Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly told staff in an internal memo that the Game Pass strategy sent the division's balance sheet into freefall, but claims the business is now returning to growth after cutting prices and removing Call of Duty as a day-one title. Microsoft laid off nearly 2,000 employees in 2026 amid the restructuring.
Gears of War: E-Day enters Early Access today for Premium Edition owners and Game Pass subscribers, bringing players back to the series' origins 14 years before the first game. The launch is accompanied by a new gameplay trailer set to Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" that showcases the reimagined Horde Siege mode and modernized combat movement.
Meta is reportedly developing a premium pair of VR glasses priced around $1,300 that would stream Xbox games via the cloud. The device aims to serve as a high-end portable display rather than a standalone headset, relying entirely on a wireless connection to play Game Pass titles. If the reporting holds, this would mark the most expensive entry point yet for Xbox cloud gaming on a dedicated wearable.
A leaked developer document viewed by The Verge shows Microsoft plans to bring Xbox 360 games to PC between 2027 and 2028. The feature will roll out across next-gen devices including Project Helix and handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally. Developers will control pricing and Game Pass inclusion through a backwards compatibility toggle.
Activision confirmed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's upcoming beta will feature low-SBMM playlists, building on positive player response to Black Ops 7's open moshpit mode. The beta begins August 21, though Game Pass subscribers will not receive early access this time around.
State of Decay 3, originally slated for a Game Pass day-one launch, may no longer join the service due to Microsoft's sale of developer Undead Labs. The game's future on the platform hinges on a new deal between Xbox and the studio's undisclosed buyer. Scheduled for 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the game's launch plans have been thrown into uncertainty.
Xbox's new CEO has made a startling admission regarding the performance of Game Pass, acknowledging the subscription service's financial struggles. Despite its popularity, Game Pass has yet to yield the anticipated profits, prompting a reevaluation of Xbox's business strategy. This development may impact future game releases and the service's overall direction.
Xbox's latest marketing move for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 includes ads loudly disclaiming "NOT ON XBOX GAME PASS THIS YEAR", highlighting the service's strategic shift. This change follows Xbox's decision to stop including Call of Duty games at launch on Game Pass due to reported sales losses. The move reflects Xbox's ongoing struggles with its gaming strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma.
Discover the exciting lineup of new games coming to XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX on PC, and Game Pass from June 29 to July 3, including EA SPORTS College Football 27's early access. Explore a diverse range of titles, from the co-op adventure "RV There Yet?" to the tactical puzzle game "Bone Marrow 2".
As Xbox celebrates its 25th anniversary, new CEO Asha Sharma spearheads a transformative era, leveraging innovations like Project Helix, a revamped Game Pass, and ambitious Hollywood adaptations. Despite trailing PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in hardware sales, Xbox refocuses on "play" as the next generation's top entertainment form. With key titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved and strategic expansions into film and TV, Xbox aims to ascend beyond gaming into a broader entertainment powerhouse.
