Ever since it first went live, Microsoft’s xCloud game streaming service has slowly but surely been expanded outwards with support for additional games, platforms and other ways to access the service. Following a recent pop-up which seems to suggest that Microsoft is working on an ad-supported tier for the service, insiders have now offered additional context.

2025 was a pretty big year for xCloud rumours, with Microsoft reportedly developing “next generation” Xbox cloud servers with a focus on “lower lag, improved bitrates, and higher resolution options” – alongside later leaks which claimed that the service would receive an overhaul in the future with 4 tiers in total.

Though Microsoft themselves have yet to unveil this overhaul, it seems the announcement might be imminent, with some Xbox Cloud Gaming users (as reported by Windows Central) noticing a pop-up with the message “1 hour of ad supported play time per session.”

According to known Xbox insider Jez Corden, Microsoft is indeed working on an ad-supported tier of sorts for xCloud, with the leaker stating: “seeking clarification about this message, it was confirmed to me that the ads will appear separately on Xbox Cloud Gaming, for those who have purchased Xbox games digitally, but don't have Xbox Game Pass.”

Outside of this however, it appears as though there may also be a session-based version of xCloud which this premature message was hinting at, with Corden adding: “Microsoft has hundreds of games available to buy via Xbox Cloud Gaming, but as of writing, you need at least one tier of Xbox Game Pass to access them. This session-based ad-supported access tier will change that.”

Given the timing of this message, it is highly likely that we will hear more officially on Microsoft’s xCloud plans during the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct showcase – which is set to go live on the 22nd of January. The console maker did state previously that the showcase will focus on 3 titles in particular, but Microsoft does typically like to throw in something about xCloud / Game Pass, and so it’s possible we will learn more officially then.

KitGuru says: Have you used xCloud at all? How does it compare to other game streaming services? Let us know down below.

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Capcom has long been a fan of remaking its classic titles, with the Resident Evil series in particular seeing various remakes/re-imaginings over the years. With RE4 being the latest entry in the series to receive the remake treatment, many fans have wondered which entry is next-in-line. According to a known Capcom insider, a remake for Resident Evil Code Veronica is currently in the works – with plans to officially announce it “later this year.”

Taking to Twitter, known Capcom leaker DuskGolem commented on recent rumours suggesting that following RE4, Resident Evil 5 will be next in line to be remade, writing:

“No, there is NOT a Resident Evil 5 Remake that's going to be announced this year. Instead, later this year a RE Remake that starts with ‘(C)’ & ends ‘(ode Veronica)’ is going to be announced, I promise you.”

As mentioned, DuskGolem has accurately leaked plenty of Capcom games in the past – especially Resident Evil – and so it is safe to assume that this is the publisher’s current plan.

Of course, things could change, but with Code Veronica being a PS2 generation title and RE5 originally releasing on the PS3 / Xbox 360, one would clearly benefit more from a remake when compared to the other.

That said, all eyes right now are on the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, and so don’t expect to hear from this remake officially until RE9 is released at the very least.

KitGuru says: What are your thoughts on all the Resident Evil Remakes? Which entry would you like to see next? Should they re-remake the first RE game? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Razer has officially unveiled the Blackpink x Razer collection, a collaboration that brings the aesthetic of the global K-pop sensation to a full suite of gaming peripherals and lifestyle accessories. Inspired by the group's “Deadline” World Tour, the collection features a bold pink-and-black colour scheme designed to appeal to both competitive gamers and the group's fanbase.

The collection includes several of Razer's most popular entry-level and mid-range peripherals with custom artwork and lighting. The lineup is led by the Razer Enki X gaming chair, which offers ergonomic support wrapped in signature tour-themed upholstery. There's also a Razer Ornata V3 tenkeyless keyboard variant featuring low-profile mecha-membrane switches and pink RGB zones. Additionally, the collection also includes a Razer DeathAdder Essential mouse and the Gigantus V2 Medium mouse mat, both with unique collaborative branding. These items are designed to meet Razer's gaming standards while serving as a statement of style for those who want their setups to reflect their passion for music and pop culture.

Fans will get their first look at the hardware during the collection's global debut on January 21, 2026, at a dedicated pop-up store in Hong Kong. This showcase will feature immersive displays inspired by the World Tour, along with photo zones, so visitors can experience the “Play in Pink” vision firsthand. Following this exclusive event, the whole collection is scheduled for worldwide availability in the second quarter of 2026 through Razer's official online store and global retailers.

