Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks continues to bring extra value to our members with a constantly evolving catalogue of free in-game content, entertainment, and more. In the past, we’ve partnered with companies like 2K, Ubisoft, EA, Discord, and Disney+. However, we know that a lot of our gamers are big fans of watching anime, so we’re pleased to announce we’re now teaming up with Crunchyroll, the global anime brand, to bring our members Crunchyroll Premium at no extra cost.
Starting today, Ultimate members can get more out of anime with 75 days free of Crunchyroll Premium: Mega Fan. With Mega Fan, members can enjoy over 1,000 series ad-free, with access to new episodes simulcast one hour after premiere in Japan, and more! Great titles like “One Piece,” “My Hero Academia,” “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” and more are now available to stream and enjoy. Ultimate members who are new to Crunchyroll Premium will be eligible to claim the 75-day subscription trial through the Perks gallery on their Xbox console, on the Xbox app on Windows PCs, or through the Xbox Game Pass mobile app on iOS and Android. Once the Perk is claimed, members will be directed to the Crunchyroll site to activate their subscription. Make sure you claim this offer by February 8, 2022!
From all of us at Team Xbox, we hope that you enjoy access to Crunchyroll Premium through the Perks program this holiday. We look forward to sharing more new games and Perks available with Xbox Game Pass soon — stay tuned for what’s next!
Hello everyone, my name is Kazuhiko Aoki, and I was the event designer for Final Fantasy IX. I was responsible for bringing the characters of the game to life, as well as the different scenarios players would experience.
In honour of Final Fantasy IX’s release on PlayStation Now, I thought I’d share some of my personal memories of the game’s development.
Starting out
I was assigned to the Final Fantasy IX team from the very beginning. I’d previously worked on Final Fantasy III, IV and VII, so I was no stranger to working on the series, but one thing in particular was going to be different this time: the game was going to be made in Hawaii.
That was a big move for me – I wondered what the development environment would be like over there, for example.
However, I didn’t start working on Final Fantasy IX right away. Right before development was due to begin, Hironobu Sakaguchi, the director of the game (and original creator of the Final Fantasy series!), asked me: “How about you make Chocobo’s Dungeon 2?”
As a result, I ended up taking the development staff for that game to Hawaii with me and we made Chocobo’s Dungeon 2 there as well. Maybe some of you played it on the original PlayStation!
Once that game was complete, I joined the Final Fantasy IX team and we started working on the game together.
Looking back while moving forwards
From the very beginning, Mr. Sakaguchi said that he wanted Final Fantasy IX to be a return to our roots. Final Fantasy VII and VIII had been set in science-fiction-inspired worlds, and we wanted to go back to the fantasy style established in the earlier Final Fantasy games.
This did cause us a few issues, however. For example, we’d built up a lot of experience depicting taller characters with the two previous games, but in order to best support the fantasy atmosphere of Final Fantasy IX, we needed more stylised designs.
That meant we couldn’t rely on the techniques we’d learned – we had to essentially start again from scratch!
Characters who control their own destiny
It was important to get the designs right because the characters really are the heart of Final Fantasy IX. People who’ve played the game are very attached to the likes of Zidane, Vivi, Dagger, and Steiner.
That’s something gratifying to hear because I worked my hardest when creating them all. One of the themes of Final Fantasy IX is that there’s no such thing as immortality in the world. How you live your life isn’t determined by destiny – it’s determined the instant you make your own decision about how you’re going to live.
We wanted to portray characters who always lived according to the way of life they had decided for themselves, even in their final moments. By making each of them have their own unique charms, we thought people would be immersed in the world of the game.
Of course, I may have been thinking about all this at the start of the project, but once development started all I can remember is being worried about a lot of different things – like needing to make a certain part clearer or adding in additional episodes.
However, I do believe we were successful in our original goal – I think people were able to relate with the characters and how they lived their lives.
Deadlines and data limits
Perhaps the biggest problems we ran into when making Final Fantasy IX were due to data limits. Working on the original PlayStation, we were limited by how much information we could fit on a CD-ROM, and even with four disks we were right at the limit of that storage.
Towards the end of the development, we were calculating the data on each of the disks every single day. If we ended up exceeding the storage amount, we’d agonise over how to change the way the story was split over the disks.
It meant we had to make some cuts. For example, at one point in the story, the party splits up to take on four shrines. Initially we planned to make the player use each group of characters to fight, but due to the data limits we ended up only including the Zidane and Quina battle.
Adding to the problem was the fact that we had three months less than originally planned to make the master of the game. The final polishing was incredibly tough!
A satisfying scene
Despite all our difficulties, I’m proud of the finished game. I’m sometimes asked what my favourite scene is, and – odd as it may sound – it’s the credits.
My definition of a fun game is when the closer you get to the ending, the more you feel like you don’t want it to end yet – you still want to keep playing in this world! Then, once the ending starts, you’re all excited by the finale of the story, and once the ending credits roll, you’re just dazed, overflowing with a sense of achievement.
When I played through Final Fantasy IX to test it, I experienced that feeling myself when I reached the ending – I felt like I’d achieved what I needed to do.
Memories of life
I have many fond memories of my time working on Final Fantasy IX, particularly that I was able to work under the bright Hawaiian sun.
When I started living there, I saw people gazing out over the sea and sky with laid-back expressions and it felt like time itself was moving at a more relaxed pace. I’d been rushing around so busily before – it was a good opportunity for me to stop think about what kind of life would make me happy.
Beyond that, I’m pleased that the game has had such a profound impact on the lives of its fans. Right after the game was released, I received a letter from a player who was going through an extremely difficult time in their life, but playing Final Fantasy IX helped them through it. Knowing that all our hard work helped someone overcome such a challenge… that was the first time I felt like I was glad to be making games.
Even today, the fans continue to inspire me. For example, I still watch Let’s Play videos on YouTube from time to time. People’s reactions when they play still teach me things I use in my current development work (my account name is Kazuhiko Aoi by the way… but I never say anything).
Final thoughts
Our work on the development of Final Fantasy IX finished a long time ago, but I believe its continued popularity is all thanks to the fans. In fact, I think of them as the ‘creators’ now.
Anyone who answers Final Fantasy IX when asked to recommend a game, anyone who feels happy when they hear people saying they enjoyed certain parts of the game… these fans, like us, continue to build the game.
If you’re playing Final Fantasy IX for the first time on PlayStation Now, and find it fun, then I’d be delighted if you’d join us and continue to create Final Fantasy IX into the future.
Düsseldorf, 9. November 2021 – Ubisoft® gab heute bekannt, dass die vierte Season von Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla ab sofort verfügbar ist. Die Erntezeit markiert den Start des Asgardsreid-Fests und Odins wilder Jagd, bei der die Geister der Toten zum Leben erwachen und die Schwachen unter den Lebenden jagen. Spieler:innen müssen Hræfnathorp vor dieser erschreckenden Bedrohung beschützen und beweisen, dass der Rabenclan keine einfache Beute ist.
Der Trailer zur neuen Saison kann unter folgendem Link gefunden werden:
In diesem kostenlosen und zeitlich limitierten Event wird es neue Aktivitäten und Aufgaben geben, die eine Vielzahl an Belohnung freischalten werden. Das Asgardsreid-Fest wird vom 11. November bis zum 2. Dezember verfügbar sein. Um an dem Asgardsreid-Fest teilzunehmen, müssen Spielende England bereits erreicht haben und eine der ersten Hauptmissionen abschließen – entweder Grantegridgescire oder Ledecestrescire. Zusätzlich muss das Siedlungs-Level mindestens 2 betragen.
Bei dem Asgardsreid-Fest kann an drei wiederholbaren Aktivitäten teilgenommen werden – Bogenschießen, Reiten und ein neues Turnier gegen Geister. Spieler:innen werden im Turnier in einen geisterhaften Schleier gewickelt. Bei verschiedenen Herausforderungen, von trainierten Kämpfern bis zu ungezähmten Bestien und Monstern, müssen Spielende ihre Kampffähigkeiten auf die ultimative Probe stellen. Der Bogenschießwettbewerb kehrt mit neuen freundlichen Zielen zurück, die den Fortschritt der Spieler:innen beeinflussen und das Erreichen der höchsten Punktzahl noch herausfordernder machen. Darüber hinaus werden die Spieler:innen während des Asgardsreid-Fests in neuen Quests den verrückten Mönch treffen und das Geheimnis eines gefallenen Kriegers lösen.
Das Abenteuer ruft und alle, deren Neugier groß genug ist, werden die brandneuen „Gräber der Gefallenen“ finden. Die in ganz England verteilten Gräber werden ab dem Moment freigeschaltet, in dem die Siedlung verfügbar wird. Dabei benötigt es keine anderen Voraussetzungen, außer der Fähigkeit alle Gräber zu finden. Die Gräber können ab dem 9. November kostenlos erkundet werden.
Am 10. November feiert Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla zudem seinen ersten Geburtstag mit besonderen Event-Herausforderungen und spannenden Belohnungen, darunter Valravns Klaue, ein elegantes Einhandschwert und ein exklusives Einhorn-Reittier.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ist für Xbox Series X | S, die Xbox One Gerätefamilie, PlayStation® 5, PlayStation® 4, Epic Game Store und Ubisoft Store auf Windows PC sowie auf Stadia, Amazon Luna und Ubisoft +*, dem Abonnement-Service von Ubisoft, verfügbar.
*$14.99 per month. Cancel anytime. More information at ubisoft-plus.com.
About Assassin’s Creed Since it first launched in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed series has sold more than 155 million games worldwide. The franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series in video game history. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into numerous other entertainment media.
Forza Horizon 5 ist ab heute für Konsole, Windows PC und auf Steam verfügbar und kann direkt über den Xbox Game Pass gespielt werden. Als Mitglied des Xbox Game Pass Ultimate profitierst Du sogar von Cloud Gaming (Beta).
