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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass games in June 2025
Image via Microsoft June 2025 is shaping up to be a very promising and exciting month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Maybe you like hardcore shooters, sometimes remastered old-school, or indie jewels; there is something new to play. Microsoft still fulfills its promise of a diverse and huge library, and this month is no different. There are solid day-one titles, best-selling games, and an ample amount of innovative new experiences, depending on how potential players like to experience their games, whether it's on console, PC, or even on the cloud. Exciting additions to Xbox Game Pass in June 2025 The following titles are scheduled to join the Xbox Game Pass library between June 17 and July 1: FBC: Firebreak (June 17 – Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S): A thrilling co-op shooter set in the universe of Control, making its debut on Game Pass. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (June 17—Console, PC): Players' favorite marsupial returns with more time-bending platforming fun. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (June 17 – All Platforms): A quirky, ambition-driven adventure that mixes storybook charm with action. Star Trucker (June 18 – Xbox Series X|S): A space-hauling sim with retro flair and unpredictable plots. Wildfrost (June 18 – Console) : A deck-building roguelike filled with frosty foes and strategic battles. Rematch (June 19—All Platforms): A unique 5v5 multiplayer football game that combines sports with action-style pacing. Volcano Princess (June 24—All Platforms): A heartwarming RPG where you raise a future ruler in a whimsical kingdom. Against the Storm (June 26—Console, Cloud): A dark fantasy city-builder with roguelike elements expected on consoles. Warcraft I, II & III Remasters (June 26—PC): The iconic strategy games are back with updated visuals and modern UI. Call of Duty: WWII (June 30 – Console, PC): A grainy, cinematic World War II shooter joins the lineup. Little Nightmares II and Rise of the Tomb Raider (July 1 – All Platforms): Two acclaimed titles round out the month. Key highlights to be noted: Day-one releases : Two major titles— FBC: Firebreak and Rematch —are hitting Xbox Game Pass the same day they launch. That means no waiting around; you can dive in as soon as the game drops. Classical Comebacks : Strategic players are in for a treat with the remastered Warcraft trilogy. These beloved games have been given a modern upgrade, blending nostalgia with refreshed visuals and smoother UI gameplay. June 2025 delivers a compelling mix of fresh releases and treasured classics to Xbox Game Pass. Highlights range from Remedy's co-op shooter to an innovative football game, supported by strategy enthusiasts' remasters and veteran franchises like Call of Duty. Xbox Game Pass continues to strengthen its proposition by balancing exclusivity, nostalgia, and creative experimentation. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
I tried this trippy-looking Xbox controller from PowerA and it takes RGB lighting to a whole different level
The right controller can make or break the experience of playing your favorite games. That's why when I sit down in front of my PC or console, I prefer playing with a pro controller over a standard one thanks to all their extra features. From remappable back buttons you can customize to your liking to thumbsticks with Hall Effect sensors that are less likely to develop stick drift, spending a bit more to upgrade to a pro controller is absolutely worth it in my opinion. It also beats buying one stock controller after another when their buttons or thumbsticks eventually wear out. I've tried a lot of the best PC game controllers over the years and besides pro-level features, many of them have started incorporating built-in RGB lighting into their designs. From subtle customizable lighting near their home buttons to lightstrips that wrap all the way around, controllers with RGB lighting have come a long way in a short time. Just when I thought I had seen it all though, I came across the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Like other pro controllers I've tested, this one is feature-packed and comes with a carrying case. However, once I switched on its RGB lighting, I couldn't take my eyes off everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind controller and why its unique design takes RGB lighting to a whole new level. This controller works wirelessly on both Xbox and PC while packing in all of the pro-level features like remappable back buttons, Hall Effect thumbsticks and trigger locks you'd expect at this price. You also get a carrying case and a magnetic charging stand in the box. However, it's PowerA's one-of-a-kind RGB Ghost Lighting that really makes this controller Check: $89 used at Amazon Renewed One thing you can count on if you do decide to pick up a pro controller is that it will come with a lot of accessories. The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller is no different and in addition to a carrying case, you also get a controller stand with a magnetic wireless charger. However, if space is limited on your entertainment center or desk, you can simply detach the magnetic wireless charger and use it on its own. At first glance, the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller doesn't look all that different from your standard Xbox controller. On closer inspection, you can see that it has anti-friction rings around its Hall Effect-equipped thumbsticks and that you have microphone controls at the bottom of the controller above its 3.5mm audio jack. Unlike on the Xbox Elite Series 2 pro controller though, you get a dedicated screenshot button instead of a button to switch profiles. The included charging stand has another trick up its sleeve too. Around back, there's a slot where you can store the controller's wireless USB adapter. The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller also features Bluetooth but if you're playing on Xbox, you'll need this adapter to use the controller wirelessly. While