Schlagwort: Xbox Game Studios

  • 2024’s Games Lineup Is Going to Be Incredible for Xbox Players – Here’s Why

    2024’s Games Lineup Is Going to Be Incredible for Xbox Players – Here’s Why

    Reading Time: 11 minutes

    2024 is going to be a great year for Xbox players. Across Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud, and Game Pass, you’ll find a truly special line-up on the way. As you saw in the recent Developer_Direct broadcast, our teams and partners are bringing world-class experiences to Xbox platforms. With new ideas, long-awaited sequels, incredible exclusives, and more all on the way, no matter what kind of game you’re looking for, you’ll find it on Xbox.

    To try and cram it all into a single article would be impossible, but we’ve arranged a choice selection of just some of the upcoming games into categories, to give you a sense of what’s coming this year to Xbox and PC.

    The Choice is Yours in Avowed

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJFDLV9ov_U?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Avowed sees Obsidian taking us back to the world of Eora (the setting of the Pillars of Eternity franchise), and into the unexplored Living Lands, a fantastical, vibrant island filled with adventure and danger. As with all of Obsidian’s games, it’s going to be a journey to remember – this fantasy action RPG is built around the studio’s mantra of playing “your worlds, your way,” including opportunities to approach story and combat in multiple ways, as you ultimately uncover a mystery that affects not only you and your party, but the fate of the Living Lands themselves. Coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC and cloud (and available with Game Pass on day one) this fall.

    Advance into a New Age of Grand Strategy with Ara: History Untold

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS3qJXXu0Bk?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    The team at Oxide Games is comprised of strategy gaming veterans – many who have worked on the acclaimed Civilization franchise together. Now they’re paving their own path to create a game they’ve always wanted to make, while finding new ways to build upon the framework of what makes the genre so great to begin with.

    With an innovative crafting and simultaneous turns system, unique leaders, and a pedigree of talent behind them, Ara: History Untold isn’t just shaping up to be the next great grand strategy game – it’s planning to usher in a whole new arena of innovation to the genre that has us excited to advance into this next age with them. Ara: History Untold arrives this fall on Windows and Steam, and will be available with PC Game Pass on day one. We recommend that you Wishlist the game on Steam for the latest breaking game news.

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Makes Its Haunting Return

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVue2UHNAkE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Ninja Theory reignites the journey of Senua in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, the long-awaited sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The story follows Senua’s next steps across a stunning 10th Century Iceland, taking you through dark and dangerous encounters, seen through the eyes of someone who experiences psychosis, and all intertwined in a truly unique audio-visual experience – rooted in staying true to its remarkable predecessor. We can’t wait to jump back into this unique gaming world, which tells an immersive, brutal story about facing the darkness within and without. Senua returns on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S, PC and Cloud, and will be available with Game Pass on day one.

    Join a New Adventure in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGnW6YNPjs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    This new journey starring the legendary archaeologist comes from the award-winning team at MachineGames – the minds behind Wolfenstein: The New Order and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus – in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games and executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard.

    Set between “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade”, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a first-person, single-player adventure that will take you all over the world, uncovering clues and solving an ancient mystery. Become the adventurer in a race against sinister forces. Your journeys will take you from the hallowed halls of the Vatican and the arid deserts of Egypt to the lush and sunken temples of Sukhothai and the frigid peaks of the Himalayas.

    Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is coming later this year to Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available with Game Pass on day one.

    Soar to New Heights with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xp-SnZDoY?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    This brand-new simulator is designed to take advantage of the latest technologies in simulation, cloud, machine learning, graphics and gaming to create the most sophisticated, immersive and awe-inspiring flight simulator of all time. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 goes beyond letting us polish up those virtual pilot wings on our uniforms, it will allow us to pursue our dream of an aviation career.

    With features like aerial firefighting, search and rescue, commercial flights, remote cargo ops, VIP charter service, air racing, and more, we’ll not only be experiencing the joy of flight, but experience the pilot career we always dreamed of. The sky is calling – Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes off on PC and Xbox Series X|S this year, and will be available with Game Pass on day one.

    Experience a Never-Ending Adventure in Towerborne

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RhVFeNIBi0?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Gear up and for a brand-new take on action-RPGs in Towerborne, a new adventure from Banner Saga developer Stoic and Xbox Games Publishing. A colorful tale of courage and heroism with a rich arsenal of weapons and combat abilities, Towerborne will offer a ton of replayability and charm, set in a gorgeous, dynamic world that evolves as players progress. Towerborne will make its grand debut for Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2024, and will be available with Game Pass on day one.

    Explore Enormous Open Worlds

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

    There’s a reason open worlds are among gaming’s most popular places – the scope they offer for freedom, discovery, and self-expression are unmatched by most. Thankfully, there are some very big hitters coming in 2024. Star Wars Outlaws is the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Fight, steal, and outwit crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. Final Fantasy XIV Online arrives on Xbox for the first time this year, welcoming you into its huge, beautiful MMO world, and inviting you to explore every inch with your friends.

    2024 also sees the long-awaited return of two cult classic franchises with wide open worlds. Dragon’s Dogma 2 brings us another eldritch blast of Capcom’s unique action-RPG, mixing high fantasy with some truly outlandish combat – once you’ve taken down a cyclops with a meteor, you’ll know why people loved the first game quite so much. STALKER 2 (coming on day one to Game Pass) will reintroduce us to The Zone after many years away, asking you to explore a mutating world by way of intense, painstaking survival action.

    Strategize on an Epic Scale

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1I815PCKeE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    If turn-based role playing fans thought they were eating good last year, with celebrated entries such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Sea of Stars, it’s time to loosen that belt another notch; a feast of massive adventures is on the menu in 2024. Following November’s more action-focused Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, RGG Studio shifts focus back to turn-based battle in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, out now. This one’s as epic as it is wacky, with a full island-building game embedded as an optional diversion from Ichiban’s adventures in Hawaii – the first game in the series set outside of Japan.  This week, Atlus revisits one of the most beloved RPGs of all time with Persona 3 Reload (coming on day one to Game Pass), complete with overhauled visuals, new music and voice performances, and modernized gameplay features.

    Vaunted developer Vanillaware is known for its visually distinct RPGs, and it’s bringing its first-ever title to Xbox in March, the stunning tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord. The much-anticipated Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (coming on day one to Game Pass) promises an immersive JRPG experience with a focus on rich storytelling. Players can look forward to intricate town-upgrading mechanics and engaging combat, exploring a world brimming with diverse characters and compelling narratives. Finally, one of the most striking titles at last year’s Xbox Games Showcase, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a new fantasy RPG from some of the creative minds behind the Persona series.

    Prepare for More Fearful Encounters

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLWQDX5pbDM?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Horror is one of the most captivating genres in gaming. Designed to thrill while pulling you into a world of terror, these types of games have a way of staying with you even after the lights have come back on. 2024 might be upping this a notch with one of the masters of modern gaming horror, The Chinese Room, bringing us into their newest universe with Still Wakes the Deep (coming on day one to Game Pass). You’ll be stranded on a warping North Sea oil rig being seemingly consumed by a supernatural entity. Sounds fun; sign us up.

    Some of these fearful encounters in 2024 will be returns to the familiar. Supermassive Games is taking the reins from Tarsier Studios with Little Nightmares III, bringing their horror pedigree to this beloved puzzle-platform horror adventure series. We’ll also be taking a return trip into Red Barrels’ excellent survival horror series with The Outlast Trials. One of the newest features there will be the opportunity to play with friends within the walls of a corporate-controlled sanitorium.

    Speaking of returns, we’ll also be treated to a long-awaited arrival of a new Alone in the Dark, now with a reimagined take on a horror gaming classic starring David Harbour and Jodie Comer as playable protagonists.

    Traverse New Worlds

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7-3NsH82HA?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of gaming is finding a brand new series, and a brand new world, to explore, shape, and fall in love with. 2024 is going to offer many, many opportunities to do that, with multiple games marking the start of brand new journeys for players. From Xbox, Towerborne and Ara: History Untold are the beginning of brand-new series, but our partners are also bringing a bevy of new ideas to the table.

    Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn weaves together brutal melee, gunplay, and magic for a fantasy narrative that looks strikingly original. Meanwhile, Dungeons of Hinterberg (coming to Game Pass on day one) will take us to a fantastical version of the Alps, The Plucky Squire will jump between 2D and 3D in its storybook world, and 33 Immortals (coming to Game Pass on day one) turns the action-roguelike template into a never-before-seen 33-player co-op experience.

    Dive Into a Simulation

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8pehx8xvc?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Sometimes, the only thing better than getting lost in a new world is sculpting that world yourself – “simulator” can mean many things in gaming these days, and 2024 brings ample opportunity to sculpt an empire, or create peaceful hangouts along with friends.

    In Manor Lords (coming on day one to PC Game Pass), dynamic, medieval settings meet real history in a fresh take on city-building and real time strategy. For a quieter adventure, take your mech for a stroll through the cozy cosmic hills of Lightyear Frontier (coming day one to Xbox Game Pass), an open-world farming adventure that can be explored alone or with friends.

    And of course, as we mentioned above, Flight Simulator 2024 takes flight this year, so be sure to keep your eyes to the virtual skies (and Xbox Wire) for updates.

    Relive The Adventure

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGrYKr2MTMs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Returning to a story you know and love can be the ultimate joy, and 2024 is packed with shiny new spins on some classic titles. Explore the depths in Tomb Raider I – III Remastered, which includes the first three games in the classic series complete with upgraded graphics. Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster also promises a triumphant return to a classic tale of good vs. evil, complete with stunning new visuals that’ll entice old and new Star Wars fans alike. Plus, you can relive an Xbox indie gem with Braid: Anniversary Edition, a lovingly updated version of the time-bending platformer, complete with charming new graphics, improved sound, and developer commentary.

    Jump Into Long-Awaited Returns

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWLNS0xq1yE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Many of the stories and worlds that we already love are making big comebacks this year. Tekken 8 – out now – is on top form, with cutting edge combat, stunning visuals and a bombastic new story – it’s the perfect instalment for new and returning fighting fans to jump into.

    Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 by The Chinese Room takes players to the dark underbelly of Seattle, where vampires struggle for survival and supremacy. As an Elder vampire, players meet compelling characters, navigate complex political relationships, stalk the streets for prey, and engage in intense combat to uncover the city’s secrets. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launches later this year, ending our 13-year wait to step back into the boots of Captain Titus as he hacks, slashes and boltguns through hordes of vicious Tyranids in a glorious sequel.

    A fresh entry into the enchanting Mana series – and its first appearance on Xbox consoles – is also on the way. As we discovered during Developer_Direct, Visions of Mana promises a beautiful reimagining of the series’ vibrant worlds, breathtaking environments and heartwarming characters, all within an epic RPG.

