The lack of E3 this year also meant that there was no Xbox FanFest. Microsoft traditionally holds this event in June but due to COVID-19, physical events needed to take a step back. Later this year, Xbox FanFest will be returning, this time in digital form. “While our in-person events …
Read More »Microsoft planning browser-based Game Pass streaming for iOS
With Xbox Game Pass streaming now up and running on Android, Microsoft has been turning its attention to iOS. So far, game streaming services have had issues getting onto Apple's platform, but a solution may have been found. According to sources speaking with both The Verge and Business Insider, Microsoft …
Read More »ZeniMax Online announces pre-production for AAA game
Microsoft’s recent purchase of ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion served as a major boon for the console manufacturer’s first party output. These recently acquired studios have now begun to share details on their future projects. One such studio is ZeniMax Online. Known best for the Elder Scrolls Online MMO, the …
Read More »Cross-platform multiplayer coming to Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft was one of the first games to push cross-platform multiplayer between consoles, PC and even mobile. Minecraft Dungeons launched without cross-play multiplayer, but that will be changing soon, with a new update bringing together all console versions and PC. Today during Minecraft Live, Mojang announced that Cross-Play is coming …
Read More »Microsoft launches cheaper Surface Laptop Go starting at $549
Microsoft is lowering the entry bar for the Surface ecosystem this week with a new Surface Laptop Go. This is a 12.5-inch notebook, providing a middle ground between the Surface Go 2 tablet and the Surface Laptop 3, set to compete with the Chromebook market. The base edition of the …
Read More »Microsoft bringing x64 emulation to Windows on ARM
Microsoft has been working on ARM support for Windows 10 for some time now and while 32-bit x86 apps are supported via emulation, the vast majority of apps are now x64/64-bit and don't work on devices like the Surface Pro X. That will change soon, as Microsoft is set to …
Read More »Xbox Games with Gold for October announced
Since the introduction of Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s other subscription service, Xbox Live Gold and its Games with Gold program, appears to have fallen to the wayside a little bit. Still, for the month of October, Microsoft is offering those with Xbox Live Gold memberships a number of games suitable …
Read More »Forza Motorsport 7 and Brutal Legend announced for Game Pass
On a regular basis, Microsoft updates its Xbox Game Pass library, both adding new games to the service, and taking some away. For the first half of OCtober, subscribers can look forward to getting their hands on DOOM Eternal, Forza Motorsport 7, and Brutal Legend, to name a few. The …
Read More »InXile Entertainment is already working on multiple new RPGs
While InXile isn't the biggest headline grabber in Microsoft's arsenal of developers, the studio is generating plenty of excitement this year. Not only has Wasteland 3 released to great critical acclaim, but the studio also has two more RPGs in the works. InXile Entertainment has expanded since being acquired to …
Read More »Microsoft will release new Xbox hardware beyond Series S/X
As each console generation ends and the next begins, conversations surrounding whether ‘this’ upcoming console generation will be the last always manages to surface. Be it due to the launch of smartphones or some other reason, the discussion is in many ways as old as consoles itself. Still, with cloud …
Read More »Xbox Series X can cache 12 games through ‘Quick Resume’
While the current generation of consoles introduced ‘Standby Modes’ which allowed for players to pause a game and switch off the console only to later pick up exactly where they left off with no loading, Xbox appears to be taking this idea to the next level with the Series X. …
Read More »Xbox Series X/S storage expansion card is a costly upgrade
There has been plenty of back and forth around the price of Microsoft's upcoming Storage Expansion Card for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Some places have suggested $220 in the US and £159 here in the UK. We no longer have to guess, however, as Microsoft has …
Read More »Bethesda underwent a ‘major engine rewrite’ for Starfield
Following on from the big news that Microsoft is acquiring Zenimax Media and Bethesda, Larry Hryb, otherwise known as Major Nelson, gathered Todd Howard, Pete Hines and Phil Spencer together to discuss the news on his podcast. Interestingly, the subject of Starfield did come up, giving us some news on …
Read More »Microsoft will consider buying even more studios
Microsoft recently made waves when it purchased ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, bringing over half a dozen studios into its first party line-up of developers including Bethesda, id Software, and Arkane Studios. Despite this most recent purchase, it appears that Microsoft may not be done with its acquisition spree.
