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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Microsoft.
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Games Inbox: What was the best game at Opening Night Live 2026?
Readers discuss their impressions of Opening Night Live 2026, with many highlighting The Witcher 3 Remastered as a surprise standout. Other topics include reactions to Gears of War: E-Day, sympathy for a Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, and the potential impact of boycotts against Sony.
The Biggest Gaming Stories That Happened Since GTA 5 Came Out 13 Years Ago
Since Grand Theft Auto 5's release in September 2013, the gaming landscape has seen significant shifts, including the rise of live-service games like Fortnite and the eventual decline of E3. Major events include numerous Skyrim ports, the expansion of the Watch Dogs franchise, Halo appearing on PlayStation, and Grand Theft Auto 5 itself releasing on multiple new platforms. The period also saw the rise of Andrew Wilson at EA, the entire Phil Spencer era at Xbox, the successful launch and dominance of the Nintendo Switch, and a significant increase in console prices.
GTA 6 Leaker Releases Nightclub Footage and Doubles Down on Its Token Scheme
Despite ongoing efforts by Take-Two Interactive to identify the source, Grand Theft Auto 6 continues to be plagued by leaks, with a leaker known as 'CyberLeek' releasing new gameplay footage and doubling down on their cryptocurrency scheme. The leaker claims the token scheme is a protest against an all-digital future and Rockstar's choices, even justifying the risks involved. Rockstar Games remains unaware of the leaker's identity, and the upcoming Netflix reveal is proceeding as planned.
Take-Two’s GTA 6 Subpoena Hits a Snag: Discord Says It Hasn’t Even Been Served Yet
Discord has stated it has not yet been served with a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive regarding the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. While a judge approved Take-Two's request to subpoena Discord and Microsoft for user information related to the 'CyberLeek' account, Discord plans to evaluate the subpoena's validity upon receipt. This contrasts with Microsoft's willingness to cooperate, highlighting a potential conflict over user privacy and data access in leak investigations.
Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition Console Launches on November 13th for $900
Microsoft has announced the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console, launching November 13th for $900. Pre-orders begin August 27th for select "loyal fans." The console features Master Chief's helmet, a download code for Halo: Campaign Evolved, and a unique engraved number. A separate controller, inspired by the original Xbox aesthetic, will be released on October 20th.
PlayStation 6 Price Could Be A Lot Higher Than Gamers Thought, But There’s Hope — Report
A report from Ampere Analysis suggests the PlayStation 6 could launch at a significantly higher price, potentially reaching $1,000, due to increased technology and hardware costs. This could lead to a 38% lower adoption rate compared to the PlayStation 5. However, Sony has options, including hardware subsidies, new revenue streams, or rethinking the console's form factor, to keep the price more accessible.
Nvidia brings ray-traced Nanite, native anti-cheat, and DLSS 4.5 to Gamescom 2026 lineup
Nvidia announced several new technologies at Gamescom, including DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, RTX Spark support from major publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, and RTX Mega Geometry for Unreal Engine 5's Nanite system. Gears of War: E-Day will be the first title to feature RTX Mega Geometry, enabling full-detail ray tracing for Nanite. The company also detailed updates for its GeForce Now cloud platform and RTX Remix modding toolkit.
How Xbox controllers have changed in the last 25 years
Over its 25-year history, Microsoft's Xbox controllers have maintained core design elements like the familiar ABXY buttons and offset thumbsticks. The article details the subtle but significant changes made to the controller's design throughout its evolution.
Razer just dropped a PC setup's worth of Xbox accessories that still cost less than the rumored price of the 25th…
Razer has launched a new line of officially licensed Xbox accessories featuring a transparent green retro design to celebrate the Xbox 25th Anniversary. The collection includes earbuds, a keyboard, and a gaming mouse, with prices ranging from $179.99 to $209.99. Other companies like 8BitDo and GameSir are also releasing anniversary-themed accessories.
