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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Free Play Days – Train Sim World 6, Icarus: Console Edition, and Lynked: Banner of the Spark
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can play Train Sim World 6, Icarus: Console Edition, and Lynked: Banner of the Spark for free from August 20 to August 23. Players can download the games directly from the Xbox Store and continue their progress with limited-time discounts on purchases.
Fallout 76 is launching The Slasher and legacy seasons on September 15
Fallout 76 is introducing a new content structure starting September 15 with 'The Slasher' event, which includes hunting clues, fighting fanatics, and a chance to earn unique Power Armor. The update also brings improvements for Xbox, unique weapon crafting, and 'Legacy Seasons' allowing players to revisit and earn rewards from past seasons.
You have under two weeks to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 before new price hike
Nintendo has announced that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase to £429.99 in the UK and €499.99 in Ireland starting September 1st. This price hike, attributed to ongoing memory shortages, is significantly less than recent increases for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consumers have less than two weeks to purchase the console at its current price of £395.99, with Nintendo also offering custom bundles and a special Pokémon Pokopia bundle.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for July 2026 – Splatoon Raiders debuts in the top 10
Circana has released the top-selling video games in the U.S. for July 2026, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 leading the monthly charts. New releases Splatoon Raiders and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream also secured spots in the top ten. The article also provides a list of the overall best-selling games for 2026 so far, with Resident Evil Requiem at the top.
Halo Co-Creator Has An Idea To Revive The Franchise, But Doubts Xbox CEO “Gives A Sh**”
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has proposed ideas for a darker, more grounded Halo game with a focus on both PvP and PvE elements, suggesting a need to streamline the lore. He expressed doubt about Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's interest in reviving the franchise and criticized outsourcing development, believing it harmed the series. Lehto also mentioned a recent report about Microsoft potentially enlisting Sledgehammer Games for a new Halo title.
Hardware spending in the US was so low in July that it nearly matched the 2020 Pandemic days when everything was out of stock
US gaming hardware spending in July saw a significant 29 percent drop compared to last year, nearing 2020 pandemic levels due to high prices despite ample availability. Physical software sales also hit an all-time low since 1995, with PlayStation and Nintendo leading sales percentages. Only the gaming subscription category saw growth.
Former Arkane vets' new studio isn't going to try 'trend chasing', and in hindsight, thank God
Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, former Arkane developers, have founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. They aim to avoid chasing industry trends and instead focus on creating immersive sim games that excite them and their target audience, citing the continued cultural and financial success of titles like BioShock and Dishonored as evidence of the genre's viability.
Give Master Chief a break – I want more Halo games like ODST and Reach
The author argues that while Halo's core FPS gameplay is legendary, its narrative potential, particularly seen in titles like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, has been underutilized in recent years. With the rebrand to Halo Studios and the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, there's an opportunity to draw inspiration from these past successes and explore new storytelling avenues within the Halo universe, rather than solely focusing on Master Chief's main saga.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 Port From 14 Years Ago Sold Better In July Than Any Other Game In US
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were the best-selling games in the US in July, according to Circana's sales report. The Black Ops 2 port ranked first by dollar sales, while the Black Ops port came in fifth. These titles, released with minimal improvements, reportedly sold over 11 million copies combined, generating more than $430 million for Activision and Microsoft.
Switch 2 price increase revealed in the UK, and at least Nintendo is being more merciful than Sony and Microsoft were…
Nintendo has announced a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK, with the console set to cost £419.99 starting September 1, 2026. This increase is significantly less than the price hikes seen for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S earlier this year, and also less than the recent increase for the Steam Deck. The article also mentions potential future releases like a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and a special edition Switch 2 console.
The latest Windows 11 update is borking some multiplayer games, but Arc Raiders' developer has a quick workaround
A recent Windows 11 update, specifically versions 25H2 and 24H2, is causing crashes in several multiplayer games, including Arc Raiders, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Microsoft is investigating the issue, while Embark Studios, the developer of Arc Raiders, has provided a temporary workaround involving command prompt commands and deleting a specific system file.
