The XboxCast

Copilot is coming for your Xbox. What? You thought putting an A.I. person in charge of Xbox was going to lead to different outcomes? 🪣 Copilot AI Is Coming to Xbox Microsoft has confirmed that Copilot AI will be integrated into Xbox, offering system‑level assistance for navigation, accessibility, and game discovery. The announcement comes only weeks after the new Xbox CEO said the division would avoid “soulless slop,” prompting mixed reactions. Copilot will not generate in‑game content but will assist with platform features. Microsoft says the rollout will begin later this year. Clearly, they haven't heard enough about MicroSlop, so now we're getting XboxSlop! 🎮 Xbox Games, Updates & Player Trends Crimson Desert Becomes Second‑Biggest Xbox Launch Without Game Pass Crimson Desert has debuted as the second‑biggest Xbox launch of 2026 without Game Pass support, according to TrueAchievements’ player‑count data. Only Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero launched bigger this year outside the subscription service. The game’s strong performance highlights demand for premium open‑world RPGs. Its success also reinforces that Game Pass isn’t required for a major Xbox hit. Starfield’s New Update Is the Game’s Best Version Yet Bethesda’s latest Starfield update delivers major improvements to performance, AI behaviour, and planetary exploration. Players are praising the overhaul as the most polished and feature‑rich version of the game to date. The update also includes new difficulty options and expanded ship‑building tools. It marks a significant turning point for the game’s long‑term reputation. Will this be enough to turn player sentiment around? 📰 Xbox Events & Reveals New Xbox Partner Preview Announced for This Month Microsoft has confirmed a new Xbox Partner Preview showcase arriving later this month. The event will feature third‑party reveals, fresh trailers, and new Game Pass additions. Are there any surprises you're hanging out for? IGN Fan Fest 2026 Delivers Big Xbox Reveals Did you know this was happening? Because we didn't. Anyways... IGN Fan Fest 2026 showcased multiple Xbox titles, including new gameplay for State of Decay 3, Towerborne, and South of Midnight. Several indie titles also received spotlight segments. The event reinforced Xbox’s growing third‑party partnerships. 🧩 Xbox Platform, OS & Cloud Features Xbox Mode Rolls Out With Cloud Sync on Consoles The new Xbox Mode is rolling out to consoles, enabling cloud‑synced settings and a unified interface across devices. This update allows players to carry UI preferences, accessibility settings, and controller profiles between Xbox and Windows 11. It’s part of Microsoft’s broader effort to unify the Xbox and PC experience. Windows Central reports that the rollout is happening in waves, so you may not see it yet (or ever...) Xbox Series X|S Receives First Dashboard Update in Years In a complete surprise move Xbox Series X|S is getting its first major dashboard update in a long time, including improvements to Quick Resume. The update enhances stability, reduces UI latency, and adds new customisation options. Xbox Mode Coming to Windows 11 PCs Next Month For all our Xbox on PC users, or is it Xbox PC, or maybe PC Xbox, or Xbox App on Windows 11 on PC with Copilot 365? Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox Mode will arrive on Windows 11 PCs next month, offering a console‑style interface for handhelds and gaming laptops. The mode includes a simplified launcher, controller‑first navigation, and deep Game Pass integration. It mirrors the UI currently rolling out on Xbox consoles. This is part of Microsoft’s push to make Windows more handheld‑friendly. Pity its still Windows though... Microsoft Removes “This Is an Xbox” Branding Microsoft has quietly removed the “This is an Xbox” slogan from official websites and marketing materials. Windows Central reports that the change aligns with Xbox’s broader shift toward ecosystem‑wide branding. The move reflects Microsoft’s strategy of positioning Xbox as a platform rather than a single device. It also coincides with the rollout of Xbox Mode across Windows. 🕹️ Next‑Gen Xbox Hardware Project Helix Confirmed With Custom AMD SoC & FSR Diamond Microsoft has confirmed that the next‑gen Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will use a custom AMD SoC and feature a new upscaling technology called FSR Diamond. The console is designed to unify Xbox and PC gaming more tightly than previous generations. Xbox Mode will be a core part of the experience on both console and Windows 11. Microsoft says more details will be shared later in 2026. Backwards Compatibility Program Returns This Year Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program will return in 2026. The team is working to bring more titles from all four generations of Xbox to modern hardware. This includes licensing work, performance enhancements, and preservation efforts. It marks the first major update to the program since 2021. Could we be getting Xbo

