Tag: Microsoft - Page 12
Rumour Xbox In 'Discussions' With Square Enix Over Final Fantasy 7 Remake
The game launched on PS4 in 2020
It's been that long since Final Fantasy 7 Remake launched on PS4 that we'd almost given up hope on an Xbox release, but a new comment from Windows Central's Jez Corden has left us hopeful about the prospect once again. Speaking on a recent episode of The Xbox Two podcast, Corden had the following to say about it:...
Talking Point What Are You Hoping To See Over The Next Year From Xbox?
Developer Direct should be the start of another big year
Last year's Xbox Developer Direct event laid down a big marker for 2023 on the platform. The show focused on what Microsoft was hoping to put out that year, and by and large, the team stuck to its plan. However, as we near 2024's event later this week, the next 12 months still seem very up in...
News Xbox Insider Update Adds Controller 'Thumbstick Calibration' Tool
Usable on modern, official Xbox pads
Xbox has detailed its latest Insider update for Alpha Skip-Ahead users, and it contains a pretty useful-sounding feature for console players. The program's latest patch adds the ability to perform a 'Thumbstick Calibration' on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers. For now, the team says that this...
News Phil Spencer Celebrates Another Birthday As Head Of Xbox
And we're glad to see it!
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer celebrates another year on this big spinning rock of ours today - the man himself is now 56 years of age! Happy Birthday Phil, we're glad to see you continue to lead the Xbox team into 2024. Of course, this year also marks a big occasion for Phil in relation to his position at Xbox...
News Epic CEO Makes Outspoken Statement About Microsoft 'Empowering Developers'
"Congratulations to Microsoft on a well-deserved honor"
You may have seen in the news recently that Microsoft has overtaken Apple in becoming "the world's most valuable company", and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has had something to say on the matter. Sweeney has congratulated the Xbox owner for its achievement, while making a not-so-subtle dig at...
News Halo TV Show Season 2 Trailer Lands Ahead Of Next Month's Launch
Prime time
The official trailer for Halo The Series: Season 2 has landed! Take a look at what's coming in the Paramount show's second season up above - arriving on the Paramount Plus subscription service next month. While the show's first series didn't quite live up to the hype, there's still lots of attention on how Season 2 will fare. Views on...
News Indiana Jones Trademark Reveals Potential Name For Upcoming Xbox Title
Liking the sound of this?
The hype is starting to build for Xbox's Indiana Jones game, folks! Just a few days ago we knew next-to-nothing about this MachineGames title, but we now know that it's set to star at Xbox Developer Direct 2024 - and there's more news starting to leak out ahead of the event. Game researcher 'Kurakasis' has taken to Twitter...
Soapbox Microsoft, We'd Love Another Surprise Xbox Game Pass Release At 'Developer Direct'
Hi-Fi RUSH was an amazing surprise last year!
It's always exciting times when an Xbox event is coming up, isn't it? The big summer showcases are always good fun but I particularly liked Developer Direct last year. The more in-depth looks at those 2023 titles made Dev Direct a fantastic new format, and that surprise launch of Hi-Fi RUSH was just...
Poll Which Games Will Get Release Dates At Xbox Developer Direct?
Proper dates, that is!
We're very excited for Xbox's second-ever Developer Direct event later this month - featuring four upcoming titles. Sure, we've heard about all of these games before in some fashion, but last year's Dev Direct followed a fantastic deep-dive format and we're looking forward to getting some juicy details on each of these titles...
News Bethesda's Indiana Jones Game Reportedly Set To Launch This Year
Whipped into shape
Yesterday's Developer Direct announcement brought the exciting news that Bethesda will finally be lifting the lid on Indiana Jones soon - with a world premiere gameplay trailer confirmed for next week. The game's appearance at Dev Direct has fans wondering about the projected release date, and a new report sheds some light on...
Talking Point Do You Think Xbox Will Ever Stop Making Consoles?
Or will Team Green always make hardware?
It's been an interesting start to the year for Xbox. We have a new Developer Direct announced that makes 2024 on Xbox look quite tantalising indeed, and there've been some great Game Pass announcements already - and we're not even halfway through January! Things are looking good then, especially with that...
News Xbox's New Developer Direct Will Feature First-Look Gameplay From Indiana Jones
Whips at the ready
Remember when Bethesda unveiled its Indiana Jones project right before being acquired by Microsoft? Well, three years later and we're about to finally see the game in action. Yep, Xbox has announced its second-ever Developer Direct event this week - and Indiana Jones will feature. In fact, we're set to see "the premiere of the...
Rumour Xbox Releasing Acclaimed First-Party Title On 'Competitor System' In 2024
Update: Could there be more than one?
