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  • The Microsoft Spring Sale is On

    The Microsoft Spring Sale is On

    The Xbox One isn’t exactly killing it in the sales department. While Microsoft carried the day in the prior generation with their Xbox 360, this generation has largely humbled the company. The PS4, with its slate of stellar exclusive titles, has led the pack. On the bright side, this means Xbox owners benefit from some great deals on video games. Here’s a peek at the Microsoft Spring Sale.

    Microsoft Spring Sale

    Xbox Games Pass

    Easily the most bananas part of this sale is the three-month deal on Games Pass. The service allows you to play over a hundred games, whether streaming or through download. Normally you would pay $20 per month for the service, but it’s currently just a single dollar for three months.

    This is an absolutely ridiculous deal. For the number of games you get access to, this is tantamount to Microsoft simply giving you games for buying their system.

    Xbox One X Discount

    The super-premium Xbox One X Bundle is also on sale, down to $399 from $499, letting you get in on high-end 4K gaming on the cheap. However, there is a drawback to what sounds like a great sale: the bundled game is Fallout 76. Well, we suppose you don’t have to play it. And honestly, why would you?

    There are other sales available online through the Microsoft Sale, too. These include discounts on the Samsung HMD Odyssey+ VR headset and the oddball indie title Goat Simulator. However, the Games Pass is the star of the show.

    Getting Into Microsoft’s Ecosystem

    At present, the most economically sound way to get into modern AAA gaming is to buy a used Xbox One S at your local gaming store, probably finding it for around $200 or $250. Then, for a solitary dollar, you get access to over a hundred modern games.

    As far as playing games legally goes, this is the very best bet you’re going to get. We also don’t condone piracy, by the way, but this is as close as you’re going to get to stealing these games without breaking the law.

  • Xbox Live Coming to Nintendo Switch

    Xbox Live Coming to Nintendo Switch

    No, you didn’t read that headline wrong. Microsoft’s Xbox Live is coming to the Nintendo Switch, per a recent listing from the upcoming Game Developer’s Conference. The news comes courtesy of a description for Microsoft’s presentation during the show. Is this the start of a new era of cooperation between Microsoft and Nintendo?

    Xbox Live Coming to Nintendo Switch

    The News

    This news, as stated previously, comes from a description from the upcoming Game Developer’s Conference. That description reads “Get a first look at the SDK to enable game developers to connect players between iOS, Android, and Switch in addition to Xbox and any game in the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs.”

    The description mentions that this “will break down barriers for developers that want their communities to mingle more freely across platforms.” Well, that sounds like good news for gaming in general, if you ask us!

    What This Means

    Does this mean we can expect to play Halo 5 on our Nintendo Switch? Maybe, but that’s not necessarily set in stone. What it definitely means, for now, is that we can expect to see cross-platform play remain a huge aspect of Microsoft’s initiatives.

    The company has been making huge pushes to keep gaming as integrated as possible following the rough launch of the Xbox One. Huge pushes for initiatives like the Adaptive Controller and cross-platform play with Nintendo has won massive respect for the company that was lost with the DRM fiascos when the Xbox One launched.

    We could expect to see support for Xbox Live achievements, friends lists, messaging and indie titles appearing on Switch and mobile devices. This would allow devices that aren’t typically known for their communications-based multiplayer to branch out into more “core” gaming experiences.

    A Modern Nintendo Online?

    Nintendo’s own online service is required to play any competitive online multiplayer and runs for about $20 per year. The service also grants access to emulations of some classic NES games. However, the service lacks achievements, messaging and voice communications that are considered hallmarks of modern online gaming.

    Could Microsoft’s Xbox Live service be the solution to this issue? While many players simply own both a Switch and an Xbox or PS4, it’s still strange that Nintendo hasn’t made online multiplayer a bigger part of their brand. Microsoft’s announcement could mean that the days of bare-bones online features on Nintendo systems is coming to an end!

  • Microsoft Unveils Limited Edition Greaseproof Controller

    Microsoft Unveils Limited Edition Greaseproof Controller

    Microsoft has announced the next big thin in gaming innovation: grease-proof controllers. The rub (ha) is that they only made 200 of them. And they’re only available in Australia. Through an online giveaway. If your excitement just deflated faster than a popped balloon, you’re not alone. We also wanted this awesome controller. Just look at it! It’s a greaseproof controller! How cool is that!

