Asha Sharma has responded to speculation that Microsoft could spin off or sell Xbox. The statement arrives during a turbulent period of layoffs, canceled games, and changes to Game Pass.
4:03 PMPolygon51 stories from 5 sources
Xbox rejects sale rumors while gaming's next phase takes shape
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Asha Sharma has taken charge of Microsoft’s struggling gaming division with a clear mandate to shake things up. Her tenure has already included layoffs and studio divestitures, and she says the industry needs serious disruption.
12:36 PMNew York Times Arts
Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to feature more than 170 unique animals. The big question is whether players can interact with that wildlife in ways beyond hunting, shooting, or causing general chaos.
1:48 PMPolygon
New GTA 6 screenshots point to a world packed with detailed systems and lively environments. They show tropical storms, hunting, working citrus farms, and plenty of beach culture, suggesting Rockstar is pushing its open-world simulation even further.
12:15 PMIGN
Nintendo is lining up a packed October for Switch 2, with major releases including Switch Sports Resort, Call of Duty, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy. The lineup gives the console a broad mix of sports, shooters, horror, and role-playing games.
10:00 PMPolygon
The European Commission is taking action against nine game companies over how they sell in-game currency and digital items. The effort focuses on clearer pricing and stronger protections for players.
4:11 PMIGN
Xbox has a strong October slate on the way, led by Gears of War: E-Day and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The month also promises several other notable releases, giving Xbox players a busy stretch of new games.
9:00 PMPolygon
A new report claims Naughty Dog is developing another Uncharted game with Nathan Drake involved. It is reportedly one of several projects currently taking shape at the studio.
4:22 PMIGN
Capcom says it has already been thinking about what comes after its Resident Evil remake run catches up with the newer games. The company points to Resident Evil 7 as a major turning point in the series and part of that longer-term plan.
1:10 PMIGN
Marathon is expanding with PvE and deathmatch modes, but Bungie is not moving away from the extraction gameplay at its core. Game director Del Chafe says the mode will remain a major part of the game rather than being phased out.
8:41 PMIGN4:03 PMPolygon
Xbox CEO Officially Responds to Xbox Sale Rumors
Summary
Asha Sharma has responded to speculation that Microsoft could spin off or sell Xbox. The statement arrives during a turbulent period of layoffs, canceled games, and changes to Game Pass.
The answer is reassuring, but the rumors did not appear out of nowhere. Xbox's business
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The response confirms that Microsoft is not publicly preparing to exit gaming, despite the upheaval around Xbox.
3 stories · 3 sources
12:36 PMNew York Times Arts
Xbox’s Millennial C.E.O., Asha Sharma, Isn’t Playing Around
Summary
Asha Sharma has taken charge of Microsoft’s struggling gaming division with a clear mandate to shake things up. Her tenure has already included layoffs and studio divestitures, and she says the industry needs serious disruption.
Xbox is still trying to find a sharper identity after years of expensive expansion and
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Xbox’s next era could be defined by leaner operations, fewer studios, and a much more aggressive strategy.
1:48 PMPolygon
GTA 6’s Wildlife Gameplay Might Do Something Red Dead 2 Never Could
Summary
Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to feature more than 170 unique animals. The big question is whether players can interact with that wildlife in ways beyond hunting, shooting, or causing general chaos.
Red Dead Redemption 2 made its animals feel like part of the world, but GTA
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A richer wildlife system could make GTA 6 feel more alive and give players more to do between heists.
12:15 PMIGN
GTA 6: Everything the New Screenshots Tell Us
Summary
New GTA 6 screenshots point to a world packed with detailed systems and lively environments. They show tropical storms, hunting, working citrus farms, and plenty of beach culture, suggesting Rockstar is pushing its open-world simulation even further.
The images do more than show off pretty scenery. They hint at a game where
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA 6 looks set to make its world more dynamic and reactive than any previous game in the series.
10:00 PMPolygon
6 Switch 2 Games Releasing in October 2026 You Officially Cannot Miss
Summary
Nintendo is lining up a packed October for Switch 2, with major releases including Switch Sports Resort, Call of Duty, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy. The lineup gives the console a broad mix of sports, shooters, horror, and role-playing games.
That kind of variety could make October one of the Switch 2's busiest stretches yet.
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A crowded release calendar could give Switch 2 a serious boost heading into the holiday season.
