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The XboxCast

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Funny first.
Factual second.™

Join us every week for a hilarious and entertaining dive into the world of Xbox. Whether you’re a gamer with a job, a gamer with kids, or just a gamer with too many hobbies, we’ve got you covered.

Get your Xbox news fix in #NuNews, laugh along with our latest gaming adventures in #GameFace! or keep yourself regular with our Regular Show for your weekly dose of Xbox goodness. Our podcast, community, and movement aim to bring a positive and upbeat voice to all things Xbox.

And to top it all off, The XboxCast is the longest-running Xbox podcast from Down Under!
So, come for the laughs, stay for the games, and become a member of our amazing community.

To find out more about the podcast, the hosts, the monthly events, and links to all our social media - visit The XboxCast’s Official Website @ https://www.thexboxcast.co.nz.

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  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 47 min
  • English
  • S10 · E16
    Yesterday · 1 hr 45 min

    HellDivers For Crabs

    Sony has lost Kojima. XBOX has found Kojima. And we go helldiving for crabs.... 🎮 Kojima's Physint Is Now an XBOX Game! Well. We didn't have this one on the bingo card. PlayStation has stepped away from Physint, Hideo Kojima's big return to action espionage, after Sony unexpectedly cancelled the project in June. Kojima Productions then spent three months hunting for someone willing to help keep the game alive. Enter XBOX. Microsoft is now publishing Physint through XBOX Game Studios, expanding its relationship with Kojima beyond OD and somehow leaving XBOX with not one, but TWO Kojima games. We're sure the internet will react to this news in a calm, measured and entirely reasonable fashion. 💸 Leave Game Pass and Microsoft Might Give You a Discount? XBOX Game Pass has discovered the relationship tactic of only appreciating you after you've left. Former Game Pass subscribers are reportedly being offered targeted discounts of up to 30% off to tempt them back. Which is great news! Unless you've been faithfully paying for Game Pass every month. Then you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your continued loyalty is apparently its own reward. ☁️ XBOX Cloud Gaming Gets a 15-Hour Limit Remember when XBOX Cloud Gaming was about playing anywhere? Microsoft would now prefer you didn't play too much anywhere. Starting in November, XBOX Game Pass Ultimate gets 15 hours of cloud gaming each month. Premium gets 10. Essential gets just five. Run out and you'll be able to buy additional hours from the XBOX Store. Microsoft says only around 4% of Game Pass subscribers will be affected, which raises the wonderfully obvious question: if it's only 4%, why annoy them? Especially when XBOX has spent years telling us that cloud gaming is an important part of the future of XBOX. Apparently the future comes with a timer now. 💿 XBOX Disc-to-Digital Is Actually... Really Cool? Quick! Microsoft has done something good. Everyone, remain calm! XBOX's new disc-to-digital program is rolling out to XBOX Insiders, letting you insert supported physical XBOX games and claim digital access to them. More than 800 XBOX discs are already supported, including over 200 delisted games, and the list continues to grow. It's a fascinating solution for XBOX game preservation, backwards compatibility and taking physical libraries into an increasingly digital future. It also resurrects some ideas from the infamous XBOX One announcement in 2013, except this time Microsoft appears to have explained what it's doing before setting the internet on fire. Progress! Not every publisher is fully onboard yet, though... ⚒️ Blizzard Workers Win a Historic Union Contract And finally, something rather more important than arguing about plastic boxes. Nearly 1,900 Blizzard Entertainment workers across World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone, QA and other teams have ratified a major new union contract after two years of bargaining. The agreement includes wage increases, layoff protections, hybrid and remote working provisions, just-cause protections and - rather interestingly in 2026 - rules requiring Blizzard to actually discuss and bargain with workers over the use of generative AI. It's potentially a massive precedent for people working across the games industry, and it all happened inside a Microsoft-owned studio. -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E15
    August 29 · 1 hr 33 min

    It's All Just Boot in That Ute - The 2026 GamesCom Wrap Up Episode

    Lee now owns a ute. Not just any ute, the Kia Tasman ute! And he's pretty impressed with all the junk in its trunk. Now quite a regular show as we're coving GamesCom! 🟢 GamesCom 2026! We're looking at everything you need to know about Gamescom 2026 in this episode! So join us to see if there was anything you've missed. 🎮 Gamescom 2026 Was HUGE for Xbox! Gamescom 2026 has delivered an absolute mountain of Xbox news, and there’s a lot to talk about! From the explosive Gears of War: E-Day campaign trailer and the surprise announcement of The Witcher 3 Remastered to gorgeous new looks at Tides of Annihilation, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Metro 2039 and Exodus! Xbox had plenty to show off. We’ve also got new release dates, Game Pass announcements, delays, fresh gameplay and a whole bunch of games you probably didn’t even know were coming to Xbox. Worms: Galactic Tactics, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Tactics, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, Stage Tour, Road Kings, Mewgenics and Valor Mortis are just some of the games making waves. And that’s before we even get to the Future Games Show, which brought more than 40 Xbox and PC games and 13 brand-new reveals, including SPINE: This is Gun Fu, Wolcen 2, Serious Sam: Shatterverse, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault and Star Wars: Galactic Racer. 🟩 52 Xbox Games, Game Pass Goodness & All the Gamescom 2026 Highlights If you thought that was everything, think again! TrueAchievements counted a staggering 52 Xbox game reveals and updates from Gamescom Opening Night Live alone. That includes huge names like Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Turok: Origins, Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Path of Exile II, alongside plenty of fascinating indie and AA games. There was also plenty for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, with titles such as Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, Aniimo and more joining the growing Game Pass lineup. Of course, Gamescom wasn’t all good news - Turok: Origins, Mariachi Legends, Road Kings and There Are No Ghosts at the Grand were among the games pushed into 2027. But with so many releases coming across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass, there’s still plenty to get excited about. So, grab a drink, settle in and join The XboxCast crew as we dig through one of the biggest Gamescoms Xbox has had in years - the games we’re excited for, the ones that surprised us, and the ones that might have slipped completely under your radar! -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E14
    August 22 · 1 hr 56 min

    I'm Buying A Hut!

