Microsoft celebrates Pi Day on March 14

Tomorrow is Pi Day. Pi Day is celebrated around the world every year on 3/14, this year however is especially epic because Pi Day falls on 3.14.15. This number sequence corresponds with the first few numbers of Pi, 3.1415. 

In celebration of this extra special day we’re doing a few things to help you celebrate with your fellow Pi enthusiasts!

1. New Digital Gift Cards with the Pi Day theme.

2. Purchase an Xbox Music Pass for $31.41.

Microsoft sells 12 months of access to its streaming and download music service for $99.90, so this price reduction is over 66% less than its normal price. Microsoft says this discount can be used by people who are renewing their subscriptions as well as those folks getting new ones, so those of you who already have an Xbox Music Pass subscription can benefit as well.

3. Train your brain with Einstein Brain Trainer HD for Windows and Windows Phone.

 Did you know that March 14 is also Albert Einstein’s birthday? Now you can train like a true math-lete with Einstein Brain Trainer HD which offers 30 exercises for brain activation. This is a brand new app for Windows Phone and is already available in the Windows Store. Now for a limited time you can purchase these apps at 50% off!

Microsoft Xbox: New App on Windows 10

Microsoft is currently readying an updated preview of Windows 10 to focus on the consumer features of the upcoming operating system. 

A build, numbered 9901, circulating on the internet for a few hours and includes some of these innovations. We already know that Cortana will be part: vocal and virtual assistant will take over the command of the user as Windows Phone.

Another new feature of interest, the appearance of a new Xbox application. It stands as the gateway to the Xbox ecosystem, including successes, friends lists, activity flows, and the shop. Access to videos and music are also included along with the applications and games; it is not impossible that Microsoft has in the idea of better integrating Xbox Xbox Music Video.

The integration SmartGlass, which turns a smartphone or tablet second screen, should be part of a second step. New animations and a redesigned interface are also in the game.

Source : http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/14/7389563/windows-10-xbox-app-cortana-features

Petition : Stop blocking digital games purchases in other Xbox Live Marketplaces

With the Xbox one, Microsoft, via its representative Albert Penello, indicated that it would be possible to use one of the 13 digital market as soon as you have a valid form of payment for these countries. He even stated August 8, 2013: "Many people in Europe travel, move and visit their families." But now, as many people took advantage of the ultra-cheap foreign stores (Hong Kong, Canada, India ...) on purchases dematerialized, Microsoft seems to have put an end to all that.
This swindling today seems blocked by the US giant now offers a regional lock on this feature. The only true way seems to use a gift card, but it may not last long.
A player has launched a petition on Xbox uservoice, the service that allows players to vote for their favorite set up on the Xbox platform ideas. For now, 952 votes, and you are free to register to push this idea further so that access to foreign markets again become open!

Stop blocking digital games purchases in other Xbox Live Marketplaces

One Xbox / 360: the two consoles from Microsoft at the top of the U.S. sales in December

Microsoft had already announced that the Xbox One was the best-selling console in the United States in December 2013, but it was still missing the publication of official figures to support his remarks.

That which comes to be done by the NDP, which announced more than 900,000 Xbox One and more than 600,000 Xbox 360 sold on the last month of the year, or 46% of hardware sales.

The NDP also clarified that cumulative sales of consoles, games and accessories of the Xbox brand peaked at $ 1.39 billion, which represents 50% of the market in the USA in December.

NPD : Xbox 360 and Xbox One were the best-selling consoles of their generations in the USA in December. 908,000 (Xbox One) and 643,000 (Xbox 360).

 Finally, the Xbox One positioned 6 of his titles in the top 10 sales of the new generation games, with a ratio of 2.9 games sold per console purchased

TITANFALL: A ONE EXCLUSIVE XBOX CONTROLLER

Microsoft has announced via his Twitter account that a Xbox One controller in the colours of Titanfall would be available on March 13, the day of the release of the game.

The pad, sold limited edition is for the moment announced that for the latest addition to the American giant. Already available for pre-order, no information has indeed transpired as a controller of the same style on Xbox 360. Titanfall, one of the most anticipated this year's titles will be released also on PC with for purists the good old keyboard/mouse combo.

Dead Rising 3 crosses the one million sales

Currently, Dead Rising 3 often accompanies the purchase of an Xbox One. This production signed Capcom has charmed our editorial by its unusual, captivating, enjoyable and completely wacky universe (read our review). For the time being, is nippon giant one item on sales and it must be said that these are rather good.

December 20, 2013, Dead Rising 3 has surpassed 1 million. This figure includes securities sold in North America, Europe and on the various territories having the chance to see the Microsoft machine exposed in their rays. Stocks that will liquidate slowly, but surely.

Dead Rising 3 also talk about him at this time. A new DLC will be released soon, however, prepare your consoles, a patch of 13 GB must be installed to enjoy...

Titanlfall - For an alpha test mails sent

It would appear that players have received invitations to participate in the phase multiplayer testing alpha of Titanfall. Although the Twitter account of the game denies any information relating to a beta, the Xbox Support account seems to be aware of this test in alpha version.

If you are not registered yet, you can still do so at this address: http://www.titanfall.com/standby-for-titanfall

The game will be available March 13 next on Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.

...

The next Hitman open-world

iO Interactive is épanché on the canvas about the next Hitman. Without however revealing too much, we know that the game will be sandboxed.

In this open letter, the studio Announces return to the best moments of agent 47. This should end up with closest gameplay of Blood Money. Diana Burnwood and the Organization will be also.

