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 ⭐

Simone is back! And there was much rejoicing. 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! 🏁 Forza Horizon 6 Leaks — Welcome to Japan The next Horizon festival might be drifting eastward. Leaked details suggest Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan, with winding mountain roads, neon-soaked cityscapes, and a 2026 launch window. If true, it’s the most requested setting finally coming to life—and we’re already revving our engines. 🕹️ Windows 11 Goes Handheld — Finally Playable or Just a Patch Job? Microsoft’s new handheld gaming mode for Windows 11 was demoed on the Xbox Ally, and it’s… promising. The Xbox app can now be set as your default launcher, ditching the desktop for a controller-friendly UI. It’s smoother, snappier, and finally feels like it belongs on an 8-inch screen. But is it a real fix or just a full-screen façade? We break it down. 📦 Game Pass August Wave 2 — Stack It While You Can This month’s Game Pass lineup includes Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Frostpunk 2, and Moving Out 2. It’s a mix of stealth, survival, and slapstick co-op chaos. But don’t get too comfy—five games are leaving, including Borderlands 3, Broforce, and F1 Manager 2023. Time to loot, shoot, and scoot before they vanish. 🧨 Battlefield 6 Beta Debrief — Boom or Bust? EA’s community update reveals mixed feedback from the open beta. Players loved the new class weapon system but flagged UI bugs and matchmaking hiccups. The devs promise tweaks before launch, but the real question is: will Battlefield finally reclaim its crown, or just keep respawning? 🏗️ Satisfactory Gets Console Date — Build It Like Beckham Coffee Stain Studios’ beloved factory-builder hits Xbox Series XS and PS5 on November 4. It’s automation, exploration, and conveyor belt chaos—now with controller support. No crossplay (yet), no Game Pass (sadly), but still one of the most “Overwhelmingly Positive” games on Steam. 👽 Helldivers 2 x Halo ODST — Feet First Into Fan Service Launching August 26, Helldivers 2 drops a Legendary Warbond set packed with Halo ODST gear: MA5C rifles, Helljumper armor, and capes that scream “I dropped feet first into hell.” It’s a crossover that fuses two gritty universes—and might just revive Halo’s esports soul. All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. We're also in deep in our Patreon's Pick August Event. For all of August, the Patrons get to tell us what to play. Do you want to have your chance to boss Lee around? Join our Patreon today and help your local Xbox podcast keep on trucking on, giving you the content you neither want nor deserve. You're welcome. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Gamescom 2025 has wrapped! Was it a good year? Or was it a great year? Listen to find out... 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? Then jump into our Discord and let us know. Wanting to see it in person? Then check out this podcast on YouTube or hang tight until we have it on website. And now on with The Regular Show! 🧠 Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Fear Is the Weapon Treyarch’s latest entry is set in 2035 and leans hard into psychological warfare. The campaign supports solo or four-player co-op, and introduces “fear toxin” mechanics inspired by Batman Arkham. Missions distort reality, enemies mutate mid-fight, and generative AI tools streamline level design. Zombies return, multiplayer expands, and the November 14 release date is locked in. 🕷️ Hollow Knight: Silksong – Finally, a Date Hornet’s long-awaited solo outing lands September 4. The trailer shows off acrobatic traversal, new biomes, and over 200 enemies—including 40 bosses. Team Cherry confirmed post-launch content plans, so this isn’t just a release—it’s a relaunch of the franchise’s future. 🧱 LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Now this got our attention because it looks absolutely Bat-Mazing! A love letter to Batman’s history, this new LEGO title blends Arkham-style combat with classic LEGO humor. Matt Berry voices Bane, and the game spans multiple Bat-eras—from Adam West to Robert Pattinson. Expect puzzles, stealth, and Batmobiles galore. 🧛 Resident Evil: Requiem – Gothic and Gory Capcom’s latest horror entry introduces Grace Ashcroft, a new protagonist navigating a plague-ridden European village. The trailer teases a stalker enemy with shape-shifting abilities and a narrative twist that ties back to RE7. It’s atmospheric, brutal, and deeply unsettling. 🧬 Borderlands 4 – Gravitar Goes Boom A new Borderland has us wondering if this is Destiny with a skin. Seriously, the game play, the gun-play and everything in-between looks like it was lifted straight from Bungie and run through a filter. Could this just a sneaky way to get Kyle to play (and enjoy) a Borderlands game? Because if its Destiny Reskinned, then sign us up! 🧛 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 This game joins Silksong in only exiting when it gets released. Until then, it remains a bad April fools joke. Kyle refuses to believe its real, while Lee seems pretty excited to jump in. All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. We're also in deep in our Patreon's Pick August Event. For all of August, the Patrons get to tell us what to play. Do you want to have your chance to boss Lee around? Join our Patreon today and help your local Xbox podcast keep on trucking on, giving you the content you neither want nor deserve. You're welcome. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Is it Xbox PC, or Xbox on PC or PC Xbox, or Xbox App on PC? Seems not even Microsoft knows... But We're looking forward to Xbox on Cup very soon. On this episode of The Regular Show 💻 Xbox PC or Xbox on PC or Xbox App On PC? The PC Pour Begins Microsoft quietly shifts its branding from “Xbox PC” to “Xbox on PC,” and it’s more than semantics. It’s a signal: Xbox is no longer just a console—it’s a platform. With Game Pass, cross-play, and the ROG Ally handheld, the PC is now a first-class citizen in the Xbox ecosystem. The new label popped up in trailers for Grounded 2 and Age of Mythology: Retold, and it finally makes sense. It’s not a PC that’s an Xbox—it’s Xbox, on your PC. We will wait and see what the branding changes to next week. 