A leak from a reliable ResetEra moderator claims Microsoft plans to remove day one game releases from Xbox Game Pass as early as next spring, introducing a two-tier model with an ad-supported $12.99 tier and a $19.99 ad-free option. Microsoft responded that it has nothing to announce today and has not finalized any changes. If accurate, the shift would fundamentally alter Game Pass's core value proposition.
Playground Games let journalists play Fable twice at Gamescom with two distinct loadouts, revealing a combat system built around melee, ranged, and magic alternation with deep spell interactions and enemy dismemberment mechanics. The demo showcased satisfying combat nuance, companion voice acting from Matt King, and a boss fight that extends the core combat loop into a challenging encounter.
Microsoft has unveiled its 25th anniversary celebration for Xbox, rolling out a commemorative hardware collection, new community-designed gear, and a FanFest tour across multiple cities. The lineup also includes a custom Gibson guitar collaboration tied to the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day. Here is everything announced so far.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says rising console prices fueled by AI hardware demand won't slow Grand Theft Auto 6's November 19 launch. The executive believes the install base will meet original expectations despite PS5 and Xbox Series X/S price increases.
The THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2026 dropped today with immediate releases, fresh gameplay reveals, and a portfolio-wide sale offering up to 90% off. REANIMAL: The Prisoner DLC launches now on Xbox for $9.99, introducing two new characters and unseen war-torn areas to explore.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged a $1.7 billion revenue drop in Q4 FY26 but insisted the business will return to growth by the end of FY27. Over 200 million new players joined Xbox in the past year, yet hardware sales fell 29% and content revenue declined 5%. Microsoft leadership frames the downturn as a necessary reset for long-term stability.
Ubisoft and Xbox have announced an expanded partnership granting Xbox owners free PC versions of 12 Ubisoft titles via Ubisoft Connect by August 4th. The benefit applies automatically to future Xbox purchases of these games but does not extend to players who buy on PC first.
Xbox Game Pass launched in 2017 as a bold answer to the PlayStation 4's dominance, promising a Netflix-style library for $9.99 a month. Seven years and over $100 billion in investments later, the service has failed to hit subscriber targets, contributed to studio closures, and forced Microsoft to raise prices while devaluing its own biggest franchises.
Assassin's Creed Shadows headlines this weekend's best deals at $29.99, marking a steep discount for the first series entry set in feudal Japan. The roundup also includes savings on the DJI Mini 4K drone, Apple AirPods 4, and several LEGO sets.
Paramount Games Studio has delayed Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game on Xbox Series X and S to September 3, just hours before its scheduled July 23 launch across all platforms. The Nintendo Switch version will also launch without crossplay, non-English language support, or the Deluxe Edition, prompting widespread backlash from the Xbox community over the last-minute announcement and vague explanation.
