ICXM.net goes by the tagline “Gaming Xlevated” and we’ve been around for more than a decade. Founded in 2015, ICXM is an independent gaming publication dedicated to high-quality, technical, and unbiased reporting.
We focus on Xbox, PC gaming, and gaming hardware. Every review, news article, or feature on our site is based on real-world testing, hands-on experience, and in-house analysis.
We’re not part of any larger media group. We don’t publish sponsored posts. We don’t run ads. This gives us one rare advantage in gaming media today: complete editorial freedom.
Why We Exist
Gaming journalism has changed. Sponsored content, affiliate links, and pop-up ads dominate many larger outlets. Coverage is often rushed, and reviews are sometimes written based on limited gameplay or early press access.
At ICXM, we do things differently. We created this independent news website to offer a reliable alternative — where reviews are based on real testing, news is fact-checked, and analysis is written by people who actually play and understand the games.
What We Do
We specialize in four core areas:
1. Game Reviews
Every game we review is played extensively, on real hardware, in real-world settings. Our reviews are not based on previews, sponsored early access, or publisher talking points.
- We benchmark frame rates and resolution on both Xbox Series X/S and high-end to mid-range PCs.
- We test multiplayer performance under different network conditions.
- We check loading times on SSDs vs HDDs.
- We compare controller responsiveness, accessibility settings, and UI consistency across platforms.
Example: In our review of Starfield, we identified a consistent CPU bottleneck on certain AMD builds weeks before major tech sites picked it up. We offered workarounds for players running into performance drops, and those fixes were shared widely across Reddit and Discord groups.
2. Hardware Testing – Real Lab Conditions
When we cover hardware, we put it through real tests in our in-house lab. That includes GPUs, CPUs, monitors, SSDs, controllers, headsets, and custom peripherals.
- We test frame rates in 10+ real games, not just synthetic benchmarks.
- We measure input lag, thermals, fan noise, and power draw.
- We use our own testing rigs and consoles — nothing borrowed or demo-only.
- We don’t rely on marketing materials. Every number we publish is ours.
Example: Our hands-on teardown of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller revealed hidden wear issues in the tension mechanism. We backed our findings with high-speed camera footage and endurance test data. This article was linked by hardware analysts and cited in a follow-up report by ScreenRant.
3. News & Reporting – Fast, Factual, Focused
We cover what matters in the Xbox and PC gaming world — including studio updates, patch notes, platform changes, acquisitions, and developer insights.
Our writers are trained to verify news before posting it — not just reword trending tweets.
We track patch performance before and after updates.
We interview indie devs and modders, not just AAA studios.
We explain what technical changes mean for players.
Example: Our breakdown of Microsoft’s DirectStorage rollout highlighted the difference between theoretical and real load time gains on NVMe SSDs. This analysis was cited by multiple PC-focused outlets including TechSpot and reposted in a GameRant explainer.
How We’re Funded
We are 100% reader-supported. That means no ads, no affiliate links, no “sponsored posts.” This helps us stay focused on accuracy and transparency.
We accept contributions from readers, and we occasionally work with independent developers and modders on coverage, as long as it follows our strict editorial policy: no money changes hands for content.
If you see a product or game on our homepage, it means we chose to cover it, not that someone paid to place it there.
Our team includes:
- At ICXM, we have hardware testers with backgrounds in engineering, QA, and performance benchmarking.
- Writers and analysts with experience in tech journalism, gaming strategy, and UX design.
- Gamers who have spent thousands of hours on Xbox and PC titles — from mainstream shooters to niche simulators.
- We’ve written for other major publications before.
We’ve also built mods, beta-tested games, and even worked with small dev teams. But our goal here is simple: deliver content that helps players make better decisions and enjoy their games more.
Final Word: By the Community, For the Community
We’re proud of what ICXM stands for:
- Clarity over clickbait
- Data over drama
- Players over publishers
Whether you’re here for a detailed review, a quick tip, or to dig into frame pacing data — you’ll find only honest, ad-free content, based on real testing and real experience.
Thanks for being part of the community. Welcome to ICXM.