Xbox Game Studios
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Game Studios.
Latest coverage
Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and Gears of War: E-Day Direct taking place June 7th
Microsoft announced the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 will take place on June 7th, featuring new information from first-party and third-party studios. Immediately following the showcase, a Gears of War: E-Day Direct will provide deeper insights into the upcoming origin story for the Gears of War saga, developed by The Coalition. The event will be broadcast globally in multiple languages.
Starfield on PS5 – 15 New Things You Need to Know
Bethesda has detailed the upcoming Free Lanes update and Terran Armada expansion for Starfield, launching April 7th, which will also include a PlayStation 5 version. The PS5 version will feature full DualSense controller support and graphics modes for the PS5 Pro. The expansion introduces the Terran Armada faction, new quests, weapons, perks, and ship customization options.
Game Pass Might Get New Subscription Tier With Only Xbox Game Studios Titles – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a new, lower-priced Game Pass tier codenamed 'Triton' that would exclusively feature titles from Xbox Game Studios. This potential tier aims to attract a broader customer base by focusing solely on first-party content. The article also touches on past criticisms of Game Pass price increases and potential partnerships with services like Netflix.
Xbox Games Showcase and Gears of War: E-Day Direct Confirmed for June 7th
Xbox has announced its annual Games Showcase for June 7th, featuring gameplay reveals and news from first-party and third-party developers. Immediately following the showcase will be a "Gears of War: E-Day Direct" presentation offering new gameplay and insights into the prequel, which is slated for a 2026 release. The event will also celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary with a look back at its history and a preview of future titles.
South of Midnight studio hiring for new IP
Compulsion Games, the developer behind South of Midnight, is hiring for a new intellectual property (IP). The studio is seeking a Lead Gameplay Programmer and Engine Programmer to work on this unannounced project. South of Midnight, which was originally released for PC and Xbox, is also set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 31st.
Big Game Pass Rumor Could Make The Service Even More Confusing
A new rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a "Triton" tier for Xbox Game Pass that would exclusively feature first-party games from Xbox Game Studios. This potential change comes as Microsoft aims to make Game Pass more enticing to a broader audience, with reports of lower-priced tiers and potential collaborations with services like Netflix. The company has also recently adjusted Game Pass pricing and is undergoing a brand identity reset under new CEO Asha Sharma.
Alien Deathstorm Announced as Rebellion’s New Action Horror Game, Launching in 2027
Rebellion has announced Alien Deathstorm, a new first-person action horror game set for a 2027 release on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. The game will be available on Game Pass from day one. Players will take on the role of a Combat Engineer investigating a remote colony devastated by a catastrophic storm and alien creatures.
Xbox Partner Preview 2026: Everything Revealed!
The Xbox Partner Preview 2026 showcased a variety of upcoming games from third-party developers for Xbox consoles and PC. Highlights included new looks at Stranger Than Heaven, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, alongside reveals for titles like Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish and Serious Sam: Shatterverse. Many featured games are Xbox Play Anywhere compatible.
Stranger Than Heaven Gets a Wild New Trailer – and an Entirely New Broadcast on May 6
A new trailer for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, was revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview. The game will feature five distinct historical eras and five Japanese cities, with a special "Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven" broadcast scheduled for May 6. The trailer showcased dynamic combat, city traversal, and hints of romance, with the developer promising an all-star cast and a unique musical score.
Owlcat's Mass Effecty sci-fi game The Expanse: Osiris Reborn gets a release window, a closed beta date, and a Game Pass promise
Owlcat Games has announced that its Mass Effect-inspired sci-fi RPG, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, will launch in Spring 2027. A closed beta will be available starting April 22nd for those who pre-purchase specific editions, and the game will be a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Netflix Is Getting More Expensive, And That Impacts Games, Too
Netflix has increased the prices for all three of its subscription tiers, impacting both its streaming services and its growing library of mobile games. The Standard With Ads plan is now $9, Standard is $20, and Premium is $27 per month. This follows similar price hikes from other subscription services, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Forza Horizon 6 system requirements confirm it’s no RAM guzzler - and it’ll run on Steam Deck too
Playground Games has revealed the system requirements for Forza Horizon 6, confirming it will run on PC and Steam Deck with modest RAM needs for 1080p 60fps gameplay. Higher-end GPUs will be required for 4K resolution and ray tracing features, which will be implemented during normal gameplay for the first time in the series.
Metacritic Names Top Game Publishers of 2025 With Square Enix Leading
Metacritic has released its annual ranking of top game publishers for 2025, based on the critical reception of their released titles. Square Enix secured the number one spot, driven by strong performances from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and other titles. Capcom and Gamirror Games followed in second and third place, respectively, with Microsoft rounding out the top five.
Forza Horizon 6 confirmed to be playable on Steam Deck / SteamOS
Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios have confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will be playable on PC handheld devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, with detailed PC specifications released. The game will feature enhanced ray tracing, uncapped framerates, and support for various upscaling technologies, aiming for a high-quality experience across a wide range of hardware.
The Forza Horizon 6 system requirements are in and it's good news for older PCs and handhelds
The system requirements for Forza Horizon 6 have been revealed, indicating that the game will be accessible on a wide range of PC hardware, including older systems and handheld devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The minimum specifications suggest that 16 GB of RAM and older generation CPUs and GPUs will be sufficient for playable frame rates at 1080p resolution, with higher-end hardware needed for 1440p and 4K resolutions, and ray tracing features.
Best Car in Forza Horizon 5: Ultimate Guide to Dominating Every Race in 2026
This guide for Forza Horizon 5 breaks down the best cars for various race disciplines and classes, emphasizing that no single vehicle is universally superior. It highlights the Koenigsegg Jesko as a dominant S2 class road racer and recommends diverse garage builds for different event types, also offering tips on tuning and acquiring top-tier vehicles.
Month-Old PS5 Action RPG Already Discounted on PS Store
Obsidian Entertainment's action RPG Avowed, released last month for PlayStation 5, is currently available at a discounted price of $37.49 on the PlayStation Store as part of a Spring Sale. The game, which received positive reviews, is also available on Xbox Series X and PC, with the PlayStation 5 version holding the highest Metacritic score.
Xbox Partner Preview March 26: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and The Expanse Lead Sci-Fi Gaming Showcase
Xbox announced an upcoming Partner Preview event for March 26th, highlighting S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn as key sci-fi titles. The showcase will also feature Stranger Than Heaven and new Xbox Game Pass announcements, aiming to deliver a significant sci-fi gaming experience.
Microsoft Gaming’s New CEO Might Revamp Game Pass Subscription Prices – Rumor
A report suggests that Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, plans to make Game Pass more affordable with lower-priced tiers. While Microsoft has not officially commented, the report also mentions potential partnership talks with Netflix for subscription bundles. Former Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Laura Fryer and former FTC commissioner Lina Khan have criticized recent price hikes and business decisions.
I built the biggest, ugliest vase Double Fine's Kiln would let me and immediately got bullied by better potters
Kiln is an upcoming multiplayer game from Double Fine where players control pots that fight and interact with each other. During a preview event, the author created a large, aesthetically unappealing pot that proved slow and ineffective in combat against more nimble opponents. The game is set to release on April 23, 2026, for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PC, with an open beta planned for PC from April 9-11.
