Hey Xbox Insiders! We are releasing a new Xbox App for Windows build to Xbox Insiders who are enrolled in the PC Gaming Insiders preview! Thank you all for being Xbox Insiders. Continue read to learn about fixes and known issues. Make sure that you update the Xbox app, and Gaming Services to ensure you get all of the fixes!
Versions of PC Gaming prerelease products:
Xbox App version: 2403.1000.38.0
Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Mar 6th 2024
Game Bar version: 7.124.2141.0
Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Feb 15th 2024
Xbox App Bug Fixes:
Resolved an issue where some users with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription would see an offer to Join PC Game Pass
Resolved an issue when attempting to navigate between certain product pages for games
Fixed an issue where menu options would not appear when messaging friends
How to Get Xbox Insider Support
Don’t forget! If you encounter any issues, you can leave feedback by navigating to the feedback option on your profile menu.
You can also provide feedback, as well as interact with the community, on the Xbox Insiders Subreddit. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. 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!
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information!
Thank you to everyone who participates in the Xbox Insider Program! Your feedback helps us continue to build a great gaming experience in the Xbox app on PC.
Get over here… and enjoy a jam-packed weekend with Free Play Days! Mortal Kombat 1, Moving Out 2, From Space and Ed-0: Zombie Uprising are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday March 7 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
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)
Mortal Kombat™ 1
Warner Bros. Games
☆☆☆☆☆372
★★★★★
$69.99
Mortal Kombat 1 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Mortal Kombat 1 is available through Xbox Free Play Days. Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe with iconic heroes and villains reimagined as they’ve never been seen before. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a New Era of the franchise with a variety of game modes and bone-krushing Fatalities! The limited time free trial will include access to the base roster of main characters and Kameo Fighters, all online and local multiplayer modes, Towers, Story mode (Chapters 1 & 2 only), and Invasions (Johnny Cage’s Mansion only).
Moving Out 2
Team17
☆☆☆☆☆22
★★★★★
$29.99
Moving Out 2 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery The Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technicians (F.A.R.Ts) are going multiversal, in Moving Out 2. With online multiplayer cross play you’ll be lifting with your spine to get everything moved, with friends on any platform. Tackle frantic farm animals, futuristic furniture, and fantastical finery. Grab your Smooth Moves uniform and get the van loaded with 35% off during Free Play Days. Out now on Xbox.
From Space
Curve Games
☆☆☆☆☆207
★★★★★
$14.99$10.04
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!
Ed-0: Zombie Uprising
D3PUBLISHER
☆☆☆☆☆65
★★★★★
$29.99$7.49
Ed-0: Zombie Uprising Designed for brutal strategic combats in a rogue-like format, Ed-0: Zombie Uprising takes place in a fictional Edo-era Japan where hordes of nasty zombies have raided the isolated country. No dungeon run will be the same, so your judgment will be crucial as you face “once-in-a-lifetime” challenges with a wide variety of random elements amid dangerous foes.
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.
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Beta ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3862.240305-2200
Available: 5 p.m. PT – March 6, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 7, 2024
Experience Changes
Please be aware this Xbox Update Preview includes the following experience or feature updates.
Microsoft Edge – Sidebar
All first-party hub apps including notably, Copilot Chat, Outlook, Teams, Games, and the ability to add websites to the sidebar as well as the section in Settings are being removed. The shopping and browser essential features are still available.
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
System
Various stability and performance fixes.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE\26070.1510.240303-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 6, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 7, 2024
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
System
Various stability and performance fixes.
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
We’ve just wrapped up our second Xbox Partner Preview – a broadcast that brought you new game reveals, trailers, and news from the likes of EA, Square Enix, Sega, and many more. Over the course of 30 minutes, you got brand new looks at 14 incredible games coming to Xbox and Windows from our third-party partners.
On today’s broadcast you got first peeks at brand new games, like The Sinking City 2 and Creatures of Ava, a release date reveal for Frostpunk 2 and Final Fantasy XIV Online, a detailed look at the upcoming Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess — and we even snuck in a shadow drop in the form of the entire original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Trilogy, which is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S today!
If you couldn’t tune in, fear not! We have every single announcement and reveal from the show in handy text form waiting for you below:
Final Fantasy XIV Online Set for Full Release on March 21 for Xbox Series X|S
Square Enix treated us to a first look at the release date trailer for Final Fantasy XIV Online ahead of its full launch announcement on March 21 for Xbox Series X|S. It was also announced that a Starter Edition will be available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks for a limited time from March 21 to April 19, 2024. You can start playing Final Fantasy XIV Online today with the Open Beta which is now live on Xbox Series X|S.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Coming to Game Pass in 2024
The Sinking City 2 made a world premiere appearance during the show, with a trailer showing the iconic Lovecraftian city of Arkham, and the very unpleasant sights within. The long-awaited sequel from Frogwares is evolving into a full-on horror game, as you guide a new character through the mysteries of why Arkham is flooding, and take on some of its abominable residents along the way. Find out much more in our exclusive interview on Xbox Wire.
SEGA delivered the first exclusive details on the upcoming Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass that will allow players to dive deeper into the world of Persona 3 Reload featuring new costumes, background music, and extended story content with Episode Aigis -The Answer-. Get more details here on Xbox Wire with our detailed, first-look preview.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy Available Today on Xbox
Surgent Studios and EA Originals delivered a fresh look at the upcoming Tales of Kenzera: Zau, showcasing its beautiful and treacherous lands in a new trailer narrated by Abubakar Salim, and how the unique interchangeable gameplay between the mask of the sun and the mask of the moon can influence how you traverse this unique world. Look for Tales of Kenzera: Zau to launch April 23, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S and Windows.
Chucky is Ready to Bring a Bloody Good Time to the World of Roblox
RocketRide Games and Universal Products & Experiences revealed Griefville: Survive the Nightmare! for Roblox during today’s Xbox Partner Preview broadcast. Describing itself as a “chilling interactive experience,” it’s inspired by the beloved classic horror films of the ‘80s and ‘90s — with horror movie icon Chucky at the center of it all. And in a bonus surprise, you can experience Roblox, Griefville, and Chucky today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!!
