Tag: Xbox Game Studios
News Microsoft's Next Xbox Game Studios Release Has Officially Gone Gold
Heading south
Well, shortly after sharing an updated Xbox Game Studios roadmap for 2025 and beyond, Microsoft has announced that its next big first-party release has officially gone gold! Yep, Compulsion Games' South of Midnight is now locked and loaded for its Xbox Game Pass release next month. That Game Pass release arrives on
News Xbox Fan Shares Updated First-Party Roadmap Following Recent Microsoft Announcements
Tony Hawk added, Fable shifted
It's been quite a wild few months for Team Xbox, hasn't it? Aside from even more PS5 release dates rumoured and formally announced, we've also had some surprise reveals for Xbox Series X|S - alongside
News Xbox's Latest First-Party Expansion Quietly Arrives On Console & PC
A new "legendary journey" for Age of Mythology: Retold
It feels like there's not really been much hype around Age of Mythology: Retold over the past however many months, even despite the fact we really like the game itself, but perhaps its new expansion will help to change all that. Yes, Age of Mythology: Retold - Immortal Pillars is now available...
Talking Point With Fable Now Delayed, Which Xbox First-Party Game Launches This Fall?
Microsoft has a gap to fill
Well, Microsoft delivered the news this week that its big Fable reboot has been delayed - and before this recent turn of events, the Xbox RPG was probably the team's biggest release planned for late 2025. However, even with this delay, Xbox still has some major games planned for this year including South of Midnight and...
News Here's A Look At The Updated Xbox Studios Roadmap For 2025 & Beyond
An incredible first-party year ahead
With all the drama and debate that's gone on in regards to Xbox's multiplatform push lately, it's easy to forget that the first-party portfolio for 2025 is arguably looking better than ever - and it's already got off to a great start in recent weeks! So, following the awesome Xbox Developer Direct back in...
Feature Xbox Game Studios: All Microsoft First-Party Developers & What They're Working On
Including Bethesda & Activision Blizzard
At this stage, Microsoft has lots of in-house development studios making Xbox games, including all those teams across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. So, as we begin another year of Xbox, we thought we'd gather up every Microsoft first-party developer and what they're working on right...
News Xbox Is Hiring For Someone To Lead An Unnamed Dev Team, Starting Next Month
Job post spotted
An interesting Xbox job post has been spotted online today, leading to questions about whether this role is for an unannounced team or project over at Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft is looking for "an experienced Executive Producer" to "lead a game team" - but what that team is within Xbox remains a mystery at this time. Furthermore,...
Feature 10+ Major Games That Xbox Could Be Preparing To Release This Year
What a lineup this would be!
With the Xbox Developer Direct 2025 just around the corner, we're in that period right now where everyone seems to making predictions about not only the show, but also the rest of 2025 and how it looks for Xbox's lineup of games. The official word is that we're already getting a great set of titles this year, with the...
News Xbox Is Set Up For A 'Bright' Future, Suggests Industry Analyst
Despite a "rocky couple of years"
We've heard a lot about the downsides of Xbox this year, even though there have been many positives along the way, and that's primarily because of the controversy over various first-party titles jumping to PlayStation (and Switch). Microsoft has clearly started implementing new strategies for the Xbox brand, as...
News Xbox Has Reportedly Delayed 'A Big Game' Into 2026
Journalist takes a guess at what it might be
As we close in on 2025, Microsoft will no doubt still be mapping out what its release schedule looks like in full next year - and a new comment from journalist Jeff Grubb hints that those plans are still being figured out right now. Speaking on a livestream covering last week's The Game Awards, Grubb...
News Xbox's Matt Booty Talks PS5 Ports, Explains How The Scheduling Works
Specifically in the case of Indiana Jones
Matt Booty, president of game content and studios at Microsoft, has been doing the rounds with media recently to promote Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and as you'd expect, he's been asked about its upcoming PS5 port. In an interview with Variety, Booty reiterated that Xbox is still making every...
News Xbox Exec Talks 'Honouring Our Craft' As They're Named In Variety's Gaming Leaders List
Matt Booty was recently promoted at Xbox
American magazine Variety has highlighted ten '2024 Gaming Entertainment Leaders' in the past week or so, and Xbox executive Matt Booty has made the list this time around. Booty was recently promoted within Microsoft's new gaming leadership structure - the longtime exec is now President of Game Content and...
News Rare Boss Now Officially The New Head Of Xbox Game Studios
A new era for Xbox
Last month, it was revealed Rare's boss Craig Duncan would become the new leader of Xbox Game Studios, replacing Forza Motorsport's Alan Hartman. Now, in an update on Rare's socials, it seems Duncan has "recently started" in his new role, with his existing team celebrating his tenure after "13 years and 10 months". "Today we're...
