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Microsoft brings Xbox Live rewards to Android with Wordament game
Microsoft's plan to supercharge Xbox as an entertainment brand means that, no matter which ecosystem you live in, you'll have access to some of the company's first-party titles. In the same way that Kinectimals came to Android and iOS, today's free-to-play launch of Wordament sees another proprietary feature opening up: Xbox Live Achievements. Anyone with at least an Android 4.0 handset and a few friends should now be able to add up to 50G to their Gamerscore. Meanwhile, Windows Phone users should be happy to see that their version of the app has been re-written for WP8, banishing those odd letterboxing issues forever.
Rockstar: GTA Online title update coming 'as soon as tomorrow' (Update: released for PS3 and Xbox 360)
Rockstar's "around the clock" work addressing the issues surrounding GTA Online could pay off soon. The developer promised that a title update is in the works and may be available "as soon as tomorrow," in an update to yesterday's trouble-shooting post. So if you can hold out just a bit longer, joining up with your buddies for a little group mayhem instead of a staring contest with a loading symbol could be a single sleep away. Or, you know, you could just work on your 100 percent completion of Grand Theft Auto 5 where no connection is needed. It's up to you! Update: Rockstar has updated its news post to say that it's just posted an update that should salve the issues of frustrated PS3 owners. Xbox devotees will need to sit tight, but the company has said that a fix will be coming "later today." Update 2: Rockstar has tweeted that the update is out for Xbox 360 as well.
Rockstar responds to GTA Online issues, is working 'around the clock' to fix things (update)
Unfortunately, as many predicted, the rollout of Grand Theft Auto Online on Tuesday did not go smoothly for many gamers. On launch day many were unable to connect, or connected but couldn't complete the tutorial, or got into the game and ended up losing created characters. Rockstar Games has posted a list of issues players have reported and says the team is working "around the clock" (presumably the members of the team that aren't busy counting that billion dollar haul) on fixes. A problem limited the number of concurrent PSN users has been squashed, and they're working on unblocking users that can't get through the tutorial. For the time being, the team has also disabled the ability to buy ingame cash with real money. If you're one of the players affected, keep an eye on the support page for all the latest updates, or contact Rockstar Support via Twitter or on its website, while general suggestions for the online experience should go to GTAOnline@rockstargames.com. We've had more success logging on in the last few hours, let us know if your online crews are connecting with any success. If they're not, check out Joystiq's early impressions of the multiplayer for a taste of what GTA Online has to offer, when it's working. Update: Patches are out for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.
New Xbox 360 update bids farewell to points, welcomes local currency
Goodbye, Microsoft Points. Hello, local currency. A new Xbox 360 update, debuting today, has finally made official the long-awaited switch from Microsoft's own virtual currency, allowing you to spend your hard-earned pennies on Xbox Live content. If you've still got Microsoft Points laying around, never fear. As we've previously reported, existing point balances will be converted to their equivalent cash value. According to the company's FAQ, prices are now listed in whatever your local currency happens to be, plus tax. It's worth noting that purchases made with converted money will not be taxed for the time being, and said currency is good until June 1, 2015. For more details, check out Microsoft's breakdown of the switch at the source link below.
Microsoft's employee-only white Xbox One colors us green with envy
There are certainly benefits to working for Microsoft beyond a steady paycheck. We've seen the company gift employees with phones and tablets and, if the picture above proves legit, a lucky bunch will receive a free Xbox One on launch day -- in an exclusive white and silver-grey hue, no less. In addition to a console etched with "I made this" and "launch team something," they'll get one year of Xbox Live and all first-party games (if we're understanding "1P" correctly) gratis. According to the picture, which surfaced on NeoGAF's forums and Reddit, this special edition Xbone will be given to full-timers (as of July 12th this year) in MS's Interactive Entertainment Business who are still employed at launch. This is just a rumor, of course, but if some Photoshop trickster cooked this up, we'd think they'd go as far as making the Kinect white, if only for consistency. Or, maybe that's what we're supposed to think.
Microsoft reportedly funding Blake's 7 remake for Xbox Live TV content push
According to the Financial Times, Britain's other blockbuster sci-fi series may finally be remade, thanks to Microsoft's growing interest in television. Blake's 7, the Terry Nation-created show about a band of renegades fighting for survival, is believed to be part of Xbox Live's push for original and exclusive TV content to rival both traditional media and services like Netflix. Persons familiar with the matter have claimed that after cable channel SyFy withdrew its funding, Steve Ballmer and former CBS Chief Nancy Tellem opened up Microsoft's secret checkbook. Naturally, none of the parties are willing to confirm the deal, but that won't stop us humming the classic series' theme for the rest of the day.
