Tag: Xbox Series S

Walmart Canada offering $50 gift card with purchase of Xbox Series S

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 21 May 2022

Walmart Canada is hosting a promotion and is offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of an Xbox Series S console.

Currently, the entry-level Xbox Series S system is in stock and available on Walmart Canada. Those that purchase are able to receive a $50 digital gift card, downloadable through Xbox Live.

As the listing states, once the bundle is purchased, Walmart Canada will email the redemption code and instructions to the customer. The digital gift card will need to be registered through Xbox Live. An active Xbox Live account is required in order to redeem the gift card. From there, it can be used to purchase a game or any other media through the Microsoft Store.

The Xbox Series S is available for $379.96. Walmart Canada is also offering the console on a six-month financing plan. Walmart Canada is only offering this bundle online.

Xbox Series X/S consoles have been in short supply since their 2020 launch. With that in mind, eager customers may want to jump on this deal before stock runs out.

Image credit: Microsoft

Source: Walmart Canada

Tags Deals, Microsoft, Walmart Canada, xbox, Xbox Series S

Mobile Syrup

Xbox may be working on way to let Series S owners play disc-based games

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 17 May 2022

With more and more people opting to play games digitally, companies like Microsoft and Sony have offered lower-priced disc-less consoles, such as the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

Now, however, Microsoft may be working on a way to allow those who own its digital-only Series S console to play their disc-based games.

As first spotted by Game Rant, Microsoft has filed a patent, titled “Software Ownership Validation of Optical Drives Using Secondary Device,” that outlines such an option for gamers. Specifically, the patent proposes a system that allows an external disc drive to authenticate an Xbox game disc, which would then allow the player to access the digital version of that title via the Series S’ online store at no additional cost. Naturally, this would be a more consumer-friendly option instead of having to re-purchase games you already own.

In the patent, the company proposes an Xbox One to be used for this authentication process, but it’s unclear what other options consumers may have, especially for those without the last-gen console. It’s possible that a PC or even a disc drive that’s sold separately could be offered, but the patent doesn’t provide any other examples.

Interestingly, the patent application was made in November 2020, which is when the Series S originally launched. Therefore, it’s possible that Microsoft has been spending the time since toiling away at a “software ownership validation” solution. That said, it should be noted that patents are filed all the time without the proposed products or services ever seeing the light of day, so it remains to be seen what Microsoft will actually do.

Source: Justia Patents Via: Game Rant

Tags gaming, Microsoft, xbox, Xbox Series S

Mobile Syrup

Custom Doctor Strange-themed Xbox Series S and controllers are up for winning

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 29 April 2022

Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is scheduled to release in Canada on May 6th, and to mark the occasion, Xbox and Marvel have come out with a limited-edition custom drop of the Xbox Series S console and Xbox controllers.

“The customized Xbox Series S console features Gargantos, the giant, green, one-eyed octopus from another dimension who is one of the film’s most dangerous villains,” says Xbox, whereas the four different controllers are modelled after the upcoming movie’s main characters, namely Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), The Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Wong (Benedict Wong), and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez).

Unfortunately, the custom console and controllers won’t go on sale, and the only way to procure them is by entering a contest.

Xbox wants you to follow its Twitter account and retweet the Tweet embedded below along with the hashtag #DoctorStrangeXboxSweepstakes. Way to grow an “organic” following.

What kind of sorcery is this?

Follow & RT with #DoctorStrangeXboxSweepstakes for a chance to win an Xbox Series S themed from @DrStrange in the Multiverse of Madness and four controllers themed after the movie's characters.

Ages 18+. Ends 5/18/22. Rules: https://t.co/m3Qsjc4z3R pic.twitter.com/xPANZoa3ka

— Xbox (@Xbox) April 29, 2022

To be eligible to win, you need to be a legal resident of any of the Xbox Console-supported countries or regions, and be older than 18. Read all other rules here.

Image credit: Xbox

Source: Xbox

Tags contest, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Xbox controllers, Xbox Series S

Mobile Syrup

Microsoft reportedly looking into introducing ads in free-to-play Xbox games

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 16 April 2022

Microsoft is looking into ways to introduce ads within free-to-play Xbox titles. The program, according to sources from Business Insider, aims to fold advertisements into games in a non-disruptive way.

Apparently, Microsoft wishes to include ads to help provide revenue for both the game developer and ad company. As such, Microsoft is not taking a cut from the ad revenue and instead allows the two parties to share the ad funds.

