Tag: Microsoft
Report Microsoft 'Held Meetings' With Sony Last Week To Discuss Activision Blizzard Deal
FTC expected to make a decision in January
The latest update in the ongoing Activision Blizzard saga has arrived this week courtesy of Seeking Alpha, with the outlet reporting that Microsoft and Sony "held meetings" to discuss the acquisition this past weekend. The report mentions that Microsoft is "working to give assurances to Sony that it will...
News Xbox Is Offering 'Buy One, Get One Free' On Select Ubisoft Games This December
Cool idea, but still pretty expensive
Although the Xbox Black Friday Sale 2022 has finally come to an end, you may still be interested in a brand-new Ubisoft sale that just hit the Xbox Store, where Xbox is offering "buy one, get one free" on a bunch of the company's titles. We spotted this deal earlier today in the UK, and we're presuming it's...
Random Xbox Is Now Selling Mini 'Hoodies' For Its Wireless Controllers
Snug
We've seen some weird and wonderful gaming merch over the years, but Microsoft might have just created the strangest Xbox accessory yet. In a surprising turn of events this week, the company has begun selling an incredibly useful Xbox accessory: mini hoodies for your controllers! Is that much-loved special edition pad of yours getting cold...
News Microsoft 'Likely' To Offer Remedies Soon For Activision Blizzard Deal In Europe, Claims Report
Including a 10-year licensing deal for PlayStation
It was confirmed recently that the European Commission was proceeding with a deeper investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and now it sounds like Microsoft is willing to "offer remedies" to seal the deal. In a new report from Reuters, it's been claimed that Microsoft is...
News Report Suggests Google Isn't Keen On Xbox's Attempt To Buy Activision Blizzard
But to a "lesser extent" than Sony
We don't know about you, but we're getting sick of this whole Activision Blizzard drama! We shared the report yesterday that the FTC was considering filing a lawsuit against Microsoft's attempts to acquire ActiBlizz, but something we didn't mention from the report was that Google apparently has concerns with the...
News Activision Blizzard 'Won't Hesitate To Fight' To Defend Xbox Deal
And in this corner...
Wednesday, November 23rd was another landmark day in the ongoing back-and-forth over Xbox's deal with Activision Blizzard. Recent statements from both Microsoft and Sony in response to the UK CMA's investigation of the deal were finally made public, while a r
News Microsoft Releases 'Never Before Seen' Screenshots Of Halo 2
Straight from mod documentation
If you're a fan of Halo and loved the second entry in the series, you might be interested in the new official mod tool documentation for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, a Halo release Microsoft continues to support to this day. The company shared the doc on its official website earlier today, and as highlighted by...
News Xbox's Forza Horizon Bundle Pricing Error Is Being Refunded & Revoked
Slam on the brakes
About a week ago, we reported on a ludicrous Forza Horizon bundle deal where Microsoft accidentally sold the game in Sweden at a whopping 99% discount. When translated across regions it made the price less than $1, however those who snagged the deal are now in for a rude awakening. Microsoft has begun the process of refunding...
Report US FTC 'Likely' To File Lawsuit Against Xbox's Activision Blizzard Deal
Uh-oh
Update: Activision has now responded to this report with a statement, revealing that the company "won't hesitate to fight to defend the transaction if that's needed". <related ids="141650"> Original story: More revelations regarding the Xbox Activision Blizzard deal have come to light in recent hours, with outlet
News Xbox Expects Next Console Generation To Start In 2028 'At The Very Earliest'
Here to stay
We've seen another round of responses today from both Sony and Microsoft regarding the UK CMA's investigation into the ActiBlizz deal, and the new docs provide some pretty interesting insights into the two companies' strategies. Chief among which is a little hint from Microsoft at when we can all expect the next console generation to...
News 'Microsoft Wants PlayStation To Become Like Nintendo', Claims Sony
That's one way to look at it!
As you've probably already seen, Sony Interactive Entertainment's "Observations on the CMA's Issues Statement" from October 2022 was publicly revealed earlier today as part of the ongoing investigation into Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition, and it's basically a long list of reasons why Sony doesn't think the...
Another round
In yet another twist in the ongoing Xbox vs. PlayStation ActiBlizz drama (yes, that's definitely its official name now), the UK CMA has revealed Sony's response to the authority's recent "Issues Statement" concerning the acquisition. A
News Xbox November Update Launches Today With New Capture & Discord Features
Finally, a 'captures' app!
Xbox has unveiled its console update for November 2022, and it's a big one! Plenty of recent Insider Program features are making their way over to all consoles, including a new 'Captures' app and proper Discord voice chat integration across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Captures App Let's kick things off with...
