With the official launch of Forza Horizon 6 around the corner, Microsoft and Playground Games have just divulged a little more information about the upcoming driving sim, specifically its world, car line-up, and official console performance modes and expected frame rates. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly Forza Horizon 6 will feature two distinct performance modes on the Xbox Series X and S consoles. Performance Mode will allow the game to run at 60 FPS on both consoles, at 4K resolution with dynamic upscaling on the Series X and 1080p with dynamic scaling on the Series S. Quality Mode, on the other hand, will target 30 FPS on both Xbox variants, at 4K native resolution with "increased visual fidelity" on the Series X and 1440p with dynamic scaling to maintain the target frame rate. Horizon 6 will also feature a number of accessibility features, including AutoDrive, Proximity Radar, High Contrast mode, colorblind filters, and ASL and BSL interpreters for cut-scenes. There is also an option to modify the game speed in offline mode, which should make the game more accessible to kids and those with limited mobility and reflexes, especially when used in conjunction with difficulty settings.

The announcement revealed that gamers can start preloading Forza Horizon 6 on both PC and Xbox already, from the library page for preorderers and Game Pass subscribers, from the Microsoft Store, or using the Xbox app for smartphones if you're planning on buying a physical edition. Microsoft will also be giving Forza veterans login rewards in the form of free special car unlocks that will appear in players' garages after they complete the introductory mission. These cars depend on the game players previously played: 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray for Forza Motorsport; 2021 Mercedes-AMD ONE for Forza Horizon 5; 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan for Forza Horizon 4; 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 for Forza Horizon 3; 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP-610-4 for Forza Horizon 2; and 2013 Dodge SRT Viper GTS for Forza Horizon.

French developer and publisher DON'T NOD has today released Aphelion on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and is available on Game Pass. Aphelion is a cinematic sci-fi adventure game at the edge of our solar system.

Standard, Deluxe, & Day One Editions
The Standard Edition, containing the game alone, is 29.99€/$ on Steam and 34.99€/$ on consoles. There is a 10% launch discount for Steam and Xbox users. Xbox and PlayStation players can get the Day One Edition at 10% off on both platforms (only for PS+ users on PlayStation), exclusively within the first day of sale. The Day One Edition contains the game and a cosmetics pack with 2 spacesuit variants and 6 backpack accessories: 3 stickers and 3 keychains. The stickers and keychains reference the ESA collaboration and fan-favorite DON'T NOD games, Jusant and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.

Xbox executives, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty, recently publicly released an internal memo in which they detailed the upcoming changes to the Xbox Games strategy, revealing that Microsoft would be reevaluating its approach to Xbox exclusive games and further addressing the viability and value proposition of Game Pass. The memo also addressed the future of Xbox hardware, stating that Project Helix would lead in performance and that the short-term goal was to work on the shortcomings of the Xbox Series X|S consoles to make them more attractive for gamers. Sharma and Booty also recently spoke to The Game File in an interview and divulged more of what those plans meant for the future of Xbox.

Addressing Game Pass first, Sharma said that the recent price cut applied to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass were the first steps toward attracting more players who will stick around long-term. The CEO went on to say that the executives have been rethinking the Game Pass approach, commenting that, aside from making it more affordable, they are evaluating how value looks in the context of the modern gaming landscape and the rapidly changing world. Matt Booty, Chief Content Officer, commented that Microsoft would be working on the games coming out of Xbox Game Studios, so that it could deliver a predictable cadence with a robust roadmap, and that it would "aim for quality."

With the launch of Forza Horizon 6 around the corner, it's about time that Xbox Games announce the official Xbox accessories to go along with the latest installment in the racing sim franchise. The official Forza Horizon 6 accessory bundle consists of a limited edition wireless Xbox controller and a limited edition wireless headset. From a hardware perspective, both seem identical to their non-limited edition versions, but the Forza Horizon 6 versions have some unique aesthetic touches.

Both the Forza Horizon 6 controller and the headset feature striking neon blue, pink, and yellow accents. Where the controller has metallic silver accents and opaque plastic components, the controller brings back the transparent tech look and features a printed racetrack design across the front of the controller's face. Like other Xbox Wireless Controllers and headsets, the limited edition Forza Horizon 6 versions are compatible with Android, iOS, Windows PCs, and Xbox Series and Xbox One consoles. The limited edition Forza Horizon 6 Xbox controller is available for $89.99 from the Microsoft Store, while the wireless headset is $134.99 on the Microsoft Store.

