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What Do You Want from a May 2026 State of Play Showcase?
This article discusses player expectations for an upcoming May 2026 PlayStation State of Play showcase, considering potential first-party titles like Marvel's Wolverine and rumored God of War entries, alongside third-party releases aiming to avoid Grand Theft Auto 6's November launch. It also touches on the possibility of early PlayStation 6 mentions, though deems it unlikely for this particular event.
Xbox is reportedly creating a new Game Pass tier to capture the ever growing Chinese gaming market with
Microsoft is reportedly developing a new tier of Game Pass specifically for the Chinese market, codenamed 'Project Saluki'. This initiative aims to cater to China's unique regulatory environment and gamer preferences, following the significant growth of the Chinese gaming market and increasing adoption of simplified Chinese on platforms like Steam. The move comes as Xbox seeks to bolster its position, with new CEO Asha Sharma leading efforts to revitalize the brand.
Forza Horizon 6 release countdown: Exact date and time
Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch globally on Tuesday, May 19, for PC and Xbox consoles. Players who purchase the Premium Edition can gain early access starting May 15, with specific release times varying by region and time zone. The Standard and Deluxe Editions will be available at midnight local time on the official release date.
Xbox Adds Gamerscore Badges in New System Update, Available Now for Insiders
Xbox has released a new system update for Insiders that introduces Gamerscore badges, visually representing a player's total score. This feature, which includes tiers up to five million Gamerscore, aligns with recent rebranding efforts under CEO Asha Sharma. While not yet live for all users, the update aims to enhance the player experience and potentially revive the brand's fortunes.
Evening Consolidation
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is reportedly curious about how consumers spell the company's name, "Xbox" or "XBOX." This discussion highlights a minor point of branding and consumer perception within the gaming industry.
Microsoft Seemingly Working on Game Pass For China
Microsoft appears to be preparing to launch Xbox Game Pass in China, with datamined files from the Xbox PC app referencing "Project Saluki" for market expansion. The service is expected to feature a curated selection of games to comply with the region's strict gaming regulations. Additionally, a feature called "Positron" was discovered, potentially enabling a Disc2Digital service for physical game licenses.
Xbox CEO Wants To Know If You Spell It "Xbox" Or "XBOX"
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is polling players on whether the brand name should be spelled "Xbox" or "XBOX," with "XBOX" currently leading. The discussion comes as Xbox faces challenges, including declining hardware and services revenue and a shift towards multiplatform releases, with games like Call of Duty no longer being day-one additions to Game Pass.
Crunchyroll Ani-May x Forza Horizon 6: Sign Up to Claim a Free Car Voucher
Crunchyroll and Xbox are collaborating for their Ani-May event, offering players a free car voucher for Forza Horizon 6. Players can sign up to claim this in-game bonus, which is part of a larger promotional event.
Xbox’s Project Saluki is Game Pass for China, Positron is Disc-to-Digital Ownership Transfer – Rumor
Rumors suggest Xbox is developing 'Project Saluki' for the Chinese market, a version of Game Pass tailored to local regulations and featuring microtransactions. Additionally, 'Positron' is reportedly a new feature allowing digital ownership transfer for physical game copies, signaling a potential push towards digital-only consoles and services.
Win the Ultimate Car and Game Lover’s Jacket, Built with Forza Horizon 6
Xbox, in collaboration with Uprisers Lab and Zipangu, is offering fans a chance to win custom denim racing jackets designed to celebrate the upcoming launch of Forza Horizon 6. The jackets feature JDM car and Japanese cultural motifs, with one edition including LED lighting and special pockets. Entry is via an Instagram sweepstakes.
Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations
Microsoft has reportedly restructured its Israeli office following an internal investigation into ethical violations concerning its work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the use of its cloud services. The investigation, prompted by reports of military use of Microsoft's AI and cloud technology in Gaza, has led to the departure of the general manager and several other managers. Despite ongoing protests and calls for boycotts of Microsoft and Xbox, the company and the Ministry of Defense are reportedly interested in renewing their contract on a smaller scale.
Discord Nitro is actually worth it now, and it's all thanks to this new partnership with Xbox
Discord has announced a new partnership that includes its Nitro subscription service with the Xbox Game Pass starter edition. This collaboration offers Nitro users access to over 50 games and 10 hours of cloud gaming per month at no additional cost. The move aims to enhance the value of Discord Nitro amidst ongoing controversies regarding age verification.
Watch a Bonus Minecraft Live on May 30
A bonus Minecraft Live event is scheduled for May 30th. Further details about the event's content and purpose were not immediately available, but it is being promoted by Xbox Wire.
Discord Nitro subscribers to receive "starter edition" of Xbox Game Pass through new partnership
Xbox and Discord have partnered to offer a "starter edition" of Xbox Game Pass to Discord Nitro subscribers at no additional cost. This edition includes access to over 50 PC and console games, along with cloud gaming benefits. In return, eligible Game Pass subscribers will receive Discord Nitro benefits, including monthly Discord Orbs and Shop discounts.
Jobs roundup: May 2026 | Two Point Studios appoints Jo Koehler as COO
This article rounds up recent executive appointments and transitions within the gaming industry. Jo Koehler has been promoted to COO at Two Point Studios, Joshua Yguado is stepping down as CEO of Jam City, and Alset Studio has expanded its leadership team with several new appointments. Other notable moves include Ed Nightingale's promotion at Premier PR and Daniela Pietrosanu joining Electronic Arts.
Xbox weighs into Mixtape controversy in comment over ‘bad’ video games
Xbox commented on the controversy surrounding the indie game Mixtape, stating that a game not being personally enjoyable does not make it a bad game. The statement came after toxic discussions online about Mixtape, which is available on Game Pass. Despite some negative user reviews and attempts at review bombing, the game has received positive feedback on platforms like Metacritic and Steam.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Australia update brings Aussie landmarks, bushfires and more
The latest world update for Microsoft Flight Simulator focuses on Australia, introducing over 30 new handcrafted points of interest, discovery flights, and legendary aircraft. A special firefighting mission, developed in partnership with the NSW Rural Fire Service, is also included. The update highlights Australia's significant aviation presence and features photogrammetry for 40 major cities.
We Loved Oblivion Remastered, But One Year Later, It Still Has Big Problems
One year after its release, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, despite initial praise for its overhauled visuals and gameplay fixes, continues to suffer from significant bugs and performance issues. Post-launch support from Virtuos was minimal, with only two updates addressing crashes before the studio seemingly abandoned the game, leaving players dissatisfied and questioning Microsoft and Bethesda's commitment to supporting their remasters.
Fallout 4 and Stardew Valley lead new Xbox Game Pass "starter edition" tier for Discord Nitro subscribers
Xbox Game Pass is now available in a limited capacity for Discord Nitro subscribers, featuring games like Fallout 4 and Stardew Valley. This partnership aims to make Game Pass more flexible and accessible, following recent price adjustments and statements from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma about the service being too expensive.
Minecraft Safety Score: Java vs Bedrock Edition (2026) | TAG
This analysis compares the safety features of Minecraft's Java and Bedrock Editions, assigning Bedrock a score of 70/100 and Java 58/100. Bedrock benefits from Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem safety infrastructure, offering robust parental controls and centralized moderation, while Java's safety is highly dependent on individual server operators. Both editions would benefit from greater transparency in moderation data.
