Schlagwort: xbox series x

  • Join Xbox and Microsoft at GDC 2024

    Join Xbox and Microsoft at GDC 2024

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    As GDC, the world’s largest game developer conference, returns to San Francisco, Microsoft and Xbox will be there to engage and empower developers, publishers, and technology partners across the industry. We are committed to supporting game developers on any platform, anywhere in the world, at every stage of development. Our message is simple: Microsoft and Xbox are here to help power your games and empower your teams.

    From March 18 – 22, the Xbox Lobby Lounge in the Moscone Center South can’t be missed – an easy meeting point, and a first step toward learning more about the ID@Xbox publishing program, the Developer Acceleration Program (DAP) for underrepresented creators, Azure cloud gaming services, and anything else developers might need.

    GDC features dozens of speakers from across Xbox, Activision, Blizzard, King and Zenimax who will demonstrate groundbreaking in-game innovations and share community-building strategies. Microsoft technology teams, with support from partners, will also host talks that spotlight new tools, software and services that help increase developer velocity, grow player engagement and help creators grow. See below for the Conference programming details.

    Xbox is also sponsoring the Independent Games Festival (IGF) and our Xbox Gaming for Everyone employee communities are coming together to host a networking event for underrepresented developers and their allies. We hope you can join us at the G4E event on Thursday March 21st from 11am to 4pm at Minna Gallery (111 Minna St. in San Francisco), located minutes from the Moscone center. To learn more and to register for the event, please read our full GDC 2024 Gaming for Everyone Community Networking Lounge & Scholarship Program announcement.

    Monday, March 18

    Skyscraper Zombies: Advancing ‚Call of Duty’s‘ Systems for Giant AI
    Speaker: Andrew Hoyt (Gameplay Engineer, Treyarch)
    Date: Monday, March 18
    Time: 3:50 pm – 4:20 pm

    Tuesday, March 19

    H2O in H3LL: The Various Forms of Water in Diablo IV
    Speaker:     Aaron Aikman (Lead Technical Artist, Graphics, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Tuesday, March 19
    Time:     10:50 am – 11:50 am

    The Synergy of Architecture and Structural Engineering in Game Art and Design
    Speaker:     Joshua Haun (Expert Environment Artist, Activision)
    Date: Tuesday, March 19
    Time:     10:50 am – 11:50 am

    Harvesting 10 Years Of Success: How Farm Heroes Saga Has Super-Served It’s Players For A Decade
    Speaker:     Sabrina Carmona (VP Head of Farm Heroes Saga, King)
    Date:     Tuesday, March 19
    Time:     2:40 pm – 3:40 pm

    Audio Summit: How do you make casual games players turn their audio on?
    Speaker:     Dominique Devoucoux (Head of Audio, King)
    Date: Tuesday, March 19
    Time:     4:40 pm – 5:10 pm

    Wednesday, March 20

    Developing Hi-Fi RUSH „Backwards“ and Finding Our Positive Gameplay Loop
    Speaker:     John Johanas (Game Director, Tango Gameworks)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     9:00 am – 10:00 am

    The First 30 Years of ‚Warcraft‘: The Making of a Game Universe
    Speaker:     John Hight (Franchise General Manager, Warcraft Franchise, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     9:00 am – 10:00 am

    The Pillars of Hell: Achieving the Artistic Vision of Diablo IV
    Speaker:     John Mueller (Art Director, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     9:00 am – 10:00 am

    Sugary Statistics: What we have learned about Candy Crush content after 10 years and over 15,000 levels
    Speakers:     Jan Wedekind (Head of Central Insights, King) and Xavier Guardiola (Data Science Director, King)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     9:00 am – 10:00 am

    Xbox’s Product Inclusion Framework & Inclusive Growth Doorways
    Speaker:     Katy Jo Wright (Senior Director, Gaming for Everyone, Microsoft)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

    Automated Testing of Shader Code
    Speaker:     Keith Stockdale (Senior Software Engineer, Rare Ltd)
    Date: Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Diablo IV – Audio Systems Deep Dive “Living Audio”
    Speakers:     Kris Giampa (Audio Director, Blizzard Entertainment) and Michael Bartnett  (Software Engineer, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Optimizing Game Development Workflows with Visual Studio and AI
    Speakers:     David Li (Game Developer Product Manager, Microsoft) and Greg Denton (Principal Product Manager, Microsoft)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    All things Azure & OpenAI for Game Development
    Speakers:     Jon Kefaloukos (Strategic Account Director Gaming at Azure , Microsoft) and Uthappa Kattera Chengappa (Lead Cloud Solution Architect Gaming at Azure , Microsoft)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

    10 Years in Tamriel: Success of The Elder Scrolls
    Speaker:     Matt Firor (Studio Director / President, ZeniMax Online Studios)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

    3D Toon Rendering in Hi-Fi RUSH
    Speakers:     Kosuke Tanaka (Lead Graphics Programmer, Tango Gameworks) and Takashi Komada (Graphics/Physics Programmer, Tango Gameworks)
    Date:     Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

    The View From Above: Designing Compelling Quests for ‚Diablo IV‘
    Speaker:     Harrison Pink (Senior Quest Designer II, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Wednesday, March 20
    Time:     5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

    Thursday, March 21

    ‚Diablo IV‘: The Art of Open World Sanctuary
    Speakers:     Mahreen Fatima (Senior Environment Artist, Blizzard Entertainment), Sam Gao (Environment Artist, Blizzard Entertainment), and Justin Whitehead (Associate Material Artist, Environments, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     10:00 am – 11:00 am

    Levelling Up: How AI’s Transformative Role in Level Automation Production Adds Business Value in ‚Candy Crush Saga‘
    Speaker:     Anna Hernandelius (Product Director Content, King) and Sahar Asadi (Director of AI Labs, King)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     10:00 am – 11:00 am

    Keeping Online Communities Healthy
    Speakers:     Jennifer Mills-Perov (Principal Product Manager Gaming Trust and Safety, Microsoft) and Ivory Harvey (Senior Technical Program Manager Gaming Trust and Safety, Microsoft)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     11:30 am – 12:30 pm

    DirectX State of the Union Featuring Work Graphs and Introducing DirectSR
    Speakers:     Shawn Hargreaves (Dev Manager, Direct3D, Microsoft), Austin Kinross (PIX Developer Lead, Microsoft), Wessam Bahnassi (Principal Engineer, Developer Technology, Nvidia), and Rob Martin (Fellow Software Engineer, AMD)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     12:45 am – 1:45 pm

    Minecraft Players at the Center of the Universe of Big Data
    Speaker:     Francisco Rius (Head of Data at Mojang Studios)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     12:45 pm – 1:45 pm

    MergeBot: Activision’s Merge and Resolve Infrastructure
    Speaker:     Damianos Gkouzkouris (Senior Tools Engineer, Activision)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

    How PlayFab Helped Texas Chainsaw Massacre Succeed
    Speakers:     CJ Williams (Director of Product Management Microsoft Game Creator Services, Microsoft) and Rob Fox (Designer and Producer Gun Interactive, Gun Interactive)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

    Operation Innovation: How Xbox Employs Military Talents in Gaming
    Speakers:     Fiona Cherbak (Lead Talent Program Manager, Xbox Game Studios), iAsia Brown (Senior Producer, Xbox Game Studios Publishing), Lisa Elswick (Vice President, USO Transition Programs , USO), Jenn Panattoni (Head of Xbox Social Impact, Xbox/Microsoft), and Jason Coon (Director of Xbox Safety Operations, Xbox/Microsoft)
    Date:     Thursday, March 21
    Time:     4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

    Friday, March 22

    Game Career Seminar: Who Are You? Building Your Profile Outside the Job
    Speaker:     Ashley Poprik (Writer, High Moon Studios)
    Date:     Friday, March 22
    Time:     10:10 am – 10:40 am

    Shipping Diablo IV
    Speakers:     Michael Bybee (Production Director, Blizzard Entertainment) and Tiffany Wat  (Production Director, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date:     Friday, March 22
    Time:     1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

