All articles tagged with #game pass
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told staff that the division has begun recovering from an 'all-time low' in growth, citing strong launches for titles like Gears of War: E-Day. She confirmed that next-gen hardware, Project Helix, will be a family of devices rather than a single console, while acknowledging that the company is still 75% through its painful restructuring process.
Xbox has denied reports that it secured exclusive streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto 6, clarifying that the game will not be available via cloud streaming on PC. While Xbox Cloud Gaming will offer the title at launch on November 19, 2026, the service is introducing strict monthly hour caps and a new pay-as-you-go model to manage demand.
Microsoft has secured the rights to stream Grand Theft Auto VI via Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, a move Xbox CEO Asha Sharma highlighted as unique among platform holders. The deal is not exclusive and does not extend to PC streaming, limiting access to Xbox consoles. This announcement coincides with new restrictions on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours and the introduction of a pay-as-you-go model, timed to coincide with the game's November release.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has explicitly denied reports that Microsoft is selling the gaming division, stating in an interview with The New York Times that 'Xbox is not for sale.' In a recent internal town hall, Sharma outlined a strategy to reverse previous declines by treating the Xbox Series X|S as a 'core' product, expanding Game Pass, and leveraging Project Helix as a family of devices. While Microsoft is planning to lay off up to 3,200 employees in its 2027 fiscal year, Sharma emphasized a long-term view, noting that first-party game growth has returned after a period of 'free fall.'
Microsoft is facing a series of setbacks regarding its cloud gaming strategy, including the discontinuation of support for older Samsung TVs and new usage caps for subscribers. While The New York Times claims a dedicated cloud controller was canceled due to regulatory pressures from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft denies this, stating the project remains in development. These developments follow a broader shift away from unlimited cloud access, driven by high infrastructure costs and AI-driven resource demands.
Microsoft is ending Xbox Cloud Gaming support for 2020 Samsung Smart TVs on November 3, 2026, citing compatibility issues with the TV operating system. This move coincides with new monthly hour caps for Game Pass subscribers and a broader strategic retreat from the 'everything is an Xbox' cloud-first vision. While Microsoft denies abandoning its cloud controller project, critics argue these changes signal a shift away from unlimited cloud access due to high infrastructure costs and regulatory pressures from the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Microsoft is scaling back its cloud gaming ambitions, ending support for 2020 Samsung TVs in November and capping Game Pass Ultimate streaming at 15 hours weekly. While a dedicated cloud controller remains in development, the service faces criticism for poor value and technical limitations, signaling a shift away from its previous 'everything is an Xbox' strategy.
Microsoft is ending support for Xbox Cloud Gaming on 2020 Samsung Smart TVs starting November 3, 2026, citing compatibility issues with the TV operating system. This move follows the recent implementation of monthly hour caps for Game Pass subscribers and a shift toward pay-as-you-go cloud access. While Microsoft frames the change as a technical necessity, critics argue it signals a retreat from its previous 'everything is an Xbox' strategy due to high infrastructure costs and AI-driven resource demands.
Xbox added cloud gaming support to 47 titles in its final September update, including 'Control Resonant' and 'Marvel Rivals.' This expansion coincides with the last month of unlimited cloud streaming for Game Pass subscribers, as Microsoft introduces monthly hour caps in November 2026.
Xbox releases over 30 new games between September 28 and October 2, including Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, and The Witcher 3 Remastered. The week features major pre-orders, Game Pass additions, and a wide range of indie titles across multiple platforms.
Xbox Free Play Days returns this weekend with four titles available from September 24 to 27. PGA Tour 2K25 and The Division 2 are free for all Xbox users, while The Escapists 2 and Young Suns require a Game Pass subscription. Completion times vary significantly, with Young Suns being the quickest at eight hours and The Division 2 taking up to 80 hours.
Microsoft has cut 268 jobs and reorganized its gaming division, placing the next Halo game under Activision and merging studios like Obsidian into Bethesda. This latest round of restructuring, part of a broader 'reset,' has left employees uncertain about the future of key franchises and the Xbox brand.
Undead Labs has officially completed its separation from Microsoft, becoming an independent, employee-owned studio. Despite the exit, the developer confirmed that State of Decay 3 remains in active development with a 2027 release target. The game will still launch day-one on Xbox Game Pass, though the studio announced significant layoffs as part of the transition.
Dune: Awakening is now available on Xbox Series X|S (and PC via Game Pass) with a major update that adds a full single-player mode, extensive customization, a rebuilt Landsraad endgame, expanded Arrakis content, new weapons and augmentations, PvE options, and a cross-play roadmap for later, plus launch rewards and film-tie cosmetics.
Microsoft has filed a patent for context-aware in-game advertisements that can pause gameplay during downtime (loading screens, end-of-mission moments) and use an ad-credit system to grant ad-free time, signaling potential ad-supported tiers for Xbox services.