Schlagwort: Xbox

  • „Singing With the Player“: Wie die musikalische Untermalung von South of Midnight entstanden ist

    „Singing With the Player“: Wie die musikalische Untermalung von South of Midnight entstanden ist

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Der Charme des Südens

    Und um das Ganze noch komplizierter zu machen, mussten Fox und Deriviere noch dafür sorgen, dass die Musik an den amerikanischen Süden erinnert – und zwar über mehrere Regionen hinweg.

    „Als wir zu Beginn mit Chris und David gesprochen haben, ging es eher darum, etwas Interessantes zu finden, sich vom Süden inspirieren zu lassen und trotzdem etwas zu kreieren, das einzigartig für da Spiel ist.“

    Schnell wurde ihm klar, dass er dafür nach außen und nicht nach innen schauen musste. „Wir wollten ein paar Talente engagieren, um die Songs aufzunehmen, doch dann wurden es immer mehr. Am Ende waren an den Aufnahmen mehr als 50 Personen beteiligt, das Orchester noch nicht einmal miteingerechnet.“

    Das war eine viel größere Aufgabe, als wir erwartet hätten. „Die ganze Sache hat sich im Laufe der Zeit entwickelt“, sagt Fox. „Wir haben mit einer Stunde Musik oder etwas Vergleichbarem begonnen, was natürlich viel zu wenig war. Doch zu Beginn eines Projekts weiß man natürlich nicht, was man am Ende braucht.“

    „Ich weiß es sehr zu schätzen, dass man an uns geglaubt hat, als ich sagte: ‚Wir haben diese wirklich coole Idee, wir müssen mit Live-Darsteller*innen arbeiten.‘ Nur um dann festzustellen, dass wir auch ein Orchester brauchen. Dass die Entscheidungsträger*innen bei Compulsion uns die Chance gegeben haben, obwohl kein Budget für diese aufwändige Art der Musikproduktion vorgesehen war. Ich rechne es Compulsion und Xbox bis heute hoch an, dass man uns auf diesem Weg unterstützt hat.“

    Wenn man den Soundtrack oder die Songs hört, spürt man hoffentlich, dass da Menschen dahinter stecken. Man hat das Gefühl, dass sie da sind und Emotionen hervorrufen, dich bewegen, die Geschichte erzählen und dich in diese Welt bringen wollen.

    Olivier Deriviere, Composer

    Doch selbst vor diesem Hintergrund musste Deriviere mit seiner Musik noch einen komplizierten Spagat meistern:

    „Wir haben mit verschiedenen etablierten Musiker*innen aus dem Süden zusammengearbeitet, doch wir wollten ihre Musik nicht einfach nur kopieren – das wäre nicht authentisch gewesen, weil ich nicht von dort komme. Das war nicht das Ziel. Das Ziel war es, sich inspirieren zu lassen und die Musik in etwas anderes zu verwandeln. Also ja, es gibt natürlich Einflüsse aus dem Country-, Bluegrass-, Blues- und Jazz-Bereich, doch die beste Reaktion kam von den [Musiker*innen], die die Songs eingespielt haben – eine*r von ihnen spielt Blues, eine*r Country. Sie spielten die Songs und meinten: ‚Oh, das würde ich nicht machen, aber das ist super interessant!‘“

    „Sie machten das, was sie gewohnt waren, allerdings mit dem gewissen Etwas, das ich hinzufügen würde. Ich dachte, sie würden sich dabei ein wenig verloren fühlen, doch das Gegenteil war der Fall. Sie waren total begeistert. Für mich liegt hierin der Erfolg dieser Produktion: mit diesen Menschen zu arbeiten, ihre echte, authentische Südstaaten-Atmosphäre einzufangen und sie in die Welt von Compulsion, in die Welt dieser Musik, zu integrieren.“

    Das Ergebnis ist ein Soundtrack, von dem Deriviere und Fox glauben, dass er den Süden repräsentiert, ohne ihn zu kopieren – es war eine spannende Zusammenarbeit mit echten Musiker*innen aus der Region:

    „Wenn man sich den Soundtrack oder die anderen Songs anhört, spürt man hoffentlich, dass diese von realen Menschen eingesungen wurden“, sagt Deriviere. „Man spürt ihre Präsenz, als wollten sie Emotionen wecken, als wollten sie die Spieler*innen dazu bewegen, ihre eigene Geschichte zu erzählen.“

    Die Vorstellung, dass South of Midnight mit den Spieler*innen singt, verleiht dem Titel zusätzliches Gewicht. Nicht nur das Spiel selbst singt, sondern auch die vielen Menschen, die an der Produktion der Songs mitgewirkt haben.“

    South of Midnight erscheint am 8. April 2025 für Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App für Windows PC, auf Steam und in der Cloud. Außerdem ist das Spiel direkt zum Release im Game Pass erhältlich. Wenn Du bis zu fünf Tage früher in die Welt von South of Midnight eintauchen und von digitalen Extras profitieren willst, ist vielleicht die Premium Edition etwas für Dich.

    Der Soundtrack von South of Midnight kann ab heute über alle gängigen Plattformen gestreamt werden. Ab sofort kannst Du die „The Art and Music of South of Midnight“ Box vorbestellen, die in Zusammenarbeit mit dem niederländischen Designhaus und Verlag Cook and Becker entwickelt wurde. Das Box-Set enthält eine Doppel-LP mit dem vollständigen Soundtrack des Spiels in einer wunderschönen Klappbox – zusammen mit einem 160-seitigen Artbook, einem vom Spiel inspirierten Comic und mehr.

    Website: LINK

  • 8 Wege, wie Assassin’s Creed Shadows sich von seinen Vorgängern abhebt

    8 Wege, wie Assassin’s Creed Shadows sich von seinen Vorgängern abhebt

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    Du wirst es kaum glauben, aber seit zwei Jahrzehnten erkunden wir schon die spannenden Welten des Assassin’s Creed-Universums.  Es war ein langer Weg und alles hat mit Altair, Ezio und den Templern angefangen. Jedes neue Spiel war eine unglaubliche Leistung in Bezug auf Umfang und Reichweite sowie eine einzigartige Gelegenheit, in die Historie unserer Welt einzutauchen. Mit der Veröffentlichung von Assassin’s Creed Shadows auf der Xbox Series X|S reisen wir nun in ein Reich, auf das die Fans seit unseren ersten Schritten im Animus gespannt sind: das feudale Japan.

    Assassin’s Creed Shadows ist nicht nur ein brandneues Abenteuer – es ist ein kühnes neues Kapitel in der gefeierten Serie, das eine neue Spielweise (jemanden wie Yasuke haben wir noch nie gesehen) einführt. Frische Stealth-Mechaniken geben uns als Meister-Assassin*innen neue Möglichkeiten. Ganz zu schweigen davon, wie viel fesselnder das Spiel mit einer vollständig vertonten Besetzung japanischer Schauspieler*innen sein kann.

    Wie sehen die Neuerungen in der Serie aus? Um dir das etwas näher zu bringen, haben wir eine Liste an Features zusammengestellt, die Dir zeigen, warum Dich ein noch fesselnderes und aufregendes Spielerlebnis auf der Xbox Series X|S erwartet.

    Achte auf die Schatten

    Eines der einzigartigen Elemente von Assassin’s Creed Shadows ist, dass es vier Jahreszeiten durchläuft – Herbst, Winter, Frühling und Sommer – und Dir vier verschiedene Umgebungen zum Spielen bietet, die sich etwa nach jeder Stunde Spielzeit ändern. Außerdem gibt es gelegentlich eindrucksvolle Stürme, die durch das Gebiet fegen. Dadurch fühlt sich die ganze Welt lebendig an. Aber was Dir wirklich dabei hilft, als Attentäter*in erfolgreich zu sein, ist die Tageszeit und wie sich diese auf das dynamische Beleuchtungssystem des Spiels auswirkt. Sie beeinflusst nämlich, wie Du Dich Deinen Zielen nähern kannst, um dann aus dem Schatten zuzuschlagen.

    Wenn Du beispielsweise ein Schloss bei Nacht infiltrierst, hast Du etwas mehr Spielraum, nicht von Wachen entdeckt zu werden. Der Schatten ist Dein Freund und hilft Dir dabei, Dich ungesehen in Heuhaufen und Büschen zu wegzuducken. Aber selbst, wenn die Infiltration bei Tag Deine einzige Option ist, kannst Du Laternen ausschlagen und Kerzen in Gebäuden löschen. Du kannst immer einen Weg finden, Dich durch dunkle, schattige Gänge zu schleichen und Deine Ziele doch zu überraschen – Tageszeit hin oder her. Auch Deine Ausrüstung kann Dir bei Nacht einen Schadensbonus bieten, also halte beim Plündern von Kisten immer Ausschau nach dem nächsten guten Item.

    Anpassbarer Basenbau

    Eine „Heimatbasis“ zu haben, ist keine neue Funktion in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, aber eine, die so hochgradig anpassbar ist wie diese, ist dennoch irgendwie neu. Du kannst beispielsweise auswählen, wo Dein wachsendes Dorf liegen soll, welche Statuen im Hof aufgestellt werden, welche Art von Kies auf den Wegen liegen soll und – das ist ganz besonders cool – sogar Hunde platzieren, um das Dorf zu hüten. In meiner Basis laufen übrigens acht Akitas herum.

    Auch die Gebäude können ausgebaut werden, was unerlässlich ist, wenn man in die höheren Levelgebiete des Spiels eintaucht. Du solltest frühzeitig in Deine Schmiede investieren und damit Deine Rüstungen und Waffen verbessern. Baue Dir außerdem ein Arbeitszimmer, damit Du zusätzliche Späher*innen anstellen kannst, die Dir dabei helfen können, Informationen über deine Assassinen-Ziele zu bekommen und Ressourcen zu finden.  

    Aussichtspunkte verraten nicht alles, sondern motivieren, die Gegend zu erkunden

    „Beobachte deine Umgebung“, wird Naoe zu Beginn von Assassin’s Creed Shadows häufig gesagt, und das ist ein guter Rat, denn das Erkennen von Zielen, Schätzen und Feinden wurde gegenüber früheren Titeln der Serie optimiert. Zunächst einmal erhält man durch das Besteigen eines Synchronisationsstandpunkts keine detaillierten Informationen über alles in der Umgebung. Es erscheinen höchstens ein paar Fragezeichen auf der Karte, die Orte markieren, die Du Dir anschauen solltest, denn … nun ja, herauszufinden, was es dort gibt, ist ein großer Teil des Spiels.

    Nur weil Du an einem Punkt an der Karte angekommen bist, bedeutet das nicht, dass sofort ein NPC angerannt kommt und Dir von seinen Problemen erzählt. Du bist lediglich näher an dem Ort des Geschehens – suchen musst Du ihn trotzdem noch. Wenn Du LT gedrückt hältst und dich umsiehst, werden Ziele (blaue Punkte), Schätze und Vorräte (goldene Punkte) sowie andere bemerkenswerte Gegenstände (weiße Punkte) angezeigt. Wo es Schätze gibt, ist jedoch oft mit Widerstand rechnen. Drücke den rechten Stick, während Naoe das altbekannte Adlerauge aktiviert, das Feinde rot leuchten lässt, sogar durch Wände hindurch. Wenn Du Deine Gegner*innen mit gehaltener LT-Taste kurz observierst, bleiben sie markiert, auch wenn Du wegschaust.

    Wenn Du einfach nur von Punkt zu Punkt gehen möchtest, wie in alten Assassin’s Creed-Teilen, dann probiere die Option „Geführter Erkundungsmodus“ aus. Zielen, klicken, meucheln.

    Wissen sammeln, inneren Frieden finden

    Es lohnt sich, die verschiedenen Orte auf dem Weg zu Deinem nächsten Ziel zu erkunden, da viele davon in das neue Meisterschaftspunktesystem einfließen. Während Du auflevelst, wichtige Story-Punkte erreichst und storyrelevante Feinde eliminierst, erhältst Du diese wertvollen Punkte. Das neue Wissensrangsystem schaltet höhere Stufen des Fähigkeitsbaumes frei und bietet Dir mehr und mehr Optionen, Deine Charaktere weiterzuentwickeln.

    Zurück zu den Fragezeichen auf der Karte: Bei genauerer Betrachtung werden einige zu einem rot-orangefarbenen Kreis, der eine Möglichkeit zum Erwerb eines Wissensrangs anzeigt. Schon früh stieß ich auf einen Platz für Naoe in der Nähe eines Schreins, der zu einem meditativen Quick-Time-Event führte, das schließlich in einer lebhaften Rückblende über Naoes erste Kampferfahrung mündete. Im Laufe der Zeit stieß ich auf weitere dieser „Kuji-Kiri“-Situationen, die wesentliche Teile von Naoes Vergangenheit enthüllten und mir dabei halfen, die nächste Stufe ihrer Fähigkeiten freizuschalten.

    Zwei sehr unterschiedliche Held*innen

    Es ist ein wenig offensichtlich – es ist eines der einzigartigen Merkmale von Assassin’s Creed Shadows – aber die Spielstile der beiden Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich. Als Naoe bist Du eine wendige Assassinin, die sich auf Heimlichkeit und List verlässt; Yasuke hingegen ist ein mächtiger Tank, der in Sekundenschnelle eine blutige Schneise durch einen Hof schlagen kann. Aber wie (und wann) Du dich entscheidest, die beiden Charaktere in Assassin’s Creed Shadows einzusetzen, ist genauso wichtig.

    In den ersten Stunden von Assassin’s Creed Shadows spielst Du hauptsächlich als Naoe und erlernst die Kunst des Schwertkampfs, der Tarnung und des Attentats – im Grunde lernst Du, wie man ein knallharter Ninja wird. Du erfährst wie Assassinen sich auf ihre Geschwindigkeit, ihre Werkzeuge und ihre Kreativität verlassen, um einen Feind zu entlarven – sie fühlt sich am ehesten wie altbekannte Charaktere aus Assassin’s Creed an.

    Yasuke hingegen, der freigeschaltet wird, nachdem Du den ersten Akt abgeschlossen hast (Du kannst ihn nicht verpassen), braucht diese Tricks nicht. Was ihm an einzigartigen Fähigkeiten im Stil von Assassin’s Creed fehlt (er kann beispielsweise nicht durch Wände hindurch spüren), macht er durch pure Brutalität wett, indem er Treffer einsteckt und mit tödlichen Ergebnissen pariert, was ihn ideal für die Kontrolle von mehreren Gegnern macht. So etwas wie ihn hat man in einem AC-Spiel noch nie erlebt, und das bringt eine aufregende neue Dynamik in die Art und Weise, wie man spielt. Vor allem, weil man später im Spiel an zahlreichen Stellen und manchmal sogar mitten in der Mission frei zwischen diesen Helden wechseln kann, sodass man das nächste Ziel auf seiner Liste mit einem mehrgleisigen Angriff abhaken kann.

    Mehrere Waffenoptionen eröffnen neue Möglichkeiten im Kampf

    Naoe und Yasuke können jeweils zwei verschiedene Waffentypen ausrüsten, die einzigartige Stärken und Strategien für den Kampf bieten – Yasuke mit seinem langen Katana, Naginata (Stangenwaffe), Kanabo (massive Keule), Bogen und Teppo (Gewehr); Naoe mit ihrem Katana, der versteckten Klinge, Kusarigama (mit Stacheln besetzte Kugel und Kette) und eine Vielzahl von Wurfwaffen.

    Es gibt auch mehrere Möglichkeiten, Deine Waffen zu verbessern, da jeder Waffen-Typ über spezifische Verbesserungen verfügt. Weise Skillpunkte zu, um deinen Schaden zu erhöhen und neue Fähigkeiten freizuschalten. Waffen haben auch Stufen; Du kannst zum Beispiel keine Waffe verwenden, die dein aktuelles Level übersteigt, aber mit Deiner Schmiede kannst Du Waffen niedrigerer Stufen auf Deine Spielerstufe setzen und sie damit verbessern.

    Das Beste daran ist, dass diese Waffen während des Kampfes ausgetauscht werden können (direkt über das Steuerkreuz). Zum Beispiel könntest du mit Naoe mit Deinem Katana beginnen und dann zu deinem Kusarigama wechseln, wenn Du umzingelt wirst. Oder als Yasuke den Kampf mit einem Fernkampfangriff mit seinem Bogen oder Teppo eröffnen und dann zu seinem Kanabo wechseln, um Deine Feinde zu verprügeln. Diese flexible Dynamik sorgt dafür, dass sich der Kampf in Assassins‘ Creed Shadows spannender anfühlt als in allen anderen Teilen der Serie und ist meiner Meinung nach einer der stärksten Aspekte des Spiels.

    Späher*innen sind für den Erfolg unerlässlich

    Eines der Elemente, das mir am besten gefallen hat, ist, dass Assassin’s Creed Shadows eine*n nicht so sehr an die Hand nimmt, wenn es darum geht, das Ziel zu finden. Stattdessen erhält man Zugang zu einem Netzwerk von Späher*innen, die dabei helfen können, den ungefähren Standort des Ziels zu bestimmen – den Rest muss man selbst herausfinden.

    Diese Funktion gibt einem nicht nur das Gefühl, ein*e Assassin*in zu sein, der oder die ihr oder sein Ziel verfolgt und nach Hinweisen sucht, sondern ermutigt uns auch, hinauszugehen und diese wunderschöne Nachbildung des Japans des 16. Jahrhunderts zu erkunden. Späher*innen sind auch nützlich, um Ressourcen in Dein Versteck zu schmuggeln. Wenn Du Dich immer mutiger in Burgen und dergleichen einschleichst, wirst Du auf Vorräte stoßen, die Du markieren kannst, damit sie am Ende der Jahreszeit (Herbst, Winter, Frühling und Sommer) zu eurer Basis zurückgebracht werden. Mit ihnen kannst Du in Upgrades investieren oder zusätzliche Strukturen wie die Schmiede errichten. Die Späher*innen werden am Ende der Jahreszeiten automatisch wieder aufgefüllt, können aber gegen eine Gebühr in Kakurega (freischaltbare sichere Häuser) wieder aufgefüllt werden, wenn Du wider Erwarten doch mehr brauchst.

    Canon-Modus vs. Immersiver Modus

    Japan ist schon seit Langem ein gewünschter Schauplatz für eine Assassin’s-Creed-Geschichte für Fans der Serie. Und wenn Du wirklich in die Atmosphäre eintauchen möchtest, gibt es zwei Arten, auf die du Assassin’s Creed Shadows erfahren kannst. Als Naoe und Yasuke werden Dir häufig Dialogentscheidungen aufgezeigt, die sich darauf auswirken, wie andere Charaktere Dich wahrnehmen. Aber welche Antwort führt an welches Ziel? Du darfst Deinen eigenen Weg mit den beiden Hauptcharakteren gehen. Wenn Du selbst aber gar nicht entscheiden möchtest, bietet Assassin’s Creed Shadows einen neuen Canon-Modus, in dem die Geschichte auf eine festgelegte Weise abläuft.

    Als Fan der aktuellen Hit-Serie „Shogun“ fand ich das Zusammenspiel von japanischen und portugiesischen Synchronsprecher*innen in dieser Epoche faszinierend. Der Immersive-Modus in Assassin’s Creed Shadows bildet dies nach; die Charaktere sprechen in ihrer Muttersprache – aber keine Sorge, natürlich bekommst Du Untertitel, damit Du die Story auch nachverfolgen kannst ohne Japanisch- und Portugiesisch-Kenntnisse.

