Sarah Bond

Microsoft has announced that its Xbox mobile storefront will launch in July 2024.

The next generation of consoles might be closer than we thought, at least for Xbox fans. Today, Call of Duty leaker TheGhostofHope relayed a rumor from trusted sources that the next Xbox console might launch in late 2026, way earlier than most analysts and fans predicted, with Call of Duty as a launch day title.

After ages worth of 'will they or won't they' speculation, a new report suggests that Microsoft plans to bring Call of Duty to Xbox Game Pass, with a confirmation coming as part of the Summer Game Fest schedule for 2024.

Microsoft plans to release the coming installment of the "Call of Duty" videogame to its subscription service, in a departure from its longtime practice of only selling the title independently, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

It’s been several months since Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard was finalized, and even though the latter’s catalog of titles has started making its way over to Game Pass with Diablo 4 kicking things off in March, there hasn’t been any real clarity on whether Call of Duty in particular is going to follow suit. Now, however, it’s being reported that concrete details on that front will be officially shared soon.

Microsoft will soon announce its intention to release this year’s mainline Call of Duty game straight into Game Pass, according to a new report.

With both Apple and Google relaxing their grip on their respective platforms, the field is more open for other companies to put out their own app stores on smartphones. The most common theme, of course, is gaming. And now, Microsoft is leading the charge with an Xbox app store.

Following rumors about Microsoft debating whether Call of Duty should come to Game Pass, Xbox president Sarah Bond reiterated that all first-party titles from the publisher arrive on day one for the service. That includes Activision’s titles, but she didn’t discuss rumors about Game Pass potentially receiving a price hike. Nevertheless, it seems to be happening.

Amid reports of Microsoft internally debating future Call of Duty titles coming to Game Pass, Xbox president Sarah Bond has reiterated that all Xbox games will launch on day one for the service.

Microsoft appears to be ramping up its mobile gaming efforts, revealing plans to launch an Xbox mobile game store in July.

will launch its version of a mobile gaming store in July. Xbox President Sarah Bond revealed the store will be available on the internet and will not be a specific app like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, making it available to a wider audience from the start.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has responded to some of the criticisms faced by the company in the wake of its recent decisions to shutter a bunch of development studios, laying off employees in the process. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bond referred to the decision as one made to ensure the health of Xbox as a business.

Xbox president Sarah Bond says that Microsoft's shuttering of four Bethesda studios is to ensure the firm's business is "healthy for the long term."

Addressing Microsoft's recent call to close down four of its first-party studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, Xbox President Sarah Bond talked about the motive behind it. Other companies that Xbox recently dissolved are Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has confirmed that the company will continue to launch its first-party games, including Activision titles like Call of Duty, on Game Pass. This news comes in the midst of a period of uncertainty over the subscription service, as recent reports claimed that Microsoft was internally debating whether new Call of Duty titles should be launched on Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft’s decision to release some of its Xbox games on rival console the PlayStation 5 appears to be paying off, with Rare’s pirate adventure Sea of Thieves topping Sony's sales chart.

Microsoft shut down the widely admired studios behind Hi-Fi Rush and Prey earlier this week, but when asked about the closures, Xbox president Sarah Bond gave a nondescript response that success for each game "is really unique."

Microsoft is officially entering the mobile gaming store scene this summer. With the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King formalized, the legal precedent of Epic vs. Apple settled, and the European Union disrupting the digital market, Microsoft and Xbox believe the time is right to vie for a piece of the market.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has indicated Microsoft will launch 2024’s Call of Duty game straight into Game Pass.

Microsoft will launch a web-based mobile game store in July, seeking to compete with Apple‘s App Store and the Google Play store.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has responded to questions about Microsoft’s decision to shut a number of much-loved studios this week, insisting it was about ensuring the Xbox business remains healthy for the long-term during what she called “this moment of transition.”

Xbox President Sarah Bond has commented on the recent closure of Hi-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks.

In a couple of months, you'll be able to get Microsoft's mobile games from its own store. Xbox President Sarah Bond has revealed at the Bloomberg Technology Summit that the company is launching a web-based store where you can download its mobile games and get add-ons or in-app purchases at a discount. Bond said the company has decided to launch a browser-based store instead of an app to make it «accessible across all devices, all countries, no matter what» so that you don't get «locked to a single ecosystem.»

Xbox president Sarah Bond has spoken more about the company’s decision to close four Bethesda studios earlier this week.

Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will be launching its Xbox mobile game store on Android and iOS in July, bringing popular titles like Candy Crush and Minecraft to the mobile platform.

The current state of the PlayStation store suggests that Xbox doesn't need to worry about winning the console wars. On February 15, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Xbox President Sarah Bond, and Head of Microsoft Studios Matt Booty announced some of its Xbox exclusive titles would be coming to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch during an Xbox podcast, something that was welcomed by players on the other platforms, with titles such as being hugely successful on PlayStation, but was initially controversial with Xbox players.

Xbox President Sarah Bond has made a bold statement about their hardware after Xbox Series X|S – and Microsoft is standing by it.

