The Xbox Games Showcase promises to be packed with all kinds of exiting reveals, news, gameplay footage and more for Xbox fans and gamers in general. What should we expect from the event? Read on to find out, starting with the likely highlights of the show.

A new look at Forza Motorsport

The latest sim racer from Turn 10 will almost certainly show up, and likely in a big way as the game is still slated to release this year—likely sometime in the fall. As Forza Motorsport is a proven franchise and one of Xbox Game Studio’s tentpole IPs, we would expect it to take a place of prominence in the showcase. Expect a new deep dive feature with lots of new footage of the game.

More on Fable (finally)

Last week we reported that Xbox strongly suggested on its Twitter account that the new Fable game would be present at the showcase. This reboot was first announced back at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020 with a reveal trailer. Three years later, we still don’t know much about it, but it seems likely that that will soon change.

Starfield Direct

This will be an entirely separate showcase immediately following the Xbox Games Showcase. Starfield is one of the most anticipated games of recent memory, and Xbox has a lot riding on its success. Starfield will finally release in just a few short months on September 6, so the game has to be in a near-finished state at this point.

The Starfield Direct event will no doubt give us a deep dive into the upcoming open world action-RPG and the team behind it at Bethesda Game Studios. Expect plenty of new gameplay footage and developer interviews. With the game’s release immanent, we would also look for an appearance from BGS director Todd Howard himself.

An all-new game reveal

As it did with Hi-Fi Rush during the Xbox & Bethesda Developer_Direct back in January, Xbox may just end the showcase with the unveiling of a previously unseen game. Could it be Gears 6? There’s been some buzz surrounding this as-yet unannounced title recently. Or perhaps an all-new IP?

Other things to expect during  the Xbox Games Showcase

Here is a list of other things we would expect to see.

• Avowed gameplay trailer
• Halo Infinite season 4 tease
• Hellblade 2 release date announcement
• Bethesda’s Indiana Jones game first look trailer
• An update on The Outer Worlds 2
• Xbox Series X|S Pro reveal? (that one might be a bit of a stretch, but we’re hopeful!)

Tell us your Xbox Games Showcase predictions

So what are some of your predictions for what we’ll see at the Xbox Games Showcase? Let us know down in the comments what you think Xbox is going to show off at this year’s event. And don’t forget to tune in on June 11.

The follow-up to 2012’s Diablo III, the fourth mainline entry in Blizzard’s acclaimed action-RPG series has some pretty big shoes to fill. In its endeavor to live up to the considerable reputation the franchise has built up, Diablo IV seems to play it relatively safe in the sense that it doesn’t completely jettison the core Diablo foundation—a wise move, no doubt. Rather, it attempts to refine that foundation and bring a fresh spin to it with a large open world and PVP elements. Does Diablo IV accomplish this successfully? Read our review roundup to see what the critics have to say.

IGN Diablo IV Review (9/10)

Diablo 4 is a stunning sequel with near perfect endgame and progression design that makes it absolutely excruciating to put down…Diablo 4 takes the strategy of refining things the series already did so well rather than giving it a more substantial overhaul, and that careful and reverent path has shaped this massive sequel into one of the most polished ARPGs ever created, which makes slicing through the legions of the damned a hell of a good time.

CNN Diablo IV Review—“Diablo IV is a true return to form for an iconic role-playing series”

Diablo IV should serve as a grand reintroduction to one of the greatest action role-playing series around. It does a great job catering to veterans of the Diablo games while being incredibly accommodating to newcomers. As an added cherry on top, there are also a slew of accessibility options…There’s so much value packed into Diablo IV that players will have a hard time putting it down even after reaching the level cap.

Engadget Diablo IV Review—“A mechanically perfect romp through a shallow world”

In a lot of ways, it’s the Diablo game I’ve been dreaming of ever since I first set foot in the world of Sanctuary back in 1997. But it is also a reminder of all the ways Blizzard has changed since I first encountered its games. There’s no way the company that released Diablo II in 2000 and even Diablo III in 2012 could have created a game of Diablo IV’s scale, but sheer size is not what makes Diablo IV enjoyable. So often, that scale works against the game, resulting in a world that is, as Warren Spector might say, simulated at a level of an inch per mile.

Push Square Diablo IV Review (9/10)

Diablo 4 is the true successor to the bad old days of action RPGs and oozes quality in its frenetic combat and deep, engaging character development. It tells a complex, gritty narrative set in the darkly beautiful world of Sanctuary. Even better, it provides a solid foundation for years of Diablo content to come.

Forbes Diablo IV Review (9./10)

Blizzard really seems like it’s nailed this, and I’m going to say the only way this will be poorly received at launch is if technical issues kill people’s ability to play. But once it gets rolling? Yes, I think you’re going to like Diablo 4.

Fextralife Diablo IV Review (9.3/10)

Calls it “the best Diablo yet.”

Diablo 4 is an excellent game and a fantastic next step for the ARPG genre. Smartly melding Open World and Online elements with traditional dungeon crawling and loot farming, this game will become the favorite time-sink of millions for years to come.