Um den Release von Forza Horizon 5 zu feiern, gewährt der mexikanische F1-Pilot Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez Einblicke in eine spezielle Form der Herausforderung, die die offene Welt Mexikos in den Fokus rückt.
Lade das Spiel noch heute herunter und wähle aus der Standard-Edition, der Deluxe-Edition oder der Premium-Edition.
Es ist an der Zeit, die atemberaubenden Landschaften Mexikos zu erkunden. Mit dem heutigen Release von Forza Horizon 5 bietet sich Dir hierfür eine einzigartige Gelegenheit auf Hochgeschwindigkeit. Manövriere Deinen Wagen durch faszinierende Wüsten, verwucherte Dschungel, historische Städte, geheime Ruinen, unberührte Strände und Canyons und erklimme auf vier Rädern den monumentalen Vulkan.
Als Mitglied des Xbox Game Pass kannst Du die Standard-Edition des Games ab sofort kostenlos spielen. Noch besser wird es mit dem Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, der Cloud Gaming (Beta) unterstützt und Dir somit die Möglichkeit bietet, auf dem Gerät Deiner Wahl auf das virtuelle Gaspedal zu treten.
Wenn Du bereit für rasante Abenteuer bist, aber noch nicht genau weißt, welche Edition am besten zu Dir passt, findest du hier einen ersten Überblick:
Standard-Edition: Enthält die Forza Horizon 5 Vollversion. Verfügbar im Xbox Game Pass.
Deluxe-Edition: Enthält die Forza Horizon 5 Vollversion und den Car Pass.
Premium-Edition: Enthält die Forza Horizon 5 Vollversion, den Car Pass, die VIP-Mitgliedschaft, ein Erweiterungspaket und das Willkommenspaket.
Wenn Du bereits die Forza Horizon 5 Standard-Edition besitzt oder über den Xbox Game Pass spielst, kannst Du Dir zusätzlich das Premium Add-ons Bundle kaufen, das alle zusätzlichen Inhalte der Premium-Edition enthält. Darüber hinaus erhältst Du als Mitglied des Xbox Game Pass einen Rabatt von zehn Prozent auf deinen Einkauf.
Der Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass umfasst 42 Autos, die im wöchentlichen Turnus veröffentlicht werden. Die ersten acht Autos sind schon jetzt über das Formula Drift Car Pack erhältlich, während die restlichen 34 Wagen ab dem 18. November nach und nach direkt in Deine Garage geliefert werden. Die detaillierte Liste der im Formula Drift Car Pack enthaltenen Modelle sowie Informationen zur VIP-Mitgliedschaft und dem Willkommenspaket findest Du auf ForzaMotorsport.net.
¡GO! Livestream #ForzaHorizon5
Racing-Fans aufgepasst! Der Release von Forza Horizon 5 wird am 9. November mit einem Streaming-Event der Extraklasse gefeiert! Wir laden Dich ein mit bekannten Gesichtern der deutschen Gaming-Szene und jeder Menge Spaß den Launch von Forza Horizon 5 zu feiern! Dein Interesse ist geweckt? Dann schalte ein am Dienstag, den 9. November ab 20:00 Uhr auf Twitch, Youtube oder Facebook und genieße einen fantastischen Abend voller Spaß, Racing-Action und spannender Challenges. Weitere Informationen zum Event erfährst Du im umfassenden Event-Post auf Xbox Wire DACH.
Wir feiern Forza Horizon 5 mit F1-Pilot Sergio Pérez – ab dem 26. November
Um die Veröffentlichung von Forza Horizon 5 zu feiern, haben wir zusammen mit dem mexikanischen Formel-1-Fahrer Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez eine neue Challenge geschaffen, die eine große Auswahl von Sportwagen und Geländefahrzeugen auf Rennstrecken in Mexiko zeigt.
Pérez, der sich nie vor neuen Herausforderungen scheut und für jeden Spaß zu haben ist, hat mit uns eine einzigartige Piñata-inspirierte Strecke in der mexikanischen Wüste entwickelt, die jetzt in Forza Horizon 5 für Fans spielbar ist. Piñatas sind schon lange Teil der mexikanischen Kultur – sie stehen traditionell für die Leidenschaft und das Glück des Lebens, für Momente des Feierns und der Freude mit der Familie. Diese Kultur wollten wir für Forza-Horizon-Fans auf der ganzen Welt zum Leben erwecken.
Mit Super7, einem Spielmodus für Challenges aus der Community, können Fans ausprobieren, ob sie mit dem geschmeidigen Fahrstil, der beispiellosen Geschwindigkeit und der beeindruckenden Rennstrategie von Sergio Pérez mithalten können. Bleibt bei @ForzaHorizon für weitere Details auf dem Laufenden!
Was kommt als Nächstes für Forza Horizon 5?
Während für die Fans die Reise durch die Open World von Mexiko beginnt, wird sich Forza Horizon 5 auch in den kommenden Monaten mit regelmäßigen saisonalen Inhalten weiterentwickeln. Neue Rennen, neue Ziele und neue Belohnungen werden jede Woche in der Festival-Playlist gebündelt, beginnend mit dem Update der Serie 1 am Donnerstag, den 11. November.
Auch die Open-World-Umgebungen von Mexiko werden sich mit jedem Forza-Horizon-5-Update verändern. Mit dem Dezember-Update der Serie 2 nähern sich die Weihnachtsfeiertage und mit ihnen Schneemenschen, Geschenke und andere Überraschungen. Viele weitere neue Inhalte, die das Forza-Team unbedingt mit den Fans teilen möchte, sind in Arbeit, also bleibt dran!
Forza Horizon 5 is available today on Xbox consoles, PC on Windows and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass including console, PC and Cloud Gaming (Beta).
To celebrate Forza Horizon 5 being available now with Xbox Game Pass, we partnered with Mexico native and F1 driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez to create a new challenge showcasing all the open world of Mexico has to offer.
Download the game today and choose from the following bundles: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition or Premium Edition.
It’s time to explore the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of Mexico with limitless driving action with Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox consoles, PC on Windows and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass including console, PC and Cloud Gaming (Beta). Forza Horizon 5 invites you to discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano while you lead breathtaking expeditions across the vast landscape.
The Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition is available in Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost and with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can race through a world of striking contrast and beauty from anywhere using a supported device.
If you are ready to jump into Forza Horizon 5 and aren’t sure where to start, there are three different bundles available to choose from, one for every type of adventurer:
Standard Edition: Includes the Forza Horizon 5 Full Game. Available on Xbox Game Pass.
Deluxe Edition: Includes the Forza Horizon 5 Full Game and Car Pass.
Premium Edition: Includes the Forza Horizon 5 Full Game, Car Pass, VIP Membership, Expansions Bundle and Welcome Pack.
If you already own the Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition or are playing on Xbox Game Pass, you can purchase the Premium Add-ons Bundle that includes all the extra content included with the Premium Edition. What’s more, Xbox Game Pass members receive a 10% discount.
The Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass includes 42 cars that are released on a weekly cadence. The first eight cars are now available via the Formula Drift Car Pack, while the remaining 34 cars will be delivered one by one to your garage from Nov. 18. For the list of cars included in the Formula Drift Car Pack, as well as the VIP Membership and Welcome Pack, head over to ForzaMotorsport.net.
Celebrating Forza Horizon 5 with F1 Driver, Sergio Pérez – Coming November 26
To celebrate Forza Horizon 5 being available now on Xbox Game Pass, we partnered with Mexico native and F1 driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez to create a new challenge showcasing Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico in a variety of supercars and rugged off-road vehicles.
Never afraid to take on a new track and have a bit of fun, Pérez partnered with us to develop a one-of-a-kind, piñata-inspired track IRL in a desert in Mexico in addition to bringing it to life in Forza Horizon 5 for fans to play in-game. Piñatas have been part of the Mexican culture for a long time. So full of life, colour, passion and happiness. They are a symbol of tradition, they represent moments of celebration with family and friends. We wanted bring this to life and celebrate the Mexican Culture by doing something fun that fans all over the world can enjoy.
As part of Super7, a game mode that celebrates community-created challenges, fans will get the chance to try the festive challenge and see if they can match Pérez’s smooth driving style, unmatched speed and impressive race strategy. Stay tuned to @ForzaHorizon for more details.
What’s Next for Forza Horizon 5
While players embark on their journey through the Mexico open world, Forza Horizon 5 will continue to evolve in the months ahead through our regular seasonal content which starts in the coming days. New races, objectives and rewards are brought together every week in the Festival Playlist with Series 1 Update beginning on Thursday, November 11.
The open world environments of Mexico will also change with each Forza Horizon 5 update. With the holidays fast approaching, be on the lookout for snowpeople, presents and other decorative surprises in December’s Series 2 Update. There’s plenty of fun new content and experiences in the works that the Forza team can’t wait to share with players, so stay tuned.
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
GAME PASS MEMBERS, get EARLY ACCESS and all the EXTRA CONTENT included with the Premium Edition at one low price! The Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle allows you to play four days early beginning November 5, 2021. It also includes the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership and two game expansions when they become available. This add-on requires Forza Horizon 5 (game sold separately). Upgrade your game to Premium today!
INCLUDES CAR PASS Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars. The Deluxe Edition includes the full game and Car Pass.
INCLUDES EARLY ACCESS, TWO EXPANSIONS, VIP, CAR PASS, AND WELCOME PACK Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars. The Premium Edition includes early access to the full game, allowing you to play four days early beginning November 5, 2021. Also included are the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership, and two game expansions when they become available.
Dicey Dungeons is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10 this Thursday!
A new type of RPG with a dice focused combat system. You make your own luck!
Fight adorable monsters and try to win your heart’s desire on a game show hosted by Lady Luck!
Hello! I’m indie game designer Terry Cavanagh, and I’m here to tell you about our game Dicey Dungeons, which is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10 this Thursday. If you haven’t heard about it before, let me tell you what it is, and why you might be interested in playing it.
