Major Nelson Radio Panel At PAX East 2016

PAX East is one of the premiere gaming shows and is being held from April 22-24 in Boston, MA. Specifics about what Xbox has planned will be announced soon (and I will share them here) but I can confirm I will be there with a couple of my regular podcast co-hosts for the Major Nelson Radio PAX East 2016 panel. Also scheduled to join us during the panel – Aaron Keller, Assistant Game Director for Overwatch: Origins Edition, coming to Xbox One on 24 May.

PAX East

The first 500 fans attending the panel will receive an Overwatch Early Access Beta key for Xbox One (full details about the Overwatch beta here). I’ll also be giving away some other cool prizes including Xbox One games, accessories and Xbox One 500GB Name Your Game Bundle.

Major Nelson Radio

Saturday, April 23, 4:00PM – 5:00PM,  Dragonfly Theatre

We’ve been here since the beginning of PAX East in 2010. Six years later we are still being allowed in. Quick, come see this live show before someone figures it out! Join Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson, lollip0p, and JEF United as we record an episode of the award winning officially unofficial Xbox-centric podcast “Major Nelson Radio” LIVE in front of a you, our studio audience.

It will be an hour of awkward audience participation, Xbox prizes, guests, and maybe some fun.

Maybe.

Note: Due to legacy commonwealth blue laws, clowns and/or open toed shoes are not permitted before, during, or after this session. Please plan accordingly.

 

See the official PAX East Schedule here.

If I’m not at my podcast panel, you may find me attending other panels, walking around the showroom floor or hanging out at the Xbox booth. If you see me say hi.

For more information about the Xbox booth including a list of games being featured at the show, check out Xbox Wire or the Xbox Events site. For general information about PAX East, check out the official website.

 

Happy New Year !

2016

As the clock winds down on the year, I wanted to thank the Xbox Community for a great 2015. This was a big year for Xbox as we continued our quest of innovation and great games for Xbox, and thank you for coming along on our journey.

Looking forward to 2016 we have a lot of great things in store for Xbox fans (some of which we’ve announced) and we promise more surprises as well.

Again, thank you and have yourself a great New Year.

 

 

UPDATE: Windows 10 Teaming Up With Blizzard For BlizzCon 2015

Windows 10 is teaming up with Blizzard Entertainment as a sponsor of BlizzCon 2015, a convention devoted to bringing together Blizzard’s game universes and the global player communities that bring them to life. This year Blizzard is celebrating its ninth BlizzCon, which takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on Friday, 06 November and Saturday, 07 November.

BlizzConV1

For the first time ever, fans not attending BlizzCon 2015 in person can watch the Opening Ceremony streaming LIVE on their Xbox One via the Xbox Live Events interactive (XLEi) app starting Friday, November 6 at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET, and then available on Video On Demand.

If you want to catch the full broadcast of all of the BlizzCon events, including the closing concert, you’ll need a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket. Learn more here.

I will be attending BlizzCon 2015 this year and look forward to seeing Windows 10 sponsoring one of the biggest PC gaming community events. I’m also giving five lucky fans passes to Blizzard’s big show, plus a copy of Windows 10 Pro.

If you’re interested in attending BlizzCon 2015 and you will be in the Anaheim, California area on 06 and 07 November, email me (major at xbox.com) and I’ll randomly pick five fans to attend the event as my guests.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Date / Time: 06 November to 07 November
  • Location: Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California
  • If you are randomly selected, you will receive an email with directions how to receive your badge and prize.
  • I’m accepting invitation requests via email until 16 October at 12:00p EDT and will notify winners on or about 19 October.
  • This offer is only for an invitation to the event – you are responsible for all other travel and/or lodging expenses.

Thanks and hopefully I’ll see you at BlizzCon 2015!

UPDATE: Thanks to all those who were interested in the BlizzCon tickets and emailed me for a chance to win them. The deadline to submit an email has now passed. Winners have been notified via email. Follow me on Twitter or keep checking back for any news or updates about BlizzCon 2015. Hope to see you there!

