Starting today, Team Xbox is rolling out some highly requested features to continue to improve cloud gaming across devices and screens where Xbox is available. Also, to celebrate the upcoming game launch for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, you will be able to experience a new channel on the Xbox app for PC.
Use Your Mouse and Keyboard with Xbox Cloud Gaming (beta)
Mouse and keyboard support for cloud gaming will start rolling out today. You can now use your mouse and keyboard for your gaming experience on web browsers (Edge or Chrome).
To start gaming with your mouse and keyboard on web browsers, follow these steps:
Later this month, you’ll also be able to use the Xbox app on PC by selecting a game that has a mouse and keyboard badge. From there, you will be able to use your mouse and keyboard to control the game, just like you would on a PC game.
Pro Tip: You can also switch between using a mouse and keyboard combination and your controller at any time, by simply pressing any key on your keyboard or the Xbox button on your controller.
Mouse and keyboard support will initially be available for 26 titles, including:
ARK Survival Evolved
Atomic Heart
Cities: Skylines – Mayor’s Edition
Cities: Skylines – Remastered
Deep Rock Galactic
Doom 64
Fortnite (browser only)
Gears Tactics
Grounded
Halo Infinite
High on Life
House Flipper
Inkulinati (Game Preview)
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Norco
Pentiment
Quake
Quake 2
Sea of Thieves
Slime Rancher 2
Sniper Elite 5
State of Decay 2
Terraria
The Sims 4
Valheim (Game Preview)
Zombie Army 4: Dead War
Celebrating Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II With a New Channel
We can’t wait for the return of Senua on May 21 in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. To celebrate, our team has been working on a special channel that will elevate the new entry in the series, while also making it easier to find the previous title. The channel will also feature a captivating video that we hope you enjoy. Go pre-install the game today and be ready for launch day!
Compact Mode Improvements are Starting to Roll Out
We have started previewing new Compact Mode features, including Jump back in and Friends, with a subset of players and with all Xbox Insiders. To learn more about the changes you may see when you access the Xbox app on PC, click here.
Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and all the latest and greatest Xbox related news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.
We love hearing from the community, whether you have a suggestion for a new feature that you’d like to see added, or you want to give feedback on existing features that could use some improvement. We’re always looking for ways to improve Xbox experiences for players around the world. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Programtoday by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub forXbox Series X|S and Xbox Oneor Windows PC. Let us know what you think!
Mit Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice wurde 2017 ein ganz besonderes Spiel veröffentlicht. Die Entscheidung von Ninja Theory, ein kurzes, narratives Erlebnis zu schaffen, in dessen Mittelpunkt die mentale Gesundheit steht, war ein mutiger Schritt, der sich aber letztendlich ausgezahlt hat. Jetzt, sieben Jahre später, bereitet sich das Studio auf die Veröffentlichung der Fortsetzung von Senuas Geschichte vor, die mit der gleichen Liebe und Sorgfalt entwickelt wurde und das Debüt in jeder erdenklichen Weise erweitert.
Im Vorfeld der Veröffentlichung präsentieren wir Dir die Geschichte von Senua‘s Saga: Hellblade II aus dem Studio, zusammen mit Geschichten und Lektionen von den kreativen Köpfen hinter Hellblade. Ninja Theory, ein Studio gefüllt mit branchenführenden Talenten und bahnbrechenden Technologien, verfolgt einen einzigartigen Ansatz der Spieleentwicklung, um das ultimative Ziel zu erreichen − echte Immersion.
Während einer besonders spannenden Zwischensequenz in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, als ich Senua bei einer wichtigen Entscheidung zusah, war ich wie erstarrt. Nachdem sie einen blutigen Kampf gegen Wikingersklav*innen gewonnen hat, steht sie vor der Wahl, einen anderen Charakter vor einem schrecklichen Schicksal zu bewahren. Dank der unglaublichen Performance-Capture-Technik von Ninja Theory und der Unreal Engine 5 kann ich jede Emotion in Senuas Gesicht erkennen − Sorge, Angst, Misstrauen −, während sie über die Konsequenzen nachdenkt, die die Rettung eines Menschen in Not mit sich bringt.
Im ersten Spiel hat sie vielleicht nicht denselben inneren Konflikt durchlebt. In der Fortsetzung trifft sie jedoch Entscheidungen und verarbeitet Emotionen auf eine neue Art und Weise. Sie hat in Hellblade II eine unglaubliche narrative Entwicklung durchgemacht und wird dies auch weiterhin tun. In Spielen ist „Wachstum“ oft mechanisch, statistisch − aber die Hellblade-Reihe macht es zu einer wirklich persönliche Erfahrung, und das ist eines der vielen Dinge, die die Arbeit von Ninja Theory auszeichnen.
Am Ende von Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice sehen wir, wie Senua den Verlust ihrer Liebe Dillion und die körperliche und emotionale Reise, die sie auf sich genommen hat, verarbeitet. Die Fortsetzung beginnt mit der Bilanz dieser Entwicklung: Sie ist durch ihre Erfahrungen abgehärtet, kennt und akzeptiert ihren Zustand und hat ein größeres, selbstlosees Ziel vor Augen. Die Entwicklung von Senuas Persönlichkeit und ihre Extrovertiertheit bei der Begegnung mit neuen Menschen ist ein außergewöhnlicher Schritt in Richtung Authentizität.
„Ihre Mission im ersten Spiel war sehr persönlich. Die Schuld, die sie wegen Dillion fühlte, war für sie eine sehr persönliche Mission”, sagt Lara Derham, Stage Director und Autorin von Hellblade II. „Dieser Drang ist in diesem Spiel immer noch da, aber sie treibt ihr Ziel ein bisschen mehr aus sich heraus und in die Welt hinaus. Es geht nicht mehr um ihre persönliche Liebe oder ihre Lebensumstände, sondern darum, andere vor Schaden zu bewahren.“
Diese Entwicklung in Senuas Charakter wird auch durch ein tieferes Verständnis ihrer selbst und der Tatsache unterstrichen, dass ihre Erfahrungen nicht ihre Schuld sind. Professor Paul Fletcher, der als Berater für psychische Gesundheit bei der Hellblade-Reihe tätig war, beschreibt die Veränderung des Tonfalls zwischen den beiden Spielen: „Das Markenzeichen von [Senua’s Sacrifice] war, dass es völlig von Dunkelheit umgeben war, und ich glaube, dass sie daraus hervortritt und eine andere Bedeutung findet.“
Die Furien − wie die konkurrierenden Stimmen in ihrem Kopf genannt werden − sind immer noch eine ständige Belastung für sie. Aber sie haben sich mit ihr weiterentwickelt und müssen auf mehr äußere Faktoren reagieren, wenn Senua neuen Charakteren begegnet. Sie haben keinen einheitlichen Tonfall, sondern reagieren auf Senuas Gemütszustand: Ist sie verängstigt, werden sie etwas chaotischer und anmaßend, ist Senua ruhig, werden sie leiser. Dieses dynamische Regelwerk ermöglicht den Spieler*innen kurze Momente der Ruhe, zeigt aber auch, wie Senua mit ihrem Zustand umgeht.
Laut Fletcher entspricht dies der klinischen Erfahrung von Menschen, die mit einer Psychose leben − die Stimmen verändern ihre Bedeutung für eine Person.
„Was ich interessant finde, ist, dass die Stimmen jetzt kommentieren, was andere Leute tun, was im ersten Spiel nie wirklich eine Rolle gespielt hat”, sagt Fletcher. „Die Stimmen ermutigen sie dazu, den Aussagen anderer Menschen zu misstrauen, was die doppelte Realität widerspiegelt, mit der Menschen inmitten einer Psychose konfrontiert werden können.“
Derham weist darauf hin, dass die meisten Menschen eine Art inneren Monolog führen, wenn sie angesprochen werden. Dieser steht aber meist nicht im Vordergrund und ist nicht hörbar: „Stell Dir vor, Du würdest jedes Mal, wenn jemand mit Dir spricht, einen ständigen Kommentar zu dem abgeben, was er sagt, und vielleicht sogar über die Bedeutung streiten. Jedes Mal, wenn Senua einen neuen Charakter trifft, reagieren die Stimmen darauf.“
Fletcher unterstreicht dies, indem er einen großen Schritt im Verständnis der Psychose aus der Sicht der Forschung beschreibt, der sich um die Bedeutung von Erfahrungen für Menschen mit Psychosen dreht. Sie sind nicht einfach neuronales Rauschen − Erfahrungen sind so konstruiert, wie wir alle unsere Realität konstruieren.
„Was ich an Hellblade II so spannend finde, ist das wachsende Interesse daran, wie Menschen zwei Realitätsebenen erleben können”, sagt Fletcher. „Senua ist zwar von Dunkelheit und Stimmen umgeben, aber gleichzeitig kann sie auch die Konstruktionen der anderen erkennen und Teil davon werden.”
Senuas Bereitschaft, sich auf die Geschichten anderer einzulassen − wir haben bereits kurz erwähnt, dass sie jemanden rettet, der ihr fremd ist − zeigt auch, wie sie bestimmte Erfahrungen hinter sich lässt, die sie so verschlossen gemacht haben.
„Ihre Psychose hat ihre Beziehungen zu anderen Menschen so stark beeinflusst, dass sie der Welt überdrüssig wurde und sich von ihr zurückzog“, sagt Derham. „Was wir jetzt zeigen, ist, dass sie beginnt, diese Situation zu überwinden, je nachdem, wem sie begegnet, und wir zeigen, dass ihre Perspektive genauso wertvoll ist wie die jedes anderen.“
„Einige Menschen werden ihr mit Härte oder Entsetzen begegnen. Aber andere werden sie anders sehen und sie wird Gemeinsamkeiten finden und positive Erfahrungen mit ihnen teilen. Es ist wirklich spannend zu sehen, wie Senua diese zwischenmenschliche Dynamik und die Beziehungen zu anderen Charakteren erforscht und wie sie ihnen helfen kann.”
