Windows Central

"Just one breath, that's all you get": Xbox's Grounded 2 director chats Early Access, the "second launch" on PS5, and the roadmap's Into the Abyss update https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-grounded-2-director-chats-early-access-the-second-launch-on-ps5-and-the-roadmaps-into-the-abyss-update

Microsoft confirms an Outlook bug could wreck your replies by dropping the original message https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-confirms-an-outlook-bug-could-wreck-your-replies-by-dropping-the-original-message

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded challenges universe-accurate crossovers with new Nick Cage bundle alongside new content for all modes https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-season-4-reloaded-new-content-nick-cage

"The prices we're sharing today reflect the state of the world": Valve explains why the Steam Machine is so expensive, and yup, it's all AI's fault https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/valve-explains-why-the-steam-machine-is-so-expensive-and-yup-its-all-ais-fault

We finally know how much Valve's Steam Machine will cost — here's how to sign up this week for a chance to buy the console-like gaming PC https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/we-finally-know-how-much-valves-steam-machine-will-cost-heres-how-to-sign-up-this-week-for-a-chance-to-buy-the-console-like-gaming-pc

Microsoft is retiring Edge Drop to make room for Copilot https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-is-retiring-edge-drop-to-make-room-for-copilot

“AI will enhance the PlayStation experience” is a bold claim — and Xbox would be roasted for saying the same https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/ai-will-enhance-the-playstation-experience-is-a-bold-claim-and-xbox-would-be-roasted-for-saying-the-same

PlayStation's PC ports have reportedly generated nearly double the revenue of Xbox's PS5 ports but Sony is still quitting Steam https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/playstations-pc-ports-have-reportedly-generated-nearly-double-the-revenue-of-xboxs-ps5-ports-but-sony-is-still-quitting-steam

The best early Amazon Prime Day deals on Windows laptops, PC components, and Xbox gaming hardware are already on sale https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/amazon-prime-day-2026

Microsoft just added an "Xbox Handheld" logo to major game pages, and I have questions https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/microsoft-just-added-an-xbox-handheld-logo-to-major-game-pages-and-i-have-questions

"We’re always conscious of the past and keeping that legacy," — I went to the Diablo Infernal Symphony and talked to the team behind 30 years of music https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/were-always-conscious-of-the-past-and-keeping-that-legacy-i-went-to-the-diablo-infernal-symphony-and-talked-to-the-team-behind-30-years-of-music

The Rogue V4 shows Razer growing up: a backpack that balances durability, comfort, and style without leaning on loud gamer aesthetics https://www.windowscentral.com/razer-rogue-v4-backpack-review

Halo: Campaign Evolved is shaping up to be something special, but I can’t shake the feeling that key features are being left behind https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/halo-campaign-evolved-will-miss-features

Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series of press releases https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-buried-its-best-surface-hardware-in-years-through-a-quiet-series-of-press-releases

"Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy": Why I think we're on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/subscription-based-gaming-final-boss-piracy

“Our goal is simple”: Xbox unveils major push to simplify Unreal Engine development https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/our-goal-is-simple-xbox-is-making-unreal-engine-development-much-easier

"Both accounts need PlayStation Plus" — Halo Campaign Evolved’s split‑screen requirement is baffling https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/both-accounts-need-playstation-plus-halo-campaign-evolveds-split-screen-requirement-is-baffling

I read this Age of Empires II essay on human attributes and it’s way deeper than you expect https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/age-of-empires-2-de-wynter-human-attributes-essay

"I leave feeling grateful, proud, and excited": After 31 years, Age of Empires veteran Earnest Yuen retires https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/age-of-empires-veteran-earnest-yuen-retires

Microsoft’s AI strategy feels like a beta test — at the expense of Windows and Office https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsofts-ai-strategy-feels-like-a-beta-test-at-the-expense-of-windows-and-office