Microsoft
Microsoft business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
ESA says anti-deepfake act could 'devastate' video game industry
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has expressed strong opposition to SAG-AFTRA's proposed "No Fakes" act, arguing that its current wording creates significant legal uncertainty and could devastate the video game industry. ESA president Stanley Pierre-Louis stated that the act's broad definition of "digital replica" could lead to frivolous lawsuits and that the cost of litigation would be economically devastating, despite the industry likely prevailing in court.
$80 Games Are Already Here
The video game market is already seeing $80 games, with Nintendo leading the charge on titles like Mario Kart World and upcoming Switch 2 releases. This trend is fueled by rising development costs and inflation, with analysts predicting more publishers will adopt higher price points. While some companies like Sony and Microsoft have maintained $70 prices, others like Take-Two Interactive have successfully implemented price hikes, suggesting $80 could become the new standard for AAA games.
Logitech's new mouse comes with a little bag to carry it around in. Oh, and it's foldable too
Logitech has launched the Mobi Fold, a foldable gaming mouse designed for portability, priced at $80. It features a unique folding design, a touch-sensitive scroll panel instead of a physical wheel, and a claimed battery life of 32 days. The mouse also includes a magnetic carry pouch and an on-device AI to prevent misclicks when folding.
There's never been an easier time to boycott Microsoft, the most boring video game publisher in the business
This opinion piece argues that Microsoft's gaming division lacks innovation and momentum, making it an easy target for boycotts. The author criticizes recent game announcements like Halo and Gears of War remakes, and highlights the company's perceived stagnation despite owning numerous studios and franchises. The article suggests that boycotting Microsoft is a small sacrifice given the company's broader business practices and the abundance of alternative games available.
"It's coming" Gears of War: E-Day developer reassures multiplayer fans that more information is on the way
Developers for Gears of War: E-Day have assured fans that more information regarding the game's multiplayer modes will be revealed soon. Following the game's single-player focused reveal, lead developers confirmed that details about multiplayer mechanics, including the four-player squad format and the Siege game mode, are forthcoming. The game is confirmed as an exclusive for Xbox and PC.
I went into Halo: Campaign Evolved thinking it didn't need to exist, but after playing two levels I want full remakes of the original trilogy and Reach
Despite initial skepticism, the "Halo: Campaign Evolved" remake, built in Unreal Engine 5 by Halo Studios, offers a surprisingly faithful yet modern take on Halo: Combat Evolved. The game features stunning visuals on Xbox Series X and retains the core gameplay loop while incorporating modern features like sprinting and shield/health regeneration, making it an engaging experience for both new and returning players.
Lord help me, Fable's behind-closed-doors demo has got me very excited
A preview of Playground Games' Fable reboot showcases its ambitious systems for life simulation, social interaction, and morality. The demo highlighted how player choices, from saving a talking pig to buying businesses, impact localized reputations and NPC reactions. While performance and system depth require further development, the game's focus on player freedom and British humor generates excitement for its early 2027 release.
Activision shuts down claims that Call of Duty's upgraded anti-cheat can be bypassed
Activision has addressed claims that its Ricochet anti-cheat system, particularly the Microsoft Azure Attestation component, can be bypassed. The company stated that Microsoft has already fixed the reported vulnerability and that the system remains effective in identifying and preventing cheaters from entering matches. This update is part of ongoing efforts to combat cheating in Call of Duty titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Asha Sharma Says Xbox Has to Think Differently About Helix Pricing
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the gaming industry is facing a crisis in hardware pricing due to shortages and exponential cost increases for memory and storage. She indicated that Xbox will explore innovative and flexible pricing and storage options for its upcoming Project Helix console to ensure affordability and broader consumer access, moving away from a purely 'premium' experience.
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac will become read-only next month
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac will become read-only next month, effectively rendering it useless. This change signifies the end of active support for the software on the macOS platform.
Linux driver for vintage AMD GPUs gets an update with a helping hand from Copilot AI, keeping old hardware alive and…
An open-source Linux driver for vintage AMD Terascale architecture GPUs, specifically the R600 Gallium3D package for Mesa, has received an update. The refactoring of the shader compiler code was assisted by Microsoft's Copilot AI, helping to maintain support for hardware dating back to 2007.
Windows 11's new performance boosting Low Latency mode is now available, and here's what it does
Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 11 that introduces a Low Latency Profile feature. This update aims to provide a modest performance boost to certain Windows 11 apps and features by temporarily increasing CPU speed. While currently limited to Microsoft's own applications, the feature could be expanded to third-party apps in the future, potentially improving responsiveness on older or slower machines.
XBOX Insider Update Adds More Personalization, Easier Social Discovery, and Energy-Saving Improvements
Select Xbox Insiders are testing new updates for Xbox consoles focused on personalization and social discovery. These updates include easier spotting of mutual friends, more customization options for the 'My games & apps' section, and a streamlined wishlist feature. Additionally, energy-saving improvements are being rolled out to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles set to Sleep mode.
Nintendo Embracing Third Party Games is A Necessity in 2026
Nintendo's strategy of embracing third-party games is crucial for the success of the upcoming Switch 2, positioning it as a mainstream console rather than a niche alternative. This shift allows Nintendo to focus on quality over quantity for its first-party titles, while third-party developers are increasingly targeting the platform due to its strong engine support and large audience.
Xbox admits consoles are becoming unaffordable and hints at 'new business model'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring new business models for future consoles due to the current hardware crisis and rising component costs. She suggested that the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may move away from a purely premium, high-performance focus to ensure affordability for a wider audience, potentially through flexible storage options or different pricing strategies.
Microsoft rolls out Windows Low Latency Profile, giving older PCs a bit more snap when opening the Start Menu and apps
Microsoft has released the Low Latency Profile (LLP) feature to all Windows 11 users via update KB5094126. This feature aims to improve the responsiveness of older PCs by briefly boosting CPU clock speeds when launching applications, the Start Menu, or Search. While it enhances general system performance, it is not expected to significantly speed up game loading times.
Fable Romance Mechanics Revealed — Including How the RPG Handles Lovemaking
Microsoft's upcoming Fable reboot will feature romance mechanics, allowing players to form relationships with villagers. However, the game's approach to romance and lovemaking will differ from that seen in Baldur's Gate 3.
The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 is neat, but I've tested a translucent green alternative that works with the…
The article compares Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Wireless Controller X25 with the Retro Fighters Hunter, a third-party wireless controller. While the X25 celebrates the Xbox's 25th anniversary with a translucent green design, the Hunter offers wider compatibility across older and newer Xbox systems, PC, and Switch, along with features like hall-effect joysticks for a potentially lower price.
Xbox CEO unsure whether Activision Blizzard merger is paying off
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed uncertainty about whether Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been profitable, despite acknowledging the value of its franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The article notes that Microsoft has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs since the 2023 merger, impacting various studios and divisions, and that Xbox hardware sales have been in decline.
"Miljoner" lämnade Game Pass efter grova prishöjningen, säger Xbox-chef
Xbox's new strategy chief Matthew Ball stated that millions of subscribers left Game Pass following a significant price hike in October. The most expensive tier increased from 185 to 285 Swedish kronor per month, a change that was partially reversed in March to 215 kronor. This shift in strategy also impacts multiplatform releases, with titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution no longer planned for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch.