Tag: Microsoft - Page 14
Talking Point It's Been Three Years Since Xbox Announced The Activision Blizzard Deal
Covering Xbox has been a whirlwind ever since
Well folks, over the weekend, we officially passed the three-year mark since Xbox first announced its intentions to purchase mega-publisher Activision Blizzard. Yep, January 18th, 2022 was when the news first sent shockwaves throughout the industry - the most expensive gaming acquisition ever. Of...
Talking Point Will Microsoft Fully Reveal Its Next-Gen Xbox This Year?
Or will Xbox stay quiet in 2025
A year ago next month, Microsoft first started talking about its next-gen Xbox - a console that's supposedly going to provide the "largest technical leap" ever seen from generation to generation. The thing is though, we still don't really know what that means, even if Xbox fans have pondered the topic for months now...
Rumour Xbox Reporter Teases One More Potential Surprise At Developer Direct 2025
A strong emphasis on "maybe"
We're less than a week away now from Xbox Developer Direct 2025, and with yesterday's Switch 2 reveal now firmly in the rear-view mirror, all eyes are on Microsoft and its next big showcase. The question is, how many surprises will be packed into this year's show? We already know about
Soapbox I Hope Xbox Properly Supports Switch 2 When It Launches In 2025
Offering a new & different Xbox experience
A lot has been said, discussed and debated about Microsoft deciding to make Xbox games available on rival platforms, and much of that chatter has been pretty negative so far. Sony's PS5 has been the big focus point for discussion, especially because it's confirmed to be getting some huge Xbox games like...
News New Console Repair Options Headline Xbox Sustainability Efforts In 2025
Going all green
Microsoft has detailed some new sustainability efforts relating to Xbox as we move into 2025, and while this sort of stuff often just happens in the background for us as players, Team Green is actually bringing some pretty neat initiatives to the table here - chief among which is a new repairs program for users in the US, which...
News Xbox Fan Shares 'Genius' Method For Putting Console In Idle Mode
We didn't know this was a thing!
It's not often we learn something that we didn't know already about our Xbox consoles here at PX HQ, but browsing the platform's Reddit channel this morning, we've done exactly that. Basically, a user has shared a tip for instantly putting your console in 'idle' mode, and yep - we had no idea you could do this! So,...
News Xbox Free Play Days Features Eight EA Games This Week (January 16-19)
Jump in for free this weekend
Xbox Free Play Days has officially returned for the new year, and EA is helping kick things off with a bang. Starting today, the publisher is adding eight games in total to the program, including the likes of College Football 25, EA Sports WRC and more. Without further ado, here's your full Xbox Free Play Days lineup...
Talking Point Are You Hoping For Another 'Shadow Drop' At Xbox Developer Direct 2025?
That would be awesome!
As Xbox Developer Direct fast approaches, we're getting quite excited for what we might see in the 2025 edition of the event. We know three of the games that will be showcased, while rumours are pointing towards a "legendary Japanese IP" for Xbox's fourth game of the show. But, what about another shadow drop of some sort?...
News Xbox Series X|S Console Sales In Europe Dropped By Almost 50% In 2024
PlayStation & Nintendo also suffered last year
Throughout the year, we've been tracking multiple sales reports for Xbox Series X and S consoles, and unfortunately - the news hasn't often been very good for Microsoft. Well, a new look at the entirety o
News Microsoft Has Announced More Layoffs In Its Gaming Division, Says New Report
Amount of job cuts not specified
During 2024, Microsoft made heavy job cuts across multiple divisions including Xbox, and a new report suggests that this culling of staff isn't stopping into the new year. First reported on by Business Insider (paywalled) and shared by GamesIndustry.
News Microsoft's 'VP Of Next-Gen' Seems To Think That Xbox Console Hardware Isn't Under Threat
We see you, Jason
Xbox exec Jason Ronald was recently named the 'VP of next-generation' over at Microsoft, with the Xbox Series X|S architect now spearheading the team's next-gen console plans. Given his new job title, then, it's probably good news that Ronald seems to think that Xbox consoles are here to stay. Between his undoubtedly busy schedule...
News Microsoft Is Apparently Working On Some Big Improvements To Xbox Cloud Gaming
As the team "expands its network storage capacity"
Xbox Cloud Gaming is becoming a major part of Microsoft's games business these days, especially as it continues to expand Xbox as a platform, and some new information from
Rumour Microsoft Reportedly Chose Buying Studios Over 'Winding Down' Xbox In 2021
Update: The company provides some context
Xbox fans, buckle up. Today, a fresh report is circulating from outlet The Information that claims Microsoft thought about winding down its Xbox gaming business back in 2021. According to the report, which is unfortunately paywalled, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella "faced a choice" between buying studios to...
