February2021
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 YouTuber Teases Xbox Series X Related Surprise For February 17th
"I think it is VERY top for Xbox Series"
We're still waiting for Microsoft to roll out the feature on Xbox Series X|S that will double the framerate of select backwards compatible titles. When this enhancement does arrive, certain older titles will be able to jump from 30FPS to 60FPS and even from 60FPS to 120FPS. Xbox Series X|S director of...
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 The Pulse Red Xbox Series X Controller Is Now Available
Grab it while it's hot!
Remember the new Pulse Red Xbox Series X controller that was unveiled last month? Well, it's finally available to take home and add to your controller collection, releasing as of today, February 9th. Available at most major retailers such as Amazon and the Microsoft Store, the Pulse Red controller clocks in at £54.99 /...
News Xbox Is Gifting The New Red Series X Controllers For Valentine's Day
All wrapped up in a lovely package
In the spirit of gifting your loved ones on Valentine's Day, it looks as though Microsoft is also joining in as it has begun delivering the new Pulse Red Xbox Series X controllers to select fans, as revealed on social media. Over the weekend it was seen that a couple of Kinda Funny xCast influencers received a...
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 Rare Seeking Senior Designer For Its Next Big Xbox Project Everwild
"Come on down"
It's the beginning of another year and a lot of video game companies are obviously on the lookout for new talent to assist them with upcoming projects. With this in mind, Rare - best known in recent times for its pirate-themed multiplayer game Sea of Thieves - is calling for a senior designer to come and help create its next big hit,...
News Microsoft Has Reportedly Shifted Around 3.5 Million Xbox Series X|S Consoles So Far
According to a senior industry analyst
According to one industry analyst, Microsoft has shifted 3.5 million Xbox Series X|S systems since their launch back in November last year. The total number reportedly makes it 1 million less than the PlayStation 5. In a response to IGN's report on the PS5 sales, one of the site's editors took to Twitter,...
News Microsoft Was Reportedly Looking Into Acquiring Gearbox Software
"But clearly didn't complete the deal"
Gearbox Software was recently purchased by Embrace Group, the parent company of THQ Nordic. But according to a couple of industry insiders, Microsoft originally had their eyes set on the acquisition. Insider Brad Sams (who also unveiled the Xbox Series S before its official reveal) shared the information on...
Random This Xbox Series X, Made Entirely Out Of Ice, Is Seriously Cool
It's as cold as ice
Xbox Canada has shared an image of a giant Xbox Series X, but the unique feature this time around is that it's made entirely of ice - even the controller. The days may be cold and the nights dark, but that hasn't stopped Microsoft. In fact, the cold weather has been used to their advantage to create this beautiful, ice...
Random Resident Evil Village's Vampire Lady Is Even Taller Than Master Chief
Embracing the meme
The internet loves Resident Evil Village's Lady Dimitrescu, who has swept the internet in the past few weeks following the recent showcase for the upcoming title. Capcom knows this and confirmed she's a towering 9 foot and 6 inches tall, further feeding everyone's love for the character. Xbox took this opportunity to show us just...
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 EU To Decide On Microsoft's Acquisition Of ZeniMax Media By March
The $7.5 billion deal could soon be approved
Microsoft's massive deal with ZeniMax Media, which saw it acquiring companies such as Bethesda for $7.5 billion, is to be approved by March 5th at the latest by the EU. As discovered by Reuters, Microsoft filed for the European Commission to approve the deal on January 29, with a forthcoming deadline of...
January2021
Random Xbox Users Struggling To 'Quit' Games Due To Menu Update
"This is evil"
Given Microsoft's long-running history with computer operating systems, it's no surprise the Xbox team loves to regularly make adjustments to the Xbox UI to enhance the overall experience. Sometimes, though, these changes aren't always well received. Case in point - one of the more recent updates that you might have already spotted...
News Former Xbox Boss Explains Why An Xbox Handheld Console Has Never Been Created
Pitches from internal employees would "just would not die"
Ever wondered why a portable Xbox console has never seen the light of day? Robbie Bach, who ran the Xbox business between 2001 to 2010, said that proposals for a handheld system "just would not die" internally. As transcribed by Gamespot, a recent interview with Bach during the New York...
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...
Reaction Xbox Live Price Hike Feels Like A Huge Push Towards Game Pass
Update: The decision has been reversed!
Update: As you've very likely seen by now, Microsoft has decided to reverse the decision to increase the pricing for Xbox Live Gold, as well as announce that free-to-play games will no longer require Gold in the future. That decision now makes the following reaction outdated for obvious reasons, but we're...
News Microsoft Is Making Changes To How It Flights New Xbox Features
It'll mean fewer full sized system updates
There's nothing worse than getting home from work and being hit with a hefty system update before you can commence gaming. Well, it appears Microsoft is looking to introduce a new way of flighting new features for Xbox users, without the need to complete a full system update every single time. Those part...
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...
News Microsoft Reportedly Seeking To Acquire 'Big Names' For Future Buyouts
"There are some big industry names out there being approached"
It seems the acquisition train has no attempts at slowing down as a journalist has recently claimed that the company is looking to acquire more buyouts, along with Amazon and Google entering the fold. According to BWWMediaGroup's executive editor Brad Sams' recent YouTube video...
