Xbox

With Microsoft being a little bit late with its first Xbox Game Pass roundup for June, we didn't actually know what was coming to the service today ahead of time - but evidently a couple of Baldur's Gate games were part of the plans.

Specifically, Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Editions have appeared today on Xbox Game Pass, available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox Cloud Gaming. You can play them right now! Two Baldur's Gate Games Have Quietly Appeared On Xbox Game Pass (June 5) 6

Both of these games have been released separately in the past, but they're combined for the Xbox port, meaning you only need to download the one file. As the name suggests, they're both "enhanced" versions of the original Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 games from back in the late 90s / early 2000s.

We'll throw more details about these brand-new Xbox Game Pass releases down below:

"Gather your party: the RPG saga returns. Immerse yourself in an epic RPG series where every choice matters. Play over 100 hours of adventure in enhanced editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II— plus the full Siege of Dragonspear expansion!

Explore a brand new chapter in the Baldur’s Gate Saga! Siege of Dragonspear is a full expansion to Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, with 25+ hours of adventure in the classic style of the original RPG."

Just because the latest games industry showcase has PlayStation at its core, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a bunch of Xbox Series X|S games at it. In fact, there were 12 big Xbox games at the Sony State of Play for July 2025 that you definitely want to keep your eyes on!

• 12 PS5 games shown off at the latest State of Play will also launch on Xbox

• These include massive titles such as Capcom's Pragmata and IO Interactive's 007 First Light

• Some titles may also be timed exclusives for PlayStation, like Lumines Arise

The big PlayStation State of Play 2025 event aired on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, and there were a lot of highlights! Some games sadly won't be coming to Xbox anytime soon — those lucky PS5-owning ducks will get to keep cool games like Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls and Nioh 3 all to themselves (and PC users).

Still, if we discount the old PS1 and PS2 games revealed for PS Plus during the showcase, the majority of titles revealed during State of Play are also coming to Xbox. Plus, there's every chance certain third-party games like Lumines Arise and Baby Steps will eventually come to Xbox Series X|S. So, even with this many games to watch out for, there might be even more tucked away in this showcase.

At any rate, check out the 12 State of Play games confirmed for Xbox Series X|S below.

007 First Light

• We can't wait to see how those 007 First Light achievements turn out

• Release Date: TBA 2026

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|Sm

We hardly need to dwell on it — 007 First Light was by far the best-looking game at this year's State of Play. How much of what we saw counts as gameplay aside, IO Interactive's "Project 007" promises an abundance of exciting Bond scenarios, and having cut their teeth on the brilliant Hitman series, we have every faith this is going to be a banger. It's coming to Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

• No waiting around for those Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles achievements!

• Release Date: September 30, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Doth mine eyes deceive me? A Final Fantasy game announced at a PlayStation showcase that's also launching on Xbox the same day? It looks like Square Enix was true to its word when it said platform exclusive launches were a thing of the past. What a great title to help usher in this new era, too.

Originally released on PS1, Final Fantasy Tactics is often hailed as one of the greatest games of all time — a tactical strategy game with a story that's not to be missed. How it holds up by today's gaming masses remains to be seen, but the important detail here is that Xbox players will finally get to see what all the fuss was about after decades of PlayStation exclusivity.

Pragmata

• At long last, those Pragmata achievements might finally be coming to Xbox

• Release Date: TBA 2026

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

The white whale of current-gen gaming, Capcom's Pragmata was announced all the way back in 2020, and the last we heard from the title, it had been delayed indefinitely. Now, at Sony's latest State of Play, the title finally re-emerges with some cool third-person shooting gameplay and a return of the well-trodden daddy-daughter trope of the Xbox 360 era.

Capcom is reportedly looking to set this franchise up as one of its mainstays for the foreseeable future, so you have to presume its got some mind-blowing concepts tucked away in Pragmata. At any rate, we'll be able to find out for ourselves on Xbox Series X|S when this launches next year.

Romeo is a Dead Man

• Romeo is a Dead Man achievements are sure to be a little wacky

• Release Date: TBA 2026

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Looks like NetEase has gifted Suda51 and his studio Grasshopper Manufacture a sack full of cash because this game somehow looks more No More Heroes than even No More Heroes 3. The shifting art style, goofy humor, and action all signal a potentially great time. I'm excited to see more of Romeo is a Dead Man before it hits Xbox Series X|S next year.

Silent Hill f

• We got a release date for those Silent Hill f achievements

• Release Date: September 25, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Easily the most exciting entry in the Silent Hill series for quite some time, Silent Hill f looks disgustingly tense every time we get a look at it. We already knew this one was coming to Xbox Series X|S, but we now know that it'll launch on Thursday, September 25, 2025. So, you can count down the last of your restful nights before this comes out and you start sleeping with the lights on.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement

• The new Castlevania returns next year with Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement achievements to unlock

• Release Date: TBA 2026

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Koji Igarashi's Castlevania successor Bloodstained is set to return, and I have to say, the sequel's looking much sharper visually than the first outing. It looks like that surprisingly late Bloodstained 1 multiplayer update was really just a test to ensure Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement launched with 2-player support on day one. It'll be out on Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026.

Tides of Tomorrow

• Keep an eye on those multiplayer Tides of Tomorrow achievements!

• Release Date: February 24, 2026

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

This fascinating adventure game from the makers of Road 96 puts forth an interesting concept where you follow the story decisions of another real-life player, deal with their clumsy mistakes, and then presumably set the foundation for another player to do the same with your playthrough.