News Xbox Boss On Keystone Price Point: $99 - $129 USD Would 'Make Sense'
"I don’t want to announce pricing specifically"
Head of Xbox Phil Spencer shed a bit more light on the streaming project 'Keystone' last month. At the time, he mentioned how a prototype had been built, but the final product would likely be "years away" from hitting the market as the team had decided to "take our learnings and refocus our efforts...
Feature 21 Today! The Original Xbox Hits Legal Drinking Age In The US
First round on me
Today's the day for the original Xbox! Yes, believe it or not, Microsoft's very first gaming console is now 21 years of age, originally launching all the way back on November 15, 2001. We have some very fond memories of the OG Xbox, from its star-studded reveal presentations to its uniquely chonky design, and who can forget the...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Adamant Call Of Duty Will Remain On PlayStation 'Longer Term'
"Native. Call of Duty. On PlayStation!!"
Well, this is a debate for the ages! Once again, Xbox has come out to defend its position regarding the future of Call of Duty, this time via a new Phil Spencer interview with The Verge. Phil seems adamant that Xbox will continue to support CoD on PlayStation well into the future, even touching on a...
Talking Point We're Ready For The Next Limited Edition Xbox Console
Will it be Starfield-themed?
Well, we regret to inform you that we could have been playing Starfield right now on our Xbox Series consoles, as the game's initial 11/11/22 launch date has just passed. While we're disappointed that we can't go hands-on with Bethesda's next epic just yet, we're happy that the team is getting all the time it needs to...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Chimes In On Sony's God Of War Ragnarok Launch
You love to see it
Ahead of God of War Ragnarok's PS5 launch, Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg popped up on Twitter last week to express his excitement about playing Sony's latest exclusive title. This is a typical sight for an Xbox exec at this point; the team is open and honest about what they're playing! Well, now that the game is out there in the wild,...
News Microsoft Reacts To EU's 'In-Depth' Investigation Of Activision Blizzard Deal
"We want people to have more access to games, not less"
The European Commission is the latest authority to launch a deeper investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with the region now looking at all aspects of the deal. The EU has set itself a March 2023 deadline to make a call on the merger, and Microsoft could then be...
News Microsoft Exploring New Graphics Options To Reduce Power Consumption On Xbox
Including lowering resolution and frame rate
Xbox has been working on its console power consumption rate as of late, with sweeping changes recently made to Xbox Series X and S to help ensure the systems run more efficiently. Well, it's looking like Microsoft could be willing to take things a step further, even offering game performance-altering...
News Xbox Wants State Of Decay 3 To 'Compete Visually' Despite Smaller Dev Team
"We want that game to compete"
Undead Labs is still quietly working away on State of Decay 3 - we say quietly because we haven't seen any gameplay since its original announcement! Well, thankfully, that could be because the team wants to go all out with its third State of Decay iteration. In a new interview with Xbox's Matt Booty, State of Decay 3...
News New Microsoft Store Options Rolling Out To Xbox Insiders
What's on your wish list?
Xbox has detailed its latest dashboard update for users within the Insider program, and it brings a few minor changes relating to the Xbox storefront. The new settings revolve around notifications from your console, particularly from Wish List changes when games go on sale. For now, Microsoft says that the new settings...
News Gears Of War Creator On Sale To Xbox: 'Epic Didn't Really Know What To Do With The Franchise'
So Microsoft took charge
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski recently chatted with IGN about his new book 'Control Freak', and as usual, Gears was a major talking point. In one segment, he touched on the sale of the franchise to Microsoft in 2014 - mentioning how Epic didn't really seem to know what to do with the series after he left alongside...
News Microsoft Invests In Korean Blockchain Game Developer
Wemade makes the MMORPG series 'Legend of Mir'
Xbox's parent Microsoft is always seeking new tech and gaming avenues, and the latest news doing the rounds is that it's invested in the Korean game company Wemade, which specialises in blockchain technology. According to an official PR by Wemade (via a story on VGC), the developer has received an...
News Turtle Beach 'Atom' Is The Latest Switch-Like Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller
Switching it up
Third-party accessory company Turtle Beach is getting on the Xbox Cloud Gaming train with its latest mobile controller, the 'Atom'. This gamepad is another Nintendo Switch-like affair where the controller splits up and moulds around your mobile device of choice. The Atom is officially licensed for Xbox, with Turtle Beach w
News Xbox Insists It's 'Not Taking Call Of Duty From PlayStation'
Phil Spencer: "That's not our intent"
Last week, Xbox boss Phil Spencer mentioned how Microsoft intended to treat Call of Duty like Minecraft when asked about the series' future post-acquisition. Now, during an interview with the 'Same Brain' YouTube channel, Phil has reiterated his comments about making Call of Duty as accessible as possible - in...
