Tag: Microsoft - Page 37
News Digital Games Are Dominating In The UK At Almost 90% Of Overall Sales
New age tech
We've known for a long time that digital games are growing in popularity, especially as we move into an era where multiple console manufacturers are releasing digital-only systems like the Xbox Series S. In the UK, the overall percentage of digital game sales now sits at 89.5% according to new figures from the entertainment and retail...
Deals All Backwards Compatible Games In This Week's Xbox Sales (January 10-17)
Original Xbox and Xbox 360 classics
Alongside the huge selection of new Xbox sales this week, we've once again been treated to a variety of discounts for some classic Xbox 360 games (and one original Xbox title), available at up to 85% off. Below, you'll find a list of every single backwards compatible game on sale on the Xbox Store from January...
News Another Title Is Leaving Game Pass Soon, And It's From An Xbox-Owned Studio
Update: Microsoft makes it official
Update (Tue 10th Jan, 2023): As part of today's Xbox Game Pass roundup, Microsoft has indeed confirmed that We Happy Few is leaving the library on January 15th. The team hasn't provided any info on a potential re-release or replacement version of the game, but the announcement post does close out with a message...
News Xbox Is Releasing New Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Sea Of Thieves Skins Thanks To Oreo
Tasty treats for all
This isn't something we expected to read today but nevertheless, it's real! As part of a new promotion with famous cookie brand Oreo, Xbox is bringing some brand-new skins to some of its biggest first-party titles including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5 and Sea Of Thieves. The in-game rewards are tied to new Xbox-themed Oreo...
News Halo & Minecraft Co-Developer SkyBox Labs Has Been Acquired By NetEase Games
Another acquisition sweeps through the industry
As Xbox continues to try and push its mammoth Activision Blizzard deal through the door, a number of smaller scale acquisitions are still going on throughout the gaming industry. Today, January 6th, Chinese company NetEase Games has announced its purchase of Canadian development studio SkyBox Labs...
Feature Our Top Deals From The Xbox 'Last Chance' Sale
Some big new releases are heavily discounted
Xbox's ongoing 'Last Chance' promotion is running for the next 10 days or so, and there are some pretty good deals scattered throughout its 300+ game selection. We've already highlighted the steepest discounts available, but some recent releases are sticking out to us as real highlights as well. So, in...
News Microsoft Reveals New Forza Horizon 5 Xbox Series X Bundle
Complete with the game and every add-on
More than a year after the open world racer's official launch, Microsoft has revealed a brand new Forza Horizon 5 bundle featuring an Xbox Series X console, the game, and every single DLC pack planned by Playground Games. The bundle will begin rolling out this week in the US, Canada, and "select" Asian...
Report Microsoft, ActiBlizz & The FTC Yet To Begin 'Substantive' Settlement Talks
The deal could end up in court
Earlier this month, the US Federal Trade Commission formally announced its intentions to try and block the Xbox Activision Blizzard deal, pointing at Microsoft's Bethesda exclusivity plans as a big reason for doing so. Ahead of a potential legal trial both parties could engage in settlement talks to sort this thing out...
Pick One Which Xbox Game Studios Title Are You Most Excited For Right Now?
Looking at the upcoming slate
It's no secret that Xbox's first-party developers have had a quiet year, especially when it comes to the big AAA experiences we all expect from a platform holder like Microsoft. Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic certainly hasn't helped, with game delays largely contributing to such a barren year on Xbox. However, the...
Talking Point What's The Most Underrated Xbox Game Of 2022?
Come yell at us about your hidden gems!
It's the final day of 2022, and we're sure most of you have already thought long and hard about your favourite games that've launched over the last year or so. Despite the narrative of a quiet year for AAA gaming, we've seen some real bangers launch in that space (cough Elden Ring), and of course, plenty of...
Talking Point Is It Time For Xbox To Sunset The 'Games With Gold' Program?
Diminishing returns
Back in October 2022, Microsoft decided to pull the plug on, well, half of its Games with Gold program. From that month onwards, the company opted to start delivering just two Xbox One or Series X|S titles, forgoing Xbox 360's inclusion within Games with Gold. In theory, cutting the monthly selection down to just two games could...
