As we gear up for the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, we couldn’t be more excited to meet up with our friends and colleagues in the industry and explore the many incredible new opportunities that await us, together. This year, GDC takes place from March 17-21 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. We will host partner meetings, participate in conference sessions, sponsor events like the IGF Awards and the ESA Foundation’s Nite to Unite.
As Xbox expands to any screen on any device, we’re opening doors and making it easier for anyone to play with any friends they want – whether they choose to play with Xbox console, PC, Smart TV or mobile. At GDC, we’re inviting game developers to go behind the scenes to better understand the significance and impact of what it means for Xbox to be on every screen. We’re committed to empowering game developers to tap into that opportunity by building games that take advantage of Xbox across devices. Our presence at GDC 2025 will reveal the many ways game developers can reach more players with Xbox and showcase success stories of developers who are maximizing the opportunity.
One of the highlights of this year’s GDC will be our sessions and demos of AI for Gaming. These sessions will provide valuable insight and inspiration for developers looking for ways to make their games more easily discoverable, more engaging and to help their teams do more real-time experimentation and visualization, more easily.
Discover how Xbox is using AI to unlock new opportunities across the Xbox ecosystem for both players and game creators. This session provides an overview of Xbox’s AI vision and a sneak peek of cutting-edge AI technology across the platform that will enhance player experiences and support game development for creators. Learn about innovative features that will help players discover their new favorite games, deliver personalized support, and get an exclusive preview of upcoming AI-powered tools and services designed to enrich gaming experiences on Xbox. Whether you’re a player, developer, or industry enthusiast, this session offers a glimpse into the future of gaming supported by AI.
How can AI drive the next wave of dynamic and immersive game experiences? In this panel, game developers and researchers come together to discuss the cutting-edge AI techniques being explored and prototyped to enhance player experiences and support developer creativity. From adaptive gameplay systems to new tools for game creators, this session dives into the intersection of research and product experimentation. Panelists will showcase prototypes and share insights into how AI can, with the guidance of game creators and players, push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming. This exploratory conversation is for anyone curious about how AI is shaping the future of game development.
This talk will introduce Deepforge, a deep neural network designed to transform armor pieces for various races in World of Warcraft (WoW). This technology drastically reduces the time required for artists to fit 3D armors from days and weeks to mere minutes. By automating the fitting process, our tool empowers artists to focus more on fine-tuning the details and enhancing the quality of their work. We will explore the model design, training, and deployment, showcasing its unique features and practical applications on mesh fitting for WoW. The primary goal for this project is to ensure high-quality mesh generation suitable for production use, from preprocessing to postprocessing, combined with a robust infrastructure for efficient and reliable model performance. Attendees will gain insights into how Deepforge enhances game asset creation, making it a valuable tool for developers.
At GDC 2024, EPAM brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of AI in gaming. Continuing the conversation, we will be exploring the role AI has played and what’s to come. In this executive panel we will discuss the practical use cases for developers, creators and players alike. Learn how AI can influence gameplay experience and developers‘ productivity along with the associated benefits and potential hurdles of utilizing this evolving technology. Hear from gaming experts as they share exclusive insights and actionable takeaways from their hands-on experiences with generative AI. This session offers a glimpse into the future of game development and the real-world impact it will have in 2025.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve gaming for everyone. This is especially true for those of us in the gaming and disability community. However, without proper design, development, and testing of AI gaming experiences, it can create new barriers for gamers with disabilities. Unfortunately, applying traditional techniques for developing and testing accessible content is not sufficient in these cases. As such, this talk will discuss how designers, testers, and accessibility subject matter experts can utilize red teaming to create inclusive AI experiences in games and gaming services. It will discuss what red teaming is, why it is extra important when it comes to creating accessible and enjoyable experiences for gamers with disabilities, numerous strategies to prevent and catch a myriad of issues that could impact them, and how to engage the gaming and disability community to help you validate such experiences.
Amplifying Player Voices with LLMs in Game Development Speaker: Joshua Koen (Blizzard Entertainment), Ian Livingston (Blizzard Entertainment) Date: Thursday, March 20 Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm Location: Room, 2010, West Hall
Our players dedicate tens, hundreds, or even thousands of hours to the experiences that we craft for them. Players have valuable feedback about how we can improve those experiences, but it can be challenging for developers to quickly parse vast amounts of feedback and identify ways to improve experiences. The presenters will explore the benefits and risks of using Large Language Models (LLMs) for analyzing player feedback. LLMs offer a way to efficiently analyze feedback at depth and scale that has not been previously possible. However, there are dangers of producing incorrect outcomes that are easy to overlook without a careful approach. Prompt structure, game terminology, and data complexity can easily trip up LLMs. The session will present ways that Blizzard has been validating the use of LLMs for this type of analysis. We will illustrate workflows for using LLMs to enhance processes for analyzing feedback from players.
How to Engage with Us at GDC 2025
For us, GDC 2025 is as much about showcasing the Xbox developer experience as it is about fostering collaboration with partners and driving our shared gaming future. We’re excited to connect, demystify our vision, and explore new possibilities together. If you are attending GDC in person, whether you’re an indie developer, a seasoned professional, or someone passionate about the gaming industry, we’ve got a line-up of sessions for everyone. If you will be engaging remotely, you can learn more about development and publishing decisions that maximize the full Xbox opportunity by visiting our Game Development Resource Hub here and to learn more about AI for Gaming, check out our Gaming AI Resource Hub here. If you have immediate questions or want to connect with other developers building for Xbox, join our Discord here.
Here’s a selection of additional conference talks featuring speakers from across Xbox:
Thriving Players Summit: Prosocial Design Workshop Speaker: Natasha Miller (Blizzard Entertainment), Weszt Hart (Riot Games) Date: Tuesday, March 18 Time: 9:30am – 11;50am Location: Room 3005, West Hall
The Climate Crisis Workshop Speaker: Grant Shonkwiler (Shonkventures LLC), Trevin York (Dire Lark), Paula Angela Escuadra (Microsoft / Xbox), Jennifer Estaris (ustwo games), Arnaud Fayolle (Ubisoft) Date: Tuesday, March 18 Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm Location: Room 204, South Hall
Ask Game Lawyers Anything Roundtable Day 1 Speaker: Ryan Black (DLA Piper (Canada) LLP), Brandon Huffman (Odin Law and Media), Angelo Alcid (Microsoft Corp.), Yan Perng (Netflix) Date: Wednesday, March 19 Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm Location: Room 308, South Hall
G.A.N.G. Demo Derby: Sound Design Speaker: Nick Hartman (Sound Lab), Scott Gershin (Sound Lab), Charles Deenen (Source Sound Inc), Gary Miranda (Injected Senses Audio), Brian Farr (Blizzard Entertainment) Date: Thursday, March 20 Time: 12:15pm – 1:45pm Location: Room 3018, West Hall
From Idea to Action: Lessons from a New Accessibility Initiative (Presented by The Entertainment Software Association) Speaker: Aubrey Quinn (Entertainment Software Association), Paul Amadeus Lane (Amadeus 4th Corp), Amy Lazarus (Electronic Arts), Dara Monasch (Google), Anna Waismeyer (Microsoft/Xbox), Steven Evans (Nintendo of America), David Tisserand (Ubisoft) Date: Thursday, March 20 Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm Location: GDC Main Stage, West Hall, Street Level
Game Career Seminar: Killer Portfolio or Portfolio Killer Part 2: Portfolio Reviews Speakers: Greg Foertsch (Bit Reactor), Sarah LeBlanc (Bit Reactor), Rembert Montald (Lightspeed LA), David Yee (Unannounced), Jeffrey Johnson (inXile Entertainment), Jade Law (Wardog Studios), Gaurav Mathur (E-Line Media), Jessica Kutrakun (Hypixel Studios), Inmar Salvatier (Maxis), Jeff Parrott (Blizzard), Daanish Syed (Bit Reactor), David Johnson (UndertoneFX), Jeff Skalski (Yellow Brick Games) Date: Friday, March 21 Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm Location: Room 3000, West Hall
Get ready to add Rockbeasts, the narrative band-management RPG, to your most anticipated albums of 2025. Welcome to a world that puts you in the shoes of a manager in the age of MTV, rock anthems, and bad haircuts.
Featuring the iconic Iggy Pop and with a story written by Jakub Szamałek (Senior writer of The Witcher 3, Principal Writer of Cyberpunk 2077 and the upcoming The Blood of Dawnwalker), prepare for a tragicomic tale of the highs and lows of an up-and-coming band in the 90s.
As the manager of “one of the most controversial bands” of the era, you’ll help a group of rising stars as they navigate the highs and lows of the music industry in pursuit of fame and fortune. Along the way, you’ll meet a colorful cast of anthropomorphic animals, some inspired by real world rock legends.
Pick the venue, prep the set and make sure it all goes according to plan. Pull it off and the band might just finally take those first steps to fame and glory. Sure, this one was in a grimy basement, but even the rock legends had to start somewhere, right?
The characters that bring this world to life all come with their own motivations, and personal demons. You have a choice – will you be the manager who helps those around you, or uses others as the stepping stone to success?
Bringing the Godfather of Punk himself, Iggy Pop, to your television screens once again, has drawn on decades of musical insider knowledge for his performance to give you an authentic window into the world of early ’90s rock mayhem.
His musical performances live in the annals of rock music history and now he’s jumping over to your Xbox. Iggy Pop plays a fictionalised version of himself, the aptly named “Iggy Pup” and lends his vocal talents to bringing the story’s narrator to life, as a radio host charting the rise of the band to fame. Relive the story first-hand as the notorious manager that leads the band to fame and fortune.
The branching narratives, twists and tales of the story will lead you down a path for you and your band to either rock, or ruin, and only by making the hardest choices can you help this band reach their true potential. Manage their practice sessions, sculpt their image, and do everything a good manager will do and maybe you’ll find a diamond in the rough with this misfit bunch of anthropomorphic animals. Or, simply use their hopes and dreams to line your own pockets, at the end of the day – the choices really are yours.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Rock & Roll. Wishlist Rockbeasts now on the Xbox Store today.
Coolest Projects is our global technology showcase for young people aged up to 18. Coolest Projects gives young creators the incredible opportunity to share the cool stuff they’ve made using digital technology with a global audience. Everyone who takes part will also receive certificates and rewards to celebrate their achievements.
What you need to know about Coolest Projects
The Coolest Projects online showcase is open to young people worldwide. Young creators can enter their projects to share them with the world in our online project gallery and join our extra special livestream event to celebrate what they have made with the global Coolest Projects community.
By taking part in Coolest Projects, young people can join an international community of young makers, represent their country, receive feedback on their projects, and get certificates to recognise their achievements.
Coolest Projects is completely free to take part in, and we welcome all digital technology projects, from young people’s very first projects to advanced builds. The projects also don’t have to be completed before they can be submitted.
Projects can be submitted to one of seven categories: Scratch, games, web, mobile apps, hardware, advanced programming, and AI (new for 2025).
Young creators up to age 18 can take part individually or in teams of up to five friends
Any young person anywhere in the world can take part in the online showcase, and there are in-person events in some countries for local creators, too (find out more below)
Submissions for the online showcase are now open and close on 28 May 2025
All creators, mentors, volunteers, teachers, parents, and supporters are invited to the special celebration livestream on 25 June 2025
We know Coolest Projects has a big impact on young people all over the world, and we can’t wait to see your creations for 2025. You can find out more about the incredible creativity and collaboration from mentors and makers worldwide in our 2024 impact report.
How to submit your project
Taking part in Coolest Projects is simple:
Young people think of an idea for their project or choose something they’ve already made and are proud of
Young people work with friends to create their project or make it on their own
Creators (with the help of mentors if needed) enter projects via the Coolest Projects website by 28 May
Creators’ projects are shared with the world in the online showcase gallery
Creators, mentors, and supporters explore the amazing projects in the online gallery and join the livestream on 25 June to celebrate young creators’ achievements with the Coolest Projects community worldwide
Mentors — entering more than one project? Sign up for a group code, and your young people can link their projects to your account.
Sign up or log in. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to set up a Raspberry Pi account. Click on the ‘sign up’ link in the top right-hand corner of the website to create one, and provide your details. You’ll be emailed a verification code as part of the sign-up process. If you already have an account, you can just log in.
Create a group. Once signed in, you’ll be able to create a group. You’ll be asked questions about your group, including the group name and the country you’re based in, and be asked to agree to some privacy policies before continuing. You will then be able to view your group code and group submissions on your group dashboard.
Share your group code with your young people. Your group dashboard should look like this, with your group code displayed. The group code is what your young people will need to link their submissions to your account. They’ll be asked to input their group code at the start of the project submission form.
Submit your coolest projects. Every young person who uses your group code will have their project linked to your account. You can review and edit their projects in your group dashboard and submit them from there. There is no limit to the number of young people who can submit entries using your group code.
For a more detailed run-through of how to use group codes, please see our ‘how-to’ video.
Coolest Projects in-person events in 2025
As well as the global online showcase, Coolest Projects in-person events are held for young people locally in certain countries. We encourage creators to take part in both the online showcase and their local in-person event. In 2025, creators can attend the following in-person events, run by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and partner organisations around the world:
Coolest Projects Ireland, 1 March 2025 (run by the Foundation) — entry closes on Friday 14 February
Coolest Projects South Africa, 2025 date coming soon (run by CoderLevelUp)
More events are on the way, so sign up for the Coolest Projects newsletter to be sure you hear about any in-person events in your country. And if there isn’t an event near you, don’t worry, as the online showcase is open to any young person anywhere in the world.
Need help with your submission?
Coolest Projects welcomes all digital tech projects, from beginner to advanced, and there are loads of great resources available to help you help the young people in your community to take part. If you’re searching for inspiration, take a look at the 2024 showcase gallery, where you can explore the incredible projects submitted by participants last year.
You’ll find everything you need to know about all seven Coolest Projects categories on our category pages, including our brand new AI category. Our projects site is also a great place for participants to begin — there are hundreds of free step-by-step project guides to help young people create their own projects, whether they’re experienced tech creators or just getting started.
We will also be running a series of online webinars for mentors and young people to help participants develop their creations for each Coolest Projects category. Sign up for the sessions here. All sessions will be recorded, so you can watch them back if you can’t join live.
Be sure to check out the Coolest Projects guidance page for resources to help you support young people throughout their Coolest Projects journey, including a mentor guide and session plans.
There’s lots more exciting news to come, from the announcement of our VIP judges to details about this year’s swag, so sign up for updates to be the first to know.
Whether your coders have already made something that they want to share, or they’re inspired to make something new, Coolest Projects is the place for them. We can’t wait to see what they create!
About three weeks ago, a small team from the Raspberry Pi Foundation braved high temperatures and expensive coffees (and a scarcity of tea) to spend time with educators at the CSTA Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
With thousands of attendees from across the US and beyond participating in engaging workshops, thought-provoking talks, and visiting the fantastic expo hall, the CSTA conference was an excellent opportunity for us to connect with and learn from educators.
Meeting educators & sharing resources
Our hope for the conference week was to meet and learn from as many different educators as possible, and we weren’t disappointed. We spoke with a wide variety of teachers, school administrators, and thought leaders about the progress, successes, and challenges of delivering successful computer science (CS) programs in the US (more on this soon). We connected and reconnected with so many educators at our stand, gave away loads of stickers… and we even gave away a Raspberry Pi Pico to one lucky winner each day.
The team with one of the winners of a Raspberry Pi Pico
As well as learning from hundreds of educators throughout the week, we shared some of the ways in which the Foundation supports teachers to deliver effective CS education. Our team was on hand to answer questions about our wide range of free learning materials and programs to support educators and young people alike. We focused on sharing our projects site and all of the ways educators can use the site’s unique projects pathways in their classrooms. And of course we talked to educators about Code Club. It was awesome to hear from club leaders about the work their students accomplished, and many educators were eager to start a new club at their schools!
We gave a copy of the second Big Book to all conference attendees.
Back in 2022 at the last in-person CSTA conference, we had donated a copy of our first special edition of Hello World magazine, The Big Book of Computing Pedagogy, for every attendee. This time around, we donated copies of our follow-up special edition, The Big Book of Computing Content. Where the first Big Book focuses on how to teach computing, the second Big Book delves deep into what we teach as the subject of computing, laying it out in 11 content strands.
Our talks about teaching (with) AI
One of the things that makes CSTA conferences so special is the fantastic range of talks, workshops, and other sessions running at and around the conference. We took the opportunity to share some of our work in flash talks and two full-length sessions.
One of the sessions was led by one of our Senior Learning Managers, Ben Garside, who gave a talk to a packed room on what we’ve learned from developing AI education resources for Experience AI. Ben shared insights we’ve gathered over the last two years and talked about the design principles behind the Experience AI resources.
Ben discussed AI education with attendees.
Being in the room for Ben’s talk, I was struck by two key takeaways:
The issue of anthropomorphism, that is, projecting human-like characteristics onto artificial intelligence systems and other machines. This presents several risks and obstacles for young people trying to understand AI technology. In our teaching, we need to take care to avoid anthropomorphizing AI systems, and to help young people shift false conceptions they might bring into the classroom.