Dicey Dungeons is a boardgamey RPG – you explore dungeons, fight adorable monsters, and level up your character in an attempt to ultimately overthrow Lady Luck. It’s accessible and easy to play, but with mechanics that reward careful strategy and playing the odds cleverly.
Usually in a videogame like this, the random numbers happen after you make your decisions – you try to hit something, and the random numbers decide whether it lands or how much damage it does. But in Dicey Dungeons, all the random stuff happens up front, determined by your dice rolls – basically, you roll a bunch of six-sided dice and then you have to use whatever numbers you get in the best possible way.
So a simple example of what you do right at the start of the game: say you have a Sword card that has a blank slot that can take any dice value. Place a 1 and you’ll do 1 damage, place a 6 and you’ll do 6 damage, etc. But wait – you’ve also got some armor that only works with an odd number (1, 3 or 5), and the 5 is the only odd number you’ve got – so maybe it’s better to use it there. So, each round becomes a tiny min-max puzzle – you’ve got this set of dice and this set of cards, how do you do the most damage? Or build up the most shield to defend, or otherwise prepare for future turns? There are hundreds of pieces of equipment in the game, and it can get pretty complicated!
Also, there’s not just one character you can take through the dungeons – there are six. And each of the six have completely different sets of equipment, and some pretty radically different play styles. Take the Robot, for example. Instead of rolling dice on your turn, you have a kind of push-your-luck thing going where you can keep rolling dice, but if your total goes over the limit, you lose everything!
And then for each of those six characters, there are six different episodes, and each of those episodes mixes up the game mechanics in some way – different rules, different constraints, different challenges. The game, from a design perspective, is really about exploring these different versions of the core mechanics, flipping them upside down, experimenting wildly, and seeing what happens. The results can be completely broken, in the best possible way.
Dicey Dungeons is my third commercial game (after VVVVVV and Super Hexagon). By a long shot, it’s the biggest project I’ve ever worked on, and it’s my personal favourite of my own games. A big part of that is because it’s such a game-designer-y game, if that makes sense – it’s built around doing all these design experiments, trying out different things, and just letting things be a bit chaotic. Even after all this time, the game still finds ways to surprise me. I’m excited to share the game with a new audience on Game Pass, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
The Elder Scrolls Online: Deadlands arrives November 16 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles, but you can begin your descent into the final adventure of the Gates of Oblivion saga right now with the Deadlands Prologue questline, available free to all existing ESO players!
In the Deadlands Prologue, the mysterious Dremora Lyranth Foolkiller has summoned you to help her investigate the Dagonic cult known as the Order of the Waking Flame. During the two unique prologue quests, you can uncover Mehrunes Dagon’s latest plans for Nirn, encounter fearsome new foes, and begin an adventure that takes you to Oblivion itself.
The events of the Deadlands Prologue lead directly into the upcoming Deadlands DLC and are an important part of the ongoing Gates of Oblivion year-long storyline. Even better, if you complete both prologue quests, you’ll unlock the Grave Elegance mask collectible. To get started, grab the free quest starter titled “An Apocalyptic Situation” from the in-game Crown Store.
In the upcoming Deadlands DLC, you can explore Mehrunes Dagon’s own realm of Oblivion and fight to uncover his plans for the people of Tamriel. In addition to Dagon’s plane, you can also explore the city of Fargrave, a “safe haven” for Daedra and mortals alike that exists in a realm between realms. In the Deadlands DLC, you’ll have a chance to discover what life is really like for the Daedra that call Oblivion home and recruit mysterious new allies in your fight against the Prince of Destruction.
The Deadlands Prologue is now available in the in-game Crown Store free for all existing ESO players (including those with Xbox Game Pass) and is part of the larger Gates of Oblivion adventure that includes The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood Chapter (available now).
The Elder Scrolls Online: Deadlands arrives November 16 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Don’t forget, you can experience Tamriel unlimited with Console Enhanced on Xbox Series X|S and enjoy astonishing improvements to the game’s visual fidelity and performance — also free for all current generation players!
Join over 18 million players in the award-winning online multiplayer RPG and experience an ever-expanding story in a persistent Elder Scrolls world. • ESO COMES TO Xbox Series X|S – Experience the award-winning RPG like never before with game-changing features/enhancements such as 60-fps performance mode, advanced lighting and shadows, improved reflections, shorter loading times and more!
• BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE – Discover Tamriel's Second Era and enjoy all the epic quests, memorable characters, and dangerous enemies you expect in an Elder Scrolls game.
• PLAY YOUR WAY – Battle, craft, steal, siege, or explore. Combine different types of weapons, armor, and abilities to create your own style of play.
• TELL YOUR OWN STORY – Experience any story in any part of the world, in whichever order you choose – alone or with friends.
Today, Back 4 Blood detailed their content roadmap which will involve various free updates and the Annual Passcoming to the game this year and beyond.
On the free updates side of things, there will be a solo offline mode with campaign progression, new difficulty level, new co-op mode, all-new cards and card type, a holiday seasonal event, and much more. Here’s a quick snapshot of upcoming free updates coming to Back 4 Blood…
Solo Offline Mode with Campaign Progression
New Supply Lines
Ridden Practice Area
Holiday Seasonal Event
New Difficulty
New Co-op Mode
New Card Type
New Player & Corruption Cards
Melee Updates
The roadmap also highlights the first expansion from the Back 4 Blood Annual Pass, called Tunnels of Terror, which will be available next year. Tunnels of Terror will feature a new activity type, story content, playable Cleaners and Ridden, weapons, cards, and exclusive skins. And for those interested in picking up the Annual Pass (including Tunnels of Terror and two additional expansions), you can get it now à la carte, or it’s available as part of the Back 4 Blood Deluxe Edition(digital only) and Back 4 Blood Ultimate Edition on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.
Don’t forget, Back 4 Blood is also available with Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC, and Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Also, as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, Back 4 Blood owners are also entitled to both Xbox and Windows PC versions with shared saves, game add-ons, and achievements.
We’ll have more to share about Back 4 Bloodin the coming weeks, so “slay” tuned on Xbox Wire, as well as @Back4Blood, for future updates.
Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. You are at the center of a war against the Ridden. These once-human hosts of a deadly parasite have turned into terrifying creatures bent on devouring what remains of civilization. With humanity's extinction on the line, it's up to you and your friends to take the fight to the enemy, eradicate the Ridden, and reclaim the world. Cooperative Campaign Fight your way through a dynamic, perilous world in a 4-player co-op story campaign where you must work together to survive increasingly challenging missions. Play with up to 3 of your friends online or go solo and lead your team in battle. Choose from 8 customizable Cleaners, one of the immune survivors, and a range of lethal weapons and items. Strategize against an ever-evolving enemy bent on your total destruction. Competitive Multiplayer Play with or against friends in PVP. Switch between playing as a Cleaner with special perks and the horrific Ridden. Both sides come with unique weapons, abilities, and specialties. Extreme Replayability A new "rogue-lite" Card System creates different experiences each and every time, putting you in control to craft custom decks, roll different builds and undertake more demanding fights. The Game Director is constantly adjusting to player actions, ensuring exciting fights, extreme gameplay diversity, and tougher legions of Ridden – including mutated boss types up to 20 feet tall.
Today, we’re excited to share that Xbox and Samsung are teaming up to celebrate the highly anticipated launch of Halo Infinitewith the new Samsung Grappleshop experience, featuring the Samsung Neo QLED TV. The Samsung Neo QLED TV is a phenomenal companion to Xbox Series X, engineered to fully realize next-gen gaming, with 4k 120hz and Auto Low Latency Mode, to deliver a stunning experience. The one-of-a-kind livestream experience kicks off on November 17 on SamsungUS’ Twitch channel and centers around Halo Infinite’s most anticipated new piece of UNSC equipment — the Grappleshot.
During the livestream, US fans will have a chance to step into the shoes of the Master Chief and play a game in the Samsung Grappleshop, where they’ll collaborate with other players to virtually fire a real version of the Master Chief’s Grappleshot to win rewards in the fictional store inspired by the Halo universe.
How It Works
Halo fans will use Samsung’s Twitch chat and work together to aim and fire the Grappleshot at desired targets. When a target is hit, the reward will be raffled off to chat members who contributed to the successful shot. Fans could win a variety of prizes like:
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X Halo Infinite Limited Edition bundle
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Halo Infinite Limited Edition
Halo Infinite game
Samsung Neo QLED TVs
Samsung Q Series Soundbar
Samsung Sound Tower
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
Samsung Jet Bot Robot Vacuum
Samsung Jet Stick Vacuum
Guest Streamers and More
As part of the livestream, Samsung will feature guest streamers and influencers, along with additional challenges for fans in the chat to participate in throughout the event.
Tune in to the Samsung Grappleshop Livestream Event, on SamsungUS Twitch channel, November 17 at 11:30 a.m. PT to celebrate the upcoming launch of Halo Infinite. We can’t wait to see you there and good luck to all participants!
Campaign: When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring. To experience the campaign, purchase Halo Infinite (Campaign). Multiplayer: Legendary Multiplayer, Freed: Halo’s celebrated multiplayer returns, reimagined and free-to-play! Seasonal updates evolve the experience over time with unique events, new modes and maps, and community-focused content. Arena: Halo returns to its roots with fair starts, on-map equipment, and 4-player squads to offer the ultimate arena-shooter experience. Big Team Battle: Create endless combat possibilities by mixing and matching a rich variety of weapons, vehicles and equipment to experience big-team mayhem and fun that embraces the full spectrum of the Halo sandbox. Spartan Customization: Become a Spartan that’s uniquely your own with a rich and deep player customization system. Earn and discover new cosmetic items simply by playing campaign or multiplayer. Or obtain even more cosmetic rewards, purchase a Battle Pass that never expires and unlock new content at your own pace. Cross-Generation and Cross-Platform Gaming: Halo Infinite provides an amazing experience across the Xbox One and newer family of consoles as well as PC with stunning 4k graphics and world-class cross-platform play. And, on Xbox Series X as well as supported PCs, enjoy enhanced features like up to 120FPS and greatly reduced load times creating seamless gameplay that usher in the next generation of gaming.* *Up to 120FPS and 4K Ultra HD available on Xbox Series X consoles and compatible PCs only across supported maps and modes; compatible TV or monitor required.
