Tag: Microsoft - Page 30
News Phil Spencer Glad People Will 'Actually Get A Console' At The Time Of Halo Infinite's Launch
"I feel good about that"
When Halo Infinite got delayed back in August, head of Xbox Phil Spencer admitted it was a bummer - noting how the company (and fans) were obviously looking forward to the alignment of a new Halo game and launch of a new Xbox console. Since then, Phil - like everyone else - has come to terms with the fact that it's going to...
News Microsoft Focused On Manufacturing More Xbox Series X Right Now
Keeping up with demand
Microsoft's Xbox Series S has been incredibly well-received. In fact, it's even been named by TIME Magazine one of the best inventions of 2020. While there's certainly demand for this particular model, in a recent interview with The Verge - head of Xbox Phil Spencer revealed how the company was currently focused on...
News Apple Devices Will Add Xbox Series X Controller Support In Future Update
No word on when it will be available
Microsoft and Apple might not be on the best terms in recent times, but there's still some level of cooperation. Apple says the tech giants are currently "working together" to bring Xbox Series X controller support to its devices. Right now, iOS and iPadOS devices do not officially support Microsoft's new...
News Multiple Xbox Published Titles Receive Game Awards Nominations
Ori is up for three categories
The nominations for the Game Awards 2020 have been revealed and multiple categories feature titles published by Xbox Game Studios. Moon Studios' Ori and the Will of the Wisps has received a total of three nominations. The categories it's listed in is 'Best Art Direction', 'Best Score and Music' and 'Best Action /...
News Microsoft Wants Bethesda Games To 'Show Up The Best' On Xbox
"You'll continue to see us shift towards a first or better or best approach"
Microsoft has spoken again about the future of Bethesda games on the Xbox platform, revealing it wants to games "to be either first or better or best" on Xbox platforms. Originally reported by VGC, Microsoft's chief financial officer Tim Stuart spoke during the Jefferies...
News Xbox Series X|S Was Reportedly Microsoft's Biggest UK Console Launch Ever
Numbers indicate the launch has beaten the Xbox One sales
Early figures seem to be showing high demand for the Xbox Series X|S in the UK, with an early report suggesting the console has hit 155,000 sold during launch day alone. According to a recent report (thanks, VGC), various publishers have revealed initial figures for the consoles, which show...
News Xbox Head Apologises For Series X Shortage, Demand 'Just So High'
"We need more consoles"
Xbox head Phil Spencer made an appearance during the Glitchcon event over the weekend, recognising that the world needs more Xbox Series X|S consoles available on the market (thanks True Achievements). In an interview with Twitch partner negaoryx, and Twitch ambassador Cupahnoodle, Spencer addressed the current stock...
News Can You Believe It? Halo 2 Is Now 16 Years Old
Time flies when you're saving humanity
Just before the launch of the Xbox Series X|S this week, Halo 2 actually celebrated its 16th anniversary. Yep, when Bungie's second game landed on the original Xbox in 2004, it was the first Halo title on the system to allow players to take the fight online, play as the Arbiter and even dual-wield. The story...
News Catarina Macedo Departs Xbox And Microsoft
"This is goodbye for now"
Catarina Macedo, a senior program manager at Xbox's research and development division, has announced she is leaving Microsoft. Macedo has been working under Microsoft for seven years and originally started out at the Xbox division as a program manager in 2017, quickly working her way up to a senior position. She says...
News Xbox Series X|S Is The Biggest Launch In Xbox History
Microsoft will resupply units ASAP
The Xbox Series X|S is now available worldwide, so how did it all go? According to head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, this generation has become Microsoft's largest launch in Xbox history. Wow! Phil goes on to state how in just 24 hours more new consoles were sold across more countries than ever before. Microsoft is now...
News Microsoft Gifts Xbox Team Members Project Scarlett Controllers
You can't buy this!
Microsoft's next-generation console has arrived and to mark this very special occasion, team Xbox employees have all received their very own "Project Scarlett" controllers - as thanks for their contributions. Xbox's engineering lead, Eden Marie, shared a few photos of the one she received, showing off the front and back...
News Microsoft Considered Pulling The Plug On Xbox Back In 2014
"Do we stay invested in it?"
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has admitted that the infamous failures of the Xbox One launch back in 2013 could have led to the end of Xbox entirely (or more likely a sale), which he discussed with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Speaking to Shacknews, Spencer highlighted how the Xbox team became separated following the departure...
