xboxlivegold
Latest
The best gifts for console gamers
Games are a staple of any holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than by playing some of the biggest titles around? We've picked a string of great games in our holiday gift guide, including Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Forza Horizon 4. Of course, your loved ones will need a console to play said games on if they don't have one already, so you might want to give them an Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch or PS4. We've also picked out some of the best accessories, including controllers, headsets and headphones. If you want to show the kids what gaming was like back in the day, you could give them a PlayStation Classic, which has 20 built-in PS1 games. When the festivities are over and your family members go their separate ways again, they might want to keep playing with others -- giving them Switch Online or Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will let them play their new games online.
Microsoft launches Xbox All Access with two-year console financing
The rumors are true: Today, Microsoft announced an all-inclusive service called Xbox All Access. For $22 per month over two years, Microsoft will provide you with an Xbox One S console, access to over 100 games thanks to Xbox Game Pass and an Xbox Live Gold subscription. If you want an Xbox One X, then you'll shell out $35 per month. This offer is only available in Microsoft stores.
Xbox's Game Pass offers 100 titles starting June 1st
Remember when we told you that Microsoft was launching its own Netflix-style subscription service for games? Well, thanks to Danny McBride, we now know that it's coming to an Xbox One near you on June 1st. As we reported previously, Xbox Game Pass will set you back $10/£8 a month, allowing users to download anything they wish from a library of over 100 Xbox 360 and Xbox One titles. The initial lineup looks fine, if unremarkable, featuring the likes of Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16 and Soul Calibur II. While we know a handful of other titles coming to the service, the vast majority of the 100 plus game library still remains unknown.
Play Xbox online for free this weekend
Microsoft has offered its Free Multiplayer Weekends before, but at the end of this week, the promotion will be available to both Xbox One and Xbox 360 together for the first time. In fact, it's the first time the free trial has been available on Microsoft's current-gen console. This means that from Thursday to Sunday (June 9-12), you'll be able to play with your pals online free of charge if you don't have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription. During that same period, Rocket League for Xbox One will also be free to play, so we hope you didn't already have plans.
Xbox One drops to $299 in Microsoft's spring game sale
If you missed out on last fall's Xbox One sales, you're about to get a second chance. Microsoft is kicking off an Xbox Spring Sale on March 20th that will once again lop $50 off the Xbox One's price. And yes, that applies to any bundle -- the 500GB offerings start at as little as $299, and even that pricey The Division 1TB bundle will fall to a more reasonable $349. A handful of games (including Halo 5) will see a $20 price cut, too. The hardware deals will stick around "for a limited time," so you may want to act quickly if you're eager to play and don't want to wait until June to see what E3 will bring.
Xbox Live on Windows 10 won't charge for online multiplayer
The news of Xbox Live coming to Windows 10 was a bit confusing last week, but, slowly, details of how it'll work are surfacing. Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb recently responded to PCWorld's Hayden Dingman on Twitter saying that Xbox Live Gold won't be required for online multiplayer using Live on WIn10 and mobile (like it is on consoles). Great news, right? Well, like The Verge notes, it should be for anyone who remembers the disastrous Games for Windows Live program that Microsoft tried implementing around 10 years ago. We reached out to the company for additional information and were told that there wasn't anything more to share at this time, but that'd change over the coming months.
Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and other services will be open to all on Xbox One, Xbox 360
In a move that bucks the standard set by Microsoft itself back in 2005, both the Xbox One and Xbox 360 will drop the requirement for an Xbox Live paid membership to access services like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube. Microsoft announced this morning that its prices and structure are being streamlined, and coming in line with those offered by Sony. When the "new generation" of Xbox Live rolls out in early June that means not only cheaper hardware, but also abandoning the need to have an Xbox Live Gold subscription for access to apps and streaming media. It's a move that certainly makes sense given that sales of the Xbox One are several million units behind the Play Station 4.
