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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Xbox Hardware Gets Steeply Dearer in Europe and the UK — Up to €200 or £170 More
Microsoft has significantly increased the prices of its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in Europe and the UK. The 512GB Xbox Series S now costs €499.99, a 43% increase, while the Xbox Series X sees price hikes up to €200 or £170. These adjustments are attributed to rising hardware costs, with some models seeing over a 30% price jump.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring Xbox 360 games to PC, according to leaked documents
Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring Xbox 360 games to PC through a new backward compatibility initiative, according to leaked developer documents. This program, expected to roll out between 2027 and 2028, will allow developers to opt-in to making their Xbox 360 titles available for purchase and play on PC and handheld devices.
Xbox 360 games are reportedly coming to PC as well
Reports suggest that Microsoft may be planning to bring Xbox 360 games to PC, similar to Sony's strategy for an all-digital future. This move could indicate a shift in how older console titles are accessed and distributed.
Gaming hardware costs have gone up 16% just in 2026, says US analyst, and Samsung says the AI bubble behind it all is…
US analyst Mat Piscatella reports that the average selling price of new gaming hardware in the US increased by 16% from January to June 2026, reaching $525. This trend is attributed to an AI data center-fueled chip and RAM shortage, which Samsung expects to worsen through 2027 and potentially until 2028. This shortage has already led to significant price hikes on consoles like the Xbox Series S and X, and is projected to affect the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, potentially raising its price to $500.
MacBook Neo outperforms Dell XPS 13 in Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark—though I wouldn't recommend gaming on either…
A benchmark comparison of the MacBook Neo and Dell XPS 13 running Cyberpunk 2077 reveals the MacBook Neo achieves a higher average frame rate of nearly 20 FPS compared to the Dell XPS 13's 16 FPS. However, neither laptop offers a truly playable or enjoyable gaming experience at these settings, with the MacBook Neo requiring significant graphical compromises to reach even this performance level.
Halo: Campaign Evolved was the 4th most popular game on Xbox at launch in the US but only 29th on PS5, analyst says
Halo: Campaign Evolved saw a strong launch in the US, ranking fourth in daily active users on Xbox, with 8% of players engaging with the game. However, its performance was lower on PC (14th place, 2% of users) and PlayStation 5 (29th place, 1% of users). Analyst Mat Piscatella noted that while the game is a best-seller on PlayStation 5, the data highlights the challenge new titles face against established live service games.
Xbox Price Hikes Are Now In Effect Worldwide
Microsoft has implemented worldwide price increases for its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, effective August 1. In the US, prices have risen by $100 for 512GB models and $150 for 1TB models, with 2TB models discontinued. Similar significant price hikes are in effect across Europe and the UK, with the cheapest Xbox Series S now costing €500 and £430 respectively. Microsoft cited increased console storage and memory prices as the reason for the adjustments.
Elder Scrolls Online outlines August’s slate of events, Update 51 PTR timing, and cash shop items
The Elder Scrolls Online has outlined its August events, including Whitestrake's Mayhem and Golden Pursuits, alongside the testing of Update 51 on the Public Test Realm starting August 3rd. The update will introduce new solo content and in-game events, while the cash shop will feature new items like a war elephant mount and manor house.
Morning Consolidation
Microsoft has confirmed a price increase for its Xbox consoles in Europe and the UK. The exact new pricing details and the specific models affected are expected to be announced soon.
Xbox hardware now costs a lot more in the UK and Europe
Xbox has confirmed significant price increases for its Series S and Series X consoles in the UK and Europe, effective August 1, 2026. Prices have risen by up to 50 percent, with specific costs varying by storage option and region. These hikes are attributed to ongoing component shortages exacerbated by increased investment in AI data centers.
The Last Of Us Co-Director Asks Why You Even Care About GTA 6, And The Internet Has Thoughts
Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us, sparked online discussion by asking followers why they are excited for Grand Theft Auto 6, expressing his own uncertainty about the game's appeal. Responses ranged from anticipation for dynamic weather systems and nonlinear missions to debates about deep gameplay systems versus mass appeal.
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 1, 2026 – Splatoon Raiders holds on strong, physical Xenoblade 1 for Nintendo Switch 2 debuts
The latest UK software sales chart for the week ending August 1, 2026, shows Splatoon Raiders holding strong at number two. The physical release of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition debuted at number sixteen.
It's not just the US: Xbox Series S is now more expensive than a Switch 2 in the UK and Europe, but probably not…
Microsoft has implemented price increases for its Xbox consoles in the UK and Europe, making the Xbox Series S more expensive than the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The Xbox Series S now starts at £519.99 / €599.99 for the 1TB model and £429.99 / €499.99 for the 512GB model, while the Switch 2 will launch at £469.99 / €469.99. Nintendo also plans to increase Switch 2 prices soon.
PlayStation 5 sales have topped 95 million units worldwide
Sony's PlayStation 5 has surpassed 95 million units sold globally, though sales are beginning to slow as the console enters its sixth year. The company's Games & Network Services segment saw flat year-over-year sales due to decreased console hardware and third-party software sales, despite a rise in operating income attributed partly to tariff refunds.
FC 27 Free Trial Guide: EA Play 10-Hour Trial & FC 27 Lite Details
EA Sports FC 27 will offer a 10-hour trial starting September 18, 2026, accessible through EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, with progress carrying over. Additionally, a free-to-download version called FC 27 Lite will be available at the full game's launch on September 25, 2026, featuring limited modes like Kick-Off.
Microsoft raises prices of Xbox by 25% to 30% in Europe with the Series S now costing more than the Series X at launch
Microsoft has increased the prices of its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in Europe by 25% to 30%. The 1TB Xbox Series S now costs more than the 1TB Xbox Series X did at launch. This price hike follows a previous increase in the US and comes amidst reports of declining Xbox hardware revenue and a global memory crisis.
'Nobody was buying them so it doesn't really matter' — Xbox console price hike hits the UK
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases for its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in the UK, with the Xbox Series S now costing £429.99 and the Xbox Series X £669.99. These hikes follow similar increases by Sony for the PlayStation 5 and are attributed to rising component costs, particularly RAM, and global economic pressures. The price changes have been met with strong negative reactions from consumers and have led to discussions about the declining sales of Xbox consoles.
Microsoft confirms increased Xbox prices in the UK and Europe
Microsoft has confirmed increased prices for Xbox consoles in the UK and Europe, with the 512GB model rising by £130/€150 and the 1TB model by £170/€200. The company cited higher storage and memory costs as the primary reason for these adjustments. This follows recent restructuring within Xbox, including layoffs and a reported decline in Xbox revenue.
Xbox-prishöjningarna är här – upp till 200 euro dyrare i Europa
Microsoft has implemented price increases for its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in Europe, effective August 1st. The Xbox Series S will now range from 500 to 600 euros, while the Xbox Series X will cost between 780 and 800 euros, depending on the model. These increases represent a significant jump from the original launch prices.
PlayStation’s Response to the Physical Disc Backlash Is Not Reassuring
Sony Group Corporation has confirmed its decision to cease new game disc production for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028, despite significant backlash from fans. The company cites the overall progression of digitalization as the primary reason, with CFO Lin Tao stating that the decision was carefully considered and will be cautiously moved forward. While acknowledging fan sentiment, Sony does not anticipate a significant short-term or long-term business impact, as digital sales already constitute the majority of their software revenue.
