Microsoft Updates Xbox Game Pass Branding by Removing the Word 'Xbox'

Microsoft has updated its branding for both Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass PC by removing the word "Xbox" from its social channel's logos. As reported by Thurrott, this change has been made for both @XboxGamePass and @XboxGamePassPC, although the names of each account are still Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass For PC, respectively, and the Xbox logo is still present. Additionally, the Xbox Game Pass website still uses the full name. While this could be a simple rebranding of the logos, it also could be a hint of things to come in regards to Microsoft's future plans for the service. A couple weeks ago, Microsoft stopped selling 12-month Xbox Live Gold plans, which could signal it being phased out for a potential all-encompassing "Game Pass" plan or other service. Furthermore, Microsoft continues to add even more value to Xbox Game Pass and recently announced that it will be adding Project xCloud support in September 2020 to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at no extra cost. This xCloud support in Xbox Game Pass could be a reason behind the rebranding, as it will allow subscribers to play their games on not just Xbox, but on PC and mobile devices as well. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/we-think-we-know-xbox-series-xs-launch-lineup"] Considering Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also includes Xbox Live Gold, it could make sense to focus Microsoft's services into one central brand. All of these changes, including Microsoft's decision to stop production on Xbox One X and Xbox One S Digital Edition, are all occurring just a few months before the launch of Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020. Microsoft recently gave more details about many of the first-party games headed to Xbox Series X, including Halo Infinite, Fable, Forza Motorsport, Everwild, and more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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Ghost of Tsushima's Weather Will Change Based on Your Playstyle

Ghost of Tsushima features a dynamic weather system that occurs in real-time as Jin Sakai is working to save his homeland from the invading Mongols. However, it has been revealed that more storms will occur as Jin goes deeper down the Ghost path. Speaking to Gamespot, Ghost of Tsushima creative director Nate Fox explained that, "The game is definitely scripted to provide more storms as you do things which are extremely Ghost driven." Jin Sakai begins his journey as an honorable samurai, but to defeat his enemies that threaten his home, he must walk a more dishonorable path by using stealth and striking from the shadows. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/22/ghost-of-tsushima-best-moments-from-our-live-stream"] Mongols faced early on are meant to be taken down by using the skills of a samurai, but Ghost of Tsushima gradually unlocks Ghost skills for you as the difficulty ramps up and naturally encourages players to embrace this different way. The weather follows Jin's journey, and begins much calmer. Yet, if the player chooses to utilize the Ghost path more as the game progresses, the storms become more frequent and areas will become a bit darker, which runs in parallel to Jin's evolution. It's important to remember that players can choose to change the weather at any point with their flute, but this is a nice touch to a game that doesn't feature a traditional morality meter. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/ghost-of-tsushima-creative-director-interview-podcast-beyond-episode-658"] For more on Ghost of Tsushima, check out our review, the latest update that adds a new difficulty and additional accessibility options, and our spoiler-filled chat about all things Ghost of Tsushima with Sucker Punch's Jason Connell. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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Atlantis Has Arrived in Fortnite as Coral Castle

Fortnite's version of Atlantis has officially arrived in the battle royale as Coral Castle. Since the start of Fortnite's Chapter 2: Season 3, the water level of the map has been lowering, and the latest update has revealed Coral Castle, which exists north of Sweaty Sands near the plane crash site. Coral Castle, which you can see in the below screenshots, is surrounded by waterfalls and features ancient ruins, statues, coral, orbs with creatures inside, and much more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fortnites-atlantis-coral-castle-screenshots&captions=true"] As reported by Fortnite Insider, data-miners had previously leaked that an Aquaman Atlantis POI would be headed to Fortnite. Additionally, The Ancient Astronaut near Craggy Cliffs is now completely above water, Slurpy Swamp is back and now free of water on top of it, and the Fortilla has "completely changed orientation." Fornite's map's water level is is now at the "proper level" with this latest update, and Fortnite Insider questions if its time for the long-awaited cars to finally make their way into the game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/17/fortnite-chapter-2-season-3-splashdown-launch-trailer"] For more on Fortnite, be sure to check out the Marvel's Avengers crossover that will gift those who complete the PS4 beta of Marvel's Avengers a Hulk Smashers pickaxe and an added style that makes them the gloves from Iron Man's Hulkbuster armor. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who proudly took all the above screenshots in his Cleveland Browns outfit. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Guilty Gear Strive Confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Steam

Alongside the reveals of Leo Whitefang and Nagoriyuki, Arc System Works has confirmed that, in addition to the already announced PS4 version, Guilty Gear Strive will launch on PlayStation 5 and Steam in Spring 2021. As reported by Eurogamer, a new trailer showcased Leo Whitefang, a returning character who made his debut in 2014's Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- and wields two greatswords. His official description is as follows; "Leo is one of the three 'Allied Kings' of the Allied Kingdom of Illyria, and is responsible for the governing of Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. He is also an accomplished warrior in his own right, with a relentless fighting style." Nagoriyuki was also introduced, and he is a brand new character that is a techno samurai vampire who uses a sword and wears a pretty nifty sci-fi helmet. His official description is as follows; "Nagoriyuki is the newest addition to the Guilty Gear universe. A vampire with a number of unique and powerful abilities, he wields a huge sword with impressive skill in battle and slashes at his enemies with punishing blows. Stay tuned for more info about this mysterious figure!" Guilty Gear Strive was scheduled to be released in 2020, but it was recently delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Strive is more of a reboot of the franchise, and features such characters as Sol Badguy, Ky Kiske, May, Faust, Potemkin, Chipp Zanuff, Zato-1, Millia Rage, and Axl Low. As part of our IGN Expo, we were proud to exclusively reveal Ramlethal Valentine, a returning character who specializes in controlling the mid-range. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/guilty-gear-strive-ramlethal-reveal-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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