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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program is Now Live for Alpha Skip, Alpha, and Beta Insiders
Microsoft's Disc-to-Digital program is now available for Xbox Insiders, allowing users to convert physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games into digital licenses. While not all titles are supported due to various reasons, a community-driven website is tracking eligible games. Microsoft may require proof of disc ownership in the future to maintain digital license benefits.
After ditching discs, PlayStation continues replicating Xbox's very bad 2013 by going all in on TV
Sony has launched a "Live TV on PS5" app, drawing comparisons to Microsoft's initial Xbox One strategy of focusing on entertainment over gaming. The app offers a variety of channels and content, but the move has sparked controversy and negative public opinion, reminiscent of the Xbox One's past missteps with DRM and an all-in-one entertainment focus.
Take-Two files second subpoena with Discord over GTA 6 leaks, asking details to remain sealed
Take-Two Interactive has filed a second subpoena with Discord as part of its investigation into Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, seeking more narrowly defined information. The company has also filed a motion to keep the subpoena details sealed to prevent potential suspects from evading legal action or destroying evidence.
This is your last chance to buy a Switch 2 before Nintendo raises prices to $500
Nintendo is set to increase the price of the Nintendo Switch on September 1, with the baseline price rising to $499.99 in the US. This price hike places the Switch closer to current pricing for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which have also seen increases.
Xbox CEO Says Making Halo Popular Again Is A Priority, But Franchise Co-Creator Questions If It’s Possible
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that reviving the Halo franchise is a priority, viewing it as a key part of Microsoft's portfolio with a long-term vision. However, Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto expressed skepticism about the feasibility and cost of making a "great Halo again," citing the immense budget and time required for modern AAA development.
With GTA 6 leaker hunt 'rapidly evolving,' Take-Two asks court to keep latest subpoena request sealed to avoid…
Take-Two Interactive is seeking to seal a recent court filing related to its investigation into the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, citing the need to protect an ongoing investigation into copyright infringement. The company has issued subpoenas to platforms like Discord and Microsoft to identify users involved in the leaks, with the investigation described as 'rapidly evolving.'
PS5 Adds Free Live And On-Demand Movie And TV Channels, In Exchange For Watching Ads
Sony has launched a new free, ad-supported live TV service on PlayStation 5, offering over 100 channels of movies, TV shows, news, sports, and anime. Users can access the content by signing in with their PlayStation account, with the trade-off being the inclusion of advertisements. This move by Sony follows similar offerings from competitors like Roku, Tubi, and Pluto.
Xbox CEO Reacts To The Irony Of Rising Console Prices Being An Issue That Microsoft Itself Contributed To
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged the irony of rising console prices, partly caused by Microsoft's own AI investments. She stated that future console generations, codenamed Helix, will prioritize efficiency and affordability alongside performance, potentially as a family of devices rather than a single unit. This comes as Xbox Series S prices have increased significantly, and Sony has also raised PlayStation 5 prices.
Rumor: Xbox is considering TV adaptations of World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls, and more
Xbox is reportedly in talks with Netflix, Paramount, and Universal to develop TV adaptations for several Microsoft-owned video game franchises, including Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, and Diablo. A new Halo adaptation is also being discussed, following the success of the recent Fallout series.
Buying COD: MW4 On Xbox Comes With A Special Perk Not Available On Other Console Platforms
Microsoft is incentivizing preorders for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox and PC by offering a $5 digital credit. Additionally, a 10% loyalty discount is available for the $100 Vault Edition on all platforms for players who have previously owned or played qualifying Call of Duty titles.
Xbox CEO refuses to confirm whether next console Helix will have a disc drive
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma declined to confirm if the upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, will feature a disc drive. Sharma emphasized player choice and the importance of library portability, while also announcing a disc-to-digital initiative for a thousand titles. The company is preparing to share more details about the next-generation hardware soon.
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest creators' Xbox 360 RPG Blue Dragon is finally playable on PC thanks to fans
Hironobu Sakaguchi's Xbox 360 RPG, Blue Dragon, is now playable on PC thanks to a fan-made port called re:Blue. This unofficial release offers enhancements like 4K visuals, keyboard and mouse support, and higher frame rates for those who own the original game.
Forza Horizon 6 appears to have been quietly delayed on PS5
Forza Horizon 6's anticipated PlayStation 5 release has reportedly been delayed, with sources suggesting it will not launch in 2026 as previously indicated. This comes amid shifts in Xbox's strategy regarding multi-platform releases and internal turmoil.
Fable's main story will take around 15 to 20 hours to complete
Playground Games has revealed that the main story of Fable will take approximately 15 to 20 hours to complete, with a similar amount of time for side content and exploration. Associate game directors Will Kennedy and Craig Littler confirmed these estimates during a Q&A at Gamescom 2026. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X on February 27, 2027.
Xbox boss confirms next gen Project Helix is more than one console
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the upcoming 'Project Helix' will consist of a family of devices, suggesting multiple console SKUs or models, potentially including options with and without disc drives, and possibly even a handheld device. Sharma emphasized the importance of affordability and efficiency in future hardware development due to component shortages, while also aiming to expand Xbox's portfolio of billion-dollar franchises.
Xbox CEO Says “A Family of Devices for Project Helix” is Planned
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft is planning a "family of devices" for its next-generation Project Helix, indicating more than just a single console. Sharma emphasized performance and the integration of PC gaming on consoles, while also acknowledging the ongoing component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability and efficiency. The company is rethinking the console model to offer more flexibility and choice for consumers.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release May Have Been Delayed Beyond 2026 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that the PlayStation 5 version of Forza Horizon 6 may have been delayed beyond 2026, with sources indicating the game was not ready for its initial planned release. While Microsoft and Playground Games have not officially commented, the delay could be influenced by the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The PC and Xbox Series X/S versions of Forza Horizon 6 were released earlier this year.
IREN’s AI Pivot Is Still Mostly a Bitcoin Business: 82% of FY2026 Revenue Came From Hashing
IREN's fiscal 2026 results show that 82% of its revenue still comes from Bitcoin mining, despite a significant pivot towards AI Cloud Services. The company wrote down $638.8 million in mining rigs to repurpose data centers for AI workloads, resulting in a $702.6 million net loss. While IREN aims for a $4 billion annualized run-rate revenue target by year-end, actual GAAP revenue is contingent on customer acceptance of deployed hardware and facilities.
Federal Court: Pentagon’s Blacklisting of Anthropic Was Unconstitutional Retaliation
A federal judge ruled that the Pentagon's blacklisting of AI lab Anthropic was unconstitutional retaliation, violating the First Amendment. The court found the "supply chain risk" designation illegal and arbitrary, stemming from Anthropic's refusal to enable mass surveillance or build lethal autonomous weapons.
Project Helix isn’t one box: Xbox chief Asha Sharma says it’s a ‘family of devices’
Xbox chief Asha Sharma has begun referring to the upcoming Project Helix as a 'family of devices' rather than a single console, suggesting a broader hardware strategy. This shift in terminology, coupled with past partnership announcements with AMD and a VP's non-denial of third-party involvement, indicates a more expansive vision for the next generation of Xbox hardware, which is confirmed to run PC games.
