Latest Xbox, multi-platform Game News &amp; Updates

🎮 First Person Soulslike Valor Mortis Shifts

First Person Soulslike Valor Mortis Shifts Release Date To October As September Continues To Get Crowded

!Valor Mortis September 24 Release Date First Person Soulslike(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/07/b0858e82/valor01.jpg.webp) Just four days ago, on Sunday, during the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), Ghostrunner developer One More Level's upcoming first-person Soulslike, Valor Mortis(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/valor-mortis), was announced to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on September 24(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/valor-mortis-is-another-great-looking-game-launching-in-september). Reading the room, the studio announced today it has delayed Valor Mortis to October 13 to avoid the onslaught of September releases, which includes (but is not limited to) The Blood of Dawnwalker(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/04/28/the-blood-of-dawnwalker-the-vampire-rpg-from-former-witcher-3-and-cyberpunk-2077-devs), Marvel's Wolverine(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/02/24/marvels-wolverine-officially-gets-september-release-date), Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave(https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2026/06/09/fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-has-four-playable-protagonists-and-a), Control Resonant(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/06/02/new-control-resonant-trailer-shows-glimpse-of-jesse-faden-and-a-september-release-date), Silent Hill: Townfall(https://www.gameinformer.com/state-of-play/2026/06/02/silent-hill-townfall-arrives-in-september), Onimusha: Way of the Sword(https://www.gameinformer.com/state-of-play/2026/06/02/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-gets-september-release-date-demo-now-live), and more. "Greetings Soldiers, September has become absolutely stacked with incredible looking games," One More Level's statement(https://x.com/ValorMortis/status/2065087751092068529?s=20) on the delay reads. "We knew this was a possibility, but when you're in a Partner Showcase as we were, dates get locked in weeks in advance. We want to give Valor Mortis (and your wallet) some room to breathe. Therefore, we've decided to move our release date to October 13. "In the meantime, we just launched our demo on Steam and have been getting loads of feedback. This new date also gives us even more time to improve the game. Try it out, let us know what you think, and we'll see you in October." If you aren't aware, September has become quite obviously stacked as a result of Fall releases trying to avoid the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/grand-theft-auto-vi) on November 19 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/11/06/grand-theft-auto-vi-release-date-delayed-to-november-2026). In wanting to avoid November, many studios have found themselves launching their games in the massively crowded September, and though Valor Mortis is the first game delayed because of this, we suspect it won't be the last. Valor Mortis hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 13. In the meantime, read Game Informer's Valor Mortis hands-on preview(https://www.gameinformer.com/hands-on-preview/2025/08/19/valor-mortis-is-a-first-person-soulslike-from-the-ghostrunner-devs-and) to find out why we're so excited for this Soulslike. Which games are you planning to pick up this September? Let us know in the comments below!

GameNews2 months ago

Xbox Doubles Down On Gears Of War: E-Day Exclusivity, Saying It Was Never Discussed For PS5 Despite Evidence Pointing To Otherwise

