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Microsoft has announced a price hike for its flagship gaming console—the Xbox Series X—and its GamePass subscription service. Here are the new prices. Gaming 

Xbox Increases Cost of Xbox Series X and Xbox GamePass – See Updated Prices Here

Febin Mathew,

The Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s top gaming console, and its GamePass subscription service will experience a price increase, according to an announcement made by the company. The Xbox Series X price will increase starting August 1 in all regions except the United States, Brazil, Chile, Japan, and Colombia. However, with the exception of a few, the price of GamePass is global and affects the countries mentioned above. Microsoft and the Xbox Series X are following Sony’s lead here, as the Japanese giant has already raised the price of the PS5…

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The US is spared a price hike on the console for now. Gaming 

Microsoft Raising Prices for Xbox Series X and Game Pass in Majority of Countries

Adriana Marais, , , ,

Microsoft has announced that the price of the Xbox Series X will be raised in most countries, except for the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. Therefore, if you have been considering purchasing the console, it would be advisable to do so before the end of July. Starting August 1st, the Xbox Series X will cost $650 in Canada, £480 in the UK, €550 in most European countries, and $800 in Australia. The increases are roughly in line with Sony’s PS5 price changes in most markets last year. “We’ve held…

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An alleged internal Microsoft email, which is evidence in a lawsuit in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court, suggests that one of the intentions behind Microsoft's bid to acquire Activision-Blizzard is“ to put its main competition, the Sony PlayStation, out of the market.” News 

Lawyers Claim Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision-Blizzard Could Threaten Sony PlayStation

Adriana Marais, , , ,

According to a purported internal email from Microsoft, which is being used as evidence in a lawsuit in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court, the company’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard is aimed at eliminating its primary rival, the Sony PlayStation, from the market. As reported by Axios, an alleged email sent in 2019 by Microsoft head of Xbox game studios Matt Booty to Xbox CFO Tim Stuart predated Microsoft’s announcement to buy Activision-Blizzard. Axios notes that “the passage appears to be from Exhibit K,” a “sealed document that the players’ lawyers and…

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Who needs E3? Gaming 

2023 Summer Game Fest: All the Titles Revealed

Adarsh V.K, , , , , ,

Our coverage of Summer Game Fest 2023 is almost complete after covering numerous stories. Due to the cancellation of E3 earlier this year, SGF was a more modest event. The festivities kicked off with Sony’s PlayStation Showcase livestream on May 24th, which was jam-packed with exciting announcements such as Bungie’s Marathon, Haven’s Fairgame$, a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, additional details on Final Fantasy XVI and Spider-Man 2, and a release date for Alan Wake II. Additionally, the Project Q handheld streaming device was unveiled. Then came Summer Game Fest…

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Microsoft has said that it is no longer developing games for the Xbox One—its third mainline home gaming console, first launched in 2013. Gaming 

Microsoft Ceases Xbox One Game Development

Adriana Marais, , ,

Microsoft has announced that it has ceased the development of games for the Xbox One, which was released in 2013 as its third primary home gaming console. The console underwent several hardware revisions, including the Xbox One S and the more potent Xbox One X (initially known as Project Scorpio), in an attempt to compete with the PlayStation 4. It has been almost ten years since the console’s launch. “We’ve moved to Gen 9,” Matt Booty, director of Xbox game studios, told Axios. Microsoft has said that there are no…

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Players who are hanging onto the older console can still access Series X/S titles via cloud gaming. Gaming 

Microsoft Ceases Production of Games for Xbox One

Adriana Marais, , , ,

Microsoft has announced that it will no longer develop games for the Xbox One, almost three years after the launch of the Xbox Series X/S. Although the company will continue to provide support for existing titles such as Minecraft and Halo Infinite, no new games will be created for the older console by Xbox Game Studios. According to Matt Booty, the head of Xbox Game Studios, the company has shifted its focus to the latest generation of consoles, known as gen 9. Microsoft also produces games for PC. This move…

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It stole the show at Summer Game Fest 2023. Gaming 

Be Excited for the Release of ‘Cocoon’

