Latest news with #XboxGameStudios
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Sony's Big PS5 Sales Are Live After Microsoft's Xbox Price Increases
PS5 Sony is sort of a brutal opponent for Microsoft at this point, already having won the console war but taking the opportunity to rub it in at every turn. The latest development here is that for its Days of Play sale, Sony has cut the prices of several pieces of hardware and bundles, including the following: Hardware like controllers and headsets have price cuts as well. All of this is directly opposed to large-scale Xbox price hikes that occurred over 'economic conditions,' namely Trump's global tariffs, but at least for now, Sony is happy to run in the opposite direction for PlayStation. In contrast, here are the Xbox price hikes: Xbox Prices Here was the statement Xbox gave at the time: So now we are in a bizarre situation where at least during this sale, an Xbox Series S costs $30 more than a digital PS5 that comes with Black Ops 6. And a PS5 Pro costs $90 less than the high-storage Xbox Series X. This is also a scenario where Xbox has made it clear loads of its big first-party releases will come to PlayStation. In fact, Xbox is now one of the largest publishers on PlayStation. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder It's just a wild scenario that we haven't seen before. It doesn't seem possible for Xbox to just scale back its prices now if people have started paying these prices. It is also not clear if it is sustainable for Sony to keep these prices for long or avoid hiking its own prices down the road. Tariffs are now lower than when Xbox did its hikes, but US trade policy has been changing by the day. This past week Trump demanded Apple start making iPhones in the US or face a 50% tariff. It's hard to know what to expect day to day. But if you don't have a PlayStation yet, it is a little hard to imagine there is going to be a better time to pick one up in the near future. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Untold Scenarios DLC for Ara: History Untold Launches June 18, 2025
New DLC pack includes unique Scenario play that features both historical and alternative history settings for more event-driven strategic challenges PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stardock Entertainment and Oxide Games, in partnership with Xbox Game Studios, today announced the upcoming release of the Untold Scenarios DLC for the historical strategy game Ara: History Untold. Untold Scenarios will be available on June 18, 2025, for SRP $9.99. Untold Scenarios includes several different situations to choose from, which place you right in the center of critical moments in human history as well as some hypothetical "what-if" scenarios that explore interesting alternative historical settings! Key features of Ara: History Untold - Untold Scenarios include: Historical Scenarios: Players will experience detailed recreations of significant historical periods, such as the Bronze Age Collapse, the Clash of Hemispheres, and Europe at the Crossroads. Hypothetical Scenarios: The DLC introduces "what-if" scenarios designed to explore alternate histories. Custom Gameplay: Each scenario features uniquely crafted maps, distinct national characteristics, and event-driven gameplay designed to provide varied strategic challenges with every playthrough. Untold Scenarios will be available on Steam and the Microsoft Store. Untold Scenarios content requires the Ara: History Untold base game product. Ara: History Untold is available on Steam and with Xbox Game Pass for PC. For the latest information on updates, community initiatives, and future content, visit the official website at Click HERE for assets. About Stardock Entertainment Stardock is a pioneer in the strategy gaming genre headquartered in Plymouth, Mich. that has been in operation since 1991. Starting with Galactic Civilizations on IBM OS/2, Stardock's influence on strategy game design is found in every new release in the genre. The company has created multiple iterations of the beloved Galactic Civilizations series and established Sins of a Solar Empire, Ashes of the Singularity, The Political Machine, and Elemental as tentpole strategy franchises that have garnered critical and commercial success. Learn more at About Oxide GamesOxide Games is a video game studio founded in January 2013 by a group of veteran strategy game developers, including Dan Baker, Brian Wade, Marc Meyer, Tim Kipp, and Brad Wardell. Leadership at Oxide Games previously worked on ground-breaking strategy titles, such as Sid Meier's Civilization V & VI. Oxide Games developed the Nitrous Engine to support the release of Ashes of the Singularity, which continues to set GPU benchmarking standards. Oxide Games released 4X grand strategy title Ara: History Untold alongside Xbox Game Studios in 2024. Media Contact: Colin Regan Colin@ Partners View original content: SOURCE Stardock Entertainment Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II releasing on PS5 with new features and enhancements this summer
