Microsoft has announced that its game development organization is rebranding. Starting today, Microsoft Studios is rebranding as Xbox Game Studios. According to corporate vice president of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, "Xbox" has become Microsoft's brand for gaming no matter the device.

This move seems to double down on Microsoft's recent efforts to bolster its first-party and exclusive games lineup, which has included the recent acquisitions of several third-party studios including Obsidian Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and InXile Entertainment.

Xbox Game Studios is made up of the following studios and development groups:

Microsoft has announced that its game development organization is rebranding. Starting today, Microsoft Studios is rebranding as Xbox Game Studios. According to corporate vice president of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, "Xbox" has become Microsoft's brand for gaming no matter the device.

This move seems to double down on Microsoft's recent efforts to bolster its first-party and exclusive games lineup, which has included the recent acquisitions of several third-party studios including Obsidian Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and InXile Entertainment.

Xbox Game Studios is made up of the following studios and development groups:

It's been quite a few years in the making, but Kingdom Hearts III is out and fans across the world are more than a little excited to dive deep into their favorite Disney worlds and keyblade stories. That anticipation built over a decade of waiting has translated into real numbers for Square Enix, which reports that Kingdom Hearts III has shipped five million copies since its release late last month.

There is the shipped/sold distinction here, where this number is officially what Square Enix has sold to retailers, but it is unlikely there is a huge number of games sitting on the shelves forever. It also includes digital numbers, which specifically are numbers for sales to consumers. This makes Kingdom Hearts the fastest selling game in the series, which is impressive for a series whose games have broken records for Square Enix twice before.

Some part of this is also likely because this is the first multiplatform Kingdom Hearts game, not counting remakes or ports. The first two games released exclusively on PlayStation 2, 358/2 Days and Re:Coded on DS, Birth by Sleep on PlayStation Portable, and Dream Drop Distance on the 3DS. For whatever reason, the various remasters and teaser chapter A Fragmentary Passage were only available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

It's been quite a few years in the making, but Kingdom Hearts III is out and fans across the world are more than a little excited to dive deep into their favorite Disney worlds and keyblade stories. That anticipation built over a decade of waiting has translated into real numbers for Square Enix, which reports that Kingdom Hearts III has shipped five million copies since its release late last month.

There is the shipped/sold distinction here, where this number is officially what Square Enix has sold to retailers, but it is unlikely there is a huge number of games sitting on the shelves forever. It also includes digital numbers, which specifically are numbers for sales to consumers. This makes Kingdom Hearts the fastest selling game in the series, which is impressive for a series whose games have broken records for Square Enix twice before.

Some part of this is also likely because this is the first multiplatform Kingdom Hearts game, not counting remakes or ports. The first two games released exclusively on PlayStation 2, 358/2 Days and Re:Coded on DS, Birth by Sleep on PlayStation Portable, and Dream Drop Distance on the 3DS. For whatever reason, the various remasters and teaser chapter A Fragmentary Passage were only available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

After the not-quite surprise launch of Apex Legends yesterday, Respawn’s free-to-play battle royale has already developed a sizable fan base. According to a tweet by CEO Vince Zampella, it took less than eight hours for over one million unique players to enlist in the Titanfall spin-off’s winner-takes-all battles.  

So far the reaction to Apex Legends has been mostly positive, with players digging the unique character abilities, three-player squads, and increased focus on teamplay. Associate editor Javy Gwaltney is working on our review of Apex Legends as we speak, and has already outlined everything you need to know and some hot tips for newcomers who are looking for more info.

As for the future of Apex Legends, Respawn has released a brief outline of its year-one roadmap. The first season begins in March, and will last three months. Each season promises to introduce more legends (i.e. unique characters), weapons, and loot. A Fortnite-like battle pass will also be available.

After the not-quite surprise launch of Apex Legends yesterday, Respawn’s free-to-play battle royale has already developed a sizable fan base. According to a tweet by CEO Vince Zampella, it took less than eight hours for over one million unique players to enlist in the Titanfall spin-off’s winner-takes-all battles.  

So far the reaction to Apex Legends has been mostly positive, with players digging the unique character abilities, three-player squads, and increased focus on teamplay. Associate editor Javy Gwaltney is working on our review of Apex Legends as we speak, and has already outlined everything you need to know and some hot tips for newcomers who are looking for more info.

As for the future of Apex Legends, Respawn has released a brief outline of its year-one roadmap. The first season begins in March, and will last three months. Each season promises to introduce more legends (i.e. unique characters), weapons, and loot. A Fortnite-like battle pass will also be available.

After being teased last month, developer Warhorse Studios today officially released their upcoming DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance called Band of Bastards.

You'll join a group of mercenaries who are tasked with protecting a nobleman, Radzig Kobyla, in his feud against a rival noble family. You won't be in charge of the group, but the developers do say that you will be responsible for keeping the men from getting out of hand. It's a rowdy bunch, so you should have your hands full. In addition to the new quest line giving you plenty of combat to grind your teeth on, it will also give you some small tokens like a new armor set to deck out your character with.

Band of Bastards is out now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC for $7.99. If you're curious, check out the DLC's trailer here or go here to read our full review of the game.

After being teased last month, developer Warhorse Studios today officially released their upcoming DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance called Band of Bastards.

You'll join a group of mercenaries who are tasked with protecting a nobleman, Radzig Kobyla, in his feud against a rival noble family. You won't be in charge of the group, but the developers do say that you will be responsible for keeping the men from getting out of hand. It's a rowdy bunch, so you should have your hands full. In addition to the new quest line giving you plenty of combat to grind your teeth on, it will also give you some small tokens like a new armor set to deck out your character with.

Band of Bastards is out now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC for $7.99. If you're curious, check out the DLC's trailer here or go here to read our full review of the game.

The Outer Worlds is an exciting science-fiction adventure from the creators of the original Fallout, and if you're a digital subscriber to Game Informer, you can now learn all about the promising title from Obsidian Entertainment. Following today's cover reveal, our digital issue is now live on web browsers and will be coming to iPad/iPhone later in the day. You can download the apps to view the issue by following this link. All of these digital options are included in a standard subscription.

The issue launches later this week on our third-party subscription apps including Google Play, Kindle, and Nook.

Not a digital subscriber yet? Convert your existing print subscription here or start a new subscription here.

The Outer Worlds is an exciting science-fiction adventure from the creators of the original Fallout, and if you're a digital subscriber to Game Informer, you can now learn all about the promising title from Obsidian Entertainment. Following today's cover reveal, our digital issue is now live on web browsers and will be coming to iPad/iPhone later in the day. You can download the apps to view the issue by following this link. All of these digital options are included in a standard subscription.

The issue launches later this week on our third-party subscription apps including Google Play, Kindle, and Nook.

Not a digital subscriber yet? Convert your existing print subscription here or start a new subscription here.