    Und damit wünschen wir Dir viel Spaß mit dem bisher ambitioniertesten Assassin’s-Creed-Titel.

    Assassin’s Creed Shadows ist ab sofort für Xbox Series X|S verfügbar. Assassin’s Creed Shadows unterstützt auch Stream Your Own Game für Game Pass Ultimate-Mitglieder – wenn Du das Spiel besitzt, kannst Du es über die Cloud auf den unterstützten Geräten spielen, die Du besitzt. Weitere Informationen findest Du hier.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Adaptive Joystick jetzt exklusiv im Microsoft Store erhältlich

    Xbox Adaptive Joystick jetzt exklusiv im Microsoft Store erhältlich

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Today, we hosted the 15th annual Microsoft Ability Summit, with over 20,000 attendees from 164 countries coming together virtually to discuss the future of AI and accessibility. Microsoft has a long-standing commitment to investing in accessibility, grounded in our business model and going back over three decades from the earliest accessibility features in Windows 95 and continuing today with new hardware and software functionalities powered by AI. We are innovating faster than ever before and people with disabilities continue to lead the way.

    Accessibility is a fundamental right for people with disabilities and makes technology easier for everyone. We see this reflected in how customers are using Microsoft technologies around the world. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is unlocking workplace productivity like never before, more than 10 million people use Edge each month to have the web Read Aloud, over 1 million people use Immersive Reader to make webpages easier to read and partners like Tobii Dynavox and Special Olympics are bringing AI to people with disabilities globally. And these are just some of the highlights of what we shared today!

    Here’s a quick summary of the new accessibility products, features and programs announced at the 2025 Ability Summit.

    What’s new in 2025?

    We announced that the Xbox Adaptive Joystick is now available for purchase exclusively at Microsoft Store. With more than 429 million players with disabilities worldwide, we know each player has unique needs and preferences for how they choose to play. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is a singular, wired controller primarily designed to meet the needs of players with limited mobility. Its versatility helps players seamlessly incorporate it into their existing gaming setups. Built with the Gaming and Disability community who inform the development of Xbox products from the beginning. The joystick joins our family of adaptive accessories including the mouse, pen, adaptive kit and Xbox Adaptive Controller. For more details visit Xbox Support.

    And all our Microsoft hardware comes in packaging designed to be accessible and sustainable. No more plastic clamshells! To help others with accessible packaging, today at the Summit, the Packaging and Content Team at Microsoft published its Accessible Packaging Design Guide, which offers practical guidelines, best practices and strategies to create accessible packaging and foster a trusted customer experience.

    At the Summit, Microsoft teams and partners also shared ways they are working to further advance accessibility through technology:

    • Tobii Dynavox is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice, a capability of Azure AI Speech, into their assistive communication solutions. This AI-powered feature gives more personal options for individuals who use assistive communication devices using eye gaze. Neural Voices are available in over 50 languages within their apps TD Talk and TD Phone.
    • Microsoft Teams will improve for those using Sign Language View. Later this year, Teams will be able to identify when someone is using sign language and feature them prominently as a speaker in the meeting. These video customizations are part of our ongoing product development to help deliver clear and accessible communication for everyone.
    • Copilot is powering neurodiverse talent. Recently, an EY study found that Copilot helped 76% of neurodiverse employees perform better at work by enhancing communication, memory recall and focus. At the Summit, we shared how new simple features like Team Reflow and PowerPoint Designer are helping people do their work. See four early adopters of Copilot in New York share their stories.

    YouTube Video

    • AI comes to Narrator. Rich image descriptions powered by AI will be coming to Narrator in Windows Insider Preview this spring and Azure AI Foundry announced new UI improvements to reduce cognitive load.
    • Over 5 million learners around the world have participated in our Accessibility Skilling program and we’re grateful to our partners including Teach Access, Computacenter UK and the City of New York. The free, virtual training includes the latest on AI and is available for organizations to use in their learning management systems.
    • Speech recognition improved up to 60%. The Speech Accessibility Project, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, unlocked a breakthrough improving accuracy gains for non-standard speech, and the Azure platform team demonstrated how developers can leverage GitHub Copilot to write accessible code.
    • Special Olympics shared how Copilot has been a game-changing training companion for their coaches and athletes with intellectual and development disabilities for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

    All this progress is possible because of the people who design technology with accessibility in mind. In this way, technology benefits everyone, creating a more productive and efficient workplace. It is beautiful to see that reflected in this profile of Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors at Microsoft, where he shared how accessible technology helps him thrive as a leader.

    Onward

    For over 30 years, Microsoft has focused on accessibility in our products. Accessibility makes our tools and technologies easier for everyone and accelerates innovation for the world. From the introduction of Sticky Keys and speech recognition in Windows 95 to Seeing AI in 2016 and beyond, accessibility innovations have benefited people in ways we designed for and ways we could have never expected. Just think about how closed captions are now invaluable for everyone watching videos and calls.

    AI has the potential to create significant advancements across every sector of our economy and society. We will continue to be grounded and responsible in our approach as we work to get the latest technology to the people who can benefit from it the most.

    Whether this is your first or fifteenth Ability Summit, thank you for joining and we hope you picked up a new feature, skill or nugget that helps you, your community or your organization get the most out of technology. All content will be available to watch after the event.

    Let’s move forward together.

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    Website: LINK

  • Forge Your Legacy: 15 Best Tips and Tricks to Master Spectre Divide

    Forge Your Legacy: 15 Best Tips and Tricks to Master Spectre Divide

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    Looking to improve your Spectre Divide gameplay? You’ve come to the right place. The Santai arena is packed with thrilling gunfights, tactical plays, and high-stakes competition. Whether you’re struggling with Duality or looking to optimize your Sponsor kit usage, these strategies will give you the competitive edge you need!

    Don’t Sleep on Duality

    Spectre Divide screenshot

    Duality is one of Spectre Divide’s defining features – the capability to control two bodies with one mind. With Duality, you can defend two sites at once, cover your own cross, or even trade yourself. Mastering Duality is the key to becoming a top-tier competitor in the Santai arena- with these tips, you’ll get a head start on your path to the top.

    • Mind Your Positioning – Be careful not to place your Spectre too close to your active body. It only takes one well-placed grenade or planned rush to take you out of the round!
    • Split Your Presence – Don’t place both bodies on one site, or in one small area. It’s a big risk to concentrate your presence in a single location when you could be gathering intel or controlling multiple areas.
    • The Plant n’ Swap – Use Duality swap during a plant or defuse to cover yourself while completing the action. No need to have your team-mate cover you, leaving you vulnerable to enemy fire.
    • Silent Movement – Plan your approach carefully. Slow walking won’t trigger the sound alert for another player’s inactive Spectre, giving you the element of surprise. Jumping, falling, running, and sprinting will all trigger a “Spectre Warning” if you perform these actions too close to an inactive enemy Spectre.
    • Terrific Transfers – When you use your Puck to reposition your Spectre, enemies will be able to see the Recall line, which leads from your Spectre’s previous location to the new location of your Puck. Make sure to avoid giving the enemy too much information with your Puck throw.

    Tactical Teamwork Tips

    Spectre Divide gun pov

    Gunplay is king in Spectre Divide, but your personal skill will only carry you so far.

    1. Resource Sharing –While you can’t drop weapons for teammates during the Buy Phase, you can buy for them directly! Plus, if a teammate is upgrading or changing their weapon; you can pick up their gun from the Team Inventory for free.
    1. Weapon Economy – Pick up dropped weapons during the post-round phase to add them to your team inventory for the next round’s buy phase (editor’s note: this doesn’t carry into the second half swap).
    1. Play the Objective – Planning your next move based on planting or defusing the ZEUS is very effective to secure the win. Many players get obsessed with chasing down kills, when playing the objective provides the best chance at winning!
    1. Money Management – During the Buy Phase, don’t handicap your team by failing to coordinate your purchases. Save your cash when appropriate and buy with your team to maintain the economic advantage. More money means better guns and equipment!
    1. Defensive Patience – Staying alive as a defender is crucial. Getting a kill and then falling back to retake a site with more teammates isn’t a bad call when getting overwhelmed. You don’t need a heroic last stand – get a kill, reposition, and wait for your team to regroup.

    Sponsor Secrets

    Spectre Divide screenshot

    In Spectre Divide, you begin each match by selecting your Sponsor of choice. Sponsors provide you with powerful gear and unique abilities that you can use to get the edge over your opponents. You can pick from nine unique Sponsor kits; each with a distinct loadout to best fit your playstyle. Whether you love to throw explosives, set traps, drop smokes, or heal teammates— there’s a sponsor for you!

    1. Alternate Fire – Many Sponsor utility items have an “alt-fire” which allows you to use them in a unique way. Don’t forget to experiment with these alternate capabilities to give you even more options on the battlefield.
    1. Doorway Demolition – There are several destructible doors in Spectre Divide. Is there a pesky foe hiding behind a door? You can shoot the door to make an opening, and then throw Sponsor equipment like the Pinnacle Splinter Grenade through the hole in the door to clear with ease.
    1. Vector Dynamics – Use the Primary abilities passive reactivation to move your other body to the location of your placed beacon. This pairs very well with a fake rush, or mid peek play. Or, perform a more risky movement to give away your position, and then teleport to safety.
    1. Ryker Industries – Place your turret at a location different from where you’re standing. Your enemy will have to choose between you and the turret, giving you an edge either way: a slowed target or a distracted one!
    1. Morrgen United – Did you know that by using the alt-fire of Smoke Shift, you can actually teleport your Spectre into the smoke grenade? With this tip, you can cause mayhem behind enemy lines with ease!

    Mastering Maps

    1. Quick Map Placement – During the Buy Phase, you can open the map to quickly place both your Spectre and your Active Body on the map! Then, double tap ‘X’ if you need to swap your bodies’ locations on the map, allowing for faster setup and early positioning.
    1. Rapid Recall Zones – Keep an eye out for bright green areas on the ground in certain maps in Spectre Divide. These areas allow your Spectre to reposition even quicker if you throw your Puck into the area.
    2. Take the High Ground – To reach advantageous high ground in most maps, you need your puck to toss up to that area; swapping to that position. Keeping both bodies alive gives you the most options for getting to hard-to-reach places.
    1. Fences – Certain maps have grated fences that block your movement, but can be shot through. While they will block your active body from passing, you can toss your puck through grated fences, repositioning your Spectre onto the other side.
    1. Window of Opportunity– It’s risky, but you can toss your puck through windows or openings on any map. Execute this maneuver well and you can teleport behind your enemies, or escape from danger when you’re pinned down.
    Spectre Divide character art

    With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to dominating your Santai matches and claiming the win. Ready to forge your legacy? You can play Spectre Divide for free on Xbox Series X|S today.

    Spectre Divide

    Spectre Divide

    Mountaintop Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 200

    ★★★★★

    Spectre Divide is the genre-evolving 3v3 tactical shooter driven by Duality. Use Duality to control two bodies in real-time, letting you defend two sites at once, cover your own cross, or even trade yourself. Master tactical gunplay and an arsenal of future tech to achieve infamy. DUALITY: ONE MIND, TWO BODIES Use Duality to freely swap between your second body—called a Spectre—at any moment to outplay the enemy team. Strategically place your Spectre to cover multiple sites across the map, play two angles at once, and quickly reinforce teammates. Death can’t stop you. Your Spectre is a second chance at victory, giving you twice the uptime so you can run it back and make sure to hit your shots the second time around. TENSE, TACTICAL, GUNPLAY Hold, peek, or push using aim-down-sights (ADS) gunplay. True-to-crosshair accuracy means you can shoot on the move. Master combinations of 20 different weapons for infinite paths to victory. FUTURE TECH ARSENAL Pick from 9 Sponsor kits, each with a distinct loadout to fit your playstyle. Whether you love to set traps, drop smokes, or support teammates—Sponsors let you flex on the opposition. Every Sponsor loadout is integrated with Duality, so grab your guns, grab your gear, and craft new ways to outplay the competition. CRAFTED FOR COMPETITION
    Earn rank as a team or a solo competitor in highly competitive ranked matchmaking. Or get your reps in with casual and custom play. Every match matters with Crews, a weekly engagement-based competition, where teams of 50-60 players compete to score the most points and move up the seasonal leaderboard. Custom networking technology and a modern anti-cheat approach means you can focus on the win instead of the playing field. VISCERAL, ANIME-INSPIRED WORLD Spectre Divide’s style is rooted in sci-fi comic book art and the classic Japanese cel animation of the ‘90s. The world has a hand-drawn look and feel, capturing the same energy and momentum as the concept sketch. The style presents clean visual reads, perfect for executing next-level plays. FORGE YOUR LEGACY No predetermined characters—this is your climb. Personalize the look of your own pair of competitors and crush the competition in style. Customize faces, hair styles, tattoos, outfits, and weapons, then live your journey to champion.

    Website: LINK

  • Next Week on Xbox: Neue Spiele vom 3. bis zum 7. März

    Next Week on Xbox: Neue Spiele vom 3. bis zum 7. März

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    Willkommen bei Next Week on Xbox! Wie immer stellen wir Dir alle neuen Spiele vor, die bald für Xbox Series X|S und Xbox One, Windows und im Game Pass erhältlich sind. Klick Dich einfach durch die Spiel-Details, um mehr zu möglichen Vorbestellungen zu erfahren (Änderungen vorbehalten).

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
    VILE ist zurück auf der Bildfläche und ausnahmsweise haben ACME und Carmen Sandiego einen gemeinsamen Feind. Im Rahmen einer temporären Allianz muss die größte Diebin der Welt das Syndikat aufspüren, ehe sie ihren nächsten großen Raubzug begeht. Anfänger*innen und erfahrene Detektiv*innen können ihre Fähigkeiten auf die Probe stellen, sei es in der handlungsorientierten Kampagne oder im klassischen Modus „Die A.C.M.E.-Dateien“.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Begib Dich auf ein entzückendes neues Abenteuer mit Marshmallow Marvin! Eure Reise führt euch durch einen magischen Wald voller bunter Geheimnisse, skurriler Kreaturen und verborgener Rätsel. Erforsche jeden Winkel und jedes Versteck und vergiss nicht, dass jeder Schritt neue Herausforderungen und Überraschungen bereithalten kann. Mach Dich bereit für ein unvergessliches Erlebnis in einer Welt voller Süßigkeiten und Wunder!

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Das Menschenreich steht vor einer Nahrungsmittelkrise und die einzige Möglichkeit, zu überleben, besteht darin, die Monster aus einem mythischen Land namens Sugarbound zu besiegen. Aber Achtung: Nur ein*e Meister-Konditor*in kann die bezwungenen Monster in genießbare Nahrung verwandeln! Chloé Fondant ist die einzige Hoffnung für das Überleben der Menschheit (und den Verzehr köstlicher Torten).

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Zwei der kühnsten Abenteurer von Point County sind in die entlegensten Winkel der Welt gereist und mit einzigartigen Artefakten zurückgekehrt. Stelle sie in Deinem Museum aus und teile die Koordinaten eines neuen Expeditionsstandortes, an dem eine exklusive Sonderausstellung und verschiedene Veranstaltungen stattfinden werden. Bestelle das Spiel jetzt vor und erhalte exklusive Sonic-Themengegenstände, mit denen Du Dein Museum dekorieren und Deine Gäste unterhalten kannst! Alternativ kannst Du auch schon heute losspielen, indem Du Dir die Two Point Museum: Explorer Edition Version sicherst.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Mach Dich bereit für taktische Mech-Action in War Robots: Frontiers, einem kostenlosen Multiplayer-Mech-Shooter. Konstruiere und personalisiere Deine Kriegsroboter, verbünde Dich online mit anderen Spieler*innen und wirf Deine Maschinen in riesige Schlachten, die zwischen den Sternen toben. Setze auf eine enge Teamkoordination und taktische Gambits, um Deine Rivalen in einer Vielzahl von PvP-Modi auszuschalten. Kämpfe im Team-Deathmatch um die totale Zerstörung, in Last Robot Standing um das Überleben, in Warp Rush um die meisten Punkte und in den Ligen um Auf- oder Abstieg.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Beautiful Sakura: Racing Club ist ein fesselnder Bildroman über Kaito, einen jungen Träumer, der fest entschlossen ist, ein professioneller Rennfahrer zu werden. Mit der Leidenschaft in seinem Herzen und der Unterstützung seiner Freunde muss er aufregende Herausforderungen meistern, schwierige Entscheidungen treffen und emotionale Momente durchleben, um seinen Traum zu verwirklichen. Wirst Du Kaito zum Sieg auf der Rennstrecke und im Leben führen? Es liegt an Dir, seine Träume zu verwirklichen.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Du bist ein ganz normales Teenager-Mädchen, das auf der Suche nach einem Job ist, nachdem Deine Träume vom College nicht ganz aufgegangen sind. Doch als Du Dich während einer nationalen Debatte hinter die Bühne verirrst, findest du viel mehr: einen Haufen sprechender Katzen, die für die Präsidentschaft kandidieren. Und das ist noch nicht einmal das Seltsamste – sie alle wollen Dich als Wahlkampfmanagerin einstellen!

    Ein Ausflug in den Dino-Park mag toll klingen, und das ist er auch, aber was wäre, wenn es dort auch noch Katzen gäbe, die gefunden und gestreichelt werden wollen. Du hast eine Vorliebe für Katzen? Dann wäre der Dino-Park mehr als dankbar, wenn Du helfen würdest, die felligen Vierbeiner aufzuspüren. Finde in fünf Leveln mehr als 500 Katzen und lasse Dich von den handgezeichneten Grafiken und dem Soundtrack des Spiels verzaubern.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Mach Dich bereit für ein weiteres rätselhaftes und herausforderndes Abenteuer mit O.W.L Projekt 2, einem isometrischen 3D-Puzzlespiel, das Deinen Verstand auf die Probe stellt. Wieder übernimmst du die Rolle von Elysion, einem jungen Wesen, das in einem mysteriösen Experiment erschaffen wurde, und stellst Dich den mysteriösen Watchers, um zu entkommen und Geheimnisse zu lüften.

    Xbox One X Enhanced
    Tauche ein in die Welt von Solid Void, einem einzigartigen Rätselerlebnis, das zwei klassische Rätselstile in einer fesselnden Reise vereint. Entschlüssele zunächst das komplizierte Nonogramm-Rätsel, um das Raster zu vervollständigen. Sobald das Raster komplett ist, kannst Du die nächste Stufe nehmen, indem Du pentominoähnliche Blöcke platzierst, um wunderschöne Designs zu erstellen.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Sonnenscheinbärchi, Brummbärchi, Teile-gern-Bärchi, Hurrabärchi und Glücksbärchi befinden sich auf einer Mission, um das Silberfutter vor Blusters bisher hinterhältigsten und gewagtesten Plan zu retten! Ein gigantischer, unkontrollierbarer Bösewicht richtet auf dem Silberstreif Chaos an. Wenn er nicht bald gestoppt wird, stecken das ganze Land und seine Bewohner*innen in großen Schwierigkeiten!

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Die abenteuerlichen Welten von Eldrador sind in Gefahr! Führe wehrhafte Kreaturen durch rundenbasierte strategische Kämpfe, um eine mysteriöse Bedrohung zu bekämpfen. Mache Dir eine Reihe zugänglicher Taktiken zunutze, um Deine Feinde zu überlisten.

