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Games with Gold in September: Super Time Force, Halo: Reach
Xbox Live's Games with Gold rolls into a new month with Super Time Force and Crimson Dragon free on Xbox One starting on September 1. Super Time Force takes the place of August's Strike Suit Zero, and Crimson Dragon carries over into another month of high-flying, scaly action. Xbox 360 Gold members get Monaco: What's Yours is Mine for free from September 1 - 15, and Halo: Reach for free from September 16 - 30. Happy shooting, flying, sneaking and reaching this September! [Image: Capy]
PSA: Xbox Live also experiencing connection issues
PlayStation owners, you're not alone in your plight against the demons of disconnection; Xbox Live is currently experiencing connectivity issues as well. The good news is, at least some of the service's functions are still working. A statement on the Xbox Live status page reads: "Hi Xbox members. Are you having trouble connecting to Party Chat on Diablo 3 on Xbox One and Xbox 360? Additionally, Xbox One users, are you experiencing server unavailability issues? Us too, but we're working alongside our partner to get these issues fixed ASAP! We'll keep you posted when we have more information on this issue. In the meantime, thanks for staying patient." The same group claiming responsibility for DDoS'ing the PlayStation Network and re-routing Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley's flight earlier today are also implying this to be their work. [Image: Microsoft]
Toy Soldiers: War Chest brings rainbow doom to the diorama
War is an unrelenting gauntlet of hell, I think, watching a band of heavily armored rainbow ponies spill over a grassy field. Bursts of mortar fire end their horror-trotting advance, but the opposing men can't replenish the ammo quickly enough to stop what's next. A shadow crawls over the European countryside, darkening the prospects of all who look up to see a great, looming doom. It's a castle floating on a cloud, primed to end the war with a devastating slash adorable glitter-nuke.
Watch Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's multiplayer reveal on Xbox Live
Developer Sledgehammer Games will introduce Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's multiplayer during Gamescom 2014. What's that, you say? Checking out of reality for a week to go play games in Germany is a bit infeasible? Well as long as you can get on Xbox Live, there's a consolation prize: Sledgehammer's trailer reveal will be broadcasted live on Xbox Live at 1 p.m. Eastern on August 11, with interviews also planned during the presentation. That Xbox locked in a multiplayer reveal on its own channels shouldn't be much of a surprise, considering that Advanced Warfare's DLC will arrive on Xbox One before any other platform. Hopefully Sledgehammer has some neat game modes in store for us – we can only entertain ourselves by fighting Kevin Spacey's army for so long. [Image: Activision]
Xbox One August update adds 3D Blu-rays, mobile purchases, expanded friends area
The next Xbox One update looks to be pretty substantial, expanding on the console's social features and adding some oft-requested functionality. The activity feed is getting quite a few sociable additions, such as the ability to "like" your friends' activities, post text, comment on others' activities, and share "game clips and anything else" with friends. Meanwhile, you'll get notifications whenever someone likes or shares something with you. Other additions in the update include mobile purchases, which will allow games purchased via Xbox.com or SmartGlass to immediately begin downloading, so long as you have configured your Xbox One to automatically receive updates. Support for 3D Blu-rays will also be added, along with low-battery notifications, the ability to disable notifications during video playback (yes), and displaying when your friends were last online. Finally, the update will bring the Xbox One's TV OneGuide to Brazil, Mexico, Austria and Ireland.
