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Microsoft cuts Game Pass price months after previous price hike
Microsoft is reducing the monthly prices for its Game Pass subscription service on both Xbox consoles and PC. Game Pass Ultimate will now cost $22.99, down from $29.99, and PC Game Pass will be $13.99, down from $16.49. As part of this change, new Call of Duty games will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch.
Microsoft cuts Game Pass pricing and removes Call of Duty as day-one launch title in response to "a lot of feedback"
Microsoft is reducing the monthly price of its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions in response to player feedback about cost. Additionally, new Call of Duty titles will now be added to the service approximately one year after their initial release, rather than on day one. These changes come as Microsoft's content and services revenue has seen a year-on-year decline.
Xbox drops Game Pass prices as Call of Duty officially exits service's Day One launch slate strategy
Microsoft has reduced the monthly prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. In conjunction with these price drops, new Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on the service on their launch day, but will be added approximately one year later. The company stated these changes are in response to player feedback and aim to improve the value proposition of Game Pass.
April's Windows 11 update reportedly causes blue screens and boot loops on HP and Dell PCs
A recent Windows 11 update, specifically KB5083769, has reportedly caused blue screens and boot loops for users of HP and Dell PCs. Affected users experienced visual glitches followed by a persistent boot loop after the update. Microsoft is aware of the issue and is working on a fix.
Your next Xbox could come in Asus and MSI flavors, but Microsoft has confirmed an in-house Project Helix
Rumors suggest that Asus and MSI may produce third-party versions of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, utilizing the same custom AMD chipset. While Microsoft has confirmed it will release its own first-party version of the console, the potential for third-party involvement blurs the lines between PC and console gaming, similar to Valve's Steam Machine.
Chris Avellone says Obsidian never sent the Fallout New Vegas source code to Bethesda, putting into question a faithful remake
Chris Avellone claims that Obsidian Entertainment never delivered the full source code for Fallout New Vegas to Bethesda Softworks, casting doubt on the possibility of a faithful remake. Avellone suggests that Bethesda may not possess the capability to reassemble the code, even with Microsoft's ownership of both studios. This situation raises questions about the feasibility of a New Vegas remaster or remake, especially given Bethesda's current development priorities.
'A performance tool that requires a graduate seminar before breakfast has already lost the room': Why Windows Task Manager looks like it's getting CPU usage wrong
The creator of the original Windows Task Manager, Dave Plummer, explains why the Windows 11 Task Manager's CPU usage reporting may seem inaccurate. He details how the tool uses averaging and compromises in calculations, especially with modern CPUs featuring dynamic frequency scaling, rather than real-time pinpoint accuracy. Microsoft has announced a fix for this in a recent preview build, aiming to align Task Manager's metrics with industry standards.
Drop-In, Drop-Out: Best Games for Unpredictable Schedules | TAG
This guide highlights games suitable for players with unpredictable schedules, focusing on titles that allow for easy pausing and resuming without penalty. It emphasizes features like frequent autosaves, low memory burden, and self-contained sessions. Games like Vampire Survivors, Stardew Valley, and Forza Horizon 5 are recommended for their interruptible nature, while console features like Xbox Quick Resume and Nintendo Switch Sleep Mode are noted as crucial aids.
Xbox VP Clarifies A Key Detail About Project Helix, But Questions Remain
Xbox next-gen VP Jason Ronald clarified that Project Helix will be a first-party Xbox console, addressing rumors that it might be a third-party device. He stated the system aims to break down barriers between console and PC games for seamless cross-device play and a unified developer path. Alpha kits are expected to be sent to developers in 2027.
Save Money By Turning Your Xbox Expansion Card Into An SSD For Your PC
A method has been discovered to repurpose Xbox Series X/S storage expansion cards as SSDs for PC. These cards use the CF Express format, allowing them to be used with PCIe adapters on a computer's motherboard. While not as fast as dedicated PC NVMe SSDs, this offers a cost-effective way to add storage, especially for users who already own an Xbox expansion card.
