Xbox prepares its biggest offensive in years: Halo, Gears, Fallout and new hardware for 2026

Halo, Gears of War, Starfield, and Fallout will mark a decisive year for Xbox in its 25th anniversary.

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Microsoft has already marked its calendar for 2026, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Xbox. The company is preparing for a particularly important year in both games and hardware, according to a comprehensive report published by The Verge.

After a period of uncertainty about the brand’s direction and a sustained decline in hardware sales, Xbox is seeking to reaffirm its identity by relying on its major historical franchises and a new platform vision that unites console, PC, and cloud.

Halo, Gears, Fallout, and Starfield: Xbox’s Pillars in 2026

According to The Verge‘s information, Microsoft is working to give its main franchises clear prominence throughout the year:

• Halo: Campaign Evolved is set to arrive in summer 2026, with a carefully focused approach to restore weight to the saga.

• Gears of War: E-Day is scheduled for the second half of 2026, avoiding a clash with the release of GTA 6 in November.

• Starfield will receive a major content update, although no specific date has been announced.

• Fallout 3 Remaster is still in active development, with Bethesda aiming for a level of polish similar to Oblivion Remastered.

These projects are joined by other releases, such as Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and a new game from Double Fine, scheduled for spring.

Xbox Looks to the Future: New Controllers, PC, and Cloud

The Verge‘s report also focuses on the Xbox ecosystem beyond games. Microsoft is said to be working on:

• A new Xbox controller in 2026, with direct Wi-Fi connectivity to reduce latency in Xbox Cloud Gaming.

• Advances in unifying the Xbox experience between console, PC, and cloud, with a revamped interface.

• Technical improvements, such as automatic upscaling using NPU and new intelligent capture features.

Additionally, the idea is reinforced that Xbox’s future lies in third-party devices with Windows, following the lead of Xbox Ally, rather than a single traditional console.

No New Console This Year, but with an Eye on 2027

Although 2026 will be intense, The Verge makes it clear that there will be no new Xbox this year. However, recent statements from AMD suggest that the next generation could arrive in 2027, with a SoC already in development.

With major franchises returning, clear plans for hardware, and a strong commitment to Game Pass, 2026 is shaping up to be a key year in defining the next 25 years of Xbox.