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How to Pair an Xbox Controller with Your Xbox

How to Pair an Xbox Controller with Your Xbox

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How to Pair an Xbox Controller with Your Xbox

Image Source: polygon.com

Connecting your Xbox controller to your Xbox console is a straightforward process that allows you to seamlessly dive into your favorite games with precision control. Whether you’re setting up a new controller or reconnecting an existing one, follow these simple steps to ensure a hassle-free gaming experience.

Wired Connection:

1. Gather Your Equipment: Ensure you have your Xbox controller and a micro-USB cable ready. The micro-USB cable is typically included with the Xbox controller or can be purchased separately.

2. Locate the USB Port: On your Xbox console, locate the USB port. Depending on the model of your Xbox, the USB port may be located on the front, back, or side of the console.

3. Connect the Controller: Plug one end of the micro-USB cable into the controller and the other end into the USB port on your Xbox console.

4. Power On Your Xbox: Press the Xbox button on your controller to power on the console. Your Xbox should recognize the controller automatically, and you’re ready to start gaming.

Wireless Connection:

1. Prepare Your Controller: If you haven’t already done so, insert batteries into your Xbox controller. Alternatively, you can use a rechargeable battery pack.

2. Turn on Your Xbox: Press the power button on your Xbox console to turn it on.

3. Activate Pairing Mode: Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller until the Xbox button begins to flash rapidly. This indicates that the controller is in pairing mode.

4. Sync with Xbox: On your Xbox console, press the pairing button. The location of the pairing button varies depending on the model of your Xbox. Refer to your Xbox’s user manual for specific instructions.

5. Wait for Connection: Allow a few moments for the controller and console to sync. Once synced, the Xbox button on the controller will remain lit, indicating a successful connection.

6. Test the Connection: Press buttons on the controller to ensure it’s responding correctly. You’re now ready to enjoy wireless gaming on your Xbox.

Additional Tips:

Firmware Updates: Occasionally, Microsoft releases firmware updates for Xbox controllers to improve performance and add features. Keep your controller up-to-date by connecting it to your Xbox console or PC and following the on-screen prompts to install any available updates.

Troubleshooting: If you encounter any issues during the connection process, such as the controller not syncing or responding properly, try restarting your Xbox console and repeating the steps. If problems persist, consult the Xbox support website or contact customer service for assistance.

Also Read: How to Protect Yourself From AI Voice Cloning Scams

By following these simple steps, you can easily connect your Xbox controller to your Xbox console, whether you prefer a wired or wireless connection. Now, immerse yourself in the world of gaming and enjoy countless hours of entertainment.

Xbox

Has Xbox really lost the console wars?

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Microsoft recently made statements in a legal filing indicating that it believes “Xbox has lost the console wars” and that Sony and Nintendo are poised to continue dominating the gaming market for years to come.

These remarks were presented as part of Microsoft’s defense in an ongoing trial with regulators in the United States, following the FTC’s lawsuit to block Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard in December.

Image Source: nypost.com

The proposed $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft would be the largest acquisition in gaming industry history, surpassing Take-Two’s purchase of Zynga by $57 billion.

However, Sony and regulators have consistently voiced concerns about the potential concentration of power in the gaming industry if the acquisition were to proceed. In response, Microsoft has argued that the move would actually level the playing field rather than consolidate power.

Microsoft’s legal filing reveals that Xbox currently holds only 16% of console sales and a slightly higher share of the global console install base as of 2021. The company admits that it has been the least successful console manufacturer in terms of sales for the majority of the past 22 years.

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Microsoft even acknowledges that Sony’s gamer base in the US is currently larger than its own, although the exact difference has been redacted from the court documents.

The filing goes on to state that Microsoft believes aggressive acquisition strategies, such as the proposed Activision Blizzard deal, are necessary for Xbox to effectively compete with its Japanese rivals.

It specifically points to Sony and Nintendo’s ability to leverage exclusive content as a key factor in their ongoing dominance of the global gaming market. Microsoft previously made a similar argument to UK regulators in late 2022, conceding that PlayStation has better exclusives than Xbox.

While the outcome of the ongoing trial with the FTC remains uncertain, it is worth noting that the agency does not have the authority to outright block the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The UK’s rejection of the proposed deal, which Microsoft is currently appealing, poses a more substantial obstacle to the acquisition.

