Welcome back to the regular “help me pick out what to play next” list (or maybe that’s just me) with Game Pass! We have more games waiting for you to boot up and play on PC, console, and cloud. Let’s jump in!
In Case You Missed It
But first, quick shout out to those who tuned in this last week for the Xbox Games Showcase, where we showed off 18 games that will be coming Day One to Game Pass! Check the recap of the whole show here, and we’ll keep you updated on the Wire for when you can start to play some of these games soon.
Available Today
Still Wakes the Deep (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Available on day one with Game Pass! From the award-winning developers at The Chinese Room comes a terrifying tale of isolation. You are trapped on an oil rig in the North Sea, running from an unknowable horror that has come aboard. With no escape and no way to fight back, all you can do is survive. Learn more about Still Wakes the Deep in Xbox Wire’s hands-on preview.
Coming Soon
My Time at Sandrock (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 19 Just like My Time at Portia, My Time at Sandrock takes place in a wholesome post-apocalyptic world 300 years after the Day of Calamity destroyed most modern technologies. Gather resources to build machines, befriend locals, and defend Sandrock from monsters — all while saving the town from economic ruin!
Keplerth (PC) – June 20 Try to survive on a hostile alien planet in this 2D sandbox RPG, where you can choose to live alone or fight side-by-side with your friends in the online multiplayer mode. Survive, build, farm, fight, and explore your way to victory in this open-world adventure!
EA Sports FC 24 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – June 25 Welcome to the Club – EA Sports FC 24 is coming to PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play on June 25, just in time for UEFA EURO 2024. Lead your nation against the best and challenge for international glory as champions from across The World’s Game go head-to-head to become Champions of Europe.
SteamWorld Dig (Cloud and Console) – June 26 A platform mining adventure with strong Metroidvanian influences. Take the role of Rusty, a lone mining steambot, as he arrives at an old mining town in great need. Dig your way through the old earth, gaining riches while uncovering the ancient threat that lurks below…
SteamWorld Dig 2 (Console and PC) – June 26 SteamWorld Dig 2 is making a return to the Game Pass library, taking you on a platform mining adventure forged in Metroidvania flames. When an old trading town is struck by mysterious earthquakes, it’s up to a lone steambot and her unlikely companion to uncover what trembling terrors lie beneath.
Robin Hood – Sherwood Builders (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – June 27 Join Robin Hood and his unwavering band of outlaws in 12th-century England on their mission for a free Nottingham, as you travel across various regions and build up a secret hideout village and help the denizens of the surrounding lands. Complete quests, construct various builds, craft a broad range of items, and freely explore locations inspired by both myth and history in this open-world RPG with base-building features.
DLC / Game Updates
Minecraft: Tricky Trials Update – Available now Venture into the Tricky Trials Update! Team up or go solo and discover new decorative blocks, hostile mobs, items, weapons, paintings, and the trial chambers – a sprawling structure stuffed with traps and treasures for every player!
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Smite: Summer Sizzle Pack – Available now Ignite your fights with the Summer Sizzle Pack in the free-to-play action MOBA game, Smite! Unlock the gods Danzaburou, The Morrigan, and Fenrir as well as their voice packs and emotes. Plus, unlock a 3-Day Account Booster!
Monster Hunter Now: New Season Bundle – Available now Hunt monsters in the real world on your mobile device! Celebrate Monster Hunter Now’s Season 2 with a bundle that includes new monster materials and other awesome bonuses! Claim one Ultra Hunting Ticket, a Paintball, a Potion, a Wander Orb, and a material for crafting Basarios (new monster with the next update!) weapons and armor. This Perk content requires Monster Hunter Now mobile game to use (available free-to-play).
Leaving Soon
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, be sure to check the dates below and don’t forget to use your 20% membership discount on games you would like to keep!
Leaving June 30
FIFA 22 (Console and PC)
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Stranded Deep (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Sword and Fairy Together Forever (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Leaving July 5
Cricket 22 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Stay tuned to @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass, and @Xbox for updates and when you can start scratching games off your backlog. Cheers!
Now that flashback is over, it’s in with the new as Modern Horizons brings some of the greatest machines of our current decade. Technology, innovation, and a lot of power come to play as this series’ Festival Playlist Reward cars: the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, 2021 Toyota GR Yaris, 2023 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S, and the 2023 KIA EV6 GT. 18 new EventLab props to create your dream highway are joining your collection complete with everything you need to create a modern motorway. Five icons from your favorite movies and TV shows for a spin across the Horizon Festival with the Universal Icons Car Pack available for purchase now. This series’ collectible item takes technology even further than we thought. Meet the Robot Collectible on the second week of the Festival Playlist. The 21st century shines on Horizon Festival in our latest update: Modern Horizons.
Release Notes and Game Fixes.
General
General performance and stability fixes
Cars
Fixed an issue with the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 where it wasn’t possible to tune the gear ratio while in stock configuration
You can find a list of issues we are currently investigating here. The Troubleshooting Hub is always open for you to leave any reports you have.
Your Way IS the Highway with New EventLab Props
There are some who will do anything to escape the traffic and mundane sensation of driving on a motorway.
Then there are others who replicate their daily commute or create new highways on their favorite games.
For this second group of people, we have added the latest 17 EventLab props that include everything you need to build a modern road.
This list of props includes:
Roads & Racing
Gameplay
Robot Collectible
Every highway piece features snapping functionality for easier attachment!
Festival Playlist.
Modern wonders with an electric touch, muscle power, and maximum comfort make way as the Reward Cars available for each week of Modern Horizons and as a Series reward.
Can you unlock these future legendary vehicles?
2023 KIA EV6 GT
Earn 80 PTS during the Modern Horizons Festival Playlist to unlock as a Series Reward.
The 2023 KIA EV6 GT has the heart-and-home feel of an SUV that crosses the “GT” line on the sand to become a racing utility vehicle that’s as comfy as it is powerful.
Like a futuristic spaceship, EV6 GT features a green button on the steering wheel that unlocks its true power, transforming this changeling from urban driver into racing speedster able to go from 0 – 100 kmh in just 3.2 seconds using its surprising 576 bhp.
To keep you on your toes from the get-go, this KIA’s inside is adorned with racing interiors like the seats and trim, so even the tamest drives around the Festival will have the unique race-to-the-finish feel.
Did we mention it’s 4 wheel-drive and electric? Because it is and we love it.
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Earn 20 PTS during Week 1 “Summer” Season on the Modern Horizons Festival Playlist. Available from June 20 until June 27
Galloping to the Horizon Festival with crashing footfalls; it’s the latest, biggest, and meanest horse we have seen: the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
As soon as you pop this car’s hood you will be greeted with a very delightful badge, one that says “5.0”. The emblem is not there only for decoration, it’s to remind you of the massive 5.0-liter V8 naturally aspirated Coyote engine that drives this car forward and powers it with 500 horsepower.
6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive to get the complete muscle car experience and an updated braking system to excel its performance on the track as well
Enjoy the reckless charge of the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse!
2023 Hyundai iONIQ 5 N
Earn 20 PTS during Week 2 “Autumn” Season on the Modern Horizons Festival Playlist. Available from June 27 until July 4
The future has arrived. Looking like your regular Sunday-drive SUV, but hiding a potent powertrain and futuristic technology, the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is an auspice for cars to come.
The all-electric powertrain will put its 320 bhp to work and to make the 5 N vanish right in front of your eyes as it reaches 100 kmh from a standstill in 4.5 seconds.
This new iONIQ is a great outdoors partner with an upgraded towing capacity, a great ride, and a minimalist interior design you’ll want to live in.
2021 Toyota GR Yaris
Earn 20 PTS during Week 3 “Winter” Season on the Modern Horizons Festival Playlist. Available from July 4 until July 11
Running on sheer force of vigor and with a willingness to take you from point A to point B in the least number of seconds possible, the 2021 Toyota GR Yaris is taking its shot as your new favorite hot hatch.
The GR is quite hot, actually: a daredevilish four-wheel drive system to make quick work of corners, a very eager 2.1-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 257 bhp, and a six-speed manual transmission to experience corner taking like a true champion built to smash the giants of the track.
Drive around the Horizon Festival in the new benchmark for modern hatchbacks and create your own special build of the versatile vehicle.
2023 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S
Earn 20 PTS during Week 4 “Spring” Season on the Modern Horizons Festival Playlist. Available from July 11 until July 15
Picture it: the echo of eons of Porsche’s magnificent history added to modern electric technology and comfort of an all-wheel-drive SUV. You don’t have to imagine it anymore: it’s the 2023 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S,: Porsche’s all-electric sports utility vehicle.
As the name implies, this Taycan shares a lot of aspects and components with its sedan counterpart. However, the electric SUV comes with two engines that output 750 horses as soon as you touch that pedal. You will cruise so comfortably inside; you’d probably forget that this vehicle can reach 100 kmh in just 2.4 seconds.
Porsche reaps the past by adding elements of its racing legacy into this model which perfectly contrasts with the new generation additions such as touch screens and, of course, the completely modern electric power train bringing the racing history of the brand into the modern era.
Universal Icons Car Pack
From the big screen to your gaming monitor, these icons from your favorite movies and TV shows take the Horizon Festival for a retro revival!
Experience new adventures for K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, the Jurassic Park 1992 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, and all 3 versions of the Time Machine from the Back to the Future trilogy!
Time Machine from Back to the Future
The original Time Machine from Back to the Future has arrived at the Horizon Festival!
