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Results for " xbox " 1,629 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle

Xbox CEO called Game Pass 'too expensive for players' in a leaked memo

The new Xbox CEO wrote a memo to employees addressing the current pricing of the Game Pass subscription service and suggesting changes would be coming.

engadget.com logo
Apr 13 • 3:47 PM EDT • Technology • engadget.com
Xbox Game Pass ‘has become too expensive,’ says Microsoft’s new gaming chief in leaked memo

It sounds like Game Pass pricing will drop soon

theverge.com logo
Apr 13 • 1:39 PM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Xbox Shoots Down ‘Fable’ Delay Rumors, Must Dodge ‘GTA 6’

Fable will come out in the fall of 2026, Xbox reiterates, after viral rumors said it would be delayed to dodge GTA 6.

forbes.com logo
Apr 13 • 11:29 AM EDT • Technology • forbes.com
PowerWash Simulator delisting two free DLC packs from Xbox store in May

Developer FuturLab has announced it is delisting two free PowerWash Simulator DLC packs soon, as its partnership with publisher Square Enix is coming to an end.

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Apr 13 • 11:05 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
4A Games announces Metro 2039, and we're getting an Xbox-themed reveal stream later this week

Developer 4A Games and publisher Deep Silver have announced Metro 2039, the fourth entry in the post-apocalyptic FPS series. A full reveal is coming this week.

eurogamer.net logo
Apr 13 • 10:39 AM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
'Metro 2039' confirmed for "Xbox First Look" show: New format will spotlight games throughout the year.

Xbox's showcase production team has been on a big tear this year, and another new format is on the horizon: starting with the return of Metro.

windowscentral.com logo
Apr 13 • 9:07 AM EDT • Technology • windowscentral.com
Tune in on Thursday for Xbox First Look: Metro 2039

Get ready for the world premiere of Metro 2039, the next entry in 4A Games’ beloved post-apocalyptic FPS series, presented by Xbox this Thursday.

news.xbox.com logo
Apr 13 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Former Xbox Veteran Says Canceling The Last of Us Online Was the Right Call, Criticizes Naughty Dog and Sony for Green-lighting It in the First Place

Former Xbox Veteran Says Naughty Dog Was Right to Shut Down the Last of Us Online

ign.com logo
Apr 13 • 8:01 AM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Microsoft’s new Xbox Gamepad Cursor adds a virtual mouse to handhelds

This new Xbox mode feature is ideal for apps that aren’t designed for a controller.

theverge.com logo
Apr 13 • 6:29 AM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Rumour: Fable Has Apparently Been Delayed Internally, But May Still Launch In 2026

"They are worried about the launch of GTA6"

purexbox.com logo
Apr 13 • 6:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Xbox Showcase Reportedly Coming Next Week, Metro 2039 May Be Revealed

NateTheHate provides an update on when players can expect the next Xbox Games Showcase. Supposedly, it's coming next week

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Apr 12 • 4:59 PM EDT • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Former Xbox Exec Says Developers Didn't Want a Sony Monopoly

Former Xbox executive Ed Fries comments on the early days of Xbox, the opinion of Japanese game companies, and more.

insider-gaming.com logo
Apr 12 • 4:33 PM EDT • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Forza Horizon 4 Is Still Packed With Players On Xbox, And It's Easing The Wait For Horizon 6

One final lap of open-world Britain?

purexbox.com logo
Apr 12 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Nintendo's Animated Films Challenge Disney's Box Office Dominance

Nintendo's expansion into theatrical animation, with billion-dollar films and an annual release slate, is challenging Disney's dominance while strategically promoting its gaming hardware and franchises like the successful Switch 2.

indexbox.io logo
Apr 12 • 2:01 AM EDT • Entertainment • indexbox.io
Rumour: Call of Duty's $300 Million Xbox Game Pass Gambit Could End

Xbox owners may soon have to buy the game like on PS5

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Apr 11 • 1:30 PM EDT • Technology • pushsquare.com
'I Saw How It Was Getting Damaged': Ex-Bethesda Exec Goes to Town on Xbox's Mistreatment

"That shouldn't be a surprise to you"

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Apr 10 • 8:30 PM EDT • Technology • pushsquare.com
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Adds PC and PS5 Release to 2026 Global Simultaneous Launch — but There’s No Xbox Version

Professor Layton and the New World of Steam is coming to PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 as well as Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, developer Level 5 has confirmed.

ign.com logo
Apr 10 • 9:06 AM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Kiln open beta lets you check out the Xbox Game Pass game on Steam before launch

Players on PC can now check out the upcoming multiplayer pottery game Kiln on Steam via Double Fine's new open beta for the upcoming Game Pass title.

