Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Xbox's Separation from Compulsion Games Seems Complete as Studio Is Listed as the Publisher of South of Midnight on Steam
Xbox's relationship with Compulsion Games appears to have concluded, as the developer is now listed as the publisher of its upcoming game South of Midnight on Steam, rather than Xbox Game Studios. This change follows recent layoffs and a broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division.
Shoutout to this particular skeleton, who researchers believe is the first confirmed case of being totally obliterated…
Researchers have identified Skeleton 150, unearthed at Stirling Castle in Scotland, as potentially the first confirmed victim of a trebuchet. The skeleton, dating to the 1300s, exhibits over 160 fractures consistent with being struck by a large, high-velocity projectile, likely from the English siege engine known as 'The War Wolf' during the siege of 1304.
Get Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta
The Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta will be available across two weekends this summer, with early access from August 6-10 for Game Pass Ultimate or PC members and pre-order customers. The game is developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, with a release date set for June 7, 2026, on Xbox Series X and PC.
Sandustry on Game Pass Turns Every Pixel Into A Factory Floor
Sandustry, a factory simulation game where players build automated production lines on a destructible planet, has launched in Game Preview on PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. Developed by Lantto Games and published by Hooded Horse, the game treats individual grains of sand and other elements as physical resources with unique properties. Priced at £12.99, Sandustry is currently PC-only despite its Xbox Store listing and is considered a work in progress.
Free Play Days – Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta, Sunderfolk and Asdivine Cross
Xbox Game Pass members can enjoy Free Play Days featuring the Gears of War: E-Day open beta, Sunderfolk, and Asdivine Cross. The Gears of War: E-Day beta runs from August 13-17, offering Horde Siege and Versus PvP modes on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Sunderfolk and Asdivine Cross are available for the full weekend for Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members.
Xbox Live Party Chat Poker Nights Are Back, Here’s How Cross-Play Changed The Game
Cross-play has revitalized social gaming experiences, particularly for activities like online poker nights, by removing platform barriers that previously fragmented friend groups. Microsoft's continued investment in cross-platform compatibility, exemplified by Xbox's approach since gamescom 2026, ensures that players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC can easily connect. This shift has allowed social gaming circles to remain active for longer periods, transcending console generations and fostering stronger friendships through shared online activities.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Sold 1.2 Million Copies, Performed Worst on Steam – Rumor
Halo: Campaign Evolved has reportedly sold 1.2 million copies, generating an estimated $67 million in revenue, with Steam sales underperforming significantly compared to Xbox and PlayStation. This underperformance on Steam is attributed to the value proposition of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which includes multiple titles and competitive multiplayer, features lacking in Campaign Evolved. A substantial portion of Xbox players accessed the game through Game Pass.
Halo: Campaign Evolved needed PvP to match Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 PS5 sales, analyst says
An analyst suggests that Halo: Campaign Evolved's lack of PvP maps is hindering its sales on PlayStation 5, causing it to significantly underperform compared to older Call of Duty: Black Ops ports. While Halo: Campaign Evolved sold 1.2 million copies, the PS5 ports of Black Ops 1 and 2 sold a combined 12 million units, with the analyst attributing the difference to the strong multiplayer component in the Call of Duty titles.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Review | TheXboxHub
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernized remake of the original Xbox launch title, celebrating 25 years of the franchise. It features the iconic ten-mission campaign, enhanced visuals using Unreal Engine 5, and new prequel missions focusing on Sgt. Johnson and Master Chief. While PvP is absent, the remake introduces weapons and features from later Halo games and overhauls challenging levels like 'The Library', offering a definitive experience for both newcomers and long-time fans.
Halo: Campaign Evolved struggles to sell in anywhere near the quantities the recent Black Ops revivals did, and the probable reason? Lack of multiplayer
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo campaign, has struggled to sell, with only 1.2 million copies sold across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox in two weeks. Analysts suggest the high price point and lack of multiplayer, a feature present in the cheaper Master Chief Collection and the successful Call of Duty: Black Ops ports, are the primary reasons for its poor performance. Despite being the first Halo title released on PlayStation, the campaign-only remake generated significantly less revenue than recent Call of Duty ports.
