• 👋 Microsoft plans to close three gaming studios acquired between 2018 and 2019: Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine

• 📉 The decision follows a “reset” announced by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, aiming to improve profitability amid declining annual revenue

• 😔 Despite receiving resources and creative freedom, the studios failed to produce commercially successful titles that boosted Xbox’s financial performance

• 😬 This move continues a trend of restructuring at Microsoft, following previous closures of other acquired studios like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin

After an extremely positive showing at the Xbox Games Showcase this year, reports indicate that Microsoft is set to close three studios it acquired in 2018 and 2019.

The studios that are reportedly on the chopping block are Ninja Theory (as reported by The Verge), which created Senua’s Saga 2: Hellblade II, Compulsion Games (as reported by Kotaku), responsible for South of Midnight, and Double Fine, which recently released Kiln.

Double Fine’s social media account responded to the news with a sweating face emoji.

The news broke after new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed Microsoft’s gaming division was undergoing a reset, which hinted at potential layoffs.

However, no one expected Microsoft to close three studios that it recently acquired, though it’s not all that surprising, really.

Since its acquisition in 2018, the only game Ninja Theory released was Senua’s Saga 2: Hellblade II, which, by all accounts, didn’t exactly sell well. A new game was announced at the Xbox Games Showcase called Senua, but it’s not out until next year.

Compulsion Games released South of Midnight, a game that may have attracted a few niche industry awards, but that praise never materialized into sales.

Finally, Double Fine technically released three games since its 2019 acquisition in Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln. Aside from Psychonauts 2, which was crowdfunded before Microsoft’s acquisition and a multiformat release from day one, both Keeper and Kiln weren’t exactly popular by any means.

To Microsoft’s credit, all three studios were seemingly given the resources, time, and freedom to focus on the projects they wanted to make. However, none of the games they made have helped transform Xbox’s fortunes.

Clearly, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has identified the three studios as being a drain on the coffers, especially as we recently found out that the Xbox division, while still profitable, has seen its annual revenue decline by almost half a billion in the past five years.

As Sharma’s public memo to staff on Xbox Wire highlighted, “We will end this fiscal year at about a 3% accountability margin, down year-over-year. Excluding Activision Blizzard King, over the past five years, we have spent over $20 billion on ongoing investments in our content, platform, and hardware subsidy, but our annual revenue has declined nearly half a billion during that time. Going forward, this cannot continue.”

The last studios Microsoft shut down were Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and two other Bethesda-owned studios.

Microsoft famously went on a buying spree between 2018 and 2021, acquiring Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Playground Games, Undead Labs, Double Fine, ZeniMax Media/Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard/King.

While the move sent shockwaves through the gaming industry at the time, there’s no doubt that the acquisitions made Xbox a more bloated, and significantly more expensive division. Expect more changes to come as Xbox resets, to use Sharma’s term.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition: price, pre-order, and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💰 The price of the new Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console could be higher than first thought

• 📈 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been candid about how high component and memory prices have risen in very recent times

• 😬 It’s feared this could push the X25 Limited Edition ahead of the $749 price we’d predicted

• 🤔 We already know Xbox is likely to undertake some radical business decisions to try and navigate this difficult market situation

Everyone seems to be in love with the recently announced Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console, although a new Microsoft memo has added fuel to the fire that it might cost more than we hoped.

In a new Xbox Wire post, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been remarkably transparent regarding component pricing, noting that when she joined Xbox as CEO in February, “the price we paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as we paid last fall.”

If that wasn’t already bad enough, Sharma has stated that those costs have “since doubled again”, and that by the 2027 holiday season, Xbox is expecting “another significant increase, taking us over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier”. Sharma also notes that “Memory costs have followed a broadly similar trajectory.”

This obviously puts a large spanner in the works for any future releases from Microsoft’s not least the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console that should be available in November 2026.

We initially predicted a $749 price tag for this limited edition Xbox Series X model based on the price of the standard 1TB Series X at $649.99 and the 2TB Galaxy Black edition at $799.99.

However, Sharma’s recent comments imply we may see an even higher price than initially predicted. The extent to which this price could increase from the potential $749 price tag is, of course, unknown, not least because Microsoft is remaining coy on an official price thus far.

Sharma has recently teased some “radically different business models” as a means of overcoming the difficult market conditions Microsoft’s gaming division finds itself in, which has brought into question the potential revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s abandoned cloud gaming streaming stick.

She has also previously noted that the price of the upcoming Xbox Project Helix console would be impacted by the memory crisis, so these new comments reiterate how long-term current issues are likely to be.

Up next: Xbox CEO admits Microsoft hasn’t done enough to ‘compete and win’ in candid new memo

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤔 Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty released a candid memo, “Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset,” acknowledging both recent progress and significant long-term challenges

• 📈 The gaming division faces a severe hardware component crisis, with soaring costs and supply shortages limiting console production capacity

• 💰 Over-expansion and insufficient funding for key franchises have hindered Xbox’s competitiveness, necessitating a strategic reassessment of investments

• 👉 To drive future success, Xbox plans to streamline operations, rebuild its platform infrastructure, and refocus on exclusives, while signaling potential upcoming layoffs

After a successful Xbox Games Showcase, fan-pleasing decisions, and the reveal of a gorgeous Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition, the future of Microsoft’s gaming division was looking brighter than it’s been in years.

However, as we’ve come to expect with Xbox in recent years, the feel-good spirit it generated has all but been wiped out today, as new CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty released a candid memo to staff, which has been published on Xbox Wire.

Titled ‘Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset’, the memo highlights the positive changes that have been made, but also the stark realities the gaming division is facing over the next few months and years.

“Our platform teams have already shipped more updates in the last 100 days than during the prior year combined. We now have more active partners on XBOX than ever before. Our Game Pass team set to work fixing our offering and after 8+ months of decline, our service has started to grow again. And through Player Voice, we have a 24/7 channel to hear directly from players, creators, and developers,” the memo reads.

