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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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Shack Chat: What is your favorite Grand Theft Auto game?
Shacknews staff members share their favorite entries in the Grand Theft Auto series, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto 5 being frequently cited. Contributors recall memorable missions, soundtracks, and the overall impact these games had on their gaming experiences.
Trainz Simulator World Tour Released
Trainz Simulator World Tour, a spinoff of Trainz Railroad Simulator, has been released for Windows and macOS on Steam. The game previously debuted on Xbox, offering PC gamers a new simulation experience.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit Review | TheXboxHub
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is a continuation of the original game, offering more stories, characters, and decorative items rather than a revolutionary sequel. It retains the core cozy life-simulation gameplay loop of completing daily quests for ghost bears, with added quality-of-life improvements and a new power-washer tool. While it may feel too similar for returning players, it serves as an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series.
Which Console Has The Smartest Players? New Study Puts Xbox, PlayStation, and PC Head-to-Head
A recent study by WhichBingo surveyed 1,010 adult gamers to compare the average IQ scores across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. PC gamers scored highest with an average IQ of 114.8, followed by PlayStation at 112.7, and Xbox at 107.4. The article discusses whether these differences reflect hardware or the player habits and game preferences attracted to each platform, noting that games like Dota 2 and League of Legends, popular on PC, may influence the results due to their complex strategic nature.
Evening Consolidation
This opinion piece from GamesIndustry.biz suggests that high console prices are hindering growth in a struggling market. It also briefly mentions an Xbox Update Alpha Skip-Ahead Ring preview release note.
I’m giving up on modern gaming and I know I’m not the only one - Reader’s Feature
A long-time gamer expresses disillusionment with the modern gaming industry, citing the shift from complete, creative experiences to live service models, microtransactions, and endless monetization. The author feels current trends alienate veteran players and that younger generations are indoctrinated into a system that prioritizes profit over artistic integrity. This sentiment leads the author to abandon modern gaming in favor of retro titles and physical media.
Does anyone know how to drive this thing?
The article critiques the current state of the video game industry, highlighting a perceived lack of direction and a focus on short-term profits over sustainable development. It points to Sony's struggles with live-service games and Microsoft's costly acquisition spree and subsequent layoffs as examples of poor management. The author argues that this trend of layoffs and uncertainty is detrimental to game development and player experience, contrasting it with companies like Capcom and Larian that have maintained stability and achieved success.
How Blueberry Shows Players the Purpose of Traumatic Memories
Blueberry is a narrative platformer that explores themes of childhood trauma, memory, and emotional healing. The game uses psychological concepts and mechanics like the 'blues bar' to represent the protagonist's internal struggles. Developed with input from psychologists, Blueberry aims to help players understand the impact of trauma and the complex nature of memory, offering a deeply personal and evocative experience.
PlayStation 5 Getting Acclaimed Xbox RPG, Demo Out Now
The parenting RPG Volcano Princess, originally released on Xbox in 2023, is now coming to PlayStation 5. A free prologue demo, covering the story up to the 'Little Bird Day' mission, is available now on the PlayStation Store. The game allows players to guide a daughter's growth through choices affecting her school life and extracurricular activities.
Roadmaps and Plans
The upcoming expansion for Smalland, titled Lost Realms, will introduce new magical elements, mechanics, and creatures to the game. This preview offers a glimpse into the content players can expect when the expansion releases on Xbox platforms.
EA Sports FC 27 Leak Points to Sept. 25 Release — and an Early Head Start for Premium Buyers
A leak suggests EA Sports FC 27 will be released on September 25, 2026, with premium editions and EA Play subscribers potentially getting early access around September 17. Pricing is expected to remain consistent with previous years, with different tiers for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, including support for last-generation platforms.
After 15 years, I've got Microsoft's shunned Fable 3 port to work on PC – and it feels like a new RPG
Despite being 16 years old, the PC version of Fable 3 offers a surprisingly fresh RPG experience, especially when run at 4K resolution. The author argues that this version surpasses the current Xbox Game Pass streaming option and advocates for its preservation, suggesting it could serve as a suitable replacement for fans awaiting Fable 4.
Grieving Destiny 2 players on Steam boosted the game from 32nd place all the way up to 5th for US active users last…
Destiny 2 experienced a significant surge in player engagement on Steam, climbing from 32nd to 5th place in monthly active US users according to data from Mat Piscatella. This boost occurred following Bungie's final update for the game, despite recent layoffs impacting the Destiny 2 team as Bungie shifts focus to Marathon.
Midday Consolidation
War Robots is now available on Xbox. FromSoftware has confirmed the network test dates for their upcoming game, The Duskbloods. Additionally, Instant Sports 2 has been released on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, with Valkyrie Saga also announced for release.
Black Desert teases the ‘Deadeye’s sibling’ class due to be revealed at Heidel Ball 2026
Pearl Abyss is teasing a new class for Black Desert, referred to as 'Eddie' or 'Deadeye's sibling,' which will be fully revealed at the Heidel Ball 2026 event. The class is hinted to start with the letter 'G' and share abilities with the Deadeye class, including the use of a pistol. The latest PC patch also includes updates for wild horses, the Yar minigame, monster loot, and class adjustments, while console players can obtain a buff-granting item.
Crimson Desert adds cross-save support
Pearl Abyss has implemented cross-save support for Crimson Desert, allowing players to transfer their progress between PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and will add Mac support in a future update. To utilize this feature, players must create and link a Pearl Abyss ID to their respective platform accounts.
War Robots Finally Lands on Xbox – And It’s Completely Free to Play
War Robots, a popular free-to-play tactical shooter with over 325 million players worldwide, has launched on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Developed and published by MY.GAMES, the game features giant mech combat, deep customization, and various PvP and PvE modes. It is available to download for free without requiring a Game Pass subscription.
Counter-Strike 2 for Console Gamers: What Xbox Players Need to Know
Counter-Strike 2, a major PC title, is not planned for a native console release on Xbox due to its design favoring keyboard and mouse input and historical issues with console ports. While direct play on Xbox is unavailable, players can access it via PC Game Pass on a Windows PC or through cloud streaming services like GeForce NOW using the Xbox's Edge browser, though the latter may introduce input lag unsuitable for competitive play.
Sharpen the Sword, Skip the Downloads — ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ Is Coming to GeForce NOW
Capcom's Onimusha: Way of the Sword is launching on GeForce NOW on September 3, with a playable demo available this week. The cloud gaming service has also officially launched in India, offering various membership tiers. Additionally, the action game Denshattack! and other titles are now available to stream.
Lou’s Lagoon is landing on Nintendo Switch 2
Lou's Lagoon, a cozy exploration and crafting adventure game, is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 with improved performance and visuals. Developed by Tiny Roar and published by Megabit, the game will also be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Players can wishlist the game now and explore the tropical archipelago of Limbo to unravel the mystery of Uncle Lou's disappearance.