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 47m

Gears Of War 4 release next month means it's Crimson Omen Cookie time @ Microsoft Building 37 instagram.com/p/BK5_EfrALSm/

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 1h

Celebrating @GearsofWar 4 launch with the Gears of War: Live broadcast on 05 OCT. Details about the broadcast here:… twitter.com/i/web/status/7…

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 2h

Use Forza Horizon 3's Drone Mode to make some pretty good looking backgrounds for your console/PC

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 2h

I'll be heading to #TwitchCon this weekend - who else is going?

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 14h

The same goes for you @jeffrubenstein https://t.co/Ta2pC3scnc

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 14h

Not today @XboxQwik ;) https://t.co/r8HIpP7wyt

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 18h

Pre-loads start in about an hour: twitter.com/GearsofWar/sta…

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 21h

Needed an SD card from a coworker on the other side of the office. They delivered. Via paper airplane. ✈ https://t.co/dMgO6GXjxj

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 22h

Reminder: Forza Horizon 3 is an Xbox Play Anywhere title. Check out this article if you have questions news.xbox.com/2016/09/15/eve…

\\ Larry Hryb \\ @majornelson 24h

PSA: Today is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay - register today so you can participate in November 🇺🇸 nationalvoterregistrationday.org

More @majornelson on Twitter

Imagine The Future Of Football To Win $50,000 And A Trip To Super Bowl 50

Microsoft is teaming up with the NFL for the first ever Imagine Bowl – a program designed to reward creativity and innovation. Three lucky finalists will be hopping on a plane to join us at Super Bowl 50 and the grand prize winner will collect a cool $50,000.

Submit your creative pitch from October 1 to December 1 with an essay of 3,000 words or less and/or a video that’s two minutes or less. Tell us how you would use technology to improve how we play, watch and experience the game. Submissions can focus on changing the game in one of three ways: on the field for players and coaches, in the stadium for fans or in the home for fans viewing experience.

Check out Xbox Wire for more details and enter today at ImagineBowl.com.

UPDATE: Join Me In New York City For A Windows 10 Devices Special Celebration

preview-invitation-FAN-EVENING-22

We have some great news to share about Windows 10 devices on Tuesday October 6th in New York followed by a special event later in the evening. You can watch the Windows 10 devices live event online here or on your Xbox on Tuesday, 06 October at 10:00 am EDT.

Later that evening, Microsoft will be hosting a special celebration at Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York City and I’m inviting a number of lucky fans to join me for a night of food, drinks and exclusive hands-on experiences. Those attending will have the opportunity to get hands on with surprise Windows 10 devices, as well as:

  • New Xbox One Experience – the completely redesigned User Interface for the Xbox One
  • Xbox App on Windows 10
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider gameplay demo
  • Halo 5 4v4 Arena multiplayer gameplay

If you’re interested in attending and you will be in the New York City area on October 6th, email me (major at xbox.com) here and I’ll randomly pick a number of fans to attend the event as my guests.

Invitations have been emailed to those who were selected to attend the celebration. Thank you for those who expressed interest in attending – we received a ton of emails from fans excited about the Windows 10 devices event and celebration.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Date / Time: 06 October starting at 8:00pm EDT (What time is that in your time zone?)
  • Location: Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York City (360 West 33rd Street, between 8th & 9th avenues)
  • If you are randomly selected, you will receive an email with directions how to RSVP.
  • I’m accepting invitation requests via email until Thursday, 01 October at 12:00p EDT.
  • If chosen, you’ll be on my guest list with two passes under your name – one for you and one for a guest.
  • Due to alcohol being served at the event, all attendees must be 21 and over.
  • This offer is only for an invitation to the event – you are responsible for all other travel and/or lodging expenses.

Thanks and hopefully I’ll see you Tuesday night.

Experience The Evolution Of Game Day With The NFL App On Xbox One And Windows 10

Just in time for NFL Kickoff and Fantasy Football season, fans can now download the new NFL app for both Xbox One and Windows 10 devices – for free.