“These results are early, but they demonstrate what is possible when we move faster, stay close to our community, and align behind a shared vision. We have made mistakes, and will continue to make them, but what matters is that we listen, learn, and adjust the course where needed. Remember, our fans are rooting for us.”

The component crisis

The memo outlines the difficulties Microsoft and other gaming companies are facing, including an insight into how the hardware component crisis is affecting Xbox.

“We are in a hardware component crisis. When I joined as CEO in February, the price we paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as we paid last fall. These costs have since doubled again. And as we plan for the 2027 holiday season, we expect another significant increase, taking us over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier. Memory costs have followed a broadly similar trajectory. While the entire industry is facing a components crisis, we believe we have been impacted more greatly than many of our peers due to the choices we made over the last half decade. We are currently unable to make as many consoles as players want to buy, and we need a new business model and partnerships for hardware as we remain committed to [Xbox Project] Helix.”

A renewed focus on Xbox IP

Sharma and Booty also explain why Xbox is returning to exclusives, how the wave of studio acquisitions have over extended the team, and that a lack of investment has led to several games falling short of expectations.

“We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices. In the process, we have found ourselves over extended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content. We are the fortunate stewards of industry-defining franchises that have enormous potential and player demand, but we have not adequately funded them to compete and win. At the same time, as we saw this past weekend at Showcase, a reliable pipeline of first- and third-party exclusives and new IP are critical to our success. We need to reassess the balance between these and our investment priorities for the next 5 years.”

Layoffs loom ahead

Unfortunately, the memo hints at future layoffs, as the Xbox division shifts its priorities and focus.

“Our current platform infrastructure is not built for the battle ahead. Our systems are overly complex, spanning hundreds of dependencies, which hinders our ability to move fast. We’ve become too reliant on vendors to operate our systems and must become more self-reliant as an engineering culture to build for the future. We must increase the value we ship to players while decreasing the time it takes to do so. Going forward, we’ll evolve and rebuild our stack and look at capabilities across all of XBOX and potential M&A to help us win in hardware, PC, mobile, and streaming.

“For some of you, these realities will be surprising and even frustrating to discover. We won’t succeed by hiding hard truths, nor will we succeed by doing the same thing and expecting different results. Like the ‘everyday wins’ mentality from the first 100 days, we will sprint to make progress against hardware, content, experience, and services together.”

While some will see the memo as a grim reality check, the transparency provided to Xbox fans is refreshing. Sharma has been surprisingly honest so far, and being honest about Xbox’s failings and how it wants to improve will only help the brand return to a position of strength.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-orders will be protected from scalpers, as Microsoft says ‘it’s top of mind’

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤔 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased “radically different business models” may be needed for Xbox to overcome the horrible current market conditions

• 💰 People think this could mean more affordable consoles, or a different approach to getting Xbox hardware into people’s hands

• 🎮 It could see the revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s affordable Xbox game streaming stick

• 😬 Sharma had previously said Project Helix, Microsoft’s upcoming hybrid console, would be affected by the current memory crisis

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has hinted that Xbox may need “radically different business models” to navigate the brutal market conditions Microsoft’s gaming division is facing.

People are already speculating about what that could mean, whether that’s more affordable hardware to entirely new ways of getting Xbox devices into players’ hands. Some even think it could lead to a revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s long-shelved Xbox game-streaming stick.

Sharma’s comments follow her recent interview with Fortune, where she suggested that Xbox may need to rethink the traditional console model to stay competitive. She also noted that Project Helix, Microsoft’s upcoming next-gen hybrid console, has been affected by the ongoing memory crisis impacting the industry.

Sharma said the Xbox hardware division is “in a crisis”, due to the exponential rise in component and manufacturing costs compared to previous generations. Typically, console costs fall over time, and Sharma noted that at this point in the lifecycle, hardware is usually “about 50% usually expect to see consoles come down in price over their life cycle – by her admissions, costs are usually “about 50 percent of the [launch] cost”. Instead, Xbox hardware costs are currently “2.75x” higher.

That reality has pushed Microsoft to explore new approaches to reduce the impact on consumers, including ways to optimize the cost of building the console itself.

More interestingly, Sharma said Microsoft has been developing “different plans” to let more people “participate in the console”. That’s as far as she went, though looking to the past, Microsoft has tried different approaches in the past.

The Xbox All Access program allowed users in select regions to rent-to-own an Xbox Series X or S by paying a monthly fee for two years with no upfront cost, and it came bundled with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Xbox All Access was killed in mid-2024, but it may be a more ‘affordable’ means of getting Xbox consoles into the hands of users today.

Sharma’s reference to “radically different business models” that Microsoft “never expected” seems to hint at more affordable consoles. One possibility could be a lower-power console that offloads some processing to the cloud.

Microsoft had a similar idea for a streaming-based console or stick with Project Keystone, which was mothballed back in October 2022.

The plan was to have a small, almost Amazon Fire Stick-like device that could access Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service with a Game Pass subscription to provide access to AAA games without an expensive console.

Whether Project Keystone or another derivative may see the light of day is anyone’s guess, but it’s refreshing to see Microsoft potentially cater to the more affordable end of the market, especially when prices are only going up.

Sharma had previously noted that the price of Project Helix, the next-gen Xbox, would be impacted by the memory crisis.

And it isn’t just Microsoft that has been affected by the current horrible market conditions, either. Sony cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” for its recent hefty PS5 price rise. Likewise, even Nintendo has decided to raise Switch 2 prices by $50 in September.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-orders will be protected from scalpers, as Microsoft says ‘it’s top of mind’

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🙏 Microsoft is prioritizing protections against scalpers for the upcoming Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition launch

• 🔒 Xbox director of creative marketing, Josh Munsee, confirmed that addressing reseller concerns is currently “top of mind.”