The world of Horizon is inhabited by highly advanced machines — technologically advanced robots that have become Earth’s dominant species. They come in all shapes and sizes, based on various life forms that existed throughout history, such as dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and birds. Awe-inspiring yet ferocious, they pose a serious threat throughout Aloy’s mission.
Spoiler Alert: Please note this article contains some spoilers for Horizon Zero Dawn and its storyline.
Some of the machines encountered during the events of Horizon Zero Dawn will also be present in the upcoming sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. The Watcher, for example: resembling a small theropod, these machines often patrol larger herds and scan for potential threats. Or the Snapmaw: lethal, crocodile-like beasts which were originally created to purify water and went feral as a consequence of the Derangement.
The Forbidden West is also filled with new dangers… in the Horizon Forbidden West gameplay trailer, Aloy meets a few of them, such as the fast and agile Clawstrider and the deadly mammoth-like Tremortusk. Of course there will be many more machines to fight, mount, or run from, so Aloy – and you – should be prepared for any circumstance in these forsaken lands.
Awe-inspiring metal beasts
Principal Machine Designer Blake Politeski has been with Guerrilla since the first machines were concepted at the start of Horizon Zero Dawn. Together with Asset Art Lead Maxim Fleury, their teams (among others) have been working on some great additions for the upcoming sequel.
“We’re getting to explore a new area within the world of Horizon,” begins Blake. “It was interesting to figure out what type of machines would live in different ecological zones, and how they would interact with each other, their environment, and of course humans. Machines are the so-called caretakers of this world, so how they perform their roles and what the player can do to use these behaviors to their advantage was always interesting to consider.
“During Horizon Zero Dawn’s development, we had a ton of ideas — of course not everything could make it into the first game, but now with Horizon Forbidden West we’ve been able to match some exciting ideas that previously weren’t feasible with new and interesting concepts!”
Maxim elaborates: “Blake’s team provides us with a design document that describes the general look of the machine, what type of (interactive) parts it has, and what sort of attacks it can do. There’s some top-level drawings to explain the document further, but then the real visual design moves to the Robot and Weapon Asset team.
“Concept Artists will then make a 3D concept which goes through several reviews with art direction, game design, animation, and technical art teams, until we’re all happy. We’ll create, rig, and animate a model to see if everything would work as needed, after which the modelers on the Robot and Weapon Asset Art team will work on it, adding in all the details. After a few more iterations with various teams, the model is fully animated, painted, textured, and reviewed again before being added to the game and replacing the temporary model. The process for developing each machine takes a long time!”
Expanding the machine catalog
With over 25 different machines in Horizon Zero Dawn, finishing them all was not an easy feat. “In the first game we had to create the foundation,” says Blake, “so we started small by defining different roles. The Watcher is like a security camera, the Ravager is an enforcer, and so forth. Once those base roles were decided, we could really build on that by mixing in robot designs, unique abilities and features, and of course cool weapons and attacks.
“We’re expanding this catalog further with Horizon Forbidden West. For example, we knew we wanted a slightly bigger flying machine than the Glinthawk, which resulted in the Sunwing – but it needed a place and a role in the world. We studied various flying reptiles and primitive birds for inspiration, and came up with the concept of their wings collecting solar energy during sunny weather. This in turn created an interesting gameplay dynamic: Sunwings will be vulnerable when they are harvesting solar power, but are also more alert to potential predators when they are idle.
“Unique behaviors like these become the basis and are then expanded on when we define the machines’ roles in the world. We always want to make sure the machines are connected, and that they serve a greater purpose; so the whole machine (eco-)system is in harmony – just like in the real world.”
Creating an authentic world was always a main focus for Guerrilla, and that includes creating authentic machines that roam around the world of Horizon. “The design language that was created with Horizon Zero Dawn is still hugely important to us,” explains Maxim. “At the same time, we try to make the new machines different and unique so that we are expanding the world for our players. The machines in Horizon Forbidden West have a lot more functionality this time around, which is a challenge from a design perspective, but hopefully gives the player a unique experience during each encounter.”
New and dangerous foes
In a previous blog, we discussed some of Aloy’s abilities and combat moves that she learns in the Forbidden West. Some of which will come in very handy against stronger, faster, and deadlier machines.
“Aloy has many different types of weapons and ammunition available, and she’s going to need them all to beat the different machines!” says Maxim. “Without spoiling anything, every machine has multiple ways to be defeated. We tried to make it clear for players through the machine design, and added textures to show the weak points or interactive components. You’ll need to study each machine closely to find different ways to approach it.”
Blake adds: “A lot of machines have various weapons and behaviors that can be used to create an advantage. This is not just in shooting off components and using them, but some machines might have some more passive states during which the player can sneak towards them. For example, if a machine is digging for resources in the ground, it’ll create a lot of dust – Aloy can use this as a visual cover to get closer.
“The machines in Horizon Forbidden West are more mobile in almost every way you can imagine – jumping, swimming, clinging to surfaces… Because of this, Aloy will need to keep up with them, so there’s new movement mechanics to help her out. We’re also focusing more on Aloy’s ability to survey and plan an encounter before engaging, as well as her ability to escape if things don’t go as planned.”
Actions like climbing or using a Smoke Bomb to escape can give Aloy an edge during a machine battle, but it’s not just the player mechanics that have been improved. Machines in the Forbidden West are more dangerous, but the player can understand their behavior and predict their movements through audio cues. For example, a machine will have specific sounds for idling, alerting others, and initiating attacks. For the PlayStation 5 version of the game, this will come through even more precisely with 3D Audio, providing great situational awareness within a vast world when combined with compatible devices like stereo headphones (analog or USB).
Meet the Tremortusk
During the Horizon Forbidden West gameplay trailer, Aloy goes head to head with one of the biggest foes we’ve seen so far: a Tremortusk. While it is truly a spectacular sight to behold, it is also incredibly difficult to defeat.
“The Tremortusk is based on a mammoth with a nod to the historic and cinematic examples of the great war elephants. It has many different attacks and a body covered in various guns. Apart from using its tusks to attack up close, it also has different elemental weapons it can use. The one we see in the trailer is controlled by a rebel faction of the Tenakth, but you can also find them wandering the wilds,” Maxim explains.
“It reminds me of a mixture of war elephants and a huge siege tower that was used to attack fortresses in medieval times: hard to destroy, slow moving, and a lot of fire power,” recollects Blake. “This generated the idea for the Tremortusk, which is a well armored but slow machine, almost an unstoppable force. In Horizon Forbidden West, human enemy factions can control machines, so it seemed like a natural fit to combine the two and make our own spin on ‘war elephants’, with a platform on top that humans can fire at Aloy from.
“To circle back to the machine (eco-)system, it was created to keep balance on Earth and ensure that humans cannot wipe out life again. Tremortusks were created as combat machines — protecting other machine species so they can do what they were designed to do without human interference.”
Both Blake and Maxim agree that the Tremortusk is one of the most formidable enemies in the game, requiring a lot of preparation to defeat: “We recommend using traps as well as the Pullcaster. Though slow, they can reach a speed that will easily trample Aloy, so get ready to dodge. Finally, be wary of its flamethrower trunk…”
Turn the tide with an override!
While mostly every machine is itching for a fight, they also hugely contribute to the world of Horizon, or offer Aloy help throughout her journey. Think of the Tallnecks, which aren’t hostile and will in fact give Aloy some clarity and direction when overridden!
“Aloy can, similar to Horizon Zero Dawn, override machines and have them fight with her,” says Maxim. “This time around we’ve also added more mounts to explore and ride – you can see her on the Clawstrider during the gameplay trailer.”
Blake adds: “Some machines may also inadvertently help Aloy out. If a machine is searching for certain resources that Aloy happens to be after, they can lead her to stashes if she’s observant. Also, through overriding, Aloy can now exert some control over machine behavior, shifting them into aggressive or defensive states.”
One of the things everyone at Guerrilla is looking forward to most is seeing which new machines players will like. Of course, we have our own machine ranks in the studio; for Maxim, the Thunderjaw is his favorite.
“It was the first machine from Horizon Zero Dawn I saw a concept for, so it’s always been close to my heart,” he smiles. “I love the design and character of it. In contrast, in Horizon Forbidden West, it’s the Burrowers: nifty little machines which can overwhelm you if you’re not careful.”
And Blake’s favorite? “The Stormbird. It’s one of the first ones we designed, and we were trying to figure out what these machines were supposed to be. When I pitched it to a colleague, it sounded like an eagle combined with a fighter jet; but then it would also be elemental with surges of electricity high from the sky. It would dive straight to the player like a bolt of lightning and explode as it hit the ground! Our Game Director overheard this conversation, turned around and said: “that sounds awesome!” So that’s how we figured out the Stormbird.
“And for me, my favorite is definitely the Shellsnapper. It’s a machine that had been brewing in my mind since the first game, and I’m excited to see it in the Forbidden West. It’s large and has several abilities that will excite players – combining inspiration from movies and real life, as well as some strange things we came up with ourselves. I’m just as excited to see people’s reactions to this machine as they are to play it.”
What’s your favorite machine from Horizon Zero Dawn, or the one you look forward to discovering most in Horizon Forbidden West? Let us know in the comments below this post.For more information on Horizon Forbidden West, please visit here. We’ll be back soon with another developer blog!
Xbox Game Pass members can now dive into the heart of The Forgotten City time loop. The story behind the creation of this game is rather singular, however, and we had a chance to sit down with its creator, Nick Pearce, to understand its unique gaming mechanics, its inspirations, and what it means to bring The Forgotten City to Xbox Game Pass.
XW: Can you tell us more about the genesis of The Forgotten City?
