Schlagwort: xbox series x

WRC Generations marks a turning point in the history of the license and intends to mark this moment with a white stone. For this, KT Racing, the studio in charge of development has worked hard to offer you the ultimate Rally experience on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!

 The Last of a Generation

2022 will see WRC transition to the hybrid era. A revolution for the rally world, significantly affecting performance, changing strategies, and making drivers and teams adapt. Not only that, WRC Generations adds new mechanics, improved physics, the ability for players to share their liveries and a new game mode – the Leagues!

 Welcome to the Leagues

The Leagues Mode is the main competitive mode of WRC Generations. You will be able to play in parallel Solo Leagues and Team Leagues. The Leagues mode is divided in Seasons, split into weeks and at the end of a season, the best players will access the Hall of Fame.

In Solo Leagues, the points you’ve earned will determine your place in the standings. In Team Leagues, the points earned by all members in your team (up to 8 players) are added together to determine the team’s ranking.

The goal is for you to reach the highest ranking on the leaderboard in one of the different Leagues:

• Beginner
• Junior
• Rookie
• Professional
• Champion
• Legend

There are 3 levels per League with each level being divided into groups of players or teams, for human-sized competition:

• 30 players per group in Solo Leagues
• 8 teams per group in Team Leagues

How the Progress Works

The Leagues mode works in Seasons, each season is made of 11 weeks with Season One starting on November 28! At the beginning, a Qualification Phase takes place for one week. The goal is to rank as high as possible from the start.

From this first ranking, the progress of the leagues follows its normal process. During the remaining 10 weeks you will have to participate in Daily and Weekly Events to move up in your group ranking.

If you are familiar with how the Daily & Weekly Challenges worked in previous WRC titles you will feel a certain familiarity as they are randomly generated through the stages, cars & weather conditions available in WRC Generations.

Enter the 2022 World Rally Championship and the League’s Hall of Fame with WRC Generations now on Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S!

WRC Generations Fully Loaded Edition

Nacon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

The Fully Loaded Edition includes:
– Sébastien Loeb’s Citroën C4 WRC (2010) – The „Career Starter Pack“ with 6 extra crew members
– 2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS RGT liveries
– A pack of 36 stickers for the Livery Editor – Free access to WRC+ for 3 months* Buying this edition before August 31, 2023 grants 3 months of free access to WRC + All Live, the official streaming video platform of the FIA World Rally Championship. Visit https://www.wrcthegame.com/ for more details about this offer.

WRC Generations – The FIA WRC Official Game

Nacon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

2022 will see the WRC transition to the hybrid era. This is a revolution for the rally world, significantly affecting performance, changing strategies and making drivers and teams adapt. In terms of gameplay, new mechanics have been integrated to represent the demands of the hybrid engines. In order to win, you have to carefully manage your battery by adapting your engine mapping throughout the special stages you take part in. As community satisfaction is always a priority , you can now share customised livery and stickers with other players. The best creations will be rewarded and highlighted. For fans of competition, the new Leagues mode lets players challenge opponents with a similar level online. Finish ahead of your competitors to move up the ladder in the Legends category. WRC Generations includes more content than ever before in a rally game.
• 750 km of unique special stages in 22 countries • 49 teams from the 2022 season (Rally1 / Rally2 / Junior WRC)
• 37 legendary cars plus additional bonuses
• 165 timed special stages In order to make the representation of the championship even more realistic, a completely redesigned Rally Sweden environment has been added, with 6 brand-new special stages in the Umea region. New features: • The new hybrid vehicles
• New, even more realistic vehicle physics
• A LEAGUES mode in which you can challenge other players
• A new Rally Sweden environment with 6 brand-new special stages
• Share livery and stickers with the community
• In-game team creation and management

Hey everyone! The team at Oxide Games is hard at work on development of Ara: History Untold and we look forward to sharing more details about the game in the months ahead.

Since we announced the game back in June, we have begun gathering feedback from players to ensure we ship the best version of the game possible when it releases next year. That effort started with a small council of internal players and has since expanded to include participants invited through the Ara: History Untold Insider Program, where we recently completed our first external technical alpha.

We heard a lot of great feedback from our first group of technical alpha participants, and after digesting it, we have learned quite a bit about where the game is and where we think it needs to go from here. And as you can see in the infographic below, our first technical alpha players were very busy crafting, researching, and even snacking their way to victory.

So where is the team focusing now? Improvements to the user interface (UI) and streamlining the new user experience were high on the list of items we were already working on, but players gave us great feedback that helped focus our attention even more on those areas. Other high-priority items we are focusing improvements on include crafting and the quest system.

A great majority of the feedback we received and have addressed will be visible to those who participated in the first alpha and will help everyone in our next test and beyond begin to see how fun the game is to play.

Now it’s your turn to join us, play the game, and give us feedback! We will soon increase participation for our next alpha test to a larger pool of players through our Insider Program — we invite you to join a passionate community of turn-based grand strategy fans and provide our team with critical feedback to make the game the best it can be.

Joining the Insider Program is free and will give you access to regular updates from the development team through official forum posts, blogs, and of course the opportunity to play the game and share your feedback with us. For more information and to sign up please visit our official site and stay tuned to Ara: History Untold on Twitter for community news and updates.

So, to our current Insiders, thank you for your feedback and support. And for everyone else, we hope to see you join our Insider Program soon.

See you for the next turn!

You can fight corruption, cover it up, or just get in your car and drive this weekend during Free Play Days. Control, Serial Cleaner, and NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed for All are available this weekend for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday, November 3 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, November 6 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.  

How to Start Playing

Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and enter the Gold member area to locate 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 earned achievements during the event! Please note that discounts and percentages may vary by title and region.

Game Details

• Control
• Serial Cleaner
• NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed for All

Control

The Federal Bureau of Control has been taken over by a corruptive presence and only you, Jesse Faden, have the power to stop it! Director, it’s time to grab your service weapon and head into the Oldest House, as Control enters Xbox Free Play Days from November 3 until November 6. What’s more, enjoy 70% off if you pick up the game to keep during this time.

Get ready to explore a hidden world as you fight for control in this third-person action-adventure game from the talented team over at Remedy Entertainment.

Serial Cleaner

Slip on your flares, grab your shades, and hop in your station wagon, it’s time to work… as a mob professional cleaner. A good cleaner never gets caught, so you have to make sure you get in, clean up, and get out without leaving a trace of evidence in this stylish award winning 2D action-stealth game.

NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed for All

NHRA is back – bigger and better than ever! Immerse yourself into the teams, tracks, tuning, and strategies, then strap into the driver’s seat in your ultimate quest to become the Champion among the true Beasts of the Strip.

Pure Speed – Pure Adrenaline – Pure Fury

Don’t miss out on this exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member! 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.

The Time of Resurrection has arrived, and the infamous Skeleton Lord Captain Flameheart is about to return to the seas – as long as his loyal followers within The Reaper’s Bones are able to complete their long-awaited ritual! Elsewhere, the Pirate Lord’s allies have concocted a rival scheme in an attempt to banish Flameheart for good, placing Captain Pendragon’s life on the line to do so.

Now Sea of Thieves players must decide whether to ally themselves with Belle or the Servant of the Flame, supporting their chosen side in a battle that spans the Sea of Thieves. It will be pirates, not prophecies, that determine whether Flameheart or Pendragon stands triumphant when the dust settles, with the other consigned to exile. Either way, the future of the Sea of Thieves hangs in the balance…

Fight for the Forts

Both sides require the energy of Dark Relics to successfully compete their rituals, specifically Bewitching Dolls. These hotly contested items can be found sequestered around six Sea Forts scattered across the Sea of Thieves, and must be delivered directly to either Belle or the Servant of the Flame, depending on your allegiance. But there’s a catch…

The Bewitching Dolls draw their power from the Sea Forts that house them, and their effectiveness is greatly increased when your chosen side is in command of the Fort – something you can establish by flying their banner from its flagpole, fighting your way through Phantoms to get there if necessary.

Handing in a Doll at a time when all six Sea Forts are under your side’s control is the most efficient way of assisting in the ritual, while leaving Forts unclaimed will diminish the relic’s effectiveness. Beacons above each Fort will indicate which side, if any, currently holds them.

Forts actively held by the enemy will limit the Dolls’ power, so crews will need to think carefully about their actions – is It better to attack and claim another Fort, defend those you already control or make a dash to hand in your Bewitching Dolls? The choice is yours.

