Category: Xbox

Starting at 2:00 p.m. PDT today, members of the Xbox One Preview Alpha Ring will begin receiving the latest Xbox One system update (1805.180422-0811). Read on for more about the New Features, fixes and known issues in the latest system update.

New Features:

 

Xbox Insider Blog post on the 1805 features:

• • • https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/04/20/may-xbox-update/

Fixes:

 

Clubs

• We have fixed an issue in which some users are unable to navigate away from a Club page.

Guide

• Fixed an issue when searching via Guide and changing the filer results in being unable to access the virtual keyboard.

Settings

• Fixed and issue where attempting to access Button Mapping and Vibration did not launch the Xbox Accessories app.

 

Known Issues:

 

Audio

• Some users may experience intermittent loss of Audio with certain configurations of AV receivers with ATMOS or with changing audio configurations during console use.

Pi-hole

• Pi-hole users may encounter issues signing in, creating, or recovering accounts upon downloading the 1804 update. This is due to a new configuration file which is downloaded from a URL Pi-hole blocks by default.
• Workaround: Add clientconfig.passport.net to the Pi-hole allowed IP address list.

Profile Color

• Sometimes users may encounter an incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.

Profile

• Some users may notice the Gamerscore icon is missing in their profile when using the Light Theme or Theme schedule.

Networking

• Some users may encounter an issue with their WiFi connection when resuming the console from standby where it will not connect to their network.
• Workaround: Please reboot the console
• Some users may be seeing a “Local cache is full” message when powering on their console. This is due to the Wi-Fi bug above.

Navigation and Selection in Menu’s

• Users are unable to select an action in menus.  This means users are unable to:
• Cannot move/copy content in Network transfer or locally from the internal HDD to an external HDD
• Set a default disk to install content if they have more than one drive attached
• Therefore you are unable to set external HDD as default install location if your internal HDD is set

 

See the rest of the story on Xbox Wire

Related:
New Preview Alpha 1805 System Update – 4/23/18
New Preview Delta and Omega 1804 System Update – 4/21/18
New Preview Alpha 1805 System Update – 4/21/18

Many of gaming’s most compelling stories come from those who’ve helped to create our favorite Xbox One games. In our Inside Xbox One X Enhanced series, these creators will share the behind-the-scenes accounts of the work involved in enhancing these epic games for Xbox One X, how they’ve helped chart the course of the world’s most powerful console, and what that means for the future of gaming. Today, we’ll be chatting with Johan Fröhlander, Lead Programmer at Zoink about enhancing Fe for Xbox One X.

What specifically is your development team doing to enhance Fe for Xbox One X?
On Xbox One X, this is the first time we are able to create an experience that is running in a native 4k resolution. This has allowed us to create a great visual console experience for our players.

How do these enhancements impact the gaming experience (visuals, performance)?
As you probably can surmise, the visual feel and quality is very important. We’re hoping that by increasing the resolution we can immerse and awe the player even further, enabling them to further enjoy the world we have created. The environment is more detailed than one might think from a first glance at the crude geometry, and these enhancements will enable players to take in more of the detailing of our canvas.

Why did your development team choose to focus on these enhancement areas?
Thanks to the brute force of the console it was no problem to ramp up the resolution to the maximum, relatively quickly. It was important to us to take advantage of the power of the Xbox One X to enhance the visuals of the game because Fe is an audiovisual adventure, and as the creator of any creative piece of work you want to give whoever is going to partake in it the best possible experience. By enhancing the visuals, finding that nice lookout on a ledge or exploring the nooks and crannies of the environment becomes that much sweeter.

How do you expect fans of Fe will respond to playing it on Xbox One X with these enhancements?
We’re hoping new visitors of the forest can take in all the impressions the forest has to offer in the best manner possible. We’re proud with how it looks in any format, but for the players who enjoy a higher resolution, we’re hoping that this will increase the sense of wonder and immersion even more.