News Xbox Boss Namedrops Marvel's Blade & Everwild Following Recent Studio Visits
Phil has been busy!
As of late, the Xbox exec team have been a bit quieter on social media, especially in the wake of Microsoft's recent studio closures and developer layoffs. However, Phil Spencer has been breaking that trend recently with a return to the Threads platform - and the boss has delivered some interesting Xbox Game Studios updates over...
Review Ara: History Untold (PC) - Xbox Game Studios Delivers Yet Another Great Strategy Title
History evolved
Following the release of Age of Mythology: Retold earlier this month, the Microsoft-published simultaneous turn-based “historical grand strategy” game Ara: History Untold has now arrived exclusively for PC under the Xbox Game Studios label. This isn’t exactly your average take on history – blending all sorts of histories,...
News Xbox Lists 'Announced' First Party Games In New Social Media Graphic
We've got plenty of dates for 2024 and 2025
Today's Gamescom Opening Night Live event is officially in the books, and as you can see in the special new graphic above, we've got a much better idea of release dates for various Xbox first-party games in 2024 and 2025! Well... 2024 at least. The likes of Starfield: Shattered Space and
News 343 Responds To Rumours About The Studio Outsourcing Halo Development
It ain't happening, chief
There seems to have been some strong rumours going around recently suggesting that Xbox studio 343 Industries was moving towards an 'overseer' role for future Halo games - hinting that they'd no longer be the series' core developer. Well, a number of sources have now come out to shut down those rumours, including a comment...
News Here's A Look At The Updated Xbox Studios Roadmap For 2024 & Beyond
What an unbelievable lineup!
Well, another Xbox Games Showcase is in the books! Many Xbox fans believe that this year's Showcase was one of the best of all time, and we've definitely got an amazing couple of years ahead when it comes to first-party titles. As we've highlighted numerous times here at Pure Xbox in the past, Xbox fan Klobrille...
News Xbox Hires Squanch Games Co-Founder For First-Party Leadership Team
"I look forward to the journey ahead"
Xbox has added some new talent to its first-party roster! Squanch Games (High On Life, Trover Saves The Universe) co-founder Tanya Watson has announced she's joined Microsoft as "part of the Xbox Game Studios leadership team". Here's what Tanya had to say in a message on LinkedIn last week: "I am thrilled...
News Xbox Influencer Klobrille Shares Impressive Player Numbers For First-Party Lineup
Two games now have over 35 million players!
If Xbox Game Pass helps drive one thing it's huge player numbers - especially for some of the bigger AAA games out there. Naturally, Xbox's own first-party releases get lots of attention on Game Pass — and indeed the platform in general — and influencer Klobrille has gathered some of the team's recent...
Pick One Which 2024 First-Party Game Are You Most Looking Forward To From Xbox?
Let's talk games before tomorrow's 'business update'
We have a super serious day ahead of us tomorrow when Xbox delivers its 'business update' on what's next for the platform, but for today, let's talk about some video games. Putting all of the multiplatform drama aside for a minute here, Xbox has a really good games lineup planned for 2024. As was...
News PS5 Survey Lists Top 10 'Most Wanted' Xbox Franchises On PlayStation
Based on around 12,000 votes
You may have seen earlier this week that our sister site Push Square began running a survey to discover the top 10 most-wanted Xbox franchises on PS5, with the results being listed in real-time over the past few days. That poll has now come to an end, with around 12,000 votes being cast in all, and it makes for some...
News 343 Hires New Art Director To Lead 'A Very Exciting New Era' For Halo
"I am incredibly proud to join 343 Industries"
Halo developer 343 Industries appears to making moves for its next major release. Following on from hints last month at an 'unannounced' project being in the works, the team has hired a brand-new art director to lead the series "into a very exciting new era". The news comes from LinkedIn, where former...
News Shapeshifter Games Apparently 'Co-Developing' Xbox Game Studios Project
Update: Confirmed as Clockwork Revolution
Update: It's now been confirmed by InXile Entertainment that Shapeshifter Games has been working on the upcoming Clockwork Revolution as a "co-development partner". Here's a bit more about the collaboration: "Shortly after Volition closed, we flew to Illinois and worked with Xbox and the then ex-Volition...
Talking Point Do You Think Xbox Will Ever Stop Making Consoles?
Or will Team Green always make hardware?
It's been an interesting start to the year for Xbox. We have a new Developer Direct announced that makes 2024 on Xbox look quite tantalising indeed, and there've been some great Game Pass announcements already - and we're not even halfway through January! Things are looking good then, especially with that...