News Xbox Boss Remains Confident Activision Blizzard Deal Will Be Approved
"We're very focused"
Xbox's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is still in the process of being finalised, and while it might seem frustrating for the team at Microsoft, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says the ongoing discussion surrounding the size of the acquisition is warranted. In an interview at WSJ Tech Live 2022 earlier this week, Spencer reiterated...
News InXile Says Xbox Ended Up Being The 'Perfect Match' For The Studio
"They wanted us to do what we do best"
Believe it or not, but not everyone is happy about Microsoft's Xbox division scooping up select video game companies in big-budget acquisitions. If you did have any doubts about it though, there's a lovely reminder in InXile Entertainment's new 20th anniversary documentary about how it can be both a positive...
News Xbox Game Pass Growth Slower Than Expected After Microsoft Sets High Targets
How much?!
Although Xbox Game Pass usually gets all the plaudits for its incredible value, questions are often thrown around about its ability to be sustainable. While Phil Spencer recently told the world that Game Pass is indeed profitable, the service seems to be growing at a slower pace than Microsoft had hoped for. In a new
News Xbox Still Open To Streaming Device, But It Could Be 'Years Away'
Keystone will remain a prototype
Xbox's project 'Keystone' has come up in conversation during Phil Spencer's recent interview with The Wall Street Journal. As you might recall, earlier this month we saw an old prototype of Keystone on Phil's shelf. Now, in his latest interview, the Xbox boss has mentioned how the company decided to pivot to working...
News Xbox Almost Cancelled Its Adaptive Controller Before A Change Of Heart
"No, this is actually important for the world"
Xbox's Adaptive Controller is one of the most innovative gaming products we've ever seen from one of the big manufacturers; it opens the door for many, many different ways to play. While Microsoft has been lauded for developing and releasing the accessory, as it turns out, the controller almost never...
News Nearly Half Of Series S Owners Are New To Xbox, Reveals Microsoft
Breaking down barriers
Microsoft just published its latest quarterly earnings report up to the end of September 2022, and it provides an interesting look at all thing
News Microsoft Announces Age Of Mythology: Retold For PC Game Pass
Another definitive edition is on the way
The floodgates have opened for the Age of Empires series on Xbox, with the announcement Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV will be coming to the system next year. It's left many Xbox fans wondering what else could be added to this console lineup in the future. Apart from Age of Empires III: Definitive...
News Xbox Gaming Revenue Up 4% YoY In Latest Earnings Report
Hardware revenue is up by 13%
Microsoft's latest earnings results have been published for the quarter ended September 30th, 2022 (FY23 Q1) and Xbox's gaming revenue is up by 4% year-over-year. Xbox's hardware revenue increased by 13%. Once again, this was thanks to the continued demand for Xbox Series X|S around the globe. However, Xbox's "content...
News Xbox Mobile App Gets New GameDVR Feature In Latest Update
Quick edits
Xbox is beginning to rework its somewhat flawed GameDVR system, with the feature's latest changes coming to the Xbox Beta app for mobile devices this week. As originally spotted by The Verge's Tom Warren, a recent app update has added the ability to edit / trim clips on Xbox Live,
News Microsoft Layoffs Are Reportedly Affecting Team Xbox
Along with other divisions of the company
Microsoft has reportedly initiated a number of layoffs across various divisions, including the Xbox team. According to a report by Business Insider, the internal shift amounts to "less than" 1,000 employee redundancies at Microsoft. As mentioned, Xbox is apparently one of the divisions to suffer, alongside...
News Microsoft Intended To Release Xbox Game Pass On PlayStation, Sony 'Blocked' It
PlayStation Game Pass?
More and more information from the UK authority's scrutiny of Xbox's ActiBlizz deal is starting to trickle out, and this drop is a juicy one. Again via The Verge's Tom Warren, Microsoft has discussed Game Pass and the fact that the service could have been on PlayStation, had Sony wanted it. In defending its Activision...
News Take-Two CEO Backs Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
"It's a good thing for Microsoft and for the industry"
We're hearing a lot of discourse online about Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and whether it's a good or bad thing for the industry. In a recent video interview with The Grill, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick was asked about his own thoughts, and mentioned how he's "in favour" and...
News Xbox Argues With UK Regulator Over Activision Blizzard Deal
"The CMA's concerns are misplaced..."