Studio Far Far Games and publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment are thrilled to announce that Bylina, their isometric action-adventure rooted in Slavic folklore, is now available on Steam. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will launch later in 2026.

In Bylina, take on the role of Kestrel, a young bogatyr, a Slavic knight of legend, born without hero's powers in a world where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side. Unmarked by destiny, unblessed by the gods, and underestimated by everyone, Kestrel's just a stubborn kid whose dreams outweigh his abilities

Pragmata has officially launched on Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series consoles after garnering a lot of hype leading up to its launch. The highly anticipated launch aside, though, it seems as though Pragmata's actual reception is a bit of a mixed bag. While the game has topped the Steam sales charts, blasting past both Windrose and Counter-Strike 2 for revenue generated, and the game has had an immensely positive impact amongst the gamers who have played it, concurrent player counts have so far peaked at just over 55,000 on launch day. It should be noted that, since this is a single-player game, it does not live and die by player counts like a multiplayer game, but high sales, positive reviews, and low player counts indicate interesting player behaviors.

The TechPowerUp Pragmata in-depth performance review is live, with performance benchmarks for over 30 GPUs, as is the handheld performance review.

On Steam, Pragmata has so far earned itself an "Overwhelmingly Positive" review rating, with 97% positive reviews. On Metacritic, Pragmata has had a rather positive reception, as well, with a Metascore of 86, putting it at 11th place on Metacritic's 2026 release ratings chart. It remains to be seen how Pragmata performs over the launch weekend, when player counts generally increase, but recent big-name launches, like Marathon, have had significantly better day-one player count figures than Pragmata has exhibited so far. Most of the reviews for Pragmata praise it for its performance, even on Linux and weaker systems, as well as the way it balances its shooter and hacking mechanics. It is also reportedly a surprisingly bug-free experience, seemingly thanks to the custom RE Engine.

Today Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is proud to announce the long-awaited PRAGMATA is out now across the globe. After years of anticipation, the highly acclaimed sci-fi action-adventure game is now available across PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

Developed by the studio behind the Resident Evil and Devil May Cry series, PRAGMATA transports players to the moon. The story unfolds aboard a futuristic lunar station that has mysteriously lost contact with the Earth. Sent in to investigate, spacefarer Hugh Williams quickly runs into trouble before a curious android with the appearance of a young girl comes to his rescue. Given the name Diana, she joins Hugh in exploring the lunar station in search of a way back to Earth.

NACON and the studio Big Bad Wolf are pleased to announce the release of their new narrative investigation and psychological horror game, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. Players take on the role of Noah, an occult investigator, tasked with unraveling the mystery of the disappearance of miners in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. An investigation that will lead him to the gates of the sunken city of R'lyeh, depicted for the first time in a video game.

With Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, the studio delivers its most ambitious project to date, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation, today revealed the all-new Stealth Pro II wireless multiplatform gaming headset which distinctly sits at the audio summit as the complete gaming peripheral. The Stealth Pro II is the successor to the highly lauded Stealth Pro and represents both Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and the future of premium audio versatility. As the latest and ultimate gaming headset, the Stealth Pro II Wireless Gaming Headset is for anyone who demands flagship-level audio and microphone performance, seamless device switching and stunning design.

The Stealth Pro II lets you hear what you've never been able to hear before—but could it stand up to the master of stealth himself? To find out, Turtle Beach tracked down the world's last surviving ninja, Jinichi Kawakami, and flew him from Japan for the ultimate IRL showdown. One gamer. One ninja. One headset. With the advanced audio of the Stealth Pro II, the gamer was able to capture every sound the ninja made. It was the ultimate stealth showdown highlighting Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and stunning audio performance. If the Stealth Pro II can hear a ninja, it can hear anything. Visit the Turtle Beach website to put your Ninja hearing to the test.

UK publisher Kwalee and independent studio Out of the Blue are pleased to announce that the Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure Call of the Elder Gods will launch on May 12, 2026. The game is coming to PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and is available day one with Xbox Game Pass. A sequel to 2020's award-winning Call of the Sea, Call of the Elder Gods is a single-player, first-person puzzle adventure with a strong narrative focus.