Talking Point 10 Years Ago, Microsoft Delivered An Incredible Lineup Of Exclusives For Xbox One
It wasn't all bad back then!
The Xbox One has always got a bit of a bad rap when it comes to exclusives. Sure, the console did tail off towards the end when Microsoft's games pipeline seemed to clog up, but the first few years were amazing - we'll die on that hill. From 2016 onwards the console no-doubt began slowing down, but 10 years ago in 2015,...
Soapbox With Xbox Games Now On PS5, Microsoft Needs To Ditch Forced PC Crossplay
Back to an even playing field
A few years ago, with the help of Microsoft and Xbox, crossplay became the norm for multiplayer games across the industry. Sony famously pushed back on the feature before PlayStation eventually hopped aboard, but nowadays, it's pretty much a standard in most big multiplayer games. To be honest though, I think crossplay...
Deals Xbox Is Hosting A Huge 'Buy One, Get Two Free' Indie Sale Right Now
Some good deals, some not so much
Multiple Xbox Store promotions have gone live today, as usual for a Tuesday, and we reckon the pick of the bunch this week is the team's 'Buy 1, Get 2 Free' indie game sale we're seeing on our consoles right now. Don't get us wrong, not everything in this promotion is a particularly good deal, but we are seeing...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (January 14)
A couple of major additions to the library
Welcome to the biggest Xbox Game Pass update for 2025 so far! Today, we have two major titles heading to the library, although one of them is a PC exclusive that debuted all the way back in 1997. That'll be Blizzard's first Diablo title, which makes its way onto Microsoft's modern PC storefront today,...
Rumour Bethesda's Oblivion Re-Release Will Be 'Fully Remade' By Developer Virtuos
Featuring reworked gameplay & more
In recent months, we've heard multiple rumours about a modern re-release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Within those rumours, it's not been clear whether this new version of the game will be a remaster or a full remake - but a new report today has suggested that Bethesda is going down the full
News Lenovo Accidentally Raises Hopes Of A Halo 5 PC Release
Lenovo Legion No
To this day, Halo 5: Guardians remains the only mainline Halo title not to release on PC, despite the Master Chief Collection being super popular on Steam ever since it arrived five years ago. Well, fans of Xbox's big green chief had their hopes up this weekend that things may soon change regarding Halo 5 on PC, but that doesn't...
Rumour Xbox Has Even 'More' Games Planned For PS5, It's Claimed
"Microsoft isn't stopping"
Yesterday, new rumours surfaced about Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Flight Simulator going multiplatform in 2025. Now, in another update, Windows Central's Jez Corden has backed up these claims as "most likely true" and also suggested Microsoft won't be stopping there - with Hellblade 2, Age of Mythology, and...
Rumour Leaker Names Two More Xbox Games Possibly Going Multiplatform In 2025
PS5 and Switch 2 both mentioned
We've heard plenty about Xbox's multiplatform plans in recent weeks, and as we head into 2025, prominent leaker NatetheHate has namedropped a few more titles that Xbox is possibly planning to move over this year. According to the leaker, Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator (presumably...
News 'Unannounced' Bethesda Game Listed For Xbox & Other Major Platforms
As fans look for anything on Switch 2
Unless you've been living under a rock these past few days, you've probably seen some of the speculation regarding Nintendo's next console plastered all over the internet. Yep, Switch 2 leaks are everywhere at the minute, and some fan investigation into matters has led to a Bethesda-related discovery that also...
Feature Speculating On Xbox's 'Surprise Brand-New Game' To Be Shown At Dev Direct
A little more speculation please
Well, Microsoft's 2025 Xbox Developer Direct announcement is here, with the company planning to detail four upcoming titles set to grace Xbox Series X|S this year. However, while we know what three of those games will be, Microsoft is being very secretive about its fourth title; the event will see Xbox "visit a...
News Xbox Developer Direct Returns This Month To Highlight Four 2025 Titles
Including one surprise!
Microsoft has announced the next Xbox Developer Direct event, this time showcasing four upcoming titles that are aiming to launch in 2025. These games are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight and one currently redacted surprise. The livestream kicks off at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT
Soapbox Xbox Should Start Embracing Its Past A Whole Lot More
We have history together, MS
It's no secret, Xbox is changing. After a wild 2024 that firmly pushed Xbox towards full multiplatform territory, we're all slowly getting used to Microsoft's new vision for the brand. In theory, I don't take too much issue with change — it's inevitable some day, in some form — but one thing I'd love to see more...
