Xbox news and reviews

The latest news and reviews of Xbox hardware, software and accessories.

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Project xCloud's first public trial hits Android devices in October
Microsoft's game-streaming service, Project xCloud, will enter the public domain for the first time in October. Players in the United States, United Kingdom and South Korea will be able to enjoy AAA titles on their smartphones, tablets and other screen-based devices. However, the preview comes with a few caveats.
Watch Microsoft’s Inside Xbox event here at 6PM ET
Microsoft will stream its latest Inside Xbox update tonight at 6PM ET. The one-hour episode will brief gamers on upcoming games like The Outer Worlds, Studio Wildcard's Atlas and Ghost Recon Breakpoint. We'll also get some insight into Project xCloud, Microsoft's game streaming technology that will presumably go head-to-head with Google Stadia.
The best games for Xbox One
A series of missteps put Microsoft in second place before the Xbox One even came out. While it's likely to remain there until the next generation begins, there are a lot of people out there who have never experienced what the console has to offer. With the Xbox One X having a clear advantage over Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro when it comes to gaming on a 4K TV, there's never been a better time to jump in.
Microsoft announces plan to make the Xbox carbon neutral
Microsoft has joined other major tech companies such as Amazon, Google and Sony in laying out some new commitments to mitigate climate change. One of the more eye-catching measures it detailed was a pilot project to make 825,000 Xbox consoles carbon neutral. It says those'll be the first carbon-neutral consoles.
Microsoft invites more people to test very rough Xbox features
You've had to be part of a very exclusive club to try Xbox One features in their rawest form -- so exclusive the criteria has been "closely guarded," Microsoft said. Now, though, the company is loosening its restrictions ever so slightly. The Xbox Insider unit is inviting more people to join the Alpha Skip Ahead ring so that it can expand testing for key updates. If you see this before September 23rd at 2:59AM Eastern (11:59PM on September 22nd), you can use the "report a problem" feature in the power menu, choose "add new problem," pick "future build" and then make a case for why you should be included in the Alpha Skip Ahead program.
'Call of Duty' crossplay lands on October 25th
If you and your pals have different games consoles you don't really have a whole bunch of options when it comes to playing together -- but now, Activision is switching things up. Following in the footsteps of Fortnite and Rocket League, Call of Duty is getting crossplay. From October 25th, Modern Warfare fans will be able to play together across PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Microsoft will test xCloud game streaming in Korea next month
Microsoft will test its Project xCloud game streaming service in South Korea this October. The company has announced a public preview that will allow "selected" SK Telecom customers to test the platform over a 5G connection. Testers won't need an Xbox One console to test the service -- like the upcoming Google Stadia, all games will be streamed to their phone from a datacenter somewhere. That's in stark contrast to the console streaming feature that Microsoft announced at E3 a few months ago. That capability, which also goes live in October, will turn your Xbox One into a personal server that's capable of streaming games to other devices.
'Madden NFL 20' gets a wild five-minute match mode
Madden NFL 20 is already well underway, but EA Sports is shaking things up a little with the surprise introduction of a new Superstar KO mode -- and compared to usual Madden experience, it's pretty leftfield.
Microsoft lets Xbox Game Pass holders support their favorite Mixer streamers
When Microsoft launched Mixer Direct Purchase back in 2018 it did so to help reward streamers for bringing new games and features to viewers' attention. Now, it's adding a new way to support creators. From today, Mixer partners will receive $3 compensation for every new member that joins Xbox Game Pass and credits their channel with a code, so you can show your favorite streamers some extra love.
The story behind every Xbox One controller ever made
Microsoft is very, very fond of special edition Xbox One controllers, to the point where it encourages you to make your own. But did you ever wonder about the history behind a given controller, or how many models have never seen the light of day? If you did, you might just have your answer after today. Microsoft has produced a video where hardware designers Monique Chatterjee and Carl Ledbetter tell the story of every Xbox One controller ever made, including variants that have never reached everyday players' hands.
Microsoft contractors listened to what people told their Xbox consoles
Microsoft contractors reportedly listened to Xbox owners too. Earlier this month, we learned that contractors heard audio snippets from Skype calls and Cortana interactions. Now, Vice reports that Microsoft contractors also listened to audio picked up by Xbox consoles. The device was only supposed to capture audio after voice commands, like "Xbox" or "Hey Cortana," but contractors claim recordings were sometimes triggered accidentally.