Players step into the roles of Professor Harry Everhart and newcomer Evangeline Drayton, solving intricate puzzles driven by logic, observation, and environmental interaction.Together, they journey from New England to the Australian desert, the frozen Arctic and the ancient city of Pnakotus, searching for missing loved ones while confronting personal grief.

After previously announcing an April 24 launch date, Capcom moved the launch of Pragmata forward to April 17 and subsequently celebrated hitting 2 million demo downloads and game wishlists. Now, in another stroke of positive news, Capcom has announced that Pragmata has gone gold, meaning that the game is in a stable, functional state and ready for launch on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.

Pragmata was originally announced in 2020, with the release date originally slated for 2022. However, the game went through multiple iterations during that time and ended up being pushed back to 2026. Pragmata was Capcom's first new franchise since the launch of Dragon's Dogma in 2012, and it seems to be attempting to implement an interesting combination of third-person shooter combat and hacking mechanics, alongside sci-fi, narrative- and exploration-driven core gameplay.

Microsoft has officially announced its next Xbox Summer Games showcase, which will take place on June 7, 2026, showing off the latest of what Microsoft has in-store for gamers in 2026. While it's not yet been revealed what will be shown off at the game showcase, Microsoft did confirm that there will be a Gears of War: E-Day showcase immediately after the Xbox Games Showcase, in which we're likely to see at least a new trailer and maybe a release date for the upcoming Xbox shooter, which was revealed at the 2024 Summer Xbox Game Showcase and hasn't made much noise since, despite its 2026 release date.

The Xbox Game Showcase is slated to start at 10 AM PT on June 7, which is 14:00 UTC. It's already been all but confirmed via the game's Steam store page that Gears of War: E-Day will launch for both PC and Xbox, although not much else is known about the game other than that it will be a prequel set 14 years before the original Gears of War, and that it will be built on Unreal Engine 5.

Publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment (part of Utmost Games) and indie developer Firevolt are proud to announce Salvation Denied, a chaotic co-op building sim for 1-4 players where a crew of small, yellow, mischievous construction robots attempts to build massive structures with heavy machinery and absurd tools.

A time-limited open playtest is now available on Steam for one week, with the full game release launching Fall 2026 on PC via Steam and in 2027 on PS5 and Xbox Series X. In Salvation Denied, players work under contract for a mysterious and fanatical client. On a hostile planet filled with extreme environments, a crew of construction robots is tasked with assembling massive experimental structures, though only their obsessive employer seems to know what's coming next.

Gameplay Group International and PM Studios, in collaboration with Paramount, Skydance and Avatar Studios, Today announced a global publishing partnership for AVATAR LEGENDS: The Fighting Game. Developed together with Nickelodeon Animation Studios, the fast-paced 1v1 fighter is set to launch July 2 for $29.99 USD SRP on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, with full cross-play support available at launch. The game's release date was unveiled live at the EVO Awards, marking a major milestone for the fighting game community. Players can pre-order now on Steam and wishlist the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S Today.

Set within the iconic worlds of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, AVATAR LEGENDS: The Fighting Game delivers fluid combat, expressive bending abilities, and competitive gameplay designed to engage both seasoned fighting game players and newcomers alike. Players are challenged to master the elements across a roster of fan-favorite characters, combining strategic depth with fast-paced, accessible action.

Dimension-hopping developer Behaviour Interactive (Dead By Daylight) and rocket-jumping publisher Devolver Digital (BALL x PIT, Baby Steps) have joined forces to unveil Serious Sam: Shatterverse via today's Xbox Partner Preview showcase. This multiversal multiplayer FPS is based on the adventures of boomer shooter legend Sam 'Serious' Stone - whose over-the-top run-and-gun classic, Serious Sam: The First Encounter, celebrates its 25th birthday this year - but with an oh-so-modern roguelite twist.

Serious Sam: Shatterverse is a co-op FPS where five players can team up, blast through shifting universes, stack wild boons, bend the rules with run modifiers and hunt the deadliest forces of Sam's relentless arch-nemesis, the villainous Mental.

It's no secret that Hades has been a hit indie franchise, with Hades 2 garnering 112,947 concurrent players on Steam when it launched out of Early Access. Now, as of April 14, 2026, almost exactly two years after the Early Access launch, Hades 2 will also be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles as well as Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass PC. The indie roguelite hack-n-slash game will be launching to consoles with all of the patches and improvements that have been released on PC during the game's time on Steam.

