Windows Central Insider
Microsoft's Xbox division is responsible for a variety of gaming innovations we now take for granted. Direct-to-digital, at home cloud-based gaming multiplayer, achievements, among other things — but its subscription services are what gave Xbox it's biggest business wins.
We had Xbox Live in the past, but it has since evolved into Xbox Game Pass, a Netflix-like all-you-can-eat gaming subscription service, officially launched in 2017. The service has long been called the "best deal in gaming," although price hikes and restructures have tarnished its image throughout 2025, as analysts wonder if the deal was actually simply too good to be true.
Essential Xbox Game Pass reading
Latest about Xbox Game Pass
Xbox keeps moving forward, but the conversation around it tells a different story
Xbox A look at how Xbox’s steady progress gets overshadowed by constant negativity.
Subnautica 2 dev says it's still working with publisher Krafton despite Steam page removal
Gaming Many believe Subnautica 2 dev Unknown Worlds and publisher Krafton are severing ties, but devs have confirmed that the two are "co-publishing" the title.
Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and more are coming to Xbox Game Pass
Gaming Race against the world's greatest sports car drivers, fight off armies of demons, and uncover the mysteries of alien worlds in May 2026's first batch of new Xbox Game Pass titles.
New Halo leak claims Xbox is making Halo 2 and Halo 3 remakes after Campaign Evolved
Halo A new report claims that Xbox and Halo Studios are developing remakes for Halo 2 and Halo 3 that are similar in scope to Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Analysts react to Xbox's Game Pass price drop, believe it "should help subscriber numbers grow"
Xbox Following Microsoft's huge Xbox Game Pass price drop last week, industry analysts have reacted to the cut and say they believe it will lead to growth.
Valve's Steam Controller has more problems than just the price
PC Gaming Valve’s $99 Steam Controller raises concerns over price and limited compatibility, with PC Game Pass users facing a major drawback due to Steam-only functionality.
A quartet of games are free to play on Xbox — but only this weekend
Xbox From April 23 to April 26, 2026, Xbox players can enjoy a collection of games via Xbox Free Play Days.
Xbox has a new Game Pass tier in testing: "Starter Edition"
Xbox Ahead of an official announcement, the code for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming suggests that a new "Starter Edition" may be imminent for reveal.