Teaching about AI requires fostering a shift in thinking. When we teach traditional programming, we show learners that this is a rules-based, deterministic approach; meanwhile, AI systems based on machine learning are driven by data and statistical patterns. These two approaches and their outcomes are distinct (but often combined), and we need to help learners develop their understanding of the significant differences.
Our second session was led by Diane Dowling, another Senior Learning Manager at the Foundation. She shared some of the development work behind Ada Computer Science, our free platform providing educators and learners with a vast set of questions and content to help understand CS.
Diane presented our trial with using LLM-based automated feedback.
Recently, we’ve been experimenting with the use of a large language model (LLM) on Ada to provide assessment feedback on long-form questions. This led to a great conversation between Diane and the audience about the practicalities, risks, and implications of such feature.
More on what we learned from CSTA coming soon
We had a fantastic time with the educators in Vegas and are grateful to CSTA and their sponsors for the opportunity to meet and learn from so many different people. We’ll be sharing some of what we learned from the educators we spoke to in a future blog post, so watch this space.
We’re excited to announce that now through June 25, you can enjoy big discounts on our popular outdoor simulation games, theHunter: Call of the Wild and Call of the Wild: The Angler.
Whether you want to cast your line from your favorite fishing spot in theAngler, hunt some of nature’s most majestic animal species in theHunter, or do both, now is the perfect time to jump in and experience everything the beautiful (digital) outdoors has to offer.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these two games unique!
Discover an Atmospheric Hunting Game Like no Other
theHunter offers a different kind of experience. Find yourself in expansive open-world environments, carefully stalking the diverse wildlife that the base game and Reserve DLCs offer. Each species has distinct behaviors and tracking patterns, making the hunt challenging and rewarding. Track and hunt large and small game using a variety of weapons and techniques, completing missions, and tackling various challenges.
Pay close attention to your prey’s behavior and surroundings as you line up your shot.
In our newest reserve, Sundarpatan Nepal Hunting Reserve, you’ll get to navigate the lush Rhododendron forests of Nepal while keeping an eye – and an ear – on the stealthy Bengal Tiger. The game also features a realistic weather system and time cycles, adding to the realism and affecting animal behavior. Whether you prefer going solo or hunting with friends in cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes, there’s plenty to keep you engaged.
Be extra vigilant as you explore the new Sundarpatan Nepal Hunting Reserve. You never know who’s watching you from the shadows…
Enjoy the Challenge of the Catch and the Freedom to Explore in Call of the Wild: theAngler
Welcome to a fishing experience that brings the relaxing yet exciting world of angling to life. Explore vast, open-world locations with stunning rivers, lakes, and ponds, each teeming with a variety of legendary fish species that have their own behaviors and habitats. The game has immersive fishing mechanics and stunning natural environments, complete with dynamic weather and day-night cycles that affect how fish behave.
Enjoy the waterside’s peace and quiet or rise to the challenge of catching a Legendary fish.
Whether you’re competing with friends, mastering different fishing techniques – such as extending your baiting reach with help of the new remote-controlled angling companion, the LakePal Bait Boat[– or customizing your gear, there’s always something exciting to do. You can choose to play solo or team up with friends in the cooperative multiplayer mode and enjoy the serene waters together.
Extend your baiting reach with the LakePal Bait Boat. A must-have accessory for any pro angler!
Join our Welcoming Community
Whether you’re casting your line in the tranquil waters of theAngler, or tracking your next big game in theHunter, the games truly shine when you play it with others. Join the community, give and receive tips and tricks, and meet with fellow Hunters and Anglers. Plus, share your feedback with the development teams!
Der Xbox Games Showcase 2024 hat gezeigt, dass wir uns auf eine Menge Spiele freuen können! Fans von Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios und den unzähligen Partnern, die Spiele für Xbox entwickeln, bekamen einen Einblick in die kommenden Titel ihrer Lieblingsfranchises und andere spannende Neuerscheinungen.
Die Spieler*innen können sich auf die langersehnte Rückkehr geliebter Serien mit Gears of War: E-Day und Doom: The Dark Ages freuen, auf neue Einblicke in Spiele wie State of Decay 3, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Perfect Dark und South of Midnight, auf eine Enthüllung von Starfield: Shattered Space, und vieles mehr. Die Show erstreckte sich sogar bis nach Azeroth, wo das Veröffentlichungsdatum von The War Within, der nächsten Erweiterung für World of Warcraft, bekannt gegeben wurde.
Und von unseren Partnern gab es einen ersten Blick auf das Gameplay von Assassin’s Creed Shadows, ein erstes Treffen mit den Begleiter*innen im mit Spannung erwarteten Dragon Age: The Veilguard, einen spannenden Ausblick auf die Rückkehr von Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, ganz zu schweigen von den Debüts von Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Atomfall und Winter Burrow, um nur einige zu nennen.
Außerdem haben wir mit der Ankündigung von drei neuen Xbox-Konsolen der Series X|S, die unser aktuelles Sortiment in diesem Jahr ergänzen, eine erste Vorschau auf neue Xbox-Hardware gegeben. Diese bietet dieselbe Geschwindigkeit und Leistung mit mehr Design-, Speicher- und Preisoptionen.
Und obendrein haben wir mit Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 auch noch ein brandneues Call of Duty-Spiel enthüllt – und wir legen mit der Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct noch einen drauf und bieten euch einen Deep Dive in das Spiel. Wenn Du nicht live dabei sein konntest, schaut auf jeden Fall wieder vorbei, um einen vollständigen Überblick über die Ankündigungen im zweiten Teil unseres großen Doppelfeatures zu erhalten.
Das ist bei weitem nicht alles, was wir euch zu zeigen haben – die ganze Woche über wird der Offizielle Xbox-Podcast ab Montag, dem 10. Juni, neue Folgen ausstrahlen, die Gespräche mit Entwickler*innen und noch tiefere Einblicke in einige der spannenden Spiele der Messe bieten. Den Anfang macht morgen ein ausführlicher Gameplay-Einblick in Avowed auf dem YouTube-Kanal und den Podcast-Angeboten von Xbox, gefolgt von Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater am Dienstag. Aber das ist noch nicht alles. In den nächsten Tagen findest Du hier auf Xbox Wire DACH zahlreiche weitere exklusive Einblicke in kommende Xbox-Titel und Details zu den spannendsten News. Hier kommen alle Ankündigungen und Enthüllungen des Xbox Games Showcase 2024:
Age of Mythology: Retold – World’s Edge präsentiert den allerersten Gameplay Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam und Cloud, oder spiele direkt zum Release im Game Pass
World’s Edge – das preisgekrönte Studio hinter der Age of Empires-Franchise – präsentierte einen Trailer von wahrhaft mythischem Ausmaß: mit einem ersten Blick auf das Gameplay des kommenden Age of Mythology: Retold.
Age of Mythology: Retold wird die besten Elemente des beliebten Age of Mythology (2002) mit modernem Echtzeit-Strategie-Design, Grafik und Gameplay kombinieren. Der auf der Xbox Showcase 2024 debütierte Trailer enthüllte erstes Gameplay-Material, das spannende Action und göttliche Kräfte sowie einige neu gestaltete Götterporträts zeigt. Das World’s Edge-Team bestätigte außerdem das Veröffentlichungsdatum für Age of Mythology: Retold, den 4. September 2024, und dass dies der erste Titel der Age of Empires-Reihe sein wird, der sowohl für PC als auch für Konsolen erscheint.
Age of Mythology: Retold kann ab sofort vorbestellt werden.
Avowed bietet einen ersten Eindruck seiner fesselnden Geschichte
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam und Cloud, oder spiele es direkt zum Release im Game Pass
Mach Dich dieses Jahr in Avowed von Obsidian Entertainment auf eine Expedition in die unerforschte Wildnis der Living Lands gefasst! In einem brandneuen Story-Trailer erfahren wir mehr über die unglaubliche Reise, die wir noch in diesem Jahr antreten werden, und lernen Giatta, eine der vier Begleiter*innen des Spiels, kennen. Als Abgesandte*r des Aedyranischen Reiches hast du die Aufgabe, die Traumflut zu stoppen, eine mysteriöse Seuche, die an der stürmischen Grenze Verwüstung anrichtet. Deine Seele steht auf dem Spiel, während Du Dich durch das Chaos der Living Lands bewegst und ihre Wunder erkundest. Bereite Dich auf eine Expedition in das gefährliche, fesselnde und äußerst bizarre Unbekannte vor, wo Du Dein Schicksal schmieden und das Schicksal der Grenze gestalten wirst.
Avowed erscheint 2024 – mehr über die Story des Spiels erfährst Du in Kürze hier auf Xbox Wire DACH.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct enthüllt Details zu Kampagne, Multiplayer und Zombies
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, oder spiele es direkt zum Release im Game Pass
Es ist offiziell: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, der neueste Teil der beliebten Call of Duty-Reihe, wird am 25. Oktober erscheinen. Das von Treyarch und Raven Software entwickelte Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 ist ein Spionage-Action-Thriller, in dem nichts so ist, wie es scheint. In dieser Geschichte voller Überraschungen, die in den frühen 1990er Jahren spielt, hat eine schattenhafte Macht die US-Regierung infiltriert und die Spieler*innen sind gezwungen, zum ersten Mal abtrünnig zu werden.
Neben einer fesselnden neuen Kampagne bietet Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 neue Innovationen wie Omnimovement, das den Spieler*innen die Möglichkeit gibt, in jede Richtung zu sprinten, zu gleiten und zu tauchen und sich in allen Spielmodi wie ein Black Ops-Actionheld zu bewegen. Mit der Rückkehr von Classic Prestige, dem Theater-Modus und natürlich den rundenbasierten Zombies ist für jede*n etwas dabei.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 erscheint am 25. Oktober für Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 und PC. Spiele es direkt zum Release mit ausgewählten Xbox Game Pass-Abos (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, Game Pass für Konsole).
Doom: The Dark Ages erscheint 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, oder spiel es direkt zum Release im Game Pass
Das heute weltweit enthüllte Doom: The Dark Ages läutet die Rückkehr des unaufhaltsamen Doom Slayers in diesem kommenden Dark-Fantasy-Singleplayer-Action-FPS der legendären Publishers id Software ein.
In Doom: The Dark Ages, dem Vorgänger von Doom (2016), schlüpft der Spieler in die Rolle des mächtigen Doom Slayers und kämpft in einer epischen, filmischen Geschichte von Göttern, Göttinnen, Königinnen und Königen und Monstern gegen dämonische Horden in knallharten Kämpfen. Zusätzlich zu seinen übermenschlichen Fähigkeiten und seinem überbordenden Arsenal kann der Slayer auch auf seinen kolossalen Atlan-Mech zurückgreifen, um sich mit titanischen Bestien zu prügeln und den Himmel an Bord seines wilden Rosses zurückzuerobern: einem düsengetriebenen, kybernetischen Kriegsdrachen.
Schnapp Dir Deine Schrotflinte, Schildsäge und Dreschflegel und stürze dich im Jahr 2025 kopfüber in die Schlacht, wenn Doom: The Dark Ages auf Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S und PC erscheint. Füge Doom: The Dark Ages über den Microsoft Store zu deiner Wunschliste hinzu.
Playground Games beantwortet die Frage, was es heißt, ein*e Held*in zu sein, im nächsten Fable-Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC und Steam, oder spiel es direkt zum Release im Xbox Game Pass
Was bedeutet es, ein Held zu sein? Im Trailer vom letzten Jahr wurde diese Frage von Dave beantwortet, einem Gärtner, der zum Riesen wurde und sich nicht unterkriegen lässt. Dieses Jahr bekommen wir eine viel düsterere Antwort von Humphry, gespielt von dem britischen Comedy-Schauspieler Matt King. Humphry war einst der größte Held von Albion, aber diese glorreichen Zeiten sind längst vorbei. In Fable wird Humphry aus dem Ruhestand gezwungen, als eine mysteriöse Gestalt aus seiner Vergangenheit die Existenz von Albion bedroht.
Playground Games bestätigte auch die Zusammenarbeit mit Eidos Montreal, die die weitere Entwicklung von Fable unterstützen werden, das 2025 auf den Markt kommen wird. Die Wunschliste und mehr findest Du unter xbox.com/fable.
E-Day markiert ein neues Zeitalter für Gears of War
Gears of War: E-Day ist das nächste Hauptspiel im Gears of War-Universum, das während des entscheidenden Emergence Day spielt. Vierzehn Jahre vor Gears of War kehren die Kriegshelden Marcus Fenix und Dom Santiago nach Hause zurück, um sich einem neuen Albtraum zu stellen: der Locust-Horde. Diese unterirdischen Monster, grotesk und unerbittlich, brechen von unten hervor und belagern die Menschheit.
Im Ankündigungstrailer für den nächsten großen Teil der Serie hat sich The Coalition mit Blur Studio zusammengetan, um einen visuell atemberaubenden Trailer zu erstellen, der In-Game-Assets in Unreal Engine 5 verwendet. Er enthält eine neue instrumentale Version von „Mad World“, ursprünglich von Gary Jules für den ikonischen Werbespot von 2006 gesungen, jetzt brillant neu interpretiert vom Komponisten des Soundtracks, Adam Lastiwka. Der Trailer feierte sein Debüt in 4K-Auflösung und 30 FPS mit 5.1-Stereoton. Diese Spezifikationen, die für das Streaming optimiert sind, repräsentieren nicht die endgültige Leistung des Spiels.
Neuer Trailer zu Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, oder spielt es direkt zum Release im Game Pass
Schlüpf in die Rolle des legendären Archäologen und stelle Dich finsteren Mächten, während Du versuchst, die Wahrheit hinter einem der größten Geheimnisse der Geschichte aufzudecken in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Brandneues Gameplay und eine Szene aus einem entscheidenden Moment im Spiel wurden während des Xbox Showcase gezeigt. Eine abgefangene Nachricht führt Indy und Gina in den Himalaya, wo ihre gefährliche Reise durch die Berge zu einer erstaunlichen Entdeckung führt.
Erhebe dich in den Himmel am 19. November mit dem brandneuen Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Cloud, oder spiel es direkt zum Release im Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 ist der nächste Teil der Microsoft Flight Simulator-Reihe. Es ist der ambitionierteste Flugsimulator, der jemals unternommen wurde. Er bietet die größte, vielfältigste und detaillierteste Flugzeugflotte, die realitätsnahe Darstellung von Flughäfen und Luftverkehr und die visuell atemberaubendste Darstellung der Erde, die jemals geschaffen wurde.
Dieser brandneue Simulator ist darauf ausgelegt, die neuesten Technologien in den Bereichen Simulation, Cloud, maschinelles Lernen, Grafik und Gaming zu nutzen. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 geht über das reine Betreiben der Flugzeuge hinaus; er ermöglicht es den Spieler*innen, ihre Träume einer Luftfahrtkarriere zu verfolgen.
Mit Funktionen wie Luftbrandbekämpfung, Suche und Rettung, kommerziellen Flügen, Fernfrachtoperationen, VIP-Charterdiensten, Luftrennen und mehr werden die Spieler*innen nicht nur die Freude am Fliegen erleben, sondern auch in die Pilotkarriere eintauchen, die sie sich immer erträumt haben. Der Himmel ruft! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 startet am 19. November auf PC und Xbox Series X|S und wird direkt zum Release im Game Pass auf Konsole, PC und Cloud verfügbar sein.
Perfect Dark enthüllt in einem neuen Trailer einen ersten Einblick auf das Gameplay
Heute haben wir einen ersten Blick auf das Gameplay von Perfect Dark geworfen, dem mit Spannung erwarteten Reboot der Geheimagentenserie von The Initiative mit der ikonischen Joanna Dark.
In der nahen Zukunft wird die Erde von einer Reihe globaler Katastrophen heimgesucht, die die Ökosysteme auf der ganzen Welt an den Rand des Zusammenbruchs bringen. Im brandneuen Perfect Dark-Spiel erlebst Du die Reise von Joanna Dark, der Eliteagentin von DataDyne. Sie jagt den meistgesuchten Verbrecher der Welt, Daniel Carrington, um die Geheimnisse hinter den technologischen Durchbrüchen aufzudecken, die das Leben von Millionen von Menschen bedrohen könnten.
Der neue Trailer zeigte uns Joannas Abstieg in das Kairo-Setting des Spiels, gab uns einen Einblick in die Geheimnisse hinter dieser ökologischen Sci-Fi-Geschichte in der nahen Zukunft und stellte uns ein Spiel vor, das flüssiges Traversieren, Gadgets, Nahkampf, Gunplay, Stealth und mehr zu einem ultimativen Geheimagenten-Erlebnis verbindet.
South of Midnight zeigt erstes Gameplay – und den monströsen Two-Toed Tom
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Cloud, oder spiele es direkt zum Release im Xbox Game Pass.
South of Midnight – das wunderschöne Third-Person-Action-Adventure von We Happy Few-Machern Compulsion Games – zeigte während der Show den ersten Gameplay-Trailer. Wir lernen Hazel und ihren neuen Begleiter Catfish kennen, die durch ein überflutetes Gebiet reisen, das dem Mississippi-Delta nachempfunden ist – und sich schon bald einem der Monster-Könige des Spiels stellen müssen. Das ist Two-Toed Tom, ein gigantischer Albino-Alligator mit großem Hunger und sogar einem eigenen Themesong.
