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Xbox will "reevaluate" its approach to exclusive games and AI, new CEO and CCO say "our new north star…
Xbox's new leadership, CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty, announced a reevaluation of the brand's approach to exclusive games and artificial intelligence. This strategic shift follows recent departures and aims for greater transparency and a focus on core franchises, while also addressing concerns about AI-generated content in game development.
Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to up to 7 percent of its employees
Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to up to 7 percent of its US employees, potentially affecting around 8,750 individuals. This program, aimed at employees at the senior director level and below, is described as a way to offer employees a choice with generous support. The company's significant spending on AI infrastructure is also cited as a factor influencing its financial decisions.
Microsoft goes back to Xbox and ditches Microsoft Gaming as new leaders admit "players are frustrated" with the console and pricing: "We have to be honest about where we are"
Microsoft is rebranding its gaming division back to Xbox, moving away from the 'Microsoft Gaming' name. New leadership, including Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty, acknowledged player frustration with console features and pricing, stating the need to return to their roots. This change reflects an ambition to refocus on the core Xbox brand and address concerns about its presence on PC.
‘We are Xbox’: New leadership further pledges to bring brand back to its previous glory
Microsoft Gaming is rebranding back to Xbox, with CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty pledging a renewed focus on the brand's core ideals. The company aims to build a global platform connecting players and creators, emphasizing console as foundational while extending the experience to any device via cloud gaming. Key focuses include daily active players, hardware, content, player experience, and services like Game Pass.
Xbox Will 'Reevaluate' Its Game Exclusivity, Throwing Potential Doubt Over PS5 Ports
Xbox head Asha Sharma has confirmed that Microsoft will reevaluate its approach to video game exclusivity. This internal debate follows a trend of Xbox and PC titles releasing on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. While previously announced multiplatform releases are unlikely to be affected, future unannounced ports could be impacted by this strategic shift.
Big Tech openly wants to manipulate us with AI. That seems bad to me
This opinion piece argues that the tech industry's push for generative AI, particularly for hyperpersonalization in gaming, is manipulative and ethically questionable. It criticizes the use of AI to predict player churn and adjust gameplay or offers in real-time to increase spending, comparing it to creating 'psychological prisons.' The author contrasts this with developers who prioritize enriching players' lives through game creation, even if it means less profit.
We Are Xbox
Xbox is undergoing a significant strategic shift, aiming to become a global platform for players and creators across console, PC, and mobile devices. The company acknowledges current player frustrations with infrequent feature drops and fragmented core experiences, and plans to focus on hardware, content, experience, and services to drive daily active players. This includes re-evaluating approaches to exclusivity and AI, and a renewed focus on the Xbox brand identity.
Microsoft Gaming Is Dead, Xbox Gaming Is Back Says New Report
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly shifting the company's branding back to 'Xbox Gaming' from 'Microsoft Gaming'. This change coincides with a reduction in Game Pass prices, though Call of Duty will no longer be available on the service day one. The move aims to re-establish Xbox's core identity.
Deep Dish Dungeon adds Xbox Series version
Deep Dish Dungeon is set to be released on Xbox Series and PC via the Microsoft Store. Further details regarding the release are expected.
HACK-AND-SLASH ROGUELIKE TEARS OF METAL ANNOUNCES XBOX & GAME PASS RELEASE
Montreal studio Paper Cult announced that their upcoming hack-and-slash roguelike, Tears of Metal, will be released on Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass. The game is also available on the Microsoft store and Steam, with an Early Access launch planned for Spring 2026. The announcement was made during the ID@Xbox Showcase.
Xbox may have dropped Call of Duty from day one Game Pass, but there are reasons to hope for OG fans
Xbox's Game Pass service will not include the next Call of Duty title on day one, but there is hope for older titles to be added. Reports suggest that more Call of Duty games will arrive on Game Pass in 2026, potentially including classic entries that were previously unavailable on the service. This could lead to a resurgence for older games in the franchise.
PlayStation users are now being asked for age verification in the UK and Ireland, or risk losing access to communication…
Sony Interactive Entertainment has begun rolling out mandatory age verification for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland as part of the UK's Online Safety Act. Users who do not verify their age by June 2026 risk losing access to communication features like messaging and voice chat. This process, which uses Yoti for verification, is also being implemented by Microsoft for Xbox users.
Xbox Teases Collaboration With Discord
Xbox is collaborating with Discord to make Xbox Game Pass more accessible and flexible for players. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hinted at upcoming details and potential code sightings related to this partnership. This news follows reports of Microsoft considering a cheaper Game Pass tier focused on first-party titles due to concerns about the current subscription cost.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
Kiki Wolfkill, a long-time Microsoft executive who led Xbox Film-TV and was formerly involved with Halo, has departed the company after 28 years. The article also briefly mentions a legendary appearance for Delta Force.
Tag, You’re It: GeForce NOW Levels Up Game Discovery With Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+ Labels
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service has introduced new in-app labels to improve game discovery, making it easier for users to identify titles available through subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and Ubisoft+. This update also adds six new games to the platform, including Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard and a new skin for Thor in Marvel Rivals.
Report claims a new 'pick-your-own' Xbox Game Pass plan is in the works, allowing users to decide what content…
Microsoft is reportedly developing a new, more flexible Xbox Game Pass plan that would allow users to customize their subscription content. This initiative aligns with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's comments about the service being too expensive and the long-term goal of evolving Game Pass into a more adaptable system. The company is also rumored to be exploring a new partnership with Discord.
Halo Archive Fan Site Keeps Bungie-Era Competitive Stats Alive
A fan-made website called Halo Archive has been launched, dedicated to preserving competitive statistics from the Bungie-era Halo titles, specifically Halo 2 and Halo 3. The site aims to allow players to relive their past performance by accessing billions of carnage reports and millions of Gamertags left behind by Bungie.
This Cozy Party Game Was Just Announced And We're Already Obsessed
Totopia, a new free-to-play multiplayer party game developed by JNG Studio, was announced during Microsoft's ID@Xbox Showcase. The game will feature cross-play compatibility across multiple platforms and will include over 100 maps with various party game modes, alongside life-simulation elements like building and gardening. A playtest is scheduled for May 7.
Microsoft Surely Kicking Itself for Not Having Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 Ready for Next Month's Launch
Microsoft's Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch on Xbox Series X and PC on May 19, 2026, with a PlayStation 5 port expected later. Forza Horizon 5 has sold over five million copies on PlayStation 5, leading to speculation that Microsoft regrets not having the sequel ready for a simultaneous multi-platform launch. Xbox executives acknowledge resource limitations but aim for better platform support in the future.
Releasing PlayStation games day one on PC isn't "a good strategy" for its AAA titles, former Sony head says, but he hasn't seen proof its abandoning the platform altogether
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida believes releasing Sony's AAA titles day-one on PC is not a good strategy for a platform holder. While he hasn't seen proof of Sony abandoning PC releases, he suggests that launching games on PC after a couple of years helps recoup investment and fund new projects.
