One of the key areas where Microsoft has somewhat lagged behind this generation has been the dashboard, which has been somewhat clunky and slow over the lifespan of the Xbox One. As Microsoft prepares for the Xbox Series X, the dashboard UI is getting an overhaul, reworking the interface for …
Read More »Microsoft details Xbox Series X SoC architecture and features
The Xbox Series X SoC has been detailed during Microsoft's presentation at Hot Chips 2020. Besides revealing the SoC die, Microsoft also shared new information about the Xbox Series X, including graphical features and optimisations, storage specifications, encode/decode support and more. The die-shot of the SoC shows us that the …
Read More »A new Xbox One S ‘V2’ has leaked online
The past few generations have seen manufacturers create revised versions of their respective consoles – be it the Xbox 360 Arcade or the PS3 Slim. As the generation nears its end, both Microsoft and Sony have in the past released further revised consoles in order to sell a few more …
Read More »Microsoft Flight Simulator is the highest rated PC game of 2020
Microsoft Flight Simulator is undoubtedly an ambitious game, attempting to map the entire world in such detail that which hasn’t been seen before in another title. With the game finally launching and review embargoes lifted, it appears as though Microsoft and Asobo Studio have pulled it off, as the game …
Read More »Xbox Series X tipped to cost $599
A retail source this week has shown evidence that the Xbox Series X will launch this November for $599
Read More »Microsoft commits to at least 3 years of Android updates for Surface Duo
The Surface Duo, Microsoft's first Android-powered smartphone, is coming out in just over one month. The dual-display, folding device is set to be a multi-taskers dream, but how long can buyers expect updates to the latest version of Android for? This is something that differs between manufacturers. Some devices have …
Read More »European Commission to investigate Apple’s stance against game streaming services
Last week, Microsoft officially scrapped plans for xCloud streaming on iOS, citing Apple's tight App Store rules as a result. Apple didn't deny this and in fact backed this up by saying that its store does not allow for streaming services like xCloud, GeForce Now etc on its platform. Sure …
Read More »Microsoft’s Android-powered Surface Duo smartphone launches in September
It has been quite some time since Microsoft announced its first Surface-branded smartphone. Now, in a surprise announcement, it would appear that the Surface Duo is now ready and will begin shipping in early September. The Microsoft Surface Duo is an Android smartphone with a two displays joined by a …
Read More »Forza Horizon 3 is being delisted; currently on sale
One of the issues that many racing titles face is the fact that licenses with car companies only last so long, with the agreements put in place expiring after a certain amount of time. Such is the case with Forza Horizon 3, which is set to be delisted at the …
Read More »Halo: Infinite has been delayed to 2021
Halo: Infinite was marketed from the offset as being THE Xbox launch exclusive for Microsoft’s upcoming next generation Series X console. It therefore comes as a great surprise that the game has now been delayed to 2021, with no firm release date. Making the announcement on Twitter, 343 Industries released …
Read More »Project xCloud beta now available to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers
We are just one month away from the official launch of xCloud, Microsoft's Xbox-powered cloud gaming service. In preparation for that day, all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in supported regions can play on xCloud in beta on Android starting right now. As has been well documented at this point, …
Read More »Microsoft prematurely ends its Xbox 20/20 initiative
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its Xbox 20/20 initiative, in which the console manufacturer promised to release new Xbox information on a monthly basis for the entirety of 2020. Just one month into the initiative however, Microsoft appeared to forget about Xbox 20/20. Since then, Xbox news has been inconsistent, leading …
Read More »Microsoft calls out Apple over iOS App Store policies
Earlier this year, Microsoft did begin testing its upcoming game streaming service, Project xCloud, on iOS. Invites to the alpha/beta were very limited, much more so than the Android equivalent and now, it would seem that xCloud won't be coming to iOS at all due to Apple's own App Store …
Read More »Microsoft removes oversized “Optimised for Series X” logo from game cases
With the next generation of video game consoles on the horizon, Microsoft revealed its intentions with the Xbox brand, highlighting its emphasis on backwards and forward compatibility while still allowing its next-generation Xbox Series X to shine. The console manufacturer did this through introducing a large “Optimised for Series X” …
Read More »Microsoft to continue TikTok acquisition negotiations
Popular social media app, TikTok, has been in the news a lot this weekend, as President Trump set his sights on the app and announced intentions to ban it in the United States. The app may well live on though, as Microsoft is apparently looking to acquire it. Microsoft was …
Read More »Halo: Infinite will have a Battle Royale, claims Microsoft leak
