The new Xbox Report brings an overview of several interesting news from the Xbox world, from the next first-party release and free games to a possible schedule of major Xbox titles for the second half of 2026. The week was also marked by the return of a well-known June promotion, as well as confirmation that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be available through Xbox Game Pass on launch day.
Age of Empires: Mobile PC Edition: the next Xbox first-party release arrives on June 23, 2026.
Xbox's next first-party release will be Age of Empires: Mobile PC Edition, which launches on June 23, 2026, for Steam, Microsoft Store, and PC Game Pass. This is the PC version of the mobile strategy, adapted for mouse and keyboard play, with support for 4K display and cross-play with the mobile version.
Age of Empires: Mobile PC Edition offers a faster and more accessible strategic experience, featuring large battles, alliances, empire building, legendary heroes, and live events. Xbox presents this version as an additional entry into the series, especially for players who want a more casual approach to the Age of Empires formula.
Although there are already numerous classic Age of Empires titles on PC, this version targets a different audience. The emphasis is on accessibility, connecting mobile and PC players, and expanding the series to users who are already familiar with the mobile edition.
GOALS: free football game coming to Xbox Series X/S
GOALS, a new free football game, will be released on June 4, 2026, for Xbox Series X/S. The game is presented as an online football experience focusing on player skill, quick reactions, and fair competition, without hidden systems that would affect the outcome of the match.
The developers particularly emphasize that GOALS has no "scripts" or hidden mechanics that would alter the course of the match. Every move, touch of the ball, and mistake should be a direct consequence of the player's decision. The game uses its own online system, SENTEC, aiming for fast and responsive online play.
GOALS does not feature licensed football players, which is a conscious decision by the development team. Instead of well-known names, each player on the team is intended to be unique, develop, reach the peak of their career, and eventually retire. After launch, additional game modes are planned, including 2v2 and 5v5 matches.
Halo: Campaign Evolved, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and Gears of War: E-Day may reveal the order of Xbox releases
Xbox's Matt Booty may have indirectly revealed the order of major first-party releases for the second half of 2026. During an appearance on the official Xbox Podcast, he mentioned a series of upcoming titles in order: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Minecraft Dungeons 2, Gears of War: E-Day, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
This schedule has not yet been officially confirmed as a release calendar, but it fits with earlier rumors. According to them, Halo: Campaign Evolved could be released in July 2026, Minecraft Dungeons 2 could take August, while Gears of War: E-Day has already been linked to September 2026. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has already been confirmed for October 2026.
After the delay of Fable to February 2027, it is particularly important for Xbox to schedule major releases well in the second half of the year. If this order proves accurate, Xbox could have a very dense lineup of first-party titles from summer to fall 2026.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: no Game Pass release, but there is a discount on the Vault Edition
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be available through Xbox Game Pass on its release day in October 2026. Following changes in the Game Pass model, new Call of Duty titles will no longer be available immediately in the subscription, but Activision is still offering a certain benefit for some players.
A loyalty program has been launched that offers a 10 percent discount on the more expensive Vault Edition of the game. The discount applies to players who have purchased and played any of the qualifying Call of Duty titles, from Modern Warfare in 2019 to last year's Black Ops 7. Active users of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC subscriptions who have played the relevant Call of Duty titles through Game Pass are also included in the offer.
It is important to emphasize that the discount does not apply to the standard edition of the game, but only to the Vault Edition. This edition includes additional multiplayer packs and the first BlackCell battle pass for Season 1, so it will be of most interest to players who plan to spend a lot of time in multiplayer.
Tell Me Why: Xbox's narrative adventure is free again during June 2026.
Tell Me Why, the narrative adventure from DON’T NOD and Xbox Game Studios, is free to download again during June 2026. Xbox traditionally repeats this promotion every year in June, and the game can be permanently added to your digital library.
This is an episodic adventure divided into three chapters, and to download it for free, you need to look for the edition Tell Me Why: Chapters 1-3. The game is already available through Xbox Game Pass, but this promotion allows players to keep it even outside the subscription.
Tell Me Why follows twins Tyler and Alyson, who reunite and try to clarify memories of a difficult childhood. The game comes from the creators known for the Life is Strange series, so the emphasis is on story, choices, character relationships, and emotional themes.