We have adopted an approach of open design, with levels nonlinear for the game, which will play out through huge levels of sandboxed without checkpoint. Our goal is to create a life and credible levels that will allow players to play with AI to create these unique moments all fans of the franchise Hitman loves.

No release date is for the...

Forza Motorsport 5 update this week

Turn 10 has put online during the week a patch weighing 325 MB for Forza Motorsport 5. In the program, some corrections as the possibility of using the DLCs in rental cars, or the ability to adjust the threshold of damage of windshields.

Other corrections are on the programme, as the improvement in the sound of the engine of the 1964 Chevrolet Impala during the use of the clutch and other graphics improvements on the Caterham Superlight R500 2013 or the brightness of the cockpit for 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage.

Still nothing on the market

New details of the game from Black Tusk Studios

We know for a long time already that the new studio in Microsoft deals with a new IP, but the announcement is expected... The OXM has still found a few additional details in a job for a senior writer for the studio.

According to this offer, the studio searches a narrator confirmed to give life to the new big IP from Microsoft. According the site and the announcement the game would propose a big background with characters, stories and emotions as we have see in a Mass Effect. The offer also specifies that the person will have to work with external teams for transmedia, with experience required for screenplays for films, series or games. History will have to integrate seamlessly with the gameplay.

Another offering from the studio also suggests that a multiplayer is already planned, but the opposite would have been surprising...

Balance sheet of December US sales

This morning, the NDP Institute we propose to make the balance sheet of the videogame on American soil for the month of December 2013 and also took the opportunity to make a few statements on the year in General. We learn as well as for last month and the whole of the year, it's the 3DS that wins the jackpot as throughout the rest of the world.

With regard to the home consoles, Microsoft is still at the party with an Xbox 360 over the PS3 and one on Xbox, which doubles the PS4. The Xbox 360 displays 643,000 consoles sold there where his sister caps to 908,000 units. If one believes a manufacturer release, combined these two machines sales will represent 46% of sales last month, or an increase of 10% vis à vis of last year.

With regard to sales of games and accessories, with 1.39 billion generated, the Xbox brand would represent 50% of the market in the month of December on American soil. This translates into a monthly ranking among them not less than 6 titles available on the new machine of the group. But despite this announcement, we see that the games in question are also available at the competition and that no exclusive figure in the top 10 of the month.

Despite this, Microsoft says that on average, a possessor of Xbox One invested in 2.9 games since the launch of the machine. Although Sony figures are not yet made public, the Group provides to its competitor.

'PlayStation 4 remains the leader in cumulative sales of Next-generation consoles in the United States since the launch on 15 November,' said Dan Race of SCEA to our colleagues from Joystiq.

'We sold all available PS4 to retail sales in the United States and we were out of stock throughout the month of December due to the overwhelming demand of consumers.'

But as always it is impossible to see clearly in the fight between the two groups and while waiting to have the official figures, it is time to make an overall review of the video game sector in the USA. Thanks to the arrival of the new consoles, the US knows a market up 2% and generates no less than $ 3.28 billion. In detail, we learn that consoles sales jumped 28 percent to $ 1.37 billion and that it is likewise at the level of the accessories with an increase of 17% to 1.28 billion.

However, users having emptied their accounts to get a console, game sales are down 17% to 1.28 billion dollars from last year. Across from 2013, the industry is down 2% and displays a turnover of $ 12.97 billion. Consoles sales increased 5% to $ 4.26 billion, accessories jumped by 3% to $ 2.6 billion, but the sale of game has fallen by 9 per cent to $ 6.12 billion. However, the figures for sales of games is to qualify, because the NDP Institute does not take into account sales to digital format and it is quite difficult to make a State for specific locations.

At the level of the games, Grand Theft Auto 5 is necessary as the best-selling of the year without surprise. The classification of the year also shows us that despite a domination of the market sales of consoles, the 3DS is struggling to sell its games and therefore no game dedicated exclusively to the portable Nintendo respond now in the ranking of the year 2013.

Top ten games - December 2013

Call of Duty: Ghosts (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Battlefield 4 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Just Dance 2014 (PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox One)

Madden NFL 25 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

NBA 2K 14 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)

Lego Marvel Super Heroes (3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

FIFA 14 (PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Skylanders Swap Force (PS3, PS4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Top ten games - 2013

Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)

Call of Duty: Ghosts (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Madden NFL 25 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Battlefield 4 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

NBA 2K14 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360)

Just Dance 2014 (PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox One)

Minecraft (Xbox 360)

Disney Infinity (3DS, PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360)

343 Industries Releases New Piece Of thought Art For Halo five

Halo development studio 343 Industries has free a brand new piece of thought art for the extremely anticipated (and mysterious) new Halo game for Xbox One. Check it out below.

The release of this image comes hot off the heels of the recent announcement that Nicolas “Sparth” Bouvier is absorbing as stage director, whereas Kenneth Scott moves to the role of visual style authority. The image you see higher than is Bouvier's handicraft. Not too shabby if I do say therefore myself.

According to 343i's tease Holmes, the free design is "an early exploration of a brand new location that options conspicuously during a very little game project we’re tinkering with…." do not you simply love a decent tease?

In case you were speculative, yes, this can be currently my new desktop wallpaper.

TITANFALL 6 V 6

Vince Zampella of Respawn confirmed via Twitter: Titanfall jousting oppose up to 12 human players, at the rate of 6 per team, a limit which does not take account of the AI in support.

It to believe, it is "the best balance" in the eyes of developers, especially since each human player may be flanked by a Titan on the cover. Obviously expected to see if the epic side of the clashes will suffer not too, when well same Zampella says that this limitation is the result of many phases of testing. Titanfall is expected for March 13 on Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.