!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/07/ca5a7b7e/gow%20eday%20new%20header.jpg.webp) Ahead of the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), many assumed Gears of War: E-Day(https://www.gameinformer.com/product/gears-of-war-e-day) would also be coming to PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC – prior messaging pointed toward such a release, as did the release of Gears of War: Reloaded on PS5(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-makes-its-playstation-debut-this-summer). But, during the showcase, Xbox revealed that Gears of War: E-Day would be an Xbox console exclusive(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs), launching on Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 6. In the days since that announcement, a lot of confusion has arisen from the decision. The Verge reporter Tom Warren(https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2064093791481389069?s=20) and Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall)have reported that sources tell them Gears of War: E-Day was, in fact, going to come to PS5, but in a somewhat last-minute decision (the timing of which has been the subject of great debate), Xbox CEO Asha Sharma(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/11/report-xbox-preparing-for-significant-layoffs-as-new-ceo-asha-sharma-details-xbox-0) decided to make the game an Xbox console exclusive. Vice president of Xbox games marketing Aaron Greenberg responded to Warren on X(https://x.com/aarongreenberg/status/2064109955117158455?s=20), stating, "Hey Tom, I can confirm this the last-minute decision is not true. We just limited the knowledge of this news to a very small internal group. Intention was to share this news first with our players and everyone watching showcase." In that same X discussion, Warren references an official Xbox podcast with the Gears of War: E-Day key art and the PS5 logo visible at the bottom, suggesting it was perhaps set to launch on the competitor platform, as noted by Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-video-taken-down-ps5-logo-exclusive). You can see it in the image from Warren below: !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/11/8024d83b/xboxpodcast.jpg.webp) There's also the PEGI rating for Gears of War: E-Day on PS5 that went live before the showcase, as caught by Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-release-platform-skipping-ps5-rumour) (though the PEGI ratings board(https://pegi.info/search-pegi?q=e-day&op=Search&age%5B%5D=&descriptor%5B%5D=&publisher=&platform%5B%5D=&releaseyear%5B%5D=&page=1&formbuildid=form-vAEgGTaBhclyr2g6hD7YYSop1rW39ws6Z3DurDjB2Ho&formid=pegisearchform) has since updated it to reflect just Xbox Series X/S and PC), as well as a Walmart listing for a PS5 version of the game, as reported by IGN(https://www.ign.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-placeholder-listing-appears-online-as-xbox-games-showcase-looms). Of course, PEGI and Walmart are not part of Xbox, so these listings could have just been mistakes or guesses. In a new interview with Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview), however, studio heads at Gears of War: E-Day developer The Coalition(https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2026/06/10/more-insight-into-the-coalitions-hopeful-return-to-form) indicate that the team never publicly discussed releasing the game on PlayStation 5. "We never talked about it going to PS5," studio creative director Matt Searcy told the publication. Studio brand director Nicole Fawcette added, "It was never changed." Searcy continued, "I would say that Gears as an exclusive makes a ton of sense. It's kind of an honor, and exciting, to be one of the Xbox flagship titles." So today, it's a bit of he-said, she-said. Some evidence points to a PS5 version of the game, including Giant Bomb president and co-owner Jeff Grubb saying on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/grubb.wtf/post/3mnps3tzbes2b), "So yeah, there's a basically finished version of Gears for PlayStation sitting on a drive." But official Xbox messaging indicates otherwise. Nonetheless, Gears of War: E-Day will launch as an Xbox console exclusive on Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 6(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs). Sources: Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview), IGN(https://www.ign.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-placeholder-listing-appears-online-as-xbox-games-showcase-looms), The Verge(https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2064093791481389069?s=20), Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall), Giant Bomb(https://bsky.app/profile/grubb.wtf/post/3mnps3tzbes2b) Where are you playing Gears of War: E-Day on launch day? Let us know in the comments below!

GameNews2 months ago

Report: Xbox Preparing For Significant Layoffs As New CEO Asha Sharma Details 'Xbox Reset'

