Latest news with #MicrosoftGaming
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Xbox handheld delayed claims report as Microsoft refocuses on Windows
Microsoft's plans for a first party Xbox handheld device have been put on the backburner according to reports, as it changes focus to Windows 11. For years now, Microsoft has been very open about its intentions to jump into the handheld gaming space. The company has seemingly been working on two separate handheld devices: a first party portable tied to the next gen Xbox console and a third party collaboration with Asus. Images of the latter, which is rumoured to launch this year, were leaked earlier this month. According to the latest rumours though, the dedicated Xbox handheld, which Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer last year said was still 'a few years out', has been shelved for the time being, as the company shifts its priorities towards improving the gaming experience on existing devices. According to Windows Central, Microsoft still wants to build its own Xbox handheld in the future, but it has opted to prioritise improving the gaming performance on Windows 11, including for the upcoming Asus handheld codenamed Project Kennan. It's claimed this decision was announced internally on Thursday, May 29, as Microsoft shifts 'more deeply towards third party OEM (original equipment manufacturer) handhelds in the interim'. This move might be related to the threat of Valve's SteamOS which, based on recent previews, is said to run far better on existing gaming handhelds when compared to the Windows variant. — Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025 Microsoft hasn't announced anything about its first party handheld plans, and it was unclear what kind of device it would actually be, but this delay suggests it will (if it eventually comes out) be closer to a native Xbox handheld rather than a Windows 11 device. More Trending The big question is what Microsoft can offer in the handheld space that isn't already being catered to. Nintendo has a significant head start with the Switch 2, and any attempt to outdo its power and performance might steer it towards a more expensive, niche product like the Steam Deck. It's possible Microsoft is hoping to offer an alternative when the shine of the Switch 2 has worn off, but with Sony also rumoured to be working on a handheld device, it might find itself facing another competitor if it waits too long. Microsoft's next gen console is expected to launch in 2027, and the company has previously described it as offering 'the biggest technological leap ever in a generation'. There's still no indication of what that means, but many suspect it involves AI. Xbox's plans for the immediate future are set to be revealed during an Xbox showcase on Sunday, June 8, led by The Outer Worlds 2. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: UK retailer cancels Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders a week before launch MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 fans expecting secret Christmas game at Summer Game Fest 2025 MORE: Second UK retailer to hold limited Nintendo Switch 2 midnight launch
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft releases AI-generated Quake II demo, but admits ‘limitations'
Microsoft has released a browser-based, playable level of the classic video game Quake II. This functions as a tech demo for the gaming capabilities of Microsoft's Copilot AI platform — though by the company's own admission, the experience isn't quite the same as playing a well-made game. You can try it out for yourself, using your keyboard to navigate a single level of Quake II for a couple minutes before you hit the time limit. In a blog post describing their work, Microsoft researchers said their Muse family of AI models for video games allows users to 'interact with the model through keyboard/controller actions and see the effects of your actions immediately, essentially allowing you to play inside the model.' To show off these capabilities, the researchers trained their model on a Quake II level (which Microsoft owns through its acquisition of ZeniMax). 'Much to our initial delight we were able to play inside the world that the model was simulating,' they wrote. 'We could wander around, move the camera, jump, crouch, shoot, and even blow-up barrels similar to the original game.' At the same time, the researchers emphasized that this is meant to be 'a research exploration' and should be thought of as 'playing the model as opposed to playing the game.' More specifically, they acknowledged 'limitations and shortcomings,' like the fact that enemies are fuzzy, the damage and health counters can be inaccurate, and most strikingly, the model struggles with object permanence, forgetting about things that are out of view for 0.9 seconds or longer. In the researchers' view, this can 'also be a source of fun, whereby you can defeat or spawn enemies by looking at the floor for a second and then looking back up,' or even 'teleport around the map by looking up at the sky and then back down.' Writer and game designer Austin Walker was less impressed by this approach, posting a gameplay video in which he spent most of his time trapped in a dark room. (This also happened to me both times I tried to play the demo, though I'll admit I'm extremely bad at first-person shooters.) Referring to a Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's recent statements that AI models could help with game preservation by making classic games 'portable to any platform,' Walker argued this reveals 'a fundamental misunderstanding of not only this tech but how games WORK.' 'The internal workings of games like Quake — code, design, 3d art, audio — produce specific cases of play, including surprising edge cases,' Walker wrote. 'That is a big part of what makes games good. If you aren't actually able to rebuild the key inner workings, then you lose access to those unpredictable edge cases.' This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft releases AI-generated Quake II demo, but admits ‘limitations'
