EPISODE · Apr 3, 2026 · 1H 35M

April Achievement Challenge Kicks Off

from The XboxCast · host TXC Media

Let the games begin! Our biggest event of the year has begun. Will you be playing baby games, going for the ratio or getting those steps in?    A quiet week of news is just what we need to kick off our Achievement Hunting! Let's dive in.    🫂 Xbox Partner Preview Recap SEGA headlined a surprisingly strong Partner Preview, with new reveals, fresh gameplay, and multiple Game Pass confirmations. The showcase emphasized third‑party partnerships, Xbox Play Anywhere expansions, and a few standout surprises that filled in the 2026 release calendar. A tight, content‑heavy show with no fluff.   🎮 Xbox Games Showcase Announced Microsoft officially locked in dates for its big summer showcase, with a dedicated deep‑dive for Gears of War: E‑Day immediately afterward. Expect first‑party reveals, updates on long‑awaited titles, and the first extended look at E‑Day’s campaign, tech, and direction. This is Xbox’s flagship event for the year. And we can't wait to see what Xbox has planned. Will we get a Project Helix announcement? Only time will tell...    🎟️ Xbox Game Pass “TRITON” Discovered A backend leak uncovered a mysterious new Game Pass tier called TRITON, containing only Xbox Game Studios titles. Everything from DOOM Eternal and Halo 5 to Fallout 4 and Psychonauts look to be included. The discovery has sparked speculation that Microsoft is preparing a major subscription shake‑up, possibly tied to CEO Asha Sharma’s ongoing restructuring of Game Pass pricing and bundles.   🏴‍☠️ Sea of Thieves Walks Back The Plank After community backlash, Rare reversed course: Custom Seas will now be free for all players in Season 20, not locked behind a premium subscription. Players will be able to create private sandboxes, tweak world settings, run Safer Seas fleets with friends, and even use a cinematic camera, without paying extra!   🤑 PS5 Price Skyrockets Because we all enjoy a good laugh, let's have a look at the competition... Sony is rolling out a significant PS5 price hike across multiple regions, citing rising manufacturing and distribution costs. The increase affects both the standard and digital models and lands at a strategically awkward time, given Xbox’s aggressive Game Pass push and upcoming hardware refresh. The PS5 Pro will now set you back $1,000. Oh, and that's Freedom Dollars, not DollaryDoos or KiwiDollars...    -- For previous episodes, our socials, community events, and more, visit ⭐THE XBOXCAST OFFICIAL WEBSITE ⭐