Adriana Marais, , ,

Playing Cocoon is a seamless experience that feels intuitive. This may not seem noteworthy, but the game’s unique feature is that it compels players to utilize its levels to solve puzzles. During my half-hour playthrough of the game’s opening at Summer Game Fest 2023, it left a lasting impression on me and stood out among all the other games showcased. Cocoon is the debut game of Geometric Interactive, founded by ex-Playdead employees Jeppe Carlsen and Jakob Schmid. Carlsen was the lead game designer for the award-winning puzzle platformers Limbo and…

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Several more indie titles are on the way to Game Pass, including 'Little Kitty, Big City.' Gaming 

Xbox to Receive Fast-paced Platformer ‘Neon White’

Adriana Marais,

At the Xbox Games Extended Showcase, it was revealed that Game Pass will be receiving additional indie titles, including Neon White, which was among ReturnByte’s top games of 2022. Although it was initially released on PC and Nintendo Switch in June of last year and on PlayStation in December, an Xbox release date has not yet been announced. However, once it becomes available on Microsoft’s consoles, Game Pass subscribers will have the opportunity to try it out without any additional fees. Neon White is a fast-paced platformer that can help…

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This could be the last game in the series. Gaming 

‘Endless Driving Awaits You in Forza Motorsport’

Nitin Misra, , ,

Essentially, we have no intention of creating a separate follow-up. Dan Greenawalt, the GM of the Forza franchise, has been working on motorsport games for two decades, but his remarks at the post-Xbox Showcase press conference on Sunday hinted that this next release could be the series’ last. Forza Motorsport is the eighth game in Turn 10 Studios’ driving sim series and the first newcomer in nearly half a decade. Forza has been one of Microsoft’s most reliable first-party properties. Ignoring Playground Games’ spinoff Horizon series, the original Xbox had…

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Playing with six people was fun, but you'll be able to team up with 32. Gaming 

’33 Immortals’: Team Up to Challenge the Gods!

Jim Hendler, , , ,

Have you ever faced difficulty in assembling a team of four for Overwatch? Have you attempted to find a way for you and your friends to play Destiny 2 together at the same time? Can you imagine gathering 33 players for a 25 minute track? 33 Immortals intends to do just that. Channeling the animation style of retro comics (and a little Banner Saga), 33 Immortals is a massively multiplayer roguelike top-down action game from the creators of Spiritfarer. In this week’s session following the Xbox Showcase at Summer Game…

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Pre-orders open later today. Gaming 

Xbox Series S to Launch with 1TB Storage in Black for $349 on September 1st

Febin Mathew, , ,

During the Summer Game Fest, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Xbox Game Studios, revealed the latest addition to the Xbox Series S lineup. The new console model will come in a stylish “carbon black” color and offer 1TB of storage, which is twice the previous amount. The console is set to launch on September 1st, just in time for the release of the highly anticipated game, Starfield, on September 6th. “Whether you’re looking to upgrade from your current console or are new to Xbox, the Xbox Series S – 1TB…

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Indie developer Thunder Lotus’ dungeon crawler arrives in 2024. Gaming 

33 Players Can Join Forces in Roguelike ’33 Immortals’ for Co-op Play

Nitin Misra, ,

Thunder Lotus, an independent game development studio, has revealed their latest offering titled “33 Immortals,” which challenges players to confront the “Wrath of God.” This co-operative action and roguelike game can accommodate up to 33 players and is created by the same team behind the popular game Spiritfarer. “Pick and attack, work together to survive hordes of monsters and rise above the Almighty,” the title’s description reads. The game’s trailer shows off 33-player co-op gameplay with an art style that reminds me of the old Space Ghost comics (compliment intended).…

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Something to scratch that 'Elder Scrolls' itch? Gaming 

Obsidian’s Upcoming Fantasy RPG ‘Avowed’ Set to Launch in 2024 for PC and Xbox

Jim Hendler, , , ,

Avowed, the highly anticipated first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, has finally given fans a glimpse of what’s to come. During Xbox’s SGF showcase, viewers were treated to a showcase of magical spells, battle dynamics, and mythical beasts that players will encounter. What sets Avowed apart is the ability to use swords, guns, and magical incantations. As with previous Obsidian games, companions will play a significant role, with the first companion being Kai, a “Coastal Aumaua,” who is one of the few friendly faces players will encounter. The game is…

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Shoot, loot and steal your way into financial security and comfortable retirement. Gaming 

