Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
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Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
Wall World 2 Launches Today on Xbox Series X|S
Alawar announced that Wall World 2, the mining roguelite sequel, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, completing its console rollout. The game challenges players to mine procedurally generated depths for resources and technologies while fending off hostile creatures and upgrading their equipment.
WAR FANTASY Announcement Trailer: A Technophobic Mindf**k About The Merging Of War Games & Real War
Developer Non-Euclidean has unveiled the announcement trailer for War Fantasy, a psychological horror FPS developed by Nathan Tran. The game explores the merging of war video games and real war, drawing parallels to Spec Ops: The Line and The Stanley Parable. War Fantasy is set to release on Steam, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 5, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.
Danganronpa 2×2 Delayed to Early 2027, Slayhem Mode Details Revealed
Danganronpa 2×2 has been delayed to early 2027, moving from its original 2026 release window. The game will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Switch 2. Developer Gemdrops and publisher Spike Chunsoft also detailed the new 'Slayhem Mode,' an alternate story with significant changes to plot and characters, offering 20% more content than the 'Original Mode' which features updated visuals of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 3: Nintendo Summer Sale continues
Nintendo's Summer Sale continues for another week, featuring discounts on first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Various digital deals are also available across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, including PlayStation Plus member exclusives and Xbox Game Pass discounts.
Games Inbox: Giving up consoles because of PS5 going digital-only
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to an all-digital PlayStation 5, with concerns about game ownership, pricing, and accessibility for those with poor internet. Some readers are considering switching to PC or Nintendo, while others see digital as a convenient and inevitable evolution, provided consumer rights are protected.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Studio Confirms Physical Release Will Include Disc in the Box
Halo Studios has confirmed that the physical release of Halo: Campaign Evolved will include a disc, addressing fan concerns following Rockstar Games' decision to omit discs from Grand Theft Auto 6. The game will also feature a robust Machinima mode, replacing a traditional photo mode, and will be optimized for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and handheld systems like the Steam Deck.
The Console Market Is Cooked
The console market is facing significant price increases for both Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5 Pro models, driven by a global chip shortage exacerbated by AI development and data center construction. Changing player habits, with a shift towards mobile gaming, also contribute to market volatility. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella discusses these factors, alongside AAA development costs and inflation, suggesting a shrinking console audience as prices rise.
Famitsu sales (6/22/26 – 6/28/26) – first week sales revealed for Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of June 22-28, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with 24,879 units, while the new release Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 topped the software charts with 41,680 units sold. The data also includes sales figures for various PlayStation 5 and Xbox models, as well as other Nintendo Switch titles.
ESRB Leaks Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2
The ESRB has seemingly leaked information about Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition, indicating a release for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. The game was previously released on PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, and was available on Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Testing the Ability to Convert Game Discs Into Digital Licenses – Rumor
Rumors suggest that Xbox is testing a feature that would allow players to convert physical game discs into digital licenses for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This potential move aims to help players with large physical game collections access their libraries digitally. Older console generations like Xbox 360 and the original Xbox would not be supported.
A $1,000 PS6 or Xbox Would Repeat Gaming’s Biggest Pricing Mistake
The high price of the Steam Machine, exceeding even the PS5 Pro, raises concerns about the pricing of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox hardware. The article discusses how traditional console manufacturers subsidize hardware costs through game sales and services, a model that may be unsustainable with rising component prices. It suggests that Sony and Microsoft should consider delaying their next-gen consoles to ensure a justifiable value proposition for consumers, otherwise, they risk alienating a significant portion of their market.
Consoles continue their trend of just becoming worst PCs
The article argues that modern consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are becoming inferior versions of PCs, losing their unique advantages. Factors like the shift to digital-only, rising prices, and the diminishing value of exclusives are making PCs a more compelling and flexible gaming platform.
PlayStation to end physical disc production in 2028
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital sales. This move aligns with consumer trends favoring digital distribution and follows similar strategies from Xbox and PC gaming. The decision raises concerns for physical media retailers and game preservation.
Next-Gen Xbox May Not Have Disc Drive, Disc-To-Digital Feature Coming, Reports Say
Reports suggest Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, may omit a disc drive, following similar trends from Sony. Microsoft is reportedly testing a "disc-to-digital" feature that would allow users to convert physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S discs into digital entitlements tied to their Microsoft account.
Playground Games says Fable uses the same engine as Forza Horizon with 'a ton of additional technology on top' — 'Using that base for Fable is just a match made in heaven'
Playground Games has confirmed that the upcoming Fable title utilizes the same engine as the Forza Horizon series, with significant additional technology built on top. Associate game director Craig Littler stated that the engine's capabilities in high-fidelity graphics and world streaming make it an ideal foundation for Fable. The original creator of Fable, Peter Molyneux, is not involved in the development of this new installment.
PlayStation Games Will Go Fully Digital From January 2028 Onwards
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that PlayStation 5 games will transition to a fully digital-only format starting January 2028. This decision, driven by changing consumer preferences and industry trends, means physical disc releases will cease, with retail copies becoming codes sold in boxes. This move aligns with the growing popularity of digital distribution and may indicate future PlayStation consoles will omit disc drives entirely.
Läckare: "Väldigt troligt" att GTA VI får ett 60 fps-läge
A leak suggests that Grand Theft Auto VI is likely to feature performance modes offering 60 frames per second on both the standard PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. There are also efforts to enable a 60 fps mode on the Xbox Series S, though this is reportedly more challenging. This information comes from a Polish podcast citing a reliable source within Rockstar Games.
Physical copies of GTA 6 are flying off the shelves despite the download code controversy
Despite controversy surrounding its physical edition containing a download code instead of a disc, Grand Theft Auto 6 is a top seller digitally on the PlayStation Store and physically at multiple retailers. Rockstar Games has not revealed the reason for the lack of a disc, but it may be to prevent leaks before the game's November 19 launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
"The coolest hardware I've seen in years" - this flight sim gamepad is coming to Xbox, but PS5 players probably shouldn't hold their breath
Honeycomb Aeronautical is releasing an Xbox version of its Echo Aviation controller for Xbox Series X/S and PC players in Fall 2026. While the company is exploring console support, a PlayStation 5 version is not confirmed due to potential licensing complexities. The controller is praised as innovative hardware for flight simulation games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.
