Asha Sharma
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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.
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.
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.
Your Xbox Gamerscore Badges Are About To Look A Lot Cooler
Microsoft is rolling out several interface improvements for Xbox Series X and S, including a new bootup animation and vanity badges that evolve with a user's Gamerscore. The update also adds new filters to game libraries, such as 'Game access,' to help players sort their installed titles, especially those using multiple devices or Game Pass.
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.
New Gears of War Could Go Head-to-Head with Sony's Wolverine, But Will It Be on PS5?
New evidence suggests Gears of War: E-Day might release in September, potentially clashing with Marvel's Wolverine. Microsoft's sponsorship of Triplemania 2026 with Gears of War: E-Day branding raises questions about its platform availability, especially given Xbox Series X|S hardware sales declines and the company's stated interest in bringing more titles to PlayStation.
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.
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.
Discord Nitro Now Comes With Game Pass “Starter Edition”
Discord and Xbox have partnered to offer a "starter edition" of Xbox Game Pass to Discord Nitro subscribers, including over 50 games. This edition has limitations on game streaming and console online multiplayer, primarily targeting PC users. Eligible Game Pass users will also receive exclusive Discord perks.
Xbox Game Pass Price, Day-One Games, And Tiers In 2026 Explained
Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Xbox Game Pass service in 2026, including a price decrease for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $23 per month and the removal of day-one Call of Duty releases. New tiers like the Starter Edition, available through Discord Nitro and Meta Horizon+, offer access to a curated library of games and limited cloud streaming. While Essential and Premium tiers offer different levels of access to game libraries and online multiplayer, Ultimate remains the most comprehensive option, including cloud streaming and access to EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Xbox plans to share more on its next console, Project Helix, 'later this year'
Xbox VP of next generation Jason Ronald confirmed that more details about the upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, will be revealed later this year. Early hardware is expected to ship to developers in early 2027, suggesting a potential consumer release within the next couple of years. This announcement follows the discontinuation of Copilot for Xbox and abandonment of Xbox mobile app functionality.
GamesStop wants eBay, Nintendo confirms Switch 2 price hike, and union boss says EA buyout is a national security risk - Patch Notes #51
This week's gaming news roundup covers GameStop's $55.5 billion takeover bid for eBay, Nintendo's confirmation of price hikes for the Nintendo Switch 2, and concerns raised by a union boss regarding the potential Saudi Arabian buyout of Electronic Arts, citing national security risks. The article also touches on internal leadership changes at Xbox, layoffs at 2K, and the rebranding of CCP Games.
Your Xbox console and handheld could soon look the same, but I'm wary of Microsoft's UI pitch
Microsoft is planning a unified user interface for its Xbox consoles and handheld gaming devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. This initiative aims to reduce fragmentation and provide a consistent "distinctly Xbox" experience across different platforms, considering factors like screen size and input methods. The company, under new CEO Asha Sharma, is prioritizing brand consistency, with Jason Ronald showcasing the UI plans in a recent Game Dev Update.
PS5 sales expected to decline due to generative AI memory drought and rising prices
Sony predicts a decrease in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for the next fiscal year, citing memory procurement challenges due to the rise of generative AI. This shortage is also impacting other platforms like the Steam Deck and has led to price increases for gaming hardware. Despite hardware sales concerns, Sony anticipates an increase in first-party game sales.
Nintendo announces Switch 2 price increase, consoles will soon be $500 in the US
Nintendo has announced a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2, with the console set to rise to $499.99 in the US starting September 1st. Similar price hikes will affect Canada, Europe, and Japan. The company cited changing market conditions and its global business outlook for the revisions, apologizing for the impact on customers. This follows recent price increases for the PlayStation 5 by Sony and potential future adjustments for Microsoft's next-gen console.
New Xbox Boss Reportedly 'Treading Carefully' Amid Exclusivity Rethink
New Xbox boss Asha Sharma is reportedly approaching decisions about game exclusivity with caution. The company is re-evaluating its strategy regarding exclusive titles.
Xbox Showcase Today Promises The Introduction of Project Helix
Microsoft's Xbox Game Dev Update showcase will reveal new details about Project Helix, the codename for their next-generation console. The event will feature Xbox General Manager Chris Charla and Vice President of Next Generation Jason Ronald, highlighting features like PC game compatibility and AMD SoC integration. The showcase will also cover Xbox Developer Tools, DirectX's DirectStorage, and new Xbox Marketplace UI features.
Xbox will "offer a closer look at Project Helix", the successor to its Series X/S consoles, later today
Microsoft will host its first Xbox Game Dev Update to reveal "Project Helix," the successor to its Xbox Series X/S consoles. General manager Chris Charla and VP Jason Ronald will present details on the custom AMD-based SoC, co-designed for next-generation DirectX, which aims to improve developer workflows and performance. While primarily aimed at developers, the presentation is expected to offer insights into the future of Xbox and PC gaming.
New Xbox CEO Considering "Range Of Options" For Exclusive Games Going Forward - Report
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly evaluating various options for the company's exclusive games strategy, considering a data-driven approach that could impact decisions for years to come. While fans are calling for a return to traditional exclusives, Microsoft has recently expanded its first-party releases to platforms like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, a move that has generated significant revenue.
