Game Pass
Ongoing coverage on Game Pass.
Latest coverage
Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, and Mixtape Headline Wave 1 of Game Pass in May
Microsoft's Game Pass is adding several new titles in May, including Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, and Mixtape. Other notable additions include Final Fantasy 5, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Elite Dangerous. Some games will be leaving the service on May 15th.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 4 to 8
This weekly feature highlights new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between May 4 and May 8. The list includes titles such as Mixtape, Wax Heads, Axe Cop, and many more, with details on their release dates and platform availability.
Xbox CEO knows there's "work to do" to win players back, as Microsoft boss recommits to "core" fans
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledges that Microsoft has work to do to regain player trust and revenue growth, despite recent positive steps like a Game Pass price reduction and setting new records for monthly active users. Microsoft boss Satya Nadella reaffirmed the company's commitment to its core fans and players, with plans to focus on affordability, PC-console hybrid projects, and expanding its franchise portfolio.
Xbox console sales drop by 33% as Microsoft struggles to make money from games
Microsoft's latest financial results reveal a significant 33% drop in Xbox hardware revenue compared to the previous year, contributing to an overall 5% decline in gaming revenue. Despite new leadership under Asha Sharma and efforts like a Game Pass price cut, the brand faces an uphill battle with declining console sales and underperforming first-party titles.
New Xbox head Asha Sharma says "we know we have work to do" as quarterly hardware sales sink another 33%
Xbox hardware revenue has declined by 33% in the last fiscal quarter, continuing a downward trend. Content and services revenue also saw a 5% dip. New Xbox head Asha Sharma acknowledged the need for improvement in player and revenue growth.
Xbox "has work to do", but is "recommitting" to core fans following hardware revenue drop of 33% year-on-year
Xbox is recommitting to its core fans following a 33% year-on-year drop in hardware revenue and player growth that has not met ambitions. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that while monthly active users and game streaming hours reached new records, the company has "work to do" to win back players. Recent price reductions for Game Pass subscriptions and a focus on core features are part of this strategy, alongside the development of next-generation hardware.
Xbox delivers record monthly active users, but hardware revenue is still in decline
Microsoft's Xbox division achieved record monthly active users in Q3 FY26, despite a 7% year-on-year decline in overall gaming revenue. This decrease was primarily driven by a 33% drop in Xbox hardware revenue due to lower console sales volume and a 5% decrease in content and services revenue. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to revitalize the division, focusing on core fans and improving engagement, with initiatives like adjusting Game Pass pricing.
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories Opens Its Doors On Xbox And Game Pass
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories has surprise-launched on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and is available Day One on Game Pass. Developed by Nagai Industries and published by Beep Japan, this narrative simulation game places players in the role of a convenience store worker in 1990s Japan, focusing on customer interactions and the quiet rhythm of daily life.
Xbox hardware revenue drops 33% year-on-year during Q3
Microsoft reported a 33% year-on-year drop in Xbox hardware revenue for its third quarter, alongside a 5% decrease in Xbox content and services. CEO Satya Nadella stated the company is focusing on foundational work to regain player engagement and improve quality. Recent changes to Game Pass pricing and strategy, including a renewed focus on daily active players and expanding into new markets, are part of Xbox's plan for sustainable growth.
Best PC Game Pass Games in the Philippines (Updated April 2026) — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This guide highlights notable games available on PC Game Pass in the Philippines as of April 2026, including titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, The Alters, and Wasteland 3. It also lists games departing the service on April 30, 2026, and discusses the value proposition of the subscription service for Filipino gamers.
Xbox Cutting Game Pass and Pulling Call of Duty Is Finally Honest
Xbox has reduced the price of Game Pass Ultimate and will no longer offer day-one access to future Call of Duty titles, a move described as the most honest statement from the company in years. This shift acknowledges that the previous pricing and strategy were unsustainable, particularly after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The company is also scaling back its hardware ambitions and focusing on becoming a multi-platform publisher.
Best New Games For May 2026 – Xbox And Game Pass
May 2026 is set to be a significant month for Xbox and PC gamers, featuring a diverse lineup of new releases and Game Pass day-one titles. Highlights include the highly anticipated racing game Forza Horizon 6, the action-packed Motorslice, the cozy record store simulator Wax Heads, and the James Bond origin story 007 First Light. Several other titles across genres like survival, horror, and adventure will also be available.
Aphelion Lands On Xbox, PlayStation And PC – And It’s On Game Pass Day One
The cinematic sci-fi adventure game Aphelion is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC, launching day one on Game Pass. Developed and published by DON'T NOD, the game strands players on a frozen alien world where they must survive environmental hazards and an unknown lurking threat. The article also notes a review score of 3.5/5, highlighting the game's strengths in storytelling and atmosphere.
Op Ed
This opinion piece argues that the Call of Duty franchise has never been a suitable fit for Microsoft's Game Pass subscription service. The author suggests that the series' massive sales potential is better served by traditional sales models rather than being included in a subscription library.
Xbox boss warns "memory costs will impact pricing, will impact availability" when it comes to Project Helix
Xbox boss Asha Sharma acknowledged that the ongoing memory shortage crisis will impact the pricing and availability of its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that Microsoft is considering these factors as part of its equation to ensure accessibility for players. The crisis, exacerbated by AI data centers consuming large amounts of memory, is reportedly causing Sony to consider delaying its own next-generation console rollout.
Xbox has changed its name and backtracked on Game Pass prices, but is it too little too late?
Xbox has reverted its branding to its original name and rolled back recent Game Pass Ultimate price increases, though day-one Call of Duty releases are now excluded. New CEO Asha Sharma aims to re-center the company on its console identity after a period of perceived dilution and unpopular decisions under the previous Microsoft Gaming structure.
Call of Duty was never the right fit for Game Pass | Opinion
Microsoft has reversed its strategy of including Call of Duty titles on Game Pass at launch and has rolled back recent subscription price hikes. The company realized that the franchise's core audience is not primarily interested in subscription services, and the inclusion of Call of Duty did not drive expected growth or justify lost sales revenue. This move aims to correct a strategic misstep by better aligning Game Pass value with its existing subscriber base and acknowledging the distinct market segments within gaming.
Five New Xbox Games Launch This Week, Three Hit Game Pass
Five new games are launching on Xbox this week, with three titles available day one on Game Pass. Aphelion, a narrative-driven action-adventure from DON'T NOD, headlines the releases, focusing on humanity's survival on a frozen planet. The lineup also includes the strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era and the fighting game Invincible VS, showcasing Xbox's focus on diverse storytelling experiences.
"I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive games
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will take a data-driven and strategic approach to decisions regarding game exclusivity, emphasizing the importance of making the right choice over the fastest one. This comes as Xbox reevaluates its exclusivity policies, with Sharma also discussing the fortification of Game Pass and the potential for more affordable hardware and services.
Podcast: Call of Duty, Game Pass, and the Mario movie
This podcast episode discusses Xbox's decision to remove Call of Duty from Game Pass and reduce its price, analyzing the potential reasoning behind this move. It also touches upon ongoing changes within the Xbox division under Asha Sharma following Phil Spencer's departure.
