Microsoft

The launch supply of the new Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is not great according to a leak by Moore's Law Is Dead. Supply of the handheld console, which is the first Xbox-branded portable gaming console, has been compared to GPUs like the RTX 5080 that were incredible hard to find at launch.

Sarah Bond has tried to clear up misconceptions about ROG Xbox Ally pricing. A new interview addresses why Asus made many of the decisions with MSRPs and specs. Some buyers would have preferred a new Xbox console that was more competitively priced.

The ROG Xbox Ally leaves behind some Xbox games exclusive to Microsoft’s consoles. The company may turn to an Xbox 360 emulator for PCs to enhance its backward compatibility. New Xbox consoles in development with AMD could also support these games without relying solely on Windows.

Former Sledgehammer Games co-founder and ex-Modern Warfare director Glen Schofield warned that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard could dilute Call of Duty’s creative identity, citing cultural assimilation, changes to performance-linked bonus structures, and the departure of veteran talent.

YouTuber Dawid Does Tech Stuff experimented with installing Bazzite, a Linux distro inspired by SteamOS, on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X to explore whether it could offer a smoother, more console-like experience than Windows 11. The experiment showed promising responsiveness but also exposed several hardware and software limitations.

Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Actions, a new AI feature that allows Windows 11 PCs to perform tasks and respond to natural voice commands. The update marks a major step toward fully hands-free computing, with all Windows 11 users gaining access in the coming rollout.

Switch 2 specs seem inferior to the ROG Xbox Ally X, anchored by its Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip. Even so, real-world performance might make gamers regret purchasing the Windows 11 handheld. Benefiting from DLSS, many Switch 2 games also look crisper than on the pricier alternative.

Microsoft is hinting at a major Windows 11 update that could make PCs fully voice-controlled. Recent Insider builds point to hands-free interaction through Copilot and Voice Access, signaling the next step toward AI-powered computing.

A source at AMD questions how involved Microsoft is with designing new Xbox consoles. The chip maker is reportedly crafting the systems with little help from Microsoft engineers. Conversely, Moore’s Law is Dead discusses how Sony collaborates with AMD to improve PlayStation consoles and GPUs.

Microsoft has come under scrutiny in Austria after regulators ruled it ‘illegally’ tracked student data through its 365 Education platform. The decision raises fresh questions about data transparency and Big Tech’s compliance with Europe’s GDPR standards.

Despite Apple’s growing presence in offices, Windows still dominates. New IDC data shows Macs make up just 5% of global enterprise PCs as companies weigh function, cost, and workflow before approving an Apple.

After several reports emerged online of retailers apparently scaling back Xbox console and game sales, Microsoft has now responded to these rumors. As cited by Windows Central, the company has denied that retailers like Walmart have stopped selling Xbox Series S and X consoles.

Cancelled by Microsoft, Everwild was a promising Xbox game for many players. And recently, several images of the title were unveiled, revealing its full potential.

Veteran game director Josh Sawyer, known for Fallout: New Vegas and the Pillars of Eternity series, told a GCAP keynote in Melbourne that after 26 years of game development, he has still never felt secure in his job, highlighting a somewhat scathing situation in what is often considered one of the harshest industries to work in of late.

Glenn Israel, the art director who shaped Halo across Bungie, 343 Industries, and the newly rebranded Halo Studios, announced his exit after 17 years in a LinkedIn post that hinted at an "untold story", when it would be "absolutely safe to do so" to be revealed next year.

Xbox consoles and games are becoming rare finds at major retailers. Workers confirm that Walmart and Target locations are clearing out inventories and have no plans to restock the products. Repeated Xbox price increases have made the brand less desirable for businesses and consumers.

Age of Empires 5 may address criticisms of the RTS franchise’s dated visuals. A pair of new job listings request Unreal Engine experience for unannounced projects. Even so, some gamers worry that Unreal Engine 5 will introduce performance issues affecting other strategy titles.

Xbox console users are now witnessing the ramifications of the UK Online Safety Act. Gamers participating in the Xbox Insider program may notice prompts to verify their ages. Despite privacy concerns, the checks are mandatory to retain access to multiplayer features.

Following recent local account restrictions, Microsoft makes life harder for users who don't want to use an Internet connection and sign in to an online account during Windows 11 installation. However, new ways to bypass the latest restrictions are already emerging on the web.

An AMD source reveals that a new Xbox console built on the Magnus APU remains a possibility. Microsoft is likely to incorporate the chip into future hardware, but it may not lead to a Series X follow-up. More Game Pass and console price increases have raised doubts about the future of Xbox gaming.