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Biggest Competition Might Be Halo
Halo: Campaign Evolved has sold an estimated 1.2 million copies across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, generating around $67 million. Analysts suggest that Halo: The Master Chief Collection offers better value and is the primary competition, especially on PC where it has sold 8.5 million copies on Steam. Sales on PlayStation 5 are neck and neck with Xbox Series X|S, driven by a nostalgia-seeking older demographic.
Remedy Entertainment touts pricing Control Resonant 'attractively for an AAA title'
Remedy Entertainment CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon stated that Control Resonant will be priced attractively at $60 for an AAA title, aiming to stand out in a competitive autumn release window. The company is self-publishing the game after mixed results with previous efforts and is facing financial challenges, with Q2 2026 revenue down 40 percent. Despite this, Remedy is confident in Control Resonant's potential, citing over 1.5 million wishlists and strong pre-order rankings.
HandyGames rebrands as THQ Nordic Mobile
HandyGames has rebranded as THQ Nordic Mobile, shifting its focus to bringing premium PC and console titles to mobile platforms, while its development studio continues as HandyGames. Separately, leaked emails reveal Blizzard Entertainment was Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, marking its third highest fiscal year for revenue.
Leaked emails reveal Blizzard is Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26
Leaked internal emails reveal that Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio within Xbox Game Studios for Microsoft's fiscal year 2026. This marks Blizzard's second consecutive year of growth, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, with FY26 being the studio's third highest fiscal for top-line revenue in its history.
Gears of War: E-Day's Steam player peak has already passed the series' all-time record, and it's still…
The beta for Gears of War: E-Day has achieved a new all-time concurrent player record for the series on Steam, surpassing 14,000 players. This peak occurred during the early access phase for pre-order customers and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, before the full open beta begins on August 13. The game is set to release on October 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Halo co-creator says the Campaign Evolved hate is overblown, even if some of its creative liberties "are absolutely…
Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo and designer of the original Campaign Evolved, believes the online criticism of the new remake is overblown. While acknowledging a few 'cringe' creative liberties in the overhauled cutscenes, he praises the upgrades to movement, cinematics, and visuals, finding the overall experience fun.
Halo and Black Ops sales on PS5 are shocking for very different reasons
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 have achieved significant sales figures on PlayStation consoles, with estimates suggesting millions of units sold. In contrast, Halo: Campaign Evolved has had a notably slow start on PlayStation 5, selling significantly fewer copies than its contemporaries and other Xbox titles on the platform. This disparity highlights differing market reception for remade or ported games.
We haven't needed motion blur in games for a long time, so I wish it would stop being the default
This article argues that motion blur in video games, particularly in titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved, is an outdated and often detrimental default setting. While acknowledging its historical purpose in masking low frame rates and mimicking film, the author contends that modern hardware and techniques like upscaling make it unnecessary. The piece advocates for motion blur to be an opt-in feature rather than the default, allowing players to experience games in their purest form first.
Age of Empires is doubling down on Vikings with a pair of new Norse expansions
World's Edge is releasing new Viking-themed DLC for Age of Empires 4 and Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition by the end of 2026. Age of Empires 4 will introduce the Scots and Vikings with its 'Raiders of the North' expansion, while Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition's 'The Viking Sagas' will focus on Harald Hardrada and include the Danes, Varangians, and Saxons. Additionally, Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition will receive 'The Baltic Powers' DLC featuring the Danes and Poles, and a new bundle will include the base game with several previously released DLCs.
Why does nobody like racing video games anymore? - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the decline of the racing game genre, noting the shift from popular arcade titles like Need For Speed and Burnout to more niche simulators. While Forza Horizon remains a success, the author questions why the genre has lost mainstream appeal, suggesting it may be overshadowed by open-world games or a general lack of innovation.
