Microsoft’s Xbox has been around since 2001, and over that time the gaming brand has given us huge hits like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and more. Today, the Xbox brand covers consoles like the Xbox One, PC gaming, and has even expanded to other platforms. You can play Minecraft on everything from a computer to an iPhone to a Nintendo Switch. Along the way, Microsoft has pioneered modern services like Xbox Live and Game Pass, introducing new ways to play games. And with Project Scarlett on the horizon, the Xbox looks to have a bright future.
The Nintendo eShop listing for the game shows a September 29th release date and a price tag of $29.99, as shared by Wario64.
Perhaps this is a Summer Game Fest Live announcement that got pushed a little early; that event is set to kick off at 5PM ET. (We’ll be watching and covering the show, stay tuned!)
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Microsoft is testing a feature for the Xbox Accessories app that shows an image of the type of controller that you’re using in the UI.
The company is also testing a way to set a specific hex color code for your console theme and an indicator that tells you when there’s a confirmed Xbox service issue.
Matt Booty, Xbox’s chief content officer, shared the update on a new episode of the Official Xbox Podcast. Microsoft is using today to set some expectations ahead of the showcase, which takes place on June 7th at 1PM ET; the company also delayed Fable to February 2027.
Helldivers 2 is getting upscaling support on PC and consoles on May 27th. In a blog post, Arrowhead Studios announced an upcoming patch will add DLSS, FSR, XeSS, and PSSR support. It will also add optimizations like VRR on PS5, and Nvidia Reflex for reduced latency on PC.
Sweet liberty!
The company announced on X that preorders for its Ultimate 3E Controller for Xbox with TMR sticks, Hall effect triggers, and swappable ABXY buttons will be available for preorder starting on May 26th. But while it was announced during CES 2026 with an estimated Q2 release, the controller now isn’t shipping until August.
The new shape will be available via the Xbox design lab’s 3D printable configurator page, where you can also check out other accessibility-focused joystick toppers, starting May 21st.
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Earlier this week, Xbox boss Asha Sharma posted a poll asking “Xbox or XBOX?” A few minutes ago, she tweeted a picture of the Xbox profile on X with all-caps branding. I don’t like it.
Update: This appears to be a real rebrand.
The latest open-world racer is a stunning virtual road trip through Japan, and it’s perfect for explorers.
New Xbox boss Asha Sharma is asking fans whether it should be Xbox or XBOX, when the real answer is right there, if only she could see it.
Chris K.:
Give it the gamertag treatment: xXxBOxXx
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Xbox boss Asha Sharma is running a poll on X where you can make your voice heard. Much to my dismay, as I write this, XBOX currently has about two thirds of the vote. I know the history, but I firmly believe we shouldn’t all-caps brand names.
What’s your vote?
All 42 “regular part-time and full-time employees” of the studio, behind games like Psychonauts and Kiln, will be part of the union, Aftermath reports.
[Aftermath]
Microsoft is holding an Xbox game dev update today, and a lot of gaming publications think that “a closer look at Project Helix” means it’s some kind of showcase. That’s not the case, as it’s just “a recap of our announcements from GDC,” according to Xbox’s Jason Ronald. “We will have more to share about Project Helix later this year.” You can follow along at 12PM ET / 9AM PT over at the Microsoft game dev YouTube channel, if you’re interested in Xbox game development.
That’s new Xbox boss Asha Sharma to Game File’s Stephen Totilo, when asked if there is a timeline for making a decision about how Xbox might change its approach to exclusivity.
Totilo interviewed Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty following their “We Are Xbox” memo published on Thursday.
[Game File]
Microsoft has scrapped Microsoft Gaming in favor of Xbox today, and it’s also starting to roll out a new Xbox logo. The new logo started appearing on Microsoft’s campus this week, just in time for Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s all-hands meeting earlier today. The new Xbox logo has a more glassy look, and I understand Microsoft has also been using this new design for some of its internal Project Helix materials.
