Console

Microsoft Gauging Interest in Xbox Game Pass Ad-Supported Tier

Published

5 months ago

December 20, 2022

Anthony DiMoro

Microsoft is reportedly gauging interest for an Xbox Game Pass ad-supported tier subscription with a new user survey exploring the potential addition of a $3 subscription tier that would provide more features and benefits.

According to Windows Central, the survey suggested that a potential $3 subscription tier offering come with features, such as allowing users to play new first-party Xbox titles six months after launch, and would include Xbox’s slate of exclusive titles as well.

Multiplayer and EA Access games would also be accessible in this new potential tier offering.

With Game Pass reportedly falling short of it’s target in growth, back in October, it makes sense that they are exploring new tier offerings.

Console

Microsoft Unveils Xbox Developer Sustainability Toolkit

Published

2 months ago

March 22, 2023

Anthony DiMoro

Xbox has officially unveiled the Xbox Developer Sustainability Toolkit which is aimed to help creators reduce energy consumption and measure carbon emissions during game development processes.

The Xbox Developer Sustainability ToolKit includes resources that include:

Power Monitor tools
Certification reports
Power consumption dashboards
Best practices

Ubisoft and 343 Industries were named as early users of the Xbox Developer Sustainability ToolKit with 343 Industries able to reduce energy use by 15% without impacting the player experience at all.

Ubisoft and Xbox are co-developing an energy-efficient eco-mode for users.

You can check out the full report right here.

Console

Blaze Entertainment Says Evercade Units Stolen in Robbery

Published

6 months ago

December 8, 2022

Anthony DiMoro

Blaze Entertainment says that they were the victims of a robbery back on December 6th that saw a lorry carrying limited edition units of the Evercade EXP was the subject of a suspected “targeted, possible organized attack”, according to Eurogamer.

Per the report, over £500,000 worth of hardware was taken, as the units were en route to a Funstock warehouse in the United Kingdom where the limited edition Evercade consoles were being sold.

“We at Blaze are hugely frustrated and angry that this has occurred, and with these products so close to release the timing could not be worse,” Andrew Byatt, CEO of Blaze Entertainment said in an official statement. “We have shared all the information, including evidence of theft, with the UK Police and we await news of their investigations.”

Byatt said that the company is “hopeful of recovering the stock” and said that the company had already started production on replacements to be sent out as soon as possible.

Console

Sony Planning to Expand Incubator for Chinese Games

Published

6 months ago

November 22, 2022

Anthony DiMoro

Sony is reportedly planning to expand it’s program, the PlayStation China Hero Project, that is aimed to help fuel games developed in the country of China, according to Reuters.

The PlayStation China Hero Project will invest over 1 million yen, or $140,000, into individual projects made within China.

Sony director of China game production Bao Bo said that the incubator will benefit teams of varying sizes, from smaller, independent studios to those with “a dozen engineers or more.”

“The scale of the third season will far exceed the previous two,” Bao said.

“We want gamers around the world to better understand the creativity that comes from China. I have always had a dream which is for console gaming to become a regular part of daily entertainment for Chinese people,” Tatsuo Eguchi, president of SIE Shanghai said.