🧾 Game Pass Hits $5 Billion—But At What Cost? After laying off 15,000 employees this year, Microsoft revealed that Xbox Game Pass raked in nearly $5 billion in annual revenue. That’s a record. But critics argue the subscription model is turning developers into “wage slaves,” stripping away creative incentives. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says it’s bad for business, but hes a former boss for a reason... 🧼 Xbox Insider Update Scrubs the Library The latest Xbox Insider update fixes a long-standing annoyance: the game library clutter. Finally, you can hide games you don’t own or want to see. It’s a small win, but one that makes navigating your digital shelf a little less chaotic. 🕹️ Ubisoft Games Appear On The Microsoft Store Over 10 Ubisoft titles have landed on the Microsoft PC Store. It’s a clear push to bulk up the Xbox on PC catalog. Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and more are now just a click away. But you'll still need the Ubisoft Connect launcher app to actually run these games, so we're left wondering what the use is... 🎉 Rare Turns 40 And Xbox Throws a Party Rare is celebrating its 40th anniversary with surprise rewards in Sea of Thieves, exclusive Gamerpics, and a dynamic background. But the real star? A Rare-themed Xbox controller from 8BitDo. Blue and gold, with nods to Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Piñata, and Donkey Kong Country. It’s a collector’s dream. And it uses Hall Effect joysticks. Something Microsoft still hasn't gotten the hang of. 🛍️ Xbox Gear Store Shuts Down The Gear Store is closing, and fans are wondering if it’s part of a bigger shift. Maybe the guy in charge of the Gear Shop was one of those 15,000 pink slips? Or maybe Microsoft just forgot to renew the domain? Who knows. Either way, Xbox merch is now an EB Games exclusive... Or is it? 🤔 🕵️ Game Pass August Drops Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Frontpunk 2 lead the charge of September's Game Pass line ups, but sadly we're having to say goodbye to Anthem, Farming Simulator 22, and Persona 3 Reload. Now is the time to buy them if you haven't already. Or are you glad to see these ones go? 🧨 $80 Games? Not So Fast Finally some good news. The push to $80 games is finally facing a reckoning as gamers wonder how much more they're about to be squeezed. Xbox and EA have walked back pricing on games like The Outer Worlds 2 and Borderlands 4, returning to the $70 standard. Nintendo remains the lone holdout, but Nintendo will Nintendo... 🧍 Xbox Age Verification Rolls Out in the UK As part of the stupidity that is the UK government, you now have to prove you're of age to use Xbox Live, Spotify and YouTube amongst other apps. If you don't verify your age, you lose access to features like voice chat and game invites. But, if you have access to photo mode in games, well, then you can get past this requirement without having to give up a shred of your real life identity. All this and more in this episode of The Regular Show. We're also in deep in our Patreon's Pick August Event. For all of August, the Patrons get to tell us what to play. Do you want to have your chance to boss Lee around? Join our Patreon today and help your local Xbox podcast keep on trucking on, giving you the content you neither want nor deserve. You're welcome. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

When more people tune into The XboxCast, we become better. At least that's what we tell ourselves... In this episode of The Regular Show: 🧑‍⚖️ CONTROVERSY! The Stop Killing Games campaign, a grassroots movement fighting for digital preservation, is under fire for “systematic concealment” of financial contributions. Turns out, volunteering too hard might get you audited. What a world we live in... 💻 Finally, a usable Windows 11 A leaked Windows 11 UI designed specifically for gaming handhelds could finally fix the clunky experience plaguing devices like the ROG Xbox Ally. The new interface promises streamlined navigation, better game library access, and a layout that actually respects your thumbs. We break down what this means for the future of portable PC gaming—and why it’s long overdue. 🧙‍♂️ Fable Might Be A Fable A new report suggests the reboot won’t land until 2027. That’s a long wait for Albion. But not totally unexpected. Because of course it was going to be delayed. 💸 Ubisoft Being Ubisoft Ubisoft’s latest quote—“microtransactions make the player experience more fun”—might go down as one of the worst in gaming history. There's not much to say because of course this is Ubisoft we're talking about. 📼 And Microsoft Being Microsoft Microsoft has officially shut down its Movies & TV storefront on Xbox and Windows. While your purchased content is safe (for now), the move signals a major shift away from digital media ownership. Microsoft stepping away from the consumer markets isn't entirely surprising, but what could it mean for Xbox going forward? ☁️ Gaming Onna Cloud Finally, Xbox Insiders get a new update that lays the groundwork for smarter Cloud Gaming. Cross-device play history and better library visibility are just the beginning. Kyle goes hands on during the podcast to see how it works. And not because he's distracted either... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

