV). I started black flag on one console and finished it on the other.
The thing is, I hadn’t installed Black Flag on the second console (I was at 90% completion), so I finished the game in the cloud — and honestly, I didn’t notice any difference. Xcloud has improved a lot in terms of quality.
All this to say: cloud gaming is a perfectly viable option. It probably depends on the game — there’s still a bit of lag in very fast‑paced titles — but the native vs. cloud distinction isn’t always relevant, since the gameplay comfort remains intact or almost.
Re: Multiple Surprises Have Already Been Uncovered With The Xbox Disc To Digital Feature
@FraserG ". You obviously can't play those games on the Xbox One itself,".
Are you sure
you can’t play it, even an xboxseries game, on cloud from your xbox one ?
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital Is Now Live For Some Users, And Here's A First Look
This is clearly going to boost the second‑hand market. It’s totally worth buying Xbox One games physically, and even taking advantage of xbox play anywhere, cloud and Smart Delivery when it’s available — meaning you buy the Xbox One version and automatically get the free next‑gen upgrade (Series X).
I’m thinking of Cyberpunk, Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, Metro Exodus, Resident Evil, Ori, Far Cry 6, etc.
For The Witcher 3, you can buy the Xbox One version for cheap and still get CD Projekt’s free remastered upgrade. Honestly, it’s a great deal.
Re: 'Literally Play It Forever' - Playground Games Confirms Fable Will Take 20 hours To Beat
Much more than the previous ones, and 20 hours is exactly my sweet spot. I no longer have the time to play games that take 80 hours to finish. And in any case, when it comes to the life‑simulation part, it’s basically infinite anyway.
About GTA 6’s supposed 80 hours of gameplay, let’s be realistic — it’ll be just like GTA V. Some missions will inevitably end up feeling repetitive.
Just like in GTA V: after a certain point, you mostly chain together hitman contracts for different mobsters without the main story really moving forward.
Rockstar usually manages to alternate standard missions with more colorful, standout ones to break the monotony.
But over 80 hours, you shouldn’t expect a Hollywood‑level mission every single time.
Basically, I prefer 20 intense, well‑crafted narrative hours rather than 80 hours mostly filled with filler missions that get boring
Re: In-Depth GTA 6 Analysis Hints At Potential Resolution & FPS Targets For The Full Game
I think that with all the games there are to play, I’ll just wait for GTA 6 and play it on PC or on Helix, in the best possible conditions. And Fable is coming soon too, running at 60 fps…
Re: Roundup: The First Hands-Off Previews Are Starting To Roll In For GTA 6
Honestly, I was impressed by several things:
– The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay. They cleverly mixed pre‑rendered cutscenes and in‑engine scenes right before gameplay. They make you believe everything is in‑engine (or they crank the quality to the max during cutscenes), and the result is stunning.
– Everything is very polished — the animations, the overall liveliness.
– The gunfights, the cover system, the slow motion.
– And of course, the music.
To be honest, I have a hard time believing this runs on current‑gen consoles. If I didn’t know it was captured on PS5, I would’ve assumed it was PC gameplay on ultra settings. It really shows that with well‑optimized code, you can push the current consoles much further than expected.
That said, Digital Foundry will need to check whether we haven’t been fooled by this presentation, and whether the final rendering is actually identical, because honestly I’m not sure I fully believe it — even though I don’t doubt Rockstar’s talent
Re: 10 Game Pass Titles Get New Reveals In Xbox's Second Gamescom 2026 Stream
@Fiendish-Beaver Yes, you’re right , people will get way too spoiled. Better stick to our roles before chaos breaks loose 😉
Re: 10 Game Pass Titles Get New Reveals In Xbox's Second Gamescom 2026 Stream
@Fiendish-Beaver same boat ! Interested in both
Re: 10 Game Pass Titles Get New Reveals In Xbox's Second Gamescom 2026 Stream
@HelloCraigo For Armatus, here is the right video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1QkQjKFB-0
Re: Xbox's Second Gamescom 2026 Stream Included Tons Of Surprise Announcements
Some great additions to Game Pass: I like Son of Thanjai, Armatus, and Arkheron.
