Tag: game pass

Xbox clarifies its future in an Xbox Business that gives hope about its games… and Game Pass

Xbox clarifies its future in an Xbox Business that gives hope regarding its potential exclusive games and, above all, the potential of Game Pass.

We have had a very eventful week in regards to video games. Many speculations about what the future of Microsoft would be. At least in regards to video games. Because Xbox, although it didn’t seem like it was going anywhere, due to several recent leaks, it seemed like they could make the leap to become a third party, publishing games for other platforms and leaving their own behind. Something that Phil Spencer, CEO of Xbox, has come out to clarify in the Xbox Business on February 15th. Leaving us with some very interesting insights about the future of the company.

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The most important news is that Xbox is not going to change its first-party policy. They are only going to loosen it up a bit. This means that they are going to release four titles on other platforms, such as Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5, of which they have clarified that two are games that will benefit from reaching a larger audience and the other two that can grow their communities. Although they have not clarified which games these are, although it is easy to guess which ones, they wanted to clarify that they are not Starfield or Indiana Jones. These two games will remain exclusive and, at least for now, only the four games in the pipeline will appear on other platforms.

This leads to another big question mark. Game Pass and its situation. Phil Spencer has clarified that Game Pass will not be available on other platforms and will remain exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem. In this regard, he emphasized that all first-party games will continue to be released on Game Pass on day one and, in fact, Activision Blizzard games will be gradually integrated into the service starting next month. The first of them being Diablo 4, which will be released on March 28th.

In addition, he also took the opportunity to deny one of the most insidious rumors that came out during the last week: that this would be the last generation of Xbox consoles. During this podcast, it has been confirmed that there will be new Xbox consoles, that they are working on new hardware to play in different ways than before, and that they are focused on making the next generational leap the biggest we have ever seen in the history of video games. A promise that sounds excessively ambitious, but they still have years to address it. They have even announced that we can expect announcements of new hardware as early as next Christmas.

To close this communication, they wanted to emphasize the present of Xbox. What awaits us in 2024. Asserting that there are ten new exclusive games planned for 2024, Spencer clarified that more will be discussed about all of this in the Xbox showcase next June. Therefore, despite everything, it seems that the news of Xbox’s death was tremendously exaggerated.

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Is Xbox going to announce its new policy through a Nintendo Direct?

Is Xbox going to announce its new policy through a Nintendo Direct? It’s a possibility that is floating in the air and shouldn’t be dismissed.

Xbox has decided to remain silent. While rumors say that several of their exclusive games may become multiplatform, and even that the company could shift towards supporting other companies like Sony or Nintendo, Microsoft has decided not to comment. For now. They will do so on February 15th, in their podcast, in what seems to be one of their regular talks and nothing more. Something very strange, given the commotion it has caused and the impact this could have if true. But what if there was a reason for doing it this way?

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There aren’t many reasons to simply deny it. Even if it’s true. But one that would make sense, given the information we have, is that it’s not Microsoft’s place to take the first step in revealing exactly what’s happening. Something that would make sense if we consider certain recent rumors.

According to a recent leak from a source that has been accurate in the past on these same issues, Nintendo will hold a Direct focused on third parties on February 15th. The same day as the Microsoft podcast, only a few hours earlier. If the leaks about Hi-Fi Rush coming to Switch, or the rumors about Game coming to the Nintendo console are true, then it would be logical for Nintendo to announce this, not Microsoft. They are the ones most interested in making the announcement and getting the publicity, not the Redmond company, and in that sense, the wait would make sense.

If Nintendo has a Direct on the 15th, it is expected that they will announce something related to Microsoft. They may not give specific details and that may be what Phil Spencer focuses on in the podcast. This is something that could happen, as Nintendo tends to announce third-party Directs on the same day as their broadcast.

If this were to happen, it would be a reasonable explanation for why we should wait. If not, there are very few other reasons to do so. Simply going out and denying or confirming it were much more reasonable prospects if there are no other business ties to fulfill, as could be the case of having a deal with Nintendo. So don’t be surprised if Nintendo unexpectedly announces a Direct on the very same day. Or if finally, as often happens, it is simply that the paths of corporations, like those of God, are inscrutable.

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Hellblade 2, the first game announced for Xbox Series X and S, already has a release date

Hellblade 2, the first game announced for Xbox Series X and S, already has a release date, despite having made us wait almost five years since its announcement.