Update: It's also now being reported that Sea Of Thieves could be in line for a PlayStation / Switch version: <related ids="160475"> Original story: The same source who suggested Xbox was actively working on a new Banjo-Kazooie game recently is now claiming Microsoft will bring a first-party exclusive...
News Starfield Has Been Nominated For Another 'Game Of The Year' Award
Hi-Fi RUSH as well
Starfield has taken home a bunch of awards recently, including the big Game of the Year award here at Pure Xbox, and now it's also been nominated by the New York Videogame Critics Circle - once again for "Game of the Year". Its competition includes titles such as Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 20
News Fallout Creator Says They're Helping Out With Xbox's The Outer Worlds 2
"I’m not gonna tell you what to do, but here are the pitfalls"
Xbox studio Obsidian Entertainment has been working on The Outer Worlds 2 for a while now - you may remember the team's amusing announcement during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase of 2021. As far as we're aware the team is still working away on the title — alongside Avowed —...
News Xbox Studio Double Fine Teases 'Cool Things In Store' Ahead Of 25th Anniversary
"There's tons of fun on the way"
2024 is only just kicking into gear, but Xbox studio Double Fine is already teasing some of what we can expect to see this year and beyond. The Psychonauts 2 developer celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, and it seems to have things planned for this year and its anniversary year. The team isn't quite ready to...
News The Xbox Series S Toaster Is Real, And It's Out Now In The US
"Achievement Unlocked: Optimal Carb Experience"
Way back in March 2023 we caught the bread-scented rumour that an Xbox Series S Toaster could be in the works, following the arrival of the popular Xbox Series X mini fridges. We couldn't quite believe what we were seeing at the time, but as it turns out, the Series S Toaster is real - and it's...
News Microsoft President Brad Smith Softens Stance On UK CMA After ActiBlizz Agreement
The UK is no longer "bad for business", apparently
During Microsoft's face-off with the UK CMA earlier this year, Microsoft president Brad Smith made some upfront comments about the UK's Competition and Markets Authority - the CMA. At the time, Smith said the CMA's block was "the darkest day in our four decades in Britain", but his tune has...
Feature 2023 Has Been An Incredible Year For Games, And We Can't Wait For 2024 On Xbox
We should have a great year ahead!
This past year has been an absolute landmark 12 months in gaming, hasn't it? Here at Pure Xbox we've given out four 10/10 scores in 2023 - not to mention the long list of super impressive titles that haven't quite managed that top rating but have landed well all the same. This generation is finally kicking into...
Pick One Which Is Your Favourite Xbox First-Party Release Of 2023?
Is it Starfield or something else?
Earlier this week we talked about Xbox's first-party lineup for 2023 - asking you for your overall grade of Xbox's output over the last 12 months. At the time of writing a 'Grade B' has been the most popular pick, which is a respectable rating, but now we want to know which release in particular you all liked best...
News Xbox Sparks Fury Over Using AI-Generated Art To Promote Indie Games
The post has since been deleted
The ID@Xbox program has been growing for years now, with an indie-focused team over at Microsoft using it to build relationships with developers and bring their games to Xbox and at times, Game Pass too. However, a now-deleted Christmas post from Team Green didn't do much to help public perc
Feature In The End, Are You Happy With Xbox's First-Party Lineup For 2023?
What have you made of it?
After Xbox's much-documented barren spell in 2022, this year finally delivered some major first-party games to help fill out our 2023 gaming calendars. Largely bolstered by the recent addition of Bethesda alongside Xbox Game Studios, it's been quite a big year for Xbox with several AAA titles gracing the Game Pass library...
Review EON XBHD - A Sleek OG Xbox Adapter That's Just Too Expensive To Recommend
High definition dollars
The original Xbox was an incredibly impressive bit of kit when it launched back in 2001, and at the time it was one of the most powerful gaming machines on the market. We've moved on a lot since then of course, but somewhat surprisingly, OG Xbox games actually hold up quite well in 2023. The biggest issue these days is...
News Xbox Makes Leadership Changes As Bobby Kotick Leaves Activision & Microsoft
Another big shuffle for Team Xbox
Update: Another change that's been announced during the day is that Jill Braff is becoming the new head of ZeniMax and Bethesda's studios. Jill has been the General Manager of Integrations & Casual Games at Xbox Game Studios since 2020, and has previously held roles at the likes of SEGA,
News Three Games Will Leave Xbox Game Pass In Late December 2023
Update: Make that three!
