Tag: Microsoft - Page 19
News Microsoft Could Be Set To Release An Xbox Streaming Device Within The Next Year
Dedicated streaming app for Samsung Smart TVs also incoming
It seems as though Microsoft is preparing to release a physical device that will allow users to stream a catalogue of Xbox games to their televisions, as well as giving them access to a library of movies and TV shows, without the need for a console. According to a report by VentureBeat the...
News Xbox Execs Tease 'Cool', 'Amazing' Demos They've Been Testing This Week
It's showtime
It's safe to say we're pretty pumped for Xbox's big showcase next month. Whether E3 itself is around or not, summertime is always an exciting one in gaming and we're ready to see what Team Xbox has been cooking up. Having said that, some Xbox execs seem even more giddy than us! That's probably because they've had the chance to go...
Random 343 Has Actually Added Microsoft's Clippy To Halo Infinite
The MS Office assistant is ready for battle
Halo Infinite Season 2 multiplayer has dropped and there's a whole lot of information to unpack. There are also plenty of surprises and one that's caught the attention of social media is the inclusion of Clippy (also known as 'Clippit') the Microsoft Office personal assistant. Yep, after a very relaxed...
News Jeff Grubb Suggests Another Square Enix Acquisition 'More Likely' Following Western Studio Sale
Could the Japanese side of the business be sold?
It seems to be acquisition season right now in the gaming industry. Embracer Group, the huge Swedish firm who owns the likes of THQ Nordic, recently picked up Square Enix's Western studios, and now there's talk of WB Games being up for sale too. However, business regarding Square Enix might not be...
News Xbox Resolves Pesky Dashboard Game Boot Issue With QoL Update
See it in action
Xbox is always looking to improve the Series X|S dashboard, and the latest update for Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders resolves quite an irritating issue. If there's a game that requires an update, when you boot it up, you'll no longer be presented with the game closing or the game attempting to load in. Instead, you'll now...
Rumour Warner Bros' Game Studios & IP 'Supposedly' Up For Sale
Acquisition season
Right, let's take a breath. Yesterday, May 2nd, Embracer Group announced that it's to acquire Square Enix's western studios, but that's not all the acquisition talk done just yet. WB Games' development studios appear to be the next bunch up for sale, and quite a few publishers are said to be interested. This rumour comes from...
News Phil Spencer: Microsoft's Latest Earnings 'A Nice Moment For Xbox'
Well done, team
It's been a pretty good week for Microsoft - with the company once again knocking it out of the park in its latest earnings report from an Xbox perspective. Team Green also announced it would be hosting an Xbox and Bethesda showcase this June. Of course, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has been watching it all unfold, and he's rather...
News Xbox Is Giving Away This Stunning Doctor Strange Xbox Series S Bundle
The Multiverse of Madness
Since the Xbox Series X|S launched, Microsoft has worked on a surprising number of custom console designs. While the Halo Xbox Series X is the only one that went to market — if you could get your hands on one — we've seen some incredible one-off custom consoles. This Doctor Strange bundle is one of the best we've seen...
News Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Is Already Hyping Up June's Games Showcase
"I can't wait for 6/12"
As if we needed any more hype for our first proper Xbox Games Showcase of the year, Phil Spencer is already at it. The Xbox Boss has provided his own personal thoughts on yesterday's Showcase announcement, and it's safe to say, he seems just as excited as us. Phil says that as he and the team are preparing for the show, he...
News Activision Blizzard Stockholders Approve Microsoft Acquisition
An "overwhelmingly supportive" vote
It's been confirmed today that Activision Blizzard's stockholders have voted to approve the acquisition of the company by Microsoft, with a press release suggesting that more than 98% of the shares voted in favour of the deal. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick described it as an "overwhelmingly supportive...
News Xbox Engineer Explains Why Smart Delivery Forces Series X|S Version
"Smart Delivery is a promise to the developer[...]"
One question we've often asked ourselves since the Xbox Series X|S launched is this: why can't we install the last-gen version of a game to save on SSD space? It seems we're not alone either, as plenty of you have also wondered the same thing. Well, we've finally got a response, and the reason...
News British Gas Slammed For Exaggerating Game Console Power Usage
Vampires, all of you!
We've all left our consoles on standby before, probably for years at this point. The little red light doesn't annoy us anymore, it downloads stuff while we're away, all good. However, UK energy company British Gas has come out of the woodwork to tell us all about the energy we're apparently wasting. The firm estimates that, on...