    The Greaseproof Controller

    greaseproof
    Mashable

    Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

    The hilarious(ly awesome) greaseproof controller is a special edition giveaway through Microsoft’s social media. It’s only being given away in Australia, to make matter worse. Why a greaseproof controller, you ask? Why, to keep the chicken dinner’s grease from ruining your gamepad! That’s right, this goofy innovation is in honor of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds coming to Xbox One. PUBG is an immensely popular battle royale shooter that has been out on PC for some time. It’s arrival on consoles is a big deal.

    In PUBG, the players fight for dominance in an ever-shrinking map with limited resources. You only have one life, so you have to be careful that you don’t get caught out of position! With cunning, fast reflexes, good equipment and a dash of luck you could end up winning the whole thing! If you do, you’re treated to the ridiculous victory phrase “winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

    Limited Edition

    So, there are only two hundred of these suckers in the world and they’re not even for sale. That’s truly unfortunate, as we could definitely think of some uses for this technology. Heck, we here at GoodFind would use the heck out of a greaseproof controller. Eating potato chips and playing Halo go together like peanut butter and jelly! We’re sure we’re not alone in this: how many times have you looked at your greasy controller and wished it was greaseproof?

    Come on Microsoft, your fans would totally pay money for a greaseproof controller! What’s that, you say? We should stop being gross and eating greasy snacks while we play video games? Wait, you’re saying we should stop gaming so much and get back to writing articles on tech and news? Well, those are solid points, but we’d like to offer a rebuttal. Look at how awesome that yellow-on-gray controller looks! Yeah, that’s all we’ve got. Stay frosty everybody! If Microsoft announces a mass-market release for this revolutionary tech, we’ll be sure to let you know!

  • Microsoft to Offer Free Xbox with Two Year Agreement

    Microsoft to Offer Free Xbox with Two Year Agreement

    In a move that looks familiar to cell phone providers, Microsoft is looking to give subscribers hardware for a monthly fee. That’s right, there might soon come a day when those who want an Xbox can get one for very little up front and start playing tons of games right away. This style has worked well for phone carriers, so it was only a matter of time before another industry tried it on for size.

    Free Xbox? No Way

    Okay, free might be a strong word. Customers will pay for the Xbox monthly over a two-year period. The cool thing is that it is going to include an Xbox Live subscription and access to Xbox’s Game Pass service. The Game Pass is pretty awesome, allowing players to access tons of games (and all first-party Microsoft games) right out of the gate. That’s a pretty unprecedented set up in gaming, but it makes sense. Microsoft has stated they want to be the Netflix of games. Well, this is certainly a way to do that very thing.

    The Competition

    Sony has been killing Microsoft in hardware sales with the PS4. It’s been no contest for years, as Microsoft lagged further and further behind. When Nintendo launched the Switch to critical and commercial acclaim, it’s pretty clear Microsoft had to switch tactics. The decision to go to a game-streaming, console-lending business model is drastic, but it makes total sense. They were very far behind Sony, and without a clear niche like Nintendo, they needed a way to stand out.

    Pricing

    Early reports say there will be two pricing tiers for the service. The first will include the standard Xbox One S and run at $22 per month. The second would include the beefier Xbox One X and cost $35 per month. In either event, after paying the monthly fees for two years, the hardware is yours. You’re able to keep your subscriptions to Xbox Live and Game Pass after that point, of course. All said, those prices are actually quite reasonable when you consider the sheer number of games on the Game Pass service.

    The Future

    If the future of gaming follows the track of music and video, streaming services will rule the day. Microsoft, at least, seems to think so. After all, the internet provides unique opportunities for content distribution. Without the market saturation and hardware base of Sony, Microsoft needed a way to get their games into households. Really, what better method is there to do that other than just giving the system away? Well, sort of.

  • Xbox System “Scarlett,” Coming in 2020, Rumored to Stream Cloud Games

    Xbox System “Scarlett,” Coming in 2020, Rumored to Stream Cloud Games

    The Xbox One, released in May of 2013, has lived a pretty long life as far as consoles go. However, new rumors point to the end of its life-cycle as Microsoft ramps up for the next generation of gaming consoles. According to the rumors, Microsoft actually has two new consoles in development. One is a more traditional gaming system, complete with all the hardware that entails. The other one, codenamed Scarlett, is rumored to be a cloud streaming console. What could this mean for the future of Xbox, and gaming in general?

    Why Streaming Games with Scarlett?

