Microsoft
Microsoft business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Is Tifa Lockhart the new brawler in Street Fighter 6? F... | TAG
Rumors suggest Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII may join Street Fighter 6, coinciding with Final Fantasy VII's anniversary and Street Fighter's Year 3 Character Pass conclusion. Nintendo announced Splatoon Raiders for the Switch 2 this summer, alongside a Deep Cut amiibo. The MMO Aion 2 is set for a global launch this year despite initial microtransaction concerns, and a sequel to the horror film Event Horizon is in development with Christian Ward writing.
Microsoft's Xbox 'Helix' chip is reportedly the basis of next-gen consoles made by Asus and MSI, but you won't be able to buy it separately
Microsoft's Project Helix chip, engineered by AMD, is reportedly set to be the foundation for next-generation gaming machines from third-party manufacturers like Asus and MSI. However, the chip will not be sold separately to consumers, dashing hopes of it forming the basis for budget PC gaming rigs.
Kiki Wolfkill, longtime Halo veteran and head of Xbox Film and TV, has left Microsoft after nearly 30 years
Kiki Wolfkill, a veteran of the Halo franchise and head of Xbox Film and TV, has departed Microsoft after nearly 30 years with the company. Wolfkill announced her departure on LinkedIn, stating that April 17 was her last day. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities Microsoft provided throughout her career in the gaming industry.
Transport Fever 3: Urban Games Announces Curated Mods Program and Steps up Beta Testing
Urban Games has announced a new Curated Mods Program for Transport Fever 3, granting early access and support to select modders to ensure high-quality mods are available at launch. The studio is also initiating closed beta tests for consoles, focusing on stability and performance. The game will feature enhanced modding tools and cross-platform mod availability, with a new automated mod-approval system developed in collaboration with Sony and Microsoft.
Transport Fever 3: Urban Games kündigt Curated Mods Program an und intensiviert die Beta Tests
Urban Games has announced a new Curated Mods Program for Transport Fever 3, granting early access to select modders to ensure high-quality, developer-supported mods at launch. The company is also intensifying closed beta testing, including for consoles, to focus on stability and performance. Transport Fever 3 will feature enhanced modding tools and an integrated Mod Hub, with a curated selection of mods available from release.
The Xbox Ally has finally stepped up as an affordable Steam Deck stand-in, albeit with frame rate caveats
The ASUS ROG Ally is now a more compelling alternative to the Steam Deck OLED due to significant discounts, making it a more affordable handheld gaming PC. However, the base model's Z2 chipset offers a noticeable performance gap compared to the more powerful Z1 Extreme found in its sibling and competitors, impacting frame rates in demanding titles. Despite these caveats, the ROG Ally remains the most affordable new portable PC option currently available.
45+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Big Games Big Deals Sale
The PlayStation Store is currently hosting its Big Games Big Deals sale, featuring thousands of discounted PS5 and PS4 titles until May 6, 2026. The article highlights a curated selection of recommended games, many of which are at their lowest-ever prices.
ID@Xbox Showcase Officially Announced
Microsoft, in collaboration with IGN, has officially announced an ID@Xbox Showcase set for April 23. The event will feature new trailers, gameplay, and first looks at independent titles such as Solo Leveling: ARISE, Mistfall Hunter, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, and Aphelion. The showcase will be streamed across multiple platforms including YouTube, Twitch, and IGN's website.
Mar 2026 USA Sales: Pokémon-Powered Switch 2 Finally Beats 5-Year-Old PS5
In March 2026, the Nintendo Switch surpassed the PlayStation 5 in US sales, marking a shift after the latter's five-year dominance. Despite a year-over-year increase, the PlayStation 5 saw its sales dip before a price increase on April 2nd. Sony-published titles MLB The Show 26 and Marathon performed exceptionally well, topping software charts and contributing to a 12% overall industry spend increase.
Microsoft lowers the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate but will stop offering new Call of Duty titles
Microsoft has reduced the monthly prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. However, new Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch, with a delayed release of approximately one year after their initial debut.