Robbing Banks with No Fear in ‘Payday 3’ on September 21st

Jim Hendler, ,

During the Xbox Games Showcase at Summer Game Fest on Sunday, fans were treated to a sneak peek of gameplay from the latest installment of the Payday game series. Although Starbreeze Studios has taken over from Overkill, it appears that Payday 3 will continue to offer the same intense and fast-paced first-person shooting experience that fans have grown accustomed to. In Sunday’s showcase, a familiar-looking quartet of gunmen set out to take over and rob a neighborhood bank using aggressive intimidation tactics, a variety of high-tech gadgets and a lot…

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Get in the truck, we're going zombie hunting. Gaming 

John Carpenter’s ‘Toxic Commando’ Brings Multiplayer Mayhem to PS5, PC and Xbox

Sanjay Patil, , ,

John Carpenter, known for his exceptional horror films such as Halloween, The Thing, Christine, and They Live, is considered a contemporary master of the genre. In the recent Summer Games Fest, Focus Home Entertainment and Saber Interactive revealed that his distinct zompocalyptic style will be available on Xbox X|S, the Epic Games Store, and Playstation 5 in 2024 with the launch of John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Based on the trailer that debuted Thursday, the premise of the game is straightforward: you see a zombie, shoot it until it stops twitching.…

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It arrives later this month, not long after ‘Street Fighter 6.’ News 

Wireless and Customizable Xbox-Licensed Arcade Stick from 8BitDo

Febin Mathew, ,

8BitDo has revealed a new arcade stick licensed by Xbox, which will be released later this month. The wireless accessory features customizable controls and interchangeable arcade buttons. The announcement coincides with the launch of Street Fighter VI. Although not the initial arcade-style joystick accessory and not even the first of its kind by 8BitDo, the Xbox Arcade Stick may be worth considering based on the company’s track record of producing quality controllers. The joystick is highly customizable, allowing users to remap buttons and swap out physical buttons with various sizes.…

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The game’s production was allegedly hampered by staffing issues, unclear direction and magical thinking. Gaming 

Microsoft Reportedly Didn’t Get Involved With Xbox Dud “Redfall”

Adriana Marais, , ,

So far, the Xbox exclusive Redfall is known to have been a huge commercial and critical hit when it launched last month. Its rather interesting concept – vampires living on a wealthy Massachusetts island – is hampered by bugs and a general lack of polish. (The description “not fit for public consumption” summed up Jessica Condit’s impressions in an ReturnByte review.) Now Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has pulled back the curtain on the alleged behind-the-scenes turmoil that led to Xbox’s latest setback in its mission. reach. Sony and Nintendo console retailers.…

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According to Kotaku, Microsoft's policies legally prohibit emulations, but the corporation has historically looked the other way, the report mentioned. News 

Microsoft to disable game emulation on Xbox Series X, S

Adriana Marais, ,

Microsoft has restricted users from playing game emulations on Xbox Series X and Series S devices. According to PCMag, users have been able to play classic PlayStation 2 and GameCube games on the Xbox console despite the long-standing emulation ban. Before the crackdown, anyone could access and install emulator software via direct links in the console’s Edge browser. Now, users trying to download emulators on Xbox consoles are seeing error messages that say “This game or app can’t be launched. The game or app you’re trying to launch violates Microsoft…

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PC Game Pass is now available in 86 markets worldwide, including new markets in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. News 

Microsoft is ending its Xbox Game Pass $1 trial offer

Adriana Marais, ,

Microsoft has discontinued its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscription platforms, which allowed users to try the service for $1 for the first month before upgrading to more expensive plans. The trial version was available for years, but it wasn’t always available in some markets, and it looks like Microsoft is now considering new offers for new Game Pass members, reports The Verge. “We have ended our previous introductory offer for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and are evaluating different marketing campaigns for new…

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Apple and Google face pressure from EU to allow third-party app stores and Microsoft is banking on the changes. News 

Microsoft may launch the Xbox Mobile App Store next year

Adriana Marais, , ,

Microsoft is steadily building its plans to enter the mobile gaming ecosystem with its own mobile app store, which is expected to launch in 2024, according to the latest reports. Xbox chief Phil Spencer said the app store is being built to compete with giants like Google and Apple. Microsoft has been absent from the mobile segment ever since it discontinued the Windows Phone platform. Now having an Xbox app store for mobile makes business sense. And it’s easy to see why Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal matters a lot. Xbox…

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