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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
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Efter 9 år blir Fortnites första spelläge gratis
Epic Games announced that Fortnite's original cooperative survival mode, Save the World, will become free to play on April 16th, mirroring the popular battle royale mode. This shift aims to make the game accessible across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Gear Up for the Adventures to Come with This Free Bundle
The Elder Scrolls Online is offering a free bundle to players, as announced on Xbox Wire. This promotion aims to encourage engagement with the MMORPG and its upcoming adventures.
WW1 FPS Isonzo Free to Keep on Epic Games Store from 12 March to 19 March
From March 12 to March 19, players can download and keep the World War 1 first-person shooter Isonzo for free permanently on the Epic Games Store. This promotion offers a chance to play the game ahead of the upcoming release of BlackMill Games' new title, Gallipoli.
PC will overtake console revenue by 2028, says Newzoo
Newzoo projects that PC gaming revenue will surpass console revenue by 2028, with PC expected to grow at a 6.6% compound annual growth rate compared to 4.4% for consoles. The overall PC and console market is forecast to reach $103.7 billion by 2028, marking the first notable expansion since the pandemic slowdown. Premium games are driving PC growth, while console revenue remains dependent on blockbuster hits and hardware, with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass influencing sales figures.
Microsoft has reportedly pulled the plug on its strange ‘This is an Xbox’ marketing push
Microsoft has reportedly discontinued its 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign, with the associated web page now removed. This move follows recent leadership changes within Xbox, including the departure of former president Sarah Bond and the retirement of gaming CEO Phil Spencer. The campaign, which aimed to position various devices as extensions of the Xbox ecosystem, had reportedly caused internal dissent among Xbox employees.
Xbox’s “This Is an Xbox” Campaign Vanishes From the Web
Microsoft has quietly removed its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign from February 2024, with associated web pages now showing 404 errors. This move follows the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox, who has defended her focus on strengthening the platform. The campaign's removal comes as Xbox shifts focus towards future hardware like Project Helix and the continued availability of former exclusives such as Forza Horizon 5 on competing platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Marvel Rivals Drops Seamless Patch Today With Zero Downtime & Much-Needed Fixes
Marvel Rivals successfully deployed a patch on March 12th with zero server downtime, a rarity for live service games. The update includes new character cosmetic bundles and addresses several significant bugs, including issues with the Punisher's proficiency display, Rogue's costume, controller remapping on consoles, and Hulk's communication during abilities. The developers' transparent and character-focused patch notes have been praised for their approach to community communication and respect for player time.
Free Play Days – Diablo IV, Killing Floor 3, Bassmaster Fishing, Worms W.M.D and Tropico 6
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can play Killing Floor 3, Bassmaster Fishing, Worms W.M.D, and Tropico 6 for free from March 12-15. Additionally, Diablo IV is available for an open trial for all Xbox players from March 11-18, allowing progress to be carried over to the full game or Game Pass.
Bafta Games 2026 nominees announced and it’s another Clair Obscur sweep
The nominations for the Bafta Games Awards 2026 have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the pack with 12 nominations, matching its record at The Game Awards. Dispatch and Arc Raiders also received multiple nominations, including for Best Game. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17.
Is Slay the Spire 2 on Xbox Game Pass – what do we know about the console release date?
Slay the Spire 2 is currently only available in Early Access on Steam for PC and Steam Deck, with no confirmed release date for consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. The game is not currently available on Game Pass, and a full release is not expected before 2027, following the pattern of its predecessor.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAG
Microsoft's next-gen console, Project Helix, will not have developer kits available until 2027, featuring a custom AMD chip with advanced ray tracing and upscaling. Separately, Pokémon Pokopia launched strongly on the Nintendo Switch 2, selling 2.2 million copies in three days, while Xbox is teasing "new ways to play" classic games for its 25th anniversary, emphasizing game preservation.
New ‘Kanata’-Update Brings Tons Of New Features And A New Archipelago To Sengoku Dynasty
The 'Kanata' update for Sengoku Dynasty is now available on PC and consoles, introducing a new subtropical archipelago with exotic flora, fauna, and organized pirates. The update also enhances gameplay with improved combat, spiritualism, crafting, and village progression, featuring a seven-tier bell tower system.
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program going forward and will be 'rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past'
Microsoft has recommitted to its Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program, confirming it will return in some form later this year. The company plans to "roll out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past" as part of its 25th anniversary. This initiative aims to keep games from four generations of Xbox playable across future consoles and Windows 11.
Time to pay your last respects to Microsoft's "This is an Xbox" campaign, as it appears to have been killed off
Microsoft has seemingly discontinued its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, which promoted the Xbox as a platform accessible on various devices. The campaign's associated blog posts are now inaccessible, and the tag yields no results. This move follows recent leadership changes, including the departure of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, and the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new gaming CEO, who has also confirmed the next-gen Xbox will support console and PC games.
Windows 11 is getting an "Xbox mode" in April and its a big deal
Microsoft announced that Windows 11 will receive an "Xbox mode" in April, positioning Windows as a core platform for future PC and Xbox game development. This feature aims to enhance the gaming experience on the PC operating system.
Texture pop-in may be about to pop-out of existence thanks to even faster asset streaming ushered in by new Zstandard…
Microsoft has detailed improvements to its DirectStorage 1.4 technology, focusing on enhanced GPU decompression algorithms like Zstandard (Zstd) to speed up asset streaming and reduce texture pop-in. Several GPU manufacturers, including AMD, Nvidia, Intel, and Qualcomm, are collaborating to optimize Zstd decompression for their hardware, with driver updates expected in the latter half of 2026.
Microsoft confirms 'Xbox Mode' rollout for Windows 11 and reveals more plans for PC-console hybrid Project Helix
Microsoft is set to release its 'Xbox Mode' gaming layer for Windows 11 next month. The company also confirmed that developers will begin testing Project Helix, a PC-console hybrid initiative, in 2027.
AMD announces next-gen 'FSR Diamond' AI-enhanced upscaling for future Xbox consoles, but the question is whether it's coming to PC and which GPUs will support it
AMD has announced FSR Diamond, a new AI-enhanced upscaling technology developed in partnership with Microsoft for future Xbox consoles. While initially targeted at consoles, its potential release on PC and compatibility with existing GPUs remain uncertain, with speculation pointing towards RDNA 5 graphics cards due to its heavy AI emphasis. The technology is expected to be part of Project Helix, a co-engineering effort focused on next-gen performance and graphics, with alpha hardware releases anticipated in 2027.
Controller Design and Its Impact on Gameplay
Controller design significantly impacts gameplay by influencing player precision, comfort, and reaction speed, with Xbox controllers being a notable example of iterative ergonomic refinement. Modern gaming also integrates digital distribution and marketplaces like Eneba, alongside customization options, to enhance the overall player experience.
Microsoft's weird "This is an Xbox" marketing appears to be getting quietly swept under the rug amid…
Microsoft appears to be phasing out its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related content being removed from official Xbox channels. This shift follows leadership changes within Microsoft Gaming, including the exits of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, who reportedly championed the campaign. The effectiveness and internal reception of the 'Xbox everywhere' initiative remain subjects of discussion.
