What Would Flynn Do? Making Disney’s Tron: Catalyst the Right Way
Mike Bithell Creative Director, Tron: Catalyst
Disney’s ‘Tron’ is a movie steeped in the history and culture of video games. It is, and I say this without hyperbole, a film as important to arcade culture of the ’80s as any game was. It set a tone, it created or popularized a lot of computer terminology, and it gave us the first pop culture image of a game designer: Kevin Flynn.
Kevin Flynn was cool. Kevin Flynn made badass games and fought the man to maintain his rights to them (seriously, more of that film than you remember is concerned with copyright and IP ownership). He annihilated games in the arcade in front of throngs of fans – oh, and he owned the arcade in which he did so. He was an icon. And I wanted so very much to be him when I grew up.
I’ve had thirty-nine years on this earth. I’ve played games, and I’ve made games. For macroeconomic reasons I do not own an arcade, but I did get to build an amazing team of creatives and work with them to bring you Disney’s Tron: Catalyst, which was released on Xbox this week.
Tron: Catalyst is a celebration of the Tron franchise, but even more than that, it is a celebration of games. One mantra was repeated more than any other on the team: “This is a world created by a game designer”. We let that north star guide us to Vertical Slice, a city with game design built into its very source code.
I don’t want to give away all the game’s secrets, but an early one is the glitch loop. You’ll get caught in, and control, a time loop. Doing so lets you relive the events you’ve encountered, making changes, finding new paths and messing with the rules. It’s like playing a game where god mode is the default. Because of course it is, this is a world created by a game designer.
We also have some fun with your expectations of a game set in the world of these beloved films. You won’t make it out of this game without being sent on an escort mission or engaging in a little out-of-nowhere stealth. I grew up playing that magical subset of licensed games which used the verbs and settings of film worlds to create truly original and interesting games. I wanted this game to have perfect Light Cycle control, I wanted it to give me full access to Disc-based combat, and yes, I wanted to kick that Disc out of the air and back at enemies whenever it made strategic sense (and often when it didn’t).
Tron: Catalyst also tells a new story. If you’re a fan of Tron: Identity and the Tron films, you’re going to find a lot of familiar threads and themes weaved in and expanded on. If you’re new to the Arq Grid, then we’ve built the game to immerse you in the rich culture and politics which define it. A handy codex lets you research any topic that comes up too. What does a society of AI programs left to their own devices for thousands of cycles evolve into? And what do they think of us? As Flynn would say, “Bio-digital jazz, man.”
I hope you dig our game. I’ve been designing it in my head since the 1980s, and I’ve been building the team to make it since the 2010s. We’ve worked hard, alongside our friends at Disney and Pixar Games and Big Fan Games, to craft a compelling, engaging game which immerses you into a neon world like no other. I hope you enjoy its stories, its characters, and its opportunities for Light Cycle combat. I can say with absolute certainty that we made the game we wanted to.
TRON: Catalyst pulls you back into the world of Disney’s TRON to battle multiple opposing factions in the latest imaginative story from Bithell Games (Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular, TRON: Identity). TRON: Catalyst is an all-new story-driven, isometric action adventure game, set in the immersive and diverse locations of the Arq Grid introduced in TRON: Identity. Play as Exo, a highly resilient and resourceful program wielding an unexpected power known as the Glitch, gaining strength and abilities which the overlords of the Arq Grid’s crumbling society seek to bring under control. Ride Light Cycles, engage in Identity Disc combat, and more as you’re relentlessly pursued through the city and beyond by Conn, a malevolent program with an agenda of his own, while uncovering more about the glitches that threaten the stability of this world. FEATURES Dynamic Combat System
Battle a legion of fearsome enemy programs in melee and ranged combat, both on-foot and while riding a Light Cycle. Master advanced techniques like parrying and Disc kicks to gain the upper hand, while exploring the Arq Grid and collecting Data Shards to upgrade your code base with new abilities. Immersive New Story Dive into an original TRON storyline. Meet the programs of the Arq Grid, uncover their secrets and fight to survive in a chase across the city and outlands. Playing as Exo, a courier working in this grid’s capital city, your life is turned upside down when a mysterious package explodes, granting you powers beyond any program’s normal function. With the Arq Grid’s ruthless ‘peacekeepers’ in hot pursuit, you’ll unlock the mysteries of this grid, and learn what kind of hero it needs you to become. Exploit The Glitch
The Arq Grid is losing stability. Glitches roll back the clock, catching the world in a series of system level time loops… and only you can see them. Utilize Exo’s unique ability to uncover secret areas and shortcuts, and influence the factions jostling for control over the Arq Grid. Authentic World of TRON
Explore the neon-lit streets of the Arq Grid on foot or Light Cycle, and navigate your way through the intriguing – often dangerous – characters that inhabit this high-stakes world. Travel through a diverse Grid filled with intriguing stories within a budding revolution all set to an immersive soundtrack from composer Dan Le Sac (TRON: Identity). If you’re a fan of Disney’s TRON, get ready to step into the universe you love like never before. If you’re new to this story, prepare for a thrilling adventure. Now… Finish the Game."
