Xbox is Back! And Game Pass Drops in Price Too # 491

Xbox is Back! And Game Pass Drops in Price Too # 491

Author: Sean Garmer April 28, 2026 Duration: 2:04:52
What a difference a week makes, after all the rumors, speculation, and talk, the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass has dropped to $22.99 and $13.99, respectively, and Xbox CEO (yes, the team is also called Xbox again!) Asha Sharma dropped a major manifesto that details what Xbox wants to do going forward.

Could exclusives truly make a return? Xbox Series S & Xbox Series X will keep getting updates, but could they also get price drops? What's going to happen with the PC and Mobile strategy? Should developers be excited about the future? According to Sharma, apparently, all of this could be on the table. Sean and Marc talk about all of the news, as there seems to be renewed hope in Xbox, but is it enough?

You can read Sean's thoughts here: https://www.theouterhaven.net/microsoft-lowers-the-price-of-xbox-game-pass-ultimate-and-pc-game-pass-but-whats-next-for-xbox/

Plus, Sean gives his thoughts on the ID @ Xbox showcase, PlayStation has a GOTY contender in Saros, but then angers its hardcore audience by dropping DRM onto the PSN store, Nintendo gets sued back over the tariff refund lawsuit, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced got its big reveal, the Steam Machine controller releases next week, and more!

You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/OvF3WA9Bdgg

Listen as a podcast and give us a review on these platforms...

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ag/podcast/video-games-2-the-max/id886092740
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wjd0u3xO7TdAm4gKRM44L
Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Games-2-the-MAX-Podcast/B08JJPTZTW
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/video-games-2-the-max-181386
Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/?podId=2465904
IHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-video-games-2-the-m-28438312/

Check out other W2M Network Shows

Latest Otalku Cafe Episode (Anime): https://youtube.com/live/6DJ4opbu_Ow

Radulich in Broadcasting's Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review:

Follow on X (Twitter), Blue Sky, Instagram & TikTok

Sean on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/W2MSean
Sean on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/w2msean.bsky.social
Sean on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sgarmer05
Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgarmer05/
Marc on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/HumanityPlague

Follow Us on all W2M Network Social Media

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/w2mnetwork
Follow us on Twitch:

Each week on Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean Garmer brings his perspective as a longtime veteran of games journalism to the table. He’s often joined by semi-regular co-host and seasoned reviewer Marc Morrison, or sometimes a guest, for conversations that dig into the entire world of interactive entertainment. The discussion naturally flows from the games they’re currently playing and reviewing into the biggest news stories shaping the industry. Every episode also carves out space for a deeper dive on a special topic, giving the analysis room to breathe beyond just the headlines. Given that games don't exist in a vacuum, the dialogue occasionally branches into related films and television shows, all filtered through a gamer's lens. This isn't a rushed recap; it's a considered chat between knowledgeable voices who have been around the block. The result is a podcast that feels like sitting in on a conversation between friends who just happen to have a wealth of experience. You’ll hear genuine opinions, informed debates, and the kind of context that only comes from years of paying close attention. Whether it's a blockbuster release or a niche indie title, the focus remains on thoughtful commentary over simple hype. Tune in for a comprehensive, yet personal, take on everything happening in gaming and the pop culture that intersects with it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Video Games 2 the MAX
Podcast Episodes
A New Dawn Comes For Halo # 418 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:19
Late night on Sunday during the Halo World Championships a surprise video debuted showcasing a project from 343 Industries that showcases what Halo could look like on Unreal Engine 5 as they officially make the move away…
Assassin's Creed Shadows Delayed # 417 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:09
Tokyo Game Show has come and gone, and aside from Nintendo and another big publisher, pretty much everyone you would expect showed off at least something to be excited about. Whether it is the PlayStation State of Play,…
Best PlayStation 1 Games # 416 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:02
Sony finally unveiled the big promotions for the 30th Anniversary of PlayStation this past week and does it ever look enticing. Sean and Marc celebrate a bit themselves talking about the reveal, if they may pick up any o…
Is the PS5 Pro Worth It? # 415 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:03
Mark Cerny revealed the PS5 Pro last week and it was met with an immediate reaction of excitement and then an immediate shock at its retail price of $699 (USD) and even more in other regions globally. Not to mention, the…
Astrobot Impressions # 414 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:42
Must Play Games are the rare title you'd encourage anyone to check out. A game that defines its generation, or perhaps even goes past that and could be classified as genre-defining or maybe even an all-timer? These are t…
Visions of Mana Impressions, Sony Takes Concord Offline # 413 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:36
The fall release season is officially upon us as starting from last week up to December there's a steady stream of major video games releasing for everyone to discuss, preview, review, or whatever. Sean and Marc kick off…
Best Gamescom 2024 Announcements # 412 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:27
Gamescom 2024 is fully in the rearview mirror, but the announcements don't stop coming as Nintendo is set for an Indie World and Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase very soon. However, Sean and the returning Marc Morrison t…
Madden NFL 25 Impressions # 411 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:16
With this episode hitting right before the looming Gamescom where there are sure to be a myriad of game announcements, release dates, and gameplay previews galore, there's been quite a bit of this happening in the week l…
Hi-Fi Rush Survives Being Shut Down # 410 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:09
In an out-of-nowhere situation, Hi-Fi Rush Survives being shut down along with the studio that made the award-winning game, Tango Gameworks, as the publisher of PUBG and Callisto Protocol, Krafton Inc., has purchased the…