Xbox Live Family Plans get converted to individual memberships starting August 27th
Microsoft just detailed how the Xbox One's "Home Gold" will spread the Xbox Live Gold love across multiple users of a particular system, but what about those with the current generation's Xbox Live Family Plan? The folks in Redmond stopped accepting new subscribers to the $99 / year package back in March, and now users are receiving an email (included after the break) with details about what happens next. First, the good news: As of August 27th, if you have the family plan then each one of your activated subaccounts get full Xbox Live Gold status for the duration of your remaining subscription, plus three extra months. Prior to the conversion, you can still add sub accounts to the maximum total of four, and if you're set to auto-renew prior to conversion then that will still happen. The conversion may not happen exactly on that date, but subscribers can expect another email a week before it actually occurs. Now the downsides: Activity reports and Microsoft Points allowances are going away, with reports disappearing at the time of conversion and the latter with the next system update. Another issue will apply to those who used it to game on multiple consoles in or across multiple households, since they'll need multiple individual XBL Gold subscriptions to do so -- one of the big problems the Family Pack resolved when it launched back in 2010. That could make sticking with the Xbox 360 or upgrading to an Xbox One more expensive going forward, check out the FAQ for all the details and run the numbers for yourself. [Thanks, Corey]
Xbox One's Xbox Live Gold benefits, digital games shared with all users on a single console
The Xbox One game console will enable all users of a single console to enjoy the benefits of a single users' Xbox Live Gold account, Microsoft announced this afternoon. This initiative, called "Home Gold," includes online multiplayer, various streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, NFL), Game DVR and the One Guide -- services that are specifically enabled through Xbox Live Gold membership ($60 a year). That also includes digital games that any user of a single Xbox One purchased as well, a variant of functionality that Microsoft previously promised with Xbox One and subsequently rolled back after consumers reacted negatively. Microsoft's Xbox VP Marc Whitten announced as much on the company's Xbox news site, Xbox Wire, where he wrote: "It means that your account and your gamertag are truly yours. You don't have to share your gamertag for multiplayer gaming with others in your home, or see recommendations for your kid's cartoons next to the recommended first-person shooter for you. It also means that you can introduce new games and enjoy multiplayer with friends while they are at your house. Last but not least, it also means that when you buy one Xbox Live Gold membership, multiple people can enjoy the best benefits of Xbox Live Gold on your Xbox One at no additional charge." Apparently the same XBL Gold account can be signed in on both an Xbox One and an Xbox 360; as expected, Xbox 360 Gold accounts carry over to Xbox One, though this is the first we're hearing about peaceful co-existence between the two consoles. We'll surely hear more from Whitten and co. in Cologne, Germany during Gamescom 2013 in just a few weeks.
Multiple accounts can use a single Xbox Live subscription on the One
If you joined us for the Xbox One reveal yesterday, you'll probably know that amidst all the excitement, we learned that a single Xbox Live Gold membership will cover both the 360 and the next-gen console. Good stuff -- no extra expenditure, subscription sign-ups or other irritations. But, it gets even better, as a couple of Microsoft bigwigs told Polygon that Live memberships can also used by multiple profiles. That means several accounts can be created on one console, for discrete friends lists, personal Home screens and the like, but they'll all be able to feed off the same subscription. We're not sure how this'll work exactly, but it already sounds better than the Gamertag-specific membership model on the 360, which is responsible for far too many amazing kill stats being lost to the dreaded "Guest" account.
Amazon listing points to unannounced Xbox 360 with Kinect Nike+ bundle (update)
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its Xbox 360 holiday bundles, but 'tis the season of excess! Someone at Amazon appears to have jumped the gun, as a product posting reveals an unannounced Xbox 360 with Kinect Nike+ bundle, which begins shipping on December 4th. Priced at $300, this package includes a 4GB Xbox 360, Kinect sensor, Nike+ Kinect Training game and one month of Xbox Live Gold. Though the Amazon product page is listed as "by Microsoft," we still reached out to the folks from Redmond for confirmation and were completely stonewalled. Of course, if you're looking for an excuse to delay your new post-holiday fitness regimen, you could always take the gamble of waiting for this bundle to become official. Call us bonkers, but we're pretty sure that it's a safe bet. Update: Microsoft's Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) has confirmed Amazon's listing of this bundle via Twitter.
WatchESPN lands on Xbox Live with split screen viewing and more
Gamers yearning for the promise of more than just ESPN 3 on the Xbox 360 have finally gotten what they've been waiting for. As of today, WatchESPN has landed for Xbox Live Gold Members, packing live network programming through channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Goal Line / Buzzer Beater. In order to take advantage of the app on Ballmer and Co.'s gaming box, you'll need service from a cable provider that offers WatchESPN. Those who're content with only ESPN 3 will still just need an Xbox Live Gold subscription and an internet connection from an "affiliated provider." Along with live content, the app also brings split screen channel viewing, game reminders, a personalized "My Sports" section and more. According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, an Xbox SmartGlass companion experience for ESPN, NBA and SportsPicks will be available come December. For those eager to spend some quality time with Sports Center and Mike an Mike in the Morning, look out below for more details in the press release.
Microsoft expands subsidized Xbox 360 offer to 250GB model, from $99
Microsoft has thrown an additional two Xbox 360 models into its subsidized subscription deal. Accompanying the original 4GB console at $99, a 250GB option will also be priced at $99, accompanied by two years of Xbox LIVE Gold at $15 per month. Throw in a Kinect, and this rises to $149, initially. The company hasn't revealed whether the new models will be accompanied by additional retailers alongside Best Buy and Gamestop, but there is a holding page that promises to offer a "full list of participating retailers" soon.
Fox Broadcast app now available to Xbox Live customers with Dish and FiOS subscriptions
Xbox Live frontman Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) took to his blog on Tuesday to announce that Dish and Verizon FiOS customers can now download the Fox Broadcast app for Xbox 360 to stream next-day Fox programming. In order to use this free app, you'll need a paid Xbox Live Gold subscription. In addition to keeping you up to date with recent episodes of Fringe and Family Guy, this new app also includes access to legacy series such as House and 24. Like most things Xbox, the Fox Broadcasting app features Kinect integration, because everything is "better with Kinect," right?