Lights and sounds similar to what you saw on the film will burst out of the car just when you hit 88 mph.
Time Machine from Back to the Future Part II
Complete with the new Mr. Fusion attachment, the second iteration of the Time Machine will also be available on the Universal Icons Car Pack.
Just like the first Time Machine, this one will display unique effects once the classic 88 mph speed is met.
Time Machine from Back to the Future Part III
Back to the Future’s Time Machine from the saga’s third instalment will be at your disposal in this Car Pack.
The driving experience of this Time Machine really sets it apart from the previous two versions, and of course, this one will also produce the iconic VFX of its movie counterpart when it reaches, you guessed it, 88 mph.
1992 Jeep Wrangler Sahara from Jurassic Park
From Isla Nublar, the Horizon Festival welcomes Jurassic Park’s 1992 Jeep Wrangler Sahara.
Your vehicle of choice to race on the different off-roading courses in Mexico or to take on a cozy tour watching unusually large ancient reptiles.
K.I.T.T from Knight Rider
Villains hidden across the Horizon Festival, beware! A muscle car powered by justice and artificial intelligence has arrived.
K.I.T.T also comes with a body kit (no pun intended) that allows it to activate Super Pursuit Mode!
You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Car…
Lurking in the deepest corners of the Festival Playlist’s second week is an outfit so amazing nobody has been able to keep it in captivity. From the bottom of the ocean, get your character ready to wear the Shark Outfit–includes swim trunks and fins!
Complete Week 2 EventLab “Laderas Core” by PinHead Larry06 to unlock this exclusive outfit.
A Modern Construct to Add to Your Collection
BEEP BOOP BOP! Transmission confirmed.
Location of the new collectible: unknown. Coolness level: the highest.
Modern Horizon’s second week Collectible event will give you the chance to find and smash.
You will also be able to add this automaton to your EventLab constructions in case you were looking for a futuristic theme or build a robotic scenario.
What’s Next
Time to slow things down and take a well-deserved breather!
Forza Horizon 5’s next update will feature a new Evolving World Coffee Shop, as well as new collectibles and clothing items, and, of course, new cars to unlock and collect!
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle made a grand appearance at Xbox Games Showcase 2024 last weekend, showing off new gameplay, revealing new elements of the story, and treating us to an extended scene set in the Himalayas, as Indiana and new companion Gina attempt to recover a relic while avoid the clutches of colonel Viktor Gantz.
On a special episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, host Malik Prince got to talk more about the trailer and the wider game, joined by MachineGames’ Jerk Gustafsson, Game Director, and John Jennings, Production Director. If you want to watch the full interview, check it out below – or read on for the new details.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s development is in full swing, and what we’ve seen of the game promises a truly authentic Indiana Jones adventure – both in storyline and gameplay.
“The story kicks off when an ancient relic is stolen from the college where Indiana Jones works,” explained Gustafsson. “He’s determined to track down the thief, and he stumbles into this ancient conspiracy involving the theory of the Great Circle, as we call it. The Great Circle is a strange alignment of ancient sites around the globe, and a set of mysterious artifacts connect to it. But Indy isn’t the only one in search of answers. The enemy are scouring the world for these artifacts, believing that they hold some kind of power – and to stop them there’s only one thing he can do, and that is to find the artifacts first.”
This kicks us off on a classic globe-trotting adventure, beginning in the corridors of Indy’s beloved Marshall College, before taking in the Himalayas, the ancient jungle sites of Sukhothai in Thailand, the Vatican (an all-new location for an Indiana Jones project), the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and more. It’s the kind of set-up you’d hope for from an Indiana Jones story, but it stemmed from a perhaps unexpected source:
“It actually started with an idea from [Bethesda Game Studios director and executive producer] Todd Howard,” said Gustafsson. “He had been thinking for years about creating a story around the concept of the Great Circle, so when we got this opportunity to work on an Indiana Jones game it felt like the perfect match.”
Of course, that idea was just the starting point, and the team at MachineGames has worked incredibly closely with Lucasfilm Games to ensure that their original adventure would feel faithful to movies it sits alongside.
“We spent countless hours just rewatching the films – especially the two movies that are closest to the game, which are Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Last Crusade,” said Gustafsson. “In addition, we have one of the best resources through our partnership with Lucasfilm Games, and working together with them on this project has been invaluable, just this cave of knowledge about the character, which has been fantastic.”
“It’s been great having access to writers, art directors from Lucasfilm, people who worked with the Indiana Jones property for decades,” continued Jennings. “Having their input – I mean, some of these people know everything that has ever been written about Indy – and having them to bounce ideas off, and get some of their own input has been hugely, hugely invaluable.”
That partnership came with perks for fans on the team, too: “We managed to get access into some of the Lucasfilm archives as well,” said Jennings, “which for Indy fans has been an absolute dream come true, to get access to some of these things that perhaps not so many people have seen.”
The research has been deep. Writers and artists on the team studied not just the films, but comics and books, not to mention had recreations of Indy’s costume created – including his iconic fedora, reproduced by the same hatmaker that created the original for Raiders of the Lost Ark. On the musical side, longtime Lucasfilm Games collaborator Gordy Haab (who recently won a Grammy for his work on the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor soundtrack) has been brought in to create a score John Williams would be proud of.
That authenticity extends to the characters involved, too. While most of the cast will be brand new faces for the franchise, the latest trailer showed us more of Indy’s friend, Marcus Brody: “Because we start the story in Marshall College it made sense to have Marcus there, to sort of ground it in the familiarity of Indy’s home base,” said Gustafsson – before going onto tease that we’ll see cameos from other classic characters along the way, too.
Of course, the most important element for authenticity was in getting Indy himself right, and the team found a perfect partner in renowned actor Troy Baker:
“It was maybe an unexpected choice at first, but from the moment we watched his audition tape we were just totally sold,” said Jennings. “He’s just a great actor. He’s put so much effort into the role as well – you can tell he’s just this huge, huge fan of Indiana Jones […] We’ve just been in a [voiceover] session recently with him, and he was improvising lines. You know, ‘Wouldn’t Indy say it a bit more like this?’ Or commenting on lines that we’ve written that we thought were subtle Easter Eggs just for the die-hard Indy fans, and he’ll pick up on it straight away.”
Baker’s performance doesn’t just extend to a great impression of Harrison Ford, either. “He’s not just a voiceover actor, he’s the full thing,” Jennings continued. “We do full performance capture: the body, the face, and the voice all recorded at the same time. And he’s got the physical acting nailed down as well. He does a really, really good job of capturing the character of Indy – specifically his character in the first few movies, the earlier ones, which is where our game is set of course. He just does it perfectly.”
This has been a new kind of development process for MachineGames, and that extends to the game itself. “It’s a little bit different, this game, for us, in many ways,” said Gustafsson. “We are very used to having heavy weapons, gun-blazing shooters – and this is a little bit different. We are making a proper adventure game here.”
While the team’s acclaimed Wolfenstein games were brutal, frenetic shooters, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers an experience more befitting of the world’s most famous archaeologist.
“He solves problems with his mind first and really relies on smarts, and not this excessive combat that we have seen or done before with the Wolfenstein games,” explained Gustafsson. “When you are playing the game, choosing the more authentic stealthy Indy route – or just some classic old fist-fighting – will be a benefit to the player more times than not, and also make for a very fun and challenging experience.”
In playing as Indy, we’re not rampaging through the world, but stopping to solve puzzles, and trying to avoid conflict when we can. The team wanted to avoid turning the character we know into a superhero.
“He is flawed, he makes mistakes, he stumbles, there is weight to his movement, and we have this gritty, pulpy edge to the action,” continued Gustafsson. “But at the same time he’s also rather athletic, he’s an excellent fighter, and he also has an enormous amount of luck as well – and at the same time he’s the best archaeologist in the world. So focusing on all of these things, in a way it makes the game feel in line with these classic matinee action-adventures that the movies were celebrating, something I think Indy himself also personifies in a way.”
To do that, the game will primarily be set in first-person – a perspective that MachineGames is very familiar with, a key way to help players feel like they’re truly walking in his shoes, and an exciting point of difference when looking at the wider action-adventure genre as a whole. In key moments, however, we will see the character in third-person, letting us live those filmic moments from the outside.
And speaking of filmic moments, the trailer ended with a callback to perhaps one of the most famous sequences in movie history – Indy’s rolling boulder escape. We had to ask how that made it into the game, and whether we’ll be able to play it. But Gustafsson wanted to keep some mystery before Indiana Jones and the Great Circle arrives:
“That’s unfortunately one of those things where I just have to say: ‘You’ll have to wait and see.’”
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark™ and The Last Crusade™. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery . THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
As someone interested in giving old tech a new lease of life, the idea came naturally. “I was inspired by the many high quality network audio streaming devices sold by the major stereo component brands such as Sony, Cambridge Audio, NAD and so on but I couldn’t justify the cost,” he explains.
“I figured they just play back digital audio so I started looking at DIY options. I knew I wanted a standard-sized stereo component and decided an old stereo tuner would be reasonably-priced because they are not in very high demand, even among audiophile collectors.”
Treble buy
Alan purchased three Sony ST-JX411s so that he could mix-and-match the best looking parts (“most were dented and dirty,” he says). He liked its look and noted it had space for a decent-sized LCD. “The Sony tuner has a retro vibe but doesn’t look too dated, and it fits in with much of my second hand stereo equipment,” he says. “I also thought that a repurposed tuning knob would be a nice touch for a streaming player – few attractive modern tuners have one.”