New Game Reveal: Creatures of Ava, A New Creature Saver Game From Inverge Studios
Jump behind the wheel of fan-favorite monster trucks like Megaladon, El Toro Loco, and Grave Digger in a new thrilling off-road arcade racing experience that’s ready to rock on Xbox. Look for Monster Jam Showdown to land on Xbox Series X|S in 2024.
11-bit Studios shared a deeper look at its upcoming emotional sci-fi game that features a unique blend of adventure, survival, and base-building elements. As Jan Dolski, you’ll play as a simple worker who creates alternative versions of himself in a desperate attempt to escape from a planet where even sun rays can prove deadly. Look for the The Alters to come to Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.
First Berserker: Khazan Shows Off Its Visceral Combat in Action
Based on the DNF (Dungeon & Fighter) Universe, The First Berserker: Khazan focuses on the betrayed hero Khazan who is seeking revenge against those who orchestrated his downfall. During today’s Xbox Partner Preview broadcast, Nexon gave us a deeper look at the fierce gameplay we can expect to see when the game arrives on Xbox Series X|S.
11-Bit Studios showed off more of its upcoming city survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth, transforming our world into a harsh, icy wasteland. In Frostpunk 2, you must face a new deadly threat that appears on the horizon — human nature and its unsatiated thirst for power. Look for Frostpunk 2 to arrive with PC Game Pass and Windows on July 24, 2024.
Riffraff Games revealed their upcoming title, Sleight of Hand, with an amazing cinematic trailer. This upcoming 3rd-person stealth game of hard-boiled espionage action will have you infiltrate your old witch coven using a cursed deck of cards in the rain-slicked city of taboo, where ritual magic and cursed artefacts set apart those with power from those without.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will release day one with Game Pass as well as on Xbox Series X|S and Windows in 2024.
Check out all the latest gameplay on the newest Capcom game set in a Japanese-inspired universe, all revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview
Hear directly from Director Shuichi Kawata as well!
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a highly unique, Japanese-inspired single-player game that blends multiple genres to create an action-packed adventure unlike any other! First revealed in June last year during Xbox Games Showcase 2023, this new title from Capcom will release day one with Game Pass, as well as on Xbox Series X|S and Windows in 2024.
The story begins when the legendary Mt. Kafuku is covered by an evil defilement and the 12 masks, including their special powers, are stolen. Our protagonist, Soh, must work together with Yoshiro, the Maiden with divine powers, to purge and cleanse the villages of the defilement.
The masks worn by Soh and the villagers each feature a different divine power, and these powers are the key to protecting Yoshiro. As you cleanse additional villages from their evil defilement, you’ll recover more masks and work together with the various villagers that each mask unlocks to bring Mt. Kafuku back to its original beauty.
Strategic Actions with Dancing Swords and Commands
The game combines the exhilarating action of “dancing swords” with the strategic element of deciding which villagers will join you on your journey to cleanse each village. The cycle of preparing for battle during the day and protecting the Maiden and the village from evil spirits of the mountains (“The Seethe”) at night is critical to Soh’s success. Let’s look at the gameplay during both day and night.
During the day, explore the village, purge defilements, and rescue villagers so they can join you in battle. Repair contraptions to give you an advantage against The Seethe’s attacks at night.
The rescued villagers will fight alongside Soh – but the decision on which power to grant to each villager is up to you. Different masks will grant different powers that help some villagers excel at close-range attacks, while others can heal your crew. Think strategically about which villagers you enlist and where to station them ahead of battle. For example, those with superior melee attacks on the front lines, with long-range attackers in the rear. Use the terrain to your advantage, prepare your positions, and get ready for epic battle once the moon begins to rise.
Each village features the recognizable Torii gates, and ultimate success is decided upon whether Yoshiro, the divine Maiden, can successfully pass through those gates before she faces defeat at the hands of The Seethe. But watch out! Each Torii gate is connected to an evil universe, providing an entrance for The Seethe. Guide Yoshiro to the Torii gates to purge the defilement and save the village.
How to use time wisely before sunset is crucial. In addition to time management, players must strategize for their battle at night. The players’ strategies alongside resource and time management skills are put to the test.
Nightfall brings a distinct blend of intense action and real-time strategy. Protect the Maiden from the oncoming threat of The Seethe by commanding your enlisted villagers while simultaneously doing battle, facing off against The Seethe with Soh’s unique dance-like sword attacks.
In the trailer, you also got your first look at “Kagura” – traditional “dances” derived from the Shinto religion in Japan that has been passed down from generation to generation to purify the defiled. Both Yoshiro and Soh perform Kagura in their own notable ways.
We have named this unique action, in which the player purges the defilement by “dancing,” the “Dancing Sword Action.”
Need to change strategies on the fly? Each villager can be reassigned new roles and repositioned throughout the village any time at night. Protect Yoshiro by making critical calls and decisions in this ever-changing environment.
The Seethe: Evil Spirits Called Upon by the Defilement
The Seethe take many different demonic shapes and forms, with various attacks and abilities. Each enemy is inspired by various Japanese yokai – a catchall word for all manner of ghosts, shapeshifters, demons, monsters, and more – and historic folklore. The Seethe, designed carefully by the director, offers an inside look at the dark aesthetic that immerses Soh and the villagers throughout each night’s battle.
And if The Seethe aren’t enough, the latest gameplay trailer revealed the even more powerful “Festering Seethe.” Catch this intense battle against the Festering Seethe!
Hear From Director Shuichi Kawata
“I hope you enjoyed the new trailer for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess! It’s been a while since the title was announced last year, but I hope the new gameplay you just watched was worth the wait. After releasing Shinsekai: Into the Depths four years ago, we’re ready to open a new chapter for players around the world to enjoy.
This game features a very distinct blend of action and strategy genres and takes strong inspiration from various elements of Japanese culture. With all of that, we’re excited (and maybe a little nervous…in a good way!) to have everyone experience this game.
We are currently in the final stages of development, and the team is working hard to be able to deliver the best experience this game can offer, so we hope you look forward to it.”