Senua’s Sacrifice gilt als eine, wenn nicht die authentischste Darstellung der Psychose in den modernen Medien. Jedoch sind Derham und Fletcher sich einig, dass es wahrscheinlich nie eine wirklich vollständige Darstellung der Krankheit geben wird, da sie „nicht statisch ist und sich die Beziehung der Menschen zu ihr im Laufe der Zeit verändert“, so Derham.
Ein Satz hat mich beim Spielen von Senua Saga: Hellblade II besonders beeindruckt. Senua sagt ruhig und selbstbewusst: „It’s not a prison, it’s a promise.“ In diesem Moment sehen wir, wie Senua Frieden mit ihrer Vergangenheit schließt und sich darauf vorbereitet, ihr neues Ziel selbstbewusst zu verfolgen − nicht nur für sich selbst, sondern auch für die Menschen um sie herum. In diesem Satz spüre ich, wie sie als Person wächst, als Überlebende und vor allem als Frau, die in einer rauen Welt mit einer chronischen, unsichtbaren Krankheit lebt.
„Es war uns wichtig zu zeigen, dass Senua immer noch auf einer Reise ist“, fügt Derham hinzu. „Der Mut und die Hartnäckigkeit, die sie im ersten Teil gezeigt hat, sind immer noch da, aber sie ist jetzt noch selbstbestimmter. Sie wird immer noch Stimmen hören, die sie beeinflussen wollen, aber sie kann selbst entscheiden, ob sie darauf reagiert oder nicht. Sie hat eine Handlungsfreiheit, die sie im ersten Spiel nicht hatte, und diese Entwicklung ist der wahre Schlüssel.“
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II erscheint am 21. Mai 2024 für Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam und Cloud − und wird ab dem ersten Tag im Xbox Game Pass und PC Game Pass erhältlich sein.
Derham notes that most people have some sort of internal monologue active when we’re being spoken to, but it’s mostly not at the foreground, and it’s also not audible: “Imagine if every time someone was talking to you, you had that constant commentary on what they’re saying, maybe even arguing about the meaning. Every time Senua meets a new character, the voices are going to react to that.”
Fletcher accentuates this by describing a big step in the understanding of psychosis from a research perspective, which revolves around the meaningfulness of experiences for those living with psychosis. They’re not just neural noise – the experiences are constructed in the same way we all construct our reality.
“What’s exciting to me about Hellblade II is the growing interest that people can entertain two levels of reality,” Fletcher says. “Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”
“Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”
Professor Paul Fletcher
Senua’s willingness to be part of other people’s stories – as we briefly mentioned earlier regarding her choice to save someone who is a stranger to her – also showcases another aspect of how she’s moving past certain experiences that made her so insular.
“Her psychosis had influenced her relationships with other people to a point where she was weary and withdrawn from the world, Derham says. “What we’re showing now is her starting to overcome that, depending on who she meets, and we’re showing that her perspective is just as valuable as anyone else’s.”
“Some people will react to her with harshness or horror, but some will see her differently, and she’ll find common ground and share positive experiences with them. It’s really exciting to watch Senua explore these interpersonal dynamics and relationships with other characters, and how she can help them.”
Built for Raspberry Pi 4, Adafruit’s Braincraft HAT is a pretty comprehensive kit for machine learning. It includes a 1.54-inch 240×240 TFT screen as a display, a joystick to navigate options you might wish to display on it, a cooling fan, three controllable LEDs, plus speaker, headphone and microphone ports to help you build text-to-speech tools or home assistant projects. There’s no integrated camera, but it does include a slot to connect one, as well as a range of other IC2 and JST STEMMA devices.
Adafruit publishes a range of projects targeting the Braincraft, and is currently updating its guides and software to support Raspberry PI OS Bookworm. The legacy version of Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye, which is known to be stable with the HAT, is available via both Raspberry Pi Imager and as a direct download.
Vizy Camera
Like XGO, Vizi camera is driven by a Raspberry Pi, although it’s a standard version, rather than the Compute Module form factor. You can even choose how much RAM you’d like your camera to have.
Once set up on your network, it throws up a local intranet page that you can access from your browser. You can also configure it to be available over the internet. Here, you can access the cam’s feed and run a range of built-in machine learning applications including object identification, motion analysis, a bird species identifier for your bird feeder and a pet detector that can take photos or be used as a trigger for other events. Suggested projects include a treat dispenser or ball launcher.
As you’d expect for something that can be used to spy on garden birds, Vizy can be weatherproofed with an outdoor enclosure. Other add-ons include extra lenses, a 4G adaptor for enhanced portability, and a Power over Ethernet adaptor.
Luwu Dynamics XGO 2
Luwu Dynamics’ XGO Mini 2 and Lite 2 dogs look like desk-sized takes on Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot. The robot can be addressed by a variety of microcontrollers and single-board computers, but the default configuration uses Raspberry Pi CM4.
As well as manual control options, it has a selection of pre-programmed behaviour routines that you can invoke, including object recognition using the Yolo real-time object detection system, voice command recognition, and efforts at gender, emotion and gesture recognition. All of these behaviours are handled by a clutch of Python scripts and their accompanying libraries, which makes them really easy to customise.
If you don’t want to immediately dive into XGO’s scripts, there are also a range of programming interfaces available and custom libraries for controlling the cyberdog body. Your options range from a remote control smartphone app to a Python-based block-based programming interface accessible via a web browser.
For the visually impaired community, most of their interactions on mobile phones are confined to text-to-speech (TTS) interfaces that read portions of the screen aloud. Dynamic braille displays also exist as a tactile means of communication, but their prices can get close to $15,000, putting them out of reach for most people. This is why Instructables user bmajorspin wanted to create an inexpensive, portable alternative that could work with other mobile devices.
Unlike other braille displays that use moving pins, this design leverages a set of six static pins housed within a 3D-printed enclosure that can vibrate independently. After connecting six haptic motors to an Arduino Nano 33 BLE through MOSFET drivers, bmajorspin mounted the entire circuit onto a small piece of perfboard and then soldered a micro USB cable for power. Lastly, a spring and 3D-printed cap were placed over each braille dot to isolate the vibrations and prevent the haptic signals from becoming muddled together.
The Nano 33 BLE is able to display braille characters thanks to it acting as a Bluetooth® Low Energy server that exposes a custom braille reader service. Through it, bmajorspin’s custom Android app can send encoded dot patterns to the device for it to then decode and present with the haptic motors.
Since this month’s Community Update is on the lighter side with regard to specific projects, we’ve decided to try something a little different. In addition to the usual fare, we’ve included some highlights from our recently released features and bug fixes. Let us know if you enjoy these callouts and we’ll keep them in moving forward!
Enterprise
We’re making headway on some continued improvements to the Xbox Insiders subreddit. We’ve had a few internal discussions around content planning and support improvements, so we’re hopeful those will bear fruit soon. Granted, there’s still much to be done to truly get things where we’d like, but we’ve really appreciated all the continued feedback and discussions around the changes so far. Keep ‘em coming!
State of Gold
We’ve seen quite a few different features land across our entire ecosystem in the past couple of weeks. On the console side of things, we enabled the ability to remember up to ten different WiFi Networks for all Alpha & Alpha Skip-Ahead users (Alpha Ring (2406.240429-2000)). Additionally, just yesterday, Alpha users received “Update Pre-download” for games that have enabled that feature (Alpha Ring (2406.240509-2000)).
Over in the PC/Cloud realm, we had a big update to Compact Mode go live to all PC Xbox Insiders that included a handful of new experiences (Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC). We also enabled a suite of “User Content Management” features for Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) that all Xbox Insiders can enjoy (Xbox App [2405.1000.39.0]).
These are just a few of the numerous improvements we’ve made across our platforms recently, so remember to regularly check our Console and PC release notes at their new home! Also, if you’re thinking to yourself, “These are mostly going to Alpha/Alpha Skip-Ahead! I can’t get them yet!” I may or may not have good news coming soon for those of you that are recently highly experienced and want to join those rings.
Integral
Finally, we want to call attention to a few Community-driven fixes that were made possible specifically due to the efforts of Xbox Insiders’ feedback. For both a notification issue, as well as a party chat/game chat issue, the feedback that was submitted was instrumental in determining the root cause and delivering a fix for the platform. We greatly appreciate all the feedback that we receive from our Xbox Insiders, and we’ll continue to highlight this in future Community Updates.
It’s Been a Pleasure
As always, I hope everyone enjoyed this installment of the Xbox Insider Program Community Update. If you want to chat about this—and everything else XIP—hop on over to the r/XboxInsiders subreddit or throw us a follow @xboxinsider.
Hey, Xbox Wire readers! Fred Hoffman here, the better of the two brothers behind
Newfangled Games. I can hardly believe it, but we’re releasing Paper Trail on Xbox One and Xbox Series on May 21. If that sounds too far away for you, then I’ve got good news – we’ve got a shiny new demo available right now! It’s only available from now until our May 21 launch, so make sure you get it whilst you can!
A charming world of crafty puzzles awaits: grab and fold the fabric of reality like paper, and embark on a magical journey like no other! You play as Paige, a budding academic and the first of her family to be accepted into university. The problem? Your parents don’t want you to go. Using your secret origami powers (that’s totally a thing), you leave the confines of home to make your own way in the world.
