Microsoft wants Game Pass to help alleviate the pressure developers might feel to design their next title as a game as a service. By launching on Game Pass, a game’s delivery system can be the service that players buy into–keeping them invested and coming back to play future games.

“You don’t have to go make a service,” Microsoft GM of games marketing Aaron Greenberg told VG247. “Game Pass gives those creators a lot of flexibility. If you want to deliver something in chapters, like we’re doing with Tell Me Why and Dontnod, that’s okay too. If you want your game to have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and no DLC, and no other transactions, and just a single-player game, that’s also fine.

“Games as a service” is a term used to describe games that rely on post-launch monetization to continually support the game with additional content–something you see a lot of in free-to-play games like Apex Legends. Greenberg explained that Game Pass, as a subscription service, is designed to essentially fill that role; allowing developers to design multiplayer or single-player games and tie them to a monthly subscription without the need to include loot boxes or a price tag on post-launch DLC. By tying their passion projects to Game Pass, developers can still make money off their smaller games that might not sell as well as the larger ones.

“The idea is that we really want a diversity of content in the types of games and experiences for our fans, and especially for our Game Pass owners, and the types of games and content that these new studios are bringing in particular, really round out what we traditionally have built with our internal studios,” Greenberg said.

He went on to list examples of how Microsoft is already using Game Pass to encourage its first-party studios to take risks and make the games that they want. “Take Ninja Theory as an example of what they’ve created with Hellblade,” Greenberg said. “It’s just such an incredible game, such a unique game, such a creative game. And we trust them to want to go create other things. So we want to enable them to do that, give them the resources to do that, and it’s exciting what they’re doing with Bleeding Edge. They have other projects in the works as well, that in time we will show. Obsidian, another great example of that, where they have The Outer Worlds now, and then being able to announce Grounded will be coming in 2020 is very exciting.”

During X019, Microsoft revealed Bleeding Edge would release in March 2020 and announced several other new games from its first-party studios, such as Grounded and Everwild.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-means-not-every-game-needs-to-be-a-/1100-6471508/

The first-ever Path of Exile fan convention, ExileCon, is taking place this weekend in developer Grinding Gear’s home city of Auckland, New Zealand. The event kicked off with a bang, as the keynote address with founder Chris Wilson included lots of big announcements and reveals. It was a busy event, to say the least, and in this post we’re rounding up all the key announcements.

Path of Exile 2

A full-on sequel, Path of Exile 2, is in the works for PC and console. Featuring a new, seven-act story and numerous improvements, Path of Exile 2 appears to the be the successor fans have been asking for. Among the new features is the removal of socketing gems, which should simplify and improve things. The game engine has also been improved, and the early demo Grinding Gear showed at ExileCon was very impressive. The initial act of the game is already playable (on the show floor), but fans might want to get comfortable for the full release. Founder Chris Wilson said the studio is taking its time with Path of Exile 2, and won’t release it until it meets the studio’s rigorous quality standards.

Read more about Path of Exile 2.

Path of Exile Mobile

A completely unexpected announcement, Path of Exile Mobile is exactly what it sounds like: a mobile version of the free-to-play action RPG. Grinding Gear announced the game with a silly trailer that pokes fun at the idea of making a mobile game–it’s pretty great. The game is only an “experiment” for the studio, and as such, Grinding Gear hasn’t committed to actually releasing it at this stage.

Read more about Path of Exile mobile.

Path of Exile 3.9.0 Expansion

Grinding Gear Games announced more details on Path of Exile’s upcoming 3.9.0 expansion. Called “Conquerors of the Atlas,” the expansion adds a new endgame story, upgradeable maps, and new skills. Specifically, there are new bow skills and support gems on the way. There are also “Support Gem Plus” items coming to Path of Exile, which are even more powerful. Conquerors of the Atlas launches on December 13.

Read more about Conquerors of the Atlas.

Path of Exile: Metamorph

Path of Exile’s new league, Metamorph, introduces a new NPC, Tane Octavius, who is described as a “master alchemist.” He killed his teacher (bad Tane!), and was exiled for it. “He hopes to find a cure, or perhaps just the source, for what he calls ‘the intrinsic darkness’ that led to his unforgivable violence,” reads a line from the announcement release.

Read more about Path of Exile: Metamorph.

ExileCon runs November 16 and 17 in Auckland, so keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.

Disclosure: Grinding Gear Games paid for GameSpot’s flight and accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand to attend ExileCon.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/path-of-exile-2-new-expansion-mobile-game-and-all-/1100-6471506/

Microsoft finally revealed its full slate of Black Friday 2019 Xbox One deals during its X019 livestream, with discounts on Xbox One S and Xbox One X bundles, wireless controllers, games, and more. The company’s Black Friday deals kick off early for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live Gold subscribers. On November 21, subscribers can log into the Microsoft Store’s website or any Xbox One or Windows 10 device to take advantage of this year’s Black Friday deals. Everyone else will have to wait until November 24. All Black Friday deals are available until December 2.