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Apr 10 • 8:56 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
Xbox Is Sending Out Project Helix Gift Packages Signed By New Boss Asha Sharma

No console yet, just a bunch of free merch

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Apr 10 • 7:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
'Graveyard Keeper' Is Available To Claim For Free On Xbox For A Limited Time

Here's when you can grab it!

purexbox.com logo
Apr 9 • 2:30 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Windows and Xbox are now prioritizing user feedback in a huge pivot ... but why now? I can't help but be suspicious — it smells a bit like panic.

Is Microsoft's big AI push falling off the rails? Possibly, but not for the reasons you might think.

windowscentral.com logo
Apr 9 • 1:13 PM EDT • Technology • windowscentral.com
Kiln: Double Fine Shares Their Favorite Pots as Open Beta Goes Live

Now’s your chance to sample Kiln before launch on April 23 during the Open Beta Throwdown on Steam – and Double Fine is here to help inspire your creations with some of their most-favorite pots! Pre-order Kiln today on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

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Apr 9 • 1:00 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
The Lift adds PS5 and Xbox Series versions, delayed to 2027

First-person, narrative-driven, supernatural handyman simulator The Lift for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam in 2027, publisher tinyBuild and developer Fantastic Signals announced. The…

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Apr 9 • 12:40 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
Warhammer Survivors adds PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and Switch versions

Survivors-like roguelite action game Warhammer Survivors will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and Switch alongside its previously announced PC (Steam) version in 2026, developer Au…

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Apr 9 • 12:28 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback

Following the rollout of new achievement features

purexbox.com logo
Apr 9 • 7:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Xbox Achievements are getting some major changes, including the option to hide embarrassing games that you don't want to show off

Xbox is changing the achievement system, allowing for visual customization, hiding specific games, and highlighting others.

eurogamer.net logo
Apr 9 • 6:05 AM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
Xbox’s New System Update Delivers Overhaul Gamers Have Been Begging For

Xbox has finally listened to console user feedback with a major system update rolling out now.

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Apr 9 • 5:48 AM EDT • Technology • gamingbible.com
Xbox Achievements Get Overdue Update To Address Feedback

It's one of a number of features the platform is spiffing up to address fan feedback

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Apr 8 • 5:15 PM EDT • Technology • kotaku.com
Xbox Achievements Are Getting A 'Refresh' With Multiple New Improvements

"We’re excited to hear what you think"

purexbox.com logo
Apr 8 • 1:43 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Invincible VS Open Beta Begins Tomorrow: What You Need to Know

Get ready to suit up – Invincible VS’s Open Beta begins tomorrow, and everything you need to know is inside:

news.xbox.com logo
Apr 8 • 12:24 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Forza Horizon 6 Preview: Collectibles, Seamless Races and Open World Design Make for the Most Explorable Adventure Yet

Forza Horizon 6 takes interconnectivity to a new level with seamless races and events, collectibles, and much more, all accessible from the game's stunning open world.

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Apr 8 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Xbox’s new era needs games like Forza Horizon 6

Launching next month.

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Apr 8 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
The First Reviews Are Going Live For Starfield's Terran Armada Expansion

Is it worth grabbing the new DLC?

purexbox.com logo
Apr 7 • 1:30 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
The Xbox Game Pass list for April is big and includes Hades 2, FBC: Firebreak, Replaced, and more

April's first wave of Xbox Game Pass games is loaded with heavy hitters like Hades 2, Replaced, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

eurogamer.net logo
Apr 7 • 11:11 AM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Kiln, Hades II, Vampire Crawlers, and More

Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass: Kiln, Hades II, Vampire Crawlers, and more!

