Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
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"All of the industry needs to start to innovate on affordability and efficiency" - Xbox's Asha Sharma wants change and "more choice" for people buying consoles
Xbox boss Asha Sharma is calling for the entire gaming industry to innovate in affordability and efficiency for future console generations, citing current component price crises. She highlighted the need for more consumer choice in how consoles are purchased and used, and mentioned that Microsoft is considering new business models beyond traditional hardware sales. Sharma also noted the impact of AI datacenter demand on component pricing, which has led to recent price increases for Xbox Series S and X consoles.
GTA 6 officially has character weight and exercise systems, and even "multi-day benders" reportedly have a visible effect
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature character systems where eating, exercising, and even multi-day benders visibly affect character appearance and weight, harkening back to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Rockstar Games has emphasized a more grounded and reactive world where player actions have consequences, with NPCs also being more varied in appearance and presentation.
Inside the Vault: Join the Fallout 76 XBOX Series Public Test Server
Fallout 76 is launching its first Public Test Server (PTS) for Xbox Series X and S, allowing players to test upcoming updates before they go live. The PTS will feature targeted 60 FPS gameplay, 4K resolution on Xbox Series X, and Variable Refresh Rate support. Players can join via the Xbox Insider Hub app if they own Fallout 76 or have access through Game Pass.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Officially Announced, And It Sounds Pretty Great
Microsoft has officially announced its Disc-To-Digital program for Xbox, allowing players to digitize their physical game discs for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles. This feature grants digital benefits like Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming, though it is tied to the specific disc and account. The program will exclude Xbox Series S owners and is expected to roll out to Xbox Insiders on August 31st before a wider release.
Elden Ring on Switch 2 might be my new go-to version of the action-RPG from now on
The Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 offers a visually convincing port despite some performance compromises, including a 30 FPS lock and reduced graphical settings in handheld mode. Load times are notably fast, and while the game generally holds its frame rate, occasional drops occur in busy areas or during intense effects. The port includes minor cosmetic DLC and motion control gimmicks, making it a solid option for playing the acclaimed action RPG on the go.
The legendary Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is being remade by Ubisoft, and while it's visually redone, it's reportedly like-for-like in terms of gameplay
Ubisoft has announced a remake of the classic strategy RPG Heroes of Might and Magic 3, rebuilt in the Snowdrop engine with updated 3D visuals, new animations, and quality-of-life improvements. The remake will launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, retaining the original gameplay mechanics and including the Armageddon's Blade and The Shadow of Death expansions. User-generated content and existing maps will be compatible with the new version.
The Witcher 3 Remastered announced alongside expansion first look
CD Projekt Red announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, a free upgrade for existing owners launching September 29, featuring enhanced visuals, gameplay, and combat. Alongside this, the first footage of the upcoming expansion, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, was revealed, set to release in 2027 and co-developed with Fool's Theory.
Metro 2039 executive producer says the game brings back the 'spookiness' of the claustrophobic metro tunnels from the first games while also offering open world zones: 'We didn't want to ditch everything that we did in Metro Exodus'
Metro 2039 executive producer Jon Bloch stated that the game will reintroduce the claustrophobic tunnel exploration from earlier titles while retaining open-world elements from Metro Exodus. Creative director Andriy Shevchenko added that the team aims to blend the best aspects of both approaches to create a compelling, immersive story. Metro 2039 is set to release in February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a focus on optimization across all platforms.