Welcome to new era of Xbox! (New era not included, and remains only vague promises up to now) 🎮 Xbox Leadership, Strategy & Corporate Moves Asha Sharma Expands on Xbox’s 2026+ Strategy Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined her long‑term plan for the platform, focusing on “great games,” a renewed emphasis on console as the reference experience, and a unified “Team Xbox” culture. She committed to re‑examining past decisions and improving internal alignment across studios, platform, and marketing. Sharma also emphasised seamless, instant experiences across devices as a core pillar of Xbox’s future. Her comments follow her February 2026 appointment as CEO, succeeding Phil Spencer. Xbox’s New CEO Moves Fast With Major Marketing Hires New reporting highlights that Sharma has already begun restructuring Xbox’s marketing organisation. The hires suggest a shift toward lifecycle‑based marketing, stronger franchise management, and more disciplined campaign execution. Analysts believe this signals a more focused, long‑term brand strategy. The changes align with Sharma’s stated goal of “returning to Xbox” and rebuilding core identity. 🕹️ Next‑Gen Xbox Hardware & Tech Project Helix — Microsoft’s Next Xbox Microsoft’s next‑generation console is officially codenamed Project Helix, designed as a hybrid system capable of playing both Xbox console titles and PC games. The device uses a custom AMD SoC, next‑gen DirectX features, and major advances in ray tracing and neural‑assisted rendering. Microsoft confirmed alpha dev kits will ship in 2027. Project Helix aims to unify console and PC ecosystems more tightly than any previous Xbox hardware. Mario Kart Running at 4K60 on Xbox Series X A modder showcased Mario Kart 8 Deluxe running at 4K60 on an Xbox Series X via emulation. The footage demonstrates the console’s ability to handle Switch‑level workloads with ease. The clip went viral due to its obvious legal grey area. Nintendo has not commented, but the community reaction has been predictably chaotic. All this and more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Also, April is fast approaching, so don't forget to sign up for the April Achievement Challenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Relooted launched. Apparently. That's right, another game for "the modern audience" launched to great applause amongst the 160 people who played it. Whereas last week Highguard peaked at almost 100,000 players before catering from the stratosphere, it seems this game never even left the ground. Will game studios ever learn, or are we stuck playing Asian games forever? 🎮 Xbox Play Anywhere Boosts The First Descendant by 167% The First Descendant saw a 167% increase in Xbox player activity after gaining Xbox Play Anywhere support, according to TrueAchievements and Windows Central. This surge is tied to cross‑progression and the ability to switch seamlessly between Xbox and PC. The game previously dropped support for Xbox One and PS4, making the new feature even more impactful. The boost highlights how Play Anywhere can revive engagement for free‑to‑play shooters. It also helps that this game leans into the escapism of games in a big way. 🎬 Netflix Values WB Games As Worthless? Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, including NetherRealm, Rocksteady, Monolith, Avalanche, and the entire WB Games division. The deal marks one of the largest entertainment acquisitions in history. A follow‑up report claims Netflix internally values WB Games as “worthless” financially, despite its massive IP catalogue. Analysts believe this signals Netflix prioritising film/TV rights over game development, especially after Netflix's failed foray into adding on games to their subscriptions... 💾 GoG Sold to New Owner, Plans Classic Game “Rescue Missions” Good Ole Games (GoG) has been sold by CD Projekt RED to the cofounder of GoG! The new leadership plans “ambitious” preservation‑focused initiatives, including restoring and re‑licensing classic PC games starting next year. GoG will continue operating independently under its new structure. The move aims to stabilise the platform after years of financial struggles, and now that it's out from CD Projekt RED, who knows what direction it will take! 👹 Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Expansion Details Blizzard has confirmed the Lord of Hatred expansion will introduce the Skovos region, two new classes, and a late‑2025 release window. The expansion continues the story of Mephisto and expands endgame systems. Skovos marks the first major new zone since launch. Pre‑orders include early access and cosmetic bonuses. ⭕ Halo Infinite Enters Maintenance Mode RIP to what could have been... 