As for what this program will end up looking like, a lot still remains. The report claims that Microsoft is working to give “select brands” the ability to purchase ad space. These ads will then appear in free-to-play Xbox games. However, the company appears to be very aware of how players may react. Thus Microsoft and Xbox are investigating ways to not “irritate” players.

Theoretically, these ads could appear as billboards in a racing game or in an open-world title. Though, the full extent of how this program will implement ads is still relatively unknown. Likewise, it’s not known if the ads will be static images and logos or if video ads will run in-game. However, Business Insider did confirm that Microsoft will not be using collected data from Bing or other services to create targeted ads.

Microsoft may be moving swiftly on this program. The company could introduce it as early as Q3 2022. Though, it’s not confirmed whether Xbox has begun pitching advertisers on the program yet.

Microsoft and the Xbox ecosystem are not exactly strangers to presenting ads. Any console player booting up their Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S is immediately met with ads on the dashboard. These typically promote games, new movies, services, etc. However, given that Microsoft is creating a more “private marketplace” for ads within games, it’ll be interesting to see how it targets the gaming audience specifically.

Fortunately, this initiative will solely be focused on free-to-play titles. Publishers who attempted to implement ads into full-priced games, like EA, have received backlash in the past. UFC 4 saw an outpour of player criticisms as unskippable ads were featured in a $70 game. Meta also added in-game ads to Blaston, which again, wasn’t received well by players.

Source: Business Insider Via: Kotaku

Tags gaming, Microsoft, xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Mobile Syrup

You can win these truly horrifying Sonic the Hedgehog Xbox controllers

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 22 March 2022

Xbox and Paramount Pictures have teamed up on a contest to win a prize package inspired by the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie.

Specifically, entrants can snag a custom black Xbox Series S console with the video game movie’s versions of protagonist Sonic and antagonist Knuckles, as well as two controllers inspired by the hedgehog and echidna. However, these aren’t just your standard plastic gamepads — bizarrely, they’ve been given “textured” coatings to simulate Sonic and Knuckles’ fur.

On Twitter, fans were quick to point out that these hairy controllers won’t exactly mix well with palm sweat:

fuzzy xbox controller full of gamer sweat

— 9 V O L T (@9_volt_) March 22, 2022

…Or food residue, for that matter:

And cheeto dust

— Nibel (@Nibellion) March 22, 2022

If the console and/or (frightening) controllers are your thing, you can enter for a chance to win them over on Twitter by retweeting this Xbox tweet with the hashtag #XboxSonic2Sweepstakes. This method of entry is available in many countries, including Canada. The contest ends on April 4th.

We might need glasses because these controllers look fuzzy.

Follow and RT with #XboxSonic2Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Sonic 2 Xbox Series S Custom Console and Controllers.

Age 18+. Ends 4/4/22. Rules: https://t.co/1HyrgKotoz pic.twitter.com/V7VjKYTwf8

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 22, 2022

As the title suggests, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a sequel to 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog movie, which opened right before the start of the pandemic to solid box office performance and generally positive reviews.

In the new film, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) teams up with Tom (James Marsden) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) to stop Dr. Eggman (Newmarket, Ontario’s own Jim Carrey) and Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba) from conquering the world with the Master Emerald. Notably, the sequel was primarily shot in Vancouver, just like the first film.

Meanwhile, Sega’s next game in the long-running Sonic video game series, Sonic Frontiers, is set to hit consoles and PC in late 2022.

Tags gaming, Paramount, Sega, sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, xbox, Xbox Series S

Mobile Syrup

Microsoft adds over 70 Xbox and Xbox 360 games to backwards compatible lineup

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 15 November 2021

During Microsoft’s 20th anniversary Xbox stream, the tech giant confirmed that it will add over 70 original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to its fast-growing backwards compatibility lineup.

All backwards compatible titles will feature Auto HDR, with some also offering improved resolutions. Eleven games will offer FPS boost, and the feature is being added to 26 existing backwards compatible titles. Finally, Microsoft says it’s bringing FPS boost to Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, including Fallout 76 and Fallout 4.

Some of the key new standouts in the backwards compatible lineup include the entire Max Payne series, F.E.A.R, the Skate franchise and more. New original Xbox titles include Dead of Alive Ultimate, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II, Star Wars: Starfighter, Otogi and more.

Similar to past backwards compatible titles, games can be played from their disc or digitally, and if you don’t already own the titles, they’re now available in the Microsoft Store.