Gameskinny Diablo IV Review (9/10)

The fact that this game was developed while Blizzard has been rocked by scandal is a testament to the skill and dedication of the team that made it.
Diablo 4 feels like a statement game from Blizzard, a “we’re back” for anyone who was concerned after Diablo 3’s rough launch and the middling reception to Diablo Immortal. It’s the sequel to Diablo 2 people have been waiting for, and it doesn’t disappoint. Diablo 4 is a game about legacies, so it’s fitting that in developing it, Blizzard has re-solidified the franchise’s — and its own.

The verdict is in: Diablo IV is one hell of a game

Some are calling Diablo IV the best entry yet in the venerable franchise, and that is considerable praise indeed. It’s also proof as to why Blizzard is one of the biggest names in gaming right now. The game releases on June 6 for Windows, PS4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

Diablo® IV - Ultimate Edition ($99.99, Microsoft Store) →

Featured image via Xbox.com. 

With the Mortal Kombat reboot and Tekken 8 coming on the heels of Street Fighter 6, fighting game fans have rarely had it so good lately. But given the critical reception that is rolling out for the latest entry in Capcom’s most iconic fighter, these new challengers may be in for an uphill battle for fighting game supremacy. See what reviewers are saying about Street Fighter 6 below.

IGN’s Street Fighter 6 review (9/10)

Street Fighter games are always benchmark moments for the 2D fighting game genre, but Street Fighter 6 feels extra special…It’s so good that even the poor story and extremely slow progression of the single-player World Tour amounts to only a jab’s worth of damage on its metaphorical health bar. Whether you’re completely new to fighting games or are a seasoned vet, Street Fighter 6 is a must play.

The Guardian Street Fighter 6 review (Calls it “the new king of fighting games”)

It takes a lot to reinvent a 30-plus-year-old franchise while keeping step with tradition, and Capcom has succeeded admirably. Hopefully the still-to-come monetisation schemes are reasonable (details hadn’t been fully announced at the time of writing) and the netcode remains smooth, because the king of fighting games, Street Fighter II Turbo, is on notice: here comes a new challenger.

Rockpapaershotgun Street Fighter 6 review (Says it’s “Streets ahead of the competition”)

Although the performance issues take the shine off things, I can still comfortably say Street Fighter 6 is the most fun I’ve ever had with any fighting game on release. After the disastrous launch that was Street Fighter 5, seeing Street Fighter back on top form again just feels right – and I’m extremely excited to see what the next year of content updates can do for a game that already feels this mechanically polished at launch.

Gameshub Street Fighter 6 review (5 out of 5 stars)

Street Fighter 6 is an exceedingly good fighting game. But more than that, it’s an excellent training tool. It’s a fulfilling adventure. It’s a lively community gathering place. It’s an endearingly idealistic and inspiring world of appreciation for martial arts and friendly competition, exceptionally executed in every respect.

Inverse Street Fighter 6 review (10/10)

Calls it “a revolutionary step forward for the fighting game genre.”

Capcom’s latest takes everything you’d expect from the father of the fighting genre and turns it up to 10. There’s something for everyone here, with no fat or filler to ruin the experience. Street Fighter 6 is the best fighting game in a long time, and in the years to come, its impact and legacy could be every bit as massive as Street Fighter 2.

Shacknews Street Fighter 6 review (9/10)

The roster feels like a great starting line-up, the fighting feels good, the visuals outside World Tour are beautiful and the online lobbies and networking are superb…All-in-all, this game rekindled my love of the franchise, and I can’t wait to see how Street Fighter 6 grows over time.

Gfinity Esports Street Fighter 6 review (9/10)

From top to bottom, Street Fighter 6 is an absolute triumph by Capcom. A genre-defining fighting game that oozes charm and polish in almost every aspect, barring some minor gripes with World Tour.

Street Fighter 6 is a critical triumph!

The praise for Street Fighter 6 is unanimous. The game is yet another hit for Capcom, and looks poised to revolutionize the genre with fresh ideas like the groundbreaking World Tour mode and seriously in-depth training mode. The game releases on June 2 for PlayStation 4/5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S.

Street Fighter 6 (Free, Microsoft Store) →

And while we hit a huge chunk of these announcements, we’re now going to recap some of our favorite sessions as well as announcements that you might have missed in the past few days. Here’s everything that you might have missed:

Windows Copilot for Windows 11

Panos Panay, Microsoft’s executive vice president unveiled that the company is getting ready to unveil Windows Copilot in preview next month. A tool designed to provide centralized AI assistance for customers.

It was further disclosed that the tool will ship with a shortcut in the Windows 11 taskbar, which will feature a pop-up window. Users can ask any questions they might have pertaining to the operating system via this window. Additionally, users will also have the capability to dock the AI-powered assistant in a side pane.

Additionally, the assistant will also be integrated with Bing Chat thus allowing users to access third-party services using ChatGPT plugins. Keeping in mind that Microsoft’s adoption of open plugin standards, which in turn avail ChatGPT plugins across Bing, Microsoft 365 Copilot, as well as Windows Copilot.