!Microsoft Gaming Xbox Series X/S CEO Asha Sharma Layoffs(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/06/11/b14c2ec5/Xbox%20New%20Logo.jpg.webp) Microsoft has laid off thousands of workers over the past few years(https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/07/02/microsoft-lays-off-thousands-of-employees-cancels-perfect-dark-everwild-and-more-xbox) to correct its financial spreadsheets, but "significant layoffs" are on the way for Xbox as part of new CEO Asha Sharma's "Xbox Reset," according to a new report from Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall). In a new Xbox Wire blog post(https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/) that is a copy-paste of an email sent to Xbox employees globally, Sharma and Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty(https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2026/06/10/xboxs-matt-booty-talks-bringing-back-exclusivity-lessons-learned-and-the) discuss problems facing Xbox's future and plans to course-correct. Though she doesn't mention layoffs, the messaging in this joint post seems to signal the layoffs Bloomberg reports are incoming, according to its sources within the company. Bloomberg reports that, though the exact scale of the layoffs is unclear, they are expected to occur after the close of Microsoft's fiscal year on June 30, alongside significantly slashed budgets for marketing and other areas of the Xbox business. Sharma and Booty say the company will end its fiscal year "at about a 3% accountability margin, down year-over-year," with an annual revenue decline of nearly half a billion during that time alongside a $20 billion spend in ongoing investments in "content, platform, and hardware subsidy," excluding Activision Blizzard King. Critically, a 3% accountability margin means that for every $100 Xbox makes, it keeps $3 as profit, as noted by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier over on Bluesky(https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3mny4t2sw422x). Sharma and Booty's email reads, "Going forward, this cannot continue." In that same email-now-Xbox-Wire-blog-post, Sharma and Booty indicate that Xbox overextended itself during its acquisition spree this generation, potentially hinting at studio closures to course-correct. "We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices editor's note: Xbox has made clear it is pivoting away from recent "This is an Xbox" marking to return to exclusivity and a focus on Xbox-developed hardware," it reads. "In the process, we have found ourselves overextended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content. We are the fortunate stewards of industry-defining franchises that have enormous potential and player demand, but we have not adequately funded them to compete and win. At the same time, as we saw this past weekend at the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), a reliable pipeline of first-and third-party exclusives and new IP is critical to our success. We need to reassess the balance between these and our investment priorities for the next 5 years." The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/games/948142/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-reset-asha-sharma)reports that its sources suggest the planned layoffs and budget slashes could include a studio closure. Elsewhere in the post, Sharma and Booty write about the cost of console storage components, which has risen to five times their cost two years ago, and how Xbox needs a new business model and partnerships for hardware, "as we remain committed to Project Helix(https://www.gameinformer.com/2026/03/12/xbox-shares-new-hardware-details-for-next-generation-console-project-helix)." The two also write that Xbox's current platform infrastructure "is not built for the battle ahead," with systems too complex and reliant on vendor dependencies to be as efficient as they feel the company needs to be. !Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/03/05/df6eb24e/project-helix-logo.jpg.webp) "Now we start the next 100 days. It is important to have both optimism and realism as we work to reset the business," the blog post reads. In its final paragraphs, Sharma and Booty write, "For some of you, these realities will be surprising and even frustrating to discover. We won't succeed by hiding hard truths, nor will we succeed by doing the same thing and expecting results. Like the 'everyday wins' mentality from the first 100 days, we will sprint to make progress against hardware, content, experience, and services together." This Xbox Wire blog post comes just days after Xbox's big SGF-related showcase(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/heres-everything-announced-during-the-2026-summer-xbox-games), where it revealed that Gears of War: E-Day(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/gears-of-war-e-day-launches-as-a-console-exclusive-on-xbox-series-xs) and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console-exclusive(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/clockwork-revolution-coming-in-2027-as-xbox-console-exclusive) titles, alongside a new look at Fable(https://www.gameinformer.com/xbox-games-showcase/2026/06/07/new-fable-footage-reveals-its-villain-isabel-hero-of-wraithmarsh), which will launch on PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox. We also interviewed Matt Booty at Summer Game Fest Play Days to discuss the current state of Xbox, which you can read here(https://gameinformer.com/interview/2026/06/10/xboxs-matt-booty-talks-bringing-back-exclusivity-lessons-learned-and-the). Source: Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall), The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/games/948142/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-reset-asha-sharma)

GameNews2 months ago

Halo Trailer Was Supposed To Be At State Of Play, Then Microsoft Pulled It – Report