    Many who hear about streaming games and streaming consoles ask one question: why? It’s a fair question, as the current delivery method of games works just fine. There’s not a large contingent of gamers clamoring for cloud processing to take over the main processes of their consoles. However, the upshots to streaming games are there. For one, it would cut down on power consumption for gamers, as the heavy-lifting would be happening off-site.

    Also, the system would have much less hardware, as it wouldn’t require as much processing power. As such, that makes the console much more affordable than the average next-gen gaming device. However, it remains to be seen if price alone would be enough to sway gamers.

    The Problem with Streaming Games

    The biggest problem with streaming games over the cloud, of course, is latency. In the US, many people have high speed internet, but it isn’t fast enough to handle streaming an entire AAA game. In some markets, like big cities or areas with fiber optics, this isn’t an issue. For the average consumer, though, it’s simply not feasible. Unless Microsoft has found a way to eliminate this hitch, their rumored console will face some serious hurdles.

    Another issue often raised by collectors is the issue of availability. If you own an Xbox and want to play Halo, you need only turn on your Xbox and pop Halo in. However, if games move to streaming content, you won’t actually own any of your games. Instead, you will have a license to connect to them and play them. If the server is pulled down, if the internet goes out or if Microsoft just decides to stop providing you with the license, the game is gone. You don’t have a physical copy, so it’s not in your possession. If Microsoft can outweigh these fears with a great system, maybe this will pay off for them.

  • Mouse and Keyboard Controls Coming to Xbox One Soon

    Mouse and Keyboard Controls Coming to Xbox One Soon

    Microsoft’s initiative to make their home console as accessible as possible continues with support for mouse and keyboard controls. A recently leaked internal video aimed at developers outlined the company’s plans to extend full support for the control scheme soon. According to the video, any non-Bluetooth Windows mouse and any USB keyboard will be compatible with the system soon. As such, lapdesk keyboards like Razer’s Turret could be the next living room controller.  

    Competitive Concerns with Mouse and Keyboard Controls

    Users with the traditional PC control scheme have a distinct advantage in competitive games over those using gamepads. Microsoft’s video urged developers to consider having different matchmaking lobbies for users with keyboard and mouse control schemes.  

    Additionally, Microsoft has suggested this push could also help crack down on hackers. A notable hack currently allows for a mouse signal to be spoofed through a controller. Thus, allowing for greater aim and reaction time than is possible with a gamepad. The updated API that will allow for direct mouse control will also be able to dsitinguish such hacks. 

    Xbox Accessibility 

    The recently-announced Xbox Adaptive Controller showed that Microsoft is looking to find new ways to enhance the Xbox control experience. The XAC, for its part, is looking to make Xbox easier to use for those with physical impairments. The mouse and keyboard initiative, however, seems to be more aimed at hardcore gamers. These steps are all fantastic, though: why force gamers to use a gamepad if they’d rather use something else? By embracing the different ways users want to interact with their system, Xbox wins the goodwill of current users and the patronage of new users. 

    This move seems to be coinciding with Microsoft’s push to be perceived as a “good guy” in the home console market. Recent marketing from Nintendo has promoted cross-play between Switch and Xbox One. Rocket League, Minecraft and Fortnite all support cross-platform play. Sony, meanwhile, has been stubbornly blocking cross-play for those titles on their own system. Microsoft has taken this opportunity to push marketing making themselves, and Nintendo, seem like rational, cool-headed companies. Or, the “good guys,” as it were.  

    One Step Closer to a Living Room Gaming PC 

    The Xbox is essentially a Windows computer that has been optimized for gaming. The difference between the Xbox One and a gaming PC is becoming harder to tell with each update. While some may ask why Microsoft even feels the need to release dedicated consoles anymore, the Xbox brand has been quite successful.  

  • Microsoft Announces Xbox Scarlett

    Microsoft Announces Xbox Scarlett

    Taking the stage at the E3, Microsoft was quickly confirmed that it was designing new Xbox hardware. Microsoft Xbox Scarlett, but when can I play it? looks like it will be a lot sooner then originally planned. Our sources have claimed that the next-gen Xbox, nicknamed Scarlett, should launch sometime in 2020. I’m guessing probably late q3 early q4 for the holiday rush.  We havent got any technical details yet, however it’s they are touting this as a “family of devices”. I hope they can find a way to bridge the console with PC gaming and make it a one stop experience.

    What Could Xbox Scarlett Be?