News Microsoft CEO Praises 'Market Leading' Sales Of Xbox Consoles In 2022
Things are going great for Xbox right now
Following yesterday's Microsoft earnings report for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Microsoft Executive Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella had a few things to say about the report from an Xbox perspective, and it's all good news! In his follow-up, Nadella mentioned that Xbox Series X and S "have taken share...
News Xbox Cloud Gaming Has Been Streamed By More Than 10 Million People
Some serious numbers
In news related to Microsoft's third-quarter earnings for FY22, company CEO Satya Nadella has announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming has now been streamed by more than 10 million people around the world. Microsoft's Frank Shaw also confirmed this in a brief message via social media: "With Xbox Cloud Gaming… more than 10 million...
News Xbox Gaming Revenue Up 6% YoY In Latest Earnings Report
Driven by demand for Game Pass, Xbox hardware and first-party titles
Microsoft's latest earnings results have been published for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (FY22 Q3) - revealing Xbox's gaming revenue has increased by 6% year-over-year. Xbox's "content and services revenue" grew by 4% and was once again driven by growth in first-party titles...
Reaction Should Game Pass Ultimate Add Free Trials For All Xbox Games?
Sony is reportedly doing something similar for PS Plus
Xbox Game Pass has become a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem, a real feather in the platform's cap. However, we can admit that it's not perfect, so, should Microsoft take a leaf out of Sony's book with a reported new feature coming to PlayStation? That feature is a service-wide game trials...
Random Oh No! Fan's 'Repaired' Halo Series X Gets Replaced With Standard Console
This is giving us anxiety
The chances of actually being able to purchase a new console this generation have been slim at times, let alone a shiny special edition one. Microsoft delivered the gen's first such system last year, with the gorgeous Halo Infinite console. This fan managed to snag one, but after sending it in for repair, it's all gone
News Xbox Isn't Done With New Acquisitions, Job Listing Suggests
Here comes the money
Xbox made huge waves earlier this year when it announced its intentions to acquire Activision Blizzard for a frankly ridiculous $70 billion. However, that doesn't seem to have stopped the company from looking at other potential takeover targets. A new job listing went live a few days ago (spotted by VGC) that spells out just...
News Xbox Series X Devkit Teardown Reveals A Whopping 40GB Of RAM
Lightning fast
The Xbox Series X is a bit of a beast as it is, becoming Microsoft's most powerful console by a good margin at launch, back in 2020. Having said that, what if we said there's a Series X out there with over twice as much RAM? No, it's true! YouTube channel Gamers Nexus recently tore down an Xbox Series X developer kit they'd got their...
News Grab These Free Xbox DLC Packs To Celebrate Earth Day 2022
Microsoft has also detailed new sustainability efforts
It's April 22nd, which means it's Earth Day 2022! This annual celebration, which started all the way back in 1970, is a reminder that we all need to get involved in protecting the environment, helping to restore damaged ecosystems and living more sustainable lives in general. In honour of this...
News Xbox's PC Game Pass Has Just Launched In Five More Countries
Jump in, Southeast Asia
Xbox has been working hard to make Game Pass as widely available as possible across multiple platforms. Now, in this ongoing mission to "bring the joy" to gamers around the world, it's announced PC Game Pass for Southeast Asia. This subscription service is now live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam -...
News Halo's OG Composers 'Amicably Resolve Differences' With Microsoft
Sounds like a happy ending
It was revealed back in February of this year that original Halo composers Marty O'Donnell and Mike Salvatori were suing Microsoft over 20 years' worth of unpaid royalties, but it seems the two parties have reached an agreement. Taking to Twitter this week, Marty O'Donnell stated that "Microsoft and O’Donnell/Salvatori,...
News Xbox Reportedly Building 'Advertising Program' For Free-To-Play Games
"To let brands advertise in Xbox games"
Microsoft is working on an in-game "advertising program" for free-to-play games on the Xbox platform, at least according to a new report from Business Insider which cites "two people who are involved in the talks." The website says that "Microsoft wants to let advertisers place ads inside free-to-play Xbox...
News Sony And Nintendo Follow Xbox's Lead In Changing Subscription Renewals
A win for the consumer
Earlier this year, Xbox began to make some changes regarding digital purchases. Basically, a UK authority said it had "identified concerns" regarding auto-renewals on Xbox platforms, and the board reached out to Microsoft in an effort to see change. In return, the company advised it would "provide more transparent, upfront...
News Microsoft Reportedly Working On Smaller, More Power Efficient Series X Chip
Revision number one?
The Xbox Series X is a pretty beefy machine, not only in power but also in size. It'd make sense then, that a year and a half after launch, revisions may well be underway for a more efficient version of the console. According to a new report, that much is already happening. Journalist Brad Sams discussed the topic on a recent...
