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Analysts say Xbox Game Pass price cut is 'not surprising at all' since Call of Duty's addition to the service 'did not lead to a significant increase in Xbox console sales or even subscriptions'
Industry analysts believe the recent price cut for Xbox Game Pass and the delay of new Call of Duty titles from day-one releases were expected moves. Experts suggest that the inclusion of Call of Duty did not significantly boost Xbox console sales or Game Pass subscriptions, and that Microsoft was losing potential premium sales revenue. The price reduction is seen as a balanced solution that could help subscriber numbers grow.
PS6 release date rumors are spiralling, but it looks like things could kick off in 2028
Rumors surrounding the PlayStation 6 release date suggest a potential launch in late 2028, influenced by the ongoing memory crisis and rising component costs. While some leakers point to a holiday 2027 window, reports from sources like Bloomberg and Microsoft's own filings indicate a later debut. Sony may absorb increased costs or delay the launch to 2028 or 2029 to ensure market position.
Xbox Game Pass report claims you'll be able to pick which features you pay for
Xbox is reportedly exploring a new tiered subscription model for Game Pass that would allow users to customize their packages by selecting specific features and content. This move aims to attract more subscribers by offering a more flexible and potentially cheaper service. Recent news also includes price adjustments for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and the removal of day-one Call of Duty releases.
"Microsoft Gaming" Is Dead, To Be Replaced By Return To "Xbox" Branding - Report
Microsoft is reportedly retiring the "Microsoft Gaming" brand in favor of returning to the "Xbox" identity. New Xbox boss Asha Sharma informed staff of the change, emphasizing the importance of the Xbox brand. This shift follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and aims to refocus on the core Xbox identity and its gaming roots.
The best addition to Xbox's most recent update? You can now disable Quick Resume on Series X/S and stop it from crashing your games
Microsoft has released a new update for Xbox Series X/S consoles that allows players to disable the Quick Resume feature on a per-game basis. This addresses issues where Quick Resume can cause problems, particularly with online-focused games. The update provides a quality-of-life improvement by giving users more control over how their games are suspended and resumed.
Double Fine Productions and its new pottery-inspired game Kiln don’t just break the mold – they smash it to pieces
Double Fine Productions is developing Kiln, a unique party brawler inspired by pottery where players create and then destroy ceramic vessels as fighters. Founded by Tim Schafer, the studio emphasizes a kind and experimental culture, with Kiln originating from an internal game jam. The game will launch on April 23, 2026, for multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Steam, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass.
More Call Of Duty Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass This Year - Report
A report suggests that legacy Call of Duty titles are expected to arrive on Xbox Game Pass later this year, despite newer entries reportedly being removed. This move could impact subscription pricing tiers for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and other options.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Hits $28 on Amazon, Free on Game Pass
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is currently available for $28 on Amazon for PlayStation 5, representing a 53% discount from its launch price. The game is also accessible for free through Game Pass Ultimate. This pricing strategy highlights the ongoing tension between physical game sales and subscription service models.
Game Pass Might Lose More Day One Game Releases Than Call of Duty, Says Analyst
Industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggests that Microsoft's decision to remove Call of Duty from day-one Game Pass releases is a strategic move to increase revenue through staggered releases and sales on other platforms. This shift may indicate a broader trend of windowing other first-party titles on the subscription service. Microsoft is also reportedly exploring new Game Pass tiers, including a cheaper option focused on first-party games with cloud gaming limits and a customizable "pick your own plan" model.
Forza Horizon 5 Sold Over 5 Million Copies on PS5 Last Year, Says Virtuos
Virtuos, a development studio that contributed to Forza Horizon 5, claims the game sold over five million copies on PlayStation 5 last year, making it one of the platform's best-selling titles. The studio also stated it was responsible for approximately 90 percent of the game's photo-realistic vehicles, including DLC. While Microsoft typically guards sales numbers, these figures align with previous third-party estimates.
Call of Duty Franchise’s Older Entries Are Coming to Game Pass This Year – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Microsoft plans to bring older Call of Duty titles to the Game Pass subscription service later this year, expanding its library beyond recent releases. This move comes as Microsoft adjusts its strategy for the franchise's inclusion on the service, following a price hike for Game Pass. Industry analysts also commented on potential new subscription tiers and the impact of day-one releases on revenue and retention.
Former Head of Xbox Film/TV Kiki Wolfkill Has Left Microsoft After 28 Years
Kiki Wolfkill has departed Microsoft after 28 years, having worked on games like Forza, Mass Effect, and Fable, and served as executive producer on Halo 4. She also contributed to transmedia projects such as the Halo TV show, a Minecraft movie, and Amazon's Fallout TV series. Wolfkill expressed gratitude for her career at Microsoft and excitement for future endeavors.
Evening Tech Bits
This article highlights five free applications available on the Microsoft Store that are recommended for Windows PC users. The suggestions aim to enhance the user experience on the Windows platform.
Older Call of Duty games are coming to Game Pass in 2026
Xbox boss Asha Sharma announced that new Call of Duty games will be added to Game Pass one year after their release, starting in 2026. This change affects the inclusion of future titles in the subscription service. Older Call of Duty games, including titles from 2003 up to 2021's Vanguard, are listed as potentially coming to the service.
Hideo Kojima went to Valve and like a master troll took a photo of himself with 3 Half-Life gravity guns
Hideo Kojima visited Valve's headquarters in Seattle, sharing photos of himself with iconic items like gravity guns and portal guns from the Half-Life series. The visit also brought to light Kojima's past admiration for Half-Life's design and attention to detail, which influenced his work on Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
Halo's Kiki Wolfkill Reveals She's Left Microsoft After 28 Years
Halo veteran Kiki Wolfkill has announced her departure from Microsoft after a 28-year tenure. This move follows a series of significant changes within the company's gaming division.
US: Nintendo Switch 2 was No.1 hardware in March 2026
The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling hardware in the United States for March 2026, followed by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. MLB: The Show 26 was the best-selling game of the month. Nintendo's digital sales figures were not included in the report.
Gaming Nostalgia Thread Sparks Heated Console Generation Debate
A viral social media thread discussing first gaming consoles has sparked a debate about console generations and their impact on player experiences. The discussion highlights how different eras, from the Atari 2600 to modern platforms, shaped gamers' relationships with technology and storytelling. The thread also touches on the evolution of gaming accessibility and its current mainstream status.
Xbox Game Pass vs PS Plus: Was Sony Right All Along?
This analysis questions the long-term viability of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription model, particularly after recent price increases and the decision to remove Call of Duty from day-one access. It contrasts this with Sony's PlayStation Plus strategy, which prioritizes later inclusion of first-party titles and offers a more affordable tier. The article suggests Sony's initial reluctance to adopt a Game Pass-like model may have been prescient, highlighting the economic challenges of offering a vast library of games on demand.
Xbox is reportedly taking a ‘pick your own plan’ approach to Game Pass
Xbox is reportedly planning to introduce a flexible 'pick your own plan' model for Game Pass, allowing users to customize their subscriptions. This move follows the removal of Call of Duty from day-one access and aims to offer more tailored and potentially cost-effective options. Xbox executive Asha Sharma has hinted at increased flexibility for Game Pass, though specific details remain undisclosed.