Der Trailer gibt einen Einblick in den Kampf und die Fortbewegung, zeigt Hazels magische Webkräfte und gibt uns einen Vorgeschmack auf die düstere Kulisse des Spiels im tiefen Süden. South of Midnight erscheint 2025.
Open World-Zombie-Survival-Spiel State of Decay 3 enthüllt neuen Trailer
Heute hat Undead Labs auf dem Xbox Games Showcase einen neuen Trailer zu State of Decay 3 gezeigt, der uns einen genaueren Blick auf das ambitionierte Open-World-Zombie-Survival-Spiel gibt. Der Nachfolger des beliebten Spiels State of Decay 2 ist für die Serie und das Studio ein großer Schritt nach vorne.
In State of Decay 3 befindet sich die Welt des Spiels Jahre nach der Apokalypse, in der eine immer größer werdende Zombie-Bedrohung die Landschaft erobert. Du musst Dich wehren und verlorenen Boden zurückerobern, um ein Leben für Deine Gemeinschaft von Überlebenskämpfer*innen zu schaffen. Fans der Serie werden im neuen Trailer vielleicht einige Anspielungen auf die Serie entdecken: brutale Kämpfe, kooperativer Kampf gegen die Bedrohung der Überlebenden, Permadeath, das Öffnen einer Autotür, während ein Zombie die Straße entlang rast. Aber je häufiger Du Dir den Trailer ansiehst, desto mehr Hinweise findest Du darauf, dass State of Decay 3 das ehrgeizigste Spiel sein wird, das Undead Labs je entwickelt hat.
Erste Gameplay-Szenen von Assassin’s Creed Shadows enthüllt
Xbox Series X|S (siehe Entwickler-Website für andere Plattformen)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows erscheint am 15. November für Xbox Serie X|S und gibt den Spieler*innen die Möglichkeit, das Japan des 16. Jahrhunderts als Naoe, eine geschickte Shinobi aus der Provinz Iga, und Yasuke, ein mächtiger Samurai und die erste voll spielbare historische Figur in Assassin’s Creed, zu erkunden. Im heutigen Gameplay-Trailer konnten die Fans einen ersten Blick auf die Neuerungen in Assassin’s Creed Shadows werfen.
Wir sahen, wie sich die beiden Protagonist*innen Yasuke und Naoe in Bezug auf Ausrüstung und Fähigkeiten unterscheiden (und ergänzen), aber auch die weitere Welt des Spiels und die wechselnden Jahreszeiten in Shadows. Freu Dich auf einen vollständigen Gameplay-Walkthrough, der morgen während des Ubisoft Forward (21 Uhr deutscher Zeit) gezeigt wird.
Überlebe, erforsche und entdecke die Wahrheit in Atomfall
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC oder spiel es direkt ab Release im Game Pass
In der hügeligen britischen Landschaft mit idyllischen Pubs, malerischen Dörfern und roten Telefonzellen wird schnell klar, dass die Dinge alles andere als normal sind. Atomfall wurde von Rebellion, den Macher*innen der beliebten Serien Sniper Elite und Zombie Army, entwickelt und ist von einer realen Atomkatastrophe inspiriert, die sich 1957 in Nordengland ereignete. Das Spiel folgt einem fiktiven Handlungsstrang, in dem Du Dich fünf Jahre nach dem Ereignis in der Quarantänezone wiederfindest.
Erkunde die Landschaft, Dörfer und Siedlungen und triff auf seltsame Menschen, böse Sekten, abtrünnige Regierungsbehörden und andere auf Deinem Weg. Bahne Dir Deinen Weg durch dieses Open-World-Abenteuer und suche in Deinem eigenen Tempo nach der Wahrheit. Atomfall ist ein Singleplayer-Survival-Actionspiel, das das Großbritannien der Nachkriegszeit mit der Paranoia des Kalten Krieges, dem Horror und Elementen der klassischen britischen Science-Fiction zu einem packenden und spannenden Spielerlebnis verbindet.
Atomfall erscheint 2025 und wird ab Release direkt im Game Pass verfügbar sein. Es wird auch für Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One und PC erhältlich sein. Das Studio wird bald mehr über Atomfall verraten.
Bereite Dich darauf vor, in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 von Sandfall Interactive um Dein Leben zu kämpfen
Xbox Series X|S, oder spiel es direkt ab Release im Game Pass
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ist ein reaktives, rundenbasiertes Rollenspiel, das Dich in eine wunderschöne, surrealistische Welt entführt, die von Frankreichs La Belle Epoque inspiriert ist – einer Zeit, die für ihre atemberaubenden und üppigen Beiträge zur weltberühmten Kunstkultur des Landes berühmt ist.
Als Mitglied der Expeditionäre, die sich auf eine unmögliche Reise begeben, um den Todeszyklus der Malerin zu beenden, reist Du durch eine riesige und wunderschöne Fantasiewelt, in der Du tödliche Gegner bekämpfst, Dich mit Fabelwesen anfreundest und Spuren derer entdeckst, die vor Dir kamen. Du kannst das Spiel ab heute im Xbox Store auf die Wunschliste setzen und @Expedition33 auf X (ehemals Twitter) folgen, um auf dem Laufenden zu bleiben.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Triff die Veilguard zum ersten Mal in einem neuen Trailer
Xbox Series X|S (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
BioWare und Electronic Arts haben einen neuen Trailer zu Dragon Age: The Veilguard veröffentlicht, in dem wir Dein Team aus sieben Gefährten kennenlernen, von denen jede*r seine eigene reiche Geschichte zu entdecken und zu gestalten hat. Gemeinsam werdet ihr die Veilguard bilden.
In Erweiterung der Geschichten, Welten und Charaktere aus den vorherigen Dragon Age-Spielen betrittst Du ein lebendiges Land mit rauer Wildnis, tückischen Labyrinthen und glitzernden Städten – voller Konflikte und geheimer Magie. Gemeinsam mit Deinen Gefährten trittst Du gegen ein Paar korrupter alter Götter an, die sich aus der jahrhundertelangen Dunkelheit befreit haben und die Welt zerstören wollen. Thedas braucht jemanden, auf den es zählen kann, und dieser Jemand bist du. Erhebe Dich als Rook, der neueste Held von Dragon Age. Sei, wer Du sein willst, und spiele, wie Du spielen willst, während Du kämpfst, um die Götter davon abzuhalten, die Welt zu zerstören.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn kommt am 18. Juli
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, oder spiel es direkt ab Release im Game Pass (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Die lang erwartete Rückkehr von A44, dem Entwickler von Ashen, steht kurz bevor – während der Show haben wir angekündigt, dass Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn am 18. Juli erscheinen wird. In der belagerten Welt von Kian begleitest Du Nor Vanek, eine Flintlock-Waffenexpertin, auf ihrer Mission, die wütenden Götter zu töten, die ihre Welt überfallen haben.
Nor kann eine Kombination aus Axtkampf, Steinschlosswaffen und Magie einsetzen, um verheerende Kombos zu schaffen – aber Du brauchst Geschick, um zu überleben. Vorbestellungen sind ab sofort möglich, und eine Deluxe-Edition bietet alternative Outfits und Optionen zur Anpassung der Waffen.
FragPunk erobert die Bühne
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Auf der Suche nach einem neuen kompetitiven FPS? FragPunk ist ein hektischer, team-basierter 5v5 Helden-Shooter, bei dem Du die Kampfregeln jeder neuen Runde durch das Aktivieren von Power-Up-Karten festlegst. Mit dem Debüt auf dem Xbox Games Showcase 2024 rockt FragPunk das Helden-Shooter-Genre mit rasanten Kämpfen und einer Fülle von Synergien und Gegenstrategien zwischen über 70 Splitterkarten, 10 Helden, 14 Waffen und 4 Karten!
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure bringt unseren ursprünglichen Star zurück
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure markiert nicht nur die Rückkehr der beliebten narrativen Abenteuerserie, sondern auch die Rückkehr von Max Caulfield, der ursprünglichen Protagonistin. Mehrere Jahre nach den Ereignissen in Arcadia Bay kehrt Max als Künstlerin an der renommierten Caledon University zurück.
Das Unglück ist leider nie weit entfernt – Max’ Freundin Safi wird ermordet, und wir werden in ein komplettes Mordgeheimnis mit übernatürlichem Twist hineingezogen. Max’ ursprüngliche Fähigkeit, die Zeit zurückzudrehen, hat sich in die Fähigkeit verwandelt, gesamte Zeitlinien zu verschieben. Wir werden zwei parallele Realitäten erkunden – eine, in der Safi sicher und wohlbehalten ist, und die andere nach ihrem Tod – um die Identität ihres Mörders herauszufinden. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure erscheint am 29. Oktober, und diejenigen, die die Ultimate Edition vorbestellen, können die ersten beiden Kapitel ab dem 15. Oktober spielen.
Mecha Break Enthüllung: Erstelle Deinen Mech und ziehe gemeinsam in den Krieg
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Mecha Break ist ein Multiplayer-Mech-Shooter, der den Spieler*innen ermöglicht, aus einer Vielzahl von Mechs zu wählen, deren Aussehen anzupassen und gegen kolossale Kriegsmaschinen in gefährlichem Gelände zu kämpfen.
Bereitet euch auf adrenalingeladene Kämpfe, blitzschnelle Manöver und explosive Feuerkraft vor. Mecha Break’s Xbox Closed Beta startet im August 2024 und wird 2025 für alle Spieler*innen verfügbar sein. Das Spiel bietet anpassbare Mechs, von Spieler*innen erstellte Mech-Piloten, eine breite Palette von Mech- und Waffentypen sowie drei verschiedene Spielmodi: 6v6 Schlachtfeldmodus, 3v3 Arenamodus und bis zu 60-Spieler*inen PvEvP-Modus. Spieler*innen können ihre Mechs mit benutzerdefinierten Lackierungen und Aufrüstungsanpassungen personalisieren, um ihre Statistiken an ihren bevorzugten Spielstil anzupassen.
Für den bevorstehenden Closed Beta-Test im August auf der Xbox Series X wird der 6v6 Schlachtfeldmodus im Fokus stehen. Arbeitet im Team zusammen und beteiligt euch an intensiven Luft- und Bodenkämpfen, um das Ziel zu erreichen.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater zeigt seine neue Interpretation eines Klassikers
Xbox Series X|S (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater schafft eine tief immersive Welt mit verbesserten visuellen und akustischen Effekten, wobei das volle Potenzial der Unreal Engine 5 genutzt wird und die klassischen Steuerungen und Sprachaufnahmen des Originaltitels beibehalten werden. Eine neue Third-Person-Kamera und ein überarbeitetes Steuerungslayout bieten den Spieler*innen eine intuitive Einführung in den Beginn der Metal Gear Solid-Saga, während sie in die Rolle von Snake in diesem spannenden Spionage-Thriller schlüpfen.
Mixtape: Nothing But the Hits erscheint 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Cloud, oder spielt es direkt zum Release im Game Pass (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Von Beethoven & Dinosaur, den preisgekrönten Entwicklern von The Artful Escape, kommt Mixtape. In ihrer letzten Nacht der Highschool begeben sich drei Freund*innen auf ein letztes Abenteuer. Auf dem Weg zu ihrer letzten Party zusammen, zieht sie eine perfekt kuratierte Playlist in traumhafte Nachstellungen ihrer prägenden Erinnerungen.
Die Geschichte wird durch eine Mischung aus komödiantischem, freudigem Gameplay erzählt, von Skateboarden und Fliegen bis hin zum Fotografieren in einem verlassenen Vergnügungspark und vielem mehr. Es sind die größten Hits der Teenagerfreundschaft, vom ersten Kuss bis zum letzten Tanz. Ähnlich wie bei Spielen wie What Remains of Edith Finch verbindet Mixtape seine Erzählung mit einer einzigartigen Struktur, die Vielfalt, Überraschung und Komödie im Gameplay betont.
Mit Musik von DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division und mehr. Mixtape verbindet effektiv Gameplay, Erzählung und Musik. Schließe Dich der Crew in ihrer letzten Nacht zusammen an, während sie Erinnerungen erleben, begleitet vom Soundtrack einer Generation.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl enthüllt den Trailer „Time of Opportunities“
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, oder spielt es direkt zum Release im Game Pass (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Der neue Trailer zu S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl ist da. Dieser Trailer, vollgepackt mit brandneuen Enthüllungen, zeigt alles, was die Spieler*innen erwartet. Von Schauplätzen bis hin zu Begegnungen mit Mutanten und Archanomalien. Und natürlich Hubs – Orte, um sich auszuruhen und sich auf die nächste intensive Mission vorzubereiten.
In-Game-Aufnahmen werden mit narrativen Ausschnitten gemischt, die die Bedeutung der nichtlinearen Storyline in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl hervorheben. Der „Time of Opportunities“-Trailer ist treffend benannt und reflektiert das grenzenlose Potenzial, das in dieser unbarmherzigen Landschaft auf euch wartet. Wie wirst Du die Zone sehen? Und wie wird sie sich an Dich erinnern?
Dieses Mal hörst Du viel mehr von der ukrainischen Synchronisation. Als ukrainisches Unternehmen weiß GSC Game World, dass viele Fans das Spiel gerne auf Ukrainisch mit Untertiteln ihrer Wahl erleben möchten. Der Trailer soll ein besseres Verständnis dafür vermitteln, wie sich diese Erfahrung anfühlen wird. Der „Time of Opportunities“-Trailer startet eine Reihe von S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2-Vorstellungen im Laufe dieses Sommers.
Winter Burrow: Ein gemütliches Survival-Erlebnis inspiriert von der Liebe zur Natur
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, oder spielt es direkt zum Release im Game Pass (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Baue Deinen Traum-Unterschlupf und erkunde eine charmante, schneebedeckte offene Welt in Winter Burrow, einem gemütlichen Wald-Survival-Spiel. Als kleine Maus verbringst Du Deine Tage mit Abenteuern in frostigen Umgebungen auf der Suche nach Deiner verschollenen Tante und sammelst Ressourcen, um Deinen Kindheitsbau wiederherzustellen.
Winter Burrow kombiniert gemütliche Spielelemente mit herausfordernden, aber zugänglichen Überlebensmechaniken. Verbringe Zeit in Deinem Bau, bastle niedliche Dekorationen, stricke warme Kleidung und bereite Dich auf große Sammelaktionen im Wald vor. Bleibe auf dem Laufenden über alles, was mit Winter Burrow zu tun hat, indem Du das Spiel im Xbox Store auf die Wunschliste setzt und Winter Burrow auf Twitter folgst.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers enthüllt – Eine Reise in die Dunkelheit der späten Ming-Dynastie
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, oder spielt es direkt zum Release im Game Pass (siehe Website des Entwicklers für weitere Plattformen)
Tauche ein in das dunkle und turbulente Land Shu in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Dieses Souls-like Action-RPG startet am ersten Tag auf Xbox Series X|S und versetzt die Spieler*innen in die düstere späte Ming-Dynastie, eine Zeit voller Kriege und einer mysteriösen Krankheit, die Menschen in monströse Kreaturen verwandelt. Du bist Wuchang, eine Piratenkriegerin, die unter Amnesie leidet und von Ornithropy, einer schrecklichen Krankheit, befallen ist, die ihr jedoch immense Macht verleiht.
Kämpfe gegen groteske Abscheulichkeiten, nutze alte Überlieferungen und entdecke Wuchangs verlorene Erinnerungen, wobei Deine Entscheidungen zu verschiedenen Enden führen. Wirst Du die Wahrheiten über Wuchangs Fluch enthüllen und Shu Frieden bringen, oder den sich ausbreitenden Schrecken erliegen? Das Schicksal des Landes liegt in Deinen Händen. Nichts ist für immer.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred erscheint am 8. Oktober – Jetzt vorbestellen und Ingame-Belohnungen erhalten
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PC via Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Mach Dich bereit für das nächste Kapitel von Diablo IV von Blizzard Entertainment: Vessel of Hatred, die erste Erweiterung des Spiels, erscheint am 8. Oktober.
Entfessle die Macht der Geistgeborenen, einer neuen Klasse, die sich der mystischen Geister des Dschungels für schnelle und verheerende Angriffe zunutze macht. Die Jagd nach Neyrelle beginnt erneut, während sie versucht, Mephistos finsteren Plan zu vereiteln. Tauche ein in die Dschungelregion Nahantu, wo neue Dungeons, Festungen und Feinde auf Dich warten, sowie eine neue PvE-Koop-Aktivität, in der Du Dich mit anderen zusammenschließen kannst, um Herausforderungen zu meistern und vielversprechende Belohnungen zu verdienen. Außerdem kannst Du neue Söldner*innen rekrutieren, die Dich bei Deiner Suche unterstützen. Werde stärker durch die wachsende Macht der Söldner*innen und nutze ihre einzigartigen Fähigkeiten im Kampf.
Stelle dich den Schatten am 8. Oktober! Vessel of Hatred wird Deine Reise durch Sanktuario neu definieren. Bestelle es jetzt vor und schalte sofortige Belohnungen im Spiel frei. Die Dunkelheit ruht nicht – Du solltest es auch nicht!
