Xbox
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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Saturday Postmortems/Retrospectives
An article discusses original plans for Ryse: Son of Rome to be Microsoft's answer to Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise. The game, developed by Crytek, was intended to be a flagship title for the Xbox One.
"I sued their asses and won!" Gamer wins legal battle to get hacked Xbox account back after they were told to rebuy all their digital games
A gamer in Brazil has won a legal battle against Microsoft after their Xbox account was hacked and subsequently suspended, leading to the loss of all their digital games. The court ordered Xbox to restore the account within 15 days and pay $400 in compensation for moral damages.
Ryse: Son of Rome Had Plans To Be Xbox’s Assassin’s Creed
Ryse: Son of Rome was initially envisioned by Crytek and Xbox to span multiple historical eras, similar to the Assassin's Creed series. However, the game's critical and commercial underperformance led to the cancellation of these ambitious plans.
"Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move": Founding Xbox member warns against PlayStation's all-digital future, says "I trust" Steam games won't just disappear
Industry veteran Laura Fryer, a founding member of the original Xbox, warns about the risks of an all-digital future for gaming, citing PlayStation's move away from physical discs. She shares a personal anecdote about losing hundreds of dollars in Rock Band songs due to delisting, highlighting the impermanence of digital ownership and the potential loss of the second-hand market. Fryer suggests Sony is waiting for major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize digital-only sales before fully committing.
PlayStation and Xbox are both dead, they just don’t realise it yet - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that both PlayStation and Xbox are in terminal decline due to recent layoffs, a move away from physical media, and increasing prices. The author believes that in ten years, only PC and Nintendo consoles will remain dominant, with Xbox and PlayStation potentially becoming third-party publishers.
Engagement Ring
Steam is reportedly experiencing another record year, with user engagement and concurrent player counts continuing to rise. This surge in popularity comes as competitors like Xbox and PlayStation face challenges in the market.
ID software says team about same size as Doom 2016 team and they will continue on
ID Software has stated that its team size remains comparable to that of the Doom (2016) development. Despite recent layoffs impacting the studio, the company assures that it retains the necessary personnel to continue its development efforts.
Morning Consolidation
Once Human is set to launch globally on consoles on August 25th, with a trailer released for the occasion. Additionally, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is receiving a live-action trailer for its Nintendo Switch release. The article also briefly mentions upcoming Xbox games for July 13th.
Xbox Is Teasing Something Big For Next Week Amid Disc-To-Digital Rumors
Xbox Insiders have been teased about a significant announcement coming next week, fueling rumors of a disc-to-digital program. This potential feature would allow players to transition their physical game libraries to digital formats. The news comes amid speculation about Xbox's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, and follows Sony's controversial decision to cease PlayStation disc manufacturing in 2028.
Game Pass Gets A Few Freebies For This Weekend Only, Including One Where You’re A Teddy Bear Fighting Nightmares Come To Life
Xbox is offering three games, MLB The Show 26, The Alters, and Stuffed, for free this weekend through its Free Play Days promotion for Game Pass subscribers. Additionally, Gears of War: Reloaded and Tamashika were recently added to various Game Pass tiers. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma commented on recent company changes, including layoffs and studio divestments, stating they were necessary for the business's health.
Harry Kane And Erling Haaland, Best Known For Their Gaming Skins, Are Facing Off This Weekend At The World Cup
This article discusses the upcoming World Cup match between Harry Kane of England and Erling Haaland of Norway, highlighting their respective gaming skins in Fortnite and Clash of Clans. EA Sports' simulation predicts Spain will win the tournament, with France as the overall favorite.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
Unusual Findings’ “Vinny’s Diary” update available now on all platforms
The "Vinny's Diary" update for the 80s-inspired pixel-art adventure game Unusual Findings is now available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Epic Llama Games and published by ESDigital Games, this free update includes improved controls, new content, and quality-of-life enhancements. The game has received critical acclaim for its narrative, puzzles, and art direction since its launch.
Take It Studio Bring Psychological Horror Game “The Green Light” to Consoles
Take It Studio announced that its first-person psychological horror game, "The Green Light," will be released on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The game follows Fred, a man whose mundane life unravels into a disturbing journey of isolation and obsession as he seeks escape through a mysterious green light. Take It Studio, known for simulation and narrative-driven titles, is handling the console port.
Report Shows Games Likely to Be More Expensive Once Physical Game Discs End Production
A report indicates that game prices are likely to increase with the cessation of physical disc production, as digital storefronts like the PlayStation Store are consistently more expensive than retail. This shift would give companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft greater control over game pricing, potentially eliminating the competitive pricing found in retail and the second-hand market.
Games Inbox: Which is worse out of Xbox and PlayStation?
Readers debate whether Microsoft's Xbox or Sony's PlayStation is worse, criticizing both for customer-unfriendly practices like microtransactions and the move away from physical media. Concerns are raised about EA's continued push for in-game purchases and the potential impact of digital-only games on preservation and long-term access.
GTA Online is getting its first big heist update in 6 years next week with The Kortz Center Heist
Rockstar Games is releasing The Kortz Center Heist, the first major heist update for Grand Theft Auto Online in six years, on July 14. This update, playable solo or with up to four players, introduces a new art museum heist and allows players to establish an art studio property. The update also includes new vehicles, upgrades, and weekly rotating paintings to steal, with GTA+ subscribers receiving the Grotti Veleno GT early.
PlayStation ending physical games is "like Apple removing the CD Drive from its laptops," says analyst: "Not a single person is complaining about it today"
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's move away from physical PlayStation games to Apple's removal of CD drives from laptops, arguing the shift to digital is inevitable. He cites high digital sales percentages and publisher preferences for higher margins, while also discussing the future cost of consoles and the importance of consumer rights in a digital-first market.
Meet the Star Operator Who Rewrites the Ranged Rulebook in Starward V3.1
Starward Version 3.1, titled "Summer Dive," is now available on Xbox, introducing three new Star Operators: Pliszka, Remiel, and Simona. The update also features the return of the Frame Arms Girl collaboration event and a summer event with an underwater treasure hunt, offering a free Cherub swimsuit skin. Lead designer Zongzi discussed the creation of Pliszka, highlighting her blend of mobility and firepower.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 2 Spring
This guide provides tips and car recommendations for completing the Series 2 Spring Festival Playlist Challenges in Forza Horizon 6. It details how to earn Playlist Points through various events like Photo Challenges, Treasure Hunts, and Seasonal Championships to unlock rewards such as the 2017 Mercedes-AMG and 2017 Saleen S7 LM.