Microsoft has released a browser-based, playable level of the classic video game Quake II. This functions as a tech demo for the gaming capabilities of Microsoft's Copilot AI platform — though by the company's own admission, the experience isn't quite the same as playing a well-made game. You can try it out for yourself, using your keyboard to navigate a single level of Quake II for a couple minutes before you hit the time limit. In a blog post describing their work, Microsoft researchers said their Muse family of AI models for video games allows users to 'interact with the model through keyboard/controller actions and see the effects of your actions immediately, essentially allowing you to play inside the model.' To show off these capabilities, the researchers trained their model on a Quake II level (which Microsoft owns through its acquisition of ZeniMax). 'Much to our initial delight we were able to play inside the world that the model was simulating,' they wrote. 'We could wander around, move the camera, jump, crouch, shoot, and even blow-up barrels similar to the original game.' At the same time, the researchers emphasized that this is meant to be 'a research exploration' and should be thought of as 'playing the model as opposed to playing the game.' More specifically, they acknowledged 'limitations and shortcomings,' like the fact that enemies are fuzzy, the damage and health counters can be inaccurate, and most strikingly, the model struggles with object permanence, forgetting about things that are out of view for 0.9 seconds or longer. In the researchers' view, this can 'also be a source of fun, whereby you can defeat or spawn enemies by looking at the floor for a second and then looking back up,' or even 'teleport around the map by looking up at the sky and then back down.' Writer and game designer Austin Walker was less impressed by this approach, posting a gameplay video in which he spent most of his time trapped in a dark room. (This also happened to me both times I tried to play the demo, though I'll admit I'm extremely bad at first-person shooters.) Referring to a Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's recent statements that AI models could help with game preservation by making classic games 'portable to any platform,' Walker argued this reveals 'a fundamental misunderstanding of not only this tech but how games WORK.' 'The internal workings of games like Quake — code, design, 3d art, audio — produce specific cases of play, including surprising edge cases,' Walker wrote. 'That is a big part of what makes games good. If you aren't actually able to rebuild the key inner workings, then you lose access to those unpredictable edge cases.'
Swift Newz
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Swift Newz
الأمين العام لرابطة العالم الإسلامي يُلقي خطبة عيد الفطر في أكبر جوامع ألبانيا ومنطقة البلقان
Tom Warren's intervention on the microphones of the Xbox Two Podcast which was the backdrop to the rumors about the arrival of Halo Master Chief Collection on Switch 2 gave way to the well -known journalist and insider to discuss the Rumored PlayStation 5 version of Starfield. The leader of The Verge took inspiration from the indications provided by his anonymous internal sources of Microsoft Gaming to confirm, albeit unofficially, that Starfield is destined to land on PS5 as part of the multiplatform strategy outlined by the House of Redmond. However, to listen to Warren's 'deep gorges', however, there would have been program changes in the strategy implemented by the US technological giant: according to the sources of Warren, initially Microsoft would have liked to launch Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 and no later than the end of last year to give the PS5 port of Starfield the wider visibility. But that's not all. Tom Warren claim that Bethe sda 'He has been working on the PS5 version of Starfield for quite a bit, so he should be almost complete. In the initial plans, this new version should also have understood the Shattered Space expansion but in the end they decided to discard this hypothesis ' . The Verge journalist, therefore, believes that the development of the Starfield's PS5 transposition is now close to the conclusion, with Bethesda and the Redmond company that would be finding the Most appropriate time to announce this porting And throw it by avoiding an 'overcrowding' with the other former Xbox exclusive arriving on Sony consoles such as Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the ancient circle, to be added to purely multi -platform Microsoft titles such as Doom The Dark Ages. In recent weeks, a MOD on the creations portal has provided clear clues about Starfield's arrival on PS5. Save on con GIFT CARD PLAYSTATION STORE In super discount! Tags: doubtspracticallyPS5readyStarfieldTomWarren
