Schlagwort: Game Pass

  • Coming to Game Pass: Octopath Traveler II, The Callisto Protocol, Still Wakes the Deep, and More

    Coming to Game Pass: Octopath Traveler II, The Callisto Protocol, Still Wakes the Deep, and More

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Hey friends, we’re really excited to see you all in just a few short days on June 9 for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct! To whet your appetite for some more games, we have a collection of day one with Game Pass and new to Xbox games, a returning fan favorite and some surprise drops that are playable today!

    Available Today

    Octopath Traveler (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    Making a return to the Game Pass library today! Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers. Use each character’s distinctive abilities in and out of battle and make decisions to shape your path.

    Octopath Traveler II (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
    In this critically acclaimed second title in the Octopath Traveler series, eight new travelers venture forth into an exciting new era in the land of Solistia. Step into their shoes and explore the land as you see fit, using their unique talents to aid you along your journey in this role-playing adventure.

    Coming Soon

    Depersonalization (PC) – June 12
    A tabletop role-playing game inspired by Call of Cthulhu with rich branching narratives. Depersonalization consists of multiple story modes, each of which has multiple endings and branching routes, striving to build a diverse, themed world.

    Isonzo (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 13
    Ferocious Alpine warfare will test your tactical skills in this authentic WWI first-person shooter. Fight high-altitude battles among the scenic peaks, rugged valleys and idyllic towns of Northern Italy. The Great War on the Italian Front is brought to life and elevated to unexpected heights!

    The Callisto Protocol (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 13
    Survive to escape the horrors of Callisto. Use a unique blend of shooting and brutal close-quarters melee combat to fight your way through the maximum-security Black Iron Prison. Battle evolving inhuman creatures, scavenge for new weapons and uncover the conspiracy lurking on Jupiter’s Dead Moon.

    The Callisto Protocol Titled Key Art

    Still Wakes the Deep (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – June 18
    Available on day one with Game Pass! From the award-winning developers at The Chinese Room comes a terrifying tale of isolation. You are trapped on an oil rig in the North Sea, running from an unknowable horror that has come aboard. With no escape and no way to fight back, all you can do is survive. Learn more about Still Wakes the Deep in Xbox Wire’s hands-on preview.

    DLC / Game Updates

    Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary – Available until June 22
    The party isn’t over for Minecraft’s 15th Anniversary! Get Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons, Minecraft Legends, and more for up to 50% off through June 22. And don’t forget to head to Minecraft Marketplace to pick up your free anniversary world, cape, and add-on! Learn more on Minecraft.net.

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

    Sea of Thieves: Ebon Flintlock Pack – Available now
    Start your fights in style or share a drink with your crew! With the Ebon Flintlock Pistol, Obsidian Flag and Onyx Tankard, you’ll always look the perfectly piratical part.

    Vigor: Heatwave Havoc Pack – Available now
    Leave the winter’s chill behind and come bask in the Norwegian sun with our Heatwave Havoc Pack! Enjoy new stylish accessories, crates full of loot, and loads of guns to keep the party going. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

    MultiVersus: MVP Pack 1 – Available now
    MultiVersus is a free-to-play platform fighter that brings the depth of iconic WB stars to life across the nearly endless possibilities of play. The MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for subscription members.

    Leaving June 15

    The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in before they go or use your membership discount to save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library!

    • Bramble: The Mountain King (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • High on Life (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Rune Factory 4 Special (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Spacelines from the Far Out (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • The Bookwalker (Cloud, Console, and PC)

    As always, keep it tuned to @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass for what’s coming and when you can play. See you June 9!

    Website: LINK

  • Play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Day One with Xbox Game Pass

    Play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Day One with Xbox Game Pass

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    We’re excited to confirm that Game Pass members will be able to jump into Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 on day one with Game Pass.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGnCArMHE58?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    As revealed last week, we will have a special Xbox Games Showcase followed by Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 Direct on June 9, 2024, at 10am PT, where we’ll share even more details on what’s coming in this all-new Call of Duty®. Get eyes on the first in-depth look at gameplay in this dark new chapter of the Black Ops series.

    And, if you’re new to Game Pass – we’ve got a (figurative) mountain of games for you to check out and play while waiting for that pre-install button to light up for Black Ops 6. Check out the hundreds of games here: Xbox.com/Gamepass

    Keep the comms open, we’ll have more at@XboxGamePassPC and@XboxGamePass with more details soon.

    See terms and conditions here.

    Website: LINK

  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Our Full Four-Part Feature Series

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Our Full Four-Part Feature Series

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II has finally arrived – the next chapter of Senua’s riveting journey as she battles for survival through the myth and tyranny of Viking Iceland. At Hellblade developer Ninja Theory, the ultimate goal is to ‘Create Life Changing Art With Game Changing Tech’ – a mantra that has soaked into every single element of the game’s design.

    To celebrate the launch of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, we’re thrilled to present our complete, four-part series that dives into four core elements of the game – Narrative, Combat, Audio, and Environment. With insight collected from inside the studio itself, as well as stories and lessons from Hellblade’s creative leads, you’ll get an exclusive look behind the curtain at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’s pursuit of true immersion.

    All of these features are free of story spoilers and safe to read before you get stuck into Hellblade II. Alternatively, you can return after you’ve played for some extra insight into the design of this groundbreaking game. Enjoy!

    Website: LINK

  • A Note From Ninja Theory – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is Out Now

    A Note From Ninja Theory – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is Out Now

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Today we are proud and excited to launch Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass.

    In Hellblade II, the sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we see the return of Senua in a brutal battle for survival through the myth and tyranny of Viking Iceland. It is a game from the heart, where our small team of around 80 developers have crafted an experience that aims to immerse you in Senua’s world and story. Our bold mission as a studio is to ‘Craft Life Changing Art with Game Changing Tech’, by which we mean we aim to push the boundaries of technology and techniques in order to create a game, and an experience, that leaves you thinking and feeling.

    Immersion drives our work at Ninja Theory, with our belief being that if we can immerse you in Senua’s Saga, we can take you on an unforgettable journey. Our belief is also that believability is the route to this immersion, and so our team has painstakingly worked to bring our reality into Senua’s.

    The game is set in real locations in Iceland, recreated through satellite data and photogrammetry. Our characters are digital doubles of real people and their costumes first made as real clothing through historically authentic techniques and materials. And all our character animations starts life as real movement from our incredible cast on our performance capture stage.

    It is not only our presentation that is based in ground-truth reference, but so to are the narrative themes in Senua’s journey – in particular Senua’s experiences of psychosis. Senua is a person who lives in an unshared reality. She sees things that others don’t, hears things that others don’t and has unique beliefs about the world.

    In order to realize Senua’s experiences of psychosis in a truthful way we have, as we did on Senua’s Sacrifice, worked closely with our friends and partners in the world of neuroscience and lived-experience. Their generosity, openness and support has given us the opportunity to understand what living with psychosis can be like, in the hope that Senua feels like a real person going through a very personal mental health journey.

    I’d like to take this as an opportunity to thank our team and collaborators for devoting themselves to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II as a true passion project. I’d also like to thank you, our fans, for your support throughout the development of Hellblade II. It has meant so much to us.

    Now, it is time to turn down the lights, put your headphones on and join Senua for, what we hope is, an unforgettable journey into Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

    Xbox Games Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $49.99

    The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Sink deep into the next chapter of Senua’s story, a crafted experience told through cinematic immersion, beautifully realised visuals and encapsulating sound.

    Website: LINK

  • The Wanderers – The Team Behind Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’s Incredible Landscapes

    The Wanderers – The Team Behind Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’s Incredible Landscapes

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an exceedingly special game. A bold, brash direction for Ninja Theory, the decision to craft a short, narrative experience revolving around mental health was a brave leap, but one that ultimately paid off. Now, seven years later, the studio is gearing up to reveal a sequel to Senua’s story, built with the same love and care, but expanding on the debut in every conceivable way. 

    In the run up to launch, we’ll be bringing you the story of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from inside the studio itself, as well as stories and lessons from Hellblade’s creative leads. This is Ninja Theory’s ultimate form, filled with industry-leading talent, groundbreaking technology, and one of the most unique approaches to game development you’ve ever seen to fulfil the ultimate goal – the pursuit of true immersion. 

    When it comes to the environments showcased in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, breathtaking doesn’t quite cover it. Despite its linear story, the game showcases a sense of scale that adventures like this don’t often offer, and everything you see is rooted in a familiar realism. Where most games of this kind would confine you to corridors, valleys, and other means of obscuring your view, Hellblade II’s vistas often stretch to the horizon, giving you a sense of the sheer size of Senua’s journey ahead. The idea is clear – this is literal worldbuilding, rooting your journey in a much, much, bigger story.

    During our visit to Ninja Theory, we had the opportunity to speak to key creative leads about how the studio achieved this sense of place through location scouting and research, to bring an ethereal, yet believable recreation of medieval Iceland into Hellblade II. 

    Website: LINK

  • Headphones Required – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’s Binaural Audio Is Like Nothing You’ve Ever Heard

    Headphones Required – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’s Binaural Audio Is Like Nothing You’ve Ever Heard

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    This is represented in action as I watch Senua engage in a conversation with several new characters across her journey. The Furies are in conflict each time, debating Senua’s reactions, running through potential responses and justifications with a mind-bending pace. But Senua is no longer a prisoner to this cacophony, she can see past the influence of the voices and decide for herself how to proceed in that moment. Does this person need my help? Will they hurt me? Senua can find her own answers through the noise just as the player does, and we can feel her emotions and considerations reflected in the style, tenacity and placement of the sound, similar to a score for a movie.

    “We are representing abstract concepts with sound,” Garcia Diaz adds. “What does guilt sound like, and what is our vision of guilt for Senua? How do we interpret sadness, or euphoria, or rage?”

    “We are not just recreating a sound, we are creating a character’s reality, and this is our way of interpretating these emotions [for Senua] with sound and music and voices, all tied together to create one moment.”

    “We are not just recreating a sound, we are creating a character’s reality, and this is our way of interpretating these emotions.”

