NEWS: Xbox Design Lab Adds More Customization Options & Expands To More Countries

Last year, we unveiled Xbox Design Lab, the first online customization program we’ve ever launched where you can design your very own official Xbox Wireless Controller. Since then, fans have created hundreds of thousands of unique designs that express their creativity and style. Today, we’re excited to announce that we are adding even more customization options based on fan feedback, now giving you over a billion design combinations to choose from. We’ve also refreshed the design interface for a more seamless experience and will be launching Xbox Design Lab to more countries starting today.

On top of all the original customization options available in Xbox Design Lab, we’ve added:

• 4 new color options including Ink Blue, Mineral Blue, Sierra Brown and Desert Tan
• 11 new thumbstick colors including Glacier Blue, Zest Orange, Retro Pink, Electric Green, Robot White, Lightning Yellow, Ash Gray, Ink Blue, Mineral Blue, Sierra Brown and Desert Tan
• New metallic finishes for D-pads and triggers to add a premium look to your controller
• Black rubberized grips for added comfort and control

In addition to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, Xbox Design Lab is now available in the U.K., France and Germany starting today, and will be coming to additional European countries later this summer.

Controllers start at $79.99 USD, and pricing may vary for additional options. For a limited time between now and June 19, we’re offering a free engraving promotion for all Xbox Wireless Controllers purchased through Xbox Design Lab.

Each controller is made to order and will be delivered within 14 business days of placing your order. In addition to the new features detailed above, you can customize the controller body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks, ABXY buttons and View and Menu buttons. You can also add laser engraving with a custom 16-character message.

Xbox Design Lab adds customization options to the same Xbox Wireless Controller that is available in stores today, with features that include textured side case grip, improved wireless range and Bluetooth technology for easier connectivity to Windows 10 devices. The controller is compatible across the Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X when it launches November 7.
Check out the full Xbox Design Lab experience on xbox.com, microsoft.com or your local Microsoft Store. We’re looking forward to seeing your one-in-a-billion designs!

E3 2017: Project Scorpio Officially Named and Release Date

Today at E3 2017 the long awated reveal of Project Scorpio, or should I say Xbox One X.

This system brings 12GB of DDR5 memory and a crazy 6 Teraflop GPU. Not only can it do native 4K UHD gaming (a feature no other console can currently do), but it will also play games in HDR and most games at higher frame rates.

It's one of the finest pieces of hardware Microsoft has ever made. Or, well, it will be when it comes out  November 7th.

E3 2017: Original Xbox Back Compat is coming to Xbox One

Microsoft is expanding Xbox One’s backward compatibility program to the first Xbox, it said today at its E3 media briefing. Original Xbox games will begin appearing on the platform later this year.

“OG games will look better and play better across the Xbox One family,” said head of Xbox Phil Spencer. He called out one single game that will be part of the Xbox library on Xbox One: Crimson Skies, the fan-favorite aerial dogfight game.

Original Xbox Back Compat is coming to Xbox One

— Larry Hryb @ E3 🎮 ⌨️ (@majornelson) June 11, 2017

ACCESSORIES: Controller Gear Xbox Pro Charging Stand

Keep your Xbox Wireless Controller charged with Controller Gear’s officially licensed Xbox Pro Charging Stand. The Xbox Pro Charging Stand is a premium high performing charging stand offering a sleek design and a seamless charging experience.

Xbox Pro Charging Stands are now available in the following color options: Abyss Black, Robot White, Oxide Red, Photon Blue, Zest Orange & Military Green.

All 15 Xbox Design Lab Pro Charging Stand color options will be available June 20th exclusively at microsoftstore.com.