How has the process been to get the game up and running on Xbox One X?
Using Unity, in our case it was only a matter of ticking some boxes and adjusting some settings to make use of the basic improvements the Xbox One X provides, so that part was painless and straight-forward.

What enhancement were you most excited about to explore leveraging for Fe on Xbox One X?
It’s always exciting, but intimidating, to see how players reacts to the decisions you’ve made, especially when it comes to sheer quality. We’re looking forward to seeing players enjoy the enhanced visuals and are hoping for lots of shared images. It’ll be fun to see which parts players enjoy the most.

What does 4K and HDR mean for your game, games in the future and development at your studio?
We’re excited about it. We enjoy any new visual tools we can use to further enhance the experiences we’re trying to create, and 4K and HDR might further enable us to do just that.

Thanks to Johan for taking the time to chat with us about Xbox One X Enhanced. We’ll be bringing you more interviews with more developers in the future, so stay tuned to Xbox Wire!

See the rest of the story on Xbox Wire

Related:
Usain Bolt to Attempt the Xbox Game Pass Challenge
Xbox Game Pass: State of Decay 2, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, Overcooked, and More Coming in May
Uncover the Secrets of the Lost City Omu in Neverwinter on Xbox One

Content: Wizard Of Legend
Check pre-order price and availability in your Xbox LIVE region

Game Description: You may pre-download this game, but it will not be playable until release date (05/15/2018 – 7:00 AM).

Wizard of Legend is a fast-paced dungeon crawler with an emphasis on dynamic magical combat. Quick movement and even quicker use of spells will allow you to chain spells together to unleash devastating combinations against your enemies! Unlock over 100 unique spells and discover powerful spell combinations! A wide variety of elemental spells allows you to create a hand best suited to your play style. Dive head first into the fray or stand back and let your minions do the work for you. Play solo or co-op! The choice is yours!

Xbox One Pre-Order FAQ

Hello, fellow gamers! Welcome to your May Xbox Game Pass update.

We’re incredibly excited to bring State of Decay 2 to Xbox Game Pass members on May 22, the same day as its global release, as we continue to build our commitment to deliver the ultimate gaming membership for our fans. We’re also thrilled to announce the futuristic sports game Laser League will be making its debut on Xbox Game Pass the same day it launches in the Microsoft Store on May 10. But wait, there’s more! For soccer fans, we kick off May with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 which joins Xbox Game Pass May 1 through August 31.

Xbox Game Pass members can also look forward to playing Overcooked, The Escapists, Homefront: The Revolution, Unmechanical: Extended, and Sonic & Knuckles coming to Xbox Game Pass May 1, joining the over 100 more great games included in your membership.

In addition to the great catalog additions coming this May, from April 26 to May 8, new members can take advantage of a special, limited-time introductory offer and get the first month of Xbox Game Pass for just $1! That’s unlimited access to over 100 great games and new Xbox Exclusives for just $1 as part of our Endless Play sale.

State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is the ultimate zombie survival fantasy that asks – how will you survive? A true sequel to the hugely successful first game, you take on the zombie apocalypse as you build a community with unique survivor characters who have their own backstories and motivations and develop a base that makes each experience completely different. In addition, State of Decay 2 features one of the most requested features from the community: cross-platform co-op multiplayer, where you and up to three of your friends can survive together on Xbox One or Windows 10 PC. State of Decay 2 is available for Xbox Game Pass members May 22.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
It’s time to take to the pitch and feel the match-day electricity as Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 comes to Xbox Game Pass from May 1 through August 31. Experience the award-winning series and play as iconic teams like F.C. Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, put on a gameplay masterclass with the striking prowess of Luis Suárez, or make Emirates stadium rumble with Arsenal’s Aubameyang. The authenticity of the beautiful game is presented with true-to-life visuals and animations of players like Philippe Coutinho, Marco Reus, Lionel Messi, and Neymar Jr. Team up with friends in online 3v3 co-op matches to become the next great e-sports team. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is where legends are made. Become one with Xbox Game Pass.

