Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios, under the leadership of Matt Booty, have declared their focus to be shifting away from the previous generation of Xbox consoles. In a bold move towards the future, the company has announced it will cease the development of new titles for the Xbox One.

This decision was revealed in the recent Xbox showcases, where the absence of new game announcements for the Xbox One from first-party developers caught the community’s attention. Booty’s statement has disappointed many Xbox One gamers hoping for continued support for their consoles.

Booty attributes this move to the extended development cycles for AAA games, which now last “four, five, and six years.” He argues that the drive for superior experiences and pushing the boundary of possibilities necessitates moving past the Xbox One’s outdated hardware. Therefore, upcoming games, such as Avowed, Fable, and Hellblade II, will be absent from the Xbox One, which was evident at the Xbox Games Showcase.

However, it’s not all bad news for Xbox One users. Microsoft plans to continue catering to this demographic via Xbox Cloud Gaming, where players can access the latest first-party titles that would otherwise be exclusive to the Series X|S consoles. Also, popular games like Minecraft, which still has a presence on Xbox One, will continue to receive updates and support.

According to an AXIOS report, the move away from the Xbox One is part of a larger strategy to enhance the gaming output of Microsoft, hoping to match or surpass the often superior offerings of competitors Sony and Nintendo.

Microsoft manages 23 game studios, including eight acquired in the $7.5 billion purchase of ZeniMax Media in 2021. Many of these studios have yet to release a game for Microsoft’s current line of consoles, the Xbox Series S and X, which launched in late 2020. However, significant progress was displayed at a showcase last weekend, with the reintroduction of Fable by Playground Games and Avowed by Obsidian Entertainment, among other announcements.

While some external developers expressed concerns about the development of the less powerful Xbox Series S, Booty confirmed that the company’s internal teams would continue to develop for this console, acknowledging the added work and citing increasing performance capabilities.

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The excitement builds around Metaphor: ReFantazio, the fantasy role-playing game from Studio Zero, the ATLUS subsidiary led by Katsura Hashino. ATLUS has now confirmed, via SEGA Korea, that the game will be released on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam, alongside its previously announced Xbox Series and Windows PC versions.

This latest announcement substantially widens the potential player base for the game, giving fans of the Persona series – and RPGs in general – more options for exploring the creative team’s latest imaginative world. ReFantazio’s development team is populated by key figures from the Persona series, including director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro.

As previously announced, Metaphor: ReFantazio is set to launch worldwide in 2024. The expanded platform availability ensures that players across various gaming platforms will have access to the game upon release. Gamers and RPG enthusiasts across the globe are eagerly anticipating the release, with the game’s engaging world design, deep narrative potential, and acclaimed development team all contributing to its allure.

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Psychological games can mess up your mind. I mean really, really mess with your brain.

As announced by Kinetic Games, they will release their game titled Phasmophobia on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series sometime in August. The really interesting thing is that the PlayStation 5 version will be offering support for PlayStation VR2.

From what we know, Phasmophobia is a psychological horror game where players will lead a team of paranormal investigators. The whole group’s mission is to enter haunted locations and see what is really happening there. While they are there, the team has to collect as much evidence as they can.

What is your take on this? Tell us in the comments below.

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It’s official, Ninja Theory’s sequel to the critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, is set to release in 2024. The announcement was made during the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday, sparking excitement among fans eagerly awaiting its release since it was first announced in December 2019.

As the sequel to the award-winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, expectations for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II are high. The first game, launched in 2017, won widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and sensitive handling of the protagonist’s psychological trauma. The sequel promises to be even more immersive, with players set to delve deeper into the mind of Senua, the game’s Celtic warrior protagonist.

During the Xbox Games Showcase, Ninja Theory debuted new footage of the game running on the Xbox Series X. The footage, which showed Senua exploring a cave, has been praised for its stunning graphical detail and atmospheric tension. The exact details of what this new adventure will entail remain shrouded in mystery, but the footage gave fans a glimpse of what they can expect. The development of Hellblade II has been a primary focus for Ninja Theory since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018.

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The world of Cyberpunk 2077 is set to expand dramatically with the introduction of a new expansion, Phantom Liberty, announced to launch on September 26th on Xbox Series X|S. This expansion will invite players back into the heart of the dystopian megapolis Night City, offering an intriguing twist on the familiar setting.

Phantom Liberty features the return of the cyber-enhanced mercenary, V, tasked with a high-stakes mission unlike any seen before saving the NUSA President. The narrative thrusts players into a whirlwind of espionage and intrigue that requires more than firepower to navigate successfully.

This new expansion takes place in the dangerous district of Dogtown, a previously unexplored area in the expansive cityscape. Here, players must forge new alliances and make difficult decisions to survive. It’s a web of shattered loyalties, sinister political machinations, and sharp-edged tension – the classic ingredients of a potent spy thriller.

