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Analysts say Xbox Game Pass price cut is 'not surprising at all' since Call of Duty's addition to the service 'did not lead to a significant increase in Xbox console sales or even subscriptions'
Industry analysts believe the recent price cut for Xbox Game Pass and the delay of new Call of Duty titles from day-one releases were expected moves. Experts suggest that the inclusion of Call of Duty did not significantly boost Xbox console sales or Game Pass subscriptions, and that Microsoft was losing potential premium sales revenue. The price reduction is seen as a balanced solution that could help subscriber numbers grow.
"Microsoft Gaming" Is Dead, To Be Replaced By Return To "Xbox" Branding - Report
Microsoft is reportedly retiring the "Microsoft Gaming" brand in favor of returning to the "Xbox" identity. New Xbox boss Asha Sharma informed staff of the change, emphasizing the importance of the Xbox brand. This shift follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and aims to refocus on the core Xbox identity and its gaming roots.
Former Head of Xbox Film/TV Kiki Wolfkill Has Left Microsoft After 28 Years
Kiki Wolfkill has departed Microsoft after 28 years, having worked on games like Forza, Mass Effect, and Fable, and served as executive producer on Halo 4. She also contributed to transmedia projects such as the Halo TV show, a Minecraft movie, and Amazon's Fallout TV series. Wolfkill expressed gratitude for her career at Microsoft and excitement for future endeavors.
Older Call of Duty games are coming to Game Pass in 2026
Xbox boss Asha Sharma announced that new Call of Duty games will be added to Game Pass one year after their release, starting in 2026. This change affects the inclusion of future titles in the subscription service. Older Call of Duty games, including titles from 2003 up to 2021's Vanguard, are listed as potentially coming to the service.
Xbox is reportedly taking a ‘pick your own plan’ approach to Game Pass
Xbox is reportedly planning to introduce a flexible 'pick your own plan' model for Game Pass, allowing users to customize their subscriptions. This move follows the removal of Call of Duty from day-one access and aims to offer more tailored and potentially cost-effective options. Xbox executive Asha Sharma has hinted at increased flexibility for Game Pass, though specific details remain undisclosed.
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.
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.
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.
Ubisoft cancels Animal Crossing and Minecraft-inspired cozy life sim game Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled Alterra, an unannounced cozy life simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Minecraft, which had been in development for nearly three years at Ubisoft Montréal. Meanwhile, Microsoft has reduced the prices of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and will no longer include new Call of Duty titles as day-one releases on the service.
Priset för Game Pass sänks – inget Call of Duty dag 1
Xbox has reduced the prices for its Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscription plans, citing that the service had become too expensive for players. Additionally, new Call of Duty titles will now launch on Game Pass approximately one year after their initial release, rather than on day one.
Project Helix Speculation Sparked by Hideo Kojima Posing for a Photo at Xbox Offices
Hideo Kojima visited the Xbox offices, posing for photos with Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma and Xbox's chief content officer Matt Booty, sparking speculation about his involvement with 'Project Helix'. While Kojima received a gift box labeled 'Xbox for Kojima', the article notes that development kits for the next-generation console are not expected until 2027. Kojima Productions is currently working on upcoming games OD and Physint.
How Double Fine balances fun with pottery sculpting in Kiln
Double Fine Productions' upcoming multiplayer game Kiln blends pottery sculpting with objective-based online combat. Lead designer Lauren Scott and lead artist Jared Mill discussed the challenges of balancing player expression in pottery creation with fun, accessible gameplay mechanics, including refining collision detection and simplifying simulation elements. The game evolved significantly from its initial concept during Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight event.
Game Pass Price Drop Announced, Call Of Duty No Longer A Day One Title
Xbox has reduced the monthly prices for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with new Call of Duty titles no longer being available on day one. The price drop, implemented by new Xbox leader Asha Sharma, reverses recent price hikes but comes with the trade-off that Call of Duty games will now be added to the service approximately one year after their release. This change is speculated to be a response to declining Call of Duty sales and the unsustainable costs associated with offering new releases on Game Pass.
Xbox confirms a Game Pass price drop, but the next Call of Duty won’t be available Day 1 anymore
Xbox has announced a price reduction for its Game Pass subscription service, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate dropping to $22.99 per month and PC Game Pass to $13.99 per month. However, starting this year, titles from the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Game Pass on their day-one launch. This change follows a period of criticism regarding previous price increases and comes after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Xbox cuts Game Pass prices but new Call of Duty games will no longer hit the service on day one
Xbox is reducing the monthly prices for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with Ultimate now costing $22.99 and PC Game Pass $14. However, new Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on the service on day one, launching instead about a year after release. This change aims to improve the value proposition for subscribers and generate more revenue from the Call of Duty franchise.
CEO Of Microsoft Gaming Announces Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Price Reduction
Xbox has announced a price reduction for its Game Pass Ultimate subscription service, lowering the monthly cost from $29.99 to $22.99 USD. However, future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on day one, instead launching on the service approximately one year after their initial release.
Xbox Game Pass to Drop Prices and Lose Day One Call of Duty
Xbox is reducing the monthly prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with Ultimate dropping to $22.99 and PC Game Pass to $13.99. However, Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on day one of their release, instead launching on the service approximately one year after launch.
Xbox cuts Game Pass price and drops Call of Duty day one access in response to negative feedback
Xbox is reducing the price of its Game Pass subscription service and changing access for Call of Duty titles due to negative player feedback. Call of Duty games will no longer launch day one on Game Pass, instead arriving about a year after release. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the price hike was too high for many players, leading to the adjustments.
Xbox is slashing the price of Game Pass
Xbox is reducing the monthly prices for its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions. Additionally, future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch, instead being added about a year later during the holiday season. These changes follow recent feedback regarding the service's cost and a desire for greater value.