Contained within the game, is a whole interactive storybook. As you travel further from your home, fragments of memory return and must be pieced together, weaving together the stories of your past, present and future. We won’t go too far into spoilers here, but it’s a story which is personal to us – and one we believe a lot of people will relate to.
Your adventure takes you through many beautiful hand painted locations, from sun drenched ruins, to rain swept forests. Each new area comes with quirky characters, hidden secrets, and unexpected puzzling twists. Uncover ancient patterns, connect magical circuits, navigate dizzying heights, and plumb long forgotten depths in your journey along the Paper Trail!
To have gone from wrestling the controller from my brother to get a turn on Halo as a kid; to releasing our own game together on Xbox – it’s a dream come true. Five years ago, we had an idea for a little paper folding game, it’s taken us around the world and back to where it all started. So if you have a sibling, go tell them that it’s your turn on the family console, and play the Paper Traildemo – available now!
Paper Trail Demo
Newfangled Games
☆☆☆☆☆1
★★★★★
Paper Trail is a top-down puzzle adventure about leaving home, set in a foldable, paper world. You play as Paige, a budding academic, leaving home for the first time to pursue her studies. On the journey, you learn to fold the world, merging two sides to solve puzzles, explore new areas and uncover long-lost secrets.
Circle to Search can now help students with homework
With Circle to Search built directly into the user experience, you can search anything you see on your phone using a simple gesture — without having to stop what you’re doing or switch to a different app. Since launching at Samsung Unpacked, we’ve added new capabilities to Circle to Search, like full-screen translation, and we’ve expanded availability to more Pixel and Samsung devices.
Starting today, Circle to Search can now help students with homework, giving them a deeper understanding, not just an answer — directly from their phones and tablets. When students circle a prompt they’re stuck on, they’ll get step-by-step instructions to solve a range of physics and math word problems without leaving their digital info sheet or syllabus. Later this year, Circle to Search will be able to help solve even more complex problems involving symbolic formulas, diagrams, graphs and more. This is all possible due to our LearnLM effort to enhance our models and products for learning.
Circle to Search is already available on more than 100 million devices today. With plans to bring the experience to more devices, we’re on track to double that by the end of the year.
Humble Games is celebrating its fourth anniversary with an epic sale on Xbox and PC games.
A look at some of our favorites from creative, visionary indie developers.
Save up to 70% on over two dozen titles until May 27.
Four years ago, Humble Games was founded with a simple mission: support indie developers, bring top-quality games to players everywhere, and continue Humble’s mission to be a force for good in the game industry and around the world.
Since then, we’ve helped dozens of the world’s most creative and talented independent developers bring their visions to life and get their games into your hands—including the passionate Xbox, Windows PC, and Game Pass community.
Today, we’re marking this awesome occasion with a massive Humble Games AnnIVersary Sale. From now until May 27, Xbox and Windows PC players will be able to pick up over two dozen award-winning hits and community favorites from across our humble four-year history for up to 70% off. Whether you’re looking for a cozy life sim to chill out with, a deckbuilding fantasy to satisfy your strategy cravings, or something action-packed, thrilling, or chilling, you’re sure to discover something fun. Here’s just a sample of what’s in store:
Discover the story of a person’s life as you unpack their possessions in the BAFTA Award–winning zen puzzle game Unpacking, from Witch Beam.
Experience enchanted island living at your own pace—and help clean up paradise—in Stairway Games’ acclaimed reimagining of farm sims, Coral Island.
Craft a deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire in Mega Crit’s renowned fusion of card games and roguelikes.
Explore a strange world as a tiny space-traveling girl with a big top hat in the cute-as-heck 3D platformer A Hat in Time, from developer Gears for Breakfast.
Squad up for adventure across the Airborne Archipelago in Temtem, the massively multiplayer creature-collection game from Crema.
Here’s the full library of Xbox games on sale starting today:
Thanks to everyone across the Xbox community who’s played alongside us and helped us reach this awesome milestone—and here’s to four more years of fun!
Drive to victory with a unique Xbox Series X console, featuring iconic Overwatch 2 hero D.Va and her reimagined mech, co-designed by Porsche.
Charge up your gaming experience with a chance to win a custom Overwatch 2 | Porsche Xbox in a limited Sweepstakes, ending June 10, 2024.
The in-game Overwatch 2 | Porsche collaboration event launches on Xbox Series X|S on May 14, 2024.
Get ready to amp up your gaming experience with the ultimate fusion of power and precision: Overwatch 2 | Porsche! In a truly electric collaboration, Overwatch 2 and Porsche have unveiled an in-game crossover event – and we’re offering you the chance to win a custom Xbox console, celebrating the shared essence of their two high-performance brands.
Don’t miss your chance to score big with this electrifying collaboration and win a custom Xbox console adorned with exclusive Overwatch 2 | Porsche artwork. Bring D.Va and her meticulously crafted Porsche-designed mech right into your living room!
Already known for its iconic collaborations, Overwatch 2 now invites fans to join their heroes D.Va and Pharah in a brand new event, as they charge into battle with Legendary skins and themed cosmetics co-designed with Porsche, available in-game from May 14 to June 3. These skins electrify the battlefield with custom sound effects and paint textures from the all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo and the all-electric Porsche Taycan.
The custom Xbox features D.Va’s Legendary Porsche skin, inspired by the sleek design of the all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo. Her reimagined mech features the Porsche Macan’s headlights, brake calipers, and coil suspension encasing a distinctive interior. A rare collectible for any Overwatch 2 and Porsche fan, this console offers a unique way to dominate the battlefield from home.
Fans have the chance to win this custom console and controller by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet during the Entry Period. The giveaway runs exclusively from Tuesday, May 14, 2024 through Monday, June 10, 2024. For official rules and eligibility details, visit here.
Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play, always-on, and ever-evolving live game. Team up with friends regardless of platform and jump into the reimagined PvP experience. Season 10: Venture Forth brings a new Damage hero, the alternate reality Mirrorwatch event, and an all-new Mythic system featuring Mythic Prisms earned in the Premium Battle Pass with the chance to unlock Mythic Vengeance Mercy once completed.
Unser Engagement für eine sichere, aufgeschlossene und inklusive Gaming-Community wird durch kontinuierliche Investitionen und Innovationen zum Schutz der Spieler*innen und zur Förderung eines positiven Spielverhaltens unterstützt. Heute veröffentlichen wir unseren vierten Xbox Transparency Report, der unsere Fortschritte bei der Förderung der Sicherheit der Spieler*innen und unser Engagement für Transparenz aufzeigt.
Wir bei Xbox sind weiterhin bestrebt, den verantwortungsvollen Einsatz von KI voranzutreiben, um unsere menschliche Expertise bei der Erkennung potenzieller Gefahren zu stärken. Wir haben die einzigartige Chance, branchenführende Sicherheitsinnovationen zu schaffen. So schützen wir unsere Community besser, indem wir die Investitionen von Microsoft nutzen, die die neuesten Fortschritte in der generativen KI mit menschlichem Fachwissen und Urteilsvermögen kombinieren.
Unser fortschrittlicher Ansatz zur Nutzung von KI zur Kategorisierung und Identifizierung schädlicher Inhalte basiert auf Microsofts Standard für verantwortungsbewusste KI und ermöglicht es unseren menschlichen Moderator*innen, sich auf die komplexeren und nuancierten Risiken zu konzentrieren. So stellen wir sicher, dass unsere Maßnahmen zum Schutz der Gaming-Community präzise, konsistent und fair sind.
Zu den frühen KI-gestützten Investitionen gehören:
Auto-Labeling hilft bei der Klassifizierung von Konversationstexten, indem Wörter oder Phrasen identifiziert werden, die den Kriterien und Merkmalen potenziell schädlicher Inhalte entsprechen. Dieser Ansatz nutzt KI, um gemeldete Textinhalte zu analysieren und hilft Community-Moderator*innen, Fehlmeldungen schnell auszusortieren, so dass sich die menschliche Moderation auf die wirklich kritischen Inhalte konzentrieren kann.
Image Pattern Matching, das auf fortschrittlichen Datenbank- und Bildabgleichungstechniken basiert, ermöglicht die schnelle Entfernung bekannter schädlicher Inhalte und die Identifizierung neu auftauchender schädlicher Bilder.
Zu den wichtigsten Erkenntnissen des Berichts gehören:
Neue effektive Wege zum Schutz der Spieler*innen. Das Verhalten der Spieler*innen im Xbox Voice-Chat hat sich seit der Einführung unseres neuen Voice Reporting-Feature deutlich verbessert. Die Funktion ermöglicht es den Spieler*innen, unangemessenes verbales Verhalten mit minimalen Auswirkungen auf ihr Spiel zu melden. Mit dem System „Jetzt aufnehmen, später melden“ wurden seit der Einführung bereits 138.000 Sprachmeldungen erfasst. Wenn diese Meldungen zu einem Enforcement Strike führten, zeigten 98 % der Spieler*innen eine Verbesserung in ihrem Verhalten und erhielten keine weiteren Enforcements. Darüber hinaus haben wir unseren proaktiven Ansatz aktualisiert, um schädliche Inhalte effektiver daran zu hindern, die Spieler*innen zu erreichen (3,2 Millionen Textzeilen mehr als im letzten Bericht, d.h. 67 % mehr), damit die Spieler*innen sich positiv einbringen können. Wir werden weiterhin in Funktionen investieren, die das Spielerlebnis auf der Xbox schützen und verbessern.
