Ever since Microsoft debuted its Xbox Game Pass subscription service we have seen the console manufacturer’s legacy Xbox Live Gold fall somewhat out of relevancy. Despite this, Xbox Live Gold and its Games with Gold program remains – though with a noticeable decrease in the quality of its offerings. Fortunately, …
Read More »Quantum Break returns to Game Pass and digital stores
Just a couple of weeks after being removed from digital stores and Xbox Game Pass, Quantum Break has officially returned. The game had to be removed due to expiring licenses but it would seem that Microsoft and Remedy were swiftly able to fix the problem. Quantum Break had to be …
Read More »Tango Gameworks’ next title will feature multiplayer
Ever since the release of their first game back in 2014, Tango Gameworks have been known for developing tense 3rd-person survival horror titles. That said, in the past few years the team has spread its wings, creating an open world action-horror first-person shooter (Ghostwire Tokyo) and most recently a comedic …
Read More »Game Pass accounted for roughly 30% of Xbox revenue in Q3
Microsoft held its quarterly earnings call this week, revealing the latest batch of stats on how Xbox is doing. As expected, Xbox console sales are indeed down, but the company is seeing continued success in gaming subscriptions, with revenue nearing $1 billion for the quarter. Microsoft did not announce a …
Read More »Microsoft and Activision respond to CMA’s block on acquisition
The CMA announced its final decision on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard today, moving to block the deal based on concerns around the future of the cloud gaming market. As you would expect, Microsoft and Activision have been quick to issue statements, with Activision going as far as to …
Read More »Microsoft Flight Simulator’s 13th World Update goes live
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. MSFS’s 13th World Update has now gone live, bringing bespoke recreations of Oceania …
Read More »UK moves to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
While Microsoft was able to convince the UK's Competition & Markets Authority that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard would not harm the console gaming market, it would seem the CMA was not convinced that the deal wouldn't impede competition in the cloud gaming market.
Read More »Grounded 1.2 update goes live alongside Steam Deck verification
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 spent many years in Early Access, with the title finally going 1.0 in September of last year. The team have continued to work on …
Read More »Forza Motorsport is in its “polishing” phase ahead of launch later this year
First announced all the way back in 2020, Forza Motorsport is one of the biggest Xbox titles planned to be released in 2023. Ahead of its launch however, the team at Turn 10 have released a new dev update, confirming that the much-anticipated racer is in the ‘polishing’ phase of …
Read More »Xbox is working on a sequel for a major franchise, but it could take a decade
A small group of ‘gamers' have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in the US in an effort to block the pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard. After going through the most recent batch of filings, some interesting nuggets of info have been revealed, including plans for a massive (and expensive) mystery …
Read More »Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon tipped to release in August
Over the last few weeks there have been numerous leaks pointing towards a release date reveal for Armored Core 6 in the very near future. Now, according to sources, the game is due to be revealed later this month, followed by a release in August. According to sources speaking with …
Read More »Microsoft refutes Hi-Fi Rush failure claims
HI-Fi Rush might be the biggest surprise of 2023 so far, with the Xbox console exclusive game getting announced and released on the same day to great fanfare thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics and punchy art style. Unfortunately, despite its critical success, according to insiders the game did not …
Read More »Microsoft will be at 10 Downing Street on CMA deadline day for ActiBlizz acquisition
The CMA has set a 26th of April deadline to announce its final decision on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The CMA has already changed its initial stance, finding that the deal would not harm competition in the console space. As it turns out, the Xbox team is also …
Read More »Ghostwire: Tokyo ‘runs worse’ on Xbox Series X/S compared to PS5
Ghostwire: Tokyo has finally landed on Xbox after a year of PS5 console exclusivity. Unfortunately, the game has not come without its share of issues, with the Xbox version being labelled as ‘quantifiably worse” than the PS5 version. During the most recent Digital Foundry podcast, the team brings up Ghostwire: …
Read More »Tetris Effect, Bugsnax and more leaving Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass has proven to be quite a success for Microsoft, with the subscription-based service adding a bunch of games on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, as is the case with such services, each month also sees the removal of a number of titles. Come the end of April, subscribers …
Read More »Redfall, BlazBlue and more coming to Xbox Game Pass
Twice a month Microsoft updates its Game Pass library with a number of new and exciting games. For the second half of April, the console manufacturer has now detailed the full list of titles dropping onto the service over the next two weeks – including the likes of Minecraft Legends …