I just found out the creator of Windows Task Manager accidentally left his phone number inside the app
Dave Plummer, the original creator of Windows Task Manager, accidentally embedded his home phone number within the application's code as an assertion to help debug a rare bug. The bug, which caused CPU utilization to exceed 100%, was eventually fixed by the kernel developers. Plummer never received a call about the assertion until he mentioned the story on YouTube years later.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for March 2026 – Pokemon Pokopia lands in the top 5
Circana has released the top-selling video games in the U.S. for March 2026, with MLB The Show 26 leading the list. Pokemon Pokopia debuted at number 5, despite Nintendo not reporting digital sales for the game-key card title. Monster Hunter Stories 3 also made its debut on the chart at number 7.
Halo TV series producer and Xbox veteran Kiki Wolfkill announces departure from Microsoft after 28 years: "I couldn't be more inspired to climb the next mountain"
Kiki Wolfkill, a veteran of Microsoft's gaming division and producer for the Halo TV series, has announced her departure after 28 years. Wolfkill, who most recently headed Xbox film and television, expressed excitement for future endeavors, teasing that more information will be shared later.
Transport Fever 3 curated mods program revealed, closed beta testing comes to console
Urban Games has announced a curated mods program for Transport Fever 3, granting community modders access and early beta testing opportunities. The game will launch simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC with cross-platform modding support on day one, facilitated by a new automated approval system developed with Sony and Microsoft. A closed beta for the console versions is also planned to ensure a smooth launch.
Xbox Game Pass Could Lose Other Day-One New Releases Beyond Call Of Duty, Expert Says
Microsoft has announced changes to Xbox Game Pass, including a price reduction and the removal of new Call of Duty titles from day-one releases. Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggests that other first-party games might also be "windowed" from day-one launches to generate more revenue. Future plans for Game Pass aim for increased flexibility, potentially including customizable subscription tiers.
Xbox boss gifts Hideo Kojima mysterious box and fans reckon it's Project Helix
Hideo Kojima received a mysterious 'Xbox for Kojima' box from Xbox leadership, sparking fan speculation that it is a devkit for Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix. While the box appears too small for a typical devkit, theories suggest it could be a special controller for Kojima's upcoming Xbox-published horror game, OD, or an early gift related to the new console.
Ubisoft reportedly cancels life-simulator project Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly cancelled its life simulator project, codenamed Alterra, with affected employees being reassigned to other projects. The game, described as an Animal Crossing-style title with voxel creation, had been in development for about 18 months at Ubisoft Montréal. This cancellation follows Ubisoft's recent introduction of a Creative House structure and other cost-cutting measures, including the discontinuation of three other games and studio closures.
Project Helix: Xbox’s Last Big Bet - Asha Sharma's Big Swing
Project Helix represents Xbox's critical new hardware strategy, aiming to unify console, PC, and cloud gaming under a single ecosystem. Facing intense competition from PlayStation and Nintendo, this initiative is seen as a make-or-break moment for Xbox's future in the console market. Success hinges on delivering exciting hardware, compelling exclusives, and seamless cross-platform integration, otherwise Microsoft may shift focus solely to software and services.
Kiki Wolfkill, former Halo veteran and film and TV head at Xbox, exits Microsoft after 28 years
Kiki Wolfkill, head of film and TV at Xbox and a 28-year veteran of Microsoft, has departed the company. Wolfkill was instrumental in transmedia projects like the Halo TV show, the Fallout series for Amazon, and upcoming adaptations for Minecraft and Gears of War. Her exit follows a broader transition within Xbox's leadership.
Hideo Kojima sparks Xbox Project Helix speculation as he meets execs to pose with a mysterious box – but the reality probably isn't that exciting
Hideo Kojima's visit to Xbox offices and a photo with a mysterious box labeled "Xbox for Kojima" have fueled speculation about Project Helix, Xbox's next console. While fans theorize it's a dev kit, the box's size and Xbox's GDC 2026 announcement about 2027 dev kit shipments suggest otherwise. The meeting also involved Xbox executives Phil Spencer and Asha Sharma, and Kojima also met Master Chief.