Laser League
On May 10, Laser League, a light-speed, arcade multiplayer shooter like no other, will be making its console debut on Xbox One and join Xbox Game Pass the same day. Roll7, known for the award-winning OlliOlli series and Not A Hero, bring their trademark addictive gameplay to an original vision of near-future competition. Jump into exhilarating 4v4 local matches or go online for 2v2 and 3v3 battles, face off in packed and vibrant international stadiums with intensely challenging laser maps to master, and party up with friends to find the perfect strategic blend of the six distinct player classes. Make use of their unique abilities to dominate the pitch and fry your opponents as the pitch lights up with deadly laser lights. Climb the leaderboards and make a name for yourself, gaining mastery ranks and XP. Unlock new player kits, emojis, and laser patterns to customize your characters to leave your mark on the pitch and in Laser League history!

Overcooked
If you can’t stand the heat, it’s because your kitchen is on fire! Overcooked, the award-winning chaotic couch co-op cooking game for one to four players will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting May 1. Chop, dice, and fry your way to victory in a race to serve your hungry customers before they storm out, taking their precious tips with them! Choose from a variety of quirky chefs and take part in an epic journey, tackling an increasingly challenging gauntlet of kitchens that will push your skills of co-operation and co-ordination to the limits. Have you ever wanted to boil soup while moving between two speeding trucks or bake pizza in a haunted house? Then Overcooked is the game for you!

The Escapists
Award-winning prison break simulation The Escapists is coming to Xbox Game Pass on May 1. While the aim of the game is simply to escape, the beauty is in the execution. You’re free to explore the prison, grabbing every chance to plan your escape between the mandatory rollcalls and chores. Do favors for your inmates, build up your strength in the gym, or read books to increase your skills. Liberate items from your inmates to use for crafting weapons and tools (soap can do so much more than keep you clean). Whether you execute a stealthy breakout or go out all guns blazing, the goal is the same: escape!

Homefront: The Revolution
Rise up and lead the resistance in Homefront: The Revolution, an epic open-world shooter set in a dystopian near future, where the United States has been occupied by the overwhelming military might of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) — available for Xbox Game Pass members on May 1. As Ethan Brady, you must master the art of guerrilla warfare — ambush, sabotage, infiltration, and deception — and fight a running battle through the war-ravaged suburbs of Philadelphia. Homefront: The Revolution boasts a vast single-player campaign and the Resistance Mode, a fully featured co-op experience that lets you and your friends form a Resistance Cell and take the fight to the KPA in thrilling PvE combat.

Unmechanical: Extended
Unmechanical: Extended is a great puzzle adventure game that combines tricky puzzle solving, alluring exploration, and an engrossing atmosphere, and is available for Xbox Game Pass members on May 1. Players can look forward to losing themselves in a world of flesh, rock, and steel, solving a whole host of puzzling challenges, helping our little robot who is trapped in an underground complex find his way to freedom.

Sonic & Knuckles
Hedgehog and Echidna unite! Enjoy a different experience in the world of Sonic where adversaries work as one. Join Sonic and Knuckles from May 1, as they put aside their differences and combine forces to thwart the schemes of the conniving Dr. Eggman. Their goal is to acquire the priceless Master Emerald and save Angel Island—a goal they cannot reach on their own. You can play as Sonic with amazing new powers or play as Knuckles with your wall-climbing skills or bare-fisted fighting style to defeat Dr. Eggman. You have eight zones to explore and two adventures to conquer. And to enhance the excitement you can combine with Sonic 3 to blow out the experience—playing as Sonic, Knuckles, and even Tails to unlock the best secrets. Also, you can combine with Sonic 2 and all of Knuckles signature moves are now yours.  Sometimes your enemy turns out to be your best friend!

