Microsoft has announced its upcoming Xbox Games Showcase event for June 10th, promising exciting reveals alongside a mysterious “Direct” presentation. Rumors suggest the event might be centered around the upcoming Call of Duty sequel.

Microsoft is completely overhauling its game sales strategy

This news comes on the heels of previous announcements from Microsoft. Xbox President Sarah Bond confirmed the launch of a mobile Xbox game app store in July, with all first-party games, including the next Call of Duty title, launching day-one on Game Pass. This aligns with reports from The Wall Street Journal, suggesting a major overhaul of Microsoft’s game sales strategy. The plan reportedly involves including the next Call of Duty in Game Pass, potentially marking the biggest shift in Microsoft’s gaming division since its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Industry insiders believe this move strengthens the Game Pass subscription service.

The Verge previously reported discussions about adding the upcoming Call of Duty (rumored to be a new Black Ops title set during the Gulf War) to Game Pass. This potential change might be accompanied by a Game Pass price increase.

Microsoft’s strategy faces some skepticism. The concept of “content cannibalization” raises concerns, particularly regarding new first-party games readily available on Game Pass launch day. While Xbox executives believe Game Pass boosts sales by increasing accessibility, some publishers remain unconvinced. Unlike Microsoft, Sony, its console rival, doesn’t offer its exclusive titles directly through its subscription service.

The upcoming Xbox Showcase and the rumored changes to Game Pass suggest a significant focus on Microsoft’s subscription service. Whether this translates to a major industry shift or simply strengthens Microsoft’s existing strategy remains to be seen.

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The Xbox Game Pass lineup for the second half of February is expanding with a mix of new titles, DLCs, and perks, offering its subscribers a wide range of gaming experiences. This update includes games across various genres, from narrative adventures to action RPGs and sports simulations, ensuring there’s something for every type of gamer.

Starting immediately, subscribers can explore “Return to Grace,” a game that blends archaeology with sci-fi in a 1960s-inspired universe, focusing on discovering an ancient AI deity. Also available is “Tales of Arise,” a game that merges two contrasting worlds into a story of unity and battle, known for its real-time combat system.

On February 22, “Bluey: The Videogame” will be released, allowing families to engage with Bluey and her adventures through a series of interactive stories and games. “Maneater,” an action RPG where players take on the role of a shark, returns to the Game Pass on February 27, along with “Madden NFL 24” for EA Play Ultimate members, who will also receive an Ultimate Team Supercharge Pack until March 8.

“Indivisible” returns to the Game Pass on February 28, offering a mix of exploration and combat in a beautifully crafted fantasy world. “Space Engineers,” coming February 29, provides an open-world sandbox experience focused on engineering, construction, and survival in space. “Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun,” launching on March 5, brings a retro shooter experience set in the Warhammer universe.

The update also highlights the “Dune” expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator, allowing players to experience the world of “Dune” through flight. “Diablo IV” is set to join the Game Pass on March 28, promising a next-gen action RPG experience with endless dungeons and loot.

Game Pass subscribers can enjoy new perks, including a 3-month trial of Calm Premium and exclusive content packs for “Apex Legends,” “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,” “Puzzle Quest 3,” and “PUBG: Battlegrounds.”

The service will see the departure of “Madden NFL 22” and “Soul Hackers 2” on February 29, encouraging players to enjoy these titles before they’re removed. This update reaffirms Xbox Game Pass’s commitment to providing a diverse and dynamic selection of games to its subscribers. For the latest news and updates, follow Xbox Game Pass on social media and Xbox Wire.

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The fierce competition between Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo is still going on in full throttle. Sony’s PS5 currently holds the lead, but Microsoft wields a strong advantage. While the Sony side is currently leading the race thanks to the PS5, Microsoft has a powerful weapon in its hands. The company has a service called Game Pass, which is like Netflix but for games. It gives you a vast library of games to play for a small monthly fee. Moreover this service is available on PC as well. Recently, Microsoft unveiled the upcoming January additions to the Game Pass library, and once you check out these games, you might find yourself eager to grab an Xbox.

