NEWS: Fitbit teams up with Xbox One to get gamers moving through new fitness app

Gamers get a bad rap when it comes to stereotypes about their personal fitness, with the reductive assumption being they're more interested in their headshots than their heart rates. But Microsoft has been trying to shift that perception for years.

The Xbox One launched with the now sadly deceased Kinect-enabled Xbox Fitness. But rather than give up entirely on the space, it's instead partnering with wearable giants Fitbit to bring a new fitness-focussed app to the Xbox One. It's called Fitbit Coach – which may already be familiar to mobile users who've enjoyed a version of the app for some time.

Also coming to all Windows 10 devices (including the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro) and it'll offer onscreen workout guidance to help you get into better shape, as well as integrating with select Fitbit wearables for advanced features.
Workout with wearables

Fitbit Coach is free on a "Basic" tier for all users. This gives you access to one personalised workout program, plus a few additional audio and video workout routines. But to get the complete package of available workouts, you're going to have to splash out $39.99 a year (roughly AU$50 or £28).

However, whatever tier you're on, if you've got a Fitbit tracker or smartwatch with a continuous heart-rate tracker, you'll be able to link it up to the Fitbit Coach app and see onscreen in real-time any changes in your heart rate.

Available now, it's a great reason to put down that controller and work on those new year resolutions.

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BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY: Three Magic The Gathering Games Backwards Compatible Today

In addition to the few Backwards Compatible games the other day, we will be getting three classic 360 Magic the Gathering games playable on the Xbox One via backwards Compatibility.

Magic 2013, Magic: The Gathering and Magic 2014 — Duels of the Planeswalkers are coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility today

Face a greater challenge in the latest version of this hit franchise. Play with friends or the AI, take on new encounters and opponents, and face up to three other players in the Planechase multiplayer format. Featuring ten customizable decks, Magic 2013 offers new game items to unlock and introduces the option to choose what lands to tap when you cast your spells.

Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers brings the world’s premier trading card game to your living room! Play single and multiplayer campaign modes, test your skills with unique challenges, and engage online opponents via Xbox LIVE. With multiple game modes, an interactive tutorial, leaderboards, and achievements, Duels of the Planeswalkers has something for everyone!

Ignite your spark with Magic 2014 — Duels of the Planeswalkers! With over 12 million fans, discover what makes Magic: The Gathering the world’s premier trading card game. Become a Planeswalker and travel the planes of existence unleashing a torrent of spells and creatures to devastate your opponents. Fire up your game: • The best way to learn to play Magic • Hours of game play

GAME PASS: Eight New Games Being Added To Xbox Game Pass February First

Hello, fellow gamers! Welcome to your February Xbox Game Pass update.

February brings a mix of eight new titles to Xbox Game Pass, with something for absolutely everyone to enjoy in addition to the over 100 great games already included in your Xbox Game Pass membership. You can look forward to playing NBA 2K17, WWE 2K17, Halo Wars 2, Darksiders II DE, Fable Anniversary, RIME, Riptide Renegade GP, and Letter Quest: Grimm’s Journey all available February 1.

Hello, fellow gamers! Welcome to your February Xbox Game Pass update.

February brings a mix of eight new titles to Xbox Game Pass, with something for absolutely everyone to enjoy in addition to the over 100 great games already included in your Xbox Game Pass membership. You can look forward to playing NBA 2K17, WWE 2K17, Halo Wars 2, Darksiders II DE, Fable Anniversary, RIME, Riptide Renegade GP, and Letter Quest: Grimm’s Journey all available February 1.

NBA 2K17
Xbox Game Pass members loved the stunningly realistic, world-class simulation basketball and engaging Spike Lee MyCareer story that NBA 2K16 had to offer — it was one of the most-played games in Xbox Game Pass when we launched last Summer.

Well, consider the ante upped this February as the critically acclaimed NBA 2K17 enters the Xbox Game Pass catalog and brings everything you loved about NBA 2K16, plus so much more. NBA 2K17 once again delivers all 30 NBA-licensed franchises and arenas, as well as an even deeper roster of international and classic teams and players. And as fans of the franchise have come to expect, NBA 2K17 delivers perhaps the best single-player career experience in MyCAREER. If you’re into developing dynasties and managing front offices, NBA 2K17’s stellar MyGM mode might be right up your alley.

The next level leaps are most evident in MyTeam, a deep and diverse game mode that offers you the opportunity to build your very own NBA dream team, complete a multitude of mini-games and challenges, and take on the computer or players online in competitive matchmaking.

Do yourself a favor and make some time to drop a few dimes, splash a few threes, and throw down a sick dunk or two in NBA 2K17 — the ball’s in your court! And if you really love NBA 2K17, check out the daily updated rosters, NBA matchups, and other great features in NBA 2K18, available for purchase today in the Microsoft Store.

WWE 2K17
With WWE 2K17’s addition to Xbox Game Pass on February 1, members can dive into a new round of 130 legendary wrestlers, classic matches, upcoming talent, and even more available via DLC, your favorite wrestler is almost certain to be found in WWE 2K17.