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo Infinite will no longer receive major content updates and is now in long‑term maintenance mode. The game will continue receiving security patches and small fixes. This marks the end of active development for the title. Fans are left looking toward the future of the Halo franchise, as it prepares to launch on PlayStation. Is this the end of Halo as we know it? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Highguard has done the most amazing race to the bottom we've ever seen. It has managed to out-concord Concord! But that's not all the drama for this week. Ubisoft has decided to Ubisoft all over themselves yet again, Xbox Wrapped didn't happen because apparently Microsoft ran out of money and people are still developing for the Xbox One... Welcome to the start of 2026, I suppose. 🎮Everything Announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Xbox Developer Direct 2026 focused on four games, all launching in 2026: Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Beast of Reincarnation, and Double Fine’s surprise new title Kiln. The show leaned into extended gameplay and developer commentary, with Playground Games, Game Freak, and Double Fine all explaining how and why they’re building these projects. A key message was predictability and variety—no vague CG teases, just games you’ll actually play this year. How do you feel about it? Because we're not very impressed (apart from Fable of course). And now the Ubisoft news... 🧑‍💼Ubisoft Team Lead Suspended Over RTO Comments An Assassin’s Creed level designer reported being suspended for publicly criticising Ubisoft’s newly enforced full return‑to‑office policy. The suspension was described as “unpaid disciplinary leave” for an alleged breach of loyalty. This incident sparked internal frustration over inconsistent RTO enforcement across Ubisoft studios. 🔥 Ubisoft Cancels Six Projects, Closes Two Studios, Confirms Layoffs The cancellations included the long‑troubled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. Ubisoft cited financial pressure and restructuring as the reason for the cuts. Global searches for “Ubisoft layoffs 2025/2026” surged as the scale of the cuts became clear. ⚖️ Former Assassin’s Creed Boss Sues Ubisoft for CAD $1.3 Million A former Assassin’s Creed director filed a lawsuit alleging “disguised dismissal” intended to avoid severance obligations. The claim argues Ubisoft used restructuring as a pretext for termination. Ubisoft has not issued a public response. 🧨 Ubisoft Layoffs Continue — 55 Staff Cut at Massive & Stockholm Ubisoft confirmed a new wave of layoffs affecting approximately 55 roles across Massive Entertainment (Malmö) and Ubisoft Stockholm. These cuts follow a voluntary exit program from the previous year and are part of ongoing cost‑reduction efforts. The studios will continue work on The Division and Avatar projects, but fans are increasingly concerned about long‑term stability. But let's get back to gaming... Kinda. 🕹️ Xbox One Still Getting 40+ New Games in 2026 Despite being two generations old, the Xbox One is confirmed to receive over 40 new titles in 2026. Many are cross‑gen indies, but several AA releases are included. This extends the console’s lifespan far beyond industry expectations. 📉 Xbox Wrapped 2025 Cancelled Due to Budget Cuts A new report claims Xbox Wrapped 2025 won’t happen due to marketing budget constraints. Fans are disappointed, as Wrapped has become a beloved annual tradition. Microsoft has not confirmed whether the feature will return in 2026. 🇳🇿 NZ Video Game Sector Grows 38% Despite Global Decline New Zealand’s gaming industry has grown 38% year‑over‑year, outperforming global markets. Local studios credit strong government support and increased international contracting. The sector now contributes significantly to NZ’s digital economy. NZ represent! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

🎵 One more time Ooo, we gonna celebrate One more time 🎵 It's our very special last episode of 2025! Kyle and Lee get together in person! What?? And talk about stuff. What stuff? All sorts of stuff! That's what stuff. There's no plan, no prep, no topics organised - just off the cuff Xbox discussion between two friends who haven't been in the same room since 2023 (maybe?)... Anyway, we hope you enjoy it, and we hope it's a good way to say goodbye to 2025. Even though we're typically late with publishing these things, so its probably 2026 by the time you hear it, but hey! We're trying, ok? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