    Building the ‚Minecraft‘ Creator Platform Block-by-Block
    Speaker:     Kayla Kinnunen (Executive Producer, Mojang Studios)
    Date:     Friday, March 22
    Time:     3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Embracing Art Performance on ‚Diablo IV‘
    Speaker:     Evan Edwards (Senior Technical Artist I, Graphics, Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Friday, March 22
    Time:     3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Visual Effects Roundtable Day 3
    Speaker:     Gabriel Boileau (VFX Artist, Activision Blizzard)
    Date:     Friday, March 22
    Time:     3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240221-2200)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240221-2200)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE\26063.1506.240221-2200
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 23, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 24, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    System

    • Various stability and performance fixes.
    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
      • Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
      • Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
        • Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

    Guide

    • We are aware the chat mixer in the guide may not behave as expected, and we are working on a fix.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
      • Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • Game hubs are available now for Xbox Insiders on PC

    Game hubs are available now for Xbox Insiders on PC

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Introducing game hubs

    Earlier this month, we started rolling out game hubs to Xbox Insiders on PC and a subset of Xbox App on PC players worldwide. Game hubs were built on your feedback around depth, progression, and more ways to connect with your games. With game hubs, you’ll be able to track your progress over time, discover the latest content and add-ons, connect or compete with your friends, get the latest news from developers, and more. This version of game hubs is just the beginning. We have another wave of updates coming soon, including ways to view your local game captures and browse other games from the same publisher.  We can’t wait to hear your feedback on what’s there now and what you’d like to see in future updates.

    You can access game hubs from the Xbox App on PC — just click on the game in your library or the left sidebar. Now, let’s run through some of the exciting content you will find here:

    The essentials. At the top of the page, you’ll see the essentials like game info alongside options to play, install, or update the game. You’ll also see a quick link back to the details page, where you can purchase the game to own, see reviews, or add it to your wish list.  Lastly, you’ll find information like when you last played, your total playtime, an achievement summary, and friend overviews. This area will also be used for important notifications like letting you know when a game is leaving Game Pass so that you can use your discount before it’s gone.

    Featured content. We want to make sure you don’t miss what’s new, so you’ll see the latest available add-ons at the top of the game hub when they release with pricing info and a link to purchase.

    Friends who play. No more shuffling through the app. Compare progress, view profiles, see who’s in-game, and even send your friends a party invite all from the same place.

    Achievements. Easily track your overall achievement and Gamerscore progress, any hero stats you might have accumulated, and your next closest unlocks with the help of the achievements section. To see the full list of achievements you’ve earned and the ones you’re missing, you can always click ‘show all.’

    All add-ons. Whether it’s the newest car pack in Forza Motorsport or more Ancient Coins to stuff your coffers for Sea of Thieves Season 11, we have you covered. You can browse available and owned add-ons directly from the game hub.

    HowLongToBeat. We heard how much you enjoyed this feature on the details pages for participating games, so we made sure to bring it over to game hubs, too. Whether you’re looking to finish up the main story or going for a completionist run, HowLongToBeat will help you compare your playtime against community sourced completion data.

    From the developer. Here, you’ll get the latest updates, announcements, tips, and tricks from the game’s developers. Find the latest news related to your favorite games directly from the teams behind them.

    Until March 9, a Quest will available in the Xbox Insider Hub (open or install clicking here) for players enrolled in the PC Gaming preview. As a reminder, you can always give us suggestions for the app or leave feedback by clicking on your Profile card inside the Xbox App and then selecting Feedback from the dropdown menu. We can’t wait to hear from you as we work to bring more improvements to game hubs and the Xbox App on PC.

    How to get Xbox Insider support and share your feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Don’t forget to use “Report a problem” before posting—the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today. We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information on the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for release notes, announcements, and more.  Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding the PC Gaming preview.

    Website: LINK

  • Age of Empires Reveals Jam-Packed 2024 with its New Year, New Age Livestream

    Age of Empires Reveals Jam-Packed 2024 with its New Year, New Age Livestream

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    We on the Age of Empires team want to say a huge thank you to our 50 million players around the world. 2023 was a huge year for our games and our community. We wanted to share a look at what there is to look forward to in 2024 and we’ve just wrapped our New Year, New Age show which did just that. If you watched, thank you for joining us! If you weren’t able to join us live, or you just want a reminder of all the things we covered, here’s a rundown of what’s coming this year.

    • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition new DLC – Victors and Vanquished – coming March 14th
    • Age of Mythology: Retold coming to Xbox and PC in 2024
    • Age of Empires Mobile first look
    • New Year, New Age Sale with games and DLC up to 50% off
    • Age of Empires IV update and Season 7 coming early Spring
    • New Year, New Age login reward for Age of Empires IV available now
    • Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition free to play now! New DLC coming end of 2024
    • Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado coming later this year

    New DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

    Victors and Vanquished coming March 14th: Pre-Order Now!

    Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition had a landmark year in 2023 with the addition of the Return of Rome and The Mountain Royals expansions. More than four years after launch, the game continues to grow. Telling more stories from the world’s rich history as well as bringing more civilizations to play.

    The next chapter for Age of Empires II: DE will be the single player focused DLC Victors and Vanquished, coming March 14th. Introduced in today’s show by its Creator, Ramsey Abdulrahim, this DLC will be like no other we’ve made before for AoE II: DE. Victors and Vanquished features 19 epic scenarios. Your strategy and choices will decide your fate: will you emerge as the ultimate victor, or fall as the vanquished? You’ll play as Ragnar Lothbrok, Oda Nobunaga, Charlemagne and more. Each scenario features professional voice acting, new music, achievement and the quality you’d expect from an official Age of Empires scenario. 

    Pre-Order Now!

    Victors and Vanquished will be launching soon, and you can pre-order today and receive a 15% discount! Victors and Vanquished comes to PC and Xbox on March 14th 2024.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E721-vptOo?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Age of Mythology: Retold

    Coming to Xbox and PC in 2024 – Wishlist Now!

    Age of Mythology: Retold is another title that got its debut at our 25th anniversary. Since then, we’ve continued to develop this exciting reimagining of fan favorite Age of Mythology.

    Today Art Director Melinda Rose gave players worldwide their first look at Retold via three in-game units, brought to life through amazing AR technology. Showcasing Medusa, Pegasus and Cerberus from the Greek pantheon, Melinda took us through how each unit has been updated, given completely new art and even had gameplay tweaks that will intensify their strengths and unique powers making them even more important in your strategy. They will be stronger, faster, bigger and bolder.

    We are also beyond thrilled to announce that players do not have long to wait. Age of Mythology: Retold is coming to Xbox consoles and PC in 2024 and is available to wishlist on Steam now!

    If you want more information about what we showed today, be sure to follow the Age of Mythology social channels and visit www.ageofempires.com.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj_I0fc3lrI?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Age of Empires Mobile

    The first look at a brand new AoE world

    At our 25th anniversary event we announced Age of Empires Mobile and we’ve been getting questions from intrigued and excited players ever since.

    Today we’re so excited to unveil this partnership with the fantastic team at TiMi Studio Group, who are bringing this brand-new Age of Empires world to life. Age of Empires Mobile is a mobile war strategy game where players will embark on an exhilarating adventure and forge unbreakable bonds with friends. Featuring rich real-time controls, stunning visuals and historical heroes on grand battlefields, this addition to the franchise has so much to offer.

    The game features elements from Age of Empires games, merged with brand-new and mobile-specific gameplay. You’ll engage in strategic resource management, develop unique technologies and train diverse armies to build and defend your kingdom.

    In the New Year New Age show, we premiered the first gameplay trailer for Age of Empires Mobile as well as a behind the scenes look with the team at TiMi Studio Group.

    You can pre-register now for Age of Empires Mobile on iOS and Google Play. For more information about the game, visit www.aoemobile.com.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPj3AzXpQbQ?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzqFAS47M8s?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    New Year, New Age Sale Now!

    Celebrating 50 Million Players, Get Up to 50% Off Now!