Hades 2 is currently available for pre-order on the Xbox store for $23.99, but it will retail at $29.99 on release day. Both Microsoft's gaming handheld and the Steam Deck have shown that Hades 2 does not require top-of-the-line hardware to run, but it's reassuring for console gamers to know that Hades 2 will support both 4K resolution and 120 FPS for the Xbox platforms. Hades 2 follows the Melinoë, the sister of Zagreus, the protagonist of the original Hades game, as she plots her way through the winding underworld packed with figures from Greek mythology. The Hades 2 console launch trailer follows.

Soon, fans of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will be able to don the armor of a Pinkwater mercenary and experience part of the game themselves. Starting April 22, the closed beta will be available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 to everyone who purchases the Collector's Edition or Miller's Pack on the website. The closed beta will give players a feel for the game's combat, movement in the zero-g environment, and dealing with life and death on a remote space station. Additionally, Owlcat Games revealed that the game will launch in Spring 2027 on PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG) and on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, with a Day 1 launch on Xbox Game Pass. Fans can wishlist the game now.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a story-driven action RPG set in The Expanse universe with focus on companions, player choices, and dynamic third-person combat. As a Pinkwater Security mercenary who survives a catastrophic incident on Eros, players have to build a team to fight back against Protogen and their experiments. Though the game is set in the same universe as the books and show, it focuses on its own story and characters.

Super Meat Boy 3D, the 3D remake of the "tough-as-nails" platformer will officially launch on March 31, according to a new release date trailer published as part of an Xbox Partner Preview. It will be available for the Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Xbox Store, the PS5, and for the Nintendo Switch 2 via the Nintendo eShop. It will also be a day-one Xbox Game Pass and Cloud gaming title, so it will see quite a wide release.

Super Meat Boy 3D is meant to be a 3D reimagining of the original 2D precision platformer that originally launched way back in 2010, which has sold an estimated 2.6 million+ units, according to conservative estimates. Pricing has not yet been announced for Super Meat Boy 3D, but the original Super Meat Boy still retails for $14.99 16 years after release. The 3D version of the game will require at least an AMD Ryzen 3 3100 or Intel Core i3-10100, 8 GB of memory, and an AMD Radeon RX 6400 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or 1650 to play.

During today's Future Games Show Spring Showcase, developer and publisher Nordcurrent revealed Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns. The beloved 1986 strategy experience is coming to PC (Steam, GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and will include three modes: Retro Mode, Classic Mode, and Kingdom Mode. An Amiga hallmark, the title has been rebuilt to bring the Saxon-Norman conflict to a new audience with modernized visuals, refined mechanics, and an ambitious expansion of its classic formula.

England is a land of chaos where the crown has been stolen, and the King is dead. Players must step into the boots of a Saxon lord to outmaneuver rival Normans, raise armies, and reclaim the throne. This remake preserves the design of the original, while updating the experience with cleaner systems and meaningful quality-of-life enhancements.

Microsoft Gaming Copilot has been out in the open and available as a beta for PC, mobile, and the ROG Xbox Ally since October 2025, but at a recent GDC conference, Sonali Yadav, Xbox Gaming AI partner group project manager, commented that Gaming Copilot would be landing on current-gen Xbox Series X|S consoles before the end of 2026. Gaming Copilot purports to help its users "get to the fun, faster," with gaming recommendations based on what you play, "get help without leaving your game," by providing players with advice based on their current place in the game, and "brainstorm strategies and get tips or insights with personalized coaching." The service operates similarly to Microsoft's original Copilot service in that it takes screenshots of your gameplay and analyzes them to provide the aforementioned recommendations.

I'm excited to announce that later this year, we will bring Gaming Copilot to the current-generation consoles, and we will continue to bring it to more services that players are playing.

The journey begins today as Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Players can dive into the latest installment in the beloved RPG series, featuring the vibrant world of Monster Hunter shaped by the bonds between Riders and monsters.

