With this latest generation of video game systems, there has been an increasing focus – especially by Microsoft – to move away from standalone game purchases, with the target shifting instead to creating and cultivating a successful game subscription service. Microsoft currently has this with Xbox Game Pass, but according …
Read More »You can now join Discord voice chats on Xbox without ‘transferring’ from mobile
While Discord support for PS5 is still on the way, Xbox consoles have had access to the voice chat service for a while now. With the latest Xbox Series X/S OS update, Discord calls can now be managed directly on the console itself. Previously, you would have to link your …
Read More »Starfield delay was “the right move”
We've seen plenty of game delays in 2022, but the biggest was Starfield, taking what would have been a pillar holiday title out of the line-up. While Starfield won't be the big holiday season hit Microsoft wanted, the company says the delay was ultimately the right move. Delaying a game …
Read More »Xbox Keystone was too expensive in current form, Phil Spencer says
Microsoft had been working on Xbox Keystone for quite some time. Keystone, the codename for a dedicated streaming box for Xbox games, appeared on Phil Spencer's shelf a few weeks ago, but he quickly confirmed that this version of the device has been cancelled. While Microsoft built a Keystone box and …
Read More »Eight more games are heading to Xbox Game Pass this month
We saw quite a few titles hitting Xbox Game Pass over the last couple of weeks. Now that we’ve reached the middle of the month, it is time for the second batch of titles for November to be revealed, with eight more games joining the library. While Assassin’s Creed Valhalla …
Read More »Xbox received 33 million reports for moderation in the first half of 2022
As the video games industry continues to rely increasingly on online services and functionalities, there is an ever-increasing need to ensure that users of these services are safeguarded from harassment and harm. Microsoft has now released its first Xbox transparency review, revealing that over 33 million reports were made during …
Read More »Assassin’s Creed Valhalla might be coming to Game Pass Soon
Xbox Game Pass features hundreds of games available to play by all those who pay the service’s monthly fee. One publisher which has shown support for Game Pass is Ubisoft – with the Polish Xbox store now suggesting that the latest Assassin’s Creed Valhalla might be set to join the …
Read More »There will be a Hogwarts Legacy gameplay showcase today
Hogwarts Legacy unfortunately isn't coming out this holiday season following a delay into 2023. However, we will at least get to see a bit more of the Wizarding World RPG this week thanks to an upcoming gameplay showcase. Sony has the marketing deal in place for Hogwarts Legacy, so while …
Read More »Arkane might be preparing for a Redfall beta
Arkane has been playtesting Redfall for a long time, with one particular private playtest resulting in gameplay leaks back in 2021, when we still knew very little about the game officially. Soon, it looks like Arkane may give the public its first taste of the game, as evidence of an …
Read More »The Gears of War franchise has sold over 40 million copies
The Gears of War franchise has long been one of Microsoft’s biggest, with the Xbox console exclusive dominating the zeitgeist during the Xbox 360 era. To this day, the franchise remains strong, and in the wake of the announcement that a Gears of War Netflix film and animated series are …
Read More »EU Commission initiates Phase 2 investigation into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
Here in the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority has entered a Phase 2 investigation of Microsoft's planned Activision Blizzard acquisition. Soon, the deal will undergo more scrutiny, this time from the EU, which also plans to enter a phase 2 investigation. Similarly to the CMA, one of the EU's …
Read More »Microsoft may add energy-saving performance settings to Xbox and PC games
Microsoft is taking the ongoing energy crisis very seriously. In addition to the recently introduced UI revamp on the power settings menu, Microsoft is seemingly working on power-saving modes to reduce energy consumption while gaming by sacrificing graphics quality. As reported by WindowsCentral, Microsoft is holding a survey for Xbox …
Read More »Details surrounding Halo Infinite’s Battle Royale mode has leaked
One year on from its launch, Halo Infinite is not in the best position currently. Thankfully, both 343i and Xbox are aware of this and are working diligently to try and right this ship. One way in which the team hopes to do so is through the release of a …
Read More »Final Fantasy 16 will be a PS5 exclusive for at least six months
Since its initial announcement, we've known that Final Fantasy 16 is set to be a PS5 exclusive, at least for a certain period of time. The latest trailer of the game has revealed how long we'll be waiting before seeing the game on other platforms. A note in the latest …
Read More »Ghostwire Tokyo on track for Xbox launch
Prior to Microsoft acquiring Bethesda, Sony had actually set up a partnership with the company, which would see two Bethesda games turn into PS5 console exclusives. The first game, Deathloop, launched in 2021 and just recently came to Xbox. Now, it looks like Ghostwire Tokyo for Xbox is only a …