That intriguing idea mixed with a Waterworld-esque setting definitely makes Tides of Tomorrow an intriguing Xbox Series X|S game to watch out for.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

• Don't expect no escapin' apes with these Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater achievements

• Release Date: August 28, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Now, while I have included the latest Metal Gear Solid Delta trailer above, please keep in mind that the Xbox Series X|S version will not have the iconic Ape Escape minigame which is teased at the end. Instead, it'll reportedly get something similar, with rumors suggesting Bomberman might be the Xbox replacement.

That said, the game is still looking shockingly faithful to the original Snake Eater, to the point where even I — an MGS Delta skeptic — have to admit it looks real good. It'll be out on Xbox Series X|S on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection

• Those Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection achievements are sure to be a gory blast from the past

• Release Date: TBA 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

Digital Eclipse have been absolutely killing it with their recent string of documentary games. Atari 50, The Making of Karateka, Llamasoft, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition, Tetris Forever — right now, no one is making video game preservation look nearly as effortless as this studio.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection will hit Xbox Series X|S later this year and bring with it the first four Mortal Kombat titles — including home console and arcade versions for each title. It looks like an absolute treasure trove for old-school fans and gaming history buffs alike, and I can't wait.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

• Digimon Story: Time Stranger achievements will make champions of you yet

• Release Date: October 3, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Don't panic — the Persona title masquerading as a Digimon game is still absolutely coming to Xbox Series X|S. We learned at the State of Play that this new entry in the turn-based RPG side of the franchise will launch on Friday, October 3, 2025. I'm sure by then we'll know who these new characters are and what on Earth they're talking about.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

• We've got a release date for those Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound achievements!

• Release Date: July 31, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

In case you forgot, the excellent new 2D Ninja Gaiden game from Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen is also coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One! Ragebound continues to look drop-dead gorgeous, and we now know it won't be long until it's on our screens — it launches Thursday, July 31, 2025.

FBC: Firebreak

• One last reminder for those upcoming FBC: Firebreak achievements on Game Pass

• Release Date: June 17, 2025

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

Making a very short appearance at Sony's State of Play was FBC: Firebreak — the multiplayer shooter from Alan Wake II's Remedy Entertainment. If you're an Xbox fan who saw the footage and got a little bit jealous, you absolutely should not be. This title launches day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, so you can dive in alongside all those PS Plus players.

Today, developer Game Science announced it will be launching its action role-playing game ‘Black Myth: Wukong‘ onto the Xbox platform on the 20th of August—with pre-orders beginning on the 18th of June. Devices are not fully confirmed as of this writing, but presumably the game will only launch on Xbox Series consoles.

Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.

Have a gander below for more details on Black Myth: Wukong and its Xbox release. The game first launched on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 consoles last year to sales acclaim, particularly on PC. In addition, a discount is set to go out for all platforms the 18th of June.

GameScience, the Chinese developer and publisher behind Black Myth: Wukong, today announced that its acclaimed ARPG will receive its first-ever discount across all platforms starting 00:00 CST (UTC+8) on June 18, 2025. On the same day, long-awaited Xbox pre-orders will open ahead of the console launch on August 20, 2025; pre-order pricing will match the promotional sale price. Full details on editions and purchasing options will be posted on the official website of Black Myth: Wukong when the promotion goes live.

Black Myth: Wukong was released on August 20, 2024 and received its first free DLC on December, adding an all-new combat challenge. According to official figures, the game sold 10 million copies across all platforms within its first three days. It also set the record for the highest concurrent-player peak ever achieved by a single-player title on Steam according to SteamDB.

Black Myth: Wukong combines rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and a unique take on the ARPG formula, utilizing frenetic combat and a robust upgrade system to create an unforgettable narrative-driven gaming experience.

Assume the mantle of the Destined One and brandish Wukong’s Jingubang to battle a legion of formidable yaoguais. Weave together a volatile arsenal of Spells, Transformations, and Vessels to forge a battle strategy perfectly attuned to your style.

Key Features:

Breathtaking Fusion of Eastern Myth & Visual Realism

Roam living tableaux where timeless legends meet a hyper-detailed art style—verdant forests, cloud-piercing peaks, forgotten temples, and shadowed caverns rendered with cinematic fidelity.

Mystical Beings — Intelligent and Formidable

Confront a host of entities inspired by Journey to the West—yaoguais, immortals, and more, whether vicious or benevolent. Each opponent arrives with their own lore, tactics, and surprises, turning every encounter into a fresh trial of insight and skill.

Dynamic Combat, Endless Strategy

Master staff techniques as you chain Spells, Transformations, and Vessels, sculpting a unique fighting style to outsmart even the fiercest adversaries.

Cinematic Storytelling & Complex Foes

Encounter adversaries whose ambitions, regrets, and rivalries drive the drama as much as their claws and steel. From the opening cut-scene to the last showdown, peel back the layers of each foe’s past and uncover the forces that set them on your path.

The discount campaign will begin rolling out on all platforms at 00:00 CST (UTC+8) on June 18, 2025. Exact start and end times may vary by storefront.

In North America, the Standard and Deluxe digital editions are priced at US$59.99 and US$69.99 on PlayStation®5, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). During the 20%-off promotion, the Standard Edition drops to US$47.99, while the Deluxe Edition falls to US$55.99. For pricing in other regions, please refer to your local store.

Digital pre-orders for Black Myth: Wukong Xbox editions open at 00:00 (UTC+8) on June 18, ahead of its full release on August 20, 2025. Xbox pre-orders also benefit from the same 20%-off discount, available from 00:00 (UTC+8) on June 18 to 00:00 (UTC+8) on July 11.

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

Activision already has a bad reputation for the aggressive monetization of the premium Black Ops 6 and its free-to-play battle royale Warzone, but this latest move may have tipped some players over the edge.

