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Microsoft has reportedly pulled the plug on its strange ‘This is an Xbox’ marketing push
Microsoft has reportedly discontinued its 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign, with the associated web page now removed. This move follows recent leadership changes within Xbox, including the departure of former president Sarah Bond and the retirement of gaming CEO Phil Spencer. The campaign, which aimed to position various devices as extensions of the Xbox ecosystem, had reportedly caused internal dissent among Xbox employees.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated - IGN
Phil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, concluding a 12-year tenure as Head of Xbox. His legacy is viewed as complicated, with shareholders seeing massive stock growth while some hardcore gamers point to increased subscription prices, fewer exclusives, and studio closures. Despite these criticisms, the article argues Spencer was a net positive, crediting him with saving Xbox during the Xbox One era, championing features like backwards compatibility and cross-play, and building a strong portfolio of studios and games.
Microsoft's Copilot Health can use AI to turn your fitness data and medical records 'into a coherent story'
Microsoft has launched Copilot Health, an AI-powered tool designed to interpret users' medical records, health history, and wearable fitness data. The tool aims to provide users with better context and insights to facilitate more informed conversations with their doctors. While initially free in the US, Microsoft plans to introduce a subscription model for the service.
Xbox’s “This Is an Xbox” Campaign Vanishes From the Web
Microsoft has quietly removed its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign from February 2024, with associated web pages now showing 404 errors. This move follows the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox, who has defended her focus on strengthening the platform. The campaign's removal comes as Xbox shifts focus towards future hardware like Project Helix and the continued availability of former exclusives such as Forza Horizon 5 on competing platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Bluepoint tech boss suggests Sony's scared of Valve, not Microsoft, and that's why it's pulling back from PC: 'It would be quite ironic if Valve ultimately ended up winning the console war'
A tech boss from Bluepoint Games suggests Sony's pullback from PC releases is a response to Valve's growing influence in the console space, rather than Microsoft. The analysis posits that a Steam-based ecosystem could offer the best of both console simplicity and PC gaming breadth, potentially leading Valve to win the 'console war'.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAG
Microsoft's next-gen console, Project Helix, will not have developer kits available until 2027, featuring a custom AMD chip with advanced ray tracing and upscaling. Separately, Pokémon Pokopia launched strongly on the Nintendo Switch 2, selling 2.2 million copies in three days, while Xbox is teasing "new ways to play" classic games for its 25th anniversary, emphasizing game preservation.
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program going forward and will be 'rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past'
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program, confirming it will return in some form later this year. The company plans to "roll out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past" as part of its 25th anniversary. This initiative aims to keep games from four generations of Xbox playable across future consoles and Windows 11.
Time to pay your last respects to Microsoft's "This is an Xbox" campaign, as it appears to have been killed off
Microsoft has seemingly discontinued its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, which promoted the Xbox as a platform accessible on various devices. The campaign's associated blog posts are now inaccessible, and the tag yields no results. This move follows recent leadership changes, including the departure of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, and the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new gaming CEO, who has also confirmed the next-gen Xbox will support console and PC games.
Windows 11 is getting an "Xbox mode" in April and its a big deal
Microsoft announced that Windows 11 will receive an "Xbox mode" in April, positioning Windows as a core platform for future PC and Xbox game development. This feature aims to enhance the gaming experience on the PC operating system.
Texture pop-in may be about to pop-out of existence thanks to even faster asset streaming ushered in by new Zstandard…
Microsoft has detailed improvements to its DirectStorage 1.4 technology, focusing on enhanced GPU decompression algorithms like Zstandard (Zstd) to speed up asset streaming and reduce texture pop-in. Several GPU manufacturers, including AMD, Nvidia, Intel, and Qualcomm, are collaborating to optimize Zstd decompression for their hardware, with driver updates expected in the latter half of 2026.