    Beginne Deine FragPunk-Kämpfe, indem Du die Regeln elegant umgehst! Mit dem Kauf des FragPunk-Pre-Order-Pakets erhältst Du plattformexklusive Skins, Sticker und ein Amulett sowie den Premium-Battle-Pass für die erste Staffel zu einem attraktiven Preis! FragPunk wird kostenlos spielbar sein, wenn es am 6. März 2025 erscheint – das exklusive Paket wird nach Ablauf der Vorbestellfrist jedoch dauerhaft aus dem Shop entfernt.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Ein 2D-Videospiel, das Jump’n’Run und Action mit einem Hauch von Erkundung kombiniert. Du steuerst Morkull, den Gott der Finsternis und Herrn der Ragast. Morkull ist dazu in der Lage, die vierte Wand zu durchbrechen, was ihm die Möglichkeit bietet, auf vielfältige Weise mit Dir zu kommunizieren. Dein Ziel? Hilf Morkull, aus dem Ragast zu entkommen, damit er die Welt beherrschen und seine bösen Pläne umsetzen kann.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Sorry We’re Closed ist ein eigenwilliges, storybasiertes Survival-Horror-Spiel über Engel und Dämonen, das feste Kameraperspektiven mit Kämpfen im Arcade-Stil kombiniert. Michelle muss ihr drittes Auge benutzen, um zwischen die Welten zu sehen und Geheimnisse zu lüften. Begleite sie in ihren letzten Tagen, während sie darum kämpft, den Fluch zu brechen, der ihr von einem mächtigen Erzdämon auferlegt wurde. Hilf den neugierigen Bewohner*innen aus Michelles belebtem Londoner Stadtteil (oder behindere sie!), während sie versucht, sich von ihrem vorzeitigen Ableben zu befreien.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Erlebe atemberaubende Momente, während Du tief in die verschiedenen Welten von Split Fiction eintauchst – einem bahnbrechenden Koop-Action-Adventure des Studios, das hinter It Takes Two steht. Mio und Zoe sind zwei sehr unterschiedliche Schriftstellerinnen – die eine schreibt über Science-Fiction, die andere über Fantasy. Doch nun sind beide in ihren eigenen Geschichten gefangen, nachdem sie an eine Maschine angeschlossen wurden, die ihnen ihre kreativen Ideen rauben soll. Sie müssen lernen, sich aufeinander zu verlassen, um sich mit ihren intakten Erinnerungen zu befreien. Hierfür müssen sie zusammenarbeiten und mit ihren Fähigkeiten Herausforderungen meistern. Zwischen Science-Fiction- und Fantasy-Welten entsteht so eine unerwartete Freundschaft.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
    Die legendären JRPGs von Konami, Suikoden I und Suikoden II wurden neu aufgelegt – mit verbesserten Hintergrundgrafiken, überarbeiteten Effekten, die den Pixel-Art-Animationen neues Leben einhauchen und neuen Umgebungsgeräuschen für ein packendes Erlebnis.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    In diesem interaktiven Spielerlebnis schlüpfst Du in die Rolle eines kleinen Vogels, der durch atemberaubende Landschaften fliegt und dabei magische Kristalle sammelt, die bestimmte Orte markieren. Im Spiel geht es nicht darum, Feinde zu besiegen oder gefährliche Hindernisse zu überwinden, sondern vielmehr darum, in eine friedliche und ruhige Umgebung einzutauchen. Der Titel ist so konzipiert, dass er Geist und Seele entspannt und dabei einen Gegenpol zum Alltagsstress darstellt.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
    Arga trainiert täglich, um sich mit seinem Vater zu messen, der als der stärkste Mann der Welt gilt. Er erlernt die Fähigkeit der Seelenveränderung, die es ihm und seinen Begleiter*innen ermöglicht, zwischen der Form eines Erwachsenen und der eines Teenagers zu wechseln. In rundenbasierten Kämpfen kannst Du zwischen diesen Rollen wechseln und verschiedene Fähigkeiten und Strategien einsetzen, um zu gewinnen. Erkunde eine riesige Pixelwelt mit rätselhaften Dungeons, sammle Zutaten, bewältige Quests und entdecke alles über Alter Age!

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    Erlebe die Natur auf Deine Art. Tauche mit dem Camping Simulator in die Schönheit und die Herausforderungen der freien Natur ein. Egal, ob Du auf der Suche nach einem friedlichen Ausflug oder einem Test Deiner Überlebensfähigkeiten bist – dieses Spiel bietet Dir ein dynamisches Campingerlebnis, das auf Deine persönlichen Vorstellungen zugeschnitten ist.

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
    In diesem Spiel kommt es auf die richtige Strategie und Präzision an, um jedes Level voller bösartiger Ganoven mit Schlägern, Messern, Pistolen und anderen Waffen zu meistern. Sammle die Waffen gefallener Feinde ein und nutze sie zu Deinem Vorteil. Untersuche ein gefährliches Bandenversteck, beende den perfiden Drogenhandel und räche Dich an den berüchtigten Verbrecher*innen, die dafür verantwortlich sind. Kannst Du Dich dieser Herausforderung stellen und all Deine Feinde besiegen?

    Optimiert für Xbox Series X|S
    Mach Dich bereit für die elektrisierende Welt von Steampunch, einem lässigen und herausfordernden 2D-Plattformer! Überwinde Feinde, Fallen und Hindernisse, um den Aufzug zu erreichen, der Dich ins nächste Level bringt. Renne, springe und gleite mit Präzision durch die Wände. Nutze Doppel- und Luftsprünge, um geheime Orte zu erreichen und Herausforderungen zu meistern!

    Website: LINK

  • Next Week on Xbox: New Games for March 3 to 7

    Next Week on Xbox: New Games for March 3 to 7

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Xbox App on Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

    Carmen Sandiego
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Carmen Sandiego

    Gameloft

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    Carmen Sandiego – March 4
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

    VILE is back on the scene, and for once, ACME and Carmen Sandiego have a common enemy. In a rare and temporary alliance, the world’s greatest thief must track down the syndicate before they can pull off their next big heist. Rookie gumshoes and seasoned detectives are invited to put their sleuthing skills to the test whether it’s in the narrative driven main campaign or the classic mode ‘The Acme Files’.

    Marshmallow Marvin: Greenwood

    Marshmallow Marvin: Greenwood

    Jolly Lobster Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Marshmallow Marvin: Greenwood – March 4
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    Embark on a delightful new adventure with Marshmallow Marvin in Greenwood! Journey through a magical forest brimming with colorful mysteries, eccentric creatures, and hidden secrets. Explore every nook and cranny, where each step unveils fresh challenges and surprises for our squishy hero. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in a world full of sweetness and wonder!

    Sugarbound

    Sugarbound

    Synnergy Circle Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Sugarbound – March 4
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    The human kingdom is facing a food shortage crisis and the only option to survive is defeating the monsters from a mythical land called Sugarbound, but only a master patisserie can transform the defeated monsters into edible food! Chloé Fondant is the only hope humanity must survive (and eat delicious cakes).

    Two Point Museum

    Two Point Museum

    SEGA

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    Two Point Museum – March 4
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    Two Point County’s most daring adventurers have travelled to the far reaches of the known map and returned with unique artefacts to host in your museum, along with the coordinates of a new expedition location, home to an exclusive special exhibit and events! Pre-order now for exclusive Sonic themed items to decorate your museum and entertain your guests with! Or you can also start playing today by picking up Two Point Museum: Explorer Edition version of the game.

    War Robots: Frontiers

    War Robots: Frontiers

    MY.GAMES

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    War Robots: Frontiers – March 4
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Gear up for tactical mech action in War Robots: Frontiers, a free-to-play multiplayer mech shooter. Construct and customize your War Robots, squad up with other Pilots online, and fire up your engines in massive battles across the stars. Using tight team coordination and tactical gambits to edge out rivals in a variety of PvP modes: Push for all-out destruction in Team Deathmatch, fight for survival in Last Robot Standing, control points in Warp Rush, and rank up in Leagues.

    Beautiful Sakura: Racing Club

    Beautiful Sakura: Racing Club

    Cropware

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Beautiful Sakura: Racing Club – March 5
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Beautiful Sakura: Racing Club is a captivating visual novel about Kaito, a young dreamer determined to become a professional racing driver. With passion in his heart and the support of his friends, he must navigate through thrilling challenges, tough decisions, and emotional moments to chase his dream. Will you guide Kaito to victory on the racetrack and in life? The journey is yours to unfold!

    Cat President: A More Purrfect Union

    Cat President: A More Purrfect Union

    Penguin Pop Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Cat President: A More Purrfect Union – March 5
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    You’re just an ordinary teen girl looking for work after your college dreams didn’t quite pan out. But when you get lost backstage during a national debate, you find so much more: a bunch of talking cats who are running for President. And that’s not even the weird part – they all want to hire you as a campaign manager!

    Cats and Seek : Dino Park

    Cats and Seek : Dino Park

    Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Cats and Seek: Dino Park – March 5

    A trip to the Dino Park may sound awesome, and it is, but what if that trip was also full of cats to find and pet? If you have a penchant for seeking cats, the Dino Park would be thankful for your help with spotting them all! The game features 500 cats to find, along with many special cats to collect. It offers five levels dense with friendly-looking, handmade drawings, three adorable music tracks to make your game nice and cozy.

    O.W.L Projekt 2

    O.W.L Projekt 2

    Eastasiasoft Limited

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    O.W.L Projekt 2 – March 5
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Get ready for another enigmatic and challenging adventure with O.W.L Projekt 2, a 3D isometric puzzle game that will test your mind and logic skills. Once again controlling Elysion, a young being created in a mysterious experiment, you will face the enigmatic Watchers in a journey to escape and uncover secrets.

    Solid Void - Nature Puzzles

    Solid Void – Nature Puzzles

    Infinite Zone

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $4.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Solid Void – Nature Puzzles – March 5
    Xbox One X Enhanced

    Immerse yourself in Solid Void, a unique puzzle experience that merges two classic puzzle styles into one addictive journey. Start by solving intricate nonogram puzzles to complete the grid. Once your grid is complete, take the challenge to the next level by placing pentomino-like blocks to complete beautiful designs.

    Care Bears: To The Rescue

    Care Bears: To The Rescue

    Forever Entertainment S. A.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Care Bears: To The Rescue – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Funshine Bear, Grumpy Bear, Share Bear, Cheer Bear and Good Luck Bear are on a mission to save the Silver Lining from Bluster’s most devious and daring plan so far! A ginormous, uncontrollable Bad Seed is wreaking havoc across the Silver Lining. If it isn’t stopped soon, the entire land and its inhabitants will be in big trouble!

    ELDRADOR® CREATURES SHADOWFALL

    ELDRADOR® CREATURES SHADOWFALL

    Wild River Games GmbH

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $33.49

    Eldrador Creatures: Shadowfall – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    The adventure-filled worlds of Eldrador are in danger! Lead battle-ready creatures in turn-based strategic combat to defeat a mysterious shadowy menace. Utilize a range of accessible tactics to outsmart your opponent.

    FragPunk Pioneer Bundle

    FragPunk Pioneer Bundle

    NetEaseGames_Global

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $9.99

    FragPunk (Pioneer Bundle) – March 6

    Kick off your FragPunk fights by bending the rules in style! Purchase the FragPunk pre-order bundle to get platform-exclusive skins, stickers, and a charm as well as the first season’s premium battle pass at an exceptional value! FragPunk will be free-to-play when it releases on March 6, 2025 — this exclusive bundle will be permanently removed from the store after the pre-order period ends.

    Morkull Ragast's Rage

    Morkull Ragast’s Rage

    Selecta Play

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $17.99

    Morkull Ragast’s Rage – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    A 2D video game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration, control Morkull, God of Death and Darkness and Lord of the Ragast. His main mechanic – breaking the fourth wall, which allows him to communicate with you in a multitude of ways. Your objective? Help Morkull escape from the Ragast so he can rule the world and carry out his evil plans.

    Sorry We're Closed

    Sorry We’re Closed

    Akupara Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $24.99

    Sorry We’re Closed – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    An eccentric story-driven survival horror game about angels and demons that mixes fixed-camera exploration and arcade-style shooting. Michelle must use her Third Eye to see between worlds and uncover secrets. Follow her final days as she battles to break the curse placed on her by a powerful archdemon looking for love. Help (or hinder!) the lives of curious residents in Michelle’s bustling London borough as she pursues freedom from her own untimely demise.

    Split Fiction

    Split Fiction

    Electronic Arts

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 14

    ★★★★★

    $49.99 $44.99

    Split Fiction – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    Embrace mind-blowing moments as you’re pulled deep into the many worlds of Split Fiction, a boundary-pushing co-op action adventure from the studio behind It Takes Two. Mio and Zoe are contrasting writers – one writes sci-fi and the other writes fantasy – who become trapped in their own stories after being hooked up to a machine designed to steal their creative ideas. They’ll have to rely on each other to break free with their memories in-tact, working together to master a variety of abilities and overcome diverse challenges while jumping between sci-fi and fantasy worlds in this unexpected tale of friendship.

    Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars + Pre-Order Bonus
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars + Pre-Order Bonus

    KONAMI

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $49.99

    Suikoden I & II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars – March 6
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

    The legendary Konami JRPGs, Suikoden I and Suikoden II, have now been remastered in HD, bringing upgraded background illustrations, updated effects that breathe new life into the pixel art animation, and new environmental sound effects for an immersive experience.

    Aery - Dream Land

    Aery – Dream Land

    EpiXR Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $9.99

    Aery – Dream Land – March 7
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    In this interactive game experience, you step into the role of a small bird, soaring through breathtaking landscapes while collecting magical crystals that mark certain locations. The game is not about defeating enemies or overcoming dangerous obstacles, but rather about immersing yourself in a peaceful and tranquil environment. It is designed to relax your mind and soul, providing a soothing escape from the stresses of everyday life.

    Alter Age
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Alter Age

    KEMCO

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Alter Age – March 7
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

    Arga trains daily to measure his strength against his father, known as the world’s strongest. He learns Soul Alter, enabling him and his companions to switch between adult and preteen forms. Facing many challenges, they alternate roles in turn-based battles, using various skills and strategies to win. Explore a vast pixel world with puzzle dungeons, gather ingredients, complete quests, and uncover all of Alter Age!

    Camping Simulator: The Squad

    Camping Simulator: The Squad

    CubeCube Sports LTD.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Camping Simulator: The Squad – March 7
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    Experience nature, your way. Immerse yourself in the beauty and challenges of the great outdoors with Camping Simulator. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or a test of survival skills, this game offers a dynamic camping experience tailored to your style.

    Material Evidence

    Material Evidence

    Ratalaika Games S.L.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Material Evidence – March 7
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

    You’ll need strategy and precision to clear each level full of malicious hoodlums toting bats, knives, guns, and other arms. Pick up the weapons of fallen enemies and use them to your advantage. Investigate a dangerous gang hideout, shut down an insidious drug-selling operation, and get your revenge against the notorious criminals responsible. Can you take on this challenge and defeat all your enemies?

    Steampunch

    Steampunch

    Afil Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Steampunch – March 7
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

    Get ready for the electrifying journey of Steampunch, a casual and challenging 2D platformer! Overcome enemies, traps, and obstacles to reach the elevator that takes you to the next level. Run, jump, and wall-slide with precision. Use double jumps and air dashes to reach secret areas and overcome challenges!

    Website: LINK

  • Monster Hunter Wilds: 6 Tips from the Developers Themselves

    Monster Hunter Wilds: 6 Tips from the Developers Themselves

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    The Monster Hunter series is packed with detail – from 14 weapon types, each effectively changing what kind of action game you’re playing, to its many items, to the huge range of monsters to take down – which can also make it overwhelming to a new player. With Monster Hunter Wilds (launching on Xbox Series X|S today) offering the biggest, most seamless hunting experience yet, it’s good to go in armed not just with a massive weapons, but with knowledge.

    With that in mind, we spoke to the game’s developers to get their tips on using some of Wilds’ newest features, ensuring that you enter The Forbidden Lands with the know-how to succeed, whether you’re a new hunter or an old hand.

    Choosing Wisely

    Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Image

    As I mention above, just picking a weapon in Monster Hunter can be a difficult decision. With a huge variation in attack types, and some real depth to their abilities, new players can get lost in that simple choice. Thankfully, Wilds has a solution:

    “Another key learning from past games relates to the 14 weapon types. This is quite a lot of choice for first-time players and many people weren’t sure which weapon to choose, resulting in them choosing weapons that weren’t a good fit for their personal play style. To help avoid this, Monster Hunter Wilds includes an NPC conversation where players are recommended the best weapon for them to start from.”

    Don’t skip the chance to speak to your Handler Alma for a breakdown of what you want to use (but don’t forget that you can switch to a new weapon at any time you’re at camp, so don’t be afraid to experiment, either!).

    An Unexpected Hunting Tool – Other Monsters

    Monster Hunter Wilds Screenshot

    Building on the team’s work in Monster Hunter World, the new game doesn’t just build a world, but an ecosystem. With multiple monsters, large and small, wandering the maps, you’ll find that different species will react to one another, even if you’re not starting the fight. And, crucially, that can be a major advantage:

    “Wilds features much larger maps than any previous Monster Hunter title, and they have lots of monsters in them. This means that not only will you see turf wars happen between large monsters as in past titles, but there are also times when aggressive small monsters take their chance to attack large monsters. Players can utilize this behaviour to their advantage by luring their hunt target into such an attack.

    “The game is also more seamless than ever before, allowing you to hunt monsters you encounter out in the locale by seamlessly making them into quests, without having to go back to the base camp, so you can explore the area, discover a monster, hunt it, and once it’s defeated decide on what to do next. While all this is happening, there are turf wars and other encounters happening in real time, so you may for instance come across a wounded monster who’s just come out of a fight you weren’t even involved in!”

    Seikret Techniques

    Monster Hunter Wilds Screenshot

    A key part of Monster Hunter Wilds is the addition of Seikrets, animal mounts that can track monsters, and help you travel to them at speed. But they also come with the added bonus of being rideable at any time – meaning you can use them to your advantage in battle. You can also attack while mounted on your Seikret.

    “The actions you can perform while mounted on a Seikret are limited, so you generally need to dismount in order to dish out any substantial damage to the monster. However, while you are on it your Seikret it will avoid monster attacks to an extent and you can use items, so hopping on when you’re in a pinch can be a smart way to recover during a hunt.”

    Switching Approach

    Monster Hunter Wilds Screenshot

    Another key change to proceedings is that your Seikret will allow you to switch between two chosen weapons, even mid-fight. This is a major shift in how Monster Hunter works – you could pick a longsword for melee combat but switch to a bowgun when your quarry flees, or use a hammer to deal stun damage, before switching to a greatsword when your target is sufficiently hazy. The developers also suggest a more nuanced approach:

    “The most appropriate weapon for a given hunt or situation can vary greatly depending on the monster type and attack patterns, breakable parts and so on, so it’s definitely a good idea to switch weapons depending on the situation. If you really like a particular weapon, you could take two of the same weapon type with different elemental properties and use them strategically that way.”

    Sharp Focus

    Monster Hunter Wilds Screenshot

    A big change to your battles in Monster Hunter Wilds comes through a new system:

    “Wilds introduces a new “wound” system where, as you attack monsters, you will open up wounds on their body and can then attack them for increased damage. Keep attacking a wound and it will break, for even bigger damage.”

