Series S | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 15 Feb 2024 22:05:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Series S | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 February Xbox update brings stick drift reduction and more https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/february-xbox-update-brings-stick-drift-reduction-and-more/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/february-xbox-update-brings-stick-drift-reduction-and-more/#respond Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:30:14 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=648351 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 Hildebrandt – the Principal Group …

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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 Hildebrandt – the Principal Group Product Manager for Xbox Experiences – said “Team Xbox continues to bring new ways to make Xbox better, with players at the center, as we refine the experience and deliver brand-new features based on player feedback.”

This update brings with it 3 small yet significant changes and additions, the first being the option for touch controls when using Xbox remote play on mobile. While in no way the most optimal way to play a game, having the option to control your Xbox using virtual buttons can be useful in a number of scenarios – be it for a quick way to change some system settings or even just to pick up a new limited-time cosmetic.

Perhaps the most impactful change with this update is the addition of a new thumbstick calibration tool, letting players adjust the sensitivity and range of the stick’s movement, allowing you to adjust its deadzone and more. Considering all three console manufacturers have suffered from controller drift (to varying degrees), having the ability to alleviate this defect is welcome indeed.

Finally, the last major change with this update is the improved filter system for your library, now being able to sort tiles by accessibility, supported languages, and technical features.

While it is surprising to see that some of these features were not available already, their additions are certainly welcome.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the update? Which new feature will be the most useful to you? Have you had controller drift issues? Let us know down below.

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Xbox Series X|S has sold 25 million units according to estimates https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/xbox-series-xs-has-sold-25-million-units-according-to-estimates/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/xbox-series-xs-has-sold-25-million-units-according-to-estimates/#respond Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:00:48 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=647640 Late last year, Sony announced that the PlayStation 5 had officially sold over 50 million units since its release in November 2020. While Microsoft stopped reporting on Xbox’s sales years ago, thanks to Take-Two Interactive’s latest fiscal earnings meeting, we now have a strong estimate. As mentioned, late last year Sony announced that it had …

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Late last year, Sony announced that the PlayStation 5 had officially sold over 50 million units since its release in November 2020. While Microsoft stopped reporting on Xbox’s sales years ago, thanks to Take-Two Interactive’s latest fiscal earnings meeting, we now have a strong estimate.

As mentioned, late last year Sony announced that it had sold over 50 million units (as of the 9th of December), marking an impressive milestone for the console – especially as its first 2 years of sales were gimped by supply issues.

As part of Take-Two Interactive’s latest fiscal report, the publisher revealed that 77 million 9th-gen consoles have been sold as of the 31st of December 2023. Due to the slight misalignment in dates between Sony and Take-Two’s announcements, it is safe to say that an additional 2 million consoles were sold during December (to give a conservative estimate).

In doing some quick maths, assuming Take-Two’s figures are accurate, then Microsoft has seemingly sold around 23-25 million Series consoles since its launch. Of course, with Microsoft themselves not reporting on console sales, all we will ever get for the system sales-wise are estimates.

While 25 million in 3 years is significantly less than PlayStation, the Xbox Series is by no means a failure – and so it is interesting to see that the company is considering going 3rd-party.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of these estimates? Is it more or less than you expected? Should Microsoft have doubled-down on consoles? Let us know down below.

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Minecraft FINALLY gets 4K support on Xbox https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/minecraft-finally-gets-4k-support-on-xbox/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/minecraft-finally-gets-4k-support-on-xbox/#respond Thu, 14 Dec 2023 12:45:09 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=640778 Despite being by far the best-selling game of all time with more than 300 million copies sold, Minecraft on consoles has fallen far behind when it comes to receiving any tech upgrades – so much so that on the latest and greatest Series X, the game was still limited to just 1080p. After years of …

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Despite being by far the best-selling game of all time with more than 300 million copies sold, Minecraft on consoles has fallen far behind when it comes to receiving any tech upgrades – so much so that on the latest and greatest Series X, the game was still limited to just 1080p. After years of waiting, current-gen Xbox players can finally play Minecraft in 4K.

As reported by Windows Central, the latest build of Minecraft (Preview. 1.20.60.23) has added a small yet very significant upgrade for Xbox Series X and S users – with both consoles now able to run the game at a full 2160p.

For the uninitiated, prior to this latest update, the game ran at just 1080p on the Xbox Series X due to the fact that the Minecraft was never enhanced for the now-last-gen Xbox One X.

Additionally, the previously-announced ‘Super Duper Graphics Pack’ never came to fruition – nor did the advertised ray tracing mode – though it appears as though these have yet to be introduced.

Still, even though a mere resolution bump might not seem like much, for a voxel-based game like Minecraft it can be quite transformative, hopefully the PS5 version gets upgraded sooner rather than later – and that the ray-tracing patch is also on its way.

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KitGuru says: Why do you think it's taken so long? Will the console versions ever get ray-tracing? What other enhancements would you like to see? Let us know down below.

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Microsoft slashes Xbox Series X/S console prices by 25% https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/microsoft-slashes-xbox-series-x-s-console-prices-by-25/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/microsoft-slashes-xbox-series-x-s-console-prices-by-25/#respond Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:48:14 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=638889 The Xbox Series X is three years old now, which means we're finally starting to see meaningful holiday season sales for the system. For Black Friday this year, Microsoft has slashed the price of the Xbox Series X on Amazon, bringing it down from £480 to £359.  Unfortunately, you won't be able to get Prime …

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The Xbox Series X is three years old now, which means we're finally starting to see meaningful holiday season sales for the system. For Black Friday this year, Microsoft has slashed the price of the Xbox Series X on Amazon, bringing it down from £480 to £359. 

Unfortunately, you won't be able to get Prime delivery, as Amazon has swiftly sold out of its available stock, but more are on the way. You can still add the console to your basket at its deal price of £359, but it may not arrive for a couple of weeks. Considering how close we are to Christmas, we'd expect the backlog of orders to continue growing so if this is something you want to get your hands on, you may want to act fast.

While the Xbox console doesn't really have much in the way of true game exclusives, as all first-party games now launch on PC too, the Series X does offer a great amount of power and performance for its price. You would struggle to build a gaming PC capable of 4K gaming with a similar budget.

Alternatively, the Xbox Series S can also be found at a discount at the moment, bringing the price down to £189 for the 512GB model and unlike the Series X, there is stock available with Prime Delivery.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a current-gen console during the holiday season sales? 