The next Xbox console, Project Helix, will 'advance the state of the art' and aims to be far superior to the…
Microsoft has revealed details about its next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, which will feature a custom AMD-based SOC designed for advanced DirectX and FSR capabilities. The console aims to significantly advance the state of the art in console gaming, offering an order of magnitude improvement in ray tracing performance compared to current-gen hardware. Alpha hardware versions are expected to ship to developers in 2027.
Jeff Kaplan Drops Bombshell About ‘Contentious’ Activision Exit
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan described his 2021 departure from Activision Blizzard as the biggest "f**k you moment" of his career, suggesting a deeply contentious exit. This revelation sheds light on potential issues within Blizzard during the development of Overwatch 2 and contributes to a broader discussion about how major game studios treat their creative talent.
Microsoft confirms 'Xbox Mode' rollout for Windows 11 and reveals more plans for PC-console hybrid Project Helix
Microsoft is set to release its 'Xbox Mode' gaming layer for Windows 11 next month. The company also confirmed that developers will begin testing Project Helix, a PC-console hybrid initiative, in 2027.
AMD announces next-gen 'FSR Diamond' AI-enhanced upscaling for future Xbox consoles, but the question is whether it's coming to PC and which GPUs will support it
AMD has announced FSR Diamond, a new AI-enhanced upscaling technology developed in partnership with Microsoft for future Xbox consoles. While initially targeted at consoles, its potential release on PC and compatibility with existing GPUs remain uncertain, with speculation pointing towards RDNA 5 graphics cards due to its heavy AI emphasis. The technology is expected to be part of Project Helix, a co-engineering effort focused on next-gen performance and graphics, with alpha hardware releases anticipated in 2027.
Windows 11 is getting an ″Xbox mode″ in April and it’s a big deal
Windows 11 is set to receive an "Xbox mode" in April, which is expected to be a significant development for PC gaming. The article discusses the current console landscape, noting the slower exclusive release cadence for PlayStation 5 compared to Xbox Series X. It also touches on past leadership issues within Xbox and the potential for PC gaming to offer a wider library of titles.
Controller Design and Its Impact on Gameplay
Controller design significantly impacts gameplay by influencing player precision, comfort, and reaction speed, with Xbox controllers being a notable example of iterative ergonomic refinement. Modern gaming also integrates digital distribution and marketplaces like Eneba, alongside customization options, to enhance the overall player experience.
Microsoft's weird "This is an Xbox" marketing appears to be getting quietly swept under the rug amid…
Microsoft appears to be phasing out its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related content being removed from official Xbox channels. This shift follows leadership changes within Microsoft Gaming, including the exits of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, who reportedly championed the campaign. The effectiveness and internal reception of the 'Xbox everywhere' initiative remain subjects of discussion.
Microsoft is paving more PC roads to Project Helix, releasing a Windows 11 Xbox Mode in April for laptops and desktops
Microsoft is releasing a dedicated Xbox mode for Windows 11 in April, which will be available on laptops, desktops, and tablets. This mode aims to provide a controller-optimized experience for browsing the game library, launching titles, and using the Game Bar.
Microsoft talk backwards compatibility for Xbox Project Helix but not AI
Microsoft discussed backwards compatibility and cross-device play for its upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, at GDC 2026. While the company is heavily invested in generative AI, it was not mentioned in relation to Project Helix, possibly to avoid controversy. The console, described as a PC in a console shell, will feature AMD technology for enhanced ray tracing and seamless integration with PC gaming via an Xbox mode for Windows 11.
Xbox mode is rolling out to all Windows 11 PCs next month — and some gamers are excited, while others are worried
Microsoft is rolling out a new 'Xbox mode' to all Windows 11 PCs starting next month, which offers a streamlined, controller-friendly interface and resource savings. Previously known as the Xbox Full Screen Experience, this mode aims to unify the PC and Xbox ecosystems. While some gamers are excited about the potential for a more integrated experience, others express concerns about potential ad integration and the future of the standalone Xbox console.
