Tag: Microsoft
News Call Of Duty Dev Sledgehammer Games Seeking Talent With "Switch Experience"
Signs of life
It's been a while since we heard anything about the Call of Duty series returning to Nintendo platforms, and now following the recent release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on other platforms earlier this month, there has reportedly been some signs of life. According to Insider Gaming, a new job listing from Sledgehammer Games - seeking...
News Reggie Is "Surprised" We Haven't Seen More Xbox Titles On Switch 2
"I thought there would be much more"
In the last year or two, Microsoft has been very vocal about its desire to support Switch and Switch 2. We've seen a couple of examples of this on the new hardware with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 and the soon-to-come Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but where's the Gears? Where's the Call o
News Microsoft On Its Gaming Business Going Forward: "We Want To Be Everywhere"
"Gaming's competition is not other gaming"
Last month, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer reiterated how Xbox would support Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 players going forward, and now the tech giant's Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has chimed in. Speaking to TBPN recently about this "shifting" business model, Nadella mentioned how the company wants to...
News Xbox Reiterates Its Support For Switch 2
Halo was announced for PS5 this week
In some absolutely huge industry news this week, Microsoft yesterday announced the Halo series would be coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026, with a new Unreal Engine 5 remake of Master Chief's original campaign. While there have been rumours for some time now about this iconic serie
News The ROG Xbox Ally X Receives Glowing Reviews, But It's Still Pretty Pricey
Switch 2 is frankly a bargain by comparison
Ahead of its release on 16th October 2025 (yes, tomorrow), the ROG Xbox Ally X has received a whole bunch of reviews, and it sounds like this thing might be the new king of PC handhelds. Heck, at £799 / $999, you'd hope so, wouldn't you? We're going to highlight the review over at Pure Xbox first and...
News Banjo-Kazooie Director Marks Departure From Rare With A Poem
End of an era
If you enjoy Rare's games, then chances are you ought to be thanking Gregg Mayles, a UK-based game designer who not only directed Banjo-Kazooie and its Xbox-only follow-up Nuts & Bolts, but also worked on Banjo-Tooie, Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads, and more. He was a big deal at the studio, and now after 36 years, he's left for...
News Xbox Will Reportedly Announce "More Game Ports" For Other Platforms Soon
"Including Nintendo Switch 2"
Xbox has already voiced its support for the Switch 2, and according to a new report by The Game Business this week, we could be finding out more very soon. With rumours about a Nintendo Direct already doing the rounds online, veteran video game journalist Christopher Dring has now added to this buzz, claiming "Xbox is...
"What a colossal waste of talent."
Last week's layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox Games were shocking to say the least, with over 9,000 people losing their jobs, including veterans at Rare, Romero Games, and the cancellation of big projects such as Perfect Dark. This comes despite the fact that the tech giant reportedly made $26 billion in the last...
News Microsoft Announces Another Wave Of Layoffs, Over 9,000 Jobs Affected
Update 2: Gregg Mayles, Louise O’Connor, and Wil Overton among departures
Microsoft has begun informing staff of a huge second wave of job cuts this year, and the layoffs are expected to hit over 9,000 employees. In a report published by
News Yes, Call Of Duty Is Still On The Way To Nintendo Hardware
Microsoft and Activision reconfirm
Nintendo's platforms were notably absent from the latest Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 announcement, so what exactly is going on here now that the 10-year deal has been done and the Switch 2 is officially in the hands of consumers? Although there have been no public updates, according to Kotaku's senior reporter Ethan...
News Xbox Officially Enters The Handheld Space, But Nintendo Won't Be Worried
This feels as niche as it gets
Xbox has officially entered the handheld space with the announcement of two new devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Launching toward the end of 2025, the new portable systems are the result of a collaboration between Xbox and Asus. They aim to take advantage of Xbox Play Anywhere, a service that lets...
Random Xenoblade Chronicles X Pops Up On Microsoft PC Game Page
Something or nothing?
Well, here's a weird listing – Monolith Soft's Wii U epic Xenoblade Chronicles X has popped up on a Microsoft PC webpage covering "enhanced games for Microsoft Edge Game Assist". We've taken a look ourselves and can confirm it's featured. It's listed alongside PC releases like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. Here it is,...
News Xbox Has Reportedly Sidelined Its First-Party Handheld (For Now)
The third-party one is still expected
Microsoft's gaming division Xbox was reportedly planning to go all-in on handheld gaming with not only a third-party device expected this year but also a first-party product supposedly targeting 2027. Ahead of the Switch 2 launch next week, the tech giant's plans have apparently changed. In an
News Xbox's Latest Multiplatform Release Has Been Announced
Now how about a Switch 2 release?