4:11 PMIGN
European Commission Calls Out Riot, Activision, Mojang, and More Over In-Game Currency and Transactions
Summary
The European Commission is taking action against nine game companies over how they sell in-game currency and digital items. The effort focuses on clearer pricing and stronger protections for players.
Virtual currencies can make the real cost of an item surprisingly hard to track, especially
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Game publishers may face pressure to make digital currencies and in-game prices much more transparent.
9:00 PMPolygon
5 Xbox Games Releasing In October You Officially Can't Miss
Summary
Xbox has a strong October slate on the way, led by Gears of War: E-Day and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The month also promises several other notable releases, giving Xbox players a busy stretch of new games.
Big established franchises are doing much of the heavy lifting here, which should make the
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October could be one of Xbox's biggest months of the year for blockbuster releases.
4:22 PMIGN
New Uncharted Game Featuring Nathan Drake Reportedly in the Works at Naughty Dog
Summary
A new report claims Naughty Dog is developing another Uncharted game with Nathan Drake involved. It is reportedly one of several projects currently taking shape at the studio.
Nathan Drake's story seemed to have reached a natural stopping point, so bringing him back
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A new Uncharted led by Drake would revive one of PlayStation's most recognizable adventure series.
1:10 PMIGN
'We Have Been Gradually Preparing': Capcom Already Has a Plan for When Its Resident Evil Remakes Catch Up With Newer Games
Summary
Capcom says it has already been thinking about what comes after its Resident Evil remake run catches up with the newer games. The company points to Resident Evil 7 as a major turning point in the series and part of that longer-term plan.
That leaves Capcom room to revisit more recent entries without simply remaking the same handful
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Resident Evil's remake strategy appears designed to keep going even after it reaches the modern era.
8:41 PMIGN
"Extraction is Still a Major Part of Marathon" – Marathon Game Director Reassures Fans Main Game Mode Isn't Going Anywhere
Summary
Marathon is expanding with PvE and deathmatch modes, but Bungie is not moving away from the extraction gameplay at its core. Game director Del Chafe says the mode will remain a major part of the game rather than being phased out.
The new modes give players more ways to play without abandoning the high-stakes loop that
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Marathon's original identity is staying intact even as its lineup of modes grows.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve delivers exciting multiplayer combat, with the kind of aerial action fans want from the series. Unfortunately, that strong core is buried under a frustrating live-service structure.
7:00 PMPolygon
Xbox is reportedly reshaping Halo in a major way, including gutting the current team and moving the franchise to Activision. The big question is whether a drastic reset can revive Microsoft's most important sci-fi series.
7:00 PMPolygon
The Witcher 3 was already a landmark RPG, and the remastered version gives it another impressive boost. These upgrades make an excellent adventure feel better than ever.
6:07 PMIGN
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave uses its fantasy setting to explore modern politics and the way societies remember history. Its commentary is subtle, but it still takes a clear position on power, influence, and the stories nations choose to preserve.
6:00 PMPolygon
GTA 6 appears unlikely to include Florida's most recognizable tourist attractions, including Disney World and SeaWorld. Rockstar seems content to build its own version of the state rather than recreate every famous landmark.
5:54 PMIGN
Crimson Desert's first expansion, Charting the Unknown, has been pushed back by two weeks. The add-on was announced with an ambitious October 15 launch date, but that schedule proved a little too aggressive.
4:53 PMIGN
A modder working on an unofficial Nintendo Switch version of GTA 5 taunted Rockstar online. Take-Two responded with a cease and desist, putting a quick end to the fan-made port.
4:27 PMIGN
A new fan-made Pokémon project is built around Eevee and its many possible evolutions. With hundreds of Eeveelutions, it aims to offer the kind of creature variety official Pokémon games have not fully embraced.
4:16 PMPolygon
A mysterious dog needs help tracking down its missing toy during the "Every Dog Has Her Day" quest. The guide shows you where to look so you can get the quest moving again.
3:41 PMPolygon
Dylan's Sketchbook contains drawings of locations across Manhattan, turning the collectible hunt into a tour of the game's world. This guide maps out every sketch location for players trying to complete the set.
3:35 PMPolygon
Ubisoft has given its newly formed creative group a name: Massive Entertainment. The team is led by Christoph Hartmann, the former Amazon Games chief, and borrows the identity of Ubisoft's Sweden-based studio.
3:20 PMVariety
Modern Warfare 4 is adding Collateral, a mode built around Counter-Strike-style money management. Players earn cash during rounds, then spend it between matches on gear and other advantages.
2:46 PMPolygon
Vincent D'Onofrio pushed back at fans complaining that Deborah Ann Woll's version of Laufey is not revealing enough in God of War. The argument grew out of online demands for armor designs that show more skin.
2:44 PMIGN
World of Warcraft: Forever introduces the Skyborne elves, a new race that struggles to fit the classic game's established world. The addition highlights how difficult it is to expand an old game without making new ideas feel forced.
1:30 PMPolygon
Square Enix is making Final Fantasy 11's free trial easier to try by removing its time limit. Players can now explore the long-running MMO without racing against a temporary access window.
1:23 PMPolygon
Baldur's Gate 3's first tie-in novel follows Astarion in a prequel story filled with horror, dark humor, and the character's familiar charm. The book's development was complicated by reported interference from Wizards of the Coast.
1:00 PMPolygon
Sony has revealed the games coming to PlayStation Plus subscribers in October 2026. The monthly lineup gives members a fresh batch of titles to download and play.
12:20 PMIGN
Pokémon Pokopia is getting its first Halloween event, called “Pumpkaboo’s Sweet Surprises.” Players can expect spooky new items and habitats as part of the seasonal celebration.
11:58 AMIGN7:00 PMPolygon
Ace Combat 8’s Stellar Multiplayer Reveals the Terrors of Live-Service Games
Summary
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve delivers exciting multiplayer combat, with the kind of aerial action fans want from the series. Unfortunately, that strong core is buried under a frustrating live-service structure.
The game shows how easily a great multiplayer mode can be weakened by the systems
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A strong game can still lose players when its live-service design feels like work.
7:00 PMPolygon
Can Xbox save Halo? | Point It Out!
Summary
Xbox is reportedly reshaping Halo in a major way, including gutting the current team and moving the franchise to Activision. The big question is whether a drastic reset can revive Microsoft's most important sci-fi series.
Halo does not just need another sequel. It needs a clear direction, a stable team,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Halo's future may depend less on another blockbuster launch than on finding the right people to steer it.
6:07 PMIGN
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered Review Update
Summary
The Witcher 3 was already a landmark RPG, and the remastered version gives it another impressive boost. These upgrades make an excellent adventure feel better than ever.
This is less a reinvention than a polished return to one of gaming's safest recommendations.
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A classic RPG has found a new high point without needing to change what made it special.
6:00 PMPolygon
Nintendo Isn't Afraid to Get Political with Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
Summary
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave uses its fantasy setting to explore modern politics and the way societies remember history. Its commentary is subtle, but it still takes a clear position on power, influence, and the stories nations choose to preserve.
Nintendo is not usually associated with pointed political storytelling, which makes this approach stand out.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A major Nintendo RPG is showing that political themes can fit naturally into a fantasy adventure.
5:54 PMIGN
Rockstar Suggests Disney World and SeaWorld Probably Won't Be in GTA 6
Summary
GTA 6 appears unlikely to include Florida's most recognizable tourist attractions, including Disney World and SeaWorld. Rockstar seems content to build its own version of the state rather than recreate every famous landmark.
That may disappoint players hoping to cause chaos at a theme park, but Rockstar has
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA 6 may capture Florida's personality without trying to turn every landmark into a playable location.
4:53 PMIGN
Crimson Desert Charting the Unknown Expansion Delayed Two Weeks
Summary
Crimson Desert's first expansion, Charting the Unknown, has been pushed back by two weeks. The add-on was announced with an ambitious October 15 launch date, but that schedule proved a little too aggressive.
A short delay is hardly a crisis, especially for an expansion that is still relatively
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Players will wait a bit longer, but a small delay could mean a smoother first expansion.
4:27 PMIGN
GTA 5 Modder Taunts Rockstar With Unofficial Nintendo Switch Port, Gets Cease and Desist from Take-Two
Summary
A modder working on an unofficial Nintendo Switch version of GTA 5 taunted Rockstar online. Take-Two responded with a cease and desist, putting a quick end to the fan-made port.
Porting a massive commercial game to unsupported hardware was already legally risky. The public provocation
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
It is another reminder that fan projects can hit a hard legal wall when they use major game franchises.
4:16 PMPolygon
New 'Pokémon' Release Is Essential for All Eevee Fans
Summary
A new fan-made Pokémon project is built around Eevee and its many possible evolutions. With hundreds of Eeveelutions, it aims to offer the kind of creature variety official Pokémon games have not fully embraced.