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox announcement teased by Larian https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-3-xbox-announcement-teased-by-larian/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-3-xbox-announcement-teased-by-larian/#respond Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:00:01 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=637476 So far, Xbox players have been missing out on one of the biggest games of the year, with Baldur’s Gate 3 initially not arriving on Microsoft’s console due to parity clauses surrounding the Xbox Series S. In working with Microsoft, Larian Studios have promised that an Xbox version of BG3 is coming – with the …

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So far, Xbox players have been missing out on one of the biggest games of the year, with Baldur’s Gate 3 initially not arriving on Microsoft’s console due to parity clauses surrounding the Xbox Series S. In working with Microsoft, Larian Studios have promised that an Xbox version of BG3 is coming – with the official announcement teased to be arriving this week.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has been nominated in 8 different categories for the 2023 Game Awards, including Game of the Year and Best Game Direction. Speaking on this, Larian Studios took to Twitter to say:

“We're extremely proud that @baldursgate3 has been nominated in the following categories,” adding that “Xbox fans, and fans of physical media, watch this space for a formal announcement. It's going to be a busy week.”

As mentioned, Baldur’s Gate 3 was initially unable to release on Xbox due to parity clauses put in by Microsoft which states that all core game features must be available on both the Xbox Series S and Series X. In this case, BG3’s split-screen co-op was struggling to run on Microsoft’s lower-end console.

Fortunately, in working with Microsoft, many of the issues have since been resolved, with the team previously stating that the Xbox version is on track to release by the end of the year. Based on this latest update, it seems as though Xbox owners might be getting their hands on Baldur’s Gate 3 even sooner than expected.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the whole Series S situation? Have you played Baldur’s Gate 3? Is it your top game of the year? Let us know down below.

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New Xbox Series S holiday season bundle to drop soon https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/new-xbox-series-s-holiday-season-bundle-to-drop-soon/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/new-xbox-series-s-holiday-season-bundle-to-drop-soon/#respond Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:15:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=633960 We are coming up towards the start of the holiday season which means we are bound to see new console bundles to entice those who have yet to pick up a current-gen system. Last year's big Xbox Series S bundle contained a selection of bonus content for Epic's popular titles, including Fortnite, Fall Guys and …

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We are coming up towards the start of the holiday season which means we are bound to see new console bundles to entice those who have yet to pick up a current-gen system. Last year's big Xbox Series S bundle contained a selection of bonus content for Epic's popular titles, including Fortnite, Fall Guys and Rocket League. This year, Microsoft is going back to basics. 

This year's holiday season Xbox Series S bundle has been revealed by bilbil-kun over on Dealabs. This same leaker regularly reveals upcoming titles for services like PS+ and has a very good track record. According to their information, the new Xbox Series S bundle will include the 512GB version of the console, as well as three months of Game Pass Ultimate, priced at $299.

Of course, there will be the option for greater savings later down the line. Next month will bring about Black Friday, which means we should see Xbox Series S prices drop below £200 in the UK once again. While it may not have the same level of power as the Series X, the weaker of Microsoft's console does offer great value at these lower price points.

Sony also issued the first PS5 price cut promotion earlier this summer in the US and Europe. Chances are, we'll see similar pricing return the closer we get to Christmas.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you thinking about picking up one of the current-gen consoles this Christmas, either for yourself or as a gift? 

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Alan Wake II will not have a performance mode on Series S https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/alan-wake-ii-will-not-have-a-performance-mode-on-series-s/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/alan-wake-ii-will-not-have-a-performance-mode-on-series-s/#respond Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:30:55 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=632837 Last week we reported that the much-anticipated and upcoming survival-horror title Alan Wake II from Remedy Entertainment would be getting a performance mode on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. At the time, no word was given on whether Microsoft’s lower-powered Series S would receive such an option, however the studio has now confirmed …

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Last week we reported that the much-anticipated and upcoming survival-horror title Alan Wake II from Remedy Entertainment would be getting a performance mode on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. At the time, no word was given on whether Microsoft’s lower-powered Series S would receive such an option, however the studio has now confirmed that the Xbox Series S will be limited to a single 30fps mode.

As mentioned, last week, the communications director for Remedy Entertainment – Thomas Puba – took to Twitter to confirm that current-gen consoles would be getting multiple performance modes, writing at the time: “I’m glad to say that Alan Wake 2 will have a Performance mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X. The game has been built from the beginning as a 30fps experience focusing on visuals and ambiance, but somehow we have managed to include a solid Performance mode. We’ll talk details later.”

Puba conveniently left out any mention of the Xbox Series S, and so Eurogamer reached out to the studio for additional clarification – with them revealing that the Series S will indeed not be getting said performance mode.

Serving as an entry point into this latest console generation, the Series S has seen quite a few compromises over its many game releases, with one of the most common omissions being the inclusion of multiple performance options. For those who own a Series S, hopefully this does not matter, but regardless it is somewhat unfortunate to see that the console will be limited to 30fps – even if that is the intended experience.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Series S this many years into the generation? Is 60fps a must-have option for all current-gen games? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake getting free current-gen upgrade https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/spongebob-squarepants-the-cosmic-shake-getting-free-current-gen-upgrade/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/spongebob-squarepants-the-cosmic-shake-getting-free-current-gen-upgrade/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:00:51 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=630066 Following the success of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated (a remake of the 2003 PS2 platformer), a Spiritual sequel was released in the form of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake earlier this year. At the time, the game was released for last-gen systems only – though it is finally getting a free PS5 …

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Following the success of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated (a remake of the 2003 PS2 platformer), a Spiritual sequel was released in the form of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake earlier this year. At the time, the game was released for last-gen systems only – though it is finally getting a free PS5 / Series X|S upgrade.

Making the announcement, publisher THQ Nordic said “Are you ready to shake things up on a cosmic level? SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is finally coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 16, 2023!”

Arriving as a free upgrade for all those who already own the game, The Cosmic Shake is set to get a bunch of new content alongside these current-gen optimisations – though no specific performance/resolution targets were stated. All systems will be getting a photo mode feature (adding 19 filters) plus a couple new costumes.

PS5 users specifically will see a few exclusive benefits meanwhile: namely support for the DualSense controller – adding audio output for specific elements from the controller itself alongside Adaptive Trigger functionality.

While seemingly not a massive upgrade, this upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X|S patch is much appreciated, especially since the game came out years into the current-gen consoles’ lifecycle.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you played The Cosmic Shake? What did you think of it? What other last-gen game would you like to see get PS5 / Xbox Series support? Let us know down below.

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The 1TB Carbon Black Xbox Series S is now available https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/the-1tb-carbon-black-xbox-series-s-is-now-available/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/the-1tb-carbon-black-xbox-series-s-is-now-available/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:00:50 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=629103 Following an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this summer, Microsoft has now officially launched the new Carbon Black Xbox Series S. The new version ships with 1TB of storage instead of 512GB, giving users more space for games on the digital-only console.  The black shell of the Xbox Series S now matches the …

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Following an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this summer, Microsoft has now officially launched the new Carbon Black Xbox Series S. The new version ships with 1TB of storage instead of 512GB, giving users more space for games on the digital-only console. 