    Welcome back to the podcast. Did you miss us? Now on with The Regular Show. 🐜 Grounded 2’s Player Count Surges 220% Grounded 2 has exploded in popularity, jumping over 220% on Xbox after its massive new update and Game Pass Premium launch. The “Into the Abyss” update added new biomes, water systems, rideable bugs, and expanded base-building. One of the biggest first-party spikes of the year. 🐉 Game Pass August 2026: Beast of Reincarnation & Plague Tale Lead August’s lineup is stacked with two major day-one releases: Beast of Reincarnation and A Plague Tale: Legacy. Strong AA and narrative-driven offerings define the month. Game Pass continues its “quality over quantity” strategy. 📺 Xbox Introduces Free Game Streaming With Ads Xbox is testing ad-supported cloud streaming, letting players jump into games instantly without a subscription. Microsoft outlined five principles: transparency, player control, limited interruptions, privacy protection, and clear value. Essentially Game Pass Lite, but free. 🧑‍💻 Xbox VP of Engineering Quits After 2 Months PC Gamer reports Xbox’s newly hired VP of Engineering has resigned just two months into the role. No official reason given, but insiders point to instability caused by Xbox’s ongoing “Reset” restructuring. Leadership turnover continues to be a theme in 2026. 🥽 Game Pass Starter Edition Expands via Meta Horizon Xbox’s cheaper Starter Edition tier is rolling out to more regions through Meta Horizon. Designed for casual players and VR users, offering a limited library at a low cost. A strategic push toward broader accessibility. 🏃 Another Studio Breaks Free From Xbox Windows Central confirms another internal studio has gone independent, following Double Fine and Ninja Theory’s restructuring moves. The unnamed team is seeking autonomy while remaining partnered with Xbox. A continuing trend under Asha Sharma’s leaner strategy. 🧩 Xbox Surprise Update Adds 12 New Console Features A stealth update dropped with a dozen new features: UI improvements, Quick Resume fixes, new capture options, controller firmware updates, and accessibility upgrades. One of the biggest non-Insider updates in years. 💿 Xbox Testing Disc-to-Digital Conversion A new leak suggests Xbox is experimenting with a disc-to-digital authentication system. Players could validate physical games and add them to their digital library. Potentially one of Xbox’s most consumer-friendly ideas ever. 📰 Xbox Wire Gets a Redesign Xbox Wire has been fully redesigned with a modern layout, better mobile support, and stronger visual identity. It finally looks like a proper platform blog in 2026. 🚀 No Man’s Sky Celebrates 10th Anniversary Hello Games marks 10 years of No Man’s Sky with a retrospective and new content. One of gaming’s greatest comeback stories continues to thrive. 🔫 Gears of War: E-Day Breaks Franchise Records The limited Steam beta for Gears of War: E-Day has already surpassed the franchise’s all-time peak player record. And it’s not even fully released yet. Massive momentum heading into launch. 🕹️ Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility Leak for PC A leak shows Xbox 360 backwards compatibility running natively on Windows PCs. If true, this would be the biggest BC expansion since the Series X launched. 🛠️ Xbox Adds Four More Console Features New features include improved storage management, better HDR controls, and long-requested Quick Resume toggles. The OS team is delivering rapid-fire updates in 2026. 🧪 New Game Pass Additions: Resonance, Vapor World, Blood Dungeon Xbox Wire confirms new titles including Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Vapor World: Over the Mind, and Blood Dungeon. Strong mix of narrative, surreal, and dungeon-crawler content. 🪑 IKEA x Xbox Furniture Line Announced IKEA and Xbox are launching a joint furniture line for gamers. Expect desks, chairs, storage, and “gaming-optimized” layouts. Peak capitalism achieved. 📅 Four Game Pass Games Confirmed for September TrueAchievements lists four early September additions. Details still light, but the month is shaping up to be another strong one. 💸 Xbox Series X Price Spike A Google Shopping snapshot shows Series X prices climbing sharply across multiple retailers. Likely tied to supply constraints and the upcoming hardware refresh. -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E13
    July 6 · 1 hr 54 min

    Wuthering Waves, but, Why?

    Lee is confused about Wuthering Waves. But, why? Now on with The Regular Show. 🟢 Xbox Insider Update Brings Four Handy New Features Xbox Insiders are getting a surprisingly useful batch of quality-of-life improvements. Microsoft is rolling out updates to Gamertags, Game Hubs, Wishlists and Game History, making it easier to discover games, manage your profile and keep track of what you've been playing. Nothing flashy, but these are exactly the kinds of improvements that make the Xbox dashboard feel more polished. Now if only we could get a faster Store... ☁️ Stream Your Own Game Gets 51 More Titles Microsoft has massively expanded the "Stream Your Own Game" feature, adding another 51 games to the growing list. If you own these titles digitally, you'll be able to stream them directly from the cloud without needing them to be part of Game Pass. It's another step toward Microsoft's vision of letting you play your library almost anywhere. The feature keeps getting better... now we just need Australia to get all the good cloud features first. 🎯 Cancelled Xbox 360 GoldenEye Finally Runs Natively on PC One of gaming's greatest "what ifs" has taken another fascinating turn. Developers have successfully recompiled the cancelled Xbox 360 version of GoldenEye 007 into a native PC executable, meaning it runs without emulation. It doesn't make the project legal, but it's an impressive piece of preservation work that shows just how close this remaster came to release before licensing issues killed it. 💳 Xbox Could Soon Offer Buy Now, Pay Later Buying an Xbox console, game or accessory may soon become a little easier on the wallet. Microsoft is reportedly partnering with Klarna and PayPal to introduce flexible payment options across Xbox purchases. Whether you're eyeing a new console or just a few too many games during a sale, spreading the cost could become as simple as checking a different payment option. Just remember... buying games on finance probably isn't the best financial advice you'll hear today. ⚠️ Xbox Faces Another Major Reset The biggest story this week continues to be Microsoft's internal shake-up. Following confirmed July layoffs, Xbox leadership has reportedly told staff that "this cannot continue," signalling another major reset for the gaming division. CEO Asha Sharma is said to be focusing on leaner teams, better execution and a more affordable Xbox ecosystem moving forward. It's a tough period for Xbox, but many fans are hoping these difficult decisions eventually lead to stronger games and a healthier platform. Which leads to... 💼 Satya Nadella: Xbox Must Become Sustainable Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has made it clear that Xbox's future depends on becoming a sustainable business. Rather than chasing endless growth, Microsoft wants predictable returns from its gaming division as development costs continue to rise. It's a statement that helps explain many of the company's recent decisions around Game Pass, multiplatform releases and internal restructuring. And of course this means... 🏢 Xbox Studios Reportedly Looking for Independence Reports suggest several Xbox Game Studios teams, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory, are exploring ways to spin off into independent studios. Nothing has been confirmed, but after months of restructuring and uncertainty, it paints a picture of developers wanting greater creative and financial control. Whether Microsoft would actually let these studios go is another question entirely. -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E12
    June 20 · 1 hr 42 min