Over the past year, Xbox has been publishing more first-party IP on other platforms, and in the latest update it's now announced this mission is set to continue with Gears of War: Reloaded. Not only is this remaster of the first game coming to Xbox and PC platforms, but it will also be getting an official release...
News Banjo-Kazooie Composer Explains Why He Thinks Another Game Is Unlikely
The "overriding factor" is money
There have been ongoing requests over the years for the revival of Rare's famous bear and bird duo Banjo-Kazooie, but will fans ever see this series return? The game's composer Grant Kirkhope already spoke about this earlier in the year - mentioning how he had "zero hope" for a new entry, and now in an interview...
News "Nintendo Has Been A Great Partner" - Phil Spencer Reiterates Switch 2 Support
"I’m really a big believer in what Nintendo means for this industry"
Microsoft's Phil Spencer has once again reiterated his support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 in a new interview with Variety (thanks, VGC). When asked whether Xbox has any specific projects in mind for the Switch 2, Spencer was understandably hesitant to provide concrete...
News Oblivion Remaster May Be Launching This Month, But Will It Come To Switch 2?
Say yes
Rumours of an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster have been swirling for a while now, culminating in what might be one of the worst-kept secrets of 2025 so far. According to Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb, the game will supposedly release during the week commencing 21st April 2025 and is set to grace the PS5, Xbox Series X\S, and PC. A more recent...
News Crash And Spyro Dev Wants To Partner With Team Xbox For A Crack At Banjo
"Banjo's been hibernating long enough, right?"
Having helmed well-received entries in the Spyro/Skylanders and Crash Bandicoot lines, developer Toys for Bob has form with 3D platformers featuring beloved childhood characters. Perhaps unsurprisingly, according to a new interview, the team would be interested in reviving another fan-favourite series:...
News Some Fans Are Drawing Unfavourable Comparisons Between Switch 2 And Xbox One
Don Mattrick's infamous quote resurfaces
The Nintendo Switch 2 pricing reveal hasn't exactly gone down well, and with the economic instability at the moment, many consumers are frustrated at the price and lack of communication. But as interviews with Nintendo of America reps were published yesterday, one of Doug Bowser's comments in particular has...
News Halo: Master Chief Collection For Switch 2 May Not Launch In Its 'Complete' Form
"I wouldn't think of it as every game"
One of the most surprising and intriguing rumours in recent months concerns the potential launch of Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2. Microsoft has been bullish in moving some of its biggest games over to rival platforms, including the likes of Forza Horizon 5 (on PS5),...
News Switch 2 And Other Platforms Can Expect "A Lot More" Xbox Games In 2025
Last year was just a warm up
Microsoft's Xbox brand has a new strategy where it plans to make gaming more accessible than ever by releasing its games on more devices. It began this last year with the release of titles like Pentiment and Grounded on Switch as well as Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush for the PlayStation 5. Now, according to The Verge's...
Rumour Xbox Expected To Join Switch 2 With A New Handheld This Year
Microsoft could be testing the waters...
The Switch 2 is just around the corner and according to a new report it could be joined by a new Xbox handheld "later in 2025". A new 'exclusive' from Windows Central claims Microsoft is partnering with another company to deliver a PC gaming OEM "think ASUS, Lenovo, MSI, Razer, etc" and something "similar to...
News Xbox Head "Excited" About Switch 2 And Multiplatform Releases
"It's good to have our games reach more places"
Xbox has shifted to a new strategy where it's now bringing more first-party IP to other platforms including Nintendo's devices. We've already heard from Phil Spencer how the plan is to support the 'Switch 2' when it arrives, and now Xbox Game Studios' head Craig Duncan has elaborated on the company's...
News Expect To See The Switch Logo Pop Up In Future Xbox Showcases
"I’m just trying to be open and transparent with people"
Xbox games going multiplatform is old news by this point, but according to Phil Spencer, the company is looking to up its transparency during Developer Direct showcases when it comes to specifying where its games are launching. Those paying attention during last month's Xbox dev direct may...