Xbox Game Studios and developer Ninja Theory have announced that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II will launch for PlayStation 5 this summer. The PlayStation 5 version will arrive with several new features, including enhanced haptic feedback and optimization for PS5 Pro. These enhancements will also be rolled out as a free update for the existing Xbox Series and PC versions on the same day. Originally released for Xbox Series and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on May 21, 2025, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. The game continues the journey of Senua, a Celtic warrior, as she navigates a brutal path through myth and torment in Viking-era Iceland. Optimized for PlayStation 5, the new version aims to elevate immersion through detailed visuals, spatial sound, and tactile controller feedback. Players will experience Senua's inner and outer battles with a unique perspective shaped by her psychosis, which remains central to the storytelling. Key features of the game include visceral, narrative-driven combat, realistic landscapes based on 10th-century Iceland, and a deeply immersive cinematic presentation. The experience blends intense psychological themes with action and exploration. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II has earned praise from critics and has won multiple awards, including honors at The Game Awards and the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards. A new trailer showcasing the PS5 version is now available, offering fans a closer look at what to expect from this next-gen experience.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Gears of War Reloaded price, how to pre-order, release date and more
Image via: Xbox After months of speculations, Xbox Game Studios has finally dropped the curtain on official information on Gears of War: Reloaded, a remaster of the 2006 third-person shooter that defined an entire era. It arrives on August 26, 2025, will cost $39.99 across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). This is exciting because Reloaded will be free on the first day through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. A good news for PlayStation fans The Gears of War franchise finally makes its first foray onto a Sony console, something that was ironically not announced or marketed. Xbox states that complete cross-play between platforms shall be provided, alongside the hybrid cross-progression, with Microsoft account authentication enabled. Since the title operates under Xbox Play Anywhere, a solitary buying across Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC shall be sufficient to avail of the game. What's included? Running with the tagline "The definitive way to experience the game that started it all," Reloaded includes everything that was contained within Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and then some: all of the content available in the game, including major technical upgrades. This means that players will also have access to the extra campaign act, all post-patch DLC content, classic multiplayer maps, and character cosmetics unlocked during progression. Gameplay improvements targeted directly at modern hardware with 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision, and the performance is targeted at 60 FPS in campaign and 120 FPS in multiplayer. With audio enhancements such as 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and 3D Spatial Audio, an immersive next-gen experience is guaranteed. Also present are remastered textures, improved world shadows and reflections, better anti-aliasing, with no loading screens through the campaign. Free upgrade for ultimate edition owners If you go to the dedicated store, you might already be able to download Gears of War: Reloaded for free. The upgrade is available as a thank-you gift for long-term fans to owners of a digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition from the Xbox or PC store, purchased before May 5. Microsoft confirmed that those players with the Redeemed Code will be able to claim it through an Xbox direct message. Breaking News: Gears Of War Reloaded OfficIally Coming To PS5 4K 120 "As a token of our gratitude to longtime fans," Microsoft said, "you'll get it for free if you've purchased a digital version of the previous remaster, Ultimate Edition." As the franchise approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, Xbox reflects on the impact of its flagship series. With Gears of War: E-Day already foreshadowed as the next mainline entry, Reloaded welcomes both newcomers and veterans to go back to where it all started.