Xbox Live Deals with Gold: Wolfenstein, BioShock series
Those that missed out on the final day of the Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale yesterday have more deals to look forward to this week on Xbox Live. Both paid and free Xbox Live subscribers can enjoy a 33 percent discount on Wolfenstein: The New Order for Xbox One as well as four XBLA games for Xbox 360 at half price: Quake Arena, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and Doom 2. Each of these deals are good from July 17 to July 20 only. As for the rest of the week's deals, starting today through July 21 for Xbox Live Gold subscribers only, Xbox One owners can pick up Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare at 40 percent off. The BioShock series received major discounts on Xbox 360 this week, with BioShock and BioShock 2 now available at a quarter of their respective prices and BioShock Infinite slashed by 57 percent. Four pieces of DLC for the latter game are on sale this week as well; both the Clash in the Clouds and Columbia's Finest add-ons are half-off, whereas both Burial at Sea episodes are 33 percent off. [Image: Bethesda Softworks]
Xbox 360 deals: BioShock Infinite, Modern Warfare 3
Today is the final day of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale, and it's going out with a bang, a burst of speed and an "Ode to Joy." First, the bang: BioShock Infinite is 67 percent off ($9.89 / £6.59 / €9.89) today on Xbox Live, joined by Modern Warfare 3 at 60 percent off ($19.99 / £19.99 / €27.99) and Painkiller Hell and Damnation at 80 percent off ($5.99 / £4.99 / €5.99). Two racing games are discounted through Xbox Live today: NASCAR 14 and Split Second. Eutechnyx's NASCAR 14 is 58 percent off ($20.99) and Split Second is 75 percent off ($4.99 / £2.99 / €3.74). The best way for the Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale to close is with an Ode to Joy provided by Peggle 2, the lone discounted XBLA game in today's sale. PopCap's popular peg-destroying game is half-off today ($11.99 / £9.99 / €9.99). Remember, the final day's sales are joined by other ongoing deals, which also expire at the end of the day. [Image: 2K Games]
Xbox 360 deals: Black Ops 2, Garden Warfare, Oblivion
The third day of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Ultimate Games Sale features discounts on five games through Xbox Live. Activision's 2012 first-person shooter Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 is half-off today ($29.99 / £24.99 / €34.99), as is today's lone XBLA deal, Assassin's Creed Liberation ($9.99 £7.99 / €9.99). Three other digital Games on Demand titles are on sale through the end of the day, starting with Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare at 33 percent off ($20.09 / £16.74 / €20.09). Bethesda's 2006 RPG The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is 75 percent off today ($3.74 / £2.99 / €3.74) as well, and wrapping the day's deals is Red Faction: Armageddon at 77 percent off ($6.89 / £4.59 / €14.94). Microsoft is also sporting a number of deals that extend further into the month, such as Titanfall at $20 off and 40 percent off the Call of Duty: Ghosts season pass, both for Xbox One and discounted through July 14. [Image: EA Games]
PSA: Xbox Live service limited, video apps hit hardest
Xbox Live is currently issuing a service alert to notify subscribers that Microsoft's online gaming hub is having issues with a handful of video apps and even the company's own Xbox Video service. According to the alert, some Xbox Live members are unable to download Xbox Video items that they've already purchased. Microsoft claims to be working on a solution, but so far no fix has come to light. "We appreciate your patience during this process and will update you again when we have more information," the alert states. Additionally, the alert notes that both the Xbox Live Twitch app and its PBS contemporary are experiencing playback issues, while the Netflix app is having trouble on Xbox One. Microsoft likewise claims to be working on solutions for these issues, and assures customers that more information will be coming shortly. [Image: Netflix]
Xbox Live discounts Child of Light, Thief this week
Microsoft's Deals with Gold discounts Thief by 40 percent ($35.99) on Xbox One this week. Additionally, both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members can enjoy discounts on Assassin's Creed 4 add-ons on both Xbox One and Xbox 360, getting the game's season pass, Blackbeard's Wrath, Guild of Rogues, Freedom Cry and Illustrious Pirates DLC for 30 percent off each. As for the Xbox 360-specific deals, Gold subscribers can pick up Child of Light at 33 percent off this week ($10.04) as well as Flashback and Cloudberry Kingdom for 67 percent off ($3.29 each). Four games are slashed by 75 percent this week: I Am Alive, From Dust and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger are $3.74 each while Freefall Racers is $2.49. Lastly, both Gold and Silver subscribers can pick up Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 at 67 percent off ($19.79) as well as its World Challenge DLC at half-off ($2.49). All deals are good through next Monday, July 7. [Image: Square Enix]
Golden freebies: Gotham City Impostors today, Guacamelee tomorrow
If you like the idea of wearing ridiculously extravagant costumes whilst beating up people, but don't have the money, lack of moral code or WWE career to support it, we're here for you with a friendly reminder: As part of Microsoft's Games with Gold service, Gotham City Impostors is free right now for Xbox Live Gold users. So go get already. The Xbox 360 multiplayer shooter is joined tomorrow by wrestle-former Guacamelee: Super Turbo Championship Edition on Xbox One, and between those two you'll get enough masks, spandex and wacky violence to sustain you right through to winter.
