Microsoft is sending emails to Xbox Series X/S owners who haven't used their consoles recently, encouraging them to trade them in at Best Buy for as much as $375 in store credit, provided the hardware and accessories are in excellent condition. The push comes months after Microsoft raised Xbox console prices by $100-$150, and follows its earlier announcement of retail partnerships to sell refurbished consoles at lower prices.
techspot.com
· 2026-10-23
Indie curator-turned-publisher Pantaloon has launched the Playbill, a Game Pass-style subscription covering 'bold and bizarre' indie titles. The initial catalogue mixes third-party games like Buckshot Roulette and Silt with Pantaloon's own releases such as Offbeat and Sub-Verge, plus a timed-exclusive visual novella, Virtue: Prologue. It also includes a 'Green Room' section offering demos, playtests and abandoned prototypes, alongside free puzzles and community features carried over from Pantaloon's newsletter days.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-22
Fortune reported, citing Microsoft insiders, that the next Xbox console—reportedly codenamed Helix and due in 2028—has been internally projected to cost consumers between $1,200 and $1,800, unless Microsoft opts to subsidize the price. Former Xbox president Sarah Bond had previously described the upcoming hardware as the biggest technical leap of any console generation, while former Microsoft executive Mike Ybarra said he wouldn't release a console at that price point.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
Amazon has discounted NBA 2K27 by 29%, bringing the price below $50, a $20 reduction from its standard listing. The sale applies to the Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X versions of the newly released basketball title.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-22
Industry analysis suggests that surging demand for memory chips, driven largely by AI companies, is raising component costs for Microsoft and Sony as they develop next-generation gaming consoles. Current Xbox and PlayStation hardware has already seen price increases tied to these chip shortages, and the report warns future console prices could rise far more sharply.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-22
Atari announced it will close the official online store for its VCS mini PC in early 2027, ending the ability to download new apps and games through that platform. Previously downloaded software will remain usable, and Atari plans an OS update to remove dependencies on its servers for authentication and software access. The company also plans an Atari Home Brew app to let third-party developers keep adding games after the store closes.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
Microsoft has rolled out à la carte Cloud Playtime purchases to Xbox Insiders, charging roughly 24 to 40 cents per hour depending on the package size (10 hours for $4, 25 hours for $8, or 50 hours for $12). Purchased hours don't expire, but using them requires already owning the game or, for some titles, having free-to-play access.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-21
Fortune's profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reports Microsoft is pursuing a two-part hardware plan: a handheld device by late next year and a full console for holiday 2028. Internal company projections reportedly put that console's price between $1,200 and $1,800, though Microsoft could subsidize costs to lower the retail price.
games.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-21
Xbox has begun previewing a pay-per-hour cloud gaming option for members of its Xbox Insider program who don't subscribe to Game Pass. The trial offers blocks of 10 hours for $4, 25 hours for $8, or 50 hours for $12, described as introductory launch pricing. The feature includes an ad-free streaming experience with shorter wait times and playtime that doesn't expire until used.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-21
Microsoft is increasing its return-to-office mandate for Xbox employees within 50 commuting miles of its Puget Sound campus from three to four days a week, effective February 1, 2027. The change was announced in an internal memo from Xbox chief people officer Jacinda Chislum Pearson, who cited employee feedback and a desire for more in-person collaboration. Employees with existing remote-work exemptions will need to reapply for them.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-21
Amazon is selling physical copies of Star Wars Zero Company, the XCOM-style tactical strategy game, for $47.99 on PlayStation 5 and $49.99 on Xbox Series S/X, down from the regular $59.99 price. A tech journalist reviewing the deal praised the game's branching story missions, character customization options, and inclusion of familiar Star Wars alien races.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-21
Microsoft has set introductory pricing for its new pay-as-you-go Xbox Cloud Gaming option, letting players buy cloud hours without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Xbox Insiders can now purchase bundles of 10 hours for $3.99, 25 hours for $7.99, or 50 hours for $11.99, with unused hours carrying over indefinitely. The feature rolls out more broadly next month and includes ad-free streaming and faster load times.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-21
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