Gaming
Xbox CEO admits Game Pass is too expensive right now
Her statement was clear in a leaked memo.
Formerly a cheap and convenient way to enjoy content, today’s subscription services are anything but affordable. Signing up for so many services can quickly pile up and rob you of a significant chunk of your monthly salary. Today, recently instated Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has surprisingly agreed with the sentiment and called out the Game Pass for being “too expensive for players.”
While today’s subscriptions still conveniently collate a swath of content under one roof, their service providers continuously up their prices for no reason or, worse, for the promise of AI features no one asked for. The Game Pass is no different after a series of price hikes have placed the service beyond what budget-conscious players might call justifiable.
As of late, Sharma has been adamant about the resurgence of Xbox as a worthy competitor to the PlayStation and the Switch. She even teased the platform’s next generation as a device that can also play PC games.
Today, in a leaked memo (via The Verge), Sharma has reportedly admitted to the ongoing pitfalls of the Game Pass system.
“Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around,” she said.
A simple price cut still seems like a lot to hope for. Xbox might also introduce a new tier that might reduce the price at the expense of some features. At the very least, Xbox’s new head recognizes the problem of an overly expensive subscription.
SEE ALSO: Project Helix is Xbox’s next console, and it plays PC games
Gaming
God of War Laufey finally confirms its highly anticipated launch date
Set your calendars next year.
It’s about time we get excited for God of War Laufey. The upcoming entry into the acclaimed franchise takes off on a tangent as it follows Faye, Kratos’s late wife, as she traverses an afterlife filled with similarly deceased gods. It’s a different perspective but with still the same action we’ve come to expect from the series. Now, we know when to expect it: February 16.
In the ongoing Norse saga, Faye’s death is everything. Her passing pushes Kratos and Atreus towards a path that eventually led to Ragnarok. In Laufey, a deceased Faye wakes up in Everywhen, an afterlife where gods from different mythologies converge. She then discovers that the carefully laid plans she made to help her husband and her son are unravelling, so she has to find a way to save the living world from past the veil.
Laufey will still have the iconic battles that the God of War series is known for. However, because Faye is nimbler than the burly Kratos, fighting is more fast-paced with a mix of grounded and air-based fighting. All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about for Laufey, despite its different take on the series.
Over the weekend, during San Diego Comic Con, PlayStation confirmed when the title is launching. Thankfully, it’s not a long wait. God of War Laufey is launching for the PlayStation 5 on February 16 next year.
Additionally, Santa Monica Studio has also confirmed that Kratos will lead another entry after Laufey.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have announced that FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are also on sale across Southeast Asia.
The collection brings together FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2, two of the most celebrated entries in the long-running RPG franchise. Both games feature enhanced HD visuals while preserving their original stories and gameplay.
Two classic adventures in one package
In FINAL FANTASY X, players follow Tidus, a star blitzball athlete whose journey becomes intertwined with the summoner Yuna as they travel across the world of Spira to confront a devastating threat.
Its direct sequel, FINAL FANTASY X-2, takes place two years later. Players take control of Yuna alongside Rikku and Paine as they uncover ancient mysteries and face new enemies.
The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original launch of the game in Japan, giving longtime fans and newcomers another opportunity to experience the pair of RPG classics at home or on the go.
Bandai Namco notes that physical edition availability may vary by country across Southeast Asia.
Watch the launch trailer below:
About the FINAL FANTASY series
The FINAL FANTASY franchise has entertained players for more than 35 years. Known for its cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, imaginative worlds, and technical innovation, the series has sold more than 212 million copies worldwide.
The NBA 2K27 cover athletes have been revealed as pre-orders have become available.
San Antonio Spurs all-star Victor Wembanyama has been unveiled as the cover athlete for the NBA 2K27 Standard Edition.
Meanwhile, WNBA star Caitlin Clark is gracing the Deluxe Edition cover.
Rounding out the trio is 2011 NBA MVP and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose for the Ultra Edition.
The game will launch worldwide on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam. Early access is available by August 28.
First-look images of the game showcases some of NBA’s younger stars, like Cooper Flagg and Cade Cunningham.
Also shown for the first time is Jaylen Brown in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, ahead of his debut with his new team after being traded from the Boston Celtics for Paul George.
Pre-orders are now open, and availing of any edition early entitles customers to a 10,000 VC bonus.
The Standard Edition is priced at US$ 69.99.
Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition (US$ 99.99) enables players to unlock these perks:
- 100,000 VC
- Up to 7 days early access
- MyTeam content: Full ’27: Series Team 1 Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, 2-Hour 2XP Coin
- MyCareer content: 25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, 2-ahour 2XP Coin, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey
Meanwhile, in addition to the perks under the Deluxe Edition, those who pre-order the Ultra Edition (US$ 149.99) shall also get:
- 135,000 VC (instead of 100,000)
- Season 1 Pro Pass + Summer Pass
- NBA 2K27 Ultra Edition MyTEAM Player Cards (via The Exchange): Guaranteed 98 OVR by Dec 2026, guaranteed Invincible by May 2027
- Roses Oversize Hoodie
-
News2 weeks agoSamsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs
-
Wearables6 days agoGarmin launches its first screenless fitness band
-
Gaming2 weeks agoMost of the world’s PlayStations will be officially useless by 2028
-
Apps2 weeks agoPlot twist: Starbucks PH is letting you actually pick your reward now
-
Features2 weeks agoSpotlight: HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 Racing Legend Edition
-
Automotive2 weeks agoMercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum
-
Apps2 weeks agoiOS 27 public beta gives us our first taste of Siri AI
-
Hands-On4 days agoHands-on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8, Ultra