Ein neuer Trailer zu The Elder Scrolls Online lädt euch ein, Tamriel zu entdecken
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Epic Games Store, Cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
The Elder Scrolls Online feiert ein Jahrzehnt an Abenteuern in Tamriels zweiter Ära und lädt Dich mit einem neuen Trailer ein, Deine epische Geschichte zu beginnen. Egal, ob du ein Elder Scrolls-Veteran oder ein Neuling in der Serie bist, Du kannst eine ständig wachsende Welt erkunden, Dich mit anderen Abenteurer*innen zusammentun und herausfinden, warum bereits über 24 Millionen Spieler*innen das preisgekrönte Online-Rollenspiel erlebt haben. Im Juni erscheint außerdem mit „Gold Road“ das neueste Kapitel von The Elder Scrolls Online, das ab sofort für PC/Mac und ab dem 18. Juni für Xbox One und Xbox Series X|S-Konsolen erhältlich ist.
Entschlüssle das Geheimnis der Rückkehr des Vergessenen Prinzen, schalte die Schriftlehre frei, um Deine eigenen Fähigkeiten zu erschaffen und erforsche die Region Westweld, einen Teil Tamriels, der seit The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion nicht mehr gesehen wurde. Besuche elderscrollsonline.com, um mehr über Gold Road und die laufenden Feierlichkeiten zum 10-jährigen Jubiläum zu erfahren.
Fallout 76: Skyline Valley – Veröffentlichungstermin mit neuem Trailer bekannt gegeben
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 oder direkt zum Release im Game Pass spielen
In der nächsten großen Erweiterung, Skyline Valley, überquerst Du die Savage Divide und reist in die südlichen Appalachen. Erkunde neue malerische Schauplätze in den Wäldern, die einst als Shenandoah-Nationalpark bekannt waren und suche nach Vault 63, um dessen Geheimnisse aufzudecken. Erfahre die Wahrheit über die Verlorenen, die elektrischen Ghule, die das Gewölbe bewohnen und ihren rätselhaften Aufseher Hugo Stolz. Jage Stürme im neuen öffentlichen Event von Skyline Valley, „Gefährlicher Zeitvertreib“ und kämpfe gegen neue Gebietsbosse, ein monumentales Dreiergespann von Robo-Hirnen. Skyline Valley wird am 12. Juni in Fallout 76 erscheinen.
Sea of Thieves Season 13 Update: Böse sein kann sich manchmal gut anfühlen
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Cloud, PlayStation 5, Game Pass
Rare zeigt seine dunkle Seite mit einem feurigen neuen Sea of Thieves-Trailer, der die Rückkehr von Captain Flameheart ankündigt und die Spieler*innen zum Bosskampf einlädt. In einem völlig neuen Weltereignis werden Pirat*innen gegen Flamehearts mächtiges Flaggschiff antreten, um es in ihre Gewalt zu bringen. Lasse Feuer mit einer Skelettbesatzung unter Deinem Kommando auf Deine Feinde regnen und ernte die Belohnung für Deine heimtückischen Taten. Diese aufregende neue Begegnung ist Teil von Sea of Thieves: Season 13, das am 25. Juli als kostenloses Update für alle Spieler*innen auf Xbox, PC und PS5 erscheint.
Der Enthüllungstrailer von Starfield Shattered Space, plus Highlights aus dem Juni-Update
Tief in den dunklen Weiten des Weltraums leben die Anhänger*innen der Großen Schlange, umhüllt von Geheimnissen. Beginne eine epische neue Geschichte und erforsche das Gebiet des Hauses Va’ruun in Shattered Space, der ersten großen Erweiterung für Starfield. Sehe Dir jetzt den Enthüllungstrailer an und erlebe die Geschichte von Haus Va’ruun, wenn Shattered Space später in diesem Jahr erscheint.
Neben dem ersten Blick auf Shattered Space wurden direkt im Anschluss an den Xbox Showcase weitere Highlights aus Starfields neuestem großen Update vorgestellt. Offizielle Mod-Unterstützung mit dem Start von Creations, der erste neue Quest-DLC mit der Einführung von Trackers Alliance, neue Kopfgeldjäger*innen-Funktionen und Verbesserungen an Nahkampfwaffen sind die Highlights des Juni-Updates von Starfield. Das Juni-Update ist ab sofort für Xbox Serie X|S und PC erhältlich.
Die Dunkelheit ruft am 26. August mit World of Warcraft: The War Within
Blizzard Entertainments zehnte World of Warcraft-Erweiterung und das erste Kapitel des ehrgeizigsten Handlungsbogens in der fast 20-jährigen Geschichte des Spiels, The War Within, wird am 26. August veröffentlicht. Diese kommende Erweiterung – die erste von drei in der Worldsoul-Saga – wird Dich tief in die Mythologie von World of Warcraft hineinziehen und die Geschichte der letzten zwei Jahrzehnte auf eine Art und Weise miteinander verweben, die sowohl alte als auch neue Spieler*innen fesseln wird. Für eine begrenzte Zeit bietet Blizzard das Welcome to Azeroth Bundle an, das alles enthält, was Spieler*innen benötigen, um ihr Abenteuer in Azeroth zu beginnen. Das Paket enthält die aktuelle Erweiterung – den von Kritikern hochgelobten Dragonflight – eine Charaktererhöhung auf Stufe 60 und 60 Tage Spielzeit für 24.99 €. Lass Dir dieses legendäre Abenteuer nicht entgehen! Schließe Dich noch heute der Community an, erkunde die Wunder von Dragonflight und bereite Dich auf The War Within vor – Vorbestellungen sind ab sofort über das Battle.net möglich.
Drei neue Xbox Series X|S-Konsolenoptionen enthüllt
Drei neue Xbox-Konsolen der Serie X|S ergänzen unser aktuelles Angebot und wir freuen uns, den Spieler*innen noch mehr Möglichkeiten zu bieten, mit Xbox zu spielen – das ist der beste Weg, um die vielfältigen Erfahrungen zu genießen, die von Spieleentwickler*innen geschaffen wurden. Noch in diesem Jahr werden unsere 1TB Series S in Robot White, eine volldigitale Xbox Series X und eine 2TB Xbox Series X Special Edition in Galaxy Black in ausgewählten Märkten erhältlich sein (das Konsolensortiment variiert je nach Markt). In den kommenden Monaten werden wir Dich über die Verfügbarkeit auf den Märkten und die regionalen geschätzten Einzelhandelspreise (ERP) informieren, sobald wir Details zur Vorbestellung bekannt geben.
Mit dem unglaublichen Spieleangebot, das auf dem Xbox Games Showcase 2024 und Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 Direct gezeigt wird, ist dies eines der besten Jahre, um seine Konsole aufzurüsten oder zum ersten Mal auf Xbox zu spielen.
The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 showed players everywhere that they have a ton of games to look forward to. Fans of Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, or the countless partners building for Xbox were treated to a peek at what’s coming for their favorite franchises and new games alike.
Players can look forward to incredible returns to beloved series with Gears of War: E-Dayand Doom: The Dark Ages, fresh looks at the likes of State of Decay 3, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,Perfect Dark,andSouth of Midnight, a reveal for Starfield: Shattered Space, and much more. The show even extended to Azeroth, with the release date reveal of The War Within, the next expansion for World of Warcraft.
And from our partners, there was a world-first look at gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Shadows, an introduction to your future party members in the greatly anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard, an exciting look at the return of Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, not to mention some incredible debuts with the likes of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Atomfall, and Winter Burrow, among many others.
Plus, we brought you a first reveal of new Xbox hardware with the announcement of three new Xbox Series X|S console options joining our current lineup this holiday, featuring the same speed and performance with more design, storage, and price options to fit your needs.
And on top of all that, we also brought the gameplay reveal of a brand-new Call of Duty game with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6– and we’re following it up with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct, offering you an enormous deep-dive into the game. If you can’t tune in live, make sure to check back for a full rundown of what was announced in the second part of our enormous double feature.
This is far from everything we have to show you – all this week, the Official Xbox Podcast will air podcasts from Monday, June 10th, featuring discussions with developers and even deeper looks at some of the exciting games from the show. It all starts tomorrow with an extended gameplay look atAvowed, on Xbox’s YouTube channel and podcast services, followed by Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater on Tuesday. If reading’s more your speed, every episode will be detailed in an Xbox Wire post breaking down what was revealed.
But that’s all still to come. For the time being, here’s every single announcement and reveal from Xbox Games Showcase 2024:
Age of Mythology: Retold – World’s Edge Presents its First-ever Gameplay Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass
World’s Edge – the award-winning studio behind the Age of Empires franchise – showcased a trailer of truly mythical proportions: with a first look at gameplay from the upcoming Age of Mythology: Retold.
Age of Mythology: Retold will combine the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology (2002) with modern real-time strategy design, visuals and gameplay. The newly premiered trailer at Xbox Showcase 2024 revealed the first gameplay footage, showing off exciting action and divine powers, as well as some newly redesigned deity portraits. The World’s Edge team also confirmed the launch date for Age of Mythology: Retold – September 4, 2024 – and that this will be the first title in the Age of Empires franchise to ship on both PC and console at launch.
Age of Mythology: Retold is available to pre-order now.
Avowed Offers a New Look at its Captivating Story
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass
This year, brace yourself for an expedition into the uncharted wilds of the Living Lands in Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed. In a brand-new story trailer, we learned more about the incredible journey we’ll be taking later this year, and met Giatta, one of the game’s four companions. As an envoy of the Aedyran Empire, you’re tasked with stopping the Dreamscourge, a mysterious blight wreaking havoc on the tumultuous frontier. Your soul hangs in the balance as you navigate the chaos of the Living Lands and embrace its wonders. Prepare for an expedition into the perilous, captivating, and utterly bizarre unknown where you will forge your destiny and shape the fate of the frontier.
Avowed will be released in 2024 – and you can learn more about the game’s story on Xbox Wire right now.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct Reveals Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies Details
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or play it day one with Game Pass
It’s official: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the latest addition to the popular Call of Duty franchise, is set to arrive on October 25. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller where nothing is as what it seems. In this mind-bending narrative set in the early 1990s, a shadowy force has infiltrated the U.S. government and players will be forced to go rogue for the first time.
In addition to a compelling new campaign, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 features new innovations like Omnimovement, giving players the ability to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction and move like a Black Ops action hero across all game modes. Including the return of Classic Prestige, Theater Mode, and of course Round-Based Zombies, there’s something for everyone.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC on October 25. Play it day one on select Xbox Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, Game Pass Console).
Doom: The Dark Ages Comes to Xbox in 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, or play it day one with Game Pass
Revealed worldwide today, Doom: The Dark Ages heralds the return of the unstoppable Doom Slayer in this upcoming single-player, dark fantasy action FPS from the legendary id Software.
The prequel to Doom (2016), Doom: The Dark Ages puts players behind the visor of the mighty Slayer as they battle demonic hordes in grounded, hard-hitting combat inside an epic, cinematic tale of gods, kings and monsters. Supplementing his superhuman skills and over-the-top arsenal, the Slayer will also call upon his colossal Atlan mech to brawl with titanic beasts and retake the skies aboard his ferocious steed: a jet-fueled, cybernetic war dragon.
Don your Shotgun, Shield Saw and Flail and charge headfirst into battle in 2025 when Doom: The Dark Ages arrives on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Add Doom: The Dark Ages to your wishlist via the Microsoft Store.
Playground Games Asks ‘What Does It Mean to be a Hero?’ in the Next Installment of its Fable Trailer Series
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass
What does it mean to be a hero? In last year’s trailer, that question was answered by Dave, a gardener-turned-giant with a chip on his shoulder. This year, we get a much darker take from Humphry, played by the British comedy actor Matt King. Humphry was once Albion’s greatest Hero, but those glory days are long gone. In Fable, Humphry will be forced out of retirement when a mysterious figure from his past threatens the very existence of Albion.
Playground Games also confirmed its collaboration with Eidos Montreal, who will be supporting the ongoing development of Fable, which will be coming to players in 2025. For Wishlist and more, visit xbox.com/fable.
Gears of War: E-Day is the next mainline game in the Gears of War universe, set during the pivotal Emergence Day. Fourteen years before Gears of War, war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago return home to face a new nightmare: the Locust Horde. These subterranean monsters, grotesque and relentless, erupt from below, laying siege on humanity itself.
In the announce trailer for the series’ next major installment, The Coalition has teamed up with Blur Studio to forge a visually stunning trailer using in-game assets in Unreal Engine 5. It features a new instrumental version of ‘Mad World,’ originally performed by Gary Jules for the iconic 2006 commercial, now brilliantly reimagined by the game’s composer Adam Lastiwka. The trailer made its debut in 4K resolution and 30 FPS with 5.1 stereo sound. These specs, optimized for streaming, do not represent the final game’s performance.
Find out more in our conversation with the developers on Xbox Wire.
New Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, or play it day one on Game Pass
Become the famous archaeologist and face off against sinister forces as you fight to uncover the truth behind one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Brand new gameplay and a scene from a pivotal moment in the game were debuted during the Xbox Showcase. An intercepted message sends Indy and Gina to the Himalayas where their treacherous trek through the mountains leads them to a startling discovery.
Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle day one on Game Pass when it launches later this year on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Take to the Skies on November 19 with the All-New Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the next installment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. It is the most ambitious consumer flight simulator ever undertaken. It features the largest, most diverse and detailed fleet of aircraft, the most complete representation of airports and air traffic, and the most visually stunning rendition of Earth ever created.
This brand-new simulator is designed to take advantage of the latest technologies in simulation, cloud, machine learning, graphics and gaming. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 goes beyond merely operating the aircraft; it will allow simmers to pursue their dream of an aviation career.
With features like aerial firefighting, search and rescue, commercial flights, remote cargo ops, VIP charter service, air racing, and more, simmers will not only be experiencing the joy of flight, but also dive into the pilot career they always dreamed of. The sky is calling! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes off on PC and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, and will be available with Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud on day one.
Perfect Dark Unveils First Look at Gameplay in New Trailer
Today, we got a first look at gameplay from Perfect Dark, The Initiative’s highly anticipated reboot of the secret agent series featuring the iconic Joanna Dark.
In the near future, Earth is struck by a series of global disasters, bringing ecosystems around the world to the verge of collapse. In the all-new Perfect Dark game, you experience the journey of Joanna Dark, dataDyne’s elite agent, as she hunts down the world’s most wanted criminal, Daniel Carrington, to uncover the mysteries behind the technological breakthroughs that could threaten the lives of millions of people.
The new trailer showed us Joanna’s descent into the game’s Cairo setting, offered us a glimpse at the mysteries behind this near-future ecological sci-fi story, and introduced us to a game that blends fluid traversal, gadgets, close-quarters combat, gunplay, stealth, and more to create the ultimate secret agent experience.
Want to know more? Read our exclusive explainer article on Xbox Wire now.
South of Midnight Shows Off First Gameplay – and the Monstrous Two-Toed Tom
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass
South of Midnight – the beautiful third-person action-adventure game from We Happy Few creators Compulsion Games – showed off its first gameplay trailer during the show, ahead of its launch in 2025. We meet Hazel and her newly-revealed companion, Catfish, as they travel through a flooded area inspired by the Mississippi Delta – and quickly find themselves facing down one of the game’s monster Kings. Meet Two-Toed Tom, a gigantic albino alligator with a powerful hunger, and even his own theme song.
The trailer offers a look at combat and traversal, showing off Hazel’s magical weaving powers, and gives us a taste of the game’s darkly gorgeous Deep South setting. We were lucky enough to sit down with South of Midnight’s developers and dive even deeper on the game – check out our exclusive interview on Xbox Wire.
Open World Zombie Survival Game State of Decay 3 Unveils New Trailer
Today at Xbox Games Showcase, Undead Labs revealed a new trailer for State of Decay 3, giving us a closer look at the ambitious open world zombie survival game. This follow-up to fan-favorite State of Decay 2 represents a huge leap forward for the series and the studio.
In State of Decay 3, the game’s world is now years into the apocalypse, with an evolving zombie threat taking over the landscape. You must fight back and reclaim lost ground, carving out a life for your community of survivalist homesteaders. Fans of the series might pick up on nods to some franchise staples in the new trailer: brutal combat; cooperatively battling back threats to the survivor group; permadeath; opening a car door on a zombie while speeding down the road. But the more you watch it, the more you can see hints at how State of Decay 3 will be the most ambitious game Undead Labs has ever envisioned. To learn more, check out Xbox Wire’s exclusive interview feature.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ First Gameplay Glimpse Revealed
Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on November 15 for Xbox Series X|S, giving players a chance to explore 16th Century Japan as Naoe, an adept shinobi from the province of Iga; and Yasuke, a powerful samurai and Assassin’s Creed’s first fully playable historical figure. Today’s gameplay trailer gave fans their first glimpse at what’s new in Assassin’s Creed Shadows – we saw how the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe will differ (and complement one another) in equipment and abilities, as well as the game’s wider world, and Shadows’ changing seasons. Stay tuned for a full gameplay walkthrough reveal tomorrow during Ubisoft Forward (starting at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK).
Survive, Explore and Uncover the Truth in Atomfall
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
Set in the rolling British countryside with idyllic pubs, quaint villages, and red phone boxes, it soon becomes clear that things are far from normal. Created by Rebellion, the makers of the much-loved Sniper Elite and Zombie Army franchises, Atomfall is inspired by a real-world nuclear disaster that occurred in northern England in 1957. The game follows a fictional storyline where you find yourself in the quarantine zone five years after the event.