All Dolled Up

Crews will need to undertake the Adventure to receive a fresh flag from their chosen side and claim a Sea Fort, but existing flags can be taken down by any passing pirate, allowing crews to sabotage their opponents’ efforts at any time while the Adventure is live.

Similarly, players can scour the Sea Forts for Bewitching Dolls (or seek to steal them from other unwary players) at any time, whether or not they’re actively pursuing the Adventure, so there’s plenty of space for sailing skulduggery and tricky tactics. And keep an eye out for Soulflame Captains within the Forts: should you find and defeat one, its remains can be used to enchant a Bewitching Doll, greatly increasing its worth to Belle or the Servant of the Flame.

However you decide to approach this fateful fight, everyone will have an opportunity to sway the final outcome. For a primer on the forces at play and the circumstances that led to this tipping point, be sure to read our latest Adventures Ahead article. ‘Return of the Damned’ is now underway, and following its conclusion, the results of this cliffhanger community choice will be revealed in a special livestream event! The Adventure itself concludes on November 17.

Find Out More

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

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

Sea of Thieves

Microsoft Studios

☆☆☆☆☆1128

★★★★★

$39.99 $31.99

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Live Gold membership required to play on Xbox One; sold separately. ========= About the game
Sea of Thieves offers the essential pirate experience, from sailing and fighting to exploring and looting – everything you need to live the pirate life and become a legend in your own right. With no set roles, you have complete freedom to approach the world, and other players, however you choose. Whether you’re voyaging as a group or sailing solo, you’re bound to encounter other crews in this shared world adventure – but will they be friends or foes, and how will you respond? A vast open world
Explore a vast open world filled with unspoiled islands, sunken ships and mysterious artefacts. Take on quests to hunt for lost treasure, seek out cursed Skeleton Captains or gather valuable cargo for the Trading Companies. Go hunting and fishing or choose from hundreds of optional goals and side-quests. Unforgettable stories
Play through the Tall Tales to experience Sea of Thieves’ unique take on a story-driven campaign. With 11 tales to play through across two epic storylines, these immersive and cinematic quests provide around 30 hours of the ultimate pirate fantasy. Become Legend On your journey to become a Pirate Legend you’ll amass loot, build a reputation and define a unique personal style with your hard-earned rewards. Adventurer. Explorer. Conqueror. What will your legend be? A game that’s always growing
With five major expansions and almost a year’s worth of monthly updates, Sea of Thieves is a service-based game that is continually growing and evolving. Check back each month to see what new content has been added.

Black Panther is one of the most culturally impactful heroes of our generation, representing technological innovation, courageous leadership, and Black excellence — all values that resonate deeply within the Xbox community. To celebrate the November 11 theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Xbox aims to inspire a new generation of heroes to innovate, build, and create a space for themselves in the Gaming and STEM industries.

Xbox is offering interactive experiences inspired by the new film, while amplifying diverse voices in the fields of technology and gaming. In the spirit of Xbox’s brand platform, Power Your Dreams, we are kicking off with a drone presentation high in the night sky narrated by Letitia Wright who plays fan-favorite Shuri — Princess of Wakanda and lead scientist of the Wakandan Design Group — reminding us that we each have the potential to power our dreams. The program will point participants to the official “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”-themed Xbox microsite at xbox.com/wakanda-forever, where consumers can explore more information on the film and exclusive Xbox promotions.

“Collaborating with Xbox is an opportunity to show women the power of growing within our respective crafts, whether you’re a designer, a gamer, or an actor,” said Letitia Wright, lead actor. “In many ways, my character Shuri and I have grown together. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” allowed me to expand as an actor while, Shuri grew into her role as Princess of Wakanda and lead scientist of the Wakandan Design Group. Shuri, along with all Wakandans, will have to endure change and embrace the next chapter in Wakanda.”

The site will feature limited-time only giveaways including film-themed custom Xbox console kits inspired by the iconic “Wakanda Forever” salute and the Black Panther hero suit, custom controller holders, bundled with replica Kimoyo beads and custom sterling charms. Budding innovators will also be able to participate in a brand new MakeCode curriculum inspired by the film, where users can learn how to write code for their own playable “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”-themed activity. These hardware and software exclusives will also be made available to fans and students globally and through Microsoft’s NTA programs that work with 1900+ Black social enterprises and non-profits.

Xbox has brought an all-star roster to their “Wakanda Forever” activations to celebrate the film’s release, including:

• “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” lead actress Letitia Wright, who plays fan-favorite character Shuri — Princess of Wakanda and lead scientist of the Wakandan Design Group — will offer inspiration and encouragement in a series of videos
• On November 7, Professor Jacoby DuBose will deliver the very first Wakanda-inspired HBCU Lecture from Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, where he will expand on the MakeCode curriculum and take part in a panel of Black gaming and STEM innovators with the entire lecture streamed live on the University’s social channels
• Project Amplify, tapping into Black professionals within Xbox and the gaming industry to share their personal origin stories, advice, and teachings for inspiring a more equitable STEM space

Xbox has teamed up with five Creators to buy out theaters across America and host free local screenings of the film beginning November 11. The local screenings will have reserved seats for youth from underserved communities; by bringing this film to the next generation of young heroes, Xbox aims to create more equitable access for diverse students and to empower them, just as “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will inspire them, on-screen. Attendees will also have the chance to experience an introduction to the MakeCode platform and win Xbox’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”-inspired consoles and accessories.

Together, these activations and digital experiences are designed to empower underrepresented groups to realize the promise of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” by pursuing opportunities in game creation, mathematics, science, engineering, and more.

About Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, opens in U.S. theaters November 11, 2022.

It’s almost time for Xbox FanFest Trivia! We’re gearing up for your next chance at great prizes and, most importantly, a great time! Hosted by Xbox’s Kelly Lombardi and Malik Prince, Xbox FanFest Trivia will be a fun community challenge that will put your Xbox knowledge to the test.

Xbox FanFest Trivia will kick off on twitch.tv/xbox on November 12, 2022, at 2pm PT. This 90-minute global livestream event will be available for anyone to watch and Xbox FanFest fans who sign up to play by November 8 will be eligible to play and win prizes. You can learn more and sign up at xbox.com/fanfest (see official rules).

Participants will have the chance to win an Xbox Series S, 12-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft Rewards points, Xbox Gear Shop gift cards, and more! Whether you want to play along, or just want to tune-in and watch, we hope to see you there!

Why should I sign up as an Xbox FanFest fan?

Xbox FanFest gets you special access to things like our FanFest email list that will make you one the first to hear about upcoming FanFest exclusives like select Xbox events, experiences, and merch drops. Being a fan also means exclusive access to curated digital and in-person experiences, and sweepstakes created just for FanFest! And did we mention a one-time use 20% off discount code to the Xbox Gear Shop? Yeah, there’s that too. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Stay tuned to Xbox Wire and follow @Xbox social channels for all the latest on Xbox FanFest!

Hey all – I’m Jemima, I’m a writer here at Roll7, and I’ve been asked to share some details about the process of creating our latest OlliOlli World expansion – Finding the Flowzone. So, here’s a brief lowdown on how we developed the setting and characters – and how the city of Radlantis went from an underwater metropolis to a skateboarding paradise in the skies!

Let’s begin at the beginning; when we started working on the second OlliOlli World expansion, the first thing we knew was that it was going to be set underwater. You may notice – based on the prevalence of clouds on the logo, and the flying ship in the cover art – that this did not end up happening! But when we started out, we were working on the concept of an underwater adventure.

The idea of a deep-ocean skate paradise instantly made us think of Atlantis, the mythical city supposedly lost beneath the waves in ancient times. So, in between researching currents, tides, and various sea creatures (we developed a particular fondness for Nudibranchs, also known as Sea Slugs), we did a deep-dive into the lore of Atlantis. I ended up reading a bunch of Plato as a result, since he was the first person to write about the myth of Atlantis – I have to say, when I started writing for an all-ages skating game, I wasn’t anticipating the need to study Ancient Greek philosophy! I’m not complaining, as it was pretty interesting stuff (and possibly the first time that my history degree has ever actually come in handy in my daily life). Anyhow, the Ancient Greek influence is part of what drew us to the idea of a skating competition – the idea was that this adventure would end with a kind of skate Olympics held deep underwater by the people of Radlantis.