A Halo trailer was supposed to air during the recent PlayStation State of Play event(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-state-of-play-june-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-and-games/), but Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and her team decided to yank it, according to a report. This potentially damaged the relationship between Xbox and PlayStation, sources told Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall). The story didn't have any further information about the Halo trailer, but it was likely a video for Halo: Campaign Evolved, which releases this July. Microsoft and Sony subsequently released a trailer for the game featuring footage captured on PlayStation 5 Pro(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2m4Xhk2UE). Fans are theorizing that this was the trailer meant for State of Play, but that is not confirmed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2m4Xhk2UE In any event, Campaign Evolved represents the Halo franchise's debut on a PlayStation platform. It may also not be the last, as Microsoft previously said the future of Halo is on PlayStation(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-games-will-be-on-playstation-going-forward-says-microsoft/1100-6535712/) and that Halo being on PlayStation is good for the brand and players(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-on-ps5-is-a-win-for-the-future-of-halo-dev-says/1100-6535726/). Campaign Evolved is still coming to PS5 because Microsoft already committed to releasing it there, and the company has said it will honor existing agreements. However, it remains to be seen if Microsoft will release whatever Halo game comes next on PlayStation, now that Sharma is leading Xbox and has promised at least two "signature" Xbox console exclusives each year(https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/). The Bloomberg report also backed up the claim that a PS5 edition of Gears of War: E-Day was in the works and planned for release until Sharma decided to cancel it(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-denies-that-gears-of-war-e-day-skipping-ps5-was-last-minute-decision-but-no-one-believes-that/). The report added that "many" Xbox employees were surprised. These details came to light as part of a wider report detailing layoffs at Xbox that are expected to come in July(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-reportedly-planning-big-layoffs-for-next-month/). It's also been reported that Microsoft might close at least one Xbox studio, but it remains to be seen which one. In a memo to staff, Sharma alluded to forthcoming changes to the Xbox studio system. "We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices. In the process, we have found ourselves over extended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content," she said. These changes are coming as Sharma takes steps to "reset the business."

🎮 Halo

Xbox warns of a ‘reset’ as it prepares for layoffs

Microsoft's Xbox division will be hit with significant layoffs next month, according to people familiar with Microsoft's plans. The company has been preparing for the layoffs internally for weeks, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hinting about "making hard choices" last month. Sources suggest the cuts could even involve a studio closure, or changes to the &8230;

TheNews2 months ago

Xbox Reportedly Planning Big Layoffs For Next Month

Microsoft is reportedly planning major layoffs at its Xbox division next month--a move that comes shortly after new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admitted its business "isn't particularly healthy(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-ceo-believes-consoles-are-too-expensive-and-radically-different-plans-are-needed/)." According to sources speaking to Bloomberg(https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-10/xbox-plans-significant-layoffs-as-it-transforms-under-new-ceo-asha-sharma?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTEyNDkwOCwiZXhwIjoxNzgxNzI5NzA4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR0ZPUU5LSVAzUlYwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.cjHY4m0BuOULFpdYUKt2jmNBt-PDLWE6Vy-JsYLWvwI&leadSource=uverify%20wall), the layoffs will come sometime after June 30, which is when Microsoft's fiscal year ends. In an email sent to employees on Wednesday, Sharma emphasized that annual revenue had declined "nearly half a billion" over the last five years despite more than $20 million in investments across the Xbox brand, excluding Activision Blizzard King. "We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices," Sharma said(https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/). "In the process, we found ourselves overextended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content." Sharma also emphasized that Microsoft is in a "hardware component crisis," facing issues that have plagued much of the tech industry as more and more hardware is used for AI. "When I joined as CEO in February, the price we paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as we paid last fall," Sharma said. "These costs have since doubled again. And as we plan for the 2027 holiday season, we expect another significant increase, taking us over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier." It remains to be seen exactly how drastic the steps will be, but Sharma's words suggest studio closures aren't out of the realm of possibility. Microsoft drastically increased its number of studios under previous Xbox boss Phil Spencer, acquiring developers like Compulsion Games, Undead Labs, and Ninja Theory alongside the behemoths Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. The upcoming layoffs, if accurate, are unfortunately not shocking. In late May, Sharma reportedly told staff that "hard choices(https://www.ign.com/articles/new-xbox-boss-asham-sharma-reportedly-warns-staff-hard-choices-are-ahead-but-insists-recent-game-pass-changes-are-helping)" were coming as the Xbox brand attempts a resurgence.