    With such a fantastic roster of titles, there’s never been a better time to complete your Age of Empires collection! We’re celebrating our 50 million players with a New Year, New Age Sale on Steam, Xbox and Windows Store. From today until the 29th of February, almost everything in the Age of Empires catalogue is up to 50% off. Go on, treat yourself.

    New For Age of Empires IV

    Next Age of Empires IV update and season coming soon, plus a limited time login reward

    In November, we launched the best-selling Age of Empires expansion of all time, The Sultans Ascend, for Age of Empires IV. We’re so thrilled to see players enjoying the content, which included two new civs, six variant civs, and all new campaign, ten new maps and two new biomes.

    If you haven’t yet experienced The Sultans Ascend, it’s available now! Buy now and receive a 10% discount for a limited time.

    Today we announced that Age of Empires IV will receive its next major update. Coming in early Spring, it will also mark the launch of Season 7.

    As an added thank you to our players, if you log in to the game now, you’ll be able to earn a limited time New Year, New Age reward!

    Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado

    Happening this year!

    The Age of Empires eSports scene continues to flourish, and we couldn’t be more grateful to the tournament organizers, players and supporters who continue to create exciting events, mesmerizing moments and valiant victories year in, year out.

    Our partners and friends at Red Bull gave us the great honor today to announce that their next Age of Empires event, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado will be coming in 2024!

    Whilst we’re not ready to share the details just yet, we recommend subscribing to Age of Empires and Red Bull Gaming channels to be sure you don’t miss information when we share it in the not-too-distant future.

    Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

    New DLC coming late 2024

    One final announcement for the show was that we’ll be bringing Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition players another DLC at the end of 2024!

    Whilst we can’t spill all of the details at this point, Director of Production Earnest Yuen was able to sneak in a couple of spoilers…

    Thank you for a Fantastic 2023!

    In 2023 Age of Empires:

    • Launched two titles on Xbox consoles and cloud
    • Released the best-selling Age of Empires expansion of all time, The Sultans Ascend for Age of Empires IV
    • Released the two fastest selling Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition DLC ever, Return of Rome and The Mountain Royals
    • Managed 51 game updates
    • Our players performed 200 million Wololos, built 350 million castles and employed 1.5 billion valiant scout sheep

    It was truly the biggest year for Age of Empires yet! Thank you to over 50 million players worldwide who have joined us on our journey so far.

    We have so much lined up for 2024 and can’t wait to bring you along with us.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqPOlAJC3sQ?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    That’s the rundown of the show! Head to the Age of Empires YouTube channel if you want to rewatch any of what we showed today.

    A heartfelt thank you to each and every one who’s played Age of Empires so far. It’s your love and passion that has kept this franchise going for the last 26 years and we can’t wait for these new chapters in our epic story in 2024.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2403.240221-2200)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2403.240221-2200)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3821.240221-2200
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 23, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 24, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    System

    • Various stability and performance fixes.
    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240220-2200)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240220-2200)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE\26063.1502.240220-2200
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 23, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 24, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    Accessibility

    • Fixes to improve narrator readout in the profile section in the guide.

    System

    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Guide

    • We are aware the chat mixer in the guide may not behave as expected, and we are investigating.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2402.1001.23.00]

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2402.1001.23.00]

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We are releasing a new Xbox App for Windows build to Xbox Insiders who are enrolled in the PC Gaming Insiders preview! Thank you all for being Xbox Insiders. Continue read to learn about fixes and known issues. Make sure that you update the Xbox app, and Gaming Services to ensure you get all of the fixes!

    Versions of PC Gaming prerelease products:

    Xbox App version: 2402.1001.23.0

    • Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Feb 21st 2024

    Game Bar version: 7.124.2141.0

    • Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Feb 15th 2024

    What’s new?

    • Game Hubs – Users will notice several new sections located on the individual pages for each game that they have installed. When you select a game listed in My Library or by simply clicking on a title in the left hand navigation bar, you will notice several new items shown on the page such as new content available for the title or information about your friends who play the title.

    Xbox App Bug Fixes:

    • Fixed an issue where users were not able to copy images in Captures

    How to Get Xbox Insider Support

    Don’t forget! If you encounter any issues, you can leave feedback by navigating to the feedback option on your profile menu.

    You can also provide feedback, as well as interact with the community, on the Xbox Insiders Subreddit. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information!

    Thank you to everyone who participates in the Xbox Insider Program! Your feedback helps us continue to build a great gaming experience in the Xbox app on PC. 

    Website: LINK

  • The Making of Geometry Survivor, Out Now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

    The Making of Geometry Survivor, Out Now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    A Survival Shooter Like No Other

    Innovation often comes from blending distinct genres to create a new, engaging experience for players. Geometry Survivor is a testament to this creative process, merging the fast-paced shooting action of Geometry Wars with the addictive progression and survival elements of Vampire Survivors.

    The Origin of the World of Geometry Survivor

    The idea for the game originated from a desire to combine the high-adrenaline gameplay of classic arcade shooters with the strategic depth and character progression found in modern survival games. Geometry Wars provided the perfect template for the game’s intense shooting mechanics, renowned for its vibrant visuals and dynamic enemy patterns. Meanwhile, Vampire Survivors offered a blueprint for incremental progression and survival against overwhelming odds, where players enhance their character’s abilities over time to withstand hordes of enemies.

    Our aim was to create a game that not only pays homage to these influences but also create a game that stands on its own as a unique title. The core concept revolves around navigating a large arena, surviving against waves of enemies, and evolving the player’s abilities through strategic choices.

    GS concept photo

    Overcoming the Obstacles for Challenging Gameplay

    Blending two distinct gameplay styles presented several challenges for the development team. One of the primary hurdles was balancing the game’s pacing. The team needed to ensure that the shooting mechanics complemented the progression and survival aspects without overwhelming the player or making the game too easy.

    Another challenge was designing enemy patterns and progression systems that would keep players engaged over time. We had to conduct extensive testing to fine-tune the difficulty curve, ensuring that the game remained challenging yet fair.

    GS attack screen

    Unique Features of Geometry Survivor

    A fundamental element of the game harks back to the essence of arcade classic shooters, where a player’s bullet would immediately annihilate an enemy ship, disintegrating it into fragments. We decided to use a simplistic health system where each entity can be eliminated with a single bullet.

    This departure from the conventional damage/health paradigms introduces distinctive challenges in the design of varied and engaging weaponry.  Given the one-shot kill mechanic, the game strategy involves flooding the screen with enemies spaced at various intervals. Each adversary exhibits unique movement behaviors, which, when combined, result in highly challenging combat scenarios.

    Players are required to adeptly navigate through hordes of enemies, making tactical use of weapons to dispatch foes before becoming overwhelmed.

    GS screenshot

    High Performance Highlights

    The implementation of the Entity Component System (ECS) in Unity significantly contributed to enhancing the performance of Geometry Survivor, enabling the game to achieve a solid and high framerate even during intense gameplay moments. ECS architecture separates data and behavior, which allows for more efficient data access and manipulation, reducing the overhead typically associated with object-oriented programming. This approach was particularly beneficial for Geometry Survivor, where the screen can be inundated with numerous enemies, projectiles, and effects simultaneously. By utilizing ECS, we were able to take advantage of highly optimized, multithreaded code execution, ensuring that the game’s performance remained fluid and responsive.

    This optimization was crucial for maintaining the fast-paced action and visual clarity that were central to the game’s design, providing players with a seamless and engaging experience without compromising on graphical fidelity or gameplay complexity. We hope you enjoy Geometry Survivor! The game is available now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

    Geometry Survivor
    Xbox Live

    Geometry Survivor

    Brain Seal Ltd

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 3

    ★★★★★

    $7.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Geometry Survivor is a rogue-lite auto shooter where you must survive for 20 minutes. Fight against waves of geometry ships, defeat their formations and survive the grid world. – One hand gameplay: Use just one hand to control the direction of your ship
    – Auto-Shooter: Your weapons fire automatically, letting you concentrate on staying alive
    – Weapons: Each run allows you to get a unique combination of weapons
    – Credits: Earn credits and permanently unlock new upgrades
    – Enemies: Enjoy the multitude of enemies each with their own AI
    – 20 minutes of intense gameplay
    – Retro visuals and music straight from the 80s
    – Delicious gameplay! Geometry Survivor is the ultimate survival game, do not miss it!!