Read More »Halo franchise director leaves Microsoft
343 Industries has gone through some major changes this year. A round of layoffs at Microsoft in early 2023 saw the majority of the campaign team let go and other major studio leads have also departed the studio in recent months. Now, Frank O'Connor, the franchise director for Halo, is …
Read More »Armored Core 6 release date announcement seemingly imminent
Last week, we learned that FromSoftware's next major game, Armored Core VI, has been rated in Korea, which typically means a release date is imminent. Now, a leak through the Xbox store has added some fuel to the fire. It would seem that From Software is gearing up to announce …
Read More »Ubisoft+ comes to Xbox via new Multi Access subscription
Ubisoft+ has launched on Xbox today, but not quite in the way we expected. While we anticipated a standalone version of Ubisoft+ for consoles, instead, Ubisoft is launching a new Multi Access plan, a slightly pricier subscription option that includes access to games on PC, cloud and console. Ubisoft Multi …
Read More »Ubisoft+ is heading to Xbox as publisher reveals list of included games
Ubisoft confirmed plans to bring its Ubisoft+ subscription service to Xbox consoles a long time ago and progress has been very slow. Last week, a prominent Xbox reporter claimed that the service would be heading to Xbox ‘imminently' and now, we have some evidence to back that claim up. Ubisoft's …
Read More »New Xbox update brings new search and power-saving features
The next Xbox OS update is beginning to roll out and this time around, it looks like Microsoft has new search features available to make finding games less of a chore, as well as additional power-saving features, an area that Microsoft has been sharply focused on in recent months. First …
Read More »Ghostwire Tokyo: Spider’s Thread update goes live alongside Game Pass launch
Following the game’s console exclusivity period on PS5, Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyo is now available on Xbox (and PC) via Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service. Alongside this recent launch, a massive free update in the form of Ghostwire: Tokyo Spider’s Thread is now available, adding a new game mode, more …
Read More »Redfall will run at 4K/30FPS on Xbox Series X, no ‘performance’ mode at launch
With the jump to the Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft made big promises about shifting the gameplay standard to 60FPS and enabling more 120FPS games on console. This has mostly held up so far, but unfortunately, one of its big 2023 exclusives, Redfall, will be letting us down in this department. …
Read More »The Xbox and Bethesda summer games showcase will be 2 hours long
Last month, Microsoft confirmed when its big summer showcase would take place. Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda will be taking the stage together once again on the 11th of June to showcase new Xbox first-party games, with an additional showcase afterwards focused entirely on Starfield. Now, we know a bit …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass for PC expands to 40 more countries
Earlier this year, Xbox began rolling out PC Game Pass to new countries in preview form. Now, the ‘preview' period has come to an end, with Game Pass now officially available in 40 additional countries, greatly expanding the service's reach. PC Game Pass has seen a lot of growth in …
Read More »Microsoft signs 10-year deal to offer cloud games through EE
As part of its effort to get the CMA on board with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has signed a number of 10-year deals, not only guaranteeing Call of Duty on other console platforms but all Xbox first-party titles for various cloud services. The latest 10-year cloud support deal …
Read More »Ubisoft+ release on Xbox reportedly “imminent”
All the way back in January 2022 it was announced that Ubisoft+ would be coming to Microsoft’s Xbox consoles – following the service’s inclusion as part of PS+ Extra. Since then, we have heard little in the way of official updates, though one industry insider is now claiming that the …
Read More »Remedy comments on Quantum Break license issues
Quantum Break has officially been delisted from Xbox Game Pass, as well as all digital storefronts the game was available on. Microsoft commented on the situation earlier this week, confirming licensing issues at play. Now, Remedy has also released its own statement on the situation. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed earlier …
Read More »Bethesda acquires Nemesys Games
Microsoft’s planned purchase of Activision Blizzard is still ongoing, but that has not stopped the console manufacturer from engaging in other acquisitions, with Bethesda now having acquired the Budapest-based Nemesys Games. As reported by Timur222, the Budapest-based Nemesys Games has been acquired by Bethesda for an unknown sum, with the …
Read More »Microsoft launches eco-friendly Xbox controller made from recyclable materials
Earth Day is approaching and to mark the occasion, Microsoft has launched a special edition wireless controller made from recovered plastics. Combining post-consumer recycled resins from previously moulded coloured components generates earth-tone hues with minor variances, swirls, marks, and texture, making each Remix Special Edition controller look and feel unique. …
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