The black shell of the Xbox Series S now matches the bigger Xbox Series X, giving the Xbox range a unified design. With the black model's higher storage capacity, gamers can install titles with huge storage needs (Call of Duty would be one example) without worrying about running out of space.

Previously, consumers had just 364GB of usable storage on the Xbox Series S, although this could be expanded with the purchase of a pricey Seagate SSD card. The new model offers more than twice the amount of usable storage, coming in at 800GB of space for game installs.

The black Xbox Series S comes with a black controller that matches the style of the console. Surprisingly, Microsoft has kept the black coating on the speaker-like circular fan at the top of the console, which functions as the primary heat exhaust fan. In contrast to the “robot white” 512GB variant, this design decision results in a consistent black look for the whole console. The black Xbox Series S with 1TB storage is now available for £299.99/$349.99/€349.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Which Xbox Series S do you prefer in terms of aesthetics? Do you think Microsoft should also release a Carbon Black variant with 512GB and a white variant with 1TB?

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More evidence points towards Series X upgrade for Minecraft https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/more-evidence-points-towards-series-x-upgrade-for-minecraft/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/more-evidence-points-towards-series-x-upgrade-for-minecraft/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:15:46 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=629113 Minecraft is by far the best selling game of all time, with the creativity-focused survival sandbox pushing more than 238 million copies. Despite this, the team at Mojang have yet to upgrade the game for current-generation consoles, with the title only available via backwards compatibility. After waiting years, it seems as though current-gen console owners …

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Minecraft is by far the best selling game of all time, with the creativity-focused survival sandbox pushing more than 238 million copies. Despite this, the team at Mojang have yet to upgrade the game for current-generation consoles, with the title only available via backwards compatibility. After waiting years, it seems as though current-gen console owners will finally be getting a native port of the game, with multiple game rating boards hinting at this fact.

A couple weeks ago we reported that the German game ratings board (GSK) published a new listing for Minecraft on the Xbox Series consoles – suggesting that the game would soon get its long-awaited current-gen upgrade.

While this has yet to be officially confirmed, another ratings board – this time the ESRB – has also updated its website to include a Series X|S version of Minecraft, making its release seemingly inevitable.

Currently, the game runs at just 1080p on the Xbox Series X due to the fact that Minecraft was never enhanced for the now-last-gen Xbox One X. Additionally, the previously-announced ‘Super Duper Graphics Pack’ never came to fruition – nor did the advertised ray tracing mode.

With the current version of Minecraft for consoles being so far behind, this Series X|S upgrade can’t come soon enough. Hopefully it includes all of the aforementioned features. We will have to wait and see – though the outlook is positive.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you bothered by the current version of Minecraft on consoles? What do you expect from this upcoming upgrade? Do you think we’ll also get a PS5 version? Let us know down below.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 finally coming to Xbox; no co-op on Series S https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-3-finally-coming-to-xbox-no-co-op-on-series-s/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-3-finally-coming-to-xbox-no-co-op-on-series-s/#respond Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:00:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=627638 Baldur's Gate 3 quickly became one of the biggest games of the year following its release earlier this month. Unfortunately, due to issues surrounding Xbox’s parity requirements regarding the Series S, owners of Microsoft’s consoles have been missing out on all the fun. Fortunately, it seems as though an agreement has now been made, with …

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Baldur's Gate 3 quickly became one of the biggest games of the year following its release earlier this month. Unfortunately, due to issues surrounding Xbox’s parity requirements regarding the Series S, owners of Microsoft’s consoles have been missing out on all the fun. Fortunately, it seems as though an agreement has now been made, with Baldur’s Gate 3 set to come to Xbox some time this year.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Swen Vincke, the founder of Larian Studios, said “Super happy to confirm that after meeting [Xbox Head Phil Spencer] yesterday, we’ve found a solution that allows us to bring Baldur’s Gate 3 to Xbox players this year still, something we’ve been working towards for quite some time.”

Unfortunately it seems as though the team were still unable to get split-screen working correctly on the lower-powered Series S, with Vincke adding “All improvements will be there, with split-screen coop on Series X. Series S will not feature split-screen co-op, but will also include cross-save progression between Steam and Xbox Series.”

As mentioned, a parity clause put in by Microsoft states that all core game features must be equal between both the Series X and S, which is why the game has not yet launched on Xbox. That said, considering the popularity of Baldur’s Gate 3, it makes sense for the console manufacturer to make an exception for the RPG. It will be interesting to see whether more games will include such discrepancies between Series X and S versions in the future.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this announcement? Was it the right move? Is the Series S holding the generation back? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Killer Instinct getting free 10th anniversary remaster https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/killer-instinct-getting-free-10th-anniversary-remaster/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/killer-instinct-getting-free-10th-anniversary-remaster/#respond Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:45:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=625548 Killer Instinct has been one of the more forgotten fighting game franchises, with the series not seeing a new entry since the 2013 Xbox One console exclusive. In a surprise announcement, it was revealed that the 10 year old game will be getting a free update later this year, bringing new balance changes, improved matchmaking …

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Killer Instinct has been one of the more forgotten fighting game franchises, with the series not seeing a new entry since the 2013 Xbox One console exclusive. In a surprise announcement, it was revealed that the 10 year old game will be getting a free update later this year, bringing new balance changes, improved matchmaking and enhanced resolutions for the Xbox Series X|S.

Making the surprise announcement at EVO 2023 (and also via Twitter), the official Killer Instinct team said “Our friends @IronGalaxy are back! And together, we’re bringing you Killer Instinct's free 10th Anniversary Update later this year – including a balance update, improved matchmaking, and 4K support for Series X|S. More info coming soon!”

While no additional details were shared, the fact that Killer Instinct is seeing any form of update so many years after its last patch is both surprising and encouraging to see. While not the biggest fighting game franchise, Killer Instinct does have many fans and so to see the series go so long without a new entry has been hard.

Of course, while this is not a new game in any form, the fact that Iron Galaxy is returning to bring 2013’s Killer Instinct back up to modern standards is exciting indeed and brings a pulse to the long-dormant franchise.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of 2013’s Killer Instinct? Are you excited for this patch? What changes do you think are coming? Let us know down below.

