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Beloved Fallout composer says Bethesda's Todd Howard is a "visionary" — and that critics of Xbox's Starfield "were just not ready" for the controversial RPG

Fallout and Starfield composer Inon Zur believes one day, we'll all think Xbox's Starfield is a "legendary" RPG, and that Todd Howard is a "visionary."

Starfield

Xbox's Starfield is the first new IP from Bethesda Game Studios in many, many years, but for many, it didn't live up to the community's expectations.

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Microsoft's Xbox AI assistant Gaming Copilot is coming to consoles this year, and not stopping there — "We will continue to bring it to more services that players are playing"

Nearly a full year after its introduction, Microsoft has announced the Xbox AI Gaming Copilot is coming to consoles later in 2026.

Halo Infinite

Master Chief and The Weapon in Halo Infinite. These two partnered up would certainly be fitting imagery to market Gaming Copilot to players.

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Xbox just wiped out most of the excuses game developers use to skip the platform

Microsoft has significantly streamlined Xbox development, cutting onboarding time to about 30 minutes and introducing Foundation Mode, which gives developers free access to PlayFab cross platform backend services when shipping games on Xbox.

Xbox GDC image on developing for Xbox

Xbox GDK 2026 Slogan for developers

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Microsoft confirms Project Helix with a custom AMD chip built for next‑gen Xbox, plus new FSR Diamond tech that promises sharper, cleaner visuals for everyone

Microsoft has revealed the first hardware details for Project Helix, the next generation Xbox console. The system will use a custom AMD system on chip and feature new technologies such as FSR Diamond, DirectStorage, and improved ray tracing performance.

AMD x Project Helix

Project Helix logo and Xbox colors in a collage

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"This is an Xbox" campaign vanishes overnight as Microsoft begins to "Build for What's Next"

Microsoft has scrubbed the "This is an Xbox" campaign from official sites, signaling a sharp pivot toward "Project Helix" and a return to console-first branding.

This is an Xbox campaign plastered over

"This is an Xbox" has been scrubbed from Microsoft's websites and the Xbox brand has shifted to other marketing speak.

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Rejoice! Microsoft's Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program is coming back this year — "we’re committed to keeping games from four generations of Xbox playable"

During its GDC keynote, Microsoft and Xbox announced that the Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program is returning in some fashion later this year.

Xbox and Xbox 360 games backwards compatible on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

The Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program went on hiatus back in 2021, but for Xbox's 25th anniversary, it's coming back in some form.

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Performance settings for this RPG show Xbox players what to expect — Series S might be a mistake for Crimson Desert

I can't help but wonder what the development of Crimson Desert might have been like for Pearl Abyss without targeting the Xbox Series S.

Crimson Desert promotional screenshot

A gorgeous vista you might have to look at in 720p if you're looking for a performance mode.

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Ex-Microsoft gaming VP and Xbox 360 lead creator calls the infamous Red Ring of Death a "Tylenol moment" — what does that mean? Here's what he said

In a new interview, former Xbox VP Peter Moore has reflected on the Xbox 360's notorious "Red Ring of Death" and how Microsoft ended up dealing with it.

The Xbox 360's infamous Red Ring of Death.

An official Red Ring of Death poster Microsoft sold in reference to the infamous console-bricking Xbox 360 hardware issue.

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Former Xbox VP talks building Microsoft's brand, distancing it from Windows, and "throwing punches" for Bill Gates — "this is how the console wars started"

Peter Moore, former Xbox VP and one of the visionaries responsible for the Xbox 360 and the brand as a whole, has discussed his time at Microsoft.

Photograph of Peter Moore, Microsoft's former entertainment VP that oversaw the creation of the Xbox 360.

Photograph of Peter Moore, Microsoft's former entertainment and gaming VP that oversaw the creation of the Xbox 360.