Rumour Another Xbox Game Could Be Racing Onto Switch 2, It's Claimed
Forza Horizon 5 was just announced for the PS5
Xbox is "evolving" and as part of its new strategy, it's now releasing major first-party IP on other platforms. Now, ahead of the 'Switch 2 Direct' this April, Microsoft's gaming division has announced it's bringing its popular open-world arcade racer Forza
News Xbox Is "Really Looking Forward" To Supporting Switch 2
Phil Spencer: "We love the work that we do with Nintendo"
Since Nintendo's Switch 2 announcement last week, multiple companies have revealed they'll be backing this next-generation hybrid system. Now, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has officially confirmed Xbox's support. Speaking on the Gamertag Radio podcast this week, Spencer mentioned how...
News Banjo-Kazooie Composer Has "Zero Hope" For A New Entry
We're inclined to agree
Just days after Moon Studios' lead Thomas Mahler expressed his desire to see the Banjo-Kazooie franchise in the hands of a "really talented developer", original composer Grant Kirkhope has taken to social media to say that he has "zero hope" in a potential new entry (thanks, Eurogamer). He then went on to say that a new...
News Banjo-Kazooie Has The Potential To "Rival 3D Mario", Says Ori Dev
If a "really talented developer" has a crack at it
There was once a time when Banjo-Kazooie was rightly considered to be a close rival to the Super Mario franchise when Rare launched two outstanding entries on N64 in the form of the self-titled debut and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie. That was a long time ago, though. While Microsoft flirted with idea of...
Rumour Diablo 4 Is Claimed To Be In Development For Switch 2
While Halo's arrival is reiterated
A new claim states that Blizzard's Diablo 4 may currently be in development for Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 hardware. This comes from eXputer writer 'eXtas1s' who, in a newly uploaded video (thanks, VGC) states that the game will likely make its way to the new console in 2025 while also reiterating
Rumour Insider Claims That Halo: Master Chief Collection Will Come To 'Switch 2'
Along with Flight Simulator
Known insider Nate the Hate has claimed in a new podcast that Microsoft will further its multiplatform ambitions in 2025 by bringing both Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Flight Simulator to the 'Switch 2' and the PS5. The insider – who previously correctly claimed that
News Original Minecraft Creator Has "Basically Announced" A Spiritual Successor
"I'm loving working on games again"
Minecraft creator Markus 'Notch' Persson has "basically announced" a spiritual successor to the exceptionally popular sandbox game after issuing a poll on social media. The developer asked his audience what they would like him to focus on in 2025, with the options being a traditional roguelike mixed with a 'tile...
News Xbox Confirms It's Looking Into A Potential Handheld Device
Don't expect anything soon, though
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer has confirmed that the firm is looking into potentially producing a handheld device for its Xbox platform. In speaking with Bloomberg (thanks, Pure Xbox), the executive stated that the “expectation is that we would do something” in the handheld space, but was also seemingly keen to...
News Xbox Chief On Bringing Games To Other Platforms, Says There Are No "Red Lines"
But it's reportedly too early to make a call on Halo
Last month, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella spoke about how Xbox was extending its gaming content to other platforms including the Nintendo Switch. It's unsurprisingly reignited a lot of debate about how far Xbox could go with this new strategy, and now Phil Spencer has elaborated on this during a...
News Microsoft Talks About Extending Its Gaming Content To 'New Platforms'
It recently released fan-favourite titles on Switch
Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella this week released his annual letter to shareholders and in the "gaming" segment, he spoke about how the company had continued to extend its content to new platforms. He also acknowledged how Microsoft and its gaming division Xbox had recently brought multiple fan...
Random Nintendo's Museum Might Be Emulating SNES Games On Windows PC
It sure sounds like it...
In case you missed it, Nintendo recently opened a museum in Japan and it's filled with all sorts of displays featuring the company's classic titles. For anyone who has been wondering how exactly Nintendo might be showcasing these retro games in its museum, it seems it could be making use of emulation on Windows PC. As
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Reiterates Plan To Put "More Of Our Games On More Platforms"
The floodgates have opened
After Xbox's promising showcase over the weekend, head honcho Phil Spencer took to the stage with IGN's Ryan McCaffrey to talk about the Xbox business, recent studio closures, and future hardware. Following on from the release of Grounded and Pentiment on the Switch, Spencer reiterated Xbox's plan to release more of its...
News Crash Bandicoot And Spyro Studio 'Toys For Bob' Is Now Officially Independent
It will partner with Xbox to publish its next game
In March, the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro developer Toys for Bob announced it would leave Activision and the Xbox team to become an independent studio. In an update on social media, it's now made this official with a profile update. In its bio description on X, it now says "We are an independent game...
