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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Means Microsoft Is Probably Done With Discs Too
Microsoft has introduced a "Disc-to-Digital" program for Xbox, allowing users to convert physical game licenses into perpetual digital ones usable across Xbox, PC, and cloud gaming. This move, alongside Sony's earlier announcement to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games after 2028, strongly suggests that both companies are phasing out physical media for future console generations. The program aims to help players maintain access to their game libraries in a digital-first future.
Sink Your Teeth Into Vampire Survivors’ Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC
Vampire Survivors: Legacy of the Bloodmoon, the eighth expansion for poncle's hit survivaton, is now available for a low price. This DLC introduces new characters, weapons, music, and a large new stage, delving into the dark history of Clan Bloodmoon and the legend of Baal'Thasar. The expansion is available on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms.
Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026: Every Announcement and Game Revealed | Invision Game Community
The Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026 featured over 40 game announcements, including world premieres and new gameplay. The showcase highlighted a diverse range of titles across genres like RPGs, shooters, and strategy games, with many set for 2026 and 2027 releases on PC and consoles. Notable reveals included new entries in established franchises and unique indie projects.
Fable director "happy to go toe-to-toe" with heavy hitters like Persona and God of War, but GTA 6 is a beast…
Fable director Ralph Fulton stated that Playground Games is not afraid of launching alongside other major titles, but will avoid direct competition with Grand Theft Auto 6. The Fable reboot was delayed from an earlier October 2026 release to February 23, 2027, to avoid Grand Theft Auto 6 and other significant releases in that period.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Minimum and Recommended PC Specs Revealed
CD Projekt has revealed the minimum and recommended PC specifications for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, requiring at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or equivalent GPU, and 12 GB of RAM. The remastered version, a free update for existing owners, will also increase the price of the Complete Edition to $49.99 and includes visual and gameplay enhancements, along with the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. The release date for all platforms is set for September 29th.
JOIN US ANNOUNCES PLAYSTATION 5 DAY ONE LAUNCH, AS THE CULT DESCENDS ON GAMESCOM
Wolf Haus Games announced that their cult simulator JOIN US will launch on PlayStation 5 in March 2027, in addition to PC and Xbox versions. The game will feature up to 4-player co-op and will be playable at Gamescom. JOIN US will also be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
DayZ Badlands expansion gets October 2026 release date on PC & Xbox
Bohemia Interactive has announced that the DayZ Badlands expansion will be released on October 15, 2026, for PC and Xbox platforms. The expansion introduces the new Nasdara map, featuring new weapons, items, challenges, and constructible utility buildings like wells, with a desert theme.
Xbox CEO Plays Coy About Whether Elder Scrolls 6 Will Skip PlayStation
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma discussed the company's strategy regarding exclusive games, suggesting that Microsoft will continue to prioritize them. While she remained coy about The Elder Scrolls 6's platform status, documents from the Microsoft vs. FTC case indicated it was not planned for PlayStation 5. Sharma also addressed recent layoffs at Bethesda, acknowledging the impact on employee morale.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 4 Winter
This guide provides tips and car recommendations for completing the Series 4 Winter Festival Playlist challenges in Forza Horizon 6. The challenges run from August 27th to September 3rd, 2026, and offer various rewards including cars like the 1974 Toyota Celica GT and 1989 Toyota MR2 SC. Prioritizing the Photo Challenge, Treasure Hunt, and Horizon Stunt Party is recommended for quickly earning Playlist Points.
The Immortal John Triptych Launches With Three Pythonesque Adventures
The Immortal John Triptych, a collection of three narrative adventures by Joe Richardson, is now available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Published by Akupara Games, the collection features "Four Last Things," "The Procession to Calvary," and "Death of the Reprobate," all built using Renaissance-era artwork and infused with Pythonesque humor. This ultimate version includes a unified UI, quality-of-life improvements, controller support, and bonus content.
Fable 4 is missing "a whole myriad of combat system basics," says head of Ori studio, who offers Playground Games a call "to point you in the right direction"
Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Studios, criticized the combat in the upcoming Fable game, stating it lacks basic elements like enemy hit reactions. He offered Playground Games assistance in improving the combat system. The Fable game is scheduled for release on February 23, 2027.
Halo Turns 25 and Hands Out Seven Free Items — Just Don’t Miss the Cutoff
343 Industries is celebrating Halo's 25th anniversary by offering seven free cosmetic items in Halo Infinite to players who log in before December 31, 2026. The giveaway includes nameplates, coatings, and a weapon charm, with no purchase or challenges required. This event is part of a broader year-long celebration for the franchise.
Xbox discs will now grant digital access to games as part of Microsoft's self-proclaimed 'broader commitment…
Microsoft is launching a new program for Xbox Insiders that allows physical game discs to grant digital access to titles, enabling play without the disc in the tray. This initiative is framed as a commitment to game preservation and aims to help players transition their libraries. The feature will initially support thousands of titles and offers access via Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming.
The Division 2 is getting a Central Park-focused expansion and crossplay that took 7 years because Ubisoft had to…
Ubisoft has announced that The Division 2 will receive crossplay functionality across all platforms in November, along with an expansion titled Echoes of Central Park. The expansion will focus on the iconic New York City landmark, which has become overgrown and dangerous since the outbreak. This update, which required significant work on the game's online architecture, aims to bring the community together.
GTA Online’s Latest Update Wants You to Drift First and Ask Questions Later
GTA Online's latest update focuses on Drift Racing and Random Transform Races, offering triple rewards on five new Transform Race events and double rewards on Drift Races. Three vehicles have received new Drift Tuning upgrades, and a special weekend bonus provides 6X GTA$ and RP on select races. Auto Shop Robbery Contracts also offer double rewards.
If You Thought Console Prices Were Too High, Things Could Get Even Worse
The US administration is reportedly considering new tariffs on imported computer chips, which could lead to increased prices for gaming consoles, laptops, and servers. This potential move aims to encourage foreign tech companies to build manufacturing plants within the US. Previous tariffs have impacted console prices, with companies like Sony and Nintendo benefiting from tariff refunds, though these were not passed on to consumers.
Xbox Won’t Say If Project Helix Has A Disc Drive, But It’s Not Giving Up On Physical Games Yet
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma discussed the importance of hardware affordability and efficiency for next-generation consoles like the rumored Project Helix, without confirming if it will include a disc drive. While acknowledging Sony's move towards an all-digital future, Sharma emphasized providing players with choices for purchasing games, indicating Xbox's continued commitment to physical media options.
The 10 best Metal Gear games of all time
This article ranks the 10 best games in the Metal Gear stealth action series, considering its almost 40-year history. It highlights Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater as the greatest game, followed by the original Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2. Recent releases like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2 are also mentioned.
Physical games are never coming back as even disc drives are dying out
The article discusses the declining relevance of physical game media, citing Microsoft's disc-to-digital scheme and the collapsing supply chain for disc drives. It suggests that future consoles like the PlayStation 6 will likely be digital-only, forcing players to adapt to digital distribution despite some resistance.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is heading for a more mature rating than Remake and Rebirth, and I'm willing to bet Cid's ceaseless swearing has something to do with it
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is anticipated to receive a Mature 17+ ESRB rating, a step up from the Teen ratings of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This change is speculated to be due to the inclusion of Cid, a character known for his strong language, as a permanent party member, potentially bringing the game closer to the original's more explicit content.
