Microsoft
Microsoft business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Xbox CEO unveils 'new Xbox division' for game-adjacent ventures named 'XP'
Xbox has launched a new division named XP, which will manage non-gaming ventures such as film and TV production, live events, and product creation. The division, led by Mojang's Kayleen Walters, aims to expand the Xbox brand's reach through transmedia projects like the upcoming Minecraft movie sequel and physical events like Blizzcon. This announcement comes amidst recent layoffs and a strategic "reset" initiative within the Xbox division.
Xbox puts former Reddit and Facebook exec in charge of Minecraft studio Mojang
Xbox has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta and Reddit, as the new CEO of Mojang Studios, the developer behind Minecraft. This change occurs amidst broader restructuring within Xbox and raises concerns about a potential shift towards user retention and monetization strategies over community focus.
Crowning the best FPS mode of all time through 1v1 combat (ROUND 2)
PC Gamer's FPS column, FOV 90, is conducting a community tournament to determine the greatest FPS mode of all time. Round 1 saw 16 modes compete in 1v1 matchups, with winners like Team Deathmatch, Battle Royale, Conquest, Bomb Defusal, Payload, Infection, Capture the Flag, and Attack & Defend advancing. Round 2 voting is now open, pitting these winners against each other.
As it lays off developers and closes studios, Xbox gets into the movie business
Xbox has launched a new division called Xbox XP, focusing on film, television, merchandise, partnerships, and live experiences, headed by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters. This move comes as Xbox is undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, drawing criticism for prioritizing expensive new ventures over game development staff.
Microsoft seems very excited about its new magnetic USB Type-C charger for the Surface Laptop Ultra, but it don't…
Microsoft has announced the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, featuring Nvidia's RTX Spark SOC and starting at $2,599 and $5,999 respectively, with an October 16 release date. A key feature highlighted is 'Magnetic Connect,' a new magnetic USB Type-C charger for the Surface Laptop Ultra, which the company claims is a world first. The devices also boast significant AI capabilities.
Minecraft Theme Park Is “The First Of Many” For Xbox, But Don’t Get Too Excited
Xbox is formalizing its expansion into film, TV, and theme parks through a new division called XP. While a Minecraft theme park is opening in the UK next year, Xbox strategy officer Matthew Ball indicated future "theme park placements" rather than dedicated Xbox parks, following Nintendo's model of integrating attractions within existing venues like Universal Studios.
"A creative idea can save more money than AI can right now" – Glen Schofield on his retirement, Callisto Protocol's development, and the state of AAA
Veteran developer Glen Schofield discusses his retirement from game development, citing frustrations with AAA development costs and management decisions at Krafton during The Callisto Protocol's creation. He expresses a preference for smaller teams and creative-driven projects, and sees potential in AI as a creative tool rather than just a cost-saving measure.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for August 2026 – Nintendo Switch 2 boosts Elden Ring to the top 10, Big Walk makes the list
Circana's August 2026 US sales chart shows NBA 2K27 and Madden NFL 27 leading, with Elden Ring surging to seventh place following the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. The list also features Mario Kart World and Splatoon Raiders, with Big Walk making an appearance. The year-to-date chart is topped by Resident Evil Requiem.
NBA 2K27 tops US August charts, becomes third-best selling game of 2026 | US Monthly Charts
NBA 2K27 topped the US sales charts for August 2026, becoming the third-best-selling game of the year according to Circana data. New releases like Madden NFL 27 and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls also performed well. Overall consumer spending on video games in the US fell 9% in August, with hardware unit sales reaching their lowest point since 2013, though PlayStation 5 hardware sales saw a 17% increase.
US Video Game Hardware Sales Just Had Their Worst August In 13 Years
US video game hardware sales experienced their worst August in 13 years, with a 15% year-over-year decline in unit sales. Despite fewer consoles sold, higher prices, including those for mid-generation upgrades like the PlayStation 5 Pro, led to a significant increase in dollar sales for Sony. Market saturation and price increases are cited as key factors for the overall downturn.