I love having a place to store the adapter, there isn't actually a USB port in the stand to plug it into. This is a small gripe though and if you plug the adapter into the back of your Xbox, you'll never actually see it. Although the front of the controller has a standard look to it, flipping the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller over reveals even more of its pro-level features. There are rubber grips on the backside of its handles to make it easier to hold and towards the center of the controller, you get four remappable back buttons. Up top, trigger locks allow for faster actuation which shortens their pull distance and can be very useful when playing first-person shooters. What sets PowerA's pro and enhanced controllers apart from the competition is that you can use the buttons around back to customize their remappable buttons on the fly. Sure, there is an app (more on that later) but being able to quickly reprogram your back buttons depending on the game you're playing is a very useful feature. Many pro controllers come with swappable thumbsticks as some people prefer having one higher or lower than the other for more precise aiming in first-person shooters. This also gives you a greater range of motion and can help reduce thumb fatigue for some gamers. Instead of swappable thumbsticks you can misplace if you don't put them carefully away in a carrying case, PowerA has started doing things differently with its latest controllers. By gripping the thumbsticks of the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller with two fingers and twisting, you can adjust their height without having to take them or the controller's faceplate off. There are three different height settings on this controller and I found that swapping between them was not only fast but also quite easy to do. I was already quite impressed with the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller based on its pro-level features alone. However, once I charged it up and connected it to my Xbox, that's when things took a turn on the trippy side. Hiding underneath its black exterior, the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller has what the company is calling Ghost RGB Lighting and I think that's definitely a fitting name for it. With its RGB lighting disabled, the controller has a stealth look to it but when you turn it on, not only are you greeted with a rainbow of colors, there's also a really cool (and certainly trippy) pattern lurking beneath its surface. Just like with PowerA's previous Lumectra-equipped controllers, this one features four customizable lighting zones that extend across the controller starting from left to right. Zone 1 is located on the controller's left handle, Zone 2 extends from the top left corner to the middle, Zone 3 goes from the middle to the top right corner and Zone 4 is located on the right handle. Like with its remappable back buttons, you can customize the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller's RGB lighting and effects right on the controller. By default, its RGB lighting is set to Rainbow and uses a Wave effect across the entire controller. This makes the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller almost appear as if it's breathing. As its hidden pattern is abstract by design, trying to figure out what it actually depicts adds to the controller's trippiness. At times I could see what appeared to be an animal's face in the center but when I looked away from the controller, I saw something completely different in its pattern. If you prefer to avoid the trial-and-error process of remapping back buttons or adjusting RGB lighting directly on the controller, the PowerA Gamer HQ app is available for Xbox and PC to simplify things. It lets you do all of this, along with testing or calibrating the controller, changing audio or vibration settings, and setting dead zones for its thumbsticks. PowerA's app worked well enough but it certainly threw me through a loop at first. The reason being is that instead of having its menu items on the top and letting you navigate through them using the controller's bumpers, they're located on the side. Fortunately, once you figure out how to remap those back buttons on the controller itself, it's a fairly simple process. Quickly changing the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller's lighting modes this way is pretty easy too, though I did prefer using the app when coming up with more complex color combinations for its hidden pattern. As for using the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller on Xbox and PC, everything worked great and it felt very comfortable in hand. Granted, I have been using the company's Fusion pro controllers since back when they were only available in a wired configuration. I really like having four remappable back buttons so I don't have to take my thumbs off the controller's joysticks at all since I usually map them to the ABXY face buttons. In regard to its Lumectra lighting, I found it really stood out in a dark room at night, even if it was a little distracting at times. During the day though, it's more of a light glow than a full-on light show like in the picture above. Besides having the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller's full pattern lit up, you can also have parts of the controller light up when you hit certain buttons. I liked using it this way as I could immediately tell when a particular button was pressed. For those times when I wanted some extra light but with fewer distractions, you can also have the controller emit a steady glow and I really liked how this looked with the controller's RGB lighting set to plain white. These days, there are a ton of different options when it comes to picking up a pro controller for one of the best gaming PCs. However, it's a different story on Xbox where wireless third-party controllers (and especially pro-level ones) are few and far between thanks to Microsoft's own restrictions. The company has opened the gates a bit in recent years but due to its licensing fees, you're always going to pay a bit more for a PC controller that also works wirelessly on Xbox. If you're a big