    David Garcia Diaz

    Three’s A Crowd

    While Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is an insular journey that follows Senua alone with the accompaniment of the Furies representing how her psychosis manifests, Hellblade II will see Senua encounters new characters in the world for the first time. She’ll engage in dialogue with these strangers, and face the trials of navigating relationships while handling the overwhelming, unrelenting narration of her condition. 

    In one Hellblade II scene, Senua meets a stranger that is being held captive by Viking slavers. In this moment, she’s conversing with him directly, but the voices are at odds with what both parties are saying out loud. 

    “You have to consider – what happens if there is a conversation between three people? What does that sound like to everyone involved?” Garcia Diaz adds.

    While I’m at the studio I’m shown a snippet of the Furies in action. Performers Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalan take part in an unscripted performance depicting Senua moving through a cave. Through headphones, I hear a haunting narration of the surroundings, their thoughts seamlessly falling into a flow state. But what I see is the two actors circling both sides of the head-shaped Neumann microphone sitting between them like vultures picking at a carcass – allowing their voices to feel as though they’re moving through your head, as they would do for Senua Even in this brightly-lit room, I’m on edge after 30 seconds of this experience, the unpredictable hisses and snarky giggles picking at my brain. Garcia Diaz likens the experience to jazz – it’s atmospheric, moving and some of its best parts are created out of improvisation, not a pre-agreed script.

    Website: LINK

  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – How Performance Capture and Stunts Created Next-Level Combat

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – How Performance Capture and Stunts Created Next-Level Combat

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an exceedingly special game. A bold, brash direction for Ninja Theory, the decision to craft a short, narrative experience revolving around mental health was a brave leap, but one that ultimately paid off. Now, seven years later, the studio is gearing up to reveal a sequel to Senua’s story, built with the same love and care, but expanding on the debut in every conceivable way. 

    In the run up to launch, we’ll be bringing you the story of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from inside the studio itself, as well as stories and lessons from Hellblade’s creative leads. This is Ninja Theory’s ultimate form, filled with industry-leading talent, groundbreaking technology, and one of the most unique approaches to game development you’ve ever seen to fulfil the ultimate goal – the pursuit of true immersion.

    Motion capture has been part of Ninja Theory’s heritage for a long time, and for good reason. The studio established itself as a pioneer in performance capture for games with 2007’s Heavenly Sword and has continued to innovate since. Now, with greater access to state-of-the-art technology – including its very own performance capture studio nestled within the walls of its Cambridge HQ – Ninja Theory is once again primed to break its own barriers within Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. 

    Ninja Theory utilised performance capture in the first Hellblade for its cinematic moments, but in Hellblade II, almost every in-game movement is performed by real-world actors and scanned in, to ensure the most realistic, human experience possible in-game. According to Studio Head Dom Matthews, capture for the combat sequences alone took almost 70 full days to complete.

    “We see performance capture as a tool to deliver character performance in the purest way possible,” Matthews says. “We took that opportunity because it ties into our goal of doing everything we can to achieve immersion and keep it.”

    You’ll never feel that more than in Hellblade II’s unique approach to combat – which stands simultaneously as a testament to Ninja Theory’s deep belief in their way of doing things, but also as a brand-new experiment for the restlessly creative studio.

    Website: LINK

  • How Ninja Theory Strives to Make Senua the Most Human Character in Gaming

    How Ninja Theory Strives to Make Senua the Most Human Character in Gaming

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Derham notes that most people have some sort of internal monologue active when we’re being spoken to, but it’s mostly not at the foreground, and it’s also not audible: “Imagine if every time someone was talking to you, you had that constant commentary on what they’re saying, maybe even arguing about the meaning. Every time Senua meets a new character, the voices are going to react to that.”

    Fletcher accentuates this by describing a big step in the understanding of psychosis from a research perspective, which revolves around the meaningfulness of experiences for those living with psychosis. They’re not just neural noise – the experiences are constructed in the same way we all construct our reality.

    “What’s exciting to me about Hellblade II is the growing interest that people can entertain two levels of reality,” Fletcher says. “Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”

    “Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”

    Professor Paul Fletcher

    Senua’s willingness to be part of other people’s stories – as we briefly mentioned earlier regarding her choice to save someone who is a stranger to her – also showcases another aspect of how she’s moving past certain experiences that made her so insular.

    “Her psychosis had influenced her relationships with other people to a point where she was weary and withdrawn from the world, Derham says. “What we’re showing now is her starting to overcome that, depending on who she meets, and we’re showing that her perspective is just as valuable as anyone else’s.”

    “Some people will react to her with harshness or horror, but some will see her differently, and she’ll find common ground and share positive experiences with them. It’s really exciting to watch Senua explore these interpersonal dynamics and relationships with other characters, and how she can help them.”

    Website: LINK

  • Coming to Game Pass: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Immortals of Aveum, Lords of the Fallen, and More

    Coming to Game Pass: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Immortals of Aveum, Lords of the Fallen, and More

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    Grab your controllers and keyboards, because we have another round of games coming soon! Most importantly though, grab your headphones – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches next week. While sharing is caring, this is one you’re going to want to listen to yourself for the full experience. Now let’s get to all the games!

    Available Today

    Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    The critically acclaimed and award-winning classic is returning to the Game Pass library! Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director Josef Fares and developer Starbreeze Studios. Solve puzzles, explore the varied locations, and fight boss battles while controlling one brother with each thumb stick.

    Coming Soon

    Chants of Sennaar (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 15
    In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler whose quest is to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.

    EA Sports NHL 24 (Cloud) EA Play – May 16
    EA Sports NHL 24 will be available with Xbox Cloud Gaming soon via EA Play! Feel the intensity of hockey with all new gameplay features that dial up the pressure, physicality, and control of authentic on-ice action.

    Immortals of Aveum (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – May 16
    Immortals of Aveum is coming to The Play List! Summon your power with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play in this single-player, first-person magic shooter. Unleash an arsenal of spells as Jak, who joins an elite order of battlemages to save a world on the edge of abyss.

    Immortals Hero Image

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 21
    Available on day one with Game Pass! The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Pre-install now to get ready to play on day one.

    Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Key Art

    Galacticare (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – May 23
    Available on day one with Game Pass! You are the Director of Galacticare, an interstellar healthcare company and quasi-voluntary savior of the Galaxy (for cash.) Build hospitals and recruit staff to satisfy the whims of various alien species and cure their bizarre illnesses Save the (literal) Galaxy in story mode, or head into sandbox to design the hospital of your dreams.

    Hauntii (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 23
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Play as a brave yet naive little ghost, Hauntii, and set off on a quest guided by enigmatic Eternians. Possess, solve puzzles, and shape your fate in this captivating adventure. The game’s hand-crafted art style blends line art and animation with a striking palette, creating a visually captivating experience. Coupled with the dynamic soundtrack, it enhances the immersive exploration of mysterious landscapes.

    Moving Out 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 28
    Are you ready to become an all-star F.A.R.T? That’s a Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician in the world of Moving Out 2. Working solo, or with up to three friends, slip into your uniform and help the residents of Packmore, and beyond, to pack up and ship out!

    Humanity (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 30
    Become a Shiba Inu and help reconstruct humankind in the acclaimed action-puzzle game Humanity. Drop commands to guide a mindless human horde to the goal through 90 increasingly challenging handcrafted story mode stages. Then, choose from thousands of user-made puzzles expanding on the breadth of mechanics, or design your own and share it with the community.

    Lords of the Fallen (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 30
    A vast world awaits in the all-new, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God. Learn more about how Lords of the Fallen goes rogue(like) with its recent ‘Master of Fate’ update on Xbox Wire.

    Firework (PC) – June 4
    An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate the closed case of a massacre. You will play as a rookie police officer who participates in the re-investigation by chance. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges and the case becomes more bewildering.

    Rolling Hills (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 4
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Serve up sushi as a robot chef in Rolling Hills, a life sim about running your own restaurant in a cozy village. Make new friends, purchase ingredients, enhance your shop, and improve the lives of your neighbors as you perfect your craft!

    DLC / Game Updates

    Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns – Available now
    Game Pass members save 10% off their purchase! Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns sees the smash hit roguelike join forces with Konami’s iconic Contra series, adding tons of guns and other weapons (we’re talking 22, including evolutions!), 11 new characters, a huge map, and a soundtrack that combines classic Contra tracks with Vampire Survivors covers.

    Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary – Starting May 15
    Minecraft is celebrating 15 years of gripping adventures and mind-blowing creations! Whether you’ve been crafting since alpha or joined somewhere along the way, you’ve left your mark on every block. Watch out for upcoming announcements from Minecraft!

    Starfield Update – May 15
    Starfield’s largest update since launch is coming on May 15! The May Update includes more detailed surface maps; new gameplay difficulty options and display settings; new features for ship customization and more! Learn more on Bethesda.net.

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

    Minecraft: 500 Minecoins – Starting  May 15
    Claim 500 Minecoins! Spend them on epic adventure maps, skins, add-ons, and more imaginative content, all crafted by creators and available on Minecraft Marketplace. What will your next adventure be?

    Naraka: Bladepoint – Available Now
    Claim exclusive Xbox headgear, new season treasures, legendary skin trial bundle and more in the new Perks Bundle! Get a kick start in the new season with the help of experience boost cards! This Perk content requires Naraka: Bladepoint to use.

    Leaving May 31

    The following games are leaving soon, so be sure to jump back in and tie up and loose ends or grab some extra achievements before they leave! You can also save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library and keep the fun going.

    • Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Farworld Pioneers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Pac-man Museum Plus (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Little Witch in the Woods (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Railway Empire II (Cloud, Console, and PC)

    That’s the list for now, but you can always keep an eye on Xbox, Game Pass, and PC Game Pass for reminders on when all of these are available to play. Also, don’t forget to block your calendar for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct June 9 – we’ll have even more news for you then. Talk soon!

       

    Website: LINK

  • How Senua’s Experience of Psychosis in Hellblade II is Rooted in Neuroscience and Lived Experience

    How Senua’s Experience of Psychosis in Hellblade II is Rooted in Neuroscience and Lived Experience

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hi everyone, Dom Matthews here, Studio Head at Ninja Theory. On May 21 we release Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on Xbox Series X|S and on PC. It will be a proud moment for our team and those that have contributed to our development journey. Today, I’d like to celebrate the contribution of our mental health consultants, with the release of ‘Senua’s Psychosis’, a feature video that details how, by way of collaboration, Senua’s experiences of psychosis in Hellblade II are rooted both in neuroscience and in real lived experience.

    When the idea for telling the story of a character who experiences psychosis was first thought of, we knew instantly that we had a responsibility to understand the subject thoroughly. With this intent in-hand, we started a collaboration with Professor Paul Fletcher, Professor of Health Neuroscience at University of Cambridge, which in-turn led to us building a partnership with Recovery College East and other groups of people who, like Senua, have had real lived experience of seeing and hearing things that others don’t and having unique beliefs about the world. What started off as an exercise in hoping to learn, quickly transitioned into a creative collaboration where the openness, honesty and enthusiasm of our collaborators gave us the chance to not only portray Senua’s experiences truthfully – but enhance our character, her world and her story.

    In Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we were so honored to hear from fans that Senua’s journey had helped them understand psychosis a little more. For some, it helped them to understand their own experiences. For others, it helped them to understand the experiences of loved ones. And for many, it helped them to build empathy for the millions of people who struggle daily with mental health challenges.

    As we approach the launch of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II my hope is that once again we can, for some, give a taste of what it can be like to hear voices, to see things that only you can see and to be driven by beliefs that may be unusual to others. Several weeks ago, I was excited to share the stage with our collaborators at Hellblade: A Journey of the mind, a conference, hosted in partnership with Cambridge Neuroscience, dedicated to exploring the theme of how Senua’s psychosis has come to life in Hellblade. For those interested, you can watch the full conference here. The conference was a reminder to me of how fortunate we have been to work with our mental health collaborators, a special group of people that have, throughout our development, dedicated themselves to helping us tell Senua’s story as someone who’s experiences could very well be those of a real person.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVBxvlRV0d4?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    In today’s video, I’m proud to introduce you to Paul, Eddy and Kathy and I thank them, and all our collaborators, for their immense contribution to Hellblade.

    For further information on the themes discussed in this video, please visit hellbladehelp.info.

    Website: LINK

  • Cat’s Eye: How to Navigate the World of Little Kitty, Big City

    Cat’s Eye: How to Navigate the World of Little Kitty, Big City

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Summary

    • Enjoy this guide to help you think more like a cat and get the most out of your shenanigans in Little Kitty Big City.
    • Is there anyone more curious than a cat? We don’t think so!
    • Little Kitty Big City is available now for Xbox, Windows, and with Game Pass.

    Little Kitty Big City is an open-world exploration game which lets you play as an adventurous — and willful — little cat. You’ll make your way back home eventually, but not before you find distractions aplenty, a cast of quirky animals to befriend and so much mischief to get into! But we know it can be hard to let go of human ideas like “responding to emails” and “not tripping people up to see what’s in their briefcases,” so here is a little guide to help you think more like a cat and get the most out of your cat shenanigans. 

    Engage Your Curiosity

    Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

    Is there anyone more curious than a cat? We don’t think so! In the world of Little Kitty, Big City, there are always new places, people, and collectibles to discover. You just have to stay curious to find them all, and the best way to stay curious is to keep asking yourself questions! What’s under that wall? What happens if I tread painty paw prints all over this human’s art canvas? Will this thing smash when I push it off a ledge? Finding the answers is a vital part of being a little cat.

    Interact With Humans

    Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

    If you’ve ever met a cat, you’ll know that they each have their own unique personality and their own way of interacting with humans. Being a cat in Little Kitty, Big City is no different — how you interact with the people around you is up to you. Are you feeling a little mischievous? Time to trip an innocent pedestrian by weaving between their legs in a very unhelpful way and then steal their phone! Feeling in need of affection? You can rub against those human legs instead and give a little purr. Humans eat that stuff up. And if you’re feeling annoying, you can meow meow meow the day away! Who doesn’t love a very noisy cat following them around for no reason?

    Navigate The World

    Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

    Cats are graceful (sometimes), small, can climb ivy walls, squeeze into tight spaces and always land on their feet! Since you’re no longer a clumsy human in this game, all those tiny little spots you never thought you’d be able to fit into are now open to you as a little kitty. From the rooftops to ground below, all the vents, awnings, cars, and fences are your domain. Except those big puddles. Let’s just stay far away from those…

    Express Yourself

    Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

    As you explore the city, you will meet other cats who will offer new ways to immerse yourself in the mind of a cat. You’ll learn crucial kitty emotes like how to make muffins, have a biiiiig stretch, take naps, sits where you fit, and even gag at gross smells or unpalatable tasks! These gestures are an invaluable part of your toolkit for self-expression and can be combined with Kitty’s extensive wardrobe of collectible hats to create the perfect reaction to a situation.

    Try the Sunflower hat with the biiiiiiig stretch for Kitty’s attempt at the traditional Sun Salutation yoga flow. Follow that up by swapping to the Crab hat and making a yuck face in the greengrocer’s – you must protest her lack of seafood. Then round off the day by donning the Sheriff’s hat and lashing out with a paw swipe at a board game. How else will the humans know that you’re not into chess?

    Relax

    Little Kitty, Big City Screenshot

    Humans don’t understand how hard cats work to find the perfect nap spot. In fact, if cats didn’t spend so much energy looking for new places to sleep, perhaps they wouldn’t be so sleepy in the first place…? But that’s a topic for a different blog! What you need to know for Little Kitty, Big City is that, when you find a good nap spot, you want to get in there immediately, and in whatever pose fills the space. After all, when a nap is at stake, who cares which way the humans say your spine and limbs are “supposed” to be facing!

    Little Kitty Big City is available now for Xbox, Windows, and with Game Pass.

    Little Kitty, Big City
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Little Kitty, Big City

    Double Dagger Studio

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 267

    ★★★★★

    $24.99

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? I mean, getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it’s one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline… It’s definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration!

    Website: LINK

  • Top Five Beginner Tips and Tricks for Underwater Soulslike, Another Crab’s Treasure

    Top Five Beginner Tips and Tricks for Underwater Soulslike, Another Crab’s Treasure

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Summary

    • Here’s five top tips and tricks to help if Another Crab’s Treasure is your first soulslike.
    • A look into a beginner friendly soulslike, where you’re also a hermit crab.
    • Another Crab’s Treasure is available now for Xbox Series X|S on the Xbox Store and also with Xbox Game Pass.

    Another Crab’s Treasure, the aquatic soulslike where you play as a trash-wearing hermit crab is available now with Xbox Game Pass! Embark on an epic adventure set in a crumbling underwater world after Kril’s shell is repossessed.

    If you’re new to the soulslike genre, Another Crab’s Treasure is a welcoming introduction. With built-in assist options, you can adjust to your play style. Speaking of these options, I’ve created a list of my top five tips and tricks for those new soulslike players who might need some advice – Let’s dive in!

    Your Shell is your Best Friend 

    I mean duh, you’re a hermit crab. Your shell is the only thing standing between you and some seriously deadly enemies along your journey. A pristine shell is the sign of a coward! Don’t be afraid to get it beat up. If it breaks, there’s (unfortunately) plenty of new trash to replace it scattered all over the ocean. You take a lot of damage when you’re not in your shell, so blocking and parrying is gonna save you more than once.

    ACT screenshot

    Not only are shells great for defense, all wearable trash comes with a Shell Spell, powered by the ocean’s magic. Use a tin can to shock that sardine, or maybe a party popper to shoot some confetti in that lobster’s face!

    Don’t be Afraid to Come Back Later When you’re Stronger

    The ocean is a big place. If you find you’re stuck on a boss fight with no progress, you might need to take the L and level up some more! Find some nearby enemies, explore the ocean for items, argue with the locals and come back later. You’ll be surprised at the difference when you return. Remember, the game is meant to be difficult – don’t get discouraged by repeated losses!

    You Don’t Need to Fight Every Enemy

    For one, you might find yourself battling for longer than you’d like to. Secondly, enemies respawn. There’s plenty to go around and some just aren’t worth your time! Or maybe they are, depending how much you like to spear tackle crabs all day long. I won’t judge you for it. Okay maybe a little. But just like in classic soulslikes, you’ll be surprised by how many fights you can avoid entirely if you’re careful or quick.

    Mix up your Playstyle

    There’s almost always more than one way to approach a fight. If your current loadout isn’t working against an enemy, it could be that you just haven’t figured out their trick yet. Try using different Shell Spells or Adaptations, or equipping some different Stowaways – little creatures that attach to your shell and affect your combat ability in all sorts of ways.

    Additionally, you might find a Shark Egg along your journey. These offer a rebirth of sorts, as using one lets you re-spec your stats or skills at the respective shop. If that unga bunga warrior build isn’t working out, try a magic-focused build instead!

    If you’re Just Not a Glutton for Punishment – Try out our Assist Options

    In Another Crab’s Treasure, you might come to find out that soulslike games aren’t for you due to the difficulty alone – that’s okay! Within the settings menu, you can find the assist mode. From here, you can toggle gameplay settings such as extra shell durability and reducing enemy health. Still too hard? Don’t worry, that’s why you can give Kril a gun. No really, you can totally do that. It’s a one-hit kill and looks as goofy as it sounds.

    On top of this, whether you choose to use assist options or not, players will still have access to gaining all achievements! We welcome you to play at your own pace, with no restrictions. If the game’s difficulty is harming your fun, feel free to turn some of these options to make things a bit easier. It’s there for a reason!

    For players who are still looking for a challenge, we’ve made sure that the default game will pack a punch. Or a pinch. There’s too many crab puns to count at this point. But no matter your play style, Another Crab’s Treasure is sure to find a permanent place in your heart, just like all the microplastics inside of you!

    Well? Are you ready to take the plunge?