It's time to play the music It's time to light the lights It's time to reveal our game awards tonight It's time to put on makeup It's time to dress up right It's time to raise the curtain On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, XboxCastational Game Awards tonight! ----more---- Our final show of 2025, and as is custom, we bow out with our version of The Game Awards. But we do things differently. See, we don't judge games we've never played, we don't get paid to declare winners (but if you would like to try change our minds - get in contact!), and we don't award games just because they sold well. NO! Not us! We nominate games that we've played this year only. Our hands on experience is what sets us apart from every other game award show. And not just because we're awarding games that came in 4 years ago either. By now you know the order of awards, but those that are new, our awards are: The Biggest Surprise of 2025 Something that made you audibly gasp. The Make This into a Movie Award Awarded for best story. The Time Sink / Can't Stop Won't Stop Award Awarded for that game that sucked up all your time and was worth every minute. The Eye Meltingly Best-Looking Award Awarded for gorgeous graphics, good looking characters and other things that showcase 4K. The Together-At-Last Multiplayer Award Awarded for that game best played with friends, near and far. The Music to My Ears Award From soundtracks to soundscapes, this awards games that showcase the best audio. The Edge of Your Seat Award What we're most looking forward to seeing in 2026. Hopefully it involves a future with Xbox in it. The Ones That Didn't Quite Make It Award Honourable mentions and games that didn't quite make the cut, but were so close, it hurts. The One Leaves Anti-Game Award Awarded for the game that almost you give up on gaming entirely. Consider this your Do-Not-Play list. and the big one - Our Personal Game of the Year Award! Any game we've played this year that was exceptional in all regards, our very own GotY! -- On a more serious note, The XboxCast does this because of you. Whether you tune in every week on our live stream, or listen when you can, you guys make it all worth it. We hope you enjoyed the laughs, the rants and just the general nonsense we get up on the podcast. Thank you for hanging out with us - on the podcast, in our Discord, near or far. 💚 From the whole XboxCast - Kyle, Lee, Simone and Producer Paul - have a Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Years. See you all in 2026 as we celebrate 10 years (!!!) of The XboxCast! Will that be out last season? Will there even be Xbox to talk about? Tune in next year to find out... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

The Game Awards for 2025, have come and gone. And... Yeah... ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It's that time of year - The XboxCast Game Awards for 2025! And voting is now live. Get voting now! And now on with The Regular Show! 📢 The Game Awards 2025 Wrap Up Ok, so we had the game awards! And what did we expect? Claire Obscur obviously cleaned up - winning almost every single category it was in. PlayStation was a flop with the games it put forward not coming away with anything, and as per normal - Xbox was a no show (thanks Geoff). But we did get some cool trailers. But at some point, we have to ask ourselves - why is our Christmas E3 interrupted with an award show? Just give us the trailers and get out of here. Divinity, Warlock, and two new Star Wars games? Oh my! But as is the norm in this industry, a CGI trailer of a game coming in 2030 can only do so much to generate hype. Or keep the hype going. Any ways, we are promised some games, most of which will probably launch on the Asus Xbox Series X-2 With Copilot Living Room Entertainment Centre with Copilot 365. Or the Dell Alienware Xbox X TV Game System with Copilot 365. Or what about the Razer Blade Xbox Laptop 15 Advanced with Xbox Game Pass on Copilot+ PC 365? Either way, games were celebrated. Kyle was quizzed and Lee had fun... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Kyle and Lee talk Linux. Yes, Microsoft is that bad, that the biggest Microsoft fans are now actively using Linux. (And hating it... But less than Windows 11!) ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It's that time of year - The XboxCast Game Awards for 2025! And voting is now live. Get voting now! And now on with The Regular Show! 🕰️ Phil Spencer's 2019 'Unusual Strategy' Bombshell Still Haunts Xbox Six years later, Phil Spencer's Kotaku chat calling Xbox's player-first, device-agnostic vibe - "Play anywhere, with anyone" hits harder than ever. Profits from software/services, not console slumps? Cross-play dreams? Check and check, as multiplat Game Pass and Play Anywhere prove he's been preaching the gospel while hardware gathers dust. Visionary or excuse-maker? Still relevant AF. 🤠 Red Dead Redemption Next-Gen Upgrade Rockstar's free current-gen patch for RDR1 finally drops - 4K/60fps native on Series X (huge leap from 30fps back-compat hell), 1440p on S- but Xbox 360 digital owners? Stuck paying full price thanks to a botched upgrade glitch. Rockstar's "working with Microsoft" (yeah, sure), while PS5/Switch owners upgrade smooth. Classic Rockstar-Xbox drama - John Marston deserves better. Oh, and when you upgrade, you lose multiplayer... 