Xbox aim to wring more cash out of the games they've not cast into oblivion by launching new licensing arm and handing Minecraft to ex-Meta monetisation lead
Xbox is launching a new licensing division, Xbox Products (XP), to generate more revenue from its major game franchises through film, TV, merchandise, and events. This initiative comes as Xbox undergoes significant layoffs, with a total of 3200 employees being let go. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta, as its new CEO, bringing extensive experience in product and monetization but no direct gaming industry background.
Xbox announces new XP division to deliver transmedia spinoffs including film, TV, and theme parks
Xbox has launched a new division, XP, dedicated to expanding its brands into film, television, theme parks, and merchandise. Led by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters, the division will oversee projects like the Fallout TV series and the upcoming Minecraft World theme park. This move aims to leverage the emotional connection players have with Xbox franchises beyond just gaming.
Following Nintendo and Sony's lead, Xbox is setting up a division exclusively dedicated to movies and non-games partnerships
Microsoft has launched a new division within Xbox called XP, which will focus on expanding game franchises into movies, TV, and other partnerships. Led by Kayleen Walters, the division aims to create more opportunities for players to engage with beloved game worlds across various media, following successes like the Minecraft movie and the Fallout TV series.
Next Gears of War game won't "take nearly as long," The Coalition boss promises after 7 year wait between…
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump has stated that the next game in the Gears of War series will not take as long to develop as the seven years between Gears 5 and the recently released Gears of War: E-Day. Despite acknowledging recent layoffs at Microsoft, Crump emphasized focusing on shipping great games.
Nine Games Leave Xbox Game Pass on October 15
Nine games, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Donut County, and Pacific Drive, will leave Xbox Game Pass on October 15. Subscribers have until this date to play these titles across Cloud, Console, and PC before they are removed from the library. Microsoft also announced its first wave of October additions to the service.
Gameplay footage from cancelled Xbox Perfect Dark game leaks online, and it looks pretty good
Leaked gameplay footage from the cancelled Xbox reboot of Perfect Dark has surfaced online, showcasing early development builds of the game. The footage, attributed to a VFX artist, displays weapon testing, environments, and character abilities. Development of the game, led by The Initiative with assistance from Crystal Dynamics, was reportedly troubled and eventually cancelled by Microsoft.
Gears of War boss says the next game won't take seven years to make as he dances around the question of layoffs
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump addressed concerns about potential layoffs following the release of Gears of War: E-Day, stating the focus is on shipping great games. While E-Day has been well-received, the studio's future and investment from Xbox remain uncertain, especially given its console exclusivity. Crump promised the next Gears of War title will not take as long to develop as E-Day did.
Games Inbox: When will the next mainline Zelda game be out?
Readers discuss the potential release window for the next mainline Legend of Zelda game, with speculation pointing towards 2029 or later due to development times. Other topics include opinions on Gears of War: E-Day's repetitive gameplay, the return of Star Wars Zero Company staff, and concerns about explicit content in Grand Theft Auto 6.
Now we know the prices of the new RTX Spark laptops and they're as expensive as I'm sure you feared
Nvidia's new RTX Spark laptops, designed for local AI processing, are launching with prices ranging from $2,600 to $7,000 due to high memory requirements. The high cost and un-upgradeable unified memory configurations make the entry-level models difficult to justify compared to existing hardware, though higher-end configurations offer more substantial memory pools.
Xbox Announces New Film, TV and Entertainment Division XP, Led by Former Minecraft Studio Head
Xbox has launched a new division called XP, focused on expanding its gaming franchises into film, television, merchandise, live events, and partnerships. Led by former Minecraft studio head Kayleen Walters, the division aims to reach audiences beyond the games themselves, leveraging recent successes like the Minecraft movie and the Fallout series.