In summary, Microsoft’s legal argument in the ongoing trial suggests a recognition of the current state of the console market and the challenges Xbox faces in competing with Sony and Nintendo.

The company acknowledges its lower market share and emphasizes the importance of strategic acquisitions to level the playing field. Whether these arguments will be successful in the trial and ultimately impact the Activision Blizzard acquisition remains to be seen.

Starfield

Is Starfield coming to PS5 or PlayStation?

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Starfield, the upcoming game from Bethesda Softworks, will not be available on PlayStation consoles at launch or in the future. The game is being developed as an exclusive for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, as Bethesda is now a part of the Xbox family of studios.

While other Bethesda games like The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 are still supported on PlayStation, Starfield is a new IP that is designed as a single-player experience and is intended to be an Xbox console exclusive.

Starfield
Image Source: dexerto.com

Although there might have been plans for a PlayStation version of Starfield earlier in its development, those plans have been abandoned. Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft means that future games from Bethesda and its studios are likely to be exclusive to Xbox and Windows PC platforms.

This is exemplified by Starfield, a high-profile single-player game that is built from the ground up as an Xbox console exclusive. There are no indications that it will be released on other platforms like the PS5 or previous PlayStation consoles.

While this news may disappoint PlayStation gamers who are fans of Bethesda, it is the reality of the situation. However, it’s important to note that not all Bethesda-published titles will be exclusive to Xbox.

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Xbox has stated that exclusivity will be evaluated on a “case-by-case” basis, considering factors such as a franchise’s history on other platforms or the potential benefits of cross-platform support. Starfield, however, is not expected to fall into this category.

It’s worth mentioning that Starfield will not only be exclusive to Xbox consoles but will also be available on Windows PC through platforms like Steam and the Microsoft Store on its launch day. This means that even if players don’t own an Xbox Series X|S console, they can still experience Starfield by playing it on a powerful gaming PC.

Additionally, players have the option to access Starfield through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, which offer a subscription-based approach to gaming. This allows subscribers to enjoy all the latest Xbox exclusives, including Bethesda games, without needing to purchase each game individually at full price.

Starfield is set to release on September 9, 2023, and preorders are now open. Players who preorder the Premium Edition can gain early access to the game, along with additional in-game bonuses.

While PlayStation users may be disappointed, Starfield is shaping up to be an exceptional game for Xbox, promising to deliver an immersive and expansive RPG experience.

In conclusion, Starfield will be exclusive to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, with no plans for a PlayStation release. Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft has solidified this exclusivity, and although other Bethesda-published titles may still be considered for multiplatform releases on a case-by-case basis, Starfield is not expected to be one of them.

Despite the disappointment for PlayStation gamers, Starfield remains highly anticipated as one of the standout Xbox games of the year, offering an ambitious and immersive RPG experience.

Dead Island 2

Will Dead Island 2 Be On Game Pass?

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Dead Island 2 is an upcoming action role-playing game that is currently under development by Dambuster Studios and published by Deep Silver. It is a follow-up to the video game Dead Island from 2011 and the third significant entry in the Dead Island series.

Dead Island 2
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Dead Island 2 distinguishes itself from its predecessors by taking place in Los Angeles and San Francisco, which have been quarantined as a result of the zombie outbreak.

Also Read: What is Minecraft Legends? Everything we know so far

Dead Island 2 is set in California, where a viral outbreak has turned most of the population into zombies. The player takes on the role of a survivor, who must fight against the undead and other human factions while trying to find a cure for the virus.

The game features an open-world environment, which allows players to explore various locations and interact with other survivors.

On April 21, 2023, the game was made available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/Shere is a high probability that this game will rank among the best ones released this year.

The developers at Deep Silver Dambuster Studios went above and above to make the game thrilling and enjoyable. You’ll need to develop resilience to the zombie virus which has taken hold in Los Angeles in order to survive as one of the very few.

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As for killing zombies, there are hundreds of different methods to do so, including leveraging the power of zombies, if you want to stay alive in HELL-A, as the locals now refer to it. The game will be available on all gaming platforms, so everyone—except Game Pass subscribers—can play it.

Sadly, Dead Island 2 won’t be available with the Game Pass. It is somewhat odd that in order to play multiplayer on Xbox platforms, players must acquire either Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold. To play the game, you must still purchase it separately. However, there is a probability that this state will only last a short while.