Read More »Horizon Forbidden West writer joins Playground Games for Fable reboot
Playground Games' Fable reboot has been in the works for five years now, but there is still a long way to go before we finally see the game in action. Earlier this year, PlayGround Games appointed a new narrative lead for the project, and now, one of the senior writers …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass November update headlined by Obsidian’s next game
We've hit the first Tuesday of the month, which means it is time for another Xbox Game Pass update. Over the first couple of weeks of November, we can expect ten more games to join the library, including the latest title from Obsidian Entertainment. While we've just passed Halloween, there …
Read More »A “Big” update is coming to the Xbox app for PC
Microsoft has been going all in on the PC market with its Xbox Game Pass service. This service requires the use of the Xbox app for Windows. Unfortunately, it is not very feature-complete especially when compared to other PC clients. That being said, according to Phil Spencer, a “Big” update …
Read More »Xbox head acknowledges large gap between major first-party game releases
While 2022 initially looked very promising for Xbox, a number of high-profile delays have left a pretty big gap in major first-party releases. Halo Infinite struggled out the gate and with Starfield and Redfall now coming in 2023, there is no major holiday season exclusive this year, a fact that …
Read More »Phil Spencer says Microsoft will keep Call of Duty on PlayStation
In the wake of regulatory scrutiny over the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft has attempted to make its plans a bit clearer, confirming that Call of Duty will continue to be a multiplatform game. While some do doubt how true this is, Microsoft is continuing to reiterate this statement. In a …
Read More »Xbox Games with Gold has one of its worst months yet
Each month, those who are subscribed to Xbox Live Gold are able to get their hands on a number of free games. Ever since the launch of Game Pass however, the Games with Gold offerings have dwindled in value, with November’s games being rather paltry. Making the announcement on their …
Read More »Microsoft claims to subsidise up to $200 per Xbox console
Recently, we reported that the Head of Xbox Phil Spencer discussed the potential for its gaming products to increase in price. This statement has been met with some apprehension from fans and in the wake of this, Spencer has offered details on just how much the company is supposedly subsidising …
Read More »Microsoft ‘regrets’ passing on Genshin Impact for Xbox
Genshin Impact has been a huge success since its launch two years ago. In a short space of time, the game has already generated around $4 billion in revenue, and much to Microsoft's chagrin, the game is not available on Xbox. It might be too late to rectify the situation …
Read More »Microsoft’s Xbox Keystone streaming device is still ‘years away’
Microsoft had been working on Xbox Keystone for quite some time. Keystone, the codename for a dedicated streaming box for Xbox games, appeared once again on Phil Spencer's shelf a few weeks ago, but now, Spencer confirms that the device is still years away from launch. We've been hearing about …
Read More »Xbox consoles and services could become more expensive in the future
Earlier this year we saw Sony increase the price of its PlayStation 5 console in many markets, with inflating raw material costs said to be part of the reason why. In the past, Microsoft has claimed that it plans to keep its prices frozen at the current rate – though …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass is profitable claims Phil Spencer
Ever since Xbox Game Pass first went live, the game subscription service has been met with scepticism by some due to its ‘too good to be true’ value proposition. That being said, according to Xbox’s Phil Spencer, Game Pass is doing just fine, with the service said to be profitable …
Read More »Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV are coming to Xbox
Earlier this week, a ratings board listing revealed that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is likely coming to Xbox. Now, as part of the series' 25th anniversary celebration, Microsoft has announced that both Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV will be heading to console. Both games …
Read More »It looks like Age of Empires is heading to Xbox
It has been roughly one year since Age of Empires IV launched on PC, bringing the long-running RTS franchise back out of dormancy. However, the game didn't quite live up to the legendary status of Age of Empires II, a fan-favourite in the series. This week for the series' 25th …
Read More »Xbox October update adds many quality-of-life improvements
Microsoft has in recent years been keeping its consoles up to date on a consistent and monthly basis, adding new features, removing old bugs and making the overall experience much better. For the month of October, Xbox owners will be privy to a number of new and convenient quality-of-life improvements. …
Read More »Call of Duty could be held off Xbox Game Pass for years
If Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal does go through in 2023, many of us were expecting to see Call of Duty heading straight to Xbox Game Pass. However, it may take a little longer for the flagship franchise to hit Microsoft's gaming subscription service. Microsoft is facing an unexpected level of …
Read More »