🔄 Xbox November 2025 Console Update Gaming Copilot beta for real-time tips (who asked for this?), Full Screen Experience (or FSE as Microsoft calls it) on more PCs/handhelds, cloud resolutions on up to 1440p (if you're on Game Pass Ultimate), plus Cloud Gaming blitz to India/Brazil/Argentina on LG/Fire TV. So many asterixis... ⛏️ Minecraft Swaps Version Numbers to Yearly Mess Starting 2026 Mojang's ditching 1.21 limbo for year-based tags like 25.3 (Copper Age) or 26.1... Thanks to Apple for paving the way. And Thanks to Microsoft for taking something that should be simple and making it even more confusing.... 🚪 Xbox Game Pass Axes 6 Games in December Mortal Kombat 11, Paw Patrol World, Still Wakes the Deep, Wildfrost - goodbye games. We hardly knew ye... 🎁 Game Pass December Wave 1: 13 Fresh Drops, 4 Day-Ones Games are coming! Woo. We have... Medieval Dynasty, Stellaris, WWZ Aftermath, Monster Train 2, Spray Paint Sim, 33 Immortals (Preview), Routine, Indiana Jones, Dome Keeper, Digging a Hole, Death Howl, MK1 and Bratz. Thats quite a few... Are you playing any? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Want a bundle? Have a bundle! In fact, have a bundle of bundles! ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It's that time of year - The XboxCast Game Awards for 2025! And voting is now live. Get voting now! And now on with The Regular Show! 📢 Xbox Partner Preview November 2025: 16 Reveals, 9 Game Pass Day-Ones The November 20 Partner Preview blitz dropped world premieres like Armatus (action-roguelike), Raji: Kaliyuga (sequel surprise), Vampire Crawlers (Poncle's chaotic FPS deckbuilder roguelike), plus trailers for 007 First Light, Reanimal, Tides of Annihilation. Nine day-one Game Pass bangers announced, shadow drops like Total Chaos and CloverPit horror hits, Dave the Diver finally on Xbox. Bonus: Every featured game is Xbox Play Anywhere - buy once, play console/PC/cloud. Microsoft flexing that cross-play muscle hard. 🏆 The Game Awards 2025 Snubs: No Xbox First-Party in GOTY As Normal The Game Awards nominees dropped, and ouch - no Xbox Game Studios title in Game of the Year. Avowed, Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight got nods elsewhere, but GOTY lineup heavy on indies and PlayStation exclusives like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeping noms. Xbox's big 2025 swings missed the jury's radar - blame delays, flops, or just tough competition? Either way, Phil's probably side-eyeing the trophy case. 🔮 Next-Gen Xbox "Magnus" Rumors Leakers claim Microsoft's stockpiling 50 million AMD chips for codename Magnus next-gen console, aiming for 50M sales with a hybrid model running full Windows, Steam support, PC peripherals, and a traditional version. Game Pass integration obvious. Sounds like the ultimate PC-console mashup to end ecosystem wars - but sourced from shady YouTube whispers, so grain of salt bigger than Satya's bonus. 🛠️ Xbox Preps Next-Gen GDK Microsoft's rolling out a pile of new Xbox Game Development Kit goodies for devs gearing up next-gen—faster tools, better debugging, who knows what magic. After all the layoffs and chaos, at least they're pretending hardware's not dead yet. ⚔️ Solo Self-Found Mode Coming to Diablo 4 Blizzard's adding Solo Self-Found to Diablo 4, letting masochists grind everything alone without trading or partying. Perfect for purists who hate the auction house ghosts - now you can suffer in true isolation. About time, or just admitting multiplayer loot's broken? 🐧 Linux Gaming Hits Major Milestone Linux gaming just smashed some big record (probably Proton compatibility or Steam Deck sales milestone), with distros eating into Windows handheld dominance. ROG Ally owners sideloading Bazzite- is Microsoft's Windows grip slipping, or just niche nerds flexing? 🎮 PlayStation Allegedly Gunning for Xbox's Cloud and Play Anywhere Opinion rants claim Sony "forced" multiplat exclusives, now plotting to wreck Xbox cloud gaming and steal Play Anywhere cross-buy ideas. Classic console war paranoia - PlayStation winning hardware while Xbox pivots services. If true, Microsoft's ecosystem dreams could crumble faster than a bad live service launch. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

