Xbox Store Return is finally happening as Xbox Design Labs comes back online and the Gear Shop prepares to reopen. Here’s a quick look at the full update!
The Xbox community has noticed a shift in communication lately. Microsoft seems quieter than usual on the Xbox front, sparking speculation that leadership may no longer be fully aligned. After the Activision Blizzard deal, some of Phil Spencer’s past statements haven’t aged well, and some fans now question his transparency. Still, it’s likely that recent decisions are coming from Microsoft’s higher management, not directly from the Xbox team itself.
Amid the silence, however, there’s finally some good news. Earlier this year, both the Xbox Design Lab Store and the Xbox Gear Shop went offline without much explanation. With the wave of layoffs that followed, fans worried these services might be gone for good. Thankfully, that’s not the case.
The Xbox Design Lab is officially back online and fully functional, while the Gear Shop has been updated with a message confirming its return soon. It’s a small but significant win for Xbox fans, especially those who love to personalize their controllers. With one of the best controller designs in gaming, Xbox’s customizable features are a unique and beloved option—letting fans truly make the controller their own.
For many, these updates restore a bit of faith and nostalgia in Xbox’s fan-focused approach, even as larger strategic shifts continue behind the scenes.
