Happy Hump Day! It’s Wednesday, mid-week, and we’re days away from another glorious weekend. And April is almost done, but the news and new tech keep coming in. This week brings one of the biggest surprises from Xbox and , with several notable RPGs and new releases across console and mobile. While April is usually a slower month, 2026 is shaping up differently.
Here are the 5 biggest stories in gaming this week:
1. Xbox Game Pass price reduction
The top story this week became official on April 21, 2026.
Microsoft, under new CEO Asha Sharma, has lowered prices for its main subscription tiers. The change comes with a notable trade-off that has sparked discussion among players.
The New Pricing (Effective Immediately)
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $29.99 | $22.99 |
| PC Game Pass | $16.49 | $13.99 |
| Game Pass Essential/Premium | No Change | $9.99 / $14.99 |
Why the Change?
The price reduction follows a leaked memo in which Asha Sharma acknowledged that the service had become too expensive for many after last year’s price increases. Microsoft appears to be shifting its focus from day-one exclusives to long-term subscription value, aiming to recover from a reported 10% drop in gaming revenue.
Microsoft is offering immediate access to new Call of Duty releases in exchange for a lower monthly cost.
If you subscribe to Ultimate, this price change may influence your decision to stay or return, even with the delay for new Call of Duty titles.
The “Catch”: Call of Duty Changes
To make this price reduction sustainable, Microsoft is changing how it handles its biggest acquisition. Starting this year:
- No Day-One Call of Duty: New Call of Duty titles will no longer launch on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on release day.
- Holiday Delay: Future CoD entries will now be added to the service roughly one year after launch (during the following holiday season).
- Existing Titles: Current CoD games already in the library are unaffected and will stay there.
2. Crimson Desert Massive Update Confirmed
Pearl Abyss has announced a major update for Crimson Desert. Based on player feedback, the update adds private storage at base camps, five new mounts, and a reworked control scheme with new keyboard, mouse, and controller presets. The developers are also introducing difficulty settings to support players facing tougher bosses.
3. Albion Online Launches on Xbox Series X|S
Albion Online is now available on Xbox Series X|S as of April 21. The game supports full cross-play and cross-progression, allowing players to move between PC, mobile, and Xbox. Xbox Game Pass members can access an exclusive Elite Green Knight vanity bundle.
4. Konami’s Stealth Comeback: Darwin’s Paradox
Konami has released Darwin’s Paradox, a tactical stealth game featuring an octopus protagonist. Yup. You read that right. The game is part of their Golden Week sale, which also includes 50% discounts on Silent Hill f and Silent Hill 2.
5. Pokémon Champions Mobile News
After launching on Switch on April 8, new information is available about the mobile release of Pokémon Champions. The game focuses solely on battles, with no gyms or grinding, and is optimized for short mobile sessions. The mobile version is expected later in 2026, and the competitive meta from Switch will carry over.
More Mobile & MMORPG Quick Hits
MMORPG: In addition to Albion’s Xbox launch, Legends of Elumia is drawing attention for its emphasis on global multiplayer.
Although not an MMORPG, Diablo IV’s Lord of Hatred expansion will officially launch this April 28. While the Paladin class is already available, the new Warlock class and the Skovos Isles will only be available on April 28 onwards. For fans of the series, the devil is getting its due. Diablo-wise, that is.
Mobile Release: Dicero, an adventure roguelike from Habby, the developers behind Archero, is set to launch on April 22.
Mobile Launch: Neverness to Everness (NTE), an urban open-world RPG, is scheduled for release on April 29.
For more gaming news, stay tuned to TGXP³.