Xbox
Xbox business and news from across the web.
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Xbox reveals pricing for cloud gaming limits, starting at $3.99 for 10 hours
Xbox has revealed pricing for its Game Pass cloud gaming limits, introducing 'cloud playtime packs' starting at $3.99 for 10 hours. These packs offer ad-free streaming with shorter wait times. The decision to implement limits and pricing was made due to the increasing costs of providing the service.
Games Inbox: What is BioWare’s best game?
Readers express concern over the future of BioWare, with many citing EA's management as a detrimental factor. Mass Effect 2 is highlighted as a past peak for the studio, while other readers discuss the aging mechanics of The Witcher 3 Remastered and the uncertain future of console gaming.
PS6 and Project Helix Could Set a Worrying New Price Benchmark
Rumors suggest that the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Xbox's Project Helix consoles could see significant price increases due to rising hardware component costs, potentially reaching $1,200 to $1,800. This marks a worrying trend for the accessibility of next-generation gaming hardware, with potential delays also indicated.
Halo 3 Looks Like It Could Come To Browsers Via Xbox Labs
Xbox chief technology officer Scott Van Vliet posted a video showing Halo 3 booting up within the Microsoft Edge web browser, hinting at potential browser-based gaming through Xbox Labs. This development follows a trend of older games being ported to browsers and suggests a future where Xbox 360 titles could be playable via web interfaces, potentially with cloud saves and customizable dashboards.
Project Helix reportedly launching in late 2028, projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800
Xbox is reportedly planning a next-generation console codenamed 'Project Helix' for a late 2028 launch, with an estimated price of $1,200 to $1,800. The company is also developing a new handheld device for late next year and considering a tiered Game Pass overhaul. These plans come amidst significant restructuring, including layoffs and a reassessment of past business strategies.
Xbox is reportedly queuing up for three more layoff rounds starting as soon as this month
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning three more rounds of layoffs, with the first potentially starting this month. CEO Asha Sharma is described as 'resetting' the brand, and sources indicate that more studios may be consolidated. While plans could change, further firings are also anticipated in November and January 2027.
Prospective Buyers Reportedly Value Xbox As High As $150 Billion
A new report suggests that private equity firms have considered purchasing Microsoft's Xbox division for as much as $150 billion. Despite these considerations, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has previously stated that Xbox is not for sale. The article also touches on Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's comments about Xbox needing to improve its financial performance, which has led to layoffs and studio departures.
Xbox is reportedly planning three waves of layoffs between now and January as part of its plan to cut 3,200 jobs by the…
Xbox is reportedly planning three more waves of layoffs in November and January 2027 as part of its plan to cut 3,200 jobs by the end of the fiscal year. These cuts have reportedly demoralized employees and led to the separation from several studios, with Ninja Theory at risk of closing. The article also touches on internal projections for the next-gen Xbox and an upcoming Xbox Game Pass overhaul.
Xbox reportedly planning three more rounds of layoffs, with the first wave coming as early as this month
Xbox is reportedly planning three additional rounds of layoffs, with the first wave expected this month, followed by others in November and January 2027, as part of CEO Asha Sharma's business reset. This follows a September round of job cuts and a larger wave in July, with remaining reductions to be distributed across future quarters. Concerns are rising about the fate of The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, and whether potential layoffs could impact promised bonuses.
Further Xbox layoff rounds reportedly planned for this month, November, and January, while a Game Pass overhaul is in the works
Xbox is reportedly planning further rounds of layoffs in November and January, following earlier cuts this year, with a total of 3200 employees expected to be affected. Concurrently, an overhaul of the Xbox Game Pass service is underway, aiming to offer subscribers more granular control over features like cloud gaming and multiplayer. The report also mentions ongoing development of a next-generation handheld console and a future console expected around 2028, with high projected costs.
Xbox's next-gen console to reportedly cost up to $1,800, with a Helix handheld coming in 2027 and a full release in holiday 2028
A report from Fortune Magazine indicates that Xbox's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, may launch with prices ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. The console family is expected to include a traditional home console planned for holiday 2028 and a handheld device targeting holiday 2027. This potential price increase is attributed to ongoing global hardware shortages, which have already led to price hikes for current-generation consoles.
Här kommer samtliga trailers från ID@Xbox-showen
The ID@Xbox show, co-hosted by IGN, featured trailers for a variety of smaller indie games. The showcased titles spanned diverse genres, including a game about digging a hole, a paper shredding simulator, and a stealth game set in a post-apocalyptic city.
Evening Reading - October 20, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including updates for Cyberpunk 2077 and EVE Online, a potential delay for Umamusume: Pretty Derby due to immigration policies, and the announcement of a new Deadlock update. It also touches on financial news for Tesla, SpaceX, and Netflix, and mentions the potential for a 2027 Xbox handheld.
Next Xbox Console Planned for Holiday 2028, “Next-Generation Handheld” Coming in 2027
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has revealed that the next Xbox console is planned for a Holiday 2028 release, with a "next-generation handheld device" set to launch in Holiday 2027. The next-gen console is projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800. Plans for a revamped Game Pass subscription service with tiered features are also in development.
Xbox Will Go Through More Layoffs in October, November, and January – Rumor
Xbox is reportedly planning multiple rounds of layoffs in October, November, and January, following an initial wave in July. CEO Asha Sharma cited a need to cut costs and improve profitability due to over-expansion and underperforming investments. These cuts are part of a larger plan to reduce approximately 3,200 jobs by fiscal year 2027 and have already led to the divestment of several studios.
Masahiro Sakurai believes reliance on AI will lead to a wave of unoriginal, 'unplayable' games
Masahiro Sakurai, known for Super Smash Bros. and Kirby, expressed concerns that an over-reliance on AI in game development could lead to a flood of unoriginal and unplayable titles. He believes AI can replicate existing works but cannot create truly novel ideas like those from unique creators such as Fumito Ueda.
'Haven't Played Your Console in a While?' Trade It in, Xbox Tells Customers Amid Stock Shortages
Xbox is encouraging customers to trade in their underutilized Xbox Series X and S consoles, citing ongoing stock shortages. The company is reaching out via email to prompt users to consider trading in their devices.
Former Call of Duty Dev Says 'It's Hard to Watch' Xbox Make Money From Black Ops PlayStation Ports
A former Call of Duty designer expressed frustration over the current model where older games are ported to new platforms without developers receiving additional royalties. The designer specifically cited the recent successful ports of Black Ops and Black Ops II to PlayStation as examples of this issue, stating it is 'hard to watch' Xbox profit from these releases.
Epic AI Change Sparks Massive Fight Over AI/Vibe Coding
Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney announced a significant pivot towards "maximum AI acceleration," aiming to increase AI use in development and bring benefits to Unreal Engine users. This move has sparked a heated debate within the gaming industry, with figures like artist Kenney Vleugels criticizing the embrace of AI, while an Xbox strategy manager argues that ignoring AI means planning for a "fake future."
Penguin Colony is not messing around with its statement on the Palestinian genocide, banning sale in Israel and calling out the games industry in-game
Origame Digital's new game, Penguin Colony, directly addresses the ongoing Palestinian genocide and criticizes the gaming industry's silence. The game is not for sale in Israel, a decision supported by publisher Fellow Traveler as a show of solidarity. The developer encourages other studios to take similar stances against complicity.
