Microsoft

Some gamers scoff at the ROG Xbox Ally X price, but the Windows 11 handheld is selling out at retailers. The model with AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor is out of stock on Asus and Microsoft stores. eBay scalpers are conducting ROG Xbox Ally X pre-orders with asking prices more than double MSRP.

Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series consoles may no longer be stocked by America's most beloved big-box retailer, even as price increases are on the horizon even as the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch remain unaffected.

Windows 10 support will end on October 14, 2025, leaving millions of private users without free security updates. However, this period can be extended by one year with Extended Security Updates (ESU). Following confusing information from Microsoft, the final rules for Europe are now available.

Despite the steep ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally prices, they aren’t bundled with many extras. Microsoft has suggested official ROG Xbox Ally accessories available for pre-order or already on sale. Options include a microSD card, PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, and a carrying case with Xbox and Asus logos.

The wait to learn the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X prices is over. Buyers can pre-order the more affordable gaming handheld for $599 or the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme model for $999.99. These MSRPs are higher than earlier leaks had projected, indicating Microsoft and Asus considered tariff impacts.

The Art Director and Cultural Consultant working on Forza Horizon 6 have shared insights on why they chose Japan and how the seasons will change the gameplay. More information about the game is expected on January 27.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is finally coming to the PlayStation 5 this December, with full PS VR2 support promised for 2026. The game brings its massive global map, hundreds of aircraft, and varied mission types to Sony’s console, complete with DualSense features.

There are still opportunities to purchase Xbox gaming consoles at discounts. A New Zealand Costco is offering buyers a Series X bundle at half price. Other stores have stopped stocking the console ahead of another U.S. Xbox price increase in October.

Even if Microsoft is keeping the details secret, some stores may know the Asus ROG Xbox Ally price. A new leak spotted marketing materials for the gaming handheld at Argos. The UK retailer lists the cost of the cheaper Windows 11 system, but doesn’t provide information on the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Mike Ybarra has shared his disapproval of the second price hike and called it unjustified. He believes that the company is making its consumers pay for problems of unsatisfactory profits.

The award-winning Forza Horizon 5 has been heavily discounted ahead of Tokyo Game Show. Microsoft is also expected to announce the sequel, Forza Horizon 6, at the event.

Mike Ybarra thinks tariffs are a convenient excuse to raise Xbox console prices further. The former Microsoft executive believes that dwindling hardware profits are the main motivator. Critics counter that some manufacturers are still realizing the full ramifications of tariffs.

Wallpaper engine and similar apps won't be needed soon, as Microsoft has decided to reintroduce the ability to use video as the desktop background in Windows 11. The feature was abandoned long ago and was last available in Windows Vista.

Contending with rising Xbox and PS5 prices, retailers are selling fewer consoles compared to previous eras. Data firms show how console owners are becoming older and more affluent. With an abundance of cross-platform titles, buyers are also relying more exclusively on PC gaming.

Even before the Asus ROG Xbox Ally release date, gamers are testing the new Xbox full-screen experience. In one benchmark, ROG Ally performance sees noteworthy improvements in this mode. Still, similar results are possible on other Windows 11 handhelds after disabling background apps.

Despite soaring stock prices and strong earnings, the tech industry has already seen massive layoffs this year. Giants like Intel, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Oracle, and others have all announced significant job cuts — driven both by shareholder pressure to reduce costs and by rapid advances in AI and automation.

Released November 19, 2021, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro doubles as a portable Xbox Remote Play screen with 60 FPS, low latency, and stunning AMOLED visuals.

Sandfall Interactive's turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues to build on its numbers across multiple platforms despite being playable day one on Game Pass for PC and Xbox alike.

Microsoft hat das optionale Vorschau-Update KB5065789 für Windows 11 in Version 25H2 veröffentlicht.

Despite Microsoft's somewhat extensive cull of its Xbox game division and its underlying studios, the studio game director remains upbeat about the prospects and the update pipeline for The Elder Scrolls Online.

Microsoft hopes its upcoming handheld gaming PCs will have wide appeal. With cost being a major factor, Best Buy has leaked an Asus ROG Xbox Ally price of $549.99. Targeting the enthusiast market, the $899.99 ROG Xbox Ally X will compete with the Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld gaming PC.

Microsoft and LG have made an announcement at IAA Mobility 2025 that should move the bar for in-car entertainment, with the latter integrating Xbox Game Pass Cloud on a plethora of vehicles that support its webOS Automotive Content Platform.

While Game Pass might directly help certain titles, others that are not designed to monetize their user base post-release might be laggards, at least fiscally, as per former Xbox Game Studios General Manager Shannon Loftis.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard could benefit gamers with a wealth of classics. Unfortunately, a list of missing Xbox Game Pass games reveals how many titles are inaccessible. Licensing issues and a hesitation to overshadow newer games may explain the limited selection.

According to a film industry insider, Steven Spielberg reportedly pitched a Call of Duty film, but his demand for complete control over the project spooked Activision executives into saying no.