Explore the countryside, villages, and settlements and meet odd people, wicked cults, rogue government agencies and others along the way. Explore this open world adventure and seek out the truth at your own pace. A single player, survival-action game, Atomfall blends post-war Britain with Cold War paranoia, folk horror, and elements of classic British sci-fi to create an immersive and thrilling gameplay experience.
Atomfall will launch in 2025, coming to Game Pass on day one. It will also be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The studio will be revealing more about Atomfall soon.
Prepare to Fight for Your Life in Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Xbox Series X|S, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming reactive turn-based RPG that will transport you to a beautiful, surrealist new world inspired by France’s La Belle Epoque – a period famous for its stunning and lavish contributions to the country’s world-renowned culture of art.
As a member of the Expeditioners, who are embarking on an impossible quest to end the Paintress’ cycle of death, you’ll journey through a vast and beautiful fantasy world where you’ll battle deadly adversaries, befriend fabled creatures, and discover traces of those who came before. You can wish list the game today on the Xbox Store and follow @Expedition33 on X (formally Twitter) to stay up to date.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Meet the Veilguard for the First Time in a New Trailer
Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)
BioWare and Electronic Arts revealed a new trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, where we meet your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape. Together, you will become The Veilguard.
Expanding upon the Dragon Age stories, worlds and characters from previous games, players will enter a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Together with your companions, you will challenge a pair of corrupt ancient gods, who have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world. Thedas needs someone they can count on, and that person is you. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. Find out more on Xbox Wire.
Souls-lite Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Arrives With a Bang on July 18
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
The long-awaited return from Ashen developer A44 is almost here – during the show, we announced that Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will arrive on July 18. Set in the beleaguered world of Kian, you’ll guide Nor Vanek, a Flintlock weapons expert, on a quest to kill the rampaging gods that have invaded her world.
Blending classic Souls mechanics with a brutal, fast-paced combat system, Nor can use a combination of axe combat, flintlock weaponry, and magic, creating devastating combos – but you’ll need skill to survive. Pre-orders are open now, and a deluxe edition offers alternative outfits and weapon customization options.
FragPunk Explodes Into the Show
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC(see developer website for other platforms)
Looking for a new competitive FPS? FragPunk is a frantic, squad-based, 5v5 hero shooter where you set the rules of engagement for every new round by activating power-up cards. With its debut at Xbox Games Showcase 2024, FragPunk rocks the hero shooter genre with fast-paced combat and a plethora of synergies and counterplays between over 70 shard cards, 10 heroes, 14 weapons and 4 maps!
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Brings Back Our Original Star
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (see developer website for other platforms)
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure isn’t just a return for the beloved narrative adventure series, but a return for its original star, Max Caulfield. Several years after we guided her through Arcadia Bay, Double Exposure sees Max return later in her life, now an artist-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University.
Unfortunately, calamity is never far away – Max’s friend Safi is killed, and we’ll be plunged into a full-on murder-mystery, with a supernatural twist. Max’s original power to rewind time has morphed into the ability to entirely Shift timelines, and we’ll be exploring two parallel realities – one where Safi is safe and well, and the other in the wake of her death – in order to discover the identity of her killer. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure arrives on October 29, and those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition will be able to play the first two chapters from October 15.
Mecha Break Revealed: Create Your Mech and Take It to War Together
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC(see developer website for other platforms)
Mecha Break is a multiplayer mech-based shooter that allows players to choose from a variety of mechs, customize their appearances, and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain.
Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightning-fast maneuvers, and explosive firepower. Mecha Break’s Xbox Closed Beta will be coming to Xbox Series X in August 2024, and will be available to all players in 2025. Mecha Break features customizable mechs, player-created mech pilots, a wide array of mech and weapon types, and three distinct game modes — a 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP mode — to put players in the pilot seat and create the ultimate mech showdown experience. Discover an array of attacker, brawler, defender, sniper, and support mechs, each with unique playstyles and toolsets. Players can personalize each mech with custom full-body paint jobs and upgrade attachments, enhancing their stats to suit their chosen playstyle.
For the upcoming August Closed Beta Test on Xbox Series X, the highlight game mode will be the 6v6 Battlefield mode. Work together with your team and engage in intense aerial and ground combat as you fight for the objective.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Shows Its New Take on a Classic
Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater creates a deeply immersive world with enhanced visuals and sounds, using the full potential of Unreal Engine 5 while keeping legacy controls and voice lines from the original title intact. A new third-person camera and control layout offers players an intuitive introduction to the beginning of the Metal Gear Solid saga as they step into the boots of Snake in a high-stakes, espionage thriller.
Mixtape: Nothing But the Hits – Coming 2025
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
From Beethoven & Dinosaur, award-winning developers of The Artful Escape, comes Mixtape. On their last night of high school, three friends embark on one more adventure together. En route to their final party together, a perfectly-curated playlist draws them into dreamlike reenactments of their formative memories together.
Immerse yourself in the teenage wasteland, playing through a variety of narrative vignettes exploring the pivotal moments that shaped them. The story is delivered through a mixtape of comedic, joyful gameplay, from skateboarding and flying to taking photos after hours at an abandoned theme park, and much more. It’s the greatest hits of teenage friendship, from the first kiss to the last dance. Similar to games like What Remains of Edith Finch, Mixtape ties its narrative to a unique, vignette-driven structure that emphasizes variety, surprise, and comedy in its gameplay.
Featuring music from DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and more. Mixtape effectively blends gameplay, narrative, and music. Join the crew on their last night together as they experience a mixtape of memories, set to the soundtrack of a generation.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Reveals the Time of Opportunities Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
The new trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is here. Packed with brand-new reveals, this trailer showcases the array of experiences awaiting players, from locations to encounters with mutants and archanomalies. And hubs! Places to have some well-deserved rest and prepare your body and gear for the next intense mission.
In-game footage is mixed with narrative snippets, highlighting the prominence of the non-linear storyline in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The Time of Opportunities trailer is aptly named, reflecting the boundless potential that awaits within this unforgiving landscape. How will you see the Zone? And how will She remember you?
This time, you’ll hear much more of the Ukrainian voiceover. Being a Ukrainian company, GSC Game World knows that many fans are eager to experience the game in Ukrainian with subtitles of their choice. The trailer is aimed to provide a better understanding of what this experience will feel like. The Time of Opportunities trailer kicks off a series of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 showcases throughout this summer. Please stay tuned for additional announcements.
Winter Burrow Is a Cozy Survival Experience Inspired By a Love of Nature
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
Build your dream burrow and explore a charming, snow-coated open world in Winter Burrow, a cozy woodland survival game. As a tiny mouse, spend your days adventuring through brisk environments as you search for your lost aunty, and collect up resources to restore your childhood burrow.
Winter Burrow merges comfy, cozy game elements with challenging yet approachable survival merchanics. Spend time in your burrow, crafting cute decorations to make your surroundings feel homely, knit cozy clothing to stay warm in the cold weather, and make sure you’re prepared for those big days of foraging in the forests. To stay up to date on all things Winter Burrow, wishlist the game on the Xbox Store and follow Winter Burrow on Twitter.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Revealed – A Journey Into the Darkness of the Late Ming Dynasty
Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)
Step into the dark and tumultuous land of Shu in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. This soulslike action-RPG launches day one on Xbox Series X|S and immerses players in the dark late Ming Dynasty, a period rife with warring factions and a mysterious illness turning humans into monstrous creatures. You are Wuchang, a pirate warrior struck by amnesia and afflicted by Ornithropy, a horrific disease but the source of immense power. As you explore the depths of Shu, you’ll enhance your arsenal, master new skills harvested from fallen foes, and evolve your fighting style by sacrificing Red Mercury.
Battle against grotesque abominations, drawing on ancient lore to challenge the creeping darkness that threatens the humanity that remains. As you piece together Wuchang’s lost memories, your choices will lead you to one of several endings—each determined by the choices made, secrets unearthed and the allies you choose to trust. Will you reveal the truths of Wuchang’s curse and bring peace to Shu, or will you succumb to the encroaching horrors? The fate of the land rests in your hands. Nothing is Forever.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Releases October 8 – Pre-purchase Now and Get In-game Rewards Today
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PC via Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Prepare yourself for the next chapter of Diablo IV from Blizzard Entertainment: Vessel of Hatred, the game’s first expansion, emerges on October 8.
Unleash the power of the Spiritborn, a new class that harnesses the mystical spirits of the jungle for swift and devastating attacks. The hunt for Neyrelle begins anew as she strives to thwart Mephisto’s sinister plot. Dive into the jungle region of Nahantu, where new Dungeons, Strongholds, and enemies await, along with a new PvE co-op activity where you can team up to take down challenges for promising rewards. Plus, recruit new Mercenaries to aid you in your quest, grow in power as they progress, and help you in combat with their unique abilities.
Embrace the shadows on October 8! Vessel of Hatred is set to redefine your journey through Sanctuary. Pre-purchase now and unlock immediate in-game rewards. The darkness does not rest – neither should you.
The Elder Scrolls Online Invites You to Discover Tamriel in a New Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Epic Games Store, cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
Celebrating a decade of adventures within Tamriel’s Second Era, The Elder Scrolls Online invites you to begin your epic story with a new trailer. Whether you’re an Elder Scrolls veteran or a newcomer to the series, you can explore an ever-growing world, party up with your fellow adventures, and discover why over 24 million players have now experienced the award-winning online RPG.
June also features the launch of ESO’s latest Chapter, The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, now available on PC/Mac and coming June 18 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Unravel the mystery of the return of the Forgotten Prince, unlock the Scribing System to create your own abilities, and delve into the region of West Weld, a part of Tamriel not seen since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Visit elderscrollsonline.com for more on the Gold Road Chapter and the ongoing 10-Year Anniversary Celebration.
Fallout 76 Skyline Valley Release Date Announced With New Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or play it day one with Game Pass
In Skyline Valley’s major expansion of the world map, you’ll cross the Savage Divide and travel to the southern reaches of Appalachia. This picturesque new region, Skyline Valley, introduces fresh locations to explore among the woodlands once known as Shenandoah National Park.
Seek out Vault 63 and uncover its mysteries. Learn the truth about the Lost, the electric Ghouls that inhabit the Vault, and their enigmatic overseer, Hugo Stolz. You’ll chase storms in Skyline Valley’s new Public Event, Dangerous Pastimes, and fight new region bosses, a monumental trifecta of Robo-brains. Skyline Valley comes to Fallout 76 on June 12.
Sea of Thieves Season 13 Update: Being Bad Can Sometimes Feel Good
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, Game Pass
Rare showed off their dark side with a fiery new Sea of Thieves trailer, heralding the return of Captain Flameheart and inviting players to become the boss fight. An all-new world event will pit pirates against Flameheart’s mighty flagship in order to seize it, raining fire on their foes with a skeleton crew at their command and reaping the rewards of their dastardly deeds. This thrilling new encounter is part of Sea of Thieves: Season 13, which arrives on July 25 as a free update for all players on Xbox, PC and PS5.
Starfield Shattered Space Reveal Trailer, Plus Highlights from the June Update
Deep in the dark reaches of space, the followers of the Great Serpent live shrouded in mystery. Begin an epic new story and explore House Va’ruun territory in Shattered Space, Starfield’s first major expansion. Watch the reveal trailer now and experience the story of House Va’ruun when Shattered Space launches later this year.
In addition to the first look at Shattered Space, highlights from Starfield‘s latest major update were shared immediately following the Xbox Showcase. Official mod support with the launch of Creations, the first new quest DLC with the introduction of Trackers Alliance, new bounty hunting features, and improvements to melee weapons are the highlights of Starfield’s June Update. The June Update is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
The Darkness Calls on August 26 with World of Warcraft: The War Within
Blizzard Entertainment’s 10th World of Warcraft expansion and the opening chapter of the most ambitious story arc in the game’s near 20-year history, The War Within is set to launch on August 26.
This upcoming expansion – the first of three in The Worldsoul Saga – will draw you deep into the mythology of World of Warcraft, weaving narrative threads from the past two decades together in a way that will captivate players both old and new. For a limited time, Blizzard is offering the Welcome to Azeroth Bundle, which includes everything players need to begin their adventure in Azeroth. The bundle includes the current expansion – the critically acclaimed Dragonflight – a level 60 character boost, and 60 days of game time, for $24.99 USD.
Don’t miss out on this legendary adventure! Join the community today, explore the wonders of Dragon Isles, and prepare yourself for The War Within – pre-purchases are available now through Battle.net.
Three New Xbox Series X|S Console Options Revealed
Three new Xbox Series X|S console options are joining our current lineup, and we’re excited to give players more ways to join gaming with Xbox – it’s the best way to enjoy the diverse experiences crafted by game creators. This holiday, our 1TB Series S in Robot White, an all-digital Xbox Series X, and a 2TB Xbox Series X Special Edition in Galaxy Black will be available in select markets (console assortment will vary by market). Stay tuned for updates in the coming months where we’ll provide information about market availability and regional Estimated Retail Pricing (ERP) when we share pre-order details. To learn more about these new consoles, head on over to the Wire post here.
With the incredible lineup of games shown at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 and Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 Direct, this is one of the best years ever to upgrade your console or jump into Xbox for the first time.
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!
Hello there! I’m Leo Zullo, Co-founder and MD of Wired Productions and we really love indie games.
Today my team hosted “Wired Direct ’24”, our blockbuster indie showcase where we revealed free updates for the games you already love – release dates for the games you are waiting to love, and announced one that youre going to love. If you caught the show live – you rock, but if you didn’t then let us bring you up to speed.
Kicking off the showcase we dropped the release date for Gori: Cuddly Carnage. Those of you who played the demo during the Xbox Winter Showcase (where you left it with five-star reviews and more hype than you can shake a bag of catnip at) will be intimately familiar with the unique brand of carnage that Gori brings to the table. But if this is the first time you’re seeing our feline friend – let us sum it up for you.
You’re a cat. On a hoverboard. Fighting unicorns.
Obviously there’s way more to it than that – it looks fantastic, has a bone-shaking soundtrack and a surprisingly heartfelt story, but at a base level it’s the fever dream neon drenched marriage of Sunset Overdrive and Devil May Cry with a splash of Conker’s adult humour for good measure that you didn’t know you needed – wrapped up in a disturbingly cute and violent package. And more Importantly – It’s launching on August 29, 2024 and you can pre-order right now!
Up next we announced Karma: The Dark World – A psychological thriller drenched in abstract Lynchian imagery, intense horror, jaw dropping Unreal five visuals, set in an alternate history take on a dystopian post war Germany.
There’s a lot we could tell you about Karma: The Dark World, but honestly, the trailer will give you none of the answers and leave you asking ‘what the hell?’ and wanting to know more – which is right where we want you to be right now – take a trip down The Rabbit Hole.
We think we better try to settle pulses a little after that one, so next we’ll take a dive down to the Great Depths and check up on Lumote. Originally released on Xbox back in ’22, Lumote: Mastermote Chronicles is a beautiful 3D puzzle platformer with a reactive, mesmerising soundtrack that stole our hearts.
Now, two years later, we are providing a free next-gen update for Xbox Series X|S – and this time you can bring a friend! With a visual overhaul and brand new co-op mode coming that lets you squish, bop and bounce with a companion by your side. Together, you can take control of the world’s inhabitants on a quest to seize control of the Great Depths from Mighty Mastermote! The free Companion Mode and Next-Gen Update is coming soon to Xbox.
Finally – we take a trip back to the Great Ursee – A world that will be familiar to those of you that played the Bulwark demo last year on Xbox, or soared high with solo developer Tomas Sala’s previous game and Series X launch title, The Falconeer.
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is a chill twin stick builder with a focus on verticality and a focus on giving you true freedom to paint the last great civilization across a world shattered by war, and though it only launched last month, solo developer Tomas Sala is providing the first of several sizeable updates to the game on its roadmap with the aptly named “Trade, Tribute and Splinters”.
Check out the trailer to see how Bulwark continues to evolve, allowing you to secure and spend fresh resources, and more ways to interact with the inhabitants of the world as you leave your mark upon i
The “Trade, Tribute and Splinters” update is coming very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for the free update landing in your Bulwarks!
That wraps up the announcements for our Direct this year. Thank you all for helping to celebrate indie games with us, and helping us bring the outstanding talent of small teams the world over to light, where you might just find your next favourite game!
Pre-order Frostpunk 2 Deluxe Edition to join the sandbox Beta.
Part of the new Utopia Builder mode with unique challenges.
Available now on PC now through April 22.
The Frostpunk 2 development team is excited to offer players a chance to return to the unforgiving Frostlands and experience a glimpse of our ambitious sequel, where in addition to the need to survive, you face the new, deadly threat of human nature and its insatiable thirst for power. The Beta features a part of the sandbox mode called the Utopia Builder Preview.
While the original Frostpunk launched without a sandbox mode, it quickly became one of the community’s top requests. Hence, we introduced the Endless mode, allowing players to expand endlessly. Witnessing players spend over 500 hours or more in the game has been truly inspiring for us.
