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PS5, PS5 Pro’s Price Hikes Might Lead to PS6 Costing 50 Percent More, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro could lead to the PlayStation 6 costing up to 50 percent more. Factors such as US economic policies, rising component costs, and market volatility are cited as reasons for the anticipated increase, potentially normalizing $1,000 console prices.
Xbox Games Showcase and Gears of War: E-Day Direct Confirmed for June 7th
Xbox has announced its annual Games Showcase for June 7th, featuring gameplay reveals and news from first-party and third-party developers. Immediately following the showcase will be a "Gears of War: E-Day Direct" presentation offering new gameplay and insights into the prequel, which is slated for a 2026 release. The event will also celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary with a look back at its history and a preview of future titles.
Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 Could Follow PS5 and Increase Prices, Says Analyst
Sony has increased the prices of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro due to rising component costs, a move that analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis suggests Microsoft and Nintendo may follow for their respective consoles. These price hikes, coupled with inflation, could negatively impact new game sales, despite anticipated major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6.
Starfield on PS5 – 15 New Things You Need to Know
Bethesda has detailed the upcoming Free Lanes update and Terran Armada expansion for Starfield, launching April 7th, which will also include a PlayStation 5 version. The PS5 version will feature full DualSense controller support and graphics modes for the PS5 Pro. The expansion introduces the Terran Armada faction, new quests, weapons, perks, and ship customization options.
Star Wars Zero Company Studio Founder Says Call With Vince Zampella Led to Project’s Development
Bit Reactor studio founder Gregory Foertsch revealed that a call from Vince Zampella inspired the development of Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game set in the Star Wars universe. The game, officially unveiled in April 2025, is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with its story set between Episode 2 and Episode 3. Foertsch aimed to create a grittier atmosphere, drawing inspiration from Rogue One and The Clone Wars.
Game Pass Might Get New Subscription Tier With Only Xbox Game Studios Titles – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a new, lower-priced Game Pass tier codenamed 'Triton' that would exclusively feature titles from Xbox Game Studios. This potential tier aims to attract a broader customer base by focusing solely on first-party content. The article also touches on past criticisms of Game Pass price increases and potential partnerships with services like Netflix.
Dataminers suggest Xbox is about to launch a neutered Game Pass tier with only first-party games
Dataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting Xbox is planning to introduce a new, more limited tier for its Game Pass subscription service. This tier would reportedly only offer access to older first-party Microsoft titles, excluding day-one releases, and is codenamed 'TRION'.
Dataminers think they've found evidence of an unannounced Game Pass tier showing only older first-party games
Dataminers have discovered evidence of a potential new Xbox Game Pass tier codenamed 'Trion' that may exclusively feature older first-party titles from Xbox Studios. The rumored tier's listed games include titles like Doom Eternal, Dishonored 2, and Halo 5, notably excluding newer releases. This potential change comes as Asha Sharma settles into her role as Xbox's new CEO.
PS5 price hike hits us hard—is Sony making the right mo... | TAG
Sony has implemented a price increase for the PlayStation 5, a move discussed as inevitable due to rising component costs and market pressures. Analysts suggest this could push consumers towards alternative platforms like PC, mobile, or cloud gaming. The article also touches on new features in Borderlands 4 and a special deal for NordVPN.
Fortnite Fans Brace for Potential Price Surges Across C... | TAG
Sony has announced another price increase for the PlayStation 5, with the digital edition now costing $600, a $200 jump since launch. This move has sparked concerns about gamers shifting to cheaper alternatives like mobile or streaming, while the Xbox Series S remains a more affordable option. Separately, Borderlands 4's new $30 expansion pack is facing fan backlash for its perceived lack of innovation.
After PS5 price hike, Xbox and Nintendo could be next
Analysts suggest that Sony's recent PlayStation 5 price increase may signal a broader trend across the industry due to rising component costs, inflation, and supply shortages. It would not be surprising if Microsoft and Nintendo also implement similar price adjustments for their consoles in the near future.
Saturday Consolidation
Microsoft's Project Helix is discussed as potentially beneficial for gamers on PC but detrimental to the Xbox brand. A trailer was also released for the Nintendo Switch game Aarik And The Ruined Kingdom.
Microsoft's Project Helix sounds like it could be better for gamers than the Series X but in a way that is worse…
Microsoft's Project Helix, potentially launching in late 2027 or 2028, aims to offer a PC-like gaming experience with Xbox integration at a competitive price. While it could be more appealing than the Xbox Series X due to its PC-like features and potential cost savings, the article questions if this direction is ultimately beneficial for Xbox's console presence and the broader gaming market.
Forgotten FPS sequel Heretic 2 gets a 'reverse-engineered sourceport' that fixes bugs, improves the framerate and adds 'lots of cosmetic improvements'
A new sourceport for the 1998 third-person action-adventure game Heretic 2 has been released, offering bug fixes, improved framerates, and cosmetic enhancements. This unofficial release requires the original game data and aims to make the sequel more accessible on modern PCs. The article also speculates on a potential official rerelease given Microsoft's ownership of both Activision and id Software, who published the original titles.
Hades II Arrives on Xbox Game Pass in April With Play Anywhere Support
Hades II will launch on Xbox platforms and PC on April 14, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass and support for Xbox Play Anywhere. The game will be the most polished version to date, including all post-launch updates and new gameplay features like a sprint ability and Magick system. This release marks a significant addition to Xbox Game Pass's lineup, offering flexibility for players across console and PC.
Hades II Arrives on Xbox Game Pass in April With Play Anywhere Support
Hades II will launch on Xbox platforms and PC on April 14, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass and support for Xbox Play Anywhere. The game will be the most polished version to date, including all post-launch updates and new gameplay features like a sprint ability and Magick system. This release marks a significant addition to Xbox Game Pass's lineup, offering flexibility for players across console and PC.
Rockstar’s Bangalore Testing Drive Signals GTA 6’s Final Phase
Rockstar Games is holding a large game tester recruitment event in Bangalore, India, on April 18, 2026, indicating Grand Theft Auto 6 is entering its final testing and polish phase. This drive, occurring seven months before the game's confirmed November 19, 2026 launch, suggests a focus on extensive quality assurance across multiple platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Microsoft’s “This Is An Xbox” Campaign Was Axed Because “It Didn’t Feel Like Xbox”
Microsoft has reportedly axed its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign because the new CEO, Asha Sharma, felt it did not authentically represent the Xbox brand. Sharma is personally leading a brand reset, aiming for a more console-focused approach to compete with PlayStation. The article also briefly mentions potential changes to Game Pass pricing.
The industry is in a 'really horrible place,' say Brenda and John Romero
Brenda and John Romero describe the current state of the video game industry as 'horrible,' drawing parallels to the 1983 crash due to widespread layoffs and studio closures at companies like EA, PlayStation, and Epic Games. Brenda Romero also expressed concern over the push for generative AI, stating that Romero Games is not utilizing the technology.
PS6 and Xbox Project Helix "will start at a 50% higher price" than PS5 and Xbox Series X, predict analysts following Sony price hike – and $999 "is not impossible"
Analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at significantly higher prices than current-generation consoles, potentially reaching $999. This projection follows Sony's recent price increase for the PlayStation 5, with experts citing economic factors and a shift towards console gaming becoming a luxury expenditure.