Das Verständnis von Enforcements führt zu einer sichereren Community. Das Enforcement Strike System wurde letztes Jahr eingeführt, um positives Spielverhalten zu fördern und den Spieler*innen zu helfen, die Bedeutung eines Regelverstoßes zu verstehen. Seit der Einführung haben 88 % der Spieler*innen, die einen Enforcement Strike erhalten haben, keine weiteren Aktivitäten unternommen, die gegen unsere Community-Standards verstoßen. Darüber hinaus haben wir die Dauer der Sperren für kleinere Verstöße insgesamt verkürzt. Bei 44 % der Enforcement Strikes, die früher zu einer Sperre von 3 Tagen oder mehr geführt hätten, wurde die Dauer verkürzt. Die Kombination dieser Ergebnisse zeigt, dass die Mehrheit der Spieler*innen ihr Verhalten nach nur einer Sperre verbessert, selbst wenn diese nur kurz ist.
Nicht authentische Accounts sperren, bevor sie Auswirkungen haben. Wir haben kontinuierlich in Methoden zur Erkennung von nicht authentischen Konten investiert, was uns ermöglicht hat, viele von ihnen rechtzeitig zu sperren und so zu verhindern, dass sie unsere Spieler*innen beeinträchtigen. Unsere verbesserten Methoden haben die Nutzung von Millionen nicht authentischer Konten verhindert. Zudem haben sie dazu geführt, dass die Zahl der proaktiven Sanktionsmaßnahmen gegen nicht authentische Konten zum ersten Mal seit zwei Jahren gesunken ist: von 16,3 Millionen Durchsetzungen im letzten Bericht auf 7,3 Millionen.
Unabhängig vom Transparency Report arbeitet unser Team weiterhin eng zusammen, um Innovationen im Bereich Sicherheit voranzutreiben und die Erfahrungen unserer Spieler*innen zu verbessern:
Einführung des Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit. Microsoft ist sich bewusst, dass Eltern und Erziehungsberechtigte viel zu tun haben und dass sich die Technologielandschaft ständig weiterentwickelt. Dieses Toolkit enthält Anleitungen zur Nutzung der Sicherheitsfunktionen und Familiensicherheitseinstellungen von Microsoft, um die digitale Elternschaft zu unterstützen und zu verbessern, sowie Anleitungen für Familien, die sich gemeinsam in der Welt der generativen KI bewegen wollen. Wir haben auch Links zu einer Auswahl an Informationsquellen für Eltern hinzugefügt, wie z.B. das How To Be A Good Digital Parent Toolkit des Family Online Safety Institute.
Globale Umfrage zu Onlinesicherheit von Microsoft. Diese Umfrage zielt darauf ab, das digitale Ökosystem und die Online-Erfahrungen der Menschen besser zu verstehen. Wir veröffentlichen die Ergebnisse, damit andere von den Erkenntnissen profitieren und wir gemeinsam an einem sicheren Online-Umfeld arbeiten können. Die Umfrage untersucht, wie Menschen aller Altersgruppen die Chancen und Risiken der Technologie wahrnehmen.
Aufbau einer besseren Online-Community mit Minecraft Education’s Good Game. Diese neueste Ergänzung der CyberSafe Kollektion von immersiven Lernwelten ist ein Abenteuer mit einer Geschichte, die Spieler*innen zwischen 8 und 18 Jahren helfen soll, Verantwortlichkeiten, Werkzeuge, Reaktionen und Strategien zu verstehen, die Empathie fördern und gesunde Online-Interaktionen ermöglichen. Nutzer*innen von Minecraft Education finden CyberSafe: Good Game in der Bildungsbibliothek des Spiels. Der Titel ist auch für Spieler*innen von Minecraft Bedrock kostenlos im Minecraft Marketplace erhältlich.
Gemeinsam mit unseren Spieler*innen bauen wir weiterhin eine starke und unterstützende Community auf, die frei von Einschüchterungen und Ablenkungen ist. Wir sind bestrebt, unsere Sicherheitsfunktionen zu verbessern, um unsere Verbindung zu den Spieler*innen durch Feedback und Mitteilungen im Spiel zu fördern und die Schutzmaßnahmen noch effektiver anzuwenden. Die KI-Lösungen, die wir veröffentlichen, sind Teil unseres Weges, eine sicherere und einladende Umgebung für alle zu schaffen. Denn jede*r soll sich beim Spielen wohlfühlen und Spaß haben.
Our commitment to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive gaming community is powered by the ongoing investments and innovations we make to protect players and promote positive play. Today, we are releasing our fourth Xbox Transparency Report, which demonstrates our advancements in promoting player safety and our commitment to transparency.
At Xbox, we remain dedicated to advancing the responsible application of AI to amplify our human expertise in the detection of potential toxicity. We have a unique opportunity to create industry-leading safety innovations that better protect our communities, leveraging Microsoft’s investments that combine the latest generative AI advancements with human expertise and judgement.
Our progressive approach to leveraging AI to categorize and identify harmful content is guided by Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard and allows our human moderators to focus on the more complex and nuanced harms, ensuring that our actions to safeguard the gaming community are accurate, consistent, and fair.
Early AI-supported investments include:
Auto Labeling helps to classify conversational text by identifying words or phrases that match criteria and characteristics of potentially harmful content. This approach uses AI to analyze reported text content and helps community moderators quickly sort out false reports so human moderation efforts can be focused on content that is the most critical.
Image Pattern Matching, powered by advanced database and image matching techniques enables rapid removal of known harmful content and identification of emergent toxic imagery.
Among the key takeaways in the report:
Effective New Ways of Protecting Players: Player behavior on Xbox voice chat has meaningfully improved since the launch of our new voice reporting feature. The feature has been effective in enabling players to report inappropriate verbal behavior with minimal impact to their gameplay. Since its launch, 138k voice records have been captured utilizing our ‘capture now, report later’ system. When those reports resulted in an Enforcement Strike, 98% of players showed improvement in their behavior and did not receive subsequent enforcements. Additionally, we have updated our proactive approach to more effectively prevent harmful content from reaching players (3.2 million more lines of text than last report, or 67%), allowing players to engage in a positive way. We will continue to invest in features that protect and enhance the Xbox player experience.
Understanding of Enforcements Leads to a Safer Community: The Enforcement Strike System was launched last year to promote positive play while helping players understand the severity of a violation. Since its launch, 88% of those who received an Enforcement Strike did not engage in activity that violated our Community Standards to receive another enforcement. We also reduced suspension lengths overall for minor offenses. Of enforcements that would have previously resulted in a 3-day or more suspension, 44% were given a reduced length. The combination of these results shows that the majority of players choose to improve their behavior after only one suspension, even when it is short.
Blocking Inauthentic Accounts Before They Have Impact: We have been continuously investing in ways to spot inauthentic accounts, which has allowed us to quickly block many of them as soon as they’re created, preventing them from affecting our players. Our improved methods prevented millions of inauthentic accounts from being used as soon as they are created and have led to a decline in the number of proactive enforcements on inauthentic accounts for the first time in two years, with enforcements dropping from 16.3 million in the last report to 7.3 million.
Outside of the Transparency Report, our team continues to work closely to drive innovation in safety and improve our players’ experience:
Launch of Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit: Microsoft understands that parents and caregivers are busy, and that the tech landscape keeps evolving. This toolkit provides guidance on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings to support and enhance digital parenting, plus guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together. We’ve also included links to a selection of informational resources already made for parents, such as the Family Online Safety Institute’s How To Be A Good Digital Parent Toolkit.
Microsoft’s Annual Global Online Safety Survey: This survey seeks to better understand the digital ecosystem and individual’s experiences online. We share our results publicly so that others can benefit from the insights as we collectively strive to create a safer online environment. The survey looks at how people of all ages perceive the opportunities and risks posed by technology.
Building a better online community with Minecraft Education’s Good Game: This recent addition to the CyberSafe collection of immersive learning worlds is a story-based adventure aimed at helping players from ages 8-18 understand the responsibilities, tools, responses and strategies that foster empathy and enable healthy online interactions. Minecraft Education users can find CyberSafe: Good Game in the in-game lesson library. The world is also available for free for Minecraft Bedrock players in the Minecraft Marketplace.
Together with our players, we continue to build a strong and supportive community for everyone, free from intimidation and distractions. We are dedicated to improving our safety features to foster our connection to players through feedback and in-game reporting, and to apply layers of protection more effectively. The AI solutions we release are all part of the journey we are taking to build a safer and more welcoming environment for all, because everyone deserves to play comfortably and experience the joy that gaming has to offer. Thank you for taking part in this journey with us.
Grab your controllers and keyboards, because we have another round of games coming soon! Most importantly though, grab your headphones – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches next week. While sharing is caring, this is one you’re going to want to listen to yourself for the full experience. Now let’s get to all the games!
Available Today
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC) The critically acclaimed and award-winning classic is returning to the Game Pass library! Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director Josef Fares and developer Starbreeze Studios. Solve puzzles, explore the varied locations, and fight boss battles while controlling one brother with each thumb stick.
Coming Soon
Chants of Sennaar (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 15 In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler whose quest is to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.
EA Sports NHL 24 (Cloud) EA Play – May 16 EA Sports NHL 24 will be available with Xbox Cloud Gaming soon via EA Play! Feel the intensity of hockey with all new gameplay features that dial up the pressure, physicality, and control of authentic on-ice action.
Immortals of Aveum (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – May 16 Immortals of Aveum is coming to The Play List! Summon your power with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play in this single-player, first-person magic shooter. Unleash an arsenal of spells as Jak, who joins an elite order of battlemages to save a world on the edge of abyss.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 21 Available on day one with Game Pass! The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Pre-install now to get ready to play on day one.