Following the launch of Season 4, adverts for weapon bundles can be seen in the build and weapon menus. These are unavoidable for players as they tinker with their loadouts.

Elsewhere, Activision has added bundle and Battle Pass advertisements to the Events tab, another controversial change that has caused complaints.

Here’s a snippet of the response, sourced from across Call of Duty subreddits, Discords, and social media:

• I wouldn't even be mad if this was just in Warzone, a free game, but putting it in a pay-to-play premium title, with how expensive they're getting? F**k off.

• This game is still 80€ I get that they make most of their money from the store, but I feel like the bare minimum for a premium product would be to not have ads clogging the menus right?

• At this point it really feels like opening up a mobile game with how much more you see an option to buy anything in this game.

• Anyone who wanted this bundle would've checked the store and bought it. Putting it here isn't gonna make more people buy it, its just annoying.

• Just wait until they add pop up ads for bundles while you are playing the game.

Call of Duty has had its monetization crises in the past, of course. Players are used to battle passes, premium battle passes, and even more expensive versions of premium battle passes on top of the $70 (soon to be $80) cost of entry. But there is a growing feeling that the franchise’s microtransaction strategy has become even more aggressive following Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

And it’s worth noting that earlier this month, Activision abandoned Warzone Mobile, the game that was meant to lead the battle royale into a new era, with an admission it had not met expectations.

IGN has asked Activision for comment.

The Witcher 3 is getting one more patch later in 2025, bringing cross-platform mod support to the game and making mods available on consoles for the very first time.

CD Projekt announced the patch as part of the celebrations of The Witcher 3’s 10th anniversary. It will introduce cross-platform mod support for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S later this year. “For the first time, creating, sharing, and enjoying mods for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be easier and more accessible than ever,” CD Projekt said.

Cross-platform mod support will be released in a game update released later this year. You’ll need to have a mod.io account and connect it to your CD Projekt Red account in order to access cross-platform mod support. Existing modding services can still be used, meaning players do not need to use mod.io to upload and download mods for The Witcher 3. However, to access mods on consoles, mod.io is required.

It’s worth noting that while Xbox Series X and S and PS5 players can enjoy playing the myriad mods available through cross-platform mod support, mods must be created with a mod creator like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt REDkit on PC.

It’s a fantastic update for the 10-year-old game, which remains hugely popular and maintains a healthy number of players even now, a decade after launch.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is now up to an incredible 60 million copies sold. The 60 million figure includes sales of the base game and the GOTY version, but excludes expansions sold separately. It’s close to overtaking the latest sales figure we have for Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard said Skyrim had sold over 60 million copies. So, we now have a potential tie for the best-selling role-playing game of all time.

Here’s Adam Badowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt, on The Witcher 3 sales milestone:

Without a doubt, the third part of Geralt’s adventures marks a pivotal point in our history. The game earned hundreds of awards and solidified our studio’s standing, but more importantly, it brought untold hours of adventures and emotions to millions of games the world over. I am proud to announce that since its release The Witcher 3 has sold over 60 million copies, securing a place among the bestselling video games in all history, and motivating us to carry on with intensive work on the next trilogy set in this universe. That’s a reference to The Witcher 4, which is currently in full production. 422 out of 730 developers at CD Projekt are working on the sequel, which won’t be out until 2027 at the earliest.

Microsoft has reportedly "sidelined" the development of its long-teased first-party handheld gaming device as it focuses its attention on third-party portable opportunities, including ASUS' Project Kennan, which is supposedly still due this year.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer first discussed an Xbox handheld back in 2017, when he revealed Microsoft had "roughly designed" one in the past, and it's a subject he's repeatedly returned to in recent years, fuelling speculation the project had been revived. Then, this March, Windows Central reported Microsoft had settled on a multi-pronged handheld strategy, and would be teaming up with a third-party to release an Xbox-branded portable gaming PC this year under the codename Kennan while it worked on its own internally developed device to release alongside an Xbox Series X/S successor in 2027.

Now, though, Windows Central claims Microsoft has had a bit of a strategic rethink, and development of its own handheld device has been "sidelined". According to the publication's source, the company has internally announced it'll instead "prioritise its teams to improve Windows 11 gaming performance, specifically for devices like the ASUS partner device Project Kennan" (NB. the site originally reported this under the name "Keenan" back in March, but has since updated its original story). It doesn't sound like Microsoft is completely abandoning its own handheld plans, however; Windows Central says the company "still has big ambitions and is investing heavily to deliver a native Xbox handheld", but third-party devices and Windows 11 improvements will be where it focuses its resources for now.

As for Project Kennan specifically, the website claims it's "essentially finished" on the hardware side, but that there's currently a "significantly boosted effort" between Microsoft's Xbox and Windows teams to "improve the experience on the software side". The plan, however, is that the Xbox-branded ASUS device will still launch "later this year".

Microsoft's decision to refocus on providing adequate infrastructure for Windows 11-powered third-party devices is perhaps not entirely surprising given increasing competition elsewhere; back in January, Valve announced it's been working to bring SteamOS, which powers Steam Deck, to third-party handheld gaming, and the operating system is now available on a variety of devices, including recently released official partner machine, the Lenovo Legion Go S.

Beyond its handheld plans, Microsoft continues to developed its Xbox Series X/S successor, which Xbox president Sarah Bond previously claimed would deliver "the largest technical leap that you will have ever seen in a hardware generation." According to Windows Central, there are currently "three prototype devices in development for Microsoft's Gen-10 effort", and the company is also said to be working on "next-gen Xbox cloud systems" to bring latency more in line with NVIDIA's GeForce Now service.

