The Brazilian government has been pretty open with its investigation into Microsoft's planned Activision Blizzard acquisition. Many of the documents filed have been made publicly available, including one that detailed how other companies, like Sony, feel about the acquisition. Now, Brazil's investigation is complete, and its regulator board is happy …
Read More »Chivalry 2 and more announced for Game Pass
Chivalry 2 is a fun and wacky multiplayer hack-and-slash action game in which you battle others online using medieval weaponry. Launching last year to great success, Chivalry 2 is now set to come to Xbox Game Pass across both console and PC – among a line-up of other fun titles. …
Read More »Xbox Games with Gold announced for October – with no X360 games
Each month, those with an Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription are privy to receiving a number of free games. With Microsoft officially no longer offering OG Xbox and Xbox 360 titles as part of Games with Gold, those who are subscribed can look forward to receiving …
Read More »Microsoft Flight Simulator’s newest update takes players to Canada
Ever since Microsoft Flight Simulator first launched back in 2020, the game has seen a string of continuous updates with the team at Asobo Studio going over the game with multiple coats of gloss. After updating regions such as the UK, Europe, Australia and more, Microsoft Flight Simulator has now …
Read More »Microsoft have reportedly “talked with major Japanese publishers about acquisitions”
While the legalities surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard continues to be figured out, the console manufacturer has not been keeping its eggs in one singular basket, with Microsoft reportedly looking to the East for potential studio acquisitions. As part of the latest episode of the Giant Bombcast podcast, industry …
Read More »Grounded officially leaves Early Access as game hits ver. 1.0
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 has spent the past many years in Early Access. Two years on and 10 million players later, Grounded has officially gone 1.0. Alongside a …
Read More »Xbox update goes live with major Quality of Life improvements
Microsoft keeps its game consoles up to date with consistent software patches. The September patch – officially available now – brings with it some long-requested Quality of Life improvements, including a full library revamp. Making the announcement on the Xbox Blog, Jonathan Hildebrandt, the Principal Group Program Manager at Xbox …
Read More »You will soon be able to mute the Xbox start-up sound
For many, a console’s start-up sound can bring with it excitement and emotion as the jingle lets you know that it’s time to game. For some however, the noise is obtrusive and loud and serves no real purpose. For the latter kind, Microsoft has announced that you will be able …
Read More »Flight Simulator Update 10 goes live with DLSS and more
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. Content update 10 may be the biggest one yet, adding DLSS, DX12 improvements …
Read More »Xbox system update fixes DRM issues
Xbox systems have suffered from some DRM-related issues in the past, with the company’s consoles requiring an online connection in many instances in order to play even single player titles. Fortunately, a new update to the Xbox family of devices has made the system’s DRM much less intrusive. As discovered …
Read More »Scalebound might come back someday, but Xbox has ‘nothing to say’ at this time
Back in February, PlatinumGames publicly stated that it wants to revive Scalebound and work with Microsoft once again. Microsoft had not responded to this at the time, but now in a Japanese interview, Xbox lead, Phil Spencer, has finally commented on the situation. The cancellation of Scalebound was a huge …
Read More »Deathloop is coming to PS+ Extra and Premium too
This week, Deathloop finally launched on Xbox after a full year of PS5 exclusivity. The end to the Sony deal also meant that Deathloop could come to Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft isn't leaving PlayStation players behind though, as Deathloop will also be available to subscribers of Sony's PS+ Extra and …
Read More »Xbox will continue to acquire studios
The past few weeks has seen the heat turned up when it comes to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and whether the move is in fact anti-competitive. Amidst all this, head of Xbox Phil Spencer has remained resolute, stating that the console manufacturer will continue to acquire more studios. In …
Read More »Phil Spencer speaks out against console price hikes
Recently, Sony announced plans to raise the price of the PS5 in many countries outside of the US. At the time, Microsoft and Nintendo responded by saying there are no plans to raise prices. This week, Xbox’s Phil Spencer addressed the subject again, stating that now is ‘not the right …
Read More »Sony claims Microsoft owning Call of Duty would have ‘major negative implications’ for gaming industry
In recent weeks, Sony has begun taking the offensive by publicly campaigning against Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We've seen Sony lay out its argument against the deal before in regulatory filings, but now, Jim Ryan has been giving juicy quotes to the press, branding Microsoft's post-merger Call of …
Read More »UK CMA calls for in-depth investigation over Xbox’s planned Activision Blizzard deal