• 🤫 While specific anti-scalping measures remain undisclosed, likely strategies include purchase limits, queue systems, and account verification requirements

• 📆 Fans can currently register their interest on the official Xbox website ahead of the November release date

Judging from the reaction to Microsoft’s Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition reveal, scalpers and opportunists will hope to exploit genuine customers who failed to get their hands on the new console.

However, Microsoft has responded to fans’ early concerns by saying that the threat of resellers and scalpers is “top of mind” and hinted that protections will be in place to ensure that the demand for the console and limited supply isn’t weaponized by the usual opportunists.

In a post on X, Xbox director of creative marketing, Josh Munsee, directly addressed a fan who was worried about scalpers and said: “It’s top of mind and being worked on.”

Munsee didn’t share how Microsoft will combat Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition scalpers, which is probably for the best so that they can’t plan ahead. It’s likely that Microsoft will require players to have an Xbox Live account in good standing, limit purchases to one per customer, and may even have a queue system in place.

Nintendo implemented similar strict criteria for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 for any consoles that were bought from its My Nintendo Store. You needed to register your interest, have a Nintendo Switch Online account that was 12 months old, reach 50 hours of gameplay before the cutoff date, and agree to share gameplay data. Oh, and you also needed to be 18 or older.

For now, beyond a “coming soon” and a promised release date of November, you can register your interest on the official Xbox website. I also recommend signing up for The Shortcut for an instant alert once pre-order information goes live.

Up next: Nintendo Switch 2 Blue and Light Yellow Joy-Con 2 controllers: price, pre-order, and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 📉 Microsoft’s 50% price hike for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate caused the loss of millions of subscribers

• 👏 To address the decline, CEO Asha Sharma reduced the membership price and introduced a more affordable basic tier

• 🤔 Subscription numbers have largely stagnated, prompting the company to implement new strategic changes to win back players

• 🔒 Microsoft is returning to console exclusives, such as Gears of War: E-Day, to reinforce the value of its ecosystem

When Microsoft announced it was raising the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate by 50% in October last year, the reaction was simple: people said they would unsubscribe.

Now, Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball has admitted that the price hike cost Microsoft dearly.

“We shed millions of subscribers over the span of a few months,” Ball told The Game Business Live.

The price hike was quickly addressed by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who conceded in a leaked memo that the service had become “too expensive for players”. In April, Xbox cut the price of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to $22.99 from $29.99. In May, Microsoft also introduced a cheaper, basic Game Pass tier through a new partnership with Discord.

However, with around 34 million subscribers as of early 2024, Xbox Game Pass has largely stagnated, and it’s likely that number has since dropped, not increased, following Ball’s candid admission.

Since Sharma’s appointment, Xbox has been making sweeping strategic changes as it tries to win back lapsed subscribers and disillusioned players. After essentially becoming a multiplatform publisher, Microsoft revealed that it’s returning to Xbox console exclusives starting with Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution.

Ball said players should expect a “reliable pipeline” of Xbox‑first titles that reinforce the value of staying in the ecosystem, something that many argued was lost when Microsoft began porting all of its exclusives to PS5.

We’ve also seen Microsoft make several long-requested improvements to the Xbox Series X|S operating system, and it’s even launched a fan feedback site where it can focus on the major priorities players have. Funnily enough, a return to exclusive games was the number one request.

Microsoft is also celebrating its 20th anniversary in spectacular fashion with the release of an Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console and controller. It’s already proven to be a hit online, with many stating they’ll buy one now that exclusives are returning.

While it’s pleasing to see Xbox course correct, the Redmond-based company still has an uphill battle. However, if it can iron out the mistakes and poor decisions made during this generation, it’ll make Xbox Project Helix – the company’s next-gen Xbox – a far more appealing proposition.

Up next: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 hands-on review: the best Xbox gaming handheld, now upgraded with OLED

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🔒 Microsoft is reversing its recent strategy, shifting back toward exclusive games for Xbox consoles

• 🤚 Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be exclusive to Xbox and PC, excluding PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2

• 👏 Under new CEO Asha Sharma, the strategy aims to provide clear incentives for consumers to purchase Xbox hardware

• 🤔 Future major multiplayer and live-service titles will continue to be released on multiple platforms

Microsoft has changed its stance on exclusivity, as it announced that Gears of War: E-Day is no longer coming to PS5.

Microsoft had essentially become a multi-format publisher, bringing exclusive franchises such as Halo, Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 6 and more to Sony’s system.

However, under the leadership of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, the company’s stance has clearly changed. Gears of War: E-Day, along with Clockwork Revolution, will now be Xbox console exclusives, which means they won’t be releasing on PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2, only on Xbox and PC.

Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are not “timed exclusives” either.

Xbox’s Chief Content Officer Matt Booty told Gamertag Radio: “We want a reason for people to get on board with Xbox, we want them to have a reason to buy an Xbox, we want them to have a reason to be an Xbox fan. At the same time, we want to reward all our players that have been with us for a long time — we know that exclusives are important, and that’s why we’ve got Gears coming in 2026 and Clockwork [Revolution] coming in 2027.”

On the multiplatform side, Booty told Gamertag Radio that “our big multiplayer games and live-service games are going to continue to be multiplatform.”

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft also said: “As part of our focus on the return of XBOX, we also announced that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be XBOX console exclusives. These are not timed exclusives. Games already announced for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan – we’re committed to investing in and growing XBOX both on console and beyond.”

The decision to return to exclusives will please Xbox console fans, as many argued - including myself - that without exclusives, there was little reason to buy an Xbox over a PS5. If you could get Microsoft’s first-party games and Sony’s on PlayStation 5, why would anyone buy an Xbox Series X|S?

