Valheim launched in Early Access on the 2nd of February 2021 to almost immediate success, selling 2 million copies in under two weeks and going on to surpass 10 million copies by July of last year. Following its success on PC, the sandbox survival game is soon set to come …
Read More »Publisher ‘No More Robots’ will bring all future titles to Xbox Game Pass
The current generation of gaming has seen Microsoft shift its strategy to focusing on Xbox Game Pass – the console manufacturer’s game subscription service. The service itself has had its diehard supporters, while others have criticised its effects on the industry. In the wake of this small controversy, one publisher …
Read More »Microsoft to make ‘last-ditch’ effort to gain EU approval of Activision Blizzard deal
It is no secret that Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard is on shaky ground, with regulators seemingly wholeheartedly buying into Sony's objections to the deal, while also having concerns about the future of the cloud gaming market. According to a report this week, Microsoft is now preparing its ‘last-ditch' …
Read More »New Xbox update includes ‘carbon aware’ game downloads
In late 2022, Microsoft began working on a new power saving mode for Xbox consoles, allowing for “carbon aware” game downloads and updates. The new power saving mode has been tested in the Xbox Insider program for a while and today, it is rolling out to all users. This month's …
Read More »Microsoft clarifies Game Pass business model following recent reports
Documents from the CMA's investigation into the Microsoft-Activision merger have been made public for a while and plenty have found interesting details within them. Most recently, a line in one of the documents shows Microsoft confirming that titles on Game Pass do lose a non-disclosed percentage of sales while on …
Read More »Microsoft confirms that Xbox Game Pass negatively affects sales
When Xbox Game Pass was first introduced, many interested parties showed concern for the health of the video games industry, fearing that offering such a subscription service would cannibalise sales. At the time, the company claimed the opposite – though we now know that titles coming to Game Pass statistically …
Read More »ATLUS RPG Soul Hackers 2 reportedly coming to Xbox Game Pass
ATLUS has had a strong relationship with Microsoft in recent years, with the Xbox console seeing some of the developer’s biggest titles (i.e. Persona) brought to it. Likewise, many ATLUS games have found their way onto Xbox Game Pass – the console manufacturer’s game subscription service. Following the inclusion of …
Read More »Kotick will ‘absolutely remain’ CEO if Microsoft-Activision merger fails
Activision Blizzard found itself in a pit of controversy two years ago, with anger against leadership and CEO, Bobby Kotick, leading to lawsuits and employee walkouts. Many who support Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard are hoping to see new leadership at the publisher, but if the acquisition fails, it looks …
Read More »23-hour long documentary on the development of Psychonauts 2 released
In recent years we have seen a greater effort by both studios and publishers to document the development process for a wide variety of games. One studio familiar with such documentaries is Double Fine Productions – having now released a massive 32-part documentary on the development for Psychonauts 2. Back …
Read More »Team Ninja reveals Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty PC system requirements and console modes
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty made a big impression with its reveal in 2021. Now, Team Ninja's latest action RPG is nearing launch and the game's PC system requirements have been revealed, alongside performance modes for consoles. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is launching for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 …
Read More »The UK CMA opposes Microsoft’s ActiBlizz acquisition, proposes remedies
As anticipated, the UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed that it believes Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard would harm the UK market. The CMA confirmed its concerns in documents released today, but it has also sent a list of potential remedies to Microsoft. The CMA has concluded …
Read More »Atomic Heart headlines February Xbox Game Pass update
The next wave of titles for Xbox Game Pass have been announced. Over the next couple of weeks, a number of key titles will join the library, including the likes of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, Atomic Heart and Shadow Warrior 3. EA Play, which is available as part of …
Read More »CrossfireX is shutting down for good
Last week, it was revealed that Xbox console-exclusive shooter, CrossfireX, would be leaving Game Pass this month. At the time we thought that perhaps the exclusivity deal had run its course and that the game may now head to other platforms. However, as it turns out, publisher Smilegate is pulling …
Read More »Xbox API updates hint at imminent launch for Ubisoft+ on console
At some point last year, Ubisoft began working towards bringing its Ubisoft+ subscription service over to consoles. In the meantime, Ubisoft has been bringing a bunch of games over to PS+ and Xbox Game Pass alike, but soon, the full service should be available on Xbox consoles. As spotted by …
Read More »EU and UK reportedly plan to object to Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard is continuing to be investigated by regulators around the world. Over here in Europe, the investigation has reportedly reached a critical point, with the European Union set to issue a formal antitrust warning to Microsoft. According to sources speaking with Politico, the EU outlined …