fan of RGB or just want to add a pop of psychedelic color to your gaming setup, it's a great controller that comes with plenty of useful accessories like its magnetic charging stand and carrying case in the box. The PowerA Fusion Pro gives you the best of both worlds and its included wireless USB adapter makes it easy to quickly switch between PC or Xbox. If you're a big fan of RGB or just want to add a pop of psychedelic color to your gaming setup, it's a great controller that comes with plenty of useful accessories like its magnetic charging stand and carrying case in the box. You are paying a premium for wireless connectivity support on Xbox though. If you like the look and features of this controller and primarily play on PC, I'd suggest picking up the $99 PowerA OPS v3 Pro instead. While its RGB lighting is a bit simpler, you can still customize it and tweak the colors of its various zones. You also get two additional programmable buttons next to the triggers on the top of the controller. At the same time, it does come with a magnetic charging stand but this one lays flat instead of propping your controller up. PowerA has done something quite different with its Fusion Pro Wireless Controller when it comes to its RGB lighting while still including all of the extra features you'd expect in a pro controller. Personally, I can't wait to see what the company comes up with next in regards to RGB lighting as this controller's hidden Ghost RGB Lighting is definitely going to be hard to top.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Expert asserts Mario Kart World is a 'fake HDR' Nintendo Switch 2 title — ‘Mario Kart World reveals that even the highest caliber of developers aren't taking HDR seriously'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mario Kart World on the Switch 2 is guilty of implementing 'fake HDR,' according to recent heated reactions by a number of TechTubers. We are well aware of social media rage farming, but a coolly considered, in-depth new technical blog by Alexander Mejia, agrees that Mario Kart World was developed using 'an SDR-first content pipeline with a last-minute HDR tonemap that limits the color and dynamic range.' Mejia is probably one of the leading authorities on creating HDR visual experiences, based on his experience in delivering 'the world-leading Dolby Vision HDR experience to Xbox Series X and Unreal Engine.' In fairness, the developers of Mario Kart World have set themselves up for this stinging criticism, as the flagship launch title is marketed with boasts of it supporting 4K resolution at 60FPS refresh with HDR visuals (4K60 HDR for short). However, 'Mario Kart World reveals that even the highest caliber of developers aren't taking HDR seriously,' reckons Mejia. That tripping up over HDR isn't uncommon, though. Rather, Mejia admits that 'If you're finding it tricky to make your game's HDR look right, you're not alone.' The most important thing to do, to make the most of the HDR capabilities present in most TVs and monitors sold in the 2020s, is 'embracing HDR from day one, not as an afterthought,' suggests the HDR pipeline consulting expert. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 If you are curious about how Mejia captured, reviewed, and assessed the Mario Kart World on Switch 2, he shares the full details of his hardware and capture path, the procedure, and tips for home users wishing to achieve similar insight. Moving on to the findings, the HDR expert's images, charts, and stats make the HDR quality deficiencies in Mario Kart World glaringly obvious. A particularly stark result comes from image brightness peak measurement. 'Nintendo's own test image peaks at only ~500 nits even if you set 10,000 nits peak brightness,' noted Mejia. 'Not a good sign that they took HDR seriously.' Also, it was observed that, even if the console brightness is cranked to 10,000 nits, 'captured peaks in game never exceed ~950 nits.' That's quite a discrepancy. It is also quite a shame, given the game art's colorful and bright style being chained to an SDR-like color space (likely Rec.709), making no use of the extended color gamut afforded by the Rec.2020 standard. Above: Both Godfall Ultimate Edition on XBOX Series X (left), and Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 (right) are captured in HDR, with 10,000 nits max brightness. To conclude, Mejia repeats the sentiment from some of the tastiest quotes we have included above. In short, it looks like even the best developers are not taking HDR seriously, seem to follow an SDR-first workflow, and are thus squandering the possibilities of modern consoles and TVs (or monitors). The HDR expert finishes up by cannily touting his studio consultancy, offering help with 'HDR first rendering pipelines, Dolby Vision integration, and dynamic tone-mapping strategies.' Keep that in mind as you ponder his findings. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Gizmodo
Xbox's Best and Only Move Left Is to Become a PC
The next Xbox console will not be 'tied to a single store or device' and will probably be designed around Windows. Your next Xbox device, whether it's a console, handheld, or some other strange, eldritch device with a glowing green 'X', may be a PC in everything but name. Xbox President Sarah Bond told the world this week that it was working on a sequel to the Xbox Series X console. Hell, there is a whole extended 'family' of devices bearing the Xbox name currently in the works. The announcement implied more than just new hardware. Microsoft's whole brand could shift to being more PC-like with a game-themed version of Windows at the helm. If you're anything like me, getting to play my Steam games on a custom console may be enough to make Xbox seem exciting again. As for Microsoft, the move may be the company's hail mary to stay relevant in today's shifting games market. This new selection of hardware will all include processors designed by AMD. That's not surprising, considering the current Xbox Series X and S have a chip based on the company's Zen 2 microarchitecture—equivalent to the PlayStation 5. It implies AMD may make a whole family of chips for Xbox devices, but more likely they will