Xbox Pro Charging Stand:
 • Manufactured with the same exact high quality and color material as your Xbox One Controller
 • Masterful design that includes a magnetic contact system to ensure a perfect and secure charge every time
 • Ergonomically engineered to allow one hand navigation through your Xbox One dashboard while the controller is on the charging stand
 • Display and charge your Xbox One controller with ease
 • Officially licensed charging stand for Xbox One

Battery Cover:
 • Engineered with a magnetic contact system to ensure a perfect and secure charge every time
 • Each charging stand includes a controller coordinated battery cover to match your Xbox Wireless

Controller
 • The Xbox Design Lab Pro Charging Stand battery covers are available in all 15 design lab colors to match your custom Design Lab Controller (available June 20th)
Rechargeable Battery & Power Cord:
 • Includes rechargeable 2.4 volt battery; eliminates the need for Double-A batteries
 • Quick charging – controller will be fully charged in 2 hours
 • Long 6 ft. charging cable for convenience
 • When plugged in, the LED on the front of the charging stand flashes 3 times. When the controller is placed on the charging stand, the LED turns orange to indicate the controller is charging. Once the controller is fully charged, the LED turns Green.

NEW RELEASE: The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind Xbox One

The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind

Morrowind is on the verge of destruction, and it’s up to you to save it from a deadly Daedric threat. Embark on a dangerous journey through legendary locales, from volcanic ashlands to mushroom-filled forests. Take the battle to the Ashlands with new 4v4v4 player vs. player combat set in competitive arena-style environments. Includes The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, the first game of the acclaimed online RPG series.

NEW RELEASES: DiRT 4 Xbox One

DiRT 4

The world’s leading off-road racing series is back! DiRT 4 puts you at the wheel of the most powerful machines ever made as you face the toughest roads on the planet in rally, rallycross & landrush. The game changing Your Stage system allows you to create millions of routes at the touch of a button. The Digital pre-order includes the amazing Hyundai R5 rally car and allows you to kick start your career in the game with a Team Booster Pack which gives you a unique team offer and boosts your staff and facilities as well as the DiRT 4 Founder Icon.

NEW RELEASE: TEKKEN 7 Xbox One

TEKKEN 7

Raise your fists and get ready for the ultimate battle on the next generation of home consoles. Powered by the Unreal Engine 4, the storied fighting franchise returns for another round in TEKKEN 7. With the faithful 3D battle system and gameplay intact, TEKKEN 7 takes the franchise to the next level with photo-realistic graphics and new and innovative features and fighting mechanics. TEKKEN 7 resurrects the attitude, competitiveness and showmanship rooted in its arcade DNA to provide the ultimate fighting game experience.

FREEBIES: Games With Gold June 2017

For the month of June, Xbox Live Gold members will receive four new free games – two on Xbox One and two on Xbox 360 – as part of the Games with Gold program. You can play both Xbox 360 titles on your Xbox One with Backward Compatibility.

Also this month there is a free DLC content pack for Xbox One.

*Titles are available as free downloads for qualifying Xbox Live Gold members in all markets where Xbox Live is available. Some regions may offer different titles depending on market availability.

On Xbox One, Xbox Live Gold members can download SpeedRunners ($14.99 ERP) for free during the month of June. Watch_Dogs ($29.99 ERP) will be available as a free download from June 16th to July 15th. Additionally, to celebrate the new release of Phantom Dust, Gold members get a free multiplayer content DLC pack for Phantom Dust starting June 1st, which includes a variety of valuable skills and abilities to help you defeat your enemies in the re-release of this original Xbox classic.

On Xbox 360, starting Thursday, June 1st, Assassin’s Creed III ($19.99 ERP) will be free for Xbox Live Gold members through June 15th. Then on June 16th, Xbox Live Gold Members can download Dragon Age: Origins ($14.99 ERP) for free through June 30th.

NEWS: Xbox Game Pass Launches June 1 With 100+ Games; Early Access For Gold Members Starts Today

Earlier this year, we announced Xbox Game Pass, a new digital gaming subscription service that gives you unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One and Backward Compatible Xbox 360 games for $9.99 USD per month. To ensure Xbox Game Pass provides the best experience possible for gamers, we rolled the service out first to the Xbox Insider Program, with a limited number of titles to test the features. Thanks to the positive feedback we received from the community, we’re thrilled to launch Xbox Game Pass broadly to the Xbox community in 31 markets and share the entire catalog of over 100 great games.

