Category: Xbox News

The passionate community of gamers on Xbox are our inspiration. As we get ready to share a fantastic lineup of new games for Xbox players at E3 2018, we want to take a moment to thank them for a record-setting start to the year.

Today, we’re witnessing a record-setting number of players, playing at record levels, and engaging in new ways. Xbox Live players are up 13 percent and Xbox One sales are up 15 percent over the same period last year, but that’s not all. We’ve seen more than 600,000 friendships forged with the Looking For Group feature and there are now more than 1.2 million Clubs on Xbox Live.

We’re seeing tremendous engagement of mega-hits like Fortnite and Far Cry 5, both of which play best in 4K Ultra HD on Xbox One X, joining the more than 200 games that now feature Xbox One X enhancements. But we’re also seeing fantastic engagement with Xbox One console exclusives like Sea of Thieves, the fastest-selling Microsoft Studios new IP of this console generation, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, whose new desert-themed map is now available to play on a dedicated test server ahead of its launch in Xbox Game Preview later in May. We also reached a couple milestones recently with players having enjoyed over 4 billion hours on games released through our ID@Xbox program and nearly 1 billion hours on games in our Xbox One Backward Compatibility library.

Xbox Game Pass has been a great contributor to growth in players and engagement. With over 100 great games available for one low monthly price and new games added every month, including new games from Microsoft Studios the same day as their global release, Xbox Game Pass is all about introducing you to new genres, franchises, and games. It’s been incredible to see the growth in the service and the growth of engagement in franchises made available in Xbox Game Pass. We’re next looking forward to bringing State of Decay 2 to Xbox Game Pass members on May 22^nd, the same day as its global release, as we continue to work to deliver the ultimate gaming membership for our fans.  

It’s also been amazing to see what the passionate Mixer community has achieved in such a short period of time. Late last year, Mixer exceeded more than 10 million active users in a month for the first time – a milestone we’ve since eclipsed, and then some, each month to start 2018. HypeZone channels for Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds are now among the most popular on Mixer, introducing you to a range of streamers in the midst of the most intense Battle Royale moments. Creative new channels have been started for game developers sharing their work-in-progress games, as well as cooking, music, and art, as just a few examples. Mixer will continue to grow thanks to you all, staying true to remaining a positive and fun space for gamers, streamers, and viewers.

It’s a great time to be a gamer and to be a part of Team Xbox. We’re hard at work on exciting plans for E3, from what will be a great briefing filled with new games to the fan experience at the Microsoft Theater. This is our biggest E3 yet, and we look forward to a great week for gamers. Again, thank you to the amazing Xbox community.

You are in critical danger…of cuteness overload! Gems of War, the addictive Match-3 Puzzle RPG, is incredibly excited to announce its brand-new 3.4 Pets Update! And to celebrate starting on May 8, we’re offering Xbox One players valuable exclusive discounts on select bundles! Download here to get your own adorable companion and check out all the new features!

New Event: The Pet Rescue

Pets have been imprisoned throughout the lands of Krystara, and it’s up to you to rescue them! Complete Pet Rescue events to unlock new Pets, level them up, and use their bonuses in battles across the land!

Doomskulls Join the Board

For the first time ever, Gems of War introduces almighty Doomskulls! Watch out for these flaming harbingers of destruction — they explode and provide +5 extra damage to attacks, whether it’s against your opponent… or you!

This is one of our favorite updates of the year, and there’s no better time to jump into battle! Take advantage of the exclusive Xbox One sales starting May 8 and collect as many pets as possible.

Make sure to join our amazing community to find more information for update 3.4 by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Hey, Xbox gamers! The Mixer Tips & Tricks team is back with five tips for Owlboy.

Owlboy is a platform adventure game with RPG elements which took nearly a decade to develop, from concept to the final polish. You play as Otus, an owl who was born mute. He trains under his verbally abusive mentor, Asio, who doesn’t see much potential in Otus’ skills.

