Last year, Rockstar Games announced GTA 5 and GTA Online for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. At the time, the developer noted the pair were coming to next-gen consoles in an “expanded and enhanced” form. At the moment of publishing, it’s provided zero additional details on the ports and how they are being expanded and enhanced, but a new leak has relayed word of one feature players can expect. Unfortunately, it’s not a very exciting one, but it’s one players will be relieved to hear is in the works.
Word of the feature comes the way of a recent GTA Online update, and more specifically, the files of this update. With the update, Rockstar Games added new files for character transfers. The files themselves — “CHasCharacterToTransferDecisionPage” — don’t directly divulge anything too salient, but this seems to suggest Rockstar Games is working on a character transfer process for when the game comes to PS5 and Xbox Series X. In other words, it sounds like players won’t need to start from scratch with a brand new character, and will rather be able to carry over their progress to the new machines.
While this may seem like an obvious feature, especially since the game did this PS4 and Xbox One, it was far from a guarantee. It would be very easy for Rockstar Games to force players to start over, as this could have more financial benefits than letting players transfer their character. Of course, this would be a big PR blunder, but it could justify the decision whilst hiding behind the “expanded and enhanced” marketing slogan. That said, it looks like Rockstar Games will avoid this pitfall and allow character transfers.
For now, take everything here with a grain of salt given that everything here is the information of the leaked variety, and because it’s laced with some speculation.
At the moment of publishing, Rockstar Games has not commented on this leak in any capacity. If this changes, we will be sure to update the story with whatever is provided, salient or not. In the meantime, for more coverage on GTA Online and all things gaming — including not just all the latest news, but all of the latest rumors and leaks — click here.
Microsoft has posted record profits this quarter, including a boom in its gaming sector which has revenues up 51%. The company as a whole posted a record-breaking $43.1 billion in revenue.In the most recent financial earnings report for the period ending on December 31, 2020, Microsoft shared that revenue increased by 17% to reach $43.1 billion and $15 billion in profit.
As per the case for the last several quarters, profits were driven by Microsoft’s cloud platform, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t other successful ventures.
Confirmed Xbox Series X Games
Hardware saw the biggest growth thanks to the launch of the Xbox Series X|S. Microsoft says the gaming hardware segment grew 86% thanks to the new hardware, though the company hasn’t shared exact numbers.
Meanwhile, Microsoft reported that revenue has grown 51% overall in games, with Xbox content and services revenue up 40%. The growth has been attributed to third-party titles, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, and first-party titles.
According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella during the conference call, Xbox Game Pass now has 18 million subscribers. The numbers also don’t take into account Microsoft’s Zenimax acquisition, which it says is expected to close later this year.
Have you played Xbox Series X?
News of Microsoft’s successful quarter has pushed up Microsoft stock. The success of the company is of course based on a broad array of product and offerings, not just gaming. Microsoft’s line encompasses software, apps, home computers, and more; while the R&D department dabbles in projects like putting servers underwater.
For more, check out IGN’s review of the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S review, and details on a new Halo Infinite info drop later this week.
Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him @lawoftd on Twitter.
Earlier this week, Epic Games released a pair of new Terminator skins for Fortnite, and the publisher is now offering refunds to those that purchased the T-800. The official Fortnite website indicated that the skin was accompanied by a built-in Cyberdyne Salute emote. That is not the case, which may have prompted some complaints from players. Epic’s official Fortnite Status Twitter account has reported that players will be able to apply for one using the in-game flow. A specific date that players can start to get that refund has not been announced, but it will be available sometime next week.
The Tweet from Epic Games can be found embedded below.
We corrected an error on https://t.co/xlIk0X9a5H that the T-800 Outfit included a built-in Emote. If you’d like a refund, you’ll be able to make one using the in-game flow (no refund token needed) starting next week. Be on the lookout for an in-game notification next week. pic.twitter.com/HjTrpbU0jf
— Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) January 22, 2021
The Cyberdyne Salute emote is meant to evoke the T-800’s final moments in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, where the character took a molten steel bath to ensure its own destruction and protect the future. The original trailer released by Epic Games announcing the content featured an homage to that moment, but this time around, T-800 is stopped by Jonesy, who pulls it into the world of Fortnite to enlist its help.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5 has a theme focused on the greatest hunters of the multiverse. T-800 and Sarah Connor are the latest such “hunters” added this season, following Din Djarin (The Mandalorian), Kratos (God of War), Master Chief (Halo), and Predator. There have been a number of rumors regarding future hunters, including Tom Raider star Lara Croft. Epic Games has been steadily adding new skins since the season kicked off last month, so fans likely won’t have to wait much longer to see which character will make the cut next!