As for games, we'll know more about Xbox's future slate once this year's Xbox Games Showcase airs on Sunday, 8th June at 6pm UK time. Eurogamer will, of course, have news from that and more as the Summer Game Fest season gets underway next week.

This is going to sound like an advertisement, but for anyone streaming Xbox games to Apple devices, I cannot recommend OneCast enough.

Since Microsoft removed the remote play option from the official Xbox app on Apple devices, I’ve had no end of trouble trying to use their new web offering, with it constantly requiring me to sign back in to my Microsoft account when using an iPad.

I’ve had OneCast on my AppleTV upstairs for a long time since there’s no official way from Microsoft to stream from your Xbox or access cloud gaming there. Up until the last month or so, OneCast only supported remote streaming from your Xbox, but after a recent update the app has been overhauled and now allows you to play cloud gaming too. I’ve since put it on my other Apple devices because the experience vs the official “apps” is considerably better.

Combined with higher quality streaming, no performance issues, a simple interface, the ability to restart the Xbox remotely to resolve connection issues, and a consistent experience across iPhone, iPad and AppleTV, OneCast is incredible. While not free, the one-time lifetime licence is so much better than had they demanded a subscription for the app.

For info, my setup is a Series X wired to the router, and an AppleTV, iPad and iPhone on 5GHz Wi-Fi, with FFTP, and the experience is superb.

I have a very old external HDD I'm using to transfer games but it takes like 15 minutes for 75 GB game. It averages around 620Mb/s. And it's only 1tb

What is something you guys would recommend?

Also do you think it's worth spending money on the WD black card? Need a external for my laptop as well

Relic Entertainment is giving its much-loved real-time strategy game Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War a bit of modern day makeover for a Definitive Edition that's scheduled to arrive on GOG and Steam later this year. Additionally, a Space Marine 1 re-release is on the way.

Starting with Dawn of War, it originally launched in 2004, casting players (in the single-player campaign, at least) as the Space Marines' Blood Ravens 3rd Company, charged with defending the planet Tartarus from Ork invaders. But away from the campaign, players also got to test their skills controlling the Orks, Eldar, and Chaos. "It's a perfect gaming world," Keiron Gillen wrote in Eurogamer's 8/10 review back in the day, "being exploited perfectly, for the first time."

Skip ahead 20 or so years, and it's time to do it all again, thanks to the newly unveiled Dawn of War - Definitive Edition. This bundles together the base game alongside its three expansions - Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, and Soulstorm - all of which equates to "four Classic Dawn of War Campaigns, nine Armies, and over 200 maps", according to Relic.

And because it's now 2025 and computers have come on a bit since Eric Prydz's Call On Me was at number one, there's also 4K support, upscaled textures (4x the originals), an enhanced battlefield camera, "optimised" HUD and screen layouts for widescreen viewing, plus improvements to world lighting, units reflections, and shadows. Additionally, the Definitive Edition remains compatible with "over 20-years of lovingly crafted community mods".

Dawn of War's Definitive Edition - which doesn't have a release date yet - isn't the only Warhammer glow-up announced as part of today's Warhammer Skulls showcase. The original Space Marine is also set to return as an enhanced Master Crafted Edition, being handled by developer SneakyBox. This "thoughtful restoration" of the 2011 PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 shooter features 4K resolution support, modernised controls, an interface overhaul, improved character models, remastered audio, all previously released DLC, and more. It costs £34.99 and launches for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Game Pass on 10th June.

A variety of new updates are available this month across our gaming platforms. Coming today, Retro Classics games are available to play for Xbox Game Pass members. Players who stream on the Xbox app on PC now have an additional streaming option with GeForce Now. Game Bar introduces quick settings, visual updates for Widgets in Compact Mode, and coming soon, Microsoft Edge Game Assist, an in-game browser that brings an immersive game-centric experience to Edge. And Xbox gift cards can now be redeemed for any amount via Xbox Rewards. Read more about these and other exciting updates below.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Retro Classics, a collaboration between Xbox and Antstream Arcade, available to play for Game Pass members globally. Starting today, Game Pass members can dive into a collection of 50+ classic Activision games from the ’80s and ’90s, including beloved titles like Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall! This initiative is a step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility, allowing players to experience many timeless games on modern devices.

With Retro Classics, Game Pass members can expect a seamless gaming experience across console, PC, and on supported devices with cloud gaming. Whether playing on Xbox console, the Xbox app on PC, or streaming on supported LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets, Retro Classics offers a versatile and accessible way to enjoy these nostalgic titles. Game Pass members can access Retro Classics through their Game Pass membership by searching and installing the feature via their console or on the Xbox app on PC. Additionally, players can take on friends, rivals, or the entire world with unique challenges. For the achievement hunters, there are some great new ones to collect, and for newer players, the ability to save and reload your progress, a first for many classic titles.

Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has discussed the hot-button issue of pricing in the video game industry, saying prices have consistently gone down over the years, adjusted for inflation, while also claiming the company is not attempting to nickel and dime players to maximize profits.

Speaking to GI.biz, Zelnick said his ambition is for people who buy Take-Two's games to feel like they're coming out ahead in terms of the value proposition.

"Our job is not to turn a consumer upside down, shake them, and see how much change comes out of their pockets. Our job is to create the very best entertainment. If we do that, the revenue will take care of itself," he said.

Not everyone would agree that Take-Two is executing against this directive, as 2K's annual NBA 2K franchise is criticized every year for its ubiquitous microtransactions. Despite that, sales of NBA 2K25--the newest entry--are strong, reaching nearly 10 million units, Zelnick said.

