Schlagwort: nextgen games

  • Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store – Closing July 29, 2024

    Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store – Closing July 29, 2024

    Reading Time: 2 minutes
    Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Far Cry 4 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Fighters Uncaged Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance 2016 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance 2018 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance 2019 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance 2014 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance 2015 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Just Dance® Kids 2014 Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions MotionSports: Adrenaline Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Motionsports Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions PowerUp Heroes Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Rabbids Invasion: The Interactive TV Show Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Raving Rabbids: Alive & Kicking Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Self-Defense Training Camp Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Watch Dogs Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Bloody Good Time Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Child of Light Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Cloudberry Kingdom Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Panzer General Allied Assault Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions RISK Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Risk Urban Assault Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Trials Fusion Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Valiant Hearts: The Great War Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions War World Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Zeit² Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Voodoo Dice Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Final Exam Xbox 360 67% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Rotastic Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Star Raiders Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Yar’s Revenge Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions MURDERED: SOUL SUSPECT Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Thief Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Geon: Emotions Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Puzzle Arcade Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Mini Ninjas Adventures Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Space Invaders Infinity Gene Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Kane and Lynch: Dead Men Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Handball 16 Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions IHF Handball Challenge 14 Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions My Body Coach 3 Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Snipers Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Fireburst Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Hunter’s Trophy 2 – America Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Hunter’s Trophy 2 – Australia Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions ArcaniA Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Black Knight Sword Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Zombie Driver HD Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Alone In The Dark Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Fantastic Pets Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Legend of Kay Anniversary Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions MX VS ATV Supercross Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Risen 3 Titan Lords Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Enemy Front Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Sniper: Ghost Warrior Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Alien Rage Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Dogfight 1942 Xbox 360 90% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Rise of the Tomb Raider Xbox 360 80% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Tomb Raider Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions The Escapists Xbox 360 85% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Worms Revolution Xbox 360 50% Xbox 360 Price Reductions Worms: Ultimate Mayhem Xbox 360 75% Xbox 360 Price Reductions

    Website: LINK

  • Celebrate Four Years of Humble Games Fun During the AnnIVersary Sale

    Celebrate Four Years of Humble Games Fun During the AnnIVersary Sale

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Summary

    • Humble Games is celebrating its fourth anniversary with an epic sale on Xbox and PC games.
    • A look at some of our favorites from creative, visionary indie developers.
    • Save up to 70% on over two dozen titles until May 27.

    Four years ago, Humble Games was founded with a simple mission: support indie developers, bring top-quality games to players everywhere, and continue Humble’s mission to be a force for good in the game industry and around the world.

    Since then, we’ve helped dozens of the world’s most creative and talented independent developers bring their visions to life and get their games into your hands—including the passionate Xbox, Windows PC, and Game Pass community.

    Today, we’re marking this awesome occasion with a massive Humble Games AnnIVersary Sale. From now until May 27, Xbox and Windows PC players will be able to pick up over two dozen award-winning hits and community favorites from across our humble four-year history for up to 70% off. Whether you’re looking for a cozy life sim to chill out with, a deckbuilding fantasy to satisfy your strategy cravings, or something action-packed, thrilling, or chilling, you’re sure to discover something fun. Here’s just a sample of what’s in store:

    Unpacking key art
    • Discover the story of a person’s life as you unpack their possessions in the BAFTA Award–winning zen puzzle game Unpacking, from Witch Beam.
    Coral Island key art
    • Experience enchanted island living at your own pace—and help clean up paradise—in Stairway Games’  acclaimed reimagining of farm sims, Coral Island.
    Slay the Spire key art
    • Craft a deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire in Mega Crit’s renowned fusion of card games and roguelikes.
    A hat in time screenshot
    • Explore a strange world as a tiny space-traveling girl with a big top hat in the cute-as-heck 3D platformer A Hat in Time, from developer Gears for Breakfast.
    TemTem key art
    • Squad up for adventure across the Airborne Archipelago in Temtem, the massively multiplayer creature-collection game from Crema.

    Here’s the full library of Xbox games on sale starting today:

    Thanks to everyone across the Xbox community who’s played alongside us and helped us reach this awesome milestone—and here’s to four more years of fun!

    Website: LINK

  • Celebrate the Electric Overwatch 2 | Porsche Collaboration with the Chance to Win a Custom Xbox Series X Console

    Celebrate the Electric Overwatch 2 | Porsche Collaboration with the Chance to Win a Custom Xbox Series X Console

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Summary

    • Drive to victory with a unique Xbox Series X console, featuring iconic Overwatch 2 hero D.Va and her reimagined mech, co-designed by Porsche.
    • Charge up your gaming experience with a chance to win a custom Overwatch 2 | Porsche Xbox in a limited Sweepstakes, ending June 10, 2024.
    • The in-game Overwatch 2 | Porsche collaboration event launches on Xbox Series X|S on May 14, 2024.

    Get ready to amp up your gaming experience with the ultimate fusion of power and precision: Overwatch 2 | Porsche! In a truly electric collaboration, Overwatch 2 and Porsche have unveiled an in-game crossover event – and we’re offering you the chance to win a custom Xbox console, celebrating the shared essence of their two high-performance brands.

    Don’t miss your chance to score big with this electrifying collaboration and win a custom Xbox console adorned with exclusive Overwatch 2 | Porsche artwork. Bring D.Va and her meticulously crafted Porsche-designed mech right into your living room!

    Already known for its iconic collaborations, Overwatch 2 now invites fans to join their heroes D.Va and Pharah in a brand new event, as they charge into battle with Legendary skins and themed cosmetics co-designed with Porsche, available in-game from May 14 to June 3. These skins electrify the battlefield with custom sound effects and paint textures from the all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo and the all-electric Porsche Taycan.

    The custom Xbox features D.Va’s Legendary Porsche skin, inspired by the sleek design of the all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo. Her reimagined mech features the Porsche Macan’s headlights, brake calipers, and coil suspension encasing a distinctive interior. A rare collectible for any Overwatch 2 and Porsche fan, this console offers a unique way to dominate the battlefield from home.

    Fans have the chance to win this custom console and controller by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet during the Entry Period. The giveaway runs exclusively from Tuesday, May 14, 2024 through Monday, June 10, 2024. For official rules and eligibility details, visit here.

    Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play, always-on, and ever-evolving live game. Team up with friends regardless of platform and jump into the reimagined PvP experience. Season 10: Venture Forth brings a new Damage hero, the alternate reality Mirrorwatch event, and an all-new Mythic system featuring Mythic Prisms earned in the Premium Battle Pass with the chance to unlock Mythic Vengeance Mercy once completed.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Releases Fourth Transparency Report Sharing Newest Applications of AI in Gaming Safety

    Xbox Releases Fourth Transparency Report Sharing Newest Applications of AI in Gaming Safety

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Our commitment to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive gaming community is powered by the ongoing investments and innovations we make to protect players and promote positive play. Today, we are releasing our fourth Xbox Transparency Report, which demonstrates our advancements in promoting player safety and our commitment to transparency. 

    At Xbox, we remain dedicated to advancing the responsible application of AI to amplify our human expertise in the detection of potential toxicity. We have a unique opportunity to create industry-leading safety innovations that better protect our communities, leveraging Microsoft’s investments that combine the latest generative AI advancements with human expertise and judgement. 

    Our progressive approach to leveraging AI to categorize and identify harmful content is guided by Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard and allows our human moderators to focus on the more complex and nuanced harms, ensuring that our actions to safeguard the gaming community are accurate, consistent, and fair.  

    Early AI-supported investments include: 

    • Auto Labeling helps to classify conversational text by identifying words or phrases that match criteria and characteristics of potentially harmful content. This approach uses AI to analyze reported text content and helps community moderators quickly sort out false reports so human moderation efforts can be focused on content that is the most critical.  
    • Image Pattern Matching, powered by advanced database and image matching techniques enables rapid removal of known harmful content and identification of emergent toxic imagery. 

    Among the key takeaways in the report: 

    • Effective New Ways of Protecting Players: Player behavior on Xbox voice chat has meaningfully improved since the launch of our new voice reporting feature. The feature has been effective in enabling players to report inappropriate verbal behavior with minimal impact to their gameplay. Since its launch, 138k voice records have been captured utilizing our ‘capture now, report later’ system. When those reports resulted in an Enforcement Strike, 98% of players showed improvement in their behavior and did not receive subsequent enforcements. Additionally, we have updated our proactive approach to more effectively prevent harmful content from reaching players (3.2 million more lines of text than last report, or 67%), allowing players to engage in a positive way. We will continue to invest in features that protect and enhance the Xbox player experience. 
    • Understanding of Enforcements Leads to a Safer Community: The Enforcement Strike System was launched last year to promote positive play while helping players understand the severity of a violation. Since its launch, 88% of those who received an Enforcement Strike did not engage in activity that violated our Community Standards to receive another enforcement. We also reduced suspension lengths overall for minor offenses. Of enforcements that would have previously resulted in a 3-day or more suspension, 44% were given a reduced length. The combination of these results shows that the majority of players choose to improve their behavior after only one suspension, even when it is short. 
    • Blocking Inauthentic Accounts Before They Have Impact: We have been continuously investing in ways to spot inauthentic accounts, which has allowed us to quickly block many of them as soon as they’re created, preventing them from affecting our players. Our improved methods prevented millions of inauthentic accounts from being used as soon as they are created and have led to a decline in the number of proactive enforcements on inauthentic accounts for the first time in two years, with enforcements dropping from 16.3 million in the last report to 7.3 million. 

    Outside of the Transparency Report, our team continues to work closely to drive innovation in safety and improve our players’ experience: 

    • Launch of Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit: Microsoft understands that parents and caregivers are busy, and that the tech landscape keeps evolving. This toolkit provides guidance on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings to support and enhance digital parenting, plus guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together. We’ve also included links to a selection of informational resources already made for parents, such as the Family Online Safety Institute’s How To Be A Good Digital Parent Toolkit. 
    • Microsoft’s Annual Global Online Safety Survey: This survey seeks to better understand the digital ecosystem and individual’s experiences online. We share our results publicly so that others can benefit from the insights as we collectively strive to create a safer online environment. The survey looks at how people of all ages perceive the opportunities and risks posed by technology. 
    • Building a better online community with Minecraft Education’s Good Game: This recent addition to the CyberSafe collection of immersive learning worlds is a story-based adventure aimed at helping players from ages 8-18 understand the responsibilities, tools, responses and strategies that foster empathy and enable healthy online interactions. Minecraft Education users can find CyberSafe: Good Game in the in-game lesson library. The world is also available for free for Minecraft Bedrock players in the Minecraft Marketplace. 

    Together with our players, we continue to build a strong and supportive community for everyone, free from intimidation and distractions. We are dedicated to improving our safety features to foster our connection to players through feedback and in-game reporting, and to apply layers of protection more effectively. The AI solutions we release are all part of the journey we are taking to build a safer and more welcoming environment for all, because everyone deserves to play comfortably and experience the joy that gaming has to offer. Thank you for taking part in this journey with us. 

    Some additional resources:      

    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

  • Forza Motorsport: Track Toys Come to Life in Update 8

    Forza Motorsport: Track Toys Come to Life in Update 8

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    Immerse yourself in high-performance Track Toys including the lightweight Ginetta G40 Junior.