Xbox took a few years to get started. Due to restructuring and internal changes, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were not launched with the originally planned catalog. That means that even the first games announced for the console were not necessarily released at the time they were announced. In fact, some of them have not been released yet. And the first of all, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, has recently received its release date. Just today, during the Developer_Direct 2024.

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Originally announced on December 13, 2019, even before revealing the consoles, we have been waiting for the game for almost five years. But the wait is almost over. Because the Ninja Theory game will be released on May 21 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, available on Game Pass from day one.

According to its developers, what we can expect is an evolution based on the foundations of the first game. With Senua accepting her past and her voices, she will become a heroine for a series of new allies, while she searches for the Vikings who have enslaved her people in 10th century Iceland. An Iceland devastated by giants, where both combat and binaural sound will have a greater weight, to immerse us in a story that seeks to show us Senua not as a superheroine, but as a heroine capable of always narrowly escaping situations.

The original game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, was released on August 8, 2017 for PlayStation 4 and PC almost by surprise. Becoming a critical and commercial success, it stood out for its spectacular graphics, the astonishing use of binaural audio, and an exemplary narrative that addressed the protagonist’s mental illness, who suffered from psychosis, and was used with great sensitivity and interest in the game itself. This led to its adaptation to other platforms, such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.

This sequel seems to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, impressing with its graphics and presenting all the elements that surprised us in the previous one. It even improves on less attractive aspects, such as its combat. To check it out, we just have to wait until May 21st. So there’s not much time left, considering how long we’ve been waiting.

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Ubisoft wants to convince us that paying a lot for a monthly fee and not owning any games is an incredible idea

Now it comes with two more, Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics. The idea? Not necessarily bad. The execution? Frankly terrible.

Does Uplay ring a bell? Surely it does: it is the service that Ubisoft used for a while as the name of its online service. But then came Ubisoft Game Launcher, Ubisoft Connect, Uplay+, Uplay Passport, Ubisoft Club… And, among all these failed initiatives, now comes with two more, Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics. The idea? It’s not necessarily bad. The execution? Frankly terrible.

Ubí, Ubá, I love you more each day

Since Game Pass and PlayStation + Extra (or Premium) have offered many of their games in the catalog for a monthly fee, many others have wanted to do the same. The issue is that Ubisoft, initially, does not release enough games to justify such a high monthly price like 17.99 euros per month (7.99 euros for the classics catalog, which will include ‘Farcry 6’, ‘Watch Dogs: Legion’).

The good part is that all the releases will be available, like ‘Prince of Persia: The lost crown’ from day one, and it will also have extra benefits and the occasional monthly gift. If you are a big fan of ‘Assassin’s Creed’ or any of the developer’s sagas, it might be useful for you, but don’t rush to open your wallet with resignation: the good news is that if you already have PlayStation +, it is included in the catalog.

The downside is the aftertaste of the fact that Ubisoft is spending all its efforts on selling us something that most of us have seen as the lesser evil: not owning our games and therefore losing access to them the day they disappear from the service. Despite the company’s claim that “Consumers are comfortable not owning their collection of CDs or DVDs“, the truth is that it is more a matter of prices than preferences.

We have all experienced wanting to watch a movie and discovering that no streaming service includes it in their catalog. Now the same nightmare can happen with video games. Is there really an audience willing to risk that, after paying a monthly fee, their favorite titles disappear from the famous cloud? We’ll have to see. For now, Ubisoft is trying it, and they say it’s going much better than we all thought. We’ll have to see.

You won’t believe the number of players who have already tried this wonderful indie on Game Pass

You wouldn’t believe the number of players who have already tried this wonderful indie game on Game Pass, reaching huge numbers for any game.

It is always welcome for an indie game to be a success. The effort required to bring a game to the market as a small team, without the resources of a big company behind, is monumental. That’s why, every time exorbitant numbers appear for an indie game, they feel even more special than when they do for a big production. Because, in the end, they always had it harder.

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The latest case has been Sea of Stars, winner of the best indie game award at the Game Awards. The game by Sabotage, released on August 26, has surpassed 4 million players in less than four months. Completely insane figures for a game of this size.