News Xbox Activision Blizzard Deal Approved By Chile Authority
Progression
Xbox may well be battling hard with UK and US authorities over its purchase of Activision Blizzard, but the acquisition is proving a smoother process in other counties around the world. We know that Brazil and Saudi Arabia have already approved the deal, and now a second South A
News Microsoft Causes Confusion With Statement About Sony 'Excluding' Games From Xbox
Is it timed or permanent?
Earlier this week, we pointed out that Xbox fans wanted to know what was going on with Square Enix in 2023, and that article ended up being shared far and wide, creating an entirely new story of its own! Xbox News for Koreans on Twitter responded to the article by sharing a Microsoft response to the
"The FTC ignores the significant benefits of the Transaction..."
Strap yourselves in, folks — here we go again! Earlier this month, the US Federal Trading Commission announced it was filing a suit against Microsoft's attempted takeover of Activision Blizzard, and now Microsoft and ActiBlizz have revealed their responses in court documents. The...
News Xbox Unveils Job Listing For 'Director Of Japan Creator Partnerships'
Another major hire in the region
Microsoft has made a big deal about the need to grow Xbox's presence in Japan over the past couple of years, and it seems like that's still a major focus for the team right now, as a major job role has just opened up at the company. The ad, posted on the Microsoft website, is for a "Director of Japan Creator...
News Hideo Kojima Reveals More About His 'Unusual' New Xbox Project
He's been thinking about it for "five or six years"
We've known that Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has been working on a project with Xbox Game Studios for a little while, but both parties have remained largely quiet about what we can expect from it. However, speaking to IGN in an interview this week, Kojima
Report EU Regulators Send 91-Page Survey To Xbox Rivals About Activision Blizzard Deal
As part of an extensive investigation
It's hard to keep up with all this Activision Blizzard news, but you may remember that the latest status with the European Commission is that it's conducting a deeper investigation into the acquisition with a deadline of March 2023. We haven't heard much since then, but it's being reported by
News CMA Reveals Public Feedback Has Been Mostly In Favour Of Xbox's ActiBlizz Acquisition
Based on around 2100 responses
The UK Competition and Markets Authority is currently conducting a "Phase 2" investigation into Microsoft's attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and you may remember that a couple of months ago, the authority also began asking the general public for their views on the takeover. Well, those results are now in,...
Talking Point Could Microsoft Be Interested In Acquiring Netflix?
Who knows at this point
Of all the acquisitions we thought we might see from Microsoft in 2022, Activision Blizzard wasn't one of them. The announcement was made all the way back in January, although issues have placed the deal in doubt in recent months. So, what happens in 2023? Aside from the ongoing challenges surrounding the ActiBlizz takeover,
Deals All Backwards Compatible Games In This Week's Xbox Sales (December 20-27)
Original Xbox and Xbox 360 classics
The latest set of new Xbox sales went live earlier this week in the form of Deals with Gold and Spotlight offers, which sit alongside the massive ongoing Xbox Countdown Sale. We also got treated to a few extra reductions on backwards compatible OG Xbox and Xbox 360 games, including for the likes of Assassin's...
News 10 Random 'Gamers' Are Suing Microsoft Over The Activision Blizzard Deal
An antitrust suit filed in San Francisco
This latest update on the Activision Blizzard saga is not one we were expecting! As highlighted by Bloomberg this week, a group of "videogamers" have decided to file a federal antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft's attemp
News What's All This About A Cheaper, Ad-Filled Version Of Xbox Game Pass?
Is Microsoft considering it?
You may have noticed over the weekend that there was a bunch of chatter on social media about a potential cheaper, ad-filled version of Xbox Game Pass. This all started because of a screenshot posted to ResetEra appearing to show an official Spanish-language Microsoft survey, asking users whether they'd be interested in...
News Xbox Cloud Gaming App Extends To More Samsung TVs
Controller rumble is also available!
Back in the summer, Xbox announced that it was beginning to bring its Xbox Cloud Gaming tech to select Smart TVs, starting with manufacturer Samsung's 2022 lineup. In late June the app arrived, allowing gamers to enjoy Xbox on their televisions, and now the team is extending its partnership with Samsung to...