    Immerse Yourself in Unexpected Art Styles

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAx5NN0u5b4?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    First impressions are everything, and this year is bringing some games that will open your eyes as much as they expand your mind. In a true, ‘I never thought I’d see that in a game’ moment, Harold Halibut (coming to Game Pass on day one) is a handmade adventure built with traditional stop-motion techniques – imagine a playable Wes Anderson movie set on a submerged spaceship and you’re on the right track.

    Rise of the Golden Idol is a sequel to the beloved (and truly bizarre) detective game Case of the Golden Idol, and brings with it a style that somehow fuses the painterly and the grotesque while evoking classic ’90s point ’n’ clicks. Open Roads (coming to Game Pass on day one) on the other hand blends a 3D world with beautiful, graphic novel-style characters to striking effect, helping to tell the story of a mother and daughter embarking on a road trip and uncovering long-lost family secrets.

    Enjoy More From the Worlds You Love

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn6LlZSphpA?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Of course, a game doesn’t stop growing when it’s released, and many of your favorites will continue to get new content throughout 2024. From the Xbox family, you can expect Starfield’s DLC expansion, Shattered Space, later this year – not to mention new seasons and updates for the likes of Sea of Thieves, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, Diablo IV, Halo Infinite, Overwatch 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Grounded, Minecraft, and more. That’s not to mention our games on other platforms, such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Call of Duty: Mobile.

    From our partners, you can of course expect Fortnite to continue to grow in truly unexpected ways, Destiny 2 will receive its epochal The Final Shape expansion, and Apex Legends will celebrate its fifth anniversary. That’s not to mention the likes of Grand Theft Auto Online, the EA Sports catalogue, Rainbow Six Siege, and many, many more.

    Keep Discovering With Game Pass

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rUEWRG8hp8?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    With all of these new games on the way, don’t forget that Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass already contain hundreds of titles for you to try out – your new favorite game might already be waiting for you. Encompassing console, PC, and cloud (with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), Game Pass offers new games, new genres, and new ideas, wherever you want to play.

    2023 saw some incredible games join the service, and 2024 will be no different. We’ve already started strong with the likes of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Resident Evil 2, and many more joining Game Pass in January, and the year ahead is looking very good – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Persona 3 Reload, Manor Lords are just a few of the titles on their way. Make sure to check back with Xbox Wire to find out what’s coming, and when.

    Website: LINK

  • Good Fortune & Good Adventuring Arrive in Forza Horizon 5 for Lunar New Year

    Good Fortune & Good Adventuring Arrive in Forza Horizon 5 for Lunar New Year

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    “Amid the sound of firecrackers, a year has come to an end,” and what better way to welcome the good fortune that the new year brings than with a nice drive through the Horizon Festival’s new features. This celebration will not last two weeks, though; the Horizon Festival has four weeks of content to celebrate this new lunar cycle. Each of these weeks comes with a reward car featuring some of the greatest vehicles to ever come out of the Middle Kingdom! Take it a step further and purchase the Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack which includes three cars destined for greatness made in China and a VW that stole the country’s heart. Your luck doesn’t end there; thirteen previous reward cars make their way back to the Festival as Autoshow cars are available from January 30. Another firecracker blast from the past sets in with the extended night cycle that makes a return for this series. Gather your family for an amazing, traditional dinner, and some laps around the Horizon Festival with the Lunar New Year Update!

    Release Notes & Game Fixes

    New Features:

    • 13 Previous Exclusive Reward cars added to the Autoshow

    • 9 Lunar New Year EventLab Props

    • 1 Lunar New Year Collector Accolade

    • Chinese Lucky Stars Pack becomes available for purchase

    • 5 new unlockable Festival Playlist Reward Cars

    • Limited Timed Series Features

    — Evolving World: Stadium Drift Arena

    — Evolving World: Dragon Drone Show

    — Evolving World: Fireworks collectible

    • 2 Badges: Feeling Lucky, Lunar Dragon

    • Returning Extended Nights

    Bug Fixes

    • Improved the audio for the 2008 Aston Martin DBS

    • Fixed issues that occurred while trying to redeem a car through the message center

    • Fixed issues with players getting kicked out of the Weekly Trial

    • Solved the issue causing “Tropical Storm” and “Dust Storm” not to show up in Photo Mode during Spring Season

    • Fixed cosmetic issues on the 1970 Fast X Dodge Charger, 1966 Fast X Chevrolet Impala, and the 2022 Gordon Murray T.50

    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.

    The Year of the Dragon is Here.

    People born on a Dragon year are said to be full of energy and drive; the Horizon Festival is no different of course!

    From tracks to props, dragons will flood the Festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year along with many other features to discover.

    Crouching Tiger, Drifting Dragon

    The Stadium twists and turns into a Drift Arena!

    Whatever path you decide to take on this track, be true to yourself. The Drift Arena’s curves and bends will have you using every ancient secret of drifting to go on a complete lap. Driving around certain areas of the raceway or near its corners will trigger a smoke effect. Hold your drift, don’t let it catch you off guard!

    Besides the myriad of tight corners, multiple red dragons dance through the course creating rings you can drive through. Keep exploring the Stadium and find the Fireworks Collectible hidden inside it.

    A Dragon watches over as you burn rubber in the tight corners and twists of the Drift Arena!

    Watch a Dragon Dance Done the Horizon Way.

    Once you are done burning rubber, the Drift Arena will be hosting a Drone Show at night during the four weeks of Lunar New Year starting on February 1.

    During daytime, drones will turn into traditional lanterns that will line up in the pattern of a dragon and prance along the sky as the drones do at night.

    Building Your Own Tradition.

    The spirit of Lunar New Year celebrates creativity with nine new props to use for your EventLab creations all with a season motif.

    Give your tracks an impressive guardian and unique look using the Lunar Dragon. Provide the community with a place to moon gaze including the Lunar Lookout on your creations.

    These are the nine props and decorations added in this new update:

    • Decoration

    — Lunar Dragon Head

    — Lunar Dragon Body

    — Lunar Dragon Tail

    • Ramps & Platforms

    — Lunar Lookout

    • Walls & Fences:

    — Lunar Barrier Gold

    — Lunar Barrier Red

    • Signs & Flags

    — Lunar Flag Gold

    — Lunar Flag Red

    Firework Box

    What’s in this Year’s Red Envelopes

    The biggest hitters that ever came out of China make an appearance at the Horizon Festival as Lunar New Year’s Reward Cars. Go deeper into Chinese automotive culture and history with the Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack which will be available for purchase for USD $4.99 / GBP £3.99 / EU €4.99 On January 30

    To top it all off, the cars our community chose to return are finally in the Autoshow; snatch these ghosts from the past before they fade away!

    Returning Rewards in the Autoshow.

    It seems luck is in your favor this year, as the Autoshow will feature thirteen cars during these four weeks.

    The long-awaited returning reward cars are here. Our community picked ten previous reward-exclusive cars from a list of options to become available on the Autoshow, and they are finally here! Get those credits ready to grab the rewards you missed starting January 30.

    Make room in your garage for three Asian newcomers hitting the Festival’s Autoshow on Lunar New Year. From racing to family, these cars are waiting to be modified and turned into your favorite ride.

    10 Returning Cars (announced with Community Choice):

    • 1990 Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer

    • 2010 Aston Martin One-77

    • 2021 Lamborghini Sian Roadster

    • 2021 Rimac Nevera

    • 2010 Ferrari 599XX

    • 1971 Porsche #23 917/20

    • 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso1990

    • 1967 Ferrari #24 Ferrari Spa 330 P4

    • 2018 Italdesign Zerouno

    • 1965 Peel Trident

    3 New Cars

    • 2019 Hyundai Veloster N

    • 2020 Xpeng P7

    • 2021 Lynk & Co 03

    Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack

    Collect and drive four of China’s biggest golden stars!

    The latest Car Pack for Forza Horizon 5 includes 4 cars made locally and VW’s biggest hit in China. Take a deeper look at the vehicles featured in the Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack.

    2022 Lynk & Co 05+

    Reading a plus sign at the end of a car’s name can only mean one thing: it’s time to ramp up the crazy.

    Adding 14 more horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque, the 2022 Lynk & Co 05+ does exactly that, turning a regular SUV into a crossover vehicle with a need for the track.

    The Co 05+ has been fitted with a multi-link independent suspension system and a new body kit with wings and a front lip to improve downforce.

    Lynk & Co’s signature SUV has the power, styling, and gear to take over the Horizon Festival this series!

    2023 MG Cyberster

    The spiritual successor of MG’s TF is finally here with a dash of Chinese spice and three times to power to make the wait worthwhile.

    Enter the 2023 MG Cyberster, an electric convertible equipped with an all-wheel drive system and an engine capable of producing 536 bhp. This automotive fist of electronic fury can accelerate from 0-100 kmh in just 3.2 seconds, putting it right with the big hitters of the Festival.

    MG’s legacy combined with the best of Chinese engineering make the MG Cyberster one of your best choices for a light cruise or the harshest of races.

    2022 Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Macaron

    What is not to love about the 2022 Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Macaron? Agile body, lovely name (translates to sunshine in English), electrically- powered, a paintjob you can almost taste…this lovely macaron is a warrior of the concrete jungle!

    They say, “simplicity is the key to brilliance”, and this small vehicle is designed to deal with everyday urban challenges took it as its core. This practical little car is in the race to become number 1 in your heart.

    Turn this panda into the ultimate Dragon Warrior with a few customization tweaks and skadoosh around the Horizon Festival this series!

    2012 Volkswagen Santana

    The German wonder that stole China’s heart, the 2012 Volkswagen Santana is arriving to the Horizon Festival this series.

    Considered VW’s biggest hit on the Asian continent, the Santana was one of the first European cars affordable in China. This made it the first choice for taxis and government vehicles.

    Germany’s Chinese connection will provide you with a ton of charm, countless hours of fun, and (above all) a ton of customization opportunities. Snatch yours this series with our latest Car Pack.

    If you weren’t sure how to spend those red envelope earnings, this is your sign to get the Chinese Lucky Stars Car Pack for $4.99 USD available for purchase now.

    Festival Playlist

    Four weeks of great luck and rewards come in with Lunar New Year.

    This month’s reward cars feature Horizon newcomers from the Asian continent including Hyundai, Lynk & Co, and MG.

    Take a look at five amazing reward cars you will be able to unlock this series.

    2022 Hyundai Kona

    The first week of this Festival Playlist brings a crossover SUV from Korea, the turbocharged and freshly overhauled 2022 Hyundai Kona.

    The 2022 model received a very fitting makeover with its exterior being almost entirely a new design with more sportive lines and finishes. To wrap up the changes and upgrades, the Kona was fitted with a 195-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

    Whether you want to turn the Kona into an off-roading legend or have it perform at its best on the road, you will be able to unlock and modify it to your pleasing for 20 PTS on the first week of the Festival Playlist.