Of course, there’s a catch. Sea of Stars was available on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, so everyone who has a subscription to those services has been able to play it. But that doesn’t exclude the fact that it’s still an obscene number of players. Or the fact that, in the launch week, they managed to sell 250,000 copies. Which is what they expected to sell in the game’s first year, not in the first week.

That’s why Sea of Stars has a lot of life ahead. Their studio is working on a DLC, named Throes of the Watchmaker, although it doesn’t have a release date yet. Similarly, they have recently removed a cameo from the YouTuber The Completionist, who had helped promote Sea of Stars, because he has been accused of defrauding tens of thousands of dollars through his charity organization, The Open Hand Foundation.

If you haven’t played Sea of Stars, it is a classic J-RPG in the style of Super Mario RPG or Chrono Trigger. The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC.

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What’s coming to Xbox Game Pass on Day 1 this November

November is a good month for video games and this year is no different, nor is it for Game Pass, which is already very busy in its first fortnight.

Although October has not ended yet, we already have to think about November. After all, there are mere hours left until that happens. And that also means that Microsoft has already let us know which games will arrive on Game Pass during the first half of next month. Some very interesting new releases, a couple of surprises, in addition to some games that are arriving today. So, without further ado, let’s go through everything that Microsoft’s service brings us, starting with three games available right now.

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Headbangers: Rhythm Royale (Consoles, PC and Cloud — October 31)

Defined as a Rhythm Royale, it is a game of small rhythmic competitions where we compete against 29 other people to see who emerges victorious from the succession of mini-games we encounter. Like a sort of Fall Guys, but with rhythm-based mini-games and adorable pigeon characters.

Jusant (Consoles, PC and Cloud — October 31)

Probably one of the games of the month is this Jusant. Developed by Don’t Nod, it puts us at the foot of a desolate tower filled with artifacts from past civilizations. With a very satisfying climbing mechanic and beautiful art direction, the game could end up being a small hit.

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Wartales (Consoles, PC and Cloud – October 31)

One of the two surprise arrivals is Wartales. It’s an open-world RPG where we lead a group of mercenaries, managing our team, exploring the world, and earning rewards. All while delving into a vast world long forgotten.

Thirsty Suitors (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 2)

An RPG with a highly interesting artistic design that puts us in a unique situation: we are a young girl named Jala, who returns to her hometown, Timber Hils, to confront her past mistakes. This means facing her exes, reconciling with her own culture, all while engaging in turn-based combat, skateboarding, and cooking mini-games. A curiosity worth noting.

Football Manager 2024 (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 6)

The classic football management video game returns, now with a installment that promises significant changes in team management, both at the micro and macro levels. If you’re looking to play football, this is not your game. But if you want to turn your hometown team into league champions after eighteen seasons and sign unknown players from the Argentine league, this game has hundreds of hours to offer you.

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Dungeons 4 (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 9)

Who said a dungeon has to be a dark and sinister place? Take on the role of the Supreme Evil and build a dungeon where your minions feel comfortable battling against the forces of good in a new iteration of the already classic Dungeons saga. An automatic must-play for fans of Realmforge Studios.

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 9)

Without a doubt, the Game Pass game of the month is Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. It’s a new installment in the Yakuza franchise, now renamed Like A Dragon, which explores what happened to Kazuma Kiryu between the end of Yakuza 6 and the events of Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Absolutely essential for franchise fans, but also a must-play for any action game enthusiast.

Wild Hearts (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 9)

Through EA Play, we get Wild Hearts, EA’s take on Monster Hunter. With many interesting ideas and absolutely delightful for cooperative play with friends, it doesn’t have the depth of Capcom’s game but is perfectly enjoyable due to its unique ideas and their consistency. A little treat for those looking for a good game to play with friends.

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Spirittea (Consoles, PC and Cloud — November 13)

A life simulator inspired by Stardew Valley and Spirited Away, in which we manage hot springs and, besides making friends with neighbors, we have to try to find all the spirits that inhabit the area. A calm and relaxing game for fans of cute games.

Coral Island (Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Cloud – November 14)

To finish off the first half of the month, Game Pass offers us Coral Island, a farming simulator with a Disney-esque aesthetic, fantasy elements, and a maritime theme. Placing special emphasis on the need for harmony and the importance of romance, it’s the classic farming game for those who want to dive into a game as ubiquitous as it is endless.