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will Launch in 2024
The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass features extended story content Episode Aigis -The Answer, new costumes, and more
General Producer, Kazuhisa Wada, shares his excitement and details of each content drop
Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass will be available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users for free as part of the Perks program
Get ready to dive deeper into the world of Persona 3 Reload with the newly announced Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass, featuring new costumes, background music tracks, and an extended story content scenario Episode Aigis -The Answer-.
This major DLC pack follows the recent successes and achievements of Persona 3 Reload, which became the fastest selling ATLUS title in history, topping 1 million sales within its first week of release. This stunning remake is highly rated amongst critics and players alike, currently holding an 88 on Metacritic.
Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass is coming on March 12 to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC and will be available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate users for free as part of the Perks program. Check out the full announce trailer from the Partner Preview and get more insights from the team at ATLUS below.
The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass includes Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the beloved final chapter of Persona 3, now remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features and all the upgrades that came with Persona 3 Reload.
After unravelling the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fighting epic battles through Tartarus, and all the unforgettable events of Persona 3 Reload, the S.E.E.S. members find themselves trapped in a never-ending March 31st. Your journey will take you through the Abyss of Time as you now play as Aigis, a human-like android with the power of Persona. Undertake new challenges, and uncover the cause of this strange fate and the truth of what happened on that day…
“Persona 3 Reload would not be complete without Episode Aigis –The Answer-,” says General Producer Kazuhisa Wada. “The epilogue is sure to satisfy both those who have played the original Persona 3 FES and those who are just starting out.” He continues, “The Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass will be available on March 12th. Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the third and final DLC wave, will be available in September. We hope you enjoy the first and second DLC waves as you wait for Episode Aigis -The Answer-. “
Players can get the Expansion Pass starting on March 12 to gain immediate access to the Persona 5 Royal EX BGM Set and Persona 4 Golden EX BGM Set when exploring and battling in dungeons, featuring fan-favorite tracks from previous Persona titles:
“Life Will Change”
“Beneath the Mask”
“Kichijoji 199X”
“Gentle Madman”
“I believe”
“Keeper of Lust”
“Blooming Villain”
“Victory”
“Backside of the TV”
“Game”
“Junes Theme”
“Heaven”
“Long Way”
“Revelations: Mitsuo”
“The Almighty”
“Results”
In May, you’ll be able to unlock the Velvet Costume & BGM Set, which features Velvet Room themed costumes for all playable characters and exhilarating remixed tracks to further customize your dungeon experience:
“Electronica In Velvet Room (“P4D” ver.)”
“Battle Hymn of the Soul (t.komine REMIX “AT 1st” P3D-EDIT ver.)”
“Battle Hymn of the Soul (Daisuke Asakura Remix)”
“Battle Hymn of the Soul -USH ver.-”
“Dance Hymn of the Soul (Disco In Velvet Room)”
Finally, in September, the final chapter of Persona 3 Reload arrives with the release of Episode Aigis -The Answer-, the final piece of the Expansion Pass.
The entire team would like to thank everyone who has been playing and enjoying Persona 3 Reload and can’t wait for the world to experience the conclusion to this dark and provocative tale.
Stay tuned to ATLUS social channels for more details on this Expansion Pass and Episode Aigis -The Answer-, coming soon!
Today, during the latest Xbox Partner Preview broadcast – as a surprise for Xbox gamers everywhere – GSC Game World launched the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (via backwards compatibility). That’s right – it’s available today!
The Legends of the Zone bundle – available on the Microsoft Store for $39.99 USD — includes all three iconic games that make up the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Trilogy: Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat. – or you can pick up each of the games individually for $19.99 USD each. Every element from the original games has been maintained and faithfully ported to console thanks to the hard work of GSC Game World and their partners at Mataboo. This all makes for a great opportunity for Xbox gamers everywhere to get some foundational knowledge of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s universe in the lead-up to the launch of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, coming day one to Game Pass on September 5, 2024.
But translating these hardcore PC games to an Xbox controller has been no small feat. For a series that is known for blending a variety of genres like horror, first-person shooter, exploration, and immersive sim, it was important for the team to get it right. Speaking with GSC Game World PR Specialist Zakhar Bocharov, we wanted to learn more about what this process was like, bringing these cult-classic, hardcore PC titles to console, and some of the innovative design and UI adjustments the team had to make to bring all three games to Xbox.
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has been a PC franchise for a long time, so the key priorities were concentrated around adapting the experience for consoles as a whole (including, but not limited to, native controller support for console interfaces),” explains Bocharov. “We created everything from scratch, ensuring that the game was both easy to control and comfortable to play.”
For example, the team developed a weapon selection wheel and made changes to both the aiming system and the menu navigation so it could support an Xbox controller. The original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a complex game, so while optimizing the gaming experience, the development team made it an important goal to not lose that unique gameplay loop and the feeling of overcoming The Zone’s iconic and hostile environment. This has been a project a long time in the making, so there has been significant care and attention to detail to ensure this classic PC game can be enjoyed for a whole new console audience.
“We wanted to bring S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to consoles for quite some time, and we worked closely with our trusted partners at Mataboo to make that happen,” Bocharov shares. “Despite the new release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, we decided to keep S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy in early 2024 to give the players some time to complete the originals before hopping into the sequel. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a direct continuation of the plot and a standalone title, but obviously knowing the previous events and characters would help you to enjoy certain story moments, nods, and Easter eggs better.”
The version available today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S will be close to the original version of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience on PC. Xbox One players will finally be able to dive into the franchise, and those on Xbox Series X|S can enjoy the game in a high-fidelity mode via backward compatibility. Later this year, the team will release a patch for Xbox Series X|S version that will bring additional graphical enhancements and other features. The console versions will also have mod support via mod.io, but this too will be a feature to roll out later as the team continues to tweak things a bit, so keep an eye on GSC’s social media channels on when these features will roll out.
“Considering the cult status of the series and knowing that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is coming to Xbox, it was logical to let players experience the original games,” explains Bocharov. “We consider these releases as finally closing a long-existing gap; all the games from the series will finally be available on all intended platforms.”
Throughout all this hard work to finally bring these iconic PC games to console, the War in Ukraine has been ever present in the hearts and minds of this game development team. Revisiting a series that helped put GSC Game World on the map so many years ago has now ensured that its legacy will extend to consoles as well — in addition to being available for a whole new bunch of Stalkers to enjoy — helps preserve a truly unique creation from this team of artists and game developers.