Pick One Which Is Your Favourite Xbox First-Party Release Of 2023?
Is it Starfield or something else?
Earlier this week we talked about Xbox's first-party lineup for 2023 - asking you for your overall grade of Xbox's output over the last 12 months. At the time of writing a 'Grade B' has been the most popular pick, which is a respectable rating, but now we want to know which release in particular you all liked best...
Feature In The End, Are You Happy With Xbox's First-Party Lineup For 2023?
What have you made of it?
After Xbox's much-documented barren spell in 2022, this year finally delivered some major first-party games to help fill out our 2023 gaming calendars. Largely bolstered by the recent addition of Bethesda alongside Xbox Game Studios, it's been quite a big year for Xbox with several AAA titles gracing the Game Pass library...
News Multiple Xbox Exclusives Nominated At BAFTAs, But None Make The 'Best Games' List
The nominees are in
Around a month ago we found out that Starfield wasn't going to be up for 'Game of the Year' at The Game Awards, and it's now the same case for this year's BAFTA ceremony. Although the winner won't be announced until next April, Starfield isn't in the running for 'Best Game' at the event - in fact, nothing from Xbox Game Studios...
News It Looks Like Xbox Has Another Exclusive Aiming For 2024 Release
Alongside Hellblade 2, Avowed & more!
At the moment we have quite a few Xbox exclusives locked in for 2024, including Hellblade 2, Avowed and Towerborne - just to name a few! Now, it looks like we might have another big first-party to game to add to that list of 2024 releases. Compulsion Games' South of Midnight —
News Xbox Game Studios Reveals First Look At New Hideo Kojima Project 'OD'
Finally!
It's been a long wait, but The Game Awards 2023 finally pulled back the curtain on what Hideo Kojima has been working on with Xbox Game Studios! The project is called "OD", and you can watch the first teaser trailer up above. Here are some official details on what you can expect: "KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and XBOX GAME STUDIOS officially...
News Microsoft Appoints Former Forza Boss As New Xbox Game Studios Head
Matt Booty recently moved into a new role
Last month, Xbox revealed a company reshuffle with multiple executives moving into new roles. One of these individuals was Matt Booty, who is now 'President of Game Content and Studios' overseeing Bethesda and leaving behind his old role as Xbox Game Studios head. If you're wondering who is replacing this...
News Xbox Announces 'Partner Preview' Event Taking Place This Week
"We are delighted to announce our next broadcast"
We've got an Xbox event taking place this week! This is what's officially known as the "Partner Preview" broadcast, and it'll apparently showcase around 20 minutes of "trailers and new gameplay footage". The focus of the event is third-party games, and it's already been confirmed we'll hear nothing...
News Xbox Receives Multiple Nominations For Golden Joystick 'Ultimate GOTY' Award
Voting is open right now!
Awards season is upon us, and ahead of the prestigious Golden Joystick Awards taking place in London on November 10th, the nominees have finally been revealed for the "Ultimate Game of the Year" category. The good news is that Xbox is in here multiple times! The likes of Starfield, Forza Motorsport and Hi-Fi RUSH all make...
News Here's A Look At Every Xbox Studio Following The ActiBlizz Acquisition
It's a ridiculous list!
Activision Blizzard King is now officially part of the Xbox family, and that means the list of Microsoft-owned first-party studios has just grown in a massive way. If you thought it was impressive before, it's on a whole other level now! Xbox fan and creative genius Klobrille has put together a fantastic look at the new...
News Xbox Is Using A Licensed Board Game To Revive A Dormant First-Party IP
"It presents a valuable chance for Microsoft..."
The last time we saw a game in the Zoo Tycoon series was all the way back at the launch of the Xbox One in 2013, and now Microsoft is now finally reviving the dormant franchise in the form of a licensed board game! Created by German designers Marc Dür & Samuel Luterbacher, Zoo Tycoon: The Board...
Deals Get Up To 85% Off Major Xbox Titles In The Steam Summer Sale
Bargains to be had!
The Steam Summer Sale is always a major event for PC gamers, especially those looking to add a bargain to their Steam libraries. We're even more interested these days due to Xbox's renewed investment in PC gaming, including bringing first-party games to Steam. As part of this year's summer promo, Xbox Game Studios is hosting...
News Xbox Exec: We're Still Hesitant To Develop VR Games Until There's A Bigger Audience
"It’s not quite there yet"
Over the past few years, members of Team Xbox have continually batted away suggestions that Xbox might be interested in getting into VR, and that's basically what's happened again courtesy of Matt Booty in a new interview. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Xbox Game Studios boss was questioned whether Xbox was...
Talking Point What Else Do You Expect To See From Xbox Before The End Of 2023?