    Celebrate the cars that are blurring the line between production road cars and high-end racecars in Forza Motorsport Update 8. Expand your garage with track-worthy machines and put them to the ultimate test in special events across Career, Multiplayer and Rivals.

    Update 8 rolls out for download starting Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM UTC on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. Spotlight cars and new in-game events begin on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 PM PT (12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, May 16).

    Game Improvements and Release Notes

    Today’s update introduces new fixes and experience improvements to Forza Motorsport, including tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated in Featured Multiplayer, a gloss-matte slider in the Livery Editor, a new Tire Wear scale option for Free Play and Private Multiplayer, and changes to Drivatar AI braking behavior.

    Below is a snapshot of the fixes and gameplay changes contained in Update 8. Head on over to Forza Support to find the full release notes for this version:

    • Firstly, we’ve introduced a Vinyl Material tool to the Livery Editor which can be used to uniformly adjust all vinyl materials on a car from matte (non-reflective) to glossy (reflective). This includes a reset option to revert all vinyls to match car paint glossiness. Imported designs from Forza Horizon 5 using its similar feature will automatically inherit these values.

    • We’ve added a Tire Wear Scale option to Free Play and Private Multiplayer, allowing adjustments to the rate at which tires are worn. 1x is the default value. At 2x, tire wear will occur twice as fast. Values range from .5x to 10x. This setting is found in the Event Setup Rules tab and in the Fuel & Tire menu when on track. 

    • We’ve updated Safety Ratings in Featured Multiplayer by increasing the number of previous races the Safety Rating uses to determine your rating from 10 to 20, and by making on-track collisions more impactful to Safety Rating. These changes will take effect after your first race in Update 8.

    • In addition, we’ve improved the matchmaking algorithm to search for a narrower range of Safety Ratings compared to your own. For example, players with an ‚S‘ Safety Rating should no longer be matched with players who have ‚E‘ and ‚D‘ Safety Ratings. Groups will be connected to matches based on the player with the lowest Safety Rating.

    • We’ve removed the 2020 KTM X-Bow GT2 and the 2020 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 from the Forza GT Series and added them to the Modern Factory Racecar Series in Featured Multiplayer. Meanwhile, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 has been added to the Forza GT Series. We’re currently working on recategorizing Forza GT racecars into separate spec divisions and expect to push these changes into the game this summer.

    • Finally, we’ve reduced unnecessary braking scenarios for Drivatar AI opponents. Examples of this include braking while attempting to pass, two cars wide in corners, at the apex of corners, and on straights.

    Mobil Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Forza Motorsport

    In celebration of its 50-year anniversary, we’re excited to reveal a partnership with Mobil 1, which will include a series of exciting in-game Rivals events starting this summer.

    To kickstart this special collaboration, Maple Valley has been updated to “Mobil 1 Presents Maple Valley” with new track signage featuring Mobil 1 branding. Check it out the next time you are racing through the sweeping turns and beautiful, fictional woods of New England.

    Numerous fixes and improvements have been made to Maple Valley and Mid-Ohio in Update 8. Check out the release notes for the full overview of these adjustments.

    Career Tour – Track Toys Tour

    The Track Toys Tour invites you to experience high-performance cars that you could see hot lapping on the racetrack.

    Compete in a single-make race series with Ginetta Juniors. This affordable entry point into motorsport for enthusiasts will see you behind the wheel of the nimble yet extraordinary 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior. Despite only 100 horsepower, the lightweight G40 has emerged as the most successful junior racing car on the circuit!

    Weekend Warriors sees you racing cars like the exceptional 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS which could be taken to the track on a Sunday before being driven to work the following day. Whether it is on the road or the racetrack, this Cayman GTS tackles every twist and turn at high-speed without issue!

    Appreciate the unforgettable shape and undeniable performance of the iconic Caterham R500 in Kit Caterhams. This driving machine must be skillfully handled. Despite its light chassis, the R500 catapults from 0 to 60 in just 2.9 seconds thanks to its 267 horses!

    And finally, enjoy a celebration of purpose-built track cars like the aerodynamic 2019 Elemental RP1 in Track Toys. This lightweight car delivers a thrilling 320 horsepower from its 2-liter turbocharged engine! Not only does its massive low-pressure diffuser look truly incredible, but its aerodynamic capabilities create a truly staggering amount of downforce, ensuring you always have full control of the RP1 on the track.

    Complete all 4 series in the Track Toys Tour to receive the ultimate racing warrior, the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935. This car’s exterior details are inspired by Porsche’s racing legacy, including rims and aerodynamics that pay homage to the 935/78 racecar –nicknamed the Moby Dick – as well as 919 Hybrid LMP1-inspired LED taillights. Enter the Reward Showcase with the 935 to take on a field of hypercars built for the track.

    Series within the Track Toys Tour do not have to be completed in a particular week – you have until June 27, 2024, to finish this latest Featured Tour. Spotlight cars are available at a discount for the week during which they are featured.

    Spotlight Cars and VIP Discounts

    Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week, available for you to acquire with a temporary 30% discount using in-game credits. Update 8 will showcase four Spotlight cars, one each week, three which are either new or returning to Motorsport.

    These Spotlight cars can be used in the Track Toys Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Spotlight Rivals.

    Forza Motorsport VIP Members also get an exclusive 15% discount on the 2014 BAC Mono in the Showroom. This is one of the few single-seat production cars that’s not only street legal, but ready to take on any track with its unique blend of formula racecar and aircraft-like design. Duke it out with this exhilarating track toy on the Mono a Mono VIP Rivals event and shave off those milliseconds at Yas Marina – South Circuit to secure your spot on the community leaderboard.

    In addition, starting with Update 8, VIPs can look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom. Exclusive discounts for VIP Members in Update 8 include the following cars:

    Exclusive VIP discounts and VIP Rivals events require VIP Membership, available in the Premium Edition or Premium Add-Ons Bundle, sold separately.

    Open Class Tour – Track Cars

    With each update to Forza Motorsport, the Open Class Tour gets refreshed with new events and a new reward car.

    Open Class Tour is where you can continue the journey of your favorite cars. Cars that you’ve already built in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up and upgraded in the Open Class Tour.

    Enter the Open Class Tour with your favorite cars across D, C, B, and A Classes and take on opponents racing inexpensive and highly modifiable production cars that you would expect to see at your local track on the weekend.

    Complete the Open Class Tour in Update 8 to receive the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé. Its incredible blend of performance, handling and practicality makes it the perfect choice for those seeking an exhilarating driving experience, especially in the Reward Showcase where you can race with other cars in its class.

    With Forza Motorsport Update 8, the Open Class Tour in Career mode has been migrated from the Builders Cup tab to the Featured tab. The Open Class Tour will be found in the Featured tab going forward.

    Featured Multiplayer – Spec and Open Series

    As mentioned in the release notes, with Update 8, Featured Multiplayer introduces tweaks to how Safety Ratings are calculated, an updated matchmaking algorithm and small car changes to the Forza GT Series with more updates to this division planned for summer.

    Here’s a look at your Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for Update 8:

    Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 15-22

    The 3-Eleven is an open-cockpit, mid-engine screamer that exemplifies Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra “simplify, then add lightness.”

    Early Factory Racecar Series – May 22-29

    Bespoke racing versions of some of the most sought-after cars from the late 80s and 90s, now valued in millions of dollars by savvy collectors.

    Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 29 – June 5

    The popular MX5 ‘94 version of the best-selling Mazda Miata is perfectly balanced to handle the most demanding road courses with the speed and agility of cars costing much, much more.

    Modern Factory Racecar Series – June 5-12

    Race through a field of ultimate track day specials in the Modern Factory Racecar series. These mid-engine production cars feature unique upgrades designed to achieve extreme performance metrics and ensure victory on the track.

    Featured Rivals

    Set your fastest lap times across exciting new Rivals events in Forza Motorsport Update 8.

    Compete for the leaderboard in this month’s Featured Spec Rivals event! Choose your favorite Forza Touring Car and challenge your skills and precision to achieve your fastest lap at Virginia International Raceway – Full Circuit. Cars have been pre-tuned for optimal competition but can be further adjusted to suit your playstyle.

    Later in the month, we’re opening a special Rivals event where you can experience the ultimate track car developed to pay tribute to a world-famous driver – the McLaren Senna – at the same track where he achieved several victories, Silverstone – Grand Prix Circuit. The Senna is one of the lightest and most driver-focused cars McLaren has ever built, with uncompromised performance and aerodynamics that unleash their true capabilities on the racetrack.

    Remember that every week a new Spotlight Rivals event will present an opportunity for you to challenge your skills in the latest Spotlight car!

    Website: LINK

  • Join the Circuit of Champions Event Now through May 23

    Join the Circuit of Champions Event Now through May 23

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Crafted with meticulous attention to player feedback, this electrifying track is a direct response to the clamor for more verticality in our racing experience. We heard you loud and clear after the release of our first Racing circuit, and Titans’ Alley delivers in spades. Prepare to navigate hairpin turns, dizzying ascents, and heart-stopping descents as you vie for victory in this thrilling new desertic environment.

    Harness the power of your Dragons and ascend to victory in the ultimate test of speed and skill!

    CoA screenshot

    Ready for an unparalleled adrenaline rush? Get set to soar with the wind and command the strength of Dragons as you plunge into the depths of the Titan’s Alley desert.

    The Circuit of Champions event not only unveils the new desert-themed circuit, but also two new Pick Ups:

    • Blast ability: This ability works like the one used in PvP modes on the Phantom & Windguard: You first launch a projectile with a visible “bubble” to display its blast radius (grey for the caster, red for the enemies). The projectile explodes when colliding with a surface or when you press the ability key again for manual activation.
    • Dash Ability: This ability is similar to the Feral Charge used by the Rimeblood in PvP modes. You can lock a target in front of you and quickly dash towards them upon activation. If you hit the target, they are struck while you continue forward.

    You can also experiment with two new features added to the Dragon Racing game mode:

    • Double Pickup System: You can now carry up to two abilities at the same time. The UI now displays an active slot in the foreground and a reserve slot in the background.
    • Draft System: The Dragon Racing mode now features a Draft System, similar to other racing games. Staying behind a dragon for a short time (1.5s) will trigger a small speed boost.

    The swiftest Dragoneers will not only claim victory but also unlock amazing prizes as a testament to their triumph! 🎁

    CoA screenshot

    As Dragoneers take flight atop their majestic dragons, navigating through challenging laps and outmaneuvering rivals, their quest extends beyond mere glory. They’re racing towards the promise of incredible prizes, awaiting those bold enough to seize victory with skill and determination.

    Dragoneers will not only etch their names into the annals of dragon racing history but also gain access to exclusive rewards that will leave them in awe. From legendary Dragon gear, legendary and epic chests to scarce in-game currency and beyond, every triumph in the Circuit of Champions event propels you closer to a vault of jolly rewards.

    Don’t wait another moment—leap into action today and claim your place as the quickest Dragoneer in this time-limited challenge!

    Century: Age of Ashes
    Xbox Live

    Century: Age of Ashes

    Playwing LTD

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 326

    ★★★★★

    Century: Age of Ashes, the multiplayer dragon battle game is now available for free! Customize your dragon, dive into the arena and compete to become a legendary Dragoneer. Burn your enemies and rule the skies! ——-
    INTENSE ARENA BATTLES
    Dive into the arena alone or with friends and fight for your survival in exciting game modes:
    – Outbreak (PvE): team up and protect the towers of Hel’s Breach against waves of horrific enemies.
    – Carnage (PvP): A killing spree with special power ups. It’s Team Deathmatch, Dragon riders style!
    – Gates of Fire (PvP): Two teams clash over possession of the flag. Gain points by flying through gates while holding the flag!
    – Spoils of War (PvP): Steal gold from carriers & the enemy while protecting your own nest, and adapt to unexpected situations!
    – Survival (PvP): It’s every dragoneer for themselves! Pit against other players in a ferocious and unforgiving free-for-all clash. ——-
    CHOOSE YOUR CLASS
    Experience different play styles with unique classes, each with their own abilities! Shield and disorient as the Windguard, track and destroy as the Marauder, stealth and trap as the Phantom, rush and thunder-shock your opponents as the Stormraiser, vine-trap them as the Thornweaver or frost-charge them as the Rimeblood! How will you choose your path to victory? ——-
    FULL CUSTOMIZATION
    Your dragon, your style! Century: Age of Ashes offers carefully designed cosmetic items to stand out in the arena. Gain experience as you play and unlock awesome skins to customize your dragon and its rider! Don’t worry, these items are purely cosmetic and offer no advantage in battle. ——-
    FREE TO PLAY
    Century: Age of Ashes is completely free-to-play. In order to keep the experience fair and equitable, in-game purchases are purely cosmetic. Battles are won by skill and teamwork alone.

    Website: LINK

  • Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17

    Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Summary

    • A magical roguelike deckbuilder where strategy is king and cats are the pawns.
    • Innovative card gameplay featuring a diverse deck of 100 unique magical cats.
    • Enchanting narrative set in a world where cats wield elemental powers.

    Experience a magical convergence of strategy and chance in Spellcats, where mystical felines rule and tactics triumph. In this innovative roguelike deckbuilder, you are the catalyst in a spellbound world dominated by a group of humans called Nekocasters. Dare to venture into mysterious dungeons and the shadowy lairs where you must use your strategic skills to overcome your adversaries and free your four-legged siblings. Traverse mysterious dungeons, make card combos, and free your companions combining cards and cats.

    Spellcats deck 2

    As the Only Cat with Free Will, You are the Hope for Your Species.

    Harness the raw power of over 100 diverse cat cards. Each cat comes to life with extraordinary abilities, from the stealthy Alley Pouncer to the majestic Thunderclaw. Build your deck with a mix of tactical prowess and random fortune, ensuring each dungeon run is filled with thrilling unpredictability.

    Spellcats deck

    Five Elements, Twenty Amulets, and Endless Meows

    Spellcats also offers a unique gaming experience with five different elements: Water, Electricity, Fire, Ice, and Earth, each with its unique gameplay style that enriches the player’s experience through a myriad of mystical landscapes. Additionally, over 20 amulets await to be discovered and used. These will enhance the army of kittens and give an advantage in battles.

    Spellcats screenshot

    Strategy and Magic Combined in a Unique Rogueline Card Game

    Empower your journey with unique trinkets, each adding layers of depth to your strategic maneuvers. These artifacts are imbued with capabilities that amplify your feline summons, turning the tide of battles. Dive into the heart of darkness and light in Spellcats, where each play is a step towards liberation or doom. The fate of the Nekos rests upon your shoulders—will you rise as their savior, or will the shadows of Nekocasters eclipse the land forever? Prepare to cast, conquer, and ascend in this enchanting saga of survival and sorcery, launching this May. Are you ready to unleash the true power of the paw?

    Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics
    Xbox Live

    Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics

    NintaiStudios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $13.99

    Calling all cat lovers and card game aficionados!
    Step into the paws of the only sentient feline in a human-dominated world. Gifted with the extraordinary magic power to summon other cats, you alone hold the key to freeing your kind. Fight the Nekocasters, a cadre of humans exploiting innocent ‚Nekos‘ for their own nefarious gains, serving a greater evil. Embark on an enchanting journey through mysterious dungeons, the grim lairs of the Nekocasters. Outplay your adversaries with a powerful combo of summoned kittens. As the world’s only self-aware cat, uncover the mystery behind your origins. Are you the product of an ancient spell, a botched experiment, or something more profound? This vibrant, cat-filled world teems with secrets waiting to be unraveled. Brave through the perilous dungeons, outsmart the cunning Nekocasters, and liberate your feline brethren in ‚Spellcats‘. The future of the Nekos rests in your paws. A Vibrant Deck of 60 Diverse Cats Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command! Five Elements with Unique Gameplay Dive into the diverse mechanics of five unique elements: Water, Electric, Fire, Ice, and Earth. Each element offers a distinct playstyle that adds to the richness of the gameplay. The strategy you employ is entirely up to you! Roguelike Trinkets Discover and utilize over 20 unique trinkets to enhance your gameplay experience. These powerful items can power up your kitten army, granting them new abilities or augmenting their existing ones, giving you the upper hand in battles. Each trinket’s unique effect adds an extra layer of strategy to your dungeon runs, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.

    Website: LINK

  • Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17

    Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

    The Land Beneath Us
    Xbox Live

    The Land Beneath Us

    Dear Villagers

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    The Land Between Us – May 13
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    A turn-based, rogue-lite action dungeon crawler. Use powerful skill combos and stylish weaponry to battle your way through the Underworld known as Annwn. Enjoy challenging dynamic encounters and discover the mysteries of this mythological world.

    Athenian Rhapsody
    Xbox Live

    Athenian Rhapsody

    Top Hat Studios, Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Athenian Rhapsody – May 14
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    A comedy RPG in which you’ll explore the World of Athens. Your goal is to build your very own Rhapsody – the story of you (the player) and your epic tale in this world. You’ll be faced with many challenges, and you’ll have to fight (or hug) your way through the world by either battling, or awkwardly trying to make friends with your opponents through esoteric knowledge, abstract jokes, memory games, and other strange and funny interactions.

    Chip and Charge
    Xbox Live

    Chip and Charge

    Weakfish Studio Publishing

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Chip and Charge – May 14
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery6

    A classic arcade-style tennis game with customizable characters and equipment as well as a wide variety of game modes to choose from, like Bomb mode where you don’t let the ball hit the ground. You can also play co-op with your friends.

    Ziggy
    Xbox Live

    Ziggy

    Afil Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Ziggy – May 14
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Get ready to jump, slide, and unleash the power of the dash in a game that will test your abilities and your capacity for triumph. Conquer the 30 challenging levels and become the ultimate master of Ziggy!

    Awesome Pea 3
    Xbox Live

    Awesome Pea 3

    Sometimes You

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $4.99 $3.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Awesome Pea 3 – May 15
    Xbox One X Enhanced

    The final chapter, now in shape of a fast precision platformer where you must run and jump through a series of challenging stages. What you’ll definitely find in this game: nearly 70 different stages to show your skill, stylish pixel graphics, and a chiptune soundtrack.

    Braid, Anniversary Edition
    Xbox Live

    Braid, Anniversary Edition

    Thekla, Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Braid Anniversary Edition – May 15
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Control the flow of time to solve subtle platform puzzles in this update of the indie classic Braid, featuring refreshed artwork and seriously in-depth creator commentary. Travel from a city house through a series of interconnected worlds where time behaves strangely, searching for an elusive Princess.

    Electronics Puzzle Lab
    Xbox Live

    Electronics Puzzle Lab

    Eastasiasoft Limited

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Electronics Puzzle Lab – May 15
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Awaken your inner engineer with the brainteasing circuitry of Electronics Puzzle Lab! In this fun and educational 3D puzzle game, your task is to inspect circuit boards and adjust power LED lights. Take a seat at your workbench, cut wires, flip switches and more as you trace the path of the current.

    Please Fix The Road
    Xbox Live

    Please Fix The Road

    Silesia Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Please Fix The Road – May 15

    The roads are broken again. And so are paths. Sidewalks. Lakes. Oh dear. And now it’s your job to fix them all! Each level gives you a limited set of tools that will help you get all the cars, boats, trains or animals from point A to point B. The mentioned animals include, of course, kittens, dogs and… cute ‘ol pink llamas.

    Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered

    Two Cakes Studio

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $9.99

    Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered – May 15
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Time Trap is a hidden object game telling a detective story with distinct realistic visuals, puzzles, and challenges. A journalist has gone missing after investigating a hazardous disaster. Now it is your job to follow in his steps and uncover the secrets of the danger zone.

    Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing

    Midnight Works

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $9.99

    Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing – May 15
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush with our action-packed kart racing game. Choose your champion driver, customize your ride, and dominate challenging tracks to become the undisputed ruler of the asphalt jungle! Buckle up for a heart-pounding adventure where strategy and skill meet lightning-fast laps.

    Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER
    Xbox Live

    Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER

    Chorus Worldwide Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Read Only Memories: Neurodiver – May 16

    ES88 is an esper tasked with capturing Golden Butterfly, a psychic entity hiding in the memories of others. Play as ES88 and join her cyborg colleague GATE, and the creature known as a NEURODIVER to help repair the memories Golden has damaged and stop them in their tracks in this “psy-fi” adventure!

    PO'ed: Definitive Edition
    Xbox Live

    PO’ed: Definitive Edition

    Nightdive Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    PO’ed: Definitive Edition – May 16
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    An adrenaline-pumping space shooter that features gameplay elements inspired by generational powerhouses Doom and Quake. Play as a chef who crash lands on an alien planet infested with extraterrestrial foes.

    Musashi vs Cthulhu
    Xbox Live

    Musashi vs Cthulhu

    QUByte Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $4.99 $4.49

    Musashi vs. Cthulhu – May 16

    A fast-paced action game where you take control of Musashi, the most famous warrior from feudal Japan, as he fights for his life against unspeakable monsters. The enemies come from both sides of the screen and must be attacked with precise blows to bulging weak spots shown in their bodies. Challenge your friends to see who the most precise warrior.

    Claws & Feathers 3
    Xbox Live

    Claws & Feathers 3

    ChiliDog Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $5.99

    Claws & Feathers 3 – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    The birds and cats are back in an all-new puzzle adventure that sends them soaring across the galaxy in search of a new home! When a zombie apocalypse ravages their home planet, the birds set off for the stars. But they’re not alone. Their eternal rivals, the cats, snuck on board and will do everything they can to make the journey an unpleasant one!

    FoxyRush
    Xbox Live

    FoxyRush

    Ratalaika Games S.L.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    FoxyRush – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Foxy is a little fox who loves to eat cherries. One day, his supplies were stolen! Now he must go through many levels and collect all the cherries to get his supplies back. Run, jump, slide on walls, cling to ropes, and dodge various traps and enemies!

    INDIKA
    Xbox Live

    INDIKA

    11 bit studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Indika – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    A third-person, story-driven game set in a strange world where religious visions clash with harsh reality. It tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual, horn-headed companion by her side.