We're trying out something new with our show notes. Introducing - EMOJI! You're welcome. 🛞 Forza Fans Left Spinning Forza’s latest studio update has left fans clutching their steering wheels in despair. With key developers shifting gears and future plans feeling more like a detour than a straightaway, the community is wondering if the franchise is headed for a pit stop or permanent retirement. We unpack the heartbreak and speculate on what’s next for the once-glorious racing titan. 🔥 Ubisoft Wants You to Burn Your Discs In a move that feels like it was brainstormed during a villain monologue, Ubisoft has declared war on physical media. That’s right — they want you to destroy your own game discs. We dive into the dystopian logic behind this, and ask: is this the beginning of the end for game ownership? 🧠 Microsoft’s Unreal Expectations? A new report claims Microsoft has “unrealistic” expectations for Xbox. But not everyone agrees. Some say it’s visionary leadership, others say it’s corporate delusion. We break down the debate and ask whether Xbox is dreaming big or just dreaming. 🧨 Romero Games: From Boom to Bust? Galway-based Romero Games was working on a promising new FPS — until their funding partner (allegedly Microsoft) pulled the plug. With 100 jobs at risk and a game that was hitting every milestone, we explore the emotional fallout and the studio’s fight to stay alive. 🛑 Stop Killing Games — But Publishers Say “No Thanks” The Stop Killing Games movement has hit 1.4 million signatures, demanding that publishers stop nuking online games. But European publishers say the proposals would “curtail developer choice.” We examine both sides of the digital preservation war. 💸 ROG Xbox Ally Pricing Leaks — Hold Onto Your Wallet The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds have leaked with eye-watering prices: €599 and €899 respectively. Set to launch October 16, these Steam Deck rivals promise portable Xbox gaming — but at what cost? We break down the specs, the strategy, and whether your wallet can survive. ☁️ Stream Your Own Game — Finally on PC Xbox’s PC app now lets you stream games you own — no Game Pass required. It’s a quiet revolution for cloud gaming, and a big win for players who prefer ownership over subscription. 🧍‍♂️ Halo CE Remake Rumored for 2026 — But Only Single Player? Rumors swirl about a Halo: Combat Evolved remake dropping in 2026 to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary. But here’s the kicker: it might be single-player only. We discuss what this means for fans, and whether it’s a bold reimagining or a missed opportunity. 🏴‍☠️ Sea of Thieves Gets Custom Servers — But You’ll Pay Rare is finally adding custom servers to Sea of Thieves in early 2026 — but they’re locked behind a new subscription model. We explore what you’ll get, what it’ll cost, and whether it’s worth the doubloons. 🛹 Tony Hawk’s Dynamic Background — Because Why Not? Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 gets a flashy new Xbox dynamic background. It’s got birds, it’s got Tony, and it’s got just enough movement to make you feel like you’re grinding through nostalgia. 🕹️ Game Pass July Wave 2 — Grounded 2, Wuchang, RoboCop & More Microsoft’s July 2025 Wave 2 lineup includes Grounded 2, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, RoboCop: Rogue City, and more. We highlight the hits, the hidden gems, and the ones you might want to skip. 📅 August Game Pass So Far — Assassin’s Creed Mirage Leads the Charge August kicks off with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Rain World, Citizen Sleeper 2, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap. We preview the lineup and speculate on what Wave 2 might bring. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

It's been eight years since we embarked on the journey known as The XboxCast! Join us as we look back - from where we started to how we ended up here. What were we playing 8 years ago? What were you playing 8 years ago? And how did we record those first episodes? All will be answered in this episode. Or at least mused over. This is one episode you're going to want to go to YouTube to watch.... Trust us! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Microsoft giveth. And Microsoft taketh away. And more seems to be going by the day. The internet awoke to a bombshell this week with Microsoft canceling the highly anticipated Perfect Dark reboot and Rare’s ethereal Everwild, and shut down The Initiative studio in a sweeping round of layoffs affecting over 9,000 employees. Turn 10 Studios have also been cut in half and a rumored to be a support studio going forward. Fans are reeling from the loss of these ambitious titles, with Perfect Dark’s sleek 2024 gameplay trailer now a bittersweet memory, and Everwild’s lush fantasy world left unexplored. The A.I. beast must be feed, and Xbox looks to be sacrificial lamb here. In the business world of line must go up, how long can Xbox survive? Especially with Satya's shortsightedness and tunnel vision on Azure. It seems that these are dark days for Xbox. But it’s not all doom and gloom—Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 charges in with its Siege update, borrowing a horde-mode vibe from Gears of War to keep Space Marines slashing through Tyranid swarms. Meanwhile, The Blood of Dawnwalker, a vampire-fueled open-world RPG, stunned some with a massive gameplay reveal, yet left out hosts on the other side of "meh". The Xbox App is leveling up too, adding Steam and Battle.net support for a seamless cross-platform experience—PC gamers, it’s time to unite your libraries! Xbox is here to save the day, as long as it's allowed to. And this leads Kyle to go on a rant about Steam... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Lee has won Best Face Badge. Not in real life - only in our hearts. This week, we’re buzzing about Microsoft’s bombshell reveal of next-gen Xbox consoles, powered by a multi-year AMD partnership promising cutting-edge graphics, AI-enhanced gameplay, and full backwards compatibility with your entire Xbox library—ensuring your classics stay alive. Rumors swirl that these consoles, possibly launching in 2027, might lean into a Windows-based PC-like experience, sparking debates about whether Xbox is morphing into a gaming PC powerhouse. Meanwhile, Borderlands 4 hands-on previews are dropping jaws, with its chaotic looter-shooter vibes set to redefine the series. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition leaked ahead of its announcement, hinting at a VR future where Game Pass and cloud gaming collide for immersive adventures. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II gets an enhanced update on August 12, 2025, with new modes and achievements to deepen its haunting narrative. While also sneakily going across to the blue team... We're truly living in a future where Halo may even come next! How do you feel as an Xbox fan? The Xbox 360 lives on with a surprise 2025 update, keeping the retro flame burning. And in a move to surprise no one, the update puts ads on the dashboard. That's right - update your console from 2006 and get ads... Microsoft manages to Microsoft over everything lately. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Dead of Alive 3 is getting a remake, or remaster. And all around the world, people cheered! After Not-E3, the news always tends to slow down. So we just tend to talk about Lee playing football at McLean park in Napier. He's practically famous by now. But we all know that you're here for game news, so lets go over everything we've missed from the Summer Game Fest. Now we're going over every game that got shown that's coming to Xbox and Xbox PC. Strap yourselves in, its going to be a long one... Also, Kyle thinks Dark Souls doesn't look good. Because whats better for exposure than controversial statements? Although saying Dark Souls doesn't look good is not exactly controversial. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Xbox's Not-E3 has come and gone. And we're left wondering about a lot of things... Sure, we can write some witty comments here, but it's much easier to just give you a list of the games that Xbox showed off. For all out thoughts,. you'll just have to listen to the podcast... What was interesting was just how many had the PS5 Logo. Looks like Xbox is truly embracing its future as the modern SEGA... The games Xbox chose to show us: The Outer Worlds 2 (October 29, 2025, Game Pass) High on Life 3 (March 2025, Game Pass) Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (March 2026, Game Pass) The Blood of Dawnwalker (2026, Xbox/PC/PS5) Super Meat Boy 3D (March 2025, Game Pass) Ninja Gaiden 4 (April 7, 2025, Xbox/PC/PS5, Game Pass) Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – DLC: The Order of Giants (September 2025) Grounded 2 (July 29, 2025, Game Preview, Game Pass) Clockwork Revolution (Release TBD, Game Pass) Beast of Reincarnation (2026, Xbox/PC/PS5, Game Pass) Final Fantasy XVI (Available immediately on Xbox Series X|S and PC) Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Winter 2025, Xbox) Persona 4 Revival (Release TBD, Xbox/PC/PS5, Game Pass) Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Release TBD, Game Pass Ultimate) Age of Mythology: Retold – Heavenly Spear DLC (Fall 2025, Game Pass) There Are No Ghosts at the Grand (2026, Xbox/PC, Game Pass) Mudang: Two Hearts (2026, Xbox/PC) Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf (2026, Xbox/PC, Game Pass) Fallout 76: Gone Fission (Available now) Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive (2026, Xbox) Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 (July 11, 2025, Game Pass) At Fate’s End (2026, Xbox/PC, Game Pass) Gears of War: Reloaded (August 26, 2025, Xbox/PC/PS5, Game Pass) Sea of Thieves – Season 17: Smuggler’s Tide (August 2025) Keeper (October 17, 2025, Xbox/PC) Cronos: A New Dawn (Fall 2025, Xbox/PC) Aphelion (2026, Xbox/PC, Game Pass) Aniimo (2026, Xbox/PC) Invincible Vs. (2026, Xbox/PC) Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025, tied to ROG Xbox Ally launch, Game Pass) Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster (Release TBD) What did you think of 2025's Not-E3? Join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community and take part in our #Back2YourBacklog June Event! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

When everything is an Xbox, nothing is an Xbox... Xbox Game Pass is a rollercoaster, welcoming trippy sci-fi and an anti-live-service gem in The Alters, while Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II shadowdrop for console players.Game Pass is the gift that just keep on giving. But where is the option to subscribe for more time to play these amazing games? Minecraft may have missed its Super Duper Graphics Pack update, but it's back with a massive graphics update and a bonus achievement. Finally, we get to see the blocks rendered in 4K... And remember Manual Samuel —that wacky gem? Well it gets new achievements after nine years! Hardware’s stealing the spotlight, though: Microsoft’s new AMD partnership powers first-party Xbox gear, and two Xbox handhelds drop just as Nintendo Switch 2 launches (cheeky timing, Phil!). The ROG Xbox Ally gets a price and release date, but Microsoft’s sidelining its own handheld to focus on Windows 11 PC gaming, with “Xbox PC” branding taking center stage. Fans aren’t thrilled, with some claiming “Xbox as we know it is ending” and others joking you’ll need to sell a kidney for the new storage upgrades. The Witcher 4 set the internet ablaze with a UE 5.6 tech demo at State of Unreal 2025, but has left Lee very unimpressed. We'll let youi be the judge, but so far, it just looks like another UE5 game. Kyle holds out hope that CD Projekt RED will deliver though, but how far can reckless optimism get you? Forza Horizon 6 is teased for Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026—no release this year year, though. Sony’s PlayStation State of Play June 2025 showcased a slew of PC and Xbox titles, proving cross-platform love is alive. The next event is in June and it's all about your backlog! For more info, check out the official #Back2YourBacklog page on our website for all the info. Then join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