From the outset, we knew a variation of the sandbox mode was essential for Frostpunk 2. As we believe Frostpunk 2 represents a significant step forward for the franchise, each aspect of the game needed expansion. For the sandbox experience, we aimed to infuse it with a richer narrative and other unique aspects specific to Frostpunk 2.
Thirty years after the Great Storm, which concluded the first game’s storyline, humanity has partially tamed the weather. So making a blizzard in a sequel even bigger than the one in the first Frostpunk wouldn’t feel satisfying, creative, or exciting for you as a player. It is impossible to tell the story of social change of ambitions without changing the scale. Thus, the time flow in the game transitions from hours and days to weeks, months, and years, and players oversee the creation of entire districts, emphasizing societal survival and shaping. Frostpunk 2 continues an approach to be a society survival type of strategy game but also places greater emphasis on how this society is shaped.
With the absence of immediate survival pressure, citizens began to contemplate a different future, leading to varied visions among factions. As the new Steward, you are tasked with building a council representative of these factions. The ideological conflict is also present in the Utopia Builder Preview mode, demanding players reconcile conflicting interests and navigate societal complexities.
Mismanagement could lead to catastrophe while allowing ambitions to grow unchecked can foster social conflicts. Ultimately, human nature can lead to the city’s downfall, where one’s utopia may become another’s dystopia.
PreorderFrostpunk 2: Deluxe Edition today, and unlock the Utopia Builder mode with sandbox Betafor PC. Explore, create, and survive through April 22!
Frostpunk 2: Deluxe Edition Pre-order
11 bit studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Purchase the Deluxe Edition to receive the base game along with future access to a time-limited beta, early access to the full game, 3 future DLCs, and some cool additional content. The beta access and the early access version of the game will be available exclusively for players who pre-ordered the deluxe pack. Beta access will include a limited, 7-day access to a fragment of the game’s sandbox mode (Utopia Builder) in April 2024. Frostpunk 2: Deluxe Edition gives you early access to story mode 72 hours before the game’s full release. Owners of this edition of Frostpunk 2 will receive 3 DLCs for the game directly after their releases. The deluxe pack also includes a digital version of the novella Warm Flesh from the upcoming Frostpunk anthology, as well as access to a digital artbook, the game’s epic soundtrack, and an exclusive in-game item. Features:
BASE GAME
ACCESS TO UTOPIA BUILDER PREVIEW
(part of the sandbox mode, available 15-22.04) 3 DLCs (PAID POST-RELEASE CONTENT)
PLAY STORY MODE 72H BEFORE RELEASE
EXCLUSIVE IN-GAME ITEM „WARM FLESH“ NOVELLA (DIGITAL VERSION / PART OF THE UPCOMING FROSTPUNK ANTHOLOGY)
DIGITAL ARTBOOK & SOUNDTRACK
Have you ever climbed a mountain? With WW1 technology… while under fire? That’s your mission in the special Ascent game mode for our WW1 Italian Front FPS game Isonzo, which is out now! This will be the first time players can join one of our extraordinary WW1 events on Xbox – an important part of our recent console enhancements, which also include the introduction of voice chat.
The time-limited Ascent event comes with climbing mechanics, rock throwing, and a whole new map recreating the Marmolada cliffside. Italian mountaineers must scale the mountain and evict the Austro-Hungarian defenders – a truly epic task.
The Ascent map is a section of vertical cliff, with an Austro-Hungarian command post at the top. A number of small ledges and caves provide checkpoints for the Italian Alpini on their way up, where forward spawn points can be constructed. Unfortunately, the Austro-Hungarian defenders begin the battle already occupying those positions, and will need to be evicted before the Italians can progress safely.
Climbing Technique in Ascent
Climbing in Ascent is freeform – just approach the cliffside and start climbing. If there isn’t too much of an overhang, you can choose your own path up the mountain. Moving sideways is slower than going up or down though, so plan your route carefully. Speed isn’t the only consideration though, because this isn’t a fun climb on a winter holiday. Your enemies will be shooting and throwing rocks at you, so it’s worth experimenting to discover the safest routes up, that avoid exposing you any more than necessary.
Remember that Isonzo is a team game, and climbing is no exception. On your way up, you can place pitons into the rock. Place two pitons close enough to each other and they’ll be connected by a rope, which will speed up everyone who follows in your wake. It takes a few moments to hammer in the pitons though, so try to find somewhere at least a little sheltered to do it. At the end of the day climbing is a dangerous business and sometimes, you just have to trust to luck and take a chance. Fortune favors the brave!
Defender Challenges
It might seem like the defenders have an easier job, but there are still challenges from fighting in such extreme terrain. Shooting down at climbers will often leave you silhouetted against the sky and exposed to fire from Italian marksmen below you. Trying to maintain an overview of the situation when climbers can appear from almost anywhere isn’t a simple job. It’s also important to remember that only the command post objective matters for victory, every ledge and cave is only an intermediate point that makes it easier to get to the top. Fixate too much on holding your current position and the Alpini might climb right past you to conquer a forward spawn point further up the mountainside.
Luckily you have a secret weapon: the humble rock. Grab one from the rock piles scattered around and you can throw it down at enemies below you. There’s skill involved to be a master rock thrower, because rocks have simulated physics and will bounce off the mountainside on their way down – or off unfortunate climbers. You can control the angle and power of your throw to allow for gentle rolls off the cliff edge or more aggressive directed attacks. One of the big advantages of the rocks is that you don’t have to move right up to the edge to use them, keeping you safe from Italian gunfire.
Real Life Inspirations for Climbing Mechanics
Unlike the other maps in Isonzo which are based on specific battles, Ascent is intended to represent the many different climbs made during the First World War on the Italian Front. Some of these daring missions have been written about, and many more are lost to history. In the harsh Alpine environment climbing was dangerous even without an enemy shooting at you, and many soldiers were killed or wounded by accidents, avalanches, or other consequences of the cold, like frostbite.
One of the inspirations was a climb made by two Alpini called Ugo Vallepiana and Giuseppe Gaspard. These two veterans made many ascents during the war, including one attempting to move some heavy weaponry up to a ledge overlooking a well defended Austro-Hungarian position called the Castelletto. During this climb, Gaspard lost his footing and fell, only surviving because of the great fortune to land in a thick snowbank. The pair continued on, and came under fire from the Austro-Hungarian defenders, with Gaspard being shot in the arm. They were even shot at by artillery, with both shrapnel and blasted fragments of rock raining down on them.
Other Updates
The release also goes live alongside other improvements to the game, including voice chat! Additionally, for those who want more options for visual customization of their character, the Altitude Units Pack DLC is releasing alongside the free Ascent event and contains high-altitude uniforms for Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops. Where our previously released Glacial Units Pack focused on more improvised cold weather clothing, the Altitude Units Pack provides uniforms from well prepared soldiers geared up for the worst possible conditions.
That means plenty of scarves, gloves, balaclavas, and even full ski suits and hoods. We also included some non-uniform additions made by troops, including wicker wrapped footwear, which you can see in the screenshot below. Also featured are one of the fur collared coats and a pair of early sunglasses – more like goggles with slits cut in them to minimize glare from the sun or snow. If you want to stand out on the battlefield (in a good way), to celebrate the Ascent mode event we have big discounts on the Isonzospecial editions that include cosmetic DLCs! Check out the new Ultimate Edition for every DLC in the game, including immediate access to the two future DLCs we have planned as soon as they release.
The Mountain Awaits…
The Ascent mode is playable for free right now until April 24th. Whether you’re making a daring ascent under fire, or throwing rocks down to defend your ledge, it’ll be an unforgettable battle.
We’ll see you on the cliff face!
Isonzo
BlackMill Games
☆☆☆☆☆229
★★★★★
$29.99
AVANTI! TO ARMS! Isonzo is a realistic tactical multiplayer FPS crafted by BlackMill Games, known for their critically acclaimed authentic WW1 wargames such as Verdun and Tannenberg. Immerse yourself in faithful recreations of historical battles with intense 48-player matches, testing your tactical skills and mastery of Alpine warfare. World War One expands to the mountains of the Italian Front – beautiful but deadly in equal measure. Take part in key offensives of the Great War, from the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo to the Strafexpedition, and lead your team to victory among the scenic landscapes and peaks of Northern Italy. – Master high altitude combat by leading offensives, flanking enemies or taking a support role – Dive in intense 24v24 matches, testing your skills against players or AI – Customize your class loadout with 50+ iconic WW1 weapons, gear, special perks & cosmetics – Fight across The Italian Alps in dynamic battlefields, from city streets to vertical cliffs – Immerse yourself in the Great War with historically-accurate maps, weapons, uniforms & music Console Cross-Platform Play allows you to play with other console players (Gen 8 and Gen 9) for faster matchmaking and higher match population.
Microsoft Store Spring Sale starts today and runs through April 18, 2024.
Save up to 80% on select Xbox games such as Baldur’s Gate 3, EA Sports FC24 Standard Edition, and NBA 2K24.
Get deals on select Surface devices and save up to $500.
We’re excited to bring you the return of the annual Microsoft Store Spring Sale now through April 18, 2024! The Spring Sale is full of great savings across console and PC games as well as amazing deals on your favorite TV shows, apps, and more. So, if you’ve been waiting to add titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Modern Warfare III, and EA Sports FC 24 to your library, or wanting to build up your PC gaming library with Persona 3 Reload, Lies of P, and Forza Motorsport, jumping into the Microsoft Store Spring Sale is the best time to do so. Read on for more info.
Great Deals on the Games You Love to Play
Save up to 80% on select Xbox digital games
Whether it’s adventure, fantasy, or sports, you can save on select Xbox games during the Microsoft Store Spring Sale. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power with Baldur’s Gate 3. Get the most authentic soccer experience with over 700+ teams and 30+ leagues playing together in EA Sports FC 24 Standard Edition. Or recreate some of Kobe Bryant’s captivating performances in NBA 2K24 for Xbox Series X|S. This is just a sampling of what’s on sale — check out all the great Xbox game deals here.
Save up to 35% on select PC games
Elevate your play with hundreds of deals on select PC games. Create unique driving conditions on world-famous tracks with Forza Motorsport Premium.Navigate a web of lies, monsters, and untrustworthy figures in the thrilling Lies of P. Chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave your mark in Persona 3 Reload.
Shop Xbox consoles and Xbox controllers
Whether you are new to gaming or it’s time for an upgrade, Spring Sale is a great time to pick up your next Xbox Series S – the best value in gaming or the Series X – the fastest, most powerful Xbox console ever!
Spring Sale is the hub for all your entertainment needs! Whether it’s family movie night or binging your favorite TV show, there’s something for everyone. Check out great offers on popular movies and TV shows like “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” “Spider-Man 3-Movie Collection,” “Sisu,” and more!
Save up to 30% on select creativity, productivity and entertainment apps
Enhance your audio experience with popular apps like Dolby Access and DTS Sound Unbound or jump into Movie Maker- Video Editor to edit or create videos from your photos, video clips, and music with high-quality, full HD support.
Keep your new Surface or Xbox up and running with accidental damage protection from drops, spills, and cracked screens. With Microsoft Complete, if something goes wrong, you’re covered — simple as that.
Save 30% on Surface Complete 2-, 3-, and 4-year plans with purchase of eligible Surface Laptop 5. Offer runs March 31 through April 28, 2024.
Save 40% on Surface Complete 2-, 3-, and 4-year plans with purchase of eligible Surface Pro 9. Offer runs April 7 through April 21, 2024.
Made easy with Microsoft Store: Free personal shopping and set-up appointments
If you’re having trouble choosing from the right Xbox console to get, getting your accessories to work right, or setting up your console with Game Pass, Microsoft Store product experts are readily available to support all your gaming needs. To schedule a free, online appointment, visit microsoft.com.
Select deals are available in the US only. Timing and prices may vary by region. Visit your Microsoft Store location online for more details on availability and pricing. Offers valid for a limited time, while supplies last. Not valid on prior orders or purchases; cannot be transferred or otherwise redeemed for cash or coupon code(s). May not be combinable with other offers. Refunds will take into account the discount. Price discount does not include taxes, shipping or other fees. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Microsoft reserves the right to modify or discontinue offers at any time.
In Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice we set out to tell the story of a Celtic Warrior and her quest to save the soul of her lover – a quest that was both physical and mental, as an exploration of Senua’s experiences of psychosis.
On embarking on the development of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we knew it would be critical that we understand in depth the subject matter before attempting to portray it. To gain an understanding of psychosis and what it can be like to experience it, we began what has become a close collaboration with experts by way of research and by way of lived-experience.
In the field of Neuroscience, Professor Paul Fletcher of the University of Cambridge has now been a close collaborator of the team for over 10 years. On the subject of lived-experience, we have partnered with the RCE Wellbeing Hub (formerly Recovery College East) to understand directly from people the impact psychosis and the attached stigma can have on people’s lives.
In Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, we explore the next chapter of Senua’s life and the next step on her mental health journey. While she has come to a place of acceptance with the voices she hears and the way she perceives the world, she is no longer alone on her quest. She will meet people in Iceland with their own belief systems, who may come to see her unique perspective as a beacon of hope, while others reject it. Just as we did in Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice we have once again worked closely with our expert partners to bring Senua’s experience to life in a truthful way.
We’d like to invite you to hear more about this unique partnership and journey into the mind of Senua in a special live event on Tuesday April 9. This collaboration between Ninja Theory and Cambridge Neuroscience will explore the perspectives of both those who have experienced psychosis, and those who work to study and treat it. You will also hear from the Ninja Theory team who will expand upon how we applied these learnings to our games.
Hosted here in Cambridge, you can tune into the livestream at 14:00 BST / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT Tuesday April 9 on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. This collaboration has been a special privilege for us as a studio, which is why we’d love for you to tune in and hear first hand how it has shaped our journey into the mind, with Hellblade.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches on Xbox, PC and via Game Pass on May 21.
Continuing our fervent commitment to women’s sports, I’m pumped to announce we have created, with our long-time WNBA team partner the Atlanta Dream, a brand new block party-meets-basketball event that only Atlanta can deliver: the first ever, Atlanta Dream HoopFest – Powered by Xbox 3-on-3 outdoor high school basketball tourney, slated for Friday, April 5, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Atlantic Station Greenspace, to celebrate the city of Atlanta’s 404 Day, an annual celebration of all things unique to Atlanta. For more information, follow the @AtlantaDream on all social channels.
When we began working on this idea last year, it was crucial to both us and the Dream to not only create an event that reflects the amazing global influence of Atlanta, but excites both Xbox and Dream fans. This influenced everything from the date choice down to the design of the brand-new HoopFest logo, which creatively weaves in the Atlanta skyline against a distinctive Xbox Sphere with true basketball vibes.
The free event on April 5, 2024, will not only include high school boys and girls basketball team brackets, but a true block party, including DJ music, food, merch, the Atlanta Dream Hype Team, members of the Atlanta Dream organization, Xbox, Microsoft, and even Overtime there to cover the event. For those lucky teams who win their bracket, each player will win a custom Atlanta Dream HoopFest Xbox Series S console, among other gifts and prizing.
Gaming will very much be part of the party too. All attendees can visit our uniquely designed, The Locker Room, a Microsoft x Xbox space where fans can play a range of great Xbox games, including recent Xbox Game Pass additions like NBA 2K24 and EA Sports Madden NFL 24. It’s also a great chance to learn more about the Power Her Dreams program, where alongside The Atlanta Dream, Microsoft provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming to empower young women and girls to lead. This activity serves to help the Atlanta Dream expand foundational level access points for young girls and women within sport and learn about technical skills like coding by creating mini-games on Surface devices.
So, if you are up for a good time full of gaming, music, sports and more, come on over to Atlantic Station on Friday, April 5, 2024, 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and catch a block party that only The ATL, the Dream, and Xbox can create together!
18 games with a major discount starting today through March 25.
Two-week exclusive sale with up to 80% off the original price.
Get a smorgasbord of games and genres for a fraction of the price.
It’s March! To herald in the fresh new spring, we are excited to announce that we are basically (almost, almost) giving away a ton of our games. From March 12-25, we are celebrating the Raw Fury Xbox Publisher Spotlight Sale—and our games are up to 80% off!
Get ready to embark on mysterious adventures in Call of the Sea, go on a journey of self-discovery on your hoverbike in the alien landscape of Sable, and unleash your inner hero in Kingdom Eighties. Just to mention a few! In the sale you can also find the highly original arcade experience Pizza Possum, and the turn-based battle RPG Cassette Beasts where you collect, battle, and fuse with beasts that you find on the mysterious island of New Wirral. But that is just glimpse of what you can get: the wide selection of games spans from heart-pounding action to brain-teasing puzzles, from immersive RPGs to adrenaline-pumping shooters. Whether you’re a battle-hardened veteran or are fresh-faced and eager to dive into something new; this is your smorgasbord. And it is ready for you to explore!
For us, the Raw Fury Xbox Publisher spotlight is a real highlight of the year. We love our Xbox players, and whether you have experienced us through playing our titles with Game Pass or have just dived in when they launched (or beyond), we thank you – as this is one of our favourite places to be. And the joy we have experienced through dialogue with the Xbox community is one that we love – feel free to hit us up on our socials and tell us if you checked out any of our games. And if there is something you want to try, now is the time, as our games are super cheap (up to 80% off in some cases). Check out our music video above for the complete list of discounts. It’s delightfully unhinged, but you know, in a good way!