'If we stuck with the silent protagonist method, we wouldn't be able to tell this story properly' — Metro 2039 executive producer says making The Stranger a speaking protagonist 'goes hand in hand with telling a personal story'
4A Games executive producer Jon Bloch stated that Metro 2039's new protagonist, The Stranger, is a speaking character to better tell a darker, more personal story. This contrasts with the silent protagonists of previous Metro titles, allowing for deeper exploration of the character's motivations and feelings. Metro 2039 is set to release in February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
'The most striking on the surface thing is going to be the density of what you see' — Metro 2039 creative director says the game's new engine allows 'billions' of objects, whereas Metro Exodus allowed up to 30 million
Metro 2039's creative director Andriy Shevchenko revealed that 4A Games' new engine supports billions of objects, a significant leap from Metro Exodus's 30 million. Executive producer Jon Bloch highlighted the engine's ability to create a more realistic and dense world, while also emphasizing the team's commitment to optimizing the game for all supported platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
'The entire audio system has been rebuilt' — Metro 2039 executive producer says sound has been 'reimagined in a way to really support thick, dense atmosphere'
Executive producer Jon Bloch revealed that 4A Games has completely rebuilt and reimagined the audio system for Metro 2039. This overhaul is designed to significantly enhance the game's dense atmosphere and immersion, with a focus on granular details like footsteps and environmental sounds. Metro 2039 is set to launch in February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
Metro 2039 creative director shares how the Russia-Ukraine war has affected the game, says there are 'no gray zones' in the story and 'we are not afraid to call evil evil'
Metro 2039 creative director Andriy Shevchenko revealed that the Russia-Ukraine war has significantly influenced the game's narrative, shifting the focus to themes of choice, consequence, and the cost of freedom. Shevchenko stated that the game will not shy away from portraying evil directly, with no moral gray zones in its story. The game is set to release in February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
Take-Two’s GTA 6 Subpoena Hits a Snag: Discord Says It Hasn’t Even Been Served Yet
Discord has stated it has not yet been served with a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive regarding the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. While a judge approved Take-Two's request to subpoena Discord and Microsoft for user information related to the 'CyberLeek' account, Discord plans to evaluate the subpoena's validity upon receipt. This contrasts with Microsoft's willingness to cooperate, highlighting a potential conflict over user privacy and data access in leak investigations.
Fable’s Gamescom Demo Showcases Quests, Conversations, Choices, and Combat
Playground Games showcased an early gameplay demo of Fable during Gamescom, highlighting its open-world RPG elements, including quests, villager interactions, and a "style-weaving combat" system. The demo featured the city of Bowerstone and a quest to retrieve the Hero's Guild deed, demonstrating player choices and character personality traits. Fable is set to release on February 23rd, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Metro 2039 gameplay trailer looks like bad news for your aging graphics card
The latest gameplay trailer for Metro 2039 showcases impressive photorealistic graphics and advanced visual features like ray tracing, raising concerns about its hardware requirements. Despite its high-fidelity visuals, the game is confirmed to run on the Xbox Series S, suggesting potential scalability, though performance on mid-range PCs remains uncertain. 4A Games is developing the title on a proprietary engine, and a playable demo is available at Gamescom.
Once Human Is Out Now And Free On Xbox, Game Pass And PlayStation
Once Human has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, featuring cross-play and cross-progression. The multiplayer survival game is free-to-play and tasks players with exploring a post-apocalyptic world transformed by a substance called Stardust, where they must scavenge, build, and fight.
CyberLeek, Explained: Inside the GTA 6 Leaks, the Manifesto and the Memecoin Votes
An individual or group known as CyberLeek has been publishing alleged unfinished footage and details from Grand Theft Auto VI, accompanied by a manifesto advocating for consumer rights regarding digital preorders and game preservation. The group has also launched a memecoin, $CYBERLEEK, which is used for community voting on which leaked content to release next. While Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have taken action to remove the leaked material, the origin and authenticity of the leaks remain unverified, with possibilities of AI generation or playable build access being discussed.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Interview – Scary Xenomorphs, Game Balance, Class Progression, And More
Developers from Cold Iron Studios discuss Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, detailing improvements to class distinction, combat mechanics with new damage types, and more aggressive Xenomorph AI. They also cover progression systems, balancing for four-player co-op, and performance targets for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Runs at 1440p/60 FPS on Xbox Series X/S and PS5, 4K/60 FPS on PS5 Pro
Cold Iron Studios has revealed the performance targets for Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 on consoles. The game will run at 1440p/60 FPS on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, 4K/60 FPS on PlayStation 5 Pro, and 1080p/30 FPS on Xbox Series S. Engineering director Arnel Lim noted that maintaining these targets during intense four-player encounters has been a significant development challenge.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Showcases 60 FPS Performance Mode in Updated Gameplay
Rebel Wolves has confirmed that The Blood of Dawnwalker will feature a 60 FPS Performance Mode at launch via a day-one patch. Updated gameplay footage showcases this mode running at dynamic 4K on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 5 Pro, though Xbox Series S is limited to 30 FPS. The game is set to release on September 3rd for PC and consoles, promising around 50 hours of gameplay.