    However, Monster Hunter’s enemies often have wild attack patterns, making concentrating on a single part of their body tough – so the developers have layered in another new system to help. Focus Mode will lock you onto a monster, letting you exploit those weak spots, even using new attacks to do so:

    “Focus Mode is not only a way to let players more precisely control the camera when aiming attacks, it also highlights those wounds, making them easier to aim for. You can also use a special Focus Strike on wounds while in this mode, so it’s a good way to make it easier to aim your attacks even for less experienced players – you just need to get the distance right and line it up. You can also use Focus Mode to aim for breakable parts of a monster’s body and make it easier to break them and get the extra rewards that brings.”

    Show Your Skills

    Monster Hunter Wilds Screenshot

    Another big change comes in the form of your skills. In previous Monster Hunter games, only your armor would offer you extra skills – from gathering materials more quickly to dealing more damage. Monster Hunter Wilds adds more freedom by adding skills to your weapons, too:

    “In past titles only armor had skills on it, but with the new ability to carry two weapons, this would mean that any armor skills specific to a particular weapon would not be useful when changing weapons. This would mean players would be limited in the gear they could wear, or their weapons could be less effective. To avoid this, we’ve moved attack/weapon related skills such as Attack Boost or Guard to the weapons themselves, while more generally applicable support skills such as Speed Eater remain on the armor pieces, to allow players to bring the most effective skills for each hunt.”

    Make sure to pay attention to skills across your loadout, and ensure you’re building something that complements how you want to play.

    Monster Hunter Wilds arrives for Xbox Series X|S today.

    Monster Hunter Wilds

    Monster Hunter Wilds

    CAPCOM CO., LTD.

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Pre-order to receive a bonus! 【Pre-order Bonus】
    Receive this bonus content by pre-ordering Monster Hunter Wilds:
    ●Hunter Layered Armor Set: Guild Knight
    ●Talisman: Hope Charm *The bonus content listed above may be available by alternative means at a later date. The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next.
    This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.
    Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.
    The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
    Story
    A few years past, a young boy named Nata was rescued at the border of the Forbidden Lands, an unexplored region the guild has yet to survey.
    After hearing the boy’s tale of his lone escape from a mysterious monster that attacked his village, the Guild organized an expedition into the Forbidden Lands to investigate.
    A Living World
    Environments within the Forbidden Lands can drastically change as the weather shifts constantly and suddenly. During the harsh Fallow and perilous Inclemency periods, ravenous monsters will venture out to hunt in packs, yet during the Plenty periods, wildlife is rich and abundant.
    Monsters
    The monsters who inhabit these environments have been forced to adapt to the dynamic changes that occur, using their unique characteristics to survive and thrive.
    Hunting As the world around them changes, so must the hunters and their tactics. Not only will hunters have a multitude of weapons and armor to choose from, but the art of the hunt itself has evolved as hunters learn to anticipate monsters’ behavior and familiarize themselves with their environment.
    Characters
    From hunting partners to fellow expedition members, you’ll encounter plenty of those who will support you on your journey.

    Website: LINK

  • A Minecraft Movie: Neuer Trailer und Tickets im Verkauf

    A Minecraft Movie: Neuer Trailer und Tickets im Verkauf

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    We also have a surprise for US moviegoers – soar and dart through the Overworld sky with the jetpack add-on!* Get your hands on it and strap in by buying a ticket to to the film’s opening weekend through our official A MINECRAFT MOVIE partner, Fandango. Now those piglins really won’t see you coming…  

    The movie is so close I can almost smell the popcorn… In fact, tickets are on sale right now! Make sure you get yours if you want to be the first to see A MINECRAFT MOVIE on opening weekend.  

    * Add-on requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (sold separately), with access to the internet. 

    Website: LINK

  • Forza Horizon 5: Tauche am 25. April in die Horizon Realms ein

    Forza Horizon 5: Tauche am 25. April in die Horizon Realms ein

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    This April, the Horizon Festival evolves with Horizon Realms.

    This brand-new feature will let players dig into Forza Horizon 5’s history of Evolving World updates. Explore 12 fantastic Evolving World locations: 11 of the best previously limited-time locations and the premiering Stadium Track.

    Collect new Horizon Realms-exclusive accolades to unlock four new-to-Horizon reward cars. 

    Revisit your favorite environments, or discover them for the first time, in Horizon Realms available for every platform on April 25! 

    A Selection of the Best Evolving Worlds

    Horizon Realms gives players the chance to explore a hand-picked collection of some of the community’s favorite previously released Evolving World updates. 

    Get ready to (re-)discover and adventure though these beloved locations while behind the wheel of your favorite cars: 

    • Stunt Park 

    • Ice Rink 

    • Oval Track 

    • Summer Party 

    • Neon Airstrip

    • Día de Muertos 

    • Winter Wonderland 

    • Lunar Drift Arena 

    • Retrowave Highway 

    • Cars and Coffee 

    • Stadium Maze

    Along with these 11 returning environments, we are bringing the brand-new Stadium Track!
    You can also race around this Evolving World with the new permanent race route coming to the game, the Horizon Stadium Circuit. You can find details further into this post. 

    New Dedicated Accolade Tab

    A new Accolade Tab exclusive to Horizon Realms will be added to the game featuring 60+ accolades. While most of them are new to this update, you will also be able to unlock previously released accolades tied to the returning Evolving Worlds that are now accessible with Horizon Realms.  

    Each of the Evolving World locations featured in Horizon Realms includes 5 new accolades to unlock! Find them under the Horizon Realms Accolades tab. You can also find an Accolade for the Horizon Stadium Circuit under the Road Racing tab.

    Complete Horizon Realms Accolades to acquire 12 new badges coming to the game. Plus, for the first time ever, unlocking an accolade will reward the player with #Forzathon Points! Go for a 100% in every Realm and unlock rewards with your newly acquired Points.

    Earning accolades will also score new cars for your garage. Complete unique challenges featured on every Realm to unlock four new-to-Horizon reward cars:

    • Lamborghini’s take on a hyper hybrid, the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

    • Stomp the off-road scene with the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato

    • The mightiest version of the Exige, the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430

    • Ride the king of the Ice Age with the 2022 Hennessey Mammoth 6×6

    Two Ways to Dive into Horizon Realms

    There will be two different ways to experience Horizon Realms: 

    Skill Mode

    Choose one of the Horizon Realms to enter and try to bank as much Skill Score as possible. Each Evolving World has its own separate Skill Score leaderboard, and there will also be a total Skill Score Leaderboard tallying up all points banked on each Realm – so try to take the top spot in all of them! 

    Earning enough Skill Score will also unlock new player Badges unique to Horizon Realms! 

    Free Mode

    This mode puts the leaderboards to the side and focuses on players having a good time in their favorite Realms. 

    Enter on your own or with your friends in a Convoy to explore your favorite Realms, obtain Badges tied to previous content updates, unlock accolades to earn #Forzathon Points, and more! 

    Start Your Engines at the New Horizon Stadium Circuit

    Line up at the starting line of a brand-new race route: the Horizon Stadium Circuit! Featuring corners, bends, and racing decorations, this new track will become a permanent race route in the game – complete with its own event icon on the map and Rivals leaderboard! 

    Score your best time on this new race route in Rivals and Horizon Open and explore the Stadium Track Realm in Horizon Realms‘ Free Mode and Skill Mode.

    Explore Nissan’s Heritage with a New Car Pack

    Four new cars from throughout Nissan’s automotive history will become available for purchase as Forza Horizon 5 releases for PlayStation 5 with the Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack.

    This new DLC pack includes the 1989 Nissan Pao, 1991 Nissan Figaro, 1989 Nissan S-Cargo, and the 1987 Nissan Be-1.

    Add these cars to your collection and customize them how you want!

    The Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack will be available starting April 25 for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99. Players who bought the Ultimate Car Pack Collection will receive this Car Pack at no additional cost.

    Pre-order Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 Today!

    Forza Horizon 5 is now available for pre-order ahead of its PS5 release on April 29! Visit the PlayStation Store to pre-purchase one of Forza Horizon 5’s different editions.

    Standard Edition comes with the complete base game and its free content and features like Horizon Realms.

    Get access to an extra 42 cars added with Car Pass by purchasing the Deluxe Edition of Forza Horizon 5.

    Upgrade your adventure to the fullest with the Premium Edition. This edition comes with both Forza Horizon 5 expansions (Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels), 42 additional cars from Car Pass, VIP Membership, and extra perks that are included in the Welcome Pack.

    Pre-ordering Premium Edition also grants you Early Access to the game, starting April 25, 2025!

    No matter which version of the game you choose to pre-order, you will get a special bundle completely free of charge with your purchase including:

    • Forza Horizon 5’s cover car: the 2021 Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG ONE

    • 5,000 #Forzathon Points which can be used to buy cars and cosmetics

    • 5 Backstage Passes which can be used to unlock any hard-to-find car available in the Backstage Shop

    If you’re already playing Forza Horizon 5, be sure to share the news with your PS5 friends and invite them to join us at the Horizon Festival as cross-play will be available between all platforms!

    PlayStation 5 Graphics Modes

    Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 features two rendering modes to choose from: Performance (60fps) and Quality (30fps).

    On PS5 Pro, the Performance mode receives increased visual fidelity, while Quality mode adds ray traced car reflections to Races and Free Roam.

    We hope you are looking forward to exploring Forza Horizon 5’s vast open world and features with Horizon Realms across all platforms the game is available on. Remember that you can pre-order any version of Forza Horizon 5 starting today on the PlayStation Store to receive a special bundle; pre-purchasing Premium Edition will grant you Early Access on April 25.

    We’ll see you at the Horizon Festival soon!

    Website: LINK

  • A Minecraft Movie: New Trailer and Tickets on Sale

    A Minecraft Movie: New Trailer and Tickets on Sale

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    We also have a surprise for US moviegoers – soar and dart through the Overworld sky with the jetpack add-on!* Get your hands on it and strap in by buying a ticket to to the film’s opening weekend through our official A MINECRAFT MOVIE partner, Fandango. Now those piglins really won’t see you coming…  

    The movie is so close I can almost smell the popcorn… In fact, tickets are on sale right now! Make sure you get yours if you want to be the first to see A MINECRAFT MOVIE on opening weekend.  

    * Add-on requires Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (sold separately), with access to the internet. 

    Website: LINK

  • How we Got the “Herd” in Herdling

    How we Got the “Herd” in Herdling

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Summary

    • Atmospheric adventure about shepherding mysterious creatures through fantastical mountainscapes.
    • Create and customize your herd.
    • Encounter and overcome obstacles on epic adventures.

    In our game Herdling, you leave the city behind to start an adventure through the mountains. But you won’t be alone. Always with you: your herd of fantastical mountain creatures.

    Your task is to guide and shepherd these creatures, called “Calicorns”. Together you journey through autumnal forests and vast mountainscapes full of treacherous pathways, encountering mysterious discoveries and breathtaking views. You have to learn how the Calicorns behave, how you can responsibly guide them, and explore everything they are capable of.

    The herd of Calicorns is the core of the game. The player as the protagonist, named Via, has to move with and around the Calicorns to guide them into the correct direction, and help them find their way around obstacles and dangers. This careful navigation in hazardous environments takes turns with wide open plains that allow the herd to stampede – a powerful, exhilarating movement that can also take the Calicorns up otherwise slippery slopes when used strategically.

    Every once in a while, you find a spot to rest, where you can care for and bond with your Calicorns. You can tend to their wounds, clean their fur, play with them and sit around a cozy bonfire to get some well earned rest. On your adventures, you can find various ornaments and keepsakes to decorate your herd.

    Herdling campfire

    From a developer’s perspective, the herd guiding was the first thing we started working on and we never stopped improving it until the end of development. Our main goals were to make the guiding feel intuitive and natural, and to make the Calicorns feel alive enough to care for them. These two goals can be very opposing in many cases, so it was all about the right balance.

    To create a flowing and fun gameplay we wanted to avoid the feeling of an escort mission or an obstacle course. The player’s motivation should be the enjoyment of pressing forward, and not to avoid obstacles. To achieve this, there are different kinds of flowers on the ground that give the Calicorns the ability to stampede or to interact with specific parts of the environment. The stampede can then be used situationally to move faster and to charge through obstacles, such as sturdy shrubbery, deep snow or steep slopes.

    To make the herd believable, it was important to decide on the right size of the herd: Too many Calicorns would make the individual animals unimportant. Too few and it wouldn’t feel like a powerful herd.

    To create a bond with the Calicorns, each had to be distinguishable in some way. So, they have different fur colors and patterns, horn shapes, body sizes and even behave differently in some situations. We also wanted to let you give each Calicorn a custom name as you tame them to further strengthen that bond and sense of individuality. Later in the game, you will have a mighty herd of Calicorns, each with a different look, name and decorations … and experiences made together during the journey.

    Herdling screenshot

    Now, at the end of development, we’re very proud of our herd of Calicorns and everything we went through during the last few years. Every time we play the game – which we do a lot – we’re excited to go on an adventure with a new herd and run across mountain ridges with them. And we hope you will too when Herdling releases this Summer 2025. Wishlist today.

    Herdling

    Herdling

    Panic

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Herdling is a brand new adventure from Okomotive, creators of the atmospheric and acclaimed FAR games, and Panic, publishers of Firewatch. Head out on a grand alpine expedition with a herd of loveable beasts, as you ascend a mountain path, encounter eerie dangers and surprising obstacles, and forge your way to the mystery at the summit.

    Website: LINK

  • Forza Horizon 5: Dive into the Horizon Realms on April 25

    Forza Horizon 5: Dive into the Horizon Realms on April 25

    Reading Time: 5 minutes

    This April, the Horizon Festival evolves with Horizon Realms.

    This brand-new feature will let players dig into Forza Horizon 5’s history of Evolving World updates. Explore 12 fantastic Evolving World locations: 11 of the best previously limited-time locations and the premiering Stadium Track.

    Collect new Horizon Realms-exclusive accolades to unlock four new-to-Horizon reward cars. 

    Revisit your favorite environments, or discover them for the first time, in Horizon Realms available for every platform on April 25! 

    A Selection of the Best Evolving Worlds

    Horizon Realms gives players the chance to explore a hand-picked collection of some of the community’s favorite previously released Evolving World updates. 

    Get ready to (re-)discover and adventure though these beloved locations while behind the wheel of your favorite cars: 

    • Stunt Park 

    • Ice Rink 

    • Oval Track 

    • Summer Party 

    • Neon Airstrip

    • Día de Muertos 

    • Winter Wonderland 

    • Lunar Drift Arena 

    • Retrowave Highway 

    • Cars and Coffee 

    • Stadium Maze

    Along with these 11 returning environments, we are bringing the brand-new Stadium Track!
    You can also race around this Evolving World with the new permanent race route coming to the game, the Horizon Stadium Circuit. You can find details further into this post. 

    New Dedicated Accolade Tab

    A new Accolade Tab exclusive to Horizon Realms will be added to the game featuring 60+ accolades. While most of them are new to this update, you will also be able to unlock previously released accolades tied to the returning Evolving Worlds that are now accessible with Horizon Realms.  

    Each of the Evolving World locations featured in Horizon Realms includes 5 new accolades to unlock! Find them under the Horizon Realms Accolades tab. You can also find an Accolade for the Horizon Stadium Circuit under the Road Racing tab.

    Complete Horizon Realms Accolades to acquire 12 new badges coming to the game. Plus, for the first time ever, unlocking an accolade will reward the player with #Forzathon Points! Go for a 100% in every Realm and unlock rewards with your newly acquired Points.

    Earning accolades will also score new cars for your garage. Complete unique challenges featured on every Realm to unlock four new-to-Horizon reward cars:

    • Lamborghini’s take on a hyper hybrid, the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

    • Stomp the off-road scene with the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato

    • The mightiest version of the Exige, the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430

    • Ride the king of the Ice Age with the 2022 Hennessey Mammoth 6×6

    Two Ways to Dive into Horizon Realms

    There will be two different ways to experience Horizon Realms: 

    Skill Mode

    Choose one of the Horizon Realms to enter and try to bank as much Skill Score as possible. Each Evolving World has its own separate Skill Score leaderboard, and there will also be a total Skill Score Leaderboard tallying up all points banked on each Realm – so try to take the top spot in all of them! 

    Earning enough Skill Score will also unlock new player Badges unique to Horizon Realms! 

    Free Mode

    This mode puts the leaderboards to the side and focuses on players having a good time in their favorite Realms. 

    Enter on your own or with your friends in a Convoy to explore your favorite Realms, obtain Badges tied to previous content updates, unlock accolades to earn #Forzathon Points, and more! 

    Start Your Engines at the New Horizon Stadium Circuit

    Line up at the starting line of a brand-new race route: the Horizon Stadium Circuit! Featuring corners, bends, and racing decorations, this new track will become a permanent race route in the game – complete with its own event icon on the map and Rivals leaderboard! 

    Score your best time on this new race route in Rivals and Horizon Open and explore the Stadium Track Realm in Horizon Realms‘ Free Mode and Skill Mode.

    Explore Nissan’s Heritage with a New Car Pack

    Four new cars from throughout Nissan’s automotive history will become available for purchase as Forza Horizon 5 releases for PlayStation 5 with the Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack.

    This new DLC pack includes the 1989 Nissan Pao, 1991 Nissan Figaro, 1989 Nissan Scargo, and the 1987 Nissan Be-1.

    Add these cars to your collection and customize them how you want!

    The Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack will be available starting April 25 for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99. Players who bought the Ultimate Car Pack Collection will receive this Car Pack at no additional cost.

    Pre-order Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 Today!

    Forza Horizon 5 is now available for pre-order ahead of its PS5 release on April 29! Visit the PlayStation Store to pre-purchase one of Forza Horizon 5’s different editions.

    Standard Edition comes with the complete base game and its free content and features like Horizon Realms.

    Get access to an extra 42 cars added with Car Pass by purchasing the Deluxe Edition of Forza Horizon 5.

    Upgrade your adventure to the fullest with the Premium Edition. This edition comes with both Forza Horizon 5 expansions (Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels), 42 additional cars from Car Pass, VIP Membership, and extra perks that are included in the Welcome Pack.

    Pre-ordering Premium Edition also grants you Early Access to the game, starting April 25, 2025!

    No matter which version of the game you choose to pre-order, you will get a special bundle completely free of charge with your purchase including:

    • Forza Horizon 5’s cover car: the 2021 Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG ONE

    • 5,000 #Forzathon Points which can be used to buy cars and cosmetics

    • 5 Backstage Passes which can be used to unlock any hard-to-find car available in the Backstage Shop

    If you’re already playing Forza Horizon 5, be sure to share the news with your PS5 friends and invite them to join us at the Horizon Festival as cross-play will be available between all platforms!

    PlayStation 5 Graphics Modes

    Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 features two rendering modes to choose from: Performance (60fps) and Quality (30fps).

    On PS5 Pro, the Performance mode receives increased visual fidelity, while Quality mode adds ray traced car reflections to Races and Free Roam.

    We hope you are looking forward to exploring Forza Horizon 5’s vast open world and features with Horizon Realms across all platforms the game is available on. Remember that you can pre-order any version of Forza Horizon 5 starting today on the PlayStation Store to receive a special bundle; pre-purchasing Premium Edition will grant you Early Access on April 25.

    We’ll see you at the Horizon Festival soon!

    Website: LINK

  • Why Two Point Museum Takes the Management Sim in a Whole New Direction – Play Today

    Why Two Point Museum Takes the Management Sim in a Whole New Direction – Play Today

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    For years, the Two Point series has taken players on delightfully eccentric journeys through the world of management sims. We’ve built busy hospitals, shaped the future of academia, and now, we’re setting our sights on a whole new challenge, and something rarely seen in the genre: museums!