Breaking things down further, backwards compatible games will feature a 4x resolution increase on the Xbox Series X and Xbox One X, a 3x resolution increase with the Xbox Series S and a 2x increase with the Xbox One S and Xbox One.

New FPS boost titles include F.E.A.R., F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, F.E.A.R. 3, Binary Domain and Nier, with the existing list featuring Gears of War franchise, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Dragon Age: Origins, Dead Space 2 & 3, Alan Wake and Sonic Generations.

Below is a full list of the titles that are part of this latest backwards compatibility update:

New backwards compatible titles

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
Aces of the Galaxy
Advent Rising
Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade
Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth
Bankshot Billiards 2
Beautiful Katamari
Binary Domain
Black College Football Xperience: Doug Williams Ed
Cloning Clyde
Conan
Darwinia+
Dead or Alive Ultimate
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive 4
Death by Cube
Disney Universe
Disney’s Chicken Little
Elements of Destruction
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
F.E.A.R. 3
F.E.A.R. Files
The First Templar
Gladius
Gunvalkyrie
Islands of Wakfu
Lego The Lord of the Rings
Manhunt
Max Payne
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Max Payne 3
Mini Ninjas
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
MX vs. ATV Alive
MX vs. ATV™ Untamed
Nier
Novadrome
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad
Otogi: Myth of Demons
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors
The Outfit
Outpost Kaloki X
Quake Arena Arcade
R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War
Red Dead Revolver
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Ridge Racer 6
Rio
Risen
Risen 2: Dark Waters
Rock of Ages
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
Scramble
Screwjumper!
Secret Weapons Over Normandy
Skate 2
SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam!
SpongeBob’s Truth or Square
Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition
Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Switchball
Thrillville
Thrillville: Off the Rails
Time Pilot
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Toy Story Mania!
Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment
Viva Piñata: Party Animals
Warlords

FPS boost

Alan Wake
Assassin’s Creed
Binary Domain
Black College Football Xperience: Doug Williams Ed
Darksiders
Dead Space 2
Dead Space 3
Disney’s Chicken LIttle
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age II
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. 3
Fable Anniversary
Fable III
Fallout 3
Fallout: New Vegas
Far Cry 3
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Gears of War
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 3
Gears of War: Judgment
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Kameo: Elements of Power
Lego: The Lord of the Rings
Medal of Honor: Airborne
Mirror’s Edge
Nier
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Rock of Ages
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Sonic Generations
Sonic Unleashed
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment

Xbox Cloud Gaming – FPS boost

Battlefield 4
Beholder Complete Edition
Dishonored Definitive Edition
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Origins
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Evil Within 2
Fable Anniversary
Fable III
Fallout 3
Fallout 4
Fallout 76
Fallout: New Vegas
The Gardens Between
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 4
Gears of War: Judgment
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Halo Wars 2
Kameo: Elements of Power
MotoGP 20
My Friend Pedro
My Time at Portia
Prey
ReCore
Shadow Warrior 2
Steep
Titanfall 2
Two Point Hospital
Wasteland 3
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

Image credit: Xbox

Tags Microsoft, xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Mobile Syrup

Microsoft adds over 70 Xbox and Xbox 360 games to backwards compatible lineup

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 15 November 2021

During Microsoft’s 20th anniversary Xbox stream, the tech giant confirmed that it will add over 70 original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to its fast-growing backwards compatibility lineup.

Similar to past backwards compatible titles, games can be played from their disc or digitally, and if you don’t already own the titles, they’re now available in the Microsoft Store.

Below is a full list of the titles that are part of this latest backwards compatibility update:

New backwards compatible titles

FPS boost

Xbox Cloud Gaming – FPS boost

Image credit: Xbox

Tags Microsoft, xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Mobile Syrup

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is rumoured to launch on November 15

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 12 November 2021

Suit up Spartans, because Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer could launch on November 15th, just in time for the franchise’s 20th anniversary.

This rumour comes from frequently reliable source of video game leaks, @NateTheHate2, which means there’s likely at least some level of truth to it. That said, this leaker is also behind the rumours that Game Boy games were coming to Nintendo’s Switch Online service, and that didn’t happen — at least not yet.

On the other hand, Halo leaker @halodotapi also tweeted about the rumoured surprise release date.

What better way to celebrate the anniversary of the Xbox than with a birthday surprise.

I can independently confirm & share with you today that Halo Infinite multiplayer will be made available on Monday, November 15.

