Skip to main content

Microsoft shows some love with Xbox Games With Gold for June

Xbox - June 2017 Games with Gold
June is right around the corner, which means we’ll be getting lots of new game announcements at E3 from all the major publishers. But it also signals the start of the summer game drought. Microsoft seems to recognize this, as June’s free Xbox Games With Gold offerings are among the best we’ve ever seen.

For the entire month of June, Xbox One owners can grab Speedrunners for free. The multiplayer racing game is coming to Xbox One for the first time alongside its Games With Gold debut, and the PC version received great reviews — particular praise was given to its quick pace and usefulness as a party game.

From June 16 until July 15, Xbox One players can also pick up the original Watch Dogs for free. Though its story and Chicago setting don’t compare to the sequel, the game’s excellent AR games and “digital trips” are reason enough to step into Aiden Pearce’s shoes for a few days.

As an added bonus, extra multiplayer DLC for the remastered Xbox One version of Phantom Dust will also be free throughout June. It normally costs $15. The game itself was released for free last week.

Xbox 360 fans will also get two big-name games in June. From June 1 until June 15, they can download Assassin’s Creed III. The game takes place during the American Revolution and chronologically follows Assassin’s Creed IV, a game given away for free on Xbox One back in 2015. From June 16 until June 30, 360 players can also pick up Dragon Age: Origins. Featuring a more tactical combat system than its sequels, it’s considered one of BioWare’s best games. As with all 360 games released through the program recently, they’re fully playable on Xbox One as well.

What do you think about June’s freebies? Which do you plan to play first? Let us know in the comments!

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Microsoft pledges to bring Xbox PC games to Nvidia GeForce Now
geforce-now-og-no-text-1200x630

Microsoft has announced a 10-year partnership with Nvidia aimed at bringing Xbox PC games to its cloud gaming service competitor Nvidia GeForce Now as part of its ongoing efforts to win over companies skeptical of its potebtial Activision Blizzard acquisition.
This means that players can use Nvidia GeForce Now to play the Steam, Epic Games Store, or Windows versions of titles like Halo Infinite, Redfall, and eventually, Call of Duty through the cloud on GeForce Now. Third-party publishers with games on the Windows Store can also now grant streaming rights to Nvidia. This announcement came during a European Commission hearing where Microsoft tried to convince regulators that its impending acquisition should bne allowed.
Microsoft has been under a lot of regulatory scrutiny even since it announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard in January 2022. It's trying to win over industry peers with deals like this one with Nvidia. This week, the Communications Workers of America voiced its approval of the deal, and Microsoft has signed a binding agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms as well. Previously, Nvidia had raised concerns about Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition, but the press release announcing this agreement states that the deal "resolves Nvidia's concerns," and that Nvidia now gives "full support for regulatory approval of the acquisition." 
Regulatory bodies in the U.S., U.K., and Europe are worried that Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard will hurt the game industry and sabotage Microsoft's competitors in both console and cloud gaming. Nvidia GeForce Now is seen as one of the biggest competitors to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's cloud service offerings, which makes it surprising that it reached an agreement with Nvidia. However, this deal also demonstrates how Microsoft is willing to make concessions so that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard is approved.

Read more
The best Xbox exclusives of 2022: 6 Game Pass greats that saved Microsoft’s quiet year
Characters from Grounded stand in front of text that says 2022 Best Xbox Exclusives.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S's second year on the market was rough. While the consoles continue to sell well and Xbox Game Pass is still a great deal, the delay of Redfall and Starfield into 2023 decimated the Xbox consoles' first-party 2022 lineup. While the lack of heavy-hitting AAA titles might initially make a list like this seem frivolous, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S still had quite a few compelling exclusives.

Many of these games are highly experimental, pushing the boundaries of narratives in video games. All of the titles launched on Xbox Game Pass on day one, highlighting the strength of that subscription service. If you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription or are just wondering what 2022 Xbox exclusives are worth playing, these seven console exclusives stand out.
Immortality

Read more
Microsoft’s price hike on Xbox games will apply to PC, Steam
Redfall Cover

Microsoft confirmed to Digital Trends that the impending price increase on its first-party games will apply to its PC releases as well. The change will happen in 2023 and affect upcoming titles like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport.

This morning, IGN reported that Microsoft will be raising the prices of Xbox Series X|S games from $60 to $70. Digital Trends asked Microsoft if this would also apply to the PC versions of its games. A Microsoft spokesperson said, "Yes, starting in 2023, our new, full-priced games will be $69.99 across console and PC storefronts. This price reflects the content, scale, and complexity of these titles, regardless of platform. These games will also be available on day one with Game Pass.”

Read more