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft Gaming Names Kayleen Walters Head of ‘Minecraft' Maker Mojang Studios as Åsa Bredin Exits
Microsoft Gaming's Kayleen Walters has been promoted to head of the company's Stockholm-based 'Minecraft' maker, Mojang Studios, as current chief Åsa Bredin exits the Swedish video game developer. Per Microsoft Gaming leadership, Bredin made the decision to step down 'to focus on personal goals outside of work.' She joined Mojang Studios in 2021 and was promoted to head of the studio in 2023. More from Variety 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6' Scores Franchise's Biggest-Ever Launch Weekend, Microsoft Gaming Says Xbox Sets Documentary About 'STALKER 2' Developers Making Game Amid War in Ukraine (EXCLUSIVE) Microsoft Gaming to Lay Off 3% of Global Workforce, About 650 Employees, in Additional Post-Activision Blizzard Cuts Walters will begin in her new role effective immediately. Bredin will remain with Mojang through the end of February to help with the transition. Currently, Walters is vice president and head of franchise development at the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Gaming, a leadership position she will continue in as she adds head of Mojang to her title. Federico San Martin will take on day-to-day management of franchise development and report directly to Walters. Walters will be based in Redmond and travel between Redmond and Stockholm frequently. She will report to Microsoft game content and studios chief operating officer Helen Chiang. Before becoming head of franchise at Microsoft Gaming overall, Walters led brand and entertainment at 'Minecraft.' Prior to joining Microsoft in 2018, she spent 13 years at Lucasfilm, where she rose to vice president of franchise marketing and integrated planning. Additionally, Amy Stillion will add to her responsibilities as chief of staff, supporting both Microsoft game content and studios operations as well as Mojang Studios. She will head up Mojang's Redmond People Experience team and join the Mojang Studios leadership team. 'Change is never easy, but I have full confidence in this team and its ability to deliver incredible experiences for our players and community,' Microsoft game content and studios chief operating officer Helen Chiang said in an internal memo announcing the shuffle Wednesday, which was obtained by Variety. 'With strong leadership in place and a clear vision for the future, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges we face in the marketplace with speed and momentum.' The leadership change at Mojang comes just ahead of the April release of the Warner Bros.-produced 'A Minecraft Movie.' See Chiang's note to staff about Bredin's departure and Walters' appointment in full below. I want to share an important leadership update at Mojang Studios. As a global team, strong leadership is essential in shaping our vision and driving our collective success. Today, I'd like to share that Åsa Bredin has decided to step down from her role as Head of Mojang Studios to focus on personal goals outside of work. Åsa has been a vital part of our team and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact and contributions since has made since joining in 2021. While I, along with the entire Microsoft Gaming leadership will miss Åsa in this role, I fully support her decision and wish her all the best as she embarks on this next chapter. With Åsa's departure, I am pleased to share that Kayleen Walters will step in as Head of Mojang Studios, effective immediately. Kayleen has been an integral part of Mojang Studios since 2018, leading our Franchise Development team and more recently, expanding her focus across the Game Content & Studios (GCS) organization. In her new role, Kayleen will continue to drive Mojang Studios' growth while maintaining oversight of Franchise Development. Federico San Martin will now manage the day-to-day operations of Franchise Development within GCS Operations, reporting directly to Kayleen to ensure a smooth transition. A strong One Team mindset across Stockholm and Redmond is critical to the success of Mojang Studios and the Minecraft Franchise. Kayleen will lead Mojang Studios in close partnership with our Global Leadership Team which includes Annie Chenn, Jens Bergensten, Ryan Cooper, Ada Duan, Scott Dell'Osso, Emma Brandt, and key partners across Marketing, PR, Human Resource, and CELA partners: Jeanie DuMont, Addie Coronado, Natalie Graham, and Nick Morgan. I am also pleased to announce that Amy Stillion will be taking on an expanded role as Chief of Staff, supporting both GCS Operations and Mojang Studios. In this capacity, she will also lead Mojang's Redmond People Experience team and join the Mojang Studios leadership team. Change is never easy, but I have full confidence in this team and its ability to deliver incredible experiences for our players and community. With strong leadership in place and a clear vision for the future, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges we face in the marketplace with speed and momentum. Kayleen and the leadership team will be hosting Open Forums to answer your questions – please look out for those invitations. Thank you for your continued dedication to Mojang Studios and the Minecraft community. Please join me in celebrating Åsa's contributions and wishing her well in her next chapter, and congratulating Kayleen as she steps into this new role. Helen Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
