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Where to find the Hakone Nanamagari touge race in Forza Horizon 6, and my tips to win it
This guide explains how to find and win the Hakone Nanamagari touge race in Forza Horizon 6 using the 2022 Toyota GR86. It provides tips on car tuning, difficulty adjustment, and race strategy to help players complete the challenge and earn Festival Playlist points.
Amid Xbox Exclusives Uncertainty, RPG Fable Recommits to PS5
Playground Games has confirmed that its upcoming RPG Fable will release on PlayStation 5, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding Xbox's exclusivity strategy. Ratings for the game have recently emerged, suggesting a release date may be announced soon, potentially during the Xbox Showcase this summer. While officially slated for 2026, there are reports of a potential delay into 2027 due to the impending launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
GTA 6 is changing Xbox’s strategy for 2026
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for November 19, 2026, is significantly impacting release schedules across the industry, forcing publishers to adjust their plans. Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly rescheduling major first-party titles like Fable and Gears of War Emergence Day to avoid direct competition with the highly anticipated release. This strategic shift highlights the immense influence of major game launches on market attention and sales.
Layoffs imminent at Bungie, former BioWare devs launch new studio, and GTA VI still on for November - Patch Notes #53
Bungie is reportedly planning significant layoffs following the end of Destiny 2's active development, shifting focus to Marathon. Meanwhile, former BioWare and Inflexion Games developers have launched a new studio called Studio Reset. Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for a November 2026 release, though its price remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Embracer Group plans to spin off major franchises and studios, and Xbox has updated its adaptive thumbstick toppers.
XBOX’s New CSO Wants to Revive “Storied Franchises” and Strengthen “The Console Business”
Matthew Ball, Xbox's new Chief Strategy Officer, aims to revive the brand's glory days by focusing on reviving storied franchises and strengthening the console business. He believes consoles remain important and durable despite rising costs, and is implementing changes like the Player Voice feature.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 1 Summer
This guide details the challenges and rewards for the first Summer season of Forza Horizon 6's Series 1: Welcome to Japan Festival Playlist, running from May 21st to May 28th. It provides tips and recommended cars for various events including championships, time attacks, and PR stunts to help players earn Festival Playlist Points and unlock exclusive reward cars.
Forza Horizon 6 Series 1 overview and the Festival Playlist challenges this week
Forza Horizon 6 has launched its first Series, 'Welcome to Japan,' which runs from May 21 to June 18. Players can earn points through the Festival Playlist by completing weekly challenges and events to unlock exclusive cars like the 2008 Mazda Furai and 2010 Nissan 370Z. The Festival Playlist is a set of challenges that resets weekly, corresponding to seasonal weather changes.
Xbox hires analyst who said games were losing the attention battle with gambling, crypto and porn as chief strategy officer in another leadership revamp
Xbox has undergone another leadership revamp, with new gaming boss Asha Sharma hiring Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer. Ball, an analyst who previously stated games were losing the attention battle to gambling, crypto, and porn, is tasked with strengthening the console side of Xbox. Scott Van Vliet, with an AI background, has been hired as chief technology officer to improve product development.
Comings and Goings
Xbox has hired Matthew Ball, a veteran analyst, as its new chief strategy officer. The company also appointed an Amazon veteran to the role of chief technology officer, signaling a strategic shift in leadership.
Microsoft Cancelled Game Pass Family Plan Due to Objection From EA – Rumor
Microsoft has reportedly cancelled its plans for a Game Pass Family Plan due to objections from partners, primarily Electronic Arts. The proposed plan would have allowed up to four users to share a single subscription. This decision comes despite the family plan being a highly requested feature by Xbox players.
Xbox Adds Two New Heavy Hitters to Its Leadership Team
Xbox has appointed Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer and Scott Van Vliet as Chief Technology Officer to bolster its leadership team. Ball, formerly of Amazon Studios and CEO of Epyllion, brings extensive strategy and investment experience, while Van Vliet has a background with Microsoft products and gaming development. These appointments are part of ongoing leadership changes under CEO Asha Sharma.
Microsoft hired an analyst with an influential video game blog to fix Xbox
Microsoft has hired Matthew Ball, an analyst known for his influential video game blog, as the new chief strategy officer for Xbox. This move comes ahead of the initiative known as Project Helix, indicating a significant strategic shift for the gaming division.
Xbox announces hire of veteran analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer, and AI and Amazon veteran as CTO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has appointed industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Amazon veteran Scott Van Vliet as chief technology officer as part of an ongoing management restructure. Ball, a recognized metaverse expert and longtime gamer, will report directly to Sharma, while Van Vliet will focus on improving the product development pipeline. Chris Schnakenberg was also promoted to corporate vice president of partnerships and business development.
Report: Xbox adds Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet to leadership team
Xbox has appointed game industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Scott Van Vliet, formerly of Microsoft's Azure OpenAI, as chief technology officer to bolster its leadership team. These changes follow Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's recent appointments and directives to accelerate operations.
How to get Xbox Games Pass Starter edition from Discord
Discord and Xbox have partnered to offer a Starter Edition of Xbox Game Pass to Discord Nitro subscribers. This limited tier provides 10 hours of monthly game streaming, access to a selection of games, and reward points, but does not include day-one releases or new first-year Xbox Game Studios titles.
Jeff Grubb says he’s heard there will be a Nintendo Direct by mid-June
Journalist Jeff Grubb has reported hearing that Nintendo is planning to hold a Nintendo Direct presentation by mid-June. This aligns with Nintendo's usual schedule for showcasing upcoming games, though they will not be participating in the Summer Game Fest.
Xbox promises ‘more change’ in the next two years than the last 25
Xbox's global director of ID@Xbox, Guy Richards, stated that the brand anticipates more significant changes in the next two years than in its entire 25-year history. New leadership under Asha Sharma is reportedly focusing on fan engagement and adjusting business models, though tangible proof of course correction remains to be seen. Discussions around console exclusives and potential AI integration also highlight the brand's evolving strategy.
Microsoft launches Xbox Player Voice portal to listen closely to player feedback, fans immediately ask for "great game exclusives"
Microsoft has launched the Xbox Player Voice portal, a new forum for players to submit feedback and suggestions directly to Xbox leadership. The most upvoted suggestion calls for more "great game exclusives" to drive console sales. Other player requests include improvements to backward compatibility and making online multiplayer separate from Game Pass subscriptions.
Sony’s single player games will no longer be releasing on PC
Sony's PlayStation Studios will no longer release single-player games on PC, with titles like Saros remaining PlayStation exclusive, according to a report citing Hermen Hulst. Multiplayer games will continue to have broader releases. This policy shift, potentially influenced by PC sales performance and a resurgence of console exclusivity driven by component shortages, signals a return to traditional console wars.
Xbox Player Voice is a new community feedback portal
Xbox has launched a new community feedback portal called Player Voice. This initiative aims to gather player input and feedback on their experiences with the Xbox brand.