“The war, relocation, cyberattacks, and working between several countries complicated basically all processes within the team — including the development of the games we’re talking about today,” Bocharov describes. “Again, huge kudos to Mataboo for making this happen even during the hardest of times. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s legacy is now as important as ever. Usually, we say that about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, but bringing the originals to the new platforms and letting more people experience them ensures that the truly Ukrainian franchise will go on and will be loved. It’s very important for GSC to secure this.”
As Bocharov has indicated, this will be a great primer for a new audience to become engaged in the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. before the arrival of Heart of Chornobyl later this year on Xbox Series X|S. Knowing that, we wanted to know if they had any advice for those of you who will be taking their first steps into The Zone.
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. doesn’t own its cult status for nothing,” says Bocharov. “The blend of genres (FPS/horror/immersive sim), the highly engaging gameplay loop, the one-of-a-kind world of The Zone — all of these have been attracting new Stalkers over 16 years now. The word “unique” describes this experience perfectly. Being quite a hardcore experience, this may not be the type of game you play every day. But our super-dedicated lovely fan base proves one simple fact: if you’re into this world, you will find yourself attached to it for years ahead. Good hunting!”
You can pick up S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on the Xbox Store.
“As for the detective work, it’s still there but now through a revamped system that makes it all optional. Players can now choose to investigate clues, knowing that in return they may get info that helps them progress differently. For example, engaging in some additional sleuthing may yield information on how to weaken a formidable boss or help you discover an alternate route that you had no idea about. You could, of course, progress without this knowledge, but it will be potentially easier or more engrossing to do so based on info you’ve deduced.”
It’s a major shift, and clearly one that Frogwares has put a great deal of thought into – but it’s also been a passion project that’s had to be created slowly, through some incredibly difficult real-life circumstances, given the studio’s roots in Ukraine.
“We’ve never shared this before, but we were in the early stages of pre-production on The Sinking City 2 when the war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022,” says Oganesyan. “This forced us to put all that work indefinitely on hold. Now that we know what we are capable of handling, have adapted to the situation as best as we can, and taken all the measures to ensure the stable workflow of our studio, we felt it was time to start up The Sinking City 2 again.”
Creatures of Ava is a Creature Saver game in which you will have to help creatures escape from an infection that is rapidly growing on the planet Ava.
Learn the local customs of the native people of Ava, who have a deep spiritual connection with the planet and all its life forms.
Using flute skills, you can communicate with these creatures and see what they see and request their assistance to figure out puzzles that involve Ava’s surroundings and the natural world.
Earlier today, Creatures of Ava was announced during Xbox Partner Preview, and we’re excited to confirm it’s arriving on Xbox Series X|S in 2024. That’s why we at Inverge Studios wanted to use this opportunity to tell you more about the beautiful world of Ava.
Creatures of Ava is a Creature Saver game in which you will have to help creatures escape from an infection that is rapidly growing on the planet Ava, threatening to wipe out all living beings. Your goal is not to collect the creatures for your amusement nor hurt them — your goal is to save them.
One of our overarching goals when developing the game was to make it non-violent while remaining really fun to play. From the outset, we’ve been captivated by the notion of saving creatures from a distant planet, not for any utilitarian purpose, but simply because they’re sentient beings deserving of compassion. With that vision in our mind creating a non-violent game was essential. However, this initially proved to be one of our biggest challenges, until we settled on the flute as one of the key mechanics in the game — that really helped us realize our goal. Let me explain….
You play as Vic, a human explorer of the rescue team sent to planet Ava to save all living beings before an inevitable catastrophe. In order to save them, you will be forced to leave behind all technology and learn the local customs of the native people of Ava, who have a deep spiritual connection with the planet and all its life forms. Music is their common way of communicating and you must learn how to play the traditional flute of the natives, harmonizing with the beat of Ava.
Using flute skills, Vic can communicate with these creatures and see what they see. They can also request their assistance to figure out puzzles that involve Ava’s surroundings and the natural world. By imitating the sounds creatures make with your flute, you will be able to gain their trust, and then connect to see through them. Connecting with creatures allows you to see from their point of view and control it to interact with different parts of the environment by using their unique traits and abilities.
Vic can also use her time in Ava to investigate the infection, learn its origin, and try to stop it. A special staff – called Nafitar – from an extinct Ava civilization will allow her to cure the infection growing in the environment, as well as the one growing on the creatures.
The infection renders creatures aggressive, which challenged us to find a way to implement unique, non-violent combat mechanics. For example, you use the staff to absorb the infection while dodging the attacks of frenzied creatures. The result is you’re simply cleaning the infected part of the enemy, which is not fatal for the creatures.
At Inverge Studios, we’ve dedicated years to bringing Creatures of Ava to life and ensuring it carries a profound message for players. We’re excited for you to experience it and to connect with the diverse species that call Ava home. Stay tuned for more updates!
Unknown 9: Awakening debuts exciting new trailer, a fierce heroine, gameplay, and a Summer 2024 release
Step into protagonist Haroona’s shoes, tap into an alternate dimension, and use its potent energy to take down those who stand in your way.
Learn what the Reflector Entertainment team has been up to since the game’s teaser trailer won gamescom’s Best Announcement award in 2020
It’s been three-and-a-half years since Reflector Entertainment and Bandai Namco Europe unveiled Unknown 9: Awakening with a teaser trailer at gamescom 2020. Well, we’re back and ready to share the fruits of our labor with the world!
Today, we are thrilled to unveil Unknown 9: Awakening’s Announcement Trailer, which reveals our tough-as-nails protagonist Haroona, a first look at the gameplay, and a Summer 2024 release.
We’d love to get you up to speed on the game, share what we’ve been up to behind the scenes, and explain why you should join the quest to uncover humanity’s best-kept secrets, so let’s dive in!
The third-person action-adventure title centers on Haroona, a truth seeker with a troubled past whose connection to a shadowy dimension known as the Fold has blessed her with powerful abilities.
The last time the world caught a glimpse of the game’s heroine, she was just a child left to fend for herself on the streets of Chamiri, India, unsure of what to make of her unearthly gifts. Fast-forward to today, and Haroona is all grown up. She’s embraced her unique talents and continues to learn the ways of the Fold.
You’ll step into Haroona’s shoes following a life-changing loss. At first, revenge is all you’re after, but the Unknown 9 universe has other plans. Before you know it, in addition to seeking vengeance, you find yourself on a globetrotting journey, uncovering powerful hidden knowledge. This puts you on a collision course with the Ascendants, a breakaway faction of a secret society known as the Leap Year Society. Founded by the brilliant and ruthless Vincent Lichter, Unknown 9: Awakening’s main antagonist, this dangerous splinter group intends to use the Fold in ways that could jeopardize the future of humankind.
The question is, can you shut down this elusive organization’s master plan before it’s too late?
Building a Narrative Universe
From Reflector’s induction into the Bandai Namco Group to the trials and tribulations of creating a brand-new IP, all while finding our footing in a pandemic and then a post-pandemic workplace landscape, it’s safe to say it’s been quite the ride!
However, the last few years haven’t just been about making process and workflow adjustments. We ideated, fine-tuned our storytelling approach, and explored different mechanics and combinations to build distinctive gameplay experiences.
When it was all said and done, we didn’t just develop a video game. We built an elaborate story-driven universe for you to immerse yourself in!
The Unknown 9: Awakening video game is a gateway to the larger narrative world of Unknown 9, a universe encompassing a set of interconnected stories told across different media formats. The game’s lore seeps into every tale set within this world.
To ensure you flow seamlessly from one story to the next, our development and narrative teams dedicated much time to ironing out specific details and features to get the overarching story and its resulting experience just right.
While we’re excited to reveal the entirety of this experience to you, we’re easing you into the world of Unknown 9 one step at a time, starting with our first video game.
Harness the Powers of the Fold
Your quest begins this summer. The moment you take on the role of Haroona, you have carte blanche to tap into her impressive talents by channeling the Fold’s energy into the world.
Haroona, portrayed by actress Anya Chalotra, is fierce, quick-witted, and wields powerful skills—what those in the Unknown 9 universe call Umbric abilities. By harnessing the Fold’s potent energy, Haroona manipulates people, objects, and weapons from any distance. At the flick of a wrist, she obliterates whatever stands in her path, and her capacity to shield oncoming fire is nothing short of impressive. But what makes her a uniquely formidable force is that she can step into any of her foes, leveraging their size, skill, and weaponry to defeat whoever she’s up against.
Our design and development teams zeroed in on this unique combination of skills, devising a set of gameplay mechanics that give you complete control of your combat strategy. The resulting experience lets you choose how you take down your enemies. Whether this means sticking to stealth mode, engaging in full combat, channelling the Fold’s energy to wield Umbric abilities, or using a combination of them all is up to you to decide.
Truthfully, we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of Haroona’s true potential, the power of the Fold, and the secrets this dimension harbors. Stay tuned for additional revelations about the mysterious world of Unknown 9: Awakening, which comes out on Xbox X|S and Xbox One in the summer of 2024.
We’re back with another Community Update to give you the rundown on everything you can expect this month. It’s a little less action-packed than we initially anticipated, but we still have a few updates to offer in this trying time.
The Start of Something New
Xbox Insiders who are on top of their Weekly Pulse Surveys may have noticed something a little different with this week’s question. For the month of March, we’re going to branch out from our traditional platform inquiries to learn a little more about our community. Specifically, we want to know what everyone’s ultimate pizza looks like.
A different facet of pizza creation (crust, toppings, sauce, etc.) will be included in each week’s Pulse Survey throughout the entire month. Once all the results have been tabulated from the surveys, we’ll use that “recipe” to create an Xbox Insider Pie for the Xbox Insider Program. The team will then give their reviews on the ‘za and see how our tastes line up with the community.
Is this an overly complicated way to throw a pizza party for the team? Or is it a test to see if the community will force us to eat a truly revolting, abomination of a pizza? To that I reply, “¿Por qué no los dos?”
Immersive
Despite a small delay toward the end of February, the train is still rolling for the “Get To Know Our Team” articles. Expect the remainder of these interviews to drop sporadically during March as we wind down the 10th Anniversary Celebrations. I’m excited for everyone to keep meeting the rest of the team, and some of my favorite stories are still upcoming!
Additionally, the Release Notes’ migration to their new home is fully underway. The preparations are coming along smoothly, and the team is getting prepared for an official launch soon. In the near future, we’ll post a more detailed explainer on the changes, as well as where to access Release Notes.
Famous Last Words
Since starting these Community Update posts, a few different projects have been teased throughout. There’s been some chatter regarding the status of said projects, so we wanted to give a quick update just to say everything is still being worked on. We’re striving to provide more transparency into our processes, but that also means we might get a little ahead of ourselves sometimes. Hopefully, we’ll have more concrete plans to share soon.
That’s the Hi-Fi
Another month of Xbox Insider is now underway. It’s our first month as a newly minted “double digit” lasting enterprise and we’re more energized than ever. The journey has been great so far, but it’s just getting started!
As always, I hope everyone enjoyed this installment of the Xbox Insider Program Community Update. If you want to chat about this—and everything else XIP—hop on over to the r/XboxInsiders subreddit or throw us a follow @xboxinsider.
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Delta ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3848.240229-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 5, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 6, 2024
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
Accessibility
Fixes to improve narrator readout in the guide when viewing friends and making changes to the friendship.
Capture & Share
Fixes to address an unexpected error in the guide when viewing recent captures.
Games
Fixed an issue where game saves could become inaccessible if the name was very long.
My Games & Apps
Fixed an unexpected delay that could occur when checking for recent updates for games and apps.
System
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Omega ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3848.240229-2200
Available: 4 p.m. PT – March 5, 2024
Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – March 6, 2024
Note: This update may not occur automatically before it has already become mandatory. You can always find the most current update as soon as it is available by opening the Guide > Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.