    "I think I’m in Love with Your Dead Grandmother" Was Worse

    What even does that title mean? At this stage, we're not even sure anymore... ☀️ 🎮🕺 Summer Games Fest Wrap Up We cover all the games coming to XBOX and PC revealed during the Summer Game Fast 2026! Here's a complete list for you. You're welcome... Resident Evil: Veronica Cuphead 2 Mighty Cuphead Adventure Alien: Isolation 2 gen ATLAS Blood Message Stranger Than Heaven HAEX (PC) Mortal Shell II (Open Beta) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Gundam: Rogue Orbit Crossfire Guild Wars 3 (PC/PS5) Star Wars: Galactic Racer Virtua Fighter Crossroads RuneScape: Dragonwilds (Xbox release) 1666 Amsterdam (PC) SAW: Genesis (PC) Star Wars: Zero Company The Blood of Dawnwalker Among Us Story: On Guard Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance (Expansion) Swords of Legends Clutch Chronicles: Medieval (PC Early Access) Palworld 1.0 The Wolf Among Us Remastered The Wolf Among Us 2 Stellar Blade: Blood Rain Final Fantasy VII: Revelation -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E11
    June 12 · 1 hr 48 min

    The XBOX Showcase Recap

    In the deep, dark Winter of the Southern Hemisphere, XBOX has arrived to spread some much-needed light and joy... We hope! 🎮 XBOX Showcase 2026 From new console hardware, to announcing the return of Exclusives - we cover everything that XBOX had to show the world. Is 2026 the year they win us all back? Or is this another year where they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E10
    June 1 · 1 hr 55 min

    XBOX Is Yelling At Us Now

    In a change heard across the world, Xbox is now XBOX! And the crowd goes... mild? Now on with The Regular Show! 🏎️ Forza Horizon 6 Is XBOX’s Biggest Launch Since 2024 Forza Horizon 6 has exploded out of the gate, becoming the biggest XBOX launch since at least 2024 according to TrueAchievements’ player-count data. It’s outperforming every major first‑party release of the last two years and that’s before the full Game Pass wave hits. Playground Games continues to carry the platform on its beautifully rendered shoulders. At this point, Forza is XBOX’s most reliable franchise… 🟩 Microsoft Gaming Changes Its Name… From Xbox To XBOX In a company-wide memo, Microsoft Gaming has officially rebranded itself as simply XBOX. Executives say the new “North Star” for the division is Daily Active Players, not console sales or Game Pass subs. This marks the biggest identity shift since the Phil Spencer era began. Sanity has prevailed it seems... 🎨 New Limited-Edition Controller… But Only in Design Lab? XBOX has revealed a new “Limited Edition” controller. But in true XBOX fashion, it’s only available through Design Lab. It features a unique shell, special accents, and custom engraving options, making it feel more like a premium preset than a true LE release. Design Lab exclusivity means scalpers can’t touch it, which is a rare W for controller collectors. 💀 Why the Game Pass Family Plan Was Cancelled A new report sheds light on why the Game Pass Family Plan quietly disappeared. And in surprise to no one, it looks like EA is to blame... The plan was “too generous,” too easy to exploit, and too difficult to scale globally. Microsoft reportedly struggled with regional pricing, account sharing, and revenue forecasting. In short: it was great for players, terrible for accountants. 🌌 Destiny 2: Every End Is a New Beginning Bungie has released a massive new Destiny 2 update reflecting on the end of the Light & Darkness saga. The studio outlines what’s next for the game, including new seasonal structures, narrative arcs, and long‑term support plans. It’s a soft reboot without calling it a reboot. Destiny players are eating well again... Finally! Looks like Destiny is being killed so Marathon can flop... 📺 XBOX Games Showcase 2026 & Gears E‑Day Direct — Dates Confirmed Insider Gaming has confirmed the dates and times for the XBOX Games Showcase 2026, followed immediately by a dedicated Gears of War: E‑Day Direct. Expect major first‑party reveals, new gameplay, and the full unveiling of E‑Day’s campaign. This is XBOX’s biggest broadcast of the year. Prepare your hype meters accordingly. 🧑‍💼 XBOX Hires New Exec to Strengthen the Console Side XBOX has hired a new senior executive specifically tasked with “strengthening the console side of the business.” This comes as XBOX pivots toward a more balanced strategy between hardware, PC, cloud, and multiplatform releases. The new hire will oversee hardware planning, accessories, and retail presence. In other words: someone finally got put in charge of making XBOX consoles feel like a priority again. 🎮 The XBOX Elite Series 3 Leaks… And It’s Missing Something Big The Elite Series 3 controller has leaked online, featuring a removable battery, new grips, and updated internals. But according to early impressions, it’s still missing one crucial feature: Hall Effect sticks. In 2026, that’s becoming inexcusable for a premium controller. Come on XBOX — drift is not a personality trait. -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E9
    May 15 · 1 hr 42 min