    Website: LINK

  • After 700 Years in the Making, Inkulinati 1.0 is Now Available to Play

    After 700 Years in the Making, Inkulinati 1.0 is Now Available to Play

    Reading Time: 8 minutes
    • Releasing on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and via Xbox Game Pass
    • 700-year-old manuscripts as concept art
    • Inkulinati and Pentiment team up with characters available in both games

    Hello Xbox community!

    Today marks a monumental milestone – our medieval turn-based strategy game, Inkulinati, is leaving the Xbox Game Preview Program and you can now enjoy the full 1.0 release! To mark the occasion, we’ve got a brand-new shiny release trailer, voiced by famous bardcore musician Hildegard von Blingin’. Check it out above!

    So. what is Inkulinati, you might ask? Well, it is a turn-based strategy game, where a rabbit’s bottom can be deadlier than a dog’s sword (trust me, this is not a mistake!). It is inspired by real medieval art and is entirely played on the pages of medieval manuscripts. If you’ve ever seen old medieval books with funny drawings on the sides of the pages, or even medieval memes on the internet, these hilarious doodles (called “marginalia”) were used as the basis for, well, everything in our game.

    Inkulinati animals

    All of our characters, maps (which we call Battlefields), beasts and objects are based on these drawings made by medieval monks and scribes, sometimes called Illuminators. That’s why we say Inkulinati has been over 700 years in the making.

    So, while you may come across some ridiculous shenanigans like donkeys playing trumpets with their bottoms, fish wielding knives and devils with faces instead of butts, trust me, it’s not us who came up with it – it’s actually people from the Middle Ages and Inkulinati is a tribute to their work.

    In fact, to be as authentic as possible, we even consulted with a real medievalist to make sure we were using these inspirations correctly and staying true to the source material. So, as you sit back and watch your army of manuscript monkeys throw poop at enemy beasts, you can relax in the knowledge that you’re actually learning history (feel free to flex that fact in front of your history teacher!).

    Inkulinati sketch 2

    As I mentioned earlier, we’ve been part of the Xbox Game Preview program for just over a year now. And in that year, we’ve made a lot of changes. We added a lot of content, worked tirelessly on balancing and tweaking, squashed those pesky bugs – we’ve listened a lot to you – our community – to make Inkulinati the best it can be. And at this point, I must give a huge shout out to the wonderful Xbox community who have helped us improve along the way.

    Thanks to you, we’ve added a lot of new features and ironed out the kinks you thought needed ironing out. For example, our tutorial (called the Academy) is now very different from what it was a year ago – it consists of learning the game through numerous puzzles and challenges that require you to understand the mechanics of Inkulinati in order to solve them and progress. We have added some accessibility features and reduced the shaking of the screen during certain actions to give you a better experience. Without you, Inkulinati would not be the game it is today – so thank you!

    But hey, let’s talk about one of the coolest things that has ever happened to our studio – it happened during our time in the Game Preview program. We had the chance to work with the fine folks at Obsidian Entertainment and their fantastic game Pentiment!

    Inkulinati pentiment key art

    How did this happen, you might ask? Well, during Gamescom 2022, where Inkulinati and Pentiment were both showcased on the Xbox stand as future Game Pass releases (in fact, we were literally neighbors – our gaming stations were next to each other), and we had the opportunity to discuss a collaboration for the ages – cameo appearances of our characters in both of our games. We both thought it would be a good fit, as historical accuracy and the manuscripts themselves are an important part of both titles.

    One conversation led to another, and eventually we welcomed Pentiment’s main protagonist – Andreas – as a playable character in our game! (You can play as Andreas in the Journey – a single-player campaign with rogue-like elements) In return, some of our in-game characters were added to the margins of the Pentiment books! What’s cool is that it was a real collaboration – Obsidian artists recreated our art in the Pentiment style, and our art director drew Andreas himself. It was right thing to do – that way all the characters, originals and their versions from another game, are concise and fit the game they’re now part of.

    For us indie game developers making our first game, it was an incredible experience. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would have a character from a game by Obsidian Entertainment – a studio we were fans of before we started our game development journey – in our game, and our characters in theirs.

    So, if you decide to play Pentiment (and you should – it’s a real labour of love and one of the most extraordinary gaming experiences out there), you might also come across some Inkulinati characters in Pentiment’s in-game books. If someone had told us that our characters would be in an Obsidian game, we would have thought it ridiculous. So, our story just proves that crazy things do happen!

    Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and I really, really hope that you will have a blast-of-a-time in our turn-based strategy. Inkulinati 1.0 is now available to play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows and via Game Pass. Thank you so much for reading and good luck out there illuminating the Battlefields! Oh, and we are still planning to do some post-release updates, so feel free to join our Discord and share your feedback with us!

    All the best,

    Ryszard Kiełtyka

    Inkulinati
    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Inkulinati

    Daedalic Entertainment

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 178

    ★★★★★

    $24.99 $19.99

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    Free Trial

    Inkulinati is an ink-based strategy game straight from medieval manuscripts, where a rabbit’s bum can be deadlier than a dog’s sword. Take your turn in Inkulinati duels filled with unexpected tactical depth (and humour!). Embark on an ever-changing journey, build your own bestiary, defeat medieval superstars and collect perks to unleash special powers. Become a master of the Living Ink, grab your quill and build your unique strategy time after time so that you can be named the greatest Inkulinati of all time! INKULINATI IS INSPIRED BY REAL-LIFE MEDIEVAL MARGINALIA
    700 years in the making, finally these bizarre art pieces can come alive in a video game and show that medieval people also had their “memes” and that they laughed from the same silly things that we do today. You’ll see sword-wielding rabbits, dogs with spears, trumpets lodged in bottoms, human-eating snails, and more. Much, much more… FIGHT LIKE AN INKULINATI
    Inkulinati are a legendary group who battle one another on the pages of medieval manuscripts. They fight by drawing Beasts with the Living Ink. Thanks to this magical substance, those creatures come to life and an epic battle ensues.Move your Beasts across the battlefield, perform actions on or with them, make tactical use of obstacles and collect more Living Ink to draw new Beasts which allows you to gain an advantage over your opponent. MULTIPLE DEADLY (AND BIZARRE) BEASTS TO UNLOCK
    Donkeys playing trumpets with their bottoms, bishop cats vanquishing heretics with prayers, heavy but deadly snails that eat units alive, and more. Much, much more. They all have their special skills and are waiting for your command. SPECIAL, BATTLE TIDE-TURNING ACTIONS PERFORMED BY THE INKULINATI
    It’s not just your Beasts that can cause havoc and damage. Use your fists to smash your opponent’s units, draw obstacles to create barriers, relocate your units with a move of your finger, or explode your troops to create pure, pure chaos. Just remember – your opponent can do it too. ADAPT YOUR TACTIC TO EVERY BATTLE
    Each Inkulinati has its own army, with different Beasts, who in turn, have different abilities, strengths, and unfortunately, weaknesses (or fortunately – depending which side you’re on). But it’s not just the armies that can influence who will win any given duel. Each Battlefield is its own domain, with its own particular dangers that you should watch out for, and opportunities that you can use. You will have to use your wits and adapt your strategy to beat the opposing Inkulinati’s army on each specific Battlefield. A SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN
    Uncover the mystery and secrets of Inkulinati and face such opponents as Death, Dante Alighieri, and more. Go out into the world and start your adventure! Fight the biggest Inkulinati masters in the land, tame the untamed Beasts, build your ultimate army, try to bring back your Master from the clutches of death, and most importantly, finish your grand quest with the biggest party that the middle ages have ever seen! Howza!!! CREATE AND DEVELOP YOUR OWN CHARACTER
    As any aspiring Inkulinati Master, you will get to create your own Tiny-Inkulinati. During your journey you will learn the secret techniques of drawing new Beasts and Inkulinati Hand Actions, allowing you to choose the composition of your army. You can be a brave knight that has no fear and will send his loyal troops straight at his opponents. Or perhaps you would like to play with a bit more tact? In that case, you can be a nun who with the power of prayer can confuse her enemies and heal thy own servants. Those styles, and more, are waiting to be discovered and made your own. Express yourself! EVERY BATTLE HAS ITS OWN STORY
    To mark every battle in history books for all future generations to see, a procedurally generated text describes the dramatic (or hilarious) events in detail just above the battlefield.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Delta (2403.240219-1730)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Delta (2403.240219-1730)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Delta ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3813.240219-1730
    • Available: 4 p.m. PT – February 22, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 23, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    Accessibility

    • Fixes to improve narrator readout in the profile section in the guide.