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]
Microsoft pushing Xbox 360 update allowing Xbox Live purchases with real money (update: too soon)
Remember when Microsoft said that you could soon buy Xbox Live content using real money? Well, check your Xbox 360: following an update to one of our consoles, we're now seeing content available in local currency. It's unclear at this stage how many gamers are seeing the change, although Microsoft has already mentioned that the next update will flip the switch. We've reached out to the company for confirmation of the rollout. If you get the update as well, don't worry about your account balance -- as Microsoft mentioned before, any existing points will be converted to their cash equivalent. Update: Microsoft says that real money purchases are still limited to beta program participants, and you'll have to wait until the fall to see the currency change -- false alarm, folks.
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.
Microsoft deputizes gamers for Enforcement United beta, awards XP for policing trolls
Microsoft wants you to help protect Xbox Live. With the Enforcement United beta, Redmond is using its customers as a first line of defense against online miscreants. If you make it into the testing pool, you'll be giving your opinion on whether or not content on the service violates its code of conduct. At first it's just Gamertags, but given Xbox One's focus on user-made media, that'll likely expand. The united enforcers won't have the last word, of course. Once the query passes through them, it's filtered into an algorithm that determines the next step: either forcing a username change, or escalating the ticket to an actual Microsoft employee for review. What's in it for you? A (hopefully) friendlier Live, and XP that'll move you through the ranks of the Halo owner's gamified participation program, Xbox Community Level. If you get in, we'd appreciate if you went ahead and flagged all those handles with "69" and "420" in them -- trust us, they'll thank you later.
Xbox One's ability to play in-development code has Minecraft-esque implications for gamers
The Xbox One's retail units will also run in-progress game code and function as debug units for budding devs, but Xbox VP Marc Whitten says not all of that functionality will be available when the console launches this November. More details will be available during Gamescom 2013 this August, but he told us in an interview this afternoon that "some of this won't be there for launch." Self-publishing for indies, however, is already on the table, though Whitten didn't provide a specific roadmap for when and how it'll work. "It's something we've been working on for a long time -- how do we shorten that process, how do we automate a lot of the core requirements checking and some of those things. That'll continue to be our focus around that," he said. Nor would he confirm the turnaround time, said to be close to Apple's 14-day turnaround, though he did suggest it could be even shorter. Again, more details will arise closer to Gamescom, but in the meantime Whitten says: "As games move towards games as a service, that becomes a more important part of the cycle. It's the reason that we dropped the title update fees, as an example. We'll announce more on the specifics, but our goal is frankly just to minimize that." Beyond benefitting indie devs, Whitten spoke to the implications of retail consoles running in-progress code could have on gamers. "I'm not confirming any feature or anything like that," he prefaced. But? "This idea of how can [Xbox] Live and the console work on a certain set of code which is what you need to do when you're the developer. Well that also opens up these sorts of ideas around early access to betas or these types of features, and that's foundationally what we've been working on around the architecture of the system," he said. As expected, that content won't live in the same marketplace as completed code (read: finished games), but it does sound like the Xbox One has room for the Minecraft model of game launches.
New Office 365 subscriptions get 12 months of free Xbox Live Gold (update: offer available in US)
Sweetening the deal on its cloud-based Office 365 suite, Microsoft will start bundling a year of Xbox Live Gold with any purchases of Office 365 Home Premium or Office 365 University made before September 28th. You'll then pick up an Xbox Live code as you sign in during the initial Office setup. Unfortunately, US customers aren't eligible for this promotion, but the majority of Europe, plus Australia, Canada and parts of Asia are all included. Alongside the recent promise of two free games a month, Microsoft's made this bundled subscription a pretty tempting proposition. Update: Turns out that this offer is available in the US after all. Thanks to tipster David for spotting, and sending that in. Details can be found at the More Coverage link.
Public beta registration now open for the Xbox 360's 2013 Live update
It's that time of the year again, and we're not talking about the long Independence Day weekend. Microsoft has opened up public beta registration for the 2013 Xbox Live update, and this time around you'll need to log your interest directly through an Xbox 360 console. Xbox owners in Japan will be missing out, although they'll have the same opportunity "at a later date." There should be a tile on the dashboard home screen entitled "Xbox Beta Program," and with limited spots available, we recommend you sign up immediately if you'd like to participate -- last year's spots were filled pretty quickly. There doesn't appear to be anything exciting included in the beta; Major Nelson cites "updates to improve overall performance" and the option to purchase content with actual money instead of MS points. There may be more details in the beta FAQ when it goes live later today, but if you get into the program and find anything juicy MS neglected to mention, it hopes you'll honor the NDA which you'll agree to as part of the registration process.
