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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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Xbox may have dropped Call of Duty from day one Game Pass, but there are reasons to hope for OG fans
Xbox's Game Pass service will not include the next Call of Duty title on day one, but there is hope for older titles to be added. Reports suggest that more Call of Duty games will arrive on Game Pass in 2026, potentially including classic entries that were previously unavailable on the service. This could lead to a resurgence for older games in the franchise.
What If the Next Apple Arcade Hit Comes From an Unexpected Place?
This article discusses how gamers can optimize their game purchasing habits, particularly for subscription services like Apple Arcade. It highlights the benefits of using iTunes gift cards for prepaid balance and exploring digital marketplaces for better deals. The piece emphasizes that being prepared with funds and tracking releases allows players to access new games instantly, gaining an advantage in the fast-paced gaming landscape.
Magic Twins arrives on Xbox and PlayStation on April 30th!
The co-op puzzle action game Magic Twins will be released on Xbox and PlayStation on April 30th, expanding its availability beyond Steam and Nintendo Switch. The upcoming release will include major fixes, improvements, and a new trailer, enhancing the overall player experience with features like color filters for accessibility.
PlayStation users are now being asked for age verification in the UK and Ireland, or risk losing access to communication…
Sony Interactive Entertainment has begun rolling out mandatory age verification for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland as part of the UK's Online Safety Act. Users who do not verify their age by June 2026 risk losing access to communication features like messaging and voice chat. This process, which uses Yoti for verification, is also being implemented by Microsoft for Xbox users.
After 6 games in 15 years, dev loses it as over 10,000 Steam players flock to his new co-op game that looks like It…
Indie developer Carlos Coronado expressed elation as his new co-op game, Together: Moon Escape, achieved over 10,000 wishlists in a single day on Steam, significantly surpassing the performance of his previous six games. The first-person puzzler, playable in split-screen or online co-op, is available on PC and features cooperative mechanics requiring players to rely on each other to progress.
Conan Exiles Enhanced Is a Huge Visual Upgrade Coming to Steam in May
Funcom is releasing Conan Exiles Enhanced on Steam on May 5th, featuring an upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 for improved visuals and performance, including targeting 60 FPS on Steam Deck. The update also introduces free travel between the Exiled Lands and Isle of Siptah, multiple characters per account, and a revamped user interface. While currently PC-exclusive, Funcom is considering other platforms.
Crimson Desert's biggest update yet has arrived, adding three new difficulty modes and storage content, as Pearl Abyss teases a new way to 'face off against the bosses of your choice' soon
Pearl Abyss has released Crimson Desert version 1.04.00, its largest update to date, introducing Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulty modes and new storage content. The update is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with a Mac rollout planned later. Pearl Abyss also teased an upcoming boss replay feature.
Diskutera – De största spelöverraskningarna
This article discusses surprising video game successes that exceeded expectations, referencing titles like Grand Theft Auto III, DICE's debut, the original Xbox's first FPS, Swedish mining games, Blizzard's first MMORPG, and Pokémon GO. It invites readers to share their own memorable game surprises and memories.
Game Pass Sleeper Hit Monsters are Coming Scores Big with New Luck System Update
Ludogram has released the 'Road of Fortune' update for their tower defense game, Monsters are Coming!, which is available on PC, Xbox, and Game Pass. This major update introduces new core systems like Luck and Critical Hits, along with Mobile Towers and a new Hero. A paid DLC, 'Power Corrupts,' is also available, adding new enemies, mechanics, and a new biome.
Rumbral Brings Timeline-Shifting Puzzles to Xbox in ID@Xbox Showcase
OSEA Innovations' upcoming puzzle-platformer Rumbral, showcased at the ID@Xbox event, features a unique time-shifting mechanic where players alter the past by stepping through magenta puddles to reshape the present. The game emphasizes environmental storytelling and integrated collectible design, aiming for a 2026 release. The developers are focusing on intuitive mechanics and a discovery-based narrative approach.
SimRacing Expo USA comes to North Carolina on 22 May, now featuring NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The SimRacing Expo USA is coming to Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 22-24, 2026. NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., winner of the 2023 Daytona 500, will be a featured guest. The event will also include exhibitors like iRacing and Podium 1 Racing, and panels with drivers Anthony Alfredo and Parker Retzlaff.
SimRacing Expo USA comes to North Carolina on 22 May, now featuring NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The SimRacing Expo USA is coming to Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 22-24, 2026. NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be a featured guest, discussing his career and sim racing. The event will include exhibitors like iRacing and Podium 1 Racing, as well as panels with other racing drivers.
How Long Will 2026's Biggest Games Actually Take to Beat? | TAG
This article analyzes the estimated playtime for major video game releases in 2026, considering a typical adult gaming schedule of 5 hours per week. It breaks down games like Grand Theft Auto 6, Crimson Desert, and Monster Hunter Wilds into categories based on how long they will take to complete, offering practical advice for fitting them into a busy life. The analysis also highlights the value of subscription services like Game Pass for accessing multiple titles.
Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred Pre-Load And Launch Times Revealed
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed the global launch and pre-load times for Diablo 4's upcoming expansion, Lord of Hatred. The expansion will be available on April 27 for North, South, and Central America, and April 28 for other regions. Pre-downloads will begin on April 23 for Battle.net, Xbox, and PlayStation users, with Steam users able to download at launch. Lord of Hatred introduces new classes, the Horadric Cube, and significant gameplay changes including reworked skill trees and an expanded endgame.
Report claims a new 'pick-your-own' Xbox Game Pass plan is in the works, allowing users to decide what content…
Microsoft is reportedly developing a new, more flexible Xbox Game Pass plan that would allow users to customize their subscription content. This initiative aligns with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's comments about the service being too expensive and the long-term goal of evolving Game Pass into a more adaptable system. The company is also rumored to be exploring a new partnership with Discord.
Halo Archive Fan Site Keeps Bungie-Era Competitive Stats Alive
A fan-made website called Halo Archive has been launched, dedicated to preserving competitive statistics from the Bungie-era Halo titles, specifically Halo 2 and Halo 3. The site aims to allow players to relive their past performance by accessing billions of carnage reports and millions of Gamertags left behind by Bungie.
Halo Archive is a new match history site that restores old Halo 3 era match reports
The Halo Archive is a new fan-made website that restores old Halo 3 and Halo 2 match history reports, utilizing modern data analytics. The site, currently invite-only with manual approval for sign-ups, aims to bring back career stats, KDA tracking, and map/mode win rates for players. It also includes features to find lost friends and ranks, serving as a form of game preservation.
Releasing PlayStation games day one on PC isn't "a good strategy" for its AAA titles, former Sony head says, but he hasn't seen proof its abandoning the platform altogether
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida believes releasing Sony's AAA titles day-one on PC is not a good strategy for a platform holder. While he hasn't seen proof of Sony abandoning PC releases, he suggests that launching games on PC after a couple of years helps recoup investment and fund new projects.
Xbox Game Pass report claims you'll be able to pick which features you pay for
Xbox is reportedly exploring a new tiered subscription model for Game Pass that would allow users to customize their packages by selecting specific features and content. This move aims to attract more subscribers by offering a more flexible and potentially cheaper service. Recent news also includes price adjustments for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and the removal of day-one Call of Duty releases.
Crimson Desert Update Brings Gameplay and System Enhancements
Pearl Abyss has released Patch 1.04.00 for Crimson Desert, introducing significant gameplay and system enhancements. The update includes new difficulty settings, expanded housing and storage systems, visual improvements, and various quality-of-life features across PC, console, and Mac platforms. Additionally, the original soundtrack will be released as free DLC.