News | Free Dune expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator released
Xbox, in collaboration with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment released a free expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator based on the Dune franchise.
This logically ties in with the upcoming cinema release of the film Dune: Part 2 at the end of this month.
The expansion sees players leave Earth and visit the deserts of Arrakis for the first time in the game. Here players can control an ornithopter, a flying machine propelled by four wings. The expansion contains three tutorials, five time trials and a rescue mission.
News | Hideo Kojima and Xbox Game Studios announce horror game OD
During The Game Awards, Hideo Kojima announced the horror game OD with his studio Kojima Productions and Microsoft.
There have been rumors about the horror game for quite some time and images have even been leaked before. In addition, Kojima announced last year that he would be making a game together with Xbox Game Studios. Previously the game was known as Overdose.
There aren’t many details about the game yet, but Kojima said the following during the reveal: “I like to challenge myself with new things. This game is made using Xbox Game Studios and their cloud gaming technology. It’s a game , but at the same time a film and a new form of media.
Film director Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us, Nope) also appeared on stage to announce his collaboration on the project, calling Kojima an “icon”. “He is an inspiration to me, and the opportunity to work together is incredible.”
News | Activision Blizzard Acquisition Preliminarily Approved by CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally approved Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The British agency says that Microsoft’s new proposal has largely resolved its concerns, although there are still some minor points that need to be negotiated. The earlier announcement that Ubisoft, not Microsoft, will receive the right to release Activision Blizzard games on cloud services was a decisive factor for this preliminary approval.
The Competition and Markets Authority disapproved of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard earlier this year – as did the US Federal Trade Commission. However, last July the FTC lost the lawsuit against Microsoft to block the takeover, after which the CMA indicated that it wanted to sit down with Microsoft again. Shortly afterwards, a new deadline of October 18 for CMA’s ruling was set, but a preliminary ruling has now already been issued. The final decision must therefore be made no later than October 18.
Update: new #Microsoft / #Activision deal addresses previous CMA concerns in cloud gaming.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) September 22, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/KpouuwQLM7
Microsoft is willing to pay approximately $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard. In addition to Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard also owns franchises such as World of Warcraft, Diablo and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. King is also part of the company, a developer of mobile hits such as Candy Crush.
News | Hogwarts Legacy on PS4 and Xbox One postponed again
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Hogwarts Legacy have been delayed; they will now release on May 5.
That’s what Warner Bros. announced. These versions would actually be released in April, but that is no longer feasible. “The team is working hard to deliver the best possible experience across all platforms and we need more time to do that.” As far as we know, the Switch version must still be released on July 25.
We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the response to Hogwarts Legacy from fans around the globe. The team is working hard to deliver the best possible experience on all platforms and we need more time to do this. Hogwarts Legacy will launch for PS4 and Xbox One May 5, 2023. pic.twitter.com/UjEIPXDZj2
— Hogwarts Legacy (@HogwartsLegacy) March 6, 2023
Hogwarts Legacy already came out on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S last February.
News | Current gen update The Witcher 3 will be released on December 14
The current gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be released on December 14.
This has been announced by CD Projekt Red. The company insisted that the update would appear sometime this year, and that appears to be correct. The update will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
The update, which is free to download for anyone who owns the game on PC, Xbox One or PlayStation 4, includes dozens of graphics and performance improvements. Think of ray tracing, faster loading times on consoles and all kinds of mods that are part of the experience. It also includes additional content inspired by The Witcher series on Netflix. This content will be revealed during a RED stream on Twitch next week.
The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is coming on December 14th, free for everyone who already owns the game.
— The Witcher (@witchergame) November 14, 2022
For more details and gameplay reveal, tune in to REDstreams next week on https://t.co/IpFERTohi9. pic.twitter.com/fg3yfGeNih
People who have not yet bought the game at all can purchase the digital Complete Edition of the game from December 14th. In addition to the main game, it also contains the expansions Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. A physical edition will also be released at a later date.
Finally, an update will also be released for the PS4, Xbox One and Switch versions of the game with all kinds of improvements and the new content based on the Netflix series.
News | Season 8 of Sea Of Thieves kicks off November 22
On November 22, players can get started with the new season of Sea of Thieves.
Developer Rare announced this on Twitter. The new season promises to bring new Adventures and Mysteries, as well as a new Plunder Pass.
Sea of Thieves Season Eight begins on November 22nd.
— Sea of Thieves (@SeaOfThieves) November 11, 2022
Tune in at 4pm UTC next Friday, Nov 18th, to see the premiere of the Season Eight Content Update video, following the live results reveal of our current decision point Adventure, 'Return of the Damned': https://t.co/ClGkVIExK6 pic.twitter.com/vWWbh2vMHo
In addition, the developer announces that it will broadcast a live stream on November 18, revealing more new content from the eighth season. Also shown during the live stream are the results of the ‘Return of the Damned’ adventure, in which players could make a choice that will affect the game’s storyline.
News | Apple Music now available on Xbox consoles
An Apple Music app has been released on Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One.
The app can now be downloaded for free on Xbox consoles, although a subscription is required for use. The app allows you to listen to music on the streaming service in the console menu and in games.
Apple Music is now available on Xbox consoles pic.twitter.com/LoH6UH5Ycz
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 12, 2022
Spotify has been available on Xbox for years. This is a similar music streaming service. Apple Music also came out on PlayStation consoles last year.
News | Xbox Game Pass Family Subscription Logo Found
A logo found in the Xbox backend indicates a family subscription to Xbox Game Pass.
The logo was found by twitterer Aggiornamenti Lumia, someone who scours the backend of Xbox consoles for useful information. The image found shows an Xbox logo that reads ‘Game Pass Friends & Family’. The text points out that a new Game Pass subscription is coming that can be shared with friends and family. Microsoft has not yet confirmed or denied that the logo is real.
Earlier this month, Microsoft began testing a subscription that can be shared with five people. It did so in Colombia and Ireland, among others. Xbox Insider members were given the option to take out a subscription that is cheaper per person. It did not matter whether the persons came from the same household. The Family version costs €21.99 per month.
The new subscription form has not yet been officially announced. Currently, a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $12.99 per month. This gives players access to Game Pass on console and PC, Xbox Live Gold for online gaming and cloud streaming for playing games on mobile.
News | Stealth Platformer Ereban: Shadow Legacy Revealed
During the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, the stealth platformer Ereban: Shadow Legacy was unveiled.
The game seems to contain a lot of fast-paced platforming and sneaky stealth sections, where you have to survive between robot soldiers. The cel-shaded graphic style also stands out. Ereban: Shadow Legacy is published by Raw Fury and developed by independent studio Baby Robot Games.
In Ereban: Shadow Legacy, players control Ayana, the last descendant of a lost race. Players use mystical shadow powers and gadgets to survive as they search for the truth behind her past and a possible rescue from a dying universe.
The game is coming to Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and Steam sometime in 2023. The game will also be released on Game Pass.
News | The Halo Pelican is coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator
A 40th anniversary edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator will be released in November this year and tonight some of the content was shown , including the Pelican from the Halo games.
The video shown at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase tonight shows the Pelican from Halo Infinite coming to the game. By the way, people who already own the game or are members of Game Pass can already download the Pelican as a preview.
The 40th anniversary edition is coming to Xbox consoles, PC and Game Pass. The update is free for anyone who already owns Microsoft Flight Simulator.