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Baldur’s Gate III might not come to Xbox until 2024 https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-iii-might-not-come-to-xbox-until-2024/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/baldurs-gate-iii-might-not-come-to-xbox-until-2024/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:15:32 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=625129 While both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X share many similarities when it comes to hardware specs, Microsoft’s creation of the lesser-powered Series S has caused some headaches for a number of developers. One prime example can be seen with Baldur’s Gate III. Due to Xbox’s console feature parity requirements, the much-anticipated RPG might not …

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While both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X share many similarities when it comes to hardware specs, Microsoft’s creation of the lesser-powered Series S has caused some headaches for a number of developers. One prime example can be seen with Baldur’s Gate III. Due to Xbox’s console feature parity requirements, the much-anticipated RPG might not come to Microsoft’s consoles until 2024.

Baldur’s Gate III is one of the most anticipated RPGs of 2023, with the Larian Studios-developed title set to leave its PC Early Access period on the 3rd of August. Just one month later on the 6th of September, the game will be headed to PlayStation 5 (launching on the 6th of September).

Unfortunately, the state of Baldur’s Gate III on Xbox is less clear, with Larian Studios struggling to get the game’s split-screen co-op to work correctly on the lesser powered Series S – preventing it from being released on either Xbox Series variant.

While we still do not know when to expect the Xbox version to come out, Larian Studios’ director of publishing – Michael Douse – implied that Xbox fans might not see the game until 2024, saying “We have quite a few engineers working very hard to do what no other RPG of this scale has achieved: seamless drop-in, drop-out co-op on Series S. We hope to have an update by the end of the year.”

In stating that they hope to have an ‘update’ by the end of 2023, Larian Studios have all but confirmed that Baldur’s Gate III will not make it to Xbox this year. 

For the uninitiated, Microsoft requires all games developed for the Xbox Series X and S to have feature parity with one another. What this means is that while Series S games are allowed to run at lower framerates with reduced resolutions and such when compared to the Series X, any actual gameplay features must be equal on both consoles.

Larian’s current struggles with getting split-screen co-op to work on the Series S is holding back the Series X version of Baldur’s Gate III. While it is unfortunate to see that Xbox owners will have to wait quite a while to play the much-anticipated title, Larian Studios’ ongoing and open communication regarding the issue is welcome to see. Hopefully the Xbox version isn't too far away.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Baldur’s Gate III? What do you think of Microsoft’s Xbox parity requirements? Is the Series S holding back this generation of consoles? Let us know down below.

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The Series X is considered Xbox’s ‘mid-gen refresh’ – meaning no ‘Series X Pro’ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/the-series-x-is-considered-xboxs-mid-gen-refresh-meaning-no-series-x-pro/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/the-series-x-is-considered-xboxs-mid-gen-refresh-meaning-no-series-x-pro/#respond Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:15:55 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=620127 During the 8th generation of consoles we saw both Sony and Microsoft release mid-generation refreshes of their consoles, with Sony developing the PS4 Pro and Microsoft making the Xbox One X. Interestingly, it seems as though we will not be getting any mid-gen refreshes from Xbox this time round – as the Series X is …

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During the 8th generation of consoles we saw both Sony and Microsoft release mid-generation refreshes of their consoles, with Sony developing the PS4 Pro and Microsoft making the Xbox One X. Interestingly, it seems as though we will not be getting any mid-gen refreshes from Xbox this time round – as the Series X is already viewed internally as the console manufacturer’s ‘Pro’ variant.

During the most recent episode of Digital Foundry’s weekly podcast, hosts Richard Leadbetter, John Linneman and Alex Battaglia discussed the potential of an Xbox Series X Pro, with the team claiming that “Microsoft told us this back when we saw the Series X for the first time that the Series X is their mid gen refresh. They just decided to do it, ahead of time, I guess you could say.”

They continued, “The Series S is what they consider the standard machine and then Series X is, you know, that's getting ahead of the cart there and this is what you might get from a mid gen console.”

It is interesting to see the approach that Microsoft has taken with its consoles this generation. Amid rumours that Sony is working on a PS5 Pro, the lack of any mid-gen console refreshes from Microsoft could end up affecting the success of the platform in the long run.

That said, with the Series S being Xbox’s main console for the generation, it is clear that Sony and Microsoft are heading in different directions strategy-wise. It will be interesting to see how this affects the 9th console generation.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Microsoft’s strategy? Should they eventually release a Series X Pro? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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1TB Black Xbox Series S variant announced https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/1tb-black-xbox-series-s-variant-announced/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/1tb-black-xbox-series-s-variant-announced/#respond Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:00:24 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=619112 Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase brought with it a bunch of announcements. Perhaps the most surprising however was the reveal of some new Xbox hardware. While not the most exciting, those wanting to get in on the Xbox ecosystem can now do so in a new way, with a brand new 1TB Carbon Black Xbox Series …

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Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase brought with it a bunch of announcements. Perhaps the most surprising however was the reveal of some new Xbox hardware. While not the most exciting, those wanting to get in on the Xbox ecosystem can now do so in a new way, with a brand new 1TB Carbon Black Xbox Series S variant officially announced.

Being the younger sibling of the Xbox Series X, the Series S offers the Xbox experience for a much cheaper price – $299. Unfortunately, one of its biggest drawbacks is the fact that the console only includes 512GB of storage; a rather paltry amount in 2023.

It is therefore welcome to see the Xbox Series S Carbon Black announced – a 1TB recoloured variant of the entry-level console. Arriving on the 1st of September, this sleeker alternative to Microsoft’s cheaper system brings with it double the storage for a relatively modest boost in price: $349.99.

Pre-orders for the Carbon Black Xbox Series S are available right now. Extra storage aside, it is welcome to see a black variant of the Xbox Series S announced. While the white Series S contrasts quite nicely with the high-end black Series X, offering a sleeker and more minimal version of the S while also boosting its storage size is highly appreciated.

It will be interesting to see whether the Black Series S becomes the new default for the console (as the Xbox One S was for the previous generation).

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new console? Is the price differential a fair one? Would you like to see a white variant of the Series X next? Let us know down below.

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The Xbox Series X/S has surpassed 2 million sales in the UK https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/the-xbox-series-x-s-has-surpassed-2-million-sales-in-the-uk/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/the-xbox-series-x-s-has-surpassed-2-million-sales-in-the-uk/#respond Tue, 16 May 2023 08:00:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=614965 The Xbox Series X|S has been selling pretty well in the UK. Since its launch 128 weeks ago, customers have bought over two million consoles (combining both models), making it the eighth fastest-selling console in the region. The data comes from the analysts at GfK (via gamesindsutry.biz), who also added that the two consoles had …

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The Xbox Series X|S has been selling pretty well in the UK. Since its launch 128 weeks ago, customers have bought over two million consoles (combining both models), making it the eighth fastest-selling console in the region.