Beginning today, May 24, all Xbox Live Gold members will get exclusive Early Access to Xbox Game Pass, and can start their 14-day free trial before anyone else. This is our way of saying thank you to our valued Gold members for their continued support.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF XBOX GAME PASS TITLES HERE

On Thursday, June 1, Xbox Game Pass will be available for all users. That means anyone with an Xbox Live account can start their 14-day free trial and play over 100 games. Subscriptions will be available for purchase online at xbox.com/game-pass, with a retail offering expected later this year.

We know that a gaming subscription service is only as good as its catalog of titles, so we’re also excited to share the full lineup of Xbox One and Backward Compatible Xbox 360 games that will be available through Xbox Game Pass. At launch and beyond, our goal is to make sure there are great games to play for all gamers.

When Xbox Game Pass launches, you can download and play a broad range of games in full fidelity on your Xbox One or Xbox One S console, including blockbusters like Halo 5: Guardians, NBA 2K16 and Payday 2; fun for the whole family in LEGO Batman, Banjo-Kazooie and Viva Pinata; retro and classic games like Mega Man Legacy Collection, Streets of Rage and Pac-Man Championship Edition; and of course, Xbox Game Pass has a number of great first-person and third-person shooter games, including all three titles in the amazing Bioshock franchise, Gears of War 1-3, Gears Ultimate, Perfect Dark Zero, Borderlands and more.

But the Xbox Game Pass experience doesn’t stop there. At launch, members can also explore classic Xbox hits and community favorites like Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, The Golf Club, Terraria, Resident Evil 0, XCOM: Enemy Within, Mad Max, Knight Squad and many, many more games.

BACKWARDS COMPATIBLITY: 5 More Xbox 360 Games are Playable on Xbox One

Today we are getting five more classic Xbox 360 games playable on the Xbox One with Backwards Compatibility.

Shadow Assault/Tenchu, ilomilo,Shinobi, Assassin's Creed III and Matt Hazard: BBB are coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility today.

*As always, 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

Tenchu, the world-famous ninja action game, is now on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Control your favorite characters as you use a variety of ninja weapons to defeat your enemies and complete your missions. Use traps in multiplayer mode to kill your friends for massive points! 

Explore the visually lush dream world of IloMilo. Challenge yourself with exciting puzzles as you dive deeper and deeper into the story. Play along with a friend or family member and share the journey. Beautiful and full of charm, the game is equally appealing to seasoned gamers and young families alike. The puzzles are easy to learn, but challenging and deeply rewarding to find all the hidden surprises. Experience the unique, fun new co-op experience where you and a friend or family member can take control of ilo and milo and help guide each other through the exciting puzzles. 

 As the ninja Shinobi (Joe Musashi) you must stop who the criminal organization called "Zeed" who has kidnapped the children of the Oboro clan. Test your ninja skills through five missions of increasing difficulty as Musashi must make his way to Zeed's headquarters and free all the hostages. Zeed's leaders, known as "Ring of Five", are determined to stop you as you'll face one at the end of each stage. 

 The American Colonies, 1775. It’s a time of civil unrest and political upheaval in the Americas. As a Native American Assassin fights to protect his land and his people he will ignite the flames of a young nation’s revolution. In Assassin’s Creed® III, eliminate your enemies with an array of new weapons including guns, bows, tomahawks, and trusty hidden blades. The game has been in development for over 3 years and features the new Ubisoft-AnvilNext engine, a stunning technology that will revolutionize gaming with powerful graphics, lifelike animations, immersive combat, and advanced physics. With an all new setting, assassin and engine, Assassin’s Creed® III takes you back to the American Revolutionary War, but not the one you’ve read about in history books.

Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond is an homage to the greatest side scrolling action video games of all time. Starring classic action hero Matt Hazard and all his greatest enemies, it features tons of weapons, nonstop explosions, and gorgeous 3D environments. Battle everything from evil ninjas to killer penguins. Survive incredible boss battles. And - of course – enjoy side-by-side 2 player gameplay. Enjoy nonstop run and gun survival at its finest in an over the top modern vision of timeless video game themes.