Xbox is now warning buyers that it’s selling licenses to play games, rather than ownership. A Silent Hill f disclaimer is likely related to a California law regulating the sale of digital games. Xbox Game Pass highlights how downloaded titles may become unplayable at a marketplace’s discretion.

In the latest preview builds of Windows 11, Microsoft has made it harder to create a local account than before. The company has blocked most of the known workarounds, and the initial setup now requires an internet connection.

Not all Xbox Game Pass subscribers are ready to abandon the service. The creator of an iconic PlayStation franchise claims that he saves money despite the higher monthly rates. For other gamers, Xbox price increases on consoles and subscriptions have led them to question their loyalty to Microsoft.

An industry insider claims Microsoft abandoned plans for an in‑house Xbox handheld after AMD allegedly required a minimum 10 million‑unit commitment to justify a custom SoC, a stipulation Microsoft reportedly judged too risky given modest handheld sales.

Xbox consoles and games have become scarce at several large retailers. In some locations, Walmart is showcasing Switch 2 games in green-themed display cases. Other stores have responded to the latest Xbox price increase by clearing out or stopping sales of the gaming systems.

Microsoft wanted to create a game directly inspired by Uncharted when the Xbox One was released. But the project never saw the light of day and was completely abandoned.

New Xbox consoles rumored for a 2027 debut may no longer be a certainty. An insider believes that the company will instead emphasize cross-platform games and services. Another Xbox price increase, combined with an unclear strategy, has led some buyers to lose interest in future hardware.

Some regions have been hit considerably harder than the US when it comes to Microsoft's new Xbox Game Pass pricing clocking in as much as a 100% increase in price in certain situations.

A Halo: Combat Evolved remake is reportedly in development at Halo Studios, with insider Rebs Gaming citing sources that Abstraction Games is leveraging a “hybrid” approach with core mechanics on a modified Blam Engine from Halo: Reach and visuals driven largely by Epic's Unreal Engine 5.

It seems as though Mortal Kombat may make an appearance in Xbox Game Pass when it announces the next round of games available to Premium members. While Microsoft and Xbox have not yet announced that Mortal Kombat will be coming to Game Pass, marketing material for Mortal Kombat 1 was spotted in a Microsoft Store ad for Game Pass.

Some observers dismissed warnings from the FTC head before Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard merger. On the heels of another Xbox Game Pass price increase, Lina Khan’s concerns about rising costs seem justified. She argues that when one company dominates a market, it inevitably will hurt consumers.

After a price increase, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are finding fewer benefits to the service. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta testers will no longer save money on add-ons. Microsoft has also removed discounts on DLC for other popular Xbox games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Microsoft’s steep Xbox Game Pass price hike has players fuming, and even GameStop is chiming in with memes and a cheeky reminder that its cards are still cheaper (for now, at least).

The Series S console was once a reasonably inexpensive way to access popular AAA titles. It’s no longer as affordable following another Xbox price increase, but Sam’s Club is clearing out remaining inventory. Warehouse members are reporting an Xbox Series S price of 40% off its MSRP.

Avalanche Studios, known for its work on the Mad Max and Just Cause franchises, has embarked on a journey to cut down on its workforce at other locations even as it moves to close down its Liverpool office.

Xbox Game Pass might be a much more price-elastic subscription than Microsoft had bargained for based on recent user activity following a price hike in the US.

Xbox leadership is increasingly emphasizing how the ROG Xbox Ally supports many PS5 games. In a Tokyo Game Show interview, Sarah Bond referred to Spider-Man titles as popular cross-platform games. She also reaffirmed Microsoft’s commitment to the Xbox Series X|S, but skeptics remain unconvinced.

Dedicated gaming used to be enough to cover the monthly cost of Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Unfortunately, gamers are learning that Microsoft Rewards will soon have more restrictions. The company recommends using Xbox gift card codes, but these often require more points to redeem.

The former Blizzard president is anxious to attend a funeral for the Xbox Series X|S. Some stores no longer sell the consoles, following another Xbox price increase. Mike Ybarra advocates for Microsoft to now focus strictly on cross-platform games.

A new build of Edge has suggested that Microsoft could allow default search engine and default browser to be used in the Windows Search box. This functionality is already available in the EEA but may reach other users as well.

PlayStation 5 players might have to wait a considerable amount of time to be able to play, unlike PC and Xbox players who will have day one access to the title.

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.