Fortnite is currently available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. You can check out all of our previous coverage of the game right here.
Did you download the T-800 skin in Fortnite? Were you under the impression that the emote was included with the skin? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp to talk about all things gaming!
Microsoft’s flagship Xbox Series X is one of the most powerful gaming consoles available right now. If you are having difficulty finding it, Target has restocked the Xbox Series X today, so you may want to check it out while supplies last. Given the challenge it has been to secure a unit, inventory will likely not last long.
Although no walk-in purchases are available, you will have the option to either have it shipped to your home or request an in-store pickup.
Like every major hardware launch, the demand for the Xbox Series X and its competitor, the PlayStation 5, is through the roof, and the usual problems of supply and demand are exacerbated by the fact that both next-gen consoles launched during a pandemic. Many retailers have sold the console exclusively online. The biggest struggle has been trying to guess when and where the next PS5 or Xbox Series X / S restock will happen, and there is no clear indication of when they will resume in-store walk-in purchases.
Xbox Series X
Prices taken at time of publishing.
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, serving as its most powerful (and biggest) option.
While the Nintendo Switch is not brand-new anymore, buying one could be a smarter decision than trying to buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X right now. Getting a hold of the next-gen PlayStation or Xbox is admittedly hard to do. But even if you have the opportunity, you may want to reconsider.
Spending your money on the follow-up to your current console of choice seems like a no-brainer. But what do you actually want from a new console? I’d argue some of the best things about using a new console aren’t actually present in the new PlayStation or Xbox.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Nintendo Switch: What I love
For example, take the game library. The majority of games you can play on the PS5 and Series X are the same ones you can currently play on the PS4 and Xbox One. Furthermore, the handful of platform exclusives may not be that inspiring to you. Meanwhile, over on the Switch, there are more than three years of releases to explore.
The variety of games available is a credit to Nintendo. Naturally, your thoughts may gravitate toward Mario, Animal Crossing, Super Smash Bros, Legend of Zelda and the like. These high-quality franchises are good reasons to buy a Nintendo console. However, you’ll also find a surprising number of big third-party games on the Switch. Highlights include Doom and The Witcher 3, as well as one of the best indie game libraries outside of the PC. All of the next-gen exclusives on PS5 and Xbox Series X are firmly big-budget affairs, and many of them are either remakes or sequels. I wouldn’t blame you if these lineups have left you cold.
While it’s nice to chase higher frame rates and prettier graphics, these don’t guarantee you’re going to have fun with a game.
In terms of hardware the Switch has some key advantages, too. By all means, compare TFLOPs and maximum resolution output, and laugh at the meager GPU inside the Switch. But while it’s nice to chase higher frame rates and prettier graphics, these don’t guarantee you’re going to have fun with a game. And if graphics are your priority, then you’re probably better off looking at a gaming PC rather than a console.
Then, there’s the fact that the Switch’s less powerful hardware allows it to be portable: easily its standout feature. I wouldn’t have ever thought about this before I bought my own Switch, but having access to a fully equipped console anywhere is a luxury that can’t be overstated. Even if you’re in lockdown right now to prevent the spread of you-know-what, having the freedom to play games somewhere aside from my desk helps keep the mental divide between work and home life from crumbling.
You get the versatile Joy-Cons to try out, too. These controllers have built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes, while still working similarly to a traditional gamepad. You can still play games as normal, but also try out less traditional motion control experiences. You won’t need extra peripherals, either, such as a costly VR headset. I feel that the Joy-Cons are comfier to use than a normal gamepad, since you can use both halves separated, with your arms relaxed at your sides. Perhaps this isn’t a common way to play, but it’s certainly how I like to use them.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Nintendo Switch: What I don’t love
Let’s be honest about where the Switch is irredeemably weak, though. Multiplayer and online functionality are, to put it bluntly, a mess. Some games require Nintendo’s Switch Online subscription service for online multiplayer, but others let you play over the Internet for free. To activate voice chat, you need to use an app on your smartphone — a device that already does enough without having to be a gaming peripheral as well. This doesn’t bother me, since I’m a solitary gamer most of the time. But going for a Switch probably is a bad idea if you’re a dedicated player of Call of Duty, Fortnite or the like.
