Xbox
Xbox business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Xbox Cutting Game Pass and Pulling Call of Duty Is Finally Honest
Xbox has reduced the price of Game Pass Ultimate and will no longer offer day-one access to future Call of Duty titles, a move described as the most honest statement from the company in years. This shift acknowledges that the previous pricing and strategy were unsustainable, particularly after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The company is also scaling back its hardware ambitions and focusing on becoming a multi-platform publisher.
Evening Consolidation
Xbox leadership has indicated that rising memory costs are expected to affect both the pricing and availability of future products, potentially impacting projects like 'Project Helix'. Additionally, a guide for 'Saros Guide' offers tips for players, and the article briefly mentions the PlayStation 5.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma hints memory costs "will impact" pricing and availability of next-gen Project Helix console
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has indicated that ongoing memory cost increases will likely impact the pricing and availability of the company's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that these factors are being considered as the company plans for future hardware releases, with no specific timeline currently available. The global RAM crisis is expected to continue impacting console production until late 2027 or early 2028.
"Memory costs will impact pricing, and will impact availability" of Xbox's Project Helix console, Asha…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that RAM shortages will impact the pricing and availability of Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix. This comes as the industry anticipates higher costs for next-generation hardware, with some analysts predicting a 50% increase over the previous generation and memory crisis potentially lasting until 2028.
Project Helix Pricing, Availability Will be Impacted by Memory Shortages, Says Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ongoing memory shortages will impact the pricing and availability of the upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix. Development kits for Project Helix will be distributed next year, with Microsoft aiming for a unified development approach across console, PC, and cloud platforms. The company recently rebranded its Microsoft Gaming division to Xbox.
Xbox has changed its name and backtracked on Game Pass prices, but is it too little too late?
Xbox has reverted its branding to its original name and rolled back recent Game Pass Ultimate price increases, though day-one Call of Duty releases are now excluded. New CEO Asha Sharma aims to re-center the company on its console identity after a period of perceived dilution and unpopular decisions under the previous Microsoft Gaming structure.
In Kiln, Creating "Weird Little Guys" Is More Important Censorship
Kiln director Derek Brand discusses Double Fine's approach to player creativity and content moderation in the pottery party brawler. The game prioritizes enabling players to express themselves, offering moderation tools as options rather than limitations. Brand also touches on the game's development, its multiplayer-focused nature, and the support from Microsoft and Rare.
ID@Xbox & Black Flag Resynced – TheXboxHub Official Podcast #227
The latest episode of TheXboxHub Official Podcast covers the ID@Xbox showcase, highlighting upcoming indie games like Golf With Your Friends 2, Echo Generation 2, and Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School. The hosts also discuss recent changes in Xbox's mission statement and the upcoming remaster of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Xbox announces Summer Game Fest: Play Days 2026 featured games
Xbox has revealed the list of playable game demos that will be featured at Summer Game Fest: Play Days 2026. The event will showcase a variety of upcoming titles available for attendees to experience.
Xbox at Summer Game Fest Play Days 2026: Meet the Developers of This Year’s Featured Games
Xbox is showcasing a variety of upcoming games from developers worldwide at Summer Game Fest Play Days. Featured titles include Grounded 2, Aniimo, Grave Seasons, Gungrave Gore: Blood Heat, Valor Mortis, Erosion, Don't Fret, Way to the Woods, and My Arms Are Longer Now, with many offering playable demos.
Xbox CEO Wants the Platform to be “Open for More People to Create”
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty discussed their vision for making the Xbox platform more open for creators and players, aiming for greater affordability in hardware and services. While specific plans for devices like the ASUS ROG Ally are not yet concrete, Sharma emphasized a commitment to performance and accessibility. Booty also touched on adapting to changing player expectations regarding social features and game approachability.
Valor Mortis, Gungrave G.O.R.E: Blood Heat Will Have Demos at Summer Game Fest: Play Days 2026
Valor Mortis and Gungrave G.O.R.E: Blood Heat will be featured with demos at Summer Game Fest Play Days, taking place from June 6th to 8th. Xbox is also hosting demos for several indie titles, including Aniimo, Grave Seasons, Don't Fret, Erosion, Way to the Woods, and My Arms Are Longer Now. Grounded 2 will also have a demo available, potentially tied to a larger announcement.
Xbox Makes Comeback Play, Drops Microsoft Gaming Rebrand Under New Chief | HappyGamer
Microsoft has reinstated the Xbox name for its gaming division, abandoning the 'Microsoft Gaming' rebrand. New Xbox chief Asha Sharma announced the decision, emphasizing that 'Xbox needs to be our identity.' The move includes updating logos across all console generations. Sharma is also reportedly re-evaluating the company's exclusive games strategy and windowed releases.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
This article analyzes Microsoft's decision to keep Call of Duty out of Xbox Game Pass, despite the service's focus on subscriptions and cloud gaming. The move suggests a strategic approach to the franchise's monetization and market positioning.
'We'll Share More When We're Ready': Xbox Wants to Make the 'Right Decision' on Exclusivity and PS5
Xbox is carefully considering its approach to game exclusivity and multiplatform releases, with new CEO Asha Sharma stating that the company will make data-driven and strategic decisions. Sharma, who has been in her role for approximately 60 days, indicated that these are significant, long-term choices that require thorough evaluation before any announcements are made.
‘Let’s make sure it’s affordable:’ Xbox chief Asha Sharma sets lodestar for Game Pass
Xbox chief Asha Sharma is prioritizing affordability and flexibility for Game Pass, aiming to reduce prices and offer more customizable subscription tiers. Sharma stated that while Game Pass had become too expensive, the company is exploring new strategies to ensure its long-term viability for both consumers and the business.
MMO Business Roundup: Xbox’s resolutions, Microsoft’s employee buyouts, and Meta’s mass layoffs
This industry roundup covers several key business developments, including Xbox's strategic resolutions to expand its reach and Microsoft's offering of voluntary buyouts to a portion of its US workforce. Additionally, Behaviour Interactive has conducted layoffs affecting external development partnerships, and Meta has laid off 8,000 employees while closing 6,000 job postings.
"I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive games
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will take a data-driven and strategic approach to decisions regarding game exclusivity, emphasizing the importance of making the right choice over the fastest one. This comes as Xbox reevaluates its exclusivity policies, with Sharma also discussing the fortification of Game Pass and the potential for more affordable hardware and services.
Podcast: Call of Duty, Game Pass, and the Mario movie
This podcast episode discusses Xbox's decision to remove Call of Duty from Game Pass and reduce its price, analyzing the potential reasoning behind this move. It also touches upon ongoing changes within the Xbox division under Asha Sharma following Phil Spencer's departure.
Xbox gets a new logo, a new mission, and reports of more changes to come
Xbox has unveiled a new translucent logo and the slogan "We are Xbox" as part of a significant brand overhaul led by new CEO Asha Sharma. Reports indicate potential collaborations with Discord, a rebranding of Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox, and a re-evaluation of game exclusivity and release windows. The company also aims to expand into China and is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to up to 7% of its US employees.
