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Xbox Disc-To-Digital Program Is Officially Live For Everyone
Microsoft's Xbox disc-to-digital program is now available for all Xbox One and Xbox Series X users, allowing them to obtain digital licenses for physical games. Users can insert a supported disc into their console while signed in to claim a license, with an option to disable automatic installation for faster bulk claiming. Publishers like Square Enix and Ubisoft do not currently support the program.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Has Some Advice For Xbox: “Pick A Lane”
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden advises Xbox to "pick a lane," suggesting the company either commit to competing with PlayStation on hardware or fully embrace its role as the world's largest game publisher. Layden points to Sega's shift to software after the Dreamcast as a precedent, noting Xbox's declining console sales and potential future as a software-only entity.
Xbox Allowing Players to Hold Digital & Physical Ownerships
Microsoft has launched its 'Disc to Digital' feature for Xbox users, allowing physical game discs to unlock digital licenses. This feature, available for most Xbox One and Xbox Series X titles, links a digital entitlement to the disc, enabling disc-free launching, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Xbox Cloud Gaming benefits without relinquishing the physical copy. The digital entitlement remains tied to the disc, preserving the ability to sell or lend games.
All the RPS Supporter rewards for September 2026: Model ships, maze cities, and the tyranny of content
Rock Paper Shotgun details its supporter rewards for September 2026, including exclusive articles and early access to game impressions. Featured games include ShipShapers: Falconeer Chronicles, Sprawl Zero, Automobilista 2, and Rogue Eclipse. The article also touches on broader industry topics like Microsoft/Xbox layoffs and the use of the word 'content'.
Sony should delay PS6 'as long as possible' says former PlayStation boss
Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida advises Sony to delay the PlayStation 6 launch as long as possible, suggesting players and developers are content with the current PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. He believes extending the current generation is a viable strategy to mitigate rising hardware costs and avoid a difficult sell for a more expensive next-generation console.
Xbox Mythic Achievements roll out to Insiders and are retroactively awarded as far back as Xbox 360 games
Microsoft has officially announced and begun rolling out "Mythic Achievements" for Xbox Insiders, which function similarly to PlayStation's Platinum Trophies. These achievements are awarded for unlocking all other achievements in a game and are retroactively applied to titles as far back as the Xbox 360 era. This feature is part of a broader Achievement and profile update, though a full public release date has not yet been announced.
Xbox's disc-to-digital feature rolls out for Series consoles and Xbox One, allowing you to digitise your game-disc collection
Microsoft has officially launched its disc-to-digital feature for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles, allowing users to convert physical game discs into digital copies tied to their account. This feature supports most physical games across both generations, though eligibility may vary. The digital license transfers with the disc, enabling the new owner to also digitize it.
Veteran Halo lead has suggestions for how Activision could actually make "the greatest Halo game ever," and they include hiring "Bungie, Halo Studios, and other laid-off folks"
Veteran Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three distinct paths for Activision to create a successful Halo game, including a return to classic gameplay, a radical reinvention, or adapting the IP to modern business models. He specifically suggests hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios, noting the talent pool available after recent Microsoft layoffs.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Is Moving to a Free Allowance With Paid Top-Ups
Starting in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming will implement monthly playtime allowances for Game Pass subscribers, with tiers offering 15, 10, or 5 hours. Players exceeding these limits will be able to purchase additional playtime. Microsoft cites rising service costs as the reason for this shift, which is expected to impact approximately 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Sony and Nintendo Should Stick to PS5, Switch 2 for Longer, Says Former PlayStation Exec
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida suggests Sony and Nintendo should extend the lifespan of their current consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, due to potential financial difficulties and memory shortages impacting next-gen hardware prices. He also speculates on Xbox's subscription model for future consoles, proposing higher annual fees than previously suggested.
The 12 most exciting video game releases of October 2026
October 2026 is set to feature a diverse lineup of video game releases, including Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Gears Of War: E-Day. Other notable titles include Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and Final Fantasy Resonance, which marks a return to turn-based combat. Microsoft is also releasing an Xbox and PC exclusive, while Nintendo is launching Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
Xbox Debuts New Mythic Achievements, Available Now for Insiders
Xbox has launched a new 'Mythic Achievements' feature for Insiders, rewarding players who have completed all original achievements in any game, including older Xbox 360 titles. While primarily offering bragging rights, the feature is seen as a positive way to celebrate gaming history.
Making our favorite FPS modes 1v1 to decide the greatest of them all
This article discusses the diverse and enduring appeal of various first-person shooter game modes. It introduces a reader-voted tournament to determine the greatest FPS mode, pitting popular formats like Team Deathmatch, Battle Royale, and Capture the Flag against each other.
UK government wants people to be rude to AI: 'You don't need to say thank you'
The UK government has issued draft guidelines for its employees on the ethical and sustainable use of AI, advising them not to thank AI systems for outputs. The guidance emphasizes efficiency, suggesting shorter prompts and using AI only when necessary to reduce costs and environmental impact. It also reminds users that they are responsible for AI-generated content and should verify its accuracy.
NBA The Run Kicks off its First Season with a Major Update
NBA The Run has launched its first major seasonal update, "Wave One – 2000s Legends," adding five iconic NBA players including Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Dirk Nowitzki. The free update for Xbox Series X|S also introduces new gameplay cameras, licensed music, practice mode, custom matches, and more customization options.
Xbox’s New Mythic Achievements Will Show Exactly How Close You Are To 100%
Microsoft is rolling out Mythic Achievements for Xbox Insiders, a new system that awards players for unlocking all original achievements in a game, similar to PlayStation's Platinum Trophies. This feature will be retroactive and will include a new Gaming tab on player profiles to track progress. The rollout occurs amidst significant layoffs and restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division, impacting studios like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs.
Majority Of Gears Of War: E-Day Revenue On Xbox Will Be Cannibalized By Game Pass, Analyst Says
An analyst report suggests that Gears of War: E-Day's inclusion on Xbox Game Pass will significantly cannibalize its revenue potential, despite strong initial sales on Steam. Microsoft's strategy with Game Pass is questioned, with past admissions that it can hurt full-game sales, though some executives maintain it can also boost them. The report also touches on the potential for a PlayStation 5 port and the broader implications of Microsoft's exclusivity and Game Pass strategies.
For the first time in 60 years, Sony will skip the huge convention it once used to reveal the PS5 logo because now it’s focusing on "technology geared to support creators"
Sony will not attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2027, marking its first absence in 60 years. The company cited a focus on "entertainment, intellectual property, and technology geared to support creators" as the reason for the shift away from large industry events.
Elder Scrolls Online’s developers acknowledge ‘challenging’ road ahead after the brutal 2026 layoffs
Developers at ZeniMax have acknowledged the significant impact of the spring layoffs, which resulted in 213 employees being let go from The Elder Scrolls Online. Game Director Nick Giacomini stated that the team is still struggling with the losses and has had to push back planned 2026 updates to 2027 due to reduced resources, though he remains optimistic about the future.
Ex-PlayStation lead thinks Sony and Nintendo "should try to keep the current generation as long as possible" amid hardware price hikes: "People are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2"
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida believes Sony and Nintendo should extend their current console generations due to rising hardware costs. He suggests that players are content with existing hardware like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, and that extending the lifecycle would be beneficial given the increased price of components.