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Apr 7 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
The State Of Decay 3 Reveal Trailer Was Basically Fake

A 2020 Xbox reveal trailer was a hype video for a game that didn't even sort of exist yet

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Apr 6 • 11:21 AM EDT • Technology • kotaku.com
Long Awaited Xbox Game Will Finally Be Playable For Free Next Month

Six years after announcement, it's almost here!

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Apr 6 • 6:42 AM EDT • Technology • gamingbible.com
Starfield's Huge Update Arrives On Xbox This Week, And Here Are The Release Times

For both the Free Lanes and Terran Armada content

purexbox.com logo
Apr 6 • 6:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
“I couldn’t enjoy it fully until now”: Crimson Desert’s once‑exclusive PS5 mode finally arrives on Xbox — and I’m ready to dive back in

Crimson Desert’s 4K update arrived on PlayStation 5 first, leaving Xbox Series X users waiting, with Pearl Abyss declining to explain the temporary lack of parity.

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Apr 5 • 9:36 AM EDT • Technology • windowscentral.com
With 2025's GOTY Now In The Library, Xbox Game Pass Premium Is Becoming Too Good To Ignore

A serious value for Xbox players

purexbox.com logo
Apr 4 • 11:00 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Xbox's State Of Decay 3 Finally Returns, Signups Now Live For Alpha Playtests

"A mysterious broadcast calls to all survivors of the blood plague"

purexbox.com logo
Apr 3 • 2:32 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
State of Decay 3 alpha tests to begin in May

Publisher Xbox Game Studios and developer Undead Labs will begin hosting a series of alpha tests for the 2020-announced State of Decay 3, which we last saw in 2024, starting in May, the companies a…

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Apr 3 • 11:07 AM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
Legion Go 2 now costs $2000, twice as much as ROG Xbox Ally X

Best Buy now lists Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 48% above launch price Lenovo launched the Legion Go 2 in the US at $1,349.99 for the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 32GB, 1TB

videocardz.com logo
Apr 3 • 8:00 AM EDT • Technology • videocardz.com
Multiple Assassin's Creed Games Are Free To Play On Xbox This Week (April 2-6)

As part of Xbox Free Play Days

purexbox.com logo
Apr 2 • 7:45 AM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Sony's new PlayStation handheld rumored to top Xbox Series S, Steam Deck 2 may arrive (much) later

KeplerL2: Sony handheld GPU is ahead of Xbox Series S Sony’s rumored next-generation handheld may launch before Steam Deck 2, according to new comments

videocardz.com logo
Apr 1 • 8:00 PM EDT • Technology • videocardz.com
PS6 Handheld Will Reportedly Beat the Xbox Series S In Both Raster and Ray Tracing; PSSR 3 Will Outperform NVIDIA DLSS 4.5

Leaked specs for the PS6 handheld suggest it will outperform the Xbox Series S. Plus, PSSR 3 is set to beat NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5, leaving the Switch 2's DLSS "Lite" behind.

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Apr 1 • 7:41 AM EDT • Technology • wccftech.com
PS5 Gets Award-Winning Xbox Adventure Game Today on PS Store

An award-winning action-adventure game finally makes its way to PS5 today, and can now be purchased on the PS Store.

playstationlifestyle.net logo
Mar 31 • 1:45 PM EDT • Technology • playstationlifestyle.net
Wargaming Console and PC Titles to Get In-Game Benefits with Xbox Game Pass

Five of Wargaming’s current and upcoming free-to-play titles will begin to offer in-game benefits to Xbox Game Pass subscribers this year - starting with World of Warships from April 9.

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Mar 31 • 12:00 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Xbox and Fanta Team Up for a Special-Edition Collection - With Prizes and In-Game Rewards to be Claimed

To celebrate Xbox’s 25th anniversary, Xbox and Fanta have partnered to launch a delicious special-edition collection of Fanta bottles and cans inspired by iconic Xbox franchises.