A Gamescom showcase? Dates for Avowed & Hellblade 2?
The biggest event in the calendar for Xbox is usually always the Xbox Games Showcase, and now that it's come and gone, we already have a much better idea of what the Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda roadmap is looking like. However, the year is certainly not over for Team Xbox! We've obviously got...
News Here's The Latest Xbox Game Studios & Bethesda Roadmap (June 2023 Version)
Exciting times ahead!
Now that the madness of the summer showcase season is over, we've got an even better picture of what Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda are working on — and it's looking like a bright future for first-party releases! The popular Xbox fan Klobrille has put together one of their famous Xbox Game Studios & Bethesda roadmaps on...
News Would Activision Be A Good Fit For Halo? Xbox's Matt Booty Shares His Thoughts
"It would have to come from the studios"
Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty has certainly been doing the rounds over the past few days following the very well-received Xbox Games Showcase 2023, and his latest interview has gone live today courtesy of Axios. As part of the discussion, Booty explained how his team at Microsoft
News Xbox's Internal Teams Are No Longer Making Games For Xbox One, Confirms Exec
”We’ve moved on"
It's been clear for quite some time now that the teams at Xbox Game Studios have been focusing on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S for development on new titles such as Redfall, Starfield, Forza Motorsport and many others — although the likes of Minecraf
News Xbox Announces Plans For Exclusives To Arrive 'More Reliably' In The Future
Ideally, at least four first-party titles per-year
Following today's Xbox Games Showcase 2023 event, the official Xbox Wire website has put out an extensive blog detailing how the brand is planning for a bright future, which includes a more reliable rollout of exclusives. Specifically, the intent is for Xbox to release at least four first-party...
News Xbox Is 'Focused' On Finding New Developers Outside Of Well-Known Locations
"We have focused on trying to get more global with it"
Major deals like Xbox's huge push to acquire Activision Blizzard make regular headlines, of course, but Xbox is keen to expand its development portfolio in different ways as well. Speaking to UK outlet The Guardian, Xbox's Sarah Bond spoke about Microsoft's attempts to find developers who...
News Obsidian Has 'No Plans' For A Sequel To Xbox Exclusive Pentiment
"I always intended it as a standalone story"
Last year's Pentiment was an Xbox exclusive that probably flew under the radar a little bit, all things considered. Sure, it wasn't the most 'AAA' affair from famed RPG developer Obsidian, but we thought it was fantastic when it dropped onto Xbox Game Pass last November. However, it's looking like we'll...
News Xbox Boss Insists Microsoft Will Deliver A Packed Schedule Of Releases
"We've got collections of games coming"
The Xbox Series X|S generation has had a lot of exciting moments, but there's also been a lot of delays and a lot of waiting for releases. So, when will Microsoft actually start getting more games out the door on a regular basis? Speaking on the Kinda Funny Games Xcast, Microsoft's head of gaming Phil Spencer...
News Phil Spencer Says Xbox 'Needs To Improve' Its Development Process
"I think we need to improve on engaging in games that are midway through production"
In a first appearance since the launch of Redfall, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer today featured on a Kinda Funny podcast to discuss the state of Xbox moving forward. Naturally, the discussion quickly moved to Redfall's launch and how Xbox might go about navigating its...
News Microsoft CEO: I've Never Been More Excited About Xbox's Pipeline Of Games
"Great content remains the flywheel behind our growth"
Microsoft revealed its earnings results for FY23 Q3 last night, and following the publication of the report, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared on a conference call to discuss those results - including how they relate to Xbox. As part of his comments, Nadella revealed that the company "set...
Deals Xbox Game Studios Hosts Extensive Steam Sale (April 20 - May 4)
Looking for a new Steam Deck game?
Xbox is hosting another major Steam sale for the new two weeks-or-so, shortly following its recent Spring Sale on the platform. This selection of discounts doesn't include anything from Bethesda unfortunately, but there are still some great deals to be had from Xbox's other first party studios and partnership...
News One Of Xbox's 'Forthcoming' Games Could Take An Entire Decade To Develop
"According to one Microsoft executive"
We all know that Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda are hard at work on some ambitious first-party titles such as Fable, The Elder Scrolls 6 and many others, and one of these reportedly could take a literal decade to develop! This bit of information was dropped in a new amended co
News Xbox Exclusive Wins GDC Award Following Microsoft's Metacritic Disqualification
Obsidian Entertainment takes the prize
Yesterday, we brought the unfortunate news that review aggregator Metacritic decided Xbox Game Studios "failed to qualify" for its annual publisher rankings - due to the fact that it launched less than five titles in 2022. However, one of the four qualifying games it did launch seems to have down well with the...