NP:The Forgotten City was originally a mod for a popular RPG, in which you had to solve a murder case and travel through time via a time loop, just like in the movie “Groundhog Day.” This mod was downloaded more than 3.7 million times but also won a National Writers Guild Award, a first in history for a mod. So, I decided to make a game out of it, and that’s what I spent 4 and a half years working on.
XW: But you weren’t a full-time video game developer at the time the mod was designed, right?
NP: I worked as a lawyer for 10 years. It was a great job, but I dreamed of a different horizon. That’s probably why I had enough energy to devote time to this project. It was just a hobby, but it excited me more than anything else in my life. I dreamed of having the opportunity to tell stories and have it become my full-time occupation. When the mod was successful, I decided to take the leap. I quit my job and put all my time into creating this game. I knew there was no turning back, it was very exciting, but it also felt like jumping out of a plane in the air while having to learn how to use a parachute before hitting the ground… Looking back on it now, it seems like it went well: the game got great reviews, the players like it… So, I hope to continue designing games in the years to come!
XW: How does the game differ from the mod that inspired it?
NP: The game retains the premise of the original mod, as it is still about time travel, but this time it is about a city of the Ancient Rome. You will explore a historically authentic place, whether it be the artworks, the architecture or the costumes of the people living in the city. To advance the investigation, you will have to use the time loop wisely and solve puzzles.
XW: Why did you choose this particular period of history?
NP: I’ve always been fascinated by that era, I have a bookshelf full of books on the subject. I think, like a number of people do, that I’ve always had this fantasy of traveling to that period, walking those streets, admiring the art, feeling the culture shock… This idea of recreating all these sensations inspired me from the beginning. But this historical context was also perfect for the story I wanted to tell. It’s all about “The Golden Rule”, which says that if anyone commits a sin, everyone dies. It’s a kind of collective punishment, something that the Romans practiced a lot. There are also other reasons, one of the main ones, but I can’t talk about it without spoiling the game for you… let’s just say that when you get halfway through it, everything will become much clearer!
XW: The process of the time loop always seems risky, especially within the framework of a video game, how did you consider its implementation?
NP: The real challenge is to avoid a sense of repetition. If I take the example of “Groundhog Day,” you can see Bill Murray go through the same scene ten times very quickly, thanks to the editing. You can’t get the same result in a game… well, that’s what I thought. I’ve found a way around that and that’s the ability to delegate quests. If you have already figured out how to provide an antidote to a poisoned character, say in your second loop, then in the third loop another character will be waiting for you at the exit of the time portal and can take care of that quest for you. Afterwards, you can give him several tasks at the same time, which will allow you to fully concentrate on the rest of the investigation.
XW: Why did you choose to also integrate action phases in a title with a resolutely narrative vocation?
NP: It’s primarily an investigation game where you have to talk to people, but the original mod already had some action in it. So, we have this gameplay mechanic with the golden bow, which allows you to turn any organic thing or person into gold. For example, when you get stuck in a cave with a hornet’s nest, you can shoot the hornet’s nest so that it turns into gold and falls down and creates a passage in the ground. If you have to cross a plan of water and vegetation is floating on it, you can shoot it to create platforms. A lot of the puzzles rely on the use of the bow and I think it’s a unique mechanic that provides a different pace, a nice alternative when you’re not actually investigating.
XW: Do you have any advice for those working on a mod in the hope of one day making it a full game?
NP: I don’t think it’s a good idea to go into a mod thinking that it might be successful and turn into a real game later on. It’s a good gateway to learn how to develop: if you can create something you like to play and the community follows you, then maybe the opportunity will come. But be careful with the time invested, I spent about 1700 hours on my mod, that’s the equivalent of a year of full-time work. If I hadn’t enjoyed those hours of development, if I had only hoped that one day I would be able to create a game with this mod, it might not have been worth it. But beyond that, I maintain that this is an exciting and very addictive hobby, which allows you to learn a lot about development, and I would recommend it to those who think they can get that kind of satisfaction.
XW: As a gamer, what do you like about Xbox Game Pass?
NP: What I like about Game Pass is that for me it’s a solution to a terrible problem… Sometimes, on Saturday morning, I go to an online store, determined to use the weekend to play. And then, faced with the size of the thing, I can spend three hours looking at the list of new releases, without finally knowing which game I’m going to play, only to give up and go out for a walk. With Game Pass, I can download three games I’ve never heard of and try them out. In this age of overflowing entertainment content, I like that a service can offer a selection, it avoids falling into analysis paralysis.
XW: And as a developer?
NP: I like the idea that a lot of people can discover my game, when they wouldn’t have even tried it without the Game Pass. Especially since I honestly think that people who usually don’t like this kind of games will like The Forgotten City. I hope many of you will download it, so that in the future there will be more and more demand for this kind of games.
Thanks to Nick Pearce for taking the time to answer our questions. You can check out The Forgotten City today with Xbox Game Pass.
The Forgotten City is a mystery adventure game of exploration and deduction, and a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed mod that won a national Writers’ Guild award and racked up over 3 million downloads. Combat is an option, but violence will only get you so far. Only by questioning an intertwined community of colourful characters, cleverly exploiting the time loop, and making difficult moral choices can you hope to solve this epic mystery. Here, your decisions matter. The fate of the city is in your hands. • Explore an open-world ancient Roman city with historically authentic art, architecture, costumes and customs
• Investigate a gripping, non-linear mystery with multiple endings
• Become entwined in the lives of richly detailed, deeply interactive characters
• Grapple with moral dilemmas which have life-and-death consequences
• Play as whoever you want, by choosing your character’s gender, origin and backstory
• Solve problems with reason, charm, bribery, intimidation, violence, or by cleverly exploiting the time-loop
Düsseldorf, 8. November 2021 – Ubisoft® enthüllte heute High Calibre, die vierte und letzte Season von Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Jahr 6. Die neue Season beinhaltet einen neuen Operator. Thorn, die aus Irland stammt und mit Razorbloom Granaten ausgerüstet ist. Zudem trägt sie eine brandneue Waffe, die UZK50Gi, die neben einer überabeiteten Outback Karte zu den vielen Neuerungen der Season gehört.
In High Calibre lernen Spieler:innen eine brandneue Verteidigerin kennen, Thorn. Sie ist mit den Razorbloom Granaten ausgerüstet: Werfbare Gadgets mit Annäherungsalarm, die nach dem Auslösen nach einer kurzen Zeit explodieren. Wenn die Gegner:innen den Wirkungsradius nicht rechtzeitig verlassen, werden sie durch die Explosion Schaden nehmen. Thorn ist ein Operator mit mittlerer Geschwindigkeit und Panzerung, die entweder die neue UZK50Gi oder die M870 als Primärwaffe und die 1911 TACOPS oder die C75-AUTO als Sekundärwaffe nutzen kann.
Zusätzlich wurde Outback komplett überarbeitet, um das Balancing und den Spielerkomfort zu verbessern. Das Hauptgebäude und der Außenbereich wurden modifiziert, um den Angreifern mehr kreative Angriffsstrategien zu ermöglichen. Außerdem wurden neue zerstörbare Außenwände hinzugefügt, und manche Bereiche wurden neu möbliert und arrangiert, um verbesserte Sichtlinien zu ermöglichen.
Weitere Updates, die mit High Calibre kommen werden:
Die Auswahl der Teamfarben zwischen blau, orange und rot
Balancing Updates (Finka, Echo und Mozzie’s Drohnen, neue kugelsichere Kameras, neue Regeln für Kameras, die im Außenbereich platziert werden)
Neue Anpassungsmöglichkeiten für die Operatorkarten, Siegesposen, Farben und mehr.
Neue Benutzeroberfläche
Soft-Launch des neues Streamer Modes für bestimmte Streamer im Laufe der Season
Der Testserver für High Calibre wird am 9. November online gehen. Das Format des Test-Servers wurde aktualisiert und wird nun zu drei verschiedenen Zeiten während der Saison geöffnet sein. Die Inhalte werden in drei verschiedene Versionen aufgeteilt: die Season-Veröffentlichung TS, die die Inhalte enthält, die mit der Season ausgeliefert werden, die Labor-TS-Veröffentlichung, die experimentelle Inhalte enthält, die zum Testen von Funktionen in der frühen Produktion verwendet werden, und die TS-Balancing-Veröffentlichung, die den Operator und andere Balancingänderungen enthält.
Die Spieler:innen sind eingeladen, die Probleme, auf die sie auf dem Testserver stoßen, auf der aktualisierten R6Fix-Plattform hier zu melden. Diese neue Plattform ist nun einfacher zu navigieren und bietet neue Funktionen wie die Suchfunktion oder die Möglichkeit für Spieler, Updates zu gemeldeten Fehlern zu verfolgen, um mehr Transparenz zu schaffen.
Außerdem können vom 12. bis 15. November doppelt so viele Battle Pass Punkte gesammelt werden.
Mehr Informationen zu Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege gibt es unter www.rainbow6.ubisoft.com
About Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Alongside a thriving professional esports scene and a community of over 75 million registered players, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege puts players in the middle of a fast-paced, ever-evolving multiplayer experience grounded in the selection of unique Operators. Using the right mix of tactics and destruction, Rainbow Six teams engage their enemies in sieges, where both sides have exclusive skills and gadgets at their disposal. Defenders prepare by transforming the environments around them into modern strongholds, while attackers use recon drones to gain intel for carefully planning their assault. With access to dozens of Operators inspired by real world counter-intelligence agents from around the globe, players can choose exactly how they want to approach each challenge they encounter. Through the constant addition of new Operators and maps that add to the depth of both strategy and combat, the unpredictability of each round of Rainbow Six Siege sets a new bar for intensity and competition in gaming.
Nimm gemeinsam mit der Community an den Feierlichkeiten zum großen Xbox-Jubiläum teil.
