Latest Xbox, multi-platform Game News & Updates
☁ Xbox, multi-platform News
634 articles
Does Halo: Campaign Evolved have a post-credits scene?
An explanation of what happens during the Halo: Campaign Evolved ending, secret ending, and post-credits scene.
Clair Obscur Switch 2 status reveals the reality of Nintendo's console
Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 getting some miracle ports of huge games, some developers are still struggling to get their games on the console.
Xbox is officially getting 5 brand-new must-play games in August
Xbox Series X is getting a bunch of promising third-party games this August to cap off a rough summer for the console.
Here Is Xbox CEO’s Plan To Turn Things Around
While Microsoft itself just set a record for the biggest single-day market cap swing in history(https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/article/microsofts-stock-rockets-more-than-15-for-largest-single-day-jump-in-history-120144134.html), the company's Xbox division is struggling. How will new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma turn things around? In a memo to staff obtained by The Verge(https://www.theverge.com/games/973520/xbox-ceo-memo-one-year-growth), Sharma shared the top Xbox priorities for the current fiscal year and beyond. These included four main buckets--Core, Content, Creation, and Connection. Some of the efforts include making Minecraft "the world's creator platform" and getting Xbox games to become "global franchises." She also wants to "strengthen" the Xbox platform, "led by console" and undertake an effort to "extend the worlds that fans love." Here are the four pillars, as written by Sharma: - CORE: Strengthen our platform, led by console - CONTENT: Grow great games into global franchises - CREATION: Make Minecraft the world’s creator platform - CONNECTION: Extend the worlds that fans love Xbox revenue decreased by 7% for the latest fiscal year(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-was-microsofts-biggest-weak-spot-last-quarter/), or about $1.7 billion. It's not uncommon for businesses to have up and down swings, but what's particularly notable here is that most of Microsoft's other divisions are booming. Microsoft's Windows and Devices division dipped, too, but not by as much as Xbox. Additionally, every other business unit showed year-over-year revenue gains. Microsoft's biggest success in the past year was its "server products and cloud services" division, which jumped by $31 billion thanks in part to the AI craze. "Our business did not grow with our audience" Sharma said(https://x.com/ashashar/status/2082595819648373220) in FY2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), more than 200 million "new players" came to Xbox, "but our business did not grow with our audience." She said Microsoft must "close that gap by investing in what players value." She said this will take time--but not that much time, at least for the first stage. Sharma said Xbox is expected to "return to growth" by the end of FY2027, so by June 30, 2027. In her memo, Sharma said for FY2028 and FY2029, the Xbox division must "move into businesses producing meaningful player value and revenue acceleration." She also talked about trying to "scale what works" and by FY2030, she said Xbox's ambition is to "be halfway to our long-term daily-player goal with sustained double-digit growth in players and engagement and industry-leading margins." !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Xboxreset-4.png?w=636) Xbox is undergoing a "reset." Additionally, Sharma said Xbox is already "one of the largest stadiums" out there, reaching 100 million people daily, 500 million monthly, and nearly 1 billion each year. Sharma also spoke about how important console is to Xbox, saying console "generates the majority of Xbox revenue and remains the foundation of our fandom." Microsoft is working on a new system, Project Helix, but it may be undergoing changes due to AI-related memory and component pressures(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-xbox-fixable/) that are being fueled, in part and ironically, by Microsoft. Also in the memo, Sharma talked about moving away from a decentralized model for game development to a system that is "more focused around our strongest franchises and biggest new ideas." Part of this has included divesting of five studios and re-focusing on games like Fallout and Elder Scrolls(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-considering-spinning-off-xbox-speeding-up-elder-scrolls-and-fallout-game-releases-report/) that have the best chance at succeeding. She added that Xbox leadership is coming up with "long-term plans" for the company's biggest franchises, spanning games, film, TV, consumer products, live experiences, sponsorships, and doing more in China. On the subject of games specifically, Sharma said Xbox already has three franchises that generate $1 billion or more annually. She didn't name them outright, however. She also said Microsoft will invest in Minecraft "more than ever before." As for film and TV projects, Microsoft is working with Paramount on a Call of Duty movie(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-movie-release-date-trailer-story-cast-director-writer/1100-6536962/) that's coming in 2028. There is also a Gears of War movie in the works for Netflix(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-movie-netflix-is-100-behind-it-director-says/1100-6539465/). A Gears of War animated TV show(https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/gears-of-war-movie-tv-series-adaptation) is coming as well. There is also a new Minecraft movie set for release in 2027(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-minecraft-movie-2-announced-coming-july-2027/1100-6535348/), a third season of Fallout(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-season-3-adds-more-big-names-to-its-cast/), and a Sea of Thieves movie. In total, Microsoft has a dozen film and TV projects in the works(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-is-working-on-a-dozen-movies-and-tv-shows-including-sea-of-thieves/). Earlier this year, Xbox's new chief strategy officer, Matthew Ball, spoke frankly about how Xbox languished in recent years(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-xbox-fixable/) and what comes next. Another way Microsoft is trying to get back to growth is by cutting staff. The company laid off 1,600 people this month(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-studio-closures-and-spin-offs-everything-announced-today/) and will part ways with another 1,600 people in the next year. For more, check out GameSpot's breakdown of the Xbox studios that are left and what they're working on(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-after-the-layoffs-studios-left-and-what-theyre-making/).