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KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Blackpink x Razer's gear? Interested in any particular item?

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Bungie has officially announced that extraction shooter Marathon will launch on March 5th. The game is set for a simultaneous release on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, featuring full cross-play and cross-save support across all platforms.

Accompanying the release date news is a fresh gameplay trailer narrated by Gantry, an agent for the anti-establishment MIDA faction. This latest look at Tau Ceti IV showcases the extraction shooter's stylised, high-contrast world. It introduces players to the “Runner” shells they will inhabit as they scavenge the lost colony for survival.

The narrative of Marathon is deeply intertwined with its faction system, featuring six competing organisations. Players progress by completing contracts for these groups, which slowly reveal the identities, motivations, and rivalries that led to the colony's mysterious collapse. Storytelling is also handled through a “Codex” system, where players unlock audio logs, cryptic graffiti, and recovered text data found during their runs. This discoverable narrative allows players to piece together the history of Tau Ceti IV.

Pre-orders are now live, with the Standard Edition priced at £34.99/$39.99/€39.99 and the Deluxe Edition at £49.99/$59.99/€59.99. Those who purchase early will receive the Zero Step cosmetic bundle, which includes a tactical sidearm style, weapon charm and unique profile backgrounds. Additionally, pre-ordering unlocks a suite of themed rewards for Destiny 2, including a Ghost shell, ship, and Sparrow inspired by the UESC Marathon. The Deluxe Edition adds further value with a Premium Rewards Pass voucher, 200 Silk tokens, and the Midnight Decay cosmetic pack for weapons and Runner shells. Beyond the digital versions, a limited Collector's Edition is available through the Bungie Store, featuring a one-sixth scale Thief Runner shell statue with LED lights and various physical collectables.

If you're interested in playing Marathon on a PC, the system requirements can be found below:

MINIMUM

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB) / Intel Arc A580 (8 GB, with ReBAR on)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection

RECOMMENDED

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 2060 (6 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8 GB) / Intel Arc A770 (16 GB, with ReBAR on)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection

Bungie also took this opportunity to reveal a star-studded English voice cast, including industry veterans such as Neil Newbon, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, and Roger Clark. A special Marathon-themed DualSense controller and Pulse Elite headset are also scheduled to launch alongside the game in March, rounding out the massive marketing push for Bungie's first non-Destiny project in over a decade.

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KitGuru says: Are you picking up Marathon as soon as it launches, or will you be waiting for reviewers and other users to try it first before you decide?

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THQ Nordic and developer DigixArt have officially announced a delay for their upcoming sci-fi narrative adventure, Tides of Tomorrow. Originally set to make its debut on February 24th, the game is now scheduled to launch on April 22nd. The development team explained that the decision to push the release came after analysing feedback from the public playable demo and an ongoing closed beta.

According to the publisher, this extra time is essential for the studio to appropriately respond to player input and implement necessary technical and mechanical improvements to ensure the final product delivers the experience fans expect from the creators of Road 96.

For those who haven't been following the project, Tides of Tomorrow is an ambitious first-person adventure set on the flooded ocean planet of Elynd. The world is dying from a mysterious disease called Plastemia, which slowly turns living beings into plastic, and players take on the role of a Tidewalker tasked with finding a cure. The game's primary innovation is its “asynchronous narrative multiplayer” system, in which others' actions directly shape your story. At the start of a journey, you choose to follow a friend, a stranger, or even a favourite streamer, and their past decisions create “echoes” in your world. If the person you follow was hostile to a particular floating community, you might find that settlement abandoned or guarded when you arrive, forcing you to deal with the consequences of a journey you didn't even take.

The gameplay involves navigating open waters in a boat, exploring floating settlements, and managing resources. While the experience is primarily solo, the constant presence of other players' “visions” is designed to create a sense of community. NPCs react to you based on their memories of the player you are following, creating a unique branching narrative where no two playthroughs are the same. DigixArt noted that the complexity of this collaborative storytelling system makes the additional development time particularly important to ensure that these interconnected choices feel impactful to the player. Tides of Tomorrow will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

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KitGuru says: While a delay is never ideal for those eager to play a game, taking two months to polish the game based on user feedback is a smart move. Better late and good than quick and rushed.

The post Tides of Tomorrow launch has been rescheduled to implement player improvements first appeared on KitGuru.