Team Xbox freut sich, diesen Meilenstein mit Dir feiern zu dürfen, indem es die besten Momente aus 20 Jahren Xbox und Halo noch einmal Revue passieren lässt. All die Erinnerungen, die im Laufe der letzten Jahre mit der Xbox-Community entstanden sind, lassen sogar The Rock sentimental werden.
So kannst Du an den Feierlichkeiten teilnehmen:
Die Feierlichkeiten starten am Montag, den 15. November ab 19:00 Uhr.
Die 45-minütige Übertragung verfolgst Du über die offiziellen Xbox-Kanäle auf YouTube, Twitch oder Facebook.
Deutsche Untertitel sind verfügbar.
Am einfachsten findest Du deine bevorzugte Sprache, indem Du während der Übertragung das Zahnrad-Symbol am unteren rechten Bildrand anklickst und dort die entsprechende Sprache wählst.
All jenen, die im Anschluss an die Übertragung einen eigenen Stream oder eine VOD-Berichterstattung planen, wird empfohlen, keine Audiodateien zu verwenden, die urheberrechtlich geschützt sein könnten. So werden entsprechende Maßnahmen von automatisierten Bots unterbunden und die Nutzungsbedingungen deines Dienstanbieters eingehalten.
Xbox FanFest
Trivia: Teste Dein Xbox-Wissen! Im Rahmen des Xbox FanFest findet ein spezielles Trivia-Event statt, mit dem das 20-jährige Xbox-Jubiläum gefeiert wird. Das Event findet am Samstag, den 13. November ab 11:00 Uhr statt. Um teilzunehmen, musst Du Dich vorab unter xbox.com/FanFest anmelden und Dich auf der Seite FanFest Exclusives für das Event registrieren. Die Anmeldefrist endet am 10. November 2021 um 08:59 Uhr.
Giveaways: Sei bei dem Event dabei, um mehr über die Giveaways zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum zu erfahren. Wichtig: Du musst ein registrierter Xbox FanFest-Fan sein, um eine Chance auf den Gewinn zu haben. Du bist noch nicht registriert? Dann kannst Du das hier nachholen.
Jubiläums-Merch bei Xbox Gear
Schaue am 15. November im Xbox Gear Shop vorbei, um neue Artikel rund um die Welt von Xbox und Halo zu finden. Einkaufen kannst Du unter gear.xbox.com.
Neue Member-Abzeichen
Zur Feier des 20-jährigen Xbox-Jubiläums gibt es neue Member-Abzeichen, die Du als Mitglied des Xbox Game Pass Ultimate oder Xbox Live Gold auf Deinem Profil einsehen kannst. Die alten Abzeichen, die anzeigen, wie lange Du bereits Mitglied des Xbox Game Pass Ultimate oder Xbox Live Gold bist, werden durch ein farbenfroheres Abzeichen ersetzt. Aber keine Sorge: Abgesehen von der grafischen Umsetzung werden keine weiteren Änderungen an den Abzeichen vorgenommen, so dass die auf dem Abzeichen angezeigte Werte weiterhin Bestand haben. Die neuen Versionen werden ab nächster Woche bis zu den Feierlichkeiten am 15. November verteilt.
Trage Deine Begeisterung für Xbox nach außen
Team Xbox würde gerne von Deinen schönsten Erinnerungen aus den letzten 20 Jahren erfahren, also erwähne Xbox auf Twitter mit dem Hashtag #Xbox20, um mitzufeiern!
Verschönere Dein Social Media-Profil, Dein Xbox-Dashboard, Deine Geräte und Videoanrufe mit den Xbox-Jubiläumshintergründen. Hier erhältst Du das komplette Toolkit.
Vielen Dank, dass du Teil von 20 atemberaubenden Jahren bist!
Hobby-Historiker*innen und Fans von Echtzeit-Strategie aufgepasst! Kurz nach dem Release von Age of Empires IV nähert sich auch schon das erste Event-Highlight. Am 11. November um 15:00 Uhr lädt Dich Xbox Game Pass für PC dazu ein, die Age of Empires IV EMEA Championships auf allen Xbox-Kanälen live mit zu verfolgen. Dies ist das erste offizielle europäische Age of Empires IV Showmatch mit hochkarätigen Teilnehmer*innen aus Deutschland, Frankreich, Spanien und Großbritannien. Diese Veranstaltung ist eine Liebeserklärung an die leidenschaftliche Community in ganz Europa, die schon immer einen großen Einfluss auf das Franchise hatte. Damit europäische Fans aller Sprachen das Turnier angemessen verfolgen können, werden die einzelnen Matches von bekannten Caster*innen in Deutsch, Englisch, Französisch, Spanisch kommentiert.
Die acht Spieler*innen werden in einem Free For All auf vier Karten gegeneinander antreten – mit einem Zeitlimit von einer Stunde für jede Karte. Während der oder die Sieger*in eine prestigeträchtige Trophäe und den Respekt der Mitspieler*innen erhält, winken auch für alle Zuschauer*innen attraktive Preise. Du hast noch keinen Xbox Game Pass? Dann verfolge den Stream bis zum großen Finale und sichere Dir die Chance auf exklusive Xbox Game Pass-Codes!
Age of Empires IV Championships: Das sind die internationalen Spieler*innen und Caster*innen
Join us on November 15 for the Xbox Anniversary Celebration.
We are excited to mark this milestone with you as we celebrate some of our favorite moments from the past 20 years of Xbox. It’s been fun to reminiscence on all the memories we’ve shared with the Xbox community over the years and are excited about what the next 20 years with has in store as we continue to play.
Here are the details on how you can join in the fun:
The celebration will air on Monday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT
You can watch the broadcast on the official Xbox channel on YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook.
Subtitles will be available in German, French, BR Portuguese, LATAM Spanish, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Castilian Spanish, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Malay, Norwegian, Persian (Farsi), Portuguese (EU), Slovak, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
The easiest way to find your preferred language is to watch the broadcast on the official Xbox YouTube page at YouTube.com/Xbox and select the “gear” icon in the lower right corner to select your language.
You can also watch with American Sign Language (ASL) and Audio Descriptions (AD) in English on the official Xbox YouTube channel.
For those planning to costream or create post-celebration breakdowns in the form of VOD coverage, we recommend you do not use any audio containing copyrighted music to avoid any action by automated bots, and to also abide by the terms of service for your service provider.
Xbox FanFest
Trivia: Test your Xbox knowledge! Xbox FanFest will be holding a special trivia event to celebrate 20 years of Xbox. The event takes place on Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. GMT. To attend, log in or sign up as an Xbox FanFest fan at xbox.com/FanFest and opt-in to the event on the FanFest Exclusives page. Opt-in closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on November 9, 2021.
Giveaways: Tune in to the broadcast to learn about the 20th Anniversary giveaways. You must be a registered Xbox FanFest fan to win. Not signed up yet? Sign up as an Xbox FanFest fan now at xbox.com/FanFest.
20th Anniversary Xbox Gear
Check out the Xbox Gear Shop on November 15 for new items celebrating all things Xbox. Shop at gear.xbox.com.
Updated Membership Badges
As a fun way to celebrate this 20-year milestone, we are updating the membership badges that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live Gold members see on their profile page. The old badges which showcase how long you have been a member of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold will be replaced with a colorful new badge. No other changes are being made to the membership badges aside from the artwork, so the number shown on your badge will still be determined the same way as it is today. The new colorful versions of the membership badges will start rolling out in the next week, leading into the November 15 celebration.
Showcase Your Xbox Excitement
We’d love to hear about your favorite memories of the last 20 years of gaming so drop us a mention @Xbox with #Xbox20 to join in the celebration!
Customize your social media profile, Xbox dashboard, devices, and video calls with Xbox anniversary backgrounds. Get the full Xbox 20 Year toolkit here.
Thank you for being a part of Xbox’s amazing 20 years. We can’t wait to see how this community helps us shape the next 20 years of play!
The air is starting to get chill so it’s time to “bundle” up, but seriously, what’s better than finding the game you’ve been wanting to play on sale? Finding the game in a bundle packaged with amazing additional content, of course.
We have prepared an exciting list of titles ranging from sims to platformers, from heart-stopping survival games to party and adventure favorites.
Join us and enjoy discounts up to 75% from now until November 8. Here’s a small sample of the titles we have for offer in the ID@Xbox Bundle Sale:
Dead by Daylight: Stranger Things Edition Ever wished to play as one of the characters from your favorite horror movies? Dead by Daylight is a 1v4 multiplayer game that draws from all corners of the horror world from a powerful slasher to a terrifying paranormal entity. Choose between playing an unstoppable Killer and one of four Survivors trying to evade a gruesome death. The Stranger Things Edition of Dead by Daylightincludes all the content of the Special Edition, three original chapters (Curtain Call, Shattered Bloodline, Darkness Among Us), and the Stranger Things chapter. This edition gives you access to a roster of 11 Killers and 14 Survivors.
The Jackbox Party Quintpack We’ve smashed all the party games from The JackboxParty Packs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 into one impossibly fun collection! That’s 25 hilarious party games for one great price! The game is local multiplayer but can be enjoyed over streams with remote players. Players use their internet-connected phones, tablets, or laptops as controllers!
Car Mechanic Simulator – Deluxe Edition Car Mechanic Simulatorchallenges players to repair, paint, tune and drive cars. Find classic, unique cars in the new Barn Find module and Junkyard module. Build and expand your repair service empire in this incredibly detailed and highly realistic simulation game, where attention to car detail is astonishing. Car Mechanic Simulator also includes car auctions where old cars are available for resale or purchased for your collection. The game’s infinite number of randomly generated missions will keep you more than busy (and dirty). Includes Car Mechanic Simulator and all 13 paid DLCs.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – Ultimate Edition Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is the sequel to the critically renowned Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. In this epic 4-player co-op game, you fight together with your friends against the forces of Chaos and Skaven in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles world. Vermintide 2 expands the intense first-person combat with a brand-new enemy faction, 15 new career paths, talent trees, new weapons, an improved loot system, and more.