A Riders Republic movie is in the works. Sometimes the jokes write themselves... Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine gets a remastered glow-up, landing day one for Xbox and PC—perfect for chainsword-wielding fans. Meanwhile, The Division 2 storms the service with its Battle for Brooklyn expansion and Year 7 content, ready to unleash fresh chaos. Xbox dropped sleek Witcher 3 controllers to celebrate a decade of Geralt, making us all want to toss a coin to our console setups. Over in Monster Hunter Wilds, the May update brings Street Fighter’s Akuma, tougher Tempered monsters, and balance tweaks that have us hyped. But it’s not all smooth sailing—EA’s canned its Black Panther game and shuttered Cliffhanger Games, leaving Wakanda fans gutted, while Bungie’s Destiny 2 content vaulting stirs up legal drama that’s got Guardians talking. On the experimental side, Microsoft’s testing an Xbox Copilot AI to guide your gaming—friend or futuristic overlord? We’ll see. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hits a milestone thats super fitting for the game, and Atomfall is already eyeing a sequel and a TV show, talk about big dreams! And Hideo Kojima’s back at Summer Game Fest, because of course he is. Geoff continues to remind the world that Kojima is his friend, even if Kojima doesn't know... The next event is in June and it's all about your backlog! For more info, check out the official #Back2YourBacklog page on our website for all the info. Then join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Our world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge has come to an end. And do we have the recap for you - all the in-and-outs as they happened! Gears of War is going to PlayStation, its true, For all the good that will do... Xbox really seems keen to destroy its brand. As it sends its tent pole games into competitor's hand. But the games only flow towards one way, As God of War has not come to Xbox this day... We're sorry for starting the podcast off with this depressing news, but blame Lee. So far, of the core Xbox franchises - Forza, Gears and Halo, only Halo remains and Xbox exclusive. But for how long? By the end on Not-E3 this year, will Xbox have any exclusives left? Probably not. Then the only thing going for it is Game Pass... The world we could have been in, if only Microsoft stick by their guns and had faith in their products - Xbox included. Just imagine what would have happened if Call of Duty was exclusive! Xbox may even be the no.1 console... In saying that - it's not like we aren't getting any games! Thanks to a renewed Xbox roadmap, we can see the next few games planned and we're sure this will be expanded on during not-E3 as well! In addition, Game Pass continues to shower us with games - some we have bought, and some we were going to buy. This is the service that keeps on serving... up good games, that is! While there's a lot to be critical of, Xbox is where our hearts are. Even if its not where Microsoft's heart is any more. So in preparation, we're getting ready for Tencent to buy Xbox from Microsoft and release The T-Box! Tongue in cheek, of course! The next event is in June and it's all about your backlog! For more info, check out the official #Back2YourBacklog page on our website for all the info. Then join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

The charts have changed! This is not a drill, the charts have changed! The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remaster has rocketed into 2nd place on the charts! Proving once again what we knew all along - the world craves good RPGs! And maybe not even good RPGs, but good games in general. And what's this? Coming in the top 10 is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33! Truly we live in an age of wonders! Good games coming left and right and its all thanks to Xbox. In fact, its thanks to Xbox that PlayStation can keep the lights on, as Microsoft Gaming becomes the top publisher on the PlayStation store for the last quarter. Sony must really love getting their 30% cut from all of Microsoft's hard work. Would certainly be a shame if Xbox decided to stopped being nice and focus on their own ecosystem... In more good news - PC Game Pass hits a 45% YoY increase! So we live to see another day of articles telling us how unsustainable or unprofitable Game Pass is. Thanks gaming media! And speaking of Game Pass, Farcry 4 gets a 60FPS patch just in time for it's Game Pass debut. Like we said - good games are coming left and right. It's becoming so hard to keep up. RIP to everyone backlog everywhere. And we finally have Hunted the Truth when it comes to Halo 5's infamous media campaign which was nothing like the game. In a tale as old as time, the Sales & Marketing guys didn't understand what they were selling, and so sold something that didn't exist. You would have thought that with this happening 10 years ago, Microsoft and everyone else would have learnt their lesson, but it seems not. Do you have questions about the title of this episode? Of course you do. Lee has been playing Avowed and he's been a-wowed with it. To find out more, you'll just have to listen... Our world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge has come to an end. But you'll have to wait until next week to hear the official stats... (Thats what we call a tease in this industry) The next event is in June and it's all about your backlog! For more info, check out the official #Back2YourBacklog page on our website for all the info. Then join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Did you hear? It scored 92 on OpenCricket! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has come out swinging. Rave reviews, massive media blitz and the cherry on top? It just so happens to be a great game! Often scoring 10/10 on just about every gaming review site that matters! What a fantastic outing for the first game from a new and unknown studio. Now we know where all of Ubisoft's talent went.. And it does this all without any towers to climb and survey! The Division 2 finally has some DLC news! It's only taken them about 6 years to get back into gear. We'll be getting a short story and some new cosmetics, but hey - for the price, we can't exactly complain. Hopefully, we see more investment into Div2 from here on out. Or maybe even The Division 3? Will you be jumping into Battle for Brooklyn when it comes out? The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remake Remaster Re-Relese is finally real! And its out now on Game Pass. Who would have though that we'd ever get here? With leak after leak, we finally can get back into Cyrodiil! But at 100+GB for a game that came on a DVD... It better be amazing. And rejoice all your LG TV owners. Or at least if you bought your TV in the last 2 years. Because now your LG TV is officially an Xbox. Yes, the Xbox