Update: Make that three! GTA V will also be leaving Xbox Game Pass on December 31st, 2023. Original story: It's been a busy old year for Xbox Game Pass, and now that Far Cry 6 has arrived on the service, we're starting to look ahead to what's coming to Game Pass in 2024. Before then, we've got a couple of games
News 'Xbox-Next' Rumour Suggests Microsoft Could Launch Another Console Before 2027
"Xbox-next isn't that far away"
A few months ago, a huge leak stemming from Microsoft's Activision Blizzard case outed a potential Xbox Series X console refresh for next year - we covered Xbox's 'all-digital' Series X plans when they first leaked back in September. Those plans seemed believable given that they came directly from FTC files, however a...
News Multiple Xbox Exclusives Nominated At BAFTAs, But None Make The 'Best Games' List
The nominees are in
Around a month ago we found out that Starfield wasn't going to be up for 'Game of the Year' at The Game Awards, and it's now the same case for this year's BAFTA ceremony. Although the winner won't be announced until next April, Starfield isn't in the running for 'Best Game' at the event - in fact, nothing from Xbox Game Studios...
News Three More Xbox Games Join Nvidia's GeForce Now Library This Week
Including Forza Horizon and Minecraft Dungeons
As part of the ongoing partnership between Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now, three more Xbox Game Studios titles have today been added to the service. This includes Playground's Forza Horizon 4, Forza Horizon 5 and Minecraft Dungeons by Mojang and Double Eleven. These games arrive alongside 10 other titles,...
News Major Nelson Reveals The Next Chapter Of His Post-Xbox Career
He's now an advisor of a publisher backed by Microsoft
Earlier this year, Xbox legend Major Nelson (also known by his real name Larry Hryb) said goodbye to Microsoft after 20 years. He mentioned at the time how he would take a step back to work out the next chapter of his career, and now in an update, he's revealed he's joined the board of Midwest...
News Microsoft's Gaming CEO Spent 917 Hours Playing Xbox Games This Year
His most played game was Starfield
Although Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is in charge of a huge video game division, he still finds plenty of time to game throughout the year. If you are wondering just how many hours he's racked up in all things Xbox this year, he's now shared his official 'Year in Review' data for 2023. All up, Phil put in...
News Former Sony Exec Says Japan Publishers 'Need' Xbox If They Want To Expand Business
Claims it would be tough to "do that just with the PlayStation"
Microsoft's Xbox business is booming thanks to services like Game Pass, but one market it's still trying to succeed in is Japan. After apparently "losing trust" with Japanese studios during the Xbox One era, earlier this year it appointed the former Sony executive Mena Sato Kato as the...
News It Looks Like Xbox Has Another Exclusive Aiming For 2024 Release
Alongside Hellblade 2, Avowed & more!
At the moment we have quite a few Xbox exclusives locked in for 2024, including Hellblade 2, Avowed and Towerborne - just to name a few! Now, it looks like we might have another big first-party to game to add to that list of 2024 releases. Compulsion Games' South of Midnight —
News Two More Dynamic Backgrounds Now Available On Xbox Series X|S
Power your dashboard dreams
Fancy an Xbox background change? If so, you're in luck! Microsoft has added a couple of fresh dynamic options recently, including a new 'Power Your Dreams' theme for all the dedicated 'Team Green' fans out there. As you'd expect, this latest background focuses on Microsoft's pair of current-gen consoles - all wrapped up...
News Xbox Series X|S Gets Huge UK Sales Boost Thanks To Black Friday 2023
Up 231% on the previous month!
It feels like it's been a big Black Friday this year, with Microsoft finally dropping the price of its Xbox Series X console at multiple retailers last month - and the move seems to have paid off handsomely in the UK. According to GamesIndustry.biz, UK sales data shows that Xbox Series X and S sales were up a whopping
News Phil Spencer & Co. Send Birthday Wishes To 'The Game That Changed Video Games Forever'
Happy Birthday, Marine
Few games are as influential to their respective genres as DOOM is to the first-person shooter, so it's hardly surprising to see lots of industry folks post online about the franchise's 30th birthday. Of course, the IP is now owned by Microsoft, and Phil Spencer & co. have hopped on social media to wish the first game a...
News Xbox's 'Wu-Tang Clan' Action-RPG Resurfaces After New Insider Report
It's apparently in Alpha stage right now
A couple of years ago, we woke up on an October morning to hear a very surprising report that Xbox was working on some sort of game in partnership with Wu-Tang Clan. Yep, you heard that right, Wu-Tang Clan - and a fresh Insider Gaming report has brought the project back into the limelight. Tom Henderson of...
News The FTC Is Continuing To Fight Xbox's Activision Blizzard Deal
There's an uphill battle ahead!
If you thought we were done with these Activision Blizzard acquisition articles, think again! The deal might have gone through on Microsoft and Xbox's end now, but that isn't stopping the US FTC from continuing to put up a fight. As reported by Reuters and CNN, the FTC appeared in front of a three-judge court panel...