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Mar 31 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Early Never-Seen-Before GTA 4 Build Leaks Online After Gamer Discovers Abandoned Xbox 360 Dev Kit

A trip to a Scottish second-hand flea market has resulted in a stunning discovery: a 360 dev kit previously owned by Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games complete with an early beta build of GTA 4.

ign.com logo
Mar 31 • 7:30 AM EDT • Technology • ign.com
A $1,000 PS6 And Xbox Helix Are Dangerous For The Future Of Gaming

At a certain price, consoles are so expensive that they are totally prohibitive for average players. We may be there in the next generation.

forbes.com logo
Mar 30 • 9:48 AM EDT • Technology • forbes.com
Xbox Games Showcase 2026 Followed by Gears of War: E-Day Direct Airs June 7 - and Xbox Fanfest Returns

Xbox Games Showcase will air on Sunday, June 7 – immediately followed by Gears of War: E-Day Direct. Details inside:

news.xbox.com logo
Mar 30 • 8:54 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
The Long Dark returns to Xbox Game Pass today

Survival fans are in for a treat today, as Hinterland's fantastic The Long Dark returns to Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and handheld.

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Mar 30 • 6:05 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
Xbox gets over 20 new games next week

Over the next seven days, a wave of 21 new Xbox games, including Super Meat Boy 3D and Darwin's Paradox, launch across Xbox consoles and PC.

trueachievements.com logo
Mar 29 • 4:45 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game launches July 2

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on July 2, Gameplay Group announced. PC pre-orders are available now. PlayStation St…

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Mar 28 • 9:14 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
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10 Discounted Games You Should Buy In The Xbox Spring 'Preview' Sale 2026

So many fantastic games on offer!

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Mar 28 • 12:00 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Poll: What were your favorite announcements at the Xbox Partner Preview 2026?

Microsoft's recent showcase gave us a plethora of Game Pass games to look forward to, so for this week's poll, we want to know: What were your favorite announcements at the Xbox Partner Preview 2026?

trueachievements.com logo
Mar 28 • 5:00 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
Microsoft confirms it retired “This is an Xbox” campaign because it “didn’t feel like Xbox”

Microsoft retires "This is an Xbox" campaign It looks like Microsoft is finally changing. Microsoft has confirmed that its "This is an Xbox"

videocardz.com logo
Mar 27 • 8:00 PM EDT • Technology • videocardz.com
Microsoft Gaming Chief Asha Sharma Killed 'This Is An Xbox' Campaign as It 'Didn't Feel Like Xbox'

Microsoft has confirmed that its new gaming boss Asha Sharma personally killed the company's controversial "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign — because, ironically, "it didn't feel like Xbox."

ign.com logo
Mar 27 • 12:54 PM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Microsoft Issues Statement On Why 'This Is An Xbox' Campaign Has Been Retired

MS spokesperson confirms it's been nixed by the new Xbox boss

purexbox.com logo
Mar 27 • 12:12 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Why did Microsoft end 'This is an Xbox' marketing? Microsoft responds — "It didn't feel like Xbox."

Microsoft's controversial Xbox marketing campaign "This is an Xbox" was almost immediately ended after new CEO Asha Sharma came on board. Here's why.

windowscentral.com logo
Mar 27 • 11:30 AM EDT • Technology • windowscentral.com
Xbox’s latest games showcase had Hades 2, The Expanse, and Bluey

A nice lineup.

theverge.com logo
Mar 26 • 1:42 PM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Hades 2 will release on Xbox and PlayStation really soon

The wait is over. The spectacular Hades 2 - five stars, if you ask Eurogamer, which you should - is coming to Xbox and …

eurogamer.net logo
Mar 26 • 1:41 PM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
Hades 2 Coming To PS5 And Xbox Next Month

The popular roguelike action game starring sexy gods is finally coming to more platforms

kotaku.com logo
Mar 26 • 1:34 PM EDT • Technology • kotaku.com
Artificial Detective: Breaking Down the Gameplay Behind This Incredible Xbox Partner Preview Reveal

Artificial Detective puts you on the case of solving humanity’s disappearance. We spoke to its creators on how they're blending hacking, stealth, and companion abilities in this upcoming decopunk action-adventure.

news.xbox.com logo
Mar 26 • 1:30 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Hades II Comes to Xbox Game Pass on April 14 - Here’s How It Builds on the Iconic Original

Hades II comes to Xbox (including Game Pass) on April 14, in its most complete form ever - find out more inside.