Given the reputation of Cyberpunk 2077, we expect an immersive experience, blending the high-intensity combat that players have come to expect with a more strategic, shadowy side of Night City. The expansion promises a unique combination of stealth, strategy, and digital warfare and the moral ambiguity inherent in any espionage operation.

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Microsoft’s highly anticipated racing game, Forza Motorsport, has finally secured a release date. On Sunday, during the Xbox Games Showcase, it was confirmed that the game is set to hit Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 10, 2023.

The Forza Motorsport series, praised for its vivid graphics and realistic driving mechanics, was initially scheduled to release in spring 2023. During the event, developers gave an update on the game, merely reiterating their target of a 2023 release. This led to speculation that the game’s departure had been pushed back to the latter half of the year.

These suspicions were proven accurate with the latest announcement. Forza Motorsport will join the vibrant lineup of Fall 2023 game releases, ending the intense speculation around its release date.

In tandem with the release date announcement, a captivating new trailer was made available, providing a sneak peek into the fast-paced world of the forthcoming racing game. It showcases the immersive racing environments and advanced graphics that players have come to expect from the renowned franchise.

Interestingly, Microsoft recently confirmed that the game would be playable on Xbox One through a cloud version. This move aligns with the company’s increasing emphasis on cloud gaming technology and promises to make the latest installment of Forza Motorsport accessible to a broader range of players.

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In an exciting announcement, game developer Rare has revealed the next big crossover for its popular multiplayer pirate game, Sea of Thieves. The company is set to incorporate elements from the iconic Monkey Island franchise into its expansive oceanic world. Players can look forward to an original story, named Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island, scheduled to launch for free on July 20.

The anticipation is high after the release of the crossover trailer, which teases the arrival of familiar faces from the Monkey Island series. Audiences have been treated to glimpses of Melee Island, Guybrush Threepwood (the series protagonist), Elaine Marley, ghost pirate LeChuck, and even the hilariously spooky Murray, the Demonic Talking Skull.

The Monkey Island adventures will take place in the Sea of the Damned. This area is known for its otherworldly ambiance, which should complement the unique Monkey Island charm perfectly. The Legend of Monkey Island will encompass three Tall Tales, each taking players deeper into the story. All these narratives will be free of charge to Sea of Thieves players across various platforms, including PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Obsidian Entertainment, famed for its immersive RPGs, has given us an exquisite taste of its next ambitious venture, Avowed. Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, the game’s trailer tantalized viewers with its atmospheric exploration and combat sequences, signaling an adventure of epic proportions on the horizon. The eagerly awaited RPG is slated for release in 2024.

A release date was absent from the presentation, with the only hint being that the game is set to launch in 2024. This aligns with Obsidian’s previous statements that the project was fully developed but not yet in the final stages.

The new trailer displayed the depths of Avowed’s world spectacularly. With thrilling exploration sequences, Obsidian seems to have created a genuinely expansive universe for gamers to delve into. Players traversed through what looked like mysterious caves, daunting fortresses, and lush forests. There were hints of grandeur and eerie enchantment, the hallmarks of a classic Obsidian RPG.

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Following its much-anticipated announcement at the Xbox Game Showcase, the release date for Payday 3 has now been confirmed as September 21. Plaion’s Prime Matter label will publish this latest installment from Starbreeze Studios and it will be available for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles.

Payday 3 transports players to contemporary New York, where they will join the usual gang, Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains, emerging from retirement. Yet this isn’t the same world they left behind. The game will immerse players in a society further evolved into the digital age, presenting an intriguing blend of traditional and modern elements.

Starbreeze Studios has hinted at the inclusion of software giants, cryptocurrencies, and the Dark Web, marking a significant shift in the theme and gameplay dynamics. The developers promise these new aspects will be reflected in the updated gadgetry that the gang uses, making for a fresh yet familiar experience for returning players. Mass surveillance will also be a factor, creating a more challenging and nuanced game environment where every decision could have far-reaching consequences.

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In a new reveal, Ubisoft Massive unveiled its ambitious project, Star Wars Outlaws, an open-world game that promises to immerse players in the iconic Star Wars universe like never before. Set for release in 2024, the game is the first-ever open-world experience within the Star Wars franchise.

The announcement transports players to an intriguing timeline in the Star Wars saga, offering a wealth of narrative and exploratory possibilities. Star Wars Outlaws invites players to traverse through distinct planets across the galaxy, with the promise of featuring both iconic Star Wars locations and brand-new settings for players to discover.

The game’s protagonist is Kay Vess, a rising rogue character seeking liberty and a fresh start alongside her companion Nix. This narrative choice introduces a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe, putting players in the shoes of a new, independent character navigating the grey areas of the galaxy’s socio-political landscape.

The game description hints at a thrilling, fast-paced adventure filled with conflict, fraud, and high-stakes action. Star Wars Outlaws appears to cater to various gaming styles and promises an exciting addition to the roster of Star Wars gaming experiences.

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