Microsoft cuts Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $22.99 from $29.99 and PC Game Pass to $13.99, but ends day-one releases for future Call of Duty titles. The move addresses CEO Asha Sharma's concerns over high pricing amid subscriber backlash from recent hikes.
Tap a lens to see what this story means for you.
Reader-supported · Daily Brief
Daily brief at 7 AM ET. Top tech stories, every morning. Sourced and fact-checked.
Reader-supported
The Circuitry is a passion project I've always wanted to build, and I love the work behind it.
Running it costs real money. APIs, hosting, time. To keep improving the site and growing this into something useful for everyone, those costs have to be covered.
Any contribution is appreciated. If not, no pressure. Thanks for reading.
Summer Game Fest 2026 delivered a packed showcase with dozens of reveals across major franchises. Here are the key announcements from the event.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says platforms require exclusive content and services even as she reevaluates the company’s exclusivity approach after bringing games to rival consoles. Her first 100 days included higher shipment volume than the prior year, Game Pass returning to growth, and a renewed focus on community feedback.
Valve confirmed both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset will ship this summer while expanding its Verified program to the hardware. Pricing and exact timing details were omitted from the announcement leaving questions about the final cost of the more powerful Steam Machine.