With this in mind, we created the Radlantis Three – the skate crew who join the player in the search for Radlantis. Lizz (Lead Narrative Designer, Writer, probably the coolest person ever) worked on Squid and Christopher Licht, and I worked on creating Professor Planks. We liked the idea of a rag-tag team who don’t necessarily always get along but are bound together by a common goal. They’re all explorers in a way, but they bring different things to the table – Squid is a seasoned sea captain, Licht is an astrologer and a mystic, and Planks is doing research for her university… or maybe just avoiding her students! We wanted this new trio to feel different to the companions you have in the base game, so they have a slightly more argumentative energy to them. It’s still very lighthearted and fun, but it’s a bit of a change from the ‘old friends’ dynamic of the original crew.

So, there we were, merrily researching away and planning to create an underwater cityscape, filled with cheery sea creatures and cool new skateboarding buddies – and then, it all changed…

Partway through development, we decided that we needed to change direction, and move the setting to a city in the clouds. Why? Well, it turns out that from a gameplay perspective, skating underwater just isn’t as fun as skating through the sky, propelled by the mighty Windzones toward bigger air, cooler tricks, and higher scores. Also, it worked a lot better from an art style and a map space perspective to take things up into the atmosphere. So, a change of direction was called for – but all was not lost! We loved the idea of a flying ship – the characters we’d been workshopping seemed even cooler up above the clouds. Putting Radlantis up above Radlandia rather than below the sea worked, and we could also keep the skate competition angle.

What we did need was a new Skate god to meet at the end of the expansion – somebody who reflected the new sky-based setting. And so Lizz created Gail Force – a god who controls the wind and skies above Radlandia. Gail Force is super fun, very vibrant and she definitely lives up to her name! She’s a force of nature. We also decided to include B.B. Hopper and some of the main-game Skate Godz in the expansion – with so many fun new characters to meet, it felt important to also include some familiar faces. While this is a separate story to the main plot of OlliOlli World, it’s nice for players to still feel the sense that they’re exploring a cohesive setting that ties into the world.

Once all that worldbuilding and character creation was out of the way, it was just a matter of writing up some suitably silly dialogue and putting it into the game. This actually took ages! We worked very hard on it, but it mostly involved staring at blank pages and cursing at the sky, so it’s not super interesting to read about. We also did a bunch of work with the art team to help bring the environments, characters, and animations to life, and once all that was done we sent it off to be translated so fans all around the world can enjoy the game. And now – many many months later – all of you have the chance to explore the Flowzone, find Radlantis, and maybe even win a trophy in a contest thrown by the Skate Godz themselves…

We hope you enjoy playing this expansion as much as we enjoyed writing it. Bon voyage, good luck, and happy skating!

Hi, I’m Catalin Marcu from GrimTalin, one of the two developers of Last Days of Lazarus – a dark post-communist adventure that tells a disturbing story about family, loss and sin. George, our game director from Darkania Works, and myself are extremely excited that our game is finally releasing on Xbox Series X.

While I joined the development of the game about a year into its making, I have instantly resonated with its setting into not only our country, Romania, but also in a difficult period for us: the post-communist transition period. I feel we have achieved our goal of highlighting, through a supernatural distorted lens, what our life was during those difficult years, as we ourselves were growing from kids to teenagers.

I was four and half when communism in Romania fell. While there wasn’t much unrest in the small town I grew up in, the big cities and our capital, Bucharest, were in a full Revolution. I remember one of those nights, as my dad was leaving for his night shift at the factory, he told me and my older brother: “Stay inside and behave. They’re shooting in Bucharest.” I don’t know how much I understood at that early age the gravity of what was happening, but my dad’s worried face conveyed it was something important and those words stayed with me.

What followed was the period of transition. A sacrificial generation as they called it. Our parents were supposed to sacrifice themselves to poverty and continuous struggles so that my generation would have a real chance at democratic life. Quite inspiring! What that really meant was the right people with the right connections got a free pass at looting almost everything from the country. It meant corruption ran rampant. It meant a generation that was still blocked and kept into the old way of thinking and surviving.

Communism didn’t disappear from our country overnight. Neither did all the cultural and commercial Russian influences. We still imported a lot of stuff from all the countries in the old communist bloc. That is the main reason there are so many items in our game that look like they’re from Russia. That’s why there are texts in Russian here and there. Some people might mistakenly think the game is set in Russia or that we placed those items in the game in error. In fact, that’s what our lives in Romania looked like back then.

During communism, one of the ways people coped was through religion and that remained a defining feature for us into the transition period. Our Orthodox Christianity has always been blended with many traditions, many of them of pagan nature. We are religious while also believing in ghosts, curses, disenchantments, fortune tellers and so on. For people on whom life has been particularly hard, it was common to become obsessed with religion and the belief in our superstitions. We wanted our game to illustrate as best we could this distorted view of Christianity.

Our country has always been praised for its beautiful scenery. This is also something we worked hard to bring in our game, with some eerily beautiful locations inspired by our real places and architecture, like the monasteries and the Bran orphanage, blended into lush forests.

I personally am super happy to have been given the chance to work on a game that highlights our country, its traditions and its difficult past. It’s a rare setting in games and I hope you will take the chance to explore it and take in all the details. And, of course, help our titular Lazarus find out the truth about his family’s troubled past and the fate of all of its members. Last Days of Lazarus is out now on Xbox Series X|S!

Last Days of Lazarus

GrimTalin

☆☆☆☆☆ 4

★★★★★

Set in a post-soviet Eastern Europe, Last Days of Lazarus tells the story of a troubled man, long estranged, returning to his childhood home after his mother’s death to spend some time with his sister Lyudmila. But as the country around him seems to fall apart, so does reality itself, with a series of unexplainable events leading him on a quest to find out more about his family’s disturbing past. Last Days of Lazarus is a first-person adventure game with a strong narrative, rich visuals and supernatural elements, heavily inspired by post-communist Romania, its troubled history, eerie locations, religious beliefs and strange superstitions. As the story unravels, you’ll meet questionable characters whose corrupted version of the truth you’ll need to navigate. With a troubled past yourself, you’ll struggle not only with solving the mysteries laid upon you but also with keeping alive any sliver of hope for salvation.

If you are a fan of puzzle-solving games, wholesome games, or even life simulation games, then Lonesome Village is the best pick for you! This big adventure is full of secrets, quests, and cuteness, so why don’t you check the following points to make sure you are fully ready to enter the Village and have an amazing time?!

The Protagonist is a Coyote, Not a Fox!

Foxes are quite popular nowadays, especially in video games. Fun fact: The protagonist of our game, Wes, was originally a red fox, but after our company director, Steve Durán, saw an episode of The Simpsons featuring the “Cosmic Coyote” he decided to make the hero of the story change species.

Coyotes are not often portrayed nicely in the media, being usually tricky, shady, and sometimes violent. But Wes? Our coyote is sweet, compassionate, shy, and overall adorable!

He loves going out to explore, helping people, making friends, and solving mysteries. He is a true four-legged hero!

It’s Basically Two Games in One.

Picture this: you’re playing a game that you really like, but after a while, it starts to get repetitive, and you want to play something different. Well, you won’t be having that problem with Lonesome Village at all!

Your head is hurting after solving puzzle after puzzle in the tower? Then go explore the village and do some quests with the villagers! Feeling creative? Go decorate your house, your garden and change your style. Go look for secrets or collectibles, you will always have something to do in Lonesome Village, even when you finish the main story of the game!

There is a Cult?

So, you are intrigued, I see! Not everything is what it seems in the Village of Lonesome. Sure, it may look cute and wholesome on the outside, and it is 80% of the time, but a cult once wandered in the streets of the village, with a creepy goal that very few know of… Are you prepared to figure it out?

There is a Lot of Content.

Two years ago we started a campaign on Kickstarter where in less than 24 hours we reached our first goal, quadrupling our goal by the end of the campaign. For every new goal, we added more and more content to the game, like animated cutscenes, more characters, side quests, and mechanics. During development, we had even more ideas, and now the game has gone from being six hours long to around ten hours long!

More Than 70 Characters to Meet!

The more friends, the merrier! In Lonesome Village, you will find dozens of characters, each with unique designs and personalities! You will have a hard time picking up your favorite because everyone is so charming and special!

They can’t wait to meet you, so get Lonesome Village now and get ready for some fun and cozy afternoons!

Lonesome Village

Ogre Pixel

☆☆☆☆☆ 3

★★★★★

The puzzle-solving fantasy adventure with social simulation. Lonesome Village is a cozy, quiet town struggling to rebuild after a strange calamity wiped out their homes. Take the role of Wes the coyote and help bring this village back from the brink of destruction in a puzzle-filled life sim!

As revealed today on the show floor at Paris Games Week 2022, we’re excited to confirm the imminent arrival of Dune: Spice Wars with PC Game Pass from French publisher Shiro Games (creators of the acclaimed Evoland and Northgard) and co-publisher Funcom. Dune: Spice Wars is a must-have 4X strategy game for anyone who loves the Dune universe.

Since its world premiere announcment during The Game Awards last December, Dune: Spice Wars entered early access on April 26 allowing Shiro Games to refine their ambitious strategy game with the aim for a full release in 2023. Now with its arrival soon with PC Game Pass, Dune: Spice Wars will be able to count on more gamers to help continue this journey.

Set in the universe of Dune created by Frank Herbert, Dune: Spice Wars is a 4X real-time strategy game that allows you to choose your faction and to launch yourself into a war for the control of spice on the planet Arrakis. Whether you select House Atreides, House Harkonnen, House Corrino, Smugglers or Fremen, you will have access to specific bonuses that will dictate the best way to approach the game.

You will then have to recruit agents, build your first defenses, and start exploiting the territory around you before launching more dangerous expeditions in areas beyond your control. Dune: Spice Wars also requires politics and good relations with the Imperium – it’s up to you to decide how to interact with the cities of Arrakis, whether by diplomacy or by force, and above all to pay your taxes on spice… otherwise your place in the Landsraad could be jeopardized.

We’ll have more to share about Dune: Spice Wars soon, so keep it locked here to Xbox Wire.

There is a new and impending threat to the galaxy — the Terran Emperor has arrived and you must marshal your forces to try and stop imminent disaster on a galactic scale in Star Trek Online: Ascension. 

Star Trek Online: Ascension continues the story of the Mirror Universe’s incursion with the new episode, “Eye of the Storm” and a new Task Force Operation, as you seek out a way to defeat the Terran Emperor’s reign of terror.

Set after the events of “The Calling,” Captain Killy and her Terran forces were allowed to summon The Other and things have escalated in the Mirror Universe. The Terran Emperor has revealed himself to be the Mirror Universe version of Wesley Crusher from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” The Terran Emperor has merged with The Other, the Mirror Universe’s counterpart to V’ger, an entity driven by rage and a thirst for revenge on its creators. Now, it’s your job to assemble a fleet to fight Emperor Crusher before it’s too late.

New Episode – Eye of the Storm

Players need to assemble a fleet to stop Emperor Wesley Crusher from gaining control of the powerful entity known as The Other. Captains must team up with former enemy-turned-ally, Admiral Leeta, to put an end to the Terran Empire’s plans that threaten the Mirror Universe and our own.

New Task Force Operation

The newest update introduces “Storm Chasers,” an exciting new space Task Force Operation that sends Captains to the Prime Universe. Players will gather in groups of five and travel inside The Other itself, where they will embark on a mission to disrupt the Terran Emperor’s connection to The Other.

Elite Officer Upgrade System

This brand new game feature gives Bridge Officers their own ground trait, a kit frame slot, and more.

Now is the perfect time to take up your seat in the Captain’s chair, and explore this new exciting story in Ascension!

Star Trek Online

Gearbox Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆ 330

★★★★★

Star Trek Online puts you in the captain’s chair of your own adventure in the Star Trek universe. You’ll be able to lead your ship and crew on adventures in space and on the ground in this ever expanding, completely Free-to-Play online universe. Key Features: 100% Free to Play: Free to download, free to play, no hidden pay walls, and all of our content updates are totally free. Intrigue in the Final Frontier: We have a rich story line that unfolds over 125 episodes that feature friends and foes from every part of the Star Trek universe. Celebrity Involvement: Star Trek Online features over 15 actors spanning every series of Star Trek. You’ll have the opportunity to party up with Worf, Seven of Nine, Tuvok, Harry Kim, and many many more. Choose your Faction: Explore with the Federation, Fight for Honor with the Klingon Empire, or rebuild your species with the Romulan Republic, the choice is up to you!

If you have ever wanted to solve a mystery in Bavaria centuries ago, mix it up with some aliens, or manage some football clubs – you have some really eclectic hobbies, and we have some games for you. With plenty of games available today, games coming soon, and updates to some of the games you might have already downloaded, we’ve got lots to cover. Let’s jump in!

Available Today

The Legend of Tianding (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Available on day one with Game Pass: It is the early 20th century, and Taiwan is under the control of Imperial Japan. Play as the legendary outlaw and folk hero Liao Tianding, as you kung-fu fight your way through the colorful streets of Taipei in this sidescrolling beat-em-up.

The Walking Dead: A New Frontier – The Complete Season (PC)
As Javier, a young man determined to find the family taken from him, you meet a young girl who has experienced her own unimaginable loss. Her name is Clementine, and your fates are bound together in a story where every choice you make could be your last.

The Walking Dead: Michonne – The Complete Season (PC)
The Walking Dead: Michonne – A Telltale Miniseries stars the iconic, blade-wielding character from Robert Kirkman’s best-selling comic books. Haunted by her past, and coping with unimaginable loss and regret, the story explores Michonne’s absence between issues #126 and #139 of the comic book.

Coming Soon

Ghost Song (Cloud, Console, and PC) – November 3
Available on day one with Game Pass: On the desolate moon of Lorian, a long-dormant Deadsuit awakens from slumber. Journey beneath the surface on an atmospheric 2D adventure of self-discovery, ancient mysteries, and cosmic terror. Explore winding caverns and acquire new abilities to unearth this alien world’s long-buried secrets.

Football Manager 2023 (PC) – November 8
Available on day one with PC Game Pass: Football Manager 2023 brings you closer to the beautiful game, from the supporters that live and breathe every match to your board, scouts, players and opposition managers. Earn the backing of the fans by outsmarting your rivals and delivering success on the pitch.

Football Manager 2023 Console (Cloud, Console, and PC) – November 8
Available on day one with Game Pass: Become the best in Football Manager 2023 Console, newly renamed for this season. Formerly titled the Xbox edition, this tailored version of Football Manager zones in on football’s most important areas – the transfer market, the tactics board, and the pitch. 

Return to Monkey Island (Cloud, Console, and PC) – November 8
Return to Monkey Island is an unexpected, thrilling return of series creator Ron Gilbert that continues the story of the legendary adventure games The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.

Vampire Survivors (Console) – November 10
Vampire Survivors is coming soon to Xbox consoles and you can play the full release today with PC Game Pass! Jump straight into the action, mow down thousands of night creatures, and survive until dawn! The gothic-horror world of Vampire Survivors will throw relentless hordes of monsters at you: make the right choices, or rely on your skills and favorite weapons to turn the tide and quickly snowball against your enemies.

Pentiment (Cloud, Console, and PC) – November 15
Available on day one with Game Pass: From Obsidian and Xbox Game Studios, step into a living illustrated world inspired by illuminated manuscripts and printed woodcuts in a time when Europe is at a crossroads of great religious and political change. Walk in the footsteps of Andreas Maler, a master artist who finds himself in the middle of murders, scandals, and intrigue in the Bavarian Alps. Choose your backgrounds, impact a changing world, and see the consequences of your decisions in this narrative adventure.

Somerville (Console and PC) – November 15
Available on day one with Game Pass: In the wake of an otherworldly invasion that’s left the world in catastrophe, you must find the means to make your family whole again. Explore a rich and atmospheric world, along with the intimate repercussions of large scale conflict, in a hand-crafted sci-fi narrative experience set across a perilous rural landscape. 

DLC / Game Updates

Sniper Elite 5: Up Close & Personal Pack and Free Map – Available now
Game Pass members can save 10% off the Sniper Elite 5 Up Close & Personal weapon and skin pack! Plus, check out the free multiplayer map – Kraken’s Lair! Prepare for close confrontation with a new character look and bolstered artillery of heavy fire weapons.

Sea of Thieves: Return of the Damned – November 3 to November 17
The Sea of Thieves faces a tipping point: a ritual that will either banish Captain Flameheart’s spirit or restore him to the world! Take sides and strive to turn entire Sea Forts to your cause in ‘Return of the Damned’, Sea of Thieves’ ninth time-limited Adventure running from November 3-17. 

Halo Infinite: Winter Update – November 8
The Winter Update offers players fresh multiplayer content like two new arena maps, two themed events, a new mode, and a free 30-tier Battle Pass. The update also brings a variety of quality-of-life improvements such as Match XP; a faster way of progressing your Battle Passes.  

Microsoft Flight Simulator 40^th Anniversary Edition – November 11
From light planes and wide body jets to gliders and helicopters, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40^th Anniversary Edition, available to Game Pass members at no additional cost. Test your piloting skills against the challenges of real-time atmospheric simulation and live weather in a dynamic and living world. The sky is calling!

