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Xbox Game Pass Gets Cozy New Home with Discord Nitro Bundle
A leaked report indicates Microsoft is planning to bundle a new 'Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition' with Discord Nitro subscriptions. This new tier will reportedly include over 50 games and limited cloud streaming capabilities. The partnership aims to leverage Discord's existing user base and subscription model to expand Game Pass reach.
Microsoft CEO sees Xbox as "critical audience and category" that's "really important to the company’s future" says Asha Sharma
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma views Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's ten-year vision as placing Xbox as a critical audience and category for the company's future. Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty aim to return Xbox to growth next year by focusing on daily active players and making services like Game Pass more affordable and flexible.
Xbox Is Flip-Flopping on PS5 Again, and It's Truly Getting Tiring
Xbox is reportedly re-evaluating its strategy regarding releasing games on PlayStation 5, a move that has become a recurring and tiring cycle for the company. Despite past commitments to broader platform availability and statements from executives like Phil Spencer and Satya Nadella, the debate over exclusivity continues to resurface. This constant back-and-forth creates uncertainty and fatigue among players and observers alike.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Microsoft appears to be preparing a new 'Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition,' according to reports. This potential offering could be aimed at attracting new subscribers to its game subscription service.
Morning Tech Bits
Intel Corporation reported its first-quarter 2026 financial results. Separately, Microsoft is reportedly targeting about 7% of its U.S. workforce with a buyout offer, according to The New York Times.
World of Warcraft "will continue to decline" unless the MMO gets a "reset," says former Blizzard…
Former Blizzard Entertainment boss Mike Ybarra stated that World of Warcraft needs a "reset" to reverse its ongoing decline, particularly following a recent bug-filled patch. The developers have apologized for the issues and promised improvements to the game's stability and content delivery.
Xbox Future Revealed: Problems, Game Pass & Big Changes | Invision Game Community
Microsoft has acknowledged significant problems with the Xbox platform, including rising prices, weak features, and slow updates. The company is initiating a major overhaul to transform Xbox into a global gaming platform accessible on any device via cloud gaming and is reassessing its Game Pass strategy and exclusivity policies.
Xbox leaders lay out new priorities for the company's future, and promise 'flexible pricing' and a focus on 'daily active players' by prioritizing 'hardware, content, experience, and services'
Xbox leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty have outlined new priorities focusing on 'daily active players' and a shift back to the 'Xbox' brand name. The company plans to offer 'flexible pricing' for its services and reevaluate its approach to exclusivity, windowing, and AI. This strategic shift aims to build a global platform connecting players and creators, with a strong emphasis on hardware, content, experience, and services.
Gang of Dragon's YouTube Channel Goes Up In Smoke
Rumors suggest Toshihiro Nagoshi's "Gang of Dragons" may be canceled, with its developer Nagoshi Studio's YouTube channel being deleted and NetEase reportedly pulling funding. The game, Nagoshi's first since leaving Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, is facing significant financial hurdles, with the studio seeking new partners as current funding is set to expire. This situation mirrors other high-profile game cancellations in the industry.
Gas power projects for just 11 US data center 'campuses' could emit more greenhouse gases than entire…
New natural gas power projects linked to 11 US data center campuses could emit more greenhouse gases than Morocco in 2024. Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta are among the companies whose projects face scrutiny over potential emissions, with some individual projects exceeding the yearly emissions of entire nations. While some companies argue these are theoretical maximums, even halved figures would still surpass Norway's 2024 emissions.
Microsoft reportedly offers voluntary retirement program for 7% of US workforce
Microsoft is reportedly offering a voluntary retirement program to up to 7% of its US workforce, targeting employees at senior level or below with a combined age and service total of at least 70. This initiative follows recent layoffs and restructuring within its gaming division, including studio closures and project cancellations. The company is also adjusting its stock reward structure to provide managers with more flexibility.
Microsoft will reportedly invite 7% of their US workers to retire early, as the Xbox division talk up "strong cost discipline"
Microsoft is reportedly offering a voluntary early retirement program to approximately 7% of its US-based employees, targeting those at senior director level and below whose age and years of service total 70 or more. This initiative, aimed at achieving 'strong cost discipline' within the Xbox division and the wider company, follows previous rounds of layoffs. Executive VP Amy Coleman stated the program offers eligible employees a choice for their next step with company support.
Next-Gen Xbox Impacted By Memory Crisis, New CEO Admits
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admitted that memory shortages are impacting the development and pricing of the next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix. The demand for memory chips is high due to AI industry investments, creating competition for resources with Microsoft's own AI initiatives. While development kits will be sent out in early 2027, a specific release date for the console has not yet been announced.
Xbox Is Re-evaluating It's Approach to Games Exclusivity
Xbox, formerly Microsoft Gaming, is reevaluating its approach to game exclusivity and artificial intelligence, indicating a potential shift away from its multi-platform strategy. The company also announced changes to its Game Pass subscription pricing and confirmed that future Call of Duty titles will not be available on Game Pass at launch, but will be added later.
Microsoft Kills Gaming Brand, Returns to Xbox Identity
Microsoft is retiring the 'Microsoft Gaming' brand and re-establishing 'Xbox' as its primary identity for its gaming division. This strategic shift aims to leverage the established credibility and consumer recognition of the Xbox brand across all its gaming initiatives, including consoles, PC, and cloud services. The move coincides with a period of strong performance for Xbox and a broader industry trend towards authentic brand connection with gamers.
Xbox has a new logo – we think we like it a lot, but do you?
Xbox, under the new Head of Gaming Asha Sharma, has unveiled a new logo that blends elements of its past branding, including the original Xbox and Xbox 360. The company shared the logo with the message "We are Xbox," signaling a potential shift in brand identity during a critical time for the platform.
Xbox Changes Direction With "New North Star" and New Priorities
Xbox has announced a new strategic direction focused on becoming a global platform connecting players and creators, addressing player frustrations with console updates, PC presence, and pricing. The "new north star" for Xbox will be daily active players, with core pillars including hardware, content, experience, and services, aiming to fortify Game Pass with clearer differentiation and sustainable economics.
Engadget Podcast: Tim Cook’s Apple era and what lies ahead for John Ternus
Tim Cook will step down as CEO of Apple on September 1, with John Ternus, currently SVP of hardware engineering, set to take over. The podcast episode discusses Cook's legacy and speculates on how Ternus's product and engineering background might influence future Apple products. Other topics briefly touched upon include Palantir's recent manifesto, facial recognition for ICE, PC market trends, Meta's ad lawsuit and employee monitoring, and a price change for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox will reevaluate exclusivity and target daily active players under new leadership
Xbox's new leadership, including president Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty, are set to reevaluate the company's approach to platform exclusivity, windowing, and AI. The division aims to increase its PC presence, improve console performance, and focus on daily active players as its new north star. Xbox also plans to fortify Xbox Game Pass and pursue strategic mergers and acquisitions to accelerate growth.
Are Xbox Exclusives Coming Back? Here's What Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Had To Say
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that decisions regarding exclusive games will be carefully considered, taking a data-driven and strategic approach with long-term implications. While fans are calling for a return to exclusives, Microsoft has recently shifted towards multiplatform releases, with titles like Forza Horizon 5 reportedly earning significant revenue on PlayStation 5. Sharma also indicated potential changes to game windowing and the company's approach to AI.