But,, if you don’t want to listen to our lovely song – which you are missing out on if you don’t watch it – you can find the complete list of games and their lovely discounts below:
The Raw Fury Xbox Publisher Spotlight Sale runs from March 12-25 – The smorgasbord is set up – are you ready to dig in?
Explore games featuring powerful women on Xbox Game Pass
Katy Jo Wright, Xbox Senior Director, discusses the many ways women show up in the video game industry
Artist Amika Cooper celebrates women as main characters through redesigned Xbox logo
To celebrate women’s contributions to gaming, we’re focusing on the main character energy that women bring every single day to the Gaming industry. Whether it be the women who develop games, test games, or market games, we’re bringing our all to the franchises that you all know and love to play. As the Senior Director of Gaming for Everyone & Sustainability at Xbox, I’ve worked with the entire Gaming organization to ensure we’re approaching decisions with an inclusion mindset, because, as our Gaming for Everyone Core Principle states: “When we don’t intentionally include, we unintentionally exclude.” You can see the results of this across all of Xbox, and this is how we deliver on our mission to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet.
An approach I take in life is, “Live your life by design – not by default.” From a gaming perspective, we apply this with an “inclusion by design” framework to ensure women feel truly represented and experience a deep sense of belonging, across all aspects of gaming. Whether it’s about intentional, thoughtful character design where women see themselves as the main character, how people play either on console, PC, or handheld–the experiences for women gamers vary just as dramatically as any other community.
What excites me the most is seeing more women actively participating in gaming, either as a developer or a fan–or both! While we recognize International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the work to ensure women feel represented, seen, and belong on Xbox happens every single day. It’s a journey and we’re always learning how to get better, but we’re committed and in it for the long haul. I believe that willingness to commit to every step in the journey, and get stronger with each step is main character energy.
Join me in celebrating women who have inspired you in the gaming industry by posting on LinkedIn and nominating an #XboxMainCharacter. It could be a woman who developed a game you love, a content creator whose channel you love, or simply someone who helped you feel a sense of belonging and invited you to play! We stand on the shoulders of those who have done this work before us—the many amazing people who included us–and it is our legacy to continue supporting and making gaming approachable and inclusive for the women behind us. Join Xbox in our celebration by reading about the exciting activations taking place throughout the year below:
Xbox and Women in Games International Partner to Connect Women in the Industry
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Xbox is proud to announce an ongoing partnership with Women in Games International (WIGI), a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate resources to advance economic equality and diversity in the global games industry.
WIGI was founded in 2005 and has been working to highlight, celebrate and connect women, femme-identifying, and nonbinary professionals in the games industry. Through their programs, newsletters, panels, workshops, and networking events, WIGI works to normalize diversity in the games industry by increasing representation and paving the way for the next generation of games industry professionals.
Xbox shares WIGI’s vision of a more inclusive and diverse games industry, where everyone can play, create, and enjoy games. Xbox is committed to finding more ways to elevate women in gaming and support their growth and development. As part of our partnership, Xbox and WIGI will collaborate on initiatives connecting WIGI’s audience with the talent and resources that Xbox is able to share. We’ll share more details on Xbox’s partnership with Women in Games International at a later date.
Together, WIGI and Xbox are working to uplift more of the main character energy happening among women in the games industry.
You can learn more about WIGI and their work at their website: https://www.getwigi.com/. You can also follow them on Twitter: @getwigi and Facebook: Women in Games International.
Gaming and Impact with Rewards
Microsoft Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting women with Xbox. The organizations below will be featured on console throughout March:
Women inGames International – Women in Games International works to cultivate resources such as advanced knowledge sharing, access to technology, and actionable mentorship programs to normalize diversity in the games industry through increased representation. (US only)
National Center for Transgender Equality – NCTE advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice. (US Only)
Xbox gamers can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games and completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Earn points and redeem them for real rewards. Start earning today and donate through Xbox.
Explore Games Featuring Powerful Women
Powerful can mean many things, from being able to take on a horde of enemies to being able to practice empathy for others. During March and beyond, you can play a variety of game collections featuring powerful women as protagonists and games created by women.
Examples of powerful games to play include these awesome titles and more:
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud, and Rated M) – Play as Senua, a Celtic warrior who bravely travels to the depths of Norse hell on a quest to save the soul of her dead lover. You must overcome physical challenges and those presented by Senua’s mind.
Celeste (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Follow the story of Madeline, a trans woman navigating the physical and emotional obstacles on her self-discovery quest to the top of Celeste Mountain. Written, designed, and directed by Maddy Thorson.
Rise of the Tomb Raider (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud, and Rated M) – Join one of the most classic video game heroines, Lara Croft, on her first tomb raiding expedition in a reimagined cinematic universe. Conquer a wild world of landscapes and configure Lara’s gear to suit your play style in this survival action adventure.
Ravenlok (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Created by Vanessa Chia, escape into a fairytale adventure inspired by her nostalgia of growing up Malaysia. Fulfill your destiny as the young girl, Ravenlok, on a whimsical journey to defeat the Caterpillar queen.
Bluey (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Fun for the whole family, experience the joy and wonder of Bluey’s world in this interactive adventure game based on the iconic children’s TV series about two sisters. Play with friends and family in story mode and in free play, create your own scenes, collect items for your sticker book, and uncover hidden references in every location.
New Forza Horizon 5 Vinyl Decal for Women’s History Month
This year’s Women’s History Month-themed Xbox art, designed by Amika Cooper, is now in Forza Horizon 5 as a vinyl: an in-game decal that you can use to customize any car. Show off this unique design on your car using #ForzaWHM on social media for a chance to be featured!
Artist Amika Cooper Reimagines the Xbox Logo in Celebration of Women who Bring Main Character Energy
For Women’s History Month, Xbox commissioned artist Amika Cooper, also known as blackpowerbarbie, to redesign the Xbox logo in celebration of women gamers and the way they define who gamers are by embracing main character energy. Amika used that inspiration to create an image of the Xbox sphere at the center of a lair, representing a safe place in gaming created by and celebrating the creativity of women. In her words, “The logo is presented as a gem because I think the energy women bring to gaming makes us ‘diamonds in the rough’. I wanted it to be vibrant, stimulating, and fun – a lot of my work is creating my own surreal and fantastic landscapes, so I wanted to impart that sense of whimsy here.”
Xbox Ambassadors Features New Quests for Women’s History Month
We believe that every woman deserves recognition as a main character. For this Women’s History Month, we’ve connected with women from the Xbox Ambassadors community to put a spotlight on their experience as a woman in gaming. Read along on theXbox Ambassadors Community Blog.
Taking our celebration to the next level, we’re featuring a series of Quests, all month long, for Xbox Ambassadors to complete and unlock rewards. The Women’s History Month Quests feature games made by women creators and/or feature women as the main character. Join the fun and become an Xbox Ambassador today!
WHM Dynamic Background Available Now
Amika Cooper’s Women’s History Month Xbox Sphere is available today as a dynamic background on console – follow these steps to apply it:
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.
You can choose between Games, Xbox, or Abstract dynamic backgrounds. Choose the background art that you want with the A button.
It’s also available as an Xbox wallpaper to personalize your devices!
As GDC, the world’s largest game developer conference, returns to San Francisco, Microsoft and Xbox will be there to engage and empower developers, publishers, and technology partners across the industry. We are committed to supporting game developers on any platform, anywhere in the world, at every stage of development. Our message is simple: Microsoft and Xbox are here to help power your games and empower your teams.
From March 18 – 22, the Xbox Lobby Lounge in the Moscone Center South can’t be missed – an easy meeting point, and a first step toward learning more about the ID@Xbox publishing program, the Developer Acceleration Program (DAP) for underrepresented creators, Azure cloud gaming services, and anything else developers might need.
GDC features dozens of speakers from across Xbox, Activision, Blizzard, King and Zenimax who will demonstrate groundbreaking in-game innovations and share community-building strategies. Microsoft technology teams, with support from partners, will also host talks that spotlight new tools, software and services that help increase developer velocity, grow player engagement and help creators grow. See below for the Conference programming details.
Xbox is also sponsoring the Independent Games Festival (IGF) and our Xbox Gaming for Everyone employee communities are coming together to host a networking event for underrepresented developers and their allies. We hope you can join us at the G4E event on Thursday March 21st from 11am to 4pm at Minna Gallery (111 Minna St. in San Francisco), located minutes from the Moscone center. To learn more and to register for the event, please read our full GDC 2024 Gaming for Everyone Community Networking Lounge & Scholarship Program announcement.
Xbox’s Product Inclusion Framework & Inclusive Growth Doorways Speaker: Katy Jo Wright (Senior Director, Gaming for Everyone, Microsoft) Date: Wednesday, March 20 Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Automated Testing of Shader Code Speaker: Keith Stockdale (Senior Software Engineer, Rare Ltd) Date: Wednesday, March 20 Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Diablo IV – Audio Systems Deep Dive “Living Audio” Speakers: Kris Giampa (Audio Director, Blizzard Entertainment) and Michael Bartnett (Software Engineer, Blizzard Entertainment) Date: Wednesday, March 20 Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Optimizing Game Development Workflows with Visual Studio and AI Speakers: David Li (Game Developer Product Manager, Microsoft) and Greg Denton (Principal Product Manager, Microsoft) Date: Wednesday, March 20 Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
All things Azure & OpenAI for Game Development Speakers: Jon Kefaloukos (Strategic Account Director Gaming at Azure , Microsoft) and Uthappa Kattera Chengappa (Lead Cloud Solution Architect Gaming at Azure , Microsoft) Date: Wednesday, March 20 Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
‚Diablo IV‘: The Art of Open World Sanctuary Speakers: Mahreen Fatima (Senior Environment Artist, Blizzard Entertainment), Sam Gao (Environment Artist, Blizzard Entertainment), and Justin Whitehead (Associate Material Artist, Environments, Blizzard Entertainment) Date: Thursday, March 21 Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Keeping Online Communities Healthy Speakers: Jennifer Mills-Perov (Principal Product Manager Gaming Trust and Safety, Microsoft) and Ivory Harvey (Senior Technical Program Manager Gaming Trust and Safety, Microsoft) Date: Thursday, March 21 Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
DirectX State of the Union Featuring Work Graphs and Introducing DirectSR Speakers: Shawn Hargreaves (Dev Manager, Direct3D, Microsoft), Austin Kinross (PIX Developer Lead, Microsoft), Wessam Bahnassi (Principal Engineer, Developer Technology, Nvidia), and Rob Martin (Fellow Software Engineer, AMD) Date: Thursday, March 21 Time: 12:45 am – 1:45 pm
How PlayFab Helped Texas Chainsaw Massacre Succeed Speakers: CJ Williams (Director of Product Management Microsoft Game Creator Services, Microsoft) and Rob Fox (Designer and Producer Gun Interactive, Gun Interactive) Date: Thursday, March 21 Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Operation Innovation: How Xbox Employs Military Talents in Gaming Speakers: Fiona Cherbak (Lead Talent Program Manager, Xbox Game Studios), iAsia Brown (Senior Producer, Xbox Game Studios Publishing), Lisa Elswick (Vice President, USO Transition Programs , USO), Jenn Panattoni (Head of Xbox Social Impact, Xbox/Microsoft), and Jason Coon (Director of Xbox Safety Operations, Xbox/Microsoft) Date: Thursday, March 21 Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
We on the Age of Empires team want to say a huge thank you to our 50 million players around the world. 2023 was a huge year for our games and our community. We wanted to share a look at what there is to look forward to in 2024 and we’ve just wrapped our New Year, New Age show which did just that. If you watched, thank you for joining us! If you weren’t able to join us live, or you just want a reminder of all the things we covered, here’s a rundown of what’s coming this year.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition new DLC – Victors and Vanquished – coming March 14th
Age of Mythology: Retold coming to Xbox and PC in 2024
Age of Empires Mobile first look
New Year, New Age Sale with games and DLC up to 50% off
Age of Empires IV update and Season 7 coming early Spring
New Year, New Age login reward for Age of Empires IV available now
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition free to play now! New DLC coming end of 2024
Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado coming later this year
New DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Victors and Vanquished coming March 14th: Pre-Order Now!
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition had a landmark year in 2023 with the addition of the Return of Rome and The Mountain Royals expansions. More than four years after launch, the game continues to grow. Telling more stories from the world’s rich history as well as bringing more civilizations to play.
The next chapter for Age of Empires II: DE will be the single player focused DLC Victors and Vanquished, coming March 14th. Introduced in today’s show by its Creator, Ramsey Abdulrahim, this DLC will be like no other we’ve made before for AoE II: DE. Victors and Vanquished features 19 epic scenarios. Your strategy and choices will decide your fate: will you emerge as the ultimate victor, or fall as the vanquished? You’ll play as Ragnar Lothbrok, Oda Nobunaga, Charlemagne and more. Each scenario features professional voice acting, new music, achievement and the quality you’d expect from an official Age of Empires scenario.
Pre-Order Now!
Victors and Vanquished will be launching soon, and you can pre-order today and receive a 15% discount! Victors and Vanquished comes to PC and Xbox on March 14th 2024.
Age of Mythology: Retold is another title that got its debut at our 25th anniversary. Since then, we’ve continued to develop this exciting reimagining of fan favorite Age of Mythology.
Today Art Director Melinda Rose gave players worldwide their first look at Retold via three in-game units, brought to life through amazing AR technology. Showcasing Medusa, Pegasus and Cerberus from the Greek pantheon, Melinda took us through how each unit has been updated, given completely new art and even had gameplay tweaks that will intensify their strengths and unique powers making them even more important in your strategy. They will be stronger, faster, bigger and bolder.
We are also beyond thrilled to announce that players do not have long to wait. Age of Mythology: Retold is coming to Xbox consoles and PC in 2024 and is available to wishlist on Steam now!
If you want more information about what we showed today, be sure to follow the Age of Mythology social channels and visit www.ageofempires.com.
At our 25th anniversary event we announced Age of Empires Mobile and we’ve been getting questions from intrigued and excited players ever since.
Today we’re so excited to unveil this partnership with the fantastic team at TiMi Studio Group, who are bringing this brand-new Age of Empires world to life. Age of Empires Mobile is a mobile war strategy game where players will embark on an exhilarating adventure and forge unbreakable bonds with friends. Featuring rich real-time controls, stunning visuals and historical heroes on grand battlefields, this addition to the franchise has so much to offer.
The game features elements from Age of Empires games, merged with brand-new and mobile-specific gameplay. You’ll engage in strategic resource management, develop unique technologies and train diverse armies to build and defend your kingdom.
In the New Year New Age show, we premiered the first gameplay trailer for Age of Empires Mobile as well as a behind the scenes look with the team at TiMi Studio Group.
You can pre-register now for Age of Empires Mobile on iOS and Google Play. For more information about the game, visit www.aoemobile.com.
Celebrating 50 Million Players, Get Up to 50% Off Now!
With such a fantastic roster of titles, there’s never been a better time to complete your Age of Empires collection! We’re celebrating our 50 million players with a New Year, New Age Sale on Steam, Xbox and Windows Store. From today until the 29th of February, almost everything in the Age of Empires catalogue is up to 50% off. Go on, treat yourself.
New For Age of Empires IV
Next Age of Empires IV update and season coming soon, plus a limited time login reward
In November, we launched the best-selling Age of Empires expansion of all time, The Sultans Ascend, for Age of Empires IV. We’re so thrilled to see players enjoying the content, which included two new civs, six variant civs, and all new campaign, ten new maps and two new biomes.
If you haven’t yet experienced The Sultans Ascend, it’s available now! Buy now and receive a 10% discount for a limited time.
Today we announced that Age of Empires IV will receive its next major update. Coming in early Spring, it will also mark the launch of Season 7.
As an added thank you to our players, if you log in to the game now, you’ll be able to earn a limited time New Year, New Age reward!
Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado
Happening this year!
The Age of Empires eSports scene continues to flourish, and we couldn’t be more grateful to the tournament organizers, players and supporters who continue to create exciting events, mesmerizing moments and valiant victories year in, year out.
Our partners and friends at Red Bull gave us the great honor today to announce that their next Age of Empires event, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado will be coming in 2024!
Whilst we’re not ready to share the details just yet, we recommend subscribing to Age of Empires and Red Bull Gaming channels to be sure you don’t miss information when we share it in the not-too-distant future.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
New DLC coming late 2024
One final announcement for the show was that we’ll be bringing Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition players another DLC at the end of 2024!
Whilst we can’t spill all of the details at this point, Director of Production Earnest Yuen was able to sneak in a couple of spoilers…
Thank you for a Fantastic 2023!
In 2023 Age of Empires:
Launched two titles on Xbox consoles and cloud
Released the best-selling Age of Empires expansion of all time, TheSultans Ascend for Age of Empires IV
Released the two fastest selling Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition DLC ever, Return of Rome and The Mountain Royals
Managed 51 game updates
Our players performed 200 million Wololos, built 350 million castles and employed 1.5 billion valiant scout sheep
It was truly the biggest year for Age of Empires yet! Thank you to over 50 million players worldwide who have joined us on our journey so far.