In what seems to be a big yolk, we now have a game where you're an egg. Has the game industry finally cracked? Or is this new genre ready to come out its shell? ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 💰 Microsoft Execs Demanding 30% Xbox Profit Margins—Double the Industry Norm Leaked Bloomberg bombshell shows who's really ruining Xbox. And the answer wont surprise you. We've spoken a lot about Amy Hood (Microsoft's CFO) recently, and with good reason. Seems like shes slapped a 30% "accountability margins" target on gaming in fall 2023, which is nearly double the 17% industry average. Cue 10k+ layoffs, studio shutdowns, and endless cancellations. Seems like Xbox is losing its soul just to please the bean counters... 📱 Xbox Blames TikTok For Everything, Not PlayStation Xbox boss Matt Booty claims Xbox's "biggest competition isn't another console... it's TikTok..." Yeah right... The fact that Xbox has tanked all good will, decided exclusives don't matter, doesn't have an answer to the PS Pro, and also put out the disastrous "This is an Xbox" ad campaign has done nothing but help the brand, of course. 🪟 Next-Gen Xbox Rumors: Full Windows, Back Compt, Free Multiplayer Leaks whisper next Xbox runs full Windows, beefy backward compat, and free online MP forever. But also comes with a steep price tag. Is this enough to sway people towards Xbox? Only time will tell, but we can't help but feel that Microsoft is not listening to any customers (with anything really)... So we wait and see, but we're not holding our breath. ⚔️ Ubisoft Begs Division Studio Staff to Self-Layoff Ubisoft's nudging Massive Entertainment (The Division devs) to volunteer for cuts amid Tencent drama and flops. After AC boss ousting, now this, it looks like staff are grabbing parachutes before the axe falls. Ubisoft's imploding faster than a failed raid... What is going on in the gaming indutry? We wish we had the answers. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

In a world of band t-shirts, why wear anything that isn't black? ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 🎄 Halo 3's 2025 Hallmark Christmas Ornament Up for Preorder at Amazon Its not even Halloween, and already the Christmas cheer is coming in fast and furiously. Looks like corporations have learnt that gamers have money and love nerdy things... Hallmark's new Keepsake Ornament for Halo 3 is now available for preorder at $24.99 USD, dropping in October 2025. And there's also an Xbox 360 console to match. Relive those glory days, before we got... this 🧠 Microsoft Thinks Gamers Need AI Hand-Holding Who ever asked for this, please raise your hand so we know who to ostracize. Seriously, what is the purpose of an AI that spoon-feeds you directions like "go right down the stairs, literally right in front of you" in Final Fantasy XVI. Oh, and it dishes out wrong advice, like fake item wheels in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or pushing 720p on a rig that runs 1080p fine. Can we blame Reddit for this? Because we should. 💸 Even Xbox Dev Kits Get a 33% Price Hike—Because Why Not? Microsoft continues its streak to kill off Xbox by jacking up Xbox Series X/S developer kits from $1,500 to $2,000 overnight. Their reason? Tariffs, of course. It's all getting oh so tiresome... These beefed-up kits pack 40GB GDDR6, extra compute units, and debugging goodies, but now they're pricier than your average console bundle. Devs are probably side-eyeing this after the recent Xbox and Game Pass hikes... 🤝 Sarah Bond Blames ASUS for ROG Ally Prices, Drops Next-Gen AMD Tease In a Variety chat, Xbox President Sarah Bond casually throws ASUS under the bus for slapping $599.99 on the base ROG Xbox Ally and a wallet-melting $999.99 on the Ally X, saying they handled pricing like pros (or excuses). She touts quick sellouts for the top model, but hey, confirms next-gen Xbox is cooking with AMD—prototypes and all, no timeline though. So, Microsoft's playing coy while pointing fingers? Classic corporate dodgeball. 🚫 Ex-Blizzard Boss Calls Xbox Hardware a "Moron" Move Former Microsoft exec, and ex-Blizzard president, Mike Ybarra unloads on Xbox saying Xbox is "out of HW and exclusive games," and "only a moron" keeps churning consoles when titles are fleeing to third-party shores like PS and Nintendo. He does have a point though - Microsoft seems intent of killing Xbox, and hopefully someone as high profile as Mike calling it out allows the ship to be rectified before its death. We doubt it, but we can still hope. At this stage, you'll have to convince us that Microsoft is not trying to kill Xbox on purpose.... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

In another tumultuous week for Xbox, it seems nothing is certain. Except certain things. ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 🎥 Glen Powell Wants in on 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' Movie Glen Powell, the Top Gun: Maverick heartthrob, is itching to star in a Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 movie! The RPG, which sold a whopping 5 million copies since its April 2025 launch, has Hollywood buzzing. But seriously, another video game movie? Are we getting a cinematic masterpiece or another forgettable cash grab? Maybe a Netflix series would do it justice—or maybe we don’t need it at all. 