Leaving Soon

The following games will be leaving the Game Pass library soon, so there’s no better time than now to cross these off your play list. With the arrival of Football Manager 2023 on its way, Football Manager 2022 will be leaving the Game Pass library and delisted from the Xbox Store. Don’t forget to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on the remaining games you wish to keep in your library!

Leaving November 8

• Football Manager 2022 (PC)
• Football Manager 2022 Xbox Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Leaving November 15

• Art of Rally (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Fae Tactics (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Next Space Rebel (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• One Step from Eden (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Supraland (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Grab your phone, download the Xbox Game Pass app, and make sure you’ve pre-installed the games coming soon you just added to your backlog! My pro-tip to you, for those times you want to be productive, but you don’t want to leave the couch. You’re welcome! We’ll see you back here for some more coming soon announcements with Xbox Game Pass. Cheers!

Hello again, I’m Gareth Damian Martin, the (mostly) solo developer behind the indie Game Pass hit Citizen Sleeper. Back in July I was here on Xbox Wire to speak about Flux, our first episodic update for the game, and I’m back today for Refuge, the second episode in our three-episode run of free DLC!

Refuge picks up where Flux left off, deep within a refugee crisis that threatens the space station Erlin’s Eye. But at the start of this update a shocking event shifts the balance of power on the Eye, and forces players, and the characters they have allied with, to consider their future on the station.

While Flux was a race against time filled with hard choices and high pressure actions, Refuge is a slower, more explorative episode. In it, you gain access to the refugee flotilla and meet characters from the moons of a gas giant named Ember, located elsewhere in the Helion solar system. This means Refuge is an opportunity for me to tell you more about the wider universe of Citizen Sleeper, and engage in that classic RPG activity of world-building.

And yet, like everything with Citizen Sleeper, I like to do things a little differently. While I’ve been known to happily spend many hours reading codex and lore entries for the likes of Mass Effect and Destiny 2, as a developer I often prefer to let my characters drive my worldbuilding. In Refuge that means you’ll come to understand the wider context of the Helion system through the refugees you meet and the ships they travel on.

Like many aspects of Citizen Sleeper, (from its dice to its focus on player choice) this approach is inspired by TTRPGs (or tabletop roleplaying games for the uninitiated). A good Game Master will never simply dump a ton of lore on a player in your typical campaign or session, so instead they must use the primary tool at their disposal, characters and environmental description, to tell the player about the world.

In Refuge this translates to me bringing the Helion system to the Eye through the voices and personalities of three characters, the reluctant leader Sol, the steely engineer Petr and the mysterious Aki. I really hope you’ll enjoy meeting these three and finding out more about them and the places they came from in this episode. I’ve worked hard to make them compelling windows into their worlds as well as distinct personalities, and as always our artist, Guillaume Singelin, has skillfully sketched them into existence.

And this is just the beginning, as Citizen Sleeper is a game set in a world that I am still building, each and every day. Refuge is the next step in the story, but in early 2023 you can look forward to the final episode in this sequence, one that will have far-reaching consequences for the entire solar system and all who live within it.

And after that? Well, that would be giving a little too much away. A good GM knows how to keep secrets after all. But let’s just say that the world of Citizen Sleeper will continue to grow as long as I have characters to talk about it, new places to send you to and, of course, players like you to explore it all.

I hope you enjoy the newest episode, and if you do then head to twitter and let [email protected] or the game account @CitizenSleeper know what you think. I’ll see you again for the grand finale in 2023, but until then, good luck in Refuge and thank you to everyone for supporting and playing Citizen Sleeper this year!

Citizen Sleeper

Fellow Traveller

☆☆☆☆☆177

★★★★★

$19.99 $15.99

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

ROLEPLAYING IN THE RUINS OF INTERPLANETARY CAPITALISM From the developer of In Other Waters, and featuring the stunning character art of Guillaume Singelin, Citizen Sleeper is a narrative RPG set on Erlin’s Eye, a ruined space station that is home to thousands of people trying to survive on the edges of an interstellar capitalist society. You are a sleeper, a digitised human consciousness in an artificial body, owned by a corporation that wants you back. Thrust amongst the unfamiliar and colourful inhabitants of the Eye, you need to build friendships, earn your keep, and navigate the factions of this strange metropolis, if you hope to survive to see the next cycle. LIFE ON ERLIN’S EYE
An abandoned station on the edge of a system in crisis. Now it is held together by anarchic alliances, ramshackle factions and a shared desire to be free from corporate control. DO THE WORK. GET PAID. SURVIVE.
Each cycle you choose what to do with your time. Make or break alliances, uncover truths and escape your hunters. Survive and ultimately thrive, one cycle at a time. TURN UP FOR FRIENDS
The Eye plays host to characters from all walks of life. Salvagers, engineers, hackers and more – each has a history. You choose who to help, and together shape your future. ACCESS THEIR SECRETS
Hack the station’s cloud to access data, new areas and secrets. This is your power, and it can change your future. Corporate secrets, rogue AIs and troves of lost data await. YOU WERE MADE TO DIE
Essen-Arp: to them you are just another asset in their almost infinite portfolio. Escape your decaying body’s makers, and chart your own path in a richly imagined sci-fi world. INSPIRED BY TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES
Citizen Sleeper uses dice, clocks and drives to create a player-led experience, where you choose your path in a rich and responsive world. CITIZEN SLEEPER EPISODES
This free post-launch episodic content introduces new characters and locations in an expanded storyline. True to Citizen Sleeper’s TTRPG roots, these three episodes will offer an expansive campaign module that tells the longest and most complex story to be featured in the game to date. In the first episode, FLUX, the first ships from a refugee flotilla arrive at Erlin’s Eye in response to pressures in the Helion system. Now, in REFUGE, a strange event sends ripples through the communities of the Eye. You will enter the flotilla to try to understand this new threat, and help the refugees stabilise their community. The story of the flotilla, the FLUX event and your Sleeper will conclude in the third episode, arriving early 2023.

Here are this week’s games and add-on deals available from the Microsoft Games Store. Discounts are valid now through November 07, 2022 (actual end date varies by sale).

Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Deals

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.

Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region. Content Type varies by title and some titles may have multiple types not listed. Check the title’s individual product page for specific details about the game.

Xbox 360 Deals

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.

Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region. Content Type varies by title and some titles may have multiple types not listed. Check the title’s individual product page for specific details about the game.

We’ve been pretty busy here at DC Universe Online, kicking off fall with our new Homecoming seasonal and shifting into spooky season with our Witching Hour seasonal. Most importantly, we’ve been gearing up for our next episode: The Sins of Black Adam.

Read on to learn more about this episode’s story and how our artists create the assets in DC Universe Online, bringing them to life from concept art.

New Episode: The Sins of Black Adam

A love that’s lasted an eternity. A deal gone wrong. A daring escape from the Underworld. All that and more await you in The Sins of Black Adam.

Black Adam’s quest to rescue his lost love from the Underworld results in deadly consequences. You’ll join an unlikely alliance between the Shazam family and Black Adam to reclaim Kahndaq and the soul of his beloved. 

Along the way, you’ll run into fearsome foes like Black Alice, Felix Faust, and the ruler of the Underworld himself: Neron.

A Throne of Lies

Every ruler, good or bad, needs a throne that reflects their power. Neron’s throne is no exception! We chatted with Blake Henrikson, DCUO’s Senior Concept Artist, to learn more about his inspiration for the sinister seat.

Like many forms of art, concept art for DCUO begins with rough sketches. “Rough” refers to the level of detail and polish of the sketches. 

Blake “drew a lot of inspiration from the typical visual elements that you’d expect to see from the underworld like skulls, horns, and chains” but was also inspired by the contrast between Neron’s elegance and the fearsome aspects of the Underworld.

“I wanted Neron’s throne to be a bit of a jolting contrast to his design,” said Blake, “and hint at all those sinister elements that are below the surface.”

Devil’s in the 3Details

Once the team gives their feedback on the roughs, Blake incorporates that feedback into the final design for the piece.

“At this point in the design process, I have the choice to work purely in 2D or to explore in 3D and use that as a base before painting over it to create the final 2D image,” notes Blake.

Though he got his start in 2D illustration, Blake is a big fan of using 3D in his design process. “I feel that it can really help to understand how a design translates into a 3D space. This is especially helpful when you’re working on complex structures like Neron’s throne.”