The data comes from the analysts at GfK (via gamesindsutry.biz), who also added that the two consoles had generated a cumulative revenue of £696 million. In eighth place, the Xbox Series X|S reached the 2 million milestone faster than the original Xbox (162 weeks) and the Nintendo Switch (140 weeks). At the top of this chart, you'll see the Nintendo Wii, which hit 2 million sales in only 57 weeks. The rival PS5 console is in fourth place with 98 weeks to reach the two million sales figure.

The table below includes the top 10 fastest-selling consoles to reach 2 million sales in the UK based on GfK data:

Position Platform Release Year Launch Price Weeks to 2m Revenue at 2m
1 Nintendo Wii 2006 £180 57 £358m
2 PS2 2000 £299 60 £469m
3 PS4 2013 £375 75 £700m
4 PS5 2020 £425 98 £919m
4 PS3 2007 £420 98 £638m
5 Xbox One 2013 £450 104 £726m
6 Xbox 360 2005 £254 110 £507m
7 PlayStation 1 1995 £299 114 £179m
8 Xbox Series S and X 2020 £386 128 £696m
9 Nintendo Switch 2017 £285 140 £279m
10 Xbox 2002 £295 162 £280m

If not for the chip shortage that affected the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S during 2021 and 2022, the milestone could have been reached at a quicker pace for both Sony and Microsoft.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: With the PS5 being faster than the Xbox Series X|S to reach the milestone, one could argue that Sony's console is winning the race in the UK. However, the winner is only determined at the finish line. During the Wii/PS3/Xbox 360 era, the Wii was the fastest-selling console in the region, but in the end, the Xbox 360 sold slightly more units than Nintendo's console.

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Redfall will run at 4K/30FPS on Xbox Series X, no ‘performance’ mode at launch https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/redfall-will-run-at-4k-30fps-on-xbox-series-x-no-performance-mode-at-launch/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/redfall-will-run-at-4k-30fps-on-xbox-series-x-no-performance-mode-at-launch/#respond Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:24:44 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=611472 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.  Today, Arkane has confirmed that …

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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. 

Today, Arkane has confirmed that Redfall will only have a quality mode at launch, capped at 4K/30FPS on the Series X and 1440p/30FPS on the Series S. As a first-person shooter, this is not ideal, as the extra fluidity of 60FPS really helps with aiming and generally creates a far more enjoyable experience.

While Redfall will be launching without a performance mode, Arkane has clarified that it is working on a higher frame rate mode, which will be patched in sometime after launch. Unfortunately, there is no timeline for when to expect this update.

Redfall has also caught some flack recently for its always-online requirement, although the developers are also working on getting the game working offline as well. Much like the performance mode update, we don't have a timeline for offline play either.

Redfall releases for PC and Xbox Series X/S on the 2nd of May. It will be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers on day-one.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Arkane games don't tend to look like the most graphically demanding titles, but for some reason, they do seem to exhibit performance issues from time to time. Dishonored 2 immediately springs to mind in this regard. I have no doubt an Xbox Series X will be capable of running this game at 60FPS, but I'm very confused as to why this mode wasn't the primary focus for launch, rather than 4K/30, which is historically bad for first-person shooters. 

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Cities: Skyline Remastered announced; free update for existing owners https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/cities-skyline-remastered-announced-free-update-for-existing-owners/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/cities-skyline-remastered-announced-free-update-for-existing-owners/#respond Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:45:11 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=592842 One of the better practices we have witnessed during this latest console generation is the willingness by developers and publishers to offer free next-gen upgrades for many pre-existing titles. The ever popular city building simulator Cities: Skylines has now been announced to be getting a PS5 and Series X|S remaster – and it will be …

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One of the better practices we have witnessed during this latest console generation is the willingness by developers and publishers to offer free next-gen upgrades for many pre-existing titles. The ever popular city building simulator Cities: Skylines has now been announced to be getting a PS5 and Series X|S remaster – and it will be free for existing owners.

Making the announcement on their website, publisher Paradox Interactive officially unveiled Cities: Skylines Console Remastered. Described as “an enhanced player experience for PlayStation 5 players and Xbox Series X|S players” this remaster brings with it much more than a simple resolution bump, namely:

  • 25 buildable tiles
  • Quick selection tool
  • UX Improvements (such as precision placements, distance indicator and updated snapping options)
  • New environmental controls panel (adjust things like time of day, rain, fog, and environment colouring)
  • Map Editor
  • An overall graphic performance increase for the bigger city builders

As mentioned, pre-existing owners will receive this upgrade for free, however it is worth noting that this remaster will be its own bespoke SKU, meaning it will indeed take full advantage of the current generation’s hardware.

The remaster is set to arrive on the 15th of February meaning fans won’t have to wait long to get their hands on this new iteration of Cities: Skylines. Alongside the announcement, Paradox Interactive released an FAQ which can be found HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for this remaster? What new feature are you most looking forward to? What other games do you want to see receive bespoke current-gen versions? Let us know down below,

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Dead Space Remake will include two graphics modes on console https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/dead-space-remake-will-include-two-graphics-modes-on-console/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/dead-space-remake-will-include-two-graphics-modes-on-console/#respond Mon, 16 Jan 2023 19:00:01 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=590326 The Dead Space remake is just a few show weeks away, with the game set to arrive on the 27th of January. Ahead of its release, the team have now confirmed that console players will be able to play the game at either 30 or 60 frames-per-second – with the expected compromises in switching between …

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The Dead Space remake is just a few show weeks away, with the game set to arrive on the 27th of January. Ahead of its release, the team have now confirmed that console players will be able to play the game at either 30 or 60 frames-per-second – with the expected compromises in switching between the two.

Informing prospective players via Twitter, the official Dead Space team released the performance statistics of the game on consoles, saying “Looking for #DeadSpace specs? We’ve got you covered. Console players have the option to choose between 2 graphics modes:

  • Quality: 30fps at 4K (UHD) resolution with ray-tracing.
  • Performance: 60fps with 2K (QHD) with no ray-tracing.”

Since the start of the 9th generation, we have seen most games offer multiple performance options for their games, with players being able to pick between 30fps, 60fps and beyond. Confirmation that the Dead Space remake will offer such options is welcome, especially in the wake of some games (such as Gotham Knights) omitting the functionality.

It will be interesting to see the differences between the two modes, especially as the exact form of ray-tracing used has not been detailed, meaning it could be something as relatively minor as ray-traced ambient occlusion, or it could be as impactful as RT Global Illumination. Furthermore, Series S specs were not released, and so we will have to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Dead Space? What mode will you play on? What is the most impactful form of ray-tracing in your opinion? Let us know down below.