The change also comes ahead of the release of Xbox Project Helix, Microsoft’s next-gen console. The next Xbox will be a hybrid system that can play Xbox and PC games, and should give players more flexibility, even if they prefer playing on Steam.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition: price, pre-order, and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 😍 The Xbox Series X25 Anniversary Edition features a translucent “OG Green” design with 1TB of storage

• 👏 The controller includes classic color-coded face buttons and a transparent back case

• 💰 Estimated pricing is approximately $749.99 for the console and $89.99 for the controller

• 📆 The limited edition is set for release in November 2026, with pre-orders not yet available

During the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026, Microsoft announced an Xbox Series X25 Anniversary Edition console and controller, and it’s fair to say the reaction has been extremely positive.

The console and controller feature the look and feel of the original Xbox thanks to a translucent OG Green design, with subtle tributes to the console that started it all throughout.

The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition includes 1TB of storage, and its power button lights up green. You’ll find an Xbox 25th Anniversary logo on the front and other design elements that celebrate Xbox fans and classic hardware designs.

As for the controller, it features the original ABXY colors for the face buttons, black and white bumpers that harken back to the black and white buttons on the original “Duke” controller, and the back case and battery door are fully transparent, revealing the classic Xbox logo.

But how much does the Xbox Series X25 Anniversary Edition console and controller cost? And when can we get our hands on these stunning tributes to Microsoft’s original console? We’ve rounded up all the details you need to know and will update this article when more information is available.

Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition price

Sadly, we no longer live in a world where consoles become cheaper the longer they’re on sale, which means the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition price will be expensive, to say the least. Microsoft hasn’t revealed exactly how much the console and controller will cost, but we can look at the recently released Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Edition to get an idea.

The Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Edition costs $799.99, but includes a 2TB SSD. The standard Xbox Series X costs $649.99 with a 1TB SSD, so a fair price would be somewhere in the middle. The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition price could be $749.99, or even $699.99 if Microsoft wants to price it aggressively.

The price of the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition controller should fall into the usual price range we’d expect. Limited edition controllers and unique designs usually cost between $69.99 and $89.99. It’s likely the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition controller price will be $89.99, which is how much the recently released Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller cost.

In short, we predict the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console will cost $749.99, and the controller on its own will cost $89.99.

Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-order

You can’t pre-order the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console or controller right now, but you can register your interest and be alerted once pre-orders go live. You can also get an instant alert by subscribing to The Shortcut for free, as we’ll be letting our chat and followers on X know once the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-order goes live.

Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition release date

The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition release date is set for November 2026. Microsoft hasn’t shared a specific release date just yet, but the original Xbox was released on November 15. That falls on a Sunday this year, so Microsoft may choose Monday, November 16 as a more fitting day to release the console.

Up next: Gears of War: E-Day is no longer coming to PS5 as Microsoft makes a U-turn on Xbox exclusivity

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🗣️ Microsoft has launched a new Xbox Player Voice feedback system

• ✍️ It allows fans to leave feedback and comment on key ideas they’d like the brand to bring

• 😉 Microsoft is clear that not every idea will turn into a new feature, but it will consider certain ones

• 🎮 The most popular requests at the moment are for more exclusive games and the return of backwards compatibility

Microsoft has introduced a new way for you to have your say on the future of Xbox with a new survey system.

A new Xbox Wire post details that Microsoft is introducing Xbox Player Voice as a new place to collect feedback and make it more visible. With it, the concern that things weren’t being done after players were questioned or left feedback is hopefully being laid to rest.

Microsoft says that with Xbox Player Voice, players can share their thoughts and see whether it’s been received and reviewed. Further down the line, it also lets players get updates if there is progress to report.

It says that when you submit feedback, teams review and organize it so that it can be put with other similar ideas. In some instances, these ideas will move forward, and if there are meaningful updates to share, Microsoft will do so.

The brand is also quick to note that this doesn’t mean every piece of feedback or idea will turn into a new Xbox feature, but it’s designed to gauge public opinion on what Microsoft needs to work on if it wants to take Xbox up a notch.

As much as Xbox Player Voice is replacing the Cloud Gaming Portal, the new feature is designed to work in tandem with the likes of the Xbox Insider Hub and support forums to provide a 360-degree support and feedback realm, as it were.

As it stands, the most popular request on the feedback hub is the revival of exclusive games, followed by the return of backwards compatibility and making online multiplayer free to access.

Intriguingly, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has said that she wasn’t ruling out the return of Xbox-exclusive games or exclusive release windows.

Up next: PlayStation Plus price increase: here’s how much you have to pay if you’re not already subscribed

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤏 Leaked images show a compact, “squished” Xbox Cloud Gaming controller design

• 🛜 It features Wi-Fi connectivity for low latency, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C charging

• ☁️ The device supports Microsoft’s shift toward cloud apps on TVs and streaming sticks

• 🔜 An official reveal is expected at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7

Along with the new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller leaking, photos and details have emerged regarding Microsoft’s dedicated Xbox Cloud Gaming controller

As shared by Technoblog, the Xbox Cloud Gaming features a more compact and compressed design. However, it generally retains the same layout that Xbox fans are used to.

The controller can connect to 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi for a low-latency connection, and supports Bluetooth 5.3. There’s a USB-C port for charging, and a 500mAh rechargeable battery. The controller will be available in white and black, judging from the leaked photos.

A dedicated Xbox Cloud Gaming controller would have made more sense if Microsoft was still releasing its Xbox streaming stick, which was codenamed Project Keystone. However, the device was effectively mothballed, according to ex-Xbox boss Phil Spencer, as Microsoft pivoted towards Xbox Cloud Gaming apps instead.

Microsoft has continued to improve Xbox Cloud Gaming, and it’s now available via several devices, whether that’s Samsung and LG TVs, or through Amazon Fire Sticks or on mobile.

