News

[AdrianH]

Xbox Games Showcase 2026: Time​

Here's the list of Xbox Showcase times for each region:

• North America: 10am PDT / 11am MDT / 12pm CDT / 1pm EDT
• UK/Ire: 6pm BST
• Europe: 7pm CEST / 8pm EEST
• Asia/Oceania: 2am (Mon) JST / 1am (Mon) AWST / 3am (Mon) AEST

Xbox Games Showcase 2026: Date, Start Times, What To Expect & More

Everything you need to know ahead of next month's event

www.purexbox.com

 

[AdrianH]

The following increases will definitely apply in the United States:

• Xbox Series S (512GB) - $399.99 to $499.99
• Xbox Series S (1TB) - $449.99 to $599.99
• Xbox Series X Digital (1TB) - $599.99 to $749.99
• Xbox Series X (1TB) - $649.99 to $799.99

 

[DarkPrince]

Only a rumour but apparently these are the changes might be coming to Gamepass next year:

One service with Ads, one without:
Ads tier will cost $12.99 a month.
GamePass without Ads will cost $19.99 per month or $239.99 annually.

They are reducing price by $3 because there won't be day 1 new games releasing on the service starting Feb - April
Cloud Streaming no longer part of GamePass subscription.
Cloud Streaming is an add-on bundle costs $5.99 for 25hrs.
Family plan is going to be an additional $5.99 / month
You can also select ONLY access to GamePass library with online MP for $14.99/mo

New games no longer release day 1 on GamePass.
Complete change of tiers, Online MP will be its own subscription for $10.99 a month.

 

[DarkPrince]

More layoffs at Microsoft, they are eliminating 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party studios.

Changes happening to some studios as well but the biggest announcements is that Activision will now be developing the next Halo title and Ninja Theory is being closed.

I'm no fan of Activision but I'm glad someone is finally doing something about Halo, it's pathetic that a legendary franchise like Halo has been stuck with this useless studio for so long, this change should have happened ages ago. I don't have faith in Activision for this but any change is better than no change.

Ninja Theory is in the find out stage of when you make games no one wants to play, studio is being closed down after a potential sale of the studio fell through. I'd have loved to see them go back to Heavenly Sword or Enlsaved for some sequels but likely not happening anymore.

 

[OM3G4_247]

More layoffs at Microsoft, they are eliminating 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party studios.

Changes happening to some studios as well but the biggest announcements is that Activision will now be developing the next Halo title and Ninja Theory is being closed.

I'm no fan of Activision but I'm glad someone is finally doing something about Halo, it's pathetic that a legendary franchise like Halo has been stuck with this useless studio for so long, this change should have happened ages ago. I don't have faith in Activision for this but any change is better than no change.

Ninja Theory is in the find out stage of when you make games no one wants to play, studio is being closed down after a potential sale of the studio fell through. I'd have loved to see them go back to Heavenly Sword or Enlsaved for some sequels but likely not happening anymore.

Agreed!

I'm a huge Halo fan, and I gave them a fair shot.
I was excited for Halo 4, but it was so damn bad.

I thought I would try again when I had game pass for 1 month and play Halo Infinite, while it was much better than Halo 4, I just got bored of it after less than 3 hours and didn't even bother playing it further.

Heck I even got excited for Campaign Evolved, but after seeing the bonus missions they added and how poorly it performs, I lost interest.
I don't think 343 / Halo studios understood the franchise, lore or their target audience.

At this point I think even Ubisoft couldn't screw up Halo this much.