All articles tagged with #xbox
US video game hardware sales have plummeted to their lowest levels since the early 1980s, driven by significant price hikes for consoles. Analysts attribute this decline to a global memory shortage caused by AI data center demand, which has forced manufacturers to raise prices, making consoles less accessible to consumers.
Microsoft has established a new division called 'XP' to centralize and expand non-gaming franchise activities, including film, merchandise, and live events, led by former Minecraft president Kayleen Walters.
Xbox has established a new division called XP to centralize its film, television, consumer products, and live experience efforts. Led by Kayleen Walters, the unit aims to expand gaming franchises like Minecraft and Call of Duty beyond gameplay. Maria Angelidou-Smith has been appointed as the new CEO of Mojang, succeeding Walters.
Xbox and 7-Eleven have launched a limited-time collaboration in Forza Horizon 6, introducing a Japanese-style convenience store, new cars, and real-world merchandise. The 'Horizon Meets' update also adds 200 new levels and a new Treasure Car.
Xbox has established a new division called XP to manage film, TV, merchandise, and live experiences for its gaming franchises. Led by Kayleen Walters, the unit consolidates existing teams to expand brand reach beyond video games, following recent layoffs and a strategic 'reset' at Microsoft.
Xbox has established a new division called 'XP' to centralize non-gaming franchise extensions, including film, television, merchandise, and live events. Led by Kayleen Walters, the unit consolidates existing teams to expand brand reach beyond video games, aiming to replicate the success of properties like Minecraft and Fallout.
Xbox has launched a new division called XP to manage non-gaming franchise extensions, including film, TV, merchandise, and live events. Led by Kayleen Walters, the unit consolidates existing teams under a single strategy to expand brand reach beyond video games.
Microsoft's 2026 Xbox Seasonal Savings Sale features extensive discounts on game bundles, with reductions ranging from 20% to 95% across various genres. The sale includes major franchises like Halo, Resident Evil, and Monster Hunter, as well as indie titles and simulation games. Prices vary by region, with significant markdowns on deluxe editions and multi-game collections.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told staff at an internal town hall that the division is recovering from an 'all-time low' after a massive restructuring. She highlighted a 30% boost in brand sentiment and strong sales for titles like Gears of War: E-Day. Sharma announced a strategic pivot to strengthen Battle.net as a PC platform, noting its retention rates rival Steam's. She also confirmed that the next-gen 'Project Helix' will be a 'family of devices' rather than a single console, prioritizing a home unit first while partnering for portable hardware. The reorganization, which involved significant layoffs, is described as 75% complete, with a focus on reinvesting in core businesses and making Game Pass more flexible.
Gears of War: E-Day launched on October 6, 2026, as an Xbox exclusive, marking a strategic shift for Microsoft. While critics praised its combat and visuals, player reception was mixed due to technical issues and missing legacy features. Steam peak concurrency reached 31,517, with most players likely on Xbox or Game Pass.
Gears of War: E-Day faced online backlash for including female characters, but critics ignored the franchise's long history of women in leadership and combat roles.
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated in a BBC interview that the next Gears of War game will not take seven years to develop, following the recent release of Gears of War: E-Day. While Crump declined to address specific rumors of further layoffs at the studio, he emphasized the team's focus on shipping quality games and highlighted the long-standing experience of its leadership. The comments come as Xbox continues a corporate reset involving workforce reductions, though The Coalition has largely avoided major cuts so far, aside from the loss of its narrative director prior to the game's launch.
Xbox’s October Indie Selects feature six curated titles, including the challenging action-RPG Mortal Shell II and the Lovecraftian horror The Sinking City 2. Meanwhile, Engadget highlights Star Wars: Galactic Racer as a standout new release, praising its roguelite racing mechanics and speed, while noting other upcoming indie titles like Toem 2 and Tiny Flock.
Gears of War: E-Day launched on October 6, 2026, as an Xbox and PC exclusive, marking a strategic pivot for Microsoft. The prequel, developed by The Coalition, received high praise for its horror elements and modernized mechanics. This release coincides with significant corporate restructuring and layoffs at Xbox, raising questions about the long-term viability of exclusive titles in a competitive market.
Forza Horizon 6 will launch on PS5 on January 26, 2027, priced at €69.99 in Europe and £59.99 in the UK, with a physical edition available. The game, set in Japan, features the series' largest city and densest map, emphasizing Japanese car culture and Touge battles. While the Xbox Series X|S version released in May 2026, the PS5 version was delayed from a 2026 window to early 2027. No details on a Premium Edition or early access have been confirmed yet.