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Microsoft is set to add another developer to its growing list of first-party studios. At X018, a celebratory Xbox event taking place in Mexico City, Microsoft revealed its intention to acquire inXile Entertainment, the developer of Wasteland 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep.

The announcement was made by Matt Booty, head of Microsoft Studios and, according to Microsoft, inXile will continue to operate independently, but have the support to pursue its creative ambitions on all existing and new projects. InXile’s Brian Fargo said joining Microsoft allows the studio to tap into the “incredible Microsoft ecosystems that is second to none.” He said the team intends to carry on making role-playing games.

Microsoft has bolstered its development studio portfolio significantly this year. At E3 2018 it revealed five studios had joined the Xbox family. Santa Monica-based The Initiative, which is being headed up by Darrell Gallagher, former head of studio for Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics, was said to be building a team of “world class talent” to develop “groundbreaking new game experiences.”

Xbox boss Phil Spencer also confirmed that State of Decay developer Undead Labs and Forza Horizon studio Playground Games had been acquired by Microsoft. The latter is making a brand-new game, which is rumored to be Fable 4. We Happy Few developer Compulsion Games also was named as a new Microsoft studio, but perhaps the biggest surprise was Ninja Theory, the British developer of Heavenly Sword, DmC: Devil May Cry, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

As with inXile, Microsoft said these studios will retain “creative independence,” and Microsoft’s investment in them give these teams the additional resources and backing they need to take “bigger risks” and make “bolder worlds.” InXile is currently developing Wasteland 3, which was crowdfunded using Fig. The game is expected to launch in 2019.

The addition of these studios comes at a time when Xbox was under scrutiny for its lack of first-party titles for Xbox One. While projects these new studios are developing may not be targeting the platform holder’s current platform, at E3 2018 Microsoft confirmed work on new Xbox hardware was underway.

Microsoft has detailed a number of Black Friday 2018 discounts, giving people the opportunity to pick up its consoles and subscribe to services for cheaper than usual. The announcement was made during X018, the Xbox event being held in Mexico City. The platform holder is knocking up to $100 off its Xbox One consoles, which means you can pick up the Xbox One X for $400, which it notes is the cheapest its ever been. Xbox wireless controllers will also be $10 off, including the custom ones created using Xbox’s Design Lab.

On top of that, Xbox Game Pass, which gives subscribers access to a large library of titles they can download and play for the lifetime of their subscription, is being offered for $1 for the first month. This deal is available from today through January 3. Similarly, Xbox Live Gold–which is required to use the Xbox Game Pass service–is going for $1 for the first month too. It’s worth noting that these are set to automatically renew at the end of the month, when you’ll be charged full price, so make sure to cancel before then if you don’t want to be automatically charged on an ongoing basis.

A number of first-party games are also being discounted, most notably Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, and State of Decay 2, PUBG, Super Lucky’s Tale, which are being discounted by as much as 35%.

In GameSpot’s Forza Horizon 4 review, Edmond Tran awarded it a 9/10, saying there’s “a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4.” He continued: “Meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small–from the basic thrills of speeding a fast car down a gorgeous mountain highway to spending time tinkering with your favorite ride to manage seasonal road conditions to just hanging out with friends and strangers online and goofing off in friendly games. The charm of the Horizon series is as palpable as ever, a winning, all-inclusive recipe that celebrates the joy of driving above all else.”

In his review of Sea of Thieves, Peter Brown said the open-world pirate game is “a somewhat hollow game that can be fun for a handful of hours when played with friends, and something worth trying out if you happen to be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

“Even though it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend,” he added, “I like enough of what I see to hold out hope that things will eventually improve as the game continues to be patched and updated with new content.” Since its initial launch, Sea of Thieves developer Rare has released updates to improve the game and an expansion called Forsaken Shores. You can also read GameSpot’s review of State of Decay 2 to find out more about what we thought of that game.

Xbox Game Pass features both first-party and third-party titles. Check out our comprehensive list of games available on Xbox Game Pass now to see what else a subscription would give you access to.

Microsoft has big plans for Xbox Game Pass over the coming months. At its X018 conference, the company announced 16 more games coming by the end of the year–and the line-up includes some big names and critical darlings.

Today, Thief of Thieves is available on Xbox One and through Game Pass. Coming on Monday, November 12, Game Pass subscribers can grab PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for free through the program. Then on November 22, the service will add Agents of Mayhem, MXGP3, and Thomas Was Alone.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will join on December 17. You can get Kingdom: Two Crowns in mid-December. On December 20, you can play Ori and the Blind Forest. The strategy game Mutant Year Zero is also coming in December.

Next January will bring Aftercharge, and Supermarket Shriek will join sometime in 2019. Then upon launch next year, Game Pass will add the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The company also announced Pathologic 2, The Good Life, and Secret Neighbor for the Game Pass service.