The front panels were important. “I wanted to play a playlist or start and stop the device without using a web interface on my computer or phone,” he explains. “Another requirement was for an alphanumeric display for the currently playing song, title and file format. Since my amplifier already had a digital-to-analogue converter [DAC], I wanted quality digital audio – S/PDIF – too.”
For the audio quality, Alan chose a HiFiBerry Digi2 Pro which uses the I2S sound port for S/PDIF audio output (without a DAC, he’d have opted for a DAC HAT such as the Raspberry Pi DAC Pro). To connect everything together, he used a small proto PCB board with some male headers. “That way I could use female-to-female jumpers to connect to the Pi GPIO pins,” he says.
Setting the tone
Alan retained the logic board which houses the front-panel buttons. “The main challenges related to reverse-engineering these buttons and I’m not sure I would have accomplished the project without a schematic diagram I found online,” Alan continues. As it was, Alan was able to read row and column values, reducing the number of wires from 17 to 11. He also replaced the logic board’s vacuum fluorescent with a new alphanumeric LCD, and Raspberry Pi’s ports were extended to the tuner’s back panel.
To control the functions, Alan used the open-source project moOde. “I had already been using moOde on Raspberry Pi 4 and I was happy with its features and audio quality,” he says. “I also liked the simplicity of the moOde API, so I didn’t have to spend much time figuring that out.”
So how does it fare? Great, as it happens. “It works very well, with no issues,” Alan says. “And since I’m using the original board passively – that is with no power applied – there’s not as much to wear out or go wrong. I now use the music streaming player almost every day and the audio quality is indistinguishable from the original source material, at least to my ears.”
World of Warcraft’s The War Within expansion got a release date during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 – coming to PC via Battle.net on August 26, this expansion will be the first part of a trilogy of expansions known as The Worldsoul Saga, diving deep into the mythology of World of Warcraft.
To celebrate, Official Xbox Podcast host Malik Prince teamed up with World of Warcraft community manager and WoWCast host Bethany Stout to interview World of Warcraft Executive Producer Holly Longdale and Game Director Ion Hazzikostas, finding out more about this expansion, and why now is a perfect moment to jump into the game for the very first time. You can watch the entire interview below, or read on for all the key details.
Of course, it’s something new to see World of Warcraft on an Xbox podcast. “We’re just super excited to be part of Xbox now, coming from Blizzard,” said Longdale. “And we’re representing a PC game, World of Warcraft, so we’re super excited to be here, and we want to share with all the Xbox fans that we’re here to stay. We’ve been around for 20 [years] – we’re not your dad’s game, we’re not your mom’s game – and we’re going to be around for 20 more at least. We want to invite everybody into this incredible experience.”
Part of that invitation comes with the game’s free trial, allowing you to explore the world and level up all the way to level 20. But there’s a new option to do so with the Welcome to Azeroth bundle. Including everything players need to begin their adventure in Azeroth, this offers the current expansion, Dragonflight, a level 60 character boost, and 60 days of game time for $24.99 USD.
That bundle has been carefully-chosen to help you get ready for the upcoming expansion: “We’ve really done a lot over the last 20 years to ensure that 20 years of content is not 20 years of obstacles that you have to overcome to get to the latest, coolest thing,” said Hazzikostas. “When War Within comes out, Dragonflight, the current expansion, will be what you play through to level up and jump right into War Within. That will give you the power, give you an understanding of the mechanics, you’ll have a dragon companion that you’ll earn very early on […] and it’s also going to prepare you story-wise for what The War Within is going to bring.”
It all makes The War Within a great marker for when to start playing WoW – as the beginning of a brand-new, three-expansion saga, this is a new story that even seasoned veterans will be discovering for the first time. And that story is already being told ahead of the expansion’s August 26 launch:
“In the lead-up to War Within, there’s already stuff going on in World of Warcraft at this very minute,” said Hazzikostas. “Xal’atath – the villain that you saw at the end of that [Xbox Games Showcase] cinematic – has emerged into the world, and her tendrils are branching throughout Azeroth, weaving dark plans that are going to threaten us. It’s exciting to have that build-up to that launch moment.”
When it does kick off, The War Within will introduce brand new zones to explore: leading players under the surface of Azeroth into Dwarven caverns, taking them to the beautiful Hallowfall Canyon (with airship travel to get around), and into Azj-Kahet, the home of one of World of Warcraft’s most powerful civilizations, the Nerubian Empire. Incidentally, Nerubians are an intelligent race of arachnids – and The War Within will offer an arachnophobia option to replace their models with (friendlier-looking) crabs.
We’ll also get a new feature called Warbands, which will allow players to switch between multiple characters without having to replay swathes of the expansion. Delves will offer a new dungeon experience, allowing for smaller, shorter dungeon crawls, even for solo players. For bigger dungeons, which often require you to play with others, The War Within will offer AI characters for those who can’t play with a party.
The War Within is doubly special for Blizzard, as it marks the 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft, and it’s an opportunity to look at how different kinds of players approach the game, and build something for all of them: “This is a huge year for World of Warcraft in general,” said Hazzikostas. “It’s really humbling to reflect upon my own relationship with the game, but really just to look back at the journey that we’ve taken as a development team with our community. We’re a game that has grown and evolved as our community has.
“I think not everyone has that time to spare these days – we’re all busy, we all have a lot of responsibilities, but we want to maintain a relationship, or build a new one, with this world that’s been special for so many people. [It’s] evolved over the years to keep that depth for those who want to seek it, but [we’re] making sure that there’s a wide range of levels of commitment and relationship you can have with the game and still have an epic, fulfilling experience.”
“What you saw [in the Xbox Games Showcase] cinematic was a celebration of the past 20 years, and the journey of our story over the past 20 years,” said Longdale. If you want to join in those celebrations – whether you’re a committed player, someone looking to return, or a total newcomer – now’s the time.
Earlier today on the Official Xbox Podcast episode, hosts Malik Prince and Jenn Panattoni spoke with President of Oxide Games, Marc Meyer, and Head of Ara for Xbox Game Studios, Brian Stone, as they stopped by to share more in-depth details on Ara: History Untold, including new details on its multiplayer and – best of all – to share a release date: Ara: History Untold will launch this September 24, 2024, for Windows PC, Steam, and will be available on day one with PC Game Pass!
Watch the full podcast below – the Ara: History Untold section begins at 1:58:
As they detail in the interview, the team at Oxide really wanted to make Ara distinctive in the historical grand strategy genre, by looking across the landscape of strategy games to identify common pain points they could address and explore ways they could shake things up. There are many things the team is excited to talk about when it comes to Ara and we’ve highlighted some of the biggest news elements to come out of today’s segment.
Playing in a Living World
One of the standout elements of Ara: History Untold that’s immediately clear from the footage shown during the Official Xbox Podcast segment, and its screenshots, is just how beautiful and detailed the world looks. At a high level, you can easily see how the regions are divided, making them distinguishable from agricultural versus industrial, as well as resource deposits.
“Ara, at its core, is a classic turn-based historical grand strategy game that spans the scope of human history from ancient times all the way up to the modern era and beyond,” explains Stone. “But it’s also a game that (Oxide) has been really pouring a lot of modern elements into it. They’ve made the look of the game something completely unique that you’ve never seen before.”
Diving in closer, however, you see that this is a “living” map with massive amounts of activity from planes flying overhead, garbage trucks going down the street, children playing in playgrounds, to wildlife living in dense jungles. It brings character to this game world and lets you connect with it in a way that you may not have before in other grand strategy games.
“This is all randomly generated every time you build a new game. Every time you play again, you will get a different world. It’s going to be full of all these different biomes,” Meyer explains. “It’s the living world; it’s full of all types of interesting things we want the players to notice and to see… And it’s a resource. That’s part of the game. It’s something you will harvest and get things from, and you will establish your nation here and you’ll use that resource to improve the lives of your people and your citizens.”
Multiple Paths to Victory with Unique Leaders
Because there’s so many ways to play through Ara, it was important for the team to make sure there were leaders for every playstyle, and we were shown that during the Official Xbox Podcast segment. There’s a variety of traits that help define who these Leaders are, inspired in part by how they existed in the world.
“Each of the leaders has sort of this unique hero trait that that sets them apart from everyone else,” explains Meyer. “They’ve got these set of traits that they share with each other and they kind of dictate a little bit of the underlying pieces of their personality and they dictate how they’re going to get along with each other… It lets us have a huge variety in the different leaders that we offer and so that playing each one of them is very different.”
Ultimately, the goal of Ara is, through your own means, to become the most prestigious nation on Earth. And you can do that across a lot of different types of gameplay strategies, from military conquest to religious victories to industry. Or become a beacon for other nations through prestige. “There are almost unbound ways to kind of go invest in kind of what you’re building from that first little village,” says Stone.
“As your nation grows, and as you gather people, you’ll gain claims that will let you take over pieces of land and grow your empire and find new places to build and new resources to exploit,” Meyer adds. “And so, it’s all this self-fulfilling system where you grow so that you can grow more, and you can get more land and you can get more resources. And then you take those resources, and you refine them through our crafting system to produce amenities that will improve the quality of life of your people.”
Multiplayer and Simultaneous Turns
In many grand and turn-based strategy games, multiplayer sessions can be a challenge — trying to wrangle a dozen players in a single game can be a daunting task. But Oxide might have a solution here. They call it “Simultaneous Turns” and it involves all players resolving their Turns at the same time. While not wholly new to the genre, the way simultaneous turns are implemented in Ara is truly unique.