News Activision Officially Announces Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
Microsoft now has a 10-year deal with Nintendo
Ahead of a Switch "successor" announcement this fiscal year, Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. This new entry is scheduled to be featured at Xbox's upcoming showcase next m
News Rumoured 'Hi-Fi Rush' Switch Port In Doubt As Microsoft Culls Tango Gameworks And Other Studios
A "reprioritization of titles and resources"
In the latest shocking blow to the gaming and developer communities, Microsoft has announced a series of studio closures and consolidations, including the shuttering of Tango Gameworks, the developers behind 2023's acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush. The game was released recently on PlayStation and, much like the...
News Ratings Board PEGI Lists Hi-Fi Rush For Nintendo Switch
Could it be..?
The 'Pan European Game Information' board (or PEGI, for short) has listed Hi-Fi Rush for the Nintendo Switch following the game's launch on PS5 last month. The listing comes with a release date of 30th April 2024, but hones
Random Latest Fan-Made 'Banjo-Threeie' Trailer Very Nearly Had Us Going
It ain't real, folks!
For years decades now, Banjo-Kazooie fans have been clamouring for a new entry in the dormant platforming franchise, and while 2008's Nuts & Bolts was certainly likeable in its own way, there's just no escaping that niggling thought in the back of our minds: we need 'Banjo-Threeie'. We're not sure what Microsoft is...
News Minecraft Marketplace Adds Kung Fu Panda DLC
Po and friends are back
Mojang's insanely popular survival-crafting game Minecraft is celebrating the new Kung Fu Panda movie with some new themed DLC. The DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda DLC can be purchased from the Minecraft Marketplace and is an "adventure map" filled with "action-packed battles, epic showdowns from the movies, and pand-tastic co-op...
News Moon Studios Isn't Making 'Ori 3' Yet But It Has "Ideas"
"Right now, we are completely focused on No Rest for the Wicked"
Moon Studios, developer of the platforming Metroidvanias Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, is busy working on its upcoming action RPG No Rest for the Wicked. But in a new interview with Game In
News Sea Of Thieves Could Lead To More Xbox Exclusives On Other Platforms
It's reportedly a "key test" for Microsoft
Microsoft is currently in the process of rolling out select Xbox exclusive on the Switch and PlayStation 5, and apparently, one particular upcoming title could decide if it releases more games on these platforms in the future. The Verge's senior editor Tom Warren claims the PlayStation 5 release Sea of...
Rumour Xbox May Be About To Join The Switch In The Handheld Space
Competition is good!
Since the Swich's launch and subsequent success (139 million units sold, anyone?), a vast variety of technology manufacturers have dipped their toes into the handheld market, including the likes of Steam, Ayaneo, Lenovo, and Asus. If recent rumours are to be believed, however, it seems like Microsoft might be wanting to get in...
News Crash Bandicoot Dev Toys For Bob Splits From Activision & Xbox, Goes Independent
"We're thrilled"
It's been another wild week for the video game industry and it seems we're not done just yet. After mass layoffs at companies like PlayStation and Electronic Arts, we've now got developers splitting from their owner groups. Adding to this is the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro developer Toys for Bob, which has now announced it's leaving...
Talking Point Which Xbox Games Would You Like To See Come To Switch?
Halo, is it me you're looking for?
After what felt like months of rumours, Microsoft and Nintendo finally put us out of our misery during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase by confirming that, yes, select Microsoft-published Xbox games will be making their way to the Nintendo Switch to join the likes of Banjo-Kazooie on NSO, and the Ori duo...
Random Some Rare Fans Are Upset About The Latest Switch Online Announcement
"Rare Replay should have been announced on Switch"
The latest Partner Showcase from Nintendo was packed with all sorts of surprises and another standout announcement was the news five more classic Rare games would be coming to the Switch Online service. These titles include games like Killer Instinct and Blast Corps, and while it's welcome news for...
News Two Xbox Games Get Nintendo Switch Release Dates
And one is arriving tomorrow
If there's one thing we all expected to see at today's Partner Showcase, it was the reveal of a couple of Xbox titles coming to Switch. And we didn't just get one — we got two, with release dates! Two of Obsidian's Xbox exclusives are jumping ship in 2024 and coming to Switch — the excellent narrative RPG Pentiment...
News Five More Classic Rareware Games Come To Nintendo Switch Online Today
Blast (Corps) from the past!
As part of today's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Nintendo has announced that five of the now-Microsoft-owned Rare's titles will be available today via Nintendo Switch Online. The games are: NES Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll RC PRO-AM Super Nintendo Battletoads in Battlemaniacs Killer Instinct Nintendo 64 (