In the video above, I talk to Jeff Tran, Microsoft’s Director of Sports Marketing, to show some of the exciting new updates that are available right now to give fans an unmatched, truly personalized NFL game day experience, including:

* Dive deeper into plays with Next Gen Stats. An exciting new addition to the app this year, fans can view previously unseen data, such as player speed and distance travelled. Fans can also relive enhanced highlights, change viewing angles to follow all 22 players on the field, use interactive player maps and see exactly how their fantasy running back found the gap in coverage.

* Bring Fantasy Football to your TV with real-time scoring updates, NFL.com fantasy highlights, and the ability to manage your teams across multiple leagues.

* Get personalized Notifications and Highlight Reel gives fans on-demand highlights from their favorite teams, players, and NFL.com Fantasy team. Combine that with real-time notifications, and fans can now stay on top of the action from across the league whether they are watching live NFL games or gaming.

Not only will fans experience cutting edge Next Gen Stats data married with enhanced replays from their favorite teams on the big screen, but Xbox is also offering a Next Gen Stats Pick’em contest*. The season-long contest gives fans the opportunity to make predictions on Next Gen Stats each week to win prizes like signed NFL memorabilia and tickets to Super Bowl 50.

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the season as Microsoft celebrates the NFL’s golden anniversary and imagines the possibilities for The Next 50.

*The Next Gen Stats Pick ‘Em Contest is currently available on Xbox One and will be added to the Windows 10 app in late September.

Xbox At PAX Prime 2015

Hey Xbox fans, PAX Prime is next week and what makes this event so special and uniquely different than some of the other industry events is, this show is all about gaming and open to the public. For those who managed to score tickets to the event, you will get an inside look at the video game industry and have the opportunity to play games that haven’t even been released yet. Xbox has been showing off some amazing games and accessories at some of the other events we’ve been to this year, and I can’t wait to share the experience with the PAX Prime audience.

PAX-Prime-Logo

Details on where you can find me provided below:

Thursday, 27 August: ID@Xbox Pre-PAX Open House

Microsoft campus — Building 92 (directions here)

Thursday, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Our Pre-PAX Open House is going to be even bigger and better than last year. We’re going to have more than 50 upcoming ID@Xbox titles, including eight new announces and several first playables PLUS Halo 5: Guardians Arena Multiplayer. This free event is open to the public and PAX badges aren’t required to attend. Food and drinks will be provided. Find all of the details here.

ID@Xbox

Saturday, 29 August: Major Nelson Radio at PAX Prime

Sphinx Theatre

Saturday, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

For almost 10 years, Major Nelson Radio has been part of PAX Prime. And this year is no different. Join Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson, e, lollip0p, and Rubes as we record an episode of the award winning officially unofficial Xbox centric podcast “Major Nelson Radio” LIVE in front of a you, our studio audience. Come be a part of the longest running PAX Prime Podcast.

It will be an hour of awkward audience participation, Xbox prizes, special guests, and maybe some fun.

Maybe.

Note: Due to local zoning laws, clowns are not permitted before, during, or after this session.

Monday, 31 August: Scalebound Gameplay Demo and Q+A

Sasquatch Theatre

Monday, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Join me as I host this very special Scalebound panel. See a gameplay demo of Scalebound, the next great adventure from critically-acclaimed developer PlatinumGames and renowned Game Director Hideki Kamiya.

I’ll be joined by fellow panelists – Hideki Kamiya (Game Director), Atsushi Inaba (Executive Producer), JP Kellams (Creative Producer).

Friday, 27 August to Monday, 31 August: Visit the Xbox Booth (#412)

Xbox is bringing the greatest games lineup in Xbox history this holiday, and if you have tickets to PAX Prime, you’ll be able to play some of these amazing games before they launch.  See our games lineup below and details on how to win one of several collectible controllers and Xbox One consoles.

