Microsoft's Xbox division surprised many video game enthusiasts last week when the company announced a 50% price hike, to $30 a month, for the highest level tier in its Game Pass subscription service. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/10/05/companies/microsoft-game-pass-hike/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #videogames #microsoft #xbox #tech #sony #nintendo
Microsoft may be planning to launch an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting users "play select titles free without a Game Pass subscription," but you'll need to watch 2 minute preroll ads and there may be time limits. #Xbox #Microsoft #Advertising #GameStreaming #XboxCloudGaming https://www.theverge.com/report/791213/xbox-cloud-gaming-free-ad-supported-version
Microsoft hikes the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $30/month (up from $20), but adds 1440p gaming and access to more games. The $10 Essential and $15 Premium plans bring unlimited cloud gaming (but fewer titles). https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/10/01/xbox-game-pass-ultimate-premium-essential-plans/ #XboxCloudGaming #Xbox #Microsoft #GameStreaming

This is your daily reminder that Microsoft is subject to a BDS boycott due to its active support of the IDF during the genocide in Palestine via Microsoft Azure & AI services. Microsoft has additionally actively tried to purge pro-Palestinian dissent among its employees and has repeatedly fired people for objecting to its complicity in genocide. If you support Microsoft (or its products) with your money or with your voice, your supporting is helping to enable genocide.
This boycott targets most of Microsoft's products and services, including the entirety of Microsoft's gaming division. This means every company owned by Microsoft - and unfortunately, that is a lot.
Popular developers owned by Microsoft include ID software, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, Obsidian Entertainment, Double Fine, and Mojang.
Popular & upcoming games included in this boycott are Overwatch 2, Minecraft, Doom: The Dark Ages, the Oblivion Remake, The Outer Worlds 2, the Elder Scrolls Online, every Call of Duty game, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, the Forza series, and more.
If you aren't willing to stop playing these games, please consider at least not spending any money on them and not amplifying them on social media. It sucks, I know. I have been a huge fan of ID software and Bethesda for much of my life. But they will still be here in a few years, whereas if we do not do everything in our power stop the genocide in Palestine, Palestine may not.
You can read more about the boycott at the BDS movement website:
https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft
#politics #uspol #uspolitics #games #gaming #game #microsoft #overwatch #oblivion #doom #minecraft #palestine #gazagenocide #xbox #SheWasSpeaking