Games with Gold dips into Guacamelee on Xbox One
In July, Xbox Live members across Xbox One and Xbox 360 get a round of new, free games to download: Xbox One Gold members get Guacamelee Super Turbo Championship Edition, replacing June's Halo: Spartan Assault. Max: The Curse of Brotherhood will carry over to also be free in July on Xbox One. On Xbox 360, Golders get Gotham City Imposters from July 1 - 15. Then from July 16 - 31, Gold members can snag Battleblock Theater for free. [Image: Microsoft]
PSA: Netflix, Hulu among apps now free to use on Xbox Live
Last month, Microsoft announced it will no longer keep entertainment apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus and HBO Go behind its Xbox Live premium paywall. The change to its Xbox Live service structure is now in effect, allowing non-paying users to use the aforementioned apps in addition to ones like Twitch, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, YouTube and more. Microsoft's decision to modify its free and paid Xbox Live service offerings was announced the same day as the $399 Kinect-less Xbox One console, which will be available starting Monday, June 9. Free-to-play and subscription-based games like The Elder Scrolls Online will still require a paid Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online, however. [Image: Microsoft]
You can queue up June's Xbox One freebies for download now
Xbox One owners that have waited since Friday's announcement of this June's Games with Gold freebies to click that shiny download button are now able to do so. This month's free games, available only to Xbox Live Gold subscribers, are Max: Curse of the Brotherhood and twin-stick shooter Halo: Spartan Assault. Microsoft announced last month that June would be its newest home console's first time dancing with the both the Games with Gold and Deals with Gold programs. The month's discounted Xbox One games are NBA 2K14 and Call of Duty: Ghosts, which join a handful of sales on Xbox 360, including Saints Row 4 and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. Additionally, Xbox One players can pick up Crimson Dragon for half-off ($10). Xbox 360 owners will need to wait until June 16 for Charlie Murder and Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition, while Dark Souls is available as a freebie now and until June 15. [Image: Press Play]
NBA 2K14, Call of Duty: Ghosts haunt this week's Xbox Live Gold deals
This week's Deals with Gold discounts two Xbox One games, NBA 2K14 and Call of Duty: Ghosts. 2K Sports' basketball sim is 33 percent off on Xbox One and half-off on Xbox 360 for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. The game's My Player jewelry and Spanish commentary add-ons are also half-off this week. Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Ghosts is 17 percent off on Xbox One and 33 percent off on Xbox 360 this week, whereas the game's Hardened Edition is 20 percent off for Xbox One. As for the other discounts for Xbox 360 owners this week, players can pick up Far Cry Classic, Far Cry3: Blood Dragon and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier for 67 percent off each. Additionally, Namco Bandai-published XBLA games Storm and Skydrift are half-off while Invincible Tiger is 66 percent off. Other discounted Games on Demand include Rayman Legends (60 percent off), Smurfs 2 (67 percent off) and Saints Row 4 (60 percent off). The deals are good through Monday, June 9. [Image: 2K Sports]
Microsoft offering refunds following Xbox Live changes
We've all experienced a case of customer bad luck in our lives. Maybe you, oh, we don't know, bought an Xbox Live Gold subscription right before Microsoft announced they would be getting rid of the Gold requirement for entertainment services like Hulu and Netflix? Well if that's the case, your bad luck is about to take a turn for the better, as Microsoft will be offering refunds to customers who no longer wish to keep an active Gold subscription once the changes to Xbox Live take effect. Customers who have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription extending beyond the date changes to the program go live can request to cancel their subscription and receive a refund from Microsoft. Microsoft will offer a prorated refund based on the number of days between the date of cancellation and the date their paid Gold membership ends. Requests must be submitted through the Microsoft support site after the changes transpire but before August 31, 2014, and require up to eight weeks for processing. More info is available on the official FAQ. In its own way, you could say that this is Microsoft's way of offering cash for Gold. [Image: Microsoft]