Minecraft Legends

What is Minecraft Legends? Everything we know so far

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Real-time action-strategy video game Minecraft Legends was created by Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive in 2023 and released by Xbox Game Studios. It was published on April 18, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is the fifth spin-off of the 2011 sandbox game Minecraft.

Minecraft Legends
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Action game mechanics are used in the action tactics video game Minecraft Legends, which also contains strategic components at its foundation. It is viewed from a third-person viewpoint. The multiplayer in the game supports both collaborative and competitive play.

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The events of Minecraft Legends occur in the world of Minecraft during an invasion by piggins from the Nether. A great hero (the player) carries their banner to save the Overworld and gathers its mobs to assist in defending their home as the Nether spreads its evil over the Overworld.

The events in Legends occur in a story that has been carried down through the ages and is neither true nor false in the world of Minecraft. In Minecraft Legends, pigling mobs will make a comeback and play a key part as the game’s main adversaries.

The primary danger to towns in the game, in addition to your opponents in RTS engagements, is predicted to come from these visitors from the Nether. Real-time action-packed strategy game Minecraft Legends is more about protecting your settlement from attackers than it is about relaxing sandbox crafting.

There will be some construction components in the mix but don’t anticipate them to take center stage in this game. It can be described as”a colorful mix of RTS and building”.

This initial look at the gameplay also features some story cutscenes, indicating that Minecraft Legends will have both a storyline and passive, non-interactive areas where you can get to know the characters a little better.

Since Minecraft: Story Mode has been available for a while, this isn’t the first time that it has done anything similar, but it’s an intriguing indication that Legends will be shifting farther away from the sandbox to something more specifically goal-oriented.

In Minecraft Legends, the piggins will fall into one of many distinct groups, each with unique functions and visual characteristics. Mook-level foes like Grunters and Runts, beefier and more skilled enemies like Bruisers and Portal Guards, and Piggos who look like mounts are Grunters and Runts.

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The creation of Minecraft Legends started in 2018. On June 12, 2022, the game was unveiled at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. Additional platforms were revealed through a trailer posted on the Minecraft YouTube channel after the performance.

It is created by the series’ founders Mojang Studios in association with Blackbird Interactive, a group established by formerly employed Relic Entertainment personnel and best known for creating the real-time strategy game series Homeworld.

Xbox mobile

We may soon get an Xbox mobile gaming store. Is it a good move?

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Microsoft is preparing to open the Xbox mobile game store early in the following year.

The software behemoth previously disclosed its ambitions for an Xbox mobile store, and now Xbox CEO Phil Spencer claims the store is being built in preparation for corporations like Google and Apple being compelled to make their mobile app stores public.

Xbox mobile
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In a Financial Times interview, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated, “We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play.

Also Read: Microsoft to Improve Default App Settings in Windows 11?

Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up.”

Microsoft first made mention of a “next-generation store” in the early months of last year, just one month after the organization revealed its intended acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The Xbox mobile store will rest on Activision Blizzard content like Call of Duty: Mobile and Candy Crush Saga, two hugely popular mobile games released by Activision and King, respectively, in order to compete with Apple and Google’s dominance in the mobile gaming store market.

Microsoft is developing an Xbox mobile store, but in order for it to succeed on iOS and Android gadgets, regulators will need to take some action against Google and Apple. Alternative stores are not permitted on Apple’s iPhone and iPad products, and most nations do not support competing payment options either.

Microsoft and Spotify are among the companies hoping that the EU’s Digital Markets Act will compel Apple and Google to alter the way they distribute mobile apps, eventually allowing for the opening of their portals and stores to competition.

Additionally, Microsoft is developing a larger Xbox mobile platform. Developers will also be able to manage their own app stores inside of Microsoft’s Xbox mobile platform thanks to the forthcoming Xbox mobile store.

Microsoft still needs regulatory clearance for its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard in order for any of this to materialize. Microsoft has lately engaged in combat with the CMA, calling attention to “clear errors” in the regulator’s financial calculations. The Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission are both conducting regulation investigations into Microsoft.

Also Read: Is the PS5 Pro really coming to market in 2024?

The FTC filed a lawsuit to stop the Microsoft deal last year, and it is still in the document discovery phase. An evidentiary hearing is set for August 2nd, despite reports that the EU is likely to approve Microsoft’s deal.

Microsoft’s “next-generation gaming ecosystem,” which might allude to the company’s plans to develop its Xbox mobile gaming store, was the subject of a recent document request from FTC lawyers.