This bundle includes the Shadows over Bögenhafen DLC and Back to Ubersreik DLC, 3 Heroic Deeds, Helmgart Heraldry Themed Skins, 1 Portrait Frame, and Sigmar Keep Statue.
The Sinking City Xbox Series X|S Deluxe Edition The Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You’re a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants.
Upgrade your experience with the Deluxe Edition which includes The Sinking City® game, The Worshipers of the Necronomicon – 3 new quests in which Charles Reed investigates unsolved cases and sets out in search of mysterious spell books that harbor unspeakable powers, Merciful Madness – 3 new quests that explore Lovecraft’s iconic stories and bring to light the mysteries of Oakmont and its demented citizens, and much more.
Surviving Mars – First Colony Edition Welcome Home! The time has come to stake your claim on the Red Planet and build the first functioning human colonies on Mars! All you need are supplies, oxygen, decades of training, experience with sandstorms, and a can-do attitude to discover the purpose of those weird black cubes that appeared out of nowhere. With a bit of sprucing up, this place is going to be awesome!
The First Colony Edition of Surviving Marsprovides ambitious colonists with a variety of new ways to customize their new homes and domes. Included with this edition is the Season Pass, which will add two full expansions and two content packs to Surviving Mars.
The sale will run until November 8, so hurry up and take advantage of these bundled offers before they’re gone. For a full list of titles and more visit Xbox.com.
Enter the world of a never-ending circle with lots of challenges
Enjoy hypnotic visuals – minimalist, unique and psychedelic graphic style
Circa Infinity is a mesmerizing platform game that melts your brain!
Today we’re excited to welcome all Xbox gamers to the crazy world of an endless circle! Circa Infinity, the most mind-blowing circular platformer you’ve ever played created by Kenny Sun, is already available on Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X!
I fell in love with Circa Infinity at first sight. With this game I feel what I felt with the first RedDeerGames production – Cyber Protocol. I repeat the same levels often, but the satisfaction in the end is enormous.
Difficult, but Rewarding
When we were working on Cyber Protocol, the team has put every effort to turn each of 100 levels into a new, original challenge, not just with different setups, but also with new traps with different mechanics which could be used in various ways. The plan was that each time you go through a stage, you will get as involved as the first time. And Kenny Sun did exactly the same thing with Circa Infinity. The game is brutal for the player at times, but it’s definitely not boring.
This mesmerizing game will have you hyped from the first second to the last. Crazy visuals and a pumping soundtrack will turn up the already intense gameplay experience. Circa infinity is like a live music video with energetic action and psychedelic graphics.
Hypnotic Arcade Action
How does it work? In this crazy world created in the mind of Kenny Sun, you’ll slide through a series of circular layers to reach the core of each level. Dangerous monsters living in circles will try to catch you, so you’d better time your jumps carefully to get to the next level. As you get deeper into the game, the action becomes faster and more challenging!
If you’re looking for a truly hardcore experience, then Circa Infinity would be a perfect choice! Additionally, we encourage you to watch the trailer to convince yourself even more that this is the game you’re looking for.
For more details on Circa Infinity follow us on Twitter!
Reach the core of each level by slipping through a series of circular layers. Time your jumps carefully to avoid the creatures that reside within the circles and reach the next layer. As you go deeper, the action gets faster and more challenging! Can you keep up? 50 stages of mind-bending action are waiting for you, with 5 bosses that will test your nerves. You can also test yourself in speedrun mode. Hypnotic visuals and pumping soundtrack will turn up the already intense gameplay experience. Think of Circa infinity as a live music video, with challenging action and psychedelic graphics!
Overview of the latest Train Sim World 2 route, the beautiful West Cornwall Local line.
Traversing the “Great Western Railway”, the route has beautiful countryside, amazing beaches and lovely towns.
Discover the Class 150 and Class 37 locos, wagons, a broad gameplay mix, and even a sea monster…
Travel through the Cornish coast’s beautiful scenery in the West Cornwall Local line, out now for Train Sim World 2 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
As a UK developer, when the pandemic restricted travel, the choice of which route in the mainland UK we should tackle next was obvious. We’d had a lot of requests for a route in Cornwall, the UK’s most South-Westerly region, and we could see why – it has beautiful countryside, amazing beaches and lovely towns.
The “Great Western Railway” was originally built in the 1830s, known as the Holiday Line, shuttling Victorian holiday-makers back and forth to some of the most popular resorts of the time. The railway has obviously been upgraded in the time since, and it remains a hugely popular route today.
For the West Cornwall Local route we’re bringing a new train to Train Sim World 2, the Class 150/2, which is in Regional Railways livery. It’s a diesel multiple-unit passenger train designed to run at 75 mph (121 km/h), that’s still in service across various parts of the UK.
Also included are a Class 37 diesel-locomotive that we’ve updated to match the version most commonly seen on the route. And the route also includes two wagons; the Turbot and the Seacow, meaning there’s a huge array of gameplay options regardless whether you enjoy moving passengers along slower scenic parts of the route, or speed freight along the mainline sections. We’ve also included a controllable train wash, and a refueling line at Long Rock Depot in Penzance to create even more variety.
As well as the 5 scenarios, and 67 services, we had fun hiding collectibles such as tourist posters and luggage trolleys over the length of the route – it’s up to you to find them all! And as if that wasn’t challenging enough, those that earn the Mastery reward might encounter a Kraken, the legendary sea monster, as well!
With its beautiful beaches, rolling countryside and bustling towns, wide variety of gameplayer options, including the extra branch to St Ives, West Cornwall Local for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S has something for everyone. You can pick up Train Sim World 2 with Xbox Game Pass and this new route to explore is available now.
Train Sim World® 2: West Cornwall Local: Penzance – St Austell & St Ives
Experience the rolling hills and picturesque countryside of the “Great Western”, aboard classic British diesel traction, with Rivet Games’ West Cornwall Local: Penzance – St Austell & St Ives route. Opened in 1867, the Cornish Main Line weaves its way through the landscape linking Cornwall to the rest of the country. Brunel originally built the line to his unique 7ft “broad gauge”, but in 1892 the route was converted to standard gauge. For those areas not reached by the main line, branches sprawl out to serve local communities, such as the St Ives Bay Line. It’s your job to take charge of the various services on this scenic route; carry passengers through the Cornish Countryside on local services and shuttle to and fro along the St Ives branch with the Regional Railways BR Class 150/2. Alternatively, take on the challenge of freight over the hills with the BR Class 37/5.
The evolution of train simulation! Master iconic locomotives and get creative with customisation tools in this advanced sequel. AUTHENTIC ROUTES – Feel the thrill of high-speed German rail with the famous DB ICE 3M out of Köln, take the challenge of long freight on Sand Patch Grade in the CSX AC4400CW, and master the complex London Underground on the Bakerloo Line. CREATIVE TOOLS – Personalise your journey with new easy to use tools. Craft custom liveries with the Livery Designer and pick the locos/destinations you want to drive with Scenario Planner. REALISTIC GAMEPLAY – SimuGraph® has evolved, adding realistic adhesion physics. Upgraded visual fidelity also adds dynamic skies and 4K support. IMMERSIVE SIMULATION – Get clear information on instructions, gradient and more as you drive with a new immersive interface and controls. Climb into the cab in Train Sim World 2.
Taking the reins of a series as iconic as Ghostbusters would be a daunting task for any director. But Jason Reitman, the mastermind behind the franchise’s latest chapter Ghostbusters: Afterlife, has Ghostbusters in his blood – not only is he a massive fan of the legendary 80s adventures, he is also the son of Ivan Reitman who brought the first two entries to the big screen, and who also adds his producing chops to Afterlife.
Rather than being weighed down by the shadow of his father’s films, the younger Reitman saw his dad’s involvement and presence on the set of Afterlife as a huge boon to this entry. “I was lucky enough to have not only the world’s foremost expert on Ghostbusters sitting next to me,” Reitman told me when we sat down, “but also one of my favourite storytellers.”
“It’s funny,” he laughs, “I’m the child of a Ghostbuster, so I guess it should be no surprise that when it came to making a Ghostbusters movie, I would make a movie about the granddaughter of a Ghostbuster. And there was no way to do this except with my father right by my side.”
This father-son relationship has created a high level of consistency between Afterlife and the original Ghostbusters movies, to which the new film is a direct sequel. Despite over 30 years passing, Afterlife truly feels like a part of the same world we were first introduced to in 1984. Its tone, comedy and design will be instantly recognisable to fans of the originals.
“We were trying to echo the original film in every way possible, and most of all in comedy. That’s why we cast actors like Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, and Mckenna Grace.” These big stars are joined by relative newcomer Logan Kim who plays Podcast, a wise-cracking misfit with a penchant for microphones and audio recorders.
“You know, audiences don’t know him yet,” Reitman nods, “but I think they’re gonna love him. He feels exactly like the kind of guy you would have cast in the original.”
But the sense that you’re jumping back into the world from the original movies doesn’t end with the humor. Afterlife starts with an as-yet-unnamed family discovering they’ve just inherited a ramshackle farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Formerly inhabited by Phoebe (Grace) and Trevor’s (Wolfhard) absent grandfather, the house is packed floor-to-ceiling with books on the paranormal, unused farming equipment and, as it turns out, ghostbustin’ gear.
And when it comes to the appearance of iconic Ghost Trap and other classic tools, there’s no sleek redesigns here. The clunky, worn-down 80s look from the original movies is preserved perfectly; these could be lifted straight from the studio’s archives. Practical effects and physical props are heavily featured, with CGI limited to a small selection of scenes to preserve the style of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II.
“We always wanted to get at the original recipe of what was a Ghostbusters movie. And that involved really doing the archaeology, understanding how they made the original, and finding ways to mix the bleeding edge of computer technology with the most old school Hollywood effects.”