    2022 Hyundai IONIQ 6

    The performance model in Hyundai’s line of electric vehicles will reach the Horizon Festival as a Series Reward for Lunar New Year.

    The 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 6 is an EV with an aerodynamic look and function that not only makes it run more efficiently, but it also allows it to perform like a sports saloon on the track. The IONIQ 6 can take off from standstill to 100 kmh in just 5.1 seconds.

    An electric car that screams performance with its flaps, aerodynamic mirrors, and wheel gap reducers, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a great pick for those looking to use less gas and still be fast.

    2022 Lynk & Co 02 HB

    Yes, you guessed right: HB stands for hatchback, which is another word for “I’m going to have so much fun in this car”.

    The 2022 Lynk & Co 02 HB is the Chinese company’s shot at giving the world a hot hatch they can Phoenix dance in. This model is equipped with the Volvo Drive-E 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that we have seen in the Swedish company’s S60, XC70, and V70.

    To put their own spin to it, the 02 comes with an overpower option that boosts its torque from 350 Nm to 380 Nm, and let’s this small powerhouse dash from 0 to 100 in 6.2 seconds.

    Drift Arena and a hot hatch, need we say more?

    2020 Hyundai i30N

    More power, more responsiveness, and a sportier body kit; the 2020 Hyundai i30N is getting front of line to become your favorite hatchback to drive around the Horizon Festival.

    A 2.0 – liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine capable of producing 353 Nm of torque along with its brand-new 8-speed dual clutch transmission makes this car worthy of an invitation to the hot hatch party that takes place every day at the Festival.

    Not straying too far away from its five-door rivals, the i30N can hit a top speed of 250 kmh and reach 100 from nothing in 6.1 seconds.

    If not for all the fun a stock hatchback can bring, unlock this car for 20 PTS on the third week of Lunar New Year and see what kinds of sauce you can add with your own customization.

    2023 MG MG7

    Another one of MG’s staples makes a revamped comeback in the 2023 MG MG7. This new version of a classic comes with a design that puts together luxury and sportive performance.

    The new MG7 is geared with a 2.0-liter turbo engine capable of putting out 257 hp and producing 405 Nm of torque, catering to fans of speed; and packs it up inside a stylish outside design.

    The return of the MG should be celebrated along with the New Year, and we do not know a better way to do this than taking it to the track and scoring some fast times.

    What’s next

    We travel back to Across the Atlantic in European Automotive.

    New reward cars from the greatest car makers on the planet along with a brand-new Car Pack to drive and collect.

    Along with new props and badges, this new update will bring every class to Rally Adventure Rivals!

    Website: LINK

  • Sea of Thieves Dives Into Season 11

    Sea of Thieves Dives Into Season 11

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Plunge beneath the waves and get straight to the action with our latest free update!

    A new Season has begun! Introducing a complete overhaul of the Voyage system, this latest Sea of Thieves update enables you to dive to your destination of choice directly from your Quest Table, while vastly expanding the rewards and progression pathways on offer.

    Arriving on January 23rd, Season 11 brings with it a fresh 100 levels of Renown and rewards to be earned alongside all the other improvements bundled in. Like previous Seasons, the update is free for all players across all the usual platforms – just install the most recent version of the game and you’re ready to go. While it’s downloading, check out our Season 11 Launch Trailer for a quick overview of everything you’ll be able to explore!

    At its heart, Season 11 is focused on getting you to the content you want to play faster than ever before. To do that, this update introduces a Quest Table to your ship to help revamp your Voyage experience. Now, rather than having to stop at an Outpost to buy new Voyages, you’ll be able to access them directly from your ship wherever you happen to be.

    Once you and your crew have decided on what type of outing you’d like to go on – whether that’s undertaking a traditional Voyage for a Trading Company, digging into the lore of a Tall Tale or battling your way through a themed World Event like a Skeleton Fort or Ashen Lord – you’ll have two transportation options: sail to your destination in the traditional way, or, if you want to jump right into the fray, dive beneath the waves to head straight there.

    The option of diving not only makes Voyages more viable for shorter game sessions, it opens up access to World Events not currently active on your server. Even better, these on-demand Events, known as Raid Voyages, are undertaken on behalf of a specific Trading Company and offer the corresponding loot, so you’ll always know what kind of reward you’re working towards. If you’re striving to progress with a specific Company, taking on a Raid Voyage and emerging victorious will net you a nice reputation boost.

    Be warned, however! You won’t be able to take any loot with you if you decide to dive right to your next destination. To get the full payout from your hard work, you’ll need to stop by an Outpost (or The Reaper’s Hideout) and cash in first. But all is not lost if you can’t make it all the way there – rather than all rewards being tied to loot delivery, you’ll now receive some Company reputation immediately on completion of a Voyage, so you’ll never walk away with nothing to show for your efforts.

    To keep up with all these new ways of earning reputation, the Trading Companies are expanding. With the exception of The Hunter’s Call, all Companies will now enable pirates to raise their reputation all the way up to level 100. Once players hit that momentous mark, they’ll be able to unlock their first Distinction and earn some sparkling hand jewellery to show off their accomplishment. With five levels of Distinction waiting to be earned and new rewards and Quest Table options to unlock along the way, this gives even long-time players plenty of new ground to cover!

    With so many changes coming to fundamental systems across Sea of Thieves, there are bound to be a lot of questions floating around about Season 11. To answer some of the most pressing ones, and to ensure that players have all the information they need to get right to the good stuff, members of the development team took the time to sit down in front of the camera and share their secrets in our most recent Deep Dive!

    In addition to the On Demand overhaul arriving with this Season, a lot of work has gone into fine-tuning and rebalancing existing Voyages and events to give you a smoother experience and ensure the rewards (including some new rewards!) feel satisfying. Find a shipwreck or a Message in a Bottle while out exploring and you can be sure the effort you invest in it will be worthwhile. With Chests of Fortune also out there among the Fleets of Fortune marked by a distinctive red ship cloud, the emergent world is very much alive…

    And as always, a new Season includes a range of new rewards to enjoy. 100 new levels of Renown come with unique cosmetics and currency to claim, while the optional Plunder Pass purchase offers players the chance to unlock a whole host of Well-Travelled Trader ship and clothing items. Meanwhile, the intimidating Boarhunter ship, clothing and weapon bundles make their debut in the Pirate Emporium for anyone with Ancient Coins to spend!

    Everything on offer in Sea of Thieves Season 11 is out now, ready for you to explore at your leisure. If you’re not sure how the new Voyage system works, or if you’re new to the game and just finding your feet, take a moment to check out the brand new Trading Company tutorials via your Quest Table. The Pirate Lord will walk you through everything you need to know! Or if you’re an old hand looking for a bullet-pointed breakdown, make the latest release notes your next destination.

    After that, it’s time to weigh anchor and get sailing! All the excitement of the seas is closer at hand than ever before…

    Website: LINK

  • Diving Deeper into the World of Avowed

    Diving Deeper into the World of Avowed

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    “For us, creating these choices, like the big ones that affect the outcome of a quest, or the wellbeing of certain characters or communities are just as important as the smaller choices that you make in navigating a dialogue and, in subtle ways, influencing your relationship with another character,” said Patel. “All of it is really centered around letting the player be the main character in this setting.” 

    It’s important to note that for all we’ve now seen of Avowed, there’s much, much more to explore throughout the Living Lands. In fact, the specific quest in Shatterscarp we covered “is entirely discoverable, which means it’s also entirely missable.” In terms of scope of the game, Paramo compares with another recent Obsidian title, “it’s open-zone, size comparable to The Outer Worlds areas on the larger side, and [with] multiple paths essentially to tackle combat situations, or avoid them.” 

    According to Patel, sharp-eyed players will have much more to seek out throughout their time with Avowed: “One of the big delights of being a developer on a game like this is creating so much for players to find, and knowing that not everybody’s going to seek it out, and not everybody’s gonna find it, but knowing that the players who do are really going to enjoy the secrets they discover.” 

    Avowed launches this fall on Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC – for more information please visit the Avowed website. 

    Avowed
    Xbox Live

    Avowed

    Xbox Game Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
    Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder? The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
    The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem. Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
    Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance. Companions as part of your journey
    Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Developer_Direct: All the News and Announcements

    Xbox Developer_Direct: All the News and Announcements

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    It’s going to be a good year for Xbox players. At today’s Developer_Direct show, we provided deep-dives into five new games launching across Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass and/or cloud – all of which will arrive later in 2024. Development teams at Xbox, Bethesda, and even one of our third-party partners invited you into their studios to showcase extended gameplay, reveal key information, and more.

    During the show, we visited the studios behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Ara: History Untold to find out more about each one. Members of each development team gave us a look into their creation, with new information, and offered a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come this year. All four of these games will arrive on day one with Game Pass, and will contribute to what’s going to be another huge year for members, delivering incredible games throughout 2024.

    Plus, in a special surprise, we heard from the team at Square Enix to learn a lot more about Visions of Mana, the first new mainline entry in the Mana series in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. With participation from developers on 3 continents, it was a truly global show.

    Here’s a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct:

    Avowed – Launching Fall 2024

    Xbox Series X/S, PC, Cloud – Joining Game Pass on Day One

    Avowed Image

    Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel gave us a first deep-dive into the gameplay in Obsidian’s upcoming fantasy action RPG, from its dynamic combat, to its thoughtful reactivity, to its “colorful, vibrant, strange” world set in the Living Lands. Avowed continues Obsidian’s signature style of creating games with deep themes and player choice at the forefront.

    Not only will you make narrative decisions that can impact changes in the game down the line, but Avowed is also looking to offer choice in combat. Gameplay Director Gabe Paramo discussed not only how varied your weaponry will be – with melee weapons, ranged guns and bows, and magic-based wands (even dual-wielded wands!) to name a few – but how flexible combat can be, allowing you to quickly change loadouts for enemy encounters. Swappable loadouts mean you can approach combat however feels right to you.

    Art Director Matt Hansen then explained how the Living Lands is a mysterious island made up of wildly varied regions offering visually diverse backdrops and intriguing settings to explore. With secrets hidden throughout the regions, you’ll take in barren deserts, verdant forests, blighted wastes, volcanic biomes, and more.

    That’s not all for Avowed, however – make sure to tune in to the Xbox Podcast on Monday, January 22 for an exclusive interview with some of Obsidian’s developers, offering even more information on the gameplay reveal.

    Get ready to carve your own path through Avowed when it launches this fall for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud – and arrives with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on day one. For more information please visit the Avowed website.

    Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Launching May 21

    Xbox Series X/S, PC, Cloud – Joining Game Pass on Day One

    Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Image

    Ninja Theory took us behind the scenes at their studio in Cambridge to take a look at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, meet some of the team and learn more about the craft behind their new title, which is now in the final months of development.

    In the video we learned more about Senua’s new journey, which leads her to Iceland, a harsh and brutal land ravaged by myth and tyranny. We were given a new look at Senua’s experiences of the world, seen through her eyes as someone who experiences psychosis, and saw some of Senua’s visceral and violent battles with the Draugar. We also heard more detail on what players can expect from the game’s story and how binaural and spatial audio will sink player’s deep into the world of Hellblade.

    With a studio mission of crafting life-changing art with game-changing tech, Ninja Theory are pushing the boundaries of fidelity, richness and immersion. You can join Senua on her new quest, May 21. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is available to wishlist on Steam and pre-install on Xbox Game Pass now.

    Visions of Mana – Launching Summer 2024

    Xbox Series X|S, PC

    Visions of Mana Image

    In a surprise appearance, Square Enix joined the show to present Visions of Mana, the first new mainline entry in the series in over 15 years, and its debut on Xbox platforms. Series producer Masaru Oyamada presented a sneak peek at the gorgeous new RPG, sharing gameplay and behind the scenes footage before its launch in Summer 2024.

    Koichi Ishii – father of the Mana series and creator of many of its iconic monsters – discussed the implementation and design of the enemies in Visions of Mana, and introduced the adorable new animal companions, “pikuls” and explained the design process behind them.

    Oyamada then shared some details regarding the game’s score and revealed that the tracklist for Visions of Mana contains 100 songs in total, including works from musical talent who worked on previous Mana games. Oyamada also shared details of the adaptive music system that allows seamless transition from map exploration to battles, demonstrating a snippet of the background music changing as you enter or leave combat.

    Oyamada also revealed that in Visions of Mana, The Elementals will assist the player in battle in the form of specialized items, which will each have a different effect in combat. Combined with aerial combat that allows for weapons and magic to be used in mid-air, the combat is fast-paced and flexible.

    Visions of Mana launches Summer 2024 on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC!

    Ara: History Untold – Launching Fall 2024

    PC – Joining PC Game Pass on Day One

    Ara: History Untold Image

    The key leads at Oxide Games debuted an all-new look at gameplay and shared an overview of the key features coming to Ara: History Untold during today’s Developer Direct. Viewers learned more about Ara’s crafting system, unique approach to simultaneous turns, and more.

    You can learn more about this innovative new historical grand strategy game with our in-depth interview with Design Director Michelle Menard and we will have more to share in the coming months leading up to Ara’s launch this fall on PC and with PC Game Pass. For the latest breaking news follow the Ara: History Untold social channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram/Threads) and wishlist the game on Steam.

    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Launching 2024

    Xbox Series X/S, PC – Joining Game Pass on Day One

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGnW6YNPjs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    The official reveal of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was debuted during Developer_Direct with over 13 minutes of gameplay footage and developer insights. This new journey starring the legendary archaeologist comes from the award-winning team at MachineGames – the minds behind Wolfenstein: The New Order and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus – in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games and executive produced by Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard. Find out more on Bethesda.net.

    Other Streams

    Blizzard held a Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream earlier today that dug into the horrors waiting for you beneath the sands of Kehjistan in Season of the Construct, launching January 23, and introduced the competitive leaderboard activity called The Gauntlet. Associate Director of Community Adam Fletcher, Game Design Manager Daniel Tanguay, Quest Designer Madeleine James, and Lead Class Designer Adam Jackson spoke about the new Seneschal companion, Hazard-filled dungeons called Vaults, a new Questline, and more – all of which surfaces in Season of the Construct. Additionally, the group gave a quick look at The Gauntlet leaderboards and wrapped up the livestream by answering questions from the community in a Q&A session.

    Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios kicked off The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal, unveiling the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features. You’ll be able to read more about what was revealed on Xbox Wire and Bethesda.net as soon as that show concludes.

    Looking Ahead

    Today marks just a small selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. With our own studios and our incredible partners bringing a diverse set of incredible experiences to Xbox consoles, PC, Cloud, and Game Pass, there’s going to be something new for every kind of player. To find out more, make sure to return to Xbox Wire later this month, when we post a round-up of some of the most exciting games coming to Xbox platforms in 2024.

    Website: LINK

  • Minecraft Education and BBC Earth Release New DLC Inspired by Planet Earth III

    Minecraft Education and BBC Earth Release New DLC Inspired by Planet Earth III

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    The post Minecraft Education and BBC Earth Release New DLC Inspired by Planet Earth III appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Website: LINK

  • How to Watch the Xbox Developer_Direct 2024 on Thursday, January 18

    How to Watch the Xbox Developer_Direct 2024 on Thursday, January 18

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    January 18 is going to be an incredible day for Xbox players. Developer_Direct returns this Thursday at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK, and will bring you a deep-dive into some of the biggest games coming to Xbox platforms. We’re sure you want to know more, so here are all the details on how to tune in.

    Developer_Direct will share new, extended gameplay and developer insights for the upcoming Indiana Jones game, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II straight from the teams at MachineGames, Obsidian, Oxide Studios, and Ninja Theory.

    It’s going to be a big day for the Xbox family, with two other livestreams taking place. Earlier in the day, Blizzard will host a Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm UK. Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will hostThe Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to preview 2024’s biggest update.

    When is Developer_Direct? Thursday, January 18 at 12pm Pacific Time / 3pm Eastern Time / 8pm UK time.

    How do I watch Developer_Direct? Developer_Direct will be streamed live on the official Xbox and Bethesda channels below:

    The show will also be streamed simultaneously on regional Xbox and Bethesda channels around the globe, as well as on Steam. It will also air on China’s Bilibili platform on Friday, January 19.

    I’m not going to be able to watch, where can I find out what was announced? A full recap will go live immediately following the show (including localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, LATAM Spanish, and Japanese following later). Xbox Wire will also publish detailed blog posts about select games from the show.

    Notes for co-streamers and creators: 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 full post-show breakdowns of Developer_Direct in the form of 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.

    How do I watch the Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream? At 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm UK, Blizzard will unearth details about the next season’s gameplay features, Season Journey, and quality-of-life updates. Plus, Blizzard will also share information about The Gauntlet. You can watch the event on Diablo’s YouTube and Twitch channels.

    How do I watch the Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal stream? Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will hostThe Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to preview 2024’s biggest update. Streamed from Bethesda’s official Twitch channel at Twitch.tv/Bethesda (with Twitch Drops!) and via global Xbox YouTube and Twitch channels, the standalone presentation will see the development team unveil the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features.

    Will there be updates on Activision Blizzard King games? No new information on Activision Blizzard King games will be a part of Developer_Direct. You can look forward to news from those teams later this year.

    When will the games in the show be released? All the games in this year’s Developer_Direct will be arriving later, with more details to be shared in the program.

    We’ll see you for Developer_Direct on Thursday, January 18!

    Website: LINK

  • Latest Forza Motorsport Update Brings Daytona and More to Players

    Latest Forza Motorsport Update Brings Daytona and More to Players

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Get ready for race weekend with Daytona, new Spotlight cars and the Italian Challengers Tour.

    Forza Motorsport Update 4 introduces the prestigious Daytona International Speedway – a truly iconic racetrack renowned for its marvels in engineering. Meanwhile, a new Italian Challengers Featured Tour invites you to build four staples of Italy’s automotive heritage! Let’s dive into the details.

    Update 4 will be available to download on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PCs and Steam beginning on Tuesday, January 16. New events across the Career, Featured Multiplayer and Rivals will start on Thursday, January 18.

    On Tuesday we’ll share details about the fixes contained in Update 4. This version is focused on new content and events, and contains only minor fixes for car and track content compared to our previous updates. Work on game fixes to address top community issues is ongoing – look out for additional improvements in Update 5 and beyond.

    New Track – Daytona

    Daytona International Speedway is a historic, world-famous track with banked, high-speed corners and in Forza Motorsport, it features two distinct layouts. Master the high-velocity 2.5-mile Tri-oval Circuit and the technical, more challenging 3.59-mile Sports Car Circuit.

    Compete on both layouts in Career Mode and Featured Multiplayer, set your fastest lap times in any car class in Time Attack, or enjoy a Daytona race day either solo or with your friends in Free Play and Private Multiplayer. We’ll also have a special Daytona Sports Car Series in Featured Multiplayer to replicate the excitement of the iconic race weekend.

    Daytona International Speedway was built in 1959 by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who wanted to create a track that was faster than any other in the world. Since then, it has hosted several races including the annual Daytona 500, as well as IndyCar and IMSA. The track was renovated in 2016 with the installation of 101,500 seats, making it one of the largest stadiums in the United States!

    With the release of Update 4, select existing Builders Cup series will be updated to integrate Daytona, Hockenheim, and Yas Marina.

    Spotlight Cars – Update 4

    Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week, available for you to acquire with a 30% discount using in-game credits. These cars can be used in the new Italian Challengers Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Rivals.

    Forza Motorsport VIP Members will also get an exclusive 15% discount on the 1988 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV in the Showroom for a limited time.

    Car Pass – Update 4

    Here is your Forza Motorsport Car Pass calendar for the next 4 weeks:

    Car Pass includes 30 new-to-Motorsport cars with one released every week until Car Pass is complete. Get Car Pass today in the Forza Motorsport Deluxe and Premium Editions.

    New Career Tour – Italian Challengers

    Discover how Italian cars became an unquestionable staple of the automotive industry in Italian Challengers, the new Featured Tour in Career Mode.

    It starts with All-Wheel Driven, where Lancia stands ready to take on its historic adversaries on the track as you race iconic rally machines. Then in Roadster Renaissance, step behind the wheel of the Abarth 124 Spider and battle the iconic Mazda MX-5 to discover the shared origins of these unique siblings.

    Tour the world of luxury sports sedans – a class once dominated by Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz – and experience a fierce contender in Alfa Performance. Conclude this Featured Tour with Italian beauty, craftsmanship, and speed by racing with track-focused, high-performance Ferrari cars in Prancing Power.

    Italian Challengers series do not have to be completed in a particular week – you have until February 29, 2024, to finish this latest Featured Tour. Spotlight cars are available at a discount for the week during which they are featured. Complete all 4 series to unlock the 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV!

    New Career Series – Classic Open Class

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

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

    In Update 4, the Open Tour is all about racing the classics. Build your favorite cars and bring them to the track to race models of automotive history.

    All 4 refreshed Open Tour series (C, B, A, S) will be available on January 18. Complete all 4 series before February 15, 2024, to add the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale to your collection.

    New Featured Multiplayer Series – Spec and Open Events

    Here’s a look at your Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for Update 4:

    Formula Mazda Series – January 18 – February 15

    With their smooth power delivery and brilliant handling, open-wheel Mazda formula cars are an ideal entry-level series to develop a driver’s skills for racing’s top classes.