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Mar 26 • 1:29 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Bluey’s Happy Snaps announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

Publisher Gameloft and developer Gameloft Brisbane have announced Bluey’s Happy Snap for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store…

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Mar 26 • 1:21 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope - First Details About the Major Heart of Chornobyl Expansion

A massive new storyline, two new regions - including the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant - that can take dozens of hours to explore, and much more. All in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope expansion announced at #XboxPartnerPreview:

news.xbox.com logo
Mar 26 • 1:21 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Alien Deathstorm: Sci-fi Survival and Action Combine for a New First-Person Horror Hybrid

New from Rebellion (Atomfall, Sniper Elite) is Alien Deathstorm, an atmospheric first-person horror hybrid, coming to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass.

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Mar 26 • 1:18 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Stranger Than Heaven Gets a Wild New Trailer – and an Entirely New Broadcast on May 6

We just got a brand new look at RGG Studio's Stranger Than Heaven - and we'll be learning even more when we air an entire show about the game on May 6. Get all the details inside.

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Mar 26 • 1:10 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn – Learn More About Gameplay, New Companions, the Closed Beta, and the Release Window

The release of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is planned for spring 2027, and players can gain access to an Xbox Series X|S Closed Beta on April 22, 2026.

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Mar 26 • 1:05 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Publisher Nacon and developer Teyon have announced Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Store). It will launch in summer 2027. It will al…

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Mar 26 • 1:03 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
How You’ll Go From Prey to Predator in Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish

Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish is an upcoming action-RPG about contemporary monster hunters - we spoke to the game's director after its #XboxPartnerPreview debut:

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Mar 26 • 1:01 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
RAM Crisis Is Forcing Super-Popular Kids Console To Raise Prices Again

The Nex Playground, which has at times outsold the Xbox and PS5, is getting a $50 price bump next month

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Mar 25 • 4:30 PM EDT • Technology • kotaku.com
Forza Horizon 6 PC Specs Revealed, Ray Tracing & ROG Xbox Ally Compatibility Confirmed

Here are all the details

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Mar 25 • 1:00 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox

Alinea Analytics estimates show that Marathon has generated gross revenues of $55M via 1.2M copies sold on Steam, PS5, and Xbox: Looking at the split between Steam, PS5, and Xbox, Steam is clearly the main platform for Marathon, accounting for a little under 70% of the audience (800K copies sold). Meanwhile, PS5 takes about 19% (217K) and Xbox (including console, PC, and cloud) accounts for a bit over 11% or 133K. Marathon is technically a first-party Sony title, so seeing the home console struggle to break 20% of the volume is a notable data point for the ongoing platform-agnostic debate. PlayStation Studios online games will almost certainly continue being multiplatform (despite Sony reportedly pulling back on PC releases). Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe As for Marathon, the consensus among hardcore players who pushed through the awkward onboarding phase – myself included – is that it’s fantastic. The gunplay, aesthetic, and presentation are among the best in the shooter genre. A great game doesn’t always equal an immediate hit, though, as shown by our estimates. Things are looking lukewarm right now. But this might be one of those marathon-not-a-sprint situations. Had to, didn’t I? Why wasn’t Marathon a hit on the same level as Arc Raiders? One topic that came up in a lot of conversations at GDC this year was why Marathon hasn’t hit the same stratosphere as Arc Raiders. On paper, they’re both extraction shooters, and Marathon has the Bungie pedigree – the house that built the gold standard for gunplay in Halo and Destiny. Marathon’s neon-futuristic aesthetic also distinguishes itself from the gritty realism of Tarkov or the post-apocalyptic hope of ARC Raiders. But vibes can only get you so far for first impressions if the onboarding feels like a brick wall. Marathon is a sweaty PvP-focused experience with a first-time user experience and UI that I can only describe as dreadful. Players are dropped into a complex ecosystem where the UI, though visually striking, is functionally uninformative, forcing users to manually hover over nondescript, identical icons just to identify basic gear or weapon mods. This lack of clarity is compounded by punishing mechanics like a severe heat gauge for movement and a scarcity of vital resources, all without a clear tutorial or a low-stakes mode to learn the ropes. Most people – even top streamers and veteran shooter players – have no idea what’s going on in Marathon at first. Arc is on the complete other end of the spectrum. As we covered here and here, Arc Raiders offers a more collaborative, approachable loop where players often work together toward shared goals. And the objectives are instantly clear. To many players, this contrast only emphasised Marathon’s issues, especially during the testing period. Players understand the Arc Raiders loop within 30 minutes, while Marathon acts as a massive filter, chewing up newcomers and spitting them out before they can experience the depth of Bungie’s signature gunplay. What I’m getting at here is that the poor first-time user experience of Marathon’s Server Slam likely stifled launch sales, while the opposite was true for Arc. Let’s look at the pre-launch copies sold for each game during their respective Server Slams (launch-aligned) : Looking at the trajectory: Arc Raiders saw a massive 80% jump in copies sold during its three-day Server Slam (day -13 to -11). Players jumped in, realised the water was fine, and immediately opened their wallets. Marathon, meanwhile, saw a 49% increase in the four days following its Slam (Day -7 to -3). At the time of each game’s respective launch, Arc Raiders had nearly double the Steam footprint of Marathon – and word of mouth only continued to grow. Bungie could have had more time to fix the onboarding process had the beta happened earlier. But Marathon launched three days after the beta finished. These factors limited the launch sales quite a bit, I reckon. Marathon has found a niche audience, though Despite the friction-heavy start, the data suggests that those who survived Marathon’s onboarding are loving life. We’ve been tracking cross-platform DAUs, and while there’s the expected post-launch leakage, many players are sticking with it. After peaking at 478K total DAUs on its first Saturday, Marathon has settled into a respectable rhythm, holding 345K DAUs as of yesterday and averaging 380K DAUs across the weekend. Steam continues to do the heavy lifting here, consistently accounting for the lion’s share of the daily players. Players have been putting in the hours, too: On Steam, Marathon’s average playtime has climbed to 27.8 hours, significantly outpacing the console averages on PS5 (16.5h) and Xbox (17.3h). Even more telling than the averages: 22% of the Steam audience has surged past the 50-hour mark, and nearly 7% have already logged over 100 hours. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe This data suggests that once the Bungie magic clicks, it hooks players deeper than the average extraction shooter. There’s also started to be a shift in the game’s discourse. Marathon launched as one of those games that’s cool to hate. But as Marathon’s 100-hour club grows, we’re seeing conversations around its mechanical merit outweigh the negativity. Several high-profile creators, who were initially vocal critics, have spent the last week coming around on the mechanical depth of the endgame. It’s a subtle but positive signal; the hate train is losing steam, and a new narrative about the game is emerging. Bungie faithfuls unite Another interesting metric in Marathon’s first few weeks is who, exactly, is playing. Bungie leans heavily on its prestige as the “makers of Halo and Destiny,” in its marketing, and that message has clearly hit the mark. On Steam, the gravity (hammer) of Bungie’s previous work is unavoidable. A staggering 78.2% of Marathon players also played Destiny 2. The trend carries across other platforms, with 74.2% of PS5 players and 82.7% of Xbox players also having played Destiny 2. The Halo legacy lives on, it seems. More on that in a bit. While Destiny 2 went free to play, these numbers still represent a high-intent migration of a fanbase that trusts Bungie’s specific brand of kinetic gunplay and cryptic world-building. The Xbox data adds another layer of legacy. About 85.7% of Marathon players on Xbox have played Halo Infinite, while over half of the Steam audience has spent time in Halo Infinite and 36.1% in the Master Chief Collection (a paid collection of the old Bungie-made legacy games). Interestingly, we see a 55.9% overlap with ARC Raiders on Steam. Overlap is even higher there on PlayStation (60.5%) and Xbox (66.5%). And there’s also significant crossover with Helldivers 2 on all platforms, too. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe Bungie has found some of its fans with Marathon, and the challenge now is keeping this engaged in a high-stakes PvP environment when they’ve spent the last decade primarily enjoying the power fantasies of PvE. On that note… Go the full 26 miles? Or cut and run? Time for some could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. These things would have improved Marathon’s performance at launch: A more robust onboarding process, perhaps in the form of a short single-player/PvE campaign. We know Bungie fans love this stuff. A traditional arena-based mode akin to Destiny’s Crucible could have been a bridge for the cautious players who’d have been otherwise deterred by the Server Slam. It’s also a great palate cleanser after getting merked. Introducing a dedicated PvE environment would have similarly diversified the conversation and lowered the barrier for the Bungie faithful who found the pure PvP extraction loop too abrasive. PvE is safer than PvP these days. There’s an argument that a thin PvE mode would have just felt like a budget Destiny, potentially hurting the brand more. But given how dire the FTUE is, I think it would have been a net positive. Any kind of tutorialised loop that demystifies the stakes, really. While there is merit in a studio sticking firmly to a singular creative vision, and going all in on the hardcore extraction loop. Less forgiving is the technical reality is that the user interface and first-time user experience (FTUE) were not at a commercial standard for launch. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe In a landscape where player time is oversaturated and the most contested currency, a flawed FTUE is a critical failure point. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as Marathon has an incredible, unique gameplay loop, suggesting that financial success is still attainable if Bungie can pivot effectively. Bungie and PlayStation now face a difficult strategic crossroads, though – one within a challenging games market. They could: Double down on Marathon with a long-term Rainbow Six Siege- or No Man’s Sky-style recovery plan, which is something I heard Last Stand Media’s Chris Maldonado mention last week. While this could be a sunk-cost fallacy in action, it could eventually yield the audience the game’s mechanical depth deserves. Shift focus toward the inevitable Destiny 3 or another project, mitigating the escalating opportunity cost and cutting their losses, so to speak. Doing both is an expensive proposition, given the high overhead and burn rate of operating out of Bellevue, Washington. With Sony recently demonstrating a lower threshold for underperforming studios and projects, the margin for error has vanished. Whatever happens, the next six months will determine whether Marathon becomes a cornerstone of Sony’s live-service portfolio or a cautionary tale of vision exceeding accessibility. I’m hoping it’s the former, because Marathon rocks. As always, hit subscribe to get updates on Marathon and other relevant games. Subscribe Want to get your hands on our data for yourself – for free? We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply to this email, and we’ll set you up. The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]