    Checking In On Microsoft Solitaire Collection

    We know why you're here every week. To answer that one burning question... Where does Microsoft Solitaire Collection sit on the chats? Now on with The Regular Show 🎮 Project Saluki & “Positron” Leak Could this be a new Game Pass Tier AND a Disc‑to‑Digital Program? A new backend leak has revealed Project Saluki, an unannounced Xbox Game Pass tier that appears to sit below Core and above the rumoured TRITON tier. But, even more interesting is “Positron,” a potential disc‑to‑digital conversion program that would let players register physical Xbox games to their digital library. The system references barcode scanning, ownership validation, and library syncing. If real, this would be one of the biggest consumer‑friendly moves Xbox has made in years. Now, if they got it working with PlayStation games and allowed you to move your library across... Project Helix will be even better value! 💸 Xbox Announces a New, Cheaper Version of Game Pass, Kinda... Discord leaked it, so Microsoft officially revealed it. A new budget Game Pass tier, designed for players who want access to a small library without cloud gaming or day‑one releases. The tier is priced lower than Game Pass Essentials and focuses on affordability during Xbox’s broader subscription restructuring. Think of it as Discord Nitro Plus. Sadly, Online Console is not included. What a missed opportunity. 🟩 Asha Sharma’s Big Xbox Reveal... Kinda... Take this one with a big grain of salt because the source is "Trust me bro". But because its news, we'll still chat about it. Asha Sharma has "confirmed" new details about Project Helix, the next‑generation Xbox designed around hybrid local/cloud play and deep Windows integration. She also revealed that Halo 2 and 3 remakes are in development, built to re‑establish Halo as a flagship franchise. Sharma emphasised a return to “big, prestige first‑party games” as a core pillar of Xbox’s future. But we all know that the only reason is because Halo lost its way, and remaking the old games is a good way to put these games on PlayStation... 🚫 Forza Horizon 6 Pirate Banned for 8,000 Years In a completely unfair move, Microsoft has issued an 8,000‑year hardware ban to a player who played Forza Horizon 6 after the game leaked early on Steam. The ban covers the user’s Xbox account, console hardware ID, and associated services. Microsoft says it is taking “strict enforcement action” against anyone accessing or distributing the leaked build. More bans are expected as the company continues its investigation. Keep in mind, though, that Microsoft themselves leaked this by uploading the pre-load to Steam completely unencrypted... 🎮 Xbox Reveals 28 Games With ROG Ally Enhancements Xbox has published a list of 28 titles that now include optimisations specifically for the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handhelds. Improvements include better power profiles, UI scaling, performance presets, and controller‑first navigation. Games like Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, and Sea of Thieves are among the updated titles. You love to see it! 🤖 Xbox No Longer Developing Copilot for Consoles Insider Gaming reported, and Asha confirmed it - Microsoft has halted development of Copilot for Xbox consoles! And there was much rejoicing! Despite earlier announcements suggesting it would arrive in 2026, the decision reportedly stems from performance limitations and unclear use‑case value on console UI. Copilot development will continue on Windows, mobile, and cloud‑based Xbox services. Microsoft has not commented publicly on whether console support may return later, but we hope not. Now if only the Windows team took notes... -- Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E8
    April 30 · 1 hr 57 min

    Iterative? Iterative!

    Words are confusing... Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! 🎮 All Games Announced At The ID@Xbox Spring Showcase The ID@Xbox Spring Showcase highlighted a huge wave of indie titles coming to Xbox and Game Pass, including new reveals, surprise shadow‑drops, and updates on previously announced projects. Microsoft emphasised creative diversity, with genres ranging from cozy life‑sims to hardcore action roguelikes. Several titles confirmed day‑one Game Pass launches, and some even caught our attention! 🟩 “I’ve Ordered a Series X, I’m Back In” A Pure Xbox community post from a returning Xbox fan went viral after they announced they’d bought a Series X again due to recent platform improvements. And Asha Sharma personally replied, welcoming them back and reinforcing her commitment to rebuilding trust with players. The exchange resonated with the community, symbolising the more open, conversational leadership style Sharma has adopted. It’s a small moment, but one that landed well with long‑time fans. Remember when Phil used to do this? And is this the Asha Affect? 💸 Game Pass Ultimate Gets New Conversion Rates After Price Drop Following the recent price reduction for Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft has updated its conversion ratios for players upgrading from Xbox Live Gold, Core, or other Game Pass tiers. The new rates are more favourable than expected, making it cheaper to convert existing time into Ultimate. Pure Xbox notes that this effectively softens the impact of previous conversion nerfs. It’s a rare case of a pricing change that players are actually happy about. 🧭 Asha Sharma: “Players Are Frustrated” In a candid interview, Asha acknowledged that players are frustrated with pricing, communication, and inconsistent first‑party output. She outlined a plan focused on affordability, predictable release cadence, and rebuilding the Xbox identity. Asha also emphasised cross‑team collaboration, saying Xbox needs to “earn back trust” through actions, not promises. It’s the clearest articulation yet of her long‑term vision for the platform. 🟦 Leak Reveals New Xbox Game Pass Tier Bundled With Discord Nitro A new leak suggests Xbox is preparing a Game Pass tier bundled with Discord Nitro, offering perks across both ecosystems. The tier appears to include PC Game Pass access, Nitro benefits, and possible cloud‑gaming time allowances. This aligns with earlier leaks referencing the “Duet” tier and Microsoft’s push for more flexible subscription options. Neither company has officially commented, but the integration would be a first for Xbox. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E7
    April 26 · 1 hr 59 min

    Car Truck Tank!