    Forza P1 Series – January 18-24

    Experience cutting-edge racecars with massive aerodynamic downforce, super-efficient engines and performance-boosting hybrid systems.

    Daytona Sports Car Series – January 25-31

    Experience the thrill of Daytona race weekend in Forza Motorsport! Every few hours, the car class cycles between Forza GT, Forza P2, and Forza Proto-H with natural time-of-day progression like the real 24-hour race.

    VW Golf GTI Spec Series – February 1-7

    Get behind the wheel of the car that gave birth to the Hot Hatch revolution more than four decades ago.

    Modern Factory Racecar Series – February 8-15

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

    Featured Rivals – Update 4

    Set your fastest lap times across new Rivals events in Forza Motorsport Update 4. Look out for a special new event featuring the classic 1990 Mercury #15 Whistler Radar Cougar XR-7 at Daytona Tri-oval Circuit.

    Meanwhile if you have VIP Membership, check out the Titanic Tuner VIP Rivals on Road America – East Route where you can drive the 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 Forza Edition.

    Update 4 also means the beginning of Stage 3 of the Logitech McLaren G Challenge. Sign up at Discord.gg/LogitechG to qualify for prizes, including a chance to win a VIP racing experience with McLaren!

    Once registered, set your fastest laps at Grand Oak – National Circuit in the 2015 McLaren P1 GTR. The top drivers per region advance to the semifinals in February 2024.

    Here’s the Forza Motorsport Rivals calendar for Update 4:

    Website: LINK

  • Diablo IV: Limited-Time Events Bring the Holiday Fear in Midwinter Blight

    Diablo IV: Limited-Time Events Bring the Holiday Fear in Midwinter Blight

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    A chill descends from the frozen depths of the mountains in Midwinter Blight, giving the Diablo IV team the chance to get into the holiday spirit… and try something new.

    From December 12 to January 2, cull savage Blightfiends and defend yourself from the Red-Cloaked Horror as your try to preserve any semblance of hope for the denizens of the Fractured Peaks. Midwinter Blight is our first limited-time event in Diablo IV, bringing something special to Sanctuary.

    Chance to Experiment

    Diablo IV Screenshot

    In Diablo IV, players can enter Sanctuary through either the Seasonal or the Eternal realm. The Eternal realm is where evergreen challenges and core gameplay endures in Sanctuary. Many sweeping changes to the game affect and influence this world state.

    Our Seasonal realm is where we introduce new Seasonal content, such as Midwinter Blight. The Seasonal realm gives us a chance to tinker and introduce new and exciting types of gameplay. Since the majority of seasonal specific gameplay doesn’t persist once the season is over—save for mechanics we may re-introduce in interesting ways—it gives us a broader reign to try new things without affecting the Eternal realm.

    And now introducing: limited-time events. Similar to the Seasonal realm, these Events typically only affect a specific region for a much shorter duration of time relative to Seasons. This gives us even more free room to tinker and try new things.

    The Magic of the Holidays in Midwinter Blight

    Diablo IV Screenshot

    Midwinter Blight introduces Gileon the bard, sadistic Blightfiends, macabre Frigid Husks, and the diabolical monstrous Goat fiend known as the Red-Cloaked Horror. These colorful and frightening aspects of Sanctuary only persist until the end of Midwinter Blight.

    A Midwinter Blight gameplay-specific wrinkle lies in the Aspect of Dawn. This offensive Aspect is exclusive to the limited-time event; it increases your attack and movement speed for 12 seconds, and when empowered by the Midwinter Ward, reduces its cooldown by 1 second for every demon slain.

    Diablo IV Screenshot

    Additionally, the special Gileon’s Brew Elixir provides an additional XP boost (10% more than typical Elixirs) and works across Sanctuary, not just in the Fractured Peaks. These unique elements provide an extra boon to players…perhaps even a little magic of the Holidays?

    Despite Gileon’s Brew and the Aspect of Dawn persisting past Midwinter Blight’s end, they have specific mechanics that rely on the location and gameplay elements in this limited-time event. 

    Demons Just Want to Have Fun

    While content like Abattoir of Zir is directed at the most intense of Diablo IV fans, limited-time events are available for players looking to explore Sanctuary for the first time and try something new. The overall gameplay loop is tighter, you can come away with some sweet cosmetics, and it’s not meant to be nearly as trying as a Level 100 Nightmare Dungeon.

    Diablo IV Screenshot

    Midwinter Blight arrives at a time in Season of Blood where players may be chasing after Uber Uniques or trying their hand at the Echo of Lilith. By scouring the land for Frigid Husks to dismantle and Blightfiends to slay, chasing after some holiday exclusives should be a great way to enjoy the season.

    The Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and what better way to do it than restoring the Hibernal Square in Kyovashad. We’ll share a flagon of Gileon’s Brew in Midwinter Square soon. Happy slaying!

    Diablo® IV
    Xbox Live

    Diablo® IV

    Blizzard Entertainment

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 634

    ★★★★★

    Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms. This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon. Battle.net account required. Internet connection required. For more information, please visit Diablo.com. © 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

    Website: LINK

  • Safer Seas Mode Brings Single-Crew Servers to Sea of Thieves

    Safer Seas Mode Brings Single-Crew Servers to Sea of Thieves

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    Summary

    • Safer Seas will open up in the latest Sea of Thieves content update, available December 7 and free for all players with Xbox Game Pass and across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and Steam.
    • For the first time, players can choose to sail the Sea of Thieves alone or in a crew of chosen friends, without the possibility of PvP encounters.
    • This update arrives as the third of three major content updates that make up the ongoing Sea of Thieves Season Ten.

    After two months of back-to-back content updates, Sea of Thieves completes the trio promised back at the start of Season Ten by introducing a brand new game mode for players to explore: Safer Seas! Allowing exploration and adventure on a single-crew server, either alone or with a crew of chosen friends, this update opens the door to an entirely new way of playing the game.

    A Peaceful Voyage

    Sea of Thieves Safer Seas Screenshot

    In Safer Seas, players can elect to sail solo or with a crew of up to three friends, with no other player-controlled crews present in the world. For fresh-faced pirates just starting their journey, this means a chance to learn the ropes without having to keep an eye out for hostile rivals, and an opportunity to understand the world and its key mechanics before diving into the traditional mayhem of the main Sea of Thieves game mode, now known as High Seas.

    There’s no shortage of content in Safer Seas for players old or new to tackle. As in High Seas, a wide range of Voyages can be undertaken for the various Trading Companies, while World Events are frequently encountered, from fending off a Megalodon attack to striking down fearsome Ashen Lords. The ability to unlock the corresponding Commendations for these activities will also be present in Safer Seas.

    For story-hungry pirates, Safer Seas still gives access to all the game’s narrative-driven Tall Tales, including the crossover experiences that make up 2023’s Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island and 2021’s Pirates of the Caribbean-themed Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life. In the absence of enemy crews, you’ll now be able to immerse yourself in all this lore at your leisure, without the risk of being interrupted by anyone who thinks you might have valuable loot tucked away.

    Reduced Risk, Reduced Reward

    Sea of Thieves Safer Seas Screenshot

    While Safer Seas presents players with a wealth of content to explore at their own pace, there are of course some aspects of the game incompatible with a strictly single-crew experience. As a result, Safer Seas has a slightly reduced range of activities in comparison to High Seas.

    For instance, content built around player vs. player interactions has no place in Safer Seas by design, such as Faction battles using the Hourglass of Fate or the competitive Skull of Siren Song Voyage. Similarly, The Reaper’s Bones Trading Company will not be accessible there due to its focus on player combat.

    There are also some limits placed on progression within Safer Seas to account for the reduced risk in the absence of other players. Gold and reputation rewards will be accrued at 30% of that awarded in High Seas, and Trading Company reputation levels are capped at 40. This means that players will not be able to obtain the coveted title of Pirate Legend without venturing onto High Seas and, correspondingly, Safer Seas isn’t the place to engage with the Pirate Legend-focused Trading Company, Athena’s Fortune.

    These limitations have been put in place to maintain a balance between Safer and High Seas, and to encourage players to try out both modes to see which suits their play style and needs. Even with these in place, however, Safer Seas presents a world alive with opportunities, whether it’s diving into Sea of Thieves lore through the Tall Tales, spending an undisturbed evening working on your fishing skills, or getting to grips with the game’s combat mechanics by taking on veritable hordes of skeletons. After all, Safer Seas isn’t entirely without risk – with or without roving pirate crews, the Sea of Thieves is a perilous place!

    Fashion for All

    Sea of Thieves Safer Seas Screenshot

    One thing remaining consistent across Safer and High Seas is pirate style. The Outpost shops and Pirate Emporium are accessible in either mode, and Ancient Coin earnings won’t be subject to the 30% cap on gold and reputation. Seasonal Renown can also be earned at the same rate across both High Seas and Safer Seas, so your progress towards the active Season’s cosmetic and currency rewards (and the rewards themselves) will be consistent no matter how you choose to play.

    If you’ve picked up the Season Ten Plunder Pass, you’ll still be able to work towards unlocking the Stormfish Chaser ship set and clothing alongside all the usual gold, Doubloons and Ancient Coins available through the 100 levels of Renown on offer during this Season.

    Over in the Pirate Emporium, a range of time-limited seasonal goodies make a comeback this month, including the Festival of Giving weapons and pet outfits. The Bonechiller Costume is also back for the holidays, and this time it’s bringing with it an entire ship collection and bundle of weapons to fill out that frightfully festive look. Combined with the Ransacking Emote, you shouldn’t have any problem getting into the holiday spirit…

    A Jam-Packed Season

    Sea of Thieves Safer Seas Screenshot

    Of course, Safer Seas is far from the only content to explore in Season Ten. December’s monthly update is the third to arrive this Season, following the introduction of Guilds in October and the Skull of Siren Song Voyage in November.

    With Guilds, players can team up with fellow sailors beyond the usual limit of a four-person crew. By forming or joining a Guild, pirates can contribute to its shared Guild Reputation and unlock exclusive rewards for all Guild Members as they progress. And, for those of a less collaborative persuasion, the Skull of Siren Song Voyage sees the notorious Captain Briggsy summon pirates from across the waves into a competitive race to claim an ancient and powerful artefact.

    All these new updates have been accompanied by a host of improvements and fixes to various areas of Sea of Thieves, to ensure that you’re able to have the experience you want out on the waves. With Safer Seas, that personalized experience is more accessible than ever, and we can’t wait to see you out there!

    Find Out More

    For more information on this Sea of Thieves update, including full release notes, visit the Sea of Thieves website. The update is currently available for free to all Sea of Thieves players who have bought the game on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC or via Steam, or players who have access to it with Xbox Game Pass. Simply download and install the latest Sea of Thieves update to get access.