In Nintendo’s defense, the Switch is probably the best console for local multiplayer, considering that the Joy-Cons can be used as two separate gamepads. Up to eight Switches with four players apiece can also work together in the same space. Want a second controller for your Xbox or PS5? That’ll be another $70. And good luck gathering enough displays and consoles in one space for a 32-person local PS5/Series X multiplayer session without hiring a community hall.
The Switch’s internal storage is both smaller and slower than what you get with the Sony and Microsoft consoles. You get 825GB of SSD space on the PS5, and a 1TB SSD on the Xbox. The Switch has just 32GB of memory. However, Switch games take up less space as a rule thanks to the lower graphical fidelity. And if you run out of space, at least you can expand the Switch’s memory easily with any microSD card. Compare and contrast to the expensive proprietary SSD drives you’ll need to add more room to the Xbox or PS5.
I think even the most dedicated PlayStation or Xbox fan has a few good reasons to make the switch to a Switch, even once the next major wave of PS5 and Series X stock arrives. Granted, your decision depends on why you enjoy playing games. If you’re into graphical fidelity, robust multiplayer or are a dedicated fan of an exclusive franchise, you may not want a Switch. But if different kinds of games — and access to them outside of your living room — appeal to you more, maybe you should consider Nintendo’s hybrid console instead of Microsoft and Sony’s newest machines.
Microsoft’s Xbox logo is seen during the worldwide release of the Xbox Series X gaming console at an electronics store in Tokyo on November 10, 2020. Photo: Charly Triballeau / AFP (Getty Images)
On Friday, Microsoft announced that it was going to raise prices for Xbox Live Gold during a pandemic, a statement that rightfully ignited anger among Xbox fans. Just a few hours later, Microsoft furiously backtracked and said it had “messed up.” No price hikes would be coming at this time, the company said. It addition, it was throwing in free multiplayer for free-to-play games, too.
In an update to its original blog posted just before midnight on Friday, Microsoft recognized that multiplayer is a critical part of gaming and said it had “failed to meet the expectations” of players who use multiplayer every day. It’s not like it’s easy to skip out on Xbox Live Gold, which is required to play games online on Xbox consoles. The move would have increased the cheapest option for a one-year membership from $60—which can currently still be bought from stores like GameStop and Amazon—to $120. Ouch.
In an apparent effort to appease angry and disappointed players, Microsoft said it would no longer require players to have an Xbox Live Gold membership to play multiplayer for free-to-play games, such as Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone. For comparison’s sake, before this announcement, Microsoft was the only major platform that did not allow players to use multiplayer for free on free-to-play games, the Verge reported.
“We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing,” Microsoft said in its update. “We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox.”
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Microsoft did not specify when free multiplayer would come for free-to-play games, only that it was working to do so “as soon as possible” over the next few months.
In terms of pricing for Xbox Live Gold, existing members will stay at their current price point for renewal. New and existing members can pay $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for three months, $39.99 for six months, and $59.99 for retail 12 months, per the company.
It wasn’t hard to deduce that the company’s proposed price increase wouldn’t be taken very well. First off, it’s proposing this during a pandemic, which has benefitted its gaming division. Second, it didn’t even bother to explain why it was increasing the price. The only inkling of a reason it gave was that it would “continue to invest” in the Xbox community and that in many markets, the price of Xbox Live Gold hadn’t changed in more than 10 years.
“Periodically, we assess the value and pricing of our services to reflect changes in regional marketplaces and to continue to invest in the Xbox community; we’ll be making price adjustments for Xbox Live Gold in select markets,” the company said in its original blog post.
Microsoft’s now axed price hike was seenbymany as an effort by the company to nudge players into switching over to its Game Pass Ultimate service, which gives members access Game Pass, a service with a Netflix-like library of games, and Xbox Live Gold, among other perks, for $14.99 per month. The deal for Game Pass Ultimate is better than paying for Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass on their own and would end up making Microsoft more money in the long run.
As noted by Polygon, however, not everyone can afford to buy Game Pass Ultimate, and they shouldn’t be forced into it just to put more money into Microsoft’s pockets. Thankfully, now they won’t have to, and they can celebrate that fact by playing multiplayer on free-to-play games in the near future.
On Friday, Microsoft(NASDAQ:MSFT) announced a set of price raises for its Xbox Live Gold online gaming service, then reversed itself hours later after a wave of criticism.