Microsoft also announced a new Xbox Game Pass app, available now on iOS and Android. The app aims to make it easier to discover new Game Pass games from its large library, and set them to download remotely so they’re waiting for you when you get back to your Xbox One. Just make sure that your console settings have “Instant On” and remote installations enabled to make use of the functionality.

Finally, if you’re still curious to try out Game Pass, Microsoft announced a special starter price. You can open a subscription for $1 for your first month as long as you sign up by January 3. Afterwards, of course, if you allow the subscription to continue it will resume its regular price of $10 per month.

Microsoft has launched an Xbox Game Pass application for iOS and Android devices. As detailed during the X018 event, the app allows users to browse the library of titles available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription and download them to their Xbox One console. This means that, while on the go, you can set games to be ready for you when you sit down in front of your console.

In addition to the new app, Microsoft detailed a number of new titles that are being added to the Xbox Game Pass library. For those that have a subscription to the service, these games can be downloaded and played at no further cost, and will be available to them for as long as they are subscribed–barring any decision Microsoft makes to remove their availability from the service.

The biggest new addition is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the popular battle royale title, which will be available from November 12. Thief of Thieves is available from today, and Agents of Mayhem, MXGP3, and Thomas Was Alone are set to be added on November 22.

In December, Ori and the Blind Forest, Kingdom Two Crowns, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will also be added to Xbox Game Pass. During the holiday season, indie titles Aftercharge, Supermarket Shriek, Mutant Year Zero, Pathologic 2, The Good Life, Void Bastards, and Secret Neighbor will be introduced to the Xbox Game Pass library the day they become available on the platform. Finally, Ori and the Will of the Wisps–the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest–will be available through Xbox Game Pass when it is released for Xbox One and PC in 2019.

To further entice people into subscribing, Microsoft is offering a discount on the price of a Xbox Game Pass. For the first month, subscriptions will be available for $1 from now through January 3. Microsoft is also discounting Xbox Live subscription prices down to $1 for the first month, so you could get set to download games and play online for a total of $2. Keep in mind that these are likely to be set to auto-renew at the full price, so make sure to cancel if you don’t want an ongoing membership.

The list of titles available as part of Xbox Game Pass is already significant and includes both first-party and third-party games from the Xbox One and Xbox 360 catalog. Recent highlights include Forza Horizon 4 and State of Decay 2. You can see the full list of Xbox Game Pass titles for a more comprehensive look at the library.

At Microsoft’s X018 conference, the company announced the first big expansion for Forza Horizon 4. The DLC is called Fortune Island, and it’s set to launch on December 13. It keeps you racing through the UK but takes you to some northern British Isles with particularly craggy mountainsides and dangerous weather like lightning storms. The new setting isn’t without its peaceful charms, though, as you’ll be able to witness the aurora borealis.

Naturally, Fortune Island will come alongside a new set of cars to drive as well. The game has already started rolling out the five custom-built Ford vehicles from the GymkhanaTEN video series. Car Pass members can already grab the 1977 Ford GymkhanaTEN, F-150 Hoonitruck, and the 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth Group A. Later this month they can also get the 1965 Ford Hoonicorn Mustang V2 and the 2017 Ford Fiesta RS, followed by the 2016 Ford GymkhanaTEN Focus RS RX in December.

Fortune Island is part of the expansions bundle for $35, which is available for Ultimate Edition owners at no additional cost. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, you’ve already gotten access to Forza Horizon 4 as part of your subscription, and you can get the expansions as a bundle or individually for 10% off.

Setting the expansion in the rocky north should prove a challenge for experienced racers, especially given the game’s marquee feature of changing seasons. GameSpot’s Forza Horizon 4 review found the seasons had a real impact on gameplay, and contributed to a diversity of race types.

“Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small–from the basic thrills of speeding a fast car down a gorgeous mountain highway to spending time tinkering with your favorite ride to manage seasonal road conditions to just hanging out with friends and strangers online and goofing off in friendly games,” said critic Edmond Tran. “The charm of the Horizon series is as palpable as ever, a winning, all-inclusive recipe that celebrates the joy of driving above all else.”

Deep Silver has announced a special version of 4A Games’ Metro Exodus will be when it launches in 2019. Titled the “Spartan Collector’s Edition,” the package is limited to 4,000 units and is available to pre-order now from the Metro Exodus website.

“The Spartan Collector’s Edition ships in a gigantic, barrel-shaped package, based on an in-game design that adds to the authenticity,” Deep Silver explains. It contains a statue of Artyom–the main character of the series–which is hand-painted resin and stands at 10.5 inches high. There’s also a replica of Artyom’s Spartan Order dog tag, collectible postcards, and two patches.