be derivative of the company's current Zen 5 CPUs. AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme is a primary candidate, at least for any device that—in Bond's words—is 'always with you.' Xbox's next generation of consoles is going to be a more open environment than it has been before, at least according to Microsoft. We still have yet to see any new Xbox-branded hardware other than the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. Instead, Bond said Microsoft wants a whole 'family' of Xbox devices that are still compatible with existing Xbox titles. All of them will offer 'an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device.' Wait, what? Does this really imply that we'll be able to use our Steam library on Xbox? Such a move would be a big shift, but one that seems like the company's best bet going forward. Microsoft is planning to make the Xbox experience uniform across all the devices bearing the big 'X' logo. Microsoft already detailed how the new experience on Windows-based handhelds would be gaming-centric. This new version of Windows 11 dials back a whole slew of background tasks that would normally hinder gaming performance and puts the games front and center—all revolving around the Xbox app. If Microsoft wants to make everything continuous, where your Xbox experience is the same from handheld to console to PC, then everything would need to use Windows and allow for all the major third-party game launchers, from Steam to Epic Games Store to GOG. This is a big change from what users are used to on Xbox Series X and Series S. That custom UI was built upon a legacy of console design dating back to the Xbox 360 'Blades' dashboard. Everything was specifically designed to be operated by a controller. The Xbox app, on the other hand, was first designed for mouse and keyboard, then modified to a small degree for thumbsticks and face buttons. It works, but it's not the kind of precise interface you should be able to find on a 7- or 8-inch display. Valve had several years to fine-tune its UI, and SteamOS with its horizontal-based layout is easier to navigate. Microsoft spent the last five years relegating its hardware to a secondary status. In the time since the launch of the Series X, the tech giant has focused on building Game Pass up and positioning itself as the Netflix of video games. Microsoft dropped $69.8 billion (you can't possibly overstate how much money that is) to merge with Activision Blizzard—a strategy that, on paper, seemed to place way too much importance on getting Call of Duty onto its subscription service. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has constantly reiterated the company would focus on getting Game Pass onto other companies' consoles. Over the last few months, Microsoft allowed several once-exclusive titles onto PlayStation 5, including Forza Horizon 5 and upcoming titles like The Outer Worlds 2. Xbox can't rely on software alone. The console maker reportedly hit more than 35 million total subscribers, though data from analyst firm Omdia from 2024 suggested subscription growth has slowed dramatically in recent years. Microsoft hiked Game Pass prices earlier this year, which likely won't help inspire growth. Beyond updated consoles with more storage, Microsoft didn't offer a peep about that cylindrical Xbox Series X pro-level device to compete with the PS5 Pro. Whatever comes next, it won't be pure competition for Sony or Nintendo. It's going to be a software-first vehicle with the game-centric version of Windows in the driver's seat.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Microsoft offers a glimpse at the future of Xbox gaming alongside AMD and Windows
Microsoft has confirmed that a next-generation Xbox console is currently in development in partnership with chipmaker AMD. The announcement was made by Xbox president Sarah Bond in a short video posted to YouTube (and also on the Xbox account on X). In the video, Bon promised that Microsoft would deliver "an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device." The short teaser provides a glimpse of the future of Xbox gaming beyond just consoles. As the company has promised in recent months, the goal is that "anything" can be an Xbox. To start, Bond stated that Microsoft and AMD are collaborating in a "strategic multi-year partnership" that involves the two companies developing a silicon for use "across a portfolio of devices — including our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands." The companies will also work on improving Xbox Cloud Gaming. Of course, the thrust of Xbox going forward is that the Xbox platform itself won't be tied to consoles like the Xbox Series X or the Xbox Series S. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want," Bond says in the video. "Delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device." She added that the Xbox team will be working closely with the Windows team to make sure that "Windows is the number one platform for gaming." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This all comes a little more than week after the announcement of two Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices that are supposed to launch later this year. Those handhelds are going to feature a custom full-screen Xbox experience including a streamlined version of Windows 11. The new Xbox experience will run on top of Windows but will also allow you to access other gaming stores like Steam or Epic. What we gather from Bond's announcement is that future consoles will have similar access to non-Xbox store fronts. It seems that Microsoft finally realized that Windows just wasn't working for the best handheld gaming consoles. of course though, the software giant still wants Windows to power these devices including those made by Microsoft and third-party manufacturers. For those worried about their game library, it sounds like Xbox will continue to offer backwards compatibility. The next consoles will be 'maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games," Bond says. The Xbox Asus handhelds likely won't run any Xbox games that don't already have PC ports, but the next generation of consoles should run older games.
