May2023
Poll Do You Think The Xbox ActiBlizz Deal Will Still Go Ahead?
Following the recent CMA verdict
Now that the dust has settled on last month's UK CMA ActiBlizz verdict, we've been left wondering what happens next. We have the EU verdict supposedly right around the corner, we have the FTC's ongoing lawsuit and of course, Microsoft has already committed to
News Xbox Gets Another Free Dynamic Background, Available Now On Series X|S
Celebrating the arrival of Ghostwire: Tokyo
If you're eager to update your Xbox Series X|S dashboard with a new background, the latest dynamic one is now available. This time it's based on the Tango Gameworks release Ghostwire: Tokyo. To apply it, you'll need to head over to the Settings menu > Personalisation > My Background > Dynamic...
News Microsoft Reckons It 'Lost The Worst Generation To Lose' With Xbox One
"Where everybody built their digital library of games"
Xbox Boss Phil Spencer talked about lots of different aspects of the company's gaming business in a recent interview on Kinda Funny's Xbox podcast, but this quote is a particularly striking one. Basically, Phil reckons that last generation was a particularly bad one to 'lose' because of the...
News Is Xbox's Phil Spencer Already Playing The New Asus Gaming Handheld?
Shelf don't lie
Phil Spencer yesterday appeared on the Kinda Funny Games Xcast, and while the focus was mostly on the state of Redfall and Xbox's gaming division, we did spot a new backdrop addition we haven't seen before.
News Xbox Announces Permanent Price Cut For Series X|S Storage Expansion Cards
"The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is now available starting at a lower price"
This is the day quite a few folks have been waiting for! After almost three years on the market, Microsoft is officially slashing the price of its Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Cards - at least in the US. Now reflected on the official Xbox website, all three sizes...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer: 'I'm Upset With Myself' Over Redfall Launch
"There's nothing that's more difficult for me than disappointing the Xbox community"
As you may have already seen, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer has earlier today taken part in a very candid interview with the Kinda Funny Xcast crew over on YouTube. As we're still very much into Redfall's launch week, the game was of course a hot topic on the show, and its...
News Xbox Boss Insists Microsoft Will Deliver A Packed Schedule Of Releases
"We've got collections of games coming"
The Xbox Series X|S generation has had a lot of exciting moments, but there's also been a lot of delays and a lot of waiting for releases. So, when will Microsoft actually start getting more games out the door on a regular basis? Speaking on the Kinda Funny Games Xcast, Microsoft's head of gaming Phil Spencer...
News Phil Spencer Says Xbox 'Needs To Improve' Its Development Process
"I think we need to improve on engaging in games that are midway through production"
In a first appearance since the launch of Redfall, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer today featured on a Kinda Funny podcast to discuss the state of Xbox moving forward. Naturally, the discussion quickly moved to Redfall's launch and how Xbox might go about navigating its...
News Xbox Announces Extended Showcase 2023 Featuring 'In-Depth Interviews' & More
"Focused on the news from our Xbox Games Showcase"
Yesterday, Microsoft revealed even more information on this summer's Xbox Games Showcase including the exact date and time it all kicks off next month. Also tucked into the team's announcement post was a little note on this year's 'Xbox Games Showcase Extended' which is now confirmed to be returning...
News Microsoft Says To Expect 'New Surprises And First-Looks' From Xbox Games Showcase 2023
"This is the day gamers have been waiting for"
It seems that following Redfall's Game Pass release, Xbox is full speed ahead towards its big summer showcase for 2023. In a new Xbox Wire blog post, the team has revealed the start time for its upcoming showcase, also hinting at plenty of "surprises" for Xbox fans next month. The Xbox Games Showcase...
News Microsoft Introduces New Xbox Game Pass 'Friend Referral Program'
"Give up to five friends a free 14-day PC Game Pass trial"
Microsoft has today announced a brand new program to try and entice new players to try out its Game Pass service. The new 'Friend Referral Program' — as it's known — allows current Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass players to gift up to five 14-day PC Game Pass trials to friends...
News New Xbox Dashboard Featuring More Background Space Unveiled
Hurrah, finally!
After months of testing, Microsoft has finally unveiled what a new Xbox dashboard could look like with its latest Xbox Insider 'Home experience'. The new home screen layout, pictured above, is arriving for Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha Insider rings later this week. Most notably, the new dashboard finally allows for a bit more...
News Xbox Reveals 'Sunkissed Vibes' Official Controller To Launch This Month
Turn up the heat
Xbox has unveiled its second collaboration with nail polish brand OPI, although this time it's geared more towards gamers luckily for us. While last year's Spring Collection collab brought 'gaming inspired' nail colour options for OPI fans, this year's effort has spawned a brand new themed Xbox controller. The 'Sunkissed Vibes'...
