One of the more unique titles to release last year was Stray, a game which has you play as a cat in a futuristic cyberpunk robot world. Having launched for PlayStation 5, PS4 and Windows on the 19th of July 2022, the game looks set to be finally coming to …
Read More »Microsoft is now offering a free global license to all cloud gaming services for Activision titles
We've all seen the ten-year deals Microsoft has signed with various cloud gaming companies to offer Activision titles like Call of Duty to rival cloud gaming providers. As it turns out, in order to get its acquisition of Activision Blizzard approved by the EU, Microsoft had to go a step …
Read More »The CMA says it stands by decision to block Microsoft-Activision deal despite EU approval
This afternoon, the European Commission officially approved Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, noting that the remedies offered by Microsoft should be enough to do away with competition concerns. Now, the UK's Competition & Markets Authority has responded, saying it stands by its initial decision. In a series of tweets …
Read More »The EU officially approves Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Last week, it was reported that the European Commission would announce its decision on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard this week. As it turns out, that report was indeed accurate, with the commission publishing its press release today, approving the deal.
Read More »Microsoft will appeal CMA’s block on Activision Blizzard deal
It has been a couple of weeks since the CMA first announced plans to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Since then, both Microsoft and Activision have made it clear that they plan to appeal, a process that should begin this week. According to a report from The Telegraph, Microsoft …
Read More »Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II could finally come out this year
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was the very first Xbox Series X/S video game to be announced by Microsoft, officially unveiled alongside the then-next-gen console during the 2019 Game Awards. Despite its early announcement, the status of Hellblade II’s release date remains unknown. That said, Microsoft could finally be teasing the …
Read More »Microsoft unveils next wave of titles for Xbox Game Pass
It is the first Tuesday of the month, which means it is time for a new round of Xbox Game Pass titles to be revealed. Today, the first wave of games heading to Game Pass in May has been revealed, with Arkane's Redfall headlining. Redfall is the ‘biggest' game hitting …
Read More »If Microsoft buys Activision, Call of Duty might not come to Game Pass until 2025
When the first reports about Microsoft buying Activision-Blizzard came to light, many immediately thought about having Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass. However, it seems that was intended to happen a few years after the acquisition had been completed. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has significantly affected …
Read More »Microsoft is reportedly developing Windows 12-optimised Arm chips
Microsoft stated in the past that Windows 10 would be its last OS. However, with Windows 11, that idea was thrown away, opening the path to new Windows versions. Apparently, Microsoft is already developing the next one, which is reportedly releasing in late 2024. Moreover, the company is also working …
Read More »Minecraft Legends surpasses 3 million players in two weeks
Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time, having shifted over 238 million copies across the game’s many platforms. While we are unlikely to ever see a Minecraft 2, the team at Mojang have been keeping the Minecraft name going with a number of spin-offs crossing many different genres. The …
Read More »Microsoft signs another 10-year cloud gaming deal
The CMA may have opted to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard but Microsoft is showing no signs of backing down. The company is already preparing to appeal the ruling and in the meantime, the company is also still signing 10-year deals guaranteeing access to major IP to other cloud …
Read More »May’s Games with Gold includes Star Wars Episode I Racer
Ever since Microsoft debuted its Xbox Game Pass subscription service we have seen the console manufacturer’s legacy Xbox Live Gold fall somewhat out of relevancy. Despite this, Xbox Live Gold and its Games with Gold program remains – though with a noticeable decrease in the quality of its offerings. Fortunately, …
Read More »Tango Gameworks’ next title will feature multiplayer
Ever since the release of their first game back in 2014, Tango Gameworks have been known for developing tense 3rd-person survival horror titles. That said, in the past few years the team has spread its wings, creating an open world action-horror first-person shooter (Ghostwire Tokyo) and most recently a comedic …
Read More »Game Pass accounted for roughly 30% of Xbox revenue in Q3
Microsoft held its quarterly earnings call this week, revealing the latest batch of stats on how Xbox is doing. As expected, Xbox console sales are indeed down, but the company is seeing continued success in gaming subscriptions, with revenue nearing $1 billion for the quarter. Microsoft did not announce a …
Read More »Microsoft Flight Simulator’s 13th World Update goes live
Ever since its initial launch back in 2020, the team at Asobo Studio have continually improved all aspects of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, with various tech and content updates making for a much more complete and bespoke experience. MSFS’s 13th World Update has now gone live, bringing bespoke recreations of Oceania …
Read More »UK moves to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
While Microsoft was able to convince the UK's Competition & Markets Authority that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard would not harm the console gaming market, it would seem the CMA was not convinced that the deal wouldn't impede competition in the cloud gaming market.
