Latest news with #GamePass
ABC News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Another round of layoffs hit the games industry & an amibitous start for Creative Futures
After a fourth round of layoffs have hit Microsoft's games division, what does it mean for the industry at large? And with comments from competitors like "I don't think Game Pass can co-exist with other models, they'll either kill everyone else, or give up," is Game Pass a boon for consumers or a death knell for artists? Jody Macgregor, weekend editor at PC Gamer, gets us up to speed And with 7.8 million dollars, spread across 20 projects in its first round of funding, the Creative Futures Fund has a goal of supporting ambitious work. The fund's director Wendy Martin discusses the philosophies and practicalities behind the decisions. Our track of the week is Gone A Long Time by Billy Strings. Stories mentioned in the headlines: UNESCO approves world heritage listing for WA's Murujuga rock art KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack dominating music charts Gao Zhen pleads not guilty in trial
Engadget
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Xbox's 'Stream your own game' feature now extends to PC
Xbox's "Stream your own game" feature continues to expand. You can now use your PC to play supported games you own on Xbox. (The games stream from the cloud, not your console.) You'll need to be an Xbox Insider and Game Pass Ultimate subscriber to use it. The PC launch follows the feature's arrival earlier this year on other devices. Already supported were Xbox consoles, TVs, browser-based devices (including mobile) and Meta Quest headsets. The idea is the latest chapter in Microsoft's mission to make Xbox software more device-agnostic. Hop on whatever device is available, and start playing without waiting for installations. That makes sense from a business perspective, given Sony's commanding lead in their two-way console race. It's increasingly more about selling Game Pass subscriptions than fighting a losing hardware battle. Microsoft lists over 250 supported games. Standouts include Baldur's Gate 3 , Star Wars Outlaws , Cyberpunk 2077 , Hogwarts Legacy , Balatro and a whole mess of Assassin's Creed entries. Microsoft says it will add more over time. The company says the collection includes some console-only titles. But you'll be hard-pressed to find many that aren't already available (natively) on PC. On the other hand, this method could free up storage and save you the hassle of downloading them. There are some caveats. You'll need to own digital copies of those you want to stream to your PC. (Physical copies won't cut it.) The feature is only available in the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported. You'll also need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which costs $20 per month. If you're interested, you'll first need to sign up for the Xbox Insider program, which is free.
Engadget
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Xbox's second batch of Game Pass additions for July includes Grounded 2 and Wheel World
Xbox has confirmed the second batch of Game Pass additions for July . There's no obvious headliner here, but there are a bunch of great additions to the catalog. These include indie hits like Wheel World and blockbusters like Robocop: Rogue City . Let's get into it. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Robocop: Rogue City came as a huge surprise back in 2023. A game based on a decades-old sci-fi franchise by a relatively unknown developer? It should have been a train wreck. Instead, it's a solid 3D action title that perfectly captures the vibe of the original film. This is a must-play for children of the 1980s. It'll be available on July 17 for subscribers on all tiers. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Grounded 2 looks to be a fantastic take on the "shrunken teens navigating a yard" genre, as first pioneered in the film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids . The first game was great and Obsidian looks to be upping the ante here in nearly every way , with a larger focus on story, a more immersive world and insects to ride around on. This is a day one Game Pass release, which happens on July 29. It'll only be playable for PC and Ultimate subscribers. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. The Annapurna-published Wheel World is finally heading our way on July 23, and it's a day one Game Pass release. This is an open-world bicycle sim with gorgeous cel-shaded graphics. The title promises "impressive vistas, hidden secrets and races that will test your skills." It'll be available for Ultimate and PC subscribers. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is another day one release, with availability on July 24. This is a Souls-like action RPG set in the final days of the Ming Dynasty. The combat looks absolutely brutal. Again, only Ultimate and PC subscribers will have access to the game. Those are just the titles that caught my interest. The shooter High On Life returns to the platform today and the survival horror adventure My Friendly Neighborhood drops on July 17. The prison-based RPG Back to the Dawn will be playable on July 18 and the survival crafting title Abiotic Factor releases on July 22. As always, Game Pass remains one heck of a deal .