👋 Is It Time To Say Goodbye to Halo? An opinion piece is calling for Microsoft to pull the plug on Halo, claiming 343 Industries (now Halo Studios) fumbled the ball after Bungie’s exit. With recent staff shake-ups like art director Glenn Israel’s departure, which sounds like hes not on great terms with the direction of the franchise, it may be time to move on. From our point of view, its time to let Master Chief rest... At least for a while. 🎮 ROG Xbox Ally X: TIME’s Best Invention of 2025 To prove we live in bazzaro world, the yet unreleased handheld wins an award for the best invention of 2025. How much did Microsoft pay for this level of advertising? Or was this all ASUS's influence? Either way, its a handheld computer with the Xbox logo slapped on. Hardly worth the title at all, and makes TIME Magazine look like more of a joke than it already it is. 🛒 Target and Walmart Ditch Xbox Stock? Alleged employees on Reddit (also known as the cesspool of the internet, so take this with a giant grain of salt) claim Target and Walmart are yanking Xbox Series X/S consoles, games, and accessories from shelves due to sluggish sales. Following Costco’s lead, this move has us raising eyebrows—are retailers giving up on Xbox? With stock vanishing online, is this a supply hiccup or a sign of bigger trouble? ❓ Next-Gen Xbox Plans “Up in the Air”? Insider leaks suggest Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox plans are a mess after 9,000+ layoffs and canceled projects like Perfect Dark. With a 2026 launch looking shaky and retailers like Costco reportedly dropping Xbox, Microsoft’s doubling down on Game Pass and cloud gaming. Is Xbox pivoting to software, or is this just corporate chaos? 📈 Next-Gen Xbox Name and Specs Leak Online From Xbox hard being canceled to leaks spilling the tea on Microsoft’s next Xbox console, it seems like not even Microsoft know what they are doing! Which is hardly surprising at this stage. Rumored names and specs are swirling, hinting at a 2027 launch with beefy hardware to rival the best. These leaks even suggest a 100% performance lead over the leaked PS6 specs... If Xbox deliver this, then goodbye to the Performance / Quality mode switches in console games. At lest on Xbox. Poor PS players will still have to choose between 60FPS and 4K... All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Xbox seems intent on driving away all its fans. And the worst part, it seems to be working... ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 📦 Game Pass Changes — The Good, the Bad, and the Weird Xbox's Game Pass overhaul is here, and it’s… Well, very Microsoft of them... We would try break it down for you, but honestly, just cancel your Ultimate Subscription, drop down to the mid-tier - Premium - and you'll be saving money while missing out on Day One releases only. Or do what hundreds of others have done and just cancel your subscription all together. To say we're angry with the sudden price jump would be an understatement. 💸 Xbox Series X|S Prices Go Up 📈 Further to driving fans away, Microsoft has announced a price increase for both Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. If you were to sell your secondhand Series X, you could be looking to make money. Thats how much the price of new consoles have gone up by. The company cites “market conditions”. Yeah right... 🛒 Costco Drops Xbox Consoles In a surprise move, Costco confirmed it will no longer sell Xbox consoles. The decision appears to be internal rather than supply-driven, and it’s raising eyebrows across retail and gaming circles. Is this a one-off, or the start of a broader shift in how Xbox reaches consumers? All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

The Tokyo Game Show has come and gone. But the question on everyone's lips is "Will EA Survive?" ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 💰 EA Goes Private in $55 Billion Mega-Deal In a move that stunned the industry, Electronic Arts is being taken private in a record-breaking $55 billion buyout. The deal, led by a consortium of tech and investment firms, will delist EA from public trading and reshape its leadership structure. What does this mean for players? Fewer shareholder-driven decisions, potentially more creative freedom—and maybe a future where Madden isn’t monetized like a mobile game. Either way, it’s the biggest acquisition since Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard, and it’s sending shockwaves through the publishing world. 🗼 Xbox at Tokyo Game Show — Japan Gets Its Game On Xbox was at the Tokyo Game Show and we have all the coverage. But if you're interested in the best parts... 🚗 Forza Horizon 6 confirmed its setting: Japan. Expect drifting through Kyoto, racing past cherry blossoms, and dodging vending machines in Tokyo alleys. It’s the most requested location in franchise history, and it’s finally happening. 🛩️ Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 showed off new aerial tours of Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Tower, with real-time weather and cultural overlays. It’s not just flying—it’s sightseeing at 30,000 feet. And in a move surprising no-one, its coming to PlayStation... All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

