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.
You might have noticed tech is getting just a little more expensive these days. SteelSeries’ new $599.99 Arctis Nova Elite headset is only the latest example, but at least it means fans of spending money can complete the set.
Holmeser:
Pairs perfectly with my $999 Xbox Ally X and $750 PS5 Pro
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.
There’s been a bit of backlash to the Xbox Ally handheld’s $999 price tag, which will be a stiff test of consumer interest in expensive console hardware. But it’s also a test of Microsoft’s “everything is an Xbox” philosophy, because this sure is expensive for an Xbox that only plays PC games, and not everyone is sold:
Dkfkhfkwkdnc:
Only Microsoft can release a thousand dollar device branded “Xbox” that can’t play Xbox games. Only a millionaire executive at this specific company could have hallucinated this.
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.
Microsoft and Asus revealed last month that the new Xbox Ally handhelds will be launching on October 16th, but there was a distinct lack of pricing and preorder information. Now, it looks like we’re going to get both later today. Asus has started teasing on Facebook that preorders are “dropping soon” with a countdown that ends at 8PM ET / 5PM PT today.
The Infiltrator Elusive Target mission for Hitman World of Assassination is available starting today until November 20th, and sees Agent 47 team up with legendary martial artist Bruce Lee (ahem, Agent Lee) to infiltrate a Hong Kong crime syndicate.
IO Interactive’s 007 First Light will tell the story of a young James Bond, and the developer is adding another cast member to the list today. Gemma Chan, Eternals and Crazy Rich Asians, will star as Selina Tan, MI6’s head of tactical simulation. This is a new character created specifically for 007 First Light, and not to be confused with Q (played by Alastair Mackenzie). 007 First Light launches March 27th, 2026.
Microsoft’s Xbox Tokyo Game Show broadcast kicks off early today at 3AM PT / 6AM ET / 11AM UK. Announcements from the show will include Forza Horizon 6, which just leaked early thanks to an official teaser trailer on Instagram.
As soon as I saw the Halo memes of the orange iPhone 17 Pro and green TechWoven case, I couldn’t resist.
Asobo Studios has updated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to include DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation support. RTX 50-series owners will be able to enable up to 4x Multi Frame Generation, while RTX 40-series GPUs can still enable the regular Frame Generation support with DLSS 4.
Once the PlayStation-published shooter is available on Xbox consoles on August 26th, there will also be a new Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST Legendary Warbond available, with armor seats, weapon skins, ODST-themed player cards, and a Warthog-style vehicle pattern, for the price of 1,500 Super Credits that you can pick up in-game or purchase.
Beginning November 13th, the console version of PUBG: Battlegrounds will only be supported on PS5 and Xbox Series X / S, Krafton says.
This trailer starts with the PlayStation logo and ends with a teaser for Xbox’s most prized gaming franchise, before the game arrives on Microsoft’s consoles on August 26th. Meanwhile, formerly Xbox-exclusive Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga is launching on PlayStation.
Are the platform wars over?
Microsoft still can’t decide whether to use Xbox PC or Xbox on PC. Last month I highlighted how the company has been using both brands in recent weeks, before seemingly settling on Xbox on PC. Now, Xbox game studio Ninja Theory has just used both brands in a single post on X 🙃
Development on Contraband, the next game from Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios, is now on pause. According to a post on its website, Avalanche and publisher Xbox are “evaluating the project’s future.” Contraband was revealed during E3 2021 before Xbox went radio silent on its development. The news of the game’s production pause comes shortly after Microsoft laid off 9,000 employees.
[Avalanche Studios Group]