Have you dreamed of entering the ring? If so, WWE 2K17’s MyCareer mode will help you launch your own path to digital stardom. You can also create your own WWE rivalries, promos, and pay-per-view events in Universe mode. And, of course, there is online multiplayer available if you want to test your attacks, counters, and specials against other wrestling fanatics over Xbox Live. WWE 2K17 even lets you take the action outside the ring, bringing back brawling in the crowd and backrooms. There’s so much to do in WWE 2K17, you may lose track of time. Just don’t lose track of your opponent or you might be introduced to a steel chair!

Halo Wars 2
Microsoft’s own 343 Industries is getting in on the Xbox Game Pass action in February, bringing you Halo Wars 2, the beautiful and challenging RTS sequel to Halo Wars. Build out your bases, gather and manage critical resources, and defeat enemy factions with your superior military strategy and combat. Solo or co-op, Halo Wars 2 is among the very best strategy games on Xbox, and we are excited to have it join the fray on Xbox Game Pass. And for those of you who have an Xbox One X, you’ll be pleased to know that Halo Wars 2 is Xbox One X Enhanced, with 4K HDR support, as well as super-sampled anti-aliasing for 1080P tv sets (it’s as impressive as it sounds).

Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition
Our parade of stellar sequels continues with THQ Nordic’s action RPG Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition. Many of our Xbox Game Pass members jumped into Darksiders Warmastered Edition so now’s a great opportunity to continue exploring the tale of The Four Horsemen — this time as Death. Discover his story through epic quests and challenging side missions while battling enemies, toppling bosses, and solving puzzles along the way. Defeat Corruption and prepare yourself for the next chapter in the story: Darksiders III, coming soon to Xbox One!

Fable Anniversary
With the addition of the gorgeous and engaging remaster of the original Fable game, Xbox Game Pass members can now play through the entire Fable trilogy. Each game in the series offers a tremendous story and RPG experience. And with Xbox Game Pass, getting Fable is easy. The hard part will be putting the controller down once you’ve become engrossed in Fable’s incredible world of action and adventure!

Rime
If you enjoy immersive single-player puzzle-adventure games then indie gem Rime is for you. In Rime, you control a young boy isolated on a seemingly deserted island and must help him solve puzzles on his journey to escape the island. With a unique and beautiful aesthetic and a story inspired by the five stages of grief, Rime is an experience a bit unlike anything else in Xbox Game Pass. We’re hopeful you love its charm and ingenuity every bit as much as we do!

Riptide Renegade GP
Racers and jet ski fans, we’ve got something this month for you as well with Vector Unit’s fast-paced aquatic racer Riptide Renegade GP hitting the catalog in February. Riptide Renegade GP is a futuristic racing game with realistic physics and tight controls, as well multiple modes for you to enjoy. Complete events, enter tournaments, and start collecting victories against friends through local co-op, or online with Xbox Live!

Letter Quest: Grimm’s Journey
Similar to Rime, indie diamond-in-the-rough Letter Quest: Grimm’s Journey offers a unique story-based experience for Xbox Game Pass members. In Letter Quest, your objective is to spell words to unlock attacks on monsters, new items, boosters, and new chapters in the storyline. With a unique style of play, replayable levels with multiple new challenges, and some RPG flair, you may be surprised at how much fun you’ll have in Letter Quest.

With over 100 great games for one low monthly price, plus new games added every month, Xbox Game Pass is your ticket to endless play. Thanks for reading February’s Xbox Game Pass update and don’t forget: if you haven’t tried Xbox Game Pass yet, you can play free for 14 days.

BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY: Three More Games Added to Backwards Compatibility Today

I hope everyone had Happy Holidays and will have a Happy New Year,  but lets just jump right in and start off the new year right.

Three classic Xbox 360 games playable on the Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility.

Sniper Elite V2, Far Cry 2 and Driver San Francisco (available on disc or digitally if previously purchased) are coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility today.

ONE BULLET CAN CHANGE HISTORY. BERLIN 1945... V2 Rockets with deadly nerve gas are primed to launch. An army of German and Russian soldiers stand in your way. Make every single bullet count or the world dies with you. X-RAY KILL CAM see organs tear and burst, bones and teeth shatter, as your bullet passes through your enemy ADVANCED SNIPER SIMULATION allow for gravity, wind, distance, breathing and more. SNIPER'S CHOICE leave yourself exposed with the easy shot, or decide a more difficult but stealthier approach. CO-OP MULTIPLAYER battle through 4 war-torn online modes.

Far Cry® 2 is a true open-world FPS where every decision you make affects the outcome of the game. The first sequel to the award-winning franchise takes you to one of the most beautiful and hostile environments in the world - AFRICA. You are a gun for hire, trapped in a war-torn African state, stricken with malaria and forced to make deals with corrupt warlords. Your mission is to hunt down and kill The Jackal. This evil arms dealer has been perpetuating this conflict for years, wreaking havoc on the land an all of its innocent people. Run, swim, drive, fly, shoot, fight and smash your way through over 50km² of open world. Beware though, sometimes the hunter can become the hunted. 

 (available on disc or digitally if previously purchased)
DRIVER SAN FRANCISCO returns to deliver new innovation in open-world and authentic urban driving. Racing through the iconic streets of San Francisco in over 130 muscle and super cars, players take on intense driving missions and challenges that revolve around one thrilling manhunt. As a 14M unit brand, DRIVER brings instant audience recognition and excitement to Ubisoft’s first DRIVER title for next-gen through innovative features, an immersive storyline, and intense action-driving.