In TRON: Catalyst taucht ihr in die stylische, neonbeleuchtete Welt des Rasters ein und erlebt ein rasantes Action-Adventure aus der isometrischen Perspektive im legendären TRON-Universum. Schnappt euch also euren Identitätsdiskus, lasst den Lichtrenner erscheinen und macht euch auf die Spur des katastrophalen Glitchsturms, der das Ende des Rasters bedeuten könnte.
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Vom unscheinbaren Programm zur letzten Hoffnung des Rasters
Euer Abenteuer führt euch durch die riesige Metropole Vertical Slice, auf ein fliegendes Gefängnisschiff oder in die wilden Outlands des Rasters und beginnt auf den Straßen der Hauptstadt. Ihr übernehmt die Rolle des menschenähnlichen Programms Exo, das als unbedeutende Datenpaket-Kurierin ihr Leben aus Bits und Bytes fristet. Nur noch drei Lieferungen und ihr könnt euch endlich in den wohlverdienten Ruhezyklus begeben. Dazu kommt es aber natürlich nicht, denn vor der letzten Übergabe kommt es zu einer mysteriösen Detonation, mit drastischen Folgen für Exos Code.
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Der seltsame Unfall weckt die Aufmerksamkeit unterschiedlicher Fraktionen und Exo bekommt es unter anderem mit der mächtigen Organisation CORE, die mit eiserner Hand für Ordnung im Raster sorgt, und dem gefährlichen Verhörexperten Conn zu tun. Das sind nicht die einzigen Gefahren, denn in den Outlands außerhalb der Stadt tobt ein Glitchsturm, der die Existenz des Rasters bedroht. Wenn ihr euch im TRON-Universum noch nicht so gut auskennt und euch die Namen und Begriffe nichts sagen, dann ist das absolut kein Problem. TRON: Catalyst erzählt eine eigenständige Geschichte, die euch sorgsam in die Begriffe, Systeme und Konflikte einführt – mit Zwischensequenzen, Dialogen und einem umfassenden Kodex, der ständig erweitert wird.
Abwechslungsreiche Missionen und dynamische Kämpfe
Bevor ihr die Stadt verlassen und euch in den Outlands als Heldin wider Willen beweisen könnt, erkundet ihr zuerst die von den Entwicklern der Bithell Games (TRON: Identity, Thomas Was Alone) stilsicher in Szene gesetzte Spielwelt. Zu Fuß oder auf dem ikonischen Lichtrenner-Bike durchquert ihr die in Neonlicht gehüllten Stadtviertel und absolviert Aufträge für verschiedene Fraktionen oder für den mysteriösen Vega, der seine ganz eigene Agenda zu haben scheint. Natürlich wollen wir nicht zu viel vorwegnehmen – aber: Ihr könnt euch niemals sicher sein, wer Freund oder Feind ist.
