Microsoft

The State Of The Xbox One In 2017

When we talk about the Xbox One in 2017, which Xbox One are we talking about? The original big black box? Last year’s streamlined One S? The ultra-powerful One X? It’s probably best to focus on this year’s model, the Xbox One X. Introduced in 2016 as Project Scorpio, the “world’s most powerful console” is…

If you picked up on Xbox One X during launch, check your console messages. Microsoft’s been passing out codes for a free download of The Lego Batman Movie in all its ultra HD glory. HDR really makes the darkness pop.

The Xbox One X Is A Tough Sell

The Xbox One X does exactly what it’s meant to do, but who is it for? Is it worth buying the most powerful game console ever? Let’s discuss on today’s Kotaku Splitscreen First Kirk and I talk about World of Warcraft Classic, the end of Miiverse, and whether the video game industry is really unsustainable.…

Xbox One X: The Kotaku Review

The Xbox One X is a box filled with powerful components that’s designed to do the same thing as a box with less powerful components, only a little bit better. That’s a weird place for the “world’s most powerful console” to be. In an simpler time, the Xbox One X might have been Microsoft’s next-generation…

What Is The Plural Of Xbox One X? [Update]

Look, I’m not suggesting that many people are going to buy more than one Xbox One X console. But if you did… how would you say that? The question of how to pluralize “Xbox One X” came up today in Kotaku’s work Slack. I asked Microsoft PR for their official stance, though I haven’t yet…

Ronda Rousey’s Xbox One X Spot On Conan Is Painful To Watch

FormerMMA champion and all-around gamer Ronda Rousey appeared on Conan O’Brien last night to “demonstrate exactly what it feels like to experience true 4K gaming on the Xbox One X.” The two-minute segment, with promotional consideration paid by Microsoft (i.e. it’s a paid ad), is awkward and embarrassing. Conan brings Ronda and friend up on…

Cuphead Developers Talk Cut Bosses And What’s In The Cups

Designing a game that manages to be both tough and fun is a difficult task, but Cuphead designers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer, along with the rest of StudioMDHR, managed to pull it off. I spoke with the two brothers over the phone to learn about boss design, cut concepts, and life after a successful indie…

The Xbox One X Is Great So Far, But Waiting For Game Updates Is The Worst

After spending a week with the Xbox One X, Microsoft’s “world’s most powerful console,” I know three things for certain. It’s definitely an Xbox One, it makes enhanced games look lovely, and waiting for Xbox One X enhancement updates sucks. The $500 Xbox One X is a ridiculously powerful console, but in order to actively…

Four Years, Three Xbox Ones

Xbone, Xbones, Xbonex. Three iterations of the same console, each with slightly different specs, released within a four-year window. The Xbox One X has arrived in Kotaku’s Southeastern office, and while we can’t talk about how it performs yet, we can at least show you how it stacks up to the Xbox Ones that came…

Microsoft Hasn’t Been Supportive For Japanese Games, Says NIS America

According to Nippon Ichi Software America president Takuro Yamashita, Microsoft “hasn’t been very supportive of Japanese games.” Since this is NIS America, Yamashita is talking about bringing Japanese games to the Xbox One and not selling loads of Xbox Ones in Japan. In an interview with MCV, Yamashita said, “Honestly speaking, Microsoft’s approach to Japanese…

Forza 7 Turns The Series’ VIP Upgrade Into Something Not Worth Paying For [Update]

Forza Motorsport 6‘s $20 VIP upgrade gave players exclusive cars, special online events and, best of all, double credit earnings for races. Forza 7‘s $20 VIP upgrade swaps the always-on double credit bonus for five limited-use “mod cards.” Boo. Update: Big changes coming in response to player feedback. The double racing credit bonus has been…

Xbox Live’s Indie Games channel officially shuts down tomorrow. If you’re interested in cool games off the beaten path, dive in and check it out before it’s too late.

Minecraft’s “Better Together” update launches today It allows players on Xbox, mobile, VR, and Windows 10 to play together. It also adds a host of new features like new host options, game start rules, and parrots (!!!). The Nintendo Switch version, unfortunately, isn’t ready yet, but Mojang says it’ll be out this winter.

Xbox’s Upcoming Line-Up Is Disappointing But Has Some Bright Spots

Microsoft showed off its Xbox holiday line-up at a showcase in Manhattan last week. They spotlit several games and the new, more powerful Xbox One X version of the console. While the games were fun, a lack of flagship titles left me wondering how strong the new console’s launch will be. There’s no denying the…

Anime-Style Illustrations Created In Microsoft Excel 

Game scenario director Hiroo Otsubo has an interesting work process: he creates anime-style art in Excel. According to Otsubo, he can do a drawingin about four to five hours. If that sounds incredibly difficult, just look at how they’re put together in Excel. (This clip from another artist should shed light on how drawing in…

Xbox One S Sold As Ultra HD Blu-ray Player In Japan 

Yes, things are terrible for the Xbox One in Japan. Everybody knows that. But did you know that one major retailer is selling the console as an Ultra HD Blu-ray player? It’s true. The Bic Camera in Yurakucho, one of the biggest electronics stores in Tokyo, is selling the Xbox One S as first and…

EA Says It Will Try To Help Its Dreamer Employees

On Tuesday, President Trump and his administration announced that they would end the DACA program which allows undocumented youth brought to the United States as children to work and receive protection from deportation. Some major tech and gaming corporations have spoken out about DACA, including Madden and Sims studio Electronic Arts. A spokesperson for EA…

Xbox Live Was Down For Over Five Hours [Update]

Xbox Live is experiencing some serious downtime at the moment, with many owners unable to play games or even sign in. [Update: it’s back] This is Xbox Live’s status page at time of posting. As you can see, both “core services” and purchasing are affected. Microsoft is aware and looking into the problem: This means…

Age Of Empires IV Announced, Made By Dawn of War Developers

Microsoft has announced that a new Age of Empires game will be coming to PC. Age of Empires IV will be developed by Relic Entertainment, makers of the Dawn of War series. The trailer depicts battles throughout many different periods and regions, from the height of the Roman Empire to early naval warfare, conquistadors, revolutionaries,…

Microsoft Again Stretches Definition Of ‘Exclusive’

One of the most annoying trends in video games is the word “exclusive,” which perhaps once meant “limited” or “restricted” but now, thanks to Microsoft and Sony, means absolutely nothing. Today’s big exclusive is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Which probably isn’t an exclusive. At the Xbox showcase during E3 in June, Microsoft announced that the popular battle…