Microsoft adopting open plugin standards for Bing and Copilot

During the developer conference, Microsoft announced that it will be transitioning to an open plugin system. As such, users will now be able to use a single platform to build plugins for commercial and consumer artificially led services across Bing, ChatGPT, Dynamics 365, and more.

Essentially, this means that when the developers hit the ground running and start building applications featuring AI capabilities using the new Azure OpenAI Service, they’ll automatically be compatible with the new set plugin standard. As we speak, Microsoft currently expanding its support to services like Kayak, Refin, and more.

AI-powered Microsoft Store

Microsoft is also shipping AI capabilities to its Store app. Per the announcement, the AI Hub will provide users with a curated experience featuring AI-powered apps in the Microsoft Store.

Additionally, Microsoft Store will also feature a new capability that will help users summarize customer reviews for apps. This will in turn make it easier for users to get a general idea of the app’s user experience based on the feedback provided.

Discoverability for apps in the Microsoft Store will also be enhanced significantly. App developers will soon be able to suggest search tags for their apps. The new improvement will leverage AI capabilities to consume the app’s metadata and signals, ultimately enhancing its discoverability in the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft 365 Copilot integrated into Edge

In March, Microsoft debuted Microsoft 365 Copilot. A tool designed to help people with generating emails, documents, and more. The tool is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 and ships with Copilot for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the Power Platform. And this week, the company announced that it was incorporating third-party plugin support into the tool.

Alongside this new addition, Microsoft will further integrate the tool in Edge. Essentially, this will help incorporate and enhance work-related functionalities in the browser’s Sidebar. As such, users will have access to powerful tools that will come in handy when it comes to answering questions, and completing tasks ultimately enhancing productivity.

And while the tool is still in private preview, Microsoft recently unveiled a paid early access program earlier this month, thus granting more users access to the tool which in turn will help them reshape and transform work.

Microsoft also announced Edge for Business within the Edge browser in preview for managed devices. The new experience is powered by Azure Active Directory (AAD) and is designed to mitigate issues that arise when it comes to hybrid work by separating personal and work browsing.

Bing Search integrated into ChatGPT

During the developer conference, Microsoft also announced its extended partnership with OpenAI and unveiled that the integration of Bing into ChatGPT as the platform’s default search experience.

Microsoft’s CVP at Modern Life and Devices Group, Yusuf Mehdi, indicated that:

ChatGPT will now have a world-class search engine built-in to provide timelier and more up-to-date answers with access from the web. Now, ChatGPT answers can be grounded by search and web data and include citations so you can learn more—all directly from within chat.

Windows becomes more appealing to Developers with AI

It’s very apparent that Microsoft has been busy at work making efforts to provide a suitable environment for developers across its ecosystem, particularly in Windows. During Build 2023, the company further affirmed its commitment to this cause with AI capabilities.

Microsoft announced notable additions coming to Windows 11 for developers like the ONNX runtime for Hybrid AI Loop, and Dev Home. The company further indicated that it is working towards enabling Hybrid AI Loop in Windows 11 via ONNX runtime. As such, it’ll be possible for third-party developers to make use of the same tools leveraged by the company’s high-ranking engineers to run AI models across Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Additionally, the company also announced that it will be incorporating GitHub Copilot X into Windows Terminal. This way, users will be able to leverage natural language AI in inline and chat experiences right from the command line. In turn, it will be easier for developers to code as they’ll now get command suggestions, explanations for errors, and more.

Wrap up

These are some of the key announcements, we only hit the highlights. We invite you to head over to the Build 2023 website for more information and details pertaining to the announcements made. Do let us know which sessions you like best and what features you’re anticipating most in the comments.

Windows Support

Phone Link is available on both Windows 10 and 11. On the other hand, Intel Unison is catering to Windows 11 alone, so if you are on the earlier version, then Phone Link is the way to go.

Getting Started

Microsoft’s Phone Link is available for Android and iPhone, while you can download its Windows version from the Microsoft store. And to use it on an iOS device, you will need Windows 11 running on your computer.

Phone Link (Free, Microsoft Store) →

Similarly, you can find can get Intel Unison for Android and iPhone from their respective app stores. The Windows app is available on the Microsoft store. You can only install it on Windows 11 ( version 22621.0 or higher).

Intel® Unison (Free, Microsoft Store) →

Pairing

Universal Clipboard

When you are in the Apple ecosystem, the universal clipboard makes it incredibly easy to copy across devices. Phone Link has brought it to Duo, select Samsung and Honor devices. You can seamlessly transfer text and images between a supported Android device and Windows PC.

The same is not possible for Intel Unison, contrary to what made the headlines when it was first launched. There are no settings for it, as we checked thoroughly by installing it on three computers with Windows 11.

Files Transfer

This is where Phone Link adds extra steps to make it work while keeping it exclusive to select Samsung and Honor devices. First, you have to turn on the phone mirroring to see it on the Phone Link app on Windows. And do remember that this permission is not a one time as you have to request it and approve it on the phone for every session. Then it only covers photos from Gallery and files from the My Files app.