The highly anticipated indie title Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of 6 titles to become part of the Xbox Game Pass library this month as confirmed by Microsoft.

Xbox is reportedly planning a "Breaker" controller series - Heartbreaker, Stormbreaker, Icebreaker - launching Sept 9 at 79.99 (EUR/USD) and £74.99. Designs will be quite similar to past Arctic/Mineral Camo colorways. Preorders are expected around Sept 3.

How well Microsoft can accommodate console gamers may determine the fate of the ROG Xbox Ally X. Digital Foundry discovered that its interface is in a rough state. With the ROG Xbox Ally X release date approaching, multiple aspects of the UI are works in progress.

In past generations, many consoles became cheaper within a few years after release. Instead, gamers are contending with a PS5 price increase and more expensive Xbox and Switch systems. A new study reveals how much cheaper today’s consoles would be if they followed historical trends.

A recently started beta test will bring the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience (in beta form) to its lower-end Xbox Game Pass tiers, essentially increasing its addressable user base considerably.

Microsoft's Copilot AI is now available on select 2025 Samsung TVs and monitors, offering hands-free voice interaction and personalized entertainment insights. It can deliver show recommendations, episode summaries, and actor bios.

A new report reveals how reliant Microsoft wants its employees to be on AI. Candy Crush and Farm Heroes Saga developer King has already seen 200 jobs sacrificed, with more upheaval possible. The unaffected mobile game developers will eventually use AI tools exclusively.

Gears of War: Reloaded has launched on PC and PlayStation 5. It is priced at $40 and comes with 4K assets, ultrawide support, HDR, VRR, and up to 144 FPS in multiplayer.

Microsoft is gradually rolling out the ability to resume Android apps on Windows 11 for Insiders, starting with Spotify. The feature is currently limited to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels.

A 2026 Forza Horizon 6 release date seems increasingly likely. A new report reveals that the racing game could take center stage at the Tokyo Game Show 2025. Corroborating previous leaks, a Japanese setting for the first-party Xbox title also appears all but certain.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X are landing in October with a brand-new Windows handheld gaming experience. The new UI has considerable under-the-hood improvements. Windows Central took the ROG Xbox Ally for a spin, showing, among other things, seamless switching between the traditional Windows desktop and the new full-screen mode.

Even with an October 16th release date, Microsoft and Asus haven’t finalized the ROG Xbox Ally price. Still, a new leak points to a pre-order date in September. The same source divulges the price of the unconfirmed Asus ROG Raikiri II Pro Xbox controller.

Forza Horizon could finally feature tracks in the land of the rising sun. A developer visited an import dealership to model a scarce Japanese car. Earlier, the Microsoft Gaming CEO indicated that Forza Horizon 6 could arrive as early as 2026.

A new leak has just revealed final U.S. prices for Xbox handhelds, which are quite close to the European prices revealed recently. Apart from detailed specs for both handhelds (available from the launch event), no other info has been confirmed yet.

Microsoft is updating 365 Copilot with student-focused features ahead of the new semester. The update includes tools aimed at helping students both inside and outside the classroom.

After months of anticipation, an Xbox game will arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release on the handheld in 2026. Following the debut of former exclusives on the PS5, analysts expect Microsoft to ship more Switch 2 games in the future.

Fans of gaming on the go through Xbox Cloud might not have to spend $20 a month on the Ultimate Game Pass tier. Microsoft could be working towards a cheaper way to grant cloud gaming access to a larger number of people.

Microsoft has released UEFI updates to Qualcomm Snapdragon X Surface Pros and Surface Laptops that kills the ability to charge fully. No known fixes are available at this time and users should consider pausing updates.

Users report that Windows 11 updates are being offered on older systems without TPM 2.0 enabled. Observations from private users and businesses indicate that Microsoft's upgrade mechanism currently also considers incompatible hardware even if the official requirements remain unchanged.

9 Kings, a self-described "fast-paced roguelike kingdom builder," has plenty to offer users looking to toy around with its unique take on building.

Anyone not wishing to forgo Windows 10 can get extended support with UpDownTool. In just a few clicks, this tool enables a free downgrade to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 with ongoing updates until 2032.

A new Helldivers 2 trailer ends with scenery and music familiar to Halo fans. Previous rumors involved multiple Halo games in the works for PlayStation consoles. A battle royale-based title known as Project Ekur could launch the futuristic shooter franchise on the PS5.

A new version of the Bad Update exploit has been released, bringing a much higher success rate and improved stability to the Xbox 360 jailbreak process. Popular YouTubers such as MrMario2011 and Modern Vintage Gamer have confirmed these improvements. While the process remains unchanged, it is now far more practical for daily use, making homebrew more accessible to stock and non-moddable consoles.

Microsoft has reaffirmed support for its existing Forza titles as it addresses layoffs that essentially halve the size of the studio that handles the franchise.

Xbox has been adamant that Game Pass isn’t detrimental to game sales. Even so, a new study demonstrates how the subscription service encourages sampling rather than buying. Meanwhile, PlayStation users spend just as long playing full-priced PS5 games.