    Not Not - A Brain Buster
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Not Not – A Brain Buster

    naptime.games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $4.99 $3.99

    Not Not – A Brain Buster – May 17
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Ready to push the limits of your brain and challenge your intelligence? The ultimate brain-busting challenge is finally here! Do exactly what the cube says in a limited amount of time to test your reflexes and your thought processing speed.

    Morbid: The Lords of Ire
    Xbox Live

    Morbid: The Lords of Ire

    Merge Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Mordbid: The Lords of Ire – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Morbid: The Lords of Ire is a continuation and reinvention of the critically acclaimed isometric Souls-like ARPG Morbid: The Seven Acolytes with the heroic Striver returning once more to do battle with horrific creatures in a dark and twisted world of pain and suffering

    Outbreak The Fedora Files What Lydia Knows
    Xbox Live

    Outbreak The Fedora Files What Lydia Knows

    Dead Drop Studios LLC

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $19.99 $15.99

    Outbreak The Fedora Files: What Lydia Knows – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    Super and extra-natural phenomena around the world are officially disavowed. In the United States, these phenomena are unofficially investigated by an elite squad of agents known as the Federal Disaster Organic Response Agency, FEDORA. These are their stories…

    Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics
    Xbox Live

    Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics

    NintaiStudios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $13.99

    Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics – May 17
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command!

    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

  • Use Your Powers of De-duck-tion in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

    Use Your Powers of De-duck-tion in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Summary

    • Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store.
    • Interrogate suspects and pilfer evidence to find clues and quack the case!
    • Two to three hours of light-hearted narrative adventure mystery.
    • Fully voice-acted cast of eccentric suspects to inspect and interrogate.

    Solving crime is no walk in the pond.

    We’re very excited to announce that Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store! Duck Detective is Aggretsuko meets Return of the Obra Dinn, in a cozy mystery setting where a down-on-his-luck duck is tasked with exposing a sinister sausage-based conspiracy.

    DuckD screenshot

    You play as Eugene McQuacklin, part-time private investigator, full-time duck. As a recent divorcee and ex-police detective, you must use your supreme powers of deduc(k)tion to save your ailing career and maybe, just maybe, pay next month’s rent.

    DuckD screenshot

    Our small team at Happy Broccoli Games have been greatly inspired by the classic Agatha Christie novels. While they take a darker and more suspenseful approach, we wanted to create something that would keep you guessing as much as it will make you smile. It has been fantastic fun for our team to write such an energetic and twisty tale. A pompous detective, mismatched characters, and cramped environment, all mixed together surely makes for a big hoot!

    DuckD screenshot

    Justice is a dish best served at the bottom of a pond. And you’re sure to get your flippers wet when it comes to the case of The Secret Salami.

    We are very much looking forward to having all you detectives quack the case on release! We don’t have a firm date just yet, but we’ll work hard to get it in your hands as quackly as possible. Please look forward to more puns and more fun when the game launches on Xbox!

    Website: LINK

  • Learn How to Chomp Like a Champ with Pac-Man

    Learn How to Chomp Like a Champ with Pac-Man

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    Summary

    • Pac-Man regales his first-hand experience chomping Ghosts and competing to be the last Pac standing.
    • Learn from Pac-Man’s experience of running through multiple mazes and using power items to turn the tables to become a Chomp Champ!
    • Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is available today for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

    Hey, I’m Pac-Man! Maybe you’ve heard of me? I’m always running around the maze and chomping everything in sight — sometimes I even go exploring bigger worlds! But one thing that hasn’t changed is my hunger for dots, fruit, cereal, pasta – you name it! You may have seen me in action, but my recent dance moves have made my appetite even more insatiable. So much that maybe a single maze won’t be enough for me!

    That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about the 64-maze action happening now in my latest game, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs. I’m not sure how many dots that is per match – but believe me when I say, it’s a tasty buffet of competitive fun! Waka waka! It’s 64 players per match in an eating competition across many connected mazes to see which Pac can not only chomp the most dots, fruit, and Ghosts – but also survive long enough to be the last Pac standing!

    Allow me to recap for you one of my more recent adventures within my latest game…

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Screenshot

    For starters, I kicked things off in the Classic-themed maze — it reminds me of my roots and allows me to focus on warming up. I intended to keep it vanilla and go accessories-free for this match… but I couldn’t resist those radical sunglasses.

    When the match started, the Ghosts wasted no time in coming after me! I could tell there were other players in the mazes around mine, but first I wanted to rack up some points by chomping Ghosts. I ate a Power Pellet and chomped Blinky, then Clyde. On my way to catch Pinky, a Dazer power item emerged from the Warp Tunnel and I held it to use later. Just before I could chomp Pinky, another PAC entered my maze and ate one of my Power Pellets… and Pinky! Then they came after me. I took some tight corners, but they stayed close. But, they didn’t know about my Dazer! In a flash the other player was stunned, and I continued through a Mega Tunnel to another maze, leaving everyone behind. Power up and push forward, as I always say!  

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Screenshot

    The next maze I entered had a spacey Galaga theme, I love space! Three players were already here just finishing up the dots, so the maze refreshed, setting all four of us to the Ready-point. We started chomping and raced to the first Power Pellet! The other three went left, but I went right. One Pac used a Speedy power item to reach the Power Pellet first before instantly chomping the other two! Meanwhile, I camped at a Power Pellet on the right side and waited for the other Pac’s energizer to wear-off. Then I ate the Power Pellet, took the Warp Tunnel to the other side where I surprised the other player with some chomping time! Then a fruit caught my attention! Winning does taste sweet!

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Screenshot

    Later, I partied-up with friends, but I had to remind them that even though we’re dropping into the same match together, it’s still every Pac for themselves! Before the match we wanted to take a fun group screenshot, so we all selected accessories that made us look like a rock band! Maybe our band name would be the Waka-Stars?

    Our party queued for the same match together. I chomped from maze to maze, chomping Ghosts, dodging other Pacs, and barely escaping a maze that glitched-out! Then I found my pals in a candy-themed maze. Mmm, candy! I recognized them from their accessories! But as I said before: it was every player for themselves! I don’t want to embarrass my pals by telling who got chomped, but I will say that my rank went up after this match.

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Screenshot

    I kept playing after my friends dropped off; I was hungry! This time, I changed my look with some fun 3D specs! With my natural talent and a little luck, I found myself in the final four of the match… and I was holding a Shield power item. When one of the other players thought they could chomp me, the Shield was my defense! Then I learned the Shield can be used to push Pacs and Ghosts across the maze! The other players were so confused that the Ghosts caught them all and I became the last Pac standing! Waka waka!

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Screenshot

    Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is my latest outing in chomping fun, and I couldn’t help dancing to the game’s catchy new music. Hmm, this might give me some new dance video ideas! In the meantime, I hope to see you in game! Stay hungry, friends!

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs - Deluxe Edition
    Xbox Live

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs – Deluxe Edition

    Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 10

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    The Deluxe Edition includes:
    • PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs
    • Lunar Animals PAC
    – 12 bodies: Mouse, Cow, Tiger, Bunny, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig
    – 1 maze: Lunar
    • Namco Pals PAC
    – 2 bodies: Fyger, The Prince
    – 2 faces: Pooka’s Goggles, Pooka’s Goggles – Rare
    – 2 heads: Klonoa, Dig Dug Helmet
    – 3 mazes: Dig Dug, Mr. Driller, Galaga
    – 6 icons: PAC-MAN 3D, Inky 3D, Blinky 3D, Pinky 3D, Clyde 3D, Frightened Ghost 3D PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is an online-only PAC-MAN eating competition! Eat your way through multiple interconnected mazes using Power Pellets and a variety of Power Items to chomp the GHOSTS and opponent PAC-MAN players! Be the last PAC standing at the end of each match in this 64-player Battle Royale to be the Chomp Champ! • EAT TO COMPETE
    The only PAC-MAN Battle Royale with cross platform play! • CONSUME ALL
    Eat everything in your maze! Then tunnel to other PAC-MAN players’ mazes and munch even more for the high score! • PAC-MAN À LA MODES
    Elimination Mode features arcade style action against players of any rank where you earn Tokens to trade for cosmetics. Ranked Mode features serious competition against players of similar ranking where you earn Rank XP to place on the leaderboards! • MISSIONS ADD META
    Fulfill specific conditions during the match for a score boost! • TRUE PAC VS. PAC ACTION
    Munch Dots and Fruit, then eat a Power Pellet to chomp the GHOSTS… and even chomp other PAC-MAN! • POWER TO THE PACS
    Power Items add to the action with shields, speed, and more to give you the upper hand against the GHOSTS as well as other PAC-MAN players! Some Power Items help PAC-MAN, but others help the GHOSTS! • ELIMINATING MAZES
    Beware of flashing mazes as they drop out one by one during each match! Escape before they’re eliminated! • PERSONALIZE YOUR PAC
    With a fun variety of body, head, and face cosmetics you can stand out from the pack with your own style! • GET YOUR PACS TOGETHER
    Add players to your Friend list, track friends’ progress, spectate friends’ plays, and even invite them to play in the same match as you! • PLAY OR SPECTATE
    Spectate ongoing matches from the general player-base or observe your friends’ skills. Elimination Mode spectators can even vote on what Power Items will be released to the players! • BE THE CHOMP CHAMP!
    Out-maneuver, out-last, and out-PAC to be the last PAC standing against 63 other PAC-MAN opponents! *In addition to this edition, a Standard Edition is also available. Please be careful not to purchase the same content twice.
    *This product is a multiplayer game that is played mainly through online matches between players. The only mode that allows single play is the tutorial.

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs
    Xbox Live

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs

    Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 10

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is an online-only PAC-MAN eating competition! Eat your way through multiple interconnected mazes using Power Pellets and a variety of Power Items to chomp the GHOSTS and opponent PAC-MAN players! Be the last PAC standing at the end of each match in this 64-player Battle Royale to be the Chomp Champ! • EAT TO COMPETE
    The only PAC-MAN Battle Royale with cross platform play! • CONSUME ALL
    Eat everything in your maze! Then tunnel to other PAC-MAN players’ mazes and munch even more for the high score! • PAC-MAN À LA MODES
    Elimination Mode features arcade style action against players of any rank where you earn Tokens to trade for cosmetics. Ranked Mode features serious competition against players of similar ranking where you earn Rank XP to place on the leaderboards! • MISSIONS ADD META
    Fulfill specific conditions during the match for a score boost! • TRUE PAC VS. PAC ACTION
    Munch Dots and Fruit, then eat a Power Pellet to chomp the GHOSTS… and even chomp other PAC-MAN! • POWER TO THE PACS
    Power Items add to the action with shields, speed, and more to give you the upper hand against the GHOSTS as well as other PAC-MAN players! Some Power Items help PAC-MAN, but others help the GHOSTS! • ELIMINATING MAZES
    Beware of flashing mazes as they drop out one by one during each match! Escape before they’re eliminated! • PERSONALIZE YOUR PAC
    With a fun variety of body, head, and face cosmetics you can stand out from the pack with your own style! • GET YOUR PACS TOGETHER
    Add players to your Friend list, track friends’ progress, spectate friends’ plays, and even invite them to play in the same match as you! • PLAY OR SPECTATE
    Spectate ongoing matches from the general player-base or observe your friends’ skills. Elimination Mode spectators can even vote on what Power Items will be released to the players! • BE THE CHOMP CHAMP!
    Out-maneuver, out-last, and out-PAC to be the last PAC standing against 63 other PAC-MAN opponents! *In addition to this edition, a Deluxe Edition is also available. Please be careful not to purchase the same content twice.
    *This product is a multiplayer game that is played mainly through online matches between players. The only mode that allows single play is the tutorial.

