@oopsiezz PlayStation defenders are always looking for excuses. Xbox was regularly at the top of PS Store sales throughout 2025 (indiana jones, COD, oblivion remastered, doom dark ages, ...), and even with six extra months Ghost of yotei won’t come close to FH5. Who could believe that?
@FiendishBeaver: Where does your claim of 6 months come from?
And to get you out of yet another assumption and off‑topic tangent: the point is that PlayStation exclusives don’t sell, or sell very little.
The other reality is that there are fewer and fewer PlayStation exclusives, whether first‑party or third‑party. And another reality is that everything is coming to Steam and therefore to Xbox, the ROG Ally, all Windows handhelds, and the next Xbox console.
What’s also interesting in this chart is the number of casual gamers who only play EA Sports FC and nothing else. Most FIFA players barely play anything other than that. It’s no coincidence that PlayStation has a lower engagement rate compared to Xbox players, Nintendo players, and PC players.
I’ll make one assumption: FH6 won’t release on PlayStation before at least a year, and we’re nowhere near seeing day‑one releases on PS — except for already‑multiplatform games from acquisitions and remakes.
If you were right, they would have already released FH6 directly on PS5. If they didn’t, it’s not a mistake — it’s intentional.
After all, releasing Forza Horizon 5 four years later wasn’t harmful — quite the opposite. Making people wait builds anticipation and desire. And those who want to play it on day one know what they need to do. So there’s absolutely no point in putting it day one on other consoles, as @Kezelpaso says.
@armondo36 Not wrong — I loved the game, but if they had added real gameplay, it could have been huge. So much potential. This studio is a massive raw diamond that just needs to be properly cut.
@Fiendish-Beaver I played it this weekend in a team of three — it was really fun. I haven’t tried it myself, but from what I understand, you can play solo. The matchmaking tries to pair you with other solo players, but according to the Steam community, you might still run into teams. I think playing solo can be pretty tough against some enemies, but I guess it depends on your skill level.
I loved Hellblade 2 for the unique and original experience it delivered — the atmosphere, the sound design, the technical achievement. We were all expecting a real next‑gen ‘wow’ effect with the new consoles, and Hellblade 2 was one of the very few games that actually delivered that.
Sure, it’s not perfect: the puzzles are simple, the gameplay isn’t very deep, and it’s pretty short. But you also have to remember that its launch price wasn’t very high either — around $40 if I remember correctly. Personally, I saw it as a piece of art blending video game and cinematic experience. It’s just stunning. I often stopped just to admire the landscapes and visual effects. And the combat is visceral — I’ve still never seen anything quite like it.
A lot of people didn’t appreciate it for what it really was, even though I can understand some of the criticisms.
Ninja Theory has so much talent and potential, and from what we’ve heard, Hellblade 3 should have much better gameplay. If they manage to keep the same graphical and technical quality, while adding refined gameplay and equally visceral combat, the next entry could be something really special.
@Fiendish-Beaver Of course the console market is in decline — don’t tell me you want sources for something everyone already knows . You don’t have to feel compelled to challenge every single point I make, because in doing so, you risk going against plain facts.
And there are several reasons for this: the rise of PC and cloud gaming, higher prices, a console generation that’s running out of steam — including a disappointing PS5 Pro, among others…
PS: What really stands out is your tendency to defend PlayStation beyond all reason, And failing to see any value in the Xbox ecosystem, even though objectively it offers more than any other.
@Llamageddon Yes exactly ! Thanks for the rigor and intellectual honesty — you're right, the article doesn’t mention any release date. As for Halo games coming to other platforms, that was already known. But whether it’ll be timed exclusivity (which I believe) or day-one releases, that’s still unclear.
What some people don’t seem to grasp is that the PC market is larger, and the console market — including PlayStation — is in decline. Xbox has absolutely no need to rush onto other consoles. It’s simply a way to further monetize their franchises, nothing more.
For context, there are over 50 million players across PC and Xbox (I don’t have sales numbers, just player counts). Even with Game Pass users included, 5 million sales on PS5 is solid, but not that significant compared to the PC and Xbox player base.
@TheGameThrifter Yes, Halo: Combat Evolved is a remake, sure — but that doesn’t apply to upcoming titles. They’ve confirmed those will be coming to other platforms too, which isn’t surprising, but not confirmation of day one. If that’s the case, it would be a major shift — launching a brand-new sequel from such a popular franchise like Halo day-and-date on other consoles. But there’s nothing to suggest that so far.
@TheGameThrifter I forgot to mention — remakes aside, those games were released on Xbox over 10 years ago, so they don’t count. On the contrary, it’s actually a way to attract a new audience to these popular franchises and to the new (timed) exclusive versions that will be released.
And as for the rumors, no comment — there are so many contradictory ones that it’s not even worth discussing. I don’t base my views on rumors, and neither should you.
@Fiendish-Beaver Yeah, it’s true that before 2023, I wouldn’t have imagined it either. But since 2023, it’s already been a few years now, and the strategy hasn’t really changed — we’re still seeing timed exclusives of at least a year. That could change, sure, but for the reasons I mentioned, I don’t think it will. We’ll see.
Beyond the timed exclusivity, it’s honestly the first time I’ve heard someone say that playing day one on Game Pass isn’t an advantage, especially since it’s available day one on PC Game Pass too, not just Game Pass Ultimate (Yet millions of players are enjoying it). Xbox Play Anywhere is obviously a benefit — multiple surveys have shown that it’s a highly appreciated feature, and players are even asking for more Xbox Play Anywhere titles. I find it surprising that you see no value in the Xbox ecosystem at all…
As for exclusives, no one really does permanent exclusives anymore — except Nintendo. All PlayStation games end up on Steam, and therefore on Xbox too, at least for now via the ROG Ally and other Windows handhelds, and soon on the next Xbox console. I don’t think you can really argue with that.
@Kezelpaso Yes thanks, it’s just that with everything coming out this year, it would be very surprising for them to mix in a PS5 port in the same year. And for the other reasons I already mentioned, especially the fact that up until now, it has never happened that an Xbox game releases on other consoles in under a year (except for studio acquisitions and games that were already multiplatform).
@Fiendish-Beaver Up until now, absolutely no game has launched day one on other consoles (except for acquisition titles that were already multiplatform), and none have released in under a year either (except Indiana Jones, which is a Disney‑licensed game). You’re making assumptions, and so am I — the difference is that nothing supports your assumptions, while mine are backed by actual facts.
I actually think the waiting period isn’t just about giving the Xbox community an advantage — the wait also creates desire. Proof of that: Forza Horizon 5 released on PS5 four years later and still sold 5 million copies. I’m not saying we’ll have to wait four years again, but it clearly isn’t a drawback — if anything, it works in their favor.
And don’t forget that the game becomes profitable not only thanks to Xbox players but also thanks to PC players, which is a much larger market than PlayStation. So they have no reason to rush anything.
We’ll see how things turn out, but one thing is certain: you’ll keep making assumptions hoping they eventually come true, and on my side, I’m also making assumptions — but more pragmatic ones, I’d say, because so far absolutely nothing proves the opposite.
"Forza fans on Xbox, PC and PS5 also have Forza Horizon 6 to look forward to this year"
Forza Horizon 6 won’t be released on PS5 this year. They said a PS5 version is planned, but not day one, and definitely not this year — probably a year later or even more.
It’s all upside for Xbox and the Xbox community, since Xbox players keep several advantages:
playing it day one
a timed exclusive of at least one year
no extra cost thanks to Game Pass
Xbox Play Anywhere: one purchase lets you play on Xbox console, PC, cloud, etc.
That’s a lot of benefits for Xbox players.
And for Xbox, bringing their games to other consoles helps fund future Xbox titles and, importantly, keeps the franchise alive.
@SeaDaVie Everyone knows that Xbox has the higher engagement rate. This Ampere study is based on a single month — August 2025 — which is a slow period. Even Ampere itself states that engagement varies greatly from month to month. A recent study from Alinea Analytics actually shows the opposite, with higher engagement among Xbox players.
We can also mention Circana, which reports that Xbox players have a higher ARPU than PlayStation players, meaning they spend more on average when buying games.
We can also point to retention rates and game diversity, which are significantly higher among Xbox players according to this 12‑month Circana study (not just a single month).
We can also talk about MAU, which is much higher on Xbox.
In short, it’s well‑known that PlayStation players are far more casual, play more often to the same games, and much less active than Xbox players. Claiming the opposite is absurd.