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Activision Blizzard could become part of Microsoft this very week, but not necessarily its games

Microsoft could finally officially acquire Activision Blizzard, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see its games on Game Pass soon

The business world is a murky and complicated terrain. If navigating negotiations, conflicts, and plans is already challenging, it becomes even more difficult when one has to consider all the regulations and state bodies that impose, at times, seemingly arbitrary conditions. Just ask Microsoft, which, with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, has gone through a true ordeal that, it seems, is going to end this very week.

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Almost two years after the acquisition was announced, it appears that this Friday the 13th, the purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft will be finalized. This will mark the end of a saga that has been valued at $68.7 billion and has been dragging on since January 2022, involving several legal battles.

Many fans are hopeful that this means Activision Blizzard games will come to Xbox Game Pass. Just like all Microsoft games debut on the service on day one, it would be logical for games from this new company within the conglomerate to do the same, even retroactively. However, both companies have clarified that, for that to happen, we will have to wait beyond the purchase date.

On one hand, Microsoft has stated that they want to ‘offer as many Activision Blizzard games as possible on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new games and titles from Activision Blizzard’s incredible catalog.’ This was something Activision Blizzard clarified in a statement last Monday. ‘While we have no plans to put Modern Warfare III or Diablo IV on Game Pass this year, once the deal is closed, we look forward to working with Xbox to bring our titles to more players around the world.’

It’s worth noting that Modern Warfare III is set to be released on November 10, so unless something unexpected happens, it could be available on Game Pass on day one if they wanted. Therefore, it’s expected that these kinds of moves, if they happen, may not start occurring until at least 2024. This will be a real disappointment for many fans who were eagerly anticipating this moment precisely for this reason.

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Everything Xbox has shown at the Tokyo Game Show: you’re in for a surprise

The Tokyo Games Show has started and, although it still lasts until Sunday, Xbox has already given us a few surprising announcements

From September 21st to 24th, the Tokyo Game Show takes place. As the largest video game fair in Asia, many companies don’t want to miss it, which is why many game announcements and novelties are made, especially targeting an Asian audience. That’s why, in addition to announcements that come to us little by little, we also have some larger conferences. For example, the one from Xbox. Since they are keen on breaking into the Japanese market, they attach special importance to this event and allocate more resources to it than one might expect.

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This year has been no exception. And the most interesting part has undoubtedly been the games that have been confirmed to be coming to Game Pass that we didn’t know about.

From Capcom, they have announced Ace Attorney Trilogy for September 26th. Additionally, they have announced that the next compilation in the franchise, Apollo Justice: Trilogy, will be released for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in early 2024. On the other hand, SEGA has made two announcements. Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will come to Xbox Game Pass on its release day, November 9th, and Like A Dragon: Ishin!, the spin-off set in feudal Japan from the franchise, will arrive on the service at some point in 2023.

Unfortunately, while the Game Pass announcements have been exciting, Xbox’s own announcements have been forgettable. They showed a circuit from Forza Motorsport, the Hakone circuit, provided more details about the new location in Fallout 76, Atlantic City, and confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will have a Japanese translation available on November 15th. Not much of interest for us here.

On the other hand, the third-party announcements have been more interesting. They’ve shown more of previously announced games like Persona 5 Tactica, Persona 3 Reload, Palworld, Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai, and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. But there have also been updates on known games. Exoprimal has showcased its second season, Party Animals has confirmed a collaboration with Ori, and the second DLC for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, titled Conqueror of Jiangdong, has been confirmed. Additionally, Octopath Traveler II will arrive on Xbox and PC consoles in early 2024.

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There haven’t been many new games, but there have been some very interesting ones. On one hand, they’ve announced My Lovely Empress, the third part of the My Lovely saga, an empire management game coming to Xbox and PC consoles in 2024. On the other hand, they’ve announced Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi, an adventure and action game about two siblings exploring temple ruins inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Hosoda. However, the biggest announcement has been Hotel Barcelona. It’s a crazy hack ‘n’ slash game born from the minds of Swery65 and Suda51 that will have us facing the most notorious serial killers in the U.S. with our past selves.

With that, they’ve concluded forty-five intense minutes, clearly targeted at the Japanese audience, but with some very interesting things for us as well. It was an intriguing conference that leaves a positive impression about the future of Japanese franchises in the Xbox ecosystem.