Recently, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy 1440p resolution with higher bitrates, and Microsoft has made several improvements to the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience, making it more aligned with a console UI.

It remains to be seen whether the Xbox Cloud Gaming controller will see the light of day, but we’re likely to hear an official announcement at Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Games Showcase on June 7.

Up next: Forza Horizon 6 review roundup: ‘one of the greatest racing games of this generation’

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👀 The Xbox Elite Series 3 has leaked via a Brazilian regulator, revealing several new hardware features

• 🆕 Key updates include bottom scroll wheels, a dedicated Wi-Fi cloud button, and a hot-swappable rechargeable battery

• 🎮 The design features flatter face buttons, a two-stage trigger lock, and a profile button that doubles as a Share button

• 📆 A full reveal is expected at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026

Microsoft’s long-awaited Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has been prematurely leaked by a Brazilian regulator, giving us a clear look at what the new gamepad entails.

As spotted by Tecnoblog, the new Xbox pro controller has some distinct differences over the previous model. There are two mouse-like scroll wheels on the bottom of the controller, which may be used to adjust volume and game/chat mix. The face buttons also seem flatter, and there’s a new type of circular D-Pad design.

Along with the usual swappable D-pad, stick sizes, lockable triggers, removable back paddles, and rubberized grips, the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller lets you swap out the rechargeable battery. It’s smaller than the battery in the Elite Series 2, which is 2050mAh versus 1528mAh, but hopefully it delivers similar battery life, and it can at least be hot swapped out for a fresh one.

The Xbox Elite Series 3 controller will also feature a new dedicated cloud button that lets the controller connect directly to Wi-Fi to cut latency when using it for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Judging from the leaked images, the triggers will only feature a two-stage lock instead of a three-stage one, and it seems like the profile button will now act as the Share button.

It’s unclear whether the new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller will offer other more advanced features, such as gyro support and haptic feedback.

Hopefully, Microsoft will include TMR or at least Hall effect sticks and triggers for its new Elite 3 controller, which has become the standard with third-party pads, and even Valve’s new Steam Controller features TMR sticks. The controller’s durability will also need to be improved, as many users have encountered build quality issues with the previous pad.

We could see a full reveal of the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller at the Xbox Game Showcase on June 7, 2026, as this leak seems to be legitimate.

Up next: Forza Horizon 6 review roundup: ‘one of the greatest racing games of this generation’

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤩 Reviews for Forza Horizon 6 are now available

• 👏 The game is sitting on a Metacritic score of 91 after 47 critic reviews

• 😲 It means the game has received universal acclaim from reviewers

• 📆 Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 19, 2026

Walmart: Forza Horizon 6

Best Buy: Forza Horizon 6

GameStop: Forza Horizon 6

Amazon: Forza Horizon 6

It may no longer be an exclusive, with a PS5 version on the way, but Xbox Series X|S owners can rejoice knowing that Forza Horizon 6 is another stunning entry in the series.

The open-world racing game, which is set in Japan this year, has achieved a Metacritic score of 91 after 47 critic reviews. That’s only one point less than Forza Horizon 5, and the score could increase as more scores are tallied.

Here’s what reviewers made of the latest entry in the Forza Horizon series, which releases on May 19, 2026.

Eurogamer was one of many outlets that gave Forza Horizon 6 a perfect score, saying:

“Playground Games does it again: equal parts adept teacher and artisanal tour guide, Forza Horizon 6 takes the lessons from 14 years of series history and applies them with panache.”

Insider Gaming also thought Forza Horizon 6 was worthy of full marks, and said:

“Forza Horizon 6's Banksy-level vistas of Japan are breathtaking, and the improvements to the progression system have placed the title at the pinnacle of the racing genre once again.”

Pure Xbox said Forza Horizon 6 “delivers what is easily the seriers’ most complete experience to date” in its 9/10 review:

“The Japanese map is amazing; a joy to explore - and the location's visuals are off the charts too, across the board. Whilst I'd have liked to see a bit more in terms of new races and event types, particularly in the Tokyo region, there's still so much fun to be had here that it's more of a nitpick than anything else. Forza Horizon fans are going to have so much fun with this sixth iteration, and that's not to mention how much the game will change and evolve over time as Playground Games keeps adding to it. Horizon Japan is officially here, and I feel like I'm going to be playing this game for years to come.”

Game Informer gave Forza Horizon 6 a score of 93/100 in its review, and said:

“Even for a series built on delivering approachable racing action that appeals to both newcomers and hardcore players, Forza Horizon 6 impresses at each turn, delivering one of the greatest racing games of this generation.”

GamesRadar+ wasn’t quite as enamoured with Forza Horzion 6, but still conceded its the best game in the series yet in its 8/10 review:

“The best Forza Horizon game yet, delivering an astonishingly vast and detailed open world, filled with incredible features. With easily 100 hours of high quality solo content and infinite potential with community creations and online play, Forza Horizon 6 is a glorious showcase game for Xbox gaming. Just be warned the straight-laced racing gameplay is pretty tame compared to the genre's finest.”

Gamereactor UK was one of the few sites to award Forza Horizon 6 a lower score, saying its 6/10 review:

“Horizon 6 disappointed me. Me, who has played all six instalments in the series. I feel some of the progress Horizon 5 introduced is missing; I don't think Playground are willing enough to experiment with everything from progression to UI design; and I don't think Japan comes across well as a setting here. But conversely, this, along with the last handful of Horizon games, is one of the best arcade racers you can find, based on everything this game predictably executes so masterfully. I therefore take the liberty of recommending Horizon 6 solely on the basis that it works as well as it does, although I must once again recommend that Playground Games really take their time to be more ambitious in the future.”

