Category: Microsoft News

All news pertaining to Microsoft’s family of consoles, including the Xbox One X and Xbox One S.

Report: Gears Tactics Coming to Xbox One, Gears 5, PUBG, Sea of Thieves to Receive Mouse & Keyboard Support on Console

Microsoft continues accommodate various play styles and controls within the Xbox One ecosystem, by announcing their partnership with Razer in December 2018 to bring mouse and keyboard support to the system. While Microsoft seems to have put the decision on the development teams on if they want to incorporate the peripherals into their games, many seem to be moving forward with the decision to do so; including current popular titles and ones on the horizon.

As posted on Razer website, the company promotes that current titles such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Sea of Thieves, Warframe and Minecraft will all be receiving mouse and keyboard support. The site also boasts that not only with the upcoming Gears 5 get the same treatment, but that the spinoff titles Gears Tactics will be coming to Microsoft’s home console with the same support as well. These titles join a list of previously announced games to receive mouse and keyboard support, including Fortnite and Warhammer: Vermintide II.

Announced at E3 2018, Gears Tactics is a spinoff strategy, turn-based experience set in the popular Gears of War universe. Tactics was included in a series of Gears of War-related announcements at Microsoft’s E3 2018 conference last June, including the aforementioned Gears 5 along with a Funko Pop! themed Gears of War mobile game. While keyboard and mouse support would be an obvious inclusion to the game based on its announced PC release, this is the first time an official outlet has mentioned the game coming to console. Given Microsoft’s Play Anywhere initiative with many of their first-party exclusives, it makes sense to see the game given a console release as well.

While Gears 5 is scheduled for a 2019 release for now, all other Gears projects still hold a ‘coming soon’ tag. This is also the case for the support with Razer’s Xbox One wireless mouse and keyboard support for the games mentioned above as well. The Razer Turret keyboard and mouse is now available for purchase.

For updates on the Gears of War franchise, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Fallout 76 Players Will Receive Fallout Classic Collection For Free, Bethesda Confirms

While Bethesda and the Fallout brand have struggled to find their footing at the end of 2018, the newest iteration of the franchise, Fallout 76, continues to find its way into the upper ranks of sales charts since its release. Between the multiple in-game issues, along with the unfortunate canvas bag situation with those who purchased the Power Armor Edition of the game, the company is trying to find ways to get back into the good graces of fans around the world; and it looks as though they may be taking another step in fixing the bond.

In a statement released on the company’s social media account, Bethesda will be providing every player who has played Fallout 76 in 2018  with a free copy of the Fallout Classic Edition, including those players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The collection comes bundled with all three of the franchise’s original PC releases, including Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game, Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, and Fallout 2. The series first appeared on Windows PC, Mac OS and MS-DOS in 1997 to critical acclaim, which resulted in multiple PC sequels and spin-offs, along with a PlayStation 2 and Xbox release of Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel.  Bethesda claimed the rights to the Fallout IP after the series original publisher, Interplay, went bankrupt. Currently, the titles are only available on PC, but this release will mark the first time these specific titles will appear on current generation consoles.

Bethesda states entitlement of the collection is expected to go live in early January. For more information, please visit their website.

For updates on Fallout 76 and all things Bethesda, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Respawn Now Hiring Multiple Positions For Titanfall 3

Titanfall has had a confusing lifespan this console generation, to say the least. The fast-paced, first person shoot from Respawn Entertainment and EA saw its first entry release at the beginning of the current console generation. Due to limited libraries on both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 at the time, the series became very popular amongst early adopters the technology. While the first entry was considered a success, it lacked any single-player or local multiplayer experiences, leaving online play as the only game option. Its sequel, Titanfall 2 however, is considered one of the better games to release during this console generation, with many publications and outlets praising its emotional and captivating single-player campaign. Where Titanfall 2 succeeded in acclaim, it lacked in sales when compared to its predecessor, largely in part to releasing in the same time window as EA’s own Battlefield 1 and Activision’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Fans of the series have gained anxiety over if EA will publish another Titanfall due to the poorer financial performance of the series’s second entry. Since EA’s acquisition of Respawn Entertainment in 2017 though, the publisher has stated a new Titanfall project would be in the works. Now, with a recent set of job listings on EA’s career portal, it looks like development on the next entry into the Titanfall universe is starting to heat up. Currently, there are 15 listings of job vacancies on the publisher’s job board, all specifically citing their direct involvement with Respawn Entertainment on what is assumed to be Titanfall 3. The positions are as follows:

  • Senior Technical Animator (Art)
  • Build & Release Manager (Software Development)
  • Technical Animator (Art)
  • Senior Network Engineer (Software Development)
  • VFX Artist (Art)
  • Senior Animator (Titanfall)
  • Environment Artist (Art)
  • Tools Engineer (Quality Verification)
  • User Interface Artist (Art)
  • Network Engineer (Software Development)
  • Project Manager (Producer)
  • Developer Support Analyst (Quality Verification)
  • Senior Level Designer (Game Design)
  • Senior Game Designer (Game Design)
  • Senior Graphics Software Engineer (Software Development)

While no confirmation has been made on when to expect the next entry in the Titanfall series, these hirings may be indicate that the game is still quite early in its development cycle. Respawn also has a new Star War‘s project currently in development, entitled Jedi Fallen Order, which is rumored for a holiday 2019 release, along with an unannounced VR title.