Intel Unison really shines here, as you can simply transfer files between Android and PC. Use the Unison app on Windows to send and receive ones through a simple drag and drop. Their mobile app can do the same with an identical interface to keep things simple.

Photo Gallery Access

Your phone is connected to the laptop or PC and all the photos are available on Phone Link and Intel Unison in the gallery tab. When you disconnect the Bluetooth, then Phone Link will stop right there while Unison continues to work.

What it means is that you can click photos from your phone and they will instantly appear on the Intel Unison app on the Windows PC. On the other hand, Phone Link will need you to reconnect Bluetooth to update the gallery with the new photos.

Phone Link also limits showing photos from the Android phone to the recent 2,000 items. So if you are going to dive deep into the gallery, then you might hit a wall. We could not find any similar media limit for Intel Unison.

Use Mobile Apps on PC

You can bid goodbye to Android emulators if you want to use apps on the PC. Again this is dependent upon the fact that you are using one of the supported Samsung or Honor devices.

Use the mirroring option and then use can the mobile apps on your Phone Link app on Windows. The frame rates are anywhere between 20 to 30 and inconsistent because it doesn’t feel very smooth on my monitor.

Intel Unison currently does not offer this feature, so you can use Phone Link if using Android apps is important to you.

Staying Connected with Windows

Phone Link offers a feature-rich connectivity experience with Windows. That is only possible when you have a select Android device, so it is subjective. On the other hand, if you want to seamlessly transfer files between the phone and the Windows PC then Intel Unison is your best bet.

The company then made a second feature drop “Moment 2” earlier this year in February which featured tons of new features as well as quality-of-life improvements such as the injection of AI capabilities to the OS which saw Bing Chat make its way the Taskbar’s search box, Phone Link support for iOS and, more.

As we were edging closer to the end of last year, Microsoft indicated that it had big plans in store for Windows 11 in 2023 and further mapped out its plans to be shipping updates to Windows 11 version 22H2 more frequently.

And as it happens, Microsoft is getting ready to ship yet another feature update “Moment 3” in the next couple of weeks. There’s plenty in store for users, so let’s dive in and take a look at what you can expect to be part of the update:

Enhanced widget experience

As promised, Microsoft bringing major improvements to widgets on Windows 11. Once this feature drop ships to users, the Widgets Board on Windows 11 will be revamped. The new design will set widgets on Windows 11 apart from the MSN feed.

Widgets will now be featured on the left side of the Widget Board in their own secluded column. What’s more, users will also have the capability to arrange them based on their preference vertically.

Additionally, Microsoft will also be enhancing the pinning experience for widgets such that it will now be easier for users to pin installed widgets on the board.

Taskbar and Notification upgrades

The Moment 3 update is also adding a nifty copy button which will let users instantly copy authentication codes once they pop up in the notifications. This will help enhance the users’ productivity. At the moment, you have to navigate through apps to get access to the 2FA codes sent to your mail just to use them to sign in to an app.

This feature is already available on Android and iOS, but it will now be shipping to Windows 11 users too. Windows will automatically detect when you receive a 2FA code on your device and reflect the code in your notifications, you can use the dedicate copy button to quickly capture the code and use it.

For best results, you might need to sync your notifications using Phone Link. The feature also works perfectly with apps such as Email, Skype, and more. It should also be noted that the feature will roll out exclusively to English users with the possibility of expanding to more users in the future.

As for the Taskbar, Microsoft will be refreshing the icons. Just like the Start button, Microsoft will also be animating the weather icons. Additionally, the company will also be making a significant addition to the system tray which will feature a VPN status indicator. This will make it easier for users to tell whether the VPN they have installed in their device is enabled, as the status will be displayed alongside the Wi-Fi icon.

What’s more, if you have the search box on your Windows 11 PC enabled, you’ll find that the Bing Chat icon has been redesigned into a button. When you click on the new button, you’ll be redirected to Edge.

Task Manager enhancement

Moment 3 is adding a new feature to Windows 11’s Task Manager dubbed kernel memory dump. The feature will help users identify and troubleshoot issues impacting the performance of their device while it is still running.

New Settings updates

With this feature drop, you can expect a set of new settings in Windows 11. Here’s what you need to know:

Touch keyboard controls

Microsoft is giving users more control over how the touch keyboard behaves in instances when the keyboard is not detected. The company has incorporated three alternatives to the dropdown menu when you navigate through Settings > Time & Language > Typing  as highlighted below:

• The first option, Never, when selected will prevent the touch keyboard from launching.
• There’s also a When no keyboard attached alternative that’s in place to ensure that the touch keyboard is availed every time a touch-enabled device is put to use without a keyboard present.
• The last option, Always, will have the touch keyboard pop up every time you engage the text input field.

Instant Windows Update

Rather than having to wait for the monthly Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft is incorporating a new toggle in Windows Update. Once you have it enabled, your PC will automatically download updates immediately as soon as they are available.