app is available for LG TV's but only for the 2023 models on wards. Now we can welcome a lot more people into the wonderful world of "Everything's an Xbox"... Speaking of Achievement Hunters - the current event is is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! Check out our website for future events and join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Clair Obsur: Expedition 33 is so close, and we have a breakdown. And by breakdown, we mean someone watched the trailer and told us what we already know. Can you say HYPE? Because we are super hyped for this game! OK, maybe just one of us, but that still counts. Lee is dubious due to his hate of anything fun, while Kyle is counting down the hours to get his hands on the new F-JRPG (French JRPG) dropping on Game Pass. EA has announced a new Star Wars game, And yet again, Lee is dubious. You see, its a tactics-style game - another genre that Kyle loves and Lee loves to hate. But it's Star Wars! Hopefully it's better than anything Disney has put out lately. Although, these day's it's not hard. Phil teases a bunch of unannounced games still to come this year. We would be excited, but the only question is how many are going to PlayStation? With Not-E3 coming up, we expect to see a whole lot form the now third party publishing behemoth formally known as Xbox Studios. As long as they come to Game Pass, we can't really complain. It would be nice to see Xbox get back its competitiveness though... And Xbox is getting some exclusive DOOM: The Dark Ages goodies! Speaking of Achievement Hunters - the current event is is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! Check out our website for future events and join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Warning: The following episode may make you quite sad, angry or annoyed. But, hey, don't blame us, we just read the news that other people have reported on... In good news, Minecraft is getting an update! While it's no Super Duper Graphics Pack that was promised way back in 2017, it does bring enhanced lighting, and other cool stuff. They call this update Vibrant Visuals, and hopefully this is laying the foundation for whats to come, with Mojang building up over time to getting us amazing looking giant blocks. From now now, we'll be seeing Minecraft in a whole new light... Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary. And it was all about Copilot. Like, come on Microsoft - you have disrupted so many industries, gaming included - and you chose to focus on Copilot. Oh, we got a new dynamic background for Xbox. Thanks, I suppose... Atomfall looks like its a massive hit, thanks to the Game Pass effect. Although reports of bugs, lost saves, audio issues and more are plaguing those achievement hunters and completionists. Probably best to wait for a few patches before diving into this one. And Nintendo had a Direct. Apart from some exorbitant game pricing (seriously - $80 for Forza Mario Kart Horizon!), we got a bunch of new games coming to Xbox. Pity none stand out, as Nintendo either showed off what we already know (hello Silksong), and a bunch of indie games that look right at home on the Switch. Maybe next Direct, we can expect some more excitement, but until June and Not-E3 happens, we're probably going to be hanging out for any news. Speaking of Achievement Hunters - the current event is is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! Check out our website for future events and join our Discord to become a member of our amazing community. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

In celebration of Microsoft's 50th Anniversary (and our official 450th episode), we've counted down the Top 50 Xbox Games on Xbox, as chosen by you - our valued community! That's right, no #NuNews, #GameFace or even Regular Shows this time around, just a countdown of the best games ever to be released on Xbox. Where is Halo? Does Gears of War make the cut? If you didn't vote - you have no one but yourself to blame. Did you favourite game make the cut? We'd love to hear! So make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. The current event is is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! And if you're looking for the list, it's up on our website, but it wont stick around forever... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

This is just a test for our real 450th episode. In fact, you could call it Episode No. 449.5. Any facts to the contrary are communist lies! Could Xbox be buying up some Ubisoft IP? Rumors are saying that Xbox is on the prowl to add some Tom Clancy or Assassins Creed to their already impressive line up of unused and ignored IPs... After all, Xbox has been banned from buying Ubisoft outright for the next 10 years. All thanks to the UK being a stick in the mud during the Activision Blizzard take over. The studio that bought us the very disappointing Saints Row reboot was closed down, and now we know why. According to an exac, it was too expensive for what it was. It also doesn't help that the game, known for being anti-PC, got a reboot that was over the top PC. And Minecraft is getting a visual update! The first in it's entire history. While its no Super Duper Graphics Pack that was promised way back when, its a start in the right direction. Reflections, god-rays, oh my! Hopefully this is the start of a greater graphics refresh that the game has been crying out for. It may even spawn its very own XboxCast event... Minecraft May! All this and much, much more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. The next one up is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Xbox is working on a handheld gaming console! And knowing Microsoft's naming standard, will probably call it "Copilot for Your Hands"! In what is the worst kept secret of the gaming space, we now know that Xbox is partnering with Asus on a gaming handheld to take on the Switch. Will it be any good? Will it still run Windows? All this remains to be seen, but with Steam entering the operating system space, we can see Microsoft starting to sweat a little. Will you pick one up? Or will you continue to use your trusty