Microsoft teased its plans for next-generation Xbox hardware back in February, saying that it was focussed on delivering the “largest technical leap” for a new console generation with the next Xbox. Now, more details about Microsoft's plans for its next console have emerged, reiterating the same claim. An internal email shared with Xbox staff has revealed that Microsoft is “moving full speed ahead” on its next-generation Xbox hardware.

Microsoft is «moving full speed ahead» on its next-generation Xbox console, a senior company official has said. The status update, which also teased one particular aspect of the new Xbox console, was initially shared in an internal memo that promptly ended up leaking online.

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Xbox president Sarah Bond has confirmed that backwards compatibility with previous-generation Xbox games will remain a priority for the company's hardware going forward.

Long-time Microsoft staffer Kareem Choudhry is leaving the company.

Activision Blizzard’s catalog of titles slowly being made available via Game Pass is one of the most significant things Xbox users have to look forward to, now that the company is officially part of Microsoft. That process kicked off late last month when Diablo 4 launched for the subscription service, which, it turns out, coincided with the game’s player base enjoying a significant boost on Xbox consoles.

From games being taken off stores with little to no notice, to older consoles’ storefronts going permanently offline, to online-only experiences being rendered effectively unplayable once their servers are taken down, the list of things that pose a threat to game preservation continues to grow worryingly longer, though some chosen few companies have been taking admirable steps to work against that.

Windows Central's Jez Corden has reported on a recent internal email sent out to all the staff by Xbox executive Sarah Bond. Corden says Microsoft has since confirmed the veracity of the message, making it a very interesting read.

Xbox is reportedly the «number one platform for Diablo 4 players».

Xbox has established a new team dedicated to video game preservation and forward compatibility.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has established a new team dedicated to game preservation and backwards compatibility in future hardware.

Xbox has formed a new team to future-proof its vast library of current and old-gen games. This effort for game preservation falls in line with Xbox's existing strategy of offering extensive backwards-compatibility on its latest consoles, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Xbox President Sarah Bond has revealed in an email to Microsoft staff that she has set up a team dedicated to gaming preservation and backwards compatibility in preparation for the next Xbox console.

First there was an Xbox Store page, and now there is an age rating; might Hollow Knight: Silksong finally be about ready to release? Speculation concerning Team Cherry's PS5 and PS4 sequel is widespread right now, and a newly uncovered South Korean age rating has only fuelled online chatter. Interestingly, the age rating was actually registered in February, but the rating has only been brought to life now as fans dig deep for any fresh shred of information.

Hollow Knight: Silksong has been classified in South Korea, suggesting news about the game’s release date could be on the way.

Hi-Fi Rush was recently released on PlayStation 5, where an analysis identified the game to be running slightly better than on Xbox. Despite being a first-party Xbox title, Hi-Fi Rush continues a trend of such releases either performing worse or lacking features on Xbox Series X when compared to the PS5 launch.

Rumbling of an all-digital variant of the Xbox Series X have been doing the rounds for a while now, and they’re now beginning to gather momentum. In fact, Exputer has shared what it claims are images of a white, all-digital model of the Xbox Series X.

Images showing a white, all-digital Xbox Series X console have seemingly leaked.

In another interesting revelation, Xbox head Phil Spencer has reportedly backed the arrival of third-party game stores on game consoles. This has led to Xbox fans anticipating the possible launch of game stores, like Steam, on Microsoft's console.

Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer has revealed what he wants in an Xbox handheld amid rumors.

Xbox gaming boss Phil Spencer has discussed the idea of a Microsoft handheld games device, and how Xbox games should play on third-party handheld hardware.

Microsoft’s head of gaming has discussed what he’d like to see in a potential Xbox handheld.

A new Xbox Series X/S wireless controller has seemingly leaked ahead of an official announcement.

From the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck to the many similar devices the latter in particular has spawned (including the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go, ROG Ally, and more), there’s been no shortage of evidence that there’s incredible demand within the gaming audiences for handheld devices. Interestingly, it seems like Microsoft is at least tinkering with the idea of such a device.

During a podcast, insider Jez Corden ignited further interest in the rumored Xbox handheld console by sharing some key details. The new information suggests that Xbox may be working on something that is closer to the Nintendo Switch than the PlayStation Portal.

It can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups.

Thomas Mahler, the co-founder of Moon Studios and creator of the Ori games, has said that he fully believes in the direction that Phil Spencer is taking with Xbox.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is not coming to the PlayStation 5, a well-known Xbox insider has said. The claim was offered in response to a newly emerged rumor that Ninja Theory is already working on a Hellblade 2 PS5 port.

Microsoft is launching a special edition SpongeBob SquarePants Xbox Series X console bundle.

Microsoft will stream its latest Xbox Partner Preview event this Wednesday, March 6.

It's becoming increasingly unlikely that will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X. While and were extremely well received, there hasn't been any official word on another entry in the franchise from its developer, Rockstar Games.

Leaked internal Microsoft documents emerging last September spilled the beans on the company’s plans to release an all-digital variant of the Xbox Series X, and a new report published on Exputer by known insider eXtas1s claims that that console is set to be released in a few months’ time.