Learn more about USB4-based hubs

The feature drop also comes with a significant addition for users with the latest devices that ship with USB4 support. It will introduce a new USB4 settings page where users can quickly check for more details regarding hubs and devices that are USB4 compatible as well as the connected devices.

Content Adaptive Brightness Control

This is an energy-saving feature designed to help save power in laptops and tablets. The feature will automatically detect when the user needs more brightness or not based on the contents featured on the screen.

While this feature has already been available to users, the Moment 3 update adds more customization options designed to help the user establish more control. The new options, will let you toggle off the feature, enable the feature when using the device’s battery, and lastly have it enabled throughout.

Second clock

If you’re a big fan of the Windows 10 clock system, then you’ll be happy to learn that the clock in the system tray on Windows 11 will also feature seconds.

More privacy settings

Users will also be able to establish more control over which apps are able to detect their presence while using the device with compatible hardware via the new presence sensing options. They’ll have the option to turn off access to apps individually or completely block it.

Privacy settings are being updated to include new presence sensing options for controlling which apps can detect your presence when using a PC with compatible hardware. You can turn off app access individually or turn off presence sensing altogether.

Better search experience

According to Microsoft, the search feature in the Settings app has been enhanced. Users will now be able to find whatever they are looking for faster and navigate to the specific setting easily.

It’s also worth noting that the Print Screen key will no longer help you to take screenshots. Instead, it will launch the Snipping Tool which also comes with screen recording capabilities. You can however change its function via the Settings app.

Accessibility changes

Microsoft has made significant changes and enhanced Windows 11’s accessibility features. More users from Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish and other English dialects. will now be able to make use of Live Captions in Windows 11. You’ll need to navigate through Quick Actions Menu > Accessibility to enable the feature,

Voice Access

Additionally, the update will see major improvements come to the Voice Access feature in Windows 11 allowing users to control their Windows PCs better. What’s more, the update also ships with a revamped help page that details each command as well as other variations that you can also use. It support has also been expanded to English users across the UK, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Photos App

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced three major changes coming to the Photos app on Windows 11, that is, a new slideshow experience, a timeline scrollbar, and finally, a spots fix feature that’s designed to help users get rid of blemishes from their photos.

At the moment, these features are currently exclusive to Windows Insiders that are part of the Canary and Dev Channels. But they’ll be shipping to general availability once the Moment 3 feature update drops.

That’s it folks! And while we only hit the key features that are part of the Moment 3 update there’s much more to expect. For instance, the added support for access keys in the File Explorer app in the modern context menus.

The Settings app will also allow users to better manage their cloud storage as it will now have a dedicated section for OneDrive subscriptions. The section will provide a detailed account of how the storage is being used. We invite you to check out the full changelog over at Microsoft’s blog post for more details.

Which feature are you anticipating most in this feature drop for Windows 11? Let us know in the comments.

While the Steam Deck is a great option for those who gravitate toward the Steam platform (which can also run Windows and access the Xbox app, or even do so via Steam OS albeit with a workaround that some might find troublesome), those who’ve been longing for a dedicated Xbox handheld device with native Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass will find the closest thing on the market in the Asus ROG Ally.

But how does the Asus ROG Ally measure up as a gaming device, especially against the Steam Deck? Find out what these reviewers had to say in this first impressions roundup.

Introducing ROG’s first gaming handheld console!
Taking your PC games out of your gaming room is no longer a fantasy!

Play wherever you are, whenever you want. With the #ROGALLY, you’ll never have to stop gaming again!

Notify me https://t.co/ljc2GNN0UU#ROG pic.twitter.com/6iqyGbTGa4

— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG) April 1, 2023

The Verge Asus ROG Ally review

Windows handheld gaming PCs existed before the Deck, and there’s been a parade of them in the 15 months afterward. Some are more powerful. Many boast premium build quality. Almost all have higher-resolution screens. Yet none have offered the combination of battery life, portability, and price as Valve’s portable. I won’t bury the lede: the new Asus ROG Ally, officially shipping June 13th for $699.99, doesn’t change that as of today…I fundamentally believe a portable gaming PC isn’t truly portable if the battery life and user interface aren’t built for the road. If you really want a portable, maybe save a couple hundred bucks by buying a $400 Steam Deck and adding your own small SSD.

Wired Asus ROG Ally review

No matter what I did, there was a weight hanging around the neck of the Ally’s battery life. Even under the best of circumstances—which takes no small amount of effort to configure—I never reached even three hours of battery life.

Given the $700 price tag for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme version of the handheld, I expected a lot of power from the Asus ROG Ally. I just didn’t realize how much of it I would have to provide myself. While plugged into a wall, the handheld performed adequately, but as a portable console, it required so much work to get many games working that I burned through a substantial amount of my extremely limited battery life just to get started.

Polygon Asus ROG Ally review

I figured that after the review, I would inevitably return to the Steam Deck out of habit. But for now, it’s tucked into my bedside table. I’ve swapped my Octopath Traveler 2 playthrough, the Ally’s lighter build and brighter screen making this device an ideal match for long, late-night tours of fantastical worlds.