SteamDeck? Halo Infinite was about to get the Destiny treatment - 10 years of evolving and growing. But we can all see where that ended up. The utter mismanagement of 343 Industries caused a massive shake up, even to the point where the entire studio was renamed, and Halo was shifted to the Unreal 5 engine. One day, there will be thesis's written about the incredible fumble that was 343i and Halo Infinite. Diablo IV is about to get harder. A lot harder! People were speed running season 7 way too easily apparently. So now we're all being punished in season 8. Looks like we'll never get to Paragon 300 at this rate... All this and much, much more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. The next one up is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Tony Hawke's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remaster - also known as THIPS 7 - will be board sliding its way onto your Xbox this very year! And we cannot wait! Thats right, we'll soon grinding, ollie-ing, and kickflipping all over the place. And the best news is that we'll be doing it as the DOOMSLAYER! Because what's better than being Tony Hawke? Being the death machine that is the DOOMSLAYER. We can't wait to glory-kill some rails. If fighting the darkness is not your style, you can also skate away your troubles as the Revenant, proving there's something for everyone. Will the music be just as good as we remember? You better believe it! Acclaim is coming back. This will only mean something to you if you've been gaming since the late nineties, but for us older gamers, it's welcome news indeed. Will we get some new games in franchises we haven't seen singe 2001? Or will this be revived only to sell IP to Tencent? Either way, if this means we get a new Shadow-man game, then bring it on! And of course, what is a week in Xbox without being disappointed? This week, the rumor that Gears of War is going to PlayStation would be bad enough. But of course, they just have to add salt in the wound, and will be shipping the game without multiplayer! For a game that earned its cult following because of multiplayer, this is a very strange move indeed. Or this could be one giant ploy to get PlayStations gamers up to speed for when they release GoW: E-Day on the rival console as well? Either way, we aren't sure what Xbox is trying to achieve, but we do know they are pushing away some very vocal and long-term fans with these types of moves. All this and much, much more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. The next one up is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Because what other instrument would a fish play? Rockbeasts has been announced and looks to be the sleep hit we never knew we needed. Creatures big and small all come together in this unique RPG that is going to be filled to the brim with the best puns ever. And we're hyped for it! That Annapurna Interactive Showcase took place and there were announcements for announcements. From game devs confirming they are working on their next game, to release dates for games you've never heard of, the entire show could have been an email. At least according to us. We're not massive indie fans, so we're pretty sure some hidden gems are slipping under our radar. If we missed something exciting, be sure to let us know. Phil Spencer has said that generative A.I. is going to be amazing for game preservation. We have some doubts after seeing the current state of things, but like any good Microsoftie, Phil is making sure to lock step with the wider Microsoft as they march to the drumbeat of A.I. in everything. All we ask is for our Xbox to be a little smarter... What do you think? Is A.I. in video games a good thing? Or is it one giant Silicon Valley bubble? Not to be outdone, the head kahuna of Microsoft - Satya himself - has started crooning about the role of A.I. in video games. Particularly, how import gaming data is to Microsoft in helping to train their models. Just think - you'll go off to work one day and your A.I. avatar gets to stay home and unlock achievements for you. Because who wants to play their games anyway? It's much easier to let A.I. beat that boss, get that perfect three-star score, or manage your inventory. Actually, that last one sounds like the perfect use of A.I. in video games. Never having to deal with inventory management ever again will make it all worth it. All this and much, much more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. The next one up is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Lee has 100% more finger in this episode. Or is it due to being replaced by AI? Xbox has a roadmap? Wait. It's a roadmap created by an Xbox fan, and not from Xbox Studios themselves. That more like the Xbox we know and love - no advertising, and expecting fans to do all their work for them. That aside, the roadmap is pretty impressive. Going all the way back to 2020, it showcases only the games Xbox Game Studios have actually released. This generation seems to be all about the games, and we've got them in spades. There's a new third part Xbox controller, and its a monster! Four controllers in one and called the best controller for PC and Xbox gaming. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot surely looks impressive, with being able to swap out the controller modules for your perfect layout. Now you can try out symmetrical thumb-sticks just to feel how wrong they are. And Ubisoft is Ubisofting all over their financials - posting what looks to be incomplete sales data. But in a twist, its not incomplete - that's just how far Ubisoft sales have fallen. 50% down in one quater alone. Will AC Shadows come in to save them? Or is it going to be the final nail in the coffin, causing them to be sold to Tencent? We're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you've joined our Discord to enjoy the fun. Any #FriendlyFeb game reviews you put in Discord have a chance to be read out on the podcast. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