    The timing, if accurate, may seem unusually quick given that the Xbox One X only launched near the end of 2017. Microsoft has done slot to improve the Xbox One but it falls short of driving sales, most xboxers would just as easily go with an upgradeable gaming PC then buy a new xbox every 2 -3 years.  A Xbox Scarlett launch in 2020 might be necessary to keep pace. If Microsoft can complete that bridge and supplying me with the solo immersive and higher quality of pc gaming, with the flexibility of moving to the TV for multiplayer action and gathering, while facilitating the component upgrading to keep systems current, They may just stumble upon the next generation of inspiring gamers.

     

    While we don’t know when Sony is planning to release PlayStation 4’s successor. The company’s current system continues to far outsell the Xbox One. Recent sales estimates put the system’s total sales at around double that of the Xbox One, which can be attributed to a better library of exclusive games and the PR struggles Microsoft had with the Xbox One back in 2013.

     

    The Final Thought

    We know Xbox Scarlett is a working coded name. I’m really hoping they through us a left hook and just name it Xbox 2. I wish we had something more concrete to bring you. Specs, picture leaks, Rumors and speculations.. But relax, we will feed you baby birds, as soon as the info develops. As for now we wait…impatiently might I add

  • Microsoft Looking to Shore Up First-Party Development for Xbox, Buys Four Game Studios

    Microsoft Looking to Shore Up First-Party Development for Xbox, Buys Four Game Studios

    During their E3 press conference, Microsoft aimed to dispel the doubts about the Xbox One. The biggest doubts they took aim at, of course, where those of exclusive games. Recently, Sony has been absolutely sprinting past Xbox in terms of sales, and many gamers chalk this up to the exclusives. Sony has huge names like Uncharted, The Last of Us, God of War, Nier Automata and many more to bolster their brand. This is understandably frustrating for the company, as their Xbox One X system outpaces the PS4 Pro in terms of raw power. Microsoft’s answer? Their greatest strength: money to throw at the problem. 

    As it Has Been, so it Shall Be 

    This isn’t a new strategy for Microsoft, either. In the earliest days of the Xbox, monetary incentives were the primary reasons developers made games for the system. Halo creator Bungie was bought by Microsoft in 1999, and Rare, Banjo-Kazooie creators, were bought a few years later. This strategy helped Xbox make a name for itself with its exclusives.  

    That strategy worked once, and clearly the compnay behind Xbox hopes it can work again. At their E3 conference they announced their acquisition of four game studios. The studios in question: Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Playground Games and Undead Labs. 

    Why Now? 

    It is a bit late in the Xbox One’s life cycle for Microsoft to only just now be acquiring these studios. Surely, any future games from these studios won’t be out for a year at least, meaning that their contributions likely won’t be felt on the Xbox One. Instead, it seems, this is a preemptive move to bolster the launch of the next Xbox. 

    Phil Spencer, head of the gaming division of Microsoft, confirmed at E3 that the hardware teams are hard at work on the next Xbox consoles. The pluralization is interesting, too. Is Microsoft working on multiple systems? Only time will tell. 

    Microsoft Learning from Their Own Mistakes 

    Hopefully Microsoft now sees the importance of their exclusives, and the importance of a consoles first impression. In 2013, their Xbox One announcement was met with near-universal criticism. Between the strong DRM and lack of focus on games, many saw the system as a step backwards. The next Xbox will need a stronger announcement and launch if it hopes to dislodge Sony and compete with Nintendo.  

    Hopefully the wealth of new talent being brought on board means stellar new IPs to bolster the brand. After all, competition between Microsoft and Sony just means more awesome games for us! 

  • E3 Conference and What You Need To Know

    E3 Conference and What You Need To Know

    Its that video game-glastic time of the year were we get a glimps of the future of our obsession. gaming. This year the E3 conference is slated for a slew of great and exciting news, loaded with games and consoles to set our hearts and minds racing like the first time we played Donkey Kong. Lets take a look at whats up

    E3 Conference Schedule

    Saturday, June 9

    Electronic Arts — 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET)

    Sunday, June 10

    Microsoft — 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET)

    Bethesda — 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET)

    Monday, June 11

    Square Enix — 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET)

    Ubisoft — 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET)
    PC Gaming Show — 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)
    Sony — 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET)

    Tuesday, June 12

    Nintendo (livestream only) — 9 a.m.

     

    For us Fanboys If you are in L.A. you can head down to the L.A. Convention center and for $250 hang out all weekend with a 3 day E3 conference pass. The general pass for people in the games industry is free.