Xbox Essentials Pack coming in October for $80
Even if you didn't make the cut for the most recent Dashboard beta, Microsoft's still got some goodies for you. It's helping budget-conscious gamers with more than one friend swell their collection of accessories with the Xbox 360 Essentials pack. The package includes a controller, media remote, three months' Gold subscription and a HDMI cable you'll probably leave in a drawer. The set will arrive Stateside in October, setting you back $80 before the holiday shopping begins in earnest.
$99 Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle rolling out to Best Buy and GameStop this month
Microsoft's canny subscription-based Xbox scheme launched last month, but was , at that point, limited to its own stores. Looks like it's been deemed a success though, as Microsoft has decided to expand the deal to all Best Buy and selected GameStop stores later this month. The $99 deal ties you into a two-year subscription at $14.99 per month and includes a 4GB Xbox 360, Kinect unit and Xbox Live Gold. According to Microsoft, this is only the next stage of the "pilot period", with limited numbers and dates. No specifics just yet on those exact numbers and which stores will be offering the deal. But even if SmartGlass didn't grab you the first time round, this makes it even harder to say no. Your turn, Nintendo.
Xbox 360's Comcast Xfinity TV app in beta testing, won't count against data caps when it launches
We're still waiting for the Comcast Xfinity TV app to appear on our Xbox 360 dashboards, but word is its beta tests have expanded to cover more Microsoft and Comcast employees, and it could launch as soon as the next week or so. In case you're wonder exactly what its capabilities will be when it will arrives, a post over at AVSForum points out a support page that's already live and details both the requirements for service and content available. Customers that have Xbox Live Gold and both internet and video services from Comcast will be able to log into the app with their ID and view video on-demand (no live TV) including free videos, national broadcasters and premium channels. That includes access to HBO Go (which will already have an app) and additional content from Max Go, as well as other premium stations -- basically the same lineup currently available on the Xfinity website. Also notable is confirmation that the cross-provider content search Microsoft is so proud of will apply here, and that any video viewed through the app won't count against those 250GB data caps Comcast has in place. Hit the link below for all the answers currently available, we'll wait until its actually launched to try out the promised Kinect voice and gesture control features.[Thanks, Tyler]
BBC iPlayer app finally launches for all UK Xbox 360s
All of those Kinect-enabled Xbox 360 video apps Microsoft has been promising since last year's dashboard update continue to slowly leak out, and the latest is the BBC iPlayer. Already long available on the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3, UK gamers finally have access to the catalog of titles on any major console they choose. The Xbox 360 supports HD streams and, of course, voice and gesture control courtesy of that little add-on, however unlike many of the services on Microsoft's box, this one is available to all users with or without an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Platforms that are next up for iPlayer's blessing? Sky AnyTime+ is confirmed for later this year while a Windows Phone 7 is reportedly being developed. Check after the break for a couple more shots of the interface, plus a video demo for users on the appropriate side of the pond.
Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360
The video services Microsoft announced would be coming to Xbox 360 continue to trickle out and the latest is from Vevo. What it brings free of charge (with the exception of the req'd Xbox Live Gold subscription, of course) is a library of music videos that's big enough (45,000 deep) for you to remember when the M in MTV stood for something. An additional bonus is that many of the videos are actually in high definition, unlike the ones broadcast on MTV and Fuse's high definition channels, and when we talked to the company ahead of the launch we were told the audio and video have been reencoded specifically for TV viewing.There's the requisite Kinect integration for voice and gesture control, and users can create a queue of videos and skip through them without pausing the action, and of course share what they're playing with other users on Xbox 360 and services like Facebook. Best of all, it's not a pay-per-view setup like iTunes or the standard Xbox music videos. There are a few quirks however, like needing to create a Vevo account to get access and the number of clicks it takes to add videos to a playlist. Still, whether you want to autoplay all of your favorite artist's videos or pick one at a time it all works pretty well -- the only problem now is finding something worth listening to. Check the Xbox 360 app marketplace to download it or give the video demo (embedded after the break) a peek.
Verizon details live FiOS TV service for Xbox 360, Kinect controls on tap
Microsoft announced back in October that it would be bringing live FiOS TV channels to the Xbox 360 (along with some offerings from Comcast), and Verizon has now finally filled in most of the specifics. As expected, you'll need both FiOS TV and internet, plus an Xbox Live Gold membership to access the "select" live channels (up to 26 depending on your TV package), but Verizon is making a special offer available to coincide with the launch. You can get its FiOS Triple Play package including FiOS internet, TV and phone, plus a year of Xbox Live Gold for $89.99 a month if you sign up before January 21st, and Verizon will also throw in the new anniversary edition of Halo. What's more, Verizon has also confirmed that the new service will make use of Kinect voice and gesture controls, and it's accepting orders for the new bundle package right now -- the service itself will be available next month.