News Xbox Has Reportedly Approached Several Japanese Devs About A Buyout
"from small to big"
One major area of focus for Xbox in recent times has been improving its library of Japanese video games. A new report from Bloomberg sheds some more light on this, revealing how Microsoft has approached "several" Japanese developers (of all sizes) about a potential buyout. "Several Japan-based game developers, from small to...
News Microsoft Reveals Time Spent Testing Each Backwards Compatible Game For Xbox Series X|S
"We had an army of testers"
Last month, Microsoft revealed how it spent "well over 500,000 hours" testing gameplay across the entire Xbox backwards compatible catalogue to ensure the user experience was the best possible. During a recent interview with Inverse, Xbox Director of Program Management Jason Ronald elaborated on this - revealing how a...
News Xbox Gaming Revenue Up 22% YoY In Latest Earnings Report
Another strong quarter for Xbox
Microsoft has announced its earnings results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 (FY21 Q1), revealing that Xbox gaming revenue increased 22% year-over-year for that period. Primarily, this was due to a sizeable 30% increase in Xbox content and services revenue driven by strength from third-party sales, Xbox Game...
News Xbox Unsure About Game Pass On Competitor Platforms, But Could Be Open To Discussions
Would Sony and Nintendo even be willing to cooperate?
There's been talk about expanding Xbox's Game Pass subscription service to other platforms on multiple occasions in the past, and in a GameReactor interview featuring Xbox head Phil Spencer, the question has been raised once again. So, would Phil and his team be willing to bring Game Pass to the...
Random Snoop Dogg Shows Off His New Xbox Series X Fridge
Update: And so does YouTuber iJustine
Update: YouTuber iJustine has also now posted a video of her receiving the huge Xbox Series X fridge, complete with a console style unboxing! You can check it out above. Original story: Sony has recruited Travis Scott as a "strategic creative partner" to help promote the PlayStation brand, so who does...
News Xbox ANZ Is Teasing Something Related To The Series X
Update: Tune in November 9th
Update (Wed 21st Oct, 2020 03:30 BST): The 9th November has now been locked in. As previously mentioned, it seems like this teaser is tied to the system's launch, as it's taking place exactly an hour before the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launch (New Zealand time) on 10th November. The same date has been shared on...
News Team Xbox Has 'More To Come' In The Final 4 Weeks To Series X|S Launch
It's the final countdown
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are now officially one month out from release. To mark this occasion, Microsoft earlier this week launched its first commercial for the next generation. According to Xbox's senior marketing manager, Josh Munsee, there's "more to come" in the final four weeks leading up to launch -...
News Xbox Series X Aims To Make Cabling More Accessible Than Ever Before
Tactile indicators help identify ports
Microsoft has always gone to extreme lengths to make gaming accessible to as many people as possible. In 2018, for example, it released the Xbox Adaptive Controller - designed primarily to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility. Now, in an attempt to make its next-generation consoles just a little more...
News GameStop Announces Multi-Year Strategic Partnership With Microsoft
And will now offer Xbox All Access
The video game retail giant GameStop has announced it has entered into a "multi-year strategic partnership agreement" with Microsoft. This partnership includes both enterprise and commercial elements. GameStop's backend will now be powered by Dynamics 365 - Microsoft's cloud-based tech - and store reps will be...
News Xbox Celebrates A Record Year For Its First-Party Studios
"1.66 billion hours played by our fans and counting"
Microsoft is today celebrating a record year for its first-party studios, with ten brand-new titles launched in 2020 and many of them earning "strong critical acclaim," as well as "impressive engagement from our fans." Specifically, here are some of the stats Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg has...
News Nope, Flight Simulator's Dev Isn't Working On A New Microsoft Game
Microsoft rep clarifies
There's been a story doing the rounds over the past few weeks that Asobo Studio - the developer of Flight Simulator - was already working on another project with Microsoft. It all stems from a seemingly rough translation of a
News Bethesda's Games Will Be 'Better' Under Microsoft, Says Todd Howard
Quality assurance
It's been a massive week for Xbox - with Microsoft announcing its acquisition of ZeniMax Media (the parent company of Bethesda) for a whopping $7.5 billion. While we've already got some insight, in an interview with Major Nelson alongside Phil Spencer and Pete Hines, Todd Howard - director and executive producer at Bethesda -...
