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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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How to lower your weapon - Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo: Campaign Evolved introduces a new Machinima Mode, allowing players to lower their weapons with a specific button input for easier video content creation. This feature replaces the older method of aiming at the ground used in Halo: Combat Evolved, which made scene direction difficult. The guide details the button combinations for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Halo: Campaign Evolved controls & PC keybindings
This guide details the controls and PC keybindings for Halo: Campaign Evolved, including default layouts for Xbox and PlayStation 5. Players can remap all controls to their preference. Specific control schemes like Bumper Jump, Recon, and Green Thumb are also outlined.
Xbox adds advertisements to games in "ad-supported" streaming trial, and it sounds like there's more ads…
Microsoft is testing an ad-supported version of its Xbox game streaming service with Xbox Insiders, which will include advertisements at the start of a session. The company states that the core game experience remains unchanged after the initial ads and that this tier is optional. Microsoft aims to provide more affordable ways to play games through advertising, emphasizing that ads should not interrupt gameplay and should meet quality standards.
Halo Remake Players On Xbox Who Paid More To Play Early Can’t
Players on Xbox and the Xbox PC app who purchased the premium edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved are unable to access the game despite paying extra for early access. Halo Studios is investigating the issue, which appears to be widespread. The game is also noted to be working on PlayStation 5, though it has faced other criticisms regarding gameplay changes and cross-platform co-op requirements.
With $1,000 Consoles On The Horizon, Amazon Games Boss Offers A Solution That Absolutely No One Asked For
Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis proposes cloud gaming as a solution to the rising cost of consoles, suggesting it can expand the market to players who cannot afford dedicated hardware. He acknowledges that while consoles are important, the increasing price of hardware, potentially exceeding $1,000, will make cloud gaming a more attractive option for a larger audience. Gattis believes this approach aims to reach underserved players rather than replace existing platforms like consoles and PCs.
Xbox is testing free, ad-supported cloud gaming
Microsoft is testing an ad-supported tier for its cloud gaming service on Xbox. This move mirrors a similar strategy employed by Nvidia's GeForce Now, aiming to offer free access to cloud streaming with advertisements.
Free, Ad-Supported Gaming Is Now Available On Xbox In A Test
Microsoft has launched a test for a free, ad-supported version of its cloud gaming service on Xbox, available to select Xbox Insiders. This initiative aims to make gaming more affordable by allowing players to stream games for up to an hour after watching ads, without interrupting gameplay. The program, previously tested internally, is now being rolled out publicly to explore new ways for players to access games without upfront purchase or new hardware, provided they have a stable internet connection.
Amazon Luna boss thinks rising hardware prices could push more hardcore gamers to cloud gaming — 'You're going to see more people that are priced out of the market'
Amazon's gaming boss Jeff Gattis believes rising hardware prices for consoles and PCs could drive more core gamers towards cloud streaming services like Amazon Luna. He noted that current hardware costs, potentially reaching $1,000-$1,500, could price consumers out of the market. While not Amazon's primary strategy, Gattis sees this trend as a potential tailwind for cloud gaming adoption.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Review – Remaster Chief
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring updated visuals with Unreal Engine 5 and incorporating gameplay elements from later entries. While online multiplayer is absent, it includes expanded co-op and new prequel missions written by Troy Denning. The game preserves the original's art direction and captivating story, offering a refined first-person shooter experience with faster movement and additional abilities.
Halo: Campaign Evolved review: The horse you rode in on
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of the original Halo campaign, featuring updated visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5 and some mission alterations. While the graphical overhaul is impressive, it sometimes detracts from the original's atmosphere and can lead to readability issues. The absence of multiplayer, a core part of the Halo experience, is a significant drawback, especially given the game's price point. Despite some improvements and new prequel missions, the remake ultimately feels hollow without its multiplayer component.
It Feels Wrong For Halo To Feel Better Than Ever On PS5
Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, is surprisingly enjoyable on PlayStation 5 despite its Xbox origins. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, this reimagining features new missions, redesigned levels, updated gameplay mechanics like sprinting and aiming down sights, and improved narrative connections to later Halo titles. While the new prequel missions introduce underdeveloped characters and the checkpoint system can be finicky, the overall experience enhances the classic story and serves as a new gold standard for playing the first Halo game.
After 25 Years, Halo Is Finally On PlayStation
Halo: Campaign Evolved has launched in early access on July 23, marking the first time a Halo game has been available on PlayStation consoles after 25 years of Xbox exclusivity. Developers aim to reconnect the community and reach new audiences by bringing the franchise to PlayStation 5 and other platforms. This move is also seen as a financial strategy for Microsoft, which has seen success with its multiplatform releases.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game delays Xbox release, Switch version launches without crossplay
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game's Xbox release has been delayed to September 3 due to unforeseen backend issues, while the Nintendo Switch version launches on time without crossplay or non-English localization. The developer, Gameplay Group International, confirmed these updates via social media. The game is set to receive multiple DLC characters throughout its first year.
GeForce NOW Sets Sail With ‘Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame’ Joining the Cloud
Nvidia's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service is adding several new titles, including Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame and Battlefield 6 Season 4. Members can also revisit classic Capcom games like Breath of Fire IV and Dino Crisis, with advanced access for Halo: Campaign Evolved for Premium Edition pre-purchasers. The service emphasizes instant play across various devices without downloads.
Albion Online’s Dragonfire update adds dragons, a new realm, and Fire Drake mounts
Sandbox Interactive announced that the Dragonfire update for Albion Online will launch on August 31, 2026. This free update introduces dragons, a new realm called the Ancient Lands, new equipment, a raid dungeon, and the ability to raise Fire Drake mounts. The update will be available on PC, Xbox, Android, and iOS.
Incremental Epic Hero 2 Review | TheXboxHub
Incremental Epic Hero 2 is a complex and deep incremental game that offers a rewarding experience for fans, despite its initially unwelcoming interface and poor tutorial. The game features extensive customization options reminiscent of 1990s football management sims, with players managing characters, equipment, and abilities across various quests. While the PC version is better suited for its intricate systems, the Xbox port suffers from control and UI issues, though the depth of gameplay can still be compelling.
Controller at the Table: How Console UX Changed Online Card Rooms
Console user experience design principles, characterized by large targets and shallow menus, have significantly influenced the interface of online card rooms. This shift is evident in features like carousel rows, glanceable tiles, and simplified betting interfaces, mirroring the design language popularized by Xbox dashboards. The influence is reciprocal, with games like Balatro incorporating casino-like feedback design into console titles.
How Halo Studios Evolved a Classic - Halo: Campaign Evolved | Official XBOX Podcast
This episode of the Official Xbox Podcast features discussions with developers from 343 Industries about the evolution of the Halo campaign. The conversation delves into the design choices and challenges faced in developing the iconic shooter's campaign modes.
Xbox Gamers Slam Paramount After Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game Suffers Shock Delay on Their Console Just Hours Before Launch
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game has been unexpectedly delayed on Xbox just hours before its scheduled launch, causing significant backlash from players. The reason for the delay has not been disclosed by Paramount.
Original Xbox games on PC means one less reason to buy the next console
Xbox is making original Xbox console games playable on PC, starting with Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live And Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road To Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. This initiative, which includes achievements and customizable graphics, aims to enhance backwards compatibility and game preservation. The move raises questions about the necessity of purchasing future Xbox consoles if games are readily accessible on PC.