    Another Crab's Treasure
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Another Crab’s Treasure

    Aggro Crab

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 180

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell, and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean. TRASH OR TREASURE?
    In this undersea society, trash is not only a way of life, but a valuable resource, used for everything from fashion to firearms. But with the presence of trash comes a mysterious infection known as the Gunk, which could spell doom for the entire ocean. LEARN FROM NATURE
    As Kril explores the ocean, he’ll gain a variety of Umami Techniques—powerful attacks learned from the denizens of the seas. Punch your enemies with the overwhelming might of a Mantis Shrimp, ensnare them with the horrifying Bobbit Worm, and much more. UNEXPLORED DEPTHS
    The ocean goes deeper than one can imagine. Fight your way through kelp forests, coral reefs, sand castle cities, and even the unfathomable darkness of the deep-sea trenches, all in the name of getting back your prized shell. PLAY AT YOUR OWN PACE
    Designed to be an approachable experience for newer soulslike players as well as provide a challenge for hardcore fans, Another Crab’s Treasure offers something for any level of skill or time commitment. Assist options are provided for those seeking a less frustrating experience, and gluttons for punishment can use those same options to make the game even harder.

    Website: LINK

  • Manor Lords: How to Survive Your First Harsh Winter

    Manor Lords: How to Survive Your First Harsh Winter

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    Manor Lords, out today, is a city-building and strategy game that focuses on sandbox gameplay and intimate historical details. Yes, this means authentic building designs, workplaces, and even fashion. However, Manor Lords, goes several steps further with its authenticity – your people will starve if you don’t adequately prepare for the colder months too.

    Your first year in game will be the hardest – luckily, we’ve collected some top-tier advice from other wizened barons and traveling merchants to help new players with their early settlements and ensure stability in the years to come.

    Location, Location, Location

    Each start in Manor Lords is unique – every time you begin a new game, you could end up in any one of eight regions that make up the game’s fictionalized slice of medieval Germany. The resources around you will also change. Even if you roll the same region several times in a row, the nearby resources will always spawn differently so you may start with rich sources of Iron or Clay in one game, and another may see you awash in berries or fertile fields, which are paramount to keeping your villagers fed.

    Planning around what you have is key, and will affect everything from what industries you should focus on first, to what development branches you invest in. If you have a rich source of iron, building a Bloomery and Smithy will let you create lucrative trade items like Tools, and you’ll want to choose a Charcoal Kiln, and the Deep Mining upgrades. The latter ensures you never run out of raw materials. Other resources have their own strategies as well so make sure you look at all your options.

    Location also has a more grounded meaning – the time a citizen takes to travel between their house and place of work, or the time it takes oxen to lug that heavy log from the pile to the building site can have a profound effect on the game’s pacing and logistics.

    Food & Fire(wood)

    Manor Lords works on a system of “needs”- access to water, food variety, and so on. If you meet the needs of one tier of “Burgage Plot” (Manor Lords’ name for a house), then you can upgrade it to a higher tier, which will have more complex needs. Meeting these needs keeps your citizens happy and stops them from leaving. But regardless of tier, two things are universal – access to food and firewood. 

    While higher-tier housing likes to see a variety of food at the market, as long as they have enough to feed themselves (and access to water), they’ll be happy.

    There are a number of ways of meeting your initial food requirements:

    • You will likely start with a deposit of berries and/or a deer herd nearby. Build the Forager’s Hut or a Hunting Lodge respectively to start harvesting. 
    • You will start with some initial funds in your village’s coffers—these can be spent on backyard extensions like a Chicken Coop or a Vegetable Garden. We suggest choosing the Chicken Coop first, as it starts generating eggs right away and is not dependant on free labour.
    • Micro-management can be your friend if you’re short on spare families. As berry deposits are seasonal, consider having the same family harvest berries in the summer, and hunting deer in the winter.

    After your first year, you’ll want to think about farming – there is an overlay to see how fertile the surrounding land is, the more ‘+’ symbols the better. It might be worth looking at this when you first start the game, and pick a spot nearby to come back to later. You can border it with roads (or just put down a field) and then spin-up farming when you have the population and capacity to go down this route.

    Firewood is a lot simpler to sort out. Your citizens need to light their fires and stay warm, with firewood consumption doubling in winter. You will need a Woodcutter’s Lodge with a family assigned to it so they can generate firewood for the village. Excess firewood will get stored in your Storehouse, and the Market will hand out firewood to the citizens.

    At any point you can check out how much food and firewood you have in reserve by looking for the handy barrel symbol along the top info panel — it shows you the how many months your citizens can survive if everything grinds to a halt. Hover over it with the mouse, and it will break things down separately into fuel and food reserves.

    In This Economy?

    Trading is crucial in Manor Lords. You’ll need to import goods to meet any shortcomings; perhaps you need more Hides, or you need to import Iron because there are no deposits near your starting settlement. You’ll also need funds to hire more work animals or build backyard extensions.

    Luckily, you exist within a vast civilized polity, and wandering traders feel safe enough to travel up and down the King’s Road peddling wares and looking for opportunities to turn a profit.

    Once you’ve met your initial needs and identified your starting industry, it’s time to start making some money! You’ll want to build a Trading Post and then assign a family to work there. By this point, you’ll have probably expanded beyond the initial five families you started the game with and have enough provisions to keep them happy.

    Identify what you have in excess, or at least what you can afford to sell to gain some short-term funds. Hides, while needed to promote Burgage plots to tier 2, are not an essential requirement, so you could sell early harvests of Hides. Certain “high-tier” goods require you to pay a large sum of money to establish a trade route, so selling lower-tiered items is easier provided you have enough excess to earn what you need. There is also a development tree upgrade that helps with trading.

    Law & Order

    Your lands are not completely safe – a powerful rival lord will try and stake his claim across the other regions, and roaming bandits will be a constant nuisance. Once you’ve survived your first year, you’ll want to turn your eyes towards the surrounding countryside and establish your right to rule. Some final tips to keep in mind:

    • The default scenario includes a bandit attack that, depending on the settings, will not kick in for at least two years, which gives you time to prepare.
    • Other bandit camps dotted around the map won’t attack you directly, but while they exist they will periodically steal things from you.
    • You will see the rival lord marching around with his armies. You don’t need to worry about them until you’re ready to challenge him for real.

    Your first year in Manor Lords will be the hardest, but once you’ve survived there is plenty more to do and see. You can explore farming, other industries, and start arming your militia to take on the threats around you. These lands are yours to claim, my Lord – good luck!

    Manor Lords is available on the Microsoft Store (Game Preview) and day one in PC Game Pass.

    Manor Lords (Game Preview)
    Xbox Live

    Manor Lords (Game Preview)

    Hooded Horse

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Manor Lords is a strategy game that allows you to experience the life of a medieval lord. Grow your starting village into a bustling city, manage resources and production chains, and expand your lands through conquest. Inspired by the art and architecture of late 14th century Franconia, Manor Lords prioritizes historical accuracy wherever possible, using it to inform gameplay mechanics and visuals alike. Common medieval tropes are avoided in favor of historical accuracy, in order to make the world feel more authentic, colorful, and believable. ORGANIC CITY BUILDING
    Manor Lords provides a gridless city-building experience with full freedom of placement and rotation. Building mechanics are motivated by the growth of real medieval towns and villages, where major trade routes and the landscape influenced how settlements shaped and developed. – Spreading outward from a central marketplace, build your residential, commercial, and industrial districts following the natural lay of the land. Establish farms based on soil fertility, position hunting grounds according to animal populations, and ensure access to adequate resource deposits and forests to provide the raw materials needed for growth.
    – Assign areas for housing and watch your residents build their homes in accordance with the historical burgage plot system. Each region will be subdivided based on your roads and the allotted space, and homes will scale accordingly.
    – Build extensions behind larger homes to generate income and resources that would not otherwise be available. Homeowners don’t just pay taxes – they grow vegetables, raise chickens and goats, and otherwise supply themselves and other townsfolk with essential needs beyond what your managed farms, pastures, and industries can provide.
    – Guide your settlements through the unique demands and opportunities of each season, enjoying the bounty brought by spring rains and preparing for the harsh snows of winter. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
    From boots to barley and hides to honey, Manor Lords features a great variety of goods fitting of the era. Materials need to be transported and processed into finished products through production chains, and you must balance the basic needs of your people against the desire to produce luxury items to ensure happiness, manufacture trade goods for export, or forge arms and armor to aid in your conquests. – Resources are littered across the map, encouraging you to expand and establish multiple specialized settlements. Extract valuable ores from your mining colonies, while villages devoted to agriculture, herding, or hunting supply the grains and meats needed to feed your growing population.
    – Unchecked expansion will have a direct effect on the environment. Herds of deer will migrate away from encroaching civilization, lack of crop rotation will worsen soil fertility, and cutting down too many trees will result in deforestation.
    – Sell surplus goods to traveling merchants or establish trade routes of your own. Manufacturing and exporting quality goods will provide wealth to upgrade your city, pay taxes to your liege, hire mercenaries, and unlock technologies for new industries, products, and tools. MEDIEVAL WARFARE
    Yours is but a small parcel of land in a vast territory, and the competing ambitions between you and neighboring lords will inevitably lead to conflict. Lead your people into battle, not as expendable units to be easily replenished, but as your beloved loyal subjects where every death is a cost worth considering. – Train a retinue of skilled warriors to fight battles alongside the levies you raise from the town militia. At times these soldiers will be needed to crush rebellions or suppress banditry, and at other times you will lead your men into battle to conquer or defend territory. When needed, mercenaries are a costly option to bolster your ranks.
    – A robust diplomacy system will allow you to communicate with other lords, using influence or threats to sway their actions. These competing lords have their own goals and will seek you out as well, and your response to their offers or insults can mean the difference between war and peace.
    – Command real-time tactical battles, taking into consideration fatigue, weather conditions, and equipment. Position your troops wisely – a smaller force can defeat a larger enemy, if commanded well.
    – Feel the cost of battle, even in victory, as each fallen soldier represents a lost person from your city. A pyrrhic victory can spell economic doom, or a winter of rationing food and firewood.

    Website: LINK

  • Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More

    Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    It’s nice to see you’re willing to take a break from watching “Fallout” on Prime Video, because I have the next round of amazing games for you to check out! We have new games coming to the Game Pass Core library, your PC, and even one you can download and start playing today! Let’s dive in.

    Available Today

    Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here.

    Coming Soon

    Orcs Must Die! 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 17
    Orcs Must Die! 3 ushers orc-slaying mayhem to a previously unimaginable scale. Solo, or 2-player co-op, arm yourself with a massive arsenal of traps and weapons. Slice, burn, toss, and zap hordes of repugnant orcs in this long-awaited successor to the award-winning tower defense series.

    EA Sports NHL 24 (Console) EA Play – April 18
    Just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL 24 is coming to Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play! Members can experience authentic on-ice action and give their Ultimate Team a boost with the EA Play Mega Players Pack until May 9, containing 30 items, all Gold Players, with at least five 80+ OVR Players for Ultimate Team mode in the game.

    Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 23
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Gather your allies for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the grand JRPG adventure. Assemble your 6-party team from a cast of over a hundred heroes and shape your destiny in this lush, hand-crafted 2.5D world brimming with war, intrigue, and magic. Manage your town of vibrant characters, play delightful mini-games, and prepare for an unforgettable narrative of boundless charm.

    Another Crab’s Treasure (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 25
    Available on day one with Game Pass! A soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.

    Manor Lords (Game Preview) (PC) – April 26
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord — the seasons pass, the weather changes and cities rise and fall.

    Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 30
    In this darkly charming 2D action roguelike, play as an overworked Death, whose employees have run rampant, completely throwing off the balance of souls – and his vacation plans. Grab your trusty scythe and show your employees who’s boss.

    More Games Coming to Game Pass Core on April 23

    For Game Pass Core members, there are three more games coming to the library on April 23! Become a badass space Dwarf in Deep Rock Galactic, dance the slow-motion ballet of destruction in Superhot: Mind Control Delete, and face total demolition derby madness in Wreckfest.

    DLC / Game Updates

    Ark: Survival Ascended – Scorched Earth – Available now
    Saddle up and stake your claim on the Scorched Earth! Build new Western-style structures like your own rootin’ tootin’ saloon, then tickle the ivories on your own piano for an authentic frontier experience. Hunt for buried treasure with your trusty shovel, tame hardy new creatures to pull your configurable wagon and even hop aboard your own chugging steam train to explore those harsh badlands!

    Conan Exiles: Age of War Chapter 4 – Available now
     In the new Sacred Hunt, embark on a quest to fell the champions of Jhebbal Sag, Lord of Beasts. Discover a new hub area and uncover a new mystery. Unleash brutality with fatalities. Daze enemies by bringing their health low and then finish them off with a range of savagely animated finishing moves, depending on the weapon you have equipped. If there is glory in gore, you will find it.

    Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition – Available now
    The ultimate Grounded experience is now bulging with new content that’s sure to get you pumped! Experience new ant queens, new game + mode and an exciting array of new gear. Are you ready to get Fully Yoked?

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

    Fallout 76 Vault 33 Survivor Kit – Available now
    Vault-Tec is happy to offer Vault Dwellers a handy bundle of Wasteland survival and a sturdy Vault 33 Backpack to use in this vast open-world multiplayer entry in the Fallout universe.

    The Elder Scrolls Online 10th Anniversary Pack #1 – Available now
    Celebrate 10 years of The Elder Scrolls Online with a Perks bundle that includes three Grand Gold Coast Experience Scrolls and 500 Seals of Endeavor.  Explore and quest solo or with friends in the award-winning fantasy RPG today. 

    Leaving April 30

    The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in before they go or save 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library!

    • 7 Days to Die (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Besiege (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • EA Sports NHL 22 (Console)
    • Loot River (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Pikuniku (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Ravenlok (Cloud, Console, and PC)

    That wraps us up! Keep up with the coming games on social at @Xbox, @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC. Catch you next time!

    Website: LINK

  • Starter Tips for Botany Manor, Your New Xbox Game Pass Puzzle Adventure

    Starter Tips for Botany Manor, Your New Xbox Game Pass Puzzle Adventure

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    You haven’t played anything quite like Botany Manor, a new narrative puzzle adventure now blooming on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PCs, and Cloud. Playing as 19th century English botanist Arabella Greene, you explore a scenic manor, finding seeds of some very unusual plants and discovering how to make them flower and grow, filling up the pages of your Herbarium along the way.

    Much of the game’s enjoyment comes from figuring out these horticultural headscratchers without assistance. But if you’re worried you’re becoming a bit of a late bloomer, allow me to plant the seeds of inspiration with a few spoiler-free tips to help you decipher these daffodils a bit faster.

    Every Document Matters

    These plants’ very particular preferences mean that most puzzles require a precise answer. The little notes, newspaper clippings, and advertisements you find around the mansion will all help guide you in setting up growing conditions to make a specific plant happy – so read them! While many hints will seemingly have nothing to do with botany, like a book on English history or wind speeds in the Alps, all play a part in unlocking various locks and mechanisms to either manipulate the local environment or grant you greater access to the manor. There’s also an interesting story embedded in these notes, revealed through various correspondences with Arabella.

    Pick Up the Pace

    Arabella’s leisurely gait may not be to your liking, especially as you’ll need to traipse back and forth throughout the manner to pick up certain items or to place a plant in just the right spot. To put some pep in her rather sluggish default step, hold down LB for a boost. Like… all the time. Even better, I recommend players activate Sprint Toggle in Accessibility settings to maintain that speedier pace. The game may be about plants, but there’s no need to remain rooted in place.

    Don’t Forget Your Map

    It’s easy to get turned around in sprawling Greene Manor and its surrounding grounds, especially as you open up access to new parts of the property. If you remember passing by the Orchard, for instance, but forget exactly how to return, there’s a map for that! Press Y to bring up your Forgotten Flora book and tap LB to flip towards the front, where you’ll find handy, labeled maps of the manor’s interior and surrounding grounds, which handily auto update as you explore further into the game.

    Out of Order

    While Botany Manor starts in a pretty straightforward manner, solving one floral mystery at a time and with materials and hints right in front of you, things don’t remain so easy. In later chapters, you will start to find clues for plants you may not yet have access to. If a hint or document seems unhelpful at the moment, don’t rack your brains trying to apply it to the plant at hand; it may make sense later. Keep moving, you can always come back as the game never locks you out once you’ve made it somewhere new.

    Sort Your Hints

    Related: as the game progresses (chapter 3 and on), you’ll be collecting hints for multiple different flowers at once. It can be valuable at this point to pick up and read everything, then sort these hints in your book as you start to make sense of things. When all hints for a particular flower are found and correctly sorted, they’ll get satisfyingly inked into the page, and you’ll have a much better idea of what your next steps are and which hints can be ignored.  Even better, if you correctly place every hint in the Herbarium book, a succulent 100G achievement awaits!

    Even with these hints, you’re sure to get stumped from time to time, but with a keen eye and some curiosity, you’ll complete Arabella’s Herbarium before you know it. Just keep planting! Botany Manor is available now with Game Pass on Cloud, Console, and PC – cue that download here.

    Website: LINK

  • Coming to Xbox Game Pass: LEGO 2K Drive, EA Sports PGA Tour, Harold Halibut, and More

    Coming to Xbox Game Pass: LEGO 2K Drive, EA Sports PGA Tour, Harold Halibut, and More

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    My favorite part about “coming soon” to Game Pass is that it quickly turns into “available today” messaging. From driving to golfing to tomb raiding, there’s plenty here that’s going to be available sooner rather than later. Let’s take a look at the games that are mere moments away from your download queue!

    Available Today

    Superhot: Mind Control Delete (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    Returning to the Game Pass library today, Superhot: Mind Control Delete gives you more insight into the signature power fantasy world of Superhot with more story, more signature gameplay, more action, more guns. Keep dancing the slow-motion ballet of destruction for much longer than ever before.

    Coming Soon

    LEGO 2K Drive (Cloud and Console) – April 3
    Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world LEGO driving adventure. Race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals for the coveted Sky Trophy!

    Lil Gator Game (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 4
    Who wouldn’t want to be an adorable Lil Gator? Embark on a cute “lil” quest, discovering new friends, and uncovering everything its island has to offer. Climb, swim, glide, and slide your way into the hearts of the many different characters you meet along the way in this adorable open-world adventure!

    EA Sports PGA Tour (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – April 4
    EA Sports PGA Tour is coming to The Play List with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play. Become a Major champion, tee off on the Par 3 Course at Augusta National, along with three new 2024 Major host courses.

    EA Sports PGA Tour Key Art

    Kona (Cloud and Console) – April 9
    Another game is making a return to the Game Pass library! A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive in this chilly, interactive tale you won’t soon forget.

    Botany Manor (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 9
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Explore the historic manor home of retired botanist Arabella Greene, who has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten flora that require special conditions to help them bloom. Unlock new seeds, look for clues in the items scattered around the residence, and solve each gardening puzzle to revive these plants.

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 11
    Experience the final chapter of Lara’s origin as she is forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be. Combining the base game, all seven DLC challenge tombs, as well as all downloadable weapons, outfits, and skills, Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition is the ultimate way to experience Lara’s defining moment.

    Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 16
    Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here.

    DLC / Game Updates

    No Man’s Sky Orbital Update – Available now
    Dock your fully customized starship in the sleek new space stations of update 4.6, Orbital! Space stations have been completely overhauled internally and externally; new starships can be constructed from salvaged parts; frigate fleets can reach out for guidance with interstellar expeditions; standing and guilds have been improved, trading and system economies have been deepened – and much more! Learn more about No Man’s Sky’s Orbital update here on Xbox Wire.

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

    Final Fantasy XIV Online: Starter Edition – Available now
    Join over 30 million adventures worldwide in the critically acclaimed online RPG.  From now through April 19, the Final Fantasy XIV Online – Starter Edition base game is now free for a limited time – including a 30-day free play period for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Terms apply. You can also learn how to build your Warrior of Light in Final Fantasy XIV Online here on Xbox Wire.

    YouTube Premium 3 Month Trial – Available now
    Watch your favorite YouTube creators without ads, offline, and in the background. Plus, stream the latest songs from your favorite artists with uninterrupted access to YouTube Music. New users only. Monthly subscription fee starts at the end of trial. Cancel anytime. Not available in all regions. Terms apply.