Random The Internet Thinks Microsoft Is Buying Sega Now
Update: No acquisition news at the Tokyo Game Show, confirms MS
Update: Microsoft has confirmed it has no plans to announce any acquisitions at this week's Tokyo Game Show. Original story: It doesn't take much to ignite a rumour nowadays and after Microsoft acquired the parent company of Bethesda earlier this week, some people on the
News Retailers Who Open Xbox Pre-Orders Early Will Be Penalized, Says Keighley
Microsoft supposedly "lowering allocations" as punishment
Earlier this week, as you might have heard, pre-orders opened for the PlayStation 5 ahead of scheduled and reportedly sold out within minutes. The situation was described as a "mess" within this community and a lot of people now have no option but to wait until the next shipment. To avoid a...
News Xbox And Crunchyroll's 'Good Surprises' Revealed As Competitions
Update: No sign of the service being added to Game Pass
Update (Thu 17th Sep, 2020 11:20 BST): The Spanish Xbox and Crunchyroll accounts have unveiled their "good surprises," revealing that they're just competitions to win Xbox Game Pass and Crunchyroll gift cards. Unless something else happens later today, it looks like there's little to get...
News Xbox Takes A Dig At Sony As PS5 Pre-Orders Go Live Without Notice
"We’ll let you know the exact time pre-orders start"
If you've been keeping tabs on the pre-order situation for the PlayStation 5, you've probably heard how badly it's gone. Sony said pre-orders would open on 17th September, but some retailers began listing the system early (with no notice) and it reportedly sold out within minutes. Our...
News Microsoft's Entire Xbox Series S Press Briefing Has Leaked Online
But there's no real use for it now
The leaks just never end for Microsoft, do they?! Following the rushed reveal of the Xbox Series S due to the system being leaked this past Tuesday, the entire "Virtual Press Briefing" for the system has leaked online. The videos have been posted by Twitter user WalkingCat, and while we're not going to share them...
News Microsoft Flight Simulator Will Be 'Just As Amazing' On Xbox As PC
"Some things might even be better"
There's been a lot of interest in Microsoft Flight Simulator ever since the "game" released to glowing reviews on PC and Xbox Game Pass last month, and while the game is confirmed to be coming to console eventually, we still don't have an official release date for it just yet. Hopefully it arrives soon! In the...
News Microsoft Officially Announces Its Robot White Xbox Controller
Available for standalone purchase this holiday
We've seen the new white controller that comes with the Xbox Series S in leaks and the recently released promotional materials, but now the Xbox Twitter account has gone to the extent of giving it a standalone announcement. In case you missed this detail in the main announcement, it's officially known...
News Xbox Is Hosting A Free Game Development Workshop Next Week
In partnership with Playground Games
Are you a keen or aspiring game developer? Microsoft is hosting a free digital game development workshop next week in partnership with East London Arts and Music (ELAM), Games London and Forza Horizon and Fable developer Playground Games, although you'll need to get in quick as spaces are limited. This workshop...
Random What's Head Of Xbox Phil Spencer Up To In This Interview?
"Nothing to speculate about here"
We're all curious to know what the Xbox team is doing in the lead-up to the release of its next-gen console this November. As a result, fans have been searching high and low on the internet for any new information. With this in mind, a now-deleted tweet - dated 1st September 2020 - by @TannTannTheMann, an apparent...
News The Next Generation Of The 'Designed For Xbox' Program Has Arrived
Complete with a brand-new look
Microsoft has today announced the official beginning of the next generation for the 'Designed for Xbox' program, which focuses on building "the best possible accessories for Xbox across a range of categories." As you can see from the image above, the official Xbox accessory packaging is getting a refresh - you'll now...
News Don't Expect 'New' Next-Gen Xbox News At The Tokyo Game Show
Hmm, interesting...
As already announced, Microsoft Japan will be hosting a 50-minute Xbox Showcase at the Tokyo Game Show later this month on 24th September. The broadcast will be in Japanese only. While we were admittedly hoping for some new announcements related to the company's next-generation system, Xbox Series X, it seems there won't be any...
News Microsoft Files Statement In Support Of Epic Games Against Apple
Relating to Unreal Engine
Microsoft has stepped into the battle between Epic Games and Apple, filing a statement in support of the former and explaining that Apple's support of Epic's Unreal Engine is critical for gamers and developers. The conflict between Epic and Apple began back in mid-August when Fortnite released an update that bypassed Apple...
News Xbox Teams Up With Meta Threads To Support The #GamersMask4Masks Initiative
Every purchase counts
Gaming apparel brand Meta Threads has joined forces with team Xbox to sell limited-edition Xbox and Halo face masks for $19.95 USD. It's all to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and raise awareness about the #GamersMask4Masks campaign: For every mask purchased, all profits will be used to fund the production of two additional...