Remember: Newly enrolled users in this ring are not guaranteed to receive all early updates, but they’ll receive the update prior to the GA release. Additionally, a small subset of users may remain on their current GA build once they enroll until the next system update becomes mandatory for the public. Visit the Xbox Insider Program FAQ to learn more.
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
Accessibility
Fixes to improve narrator readout in the guide when viewing friends and making changes to the friendship.
Capture & Share
Fixes to address an unexpected error in the guide when viewing recent captures.
Games
Fixed an issue where game saves could become inaccessible if the name was very long.
My Games & Apps
Fixed an unexpected delay that could occur when checking for recent updates for games and apps.
System
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
A Treacherous Visual Novel Set in Italy about Friendship, Desire, and Grief.I’m thrilled to announce the release of Mediterranea Inferno on Xbox Series S|X, a mature visual novel set against the backdrop of the Italian south. My name is Lorenzo Redaelli, also known as Eyeguys, a multimedia artist from Milan, and I’ve made this game to offer a glimpse into Italy that goes beyond the usual clichés. Together with the team at Santa Ragione, we’ve worked to create a narrative that draws from personal experiences and cultural reflections, aiming to present a story that resonates with both its authenticity and depth.
In the game, you join Claudio, Andrea, and Mida in their travels as they try to recover from the collective trauma of the 2020 pandemic. These three young men in their early 20s reconnect after two years of forced isolation, hoping to rekindle their friendship. As you pick their daily activities, you’ll discover their darkest fears and obsessions, and, as the reality of their failed expectations emerge, so does their hunger for revenge and retribution.
Drawing on my personal experiences, the inspiration for Mediterranea Inferno comes from the summers I spent in Southern Italy, particularly in Martina Franca, Puglia. These visits, retracing my mother’s childhood, were filled with family traditions and rituals that shaped my view of the region. From spending time at my great-uncle’s countryside home to enjoying meals with Aunt Maria and participating in local festivities, these experiences offered a mix of comfort and monotony, highlighting the dual nature of familiar rituals. There’s a bittersweetness in being distanced from friends during summertime and an acute awareness of the passage of time, reflected in the aging eyes of our relatives year after year.
In terms of art direction, the visual style of the game is influenced by Italian horror cinema, with references to directors like Dario Argento, Mario Bava, and Lucio Fulci, incorporating vivid neon colors and exaggerated dark themes. Additionally, the photography of Luigi Ghirri, particularly his work on Puglia, has been a significant inspiration, bringing a metaphysical quality to the game’s environments. This blend of horror elements, illustration, and photographic realism aims to create a nostalgic yet unsettling visual experience.
Through the game’s characters, I tried to capture the concept of boredom as a status symbol, inspired by the films of Luca Guadagnino. They represent privileged Milanese youth, reflecting on the contradictions and challenges of life beyond bourgeois confines. This exploration is intertwined with Italy’s rich religious iconography, drawing from the influence of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s films and the omnipresence of Catholic imagery in Italian culture. The game incorporates these elements to delve into the complex relationship us Italians have with our cultural and religious heritage.
Mediterranea Inferno’s objective is to blend personal memories and critical reflections on our society. Through this game, I hope to contribute to the broader discourse on game narrative and continue the tradition of Italian creativity. I can’t wait for you to play it, Mediterranea Inferno is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S starting today!
Mediterranea Inferno
Santa Ragione
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
What’s better than a sensual summer retreat in the South of Italy? Join Claudio, Andrea, and Mida in their travels as they try to recover from the collective trauma of the 2020 pandemic. Three young men in their early 20s reconnect after two years of forced isolation, hoping to rekindle their friendship; an exceptional bond that made the trio truly special! A mythological force well beyond the sum of its parts! Or so they think… As you pick their activities for the day, you’ll discover their darkest fears, their obsessions, and, as the reality of their failed expectations becomes apparent, their thirst for revenge and retribution.
A lazy afternoon by the pool, a lustful night at the club, or even a morbid visit to the local cemetery: you’ll decide how to spend this summer vacation, but wherever you go, something or someone will be waiting, offering an additional, forbidden trip through the arcane inner spaces of conscience. Eat the Fruit of Mirages and fight for your endless summer!
Calling all Aces to tune in to the very first Towerborne Twitch stream!
Join Stoic Studio Chief Executive Officer Trisha Stouffer, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Arnie Jorgensen, and Game Director Daniel McLaren as they kick off the broadcast with a casual conversation diving into the game design of Towerborne, the game’s unique and beautiful art direction, and anecdotes of personal experiences across many years of game development. The Stoic team will also talk about Towerborne’s community reception since the game’s announcement at last year’s Xbox Games Showcase, and the gameplay reveal at Gamescom 2023. The stream will be hosted by Community Strategist RAIBOT01, to dig into the origins of Towerborne and the development transition from the highly acclaimed Banner Saga trilogy.
Viewers will also have a chance to participate and ask questions via Twitch chat. Even better, there will be a unique giveaway during the broadcast!
Make sure you join the Towerborne Insider Program if you are interested in playing the game before it comes out later this year. The Towerborne Insider Program gives randomly selected participants access to preview builds for the purpose of helping to shape the future of Towerborne. Be the Ace humanity needs – become a Towerborne Insider today!
After attracting over 1 million players during Game Preview, Hugecalf Studios are proud to announce Turbo Golf Racing will be launching into 1.0 on April 4! Before then, you can download Turbo Golf Racing’s Game Preview on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One, or PC Game Pass for Windows Store.
If Turbo Golf Racing is new to you, let me explain: picture yourself playing golf, but instead of the conventional club, you’re using a turbo-charged car to putt the ball. Throw in 7 other players vying to achieve the quickest time (in race mode) or the fewest shots (in golf mode) – not to mention a variety of Power Cores that change your car’s abilities – and you have a recipe for a very different game of golf.
Since launching into Game Preview, we’ve added new Power Cores to the beloved race mode, including Sticky, a core that allows you to attach your ball to your car, and Grapple Hook, a core that tows your car towards your ball, totaling 18 unique Power Cores to date. This has resulted in over 130 possible unique core combinations, including my personal favorite, Magnet and Hyper Glider, which increases my speed while gliding and enables me to pull the ball towards my car with the press of a button.