Black Friday Xbox One deals

For starters, all Xbox One devices are getting discounts of up to $150 off. All Xbox One X console bundles will go for $350, while all Xbox One S bundles will be $100 off, with several of them now costing $200. This also means you can get the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition for $150–that system is bundled with digital codes for Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, and bonus Fortnite content. Additionally, Xbox One controllers will see lowered prices with up to $20 off, while Design Lab controllers get a $10 discount.

Thankfully, if you want to be eligible for the early deals on November 21, you can take advantage of a Black Friday offer that’s available to new Game Pass Ultimate subscribers right now. Microsoft is currently offering new subscribers their first three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for only $1. Ultimate bundles Game Pass for console and PC, in addition to Xbox Live Gold. New subscribers will also get six months of Spotify, as long as they’re not already subscribed to the music-streaming service. On top fo that, new and existing subscribers get a free month of EA Access and three free months of Discord Nitro–like Spotify, you must also be new subscribers to both services.

Of course, a bunch of Xbox One games will be on sale, including first-party games like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, and Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition. Third-party games, such as FIFA 20, NBA 2K20 Legends Edition, and Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition will also see discounts.

Xbox All Access returns

Microsoft also recently announced that the Xbox All Access program is back for another holiday season. Anyone who doesn’t want to pay the full price for a console upfront can instead opt for a monthly payment plan. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition goes for $20/month, the Xbox One S for $23/month, and the powerful Xbox One X for $31/month. Each option runs for 24 months and comes with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for the full duration of the plan.

The best part of this round of All Access is that you’ll have the option to upgrade to Project Scarlett, the new Xbox console that is scheduled to arrive next holiday. Xbox One X All Access members will be eligible to upgrade after 12 months, but Xbox One S members will have to wait 18 months. All-Digital Edition members will also have to pay a $20 upgrade fee.

All upgrades must go through the retailer you purchased your original 24-month plan from, and you’ll have to re-up to a new 24-month plan (with new terms and pricing). In the US, Amazon is currently the only retailer offering All Access–in the UK, customers can subscribe starting November 5 at Smyths and GAME.

Game deals

The following Xbox One games will be on sale from November 24 to December 2. Third-party titles are also slated to receive discounts, and we’ll keep you updated as more information is revealed.

• Gears 5 — $40 ($60)
• Forza Horizon 4 — $30 ($60)
• Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition — $25 ($50)
• State of Decay 2 — $15 ($30)
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice — $15 ($30)

Console and accessory deals

Xbox One X bundles | $350 ($500)

The Xbox One X is the most powerful console on the market that allows for 4K resolutions in some games. It also has quite a few bundles available at the moment that include games like Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and NBA 2K20. All of them are on sale for $350 starting November 24 (November 21 for Game Pass Ultimate and Gold subscribers).

Xbox One S bundles | up to $100 off

The Xbox One S may not have the power for 4K gaming, but it still has a huge library of fantastic games. There’s also a big selection of Xbox One S bundles that pack in games like Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and Gears 5. Xbox One S bundles will be $100 off, dropping regular Xbox One S bundles to $200 and the Xbox One X All-Digital Edition to $150.

Xbox One Wireless Controllers | up to $20 off

If you’re looking for an extra controller for a friend or just want a new colour, then the Microsoft Store is discounting its pads by up to $20. This includes Special Editions like the Night Ops Camo, Sport Blue, and Gears 5 Kait Diaz controllers.

Xbox One Design Lab Controllers | $10 off

For a more personal touch, Microsoft offers its line of Design Lab controllers, which let you customize the colour of pretty much every part of the pad. They cost a little more, but Microsoft is taking $10 off the price for Black Friday.

Turtle Beach gaming headsets | up to $125 off

Microsoft has a selection of Turtle Beach gaming headsets discounted up to $125. If you’re looking for one that works with your Xbox One, Turtle Beach makes some good quality headsets. These headsets go on sale starting November 28.

Xbox game hard drives | up to $20 off

If you play a lot of games and want to keep them ready to go on your Xbox One, then an external hard drive is absolutely essential. Microsoft has a couple of drives going on sale starting November 28.

More upcoming deals

November 22

• New Surface Pro 7 + Type Cover — up to $230 off
• New Surface Laptop 3 — up to $300 off
• Dell 24-inch Touch Monitor — $100 off

November 24

• Select Xbox One controllers – $20 off
• Samsung 49-inch QLED Gaming Monitor – $800 ($1,100)

November 28

• Surface Book 2 — $500 off
• Surface Go — $150 off
• Asus ROG Strix G Gaming Laptop – $900 ($1,200)
• Acer Predator Triton 500 Gaming Laptop – $1,400 ($1,700)
• Lenovo Legion Y540 Gaming Laptop – $790 ($1,190)
• Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless headphones — up to 50% off
• JBL Live 650 BT headphones — up to 50% off
• Bose SoundLink Revolve+ Bluetooth Speaker — up to 50% off

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsofts-black-friday-2019-deals-announced-xbox-/1100-6471091/