I agree that when it comes to game preservation, the ability to play across multiple platforms, and long-term backward compatibility, Xbox is a better bet than PlayStation. That’s already true today — and it’s only going to become more so.
And Xbox takes 70% — sure, they invested in game development, but once the development costs are covered, who do you think ends up making the most money?
And beyond caring about shareholders’ wallets — as a gamer, what would you rather have? A publisher that actually makes games, or one that spends its money buying one-year timed exclusives on third-party titles, pumping out remakes, and barely producing any new IPs or first-party games?
Thankfully, Xbox is here to keep the industry alive and kicking.
@SeaDaVie The Xbox community just has a higher engagement rate than Sony’s. There are more Xbox players on Helldivers and also on Arc Raiders, which is a different kind of game — it’s a PvPvE extraction shooter.
Overall, when you look at the most played games on Xbox and PlayStation, it’s pretty much the same. The Battlefield and Call of Duty communities are also huge on PlayStation, for example, and these games are top-tier PvP shooters .
@Sindayl Timed exclusivity (sometimes more than a year), day‑one on Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere (console, PC, cloud), not to mention the fact that games are often better optimized on Xbox. That’s a lot of solid advantages.
The next console will be able to play all games, and since more and more titles are Steam‑only, that’s yet another advantage for the upcoming Xbox console — a full, native backward compatibility, one more advantage, I don’t know what more you’re asking for.
As for temporary exclusives, Sony does the same thing: after a year their games end up on Steam, and therefore on Xbox. When you add up all the advantages, Xbox comes out ahead.
I think some people didn’t really understand, or they’re doing it on purpose — that’s possible too. The next console will be a console, simply because a PC won’t be able, unlike the new console, to run Xbox console games natively.
I have the Xbox ROG Ally and XFE is really good — way better than what existed before on other Windows handhelds. In fact, all Windows handheld consoles are switching to XFE. As for the Xbox App, I personally think it’s great. There’s obviously a lot of room for improvement, but it’s been evolving in the right direction, especially with the integration of other stores, which turns it into a real hub that centralizes all your games. Maybe it’s a matter of taste, but I much prefer the clean, minimalist Xbox App interface over Steam’s interface, which has turned into a total mess over time, full of ads, banners, and pop‑ups everywhere.
@cakefish: since when can’t you filter games in the PC app?
Also don’t forget that the Xbox interface on console has always been a version of Windows, guys, and the upcoming updates will adapt the full Xbox experience to TVs.
I’m waiting to see it before judging, but the people getting upset without having seen anything yet, saying they don’t want Windows on their console… it just doesn’t make sense.
And beyond that, look at the potential: being able to play Steam games on the next console, install mods, etc. It gives players amazing flexibility. I really don’t get why some people are reacting this way.
What defines a console is simply the user‑friendly, plug‑and‑play nature of its interface — nothing else. It’s neither the software infrastructure nor the hardware that makes something a console.
Of course, I also hope we won’t have to deal with driver updates or anything like that, but as long as the next console has fixed hardware, everything should be completely transparent for the user. In any case, I’d rather wait and see before judging
I really liked it when it first launched on Game Pass, especially in co‑op. Great evolution now that it can be played offline. I’ll have to get back into it to see what’s changed.
“Great game — I finished it after around 50 hours, an absolute treat. Obsidian really knows how to make RPGs. A one-year exclusivity is fair; it gave the Xbox community a solid privilege, and it helps make the license profitable again one year later for a potential Avowed 2 in the future, so that’s cool!
@BionicDodo Xbox is an ecosystem, not just a console. The big advantage of Xbox is its open ecosystem: Game Pass with these first‑party and day‑one third‑party games, Xbox Play Anywhere, the fact that you can buy a game once and play it on your Xbox console, on PC, in the cloud, on your TV, on your handheld console, etc. And even some exclusive games, even if sometimes only temporarily (Avowed, Starfield, South of Midnight, Forza, etc.).
It’s also about its openness to other stores, and the ability to centralize all your game libraries (Xbox Store, Steam, Epic, GOG, …) within a single interface. That’s exactly what the Xbox App and the full Xbox experience already offer on devices like the ROG Ally or other Windows handhelds, and soon on the next Xbox console as well.
Backward compatibility is also at the core of Xbox’s strategy, with a strong focus on game preservation, and this initiative with Evercade is part of it as well
All these things together, this openness and player‑first approach to their ecosystem is a key differentiator that only Xbox provides today.
Xbox players have the highest engagement levels alongside PC players, ahead of Nintendo and PlayStation. It’s no coincidence that there are more Xbox console players on games like Helldivers 2 or Arc Raiders, despite Xbox having a smaller console base.
To measure attachment to a brand, you shouldn’t look only at hardware sales — or at least, that’s not enough. You need to look at engaged players, and on that front Xbox is at the top. Publishers know this very well, which is why they develop for Xbox (except for a few small studios that occasionally delay their Xbox ports).
MAU is the metric used by industry professionals. Console sales are just something fanboys use to reassure themselves, even though their brand struggles to sell games — and sometimes even to make them.
PS: Okay, you can say I’m a fanboy too But I don’t think I’m making anything up by saying all this.
Game Pass Premium is gaining value, with games arriving even faster than expected — Space Marine, for example, came to Game Pass Ultimate last June.
On top of that, Cloud Gaming has now been extended to all Game Pass tiers, which wasn’t the case before. That’s great for people who like to quickly test a game in the cloud, or for those who want to play while traveling and then continue their session at home.
The best value for money is still PC Game Pass. Personally, I have Game Pass Ultimate, which I got at half price thanks to the tricks everyone knows!
But objectively, even at $30, Game Pass Ultimate is still very good value when you look at the amount of games included.
I’ve already said it many times: it could be cheaper if they made services like Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft Classics, etc. optional. But after all, it’s called Game Pass Ultimate, so it’s the bundled version that includes absolutely everything — even too much, if you ask me.
Still, you can always switch to cheaper subscriptions like PC Game Pass or Game Pass Premium while keeping the same benefits, or almost.
@Fiendish-Beaver Stop stacking games in your backlog . Put them in your wishlist instead, and only buy them when you have nothing left to play. With a bit of luck, the games you add to your wishlist might eventually show up on Game Pass. As for Star Wars Outlaws, since it’s an Ubisoft title, there was a good chance it would come to Game Pass, especially now that it’s been out for a year.
Alright, calm down guys, lol. I know perfectly well that Xbox console sales are down, I was just giving a bit of legitimate context. All consoles are down — the latest Circana report showed a -40% drop for PS5 (PS5 + PS5 Pro) year‑over‑year, and -70% for Xbox, knowing that Xbox didn’t even release a mid‑gen refresh.
I’m simply saying that without context, you can’t interpret these numbers properly. Treating sales figures as a direct indicator of interest in a brand is just wrong, because Xbox offers multiple ways to play and its player base is spread across several platforms.
As for the Xbox ROG Ally, it was just an example — the point is that today Xbox isn’t just a home console. It exists on PC, on handheld devices, on TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick, in the cloud, etc. So yes, you don’t necessarily need a home Xbox console to play Xbox games. That’s all I’m saying, and it’s just obvious.
Xbox is an ecosystem available on multiple devices — basically anywhere Game Pass exists.
And yes, it’s clear that Xbox has given up on this console generation and is already working on the next one. That’s why they’re not pushing promotions or trying to boost sales of their current consoles.
We're at the end of the generation, Xbox didn’t release a mid-gen refresh, and PlayStation is also seeing a sharp decline — so we shouldn’t overinterpret the drop in traditional console hardware sales. Also, It would be useful to provide PS5 sales figures in the UK to give some context.
Meanwhile, the Xbox-branded ROG Ally is selling very well, yet it’s not even counted in those hardware figures.
So I wouldn’t say Xbox doesn’t care about console sales — it’s just that their strategy doesn’t rely solely on them. It’s one pillar among others (PC, cloud, handled, ...) and that nuance matters.
@SalaciousCrumb You're absolutely right — the PS6 is pointless, and not just because they’ve lost their exclusives and everything’s on Steam now — which means it’s on PC, and by extension, on Xbox too, since the Xbox ROG Ally already runs those games, and the next Xbox will be able to run all of them as well.
The bigger reason is that we’ve moved into the era of ecosystems, not exclusives — which barely exist anymore. Most PlayStation games hit Steam within a year anyway, and even then, Sony’s first-party output is pretty limited.
So what’s the better choice:
An open system that centralizes all your games (Xbox, Steam, Epic, GOG, etc.)