Strange that they don’t mention whether it’s Play Anywhere or not?
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital FAQ - Five Of The Most Common Questions We're Seeing So Far
@MrMoses That’s a very good question, and it definitely deserves a place in the FAQ as well. Indeed, for people who own Series X games but don’t have an Xbox Series console, how does that work? I guess it must be an edge case, but still one that could affect thousands of players.
It’s exactly the kind of edge case that makes me think Xbox Helix will at least allow you to plug in a disc drive to handle situations like this. And simply for people who buy a Helix console for the first time and purchase a physical Series X game, how are they supposed to use it without a disc drive?
Re: The Xbox Series X25 Is Now Available To Pre-Order, And Here's Where You Can Buy It
@logash take a look at this gears controller : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/xbox-wireless-controller-gears-of-war-e-day-limited-edition/8wg5vqp0x4gw
Magic !
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital FAQ - Five Of The Most Common Questions We're Seeing So Far
Really an amazing feature. It’s a shame for the Xbox 360 and OG Xbox , it would be great if they could find a technical way to make it work for those systems as well.
Something you don’t mention in the FAQ is that when a disc is converted into a digital version, you automatically get the associated services: stream your own game and Xbox Play Anywhere (if available for that game, of course). I think it would be good to point that out because it’s a major advantage.
As for the presence of a disc drive, it’s true that the situation is complicated, especially with the whole industry slowly starting to diversify and move away from manufacturing disc readers.
I believe there’s a market for a core group representing around 25% of physical sales, and if PlayStation completely abandons that segment, Xbox could easily capture those 25%, which still represents several tens of millions of players.
Actually, I think even some PC players would be interested in physical games , it’s just that they don’t have the choice.
We saw the same thing with music , CDs declined at first, then vinyl made a comeback, while CDs never fully disappeared. Right now, about 20% of music is bought in physical format (CD and Vynil), which is not insignificant.
There’s no inevitability. As long as there is demand, and it does exist, there will be a viable potential market. It’s that simple: The market is driven by demand !
Re: Fable Gets Another 30 Minutes Of Raw Gameplay Footage In New Combat Video
The gameplay shown is pretty dark! But I had some doubts about the combat, and now I’m reassured! I love the slow‑motion shots before the finish
Re: Gallery: Here's A Look At The Xbox Booth At Gamescom 2026
@FraserG You used the wrong emoji, you meant to say:
"I spot Asha Sharma 💚"
With 👀 You sound like a stalker lool
More seriously, I watch a video of their booth — it’s magnificent. I especially loved the little staged setups of the Xbox lounges, the Xbox 360 version and the Series X one. You could choose a game, and the tiny miniature TV would automatically display it. Really well done.
Oh, and the Xbox Gears controller with the embossed details looks absolutely amazing. I had only seen it in photos before, but in the video you can really see how stunning it is
Re: Roundup: All The Xbox Reveals From The Future Games Show At Gamescom 2026
Onimusha, no law, and .... Spine that looks reaaally cool: https://spine.game/
Re: Fable Looks Absolutely Incredible In New 18-Minute Quest Gameplay
@FraserG I agree, it makes me more excited than GTA 6, even though I’ll definitely play both. But I’m more eager to play Fable. With GTA 6, I feel like I’m already on familiar ground and that I’ll end up being less surprised in the end
Re: Asha Sharma Says 'Efficiency' And 'Affordability' Are Top Of Mind For Xbox Project Helix
About affordability and efficiency, good to hear.... And that goes against those who say Xbox Helix will be too expensive. It’s not the first time Asha has said that, either.