    Two Point Museum launches for Xbox Series X|S on March 4, but you can play from today by purchasing the digital Explorer Edition. Find out why we made the switch to a brand new kind of management sim and, if you want to jump in right now, stick around for some handy tips on what we think is the best game in the series so far.

    Evolving the Two Point Formula with New Features

    One of the biggest challenges – and thrills – of creating Two Point Museum was adapting our beloved Two Point formula to an entirely new setting. Unlike hospitals or universities, where the core gameplay revolves around treating patients or educating students, museums are all about curation. You will build and expand your own institutions, filling them with exhibits that range from ancient relics to futuristic wonders, and even a few… let’s say, “unexpected” surprises, like guest-eating plants.

    Two Point Museum Image

    We’ve also introduced some exciting new layers of strategy to Two Point Museum, with the Expedition feature offering a whole new sense of adventure. As curator, you will be tasked with sending a team of (partially) trained experts on Expeditions to discover unique exhibits. You can find over 200 rare exhibits across multiple map locations across your home of Two Point County. Will they return with priceless fossils, cosmic relics, or a rapidly melting ice sculpture containing a caveman who may – or may not – make a run for it?

    Two Point Museum Image

    In Two Point Museum you will explore five distinct museum locations, each with their own unique progression path, exotic relics and creatures to find. Discover unusual dinosaur bones in your Prehistory Museum, keep restless ghosts entertained in the Supernatural Museum, or journey to the far reaches of the Two Point universe to encounter aliens in your Space Museum. Venture beneath the waves to access aquatic marvels in the Marine Life Museum or unearth an abandoned lab and do science-ey stuff in your Science Museum. Oh, and don’t forget to look after that carnivorous plant in your Botany Museum! There is so much to explore and discover in Two Point County, meaning you will always have plenty to be getting on with.

    Guests Know Best

    In Two Point Museum, guests really do know best. You will encounter 18 different visitor types, from science enthusiasts and goths, to meddling kids who love touching things they shouldn’t. You will need to think carefully about how you place your exhibits, which will affect the overall mood of your guests – everyone likes different stuff, you know! Sometimes that means providing an alien Cheese-Moonger with a specific cheese-related dish at the cafeteria, while at other times it’s finding a way to transform a goth into a vampire. Unravel evolving mysteries and unlock new tools in a bid to create your own museum empire and offer the ultimate guest experience.

    Two Point Museum Screenshot

    Running a museum isn’t all serious business – there’s plenty of room for creativity. Want to mix prehistoric fossils with alien artifacts? Go for it! Just don’t be surprised if the results are… unusual. Two Point Museum gives you more creative freedom than ever before, letting you customise everything – from floor tiles and wall coverings to staff uniforms and exhibit names.

    Tips for Future Curators

    To help players make the most of their museum experience, here are a few handy tips from us:

    • Plan your layout wisely: Use interior walls to create themed sections and guide guests along optimal routes. Nobody wants to find the cafeteria next to a cursed sarcophagus.
    • Keep the guests happy: Visitors expect beautifully decorated exhibition spaces, cleanliness, snacks, a giftshop and plenty of restrooms. You can attract specific guest types via marketing campaigns, check in on their experience and cater to their whims to maximise success, happiness and of course….revenue!
    • Train your staff: Experts can gain new skills over time – investing in training can mean the difference between a well-run museum and total exhibit catastrophe.
    • Security challenges: Heists aren’t just for movies! Thieves will try to make off with your precious artifacts, so keep those security guards on high alert. Security chairs and cameras can be used in tandem to ensure boots on the ground, eyes in the sky, and, er, backsides on seats.
    Two Point Museum Screenshot

    What Players Can Expect

    Two Point Museum takes everything fans love about our previous games – deep yet accessible management mechanics, charming humour, and a world filled with personality – and applies it to a brand new setting full of possibilities. Whether you’re designing the next great historical exhibition or uncovering long-lost artifacts, you’ll be shaping a museum that’s uniquely yours. So, are you ready to become a world-class curator?

    Two Point Museum launches on Xbox Series X|S on Tuesday, March 4. Aspiring curators can play it right now with Advanced Access when ordering the digital Explorer Edition.

    Two Point Museum: Explorer Edition

    Two Point Museum: Explorer Edition

    SEGA

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $39.99

    Pre-order now for exclusive Sonic themed items to decorate your museum and entertain your guests with! Only available during pre-purchase. • Sonic decorative statue • Shadow decorative statue • Interactive display grabber machine • Sonic, Tails and Shadow staff outfits • Exclusive gift shop item – Sonic, Tails and Shadow children’s onesies • Exclusive gift shop item – Sonic and Shadow plushies • 2 Sonic level themed floor patterns
    • 1 Sonic level themed wallpaper Two Point County’s most daring adventurers have travelled to the far reaches of the known map and returned with unique artefacts to host in your museum, along with the coordinates of a new expedition location, home to an exclusive special exhibit and events! The Explorer Edition brings a selection of decorative items to embellish your halls, walls and floors with bespoke designs and well travelled statues. As well as exclusive items to help your experts replenish faster to send out on more expeditions. See a full list of the contents: • DIGITAL ONLY: 5 days advanced access
    • 5000 Kudosh!
    • Exclusive Map Location to explore for unique exhibit
    • Exclusive pop-up challenge museum
    • Prestige Package – start your museum with a rare, high buzz level item
    • Explorer staff outfit
    • Additional interactive display
    • Decorative arch way
    • 2 decorative items
    • Explorer ticket desk theme
    • Explorer helicopter skin
    • 3 unique statues
    • 3 floor decorations, 3 wallpapers
    • 3 bench styles
    • Staff Replenishment Trunk which provides additional bonuses after a perilous expedition!

    Two Point Museum

    Two Point Museum

    SEGA

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    Pre-order now for exclusive Sonic themed items to decorate your museum and entertain your guests with! Only available during pre-purchase. • Sonic decorative statue • Shadow decorative statue • Interactive display grabber machine • Sonic, Tails and Shadow staff outfits • Exclusive gift shop item – Sonic, Tails and Shadow children’s onesies • Exclusive gift shop item – Sonic and Shadow plushies • 2 Sonic level themed floor patterns
    • 1 Sonic level themed wallpaper Two Point Museum Includes:
    Design, manage and develop incredible museums
    5 unique main museum locations to Two Point County:
    – Prehistory – Memento Mile
    – Aquarium – Passwater Cove
    – Supernatural – Wailon Lodge
    – Science – Bungle Wasteland
    – Space – Pebberley Heights
    3 Pop up museums with set tasks and challenges
    Sandbox mode to build your very own MEGA MUSEUMS!
    6 main exhibit types and 30+ sub categories of exhibits
    You’ll adventure through 5 different expedition maps with 100+ unique points of interest
    200+ unique exhibits to uncover and fill your sticker book
    350+ decorative items to make your museum uniquely you
    18 guest types to meet and cater for …. including those meddling kids
    Unlock and manage all the museums in Two Point County! As fledgling curators, you have the task of designing and refining your very own museums to create the ultimate guest experience. Coordinate Experts on far-flung expeditions to discover new Exhibits, generating Buzz to entice droves of knowledge-hungry guests who will expect top info-tainment if they’re to leave impressed. This is all while you keep your Exhibits safe, rooms clean, staff happy… and children off the dinosaur bones. EXPLORING FOR EXHIBITS
    As Curator, the design and management of your expanding museum is in your hands! Send your team of partially trained Experts on Expeditions in search of rare and mostly well-preserved artefacts. When (and hopefully not if) your Experts return from their adventure, proudly display their fantastic finds in your museum.
    You’ll unlock new locations as you decide where the next adventure takes you, and complete a sticker book to document your journey as a souvenir of your discoveries.
    Your work doesn’t end there; Exhibit maintenance is crucial. While some Experts are gallivanting across Two Point County and beyond, you’re in charge of managing staff back home to ensure Exhibits and the museum stay in tip-top condition. If taking care of the carnivorous Chomper isn’t enough, there are also meddling thieves to watch out for. Thieves, and more frequently, children, are known for touching and grubbing up the displays, so make sure enough security is guarding your prized collection! DESIGN-OSAURS
    Get creative to design your museum layout your way! You have decorative freedom, so design thematic areas to guide your guests’ visit. Splash paint and lay carpet as you lovingly arrange each prehistoric fern, potentially melting iceman, and dinosaur remains wherever you see fit.
    Once you’ve created the perfect atmosphere, arrange guided tours with custom routes led by a charismatic Expert. Tours are a fantastic way to enrich your guests‘ experience. To keep guests enthused, showcase Exhibits with the highest Buzz – those that are top quality, provide ample info and beautiful decorations are likely to attract the most donations! GUEST-ERTAINMENT
    Guests know best! The different types of guests who will frequent your museum may have different interests, but they do have some things in common… they expect the place to be kept clean, have plenty of refreshments, ample toilets, and a gift shop filled with goodies. And, of course, they need to be dazzled with knowledge of your Exhibits, which are kept well-maintained… or else you could make them sick. Two Point County will bring a variety of guests to your museum, and they all hope to discover their new favourite Exhibit… From dino fanatics and botany buffs to haunted horror seekers, you’ll need to cater to their personal preferences to meet their needs. By exceeding their expectations, you can keep them engaged, leading to longer visits, increased donations, and glowing reviews!

    Website: LINK

  • Free Play Days – Catan, Worms W.M.D and Dragon Ball FighterZ

    Free Play Days – Catan, Worms W.M.D and Dragon Ball FighterZ

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Prepare for battle this weekend with Free Play Days! Catan, Worms W.M.D and Dragon Ball FighterZ are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday February 27 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, March 2 at 11:59pm Pacific. 

    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 Ultimate, Standard and Core 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.

    Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)

    CATAN® - Console Edition

    CATAN® – Console Edition

    Dovetail Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 206

    ★★★★★

    $16.99 $5.09

    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, 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. Want to keep playing? Catan – Console Edition will be up to 70% off from March 4 – 10.

    Worms W.M.D

    Worms W.M.D

    Team17 Digital Ltd

    ☆☆☆☆☆

    ★★★★★

    Worms W.M.D 
    Worms W.M.D is all out tactical worm warfare for up to six players. There’s a huge arsenal of new and classic weapons to cause chaos with as well as vehicles, crafting, buildings and more. This is the ultimate Worms experience for Xbox players. Plus, you can get up to 80% off. 

    DRAGON BALL FighterZ (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)

    DRAGON BALL FighterZ (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)

    BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 512

    ★★★★★

    $59.99 $8.99

    Dragon Ball FighterZ 
    Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
    Dragon Ball FighterZ is born from what makes the Dragon Ball series so loved and famous: endless spectacular fights with its all-powerful fighters. Partnering with Arc System Works, the game maximizes high end Anime graphics and brings easy to learn but difficult to master fighting gameplay. 

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox kehrt zur GDC zurück: Entdecke die nächste Ära mit Xbox Anywhere

    Xbox kehrt zur GDC zurück: Entdecke die nächste Ära mit Xbox Anywhere

    Reading Time: 6 minutes

    As we gear up for the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, we couldn’t be more excited to meet up with our friends and colleagues in the industry and explore the many incredible new opportunities that await. This year, GDC takes place from March 17-21 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. We’ll host partner meetings, participate in conference sessions, and sponsor events like the IGF Awards and the ESA Foundation’s Nite to Unite. Attendees that come by the Xbox Lounge in Moscone South will have a chance to see the latest Xbox experience on PC, join a Q&A with an Xbox development expert, and learn about the opportunities and benefits of building with Xbox across PC, Cloud and Console.

    Xbox is expanding to any screen on any device, making it easier for anyone to play with the friends they want – whether they choose to play with Xbox console, PC, Smart TV or mobile. At GDC, we’re inviting game developers to go behind the scenes to better understand what it means for Xbox to be playable on any screen. We’re committed to empowering game developers to tap into that opportunity by building cross-capable games that take advantage of Xbox across devices. Our presence will reveal the many ways game developers can reach more players with Xbox and showcase success stories of developers who are maximizing the opportunity.

    Whether you’re an indie developer or a seasoned professional, Xbox speakers will be presenting insights for every stage of your development journey. Check out the full schedule below. If you will be engaging remotely, you can learn more by visiting our Game Development Resource Hub here and to learn more about AI for Gaming, check out our Gaming AI Resource Hub here.

    For us, GDC 2025 is as much about showcasing the Xbox developer experience as it is about fostering collaboration with partners and driving our gaming future, together. See you there!

    Monday, March 17

    The Future of Gaming Supported by AI: How Xbox is Empowering Players and Creators (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Fatima Kardar (Microsoft), Sonali Yadav (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 3011, West Hall

    UX Summit: UX Writing: A New(ish) Craft in Mobile Games
    Speaker: Patricia Gomez (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2010, West Hall

    AI Innovation for Game Experiences: From Research to Prototyping (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Haiyan Zhang (Xbox), Katja Hofmann (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 3011, West Hall

    Community Management Summit: Social Media Microtalks: Authenticity from You and the Business “We”
    Speaker: Cindy Tran (Obsidian Entertainment), Antonio Cara (DeNA Corp.), Harper Jay MacIntyre (Double Fine Productions Inc), Livvy Hall (Xbox Game Studios Publishing), Megan Spurr (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2014, West Hall

    Live Service Games Summit: Reinventing ‘Candy Crush Soda’ for the Next 10 years
    Speaker: Abigail Rindo (King), Paul Hellier (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Animation Summit: ‚Diablo 4‘: Bringing to Life the Priestess of Hatred

    Speaker: Chad Waldschmidt (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 3:50 pm – 4:20 pm
    Location: Room 2018, West Hall

    Machine Learning Summit: Fitting Armor Assets in ‘World of Warcraft’ with Deep Learning
    Speaker: Zhen Zhai (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 3018, West Hall

    UX Summit: Making the World Playful: The Importance of Accessible Mobile Games
    Speaker:     Emilio Jeldrez (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 2010, West Hall

    Tuesday, March 18

    Live Service Games Summit: Mass Engagement Winning Strategies: The 15M Player Tournament of ‚Candy Crush Saga‘
    Speaker: Margaux Diaz (King), Roberto Kusabbi (King)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Thriving Players Summit: Prosocial Design Workshop
    Speaker:     Natasha Miller (Blizzard Entertainment), Weszt Hart (Riot Games)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 9:30am – 11;50am
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    The Climate Crisis Workshop
    Speaker: Grant Shonkwiler (Shonkventures LLC), Trevin York (Dire Lark), Paula Angela Escuadra (Microsoft / Xbox), Jennifer Estaris (ustwo games), Arnaud Fayolle (Ubisoft)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 204, South Hall

    AI Executive Panel: Exploring What’s Next in AI for Gaming (Presented by EPAM)
    Speaker: Stef Corazza (Roblox) Vitalli Vashchuk (EPAM) Haiyan Zhang (Xbox), Craig Nowell, Databricks
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
    Location: Room 2020, West Hall

    Gaming Reimagined: Mobile’s Impact on Play Today (Presented by King)
    Speaker: Todd Green (King), Paula Ingvar (King), Peiwen Yao (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Unpacking Anti-Toxicity Strategy in „Call of Duty“ (Presented by Community Clubhouse)
    Speaker: Mark Frumkin (Modulate), Grant Cahill (Activision)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 2:40pm – 3:40pm
    Location: Esplanade 158, South Hall

    Live Service Games Summit: Game Designer’s Notebook
    Speakers: Marta Cortiñas (King), Kenny Dinkin (King)
    Time: 2:40pm – 3:40pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Wednesday, March 19

    Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Leo Olebe (Microsoft), Chris Charla (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
    Location: Room 3022, West Hall

    Accelerating Your Inner Loop with Visual Studio and GitHub Copilot AI (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: David Li (Microsoft), Michael Price (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Grow Your Audience with the Updated Xbox Experience on PC (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker:     Tila Nguyen (Microsoft), Jose Rady (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Make your Game Available ANYWHERE with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Harrison Hoffman (Microsoft), Jordan Cohen (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Masterworking Systems: Lessons Learned from the Engineering of Season of Loot Reborn in ‚Diablo IV‘

    Speaker: Patrick Ferland (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Ask Game Lawyers Anything Roundtable Day 1
    Speaker: Ryan Black (DLA Piper (Canada) LLP), Brandon Huffman (Odin Law and Media), Angelo Alcid (Microsoft Corp.), Yan Perng (Netflix)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
    Location: Room 308, South Hall

    Xbox Game Studios Panel: Scaling Cross-Platform Development Across Xbox and PC (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Kate Rayner (Microsoft), Soren Hannibal Nielsen (Microsoft, Chuck Rozhon (Obsidion Entertainment), Chad Dawson (Double Fine Productions) Phil Cousins (Microsoft), Magnus Auvinen (Machine Games)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Thursday, March 20

    DirectX State of the Union: Raytracing and PIX Workflows (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Claire Andrews (Microsoft), Austin Kinross (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2009, West Hall

    VFX Storytelling: How „Hearthstone“ Breathes Life Into Hundreds of Cards
    Speaker: Alex Cortes (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Inclusive Gaming AI: Red Teaming for Accessibility and Disability
    Speaker: Brannon Zahand (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    Strategies for Indie Devs: How to Succeed with Xbox (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: James Lewis (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    G.A.N.G. Demo Derby: Sound Design
    Speaker: Nick Hartman (Sound Lab), Scott Gershin (Sound Lab), Charles Deenen (Source Sound Inc), Gary Miranda (Injected Senses Audio), Brian Farr (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:45pm
    Location: Room 3018, West Hall

    From Idea to Action: Lessons from a New Accessibility Initiative (Presented by The Entertainment Software Association)
    Speaker: Aubrey Quinn  (Entertainment Software Association), Paul Amadeus Lane  (Amadeus 4th Corp), Amy Lazarus  (Electronic Arts), Dara Monasch  (Google), Anna Waismeyer  (Microsoft/Xbox), Steven Evans  (Nintendo of America), David Tisserand  (Ubisoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
    Location: GDC Main Stage, West Hall, Street Level

    Windows Productivity Tools for Game Developers (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Demitrius Nelon (Microsoft), Kayla Cinnamon (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
    Location: Room 2024, West Hall

    Amplifying Player Voices with LLMs in Game Development
    Speaker: Joshua Koen (Blizzard Entertainment), Ian Livingston (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
    Location: Room, 2010, West Hall 

    Securing the Joy of Gaming: Xbox’s Commitment to Gaming Security and Innovation (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Temi Adebambo (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Xbox Play Anywhere Developer Roundtable (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Chris Charla (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2004, West Hall

    King: Enhancing Mobile Audio with Accessibility and Inclusion
    Speaker: Eduardo Broseta (King)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:30pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 3024, West Hall

    Friday, March 21

    Game Career Seminar: STR, DEX and INT: A Genre-Spanning Way to Think About Gameplay
    Speaker: Joseph Shely  (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Friday, March 21
    Time: 11:50am – 12:20pm
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    Game Career Seminar: Killer Portfolio or Portfolio Killer Part 2: Portfolio Reviews
    Speakers:     Greg Foertsch  (Bit Reactor), Sarah LeBlanc  (Bit Reactor), Rembert Montald  (Lightspeed LA), David Yee  (Unannounced), Jeffrey Johnson  (inXile Entertainment), Jade Law  (Wardog Studios), Gaurav Mathur  (E-Line Media), Jessica Kutrakun  (Hypixel Studios), Inmar Salvatier  (Maxis), Jeff Parrott  (Blizzard), Daanish Syed  (Bit Reactor), David Johnson  (UndertoneFX), Jeff Skalski  (Yellow Brick Games)
    Date:     Friday, March 21
    Time:     2:00pm – 5:00pm
    Location:     Room 3000, West Hall

    Website: LINK

  • Undermine(d): How World of Warcraft’s New Update Added Driveable (and Driftable) Vehicles

    Undermine(d): How World of Warcraft’s New Update Added Driveable (and Driftable) Vehicles

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Summary

    • One of the lead developers for Undermine(d) joins us to talk about the latest chapter for World of Warcraft.
    • This new city is unlike any we’ve seen before in Azeroth, bustling with life, with streets made for speed!
    • Find out more about how you’ll drive and drift around city streets in brand new hot rods.