Je la mets ici en premier...
Vends #Xbox Series X Masto Edition 😄
État neuf
1 manette avec étui de protection
Jeux :
Forza Horizon 5 inclus dans la console
Starfield et son extension en disque
1 sticker "burn-out de pleine conscience" et 1 stocker "Saint Tendu le Majeur"
Garantie 2 ans
Livrée en boîte avec facture.
UNIQUEMENT en main propre à Lyon et périphérie
Faire offre en DM !
Je la mets ici en premier...
Vends #Xbox Series X Masto Edition 😄
État neuf
1 manette avec étui de protection
Jeux :
Forza Horizon 5 inclus dans la console
Starfield et son extension en disque
1 sticker "burn-out de pleine conscience" et 1 stocker "Saint Tendu le Majeur"
Garantie 2 ans
Livrée en boîte avec facture.
UNIQUEMENT en main propre à Lyon et périphérie
Faire offre en DM !
This is your daily reminder that Microsoft is subject to a BDS boycott due to its active support of the IDF during the genocide in Palestine via Microsoft Azure & AI services. Microsoft has additionally actively tried to purge pro-Palestinian dissent among its employees and has repeatedly fired people for objecting to its complicity in genocide. If you support Microsoft (or its products) with your money or with your voice, your supporting is helping to enable genocide.
This boycott targets most of Microsoft's products and services, including the entirety of Microsoft's gaming division. This means every company owned by Microsoft - and unfortunately, that is a lot.
Popular developers owned by Microsoft include ID software, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, Obsidian Entertainment, Double Fine, and Mojang.
Popular & upcoming games included in this boycott are Overwatch 2, Minecraft, Doom: The Dark Ages, the Oblivion Remake, The Outer Worlds 2, the Elder Scrolls Online, every Call of Duty game, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, the Forza series, and more.
If you aren't willing to stop playing these games, please consider at least not spending any money on them and not amplifying them on social media. It sucks, I know. I have been a huge fan of ID software and Bethesda for much of my life. But they will still be here in a few years, whereas if we do not do everything in our power stop the genocide in Palestine, Palestine may not.
You can read more about the boycott at the BDS movement website:
https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft
#politics #uspol #uspolitics #games #gaming #game #microsoft #overwatch #oblivion #doom #minecraft #palestine #gazagenocide #xbox #SheWasSpeaking
An updated Xbox on PC app's MY Library and Most Recent sections now let you view and launch games from different store fronts like Steam, Epic, GOG, and Xbox. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/09/15/access-gaming-library-xbox-on-windows-pc-and-handheld/#cw#Xbox#Microsoft#XboxOnPC#GameStores
![Mre. Dartigen [maker mode] Mre. Dartigen [maker mode]](https://mediacdn.aus.social/accounts/avatars/108/195/770/473/016/150/original/d5b937db377b2251.gif)
An amazing (and massive) new No Man's Sky update just dropped (for free) - No Man's Sky Voyagers 6.0. A Star Citizen like, liveable new Corvette ship tier has been introduced. You craft it yourself, fly with a friend crew (if you like), explore far and wide.
As mentioned in the deep dive video, it uses new tech simultaneously being developed for both No Man's Sky and the forthcoming Light No Fire.
This is the 49th major update to No Man's Sky across these nine years (total updates so far: 251 -- all free).
Deep dive video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdkt2rDKnAE
More info:
https://www.nomanssky.com/voyagers-update/
#NoMansSky#NoMansSkyVoyagers#NMS #games #gamers #gaming #spacegames#SciFi #procgen #updated#Steam#PCgaming#PS4#PS5#Xbox#Switch#Mac #macgaming#Starfield#StarCitizen #spaceships#HelloGames #exploration
An amazing (and massive) new No Man's Sky update just dropped (for free) - No Man's Sky Voyagers 6.0. A Star Citizen like, liveable new Corvette ship tier has been introduced. You craft it yourself, fly with a friend crew (if you like), explore far and wide.
As mentioned in the deep dive video, it uses new tech simultaneously being developed for both No Man's Sky and the forthcoming Light No Fire.
This is the 49th major update to No Man's Sky across these nine years (total updates so far: 251 -- all free).
Deep dive video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdkt2rDKnAE
More info:
https://www.nomanssky.com/voyagers-update/
#NoMansSky#NoMansSkyVoyagers#NMS #games #gamers #gaming #spacegames#SciFi #procgen #updated#Steam#PCgaming#PS4#PS5#Xbox#Switch#Mac #macgaming#Starfield#StarCitizen #spaceships#HelloGames #exploration
Microsoft releases Gaming Copilot (Beta) to Xbox Insiders, promising an AI companion "to help get you past those obstacles." A handheld-optimized version for the ROG Xbox Ally is also under development. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/08/06/gaming-copilot-beta-begins-rolling-out-to-xbox-insiders-on-game-bar-today/#AI#Xbox#Microosft#Copilot#GamingCopilot
Against the backdrop of #Microsoft's mass #layoffs at its #Xbox division, the management advertises genAI workshops at #GamesCom and advises the fired #gamedevs to use AI to cope with the job loss.
If there is any way to appear more out of touch with reality, I can't think of any.
As Brandon Sheffield documented these messages over on BlueSky:
https://bsky.app/profile/brandon.insertcredit.com/post/3lt32s7t22k2r
https://bsky.app/profile/brandon.insertcredit.com/post/3lt4diia3xc2l
![Screenshot of a posting by Matt Turnbull (Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing) on LinkedIn:
These are really challenging times, and if you're navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you're not alone and you don't have to go it alone.
I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I'd be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice | can under the circumstances. I've been experimenting with ways to use LLM Al tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.
Here are some prompt ideas and use cases that might help if you're feeling overwhelmed:
Career Planning Prompts:
“Act as a career coach. I've been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.” “What kinds of game industry jobs could | pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?"
Resume & LinkedIn Help
“Here's my current resume. Give me three tailored versions: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio leadership.” “Rewrite this resume bullet to highlight impact and metrics.” “Draft a new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ section that focuses on my leadership style, shipped titles, and vision for game development.”
Networking & Outreach
“Draft a friendly message | can send ..."
Sorry, text too long for full length!](https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/114/794/233/199/945/461/original/bb2afd8dc8536c86.jpg)

Microsoft’s gaming division began cutting hundreds of employees on Wednesday, part of a broader culling at the software company as it seeks to control costs. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/03/tech/microsoft-job-cuts-xbox-games/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #tech #microsoft #gaming #xbox #jobs #tech
Good morning Fediverse's EU tech policy nerds!
Up today: the @EUCommission's #DMA workshop with #gatekeeper#Microsoft.
(Sorry #NGIForum25 two floors below, no time for you today 😌)
We haven't started yet and the room is still empty, but I'm hoping we'll discuss how #Windows is abused to dominate other markets, by aggressively nudging users to #Edge, #Xbox, #OneDrive, #ChatGPT, etc.