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Sonic Frontiers on Series S updated with 60fps mode https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/sonic-frontiers-on-series-s-updated-with-60fps-mode/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/sonic-frontiers-on-series-s-updated-with-60fps-mode/#respond Wed, 30 Nov 2022 11:30:55 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=584512 Sonic Frontiers launched earlier this month to great commercial success. With the title releasing across 9 different SKUs, Frontiers varies quite a bit from console to console – both graphically and performance wise. While the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer both 30fps and 60fps options, the Series S did not…until now. Making the announcement …

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Sonic Frontiers launched earlier this month to great commercial success. With the title releasing across 9 different SKUs, Frontiers varies quite a bit from console to console – both graphically and performance wise. While the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer both 30fps and 60fps options, the Series S did not…until now.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Sonic the Hedgehog account revealed that “A new patch for Sonic Frontiers has been released!” Though not the biggest update in the world, this latest patch has “Fixed an issue where the Kronos Island Titan boss would disappear after reattempting the fight” as well as having “Fixed an issue where one of the Chaos Island icons was showing as locked even after completion.”

Bug fixes aside, by far the most exciting improvement with this patch comes in the form of a 60fps mode for Xbox Series S consoles – though interestingly, the way it is worded seems to suggest that a performance mode was always planned for the Series S, and that it not having one at launch was simply a bug.

Regardless of whether it was a bug or not, it is nice to see Series S players now able to experience Sonic Frontiers in a nice and smooth 60fps. Hopefully it is able to maintain a stable framerate.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you played Sonic Frontiers? Which mode would you pick? What other Series S games need a 60fps mode? Let us know down below.

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Xbox update makes boot times even faster https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/xbox-update-makes-boot-times-even-faster/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/matthew-wilson/xbox-update-makes-boot-times-even-faster/#respond Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:03:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=569085 The big news to come out of Xbox's Insider Program last week was that Discord integration is officially on the way. The upcoming Xbox OS update will be packing some other major improvements too, including a much faster boot time.  Microsoft made some improvements to boot time over the course of the Xbox One's life …

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The big news to come out of Xbox's Insider Program last week was that Discord integration is officially on the way. The upcoming Xbox OS update will be packing some other major improvements too, including a much faster boot time. 

Microsoft made some improvements to boot time over the course of the Xbox One's life and with the Xbox Series X/S making the jump to the latest M.2 SSD technology, load-up times for consoles were improved even further. Still, there was some room for further optimisation, with the Xbox team shaving off another five seconds or so for the initial boot.

As shown in The Verge's side by side comparison, since launch, the Xbox Series X has taken just over 12 seconds to go from completely powered off to fully booted. With the new update, currently being tested by Xbox Insider members, the boot time has been reduced further to a little over 8 seconds.

Those who keep their console in energy saver mode will benefit from this, as they are fully power cycling their console each time they switch it off and on. Those using the standby power mode won't see the boot screen at all, as their console is simply in sleep mode.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Energy saver mode is the default for Xbox Series X/S, so keeping the initial boot time low is important. If the system boot takes too long, many will go to their settings and change it, which in turn uses up more power. 

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Biomutant to get free native next-gen update https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/biomutant-to-get-free-native-next-gen-update/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/biomutant-to-get-free-native-next-gen-update/#respond Thu, 07 Jul 2022 12:00:10 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=567141 Released in mid-2021, Biomutant is an action RPG developed by Experiment 101 and published by THQ Nordic. The game suffered from a lengthy development and so despite it releasing after the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it only offered previous-gen versions. Now, finally, more than one year later, Biomutant is getting a …

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Released in mid-2021, Biomutant is an action RPG developed by Experiment 101 and published by THQ Nordic. The game suffered from a lengthy development and so despite it releasing after the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it only offered previous-gen versions. Now, finally, more than one year later, Biomutant is getting a proper ‘next-gen' release.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Biomutant page said “Life… finds a way to current gen. Biomutant is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 6, 2022. Upgrade your last gen version for free, keep your save files and enjoy native 4K, up to 60 FPS and more!”

Offering additional details on their website, the Biomutant team revealed that 3 graphics options will be available:

  • Quality: 30 fps @ 4k resolution (1440p on Xbox Series S)
  • Quality Unleashed: 40+ fps, averaging 50-60 fps, up to 4k resolution (1440p on Xbox Series S)
  • Performance: 60 fps locked @ 1440p (1080p on Xbox Series S)

The PlayStation 5 version will arrive with a few additional features in the form of haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, motion control, and speaker sound thanks to the system's DualSense controller. Additionally, Biomutant supports Activity Cards on PS5 in order to “offer a variety of different ways to jump straight back into Biomutant.”

Regardless of what system you own it on, the best part of the announcement is the fact that the upgrade will be entirely free to current owners. If you do not yet own the game, the new version for PS5 and Series X|S can be purchased for £34.99. Biomutant releasing without any next-gen features at the time greatly impacted its visuals and performance on consoles which is why it is exciting to see the game finally getting a bespoke next-gen release.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Biomutant? Which mode would you use? What other game do you want to see get a PS5 / Series X release? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Microsoft announces furry Sonic-themed Xbox controllers https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/microsoft-announces-furry-sonic-themed-xbox-controllers/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/microsoft-announces-furry-sonic-themed-xbox-controllers/#respond Wed, 23 Mar 2022 17:30:18 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=554477 Microsoft’s first-party controller customisablility has shined in recent generations, with players being able to control the colours of almost all aspects of the accessory. Likewise, Microsoft-designed custom controllers have never shied away from being flashy. Even so, their newest controllers are the oddest pair yet. Making the announcement on the Xbox Blog, Marcos Waltenberg, the …

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Microsoft’s first-party controller customisablility has shined in recent generations, with players being able to control the colours of almost all aspects of the accessory. Likewise, Microsoft-designed custom controllers have never shied away from being flashy. Even so, their newest controllers are the oddest pair yet.

Making the announcement on the Xbox Blog, Marcos Waltenberg, the Director at Xbox Global Partnerships said “Xbox and Paramount Pictures have teamed up to celebrate the upcoming film ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ to release a limited time only, custom Xbox Series S console and Xbox Wireless Controllers through two enter–to-win sweepstakes.”

While therefore not available for purchase, these two controllers are real and come as part of a larger bundle featuring a custom Xbox Series S – though it is not nearly as exciting as the controllers.

Speaking of, as almost none of us will ever get our hands on these controllers, Microsoft made sure to let it be known that the Red and Blue (Knuckles and Sonic) themed controllers feature “textured coatings reminiscent of the ‘bristly’ texture of hedgehogs in the wild.”