Galacticare (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – May 23 Available on day one with Game Pass! You are the Director of Galacticare, an interstellar healthcare company and quasi-voluntary savior of the Galaxy (for cash.) Build hospitals and recruit staff to satisfy the whims of various alien species and cure their bizarre illnesses Save the (literal) Galaxy in story mode, or head into sandbox to design the hospital of your dreams.
Hauntii (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 23 Available on day one with Game Pass! Play as a brave yet naive little ghost, Hauntii, and set off on a quest guided by enigmatic Eternians. Possess, solve puzzles, and shape your fate in this captivating adventure. The game’s hand-crafted art style blends line art and animation with a striking palette, creating a visually captivating experience. Coupled with the dynamic soundtrack, it enhances the immersive exploration of mysterious landscapes.
Moving Out 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 28 Are you ready to become an all-star F.A.R.T? That’s a Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician in the world of Moving Out 2. Working solo, or with up to three friends, slip into your uniform and help the residents of Packmore, and beyond, to pack up and ship out!
Humanity (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 30 Become a Shiba Inu and help reconstruct humankind in the acclaimed action-puzzle game Humanity. Drop commands to guide a mindless human horde to the goal through 90 increasingly challenging handcrafted story mode stages. Then, choose from thousands of user-made puzzles expanding on the breadth of mechanics, or design your own and share it with the community.
Lords of the Fallen (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 30 A vast world awaits in the all-new, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God. Learn more about how Lords of the Fallen goes rogue(like) with its recent ‘Master of Fate’ update on Xbox Wire.
Firework (PC) – June 4 An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate the closed case of a massacre. You will play as a rookie police officer who participates in the re-investigation by chance. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges and the case becomes more bewildering.
Rolling Hills (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 4 Available on day one with Game Pass! Serve up sushi as a robot chef in Rolling Hills, a life sim about running your own restaurant in a cozy village. Make new friends, purchase ingredients, enhance your shop, and improve the lives of your neighbors as you perfect your craft!
DLC / Game Updates
Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns – Available now Game Pass members save 10% off their purchase! Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns sees the smash hit roguelike join forces with Konami’s iconic Contra series, adding tons of guns and other weapons (we’re talking 22, including evolutions!), 11 new characters, a huge map, and a soundtrack that combines classic Contra tracks with Vampire Survivors covers.
Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary – Starting May 15 Minecraft is celebrating 15 years of gripping adventures and mind-blowing creations! Whether you’ve been crafting since alpha or joined somewhere along the way, you’ve left your mark on every block. Watch out for upcoming announcements from Minecraft!
Starfield Update – May 15 Starfield’s largest update since launch is coming on May 15! The May Update includes more detailed surface maps; new gameplay difficulty options and display settings; new features for ship customization and more! Learn more on Bethesda.net.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Minecraft: 500 Minecoins – Starting May 15 Claim 500 Minecoins! Spend them on epic adventure maps, skins, add-ons, and more imaginative content, all crafted by creators and available on Minecraft Marketplace. What will your next adventure be?
Naraka: Bladepoint – Available Now Claim exclusive Xbox headgear, new season treasures, legendary skin trial bundle and more in the new Perks Bundle! Get a kick start in the new season with the help of experience boost cards! This Perk content requires Naraka: Bladepoint to use.
Leaving May 31
The following games are leaving soon, so be sure to jump back in and tie up and loose ends or grab some extra achievements before they leave! You can also save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library and keep the fun going.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Farworld Pioneers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Pac-man Museum Plus (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Little Witch in the Woods (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Schnapp Dir Deinen Controller oder Deine Tastatur, denn hier kommt eine geballte Ladung neuer Spiele! Am wichtigsten ist jedoch, dass Du Deine Kopfhörer parat hast – denn nächste Woche erscheint Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II! Auch wenn Teilen nicht schadet, solltest Du dieses Spiel ganz für Dich in bester Audioqualität genießen. Schauen wir aber zunächst auf das, was Dich im Game Pass erwartet.
Jetzt verfügbar
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Der von der Kritik hochgelobte und preisgekrönte Spieleklassiker kehrt in die Bibliothek des Game Pass zurück! Begleite zwei Brüder auf ihrer epischen Märchenreise durch die Vision des schwedischen Filmregisseurs Josef Fares und des Starbreeze Studios, das für die Entwicklung verantwortlich ist. Löse Rätsel, erkunde verschiedene Schauplätze und duelliere Dich mit gefährlichen Gegner*innen, während Du stets einen der Brüder steuerst.
Bald verfügbar
15. Mai – Chants of Sennaar (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
In diesem preisgekrönten Rätselabenteuer ist es Deine Aufgabe, als Reisende*r die Völker des Turms wieder zu vereinen. Beobachte und entschlüssele alte Sprachen in einem faszinierenden Universum, das den Mythos von Babel wiederaufleben lässt.
16. Mai – EA Sports NHL 24 (Cloud) EA Play
EA Sports NHL 24 ist mit EA Play schon bald über Xbox Cloud Gaming spielbar. Erlebe die Intensität auf dem Eis mit neuen Gameplay-Features, die den Druck, die körperbetonte Spielweise und die Kontrolle der Athlet*innen auf das nächste Level heben.
16. Mai – Immortals of Aveum (Cloud, PC und Xbox Series X|S)EA Play Immortals of Avenum wird Teil der Play List! Beschwöre Deine Macht im PC Game Pass, im PC Game Pass Ultimate oder über EA Play. In diesem magischen Ego-Shooter schlüpfst Du in die Rolle von Jak, der sich einem Elite-Orden von Kampfmagier*innen anschließt, um die Welt zu retten. Nutze Dein gesamtes Arsenal an Zaubersprüchen, um die Katastrophe abzuwenden!
21. Mai – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Cloud, PC und Xbox Series X|S) Ab dem ersten Tag im Game Pass erhältlich! In der Fortsetzung der mehrfach prämierten Hellbade: Senua’s Sacrifice begibt sich Senua auf eine brutale Reise durch die Mythen und Marter des Wikingerlandes. Mit der Absicht, diejenigen zu retten, die den Schrecken der Tyrannei zum Opfer gefallen sind, stellt sich Senua dem Kampf gegen die innere und äußere Finsternis. Installiere das Spiel jetzt vor, um am Tag des Erscheinens direkt loslegen zu können.
23. Mai – Galacticare (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) Ab dem ersten Tag im Game Pass erhältlich! Als Direktor*in von Galacticare, einem interstellaren Gesundheitsunternehmen, giltst Du als Retter*in der Galaxis – gegen Bezahlung versteht sich. Baue Krankenhäuser und rekrutiere Personal, um die außerirdischen Spezies, die bei Dir unterkommen, zufriedenzustellen und ihre bizarren Krankheiten zu heilen. Rette im Story-Modus die Galaxis oder statte der Sandbox einen Besuch ab, um das Krankenhaus Deiner Träume zu entwerfen.
23. Mai – Hauntii (Cloud, Konsole und PC) Ab dem ersten Tag im Game Pass erhältlich! In Deiner Rolle als mutiger, aber naiver kleiner Geist Hauntii begibst Du Dich auf eine Rätselreise, die von den mysteriösen Eterianer*innen gesteuert wird. Indem Du die Rätsel löst, bestimmst Du Dein Schicksal in diesem fesselnden Abenteuer. Die Grafik verbindet Strichzeichnungen mit liebevollen Animationen und einer beeindruckenden Farbpalette, die ein fesselndes Erlebnis erzeugen. Im Zusammenspiel mit dem dynamischen Soundtrack wird die Erkundungstour der geheimnisvollen Landschaften noch intensiver.
28. Mai – Moving Out 2 (Cloud, Konsole und PC) Moving Out 2 ist der schräge Nachfolger des beliebten Umzugssimulators. Als „Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technician“ (kurz F.A.R.T.) streifst Du Dir allein oder mit bis zu drei Freund*innen die „Smooth Moves“-Uniform über, um den Einwohner*innen von Packmore und darüber hinaus beim Ein- und Auspacken zu helfen!
30. Mai – Humanity (Cloud, Konsole und PC) Verwandle Dich zu einem Shiba Inu und hilf in diesem gefeierten Action-Puzzle-Spiel die Menschheit wieder aufzubauen. Es braucht Deine Befehle, um eine hirnlose Menschenhorde durch die 90 zunehmend schwerer werdenden Stages des Story-Modus zu führen. Wähle aus Tausenden von individuellen Rätseln oder entwirf Dein eigenes, um es anschließend mit der Community zu teilen.
30. Mai – Lords of the Fallen (Cloud, PC und Xbox Series X|S) In dem düsteren Fantasy-Action-RPG Lords of the Fallen erwartet Dich eine riesige Welt voller Geheimnisse und Herausforderungen. In Deiner Rolle als sagenumwobener dunkler Kreuzritter begibst Du Dich auf ein episches Abenteuer, um den Dämonengott Adyr zu stürzen.
4. Juni – Firework (PC) Firework ist ein Horror-Puzzle-Spiel. Ein Brand bei einer Beerdigung zwingt die Polizei dazu, einen schrecklichen, bereits abgeschlossenen Fall neu zu untersuchen. Als junge*r Polizeibeamt*in, die*der zufällig auf den Fall stößt, stellst Du fest, dass das Verbrechen weit verwirrender ist, als es anfangs den Anschein machte.
4. Juni – Rolling Hills (Cloud, Konsole und PC) Ab dem ersten Tag im Game Pass erhältlich! Serviere Sushi als Roboterkoch in Rolling Hills, einer Lebenssimulation, in der Du Dein eigenes Restaurant in einem verschlafenen Dorf leitest. Finde neue Freund*innen, kaufe Zutaten und verbessere Deinen Laden, indem Du Dein Handwerk sukzessive perfektionierst.