    Car! Truck! Tank! Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! 🤑 Microsoft Cuts Game Pass Prices... Finally Xbox Game Pass Ultimate drops from $29.99 → $22.99, and PC Game Pass from $16.49 → $13.99. The trade‑off: no more day‑one Call of Duty releases, but you won't find us crying about that. New CoD titles will now arrive about a year later, during the “following holiday season.” Existing CoD titles remain available, so you can still get your sweat on. 🚗 Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition Controller & Headset Microsoft unveils a Japan‑themed Limited-Edition controller and headset for Forza Horizon 6, featuring translucent shells, festival‑style colours, custom lighting, and themed audio cues. Pre‑orders ship from May 19, aligning with the game’s launch. Both accessories support Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, and full Xbox Accessories app customisation. And boy, do they look good! Warning: sunglasses required! 🎮 Three Day‑One Game Pass Titles Arriving the Same Day Xbox Game Pass adds three day‑one titles simultaneously — the biggest single‑day drop of 2026: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (PC only, early access), TerraTech Legion (Xbox Series X|S + PC, console exclusive), Sledding Game (Xbox Series X|S + PC, console exclusive). Premium and Core tiers do not get these day‑one releases, but they'll be coming soon enough... All three look to be bangers, so it may tempt you back onto GP Ultimate. ☁️ Game Pass ‘TRITON’ & ‘Duet’ Tiers Hint at Cloud Time Limits Backend code reveals new subscription codenames TRITON (first‑party‑focused tier) and Duet (possibly tied to Netflix discussions). New references suggest monthly cloud gaming time limits, a first for Xbox. This aligns with CEO Asha Sharma’s push for more affordable tiers. No pricing or launch details yet, but that doesn't stop the speculation! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E6
    April 17 · 1 hr 32 min

    Cats & Good Vibes

    Lee is playing cat games. This is not a drill - LEE IS PLAYING CAT GAMES! Did you like the intro music? Of course you did. Because who wouldn't? Now you can hear more, thanks to Made By Humans! Check it out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your tunes! ⭐ Starfield Surges After Dual DLC Drop Remember Starfield? Well, it seems everyone else did. Starfield’s Xbox player count jumped by nearly 200% following the simultaneous release of two DLC packs, marking one of the game’s biggest post‑launch spikes to date. 📺 The Best Xbox Cloud Gaming App… Is on Apple TV A third‑party developer has built what Microsoft couldn't - the best‑looking Xbox Cloud Gaming app. But this one is not on Xbox hardware. Oh no! It’s on Apple TV. Early impressions say it “puts what Microsoft makes to shame,” with a slick UI and smoother navigation than the official experience. 🏆 Achievement System Overhaul Incoming It's about time! Xbox is rolling out new improvements to Achievements, including better progression tracking and expanded reward structures. Insider Gaming reports that the update focuses on modernizing the system and giving players more meaningful milestones. Although we're still clamouring for the Xbox version of the Platinum. But hey, at least we can now hide games from our profile. All the Barbie gamers rejoice! 💸 Xbox CEO: “Game Pass Has Become Too Expensive” In a leaked internal memo, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admits that Game Pass is “too expensive for players” and needs a “better value equation.” Could it be that the price hikes of up to 50% in the past 15 months are to blame? Looks like Call of Duty’s inclusion contributed to the rising costs, in a surprise to no one. Can Sharma evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system long‑term? Or will she be outdone by Amy Hood's bean-counting? 🧟 State of Decay 3 Returns From The Dead After years of silence, State of Decay 3 is back. With Alpha playtests beginning May 2026 4‑player co‑op, new base‑building systems, and expanded resource strategies. Signups via the official site are now live. But be warned - you need Discord. -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E5
    April 3 · 1 hr 35 min

    April Achievement Challenge Kicks Off

    Let the games begin! Our biggest event of the year has begun. Will you be playing baby games, going for the ratio or getting those steps in? A quiet week of news is just what we need to kick off our Achievement Hunting! Let's dive in. 🫂 Xbox Partner Preview Recap SEGA headlined a surprisingly strong Partner Preview, with new reveals, fresh gameplay, and multiple Game Pass confirmations. The showcase emphasized third‑party partnerships, Xbox Play Anywhere expansions, and a few standout surprises that filled in the 2026 release calendar. A tight, content‑heavy show with no fluff. 🎮 Xbox Games Showcase Announced Microsoft officially locked in dates for its big summer showcase, with a dedicated deep‑dive for Gears of War: E‑Day immediately afterward. Expect first‑party reveals, updates on long‑awaited titles, and the first extended look at E‑Day’s campaign, tech, and direction. This is Xbox’s flagship event for the year. And we can't wait to see what Xbox has planned. Will we get a Project Helix announcement? Only time will tell... 🎟️ Xbox Game Pass “TRITON” Discovered A backend leak uncovered a mysterious new Game Pass tier called TRITON, containing only Xbox Game Studios titles. Everything from DOOM Eternal and Halo 5 to Fallout 4 and Psychonauts look to be included. The discovery has sparked speculation that Microsoft is preparing a major subscription shake‑up, possibly tied to CEO Asha Sharma’s ongoing restructuring of Game Pass pricing and bundles. 🏴‍☠️ Sea of Thieves Walks Back The Plank After community backlash, Rare reversed course: Custom Seas will now be free for all players in Season 20, not locked behind a premium subscription. Players will be able to create private sandboxes, tweak world settings, run Safer Seas fleets with friends, and even use a cinematic camera, without paying extra! 🤑 PS5 Price Skyrockets Because we all enjoy a good laugh, let's have a look at the competition... Sony is rolling out a significant PS5 price hike across multiple regions, citing rising manufacturing and distribution costs. The increase affects both the standard and digital models and lands at a strategically awkward time, given Xbox’s aggressive Game Pass push and upcoming hardware refresh. The PS5 Pro will now set you back $1,000. Oh, and that's Freedom Dollars, not DollaryDoos or KiwiDollars... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E4
    March 28 · 1 hr 52 min

