Avowed now has a bunch more possibilities when it comes to one of the most important fantasy RPG build archetypes, thanks to the deployment of its anniversary update. Three new character races are on offer alongside the established humans and elves, and you can arm them with a quarterstaff which caters to mages who think puny wands and books aren't quite showy enough.
As you might recall, some of the stuff included in this anniversary update was orignally supposed to arrive in Avowed late last year, but ended up being delayed by Obsidian.
After all, this year is the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and it has four major titles coming up, so why now? According to Kinda Funny Games’ Greg Miller, who was recently “passed something,” Spencer’s retirement was allegedly not planned. “If you trust us, what I’m saying is this was not planned,” he added.
If true, what would motivate Spencer and Bond to bow out? It probably isn’t a coincidence that Sharma, former President of CoreAI at Microsoft, is his replacement, given the company’s growing investment in AI over the years. However, as noted by Tim Gettys, the farewell to Spencer could have been at something major like Summer Game Fest or even Halo’s anniversary.
It would have also made more sense if he announced that this would be his final year and then left before 2027 began. Instead, it’s this abrupt announcement that no one really saw coming.
If there’s any silver lining, it’s that the recent organizational changes at Microsoft won’t affect its game studios, according to Matt Booty, recently promoted to Chief Content Officer. And with games like Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Halo: Campaign Evolved and Gears of War: E-Day, Xbox could be looking at its best year to date. Ironic then, that it’s going to be without the man who brought them to the dance.
As shocking as it is sudden, Phil Spencer has announced his retirement from Microsoft. Serving as Microsoft Gaming CEO, he worked at the company for 38 years – a journey that began with an internship.
In a new tweet, Spencer said, “It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me. I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been fortunate enough to share with so many of you.”
Spencer expressed excitement at Asha Sharma, former President of CoreAI at Microsoft, taking over his role. “She’s joining an incredible group of people; teams full of talent, heart, and a deep commitment to the players they serve. Watching her lean in with curiosity and a real desire to strengthen the foundation we’ve built gives me confidence that our Xbox communities will be well supported in the years ahead.
“Thinking back to my start as an intern in 1988, I never could have imagined the path ahead. I’ve been lucky to work with so many passionate creators, partners, colleagues, and players across the industry; people who challenged me, taught me, and made this work full of joy and wonder.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this chapter. This community has meant more to me than I can say. From here, I’ll keep doing what’s always mattered so much to me: cheering on the teams pushing this industry forward and playing alongside this incredible community. I’ll see you online.”
While Spencer has been at the company for decades, he rose to prominence as head of Xbox Game Studios in 2014. He would lead Xbox’s strategy, which involved regaining much of the goodwill lost after the botched reveal of the Xbox One by Interactive Entertainment Business president Don Mattrick.
He would also be known for spearheading studio acquisitions, including Obsidian Entertainment, inXile, Playground Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and more, eventually moving on to publishers such as Bethesda and Activision. There’s also Game Pass and the release of first-party titles on other platforms, with Avowed on PS5 being the most recent. He also pushed for backwards compatibility of OG Xbox and Xbox 360 titles, to say nothing of Xbox Cloud Gaming as we know it.
Of course, Spencer has earned his fair share of criticism, especially following studio closures, numerous layoffs, horrible game releases (like Redfall), rising prices for Game Pass, declining hardware revenue, and more. Nevertheless, it’s been an impressive legacy, and we’re keen to see where Xbox goes from here.
It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me. I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been…
The future has come early for Microsoft with some major changes to Xbox leadership. Phil Spencer is retiring, to be replaced by Asha Sharma as Microsoft Gaming CEO. Meanwhile, Matt Booty is now Chief Content Officer. However, the most surprising development is that Sarah Bond resigned from the company.
Given her role as Xbox President, she was earmarked to succeed Spencer when the time was right. So what made her suddenly leave? In a new post on LinkedIn, Bond said she believed it was “the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally.”
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the past eight-plus years. PC and cloud gaming are growing faster than ever, our next console is well underway, and together we’ve helped lay the foundation for a more open gaming platform that spans devices and reaches players around the world.
“When we announced our intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in 2022, I committed to helping lead Xbox through what would be a critical period of change. Over the past four years, we’ve navigated that moment together and positioned the business for what comes next. We took on some of the biggest challenges this organization has ever faced and did it as one team.