Still, despite this, Forza Horizon 6 has established itself as one of the best-reviewed games of 2026. If you’re a big fan of the series and have been desperate to see a version take place in Japan, there should be a lot to love here. For those who may have had enough of the Horizon series for now, it doesn’t sound like Forza Horizon 6 will reinvent the wheel, so bear that in mind.

Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and is also part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft is also releasing a Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller and headset.

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🙌 Microsoft has added lots of new quality of life improvements for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

• 👍 For instance, a new Auto Super Resolution feature has been added to improve docked gameplay – a featured that was teased when the console was announced

• 📺 There have also been new features, such as automatic controller recognition when the handheld is docked, and automatic implementation of TV game modes

• 👏 You can now also easily add different games and custom apps from different launchers into a redesigned Xbox app

Best Buy: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X - $999

Microsoft has made some large changes to its shiny Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds in a hefty update for the product, some six months after its launch.

In a new Xbox Wire post, Microsoft says the updates aim to bring “an improved experience, especially when your device is docked to external TVs and monitors”, and true to its word, there are plenty of optimizations when playing your ROG Xbox Ally on a big screen.

For instance, when docking the handheld, it’ll default to the TV display now, and if applicable, you’ll get the optimizations afforded with modern gaming TVs, such as Auto Low Latency Mode and similar game-mode enhancements alongside options such as HDR and VRR support if the handheld is used with compatible Asus docks.

In addition, Microsoft has added a feature that if you’ve got a controller paired to the Xbox Ally and you use the handheld docked, then the controller will act as the means of using the handheld. If you’ve got more than one paired, then this’ll work for multiplayer and co-op titles.

Microsoft had previously touted Auto Super Resolution would be coming to the ROG Xbox Ally X and has finally brought it in preview for Xbox Insiders. The idea is that when the console is docked, it’ll deliver “1440p-like detail alongside smooth framerates on larger screens”, and there is Game Bar integration to give players the choice of how it’s implemented in titles.

There have also been other incremental updates, such as expanding the support for super wideband audio to the Xbox Ally with compatible headsets that support Bluetooth LE audio, and enhanced rumble and haptics for more detailed feedback.

Up next: Xbox Mode is now available on Windows 11, giving you a more console-like experience

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 😬 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has admitted that the upcoming Project Helix’s price will be affected by the ongoing memory crisis

• 📈 In a new interview, Sharma has stated that memory costs will impact both “pricing” and “availability” of the console

• 🤷‍♂️ She also refused to give a proper launch timeline for the device, given that “the world’s pretty dynamic”

• 💰 The ongoing memory crisis has severely affected the likes of Valve and Sony in recent months, with availability concerns of new hardware and price rises

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has admitted that the price of Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix, the codename for the next Xbox console, will be affected by the ongoing memory crisis.

In an interview with Stephen Totilo’s Game File (as spotted by Game Developer), Sharma was asked if memory shortages would impact the “timeline” of the next-gen hybrid console.

In response, she stated that memory costs will affect both “pricing” and “availability” of the console, and denied sharing a launch timeline for the device, given that “the world’s pretty dynamic.”

This news comes after an open letter from Sharma and Xbox’s EVP Matt Booty noted that one of the gaming division’s key goals is to “deliver Project Helix to lead in performance and play your console and PC games” as it mulls over how to revive Xbox’s fortunes with the potential return of exclusive games and more besides.

The memory crisis has already heavily affected the hardware industry, not only raising component prices for SSDs, RAM and GPUs, but having the knock-on effect of messing around with everyone from Valve to Sony.

For instance, it’s pretty well documented that it has played havoc with the Steam Machine’s price, plus Valve’s refusal to commit to a release date for both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame beyond the vague “2026” window.

Likewise, on the console side, Sony has cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” for its recent hefty PS5 price rise that saw the PS5 Pro rise to $900, and the PS5 Standard and Digital models rise to $650 and $600, respectively.

As well as affecting pricing, Sharma also stated that the memory crisis will affect the availability of Project Helix, which is why Microsoft hasn’t committed to a hard and fast release date or even a window just yet.

The hybrid console is currently tipped to release in either 2027 or 2028, by which time the memory crisis could leave hardware in an entirely different place, although we’ll have to wait and see as to how all of this affects Xbox’s grand hardware plan.

Up next: Steam Controller review roundup: ‘a massive improvement over the flawed original’

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• ✍️ New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and EVP Matt Booty have laid out grand plans to revive Xbox’s fortunes as part of a new memo sent to employees

• 🎮 It notes current issues with Microsoft’s gaming division, such as there not being enough of an Xbox presence on PC and the infrequency of new feature drops on console

• 🤲 To address this, the pair say that Xbox will be built as an “affordable, personal, and open” experience with the console at the core

• 👀 The memo also mentions that Xbox is re-evaluating its position on exclusive games, and delivering on Project Helix

Microsoft could be set to revive Xbox exclusive games, as it makes some wholesale changes to its gaming division.

As per a new Xbox Wire post that takes the form of an open letter to Xbox employees worldwide from new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and EVP Matt Booty, the pair have put forward some grand ideas to revive the fortunes of Microsoft’s gaming division.

The crux of the letter is that they want the Xbox division to focus on daily active players and prioritize four key elements – hardware, content, experiences, and services.

The pair outline key issues with the current way Xbox operates, noting that “players are frustrated” as a result of things such as “new feature drops on console have been less frequent” and that the Xbox “presence on PC isn’t strong enough”.

Likewise, “pricing is getting harder for people to keep up with. And core experiences like search, discovery, social, and personalization still feel too fragmented. Developers and publishers are asking for more, too: better tools, better insights, and a platform that helps them grow faster.”

The light at the end of the tunnel for Xbox isn’t “the same model that got Xbox to where it is today” according to the pair, and is rather the idea of Microsoft wanting to “build a global platform that connects players and creators everywhere” with the console at the core.