Frost Beam, Air Strike and Boost Canister have also been added since Game Preview launch. The 3 new pick-ups in race mode have allowed for more ways to sabotage or take the lead on opponents.
Three seasons of content have flown by, including the Aztec and Space seasons, which featured themed cosmetics, fresh biomes, and innovative mechanics. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed utilizing water features to propel my ball closer to the hole, and there’s something truly thrilling about a shot that is rescued from going out of bounds by a shift in gravity on the course.
For those players seeking a more traditional golf experience, 1v1 golf mode was introduced. This new mode allowed players to unwind and focus on accuracy over speed, because victory is awarded to the player who putted in the fewest shots. Though this mode was previously limited to 2 players – more on that later…
Being part of Game Preview meant that many community-requested features were added, including missions, timed events, leaderboards, ranked mode, bots, custom games, tutorial improvements, core balances and many more. All in all, Turbo Golf Racing now features 5 Game Modes, 18 Power Cores, 5 Pick-Ups, 75 Levels, 5 Biomes and over 400 cosmetics. So what can players expect for 1.0?
April 4 will mark the start of Season 4, a Launch Party themed season with 40 new rewards! Pump up the jam or act a clown with the new Bassline and Jester car bodies. Other goodies include party shades, musical boosters, pork pie wheels, and my go-to party hat wheels.
I mentioned earlier golf mode was limited to 2 players, well not anymore! With the launch of 1.0, Turbo Golf Racing will include a new 8-player golf mode. Players will be able to enjoy their favorite mode with more of their friends. Instead of the consecutive turn-taking that occurs in 1v1 golf, players will take their shots simultaneously, competing to sink their ball in the fewest shots.
What’s more, 10 new levels will be added to the roster, and Urban, Wild and Industrial biomes have been revamped with thrilling new themes! Players will also notice new night levels, garage loadouts, a new core, shop items and so much more.
I’m excited to see you all on the starting line, mark April 4 in your calendar, let’s get this party started! Turbo Golf Racing is available in Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
Turbo Golf Racing (Game Preview)
Secret Mode
☆☆☆☆☆250
★★★★★
$9.99$7.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Free Trial
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. 1v1 Golf Showdown
Step into the ultimate 1v1 showdown, where precision triumphs over speed, and victory is achieved by fewest shots. Scope out the course with the exclusive aerial camera, and hit your ball further than before with the combined power dash mechanic. Put your golfing skills to the test in casual or custom games! 8 Player Online Race
Take on up to seven other competitors in a Grand-Prix style competition. Boost, dash and glide to be the first to get your ball into the hole. Hit the boost pads to charge past your rivals, take shortcuts to outwit them and utilise pick ups to stop them in their tracks. Time Trials
Race against the clock to earn stars and unlock new courses! Compare your best time on each course against those of your friends, or secure your place on the global leaderboards! Power Cores and Pick Ups
Control the way you play by equipping unique Power Cores to suit your playstyle. Hit your ball with more power, spin, or bounciness, whilst using powerful abilities to grapple onto, freeze or stick to your ball. Customisation
Stand out from the crowd in your personalised vehicle. Enjoy over 1 trillion different combinations with customisable car bodies, balls, wheels, spoilers, shields, paints and boosters! Traverse The Courses
Use your wings, wheels and wit to navigate the terrain, taking advantage of boost pads and boost rings, while avoiding rough, bunkers and trees! Journey through unique biomes, including ancient Aztec temples, gravity defying space courses and industrial wastelands! Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at [https://turbogolf.racing/].
Straight from the vault, we’re thrilled to unveil the all-new Xbox Wireless Controller – Fallout, ready for you exclusively at Xbox Design Lab! Get ready to dive into the immersive world of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises. This Fallout-themed controller is a heartfelt tribute to the iconic character from the series we all adore, Vault Boy, showcasing each of his unique S.P.E.C.I.A.L. traits. Secure your spot in the wasteland and get your hands on this epic addition to your gaming arsenal today!
This controller is designed with a collage of some of the most iconic Vault Boy perk icons from throughout the franchise’s history. The white background with the grey etchings of the character allows the design to incorporate all these memorable moments, while still leaving space for you to add all of the colors you love! The blue and yellow colored Vault Boy and Vault-Tec decal surrounding the Xbox button fully tie in the aesthetic that visually represents the post-apocalyptic games. And if you look close enough, you can also find some hidden Easter eggs in the collage that you don’t want to miss!
Xbox Design Lab also allows you to personalize your Fallout controller to create a truly S.P.E.C.I.A.L. configuration. Emerge from your vault in style as you choose from a variety of button styles curated for your Fallout color scheme. From the iconic blue and yellow reminiscent of the vaults, the silver and grey that represent the Brotherhood of Steel, or any other color combination that represents your favorite Fallout color scheme. You can even upgrade your loadout further with metallic triggers and D-pads, rubberized side and back grips and a personal engraving so no one at the settlement will confuse your controller for their own.
This controller also comes packed with additional features to assist in your survival in a post-apocalyptic world. You can explore these rich story-based games for a long time with over 40 hours* of battery life.* You can also use your newly customized controller across various platforms as it supports both Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless connection. From taking on Appalachia with your friends in Fallout 76 to building your own vault on mobile devices in Fallout Shelter, this controller makes for the perfect companion.* Each Xbox Design Lab controller comes with a 3.5mm jack, and once you have connected with your favorite compatible headset, it will let you enjoy the sounds of the irradiated world around you as you chat with friends. Save your favorite moments from the games by using the dedicated Xbox share button, and remap your controllers to your tastes by using the Xbox Accessory App.
Prepare for the future and design your own S.P.E.C.I.A.L. controller. Grab yours now exclusively on Xbox Design Lab!
*Games sold separately. Battery life varies with usage and other factors. Testing conducted by Microsoft using standard AA batteries in preproduction units. Button mapping available via Xbox Accessories app for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11; app for Windows PC requires compatible USB-C cable (sold separately).
Batter up, friends! We’ve got the next round of games coming soon to your download and install queue. Whether you want to bend reality in Control, check out Bikini Bottom, or more, we have your bases covered… er… loaded! Let’s play ball!!
