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Xbox Revenue Declines Despite Microsoft Growth
Microsoft's first fiscal quarter of 2027, ending September 30, 2026, saw a 2.3% decline in Xbox revenue, falling to $5.379 billion. This decrease occurred despite strong overall growth for Microsoft, primarily driven by its cloud computing services. The report did not provide specific figures for console sales or Xbox Game Pass performance.
AKIBA LOST Review | TheXboxHub
AKIBA LOST is a live-action mystery adventure set in Akihabara, following game creator Daiki Shinjo as he investigates a series of disappearances linked to his sister. The game features an intriguing narrative with twists, a cast of characters with hidden depths, and a unique gameplay mechanic allowing players to switch between seven protagonists. While praised for its compelling story and engaging mechanics, the presentation is inconsistent with some repetitive sequences and questionable choices.
Evening Reading - October 28, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming and tech updates, including release date announcements for Witchbrook and City of None, the Forsaken Update for No Man's Sky, and new Dead by Daylight characters. It also touches on financial results for Microsoft and Google, and the 19th anniversary of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Xbox hardware revenue decreased 14% year-over-year during Microsoft's (MSFT) Q1 FY27
Microsoft's Q1 FY27 earnings report indicates a 14% year-over-year decrease in Xbox hardware revenue and a 2% decline in content and services revenue. The drop in content and services is attributed to lower Xbox Game Pass and third-party content sales, partially offset by first-party titles. The report also notes a price increase for Xbox consoles in August 2026.
Football Manager 27: The Real World of Football Meets Your Digital Decisions | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features an interview with Ant Farley from Sports Interactive to discuss Football Manager 27. The conversation covers new features like Tactical Tweaks and improved navigation, the game's impact on real-world football analytics, and its upcoming releases on PC and Xbox consoles with Game Pass.
Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest Review | TheXboxHub
Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest, an open-world take on the beloved book series, falls frustratingly short of its potential. Despite a robust character creation and an intriguing setting, the game suffers from sluggish controls, repetitive quests, thin combat, and unrewarding exploration, leading to a disappointing experience for both a seasoned gamer and a dedicated fan of the books.
Hidden Objects Adventure Review | TheXboxHub
Hidden Objects Adventure offers a vast amount of content with 60 levels and multiple difficulty settings, but its core gameplay loop is fundamentally flawed. The game fails to hide objects effectively, turning the experience into a repetitive 'tidy up' task rather than a satisfying hidden object challenge. While the sheer volume of items to find is impressive, the lack of genuine challenge and engaging gameplay makes it a misguided experience.
After 10 years, cozy RPG Witchbrook finally gets a release date – and PS5 fans will no longer be missing out at…
Chucklefish has announced that the long-awaited cozy RPG Witchbrook will launch on January 28, 2027. The game will be available on PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and for the first time confirmed, PlayStation 5. The digital release will be priced at $24.99, with physical editions to follow.
Witchbrook gets January 2027 release date
Chucklefish and Robotality have announced that the witch-themed life simulation game Witchbrook will be released on January 28, 2027. The game, which supports up to four-player co-op, will launch simultaneously on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Don't tell Rockstar, but GameSir is launching two new GTA 6-inspired colorways of its G7 Pro controller
GameSir is releasing two new colorways for its G7 Pro controller, inspired by Grand Theft Auto 6's Vice City aesthetic. The 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Ocean Breeze' editions are designed for Xbox and feature premium finishes at the standard G7 Pro price point, avoiding the typical price-gouging seen around major game launches. These controllers are available for pre-order and are expected to ship in November 2026.
Building a sound effects library around player feedback in indie games
This guide explains how to build a functional sound effects library for indie games by focusing on player feedback and repeated actions. It emphasizes organizing sounds by gameplay functions like rewards and warnings, giving movement abilities distinct audio identities, and supporting cues with visual and controller feedback. Testing sounds during normal gameplay is crucial to ensure clarity and avoid listener fatigue.
Tim Sweeney argues Steam has held gaming back, but Valve's tools tell a different story
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney claims Valve's Steamworks locks developers into a closed ecosystem, hindering cross-platform communication. While Valve's documentation indicates their Steam Datagram Relay service can be used across platforms if a game also launches on Steam, Sweeney and former Epic employee Kiaran Ritchie argue developers should pay for individual services rather than a 30% revenue cut. The discussion highlights ongoing rivalry and debate over digital distribution models.
Where Player Skill Ends and Randomness Begins
This article explores the balance between player skill and randomness in video games and casino environments. It examines how decisions, probabilities, and random outcomes influence the player's experience and perception of fairness, using examples from games like XCOM and Blackjack, and discussing concepts like Return to Player (RTP) and volatility.
32-year-old "ellipsoid" horror game Ecstatica gets a PC re-release today, showing us an alternative timeline in which polygonal 3D never became dominant
The 1994 horror game Ecstatica, known for its unique ellipsoid-based 3D graphics, has received a PC re-release on Steam and GOG. This re-release, handled by SNEG, includes both the original game and its sequel, featuring controller support and multiple graphics modes. The game is highlighted as an example of an alternative path in 3D graphics development.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 6 Winter
This guide provides tips and car recommendations for the Winter Festival Playlist challenges in Forza Horizon 6 Series 6. It details how to earn Playlist Points by completing various events such as Photo Challenges, Treasure Hunts, and Seasonal Championships to unlock reward cars like the 2004 Saleen S7 and 1986 Audi Sport Quattro S1.
Lost Odyssey - Final Fantasy-spelet som inte är Final Fantasy
This article analyzes Microsoft's attempt to break into the Japanese RPG market with Lost Odyssey, developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi's studio Mistwalker. Despite its quality and traditional JRPG elements, the game underperformed in Japan due to poor marketing and Microsoft's overall struggles in the region, ultimately failing to launch a new series.
American publishers are ruining the video games industry - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern that American publishers are ruining the video game industry, citing the closure of BioWare and EA's financial practices as evidence. The author contrasts this with the perceived stability of Japanese and European companies, while also noting the potential negative impact of AI on game development and artistry.
Xbox's Helen Chiang exits after 21 years, but only 3 months as COO
Helen Chiang has departed Xbox after over 21 years with Microsoft, having recently been appointed as Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer just three months prior. Chiang previously led the Minecraft division for over a decade. No specific reason was given for her departure, and Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the future of the COO position would be announced later.
Nacon announces the Revolution Pro X – Special Edition, a new Hell Is Us-inspired Xbox controller offering 'joystick tension adjustment, Hall Effect sensors, and micro-switch combine technologies'
Nacon has launched the Revolution Pro X – Special Edition, an officially licensed Xbox controller inspired by the game Hell Is Us. Priced at £109.99 / $129.90 / €129.99, it features Hall Effect joysticks, micro-switch triggers, adjustable joystick tension, and programmable buttons for PC, Xbox, and Smart TV users.
Call Of Duty Ads On Xbox Are Even More Annoying This Year With Modern Warfare 4
Microsoft is implementing intrusive, takeover-style advertisements for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox, even hijacking custom backgrounds. While these ads can be disabled, the practice is part of a broader trend towards increased advertising in gaming, with Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball advocating for it to offset rising development costs. Electronic Arts is also introducing its own in-game advertising platform.