Stuff.tv
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Here's my pick of the best Xbox Games Pass games to play today
Now into its eighth year, Xbox Game Pass has come to define gaming today, despite Microsoft's games consoles lagging behind the competition in terms of player count. The so-called 'Netflix of games' isn't just for Xbox or PC owners, either: with cloud gaming in more robust shape than ever, you can now stream the Game Pass library on your laptop, your phone, even straight from your smart TV. You'll need to be on the highest Ultimate tier to access new day-one releases (or have the option to stream them) and games can leave the service as quickly as they arrive, so your favourites aren't guaranteed to stick around forever. But with the rising prices of consoles and games – Microsoft just hiked the Xbox Series X by a whopping 20% in the US – having a wealth of titles to play for a relatively low monthly subscription remains incredible value. There have been some real bangers just this year alone, courtesy of the Xbox Game Studios family, as well as indie hits from renowned developers and surprise trailblazers. Here's just ten of the best to come to Xbox Game Pass over the past twelve months. Atomfall Not just a British take on Fallout or S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Rebellion's first-person survival adventure is an alt-history reimagining of the 1957 Windscale Fire in the northwest of England. Your one goal is to figure out how to escape a remote part of the Lake District that's been quarantined years after a nuclear disaster. Will you work with the game's various factions or resort to cold-blooded murder to get what you want? Scrappy, freeform, and exceptionally Northern. Another Crab's treasure I get it, souls-likes (rock-hard action RPGs with mechanics 'borrowed' from the Dark Souls series) aren't for everyone – but this far more cuddly take on the genre isn't quite so punishing. Your hermit crab protagonist can wear almost anything you find, from shells to trash, to survive attacks from enemies that tower over you. And if you're still struggling on a particularly tough boss? One of the options in the (extensive) gameplay assists menu gives your cutesy crustacean a 9mm pistol that one-shots any enemy in the game. Yes, really. Avowed Set in the same universe as Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity series, this RPG takes the more immersive first-person approach of Skyrim, then makes the action a little robust and arcadey, from meaty two-handed combat to breezy parkouring. But it does that without diluting the role-playing side of things, as you're joined with a party of intriguing allies whose bonds you can develop while you'll find yourself facing more than a few difficult choices… South of Midnight This may be a fairly old-school action-adventure, but you're really in it for the sumptuous story set in the Deep South, blending the region's folk tales with dark magical realism. Playing as teenager Hazel, you discover your powers as a weaver, able to recall memories from the past that can heal monsters created from trauma. With imaginative stop motion-inspired visuals and one of the best soundtracks of the year, this is a trip down the bayou worth taking. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Once Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, it was inevitable Call of Duty would become one of Game Pass's main draws. Black Ops 6 also happens to be the best entry in the long-running series for some time, thanks to a relentlessly entertaining and impressively varied single-player campaign inspired by everything from the tense stealth set pieces of Splinter Cell to Far Cry's open-world maps; a back-to-form Zombies mode, and multiplayer that benefits from the new Omnimovement system. Black Ops 6 is CoD firing on all cylinders, and there's enough in here for it to be the only game you play until the next entry. The fact that you get it all at no extra cost if you're a Game Pass subscriber is nothing short of incredible. Blue Prince This surprise indie hit channels old-school point-and-click head-scratching mysteries like Myst but with a roguelike twist. The set-up of inheriting a mansion from your late uncle is simple enough, but in order to secure that inheritance, you must navigate the mansion's ever-changing rooms in order to locate the hidden 46th room. Just try not to lose your mind from deciphering all the other rooms, keys, and other teasing clues that will have you scribbling all kinds of notes. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Could this be the best use of a movie license in years? Wolfenstein developer MachineGames makes use of its first-person expertise to really make you become Dr. Jones, with a smarter investigative approach in its sandbox environments than his previous, more trigger-happy gaming facsimiles. When the camera occasionally pulls back for its action and cinematics, Troy Baker does a fantastic job of channeling Harrison Ford in his prime. Balatro If you haven't already experienced this deckbuilding indie hit from 2024, you've no excuse now that it's on Game Pass. Using poker hands to get a high score to progress each level is simple enough, but it's all about combining the game-changing joker cards to maximise your score as those numbers go up and up, which feels both obsessive and zen. Undoubtedly it feels more at home on a handheld, but then that's what cloud gaming on phones is for. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 This RPG wears the classics like Final Fantasy on its sleeve but takes a refreshing approach by combining traditional turn-based battles with the electrifying and demanding action of Sekiro where it's possible (but incredibly tough) to dodge or parry every enemy attack. There's a moving story with tragic twists, a magnificent score and gorgeous visuals that give life to this broken yet arresting – and quintessentially French – world as your titular expedition sets out on a suicide mission to defy their fate. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Amidst the seemingly never-ending wait for a new Elder Scrolls and the running gag of how many times Skyrim can be repackaged, Bethesda has decided to give a new lease of life to an older predecessor. It remains a defining RPG for many from the Xbox 360 era, as you're let loose in the province of Cyrodiil in a quest to thwart a fanatical cult from opening the gates of Oblivion. Given how much care and attention has been paid to recreate every asset in Unreal Engine 5, surely this is a remake more than just a remaster. Of course, once you play it, those creaky foundations from 2006 are still there, as well as bugs that you just come to expect from a Bethesda RPG. Attempts to smoothen out some rough edges nonetheless makes this the best way to revisit a classic, even if other open world games have surpassed it since.
