NEWS: ESPN Ends Support for 360 Streaming App

ESPN is ending support for its Xbox 360 streaming app next week, the sports giant has announced. Deadspin posted the image below, which explained the shutdown will take place on March 23.

The end-of-service notification directs users to the more feature-rich ESPN app on Xbox One.

ESPN's Xbox One gives you access to the network's broadcast content through its WatchESPN functionality. It also supports Snap, allowing you to watch content and perform other tasks at the same time.

Deadspin

Additionally, though it doesn't help you now so much, the app features ESPN Fantasy Football integration to let you see team and player stats, among other things.

After the shutdown, the Xbox One will be the only console with an ESPN app, though you can still get it through Amazon Fire and Roku, among other devices. An ESPN app is not available on PlayStation 4, but programming from the sports giant is available through the PlayStation Vue TV service.

SOURCE

NEWS: Microsoft has release 3 more Backwards Compatible Games

Microsoft has named three more classic games that Xbox One owners can now play through backwards compatibility. The trio of games are Alan Wake, Alan Wake, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Those that own these games digitally will be able to download them again for free from the "Ready to Download" section of the Xbox One. If you own Alan Wake on disc, you can also put this in and the necessary files required to make it work will be downloaded.

With the introduction of these games, the Xbox One backwards compatibility program now includes over 134 games.

	IN DARKNESS,FIGHT WITH LIGHT.From Remedy, the masters of cinematic action, comes a 3rd person action game filled with overwhelming odds and desperate near escapes.When the wife of the best-selling writer Alan Wake disappears on their vacation, his search turns up pages from a thriller he doesn’t even remember writing.
	Move Pac-Man and eat all the Pac-Dots to clear the stage while avoiding the ghosts. Eat Power Pellets to become invincible and eat the blue ghosts! Eat multiple blue ghosts to earn bonus points! Are you skilled enough to stay alive? This classic video game was released in 1980, and drove players crazy all around the world.
	Uncover all the mysteries of Dracula’s castle with the full version including achievements, leaderboards, and multiple endings. Have you uncovered the true secret behind Dracula’s power?

NEW ACCESSORY: Dusk Shadow And Copper Shadow: Xbox One Special Edition Wireless Controllers

These new controllers feature a faded color gradient finish – blue-to-black for Dusk Shadow and copper-to-black for Copper Shadow – which is the first of its kind for Xbox One Wireless Controllers.

They also come equipped with all the standard features of the Xbox One Wireless Controller, including Impulse Triggers, responsive thumbsticks, an enhanced D-pad, and a 3.5mm stereo headset jack.

Both controllers are available for pre-order starting today for $69.99 USD ERP. You can find them on store shelves at participating retailers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil later this month and in other select regions worldwide in April. As always, availability and pricing vary by region. In the U.S., the Xbox One Special Edition Copper Shadow Wireless Controller will be exclusively available at Microsoft stores and GameStop, and the Xbox One Special Edition Dusk Shadow Wireless Controller will be exclusively available at Microsoft stores and, for a limited time, Best Buy.

NEWS: Microsoft wants to make a tournament out of every Xbox One game

Microsoft is diving headlong into the competitive gaming world and has announced a new Xbox Live Tournament Platform.

The Redmond company announced the new platform has been built as a new part of the Universal Windows Platform SDK. It short, the platform will allow developers to easily set up tournaments on the Xbox One, and hopefully in the future, Window 10 PCs.

Furthermore, Microsoft announced it is working with tournament large organizers including the ESL and FaceIt.

The end result for Xbox One gamers at home is they will have more multiplayer experiences for those who want to play competitively.

In an interview with techradar, Chad Gibson, Group Program Manager, Xbox Live also suggested tournament play could even be potentially extended to single player games. Solo experience could also become heated competitions in a race to get the best score a la the old leaderboards seen on Xbox 360 games like Geometry Wars.

"We don't think it's just limited to multiplayer games or any game where there's any form of competition or score comparison," Gibson said.

Gibson hopes every game will have game with competitive multiplayer will have tournament support. Ultimately, though, the platform is completely voluntary and developers can decide whether or not to adopt it.

Microsoft was not ready to divulge which developers and games have adopted its new tournament platform, but it claims to be working with key companies in the industry. So it might be some time before we see Microsoft-powered tournaments come into play on the Xbox One.

Source

NEWS: Gears Of War 4 Multiplayer Beta Kicks Off On April 18

Gears fans, the wait is almost over. We know you’ve been eager to see what’s in store for the future of Gears multiplayer, and next month, we’re excited to give you the first taste and an opportunity to help shape the multiplayer experience in Gears of War 4 with the launch of our global Versus multiplayer beta, exclusively on Xbox One.

Beginning on April 18, fans who’ve played Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox One or Windows 10 will begin to receive tokens in waves for early access to the beta. Following the conclusion of early access on April 24, all qualifying Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One will be invited to join the beta until it ends on May 1.

In addition, we’re extending the timeframe for Gears of War: Ultimate Edition players to qualify for early access to the Gears of War 4 beta from March 1 to April 11. To qualify, just log on to Xbox Live and play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox One or Windows 10 by 11 p.m. PDT, April 11.

Season 2 Finals and Fan Activities at PAX East
We are also excited to announce that we will be joining you at PAX East in Boston and will be hosting a variety of fan activities, including:

*The Gears eSports ESL Pro League Season 2 finals will be LIVE from Boston at PAX East on Saturday, April 23. Fans can tune into the Gears of War Twitch channel to watch the best Gears of War ESL Pro teams square off for the championship title. We are also excited to announce we will be increasing the prize pool for Season 2 to $60,000 thanks to fan support of our Season 2 bundles! During the stream, we will also debut the worldwide exclusive reveal of a new competitive game mode for Gears of War 4. Those watching from home can tune into the stream for instructions on how to get the special Season 2 Finals weapon skin and a chance to win a limited edition custom Gears of War 4 console.

*The Out of the Shadows: Inside Gears of War Multiplayer with The Coalition panel on Sunday, Apr. 24 at 10:30am in the Albatross Theater featuring a deeper dive in Gears of War 4 multiplayer and some special surprises. We’ll also be offering up some great prizes to any of our fans who turn up in Gears of War Cosplay! Gears fans who can’t make the show can take part in the fun from home LIVE on the Gears of War Twitch channel!

*Lastly, fans at PAX East will be treated to Gears of War 4 Versus multiplayer located in the Xbox Booth.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you online when the beta kicks off next month!

NEW RELEASE: EA SPORTS UFC 2 Xbox One

EA SPORTS UFC 2

EA SPORTS UFC 2 innovates with stunning character likeness and animation, adds an all new Knockout Physics System and authentic gameplay features, and invites all fighters to step back into the Octagon to experience the thrill of finishing the fight. From the walkout to the knockout, EA SPORTS UFC 2 delivers a deep, authentic, and exciting experience.

UFC 2 offers the deepest ever roster of any fighting simulation. Featuring a mix of MMA’s biggest stars and brightest up-and-comers, step into the Octagon as current and former UFC athletes, MMA legends, and maybe even a few surprises.

NEWS: Cross-Network Play

First, in addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we’re enabling developers to support cross-network play as well. This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other console and PC networks.

Of course, it’s up to game developers to support this feature, and Xbox Live players will always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players. We’re thrilled to confirm that Psyonix’s Rocket League will be one of the first games to take advantage of this new capability by enabling cross-network play between Xbox One and PC players, with an open invitation for other networks to participate as well.

SOURCE