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Mar 24 • 2:06 PM EDT • Technology • alineaanalytics.substack.com
New Xbox Boss Has Considered 'Pricing Revamp' For Game Pass, Claims Report

Involving lower-priced tiers and maybe even a partnership with Netflix

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Mar 24 • 1:07 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
New Xbox CEO Could Make Game Pass Less Expensive, Report Says

Asha Sharma is reportedly trying to make Xbox "more enticing to a broader range of customers."

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Mar 24 • 4:01 AM EDT • Technology • gamespot.com
Microsoft announces Xbox Partner Preview for this week, with Ryu Ga Gotoku's Stranger Than Heaven finally making a showing

Microsoft has announced its next Xbox Partner Preview showcase will take place later this week, focused on third-party games from the likes of Sega and GSC.

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Mar 23 • 10:17 AM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
Xbox Partner Preview: Join Us on Thursday to See What's Next from Our Third-Party Partners

Our next Xbox Partner Preview airs Thursday, March 26 - with a whole load of world premieres, game updates, and much more.

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Mar 23 • 9:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
New Xbox First-Party Game Announced In The Form Of Minecraft Dungeons 2

"Return to the world in an all new action RPG adventure"

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Mar 21 • 5:42 PM EDT • Technology • purexbox.com
Surprise! Minecraft Dungeons 2 is coming later this year

Surprise! Minecraft Dungeons 2 is coming to PC via Xbox and Steam, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Xbox Series a…

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Mar 21 • 2:22 PM EDT • Technology • eurogamer.net
Valve’s huge SteamOS 3.8 update adds long-awaited features — and supports Steam Machine

Xbox Ally gets SteamOS improvements too.

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Mar 19 • 8:34 PM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Xbox's Starfield Rockets to the Top of the PS5's Pre-Order Charts

To infinity and beyond

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Mar 19 • 5:00 PM EDT • Technology • pushsquare.com
Basketball Classics now available for Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch

8-bit basketball game Basketball Classics is now available for Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch for $9.99 with a 10 percent-off launch discount, publisher Acclaim and developer Namo…

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Mar 19 • 12:01 PM EDT • Technology • gematsu.com
Free Play Days – Sea of Thieves, Totally Reliable Delivery Service, Trailmakers, Hell Let Loose and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite

Free Play Days - hop into Sea of Thieves, Totally Reliable Delivery Service, Trailmakers, Hell Let Loose and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite this weekend.