News Microsoft Refers To Lack Of Xbox Exclusives As Why ActiBlizz Deal Should Be Approved
In comparison with PlayStation
Yesterday, we highlighted a Bloomberg report in which Microsoft President Brad Smith revealed his disappointment with the US Federal Trade Commission for not sitting down with the company to discuss a proposal related to Call of Duty. According to the report, this was an offer for
News Microsoft President Talks 'Disappointment' With FTC Over Call Of Duty Proposal
Report says Microsoft's offer was "shrugged off"
The latest update on the Activision Blizzard deal has arrived this Wednesday courtesy of a report from Bloomberg, along with some comments from Microsoft President Brad Smith at the Microsoft Annual Shareholders Meeting 2022. According to the report, Microsoft offered to sign a lega
News Hey Microsoft, Could We Please Get Our Xbox 'Year In Review' Stats For 2022?
Nintendo and PlayStation have theirs!
You may have noticed earlier this week that the PlayStation "Wrap-Up 2022" and Nintendo "Year in Review 2022" stats were officially made available, allowing players to view information about their gaming habits over the past 12 months. We've seen a lot of people asking the question about whether there's an...
Talking Point Should Xbox Start Doing Its Own 'Nintendo Direct' Style Showcases?
Times are changing
The Game Awards 2022 has now come and gone, with long-time host Geoff Keighley delivering another huge in-person event following the digital efforts of the pandemic times. While the show itself brought some great early looks at some of our now-most anticipated games (Judas, we're looking at you), there's no denying that things...
Deals All Backwards Compatible Games In This Week's Xbox Sales (December 13-20)
Original Xbox and Xbox 360 classics
Update: You'll also now find more backwards compatible offers in the Xbox Countdown Sale 2022: <related ids="142699"> Original story: This week's Xbox sales have now gone live, and although the current selection of deals is somewhat limited, there are some really good backwards compatible games from the...
News Xbox Game Pass Is Adding A Bunch Of Riot Games Content Today (December 12)
Perks of the sub
Back at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase last summer, the team announced another big collaboration in the form of a selection of Riot Games content coming to Game Pass. Today, the first bunch of those goodies arrives, granting PC Game Pass players some nice bonuses for some of Riot's biggest titles. Here's the full list of...
News EU Responds To FTC's Concerns Over Microsoft's Acquisition Of ZeniMax & Activision Blizzard
Update: New report sheds more light on the story
Update: Stephen Totilo of Axios has also been in touch with the European Commission today, shedding a bit more light on this story. You can some of the key information in the tweets below: Totilo goes on to explain that "if you look back at the EU report on the ZeniMax deal, it did state that...
News Gabe Newell: Valve Trusts Microsoft, 10-Year Call Of Duty Offer 'Wasn't Necessary'
"Phil and the team have always followed through..."
Yesterday, Microsoft announced it had "committed to continue to offer" Call of Duty on Steam after the planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. As reassuring as it is, it seems Valve co-founder and CEO Gabe Newell was never really worried in the first place. Speaking to Kotaku, Gabe revealed...
News Microsoft Shows Frustration As Sony Fails To Respond To 10-Year Call Of Duty Offer
"It’s clear they’re spending more time with the regulators"
Earlier today, Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed the news that a 10-year commitment has been agreed to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo (and Steam) following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but as of right now, we still haven't heard about what's happening with Sony and...
News Microsoft Enters '10-Year Commitment' To Bring Call Of Duty To Nintendo Platforms
CoD will also continue to be offered on Steam
Following on from yesterday's news about Microsoft offering Sony a 10-year deal to keep the Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has now delivered another huge update. In a brief post on social media, the Xbox boss announced Microsoft had entered into a "10-year...
Brad Smith gives his views
Yes, it's another one of these stories! Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith has today been discussing the potential of an FTC lawsuit over the company's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, confirming in the process that Microsoft has not only offered Sony a 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation, but...
News There's Apparently A 'Rift' At The FTC Over Xbox's Activision Blizzard Deal
Things might have swung in Microsoft's favour
It was reported recently that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was likely to file a lawsuit against Microsoft's attempt acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but there's now "hope" that the merger will be approved by the FTC instead. A new report from the New York Post says that the acquisition has...
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...
