Xbox Outage Blocks Discs, Halo Hits PS5, Capcom Sales Surge
Jul 28, 2026
A massive Xbox server outage has reignited debates over digital ownership after blocking players from accessing even physical disc-based games. Capcom is celebrating record-breaking sales milestones for its flagship franchises, and the iconic Halo franchise has made its historic debut on PlayStation consoles.
Xbox Server Outage Blocks Disc Games and Sparks Digital Ownership Debate
Xbox Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vliet has issued a formal apology following a massive 20-hour server outage that left players worldwide unable to access their games . The disruption, which began on July 27, prevented users from signing into accounts, viewing their game libraries, and launching digital titles . Crucially, the outage also blocked players from launching physical disc-based games, drawing sharp criticism from the community regarding the limitations of modern console DRM .
Van Vliet labeled the situation "unacceptable" and confirmed that a post-incident review is underway to prevent a single point of failure from disrupting services in the future . The outage occurred on the same day as the highly anticipated launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved, compounding frustration for players attempting to access the game's early access period .
Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata Drive Record Capcom Earnings
Capcom has reported a highly successful first quarter for fiscal year 2026, driven by massive sales milestones for its newest releases . The publisher revealed that Resident Evil Requiem has already surpassed 8 million copies sold, helping the Resident Evil franchise officially dethrone Resident Evil 5 as the best-selling entry in the series' history . Capcom's new sci-fi action title Pragmata has also defied expectations by selling 2.5 million copies in just three months .
To maintain this momentum, Capcom aims to release a major Resident Evil game every single year, utilizing high-profile remakes to fill the gaps between mainline installments . The strategy allows development teams to refine their skills while ensuring a steady stream of content for survival horror fans .
Halo Campaign Evolved Remake Launches on Xbox Game Pass and PS5
Halo Studios has officially released Halo: Campaign Evolved worldwide, marking a historic moment as the iconic franchise debuts on Sony's PlayStation 5 alongside PC and Xbox platforms . The remake is available day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, offering a complete visual overhaul of the classic shooter . Despite a rocky start caused by the concurrent Xbox server outage, players can now jump into the campaign, hunt down hidden skull modifiers, and claim free Master Chief skins .
Wizards of the Coast President John Hight Steps Down After Two Years
Wizards of the Coast president John Hight is stepping down from his leadership role on September 1, according to a recent SEC filing by parent company Hasbro . Hight, who took the position in August 2024, will transition into an advisory role while continuing to earn an annual salary of $800,000 . The executive shakeup comes just one week after Hasbro reported a $56 million impairment charge resulting from the cancellation of several unannounced video game projects .
Dragon Age Remaster Trilogy Unlikely Due to BioWare Engine Hurdles
A Mass Effect-style remaster trilogy for the Dragon Age series is highly unlikely to happen, according to former franchise executive producer Mark Darrah . Darrah explained that the proprietary Eclipse engine used for the early games is incredibly difficult to work with, and there is no one left at BioWare who understands how to operate it . He also criticized Electronic Arts' corporate structure, describing the publisher as "a hedge fund with a videogame hobby" and suggesting that executives are unlikely to greenlight a remaster or a new entry from the current team .
