Samuel Tolbert
Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.
Latest articles by Samuel Tolbert

Xbox Series X|S storage expansion prices are bouncing up and down like a yo-yo. Grab this must-have accessory now before the Early Black Friday deal goes away.
By Samuel Tolbert last updated
Deal The Seagate Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is on sale again, making it a must-buy for anyone looking to improve the numbers of games they can store on their console.

One of the biggest PlayStation games is finally coming to Windows PC, but there's some bad news for fans
By Samuel Tolbert published
Spider-Men Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is coming to Windows in PC in January 2025, but there won't be any story DLC.

Subnautica 2 is unleashing new oceanic leviathans, and it's coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deep sea Subnautica 2 is coming to Xbox Game Pass at launch when it arrives in early access at some point in 2025.

Alan Wake 2's new expansion The Lake House has a release date, and it's looking like the perfect scare I need this Halloween
By Samuel Tolbert published
Lake House Alan Wake 2's upcoming DLC The Lake House is launching on Oct. 22, 2024, bringing a horror-focused experience in time for Halloween.

The Hades 2 Olympic Update brings new story content, a new boss fight, and a weapon I want to try immediately
By Samuel Tolbert published
Olympic The Hades 2 Olympic Update is available now, bringing new story, characters, a new weapon, and a new boss fight to take on.

"This isn’t about reducing headcount to save money." Riot Games is laying off even more workers on the League of Legends team.
By Samuel Tolbert published
More cuts Riot Games is cutting more staff on the League of Legends team, but the company leadership insists it's not about saving money and that the teams will eventually be even bigger.

Xbox remembers it makes Series X console wraps with new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 edition
By Samuel Tolbert published
Wrap Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is on the way, and Microsoft is celebrating by bringing out a new accessory lineup including an Xbox Series X wrap and Xbox Design Lab controller options.

"This war has just begun." Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is getting Dark Angels cosmetics, a Tyranid Bio-Titan, and more.
By Samuel Tolbert published
Big bug Colossal Tyranid threats, new cosmetics, and more are headed to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 very soon.

Beware: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's jaw-dropping bandwidth demand peaks at 81GB/Hour
By Samuel Tolbert published
Big slurp Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 may take up a massive amount of internet bandwidth, with early tests showing usage reaching 180 Mb/s.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches in Xbox Game Pass soon, while an underrated co-op RPG returns to the service
By Samuel Tolbert published
Games! Ashen, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Donut County, and more are headed to Xbox Game Pass in the second half of October 2024.

"Craig will continue to focus on helping our studios deliver high-quality, differentiated game experiences." Sea of Thieves studio boss Craig Duncan now in charge of Xbox Game Studios.
By Samuel Tolbert published
New boss Rare boss Craig Duncan is the new head of Xbox Game Studios, with former head Alan Hartman retiring from Microsoft.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming, despite Ubisoft owning the rights — but where's Diablo 4?
By Samuel Tolbert published
☁️ Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone also joining Microsoft's streaming service.

"The court's ruling to open up Google's mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility." Finally, we'll be able to buy and stream our own Xbox games from the cloud soon.
By Samuel Tolbert, Zachary Boddy last updated
📱 Xbox president Sarah Bond confirms that Xbox App users will be able to buy games and stream them through Xbox Cloud Gaming in November 2024.

One of the biggest Harry Potter games in history is reportedly getting a definitive edition
By Samuel Tolbert published
🧙♀️ A Hogwarts Legacy Definitive Edition is reportedly on the way, bringing players new story quests and activities.

Despite lukewarm reception, Star Wars Outlaws is the third best-selling game of August 2024 in the US, per Circana report
By Samuel Tolbert published
🤔 Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws debuted in third place for August 2024, per Circana's sales report.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is getting a fan-favorite map just a week after launch
By Samuel Tolbert published
💥 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is bringing back the franchise favorite map Nuketown just a week after the game's arrival.

Sea of Thieves will let you live out your Metal Gear Solid pirate fantasies with new stealth systems
By Samuel Tolbert published
📦❗ Rare and Xbox Game Studios' Sea of Thieves is getting a deluge of new stealth systems, including crouching and disguises.

I'm buying this gaming mouse because it's on sale for its lowest price ever
By Samuel Tolbert published
DEAL The Razer Basilisk V3 is on sale for the latest Amazon Prime Day, making a must-buy gaming mouse if you act fast.

The hottest-selling Prime Day deal right now is this $95 Samsung 1TB SSD, and I know why
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deal The Samsung 990 Pro 1TB SSD is on sale for under $100 for Amazon Prime Day, making it perfect for PC and PS5. Grab one before it's too late.

Red Dead Redemption is finally coming to Windows PC after 14 years and will support DLSS, FSR, and ultrawide monitors
By Samuel Tolbert published
At last Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption is finally coming to Windows PC on October 29, with support for 144hz, adjustable shadows, and more.

Best SSD for Xbox Series X|S 2024: Our top storage recommendations to add more game file space
By Samuel Tolbert, Rebecca Spear last updated
Updated With Xbox Series X and Series S demanding high-speed SSD storage, these are the best SSD external drives to expand your console.

This Xbox Series X anti-Prime Day deal is a better choice than the Series S. Here's why.
By Samuel Tolbert published
Deal The Xbox Series X is on sale in an anti-Prime Day discount from Best Buy, so hurry and grab a console for $50 off now.

It only took 10 years — we're finally getting a sequel to the best underrated survival-horror game
By Samuel Tolbert published
Ripley! Developer Creative Assembly is in the early stages of working on a sequel to Alien: Isolation.

"It was best-in-class. That's what Halo was...that's what Halo needs to be again." 343 Industries rebrands, confirms franchise is moving to Unreal Engine 5.
By Samuel Tolbert published
Update Halo developer 343 Industries is rebranding to Halo Studios, with the team shifting to Unreal Engine 5 for future projects.
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