After receiving negative feedback from users regarding its planned Xbox Live Gold price hike, which would have doubled the price of a 12-month subscription, Microsoft announced that they are reversing their Xbox Live Gold pricing updates. In addition, Microsoft will soon allow users to enjoy free-to-play titles without the need of Xbox Live Gold.
Today was not great. We always try to do our best for you and today we missed the mark.
We hear you, and we’re reversing our Xbox Live Gold pricing updates.
— Xbox (@Xbox) January 23, 2021
Microsoft has announced new pricing for Xbox Live Gold subscriptions. Going forward, new pricing will be 1-month for $10.99 USD, 3-months for $29.99 USD, and 6-months for $59.99 USD. If you’re an existing 12-month or 6-month Xbox Live Gold member, there’s no price change. If you choose to renew your membership, it will renew at the current price. If you upgrade your Gold membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, your remaining Gold time will also convert directly to Ultimate at no additional cost (up to 36 months).
Microsoft has revealed the Xbox Live Games with Gold offering for February. Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to the following games free for a limited time:
Amplitude Studios today shared a new Feature Focus for their upcoming historical strategy game, Humankind, highlighting Avatars and their AIs. Humankind is scheduled for release on April 22 for PC and Google Stadia.
Bloober Team today released a new video featuring nine interesting facts about its upcoming psychological horror title, The Medium. In the final stretch leading to the game’s release on January 28th, viewers will be able to learn more about the game, its development, and the people involved.
The four-and-half-minute video showcases a variety of uncanny facts along with easter eggs about The Medium that players may have never heard about – some of which includes first concepts of the game that started in 2012, or how the game’s setting at the abandoned Niwa Hotel is based on a real hotel in Bloober Team’s hometown in Kraków, Poland. In addition, the video shares sneak peeks into some of the development hurdles that the team has endured during the pandemic, as well as useful gameplay tips and behind-the-scenes footage that haven’t been published before.
Two weeks before the release of Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood, Nacon and Cyanide today debuted a brand new developer diary explaining what it’s like to be a Werewolf in the World of Darkness and how that manifests in Earthblood.
Italian developer 34BigThings today launched the arcade space shooter Redout: Space Assault digitally on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. A prequel to the futuristic racer Redout, the game is available for $9.99 USD.
In today’s Resident Evil Showcase digital program, Capcom unveiled details about its survival horror title Resident Evil Village, the eighth main entry in the Resident Evil franchise. Capcom confirmed Resident Evil Village will be available May 7th, 2021 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam, alongside the newly revealed PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platform options. Resident Evil Village will be eligible to upgrade from PS4 to the digital PS5 version and will support Smart Delivery for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. New details were also shared with the first extended gameplay footage, along with the announcement of the multiplayer Resident Evil Re:Verse game to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary. Starting today, pre-orders kick off and PlayStation 5 owners can get a sneak peek of the mysterious, beautiful Castle Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village with the stand-alone Maiden demo.
Resident Evil Village continues the story of Ethan Winters, first set in motion in Resident Evil 7 biohazard. The latest entry combines action with survival horror gameplay synonymous with the Resident Evil series. In today’s first extensive look at gameplay, the development team revealed several new details including some features which harken back to fan-favorite elements from previous Resident Evil games. Protagonist Ethan will now be able to purchase and sell items, buy recipes for crafting, and customize weapons with a merchant dubbed “The Duke.” Using materials found throughout the game, he will be able to craft invaluable consumables needed to survive the terrors of the village. Utilizing these provisions will also involve more strategic planning, with a revised inventory system based on space management that may be familiar to series fans.
The cast of enemies appearing in today’s digital program are just a few revealed from Resident Evil Village so far. Ethan will face off against many threats such as fast-moving creatures that relentlessly stalk him and Lady Dimitrescu’s mysterious daughters who can transform into swarms of insects. The game’s lineup of adversaries will have their own distinctive ways of attacking, so players will need to adapt their strategies with quick decisions on when to attack, guard or flee in order to survive. Ethan has a new kick move in his arsenal to create distance from enemies and buy precious time to decide his next move.
Starting today, PS5 owners can get an exclusive sneak peek of the castle area from Resident Evil Village with the Maiden demo. This stand-alone experience is separate, but showcases the visuals and 3D Audio that await in the main game. As the Maiden, players will need to rely solely on their wits to make their escape in this tension-filled demo, as they’ll have no way to fight or defend themselves. A separate new demo for all platforms will be available later this spring.
In celebration of the Resident Evil franchise’s 25th anniversary, which kicks off in March, Capcom announced Resident Evil Village will include access to a free multiplayer experience titled Resident Evil Re:Verse coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players can access the game through backwards compatibility. This thank you bonus to fans features comic-style visuals and sets popular Resident Evil characters against each other in four to six-player deathmatch battles in iconic Resident Evil locations. Players can choose from a fan-favorite roster, each with their own unique skillsets to master. When players are defeated in combat, their character respawns by mutating into a bioweapon to enact revenge on their foes. More information on Resident Evil Re:Verse will be shared at a later time.
Pre-orders for Resident Evil Village start today, with options for digital and physical Standard and Deluxe Editions and a physical Collector’s Edition. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and a digital “Trauma Pack,” which consists of additional in-game content including a Samurai Edge weapon, Resident Evil 7 biohazard inspired found footage screen filter and tape recorder save point options, immediate access to an especially challenging difficulty setting, and more. The physical Collector’s Edition includes the digital Deluxe Edition content plus a statue of franchise veteran Chris Redfield, a SteelBook case, art book, and a cloth map of the village with key art printed on the reverse side.
The Division 2 is helping celebrate the 25th anniversary of the survival-horror classic, Resident Evil. Starting February 2nd, you can unlock special Resident Evil caches that contain themed cosmetic items, including outfits, weapon skins, individual vanity items; and also earn additional gameplay rewards, like backpack trophies.
To celebrate the start of the event, all agents who log in throughout the Resident Evil event will receive the Leon Kennedy RPD 3-piece outfit to start their collection. This is a limited-time event, so be sure to jump back in and get your gear by February 15th.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has released a new trailer introducing the sixteen over-the-top competitors battling for international fame in Destruction AllStars, coming to PlayStation 5 via PlayStation Plus in February.