NBA players are going to space…sort of

Xbox is pampering the launch of Starfield a lot, to the point of putting advertising on the court of the New York Liberty, women NBA team

The NBA is full of stars. People with a lot of money, a lot of fame, and whose presence is culturally gigantic. That’s why it’s surprising that none of them has yet dared to go into space. Even if it is a short trip, for tourism, as other eccentric millionaires have done, whose fortunes we don’t know where they come from. Perhaps the latter is why they have not done so. Because they have their feet on the ground, regardless. But somehow, Microsoft has made sure that, in their own way, they will be able to touch the stars.

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Although perhaps not widely known, Xbox has a long-standing partnership with the New York Liberty, the New York women’s basketball team, with whom they do promotions. For the release of Starfield, they have decided to do something very original: add the game’s rainbow-style symbol on both ends of the court.

Although this action will only last two games, the one they had against the Los Angeles Sparks on the 7th and the one they would have against the Washington Mystics on September 10, this is not the only joint advertising action they have done. Already last year, in August 2022, they customized the court with Xbox colors and symbols in another cross-promotion. Something that seems to be working well for them.

Or so it is implied from the statements of Keia Clarke, the CEO of the New York Liberty. “This partnership comes to life during a historic time for both parties, with Bethesda Studios launching its biggest video game in a decade, and the New York Liberty having their best season in franchise history,” said the team’s CEO.

Starfield was published on September 6 for Xbox Series.

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Windows Insiders get VIP access to Game Pass

Microsoft has rolled out a delightful update exclusively for members of the Windows Insider Program. This update introduces a dedicated section in the Microsoft Store, shining a spotlight on the ever-popular PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate services.

The company’s aim? To make subscribing to these gaming gems a seamless and enjoyable experience for Windows 11 PC owners, all within the comfort of the Microsoft Store.

Windows Insiders get exclusive access to the Game Pass section in the Microsoft Store

In a recent blog post, Microsoft detailed the exciting features of this newly minted Game Pass page in the Microsoft Store. It’s a space designed to help users explore and subscribe to PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate effortlessly. But that’s not all; this dedicated page brings with it a host of Game Pass benefits that are bound to thrill gamers.

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Discover the benefits: The revamped Game Pass page is your gateway to discovering the incredible perks that come with a Game Pass subscription. From exclusive games to enticing deals, free perks, and even access to EA Play, this page promises a treasure trove of gaming wonders. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just getting started, it’s now easier than ever to dive into your next favorite game.

Seamless access: Microsoft’s motive is crystal clear – they want Windows 11 PC owners to access Game Pass services with the utmost ease. No need to navigate to external websites; the Game Pass page brings these gaming experiences right to your fingertips.

What does Game Pass offer?

For those who crave variety and value, there are two Game Pass options to choose from:

  • PC Game Pass ($9.99 per month):
    • Play hundreds of high-quality games on your PC.
    • Enjoy a constantly expanding library with new games added regularly.
    • Get access to Xbox Game Studios titles on the same day as their release.
    • Exclusive member discounts and deals.
    • Unlock Riot Games benefits.
    • Includes EA Play, bringing even more gaming options to your doorstep.
  • Game Pass Ultimate ($16.99 per month):
    • Play hundreds of high-quality games across console, PC, and the cloud.
    • New games are added consistently to keep the excitement alive.
    • Enjoy Xbox Game Studios titles on the same day as their release.
    • Exclusive member discounts and deals.
    • Revel in free perks, including in-game content and partner offers.
    • Unlock Riot Games benefits for an enhanced gaming experience.
    • Includes EA Play for an even more extensive game library.
    • Comes with Xbox Gold, ensuring you can join the console multiplayer fun, and access Deals for Gold.

For detailed information about Xbox Game Pass, click here.

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What’s next?

This exciting addition to the Windows Store is sure to please gamers of all kinds. While it’s currently exclusive to Windows Insiders, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes available to all Windows 11 PC owners. The gaming world just got a little more accessible, a little more exciting, and a lot more fun.

Conclusion: Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience for its users shines brightly through the Game Pass section in the Microsoft Store. For Windows Insiders, this is a special treat, and for all Windows 11 PC owners, it’s an exciting glimpse into the future of gaming convenience. So, gear up, gamers – the Game Pass adventure awaits, and it’s never been easier to embark on.