“With that, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally. We’re living through a transformative technological era that will shape the next generation of our industry, and I’m energized by what’s ahead.”
Aside from talking about “fresh eyes and new leadership” for the company’s “next chapter,” Bond also regarded Sharma highly. “I’ve had the privilege of spending time with Asha over the last few weeks as we’ve planned for this transition, and I’ve seen firsthand her deep commitment to our players, developers, and brand. She brings deep technology and commerce experience, along with a strong track record of building and scaling platforms that the world uses. Xbox deserves this. I’m excited to see her lead this next chapter for our team.” It’s worth noting that she presently remains as a Special Advisor to ensure a “smooth transition and set the organization up for continued success.”
Bond went on to thank Spencer “for his mentorship and friendship over the years. He’s been a consistent champion of this business and the people who make it what it is, and I’ve learned a great deal from the way he leads through both opportunity and challenge. I’m grateful for his trust and support throughout my time on the team.” Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, also received a nod for “his sponsorship and support throughout my time.”
She reflected on her legacy, boiling it down to “three simple questions I’ve tried to use to guide my days: Did I bring my best? Did I help someone else succeed? Did I do my best work? I hope the answer has been yes for many of you. It’s been a privilege to work alongside this team.”
Joining Microsoft in 2017, Bond began as a corporate VP at Xbox, in charge of gaming business development and partnerships. She would then work on the game creator experience and ecosystem before being promoted in 2023 to president of Xbox. Previous experience includes McKinsey and Company and T-Mobile, and she’s also currently part of the Entertainment Software Association’s board.
Following the shocking retirement of Phil Spencer and Asha Sharma becoming the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Chief Content Officer Matt Booty revealed his own thoughts on all the changes. Alongside excitement at working with Sharma and “good reasons to believe in what’s ahead,” he would focus on “supporting the teams and leaders we have in place and creating the conditions for them to do their best work.”
Of course, major changes tend to precede lay-offs (just ask Ubisoft). However, Booty clarified that, “there are no organizational changes underway for our studios.” Then again, as always, things could change down the line.
Last Summer, Xbox Game Studios canceled three major projects – Perfect Dark, Everwild and Blackbird (a new IP from ZeniMax). It also closed The Initiative and laid off employees across almost all studios. Turn 10 Studios, for example, was essentially reduced to a support studio, wrapping up development on Forza Motorsport. It’s currently working on the PS5 port of Forza Horizon 6.
There’s no denying that the 2026 line-up is looking very strong, though. Beyond Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, launching in May and Fall respectively, there’s Gears of War: E-Day (allegedly set for the second half of the year) and Halo: Campaign Evolved (reportedly launching before September). Grounded 2 has also proven a strong success in early access, though Obsidian’s Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2failed to meet sales expectations.
Still, there’s a lot to come, and that’s not even getting into the next Xbox, which is reportedly targeting 2027 (assuming the RAM shortages don’t prove too disruptive). Stay tuned for more details, and check out the rumors about Microsoft’s vision for the next generation of consoles.
I feel for Avowed. It's a bit like an athlete that goes to an Olympics and makes it to a final but doesn't place. It's a great achievement, a success by many people's standards, but history doesn't care.
Former Xbox exclusive role-playing game Avowed is coming to PlayStation 5, and it'll be released on the game's first anniversary: 17th February 2026 (note: the original PC and Xbox Series S/X release happened on 18th February 2025 but it's only a day's difference).
It's been another strange, difficult, and yet somehow also brilliant year for video games in 2025. Triple-A releases have been sparse again, compared to the boom times of old, with a great big GTA 6-shaped hole left in the final few months of the year. And yet once again, every gap left by the established order has been filled twice over with something brilliantly new.
2025 has gone by in a flash, hasn't it? Well, apart from the days I've spent tabulating all your Game of the Year votes and presenting the results here - that has felt like an eternity and I think has given me permanent neck pain. But, let's not worry about that. I'm sure you'll agree it was worth the sacrifice.
2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.
Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.
The show includes not one but two titles from Playground Games, with the UK studio bringing us a first extended look at Fable, as well as the debut of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6. We’ll also be taking a trip to Tokyo to visit the legendary Game Freak, offering a first in-depth look at Beast of Reincarnation, which we revealed at Xbox Games Showcase last year.