Read More »Grounded 1.2 update goes live alongside Steam Deck verification
Grounded is one of the more interesting titles published by Xbox Game Studios. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, this ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ styled survival game spent many years in Early Access, with the title finally going 1.0 in September of last year. The team have continued to work on …
Read More »Forza Motorsport is in its “polishing” phase ahead of launch later this year
First announced all the way back in 2020, Forza Motorsport is one of the biggest Xbox titles planned to be released in 2023. Ahead of its launch however, the team at Turn 10 have released a new dev update, confirming that the much-anticipated racer is in the ‘polishing’ phase of …
Read More »Microsoft refutes Hi-Fi Rush failure claims
HI-Fi Rush might be the biggest surprise of 2023 so far, with the Xbox console exclusive game getting announced and released on the same day to great fanfare thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics and punchy art style. Unfortunately, despite its critical success, according to insiders the game did not …
Read More »Microsoft will be at 10 Downing Street on CMA deadline day for ActiBlizz acquisition
The CMA has set a 26th of April deadline to announce its final decision on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The CMA has already changed its initial stance, finding that the deal would not harm competition in the console space. As it turns out, the Xbox team is also …
Read More »Tetris Effect, Bugsnax and more leaving Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass has proven to be quite a success for Microsoft, with the subscription-based service adding a bunch of games on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, as is the case with such services, each month also sees the removal of a number of titles. Come the end of April, subscribers …
Read More »Redfall, BlazBlue and more coming to Xbox Game Pass
Twice a month Microsoft updates its Game Pass library with a number of new and exciting games. For the second half of April, the console manufacturer has now detailed the full list of titles dropping onto the service over the next two weeks – including the likes of Minecraft Legends …
Read More »Halo franchise director leaves Microsoft
343 Industries has gone through some major changes this year. A round of layoffs at Microsoft in early 2023 saw the majority of the campaign team let go and other major studio leads have also departed the studio in recent months. Now, Frank O'Connor, the franchise director for Halo, is …
Read More »Leaked video shows Microsoft working on Windows Handheld Mode
There is no denying that the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck has helped to inspire other manufacturers to get in on the handheld market. One company which seems to be tinkering with the idea is Microsoft – with a new video showcasing a Windows 11 UI designed …
Read More »Xbox Design Lab increases customisation options for Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers
It's nice to be able to personalise something to make it your own. Last October, Xbox Design Lab responded to fan requests by introducing the Xbox Elite Series 2 to its customisation options. Now, Xbox is taking it to the next level by announcing a new range of colours for …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass for PC expands to 40 more countries
Earlier this year, Xbox began rolling out PC Game Pass to new countries in preview form. Now, the ‘preview' period has come to an end, with Game Pass now officially available in 40 additional countries, greatly expanding the service's reach. PC Game Pass has seen a lot of growth in …
Read More »Microsoft signs 10-year deal to offer cloud games through EE
As part of its effort to get the CMA on board with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has signed a number of 10-year deals, not only guaranteeing Call of Duty on other console platforms but all Xbox first-party titles for various cloud services. The latest 10-year cloud support deal …
Read More »Bethesda acquires Nemesys Games
Microsoft’s planned purchase of Activision Blizzard is still ongoing, but that has not stopped the console manufacturer from engaging in other acquisitions, with Bethesda now having acquired the Budapest-based Nemesys Games. As reported by Timur222, the Budapest-based Nemesys Games has been acquired by Bethesda for an unknown sum, with the …
Read More »Microsoft reportedly working to renew licenses to keep Quantum Break on Game Pass
Recently, we learned that Xbox-exclusive, Quantum Break, is due to leave Xbox Game Pass this month. At the time, it was theorised that this was due to licensing issues, or perhaps Remedy buying back the IP from Microsoft as it did with Alan Wake back in 2019. Now, Microsoft has …
Read More »Microsoft officially announces Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle
As previous reports claimed, Microsoft is launching an Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle on the game's launch day. Besides the console and the game, players will also get some in-game items with this bundle, including a mount and an armour skin. If you want to play Diablo IV on …
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