From Concept to Environment

The final step in the concept artist journey? Handing off the concept to an environment artist so they can build it as a 3D prop in the game!

“Our Environment Artist Walter Diaz did an amazing job bringing the concept to life,” notes Blake. “I’m excited for everyone to see it and get a look at all the beautiful work he put into it!”

We might be biased, but we agree with Blake. Here’s what the throne looks like in-game:

Want to take a closer look and see all the incredible details our artists packed into Neron’s throne? Don’t miss The Sins of Black Adam, the latest episode now available in DC Universe Online for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Download and play DC Universe Online today. It’s a great time to get into or back into the game because all episodes are free-to-access. Create your hero or villain and become a new legend in the DC universe! For additional content details and guides, please visit us at DCUniverseOnline.com.

DC Universe Online

Daybreak Game Company, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆ 782

★★★★★

DC Universe™ Online is now on Xbox One! Join thousands of other players in this Free-to-Play, massive online action game set in the popular DC Comics universe. Choose your side – Hero or Villain – and create your character to experience true action combat, as you fight alongside and against legendary characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Lex Luthor, and Circe. Jump in and explore the DC Universe; walk the darkened streets of Gotham City, investigate the mysteries of the futuristic cityscape of Metropolis, and travel to legendary locations such as Arkham Asylum and the Watchtower. The Xbox One version of DC Universe Online includes the following: – Xbox One Exclusive items: Powered-Up Character Emblem + Powered-Up Cape + Vapor Aura! Become a part of our thriving community at DCUniverseOnline.com! Please note the download is around 35GB and could take several hours, but it’s worth the wait! Bandwidth requirements may exceed 192 Kb.

Paris needs a hero… or two! Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx, inspired by the beloved animated television series, “ZAG Heroez Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir”, lets you play as the titular heroes Ladybug and Cat Noir. As the game opens you must stop Pigeon Man from causing chaos in the streets of Paris. Dodge the attacking pigeons and counter his attacks to take him down as you uncover a new sinister plot in the Miraculous universe.

Hawk Moth and his devious cronies have hatched a plan to unleash a giant sentimonster on Paris, and you must squash it before it’s too late. Dive into the magical world of Miraculous and face off against infamous and never-before-seen foes from the series. Power up your heroes across your journey, and upgrade Ladybug’s yo-yo and Cat Noir’s staff to unleash powerful attacks on waves of evilized-cronies. As you master the abilities of both characters, try your might at defeating the ultimate evil: The Sphinx!

What would this game be without an iconic villain? The Sphinx has revealed himself to you as your ultimate challenge, but there are plenty of obstacles keeping you from thwarting his master plan. You will have to conquer Clonika, Gamer, Weredad, and many more before your ultimate showdown.

Swing or vault into action across the rooftops of Paris. Combat and platform your way through six iconic chapters. Explore the streets of Paris as the alter egos of Ladybug and Cat Noir: Marinette and Adrien. Catch up with your friends for unique story moments and check out the iconic landscapes including the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, local markets, coffee shops, and of course the infamous College Francoise Dupont.

Playing solo not your thing? Then team up with a friend, brother, sister, or parent and each take on the persona of one the iconic heroes. Enjoy this immersive world together and experience the joy of the series as you leap your way across Paris, and with some luck defeat the ultimate evil, The Sphinx.

To learn more about Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx, visit Miraculousgame.com.

Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx Ultimate Edition

GameMill Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆5

★★★★★

Be Strong…Be Brave…Be Miraculous! Paris needs a hero! Once again, the city of lights is in trouble as it faces a new menace—the most threatening sentimonster ever created is about to take control! As you take on the personas of the globally renowned superheroez Ladybug and Cat Noir, you’ll need to unveil the diabolical plan hatched by archvillain Hawk Moth—and squash it! Immerse yourself into the magical world of Miraculous and level up your superpowers as you embark on your biggest journey yet! Transform with the Ultimate Edition featuring the base game of Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx and 3 exclusive costumes! De-evilize the streets of Paris in style with 2 exclusive Ladybug and 1 Cat Noir costume. Key Game Features: • Epic Adventure! Immerse yourself in an original story as you take control of everyone’s favorite heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir. • Team Up! Experience the thrill of teamwork as you battle villains and de-evilize akumas together in local co-op. • More Villains! Come face to face with familiar villains Hawk Moth, Gamer, Weredad, and Mr. Pigeon, and some new enemies too!
• Discovery! Explore the streets of Paris as Marinette and Adrien and uncover the story behind their alter-ego’s Ladybug and Cat Noir. • Super Gadgets! Use Ladybug’s fast flinging yo-yo and Cat Noir’s magical versatile staff to swing or vault into battle! Upgrade the gadgets to unlock powerful new moves!
• Master Fu! Visit your friend and mentor Master Fu whose words of wisdom help you to learn new powers. • Kwami Shop: Discover the many treasures of the Kwami shop as you unlock never-before-seen artwork, music, and more.
• Friendship Quest: As Marinette and Adrian, you’ll need to catch up with your friends for clues to progress the story and unlock special friendship moments.

Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx

GameMill Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆5

★★★★★

Be Strong…Be Brave…Be Miraculous! Paris needs a hero! Once again, the city of lights is in trouble as it faces a new menace—the most threatening sentimonster ever created is about to take control! As you take on the personas of the globally renowned superheroez Ladybug and Cat Noir, you’ll need to unveil the diabolical plan hatched by archvillain Hawk Moth—and squash it! Immerse yourself into the magical world of Miraculous and level up your superpowers as you embark on your biggest journey yet! Key Game Features: • Epic Adventure! Immerse yourself in an original story as you take control of everyone’s favorite heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir. • Team Up! Experience the thrill of teamwork as you battle villains and de-evilize akumas together in local co-op. • More Villains! Come face to face with familiar villains Hawk Moth, Gamer, Weredad, and Mr. Pigeon, and some new enemies too!
• Discovery! Explore the streets of Paris as Marinette and Adrien and uncover the story behind their alter-ego’s Ladybug and Cat Noir. • Super Gadgets! Use Ladybug’s fast flinging yo-yo and Cat Noir’s magical versatile staff to swing or vault into battle! Upgrade the gadgets to unlock powerful new moves!
• Master Fu! Visit your friend and mentor Master Fu whose words of wisdom help you to learn new powers. • Kwami Shop: Discover the many treasures of the Kwami shop as you unlock never-before-seen artwork, music, and more.
• Friendship Quest: As Marinette and Adrian, you’ll need to catch up with your friends for clues to progress the story and unlock special friendship moments.

Hello to all the cool cats and kittens reading this blog post right now. My name is Grace Bruxner, I’m the creative director of Frog Detective which was made with our studio Worm Club. You might be thinking, “This is a weird game for Xbox PC Game Pass to be promoting…” and you’d be right. However, it’s also a masterpiece and the best game ever made (don’t fight me on that), so I thought I’d give you a run down on what the series is all about.

Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery has you playing as the world’s second best investigator. Question suspects, find clues, look through your (allegedly useless) magnifying glass and solve three thrilling mysteries. The first mystery is a bite-sized conundrum, with Frog Detective heading to a remote island which has been plagued with reports of a very spooky ghost. Is there really a supernatural force at play, or is there perhaps something even more sinister going on? Or (more likely) nothing sinister at all. Experience the silliness that made Frog Detective into a modern indie classic.

Hot off the case, Frog Detective has no time to rest! It’s time to solve The Case of the Invisible Wizard, which has our polite mannered detective whisked away to Warlock Woods, where a parade has been ruined right before it’s about to start. Featuring mind-blowing new notebook technology, and the introduction of an iconic character, Frog Detective: the Entire Mystery is even more action packed than the first adventure.

The third and final case, Corruption at Cowboy County, is Frog Detective’s biggest yet. Fans have been asking for years for this conclusion, and we’ve made it worth the wait. Jam-packed with laughs, twists, spooks and shocks, the third case is the pinnacle of what Frog Detective can be. You’ll start by making your way to Cowboy County, where Frog Detective has been asked to help find a sheriff for the town. On arrival, the case has already been solved, and it seems like the fun is over before it’s begun. Not to worry though, as the new Sheriff has a task for the Detective—solving the first real crime that society has ever seen. But something is amiss here… Can you figure out what’s wrong before it’s too late?

All three cases are scored masterfully by the wonderful Dan Golding. The soundtrack is so magnificent that it makes me self-conscious about the rest of the game’s quality in comparison, but I’ve been assured that all three cases are a delight to play. Frog Detective can be played by yourself, but we recommend bringing some friends over and sitting on the couch together to play, reading out the dialogue and performing as you go.

