Expect the new features "over the coming months".
Microsoft will release the long-awaited Xbox OneGuide in regions outside the USA "over the coming months", according to an Xbox NewsWire video, below. Selected Xbox Live users will get to preview the functionality, in addition to some brand new features for Xbox SmartGlass.
It's "mostly backend stuff", otherwise.
As you may have noticed, Microsoft has released (or, depending on your region, is in the process of releasing) a new Xbox 360 update. Don't get too excited - this isn't the beginning of your Xbox 360's transformation into a flight-capable holographic cube. The update's fixes are mostly of the behind-the-scenes variety, though there's at least one new feature of note.
Planned maintenance bites into matchmaking.
Microsoft is right in the middle of some scheduled Xbox Live maintenance, according to the Status page, and warns that players of Grand Theft Auto Online and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 could have trouble finding a game. Users may also find match-making a bit sticky across Xbox 360 and Xbox One in general.
1.66GB, eight teams and one mode.
A demo for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. It's Gold-exclusive, fills up 1.66GB and allows you to play as Mexico, Brazil, USA, England, Australia, Japan, New Zealand or Ivory Coast in Kick Off mode. Fancy it?
"What you saw leaked was taken from an old, internal planning presentation.".
The rumoured Metro Redux for Xbox One is a Thing, not a flight of irradiated fancy, publisher Deep Silver has confirmed - but the project is "a lot more exciting" than you might deduce from this weekend's leaks, which are apparently based on ancient presentation materials.
Holy side-scrolling adventure, Batman!.
2.5D Arkham spin-off Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition is now available to download from Xbox Live Marketplace in the UK and USA, with other regions to follow. It costs #163;15.99 or $19.99, and is a prettier version of the PS Vita original that sports new maps, enemy encounters, difficulty settings and batsuits.
New Xbox chief cites Halo, new IP and mystery Japan exclusive as central to "conversation".
Phil Spencer - former Microsoft Studios boss, new Head of Xbox - has said a little to Polygon about what his promotion bodes for platform strategy. The answer, in brief, is games. Many games. Old games, new games and secret games that may be shown off at E3 2014. I like the cut of your gib, Phil. Carry on.
Agent 47 escapade and side-scrolling survival adventure are the next offerings.
April's free Xbox games with Gold are Hitman: Absolution, available from the 1st, and Deadlight, available from the 16th. Thank you for the heads-up, Sir Major of Nelson.
"Let's keep the conversation going," says former Microsoft Studios exec VP.
Microsoft Studios corporate vice president, Twitter favourite and celebrated Exec Least Likely To Offend Phil Spencer has been promoted to Head of Xbox. He'll head up not just the Xbox games division, but also Xbox Music, Xbox Video and Xbox Live.
Will come to Xbox 360 too.
Max and the Curse of Brotherhood developer has "several unannounced original IP" on the way, you may recall, and it sounds like at least one of those games will be out before the end of the year. Max 2? Ori and the Blind Forest? Whatever it is, it'll release for both Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
Attempt to broaden audience "ended up making it struggle in sales".
The next Hitman game won't be an Absolution-style audience expansion project, Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda has told Nikkei Trendy - it'll be first and foremost a game for long-term fans of the series.
Physics and FX much improved since E3, says creative director.
All hail Watch Dogs creative director Jonathan Morin, who appears to be trying to reply to every single fan query on Twitter - a task equivalent to catching individual rain drops during a thunderstorm. Posting over the weekend, Morin let slip details on everything from the intricacies of a hold-up to how the game's tech has improved since E3 2012. Here's a digest.
Flee before me, delicious organic lifeforms!.
Youtube user Maximilian Dood has published some extended footage of Fulgore, the next Killer Instinct DLC character - out for Xbox One on 9th April. Being a robot, Fulgore has rather the way of sharp edges and armour plating than the average combatant, but he'll take a drubbing in unskilled hands nonetheless. Are your hands unskilled? Come - bathe them in the waters of the Dood's expertise.
Four new maps, new gun, new Extinction chapter - out 3rd April.
If caffeine is scarce, this trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC pack Devastation should wake you right the hell up (thanks, Eminem). Out on 3rd April, the pack adds four maps, a fancy hybrid SMG/rifle known as the Ripper, a brand new Extinction chapter and yet another B-movie cameo in the shape of Arnie's least favourite jungle safari guide, the Predator.
Both Metro games and all DLC in bundle uncovered on Italian forum.
Perhaps it's worth taking this one with a pinch of salt, but if an image posted to an Italian forum is to be believed, publisher Deep Silver and developer 4A Games may be working on an enhanced package of both games from their popular Metro franchise, last visited in last year's spooky first person shooter Metro: Last Light.
Gathering up another basketful of interesting links.
Happy Mother's Day everybody! OK, so while it's technically only us in the UK and Ireland's turn to celebrate (the US and Australia have their equivalent in May - thanks Wikipedia!) we don't see any reason not to raise a glass to all mothers regardless of geographical location today.
Jonathan Morin tweets on story themes, difficulty levels and confirms no microtransactions.
As the creative director of Ubisoft's upcoming open world hack-fest Watch Dogs, Jonathan Morin is a man who's understandably being bombarded with questions in the run up to the release of the game in just over two months. Let's take a look at some of the stuff he's been saying this weekend on Aiden's adventures, shall we?
Blasting off onto Xbox One on April 8th for #163;15.99/$19.99.
Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut will officially be the first indie game released for Xbox One under the ID@Xbox program, as the deep-space combat blaster now has a firm date and price, announced this week by developers Born Ready Studios.
Aoife chats to Infinity Ward at the Call of Duty Championships.
Earthquakes, lost baggage, (wo)man flu - we brave a lot in the name of games journalism here at OXM.
Developers blame restriction on IP issues arising through facilitating sharing of custom content.
Most of us here aren't known for our knowledge of MMA - but one thing we do enjoy doing in combat sport games is recreating famous faces - or grotesque, hideous freaks of nature - to pit against each other for our own amusement. Sadly, it seems we won't be able to share our custom creations in the upcoming EA Sports UFC with our friends online.