Xbox CEO Believes Consoles Are Too Expensive And “Radically Different” Plans Are Needed

One of the first things that Xbox CEO Asha Sharma did after ascending to her position was to unveil the next Xbox, Project Helix(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xboxs-next-console-project-helix-officially-plays-pc-and-xbox-games/1100-6538610/). Although Microsoft has yet to disclose pricing details, early estimates suggest that Project Helix may cost $900 or more(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-project-helix-could-be-900-or-higher-says-analyst/1100-6538642/). Now, Sharma has indicated that Xbox may have to embrace "radically different" plans to thrive in the future. "I think what is needed for console, rather than just the most premium, high-performance console in the world ... we've reached a point where it will be hard to imagine that mass audiences can afford thousands of dollars to spend on a console," said Sharma during a recent live event hosted by Fortune(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0hMSekk4XE). "So I think we will start to see radically different business models that we never expected start to come into orbit later this year." Sharma has previously acknowledged some disappointing numbers(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-ceo-reacts-to-yet-another-disappointing-period-for-xbox/1100-6539711/) from Xbox's most recent financial year, and she offered another frank assessment of the business during her on-stage conversation. "It's hard to find examples of platforms out there that don't have exclusive services and content," noted Sharma. "And so this is a journey for us. Our business isn't particularly healthy, as you noted, and so we're starting by introducing one to two signature exclusives. And as the business is healthy, we will look to try and do more." That ties into the decision to make Gears of War: E-Day an Xbox console exclusive(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-version-canceled-report-says/). Clockwork Revolution has also been confirmed to only appear on Xbox and PC(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/clockwork-revolution-is-another-xbox-console-exclusive-coming-in-2027/). There's still a broader question of whether Xbox can be saved(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-xbox-fixable/) regardless of Sharma's new initiative. Microsoft's current console generation is lagging far behind Sony's PlayStation 5, and that means exclusives like E-Day may sell considerably fewer copies than cross-platform titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved(Campaign Evolved) and the eventual port of Forza Horizon 6(https://www.gamespot.com/games/forza-horizon-6/).

Gears Of War: E-Day Skipping PS5 Means Reaching Fewer Players, And Microsoft Is OK With That

Gears of War: E-Day was reportedly planned for PlayStation 5, but Microsoft has opted to skip a Sony version. The decision was apparently not made at the last minute(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-denies-that-gears-of-war-e-day-skipping-ps5-was-last-minute-decision-but-no-one-believes-that/) as some suspected. In any event, the developers at The Coalition are OK with the game skipping PS5, even if it means reaching fewer players, and presumably making less money, overall. The Coalition studio creative director Matt Searcy told Eurogamer(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview), that, "We never talked about" bringing E-Day to PS5 in the first place. That is true--the game was never even confirmed for PS5, but people suspected it would come to Sony's flagship console considering 2025's Gears of War Reloaded did and because Microsoft has been more receptive to launching its games on rival platforms in recent times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh5Swf5p4jo However, after Asha Sharma was named Xbox CEO, things seemingly changed, as Sharma began to shift back to exclusives(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-clarifies-its-exclusivity-strategy-moving-forward-wants-you-to-buy-an-xbox/) to help revive an Xbox brand that Microsoft said was languishing under the leadership of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-xbox-fixable/). Searcy went on to say that E-Day as an Xbox-exclusive game "makes a ton of sense," going on to say it's "an honor, and exciting" to be an exclusive next to Clockwork Revolution. The developer added that it would be "awesome" if more people got to play E-Day, "but for Xbox and PC, you've got what is out there." Art director Aryan Hanbeck, meanwhile, said, "We're not too concerned about the size of the audience. We've shipped to audiences smaller before, and there are great shooters on Xbox already." "Focus on the future" In an interview with Game Informer,(https://www.eurogamer.net/gears-of-war-e-day-ps5-snub-smaller-audience-interview) Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty addressed the exclusivity issue as well. He was asked if Microsoft is doing a disservice to fans by bringing Reloaded to PS5, getting those fans excited about Gears of War, and then making E-Day exclusive to Xbox. Booty didn't respond directly but suggested that things changed when Sharma took over as Xbox CEO. "We've had an opportunity with Asha coming in to really take a look at our strategy and, I'd say, put the focus on the future. I think that it's that focus out of which that decision came," he said. Microsoft's policy around exclusives going forward is that big, multiplayer live-service games will continue to be released on a multiplatform basis (except E-Day, which does also have multiplayer), while games that were already announced--publicly or otherwise--for platforms beyond Xbox will still come to those systems. With respect to new games, however, Booty said Microsoft is going to be "really thoughtful about what we do" for future exclusives. "I think, in general, you can look for us that when we put a date on something, we're going to put a platform on it. So that's going to be the approach. I think the thing that ties those two things together that you talked about is really a drive for that clarity," he said. "We want there to be a reason to believe and a reason to buy Xbox, and for there to be a reward for our loyal fans." For her part, Sharma recently told Fortune, "It's hard to find examples of platforms out there that don't have exclusive services and content." She added: "This is a journey for us. Our business isn't particularly healthy. We're starting by introducing 1-2 signature exclusives, and as the business is healthy, we'll look to try and do more." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0hMSekk4XE E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are not timed-exclusives for Xbox, Microsoft has said, suggesting they may never come to PS5. That being said, Microsoft said Starfield was not a timed exclusive for Xbox(https://x.com/aarongreenberg/status/1432466477945294849), and then it came to PS5. As for E-Day, the new Gears of War game releases in October, and a multiplayer beta is coming ahead of launch(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-open-beta-start-dates-and-how-to-get-in-early/). After playing the game at Summer Game Fest, we found it to be bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than we expected(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-e-day-is-bigger-bloodier-and-more-ambitious-than-we-expected/).