    Imagine taking New York and smashing it into a steampunk vibe where safety doesn’t matter. That’s the feeling you get when you step into Undermine, the new zone that went live this week in World of Warcraft. I had the pleasure of leading this zone’s design alongside my super talented teammates on the WoW team – and I’d love to tell you more about this never-before-seen goblin city… and its wild, driveable vehicles.

    Deep Dive, Then D.R.I.V.E.

    WoW Undermine(d) Screenshot

    Adding a dynamic twist to the World of Warcraft experience, this new update introduces the D.R.I.V.E. feature, also known as our Dynamic and Revolutionary Improvement to Vehicular Experiences (we took that acronym and manifested it into that mouthful, you’re welcome! It’s sick).

    This new feature allows players to travel on the ground with a mechanically intriguing G-99 Breakneck – otherwise known as WoW’s take on a hot rod. You will unlock this car pretty early while questing – complete “Eyes from Above” in the main campaign, then accept “No More Walkin’ Here” and progress through the Breakneck’s tutorial.

    The design philosophy behind these vehicles is rooted in the art style of World of Warcraft goblins, where everything looks cobbled together yet oddly ingenious. The G-99 Breakneck has exaggerated features—like massive flames shooting from the scoop—which fit perfectly within the chaotic streets of Undermine.

    WoW Undermine(d) Screenshot

    One of the key aspects we wanted to bring to this feature was the ability to drift, which is a classic mechanic in older racing games. Bringing this to World of Warcraft was a challenge, but it ignited excitement across the team. Our goal was to capture that feeling of freedom and control, akin to the sensation of getting your first car and the newfound access it brings.

    The car isn’t just for getting around; it’s also a passenger mount, allowing friends to join in and explore the streets of Undermine together. Players can participate in races, testing their skills on both regular and reverse courses. For those who might get motion sick or find the speed too much, we’ve ensured that the experience is accessible, offering options to customize with a lower top-speed engine immediately after unlocking the car, or to use regular ground mounts instead—whichever you prefer.

    Take to the Streets

    WoW Undermine(d) Screenshot

    But your new car would be nothing without somewhere interesting to drive it. In Undermine, you’ll see these cars racing around you, providing both a vibrant backdrop to your adventures and an invitation to join in the chaos. Tasks like delivering hot towels, or fighting a ghostly tiger that is rudely scaring children, allow you to become a true part of the fabric of the city.

    As you can probably tell, Undermine is full of life. As you drift your car around the streets (above sewers with fighting rings in them!), you will encounter pirates, mobsters, people who want to break your ankles, the best cooks you’ve ever met, and so much more.

    Beneath Undermine’s false sky is a city that bustles with energy, a hub of commerce and culture for goblins. This diverges from the usual city landscapes you’d see in World of Warcraft—this is a densely populated city that’s very much lived in, bustling with life as people go about their day-to-day business.

    The zone itself is a testament to the possibility of more. With features like Slam Central Station, which can take you anywhere your imagination permits, Undermine stands as a beacon of goblin ingenuity and ambition. The city is filled with cleverly named landmarks like the Incontinental Hotel and the Gallagio, reflecting a unique society driven by growth.

    WoW Undermine(d) Screenshot

    The narrative of Undermine is all about bettering one’s circumstances. It ties into the main storyline of The War Within, with characters like Orweyna introducing players to the Ringing Deeps and the initial chapters of the story. You’ll meet (or be reintroduced to, if you’ve played in the past) characters like Renzik and Gazlowe, who provide a window into the lives of those who call Undermine home. While some characters, like Gazlowe, left to find something different, others see Undermine as their home—for some, there’s anywhere but home. For others, there’s no place like home.

    As the story unfolds, Gazlowe undergoes a change of heart, leading to a revolution where players can take down dictators and liberate the streets. This narrative of reclaiming the city highlights the power of the people over oppressive forces.

    Join us in Undermine, a city of fast wheels and dark deals. It doesn’t matter if you drift an inch or a yard, drifting’s drifting!

    The Undermine(d) update is live now in World of Warcraft, available on PC via Battle.net. To learn more, visit WorldOfWarcraft.com.

    Website: LINK

  • Indie Selects for February: Fill Your Hearts (and Game Libraries) with Joy

    Indie Selects for February: Fill Your Hearts (and Game Libraries) with Joy

    Reading Time: 13 minutes

    This February, let the ID@Xbox team set the vibe. In this, the month of Valentine’s Day, indie game developers are competing to be your next love – but don’t stress, because our team of wingmen and wingwomen have handpicked six Indie Selects that can meet what anyone’s heart desires.  

    Indie Selects February Image

    If you’re looking for some tasty food for the soul, satisfying beats that really pop, dangerous exploits to get the heart pumping, and unbelievable deliveries that really soar, February Selects had you at hello. Here’s what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):

    Cuisineer Image

    This game answers the question,” What if you had to earn your meal by engaging it in a fight to the death?”.  Cuisineer is the first food-focused action roguelite that I’ve ever played and I am very much obsessed. I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time bashing cute (but hostile) creatures in its dungeons to restock my fridge back in my character’s hometown. The demand for more wood, more types of stone, and various grades of meat never ends and the loop of “spend a day cooking for fussy customers, then return to a dungeon, then come back and upgrade your tools, etc.” is constant. It’s a hustle that I’m hooked on, to be honest, and Cuisineer delivers up this cycle in a way that’s both cozy and challenging.

    Those monsters in the various dungeons aren’t joking around and you’ll be battling through multiple floors and bosses to get to the end of each gauntlet (though there are options to exit early). You’ll also be plunking down hard-earned gold (from your restaurant’s till) to upgrade your backpack and eatery capacity to continue growing and progressing through the game. It’s a soothing, dopamine-hit formula that Cuisineer does incredibly (and adorably) well, but it’s not absent of difficulty and learning curve. So, think of it as equipping cutesy cat ears while prepping for a lengthy workout. Give yourself some time to onboard and you’ll be harvesting fuzzy little fluffballs for “fatty meat” in no time.

    Cuisineer
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    Cuisineer

    XSEED Games

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 25

    ★★★★★

    $29.99

    Upon receiving a startling letter from her parents, the independent adventurer Pom swiftly returns home to Paell, only to find her parents gone and their beloved restaurant abandoned. Now left with mounting debts and a village in dire need of some fine cooking, Pom will have to delve into the deepest dungeons for the scarcest spices, rarest meats, and the most valuable vegetables she can find to keep her parents’ dream alive. Dive into dungeons and cook up a storm as Pom, an adventurer-turned-restaurateur! Cuisineer‘s food-focused action challenges you to build your dinner the hard way: by dungeon-diving for materials and ingredients. Wield your cooking utensils against giant chickens, artillery shrimps, fire-breathing peppers, and other pesky perils, sipping boba tea along the way. Work with local artisans to customize your kitchen, and tailor your dining hall to the needs of loyal patrons eager to experience the rare recipes you’ve cooked up. The Xbox Series X/S and Windows Store release of Cuisineer plates its enticing gameplay with fresh ingredients like new weapons, year-round festivals, a wardrobe feature, and more tasty inclusions that are sure to spice things up. A Smorgasbord of Dungeons
    Explore procedurally generated biomes such as the Green Ruins, Frozen Fjord, and Konpeito Swamps that change their size, shape, and resources every time you visit. Craft Your Own Culinary Experience Cook over 100 different recipes from around the world, from crunchy Popiah rolls to rich Kaya jam, from double-fried crispy chicken with zesty lemon, to sweet treats piled high with berries. Get the right dishes to the right customers and customize your kitchen and dining hall with the help of local artisans. Master the Flavors of Fighting
    Knock out monsters and rivals with Salty, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Umami, Frosty and Toasty powers that unleash flame, poison, chain lightning, and other fantastic effects. You can also fight with unique utensils and gourmet gear, like Spatula, Smackerel, Swordfish, and the newly added Konpeito Fist weapons! Take Quests to Go
    From Naicha the Bubble Tea seller to Alder the big friendly carpenter, Paell is full of sweet and spicy townsfolk to befriend. While you’re dungeon diving, be on the lookout for items the townsfolk need. You’ll be rewarded with gold, new items, and even more recipes to take your cooking and adventuring to new heights.

    Turbo Overkill Image

    Turbo Overkill is an FPS game that invokes the spirit of ’80s cyberpunk media and classic shooters such as Quake & Doom. By modern definition, you might categorize it as a “boomer shooter” – a game that either IS a retro FPS or a newer title that’s designed to create a similar feeling. Yes, this is a real thing, and no, we didn’t make it up, but we can agree that it’s fitting! As much as I love modern FPS games, I’m a huge fan of the classics, and Turbo Overkill does this subgenre justice in as many ways that it can.

    Taking place in a futuristic, cyberpunk city called Paradise, players control a cybernetic bounty hunter by the name of Johnny Turbo who, paired with his trusty chainsaw leg and large arsenal of weapons, is set to take down rogue AI, Syn, and their augmented minions. The gameplay revolves around fighting various enemies and bosses, exploration, puzzle solving, upgrading Johnny and his weapons, and platforming. But what I love most is its pacing and combat flow. Players can leverage Johnny’s chainsaw leg by crouch sliding (a staple in most modern FPS games) to not only maneuver but also take down most enemies in one hit. Pairing this movement with jumps, air dashes and cycling through the various familiar weapons, makes the game feel like a classic arena shooter on top of its retro heritage.

    In homage to the classics, Turbo Overkill  features a single player campaign with several difficulties to choose from, secret levels to find, and unlockables to keep you busy. There’s also two additional modes, Endless Mode and Arcade Mode, both of which add a medal and scoring system for additional replayability. If you’re a fan of FPS games, whether modern or classic, then you must check this one out!

    Turbo Overkill

    Turbo Overkill

    Apogee Entertainment

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 45

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Turbo Overkill is the most savage FPS ever released by Apogee. You play as Johnny Turbo, augmented with hidden arm rockets and a chainsaw that extends from your lower leg allowing you to slide-slice enemies wide open. Johnny returns to his hometown of Paradise and finds its entire population possessed by Syn, a rogue AI, and its army of augmented minions. Desperate for enough money to outrun his past mistakes, Johnny takes on the impossible job of destroying the greatest AI ever created. Rival bounty hunters want to claim the prize first. Nothing is easy in paradise. TURBO TIME, WALL-RUNNING, DASHING AND GRAPPLING HOOKS, OH MY
    Turbo Overkill takes over-the-top to never-before-reached heights. Activate Turbo Time(™), a new form of slow motion with a twist. Build incredible speed by wall-running and dashing. Slide on your chainsaw leg, eviscerating foes and opening up bosses for critical damage, and go car-surfing on the hoods of flying cars. Blast away with the Twin Magnums, which lock-on and instagib several foes, the Boomer Shotgun and its attached grenade launcher, or the Telefragger sniper rifle, which teleports Johnny inside an enemy before they explode from within. Race through two dozen stages packed with secrets, bonus arena stages, and white-knuckle combat puzzles. Find game-changing collectibles to unlock punishing modifiers like triple-monster-speed and insta-kill. Combine all of Johnny’s weapons and powers to outsmart, outgun and outrun the corrupted legions.

    Tails of Iron 2 Image

    Tails of Iron 2 is a gritty and challenging 2D action-RPG that mixes Soulslike combat with Metroidvania elements. I’ve been interested in this series since the first entry, but I never picked it up – my backlog is infinite! After playing this one though, I feel like I owe it to myself to try it out! It helps that, while the new story shares the same world, the sequel features a new protagonist, Arlo meaning you don’t need to play its predecessor to catch up. As the heir to the Warden of the Wastes, Arlo must avenge his father’s death, taking on threats like the merciless Dark Wing Bats and other creatures as he fights to restore his homeland. Oh… and Arlo’s a rat.

    I won’t get too deep into the gore, but all I’ll say is, don’t let this game’s storybook-like appearance fool you – the themes in this game are grim. The hand-drawn visuals remind me of a hidden gem you’d find digging through the Xbox Live Arcade library, in all the best ways. It has that nostalgic charm that makes it feel familiar, yet ultimately fresh and unique. And the world? Absolutely awesome. Viking themes aren’t new, but Viking rats? They’re adorable, and at the same time, so metal.

    After spending hours fighting bosses, I can confirm this game is challenging. You’ll have to backtrack, platform, upgrade your gear, and parry and roll… a lot. You’ll need patience, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably die more than you survive—unless you switch to Fairy Tale mode, where enemies have less health and do less damage.

    If you’re a fan of Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, or just really love the idea of rats in Viking armor, I recommend giving this a shot. Oh, and they got Doug Cockle (Geralt from The Witcher game series) to narrate the story, which only adds to the appeal.

    Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

    Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

    United Label

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 74

    ★★★★★

    $24.99

    Just as the Rats of the South start to piece their lives together, following the great war between Rodent and Frog, an old and unspeakable evil stirs in the North; wings black as death; fangs sharp as steel; and a thirst for blood rivalled only by their insatiable hunger… for vengeance. As Arlo, young heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts. Unite disparate clans. Upgrade your settlement. And discover a terrible secret of blood and crown… The time for heroes is over. For the Kingdom needs a warrior; forged of the North and as cold as the snow that shrouds these lands. A rat… carved from iron. And so, a new tail begins. Explore a Vast, Wintry Kingdom
    Fully narrated by RPG-legend, Doug Cockle, prepare to embark on an epic adventure across the northern realms of the Ratdom; an expansive, frost-bitten land on the brink of all-out war. Hunt down Giant Beasts
    Track down and defeat the legendary monsters of this realm, and be rewarded with rare resources with which to craft devastating equipment. But be warned, these colossal creatures won’t go down without a fight… and then some. Master Brutal Combat
    The lands of the North are a perilous place, so you’ll need to master the fast, challenging combat for any chance of survival. Evade attacks with a dodge roll, nail split-second parry bashes, and unleash an array of gruesome executions. Customise your Attack
    Craft your own extensive arsenal of upgradeable weaponry, ready to fight as you see fit; strike quick with a spear, afar with a bow, or go claw-to-claw with a heavy-hitting mace. Alternativity, gain a tactical advantage with a range of new, deadly traps… Upgrade your Settlement
    As Warden of the Wastes, defending your lands is only half the battle. Construct and upgrade your settlement with hard-earned gold to gain access to more powerful items from the Smithy, tastier meals at the Kitchen, a wider range of powerful traps from the shoppe, and more! Unleash All-New Sorceries
    Unlock the devastating ‘Elementa’ sorceries of Electric, Poison, Fire, and Ice in an all-new magic system. Bestowed upon you by the gods themselves, these arena-devastating powers can quickly turn the tides in battles.

    Robobeat Image

    Rhythm games are back, baby! Robobeat is (deep breath) an innovative, fast-paced, futuristic, roguelite rhythm boomer shooter.  To say this game is in a league of its own is putting it mildly.  There are not many games that combine slick combat mechanics with music-centric gameplay in procedurally generated environments, and I would say even fewer that do it well. You play as Ace, a famous bounty hunter, chasing after an eccentric cyborg named Frazzer.  However, in order to stop Frazzer in his tracks, you’ll have to make your way through his distorted techno playground, which is comprised of five randomly generated “pathways” where you will need to shoot, wall-run, slide and bunny hop, all in sync with the beat of the soundtrack. 

    The most unique part of Robobeat, and probably my favorite part, is the ability to change songs as you play. Switching between energetic metal, jazz-like grooves, and frantic EDM allows you to set the pace of your run. Sometimes a slower pace is needed in order to get the hang of the next stage. The enemies become tougher and the hordes become more intense the further you go, and throughout your runs you’ll collect blueprints that can be unlocked using currency – however if you die before cashing in your blueprints, you’ll have to reacquire them.  Once a weapon or ability is unlocked, it can appear in any future run.

    The tunes are great, the gunplay is manically intense, and roguelite mechanics set Robobeat apart from its peers across several genres. This was a bold bet that paid off.

    ROBOBEAT

    ROBOBEAT

    Kwalee

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 7

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Beat. The. Bot. You’re Ace – a famous bounty hunter after your latest target, the eccentric robot-showman Frazzer. To find your way through his twisted techno-playground, you’ll have to master the art of shooting, wall-running, sliding, and bunny hopping, all in sync with the beat! Get ready to dance till you’re dead and then suit up for the remix in rogue-like rhythm shooter ROBOBEAT. Move to the Music
    You’ll want some slick moves to go with those slick new weapons. Your enemies aren’t going to wait around for you to take a dance break, so you’ve got to keep moving if you want to survive. Wall run, slide, double jump, bunny hop, and grapple hook your way through technicolour levels to give your enemies the runaround. Keep it fluid, keep it funky, and keep it moving. Rewind, Remix, Replay
    ROBOBEAT is a rogue-like remix. Fast forward through procedurally generated levels, equip an arsenal of finely-tuned weapons, and accompany your arsenal with a symphony of modifications. Your playstyle is on continuous shuffle, so you never know what each new run is going to bring! Will you have what it takes to break the infinite loop and stop Frazzer in his tracks?

    Mexico 1921 Image

    Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber is a narrative adventure game inspired by true events. You’ll step into the shoes of Juan Aguirre, a photojournalist in post-revolutionary Mexico City. The game not only entertains but educates players by involving historians and cultural institutions in its creation. This collaboration transforms the game into an interactive archive of Mexican history. I was absolutely fascinated as the game transported me to a tumultuous period in Mexican history, allowing me to uncover the truth behind President Álvaro Obregón’s assassination.

    You’ll navigate through Mexico City, interviewing and photographing subjects, which I found created a deep feeling of involvement in the storyline and historical events. It’s a layer of authenticity only added to by the photography mechanic, which requires you to master early 20th Century photographic techniques. The game follows a classic point-and-click adventure style, where you examine objects, gather clues, and engage in conversations with various characters, and I was deeply captivated by the connection to the historical events and cultural aspects of post-revolutionary Mexico.   is a compelling and emotionally engaging game.

    Mexico,1921: A Deep Slumber

    Mexico,1921: A Deep Slumber

    Mácula Interactive

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 4

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Mexico, 1921. A deep slumber is an intriguing narrative adventure where you try to solve a hundred-year-old mystery: who planned the assassination of President Álvaro Obregón? You play as Juan Aguirre, a photojournalist who will interview and photograph subjects, collect historical data and report the news that will shape Mexican history. Join Juan in post-revolutionary Mexico City to discover why Mexico ain’t no place for the weak. Developed hand in hand with the National Newspaper Library and the Popular Arts Museum, this game will be an interactive archive of Mexican post-revolutionary history.

    Mika and the Witch's Mountain Image

    Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a charming E-rated adventure game. You play the role of aspiring young witch Mika, who is declined admittance to witch school and has to take a job delivering packages to fund her broom repairs. The game takes place in a small open world, the Island of Winds, asking you to fly from  point to point by way of broomstick– opening more of the world as you unlock additional traversal abilities for your broom.