We have so much lined up for 2024 and can’t wait to bring you along with us.
That’s the rundown of the show! Head to the Age of Empires YouTube channel if you want to rewatch any of what we showed today.
A heartfelt thank you to each and every one who’s played Age of Empires so far. It’s your love and passion that has kept this franchise going for the last 26 years and we can’t wait for these new chapters in our epic story in 2024.
Hi, Xbox Wire readers! Today, we held our annual Whitethorn Winter Showcase, where we shared some fantastic new trailers and new details about our upcoming games coming to Xbox this year! Also, the team from the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program joined us to share some information about how the program helps empower underrepresented creators to bring their games to Xbox, and revealed a new title to join our line-up of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games.
In case you missed the premiere, you can catch the replay by visiting the Whitethorn Games YouTube channel.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the announcements:
ID@Xbox Helps Whitethorn Games Reveal Pancake Games Partnership
ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program Lead, James Lewis, sat down with CEO and Founder of Pancake Games, Tomas Gomez, to talk about how the program has worked with the studio to bring their upcoming 3D action-adventure game Slime Heroes to Xbox and announce Whitethorn Games partnership to help bring the title to launch. But wait — there’s more! Whitethorn revealed a new trailer, showing off a terrifying (and yet somehow adorable) new boss and new area players will get to explore at launch!
Slime Heroes takes you on a journey through a whimsical world entrusted to an unlikely hero — a slime — who must save it from a mysterious corruption. You’ll journey through the expansive 3D world — alone or with a friend — encountering ferocious enemies, challenging but approachable puzzles, and uncovering forgotten treasures. Help your slime become the hero they were meant to be by consuming magical gems and dynamically combining them to create unique and powerful magical skills to help you take down even the most corrupted minions and bosses. Discover a touching story of overcoming expectations, friendship, and forgiveness as you progress because even slimes can be heroes!
Botany Manor Gets a Release Date
The wait is almost over for Balloon Studios’ stunning first-person plant-puzzle game. Botany Manor is coming to Xbox — available day one with Xbox Game Pass — April 9, 2024! During the showcase, the studio released a new trailer revealing some new forgotten flora for players to bring to bloom.
In Botany Manor, you’ll travel back in time to the 19th century and take on the role of retired botanist Arabella Greene, researching long-forgotten plants that require some very unusual conditions to make them blossom. You’ll get to explore a majestic English manor house and its beautifully cultivated gardens to uncover Arabella’s decades of research and solve puzzles to figure out the exact conditions each plant requires. As you explore the tranquil homestead, you’ll also learn more about Arabella’s life and struggles as a woman in the botanical sciences during that era.
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island is Coming to Xbox at Launch
Your Island getaway is close at hand — Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island is coming to Xbox this summer! In a new video, Polygon Treehouse’s Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou shared an in-depth look at more of the gameplay, including a comprehensive look at the central friendship mechanic, treasure hunting, and much more!
Summer can’t come soon enough because we’re so eager for you to walk the beautiful sandy beaches of Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island. Playing as backpacker Alex, who finds herself shipwrecked on a stunning Mediterranean Island, you explore a gorgeous vacation-worthy setting and meet the many residents of the Island — who just so happen to be the gods of Greek myths and legends! Something is amiss, however, as you discover the gods have forgotten who they are. It’s up to you to befriend them, search for clues and treasures to gain their trust, and help them recover their memories so they can help you in your search to find your way back home!
New Magical Delicacy Gameplay Revealed
We’re gearing up to cook up a storm this year with the cozy Metroidvania-lite cooking game Magical Delicacy — coming to Xbox, available day one with Xbox Game Pass this year! To get you ready to venture off on your own culinary adventure, solo developer sKaule dropped by the showcase with a special message and a new gameplay trailer showing off more of the town, its community of adventurers, ingredients, and of course, delicious recipes!
Journey as the young witch Flora to the charming harbor town of Grat, and whip up and deliver some tasty treats for the town’s eclectic residents. As you traverse the 2D platformer inspired by Metroidvanias, you’ll visit shops, meet the interesting townsfolk, and take on quests to collect recipes and gather exotic ingredients. A good chef is resourceful, so you’ll be able to take your customizable recipes to the next level by foraging throughout the town and growing yummy veggies in your garden. With secrets, mysteries, and drama to unravel in the bewitching linear story, Flora’s adventures in Grat are sure to whet your appetite and leave you saying, “Bon Appetit!”
Accessibility in Games Matters
Making sure that gaming is an inclusive experience is an important part of the games we publish, so as part of our showcase, our Chief Accessibility Officer, Britt Dye, outlined some of the accessibility features that will be available in our upcoming games. From high contrast and color-blind visual accommodations to dyslexia-friendly fonts, multiple control configurations for two- or one-handed play, adjustable camera settings, non-narrative descriptive text and more, we are dedicated to making sure that as many players as possible can enjoy their gaming experience. In addition to the showcase, you can also find more detailed information about the accessibility features for each of our games on our website.
We hope you enjoy the showcase and announcements. We’re looking forward to sharing even more news about each of our 2024 titles coming to Xbox, so stay tuned!
It’s going to be a good year for Xbox players. At today’s Developer_Direct show, we provided deep-dives into five new games launching across Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass and/or cloud – all of which will arrive later in 2024. Development teams at Xbox, Bethesda, and even one of our third-party partners invited you into their studios to showcase extended gameplay, reveal key information, and more.
During the show, we visited the studios behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Ara: History Untoldto find out more about each one. Members of each development team gave us a look into their creation, with new information, and offered a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come this year. All four of these games will arrive on day one with Game Pass, and will contribute to what’s going to be another huge year for members, delivering incredible games throughout 2024.
Plus, in a special surprise, we heard from the team at Square Enix to learn a lot more about Visions of Mana, the first new mainline entry in the Mana series in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. With participation from developers on 3 continents, it was a truly global show.
Here’s a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct:
Avowed – Launching Fall 2024
Xbox Series X/S, PC, Cloud – Joining Game Pass on Day One
Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel gave us a first deep-dive into the gameplay in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy action RPG, from its dynamic combat, to its thoughtful reactivity, to its “colorful, vibrant, strange” world set in the Living Lands. Avowed continues Obsidian’s signature style of creating games with deep themes and player choice at the forefront.
Not only will you make narrative decisions that can impact changes in the game down the line, but Avowed is also looking to offer choice in combat. Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo discussed not only how varied your weaponry will be – with melee weapons, ranged guns and bows, and magic-based wands (even dual-wielded wands!) to name a few – but how flexible combat can be, allowing you to quickly change loadouts for enemy encounters. Swappable loadouts mean you can approach combat however feels right to you.
Art Director Matt Hansen then explained how the Living Lands is a mysterious island made up of wildly varied regions offering visually diverse backdrops and intriguing settings to explore. With secrets hidden throughout the regions, you’ll take in barren deserts, verdant forests, blighted wastes, volcanic biomes, and more.
That’s not all for Avowed, however – make sure to tune in to the Xbox Podcast on Monday, January 22 for an exclusive interview with some of Obsidian’s developers, offering even more information on the gameplay reveal.
Get ready to carve your own path through Avowed when it launches this fall for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud – and arrives with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on day one. For more information please visit the Avowed website.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Launching May 21
Xbox Series X/S, PC, Cloud – Joining Game Pass on Day One
Ninja Theory took us behind the scenes at their studio in Cambridge to take a look at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, meet some of the team and learn more about the craft behind their new title, which is now in the final months of development.
In the video we learned more about Senua’s new journey, which leads her to Iceland, a harsh and brutal land ravaged by myth and tyranny. We were given a new look at Senua’s experiences of the world, seen through her eyes as someone who experiences psychosis, and saw some of Senua’s visceral and violent battles with the Draugar. We also heard more detail on what players can expect from the game’s story and how binaural and spatial audio will sink player’s deep into the world of Hellblade.
With a studio mission of crafting life-changing art with game-changing tech, Ninja Theory are pushing the boundaries of fidelity, richness and immersion. You can join Senua on her new quest, May 21. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is available to wishlist on Steam and pre-install on Xbox Game Pass now.
Visions of Mana – Launching Summer 2024
Xbox Series X|S, PC
In a surprise appearance, Square Enix joined the show to present Visions of Mana, the first new mainline entry in the series in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. Series producer Masaru Oyamada presented a sneak peek at the gorgeous new RPG, sharing gameplay and behind the scenes footage before its launch in Summer 2024.
Koichi Ishii – father of the Mana series and creator of many of its iconic monsters – discussed the implementation and design of the enemies in Visions of Mana, and introduced the adorable new animal companions, “pikuls” and explained the design process behind them.
Oyamada then shared some details regarding the game’s score and revealed that the tracklist for Visions of Mana contains 100 songs in total, including works from musical talent who worked on previous Mana games. Oyamada also shared details of the adaptive music system that allows seamless transition from map exploration to battles, demonstrating a snippet of the background music changing as you enter or leave combat.
Oyamada also revealed that in Visions of Mana, The Elementals will assist the player in battle in the form of specialized items, which will each have a different effect in combat. Combined with aerial combat that allows for weapons and magic to be used in mid-air, the combat is fast-paced and flexible.
Visions of Mana launches Summer 2024 on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC!
Ara: History Untold – Launching Fall 2024
PC – Joining PC Game Pass on Day One
The key leads at Oxide Games debuted an all-new look at gameplay and shared an overview of the key features coming to Ara: History Untold during today’s Developer Direct. Viewers learned more about Ara’s crafting system, unique approach to simultaneous turns, and more.
You can learn more about this innovative new historical grand strategy game with our in-depth interview with Design Director Michelle Menard and we will have more to share in the coming months leading up to Ara’s launch this fall on PC and with PC Game Pass. For the latest breaking news follow the Ara: History Untold social channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram/Threads) and wishlist the game on Steam.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Launching 2024
Xbox Series X/S, PC – Joining Game Pass on Day One
The official reveal of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was debuted during Developer_Direct with over 13 minutes of gameplay footage and developer insights. This new journey starring the legendary archaeologist comes from the award-winning team at MachineGames – the minds behind Wolfenstein: The New Order and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus – in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games and executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard. Find out more on Bethesda.net.
Other Streams
Blizzard held a DiabloIV Developer Update Livestream earlier today that dug into the horrors waiting for you beneath the sands of Kehjistan in Season of the Construct, launching January 23, and introduced the competitive leaderboard activity called The Gauntlet. Associate Director of Community Adam Fletcher, Game Design Manager Daniel Tanguay, Quest Designer Madeleine James, and Lead Class Designer Adam Jackson spoke about the new Seneschal companion, Hazard-filled dungeons called Vaults, a new Questline, and more – all of which surfaces in Season of the Construct. Additionally, the group gave a quick look at The Gauntlet leaderboards and wrapped up the livestream by answering questions from the community in a Q&A session.
Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios kicked off The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal, unveiling the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features. You’ll be able to read more about what was revealed on Xbox Wire and Bethesda.net as soon as that show concludes.
Looking Ahead
Today marks just a small selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. With our own studios and our incredible partners bringing a diverse set of incredible experiences to Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud, and Game Pass, there’s going to be something new for every kind of player. To find out more, make sure to return to Xbox Wire later this month, when we post a round-up of some of the most exciting games coming to Xbox platforms in 2024.
January 18 is going to be an incredible day for Xbox players. Developer_Direct returns this Thursday at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK, and will bring you a deep-dive into some of the biggest games coming to Xbox platforms. We’re sure you want to know more, so here are all the details on how to tune in.
Developer_Direct will share new, extended gameplay and developer insights for the upcomingIndiana Jonesgame, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II straight from the teams at MachineGames, Obsidian, Oxide Studios, and Ninja Theory.
It’s going to be a big day for the Xbox family, with two other livestreams taking place. Earlier in the day, Blizzard will host a Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm UK. Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will hostThe Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to preview 2024’s biggest update.
When is Developer_Direct? Thursday, January 18 at 12pm Pacific Time / 3pm Eastern Time / 8pm UK time.
How do I watch Developer_Direct? Developer_Direct will be streamed live on the official Xbox and Bethesda channels below:
The show will also be streamed simultaneously on regional Xbox and Bethesda channels around the globe, as well as on Steam. It will also air on China’s Bilibili platform on Friday, January 19.
I’m not going to be able to watch, where can I find out what was announced? A full recap will go live immediately following the show (including localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, LATAM Spanish, and Japanese following later). Xbox Wire will also publish detailed blog posts about select games from the show.
Notes for co-streamers and creators: We at Xbox greatly appreciate any co-stream efforts and aim to ensure you have a smooth experience if you choose to do so.
However, due to forces beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that glitches or disruptions by bots and other automated software won’t interfere with your co-stream.
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How do I watch the Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream? At 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm UK, Blizzard will unearth details about the next season’s gameplay features, Season Journey, and quality-of-life updates. Plus, Blizzard will also share information about The Gauntlet. You can watch the event on Diablo’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
How do I watch the Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal stream? Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will hostThe Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to preview 2024’s biggest update. Streamed from Bethesda’s official Twitch channel at Twitch.tv/Bethesda (with Twitch Drops!) and via global Xbox YouTube and Twitch channels, the standalone presentation will see the development team unveil the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features.
Will there be updates on Activision Blizzard King games? No new information on Activision Blizzard King games will be a part of Developer_Direct. You can look forward to news from those teams later this year.
When will the games in the show be released? All the games in this year’s Developer_Direct will be arriving later, with more details to be shared in the program.
We’ll see you for Developer_Direct on Thursday, January 18!
At the heart of our work as a charity is the aim to democratise access to digital skills and technologies. Since 2020, we have partnered with over 100 youth and community organisations in the UK to develop programmes that increase opportunities for young people experiencing educational disadvantage to engage and create with digital technology in underserved communities.
Youth organisations attempting to start a coding club can face a range of practical and logistical challenges, from a lack of space, to funding restrictions, and staff shortages. However, the three issues that we hear about most often are a lack of access to hardware, lack of technical expertise among staff, and low confidence to deliver activities on an ongoing basis.
In 2023, we worked to help youth organisations overcome these barriers by designing and delivering a new hybrid training programme, supported by Amazon Future Engineer. With the programme, we aimed to help youth leaders and educators successfully incorporate coding and digital making activities as part of their provision to young people.
“Really useful, I have never used Scratch so going [through] the project made it clear to understand and how I would facilitate this for the children[.]” – Heather Coulthard, Doncaster Children’s University
Participating organisations
We invited 14 organisations from across the UK to participate in the training, based on:
The range of frontline services they already provide to young people in underresourced areas (everything from employability skills workshops to literacy classes, food banks, and knife crime awareness schemes)
Previous participation in Raspberry Pi Foundation programmes
Their commitment to upskill their staff and volunteers and to run sessions with young people on a regular basis following the training
Attendees included a number of previous Learn at Home partners, including Breadline London, Manchester Youth Zone, and Youth Action. They all told us that the additional support they had received from the Foundation and organisations such as The Bloomfield Trust during the coronavirus pandemic had directly inspired them to participate in the training and begin their own coding clubs.
Online sessions to increase skills and confidence
We started with four online training sessions where we introduced the youth leaders to digital making concepts, programming languages, and recommended activities to run with their young people. This included everything from making their own block-based Scratch games, to running Python programs on our Code Editor and trying out physical computing via our new micro:bit project path.
Alongside digital skills and interactive codealongs, the training also focused on how to be an effective CoderDojo mentor, including classroom management best practice, an explanation of the thinking behind our 3…2…1…Make! project paths, and an overview of culturally relevant pedagogy.
This last part explored how youth leaders can adapt and tailor digital making resources designed for a wide, general audience for their specific groups of young people to aid their understanding, boost their learning outcomes, and increase their sense of belonging within a coding club environment — a common blocker for organisations trying to appeal to marginalised youth.
In-person training to excite and inspire
The training culminated in a day-long, in-person session at our head office in Cambridge, so that youth leaders and educators from each organisation could get hands-on experience. They experimented with physical computing components such as the Raspberry Pi Pico, trained their own artificial intelligence (AI) models using our Experience AI resources, and learned more about how their young people can get involved with Coolest Projects and Astro Pi Mission Zero.
The in-person session also gave everyone the chance to get excited about running digital making activities at their centres: the youth leaders got to ask our team questions, and had the invaluable opportunity to meet each other, share their stories, swap advice, and discuss the challenges they face with their peers.
“Having the in-person immensely improved my skills and knowledge. The instructors were all brilliant and very passionate.” – Awale Elmi, RISE Projects
Continuing support
Finally, thanks to the generous support from Amazon Future Engineer, we were able to equip each participating organisation with Raspberry Pi 400 kits so that the youth leaders can practise and share the skills and knowledge they gained on the course at their centres and the organisations can offer computing activities in-house.
Over the next 12 months, we will continue to work with each of these youth and community organisations, supporting them to establish their coding clubs, and helping to ensure that young people in their communities get a fair and equal opportunity to engage and create with technology, no matter their background or challenges they are facing.
“It was really great. The online courses are excellent and being in-person to get answers to questions really helped. The tinkering was really useful and having people on hand to answer questions [was] massively useful.” – Liam Garnett, Leeds Libraries
For more information about how we can support youth and community organisations in the UK to start their own coding clubs, please send us a message with the subject ‘Partnerships’.
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