DLCs / Updates
Jetzt verfügbar – Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns Als Game Pass-Mitglied sparst Du 10 Prozent beim Kauf! Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns verbindet Roguelike Elemente mit der beliebten Contra-Reihe von Konami und einem ganzen Arsenal an Waffen (22 um genau zu sein, einschließlich noch gewaltigerer Evolutionen). Dazu kommen elf neue Charaktere, eine riesige Karte und ein Soundtrack, in dem klassische Contra-Tracks mit Vampire Survivors-Covern aufeinandertreffen.
Ab 15. Mai – Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary Minecraft blickt auf 15 Jahre voller spannender Abenteuer und atemberaubender Kreationen. Egal, ob Du schon seit der Alpha-Version baust oder erst später dazugekommen bist – Du hast mit jedem Block, den Du gesetzt hast, Deine Spuren hinterlassen. Halte die Augen offen, um keine der kommenden Ankündigungen zu verpassen!
15. Mai – Starfield Update Am 15. Mai erscheint das größte Update für Starfield seit der Veröffentlichung des Spiels! Das Mai-Update enthält detailliertere Landkarten, neue Optionen zur Justierung des Schwierigkeitsgrads und der Anzeige, neue Anpassungsmöglichkeiten für die Raumschiffe und vieles mehr. Mehr Infos findest Du auf Bethesda.net
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate-Vorteile
Ab 15. Mai – Minecraft: 500 Minecoins Sichere Dir 500 Minecoins und investiere sie in spannende Abenteuerkarten, Skins, Add-Ons und andere kreative Inhalte, die alle auf dem Minecraft Marktplatz erhältlich sind. Wie wird Dein nächstes Abenteuer aussehen?
Jetzt verfügbar – Naraka: Bladepoint
Das neue Perk-Bundle enthält exklusive Xbox-Kopfbedeckungen, Schätze für die neue Saison, ein außergewöhnliches Skin-Probepaket und vieles mehr! Außerdem wartet ein Kickstart durch die neuen Erfahrungsschubkarten auf Dich. Um die Vorteile zu nutzen, benötigst Du Naraka: Bladepoint.
Diese Spiele verlassen den Game Pass am 31. Mai
Die folgenden Spiele verlassen bald die Game Pass Bibliothek. Es gibt also keinen besseren Zeitpunkt, um sie an die Spitze Deiner Spielliste zu setzen. Vergiss nicht, dass Du 20 Prozent auf Deinen Kauf sparen kannst, wenn Du sie in Deiner Bibliothek behalten möchtest.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Farworld Pioneers (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R(Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Pac-man Museum + (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Little Witch in the Woods (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Railway Empire II (Cloud, Konsole und PC)
Das war es fürs Erste. Um Dich daran zu erinnern, welche Spiele gerade verfügbar sind, kannst Du aber auch immer ein Auge auf Xbox, den Game Pass und den PC Game Pass werfen. Und vergiss nicht, Dir den 9. Juni rot im Kalender zu markieren, wenn der Xbox Showcase gefolgt von der [REDACTED] Direct stattfindet. Dann gibt es noch viel mehr Neuigkeiten zu verkünden. Wir sehen uns!
Immerse yourself in high-performance Track Toys including the lightweight Ginetta G40 Junior.
Celebrate the cars that are blurring the line between production road cars and high-end racecars in Forza Motorsport Update 8. Expand your garage with track-worthy machines and put them to the ultimate test in special events across Career, Multiplayer and Rivals.
Update 8 rolls out for download starting Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM UTC on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. Spotlight cars and new in-game events begin on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 PM PT (12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, May 16).
Game Improvements and Release Notes
Today’s update introduces new fixes and experience improvements to Forza Motorsport, including tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated in Featured Multiplayer, a gloss-matte slider in the Livery Editor, a new Tire Wear scale option for Free Play and Private Multiplayer, and changes to Drivatar AI braking behavior.
Firstly, we’ve introduced a Vinyl Material tool to the Livery Editor which can be used to uniformly adjust all vinyl materials on a car from matte (non-reflective) to glossy (reflective). This includes a reset option to revert all vinyls to match car paint glossiness. Imported designs from Forza Horizon 5 using its similar feature will automatically inherit these values.
We’ve added a Tire Wear Scale option to Free Play and Private Multiplayer, allowing adjustments to the rate at which tires are worn. 1x is the default value. At 2x, tire wear will occur twice as fast. Values range from .5x to 10x. This setting is found in the Event Setup Rules tab and in the Fuel & Tire menu when on track.
We’ve updated Safety Ratings in Featured Multiplayer by increasing the number of previous races the Safety Rating uses to determine your rating from 10 to 20, and by making on-track collisions more impactful to Safety Rating. These changes will take effect after your first race in Update 8.
In addition, we’ve improved the matchmaking algorithm to search for a narrower range of Safety Ratings compared to your own. For example, players with an ‚S‘ Safety Rating should no longer be matched with players who have ‚E‘ and ‚D‘ Safety Ratings. Groups will be connected to matches based on the player with the lowest Safety Rating.
We’ve removed the 2020 KTM X-Bow GT2 and the 2020 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 from the Forza GT Series and added them to the Modern Factory Racecar Series in Featured Multiplayer. Meanwhile, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 has been added to the Forza GT Series. We’re currently working on recategorizing Forza GT racecars into separate spec divisions and expect to push these changes into the game this summer.
Finally, we’ve reduced unnecessary braking scenarios for Drivatar AI opponents. Examples of this include braking while attempting to pass, two cars wide in corners, at the apex of corners, and on straights.
Mobil Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Forza Motorsport
In celebration of its 50-year anniversary, we’re excited to reveal a partnership with Mobil 1, which will include a series of exciting in-game Rivals events starting this summer.
To kickstart this special collaboration, Maple Valley has been updated to “Mobil 1 Presents Maple Valley” with new track signage featuring Mobil 1 branding. Check it out the next time you are racing through the sweeping turns and beautiful, fictional woods of New England.
Numerous fixes and improvements have been made to Maple Valley and Mid-Ohio in Update 8. Check out the release notes for the full overview of these adjustments.
Career Tour – Track Toys Tour
The Track Toys Tour invites you to experience high-performance cars that you could see hot lapping on the racetrack.
Compete in a single-make race series with Ginetta Juniors. This affordable entry point into motorsport for enthusiasts will see you behind the wheel of the nimble yet extraordinary 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior. Despite only 100 horsepower, the lightweight G40 has emerged as the most successful junior racing car on the circuit!
Weekend Warriors sees you racing cars like the exceptional 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS which could be taken to the track on a Sunday before being driven to work the following day. Whether it is on the road or the racetrack, this Cayman GTS tackles every twist and turn at high-speed without issue!
Appreciate the unforgettable shape and undeniable performance of the iconic Caterham R500 in Kit Caterhams. This driving machine must be skillfully handled. Despite its light chassis, the R500 catapults from 0 to 60 in just 2.9 seconds thanks to its 267 horses!
And finally, enjoy a celebration of purpose-built track cars like the aerodynamic 2019 Elemental RP1 in Track Toys. This lightweight car delivers a thrilling 320 horsepower from its 2-liter turbocharged engine! Not only does its massive low-pressure diffuser look truly incredible, but its aerodynamic capabilities create a truly staggering amount of downforce, ensuring you always have full control of the RP1 on the track.
Complete all 4 series in the Track Toys Tour to receive the ultimate racing warrior, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935. This car’s exterior details are inspired by Porsche’s racing legacy, including rims and aerodynamics that pay homage to the 935/78 racecar –nicknamed the Moby Dick – as well as 919 Hybrid LMP1-inspired LED taillights. Enter the Reward Showcase with the 935 to take on a field of hypercars built for the track.
Series within the Track Toys Tour do not have to be completed in a particular week – you have until June 27, 2024, to finish this latest Featured Tour. Spotlight cars are available at a discount for the week during which they are featured.
Spotlight Cars and VIP Discounts
Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week, available for you to acquire with a temporary 30% discount using in-game credits. Update 8 will showcase four Spotlight cars, one each week, three which are either new or returning to Motorsport.
These Spotlight cars can be used in the Track Toys Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Spotlight Rivals.
Forza Motorsport VIP Members also get an exclusive 15% discount on the 2014 BAC Mono in the Showroom. This is one of the few single-seat production cars that’s not only street legal, but ready to take on any track with its unique blend of formula racecar and aircraft-like design. Duke it out with this exhilarating track toy on the Mono a Mono VIP Rivals event and shave off those milliseconds at Yas Marina – South Circuit to secure your spot on the community leaderboard.
In addition, starting with Update 8, VIPs can look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom. Exclusive discounts for VIP Members in Update 8 include the following cars:
With each update to Forza Motorsport, the Open Class Tour gets refreshed with new events and a new reward car.
Open Class Tour is where you can continue the journey of your favorite cars. Cars that you’ve already built in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up and upgraded in the Open Class Tour.
Enter the Open Class Tour with your favorite cars across D, C, B, and A Classes and take on opponents racing inexpensive and highly modifiable production cars that you would expect to see at your local track on the weekend.
Complete the Open Class Tour in Update 8 to receive the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé. Its incredible blend of performance, handling and practicality makes it the perfect choice for those seeking an exhilarating driving experience, especially in the Reward Showcase where you can race with other cars in its class.
With Forza Motorsport Update 8, the Open Class Tour in Career mode has been migrated from the Builders Cup tab to the Featured tab. The Open Class Tour will be found in the Featured tab going forward.
