Xbox Game Studios
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Game Studios.
Hideo Kojima says OD goes "beyond the limit of 'scariness'" for video games, but if you chicken out there's a system to help you "keep going"Hideo Kojima stated that his upcoming game OD aims to surpass the scariness of existing video games, incorporating a unique system to help players persevere through intense fear. While details remain scarce, Kojima emphasized his desire to push horror boundaries in this single-player experience, drawing parallels to the fear-inducing nature of P.T. and contrasting it with games like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 7 Biohazard.
Xbox Is Working On A Dozen Movies And TV Shows, Including Sea Of ThievesXbox is developing over a dozen film and TV adaptations of its game properties, including a live-action movie based on Rare's Sea of Thieves. Matt Booty, Xbox's chief content officer, highlighted the social and cooperative nature of Sea of Thieves as key elements for its adaptation. Other known projects include adaptations for Death Stranding, Gears, Fallout, and Minecraft.
Gears of War: E-Day brings back a feature the series hasn't supported in over 10 years, and The Coalition says…Gears of War: E-Day, launching October 6, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X, will feature four-player campaign co-op, a feature not seen in the series for over 10 years. The Coalition is bringing back this mode to reflect the series' core DNA of squad-based storytelling, allowing players to experience the origin of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago's bromance from multiple perspectives. This ambitious entry will also support two-player split-screen co-op.
Mojang says that Minecraft Dungeons 2 has more overt "callbacks to vanilla Minecraft" than the last ARPG it…Minecraft Dungeons 2 aims to strengthen its connection to the core Minecraft experience with more "callbacks" and an expanded item rarity system. Design director Laura de Llorens highlighted changes like an interconnected world, four rarity tiers (Common, Rare, Special, Unique), and a more robust character customization system with four armor slots. The game is set to release on September 29, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X.
Active Reload may be an "iconic" Gears of War feature, but that isn't going to stop The Coalition from…The Coalition is making significant changes to core mechanics for Gears of War: E-Day, including the iconic Active Reload system. The game will feature greater mobility and verticality, with unique Active Reload effects for certain weapons. Gears of War: E-Day is set to launch on October 6 for PC and Xbox Series X.
5 promising games recently cancelled by MicrosoftMicrosoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
Halo Campaign Evolved's PS5 port has strict split-screen co-op requirements: both players need PSN memberships and…The upcoming PlayStation 5 port of Halo: Campaign Evolved will require both players to have PlayStation Plus memberships for split-screen and online co-op, a stricter requirement than on Xbox Series X|S. Players on all platforms will need a Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag for cross-platform progression. The game also features dynamic difficulty scaling based on player count.
3D Realms co-founder reveals more about Zenimax redundancies3D Realms co-founder George Broussard revealed details about impending layoffs at Zenimax, suggesting that studios not directly working on Fallout or The Elder Scrolls are at risk. He indicated that new Microsoft management is prioritizing profitability, potentially leading to significant job losses across various Zenimax-owned studios like Arkane and Machine Games. While initial reports suggested closures, further information points to layoffs occurring after the fiscal year ends on June 30.
We spoke to three Xbox Game Studio teams about exclusivity, and got two very different answersDevelopers from Xbox Game Studios have differing views on game exclusivity. Gears of War: E-Day creative director Matt Searcy believes it makes sense as an Xbox exclusive, while developers for Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable are excited about releasing on multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for June 22 to 26Xbox announced a slate of new games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between June 22 and June 26. Titles include Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition, DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, and EMPULSE (Game Preview), among many others. Specific release dates and optimizations for Xbox Series X|S are noted for several titles.
How to find the Forza Horizon 6 Evolving World Car MeetThis guide explains how to find the Evolving World Car Meet in Forza Horizon 6, located in the Hokubu Region. Players need to drive a 1980s car to this location to complete the 'Sweet Car O' Mine' Festival Playlist challenge. The guide also details the rewards for completing the challenge and notes its limited-time availability during the summer season.
How to find the Forza Horizon 6 Nangan Region Treasure HuntThis guide details how to find the Forza Horizon 6 Nangan Region Treasure Hunt, which offers 100,000 Credits. The treasure is located on the eastern beach of the southern peninsula in Nangan, overlooking Tokyo City. This weekly challenge is part of the Horizon Decades Festival Playlist Series and will be available until June 25.
Rockstar's legal setback, Final Fantasy tax incentives, and PlayStation swaps 'PC' for 'AI' - Patch Notes #57This week's gaming news includes Rockstar Games facing a trial date for union busting allegations, Sony Interactive Entertainment shifting its business strategy focus from 'PC' to 'AI' in SEC filings, and Microsoft's Xbox division reportedly preparing for studio closures. Additionally, Don't Nod is seeking new financing after Tencent withdrew short-term investment, Shibuya ward is offering Final Fantasy 14 in-game items for tax donations, and Epic Games is merging Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN into a unified Unreal Engine 6. The UK government is also set to implement a ban on social media for under 16s, impacting high-risk features in games.
70+ minuters gameplay från State of Decay 3A gameplay video exceeding 70 minutes for State of Decay 3 has been released by YouTuber Brian Menard, offering a look at the survival gameplay. The game is slated for a 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, though the footage is from an early alpha build.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 2 SummerThis guide provides tips and car recommendations for completing the Series 2 Summer Festival Playlist challenges in Forza Horizon 6. The challenges run from June 18th to June 25th and offer various reward cars, including the 1989 Volkswagen Golf Rallye and 1988 Lamborghini Countach QV. Players can earn points by completing events like Photo Challenges, Treasure Hunts, and Seasonal Championships.
Amid all the closures and layoffs, the global games market has apparently passed $200 billion in yearly revenue for the…The global games market has surpassed $200 billion in yearly revenue for the first time, reaching $201.6 billion according to Newzoo, an increase of 9.1% year-on-year. Mobile gaming leads this growth, followed by PC and console gaming, despite widespread industry layoffs and studio closures. This financial success contrasts sharply with the recent difficulties faced by many companies and employees within the sector.- The Backrooms Effect: Why Horror, Nostalgia and Indie Games Are Surging AgainSeveral recent and upcoming games available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, including Escape the Backrooms, Echo Generation 2, and Forza Horizon 6, are reflecting broader cultural trends such as viral horror, nostalgic sci-fi, and AAA open-world experiences. This highlights how Xbox Game Pass is curating a catalog that aligns with current popular culture and trending topics outside of gaming.
The biggest Gears of War: E-Day gameplay changes should have a transformative impact on the series' tired…The Coalition is implementing significant changes to the core gameplay mechanics of Gears of War: E-Day, rebuilding systems from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. These alterations focus on enhancing movement fluidity, cover interaction, and environmental destruction, aiming to modernize the series' signature combat and potentially reshape its multiplayer experience. The game will feature a prequel campaign and a multiplayer beta starting August 6.
Report: Xbox was set on splitting with Ninja Theory when unveiling its new projectA report suggests Microsoft planned to separate from Ninja Theory around the unveiling of its new project, Senua. This comes amid broader reports of internal turmoil at Xbox, with multiple studios reportedly negotiating to become independent due to potential shutdowns of less profitable teams. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated a reset for the division, which may include significant cuts and reduced budgets.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 may be a more ambitious ARPG, but Mojang says it's "purposefully not calling it an…Mojang is developing Minecraft Dungeons 2, set for release on September 29, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X. The sequel will feature a more ambitious, interconnected world with a greater emphasis on exploration, moving beyond the simpler mission-based loop of the original. While not a full open world, the game aims for a guided yet expansive experience.