While the wait for news on Titanfall 3 continues, players can hop into the first first two entries now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Origin.

For updates on Titanfall, and it’s future entry, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Kingdom Hearts 3 Director Addresses Game Leak Ahead of January Release

On of the most anticipated titles of 2019, Kingdom Hearts 3, fell victim to a series of game leaks last week. With the game still being six weeks ahead of its release date, many fans have gone ‘dark’ on the game, trying to avoid gameplay and story details at all costs. Square Enix, developer/publisher for the Kingdom Hearts series, was made aware when leaks first started spreading on the game, and now the game’s director is speaking out on the topic.

In a tweet released by the game’s official Twitter account, director Tetsuya Nomura addressed fans on the current state of the leak and how the team at Square Enix is handling the issue. “We’re aware that a small portion of Kingdom Hearts 3 has been circulating online before its official release. We are also aware as to how this has all happened. We’re sorry to see this caused concern amongst our fans who are excited for the release.”

While Nomura-san did mention the team is aware of how the leak occurred, but does not reveal this information within his statement. Touching on the game’s epilogue and secret movie, Nomura-san said that both didn’t not ship with the final cut of the game, and will be made available upon the game’s released in what is assumed to be a day-one patch. “We want everyone to be able to equally experience the full game after its release, so we ask for your continued support on this matter.”

Kingdom Hearts 3 has been in on and off development for over ten years, beginning pre-production not long after the release of Kingdom Hearts 2 in 2005. This will actually be the series’ twelfth entry, with titles spanning across multiple Sony and Nintendo systems. Kingdom Hearts 3 is set to release on January 29th, 2019 on PlayStation 4 and for the first time on a Microsoft console with the Xbox One.

For more information on Kingdom Hearts 3, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

The Division 2 Private Beta Available Via Mountain Dew AMP Game Fuel Pre-Order on Walmart.com

Ubisoft and Pepsi Co. are teaming up to bring fans of both a special promotion for the publisher’s upcoming release of the Division 2, and you’ll need to stock up on Game Fuel to get in the game.

Fans can gain access to the private beta of Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 by pre-ordering a new line of Mountain Dew AMP Game Fuel drinks from Walmart.com. The drink are currently on the big box retailer’s site for pre-order in 12-packs for $20 a piece, and come in a variety of flavors including Charged Cherry Blast, Charged Berry Blast, Charged Original Dew, and Charged Tropical Strike. On top of that, the first 1,000 customers to pre-order their 12-pack of Game Fuel will get a Bonus Prize Pack valued at $25.

Judging from the fine print of the deal released alongside the attached promotional material, instructions on how to receive your code will be sent out to those who preordered the drinks in mid-January when Walmart begins shipping the beverages.

It isn’t out of the ordinary for publishers to partner with various food and beverage companies to promote an upcoming release, with series like Halo regularly partnering with the Mountain Dew brand. What’s out of the ordinary is the process of pre-ordering a drink to gain access to the specific promotion.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 follows the events of its predecessor, with the setting moving from New York City to the United State’s capital, Washington, DC. The game is set to release on March 15th, 2019.

Behind the Scenes Look of Halo Infinite’s E3 Trailer Announced for December 12th Stream

Halo fans lost their collective mind when 343 Industries gave them a taste of what they’ve been working on at E3 2018, with a first look at Halo Infinite. While the development team behind the iconic Xbox staple have been quiet on the matter since then, it looks like fans will have a chance to peek behind the curtain on how the trailer was made.

In a tweet from the series official account, the development team announced that viewers of their December 12th stream on Mixer will get a special behind the scenes look at how the E3 reveal trailer for Halo Infinite was made. This will be the first time the Infinite team at 343 Industries has gone on camera to talk about the game. The few minor updates given since the game’s reveal have all come in the form of short blog posts.

It’s highly unlikely the team is set to announce any new details surrounding the series, but having the company start to show more of the development process of the game in any fashion is exciting. No release date is currently set for Halo Infinite.

Fans can watch the stream tomorrow (December 12th) starting at 4:30 PM EST/1:30 PM PST at Halo’s Mixer channel.

For updates regarding the Halo series, including the highly anticipated Halo Infinite, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Project CARS 3 Officially in Production, Confirms CEO

A new entry into the Project CARS series is officially in development, confirms Slightly Mad Studios CEO Ian Bell.