    System

    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2403.240219-1730)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2403.240219-1730)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Beta ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3813.240219-1730
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 22, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 23, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    Accessibility

    • Fixes to improve narrator readout in the profile section in the guide.

    System

    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • There’s a Secret High-Tech Simulation Inside Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator

    There’s a Secret High-Tech Simulation Inside Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator is, you guessed it, a cozy gardening simulator. It’s a game about planting flowers, enjoying their growth and decorating the garden to your heart’s content. It all comes with a deep focus on non-punishing gameplay, a light story, and a stunning, anime inspired art style. But under that delightful exterior, you might be surprised at how much thought and processing power has gone into the simulation itself.

    At Stillalive Studios, we take pride in our expertise in simulation games and their underlying technology. As we started fleshing out the idea of a gardening game, we realized it would be easy enough to create the basic simulation – some of our studio have quantum physics degrees. But the challenge we set ourselves was this – could we create a gardening game that hid all the simulation complexity under a coziness as pleasant as a cup of warm tea on a cold winter’s eve?

    Our Producer is a Florist

    It all starts with Kay, our producer. She’s the one that manages the Garden Life project at Stillalive. Kay knows a lot about flowers, as she was a florist in her past professional life. Putting together flower arrangements for festivities and weddings, Kay won prestigious Gold and Silver medals at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show in London. This knowledge had to be put to good use in a cozy gardening game. With her on the team, we had one of the puzzle pieces down – next, we needed to conquer the tech itself.

    Why Does Garden Life Need a Lot of Tech, Anyway?

    Computers are not very good at randomness: the little quirks and irregularities that make nature so diverse and interesting. When artists create 3D models, the computer is always going to recreate those models exactly. We couldn’t imagine anything less cozy than a garden full of identical flowers, like a legion of Stormtroopers growing in lockstep. And this is where our tech department set out to find ways of breaking these patterns – adding randomness and quirks back into the cold determinism of computer processors.

    Flowers often only play a background role in games. But in a gardening game, flowers are front and center. They need to look stunning. One of our design goals was therefore to make every flower look unique. So unique that a full garden of flowers would look natural, as in real life. No copies. No Stormtroopers. No tricks.

    This Is Where Our Sim Background Shines

    Every flower model in Garden Life is generated on-the-fly. This is our recipe:

    • The flower starts on the ground, where the first stem segment is generated and grows.
    • When the segment is finished, a new segment is spawned.
    • The growth direction for the new segment gets a kick in a random direction so the stem does not grow in a straight line.
    • At every new segment and depending on the flower, there is a random chance that a leaf grows out of the stem, or that the stem splits into two segments.
    • The more segments the plant spawns, the bigger the chance to produce the final flower at the top, finishing the growth process.
    • Depending on the flower type, the top gets another kick in a random direction for good measure.

    This simple recipe allows for so much variation and produces organic, beautiful-looking flower beds. Every flower has leaves at different places. Some stems are shorter, some longer, with random variations in growth direction here and there.

    To realize the variety of flowers we have in the game, every specimen has a slight variation of this recipe. How big and long are the stem segments? How straight, interwoven? How many segments can there be, determining the total height of a plant. And while sunflowers grow very tall and have one stem, Hellebores grow in small bunches, and Roses go all-in on the bushy, entangled structure.

    As mentioned above, computers are not very good at coping with randomness. While there are tricks to make hundreds of identical models run smoothly, it was a long and winding road to optimize performance for on-the-fly generated 3D geometry. We’re very happy with the outcome! Together with our anime-inspired art style, Garden Life simply looks gorgeous and promises many hours of relaxing gameplay.

    Garden Life is out today for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

    Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator
    Xbox Live

    Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator

    Nacon

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    Using appropriate gardening techniques and your creativity, bring an abandoned plot back to life, and experience the joy and peace that cultivating your own garden brings. • ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES – In Garden Life, there’s no miracle solution: your plants will only flourish with dedication, the right tools and appropriate gardening techniques! • DESIGN THE GARDEN OF YOUR DREAMS – Using the grid free placement, sow the seeds of your choice and use decorative elements to bring your designs to life. Through the procedural growth simulation technology developed specifically for Garden Life, every plant is unique and adapts to their environment. • NURTURE YOUR GARDEN – Take care of your seedlings by identifying their individual care requirements; water, fertilize, and clip your plants to maintain their natural beauty and nurture them to health. • DISCOVER DIFFERENT VARIETIES – Unlock your creativity by breeding beautiful variations and discover the full potential of each plant. • MEET COLOURFUL CHARACTERS – Help your friendly neighbours by fulfilling their gardening requests and receive rewards such as new plant varieties, tools, and decorations. • RELAX – After a busy day, unwind and experience the calming ambiance of your garden in a soothing world with relaxing sights and sounds.

    Website: LINK

  • Free Play Days – Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Catan

    Free Play Days – Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Catan

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Prepare for a weekend of action, horror, and strategy with Free Play Days! Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Catan are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday February 22 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, February 25 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. 

    Additionally, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is free for all Xbox members as a part of Free Play Days for All, for the same time period.  

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

    How To Start Playing

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

    Keep The Fun Going

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

    Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Breakpoint
    Xbox Live

    Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Breakpoint

    UBISOFT

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 718

    ★★★★★

    $59.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Free Trial

    Ghost Recon Breakpoint Ultimate Edition
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S 
    Become a Ghost, an elite spec ops soldier, tasked with a special mission to Auroa. The remote archipelago has lost contact with outside world due to Skell Technology turning hostile. The Wolves, a rogue spec ops team led by your ex–brother-in-arms, have taken over and are hunting you down. Lead your team through the island landscape and save the civilians without being noticed. 

    The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
    Xbox Live

    The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

    Gun Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 798

    ★★★★★

    $39.99 $29.99

    Xbox Game Pass

    The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery
    The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a game based on true events. This is a unique three versus four asymmetrical horror multiplayer game with savage Family members and stealthy Victims.  Authentically bringing to life the macabre environments of the iconic 1974 film, there are four playable maps, The Family House, The Slaughterhouse, The Gas Station, and Nancy’s House. Victims need to stay quiet and be stealthy in order to survive. Filled with lush sunflowers to terror-inducing sound design, we bring immersion into the world of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Whether you play as a Family member or as a Victim, there will be plenty of space to brave an escape or entrap a victim in our dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with four different exits per map. Be sure to check out the newest characters of Nancy and Danny, new cosmetics with Shirtless Johnny and Bride Sissy, a new execution pack, and weapon skins.

    CATAN® - Console Edition
    Xbox Live

    CATAN® – Console Edition

    Dovetail Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 201

    ★★★★★

    $16.99 $8.49

    Catan – Console Edition  
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery
    Charmed by opportunity and the promise of faraway riches, you and a collection of likeminded adventurers abandon your homeland and livelihoods to discover new lands. After a long and arduous journey, fraught with danger and difficulty, you arrive at the shores of a lush land, untouched by humanity, and abundant in resources.  But you are not the first to set foot on this new island, there are others who are looking to thrive – and survive. Acquire resources, master new strategies, and build your settlements across a board that comes to life. Challenge friends in your living room or play against smart & dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian, then take these skills online with full cross-play compatibility. Welcome to CATAN! 

