Tag: Microsoft - Page 23
News Microsoft Has Announced A Gaming Event, But It's Not What You Think
But still worth checking out!
Microsoft has announced a gaming event for February 23-24, with Xbox head Phil Spencer noted to make an appearance. However, instead of focusing on game reveals, the two-day showcase will focus on the background elements to Xbox gaming, such as AI agents for gaming and testing. As spotted by Thurrott, the event is...
News 343 Has 'No Current Plans' For A New Halo Wars Game
And is done with Halo Wars 2
Earlier this week, a job listing suggested that 343 Industries might be working on a new project set in the Halo universe. At the time, there was some speculation it could be for a new Halo Wars game. 343's community manager John Junyszek shut this down rather quickly - confirming the role was tied to the u
News Microsoft To Merge ZeniMax Into New Subsidiary Called 'Vault', But Only Temporarily
Update: The 'Vault' name won't be sticking around
Update: Well, this has been a confusing day. Following the discovery of the below document, another has been highlighted by UESP on Twitter (thanks RPS), this time detailing that 'Vault' won't be the permanent name for ZeniMax Media and Bethesda games under Microsoft, and that the ZeniMax name will...
News OG Xbox Creator 'Amazed' By Response To Classic Console, Says It Might Be Possible
Now to contact Phil
Earlier this week, Seamus Blackley - the creator and designer of the first Xbox - asked fans if they wanted to see a classic model (based on the 2000 prototype model) that could stream and play original games. Just days later, Blackley has now followed up on his original tweet. Before he gets in contact with the head of Xbox...
News Microsoft's GM Of Cloud Gaming Says Console Exclusive Games 'Aren't The Answer'
"The average game developer doesn’t want exclusivity"
Microsoft's head of cloud gaming James Gwertzman has been talking to Game Rant in a new interview, giving his thoughts on exclusivity and "whether console exclusive games are the answer to pushing platforms forward." In response, Gwertzman explained that he felt Microsoft has done a good job...
News Microsoft Adds Touch Controls To 13 More Xbox Game Pass Titles
A huge selection of fantastic games
As February's first wave of Xbox Game Pass titles have been announced, so has a sleuth of titles to now receive touch controls via Microsoft's cloud gaming service. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to take full advantage of the following games on their Android devices, as they've each been reworked to...
News The 2000s Console Wars Were 'Hardcore', Admits Former Xbox Boss
"I think there was a lot of competition"
Former Xbox exec Robbie Bach, who was president of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division until 2010, has been speaking a bit about his time on the Xbox team in an interview with Twitch Gaming. As part of the interview, Bach along with former Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aimé and former Sony Computer...
News Microsoft Working On Multiple 'Capture And Share' Improvements For Xbox Series X|S
It's "a priority for the team"
One of the most notable changes to Xbox's controller this generation is the addition of a 'share' button right in the middle of it. With this, you can instantly upload pictures and video clips to your Xbox profile and social media pages. For some users, though, it seems to be a source of frustration. The good news is...
News Xbox Series X Blu-Ray Black Colour Issue Fixed In January Update
Blu-rays will look better than ever before
Late last year after the release of the Xbox Series X, it became apparent there was an issue surrounding Blu-ray movies and how they seemed to not be portraying the colour black correctly. A recent system update is said to have rectified these issues. In a video from HDTVTest hosted by Vincent Teoh, he...
News Microsoft Will Find 'Solution' To Increase Revenue Per Xbox User, Says Industry Analyst
Business is business
Microsoft's attempt to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold was widely rejected and so it immediately reversed the decision - instead using it as an "opportunity" to announce free-to-play games would no longer require a membership. So what's the plan now that Gold's price will be staying the same? While we doubt Microsoft will...
News Phil Spencer Apologises For 'Angst And Emotion' Caused By Xbox Live Gold Price Hike
"We will learn from it"
Yesterday, Microsoft announced it would be increasing the price of its Xbox Live Gold membership. It's now gone back on that decision and even gone a step further announcing free-to-play titles will no longer require a subscription. Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, realises the initial announcement upset many people, and has now
News Free-To-Play Xbox Games Won't Require Xbox Live Gold Anymore
Update rolling out in the "coming months"
There's been a lot of discussion in the past about Microsoft potentially dropping the requirement of an Xbox Live Gold membership in order to enjoy free-to-play titles on Xbox, and today it's finally happened. Microsoft attached this to the news that it had decided against increasing the price of its Xbox...
