
Samuel Tolbert
Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Bluesky @samueltolbert.bsky.social.
Latest articles by Samuel Tolbert

New Xbox games launching this week, from July 21 through July 27
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox Several new Xbox games are launching this week from July 21 through July 27, with notable releases like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers on Xbox Game Pass.

Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta co-developer Virtuos faces layoffs
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming Virtuos, a company that's worked on games like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is hit with layoffs.

ZeniMax QA testers face "rancid" work morale following Microsoft's gaming layoffs
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox ZeniMax Workers United ratified a historic contract with Microsoft just weeks before layoffs cut into the team, but the union is still pushing on.

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 is adding one amazing new feature
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming Cyberpunk 2077's next update is coming soon, bringing auto-driving, new photo mode options, and more.

Obsidian's Xbox RPG Avowed is now Steam Deck Verified
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox The latest update for Avowed brings new weapons and skills, alongside a host of bug fixes and Steam Deck Verified status.

Xbox Game Pass gets Abiotic Factor, Grounded 2, a Soulslike RPG, and more
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox More titles are headed to Xbox Game Pass in July 2025, including Abiotic Factor, Grounded 2, Robocop: Rogue City, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and more.

Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" feature comes to the Xbox PC app
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox "Stream Your Own Game" for Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to the Xbox PC app for Xbox Insider Program members.

Marvel Rivals' swimsuit lineup kicks off this week
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming Marvel Rivals' swimsuit lineup is finally close, with new outfits for Psylocke and Loki revealed ahead of a launch on July 18.

GOG is delisting two of the best indie games ever
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming GOG is delisting Playdead's Limbo and Inside, so if you want to play two of the best indie games ever, act fast.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is being fully revealed at Gamescom 2025
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox Activision, Treyarch, and Raven Software are unveiling Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 during Opening Night Live at Gamescom 2025.

Grab an Xbox Series S on sale in this anti-Prime Day deal
By Samuel Tolbert last updated
Deals The Xbox Series S is back at something resembling a decent price, but only while this anti-Prime Day deal lasts, so act fast!

Grab these 7 Xbox games all under $40 — act before Amazon Prime Day ends
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals Several Xbox games like Elden Ring are on sale for under $40, with deep discounts up to 80% off, but you need to act fast before Amazon Prime Day ends.

Split Fiction is on sale during Amazon Prime Day — save on one of the "best co-op games"
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals Split Fiction is a genre-defining co-op game, and you can save money by grabbing a physical Xbox Series X version during Amazon Prime Day.

SAG-AFTRA video game actors have approved a new agreement
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming Almost a year after the strike began, SAG-AFTRA video game actors have agreed to a new contract that includes AI protections and more.

Sea of Thieves is getting this widely-requested feature in early 2026
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox Sea of Thieves is getting custom servers, with Rare revealing that the highly-requested feature is finally coming to the Xbox pirate simulator in 2026.

Alan Wake 2 for Xbox Series X is on sale during Amazon Prime Day
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals Alan Wake 2 for Xbox Series X is on sale, bringing the full experience (including two DLCs) to a discounted price of just $38 during Amazon Prime Day.

Oblivion Remastered is getting its second big update, with fixes for this major issue
By Samuel Tolbert published
Xbox The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is getting a second major update via Steam Beta, with fixes for performance and more.

Assassin's Creed Shadows for Xbox has a fantastic Amazon Prime Day discount
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals Physical copies of Assassin's Creed Shadows for Xbox Series X are on sale thanks to Amazon Prime Day, meaning you can save on Ubisoft's best game in years.

Game subscription spending hits an all-time high in the US
By Samuel Tolbert published
Gaming Video game subscription spending reached an all-time high in the U.S. during May 2025. That's according to Circana executive director and analyst Mat Piscatella.

The gaming headset I use every day is at its lowest price ever thanks to Amazon Prime Day
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals The HyperX Cloud MIX 2 is the gaming headset I use every day thanks to its stellar battery life, and it's on sale right now for Amazon Prime Day.

This Xbox RPG is just $25 in an anti-Prime Day deal
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals Physical copies of Starfield for Xbox Series X are available for just $25 right now in a Best Buy sale ahead of Prime Day.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox gets noteworthy sale for Prime Day
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deals The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is one of the Windows Central team's favorite Xbox headsets, and you can grab it on sale right now.

RIP, Perfect Dark
By Samuel Tolbert published
Opinion Perfect Dark was my most-anticipated game from Xbox Game Studios, and its cancelation is a huge waste of potential.
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