5 more AWESOME Xbox April indies: Take a break from getting beat up in Hades 2 Manage a bookshop or break out as a hit content creator in these newly released games brought to you by ID@Xbox. Windows Central · Apr 23
"If it continues like this WoW will inevitably die": World of Warcraft players beg Blizzard to slow down — for all the wrong reasons I recently alluded to this idea that World of Warcraft is losing control of its quality ... well, control. And this concept really came to ahead this week with Midnight's 12.0.5 patch, which introduced a mountain of new bugs. Windows Central · Apr 23
Microsoft says Xbox Game Pass is getting more old Call of Duty games in 2026 after price drop, loss of day-one releases — which ones do you want to see? Following Xbox's Game Pass price cut and the loss of Call of Duty on day one, it's said more games in the series are coming to the service this year. Windows Central · Apr 22
“Personally, I’d be open to a Halo extraction shooter” — Halo Studios reportedly abandons battle royale and pivots to a different style. Here’s what that means. A new report claims Halo’s planned battle royale mode, Tatanka, was scrapped after failing to meet expectations, later evolving into an extraction shooter that may now be part of the next mainline Halo title. Windows Central · Apr 22
"If we can have this beautiful machine ... that's what I want to see": The dev of this Xbox Game Pass hit is working on 15 projects and opening 2 new studios Poncle, the developer behind the acclaimed Xbox Game Pass hit Vampire Survivors, is working on 15 projects and expanding with two new studios. Windows Central · Apr 22
“Teaming up again” — Xbox CEO signals deeper Discord integration built around Game Pass flexibility and cross‑platform play Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has hinted at a renewed partnership with Discord, potentially tied to increased flexibility in Game Pass. While details remain unclear, the move follows recent pricing changes and ongoing speculation around new subscription tiers and features. Windows Central · Apr 22
“We wanted to make sure the shape mattered” — Double Fine explains how KILN’s sculpted art defines its combat and characters A new developer interview reveals how Double Fine shaped Kiln’s gameplay, detailing its origins, long development cycle, and the design decisions behind its unique collision system. Windows Central · Apr 22
Metro author confirms Metro 2039's protagonist main character is voiced, unlike Artyom and a first for the series — and "he’s got things to say" Dmitry Glukhovsky, author of the Metro franchise, has confirmed that Metro 2039's protagonist main character, The Stranger, is fully voiced. Windows Central · Apr 22
Clipchamp is going backward: Microsoft will retire iOS app instead of making an Android one Microsoft will retire Clipchamp for iOS on June 9, 2026, leaving the video editor without any mobile app. Windows Central · Apr 22
“Checkout, right in the app?” — Copilot’s shopping upgrade adds mobile checkout and merchant data from 500,000 sellers Copilot Checkout now works in the Copilot mobile app, and Microsoft has deepened catalog data from over half a million merchants to improve AI‑powered shopping. Windows Central · Apr 22
MAINGEAR’s MG‑1 MK II upgrades CPU, cooling, and expandability to turn a compact mini PC into a true desktop replacement Maingear has revealed a refreshed MG-1 Mk. II custom gaming PC that builds on what made the original model so great. It's more powerful, it runs cooler, and its cables are hidden. Here's how it works. Windows Central · Apr 22
Microsoft has been trying to fix Windows 11's annoying white flash bug in File Explorer for over 2 years: Has it finally done it? The latest Windows 11 preview build mentions a fix for File Explorer that should stop it from flash banging you in dark mode. I feel like we've seen this before... Windows Central · Apr 22
"Did Ookla just leak Windows vNext UI?": Or is this just a macOS mockup on Windows 11 Microsoft is rolling out a built‑in Speedtest tool for Windows 11 through a new partnership with Ookla. But a press image shared by Ookla appears to show a macOS-style window inside a Windows 11 taskbar. Windows Central · Apr 22
Xbox is cleaning house for next-gen, and Social Clubs were just in the way: Is it moving further away from its social roots? Xbox has removed Social Clubs, prompting questions about the future of its social features. I'm exploring what could be next, and whether Xbox is moving away from its social roots. Windows Central · Apr 22
Windows Central · Apr 22 Did Asha Sharma kill another ill-fated Xbox project? The "Xbox Mobile Store" seems to be dead. [UPDATE: Xbox responds] Previously announced for launch in July 2024, the ill-fated Xbox Mobile Store seems to be dead, with all test URLs relating to it now hitting a 404 error.
Windows Central · Apr 22 Microsoft says Windows 11’s built-in 'Defender' antivirus is "usually sufficient" for most PC users: "I haven't used a 3rd party antivirus since XP" Microsoft recently indicated that its Microsoft Defender antivirus is enough for Windows 11 users, dismissing the need to install additional software for that extra layer of protection.
Windows Central · Apr 22 Microsoft sued for £2.8B in the UK — what that means for Azure customers Microsoft could be forced to reimburse $2.8 billion to 60,000 UK-based businesses for overcharging customers for its Windows Server software on competing cloud platforms at higher rates than its own Azure service.
Windows Central · Apr 22 "A heartfelt thank you": After 28 years, Microsoft legend, former Halo exec and Xbox Film/TV lead Kiki Wolfkill has left the company Kiki Wolfkill spent almost three decades leading various initiatives across the Xbox platform, from art leadership, to transmedia initiatives, and video game production.
Windows Central · Apr 21 Baldur's Gate 3 director reacts to Xbox Game Pass removing Call of Duty from day one access alongside price drop — "It is a good thing creatively" Due to Microsoft's new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price drop, Call of Duty games won't come to it day one anymore — something that may benefit the series.
Windows Central · Apr 21 "I think I know someone who would be perfect for that role": Is former Xbox director Larry Hryb 'Major Nelson' teasing interest in Microsoft's Xbox senior manager position? Microsoft recently opened up a new Xbox brand senior manager position, and a comment from ex-director Major Nelson has many wondering if he's going for it.
Windows Central · Apr 21 How to move the Windows 11 Taskbar and restore the classic look One of the big frustrations in Windows 11 is the Taskbar, be it how it looks or the fact you can't move it. But this free, lightweight app is a simple way to do that while also giving it a nostalgic look.
Windows Central · Apr 21 "Inspired by the winding Touge roads of Japan": This limited Forza Horizon 6 Xbox gear caught my eye, and I'm tempted Xbox has officially revealed the Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller and wireless headset, now available for pre-order ahead of the game’s launch on May 19
Windows Central · Apr 21 Xbox Game Pass price gets a massive price cut — Here's the details and the fate of Call of Duty for 2026 After last year's wildly unpopular 50% price hike, Microsoft has reverted a ton of it. Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft Classics will remain, previous Call of Duty games will too, but this year's will be a retail-only affair. What's going on?
Windows Central · Apr 21 Surface fans are now 3D‑printing the hardware Microsoft won’t build A Surface fan designed a 3D‑printed dock that improves lapability and pairs the Surface Pro with Lenovo’s TrackPoint keyboard.
Windows Central · Apr 21 “It may feel different at first”: Microsoft Teams will stop you from leaving meetings or raising your hand accidentally Microsoft is moving the Raise Hand and Leave buttons in Teams meetings to reduce accidental clicks. The update, scheduled for June 2026, also adds a customizable meeting toolbar with pin, unpin, and reorder options.