ESO and other MMOs still behind Microsoft's console paywall
Microsoft announced yesterday that its Xbox Live Gold subscription will no longer be required in order to use Netflix, HBO Go, and other entertainment apps. The company's new-found generosity doesn't apply to free-to-play games and MMOs including The Elder Scrolls Online, though. Microsoft's Phil Spencer told Joystiq that "engineering constraints, policy constraints, and partner constraints" are to blame, though Bethesda has previously expressed its dissatisfaction with the arrangement. ZeniMax recently announced that ESO's console release has been delayed by six months.
Elder Scrolls Online, free-to-play games still require Xbox Live Gold
One of Microsoft's big announcements today was the restructuring of Xbox Live Gold; the company will now allow Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners to use entertainment apps like Netflix and HBO Go without requiring a paid Xbox Live subscription. As Microsoft's Phil Spencer clarified to Joystiq today, the latest in a series of "Xbox One-80s" doesn't apply to free-to-play and subscription-based online games. "Right now we haven't changed the policy on MMOs and free-to-play games," Spencer said. While not getting into specifics, he noted that with some games there are "engineering constraints, policy constraints and partner constraints in each one of these scenarios," so the decision to keep games behind the Xbox Live paywall reportedly doesn't rest solely in Microsoft's hands. Bethesda's latest MMORPG, The Elder Scrolls Online, will still require a Gold subscription on top of the developer's own monthly fees. For the time being, at least; Microsoft has "about six months" to consider changing its policies, as the game was recently delayed for consoles. The developer was in talks with Microsoft back in August to cut the extra fees for The Elder Scrolls Online, which won't be enforced by Sony via PlayStation Plus for PS4.
Microsoft stops asking HBO Go, Netflix customers to pay twice
Microsoft announced this morning it will no longer keep Netflix, Hulu and other streaming apps behind the company's Xbox Live Gold paywall. "Coming in June, anyone with an Xbox will be able to access popular entertainment experiences – whether or not you have an Xbox Live Gold membership," the company stated on Xbox.com. "This includes great gaming apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more." This announcement was bundled with word of an Xbox One console available in June without a Kinect. A year later and the Xbox One-80 reversal is still going strong from the console's vision a year ago, as the company shifts executives and puts the focus of Xbox One back on games. Sony's PlayStation consoles and Nintendo's Wii U have never charged a premium for access to streaming services. [Image: Microsoft]
XBL's Deals with Gold discounts Killer Instinct, Fez
This week's Deals with Gold lineup on Xbox Live spotlights Double Helix's Killer Instinct alongside a handful of standout Xbox Live Arcade releases, offering discounts of up to 80 percent off of featured games. Starting today, Killer Instinct's Combo Breaker Pack is priced at $14.99, giving Xbox One owners the chance to unlock all eight Season One characters for 25 percent off of the DLC's regular price. Fable Anniversary is also 25 percent off this week, while Activision's Transformers War For Cybertron and Transformers Fall Of Cybertron get their prices slashed by 75 percent. This week's discounted Xbox Live Arcade games include Pool Nation, Scourge: Outbreak, Fez, and Sacred Citadel. All sale prices are valid through May 12. [Image: Microsoft]