Microsoft details Xbox One's Reputation system, keeps gentle gamers together
Good-natured Xbox Live gamers sometimes face a tough choice: they either have to isolate themselves in parties or risk playing against griefers and other ne'er-do-wells. Microsoft could avoid that horrible scenario in the Xbox One era with its recently unveiled Reputation system, which the company just explained in detail to OXM. We already know that the system will punish frequently reported players, but it should also reward contributors. Xbox Live Rewards participants may get a higher Reputation score, for example. The system also pressures troublemakers by ranking parties based on the lowest common denominator -- one misfit can spoil the whole bunch. We'll have to wait until November to verify Microsoft's promises, but we're expecting more harassment-free public matches in our future.
Respawn Entertainment talks Xbox Live Cloud, praises its multiplayer servers
Microsoft's been quick to point out how it's beefing up the Xbox Live Cloud in preparation for its next wunderconsole, and now Respawn Entertainment is stepping in to detail just what Redmond's architecture means for multiplayer on Titanfall. The firm's Jon Shiring, who works with the game's cloud computing integration, says that the next-gen title boasts vastly improved online play since it leans on Ballmer and Company's cloud hardware instead of users to host sessions. By taking advantage of Microsoft's servers, the futuristic shooter benefits from more reliable bandwidth, snappier matchmaking times, extra CPU power and the elimination of latency-based host advantage and hacked-host cheating, to boot. Naturally, using dedicated servers can cost a ton, but Respawn says Microsoft managed to keep things comparatively inexpensive for developers, in part thanks to its Azure tech. For the dev's comprehensive write-up on just what this revamped Xbox Live architecture may mean for gaming, click the source link below.
Microsoft's 'Project Mountain' puts $700 million into data center powering Xbox One and Office 365 cloud
Microsoft really, really doesn't want your Xbox One's online services going offline. In a near $700 million investment ($677.6 million), the company's opening a new data center in Iowa specifically aimed at powering Xbox Live and Office 365. Microsoft's Christian Belady told Iowa's Des Moines Register that the data center "supports the growing demand for Microsoft's cloud services" -- a much lauded function of both the Xbox One and Office 365. Alongside the $700 million investment, the company's getting a $6 million tax rebate from the state to move in, effective for five years. As for Microsoft's cloud, we'll assuredly hear more about it -- for both Xbox One and Office 365 -- this week at Build.
Microsoft Points from Xbox 360 transfer to Xbox One as real money, 'equal or greater in Marketplace value'
With the Xbox One, Microsoft is killing off the virtual currency of Xbox Live -- Microsoft Points are soon-to-be no more. But what of remaining balances? Apparently Microsoft's taking care of transfers, and even turning those points back into real currency. "When the transition takes place, the balance of Microsoft Points in an account will be retired and the customer will be given an amount in local currency that is equal or greater in Marketplace value," a Microsoft rep told our friends at Joystiq. "That value will be stored in your account and can be used similar to Microsoft Points to make purchases in the Xbox Live Marketplace." It sounds to us like you'll be making a permanent move with your account's currency from the Xbox 360 to the Xbox One -- 80 MS Points are equal to $1, currently. Regardless, it sure is nice that those virtual bucks aren't locked to a console that we'll soon be retiring to the attic.
Early Xbox One buyers to get Day One Edition consoles
Let's say you're excited about the Xbox One... so excited, in fact, that you're okay with spending $499 on it before you've even touched the gamepad. Microsoft wants to accommodate you: buy a system quickly enough and you'll get the limited Day One Edition. While the core system won't change, you'll get to flaunt your early adopter status through both a slightly customized controller and a special Xbox Live achievement. Microsoft is also offering a matching (though separate) Xbox Live 12-month Gold pass that bundles an exclusive Killer Instinct character. If those rarities are enough to encourage an early purchase, you can reserve one through Microsoft and other retailers. Let's just hope that there aren't too many launch day quirks.
Xbox Live to ditch Microsoft Points, switch to local currencies
Having to gauge how cash translates into Microsoft Points will be a thing of the past. Ballmer and Co. just announced that they're doing way with their specialized points on Xbox Live, and will instead rely on your local currency. That's not the only change coming to Redmond's online service, however. Just as promised right after the Xbox One reveal, a single Gold account can be shared among family members on a console. The more the merrier, eh? Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Xbox Live will offer two free games per month starting July, includes Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3
Kicking off Microsoft's announcements, the company has said that Xbox Live will start offering free Xbox 360 games for its paying members, starting this July. In the run-up to the Xbox One's launch, you'll be able to pick up two titles each month, gratis -- if you're an Xbox Live Gold member. If it sounds familiar, it's because it sounds a lot like one of the benefits Sony's PS Plus has offered its subscribers. The Live UI on the older Xbox 360 console will also be getting a refresh, catching up with the more modern styling we've seen teased on the Xbox One. Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