Microsoft won't release more Xbox exclusives on rival platforms
Microsoft has crushed the dreams of those who've been hoping to play Halo, Forza and any other first-party Xbox game on the Switch or the PS4. The tech giant has no plans to make exclusive Xbox titles available on rival platforms in the future, a company spokesperson has told GamesIndustry.biz in a statement. Redmond may have gotten some fans' hopes up when it released Cuphead for Nintendo Switch -- though a spokesperson told the publication that it was never an exclusive Xbox IP -- and announced Ori and the Blind Forest for the same platform. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like that list will grow any longer.
Watch the Xbox Gamescom event in 14 minutes
Microsoft loves to use Gamescom as a vehicle for its post-E3 news, and it had plenty on offer for the 2019 event -- even for PlayStation fans. PUBG added cross-platform play that lets PS4 and Xbox One gamers vie against each other for the elusive chicken dinner, for a start, while a smorgasbord of Gears 5 news included details of Horde mode and even the inclusion of Halo: Reach characters. There were also release dates for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Gears Pop, not to mention a deluge of Xbox Game Pass titles like Blair Witch and Devil May Cry 5. And yes, Microsoft even managed to squeak in some (minor) new hardware. That's a lot to take in, but don't fret -- we've summed up the highlights of the Xbox Gamescom event in a supercut clip that should get you up to speed.
Disney+ will have apps for iOS, Apple TV, Android and Xbox One
The debut of Disney's highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+, is almost here. But, leading up to the November 12th launch date, the company is starting to share more details about it. Today we're learning about how you'll be able to watch content on Disney+, which includes new original series like The Mandalorian, every season of The Simpsons and Disney's entire movie library. And while we knew Disney was planning to bring Disney+ to "your favorite" smart TVs, phones, laptops, tablets and gaming consoles, the only devices it had actually named were Roku and Sony's Playstation 4. Now, in addition to those, Disney's making it official that Disney+ will support iOS, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Google Chromecast and Xbox One at launch.
Microsoft's next-gen Xbox will prioritize high frame rates and fast loading
Microsoft has slowly been dropping more hints about its plans for its next-gen Xbox, codenamed Project Scarlett. Now, head of Xbox Phil Spencer has revealed even more about what's in store for the console, which Microsoft says will be four times as powerful as the Xbox One X.
First 'Blair Witch' gameplay trailer is all kinds of spooky
The first-person psychological horror game Blair Witch is set to arrive next month. Today, Bloober Team released the first gameplay trailer. The minute-and-a-half clip offers a preview of just how creepy the woods, haunted houses and monsters of Black Hills Forest will be. It gives us a better idea of how the game will get to your head and shows just how important antiquated cellphones will be.
Origin crammed an Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and gaming PC into one case
Which gaming camp are you in? Xbox? PlayStation? PC? Can't decide? No matter, custom gaming computer company Origin PC has managed to cram them all into one machine -- and has even thrown in the Switch for good measure.
Microsoft will turn an Xbox Live sub into Game Pass Ultimate for $1
Microsoft has been pushing its Xbox Game Pass service recently, adding new features and confirming it will be expanding to PC. Bargain hunters have been in the know about a special offer for the service since it was announced at E3, but now, the company has begun promoting what it calls a "lifehack" that allows gamers to upgrade to an Ultimate subscription for just $1.
Xbox Game Pass now lets you add titles to a 'play later' list
Microsoft has introduced a new Xbox Game Pass feature that can help you remember to play the games you're putting off to finish the one you're on or to give those you've dropped in the past a second chance. You can now add titles from the service's catalog to a "play later" list through the console itself or the Game Pass mobile app. Since it's just a wishlist of sorts, you don't have to download the games the moment you add them -- just download them whenever you're ready to play.
Microsoft's Windows 1.0 announcement was about 'Stranger Things'
Microsoft set the internet abuzz last week when it made a cryptic announcement about the "all-new" Windows 1.0 -- and now we know why. As we'd already speculated, it's all about Stranger Things. To celebrate the return of the show -- set in 1985, Microsoft's banner year -- the company is launching the Windows 1.11 app. It features classic Paint and Terminal programs, as well as Stranger Things-themed puzzles and exclusive content. No floppy disk required.

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