News Microsoft Admits It 'Messed Up' And Will No Longer Increase The Price Of Xbox Live Gold
Instead free-to-play games no longer require a sub
Following the negative response to Microsoft jacking up the price of Xbox Live Gold, the company has now announced it will no longer be increasing the price of its long-running subscription service. In an updated post over on the Xbox website, the company admits it "messed up" and that fans were...
News Microsoft Headquarters To Become Mass Vaccination Site For COVID-19
Employees have been working from home since the pandemic began
Microsoft has kindly offered up its headquarters in an attempt to speed up the vaccination process for COVID-19. Since the pandemic began last year, Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington has been vacated as employees have adapted to a work-from-home lifestyle. As a result, the...
Random Microsoft Has 'Great' Coffee, According To YouTuber iJustine
In case you were wondering...
A lot of people enjoy a coffee or two...(or more) to help them get through the day, and YouTuber iJustine is no different. As part of this year's "digital" CES 2021 - all about tech, the Xbox fanatic and co-host of this event shared a selfie of herself on set holding a "Microsoft" coffee and noting how "great" it...
News 20 Years Ago Today, The Rock & Bill Gates Unveiled The Original Xbox
And the rest was history
There have been a lot of console reveals over the years, but The Rock and Bill Gates teaming up to introduce the original Xbox back on January 6th, 2001 has to go down as one of the most famous examples. Taking place exactly twenty years ago today, the conference was part of CES 2001, and saw Dwayne Johnson and Bill Gates...
News Microsoft Says It's Aware Of Connection Issues With The New Xbox Controllers
Will be resolved in a "future update"
We've all been there - you're at a pivotal moment in a game and then suddenly your controller is disconnected. With this in mind, some Xbox users are reporting connection issues when playing certain titles with the new Xbox Series X controller. Here's the original post on Microsoft's help forum, by user...
Random Xbox Sends Fortnite Streamer Ninja Replica Of Halo's Gravity Hammer
And he's giving an extra one away!
At this year's Game Awards, Epic Games announced Halo's Master Chief would be coming to its battle royale Fortnite. To celebrate this special occasion, the Xbox team sent the world's most popular Fortnite streamer Ninja a life-sized Gravity Hammer from the Halo series. In Fortnite, Master C
News Xbox Will Improve Certification Process, After Discovery Of CP2077's Seizure Dangers
"we encourage all players to review warnings"
Earlier this week, a report from Game Informer revealed CD Projekt Red's latest release, Cyberpunk 2077, featured visuals that were capable of triggering a seizure. A Microsoft spokesperson, in response to this report, has reiterated to GamesRadar how the company is committed to making its platforms as...
News Microsoft Adds Touch Controls To 5 More Xbox Game Pass Titles
More options for playing your favourite games on the go
Along with announcing more titles for Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft has also highlighted the next batch of games to receive touch controls on Android devices. As an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, cloud gaming is an additional perk to the subscription, allowing you to play your favourite games on...
News Xbox Has Literally Been Powering Players' Dreams To Create Weird And Wonderful Art
Using the most advanced dream recording technology
Microsoft has taken the slogan 'Power Your Dreams' a little too literally as a new video has experimented with Xbox Series X owners dreams after their time with the console. Using advanced dream technology, the company has conducted lucid dreaming experiments to monitor player's dreams after...
News 343 Announces Halo: Point Of Light, A New Novel Arriving In March 2021
The follow-up to Smoke & Shadow and Renegades
Over on the official Halo Waypoint website, 343 has revealed a new novel by Kelly Gay. It's a follow-up to Halo: Smoke & Shadow and Halo: Renegades, and is officially titled Halo: Point of Light. Here's a bit about it - with the events reportedly taking place a month before Halo 5: Guardians. It's...
News Microsoft CEO Is Asked How Xbox Will 'Win The Console War' With PS5
"We are absolutely very, very much focused on gaming"
Microsoft held its 2020 annual shareholders meeting yesterday, and as part of the earnings call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was asked by a shareholder what was "being done to set Xbox apart from the PS5 to win the console war". Obviously the shareholder didn't get the memo, as Xbox boss Phil...
News Xbox Live Bug Allowed Hackers To Reveal Anyone's Email Address
Don't worry, it's been patched
It's been revealed that a flaw in Xbox Live has been allowing hackers to retrieve the email addresses of anyone's Xbox gamertag, although Microsoft has now patched and seemingly played down the issue. As reported by Motherboard, a hacker got in touch with the outlet recently to make them aware of the problem, and...
News Phil Spencer Glad People Will 'Actually Get A Console' At The Time Of Halo Infinite's Launch
"I feel good about that"
When Halo Infinite got delayed back in August, head of Xbox Phil Spencer admitted it was a bummer - noting how the company (and fans) were obviously looking forward to the alignment of a new Halo game and launch of a new Xbox console. Since then, Phil - like everyone else - has come to terms with the fact that it's going to...
