A person familiar with the matter said Microsoft will be "consolidating all their communications technology" around the Skype platform. This means that Skype will become the default chat service on the next generation Xbox console as well as on PC and tablets, the person said.
He added: "You might jump to the conclusion that we'll see asynchronous voice and video messages in next-gen Xbox Live".
Microsoft's $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype in 2011 was marked as the software giant's largest ever acquisition in its forty year history. The corporation has since opened its own Skype division within Microsoft, headed up by Skype's former Chief executive Tony Bates.
In November, Microsoft announced it was preparing to close its instant message chat service MSN and replace it with Skype's messaging tool.
There is rumor that Xbox 3 may limit exactly what kind of games you're allowed to play. According to sources speaking to Kotaku, the Xbox 360's successor will have some kind of anti-used-game enforcement. There's no explanation of what that means, but speculation surrounding the issue says the console could outright reject used-games altogether.
Online passes are a recent staple in staving off used sales. Limiting what used buyers can access is a protective measure for publishers, much to the chagrin of parts of the gaming community. Chris Kohler of Wired argues that the death of used games is inevitable, and passes are the first step toward something exactly like a native anti-used game something integrated into consoles. He notes, of course, that digital is the future of buying games, but in the meantime we may be looking at "an interim period in which the disc as a delivery method is still around but...becomes more like a PC game, which are sold with one-time-use keys that grant one owner a license to play the game on his machine."
Halo creator Bungei will release the first details for DESTINY, an exciting whole new immersive game world at the Game Developers Conference 2013.
“Two decades of success in the gaming industry is no small feat, but after ten years of Halo, Bungie found themselves faced with a tremendous challenge: to build a whole new world, filled with even more amazing mysteries, places, creatures, and opportunities for player investment.”
“For the first time ever, Bungie creative directors will discuss their world building techniques, from concept to production. Attendees will walk away with key insights into Bungie's battle-tested design process. They'll get a glimpse of the brave new world that has been built, a place where the next ten years of great Bungie adventures will unfold.”
Microsoft has announced that Xbox Live Account Region Migration is now available.
"I am happy to share the news that we can now offer Xbox LIVE Account Region Migration." said Major Nelson.
"If you have moved to a different Xbox LIVE region, you can now move your account and take your gamerscore, unlocked achievements, any Microsoft Points already in your account and any remaining time on your Gold membership."
This is good news for Xbox Live users that previously the only solution was to create a new account. You can migrate your account once in 3 months.
Be sure to read the read the support document which will give you details on the process as well as restrictions and then hit this page on Xbox.com to get started.
Serious Sam explodes into the second dimension using everything in his arsenal to battle the legions of Mental’s horde. Let the heavy ordinance fly in this side-scrolling shooter featuring all the over-the-top action of the Serious Sam series. Stack guns one on top of the other, up to 6 GUNS HIGH, and take down unrelenting waves of beasts. Bring a friend for two-player action, and upgrade your guns to fire deadly acid rockets, cybernetic bees, chainsaw Yo-yos, even pats of butter and much more!
Serious Sam Double D XXL has been rebuilt and reloaded with all-new features, missions, and weapons with a wild campaign cooperative mode featuring titular Serious Sam and his brother-in-arms, Dan “Huff” Huffington. The revolutionary Gunstacker goes even deeper with over 30 new guns to mix and match for some of the most ridiculously awesome action ever to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade!
The second downloadable content pack for Assassin's Creed III, The Battle Hardened Pack, is now available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It arrives on Windows PC on January 15.
The Battle Hardened pack is included in the Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass, which includes all five downloadable content packs to gamers owning the original game. The Season Pass provides more than 25% savings versus purchasing the DLC separately. Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass is available for purchase for 2400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or £23.99 on the PlayStation Network. It can also be purchased at GAME in the UK.
HQ Network: 8,427 | 
Guests: 4844 |
Members: 0
