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Xbox

Microsoft’s Xbox has been around since 2001, and over that time the gaming brand has given us huge hits like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and more. Today, the Xbox brand covers consoles like the Xbox One, PC gaming, and has even expanded to other platforms. You can play Minecraft on everything from a computer to an iPhone to a Nintendo Switch. Along the way, Microsoft has pioneered modern services like Xbox Live and Game Pass, introducing new ways to play games. And with Project Scarlett on the horizon, the Xbox looks to have a bright future.

The new Xbox is not an XboxThe new Xbox is not an Xbox
David Pierce
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Andrew Liszewski
GuliKit is bringing anti-drift joysticks to the ROG Xbox Ally.

The company was one of the first to release Hall effect joysticks for the original Switch, but now it’s partnered with ROG for a new kit that upgrades the Xbox Ally with anti-drift TMR sticks. It will launch in December, while a version for the Xbox Ally X is still being tested.

Replacement joysticks for the ROG Xbox Ally handheld hidden in shadows.
GuliKit worked with ROG to create its new replacement TMR joysticks for the Xbox Ally.
Screenshot: X
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Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Vampire Survivors is getting online co-op.

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is drip-feeding new features coming in the game’s 1.14 update, and online co-op is the first of five teased announcements.

Local co-op came to Vampire Survivors back in 2023, but I’m excited I’ll be able to bother someone other than my wife to play with me.

Welcome to the Xbox $360 eraWelcome to the Xbox $360 era
Tom Warren
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Dominic Preston
Did someone say ‘inflation’?

You might have noticed tech is getting just a little more expensive these days. SteelSeries’ new $599.99 Arctis Nova Elite headset is only the latest example, but at least it means fans of spending money can complete the set.

Holmeser:

Pairs perfectly with my $999 Xbox Ally X and $750 PS5 Pro

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Dominic Preston
A very Microsoft problem.

There’s been a bit of backlash to the Xbox Ally handheld’s $999 price tag, which will be a stiff test of consumer interest in expensive console hardware. But it’s also a test of Microsoft’s “everything is an Xbox” philosophy, because this sure is expensive for an Xbox that only plays PC games, and not everyone is sold:

Dkfkhfkwkdnc:

Only Microsoft can release a thousand dollar device branded “Xbox” that can’t play Xbox games. Only a millionaire executive at this specific company could have hallucinated this.

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Tom Warren
Xbox Ally pricing and preorders info coming today.

Microsoft and Asus revealed last month that the new Xbox Ally handhelds will be launching on October 16th, but there was a distinct lack of pricing and preorder information. Now, it looks like we’re going to get both later today. Asus has started teasing on Facebook that preorders are “dropping soon” with a countdown that ends at 8PM ET / 5PM PT today.

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Jess Weatherbed
Hitting men with Bruce Lee.

The Infiltrator Elusive Target mission for Hitman World of Assassination is available starting today until November 20th, and sees Agent 47 team up with legendary martial artist Bruce Lee (ahem, Agent Lee) to infiltrate a Hong Kong crime syndicate.

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Tom Warren
Gemma Chan will star in the upcoming James Bond game.

IO Interactive’s 007 First Light will tell the story of a young James Bond, and the developer is adding another cast member to the list today. Gemma Chan, Eternals and Crazy Rich Asians, will star as Selina Tan, MI6’s head of tactical simulation. This is a new character created specifically for 007 First Light, and not to be confused with Q (played by Alastair Mackenzie). 007 First Light launches March 27th, 2026.

Image: Microsoft
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Tom Warren
Xbox’s Tokyo Game Show stream starts soon.

Microsoft’s Xbox Tokyo Game Show broadcast kicks off early today at 3AM PT / 6AM ET / 11AM UK. Announcements from the show will include Forza Horizon 6, which just leaked early thanks to an official teaser trailer on Instagram.

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Tom Warren
Happy iPhone day, John.

As soon as I saw the Halo memes of the orange iPhone 17 Pro and green TechWoven case, I couldn’t resist.

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Tom Warren
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 gets better DLSS 4 support.

Asobo Studios has updated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to include DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation support. RTX 50-series owners will be able to enable up to 4x Multi Frame Generation, while RTX 40-series GPUs can still enable the regular Frame Generation support with DLSS 4.