Tag Archives: microsoft

The current generation of gaming has seen Microsoft shift its strategy to focusing on Xbox Game Pass – the console manufacturer’s game subscription service. The service itself has had its diehard supporters, while others have criticised its effects on the industry. In the wake of this small controversy, one publisher …

In late 2022, Microsoft began working on a new power saving mode for Xbox consoles, allowing for “carbon aware” game downloads and updates. The new power saving mode has been tested in the Xbox Insider program for a while and today, it is rolling out to all users. This month's …

Last year, Microsoft announced that its infamous browser, Internet Explorer, had officially reached end-of-life status, marking the end of software updates and support. At this point, Internet Explorer has been largely replaced by Edge on Windows PCs, but IE is still available on Windows 10 systems. That will change soon, …

When Xbox Game Pass was first introduced, many interested parties showed concern for the health of the video games industry, fearing that offering such a subscription service would cannibalise sales. At the time, the company claimed the opposite – though we now know that titles coming to Game Pass statistically …

ATLUS has had a strong relationship with Microsoft in recent years, with the Xbox console seeing some of the developer’s biggest titles (i.e. Persona) brought to it. Likewise, many ATLUS games have found their way onto Xbox Game Pass – the console manufacturer’s game subscription service. Following the inclusion of …

Activision Blizzard found itself in a pit of controversy two years ago, with anger against leadership and CEO, Bobby Kotick, leading to lawsuits and employee walkouts. Many who support Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard are hoping to see new leadership at the publisher, but if the acquisition fails, it looks …

In recent years we have seen a greater effort by both studios and publishers to document the development process for a wide variety of games. One studio familiar with such documentaries is Double Fine Productions – having now released a massive 32-part documentary on the development for Psychonauts 2. Back …

As anticipated, the UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that it believes Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard would harm the UK market. The CMA confirmed its concerns in documents released today, but it has also sent a list of potential remedies to Microsoft.  The CMA has concluded …

Last week, it was revealed that Xbox console-exclusive shooter, CrossfireX, would be leaving Game Pass this month. At the time we thought that perhaps the exclusivity deal had run its course and that the game may now head to other platforms. However, as it turns out, publisher Smilegate is pulling …

Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard is continuing to be investigated by regulators around the world. Over here in Europe, the investigation has reportedly reached a critical point, with the European Union set to issue a formal antitrust warning to Microsoft.  According to sources speaking with Politico, the EU outlined …

Since releasing Gears 5 back in 2019, The Coalition has been pretty quiet. The studio has revealed publicly that it is currently working on projects with Unreal Engine 5, but it would seem that plans for a new IP have now been scrapped following on from recent lay-offs at Microsoft.  …

Redfall is one of the biggest first-party Xbox games currently set to release in 2023. Launching on the 2nd of May, Microsoft recently gave fans a deep look at the upcoming open-world co-op shooter. Unfortunately it seems as though even if you were to play the game solo, Redfall will …

Over the last couple of years, 343 Industries' struggles with the Halo IP reached a boiling point, resulting in a round of layoffs at the studio this year. At this point, many of those in leadership positions during Halo Infinite's development have moved on and just under 100 employees have …

We haven't seen a physical E3 event for a few years now and while there was some hope that the organisers would be able to recapture the magic this year, there has been an unfortunate update. It would seem that for the first time, none of the big three console …

Ever since Microsoft chose to focus on growing its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, the quality of games being offered as part of the console manufacturer’s Games with Gold program has seen quite a decline. February’s free games have now been announced, continuing the downward trend of the service. Making …

The situation surrounding MLB The Show is an odd one indeed. Initially a PlayStation exclusive franchise, Sony’s hand was somewhat forced into bringing the series to other platforms – though it is still developed by a Sony first-party studio. Despite this long association, MLB The Show 21 and 22 both …

We've known for a while now that Bethesda has greenlit a few unannounced games after being acquired by Microsoft. We've seen a couple of these games already, including titles like Redfall and recent surprise hit, Hi-Fi Rush. Bethesda does have another unannounced game in the works – SpyTeam.  We first …

Phil Spencer is not one to shy away from the limelight, being one of the more vocal executives in the industry, partaking in interviews while being relatively candid at the same time. As part of a new interview, the head of Xbox discussed all manner of topics, ranging from the company’s recent string of layoffs to the struggling Activision-Blizzard acquisition.

While Microsoft initially announced plans to launch Forza Motorsport in the first half of 2023, a lack of release date announced during the recent Developer Direct stream has sparked rumours of delays.  According to games reporter, Jeff Grubb, multiple sources have told him that Forza is likely to slip into …

Typically Microsoft announces and adds titles to its Xbox Game Pass service on a consistent basis twice a month. January 2023 however was rather light on additions…until now as during the Xbox and Bethesda Developer Direct a bunch of games were announced to be coming before the end of the …

The Xbox and Bethesda Developer Direct has come and gone, bringing with it some expected announcements as well as a few surprises. Though its existence was leaked beforehand, Tango Gameworks of The Evil Within fame simultaneously announced and released Hi-Fi Rush – a rhythm focused action game “where the world …

While Microsoft saw a decline in gaming revenue last quarter, the number of monthly active Xbox users is up. As of last quarter, Xbox set a new record of 120 million MAUs.  As VGC reports, in the second quarter of Microsoft's fiscal year, Xbox has registered record-breaking numbers of game …

We are less than 24 hours away from the Xbox and Bethesda developer direct where the console manufacturer is expected to show off a meaty selection of games both known and unknown. Ahead of the event, some last minute leaks have sprung, detailing at least one of the games seemingly …

Last week, Microsoft announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs across its different businesses. Some of these layoffs have impacted Microsoft-owned game development studios, including 343 Industries. Not long after this, rumours began claiming that 343 would no longer be developing Halo, and instead, the studio would shrink and simply ‘oversee' …

The 12th annual New York Game Awards recently concluded, with one of the many winners being head of Xbox Phil Spencer – who accepted the Andrew Yoon Memorial Legend Award. As part of his acceptance speech, Spencer spoke on the “current culture of criticism and cancellation.” As part of his …

Scalebound is likely one of the biggest Xbox-exclusive games to be cancelled, with the partnership between the console manufacturer and development studio PlatinumGames falling apart in 2017 after the game had been in development for 4 years. From the embers rises a new fire however, as an insider is now …

Bethesda Game Studios’ long awaited Sci-Fi RPG Starfield was originally announced to be releasing on the 11th of November 2022 before being pushed back into the first half of 2023. It seems as though the title has since been delayed further, with sources claiming that Starfield will now be targeting the second half of the year...

Back in January 2022 Ubisoft announced that it would be bringing its own game subscription service Ubisoft+ to Xbox consoles. Since then, we have heard little in the way of official updates. That said, a new change to a number of Ubisoft game listings on Xbox seems to suggest that …

One of the Xbox’s most successful releases in recent years has been the Halo: Master Chief Collection (following a bunch of updates and patches) – bringing all the previous Halo titles onto modern platforms in a remastered format while also allowing players to hot swap the graphics, sound effects and …

Following a great year in 2022, Microsoft has started off its 2023 in a rather silent manner – at least when it comes to Xbox Game Pass. Typically updated twice a month, we have seen little in the way of new titles for Game Pass. Finally however, Microsoft has announced …