Xbox Game Pass January Wave 1 2024 Title Announcement

Microsoft adds new games to the Xbox Game Pass library every month and sometimes removes certain games as well. For instance, we previously mentioned that GTA V would no longer be available on the service. However, don’t worry because Microsoft is committed to making up for this loss. In January, some fantastic games will be added to the Xbox Game Pass. Among these, the most notable ones are undoubtedly Resident Evil 2 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Week of January 1:

• Close to the Sun, January 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Hell Let Loose, January 4 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)

Week of January 8:

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, January 9 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Figment, January 9 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Super Mega Baseball 4, January 11 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• We Happy Few, January 11 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Week of January 15:

• Resident Evil 2, January 16 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

It’s worth noting that new games are added to these every month. This way, Game Pass subscribers can always find new content to play. As both an Xbox user and a Game Pass subscriber, I can say that playing games becomes much more affordable this way.

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Xbox Game Pass is set to kick off the new year with a lineup of fresh games and updates. Here’s a straightforward rundown of what’s coming your way this month:

New Games:

Close to the Sun (Available Now) Embark on a steampunk adventure as Rose Archer searches for her sister, Ada, aboard Tesla’s Helios. Navigate dangers in international waters in this narrative-driven experience.

Hell Let Loose (January 4) Immerse yourself in 100-player battles of World War II in this hardcore first-person shooter, where teamwork is crucial.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (January 9) Explore England’s Dark Ages as Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior, in this acclaimed entry in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Figment (January 9) Embark on a surreal adventure in Figment, an action-adventure game filled with music, humor, and a multi-layered narrative.

Super Mega Baseball 4 (EA Play – January 11) Experience arcade-inspired style and immersive gameplay depth with Super Mega Baseball 4, coming soon via EA Play.

We Happy Few (January 11) We Happy Few returns to Game Pass, offering an action-adventure experience in a drug-fueled, retro-futuristic city.

Resident Evil 2 (January 16) Survive a mysterious viral outbreak in Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2, featuring modern visuals and gameplay mechanics.

Those Who Remain (January 16) Confront psychological horrors in Those Who Remain as darkness descends on the town of Dormont.

DLC / Game Updates:

Dead by Daylight: Chucky (Available Now) Experience a new Killer with Chucky in Dead by Daylight and grab the exclusive Charm: Good Guys Box.

Hello Neighbor 2 Anniversary Update (Available Now) Explore the new forest area on the outskirts of Raven Brooks in the Hello Neighbor 2 Anniversary Update.

Sea of Thieves: Season Ten (Available Now) Sail into Season Ten of Sea of Thieves, featuring Safer Seas mode for uninterrupted adventures.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks:

Sea of Thieves: Nightshine Parrot Pack (Available Now) Enhance your pirate style with the Nightshine Parrot Pack, featuring exclusive in-game items and 10,000 gold.

Leaving Soon: Don’t forget to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on these titles leaving soon.

January 5:

• Grand Theft Auto V (Cloud and Console)

January 15:

• Garden Story (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• MotoGP 22 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Persona 4 Golden (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Persona 3 Portable (Cloud, Console, and PC)

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GTA 5, just can’t seem to leave the spotlight. Recently, the game’s source codes were leaked online, and now, we’re faced with another piece of bad news. Unfortunately, some games, including Grand Theft Auto 5 and Persona 3 Portable, are being removed from the Xbox Games Pass library. Here are the details…

GTA 5 and Persona 3 Portable are leaving Xbox Game Pass soon

The Xbox Game Pass regularly introduces us with new games, but it also says goodbye to beloved ones. Unfortunately, the latest example of this is GTA 5. As you know, Xbox One series and Xbox Series S/X users have been enjoying this timeless classic since July 2023. However, in two weeks, console gamers will have to pay to play this game. The price of Grand Theft Auto V for Xbox varies by region and edition, ranging from $19.99 to $59.99.