For you, dear reader: There’s no slam-dunk choice. But there’s no air ball, either. In fact, both handhelds are fantastic. Whether I carry around the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally on the regular, I’ll be happy with my choice. And I think you will be too. Having decades of video games on a device I can keep in my backpack and still have room for my laptop and water bottle — that feels like magic.

Digital Trends Asus ROG Ally review

But the main question: should you buy the ROG Ally? If you’re going up against the Steam Deck, yes. It’s not free of problems, and it’s not a strict Steam Deck killer, but it provides broader support for games, more power, and acceptable battery life. It feels like the Steam Deck 2 so many have been waiting for.
For me, at least, I haven’t touched my Steam Deck since the ROG Ally arrived. And I don’t plan on pulling it out of the drawer any time soon.

Is it finally time to jump on the handheld PC train, though? No, at least not for everyone. If the bugs turned you off from the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally isn’t any better. For as many issues as it fixes, it introduces new problems of its own. This isn’t a Nintendo Switch that can run Steam games. Still, it delivers on the promise of playing your library of PC games on the go, despite the usability hurdles it has.

What does the Asus ROG Ally mean for Xbox Game Pass?

Is the Asus ROG Ally the dedicated portable Xbox device so many have been clamoring for from Microsoft? Well…it’s the closest thing so far, the lower-priced (and lower performance) Logitech G Cloud notwithstanding. Is it a Steam Deck killer? Likely the answer for most will be a definitive ‘no.’ But what the Asus Rog Ally does have is the support of Microsoft. What does this mean? In the short term, it means buyers will receive a generous three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

In the longer term, Microsoft has been experimenting with a Windows 11 handheld mode. A device like the Asus ROG Ally would be the perfect place to debut it, if indeed the project ever comes to fruition. And let’s not forget that Microsoft hopes to launch a “next-generation” mobile Xbox store to compete with Apple and Google as early as 2024. All of which ties in to the Redmond company’s commitment to bring the Xbox brand to more platforms and more players, as it has repeatedly stated.

The Asus ROG Ally releases on June 13, and will retail at $699 USD (with a slightly less-powerful $599 edition coming later). It will be available through Best Buy and other retailers.

Featured image via Xbox Wire. 

The latest game from Bethesda Game Studios puts players in the small Massachusetts town of Redfall, which has been beleaguered by an army  of vampires. The open-world co-op oriented shooter is one of a trinity of big first-party titles from Microsoft set to release in 2023, the other two being Forza Motorsport and Starfield.

Redfall was developed by Arkane Studios, a developer best-known for the likes of Prey, Dishonored and Deathloop. While that resume is an impressive one by any standard, the critical reception for Arkane’s latest game is not. Which leads one to wonder what went wrong?

Gamespot Redfall review (4/10)

Ultimately, Redfall is a game that should not have been released yet. Its litany of bugs hampers the gameplay loop of exploring its world with friends, and that loop itself feels compromised by elements that are poorly executed and ill-suited to the team implementing them. I can’t pretend to know whether Arkane chose to make a loot-shooter or was assigned to make a loot-shooter, but I can tell you what it feels like: one of the best game studios in the world suddenly made toothless.

Engadget Redfall review

The game has good bones, and it could evolve into an engaging co-op shooter with plenty of room for replayability and expansions — Left 4 Dead for the Twilight generation; Borderlands meets What We Do in the Shadows; small-scale Destiny with a Stranger Things typeface. There’s room for Redfall, but only if Microsoft gives Arkane the runway to save it.

Noisy Pixel Redfall review (4/10)

Redfall is an anomaly because a game with this good of a team behind it can’t possibly be this bad, and yet, it is. There are these drips of looter shooter, RPG, and multiplayer elements sprinkled throughout, but none of them work together, delivering a messy and almost incomprehensible experience.

NME Redfall review (2/5)

Redfall squanders the potential of its core premise and the world that has been built around it with uninspiring shootouts and a fairly formulaic structure. Interesting characters and a pulsing soundtrack help matters, but when a shooting game isn’t fun to play there’s a limit to what else you can do.

Rolling Stone Redfall review

At times, Redfall manages to be an interesting game filled with great worldbuilding and gunplay, but it’s mostly just another generic open world shooter. Despite being best played cooperatively, glaring oversights in design, enemy types, and mundane environments mar the experience. As a solo outing, Redfall isn’t exactly a party but with the right group of people and tempered expectations, slaying vampires can be a short-lived blast.

Can Redfall be saved?

We’re talking about the game here, not the fictional town. The answer is likely yes, Redfall may ultimately become something resembling what we were all hoping for…with the caveat that the team at Arkane Austin is given the time and the opportunity to iron out the games many, many issues.

Still, this is a huge disappointment for a lot of Xbox fans. Redfall has a long way to go toward redemption, but if games like Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man’s Sky can make comebacks, so too can Redfall.

Redfall (Free, Microsoft Store) →

It has been anything but smooth sailing for Microsoft and Activision. The two companies’ merger has been met with major obstacles from the European Commission, CMA and the U.S. FTC, with the latter filing a lawsuit to prevent the merger.

