Matthew Ball is an English ballet dancer and is currently a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet.
Source: Wikipedia
State of Decay 3, in development for seven years since its 2020 announcement, may not launch on Xbox Game Pass due to Undead Labs' impending transition to new ownership. This development follows Microsoft's layoffs affecting 3,200 staff and the studio's exit from Xbox's control. Fans awaiting the game since its announcement in August 2020 may need to consider alternative access methods.
Microsoft's $70 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition has significantly impacted Xbox, with Call of Duty's performance directly influencing the platform's financials. Despite being a crucial asset, the franchise's recent decline in sales, coupled with its controversial inclusion in Game Pass, has led to a 5% drop in Xbox's software and services revenue. As Xbox navigates this challenge, the franchise's future success is paramount to the platform's stability.
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass suffered a substantial loss of "millions of subscribers" following a 50% price increase in October 2025. The service's Ultimate tier jumped from $19.99 to $29.99 monthly, sparking widespread backlash. Despite a later price reduction to $22.99, the impact on subscribers was significant.
Xbox Game Pass suffered a massive loss of millions of subscribers following a 50% price hike in October 2025. The significant increase, from a previously undisclosed base price, led to a substantial drop from its 35-38 million subscriber base. This move sparked widespread cancellation, prompting Microsoft to later reduce the price and remove Call of Duty in an effort to recover.
Xbox has appointed Matthew Ball, renowned for his gaming trend analyses, as its new Chief Strategy Officer to rejuvenate its stagnating console business ahead of Project Helix's launch. Ball brings a unique blend of gaming and tech insight, having warned about console stagnation in his recent reports. His hiring is part of a broader leadership overhaul aimed at competing with Sony and Nintendo.