Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
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Once Human Console Closed Beta – Join the Supernatural Survival World on Xbox
The free-to-play supernatural survival game Once Human is launching its first-ever console closed beta on Xbox Series X|S soon. Players in North America and Europe can register via the Xbox Insider Hub for a chance to participate in the limited-time test, which will feature the tutorial and the Manibus scenario. Progress will not carry over, but participants who reach character level 20 will unlock exclusive in-game rewards upon the game's full console launch.
Pragmata – Everything You Need to Know
Pragmata, Capcom's new original franchise, is an action-adventure game set in a unique science fiction premise involving generative AI and lunar research. Players control Hugh Williams and a droid named Diana, who must cooperate using unique hacking and combat mechanics to survive against a hostile AI. A playable demo, The Sketchbook, is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S, with the full game set to release on April 17, 2026.
Replaced Aiming for 4K/60 FPS on Xbox Series X, Average Playtime is About 8 Hours, Says Developer
Sad Cat Studios has revealed that an average playthrough of their upcoming game, Replaced, will take approximately eight hours, with optional content extending it to 11-12 hours. The developer is targeting 4K/60 FPS on Xbox Series X and 1440p/60 FPS on Xbox Series S. Replaced is set to launch on April 14th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with the team initially focusing on these platforms due to development challenges.
Replaced Interview – Inspirations for Art Style, Ranged and Melee Combat, Exploration, and More
Sad Cat Studios' Yura Zhdanovich and Igor Gritsay discuss the inspirations behind the art style for their upcoming game, Replaced, citing titles like Octopath Traveler and Limbo. They also delve into the game's core themes of humanity and AI, the balance between combat and exploration, and the cinematic approach to its action platformer gameplay. The game is targeting Xbox Series X/S and PC, with an average playtime of around 8 hours.
Forza Horizon 6 PC Requirements Revealed, Extreme RT Setting Demands RTX 5070 Ti and 32 GB RAM
The PC system requirements for Forza Horizon 6 have been revealed, detailing specifications for various graphical settings including Extreme with ray tracing. Recommended specs for 1440p at 60+ FPS include an Intel Core i5-12400F and an RTX 3060 Ti, while the highest settings targeting 4K require an RTX 5070 Ti and 32 GB of RAM. The game launches May 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, featuring support for DLSS, FSR, and XeSS technologies.
MOUSE: P.I. for Hire Physical Pre-Orders Live; Digital Editions Detailed
Fumi Games and PlaySide Publishing have announced that physical pre-orders for MOUSE: P.I. for Hire are now live, with physical editions releasing on July 10 and digital editions on April 16. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game features a monochrome, rubber-hose animation art style and a retro jazz soundtrack.
Albion Online’s Xbox X|S launch is coming April 21 with full PC and mobile crossplay
Albion Online, the free-to-play fantasy sandbox MMORPG developed by Sandbox Interactive, will launch for Xbox Series X|S on April 21, 2026. The game will feature full crossplay with PC, iOS, and Android versions, allowing players to use their existing accounts and maintain progression. The Xbox version has been optimized with a new UI, controller scheme, and accessibility features.
Albion Online Launches on Xbox Series X|S April 21
Sandbox Interactive announced that its fantasy sandbox MMORPG, Albion Online, will launch worldwide on Xbox Series X|S on April 21. This marks the game's first console release and will feature seamless cross-platform play with PC and mobile versions, along with full progression continuity. The game has been optimized with controller schemes and a rebuilt UI for console players.
Albion Online coming to Xbox in April
Sandbox Interactive announced that the fantasy MMORPG Albion Online will launch on Xbox Series X|S on April 21st, featuring full crossplay with PC and mobile versions. The console port includes optimizations for controllers, a new UI, and adapted key screens. The game will also receive a visual upgrade with the Radiant Wilds update on April 13th.
Microsoft Reportedly Offering Up to 50% Off Xbox Series X/S to Select Xbox One Users
Microsoft is reportedly offering select Xbox One users discounts of up to 50% on new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. These limited-time offers are being distributed through in-store promotions.