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Fans helped save Cyberpunk 2077 — now the fully‑fixed version joins Xbox Game Pass Premium

Cyberpunk 2077 has arrived on Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate nearly six years after its troubled launch. CD Projekt Red’s sci-fi RPG is now widely regarded as one of the best in the genre, giving new players the chance to experience Night City in a far more polished state.

V, Cyberpunk 2077's protagonist, customized to look like David Martinez from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime set in the same universe.

Cyberpunk 2077

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'Starsand Island' hits early access on Xbox Game Pass: This Ghibli-esque life sim has evolved into a truly special cozy adventure that just keeps getting better

Starsand Island is finally out in Game Preview on Xbox and PC Game Pass, and it has had quite the glow-up since we last saw it.

A screenshot of a cutscene from Starsand Island featuring the player character and an NPC pulling an arrow back with a bow.

A screenshot of a cutscene from Starsand Island featuring the player character and an NPC pulling an arrow back with a bow.

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Xbox fans have strong opinions about backward compatibility, so we asked them why it still matters in 2026

Xbox fans across Windows Central communities shared the classic original Xbox and Xbox 360 games they want revived through backward compatibility, alongside wider discussions around preservation and revisiting older favorites.

Windows Central and Xbox logos on a green background

OG Xbox and Xbox 360 logos

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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is one of Capcom's best JRPGs in years on Xbox, but certain omissions may disappoint long-time fans

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is my most anticipated game of 2026, and after completing it, it exceeded my expectations with possibly the best story and character writing in the series and addictive monster-taming gameplay. Though it's not without some issues that will strike controversy amongst hardcore Monster Hunter fans.

Edited screenshot of the player character meeting Ratha in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

In the fires of war, a new Kinship is born.

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Move over “This is an Xbox” — “Build for what’s next” tells fans the “future of Xbox starts now” at GDC

Xbox is showcasing new slogans at its GDC booth including “Build for what’s next” and “The future of Xbox starts now,” hinting at the company’s messaging for the next era of Xbox.

Recreation of build what's next for Xbox slogan

Recreation of build what's next for Xbox slogan

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella calls gaming a core part of the company and says it is “long on gaming” in new discussion with Xbox leadership

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Xbox CEO Asha Sharma for an internal Q&A with staff, describing gaming as one of Microsoft’s core identities and reaffirming the company’s long term commitment to the industry.

Image of Satya Nadella

Image of Satya Nadella

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Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hosted Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in an internal Q&A, amplifying that Microsoft will "always" invest in gaming. "We're long on gaming. We'll continue to invest, and we'll always do so."

At a big internal Q&A session, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hosted Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, discussing the "long" vision for Xbox's future.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma

Rocking an Xbox hoodie, Satya Nadella revealed that he's "long" on gaming.

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I'm still here with Xbox for now — but it has some serious identity work ahead if it wants to reassure long-time fans

After nearly two decades with Xbox, I am reflecting on how its shifting brand messaging has shaped how I feel about the platform, alongside Phil Spencer’s retirement and Asha Sharma’s arrival as CEO, and why I'm not dooming about the whole ordeal.

Xbox logo cracking

After nearly two decades with Xbox, I'm reflecting on how its shifting brand messaging has shaped.

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Xbox staff are now internally testing a new ROG Xbox Ally feature — which is also slated for Xbox next-gen

The new Xbox "Highlight Reels" feature uses the Xbox Ally X NPU and is almost certainly going to appear on the next-gen Xbox. Here's how it works.

Xbox Ally X with PC stuff

The Xbox Ally X is a great gaming device, but also an oddly capable productivity device. The Gen-10 Xbox will probably be the same way.

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Microsoft's Xbox PC app is getting a nifty new feature — it's in preview testing now for Xbox Insiders

The Xbox PC app is getting a new postgame recaps feature that highlights gameplay captures, completed achievements, and more after your gaming sessions.

A screenshot of the new Postgame Recaps feature for the Xbox PC app.

This marketing image shows what one of the Xbox PC app's new postgame recaps looks like.

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