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

    Website: LINK

  • Dead Island 2 Joins the Xbox Game Pass Line-Up

    Dead Island 2 Joins the Xbox Game Pass Line-Up

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    Brutal melee sandbox

    Combat delivers the most intense first-person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical options to hammer your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, or ripping, you can feel every moment of dismemberment.

    Website: LINK

  • Bringing the Unique Style of DC’s Peacemaker to Mortal Kombat 1

    Bringing the Unique Style of DC’s Peacemaker to Mortal Kombat 1

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    After working at NetherRealm Studios for more than 10 years, I have experienced my fair share of memorable days as part of the design department, but the day we all learned we would be designing Peacemaker for Mortal Kombat 1 was certainly one of the best. The only concern I had was the possibility of designers fighting each other on who would take the coveted role of point person. In all seriousness though, when we heard this news, we immediately started sharing clips from the show and brainstorming ideas.

    The reason for all the excitement speaks to how much we love the character and series. The humor resonates with our own, and I think if we were to design our own superhero, it would be heavily inspired by elements of Peacemaker.

    Mortal Kombat Peacemaker Screenshot

    From day one, it was clear to us that translating Peacemaker into Mortal Kombat 1 was going to be exciting. The first part was to craft a gameplay design around a core set of attacks and special moves while then layering in reference after reference and adding very specific details to the way the attacks look and feel. This meant watching and re-watching scenes of show while meticulously noting details that stuck out to us.

    One of our favorite scenes from the show was the first time we get to see Peacemaker use the Sonic Boom helmet. The butterfly girl he had been fighting leapt into the air to attack, but Peacemaker was able to activate Sonic Boom in time to vaporize her. It was a shocking moment as we are left with a shot of Peacemaker sitting on the ground completely stunned at what just transpired.

    Mortal Kombat Peacemaker Screenshot

    When we went to create Peacemaker’s Brutality with the Sonic Boom, we wanted to mimic very specific details that stood out to us like capturing that last shot of Peacemaker sitting on ground in total shock. Additionally, we created a Brutality from the scene in the show where he made a homemade grenade using a tank shell. We even created new blood splats with bigger spreads and longer meteors of meat bits to better mimic those on the show. In all, this is the part of the design process that we have a lot of fun with.

    As we were developing Peacemaker in Mortal Kombat 1, we believed it was critical to showcase his over-the-top personality everywhere possible. This becomes a summation of nuances, voiceover, dialog, motions, and mannerisms that are keys to how we wanted to convey Peacemaker’s unique personality to the audience. This is always important but especially in this case because of how familiar players are with this character, and anything slightly off will be noticed right away.

    Mortal Kombat Peacemaker Screenshot

    Fortunately, we had the pleasure of working directly with John Cena who delivered an impeccable performance (no surprise) as Peacemaker in the game, adding the ultimate level of credibility to the voice capture and dialog. In the mocap studio, we closely studied Peacemaker’s mannerisms, oftentimes bringing up clips from the show on the big screen and comparing them with the actor’s performance as we captured the motions to ensure they were reading like Peacemaker. As you might expect, there were a lot of laughs in between takes as some of the more the comedic moments were shining through.

    Gameplay-wise, Peacemaker was designed to have a straight-forward and accessible playstyle. We wanted to prominently feature both his helmet attacks and coordination with Eagley, the character’s loyal bald eagle sidekick. For the helmet attacks, we needed to design special moves that supported both his gameplay design and references we felt were important from the show. For his helmet-centric moves, he will employ his torpedo attack and anti-gravity abilities that allows him to float up and slam down over opponents, with the enhanced version of this move acting as an evade with additional options to cancel out.

    Mortal Kombat Peacemaker Screenshot

    For Eagley’s attacks, we were looking to design meaningful special moves that would be helpful in certain situations. For instance, Eagley can attack an opponent’s Kameo Fighter, mauling them and shutting down their use. For a few of us, the funniest move Peacemaker has is his blow dart special move, which fans should recognize from The Suicide Squad(2021)movie. In-game, he is in the same sneaking stance and can move forward and back while holding the blow dart, which can be released at any time and is designed to hit opponents out of the air.

    It would be an understatement to say it was a privilege for us to design and develop Peacemaker in Mortal Kombat 1. This was one of the most collaborative and fun experiences we’ve had as a design group so far. We feel that Peacemaker is a great fit for the Mortal Kombat Universe, and we can’t wait for players to get their hands on him. Peacemaker will be available on Feb. 28 as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Pack owners, followed by wide availability on March 6. A trial version of Mortal Kombat 1 will be available to play for all Game Pass Core and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers as part of Xbox Free Play Days from March 7-10, with access to all multiplayer game modes, the first two chapters of the cinematic Story mode, the base roster of iconic characters, and more.

    Mortal Kombat™ 1
    Xbox Live

    Mortal Kombat™ 1

    Warner Bros. Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 367

    ★★★★★

    $69.99 $41.99

    It’s In Our Blood! Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat™ Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat™ 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities!

    MK1: Kombat Pack

    MK1: Kombat Pack

    Warner Bros. Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 293

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    The Kombat Pack includes the Johnny Cage character skin featuring voice and likeness of actor and martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme (available now), along with 6 new post-launch DLC playable characters and 5 new post-launch Kameo Fighters. Kombat Pack also includes 1-week early access to all DLC playable characters.  DLC Playable Characters (All Coming Post-Launch)
    Omni-Man (Invincible)
    Quan Chi
    Peacemaker (DC’s Peacemaker)
    Ermac
    Homelander (The Boys)
    Takahashi Takeda DLC Kameo Fighters (All Coming Post-Launch)
    Tremor
    Mavado
    Janet Cage
    Ferra
    Khameleon

    Website: LINK

  • Dying Light 2 Getting a Game-Changing Update – Firearms Arrive in Villedor

    Dying Light 2 Getting a Game-Changing Update – Firearms Arrive in Villedor

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    This month marks the second anniversary of the launch of Dying Light 2 Stay Human. As this is a massive milestone, we’re celebrating all month long. Kicking it all off was the Year of the Dragon activity, but that was just the start. Now, we’re ready to bring out the big guns in more ways than one with our first major update of 2024: the Firearms Update. We’re certain this’ll please fans as it brings with it something they’ve been asking for, for a while now: guns!

    However, before we get into the nitty-gritty of what to expect from the new update, we’ve got some huge news: we’re making the ‘Bloody Ties’ DLC free for anyone who already owns the game! To get it, go to the Xbox Store and claim it. But newcomers won’t be left out either: we’re launching a new version of the game, Reloaded Edition, which will allow new players full access to the DLC once claimed, too! Now, let’s get into the update!

    Firearms Update: Fully Loaded

    Dying Light 2 Image

    As the name suggests, the biggest part – and arguably the most important to our players – of the update is the addition of firearms. Until now, Villedor had been a gun-free zone, with the closest you’d get to a gun being the Boomstick or an auto-firing crossbow, but neither packed the punch of a real one. Now, players will be able to get their hands on four different types of firearm: pistols, shotguns, rifles and SMGs. And players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on them, as all Pilgrims who’ve completed the prologue will find the ‘Harran Pistol’ in their stash until March 7.

    But there’s a lot more to the update than just firearms. We’re also introducing Survivor Missions, which will offer a new type of challenge to players. While playable solo, these missions are intended for co-op as they will test all of your skills, especially the Elite ones. The initial set of Survivor Missions has dropped alongside the update, with more being added on February 29 and March 7.

    On the topic of missions, there are some new postings on the bulletin boards of Villedor. Take them on to help out the citizens and get rewarded! And, of course, there are more in-game items for players to earn, this time with the addition of 50 more Legend Levels and a brand-new reward: the Doppelganger Legend outfit.

    Additionally, the radio waves are saying a couple of familiar faces from the original Dying Light are making their way to The City. Tolga and Fatin will be arriving on February 29, and from what we’ve heard they’ll be needing your assistance. We guess, even in the future, it’s cool to be fashionably late.