About discs, I think Xbox should embrace both strategies at the same time: a strong digital ecosystem, while also giving players the choice by continuing to support physical media. Both approaches go in the same direction—preserving games and giving players freedom of choice. This is truly a differentiating element that can have a very strong impact on Xbox’s image, on hardware sales, and on Xbox’s overall success.
@FraserG "the Disc to Digital program is preparing us for an all-digital future"
Strangely enough, I think the opposite. It may seem counter‑intuitive, but to me what Xbox is doing is giving players choice. That’s exactly what Aasha repeats when talking about a ‘key choice.’ In the same way they offer users the option to play their physical games digitally, they also provide choice with backward compatibility—the ability to play old games on new consoles. And following that principle, physical media is just another choice given to players. So I really believe it goes in the same direction, and that they are also offering physical as part of that philosophy.
At least, It’s in Xbox’s best interest to do it
In Asha we trust
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital Announced, Supports Thousands Of Physical Games At Launch
@Kang81 I think PlayStation has clearly proven that it’s a very bad idea to entrust your game library to PlayStation. When it comes to their first‑party titles, there’s not much choice, but when it comes to third‑party games, it’s really the last store where I would buy my games.
Re: Xbox Disc To Digital Announced, Supports Thousands Of Physical Games At Launch
Xbox, let’s rock! Xbox once again proves that the Xbox game library is safe with Xbox. They show, once more, their commitment to preserving games, to backward compatibility, and to the fact that you can keep playing these titles for years on any Xbox hardware. This is truly a major differentiating factor compared to other manufacturers/publishers (no need to name them, no need to add to the general backlash against that sad blue brand that disrespects its players).
As Xbox fans, we should really be proud of the direction Xbox is taking. Along the same lines, I hope that Xbox Helix will give players the choice by including physical media in its strategy.
Re: IKEA Unveils First Ever Xbox Collection Including Chairs, Stools, Cushions & More
I like the cushion and the chair.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pre-Orders Go Live Today, Release Date & Prices Revealed
@Fiendish-Beaver same answer then for Tintin. You don’t compare a handheld console with a home console , they’re completely different, a home console doesn’t even have a screen, which is already a major cost‑driving element. On top of that, the miniaturization of components is more expensive than using “regular” parts (That’s also why the Steam Machine is both expensive and not very powerful.). In short, they’re absolutely not comparable..
I also don’t know how much it will cost, but basing the price of a home console on that of a handheld makes no sense.
Also, we don’t yet know the monetization details of the next generation, nor the modularity of the upcoming console (upgradeable RAM? upgradeable SSD?). So, in short, this whole discussion about Helix Price on a subject about an handheld console isn’t really relevant.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pre-Orders Go Live Today, Release Date & Prices Revealed
@Titntin You don’t compare a handheld console with a home console , they’re completely different, a home console doesn’t even have a screen, which is already a major cost‑driving element. On top of that, the miniaturization of components is more expensive than using “regular” parts. In short, they’re absolutely not comparable..
I also don’t know how much it will cost, but basing the price of a home console on that of a handheld makes no sense.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pre-Orders Go Live Today, Release Date & Prices Revealed
@Kloppo Please, Of course it’s expensive , it’s a premium console, I’m not saying otherwise. What I’m talking about is value for money: show me a console with a similar or close configuration that’s cheaper, that’s all I’m saying. Sure, it’s not meant for the masses, but for a niche that can afford it. Still, I don’t feel the price is unjustified given what it packs. The screen alone has moved to a 7.4‑inch OLED, not to mention the other improvements.