Microsoft Reportedly Offering Up to 50% Off Xbox Series X/S to Select Xbox One Users
Microsoft is reportedly offering significant discounts of up to 50% on Xbox Series X and S consoles to select Xbox One users. Separately, a graphics comparison for Crimson Desert highlights the visual advantages of the PlayStation 5 Pro and stable performance across current-generation consoles.
Ubisoft took trips to Japan with expert guides for Assassin's Creed Shadows and spent 'a lot of time' researching on top of that — 'We're making video games, but for Assassin's Creed we try to be credible'
Ubisoft's art director Thierry Dansereau revealed that the development team for Assassin's Creed Shadows conducted extensive research, including guided trips to Japan and visits to museums, to ensure historical credibility. The team also utilized various media and thousands of images to inform the game's fictional narrative. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
'Yasuke became the obvious choice for us to put in the game' — Assassin's Creed Shadows art director on the series' 'first historical protagonist' one year post launch
Assassin's Creed Shadows art director Thierry Dansereau discussed the choice to feature the historical figure Yasuke as one of the game's protagonists. Dansereau explained that Yasuke's status as a foreigner and his connection to Oda Nobunaga made him an obvious and compelling choice, allowing players to experience Japan through an outsider's perspective. The inclusion of Yasuke and the ninja Naoe also fulfilled two distinct fantasies of the Sengoku period: the samurai and the shinobi.
Thomas and Friends: Wonders of Sodor Review – A Surprisingly Deep Train Simulator - MonsterVine
Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is a surprisingly deep train simulator that struggles to find its audience. The game is plagued by unskippable cutscenes, poorly explained mechanics, and mission-breaking bugs, making it frustrating for both children and fans of more polished simulators like Train Sim World.
The CRKD Pro Edition Guitar controller is almost perfect, and lets you rock out to all of the classics along with the most recent hits
The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Pro Edition guitar controller sets a new standard for rhythm gaming peripherals, offering compatibility with modern titles like Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero, as well as legacy games. It features responsive mechanical fret buttons, a Hall Effect strum bar with haptic feedback, and a removable neck for portability. While setup for some games like Fortnite Festival can be unintuitive due to sparse instructions, the overall performance and build quality make it a highly recommended investment for fans of the genre.
Blocked Intel graphics cards, failed Xbox App booting, and 120GB patches hit Crimson Desert as launch woes continue
Crimson Desert is experiencing multiple launch day technical issues across platforms. PC players with Intel Arc Graphics cards are unable to launch the game, while some Xbox App users on PC face booting problems. Additionally, Xbox Series X/S players are encountering massive 120GB updates instead of smaller patches.
'People were telling me, this is massive' — Assassin's Creed Shadows Yasuke actor reflects on his…
Tongayi Chirisa, the voice actor for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows, expressed surprise at the massive scale of the gaming industry, noting it surpasses film and television in reach. He discussed his research into the historical figure and praised the development team's handling of the character's narrative arc. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Latest Crimson Desert update rolls out extra polish and new tutorial quest
Pearl Abyss has released a new patch for Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 and PC, introducing a tutorial quest for the Abyss Gears mechanic and adjusting boss balance, including the Reed Devil. The update also improves combat for protagonists Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka. Xbox and Mac App Store versions are expected later.
Crimson Desert Just Launched and It's Already One of Steam's Top 3 Most-Played Games - IGN
Crimson Desert has achieved significant success shortly after its launch, reaching the top three most-played games on Steam with over 250,000 concurrent players. The open-world action game, also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, had garnered 3 million Steam Wishlists prior to release. Despite a strong launch in player numbers, Pearl Abyss' stock price saw a notable decline, potentially linked to early review scores.
Japanese Charts: Ditto Copies Another Win For Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia continues to lead the Japanese physical sales charts for the week of March 9th-15th, selling an additional 117,029 units. New entries include Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake, which debuted in the top ten across Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch 2 remains the dominant hardware platform in Japan, with PlayStation 5 models also showing strong sales.