With over 100 great games available for one low monthly price, including highly anticipated new games from Microsoft Studios the day they’re released, plus more games added every month – Xbox Game Pass is your ticket to endless play. Thanks for reading May’s Xbox Game Pass update and don’t forget: if you haven’t tried Xbox Game Pass yet, you can get your first month for just $1 for a limited time!

For all the latest Xbox news, stay tuned to Xbox Wire. Until next month, game on!

See the rest of the story on Xbox Wire

Related:
Uncover the Secrets of the Lost City Omu in Neverwinter on Xbox One
The April Xbox Update Begins Rolling Out Today
Microsoft and Discord Team Up to Connect Gamers Across Xbox Live and Discord

Content: Death Road To Canada
Check price and availability in your Xbox LIVE region

Game Description: Death Road is built for replay value. Everything is randomized: locations, events, survivor appearances and personalities. There’s a different story every time you play, set in a world that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Buy now and save 20% – Limited Time Offer.

Purchase Death Road To Canada for Xbox One from the Xbox Games Store

Product Info:
Developer: Rocketcat Games and Madgarden
Publisher: UKIYO Publishing
Website: Death Road To Canada
Twitter: @rocketcatgames / @UkiyoPublishing

April is here, and it comes with a feature-packed update to Xbox One. We unveiled some of these new features on the premiere episode of Inside Xbox last month (and I did a walk through of the features on Inside Xbox episode 2). This month, we’re announcing that they’ll become available to Xbox One owners around the world over the next few days. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

Video & Display

We’ve added a bunch of new video features we hope you’ll enjoy, starting with Auto Low-Latency Mode (or ALLM for short). Auto Low-Latency Mode enables the family of Xbox One devices to notify your display when you’re playing a game, so a TV that also supports ALLM will know to switch to its low latency video mode. Many displays refer to low latency mode as “game mode.”

Gamers will also enjoy the newly introduced support for variable refresh rate output to AMD Radeon FreeSync and FreeSync 2 compatible displays. AMD Radeon FreeSync is a form of variable refresh rate which helps to reduce input latency and minimize display stuttering, delivering a buttery-smooth visual gameplay experience in your favorite games. The entire Xbox One family of devices will work with FreeSync-certified displays. Xbox One S and Xbox One X will also support high dynamic range with AMD Radeon FreeSync 2.

In addition, Xbox One X and Xbox One S now support output at 2560 x 1440 (1440p) resolution for games and media. With over a million and a half more pixels than 1080p, this resolution offers even more choice between Full HD and 4K displays. This feature should be especially appealing to Xbox One owners who use a 1440p display for PC gaming. Media apps can now add an option for 1440p output for on both Xbox One X and Xbox One S.  Developers can also now enable games to run at native 1440p resolution on Xbox One X.

You can enable all these video options from the Settings menu on your Xbox One.  Just navigate to “Display & Sound,” then “Video Output.” Note that you’ll only be able to turn on these settings if your TV or monitor supports them.

Streaming & Captures

This month, we’re also introducing a new Mixer Interactive feature called Share Controller. Mixer streamers on Xbox One can now share control of their game with a viewer on Mixer.com. Just turn on the “Share Controller” toggle from the Broadcast & Capture section in Guide and your viewers will be able to share control through a virtual controller in their web browser, or by plugging a physical controller into their PC.

You can also now start Mixer broadcasts from anywhere on Xbox One, making streaming easier than ever. If you decide to switch games or exit to the dashboard, your viewers will see a pause animation until you jump back into a game. You will also see a pause animation on your broadcasting status bar on your screen.

In addition, you can now share captured screenshots and clips directly to Twitter, after authenticating your account, from the Broadcast & Capture tab of the Guide. Shared captures will now display and play directly in your Twitter feed instead of showing up as a link. We’ll also help you get your content discovered by suggesting a hashtag for the title of the game. Want to follow clips shared by Xbox gamers? Track clips with the #XboxShare hashtag!