News Xbox Series X|S Sales Have Now Surpassed Original Xbox In The UK
Roughly three years in
Xbox Series X and S have seemingly hit a new sales milestone in the UK this month. According to Christopher Dring of GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft's pair of current-gen consoles have now sold more units in the region than the OG Xbox. Considering we're only three years into the gen, this seems pretty good going - although Xbox...
News Xbox Appears To Be Teasing New Game Pass Reveals For TGA 2023
What's in store for us this Thursday?
The Game Awards hype is kicking into gear now as we begin to learn more and more about the show for 2023, and yet again, Xbox is teasing its inclusion in the December event. After saying that the team will be there with "news you don't want to miss", Xbox is now bringing Game Pass into the fold. Ads for the...
News Postal 4 Dev Puts The Blame On Microsoft For Lack Of Xbox Version
"No, we didn't leave Xbox players..."
It's now been close to a year since Postal 4: No Regerts was released on the PS4 and PS5, but we've never heard anything concrete about an Xbox version - and that's apparently because Microsoft doesn't want it on the platform. We've heard this before, but it's been cropping up again this week thanks to a...
News Another Two Games Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In Early 2024
One coming as soon as January!
Over the last few days, we've had a few new Xbox Game Pass confirmations as teams begin to lock in their launch dates for 2024. One of these titles was confirmed for Game Pass already and has now been fully dated, while another has a brand-new release window ahead of its day one arrival. Don't forget we've got a full...
News Microsoft Spends 'Over A Billion Dollars A Year' Bringing Content To Xbox Game Pass
And it's still profitable!
One of the biggest selling points of Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft's first-party input, but the team also puts lots of time, energy and ultimately money, into bringing valuable third-party content to the service. Some of Game Pass's day one coups are fantastic, and as it turns out, those coups cost quite a bit of money for...
News Starfield 'A Tremendous Hit' And One Of Xbox's Top 10 Most-Played Games, Says Phil Spencer
"Thank you everybody for all the support on Starfield"
Starfield is a purely single-player affair, but that doesn't seem to be stopping people from playing Bethesda's new RPG for months and months. Speaking in a new interview at Brazilian convention CCXP, Xbox boss Phil Spencer discussed Starfield and how the game has been performing so far. First...
News Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (December 1)
Kicking off the month in a great way!
It's time for December, and that means we've got two more games joining Xbox Game Pass today! One of them is a brand-new release in SteamWorld Build, while the other is the Icelandic-inspired adventure game Spirit of the North. Here's more information about what you can expect from these Xbox Game Pass...
News Incredible Custom Console Unveiled To Celebrate 'Jusant' On Xbox Game Pass
"Calling all DON'T NOD and Jusant fans!"
Jusant developer DON'T NOD is running a competition to win a brand-new custom Xbox Series X - and this console is a sight to behold. "Decked out like the tower" and complete with handholds, ropes and nets, this is a pretty elaborate piece of Xbox hardware up for grabs here. There's only one to win of course,...
News Xbox CFO Explains Why Microsoft No Longer Reveals Console Sales
It's all about the bigger picture
Xbox hasn't officially revealed console sales figures for years at this point - since early on in the Xbox One generation. During that time, Xbox sales were clearly behind the likes of PlayStation 4 so that surely played a part in Microsoft being sheepish over hardware figures back then, however these days it's not...
News Four Games Will Leave Xbox Game Pass In Early December 2023
Here's what departs in mid-December
Microsoft has today revealed the first batch of titles leaving Xbox Game Pass for the early part of December 2023. We have four games in total for this batch, and thankfully, there aren't any huge hitters in here although we'll miss them all the same! Anyway, here's what's leaving Xbox Game Pass on December 15th,...
News Minecraft Legends Scores 'Biggest Update' Ever, Here's What's Included
Froggy mounts and more...
This year's Xbox first-party release of Minecraft Legends has just received its biggest update ever! This is the second title update for the game so far, and it includes a whole bunch of new features and improvements. Those new features include a Frog Mount, Witches and Witch Huts, a new Piglin Clanger and Air Chopper, and...
News Xbox Would Like Game Pass On 'Every Screen' Including PlayStation & Nintendo
Update: Phil Spencer says there are "no plans" for it though
Update: Just to confuse things further, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has told Windows Central this week that there are "no plans to bring Game Pass to PlayStation or Nintendo". We've covered this elsewhere on Pure Xbox: <related ids="159126"> Original story: Xbox is constantly talking...
Talking Point Will We Ever Get Another 'Special Edition' Xbox Series X?
Or have those plans wrapped up?
Earlier today we spotted some neat-looking console wraps for Xbox Series S, and that got us thinking about the future of limited edition consoles from Microsoft. Sure, these Series S wraps are totally unofficial, but Microsoft's Series X ones are official - and their very existence could spell the end for limited...