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Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
PlayStation Plus has announced its monthly games for May, featuring EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and Nine Sols. These titles will be available to subscribers on the PlayStation Plus service.
PS Plus Essential May 2026 Monthly Free Games Include a Surprise
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Essential free games for May 2026, featuring Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, EA Sports FC 26, and Nine Sols. These titles will be available starting May 5 and can be claimed until June 1. Players also have until May 4 to claim April's free games, including Lords of the Fallen and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered.
PlayStation Plus Free Games For May 2026 Revealed
PlayStation has announced the free games for PlayStation Plus subscribers in May 2026. Members can claim EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang Fallen Feathers, and Nine Sols starting May 5. Subscribers are reminded to claim April's free games before the end of the month.
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.
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 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.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a "great example" of a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass likely helping…
An analyst suggests that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's inclusion in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium contributed to its success, with the game selling over eight million copies in its first year. This is considered a significant achievement for a debut title from Sandfall Interactive in a genre that typically relies on established franchises.
[Let’s Talk] How long have you been subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online?
This article discusses Nintendo Switch Online, a subscription service launched in 2018 that offers online play, cloud saves, and access to classic games from various Nintendo consoles. It prompts readers to share how long they have been subscribed or what prevents them from joining.
‘Let’s make sure it’s affordable:’ Xbox chief Asha Sharma sets lodestar for Game Pass
Xbox chief Asha Sharma is prioritizing affordability and flexibility for Game Pass, aiming to reduce prices and offer more customizable subscription tiers. Sharma stated that while Game Pass had become too expensive, the company is exploring new strategies to ensure its long-term viability for both consumers and the business.
Xbox Game Pass Gets Cozy New Home with Discord Nitro Bundle
A leaked report indicates Microsoft is planning to bundle a new 'Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition' with Discord Nitro subscriptions. This new tier will reportedly include over 50 games and limited cloud streaming capabilities. The partnership aims to leverage Discord's existing user base and subscription model to expand Game Pass reach.
Microsoft CEO sees Xbox as "critical audience and category" that's "really important to the company’s future" says Asha Sharma
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma views Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's ten-year vision as placing Xbox as a critical audience and category for the company's future. Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty aim to return Xbox to growth next year by focusing on daily active players and making services like Game Pass more affordable and flexible.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Microsoft appears to be preparing a new 'Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition,' according to reports. This potential offering could be aimed at attracting new subscribers to its game subscription service.
Why Xbox took Call of Duty out of Game Pass
Xbox has announced that Call of Duty titles will now be added to Game Pass Ultimate approximately one year after launch, rather than at launch. Data from Newzoo suggests that while Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 saw a temporary increase in Xbox engagement, it did not translate to sustained sales, indicating that Game Pass may be cannibalizing premium purchases.
The Morning After: Polymarket and a hairdryer
This article covers multiple developments including alleged rigging of bets on the prediction market Polymarket using temperature data, and a US soldier arrested for using classified information to bet on political events. It also reports on Microsoft's decision to cut Xbox Game Pass prices while excluding new Call of Duty titles from day-one availability, and Anker's development of its own AI chip for consumer electronics.
Leaked Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition looks to bundle a small library of games with your Discord Nitro membership
Leaked information suggests Microsoft is planning a new 'Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition' tier. This edition would reportedly bundle a selection of over 50 games with a Discord Nitro subscription, aiming to attract new users to Game Pass. The offering is expected to be similar to the current Game Pass Essential tier, including limited cloud gaming access and Xbox Rewards points, though pricing details are currently unknown.
Microsoft Gaming reverts to Xbox branding
Microsoft Gaming is reverting to the Xbox brand under new leadership, with CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty announcing the change to employees. The company aims to focus on daily active players across hardware, content, experiences, and services, while re-evaluating exclusivity and AI approaches. This shift follows recent price reductions for Game Pass subscriptions.
"Game Pass Starter Edition" For Discord Nitro Members Leaks
A leak suggests that Discord Nitro members will soon receive a 'Game Pass Starter Edition' offering over 50 games and 10 hours of Xbox Cloud streaming per month. The leaked art also indicates titles like Gears 5, Dishonored 2, and Fallout 4 could be included. Microsoft has been contacted for comment regarding this potential new tier of Game Pass.
Microsoft Gaming Is Dead, Xbox Gaming Is Back Says New Report
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly shifting the company's branding back to 'Xbox Gaming' from 'Microsoft Gaming'. This change coincides with a reduction in Game Pass prices, though Call of Duty will no longer be available on the service day one. The move aims to re-establish Xbox's core identity.
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.