    New to Sea of Thieves? Find out about the latest free content updates on our What’s New page, get familiar with Who’s Who or pick up some gameplay tips from our Pirate Academy, which provides invaluable information on topics ranging from sailing to swordplay as you prepare for your maiden voyage. Learn more about Sea of Thieves here, or join the ongoing adventure at www.seaofthieves.com where you can embark on an epic journey with one of gaming’s most welcoming communities!

    Website: LINK

  • Have a Merry Racing Season in Forza Horizon 5

    Have a Merry Racing Season in Forza Horizon 5

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

LINK

  • How Composer Inon Zur Created the Soul of Starfield in Just Six Musical Notes

    How Composer Inon Zur Created the Soul of Starfield in Just Six Musical Notes

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    “I think that the more classical tone is the more dominant one in our [score]. However, if you listen to the whole score, there are many areas where electronic and sound design elements are 50, sometimes 60, or even 70% of the score. The score is vast and there are many cues that are actually not what we call classical at all. I think the interesting thing is the combination that we created.

    “At many points, you cannot really put your finger on what is sound design, what is electronic, and what is orchestral, because everything really is intertwined. Sometimes there is a more traditional accompaniment, or orchestral background, but then the instrument that carries the melodies is actually synth. And sometimes it’s the other way around; there’s more ‘sound design-ish’ elements, but the [main] instrument is classical.”

    The result is a score that can slide from mood to mood, style to style, seamlessly – helped by the fact that it’s enormous, surpassing the five-hour mark. Of course, five hours of music is still a fair bit less than the hundreds of hours some players will put into a game like Starfield, meaning Zur’s other challenge was in crafting a score that can keep hitting its key themes without feeling overly repetitive.

    “It’s about finding this balance between, ‘How can I create something new, but make it feel like part of the same family?’ There are many ways to go about it: you could change the timbre, you could change the tempo, you could create variations that are different enough, but still remind the player, ‘Oh, yeah, this reminds me of the theme’, but it’s not the theme, it’s something different.

    “It’s like painting. If you add a little bit more grey or black, automatically, the painting feels more gloomy. And there’s a way to do it in music. It’s almost like drawing the picture and fine-tuning the colours and themes. In this way, you create environments that are different enough, on one hand, but then still part of the same DNA.”

    Website: LINK

  • Celebrate 10 Years of Killer Instinct With The New Anniversary Edition

    Celebrate 10 Years of Killer Instinct With The New Anniversary Edition

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Ten years ago, on November 22, 2013, the team at Xbox Game Studios Publishing released an all-new Killer Instinct for Xbox One and Windows PC. Since then, Killer Instinct has boasted a passionate, global community that has regularly featured at tournaments. 

    Earlier this year, at Evo 2023, we announced a special update to mark Killer Instinct’s 10th anniversary. Well, with the hard work of our partners at Iron Galaxy Studios, that update is finally here – and we’re officially calling it Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition. The Anniversary Edition includes some changes that we’re hoping will welcome players old and new! 

    Firstly, a new color scheme for our logo, theme, and remastered in-game user interface. (It’s a nod to Killer Instinct Gold, which released on the Nintendo 64 in 1996!) 

    Secondly, as we announced on Iron Galaxy’s developer stream last week, we’ve made significant balance updates to 19 of the 29 fighters. These updates, which range from minor bug fixes to major tuning adjustments, all came from extensive feedback from our community and pro tournament players. This rebalancing will create an entirely new meta for fighting gamers to explore – and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the players will do with it! 

    Another important update is to matchmaking, which has now been fully updated to PlayFab services after initial migrations this past May. 

    We’ve also made some changes to game rendering, including updating from Dx11 to Dx12 on Xbox consoles to help optimize graphics for Series X|S consoles. Xbox Series X consoles now display Killer Instinct in resolutions up to 4K at 60FPS, while Series S consoles reach up to 1440p at 60FPS. The combined updated theme and optimized graphics elevate the Killer Instinct experience players know and love for modern consoles and PCs. 

    This update also streamlines the many previous editions into two versions of Killer Instinct: 

    • The free to play version of Killer Instinct – now available on Steam for the first time! – includes all the previously mentioned updates. This version features one free weekly rotating Fighter and Single-Player, Local, and Ranked Modes, to ensure new players can experience all that Killer Instinct has to offer. 
    • The Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition will replace all paid versions of Killer Instinct, such as the Definitive Edition… and the good news is that anyone who has bought Premium content for the previous versions of Killer Instinct (Editions, Fighters, etc.) will get upgraded to the Anniversary Edition for free! Steam users will also receive, for the first time ever, the Permanent VIP Double XP Booster, and specialty colors for Gargos, Killer Instinct’s main boss. 

    For more information on what to expect from Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition, you can visit our News section on the Killer Instinct website. 

    We’re looking forward to hearing feedback from the Killer Instinct community! We would love it if you tag your social media posts with #PlayKI, so we can track all your feedback. On behalf of everyone who’s ever worked on Killer Instinct, thank you for ten amazing years!

    Website: LINK

  • Compete for the Skull of Siren Song as Sea of Thieves Season Ten Continues

    Compete for the Skull of Siren Song as Sea of Thieves Season Ten Continues

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    Summary

    • The Skull of Siren Song Voyage sails in with the latest Sea of Thieves content update, available November 16 and free for all players with Xbox Game Pass and across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and Steam.
    • Race and battle against other crews to be the first to recover and deliver the mysterious and powerful Skull of Siren Song.
    • This update arrives as the second of three major new features that comprise the ongoing Sea of Thieves Season Ten.

    The second major update in Sea of Thieves’ Season Ten has arrived! Building on the new content introduced with Guilds in October, this update unleashes a new type of World Event in the form of the Skull of Siren Song Voyage. These emergent, competitive Voyages pit crews against one another in a race to unearth and claim the titular artefact, all at the behest of the legendary Captain Briggsy.

    Crew Vs. Crew

    The hunt for the Skull of Siren Song introduces a new competitive event to Sea of Thieves. When a Voyage begins, all players on a server will find a ghostly note pinned to their ship’s mast, offering them the chance to set off in search of this ancient and potent prize. If they accept, they’ll find themselves in possession of two maps directing them to the Skull of Siren Song Key and Chest – but the catch is that every other crew joining the Voyage will receive the same maps.

    From there, players will have to battle it out to locate the Key and Chest on separate islands and bring them together to release the Skull of Siren Song within. Making things more challenging is the fact that once the Chest and Key are claimed, their locations will be broadcast to all other crews by means of map markers and eye-catching beacons on the horizon, leading potential rivals straight to the pirates who possess them. By fending off their foes long enough to unlock the Chest, players can finally get their hands on the fabled Skull of Siren Song.

    Even then, the mission is not over as the prize must be delivered to Captain Briggsy. In this, the Skull is both a help and a hindrance: it contains tremendous power that can be used to bombard enemies with blasts of deadly soundwaves, but it also carries a heavy curse. On land, the Skull will summon Coral Skeletons to its defense, and at sea, it causes a ship’s progress to be considerably slowed, allowing rival crews to more easily close the distance.

    The Voyage concludes with a race to Briggsy’s beacon to hand over the Skull, leaving a single crew to emerge victorious and claim the spoils!

    Sea of Thieves Skull of Siren Song Screenshot

    Race for Rewards

    Fending off all other crews is no mean feat, and the rewards for delivering the Skull reflect that. The hefty pot of gold is just the start: you’ll also begin unlocking new Commendations that track how many times you dig up a Chest or Key, how many Chests you unlock and much more.

    Compete in enough Voyages and you’ll earn exclusive rewards. With a Flag, Figurehead, Sails and Trinket on offer, you’ll be able to redecorate your ship to celebrate your victories, while Captain Briggsy’s Jacket and Mask present a more personal alternative to update your style. There’s even the coveted Composer of Siren Song Title awaiting pirates who truly prove their mettle in battle and complete all Siren Song Commendations.

    Sea of Thieves Skull of Siren Song Screenshot

    Fresh Fashions

    Elsewhere in November’s content drop, a new update means new Pirate Emporium stock! This month, shoppers can get their hands on the Ravenwood ship set previously exclusive to the Season Eight Plunder Pass, plus the newly added Ravenwood Spyglass and weapons. As is traditional at this time of year, the Festival of Plenty musical instruments and pet outfits also make a return for a limited time. As always, the new additions are accompanied by a freebie that any pirate can drop by and pick up, this month in the form of the Angry Scribe Emote!

    Over in the Outpost shops, the Gold Leaf set introduced last month expands to include some fine matching clothing, letting pirates flaunt their purse-liberating habits for all to see. And if there are outfits you wish you’d been able to keep while experiencing the three Tall Tales of The Legend of Monkey Island, this update introduces a little cosmetic incentive to play through them one more time…

    Sea of Thieves Skull of Siren Song Screenshot

    Not Done Yet

    Guilds and the Skull of Siren Song Voyage aren’t the only things on offer in Season Ten. Still to come, the third major Seasonal update will introduce Safer Seas: a new game mode allowing players to sail the Sea of Thieves in private for the first time, alone or with a single crew of hand-picked friends.

    With no enemy crews present, Safer Seas will offer a more peaceful, more predictable gameplay cycle to help new players get to grips with all the systems on offer. It will also enable existing players to interact with the more PvE-focused aspects of the game without disruption, such as completing Tall Tales or fishing. At the same time, the reduced risk of Safer Seas will correspond to reduced rewards and slower progression.

    Keep an eye on Sea of Thieves’ social channels for more information regarding Safer Seas as we get closer to its release. For now, Captain Briggsy is calling!

    Find Out More

    For more information on this Sea of Thieves update, including full release notes, visit the Sea of Thieves website. The update is currently available for free to all Sea of Thieves players who have bought the game on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC or via Steam, or players who have access to it with Xbox Game Pass. Simply download and install the latest Sea of Thieves update to get access.

    New to Sea of Thieves? Find out about the latest free content updates on our What’s New page, get familiar with Who’s Who or pick up some gameplay tips from our Pirate Academy, which provides invaluable information on topics ranging from sailing to swordplay as you prepare for your maiden voyage. Learn more about Sea of Thieves here, or join the ongoing adventure at www.seaofthieves.com where you can embark on an epic journey with one of gaming’s most welcoming communities!

