Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios business and news from across the web.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Hands-On Demo – It’s The Halo You Love, But Even BetterHalo: Campaign Evolved, a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, offers a hands-on preview of the 'Assault on the Control Room' level. Creative Director Max Szlagor highlights significant visual and gameplay enhancements, including improved AI, expanded vehicle options, and streamlined level design, while preserving the original's core experience. The game launches July 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and cloud, with cross-play and cross-progression support.
Halo: Campaign Evolved ‘Assault on the Control Room’ and third-person ‘The Silent Cartographer’ gameplay walkthroughsHalo Studios and Xbox Game Studios have released new gameplay videos for Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved. The videos showcase "Assault on the Control Room" and a new third-person camera perspective for "The Silent Cartographer." Halo: Campaign Evolved is set to launch on July 28 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series, and will be available on Game Pass.
Fable ‘Build an Extraordinary Life’ gameplay walkthroughXbox Game Studios and Playground Games released a 30-minute gameplay walkthrough for the upcoming Fable reboot, titled 'Building an Extraordinary Life.' The footage showcases the game's living population system, relationship building, family creation, and the impact of player choices on the world of Albion. Fable is scheduled for release on February 23, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, and will be available on Game Pass.
The Fable reboot won't have horns and haloes because of its 'nuanced and complex' take on morality, and also because you're going to constantly reinvent yourselfThe upcoming Fable reboot by Playground Games will not feature a visible morality system with horns and haloes. Instead, the game will implement a more nuanced and complex approach where each Non-Player Character judges the player based on their own moral lens. Associate game directors Craig Littler and William Kennedy explained that this updated system allows for a more personalized player experience and a blank canvas for hero identity in each new settlement.
"It's coming" Gears of War: E-Day developer reassures multiplayer fans that more information is on the wayDevelopers for Gears of War: E-Day have assured fans that more information regarding the game's multiplayer modes will be revealed soon. Following the game's single-player focused reveal, lead developers confirmed that details about multiplayer mechanics, including the four-player squad format and the Siege game mode, are forthcoming. The game is confirmed as an exclusive for Xbox and PC.
Fable: How We Built the Living PopulationPlayground Games details the intricate 'Living Population' system in the upcoming Fable game, where over 1,000 NPCs possess unique personalities and schedules that evolve independently of the player. The developers opted for hand-crafted NPCs to ensure believability, allowing players to form relationships, become employers or landlords, and even face consequences for extreme actions like killing NPCs, which the game balances to avoid unrecoverable states. This system aims to create a deeply reactive world where player choices significantly impact individual NPCs and the wider game environment, including quests and settlement traits.- Project Mara Cancelled; Senua AnnouncedNinja Theory and Xbox Game Studios have announced the cancellation of Project Mara and the reveal of Senua, a new action-adventure game set in the Hellblade universe. Further details on Senua's gameplay and release are expected.
Xbox console exclusives are returning on a 'case-by-case' basisMicrosoft is re-prioritizing Xbox console exclusives, starting with Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, to encourage hardware purchases. This marks a shift from the previous multiplatform strategy, with exclusivity decisions now being made on a case-by-case basis under new Xbox president Asha Sharma. Large multiplayer and live service titles will continue to be multiplatform.
Date Everything wins two accolades at The Gayming Awards 2026The Gayming Awards 2026 celebrated achievements in LGBTQ+ representation within gaming. Sassy Chap Games' 'Date Everything' won Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game and the Gayming Fan Favourite Award, while Compulsion Games' 'South of Midnight' took home Game of the Year. The ceremony recognized various categories, including voice acting, content creation, and contributions to esports, highlighting diversity and inclusivity.
Gears Of War: E-Day PS5 promo refutes Microsoft's claims about Xbox exclusivityAn official Xbox podcast trailer for Gears Of War: E-Day briefly showed PlayStation 5 and Steam logos, contradicting Microsoft's claims of it being an Xbox exclusive. Despite Xbox's vice president of games marketing Aaron Greenberg denying a last-minute pivot, the inclusion of the PS5 logo suggests it was initially planned for the platform. This incident adds to confusion surrounding Microsoft's evolving exclusivity strategy for its first-party titles.