    A Solid B Out of 10

    Copilot is coming for your Xbox. What? You thought putting an A.I. person in charge of Xbox was going to lead to different outcomes? 🪣 Copilot AI Is Coming to Xbox Microsoft has confirmed that Copilot AI will be integrated into Xbox, offering system‑level assistance for navigation, accessibility, and game discovery. The announcement comes only weeks after the new Xbox CEO said the division would avoid “soulless slop,” prompting mixed reactions. Copilot will not generate in‑game content but will assist with platform features. Microsoft says the rollout will begin later this year. Clearly, they haven't heard enough about MicroSlop, so now we're getting XboxSlop! 🎮 Xbox Games, Updates & Player Trends Crimson Desert Becomes Second‑Biggest Xbox Launch Without Game Pass Crimson Desert has debuted as the second‑biggest Xbox launch of 2026 without Game Pass support, according to TrueAchievements’ player‑count data. Only Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero launched bigger this year outside the subscription service. The game’s strong performance highlights demand for premium open‑world RPGs. Its success also reinforces that Game Pass isn’t required for a major Xbox hit. Starfield’s New Update Is the Game’s Best Version Yet Bethesda’s latest Starfield update delivers major improvements to performance, AI behaviour, and planetary exploration. Players are praising the overhaul as the most polished and feature‑rich version of the game to date. The update also includes new difficulty options and expanded ship‑building tools. It marks a significant turning point for the game’s long‑term reputation. Will this be enough to turn player sentiment around? 📰 Xbox Events & Reveals New Xbox Partner Preview Announced for This Month Microsoft has confirmed a new Xbox Partner Preview showcase arriving later this month. The event will feature third‑party reveals, fresh trailers, and new Game Pass additions. Are there any surprises you're hanging out for? IGN Fan Fest 2026 Delivers Big Xbox Reveals Did you know this was happening? Because we didn't. Anyways... IGN Fan Fest 2026 showcased multiple Xbox titles, including new gameplay for State of Decay 3, Towerborne, and South of Midnight. Several indie titles also received spotlight segments. The event reinforced Xbox’s growing third‑party partnerships. 🧩 Xbox Platform, OS & Cloud Features Xbox Mode Rolls Out With Cloud Sync on Consoles The new Xbox Mode is rolling out to consoles, enabling cloud‑synced settings and a unified interface across devices. This update allows players to carry UI preferences, accessibility settings, and controller profiles between Xbox and Windows 11. It’s part of Microsoft’s broader effort to unify the Xbox and PC experience. Windows Central reports that the rollout is happening in waves, so you may not see it yet (or ever...) Xbox Series X|S Receives First Dashboard Update in Years In a complete surprise move Xbox Series X|S is getting its first major dashboard update in a long time, including improvements to Quick Resume. The update enhances stability, reduces UI latency, and adds new customisation options. Xbox Mode Coming to Windows 11 PCs Next Month For all our Xbox on PC users, or is it Xbox PC, or maybe PC Xbox, or Xbox App on Windows 11 on PC with Copilot 365? Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox Mode will arrive on Windows 11 PCs next month, offering a console‑style interface for handhelds and gaming laptops. The mode includes a simplified launcher, controller‑first navigation, and deep Game Pass integration. It mirrors the UI currently rolling out on Xbox consoles. This is part of Microsoft’s push to make Windows more handheld‑friendly. Pity its still Windows though... Microsoft Removes “This Is an Xbox” Branding Microsoft has quietly removed the “This is an Xbox” slogan from official websites and marketing materials. Windows Central reports that the change aligns with Xbox’s broader shift toward ecosystem‑wide branding. The move reflects Microsoft’s strategy of positioning Xbox as a platform rather than a single device. It also coincides with the rollout of Xbox Mode across Windows. 🕹️ Next‑Gen Xbox Hardware Project Helix Confirmed With Custom AMD SoC & FSR Diamond Microsoft has confirmed that the next‑gen Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will use a custom AMD SoC and feature a new upscaling technology called FSR Diamond. The console is designed to unify Xbox and PC gaming more tightly than previous generations. Xbox Mode will be a core part of the experience on both console and Windows 11. Microsoft says more details will be shared later in 2026. Backwards Compatibility Program Returns This Year Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program will return in 2026. The team is working to bring more titles from all four generations of Xbox to modern hardware. This includes licensing work, performance enhancements, and preservation efforts. It marks the first major update to the program since 2021. Could we be getting Xbox 365 games on PC eventually?? April is here! So, before you do anything else, be sure to sign up for the one, the only, April Achivement Challenge! Signups are live, and its being run through Discord, so jump in now. All Patrons get a nice shiny coin to commemorate their participation as well! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E3
    March 19 · 1 hr 44 min

    Xbox Gets a New CEO

    Welcome to new era of Xbox! (New era not included, and remains only vague promises up to now) 🎮 Xbox Leadership, Strategy & Corporate Moves Asha Sharma Expands on Xbox’s 2026+ Strategy Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined her long‑term plan for the platform, focusing on “great games,” a renewed emphasis on console as the reference experience, and a unified “Team Xbox” culture. She committed to re‑examining past decisions and improving internal alignment across studios, platform, and marketing. Sharma also emphasised seamless, instant experiences across devices as a core pillar of Xbox’s future. Her comments follow her February 2026 appointment as CEO, succeeding Phil Spencer. Xbox’s New CEO Moves Fast With Major Marketing Hires New reporting highlights that Sharma has already begun restructuring Xbox’s marketing organisation. The hires suggest a shift toward lifecycle‑based marketing, stronger franchise management, and more disciplined campaign execution. Analysts believe this signals a more focused, long‑term brand strategy. The changes align with Sharma’s stated goal of “returning to Xbox” and rebuilding core identity. 🕹️ Next‑Gen Xbox Hardware & Tech Project Helix — Microsoft’s Next Xbox Microsoft’s next‑generation console is officially codenamed Project Helix, designed as a hybrid system capable of playing both Xbox console titles and PC games. The device uses a custom AMD SoC, next‑gen DirectX features, and major advances in ray tracing and neural‑assisted rendering. Microsoft confirmed alpha dev kits will ship in 2027. Project Helix aims to unify console and PC ecosystems more tightly than any previous Xbox hardware. Mario Kart Running at 4K60 on Xbox Series X A modder showcased Mario Kart 8 Deluxe running at 4K60 on an Xbox Series X via emulation. The footage demonstrates the console’s ability to handle Switch‑level workloads with ease. The clip went viral due to its obvious legal grey area. Nintendo has not commented, but the community reaction has been predictably chaotic. All this and more in this week's episode of The Regular Show! Also, April is fast approaching, so don't forget to sign up for the April Achievement Challenge! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E2
    February 14 · 1 hr 45 min