That said, the ROG Xbox Ally could look more attractive for those willing to accept the trade‑offs.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pre-Orders Go Live Today, Release Date & Prices Revealed
@Gabrie These are the prices of handheld consoles, and they’re not exactly new. If you take a look at other competitors, you’ll see that with equivalent configurations, you wouldn’t get anything cheaper. In fact, it’s actually a very competitive price when you consider the components.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pre-Orders Go Live Today, Release Date & Prices Revealed
Asus offers a nice lineup of handled consoles at different price points:
ROG Xbox Ally — $599
ROG Xbox Ally X — $999
ROG Xbox Ally X20 — $1,299
The X20 is definitely a premium handheld, but it still keeps things reasonable. Even at $1,299.99, it’s about $500 cheaper than some of the ultra‑high‑end options , like MSI claw ex ai models, and others
Re: Two Former Xbox Studios Confirm Their Independence And Plans For The Future
We can acknowledge Xbox’s behavior in giving those studios back their licenses. That’s far from common in the industry, and Xbox deserves credit for it.
As for Double Fine, it’s still a waste , with a major publisher like Xbox behind them, it’s a shame to see them only producing games like Kiln or Keeper. The last really good game they made was Psychonauts 2
Re: Poll: If You've Played It, What Do You Think Of The Modern Warfare 4 Beta So Far?
I’m liking it:
There are plenty of good things and plenty of tweaks needed as well — that’s the whole point of a beta, I guess.
Re: Silent Hill: Townfall Confirmed As Timed Exclusive, Will Likely Hit Xbox
@Fiendish-Beaver Yes, indeed. It really feels like PlayStation spends more money on timed third‑party exclusives than on its own first‑party games.
Honestly, I’m a bit tired of Silent Hill — they’re milking the franchise way too much for my taste. But I find it pretty pathetic from Sony, and especially from Konami, to take part in this little game of six‑month timed exclusives, especially coming from a company as greedy as PlayStation that doesn’t even respect its own players.
Fortunately, fewer and fewer third‑party publishers are willing to offer timed exclusives to PlayStation, and as a result they’re getting fewer exclusives overall.
The latest example is Game Science with their new game Black Myth: Wukong, which will release on all platforms. Same for Square Enix and many others who have stopped making exclusives for them.
Re: Xbox Has Reportedly Pulled Out Of Sharing Digital Sales Data With Circana
@Mr-Cage I think it’s simply a matter of an exclusivity contract. GSC most likely paid Xbox more to secure exclusive access to Xbox’s numbers. That kind of thing happens every day — it’s probably the case for EA and others as well. Nintendo doesn’t even share their figures with them, and yet, I don’t get the feeling their games sell poorly, (same for EA and Xbox who regularly sees very good sales), so I don’t think what you’re saying has anything to do with it.
That said, Xbox has a particular model since they offer their first‑party games on Game Pass, which naturally lowers sales on one side but also generates subscription revenue on the other — not to mention sales on other stores. So it makes the whole thing harder to read and analyze in any case.
On top of that, Circana’s editorial line is quite questionable, so maybe that also plays a role.
Re: Xbox Series X25 Price & Release Date Details Are Starting To Leak Out
I guess that’s the price of a limited edition — it’s not every day Xbox turns 25, after all. And it’s barely more expensive than the standard version since the latest price increase
Re: Call Of Duty: MW4 Open Beta Dates, Start Times & How To Download
@Mr-Cage It’s true that I also prefer the Black Ops atmosphere (except for BO7), but I’m going to give this Modern Warfare 4 a try. I think Xbox/Activision has learned from past mistakes, and I’m curious to see how it turns out.
Re: Call Of Duty: MW4 Open Beta Dates, Start Times & How To Download
@Mr-Cage The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games follow one another, but they don’t look alike (apart from the last one). At least try the first campaign mission; based on the trailers, special care seems to have been given to the campaign
Re: Xbox Reportedly Makes Up Less Than 5% Of US Physical Sales In 2026
1.Well, the world doesn’t stop at the US, and in many countries the share of physical is even higher than digital.
2.These are Circana’s data, which have often shown in the past their rather random nature. The share is probably a bit higher than that.
3.We’re talking about “new physical games,” which limits the scope of the analysis.
4.Unfortunately, some games are only available digitally.