    Website: LINK

  • Free Play Days – Destiny 2 Expansions, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Cities: Skylines – Remastered and From Space 

    Free Play Days – Destiny 2 Expansions, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Cities: Skylines – Remastered and From Space 

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    We’ve got a jam-packed weekend for you with Free Play Days! Crime Boss: Rockay City, Cities Skylines – Remastered and From Space are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday May 9 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. 

    Additionally, expansions for Destiny 2 including Shadowkeep, Beyond Light and The Witch Queen are free for all Xbox members from May 7 until June 4 (Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate not required). 

    Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals! Read more about Game Pass Core at Xbox Wire. 

    How To Start Playing

    Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

    Keep The Fun Going

    Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.

    Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)

    Crime Boss: Rockay City
    Xbox Live

    Crime Boss: Rockay City

    505 Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 218

    ★★★★★

    $39.99 $19.99

    Crime Boss: Rockay City 
    Play Crime Boss: Rockay City for FREE! This co-operative, organized heisting game can be played either solo in the single-player campaign or with friends in multiplayer. Start levelling up and earning rewards in the new progression system and enjoy tons of new content from our latest update. 

    Cities: Skylines - Remastered
    Xbox Live

    Cities: Skylines – Remastered

    Paradox Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 256

    ★★★★★

    $39.99 $9.99

    Xbox Game Pass

    Cities: Skylines – Remastered  
    Cities: Skylines – Remastered puts you in charge of a growing city, from the ground-breaking of its first streets to the ever-changing needs of thousands of citizens. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub.

    From Space
    Xbox Live

    From Space

    Curve Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 208

    ★★★★★

    $14.99 $11.99

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    From Space
    From Space is a solo and co-op action-shooter for squads up to four players. Take on the challenge of liberating the earth from an alien infestation with your friends, using over-the-top weaponry in a post-apocalyptic world with awesomely stylized graphics. The apocalypse has never been so much fun! 

    Free Play Days For All

    Destiny 2: Legacy Collection (2023)

    Destiny 2: Legacy Collection (2023)

    Bungie

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 104

    ★★★★★

    $59.99 $11.99

    Destiny 2 Expansions (Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen)
    During Destiny 2’s Expansion Open Access month, you can play through Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and The Witch Queen, along with all four Year-6 Seasons. Enjoy the updated New Light experience by exploring the Cosmodrome or skip it and join your friends right away. Open Access Month ends when The Final Shape launches, but any rewards you collect are yours to keep. 

    Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news. 

    Website: LINK

  • Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC

    Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Jump back in comes to Compact Mode 

    In November, we introduced Compact Mode, a feature available via the Xbox app on PC that enhances your gaming experience by providing a more intuitive user interface on smaller screens, including Windows handhelds. We’re excited to announce that the Jump back in feature and enhancements to the Friends panel are rolling out to all Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview starting today! 

    When we launched Compact Mode, we focused on giving you more space to browse content by simplifying the sidebar. We are now taking it further with Jump back in, our latest feature that allows you to quickly access the games you have recently played on your Windows device when you are immersed in Compact Mode. 

    Jump back in will feature the last nine games you played from the app. When you click on any game card, you will go directly to its game hub where you can jump into game play. You can also right-click or press the menu button on your controller to launch directly into game play from the context menu.  

    Enhancements to the Friends panel 

    With Compact Mode, we have also made it easier to access the Friends panel via controller navigation, with quick access directly from the sidebar, and consistent with other panels like Notifications. We are looking forward to hearing your feedback as we continue to improve the experiences related to Friends in the app. 

    Starting next week, a new survey will be available in the Xbox Insider Hub (open or install clicking here) for players enrolled in the PC Gaming preview to give us your feedback on Jump back in and the updated Friends panel access with Compact Mode. As a reminder, you can always give us suggestions for the app or leave feedback by clicking on your Profile card inside the Xbox App and then selecting Feedback from the dropdown menu. We can’t wait to hear from you as we work to bring more enhancements to Compact Mode and the Xbox App on PC for you to enjoy seamless Xbox gaming experiences across all your Windows devices. 

    How to get Xbox Insider support and share your feedback 

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, you can provide direct feedback to Team Xbox by following the steps here under the “Report a problem online” section. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding the PC Gaming Preview. 

    Like what you see but not an Xbox Insider? 

    If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. (Note: The features outlined in this article are currently only available for PC-based Xbox Insiders.) 

    Website: LINK

  • IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase – See Everything We Showed in Our Second Edition

    IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase – See Everything We Showed in Our Second Edition

    Reading Time: 12 minutes

    That’s a wrap folks! The second edition of the IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase just ended and there was a lot to show. From bullet hell shooters to roguelites, or open world co-op games to mascot managers, we just showed off a diverse set of games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC. A little bit of everything for everyone to love!

    Read on for a full recap of every game we brought along during the showcase – including two montages with even more indie games!

    33 Immortals (coming to Game Pass)

    Developer: Thunder Lotus

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    33 Immortals is a co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play a damned soul, and rebel against God’s final judgment. Dive straight into epic 33-player co-op battles with instant “pick-up and raid” matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul. Face the wrath of God in a fight for your eternal life.

    Stay up to date on 33 Immortals here.

    All You Need Is Help (coming to Game Pass)

    World Premiere

    Developer: Q-Games Ltd. 

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    While bumping around and supporting each other, turn your friendships into friend-shapes! This innovative cooperative multiplayer game introduces a fresh gaming experience.

    Dive into a quirky multiplayer co-op puzzle game where adorable, fluffy cube-shaped creatures collaborate to reach their goals. These creatures, each oddly shaped, jostle against each other to help solve puzzles. When in trouble, shout “HELP!” and friends will surely come to your aid!

    Stay up to date on All You Need Is Help here.

    Astor: Blade of the Monolith

    Developer: C2 Game Studio

    Publisher: Versus Evil, tinyBuild

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Rip through hordes of enemies with fury and style in this fast-paced action-RPG. Play as Astor, a young warrior determined to unveil the secrets behind his creators’ unforeseen demise. Learn new attacks, abilities and combos, unlock magical powers, and collect legendary weapons as you crush hordes of enemies. Find your way towards the Monolith, an ancient structure holding immense power, and confront the source of the planet’s haunting evil. Will you join Astor on his journey to become the planet’s savior?

    Stay up to date on Astor: Blade of the Monolith here.

    Centum

    World Premiere

    Developer: Hack the Publisher

    Publisher: Serenity Forge

    Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Centum is an unreliable narrative-driven adventure game. At first, it appears to be a point-and-click adventure. You’re a prisoner in a cell. You have 100 days to escape. But is that really the goal? Centum plays with your mind and tricks you into thinking you’re playing a different game. But through surprising interactions, surrealist storytelling, and striking, large-scale animated pixel art, this unexpected experience takes players on a mind-bending, emotionally fraught journey through the looking glass to show them a different side to their familiar reality.

    Stay up to date on Centum here.

    Commandos: Origins (coming to Game Pass)

    Developer: Claymore Game Studios

    Publisher: Kalypso Media

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    A reboot of the iconic ‘Commandos’ franchise, revisit the frontlines of WW2 and experience the story of how the elite unit from the original games was formed. From the blazing deserts of Africa to frozen Scandinavian fjords, meet the 6 members of your squad and use their unique skills to overcome the most demanding of missions.

    Watch the humble beginnings of the Commandos unit as it first begins to form and experience the stealth-based tactical gameplay which made the series so beloved.

    Stay up to date on Commandos: Origins here.

    Dungeons of Hinterberg (coming to Game Pass)

    Developer: Microbird Games

    Publisher: Curve Games

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! As Luisa, you’ll snowboard down glaciers, zipline through the forest, climb a mighty mountain, or have a coffee by the lake while you’re out looking for your next dungeon. 

    Braving dungeons requires more than just cutting-edge sports gear and a good sword arm. Hinterberg’s dungeons are full of puzzles that will surprise and challenge you. Use your head, your magic skills, and every trick in the book to become a Master Slayer!

    Stay up to date on Dungeons of Hinterberg here.

    Fera: The Sundered Tribes

    Developer: Massive Damage Games

    Platform: PC

    Fera: The Sundered Tribes is an open world co-op survival crafting RPG that blends monster hunting and colony sim mechanics with fun aerial traversal and exploration. 

    In a unique post-apocalyptic world of untamed magic and ancient secrets, you are the only hunter to have taken down one of the invasive behemoths terrorizing your land. Your tribe elected you as their leader, so follow your destiny to reclaim this magic-ravaged land you call home. 

    Stay up to date on Fera: The Sundered Tribes here.

    Gamera Montage (all coming to Game Pass)

    Today at ID@Xbox Digital Showcase, Gamera Games announced that their lineup of indie games will be launching across Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC and will be available with Xbox Game Pass and/or PC Game Pass. From a fantastical parenting simulator to narrative horror, acclaimed games like Depersonalization, Firework, Keplerth and Volcano Princess are coming to Game Pass in the next few months. On top of that, pixel puzzle adventure The Rewinder is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC with Game Pass today! 

    Here are all the games shown in the montage:

    The Rewinder

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (with Game Pass)

    Developer: Misty Mountain Studio

    Using pixel art to evoke ancient Chinese painting styles, this 2D puzzle adventure game sees you take on the role of Yun, a “rewinder” who has the ability to enter people’s memories and influence their actions. Travelling to a village, you’ll be able to unravel the mysteries of what occurred there, and uncover a story inspired by Chinese mythology.

    Firework

    Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

    Developer: Shiying Studio

    Firework is a horror puzzle game. An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate a horrifying closed case. You play as a rookie police officer who joins the case by chance, and discovers that this crime is more bewildering than they could have expected.

    Depersonalization

    Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

    Developer: MeowNature

    Depersonalization is a branching RPG with multiple endings, which allows you to shape the world of the game around you. Players can create a variety of characters, each with their own personalities, offering exploration, investigation, and deductive reasoning as means to reach the end of the story you help create.

    Keplerth

    Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

    Developer: TARO

    A 2D sandbox RPG, Keplerth lets you take on the threats of a dangerous alien planet wither alone or with friends. Offering an open world with near-infinite variation on every run, you’ll be able to fight, farm, craft, and even edit your own characters’ genes to survive.

    Volcano Princess

    Platform: Xbox Series XIS and PC

    Developer: Egg Hatcher

    In this fantasy parenting simulator, you’ll be tasked with raising a daughter – not only affecting her future, but the future of an entire kingdom. With multiple choices and endings, you’ll be able to help your daughter to learn, train, and befriend others, ultimately affecting how the story plays out as a result of your decisions. 