    Battlefield 2042: Season 7 Field Kit – Available now
    In the iconic all-out warfare first-person shooter of Battlefield 2042, Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play members can get the Battlefield 2042 Season 7 Field Kit containing a Ride’em Crab Boy Weapon Charm, Rising Tide AM40 Weapon Skin, and Dustproof Specialist Headgear.  Check out the other EA Play member rewards and Perks here on Xbox Wire.

    Leaving April 15

    Make sure you give the following games a proper farewell before they leave the Game Pass library. As always, you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library.

    • Amnesia Collection (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Amnesia: Rebirth (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Back 4 Blood (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Phantom Abyss (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Research and Destroy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Soma (Cloud, Console, and PC)

    That wraps us up! Let us know which game you’re planning on playing first over at @Xbox,  @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC. Catch you next time!

    Website: LINK

  • Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Diablo IV, The Quarry, Ark: Survival Ascended, and More

    Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Diablo IV, The Quarry, Ark: Survival Ascended, and More

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    This “coming soon” announcement we’re going to many different places with Game Pass, including the Old West, the open road, the other roads meant for toy themed cars, and even going to hell. That’s just a small taste of where Game Pass is taking us, so let’s dive in!

    Available Today

    Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) 
    Available on day one with Game Pass: Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure! Build your sustainable exofarm, grow alien crops, customize your mech, and explore a new world full of mystery with up to three friends!    

    MLB The Show 24 (Cloud and Console) 
    Available on day one with Game Pass: Swing for the fences, experience game-deciding moments, become a legend and live out your baseball dreams in MLB The Show 24. 

    Coming Soon

    The Quarry (Cloud and Console) – March 20 
    When the sun goes down on the last night of summer camp, nine teenage counselors are plunged into an unpredictable night of horror. The only thing worse than the blood-drenched locals and creatures hunting them are the unimaginable choices you must make to help them survive. 

    The Quarry Key Art

    Evil West (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 21 
    A dark menace consumes the Old West. In solo or co-op, fight with style in visceral, explosive combat against bloodthirsty monstrosities. Eradicate the vampiric hordes with your lightning-fueled gauntlet and become a Wild West Superhero. 

    Terra Invicta (Game Preview) (PC) – March 26 
    From the creators of Long War, an alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat. 

    Diablo IV (Console and PC) – March 28 
    The next-gen action RPG experience is coming to Game Pass with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Experience a gripping story or jump straight into Season of the Construct to unearth a new threat looming deep beneath the sands of Kehjistan. 

    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 28 
    Get behind the wheel of the coolest cars and vehicles from the Hot Wheels universe, including the new ATVs and motorcycles. Explore 5 new stunning environments and race the way you want with new mechanics in exciting challenges and crazy game modes! 

    Open Roads (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 28 
    Available on day one with Game Pass: Long-lost family secrets. Hints of a hidden fortune. And miles to go before they sleep. Tess Devine’s relationship with her mom has never been easy, but they’re about to set out together on a journey into the past that they’ll never forget. 

    Ark: Survival Ascended (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – April 1 
    Respawn into a new dinosaur survival experience as Ark is reimagined from the ground-up into the next-generation with Unreal Engine 5! Are you ready to form a tribe, tame and breed hundreds of species of dinosaurs and other primeval creatures, explore, craft, build, and fight your way to the top of the food-chain? Your new world awaits! 

    F1 23 (Cloud) EA Play – April 2 
    EA Sports’ F1 23 will be available with Xbox Cloud Gaming via EA Play. Test your driving talents, create your dream team, and be the last to brake in the official video game of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship.   

    Superhot: Mind Control Delete (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 2  
    Making a return to the Game Pass library! Time moves only when you move. Superhot: Mind Control Delete gives you more insight into the signature power fantasy world of Superhot with more story, more signature gameplay, more action, more guns. Keep dancing the slow-motion ballet of destruction for so much longer than ever before.   

    In Case You Missed It

    NBA 2K24 (Cloud and Console) – Available now 
    Strive for greatness with NBA 2K24 – experience a collection of competitive game modes and immerse yourself in a sports simulation unlike any other. NBA 2K24 boasts a variety of exciting game modes, now available for all Ultimate Game Pass Subscribers. We’ll see you on the court! 

    NBA 2K24 Hero Image

    DLC / Game Updates

    Fallout 76: America’s Playground – March 26 
    Experience a new Fallout story set in the fading glitz and glam of Atlantic City. In this intrepid return visit to New Jersey, players will work together with competing local factions to take on a new threat lying in wait deep within the New Jersey Pine Barrens.   

    The Elder Scrolls Online: Scions of Ithelia DLC – March 26 
    A challenging new dungeon crawling adventure awaits in the Scions of Ithelia DLC. Do you have what it takes to emerge victorious? Conquer both dungeons to unlock unique rewards, including new item sets, collectibles, achievements, and more. Game Pass members can save 10% on their purchase of Crowns to use towards the Scions of Ithelia DLC in the Crown Store. 

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

    Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass – Available now 
    Dive deeper into the world of Persona 3 Reload with this expansion pass featuring upcoming content including new costumes, background music, and extended story content. Play this role-playing turn based content in the expansion pass Episode Aigis -The Answer-, offering over 30 hours of additional gameplay in this reimagining of the genre-defining RPG! This Perk content requires Persona 3 Reload to use, available now with Game Pass Ultimate. 

    Super Animal Royale Spring Perks Pack – Available now 
    Take your animal apparel to the next level with the Super Animal Royale – Spring Perks Pack. Claw your way to the top of the food chain in style with this exclusive set of cosmetics in this 64-player, top-down 2D battle royale. This Perk content requires Super Animal Royale, available free-to-play. 

    Smite Netherbeasts Perk – Available now 
    Play the all new Netherbeasts Event in the popular action MOBA, Smite. Unlock the Gods, Voice Packs, Emotes for: Chaac, Cernunnos, and Cerberus. Plus enjoy a 3 Day Account Booster! This Perk content requires Smite to use, available free-to-play. 

    Leaving March 31

    The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, be sure to show them some love before they go or consider using your 20% membership discount on your purchase to keep them in your library! 

    • Hot Wheels Unleashed (Cloud, Console, and PC) 
    • Infinite Guitars (Cloud, Console, and PC) 
    • MLB The Show 23 (Cloud and Console) 

    Time for me to decide what my next Diablo IV build will be (spoiler alert it is probably going to be another necromancer). Let us know what you’re pushing the leaderboards with over at @Xbox,  @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC. See you next time!

    Website: LINK

  • Nurture A Brave New World in Lightyear Frontier, Coming to Xbox Game Pass on March 19

    Nurture A Brave New World in Lightyear Frontier, Coming to Xbox Game Pass on March 19

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    Summary

    • Create a sustainable exofarm on a mysterious new world, filled with mysteries to uncover
    • Join up to three friends online and work together to clean up the planet by taking care of the environment
    • Lightyear Frontier launches into Early Access for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and via Game Pass March 19

    Explore a strange new planet, pilot and customize your very own mech suit and work with up to three friends online to clean up and create a sustainable environment in Lightyear Frontier, out in Early Access March 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and via Game Pass.

    Take a new direction in the farming-sim genre, as Lightyear Frontier sends players beyond the stars to a beautiful planet, where the goal is not to destroy or conquer but to nurture and cultivate a homestead for you and your friends. Embark in your mech and live in harmony with the world’s wondrous nature, as you help restore the planet to its natural beauty.

    Find The Mech, Save The World

    Where many games invite players to alien worlds to battle waves of monsters or save the universe from an intergalactic threat, Lightyear Frontier brings fresh ideas to the table. Instead of embarking on a path of destruction, players will work to help cultivate this forgotten land, managing their relationship with the ecosystem as they create a sustainable, healthy environment for themselves and all the wildlife that roams the planet.

    Pollution has taken over the world, causing environmental hazards and challenges for players to overcome. With your trusty mech, it’s up to you and up to three of your friends to clean up the hazards that have soiled this world. Use your hose tool to power wash devastating pollution or equip your trusty hose to clean up noxious weeds to unlock new areas and uncover the past of this world.

    By restoring regions of the planet, the landscape will blossom with vegetation, as once barren locations return to life with grass, plants and wildlife. Players can explore these beautiful new vistas to secure new materials and build the farmstead of their dreams, giving you an extra incentive to bring the planet back to its former glory.

    Work Together, Live Together

    All this work can be tough for one exofarmer, which is why Lightyear Frontier allows up to four players to explore together online, with full cross play. Journey out with your friends to help manage your relationship with the ecosystem and create a sustainable, living space for not only you but the plants and wildlife that inhabit each region.

    Using the materials you find, create the dream exofarm for you and your friends, as you each pilot your very own customisable mech to help build a fully-fledged, retro-futuristic farm space. As you all gather new materials, you can perform as a team to build your living space further and unlock new upgrades to help in your journey of saving the planet.

    Work together to cultivate and harvest crops, or even assign daily duties on your farm as a group to help jobs pass with ease. Have one player plant new seeds whilst the other waters crops, and even send the rest of your team out on expeditions to excavate new resources to aid in your mission to create a sustainable world.

    Give Back What You Take

    While other farming simulation games will have you take from the world and not give back, Lightyear Frontier promotes keeping the world nurtured and alive. As you harvest resources from the land to aid your journey be sure to keep replenishing the supply to ensure the planet can remain self-sufficient.

    For every tree you cut down, help nurture the planet by replanting what you’ve taken. You can even plant trees much closer to your farmstead to make future gatherings easier for your group. There are many unique interactions to uncover, including feeding animals to help replenish supplies faster, such as aluminium deposits to help build you and your friend’s farm.

    With the peculiar pollution overtaking regions of the planet, you can also use the additional mech power of your friends to quickly hose down purple goo damaging the environment and achieve your goal together of reforming the planet. Lightyear Frontier not only works as a solo experience of keeping the planet green but is even better when you tackle the adventure together with your friends.

