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. …
Read More »Microsoft reportedly working to renew licenses to keep Quantum Break on Game Pass
Recently, we learned that Xbox-exclusive, Quantum Break, is due to leave Xbox Game Pass this month. At the time, it was theorised that this was due to licensing issues, or perhaps Remedy buying back the IP from Microsoft as it did with Alan Wake back in 2019. Now, Microsoft has …
Read More »April’s middling Xbox Games with Gold line-up announced
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. This …
Read More »SIFU’s Arena Expansion is officially live – alongside Steam and Xbox release
SIFU was one of 2022’s more unique titles, offering an in-depth arena-style fighting/brawling game with interesting mechanics such as its aging system. The game has gone on to sell more than 2 million copies, undoubtedly aided by Sloclap’s commitment to offering free updates. Speaking of, the much-anticipated Arenas Expansion has …
Read More »Xbox launches red and blue variants of the Elite Series 2 Core wireless controller
We've seen standard black and white versions of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers already but now, more options are going to be available. This week, Xbox revealed new Red and Blue colourways of the controller. The Xbox Elite Series 2 Core controller will now be available in Red and …
Read More »Thrustmaster releases Forza Horizon 5-themed Eswap XR Pro controller
Thrustmaster has partnered with Microsoft to release a unique Forza Horizon 5-themed controller. As part of the Eswap Pro line of controllers, this gamepad includes the same hot-swap modules to change the positioning of the d-pad and analogue sticks. However, it also has an exclusive racing wheel module. The Eswap …
Read More »Microsoft ends $1 Xbox Game Pass trial
Chances are if you've been a new subscriber to Xbox Game Pass in recent years, you've had an opportunity to get one month of subscription time for just $1 or £1. This offer was widely used and has aided in Game Pass growth across console and PC. However, all good …
Read More »CMA: Microsoft’s Activision buyout “will not result” in lessening of competition
The CMA has published its latest update into its ongoing investigation into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. While previously, the regulator seemed to have many concerns, it has now “narrowed its scope” of issues with the deal and no longer feels that it would “result in a substantial lessening …
Read More »Redfall director confirms game would have released on PS5 before Microsoft acquisition
It is no secret that Microsoft's acquisition of Zenimax and Bethesda caught everyone by surprise. Some projects, like Arkane's Redfall and Bethesda's Starfield were already in the works at the time of the acquisition and as you likely expect, were planned to release on PlayStation consoles and Xbox. In an …
Read More »ViewSonic announces the world’s first “Designed for Xbox” projectors
Xbox has been making a push for more licensed hardware releases. We've seen ‘Designed for Xbox' monitors previously and now, Microsoft is teaming up with ViewSonic to offer the world's first Xbox-minded 4K projectors. Named X1-4K and X2-4K, these two LED projectors come with Xbox's original colour scheme (black and …
Read More »Microsoft makes it easier for indies to publish physical games on Xbox
With each passing year we have seen physical media decrease in popularity, with both Sony and Microsoft leaning into it by creating discless versions of their current-gen systems. That said, there is still very much a market for physical game discs – though on Xbox in particular this has been …
Read More »Aliens: Dark Descent gets gameplay trailer and June release date
It has been a couple of years since the last Alien-based game released. In June, we'll be getting a brand new one, with Aliens: Dark Descent set to launch. Today marks the release of the official gameplay trailer for Aliens: Dark Descent, a new game based on the Aliens IP. …
Read More »Rare has already planned out the next 5 years for Sea of Thieves
Live service games are all the rage nowadays, with many studios vying to have a hit which could last for a decade or more. One game which is well on its way to this milestone is Sea of Thieves. First released 5 years ago back in 2018, the team at …
Read More »Xbox reportedly planning to launch its own Game store for iOS and Android devices
Last year, the EU announced law changes that will force Google and Apple to allow third-party stores on iOS and Android devices. Now, it looks like Microsoft is preparing to capitalise on this opportunity with its own mobile Xbox store. In an interview with the Financial Times this week, Xbox …
Read More »EU pushes back deadline for final decision on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard merger
Both the European Commission and the UK's CMA have extended deadlines to reach a decision on Microsoft's planned Activision Blizzard acquisition. Now, the EU is pushing the deadline further, moving from late April to late May. While Microsoft initially planned to have this deal closed by mid 2023, that timeline …
Read More »Resident Evil 4 Remake impresses with high scores in first wave of reviews
We're still a week away from the release of Resident Evil 4 Remake but Capcom seemed to have so much confidence in the project that it sent review codes out very early. The embargo has now lifted, revealing high scores across the board. Reviews for Resident Evil 4 Remake are …
Read More »Starfield gets 18+ rating in Australia
Typically studios like to avoid 18+ ratings but it isn't always possible in every region. This week, the Australian classification board rated Starfield as an 18+ title, primarily due to depictions of drug use. The board's rating reveals a few things about Starfield. As you would expect from an RPG …
Read More »Six game studios tell CMA Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal would improve competition
While we've known for a while now that Sony has been in talks with the CMA to express concerns about Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, we haven't heard much about studios speaking out in defence of the acquisition. That changed today, with the CMA's filings being updated with responses …
Read More »The FTC reveals Microsoft is already working on next-gen Xbox
Just recently, we heard that Sony is developing a PS5 Pro console, indicating that the PlayStation 6 should arrive sometime between 2027 and 2028. Now, regulatory filings have confirmed that Microsoft is also working on its next generation of Xbox hardware and services. The FTC is currently suing Microsoft to …
Read More »Ghostwire: Tokyo is coming to Xbox and Game Pass, expanded story update also coming
It has been roughly one year since Tango Gameworks released Ghostwire: Tokyo on PS5 and PC. Now with Sony's timed console exclusivity deal coming to an end, Microsoft has announced plans to bring the game to Xbox consoles and Game Pass. Ghostwire: Tokyo will release on Xbox Series X/S, and …
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