    Hangry

    Developer: Game Pill

    Platform: Xbox One, PC  

    Explore the galaxy. Discover new life. Eat it. Play as Hangry, a beastly mercenary with an insatiable hunger hunting down fearsome monsters in a snack n’ slash RPG. Traverse through barbequed woodlands and candy-coated caverns to find ingredients for Goutra, the chief chef of an alien underworld diner. 

    Your goal is to find the finest cuts for Goutra and climb the ladder of the city’s underbelly to become the planet’s best hunter. But beware, you must resist the temptation to eat the merchandise.

    Stay up to date on Hangry here.

    Humanity (coming to Game Pass)

    Developer: tha ltd., Enhance

    Publisher: Enhance

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox One Series X|S, PC

    A unique blend of puzzle-solving and action-platforming, Humanity puts the fate of all mankind in your hands. Er, paws. Did we mention you’re a dog? 

    Become a Shiba Inu and help reconstruct humankind in this acclaimed action-puzzle game. 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.

    Stay up to date on Humanity here.

    iii Montage

    This montage was a recap of all the games that were featured in the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April 10 that will be playable on Xbox. Here is the full list of content seen in the montage:

    Games that have currently been announced for Xbox: 

    • 33 Immortals
    • Cat Quest III
    • Death Must Die
    • Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
    • Kill Knight
    • Let’s School
    • Never Alone 2
    • Shadows of Doubt
    • Wizard of Legend 2

    Games that are already available on Xbox:

    • Broken Roads (released on April 10)
    • Brotato: Abyssal Terrors DLC
    • Dyson Sphere Program: Rise of the Dark Fog Stage II Update (PC Game Pass only)
    • My Time at Sandrock
    • Palworld: Arena Update (Coming this Fall)
    • Ravenswatch: Fall of Avalon Update
    • Risk of Rain 2: Devotion Update
    • Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns DLC (Coming soon)

    Jackbox Naughty Pack

    World Premiere

    Developer: Jackbox Games

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Jackbox Naughty Pack is an intimate pack of three games that are sure to have you laughing, and maybe even sweating just a little! This title is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S later this year, with individual games to be revealed later this summer. This will be Jackbox’s first M (Mature 17+) rated game, full of spicy surprises and maybe even some familiar faces!

    Stay up to date on Jackbox Naughty Pack here.

    Keylocker 

    Developer: Moonana Games

    Publisher: Serenity Forge

    Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Keylocker is a bizarre and colorful turn-based rhythm JRPG. Play as the singer and songwriter, BOBO, and take down a despotic regime that has outlawed all sound. Fuel your moves with the electric power of music by using real-time execution of moves in rhythm game style! Battle the authorities, unlock the secrets of Saturn, play in your own band’s concerts, and hack into the network to bring an end to this corrupt system, for better or worse. Inspired by the charm and physical comedy of the Mario & Luigi RPG series, with the mechanics and storytelling depth of Chrono Trigger. 

    Stay up to date on Keylocker here.

    Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

    Developer: Don’t Nod Montreal

    Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative adventure game set in the fictional town of Velvet Cove in the summer of 1995. Four high school friends – Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat – spend the summer together hanging out, playing music, and becoming best friends… until something changes the trajectory of all of their lives. After 27 years of silence between them, they reunite to confront the dark secrets that made them promise to never speak again. 

    Stay up to date on Lost Records here.

    Palworld (available on Game Pass)

    Developer: Pocketpair

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    You’ll be meeting some new Pals this summer! Attention please, Pal Tamers! New species of Pals have been discovered on the Palpagos Islands. Track them down and discover how these new Pals can help you in your adventures. Palworld’s first major update is heading your way this June. Stay tuned!

    Stay up to date on Palworld here.

    Promise Mascot Agency

    World Premiere

    Developer: Kaizen Game Works

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Explore the cursed town of Kaso-Machi! Recruit and train a variety of mascot friends! Help them out when jobs are inevitably met with disaster! Solve the mystery of your exile from the yakuza! Help Pinky work through her many, many anger issues! Upgrade your cute kei truck with turbo and wings! Shoot Pinky like a freakin’ missile! Turn Promise Mascot Agency into the number one agency in Japan! Go go, Michi and Pinky!

    Stay up to date on Promise Mascot Agency here.

    Stampede: Racing Royale

    Developer: Sumo Leamington

    Publisher: Secret Mode Limited

    Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Stampede: Racing Royale is a wild, thrilling 60-player online karting battle royale game. Take on the world in races, battles and more to avoid elimination. Take the crown, and earn incredible rewards. Discover incredible maps, over 400 customization items and so much more!

    Don’t miss your chance to head straight into pole position, when Stampede: Racing Royale speeds into Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S this summer. Do you have what it takes to get to the front of the herd?

    Stay up to date on Stampede: Racing Royale here.

    Sulfur

    Developer: Perfect Random

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Sulfur combines first-person shooter mechanics with role-playing and roguelite elements. It’s a single-player ‘hardcore’ roguelike extraction shooter with modifiable and enchantable guns. Welcome to a modern old-school action-adventure: Outsmart enemies, find treasure, improve weapons, harness powers. Delve deeper, find answers, make it end. 

    Stay up to date on Sulfur here.

    Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

    Developer: Odd Bug Studio

    Publisher: United Label

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Embark upon a vast, snow-ravaged kingdom in Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, sequel to the critically acclaimed action-RPG. An old and unspeakable evil has stirred in the North; wings black as death; fangs sharp as steel; and a thirst for blood rivalled only by their hunger for vengeance.

    As Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts, unite disparate clans, upgrade your settlement, and discover a terrible secret of blood & crown…

    Stay up to date on Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter here.

    Times & Galaxy

    Developer: Copychaser Games

    Publisher: Fellow Traveller

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Meet over 100 alien weirdos in Times & Galaxy, a space journalism adventure coming to Xbox in June 2024! Times & Galaxy is a funny, heartfelt game about space aliens and the richness of the stories that make up their everyday lives. Set in a solar system full of strange beings, from space lizards to goo people, you will step into the shoes of a shiny new Robo intern for the system’s most trusted holopaper, the Times & Galaxy.

    Your goal? Prove that Robos can report, get to know a whole bunch of aliens, and maybe keep your job at the end of it all. Good luck, intern!

    Stay up to date on Times & Galaxy here.

    Vampire Survivors (available on Game Pass)

    Developer: Poncle

    Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Vampire Survivors’ new Laborratory update will challenge your survival skills with two new characters, two new stages, two new weapons, one new evolution, and 1 new passive. Most importantly, there will be 6 new achievements!

    Stay up to date on Vampire Survivors here.

    And that’s all for our latest showcase! Connect with ID@Xbox on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Discord, Twitch, and YouTube, and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned.

    Website: LINK

  • Deathbound is Coming to Xbox Series X|S

    Deathbound is Coming to Xbox Series X|S

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Brace yourselves for a one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike. Deathbound is a passion project developed by Brazilian developers at Trialforge Studio, with the game already garnering critical acclaim from IGN, Kotaku, The Escapist, and many others.

    In Deathbound, your journey through the city of Akratya isn’t a solo quest. You’ll need to forge bonds with seven fallen warriors whose stories you’ll discover during your crusade through the forbidden city. Take advantage of the four-hero party system, something new to soulslike games, and switch warriors at any time during gameplay – even while executing attacks and dodges.

    Deathbound character closeup

    Each of the playable characters available in Deathbound is unique with their own skill sets, combat styles, and rich histories. Fallen warriors are intricately connected to the world of Deathbound and each other, belonging to conflicting factions and driven by diverse motivations. Synergies between warriors can provide combat buffs, while conflicts among them can lead to debuffs within your party.

    The combat system in Deathbound was meticulously crafted over many months, with developers implementing feedback from players and fans of the genre. A key element of the combat system, and one of the most important mechanics in Deathbound, is the Morphstrike – a devastating attack similar to combos that crushes every enemy in your path, uniting the forces of the fallen warriors in your party.

    Deathbound screenshot

    But what would a soulslike game be without unforgiving monsters and bosses? In Deathbound, you’ll confront challenging enemies meticulously crafted to test your skills to the fullest. Encounter abominations created in dark laboratories by a cult devoted to eternal life. Each battle could be lethal for you, don’t underestimate any of the enemies that stand in your way.

    Deathbound screenshot

    Deathbound is coming to Xbox Series X|S consoles later this year. If you’re intrigued by what you’ve read, we encourage you to visit the game’s store page and add Deathbound to your Wishlist.

    See you in Akratya, Fallen Warrior!

    Deathbound
    Xbox Live

    Deathbound

    Tate Multimedia Sp. z o.o.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Deathbound is a one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike set in a callous world where Faith and Science clash. The forbidden city of Akratya is an unforgiving land that cannot be conquered alone. Bind with fallen warriors found throughout your crusade and dynamically transform between characters seamlessly in mid-combat with the unique 4-hero party system. The fallen are individual characters with their own unique skill sets, combat styles, and rich history. By absorbing their essence, you inherit the fiber of their very being. Conflicts and synergies between characters greatly impact gameplay, so relationships must be balanced. Strong synergies may offer combat buffs that can spell disaster for the ruthless boss awaiting your steel and magic. Throughout combat, you will charge a sync meter shared across all characters. During an opportune moment, dispel your sync meter and unleash a devastating Morphstrike using the combined power of the bound fallen warriors. When faced with a formidable abomination, a precisely executed Morphstrike can be the deciding factor between life and death. The world of Deathbound has been lovingly crafted and influenced by the developer’s homeland of Brazil, a vibrant culture brimming with life, creativity, rhythm, and a rich history. From the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira to the sweeping music cascading through Akratya, Trialforge’s origins shine throughout every aspect of Deathbound.

    Website: LINK

  • Explore the Post-Apocalyptic Seas in Age of Water

    Explore the Post-Apocalyptic Seas in Age of Water

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    Age of Water is also our love letter to, well, water. Its realistic flow, reflections, and interactions with objects and characters help to immerse players in this vast, aquatic world. From the gentle lapping of waves against your boat to the terrifying majesty of a whirlpool, every aspect of the water has been crafted to feel as real and dynamic as possible.

    Obviously, this is a video game, so the adventure won’t go too easy, as pirates and other evil guys, both seaborne and airborne, will attack your boat on sight. You’ll have to prepare for battle by customizing your boat or building a completely new one, adding more weapons and training crew members. 

    AoW screenshot

    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

  • Building the Invoker Archetype for Remnant II: The Forgotten Kingdom DLC

    Building the Invoker Archetype for Remnant II: The Forgotten Kingdom DLC

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The first Skill we came up with was Way of Kaeula. It came together quick because a Water Skill is so versatile. You can slow enemies, speed up allies, and hey… “Making it Rain” is just cool. The second Skill, Way of Meidra, was a more support-based option. While it affects both allies and enemies, we wanted the focus to center around allowing allies to heal themselves through fighting debuffed enemies. At this point, we had a speed/slow option and a debuff/heal option, and we wanted a more “self-serving” option. Way of Lydusa was a means to allow the player to feel like a boss, so to speak. They weaken the defenses of their enemies while also collecting shards they’ve chipped off from their now-brittle exterior. It felt cool to be able to pull something away from the enemy only to use it to damage them and their cohorts!