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Mar 19 • 11:00 AM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Don't Expect Crimson Desert Xbox Series X or S Gameplay Footage Before Launch

Crimson Desert developer and publisher Pearl Abyss won’t show gameplay footage of the Xbox Series X and S version ahead of its March 19 release date.

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Mar 18 • 1:56 PM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Double Fine’s Pottery Party Brawler Kiln Arrives April 23 (Plus a Direct Look at the First Public Play Sessions)

Kiln arrives on April 23! Read on for beta details and our observations of the first public play sessions:

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Mar 18 • 12:00 PM EDT • Technology • news.xbox.com
Subnautica 2 Will Finally Enter Early Access in May Following Year of Delays and Legal Drama

Subnautica 2 is entering early access at last. IGN can exclusively reveal that both developer Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton have agreed the game is ready for its early access release in May on Xbox and PC, though an exact date hasn't been provided just yet.

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Mar 17 • 4:15 PM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Xbox 360, PS3 And Nintendo Wii U Are "Officially Retro", Says GameStop

"They are still very cool, and anyone who owned one at launch is absolutely not old"

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Mar 17 • 8:30 AM EDT • Technology • timeextension.com
GameStop Declares Xbox360, PS3 Retro Consoles, Millennials Are In Shambles

GameStop released a memo designating the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U retro consoles, reminding every Millennial who grew up with those systems they are now washed.

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Mar 16 • 9:27 PM EDT • Technology • outkick.com
GameStop declares Nintendo Wii U as a retro console, trade-in bonus offer announced

GameStop issues statement that Nintendo Wii U, PS3, and Xbox 360 are retro consoles and announces a special trade-in bonus offer.

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Mar 16 • 6:40 PM EDT • Technology • nintendoeverything.com
Sony Confirms PlayStation 5 Pro PSSR Upgrades for Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Even Former Xbox Console Exclusive Hellblade 2

Sony has confirmed an array of games set to benefit from PlayStation 5 Pro's upgraded PSSR visual boost, which launches more broadly via a new system software update available later today.

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Mar 16 • 12:01 PM EDT • Technology • ign.com
Xbox One hacked, boot ROM exploit breaks into one of the most secure consoles

Xbox One boot ROM exploit shown at RE//verse 2026, Gaasedelen says work is about preservation, not piracy Security researcher Markus Gaasedelen used his

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Mar 15 • 8:00 AM EDT • Technology • videocardz.com
Starfield's Future Will Be Unveiled Next Week by Bethesda

Bethesda Game Studios is preparing to unveil the future of Starfield next week, letting us know about the game's next expansion.

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Mar 14 • 4:35 AM EDT • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Microsoft Will Add Gaming Copilot To Xbox Series Consoles in 2026

Microsoft Gaming Copilot has been out in the open and available as a beta for PC, mobile, and the ROG Xbox Ally since October 2025, but at a recent GDC conference, Sonali Yadav, Xbox Gaming AI partner group project manager, commented that Gaming Copilot would be landing on current-gen Xbox Series X|...

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Mar 14 • 1:33 AM EDT • Technology • techpowerup.com
Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant is coming to current-gen Xbox consoles this year

AI is coming to your Xbox.

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Mar 13 • 4:51 PM EDT • Technology • theverge.com
Xbox Gaming Copilot Coming to Consoles This Year

Microsoft has confirmed that the Gaming Copilot AI assistant is coming to current-gen Xbox consoles this year.

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Mar 13 • 9:54 AM EDT • Technology • insider-gaming.com
Xbox Ally X handhelds will soon get a performance boost

Microsoft has announced that ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds will get a performance boost in April, thanks to Automatic Super Resolution.

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Mar 13 • 7:58 AM EDT • Technology • trueachievements.com
A free Xbox Ally X update could deliver up to 30% smoother performance for your handheld games — "Automatic Super Resolution" preview starts soon

Xbox is bringing Automatic Super Resolution to the Xbox Ally X in April. The AI upscaling feature aims to improve performance while keeping games sharp.

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Mar 13 • 7:37 AM EDT • Technology • windowscentral.com