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Bei eurer Erkundung stoßt ihr immer wieder auf erbitterten Widerstand und müsst gegen feindlich gesinnte Programme kämpfen. Davon gibt es mehr als genug, weshalb ihr den Umgang mit eurem Identitätsdiskus perfektionieren solltet, um nicht digital ausradiert zu werden. Wenn ihr die TRON-Filme kennt, wisst ihr, dass die ikonische Wurfscheibe auch eine verheerende Waffe der Programme ist. Damit könnt ihr im Nahkampf zuschlagen oder Gegner aus der Ferne anvisieren und den Diskus gezielt schleudern. Angriffen weicht ihr geschickt aus oder pariert sie, indem ihr im richtigen Augenblick die Dreieck-Taste drückt.
Haltet unbedingt Ausschau nach grün leuchtenden Datenfragmenten, die ihr in zerstörbaren Kisten findet oder von besiegten Gegnern erhaltet. Mit dieser wertvollen Ressource schaltet ihr unter anderem Upgrades für den Diskus von Exo frei: ein vergrößertes Zeitfenster zum Parieren, einen höheren Schaden nach einer Parade oder einen Diskustritt, bei dem ihr euren Diskus mit einem gezielten Fußtritt in die Richtung der Feinde befördert. Von Zeit zu Zeit werden in den Kämpfen auch spezielle Herausforderungen angezeigt: Besiegt ihr die Gegner innerhalb eines Zeitlimits oder führt eine vorgegebene Anzahl an Aktionen aus, winkt eine zusätzliche Belohnung.
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Mit etwas Übung beim Ausweichen, Parieren und Zuschlagen, lassen sich auch große Gegnergruppen durch elegante Kombos aus Nah- und Fernangriffen ausschalten. Haltet dabei aber immer eure Anzeigen für Integrität (eine Art Schutzschild) und Gesundheit im Blick. Nehmt ihr zu viel Schaden, wird Exo desintegriert und startet den letzten Abschnitt erneut. Die unterschiedlichen Angriffstechniken der feindlichen Programme – bei denen auch schon mal Bomben mit hohem Flächenschaden fliegen – leeren eure Integritäts- und Gesundheitsleiste schnell und eine Erholung ist nur zwischen den Kämpfen möglich.
Ihr kämpft aber nicht nur zu Fuß, sondern begegnet Feinden auch auf dem Lichtrenner. In rasanten Verfolgungsjagden weicht ihr mit dem Bike blitzschnell aus und hinterlasst auf Knopfdruck eine Lichtspur, an der gegnerische Fahrzeuge zerschellen. Wenn ihr euch lieber auf die Geschichte konzentrieren möchtet, könnt ihr jederzeit – auch mitten in den Kämpfen – den Schwierigkeitsgrad ändern und euch das Leben als Exo leichter machen.
Auf ein Neues: Systemschleifen als starkes Gameplay-Feature
Die wohl spannendste Fähigkeit von Exo ist der Zugriff auf Glitches im Systemcode. Nach dem explosiven Vorfall kann sie gezielt Zeitschleifen auslösen – ohne dabei Fortschritte wie Upgrades, gesammelte Datenfragmente oder freigeschaltete Wege zu verlieren. Dieses starke Feature verleiht dem Action-Adventure einen zusätzlichen Roguelike-Reiz, beispielsweise wenn ihr andere Entscheidungen treffen oder den Gesprächen einen anderen Verlauf geben möchtet.
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An manchen Stellen im Spiel müsst ihr das Feature zwingend nutzen, was euch aber jeweils angezeigt wird. Ihr könnt aber jederzeit mit der R3-Taste manuell eine Systemschleife auslösen und zum Abschnittsbeginn zurückkehren. Das ist unter anderem sinnvoll, wenn eure Gesundheit niedrig ist, da diese sich nicht so leicht wie die Integrität regeneriert und ihr wieder mit voller Gesundheit beginnt, ihr ein Treffen mit einem wichtigen Charakter verpasst habt oder einfach mal einen anderen Weg ausprobieren möchtet.
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Das Systemschleifen-Feature gefällt uns richtig gut, die Kämpfe bieten eine echte Herausforderung, ohne für Frust zu sorgen, und die elektronischen Sounds von Komponist Dan Le Sac passen perfekt zur Sci-Fi-Atmosphäre der immersiven Spielwelt. Seid ihr auch TRON-Fans und werdet ihr euch mit Exo ins wilde Abenteuer stürzen? Verratet es uns in den Kommentaren.
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
A cooperative first-person shooter set within a mysterious federal agency under assault by otherworldly forces. As a years-long siege on the agency’s headquarters reaches its boiling point, only Firebreak – the Bureau’s most versatile unit – has the gear and the guts to plunge into the building’s strangest crises, restore order, and blast their way back from the brink.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die blends dynamic real-time action, tactical combat, and risk-reward dice mechanics for thrilling second-to-second battles. Unravel an original stand-alone story as Queen Aleksandra, the once great ruler of Random on a mission for vengeance and redemption. Start playing today by picking up the Fortune Edition.
Tron: Catalyst pulls you back into the world of Disney’s “Tron” to battle multiple opposing factions in the latest imaginative story from Bithell Games (Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular, Tron: Identity). Tron: Catalyst is an all-new story-driven, isometric action adventure game, set in the immersive and diverse locations of the Arq Grid.
Gex Trilogy reproduces all three original games in exacting detail, precisely the way you remember them. Assuming you’ve gone senile and remember them having high-definition native 16:9 widescreen visuals and fully analog controls. Which they didn’t. No, this is the Gex series the way it was meant to be played.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
The story of apprentice detective and Devil Summoner extraordinaire Raidou Kuzunoha XIV returns in this remastered classic! Call upon your demons to solve supernatural mysteries and dispose of enemies.
Rematch – June 19 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Credible Football, with an arcade twist. Feel like an amazing athlete, easily performing all the iconic moves of football. Non-stop action with no fouls, no offsides, no pauses… no time to rest.
Set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, Revival is a 4x strategy game where the world and its rules can change at key moments, creating a deep and highly replayable experience. Explore a transformed planet, negotiate or conquer new territories and bring the light of civilization to regressing human colonies to prepare mankind for war with a despotic entity.
Can’t wait to get down and dirty with your fireplace? Long for the sweet embrace from your fridge? Date Everything! brings an exciting new twist to the dating simulator genre. Your BFA in customer service unfortunately goes to waste as you lose your job to AI. But… a mysterious stranger sends a gift – magical glasses called ‘Dateviators’ – which make your house come alive and dateable!
Gatewalkers is a unique mixture of co-op game, survival and RPG. You, as a Gatewalkers, travel across different worlds in order to save your own. Explore procedurally generated worlds, face hostile inhabitants and challenges like extreme weather conditions, toxic atmosphere, lack of water and more.
Jewel Match Solitaire is the ultimate relaxing Solitaire game! Return to the world of Jewel Match in this beautiful new Solitaire adventure! Journey across an ancient land to rebuild epic castles of old. Over 320 levels in all, plus many Solitaire variants including Klondike, Spider, Freecell, Pyramid, and more!
Step into the enchanting world of Knights of the Round Peg, where players embark on a musical journey alongside a brave knight through 80 captivating levels. Equipped with a lute and a quiver of musical notes, the knight bravely embarks on a journey, encountering peg-filled challenges along the way.
Rooftops & Alleys is more than just a game about Parkour & Freerunning. It’s the adrenaline rush of landing an impossible trick combo, defying gravity, and feeling like you’re flying… until you crash face-first into a dark alley 30 meters below.
A fast-paced action roguelite that thrusts you into epic battles against relentless hordes and colossal bosses. Harness the power of the Void to craft unique builds, unlock powerful weapons, and push your characters to new heights — all in pursuit of godlike abilities.
Conquer mountain slopes, vast highways, and bustling city streets in CarX Street. Build the car of your dreams with fine-tuning that reveals the full potential of CarX Technology physics. Take part in thrilling races, offline or online, and enjoy realistic gameplay and dynamic controls.
Lead a squad of warriors and your loyal dog, Diesel, against a brutal raider army. Pause and issue orders at any time. Choose your weapons, skills, and tactics. Shoot, chop, kick, or bite. Go in guns blazing or use stealth. Set traps, throw grenades, or crush enemies with an armored car. Deploy turrets and barricades to defend your home. The only thing you can’t do is surrender.