Take-Two currently makes most of its money from what it calls "recurrent consumer spending," which includes revenue from virtual currency, add-on content, in-game purchases, and in-game ads. For Take-Two's latest quarter, revenue from recurrent consumer spending jumped by 14% and made up 77% of Take-Two's entire net revenue. NBA 2K25 was one of the top contributors in this department.

Also in the interview, Zelnick discussed the current pricing environment for video games, with companies like Nintendo and Microsoft beginning to charge $80 for new games. Zelnick said when adjusted for inflation, pricing for new releases has declined for the past 20 years. Indeed, $60 in the '90s is about $80 today, adjusted for inflation.

Zelnick declined to say if Take-Two will follow suit and begin charging $80 for new games, but instead spoke about how his aim is to "maximize the value being delivered, and then offer that value at a meaningfully reduced cost."

"That's our job. I do think that the value that is offered is massive and growing, and that is our job," he said.

On the subject of Mafia: The Old Country bucking the trend and selling for $50, Zelnick said this was an intentional pricing decision made with the aim of getting the game "into as many hands as possible." The Old Country is a linear, non-open-world title that doesn't require a massive time commitment. 2K has said it believes there is an audience for just such a game.

Another upcoming 2K game, Borderlands 4, launches in September but has no price as of yet. Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford said even he doesn't know what the price will be.

GTA 6 launches in May 2026, and many are expecting it to sell for a higher price point, though not everyone agrees that it will be $100. According to industry experts, the data shows that people are already embracing paying more for video games, which may help explain why Nintendo and Microsoft were the first to move to higher price points. Sony has warned it might raise prices, too.

This guy is hilariously out of touch.

It's been announced today that your Xbox console's home screen is getting three new personalisation options in the near future, and two of them are actually rolling out to Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Xbox Insiders this week.

Team Xbox says it's responding to direct feedback with this update:

"We’ve heard from many of you that Home should feel more like your space. Whether it’s surfacing your favorite games, hiding what you don’t use, or simply making Home feel less crowded, this update is a direct response to that feedback."

So, beginning this week, some Xbox Insiders will be able to hide system apps (such as Netflix, Microsoft Edge, etc.) on an Xbox console's home screen, as well as pin up to three favourite games to the home screen permanently.

Then, in the near future, you'll be able to reduce the number of tiles in the recently played games and apps list, allowing you to see more of the background and ultimately "streamline" how the dashboard looks.

Here's exactly how Microsoft is describing these three personalisation options on the Xbox website:

• Hide System Apps – Want a cleaner view focused on your games and entertainment? You can now hide system apps from the recently played games and apps list on Home, reducing clutter and keeping your Home focused on what matters most to you.

• Pin Favorites to Home – You can now pin up to three of your recently played games or apps directly to the recently played games and apps list. These pins will stay near the front of the list as you launch other things, giving you quick access to your go-to titles.

• Reduce Tile Count (Coming Soon!) – Prefer a more minimal look? This setting allows you to reduce the number of visible tiles in the recently played games and apps list, helping you streamline your Home and surface only the essentials. We’re still refining this setting, and it will be coming soon.

There's no word yet on when these features will expand to all Xbox users, but we expect it'll happen at some point over the next few weeks. Before then, they'll likely roll out to all tiers of Xbox Insiders on a gradual basis.

It's almost that time of the year again! The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 is just around the corner, and it's set to be joined by a barrage of other showcases at the same time - many of which will feature Xbox-related reveals as well.

This is all part of Summer Game Fest season, previously known as E3 season, with pretty much every showcase taking place within just a few days (or even hours) of each other. It all kicks off with Summer Game Fest Live on June 6th, while other particularly notable events include the Future Games Show, the PC Gaming Show (hopefully featuring some PC Game Pass reveals) and the yet-to-be-announced Ubisoft Forward show.

Obviously the main event for us is the Xbox Showcase though, followed by the Outer Worlds 2 Direct! Related Articles

We're going to provide a more comprehensive look at all of next month's Xbox-related showcases nearer the time and when they've all been announced, but for now, here's what's been confirmed for Summer Game Fest 2025 so far:

Access-Ability Summer Showcase (Friday, June 6) - 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 4pm BST

Summer Game Fest Live (Friday, June 6) - 2pm PDT / 5pm EDT / 10pm BST

Day of the Devs (Friday, June 6) - 4pm PDT / 7pm EDT / 12am BST

Wholesome Direct (Saturday, June 7) - 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 5pm BST

Future Games Show (Saturday, June 7) - 1pm PDT / 4pm EDT / 9pm BST

Xbox Games Showcase (Sunday, June 8) - 10am PDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm BST

PC Gaming Show (Sunday, June 8) - 12pm PDT / 3pm EDT / 8pm BST

Naturally, we'll be covering as many of these showcases as we can here at Pure Xbox in June, providing you with recaps for all the Xbox (and PC Game Pass) reveals as they're announced over a very busy few days.

Before we get there, it's also worth noting that the Warhammer Skulls showcase is taking place next week on May 22nd, and we're expecting a few Xbox reveals at that event as per-usual too.

So, are you ready for a crazy June? Excited for the Xbox Showcase? Come tell us in the comments below!

Avowed's already a bit of a winner, but Obsidian Entertainment has pledged to make its acclaimed RPG even better over the remainder of 2025. As per the studio's latest development roadmap, a new game plus, photo mode, and more are all on the horizon, and that's alongside the additions now available in its newly-released 1.4 update.

