Xbox's Latest Console Pricing Confirmed, Matches the Extortionate PS5 Pro Pricing for Xbox's new X25 console has been revealed, and it matches the steep cost of Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro. A reliable source has leaked the price, suggesting the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition will cost roughly the same as the current PS5 Pro without a disc drive. While the exact figure isn’t specified, the reported price could position the Xbox console as one of the most expensive in the market. Microsoft announced the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition in June 2026, highlighting its design inspired by the original translucent green Xbox console from 2001/02. The special edition includes a matching controller, 1TB of storage, and a disc drive. Pre-orders for the console are set to launch during Gamescom next week, with the translucent green controller receiving a standalone release on October 20, 2026. Despite its nostalgic design and limited-edition status, the Xbox Series X25 is essentially an updated version of the Xbox Series X, which launched in 2020. Its performance remains unchanged from the original console, and it does not offer the enhanced power of the PS5 Pro. Critics argue that the premium price is largely a result of its collectible appeal rather than significant technological advancements. The trend of rising console prices has intensified in recent years. When the Xbox Series X debuted in November 2020, it cost £449.99/$499.99, while the Xbox Series S (512GB) was priced at £249.99/$299.99. Today, the standard Series X with a disc drive costs £669.99/$799.99, and the Series S has risen to £429.99/$499.99. Similarly, the PlayStation 5, which launched at £449.99/$499.99 in 2020, now costs £569.99/$649.99. The PS5 Pro, introduced in November 2024 without a disc drive or vertical stand for £699.99/$699.#microsoft #sony #playstation_5_pro #xbox_series_x #xbox_series_x25
GTA 6 Skips PC at Launch Not Out of Spite, As Console Limits Drive the Choice, Ex-Rockstar Producer Says GTA 6 is not skipping PC at launch out of spite, according to a former producer at Rockstar Games. The decision to delay the game’s PC release until after its console debut in November 2026 stems from technical challenges tied to the differences between console and PC hardware, as explained by John Ricchio, a veteran developer who worked on GTA 5 from 2003 to 2014. Ricchio, speaking in an interview with Kiwi Talks, emphasized that consoles offer a more predictable development environment, allowing Rockstar to optimize the game’s performance without worrying about the vast range of PC hardware configurations. Ricchio highlighted that consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S have fixed specifications, including known thermal limits and hardware capabilities. This allows developers to push the hardware to its maximum potential without the need to account for older or less powerful PC setups. “They’ve got an ecosystem, they’ve got hardware that they know exactly what the specs are,” he said. “They know what the thermal limits of the unit are, and they can dedicate all their resources to it. They don’t have to worry about, ‘Oh, what if this person has a graphics card that is 10 years old?’” The technical hurdles of scaling down the game for PC, rather than scaling up from PC to consoles, were another key factor. Ricchio described the process of adapting GTA 6 for consoles as easier than creating a PC version from the ground up. “Going shrinking is a lot harder than extending,” he explained. “It’s way harder to make your game performant than it is to just be like, ‘Oh we’ve got extra room, cool, we can turn up the shadow resolution, we can render things further out.#playstation_5 #rockstar_games #xbox_series_x #john_ricchio #red_dead_redemption_1
New Fumito Ueda Game Reveals Title: gen ATLAS Fumito Ueda, the creator behind Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, has officially named his upcoming project gen ATLAS. The game, previously known as “Project Robot,” is the debut title from Ueda’s new studio, genDESIGN. It is described as a “single-player, open-world, action-adventure” and will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via the Epic Store. This marks the first time a Ueda game has not been exclusive to PlayStation, following his departure from Sony during the development of The Last Guardian and the subsequent closure of Japan Studio. The game’s setting is detailed in a press release, which describes the player awakening on an “abandoned planet.” The world features vast, silent landscapes, colossal structures, deserted facilities, and an ever-changing sea. The remnants of a grand design litter the planet’s surface, and as the player journeys deeper, they encounter a colossal robot whose overwhelming power opens new paths and reshapes their understanding of the world. The description emphasizes exploration of a strange, desolate environment where the remnants of forgotten constructs begin to move again. Ueda expressed gratitude to fans for their support, stating, “The team and I are grateful to all the fans who’ve been eager to learn more about our game. Their passion and enthusiasm has always motivated and inspired us. We hope to share an experience that inspires moments of quiet wonder and discovery.” No official release date or window has been announced for gen ATLAS. Fans of Ueda’s previous work, such as The Last Guardian, may recognize the uncertainty, as that game took nine years to develop and was delayed multiple times during its long production cycle.#playstation_5 #xbox_series_x #fumito_ueda #gen_atlas #gen_design
Fallout 3 Hits 60 FPS and 4K on Xbox Series X Fallout 3 has received a significant performance upgrade on the Xbox Series X, now running at 60 frames per second with 4K enhancements. This improvement transforms the original 30 FPS release into a smoother, more visually refined experience on modern hardware. Players who already own the game can immediately benefit from the update by launching it on the Xbox Series X, which delivers a cleaner and faster gameplay experience compared to its original console setup. The upgrade comes during a prolonged gap in the Fallout franchise’s mainline single-player releases, with over a decade passing since the last major entry. Bethesda remains focused on developing The Elder Scrolls VI, pushing back the anticipated release of Fallout 5 further into the future. Despite this, the Xbox Series X update positions Fallout 3 as a more accessible entry point for players seeking to experience the older single-player era without the limitations of its original hardware. The 60 FPS boost is the primary highlight of the update. While Fallout 3 was previously capped at 30 FPS, the Xbox Series X version runs the same game with smoother animations and more fluid combat and movement mechanics. This change enhances the overall playability, making the experience feel less rigid on modern displays. Additionally, the 4K enhancement provides a sharper visual output, offering Xbox Series X players a cleaner image than the original release could deliver. This is particularly notable for those revisiting the game after years of using higher-resolution displays. The update also extends to other Fallout titles on the Xbox Series X, including Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Fallout: New Vegas, which now benefit from FPS Boost.#bethesda #fallout_4 #fallout_3 #xbox_series_x #fallout_76