Enter a colorful world that’s looking for a new football star! Defeat your opponents with your amazing skills and take the cup home! Get through the tutorial, master the game controls and choose your team to start your football career. Defeat all your opponents while collecting achievements and have fun with the different game modes.
No Sun To Worship is a minimalist, stealth-action game that captures the brilliance of the first pioneers of the stealth genre and recreates their retro-aesthetic charm within an echo of a dying world.
It was a dark and stormy night… for Solitaire! Jewel Match gets spooky in this new Solitaire adventure! Discover and rebuild eerie derelict castles, but beware of vampires roaming the land. Over 200 levels in all, plus 50 bonus mahjong levels to unlock! Dozens of unique game play variations mix up the classic Solitaire such as locked and frozen cards.
Pathfinders, supported by scientist Albert New, time travel to study past civilizations and gather relics for a human history museum. They face obstacles, traps, and enemies. Your task is to memorize these hazards and chart a safe course. Can you meet the challenge?
Without a Voice is a thought-provoking visual novel adventure told through detailed character portraits, scripted dialogue of more than 15,000 words, lush backdrops and a dozen unlockable event illustrations. Make key decisions to decide how the story plays out and discover 8 possible endings to this tale of love and intrigue between its leading ladies.
Make the most of your extensive creative freedom, with a huge variety of materials, structures and items, and above all innovative construction tools which will enable you to design and customize your buildings, from the shape of each room to detailed roof drawings.
In this arcade shoot ’em up game you play as Princess Anna, the savior of cat people. Fight against the attack of Crazy Cyborgs for 12 boss rush levels!
Play Mateo Lombardo, the last apprentice of the Rose Cross Order, on a quest to hunt the infamous Beast of Gévaudan. This dark and thrilling platforming adventure blends fast-paced combat, challenging exploration, and deep storytelling, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
A retro-futuristic action RPG set on the planet Yob, a world left in ruins and haunted by the machines once built to serve it. After twenty years in cryo-sleep, Zoe wakes to find a world she barely recognizes. To survive and to save what’s left, she must track down her missing father, lost during the cataclysmic event known only as The Blackout. Along the way, she’ll take on gangs of corrupted robots, confront towering bosses, and uncover long-buried truths about Yob.
Grab a hot drink and cozy up to the fire. It’s cold outside and you’re snowed in with a game of Solitaire! Travel the icy land and rebuild 5 frosty locations across 200 levels, plus unlock 12 bonus game variants such as Yukon and Emperor!
Dive into the world of dreams in Through the Nightmares! This is a hardcore platformer where you play as the Sandman, a size-shifting spirit said to bring people good dreams. Several children are lost in the kingdom of Morpheus, the mad god of dreams, who turns sleep into a prison. To bring the children back to their families, the Sandman must descend to a place where even the most secret of fears come to life…
Set off on a high-speed Hoverboard adventure in Star Overdrive, where fast-paced action collides with the mysteries of a distant alien world. After intercepting a cryptic distress signal, you, the protagonist Bios, find yourself stranded on an enigmatic planet called Cebete. Armed with your versatile Keytar and advanced Hoverboard, you’ll navigate diverse biomes, confront challenges, evolve your hidden powers, and uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of your beloved Nous.
Civilization has ended, and something else awakens in its place. From the world’s decay, ancient creatures stir, rise, and roam the land. Vessels of Decay is a post-apocalyptic action adventure following the story of Freja and Mud. In this retro-inspired tale, you’ll confront creatures of Scandinavian myth and folklore and explore the ruins of the civilization they inhabit.
Agarta has been designed to show you how valuable and important every decision you make in your individual life, every choice you make is. Because every choice you make is also a renunciation and you cannot undo any decision.
Blast through monster hordes with crazy weapons in a wild bullet hell! It’s chaotic, casual, and seriously fun! Each run takes just 20 to 30 minutes — perfect for relaxing anytime! Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or just killing time, it’s a great way to de-stress.
You’re about to dive into a sugary adventure! Combine sweets and prepare yourself for sugar overload! Race to merge the biggest candy while using clever tactics to slow down your opponent. Unleash tricky power-ups and prove who’s the ultimate candy master!