Available Today
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC) Load up your Boltgun and unleash the awesome Space Marine arsenal to blast your way through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood in a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, frenetic gameplay and the stylish visuals of ’90s retro shooters.
Coming Soon
PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 7 Explore the world of “PAW Patrol” like never before, in a 3D action adventure where anything is PAWsible. Play as your favorite pups, drive their vehicles, and save the day by taking on fun rescues and missions either in single-player or with your family in couch co-op. It’s the ultimate PAW Patrol playtime!
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 12 Are you ready, kids? SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is coming to Game Pass! Play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy in this faithful remake and thwart Plankton’s evil plan to take over Bikini Bottom. Battle Plankton’s army of rogue robots – this time with friends in multiplayer mode! Meet all your favorite Bikini Bottomites, voiced by their original voice actors and show Plankton that crime pays even less than Mr. Krabs.
Control Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 13 From developer Remedy Entertainment, this supernatural third- person action-adventure will challenge you to master the combination of supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts and reactive environments while fighting through a deep and unpredictable world. Control Ultimate Edition contains the main game and all previously released expansions (The Foundation and AWE).
No More Heroes 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 14 No More Heroes 3 follows the otaku assassin Travis Touchdown as he takes up his trusty beam katana once more and slashes his way through 10 of the deadliest fighters in the galaxy. Rack up combos with Travis’ beam katana and experience hack-and-slash action like never before!
Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – March 19 Available on day one with Game Pass: Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure! Build your sustainable exofarm, grow alien crops, customize your mech, and explore a new world full of mystery with up to three friends!
MLB The Show 24 (Cloud and Console) – March 19 Available on day one with Game Pass: Swing for the fences, experience game-deciding moments, become a legend and live out your baseball dreams in MLB The Show 24. Want to hit the field early? Game Pass members can unlock up to four days early access plus deluxe edition bonus content with the purchase of the Digital Deluxe Add-On Bundle. Learn more about how MLB The Show 24 continues to tell important stories from the Negro Leagues on Xbox Wire.
In Case You Missed It
Dead Island 2 (Cloud and Console) – Available now A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, turning its inhabitants into zombies. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover who – or what – you are. Survive, evolve and save the world in this first-person zombie slaying adventure!
DLC / Game Updates
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Victors and Vanquished – March 14 Embark on a thrilling journey with Victors and Vanquished! In 19 epic scenarios, play as Ragnar Lothbrok, Oda Nobunaga, Charlemagne, and more. Your strategy and choices decide your fate: will you emerge as the ultimate victor, or fall as the vanquished? Secure your pre-order now and save 15% – and be prepared to conquer the battlefield!
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Stumble Guys Retro Hot Dog Pack – Available now Show off your wackiness as you race to the finish line with your Retro Hot Dog skin, Fire Emote, 250 Gems and 50 Stumble Tokens. This Perk content requires Stumble Guys to use (Free to Play).
Century: Age of Ashes – Forgotten Bay Pack – Available now Brave the silence with the Forgotten Bay dragon, the Flaming Crude Cleaver axe and a 14-Day XP Booster. Requires Century: Age of Ashes to use (Free to Play).
Leaving March 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. If you want to keep the fun going, be sure to use your membership discount to save up to 20% off your purchase!
Hardspace: Shipbreaker (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Shredders (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Keep tuned in at @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC for updates for when these games are available, and we’ll catch you here next time for more games coming to Game Pass!
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Beta ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3848.240229-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 4, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 5, 2024
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
Accessibility
Fixes to improve narrator readout in the guide when viewing friends and making changes to the friendship.
Capture & Share
Fixes to address an unexpected error in the guide when viewing recent captures.
System
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN\25398.3978.240228-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 4, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 5, 2024
New Features and Experiences
We have exciting news! Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.
Capture & Share
Users will now see a toast notification after uploading a new screenshot or game clip to OneDrive if they’re running low on space.
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
Games
Fixed an issue where game saves could become inaccessible if the name was very long.
My Games & Apps
Fixed an unexpected delay that could occur when checking for recent updates for games and apps.
System
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE\26070.1502.240229-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – March 4, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – March 5, 2024
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
Games
Fixed an issue where game saves could become inaccessible if the name was very long.
My Games & Apps
Fixed an unexpected delay that could occur when checking for recent updates for games and apps.
System
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
Um dir ein optimales Erlebnis zu bieten, verwenden wir Technologien wie Cookies, um Geräteinformationen zu speichern und/oder darauf zuzugreifen. Wenn du diesen Technologien zustimmst, können wir Daten wie das Surfverhalten oder eindeutige IDs auf dieser Website verarbeiten. Wenn du deine Einwillligung nicht erteilst oder zurückziehst, können bestimmte Merkmale und Funktionen beeinträchtigt werden.
Funktional
Immer aktiv
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugang ist unbedingt erforderlich für den rechtmäßigen Zweck, die Nutzung eines bestimmten Dienstes zu ermöglichen, der vom Teilnehmer oder Nutzer ausdrücklich gewünscht wird, oder für den alleinigen Zweck, die Übertragung einer Nachricht über ein elektronisches Kommunikationsnetz durchzuführen.
Vorlieben
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff ist für den rechtmäßigen Zweck der Speicherung von Präferenzen erforderlich, die nicht vom Abonnenten oder Benutzer angefordert wurden.
Statistiken
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff, der ausschließlich zu statistischen Zwecken erfolgt.Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff, der ausschließlich zu anonymen statistischen Zwecken verwendet wird. Ohne eine Vorladung, die freiwillige Zustimmung deines Internetdienstanbieters oder zusätzliche Aufzeichnungen von Dritten können die zu diesem Zweck gespeicherten oder abgerufenen Informationen allein in der Regel nicht dazu verwendet werden, dich zu identifizieren.
Marketing
Die technische Speicherung oder der Zugriff ist erforderlich, um Nutzerprofile zu erstellen, um Werbung zu versenden oder um den Nutzer auf einer Website oder über mehrere Websites hinweg zu ähnlichen Marketingzwecken zu verfolgen.
![Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2403.1000.38.0]](https://www.blogdot.tv/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Gaming_shutterstock_1950678976_1920.jpg)