— or a closed system like PlayStation?
Especially when more and more games are Steam-only.
And let’s not forget: even when Xbox games do come to other consoles, it’s usually years later.
Forza Horizon 5 came out five years ago and only just made it over.
Starfield, Avowed, South of Midnight — still nowhere to be seen on other platforms.
Personally, I’m not waiting 2–3 years to play Fable or Forza Horizon 6 — not even one year, to be honest.
What’s the smarter choice for a gamer:
Buying a game twice — once on console, once on PC —
or buying it once and playing it on your Xbox, your PC, your TV, in the cloud, on your handheld — wherever you want?
Same goes for backward compatibility, which is far more complete on Xbox.
All of these things combined — that’s what makes the difference.
And just to be clear, I’m talking about actual gamers — not people who buy a console just to play FIFA or Fortnite.
Those folks will probably keep buying PlayStations, and I’m sure the PS6 will sell well.
But for real gamers — the ones who buy new games, who want variety, who want to explore —
they’re way better off with a PC or an Xbox. Definitely not a PS6.
@OldGamer999 No, in the Xbox Full Experience roadmap, there’s a feature called “Xbox Game Defaults” that aims to automatically apply the best graphics settings for each game, just like GeForce Experience does.
Even better, With different preconfigured setting profiles—like Quality, Performance, etc.—there’s no need to tweak anything manually, unless you’re a tinkerer and want to tweak. Otherwise, it’s pointless. And let’s be honest, most tinkerers are just chasing 2 or 3 extra FPS here and there—nothing that really changes the game.
If, as announced, we’re talking about a powerful machine—open to all stores, upgradeable, with full native backward compatibility, and cheaper than a PC with equivalent components (a PC that wouldn’t offer native backward compatibility or the same level of performance optimization as a console)—then I think $900-$1000 seems justified.
Of course, it depends on how the market evolves by then, especially whether component prices—RAM in particular—go down, and how competitors price their systems. That said, none of them will likely match the openness of the upcoming Xbox. Even the Steam Box remains limited by Proton compatibility issues with certain games and other stores.
I don’t think it’ll cross the $1,000 mark, but given the competitive landscape and how things might evolve by then, you never know.
After an impressive 2025 packed with major releases and numerous day‑one Game Pass titles—despite the backlash over the Game Pass price hike—Xbox still finished the year as the top video game publisher in both revenue and player engagement. The lineup included games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones, Doom: Dark Ages, Gears of War Reloaded, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and many others across first‑party and day‑one launches.
Looking ahead, 2026—Xbox’s 25th anniversary—already appears set to be another huge year, even if some titles may slip, with Fable, Gears E‑Day, Forza Horizon 6, Halo 1 Remake, and more expected.
We’re also likely to get either a release date or a more detailed unveiling of the next Xbox. In a nod to the original console, which was heavily based on Windows, the new system is expected to run a true Windows environment with an open ecosystem, supporting not just the Xbox Store but also Steam, Epic, and others, a native backwards compatibility, support on any devices (pc, xbox console, handled, cloud, tv, ..., )etc...
Happy new year to everyone, especially to PureXbox and Xbox players !
After a very strong year in 2025 in terms of games and day‑one Game Pass releases—despite the controversy around the Game Pass price increase—Xbox still ended up as the number one video game publisher in both sales and playtime in 2025, with titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones, Doom: Dark Ages, Gears of War Reloaded, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and more (mixing first‑party and day‑one releases).
The year 2026, marking Xbox’s 25th anniversary, is shaping up to be just as crazy in terms of games, even if some delays are likely, with Fable, Gears E‑Day, Forza Horizon 6, Halo 1 Remake, and others on the way.
We’ll also very likely get a release date—or at least a more complete reveal—of the next Xbox, with a return to its roots. Just like the very first Xbox, which was very close to Windows, this new one will actually run on Windows with an open approach, integrating not only the Xbox Store but also Steam, Epic, and more.
All of this promises a lot of articles on PureXbox, and the next big event will be the Xbox Developer Direct, in january
With RAM prices going up, and with PCs and consoles getting more expensive, it’s very likely that cloud gaming, which is already growing, will continue to expand.
xCloud moved up to 1440p in 2025, which is already a big jump and brings it closer to GeForce Now’s Performance tier. But in terms of input lag, it’s still not perfect. Personally, I use cloud gaming for smaller games that don’t require much reactivity — so no FPS — and it works pretty well for that.
@Weebleman It seems that this file‑upload service isn’t very reliable, so here’s another one: limewire.com/d/Q1ZRF#RLXgeS5DTb
@Llamageddon, when you look at the cumulative total since 2023, I had already calculated the 2023 figure by adding up several sources but I didn’t keep track of those sources, and we can’t find any sources that have done the work of adding up all of their job cuts... This lack of sources reflects the analysis I did on GamesIndustry.biz, because layoffs were discussed far less when it came to PlayStation.
But If you ask Google in AI mode, it gives you the number 1500, which is close to my calculation, i quote:
"Since 2023, PlayStation has undergone multiple rounds of job cuts, resulting in at least 1,500 layoffs across its global workforce and first-party studios."
By popular demand, I conducted a sentiment analysis as well as a thematic analysis of articles from GamesIndustry.biz in 2025, for Xbox and same for PlayStation, for comparison. Xbox Sentiment Number Positive 32 Negative 27 Neutral 18
Theme Number Layoff / social / union 12 Products & hardware 10 Business & financial performance 9 Game Pass & services 9 Opinion / analysis 9 Games & content 9 legal & regulation 7 Xbox strategy 6 Partenship & acquisitions 4 Cancels projects 1 Industry & market 1 Products & services 1
Playstation Positive 24 Negative 20 Neutral 20
Theme Number Games & content 11 Legal & regulation 9 Opinion / analysis 8 Strategy & PlayStation vision 7 Products & hardware 6 Layoffs / social 5 Communication & events 4 Industry & market 4 Business & performance 3 Innovation & technology 3 Products & services 3 Partnership & acquisitions 1 Cancels projects 1
What stands out is that the coverage is fairly balanced, and even slightly positive overall for 2025, for both Xbox and PlayStation.
On the thematic side, we can see that layoffs were discussed more often for Xbox than for PlayStation, even though PlayStation cut 14% of its workforce compared to 9% for Xbox.
PlayStation, however, had more articles related to legal and regulatory matters.
Perception then comes from the impact on social media, and a study (I don’t have the source anymore) showed that Xbox‑related topics generated more clicks, especially when they were negative, which encourages influencers to use clickbait—even when it’s based on false rumors or misinformation.
@themightyant Please! The bad faith here is unreal. Fiendish-Beaver didn’t mention a single positive point — look closely at his post, it’s entirely one-sided. Everything he says is negative, with zero balance. Same with Weebleman — no nuance whatsoever.
As for Coletrain, I actually agree with him, and he agrees with me on the positive things Xbox did this year. I was simply explaining my perspective.
And about that quote — seriously? I thought you were following the thread. You pulled that line completely out of context. I’m one of the few — along with Coletrain and a couple of others — who actually pointed out both the positives and the negatives. Here’s a line that better sums up my view:
“It’s very easy to say the opposite as well. Let’s just say they ended the year poorly with the Game Pass price increase, but you can’t generalize that to the whole year, which was objectively good. (...) You can also add the cancellation of Perfect Dark.”
See? I clearly added nuance to my take which is "What I’m saying is that overall, Xbox had a good year, despite a few hiccups"— unlike some others who don’t balance their arguments. So please, in the name of intellectual honesty, don’t twist it. Thanks. And happy holidays.
@themightyant You didn’t quite follow the thread properly — I never called anyone “blinkered.” I was quoting Weebleman’s own words, and simply pointing out that in response to his very binary statement, it’s entirely possible to hold an opposing view. And I demonstrated that view, backed by facts and figures that are easy to verify.
@Weebleman — these are just facts and math, not subject to personal interpretation. Unless I’m mistaken, 1,800 job cuts represent 14% of 12,700 employees at PS. Xbox being the number one game publisher is also an undeniable fact. The fact that they won two awards is another. Among the nominated games, 15 are available on Game Pass, and 6 of those won awards. The Xbox ROG Ally was generally well received and generated a lot of coverage, as did the upcoming Xbox, the “Xbox Full Experience,” etc. On top of that, you have Game Pass titles generating articles, Xbox games generating articles — none of this is negative. It’s neutral, even positive in some cases.