Avowed's 1.4 patch is available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S, introducing a range of tweaks and improvements. Top of the list is a new Arachnophobia safe mode, for players wanting to experience the game without the creeping threat of spindly legs and eight piercing eyes. This option can be switched on via the accessibility menu and replaces spider enemies with round, floating - and delightfully rainbow-hued - orbs.

That's alongside a range of quality of life improvements including mouse and keyboard support for Xbox, additional gold and crafting materials, and unique gear improvements. Obsidian has also highlighted a number of changes introduced based on community feedback: critters can now be defeated, with a chance they'll drop loot; time can be advanced by waiting at the Party Camp; new optional settings enable players to view chests on the minimap or cancel Bow and Arquebus power attacks; Soul Pads now dispel illusions, and there are fog of war improvements too. Full patch notes are available on Obsidian's forum.

So that's that for update 1.4, but Obisidian has also now confirmed more's on the way as 2025 continues. The studio has so far outlined two additional updates for the year, one coming this summer and another this "fall". Avowed's summer update will, for instance, include cooking and crafting improvements, new NPC abilities and behaviours, new active and passive abilities, new unique weapons and armour, plus custom map markers.

Then, as the nights start drawing in and the scent of autumn fills the air, Avowed players can look forward to some pretty significant new additions. A new game plus mode is top of the list, followed by a photo mode, and a new weapon type. Obsidian is also teasing new character presets, more Godlike feature presets, and the ability to change appearance in-world.

"We also want to acknowledge our players in Korea, Japan, and French-speaking regions," the studio adds in its latest blog post. "We know how important it is to experience a game in your preferred language, and we are actively working on localised versions for Korean and Japanese, along with ongoing improvements for French. We're committed to delivering these updates as soon as they are ready, and we deeply appreciate your patience and support as we make sure they meet the quality you deserve."

Mike Kayatta, game director of Remedy’s upcoming FBC: Firebreak, supports the notion of making games "that respect player time and don't try to overcharge."

This suggestion comes in the wake of a flurry of recent games successfully being released at a lower price point than we’ve come to expect. These include two of the most critically acclaimed titles of the year so far, Split Fiction and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which have sold over 4 million and 2 million copies respectively so far this year.

It’s a pattern that both Mafia: The Old Country – recently revealed to cost $50 when it launches on August 8 – and FBC: Firebreak will be hoping to continue.

Launching on June 17, 2025 and costing $39.99/£32.99 (as well as on both Game Pass and PS Plus), Firebreak is looking towards this newly emerging mid-tier space between wildly budgeted AAA games and indies to find its success. It’s a notion that Kayatta explained to IGN:

“I read somebody describe this recently in a very eloquent way as game developers building cathedrals competing to build these more and more complex, beautiful, expensive things," Kayatta said.

“And it's gotten to the point where you've got a lot of games that cost half a billion dollars to make. And then, of course, when you get into marketing and promotion, I mean, the amount of money involved is staggering. And that can produce some incredible, incredible experiences that I am very thankful exist, but only some of those can exist, and everyone can't compete in that space."

Kayatta continued: “And then on the other side, you've got all of these incredible indie developers. Everything from Inscryption to Stardew Valley to Blue Prince feel like they come out of nowhere and light the world on fire. But then I do think we're seeing that emergence of that middle ground now of, it's messy to call it AA, right? But it is something kind of new. It’s not quite God of War Ragnarok or GTA 6, but it's also something more than a Slay the Spire. And that's not a comment on either end of those spectrums. Those are fantastic games, but it does feel like there is something kind of emerging in the middle, at least to me.

"If it's the future, I'm not sure. I wouldn't say in the sense that it implies that that's where all games need to go, but this idea of a responsible team size, a responsible budget, a responsible amount of time to develop a game, just get it out there, make something that respects player time and don't try to overcharge and don't try to be greedy with time. I do think there's a space for it, and we're trying to touch on it with this game.”

That respect for players’ time and money goes hand-in-hand with Remedy’s all-in-one approach to Firebreak. This is a game you pay once for and get everything for that $40. The idea of a free-to-play model was something never even entertained by the team.

“A lot of that has to do with reducing FOMO (the fear of missing out), which I think has kind of infected a lot of modern games," stated Kayatta.

“And by the way, that's not a blanket statement. I think a lot of games are able to use FOMO to be exciting. So I'm just saying that for this game in particular, it didn't work for us, but it's not just about monetization, I think it's about the value that the game has. So one example would be, I don't know if you've ever played Path of Exile, for example, and you open up that skill tree and you see 10,000 things that you're going to be able to do.

“And for a type of person, they're really excited, like look at that depth and look how many hours I've got, all these other things. And then for another type of person, they're looking at that saying, 'I will never extract the value from this game even if I want to.' And even if those devs, and this is no longer a comment about Path of Exile, which I love by the way, even if you say, 'Well, but you don't have to interact with those systems, you can still have fun.' That may be true, but the minute you see those systems exist, you're instantly put into that frame of reference where you say, 'There is something that I'm not getting from this, and that just feels bad.'

"So for us, we wanted to make sure that the game, both from the way we monetize it, we don't do daily check-ins, timed battle passes, all that other stuff that dictates your time. There's that side.

“But the other side, too, is that we don't want to present a game that feels so complex, like, oh, if you don't come back and do six more sessions, you're not going to be able to do this, and progression's important. You feel like you're accomplishing something over time. So we definitely have that, and we definitely wanted to have a strong meta game, but we also just wanted to keep things feeling like, you know what? I get as much out of this as I want at any given time, and at any given moment, I have the complete experience.”

Firebreak will be hoping to capture both fans of Remedy’s uniquely weird work and fans of co-op shooters alike when it launches on June 17. For an in-depth look at how it’s shaping up, check out our hands-on preview.