Put on your armor, grab your sword, and get ready to face what no sane knight would dare: noisy goblins, deadly traps, and platforms that seem to have a mind of their own. In Knight Quest, you are the hero the kingdom needs – even if no one warned you how complicated this mission would be.
Combine a multitude of skills and relics to create a wide range of powerful synergies, each offering unique advantages in your quest to escape the loop! With each buff you choose, the loop grows stronger by forcing you to select a curse. Your success hinges on making strategic decisions that enhance your power while managing the increased challenges posed by the loop, guiding you toward ultimate victory!
No one remembers what the world looked like before, except for a team of brave rangers. Now chaos and unpredictability reign everywhere – harmless creatures in the past bring destruction, and the world around is constantly changing, repeatedly nullifying the familiar environment around.
You’re a combat robot activated in the last moments of the Matrix, where corrupted codes have given rise to cyber monsters thirsty for destruction. Combining intense action, retro-futuristic style and roguelite elements, this is a challenge where every decision matters — and each upgrade can mean the difference between survival and total defragmentation.
The Samurai Quest is a 2D pixel art platformer that combines action, precision, and exploration in a campaign with 30 progressively challenging levels. Take on the role of an agile and skilled samurai who faces traps, enemies, and demanding obstacles in search of hidden ninja stars in each stage.
Play as a fearless stray in a city falling apart where every day is a fight to survive. Abandoned warehouses and silent streets hide danger and helpless kittens. Scavenge for food, rescue the lost, and protect the vulnerable.
Capybara Goes to Space is a lighthearted 2D platformer where you guide Capy, a laid-back astronaut capybara, through a strange alien planet in search of scattered spaceship parts. The world is full of bizarre creatures, radioactive traps, and mysterious landscapes that challenge your reflexes and curiosity. As you explore, you’ll uncover secret paths, dodge dripping toxic goo, and outsmart hilarious alien enemies.
Dive into the captivating world of Word Quest, the ultimate word puzzle game. Discover concealed words among letter grids across 200+ levels while guiding a valiant knight. Unveil hidden words to empower the knight in battles against foes. With escalating challenges and immersive visuals, challenge yourself or compete globally to become the ultimate wordsmith and defender. Word Quest is more than a game; it’s an immersive journey to sharpen your mind and vocabulary skills.
Test out your skills, and push them to the next level, while you try to connect the parts with into continual pipe. There are 250 unique levels, so there is always something new to enjoy, and the gameplay is very exciting and rewarding. Every new level is a true challenge, and you have dozens of them to choose from. Let’s play!
IGN kicked off its annual Fan Fest event today with an exciting new ID@Xbox Showcase, bringing world premieres, Game Pass announcements, release dates, new gameplay and much more from the incredible slate of indie developers working on games for Xbox platforms right now.
From action-roguelikes, to card games, to cozy adventures, to game genres that don’t even have a name yet, this Showcase revealed how wild and wonderful the indie space can be – it’s a celebration of what’s next for gaming.
Read on for every single bit of news you might have missed.
33 Immortals – Launching March 18
We first saw 33 Immortals during 2023’s Xbox Game Showcase, and this long-awaited co-op action roguelike will arrive on March 18. Pitting up to 33 players against hordes of monsters and gigantic bosses, 33 Immortals captures the joy of MMO raids in a more ‘pick up and play’ context. The release date trailer showed us some of its dark cartoon looks, frenetic gameplay, and huge party sizes.
Balatro – Out Today on Game Pass!
This award-winning roguelike poker sensation gets a surprise Game Pass release today, but that was far from the only announcement we got. Balatro is also headed to Windows PC, and we got the fourth Friends of Jimbo collaboration update, bringing themed cards based on (deep breath) Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, Civilization VII, Rust, Slay the Princess, Bugsnax, Dead By Daylight, and YouTube channel Critical Role.