All I’m saying — and what some people seem to struggle with — is that I’m bringing a bit of nuance, weighing both the pros and cons. That’s in contrast to those who take a black-and-white view, claiming everything is bad and that it’s been a terrible year for Xbox. That’s factually false — it’s not a matter of perception.
What’s difficult here is that this goes against some people’s preconceived narratives. And clearly, that kind of intellectual effort is hard for some — it requires stepping outside the media-driven echo chamber and formatted thinking.
I work in data analytics, so I could easily run a sentiment analysis on articles from GamesIndustry.biz. . I can do it and share the results in a Google Sheet for anyone to verify.
Unfortunately, most people today are conditioned to see things in binary terms. Nuance has become too complex to grasp — to the point where even simple, verified facts are questioned. Everything has to fit neatly into boxes; it’s easier to digest that way. It’s just a shame that people are so easily brainwashed by media narratives built on clickbait, rumors, and misinformation. It’s unfortunate that more people don’t take a step back and look at things with a bit more perspective.
In the end it’s a bit of a gamble — will waiting actually lead to more reasonable prices? Nothing guarantees it. And let’s not forget that console makers already sell hardware at a loss or with a very small margin, since they make up for it later through game sales. Xbox could actually benefit from releasing its console early, especially shortly after the Steam Box, even if that one looks like it will be very expensive and not very powerful.
@Weebleman When confronted with simple, undeniable facts, arguments sometimes fall short — and in the face of evidence, it can be wise to acknowledge when the other person is right. It elevates the debate, and the debaters as well. On that note, I also wish you a very happy new year, filled with reason, wisdom, and above all, good health.
@Weebleman So you're talking about Microsoft and not Xbox, but fine — 15,000 job cuts represent about 6.5% of Microsoft total workforce.
Out of those 15,000 jobs cut at Microsoft, around 2,000 were from Xbox, and those mainly came from the integration of Activision (all mergers unfortunately lead to job redundancies). That represents about 9% of the Xbox division (roughly 22,000 employees).
PlayStation cut around 1,800 jobs, which is about 14% of their workforce (around 12,700 employees). So 14%, it’s even worse than I thought after redoing the calculations.
@Coletrain The difference is that I weigh the pros and cons, while some people only bring arguments (or no arguments at all) against Xbox. I’m not trying to act like a fanboy, I’m just trying to be objective. Saying that Xbox had a bad year and that everything was negative is simply and factually false. You just have to look a few months back, before the Game Pass price increase, which for some people suddenly turned everything into doom and gloom, while ignoring everything else.
Xbox games being ported to PlayStation isn’t new, it surprises no one, and it’s not a negative thing for me — only for PlayStation trolls and a few Xbox fanboys who don’t get it. And so far, absolutely no Xbox game has launched day one on other consoles, except for titles from acquisitions that were already multiplatform.
I’m talking about facts and reality, but the biased perception pushed by certain media outlets — attracted by easy clicks — definitely exists, and that’s another reality that shouldn’t be mixed up with the actual facts. There is an “Xbox tax”, with some people exaggerating, extrapolating, or spreading misinformation whenever Xbox is involved. That’s a reality you can’t deny. But they don’t define the facts, and factually Xbox had a generally good year, with some issues like the Game Pass price increase or a few cancellations — but nothing worse than what other publishers faced. It’s just that when it’s Xbox, everything gets blown out of proportion.
@Weebleman You'd have to be pretty blinkered or just a pure fanboy to think this has been a bad year for them ! (i repeat your words and just changed one)
It’s very easy to say the opposite as well. Let’s just say they ended the year poorly with the Game Pass price increase, but you can’t generalize that to the whole year, which was objectively good — in any case much better than many publishers like PlayStation, who released very few games, won no awards, faced player backlash over the price of the PS5 Pro, cancelled 11 games, cut 10% of their workforce, etc.
The difference is simply a matter of media coverage. Xbox gets talked about when they release games, launch the Xbox ROG Ally, announce their next Xbox console — especially the fact that it can run Steam games, etc. The majority of the media coverage throughout 2025 was about games and hardware. The issue is just a perception problem for some people who have short memories and only remember the news from the last few months regarding the Game Pass price increase.
@Fiendish-Beaver I'm not agreeing with you. Once again, you're trying to influence people with your biased view of things. Xbox was simply the number one video game publisher, the one that developed the most games, so it's only logical that they ended up in first place. It's for the same reason that Activision/Blizzard had less coverage this year: their gaming output was weaker than in 2024.
Objectively, Xbox had a very good year in 2025, with lots of games (as indicated by @Gabrie) , many day-one releases on Game Pass like Ninja Gaiden 4, a solid Xbox Showcase, they even won two awards at the latest Game Awards, xbox rog ally, the next xbox console, etc. In fact, the main negative impact was the Game Pass price increase, and yes, that also contributed to the higher number of articles. You can also add the cancellation of Perfect Dark, but that only accounts for a few articles on GamesIndustry.biz..
But over the whole year 2025, that’s far from being the majority of the coverage. The reality is that Xbox produces games, and therefore provides material for articles. You can also add the release of the Xbox ROG Ally, which was very well received, and the Xbox Full Experience, also well received, the next Xbox, which I think generated a very large number of articles, etc.
So yes, I also think it would have been interesting to see the breakdown of positive, negative, or neutral articles, but I'm convinced that in reality the majority of them are simply neutral.
It’s true that some influencers like to play with misinformation and use clickbait about Xbox (“Xbox tax”), but overall the more serious media outlets, like GamesIndustry.biz or even PureXbox ( @FraserG ), generally take a neutral stance.
@Fiendish-Beaver Thanks for your message! I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year. Even if we don’t always agree — and yes, you do have a knack for getting on my nerves sometimes 😉 — it’s always with mutual respect for each other’s opinions. What truly brings us together is our shared passion for video games, and that’s what really matters beyond everything else. Happy 2026, and may it be filled with amazing Xbox games — it’s shaping up to be a great year for gaming!
Merry Christmas to the PureXbox team, to all readers, and to every Xbox player. And a special thank‑you to all Xbox developers, Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, who gave us a wonderful year on Xbox. I’m sure 2026 will be even better. Happy gaming, everyone!
After watching the YouTube video, it’s clear the game has been in development for at least two years. I just hope they modernize the gameplay and bring something fresh to the original—like power fusions, transformations, companions, and so on. In terms of level design, they should take inspiration from the best, like Mario Odyssey. Maybe go for something more linear overall, with occasional open sections, so players don’t get too frustrated trying to find their way around. A bolder art direction would also be great—something that doesn’t just rely on nostalgia. Basically, stay true to Spyro’s DNA, but don’t get stuck in the past—draw from the best the genre has to offer.
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Re: Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Sales Beat Sony's Biggest 2025 Exclusive In Europe, Other Xbox Games Make Top 20
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Re: Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Sales Beat Sony's Biggest 2025 Exclusive In Europe, Other Xbox Games Make Top 20
@oopsiezz PlayStation defenders are always looking for excuses. Xbox was regularly at the top of PS Store sales throughout 2025 (indiana jones, COD, oblivion remastered, doom dark ages, ...), and even with six extra months Ghost of yotei won’t come close to FH5. Who could believe that?
Re: Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Sales Beat Sony's Biggest 2025 Exclusive In Europe, Other Xbox Games Make Top 20
@FiendishBeaver: Where does your claim of 6 months come from?
And to get you out of yet another assumption and off‑topic tangent: the point is that PlayStation exclusives don’t sell, or sell very little.
The other reality is that there are fewer and fewer PlayStation exclusives, whether first‑party or third‑party. And another reality is that everything is coming to Steam and therefore to Xbox, the ROG Ally, all Windows handhelds, and the next Xbox console.
What’s also interesting in this chart is the number of casual gamers who only play EA Sports FC and nothing else. Most FIFA players barely play anything other than that. It’s no coincidence that PlayStation has a lower engagement rate compared to Xbox players, Nintendo players, and PC players.
I’ll make one assumption: FH6 won’t release on PlayStation before at least a year, and we’re nowhere near seeing day‑one releases on PS — except for already‑multiplatform games from acquisitions and remakes.
If you were right, they would have already released FH6 directly on PS5. If they didn’t, it’s not a mistake — it’s intentional.
After all, releasing Forza Horizon 5 four years later wasn’t harmful — quite the opposite. Making people wait builds anticipation and desire. And those who want to play it on day one know what they need to do. So there’s absolutely no point in putting it day one on other consoles, as @Kezelpaso says.
