Xbox One Archives

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits Start in November: 15 Hours on Ultimate

Microsoft will implement monthly limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming starting in November 2026. Game Pass Ultimate members will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium members will have 10 hours, and Essential members will have 5 hours. Additional hours can be purchased, but pricing details are not yet available. Currently, Game Pass subscribers have unlimited access to cloud gaming. Microsoft estimates that only about 4% of subscribers will be affected by these new limits. The service will be accessible on various platforms, and Microsoft plans to expand the library of games available for cloud streaming. The decision to impose limits is attributed to rising infrastructure costs due to increased usage. Specific details regarding the purchase of additional hours and other related information are still pending.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

[Industry news] Relive The Adventures of a Lifetime as Remakes of the Legendary Classics Myst and Riven Return to PC and Console Later This Year

Limited Run Games and Cyan Worlds are releasing modern remakes of the classic puzzle adventure titles Myst and Riven for PC and console platforms later this year. The Myst remake will be available in two physical editions: the Standard Edition priced at .99 / €44.95 / £40.00 / $CAD 56.99 and the Big Box Edition priced at .99 / €71.95 / £65.00 / $CAD 91.99. The Riven remake will also have a Standard Edition at the same price points and a Big Box Edition with the same pricing structure. Pre-orders for both games will begin on September 18, 2026, and will close on October 18, 2026.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 31 to September 4

- The Blood of Dawnwalker: Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S., Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game: Developer: PM-Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NBA 2K27: Developer: 2K, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword: Developer: CAPCOM CO., LTD., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NHL® 27 Deluxe Edition: Developer: Electronic Arts, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Halloween – Digital Deluxe Edition: Developer: IllFonic Publishing, Co-Publisher: Gun Media, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Young Suns (Game Preview): Developer: KO_OP, Release Date: August 31, Price: .99, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Shelldiver: Developer: Gagonfe, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault (Game Preview): Developer: 11 bit studios, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Game Pass / Handheld Optimized. - Angeline Era: Developer: Analgesic Productions, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - BioEden: Developer: Focus Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .79, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Puzzledorf: Developer: Stuart's Pixel Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Salvation: Echoes of War: Developer: Infinite Entropy, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Sticker Picker (Xbox Series): Developer: Afil Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Crimson Moon: Developer: ProbablyMonsters, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Tintle's Great Colorful Adventure: Developer: Midnight Pounce Studios, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Eden Coil: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Feed Your Cat: New Paths: Developer: Tribus Games Indie, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia: Developer: Microids, Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Pharmacy Store Simulator: Developer: Art Games Studio S.A., Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Radiation Caterpillar: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Super Woden Rally Edge: Developer: Eastasiasoft Limited, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Asdivine Knot: Developer: KEMCO, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Brainrot Kart: Developer: Skibidi Studios, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Bus Simulator 27 – Year 1 Edition: Developer: astragon Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space: Developer: Flynn's Arcade, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Doctor: Developer: Bad Minions, Little Giant, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fight School Simulator: Developer: Ultimate Games S.A., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Galactic Vault: Developer: Take IT Studio!, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Hearthstorm: Developer: NOSTRA GAMES LTD, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Komorebi: A Furry Visual Novel: Developer: Top Hat Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: Developer: tinyBuild, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Shoe it All!: Developer: Bright Gambit, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Cage: Developer: JanduSoft, Release Date: September 4, Price: .49, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Fear The Timeloop: Developer: PlayWay S.A., Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play. - Flute Of Gobelin: Developer: RainForest Game Studio, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fortress Merge: Developer: QubicGames S.A., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Hockey Beasts: Developer: Revulo Games LLC, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - I Am Angel: Developer: PortingGuru, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Isle of Reveries: Developer: Electric Airship, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonbringer: Developer: 2dragontails, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Order Automatica: Developer: better. publishing, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Railbreak DX: Developer: Dead Drop Studios LLC, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Tales of Formentera: Developer: Ratalaika Games S.L., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere.