The Sinking City Remastered - the Unreal Engine 5 spruce-up of developer Frogwares' 2019 Lovecraft-inspired detective adventure - has slithered out of its tenebrous seclusion sooner than expected, and is available now for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

For the uninitiated, The Sinking City tells the story of troubled private investigator Charles Reed as he travels to the supernaturally flooded city of Oakmont, Massachusetts, in search of a way to quell his hellish visions. There's a bit of gunplay as the cosmic horror begins to take hold, but mostly it's a game of exploration and investigation, playing out across a series of open-ended cases and the titular open world.

All that's true of The Sinking City Remastered, of course, but Frogwares is also promising an "upgraded visual experience alongside some requested quality-of-life features". There's talk of enhanced and fully relit locations with additional levels of detail and objects, for instance, alongside 4K textures, improved reflections, "various" gameplay adjustments, and new accessibility features. There's also a photo mode and, on PC at least, support for the likes of DLSS, FSR and TSR upscaling.

To mark The Sinking City Remastered's arrival, Frogwares has released a new trailer showcasing some of the differences between the 2019 original and its new Unreal Engine 5 update. And if that's got you in the mood for some eldritch adventuring, The Sinking City Remastered gets its digital release today on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S - and it'll be available as a free upgrade for all existing owners.

Frogwares' remaster comes ahead of The Sinking City 2, which was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter earlier this year. The sequel is again set in 1920s America, but this time sees players exploring the flooded streets and crumbling buildings of Arkham in an survival horror-style adventure said to shift away from the deduction focus of its predecessor in favour of combat and exploration.

All this activity follows Frogwares' lengthy dispute with publisher Nacon over the rights to the original The Sinking City. Since a resolution was last year, the studio has taken over as The Sinking City's publisher, updated the Steam build, and released new DLC. The Ukrainian studio also found time to crowdfund and release 2023's Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, as it continued to adjust to life during Russia's ongoing invasion.

"We plan to do big things with The Sinking City IP, starting with the sequel and then beyond," Frogwares publishing director Sergiy Oganesyan wrote in a statement accompanying today's remaster news. "So, after our rather well-known struggles with the original, it feels amazing to have this positive moment be part of the game's twisted history and for us to be the ones to fully decide it. Making it free to all our existing fans is our way of giving back to them for having supported us all this time through thick and thin."

Mafia: The Old Country is not following Mafia III's open-world format but will instead take the shape of a "linear, narrative-driven" experience, according to 2K Games.

The publisher confirmed this in an FAQ that was published today alongside news of the game's release date and a new gameplay trailer. Additionally, Mafia: The Old Country is bucking a AAA trend and will sell for $50 (a more expensive, digital-only Deluxe edition is also going to be available).

"We think there's a large audience for compelling stories that don't require massive time commitments," 2K President David Ismailer said in a press release. "We're excited to offer a game like Mafia: The Old Country in our portfolio, and to provide a linear highly-polished narrative experience that can easily complement the other more persistent games our players also love and engage with on a more consistent basis."

This is a notable development considering many games and publishers have leaned into bigger open-world designs that require significant time investments to play and enjoy. These might be referred to as "lifestyle" games. Players have so far generally responded positively to the news that Mafia: The Old Country is taking a different approach, but of course, it's still early days.

The $60 Deluxe edition includes a range of bonus items, including special guns, outfits, and accessories, along with the game's score and a digital artbook. Everyone who preorders The Old Country gets the Soldato Pack, which includes various cosmetics.

The Old Country takes place in 1900s Sicily, with players taking on the role of mobster Enzo Favara. 2K says the game will play out like a "classic mob movie," featuring a "cast of unpredictable allies and cutthroat enemies." In terms of combat, players will shoot and stab people with knives and shotguns, while players can traverse the Sicilian countryside on horseback or in cars.

The Old Country launches on August 8 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It'll be followed by another big 2K game, Borderlands 4, in September.

Another one of Microsoft's key franchises will arrive on PlayStation this year, via a revamped edition of the original Gears of War game.

Gears of War: Reloaded's announcement comes almost 20 years since the series first made its Xbox debut.

This modernised version of the original Gears of War will launch for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on 26th August. It will cost $40, and also be available via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Gears of War: Reloaded has been developed by The Coalition in partnership with Sumo Interactive and Disbelief. It will feature faster frame rates and "deeper visual fidelity", with the studios promising "clarity, smoothness, and immersion that matches the power of today's hardware", Microsoft has said.

As laid out in an Xbox post, Gears of War: Reloaded players can expect the following enhancements on the game's release this summer:

4K resolution

60 FPS in Campaign

120 FPS in Multiplayer

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Dolby Vision & 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 3D Spatial Audio

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

4K assets and remastered textures

Enhanced post-processing visual effects

Improved shadows and reflections

Super resolution with improved anti-aliasing

Zero loading screens during Campaign

Reloaded will also boast some platform specific features, and support cross-play and cross-progression. Gears of War: Reloaded image comparison from earlier releases Image credit: The Coalition

Those who already own the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition will receive a free upgrade to Gears of War: Reloaded, but only if they purchased the game prior to this announcement. So, if you decide to plump for Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox now, you will not be eligible for that free upgrade when Reloaded releases.

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of Gears of War in 2026, we're reflecting on what this franchise means. It's about the stories we've told, the friendships we've built, and the unforgettable moments we've shared together," The Coalition studio head Mike Crump said yesterday.

"With Gears of War: Reloaded, we're opening that door to more players than ever."

The next new entry in the series will be Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel title set 14 years before the events of the original game. Gears of War: E-Day is being co-developed with People Can Fly.