But above all, Xbox should not base itself on current figures but on the potential figures they could gain by reviving physical. In terms of image and hardware sales, if Helix adopts physical, the impact will be immediate — it will be another great differentiating element compared to the PS6. Helix must also bring back physical, in the same way they put the Xbox console back at the forefront. It’s a matter of giving players choice: the ability to insert a disc into the console, the option to play their existing library.
Up until now, Xbox has shown great attentiveness to players, and it turns out that demand for physical is among the top requests on Xbox Player Voice. So there are plenty of reasons to hope for physical integration on Xbox Helix.
And contrary to what Oopsiez says, the Positron project (disc to digital) is precisely proof of Xbox’s commitment to game preservation. To be able to transform a disc into digital, you first need to be able to insert your disc. I don’t think it’s only for owners of existing consoles. There will inevitably be an option on Helix to insert your CDs. They have everything to gain by doing it.
Re: Five New Console Features Begin Rolling Out Today For Xbox Insiders (August 19)
Xbox keeps moving forward, and Asha — since she arrived — has really made things happen.
Re: Three Methods Could Keep Xbox Project Helix Under $1,000, Suggests Analysis
Delaying the release of consoles is not really a solution, since there’s no guarantee that RAM prices will drop. On the other hand, there are certainly opportunities to explore new monetization models with partners.
What’s certain is that Xbox will offer different pricing tiers for the next generation — not only with the Helix console, but also with Xbox PCs that will integrate the Magnus chip in OEM versions. These machines will be able to provide different options and therefore different price points, targeting various types of budgets.
Re: Poll: What's Your Verdict On The Gears Of War: E-Day Beta?
Overall, I’m seeing a lot of excitement on social media. Personally, I’m loving it so far — I’m having a blast with the Horde Siege mode.
What’s great is that this multiplayer beta is actually being used to improve the game based on player feedback, and the team is pretty responsive. I can’t wait to see the campaign as well.
Of course, there will always be things to improve, but what’s reassuring is that Xbox, as usual, is listening to the players.
Re: Halo Studios Reveals Five Main Highlights In Campaign Evolved's Next Update
Cool that we can disable Chromatic Aberration and Film Grain. It shows they really listen to the players, because I’ve heard that complaint a lot.
I’m having a great time in the co‑op sessions I’ve played in the campaign so far. Halo’s gameplay really has a unique flavor
Re: Xbox Suddenly Tells Loads Of People They Don't Need To Verify Their Age Anymore
Cool! Xbox keeps listening to us, the players, it feels great.
Re: Gears Of War: E-Day Players Share Their Initial Thoughts On The Multiplayer Beta
lol, boomers complaining about not using just one button and about seeing changes.
Good thing they made some adjustments to at least match today’s standards — if they hadn’t, a lot of people would be whining about the limits imposed by an overly rigid gameplay.
Because let’s be honest: the old Gears games, even if I still find them fun, eventually suffer from a certain repetitiveness caused by that stiff gameplay.
The evolution of Gears E-Day was necessary to appeal to a wider audience, not just fans stuck in outdated ways of playing. I actually think they managed to keep what makes Gears… Gears: satisfying and gory close‑quarters combat, hip‑fire shotgun fights, dynamic movement, active reload, melee executions, the cover system — all of that is still there.
But they clearly improved some mechanics to make the character more fluid, like the roadie run. I don’t know about you, but that old rigid truck‑like running that couldn’t turn properly was a real pain before.
I think they found the right balance, especially with the slide and the jump. Honestly, in 2026, a character who can’t jump is just nonsense. At some point you have to stop acting like old boomers and appreciate these welcome additions.
I really don’t get some of the complaints, but nothing forces those people to use these moves — they can stick to the bare minimum if they want.
Basically, the game is more dynamic and accessible while still keeping the essence of the old Gears
Re: Halo 1 Co-Creator Reveals His Verdict On The Campaign Evolved Remake
I’m playing co‑op with my son right now and I’m loving it so far, the feeling is really good.