    With a Studio Ghibli-inspired art style, the charm of this island location and its many inhabitants is infectious. There are dozens of residents that you get to know and help on your journey to ascend the mountain to witch school. The main story does not overstay its welcome, but there are additional puzzles, races, and secrets to extend your time on the island. The simplified control scheme and cute aesthetic means this is suitable for all ages and skill levels of gamers. The art style, the characters and the music elevate a game that is almost exclusively a series of fetch quests into an endearing, relaxing and memorable adventure.

    Mika and The Witch's Mountain

    Mika and The Witch’s Mountain

    Chibig

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 10

    ★★★★★

    $19.99

    Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a fantasy adventure about an aspiring witch who delivers packages to the townspeople of a small island. Explore every cranny and soar through the sky with your magic broom.

    Website: LINK

  • Indie Selects für Februar: Fülle Dein Herz (und Deine Spielebibliothek) mit Freude

    Indie Selects für Februar: Fülle Dein Herz (und Deine Spielebibliothek) mit Freude

    Reading Time: 7 minutes

    Valentinstag ist zwar schon vorbei, doch unsere Indie-Spiele buhlen auch weiterhin um Deine Gunst. Aber keine Sorge, unser Team aus Wingmen und Wingwomen hat sechs Indie Selects für Dich herausgesucht, um Dir die Qual der Wahl zu erleichtern. Wenn Du auf der Suche nach einem Leckerbissen für die Seele, elektrisierenden Beats, gefährlichen Missionen oder einem Spiel bist, das sich deutlich von seiner Konkurrenz abhebt, bist Du hier genau richtig. Wirf einen Blick in unsere Liste, die das Herz garantiert höherschlagen lässt.

    Cuisineer

    Dieses Spiel beantwortet die Frage: „Was wäre, wenn Du Dir Dein Abendessen in einem Kampf um Leben und Tod verdienen müsstest?“ Bevor ich Cuisineer kennenlernen durfte, habe ich noch nie ein Action-Roguelite gespielt, in dem es um Essen geht. Und was soll ich sagen? Ich bin begeistert! Ich habe viel Zeit damit verbracht, niedliche (aber bösartige) Kreaturen in ihren Verliesen zu vermöbeln, um den Kühlschrank in der Heimatstadt meines Charakters wieder aufzufüllen. Die Nachfrage nach mehr Holz, neuen Stein- und unterschiedlichen Fleischsorten ebbt nie ab und so läuft der Kreislauf aus Kochen, Kämpfen und der Aufrüstung Deiner Werkzeuge immer weiter. Es ist ein Durcheinander, das süchtig macht und Cuisineer gelingt es, diesen Zyklus so zu gestalten, dass dieser gleichermaßen entspannend als auch herausfordernd ist.

    Die Monster in den verschiedenen Verliesen sind nicht zu unterschätzen. Du musst Dich durch mehrere Ebenen kämpfen und Dich gegen mächtige Bosse durchsetzen, um das Ende des Spießrutenlaufs zu erreichen (obwohl es auch Möglichkeiten gibt, vorzeitig auszusteigen). Außerdem musst Du Dein hart verdientes Gold (aus der Kasse Deines Restaurants) investieren, um die Kapazität Deines Rucksacks und des Restaurants zu erweitern. Nur so kannst Du im Spiel weiter wachsen und vorankommen. Dieses dopamingeladene Konzept, das Cuisineer unglaublich gut (und mit viel Liebe zum Detail) umsetzt, liefert zahlreiche Herausforderungen, die die Lernkurve klettern lassen. Du kannst das gesamte Spiel demnach als ein ausgiebiges Training betrachten, das Dich auf die nächsten Herausforderungen vorbereitet. Nimm Dir etwas Zeit, um reinzukommen und Du wirst im Handumdrehen erste, schmackhafte Erfolge feiern.

    Turbo Overkill

    Turbo Overkill ist ein FPS-Spiel, das an die Cyberpunk-Ästhetik der Achtzigerjahre und klassische Shooter wie Quake oder Doom erinnert. Nach moderner Definition könnte man es als „Boomer-Shooter“ bezeichnen – ein Spiel, das zwischen einem Retro-FPS und einem neueren Titel pendelt, der ein ähnliches Gefühl erzeugen soll. Ja, das gibt es wirklich und nein, wir haben uns das nicht ausgedacht, aber wir sind uns einig, dass diese Beschreibung voll zutrifft. So sehr ich moderne FPS-Spiele auch liebe, bin ich doch ein großer Fan der Klassiker – und Turbo Overkill wird diesem Subgenre auf jede erdenkliche Weise gerecht.

    In einer futuristischen Cyperpunk-Metropole namens Paradise übernimmst Du die Rolle des kybernetischen Kopfgeldjägers Johnny Turbo, der mithilfe seines Kettensägenbeins und einem noch größeren Waffenarsenal die KI Syn und ihre treuergebenen Schergen eliminieren soll. Auf Deiner Reise kämpfst Du gegen verschiedene Feinde und Bosse, Du erkundest die Gegend, löst Rätsel und rüstet dabei schrittweise Johnnys Waffen auf. Am meisten liebe ich das Tempo und die Kampfabläufe des Spiels. Johnnys Kettensägenbein kannst Du Dir durch geducktes Rutschen (ein Grundelement der meisten modernen FPS-Spiele) zunutze machen. So kannst Du Johnny nicht nur präzise manövrieren, sondern die meisten Deiner Feinde auch mit einer Aktion bezwingen. Wechsele zwischen Sprüngen, Dash-Bewegungen, und den verschiedensten Waffen und lasse die Atmosphäre, die an einen klassischen Arena-Shooter erinnert, auf Dich wirken.

    Als Hommage an die Klassiker des Genres bietet Turbo Overkill eine Singleplayer-Kampagne mit mehreren Schwierigkeitsgraden, geheimen Leveln, die es zu finden gilt, und freischaltbaren Elementen, die für Abwechslung sorgen. Es gibt zudem zwei zusätzliche Modi, den Endlos-Modus und den Arcade-Modus, deren Medaillen- und Punktesysteme den Wiederspielwert erhöhen. Wenn Du ein Fan von FPS-Spielen bist – egal ob modern oder klassisch – musst Du diesem Spiel auf jeden Fall eine Chance geben!

    Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

    Tails of Iron 2 ist ein düsteres und anspruchsvolles 2D-Action-Rollenspiel, das Soulslike-Kämpfe mit Metroidvania-Elementen verbindet. Ich interessiere mich schon seit dem ersten Teil für diese Serie, habe sie aber nie gespielt – mein Backlog ist unendlich! Nachdem ich den neuen Teil gespielt habe, habe ich das Gefühl, es mir selbst schuldig zu sein, das Spiel noch besser kennenzulernen! Es hilft, dass die neue Geschichte zwar in derselben Welt spielt, die Fortsetzung mit Arlo aber einen neuen Protagonisten hervorbringt. Das bedeutet, dass man den Vorgänger nicht gespielt haben muss, um sofort auf dem neuesten Stand zu sein. Als Erbe des Warden of the Wastes muss Arlo den Tod seines Vaters rächen und sich Bedrohungen wie den gnadenlosen Dark Wing Bats und anderen Kreaturen stellen, während er für die Befreiung seiner Heimat kämpft. Oh … und Arlo ist eine Ratte.

    Ich will nicht zu sehr ins Detail gehen, deshalb nur so viel: Lasse Dich nicht von der märchenhaften Aufmachung des Spiels täuschen – die Themen des Titels sind düster. Die handgezeichneten Visuals erinnern mich an ein verstecktes Juwel, das man beim Stöbern in der Xbox Live Arcade-Bibliothek finden kann. Das Spiel hat diesen nostalgischen Charme, der es vertraut, aber letztlich frisch und einzigartig macht. Und die Welt? Absolut fantastisch. Wikinger-Themen sind nicht neu, aber Wikinger-Ratten? Sie sind bezaubernd und gleichzeitig so cool.

    Nachdem ich stundenlang gegen Bosse gekämpft habe, kann ich bestätigen, dass dieses Spiel eine Herausforderung ist. Man muss sich zurückziehen, springen, seine Ausrüstung verbessern, parieren und würfeln … und das sehr oft. Man braucht Geduld, denn wenn man so vorgeht wie ich, stirbt man öfter, als dass man überlebt. Es sei denn, man wechselt in den Märchenmodus, in dem die Feinde leichter zu besiegen sind und selbst weniger Schaden anrichten können.

    Wenn Du ein Fan von Metroidvanias, beziehunsweise Soulslikes im Allgemeinen bist oder einfach nur die Vorstellung von Ratten in Wikinger-Rüstungen liebst, empfehle ich Dir, dem Spiel eine Chance zu geben. Oh, und Doug Cockle (Geralt aus der Spieleserie „The Witcher“) leiht dem Spiel als Erzähler seine Stimme, was den Reiz nur noch erhöht.

    Robobeat

    Die Rhythmusspiele sind zurück, Baby! Robobeat ist (tief durchatmen) ein innovativer, temporeicher, futuristischer Roguelike-Rhythmus-Boomer-Shooter. Zu sagen, dass dieses Spiel in einer eigenen Liga spielt, ist noch milde ausgedrückt. Es gibt nicht viele Spiele, denen es gelingt, eine solch ausgefeilte Kampfmechanik mit einem musikbasierten Gameplay in prozedural generierten Umgebungen zu kombinieren. Du übernimmst die Rolle von Ace, einem berühmten Kopfgeldjäger, der einen exzentrischen Cyborg namens Frazzer verfolgt. Um Frazzer aufzuhalten, musst Du Dich jedoch erst durch seinen verdrehten Techno-Spielplatz kämpfen, der aus fünf zufällig generierten „Pfaden“ besteht. Auf diesen musst Du schießen, an Wänden entlangrennen, rutschen und hüpfen – immer im Takt des Soundtracks.

    Das Außergewöhnlichste an Robobeat und wahrscheinlich auch mein persönliches Highlight ist die Möglichkeit, während des Spiels die Musik zu wechseln. Durch den Wechsel zwischen energiegeladenem Metal, jazzigen Grooves und ekstatischem EDM kannst Du über das Tempo Deines Laufs bestimmen. Manchmal ist ein langsameres Tempo erforderlich, um den Dreh für die nächste Etappe herauszubekommen. Je weiter Du kommst, desto härter und wilder werden die Horden an Feinden, die auf Dich warten. Während Deiner Läufe sammelst Du Blaupausen, die Du mit Geld freischalten kannst. Solltest Du jedoch sterben, bevor Du Deine Blaupausen eingelöst hast, musst Du sie erneut erwerben. Sobald Du eine Waffe oder eine Fähigkeit freigeschaltet hast, kann sie in jedem weiteren Lauf auftauchen.

    Die Musik ist großartig, die Feuergefecht sind manisch intensiv und die Roguelite-Mechanik hebt Robobeat deutlich von vergleichbaren Spielen ab. Ein gewagtes Unterfangen, das sich voll ausgezahlt hat.

    Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber

    Mexiko, 1921: A Deep Slumber ist ein erzählerisches Abenteuerspiel, das von wahren Begebenheiten inspiriert ist. Du schlüpfst in die Rolle von Juan Aguirre, einem Fotojournalisten im vom Bürgerkrieg erschütterten Mexico City. Das Spiel unterhält nicht nur – es bildet auch weiter, indem es das Wissen von Historiker*innen und kulturelle Einrichtungen in seine Entwicklung miteinbezieht. Diese Mischung verwandelt das Spiel in ein interaktives Archiv über die Geschichte Mexikos. Ich war absolut fasziniert, als mich das Spiel in eine turbulente Epoche der mexikanischen Historie entführte und mir die Möglichkeit bot, die Wahrheit hinter der Ermordung von Präsident Álvaro Obregón ans Licht zu bringen.

    Man bewegt sich durch Mexico City, interviewt und fotografiert Personen, was meiner Meinung nach ein tiefgreifendes Gefühl der Teilhabe erzeugt. Diese Authentizität wird nur noch durch die Fotomechanik übertroffen, für die man die fotografischen Techniken des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts beherrschen muss. Das Spiel folgt einem klassischen Point-and-Click-Adventure-Stil, bei dem es darum geht, Objekte zu untersuchen, Hinweise zu sammeln und mit verschiedenen Charakteren zu sprechen. Ich war tief beeindruckt von der Verbindung zu den historischen Ereignissen und kulturellen Aspekten des postrevolutionären Mexikos. Mexiko, 1921 ist ein fesselndes und emotional höchst mitreißendes Spiel.

    Mika and the Witch’s Mountain

    Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ist ein bezauberndes Abenteuerspiel für Spieler*innen aller Altersgruppen. Du lernst die junge Hexe Mika kennen, die an der Hexenschule abgelehnt wurde und nun Pakete ausliefern muss, um die Reparatur ihres Besens zu finanzieren. Das Abenteuer spielt auf einer kleinen Insel namens „Island of Winds“, auf der Du mit deinem Besen von Ort zu Ort fliegen kannst. Je mehr Fähigkeiten Du freischaltest, desto mehr Teile der Insel kannst Du erkunden.

    Der von Studio Ghibli inspirierte Grafikstil und der Charme dieser Insel und ihrer vielen Bewohner*innen sind ansteckend. Es gibt Dutzende von Bewohner*innen, die Du auf Deiner Reise kennenlernst und denen Du helfen kannst, den Berg zur Hexenschule zu erklimmen. Die Hauptgeschichte ist zwar nicht allzu lang, doch es gibt viele zusätzliche Rätsel, Rennen und Geheimnisse, die ebenfalls gelöst, gemeistert und gelüftet werden wollen. Durch die vereinfachte Steuerung und die süße Ästhetik ist das Spiel für alle Altersgruppen und Spielniveaus geeignet. Der Grafikstil, die Charaktere und die Musik machen aus einem Spiel, das fast ausschließlich aus Sammelquests besteht, ein liebenswertes, entspannendes und unvergessliches Abenteuer.

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Returns to GDC: Discover the Next Era of Gaming Anywhere

    Xbox Returns to GDC: Discover the Next Era of Gaming Anywhere

    Reading Time: 9 minutes

    As we gear up for the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, we couldn’t be more excited to meet up with our friends and colleagues in the industry and explore the many incredible new opportunities that await us, together. This year, GDC takes place from March 17-21 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. We will host partner meetings, participate in conference sessions, sponsor events like the IGF Awards and the ESA Foundation’s Nite to Unite.

    As Xbox expands to any screen on any device, we’re opening doors and making it easier for anyone to play with any friends they want – whether they choose to play with Xbox console, PC, Smart TV or mobile. At GDC, we’re inviting game developers to go behind the scenes to better understand the significance and impact of what it means for Xbox to be on every screen. We’re committed to empowering game developers to tap into that opportunity by building games that take advantage of Xbox across devices. Our presence at GDC 2025 will reveal the many ways game developers can reach more players with Xbox and showcase success stories of developers who are maximizing the opportunity.

    One of the highlights of this year’s GDC will be our sessions and demos of AI for Gaming. These sessions will provide valuable insight and inspiration for developers looking for ways to make their games more easily discoverable, more engaging and to help their teams do more real-time experimentation and visualization, more easily.

    Microsoft Gaming AI Sessions at GDC 2025

    The Future of Gaming Supported by AI: How Xbox is Empowering Players and Creators (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Fatima Kardar (Microsoft), Sonali Yadav (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 3011, West Hall

    Discover how Xbox is using AI to unlock new opportunities across the Xbox ecosystem for both players and game creators. This session provides an overview of Xbox’s AI vision and a sneak peek of cutting-edge AI technology across the platform that will enhance player experiences and support game development for creators. Learn about innovative features that will help players discover their new favorite games, deliver personalized support, and get an exclusive preview of upcoming AI-powered tools and services designed to enrich gaming experiences on Xbox. Whether you’re a player, developer, or industry enthusiast, this session offers a glimpse into the future of gaming supported by AI.

    AI Innovation for Game Experiences: From Research to Prototyping (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Haiyan Zhang (Xbox), Katja Hofmann (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 3011, West Hall

    How can AI drive the next wave of dynamic and immersive game experiences? In this panel, game developers and researchers come together to discuss the cutting-edge AI techniques being explored and prototyped to enhance player experiences and support developer creativity. From adaptive gameplay systems to new tools for game creators, this session dives into the intersection of research and product experimentation. Panelists will showcase prototypes and share insights into how AI can, with the guidance of game creators and players, push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming. This exploratory conversation is for anyone curious about how AI is shaping the future of game development.

    Machine Learning Summit: Fitting Armor Assets in ‘World of Warcraft’ with Deep Learning
    Speaker: Zhen Zhai (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 3018, West Hall

    This talk will introduce Deepforge, a deep neural network designed to transform armor pieces for various races in World of Warcraft (WoW). This technology drastically reduces the time required for artists to fit 3D armors from days and weeks to mere minutes. By automating the fitting process, our tool empowers artists to focus more on fine-tuning the details and enhancing the quality of their work. We will explore the model design, training, and deployment, showcasing its unique features and practical applications on mesh fitting for WoW. The primary goal for this project is to ensure high-quality mesh generation suitable for production use, from preprocessing to postprocessing, combined with a robust infrastructure for efficient and reliable model performance. Attendees will gain insights into how Deepforge enhances game asset creation, making it a valuable tool for developers.

    AI Executive Panel: Exploring What’s Next in AI for Gaming (Presented by EPAM)
    Speaker: Stef Corazza (Roblox) Vitalli Vashchuk (EPAM) Haiyan Zhang (Xbox), Craig Nowell, Databricks
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
    Location: Room 2020, West Hall

    At GDC 2024, EPAM brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of AI in gaming. Continuing the conversation, we will be exploring the role AI has played and what’s to come. In this executive panel we will discuss the practical use cases for developers, creators and players alike. Learn how AI can influence gameplay experience and developers‘ productivity along with the associated benefits and potential hurdles of utilizing this evolving technology. Hear from gaming experts as they share exclusive insights and actionable takeaways from their hands-on experiences with generative AI. This session offers a glimpse into the future of game development and the real-world impact it will have in 2025.

    Inclusive Gaming AI: Red Teaming for Accessibility and Disability
    Speaker: Brannon Zahand (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve gaming for everyone. This is especially true for those of us in the gaming and disability community. However, without proper design, development, and testing of AI gaming experiences, it can create new barriers for gamers with disabilities. Unfortunately, applying traditional techniques for developing and testing accessible content is not sufficient in these cases. As such, this talk will discuss how designers, testers, and accessibility subject matter experts can utilize red teaming to create inclusive AI experiences in games and gaming services. It will discuss what red teaming is, why it is extra important when it comes to creating accessible and enjoyable experiences for gamers with disabilities, numerous strategies to prevent and catch a myriad of issues that could impact them, and how to engage the gaming and disability community to help you validate such experiences.

    Amplifying Player Voices with LLMs in Game Development
    Speaker: Joshua Koen (Blizzard Entertainment), Ian Livingston (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
    Location: Room, 2010, West Hall 

    Our players dedicate tens, hundreds, or even thousands of hours to the experiences that we craft for them. Players have valuable feedback about how we can improve those experiences, but it can be challenging for developers to quickly parse vast amounts of feedback and identify ways to improve experiences. The presenters will explore the benefits and risks of using Large Language Models (LLMs) for analyzing player feedback. LLMs offer a way to efficiently analyze feedback at depth and scale that has not been previously possible. However, there are dangers of producing incorrect outcomes that are easy to overlook without a careful approach. Prompt structure, game terminology, and data complexity can easily trip up LLMs. The session will present ways that Blizzard has been validating the use of LLMs for this type of analysis. We will illustrate workflows for using LLMs to enhance processes for analyzing feedback from players.