News Microsoft Focused On Manufacturing More Xbox Series X Right Now
Keeping up with demand
Microsoft's Xbox Series S has been incredibly well-received. In fact, it's even been named by TIME Magazine one of the best inventions of 2020. While there's certainly demand for this particular model, in a recent interview with The Verge - head of Xbox Phil Spencer revealed how the company was currently focused on...
News Apple Devices Will Add Xbox Series X Controller Support In Future Update
No word on when it will be available
Microsoft and Apple might not be on the best terms in recent times, but there's still some level of cooperation. Apple says the tech giants are currently "working together" to bring Xbox Series X controller support to its devices. Right now, iOS and iPadOS devices do not officially support Microsoft's new...
News Multiple Xbox Published Titles Receive Game Awards Nominations
Ori is up for three categories
The nominations for the Game Awards 2020 have been revealed and multiple categories feature titles published by Xbox Game Studios. Moon Studios' Ori and the Will of the Wisps has received a total of three nominations. The categories it's listed in is 'Best Art Direction', 'Best Score and Music' and 'Best Action /...
News Microsoft Wants Bethesda Games To 'Show Up The Best' On Xbox
"You'll continue to see us shift towards a first or better or best approach"
Microsoft has spoken again about the future of Bethesda games on the Xbox platform, revealing it wants to games "to be either first or better or best" on Xbox platforms. Originally reported by VGC, Microsoft's chief financial officer Tim Stuart spoke during the Jefferies...
News Xbox Series X|S Was Reportedly Microsoft's Biggest UK Console Launch Ever
Numbers indicate the launch has beaten the Xbox One sales
Early figures seem to be showing high demand for the Xbox Series X|S in the UK, with an early report suggesting the console has hit 155,000 sold during launch day alone. According to a recent report (thanks, VGC), various publishers have revealed initial figures for the consoles, which show...
News Xbox Head Apologises For Series X Shortage, Demand 'Just So High'
"We need more consoles"
Xbox head Phil Spencer made an appearance during the Glitchcon event over the weekend, recognising that the world needs more Xbox Series X|S consoles available on the market (thanks True Achievements). In an interview with Twitch partner negaoryx, and Twitch ambassador Cupahnoodle, Spencer addressed the current stock...
News Can You Believe It? Halo 2 Is Now 16 Years Old
Time flies when you're saving humanity
Just before the launch of the Xbox Series X|S this week, Halo 2 actually celebrated its 16th anniversary. Yep, when Bungie's second game landed on the original Xbox in 2004, it was the first Halo title on the system to allow players to take the fight online, play as the Arbiter and even dual-wield. The story...
News Catarina Macedo Departs Xbox And Microsoft
"This is goodbye for now"
Catarina Macedo, a senior program manager at Xbox's research and development division, has announced she is leaving Microsoft. Macedo has been working under Microsoft for seven years and originally started out at the Xbox division as a program manager in 2017, quickly working her way up to a senior position. She says...
News Xbox Series X|S Is The Biggest Launch In Xbox History
Microsoft will resupply units ASAP
The Xbox Series X|S is now available worldwide, so how did it all go? According to head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, this generation has become Microsoft's largest launch in Xbox history. Wow! Phil goes on to state how in just 24 hours more new consoles were sold across more countries than ever before. Microsoft is now...
News Microsoft Gifts Xbox Team Members Project Scarlett Controllers
You can't buy this!
Microsoft's next-generation console has arrived and to mark this very special occasion, team Xbox employees have all received their very own "Project Scarlett" controllers - as thanks for their contributions. Xbox's engineering lead, Eden Marie, shared a few photos of the one she received, showing off the front and back...
News Microsoft Considered Pulling The Plug On Xbox Back In 2014
"Do we stay invested in it?"
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has admitted that the infamous failures of the Xbox One launch back in 2013 could have led to the end of Xbox entirely (or more likely a sale), which he discussed with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Speaking to Shacknews, Spencer highlighted how the Xbox team became separated following the departure...
News Xbox Has Reportedly Approached Several Japanese Devs About A Buyout
"from small to big"
One major area of focus for Xbox in recent times has been improving its library of Japanese video games. A new report from Bloomberg sheds some more light on this, revealing how Microsoft has approached "several" Japanese developers (of all sizes) about a potential buyout. "Several Japan-based game developers, from small to...