CNET
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Drop Into Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4, Now on Xbox Game Pass
The Tony Hawk games were some of my favorites when I was growing up. The soundtracks helped form my musical taste and the games helped propel me and my friends to learn to skateboard. So I'm grabbing my (virtual) deck and returning to some familiar gaps and rails in the revamped Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4, which are on Xbox Game Pass now as one game. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors' Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new titles, including Doom: The Dark Ages, added monthly, plus other benefits such as online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles. Read more: Play Classic Games From the '80s and '90s on Xbox Game Pass Now Here are the games Microsoft is adding to Game Pass in July. You can also check out what games Microsoft brought to the service in June, like Call of Duty: WWII. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play now. Tony Hawk is back to shred in new areas, perform gnarly tricks and bring you more great music along the way. This revamped version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 also brings new skaters to the roster. Game Pass subscribers who bought the Deluxe Edition Upgrade also get the Doom Slayer as a playable skater and other perks. Legend of Mana (console) Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now. As soon as you embark on a quest to find the mythical Mana Tree, you discover the world map is empty! So the only way to find it is to explore the world, talk to people and take on fearsome monsters in this remastered, classic RPG. This version of the game also has graphical improvements, a rearranged soundtrack and other modern enhancements. Trials of Mana (console) Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now. If you enjoyed the remastered version of Legend of Mana, you'll likely enjoy this remastered version of Trials of Mana, another entry in the Mana series. You set off on an adventure to find the Mana Tree and protect the world from chaos. This version of the classic RPG includes graphic improvements, character voiceover support and a new ability system. Ultimate Chicken Horse Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now. The name of this game was enough to draw my attention and the in-game raccoon sealed the deal for me. This party-platforming game has you race against others to see who can get to the end of the level first. But each player gets to build the level as they play. So you can set traps for others -- just make sure you don't take yourself out. The Ascent Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now. Microsoft is bringing this game back to Game Pass almost a year after the company removed it from the service. In this cyberpunk-themed, Diablo-style action RPG, you control a formerly enslaved worker after the collapse of the megacorporation The Ascent Group. The area devolves into chaos with criminal factions vying for control over the different districts. It's up to you to stop these other factions and uncover what happened to the defunct corporation. Minami Lane Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play now. Welcome to the cozy world of Minami Lane! This cute management game puts you in charge of maintaining the titular street, opening new shops and making sure everyone is enjoying their stay in the area. Build ramen shops for the foodies, open book stores for the bookworms and customize the street in whatever way you want. High on Life Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play on July 15. Microsoft removed this game from Xbox Game Pass in June 2024 but the company is bringing the potty humor-filled game back to the service. You've just escaped an alien invasion and have befriended an alien that's also a talking gun. You and other talking guns -- and a talking, psychotic knife named Knifey -- will team up to stop the invasion of Earth and bring an end to an intergalactic drug cartel. Retro Classics gets 5 more games Microsoft launched its Retro Classics collection of games in May and Microsoft said more than 1 million people have already enjoyed some nostalgic games. To celebrate this milestone, the company brought these five classic games to the collection. Cosmic Commuter Heart of China Skiing Solar Storm Subterranea Games leaving Game Pass on July 15 While Microsoft is adding those games to Game Pass soon, the company is also removing six other games from the service on July 15. So you still have some time to check these games out or finish your campaign before you have to buy them separately. For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you. You can also check out what to know about upcoming Xbox game price hikes.
Digital Trends
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 new Game Pass games to play this weekend (July 11-13)
We're officially in the throes of summer and, depending on where you live, suffering through the incredible heat. While I always think it's good to get out and enjoy the summer, there's a limit on how much sun we can take and need to head inside to relax with some cool Game Pass games. I'm especially excited for this weekend because there's one game here that not only screams summer, but also tickles that nostalgic part of my brain. I think even newcomers will love that pick, but I always throw in two other options just in case you're looking for something a bit different. Make sure you check out my last pick because I know you've never heard of it, and it might just be your weekend obsession. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 The star of Game Pass this week is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, a remake of the third and fourth entries of the iconic skateboarding franchise. This was the birth of the arcade skating genre, and these two entries are the most beloved of the original games before they got a bit too bloated and lost focus for some people's tastes. Everything from the original games is back (though the soundtrack is a bit modified), and the fourth game has been completely reworked into the mission-based structure of the third game to feel more consistent. There are even a few new parks and cross-platform multiplayer so you can grind and trick with all your friends. Recommended Videos Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC. The Ascent If you're a longtime Game Pass subscriber then The Ascent will be a familiar name. This was one of the earliest examples of a day-one drop on the service back in 2021, but has returned to give anyone who missed it a chance to experience it. While it was a bit uneven at launch, bugs and fixes have made this isometric shooter RPG reach its full potential. Playable solo or in co-op, this twin-stick shooter has a storyline just as brutal as its gameplay. You live in a cyberpunk dystopian future where megacorporations rule all and, after its collapse, sends everything into chaos. If you want a similar flavor to Cyberpunk 2077's world, this is a great option. The Ascent is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Minami Lane Let's slow things down for our final pick and get cozy. Minami Lane is a sadly overlooked management sim that came out a few years ago to overwhelmingly positive reviews. You will manage a single Japanese-inspired street by catering to your citizens' needs and desires to keep them happy. You can add new homes, decorations, shops, and more, with plenty to customize in each to express yourself through your urban design. Your villagers will give helpful hits as you make changes as to what will make them happier. This game is a perfect weekend title because you can finish in around 2 to 4 hours. Minami Lane is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.
