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Swords of Legends Shows New Combat Gameplay at Summer Game Fest 2026
Aurogon Shanghai showcased new combat gameplay for their upcoming single-player action-adventure RPG, Swords of Legends, during Summer Game Fest 2026. The trailer featured a boss fight inspired by Traditional Chinese Conjuring and introduced the Spirit Companion system, where players can summon spectral allies. The game, a sequel to the Gujian series, is set in a primordial age inspired by classical Chinese literature and is planned for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
ARK Survival Ascended announces Genesis Ascended Part 1 for June 25, new in-game modding tool for Q3
Studio Wildcard announced that ARK: Survival Ascended Genesis Part 1, a remastered free map, will be released on June 25th, alongside the Bob's True Tales: Tides of Fortune DLC. Additionally, a new in-game modding tool called ARK Maker will launch in Q3 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 users, allowing players to create custom maps without needing Unreal Engine 5 knowledge.
Accidental Upload Shows Gears Of War: E-Day Was A PS5 Game Until The Last Minute
An accidental upload to the official Xbox channel revealed Gears of War: E-Day was initially planned for PlayStation 5 before being switched to Xbox exclusivity. While journalist Jeff Grubb claimed the decision was last-minute, Xbox's Aaron Greenberg stated the change was made about a month prior to the announcement.
18 amazing indie games you missed during Summer Game Fest week
Summer Game Fest week featured numerous upcoming indie games alongside major announcements from large publishers. Titles like Fights In Tight Spaces 2, the single-player Among Us Story: On Guard, and the horror game Carcass Clad were highlighted. Other notable indies include Cassette Beasts 2, El Paso, Elsewhere 2, and the retro-themed Hack '95.
Evening Consolidation
Xbox has stated that its recently announced console exclusives are not isolated incidents and that fans should anticipate more in the future. The company also celebrated its 25th anniversary with special edition consoles.
Xbox Game Pass lost "millions of subscribers" in just "a few months" after 50% price hike
Xbox experienced a significant subscriber loss, reportedly in the millions, within months of implementing a 50% price increase for Game Pass in October 2025. New CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged the negative impact and has initiated a strategy shift, including making some first-party titles like Gears of War: E-Day exclusive to Xbox consoles.
"There is a limit to progress based on price": In today's AI hardware disaster, Stellar Blade Blood Rain devs prioritize "making the game playable" for as many people as possible
Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim emphasized the importance of making games playable on current-generation hardware, citing price limitations for PCs and consoles. The studio is prioritizing optimization for its upcoming action game, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, rather than relying on future hardware advancements. This approach aims to ensure broader accessibility for players, similar to the successful PC port of the original Stellar Blade.
Monster Couch Announces 6 Wingspan Bird Packs, Starting with Wingspan Bird Pack: British Birds on June 15
Monster Couch announced that the digital board game Wingspan will receive six new Bird Packs, starting with Wingspan Bird Pack: British Birds on June 15, 2026. This first pack will include 25 new bird species from the United Kingdom and will be available on Steam, GOG, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, and Android. A Season Pass for all six packs will also be released on Steam.
Elder Scrolls Online launches U50 and difficulty tools today while teasing S1’s Thieves Guild reboot
The Elder Scrolls Online is launching Update 50 today, introducing new features like the Vengeance PvP campaign, Veterancy system, and a challenge difficulty option. The update also teases the upcoming "Return of the Thieves Guild" season, which will revamp the classic DLC with new story content and systems, beginning July 8th.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 launches September 29, begins preorders, and confirms DLC
Mojang has announced that Minecraft Dungeons 2 will launch on September 29th for PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game is a multiplayer roguelike set in the Minecraft universe, featuring new gear, enemies, and cooperative play for up to four players. Preorders include cosmetic items, with different editions offering additional DLC.
Announcing Soul Walker, a 3v1 Asymmetrical Multiplayer Horror Game Produced by Cliff Bleszinski
Epoch Media Studios has announced Soul Walker, a 3v1 asymmetrical multiplayer horror game produced by Cliff Bleszinski, set to release on PC and Xbox. The game features a unique sound-based gameplay system where three survivors must evade a blind entity that hunts by noise, with mechanics that encourage both cooperation and betrayal. The studio is led by CEO Jeffery Thompson, a veteran executive.
After seeing Thief Remastered, I'm calling it: That doomed Deux Ex remaster should get rebooted with Nightdive in…
The upcoming remasters of Thief: The Dark Project by Nightdive Studios and Deus Ex by Aspyr present a stark contrast in approach and reception. While Nightdive's Thief remaster is praised for its faithful yet enhanced visuals, Aspyr's Deus Ex remaster has drawn criticism for a perceived dated graphical overhaul. The article suggests that Aspyr's project should be rebooted, ideally with Nightdive's involvement, given the positive reception to their work on System Shock 2 and Thief.
Xbox explains new exclusives policy: players "can expect a reliable pipeline" of exclusive titles in service of "turning around the business"
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball detailed the company's new exclusive titles policy, emphasizing a commitment to a reliable pipeline of games for the Xbox platform. This strategy aims to validate player investments and drive business growth, with exceptions made for certain live service titles like Call of Duty and previously announced commitments, such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade II on PlayStation 5.
State of Decay 3 playtests will expand this year ahead of 2027 release: "We are dying for players to come…
State of Decay 3 is slated for a 2027 release, with developer Undead Labs planning to expand alpha and beta playtests throughout the year. Creative director Kevin Patzelt expressed enthusiasm for player feedback, encouraging sign-ups on the official playtest website. The game will be available on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Gears of War: E-Day Gameplay Reveal Deep Dive – Official XBOX Podcast
The official Xbox podcast featured a deep dive into the gameplay reveal for Gears of War: E-Day. This discussion provided further details on the upcoming title, which was recently announced.
Reaction: Mealy-Mouthed Microsoft Takes Us Back to 2023 with Mixed Messaging on Xbox Exclusivity
Microsoft's recent Xbox Showcase and subsequent statements from executives like Matt Booty have reintroduced ambiguity regarding game exclusivity. Despite promises of multiplatform releases for big multiplayer and live service titles, games like Gears of War: E-Day are now confirmed as Xbox console exclusives, leading to confusion and criticism about inconsistent messaging.
Halo: Campaign Evolved – Creating New Cosmetics for Master Chief That Honor the Halo Legacy
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, will feature new cosmetic skins for Master Chief, inspired by the series' legacy. These include recreations of the original Mark V armor, a Forerunner-inspired design, and unique themed sets. The game will also offer a rebuilt campaign with modern visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and network co-op for up to four players, launching July 28, 2026, with early access starting July 23.
Morning Consolidation
Summer Game Fest 2026 is set to feature hands-on previews and new details for six upcoming PlayStation 5 titles. Additionally, the game Where Winds Meet is now available on Xbox, and an expansion titled The Hidden Mountain is forthcoming.
Monster Rush Survivors Review | TheXboxHub
Monster Rush Survivors offers a budget-friendly take on the Bullet Heaven genre, featuring a robust in-game upgrade system with numerous attack and survivability options. However, the game suffers from a lack of direction and meaningful progression outside of runs, with loot and itemization feeling shallow and repetitive, ultimately limiting long-term engagement.
Gears of War: E-Day Preorders Are Live for Xbox Fans: Here's What Comes in Each Edition
Preorders for Gears of War: E-Day are now live for Xbox fans, with the game set to release on October 6. The article details the different editions available for purchase and outlines the contents of each.