Xbox Booth #412

Get hands-on with Holiday’s most anticipated titles in our booth before they launch:

  • Halo 5: Guardians
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider
  • Forza Motorsport 6
  • Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
  • Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
  • Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
  • Cuphead
  • Xbox One Elite Controller

Windows 10 Gaming at PAX

Friday, 27 August to Monday, 31 August

We’re all thrilled about the great reception to Windows 10 so far, and many of our great PC gaming partners are at PAX this weekend – showcasing great new games, PCs, and hardware that bring Windows 10 gaming to life.  Here’s just a sampling to make sure you check out while you’re at the show:

*Alienware (booth 3617): Come to the Alienware booth to witness the latest in PC gaming on Windows 10. Experience the first playable demos on the brand new X51 desktop, and the full Alienware notebook family will be on display representing great mobile PC gaming.

*Asus (booth 6003):  Asus will be showing Windows 10 gaming systems from notebooks to custom-builds, including an ROG multiplayer Battle Arena featuring Battlefield Hardline and much more.

*Intel (booth 1242):  Intel will be showcasing the latest unlocked 6th Generation Intel Core K-Skus announced at Gamescom which delivers performance and stunning visuals.  You’ll also be able to get hands on with the new Xbox One to Windows 10 game streaming on great Windows 10 gaming PCs.

*Motiga (booth 3827):  Check out Gigantic and experience the free-to-play shooter MOBA where heroes battle alongside a massive guardian. This game is equal parts action and strategy and will tests your teamwork, tactics, and timing.

*NVIDIA (booth 252): Visit NVIDIA to get hands-on with Fable Legends, running on Windows 10 and DirectX 12 and powered by a GeForce GTX 980 Ti.  NVIDIA will also be showcasing their latest DirectX 12 GPU, the GTX 950, and the latest in their eSports-favorite G-SYNC displays.

*Razer (booth 4027):  Razer will be showing their line of Windows 10 powered desktops and laptops including the Razer Blade and Blade Pro, showcasing Dying Light and Dark Souls 3.  Razer will also showcase their newest Designed by Razer PC cases.

General PAX Info

EXHIBIT HALL HOURS

Friday, August 28 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday, August 29 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, August 30 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Monday, August 31 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Check out the official PAX website for information about the event.

We look forward to showing off our greatest games lineup in Xbox history and seeing you starting this Thursday!

Press Play Invites Gamers To Help Choose And Develop Its Next Game

Xbox fans may know Press Play’s name thanks to the 2013 sidescrolling platformer Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and 2014 puzzle-platformer Kalimba – but pretty soon, the Denmark-based developer will be known for putting the gaming community front-and-center in a unique open development process.

Starting today, Press Play is opening up the studio and the whole development process to gamers just like you. This new transparent development initiative is about giving the community a chance to provide feedback and help Press Play create the studio’s next game. Over the past months Press Play has been developing three concepts and to show just how much influence the community is going to have, Press Play is letting you decide which of the concepts they should develop and turn into their biggest game yet.

The developers are inviting everyone to provide feedback on the three exciting concepts. Vote for your favorite concept by Sept. 1, and the whole studio will rally around whichever project ultimately gets chosen. The three concepts you’ll be voting on are:

Project: Dwarka

An action-packed first-person co-op game, set in a dark fantasy world. Team up with a group of friends to become a band of legendary dwarven treasure hunters, and explore a procedurally generated underworld filled with gold and monstrosities.

Project: Karoo

A physics based multiplayer construction game set in an open world. Build complex machines out of simple blocks—you can build any type of vehicle you can think of, and use it to go on adventures.

Project: Knoxville

A 3rd person multiplayer action-survival game in which players must both work together and against each other. It goes further than any game when it comes to dynamic relationships and spectator interaction, and makes you wonder: “How far will you go to survive?”

And that’s just the beginning; beyond this initial feedback, the community will get the chance to engage with Press Play throughout development. Some of the things that Press Play is planning as part of this process include sharing early builds of the game and having community members join meetings and project reviews via Skype. And of course, that’s in addition to regular forum activity, lots of video, and frequent blog updates.

Press Play’s hope is that working with gamers like you will lead to better games. This is an exciting time to open the studio to you, and we can’t wait to open and maintain a dialogue between gamers and developers.

Check out the official Press Play website for more information about the program, and the three game concepts that are up for feedback. We’ll have more exciting news to share after we tally the voting results!