    Relooted Gets Booted

    Relooted launched. Apparently. That's right, another game for "the modern audience" launched to great applause amongst the 160 people who played it. Whereas last week Highguard peaked at almost 100,000 players before catering from the stratosphere, it seems this game never even left the ground. Will game studios ever learn, or are we stuck playing Asian games forever? 🎮 Xbox Play Anywhere Boosts The First Descendant by 167% The First Descendant saw a 167% increase in Xbox player activity after gaining Xbox Play Anywhere support, according to TrueAchievements and Windows Central. This surge is tied to cross‑progression and the ability to switch seamlessly between Xbox and PC. The game previously dropped support for Xbox One and PS4, making the new feature even more impactful. The boost highlights how Play Anywhere can revive engagement for free‑to‑play shooters. It also helps that this game leans into the escapism of games in a big way. 🎬 Netflix Values WB Games As Worthless? Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, including NetherRealm, Rocksteady, Monolith, Avalanche, and the entire WB Games division. The deal marks one of the largest entertainment acquisitions in history. A follow‑up report claims Netflix internally values WB Games as “worthless” financially, despite its massive IP catalogue. Analysts believe this signals Netflix prioritising film/TV rights over game development, especially after Netflix's failed foray into adding on games to their subscriptions... 💾 GoG Sold to New Owner, Plans Classic Game “Rescue Missions” Good Ole Games (GoG) has been sold by CD Projekt RED to the cofounder of GoG! The new leadership plans “ambitious” preservation‑focused initiatives, including restoring and re‑licensing classic PC games starting next year. GoG will continue operating independently under its new structure. The move aims to stabilise the platform after years of financial struggles, and now that it's out from CD Projekt RED, who knows what direction it will take! 👹 Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Expansion Details Blizzard has confirmed the Lord of Hatred expansion will introduce the Skovos region, two new classes, and a late‑2025 release window. The expansion continues the story of Mephisto and expands endgame systems. Skovos marks the first major new zone since launch. Pre‑orders include early access and cosmetic bonuses. ⭕ Halo Infinite Enters Maintenance Mode RIP to what could have been... 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo Infinite will no longer receive major content updates and is now in long‑term maintenance mode. The game will continue receiving security patches and small fixes. This marks the end of active development for the title. Fans are left looking toward the future of the Halo franchise, as it prepares to launch on PlayStation. Is this the end of Halo as we know it? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S10 · E1
    February 6 · 1 hr 57 min

    Highguard's High Drama

    Highguard has done the most amazing race to the bottom we've ever seen. It has managed to out-concord Concord! But that's not all the drama for this week. Ubisoft has decided to Ubisoft all over themselves yet again, Xbox Wrapped didn't happen because apparently Microsoft ran out of money and people are still developing for the Xbox One... Welcome to the start of 2026, I suppose. 🎮Everything Announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Xbox Developer Direct 2026 focused on four games, all launching in 2026: Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Beast of Reincarnation, and Double Fine’s surprise new title Kiln. The show leaned into extended gameplay and developer commentary, with Playground Games, Game Freak, and Double Fine all explaining how and why they’re building these projects. A key message was predictability and variety—no vague CG teases, just games you’ll actually play this year. How do you feel about it? Because we're not very impressed (apart from Fable of course). And now the Ubisoft news... 🧑‍💼Ubisoft Team Lead Suspended Over RTO Comments An Assassin’s Creed level designer reported being suspended for publicly criticising Ubisoft’s newly enforced full return‑to‑office policy. The suspension was described as “unpaid disciplinary leave” for an alleged breach of loyalty. This incident sparked internal frustration over inconsistent RTO enforcement across Ubisoft studios. 🔥 Ubisoft Cancels Six Projects, Closes Two Studios, Confirms Layoffs The cancellations included the long‑troubled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. Ubisoft cited financial pressure and restructuring as the reason for the cuts. Global searches for “Ubisoft layoffs 2025/2026” surged as the scale of the cuts became clear. ⚖️ Former Assassin’s Creed Boss Sues Ubisoft for CAD $1.3 Million A former Assassin’s Creed director filed a lawsuit alleging “disguised dismissal” intended to avoid severance obligations. The claim argues Ubisoft used restructuring as a pretext for termination. Ubisoft has not issued a public response. 🧨 Ubisoft Layoffs Continue — 55 Staff Cut at Massive & Stockholm Ubisoft confirmed a new wave of layoffs affecting approximately 55 roles across Massive Entertainment (Malmö) and Ubisoft Stockholm. These cuts follow a voluntary exit program from the previous year and are part of ongoing cost‑reduction efforts. The studios will continue work on The Division and Avatar projects, but fans are increasingly concerned about long‑term stability. But let's get back to gaming... Kinda. 🕹️ Xbox One Still Getting 40+ New Games in 2026 Despite being two generations old, the Xbox One is confirmed to receive over 40 new titles in 2026. Many are cross‑gen indies, but several AA releases are included. This extends the console’s lifespan far beyond industry expectations. 📉 Xbox Wrapped 2025 Cancelled Due to Budget Cuts A new report claims Xbox Wrapped 2025 won’t happen due to marketing budget constraints. Fans are disappointed, as Wrapped has become a beloved annual tradition. Microsoft has not confirmed whether the feature will return in 2026. 🇳🇿 NZ Video Game Sector Grows 38% Despite Global Decline New Zealand’s gaming industry has grown 38% year‑over‑year, outperforming global markets. Local studios credit strong government support and increased international contracting. The sector now contributes significantly to NZ’s digital economy. NZ represent! -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S9 · E38
    January 2 · 1 hr 33 min

    Something Special

    🎵 One more time Ooo, we gonna celebrate One more time 🎵 It's our very special last episode of 2025! Kyle and Lee get together in person! What?? And talk about stuff. What stuff? All sorts of stuff! That's what stuff. There's no plan, no prep, no topics organised - just off the cuff Xbox discussion between two friends who haven't been in the same room since 2023 (maybe?)... Anyway, we hope you enjoy it, and we hope it's a good way to say goodbye to 2025. Even though we're typically late with publishing these things, so its probably 2026 by the time you hear it, but hey! We're trying, ok? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S9 · E37
    Dec 19, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min