Read More »Bethesda was apparently in talks with Sony for Starfield timed-exclusivity
Prior to Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda, the publisher seemed to be getting pretty close to Sony, having signed two deals for timed PS5 console exclusives. As it turns out, Bethesda Game Studios next big game, Starfield, was also reportedly due to be a timed PS5 exclusive. Bethesda typically hasn't done …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass hits 15 million subscribers
It is increasingly becoming clear that Xbox Game Pass is core to Microsoft’s strategy for the next generation of Xbox gaming. Alongside the recent announcement that Bethesda is joining Xbox Games Studios, the console manufacturer revealed that its Game Pass subscription service has reached 15 million subscribers – an increase …
Read More »Microsoft still ‘committed’ to bringing xCloud streaming to iOS
Despite some bumps along the way and continued roadblocks in Apple's policies, Microsoft is still determined to get xCloud streaming running on iOS. Speaking with Bloomberg, Microsoft's Vice President of Gaming and Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, stated that the company remains “committed” to bringing xCloud to Apple's ecosystem and is …
Read More »Microsoft acquires Zenimax Media and Bethesda
In a move that absolutely nobody anticipated, Microsoft today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Zenimax Media. Moving forward, Bethesda, Arkane Studios, id Software, Tango Gameworks and more will be joining the Xbox Games Studios family. The deal was announced today and is estimated to be worth …
Read More »Bungie denies Microsoft acquisition rumour
This week was somewhat eventful for Microsoft studio acquisition news. Reports from a couple of notable outlets claimed that Microsoft had been in and out of talks with Bungie to re-acquire the studio following their split from Activision, an idea that would excite many Xbox fans. Jeff Grubb of VentureBeat …
Read More »Warhammer: Vermintide II comes to Xbox Game Pass
Throughout each month, Microsoft announces and adds new titles to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. While the titles joining the service for the first half of September were already announced, the console manufacturer has now revealed what titles subscribers can look forward to for the rest of the month …
Read More »Microsoft is reportedly taking a loss on both the Series X and S
When Microsoft recently revealed the prices for its upcoming Xbox Series X and S consoles, many expressed their surprise at just how relatively cheap the consoles were, with particular note being given to the lower-cost Series S. According to one insider, the console manufacturer has achieved this by taking a …
Read More »Xbox All Access is coming to 12 countries this Holiday
While the upfront cost of a brand new console is often a daunting idea, Microsoft has made the proposition easier through the creation of Xbox All Access, which allows fans to purchase an Xbox console with no upfront costs, instead utilising a system similar to smartphones – paying off the …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass for PC is increasing its monthly price
Xbox Game Pass for PC has been in beta ever since it first launched last year. Due to this beta period, the service was also available with a lower ‘introductory' monthly price. As of the end of September, Xbox Game Pass for PC will no longer be considered as ‘in …
Read More »Dolby Vision is coming to Xbox Series S/X games in 2021
While HDR represented a major enhancement in colours and visuals, allowing for much more impressive experiences, the format has been fragmented into competing implementations. Of these, Dolby Vision is commonly regarded as being the best. It is therefore a welcome surprise to see that the next-generation Xbox consoles will not …
Read More »EA Play to be bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC
Microsoft is continuing to pile on value to its Xbox Game Pass service. Recently, the company announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers would also get to access their games through xCloud at no additional cost. Now, Microsoft is also partnering up with EA, bringing the EA Play library of …
Read More »Xbox Series X pre-orders go live this month, console launches November 10th
After months of waiting and plenty of speculation, Microsoft has officially announced pre-order dates and pricing for both the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S – the company's two next-generation consoles. The announcements started to trickle out slowly yesterday morning when Microsoft officially confirmed the Xbox Series S …
Read More »Xbox Series X price seemingly confirmed
Though Microsoft have yet to reveal the launch price of its upcoming Xbox Series X, the console manufacturer did recently reveal not only the much-rumoured Series S, but also its price tag. Thanks to this announcement however, the price of the Series X has also seemingly been confirmed, as sources …
Read More »Xbox Series S launches on November 10th
This morning, Microsoft officially confirmed the Xbox Series S console following a leak a few hours earlier. This afternoon, the trailer and other details about the console also leaked, so Microsoft is lifting the curtain on everything. The Xbox Series S is officially launching on the 10th of November. Microsoft …
Read More »Ubisoft is reportedly working on two “AAAA” games
While we first heard of the term AAAA in reference to Microsoft’s ‘The Initiative' studio, it appears as though other publishers are beginning to adopt the naming scheme. Ubisoft, has now announced that it is working on two separate AAAA titles, one of which is the much-anticipated Beyond Good & …
Read More »Microsoft unveils next-gen Xbox Series S for £249
After months of rumours, leaks and insider reports, today Microsoft is officially announcing the Xbox Series S - complete with an incredibly aggressive price tag.
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