Blue Prince – Launching With Game Pass on April 10
A truly unique experience, Blue Prince combines exploration, puzzles, mapmaking, and card game systems to create a game we’ve truly never seen before. Solve the mysteries of Mount Holly manor by literally piecing its rooms together, and solving mysteries hidden throughout the house you build as a result. Discover its secrets when the game launches on April 10, coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and launching day one with Game Pass.
Buckshot Roulette – Coming to Xbox and Game Pass
This haunting experience makes “gambling with your life” a very literal concept, and has already captivated and horrified PC players. Transforming the (already unpleasant) game of Russian Roulette by introducing a shotgun and some dastardly extra rules, this is a true tabletop strategy game with a grim twist. In today’s show, we learned that Buckshot Roulette is on its way to Xbox and Game Pass – prepare yourself.
Descenders Next – Launching April 9
This sequel to the downhill biking Game Pass sensation, Descenders Next broadens its scope to include multiple ways to go really, really fast down a mountain. Promising to be the ultimate extreme sports game, tackle multiple biomes on snowboards and mountainboards when it arrives on April 9 with Game Pass.
Echo Weaver – Coming to Xbox and Game Pass
This beautifully rendered “Metroidbrainia” draws from classic adventure platformers and the likes of Outer Wilds to create a time looping world where knowledge is your greatest weapon. The trailer offered clues as to how, across multiple loops, you’ll piece together the story and shape of a collapsed utopia and escape the temporal prison you’re trapped within. Echo Weaver is coming to Xbox, with Game Pass.
Herdling – Coming to Xbox and Windows PC
Developer Okomotive created two of the most exciting, mechanic-packed adventures of recent years in the form of Far: Lone Sails and Far: Changing Tides, so you can count us very excited for their first fully 3D outing, Herdling. In a new trailer, we saw much more of how you’ll guide a herd of curious cattle across a ruined world (and the dangers you’ll face along the way) – and learned that it’ll be coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC when it launches this summer.
Hotel Barcelona – Launching 2025
This long awaited collaboration between legendary designers Suda51 and Swery is almost upon us. This 2.5D action-platformer pits you against the horror-inspired denizens of the titular hotel, and the new trailer dives deeper into the Slasher Phantom, a brutal game mechanic that summons echoes of the player’s past runs to aid them in battle. We also saw some of the game’s arsenal of deadly weapons and abilities, each designed to turn the tide of battle in the most gruesome ways possible.
Jump Ship – Coming to Xbox Game Preview
Developed by Hazelight (It Takes Two) and Mojang (Minecraft) alumni, this 1-4 player FPS puts you in charge of a spaceship and asks you to take on on-foot combat sections, seamlessly transitioning between the two. The new trailer gives us a taste of how you’ll have to work together to survive, not to mention its tongue-in-cheek approach to bombastic action – plus we learned that it’ll be available in early access through Xbox Game Preview this summer.
Lies of P: Overture – New Story Trailer
We got a closer look at the newly announced DLC for acclaimed Soulslike, Lies of P. The Overture expansion will see Geppetto’s Puppet encounter a mysterious artifact that transports him back in time to the world of Krat in its final days of grandeur. The trailer gives us a melancholy look at Lea, the Legendary Stalker, on her relentless path of vengeance.
The Lonesome Guild – World Premiere
We got a world-first look at the new game from Don’t Nod (Life Is Strange, Jusant), a whimsical action-RPG full of heart, battles, and bonds that change everything. Embark on a heroic adventure as Ghost, a spirit who wakes to find they hold no memories. Build your dream team, switch seamlessly between them to solve puzzles and fight your way through the collapsing world of Etere. The Lonesome Guild arrives for Xbox Series X|S this fall.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault – Coming to Game Pass
The sequel to the beloved action-RPG that answers the question, “where do RPG merchants get their stock”, Moonlighter 2 takes on a brand new full-3D, isometric look – offering new challenges and rewards as a result. The new trailer shows both your new hometown and shop, and the adventures in store as you adventure to keep your stock flowing. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and Game Pass in 2025.
Outbound – Coming to Xbox in 2026
This gorgeous open-world exploration game sets you off with an empty camper van and sees you turn it into the home of your dreams – alone or together with your friends. Build and explore at your own pace. Scavenge materials, craft, and build in and on top of your vehicle with modular parts. Advance in technology and efficiently use energy to power your home, while adjusting your playstyle to adapt to new landscapes and changing environmental conditions. Outbound is coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2026.