If that sounds fun to you, then you can play Frog Detective: the Entire Mystery right now with Game Pass for PC.

I hope you love our silly adventures, and I’m so thrilled to be able to introduce the game to a new audience!

Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery

Worm Club

☆☆☆☆☆1

★★★★★

PC Game Pass

You’re a detective, and a frog, and it’s time to solve 3 thrilling mysteries! For the first time, all 3 Frog Detective cases are available in one package. Play as the #2 best investigator as you find clues, question silly suspects, and look at things through your magnifying glass. Some nay-sayers have called the magnifying glass „useless“, but what do they know? In Case 1, The Haunted Island, a sloth has been haunted for weeks by a mysterious ghost that nobody can seem to track down. Even after hiring a team of ghost scientists, the mystery is no closer to being solved. Luckily for this tropical sloth, and unluckily for this pesky ghost, Frog Detective is here to crack the case! The Haunted Island is the first in this award-winning series, and this bite-sized mystery is what started an international cult obsession with the world of Frog Detective. In the second mystery, The Case of the Invisible Wizard, we follow the Detective to Warlock Woods, where a celebratory parade for their newest neighbour has been maliciously destroyed. Now the neighbour is nowhere to be seen, and the town is in ruin. Can Frog Detective get to the bottom of things? We sure hope so, otherwise the game would be a bummer. In the exciting series finale, Corruption at Cowboy County, The Detective and Lobster Cop are tasked to solve the conundrum of a sheriff-less town. But not all is as it seems here, when a surprisingly simple solution to the case reveals a sinister scheme. Maybe crime is real after all… This final mystery is jam-packed with twists and turns, a true love letter to the Frog Detective fans. Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery is a family-friendly yet witty take on the detective game genre. Solve the mysteries on your own, or play along with friends as you take turns reading out the dialogue. Think you can crack the case?

Launch marks the start of content through the beginning of Season 01 and the release of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. Read on for a look at the highlights.

Campaign – Globe-Trotting, Single Player

Dive into the continuation of Modern Warfare’s (2019) storyline, which grows the in-game universe further with unprecedented global conflict. Check out the blog from last week for more details on the Campaign.

Multiplayer – Innovative, Immersive, and World Class

Modern Warfare II Multiplayer defines emergent gameplay with a focus on variety. On day one, there will be 12 unique modes: 10 traditional modes on Core Maps and two Ground War modes on Battle Maps.

These maps are grouped into one of three regional categories:

Al Mazrah

This metropolitan area and its outskirts within the Republic of Adal serve as the main region for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0.

Several Core Maps and Battle Maps will be based in this region, making Multiplayer a phenomenal place to learn the various points of interest.

Las Almas

A major place of interest within the Modern Warfare II Campaign, Las Almas is a Central American region with a similar footprint to Al Mazrah.

In Multiplayer, the region will host a similar split of Core Maps and Battle Maps.

Other Locales

The last group of Multiplayer locales represents a mixture of Campaign environments and locations outside the main storyline, rounding out the universe with glimpses of what is happening in regions other than Al Mazrah and Las Almas.

Special Ops – Replayable Co-Op, Raids Coming in Season 01

An evolution of the Special Ops mode from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019). It will feature three missions at launch, all taking place in Al Mazrah:

Bad Situation

Infiltrate a town in the dead of night to uncover intel and evidence left behind by Al Qatala before exfiltrating. Stealth is key to survival.

Vehicle Escape

Multiple SAM turrets are preventing reinforcements from entering Al Mazrah. Drive through the winding streets of a suburb to destroy them, and then speed over to the exfil plane to escape.

Observatory Defense

A bona fide survival mode. Defend the observatory from increasingly difficult waves of enemies attempting to detonate bombs. Between each wave, Operators can spend cash to get items such as Killstreaks, Self-Revive Kits, and armor plates.

In Special Ops, Operators will equip a Backpack to store equipment and choose from one of three available kits: Assault, Medic, and Engineer. Each offers a variety of items and abilities built for different strategies. Level up your Kits by earning Stars through missions and mission-related challenges.

We recommend completing all three Special Ops missions with three stars and leveling up at least one Kit to Rank 5 before Raids are introduced to Special Ops later in Season 01.

Prepare for Warzone 2.0 and Season 01, Dropping on November 16

Through Modern Warfare II Multiplayer and Special Ops, familiarize yourself with the core of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0:

Operators – 25 Available at Launch. Eighteen can be unlocked during the Modern Warfare II pre-season. Plus, get two Mil-Sim Operators with four unique outfits unlocked by default and four unlocked via the Vault Edition.

Weapons – Over 30 Weapon Platforms at Launch for Over 50 Unique Weapons. Get anywhere from one to six unique weapons per platform. Vault Edition owners gain access to the FJX Cinder Weapon Vault (Weapon Vault design limited to Weapon Vault contents at launch), which contains all Receivers and attachments for one of the Weapon Platforms available at launch. Beta participants will have access to both their Weapon Blueprints, if unlocked during the Beta period.

Operators – Meet SpecGru and KorTac

Following the events of the Campaign, two private military contractors – SpecGru and KorTac – are founded as special forces for hire.

These two factions are ready to deploy in Modern Warfare II Multiplayer and Special Ops at launch. All players will automatically have access to the default Mil-Sim Operators for each faction.

Eighteen more Operators can be unlocked through Campaign, Multiplayer, and Special Ops challenges. In addition, four more Operators are available via the Vault Edition’s Red Team 141 pack.

Once unlocked, all these Operators will also be available in Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, alongside new Operators arriving in Season 01 and beyond.

Weapons – Weapon Platforms and Gunsmith

At launch, there are over 30 unique Weapon Platforms available to unlock through the Military Ranks. Each Weapon Platform contains up to six weapons, which can be obtained by leveling up specific weapons within a Weapon Platform.

By unlocking all these Weapon Platforms and completing all applicable Weapon Platform progression thresholds, you will have 52 Primary and Secondary Weapons in your arsenal.

RICOCHET Anti-Cheat on Day One

Modern Warfare II launches with a new unified security platform that features new and returning mitigations to promote fair play.

Read the update from the RIOCHET Anti-Cheat team here for more information.

Additional Launch Intel

Get exclusive Modern Warfare II content for free by watching your favorite streamers play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II on Twitch! Simply link your Call of Duty/Activision account to your Twitch Prime account and earn up to seven item unlocks as you watch.

Also, visit the Call of Duty Shop for new Task Force 141 gear celebrating the release of Modern Warfare II, including an anime-inspired hoodie and dozens of other fits for the whole squad.

Squad Up Today

Modern Warfare II is available now on the Xbox Store. Purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle for $69.99 (MSRP) or the Vault Edition for $99.99 (MSRP). Players who buy the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare II will receive additional benefits including the Red Team 141 Operator Pack, FJX Cinder Weapon Vault, Season 01 Battle Pass, and 50 Tier Skips.

Stay frosty.

Note: Battle Pass and Tier skips, or equivalent versions, will be accessible in Modern Warfare II once the Season 01 Battle Pass, or equivalent system, is made available in game. Battle Pass redemption applies to one season of Modern Warfare II Battle Pass, or equivalent system only. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Vault Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 998

★★★★★

The Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Vault Edition includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game. Existing Modern Warfare® II Digital Cross-Gen Bundle owners can upgrade to the Vault Edition as part of a limited time offer. Includes: – Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– Red Team 141 Operator Pack:
— 4 Operators: Ghost, Soap, Farah and Price
– FJX Cinder – First-Ever Weapon Vault*
– Battle Pass (1 Season) + 50 Tier Skips** Welcome to the new era of Call of Duty®. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141. Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights. Modern Warfare® II launches with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay. *Weapon Vault design limited to Weapon Vault contents at launch. **Battle Pass and Tier Skips, or equivalent versions, will be accessible in Modern Warfare® II once the Season 1 Battle Pass, or equivalent system, is made available in game. Battle Pass redemption applies to one season of Modern Warfare® II Battle Pass, or equivalent system, only. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. © 2022 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‚Id Technology‘). Id Technology © 1999-2022 Id Software, Inc.

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 728

★★★★★

Includes: – Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game Welcome to the new era of Call of Duty®. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141. Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights. Modern Warfare® II launches with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. © 2022 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‚Id Technology‘). Id Technology © 1999-2022 Id Software, Inc.