News Four US Senators 'Deeply Concerned' Over Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
"It threatens worker-led demands for accountability..."
We've got another story to share in the ongoing saga that is the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard today, as four US senators including Bernie Sanders have shared 'deep concerns' about certain aspects of the deal. In a letter penned to FTC chairwoman Lina Khan (thanks Video Games...
News Surprise! Xbox Games With Gold For April Hasn't Gone Down Well
"This feels ancient now"
Microsoft has just revealed the latest Xbox Games with Gold selection and, it's safe to say it's not gone over well. While we sometimes think there's a bit of an overreaction to these reveals, the outcry might actually be justified this time around. After the announcement, Xbox fans took to social media to vent their...
News Xbox Is Launching PC Game Pass In Five New Regions This Year
Across Asian markets
Xbox has been putting more and more emphasis on its PC offerings as of late, and that includes Game Pass. The service recently rebranded to 'PC Game Pass' and now, it's extending to another five countries in Asia. Residents in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will be able to take part in a preview of the...
News Xbox Announces New Cloud Gaming Initiative
"Come and develop your game with us!"
During its many developer-focused talks at GDC 2022, Microsoft has announced a new publishing arm. The division, known as a new "Cloud Gaming Organization", is basically a publisher within a publisher, a way for developers to create completely cloud-based Xbox games for Microsoft. The publisher is led by Kim...
News ID@Xbox Has Now Generated More Than $2.5B In Revenue For Indie Devs
Program partners "doubled" over the past 3 years
More positive news coming out of Xbox today - with the games division of Microsoft announcing its ID@Xbox program has now generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue for indie developers since launching in 2013. Xbox in that time frame has attracted all sorts of developers to the program - from...
News Activision Blizzard Warns Of Financial Consequences If Microsoft Deal Falls Through
Stock would likely "decline significantly"
Microsoft's deal to acquire Activision Blizzard is still going through the boring legal processes right now, and the next step is for Activision Blizzard's shareholders to vote to approve the deal, with this set to take place on April 28th. As you'd expect, the company is advising that the terms of the...
News Xbox Reveals Custom Sonic The Hedgehog Series S Bundle
Complete with... furry controllers
Xbox has announced some new customized hardware, themed around Sega's famous mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Not only is there an Xbox Series S here — with a custom Sonic design — there are also two rather... different Xbox controllers. The two controllers, based on Sonic and Knuckles, aren't exactly a standard...
Random The Xbox Kinect Is Still Being Used At A UK Furniture Store
It's having a second lease of life!
Hey, so, remember Kinect? Everyone's favourite Xbox companion? Well, its uses are no longer tied to Xbox, as Microsoft continues to use the tech in weird and interesting ways. Kinect's latest use, apparently, is to tailor bedroom furniture to your needs by scanning your body in furniture stores. At least, if this
Rumour Xbox Has Some New 'Hardware' To Announce In 2022
"That falls into a different bucket than people are probably expecting"
We're only around a year and a half out since Xbox Series X|S launched, but are we about to see more Xbox hardware? The XboxEra podcast — which had Phil Spencer on as a guest last week — discussed the matter in a recent 'Rumour Mill' show segment. One of the show's hosts,...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Reveals The First Game He Ever Played
It's old school
Most of us probably remember the first game we ever played, or at least the first system we gamed on. For some of us, that first gaming memory goes way back, and that's certainly the case with Xbox boss Phil Spencer, whose recent Twitter response revealed his first ever game. So, Pong is where it all started for Phil, which is a...
News This Rare Original Xbox Development Kit Is An Absolute Monster
90's desktop life
It's another normal Friday morning on Twitter, browsing the news, checking for discourse, y'know, the usual, and then this absolute unit appears on my feed. An Xbox collector who goes by the Twitter handle GameboxUkv has acquired an original Xbox development kit that we've never seen before. This thing looks like a proper 90's...
News Phil Spencer 'Enjoys The Transparency' Xbox Has With Its Fanbase
A different approach
Xbox is in fairly open conversation with its community, especially compared to the competition. Not only are core social media accounts like Xbox Game Pass often active and ready for a quick pun or two, a lot of the executive team at Xbox are very open and approachable online. Xbox Boss Phil Spencer says the approach is part of...
News Xbox Adds Automatic Downloads To Energy Saver Mode On Series X|S
New sustainability efforts
Xbox has announced a raft of new sustainability goals, as Microsoft attempts to make the Xbox eco-system a more environmentally friendly one. One of the biggest changes for us as end users, is that the Energy Saver mode on Xbox Series X|S now supports background downloads. In an effort to make the power saving mode more...
