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.
Phil Spencer has been dropping hints about a portable Xbox for some time now. But in a new interview with Bloomberg, he cautioned that, while the company is working on prototypes, the release of an actual handheld is still a few years out.
After announcing earlier this year that the feature would be coming back, friend requests are here now, Microsoft says. The company had been using a social media-like “follow” system where you had to both follow each other to become friends.
You can read more about the change in Microsoft’s blog post from September.
Kojima Productions and 505 Games are surprise launching Death Stranding Director’s Cut on Xbox Series S / X consoles today.
Sony originally published Death Stranding for PS4 in November 2019, before it arrived on PC in July 2020. The release on Xbox is only $19.99, thanks to a 50 percent limited time discount.
Activision says Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 set new day one and opening weekend records, making it the biggest Call of Duty three-day opening weekend ever. It also had the highest total PC players during opening weekend in franchise history. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says “unit sales on PlayStation and Steam were also up over 60 percent year-over-year.”
That’s from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on today’s Q1 2025 earnings call. Nadella also says that Xbox Game Pass set a new Q1 record for total revenue and average revenue per subscriber.
The Stealth Pivot has a different approach from other modular controllers — you depress and swivel the front plates to get a mini arcade stick or extra buttons on the fly.
It’s wired only on Xbox and works wirelessly with PCs, mobile devices, and smart TVs. Turtle Beach is accepting preorders today for $129.99 ahead of its November 24th release.
Microsoft has started testing a new home UI for the Xbox app on Windows today. The home UI now includes featured content from Game Pass and the Microsoft Store, alongside collections of deals and discounts. Microsoft is also adding a “jump back in” section to the top of the home UI, allowing you to quickly get back into recent games just like on an Xbox console.
Redherring32 says they spent four months figuring out how to trim the motherboard, build 12 custom PCBs (and custom flex ribbon cables, it seems!), put it all together, and open source it.
My dumb question: can I get a full-fat version based on the chonky original Duke instead of the superior but boring Controller S?
Unknown World’s spooky-ass ocean game is getting a direct sequel. Subnautica 2 debuted during today’s Xbox partner preview. Judging by the announcement trailer, the game is, once again, making a strong case for why we don’t belong in the ocean. Not ours, and especially not an alien planet’s.
That’s director Mike Kayatta describing the just-revealed Control spinoff that’s being billed as Remedy’s first multiplayer game. We know the studio has big plans for the franchise, and the new game is a three-player co-op FPS that’s due out in 2025.
Even after watching the trailer for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii during Xbox’s partner preview, I still have no idea why Majima Goro, the best character in the Yakuza series, is a pirate and honestly, I don’t care. It’s Majima Goro in a pirate hat, commanding a customizable pirate ship, and engaging in naval warfare. Some things don’t need explanations.
The viral co-op horror game has been a hit on PC, and it’s getting a very timely release for those on Xbox and PS5: October 29th.
Here’s a new look at Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a first person shooter that asks a question we’ve all thought about: what would happen if Mickey Mouse picked up a gun?
During the Xbox partner preview, Bloober Team showed off its next game, Cronos: The New Dawn. During the trailer, one moment features individual kitted out in astronaut gear, exploring a dilapidated house overrun by monsters. And in the next, they’re playing an increasingly bloody game of chess with a sweet old lady who is definitely hiding a secret. Cronos: The New Dawn is set to release in 2025.
One of the year’s best, and most perplexing, games is getting a surprise Xbox release. Get ready to lose yourself in a very strange and cryptic world.
Well bad news, because the tactical shooter Blindfire is designed around limited light and visibility. It’s an interesting concept, and you can check it out in early access starting today.
Here’s another look at the Lake House expansion for Alan Wake 2, which drops on October 22nd. It looks delightfully creepy — and perfect for Halloween.
The developer behind the Better xCloud script has found that Microsoft is already adding references to “stream your own games” to Xbox Cloud Gaming. I’m expecting to see this debut initially to Xbox Insiders next month, allowing you to stream your existing library of games to mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV sticks, and much more.
Microsoft is holding a new Xbox Partner Preview stream on Thursday, which will include more than a dozen new trailers, new game announcements, and even a first look at Alan Wake II’s next expansion, The Lake House. The 25-minute stream kicks off at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM UK on October 17th, and you can watch it live on YouTube or Twitch.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, because that era of 3D platformers haven’t necessarily aged well — but I’m feeling some nostalgia well up anyhow! The three-game Tomb Raider collection is coming February (trailer below), while Jedi Power Battles (trailer here) is coming January.