As per Sharma and Booty, “Xbox will be built to be affordable, personal, and open”, while offering “flexible pricing so it’s easy to get started and keep playing”.

Moreover, “the experience will adapt to you, letting you customize how you play, helping you find what you’ll love, and connecting you with the right people.”

As much as this may seem like a lot of talk and no action, we have already seen some steps taken, such as the lowering of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’s monthly cost to $23 a month from the previous $30 a month – at the expense of new Call of Duty titles not arriving on Game Pass on launch day.

There are also plans afoot for a new, more customizable Game Pass tier where fans can choose which elements they’d like, alongside an entry-level tier that’s set to bundle elements with a Discord subscription.

As part of one of the four key pillars the pair want Xbox to deliver on, they make specific reference to the goal to “deliver Project Helix to lead in performance and play your console and PC games”, confirming that the upcoming Project Helix will be a hybrid console.

Microsoft is also “reevaluating” its approach to Xbox console exclusive games or release windows, according to Booty and Sharma.

A long part of the console wars between Microsoft and PlayStation over the last three generations, we’ve seen the end of exclusivity, with former Xbox exclusives, including Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, becoming best sellers on the PS5, and even Helldivers 2 ended up on Xbox after a period of exclusivity on the PS5.

Up next: Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition Controller and Headset: price, pre-order and release date

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🎮 Microsoft has unveiled some special Xbox peripherals

• 🎨 They feature brightly coloured patterns to tie into the upcoming Forza Horizon 6 title

• 💰 The controller is priced at $89.99, with the headset priced at $134.99

• 📅 It’s scheduled to release on May 19 in the US, the same day as the game itself

Microsoft Store: Forza Horizon 6 gear

Microsoft has announced some special edition peripherals to tie into the upcoming release of Forza Horizon 6.

As per a new Xbox Wire post, Microsoft is dropping a vibrant special edition controller and a matching wireless headset that takes inspiration from the game’s setting of Japan.

Going into more detail, the post notes that the controller’s mix of cyan blue, volt green, hot pink and silver and its core design elements take inspiration from the “Touge roads of Japan. Touge – winding, narrow roads found across Japanese mountainsides – are hailed as the birthplace for drifting, so a top-down view of these exhilarating routes was the perfect homage to Japanese street racing”. It also features Forza and Horizon logos across the chassis for more detail.

The headset features a similar colorway, which Microsoft says “continues that overarching theme of the Horizon Festival, decorated with flashy transparent cyan, volt green and hot pink. The headset was created with the Forza super fan in mind, with special touches like the hot pink logo invoking pit crew aesthetics, and racetrack-inspired graphics inside the ear cups. The addition of custom sound effects enhances the experience with a more personalized feel.”

If you’ve been wondering how much the controller and headset cost, when it releases, and where you can grab one, then read on as I’ve rounded up all the important details for you.

Forza Horizon Limited Edition Controller and Headset: price

Microsoft has attached an $89.99 price tag to the Forza Horizon Limited Edition controller and a $134.99 price tag to the headset.

That’s quite a hefty increase over the normal controller and headset prices for a purely cosmetic difference, although it isn’t unreasonable considering what we’ve seen Sony charge for its special-edition controllers.

Microsoft has also teamed up with 8BitDo to offer a Charging Dock for the Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller, which costs $34.99 and ships on June 8, 2026.

Forza Horizon Limited Edition Controller and Headset: pre-order date

Both the controller and headset are available for pre-order right now in the US, and given that these are limited edition items, you’ll likely want to get your order in pretty quickly to get it on its release date.

Forza Horizon Limited Edition Controller and Headset: release date

Both the controller and headset carry a release date of May 19, 2026. It’s also the same day that Forza Horizon 6 drops, so ideal timing.

Recently, it’s been Sony that has been releasing special edition products that tie-in to upcoming game releases, such as for the God of War 20th Anniversary and 007 First Light, plus others for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and a range of accessories for Ghost of Yotei.

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 📉 Microsoft has cut the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 per month

• 💰 PC Game Pass price has also been reduced from $16.49 to $13.99 a month

• 👋 The price cut includes a caveat: new Call of Duty titles will arrive on Game Pass approximately one year after launch (the following holiday season)

• 👏 The decision is part of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s consumer-friendly initiatives and precedes the release of Forza Horizon 6

Microsoft has cut the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate after it raised the price by 50% late last year. A subscription to Microsoft’s top tier of Xbox Game Pass will now cost $22.99 per month, down from the previous price of $29.99.

PC Game Pass is also getting cut, and will now cost $13.99 a month instead of $16.49. Both price changes are effective immediately.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft explained that the price change comes with one caveat: no more Call of Duty at launch. Instead, the popular first-person shooter will come to Xbox Game Pass the following holiday season (about a year later), while existing Call of Duty titles already in the library will continue to be available.

An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price cut was heavily rumored after a memo leaked from new CEO Asha Sharma that said the service had “become too expensive for players”. Clearly, a decision has been made to bring back lapsed subscribers, though many would like to see the price cut further in favor of other “perks” being removed like free V-Bucks for Fortnite.

It’s also worth noting that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is still more expensive than it was a few years ago, even with the new price cut. However, it’s refreshing to see a subscription service drop in price for once, instead of continuing to climb to previously unthinkable levels.

The decision to lower the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate comes ahead of Forza Horizon 6’s release, which is due to be released on May 19, 2026. The Forza Horizon series remains one of Xbox’s most important and popular franchises, and will undoubtedly lead to a small boost in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

Since Sharma became CEO of Xbox, we’ve seen several consumer-friendly decisions come into effect, as Microsoft tries to reposition the Xbox brand from the brink of irrelevancy. Long-requested features are coming, like changes to Xbox Achievements, and Sharma killed off the company’s controversial “This is an Xbox” campaign. We also got confirmation of the next Xbox, codenamed Xbox Project Helix, which aims to combine the best of console and PC into one package.