News Multiple Xbox Games Nominated For 14th Annual New York Game Awards
Indiana Jones is in the running for 'Game of the Year'
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was one of Xbox's biggest game releases last year and it's now been nominated for the New York Awards' 14th annual 'Game of the Year' award. It will be going up against Balatro, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth,
News Game Pass Titles 'Lose Around 80%' Of Sales On Xbox, Claims Reporter
"That’s the figure that gets thrown around"
A new Q&A has dropped today from former GamesIndustry.biz reporter Chris Dring, and it sheds some perhaps unfortunate light on Xbox Game Pass and how much it can hurt game sales. Although each game's specific number can vary, and this is just "anecdotal" information that's been passed around, Dring...
Feature Xbox Predictions: What We Expect To See From Microsoft In 2025
An interesting year ahead
A new year in gaming is upon us, which means plenty of Xbox reveals to get excited about, games to dig into, and knowing Microsoft - industry-shaking announcements to bare witness to in 2025. With a busy 2024 now behind us, then, we're looking ahead to the next 12 months in the world of Xbox. What will the team deliver on...
News Four Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass Standard (January 8)
New titles hitting the library
Welcome to your latest Xbox Game Pass update! Today, we have a batch of fresh titles heading to the Game Pass Standard library; Microsoft's middle-tier of XGP that was first introduced last year. All of these games are already included in the main Game Pass Ultimate library, so if you're subscribed that that tier, you...
News New Nvidia Ray Tracing Footage Gives Us A Fresh Glimpse Of DOOM: The Dark Ages
Blink and you'll miss it
As parts of its efforts to impress at the CES 2025 tech convention, Nvidia has shown off its latest ray tracing improvements with DLSS 4 - and the short teaser up above gives us a fresh glimpse at Xbox's DOOM: The Dark Ages. Admittedly, this is a very short clip of the upcoming id Software title, but to be quite honest, we...
News Call Of Duty's Crazy Development Budgets Revealed In New Report
Xbox will be spending a pretty penny
As game development budgets continue to rise, it's perhaps no surprise that churning out a big AAA shooter every year is a pricey endeavour. For well over a decade, Activision's Call of Duty has been the biggest AAA shooter of them all - and a new report details some of the eyewatering budgets that have gone into...
News Xbox Exec Appears At AMD's CES Keynote, Shares Black Ops 6 News
Matt Booty: FSR 4 is coming "later this year"
It's a new year for Xbox and as part of its campaign going beyond consoles, it seems we may see Microsoft gaming executives pop up at more tech events in general. With this in mind, CES '25 is currently underway, and apart from Jason Ronald appearing at the "future of gaming handhelds" panel, Microsoft's...
News Microsoft Is Expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming To LG Smart TVs In 2025
Coming later this year
Having first launched on Samsung TVs back in 2022, Microsoft is bringing its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to yet more television sets in 2025. This time around, Xbox is partnering up with LG to start streaming games on another batch of Smart TV devices later this year. We're not sure which specific TVs will be supported just...
News Forza Horizon 3 Features Go Offline As Fans Question Potential Xbox Server Closure In 2025
Update: Playground Games has "rebooted" the servers!
In recent days, we've seen reports from Xbox fans that 2016's Forza Horizon 3 is having server issues - with some folks even claiming that the game is completely unplayable online for them right now. As a result, we had a look at the game to see what's what, and our findings have been mixed when...
Rumour Microsoft's Next-Gen Console Dubbed 'Xbox Prime' Is Possibly Coming In 2026
Salt trucks at the ready
As Xbox Series X and S move past the four-year mark, we're starting to hear more and more about Microsoft's next generation console plans - both officially and coming from fresh reports and rumours. Well, today a new rumour is doing the rounds that gives us a possible next-gen Xbox codename and even a projected release...
News Ubisoft Has Some Crazy 'Just For You' Deals Right Now On Xbox
Up to 90% off!
Xbox's first round of sales for 2025 has just kicked off, with a bunch of promotions now running for games, DLC add-ons and more. However, the Microsoft Store is again hosting some amazing 'Just For You' deals right now as well - with Ubisoft delivering some massive discounts this time around. Across a couple of our accounts here at...
News Kojima's Xbox Game 'OD' Suffered Strike-Related Setbacks In 2024
But progress was made earlier in the year
In a New Year's update posted by Hideo Kojima himself, the legendary game maker has provided various updates on his studio's in-development projects - some positive and some not so much. In terms of Kojima Productions' Xbox game OD, while progress was made throughout 2024, it sounds like the title suffered...
News Two More Xbox Game Pass Additions Seemingly Leaked For January 2025
From a reliable insider
As we enter into the new year, we've got lots of Xbox Game Pass updates coming our way right now - and a new rumour from reliable insider eXtas1s suggests January's Game Pass lineup is about to get even better. According to the well-known leaker, Blizzard's first Diablo game is set to come to PC Game Pass this month,
News 'Carrion' Is Your First Xbox Game Pass Addition Of 2025
Available in the library right now!