The Spartan Collector’s Edition can be purchased as a stand-alone item or complete with a copy of The Aurora Limited Edition, which has a copy of the game, an art book, and the Metro Exodus expansion pass, packaged in a custom metal outer case inspired by Metro Exodus’ in-game locomotive, The Aurora. The Spartan Collector’s Edition will cost $149.99 on its own or $234.99 bundled with the Aurora Edition.

Take a look at the full contents of the Spartan Collector’s Edition with descriptions, courtesy of Deep Silver, below.

• A Premium Artyom Statue: This highly detailed, hand-painted resin statue stands at 10.5 inches high and captures the iconic scene from the Metro Exodus announcement trailer of Artyom fighting off a deadly Watchman. Each statue is individually numbered.
• Authentic Spartan Order Dog Tag: A finely crafted replica of Artyom’s Spartan Order tag.
• Artyom’s Memories Collectible Postcards: Arytom’s most treasured items are postcards from the world before it was devastated by nuclear war. Fans of the Metro series will recognize Artyom’s collection, given to him by those he encounters on his journey.
• Spartan Order Patches: Two authentic Spartan Order patches to wear with pride.

Metro Exodus is set to release February 22 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Check out our full pre-order guide for more purchasing options.

At X018, the Xbox fan event taking place in Mexico City, Microsoft announced that mouse and keyboard support will arrive on Xbox One on November 14, and Xbox Insiders will be able to use it on select games at launch, with more titles adding support later. Among these games is Epic Games’ Fortnite and Digital Extremes’ Warframe.

In November, Bomber Crew, Deep Rock Galactic, Strange Brigade, Vermintide 2, War Thunder, and X-Morph Defense will also be updated to offer keyboard and mouse support. Beyond that, Microsoft has named Children of Morta, DayZ, Minion Master, Moonlighter, Vigor, Warface, and Wargroove as games “adding support in the future.”

According to Microsoft, when the feature becomes available next week, developers will have the tools required to create “tailored mouse and keyboard experiences for they game as they see fit to ensure a fair and fun experience for fans.

The company also took the opportunity to reveal a selection of “Designed for Xbox” mice and keyboard peripherals. Razer has been confirmed to be the exclusive partner for these products and is expected to introduces their line of Designed for Xbox peripherals at CES in January, 2019. Microsoft says these are going to be “created for living room or desktop scenarios, come equipped with a dedicated Xbox key, and support the new Xbox Dynamic Lighting feature enabling immersive in-game lighting effects.”

Of course, the introduction of mouse and keyboard support is a big deal, especially for competitive titles such as Fortnite. Traditionally, it’s believed that those using mouse and keyboard have an advantage as they enable users to be more precise and react quicker. Microsoft seems to be placing the onus on developers to figure out how to implement support in their games, and it will be interesting to see if more developers adopt the input method, and how they plan to handle the potential split in the player base this could cause. For Fortnite specifically, players using keyboard and mouse will be matched against others doing the same.

First-person shooters are, naturally, the genre mouse and keyboard is perhaps best suited for, and some players of competitive titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield V, PUBG, Overwatch may welcome the support. This also opens up the console to accommodate a variety of other genres, such as real-time strategy, much better,. Historically, titles in this genre such as Civilization or Halo Wars have been tweaked to work with controllers. Mouse and keyboard support also opens the door to a bunch of touch-based titles to appear on the console.

Microsoft has a ton of new content coming to its biggest Xbox One and PC games of 2018, and that includes State of Decay 2. During its X018 event in Mexico City, the company gave fans their first look at Undead Labs’ next update for the zombie survival game: Zed Hunter.

Zed Hunter arrives as a free update for State of Decay 2 on November 16. It introduces a handful of new weapons to the game, among them the crossbow. Design director Richard Foge described the new weapon as a stealthier way to take out enemies; you’re able to quietly fire bolts at zombies from a distance without drawing attention to yourself. These bolts will also stick to the environment, and you’ll be able to recover them if they don’t break.

In addition to the crossbow, the Zed Hunter update introduces three new “quiet” melee weapons, as well as six new consumables, some of which are based on zombie plague experiments. These will give you abilities in exchange for blood plague accumulation, such as the power to see in the dark. You can watch the reveal trailer for Zed Hunter above.

That isn’t all the new content on the horizon for State of Decay 2. Foge teased that another free update is coming in early 2019. This one will let players experience new challenges and new ways of surviving with their communities. He also teased that players will be able to return to Trumbull Valley in 2019, although he wasn’t able to share any more details beyond that.

Microsoft shared a ton of announcements during its X018 event. The company revealed a new mode coming to Rare’s shared pirate adventure Sea of Thieves called The Arena. We also got our first look at Void Bastards, a stylish shooter from developers behind System Shock and BioShock.