However, when their floating island town of Vellie gets attacked by pirates, it’s up to Otus and his pal Geddy to hunt down the culprits and get back the Ancient Owl Relics that the pirates are after. Watch the video above to check out the 5 tips and tricks to help you show Otus his true potential as an underowl!

For even more strategies and tactics on today’s hottest games, plus plenty of other gaming-related fun, be sure to watch Tips and Tricks live on Mixer every Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT.

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox, where we cover all the new games coming soon to Xbox One! Every week, the team at Xbox aims to deliver quality gaming content for you to enjoy on your favorite gaming console. This coming week we’ll have the first-person action adventure game City of Brass, the arcade baseball greatness of Super Mega Baseball 2, and the return of an iconic sci-fi tank shooter in Battlezone: Gold Edition — and these are just a few of the excellent games coming to Xbox One next week! Read more below and click on each of the profiles for pre-order details.

Games

May 01, 2018

Xbox Games with Gold / Xbox One X Enhanced – One of the most fun baseball games on Xbox returns with Super Mega Baseball 2. With improved visuals, deeper league customization, and online multiplayer modes, this arcade baseball sim has a lot to offer the fan and non-fan alike. SMB2 is also available for Xbox Live Gold members from May 1 to May 31.

Games

May 01, 2018

The reboot of the iconic 1980s sci-fi tank shooter for a new generation is here! Battlezone Gold Edition features all additional content ever released for Battlezone, including all tank skins, bobbleheads and horns, as well as the Classic Mode that recreates the look of the arcade original.

Games

May 02, 2018

Journey deep into the forest in this third-person psychological horror game about a mother and her missing son. Playing as the parent, you will experience her retelling of the events surrounding her missing child in a setting influenced by Norse mythology and Norwegian folk tales.

Games

May 02, 2018

In this challenging survival horror game inspired by classics of the genre, monstrous beasts and a city engulfed in flames have forced you to seek refuge inside a large manor estate. Now its up to you to survive and seek out supplies to make your way through this nightmare alive.

Games

May 04, 2018

Xbox One X Enhanced – Become a daring thief in City of Brass, a first-person action adventure from senior BioShock developers. Armed with a scimitar and a versatile whip, you’ll lash and slash, bait and trap your way to the heart of an Arabian Nights-themed metropolis.

Games

May 04, 2018

In this jet ski racing game that combines extreme speed, stunts, and state-of-the-art water simulation, speed above waves big and small across 10 different environments in this fun-filled racer with split-screen and online support.

Games

May 04, 2018

From the makers of Battle of the Bulge comes another tactical turn-based strategy game where you can choose to defend the homeland as the Soviets or lead a push on the Soviet capital as the Axis. Features online or local competitive play, as well as a challenging AI opponent.

Games

May 04, 2018

In this challenging side-scroller full of action-packed gameplay and puzzles, you will be a member of the skillful Bounce Rescue team as you take on the Evil Devil and his minions to stop them from taking over the world. Featuring 50 challenging levels across a variety of worlds and modes with local co-op and competitive play.

We know you’re busy and might miss out on all the exciting things we’re talking about on Xbox Wire every week. If you’ve got a few minutes, we can help remedy that. We’ve pared down the past week’s news into one easy-to-digest article for all things Xbox! Or, if you’d rather watch than read, you can feast your eyes on our weekly video show above. Be sure to come back every Friday to find out what’s happening This Week on Xbox!

5 Ways Shadow of the Tomb Raider is Evolving the Series’ Formula
2013’s rebooted Tomb Raider not only introduced fans to a reimagined Lara Croft, but also offered amazing new gameplay mechanics, systems, and features. Its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, built on its predecessor’s solid foundation, refining and polishing everything, from the combat and crafting to the very tombs Lara loves raiding so much. Shadow of the Tomb Raider looks to maintain this momentum, retaining the formula that’s made the previous pair of game’s such a relic-hunting blast, but also taking that tried-and-true template in exciting new directions. Based on our recent… Read more