    Outside the game, players can find more bounties to take on at Pilgrim Outpost that are specifically designed for Community Maps. And carrying on from that, some of our best creators have already been hard at work on a collection of new maps which make the most of the newly-added firearms.

    Dying Light 2 Image

    Keep the Celebrations Going

    As we mentioned earlier, this month marks our 2nd anniversary and there’s plenty more reason to celebrate with Anniversary Bounties. For the next few weeks, there will be three sets of four missions (each week unlocks a new set) for players to complete to earn some awesome throwback items from the original Dying Light and the 2019 E3 trailer: the Scorpio, the Nocturnal Tribal Machete and the Acolyte outfit.

    However, there’s no reason to panic as if you aren’t able to start right away, you’ll be able to complete Week 1’s bounties in Week 2 or 3 (and Week 2’s bounties in Week 3), so there’s plenty of time for you to nab your rewards! Additionally, the majority of the bounties will focus on the update’s new additions, so you can fully experience them! These special bounties are activated on Pilgrim Outpost, where you can also find out more about the entire activity.

    Here’s to Many More

    Pilgrims, as we are celebrating this milestone, we’d also like to thank you for your continued support for a game we put blood, sweat, tears and UV Shroomz into. Without you, we wouldn’t be here, so from all of us here at Techland, a massive thank you! We hope you enjoy the first update of 2024. Enough talk; get out there and fill the infected with lead. Party hats optional.

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition is now available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human
    Xbox Live

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human

    Techland

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1030

    ★★★★★

    $59.99 $29.99

    Upgrade your experience with Smart Delivery. Buy the game once to both play it on Xbox One and get its optimized version for Xbox Series X | S It’s been 20 years since the events of the original game. The virus won, and humanity is slowly dying. You play as Aiden Caldwell, a wandering Pilgrim who delivers goods, brings news, and connects the few remaining survivor settlements in barren lands devastated by the zombie virus. However, your true goal is to find your little sister Mia, who you left behind as a kid to escape Dr. Waltz’s torturous experiments. Haunted by the past, you eventually make the decision to confront it when you learn that Mia may still be alive in Villedor — the last city standing on Earth. You quickly find yourself in a settlement torn by conflict. You’ll need to engage in creative and gory combat, so hone your skills to defeat hordes of zombies and make allies. Roam the city, free run across Villedor’s buildings and rooftops in search of loot in remote areas, and be wary of the night. With every sunset, monsters take control of the streets. A WORLD AFTER THE APOCALYPSE
    Fifteen years ago, humanity was devastated by the Fall — a catastrophic event that would change the world forever. With the Harran virus spreading around the globe, people quickly found out that all hope for tomorrow is lost. By 2036, only a few settlements remain, and humanity is slowly dying, making way for the new species out there — a horde of relentless zombies. DAY’S FOR THE LIVING, NIGHT’S FOR THE DEAD
    Welcome to Villedor, one of the last bastions of humanity. During the day, survivors still try to have a life here and find a false sense of normalcy. Relationships are formed, dreams are dreamed, and life carries on. On the surface, everything seems… fine. Until sunset, that is. With the last ray of light dying out, other, more dreadful, dwellers of The City crawl out of their gloomy interiors, taking over the streets. If you are not vigilant and stay out too long in the dark, you may never return. YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO SURVIVE
    Not all fights can be won. Sometimes it’s best to run and, thankfully, you have the skills for it. Parkour lets you escape when odds are not in your favor. Jump from rooftop to rooftop, swing across the cityscape, ride ziplines, and much more. Whatever you do, experience a unique sense of freedom as you free run across Villedor’s buildings and rooftops in search of loot or while running away from the dangers of the night. GET BRUTAL AND BE CREATIVE ABOUT IT
    In a world as dangerous as this one, only the strongest survive. Whether you prefer to smash, slice or dismember those who stand in your way, you have to be creative about it to make it through. And who says you need weapons? Utilize the entirety of your parkour moveset to get the jump on your enemies. Learn the ways of combat and parkour to feel the crunch of skulls and slices of flesh as you swing weapons or use your moves to fend off any forms of danger. And let’s not forget that Villedor has weapons that put the most advanced post-apocalyptic armories to shame. FOUR PILGRIMS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
    Surviving in Villedor is easier with friends. Team up with up to 3 other players and increase your chances out there. Unravel the story together, take on Pilgrim Outpost challenges, or simply wreak havoc on the city streets.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240219-2200)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead (2408.240219-2200)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2408GE\26061.1509.240219-2200
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 21, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 22, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    Installation

    • Fixes to address an unexpected error some users would experience when updating Minecraft (0x87e00021).

    Guide

    • Fixed an issue where the chat mixer in the guide was not adjusting the audio balance as expected.

    System

    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2403.240219-1730)

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2403.240219-1730)

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

    It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

    Details can be found below!

    Xbox Insider Release Notes

    System Update Details

    • OS Version: XB_FLT_2403ZN\25398.3813.240219-1730
    • Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 21, 2024
    • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 22, 2024

    Fixes Included

    Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

    Accessibility

    • Fixes to improve narrator readout in the profile section in the guide.

    System

    • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

    Known Issues

    While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

    Audio

    • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
      • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
        • When did the issue start?
        • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
        • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
        • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
        • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
        • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

    Networking

    • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

    As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

    What Happens to Your Feedback

    If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

    Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

    Website: LINK

  • New Platforms, New Players: Four Fan-Favorite Xbox Games Coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony Platforms

    New Platforms, New Players: Four Fan-Favorite Xbox Games Coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony Platforms

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    At Xbox, we strive to create games that inspire, entertain, and connect players from around the world. As a publisher and platform we are committed to meeting players where they are, by bringing more games, to more people, and on more devices. And at the heart of all we do are our players, and the vibrant communities that they build around the games they love. 

    Today we are announcing that four fan-favorite Xbox games will be coming to Nintendo Switch and Sony platforms this spring. The studios that built these celebrated games have drawn on their multi-platform experience to open the worlds they created to even more players and communities.  

    • Pentiment from Obsidian Entertainment, a truly unique, critically acclaimed, and award-winning narrative adventure game with a striking visual style inspired by history itself will be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on February 22.   
    • Hi-Fi RUSH, the award-winning and beloved rhythm-based action game where the world syncs to the music from Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks will be coming to PlayStation 5 on March 19 at midnight UTC, with pre-purchase available on PlayStation 5 digital storefronts on February 21.  
    • Grounded – also from Obsidian Entertainment – a co-op survival adventure phenomenon that has welcomed 20 million players into the backyard, will be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on April 16. Cross play will be supported across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.   
    • Sea of Thieves, the shared world adventure game from Rare, will be coming to PlayStation 5 on April 30 – and will be available to wishlist by PlayStation 5 players starting tomorrow, February 22. Having built a passionate community of more than 35 million players from around the world, the support of cross play for Xbox, PlayStation and PC will allow players to experience epic pirate adventures with friends on more platforms. 

    These titles join franchises like Minecraft, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Diablo – which already reach players and fans on multiple platforms – and we’re excited for more players to experience these worlds and stories on more platforms.   

    Whether it’s Nintendo Switch and PlayStation players surviving in the backyard together in Grounded, or PlayStation players getting to live a pirate’s life in Sea of Thieves, with cross-play, these multiplayer titles available will bring more people together and continue to grow their communities of players.  

    Last week on The Official Xbox Podcast, we also discussed how our Xbox consoles will continue to provide a flagship experience for players. This is what it means to be a part of Xbox: 

    • The biggest games in the world will be on Xbox.    
    • Our first party games will come to Game Pass day one.  
    • A robust and innovative multi-year hardware roadmap. 
    • Compatibility with your library is a priority, inclusive of cross-play, cross-save, and robust cloud features.   
    • Xbox will continue to help game creators find the biggest audience possible. 

    And as we shared at Developer_Direct, earlier this year, players can look forward to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and more on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Pass this year.  