Re: Rumour: Ninja Theory's 'Project: Mara' Was Just A Concept, Hellblade 3 Could Be Their Next Game
@armondo36 Not wrong — I loved the game, but if they had added real gameplay, it could have been huge. So much potential. This studio is a massive raw diamond that just needs to be properly cut.
Re: ARC Raiders Is Handing Out A Free Gift On Xbox To Celebrate Huge Sales & Player Numbers
@Fiendish-Beaver I played it this weekend in a team of three — it was really fun. I haven’t tried it myself, but from what I understand, you can play solo. The matchmaking tries to pair you with other solo players, but according to the Steam community, you might still run into teams. I think playing solo can be pretty tough against some enemies, but I guess it depends on your skill level.
Re: Rumour: Ninja Theory's 'Project: Mara' Was Just A Concept, Hellblade 3 Could Be Their Next Game
I loved Hellblade 2 for the unique and original experience it delivered — the atmosphere, the sound design, the technical achievement. We were all expecting a real next‑gen ‘wow’ effect with the new consoles, and Hellblade 2 was one of the very few games that actually delivered that.
Sure, it’s not perfect: the puzzles are simple, the gameplay isn’t very deep, and it’s pretty short. But you also have to remember that its launch price wasn’t very high either — around $40 if I remember correctly. Personally, I saw it as a piece of art blending video game and cinematic experience. It’s just stunning. I often stopped just to admire the landscapes and visual effects. And the combat is visceral — I’ve still never seen anything quite like it.
A lot of people didn’t appreciate it for what it really was, even though I can understand some of the criticisms.
Ninja Theory has so much talent and potential, and from what we’ve heard, Hellblade 3 should have much better gameplay. If they manage to keep the same graphical and technical quality, while adding refined gameplay and equally visceral combat, the next entry could be something really special.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@Fiendish-Beaver Of course the console market is in decline — don’t tell me you want sources for something everyone already knows . You don’t have to feel compelled to challenge every single point I make, because in doing so, you risk going against plain facts.
And there are several reasons for this: the rise of PC and cloud gaming, higher prices, a console generation that’s running out of steam — including a disappointing PS5 Pro, among others…
(source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/no-its-not-just-xbox-all-video-game-console-sales-are-massively-down-year-over-year-and-its-going-to-get-worse)
PS: What really stands out is your tendency to defend PlayStation beyond all reason, And failing to see any value in the Xbox ecosystem, even though objectively it offers more than any other.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@Llamageddon Yes exactly ! Thanks for the rigor and intellectual honesty — you're right, the article doesn’t mention any release date. As for Halo games coming to other platforms, that was already known. But whether it’ll be timed exclusivity (which I believe) or day-one releases, that’s still unclear.
What some people don’t seem to grasp is that the PC market is larger, and the console market — including PlayStation — is in decline. Xbox has absolutely no need to rush onto other consoles. It’s simply a way to further monetize their franchises, nothing more.
For context, there are over 50 million players across PC and Xbox (I don’t have sales numbers, just player counts). Even with Game Pass users included, 5 million sales on PS5 is solid, but not that significant compared to the PC and Xbox player base.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@TheGameThrifter Yes, Halo: Combat Evolved is a remake, sure — but that doesn’t apply to upcoming titles. They’ve confirmed those will be coming to other platforms too, which isn’t surprising, but not confirmation of day one. If that’s the case, it would be a major shift — launching a brand-new sequel from such a popular franchise like Halo day-and-date on other consoles. But there’s nothing to suggest that so far.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@TheGameThrifter I forgot to mention — remakes aside, those games were released on Xbox over 10 years ago, so they don’t count. On the contrary, it’s actually a way to attract a new audience to these popular franchises and to the new (timed) exclusive versions that will be released.
And as for the rumors, no comment — there are so many contradictory ones that it’s not even worth discussing. I don’t base my views on rumors, and neither should you.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@Fiendish-Beaver Yeah, it’s true that before 2023, I wouldn’t have imagined it either. But since 2023, it’s already been a few years now, and the strategy hasn’t really changed — we’re still seeing timed exclusives of at least a year. That could change, sure, but for the reasons I mentioned, I don’t think it will. We’ll see.
Beyond the timed exclusivity, it’s honestly the first time I’ve heard someone say that playing day one on Game Pass isn’t an advantage, especially since it’s available day one on PC Game Pass too, not just Game Pass Ultimate (Yet millions of players are enjoying it). Xbox Play Anywhere is obviously a benefit — multiple surveys have shown that it’s a highly appreciated feature, and players are even asking for more Xbox Play Anywhere titles. I find it surprising that you see no value in the Xbox ecosystem at all…
As for exclusives, no one really does permanent exclusives anymore — except Nintendo. All PlayStation games end up on Steam, and therefore on Xbox too, at least for now via the ROG Ally and other Windows handhelds, and soon on the next Xbox console. I don’t think you can really argue with that.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@Kezelpaso Yes thanks, it’s just that with everything coming out this year, it would be very surprising for them to mix in a PS5 port in the same year. And for the other reasons I already mentioned, especially the fact that up until now, it has never happened that an Xbox game releases on other consoles in under a year (except for studio acquisitions and games that were already multiplatform).
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
@Fiendish-Beaver Up until now, absolutely no game has launched day one on other consoles (except for acquisition titles that were already multiplatform), and none have released in under a year either (except Indiana Jones, which is a Disney‑licensed game). You’re making assumptions, and so am I — the difference is that nothing supports your assumptions, while mine are backed by actual facts.
I actually think the waiting period isn’t just about giving the Xbox community an advantage — the wait also creates desire. Proof of that: Forza Horizon 5 released on PS5 four years later and still sold 5 million copies. I’m not saying we’ll have to wait four years again, but it clearly isn’t a drawback — if anything, it works in their favor.
And don’t forget that the game becomes profitable not only thanks to Xbox players but also thanks to PC players, which is a much larger market than PlayStation. So they have no reason to rush anything.
We’ll see how things turn out, but one thing is certain: you’ll keep making assumptions hoping they eventually come true, and on my side, I’m also making assumptions — but more pragmatic ones, I’d say, because so far absolutely nothing proves the opposite.
Re: Forza Horizon 5 Hits Huge Sales Milestone In Its First Year On PS5, According To New Estimates
"Forza fans on Xbox, PC and PS5 also have Forza Horizon 6 to look forward to this year"
Forza Horizon 6 won’t be released on PS5 this year. They said a PS5 version is planned, but not day one, and definitely not this year — probably a year later or even more.
It’s all upside for Xbox and the Xbox community, since Xbox players keep several advantages:
playing it day one
a timed exclusive of at least one year
no extra cost thanks to Game Pass
Xbox Play Anywhere: one purchase lets you play on Xbox console, PC, cloud, etc.
That’s a lot of benefits for Xbox players.
And for Xbox, bringing their games to other consoles helps fund future Xbox titles and, importantly, keeps the franchise alive.
Re: Based On New Players, These Were The Top 5 Xbox Games Of Christmas And New Year
@SeaDaVie Everyone knows that Xbox has the higher engagement rate. This Ampere study is based on a single month — August 2025 — which is a slow period. Even Ampere itself states that engagement varies greatly from month to month. A recent study from Alinea Analytics actually shows the opposite, with higher engagement among Xbox players.
We can also mention Circana, which reports that Xbox players have a higher ARPU than PlayStation players, meaning they spend more on average when buying games.
We can also point to retention rates and game diversity, which are significantly higher among Xbox players according to this 12‑month Circana study (not just a single month).
We can also talk about MAU, which is much higher on Xbox.
In short, it’s well‑known that PlayStation players are far more casual, play more often to the same games, and much less active than Xbox players. Claiming the opposite is absurd.
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
I agree that when it comes to game preservation, the ability to play across multiple platforms, and long-term backward compatibility, Xbox is a better bet than PlayStation. That’s already true today — and it’s only going to become more so.
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
And Xbox takes 70% — sure, they invested in game development, but once the development costs are covered, who do you think ends up making the most money?
And beyond caring about shareholders’ wallets — as a gamer, what would you rather have? A publisher that actually makes games, or one that spends its money buying one-year timed exclusives on third-party titles, pumping out remakes, and barely producing any new IPs or first-party games?
Thankfully, Xbox is here to keep the industry alive and kicking.
Re: Based On New Players, These Were The Top 5 Xbox Games Of Christmas And New Year
@SeaDaVie The Xbox community just has a higher engagement rate than Sony’s. There are more Xbox players on Helldivers and also on Arc Raiders, which is a different kind of game — it’s a PvPvE extraction shooter.