Up next: NEOGEO AES+ games list: every title coming to SNK’s retro gaming console

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤔Xbox is reportedly engaged in “very big discussions” about potentially bringing back exclusive games

• 🆚 The shift comes under new CEO Asha Sharma, who is exploring whether to prioritize being an “ecosystem company” or a “publishing company.”

• 🙏 Major franchises like Call of Duty and Forza are unlikely to become exclusive, but there is a chance for single-player titles

• 📉 The previous move to multiplatform titles was controversial, boosting revenue but leading to significant declines in Xbox console sales and perceived brand devaluation

The Xbox team at Microsoft is reportedly having “very big discussions” about bringing back exclusive games after pursuing a multiplatform strategy.

According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden (thanks, Pure Xbox), internal discussions are taking place now that Xbox has a new CEO in Asha Sharma, who has already introduced some positive changes.

Speaking on The XB2 podcast, Corden said: “There are very very very big discussions about the exclusivity stuff going on right now. They do recognise the value - it’s just about what kind of company you want to be, at the end of the day. Do you want to be an ecosystem company first, or do you aspire to be a publishing company first?”

Corden also replied to a comment on X that said exclusives aren’t coming back. Corden conceded that while Call of Duty and Forza are unlikely to become exclusive again, there’s a chance single-player games could.

“Cod and Forza? No chance of going exclusive. But some single player stuff especially? I think it’ll happen.”

Microsoft slowly moved away from exclusive games, bringing titles that were previously only available on Xbox consoles and PC to PS5 and Nintendo Switch. At first, it was games that were many years old, with the promise that tentpole titles like Halo, Forza, and Gears of War wouldn’t come to PlayStation. However, that position quickly changed.

The move to go multiplatform remains extremely controversial. While it may boost Microsoft’s bottom line by bringing in more revenue, many argue it’s devalued the Xbox brand. Without exclusives, there’s no compelling reason to buy an Xbox console, and hardware sales have continued to decline significantly year-on-year.

Up next: Xbox Game Pass ‘has become too expensive for players’, says new CEO in leaked memo

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💰 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly stated in a leaked memo that Xbox Game Pass has become “too expensive for players.”

• 👍 Sharma believes Microsoft needs to provide a “better value equation” for the subscription service

• 📈 The price of the highest tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, increased significantly last year to $30 per month

• 🤔 Long-term plans include evolving Game Pass into a more “flexible system” following testing and learning

There’s been a flurry of pleasing changes at Xbox since Microsoft replaced Phil Spencer with Asha Sharma as the new CEO, and a price cut for Xbox Game Pass could be next.

In a leaked memo shared by The Verge, Sharma reportedly admitted that Xbox Game Pass has become “too expensive for players” and that Microsoft needs to deliver a “better value equation”.

Microsoft raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate significantly last year, and has introduced new tiers which only made what was once a simple to understand system needlessly convoluted.

The price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate increased by 50% to $30 per month, which Microsoft tried to offset by including more games, day one releases, and an improved version of Xbox Cloud Gaming.

However, it seemingly didn’t work, as Microsoft’s new CEO admits it’s become too expensive in the memo.

“Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation,” Sharma says in the leaked memo. “Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.”

Many speculated that adding Call of Duty into Xbox Game Pass is one of the biggest factors to why Microsoft raised the price of its subscription service.

Microsoft’s deal to purchase Activision Blizzard may have made it the biggest video game publisher in the world, but it hasn’t delivered a suite of unmissable games or many benefits for Xbox owners. The same can be said for its acquisition of Bethesda.

Whether an Xbox Game Pass price cut is coming remains to be seen, but it’s encouraging that Microsoft is at least aware that perhaps its new pricing model isn’t working as intended.

We’ve seen Sharma’s short reign introduce several improvements to the Xbox user experience and brand, including changes to Xbox Achievements and killing off the “This is an Xbox” ad campaign. Sharma also confirmed the existence of Xbox Project Helix.

Up next: How Xbox Game Pass went from ‘the best deal in gaming’ to the worst

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🏆 Xbox Achievements are receiving a visual refresh with updated icons and color-matching notifications

• 🙏 A long-requested feature is being added, allowing users to hide certain games from their Achievement history without losing Gamerscore

• 🔦 Players can now highlight and filter games they have 100% completed with a distinct visual border

• 🧪 These Achievement updates, along with other system improvements, are currently available for testing by Xbox Insiders

Microsoft’s charm offensive to win back the hearts and minds of Xbox gamers shows no signs of slowing down, as it’s now turning its attention to improving Achievements.

Xbox Achievements have largely been ignored in recent years, with vague promises that changes were coming. However, we’re now getting some pleasing improvements.

As announced on Xbox Wire, Achievements have received a visual refresh, giving them a new look and feel. The icons have been updated for when you unlock a classic or rare achievement, and notifications will also match your custom color.

Perhaps the biggest change, and one that fans have been demanding since Achievements first arrived in 2005, is the ability to hide certain games from your Achievement history. Hidden games will still count towards your total Gamerscore, but you can now hide those titles you barely played or simply regret booting up.

You’ll also be able to highlight any games that you’ve 100% completed. Games where you’ve earned every Xbox Achievement will stand out with a bold border, and you’ll also be able to filter titles by completed games. It might not be quite as appealing as Sony’s Platinum Trophy system, but it’s a start.

These changes are available for Xbox Insiders to test. The updated Achievements join other improvements coming to Xbox, including custom user colors, Quick Resume settings, and more Groups on Home.

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared on X that “a dedicated team” was created to “focus on fan feedback”.

“Here are a few Achievements updates rolling out today, more coming soon,” Sharma posted.

Up next: Save $100 on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld from Amazon with this surprise discount

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.