Xbox Insiders have seen this option for a while, but now everyone can choose to switch between light and dark themes on your Xbox One based on the time of day. You can also personalize your theme to automatically transition from dark to light based on sunrise and sunset in your location. We’ve also added a new high-contrast light theme option, which makes on-screen elements easier to see.

Audio & Ease of Access

Based on fan feedback, we’re making additional improvements to Narrator on Xbox One. Narrator volume can now be adjusted independently from system audio volume. We’ve also introduced a new input learning mode to the Narrator menu. With input learning mode enabled, the Narrator on Xbox One will say the name of whatever button you press on an attached input device. High contrast light theme and narrator options can both be adjusted in the Ease of Access menu in Settings.

If you love to stream music while gaming, you will be happy to hear that you can now selectively balance game audio against background music within the Guide. Simply navigate down to the app that is playing background music in the Guide. Press “A” to open a new flyout with additional music controls, including a new slider that will allow you to adjust the balance of background music and game audio.

We’ve also made audio enhancements in the Xbox One dashboard itself. System sounds on Home and in the Guide have been completely revamped to support spatial audio, so the audio cues from your surround sound system will match the actions you see on-screen.

Apps

The Microsoft Edge browser on Xbox One has been updated to a more modern look and feel. Enhancements to history and favorites make it easy for you to get back to your favorite sites. Other new features include tab muting, read aloud and autofill. You can also now download and upload pictures, music, and videos from Microsoft Edge on Xbox One; your downloaded content can then be browsed with the File Explorer app.

Clubs, Game Hubs & Tournaments

Community tournaments are now available directly in Game Hubs for supported games. This means you no longer need to own or be the admin of a club to create a tournament.  To get started, open the Game Hub for a game that supports tournaments.  Head to the “Multiplayer” tab and select “Community tournaments” then choose the option for “Create tournament.”

Club feeds have also gained new filters to show you “what’s new,” “what’s hot” or “top posts.” Additionally, you can now lock the comments on your feed posts across clubs, Game Hubs, and Community, so the only person in control of the narrative is you.

If you’re a club owner or admin, you can now filter invitation requests based on several criteria, including Gamerscore, play time, reputation, Xbox Live Gold status, and recommendations from club members. Club invitation filters will persist until the administrator changes them, so if you set or edit club invitation filters, they will still be there the next time you sign-in.

In addition to all these new features on Xbox One, a subset of users may also see additional experimental features that we didn’t mention here. These features are only enabled for a portion of the Xbox audience to gauge interest and collect feedback.

Many of our Xbox Insiders have already had the chance to play with these features. If you would like to join them, getting started as an Xbox Insider is easy! Just download the Xbox Insider Hub app on your Xbox One or Windows 10 PC and select your desired ring. Visit the Xbox Insider blog here for release notes.

Daniel McCulloch, General Manager at Xbox Live,  shares details on the partnership between Microsoft and Discord.

PC and console gamers, unite! Today we are excited to announce a new collaboration between Xbox and Discord.

Connecting with friends is such a big part of why people game. Gamers all over the world use and Discord to easily chat and connect with friends while they game. In the coming weeks, this collaboration will make it easier for gamers to choose do just that – make it easier to connect and see what friends are playing across console and PC. It’s part of the work we are doing to provide gamers with more choice, allowing them to play how and where they want to.

In response to your feedback, you will now have the option to link your Discord account to your Xbox account, making it easier than ever to see what your friends are playing. If you are playing Sea of Thieves on your Xbox, you can now choose to give your Discord friends the ability to see that and decide whether they want to hop on their Xbox and join you.

How will it work?

From Xbox One

As an Xbox Insider, starting soon in preview, you will also have the added option to link your Xbox Live account to your Discord account directly from your Xbox One, which will become available to the broader Xbox community soon. Open the Account Settings menu on Xbox One, and select “Linked social accounts.” Here, you will see a new option for linking your Discord account. Once you receive your unique code from Xbox, open the Discord app and insert the code within the Connections tab.