    The XboxCast Game Awards 2025

    It's time to play the music It's time to light the lights It's time to reveal our game awards tonight It's time to put on makeup It's time to dress up right It's time to raise the curtain On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, XboxCastational Game Awards tonight! ----more---- Our final show of 2025, and as is custom, we bow out with our version of The Game Awards. But we do things differently. See, we don't judge games we've never played, we don't get paid to declare winners (but if you would like to try change our minds - get in contact!), and we don't award games just because they sold well. NO! Not us! We nominate games that we've played this year only. Our hands on experience is what sets us apart from every other game award show. And not just because we're awarding games that came in 4 years ago either. By now you know the order of awards, but those that are new, our awards are: The Biggest Surprise of 2025 Something that made you audibly gasp. The Make This into a Movie Award Awarded for best story. The Time Sink / Can't Stop Won't Stop Award Awarded for that game that sucked up all your time and was worth every minute. The Eye Meltingly Best-Looking Award Awarded for gorgeous graphics, good looking characters and other things that showcase 4K. The Together-At-Last Multiplayer Award Awarded for that game best played with friends, near and far. The Music to My Ears Award From soundtracks to soundscapes, this awards games that showcase the best audio. The Edge of Your Seat Award What we're most looking forward to seeing in 2026. Hopefully it involves a future with Xbox in it. The Ones That Didn't Quite Make It Award Honourable mentions and games that didn't quite make the cut, but were so close, it hurts. The One Leaves Anti-Game Award Awarded for the game that almost you give up on gaming entirely. Consider this your Do-Not-Play list. and the big one - Our Personal Game of the Year Award! Any game we've played this year that was exceptional in all regards, our very own GotY! -- On a more serious note, The XboxCast does this because of you. Whether you tune in every week on our live stream, or listen when you can, you guys make it all worth it. We hope you enjoyed the laughs, the rants and just the general nonsense we get up on the podcast. Thank you for hanging out with us - on the podcast, in our Discord, near or far. 💚 From the whole XboxCast - Kyle, Lee, Simone and Producer Paul - have a Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Years. See you all in 2026 as we celebrate 10 years (!!!) of The XboxCast! Will that be out last season? Will there even be Xbox to talk about? Tune in next year to find out... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S9 · E36
    Dec 16, 2025 · 1 hr 58 min

    Year of the Slop 2025: A Game Awards Review

    The Game Awards for 2025, have come and gone. And... Yeah... ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It's that time of year - The XboxCast Game Awards for 2025! And voting is now live. Get voting now! And now on with The Regular Show! 📢 The Game Awards 2025 Wrap Up Ok, so we had the game awards! And what did we expect? Claire Obscur obviously cleaned up - winning almost every single category it was in. PlayStation was a flop with the games it put forward not coming away with anything, and as per normal - Xbox was a no show (thanks Geoff). But we did get some cool trailers. But at some point, we have to ask ourselves - why is our Christmas E3 interrupted with an award show? Just give us the trailers and get out of here. Divinity, Warlock, and two new Star Wars games? Oh my! But as is the norm in this industry, a CGI trailer of a game coming in 2030 can only do so much to generate hype. Or keep the hype going. Any ways, we are promised some games, most of which will probably launch on the Asus Xbox Series X-2 With Copilot Living Room Entertainment Centre with Copilot 365. Or the Dell Alienware Xbox X TV Game System with Copilot 365. Or what about the Razer Blade Xbox Laptop 15 Advanced with Xbox Game Pass on Copilot+ PC 365? Either way, games were celebrated. Kyle was quizzed and Lee had fun... -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

  • S9 · E35
    Dec 5, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min

    Theres Ga-No Remote Desktop For You!

    Kyle and Lee talk Linux. Yes, Microsoft is that bad, that the biggest Microsoft fans are now actively using Linux. (And hating it... But less than Windows 11!) ----more---- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT It's that time of year - The XboxCast Game Awards for 2025! And voting is now live. Get voting now! And now on with The Regular Show! 🕰️ Phil Spencer's 2019 'Unusual Strategy' Bombshell Still Haunts Xbox Six years later, Phil Spencer's Kotaku chat calling Xbox's player-first, device-agnostic vibe - "Play anywhere, with anyone" hits harder than ever. Profits from software/services, not console slumps? Cross-play dreams? Check and check, as multiplat Game Pass and Play Anywhere prove he's been preaching the gospel while hardware gathers dust. Visionary or excuse-maker? Still relevant AF. 🤠 Red Dead Redemption Next-Gen Upgrade Rockstar's free current-gen patch for RDR1 finally drops - 4K/60fps native on Series X (huge leap from 30fps back-compat hell), 1440p on S- but Xbox 360 digital owners? Stuck paying full price thanks to a botched upgrade glitch. Rockstar's "working with Microsoft" (yeah, sure), while PS5/Switch owners upgrade smooth. Classic Rockstar-Xbox drama - John Marston deserves better. Oh, and when you upgrade, you lose multiplayer... 🔄 Xbox November 2025 Console Update Gaming Copilot beta for real-time tips (who asked for this?), Full Screen Experience (or FSE as Microsoft calls it) on more PCs/handhelds, cloud resolutions on up to 1440p (if you're on Game Pass Ultimate), plus Cloud Gaming blitz to India/Brazil/Argentina on LG/Fire TV. So many asterixis... ⛏️ Minecraft Swaps Version Numbers to Yearly Mess Starting 2026 Mojang's ditching 1.21 limbo for year-based tags like 25.3 (Copper Age) or 26.1... Thanks to Apple for paving the way. And Thanks to Microsoft for taking something that should be simple and making it even more confusing.... 🚪 Xbox Game Pass Axes 6 Games in December Mortal Kombat 11, Paw Patrol World, Still Wakes the Deep, Wildfrost - goodbye games. We hardly knew ye... 🎁 Game Pass December Wave 1: 13 Fresh Drops, 4 Day-Ones Games are coming! Woo. We have... Medieval Dynasty, Stellaris, WWZ Aftermath, Monster Train 2, Spray Paint Sim, 33 Immortals (Preview), Routine, Indiana Jones, Dome Keeper, Digging a Hole, Death Howl, MK1 and Bratz. Thats quite a few... Are you playing any? -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐

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