In a GTPlanet forums post, Bell officially made the project officially known to fans of the popular site. “You heard it here first. There will be a new pCARS, it’s signed.” Bell stated. While no release date was confirmed, Bell assured fans that the wait will be worth it, saying “I can’t tell you anything but don’t hold your breath on timings. We plan to blow anything else, planned by anyone else, out of the water…That will take a while.”

Fans tried asking follow up questions to the studio chief, but were met with the continuous statement “I can’t tell you anything, sorry.”

The Project CARS series was first released in May 2015 on Windows PC, Xbox One and PS4 to generally favorable reviews, leading to its follow up, Project CARS 2, in September of 2017.

For updates on the Project CARS series, including the newly announced entry, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Monster Hunter: World Year 2 Plans Revealed – ‘Iceborne’ Expansion & Witcher 3 Crossover to Come in 2019

Coming off of their awards for Best RPG at the Game Awards 2018, Capcom’s Monster Hunter: World team has announced the title will be getting a new expansion, along with a free crossover update with a former ‘game of the year’ title in 2019.

In a series of tweets released by the title’s official account, the massive new expansion titled ‘Iceborne’ is set to add a new quest rank, monsters, locales, moves and equipment. It looks to incorporate a new arctic area, which was insinuated in the conematic video attached to the official announcement. The expansion is set to release in Fall 2019.

Iceborne isn’t the only exciting news for fans of the massively successful entry in the long-tenured Capcom franchise. In conjunction with CD Projekt Red, Capcom is introducing a crossover with the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that will bring fan favorite, Geralt of Rivia, to the adventurous world of Monster Hunter. The free update that seems to incorporate a new quest line with the silver-haired monster slayer is set to release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in early 2019, with a PC release to follow soon after.

The Monster Hunter: World team hinted at news dropping in the days following the Game Awards 2018, while they were on stage receiving their award for Best RPG of 2018. For more information on Monster Hunter: World, visit the game’s official site.

For updates on Monster Hunter: World, including the new expansion ‘Iceborne’ and the free Witcher update, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Xbox Game Pass Additions for December 2018: MK X, Hellbalde, and more!

Microsoft’s extremely popular Game Pass subscription service continues to grow its library of games every month, making it one of the best values in gaming to date; and this month is no exception.

In a press release from Megan Spurr, community lead at Xbox, the company announced the following games are hitting the service in December:

  • Mortal Kombat X brings its brutal finishers and fast paced action to Game Pass today (December 7th) just on the heels of last night’s Mortal Kombat 11 announcement
  • Take to the pitch with Pro Evolution Soccer 19 on Xbox Game Pass on December 13th
  • Spintires: Mudrunner tears off the trailer in anticipation of its December 13th addition on Game Pass
  • Delve deep into the mind and face the madness in the award winning experience Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice on December 17th
  • The beautiful and heartwarming tale of Ori and the Blind Forest, winner of over 30 industry awards, jumps and flies onto Game Pass on December 20th
  • Slice and dice your way through enemies in Shadow Warrior 2 on Game Pass on December 20th

If you missed our coverage of last night’s Game Awards 2018, there were a few other Game Pass announcements made as well, including:

  • Ashen, the new open world co-op RPG that follows a lost wanderer on his search to find his home, is available now on Game Pass.
  • Kingdom Two Crowns, the award winning micro strategy project, comes to Game Pass on December 11th.
  • Below, the ominous puzzler, comes to Game Pass on December 14th.

Spurr wraps up by reminding players who are interested in trying the Xbox Game Pass service for the first time, can do so for only $1 for their first month. The service includes over 100 games, including all Xbox One exclusive, which release day and date on Game Pass as they do in the store.

For more information on Xbox Game Pass, visit the service’s website.

For updates on new titles that are coming to Xbox Game Pass, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and keep it locked in at Bonus Accessory.

Obsidian Releases 15 Minutes of ‘The Outer Worlds’ Gameplay

Obsidian Entertainment officially announced their newest project The Outer Worlds last night at the Game Awards 2018. Following the announcement, the newly owned Microsoft studio has released a new 15 minute gameplay video showcasing what fans can expect from the upcoming cosmic RPG.


In the demo released by Game Informer, Obsidian shows off the gameplay style, which gives off major Fallout vibes, which isn’t shocking given the close relationship with the IP from developing the spinoff title, Fallout: New Vegas. One aspect that sticks out is the dialog system. Giving you a multitude of options on how to approach situations, the player can focus on making dialog decisions that affect not only the story, but the world around you. You can also see the emphasis on pulpy humor, similar to that of the Fallout series at time.

While no concrete release date has been announced, The Outer Worlds is scheduled to release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam) in 2019.