“The way that works is you submit your actions, and everyone else in the world submits their actions at the same time, and then they all get resolved together,” explains President of Oxide Games Marc Meyer. “It’s not a situation where if you go first, you get to get the claim; the person who goes second doesn’t get the claim. In this model, everyone goes at the same time. So, in multiplayer you really have a fair chance at everything.”
“We’ve built all of that turn processing in the Azure Cloud, which means that it’s all there, all running, all the time,” adds Head of Ara History Untold for Xbox Game Studios Brian Stone. “Anybody in any game can hot join, in or out. You can run games at any pace you want. If you want to play a game like one turn a day or one turn every 30 seconds. It doesn’t matter. You can do that. You don’t need to worry about who’s hosting — it’s like almost unlimited flexibility in terms of how you play.”
“We really wanted to remove all the barriers for multiplayer,” says Meyer. “You can jump in and out of as many games as you want. You can take your turn when you have time and wait until it gets submitted. If your friend decides he doesn’t want to play anymore, an AI can come in and take over for him, it doesn’t mean the end of your entire world if you’re playing online and you don’t want to do that, you can stop, and you don’t have to worry about destroying the game for everyone else who’s playing.”
Check out the entire Ara: History Untold deep-dive episode on the Official Xbox Podcast to hear more information around the details mentioned here as well as seeing the game in action. Look for Ara: History Untold to launch on Windows PC, Steam, and with PC Game Pass on September 24, 2024.
Slowly but surely, the enigmatic Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is revealing itself to us, only to pose new questions as we peel back the layers on this unique game. Recently, Capcom shared some new background details on the festering Seethe, creatures of lore who pose a threat to the Maiden, Yoshiro, and the villages she’s protecting.
This past weekend at Summer Game Fest Play Days, I was among the first to try out a lengthy demo of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, before sitting down with some of the game’s creators to answer all of the “what did I just see?” types of questions which came tumbling forth.
This special demo was set early in the game, in an area called Myoko Pass; the developers explained that we’ll be spending a lot of time in the mountainous region. “The story takes place and also concludes on Mount Kafuku” explained Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi. “Many of the Japanese folklore and mythologies have backgrounds where it takes place on mountains, and that’s where [we] got the inspiration.”
If you’ve seen a trailer for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, your reaction may have been along the lines of “this looks cool, but how, exactly, do you play it?” Fortunately, the game’s loop sets itself up early: taking control of masked guardian Soh, players earn crystals by purging defilement throughout the village (hold the B button down whenever you see something… disturbing). This often releases a villager in the process; crystals can be spent to assign them more martial roles to take on at night – when things go from weird to worse.
You’ll need to balance building up your battalion with an even more important task: using crystals to clear a path through the defilement for Yoshiro, the maiden you’ve seen dancing in trailers, to proceed through the village towards a tainted Torii Gate – the titular Path of the Goddess. Soh’s crystal harvesting and direction of Yoshiro and the villagers takes place during several real-time minutes of daytime. Once night falls, it’s time to make the best of a perilous situation.
As soon as it gets dark, the defiled Torii gate starts spitting forth pint-sized, almost cute enemies, based on Yokai of Japanese folklore, all making a beeline for Yoshiro. While they don’t move too quickly, they come in large numbers, and from multiple directions.
Not a problem – Soh is a capable warrior who employs a graceful “Sword Dance” action system, inspired by traditional Kagura dance. The result evokes a sort of “Capoeira with blades” moveset.
I directed Soh back and forth, elegantly slashing my way through dozens of monsters, occasionally pausing to direct my axe-wielding villagers to hold down choke points. While Yoshiro took a hit or two, generating all kinds of alarm on screen, she made it through the night. By sunrise, I had earned enough crystals to pave a path for Yoshiro all the way to the Torii gate, where she purged that part of the village of defilement.
This opened up a tent, serving as a base from which to prepare for the next battle. Inside, Yoshiro presented Soh a Tsuba guard, granting a new power to battle the Seethe called Suzaku’s Flame, with the promise of more to come.
Seeking a greater challenge, I next challenged a boss. Before heading off to battle, Yoshiro supplied a bounty of crystals, with which I trained a posse of four woodcutters to help even the odds. Soon, Gakinyudo, a giant version of the mobs I had been facing in the village, came bursting into the clearing. I assigned three villagers to surround the abomination, reserving one to guard Yoshiro. We were dealing out significant damage when Gakinyudo summoned more tiny versions of itself to swarm the battlefield.
That’s when Gakinyudo got the best of me, sending Soh sprawling to the earth. Interestingly, that’s not game over – Soh become a floating spirit, still able to direct villagers and keep the pressure on the beast. After a few agonizing seconds as a non-corporeal being, Soh respawned back on the battleground, sword in hand! This made it clear that, in a real way, Soh isn’t the main character, it’s Yoshiro; if she is slain, the mission has failed.
This time, I made better use of Soh’s dodge roll, and before long, Gakinyudo was dispatched. Soh was rewarded with boons to his health, and even new roles to assign villagers, such as Archer, for the battles ahead.
And there will be plenty more fights; this is a big mountain, and daylight is already burning. Fortunately, we won’t have to endure many more dark nights until we get our hands on Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, something that the developers eagerly look forward to.
“Having it on Game Pass on day one allows an opportunity for many people to want to challenge themselves to take on this new gaming genre, to experience this new gaming experience,” Director Shuichi Kawata told me. Producer Hirabayashi added, “When you first play it and then you progress through it at the beginning, it kind of takes a little bit of time to get used to it. But as you progress through it and beyond the very first difficulties, you really get the feeling of the new gaming experience that this game has to offer. So we are looking forward to that.”
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be available on July 19 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will be able to play the game from day one. In addition, this title is compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-play and transfer of saved data between Xbox and Windows 10/11.
Want even more options? There’s also a new setting that lets you adjust your dynamic background color without changing your profile color.
Easily Connect Your Xbox to Your Wireless Networks
Switching between Wi-Fi networks just got a whole lot easier for your Xbox. You can now remember up to 10 wireless networks that you’ve used before and hop on them without typing the passwords again. It’s also easy to forget and disconnect from the wireless networks you’re done with. No need to remember the Wi-Fi from your trip – unless you plan to go back! To check this out, go to Settings > General > Network settings > Manage wireless networks > Manage my networks.
Manage Your Subscriptions Directly From Your Console
You can now update your subscription plan or turn on recurring billing within your console settings. Go to Settings > Account > Subscriptions, select your subscription, and then choose Change subscription. Once you’re there, you’ll be able to select the options that work best for you.
Some Experiments You Might See on Your Console
We’re always experimenting and looking for ways to make your console experience even better. This month, you may notice updates such as the ability to find people using console search, updates to the Game Pass page layout and style, and additional information to search card results and flashcard store buttons. As we roll out these experiments, a random subset of players will be able to give them a try.
Xbox Wireless Controller Firmware Updates
Starting today, we’re rolling out a firmware update for your Xbox controllers. If you use the Xbox Adaptive Controller, you’ll have expanded support for more connected USB accessories. This update will better support full functionality of some accessibility peripherals. Each port now supports up to 12 buttons, a second stick, and a hat switch.
You’ll also see improvements to wireless disconnects for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 when a headset is attached to its 3.5mm audio port. Plus, you’ll get some other bug fixes to make your gaming smoother. Grab this update from the Xbox Accessories app on the Xbox console or your Windows PC.
PC Gaming | Xbox App on PC Experience Updates
New Game Pass Sub Navigation Menu Is Now Available for All Players
Back in April, we announced that we had started previewing this new menu with a subset of players. Today, we’re excited to share that all PC players can now enjoy these new navigation options inside the Xbox app on PC.
The Game Pass tab will now display options to directly access all games from Xbox Game Studios, EA Play, and Riot Games that are available in the catalog. EA Play is included with both PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate, and both Game Pass memberships also give you access to exclusive Riot Games benefits.
With Game Pass, you can access all of the benefits above, and enjoy incredible new games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which will be coming to Game Pass on day one later this year. Game catalog and benefits vary by plan.
Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) Updates
Managing Game Data for Cloud Gaming
We have enhanced features to support players in managing their game data on Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). Now you can self-manage game data and cloud saves for titles that are played on browser at xbox.com/play, from the Samsung smart TV app, and on other supported cloud-gaming devices. This is a vital tool to use for troubleshooting when corrupted data prevents gameplay, or to reset a game to its original state when you want to start a game from scratch. You can find instructions on how to manage game saves when using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on our support page.
Mouse and Keyboard for Cloud Gaming Is Now Available for All Players
Last month, we announced that we started rolling out mouse and keyboard support for cloud gaming on Edge and Chrome browsers and the Xbox app on PC. These features are now available to all players. To access this feature on the Xbox app on PC, simply select the Cloud Gaming tab and navigate to the Play with mouse and keyboard collection, which includes all games supporting mouse and keyboard.
Help Shape the Future of Xbox
Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and all the latest and greatest Xbox related news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.
We love hearing from the community, whether you have a suggestion for a new feature that you’d like to see added, or you want to give feedback on existing features that could use some improvement. We’re always looking for ways to improve Xbox experiences for players around the world. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Programtoday by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox Oneor Windows PC. Let us know what you think!