Today's Game Pass Change Is A Great One. The Next One Will Hurt.
Xbox has unexpectedly lowered the price of Game Pass Ultimate back to $23 per month, a move that benefits many subscribers despite removing day-one Call of Duty access. This price drop, preceded by an internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, is seen as a precursor to a potential introduction of an ad-supported tier for Game Pass. The author expresses concern that this could lead to the widespread adoption of intrusive advertising in console and PC gaming, citing examples from other services that have introduced ads over time.
Game Pass's Price Cut Isn't The Discount You Think It Is
Microsoft has reduced the monthly price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $30 to $23, but excluded the annual Call of Duty release from the service. This change effectively saves subscribers $14 annually if they do not plan to purchase the new Call of Duty title at launch. The move is seen as a strategic adjustment to re-attract lapsed subscribers and avoid cannibalizing Call of Duty sales, while still maintaining overall revenue.
Xbox Game Pass Price, Day-One Games, And Tiers In 2026 Explained
Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service in April 2026, including a price decrease for Game Pass Ultimate to $23 per month and the removal of day-one releases for new Call of Duty titles. The service will continue to offer a library of games across various tiers, with some first-party titles still launching day-one, while others will arrive within 12 months.
Fallout: New Vegas remaster stalled by Bethesda's lack of ‘engineering know-how’
Plans for a Fallout: New Vegas remaster are reportedly stalled due to Bethesda's alleged lack of engineering expertise and potential inability to access the original game's source code. Former Obsidian designer Chris Avellone expressed doubts about Bethesda's capability to create a remaster, suggesting they might need to rebuild the game from scratch. This comes amidst fan hopes for a remaster, especially following the success of the Fallout TV show.
CoD Launches Are Gone, But Game Pass Should Ditch All The Other Games You've Heard Of, Too
Microsoft has removed day-one access to Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, leading to speculation about a new, cheaper tier focused on curated AA and indie games. The author argues that a more focused Game Pass library could help smaller titles gain attention and provide better value than a vast collection of AAA games.
Black Ops 6 Review: The Truth Behind the Buzz
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers a strong multiplayer experience with its new omni-movement system, though map design and customization present mixed results. The Zombies mode returns to its classic round-based format. Despite technical polish and accessibility options, persistent issues like netcode and cheating remain, and player reception has been lukewarm, raising questions about the series' future.
Look mom, new Intel Arc G3 handhelds that no one can probably afford are inbound
Intel is reportedly preparing to launch new handheld gaming PCs, the Arc G3 and G3 Extreme, featuring "Pather Lake" chipsets. These devices are expected to debut at Computex and may compete with existing handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally, though concerns about high pricing persist, with many current premium models exceeding $1,000.
Rumored Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Won't Be On Xbox Game Pass: Everything We Know About Call Of Duty 2026
Rumors suggest the next Call of Duty game, potentially titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch in late 2026. Developed by Infinity Ward, the game is expected to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with potential story elements involving North and South Korea. Microsoft has confirmed that new Call of Duty titles will not be day-one releases on Game Pass, though they may arrive later.
Game Pass Gets Price Drop, New Call Of Duty Games No Longer Included
Microsoft has reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions in response to negative feedback. Additionally, new Call of Duty titles will no longer be included with the service at launch, but will arrive about a year later. Existing Call of Duty games will remain on Game Pass.
28-Year Xbox Veteran Kiki Wolfkill Leaves The Company In A "Difficult But Exhilarating Decision"
Kiki Wolfkill, a 28-year veteran at Microsoft and Xbox, has departed the company. Wolfkill held various significant roles, including executive producer on Halo 4 and head of Xbox film and TV, and was instrumental in the Halo franchise's development and transmedia efforts. Her departure comes amidst reported internal issues at 343 Industries, though no direct connection to Wolfkill was specified.