Re: Gears Of War: E-Day Players Share Their Initial Thoughts On The Multiplayer Beta
I love the new movements and the added verticality — Gears really needed that. It gives the gameplay more depth, more possibilities, more ways to play, plain and simple. Technically and visually it’s very solid: the destructible environments, the animations… it’s probably the most polished Unreal Engine multiplayer game of the entire generation, alongside Call of Duty (in a different style).
Kills are still just as satisfying, with body parts exploding, chainsaw executions — it’s gory, it’s fun, it’s pure Gears.
Re: Xbox Announces Four More Console Features, Including Two Highly-Requested Ones
The focus on consoles has definitely been visible for several months now. I particularly appreciate the “Access Older Cloud Saves When Things Go Wrong” feature.
Re: 'It Would Make Folks Happy' - Larian Exec On Why Baldur's Gate 3 Now Supports Xbox Play Anywhere
Xbox really should highlight this feature more , and others as well. Xbox objectively has many advantages that simply don’t exist in other ecosystems. Not only Play Anywhere, but also free cloud saves (while paid on other platforms), “stream your own game,” and Game Pass — which doesn’t really have an equivalent in terms of game catalog — and normally also a multi‑store system with Helix.
Glad to see Larian confirming that Xbox Play Anywhere is a major strength of the Xbox ecosystem . I remember they weren’t very fair to the Xbox Series S at the time, even though they ultimately did manage to bring the game to the console. (Surprising that the game isn’t coming to the Switch 2, by the way.)
Re: Gears Of War Fans Convince The Coalition To Add Versus To E-Day Early Access Beta
@Mr-Cage On the cynicism side, that’s certainly possible — especially given how fast it happened. But it’s also possible that it was a “political” decision from the start, and with some players expressing dissatisfaction, they simply decided to backtrack. Either way, I can’t wait to play it, even though I’ll probably end up spending most of my time in Horde Siege mode.
Re: Gears Of War Fans Convince The Coalition To Add Versus To E-Day Early Access Beta
You can really feel a huge difference in how Xbox listens to its players — especially compared to that sad blue brand next door.
Over the past few months, the change has been obvious: things like Xbox Player Voice, better handling of hacked accounts, the Game Pass price drop, the return of exclusives, new backward‑compatible titles, and more — all of which directly respond to player requests.
Re: Leaked Roadmap Hints At Xbox's Plans For Backwards Compatibility In 2026-2028
@Sol4ris I think a lot of people would disagree with you about the importance of having a physical drive, especially considering the current backlash around PlayStation. But I agree with you as well — keeping access to games from all stores on Helix is essential.
In reality, it’s a combination of things, and I do think the most important part is maintaining an open environment that supports all stores. And since it’s going to be a Windows‑based system, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be the case — especially since the Xbox ROG Ally already centralizes Steam games inside the Xbox app.
Re: Leaked Roadmap Hints At Xbox's Plans For Backwards Compatibility In 2026-2028
While some companies are shutting down the PS3 Store, the PS Vita Store, removing more than 500 movies… and doing nothing for game preservation, Xbox is doing the exact opposite: more and more Xbox 360 games, more and more backward‑compatible titles, the ability to preserve your physical games digitally, etc.
I just hope Xbox Helix will continue to offer a physical drive ; at least an external one.
Re: Xbox's Four Priorities Detailed By Asha Sharma After Major 'Reset'
the trend is positive , strong recent game sales, Game Pass subs rising again after the price drop, small hardware rebounds in June or after FH6, etc.
Looking ahead, Xbox is refocusing on strong franchises, bringing back exclusives, doubling down on consoles, and preparing big releases like Gears E‑Day and Fable. Add the Helix console, new partnerships, stronger services (Play Anywhere, streaming your own games, backward compatibility, preservation), plus a new ad‑supported free Game Pass tier — lots of good signs.
These 4 C are good to me.