A Tale of Two Kingdoms and Twisted Fates
Set two centuries after the Rift War, the kingdoms of Azuria and Vermeil stand divided. Twin Rathalos unexpectedly hatch from a single egg, igniting a story of forbidden lands and twisted destinies. A mysterious Crystal Encroachment emerges, threatening ecosystems and habitats across the land and causing conflicts between monsters. Along the journey, players will meet companions including vice-captain Gaul, monster expert Ogden, Ranger Squad co-founder Kora, the protagonist's best friend and confidante Simon, the brand-new member of the Rangers Thea, and Eleanor the Princess of Vermeil. As the protagonist, players take on the role of Prince/Princess of Azuria, and captain of the Ranger Squad to protect endangered eggs, restore ecosystems, and confront powerful monsters. Players can also customize their protagonist's appearance to fully step into the roles.

Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment are proud to unleash the official Launch Trailer for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, on Steam and Epic Games Store. Built on Saber's cutting-edge Swarm Engine—the technology powering World War Z: Aftermath and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2—this co-op shooter throws players headfirst into waves of grotesque zombie hordes and towering bosses ripped straight from the nightmares of a grindhouse legend. Fans of over-the-top '80s action-horror have been waiting for this one. Welcome to the apocalypse!

"The game is finally out. Play it," said John Carpenter. "It's good and it's fun. You may not be ready for these ghouls to attack you but when they do you better learn fast! They will overwhelm you. These ghouls are out for business! Time to kick ass!"

Crimson Desert, the upcoming open-world action-adventure game from indie studio, Pearl Abyss, is finally closing in on its March 19 launch date, and as part of the lead-up to the launch, Pearl Abyss has officially published the minimum hardware requirements for both PC and console, including a proper dedicated handheld spec sheet that should give owners of the ASUS ROG Ally and Xbox Ally handheld gaming PCs an idea of what to expect. On the Xbox Series X and the Sony PlayStation 5, players can choose between Performance, Balanced, and Quality graphics settings, all of which with their own framerate targets and render quality settings. Performance targets 1080p resolution with 60 FPS, VRR or VSync enabled and ray tracing set to low.

Balanced bumps up the resolution to 4K upscaled from 1280p with FSR 3 and targets 40 FPS with Vsync, while Quality scales 1440p to 4K with FSR 3 and targets 30 FPS with Vsync enabled. The PS5 Pro steps up all quality settings to 4K, with Performance and Balanced using Upgraded PSSR upscaling to upscale 1080p and 1440p with 60 FPS and 48+ FPS with VRR, respectively. Quality mode on the PS5 Pro goes straight for 4K native at 30 FPS with Vsync and ray tracing on ultra. For the Xbox Series S, there are only two quality settings: Performance, at 720p, 40 FPS with Vsync and RT off, or Quality, at 1080p, 30 FPS with RT off. The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, offers Performance, with 1080p at 60 FPS with VRR or Vsync and RT set to low; Balanced, with 4K upscaled from 1280p with FSR 3, at 40 FPS with RT on low; and Quality, which is 4K upscaled from 1440p with FSR 3, at 30 FPS with RT set to high.

NACON and the Spiders studio are pleased to announce that the narrative RPG GreedFall: The Dying World is now available on PC (Steam), as well as for all owners of the digital Deluxe Edition on consoles. A new video also shows players everything they need to know in under two minutes. The title will be officially released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S this Thursday, March 12.

The story of GreedFall: The Dying World takes place three years before the events of the first opus. The Old Continent of Gacane is in agony, ravaged by a mysterious disease and incessant conflicts. Torn from your native island of Teer Fradee and taken prisoner, you must navigate this world of rival factions to regain your freedom. Use cunning, diplomacy, or combat, explore vast lands, and forge alliances with companions who can become friends, lovers, or rivals. Your choices will shape the course of your adventure and seal the fate of two worlds.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe today announcedEchoes of Aincrad, a new action RPG set in the breathtaking floating castle of Aincrad from the Sword Art Online universe where every battle could be your last. Players will get to create their own hero and dive into the game, facing the many challenges ahead by mastering dodges, parries and well-timed attacks. Echoes of Aincrad will launch on 10 July 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam.

Echoes of Aincrad invites adventurers into a dynamic and vibrant world filled with challenges and unforgettable encounters, becoming a "player" in the game through an extensive avatar customization will place them as the true hero of this story. As the story progresses through quests and missions, players will be able to adapt and upgrade their equipment, weapons, and attributes, and select special skills to match their preferred playstyle while growing stronger as they level up. But they will not journey alone, the outcome of real-time combat will also rely on the chosen partner for each outing, deciding the stance they should take during fight, more aggressive or supportive, and as that bond deepens, players will unlock their partner's powerful abilities.