Xbox CEO lays out priorities in memo after major ‘reset’
After a massive Xbox "reset" that laid off thousands of employees and spun off four studios, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wants to get Xbox back to growth. In a memo obtained by The Verge, Sharma told staff by the end of fiscal year 2027 (which runs through next June), "we will return XBOX to player &8230;
After Layoffs, New Elder Scrolls Online Content Is Delayed But Still Coming
Despite losing a staggering amount of staff in a recent layoff(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-layoffs-hit-id-software-and-zenimax-as-focus-shifts-to-bigger-franchises/), developer ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) has reiterated that The Elder Scrolls Online(https://www.gamespot.com/games/the-elder-scrolls-online/) (ESO) is "here to stay," and the team has dropped a new roadmap to prove that more content is still coming to the popular MMORPG. In a July 30 news post on ESO's official website(https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/70213), game director Nick Giacomini outlined what you can expect from the MMORPG in 2026 and 2027. Many of the most anticipated changes, such as the combat and class refresh and Update 52, have been pushed to next year to focus on "quality experiences over calendar dates." In acknowledging the disappointment this may cause, Giacomini confirmed ESO has a slew of new content still coming for the rest of this year. This includes Update 51 (which launches on September 28 instead of September 21 as part of season one) and its new challenge, quality-of-life improvements, and game system. Then on October 21, season two comes out with the introduction of solo dungeons, Tamriel Tome improvements, and free DLC. In short, it's a great time to either get into ESO or come back to the MMORPG. And I speak from experience as, having fallen off the game about a year after it launched but recently picked it back up because of boredom, it feels better and livelier now. "We've had bumps in the road over our 12-year history that we've always faced together," Giacomini said. "As our studio evolves, we are not looking to just 'maintain' the game. We are looking to grow it. You, our community, are the reason we have grown over the years, and we want to keep growing with you." You can check out ESO's full content roadmap in the bullet list below, alongside pictures illustrating what's to come soon. Coming To ESO In 2026 !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/eso-image-2.jpg?w=636) A deeper breakdown of the next few months of content for ESO. Season One - Update 51 will now launch one week later, on September 28, and it will include: - A new challenge: The Nowhere Vault - A new game system: Rumors - Player experience improvements: Achievement pinning, Customizable HUD (on keyboard platforms), Hybridization, Antiquities improvements, Transmute Stations in Cyrodiil, and multiple quality-of-life updates like Housing Tab Sorter, Quest Starter Language, and Eidetic Memory improvements - Everything else in Season One will run as planned, along with a few additions to thank you for your patience: - Live now: New Sheogorath story quests and Golden Pursuit - August 5-12: Whitestrake’s Mayhem event - August 20-September 17: A brand-new Golden Pursuit campaign called “Straight to the Crate,” where you can earn up to 20 free Crown Crates - September 30-October 14: The new High Seas of Tamriel event - And three-sided Battlegrounds will return permanently on September 28, with Update 51 . !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/eso-image-3-1.jpg?w=636) A look at what's in store for Season One and Season Two Season Two - Launching October 21, 2026, Season Two will feature: - Solo Dungeons: Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices. - To celebrate the launch of Solo Dungeons, we’ve decided to make the group versions of these dungeons free for all players on October 12, 2026. - The Greymoor Chapter and Markarth DLC will become free for all players on November 9, 2026. - We’re adding a new Golden Pursuit to highlight Skyrim and the (now available to everyone) Antiquities system from November 9 to December 2. - Improvements to the Tamriel Tome, including expanded Challenges for broader playstyles, higher Tome Point rollover cap, and more. - Frost Atronach crate rewards will be available in the Gold Coast Bazaar. - Witches Festival and the New Life Festival events will return as usual. Coming To ESO In 2027 - The new trial, Crimson Veldt. We’re pushing boundaries with this trial, including mounted combat that we think you’ll love, and we simply need more time to ensure the experience exceeds your expectations. - Update 52 will move to January of 2027. We expect this to include the launch of the Jerall Pass PvP zone and Skyrim’s Dynamic Encounters: Rimegales. - For the Class and Combat refresh, we are targeting 2027 for the next refresh. However, we are discussing some interim options for the classes still awaiting their full refresh to improve your player experience in the meantime.
