Microsoft confirms no mass layoffs will follow the recent Xbox leadership change, with reassurance for teams at Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and other first-party studios.

Xbox Restructuring Will Not Trigger Workforce Cuts, Says Matt Booty

By Barkeeper February 25, 2026

Microsoft says no layoffs after Xbox reshuffle.

Phil Spencer retires from Xbox, Sarah Bond resigns, and Asha Sharma becomes the new head of Microsoft Gaming with a strong AI-focused vision.

Phil Spencer Retires as Xbox Chief in Major Microsoft Gaming Reshuffle With Sarah Bond Also Exiting

By Barkeeper February 21, 2026

Phil Spencer officially retires after 12 years leading Xbox, Sarah Bond resigns, and former CoreAI President Asha Sharma takes over Microsoft Gaming.

AMD CEO Lisa Su hints that the next-generation Xbox using AMD’s semi-custom SoC may be ready to launch in 2027.

AMD Signals Readiness for Next Xbox Hardware, Fuelling 2027 Launch Speculation

By Barkeeper February 4, 2026

AMD hints at 2027 readiness for next-gen Xbox hardware.

Xbox confirms Developer_Direct January 2026 featuring Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation.

Xbox Sets the Tone for 2026 With Developer_Direct Featuring Fable, Forza Horizon 6 & More

By Barkeeper January 9, 2026

Xbox outlines Developer_Direct 2026, spotlighting Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and new gameplay reveals.

Halo Infinite’s 10-year plan comes to an abrupt end as 343 Industries confirms its final major update in November 2025.

Halo Infinite’s 10-Year Plan Falls Short as Final Update Approaches

By Barkeeper November 11, 2025

Halo Infinite receives its final update in November 2025, ending its long-running live service plan.

Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox is rumored to function like a PC, offering full Windows access and third-party store support.

Xbox’s Future Console May Offer Full Windows Access and Free Multiplayer

By Barkeeper October 28, 2025

The next Xbox could mark a new era for Microsoft, merging console design with PC freedom and full Windows functionality.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Brings Xbox Franchise to PlayStation 5 in 2026

By Innkeeper October 25, 2025

Halo: Campaign Evolved will bring the franchise to PlayStation 5 for the first time, alongside Xbox and PC in 2026.

Microsoft’s 30% Profit Push Exposes the Real Reason Behind Xbox’s Controversial Decisions

By Barkeeper October 24, 2025

Microsoft’s strict 30% profit goal is shaping Xbox’s future, and not necessarily for the better.

Microsoft Quietly Increases Xbox Dev Kit Price as Indie Devs Cry Foul

By Barkeeper October 22, 2025

Microsoft raises Xbox dev kit prices by 33%, worrying indie developers worldwide.

Microsoft confirms its next-generation Xbox console is now in development, continuing partnership with AMD.

Microsoft Reaffirms Xbox Hardware Future as Next-Gen Console Development Begins

By Barkeeper October 21, 2025

Sarah Bond confirms Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox is in development, reaffirming hardware commitment.

Microsoft has officially removed game and DLC discounts for Game Pass subscribers, replacing them with reward points instead—sparking further backlash following recent price hikes.

From Perks to Paywalls — Xbox Game Pass Faces Growing Player Frustration

By Barkeeper October 7, 2025

Xbox Game Pass faces criticism over rising prices and the loss of key perks.

Phil Spencer highlights four classic Xbox franchises—Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Crimson Skies, and MechAssault—that fans most want to see return.

Phil Spencer Reveals Most Requested Dormant Xbox Franchises at TGS 2025, Including Lost Odyssey & Blue Dragon

By Barkeeper October 1, 2025

At TGS 2025, Phil Spencer named the four Xbox franchises fans most want to see return, including Lost Odyssey and MechAssault.

Microsoft Sets ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally Global Pricing Ahead of October Launch

By Innkeeper September 26, 2025

Microsoft sets eyewatering prices for ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, launching October 16.

EA reveals Battlefield 6 faced optimization challenges on Xbox Series S due to memory limitations but now runs at 60fps.

Xbox Series S Hardware Limitations Challenged Battlefield 6 Development, Says EA

By Barkeeper September 16, 2025

Battlefield 6 overcame Xbox Series S crashes, but it wasn't without challenges.

Hollow Knight: Silksong’s long-awaited release overwhelmed digital stores, crashing PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Steam servers worldwide.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Launch Day Server Failures Highlight Record-Breaking Demand

By Barkeeper September 5, 2025

Silksong release crashes major gaming platforms, proving its legendary hype.

Microsoft and ASUS confirm ROG Xbox Ally’s release date for October 2025, but pricing remains under wraps.

Gamescom 2025: ROG Xbox Ally Officially Launching October 2025 – Southeast Asia Among First Regions

By Barkeeper August 22, 2025

ROG Xbox Ally launches October 16, 2025, with a new compatibility program and global rollout.

Gaming journalist Jason Schreier stated that Contraband, the game developed by the Just Cause team in collaboration with Microsoft, has ended up being canceled.

Avalanche Studios’ Contraband Disappointingly Cancelled by Microsoft

By Barkeeper August 8, 2025

No one is safe.

Unlike Nintendo, EA Has No Interest in US$80 Games… for Now

By Jake Su July 30, 2025

A win for the consumers.

PlayStation's latest job listing indicates an ambition to strengthen its multi-platform release strategy.

PlayStation Targets New Hire to Strengthen Multi-Platform Release Strategy

By Barkeeper July 28, 2025

Expanding the horizons to reach more players.

ASUS's oversight caused the price of Microsoft's handheld — the ROG Xbox Ally — to surface early on the internet.

Leaks Suggest ROG Xbox Ally Will Be Most Expensive Console Yet

By Barkeeper July 16, 2025

A high price to pay.

John Romero's studio — Romero Games — has been confirmed to still be alive and is currently searching for a new publisher.

Romero Games Survives Microsoft Layoffs, Seeks New Publisher

By Barkeeper July 9, 2025

Alive and kicking.

A former Turn 10 Studios employee stated that Microsoft has shut down Forza Motorsport and will only continue with Forza Horizon.

Xbox Layoffs Stops Forza Motorsport Dead in Its Tracks

By Barkeeper July 7, 2025

Pour one out for simulation racing.

Helldivers 2 is confirmed to launch for Xbox Series in August 2025.

Celebrate Patriotism as Helldivers 2 Land on Xbox This August With Cross-play

By Barkeeper July 4, 2025

More players to sacrifice for the cause.

It wasn’t just layoffs—Microsoft ultimately shut down its studio, The Initiative, and canceled the game they were working on, Perfect Dark Reboot.

Microsoft Shuts Down The Initiative, Cancels Perfect Dark Reboot

By Barkeeper July 3, 2025

Joanna Dark is going back into the shadows.

Microsoft's gaming division – Xbox – is also confirmed to be part of the 9,000 planned mass layoffs announced by the company.

Xbox Not Safe From Microsoft Layoffs as More Projects Cancelled

By Barkeeper July 3, 2025

Growing but also downsizing.