Xbox and Real Madrid Create Custom Xbox One X for the Ultimate Soccer Fan
Today, Xbox announced the creation of its newest, custom console in partnership with the 12-time winning UEFA Champions League team, Real Madrid. The one-of-a-kind console features the Real Madrid logo and is personally autographed by each player in the squad. One very fortunate fan will have the chance to win the console by participating in the global giveaway opportunity on Xbox’s Twitter page from April 27 to May 4. Simply follow the official @Xbox Twitter account and retweet the promotional post including the hashtag #XboxSweepstakes (click here for official details). In addition, the entire Real Madrid squad was excited to receive their customized consoles during a training… Read more

Xbox Game Pass: State of Decay 2, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, Overcooked, and More Coming in May
Hello, fellow gamers! Welcome to your May Xbox Game Pass update. We’re incredibly excited to bring State of Decay 2 to Xbox Game Pass members on May 22, the same day as its global release, as we continue to build our commitment to deliver the ultimate gaming membership for our fans. We’re also thrilled to announce the futuristic sports game Laser League will be making its debut on Xbox Game Pass the same day it launches in the Microsoft Store on May 10. But wait, there’s more! For soccer fans, we kick off May with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 which joins Xbox Game Pass May 1 through August 31. Xbox Game Pass members can also look forward to playing Overcooked, The Escapists,… Read more

Microsoft and Discord Team Up to Connect Gamers Across Xbox Live and Discord
PC and console gamers, unite! Today we are excited to announce a new collaboration between Xbox and Discord. Connecting with friends is such a big part of why people game. Gamers all over the world use and love Discord to easily chat and connect with friends while they game. In the coming weeks, this collaboration will make it easier for gamers to choose to do just that – make it easier to connect and see what friends are playing across console and PC. It’s part of the work we are doing to provide gamers with more choice, allowing them to play how and where they want to. In response to your feedback, you will now have the option to link your Discord account to your Xbox account,… Read more

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Miramar Map Now Available on Test Server
One of the hottest games on Xbox One is about to get hotter as Miramar, the desert-themed map in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), is now available to play on a dedicated test server, ahead of its launch in the Xbox Game Preview version of the game in late May. To access the Miramar test server, download the standalone “PUBG Test Server” client directly from the Microsoft Store and prepare to experience the latest addition to the most intense battle royale game on Xbox One. Note, you must own PUBG on Xbox One to download and access the Miramar test server. The… Read more

The April Xbox Update Begins Rolling Out Today
April is here, and it comes with a feature-packed update to Xbox One. We unveiled some of these new features on the premiere episode of Inside Xbox last month. This month, we’re announcing that they’ll become available to Xbox One owners around the world over the next few days. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect: Video & Display We’ve added a bunch of new video features we hope you’ll enjoy, starting with Auto Low-Latency Mode (or ALLM for short). Auto Low-Latency Mode enables the family of Xbox One devices to notify your display when you’re playing a game, so a TV that also supports ALLM will know to switch to its low latency video mode. Many displays refer to… Read more

New Games with Gold for May 2018
Welcome to another edition of Games with Gold for the Xbox One family of devices! This month Super Mega Baseball 2 makes its debut on May 1 and the critically acclaimed action stealth adventure Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain arrives on May 16. Then on Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility – we’ll have the Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage and the cult-classic action game Vanquish! All games will be available exclusively for Xbox Live Gold members for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. With Xbox Live Gold, you get the most advanced multiplayer, free games, and exclusive member discounts on games in the Microsoft Store, so get Xbox Live Gold today to… Read more

Strange Brigade Coming to Xbox One August 28
We were last here with Strange Brigade in the Summer of 2017. We’d just released Sniper Elite 4 which we know lots of you loved on Xbox One, so it was exciting and daunting to show off something a little different. Namely, the reveal trailer for Strange Brigade – our brand-new co-op adventure, full of mythical monsters, perilous traps, and barrel-loads of derring-do! Like a well-preserved mummy we’ve kept things a little under wraps since then, but today it’s finally time to lift the lid off the tomb and show you a bit more of Strange Brigade. For starters, we’ve got a new trailer featuring some of the backstory behind the game (you can see that above). Strange Brigade is… Read more