News New Xbox Game Pass Ad Reminds Us Of What's Coming In 2023 And Beyond
There are some amazing titles inbound
On the eve of Redfall's big first party release, Microsoft has dropped a brand new advert showcasing everything new on Xbox Game Pass. The short clip, posted up above, mostly highlights recent and upcoming releases for the service, including the aforementioned Redfall, Minecraft Legends and Hi-Fi RUSH alongside...
April2023
News Ukraine The Latest Nation To Pass Xbox's Activision Blizzard Acquisition
Microsoft sees success in the region
It's not all doom and gloom for Microsoft when it comes to the ongoing ActiBlizz deal! The Ukrainian government has announced this week that it is happy for Xbox's acquisition of the company to go ahead. Yep, despite hitting a major stumbling block here in the UK, the Eastern European nation seems satisfied with...
News Microsoft Signs New 10-Year Deal Despite UK ActiBlizz Verdict
"We are full speed ahead in our mission"
This week brought earth shattering Xbox news, when the UK CMA decided to block Microsoft's huge purchase of Activision Blizzard. The Xbox owner is already committed to appealing the decision though, and now, it's made another move to suggest that this deal is far from over. This morning, Microsoft has...
News Nvidia: Xbox's Acquisition Of ActiBlizz Would Be 'A Benefit To Cloud Gaming'
"Cloud gaming providers stand to gain an ever deeper catalog"
Boosteroid isn't the only cloud gaming service that disagrees with the CMA's decision to block the Xbox Activision Blizzard acquisition. Now, graphics card giant Nvidia has chimed in on social media with its 'Nvidia GeForce Now' Twitter account - mentioning how Microsoft's acquisition...
News Forza Motorsport's New Accessibility Options Showcased By Xbox
Microsoft is making some huge improvements
In a new ViDoc style trailer from Xbox, the team at Turn 10 Studios has detailed a range of "Blind Driving Assists" coming to the brand-new Forza Motorsport - in turn creating "the most accessible Forza Motorsport ever". The assists range from menu narration, text-to-speech/speech-to-text options and UI...
News Redfall Launch Trailer Welcomes Game Pass Players To Arkane's Vampiric World
Wash away the rain
Arkane has delivered the big launch trailer for Redfall, and it's a goodie! We're treated to lots of new shots of Redfall gameplay here, perfectly matched with a sombre cover of Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun. Splendid. As we recently highlighted as part of the game's latest preview, the team has again focused on how solo play...
News Redfall Case Spotted With 'No 60FPS' Sticker Looks Hella Dodgy
Is this thing real?!
Okay, so, most of you who've been keeping up with upcoming Xbox exclusive Redfall will have heard about the game's lack of a 60FPS performance mode at launch. It's coming, but Arkane seemingly needs more time to deliver a smooth 60FPS option, and if a new boxart image doing the rounds is to be believed, retail stores are making...
News Cloud Gaming Platform Calls Out Decision To Block Xbox's Activision Blizzard Deal
"Boosteroid team and our users disagree"
In response to the CMA blocking Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard due to concerns about cloud gaming, Ukraine-based cloud gaming service 'Boosteroid' has issued a brief statement. It mentions how its team and users "disagree" with the decision and stand behind a statement made by Microsoft...
News Redfall Bites Onto Xbox Design Lab With 5 Limited Edition Controllers
Available now!!
Microsoft is gearing up for Redfall's imminent release with a new range of Xbox Design Lab controller options. Five unique limited edition controller faceplates have been added to Xbox's custom controller suite, and we have to say, these are some good looking pads. Four of them are based on each of Redfall's playable characters;...
Talking Point Where Does Xbox Go Next If ActiBlizz Deal Falls Through?
Is another acquisition lined up? Is this it for new studios?
Well, the unfortunate news has well and truly landed - for now, the UK has blocked Xbox's attempt to purchase Activision Blizzard. While this ruling is by no means definitive — Microsoft is already starting its appeal process — it does present a major stumbling block for Xbox and...
News Microsoft Will Appeal UK Decision To Block Activision Blizzard Purchase
"We remain fully committed to this acquisition"
In case you missed the megaton news earlier on, the UK Competition and Markets Authority has officially blocked Xbox's Activision Blizzard deal. We definitely weren't expecting that decision, but it seems that Microsoft is already prepared for what comes next. In an official statement from company...
News Xbox Gaming Revenue Down 4% YoY In Latest Earnings Report
Hardware took a big hit
Microsoft has released its latest earning results for FY23 Q3 and Xbox's gaming revenue is down by 4% year-over-year. Although Xbox's content and services revenue grew by 3% - with growth driven once again driven by the Xbox Game Pass service, hardware revenue has taken a hit, with a decline of 30% compared to the previous...