From PC

From the Discord app on PC or on a mobile device, in the coming weeks you will see an option to link your Xbox account with your Discord account through the Connections tab under User Settings. Click on the Xbox Live option and sign in to your account. After enabling permission, your accounts will be linked.

After following these few simple steps, your accounts will be linked and your Xbox Live game presence can be shared across Discord, enabling friends and users in your same Discord servers to see what you’re playing on Xbox Live.

We’re excited about working with Discord and are thrilled to enable new ways for gamers to connect with one another online. For more on the latest news from Xbox, stay tuned to Xbox Wire.

Here are this week’s games and add-on deals on the Xbox Games Store. Discounts are valid now through 30 April 2018.

    

Xbox One Deals

Content Title	Content Type	Discount	Notes
A Way Out*	Xbox One X Enhanced	25%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Season Pass*	Add-On	67%	DWG
Project CARS 2*	Xbox One X Enhanced	50%	DWG
Forza Horizon 3 and Hot Wheels Expansion Bundle*	Xbox Play Anywhere	20%	DWG
TT Isle of Man *	Xbox One X Enhanced	30%	DWG
Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
The Technomancer*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
Yooka-Laylee*	Xbox One Game	67%	DWG
Overcooked*	Xbox One Game	67%	DWG
OlliOlli2: XL Edition*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – The Last Maharaja Missions Pack*	Add-On	50%	DWG
Armello – Deluxe Bundle*	Xbox One Game	50%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Steampunk Pack*	Add-On	60%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Streets of London Pack*	Add-On	50%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Victorian Legends Pack*	Add-On	60%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Jack the Ripper*	Add-On	60%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Helix Credit Base Pack*	Add-On	40%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Helix Credit Extra Large Pack*	Add-On	40%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Helix Credit Large Pack*	Add-On	40%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Helix Credit Medium Pack*	Add-On	40%	DWG
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Helix Credit Small Pack*	Add-On	40%	DWG
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection*	Xbox One Game	67%	DWG
Forza Motorsport 6 – Porsche Expansion*	Add-On	75%	DWG
Forza Motorsport 6 VIP*	Add-On	75%	DWG
LA Cops*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
NOT A HERO: SUPER SNAZZY EDITION*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
The BunnyLord Pro Hater Pack*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
Overcooked: The Lost Morsel*	Add-On	67%	DWG
Project CARS 2 Deluxe Edition*	Xbox One X Enhanced	50%	DWG
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments*	Xbox One Game	75%	DWG
Madden NFL 18	Xbox One Game	70%	Spotlight
Madden NFL 18 G.O.A.T. Squads Upgrade	Add-On	80%	Spotlight
Madden NFL 18 Ultimate Team Starter Pack	Add-On	75%	Spotlight
400 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
800 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
1500 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
2500 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
3500 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
8000 Paladins Crystals	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
Paladins Fouder’s Pack	Add-On	33%	Spotlight
Shantae Half Genie Hero Ultimate Edition	Xbox One Game	10%	Spotlight
Outbreak: The Nightmare Chronicles	Xbox One Game	10%	Spotlight
Human Fall Flat	Xbox One Game	60%	Publisher Sale
Beholder Complete Edition	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
The Flame in the Flood	Xbox One Game	60%	Publisher Sale
Manual Samuel	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
The Little Acre	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
The Swapper	Xbox One Game	80%	Publisher Sale
Action Henk	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Hue	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Jump Stars	Xbox One Game	75%	Publisher Sale
Nova-111	Xbox One Game	75%	Publisher Sale
Pumped BMX +	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Serial Cleaner	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones	Xbox One Game	80%	Publisher Sale
10 Second Ninja X	Xbox One Game	75%	Publisher Sale
The Swindle	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale
Thomas Was Alone	Xbox One Game	70%	Publisher Sale

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.
Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region.

Xbox 360 Deals

Content Title	Content Type	Discount	Notes
Alien Breed Episode 1*	Arcade	75%	DWG

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.
Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region.