Overall, when you look at the most played games on Xbox and PlayStation, it’s pretty much the same. The Battlefield and Call of Duty communities are also huge on PlayStation, for example, and these games are top-tier PvP shooters .
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
Happy 25th anniversary, Xbox — nothing but joy, and this next generation is shaping up to be exceptional.
Re: Avowed Releases For PS5 Alongside Free 'Anniversary Update' On Xbox This February
@Sindayl Timed exclusivity (sometimes more than a year), day‑one on Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere (console, PC, cloud), not to mention the fact that games are often better optimized on Xbox. That’s a lot of solid advantages.
The next console will be able to play all games, and since more and more titles are Steam‑only, that’s yet another advantage for the upcoming Xbox console — a full, native backward compatibility, one more advantage, I don’t know what more you’re asking for.
As for temporary exclusives, Sony does the same thing: after a year their games end up on Steam, and therefore on Xbox. When you add up all the advantages, Xbox comes out ahead.
Re: Report: Xbox Working On 'Major Updates' To PC App For Next Console's Dashboard
I think some people didn’t really understand, or they’re doing it on purpose — that’s possible too. The next console will be a console, simply because a PC won’t be able, unlike the new console, to run Xbox console games natively.
I have the Xbox ROG Ally and XFE is really good — way better than what existed before on other Windows handhelds. In fact, all Windows handheld consoles are switching to XFE. As for the Xbox App, I personally think it’s great. There’s obviously a lot of room for improvement, but it’s been evolving in the right direction, especially with the integration of other stores, which turns it into a real hub that centralizes all your games. Maybe it’s a matter of taste, but I much prefer the clean, minimalist Xbox App interface over Steam’s interface, which has turned into a total mess over time, full of ads, banners, and pop‑ups everywhere.
@cakefish: since when can’t you filter games in the PC app?
Also don’t forget that the Xbox interface on console has always been a version of Windows, guys, and the upcoming updates will adapt the full Xbox experience to TVs.
I’m waiting to see it before judging, but the people getting upset without having seen anything yet, saying they don’t want Windows on their console… it just doesn’t make sense.
And beyond that, look at the potential: being able to play Steam games on the next console, install mods, etc. It gives players amazing flexibility. I really don’t get why some people are reacting this way.
What defines a console is simply the user‑friendly, plug‑and‑play nature of its interface — nothing else. It’s neither the software infrastructure nor the hardware that makes something a console.
Of course, I also hope we won’t have to deal with driver updates or anything like that, but as long as the next console has fixed hardware, everything should be completely transparent for the user. In any case, I’d rather wait and see before judging
Re: Xbox-Published Game Towerborne Ditches Free-To-Play Model, Launches 'In Full' This February
I really liked it when it first launched on Game Pass, especially in co‑op. Great evolution now that it can be played offline. I’ll have to get back into it to see what’s changed.
Re: Avowed Releases For PS5 Alongside Free 'Anniversary Update' On Xbox This February
“Great game — I finished it after around 50 hours, an absolute treat. Obsidian really knows how to make RPGs. A one-year exclusivity is fair; it gave the Xbox community a solid privilege, and it helps make the license profitable again one year later for a potential Avowed 2 in the future, so that’s cool!
Re: Xbox Has Begun Licensing Old Games For Physical Cartridges, And More Are Coming In 2026
@BionicDodo Xbox is an ecosystem, not just a console. The big advantage of Xbox is its open ecosystem: Game Pass with these first‑party and day‑one third‑party games, Xbox Play Anywhere, the fact that you can buy a game once and play it on your Xbox console, on PC, in the cloud, on your TV, on your handheld console, etc. And even some exclusive games, even if sometimes only temporarily (Avowed, Starfield, South of Midnight, Forza, etc.).
It’s also about its openness to other stores, and the ability to centralize all your game libraries (Xbox Store, Steam, Epic, GOG, …) within a single interface. That’s exactly what the Xbox App and the full Xbox experience already offer on devices like the ROG Ally or other Windows handhelds, and soon on the next Xbox console as well.
Backward compatibility is also at the core of Xbox’s strategy, with a strong focus on game preservation, and this initiative with Evercade is part of it as well
All these things together, this openness and player‑first approach to their ecosystem is a key differentiator that only Xbox provides today.
Xbox players have the highest engagement levels alongside PC players, ahead of Nintendo and PlayStation. It’s no coincidence that there are more Xbox console players on games like Helldivers 2 or Arc Raiders, despite Xbox having a smaller console base.
To measure attachment to a brand, you shouldn’t look only at hardware sales — or at least, that’s not enough. You need to look at engaged players, and on that front Xbox is at the top. Publishers know this very well, which is why they develop for Xbox (except for a few small studios that occasionally delay their Xbox ports).
MAU is the metric used by industry professionals. Console sales are just something fanboys use to reassure themselves, even though their brand struggles to sell games — and sometimes even to make them.
PS: Okay, you can say I’m a fanboy too But I don’t think I’m making anything up by saying all this.
Re: Four Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass Premium (January 7)
Game Pass Premium is gaining value, with games arriving even faster than expected — Space Marine, for example, came to Game Pass Ultimate last June.
On top of that, Cloud Gaming has now been extended to all Game Pass tiers, which wasn’t the case before. That’s great for people who like to quickly test a game in the cloud, or for those who want to play while traveling and then continue their session at home.
The best value for money is still PC Game Pass. Personally, I have Game Pass Ultimate, which I got at half price thanks to the tricks everyone knows!
But objectively, even at $30, Game Pass Ultimate is still very good value when you look at the amount of games included.
I’ve already said it many times: it could be cheaper if they made services like Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft Classics, etc. optional. But after all, it’s called Game Pass Ultimate, so it’s the bundled version that includes absolutely everything — even too much, if you ask me.
Still, you can always switch to cheaper subscriptions like PC Game Pass or Game Pass Premium while keeping the same benefits, or almost.
Re: These 11 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass, Including Two Major Additions (January 6-22)
@Fiendish-Beaver Stop stacking games in your backlog . Put them in your wishlist instead, and only buy them when you have nothing left to play. With a bit of luck, the games you add to your wishlist might eventually show up on Game Pass. As for Star Wars Outlaws, since it’s an Ubisoft title, there was a good chance it would come to Game Pass, especially now that it’s been out for a year.
Re: These 11 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass, Including Two Major Additions (January 6-22)
Star wars outlaws and resident evil village never played. Little Nightmares and Space Marine, I already have them, but they’re very good games.
Re: Xbox Console Sales 'The Worst On Record' In 2025 As Microsoft Shifts Focus (UK)
Alright, calm down guys, lol. I know perfectly well that Xbox console sales are down, I was just giving a bit of legitimate context. All consoles are down — the latest Circana report showed a -40% drop for PS5 (PS5 + PS5 Pro) year‑over‑year, and -70% for Xbox, knowing that Xbox didn’t even release a mid‑gen refresh.
I’m simply saying that without context, you can’t interpret these numbers properly. Treating sales figures as a direct indicator of interest in a brand is just wrong, because Xbox offers multiple ways to play and its player base is spread across several platforms.
As for the Xbox ROG Ally, it was just an example — the point is that today Xbox isn’t just a home console. It exists on PC, on handheld devices, on TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick, in the cloud, etc. So yes, you don’t necessarily need a home Xbox console to play Xbox games. That’s all I’m saying, and it’s just obvious.
Xbox is an ecosystem available on multiple devices — basically anywhere Game Pass exists.
And yes, it’s clear that Xbox has given up on this console generation and is already working on the next one. That’s why they’re not pushing promotions or trying to boost sales of their current consoles.
Re: Xbox Console Sales 'The Worst On Record' In 2025 As Microsoft Shifts Focus (UK)
We're at the end of the generation, Xbox didn’t release a mid-gen refresh, and PlayStation is also seeing a sharp decline — so we shouldn’t overinterpret the drop in traditional console hardware sales. Also, It would be useful to provide PS5 sales figures in the UK to give some context.
Meanwhile, the Xbox-branded ROG Ally is selling very well, yet it’s not even counted in those hardware figures.
So I wouldn’t say Xbox doesn’t care about console sales — it’s just that their strategy doesn’t rely solely on them. It’s one pillar among others (PC, cloud, handled, ...) and that nuance matters.
Re: Talking Point: How Much Would You Be Willing To Spend On The Next Xbox Console?