 

You’re Invited To Microsoft’s ID@Xbox Pre-PAX Open House

Once again, we’re throwing open the doors at the Microsoft campus to kick off PAX Prime weekend with the latest ID@Xbox games, hundreds of gamers – and a special hands-on opportunity with Halo 5: Guardians Arena Multiplayer!

ID@Xbox

Here’s what you need to know:

When: TONIGHT Thursday, August 27th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM

Where: Microsoft campus — Building 92

15010 NE 36th Street

Redmond, WA 98052

United States

(directions here)

Who: Xbox fans 18 and older (under 18 allowed with parent/guardian)

What you can do: Play more than 50 upcoming ID@Xbox titles, including eight new announces and several first playables! Meet the developers and play some of our most highly anticipated titles, including Cuphead, The Flame in the Flood, Pit People, ARK: Survival Evolved, We Happy Few, SpeedRunners and Warhammer: Vermintide. Collect limited edition buttons for each game you play (while supplies last), and even pose for a picture with StudioMDHR’s Cuphead! See the Microsoft campus and stop by the Visitor Center to explore everything from the latest Microsoft Research innovations to the very first personal computer.

Additionally, the Open House will be the only place for fans to play Halo 5: Guardians Arena Multiplayer, get to hang out with members of 343 Industries and have the chance to meet Halo special guests.

Admission cost: Absolutely FREE (PAX passes are not required)

Transportation: Parking is available for FREE on the Microsoft campus, and complimentary buses will also provide transportation from the Washington State Convention Center to building 92. The first buses will leave the convention center at 4:30 PM. There will be signs and staff wearing red shirts guiding people onto the buses driving  between the convention center and Microsoft campus.

Confirmed ID@Xbox games include:

#IDARB – Other Ocean
Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Vol. One – Redacted Studios
Anarcute – Anarteam
Aritana and The Harpy’s Feather– Duaik Entretenimento
ARK: Survival Evolved – Studio Wildcard
Below – Capybara
Beyond Eyes – Tiger & Squid/Team17
ClusterPuck 99 – PHL Collective
Cuphead – StudioMDHR Entertainment Inc.
Draw a Stickman: EPIC – Hitcents
Dungeon League – Achebit/Surprise Attack Games
FAT CITY– Heavy Iron Studios
Full Mojo Rampage – Over the Top Games/Nicalis
Gate of Memories – Anima Project/Badland Indie
Guns, Gore, and Cannoli – Crazy Monkey Studios
Gunsport – Necrosoft Games/Iron Galaxy Studios
Happy Dungeons – Toylogic Inc.
Hue – Fiddlesticks/Curve Digital
Ironcast – Dreadbit/Ripstone
Ittle Dew 2 – Ludosity
Just Shapes and Beats – Berzerk Studio
Knight Squad – Chainsawesome Games
Layers of Fear – Bloober Team
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime – Asteroid Base Inc.
Mekazoo – The Good Mood Creators
Mimic Arena – Tiny Horse Games
Never Alone – Upper One Games/E-Line Media
Party Hard – Pinokl Games/tinyBuild Games
Phantasmal  – Eyemobi
Pinball FX2 – Zen Studios
Pit People – The Behemoth
Pixel Galaxy – Serenity Forge
Riptide GP Renegade – Vector Unit Inc
Rivals of Aether – Dan Fornace
Slain! – Wolf Brew Games/Digerati Distribution
SpeedRunners – DoubleDutch Games/tinyBuild Games
Starpoint Gemini 2– Little Green Men Games
Super Dungeon Bros – React Games/Wired Productions
Swordy – Frogshark
The Banner Saga – Stoic/Versus Evil
The Flame in the Flood – The Molasses Flood
The Hole Story – Girls Make Games/LearnDistrict
The Little Acre – Pewter Games Studios
Through the Woods – Antagonist
Tumblestone – The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild
Videoball – Action Button Entertainment/Iron Galaxy Studios
Warhammer: Vermintide – Fatshark
We Happy Few – Compulsion Games
Zarvot   – SnowHydra Games