Microsoft has announced that the Xbox March Update is now rolling out for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One devices. It adds support for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Wireless Headset and allows you to enable or disable a pair of features for backwards-compatible games (Auto-HDR and FPS Boost), among other things. For Xbox app users, it also brings back the ability to view Achievements. Here's an overview of everything you can expect next time you update your console.Headlining the update is new software support for the Xbox Wireless Headset, which is officially launching later this month. The update will enable you to update your headset wirelessly, but also adjust specific features on the accessory. This includes auto-mute sensitivity for the microphone, equalization profiles, bass-boosting options, and more. These updates will be made available through a Windows 10 update if you plan on using the headset on your PC.Included in the update are more options for your backwards-compatible games, giving you control over the application of Auto-HDR and FPS Boost. Both features are meant to elevate older gaming titles with modern flourishes, but if you're looking for the unedited experience the March Update will now let you toggle these enhancements on and off for games that support them. You'll find the options in your console settings menu. Each of the two can be enabled or disabled independently from one another.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

League of Legends: Wild Rift, the spinoff of the main League of Legends MOBA, is opening its beta to a range of North and South American regions from March 29.You'll be able to download and play the game for free on iOS and Android in the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Argentina, and Peru. Riot Games originally planned to release Wild Rift officially in 2020, but the project was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. A new release date has not been set yet.League of Legends: Wild Rift isn't a port of the existing PC MOBA, but rather a ground-up reimagining designed specifically for mobile and consoles. This means that while the gameplay remains the same, other elements, such as the control scheme, have been reworked to function with thumbsticks. On mobile you can control one of forty announced champions with an on-screen thumbstick, with an array of buttons on the right of the screen for your abilities.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The first trailer for the new Amazon series Them has been released. Them is a dark anthology show produced by actor Lena Waithe (Westworld, Master of None) and writer Little Marvin.The first season of Them is titled Covenant. The trailer sets up a seriously spooky atmosphere--it focuses on a Black family who move to the suburbs of Los Angeles in the 1950s. While the family are happy with their new home, their neighbors seem anything but welcoming, despite their smiles. The trailer takes a dark turn towards the end, which suggests the series is going to plunge into pure horror territory. Check it out below:Them: Covenant is a 10-part series, and it hits Amazon Video on April 9. The show stars Ashley Thomas (Top Boy), Deborah Ayorinde (Harriett), Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Alison Pill (Devs), and Christopher Heyerdahl (Van Helsing).Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The big news in gaming this week was that Microsoft's blockbuster $7.5 billion deal to buy ZeniMax has gone through, following approval from regulators in the US and Europe. Included in Microsoft's announcement were some high-level details on what the acquisition means for the future of Bethesda games, and one part of this was that some titles will be exclusive to Xbox and PC.Xbox boss Phil Spencer stressed that Microsoft is working ahead with an eye toward Xbox, PC, and Game Pass being the "best place" to play Bethesda's new games. That Microsoft would give preferential treatment to its own platforms is no surprise. But Spencer's next line is perhaps more telling. His statement also confirmed that "some new titles in the future" from Bethesda will be exclusive to Xbox and PC.One of the biggest unanswered and ongoing questions about Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax was what it would mean for Bethesda's future games. Games that already had deals in place before the acquisition, like Deathloop, won't change course--that game will still launch as a timed-exclusive on PlayStation. But for future games, like The Elder Scrolls VI, Starfield, and others, questions remain about their release strategy.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Twitch may add a new feature that gives companies an idea of how brand-friendly a streamer is based on a number of criteria, according to information found in the company's internal API.Cybersecurity researched Daylam Tayari dug deep into Twitch's API (via The Verge) to uncover the Brand Safety Score, a grade given to streamers to inform a brand of that streamer's content. Think of an ESRB rating or star-grading system a la Lyft and Uber but for streamers.The Brand Safety Score is calculated by using a number of metrics. This includes the streamer’s age, a rating given by Twitch staff itself, the streamer's ban history, the relationship the streamer has with Twitch, the streamer's automod settings, their partnership status, the ESRB rating of the game the streamer is playing, and whether the stream is set to mature.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Marvel has released a new teaser video for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and it's a 30-second clip that largely features those titular characters arguing about wizards and whether "they're a thing." Perhaps more than any of the other more recent clips to get fans hyped for the new series, this new clip shared on Twitter best showcases the show's tone and what to expect between all the great stunts and fights. Arriving on Disney+ on March 19, the next Marvel Cinematic Universe series will bring back the villain from Captain America: Civil War, Zemo.This style of fun banter should serve as a great counter-balance to another of the show's major thrusts, which, according to a recent release will be tackling important MCU questions such as, "How did Sam Wilson become Falcon? When was Bucky Barnes's mind healed? What drove former SHIELD agent Sharon Carter underground?" Check out the new clip below.💪💪💪 Marvel Studios' The Falcon and the Winter Soldier starts streaming March 19 on @DisneyPlus. #FalconAndWinterSoldier pic.twitter.com/ueVzZLi0Uy — Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 9, 2021 Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Dozens of games, DLC packs, and other items were temporarily removed from the Steam storefront on Tuesday before being restored two hours later. As first spotted by Twitter users like Gabe Follower and subsequently reported by VGC, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was the biggest name to be affected, prompting speculation on social media.However, if you scroll down on Steam Database's app history, you can see a wave of content being removed on March 9, starting with Paws and Claws: Pet Vet and ending with the film American Gods. The individual Steam Database entry for CS:GO shows how its description, screenshots, and trailers were removed from the storefront, only to be restored two hours later.csgo page is down on steam?https://t.co/MgFCciyUG5 pic.twitter.com/SQjWkl3MvM — Gabe Follower ★ (@gabefollower) March 9, 2021CS:GO isn't just the only app that disappeared from the Steam Store. Something went wrong on Valve's end there, when they disappeared a few appids showed up in a store api (0, 160, 202) that shouldn't have.List of affected apps: https://t.co/4nDGgWEtnH — Pavel Djundik (@thexpaw) March 9, 2021At this time, it's not clear why these particular items were affected by this apparent bug. Steam Database founder Pavel Djundik said on Twitter that it could be related to region locks for certain titles, since most of the items had locks based on geographic region. That said, that's basically just speculation at this point, and there's a chance we'll never know why this happened. Given that CS:GO is one of the most popular games on Steam, however, it's certainly a notable glitch. We're reached out to Valve for comment, and we'll update this story if we hear back.Info from Gamespot.com