Not so far, far away, coming November 1, just in time for the holidays, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition will be available for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Whether you’re a longtime fan the Star Wars saga and the epic story of all nine films or you are just discovering it for the first time, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a fun and accessible entry point where gamers of all ages can join forces and explore the galaxy through the humor and charm of LEGO.

The Galactic Edition includes six new character packs from such shows as “Andor,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” bringing 30 new playable characters to the game.

When LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition launches on November 1, character packs based on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation” will be available on day one, bringing such fan favorites as Captain Rex, Darth Maul, Asajj Ventress, and others to the game. You will also get hilarious holiday versions of classic characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, and last but certainly not least, R2-D2 ready for summer vacation in his “holiday” sweater!

Later on November 15, character packs based on “Star Wars Rebels” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” will arrive, letting you play as such characters as Ezra Bridger, Admiral Thrawn, Ben Kenobi, Darth Vader, Reva (Third Sister), and more. Finally, on November 29, character packs based on “Andor” and “The Book of Boba Fett” will bring Cassian Andor, Bix Caleen, Cade Bane, and others to the game.

If you already own LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, the six new character packs are available for purchase in Character Collection 2 or individually à la carte on the Xbox Store for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The galaxy is yours to explore from a vast array of planets and so much more! LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Galactic Edition immerses fans in the Star Wars galaxy with now over 300 unlockable characters — the biggest roster of LEGO Star Warscharacters to date! If you ever dreamed of being part of Star Wars, you can now play as such iconic characters as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Leia, Yoda, Cassian Andor, Darth Maul, and Captain Rex from across all nine films in free play mode to create fun, new adventures.

Not sure about you, but I know that my kids and I will be laughing and spending the holidays exploring all the LEGO Star Wars galaxy together!

A quarter of a century is a long time and a milestone worth celebrating! Thank you for joining us today for our Anniversary Broadcast, celebrating 25 years of strategy, history and — most importantly — you, our players. We’ve taken time to look back at what’s made this first chapter in Age of Empires’ history great, as well as teased some sneak peeks of our future. Whether you want to relive everything we shared, or see what you missed, here’s our rundown of the show.

Pull Out Your Controllers – Age of Empires is Coming to Xbox Consoles

We’re ageing up and heading into the console age. Age of Empires is coming to Xbox consoles in 2023! Our team has been listening to you when you’ve been asking us to bring these globally beloved RTS games to Xbox and we’ll be doing that next year. After launching and evolving these games, the time is right to bring them to both existing fans and new players on Xbox. 2023 will have two console launches to look forward to: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition arrives on Xbox on January 31, 2023, with Age of Empires IV coming to consoles later in the year.

Age of Empires – A Franchise History

Age of Empires games tell stories of human history. So with 25 years under our belt, we wanted to tell the story of our history. Join our warrior by the fireside as he takes a look at the games, cheats, campaigns, moments, and victories that have formed this era for Age of Empires.

Wait, Did You Say Myth?

Gods will return. Heroes will rise. Legends will battle. Age of Mythology Retold is in production! We know that the Age of Mythology community has been hopefully waiting for a Definitive Edition, and we’ll be delivering. We’re working hard to bring you the glory of the original game with updated graphics, features and more. Stay tuned for more news.

Age of Empires is Heading to Mobile

We shared a teaser trailer for a whole new way to play Age of Empires as it heads to mobile. This uniquely designed, visually stunning game will allow you to build your empire on the go. If the teaser has you excited, there’ll be more to share in the not too distant future. So stay tuned….

Age of Empires IV Anniversary Edition

Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.

The Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and the Season Three: Anniversary Update are here and we’re excited to celebrate with you! With the update comes new civilizations, challenges, achievements, features, and more. Whether you’re interested in creating new strategies with the Malians and Ottomans, building your skillset with challenges, competing in 1v1 Solo Ranked or competing with friends in the all-new Team Ranked, or earning a set of Age-themed rewards, there’s something for every playstyle coming your way with the Season Three: Anniversary.

Three Games, Three Events, and One Giant Anniversary Celebration

The giant celebration for the Age of Empires Anniversary extravaganza is underway! Here’s your connection to all the in-game events with unique challenges and rewards starting today, October 25. Don’t miss out on all the fun in Age of Empires IV, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition with celebratory cakes, castles, capybaras, and more!

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Releases a Huge Update Plus Cosmetic Packs

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition recently had some exciting news! First, a giant update happened with some awesome new features, maps, and more. Plus, fans now have the opportunity to access some new and unique cosmetic packs to enhance the in-game experience. These packs cover previously-released and brand-new heroes from across all of the civilizations in the game. Don’t forget to check it out!

Still Not Enough Age?

While you can always log into an Age of Empires game and participate in anniversary fun, we also have some friends who are pretty big fans of Age too!

In honor of Age of Empires’ 25th birthday, the AoE II Ninja hoodie has been unlocked for everyone! Log in to State of Decay 2 any time before November 7, 2022, and snag a cool hoodie just in time for the party!

Forza Horizon 5 players can also show their love through this exclusive customer livery for the Ford Ranger Raptor. Use Livery Share Code 726 949 524 to get yours!

Get Your Age Merch!

We’re very excited to also introduce the Age of Empires Insert Coin merch! From sheep pj’s, to an idle villager mug, to a wololo hoodie, you can find some pretty awesome stuff to complete your collection!

Want one of those gold 25th Anniversary t-shirts? Or maybe a deck of Age of Empires playing cards? Well, we’ve got you covered with a whole slew of new Age Anniversary swag available in the Xbox Gear Shop! Check out our new 25th anniversary items.

It’s a great honor to work on Age of Empires, which is beloved by so many players all over the world. We know how much the games mean to you and we are so proud to be able to work with you to take this franchise forward. We’re constantly listening to your feedback and working hard to grow the games in the way you want. Our players are part of the development team and have been the beating heart of Age of Empires for 25 years.

Raise a glass to yourselves, to empires built, to castles fallen and to the many wololos. We hope you enjoy the celebrations.

Start the game already!

We’re ageing up and heading into the console age. Age of Empires is coming to Xbox consoles in 2023! Our team has been listening to you when you’ve been asking us to bring these globally beloved RTS titles to Xbox and we’ll be doing that next year. After launching and evolving these games, the time is right to bring them to both existing fans and new players on Xbox. 2023 will have two console launches to look forward to: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition arrives on Xbox on January 31, 2023, with Age of Empires IV coming to consoles later in the year.

Age of Empires has grown and thrived over 25 years because of players all over the world who’ve conquered campaigns, succeeded in skirmish and mastered multiplayer. We keep our players at the heart of what we do and pay close attention to what they tell us. So, after hearing requests for Age of Empires to make its Xbox console debut, we heard you and we agreed!

2022 has been an incredible year for Age of Empires with over 25 game updates, more than 15 in-game events (with excellent rewards) and over 14,000 mods created and published. The Age of Empires community continues to grow and thrive.

We knew that bringing the complexity of RTS to Xbox consoles was a massive task and one we had to approach carefully and thoughtfully. The team has been working hard to bring an experience that not only feels great using a controller, but also teaches players how to play on Xbox. A new tutorial designed specifically for controller input paired with a new user experience for console will help players get started. We’ve also added a new game AI which helps make resource management in a strategy game efficient and intuitive.

We’re so excited to bring one of the best and most beloved RTS games of all time to Xbox. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has been growing since its release in 2019. After almost 40 updates, 3 DLC additions bringing new civilizations and campaigns, and a constant stream of improvements, the game is the best it’s ever been. Players can enjoy 83 maps, 42 multiplayer civilizations, 34 single-player campaigns, 10 multiplayer modes, and 7 co-op campaigns. And now, Xbox players will be able to enjoy all this phenomenal game has to offer!

For those players who are loyal to keyboard and mouse, we’ve ensured that those inputs are supported in the console version. We also considered the functionality Xbox players have come to expect from their games and so the game will include optional crossplay between platforms, allowing you to play with your friends on Xbox and on PC. We’re also bringing the game to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), allowing players to continue their empire building, even when away from PC or console.

2023 will be a big year for those of you who’ve been asking for an Xbox version of Age of Empires as we’ll also be releasing a console version of Age of Empires IV later in the year! The console teams have been working closely together to create a complementary experience that will bring the newest addition to the Age of Empires roster to Xbox players. We’ll have more to share next year so be sure to follow our official social channels to hear all the news as it comes.

Both console versions of the games will be available through the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, bringing the trebuchet launching, castle destroying, empire building action to players across the globe on the platforms they want to play on.

We can’t wait to begin this new age. Join us!