GTA 6 leaks continue as culprit asks fans to ‘stop the hate’ over crypto scheme
Multiple new gameplay clips of Grand Theft Auto 6 have leaked online, despite Rockstar Games' efforts to remove them. The hacker group Cyberleek claims responsibility, asking for cryptocurrency donations to cover 'operational costs' while insisting the leaks remain free. The group has also stated they will continue leaking until Rockstar apologizes for the lack of physical game support.
Microsoft had to change the anti-piracy hologram on the Windows 95 box because an undisclosed government assumed the…
Microsoft had to alter the anti-piracy hologram on Windows 95 boxes after an undisclosed government agency complained about a depiction of a baby without a top. The original hologram showed a baby pointing at a monitor, which was interpreted as being naked. A revised hologram was quickly produced with the baby fully clothed, though it lost the pointing gesture.
Ready to watch Gamescom Opening Night Live?Here’s everything you need to know – times, line-up and more
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026, hosted by Geoff Keighley and Eefje Depoortere, will kick off the gaming convention on August 25th. The two-hour show will feature trailers and announcements for games including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Gears of War: E-Day, alongside new game reveals. The event will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch, with a pre-show starting 30 minutes prior.
ROG Xbox Ally X20 pre-orders are now live, prices start from $1,299.99 with standalone handhelds available
Pre-orders for the ASUS ROG Ally X20, a refreshed gaming handheld, are now live with prices starting at $1,299.99. This new model features a 7.4-inch 1080P 120Hz OLED display but retains the same AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, 24GB RAM, and 1TB storage as its predecessor. The standalone handheld and an AR Glasses bundle will be released on October 15.
Redditor finds Windows has wiped their gaming laptop GPU drivers, and it's all down to eco mode
A user of an Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop reported that Windows automatically uninstalled their Nvidia GPU drivers after the system was left in eco mode for an extended period. This occurred because Windows identified the disconnected GPU as an unused device and purged its drivers, forcing a manual reinstallation. The issue appears to be related to Windows' 'pnpclean.dll' task and a default timeout setting.
As Take-Two seeks IP addresses and phone numbers of thousands in GTA 6 subpoena, Discord says it's not been served…
Take-Two Interactive is seeking subpoenas for IP addresses and phone numbers from Microsoft and Discord to identify a leaker of Grand Theft Auto 6 development footage. Discord has stated they have not yet been served with the subpoena, but if they are, they will evaluate its validity. The publisher's legal team is attempting to gather user information from Discord servers to identify the individual known as 'Cyberleek'.
Discord will "evaluate the validity and scope before responding" to controversial GTA 6 leaks court order, but…
Discord has confirmed it has not yet received a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games' parent company, demanding user information related to Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. Discord stated they will evaluate the validity and scope of any future subpoena before responding. This comes after Take-Two reportedly subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord to track down the leaker of alleged Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay footage.
Discord have yet to receive a GTA 6 leak subpoena from Take-Two, says marketing director, but they will "evaluate the validity and scope" if they do
Discord has not yet received a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive regarding the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, according to marketing director Ryan Rigney. If served, Discord will evaluate the subpoena's validity and scope before responding. Microsoft has stated they are cooperating with Take-Two and Rockstar Games to protect intellectual property.
Games Inbox: Will the new The Witcher 3 DLC be worth getting?
Readers discuss upcoming DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the potential for a new trilogy, alongside concerns about CD Projekt's multiple ongoing projects. Other topics include Hideo Kojima's game design choices, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and a boycott against Sony's digital-only game policies for the PlayStation 5, with discussions on Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks and the possibility of a Hot Coffee-style minigame.
Discord is yet to be served Take-Two's GTA 6 leak subpoena, which is set to demand broad access to user data
Discord has stated it has not yet received a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. Take-Two filed subpoenas seeking broad user data from Discord and Microsoft, including registration details and IP addresses, related to the leaks. Microsoft is cooperating with Take-Two and Rockstar Games to support efforts to protect intellectual property.
Moon Studios kallar rykten om ett Ori 3 för "nonsens"
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler has denied rumors circulating about a third Ori game being developed by Saber Interactive for Microsoft. While Moon Studios would be interested in making Ori 3 if Microsoft approved, they are currently focused on their action RPG, No Rest for the Wicked.