Mini Dexed ports the concepts of the digital synthesiser to Python and Raspberry Pi, and is the brainchild of Simon Peter (aka Probono), who describes it as a ‘Dexed FM synthesiser similar to 8x DX7 (TX816/TX802) running on a bare-metal Raspberry Pi (without a Linux kernel or operating system)’ to produce eight tones. Voices can be programmed using a DX series editor using MIDI sysex.
Emphasising the importance of Yamaha’s DX7, composer and MusicRadar journalist OSC Steve argued: “it’s possible to categorise 1980s music into two eras; the pre-DX7 era and the post-DX7 era, such was the widespread use of this new instrument and its distinct timbral character”.
Bringing DX7 to life
Probono has been experimenting with Raspberry Pi, for home automation and 3D printing as well as digital music, since its launch in 2012. He began the Mini Dexed project because he was keen to make a “real musical instrument” rather than something that felt like a computer. He is in awe of the original developers of FM synthesisers and says Mini Dexed “stands on the shoulders of giants”. To recreate their sounds he was looking for a commonly available, inexpensive microcontroller with lots of computing power and is “using Raspberry Pi more like an embedded microcontroller than a regular computer”. Quick boot times, small code size and overall simplicity are further hallmarks. The project began in 2022 during a discussion in the Circle project, when Probono asked for guidance on how to go about integrating an existing synthesiser engine. Another maker, Rene Stange produced Circle, a library for code that runs it in a bare-metal Raspberry Pi environment, while Holger Wirtz ported the Dexed synth engine for use with microcontrollers, creating a framework specifically for this scenario.
Future sounds
Mini Dexed is a flexible platform for experimenting with electronic sound. Once it had been ported for microcontroller use, Probono deliberately built Mini Dexed around Raspberry Pi and commonly available, inexpensive hardware components. He says a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 version could be created for less than €50. Hardware choices and whether to use a dedicated audio DAC are down to individual makers’ preferences, while suitable connections for the audio partly depend on which Raspberry Pi you’re using. Those that can be configured to use USB Gadget Mode instead of USB Host mode (currently Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 but not yet 5) allow MiniDexed to be used as a USB MIDI device and accept audio streaming from MIDI keyboards, for example. “As someone who is interested in experimental music, I could imagine hooking up all sorts of sensors via MIDI to Mini Dexed, in order to create an immersive soundscape that changes as its surroundings change.”
Mini Dexed has also been extended to work with external DACs (making it usable with Pico and Raspberry Pi 1 and 2, too) as well as adapted to support 16 voices by blogger Kevin, who has contributed to this fantastic synth’s development and raised its profile. Probono specifically mentions the potential of Raspberry Pi Pico which Kevin was able to implement: see magpi.cc/picodexedgit or magpi.cc/dx7usbdongle.
“While the project can be built without any extra hardware, a simple display and a rotary encoder and/or some buttons make it much easier to use, and an inexpensive digital to analogue converter increases sound quality significantly.” Probono says “The real cost is the time invested into developing, building, refining, testing, discussing – and the MiniDexed community collectively has put in, and is still putting in, a lot of time and effort, which I am very grateful for.”
“I am still trying to wrap my head around how to design sound from scratch using FM, it’s probably a learning journey for a lifetime.”
Mecha Break will be available in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, with a closed beta test coming only to Xbox Series X in August 2024.
The game features three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP (unavailable for the upcoming beta).
Experience an arsenal of unique mechs with diverse playstyles and customization; play how you want and master your mech’s abilities.
Oozing with high-tech style and full of fast-paced battles, Mecha Break is multiplayer mech-based shooter that puts you in the pilot seat of your very own towering mech as you dive into a clash of steel and plasma unlike any other. Now, after two successful closed beta tests on PC, developer Amazing Seasun Games is proud to announce that Mecha Break’s next closed beta test will be coming to Xbox Series X in August 2024!
While the impressive mechs and break-neck speed of Mecha Break’s combat is the flashy initial draw, the room for personal expression through cosmetic customization and diverse combat tactics will let you build an attachment to your favorite mech. The full release game will feature three distinct game modes: 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP.
Mecha Break features customizable mechs, player-created mech pilots, a wide array of mech and weapon types, and three distinct game modes where you can discover an array of attacker, brawler, defender, sniper, and support mechs each with unique playstyles and toolsets.
For the upcoming closed beta test in August on Xbox Series X, the highlighted game modes will be the 3v3 Arena mode and 6v6 Battlefield mode. Here you’ll work together with your team and engage in intense aerial and ground combat as you fight for the objective. Employ strategic tactics for close and long-range encounters, unleash devastating firepower, cleave mechs in half with giant melee weapons, and rain missiles upon the battlefield as you and your team fight to win.
Strategic planning is key in Mecha Break, so effective communication with teammates will be essential to lead them to victory. Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightning-fast maneuvers, and explosive firepower. Experience the colossal power and thrilling movement of your towering mech. Mecha Break’s closed beta test on Xbox Series X will begin in August 2024. Stay up to date on all Mecha Break news on Discord, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
Mecha BREAK
Amazing Seasun
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Mecha BREAK is a multiplayer mech game that allows players to choose from diverse mechs, customize appearances, and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain. Get ready for the ultimate showdown—blitz, brawl, blaze!
We got an email from Jeff Loeliger about a very cool project he’s been working on recently.
“When you have several computers and lots of files around the house it is useful to have a NAS – network attached storage – device to share files, stream media with Plex, and back things up,” Jeff writes. “My current system is an old QNAP TS-251 and a very old, and unsupported, QNAP TS-110. I wanted something new and faster, which sounded like a project for the Raspberry Pi. It has a compact completely 3D-printed case with a custom pHAT interface board.”
The Xbox Games Showcase provided a fresh look at Avowed with its first story trailer.
Meet Giatta, one of the four companions you’ll encounter during your adventures.
Discover the Dreamscourge and its devastating impact on the region.
Take a peek at the factions at play and the choices you’ll face as you forge your destiny.
The last few months at Obsidian Entertainment have been fast-paced and exciting. Since we saw you at the Xbox Developer_Direct this past January, we’ve been busy with Avowed, getting it ready for release in 2024. Today, we’re thrilled to have revealed our first-ever story trailer at Xbox Games Showcase 2024, and to talk with you more about what we’ve shared.
In Avowed, as the envoy sent directly by the Aedyran emperor, your adventure kicks off in Paradis, the bustling port city at the heart of the Living Lands. This vibrant hub has been shaped and reshaped by generations of pioneers, each leaving their mark, often in blood, on the Living Lands. It’s also the epicenter of tension between Aedyran forces and the locals, who are suspicious of Aedyr’s growing presence.
Rumors and hysteria have also begun to bubble up in Paradis surrounding the Dreamscourge – a mysterious plague of the soul – as it afflicts people, animals, and even the land itself. No one knows how it spreads, but many have come to recognize and dread the symptoms: first, victims experience confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations. As it worsens, they become unpredictable and erratic in their behavior, as if trapped in a waking nightmare. In the final stage, they turn into violent “Dreamthralls,” their bodies twisted with fungal growths and their minds and souls overtaken by the plague.
Watching our newest trailer, you’ll hear three distinct voices speaking to you. First is your emperor, who believes the Dreamscourge could develop, if unchecked, into a dire threat to Aedyr. He sends you into this wild frontier to uncover the source of the plague and put an end to it. Inquisitor Lödwyn, the leader of the Steel Garrote – an extremist paladin order from Aedyr – believes there’s something more sinister at play and calls on you not only to eradicate the Dreamscourge, but also to bring the island’s unruly factions to heel. Meanwhile, your companion Giatta perceives a larger and more mysterious force at work in the land and urges you to embrace it in all of its awe and chaos. As a stranger to these shores, you’ll need to navigate your relationship with all three of these factions, work to uncover the source of the Dreamscourge and prevent it from plunging the Living Lands into madness.
Supporting you on your journey are four companions, including Giatta. A brilliant and outspoken animancer who studies soul energy, she has endured suspicion and ire for her work. But like you, she desperately seeks a solution to the Dreamscourge. She’s a vital ally who will help you understand the unique metaphysical ecosystem of the Living Lands.
But remember, the Dreamscourge is not the only thing you are up against. Tensions simmer between the locals and Aedyr, and the island itself seems to be rebelling against itself.
Every choice you make could tip the balance of fate toward one faction or the other. Who will you align with? Who will you destroy? And who will ultimately control the Living Lands?
Avowed will be released in 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and cloud, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Each new region will come with its own biome, a reflection of the South’s wildly varied landscapes. All of those biomes are inspired by real-world locations – Sears won’t go into detail about the later game yet, but tells me that the section we see here is set as you’re about to exit the flood and enter Mississippi Delta-like countryside. However, the magical realist approach allows Compulsion to play with expectation as you travel through its world.
Locations will feel deeply rooted in what we know of the real world – in fact, to help create this section of the game, the developers took a trip to a real Mississippi ghost town, itself infested with alligators (only one of them braved the trek across amphibian territory to get into an abandoned church and take reference shots). But as we travel, we’ll see how these areas have become overtaken by the game’s mythical creatures, bringing twisted change with them.
‘The world Hazel comes from is inspired by the contemporary Deep South” says Clayton, “but as you dive deeper into the world, things become more mystical and surreal. We wanted the feeling that you’re being pulled into a folktale, rather than, say, crossing a barrier like in Alice in Wonderland.”