Reitman’s wish to blend different technologies is showcased best in a scene which sees the return of the Terror Dog, a fan-favourite monster whose image is surely seared into the minds of anyone who watched the original movie as a child. The beast is back, and more terrifying than ever, thanks to a mix of practical and digital effects. And we’ve got your first look at its resurrection in this exclusive clip:
On the creation of practical effects, Reitman said “we’re talking magnets and wires and smoke and mirrors, animatronics, puppets. We basically had a real Terror Dog on set that was operated by the greatest puppeteers alive. It’s that kind of filmmaking which I think gives the movie its feel and its tone. It’s that grounded camera work. It’s being on real sets instead of green screen stages.
“So when you stand in front of the Terror Dog and it looks you in the eyes, you feel that. There’s just no two ways about it. It becomes way more intimidating when you have these puppeteers who bring that thing to life and you feel like you’re in the presence of a real creature.”
It’s not just monsters which make their return in Afterlife; the movie is littered with Easter Eggs for eagle-eyed fans to spot. When asked for his favourite, Reitman couldn’t be pressed to choose just one. “I’ll give you a few to look for,” he laughs. “There’s a line from the original movie in which Egon Spengler says, ‘I once had half a slinky, but I straightened it’, so there is a straightened slinky somewhere in the movie if you can find it. There’s the Ghost Sniffer that Bill Murray uses at Dana’s apartment from the original, too.”
And fittingly, given Ghostbusters: Afterlife is “a movie about a family, by a family”, Reitman couldn’t help but sneak in a reference to his dad’s previous work as well. “There is also a nod to Cannibal Girls, my father’s first movie,” he teases.
That family connection clearly means a lot to him. One that’s at the heart of this new movie, resonating through him, and everyone else involved in the production, onto the big screen.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife launches exclusively in cinemas November 19. Buy your tickets here.
Last week, we asked you to return to the dangerous world of Returnal to explore its newly released Photo Mode using #PSshare #PSBlog. From out of this world portraits of Selene to well framed foes, here are this week’s highlights:
XxPAGZxX steps out into the mysterious world of Atropos.
Noobiablos shares Selene’s back turned to some creeping tentacles.
ccf_photomode shares a looming portrait of the first biome’s boss Phrike.
adambomb2mk shares Selene approaching a blue-soaked relief.
GeekNamedMike shares a portrait of Selene in her space suit.
MdeavorVP shares Selene wading through water in a red-light area.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on November 10
Next week, we’re cranking up the volume on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Share wild and heroic moments in the cosmos using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Hey Racers! It’s been a long time since our last closed beta, but we’re just about ready to roll with the latest version of this epic kart racer coming to Xbox One this December. As a refresher, KartRider: Drift is the only free-to-play, cross-platform racing title with deep character and kart customization systems.
For those new to the franchise, KartRider: Drift is the latest generation in the KartRider franchise, which inherits the original Crazyracing KartRider’s fun and kart-racing mechanisms. While keeping nostalgia alive, this new title introduces next-generation graphics using Unreal Engine 4 alongside improved gameplay systems with cross-play and cross-progression support. In this upcoming closed beta, you’ll be able to play with racers worldwide in real time.
Closed Beta 3 Schedule and Registration
Join us from December 8 through December 15 for the third KartRider: Drift closed beta.
PST (UTC -8): 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 8 – 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 15
CET (UTC +1): 1:00 a.m. Thursday, December 9 – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 15
AEDT (UTC +11): 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 9 – 12:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16
Visit kartriderdrift.com to sign up for the closed beta. Invitations will be on a limited basis, and will be sent starting December 6, so sign up today for a chance to race!
What’s New in Closed Beta 3?
Quite a bit, actually! You’ll discover new maps, new features, new skins, new characters, new karts, and more. Veteran fans will also see many improvements made to existing modes and mechanics, including both Item Mode and Speed Mode.
In Item Mode, you can collect and use over 15 distinct items to attack, defend, and even support your allies in team races. Alternatively, for players that enjoy fast-paced competitive racing, be sure to check out Speed Mode, where skillful drifting will help you fill your boost gauge to blast off ahead of other karts and claim victory!
Customize Your Kart and Racer and Hit the Road in Style
One of the biggest new features we can’t wait for you to experience is the Livery System. Imagine being able to customize the color, pattern, wraps, and decals of your kart to create your own unique design. We provide some existing designs as reference but really want you to leverage the decals to find your perfect style and create some share-worthy UGC.
We are also excited to introduce you to some new karts (it IS a kart racing game after all), including Brutus, Justice, Saber, Spider, and Storm…which look as awesome as they sound! And make pretty good names for kittens as well.
But what good is a sweet new ride without a superstar driver behind the wheel? In addition to the current cast of characters, KartRider: Drift introduces you to the mysterious Neo (not that one), the fearsome Rex, and the queen of selfies Marid in Closed Beta 3.
Lastly, you’ll discover 15 new tracks on top of the existing 16 tracks that beta participants have seen previously. You can explore city traffic, icy glaciers, dusty deserts, spooky graveyards, or a flaming hot course where lava explodes onto the track. Let us know your favorites after trying them all!
We Can’t Wait to See You on the Tracks!
Again we are delighted to announce that the KartRider: Drift closed beta will be available on Xbox One starting on Wednesday, December 8. All new and returning racers are welcome to join the fun. Sign up for the beta now and rev up your engines until the race begins!
Welcome to the newest free-to-play title in the popular multiplayer racing franchise with over 300 million players! KartRider: Drift is the only free-to-play, cross-platform kart racer where arcade thrills, the fastest drift fueled skilled competition, & deep kart + character customization in stunning Unreal® Engine 4 graphics awaits you on the track. Challenge your friends across platforms with no barriers, no Pay Walls, & no Pay To Win elements preventing you from having a great time while topping the leaderboards. Created from the ground up for dynamic, online gameplay there’s new content being added regularly and huge content updates every Season. No Limits.
Racing-Fans aufgepasst! Der Release von Forza Horizon 5 wird am 9. November mit einem Streaming-Event der Extraklasse gefeiert! Wir laden Dich ein mit bekannten Gesichtern der deutschen Gaming-Szene und jeder Menge Spaß den Launch von Forza Horizon 5 zu feiern! Dein Interesse ist geweckt? Dann schalte ein am Dienstag, den 9. November ab 20:00 Uhr auf Twitch, Youtube oder Facebook und genieße einen fantastischen Abend voller Spaß, Racing-Action und spannender Challenges.
Das ist der ¡GO! Livestream #ForzaHorizon5
Wann? Das Launch-Event beginnt am Dienstag, den 9. November um 20 Uhr – perfekt für alle, die am Release-Tag schon ein paar Runden auf Mexikos Straßen gedreht haben oder den richtigen Einstieg in Forza Horizon 5 suchen.
Wo?
Um beim Livestream dabei zu sein, brauchst Du lediglich ein internetfähiges Endgerät. Besuche einfach die Kanäle von Xbox DACH Facebook, Xbox DACH YouTube oder den Twitch-Kanal von Xperion Köln und sei live dabei.
Was?
Dieses digitale Launch-Event lässt die Herzen von Racing-Fans höherschlagen, denn hier dreht sich alles um Forza Horizon 5 und Mexiko, den Gastgeber des fünften Ablegers der Serie! Erkunde mit den Gästen die fantastischen Biome Mexikos wie dichte Dschungel, heiße Wüsten, malerische Altstädte oder sogar die Spitze eines schneebedeckten Vulkans. Lerne mehr über die Kultur, Geografie und Kulinarik des Landes und tauche ein mit uns in ein buntes und vielseitiges Abenteuer. Darüber hinaus erwarten Dich unterhaltsame Team-Challenges mit den fantastischen Gästen sowie verlockende Gewinnspiele rund um Forza Horizon 5.
Wer?
Moderiert wird das ganz besondere Horizon Festival von Melek „m3lly“ Balgün und rAii von den Pixelhelden. Hier treffen geballter Gaming-Spaß und Racing-Liebe aufeinander! Die beiden führen Dich nicht nur durch den Abend, sondern stellen die Teilnehmer*innen stets vor neue Herausforderungen. Mit dabei sind Peter und Chris von PietSmiet, Mahluna und Mango sowie Reeze und Startletnova.
Wer wird die verschiedenen Herausforderungen meistern und die Challenges gewinnen? Erfahre es am 9. November ab 20:00 Uhr in der Liveshow. Anschnallen und los geht’s!
Um dir ein optimales Erlebnis zu bieten, verwenden wir Technologien wie Cookies, um Geräteinformationen zu speichern und/oder darauf zuzugreifen. Wenn du diesen Technologien zustimmst, können wir Daten wie das Surfverhalten oder eindeutige IDs auf dieser Website verarbeiten. Wenn du deine Einwillligung nicht erteilst oder zurückziehst, können bestimmte Merkmale und Funktionen beeinträchtigt werden.
Funktional
Immer aktiv
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugang ist unbedingt erforderlich für den rechtmäßigen Zweck, die Nutzung eines bestimmten Dienstes zu ermöglichen, der vom Teilnehmer oder Nutzer ausdrücklich gewünscht wird, oder für den alleinigen Zweck, die Übertragung einer Nachricht über ein elektronisches Kommunikationsnetz durchzuführen.
Vorlieben
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff ist für den rechtmäßigen Zweck der Speicherung von Präferenzen erforderlich, die nicht vom Abonnenten oder Benutzer angefordert wurden.
Statistiken
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff, der ausschließlich zu statistischen Zwecken erfolgt.Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff, der ausschließlich zu anonymen statistischen Zwecken verwendet wird. Ohne eine Vorladung, die freiwillige Zustimmung deines Internetdienstanbieters oder zusätzliche Aufzeichnungen von Dritten können die zu diesem Zweck gespeicherten oder abgerufenen Informationen allein in der Regel nicht dazu verwendet werden, dich zu identifizieren.
Marketing
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff ist erforderlich, um Nutzerprofile zu erstellen, um Werbung zu versenden oder um den Nutzer auf einer Website oder über mehrere Websites hinweg zu ähnlichen Marketingzwecken zu verfolgen.
