Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
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The Witcher 3 Remastered patch targets graphics issues and boats moving "uncontrollably" as CD Projekt Red promises it's "working" on Switch 2 fixes
CD Projekt Red has released patch 5.01 for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, addressing various bugs and graphical issues across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The studio is also working on an update for the Nintendo Switch 2 version to bring it closer to parity with other platforms.
Famitsu sales (9/28/26 – 10/4/26) – first week sales revealed for Minecraft Dungeons 2, Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales charts for the week of September 28 to October 4, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales, while Ace Combat 8 topped the software charts. Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered and Minecraft Dungeons 2 also saw their first-week sales revealed.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Heading to XBOX on PC November 18
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is launching on PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support on November 18, 2026. The game will be playable on Xbox Series X|S and Windows 11 PCs, with seamless save data transfer. The article also highlights the 10th anniversary of the Monster Hunter Stories series and mentions Free Play Days for the first two titles.
Xbox Announces New Film, TV and Entertainment Division XP, Led by Former Minecraft Studio Head
Xbox has launched a new division called XP, focused on expanding its gaming franchises into film, television, merchandise, live events, and partnerships. Led by former Minecraft studio head Kayleen Walters, the division aims to reach audiences beyond the games themselves, leveraging recent successes like the Minecraft movie and the Fallout series.
Gears of War: E-Day is a “Natural Choice” to be an Xbox Exclusive, Says Studio Head
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated that Gears of War: E-Day is a "natural choice" for an Xbox exclusive, emphasizing its deep ties to the brand and its role in showcasing Xbox hardware capabilities. He also indicated that future titles from the studio will not take as long to develop, building on the foundation of E-Day.
Mafia 2 and Mafia 3 Rated by ESRB for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Mafia 2 and Mafia 3 have been rated by the ESRB for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, suggesting Definitive Edition releases for both titles are imminent. This follows the release of Mafia: Definitive Edition and the positive reception of the first game's PS5 version.
Asha Sharma reportedly informs staff that Xbox has "started to return to growth" during internal town hall
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced during an internal town hall that the company has begun to return to growth after reaching an all-time low, with significant improvements in its first-party segment and user engagement. Sharma also discussed plans to evolve Game Pass, introduce a family of next-gen hardware devices under Project Helix, and continue investing in console features despite current market stagnation.
Xbox restates plans for next-gen Project Helix to be a "family of devices", stressing "many players will be on the go"
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reiterated plans for a "family of devices" for the next generation, codenamed Project Helix, which will include a main console and a portable gaming machine. Sharma emphasized that "there is not one device that fits all" and highlighted the importance of players being "on the go," suggesting a focus on portable experiences similar to the ASUS ROG Ally X. Microsoft is exploring different business models to ensure affordability amidst component shortages.
Control Resonant composer says 'it was a great relief that we exited The Oldest House' but it was key that he 'tried not to re-do Inception' as it would have been 'a tad tacky' and 'reduced Remedy’s concept to something less worthwhile'
Control 2 composer Petri Alanko discussed how the game's new open-world setting in Manhattan influenced his approach to the soundtrack. He aimed to avoid replicating Christopher Nolan's Inception, stating it would have been 'tacky' and diminished Remedy Entertainment's concept. Alanko focused on accentuating the protagonist Dylan's journey and his feeling of insignificance within the epic scale of the environment.
Xbox CEO Says Project Helix Will Have More Devices Because One Device Can’t Fit All – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the company's next-generation strategy, codenamed Project Helix, will involve a "family of devices" rather than a single console. This approach aims to cater to diverse player needs, potentially including a handheld device, and address industry-wide concerns about hardware affordability and component shortages. Sharma indicated that while a powerful console will be central, partnerships will be key to filling out the device lineup.
'With Remedy, it’s about philosophy and the emotional layer' — Control Resonant composer says to create Remedy's atmospheric music, he records sounds on a 'daily basis' that he'll later manipulate into harmonies: 'The weirder, the better'
Control Resonant composer Petri Alanko discusses his unique approach to creating atmospheric music for Remedy Entertainment games, often using unconventional sounds captured daily. He emphasizes that the weirder the source material, the better the outcome, and relies heavily on intuition and emotional connection rather than a strict audio bible.
GameStop Is Preparing Us For Next-Gen Pricing With $1,400 Used PS5 Pros
GameStop is listing used PlayStation 5 consoles for $1,400, a significant markup over the new retail price, potentially conditioning consumers for higher future hardware costs. This pricing strategy is seen as capitalizing on current stock constraints and chip shortages, drawing comparisons to scalper behavior.
Gears of War: E-Day studio finds a way to get more performance from Xbox Series S - one that other Xbox games could probably use
The Coalition has developed a novel technique for Gears of War: E-Day to offload data to the Xbox Series S' NVMe SSD, effectively increasing usable system memory and improving performance. This method could potentially be adopted by other Xbox games, though it comes at a time of significant restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division, causing concern among staff.
NBA 2K25 servers to shut down on December 31, single-player story mode will become unplayable
2K has announced that NBA 2K25 servers will be shut down on December 31, making online modes like MyCareer and MyTeam unplayable. The game will also be delisted from storefronts on October 30, 2026, though offline modes will remain accessible. This follows a trend of 2K delisting older NBA titles.
Gears of War: E-Day Studio Used The SSD as Extra Memory For Xbox Series S Version
The Coalition, developer of Gears of War: E-Day, utilized the Xbox Series S's SSD as supplementary RAM to overcome its 10 GB memory limitation compared to the Xbox Series X. This technique, while consuming storage, allowed for the dense environments in the game to be rendered on the less powerful console. Technical director Kate Rayner noted a performance penalty when overusing the method, but the team successfully achieved high-end visual fidelity.
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen – Everything You Need To Know
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen introduces a new frozen region called Norgan, twelve challenging dungeons known as Lost Rites, and new companions. The expansion also adds a Relics system for powerful, randomized equipment that can alter builds, and increases weapon build slots to six. Performance has been improved across platforms, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X receiving a 60fps mode, and PC system requirements being lowered.
Gears of War: E-Day Gets Performance and Stability Improvements, Bug Fixes Ahead of Launch
The Coalition has released a new update for Gears of War: E-Day, addressing performance and stability issues ahead of its launch. The patch includes numerous bug fixes for campaign, multiplayer, and Horde modes, alongside improvements to Xbox authentication and reporting tools.
Gears of War: E-Day Runs Smoothly on Xbox Series S By Using SSD as RAM
The Coalition has achieved impressive performance for Gears of War: E-Day on the Xbox Series S by utilizing the console's SSD as a form of RAM. This technical feat allows the game to run smoothly on the less powerful hardware.
Ninja Theory developers announce they are facing redundancy, as the studio starts laying off staff following widespread Xbox cuts
Ninja Theory developers are facing redundancy as the studio begins layoffs following widespread cuts at Xbox. Despite attempts to sell the studio, proposed sale agreements fell through, leading to a consultation process and eventual job losses. This news comes after Xbox announced a major restructuring and 3,200 planned job cuts.
Metro Series Hits 50 Million Sales as Redux Upgrade Dates Near
The Metro series has surpassed 50 million copies sold worldwide. Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux are receiving a free next-gen update with 4K visuals and improved audio, launching on PC on October 22 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on October 29. This technical refresh aims to enhance the original Redux experience for existing owners ahead of the upcoming Metro 2039.