The Song of Tom
Of course, most folktales need antagonists and in the trailer we meet one of them. Two-Toed Tom is based on real-life campfire tales of ancient, giant, seemingly unkillable alligators, and he will – as Clayton puts it – “haunt” this chapter in Hazel’s tale. What we’ve seen are the very edges of his hunting grounds, but Tom will repeatedly reappear as you explore his region, eventually leading us to a showdown. It allows not just for a “boss fight” that effectively spans a whole section of the game, but also allows the team to turn each creature into a full-blown character, rather than a simple mechanism for conflict.
“Tom is the only mythical creature in the game who was not a human being before transforming,” explains Sears. “People transformed Tom – he was an alligator born with the will to live, and the will to eat, and those things seemed to work really well. Because, like a lot of reptiles, he will continue growing as long as he can eat. And because he has a traumatic backstory and has become a creature of folklore and urban legend, he’s going to persist and continue getting bigger and bigger.”
The idea, like everything else here, doesn’t seem to be that Hazel will kill the creatures standing in her way, more that she’ll be curing them, removing the hurt that turned them into monsters in the first place. And in perhaps the most starkly unexpected part of the trailer, we even hear the game’s music reflecting the story that made Tom what he is.
The release date for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has been set for July 19, 2024, and pre-orders are available today.
In addition to Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC, the game will also be available on Xbox One.
The newly released trailer further explains the game’s unique fusion of action and strategy.
Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess is a single player game that combines action and strategy in a unique Japanese-inspired setting. The latest trailer for the game was revealed today during Summer Game Fest, and the release date has been set for Friday, July 19, 2024!
In addition to the previously announced support for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, additional support for Xbox One has also been announced. Pre-orders for all platforms are available today, and Xbox Game Pass members will be able to play the game on day one on July 19, 2024.
A Dramatic Action Strategy with Dancing Swords and Strategic Commands
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a completely new title that combines the exhilarating action of “sword dance” with strategy. Set on a mountain that has been covered by defilement, the game repeats the cycle of preparing for battle during the day and protecting the Maiden Yoshiro from the evil spirits called the Seethe during the night. We hope players look forward to the action-strategy gameplay that allows each player to enjoy the freedom of strategizing in a unique Japanese aesthetic.
This screenshot shows an action scene featuring the protagonist Soh, a guardian who wields a sword and commands the villagers. In this game, players can enjoy exhilarating “sword dance” action, which combines sword slashes with dancing techniques based on real-life traditional Kagura ceremonies to purge the Seethe.
Before we get into the new information about what occurs during the night, let’s take a moment to review what happens during the day:
During the day, players will explore the mountain, prepare for battle, and lead the Maiden to the sealed Torii Gates. The mountain is covered in defilement, so you will have to purify the Torii Gates as you progress through, but there will also be villagers who can be rescued. The rescued villagers will be able to aid you during the battle at night by assigning them roles.
One thing that cannot be forgotten during the day is to position the villagers for the battle at nightfall. Players must carefully consider the characteristics of each role and position them accordingly.
During the night, you will have to fight against the horde of Seethe that emerge from the Torii Gates, coming for Yoshiro, the Maiden. The positioned villagers will be able to fight alongside Soh, and their roles and position can be changed during the battle in real-time, so make sure to keep an eye out on the battleground and strategize wisely to protect Yoshiro until sunrise.
Your key goal each night is to protect the Maiden Yoshiro – and it’s game over if you don’t – but even if Soh runs out of health, you can return to the frontline after being held in a “spirit state” for a set period of time. This is a tense moment in which the player must keep an eye on the ever-changing battlefield and make the most effective calls to survive the difficult situations you’re placed in.
In the trailer, you can also catch a glimpse of a battle against the more powerful Festering Seethe. The Festering Seethe alone are formidable, but they also call forth a swarm of other Seethe to aid them. How will you lead the villagers to protect the Maiden and purge the Festering Seethe? Players will be able to experience a unique combination of action and strategy to take them down
The Seethe and the Festering Seethe Strike
When the sun sets, the Seethe appear from the gate to another world. The creators’ detailed designs have been incorporated into each Seethe, who hunt down Soh and Yoshiro with a wide variety of attacks. Let us introduce some of the Seethe and Festering Seethe that symbolize the unique Japanese setting of this title.
Seethe: Rosokuro
The Rosokuro is an old man who was spirited away in the other world. His cursed flame can empower the surrounding Seethe.
Seethe: Gotaimen
The Gotaimen have the appearance of upturned human faces. They drag themselves across the ground as they vomit defilement from a gaping maw.
Seethe: Shokera
The Shokera assaults humans from higher ground. Their sharp claws can easily slice through even the strongest armor.
Seethe: Gakinyudo
The ravenous Gakinyudo are born from the corpses of lecherous monks who fell to defilement from their debauchery while alive. They prefer to dig up their meals from graveyards.
Seethe: Tsurube-otoshi
The Tsurube-otoshi aims to relentlessly crush humans from above. Some say it looks like a tadpole, while others say it is a human mouth.
Festering Seethe: Batsu
This Festering Seethe holds the power of a curse powerful enough to dry up a mountain. They appear in front of Soh and Yoshiro and hinder the purification ritual.
In addition to the Seethe introduced here, there are many other unique Seethe and Festering Seethe awaiting you in the game, so please look forward to its release!
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Arrives on July 19 – Pre-orders Begin Today
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be available only in digital format, and those who pre-order will receive the Mazo Talisman “Walking Basket” and “Astral Projection,” equipment for Soh. You’ll also receive a digital art book “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess – Artbook of Kunitsu-Gami” which contains concept art for the title.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be available on July 19 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will be able to play the game from day one. In addition, this title is compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-play and transfer of saved data between Xbox and Windows 10/11.
The release date for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is finally set and is just around the corner. We will continue to release more information about this title, so please be sure to check our official X account (@Kunitsu_Gami).
Portland, Oregon-based Mark has an urban garden that needs to be irrigated each summer. Judging from the description of his irrigation system, the garden is a little larger than the 30-foot back lawns often attached to suburban UK homes. Commercially available timers provide reliable irrigation, but Mark found they don’t last: “If you forget to bring them in during the winter, they freeze and break. After a few years, the plastic valves wear out and they jam closed (bad for plants) or jam open (bad for water bills). They don’t adjust to rain or hot weather.” Pricier, more robust timers plus web connectivity to check the weather forecast work better but still fail. Mark had several Raspberry Pi boards at home, and decided to put them to good use. Having written extensively about Raspberry Pi as well as coding using R (see his blog at niemannross.com), the combination seemed obvious, although R is a less common choice of programming language. “My preferred language is R, which I can run from a Linux operating system, but not from MicroPython or C. Irrigation only happens once a day, so I don’t need speed. What I need is the most convenient way to express my logic to Raspberry Pi.” Using Raspberry Pi Zero WH as the controller “makes it easy to connect to the internet and the headers provide a convenient way to connect relays and buttons,” he explains.
Bits and pieces
Creating his irrigation system involved assembling lots of fairly standard components and a certain amount of planning. Prior knowledge of plumbing and electronics is helpful, Mark observes. The planning aspect required Mark to work out how much rainfall was likely to offset the total number of gallons of water his garden would need and how long the valves would need to be open at a time. He calculated the rate at which his house pipes could pump water to the irrigation valves (and the putative number of gallons per hour) as well as the voltage required for the relays to deliver it.
To see whether his idea would work Mark began by screwing irrigation valves, two servos and Raspberry Pi needed to power the system, as well as a Raspberry Pi Zero, on to a piece of wood. “There isn’t any water connected to the system at this point – I’m only trying to test the electronics and develop and test the code.”
After writing and testing the code on Raspberry Pi he “ran it with the relays for days without any valves connected, then tested the plumbing in a sink before I attached it to the board”.
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates 28 million US homes have an automated watering system, and that households can reduce their water usage by roughly 7,600 gallons a year using a weather-based system to gauge requirements. Mark wanted to see whether he got realistic readings, and how well the system performed, before deciding to risk linking it up with his water meter for billing. He continues to tweak and update it and is delighted with just how well his $75 irrigation system is performing.
Hey friends, we’re really excited to see you all in just a few short days on June 9 for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct! To whet your appetite for some more games, we have a collection of day one with Game Pass and new to Xbox games, a returning fan favorite and some surprise drops that are playable today!
Available Today
Octopath Traveler (Cloud, Console, and PC) Making a return to the Game Pass library today! Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers. Use each character’s distinctive abilities in and out of battle and make decisions to shape your path.
Octopath Traveler II (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) In this critically acclaimed second title in the Octopath Traveler series, eight new travelers venture forth into an exciting new era in the land of Solistia. Step into their shoes and explore the land as you see fit, using their unique talents to aid you along your journey in this role-playing adventure.
Coming Soon
Depersonalization (PC) – June 12 A tabletop role-playing game inspired by Call of Cthulhu with rich branching narratives. Depersonalization consists of multiple story modes, each of which has multiple endings and branching routes, striving to build a diverse, themed world.
Isonzo (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 13 Ferocious Alpine warfare will test your tactical skills in this authentic WWI first-person shooter. Fight high-altitude battles among the scenic peaks, rugged valleys and idyllic towns of Northern Italy. The Great War on the Italian Front is brought to life and elevated to unexpected heights!
The Callisto Protocol (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 13 Survive to escape the horrors of Callisto. Use a unique blend of shooting and brutal close-quarters melee combat to fight your way through the maximum-security Black Iron Prison. Battle evolving inhuman creatures, scavenge for new weapons and uncover the conspiracy lurking on Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
Still Wakes the Deep (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – June 18 Available on day one with Game Pass! From the award-winning developers at The Chinese Room comes a terrifying tale of isolation. You are trapped on an oil rig in the North Sea, running from an unknowable horror that has come aboard. With no escape and no way to fight back, all you can do is survive. Learn more about Still Wakes the Deep in Xbox Wire’s hands-on preview.