The full details regarding the contest as well as the custom console itself can be found HERE. As mentioned, Microsoft has always embraced interesting console and controller designs, with the custom Star Wars Xbox 360 and the Minecraft Xbox One being but two. Even so, it’s safe to say that this is their most out-there design yet.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the design? Would you buy the console if it were made available? What about the controllers? Let us know down below.

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Xbox Series X/S consoles outsold PS5 in February https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/xbox-series-x-s-consoles-outsold-ps5-in-february/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/xbox-series-x-s-consoles-outsold-ps5-in-february/#respond Wed, 16 Mar 2022 17:18:40 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=553852 Sony and Microsoft took very different approaches to this console generation. While Sony opted to build one powerful console, Microsoft opted to build the Xbox Series X and then use a cut-down version of the chip to release a cheaper Xbox Series S. That strategy is seemingly paying off at the moment, as Xbox Series …

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Sony and Microsoft took very different approaches to this console generation. While Sony opted to build one powerful console, Microsoft opted to build the Xbox Series X and then use a cut-down version of the chip to release a cheaper Xbox Series S. That strategy is seemingly paying off at the moment, as Xbox Series console sales surpassed PS5 for the first time.

As reported by GI.biz, the Nintendo Switch was the highest-selling console in Europe over February. However, the Xbox Series X/S consoles were able to out-sell the PlayStation 5 across Europe last month. Previously, the PS5 had led Xbox in sales each month since launch.

There is a bit more to the numbers though, and other factors that need to be taken into account. Right now, availability of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 console is low, with both consoles selling out as fast as they can be made. However, the Xbox Series S is generally more available and easier to get hold of.

At any rate, there were less console sales this February compared to last year. Overall hardware sales were down by 44 percent year-on-year, which once again, has less to do with demand and more to do with a lack of availability.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The next-gen console race is really down to who can get more stock right now. So far, Sony has been winning that battle, but Xbox seemed to catch up in February, so we may see closer results in the months leading up to Starfield, Xbox's first major exclusive from the Bethesda acquisition.

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The Xbox Series S and X have individually outsold the Xbox One in Japan https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/the-xbox-series-s-and-x-have-individually-outsold-the-xbox-one-in-japan/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/the-xbox-series-s-and-x-have-individually-outsold-the-xbox-one-in-japan/#respond Wed, 02 Mar 2022 17:30:11 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=552349 With Sony and Nintendo both hailing from Japan, there has been little space in the market for Microsoft’s Xbox system. Historically, Xbox has performed very poorly in the nation, however, a new report has revealed that both the Xbox Series X and S have individually outsold the Xbox One in Japan in just over one …

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With Sony and Nintendo both hailing from Japan, there has been little space in the market for Microsoft’s Xbox system. Historically, Xbox has performed very poorly in the nation, however, a new report has revealed that both the Xbox Series X and S have individually outsold the Xbox One in Japan in just over one year.

As reported and collated by ResetEra user Theorry (based on data from Japanese magazine Famitsu), both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have individually outsold the Xbox One’s Japanese sales (launch aligned) in just over one year on the market.

While the Xbox One was by far the worst-selling Xbox generation in Japan, it is still impressive to see the Series consoles surpassing the Xbox One so quickly. When combined, the Xbox Series devices have already outsold the entire lifetime sales of the Xbox One in Japan (with just over 150,000 units sold).

The original Xbox is next in line for overtaking, with the system having sold just shy of half a million units in Japan (lifetime). With the current trajectory that the Xbox Series X|S is experiencing, it is safe to assume that the OG Xbox will be overtaken in due time.

What is perhaps less certain is whether the Series X|S will surpass the Xbox 360. With more than 1.6 million units sold, the 360 is by far the best selling Xbox system in Japan – even surpassing some of SEGA’s older efforts.

That being said, Japan is the fastest growing market for Xbox, and so if there ever was a time for Microsoft to surpass their previous records, now would be it. It will be interesting to see just how many units are sold when all is said and done.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the Series X|S’ success? Will Xbox ever be as big as PlayStation or Nintendo in Japan? How many units do you think the Xbox Series X|S will sell in Japan when all is said and done? Let us know down below.

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Xbox’s 2TB SSD costs more than a Series S https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/mustafa-mahmoud/xboxs-2tb-ssd-costs-more-than-a-series-s/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/mustafa-mahmoud/xboxs-2tb-ssd-costs-more-than-a-series-s/#respond Fri, 22 Oct 2021 08:30:53 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=536787 One of the most impressive aspects of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are their SSDs which allow for extremely fast loading speeds, and bigger and more seamless open worlds – to name a few. This does not come cheap however – especially for the Xbox consoles. It has now been announced that the …

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One of the most impressive aspects of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are their SSDs which allow for extremely fast loading speeds, and bigger and more seamless open worlds – to name a few. This does not come cheap however – especially for the Xbox consoles. It has now been announced that the 2TB Xbox SSD will cost much greater than an entire Xbox Series S.

While the latest generation of video game consoles have seen a massive leap in speeds, performance and more, one aspect which hasn’t improved is the console’s storage sizes. The Xbox Series X comes with 1TB, while the Series S gets only 512GB.

Microsoft considered this, and so they have developed (in collaboration with Seagate) bespoke expansion cards. Initially, the only option available was an additional 1TB, which would cost $219.99. Now, the console manufacturer has announced two more storage options.

Announced on the Xbox Blog, the 512GB variant will retail for $139.99 USD when it launches in mid-November. The 2TB version meanwhile will be released slightly later (early December), and will set you back a massive $399.99 USD.

While there is no denying that these speedy SSDs cost much more to manufacture than a standard mechanical hard drive, spending almost the entire price of the Series X in order to simply increase storage is certainly frustrating.

PlayStation equally suffers from this issue, however as the extra slot in Sony’s console allows for more generic M.2 SSDs (assuming they meet the speed spec), in the long run it is likely to allow for cheaper prices in comparison to Xbox’s expandable storage. Either way, those who have a significant amount of cash in their pocket to burn will soon be able to burn it on a 2TB Xbox SSD.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the prices? Are they reasonable? Which approach to expandable storage do you prefer? Let us know down below.

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Xbox Series S may be refreshed with a 6nm APU next year https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/joao-silva/xbox-series-s-may-be-refreshed-with-a-6nm-apu-next-year/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-news/joao-silva/xbox-series-s-may-be-refreshed-with-a-6nm-apu-next-year/#respond Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:42:48 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=530993 The Xbox Series S released less than a year ago, but Microsoft reportedly has a refresh planned already. According to reports this week, the Xbox Series S will transition to a new 6nm APU in 2022 in an effort to undercut a smaller PS5 model.  According to Moore's Law is Dead, Microsoft is planning refreshes …

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The Xbox Series S released less than a year ago, but Microsoft reportedly has a refresh planned already. According to reports this week, the Xbox Series S will transition to a new 6nm APU in 2022 in an effort to undercut a smaller PS5 model. 

