Game Pass
Ongoing coverage on Game Pass.
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Halo: Campaign Evolved release times and early access explained
Halo: Campaign Evolved will offer early access five days before its official release on July 28 for players who purchase the premium or collector's editions. Release times for both early access and the standard edition are consistent across different regions, starting at 8 am PST on the West Coast US. The game will also be available on Game Pass on day one, with pre-order bonuses including weapon and character skins.
Palworld has sold over 30m copies already, with Steam unsurprisingly emerging as the most popular platform
Palworld has surpassed 30 million in sales across all platforms, with Steam being the most popular. The game has also seen a significant boost in concurrent players following its 1.0 release. Pocketpair has teased potential skins and a possible collaboration with Fortnite, despite ongoing legal challenges.
Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2026: Is the Technology Ready for Mass Adoption?
By 2026, Xbox Cloud Gaming has significantly improved in streaming quality, latency, and device compatibility, making it a practical option for many players. While network infrastructure remains the primary variable for consistent performance, cloud gaming is increasingly seen as a complementary access method to traditional consoles rather than a replacement. As broadband networks and server infrastructure continue to expand, Xbox Cloud Gaming is poised to become a more significant part of the global gaming landscape.
Forza Horizon 5’s ex-creative director pins Xbox’s turmoil on Game Pass
Mike Brown, former creative director for Forza Horizon 5, suggests that Xbox's recent turmoil, including layoffs and project cancellations, stems from Game Pass failing to meet subscriber and revenue targets. He argues that Microsoft invested heavily in the subscription service and studio acquisitions based on projections that did not materialize, leading to financial strain.
Xbox Backwards Compatibility for PC is Now Live With BLiNX: The Time Sweeper and More
Xbox has launched backwards compatibility for several original Xbox titles on PC, including BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games are available for purchase and included with all Game Pass tiers, offering enhanced features like resolution upscaling and improved graphics. This initiative aims to preserve older Xbox games and bring them to PC, with plans for more titles and achievements to be added over time.
Ex-Forza Horizon Director Traces a Line From the Failure of 'Well-Meaning' Game Pass to the Current Xbox Layoffs
A former Forza Horizon developer suggests that recent Xbox layoffs and studio closures are a direct consequence of Game Pass failing to meet Microsoft's subscriber targets. This shortfall allegedly led to unsustainable spending on content, resulting in the current restructuring.
Modern Warfare 4 beta dates set for August, and this year Game Pass subscribers get no special treatment
The multiplayer beta for Modern Warfare 4 will take place in August, with the first weekend (August 21-25) exclusively for pre-order customers on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. A second, public beta weekend (August 28 to September 1) will be available on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2. Notably, Game Pass subscribers will not receive early access to the beta this year.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Reports indicate that leaders within Xbox studios have expressed significant dissatisfaction with Game Pass, believing it has devalued their games, which are now perceived as being available for a fraction of their original $40+ price. This sentiment suggests internal conflict regarding the impact of the subscription service on traditional game sales and perceived worth.
Xbox Studio Leadership Has “A Lot of People” Who “Absolutely Detest Game Pass” – Rumor
According to a report by Jason Schreier, a significant number of Xbox studio leaders reportedly "detest" the Game Pass subscription service, believing it devalues their games and the industry. This sentiment comes amid questions about Game Pass's sustainability and subscriber growth targets, even as Xbox continues to add new titles to the service.
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.
FixForce Crashes Into Xbox Game Pass With Chaotic Six-Player Co-op Construction
FixForce, a chaotic six-player co-op construction platformer, has launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support, also arriving as a Day One title for Game Pass subscribers. Developed and published by Surgent Studios, the game tasks players with repairing machinery in hazardous environments using a drill-wrench for construction and teamwork. It is available for purchase or included with Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved On Game Pass?
Halo: Combat Evolved will be available on Game Pass on day one for Ultimate and PC subscribers, with other tiers receiving it later. Preordering the game is necessary to receive additional bonuses, and Game Pass subscribers can upgrade to the Premium Edition for early access and customization options.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between July 20 and July 24. The lineup includes titles like Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, The Planet Crafter, and CULTIC, with several optimized for current-gen consoles.
Games Inbox: Are you playing EA Sports FC more because of the World Cup?
Readers discuss their current engagement with EA Sports FC, with some playing less due to the lack of an official World Cup license and the team's performance. Other topics include potential Grand Theft Auto 6 boycotts, Xbox's mobile gaming strategy, the future of console design, and the impact of industry layoffs on studios like id Software.
Kickflip A Train? Denshattack! Brings Sonic Speed, Tony Hawk Style And Day One Game Pass To Xbox And More
Denshattack!, a new action platformer inspired by Sonic and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game features a customizable train that players can use to perform tricks across a futuristic Japan. It is available Day One on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Has Gone Gold
Halo: Campaign Evolved has officially gone gold and is being sent for certification on the Xbox Store and for disc printing. The game will launch on July 28th, with advanced access for Premium Edition purchasers starting July 23rd. It will be available on Xbox and PC, including day one on Game Pass, and marks the series' debut on PlayStation consoles with four-player co-op and a third-person perspective option.
Ascend to ZERO Warps onto Xbox and Game Pass
The action roguelike Ascend to Zero has launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC, featuring Xbox Play Anywhere support and day-one availability on Game Pass. Developed by Flyway Games, the title incorporates time travel mechanics, evolving builds, and frantic combat, offering a fresh take on the roguelike genre.
Game Pass Gets A Few Freebies For This Weekend Only, Including One Where You’re A Teddy Bear Fighting Nightmares Come To Life
Xbox is offering three games, MLB The Show 26, The Alters, and Stuffed, for free this weekend through its Free Play Days promotion for Game Pass subscribers. Additionally, Gears of War: Reloaded and Tamashika were recently added to various Game Pass tiers. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma commented on recent company changes, including layoffs and studio divestments, stating they were necessary for the business's health.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