DLC / Game Updates
Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary – Available until June 22 The party isn’t over for Minecraft’s 15th Anniversary! Get Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons, Minecraft Legends, and more for up to 50% off through June 22. And don’t forget to head to Minecraft Marketplace to pick up your free anniversary world, cape, and add-on! Learn more on Minecraft.net.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Sea of Thieves: Ebon Flintlock Pack – Available now Start your fights in style or share a drink with your crew! With the Ebon Flintlock Pistol, Obsidian Flag and Onyx Tankard, you’ll always look the perfectly piratical part.
Vigor: Heatwave Havoc Pack – Available now Leave the winter’s chill behind and come bask in the Norwegian sun with our Heatwave Havoc Pack! Enjoy new stylish accessories, crates full of loot, and loads of guns to keep the party going. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
MultiVersus: MVP Pack 1 – Available now MultiVersus is a free-to-play platform fighter that brings the depth of iconic WB stars to life across the nearly endless possibilities of play. The MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for subscription members.
Leaving June 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in before they go or use your membership discount to save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library!
Bramble: The Mountain King (Cloud, Console, and PC)
High on Life (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Rune Factory 4 Special (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Spacelines from the Far Out (Cloud, Console, and PC)
The Bookwalker (Cloud, Console, and PC)
As always, keep it tuned to @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass for what’s coming and when you can play. See you June 9!
At 1:19 AM on June 6, 1944, the first of 52 C-47 Skytrains of the 434th Troop Carrier Group began roaring into the sky in southern England. Launching from RAF Aldermaston, each Skytrain pulled a Waco CG-4A cargo glider behind a 350-foot-long towline. The 52 gliders were packed full of light artillery systems, anti-tank guns, ammunition, other weapons, a surgical team, and troops. Codenamed “Mission Chicago,” the gliders were bound for “LZ E,” a landing zone just to the west of the French commune Hiesville. Ten minutes later, 52 Skytrains of “Mission Detroit,” each towing a CG-4A, also lifted into the early morning sky.
The two groups were part of Operation Neptune, the initial assault phase of Operation Overlord, the Allied Invasion of Normandy. The first American paratroopers, dropped from low-flying C-47s, had landed on French soil just over an hour earlier, beginning ground operations of D-Day. The contributions of the gliders, far lesser known than other components of the invasion, would prove critical to the allied efforts in the subsequent hours.
THE COMBAT GLIDER:
The use of gliders for combat purposes was a concept first introduced by the German military early in World War II. On May 10, 1940, eleven German assault gliders were towed to an altitude of 8,500 feet by transports for a type of raid never before conducted. They detached from their tethers and flew silently for twenty miles, landing at precise locations just outside a key Belgian fort held by the Allies. The heavily defended fort was considered impregnable. The 78 troops onboard the gliders took control of the compound within just twenty minutes. The success was due almost entirely to the swift, surprise, and precise tactical positioning of troops that was enabled using gliders.
The American military took notice of the novel concept and its stunning success it engendered. Advantages of gliders included the large payload they could carry (roughly 4,000 pounds in the case of the CG-4A), silent operation prior to landing, and ability to land precisely where needed. American planners realized that these operational attributes would complement other forms of military maneuver practices, notably paratroop insertions. General Hap Arnold, the commander of the United States Army Air Forces, established a fresh command dedicated to creating and operating combat gliders in February of 1941. Industry participants submitted several designs that the American military extensively tested. The CG-4A, developed by American aviation firm Waco Aircraft Company, stood above all others in capability.
THE WACO CG-4A:
The CG-4A took its maiden flight in May of 1942 and was introduced into combat service in July of 1943. The CG-4A (CG stands for “Cargo Glider,” although it was often referenced as a “Combat Glider”) played critical roles in several battles. Nearly 14,000 CG-4A gliders were manufactured by over a dozen companies during the Second World War, including by the Ford Motor Company, the Waco Aircraft Company, and the Cessna Aircraft Company.
The high-wing monoplane design comprised a welded steel fuselage frame covered in canvas. Its wings, tail, and control surfaces were built of wood frames covered in fabric, and the glider’s floor was built of honeycombed plywood that could withstand heavy loads and rough landings.
Its nose, which held the cockpit, could swing upward for quick loading and unloading of the main cargo area. Crewed by two, it could carry up to 15 passengers with combat loads, although it typically carried a maximum of 13. With a cargo capacity of just over 4,000 pounds, it could also carry: a 75mm howitzer, 25 rounds of ammunition, and two artillerymen; a Jeep with driver and an assortment of personnel and cargo; a small bulldozer with operator; and several specialty loads including a field kitchen, field hospital, and repair facilities.
The CG-4A measured 48 feet, 8 inches in length, stood 15 feet, 4 inches tall, and had a wingspan of 83 feet, 8 inches. Primary controls consisted of a wheel for pitch and roll inputs, and rudder pedals for yaw. Its instruments included an airspeed indicator, an altimeter, a variometer, a compass, and a turn-and-bank indicator.
The CG-4A had a maximum speed of 150 miles per hour, but it typically “cruised” (towed behind the tug craft) between 110 and 130 mph. During its operational tenure, the CG-4A was towed primarily by the Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
THE DOUGLAS C-47D SKYTRAIN:
The C-47D Skytrain is a low-wing, twin-engine, piston-powered military transport airplane built by the Douglas Aircraft Company of the United States. The Skytrain, which took its maiden flight on December 23, 1941, was based on the company’s successful DC-3 airliner, which was developed and entered service in the 1930s. The Skytrain proved to be one of the most important aircraft for the Allies during World War II. One of its most important roles was as a tug aircraft for Waco CG-4A cargo gliders. The Skytrain could tow the CG-4A either from a standstill on the ground or by performing a “glider snatch pick-up,” snaring the glider’s tow line while flying just above ground level.
In the late 1930s, the United States Army Air Forces sought a transport aircraft that was more capacious, faster, and had a longer range than the military variants of the Douglas DC-2, the C-32, the C-33, and the C-34. In 1941, the command chose the DC-3 (developed from the DC-2) as the basis for their new primary transport aircraft, designating it the C-47 Skytrain. The all-metal DC-3 (Douglas Commercial 3), introduced as an airliner in 1936, proved efficient, reliable, fast, and was renowned for having great range.
The DC-3 required only a few modifications for the Army’s needs. These changes included the addition of a large cargo door, a strengthened floor in the fuselage, and glider tow hooks on its tail section that would be used for towing the Waco CG-4A.
The C-47 was crewed by three or four, depending on mission requirements, and could carry up to 28 fully equipped troops, 6,000 pounds of cargo, or some combination. A total of 10,000 Skytrains were produced by the end of World War II. The airframe served several roles other than glider towing, including general transport, paratroop delivery, medical evacuation, gunship, and reconnaissance.
All branches of the U.S. military used the Skytrain during World War II, as did every major Allied power. The British and Australians called it the Dakota (Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft).
The C-47 proved vital for the Allied victory. It operated in every major battle of the war, ensuring personnel, weapons, food, fuel, and other materiel arrived at the right places at the right times. This included delivering thousands of paratroops during the Battle of Normandy and flying the infamous “hump” over the Himalaya mountains from India to China, one of the most demanding, and dangerous, airlift missions in history. Post-World War II, the Skytrain played critical roles in the Berlin Air Lift, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many, converted for civil use, continue to operate today around the world. Over 100 countries have used the C-47.
The C-47 measures 63 feet, 9 inches in length, has a wingspan of 95 feet, 6 inches, and stands 17 feet tall. It features a swept main wing, a standard tail unit, and a retractable traditional undercarriage. It is powered by two wing-mounted 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C Twin Wasp radial engines that each produce up to 1,200 horsepower and turn 3-blade, constant-speed propellers. It has a maximum range of 3,800 miles, a normal range of 1,600 miles, climbs at 1,000 feet per minute, and has a service ceiling of 26,400 feet above sea level. The C-47 cruises at 160 miles per hour and has a maximum speed of 224 mph.
CG-4A AVIATORS AND THEIR MISSIONS:
“Every landing was a genuine do-or-die situation for the glider pilots. It was their awesome responsibility to repeatedly risk their lives by landing heavily laden aircraft containing combat soldiers and equipment in unfamiliar fields deep within enemy-held territory, often in total darkness. They were the only aviators during World War II who had no motors, no parachutes, and no second chances.” – United States Army General William Westmoreland, discussing the pilots of military cargo gliders.
After releasing the tow line from the C-47, the CG-4A pilot needed to navigate to a landing zone, keeping the aircraft above its stall speed of 49 miles per hour. The CG-4A could land in just 200 yards, granted it touched down at its ideal landing speed of 60 miles per hour. Once on the ground, the pilots helped unload the glider’s personnel and contents and then grabbed their weapons and joined the troops they carried into combat.
Landing the CG-4A was incredibly dangerous. Pilots had only one shot. Adding to the danger was a German innovation, “Rommelspargel,” the dreaded “Rommel’s Asparagus.” Devised by German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, these were wooden poles, some as tall as 16 feet, placed throughout open fields in Normandy. Intended to interdict American gliders and paratroopers, many of them were topped with explosives.