BetaBeacon

August 18, 2026

Best Android Emulators 2026: 4 of 7 Play Store Banned

- Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community RetroArch - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Open-source community Winlator - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: Donation-funded DraStic - Base price: Free - Optional paid tier: None - Ads: No - Funding model: None public

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 17 to 21

Next week, several games are set to launch for Xbox platforms: - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope - Release Date: August 20, Developer: GSC Game World. - Backyard Baseball - Release Date: August 18, Developer: Playground Productions, Price: .99. - The Sinking City 2 - Release Date: August 18, Developer: Frogwares, Price: .99. - Mortal Shell II - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Playstack, Price: .99. - Black Flower - Release Date: August 17, Developer: Triomatica Games. - Archerio - Release Date: August 18, Developer: Webnetic s. r. o., Price: .99. - Driving is Hard - Release Date: August 18, Developer: Elegant Horse Studios, Price: .99. - Arcade Archives 2 CYBER CYCLES - Release Date: August 19, Developer: HAMSTER Corporation. - Cloudy Day - Release Date: August 19, Developer: RainForest Game Studio. - Dark Reflection - Release Date: August 19, Developer: Stamina Zero LLC, Price: .99. - Dungeon Antiqua 2 - Release Date: August 19, Developer: AMATA K.K. - Grim Trials - Release Date: August 19, Developer: Soft Source Pte Ltd., Price: .99. - Hidden Cats in Barcelona - Release Date: August 19, Developer: Silesia Games Sp. z o.o. - WonderCat Adventures - Release Date: August 19, Developer: Obscure Cloud. - Berry Bury Berry - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Black Lantern Collective. - Educational Family Games - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Crazysoft Limited. - Emoji Killer – Casino Massacre - Release Date: August 20, Developer: EpiXR Games, Price: .99. - Find The Cats 2 - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Ember Box Studio. - Gallipoli - Release Date: August 20, Developer: BlackMill Games. - Ground Zero Hero - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Acclaim, Inc. - Wings of Beyond - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Little Giant, Bad Minion. - Yet Another Zombie Survivors - Release Date: August 20, Developer: Awesome Games Studio, Price: .99. - Creepy Shift: Uncle Joe’s Motel - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Red Limb Studio. - Dark Dungeon Head Haze - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Sweet Bread Games. - KEYQUACK QUEST - Release Date: August 21, Developer: YUME GAME STUDIO. - Mega City Force - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Ravenage Games. - No More Slimes!! - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Minimum Studio. - Pay To Path - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Afil Games. - Psalm 5:9-13 - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Axyos Games. - With Eyes of Ice - Release Date: August 21, Developer: Ratalaika Games S.L.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

Little Kitty, Big City coming to iOS, Android in late 2026

Double Dagger Studio will release open-world adventure game Little Kitty, Big City for iOS and Android in late 2026.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

One of Bethesda’s Best Games Getting New Release Next Week

On August 11, a beloved title from Bethesda will return exclusively for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and potentially PC users as part of the Xbox Game Pass offering. The addition of Date Everything to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass has been officially announced for the same day. Titles such as Grounded 2 and Bounty Star will also be added to the Premium tier after their initial releases in the Ultimate and PC tiers. Speculation surrounds the potential addition of Wolfenstein 3D, which has not been formally announced, but may be revealed at QuakeCon. Wolfenstein 3D, released in 1992, is recognized as a pivotal title in the first-person shooter genre and was ported to the Xbox 360 in 2009. The upgraded version will soon be accessible through Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

The next Xbox could play every Xbox game ever made

Microsoft's upcoming console, Project Helix, aims to support a vast library of games, including titles from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as new releases for Helix. The console may not include a disc drive, complicating the concept of backwards compatibility. A leaked memo indicates that Xbox 360 games will also be available on PC and run on Helix, allowing access to five generations of Xbox games on one platform. Microsoft is seeking cooperation from game publishers to facilitate the transition of Xbox discs to digital formats, requiring individual authorization for original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles. Publishers can benefit financially by repackaging older titles and converting physical disc owners into digital customers. The success of Project Helix hinges on publisher consent, as licensing issues could impact the availability of older titles.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Report: Microsoft to bring Xbox 360 games to “Xbox PCs”, handhelds and Project Helix

Microsoft is enhancing backward compatibility for its gaming ecosystem by introducing four original Xbox titles for Windows 11 PCs and plans to integrate Xbox 360 games into Project Helix for next-generation consoles. A leaked document indicates that developers of existing Xbox 360 games can participate in this backward compatibility program, which is expected to roll out between 2027 and 2028. The complete launch of original Xbox titles on PC is scheduled for October 2026. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a disc-to-digital program that allows players to convert physical game discs into digital licenses, facilitating used game sales and disc sharing. The beta testing for this program was initially set for last month, with a full launch anticipated in August, but it has been delayed.