    There’s never been a better time to play, and we can’t wait for more players to experience these great games.  

    Website: LINK

  • How MLB The Show 24 Continues to Tell Important Stories From the Negro Leagues

    How MLB The Show 24 Continues to Tell Important Stories From the Negro Leagues

    Reading Time: 5 minutes
    MLB The Show 24 Screenshot

    “This project wouldn’t be possible without our groundbreaking partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and their president, Bob Kendrick,” explains Russell. “It was paramount for us to give context to these amazing players and the history behind the Negro Leagues. Bob does this better than anyone. Our job was to make these stories engaging for a video game and let Bob do the teaching.”

    For this upcoming MLB The Show 24 season, there will be 10 new Negro League Legends added, each with their own unique Storyline to experience. Legends like Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Hank Aaron, and Toni Stone have been confirmed to be playable at early access launch on March 15, 2024, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

    The next set of three Negro Leagues players will arrive as a free downloadable content drop in April, and then again in May. In addition, all the players from Season 1 of Storylines will be included in MLB The Show 24 at launch — so if you missed out on this feature from last year’s game, you’ll have a lot to experience on day one.

    MLB The Show 24 Screenshot

    “The creation and development of Storylines was a very organic process. It wasn’t perfect, and we weren’t able to include everything we wanted to in year one,” shares Russell. “However, we started this project with three goals in mind: to educate, enlighten, and inspire by celebrating the rich history of the Negro Leagues. We accomplished those goals and helped bring some much-needed attention to such an important part and often overlooked chapter in American history.”

    A big part of the reason why there is so much history for Russell and the MLB The Show team to pull from is in large part thanks to the efforts of Black newspapers and Black press who worked tirelessly to document Negro Leagues history (you can learn more about them here on the official National Baseball Hall of Fame site). Without those efforts we may have never heard about these Black baseball legends.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyZ5VKj8wM8?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    If you have noticed the design of this year’s MLB The Show 24 Collector’s Edition, this is why it’s been made to pay homage to these important members of baseball’s history. This year’s theme, as Russell puts is, “is a tribute to those who helped give a voice to the voiceless.” Without these newspapers and the pioneering baseball writers, the Negro Leagues wouldn’t have survived; they preserved this often-overlooked chapter of American and baseball history.

    “The Kansas City Call, Pittsburg Currier, and Chicago Defender are just a few of the black-oriented newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s that formed a symbiotic relationship with the Negro Leagues,” Russell explains. ““They, along with what pioneering black writers like Wendell Smith and Sam Lacy documented, are so important to this story. We’re hoping our fans love the cover art, and from the response we’ve received they in fact do. For some fans the journey will end there and that’s OK. For others, they may dig a little deeper to learn a little more about the history behind the creative.”

    MLB The Show 24 Negro Leagues Edition Image

    In their continued partnership with The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MLB The Show will donate $1 for every Negro Leagues Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and MVP edition sold in the U.S. until 12/31/24 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. You can visit the official site of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum here to learn more about their important work.

    Look for MLB The Show 24 to launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and day one with Xbox Game Pass on March 19, 2024. Xbox Game Pass members can also pick up the Digital Deluxe Edition and 4 days early access by purchasing the Digital Deluxe Upgrade Add-On Bundle here on the Xbox Store.

    MLB® The Show™ 24 - MVP Edition (Pre-Order)
    Xbox Live

    MLB® The Show™ 24 – MVP Edition (Pre-Order)

    MLB

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $84.99

    Pre-order to receive a Gold Choice Pack and Early Access on March 15, 2024. This edition of MLB The Show 24 includes: • Full Game for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
    • 10,000 Stubs™
    • 1 Diamond Choice Pack
    • 1 Equipment Pack
    • 10 The Show Packs
    • 1 Double Daily Rewards
    • 1 Cover Athlete Bat Skin Unlock Your Moment It’s your Show. Ready to own it?
    Set out on the road to baseball greatness – whatever it is you want to achieve, MLB® The Show™ 24 has got you covered. Earn your call up from the minors to the big leagues and prove you’ve got what it takes at the top. Learn from the legends of the sport, take inspiration from their heroics and use it to improve your game. Hold your nerve when it matters and earn the right to be called World Series champions.
    Chalk up the wins, pick yourself up after the losses.
    Whatever happens, know you left nothing in the dugout. Celebrating History with Storylines Celebrate and learn about baseball legends throughout the sport’s history. The Storylines mode transports you into baseball’s past to relive iconic moments of baseball’s unsung and unknown heroes. Experience career-defining moments through a combination of immersive gameplay that will educate and inspire you to make history of your own. Road to the Show
    Unlock your moment and build your career in the ultimate baseball role-playing experience. Become a ballplayer and journey from the minors to the majors to define your legacy. Franchise
    Lead your team to World Series glory as a team manager in Franchise mode. Experience new features providing more in-depth and dynamic gameplay from March to October. March to October
    Take control of your favorite team, focus on the key streamlined in-season moments and see if you can get to the Playoffs and beyond. Diamond Dynasty
    Build your fantasy team of players from across all eras of baseball’s history as Diamond Dynasty returns for another season. Collect player cards, build your dream squad, and play head-to-head against other players online and offline while customizing your team’s look.* Multiplayer
    Gather your friends and face off in cross-platform play.** Climb the leaderboards and compete against others online, or experience team glory together through online co-op play. With cross-progression, continue your progress and earn and use content on other console platforms.***

    Website: LINK

  • Happy 10th Anniversary: Xbox Insider Program

    Happy 10th Anniversary: Xbox Insider Program

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    Hi there, Xbox Insiders!

    It’s official! On this day, ten years ago, we announced the launch of the “Xbox Preview Program”. We would later re-brand to the “Xbox Insider Program”, which we have all come to know and love. Our larger, more in-depth retrospective is still to come later this month, but we just wanted to take a moment to give a warm, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the program over the last decade.

    From every single Xbox Insider who has submitted feedback, joined a preview, or even just opened the app, to the nearly one hundred different employees that have left their individual, indelible mark on the program, everyone’s continued investment throughout this time has created a unique opportunity for Xbox fans around the globe to directly impact the future of Xbox.

    So, again, to everyone, our deepest gratitude for your time. Thank you so much for being a part of Xbox Insider Program. Here’s to (at least) ten more years!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2402.1001.20.0]

    Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2402.1001.20.0]

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Hey Xbox Insiders! We are releasing a new Xbox App for Windows build to Xbox Insiders who are enrolled in the PC Gaming Insiders preview! Thank you all for being Xbox Insiders. Continue read to learn about fixes and known issues. Make sure that you update the Xbox app, and Gaming Services to ensure you get all of the fixes!

    New Versions of PC Gaming prerelease products:

    Xbox App version: 2402.1001.20.0

    • Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Feb 15th 2024

    Game Bar version: 7.124.2141.0

    • Released: 5:00 p.m. PT – Feb 15th 2024

    What’s new?

    • Game Hubs – Users will notice several new sections located on the individual pages for each game that they have installed. When you select a game listed in My Library or by simply clicking on a title in the left hand navigation bar, you will notice several new items shown on the page such as new content available for the title or information about your friends who play the title.

    Xbox App Bug Fixes:

    • Fixed an issue where users were unable to receive invites for certain games
    • Fixed an issue where the copy button might be missing when viewing captured images
    • Fixed an issue where users were unable to install a few specific titles
    • Added high contrast support to Captures

    Game Bar Bug Fixes:

    • Fixed an issue where Game Bar would rarely not load after a user hit Windows key + G
    • Fixed an issue where certain social features did not work with earlier releases of Windows

    How to Get Xbox Insider Support

    Don’t forget! If you encounter any issues, you can leave feedback by navigating to the feedback option on your profile menu.

    You can also provide feedback, as well as interact with the community, on the Xbox Insiders Subreddit. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback.

    When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!

    For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information!

    Thank you to everyone who participates in the Xbox Insider Program! Your feedback helps us continue to build a great gaming experience in the Xbox app on PC. 

    Website: LINK