Xbox’s Wild Week: Game Pass Gripes, Copilot Axed, and a Stunning Reunion With DOOM
Microsoft's AI retreat shakes the Xbox ecosystem, while a nostalgic raider drops a bombshell. Game Pass lovers, buckle up—this week got messy.
Xbox’s Wild Week: Game Pass Gripes, Copilot Axed, and a Stunning Reunion With DOOM
The Xbox universe just got hit with a seismic shockwave. From the sudden axing of Xbox Copilot—a cringe-inducing AI experiment that never quite clicked—to a price-war mutiny over Game Pass that’s got players screaming into their controllers, this week’s news is the kind that makes you question everything. Meanwhile, a decade-old shooter from Bethesda is back in the spotlight, proving that sometimes, the classics hit harder than the hype machines. Let’s break it down.
Xbox Copilot: The AI That Was Too Much, Too Soon
Microsoft just pulled the plug on Xbox Copilot—its short-lived AI assistant designed to help players with tutorials, tips, and even in-game challenges. Launched in beta last year, Copilot promised to be your personal gaming hype-man, but it seems the experiment failed to resonate. Players found it more annoying than helpful, and developers groaned at the extra integration work.
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma laid out the brutal truth in a candid statement:
“Xbox needs to move faster, deepen our connection with the community, and address friction for both players and developers. Today, we promoted leaders who will push us toward that goal.”
Translation: Copilot was a distraction. Now, the team’s refocusing on what matters—better games, smoother experiences, and (hopefully) fewer half-baked AI gimmicks. GNN HD and AOL.com break down the fallout.
What’s next? Don’t expect another AI sidekick to pop up anytime soon. Microsoft’s doubling down on human innovation—starting with game quality and accessibility.
Game Pass Price Hikes Spark Backlash—Is the Value Really Dying?
If you blinked, you missed it: Xbox Game Pass just got pricier. Again.
For years, Game Pass has been the crown jewel of Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem—a subscription service so good it made Sony and Nintendo sweat. But now, players are screaming foul over yet another price increase, with some calling it the beginning of the end for Xbox’s golden goose.
The Price Breakdown
| Subscription Tier | Old Price | New Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Console | $10.99/mo | $12.99/mo | +$2.00 |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $16.99/mo | $19.99/mo | +$3.00 |
The outrage is real. Players on Reddit and Twitter are mocking Xbox’s “betrayal,” while others argue that even at the higher price, Game Pass is still the best deal in gaming. But the question lingers: Is Microsoft pricing itself out of the market?
Some fans point to the Activision Blizzard acquisition as the catalyst—now that Microsoft owns Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft, the prices are bound to rise to recoup those billions. Others fear this is just the start of a slippery slope where Game Pass becomes as bloated and expensive as Netflix.
The silver lining? Xbox is still adding insane value. This month alone, subscribers got:
- Outbound (May 11) – A cozy camper-van adventure that’s already a critical hit.
- Subnautica 2 (Game Preview soon) – The sequel to one of the best survival-exploration games ever.
- Directive 8020 – A tactical FPS with a twist.
But if the price keeps climbing, will casual players stick around? Fathom Journal weighs in on the controversy with a fiery takedown.
The DOOM That Should’ve Never Left
Hold onto your plasma rifles—this one’s for the veterans.
Ten years ago, Bethesda dropped DOOM (2016) on Xbox One, and it wasn’t just a shooter—it was a revival. A decade later, the series is still the gold standard for fast-paced, demon-blasting fun. And in a world where big AAA shooters often feel bloated or impersonal, DOOM remains a masterclass in pure, unfiltered adrenaline.
To celebrate the anniversary, Pure Xbox published a love letter to the franchise, reminding us why this series has stood the test of time:
“From the 1993 original to recent releases like Eternal, DOOM has been top of the FPS game for most of its life—proving that sometimes, the classics hit harder than the hype machines.”
If you’ve got an Xbox Series X|S, now’s the perfect time to revisit this masterpiece. With DOOM Eternal now optimized for the latest hardware, it’s smoother, prettier, and more brutal than ever.
What’s Shaking in Xbox’s Pipeline?
While the controversies rage, Xbox is still pushing forward with a slate of exciting titles. Here’s what’s landing soon:
🎮 Upcoming & Recent Releases
| Game | Platform | Release Date | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound | Xbox, PC | May 11, 2026 | A cozy, relaxing exploration game about rebuilding life in a camper van. Perfect for players craving chill vibes. |
| Crimson Desert (Patch 1.06.00) | Xbox, PC | Now Available | Adds Extraction mode, special mounts, and a Night Tone display mode. A must-play for ARPG fans. |
| LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | Xbox, PC | Leak Scrapped | The early access hype was real, but Microsoft patched the loophole. Still, expect the full release later this year. |
🚀 Rumors & Roadmap Teases
- Next Xbox Console (2026-2027): Leaks and rumors suggest a mid-gen refresh with a focus on AI-powered upscaling, 120Hz support, and deeper Game Pass integration. Could this be the console that finally dethrones the PS5? Check out the speculation here.
- Activision Blizzard’s Post-Acquisition Slate: With Call of Duty, Diablo IV, and Overwatch 2 now in Xbox’s hands, fans are speculating about exclusive bundles, Game Pass add-ons, and even cloud-streamed versions of Blizzard’s biggest titles.
Should You Still Buy an Xbox in 2026?
The million-dollar question: Is Xbox still worth your hard-earned cash?
We got to sit down with tech analyst Austin Evans to break it down in his latest video, Should You Buy ANY Xbox in 2026? Here’s the TL;DR:
✅ Buy Xbox if…
- You live and die by Game Pass. Even with the price hikes, it’s still the best subscription in gaming.
- You’re all-in on Microsoft’s first-party exclusives (Halo, Forza, Starfield).
- You love backward compatibility and want a console that plays everything.
❌ Avoid Xbox if…
- You’re a PlayStation loyalist who refuses to switch ecosystems.
- You’re on a tight budget and can’t justify the Game Pass price hikes.
- You’re waiting for Nintendo’s next console (sorry, Switch fans).
The Verdict
Xbox isn’t dead—it’s just evolving. The Copilot AI flop is a growing pain, the Game Pass price hikes are controversial, but the games are still top-tier. If you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem, there’s no reason to bail. If you’re on the fence? Now might be the time to pull the trigger before the next-gen refresh drops.
Final Thoughts: Xbox Stumbles, But the Game Goes On
This week’s news is a mixed bag—AI experiments that flopped, price hikes that pissed off fans, and a beloved franchise that refuses to die. But through the chaos, one thing remains clear: Xbox is still the most exciting ecosystem for gamers who love variety, value, and competition.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Microsoft’s got to prove it can listen to its community, deliver consistently great games, and justify those Game Pass price hikes. But if history’s any indication, Xbox has a way of bouncing back—stronger than ever.
So, what do you think? Is Xbox still your go-to console, or are you holding out for greener pastures? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
🎯 This Week’s Xbox Highlights
- 🔴 Outbound (May 11) – Cozy camper-van adventure lands on Xbox & PC.
- 🔵 Crimson Desert Update 1.06.00 – New Extraction mode, mounts, and night vision options.
- 🟡 DOOM’s 10th Anniversary – Relive the classic that defined a generation.
🎙️ Tune In
Don’t miss This Week on Xbox for the latest news, trailers, and developer insights:
Stay tuned to ModVC for all things Xbox—where the games never stop, and the drama never does. 🎮🔥