Unfortunately, GTA 5 isn’t the only game leaving the Xbox Game Pass. Persona 3 Portable is also no longer available on the service. While GTA V appealed to a more generic audience, Persona 3 Portable was beloved by RPG fans. Yet, there’s no need to worry. As seen in the past, GTA has been added to and taken off the Game Pass several times. Given its popularity and the excitement for GTA 6, it’s probable that it will return to the Game Pass soon.

Xbox Game Pass US Prices Table (January 3, 2024)

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Do you love playing games but don’t want to spend a fortune? If so, Microsoft has a service for you called Game Pass. It’s like Netflix for games, giving you unlimited access to a huge library of titles on your Xbox or PC for a monthly fee. Moreover, Microsoft has made it easier for people in many countries to access the service by offering local pricing or at least it used to. Sadly, starting today, the cost of Game Pass has increased in many countries. Here are the details…

Game Pass Prices Increase in Many Countries: Is It Still Worth It?

A while ago, we reported that Microsoft was going to raise the prices for Game Pass in some countries where it operates with local pricing. We even proposed a solution to ensure peace of mind for the next three years with an article titled “How to Get a 36-Month Subscription for Less Than $65“. However, the day we all feared has come, and Microsoft has made a significant increase in prices.

Prices have increased in all the countries listed below. The price of PC Game Pass remained stable in some countries, but not in Turkey. Starting next month, Microsoft will raise the price of the Xbox Series X console in most countries except the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. On August 1, the Xbox Series X will cost £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 in most European markets, $649.99 in Canada, and $799.99 in Australia.

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Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are all competing for gamers’ attention. Sony is currently ahead with the PS5, but Microsoft is trying to close the gap. One of Microsoft’s biggest weapons is Game Pass, a service that lets you play a wide variety of games for a monthly fee. Usually, Game Pass costs $10/month, but you can now get a 36-month subscription for less than $70. Here are the details…

How to Get a 36-Month Game Pass Ultimate for Cheap

Microsoft offers three versions of Game Pass: one for PC users, one for Xbox owners, and Game Pass Ultimate, which combines both. The prices for these plans vary depending on the country, as companies often adjust their prices to reflect local economic conditions. This can create loopholes that people living in other countries can take advantage of. For example, Game Pass Ultimate is only $14.99/month in the US, but it’s only $1,74/month in Turkey. And yes, you can also buy a 36-month subscription at this price.

Important: Xbox has recently increased prices in some countries where it has local pricing. You have until July 6th to purchase a Game Pass at the current price. Here are the steps you can take to save money on Game Pass:

Method One

• Get a VPN and set your location to Turkey.
• Get a prepaid bank card linked to establishments in Turkey.
• Create a new Microsoft account.

1. Set your location to Turkey using a VPN. This will make it look like you’re in Turkey, so you can get the local price for Game Pass.
2. Create a new Microsoft account. You can’t use your existing account, however it will be linked to your current location, and you need to change it.
3. Get a prepaid bank card linked to establishments in Turkey. You can find these online, or you can ask a friend in Turkey to help you.

Note: We can’t recommend any specific prepaid bank, but there are many reputable institutions in Turkey where you can open an account online. Just do your research carefully before you choose one.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, you can start your subscription for 44.99 TL by clicking “Join” on the page that appears when you click here. However, that’s not the end of it. You’ll need to click “Extend Subscription” on the same page to continue your subscription. Unfortunately, Microsoft Turkey only allows you to purchase more than one-month subscriptions at once. This means you’ll need to repeat the process. Additionally, the extension option may disappear from time to time. If this happens, you’ll need to turn off the auto-renewal option by clicking here.

Method Two

If you don’t want to go through all the steps mentioned above, you can buy a Game Pass Ultimate gift card from an e-commerce site in Turkey. You can use a VPN to create a Turkish account and redeem the code to get a 36-month subscription. However, the prices in Turkey have increased, so this option may be more expensive. You can also do the same thing for a standard Game Pass subscription, but you can only extend your subscription for 12 months with this version.

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