Right, the gloves have come off over at Microsoft HQ it seems. The Xbox owners have begun, well, arguing with the UK's competition regulator regarding its 'Phase 2' analysis of the Activision Blizzard merger. In short, Microsoft is accusing the UK CMA of taking Sony's comments into serious consideration without...
News Xbox's Latest Limited Edition Controller Is From Another Planet
Go hands on with the Lunar Shift pad, starting today!
Just a couple of weeks after revealing the Mineral Blue Camo Controller, Microsoft is back with another brand new Xbox pad, this time from another planet entirely! The Lunar Shift Xbox Controller launches today in select markets, and serves as a follow-up to the Aqua Shift edition from last year...
News PlatinumGames Would Still Be 'Very Happy' To Work With Xbox On Scalebound
If Phil has changed his tune, that is
In the years since the unfortunate cancellation of Xbox exclusive Scalebound, we've heard plenty of thoughts on a potential project revival, although nothing really concrete. Well, in a new interview with Scalebound developer PlatinumGames, the original team has once again expressed its desir
News Did Phil Spencer Just Reveal A New Xbox Device On His Shelf?
Project Keystone?
Update: It sounds like this could be an "old prototype", as hinted by the official Xbox Twitter account: "Now what did we say about putting old prototypes on your shelf boss?" Original story: It's that time again, folks! Xbox boss Phil Spencer has just posted a new shelf pic, and as you'd expect, we've already analysed it in...
News Xbox Activision Blizzard Deal Officially Approved In Brazil
Another one off the list
Xbox's Activision Blizzard deal might be receiving its fair share of scrutiny from various government authorities, but it's beginning to pass the test in certain markets. Back in August, Saudi officials accepted the deal's terms with no changes needed, and now Brazil has officially approved the merger too. Hurrah! Brazil's...
News UK Authority Sets March 2023 Deadline For Verdict On Xbox ActiBlizz Deal
Activate Phase 2
The UK government authority on market competition has laid out its timeline for delivering a verdict on Xbox's Activision Blizzard deal. Phase 2 of its analysis in now underway, and the final report is said to be delivered by March 1st, 2023. In theory, this means the deal won't go through until at least that date and even then,...
News Microsoft Lays Out 'Benefits' Of Xbox + Activision Blizzard On New Website
"More choice and more games for people everywhere"
Xbox is continuing to try and sell its case for merging with Activision Blizzard, via a new website that details the benefits that'll come from the merger. Microsoft's new online portal is dubbed "our vision for gaming", and it basically brings all the info on the deal under one roof, including the...
News Halo & F1 Partnership Spawns Amazing Master Chief-Inspired Helmet
HCS and Quadrant team up
British Formula One rep Lando Norris, who is currently racing with McLaren, has unveiled his very own Halo Master Chief style helmet. The racer will be wearing it at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, taking place this coming weekend. Lando has always been a fan of the Halo series, mentioning in an interview on social media...
News Phil Spencer Says New Quick Resume Feature Is 'On The List' At Xbox
"Good feature ask, makes sense"
'Quick Resume' was one of Xbox's big new features at the turn of the console generation, allowing users to pick up games right where they left off from a previous session. The feature is a solid one, although it can be spotty in terms of functionality with certain games. Well, Xbox's Phil Spencer has taken to Twitter...
Talking Point Do You Consider A Game's Length When Browsing Xbox Game Pass?
Alexa, how long to beat?
In a world filled with seemingly infinite choices on games, TV shows, movies, you name it, we tend to prefer our gaming experiences to fall on the shorter side in this day and age. That's not to say we don't love getting stuck into a huge RPG every now and then, but sampling a wider variety of shorter titles is typically our...
Rumour Xbox Is Talking To 'Major' Japanese Publishers About Acquisitions
Even while the ActiBlizz deal is underway
Xbox is continuing to push for growth in Japan, highlighted by its recent Tokyo Game Show livestream which was one of Xbox's best in recent memory. The show brought a bunch of Japan-focused news, like Ni No Kuni shadow dropping on Xbox Game Pass and much more. Well, if fresh rumours are to be believed, then...
Deals All 20+ Backwards Compatible Games In This Week's Xbox Sales (Sept 27 - Oct 3)
Xbox classics
As usual, Xbox has put a selection of backwards compatible titles on sale this week to go alongside its mammoth list of Xbox One and Series X|S games. It ain't the biggest back compat sale the week, but there's still some notable stuff on offer. Deals: 500+ Games Included In This Week's Bumper Xbox Sales (Sep 27 - Oct 3) Here's the...