News Microsoft Is Refunding Games That Were Accidentally Relisted On The Xbox Store
Check your emails
Cast your mind back to the start of August, and you might remember that Microsoft surprisingly relisted a whole bunch of Xbox 360 games onto the Xbox Store for a short period. We didn't quite know at the time whether it was an intentional move or not, but they were soon removed, and it now appears to have been a side-effect of...
News The 'New Xbox Experience' Launches With The Series X This November
Featuring a new look and feel
Microsoft has today unveiled a look at the "New Xbox Experience" - a new, connected ecosystem for Xbox that will be shared across Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows 10 and mobile this November. The company says that the new Xbox look and feel is designed to be faster to use, more approachable and visually appealing,...
News Xbox Series X Chip Production Costs Hint At Potentially High Retail Price
Will it be more than $500?
Microsoft recently gave a highly-technical talk on the Xbox Series X system architecture as part of the recent Hot Chips 2020 event, and hinted that the console could be quite expensive when it releases this November. As reported by PC Mag, Microsoft pointed out during the presentation that keeping costs down in the...
News Xbox Veteran Who Named Duke Controller After His Son Passes Away
"His easy smile, charm and relentless crazy drive was instrumental"
We've got some sad news to share with you, folks. Former Microsoft employee Brett Schnepf, who was a member of the original Xbox team and even named the iconic "Duke" controller after his son, has passed away (via GameSpot). In a message on Twitter, original Xbox creator Seamus...
News Over 2,000 Indie Games Have Now Been Shipped Via ID@Xbox
Program has paid out more than $1.5 billion in royalties
Microsoft's ID@Xbox program - which promotes independent games and allows developers to self-publish on Xbox One and Windows 10 - reached a major milestone this week. During episode 709 of the official Xbox podcast with Larry Hryb and Jeff Rubenstein, ID@Xbox director Chris Charla revealed...
News Japan Will Get The Xbox Series X This November, Confirms Microsoft
No delays this time around
If you remember the launch of the Xbox One back in November 2013, you might recall that the release of the console was delayed in Japan significantly - it didn't arrive until September of the next year. Fortunately, there won't be any such delays this time around, as Microsoft has confirmed to Japanese outlet Game Watch...
Random Panzer Dragoon Orta Is Currently $2,699.90 In New Zealand
It's good, but not that good
How much do you love 2002 original Xbox classic Panzer Dragoon Orta? Would you be willing to pay $2,699.90 for it? Because at the moment, that's what it's going for on the New Zealand Microsoft Store. You can see a screenshot of this below, and we've also noticed a similar price on the Australian store. Of course,...
News No Changes Being Made To Xbox Live Gold For Now, Says Microsoft
Update: The company provides a statement
Update (Wed 5th Aug, 2020 17:45 BST): Microsoft has commented on the removal of Xbox Live mentions from its Service Agreement (which you can see in the original story below), telling Windows Central the following: "The update to 'Xbox online service' in the Microsoft Services Agreement refers to the...
"Phil, let's do it again together"
Following Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase recently, head of Xbox Phil Spencer spoke about how one of his favourite moments of the entire event was when Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age was announced for the platform. "It's just an area of focus for us to make sure all creators globally feel like Xbox...
News Microsoft Is Making Big Changes To How You Buy Classic Xbox Games
It should be much easier moving forward
The team at Xbox hasn't been spending its weekend watching TV and catching the summer rays! Instead, it's been quietly transitioning some classic Xbox 360 games to the Microsoft Store, in a move that should ultimately make buying backwards compatible titles much easier moving forward. So, what exactly is...
News Microsoft Reveals Its New Look For Xbox Game Pass
What do you think?
As Microsoft prepares to make the transition across to the next-generation of Xbox gaming, it's been making some subtle changes to its brand. Even on social media, it's mixing things up - with the official Xbox Game Pass Twitter account earlier today revealing how Game Pass was trying out a new look: As you can see, it's...
News Microsoft Isn't Focused On Short-Term Profit With Xbox Game Pass
"We think long-term it works out good for everybody"
Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has been talking a bit more about Xbox Game Pass in a recent interview with What's Good Games, explaining that the service "isn't a big profit play" for the company right now. In the interview (transcribed by GameSpot), Greenberg was asked about how Xbox Game Pass can...
Live Watch The Xbox Series X Games Showcase Event Here
Featuring Halo Infinite gameplay
It's finally here! Today's Xbox Games Showcase will feature first looks at new gameplay (including Halo Infinite), insights from development teams being optimized for Xbox Series X, and brand-new game announcements. The pre-show is scheduled to begin at 8am PT / 4pm BST featuring additional world premieres, while...