The IT giant originally announced that Gold would cost $1 more for a one-month membership, lifting its cost to $10.99. A three-month membership was set at $29.99 (formerly $24.99). The longest term currently available, six months, would have increased to $59.99 (formerly $39.99). Microsoft is no longer offering a one-year option.
There would be no immediate price change for Gold subscribers with existing six- or 12-month memberships.
In its original announcement about the price hikes, Microsoft pointed out that in many of its markets, those rates had not changed in years.
Image source: Getty Images.
There was considerable speculation that Microsoft’s move was an attempt to convince subscribers to upgrade to the top online gaming tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This bestows access to over 100 games, confers exclusive discounts, and provides other perks, of top of the benefits of Gold membership. Microsoft was to keep Ultimate’s price unchanged at $14.99 per month.
The outcry over the price raises was swift and, at times, vociferous. In response, shortly before midnight ET on Friday, Microsoft canceled the decision in an edit to its original announcement, writing that “We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day.”
In addition to leaving Gold pricing unchanged in the end, Microsoft said that free-to-play titles will be accessible on Xbox without a Gold subscription, as previously required. It said it hopes to implement this change in the next few months.
In one of the first positive Friday night news dumps I can remember, Microsoft has not only reversed course on its poorly-received plan to raise the price for Xbox Live, it’s adding a treat. Soon, for free-to-play games (like Fortnite or Apex Legends), multiplayer access will be free, making the Xbox a much more attractive platform for gamers on a budget. Playing a game like Fortnite on PlayStation Network or PC has always been free, and now Xbox Live will handle things the same way.
The plans announced earlier today would’ve doubled the annual price for an Xbox Live Gold subscription that adds a number of benefits, but is mostly required for online multiplayer. Microsoft is pushing its expanded subscription that includes access to the Netflix-like Xbox Game Pass library, and the move would’ve brought the prices closer together for new members, but made it a lot more expensive to play on Xbox as a result. Now things are staying the same, but better.
To bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience we will be removing Gold requirements for free-to-play games.
We’re starting work on that immediately and will have updates in the coming months. Details: https://t.co/tWomNAwmp9
— Xbox (@Xbox) January 23, 2021
Microsoft:
We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months and $59.99 for retail 12-months.
Microsoft has announced that it is reversing its decision and will not change Xbox Live Gold pricing. Furthermore, free-to-play games will no longer require an Xbox Live Gold membership to play on Xbox consoles.As detailed in an Xbox Wire post, this decision comes after an earlier announcement that it would be raising the prices of Xbox Live Gold, which would mean that $60 would have gotten you only six months instead of 12.Microsoft’s full statement is as follows;
“We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
“We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. Free-to-play games will truly be free and you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
Have you played Xbox Series X?
“If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months and $59.99 for retail 12-months.”
The Best Games to Play on Xbox Series X|S
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, took to Twitter to apologize for the “angst and emotion” the initial announcement caused and said that the company will learn from it for the future.
“Apologies for all the angst and emotion this caused today for our customers,” Spencer wrote. “As always, we appreciate the feedback. This is a good learning opportunity for us and we will learn from it.”
Prior to the reversal, we wrote an opinion piece about how this increase wasn’t a great look for Microsoft, especially during the middle of a pandemic. Fortunately, for many around the world, this is now all good news.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Microsoft has reversed its controversial Xbox Live price increase. The company announced a price hike on Friday that would have doubled the cost of a yearly subscription to the service, which is required to play games online on Xbox consoles, to $120 for many users. Now, though, Microsoft says the price will stay the same.
Beyond that, Microsoft has decided to bring Xbox Live in line with Sony and Nintendo’s online services by dropping the subscription requirement for free-to-play games. Popular free-to-play titles like Fortnite are playable on PlayStation consoles and the Nintendo Switch without an online subscription, but you still need one for Xbox consoles; Microsoft says it’s “working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.”
Here’s Microsoft’s full statement, which was just delivered as an update to a blog post:
We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
We’re turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months and $59.99 for retail 12-months.
Thank you.
Microsoft’s focus in recent years has been on Xbox Game Pass, which has an Ultimate tier that includes access to Xbox Live Gold. While Game Pass provides great value for many players, the Gold price increases came off as an attempt to nudge people into paying for the more expensive service.
It’s not surprising that the initial announcement was so poorly received, but Microsoft’s reversal is good news for Xbox Live Gold subscribers who aren’t interested in Xbox Game Pass, and even better news for people who only use Xbox Live Gold to play free-to-play games.