Xbox Cloud Gaming Is Now Available on PC and Apple devices

Xbox has confirmed that Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available on PC and Apple devices via web browser for all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

Announced via the Xbox Wire, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in 22 countries can now access the service by going to Xbox.com/play on the compatible browsers that include Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Chrome with a connected controller. Then you'll be able to access the library of cloud-compatible games like Yakuza Like A Dragon, Minecraft Dungeons, and much more.

Lastly, the company has also confirmed it’s made improvements to the Xbox Cloud Gaming servers which are now powered by custom Xbox Series X hardware. Sadly due to bandwidth constraints, streaming-only goes up to 1080p and 60FPS. However, Xbox promise “going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.”

I've yet to use the service but plan to in the near future when it's possible to travel, I spend a lot of time at home as of late and i own an Xbox Series X. So it's not something I currently use but it'll definitely will bea service i'll use eventually.

Xbox Cloud Gaming for PC and iOS begins limited beta testing for Some Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Members

Xbox has announced that it will be finally be holding a limited beta for Xbox Cloud Gaming on PC and Apple devices.

Announced via a post on the Xbox News Wire, a number of subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be invited to help test the service for Windows 10 PCs and Apple phones and tablets via web browsers. Those invited players will get access to a new website where they'll be able to play "over 100 Xbox Game Pass titles" through web browsers including Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari.

you'll need a Bluetooth or USB-connected controller to play a majority of games but some also have Custom Touch Controls enabled like Viva Pinata.

Additional invites will continue to be sent out as the test progresses, with players from across 22 supported countries invited to test and give feedback, which will be evaluated by Xbox to continue to improve the service.

Fall Guys Cuphead Skins Announced

Fall Guys creators Mediatonic has announced a partnership with Studio MDHR to bring Cuphead skins to the game.

The skins are available in two parts: top and bottom. You can unlock the top and bottom pieces by collecting five crowns, or they can be bought with real-world money. A Cuphead-emote is also available for an additional five crowns. The new skin will be available Wednesday, February 24, with the Mugman skin being available on Saturday, February 27.

CupHead is currently not available on PlayStation, so it seems like a pretty strange choice to launch this skin now rather than alongside the launch of The Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X version. It's definitely cool seeing games crossover like this though and I hope more games collude more in the future. Fall Guys has had some pretty notable crossovers such as Doom, Team Fortress, Portal, Half-Life, Godzilla, Sonic, and Goose Game costumes.

Embracer Group acquires Gearbox Software

Embracer Group which was formerly known as THQ Nordic has announced that they've acquired Borderlands creator Gearbox in a deal said to be worth a potential $1.3 billion USD.

In a press release, Embracer said that Gearbox will become a seventh operating group as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. CEO Randy Pitchford will continue to lead the studio and the 550 employees will all become joint "significant" shareholders in Embracer. The $1.3 USD billion-dollar value of the deal is dependent on performance with $363 million of the value paid upfront and the owners getting just over a billion should the company hit an agreed on six-year performance targets.

Pitchford said in a statement on the acquisition: "The feeling at Gearbox is that we are just getting started and this transaction is not merely a stimulant for the talent of our employee-owned company, but a propellent for the exciting future we have planned."

Nintendo Buying Developer Next Level Games

Nintendo has confirmed today that it will be acquiring Canadian developer Next Level Games, the studio behind Luigi's Mansion 3.

Nintendo is hoping the deal will be sealed by March 1, 2021, pending shareholder approval. Nintendo stated that the deal would "secure the availability of Next Level Games development resources for Nintendo, including development expertise, as well as facilitate an anticipated improvement in development speed and quality by enabling closer communication and exchange of staff with the Nintendo development team."

I'm pretty excited to see what Nintendo has up its sleeves for the developer and hopefully, this means that more Luigi-based adventures in a mansion are on it's way.

Xbox Games With Gold For January 2021

Microsoft has announced the next batch of games coming to games with gold for January 2021 and they're okay, not great though.

the following games are available to grab now if you're a member of Xbox Live:

Little Nightmares (A weird but cool indie game): Available January 1 to 31

Dead Rising (Go Play Dead Rising 4, it's great and super festive): Available January 16 to February 15

The King of Fighters XIII (I'm probably terrible at it): Available January 1 to 15

Breakdown (Had enough of those in 2020): Available January 16 to 31

Games With Gold has been super lackluster since Xbox Game Pass was revealed, Go Get Game Pass Ultimate and treat these additional games as a bonus. Also While we're here, go play Yakuza Zero on the game pass, it's probably the best game on there.