The Backbone One Xbox Edition controller has arrived, featuring a sleek design inspired by the Xbox color scheme. It is designed to streamline the Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) experience and is compatible with Xbox Remote Play. The controller offers USB-C connectivity for a seamless gaming experience on a wide range of devices. Priced at in the United States, it includes a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Game Pass offers various subscription plans for gamers:
- Xbox Game Pass Core: .99/month for Xbox consoles, provides access to a rotating selection of over 25 games, including titles like Doom Eternal and Fallout 4, focusing on multiplayer experiences.
- Xbox Game Pass Standard: .99/month for Xbox consoles, offers full access to the entire game library, including RPGs and the latest releases, along with exclusive offers and discounts.
- PC Game Pass: .99/month for PC platforms, includes the full catalog of PC games and access to EA Play, featuring franchises like FIFA and The Sims.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: .99/month for both Xbox consoles and PC platforms, combines features of all other plans, offers day-one access to new releases, and includes online multiplayer and EA Play.
The recently introduced Xbox Game Pass Standard plan for console users is priced at .99/month and offers benefits similar to the Ultimate plan but does not include access to the PC Game Pass library.
An upcoming Xbox gaming handheld, known as "Project Kennan," is being developed through a collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft. This device will run PC games but will not support exclusive Xbox console titles. Users will have access to a wide range of games through services like Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
As Windows 11 enforces strict hardware requirements, many PCs will remain on Windows 10, prompting Google to enhance ChromeOS for Microsoft 365 compatibility, potentially attracting users to Chromebooks or allowing them to convert their existing Windows PCs to ChromeOS.
Microsoft has integrated Copilot into GroupMe to enhance the messaging experience, aiming to revitalize the app among college students. This announcement coincides with Microsoft's plans to phase out Skype.
Microsoft's 50th anniversary event is scheduled for April 4, 2025, where new AI and Copilot announcements are expected, although significant product launches may be unlikely.
Epic Games and Qualcomm are collaborating to enhance the Easy Anti-Cheat system for Snapdragon X PCs, improving gaming experiences on these devices.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has been reviewed and described as the "Surface Pro on steroids."
Windows Central has identified deals, including a bundle with a free Meta Quest 3S and discounts on WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition.
- Apps allow you to connect a gamepad to your iPhone or Android device through Bluetooth settings or USB OTG cable
- Steam Link app allows you to stream games from your PC to your mobile device on the same network
- Moonlight app reverse-engineers Nvidia's GameStream feature to stream games from your PC to any device
- Alternatives to Steam and PC games for streaming include Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and Remote Play features for Xbox and PlayStation consoles
Best Buy is offering the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset for 9.99, including a Best Buy gift card and a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The INIU 10,000mAh power bank is available for .99 after a 40% off coupon. Amazon has the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro for 9.99, a 32% discount. The Apple AirPods 4 are priced at 9.99, marking their first time below 0. Panther Vision is offering a 30% discount sitewide on products like the Panther Vision 602R rechargeable hand warmer and lighted beanie. The Safe In Our World Charity Bundle 2025, featuring 27 PC games, is available for a minimum donation of . SteelSeries has a buy one, get one 50% off promotion on gaming peripherals with the code "VALENTINE50." Peacock TV offers a year of Peacock Premium for .99. The PDP Riffmaster wireless guitar controller is priced at .99. The latest 10th generation Apple iPad is available for 9.99. The Anker Zolo 10,000mAh power bank is on sale for .94 after a 17% off coupon. Woot! has the 83" Samsung S90D 4K OLED Smart TV for ,499.99, discounted from ,800.
Microsoft has added over 400 games to the Xbox app, including titles like Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and Jackbox Party Pack, with contributions from Japanese developers Kemco and Kairosoft. Approximately 100 of these titles support the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, allowing gamers to transition between Xbox console and PC. Microsoft has reduced its revenue share from sales to 12% to attract developers from competing storefronts. More announcements are expected at the Game Developers Conference 2025. Additionally, Microsoft is testing direct-to-cloud controllers and enhancing streaming service visual quality. A pilot program for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members allows them to stream select games from their Xbox consoles.
Cloud gaming on Xbox consoles with purchased games is only available for some Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip Ahead and Alpha rings of the Insider program who are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. There are 50 select games that can be streamed, with more games expected to be added over time.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to launch and is available for .79 in the US and £50.39 in the UK through Fanatical, reflecting a 16% discount on Steam codes. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is offered for .99 for three months at Woot with the code "GAMEPASS," a savings of over 50% for new users, while a .99 offer is available for everyone. The game requires a powerful PC for optimal performance, especially for ray tracing, necessitating a graphics card like the RTX 4070 12GB. The game has a 120GB installation size, which may be challenging for those with slower internet. Brendan Caldwell's review praises the game's quality, highlighting Troy Baker's performance and the successful recreation of Lucasfilm's cinematic essence by Machine Games.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, an action-adventure game developed by Bethesda and MachineGames, is set to launch on December 9, 2024. This will be the first Indiana Jones game on mainstream platforms since LEGO Indiana Jones 2 in 2009. The game has received positive early reviews, including a 4.5/5 score from Windows Central. System requirements have been disclosed, indicating potential upgrades for players. The game will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and PC gamers can access it through the Microsoft Store via PC Game Pass. It will be a timed exclusive, with a port to PlayStation 5 planned for Spring 2025. Early access will be available for those who purchase the Premium Edition.