🎮 And Microsoft

🎮 Elder Scrolls🎮 Elder Scrolls 6 Was

Elder Scrolls 6 Was Announced 8 Years Ago Today, Here’s Why It Didn’t Show Up At Xbox Showcase

The Elder Scrolls 6(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-release-date-trailer-news/1100-6492383/) was announced on June 10, 2018--that is now a full eight years ago. In the 2,920 days that have transpired, Bethesda has not released a single new image or trailer for it, or even discussed the game in an official capacity beyond small quotes here and there. The game did not show up at the recent Xbox Games Showcase(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-showcase-2026-all-the-biggest-announcements-so-far/), prompting some people to wonder how it's coming together and when Bethesda may show it off again. Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty addressed this in an interview with Variety(https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/xbox-exclusives-showcase-blade-elder-scrolls-6-matt-booty-1236771373/), saying one of the hard parts of his job is deciding what to show, and when, during high-profile showcases. "You want to get them excited early, but we also know that we want to wait till the right moment. And when you decide to show it, you want it to be the best you’ve got," he said. "And also that when you show the game, you’re also giving them a promise of, hey, it’s coming soon." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQcnDNd3P7Q Booty was speaking generally here, but he also talked specifically about The Elder Scrolls 6. He said he has sat down with game director Todd Howard as he played it, and Booty remarked that the game "looks amazing" and is "coming along well." As for when Bethesda may show the game again? The developer is waiting for the "right time," Booty said. Howard has questioned whether it was the right call(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/todd-howard-talks-elder-scrolls-6-and-retirement-i-want-to-do-it-forever/1100-6517168/) to announce The Elder Scrolls 6 so early. “I have asked myself that a lot,” he said. “I don’t know. I probably would’ve announced it more casually.” He later said announcing The Elder Scrolls 6 in the way that Bethesda did was "not my preference,"(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/todd-howard-on-elder-scrolls-6-just-pretend-we-didnt-announce-it-it-doesnt-exist/1100-6538842/) but it happened anyway. He went on to joke: “Just pretend we didn’t announce it. It doesn’t exist. No one has heard a word.” One of the reasons that The Elder Scrolls 6 might have been announced so early was for the purposes of recruiting staff to work on it. This is a common practice in gaming.

Xbox CEO says RAM crisis means radical new business models needed for Project Helix

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma spoke about the need for the industry to think about payment plans, partnerships, less powerful consoles, and smaller games

PolygonNews2 months ago