    Sea of Thieves 2023 Edition
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Sea of Thieves 2023 Edition

    Microsoft Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2003

    ★★★★★

    $39.99 $31.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    2023 Edition Out Now
    Celebrate five years since Sea of Thieves‘ launch with this special edition of the game, which includes a copy of Sea of Thieves itself with all permanent content added since launch, plus a 10,000 gold bonus and a selection of Hunter cosmetics. The Hunter Cutlass, Pistol, Compass, Hat, Jacket and Sails will ensure you cut a formidable figure as you set sail for adventure!
    About the Game Sea of Thieves offers the essential pirate experience, from sailing and fighting to exploring and looting – everything you need to live the pirate life and become a legend in your own right. With no set roles, you have complete freedom to approach the world, and other players, however you choose.
    Whether you’re voyaging as a group or sailing solo, you’re bound to encounter other crews in this shared world adventure – but will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond? A Vast Open World
    Explore a vast open world filled with unspoiled islands and underwater kingdoms. Take on quests to hunt for lost loot, forge a reputation with the Trading Companies and battle foes from Phantoms and Ocean Crawlers to Megalodons and the mighty Kraken. Try your hand at fishing, make maps to your own buried treasure or choose from hundreds of other optional goals and side-quests! Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life
    Play the Tall Tales to experience Sea of Thieves’ unique narrative-driven campaigns, and join forces with Captain Jack Sparrow in Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life, an acclaimed original story that brings Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean sailing into Sea of Thieves. These immersive and cinematic quests provide around 30 hours of the ultimate pirate adventure. A Game That’s Always Growing
    With each Season bringing in new game features every three months alongside regular in-game Events and new narrative Adventures, Sea of Thieves is a service-based game that’s still growing and evolving. Check back regularly to see what free content has been newly added, and see how far you can climb through each Season’s 100 levels of Renown to earn special rewards. Become Legend
    On your journey to become a Pirate Legend you’ll amass loot, build a reputation and define a unique personal style with your hard-earned rewards. Adventurer. Explorer. Conqueror. What will your legend be?

    Website: LINK

  • Create Your Own Guild and Much More in Sea of Thieves Season Ten

    Create Your Own Guild and Much More in Sea of Thieves Season Ten

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    Summary

    • Season Ten is the latest Sea of Thieves content update, available October 19 and free for all players with Xbox Game Pass and across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 and Steam.
    • Players will be able to create and join Guilds – allowing them to forge more meaningful bonds with friends, enjoy asynchronous progression and work together for exclusive rewards.
    • Guilds is just the first feature launching in Season Ten, with Skull of Siren Song Voyages and Safer Seas coming to Sea of Thieves in subsequent months.

    Sea of Thieves’ very latest Season begins today! Season Ten promises to be one of the biggest yet, launching with a significant and socially focused new feature for our shared-world pirate sandbox. Expanding on Season Seven’s Captaincy update, Guilds gives players opportunities to strengthen the bonds they’ve already forged on the seas, while also building new and long-lasting connections.

    A New Way to Connect

    Sea of Thieves Season 10 Image

    Across different crews, time zones and even platforms, Guilds can unite a group of pirates under a shared identity and cause, and help them celebrate their accomplishments with shared rewards. The in-game Guild Chronicles even allow players to see what other Guild Members have been up to while they were away, furthering the sense of communal goals and adventures. Each Guild also allows for full freedom of expression, with the Guild Owner having full control over its name, motto and branding.

    With a limit of 24 pirates per Guild, these groups still maintain a sense of intimacy and shared identity – and with pirates only able to join a maximum of three Guilds at any time, the focus is very much on playing with crewmates you know or will come to know well. We know that Sea of Thieves is a game best played with friends, and whether this be old colleagues or new comrades you make out there on the waves, Guilds will offer players a longevity of connection far beyond a single Sea of Thieves session.

    Shared Progress and Rewards

    Sea of Thieves Season 10 Image

    A Guild isn’t just for easier sailing with an expanded set of shipmates – it’s also a new way to earn rewards! When you’re sailing on a ship pledged to a Guild, you’ll contribute to its shared Guild Reputation. You can unlock rewards including special clothing themed to different ship’s roles, and with every 100 levels of Guild Reputation collectively reached, you’ll earn a level of Distinction that will upgrade your Guild Plaque and Guild Reputation cards. Keep raising that Guild Reputation and you’ll open up new Commendations to complete, carrying prizes that include the unique Unbroken Bonds ship set.

    Pirates looking to maximize their Reputation gain – and get a little competitive edge at the same time – can even set sail as a Guild Emissary! Once your Guild has a few levels of Reputation safely secured, any Guild Member looking for a challenge can raise a Guild Emissary Flag at the Sovereigns’ tent and go seeking that nail-biting risk/reward Emissary experience. There’ll be a new Guilds Ledger too, so you can compare your skills with other Guilds and the most prolific will score even more enviable rewards!

    Level Up Guild Members’ Ships

    Sea of Thieves Season 10 Image

    You can’t sail for a Guild without any ships available, so that’s where pledging comes in: any Captain with an owned ship can pledge it to the Guild, and choose whether fellow Guild Members can take it out even when its owner isn’t around. The ship in question will keep all its usual customisation and decorations, so your friends will be able to fully appreciate your daring interior design choices.

    Even better, pledged ships will continue to progress their Ship Milestones when their Captain isn’t present. If you’ve got a vessel that you’ve been waiting to level up, now’s your chance to let some friends help you on your way.

    We’re thrilled to be adding such a deep and connective feature as Guilds to Sea of Thieves, and we hope that players will love being able to explore and extend their bonds with other pirates. Social play is at the heart of Sea of Thieves, with its best moments being those you share with others. Guilds will give players the tools to turn these memorable moments into long-lasting magic.

    New Cosmetics Storm into View

    Sea of Thieves Season 10 Plunder Pass Image

    With a new Season underway, there are as always 100 fresh levels of Renown to rack up and rewards to be unlocked! Alongside the allocations of gold, Doubloons, Ancient Coins and Seasonal cosmetics available for everyone to unlock, pirates who pick up the Season Ten Plunder Pass can work towards the electrifying Stormfish Chaser ship set and clothing to help them feel right at home in the heart of a hurricane.

    The Pirate Emporium will also continue to enjoy monthly updates throughout Season Ten, starting with October’s shining Silver Sepulchre set. In a world as dangerous as the Sea of Thieves, you never know what kind of horrors you might find yourself facing. With this set designed for fearless slayers of the undead, you’ll have all the tools you need to make a stand against the darkness.

    Plenty Still to Come

    While Guilds are sitting firmly in the spotlight for Season Ten’s launch, they’re not the only thing to get excited about. There’s a range of meaningful quality-of-life improvements too, including work done on hit detection and sword combat, Rowboats in a range of new colors and the ability to repair them, and a persistent player inventory when you rejoin a session. For the full list of updates, be sure to check out our latest release notes.

    And the fun doesn’t stop with the October update, as Season Ten is all set to deliver new feature updates throughout the rest of the year. Once you’ve all gotten settled into your Guilds, you’ll need to be ready for the next big thing in November: the Skull of Siren Song Voyages, which involve a server-wide race to score a significant new treasure. Swiftly following in December will be the Safer Seas update that gives players a way to find their sea legs without disruption, so if you need an overview on either of these forthcoming features, catch up with our Season Ten Preview video and stay tuned in the weeks ahead for full details.

    Find Out More

    For more information on the Sea of Thieves Season Ten update, including full release notes, visit the Sea of Thieves website. The update is available for free to all Sea of Thieves players who have bought the game on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC or via Steam, or players who have access to it with Xbox Game Pass. Simply download and install the latest Sea of Thieves update to start playing.

    New to Sea of Thieves? Find out about the latest free content updates on our What’s New page, get familiar with Who’s Who or pick up some gameplay tips from our Pirate Academy, which provides invaluable information on topics ranging from sailing to swordplay as you prepare for your maiden voyage. Learn more about Sea of Thieves here, or join the ongoing adventure at www.seaofthieves.com where you can embark on an epic journey with one of gaming’s most welcoming communities!

    Sea of Thieves 2023 Edition
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Sea of Thieves 2023 Edition

    Microsoft Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1997

    ★★★★★

    $39.99 $31.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    2023 Edition Out Now
    Celebrate five years since Sea of Thieves‘ launch with this special edition of the game, which includes a copy of Sea of Thieves itself with all permanent content added since launch, plus a 10,000 gold bonus and a selection of Hunter cosmetics. The Hunter Cutlass, Pistol, Compass, Hat, Jacket and Sails will ensure you cut a formidable figure as you set sail for adventure!
    About the Game Sea of Thieves offers the essential pirate experience, from sailing and fighting to exploring and looting – everything you need to live the pirate life and become a legend in your own right. With no set roles, you have complete freedom to approach the world, and other players, however you choose.
    Whether you’re voyaging as a group or sailing solo, you’re bound to encounter other crews in this shared world adventure – but will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond? A Vast Open World
    Explore a vast open world filled with unspoiled islands and underwater kingdoms. Take on quests to hunt for lost loot, forge a reputation with the Trading Companies and battle foes from Phantoms and Ocean Crawlers to Megalodons and the mighty Kraken. Try your hand at fishing, make maps to your own buried treasure or choose from hundreds of other optional goals and side-quests! Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life
    Play the Tall Tales to experience Sea of Thieves’ unique narrative-driven campaigns, and join forces with Captain Jack Sparrow in Sea of Thieves: A Pirate’s Life, an acclaimed original story that brings Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean sailing into Sea of Thieves. These immersive and cinematic quests provide around 30 hours of the ultimate pirate adventure. A Game That’s Always Growing
    With each Season bringing in new game features every three months alongside regular in-game Events and new narrative Adventures, Sea of Thieves is a service-based game that’s still growing and evolving. Check back regularly to see what free content has been newly added, and see how far you can climb through each Season’s 100 levels of Renown to earn special rewards. Become Legend
    On your journey to become a Pirate Legend you’ll amass loot, build a reputation and define a unique personal style with your hard-earned rewards. Adventurer. Explorer. Conqueror. What will your legend be?

    Website: LINK

  • How Zoo Tycoon Became a Fully-Licensed Xbox Board Game

    How Zoo Tycoon Became a Fully-Licensed Xbox Board Game

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    “The big advantage a video game has is that a lot of automation is happening in the background,” says Dür. “With board games, randomness must be actively incorporated with the help of dice, card drawing and other mechanics. Thus, I would say in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game, the players will be managing more things by themselves instead of the computer.”

    Board game adaptations of video games are no surprise at this point, but where many  of the notable examples focus on recreating combat, this is a very different proposition. Treecer’s pitch to Xbox Game Studios executive producer Robert Jerauld was enough to convince him that this unusual idea was the right direction:

    “Following a brief discussion and assessment, it became evident that Treecer was the perfect partner for this endeavor,” he explains. “The concept of a simulation game, particularly Zoo Tycoon, seamlessly aligns with the format of a board game. The fundamental aspects of Zoo Tycoon—the construction of exhibits, animal care, and attracting visitors—all harmonize well within a board game’s framework.”

