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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Xbox Won’t Leave Steam Leading Up to Project Helix Launch – Rumor
A rumor suggests Xbox will not remove its games from Steam before the launch of Project Helix, with sources indicating no immediate plans to leave the platform. Xbox is heavily investing in PC gaming, with Game Pass targeting a different audience than Steam users. Microsoft may also open the Battle.net launcher to third-party developers following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Microsoft Planned to Continue Supporting Discs Before Xbox Reset – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft may have planned to continue supporting physical disc drives for Xbox consoles before a recent internal reset, primarily to ensure backwards compatibility. This contrasts with Sony's apparent move away from discs for future PlayStation consoles. The possibility of separate disc drives was also mentioned as a potential solution.
Xbox Series S Now Costs Almost As Much As A PS5 Did At Launch Following Huge UK Price Hike
Microsoft has significantly increased the prices of its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles in the UK. The Xbox Series S saw a price hike of £130, while the Xbox Series X increased by £170, making both consoles considerably more expensive.
Xbox consoles are now much more expensive in the EU and UK
Microsoft has increased the price of Xbox consoles in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The entry-level price for an Xbox now starts at 499.99€/£429.99 in these regions.
Sunday Consolidation
Xbox consoles in the UK and Europe are set to receive price increases, with details suggesting it may be more significant than initially anticipated. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Microsoft may continue to offer disc drive support on its next-generation consoles, contrasting with potential moves by Sony to phase out physical media.
AI Yi-Yi!
The article discusses the imminent surge in AI computing power, suggesting that the United States' lead over China in AI development is diminishing. Major tech companies like Microsoft and Nvidia are expected to play significant roles in this expansion.
One of Kerbal Space Program's biggest inspirations was a promotional Flash game for Top Gear: 'That was the most similar game to KSP that I could find back then'
Felipe Falanghe, the creator of Kerbal Space Program, discusses his gaming history and inspirations, including Flight Simulator 4 and a promotional Flash game for Top Gear. He shares his current playtime with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and BattleBit, and his enduring love for Flight Simulator and Fragile Allegiance. Falanghe also touches on his journey into game development and the initial unambitious scope of Kerbal Space Program.
Xbox UK and Europe console price hikes revealed - and it's even worse than we expected
Xbox has implemented significant price increases for its consoles in the UK and Europe, with the Xbox Series X now costing up to 34% more and the Xbox Series S up to 48.5% more. These hikes are attributed to memory shortages and follow a recent 10% drop in Xbox's content and services revenue and a wave of layoffs across the division.
Xbox Series X is now £670 in UK as Microsoft sneak price hike out at weekend
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in the UK, with the Xbox Series X now costing £669.99 and the Xbox Series S starting at £429.99. These hikes, attributed to component costs, come at a time when Xbox console sales are reportedly low and follow similar price adjustments for the PlayStation 5 and anticipated increases for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Xbox Could Potentially Have a “Window” to Leave Steam – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Microsoft, under Xbox's new strategy, might be planning to exit Steam for its PC releases. While Jez Corden of Windows Central reported that Microsoft has plans which could allow them to leave Steam, he also expressed doubt due to the significant revenue involved. This speculation follows recent Xbox console exclusive announcements and price hikes.
Xbox Series X/S Prices Hiked in Europe and UK By Up to €200/£170
Microsoft has increased the prices of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles in Europe and the UK by up to €200 and £170 respectively. The Xbox Series S now starts at €449.99/£429.99, while the Xbox Series X digital edition is priced at €749.99/£619.99. These price hikes are attributed to ongoing memory shortages and may impact sales, especially with upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and the exclusive Gears of War: E-Day.
Steam gamers have spoken: innovative indies like Palworld continue to thrive while traditional triple-A flounders for a foothold
PC gaming on Steam in 2026 shows a strong trend of innovative indie titles like Palworld thriving, while traditional AAA games struggle to gain traction. Despite industry layoffs, unique projects from smaller teams are resonating with players, contrasting with the performance of recent AAA releases such as Halo: Campaign Evolved and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Saturday Tech Bits
Microsoft is implementing optimizations in Windows 11 to improve performance on systems with 8GB of RAM, addressing a potential memory shortage. These changes aim to reduce the operating system's memory footprint and also mitigate wear on Solid State Drives.
Why does nobody like racing video games anymore? - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the decline of the racing game genre, noting the shift from popular arcade titles like Need For Speed and Burnout to more niche simulators. While Forza Horizon remains a success, the author questions why the genre has lost mainstream appeal, suggesting it may be overshadowed by open-world games or a general lack of innovation.
AI Yi-Yi!
Major technology companies are investing over $1 trillion in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with an additional $745 billion expected in 2026. The article also briefly mentions Claude publishing malicious code.
Unsurprisingly, It’s PlayStation, Not You, Benefiting From Tariff Refunds
Sony's PlayStation division is benefiting from refunds on US tariffs that previously led to price increases for its hardware. While the company reported a significant increase in operating income attributed to these refunds, there is no indication they will be passed on to consumers who paid the higher prices. Similar situations have occurred with Nintendo, and class-action lawsuits have been filed against both companies regarding these tariff refunds and pricing practices.
Corsair Cove Sets Sail On PC And Game Pass – Time To Build The Ultimate Pirate Haven
Corsair Cove, a PC-exclusive city builder and strategy game developed by Limbic Entertainment and published by Hooded Horse, has launched on PC and is available via Game Pass. The game challenges players to build a thriving pirate settlement on rugged terrain, manage resources and crew demands, and defend against enemy fleets while exploring surrounding islands.
Xbox to double down on its 'strongest franchises' as boss sets crazy new goals
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has outlined ambitious goals to reverse the brand's fortunes by fiscal year 2027, focusing on strengthening major franchises like Minecraft, Call of Duty, and Halo, and prioritizing 'biggest new ideas'. The plan includes improving profits and player growth, with a long-term ambition to entertain half a billion people daily by 2030. This strategy shift emphasizes console revenue and established IPs, potentially at the expense of newer or less established titles.
34% of PS5 discs and 50% of Xbox Series X discs are junk without a download, research finds: "It's deliberately undermining the value of physical releases"
Research by game preservation group DoesItPlay indicates that a significant portion of physical game discs for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are incomplete without substantial downloads. Approximately 34% of PS5 discs and 50% of Xbox Series X discs require downloads to fix bugs or access essential content, leading to concerns about the diminishing value of physical releases.
Beyond Hanwell Review | TheXboxHub
Beyond Hanwell is a first-person survival horror game set in a dystopian London, focusing on Westminster. The game features environmental storytelling, exploration, puzzles, and combat with melee weapons and firearms. Despite some frustrating combat moments and a slightly complicated crafting system, the game's atmosphere, visuals, and audio create a chilling and memorable horror experience.