    The Journey Is Just Beginning

    The Early Access release of Lightyear Frontier on Xbox Series X|S and PC is only the beginning. As development continues toward the game’s full launch, new updates, unfurling mysteries and ways to interact with the world will keep you coming back for more. Nurturing the planet is only the first step in your journey, with many new adventures on the horizon.

    Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) Pre-Order Bundle
    Xbox Live

    Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) Pre-Order Bundle

    FRAME BREAK, Amplifier Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 7

    ★★★★★

    $24.99 $22.49

    This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure!
    Build your sustainable exofarm, grow alien crops, customize your mech, and explore a new world full of mystery with up to three friends! RELAX ON A PEACEFUL WORLD
    Live the quiet life as you take in the sights and sounds of your new home. Enjoy a low-stress, combat-free experience without the need to manage things like thirst and hunger. Just focus on farming, exploration, and discovery! Relax to a chill, atmospheric cosmic country soundtrack PILOT AND UPGRADE YOUR MECH
    Farm, build, and explore in a customizable mech! Choose from an array of tools, unlock new upgrades, and personalize your mech with an assortment of paint choices and mech parts. TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT
    Carefully manage your relationship with the ecosystem, restoring the surrounding regions by cleaning up the mysterious pollution, clearing out invasive weeds, and mitigating the effects of hazards. Plant new trees to replace the ones you harvest, and ensure a sustainable homestead! PLANT, GROW, HARVEST
    Get your new life started by sowing a diverse harvest! Collect seeds of numerous plants as you explore the planet, growing them into fully-fledged harvests. Care for your fields by watering them consistently while enhancing their growth with fertilizer. Trade the harvested crops for credits or turn them into materials for buildings and upgrades. CREATE YOUR NEW HOME
    Create the exofarm of your dreams as you turn resources into buildings! Grow your presence as you expand your homestead from basic structures to a fully-fledged, retro-futuristic farm. Make your place your own with alternative color palettes and decorations. EXPLORE A PLANET WITH A PAST
    Venture out into the wilderness to discover this new world’s ancient secrets. Team up with your friendly scanner satellite to decipher clues spread across the planet’s varied environments and uncover lost knowledge. FARM AND EXPLORE ALONE OR AS A GROUP
    While your mech can handle anything the world throws at you, feel free to invite up to three friends to join you on this journey of settling and exploration! Pool your resources to create the perfect exofarm, and share the rewarding feeling of a good harvest with your pals!

    Website: LINK

  • Everything You Need to Know to Start Playing MLB The Show 24 Today on Xbox

    Everything You Need to Know to Start Playing MLB The Show 24 Today on Xbox

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    The next set of three Negro Leagues players will arrive as a free downloadable content drop in April, and then again in May. Also, all the players from Season 1 of Storylines will be included in MLB The Show 24 at launch, which is great if you missed out on this feature last season.

    In addition to The Negro Leagues Season 2, Storylines: Derek Jeter celebrates “The Captain” and the incredible moments that made up his Hall of Fame career. With immersive gameplay and unprecedented interview access, take a journey through Derek Jeter’s career like you’ve never seen before. With new stadiums, uniforms, and (even more) legends, step up to plate as Derek Jeter and try to deliver in the clutch moments that earned him the nickname, “The Captain.”

    There’s much more we could go into here, but we really don’t want to keep you off the field any longer. So, grab your bat because your next great baseball experience is waiting for you on deck with MLB The Show 24, which is available today in early access for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S and will be available on day one with Game Pass starting on March 19, 2024. Play ball!

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - Digital Deluxe Edition (Pre-Order)
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – Digital Deluxe Edition (Pre-Order)

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 6

    ★★★★★

    $99.99

    Pre-order to receive a Gold Choice Pack and Early Access on March 15, 2024. This edition of MLB The Show 24 Includes: • Full Game for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
    • 20,000 Stubs™
    • 2 Diamond Choice Packs
    • 5 Gold Choice Packs
    • 20 The Show Packs
    • 1 Equipment Pack • 1 Double Daily Rewards • 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin Unlock Your Moment It’s your Show. Ready to own it?
    Set out on the road to baseball greatness – whatever it is you want to achieve, MLB® The Show™ 24 has got you covered. Earn your call up from the minors to the big leagues and prove you’ve got what it takes at the top. Learn from the legends of the sport, take inspiration from their heroics and use it to improve your game. Hold your nerve when it matters and earn the right to be called World Series champions.
    Chalk up the wins, pick yourself up after the losses.
    Whatever happens, know you left nothing in the dugout. Celebrating History with Storylines Celebrate and learn about baseball legends throughout the sport’s history. The Storylines mode transports you into baseball’s past to relive iconic moments of baseball’s unsung and unknown heroes. Experience career-defining moments through a combination of immersive gameplay that will educate and inspire you to make history of your own. Road to the Show
    Unlock your moment and build your career in the ultimate baseball role-playing experience. Become a ballplayer and journey from the minors to the majors to define your legacy. Franchise
    Lead your team to World Series glory as a team manager in Franchise mode. Experience new features providing more in-depth and dynamic gameplay from March to October. March to October
    Take control of your favorite team, focus on the key streamlined in-season moments and see if you can get to the Playoffs and beyond. Diamond Dynasty
    Build your fantasy team of players from across all eras of baseball’s history as Diamond Dynasty returns for another season. Collect player cards, build your dream squad, and play head-to-head against other players online and offline while customizing your team’s look.* Multiplayer
    Gather your friends and face off in cross-platform play.** Climb the leaderboards and compete against others online, or experience team glory together through online co-op play. With cross-progression, continue your progress and earn and use content on other console platforms.***

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 43

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    GAME NOT INCLUDED. The Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle includes the Xbox One Standard Edition Bonus Content, Xbox Series X|S Bonus Content, MVP Edition Bonus Content, and Digital Deluxe Bonus Content. If you already own any of these items, you will not receive the bonus content again by purchasing. In total, these Bonus Contents sum to the following in-game items: 20,000 Stubs™, 2 Diamond Choice Packs, 5 Gold Choice Packs, 20 The Show Packs, 1 Equipment Pack, 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin, and Double Daily Rewards. Once acquired, items should be redeemed upon booting the game. If you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and pre-order the Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle, you will get access to MLB The Show 24 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on March 15th 2024 — four days early.

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - MVP Edition (Pre-Order)
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – MVP Edition (Pre-Order)

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $84.99

    Pre-order to receive a Gold Choice Pack and Early Access on March 15, 2024. This edition of MLB The Show 24 includes: • Full Game for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
    • 10,000 Stubs™
    • 1 Diamond Choice Pack
    • 1 Equipment Pack
    • 10 The Show Packs
    • 1 Double Daily Rewards
    • 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin Unlock Your Moment It’s your Show. Ready to own it?
    Set out on the road to baseball greatness – whatever it is you want to achieve, MLB® The Show™ 24 has got you covered. Earn your call up from the minors to the big leagues and prove you’ve got what it takes at the top. Learn from the legends of the sport, take inspiration from their heroics and use it to improve your game. Hold your nerve when it matters and earn the right to be called World Series champions.
    Chalk up the wins, pick yourself up after the losses.
    Whatever happens, know you left nothing in the dugout. Celebrating History with Storylines Celebrate and learn about baseball legends throughout the sport’s history. The Storylines mode transports you into baseball’s past to relive iconic moments of baseball’s unsung and unknown heroes. Experience career-defining moments through a combination of immersive gameplay that will educate and inspire you to make history of your own. Road to the Show
    Unlock your moment and build your career in the ultimate baseball role-playing experience. Become a ballplayer and journey from the minors to the majors to define your legacy. Franchise
    Lead your team to World Series glory as a team manager in Franchise mode. Experience new features providing more in-depth and dynamic gameplay from March to October. March to October
    Take control of your favorite team, focus on the key streamlined in-season moments and see if you can get to the Playoffs and beyond. Diamond Dynasty
    Build your fantasy team of players from across all eras of baseball’s history as Diamond Dynasty returns for another season. Collect player cards, build your dream squad, and play head-to-head against other players online and offline while customizing your team’s look.* Multiplayer
    Gather your friends and face off in cross-platform play.** Climb the leaderboards and compete against others online, or experience team glory together through online co-op play. With cross-progression, continue your progress and earn and use content on other console platforms.***

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - Xbox One Standard Edition (Pre-Order)
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – Xbox One Standard Edition (Pre-Order)

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $59.99

    Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack. This edition of MLB The Show 24 includes:
    • Full game for Xbox One
    • 5 The Show Packs Unlock Your Moment It’s your Show. Ready to own it?
    Set out on the road to baseball greatness – whatever it is you want to achieve, MLB® The Show™ 24 has got you covered. Earn your call up from the minors to the big leagues and prove you’ve got what it takes at the top. Learn from the legends of the sport, take inspiration from their heroics and use it to improve your game. Hold your nerve when it matters and earn the right to be called World Series champions.
    Chalk up the wins, pick yourself up after the losses.
    Whatever happens, know you left nothing in the dugout. Celebrating History with Storylines Celebrate and learn about baseball legends throughout the sport’s history. The Storylines mode transports you into baseball’s past to relive iconic moments of baseball’s unsung and unknown heroes. Experience career-defining moments through a combination of immersive gameplay that will educate and inspire you to make history of your own. Road to the Show
    Unlock your moment and build your career in the ultimate baseball role-playing experience. Become a ballplayer and journey from the minors to the majors to define your legacy. Franchise
    Lead your team to World Series glory as a team manager in Franchise mode. Experience new features providing more in-depth and dynamic gameplay from March to October. March to October
    Take control of your favorite team, focus on the key streamlined in-season moments and see if you can get to the Playoffs and beyond. Diamond Dynasty
    Build your fantasy team of players from across all eras of baseball’s history as Diamond Dynasty returns for another season. Collect player cards, build your dream squad, and play head-to-head against other players online and offline while customizing your team’s look.* Multiplayer
    Gather your friends and face off in cross-platform play.** Climb the leaderboards and compete against others online, or experience team glory together through online co-op play. With cross-progression, continue your progress and earn and use content on other console platforms.***