News Microsoft Reveals Time Spent Testing Each Backwards Compatible Game For Xbox Series X|S
"We had an army of testers"
Last month, Microsoft revealed how it spent "well over 500,000 hours" testing gameplay across the entire Xbox backwards compatible catalogue to ensure the user experience was the best possible. During a recent interview with Inverse, Xbox Director of Program Management Jason Ronald elaborated on this - revealing how a...
News Xbox Gaming Revenue Up 22% YoY In Latest Earnings Report
Another strong quarter for Xbox
Microsoft has announced its earnings results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 (FY21 Q1), revealing that Xbox gaming revenue increased 22% year-over-year for that period. Primarily, this was due to a sizeable 30% increase in Xbox content and services revenue driven by strength from third-party sales, Xbox Game...
News Xbox Unsure About Game Pass On Competitor Platforms, But Could Be Open To Discussions
Would Sony and Nintendo even be willing to cooperate?
There's been talk about expanding Xbox's Game Pass subscription service to other platforms on multiple occasions in the past, and in a GameReactor interview featuring Xbox head Phil Spencer, the question has been raised once again. So, would Phil and his team be willing to bring Game Pass to the...
Random Snoop Dogg Shows Off His New Xbox Series X Fridge
Update: And so does YouTuber iJustine
Update: YouTuber iJustine has also now posted a video of her receiving the huge Xbox Series X fridge, complete with a console style unboxing! You can check it out above. Original story: Sony has recruited Travis Scott as a "strategic creative partner" to help promote the PlayStation brand, so who does...
News Xbox ANZ Is Teasing Something Related To The Series X
Update: Tune in November 9th
Update (Wed 21st Oct, 2020 03:30 BST): The 9th November has now been locked in. As previously mentioned, it seems like this teaser is tied to the system's launch, as it's taking place exactly an hour before the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launch (New Zealand time) on 10th November. The same date has been shared on...
News Team Xbox Has 'More To Come' In The Final 4 Weeks To Series X|S Launch
It's the final countdown
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are now officially one month out from release. To mark this occasion, Microsoft earlier this week launched its first commercial for the next generation. According to Xbox's senior marketing manager, Josh Munsee, there's "more to come" in the final four weeks leading up to launch -...
News Xbox Series X Aims To Make Cabling More Accessible Than Ever Before
Tactile indicators help identify ports
Microsoft has always gone to extreme lengths to make gaming accessible to as many people as possible. In 2018, for example, it released the Xbox Adaptive Controller - designed primarily to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility. Now, in an attempt to make its next-generation consoles just a little more...
News GameStop Announces Multi-Year Strategic Partnership With Microsoft
And will now offer Xbox All Access
The video game retail giant GameStop has announced it has entered into a "multi-year strategic partnership agreement" with Microsoft. This partnership includes both enterprise and commercial elements. GameStop's backend will now be powered by Dynamics 365 - Microsoft's cloud-based tech - and store reps will be...
News Xbox Celebrates A Record Year For Its First-Party Studios
"1.66 billion hours played by our fans and counting"
Microsoft is today celebrating a record year for its first-party studios, with ten brand-new titles launched in 2020 and many of them earning "strong critical acclaim," as well as "impressive engagement from our fans." Specifically, here are some of the stats Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg has...
News Nope, Flight Simulator's Dev Isn't Working On A New Microsoft Game
Microsoft rep clarifies
There's been a story doing the rounds over the past few weeks that Asobo Studio - the developer of Flight Simulator - was already working on another project with Microsoft. It all stems from a seemingly rough translation of a
News Bethesda's Games Will Be 'Better' Under Microsoft, Says Todd Howard
Quality assurance
It's been a massive week for Xbox - with Microsoft announcing its acquisition of ZeniMax Media (the parent company of Bethesda) for a whopping $7.5 billion. While we've already got some insight, in an interview with Major Nelson alongside Phil Spencer and Pete Hines, Todd Howard - director and executive producer at Bethesda -...
Random The Internet Thinks Microsoft Is Buying Sega Now
Update: No acquisition news at the Tokyo Game Show, confirms MS
Update: Microsoft has confirmed it has no plans to announce any acquisitions at this week's Tokyo Game Show. Original story: It doesn't take much to ignite a rumour nowadays and after Microsoft acquired the parent company of Bethesda earlier this week, some people on the
News Retailers Who Open Xbox Pre-Orders Early Will Be Penalized, Says Keighley
Microsoft supposedly "lowering allocations" as punishment
Earlier this week, as you might have heard, pre-orders opened for the PlayStation 5 ahead of scheduled and reportedly sold out within minutes. The situation was described as a "mess" within this community and a lot of people now have no option but to wait until the next shipment. To avoid a...
