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Xbox\u2019s tough 2026 continued in September with another round of shake-ups that left fans little to be optimistic about. Layoffs and studio departures have made the future of Microsoft\u2019s gaming brand unclear as its focus tightens around major IP. Considering the grim vibe, October has become a crucial month for Xbox. Two major first-party releases, plus a slew of promising Xbox Game Pass additions, will need to impress players enough to keep looking forward to Project Helix.<\/p>\n
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Though Microsoft is fighting an uphill battle, it does have some much-needed help in October. Gears of War and Call of Duty will co-headline Xbox\u2019s healthiest month so far this year, at least when it comes to new games. If you\u2019re looking for a reason to keep your Series X running this fall, keep these upcoming games on your radar.<\/p>\n
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Release date: <\/strong>Oct. 6<\/p>\n Even without the high-stakes business drama happening at Microsoft, Gears of War: E-Day<\/em> was always going to be a big deal for Xbox. The third-person shooter looks to keep one of Xbox\u2019s crown jewel franchises relevant with a prequel full of blood, guts, and testicle monsters. Based on what we\u2019ve played across a few previews, fans of the series are in for a good time. Despite it taking the series to the beginning of the Gears timeline to show how Emergence Day unfolded, it\u2019s still the same testosterone-fueled action romp, complete with a thrilling Horde mode. If you only have time to play one new Xbox game this month, E-Day<\/em> will be your likely pick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Release date: <\/strong>Oct. 6<\/p>\n The Star Wars series is on a roll right now thanks to the excellent Star Wars: Zero Company<\/em>, and that will continue in October with Star Wars: Galactic Racer<\/em>. The new racing game applies the fundamentals of Burnout to the Star Wars universe, meaning that players are in for high-speed races full of slo-mo crashes. Based on a demo we tried back at Summer Game Fest, it\u2019s already feeling like a tight, exciting racer that makes good use of Star Wars\u2019 junky vehicles. Plus, its roguelike-inspired campaign feels innovative enough to potentially reshape how solo content is handled in racing games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Release date: <\/strong>Oct. 8<\/p>\n Echo Weaver <\/em>has been on my radar for a long time thanks to Xbox heavily promoting it as a promising indie coming to Xbox Game Pass over the last few years. I can understand why having seen it in action. The unique Metroidvania has you manipulating time to progress through its 2D world. It\u2019s the kind of game where you have every power you need to progress from the start, but you\u2019ll have to figure out exactly what they are as you play. It all makes for a fascinating puzzle-adventure structure that could make for a breakout hit when it launches on Xbox Game Pass.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Release date: <\/strong>Oct. 13<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a challenge in October, look no further than Valor Mortis<\/em>. Set for a day one launch on Xbox Game Pass, the latest game from the developers of Ghostrunner <\/em>is a first-person Soulslike with a wild premise. You play as a dead soldier from Napoleon\u2019s army who is resurrected to fight a mysterious plague that has taken hold of Europe. It\u2019s a slice of historical horror, leaving you to fight through a corrupted vision of the 19th century filled with grotesque monsters. Considering developer One More Level\u2019s pedigree, it should be a bloody good time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Release date: <\/strong>Oct. 23<\/p>\n Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4<\/em> needs little introduction. This year\u2019s installment of Activision\u2019s first-person shooter series is poised to be a big moment for the franchise. It follows up on 2023\u2019s Modern Warfare 3<\/em> with a story about a South Korean soldier looking to protect his home from an invasion. Most intriguing this time around, though, is that Modern Warfare is reintroducing DMZ, an extraction shooter mode featured in Modern Warfare 2<\/em>. Considering how popular Arc Raiders<\/em> was in 2025, DMZ could stand to reenergize Call of Duty\u2019s audience following a few years of up-and-down releases.<\/p>\n\n 2 <\/span>
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\n Star Wars: Galactic Racer
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\n Echo Weaver
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\n Valor Mortis
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\n Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
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