Tag Archives: microsoft

Yesterday during the Official Xbox Podcast, Phil Spencer announced plans to bring four Xbox games to rival consoles. While this is happening, Xbox, PC and mobile will continue to be the only places with Xbox Game Pass access, and soon, Microsoft will finally start bringing Activision Blizzard titles over.  During …

Just as promised, today Microsoft uploaded the official Xbox podcast, with Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty all sitting down to discuss 'updates on the Xbox business'. Ignoring how odd it is to see something like this from a console maker like Xbox, we do get some much needed clarifications on recent rumours. Kicking off with the games exclusivity discussion, Spencer confirms that four first-party Xbox games will be going to PlayStation and Nintendo. 

Microsoft releases new software updates for its Xbox consoles at a regular cadence, adding both small and large changes alike. February’s update is available now and brings with it some much needed new functionality – including a way to circumvent stick drift. Making the announcement on the Xbox blog, Jonathan …

We're still awaiting Xbox's ‘business update', during which Microsoft will make its plans for future multiplatform games clear, after a string of leaks and rumours sent Xbox fans into a furore last week. In the meantime, we're hearing more about discussions going on internally at Xbox, including assurances from higher-ups …

In recent years, upscaling features have become a staple for PC gamers, with many utilising DLSS, FSR or XeSS to save on performance. Now, Microsoft appears to be working on its own AI-assisted upscaling feature, which will come baked right into Windows.

Despite Microsoft already completing its acquisition of Activision Blizzard and has made many concessions to get the deal approved by regulators across the world, the FTC is still hoping to reverse the transaction. In its latest appeals letter, the FTC takes issue with the recent lay-offs announced at Activision Blizzard. …

Is Microsoft moving away from exclusive games and embracing multiplatform development? Phil Spencer responds to the latest rumours...

There has been a lot of drama around Xbox in recent days, as news broke that Microsoft is considering ditching game exclusives and moving towards multiplatform development. Microsoft hasn't addressed those rumours yet, but while we await an official response, the next batch of Game Pass titles have been announced. …

Microsoft going multiplatform could finally end the 'console war' for good and PC gamers stand the most to gain...

In recent weeks we have heard a great deal about Microsoft and their alleged plans to adopt a more multi-platform approach with their games. This was followed up by an update to Xbox exclusive Hi-Fi RUSH which seemed to suggest that the game would be coming to PlayStation. Now, thanks …

Several months on from acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft kicked off 2024 with the announcement that it would be laying off nearly 2000 employees. Unsurprisingly, this has been followed up by a glowing earnings report from Microsoft executives.  With the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft's gaming business is now one of …

Just as 2022 saw Sony revamp its PlayStation Plus game subscription service, Microsoft’s 2023 included a refresh of its own Game Pass platform, eschewing the rarely-used and antiquated Xbox Live Gold with Game Pass Core, while keeping its regular Game Pass service as is – aside from a slight price hike. As I did last year, we will be looking at the past 12 months of Xbox Game Pass to determine whether the service is worth its ever-increasing asking price...

Ever since they helped Infinity Ward with the development of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 all the way back in 2011, Sledgehammer Games have been positioned as the 3rd main development studio for the highly popular franchise – having been the lead dev for entries including Advanced Warfare, WWII …

Blizzard has recently cancelled one of its largest projects, the survival game codenamed Odyssey. The announcement came as part of a reorganisation of Microsoft's game studios, resulting in 1,900 layoffs, or 8% of the gaming division's workforce. According to Bloomberg, the game was designed as a survival game similar to …

In recent weeks we have heard a great deal about Microsoft and their alleged plans to adopt a more multi-platform approach with their games. It seems as though one of the first titles to get a PlayStation port is last year’s breakout hit Hi-Fi RUSH – with the latest update …

We might not get Windows 12 after all. According to a recent report, it seems that the AI-centric changes coming to Windows will arrive via a regular update to Windows 11, rather than an entire a new OS...

After years of waiting, Microsoft and Square Enix finally announced that the highly popular MMO Final Fantasy XIV would be coming to Xbox consoles next month via an open beta. Ahead of the game’s launch, Microsoft has detailed exactly how the beta will work. In what appears to have been …

Twice a month Microsoft updates its Game Pass library with a number of new and exciting titles. For the second half of January, the console manufacturer has now detailed the full list of titles dropping onto the service over the next two weeks, including the much-anticipated Persona 3 Reload and …

Sea of Thieves has quietly become one of Microsoft’s best Xbox console exclusives. Launching all the way back in 2018, the game saw a lukewarm response upon its initial release. 5 years and 10 Seasons later however, the game is better than ever. Following rumours that Microsoft is planning to …

Hellblade II was the first game shown off by Microsoft for the Xbox Series X|S all the way back in December 2019. In the many years since we have seen a whole host of trailers – though no release date. Ahead of the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II has seemingly had its release date leaked...

Announced back in 2021, Contraband is an Xbox console exclusive currently in development by Avalanche Studios and set to be published by Microsoft themselves. While we know very little about the game officially, one insider has now offered our best look yet at the upcoming co-op heist game. As reported …

This time last year, we reported that a Gears of War Collection was in the works, with little else known about the project at the time. Though there has yet to be any official word on its existence, the collection is reportedly nearing completion, with internal testing currently underway. As …

Last week, we reported on a leak which claimed that Microsoft was prepping to host an Xbox Developer Direct some time soon – just as they did in January of 2023. Now, the showcase has been officially announced by Microsoft, taking place in just a week’s time. Making the announcement …

Most major video games have internal mock reviews conducted during their development, giving the studio and publisher an idea of what the general public will think of a game ahead of its release. According to one insider, internal mock reviews for Xbox’s upcoming Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga have put the …

For years now, both Microsoft and Square Enix have been promising that the highly successful MMO Final Fantasy XIV would be coming to Xbox consoles at some point in the future. Last year, they finally revealed that the game is planned to launch some time in 2024. After a great …

The meme has become real. Following the launch of the Xbox Series X mini fridge, Microsoft has now released the Xbox Series S toaster. The toaster costs $39.99 and, for now, seems to be exclusive to the US. Wario64 (via VGC) found the toaster available on the Walmart website. Instead …

CES is coming up and as expected, a slew of new laptops are due to be announced, with much of the marketing set to revolve around AI functionality. As part of this push, Microsoft is now working with OEMs to ensure that new Windows laptops ship with a new keyboard …

Last year, Microsoft surprised many when they hosted their Xbox Developer Direct, announcing and showing off a bunch of games – and even shadow dropping the surprisingly excellent Hi-Fi Rush. Though the console manufacturer has yet to announce a 2024 edition of the direct, a showcase is reportedly happening quite …

The launch of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 introduced the concepts of achievements and trophies respectively. While PlayStation’s trophies have managed to hook in quite a few platinum hunters, Xbox’s achievement system has fallen out of relevance in recent years. With that in mind, Microsoft is reportedly prepping to …

Despite years of build-up and hype, Starfield’s launch ended up being one of the most controversial of the year, with fans and critics alike taking the time to discuss the merits and failings of Bethesda Game Studios’ approach to game development. Still, the RPG has been enjoyed by millions, and …