For Eevee fans, this is less a small tribute than an entire alternate universe built
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The project could scratch a very specific Pokémon itch while showing the creative appetite around fan-made games.
3:41 PMPolygon
Where to find the mysterious dog's toy in Control Resonant
Summary
A mysterious dog needs help tracking down its missing toy during the "Every Dog Has Her Day" quest. The guide shows you where to look so you can get the quest moving again.
It sounds like a classic side-quest scavenger hunt, with the game adding a little weirdness
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The location guide saves players from a potentially frustrating search.
3:35 PMPolygon
All Dylan's Sketchbook collectible locations in Control Resonant
Summary
Dylan's Sketchbook contains drawings of locations across Manhattan, turning the collectible hunt into a tour of the game's world. This guide maps out every sketch location for players trying to complete the set.
These collectibles offer extra flavor for players who want more than the main story. Finding
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The complete location list makes a full collectible run much less tedious.
3:20 PMVariety
Ubisoft Adopts Massive Entertainment as Name of Studio Group Led by Christoph Hartmann
Summary
Ubisoft has given its newly formed creative group a name: Massive Entertainment. The team is led by Christoph Hartmann, the former Amazon Games chief, and borrows the identity of Ubisoft's Sweden-based studio.
The rebrand turns a placeholder operation into something more official, though it also risks blurring
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The move signals a fresh push to organize and expand Ubisoft's game development business.
2:46 PMPolygon
Modern Warfare 4's New 'Counter-Strike' Mode Officially Announced
Summary
Modern Warfare 4 is adding Collateral, a mode built around Counter-Strike-style money management. Players earn cash during rounds, then spend it between matches on gear and other advantages.
That economy could give the mode a more tactical rhythm than standard Call of Duty
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Collateral brings a familiar competitive formula into the Modern Warfare sandbox.
2:44 PMIGN
Vincent D’Onofrio Defends Laufey Star Deborah Ann Woll From Gooners Upset That the Game's Armor Sets Don't Show More Skin
Summary
Vincent D'Onofrio pushed back at fans complaining that Deborah Ann Woll's version of Laufey is not revealing enough in God of War. The argument grew out of online demands for armor designs that show more skin.
It is a familiar internet fight: some players treat character design as a personal entitlement,
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The dispute shows how quickly debates over game aesthetics can turn into ugly arguments about women on screen.
1:30 PMPolygon
WoW: Forever’s New Race Doesn't Fit into World of Warcraft At All
Summary
World of Warcraft: Forever introduces the Skyborne elves, a new race that struggles to fit the classic game's established world. The addition highlights how difficult it is to expand an old game without making new ideas feel forced.
Classic Warcraft has a very specific tone and mythology, so new races have a high
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The expansion shows the creative challenge of building on a beloved classic without losing its identity.
1:23 PMPolygon
The Best Final Fantasy Mmo Is Now Easier to Play Than Ever
Summary
Square Enix is making Final Fantasy 11's free trial easier to try by removing its time limit. Players can now explore the long-running MMO without racing against a temporary access window.
That is a smart move for a famously deep and old-school game, where newcomers need
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
More players can sample one of Final Fantasy's most influential online games without a ticking clock.
1:00 PMPolygon
Astarion's New 'Baldur's Gate 3' Prequel Story Was Doomed From the Start
Summary
Baldur's Gate 3's first tie-in novel follows Astarion in a prequel story filled with horror, dark humor, and the character's familiar charm. The book's development was complicated by reported interference from Wizards of the Coast.
T. Kingfisher's style seems well suited to Astarion's mix of theatricality and misery. The frustrating
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The novel expands Astarion's backstory while showing how tricky it can be to adapt a game character into a new format.
12:20 PMIGN
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October 2026 Announced
Summary
Sony has revealed the games coming to PlayStation Plus subscribers in October 2026. The monthly lineup gives members a fresh batch of titles to download and play.
As usual, the value of the announcement will come down to whether the selection includes
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
PlayStation Plus members can start planning their October gaming backlog.
11:58 AMIGN
Pokémon Pokopia Announces Halloween Event With Spooky New Items and Habitats
Summary
Pokémon Pokopia is getting its first Halloween event, called “Pumpkaboo’s Sweet Surprises.” Players can expect spooky new items and habitats as part of the seasonal celebration.
A themed event gives Pokopia a chance to keep its world feeling fresh after launch.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Pokopia is starting its live events with a seasonal update built around new ways to decorate and explore.
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