Read More »Hogwarts Legacy reviews are in, early access unlock times announced
We are just days away from the launch of Hogwarts Legacy, with pre-order buyers set to get early access starting tomorrow. Ahead of the early access period, the first reviews have now gone live and so far, the scores are looking pretty good. There are roughly 40 scored pre-release reviews …
Read More »Remedy’s CrossfireX campaign is leaving Xbox Game Pass soon
Recently Microsoft revealed the next batch of games heading to Xbox Game Pass, but as always, some games are being cycled out. As it seems, Game Pass will be losing one of its bigger exclusives, with the CrossfireX campaign disappearing from the service. The CrossfireX campaign has improved since launch, …
Read More »The Coalition’s new IP has been cancelled, studio now focusing on Gears 6
Since releasing Gears 5 back in 2019, The Coalition has been pretty quiet. The studio has revealed publicly that it is currently working on projects with Unreal Engine 5, but it would seem that plans for a new IP have now been scrapped following on from recent lay-offs at Microsoft. …
Read More »Shadow Warrior 3 to get free PS5/Xbox Series ‘Definitive Edition’ update
Shadow Warrior 3 released during the final year of the 8th generation of game consoles, meaning the title targeted PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles (as well as PC of course). Though it may have taken some time, Shadow Warrior 3 is now getting a much-appreciated and free Definitive Edition …
Read More »Redfall will require an always-online connection even in single player
Redfall is one of the biggest first-party Xbox games currently set to release in 2023. Launching on the 2nd of May, Microsoft recently gave fans a deep look at the upcoming open-world co-op shooter. Unfortunately it seems as though even if you were to play the game solo, Redfall will …
Read More »343 is switching to Unreal Engine for future Halo games
Over the last couple of years, 343 Industries' struggles with the Halo IP reached a boiling point, resulting in a round of layoffs at the studio this year. At this point, many of those in leadership positions during Halo Infinite's development have moved on and just under 100 employees have …
Read More »Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation reportedly pulling out of E3 2023
We haven't seen a physical E3 event for a few years now and while there was some hope that the organisers would be able to recapture the magic this year, there has been an unfortunate update. It would seem that for the first time, none of the big three console …
Read More »February’s lacklustre Xbox Games with Gold line-up announced
Ever since Microsoft chose to focus on growing its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, the quality of games being offered as part of the console manufacturer’s Games with Gold program has seen quite a decline. February’s free games have now been announced, continuing the downward trend of the service. Making …
Read More »MLB The show 23 will once again arrive day-one on Xbox Game Pass
The situation surrounding MLB The Show is an odd one indeed. Initially a PlayStation exclusive franchise, Sony’s hand was somewhat forced into bringing the series to other platforms – though it is still developed by a Sony first-party studio. Despite this long association, MLB The Show 21 and 22 both …
Read More »Bethesda’s secret game ‘SpyTeam’ appears again in trademark filings
We've known for a while now that Bethesda has greenlit a few unannounced games after being acquired by Microsoft. We've seen a couple of these games already, including titles like Redfall and recent surprise hit, Hi-Fi Rush. Bethesda does have another unannounced game in the works – SpyTeam. We first …
Read More »Starfield is ‘playable from start to finish’ but release date still in flux
While a good chunk of Xbox's recent Developer Direct showcase focused on Redfall, Bethesda's other major 2023 game, Starfield, was unfortunately absent. While the game's release date is still a mystery, we have recently learned that the game is indeed complete, in the sense that it can be played from …
Read More »PS5 launch title The Pathless finally comes to Xbox and Switch
One of the most exciting titles released alongside the PlayStation 5 in November of 2020 was The Pathless – a momentum-based open world title which would see you take on the role of a “master of archery who travels to a mystical island to dispel a curse of darkness that …
Read More »Phil Spencer discusses lay-offs, confidence in Activision acquisition and more
Phil Spencer is not one to shy away from the limelight, being one of the more vocal executives in the industry, partaking in interviews while being relatively candid at the same time. As part of a new interview, the head of Xbox discussed all manner of topics, ranging from the company’s recent string of layoffs to the struggling Activision-Blizzard acquisition.
Read More »Sources claim Forza Motorsport will be delayed
While Microsoft initially announced plans to launch Forza Motorsport in the first half of 2023, a lack of release date announced during the recent Developer Direct stream has sparked rumours of delays. According to games reporter, Jeff Grubb, multiple sources have told him that Forza is likely to slip into …
Read More »Journey to the Savage Planet to get free PS5 and Series X|S upgrade
Journey to the Savage Planet is a fun and unique first person shooter which sees you explore a number of wonderful and weird worlds while offering fun gameplay to boot. Almost exactly three years after its debut on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the game is getting a free PS5 …
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