And then there is Sony. Sony has mounted a fierce effort to sway regulators to block the deal. The point of contention surrounding the deal has largely been on the fate of the Call of Duty franchise. But in reality, ABK is much more than just Call of Duty, something that seems to have gotten lost somewhere in the ongoing discussion over the deal’s merits. So just what exactly will Microsoft be getting if it does ultimately succeed in bringing ABK into its fold? Let’s have a look at what that $68 billion dollars buys in the video game industry.

The Activision Blizzard deal grand prize: Call of Duty

The Call of Duty series needs little introduction as the hottest franchise in gaming. And it’s still going strong into its 20th year, with 2022s Modern Warfare II the best-selling game of that year, marking the fourth year in a row a Call of Duty game has topped video game sales in the U.S. It’s no wonder Microsoft has its eye on this prize. To get Call of Duty on Game Pass would be a huge win for Xbox gamers. It would also put Xbox in a much stronger position should it gain control of the franchise.

With that said, there has been much made over that possibility, with Sony being the most vocal opponent. The PlayStation maker has stated that losing access to Call of Duty would irreparably harm the PlayStation brand, in spite of Microsoft’s offer to keep the series on PlayStation for the next ten years—a deal which PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan rebuked as “inadequate.” Sony has even suggested even if it kept the franchise on PlayStation, Microsoft could sabotage the PlayStation version by making it buggier.

Microsoft has entered into agreements with several other parties—including Nintendo and Nvidia—to keep Call of Duty on other platforms for the next ten years if the Activision Blizzard merger finalizes.

King’s mobile games & Xbox’s plans for mobile game store

King, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard for $5.9 billion in 2016, is a juggernaut in the realm of mobile gaming. The Maltese developer/publisher is the owner of powerhouse mobile gaming IPs like Candy Crush Saga, Bubble Witch Saga, Pet Rescue Saga and more. King has also handled some of Activision’s mobile offerings as in Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! and Call of Duty: Mobile.

Why is King important? Because Microsoft intends to go head-to-head with rivals Google and Apple in the mobile gaming market. As early as next year, the Redmond company looks to launch its own Xbox mobile platform. In order to stand toe-to-toe with the Google Play and Apple storefronts, the Xbox mobile store will need all the heavy hitters it can get. And with King’s mobile titles (not to mention Blizzard’s own Hearthstone) it may at least have a fighting chance.

As Microsoft itself said,

Microsoft currently has no meaningful presence in mobile gaming and the Transaction will bring much needed expertise in mobile game development, marketing and advertising.”

Activision Blizzard’s Online & Esports titles

Like other industry giants, Activision Blizzard has invested heavily in esports, with most of its esports initiatives centered around Call of Duty and Overwatch. Activision runs the Call of Duty League (CDL), while Blizzard manages not only Overwatch League but also Major League Gaming Corp. (MLG) professional esports gaming leagues.

Not to go unmentioned here is the hugely popular MMORPG World of Warcraft, which hosts a variety of esports tournaments through its Arena World Championship series.

Activision Blizzard’s Classic franchises

Activision Blizzard also owns several classic game series going all the way back to the early years of gaming, including some that have been dormant for years. Could some beloved classic games be making a return once the deal concludes? Microsoft’s CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer has expressed an interest in reviving some of these gaming icons, so there is reason for hope.

The classic game franchises in question? They include the following.

• Crash Bandicoot
• Spyro the Dragon
• King’s Quest
• Pitfall
• Heretic
• Hexen
• Starcraft
• Zork
• Tenchu

And that is by no means a comprehensive list.

The Activision Blizzard deal’s hidden gem: Activision Blizzard Studios

Not to be forgotten in all this is a film production company, Activision Blizzard Studios. The studio was founded in 2015 following the release of the Warcraft movie. The studio focuses on bringing Activision Blizzard’s video game IPs to the big screen. A Call of Duty movie was announced all the way back in 2015, but is apparently in production limbo.

What can we expect once the Activision Blizzard deal is done?

If Microsoft succeeds in buying Activision Blizzard, it will mean a huge win not only for the Xbox brand but for those who game on Xbox—whether it be on console, Windows PC, newer Samsung smart TVs, or on mobile devices and Chromebooks via the Xbox App.

While no one could say for sure what we’ll see from ABK in the future, what we can say is that Microsoft tends to go hands-off when it comes to their studios. We’ve seen this with Bethesda and Mojang, and there’s no reason to expect it would be any different with ABK. However, Phil Spencer said in an interview with Wired,

I’m excited about getting to sit down with the teams at Activision and Blizzard and King to talk about back catalog and opportunities that we might have.”

Likely he speaks for all Xbox fans.

Featured image via Businesswire.com. 

The deal came in the wake of widespread allegations of misconduct at Activision Blizzard, including discrimination and sexual harassment, and a lawsuit against the Santa Monica company by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing the previous year.