Featured Multiplayer – Spec and Open Series
As mentioned in the release notes, with Update 8, Featured Multiplayer introduces tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated, an updated matchmaking algorithm and small car changes to the Forza GT Series with more updates to this division planned for summer.
Here’s a look at your Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for Update 8:
Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 15-22
The 3-Eleven is an open-cockpit, mid-engine screamer that exemplifies Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra “simplify, then add lightness.”
Early Factory Racecar Series – May 22-29
Bespoke racing versions of some of the most sought-after cars from the late 80s and 90s, now valued in millions of dollars by savvy collectors.
Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 29 – June 5
The popular MX5 ‘94 version of the best-selling Mazda Miata is perfectly balanced to handle the most demanding road courses with the speed and agility of cars costing much, much more.
Modern Factory Racecar Series – June 5-12
Race through a field of ultimate track day specials in the Modern Factory Racecar series. These mid-engine production cars feature unique upgrades designed to achieve extreme performance metrics and ensure victory on the track.
Featured Rivals
Set your fastest lap times across exciting new Rivals events in Forza Motorsport Update 8.
Compete for the leaderboard in this month’s Featured Spec Rivals event! Choose your favorite Forza Touring Car and challenge your skills and precision to achieve your fastest lap at Virginia International Raceway – Full Circuit. Cars have been pre-tuned for optimal competition but can be further adjusted to suit your playstyle.
Later in the month, we’re opening a special Rivals event where you can experience the ultimate track car developed to pay tribute to a world-famous driver – the McLaren Senna – at the same track where he achieved several victories, Silverstone – Grand Prix Circuit. The Senna is one of the lightest and most driver-focused cars McLaren has ever built, with uncompromised performance and aerodynamics that unleash their true capabilities on the racetrack.
Remember that every week a new Spotlight Rivals event will present an opportunity for you to challenge your skills in the latest Spotlight car!
Discover new audiobooks with the Google Play Books YouTube channel
Head over to the Google Play Books channel on YouTube to listen to thousands of audiobook previews, at no cost to you. All of these samples are already available in the Google Play Books store via the Android app, iOS app and web so you also have the option to listen there. Whether you’re on the hunt for an enthralling science fiction saga, a new celebrity memoir or a swoonworthy romance listen, you’re sure to find a book that’s right for you. Don’t forget to wishlist your favorites on Google Play Books to build out your “To listen” list.
Find future reads with the “Upcoming” section in Google Play Books Android app
To keep track of your books and stay up-to-date on upcoming releases, head to the new “Upcoming” section in the “Library” tab in the Play Books Android app. In this section, you can easily see all your pre-orders in one location on a calendar that can be filtered based on specific series or authors. Books available for pre-order from authors and series you’ve shown interest in may also appear in “Upcoming”.
Get Reading Rewards digital stickers
To make reading experiences more engaging and rewarding, kids can now earn Reading Rewards digital stickers when reading children’s books in the Play Books Android app or on Google Kids Space. Reading Rewards are granted when kids reach a reading goal or milestone. From the Kid Reader toolbar, kids can easily access their “Prizes” and track all the stickers they’ve collected.
Interactive robots always bring an element of intrigue, and even more so when they feature unusual parts and techniques to perform their actions. Mr. Wallplate, affectionately named by Tony K on Instructables, is one such robot that is contained within an electrical wall plate and uses a servo motor connected to an Arduino UNO Rev3 for mouth movement.
The circuit for Mr. Wallplate is not very complex, as a single Arduino handles all of the processing. Users are able to control the robot with an IR remote thanks to a corresponding receiver that passes along the encoded signals to the Uno for parsing. After a valid code has been found, the Talkie library in the sketch accepts speech synthesis commands before converting them into waveforms for outputting to an amplifier. One of the more challenging aspects was getting the speech to align with the mouth moving, and Tony’s solution was to simply move the servo a predetermined amount based on the word.
After ensuring the electronics worked as intended, Tony fabricated the bot from a clear plastic bottle, a metallic toggle/duplex switch plate for the face, two halves of a ping pong ball for the eyes, and a ponytail holder for the lips. As seen in the demo video below, Tony’s creation is certainly captivating while it talks.
Immerse yourself in high-performance Track Toys including the lightweight Ginetta G40 Junior.
Celebrate the cars that are blurring the line between production road cars and high-end racecars in Forza Motorsport Update 8. Expand your garage with track-worthy machines and put them to the ultimate test in special events across Career, Multiplayer and Rivals.
Update 8 rolls out for download starting Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM UTC on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. Spotlight cars and new in-game events begin on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 PM PT (12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, May 16).
Game Improvements and Release Notes
Today’s update introduces new fixes and experience improvements to Forza Motorsport, including tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated in Featured Multiplayer, a gloss-matte slider in the Livery Editor, a new Tire Wear scale option for Free Play and Private Multiplayer, and changes to Drivatar AI braking behavior.
Firstly, we’ve introduced a Vinyl Material tool to the Livery Editor which can be used to uniformly adjust all vinyl materials on a car from matte (non-reflective) to glossy (reflective). This includes a reset option to revert all vinyls to match car paint glossiness. Imported designs from Forza Horizon 5 using its similar feature will automatically inherit these values.
We’ve added a Tire Wear Scale option to Free Play and Private Multiplayer, allowing adjustments to the rate at which tires are worn. 1x is the default value. At 2x, tire wear will occur twice as fast. Values range from .5x to 10x. This setting is found in the Event Setup Rules tab and in the Fuel & Tire menu when on track.
We’ve updated Safety Ratings in Featured Multiplayer by increasing the number of previous races the Safety Rating uses to determine your rating from 10 to 20, and by making on-track collisions more impactful to Safety Rating. These changes will take effect after your first race in Update 8.
In addition, we’ve improved the matchmaking algorithm to search for a narrower range of Safety Ratings compared to your own. For example, players with an ‚S‘ Safety Rating should no longer be matched with players who have ‚E‘ and ‚D‘ Safety Ratings. Groups will be connected to matches based on the player with the lowest Safety Rating.
We’ve removed the 2020 KTM X-Bow GT2 and the 2020 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 from the Forza GT Series and added them to the Modern Factory Racecar Series in Featured Multiplayer. Meanwhile, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 has been added to the Forza GT Series. We’re currently working on recategorizing Forza GT racecars into separate spec divisions and expect to push these changes into the game this summer.
Finally, we’ve reduced unnecessary braking scenarios for Drivatar AI opponents. Examples of this include braking while attempting to pass, two cars wide in corners, at the apex of corners, and on straights.
Mobil Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Forza Motorsport
In celebration of its 50-year anniversary, we’re excited to reveal a partnership with Mobil 1, which will include a series of exciting in-game Rivals events starting this summer.
To kickstart this special collaboration, Maple Valley has been updated to “Mobil 1 Presents Maple Valley” with new track signage featuring Mobil 1 branding. Check it out the next time you are racing through the sweeping turns and beautiful, fictional woods of New England.
Numerous fixes and improvements have been made to Maple Valley and Mid-Ohio in Update 8. Check out the release notes for the full overview of these adjustments.
Career Tour – Track Toys Tour
The Track Toys Tour invites you to experience high-performance cars that you could see hot lapping on the racetrack.
Compete in a single-make race series with Ginetta Juniors. This affordable entry point into motorsport for enthusiasts will see you behind the wheel of the nimble yet extraordinary 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior. Despite only 100 horsepower, the lightweight G40 has emerged as the most successful junior racing car on the circuit!
Weekend Warriors sees you racing cars like the exceptional 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS which could be taken to the track on a Sunday before being driven to work the following day. Whether it is on the road or the racetrack, this Cayman GTS tackles every twist and turn at high-speed without issue!
Appreciate the unforgettable shape and undeniable performance of the iconic Caterham R500 in Kit Caterhams. This driving machine must be skillfully handled. Despite its light chassis, the R500 catapults from 0 to 60 in just 2.9 seconds thanks to its 267 horses!
And finally, enjoy a celebration of purpose-built track cars like the aerodynamic 2019 Elemental RP1 in Track Toys. This lightweight car delivers a thrilling 320 horsepower from its 2-liter turbocharged engine! Not only does its massive low-pressure diffuser look truly incredible, but its aerodynamic capabilities create a truly staggering amount of downforce, ensuring you always have full control of the RP1 on the track.
Complete all 4 series in the Track Toys Tour to receive the ultimate racing warrior, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935. This car’s exterior details are inspired by Porsche’s racing legacy, including rims and aerodynamics that pay homage to the 935/78 racecar –nicknamed the Moby Dick – as well as 919 Hybrid LMP1-inspired LED taillights. Enter the Reward Showcase with the 935 to take on a field of hypercars built for the track.
Series within the Track Toys Tour do not have to be completed in a particular week – you have until June 27, 2024, to finish this latest Featured Tour. Spotlight cars are available at a discount for the week during which they are featured.
Spotlight Cars and VIP Discounts
Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week, available for you to acquire with a temporary 30% discount using in-game credits. Update 8 will showcase four Spotlight cars, one each week, three which are either new or returning to Motorsport.
These Spotlight cars can be used in the Track Toys Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Spotlight Rivals.
Forza Motorsport VIP Members also get an exclusive 15% discount on the 2014 BAC Mono in the Showroom. This is one of the few single-seat production cars that’s not only street legal, but ready to take on any track with its unique blend of formula racecar and aircraft-like design. Duke it out with this exhilarating track toy on the Mono a Mono VIP Rivals event and shave off those milliseconds at Yas Marina – South Circuit to secure your spot on the community leaderboard.