We're now vibe podcasting! ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 🖥️ Xbox App Becomes the PC Gaming Hub Windows 11’s Xbox app now supports Steam, GOG, Epic, and more—letting you launch and track all your games from one place. It’s a huge win for PC players and a clear sign that Xbox is serious about being the home for all things gaming, no matter where you bought it. ☁️ Cloud Gaming Gets a Resolution Boost Xbox Cloud Gaming is testing 1440p resolution for Ultimate subscribers. That’s a major upgrade from the current 1080p cap, and it could make streaming games look sharper than ever—especially on high-res monitors and handhelds. 🪖 Battlefield 6 Optimized for Series S DICE says optimizing Battlefield 6 for Xbox Series S made the entire game more stable. The devs focused on memory management and performance parity, proving that the “budget box” can still punch above its weight. 🌪️ Final Fantasy 7 Remake Gets Xbox Date After years of waiting, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is finally coming to Xbox Series XS on December 5. It includes all DLC and performance upgrades, and yes—Cloud still broods beautifully in 4K. 🕹️ Acclaim Returns With 9 New Games The legendary publisher behind Mortal Kombat ports and Turok is back, announcing nine new titles across genres. Highlights include a spiritual successor to Shadow Man and a new arcade racer. It’s retro revival season, and Acclaim’s bringing the heat. 🧠 Cyberpunk 2077 Gets Slick New Release CD Projekt Red unveiled Cyberpunk 2077: Neon Reign, a standalone expansion set in a new district with fresh storylines, vehicles, and mechanics. It’s launching in early 2026 and promises to build on Phantom Liberty’s momentum. 🎨 Witcher 3 Controllers Hit Xbox Design Lab You can now customize your own Witcher 3-themed Xbox controller, complete with sigils, silver accents, and monster-slaying vibes. Toss a coin to your thumbsticks. ⚽ Football Manager 26 Joins Game Pass Coming in November, Football Manager 2026 will be a day-one Game Pass title. It’s the deepest management sim yet, with revamped scouting, dynamic rivalries, and a new match engine. All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Ducks! Now with guns! ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The XboxCast is now doing merch! You heard that right. We have launched our very own merch that you can totally buy. Its 100% legit. We're now offering "Xbox on Cup" mugs, with our very own logo. Keen to get yours? The shop is live now on our site. Order yours today before Kyle changes the design... And now on with The Regular Show! 🗼 Xbox Heads to Tokyo Game Show — Mark Your Calendars Xbox’s TGS 2025 broadcast is locked in for September 25, promising new updates for Japanese titles, Game Pass expansions, and maybe a few surprise drops. Will we finally see more of Kojima’s cloud game? Or just more Persona ports? Either way, we’re watching with chopsticks in hand. 👽 Helldivers 2 Outselling PlayStation on Xbox? A new report suggests Helldivers 2 is actually selling faster on Xbox Series XS than it did on PlayStation. If true, it’s a rare case of a Sony-born title thriving in Microsoft’s backyard. We break down the numbers, the context, and whether this is just a marketing drop-pod or a real shift in player allegiance. 🦆 DUCKSIDE Trailer Drops — Fowl Play Confirmed DUCKSIDE is here, and it’s absolutely quackers. Think Rust meets Untitled Goose Game, but with tactical gear and aggressive waddling. The trailer shows off base-building, PvP chaos, and yes—ducks with shotguns. It’s absurd, it’s brilliant, and we’re already lining up for the pond. 🎮 Game Pass September — Silksong Sings at Last It’s happening. Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally launching as a day-one Game Pass title this September. Alongside it, we’re getting The Chinese Room’s Still Wakes the Deep, Little Kitty, Big City, and Party Animals. It’s a stacked lineup that proves Game Pass is still the best deal in gaming—even if your backlog is crying. 🧟 CoD: WWII Returns After 41 Days in the Shadows After a mysterious and controversial removal, Call of Duty: WWII is back on the Microsoft Store. The 41-day absence sparked rumors of licensing issues, but Activision says it was a “technical error.” We’re not saying it was sabotage, but… it was probably sabotage. 🪐 The Outer Worlds 2 — Fallout Vibes, Starfield Dreams Obsidian’s sequel is shaping up to be the Fallout-style RPG that Starfield couldn’t quite deliver. With deeper companion arcs, branching morality, and corporate satire dialed to eleven, The Outer Worlds 2 might just be the spacefaring redemption arc we’ve been waiting for. All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