The complaints against Activision Blizzard went all the way to the very top of the company’s leadership with CEO Bobby Kotick. Kotick is accused of turning a blind eye to alleged rampant misconduct and toxic culture at Activision Blizzard for years. It is believed that Kotick will depart Activision Blizzard if and when Microsoft’s buyout concludes, likely with a hefty payday.

The long road to regulatory approval

The U.S. FTC

In April 2022, U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Cory Booker wrote a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan expressing concerns over the acquisition. The letter stated in part that,

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should assess whether the ways in which these companies have failed to protect the rights and dignity of their workers are driven by monopsony power or amount to anticompetitive harms in our labor market, and if so, if the merger will exacerbate these problems.”

Eight months later in December 2022, the FTC formally announced its filing of a lawsuit to block the deal. In its press release the agency stated,

Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals. Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets.”

The FTC also inaccurately stated in that release that Microsoft had violated assurances it had given to European antitrust regulators regarding the Zenimax acquisition, when in fact that deal had been cleared without conditions.

The trial is set to begin in August 2023.

The CMA and EU

The U.K. Competition and Market Authority (CMA) announced a second phase of its investigation into the deal in September 2022. The British regulator had initially found that the deal could damage competition, echoing Sony’s complaints that Call of Duty alone plays an essential role in driving competition between the console makers. (This in spite of the fact that the Nintendo Switch has sold over 122 million units to become the third best-selling video game console of all time…all without a single Call of Duty game in its library). It was suggested that Microsoft might be required to divest the Call of Duty franchise and/or offer other remedies.

Meanwhile, EU regulators filed a formal complaint opposing the deal in February, citing concerns that Microsoft may elect to block access to the Call of Duty franchise. In its remarks the EC said Microsoft control of the IP could lead to “lower quality and less innovation for console game distributors,” seemingly echoing Sony’s claims that Microsoft could deliberately sabotage its games on PlayStation by making them buggier.

In response to the ECs concerns, Microsoft entered into a series of deals with other parties including Nintendo and Nvidia to secure Call of Duty on other platforms for the next ten years, much like the offer it had made to Sony. The ploy seems to have been at least in part successful, because in late March the CMA updated its provisional assessment in Microsoft’s favor in light of “a significant amount of new evidence in response to its original provisional findings.”

However, in its final report the CMA withheld approval saying that Microsoft owns 60-70 percent of global cloud gaming services and repeating claims that it would “find it commercially beneficial to make Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud gaming service.”

Microsoft has said it will appeal the decision.

We remain fully committed to our acquisition with @ATVI_AB and will appeal today's determination by the CMA. Here's our statement. pic.twitter.com/ylvDP5RUqQ

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) April 26, 2023

The European Commission has postponed its initial April 25th deadline back to May 22nd. It is thought that the EC may issue an antitrust warning against Microsoft.

Six countries approve the deal while gamers take to a courtroom to stop it

Saudi Arabia, whose government-run Savvy Gaming Group is heavily invested in gaming and esports around the globe, became the first territory to approve the deal in August last year. Since then five more countries have followed suit: Brazil. Chile, Serbia, Japan and South Africa.

And in one of the more unexpected plot twists in the Activision Blizzard deal saga, a group of ten gamers filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in December 2022 to block the merger, claiming that “the video game industry may lose substantial competition” should the acquisition be allowed to proceed, “and Microsoft may have far-outsized market power, with the ability to foreclose rivals, limit output, reduce consumer choice, raise prices, and further inhibit competition.”

A judge dismissed the case in March 2023, saying that the plaintiffs had not shown sufficient evidence of harm to the industry should the deal complete. The plaintiffs refiled the lawsuit in April, this time with the support of Sony, which helped to provide documents pertaining to their case.

Updates in "gamer lawsuit" meant to block Microsoft-Activision deal
– After initial dismissal, amended suit to be filed today
– Gamers' lawyers were to depose Nintendo of America pres. Doug Bowser, but Nintendo refused after dismissal
– Sony's been sharing docs, to M's "surprise" pic.twitter.com/TOOsWPOXmZ

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) April 10, 2023

Sony has been the fiercest opponent of the merger, and no one can accuse PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan of not doing everything in his power to block it. The former politician has at times been very persuasive with regulators, it seems. Although some of the back and forth between Microsoft and Sony has provided some pretty amusing headlines over the course of the last 15 months or so since the deal was first announced, with the latter even accusing the Redmond company of “obvious harassment” at one point.

Is the conclusion of the Activision Blizzard deal in sight?

At this point many of us are weary of this ongoing saga. Here’s hoping we finally see an end to this thing one way or the other sometime in 2023. Regardless of the outcome, the Activision Blizzard deal might very well mark the close of Microsoft’s big spending spree in the video game industry—an effort that has brought the likes of Mojang Studios and Bethesda Games Studios under the Microsoft wing.

Anyways, we now turn it over to you. What are your thoughts on this massive acquisition attempt? Are you in favor of Microsoft bringing ABK into its fold, or against? What are your reasons? Feel free to share your thoughts down in the comments below.

Featured image via DW.com.