Gears of War: E-Day’s multiplayer sure is more Gears of War
Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel entry that maintains the Gears of War formula, according to a 3-hour preview of its Horde mode.
Xbox chief wants to 'invest in what players value' after significant 2026 revenue drop
Gaming and console revenue dropped significantly for Xbox in 2026, so the company must change its ways if it wants to come out on top.
Halo: Campaign Evolved restarts the Xbox vs. PlayStation console war
Halo: Campaign Evolved remake players say the assault rifle is slightly less accurate on PS5 compared to Xbox, sparking debates.
Xbox revenue drops 10 percent as Microsoft’s cloud and AI business surges
Xbox is having yet another tough quarter, as revenue from content and services like its Game Pass subscription dipped 10 percent over the past few months. At the same time, Xbox hardware sales declined 13 percent, according to Microsoft's fourth-quarter earnings report released on Wednesday. The news comes just weeks after Xbox head Asha Sharma &8230;
EA CEO gets big Battlefield 6 payday, while devs were laid off
EA CEO Andrew Wilson made $38 million from Battlefield 6's massive success, but the game's developers were still laid off.
Xbox Players Can Now Claim Free PC Versions Of These Ubisoft Games
Xbox has announced that it has expanded its partnership with Ubisoft, and if you own certain games from the publisher on console, you'll now have free PC versions of them to play. Available right now, 13 games in total will be available for free through the Ubisoft Connect app on PC after you link your Xbox account: - Assassin's Creed Mirage - Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Far Cry 6 - Immortals Fenyx Rising - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Riders Republic - Skull and Bones - The Crew 2 - The Crew Motorfest - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege - Watch Dogs Legion That's a solid selection covering Ubisoft's main franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, while the addition of Immortals: Fenyx Rising--a perfect game to play if you just watched The Odyssey(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/if-you-loved-the-odyssey-play-these-games-next/)--Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. If you haven't played any of the games listed above, you can still purchase them on Xbox, link your profile to your Ubisoft Connect account, and get a PC copy on the house. The other big benefit players can look forward to is the premium editions of Ubisoft games through the Xbox PC app. Recent releases like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws are included alongside other entries from the Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, The Crew, and Watch Dogs franchises. Xbox appears to be making some big moves lately in the PC gaming space--fitting, considering the rumors that Microsoft's next-gen console Project Helix(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-xbox-release-date-specs-display-price/1100-6525379/) will be more PC-like in its design--and that a discs-to-digital program(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-gen-xbox-may-not-have-disc-drive-disc-to-digital-feature-coming-reports-say/) is also in development for Xbox users to help them transition toward an all-digital ecosystem. Last week also saw the announcement that a curated number of original Xbox console games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-brings-backwards-compatibility-to-pc-starting-with-four-classics/) will be coming to PC, with more titles joining the first wave of old-school classics in the future. Each of the games--Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live and Reloaded, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge--also come with several enhancements, like improved resolution, customizable graphics, and various support settings, and Xbox says that the backwards-compatibility initiative on PC is just getting started.