Microsoft's Xbox division is responsible for a variety of gaming innovations we now take for granted. Direct-to-digital, at home cloud-based gaming multiplayer, achievements, among other things — but its subscription services are what gave Xbox it's biggest business wins.
We had Xbox Live in the past, but it has since evolved into Xbox Game Pass, a Netflix-like all-you-can-eat gaming subscription service, officially launched in 2017. The service has long been called the "best deal in gaming," although price hikes and restructures have tarnished its image throughout 2025, as analysts wonder if the deal was actually simply too good to be true.
Essential Xbox Game Pass reading
Latest about Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft plans to "expand" Xbox Game Pass, merge PC Game Pass with another tier
Xbox Microsoft and Xbox are reportedly looking to overhaul Xbox Game Pass by merging PC Game Pass with another tier and offering more third-party benefits.
The studio behind one of Xbox's best new games plans to return to its iconic franchise
Xbox MachineGames' studio director Jerk Gustafsson has promised that it will return to the Wolfenstein franchise, though it may be "later" instead of "now."
One of Microsoft's biggest Xbox studios is forging a new path after recent struggles
Xbox Following the underwhelming performance of Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Xbox studio Obsidian Entertainment is making some major internal changes.
New Xbox games in February 2026 worth playing
Xbox February 2026 is shaping up to be a major month for Xbox, with Resident Evil Requiem, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, and High on Life 2 leading a packed release schedule.
Xbox Game Pass announces first batch of new titles for February
Xbox Microsoft has announced via Xbox Wire that February 2026's first batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass have been revealed, and we have the details on what those lucky additions are.
'Xbox Play Anywhere' arrives for one of 2026's hottest games — as others exit
Xbox One step forward, a few steps backwards. Microsoft's occasional wins with Xbox PC often come with caveats, highlighting the work still required.
Death Stranding shoots up in popularity thanks to Xbox Game Pass
Gaming After nearly two years on Xbox, Hideo Kojima's dark masterpiece, Death Stranding, has skyrocketed into popularity after being recently added to Xbox Game Pass
That survival game we were all hooked on 5 years ago just got a big birthday update
Gaming It's the fifth anniversary of Valheim's Early Access launch, and to celebrate, its developers have released a new Patch 0.221.10 update with big improvements.
