1. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella predicts that the next-generation Xbox will be fully digital, abandoning physical game copies. 2. Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo are expected to follow suit, but a few generations later. 3. The shift to all-digital gaming is seen as a response to the industry's move towards digital platforms.
Recent #Xbox news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Leakers provide updates on Xbox games coming to PS5; ➁ Microsoft confirms Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and The Great Circle for PS5; ➂ Starfield was planned for PS5 release last year; ➃ Halo's addition to PlayStation still seems to be going ahead.
➀ Microsoft is adding new in-game benefits for Game Pass subscribers; ➁ These benefits include cosmetics, characters, and in-game currency for select free-to-play games; ➂ The list of supported titles includes Heroes of the Storm, Naraka: Bladepoint, Smite 2, and more.
➀ It's no secret that Xbox is expanding its reach beyond just hardware, with a move to platforms such as Sony's PlayStation console paying off. The latest title to make the move is Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, a well-reviewed game that first made a splash on the Xbox.
➁ With multiple Microsoft titles shooting to the top of the PlayStation Store's preorder page, it's a clear sign that Microsoft's cross-platform efforts are paying off.
➂ Microsoft is keenly aware of the PlayStation 5's strong sales and is making its games available on other platforms to capitalize on this.
➀ Microsoft's Xbox is reportedly advancing towards a new gaming path, as indicated by an image from a recent blog post that revealed an early look at an updated Xbox app UI.
➁ The UI includes a 'Steam' tab within the game library, suggesting the potential for launching Steam games directly from the Xbox app without switching platforms.
➂ However, the feasibility of playing Steam games on Xbox is questionable due to platform-specific game purchases. The more likely explanation is that Microsoft is preparing for a partnership with ASUS for an Xbox-branded handheld, aiming to improve the software experience for this collaboration.
➀ Microsoft has experienced mixed success with adapting its IPs for TV; ➁ The cancellation of Paramount's Halo TV show last year; ➂ Xbox head Phil Spencer acknowledges learning from the process; ➃ No specific lessons were mentioned, but confidence in future adaptations is growing.
➀ The latest update to Xbox Game Pass includes new titles such as Octopath Traveler 2 and the Blizzard Arcade Collection; ➁ The Blizzard Arcade Collection, first released in 2021, includes classics like The Lost Vikings and Blackthorne; ➂ Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers will gain access to Batman Arkham Knight, Monster Sanctuary, and Tunic starting March 26th.
➀ Avowed is the biggest first-party Xbox game for 2025; ➁ The RPG was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released on Microsoft's console and PC; ➂ The game's director, Carrie Patel, confirms that Xbox executives are happy with the player numbers; ➃ No concrete sales data was provided, but the studio and Microsoft levels are pleased with the game's reception.
➀ Microsoft has announced the upcoming removal of several games from the Xbox Game Pass library; ➁ The list includes notable titles like Yakuza 5 and 6, Lies of P, and SpongeBob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom; ➂ The games are set to leave the service on March 15th.
➀ Microsoft updates its Xbox Game Pass library with new and returning titles, including Avowed and EA Sports F1 24; ➁ A number of games are set to leave the service on February 28th, such as F1 22, Gris, and Wo Long Fallen Dynasty; ➂ The article invites readers to share their thoughts on Avowed and which departing games they plan to complete.
➀ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the latest major first-party release from Xbox Game Studios, has surpassed 4 million players; ➁ The game was made available on Game Pass, which may not reflect actual sales figures; ➂ The game is set to come to PlayStation this year, and its performance on the platform is yet to be seen.
➀ Microsoft is looking forward to supporting Nintendo with the games they have; ➁ Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, expressed his admiration for Nintendo's innovation; ➂ Microsoft is contractually obligated to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo systems; ➃ A number of Xbox exclusives have been brought to Switch in recent years.
➀ Microsoft has revealed the best-selling Xbox games of 2024, highlighting top titles across various categories such as Store Rating, Player Engagement, Daily Active Users, and Units Sold. The list includes popular games like 'The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria', 'Star Wars Outlaws', and '7 Days to Die'. ➁ The Xbox Excellence Awards honor the studios behind the most loved games of the year. ➂ The data reflects the performance of games across the industry, even though the list is not in any particular order.
➀ Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, confirms plans to release Xbox games on the upcoming Switch 2 console; ➁ The Switch 2 is expected to have larger and redesigned Joy-Con controllers and a larger display; ➂ Backward compatibility with some Switch 1 titles is confirmed, and Xbox titles might be ported to the new console.
➀ Microsoft's Developer Direct showcased a surprise announcement of a new Ninja Gaiden game; ➁ The game, Ninja Gaiden 4, is set to release later this year; ➂ Developed by PlatinumGames and Team Ninja, it will be published by Xbox Games Studios and available on Game Pass.
➀ Microsoft updates its Xbox Game Pass library with new/returning titles; ➁ A total of 14 games are dropping over the next week; ➂ Titles include 'Lonely Mountain: Snow Riders', 'Flock', 'Gigantic: Rampage Edition', and more; ➃ Some games will be leaving the service at the end of the month.
➀ Microsoft has announced a new translucent red 'Pulse Cipher' Special Edition Xbox Series X|S controller; ➁ The controller features a throwback translucent design reminiscent of the PS2/Xbox era; ➂ It is set to arrive in early February and is priced at £69.99.
➀ Microsoft's Xbox console sales dropped by nearly 50% in 2024; ➁ Xbox ranked third in console sales, behind PS5 and Switch, with the largest decline in unit sales; ➂ EA Sports FC 25 was the best-selling game in Europe for 2024.
➀ A great deal on a 2TB WD Black C50 expansion card for Xbox consoles; ➁ The card offers 2TB of storage and is compatible with the latest Xbox consoles; ➂ The discount makes it cheaper than buying two 1TB cards.
➀ Phil Spencer confirmed that 4 of Xbox's first-party titles would be coming to other platforms; ➁ Reports suggest exclusive Xbox console games will be the exception rather than the rule; ➂ Microsoft's 'Project Latitude' content strategy is believed to be the cause of this change.