HyperX has announced a news sales event that kicks off next week. The HyperX Loot Drop runs from March 15-22 and will discount the company's gaming headsets, keyboards, and more. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop will be participating during the sales week, so if you're looking to save some money on HyperX's accessories, next week looks to be your best chance.While most of the deals kick off next week, there are several discounts already popping up at GameStop. A number of Cloud gaming headsets, Alloy gaming keyboards, and Pulsefire gaming mouse options are on sale from now until March 20. You can see the best deals below, and we'll keep it updated as more go live across all retailers. Alloy Core RGB gaming keyboard $45 (was $50) The HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a full-sized gaming keyboard with RGB lighting, quiet key switches, and dedicated media controls. It also features buttons that allow you to adjust brightness and switch lighting modes--the RGB lighting colors are also customizable. See at GameStop Alloy Origins gaming keyboard $90 (was $110) The HyperX Alloy Origins gaming keyboard is a mechanical option with red linear key switches and RGB-backlit keys. The keyboard's body is made of aluminum and features a detachable USB-C cable for easy travel and cable management. You can also customize its lighting, macros, and Game mode with the company's NGenuity software. See at GameStop Cloud gaming headset $60 (was $70) HyperX makes excellent audio products, and its PlayStation-branded Cloud gaming headset is one of the best in its price range. While it does feature the PlayStation logo, it connects via 3.5mm cable and can be used with Xbox and PC as long as you have the available port on your controller. See at GameStop CloudX gaming headset $60 (was $70) The CloudX gaming headset doesn't feature any Xbox logos, but it is intended to be used with Xbox consoles. Of course, it also uses a 3.5mm cable, so it can be used with PS5 and PS4. See at GameStop Cloud Alpha Pro gaming headset $90 (was $100) The Cloud Alpha Pro gaming headset is one of the HyperX's best peripherals, providing great sound and a quality microphone. It comes with a 3.5mm cable for PS5 and Xbox connectivity as well as an adapter to connect the headset to PC. See at GameStop Pulsefire Core RGB gaming mouse $25 (was $30) The Pulsefire Core RGB gaming mouse is a great budget option with an adjustable 6,200 DPI sensor, seven programmable buttons, and customizable RGB lighting. See at GameStop Pulsefire FPS Pro gaming mouse $40 (was $45) The Pulsefire FPS Pro gaming mouse ramps things up with an adjustable 16K DPI sensor, six programmable buttons, and customizable RGB lighting. However, it also features on-board memory to store profiles created with the NGenuity software, allowing you to switch settings quickly for different situations. See at GameStop Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The upcoming pilot for the CW's live-action Powerpuff Girls series has found its Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. According to Variety, Yana Perrault (Broadway's "Jagged Little Pill"), Chloe Bennet (Agents of SHIELD), And Dove Cameron (Descendants) have been cast as the show's three leads.The live-action series will follow the superheroes as they are now in their 20s and resent giving up their entire childhood in order to fight crime. The trio will have to reunite once again in order to save the world. Perrault will play Buttercup, Bennet will play Blossom, and Cameron will play Bubbles.The characters have changed a bit since they were children. Blossom is now reclusive, after her anxiety of fighting crime left her with some trauma. Bubbles is desperate to get back into the spotlight again and become famous, and she has become a bit more witty. And Buttercup has spent time trying to avoid the spotlight, shed her old persona, and become anonymous.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Overwatch has begun a new seasonal event, the Pachimarchi Challenge, which celebrates the game's very own adorable mascot with some in-game prizes. From now through March 22, you can play to earn a set of special cosmetics, including a new Roadhog epic skin.Simply logging into the game during the event period will earn you six new sprays, but the big prizes come from racking up wins. Winning three games will net you a player icon, six games will get you a Junkrate emote, and nine games will grant you the grand prize: a Roadhog skin with Pachimari tattooed on his bulbous belly.Pachimari is a fictional Japanese mascot character, an onion-octopus hybrid that appears in various spots around the Overwatch maps and in animated shorts. It's a very odd thing to base an entire event around, but it's hard to deny that the little critter is cute and probably pretty good sauteed. Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Just 16 months after launch, Disney+ has surpassed 100 million global paid subscribers. Speaking at an annual shareholders meeting, Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that the milestone has "inspired us to be even more ambitious."From a numbers and content standpoint, that increased ambition is a new "target of 100+ titles per year," said Chapek. "This includes Disney Animation, Disney Live Action, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Our direct-to-consumer business is the company's top priority, and our robust pipeline of content will continue to fuel its growth."That 100 million subscriber base is a staggering number, though it should also be pointed out that actual viewer numbers may be higher given the wider popularity Disney+--like all streaming services--has shared logins among friends. Regardless, Disney+ obviously enjoyed a strong launch and has had the benefit of an ever-growing and stronger base of content, including last year's feather-in-the-cap get of Hamilton. On other fronts, Disney+ is increasingly synonymous with The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and anticipation is high for the next MCU show, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