Earlier this month, the UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it has reached a new stage in its probe into Microsoft's planned Activision Blizzard acquisition. In short, the CMA has concerns that the deal could harm competition and on that basis, the case is now being recommended for …
Read More »GoldenEye 007 is coming to Xbox Game Pass WITHOUT online play
One of the most surprising announcements at Nintendo’s recently held Direct was the reveal that the long-elusive GoldenEye 007 would be leaving its Nintendo 64 shackles and would be coming to the Switch. Even more surprising however is the fact that the game is set to also come to Microsodt’s …
Read More »Discord voice chat is now live on Xbox
Discord is one of the most popular messaging platforms used by video game enthusiasts thanks to its voice chat functionalities and room-based servers. It was previously confirmed that the service would soon be coming to systems other than PC and mobile – namely PlayStation and Xbox. With PlayStation getting the …
Read More »Microsoft announces ID@Xbox Autumn Showcase
For years now Microsoft has championed its ID@Xbox program, offering a spotlight to many indie titles which would otherwise possibly fall under many players’ radars. Part of this initiative includes hosting ID@Xbox showcases – the latest of which has now been announced. Making the announcement on the Xbox Blog, Microsoft …
Read More »Cheaper Xbox Elite Series 2 Core announced
The Xbox Elite Series of controllers offer a premium option for all those who want to maximise their gaming potential. This comes at a heavy premium however, costing significantly more than a Standard Xbox controller (£159.99 to be exact). For those who want a slightly more premium experience while not …
Read More »September’s first batch of Xbox Game Pass titles announced
Throughout each month, Microsoft adds a number of titles to its Xbox Game Pass library, allowing subscribers to experience a wide variety of games across all types of genres. The console manufacturer has now announced which titles will be dropping onto the service throughout the first half of September. Making …
Read More »Gears of War studio is helping develop State of Decay 3
State of Decay 3 was announced all the way back in 2020 with a teaser trailer and little else. While we still have yet to get a proper look at the upcoming open-world zombie survival game, Matt Booty, the Head of Xbox Game Studios, has now offered some insights into …
Read More »Over 100 Crystal Dynamics devs are helping ‘The Initiative’ with Perfect Dark reboot
It is quite common nowadays for video games to be worked on by multiple teams across different studios. That being said, these collaborations typically occur between studios which fall under the same corporate umbrella. It is therefore interesting to see that over 100 Crystal Dynamics devs are assisting Xbox studio …
Read More »Microsoft reveals surprisingly cheap Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family tier
Following on from a test phase last month, Microsoft has now officially announced the new Xbox Game Pass ‘friends and family' tier. While this was initially rumoured as a family plan, Microsoft is leaning into the fact that friend groups often share access to services too. The Xbox Game Pass …
Read More »Microsoft confirms plans to bring franchises like COD and Diablo to Game Pass
We've all assumed that Activision Blizzard games will come to Xbox Game Pass some time after Microsoft completes its acquisition of the company. Today in response to questions around the deal, Xbox head, Phil Spencer, confirmed exactly that. In a lengthy blog post intended to reassure regulators, gamers and developers, …
Read More »Xbox confirms that like Minecraft, it will keep Call of Duty multiplatform
In response to news that the UK CMA is moving onto phase two of its investigation into Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has published a new blog post further detailing its plans for the company post-merger. In short, Microsoft is now more firmly committing to keeping Activision Blizzard …
Read More »UK CMA concerned over Microsoft’s planned Activision Blizzard acquisition
We learned a while ago that the UK authorities had begun their investigation into Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard and after gathering preliminary information, they have come to the decision that Microsoft owning the publisher could impact competition in the market. Now, the CMA will move into phase two …
Read More »Humble Games announces partnership with Game Pass for day-one releases
Over the years, Humble Games has gone from merely operating a storefront to publishing their own titles, such as was the case with the much-loved A Hat in Time. Now, the publisher has announced that they are partnering up with Microsoft to bring 7 upcoming Humble Games to Xbox Game …
Read More »Xbox Games With Gold announced for September
Each month, those with an Xbox Live Gold account (or an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription) are able to get their hands on a number of games for ‘free’. For the month of September, subscribers will be able to get their hands on a number of classic titles including Portal …
Read More »Microsoft and Nintendo have no plans to increase price of Xbox or Switch consoles
This week, Sony announced plans to raise the MSRP of the PlayStation 5 in most regions outside of the US, blaming inflation and the ‘global economic situation'. While the PS5 is about to get more expensive, Microsoft and Nintendo have both confirmed that there are no plans to raise the …
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