    Website: LINK

  • Forza Motorsport: How and When to Get Early Access

    Forza Motorsport: How and When to Get Early Access

    Reading Time: < 1 minute
    • PLAY UP TO 5 DAYS EARLY STARTING OCTOBER 5
    • Race Day Car Pack
    • Car Pass
    • VIP Membership
    • Welcome Pack
    • Save 10% with Game Pass

    The Premium Add-Ons Bundle is the best value for our Game Pass members as compared to buying each included item separately, and a great option for Standard and Deluxe Edition players looking to expand their game.

    *Requires game, sold separately, or Game Pass subscription (Console, PC, Ultimate).

    Website: LINK

  • Work Together With Fellow Adventurers in The Elder Scrolls Online to Unlock Rewards During New Event

    Work Together With Fellow Adventurers in The Elder Scrolls Online to Unlock Rewards During New Event

    Reading Time: < 1 minute


    Explore the Telvanni Peninsula and Apocrypha zones to earn bonus rewards during the Secrets of the Telvanni in-game event! Complete the event-specific daily quest, „Turn the Page,“ to progress the meter. At the event’s end you’ll unlock additional rewards for you and every other Necrom Chapter owner. Adventure awaits, good luck!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Digital Broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2023: Every Announcement and Game Reveal

    Xbox Digital Broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2023: Every Announcement and Game Reveal

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    Xbox is back at Tokyo Game Show, and players were at the center of our just-concluded our Xbox Digital Broadcast. The Showcase featured new gameplay, news, and reveals for Japanese and Japan-inspired games coming to your Xbox console and PC, and appearances from Head of Xbox Phil Spencer and Head of Xbox Creator Experience Sarah Bond.

    “Japan will always have a special place in my heart for pioneering innovative ways to play, from the Game Boy, to PSP, to the Switch”, said Phil Spencer in his opening address, and the show certainly brought that pioneering spirit to the fore. From the gameplay reveal of Hotel Barcelona – a landmark collaboration between game design legends Swery65 and Suda51 – to an announcement of a Day One Game Pass release for Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name, our show included some of Japanese development’s biggest, most important names.

    The broadcast also revealed some of the latest content being built by Japanese creators for Xbox. Square Enix announced Octopath Traveler II on Xbox, and we showed off the latest on upcoming titles like Palworld, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and more. And for racing fans, we were able to show off the new, Japan-set Hakone track and more for the upcoming Forza Motorsport.

    Read on to learn about every single game included in the show:

    Titles from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda

    Forza Motorsport

    Fresh from its hands-on previews, the upcoming Forza Motorsport gave us a closer look at its gorgeous Japanese Hakone track, with beautiful cherry blossom trees masking a tricky turnpike – and driving on that track was one of the cars available in the game, a 2020 Toyota GR Supra. Forza Motorsport will be released for Xbox Series X|S (with Xbox Game Pass), Windows PC (with PC Game Pass) and Steam on October 10, with early access players getting access from October 5. Buying the game will also offer you the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray in your garage inside Forza Horizon 5.

    Fallout 76: Atlantic City

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    Fallout 76 Art Director Jonathan Rush made an appearance to introduce Atlantic City, a brand new location coming to the game on December 5. “Since we announced Atlantic City at the Xbox Showcase last June, we’ve upped the ante with so much great content that we’re splitting it into two releases, said Rush. “Atlantic City has stacked the deck with new content including new locations, new factions, new creatures, new missions, and new rewards. Plus, a flush casino where our Wastelanders can test their luck.” Steam players who already own the game can join the fun early, with Atlantic City available on the Public Test Server from October 3.

    The Elder Scrolls Online

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    ZeniMax Online Studios is excited to share that The Elder Scrolls Online will launch in Japan on Xbox consoles, along with full localization in Japanese on November 15, 2023. During the segment, ESO Creative Director Rich Lambert also highlighted the new content recently released in the Necrom Chapter, which console players will be able to play locally this November.

    Games from Our Partners

    Ace Attorney

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    The Ace Attorney series is one of the most beloved visual novel series of all time, and the original Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is now coming to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on September 26. And that’s not all! Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy – comprising three more games featuring a new protagonist – will also arrive for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC in early 2024.

    Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi

    Altheia Image

    This new action-adventure odyssey was created by two brothers, and showed off never-before-seen gameplay. We got a good look at its characters – the warrior Lili and mysterious monk Sadi – puzzles, and combat, all set within mysterious and dangerous ruined temples inspired by the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Hosoda. Both combat and puzzling are created with the two characters in mind, asking you to use both of their powers’ to proceed. Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is coming soon for Xbox and Windows PC.

    Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

    Eiyuden Chronicle Image

    This spiritual successor to the beloved Suikoden series will arrive on Xbox consoles (with Xbox Game Pass) on April 23, 2024 – and pre-orders are now live. A new trailer gave us a look at its incredible mix of pixel art and 3D visuals, multi-hero turn-based combat, and a story told on a truly epic scale.

    Exoprimal

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    Capcom’s madcap dinosaur-slaying online multiplayer game gave us a taste of what’s to come in Season 2. A new trailer showed off the new Ocean Platform map, the new ‘Escape’ final mission, new Drone and Edge Strike rigs, some truly outlandish new costumes, and more. We also got a look at the game’s much-anticipated crossover with Street Fighter 6, with Exosuit skins and animations based on Ryu, Guile, and Chun-Li. Exoprimal Season 2 will arrive on October 18.

    Hotel Barcelona

    Hotel Barcelona Image

    Hotel Barcelona is the long-awaited collaboration between game design legends Swery65 and Suda51, and our Xbox Digital Broadcast brought us a never-before-seen gameplay trailer from the self-styled “2.5D slasher film parodic action” game. Drawing influences from across horror’s history, you’ll be pitted against everything from alien entities to AI-enhanced sharks, all while stuck in an endless time loop filled with serial killers – and only your deceased past selves to help you.

    Both Swery and Suda appeared in the show to discuss the game. Swery discussed the game’s unusual beginnings – with Suda asking him to announce a collaboration on the fly, with no prior discussion – and his inspirations from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’.  Suda explained that he and Swery worked on the initial concept together – “Then, all of a sudden, Swery completed tons of work on the development, and Hotel Barcelona materialized. Most of the time, when someone does lip service like that, the project never materializes… But Swery made this project a reality in order to deliver something to the fans.”

    Make sure to watch the show to learn much more about this truly unique collaboration! Hotel Barcelona comes to Xbox Series X|S in 2024.

    Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai

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    Infinity Strash is a new Dragon Quest adventure inspired by the popular manga and anime series, and we saw a new story trailer that introduced many of its characters. Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai comes to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC on September 28.

    Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and Like a Dragon: Ishin!

    Like a Dragon Image

    Head of Ryu Ga Gotoku, Masayoshi Yokoyama made a special appearance with some exciting news – Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and Like a Dragon: Ishin! will be joining Xbox Game Pass, with the former joining on its day of release. 

    Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name tells the story of the once legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu, a man who faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Under the codename “Joryu”, Kiryu embarks on a gripping action narrative with bone-shattering combat that sets the stage for the next instalment of the series, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, launching January 26, 2024. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will come to Xbox Game Pass on release day, November 9.

    Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a Samurai epic that launched on Xbox earlier this year. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and explore feudal Japan to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. It will arrive for Xbox Game Pass this year.

    Mineko’s Night Market

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    This adorable social simulation is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC (with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass) on October 26. New gameplay showed off how the game will allow you to scavenge for materials, craft them, and sell them at your market stall – all while building relationships with the characters around you.

    My Lovely Empress

    My Lovely Empress Image

    The third in the My Lovely series (following My Lovely Daughter and My Lovely Wife), My Lovely Empress is a new outing for small Indonesian studio, GameChanger Studio. Each game in the series is a management sim that explores the darker impulses in human relationships, and this new entry pushes that to a new level of scale. Playing as the emperor of the Crimson Kingdom, you’ll need to balance the needs of your subjects with your more personal quest to either resurrect your own deceased empress, or a new relationship with the leaders of neighboring kingdoms. My Lovely Empress will come to Xbox consoles and Windows PC in 2024.

    Octopath Traveler II

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E-BqssreVQ?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Xbox’s Sarah Bond appeared on stage to help introduce the upcoming Xbox release of Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler II. Sarah revealed that, in the last five years, Xbox has more than doubled the number of Japanese games released on our platforms, and introduced a special message from Square Enix Vice President of Creative Business Unit II, Yu Miyake. Miyake announced that its beautiful HD-2D RPG, Octopath Traveler II will arrive on Xbox platforms in early 2024. 

    Palworld

    Palworld Image

    This monster-collecting RPG got a new gameplay trailer during the show, showing off new monsters, character customization, multiplayer, base building, crafting, weapons, faction leaders, and more in its gorgeous 3D world. Palworld will arrive for Xbox and Windows in 2024.

    Party Animals

    Party Animals Ori Image

    Party Animals, the raucous co-op-competitive brawler from Recreate Games announced a partnership with the Ori series (Ori and The Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps), which will bring playable versions of both Ori and their adoptive mother Naru to the game.

    Persona 3 Reload

    Persona 3 Reload Image

    Ahead of this epic remake’s release on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC (with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass) on February 2, 2024, producer Ryota Niitsuma introduced the game and revealed a brand-new skill that is original to Persona 3 Reload. Theurgy is a flashy, ultimate attack that Niitsuma calls “a trump card for your battles” – meaning there is plenty that’s new and exciting for past players and newcomers alike.

    Persona 5 Tactica

    Persona 5 Tactica Image

    The upcoming turn-based tactical take on the critically acclaimed Persona 5 showed off new gameplay, and revealed its new Quest system. Producer Atsushi Nomura explained that Quests are special stages – set aside from the main story – that come with unique clear conditions, but offer sizeable rewards. Taking on a Quest might mean having to beat an enemy in a single turn, or puzzle-style levels involving manoeuvring bombs around a stage – but in return you can earn entirely new personas to use, or high-level skills. Persona 5 Tactica will be released for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC (with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass) on November 17, 2023.

    PUBG Battlegrounds

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

    In a new trailer, we got a tease of some curious developments to PUBG Battlegrounds’ Erangel map coming this October. The trailer promises more dynamic and mysterious gameplay – and we got a quick look at a hidden, subterranean doorway opening before the teaser ended. Make sure to stay tuned for more details.

    Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Conqueror of Jiangdong

    Wo Long DLC Image

    Arriving on September 27, Conqueror of Jiangdong is the second of three DLC expansions coming to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. A new trailer teased its action-packed storyline, and also gave us a glimpse of new weapon types, enemies, and bosses. We also learned that a crossover with Lies of P will bring 2 new weapons to Wo Long on September 27 as well.

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