Ninja Theory cancels Project MaraNinja Theory has cancelled its experimental horror title Project Mara to focus all studio resources on the third Hellblade game, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Studio head Dom Matthews stated the decision was made to consolidate the expertise of their 85 creatives onto the Hellblade franchise. Project Mara was intended to be a realistic portrayal of mental terror, while Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and its sequel are recognized for their depiction of mental health experiences.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Preorders Are Here, Including A Massive Collector’s EditionPreorders are now available for Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The game features a remastered campaign with new missions and gameplay enhancements, and will be released on July 28. Multiple editions are available, including a Premium Edition with digital extras and early access, and a Collector's Edition with physical collectibles like a Master Chief statue.
"Our business today is not healthy": Xbox exec says plan for exclusive games is "not ready" but…Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball stated that the company's current business is "not healthy" and a new plan for exclusive games is being developed under new CEO Asha Sharma. While some games like Gears of War: E-Day will be console exclusives, live-service titles will remain multi-platform, with a clearer strategy to be communicated to players soon.
State of Decay 3 playtests will expand this year ahead of 2027 release: "We are dying for players to come…State of Decay 3 is slated for a 2027 release, with developer Undead Labs planning to expand alpha and beta playtests throughout the year. Creative director Kevin Patzelt expressed enthusiasm for player feedback, encouraging sign-ups on the official playtest website. The game will be available on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Gears of War: E-Day trailer quickly removed after PS5 logo accidentally appearedA PlayStation 5 logo briefly appeared in an Xbox Podcast video for Gears of War: E-Day, reigniting rumors of a multiplatform release. Microsoft has since clarified that the game will be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC, launching on October 6, 2026. The prequel is built in Unreal Engine 5 and promises a darker, horror-focused experience.
Gears of War: E-Day's PS5 port is reportedly mostly complete as Xbox only recently decided to U-turn on its console…A report suggests that a PlayStation 5 port of Gears of War: E-Day is nearly complete, despite Xbox recently deciding to keep the game as an Xbox exclusive. This change in strategy reportedly occurred after Phil Spencer's retirement, with current leadership re-evaluating which single-player games will be ported to other platforms on a case-by-case basis.
Halo: Campaign Evolved – Creating New Cosmetics for Master Chief That Honor the Halo LegacyHalo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, will feature new cosmetic skins for Master Chief, inspired by the series' legacy. These include recreations of the original Mark V armor, a Forerunner-inspired design, and unique themed sets. The game will also offer a rebuilt campaign with modern visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and network co-op for up to four players, launching July 28, 2026, with early access starting July 23.
Hellblade studio kills its mysterious 'horrors of the mind' project so it can make a new Senua game insteadNinja Theory has canceled its "Project Mara" to fully dedicate its resources to a new Senua game, simply titled Senua. Studio head Dom Matthews stated the new title will be an action-adventure game with broader gameplay and combat depth, set in Purgatory after the events of Hellblade 1 and 2. The studio aims to deliver a fresh experience that welcomes new players while building on the established themes and characters.
Gears of War E-Day pre-orders are live, but PS5 players will have to sit this one outGears of War E-Day is set to launch on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with pre-orders now available. Despite initial ratings, the game will be an Xbox console exclusive and will not be released on PlayStation 5. Various editions are offered, including a Collector's Edition featuring a Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago diorama, and the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at launch.
Dive Into the Depths in Grounded 2’s Into the Abyss UpdateGrounded 2's 'Into the Abyss' update, launching August 11, introduces a large new area centered around the pond, allowing players to explore both above and below the water's surface. The update features new progression systems, challenges, and an amphibious Toe-biter Buggy for traversing land and water. Grounded 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, ASUS ROG Ally, Steam, and PlayStation 5, with options for Game Pass.