Since Halo 5: Guardians’ release back in 2015, the Battle Royale genre has exploded onto the scene, changing the way that many multiplayer games are played, and even created. Though 343 previously claimed that Halo: Infinite wouldn't launch with a Battle Royale mode, the game’s page listing in Japan suggests …
Read More »Battletoads announces surprise August release date
Battletoads is one of Rare’s oldest and most well-known video games. The most recent entry in the beat ‘em up platformer franchise was unveiled back at E3 2018, with very little information following since – aside from a gameplay trailer at E3 2019. Now, in a surprise announcement Microsoft released …
Read More »Xbox Games with Gold for August announced
Each month, Microsoft gifts Xbox Live Gold (and Game Pass Ultimate) subscribers with 4 free games. The console manufacturer has now announced which games subscribers will receive for the month of August – and while it’s not a particularly strong line-up this month, the titles are still worth giving a …
Read More »Cuphead comes to PlayStation 4
Though the developers previously stated that it would never happen, the much-loved (previously Xbox-exclusive) boss rush bullet-hell shooter Cuphead has been officially announced for PlayStation 4. What's more, the game is available to purchase and download right now on the system. In a Twitter post, StudioMDHR announced that “Surprise!! Cuphead …
Read More »Domino’s Pizza makes fun of Halo Infinite’s graphics
When gameplay was first shown off for Halo Infinite back during Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase last week, many fans expressed disappointment at the graphical quality of the next-gen title – with particular criticism given to the game’s lighting and its “flat” appearance. It seems that Halo Infinite has disappointed more …
Read More »Halo Infinite is still a ‘work in progress’, demo was played on PC
Last night, we all got a good look at Halo Infinite, with roughly 10 minutes of campaign gameplay. The demo was shown being played with a controller but it was not running on Xbox Series X or Xbox One hardware, instead the demo was indeed played and captured on PC. …
Read More »Microsoft no longer interested in bringing Game Pass or xCloud to competing consoles
Despite previous rumours and teasers that Xbox Game Pass may one day come to other platforms, Microsoft is officially shooting that idea down this week. While Phil Spencer and his team previously considered bringing Xbox content to competing systems, the idea has since been put to rest. During a recent …
Read More »More than 60 new game demos are now live on the Xbox Store
With E3 and many other gaming conventions cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the global pandemic, the opportunity for fans to get their hands on games before release has been severely limited. It is for that reason that Geoff Keighley teamed up with Xbox to bring more than 60 …
Read More »Xbox will have “a good strong showing of Japanese created games”
In just a couple days, Microsoft will be hosting its Xbox Games Showcase, unveiling an hour’s worth of next-gen games. Though PlayStation is most often associated with Japanese developed titles, Phil Spencer has stated that he is “proud of what we're going to show on July 23” when it comes …
Read More »Microsoft discontinues Xbox One X and Xbox One S All Digital Edition
After some back and forth over the last couple of weeks, it has seemingly been confirmed that Microsoft is indeed discontinuing the Xbox One X and the Xbox One S All Digital Edition. This isn't too surprising, as next-generation console hardware is just around the corner, although the standard Xbox …
Read More »Project xCloud streaming comes to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in September
Microsoft has long been open about the fact that one day, Project xCloud will become part of the Xbox Game Pass service. Now, we have a date on that, with xCloud streaming becoming part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership tier in September. “This September, in supported countries, we’re …
Read More »Microsoft Flight Simulator will take up 10 disks
There's no denying that Microsoft Flight Simulator is an ambitious game. The upcoming PC and Xbox title is set to simulate the entire planet Earth, featuring over 1.5 billion buildings and 2 trillion trees. All of these textures and models aren't coming cheap, as it has now been revealed that …
Read More »Microsoft reportedly stopping publishers from selling next-gen upgrades as DLC
One of Microsoft's consumer-friendly initiatives in place for the Xbox Series X launch is ‘Smart Delivery', ensuring you only need to buy a game once and then be able to play it on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X. As you might imagine, some publishers would like to charge …
Read More »Nacon and Microsoft team up for Xbox-branded peripherals
Recently, Microsoft announced a partnership with Bang & Olufsen for high-end gaming audio peripherals. Now, in preparation for the Xbox Series X, more peripheral license partners are joining up, with the latest being Nacon, best known for third-party game controllers. Nacon, previously known as Bigben Interactive, is a French gaming …
Read More »The Initiative reportedly won’t be present at the Xbox Games Showcase
With Microsoft recently announcing its first-party next-gen Xbox Games Showcase for the 23rd of July, the attention has now been drawn to what games fans might expect to see at the digital event. Recent rumours suggested that The Initiative, Microsoft’s “AAAA” studio would be making itself known at the event. …
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