In addition, starting with Update 8, VIPs can look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom. Exclusive discounts for VIP Members in Update 8 include the following cars:
With each update to Forza Motorsport, the Open Class Tour gets refreshed with new events and a new reward car.
Open Class Tour is where you can continue the journey of your favorite cars. Cars that you’ve already built in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up and upgraded in the Open Class Tour.
Enter the Open Class Tour with your favorite cars across D, C, B, and A Classes and take on opponents racing inexpensive and highly modifiable production cars that you would expect to see at your local track on the weekend.
Complete the Open Class Tour in Update 8 to receive the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé. Its incredible blend of performance, handling and practicality makes it the perfect choice for those seeking an exhilarating driving experience, especially in the Reward Showcase where you can race with other cars in its class.
With Forza Motorsport Update 8, the Open Class Tour in Career mode has been migrated from the Builders Cup tab to the Featured tab. The Open Class Tour will be found in the Featured tab going forward.
Featured Multiplayer – Spec and Open Series
As mentioned in the release notes, with Update 8, Featured Multiplayer introduces tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated, an updated matchmaking algorithm and small car changes to the Forza GT Series with more updates to this division planned for summer.
Here’s a look at your Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for Update 8:
Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 15-22
The 3-Eleven is an open-cockpit, mid-engine screamer that exemplifies Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra “simplify, then add lightness.”
Early Factory Racecar Series – May 22-29
Bespoke racing versions of some of the most sought-after cars from the late 80s and 90s, now valued in millions of dollars by savvy collectors.
Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 29 – June 5
The popular MX5 ‘94 version of the best-selling Mazda Miata is perfectly balanced to handle the most demanding road courses with the speed and agility of cars costing much, much more.
Modern Factory Racecar Series – June 5-12
Race through a field of ultimate track day specials in the Modern Factory Racecar series. These mid-engine production cars feature unique upgrades designed to achieve extreme performance metrics and ensure victory on the track.
Featured Rivals
Set your fastest lap times across exciting new Rivals events in Forza Motorsport Update 8.
Compete for the leaderboard in this month’s Featured Spec Rivals event! Choose your favorite Forza Touring Car and challenge your skills and precision to achieve your fastest lap at Virginia International Raceway – Full Circuit. Cars have been pre-tuned for optimal competition but can be further adjusted to suit your playstyle.
Later in the month, we’re opening a special Rivals event where you can experience the ultimate track car developed to pay tribute to a world-famous driver – the McLaren Senna – at the same track where he achieved several victories, Silverstone – Grand Prix Circuit. The Senna is one of the lightest and most driver-focused cars McLaren has ever built, with uncompromised performance and aerodynamics that unleash their true capabilities on the racetrack.
Remember that every week a new Spotlight Rivals event will present an opportunity for you to challenge your skills in the latest Spotlight car!
“I’ve often had the occasional flight on my grandad’s copy of Flight Simulator X when I visit him, but I purchased X-Plane 12 after Christmas, so I’ve been using it regularly for about three months.” Leo tells us about what inspired him. “[The throttle is] reasonably rigid. There’s some flex in the lever side-to-side, so the plate that pushes the reverser button has to be a bit wider, but the box and paper-tube pivot is solid enough. It is, however, very light and likes to move around the desk.”
A great deal of building maintenance expenses are the result of simple inaccessibility. Cleaning the windows are your house is a trivial chore, but cleaning the windows on a skyscraper is serious undertaking that needs specialized equipment and training. To make exterior wall tile inspection efficient and affordable, the GLEWBOT team turned to nature for inspiration.
GLEWBOT climbs up walls like a gecko and taps on tiles like a woodpecker to evaluate wall integrity. Like cleaning the windows on a skyscraper, the traditional inspection method requires specialized tools and skills. GLEWBOT can perform the same functions autonomously, dramatically reducing costs.
This robot has a two-part design that lets it scale walls in a manner similar to a climber using ascenders. One part grips, while the other releases. When the bottom part grips, the top part can extend to move up the wall. When the top part grips, the bottom part can retract to repeat the process. The robot grips the tile using suction cup feet connected to micro vacuum pumps and a linear actuator performs the extension/retraction. Each end has a motor that lets it rotate relative to the linear actuator, so the robot can turn.
The system is equipped with two Arduino boards. An Arduino Nano serves as central command and handles general functions, while an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense acts as an acoustic recognition module and controls the inspection tool. That tool is a hollow drum hammer that taps each tile and listens for the resulting echo. An audio classification model trained for this task will detect a questionable tile based on the sound it makes, so engineers can investigate further.
As a Python developer, you’re probably eager to control and monitor your Raspberry Pi GPIOs remotely. Well, you have landed in the right place.
This article builds upon our previous introduction to “Visualize your Raspberry Pi data with Arduino Cloud | Part I.” Now, we’ll explore using Python to configure Raspberry Pi GPIOs, a fundamental step for many IoT projects that is usually considered as the “hello world” of IoT applications. Whether you’re controlling relays or monitoring digital inputs, managing GPIOs is crucial.
But IoT applications need to be accessed remotely with a dashboard that allows you to visualize your device data both in real time and its historical evolution, as well as acting remotely over your device.
Well, let’s deep dive into how we can achieve all that!
Physical setup
In this blog post, we show a very simple but comprehensive example. We will see how to use an Arduino Cloud dashboard to act remotely over your Raspberry Pi digital GPIOs. In a nutshell, we will see how to:
switch on and off an LED that is connected to your Raspberry Pi
detect when a push button that is connected to your Raspberry Pi is pressed
visualize the real time and historical value of an integer variable
First, let’s connect our Raspberry Pi to an LED and a push button as shown in the following diagram.
It’s a very simple setup. Now that we have everything ready, let’s get started!
Create the Device and Thing in Arduino Cloud
To send your Raspberry Pi data to the Arduino Cloud, you have to follow these simple steps:
In the example shown in this blog post, we use the following three variables:
test_value: We will use this integer variable to show an integer value generated periodically in our Raspberry Pi application in our Arduino Cloud dashboard.
button: We will use this boolean variable to send the information to the Cloud when the push button is pressed.
led: We will use this boolean variable to switch on and off the LED from the Arduino Cloud dashboard.
4. Create an Arduino Cloud dashboard for data visualization:
Create a switch widget (name: LED) and a LED widget (name: LED) and linke them to the led variable
Create a chart widget (name: Value evolution) and a Value widget (name: Value) and link them to the test_value variable.
Create a Push button (name: Push Button) and a Status widget (name: Button) and link them to the button variable.
With the dashboard, you will be able to:
Switch ON and OFF the LED using the switch widget.
Visualize the status of the LED with the LED widget.
Visualize the real time value of the variable test_value with the Value widget.
Visualize the evolution over time of the variable test_value with the chart widget.
Visualize on the Push Button and Button widgets when the push button has been pressed on the board.
#! /usr/bin/python3 import random
import gpiod
from gpiod.line import Direction, Value, Bias
from arduino_iot_cloud import ArduinoCloudClient
from credentials import DEVICE_ID, SECRET_KEY LED=14 # GPIO14, Pin 8
BUTTON=15 # GPIO15, Pin 10 # For Raspberry PI 5, the chip is gpiochip4. Check for other RPI flavours.
chip = gpiod.Chip('/dev/gpiochip4')
req=chip.request_lines(consumer="rpi-acloud-gpio-basic", config= { LED : gpiod.LineSettings(direction=Direction.OUTPUT), BUTTON : gpiod.LineSettings(direction=Direction.INPUT, bias=Bias.PULL_UP), }) # This function is executed every 1.0 seconds (as defined in the registration) and
# returns a random integer value between 0 and 100
def read_button(client): button = req.get_value(BUTTON) if button == Value.INACTIVE: return False else: return True # This function is executed every 10.0 seconds (as defined in the registration) and
# returns a random integer value between 0 and 100
def read_value(client): return random.randint(0, 100) # This function is executed each time the "led" variable changes
def on_led_changed(client, value): if value: req.set_value(LED, Value.ACTIVE) else: req.set_value(LED, Value.INACTIVE) print("LED change! Status is: ", value) if __name__ == "__main__": # Create Arduino Cloud connection client = ArduinoCloudClient(device_id=DEVICE_ID, username=DEVICE_ID, password=SECRET_KEY) # Register the Arduino Cloud variables with the callback functions client.register("test_value", on_read=read_value, interval=10.0) client.register("button", on_read=read_button, interval=1.0) client.register("led", value=None, on_write=on_led_changed) # Start the client client.start()
Create a file called credentials.py with your Device ID and secret.
This code can be used across all the various Raspberry Pi flavors and it should work also in any Linux-based machine. Just beware that you need to use the right gpiochip and set the right GPIO lines in the following code section:
LED=14 # GPIO14, Pin 8
BUTTON=15 # GPIO15, Pin 10 # For Raspberry PI 5, the chip is gpiochip4. Check for other RPI flavours.
chip = gpiod.Chip('/dev/gpiochip4')
You can get more information about the project in Project Hub and all the code and more details in the GitHub repository. Additionally, you can find a full python guide in the following article
Tutorial: Connect your Raspberry Pi to Arduino Cloud
Connecting your Raspberry Pi to the Arduino Cloud couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is create your free account and you are ready to go. It’s ready to use and it is free. You can explore the premium features for enhanced functionality.
So, if you’re looking to streamline data visualization of your Raspberry Pi applications using Python, give the Arduino Cloud a try and leverage its full potential for your projects.
Stay tuned for Part III and IV of our Raspberry Pi GPIO basic control blog post series in the Arduino Cloud.
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