<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Xbox ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox Fri, 15 May 2026 17:39:15 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Forza Horizon 6 hits over 170,000 concurrent Steam players after the $120 early access launch, and is still riding high ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza-horizon-6-hits-over-170-000-concurrent-steam-players-after-the-usd120-early-access-launch-and-is-still-riding-high cZdi7Z6CXqHXe9KTUhJZ7f Fri, 15 May 2026 17:39:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 gets its first Festival Playlist next week, includes 10 new cars and 4 from the Car Pass — here's what's racing your way soon ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/xboxs-forza-horizon-6-gets-its-first-festival-playlist-next-week-includes-10-new-cars-and-4-from-the-car-pass ovcfyQiSPh5rkYrsVFE7UR Thu, 14 May 2026 23:41:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 leaked in new images: Microsoft's next-gen pro controller confirmed with new buttons, cloud connect, and more ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-elite-controller-series-3-leaked-in-new-images-microsofts-next-gen-pro-controller-confirmed-with-new-buttons-cloud-connect-and-more SQ5MEeWx7S8xdKmER6jkiV Thu, 14 May 2026 22:58:22 +0000 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:04:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Game Pass' Subnautica 2 blew up the Steam charts in minutes at its Early Access launch — it's peaked at nearly half a million concurrent players ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox-game-pass-subnautica-2-blew-up-the-steam-charts-in-minutes-at-its-early-access-launch r44PEJGNpEdDQHiiTHCCsn Thu, 14 May 2026 21:32:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Xbox CEO Asha Sharma polls nearly 20,000 gamers on the brand's title — I can't believe this is what players want the Xbox name to look like ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-polls-nearly-20-000-gamers-on-the-brands-title f4LEyZ59ttE9R4YoCtCca Thu, 14 May 2026 19:30:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ I can’t shake the feeling Xbox’s Project Helix has a major flaw, and Windows K2 might decide its future ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/i-cant-shake-the-feeling-xboxs-project-helix-has-a-major-flaw-and-windows-k2-might-decide-its-future kdN4mtfGct7BdxakrNCL5i Thu, 14 May 2026 19:00:53 +0000 Thu, 14 May 2026 19:04:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ Meet the Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller — New controller leaks online, and it has built-in Wi-Fi that should greatly reduce latency ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/meet-the-xbox-cloud-gaming-controller-new-controller-leaks-online-and-it-has-built-in-wi-fi-that-should-greatly-reduce-latency yQr4HxhFRu77PXf5yhhcEF Thu, 14 May 2026 17:21:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This is still very insane to see”: Halo: Campaign Evolved is stocking PS5 shelves in GameStop ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/this-is-still-very-insane-to-see-halo-campaign-evolved-is-stocking-ps5-shelves-in-gamestop QM9JnXGbrnKGyZhRwwza9g Thu, 14 May 2026 16:05:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ Warhammer Skulls 2026 is set to bring new reveals across the franchise and could shape the year ahead for fans. Here's when you can watch it. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/warhammer-skulls-2026-is-set-to-bring-new-reveals-across-the-franchise-and-could-shape-the-year-ahead-for-fans KXSPZ7XnyezWcVAnybu7eL Thu, 14 May 2026 14:09:11 +0000 Fri, 15 May 2026 10:20:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Playground does it again:” Our Forza Horizon 6 review roundup points to a major win for Xbox with the highest rated game of 2026 so far ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/playground-does-it-again-our-forza-horizon-6-review-roundup-points-to-a-major-win-for-the-legacy-racing-franchise WeP6Xviq9Fd4acxALSAoh6 Thu, 14 May 2026 13:35:12 +0000 Thu, 14 May 2026 15:09:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ Forza Horizon 6 is the "most confident, most refined, and most fun" yet — the best-looking racer on Xbox and PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/forza-horizon-6-review 57BVZoRsXrJtSAkyRPvqc5 Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 14 May 2026 12:08:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ Devolver snubs Xbox fans: "Grand finale" Talos Principle 3 will skip Xbox completely ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/devolver-snubs-xbox-fans-grand-finale-talos-principle-3-will-skip-xbox-completely qJS8rNys4cD5enbuUkhgfL Thu, 14 May 2026 10:36:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ "I just find AI to be creatively soulless": Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic director Casey Hudson won't use AI because he's "really unimpressed with it" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/star-wars-fate-of-the-old-republic-director-casey-hudson-wont-use-ai-because-hes-really-unimpressed-with-it RH4YGCMSVryec73oQTnd8e Wed, 13 May 2026 20:08:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ "A welcome change:" Xbox’s new update is making achievements feel meaningful again — thanks to Gamerscore badges ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/a-welcome-change-xboxs-new-update-is-making-achievements-feel-meaningful-again-thanks-to-gamerscore-badges WxbyCU64Woz25gfor8zug7 Wed, 13 May 2026 18:30:08 +0000 Wed, 13 May 2026 18:48:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ Start your engines, Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 release dates, launch times, and Early Access is upon us — here's when it comes out, and how to play early ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/start-your-engines-xboxs-forza-horizon-6-release-dates-launch-times-and-early-access-is-upon-us ZPcWc8Qc2VhHu7kxg8ErzQ Wed, 13 May 2026 18:29:22 +0000 Wed, 13 May 2026 18:33:32 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Project Saluki": A new Xbox Game Pass tier has been unearthed, alongside a curious "Positron" potential disc-to-digital program — and it could be huge ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/project-saluki-a-new-xbox-game-pass-tier-has-been-unearthed-alongside-a-curious-positron-disc-to-digital-program-and-it-could-be-huge zjaRuDQ7rdwtJCiaFoJCYX Tue, 12 May 2026 23:54:02 +0000 Wed, 13 May 2026 13:21:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 was the best-selling game on Steam last week, well ahead of launch — the game beating it now is another huge Xbox Game Pass title ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/xboxs-forza-horizon-6-was-the-best-selling-game-on-steam-last-week-well-ahead-of-launch jXqXZpRSF83FEq8tRDhHyP Tue, 12 May 2026 21:46:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ Minecraft: Java Edition just got two massive multiplayer features we've all wanted for years — it's finally on par with Bedrock's options, and could even work with mods ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-java-edition-just-got-two-massive-multiplayer-features-weve-all-wanted-for-years bij42wER8RZAVRLFayppjF Tue, 12 May 2026 19:20:42 +0000 Tue, 12 May 2026 19:21:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ Gears of War: E-Day's release date potential hints from an unlikely source at WWE's Triplemania PLE, and I'm not joking ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/gears-of-war-e-days-release-date-hinted-wwe-triplemania-ple xKj7agU5zwpY8eV29SVX2T Tue, 12 May 2026 10:54:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ Halo Infinite's cutscenes were building up to the canceled "Project Tatanka" Battle Royale, but it didn't have what I wanted. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/halo-infinites-cutscene-were-building-up-to-the-canceled-project-tatanka wLvXofQqHrMb3s7FLC8JgW Tue, 12 May 2026 09:26:04 +0000 Tue, 12 May 2026 09:33:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Central Podcast: How does Windows K2 impact the next Xbox? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-central-podcast-how-does-windows-k2-impact-the-next-xbox Qkag6827ZCsAbyTS558LUX Tue, 12 May 2026 00:09:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ Fallout Season 3 just added one of the best actors from my favorite TV show to its cast, and I'm ecstatic — Amazon and Bethesda can't bring it fast enough ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax-bethesda/fallout-season-3-just-added-one-of-the-best-actors-from-my-favorite-tv-show-to-its-cast-and-im-ecstatic HQuETd86fktDH3D9yo4dc6 Mon, 11 May 2026 21:51:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox and PC may get the sequel to this hit PS5 exclusive at launch — its devs are ditching Sony to "reach a broad global audience from day one" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox-and-pc-may-get-the-sequel-to-this-hit-ps5-exclusive-at-launch-its-devs-are-ditching-sony HRocBYQcxX6baPKkTk4roh Mon, 11 May 2026 20:33:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We are taking strict enforcement action": Microsoft and Xbox hardware ban a Forza Horizon 6 pirate for 8,000 years after the disastrous Steam leak, threaten more hammer swings ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/microsoft-and-xbox-hardware-ban-a-forza-horizon-6-pirate-for-8-000-years-after-the-disastrous-steam-leak-threaten-more-hammer-swings pkGE2SBFxLwjk3NP5E69sZ Mon, 11 May 2026 18:36:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This does feel a little underwhelming”: Xbox Game Pass officially joins Discord Nitro as the two platforms tighten their partnership ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/this-does-feel-a-little-underwhelming-xbox-game-pass-officially-joins-discord-nitro-as-the-two-platforms-tighten-their-partnership jX8dtrYetQHcWLeuKXNohA Mon, 11 May 2026 15:04:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ Sandisk's official Xbox Ally / X microSD card is solid — but should you actually buy it? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/sandisk-xbox-ally-x-microsd-card-hands-on vBuDU6AHaLs4jxh4XN2n4U Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Not a preload issue": Xbox responds as 'Forza Horizon 6' PC files leak in full a week before launch — and pirates already cracked it (UPDATED: Microsoft responds) ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/what-an-insane-screw-up-xbox-itself-leaks-forza-horizon-6-pc-files-in-full-a-week-before-launch-and-pirates-already-cracked-it GDuCDtJr9cud7HBDawjjyX Mon, 11 May 2026 08:33:38 +0000 Mon, 11 May 2026 20:42:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We currently only support Steam and EGS stores for PC": A major upcoming sequel ditches Xbox PC and Xbox Play Anywhere — is this an emerging trend? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-currently-only-support-steam-and-egs-stores-for-pc-a-major-upcoming-sequel-ditches-xbox-pc-and-xbox-play-anywhere QNYEZrdonq3FnRnGPNzwuK Mon, 11 May 2026 08:16:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ "62% won’t pay $70 anymore": Gen Z's shift toward Xbox Game Pass has me rethinking how we buy video games and subscriptions ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/gen-z-shift-toward-xbox-game-pass-has-me-rethinking-how-we-buy 7LJ3JrLFasKgSZ32hm8ptV Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We want a real voice”: Why developers at Double Fine are launching a union effort and what it signals for the wider Xbox ecosystem ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-want-a-real-voice-why-developers-at-double-fine-are-launching-a-union-effort-and-what-it-signals-for-the-wider-xbox-ecosystem WgWvz5itVihAEFgXQktFTJ Sat, 09 May 2026 12:59:02 +0000 Sat, 09 May 2026 14:28:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ "You had lightning in a bottle and decided to pry the lid off yourself": Helldivers 2 reviews crash to 'Mostly Negative' on Steam after controversial update and AMA, Arrowhead responds ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/helldivers-2-reviews-drop-to-mostly-negative-on-steam-after-controversial-update-and-ama-arrowhead-responds kUJtqgU7yKcj4ixs3MYgrm Fri, 08 May 2026 20:48:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox posts the Forza Horizon 6 launch trailer a week before its Early Access release date — I love this tribute to a beloved racer the series partnered with ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/xbox-posts-the-forza-horizon-6-launch-trailer-a-week-before-its-early-access-release-date USdgdQD5jpV6TLfPBnqiT7 Fri, 08 May 2026 18:44:23 +0000 Fri, 08 May 2026 22:05:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Mode on a Windows 11 PC with dual monitors is exactly what you should expect — and that’s a shame ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/xbox-mode-on-a-windows-11-pc-with-dual-monitors-is-a-shame B2YwhjbVVKyr2X4DGQkuPf Thu, 07 May 2026 20:52:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We have to sweat every single detail": Microsoft's Xbox CEO Asha Sharma vows to deliver Xbox updates every two weeks to "fix the fundamentals on console and PC" in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-vows-to-deliver-xbox-updates-every-two-weeks-to-fix-the-fundamentals g6HAFNVycYyL4jrCy8SVhb Thu, 07 May 2026 20:48:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft teases a new Xbox dashboard UI for console and PC — it's got fewer ads, and takes inspiration from Xbox Cloud Gaming too ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-teases-a-new-xbox-dashboard-ui-for-console-and-pc-its-got-fewer-ads-and-takes-inspiration-from-xbox-cloud-gaming-too DpmW8SrGpBxYX8RNA7yXfM Thu, 07 May 2026 18:39:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ The all-new Xbox achievement update is rolling out now to everyone — here’s what's changed ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-all-new-xbox-achievement-update-is-rolling-out-now-to-everyone-heres-whats-changed djkHGijiYbsDddbuXRzsGZ Thu, 07 May 2026 18:05:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Too many of us are eager to take Xbox for granted": Despite sentiment online and fears for the future — I've never been happier and more satisfied to be an Xbox gamer. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/too-many-of-us-are-eager-to-take-xbox-for-granted bTQFoqkjfEjBUPYMdnYtYL Thu, 07 May 2026 17:09:47 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 17:28:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Xbox architect Jason Ronald says we'll see more of Project Helix "later this year" — we'll know more about the next Xbox console before long ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-architect-jason-ronald-says-well-see-more-of-project-helix-later-this-year vpVZdpVreYt6RXPMxMFm4b Thu, 07 May 2026 17:03:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ A new Halo Studios report claims the Xbox studio is actively developing “Halo Next” — with fresh details on the Endless, the Flood, and Joseph Staten’s original plans. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/a-new-halo-studios-report-claims-the-xbox-studio-is-actively-developing-halo-next PsQVHq8kS8kyvqt8e8JDhL Thu, 07 May 2026 10:34:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ "They look to influencers to be told how to think": Fallout co-creator says many gamers parrot content creator opinions instead of forming their own, and I think he's 100% right ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/fallout-co-creator-says-many-gamers-parrot-content-creator-opinions-instead-of-forming-their-own HUBbMiPMYhf9FACT7yJqRS Wed, 06 May 2026 22:01:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The most fun I've had in Halo PvE in a long time": I played Halo Infinite's surprise new Gauntlet mode, and I'm hooked — it's something I've wanted for ages ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/i-played-halo-infinites-surprise-new-gauntlet-mode-and-im-hooked-its-something-ive-wanted-for-ages Yu5ZR7dkMxjbXaue8jFwzm Wed, 06 May 2026 20:39:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox continues its brand refresh with a slick new boot-up animation that leans into nostalgia and the return of "Team Green" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-continues-its-brand-refresh-with-a-slick-new-boot-up-animation rM3vXB5KqmZwbHGUXPrh6m Wed, 06 May 2026 18:00:30 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 10:40:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ The 7 most ridiculous Xbox achievements we have ever seen (and why players still chase them) ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-7-most-ridiculous-xbox-achievements-we-have-ever-seen-and-why-players-still-chase-them nGrV6QcfYmWk53aiXwU4NH Wed, 06 May 2026 17:35:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Krafton are still very much helping us": Dev of Xbox Game Pass' Subnautica 2 says it's still working with publisher Krafton despite Steam page removal ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/dev-of-xbox-game-pass-subnautica-2-says-its-still-working-with-publisher-krafton-despite-steam-page-removal vYHGiRzNkBtqWQvC7Zy4ba Wed, 06 May 2026 17:30:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ We spent a week with Xbox Mode — here is what actually works, what breaks, and what the community is saying about it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/we-spent-a-week-with-xbox-mode-here-is-what-actually-works-what-breaks-and-what-the-community-is-saying-about-it JPp2NHHP4SCx4UEhSVnpcC Wed, 06 May 2026 13:31:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox ends Copilot on console and the reasoning reveals how Asha Sharma wants to reshape the platform ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-ends-copilot-on-console-and-the-reasoning-reveals-how-asha-sharma-wants-to-reshape-the-platform ZFhPPRuGa52w94dj7dj8vL Tue, 05 May 2026 20:34:55 +0000 Tue, 05 May 2026 20:39:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Halo Infinite is not done yet”: A surprise update dropped out of nowhere and it raises new questions about the game’s future ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/halo-infinite-is-not-done-yet-a-surprise-update-dropped-out-of-nowhere-and-it-raises-new-questions-about-the-games-future KuZ8Dxm6TTq8wPZV5CBPSN Tue, 05 May 2026 20:14:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Forza Horizon 6 is driving into Xbox Game Pass this month, along with heavy hitters like Doom: The Dark Ages and Subnautica 2, and more ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza-horizon-6-is-driving-into-xbox-game-pass-this-month-along-with-heavy-hitters-like-doom-the-dark-ages-and-subnautica-2-and-more zWeseNoj5YSnspvNKhzSG8 Tue, 05 May 2026 18:58:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic announced its dev team, and it's full of Mass Effect and KotOR BioWare talent — now I'm even more excited for the RPG ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/star-wars-fate-of-the-old-republic-announced-its-dev-team-and-its-full-of-mass-effect-and-kotor-bioware-talent MumxYVKKxkPHhTtjCDNhfG Tue, 05 May 2026 18:56:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We need to evolve”: Xbox CEO overhauls leadership as Xbox's hardware future looks increasingly bleak ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-need-to-evolve-xbox-ceo-overhauls-leadership-as-xboxs-hardware-future-looks-increasingly-bleak ZMnbyNU7TtwXGy6iJimp7i Tue, 05 May 2026 18:37:40 +0000