Get Madden NFL 18 Free When You Purchase a New Xbox One
It’s NFL Draft season and we’ve got your football fix just in time! Starting today, when you purchase any new Xbox One console, you’ll get a digital copy of Madden NFL 18 as a bonus with your purchase. Immerse yourself in football with the most photorealistic Madden game to date, brought to you by the innovative Frostbite engine. Take the field as your favorite team, experience the journey from NFL prospect to the NFL Draft in the all-new Longshot story mode, and connect with friends for 3 vs. 3 online play in Madden Ultimate Team Squads with Xbox Live. Ready to feel true power? Own the Xbox One X, and experience football like never before. Madden NFL 18 is enhanced to take… Read more

Emily Wants to Play Too Available Now on Xbox One
Hello, everyone, I’m Shawn Hitchcock, the guy that made Emily Wants to Play. I am here with another game in an attempt to excite and scare the heck out of you: Emily Wants to Play Too. Inspired by fans and my own fears, this sequel is bigger, has more story, more games, more monsters, and new scares. I’m a big advocate of listening to fans. I watch videos, live streams, look at fan art, read the wikis, read reviews and comments about Emily Wants to Play all over the Internet. I don’t say much though; I just silently pay attention. Fans have mentioned how fun it would be if the first game was bigger, had more story, and more characters. I made sure Emily Wants to Play Too included all… Read more

Inside Xbox One X Enhanced: Fe
Many of gaming’s most compelling stories come from those who’ve helped to create our favorite Xbox One games. In our Inside Xbox One X Enhanced series, these creators will share the behind-the-scenes accounts of the work involved in enhancing these epic games for Xbox One X, how they’ve helped chart the course of the world’s most powerful console, and what that means for the future of gaming. Today, we’ll be chatting with Johan Fröhlander, Lead Programmer at Zoink about enhancing Fe for Xbox One X. What specifically is your development team doing to enhance Fe for Xbox One X? On Xbox One X, this is the first time we are able to create an experience that is running in a native… Read more

Uncover the Secrets of the Lost City Omu in Neverwinter on Xbox One
Greetings, adventurers! It’s time to delve deeper into the jungles of Chult and explore the decaying ruins of the long-forgotten city of Omu. Make your way through the labyrinthine tunnels of the Undercity, face new monsters in the hunt, and survive the new Epic Trial! In Neverwinter’s Lost City of Omu you will encounter old allies and potential news ones as you make your final attempt to overcome Acererak’s Death Curse. This adventure also comes with a new set of achievements for players to unlock, like exploring Omu and finding all the Scrying Stones. And as the number of creatures you hunt increases, so do volumes in Volothamp Geddarm’s Guide to Monsters — defeat all… Read more

Today, Xbox announced the creation of its newest, custom console in partnership with the 12-time winning UEFA Champions League team, Real Madrid. The one-of-a-kind console features the Real Madrid logo and is personally autographed by each player in the squad.

One very fortunate fan will have the chance to win the console by participating in the global giveaway opportunity on Xbox’s Twitter page from April 27 to May 4. Simply follow the official @Xbox Twitter account and retweet the promotional post including the hashtag #XboxSweepstakes (click here for official details).

In addition, the entire Real Madrid squad was excited to receive their customized consoles during a training session earlier this week. Each player’s console has their jersey number and initials on it. Particularly given the big month coming up in their season, these personalized consoles will serve as a reminder of the journey ahead.

It’s truly a privilege and honor to partner with Marcelo and the entire Real Madrid family on this project. This is a team that consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence, technique, and sportsmanship that we’re excited to bring to our product and give our fans the opportunity to experience.

One of the hottest games on Xbox One is about to get hotter as Miramar, the desert-themed map in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), is now available to play on a dedicated test server, ahead of its launch in the Xbox Game Preview version of the game in late May.