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - Xbox Series X|S Standard Edition (Pre-Order)
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – Xbox Series X|S Standard Edition (Pre-Order)

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $69.99

    Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack. This edition of MLB The Show 24 includes:
    • Full game for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
    • 5 The Show Packs
    • 5K Stubs™ Unlock Your Moment It’s your Show. Ready to own it?
    Set out on the road to baseball greatness – whatever it is you want to achieve, MLB® The Show™ 24 has got you covered. Earn your call up from the minors to the big leagues and prove you’ve got what it takes at the top. Learn from the legends of the sport, take inspiration from their heroics and use it to improve your game. Hold your nerve when it matters and earn the right to be called World Series champions.
    Chalk up the wins, pick yourself up after the losses.
    Whatever happens, know you left nothing in the dugout. Celebrating History with Storylines Celebrate and learn about baseball legends throughout the sport’s history. The Storylines mode transports you into baseball’s past to relive iconic moments of baseball’s unsung and unknown heroes. Experience career-defining moments through a combination of immersive gameplay that will educate and inspire you to make history of your own. Road to the Show
    Unlock your moment and build your career in the ultimate baseball role-playing experience. Become a ballplayer and journey from the minors to the majors to define your legacy. Franchise
    Lead your team to World Series glory as a team manager in Franchise mode. Experience new features providing more in-depth and dynamic gameplay from March to October. March to October
    Take control of your favorite team, focus on the key streamlined in-season moments and see if you can get to the Playoffs and beyond. Diamond Dynasty
    Build your fantasy team of players from across all eras of baseball’s history as Diamond Dynasty returns for another season. Collect player cards, build your dream squad, and play head-to-head against other players online and offline while customizing your team’s look.* Multiplayer
    Gather your friends and face off in cross-platform play.** Climb the leaderboards and compete against others online, or experience team glory together through online co-op play. With cross-progression, continue your progress and earn and use content on other console platforms.***

    Website: LINK

  • Welcome to “Green Hell”: Adding the Legendary Nordschleife to Forza Motorsport

    Welcome to “Green Hell”: Adding the Legendary Nordschleife to Forza Motorsport

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    “The Nürburgring was built in 1927 with extraordinary length through the middle of the Eifel forests. It remains the longest permanent race track to this day. Even back then, the racing drivers who came to the Nürburgring knew what an incredibly special and challenging track the Nürburgring actually is,” explains Alexander, quoting Rudolf Caracciola, who won the first car race on the Nürburgring and described his experience as follows:

    “When we came to the newly opened Nürburgring in 1927, we opened our eyes. We had never experienced anything like it. There was a road in the middle of the Eifel mountains, a closed loop with almost 180 bends spread over 22 kilometers. It was a track with gradients that were a sharp blow to the engine, but also with unspeakably beautiful views far across the country, of valleys and villages.”

    On the one hand, it is the almost 100-year history that still inspires awe and respect among motorsport enthusiasts and professional racing drivers alike: 1000-kilometer races, fatal accidents, unforgettable Formula 1 races, new records and impressive performances by the best drivers in the world. Record-breaking world champion Michael Schuhmacher made such a lasting impression that an entire corner was named after him. When Niki Lauda’s Ferrari went up in flames on the Nordschleife in 1976, the entire motorsport world held its breath.

    In addition to the history, it is the track itself that accounts for the legend of the Nordschleife: the unique layout, the dynamics, the differences in altitude and the unique atmosphere. If you want to complete a lap, you have to tackle over 70 corners and 300 meters of elevation gain. An experience that demands everything from the driver and is now possible in Forza Motorsport.

    In Forza Motorsport, players will discover what makes this circuit an adrenaline-filled crucible, one which pushes professionals, manufacturers, cars – and now, finally, Forza fans – to their limits. YouTuber and racing expert rAii has already put the track through its paces in countless racing games, including the new Forza Motorsport, and shared his thoughts on the presentation with Xbox Wire DACH: “It just feels like the Nordschleife that you know. That’s the most important thing.”

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Games from Microsoft Store and Game Pass Now Available on Boosteroid

    Xbox Games from Microsoft Store and Game Pass Now Available on Boosteroid

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    In March last year, we announced a 10-year partnership with Boosteroid to bring Xbox PC games to more players around the world. In June, we brought the first batch of Xbox PC games to Boosteroid and today, we’re taking another step in our partnership. We’re bringing more high-quality, immersive PC games by giving players another option to stream select games purchased through Microsoft Store on Windows, or available with a Game Pass membership. Our partnership continues to accelerate access to players by letting them choose how and where they play their games.

    Starting today, you can play Deathloop, Dishonored, Dishonored 2, Dishonored: Death of The Outsider, Gears 5, Gears Tactics, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Pentiment. You can also enjoy cross-play and cross-save features with your Xbox console and Windows PC for these games. We’ll continue to add more hits and fan favorites from our extensive catalog of PC games over time.

    To get started, you’ll need to gain access to the game through the Microsoft Store – either via a PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, or by a direct purchase of the game through the Microsoft Store – along with a Boosteroid membership.

    Once you’ve picked the game you want to play, it only takes a few steps to get playing. Just follow these simple instructions:

    • Log into your Boosteroid account on any supported device (PC, smartphone, tablet, smart TV, etc.)
    • Go to “Library” and select “Xbox” to see all supported games.
    • Browse the Xbox PC library and select the game you want to play
    • Click on the “Play” button to launch the game on Boosteroid.
    • Log into your Microsoft account that owns the game or has your Xbox Game Pass membership
    • Confirm your Microsoft account and start playing!

    The quality of your gaming experience on Boosteroid depends on your hardware, location, software, and network. For more details on server locations and to check the quality of your connection to the Boosteroid servers, visit the website.

    That’s it!  You are now set to use Boosteroid to play your favorite Xbox PC games on Windows, MacOS, Linux and mobile devices. No downloads, no installations, no hardware upgrades, just pure gaming fun.  

    We are proud to work with Boosteroid so their members have the choice to find and play their next favorite game from Xbox. This is one of our many partnerships planned globally with a variety of cloud gaming providers, including EE, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Nware, and Ubitus. We are committed to enabling players to stream games from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard through the cloud gaming service of their choice.

    Website: LINK

  • Coming to Xbox Game Pass: MLB The Show 24, Lightyear Frontier, Control Ultimate Edition, and More

    Coming to Xbox Game Pass: MLB The Show 24, Lightyear Frontier, Control Ultimate Edition, and More

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Batter up, friends! We’ve got the next round of games coming soon to your download and install queue. Whether you want to bend reality in Control, check out Bikini Bottom, or more, we have your bases covered… er… loaded! Let’s play ball!!

    Available Today

    Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    Load up your Boltgun and unleash the awesome Space Marine arsenal to blast your way through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood in a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, frenetic gameplay and the stylish visuals of ’90s retro shooters.

    Coming Soon

    PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 7
    Explore the world of “PAW Patrol” like never before, in a 3D action adventure where anything is PAWsible. Play as your favorite pups, drive their vehicles, and save the day by taking on fun rescues and missions either in single-player or with your family in couch co-op. It’s the ultimate PAW Patrol playtime!

    SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 12
    Are you ready, kids? SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is coming to Game Pass! Play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy in this faithful remake and thwart Plankton’s evil plan to take over Bikini Bottom. Battle Plankton’s army of rogue robots – this time with friends in multiplayer mode! Meet all your favorite Bikini Bottomites, voiced by their original voice actors and show Plankton that crime pays even less than Mr. Krabs.

    Control Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 13
    From developer Remedy Entertainment, this supernatural third- person action-adventure will challenge you to master the combination of supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts and reactive environments while fighting through a deep and unpredictable world. Control Ultimate Edition contains the main game and all previously released expansions (The Foundation and AWE).

    No More Heroes 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 14
    No More Heroes 3 follows the otaku assassin Travis Touchdown as he takes up his trusty beam katana once more and slashes his way through 10 of the deadliest fighters in the galaxy. Rack up combos with Travis’ beam katana and experience hack-and-slash action like never before!

    Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – March 19
    Available on day one with Game Pass: Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure! Build your sustainable exofarm, grow alien crops, customize your mech, and explore a new world full of mystery with up to three friends!  

    MLB The Show 24 (Cloud and Console) – March 19
    Available on day one with Game Pass: Swing for the fences, experience game-deciding moments, become a legend and live out your baseball dreams in MLB The Show 24. Want to hit the field early? Game Pass members can unlock up to four days early access plus deluxe edition bonus content with the purchase of the Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle. Learn more about how MLB The Show 24 continues to tell important stories from the Negro Leagues on Xbox Wire.

    In Case You Missed It

    Dead Island 2 (Cloud and Console) – Available now
    A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, turning its inhabitants into zombies. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover who – or what – you are. Survive, evolve and save the world in this first-person zombie slaying adventure!

    DLC / Game Updates

    Age of Empires II:  Definitive Edition – Victors and Vanquished – March 14
    Embark on a thrilling journey with Victors and Vanquished! In 19 epic scenarios, play as Ragnar Lothbrok, Oda Nobunaga, Charlemagne, and more. Your strategy and choices decide your fate: will you emerge as the ultimate victor, or fall as the vanquished? Secure your pre-order now and save 15% – and be prepared to conquer the battlefield! 

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

    Stumble Guys Retro Hot Dog Pack – Available now
    Show off your wackiness as you race to the finish line with your Retro Hot Dog skin, Fire Emote, 250 Gems and 50 Stumble Tokens. This Perk content requires Stumble Guys to use (Free to Play).

    Century: Age of Ashes – Forgotten Bay Pack – Available now
    Brave the silence with the Forgotten Bay dragon, the Flaming Crude Cleaver axe and a 14-Day XP Booster. Requires Century: Age of Ashes to use (Free to Play).

    Leaving March 15

    The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. If you want to keep the fun going, be sure to use your membership discount to save up to 20% off your purchase!

    • Hardspace: Shipbreaker (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)
    • Shredders (Cloud, Console, and PC)

    Keep tuned in at @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC for updates for when these games are available, and we’ll catch you here next time for more games coming to Game Pass!

    Website: LINK