    What We Are Expecting at E3

    Consoles.. Both the Xbox one and PlayStation 4 are 5 years old now. They got some upgrades and tweaks in the past year but we need a step forward. usually we get an announcement 18 months before a commercial release of a big box console. This means Both Sony and Microsoft vould announce a new console in development at the E3 for Q4 2019 release. Seems plausible. At the very least a price slash on the current line up is due.

    Nintendo is riding high on the success of the Switch console. At the E3 conference 2018, we may get to hear about a purported new Star Fox game, a possible Fortnite port, and more details on the next version of Super Smash Bros.

    Games: Rocksteady

    There are a few we are waiting and looking out for. Rocksteady is the developer Im most interested in hearing from. They have been tightliped about a game for a few years now, but speculations have it being a Superman game in the mode of the Arkham series. We may even have a possible title leak. Superman: Worlds Finest… Mind blown, ill put my vacation request in now and start stocking up on hot pockets, I wont be leaving the house for at least a week.

    “World’s Finest” isn’t just a cool subtitle. Those two words together carry a lot of weight, going back several decades in DC Comics history. World’s Finest is the tag team moniker used to describe Superman and Batman when they work together, and has been the title for several volumes of comic book issues.

    We are most likely going to see game announcements for Hitman 2, Gears of War 5 and Crackdown 3

    EA

    EA is looking to make a big splash this year. They are arriving early for their own pregame rally. EA has already confirmed that, as you’d expect, fans will get the chance to see and play the latest EA Sports titles such as Madden 19, FIFA 19, NHL 19 and NBA Live 19, and that the new Battlefield game will make an appearance though we still don’t know anything about what the game will actually involve.

    We also have a solid rumor that the MLB is coming back to EA. I would love to see them bring back Triple Play Baseball..

    Cyberpunk

    CD Projekt RED’s Cyberpunk 2077 has been a white whale of ours for a better part of the decade. Since the game’s 2012  reveal, the studio has gone on relative radio silence regarding the project, instead (and understandably) focusing on The Witcher 3. However, now that Geralt’s story is done, it finally seems like it’s time for Cyberpunk 2077 to come out of hibernation.

    The Final Thought

    Im still giddy at the thought of a Superman game.. Im super excited for this weekend, I’ve played video games for 35 years. I don’t have any hobbies or interest that can make that claim so its nice to see a big extravaganza involving my oldest hobby.

     

     

  • Xbox Systems to Support Voice Assistants Like Alexa

    Xbox Systems to Support Voice Assistants Like Alexa

    A new report from Windows Central has shown a screenshot of options for voice assistants in Xbox One. While the system already has support through the (now shuttered) Kinect service via Cortana, the Windows Central report goes beyond Microsoft’s proprietary AI. The report indicates Google Assistant and Alexa would both be supported in addition to Microsoft’s own assistant. 

    Smart Speaker Integration 

    Smart speakers are sort of taking over the world right now, so it makes sense that Microsoft would focus on this technology. The Xbox One has always been marketed as a home entertainment system first, with TV and music being huge for the system. Having the system connect to your Smart Home network is a no-brainer for Microsoft.  

    Xbox Voice Gaming Potential 

    Additional inputs aren’t a bad thing, and Xbox is known for unconventional inputs. The aforementioned Kinect service serves as evidence of this. Voice and gesture commands were once a hallmark of the Xbox family of games but fell out of favor as the company refocused on core games. However, the surge in popularity of voice assistants could signal another push by Microsoft to reenter the Kinect space. “Alexa, start Halo on my Xbox,” is one thing. But “Alexa, help me find nearby save points,” could bring a new layer of depth to certain games.  

    Heck, Microsoft could even be cute and play favorites with Cortana funcitonality in Halo. As fans know, Cortana is actually an AI character in the famed sci-fi series. Talking to her directly in game via a smart speaker could bring another layer of immersion to the experience. “Cortana, where are the enemies?” “Cortana, show me the way out of here,” you can imagine the possibilities.  

    Considerations for Xbox Owners 

    There is nothing more frustrating than buying a cool new piece of tech only to find out it isn’t compatible with your set-up. If you’re an Xbox owner thinking about getting a smart speaker, it may be wise to hold off until Microsoft announces more. We aren’t sure as of yet which services and speakers will be compatible. For the moment, hold tight and see what unfolds.