To access the Miramar test server, download the standalone “PUBG Test Server” client directly from the Microsoft Store and prepare to experience the latest addition to the most intense battle royale game on Xbox One. Note, you must own PUBG on Xbox One to download and access the Miramar test server.

The Miramar test server will include the new map, as well as new vehicles and weapons. As the map is in a pre-general release period of development during the test server period, some aspects of the map may not function as expected. Connection to the Public Test Server will only be available during specific periods and players may experience extended wait times due to a limited pool of players. You can find more details about the Miramar test server at: https://forums.playbattlegrounds.com/forum/185-news-announcements/

During the test period and beyond, the PUBG Community Team will be actively listening and responding to player feedback, so please be sure and share your comments, questions and concerns to the PUBG forum listed above.

In keeping with the community-driven development we’ve built the game upon, we’re looking forward to receiving input from the PUBG Xbox community and using that feedback to help us optimize and tweak the overall gameplay experience.

Thank you again for your support throughout PUBG’s development in Xbox Game Preview. Our goal to bring fans the ultimate battle royale game on Xbox One relies on making the community an integral part of the ongoing process of optimizing the overall PUBG experience. Being part of this early Miramar test helps us deliver on our commitment to bringing players high-octane action on new maps as we near its general availability on the Xbox Game Preview version in late May.

See you in the game!

Hello, everyone, I’m Shawn Hitchcock, the guy that made Emily Wants to Play. I am here with another game in an attempt to excite and scare the heck out of you: Emily Wants to Play Too. Inspired by fans and my own fears, this sequel is bigger, has more story, more games, more monsters, and new scares.

I’m a big advocate of listening to fans. I watch videos, live streams, look at fan art, read the wikis, read reviews and comments about Emily Wants to Play all over the Internet. I don’t say much though; I just silently pay attention. Fans have mentioned how fun it would be if the first game was bigger, had more story, and more characters. I made sure Emily Wants to Play Too included all of that. The original cast is here, plus new monsters with new mechanics. It has new fun games within itself like freezie tags, hide and seek in the dark, and a Chester marathon. There ‘s even a speed run function programmed into the game, for those times you want to play as fast as possible.

Emily Wants to Play Too is also built to scare you and your friends without violence or gore. I use special lighting, subtle sounds, and creepy visuals to create an ominous atmosphere. Walking around an area like an apartment or office should feel safe, but in Emily Wants to Play Too you will be continuously on edge. Sometimes you will be standing in the pitch dark, in complete silence, wondering what that loud thumping noise is that keeps getting closer and closer.

In Emily Wants to Play Too, the characters are scarier with more personality. I had envisioned them physically running around in the original game instead of “poofing” away, but I couldn’t pull it off. Now in the second game, the characters have the freedom to move anywhere, interacting with doors and lights. You can see them running around and hear their squeaky shoes or tiny doll footsteps.

How did Emily get this way? Where did the dolls come from? How are the dolls alive? I’ve got a big story to tell, and I’m telling it piece by piece through the eyes of the characters you play in each game. In Emily Wants to Play Too, you play as a sandwich delivery guy. He heard about the pizza guy being trapped by dolls, and like everyone else thought the story must be fake. He will get stuck in an office with the dolls and find out for himself that they are alive. And after a while, Emily will also join in on the fun because Emily wants to play too! You need to play their games and stay alive throughout the night. Along the way, you can find information about Emily and the new characters. If you look hard enough, you may even find details about the original dolls and more.

Oh, let me warn you. As far as games go, you can’t trust me! It isn’t very fun for me to make a game where you give the player exact goals to follow. I would rather not give you hints or maybe even blatantly lie to you! I did add several hints, just not as clear and noticeable as you may like. If you get stuck in certain areas, make sure you try new ideas.

Thank you for sticking around and reading my post. Come by and hang out with Emily, her dolls, and their new friends. Emily Wants to Play Too is available now on Xbox One.

PC and console gamers, unite! Today we are excited to announce a new collaboration between Xbox and Discord.