It's been a year since California's Disneyland Resort, along with the state's other theme parks, closed its doors at the onset of the COVIDF-19 pandemic. Now, after California issued new guidelines for when they can reopen, Disneyland may be welcoming guests as soon as next month.Bob Chapek, CEO of Disney, has revealed that the company's California theme parks--Disneyland and Disney California Adventure--are hoping to open to the public again in late April. The news comes on the heels of new guidelines issued by the state that could allow theme parks and stadiums to open at 15% capacity beginning on April 1."Here in California, we're encouraged by the positive trends we're seeing and we're hopeful they'll continue to improve and we'll be able to reopen our parks to guests with limited capacity by late April--we look forward to publicizing an opening date in the coming weeks," Chapek said during an annual shareholder meeting. "While last week's announcement stated that theme parks may open starting on April 1, the fact is it will take some time to get them ready for our guests--this includes recalling more than 10,000 furloughed cast and retraining them to be able to operate according to the state of California's new requirements."Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

The Razer Raptor 27 gaming monitor is one of the best 1440p displays out there, and right now, you can snag it at a nice discount at Amazon. The Razer Raptor monitor is $600, down from $700. It's a pricey monitor, which makes $100 off quite exciting. It's unclear how long this deal will last, and while Razer products regularly go on sale, we rarely see the Raptor discounted. Razer Raptor 27 gaming monitor $600 (was $700) The Razer Raptor 27 boasts a 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate with its 27-inch IPS panel, which excels at displaying bright colours. That's paired with a low 4ms response time as well as FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility. All of this together makes for a fantastic experience in both competitive and single-player games. See at Amazon GameSpot's Razer Raptor 27 gaming monitor review noted its expensive price but was otherwise impressed by its strong design, build quality, and performance.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

Summer will be here before you know it, and with the arrival of warmer weather and longer days, you might be wondering about E3 2021. The show was canceled in 2020 due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and questions remains about this year's event.We've compiled a rundown of the latest updates on this year's show.Is There An E3 This Year?The short answer is that we don't know for sure at this point. The ESA, which organizes E3 every year, penciled in E3 2021 for June 15-17 but what format this year's event takes--if it happens at all--remains to be seen.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com

When it comes to PC gaming, you'll most commonly see people rocking setups with monitors no bigger than 27 inches. With how close people usually are to their monitors, this size is a good fit for most spaces. However, it's hard to deny the appeal of an even larger monitor, especially if your desk allows for that kind of room. The Acer Predator CG437K 43-inch monitor is a beastly gaming display, one that commands attention. It provides a great gaming experience that will be appealing to many PC gamers, though those who are already accustomed to HDR-capable 4K TVs may come away disappointed.Display and performanceThe Predator CG7's massive size is accompanied by a sharp 4K image that makes the finest details stand out. Whether I was playing on PS5 or PC, games looked clean. For example, the intricate designs of Demon's Souls armor and enemies are beautifully displayed, while Valheim's stark and simple art style is immediately eye-catching and shines brilliantly on the CG7's 4K VA panel.The CG7's colors can be quite vibrant, too, though its viewing angles tend to let it down a bit. Facing the monitor straight on provides the best image, with bright colors popping off the screen stunningly. However, if you're off-center, you may notice darker colors start to wash out. This is the one area of the CG7 I'm disappointed with. The HDR performance is below par, and if you're accustomed to playing games on a 4K TV with good-quality HDR, you'll notice a big difference. Blacks are a touch washed out, while brighter scenes tend to feel too bright. It took me a while to tweak the settings to where I was happy, and even then, I was never quite satisfied with the image--I would often just play without HDR entirely.Continue Reading at GameSpotInfo from Gamespot.com