Microsoft‘s head of gaming has claimed that getting rid of physical media isn’t a strategic goal for Xbox, but its support for disc-based games appears far from unwavering.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is losing Soul Hackers 2 and Madden NFL 22 on February 29, 2024. While both games are being removed from the Xbox Game Pass service, they will still be available for purchase on the Microsoft Store for those who want to continue playing.

Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Direct Partner showcase for later this week on Wednesday February 21.

Microsoft has officially confirmed it’ll bring four formerly exclusive games to rival platforms like PS5, but it won’t say which ones. As part of a bizarre podcast featuring executives Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty, the trillion-dollar tech titan danced around the rumours which have been doing the rounds for weeks now.

In case you missed it, Xbox's top dogs set live a podcast yesterday, publicly announcing the company's long-rumoured intention to bring a selection of first-party games to rival consoles. After so much noise around the subject, it hardly came as a surprise, but it's still a noteworthy shift in how the platform holder will handle its in-house titles going forward. While the messaging was kept fairly vague, we can get a touch more context from a company memo, sent from Phil Spencer to staff before the podcast's debut. It's now available to read in its entirety online.

Having been on the cards since 2022, the option to stream games you own could finally be added to Xbox Cloud Gaming in the near future.

Hell is more accessible than ever before — Diablo 4 has been revealed as coming to the PC Game Pass on March 28! Officially revealed during an episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Diablo 4 will debut on the PC Game Pass on March 28. Players will be able to journey in Sanctuary even more easily than before — which was originally announced back in 2022, during a statement regarding the future of Game Pass after the Microsoft and ABK merger. While Diablo 4 is the first Activision Blizzard King title to debut on PC Game Pass, Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, had this to say regarding other titles:

There were plenty of concerns about Microsoft’s future for the gaming division. Rumors were flooding the web that gave a grim outlook on Xbox. Now we learned these rumors were mostly false and that there shouldn’t be any concerns that Microsoft is bowing out. Instead, Xbox is ramping up its focus on delivering an excellent platform for players. In fact, to ease some player’s minds about the future of Xbox, several executives offered a business update yesterday. 

Near the end of the latest Official Xbox Podcast, Xbox has confirmed it's planning its June showcase for 2024. The June games showcase is Xbox's biggest event each year, giving fans a glimpse at what they can expect from its first-party studios and the games they're building. The showcase is also usually filled with a smattering of third-party Game Pass partnerships, revealing new games coming to the service throughout the second half of the year and beyond.

Microsoft is said to have been considering the idea to bring other major franchises to rival platforms, including the Gears of War, the next Doom, and Flight Simulator.

Microsoft shared new details about its plans for Xbox hardware, teasing the next generation of Xbox consoles and providing updates about its gaming business in a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast Thursday. While the company confirmed that four Xbox-exclusive games would launch on PS5 and Nintendo Switch, it reiterated its commitment to developing Xbox hardware and exclusives titles on the platform. In the podcast, Xbox president Sarah Bond said that Microsoft was focussed on delivering the “largest technical leap” for a new console generation for the next Xbox.

Microsoft is going to be launching four titles in its line-up to other platforms in the near future.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has revealed his plans for the future of Xbox in a brand new interview. 

The most recent Xbox Podcast with the CEO of Microsoft gaming, Phil Spencer, the president of gaming content and studios at Xbox, Matt Booty, and the president of Xbox, Sarah Bond, saw the three discuss the future of the gaming console but also how it would always stick to its roots. 

One of the most interesting details revealed in the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast was that Xbox Game Pass now has 34 million subscribers.

The last 10-days-or-so have been quite the roller coaster for Xbox fans. Team Green was thrown into turmoil earlier this month by rumors that everything from Starfield, to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, to even Gears of War may be going multiplatform. Granted, some of those rumors were later walked back, but still, the spectre of a third-party future for Xbox was raised.

During the hotly anticipated Xbox Business Update delivered by executives Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty, Microsoft announced that Diablo IV will be the first Activision Blizzard game to land on Game Pass.

The last 10-days-or-so have been quite the roller coaster for Xbox fans. Team Green was thrown into turmoil earlier this month by rumors that everything from Starfield, to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, to even Gears of War may be going multiplatform. Granted, some of those rumors were later walked back, but still, the spectre of a third-party future with Xbox getting out of the hardware business was raised.

Rare have attempted a Valentines poem which included  rather blatant hint that Sea of Thieves would be heading to PlayStation and Switch. “Rowboats are red, And sometimes they’re blue, Other times they’re green, Occasionally they can be white…” they tweeted.

As part of a 'business update' confirming four first-party Xbox exclusives are coming to PlayStation 5 and Switch, Microsoft has moved to assuage fan fears it might be considering abandoning the console market, saying it's planning a new Xbox that will deliver «the largest technical leap...ever seen in a hardware generation.»

Microsoft has shared updated Game Pass membership figures for the first time since January 2022, saying the on-demand gaming service now has 34m «fully paid» subscribers, with «significant growth» coming from PC and cloud.