@SalaciousCrumb You're absolutely right — the PS6 is pointless, and not just because they’ve lost their exclusives and everything’s on Steam now — which means it’s on PC, and by extension, on Xbox too, since the Xbox ROG Ally already runs those games, and the next Xbox will be able to run all of them as well.
The bigger reason is that we’ve moved into the era of ecosystems, not exclusives — which barely exist anymore. Most PlayStation games hit Steam within a year anyway, and even then, Sony’s first-party output is pretty limited.
So what’s the better choice:
An open system that centralizes all your games (Xbox, Steam, Epic, GOG, etc.)
— or a closed system like PlayStation?
Especially when more and more games are Steam-only.
And let’s not forget: even when Xbox games do come to other consoles, it’s usually years later.
Forza Horizon 5 came out five years ago and only just made it over.
Starfield, Avowed, South of Midnight — still nowhere to be seen on other platforms.
Personally, I’m not waiting 2–3 years to play Fable or Forza Horizon 6 — not even one year, to be honest.
What’s the smarter choice for a gamer:
Buying a game twice — once on console, once on PC —
or buying it once and playing it on your Xbox, your PC, your TV, in the cloud, on your handheld — wherever you want?
Same goes for backward compatibility, which is far more complete on Xbox.
All of these things combined — that’s what makes the difference.
And just to be clear, I’m talking about actual gamers — not people who buy a console just to play FIFA or Fortnite.
Those folks will probably keep buying PlayStations, and I’m sure the PS6 will sell well.
But for real gamers — the ones who buy new games, who want variety, who want to explore —
they’re way better off with a PC or an Xbox. Definitely not a PS6.
Re: Xbox Release Dates In 2026: A List Of New Games Coming Out This Year
@Weebleman Happy new year ! Health and peace—it's just video games
Re: Talking Point: How Much Would You Be Willing To Spend On The Next Xbox Console?
@OldGamer999 No, in the Xbox Full Experience roadmap, there’s a feature called “Xbox Game Defaults” that aims to automatically apply the best graphics settings for each game, just like GeForce Experience does.
Even better, With different preconfigured setting profiles—like Quality, Performance, etc.—there’s no need to tweak anything manually, unless you’re a tinkerer and want to tweak. Otherwise, it’s pointless. And let’s be honest, most tinkerers are just chasing 2 or 3 extra FPS here and there—nothing that really changes the game.
Re: Talking Point: How Much Would You Be Willing To Spend On The Next Xbox Console?
If, as announced, we’re talking about a powerful machine—open to all stores, upgradeable, with full native backward compatibility, and cheaper than a PC with equivalent components (a PC that wouldn’t offer native backward compatibility or the same level of performance optimization as a console)—then I think $900-$1000 seems justified.
Of course, it depends on how the market evolves by then, especially whether component prices—RAM in particular—go down, and how competitors price their systems. That said, none of them will likely match the openness of the upcoming Xbox. Even the Steam Box remains limited by Proton compatibility issues with certain games and other stores.
I don’t think it’ll cross the $1,000 mark, but given the competitive landscape and how things might evolve by then, you never know.
Re: Xbox Release Dates In 2026: A List Of New Games Coming Out This Year
After an impressive 2025 packed with major releases and numerous day‑one Game Pass titles—despite the backlash over the Game Pass price hike—Xbox still finished the year as the top video game publisher in both revenue and player engagement. The lineup included games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones, Doom: Dark Ages, Gears of War Reloaded, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and many others across first‑party and day‑one launches.
Looking ahead, 2026—Xbox’s 25th anniversary—already appears set to be another huge year, even if some titles may slip, with Fable, Gears E‑Day, Forza Horizon 6, Halo 1 Remake, and more expected.
We’re also likely to get either a release date or a more detailed unveiling of the next Xbox. In a nod to the original console, which was heavily based on Windows, the new system is expected to run a true Windows environment with an open ecosystem, supporting not just the Xbox Store but also Steam, Epic, and others, a native backwards compatibility, support on any devices (pc, xbox console, handled, cloud, tv, ..., )etc...
Re: Happy New Year!
Happy new year to everyone, especially to PureXbox and Xbox players !
After a very strong year in 2025 in terms of games and day‑one Game Pass releases—despite the controversy around the Game Pass price increase—Xbox still ended up as the number one video game publisher in both sales and playtime in 2025, with titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Indiana Jones, Doom: Dark Ages, Gears of War Reloaded, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ninja Gaiden 4, South of Midnight, and more (mixing first‑party and day‑one releases).
The year 2026, marking Xbox’s 25th anniversary, is shaping up to be just as crazy in terms of games, even if some delays are likely, with Fable, Gears E‑Day, Forza Horizon 6, Halo 1 Remake, and others on the way.
We’ll also very likely get a release date—or at least a more complete reveal—of the next Xbox, with a return to its roots. Just like the very first Xbox, which was very close to Windows, this new one will actually run on Windows with an open approach, integrating not only the Xbox Store but also Steam, Epic, and more.
All of this promises a lot of articles on PureXbox, and the next big event will be the Xbox Developer Direct, in january
Looking forward to reading your blog posts !
Re: 50+ Games Added To Xbox 'Stream Your Own Game' To Finish Off 2025
With RAM prices going up, and with PCs and consoles getting more expensive, it’s very likely that cloud gaming, which is already growing, will continue to expand.
xCloud moved up to 1440p in 2025, which is already a big jump and brings it closer to GeForce Now’s Performance tier. But in terms of input lag, it’s still not perfect. Personally, I use cloud gaming for smaller games that don’t require much reactivity — so no FPS — and it works pretty well for that.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Weebleman It seems that this file‑upload service isn’t very reliable, so here’s another one: limewire.com/d/Q1ZRF#RLXgeS5DTb
@Llamageddon, when you look at the cumulative total since 2023, I had already calculated the 2023 figure by adding up several sources but I didn’t keep track of those sources, and we can’t find any sources that have done the work of adding up all of their job cuts... This lack of sources reflects the analysis I did on GamesIndustry.biz, because layoffs were discussed far less when it came to PlayStation.
But If you ask Google in AI mode, it gives you the number 1500, which is close to my calculation, i quote:
"Since 2023, PlayStation has undergone multiple rounds of job cuts, resulting in at least 1,500 layoffs across its global workforce and first-party studios."
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
By popular demand, I conducted a sentiment analysis as well as a thematic analysis of articles from GamesIndustry.biz in 2025, for Xbox and same for PlayStation, for comparison.
Xbox
Sentiment Number
Positive 32
Negative 27
Neutral 18
Theme Number
Layoff / social / union 12
Products & hardware 10
Business & financial performance 9
Game Pass & services 9
Opinion / analysis 9
Games & content 9
legal & regulation 7
Xbox strategy 6
Partenship & acquisitions 4
Cancels projects 1
Industry & market 1
Products & services 1
Playstation
Positive 24
Negative 20
Neutral 20
Theme Number
Games & content 11
Legal & regulation 9
Opinion / analysis 8
Strategy & PlayStation vision 7
Products & hardware 6
Layoffs / social 5
Communication & events 4
Industry & market 4
Business & performance 3
Innovation & technology 3
Products & services 3
Partnership & acquisitions 1
Cancels projects 1
What stands out is that the coverage is fairly balanced, and even slightly positive overall for 2025, for both Xbox and PlayStation.
On the thematic side, we can see that layoffs were discussed more often for Xbox than for PlayStation, even though PlayStation cut 14% of its workforce compared to 9% for Xbox.
PlayStation, however, had more articles related to legal and regulatory matters.
Perception then comes from the impact on social media, and a study (I don’t have the source anymore) showed that Xbox‑related topics generated more clicks, especially when they were negative, which encourages influencers to use clickbait—even when it’s based on false rumors or misinformation.
link to analysis: anonfilesnew.com/s/V9Q-59LMAep
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@themightyant Please! The bad faith here is unreal. Fiendish-Beaver didn’t mention a single positive point — look closely at his post, it’s entirely one-sided. Everything he says is negative, with zero balance. Same with Weebleman — no nuance whatsoever.
As for Coletrain, I actually agree with him, and he agrees with me on the positive things Xbox did this year. I was simply explaining my perspective.
And about that quote — seriously? I thought you were following the thread. You pulled that line completely out of context. I’m one of the few — along with Coletrain and a couple of others — who actually pointed out both the positives and the negatives.