It's like matador, but for roosters. A more exciting way to make chicken skewers. The reviews are in for South of Midnight, and boy is it shaping up to be a very special exclusive. Couple this with the reviews from Avowed, and Xbox is finally looking to be in the swing of things. Will they be able to keep up this momentum? Or will it all be undone by putting all these games on PlayStation in a years' time? Do you long for the gold ole days of RPGs, where every level up felt earned, where every item drop was a special occasion? A time before we got the dopamine riddled new hack-n-slashers? Well, you're not alone. The creator of Diablo 2, David Brevik, has shared a longing to get back to these types of games. And could Final Fantasy be coming to Xbox? New rumors are hinting that we may even see FF7 Remake and FF16 on Xbox this year! But do you care? It's been so long, and Xbox has been putting out so many great games on Game Pass - from AAA blockbuster to indie gems - that it looks to be too little too late for Square Enix. We're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you've joined our Discord to enjoy the fun. Any #FriendlyFeb game reviews you put in Discord have a chance to be read out on the podcast. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

PlayStation gets even more Xbox games. While Xbox gets..? The warm fuzzies of being everyone's friends? Age of Empires, Age of Mythology and Forza Horizon 5 are all headed to PlayStation. There really are no more red lines inside Xbox. How soon will see Halo or Gears of War on PlayStation? All while Xbox is talking about winning people based on hardware, services and experiences. Almost like the games themselves aren't experiences? Seems like Activision Blizzard is not going to pay for itself, and Microsoft is calling on Xbox to collect. Multiversus is shutting down. Yip, the game that released, then pulled, then re-released somehow never managed to find an audience. Who would have thought? Unless its due to be re-re-released this time next year? Bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off. Rebel Wolves, ex-devs from CD Projekt RED, are showing off their first game. On a mission to make the best RPG's in the world, this CGI trailer looks to have all the best bits of The Witcher distilled. We're looking really forward to hat they cook up, when they cook it up. And we're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you're in our Discord, and join in on the fun. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

A new Xbox is coming, and we know the name. Introducing Xbox Copilot! Welcome to Season 9. We're glad you're here! And hello to all the new listeners. Let us introduce ourselves. We're The XboxCast - a podcast from Australia/New Zealand all about the life of an Xbox gamer in the lands of Down Under. From sky high tech prices, to being left off world maps, the ANZ experience is always fun. As a welcome back, we go over January's Developer Direct - DOOM, South of Midnight, and a surprise Ninja Gaiden 4 announcement. Oh my! So much to look forward to. And what is this? All of it going to PlayStation... Sometimes Xbox really makes it hard to be a fan. But Microsoft will Microsoft, and boy, do we get into it. We promise, we're not always so ranty! And get yourself ready for #FriendlyFeb! Our February event kicks off soon, so make sure you're in our Discord, and join in on the fun. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

It's the Game Awards Show, but different! Thanks Lee! Before we sign off officially for 2024, we have one final episode for you - its The Game Awards - again. But slightly different. -- 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! Our final show of 2024, 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!), we don't award games just because they sold well. NO! We nominate games that we've played throughout the 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. 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 2025 for season 9! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Some guy named Geoff hosted some game awards show. Naturally we're here to tell him how wrong he was. It's time for The (fake) Game Awards! Hosted by the guy we all love to intensely dislike - Geoff! This year saw some very good nominations, but the questions on everyone's lips is will the gaming media media all over these awards, and who will be told to Wrap It Up? If you are one of the lucky few who didn't manage to catch any of the announcements, or the winners, then you're in luck! Neither did Kyle. So, you're both going in blind to these awards. Were there any exciting announcements? And just how much did Sony pay to win Game of The Year? As always, this is all in jest. Just a warmup, while you wait for the award show that really matters - The XboxCast's Game of The Year show! Coming up next episode... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

Xbox happened to drop a little Indy game to round out the year. And it looks like it's on track to be the real Game of The Year! Indiana Jones is out to rave reviews. Tens all across the board, but the looks of it. Well done Machine Games! And on the back of that, Xbox has decided its strongest line up in years is also going to PlayStation. Just when you think Xbox is ready to compete, they shoot themselves in the foot. Thanks Sarah! As games expand to budgets in the millions, years long development cycles and thousands of people all getting laid off, we ask has the AAA bubble burst? It certainly looks that way when you see a game like Concord that didn't even last 2 weeks before being shut down and forgotten about. Is this due to the nature of the industry changing or could this be due to DEI policies? Kyle has some ideas, and he does like a good rant. In some positive news, Lee actually likes most of the new games coming out this week. Consider that a win. Both for him, and you, our listener! No longer will you have to hear him verbally eye roll with each announcement. Remember to vote for your personal Game of the Year! Because we believe in Play Choice here. Have your say for the best and worst games you played this year, and the best responses will be read out in our final show of the year. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