You can tune in at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK on January 22 to see all the latest on:
Fable – Playground Games welcomes players back to the fairytale land of Albion, with the first in-depth look at Fable – one of 2026’s most anticipated titles. Devs from the Playground team will unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay. Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike.
Forza Horizon 6 – The Forza team from Playground Games will share a deep-dive on the much-anticipated Forza Horizon 6 as the open world racer takes players to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. The segment will deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features – and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new installment.
Beast of Reincarnation – Join us as we delve into Game Freak’s intense one-person, one-dog action RPG. For the first time, Game Freak will reveal details of our protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. In Beast of Reincarnation, a profound and dangerous world unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan. Discover the development secrets behind its creation in Developer_Direct.
Stay tuned to our official social channels for more from Developer_Direct, airing on Thursday, January 22 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.
Publisher Xbox Game Studios and developer Obsidian Entertainment have announced that a PlayStation 5 version of Avowed will launch on February 17. The release will coincide with the “Anniversary Update,” which adds several new features, including New Game Plus, a new Photo Mode, additional character presets, a new weapon type, and more. Pre-orders for the game are now available on the PlayStation Store. A new developer interview has also been released.
The game’s details via the publisher:
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands—an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.
Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.
Companions as Part of Your Journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.
If you forget about the New Game+ Showcase, then the Xbox Developer_Direct looks to be the first major “Direct” style presentation for the year, as is tradition. Microsoft has already confirmed the presence of Fable, Forza Horizon 6 and Beast of Reincarnation, but there are rumors of a “secret” fourth title. Which is par for the course, honestly – remember when Hi-Fi Rush exploded into the world?
Insider Shinobi602 initially reported this, noting that he was “not very excited” based on his personal tastes, without mentioning any further details. VGC’s Andy Robinson followed up by alleging that it would be a third-party title. However, the site has since posted a correction. “This is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game.”
Let the speculation run wild, especially considering rumors of Obsidian Entertainment working on four new games. Perhaps a sequel to Pentiment is on the cards? Of course, there’s also Double Fine Productions, which released Keeper last year but could have another project, this one directed by Tim Schafer, to showcase.
Could we perhaps see something from Ninja Theory? Hellblade 3 doesn’t seem all that likely, especially given how long ago the studio’s next project was allegedly greenlit. However, there is Project: Mara, which the studio has been quietly working on in the background since 2020.
With the Developer_Direct set for January 22nd, the wait is excruciating. Interestingly, we may get some other bombshell announcements, including Fableallegedly launching day and date on PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.
CORRECTION: VGC has since been told this is a smaller original game from a first-party studio, and not a third-party game, as first reported. Apologies for the mix-up. https://t.co/VO3Zt03ipE
Microsoft has confirmed that a pair of RPGs will be the next Xbox games to release on the PS5, and both of them will be out on the platform in February 2026. Obsidian Entertainment‘s Avowed will launch on PS5 first, followed by Stoic’s Towerborne.
RPGs Avowed and Towerborne are the next Xbox games headed to PS5
Action RPG Avowed will be available on PS5 on February 17, along with its Anniversary Update. The update will add New Game Plus, Photo Mode, new character appearance, new weapon, new character options, and more.
“You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands — an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness,” reads an official overview. “Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?”
Stoic’s Towerborne is a side-scrolling action RPG that’s currently in early access. The full game will launch on PS5 on February 26.
“Rise again as an Ace, an immortal warrior reborn to defend the Belfry against the darkness beyond its walls,” a description reads. “Journey across a crumbling world, uncover the mystery of the fallen City of Numbers, and push back the corruption threatening humanity’s survival.”
Last year we started peeking in on Towerborne, a side-scrolling multiplayer online “looter brawler” from developer Stoic Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game started life in paid-for early access and was angling for a free-to-play release. MOP’s Sam found the game to be right up his arcade-loving alley, and we even streamed […]
2025 had video games. 2026 will have video games. GTA 6 might be one of those video games. However, it’s currently only pencilled in for console next year. Not that I considered writing about it in this sort of article two years running, just for a laugh. That’d be hackish and beneath the level I hold myself to. Well, by about three millimeters.
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