All articles tagged with #xbox series x
Bandai Namco released a free update for Digimon Story: Time Stranger across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Switch and Switch 2, adding a 60 FPS Performance Mode on PS5 and Series X (not on Series S), Photo Mode during exploration, a Graphics Mode option, and Terriermon Assist playable; the patch also includes various fixes, with Switch versions arriving with the Switch 2 launch window.
A Polish gaming podcast cites a credible source suggesting Grand Theft Auto VI could include a 60 FPS performance mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X, though it may not be ready at launch; Series S is expected to stick with 30 FPS for now. Rockstar has not officially confirmed the modes, and implementation could arrive via a later patch rather than day one.
GTA 6 pre-orders kicked off with Microsoft claiming Xbox orders have broken records, but there’s no official data yet. Anecdotal signals (including IGN Finds’ 8-to-1 PS5-to-Xbox pre-order ratio) and a temporary PS5 stock-out on Amazon suggest PS5 could lead, though Xbox cautions that affiliate-linked figures don’t reflect true pre-orders. With no concrete data, experts expect PS5 to continue outselling Xbox Series X/S this generation, but the exact split remains uncertain.
Prices for major consoles have risen sharply in 2026 as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo raise hardware prices amid component shortages and broader economic pressures. PS5 models now hover around $600–$900 (Digital Edition $600, with Disc Drive $650, and Pro around $900), Nintendo’s Switch lineup shows modest increases (Switch Lite $230, Standard $340, OLED $400, Switch 2 at $450 with a $500 target by Sept. 1, 2026), and Xbox Series S/X have jumped (Series S from $300–$400 to $500 effective Aug. 1, 2026; Series X 1TB from $650 to $800 by Aug. 1, 2026). Sony is pursuing new monetization strategies for software/network revenue, while Xbox Game Pass prices are up, signaling a trend toward pricier hardware and ongoing monetization beyond the initial device.
Retailers warn that ongoing chip shortages and the upcoming GTA 6 release could leave current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles in short supply this fall, with prices rising and refurbished units being suggested as a workaround ahead of the November launch.
Ahead of the 2026 Summer Xbox Games Showcase, Gears of War: E-Day was announced as an Xbox Series X/S and PC exclusive, releasing Oct. 6, 2026. While reports and listings suggested a PS5 version, The Coalition says it never publicly discussed a PS5 release, and Xbox officials dispute a last‑minute change. Officially, the game remains an Xbox exclusive, with other evidence remaining unconfirmed.
Digital Foundry’s early testing of Halo: Campaign Evolved on Xbox Series X shows a rock-solid 60 FPS in Performance mode with dynamic resolution averaging 50–75% of output (often around 1080p), while the Series S version isn’t ready yet and the PC/ROG Ally X build runs ~30–40 FPS on Very Low. It’s initial footage and results could change before the July 23 early access release, with additional XSX vs Series S comparisons expected later.
Gears of War: E-Day is positioned as the potential first UE5 title to truly fulfill the engine’s promise, touting large, varied environments, minimal pop-in, hardware-accelerated Lumen ray-traced lighting, long draw distances, extensive environmental effects, and a target 60fps, following a seven-year gap since the last mainline game. Halo: Campaign Evolved is also highlighted as a UE5 showcase with upgraded visuals, new missions, weapons, and gameplay changes, aiming for a July 26 release across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console is a notable hardware showpiece, and while the Xbox Showcase delivered exciting footage, questions remain about Microsoft’s evolving exclusivity strategy.
Gears of War: E‑Day Collector’s Edition bundles the Xbox Series X Premium Edition disc with a 15‑inch diorama statue, replica COG tags, a SteelBook, and exclusive in‑game perks; it provides up to 5 days of early access starting October 1, 2026 (global release October 6), with pre-orders now open and an open beta beginning August 6, 2026; the edition is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, and via Game Pass, with limited quantities.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful, expanded remake of Halo: Combat Evolved's campaign with HD visuals, refined controls, up to 4-player online co-op, 3 new missions, and a wider arsenal. It releases July 28, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5, with early access for Premium Edition buyers starting July 23; main release includes Xbox and PC Game Pass availability.
Three classic Hitman games—Codename 47, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, and Hitman: Contracts—are being remastered for Xbox Series X|S in 2027 as Hitman Classic Trilogy Remastered, featuring upgraded character models, enhanced environments and textures, an option to swap between old and new graphics, and a new Photo Mode, according to a YouTube trailer.
Three industry veterans from Sony, Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward have formed That's No Moon and announced Crossfire, an upcoming action-adventure shooter for Xbox Series X|S. A debut trailer is out, and there’s an Xbox Store page to wishlist the title, but no release date has been set yet.
Microsoft released a limited Alpha/Alpha-Skip-Ahead update for Xbox Series X and Series S that adds four features: a dedicated outage indicator in the top-right that links to a status page, expanded color customization with hex codes and a “match my gamerpic” option, the Xbox Accessories App now shows the currently selected controller, and quick access to the latest release notes from the Home screen with more detailed notes to come. The rollout is currently limited to testing rings and, if no issues are found, should broaden to all users before year’s end.
Early critics are praising IO Interactive's 007: First Light, with PS5/PC reviews averaging around 88 and several outlets hailing it as the best or among the best Bond games in decades; Xbox reviews are still rolling in, but initial impressions are similarly glowing, noting a tight stealth-action blend and globe-trotting campaign, albeit with caveats like a finicky cover system and pacing. The game reportedly runs about 14 hours and arrives on Xbox with a Deluxe Edition upgrade for preorder, while the Standard Edition becomes available May 27 if you didn't preorder.
Digital Foundry's analysis shows 007 First Light on Xbox Series X supports 60fps or 30fps, while Series S is fixed at 30fps to maintain parity, reflecting IO Interactive's scalability-first approach; achieving 60fps on high-end consoles relies on Glacier Engine techniques like async compute and a frame graph with CPU offloading, and the same scaling strategy will extend to lower-end PCs and Switch 2, including software-based ray tracing and new lighting tech.