    Usually, most Archetypes come together in a similar way. We figure out the theme first, then we figure out a marquee Skill. For Invoker, it was “Skill/Jungle” theme, and the marquee Skill was Way of Kaeula. From there, we build around it until we have all three unique options. After that, most perks almost write themselves, especially if the Archetype theme is exceptionally strong up front.

    Then it’s time to get Concept Art involved. We talk about the theme “Is this Archetype evil? Positive? Neutral? Is it pure DPS or is it support. Maybe a hybrid?”. Ideally, we also present the Concept Artist some pictures we discovered that highlight the mood and maybe even give some insight into potential armor ideas. They go off and do their thing and bring us a handful of concepts and we provide feedback “1A looks too friendly” or “that part on the gloves in image 2C is exactly what we are looking for… maybe that could continue through the pants / boots as well”. We usually go back and forth for a bit, and they go off and come back with a more focused second pass. Rarely do we need a third pass. We submit the look to the Creative Director (David Adams) and 99/100 times, he says “COOL”.

    Next, we review the Skills, Perks, Trait and any special behavior with the Gameplay Engineering Team and Technical Designers. We review each element to determine how complex they are to make sure they can fit within our schedule. Sometimes we may have to rethink something, and sometimes we are inspired to enhance our designs even further because someone points out an additional feature that may be appropriate. We also talk to the Animation team in case we have any special requests (casting animations, other features, etc).

    As each element comes online – usually the Prime or an individual Skill – we start to test them out in our combat test room. Sometimes things sound great on paper but in practice they leave something to be desired. This is where we start to determine if something is missing, too complex or confusing, too cumbersome, or if we are on the right path. Quite often we will test the first pass of a Skill and think “ok, this is pretty awesome!”. We tune things like damage or healing values, ranges, durations etc… to get them feeling “good for a first pass”. If we are happy with them, we send them to VFX and SFX to really help make them shine. However, if we find something missing, then we take some time to figure out where it can improve and after it’s adjusted, we redo the “first pass” testing process over again.

    Website: LINK

  • Indie Selects for April: Play the Recent Indie Games That We Know You’ll Love

    Indie Selects for April: Play the Recent Indie Games That We Know You’ll Love

    Reading Time: 11 minutes

    It’s hard to believe, but we’re now in our third month of Indie Selects – and the hits just keep on coming. The team have picked some amazing games this month. We’ve played them, we’ve loved them, and we feel confident that you’ll like them too.

    April’s Indie Selects include an interactive, playable historical artifact, two completely different approaches to building, and even a lo-fi, jazzy space shooter. As always, you can find the whole list in one easy-to-access spot on the Xbox Store, right now. With that in mind, here’s the list (in no particular order):

    Bulwark Image

    Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is a work of passion from the same solo developer behind the original Falconeer. In this iteration, the universe of that game is expanded into vast new territory, and you’re tasked with building the ultimate settlement in an oceanic world. It’s a relaxed, immersive city builder for the most part, serving up an open world where you can scavenge for resources to support your ever-expanding creation.

    Later in the game you can open up trade routes and defend your city from invaders, or even become the invader yourself, taking on rival civilizations. It’s really the unique world here that sets this game apart from other city builders: you start with a simple island village, and then expand out into, and over, the seas, with steampunk-inspired flying ships and gothic architecture. You can really play Bulwark any way you like and it’s easy to get sucked into, building and exploring for hours.

    Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles

    Wired Productions

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 24

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an open world builder with freedom and expression at its core, allowing players to build sprawling towns, spires, and fortresses that become hubs for trade, or rallying grounds for conquests. Carve your legacy into a world shattered by the decisions of those who came before you, tower by tower, wall by wall, sculpting from the daunting cliffs and perilous waters of an unforgiving landscape that refuses to be tamed. Tasked with rebuilding a civilization devastated by the aftermath of a war 40 years prior, you are in command of creating the last great settlement upon the Great Ursee – a vast, fantastical oceanic world filled with lost myths, breath-taking vistas and danger. From humble docks and wooden jetties, you will scavenge resources and grow your settlement as your population and creations grow ever grander, sculpting monumental stone towers and battlements that scrape the skies, where airships and giant warbirds rule. Create trade routes and strike alliances with other factions scattered across the waves, acquiring powerful Captains and Commanders to protect your creations and utilise their aid in exploration – or muster your own battlegroup to strike at them, waging war upon your ancient enemies. This world and its choices are yours to make – what legacy will you leave behind? What creations will bear your name? Build Your Bulwark.

    House Flipper 2 Image

    Veteran “flippers” will love the revised mechanics and new content, and will completely lose themselves in the sandbox building mode, in which you can design and build your own original creations. But you don’t have to be an experienced flipper to have fun – it’s super easy to jump in and start painting, renovating, and remodeling, bringing new life to the old, shabby buildings in your town.

    There’s even a story mode, where an old pal unveils the secrets of each house under renovation to you. Hard to believe that a game that involves painting, sweeping and hammering – things you’re not likely to see many of us here on the ID team doing in real life – on our “favorites” list, but there are a lot of dedicated flippers on the team now.

    House Flipper 2
    Xbox Live

    House Flipper 2

    Frozen District

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 80

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    The Flipper’s new groove It doesn’t matter if you’re a makeover veteran or if you’re only starting out – you’ll feel at home in no time!
    House Flipper 2 introduces new mechanics and revamps the ones from the original game.
    The good old hammer, the trusty paint roller, and the sturdy mop, all await your return! The new visuals make our fixer-uppers look crisp as never before! Another brick in the wall Why renovate a house when you can just build one? Unleash your creativity in the Sandbox Mode! Use it to recreate real-life buildings or design projects that exist in your imagination.
    Remember: building from scratch is no easy task! But let’s face it, it’s definitely worth putting in extra effort to design the house of your dreams. Once upon a time… Between the mountain tops and the endless sea, there lies the town of Pinnacove.
    A place where time slows down, and the friendly residents are ready to entrust you with their homes.
    Can you discover some of the stories within these walls?
    Your old pal Tom, who seems to know everybody in the neighborhood, will gladly share some local knowledge with you. Sea of opportunities In House Flipper 2, you are the foreman!
    You get to decide what ‚relaxing gameplay‘ means!
    Do you enjoy building? Choose the Sandbox Mode which allows you to construct houses from scratch. Or maybe you prefer cleaning and decorating? In the Story Mode, you will delve into long and engaging renovation projects, as well as deal with some quick jobs.
    Sit back and relax, here comes the new age of House Flipper!

    Broken Roads Image

    Picture the Australian Outback after the apocalypse with man-eating spiders, raiders, and even blood-thirsty kangaroos. Is it Mad Max? No, this is Broken Roads, a deep RPG that introduces a novel Morality System to mix up the genre. What kind of character will you be? Much is decided in advance as you set out your character’s visions and ideals, which then influence what kind of story you’ll experience.

    Much of the game involves discovering, befriending and influencing the vast cast of characters you’ll encounter on your journeys, as you peel back the many layers of the detailed story. It’s an ambitious game that is infused with Australian culture, dialect and humor.

    Broken Roads
    Xbox Live

    Broken Roads

    Versus Evil, LLC

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 18

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    Born of a love for traditional computer role-playing, Broken Roads provides a rich, engaging narrative in which players make their way across a desolated future Australia. Blending together traditional and all-new role-playing elements on top of a classless system offering nearly unlimited character development options, Broken Roads presents players with an original morality system: the Moral Compass. This novel design sees dialogue options and questing decisions influence, and be influenced by, a character’s philosophical leaning. Features • All-new post-apocalyptic setting
    • Unique morality system influencing dialogue, quests and character development
    • Authentic Australian locations and environments
    • Blend of traditional and original RPG mechanics
    • Up to 5 party members
    • Turn-based tactical combat
    • Hand-drawn artwork
    • A content-rich and densely-crafted world

    Llamasoft Image

    If you’re under the age of 40 or so, and you’re not from the UK, you could be forgiven for not having heard of games like Attack of the Mutant Camels or Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time. But now’s your chance to rediscover some of the wildest and weirdest games to come out of the ’80s and early ’90s. Not only the games: developer Digital Eclipse serves these classics up in their landmark “interactive documentary style”, and takes you into the mind of creator Jeff Minter, and through the entire history of the iconic British Video game company, quixotically named Llamasoft.

    If you played any of the originals – like Jeff’s signature shooter Gridrunner – on systems such as the Sinclair ZX81, the Commodore VIC-20, or the Atari 1040 ST (this writer’s favorite computer of all time) you’ll absolutely fall in love with these remasters. But if you’re entirely new to Jeff and his trippy games, you’ll find the Llamasoft story to be a fascinating journey into video game history – a history that you can jump into and play.

    Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story
    Xbox Live

    Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story

    Digital Eclipse

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 7

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    Gridrunner. Revenge of the Mutant Camels. Tempest 2000. Llamatron. In the British gaming universe of the 80s and 90s, nobody made games like Jeff Minter. Now, in a new interactive documentary from Digital Eclipse, you can play the history of one of the weirdest, wildest game developers to ever exist – a man who loved shooters and sheep, lasers and llamas. LLAMASOFT Journey back in time to an era of cassette tapes, photocopied zines, and README.TXT. An era in which a kid with a Commodore VIC-20 and dreams of radioactive sheep could become one of Britain’s best-known game makers. A virtual museum of design documents, playable games, and all-new video features tell the fascinating story of a true independent game designer. PLAY THE ACCLAIMED ORIGINALS Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story includes 42 classic games from 8 different platforms, from Jeff Minter’s earliest work on the Sinclair ZX81 and Commodore VIC-20, to later work on the Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Atari 800, and deep into the 16-bit era with the Atari ST and Atari Jaguar. GRIDRUNNER: REMASTERED Jeff’s signature shooter masterpiece Gridrunner gets an all-new look from Digital Eclipse, updated into thrilling modern graphics and sound – while still running the core of the Commodore 64 version for 100% gameplay accuracy. GAMES, GAMES, GAMES Sheep In Space. Andes Attack. Attack of the Mutant Camels. Matrix. Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time. Hellgate. Laser Zone. And many more. All the Minter classics you’ve heard of (and several you probably haven’t), now with new quality-of-life features to make playing them more fun than ever before. Two of Jeff Minter’s earliest „light synthesizers,“ Psychedelia and Colourspace, are also included, with all-new options and features optimized for controller-based play. Finally, Jeff’s demo of Attack of the Mutant Camels for the unreleased Konix Multi-System console is also included. THE GOLD MASTER SERIES New from Digital Eclipse (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, The Making of Karateka), the Gold Master Series presents iconic games in an innovative „interactive documentary“ format, putting the shared history of games and their creators into one comprehensive package.

    Grandia HD Image

    Speaking of classic games, the original Grandia dates back to 1997, and Grandia II came out in 2000. Both iconic RPGs have been lovingly remastered in the Grandia HD Collection. Groundbreaking in their time, the series featured a novel dynamic attack system, deep skill progression, and an extensive and immersive storyline.