News E3 Will Supposedly Go Ahead In 2022, Despite Cancellation Claims
It's almost showcase season
We might still be three months away from E3 season, but talk of the year's biggest gaming show is gathering pace. Earlier this year, E3 2022 was reportedly cancelled, however, that may no longer be the case. Prominent leaker Tom Henderson says the ESRB, who rates each and every game launch, has begun sending out emails...
News Could 'Keystone' Be The Next Xbox Console? Codename Found In Datamine
Xbox Series... ?
Xbox has been pretty public with its console codenames in the past. Durango became the Xbox One, Project Scarlett eventually materialised as Xbox Series X, hell, Microsoft even named the launch Xbox One X after its codename: Project Scorpio. Is ' Project Keystone' next? In a Microsoft file datamine by Twitter user Tero Alhonen,...
News Gamescom Returns To In-Person Event in 2022
Digital will still feature
For a couple of years Gamescom — much like the rest of the industry — has gone remote. Both the 2020 and 2021 events were entirely digital, meaning fans couldn't attend one of gaming's largest events. All being well, that's changing this year. Gamescom has announced plans to return to in-person happenings in 2022. It...
News Quick Resume And Share Button Changes Headline March Xbox Update
Along with new audio setup
Xbox has detailed its March dashboard update, and the headline changes relate to Quick Resume and the Series X|S controller's share button. Here's what's changing and how they're set to improve the Xbox experience. Pin To Quick Resume: Quick Resume is getting a new feature involving pins. Basically, users will be able to...
News Xbox Insider Update Removes Social Media Sharing, For Now
A hint at something new?
Game DVR and the whole process of recording and sharing clips has long been a sore spot on the Xbox platform. The current system is janky at best and broken at worst, but is it finally about to change? As spotted by Windows Central, the latest Insider Ring update removes Twitter sharing as an option for Game DVR. The other...
News Microsoft Named Metacritic's Best Publisher In 2021
A LOT of highly rated games
Metacritic has posted a first look at its annual game publisher rankings, where the site judges publishers based on game scores. As it turns out, Microsoft is sitting pretty at number 1 by some margin! Microsoft achieved the ranking with a fantastic output from Xbox Game Studios last year. Their overall Metascore average...
News Xbox Is Launching A Mentorship Program To Help Women Develop Careers In Gaming
In partnership with Xbox Game Studios!
To celebrate International Women's Day, Xbox has revealed a new program aimed at helping women build careers in the games industry. The program will offer access to 1:1 coaching sessions in a number of countries including the UK and US, with the aim of fostering career development in gaming. More details on...
News Microsoft Is Suspending Sales In Russia, Including Xbox Products
The company is exiting the market
As the ongoing crisis in Ukraine continues, companies around the world are changing their stance on serving the Russian market. One of those is now Microsoft, who has said that it will stop selling its products and services in Russia, at least temporarily. In a comment by Microsoft president and vice chair Brad...
News Gears Of War Movie Announcement Coming 'Very Soon' Says Batman Producer
Lancers at the ready
Hints at a Gears of War movie have floated around for over a decade at this point, and we've still got nothing to show for it! However, that might be about to change. In a new interview with The Digital Fix, The Batman producer Dylan Clark, who's also working on the Gears movie, hinted that news is coming. While Clark said he...
Random Playground Producer Pays Respects To Former Fable Studio With Tattoo Tribute
"I never forget the studio that made me"
Last month, it was discovered another former Lionhead employee Amie Loake - previously an assistant producer on the cancelled co-op game Fable Legends - had signed on with the Forza Horizon developer Playground Games to work on the new Fable title. She'll be joining the new Fable team as a senior producer,...
News Xbox Wire Officially Launches In Japan
"Reinforcing our commitment to Japanese gamers"
The Xbox brand is growing in popularity within Japan thanks to services like Game Pass and Cloud Gaming, and locally developed games jumping on board. To help increase awareness, Xbox has now launched its news service 'Xbox Wire' in the country. This will allow the Xbox team to deliver "fully...
News Valve 'Happy' To Work With Microsoft To Get PC Game Pass On Steam
Gabe Newell is up for it
Valve has just launched its handheld PC device the Steam Deck, and Valve boss Gabe Newell is currently doing the PR rounds to promote the system. Of course, he's getting asked all sorts of questions - some that are just about Steam in general. With this in mind, PC Gamer asked him if Valve would be interested in its own...