The price and release date for Xbox's 25th anniversary translucent 'OG green' controller have leaked…
The price and release date for Microsoft's 25th anniversary Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition have reportedly leaked ahead of Gamescom 2026. The controller, inspired by the original Xbox and its 'OG green' color, is expected to launch on October 20, 2026, with pre-orders opening on August 26 for $79.99. Details about the Xbox Series X 25 Limited Edition console remain scarce.
Redfall developers begged Microsoft to come back and finish its last patch: 'I know we don't work here anymore, but can we please release this?'
Former Arkane Austin employees, including director Harvey Smith, revealed that they begged Microsoft to allow them to release the final 1.4 patch for the poorly received game Redfall after the studio was shut down. This patch, which fixed numerous bugs, was developed after the team was laid off but was ultimately released by Microsoft, who allowed a small group to return to the office to complete it. While the patch significantly improved the game, it is unlikely to have saved it from its initial critical and commercial failure.
Hundreds of union workers rally across North America to protest Xbox layoffs
Hundreds of unionized video game workers rallied across North America to protest recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and allies gathered to call out corporate greed and demand fair contracts, citing multiple rounds of job cuts impacting studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed 3,200 job eliminations, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, leading to legal action from the CWA against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of the cuts.
PS6, Project Helix at $1,000 Will Sell 38 Percent Less Than Current-Gen Consoles – Analysts
Analysts at Ampere Analysis predict that a $1,000 launch price for the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix could lead to a 38% decrease in adoption compared to the current generation. The report suggests strategies like delaying releases, using heavy subsidies, or focusing on innovative hardware over raw power, similar to Nintendo's Wii strategy. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the challenges posed by component shortages and trade wars, stating the company is still undecided on a PS6 launch date.
Gaming Hardware Spending in US for July 2026 Was The Lowest Since 2020, Says Analyst
US gaming hardware spending in July 2026 reached its lowest point since 2020, falling 29% year-on-year to $282 million, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. This downturn affected all platforms, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sales declining, exacerbated by a 16% increase in average hardware prices due to component shortages. Despite overall declines, the Nintendo Switch 2 led in unit sales, while Resident Evil Requiem topped software charts.
Five Games Exit Xbox Game Pass On August 31 — Including The Witcher 3 Remastered
Five games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition, will be removed from Xbox Game Pass on August 31. Microsoft confirmed the departures, which are typical for subscription services as contracts expire and new titles are added. NBA 2K26 will also leave on September 6.
"Arkane was about to go under" before it committed to Dishonored, former lead says: "We had 4 months of…
Former Arkane Studios lead designer Harvey Smith revealed that the studio was close to closure before committing to the development of Dishonored. The studio was working on multiple projects with dwindling funds before refocusing on the immersive sim, which became a critical and commercial success. Smith has since co-founded a new studio, Black Pony Immersive, to continue making single-player immersive sim games.
The Original Xbox Is Back, And This Time You Have To Build It Yourself
Mattel is releasing a 1:1 scale replica of the original Xbox console, featuring 3,509 pieces, realistic lights and sounds, and a buildable Duke controller. The replica also includes three dioramas themed around Halo: Combat Evolved, Psychonauts, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, with shipping expected in October. This release coincides with Xbox's 25th anniversary amidst a turbulent period for Microsoft's gaming division, marked by layoffs and revenue declines.
Harvey Smith and fellow Arkane Austin veterans announce a new studio, Black Pony Immersive
Former Arkane Austin veterans Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have announced the formation of a new studio, Black Pony Immersive. The studio, founded in August 2025, aims to create ambitious immersive sim games, drawing on the team's experience from Arkane and other studios like Insomniac and Epic Games. Black Pony Immersive is currently working on an unannounced single-player narrative-rich game.