    New UI enhancements, updated HD cinematics, and tweaks to gameplay make the games feel modern and fresh, while maintaining the original classic characters and stories. If you didn’t get a chance to experience these incredibly influential RPGs, which really defined the idea of “going on an adventure” in a game, now is your chance to set out on that quest.

    Grandia HD Collection
    Xbox Live

    Grandia HD Collection

    GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 36

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    The highly-anticipated Grandia HD Collection for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S are here! Get your hands on two games that changed the landscape of RPGs forever, in beautiful HD graphics. GRANDIA: Dive into the captivating journey of Justin and his allies as they race against the sinister Garlyle Forces. Unravel the mysteries of a forgotten civilization and immerse yourself in an RPG hailed as a timeless classic, inspiring generations of games to come. GRANDIA II: Step into the shoes of Ryudo, a jaded Geohound with a heart, as he embarks on a magical quest alongside a group of unlikely allies. Their journey is riddled with twists and turns as they seek a divine weapon to save the world. Delve deep into this tale where the line between good and evil blurs, and everything is open to question…

    Super Space Club Image

    Imagine mashing up a classic top down “shoot-‘em-up” with a lo-fi, chill-out music channel and you’d end up with something very much like Super Space Club. Usually “shmups” go for more of a frenetic, kinetic vibe with lots of angry aliens and what not, but Super Space Club opts for a much more relaxing tone, while also serving up some great space combat.

    You can select different weapons, ships and pilots to customize the build you want to take into battle, which is a nice plus-up to the genre. And nothing is more satisfying than mowing down wave after wave of aliens while grooving alone to some jazzy, lo-fi tunes.

    Super Space Club
    Xbox Live

    Super Space Club

    GrahamOfLegend

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 5

    ★★★★★

    $14.99

    Super Space Club is a colorful endless arcade gunner set to the backdrop of chill, lo-fi music. As a club of skilled misfit pilots, defend the galaxy by taking on galactic forces and completing a series of thrilling missions. In space, everyone can hear you groove. Sling fireworks with the explosive Olly, or dish out ship-seeking shots with the stealthy Roscoe? With a variety of pilots, ships, and weapons at your disposal, choose the perfect build and soar across the stars through physics-based thrusting. As you’re taking down enemies and completing objectives, be wary of your ship’s energy. Depleting energy could leave you vulnerable to devastating damage. Don’t get too comfortable after coming out on top, as the next wave is always right around the corner. Despite the challenge that gameplay may bring, space can be quite dope. Missouri-based audio duo Fat Bard provides the backdrop of lo-fi beats and chill-hop tunes featuring vocal artists from around the globe. Paired with a vibrant and colorful cool-toned aesthetic, Super Space Club delivers a relaxing yet challenging arcade experience unlike any other.

    Website: LINK

  • Start Your Journey into Sand Land Today with These Helpful Tips

    Start Your Journey into Sand Land Today with These Helpful Tips

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    Summary

    • Crafted by the late Akira Toriyama, Sand Land tells the tale of humans and demons coming together to try and save their devastated world.
    • We’ve put together some early game tips to help you get off on the right track in this epic action role-playing game.
    • Sand Land is available today for Xbox Series X|S here on the Xbox Store.

    The world of Sand Land, as you may have surmised from the title, is comprised of sand and lots of it. But it wasn’t always this way. The version of the world we’re introduced to at the start of the game is the result of a massive environmental disaster, leaving its land barren and its inhabitants starving for water.

    Crafted by the late Akira Toriyama (“Dragon Ball”) and developed by the talented team at ILCA (One Piece Odyssey), Sand Land tells the tale of humans and demons coming together to try and save their devastated world. This is where you come in.

    As the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, along with his friends Sheriff Rao and the demon Thief, you’ll set off on an adventure in search of a “Legendary Spring,” one that may hold the key to restoring water to the region. Along the way you’ll encounter ferocious wildlife, wild mercenaries, challenging soldiers, and giant-ass scorpions to name a few. You’ll also encounter many friendly faces who want to help you on your journey.

    Sand Land Screenshot

    Oh, and there’s a tank. Your very own armored chariot will be a key component in your adventure within this action role-playing game as you’ll learn how to upgrade it, improve its various components, and learn how to master vehicular combat if you have any hope of saving this world.

    To help set you on your way in Sand Land, we’ve assembled a couple of starting tips to help get your adventure off the right track. From understanding where to spend Skill Points, to populating your town, and revealing what’s up with all those Water Supply Points, we hope these starters will help ease you into this epic adventure.

    Invest in Sheriff Rao Early

    A big aspect of Sand Land‘s early game involves a lot of combat with your tank. Spending Skill Points on Sheriff Rao can help make many of these encounters much easier as his active abilities all help with dealing damage, while his passive skills act as buffs for those abilities. He can also help with landing a couple of punches when it comes to melee combat with his Tonfa Attack.

    Some of our favorites were his Vehicular Warfare ability, paired with VW: Upgrade. This is incredibly useful as it spawns an additional mini-tank that can help draw fire and deal damage — you’ll often find yourself outgunned and surrounded in many instances, so this will come in handy. We also liked Poison Gas which can confuse and incapacitate enemies — very helpful for giving you an opening for attack (or a breather) against some of the most difficult foes.

    Level Up Thief When Ready to Start Looting

    Completing main quests and side quests will net you close to the necessary amount of components and credits to upgrade your vehicles early on as the game eases you into its mechanics. It’s later when you really need to spend some more time out in the game’s world where you’ll find that you need to be making the most of every bit of scrap you can find – this is where Thief is at his strongest.

    Sand Land Screenshot

    While his active skills can help a bit in battle — like Boom Box – it’s his passive skills like Zeni Ahoy and Pilfering Pro that can help the most when needing money and increased drop rates from defeated enemies. These passives can make the loot you acquire more plentiful and your pockets fuller when it comes to purchasing components from vendors found in the world.

    Don’t Skip on Water Supply Points

    As you’ll soon find out, the world of Sand Land is huge and eventually you’ll find yourself exploring nearly every inch of it by the time you’re done with it. You’ll also find that there will be a fair amount of backtracking involved in your quests.

    To help save you some time, it’s highly recommended you take every opportunity to activate Water Supply Points that you come across on your way to those objectives. Not only will they refill your life and water gauge, but many of these supply points also unlock as a Fast Travel Location – which can be super useful in saving you time when your quest involves you checking back in with your quest giver for your reward.

    Build Up Your Town

    One of the smartest moves you can make is to upgrade your town early on so that you have a solid foundation that you can build upon later in the game. The main way to upgrade your town is by convincing NPCs to move in and, often, open shops — the quests to recruit the NPCs and the shops they run will help you get materials or weapons you need for vehicle upgrades.

    Sand Land Screenshot

    Then, once the shops are established, make it a habit to check in with the shop owners as they may have some requests for you to complete. Finishing these quests will improve the shop vendor’s inventory with useful and valuable items to help you in the game.

    Talk with Peddlers and Vendors Often

    To make new vehicles or improve their components, you will need to craft. A lot of crafting. This process requires various types of materials and components that you can either get from exploring the wasteland or purchasing from vendors, like those found in the Junker Market (or later in your Town once you’ve upgraded it a bit).

    Both Peddlers and Vendors will have their stock update throughout the game. So, if you find yourself missing out on Raptor Alloy or missing a Frame Component to build a new vehicle, those are the folks you want to touch base with. Some are even open for trading material like ore for scrap components. In short: Talk to everyone. You never know what they might be offering – for a price of course.

    We hope these tips help you with your early journey in the epic adventure of Sand Land. You can pick it up today for Xbox Series X|S here on the Xbox Store.

    SAND LAND Deluxe Edition
    Xbox Live

    SAND LAND Deluxe Edition

    Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 14

    ★★★★★

    $69.99

    The Deluxe Edition includes:
    • SAND LAND
    • My Room Furniture Set: Army Base
    • My Room Furniture Set: Hideout
    • Speed Demon Pack
    • Beelzebub Decal Set *Decal customization will be available after unlocking Paint Shop in Spino.
    *My Room will be available after unlocking Furniture Store in Spino. Dive into a desert world where both humans and demons suffer from an extreme water shortage – SAND LAND. Meet the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, his chaperone Thief, and the fearless Sheriff Rao, and follow the team on an extraordinary adventure in search of the Legendary Spring hidden in the desert. The end is only the beginning, as beyond this arid ground lies a new realm to explore. In this action-RPG, players will find a nostalgic and heartwarming world created by Akira Toriyama, where you will become the main character Beelzebub. Learn how to control his powers and lead your company of heroic misfits exploring the legendary world of SAND LAND. Beware of the many dangers that populate it: between bandits, fierce wildlife, and the Royal Army, reaching the spring won’t be easy! Use your tact and imagination to develop tanks and other vehicles that will help you navigate this vast land, using a wide array of part combinations. VEHICLES FROM BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION
    Unlock vehicles that can be leveled-up with various mechanic parts including weapons, engines, and suspensions. Design and operate a large variety of vehicles including Battle Tanks with powerful cannons, Motorbikes that speed through deserts, and Jump-bots that bounce over rivers to explore every corner of the continent. BECOME THE SAVIOR THE WORLD NEEDS
    Develop your basecamp in the city of Spino, as you build relationships with its inhabitants. As you bring the exiled people of the desert to Spino, watch the town and its capabilities grow. Listen to their requests and wishes, and unlock useful materials and city features. ADVENTURE BEYOND THE DUNES
    Travel through SAND LAND and its canyons, unveil its secrets, overcome all obstacles, and find the entrance to an unknown world.

    SAND LAND
    Xbox Live

    SAND LAND

    Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 14

    ★★★★★

    $59.99

    Dive into a desert world where both humans and demons suffer from an extreme water shortage – SAND LAND. Meet the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, his chaperone Thief, and the fearless Sheriff Rao, and follow the team on an extraordinary adventure in search of the Legendary Spring hidden in the desert. The end is only the beginning, as beyond this arid ground lies a new realm to explore. In this action-RPG, players will find a nostalgic and heartwarming world created by Akira Toriyama, where you will become the main character Beelzebub. Learn how to control his powers and lead your company of heroic misfits exploring the legendary world of SAND LAND. Beware of the many dangers that populate it: between bandits, fierce wildlife, and the Royal Army, reaching the spring won’t be easy! Use your tact and imagination to develop tanks and other vehicles that will help you navigate this vast land, using a wide array of part combinations. VEHICLES FROM BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION
    Unlock vehicles that can be leveled-up with various mechanic parts including weapons, engines, and suspensions. Design and operate a large variety of vehicles including Battle Tanks with powerful cannons, Motorbikes that speed through deserts, and Jump-bots that bounce over rivers to explore every corner of the continent. BECOME THE SAVIOR THE WORLD NEEDS
    Develop your basecamp in the city of Spino, as you build relationships with its inhabitants. As you bring the exiled people of the desert to Spino, watch the town and its capabilities grow. Listen to their requests and wishes, and unlock useful materials and city features. ADVENTURE BEYOND THE DUNES
    Travel through SAND LAND and its canyons, unveil its secrets, overcome all obstacles, and find the entrance to an unknown world.

    Website: LINK