According to Moore's Law is Dead, Microsoft is planning refreshes for both the Xbox Series S and the Xbox Series X, although the updated Series X console is not expected until 2023 or later. With the Xbox Series S refresh apparently coming a lot sooner, there are more details on that one, including specifications for the new 6nm APU. When this new Xbox Series S does launch, the original model should see a price drop.

As far as the new APU goes, it should have 24 Compute Units enabled, bumping up from the 20 CUs available on the original model. The GPU core clock speed is also expected to increase, so performance could increase by as much as 50 percent over the standard model.

Microsoft sees Xbox as a SaaS (Software as a service) brand in the long term, with services like Game Pass being increasingly more important to the company. Although the Series S is usually seen as a “secondary console”, it has a “high Game Pass attach rate”, meaning it should still be a good income source for Microsoft even if it doesn't sell as many units as the high-end Series X.

KitGuru says: Do you already own an Xbox Series S? How would you feel about an upgraded model coming so soon after launch? 

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Remnant: From the Ashes to get free next-gen patch https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/remnant-from-the-ashes-to-get-free-next-gen-patch/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/remnant-from-the-ashes-to-get-free-next-gen-patch/#respond Fri, 07 May 2021 11:30:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=514498 Unlike the start of the previous generation, where game publishers were trigger happy when it came to reselling older titles at a higher resolution or framerate, this generation has seen a shift toward free next-gen upgrades (with some exceptions). The latest game to get a free next gen patch is the action-rpg Remnant: From the …

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Unlike the start of the previous generation, where game publishers were trigger happy when it came to reselling older titles at a higher resolution or framerate, this generation has seen a shift toward free next-gen upgrades (with some exceptions). The latest game to get a free next gen patch is the action-rpg Remnant: From the Ashes.

Making the announcement on its website, the developers said “We're incredibly excited to announce that on Thursday, May 13, Remnant: From the Ashes will receive a free major upgrade patch that will add the option to run the game at 4K resolution at 30fps the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, or 1080p resolution at 60fps on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S!”

That is not all however, as the team confirmed that the game will be coming to Xbox Game Pass for PC (and can also be purchased outright from the Microsoft Store).

Remnant: From the Ashes is a tough but rewarding third-person shooter with satisfying gameplay, selling over 1.6 million copies. This free next-gen upgrade will only serve to improve that further – though it is slightly disappointing to see the 60fps mode limited to 1080p. Described by some as “Dark Souls with guns”, now is a better time than ever to check out Remnant: From the Ashes.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the game? Have you played it? Which other games do you want to see get a next-gen patch? Let us know down below.

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Over a dozen EA games receive FPS Boost on Xbox https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/over-a-dozen-ea-games-receive-fps-boost-on-xbox/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/over-a-dozen-ea-games-receive-fps-boost-on-xbox/#respond Fri, 23 Apr 2021 09:15:50 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=512845 Xbox’s FPS boost allows for many older titles to take advantage of the new generation of Xbox hardware, allowing games which were never designed with higher frame rates in mind on consoles to get updates to 60fps and beyond. EA has now announced that over a dozen of its own games will receive FPS Boost, …

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Xbox’s FPS boost allows for many older titles to take advantage of the new generation of Xbox hardware, allowing games which were never designed with higher frame rates in mind on consoles to get updates to 60fps and beyond. EA has now announced that over a dozen of its own games will receive FPS Boost, making Xbox games such as Battlefield playable at 120fps.

Following on from the latest round of FPS Boost titles, Microsoft has announced that over a dozen EA titles will be receiving the FPS Boost treatment. The games in question are:

  • Battlefield 1
  • Battlefield 4
  • Battlefield V
  • Mirror’s Edge Catalyst 
  • Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
  • Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2
  • Sea of Solitude
  • STAR WARS Battlefront
  • STAR WARS Battlefront II
  • Titanfall
  • Titanfall 2
  • Unravel 2

All of these titles will be boosted to 120fps on both the Xbox Series X as well as the Series S (aside from Sea of Solitude, which will run at 60fps). It is worth noting however that some of these titles will see their resolutions drop in order to facilitate this higher frame rate. As such, some of these games will not have their FPS Boost activated by default. Instead, players will manually have to choose to turn the feature on. For some, the hit to resolution isn't worth it, whereas for others it most certainly is.

Regardless, bringing FPS Boost to more titles is a great addition, and serves to further support the narrative that Microsoft is dedicated to offering as such backwards compatibility and cross-generational support as possible. The full list of FPS Boost titles can be found HERE.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of FPS Boost? Will you use it? What games do you think would benefit the most from a boost? Let us know down below.

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Details on multiple new Xbox ‘Global Publishing projects’ leaked https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/details-on-multiple-new-xbox-global-publishing-projects-leaked/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/details-on-multiple-new-xbox-global-publishing-projects-leaked/#respond Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:57:49 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=512310 Xbox has had a relatively slow start to the generation. While PlayStation has already released multiple major first and second party titles, Xbox’s release schedule has looked much more bare, especially due to the delay of Halo: Infinite. The race has only just begun however, and it would appear that Microsoft has many projects in …

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Xbox has had a relatively slow start to the generation. While PlayStation has already released multiple major first and second party titles, Xbox’s release schedule has looked much more bare, especially due to the delay of Halo: Infinite. The race has only just begun however, and it would appear that Microsoft has many projects in the works, some of which have been leaked.

According to Miles Dompier of Window Central, there are currently at least 4 XGP (Xbox Global Publishing) projects in the works, none of which are the rumoured Kojima collaboration. One of these is known as the ‘Cyclone’ project, and will reportedly be announced soon.

Three of the four projects are from new IPs, which should help expand Xbox’s library, which has been critiqued in the past for relying on a small number of staple franchises. Not only are two of these projects said to be “very very big” but one of them is something Dompier would have “never imagined in any level possible” – whatever that may mean.

One of these ‘big’ projects is Cyclone, which is the furthest along in development and has been described as “being made by a very cool team, we talked about it being ambitious connected world, and it's going to be this big online multiplayer experience that kinda of does something very unique in this space. They're trying, for what it sounds like, make a MP game that isn't your third person looter shooter, it's not a MMO, it's something that kinda stays on its own thing.”

During the previous generation, Sony’s exclusive game lineup was generally agreed upon to have been stronger than Microsoft’s. It is therefore interesting to see what Xbox has planned for the new generation, in particular with 2nd and 3rd party developers.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you own an Xbox Series device? Are you excited for the Cyclone project? What do you want to see from Xbox this generation? Let us know down below.

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