Xbox and Bethesda Softworks will hold a joint conference this summer to introduce players to their upcoming projects. Matt Booty, who heads upXboxGame Studios, reportedly told French publicationLe Figaro(paywall) that the event would take place in a few weeks, suggesting a mid-June timeframe coinciding withSummer Game FestandE3 2021. Booty also told journalistChloe Woitier, who wrote the article, that there was a “Covid impact” on the production of Xbox Game Studios titles, which slowed down production and mostly impacted original games rather than sequels....

Microsoft has confirmed the first wave of Xbox Game Pass titles for April. This month’s games include the brand new releaseSouth of Midnight, which launches day one on Game Pass. The other headline game isBorderlands 3Ultimate Edition, which includes the base game and all DLC. Microsofthas also confirmed which games will be leaving the service soon. The following games will be delisted from the service on April 15 , however Game Pass members can save “up to 20%,” on purchasing the games if they wish to keep them in their library....

Xbox Game Pass growth on console is “slowing down,” according to Microsoft‘s head of gaming Phil Spencer. Speaking atWSJ Tech Live(transcribed by The Verge journalist Tom Warren), Spencer said that while the company is seeing thePCversion of Game Pass experience “incredible growth,” the console side of the business is starting to slow. In the same interview, Spencer claimed that Xbox Game Pass is “10-15% of (its) overall revenue” and that the service is profitable for the company....

Microsoft has launched a new Xbox Ultimate Game Sale promotion. Running from July 15-31, it claims the promotion includes savings of up to 80% on games available throughMicrosoftStore and theXboxwebsite. When VGC checked, there were798 productsavailable in the sale, including different editions of the same game and season passes. Xbox’s regular Free Play Days promotion is also now live, allowing Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to try out three more games for free this weekend....

Ben Starr has returned to VGC for our yearly catch-up. Ben chats with VGC’s Jordan Middler about Expedition 33, the newly announced Final Fantasy Tactics, and his beloved Final Fantasy 8. Also, we’re giving away a Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy deck, signed by Ben Starr. You can find out how to enter and watch the full interview onPatreon. For a preview of the episode, check out the video below....

Analogue has announced that its FPGA Nintendo 64, Analogue 3D, has been delayed yet again, but will finally ship next month. Announced in 2023 and originally planned to release last year, Analogue 3D is aNintendo 64-like console that plugs into modern HDTVs and plays physical N64 games in 4K resolution. It’s said to be compatible with every original N64 game ever made, accepting cartridges from all regions, and includes four original-style controller ports....

A new range of clothing celebrating the 40th anniversary of Capcom is set to come to Uniqlo stores soon. The range, designed by graphic designer Kosuke Kawamura, will celebrate the Japanese developer’s biggest franchises likeStreet Fighterand Mega Man. Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Mega Man, Final Fight, Street Fighter II, Devil May Cry, Monster Hunter, andResident Evilare also represented as part of the range. “A special UT collection celebratingCapcom‘s 40th anniversary of creating many masterpieces that have left their mark on video game history!...

The Pokémon Company has announced Pokémon Art Through the Ages, an “art experience” that will be held in Manchester. The company has been teasing the exhibition for some time, but no further details have been revealed beyond the name and the dates on which it will be held. PokémonArt Through The Ages will be held at the Trafford Centre in Manchester from October 17 until November 13.The Pokémon Companyhas said it will reveal more information on October 3....

A new six-part documentary series about the history of Xbox is coming next month. Power On: The Story ofXboxwill be releasing on December 13 on a number of free streaming platforms including Roku, IMDv TV, YouTube and Redbox. The series will cover the entire 20-year history of the consoles, and it appears it won’t be shy to discuss the low points too. You can watch the trailer in this embedded video: From the struggles the team had showing off the original Xbox, to its extremely large controller, to theXbox 360‘s infamous ‘red ring of death’ failures, the documentary’s trailer shows that it won’t be entirely positive....

About a third of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield’s 300+ person core team contributed to other projects during its development, analysis of the game’s credits reveals. It’s not unusual for developers at large studios to work on multiple titles as their requirements fluctuate, butPokémonstudioGame Freakhas had to balance more projects than usual in recent years. In the 12 month period up to November 2019, the developer released three games – four if you count the console version ofGiga Wrecker– which represents the busiest period in its 30-year history....

Another movie adaptation of a video game has been announced, and this time it’s a Ubisoft IP. Riders Republicis set to be made into a film, with production being handled by Gaumont andUbisoftFilm & Television, according to aDeadlinereport. The film will be directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah – collectively billed as Adil & Bilall – who were responsible for directing the third and fourth Bad Boys movies, Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die....

Nintendo has added three more soundtracks to its Nintendo Music app. The Pilotwings soundtrack consists of 21 tracks running for 19 minutes, Pilotwings 64 features 30 tracks running for 46 minutes, and Pilotwings Resort offers 24 tracks with a runtime of 36 minutes. Although the runtimes may initially appear very short, many of the tracks are designed to loop and their default setting onNintendoMusic is to only loop once or twice....

Amazon Games has announced Crucible, its free-to-play, team-based shooter for PC, set for release via Steam on May 20. Crucibleis the Twitch owner’s first big stride into game software, as part of what is said to bean investment of “hundreds of millions of dollars” into game creation. The game combines competitive shooter and PvE elements. Players choose from a roster of aliens, robots, and humans, and work with teammates to hunt opponents, take down hostile creatures, and capture objectives, all on a rogue planet at the edge of known space....