Late last year, it was revealed John DiMiaggio and Carlos Ferro will be reprising their roles as Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in Gears of War: E-Day.

Xbox Game Pass continues its consistent 2025 with a mix of high-profile new games and beloved older ones.

Doom: The Dark Ages is the obvious headliner — the third entry in a series of Doom reboots that revitalized the shooter series back in 2016. But don’t sleep on Revenge of the Savage Planet later this week. It’s a colorful and personable sci-fi shooter, and is also one of the rare couch co-op games slated for 2025.

Meanwhile, Dredge — a horror…fishing? game — is a Polygon favorite, ranking in the top half of our list of the best games of 2023, while Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a solid Left 4 Dead clone.

Here’s everything coming to Xbox Game Pass in the first half of May 2025:

Dredge (cloud, PC, Xbox Series X) — May 6

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (cloud, console, PC) — May 7

Revenge of the Savage Planet (cloud, console, Xbox Series X) — May 8

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed (cloud, console) — May 8

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (cloud, console) — May 13

Doom: The Dark Ages (cloud, PC, Xbox Series X) — May 15

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo (cloud, console, PC) — May 16

Firefighting Simulator: The Squad (cloud, console, PC) — May 20

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers (cloud, console, PC) — May 20

On May 7, the following games will be added to the Xbox Game Pass Standard core offerings:

Dungeons of Hinterberg

Metal Slug Tactics

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

And on May 15, five games will leave >Xbox Game Pass entirely:

Brothers A Tale of Two Sons (cloud, console, and PC)

Chants of Sennaar (cloud, console, and PC)

Dune: Spice Wars (cloud, console, and PC)

Hauntii (cloud, console, and PC)

The Big Con (cloud, console, and PC)

Former Dragon Age series executive producer Mark Darrah says he doesn’t feel EA and BioWare efficiently supported his team during the early development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

The ex-BioWare developer shed light on his time working on the legendary fantasy RPG franchise during a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel. His story recounts events that transpired throughout 2017 or, according to Darrah, “the most impactful 12 months in BioWare’s history.” He touches on not only decisions that affected the early development of last year’s Dragon Age game but how a change in attitude was tied to the final days of development on Mass Effect: Andromeda.

It starts in late 2016, when Darrah was moved over to the team that would handle the last stages of development on Andromeda. He says his “feeling at the time” was that the Dragon Age team felt “jerked around” and had “no support from BioWare or EA.” The hope was that Darrah could aid in getting Mass Effect out the door so the next Dragon Age could utilize more resources, though this ultimately didn’t quite pan out.

“This was the first time where we had this leadership discontinuity, where the person in charge of a project left that project to help someone else, some other project, while the project continued to run,” Darrah explained. “In the cast of Mass Effect: Andromeda, I don’t think the impact to Dragon Age was huge. It wasn’t very long, but it did set this precedent as this being a thing that we could do, and it’s not a good thing to do. It is incredibly dangerous to have a project run while it’s missing some of its core leadership.”

Mass Effect: Andromeda launched in March 2017 and, in Darrah’s own words, “it doesn’t go well.” Throughout this time, BioWare was still adjusting to a structural change that saw the team reporting to new leadership at EA that was “hyper interested” in its projects and plans. He calls the change dramatic, noting that the studio’s new bosses weren’t interested in continuing work on Mass Effect due to its recently troubled launch. However, Darrah didn’t feel like Dragon Age was getting the support it needed even after Andromeda was shipped.

The former BioWare lead says he approached current EA CEO Andrew Wilson and former EA executive Patrick Söderlund with his concerns and was reassured of Dragon Age’s importance to the company. While EA offered few resources in an attempt to maintain the studio’s work in the summer of 2017, Darrah along with the rest of the BioWare staff were told that studio veteran Casey Hudson would be returning. It was a major shakeup that staff was made aware of without notice.

“You have to remember: I am the second most senior person at BioWare,” Darrah said. “Casey was interviewed, and hired, and prepared to be brought back entirely without me being consulted in any way. Would me have being involved in the process have changed the decision? No, I don’t think it would have, but there is an immense amount of disrespect involved in making a hire of this impact, in making a decision of this import, without involving the second-most senior person at your studio in any way.”

Darrah then predicted that BioWare would shift its focus to Anthem. When his concerns were shared with EA, he was told that leadership was committed to giving Dragon Age the attention it deserved.

“As we all know, that’s not what happened at all,” he added.

EA’s interest in Anthem ballooned until its similarly troubled launch in 2019, all while Darrah felt his trust in the company was being “constantly hammered” and “constantly challenged.” Resources were continuously pulled away from what would eventually be known as Dragon Age: The Veilguard all the way through 2019, leading to what Darrah says were “fundamental” changes to the nature of the project.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard would go on to release in late 2024 as BioWare’s latest AAA fantasy RPG. Despite positive reviews from critics (we gave it a 9/10 in our review), EA painted its launch as a letdown, saying in February that it failed to “resonate with a broad enough audience.” These were comments former BioWare developers later pushed back on, with some suggesting the company should follow the lead set up by Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios.

Many Dragon Age developers were laid off in January of this year as the studio shifted its focus back to Mass Effect 5.

I want publishers to go back to the old ways. They help publish games by backing ones they think are good. Now they own all the IP's and don't let the development team make any decisions.

Perfect time for a new console

Been long enough since the announcement that I actually forgot the name of it... "Wasn't there another fantasy game announced a while back? Not Forspoken, not Avowed, not Fable... I swear it was another one word title..."

Found it by searching old trailers and realized it's not in Lemmy... so here you go!