Ratatan – Coming to Xbox
A new game from the creators of the beloved Patapon, Ratatan is a rhythm strategy roguelike that sees you taking increasingly huge groups of minions through a world in which you need to literally conduct your attacks – hit the rhythm and you’ll stay alive. Mix in up to four-player co-op, and you can have over 100 characters onscreen in a single fight. Ratatan comes to Xbox this year.
Revenge of the Savage Planet – Coming to Game Pass on May 8
We got a new look at this co-op exploration adventure by way of an in-universe commercial for the Kindred Catalog – Revenge of the Savage Planet features dozens of fresh and funny upgrades such as the goo cannon, which allows players to create slippery, sticky or flammable surfaces in the world! Or a whip to keep creatures from eating your face! Or a grapple to swing from point to point! Or a lasso to capture creatures and send them back to your Habitat for research. So many tools, so many options, so many ways to play. We don’t have long to wait to try all of this out – Revenge of the Savage Planet arrives for Xbox on May 8, and will be available day one with Game Pass.
Rockbeasts – World Premiere
We got another world-first look at Rockbeasts, a “rock and roll band manager” game in which you playthe manager of a legendary ‘90s band (who just happen to be animals). Lead a band of misfits on a roller-coaster ride to stardom in the age of MTV, rock anthems, and bad haircuts. Rockbeasts is a story-driven, role-playing management game that puts you in the shoes of a manager of an up-and-coming rock band. Your job – take them to the top. It arrives for Xbox Series X|S this year.
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer – Coming to Game Pass
We got another look at this adorable courier life sim after its debut at Tokyo Game Show. The new trailer showed us how we’ll be performing stunt-filled delivery missions alongside relaxing in its bucolic town – from baseball, to sumo practice, to drumming. Tanuki: Pon’s Summer arrives in late 2025, and it’s coming to Game Pass.
Tempopo – Coming to Game Pass on April 17
The newest title from the award-winning team behind Unpacking, Tempopo is a puzzle adventure bursting with music. Playing as Hana, you enter a fantasy world in which you need to conduct the titular Tempopo creatures to solve puzzles scattered across the world’s sky islands – before heading back home and cultivating her garden. The new trailer showed off new gameplay, and revealed that the game will come to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on April 17, and will launch into Game Pass day one.
Tron: Catalyst – Launching June 17
From Disney, publisher BigFan, and the development team at Bithell Games, the new trailer for Tron: Catalyst gave us a closer look at our game’s protagonist, Exo, who is fighting for her survival in the arena. An explosive event has gifted Exo the ability to perceive the glitch tearing apart her home, the Arq Grid, and given her the unique ability to loop time itself. This thrilling isometric action our game offers combat, conversation, and Light Cycle exploration in the city of Vertical Slice. Tron: Catalyst comes to Xbox Series X|S on June 17.
Ultimate Sheep Racoon – Coming to Game Pass
This chaotic side-scrolling, bike riding party game got a new trailer announcing that it’ll come to Game Pass upon release – and then we saw the IGN team playing the game’s 8-player mode. They showed off a variety of different blocks that can hinder your movement or launch you ahead of the competition, two different levels with varying difficulty, and showed how the different power-ups can really make a difference in the race.
Wax Heads – Launching Summer 2026
We got a new look at this slice-of-life narrative game set around running a struggling record store. Showing off its gorgeous hand-drawn looks, the trailer shows more of how you’ll chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands (and their drama!), or just slack off with your colleagues – whatever gets everyone’s groove back! Wax Heads will come to Xbox Series X|S in summer 2026.
Woodo – Coming to Xbox
This cozy, story-driven game showed off more of its beautiful art style and pieced-together 3D puzzles. The trailer revealed how you’ll build the story by literally building the world, pulling 3D objects from your menus to fill a scene, revealing more of the tale of main characters Foxy and Ben as you go. Woodo is on its way to Xbox Series X|S.
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