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Microsoft Tests Free Xbox Cloud Gaming With Ads Amid Game Pass Price Hikes

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming that could provide an alternative to its increasingly expensive Game Pass subscription service. The move comes as the company faces declining console sales and subscription cancellations following recent price increases. This ad-supported model follows similar strategies adopted by streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+.

Testing a New Gaming Model

Microsoft has confirmed it’s conducting internal tests of a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, according to reports from The New York Times. This development arrives at a crucial moment for the company’s gaming division, which recently announced that Xbox Game Pass subscription prices will increase starting November 4th.

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Microsoft Confirms Halo PlayStation 5 Release in Major Strategy Shift

Microsoft will release Halo Campaign Evolved on PlayStation 5 next year, marking the franchise’s debut on a Sony platform. The move represents a fundamental shift in how Microsoft views competition in the gaming landscape. Xbox leadership describes competing more with entertainment platforms than rival consoles.

The End of an Era

In what industry observers are calling one of gaming’s most significant strategic pivots, Microsoft has confirmed plans to bring its flagship Halo franchise to PlayStation 5. According to reports from The New York Times, the company will release a remake titled Halo Campaign Evolved on Sony’s platform next year, ending more than two decades of console exclusivity for Microsoft’s most valuable gaming IP.

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Halo’s PlayStation Debut Drives Ground-Up Unreal Engine 5 Remake

Halo: Combat Evolved is getting a comprehensive remake in Unreal Engine 5 for 2026 release, marking the franchise’s debut on PlayStation platforms. Development sources indicate this represents a strategic shift for the series and a potential template for future Halo titles. The move to industry-standard engine technology aims to streamline development while expanding the franchise’s audience.

The PlayStation Factor

Microsoft’s iconic Halo franchise is preparing for its PlayStation debut with what sources describe as the most comprehensive remake yet of the original game. According to development team interviews, Halo: Campaign Evolved represents not just another re-release but a strategic pivot for the 25-year-old franchise.

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Microsoft Confirms Halo Franchise Going Multiplatform, Starting With PS5

Microsoft has confirmed that the Halo franchise will be multiplatform moving forward, with the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved remake launching on PlayStation 5. The announcement signals a major strategic shift for what was once Xbox’s flagship exclusive series, potentially opening the door for more Halo titles on competing platforms.

The End of an Era for Xbox Exclusives

In what represents one of the most significant platform strategy shifts in gaming history, Microsoft has confirmed that the Halo franchise will be multiplatform “going forward,” according to announcements made during the Halo World Championship livestream. The confirmation came after the reveal of Halo: Campaign Evolved, a ground-up remake of the original game that will launch simultaneously on Xbox and PlayStation 5 in what appears to be just the beginning of Master Chief’s expansion beyond Microsoft’s ecosystem.

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Former Ridgeline Games Staff Overlooked in Battlefield 6 Credits Despite Foundation Work, Says Studio Co-Founder

Marcus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, has publicly criticized the credit allocation in Battlefield 6, stating that former Ridgeline Games staff who built the game’s foundation were improperly acknowledged. The studio, which was shuttered earlier this year, had been developing the narrative campaign before EA’s restructuring. Lehto emphasized that game development is a team effort where every contributor deserves fair recognition.

Battlefield 6 Faces Credit Controversy

Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has expressed significant disappointment regarding the credit treatment of former Ridgeline Games staff in the recently released Battlefield 6, according to reports. Despite what sources indicate were foundational contributions to the game, many developers from the shuttered studio were reportedly relegated to minor acknowledgment sections or omitted entirely from credits.