Suit up, Spartans. https://t.co/fLpR86bu4O

— NateTheHate2 (@NateTheHate2) November 12, 2021

It would be a little out there for 343 Industries to launch Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer ahead of the game’s single-player campaign on December 8th, but given the mode will be free-to-play and in a sense, stands on its own, it could be possible.

It’s also worth noting that the game that started it all, Halo: Combat Evolved, will have been released 20 years ago as of November 15th. Infinite was originally scheduled to be an Xbox Series X/S launch title last year, but following a mixed reception to its initial reveal trailer, the game’s release was pushed back to 2021.

Halo Infinite releases on December 8th, 2021 on the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox and PC. The game is also part of Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service.

For more on Infinite‘s multiplayer mode, check out my story focused on one of game’s early test flights. MobileSyrup will have more on Halo Infinite in the coming weeks.

Source: @NateTheHate2 Via: Windows Central

Tags Halo Infinite, Microsoft, Video games, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Mobile Syrup

Seagate’s new 2TB Storage Expansion Card costs almost as much as an Xbox Series X

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 21 October 2021

Seagate has revealed new 2TB and 512GB Xbox Series X/S Storage Expansion Cards.

Since the Series X/S’ release, only a pricey 1TB ($299) variant has been available. Canadian pricing remains unclear, but in the U.S. the 2TB storage card costs $399.99 (about $493 CAD) and the 512GB card costs $139.99 (roughly $171.40).

While the 512GB card is a little more reasonably priced, the 2GB Expansion Card costs nearly as much as the $599 Series X.

Both cards will launch in mid-November in the United States. We’ll likely see the new Storage Expansion Card sizes in Canada during roughly the same period. MobileSyrup has reached out to Microsoft for more information regarding Canadian pricing.

Series X/S Storage Expansion Cards are compatible with Microsoft’s Xbox Velocity Architecture, enabling fast loading of Series X titles thanks to its 2.4 GB/s of raw I/O throughput, a number 40x the original Xbox One.

While playing last-gen games on the Series X with a standard USD HDD or SSD drive is possible, current-gen titles need to be installed on the consoles’ internal drive or on an Expansion Card. Further, if you play a last-gen game on the internal drive or expansion card, you’ll get improved load times.

While a Storage Expansion Card is far from necessary, the Series X’s 1TB or Series S’ 512GB built-in SSD can fill up after installing just a couple of games.

On the other side of the console war, though Sony’s strategy of allowing owners to install any compatible SSD in the PlayStation 5 is far more open, M.2 SSD drives remain relatively expensive.

Source: Microsoft

Tags gaming, Video games, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Mobile Syrup

Microsoft discounts 184 Xbox titles with its ‘Harvest Sale’

Post author By Mobile Syrup
Post date 6 October 2021

Microsoft’s ‘Harvest Sale’ discounts more than 180 Xbox titles, including A Way Out, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, Scarlet Nexus and more.

Check out the deals here:

Marvel’s Avengers Endgame Edition: $51.99 (regularly $79.99)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands – Standard Edition: $14.99 (regularly $59.99)
DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ – FighterZ Edition: $18.74 (regularly $124.99)
Spyro Reignited Trilogy: $19.24 (regularly $54.99)
Ori: The Collection: $17.99 (regularly $44.99)
SCARLET NEXUS: $55.99 (regularly $79.99)
A Way Out: $7.99 (regularly $39.99)
Saints Row IV: Re-Elected & Gat out of Hell: $7.49 (regularly $29.99)
HITMAN – Game of the Year Edition: $13.99 (regularly $69.99)
Blizzard Arcade Collection: $16.19 (regularly $26.99)
Assassin’s Creed Triple Pack: Black Flag, Unity, Syndicate: $22.49 (regularly $89.99)
Batman: The Telltale Series – The Complete Season (Episodes 1-5): $5.99 (regularly $14.99)
Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues: $24.99 (regularly $49.99)
F1 2020: $22.49 (regularly $89.99)
Just Cause 4: $18.79 (regularly $93.99)
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered: $27.49 (regularly $54.99)
Project CARS 2 Deluxe Edition: $17.99 (regularly $119.99)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Ultimate Edition: $36.74 (regularly $146.99)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 – Cross-Gen Deluxe Bundle: $41.99 (regularly $69.99)

Find more games under Xbox’s Harvest Sale, including Watch Dogs 2 Gold Edition, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus, STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order Deluxe Edition and more here.

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Image credit: Xbox

Tags Harvest Sale, Video games, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X