Xbox has delivered its first Xbox Game Pass addition of the year in the form of "reverse horror game" Carrion, which is now available in the library. The title returns to Game Pass after previously being available back in 2020, 2021 and the first half of 2022. We have a few more games already confirmed for the...
News Six Games Will Leave Xbox Game Pass In Early January 2025
Including a fantastic FPS
Microsoft has now revealed the first batch of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in the middle of January, and we have six titles in total exiting the service in a few weeks. The two biggest leavers here are probably Capcom's Exoprimal and online shooter Insurgency: Sandstorm; the latter of which will be a big miss considering...
Pick One Which Xbox First-Party Game Are You Most Excited To Play This Year?
An exciting year ahead!
As we mentioned in our Xbox Developer Direct article a few weeks back, Xbox has a pretty stacked games lineup heading into 2025, with multiple first-party titles already scheduled to release this year. The question is, which of these games are you most excited about at this stage? Right now at least, only one of these has a...
Talking Point Looking Back At A Turbulent But Productive Year For Xbox
It's been a wild 12 months for Team Green
As we come to the end of 2024, we have to look back on what's been a bizarre year to be an Xbox fan. Some of the team's recent acquisitions have really kicked into gear — namely Bethesda with Indiana Jones and Activision with Black Ops 6 — but it's hard to ignore the amount of mixed messaging and
Talking Point Next Year Marks A Decade Since Xbox's Genius Backwards Compatibility Program
Launched for Xbox One in 2015
It's 2015, Microsoft has had a rough start to its most recent Xbox console generation, and it's banking on a megaton announcement to get longtime fans back onside. Fast-forward to the team's E3 Showcase in June - and it more than delivers. Xbox 360 backwards compatibility is announced for Xbox One, and the crowd goes...
News Xbox's 'Top Paid' Backwards Compatible Title Could Be Coming To Game Pass
Another one for the list
Over the last week or two, we've seen multiple Call of Duty titles get ported over to the Microsoft Store on PC, which is a good sign that they're likely being prepared for Xbox Game Pass at some stage. While we still don't have any confirmed XGP dates for
News Xbox Series X|S Architect Officially Named 'VP Of Next-Generation' At Microsoft
We love it when a plan comes together
2024 has been the year that Microsoft has officially started talking about its next-generation console plans, and we now have some fresh news on who's helping build new hardware for Xbox. Jason Ronald, who was front and centre of designing and introducing Xbox Series X|S, has been named 'VP of Next-Generation'...
News Xbox Exec Appearing At 'Future Of Gaming Handhelds' Panel Next Month
Microsoft's 'VP of next gen' Jason Ronald
In case you missed it, Lenovo appears to be gearing up to announce its first 'Legion Go' SteamOS handheld during a special "future of gaming handhelds" event at CES '25 on January 7th, 2025. While this might not seem all that relevant to Xbox, following ongoing talk of a possible Xbox handheld device, The
Talking Point If Developer Direct Returns, Xbox Could Have A Killer 2025 Lineup
So many awesome-looking games to choose from!
If the last few years are anything to go by, we could be around a month out from Microsoft dropping another Developer Direct; its now-annual showcase that dives deep into some of the year's biggest Xbox games. Although next year's event is yet to be announced, we see no reason for Xbox not to do another...
News Tango Gameworks 'Wants To Cherish' Hi-Fi RUSH IP After Xbox Closure
"The characters and the world are beloved by us"
Following Xbox's surprise closure of Tango Gameworks back in May, the Hi-Fi RUSH developer was saved from the wreckage by PUBG publisher Krafton - and in a new interview, the team has talked about how much it now cherishes its most recent IP. Speaking with
News Xbox Series X|S Console Sales Down Almost 30% In The US Compared To 2023
Fresh data from Circana
In what should no longer be surprising news to read, fresh US data from analyst firm Circana has revealed that Xbox Series X|S console sales are down almost 30% year-on-year. This latest set of figures looks at November 2024 hardware sales in comparison to November 2023, where Xbox Series X and S sales have dropped by 29%...
News Xbox Apparently Thinks Making Hellblade 2 Exclusive Was 'A Mistake'
Project regret
Xbox's exclusive game strategy has been all over the place this year as the team seemingly keeps chopping and changing its approach to things - and we're now hearing a rumour that Microsoft regrets making one of its 2024 games Xbox console exclusive. That 2024 title is apparently Hellblade 2, which arrived for Xbox Series X|S and PC...
