Laura Fryer, a founding member of Xbox, criticizes Microsoft's current strategy, suggesting the company has no desire to continue making hardware, and views the upcoming Xbox handheld as a sign of the company's retreat from hardware development. Despite successful game remasters and a strong Game Pass service, she fears Xbox's hardware division is effectively ending. Meanwhile, other industry voices suggest Microsoft should focus solely on becoming the world's largest gaming publisher. Despite layoffs and strategic shifts, Microsoft's overall financial health remains strong.
Borderlands 4 is expected to take over five years before it receives a deep discount or becomes available on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, according to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, highlighting a significant delay compared to previous titles. The game is set to launch on September 12 across multiple platforms, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version coming later.
Microsoft is enhancing the Xbox app on Windows by adding hundreds of PC games, aiming to make it the central hub for PC gaming. This update includes nearly 400 new titles, some of which support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-play and universal cloud saves. The move is part of Microsoft's strategy to attract more game developers to its platform, having already reduced its store cut to 12%. The company plans to reveal more about its Xbox app strategy at the upcoming game developers conference.
As 2025 approaches, Xbox's strategy of offering major titles like Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones And The Great Circle for free on Game Pass is positioning it to potentially surpass PlayStation. While these games remain available on PS5, they are not free, highlighting Xbox's consumer-friendly approach. Despite PS5's current sales lead, Microsoft's inclusive strategy could shift the console market dynamics if it continues, especially as Sony's exclusives remain limited to their platform or delayed on PC.
2024 was a significant year in gaming, marked by industry layoffs, major deals, and evolving platforms. Xbox's Game Pass saw a pivotal moment with the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, while Disney invested $1.5 billion into Epic Games for a metaverse project. The year also witnessed the closure of Game Informer and a SAG-AFTRA strike over AI concerns. Despite these developments, anticipated releases like GTA 6 and the Switch 2 remained elusive, leaving fans waiting for more news.
A total of 30 new Xbox games are set to launch next week across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, with some titles available on Game Pass. Highlights include 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' and 'Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered.' Other notable releases include 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind' and 'Wildfrost,' which is also available on Game Pass Ultimate. Gamers can look forward to a diverse range of genres and gameplay experiences.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled will be available on Xbox Game Pass Standard and Ultimate starting December 4. The game offers a remastered version of the original Crash Team Racing experience, including additional content from Crash Nitro Kart, and features online multiplayer and leaderboards.
Microsoft's Game Pass will remove seven games on December 15, including notable titles like 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' and 'Forza Horizon 4'. Other games leaving the service include 'The Quarry', 'Amnesia: The Bunker', 'Forager', 'Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan', and 'Tin Hearts'. Subscribers can still purchase these games at a 20% discount before they are delisted from the Game Pass catalog.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has launched on Xbox and PC, joining the Game Pass library. The game, set in a fictional Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, offers a hardcore survival shooter experience with 58 Xbox achievements totaling 1,000 Gamerscore. Players can expect challenging tasks like shooting enemies through obstacles while intoxicated and collecting all artifacts. With 27 secret achievements, the game promises a demanding yet rewarding journey for achievement hunters.
Microsoft's latest ad campaign promotes Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing users to stream Xbox games on various devices like laptops, TVs, and smartphones. While the service offers a wide selection of games through a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, it struggles to match the responsiveness and graphics quality of native console gaming, particularly for action-packed titles. However, it performs well for turn-based games and visual novels. Cloud gaming is a convenient option for travel, but for the best experience, traditional consoles like the Xbox Series S remain preferable.
Microsoft's Game Pass will remove nine games on November 30, including Rollerdrome, Remnant: From the Ashes, and The Walking Dead: The Final Season. Subscribers can purchase these games at a 20% discount before they leave the service. Other titles exiting include Conan Exiles, Hello Neighbor 2, Soccer Story, While the Iron's Hot, Spirit of the North, and Coral Island.
StackSocial is offering a 30% discount on a three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, reducing the price to $36.49 from $50.97. This deal allows gamers to stack up to 15 months of subscription at the discounted rate, providing access to a vast library of games, day-one releases, and cross-platform play on Xbox consoles and PCs. The subscription also includes Xbox Live Gold and EA Play membership, enhancing the gaming experience with online multiplayer and exclusive EA content.
Microsoft's latest Xbox advertisement highlights the versatility of Xbox Game Pass's cloud streaming, showcasing how Samsung devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Samsung TVs can function as Xbox consoles. With Xbox Game Pass, users can stream games on Samsung Galaxy phones, tablets, and TVs, utilizing features like Samsung Gaming Hub and Bluetooth game controllers. This integration underscores the strong partnership between Microsoft and Samsung, expanding the accessibility of Xbox gaming across various platforms.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available for pre-download on Xbox Series X|S, with a massive file size of 146.5GB, ahead of its November 20 release. The game, set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, offers an open-world experience where players manage resources and explore over 20 regions. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass and supports mods on Xbox.
Microsoft is reportedly set to release one of its highly acclaimed first-party Xbox games on competing platforms, with speculation suggesting "Hi-Fi Rush" or "Pentiment" as potential candidates. This move aligns with Microsoft's strategy to expand the reach of its IPs and follows previous multiplatform releases like the "Ori" series. Xbox CFO Tim Stuart has also indicated plans to make Game Pass available on a wide range of devices, including those of former competitors.