D-DAY VICTORY:
As the aircraft of Mission Chicago approached LZ E just before 4:00 AM on D-Day, German anti-aircraft fire erupted. One of the C-47s was shot down. The lead C-47, guided by a radio beacon placed by a pathfinder prior to their arrival, released its glider. The other Skytrains of Mission Chicago followed, then the Skytrains and CG-4As of Mission Detroit arrived. The pre-dawn glider missions, as well as those undertaken later in D-Day, were a resounding success. The gliders delivered critical supplies to Allied troops, helping secure a D-Day Victory.
RELIVE THE ADVENTURE IN MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR:
Both the Douglas C-47 and the Waco CG-4A have been expertly recreated for flight simulator aviators to experience.
The Waco CG-4A comes with one livery: Olive Drab. The Douglas C-47D Skytrain comes with two liveries: Olive Drab “M5” (Fictional) and U.S. Navy. Buy the aircraft bundle today for $14.99. For every purchase of the Famous Flyer 9 pack made between June 6, 2024 and July 5, 2024, Microsoft will donate 100% of each sale to the USO (https://www.uso.org/). More information about the USO is available by contacting them at info@uso.org. The sky is calling!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on Twitter.
All versions of the CrowVi (from £92/$115) are able to be used out of the box with no extra set up – touchscreen models require you to use the USB-C port (not the power one) so the connected Raspberry Pi (or PC) can detect the inputs – but all models just need power and a HDMI connection.
There’s no battery installed in the CrowVi so you’ll have to provide external power, portably with a mobile battery or powered by the device you’re connecting it to at home if you don’t have a spare plug. To cut down on cables and power sources, CrowVi suggests daisy chaining power by using the USB-C data port on the display to power a Raspberry Pi while out and about. You won’t be able to get Raspberry Pi 5 up to full power this way, however it will run well enough.
As an aside, we understand the touchscreen is much like a standard touch display and is not sensitive enough for drawing, but does have the functions you’d otherwise expect from a smartphone or tablet.
Out and about
With unseasonable warmth during the review period, we were able to take the screen out and test it in the most extreme of conditions: direct sunlight. IPS displays do tend to have better visibility out in the sun and this screen performed fine, just as you’d expect any display to work. Make sure to crank up the brightness but find shade if you can.
As for power draw, a beefy power bank was able to keep everything running fine for a couple hours. Brightness levels and speaker use will affect this, so using external speakers or headphones will also change power draw.
The colours and responsiveness of the screen are great too. The image is sharp, and it was as good as any monitor we use at home. The cover is very stiff, and the magnets attaching it very strong, to make sure the display is held in place when propped up – it may be a touch too stiff at the bend and we weren’t always sure it was in standing position. Over time, though, it has loosened up enough.
The sturdy construction feels and looks great too – and as we’re home bodies we’re currently looking into how we can integrate it as a third screen in our set up, which is pretty high praise we think.
Verdict
8/10
A great monitor in its own right that performs well out of the house and well enough in direct sunlight
Specs
Display: 13.3-inch, 1920×1080 IPS LCD
Dimensions: 312mm × 198mm × 9mm
I/O: USB-C power, USB-C data, Mini HDMI in, 3.5mm audio jack
It’s almost time – this Sunday, June 9, we invite players from around the world to a huge double feature: the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, immediately followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct. This will mark the first Xbox Showcase featuring games from our portfolio of studios across Activision, Blizzard, Bethesda and Xbox Game Studios, not to mention our incredible third-party partners. Plus, the Showcase will be immediately followed by a deep-dive into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
It’s our biggest moment of the year to show you the future of gaming with Xbox, and we hope you can join us. With that in mind, here are all the details you need to know ahead of Sunday:
What time does Xbox Games Showcase begin? The Showcase will take place on Sunday, June 9, beginning at:
PT: June 9, 10am
ET: June 9, 1pm
BST: June 9, 6pm
CET: June 9, 7pm
JST: June 10, 2am
AEST: June 10, 3am
What time does Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct begin? Immediately following the Xbox Games Showcase.
How do I watch the Xbox Games Showcase and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct? The Xbox Games Showcase and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct will be streamed live on official Xbox, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard channels, including the below:
The show will also be streamed out simultaneously on regional Xbox and Bethesda channels around the globe.
Please note the /Xbox, /Bethesda and /ActivisionGames streams on YouTube will be in 4K at 60fps, while all other channels will be 1080p / 60fps.
Is the event available in languages other than English? We will be providing subtitle support in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic (MSA), Bangla, Bosnian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Filipino, French, French (Canadian), Gaelic (Irish), German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Maltese, Māori, Norwegian, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Castilian), Spanish (Mexican), Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh and Zulu. While we expect to have all languages available with the show’s live broadcast, it is possible that select languages may need to be added in the days following the broadcast if they have not finished translating.
The easiest way to find your preferred language is to go to your region’s Xbox page, or by viewing on the official Xbox YouTube channel at YouTube.com/Xbox and clicking the gear icon in the lower right corner.
Is Xbox Games Showcase going to be Accessible to those with low/no hearing or low/no vision? There will be a version of the show with Audio Descriptions (AD) in English on the Xbox YouTube channel, American Sign Language (ASL) on Xbox’s YouTube channel and the /XboxASL Twitch channel, and British Sign Language (BSL) on Xbox On’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/XboxOn.
I’m not going to be able to watch, where can I find out what was announced? As announcements roll out during the broadcast, the Xbox Wire team will be publishing detailed blog posts for key announcements right here on Xbox Wire (with localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, LATAM Spanish, and Japanese to follow). A full show recap will be published on Xbox Wire immediately following the end of Xbox Games Showcase, and a separate recap for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct will go live after that show ends. Plus, stay tuned to Xbox Wire in the days following the show for more exclusive articles.
Will Xbox be broadcasting post-show content? Starting from Monday, June 10 and running throughout that week, the Official Xbox Podcast will be airing a series of special episodes offering updates and deeper dives into titles featured during Xbox Games Showcase. These shows will be published daily on Xbox’s YouTube channel and podcast services, with accompanying articles on Xbox Wire. We look forward to sharing more details after the Showcase concludes.
Co-streamer and content creator notes for the Xbox Games Showcase and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct: We at Xbox greatly appreciate any co-stream efforts and aim to ensure you have a smooth experience if you choose to do so. However, due to forces beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that glitches or disruptions by bots and other automated software won’t interfere with your co-stream. For those planning to create post-show breakdowns of the Xbox Showcase in the form of Video on Demand (VOD) coverage, we recommend you do not use any audio containing copyrighted music to avoid any action by automated bots, and to also consult the terms of service for your service provider.
We can’t wait for you to join us for Xbox Games Showcase, followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct on Sunday, June 9.
I’ve never had any real melancholy for summer ending – aside from, I suppose, having to go back to school when I was a kid – but while reading the game’s text I think I came close to understanding why people do.
I do like summer though; after months of cold and dreary rain, it’s lovely to have a bit of sun. It also helps that I live near the beach so I can go for sunny and beautiful walks. I’m also pretty good with a barbecue if I do say so myself.
At the time of writing this Final Word, the aurora borealis had appeared all over the UK thanks to Earth being in the path of a solar storm and… I missed it. I had no idea it was happening until I was snuggled up in bed on a Friday night and friends from Scotland and northern England started sharing photos. Good for them, I thought! It wasn’t until the morning I found out it had also reached my end of the country.
Suit your needs
I went out the following night to try and catch a glimpse but unfortunately for me – and the hoard of locals convening at a dark corner of the beach – there was nothing to see apart from some pretty stars.
People had been taking photos on smartphones with night shot features, and that made me realise that a long-exposure Raspberry Pi camera would have worked perfectly… just like in the many astrophotography features I’d written. Unfortunately it was too late for photography that night, but it got me thinking about other outdoor activities I do which could be improved with a Raspberry Pi, rather than forcing myself to do something new just to use the SBC.
Last year I decided on a near-whim to go hiking in the Peak District with some friends. It was a very wet August weekend so I’m glad I didn’t take a Raspberry Pi with me, but I understand there is a ton of geocaching you can do in the area. I’ve never played around with a geocache project, so if I revive the concept this year I might just have to make a Raspberry Pi-powered one.
Staying in
Unfortunately I also like staying home a lot. Maybe I need to invent a Raspberry Pi-powered air conditioner for myself as it is getting extremely roasty-toasty at home these days. I’m also always very interested in some minor gardening, whether it be herbs or some flowers, so perhaps this is the year I finally make an automated plant watering system.
Well, with all that planning out of the way, maybe I can start thinking about Autumnal projects. Those long months of sunshine and heat can get oppressive…
I won’t go into too much detail here for fear of spoilers – discovering the dungeons’ tricks is a huge part of the game’s charm – but you’ll quickly realize that each new test can be extremely varied. Some are combat gauntlets, others filled with mechanical puzzles, and some bring entire perspective shifts, briefly turning the game into a side-scroller or an isometric adventure. This variety is helped along by the game’s magic system – each biome offers new spells, but they can only be used in that biome, meaning you’re effectively relearning how to use your abilities in each new place, and allowing Microbird to create fresh experiences in each location. That each spell can be used for exploration and combat only adds to the pleasure.
Combat is snappy and action-oriented, offering you a variety of moves, unlockable abilities, and a precious dodge roll, and you’ll quickly help Luisa turn from a tourist into a bona fide slayer. Couple that with RPG-inspired gear systems, and a web of mechanics created and expanded in an order that you help choose, and you have a truly compulsive cocktail.
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