Connecting with friends is such a big part of why people game. Gamers all over the world use and love Discord to easily chat and connect with friends while they game. In the coming weeks, this collaboration will make it easier for gamers to choose to do just that – make it easier to connect and see what friends are playing across console and PC. It’s part of the work we are doing to provide gamers with more choice, allowing them to play how and where they want to.

In response to your feedback, you will now have the option to link your Discord account to your Xbox account, making it easier than ever to see what your friends are playing. If you are playing Sea of Thieves on your Xbox, you can now choose to give your Discord friends the ability to see that and decide whether they want to hop on their Xbox and join you.

How will it work?

From Xbox One

As an Xbox Insider, starting soon in preview, you will also have the added option to link your Xbox Live account to your Discord account directly from your Xbox One, which will become available to the broader Xbox community soon. Open the Account Settings menu on Xbox One, and select “Linked social accounts.” Here, you will see a new option for linking your Discord account. Once you receive your unique code from Xbox, open the Discord app and insert the code within the Connections tab.

From PC

From the Discord app on PC or on a mobile device, in the coming weeks you will see an option to link your Xbox account with your Discord account through the Connections tab under User Settings. Click on the Xbox Live option and sign in to your account. After enabling permission, your accounts will be linked.

After following these few simple steps, your accounts will be linked and your Xbox Live game presence can be shared across Discord, enabling friends and users in your same Discord servers to see what you’re playing on Xbox Live.

We’re excited about working with Discord and are thrilled to enable new ways for gamers to connect with one another online. For more on the latest news from Xbox, stay tuned to Xbox Wire. For the latest on what we’re doing with Xbox Live, follow me on Twitter @mcdanmcx or friend me on Xbox Live GamerTag: Random.

Welcome to another edition of Games with Gold for the Xbox One family of devices! This month Super Mega Baseball 2 makes its debut on May 1 and the critically acclaimed action stealth adventure Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain arrives on May 16. Then on Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility – we’ll have the Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage and the cult-classic action game Vanquish!

All games will be available exclusively for Xbox Live Gold members for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. With Xbox Live Gold, you get the most advanced multiplayer, free games, and exclusive member discounts on games in the Microsoft Store, so get Xbox Live Gold today to get in on the action!

Super Mega Baseball 2
The critically acclaimed Super Mega Baseball series is back with gorgeous new visuals, deep team and league customization, and long-awaited online multiplayer modes. Fancy yourself as either a rookie or baseball purist, SMB2 packs a mode for everyone. Compete in ranked matchmaking (1v1), dominate friends in arranged matches (1v1, 2v1, 2v2), or take on the AI (solo, local co-op, online co-op) – all kept fair by the dynamic difficulty system known as Ego.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Ushering in a new era for the franchise with cutting-edge technology powered by the Fox Engine, MGSV: The Phantom Pain will give players a first-rate gaming experience as they are offered tactical freedom to carry out open-world missions, allowing them to find their own unique way to achieve victory. Traverse the world with jeeps, tanks, horseback and even on foot! Stay alert and don’t forget to call on AI companions when needed!

Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage
Join Axel, Blaze, and company as they battle the evil Mr. X across all three Streets of Rage games. Originally released for the Sega Genesis, the classic brawler series has now been updated for release on Xbox Live Arcade! Earn all new achievements, take on challenging new game trials, compete with other players across Xbox Live Leaderboards, and clean up the streets with a friend in two-player local and online co-op!

Vanquish
This is a sci-fi shooter of epic proportions with a fast, fluid, and frantic combat system. You play as Sam Gideon, a DARPA agent armed with the Augmented Reaction Suit (ARS) that gives him extraordinary combat powers to help evade attacks and take down enemies. Take too much damage and the ARS allows Sam the ability to slow down time, helping to give him the edge in battle.

Read more about our Games with Gold program here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire for all the latest news on Xbox. And check out Xbox Game Pass to gain access to 100 more great games, all included in the monthly membership that you can try free for 14 days.