Here’s a line that better sums up my view:
“It’s very easy to say the opposite as well. Let’s just say they ended the year poorly with the Game Pass price increase, but you can’t generalize that to the whole year, which was objectively good. (...) You can also add the cancellation of Perfect Dark.”
See? I clearly added nuance to my take which is "What I’m saying is that overall, Xbox had a good year, despite a few hiccups"— unlike some others who don’t balance their arguments. So please, in the name of intellectual honesty, don’t twist it. Thanks. And happy holidays.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@themightyant You didn’t quite follow the thread properly — I never called anyone “blinkered.” I was quoting Weebleman’s own words, and simply pointing out that in response to his very binary statement, it’s entirely possible to hold an opposing view. And I demonstrated that view, backed by facts and figures that are easy to verify.
@Weebleman — these are just facts and math, not subject to personal interpretation. Unless I’m mistaken, 1,800 job cuts represent 14% of 12,700 employees at PS. Xbox being the number one game publisher is also an undeniable fact. The fact that they won two awards is another. Among the nominated games, 15 are available on Game Pass, and 6 of those won awards. The Xbox ROG Ally was generally well received and generated a lot of coverage, as did the upcoming Xbox, the “Xbox Full Experience,” etc. On top of that, you have Game Pass titles generating articles, Xbox games generating articles — none of this is negative. It’s neutral, even positive in some cases.
All I’m saying — and what some people seem to struggle with — is that I’m bringing a bit of nuance, weighing both the pros and cons. That’s in contrast to those who take a black-and-white view, claiming everything is bad and that it’s been a terrible year for Xbox. That’s factually false — it’s not a matter of perception.
What’s difficult here is that this goes against some people’s preconceived narratives. And clearly, that kind of intellectual effort is hard for some — it requires stepping outside the media-driven echo chamber and formatted thinking.
I work in data analytics, so I could easily run a sentiment analysis on articles from GamesIndustry.biz. . I can do it and share the results in a Google Sheet for anyone to verify.
Unfortunately, most people today are conditioned to see things in binary terms. Nuance has become too complex to grasp — to the point where even simple, verified facts are questioned. Everything has to fit neatly into boxes; it’s easier to digest that way. It’s just a shame that people are so easily brainwashed by media narratives built on clickbait, rumors, and misinformation. It’s unfortunate that more people don’t take a step back and look at things with a bit more perspective.
Re: Report: Xbox & PlayStation Could Delay Next-Gen Consoles Due To RAM Price Increases
In the end it’s a bit of a gamble — will waiting actually lead to more reasonable prices? Nothing guarantees it. And let’s not forget that console makers already sell hardware at a loss or with a very small margin, since they make up for it later through game sales. Xbox could actually benefit from releasing its console early, especially shortly after the Steam Box, even if that one looks like it will be very expensive and not very powerful.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Weebleman When confronted with simple, undeniable facts, arguments sometimes fall short — and in the face of evidence, it can be wise to acknowledge when the other person is right. It elevates the debate, and the debaters as well. On that note, I also wish you a very happy new year, filled with reason, wisdom, and above all, good health.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Weebleman So you're talking about Microsoft and not Xbox, but fine — 15,000 job cuts represent about 6.5% of Microsoft total workforce.
Out of those 15,000 jobs cut at Microsoft, around 2,000 were from Xbox, and those mainly came from the integration of Activision (all mergers unfortunately lead to job redundancies). That represents about 9% of the Xbox division (roughly 22,000 employees).
PlayStation cut around 1,800 jobs, which is about 14% of their workforce (around 12,700 employees). So 14%, it’s even worse than I thought after redoing the calculations.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Coletrain The difference is that I weigh the pros and cons, while some people only bring arguments (or no arguments at all) against Xbox. I’m not trying to act like a fanboy, I’m just trying to be objective. Saying that Xbox had a bad year and that everything was negative is simply and factually false. You just have to look a few months back, before the Game Pass price increase, which for some people suddenly turned everything into doom and gloom, while ignoring everything else.
Xbox games being ported to PlayStation isn’t new, it surprises no one, and it’s not a negative thing for me — only for PlayStation trolls and a few Xbox fanboys who don’t get it. And so far, absolutely no Xbox game has launched day one on other consoles, except for titles from acquisitions that were already multiplatform.
I’m talking about facts and reality, but the biased perception pushed by certain media outlets — attracted by easy clicks — definitely exists, and that’s another reality that shouldn’t be mixed up with the actual facts. There is an “Xbox tax”, with some people exaggerating, extrapolating, or spreading misinformation whenever Xbox is involved. That’s a reality you can’t deny. But they don’t define the facts, and factually Xbox had a generally good year, with some issues like the Game Pass price increase or a few cancellations — but nothing worse than what other publishers faced. It’s just that when it’s Xbox, everything gets blown out of proportion.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Weebleman You'd have to be pretty blinkered or just a pure fanboy to think this has been a bad year for them ! (i repeat your words and just changed one)
It’s very easy to say the opposite as well. Let’s just say they ended the year poorly with the Game Pass price increase, but you can’t generalize that to the whole year, which was objectively good — in any case much better than many publishers like PlayStation, who released very few games, won no awards, faced player backlash over the price of the PS5 Pro, cancelled 11 games, cut 10% of their workforce, etc.
The difference is simply a matter of media coverage. Xbox gets talked about when they release games, launch the Xbox ROG Ally, announce their next Xbox console — especially the fact that it can run Steam games, etc. The majority of the media coverage throughout 2025 was about games and hardware. The issue is just a perception problem for some people who have short memories and only remember the news from the last few months regarding the Game Pass price increase.
Re: Xbox & Microsoft Dominate The List Of 'Most Covered' Gaming Companies In 2025
@Fiendish-Beaver I'm not agreeing with you. Once again, you're trying to influence people with your biased view of things. Xbox was simply the number one video game publisher, the one that developed the most games, so it's only logical that they ended up in first place. It's for the same reason that Activision/Blizzard had less coverage this year: their gaming output was weaker than in 2024.
Objectively, Xbox had a very good year in 2025, with lots of games (as indicated by @Gabrie) , many day-one releases on Game Pass like Ninja Gaiden 4, a solid Xbox Showcase, they even won two awards at the latest Game Awards, xbox rog ally, the next xbox console, etc. In fact, the main negative impact was the Game Pass price increase, and yes, that also contributed to the higher number of articles. You can also add the cancellation of Perfect Dark, but that only accounts for a few articles on GamesIndustry.biz..
But over the whole year 2025, that’s far from being the majority of the coverage. The reality is that Xbox produces games, and therefore provides material for articles. You can also add the release of the Xbox ROG Ally, which was very well received, and the Xbox Full Experience, also well received, the next Xbox, which I think generated a very large number of articles, etc.
So yes, I also think it would have been interesting to see the breakdown of positive, negative, or neutral articles, but I'm convinced that in reality the majority of them are simply neutral.
It’s true that some influencers like to play with misinformation and use clickbait about Xbox (“Xbox tax”), but overall the more serious media outlets, like GamesIndustry.biz or even PureXbox ( @FraserG ), generally take a neutral stance.
Re: Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2025: The Results You Didn't See
@Fiendish-Beaver Thanks for your message! I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year. Even if we don’t always agree — and yes, you do have a knack for getting on my nerves sometimes 😉 — it’s always with mutual respect for each other’s opinions. What truly brings us together is our shared passion for video games, and that’s what really matters beyond everything else. Happy 2026, and may it be filled with amazing Xbox games — it’s shaping up to be a great year for gaming!
Re: Pure Xbox's Game Of The Year 2025: The Results You Didn't See
Normal for E33, and Avowed deserved more awards because it’s definitely a very good game. In any case, it has the players’ hearts.”
Re: Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays From The Pure Xbox Team!
Merry Christmas to the PureXbox team, to all readers, and to every Xbox player. And a special thank‑you to all Xbox developers, Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, who gave us a wonderful year on Xbox. I’m sure 2026 will be even better. Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: YouTuber Thinks They've Found More Evidence Of Xbox Making A New Spyro Game
After watching the YouTube video, it’s clear the game has been in development for at least two years. I just hope they modernize the gameplay and bring something fresh to the original—like power fusions, transformations, companions, and so on. In terms of level design, they should take inspiration from the best, like Mario Odyssey. Maybe go for something more linear overall, with occasional open sections, so players don’t get too frustrated trying to find their way around. A bolder art direction would also be great—something that doesn’t just rely on nostalgia. Basically, stay true to Spyro’s DNA, but don’t get stuck in the past—draw from the best the genre has to offer.