Game Pass Archives

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Luna Abyss Launches May 21 for PS5, Xbox Series, PC, and Game Pass

Developer Kwalee Labs has announced the launch of Luna Abyss, a first-person bullet hell action-adventure game, set to release on May 21. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass. Players will take on the role of a prisoner exploring a derelict megastructure on the mimic moon, Luna, to recover forgotten technology and uncover the fate of a lost colony. The gameplay features an artificial prison guard named Aylin monitoring the player, and the environment includes the remnants of the city of Greymont. Players will navigate through a brutalist alien megastructure, facing corrupted souls and cosmic horrors while mastering weapons in a bullet hell setting.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.

Users can now customize console colors by adjusting sliders for a unique hue, which will accentuate elements of the console interface. Quick Resume has been enhanced to allow disabling on a per-game basis. The Play History feature has been revamped with a new tab for easier access. A User Selected Resolution feature lets players choose streaming resolution, while a Network Quality Indicator provides real-time network health insights. PC gamers can manually add any installed game or app to their Xbox library. Users can pin up to three favorite games for quick access. A Gamepad Cursor feature allows navigation in non-controller apps. Xbox notifications can be repositioned on the Game Bar. The Xbox mobile app now includes wishlist alerts for game changes. Recent updates for the ROG Xbox Ally improve external display experiences. Microsoft Rewards is hosting a Total Prize Drop event with prizes up to ,000,000. The Handheld Compatibility Program has expanded, adding titles like Hades II as handheld optimized. Xbox Cloud Gaming now includes over 1,000 games for streaming.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Xbox Mode Begins Rolling Out to Players on Windows 11 PCs Today

The rollout of Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs begins today in select markets, providing a console-inspired gaming experience for laptops, desktops, and tablets. This mode features a controller-optimized, full-screen interface that allows easy access to games and minimizes distractions. Players in select regions can download Xbox mode today, with plans for broader availability in the coming weeks. Xbox mode enables users to browse and launch games, switch between Xbox mode and the Windows desktop, and access a comprehensive game library, including Xbox Game Pass titles. Feedback from players has influenced the development of Xbox mode, which aims to create a consistent Xbox experience across devices. To access Xbox mode, users must ensure their Windows 11 PC is set to receive the latest updates.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

You Can Now Choose Which Games Use Quick Resume On Xbox

Microsoft is rolling out updates for Xbox consoles and the Xbox PC app as part of the April Xbox update, following a successful testing phase with Xbox Insiders in March. The update includes improved Quick Resume functionality, allowing users to toggle it off for online games that require a stable internet connection. Additionally, users can now pin more groups of games to their home screen, select custom colors for the Xbox interface, and access their play history. The Xbox app for PC has been enhanced to allow any gamepad to control the mouse cursor, pin favorite games, and add installed apps or games to the Xbox library. These updates reflect a strategy initiated by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who has also reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Xbox CEO knows there’s “work to do” to win players back, as Microsoft boss recommits to “core” fans

Microsoft's gaming division is returning to its Xbox roots, with a recent price reduction for the Game Pass subscription. Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Xbox, has indicated plans for collaborations with Discord to enhance community engagement. Under her leadership, Xbox has faced challenges, including a 5% decline in content and services revenue and a 33% drop in hardware sales. However, Microsoft's overall revenue increased by 18% year-on-year. Despite mixed results, new records for monthly active Xbox users and game streaming hours were announced. Sharma and Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty outlined a vision for Xbox that is "affordable, personal, and open," focusing on initiatives like Project Helix and expanding the franchise portfolio.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is now available in early access for PC Steam and Xbox PC Game Preview

Unfrozen Studio has released Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, available on Steam Early Access and Xbox on PC (Game Preview) for .99 with a 25% launch discount until May 13. The game features six playable factions, single-player skirmish modes, procedurally generated maps, the first act of a single-player campaign, online multiplayer options, and an initial beta of a Map Editor. It supports multiple languages, including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. The game is also included in the PC Game Pass. Additional content will be added during early access, and a detailed development roadmap will be provided.

Winsage

April 30, 2026

“We’re doing the work required to win back fans across Windows and Xbox”: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company is making foundational changes to fix Windows 11 and Xbox

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's strategic direction for consumer platforms, focusing on improving user engagement and satisfaction for Windows and Xbox during the FY23 Q3 earnings call. He highlighted efforts to enhance the user experience and strengthen customer relationships across key products, including Windows, Xbox, Bing, and Edge. Windows plans to address significant issues within Windows 11 to improve its competitiveness against macOS and steamOS. The Xbox team is working to rejuvenate the brand by reassessing Game Pass and exclusive titles to reinforce its position in the gaming market. Nadella emphasized a commitment to delivering customer value through innovation and quality, signaling a transformative moment for the company.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

Windows K2: The 6 Best Features From Microsoft’s Upcoming “Please Don’t Leave” Update

Linux is gaining support from gamers, partly due to Windows 11's complexity and Valve's Proton compatibility layer, which allows Windows games to run on Linux. In response, Microsoft is preparing a significant update for Windows 11, codenamed K2, to enhance gaming performance, improve the start menu's responsiveness by 60%, allow users to pause updates indefinitely, enhance file explorer navigation, provide taskbar flexibility, and reduce unnecessary AI features. Additional user suggestions include improving the Xbox app's reliability, offering a one-click telemetry opt-out, simplifying local account setup, and addressing repetitive prompts after updates.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Steam Controller is incompatible with all your Game Pass games, but a community fix could save the day

Valve has announced the release of the Steam Controller, set to launch on May 4, 2026. The controller is designed to work with anything running Steam but does not support other gaming platforms or launchers. It requires the Steam client to be running for full functionality, including the use of both analog sticks. The controller can operate without the Steam client for basic trackpad and keyboard operations, but features like the Steam on-screen keyboard are only accessible when the client is open. Non-Steam games must be launched through Steam to be played with the controller. The Steam Controller does not natively support console devices such as Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. While there are tools to add non-Steam games to a Steam library, they do not provide Steam Input support. Community initiatives may emerge to extend support for the new controller.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Aphelion Lands On Xbox, PlayStation And PC – And It’s On Game Pass Day One

Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure game developed and published by DON’T NOD, available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC. It is a Game Pass Day One title, allowing subscribers to access it without upfront costs. The game follows two astronauts, Ariane and Thomas, who crash-land on the ninth planet, Persephone, and must navigate its harsh, frozen environment. Players experience the story through both characters, with Ariane focusing on agility and exploration, while Thomas relies on observation and problem-solving. The game features stealth elements as players must evade a mysterious lifeform. Aphelion received a score of 3.5/5 in reviews, praised for its storytelling, atmosphere, and visuals, despite some mechanical shortcomings. It is available in various digital storefronts, including a standard edition and a Day One edition with cosmetic enhancements.