    How to Engage with Us at GDC 2025

    For us, GDC 2025 is as much about showcasing the Xbox developer experience as it is about fostering collaboration with partners and driving our shared gaming future. We’re excited to connect, demystify our vision, and explore new possibilities together. If you are attending GDC in person, whether you’re an indie developer, a seasoned professional, or someone passionate about the gaming industry, we’ve got a line-up of sessions for everyone. If you will be engaging remotely, you can learn more about development and publishing decisions that maximize the full Xbox opportunity by visiting our Game Development Resource Hub here and to learn more about AI for Gaming, check out our Gaming AI Resource Hub here. If you have immediate questions or want to connect with other developers building for Xbox, join our Discord here.

    Here’s a selection of additional conference talks featuring speakers from across Xbox:

    Monday, March 17

    UX Summit: UX Writing: A New(ish) Craft in Mobile Games
    Speaker: Patricia Gomez (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2010, West Hall

    Community Management Summit: Social Media Microtalks: Authenticity from You and the Business “We”
    Speaker: Cindy Tran (Obsidian Entertainment), Antonio Cara (DeNA Corp.), Harper Jay MacIntyre (Double Fine Productions Inc), Livvy Hall (Xbox Game Studios Publishing), Megan Spurr (Microsoft)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2014, West Hall

    Live Service Games Summit: Reinventing ‘Candy Crush Soda’ for the Next 10 years
    Speaker: Abigail Rindo (King), Paul Hellier (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Animation Summit: ‚Diablo 4‘: Bringing to Life the Priestess of Hatred
    Speaker: Chad Waldschmidt (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 3:50 pm – 4:20 pm
    Location: Room 2018, West Hall

    UX Summit: Making the World Playful: The Importance of Accessible Mobile Games
    Speaker:     Emilio Jeldrez (King)
    Date: Monday, March 17
    Time: 5:30pm – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 2010, West Hall

    Tuesday, March 18

    Live Service Games Summit: Mass Engagement Winning Strategies: The 15M Player Tournament of ‚Candy Crush Saga‘
    Speaker: Margaux Diaz (King), Roberto Kusabbi (King)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Thriving Players Summit: Prosocial Design Workshop
    Speaker:     Natasha Miller (Blizzard Entertainment), Weszt Hart (Riot Games)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 9:30am – 11;50am
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    The Climate Crisis Workshop
    Speaker: Grant Shonkwiler (Shonkventures LLC), Trevin York (Dire Lark), Paula Angela Escuadra (Microsoft / Xbox), Jennifer Estaris (ustwo games), Arnaud Fayolle (Ubisoft)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
    Location: Room 204, South Hall

    Gaming Reimagined: Mobile’s Impact on Play Today (Presented by King)
    Speaker: Todd Green (King), Paula Ingvar (King), Peiwen Yao (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 10:50am – 11:50am
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Unpacking Anti-Toxicity Strategy in „Call of Duty“ (Presented by Community Clubhouse)
    Speaker: Mark Frumkin (Modulate), Grant Cahill (Activision)
    Date: Tuesday, March 18
    Time: 2:40pm – 3:40pm
    Location: Esplanade 158, South Hall

    Live Service Games Summit: Game Designer’s Notebook
    Speakers: Marta Cortiñas (King), Kenny Dinkin (King)
    Time: 2:40pm – 3:40pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Wednesday, March 19

    Opening a Billion Doors with Xbox (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Leo Olebe (Microsoft), Chris Charla (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
    Location: Room 3022, West Hall

    Accelerating Your Inner Loop with Visual Studio and GitHub Copilot AI (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: David Li (Microsoft), Michael Price (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Grow Your Audience with the Updated Xbox Experience on PC (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker:     Tila Nguyen (Microsoft), Jose Rady (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Make your Game Available ANYWHERE with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Harrison Hoffman (Microsoft), Jordan Cohen (Microsoft)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Masterworking Systems: Lessons Learned from the Engineering of Season of Loot Reborn in ‚Diablo IV‘
    Speaker: Patrick Ferland (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Ask Game Lawyers Anything Roundtable Day 1
    Speaker: Ryan Black (DLA Piper (Canada) LLP), Brandon Huffman (Odin Law and Media), Angelo Alcid (Microsoft Corp.), Yan Perng (Netflix)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
    Location: Room 308, South Hall

    Xbox Game Studios Panel: Scaling Cross-Platform Development Across Xbox and PC (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Kate Rayner (Microsoft), Soren Hannibal Nielsen (Microsoft, Chuck Rozhon (Obsidion Entertainment), Chad Dawson (Double Fine Productions) Phil Cousins (Microsoft), Magnus Auvinen (Machine Games)
    Date: Wednesday, March 19
    Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
    Location: Room 2000, West Hall

    Thursday, March 20

    DirectX State of the Union: Raytracing and PIX Workflows (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Claire Andrews (Microsoft), Austin Kinross (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
    Location: Room 2009, West Hall

    VFX Storytelling: How „Hearthstone“ Breathes Life Into Hundreds of Cards
    Speaker: Alex Cortes (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
    Location: Room 2006, West Hall

    Strategies for Indie Devs: How to Succeed with Xbox (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: James Lewis (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    G.A.N.G. Demo Derby: Sound Design
    Speaker: Nick Hartman (Sound Lab), Scott Gershin (Sound Lab), Charles Deenen (Source Sound Inc), Gary Miranda (Injected Senses Audio), Brian Farr (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:45pm
    Location: Room 3018, West Hall

    From Idea to Action: Lessons from a New Accessibility Initiative (Presented by The Entertainment Software Association)
    Speaker: Aubrey Quinn  (Entertainment Software Association), Paul Amadeus Lane  (Amadeus 4th Corp), Amy Lazarus  (Electronic Arts), Dara Monasch  (Google), Anna Waismeyer  (Microsoft/Xbox), Steven Evans  (Nintendo of America), David Tisserand  (Ubisoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
    Location: GDC Main Stage, West Hall, Street Level

    Windows Productivity Tools for Game Developers (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Demitrius Nelon (Microsoft), Kayla Cinnamon (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 12:15pm – 1:15pm
    Location: Room 2024, West Hall

    Securing the Joy of Gaming: Xbox’s Commitment to Gaming Security and Innovation (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Temi Adebambo (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: GDC Industry Stage, Expo Floor, South Hall

    Xbox Play Anywhere Developer Roundtable (Presented by Microsoft)
    Speaker: Chris Charla (Microsoft)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 2004, West Hall

    King: Enhancing Mobile Audio with Accessibility and Inclusion
    Speaker: Eduardo Broseta  (King)
    Date: Thursday, March 20
    Time: 2:30pm – 3:00pm
    Location: Room 3024, West Hall

    Friday, March 21

    Game Career Seminar: STR, DEX and INT: A Genre-Spanning Way to Think About Gameplay
    Speaker: Joseph Shely  (Blizzard Entertainment)
    Date: Friday, March 21
    Time: 11:50am – 12:20pm
    Location: Room 3005, West Hall

    Game Career Seminar: Killer Portfolio or Portfolio Killer Part 2: Portfolio Reviews
    Speakers:     Greg Foertsch  (Bit Reactor), Sarah LeBlanc  (Bit Reactor), Rembert Montald  (Lightspeed LA), David Yee  (Unannounced), Jeffrey Johnson  (inXile Entertainment), Jade Law  (Wardog Studios), Gaurav Mathur  (E-Line Media), Jessica Kutrakun  (Hypixel Studios), Inmar Salvatier  (Maxis), Jeff Parrott  (Blizzard), Daanish Syed  (Bit Reactor), David Johnson  (UndertoneFX), Jeff Skalski  (Yellow Brick Games)
    Date:     Friday, March 21
    Time:     2:00pm – 5:00pm
    Location:     Room 3000, West Hall

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox Game Studios Update mit Craig Duncan | Official Xbox Podcast

    Xbox Game Studios Update mit Craig Duncan | Official Xbox Podcast

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" title="Diving Deeper Into Indiana Jones and The Great Circle | Official Xbox Podcast" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qj9KoBhp11M" srcdoc="*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{height:100%}img,span{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto}span{height:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black} ▶“ frameborder=“0″ allow=“accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture“ allowfullscreen loading=“lazy“> [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj9KoBhp11M?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    November 25, 2024

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox-Update im Februar: Verschicke Einladungslinks, Cloud Gaming-Updates und mehr

    Xbox-Update im Februar: Verschicke Einladungslinks, Cloud Gaming-Updates und mehr

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Auch dieses Mal werden mit dem neuen Xbox-Update wieder frische Features ausgerollt. Ab heute kannst Du als Game Pass-Abonnent*in Deine Freund*innen ganz bequem über einen Link zu Deinen Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)-Sessions einladen. Außerdem stehen noch mehr über Cloud spielbare Xbox-Titel zur Verfügung. Falls Du es verpasst haben solltest: Xbox forscht aktiv an der Nutzung von K.I. im Gaming, und im Januar haben wir einen Netzwerkqualitätsindikator eingeführt. Außerdem gibt es ein neues Controller-Update zur Verbesserung des Gameplays. Weitere Details findest Du weiter unten im Text:

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)

    Sende Einladungslinks an Deine Freund*innen, um gemeinsam in einer Cloud Gaming-Session zu zocken.

    Ab heute kannst du als Xbox Game Pass Ultimate-Abonnent*in, während Du den Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) Service in Deinem Webbrowser oder auf Deinem unterstützten Fernseher verwendest, Links generieren, um andere Game Pass Ultimate-Abonnent*innen zu Deinen Spielsitzungen einzuladen.

    Während des Spielens kannst du als Xbox Game Pass Ultimate-Mitglied einen Session-Link erstellen, indem Du das Spieleinladungsmenü im Guide oder im Spiel öffnest und dann nach dem Abschnitt „Anyone“ suchst. Kopiere diesen Link und schicke ihn an Deine Freund*innen, damit sie an der Spielsitzung teilnehmen können.

    Einladungslinks bieten Flexibilität bei der Auswahl der Personen, die zu einer Spielsitzung eingeladen werden sollen. Du kannst eine direkte Nachricht senden, eine Gruppe zum Chatten einladen oder den Link in einem sozialen Netzwerk teilen. Eingeladene Spieler*innen können sofort über ihren Webbrowser oder einen unterstützten Fernseher an deiner Cloud-Gaming-Sitzung teilnehmen.

    So nimmst Du über einen Webbrowser oder ein Mobilgerät an einer Spielesitzung teil:

    1. Öffne den Einladungslink mit einem unterstützten Browser.
    2. Melde Dich mit deinem Xbox-Profil an.
    3. Klicke auf „Mit Ultimate spielen“.

    So nimmst Du an einer Spielesitzung auf einem Fernseher teil:

    1. Öffne den Einladungslink auf einem PC oder Mobilgerät.
    2. Klicke auf die Schaltfläche „Auf einem anderen Gerät beitreten“, um deinen Code zu erhalten.
    3. Öffne den Xbox Guide auf Deinem Fernseher und wähle die Option „Hast du einen Code für eine Spielesitzung?“ aus
    4. Gib den Code über den Webbrowser ein und spiele.

    Bei der Nutzung dieser neuen Funktion sind einige Dinge zu beachten:

    • Alle Spieler*innen müssen über ein Xbox-Konto verfügen und für einige Spiele ist der Xbox Game Pass Ultimate erforderlich.
    • Alle Spieler*innen müssen über eine Berechtigung für das Spiel verfügen, um spielen zu können.
    • Die Anzahl der Spieler*innen, die über den Einladungslink beitreten können, hängt von der maximalen Anzahl der Spieler*innen ab, die das Spiel zulässt.
    • Nach dem Erstellen eines Links können die Hosts der Session diesen jederzeit widerrufen, um zu verhindern, dass neue Spieler*innen beitreten.
    • Die Möglichkeit, vorhandene Spieler*innen aus der Sitzung zu entfernen, hängt vom Spiel ab.

    Streame Dein Spiel – Neue Cloud-Titel verfügbar

    Diesen Monat fügen wir der Sammlung von „Stream Dein eigenes Spiel“ noch mehr Spiele hinzu. Als Abonnent*in des Game Pass Ultimate kannst Du über 50 Cloud-Spiele auf unterstützten Geräten streamen, sofern Du sie besitzt.

    Kürzlich hinzugefügt:

    • Blasphemous 2
    • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
    • Slime Rancher 2
    • Subnautica
    • Subnautica: Below Zero
    • The Talos Principle 2
    • Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

    Bald verfügbar:

    • Atomic Heart
    • Cult of the Lamb
    • Hotline Miami
    • Killer Frequency
    •  Neva
    •  Overcooked! All You Can Eat
    • Phanton Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
    • Serious Sam Collection
    • Trepang 2
    • Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition
    • Und mehr…

    Die vollständige Liste der Cloud-Spiele, die auf unterstützten Geräten gestreamt werden können, findest Du hier. Weitere Informationen findest Du hier.

    Falls Du es verpasst hast

    Xbox forscht gerade an der Nutzung von KI im Gaming. Außerdem enthielt das Xbox Update im Januar eine neue Ausführung des Netzwerkqualitätsindikators für Cloud-Gaming, ein Controller-Update und Updates für PC-Gaming, die die Stabilität, Auffindbarkeit von Titeln und Benutzerfreundlichkeit verbessern.

    Durchbrüche in der generativen KI

    Nach einer auf der Webseite Nature veröffentlichten Studie, haben wir kürzlich ein neues generatives KI-Modell für die Spielkonzeption namens Muse angekündigt. Wir untersuchen, wie dieses Modell eines Tages sowohl Spieler*innen als auch Spieleentwickler*innen zugutekommen kann: Von der Wiederbelebung nostalgischer Spiele bis hin zu einer schnelleren Ideenfindung und -umsetzung für Entwickler gibt es zahlreiche mögliche Anwendungsmöglichkeiten.

    Weitere Informationen zu diesem Durchbruch findest Du in diesem Artikel.

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) – Aktualisierung des Netzwerkqualitätsindikators

    Der neue Netzwerkqualitätsindikator ist jetzt für alle verfügbar und hilft bei der Diagnose potenzieller Netzwerkprobleme während gestreamter Spielsitzungen. Die meisten Audio- und Videoprobleme werden durch Probleme mit der Netzwerkverbindung verursacht. Diese neue Funktion hilft dabei, die Qualität der Netzwerkverbindung zu verfolgen, während Du über Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) auf unterstützten Geräten spielst.

    Um die Netzwerkwarnsymbole ein- oder auszuschalten, gehe zu Deinem Profilbild > Einstellungen > Streaming > Netzwerkqualitätsanzeige. Weitere Informationen zu dieser Funktion und Tipps zur Fehlerbehebung findest du hier.

    Xbox-Zubehör – Firmware-Update für den Xbox Wireless Controller

    Wir haben ein Firmware-Update für den Xbox Wireless Controller veröffentlicht, das Verbesserungen bei der automatischen Zentrierung des Daumensticks, der Anpassung des Auslösers und der Maus-zu-Daumenstick-Eingaben enthält. Installiere dieses Update über auf Xbox Series X|S und Xbox One oder einem Windows-PC.

    Gestalte die Zukunft von Xbox mit

    Bleib via Xbox Wire auf dem Laufenden, um zukünftige Updates zu erhalten. Wenn Du Unterstützung im Zusammenhang mit Xbox-Updates benötigest, besuche die offizielle Xbox-Support-Website.

    Wir freuen uns, von der Community zu hören, egal ob Du einen Vorschlag für eine neue Funktion hast, die Du gerne hinzugefügt hättest, oder ob Du Feedback zu bestehenden Funktionen geben möchten, die verbessert werden könnten. Wir sind immer auf der Suche nach Möglichkeiten, das Xbox-Erlebnis für Spieler*innen auf der ganzen Welt zu verbessern. Wenn Du die Zukunft von Xbox mitgestalten und frühzeitig auf neue Funktionen zugreifen möchtest, tritt noch heute dem Xbox Insider-Programm bei, indem Du den Xbox Insider Hub für Xbox Series X|S und Xbox One oder Windows PC herunterlädst.

    Viel Spaß beim Spielen!

    Website: LINK

  • Xbox February Update: Send Invite Links, Cloud Gaming Updates, and More

    Xbox February Update: Send Invite Links, Cloud Gaming Updates, and More

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Xbox updates are rolling out with great new features. Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can easily invite friends to join their Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) sessions with a single sharable link. Plus, players can enjoy more cloud playable games. In case you missed it, Xbox is exploring AI research, and in January, Xbox introduced a network quality indicator, and a new controller update was released to improve gameplay. Read on for more details:

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)

    Send invite links to friends to join your cloud gaming session

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) Image Asset

    Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on their web browsers and supported TVs can generate links to invite other Game Pass Ultimate members to join their gaming sessions.

    While playing a multiplayer game with Xbox Cloud Gaming, Game Pass Ultimate members can create an invite link by opening the game invite menu from the Guide or in-game, then looking for the “Anyone” tab. Copy the link and send it to your friends to join your gaming session.

    Invite links provide flexibility on who to invite to a gaming session. Players can send a direct message, invite a group chat, or share the link on social media network. Invited players can join a cloud gaming session instantly via their web browser or supported TV.

    To join a game session on a web browser or mobile device:

    1. Open the invite link using a supported browser.
    2. Sign in with an Xbox profile.
    3. Click “Play with Ultimate.”

    To join a game session on a TV:

    1. Open the invite link on a PC or mobile device.
    2. Click the button labeled “Join on a different device” to receive a short code.
    3. Open the Xbox Guide on a TV and select the option “Have a game session code?”
    4. Enter the code from the web browser and play.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind when using this new feature:

    • All players must have an Xbox account, and some games require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
    • All players must have an entitlement to the game in order to play.
    • The number of players who can join using the invite link depends on the number of players the game allows.
    • After creating a link, owners can revoke it at any time to prevent new players from joining.
    • The ability to remove existing players from the session depends on the game.

    Stream your own game – More cloud playable games are available

    This month, we’re adding even more games to the stream your own game collection. Game Pass Ultimate members can stream 50+ cloud playable games on supported devices if you own them.

    Recently added

    • Blasphemous 2
    • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
    • Slime Rancher 2
    • Subnautica
    • Subnautica: Below Zero
    • The Talos Principle 2
    • Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

    Coming soon

    • Atomic Heart
    • Cult of the Lamb
    • Hotline Miami
    • Killer Frequency
    • Neva
    • Overcooked! All You Can Eat
    • Phanton Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
    • Serious Sam Collection
    • Trepang2
    • Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition
    • And more

    Check out the full list of cloud playable games available to stream on supported devices here. For more information, learn more here.

    In Case You Missed It

    Xbox is exploring the potential of an AI research breakthrough. Plus, Xbox January Updates included a network quality indicator update for cloud gaming, a controller update, and updates for PC gaming that improve stability, discoverability of titles, and usability.

    Breakthroughs in Generative AI

    Following research published in Nature, we recently announced a new generative AI model for gameplay ideation called Muse. We are exploring how this model can one day benefit both players and game creators: from allowing us to revive nostalgic games to faster developer ideation and iteration.

    To learn more about this breakthrough, please visit this article.

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) – Network Quality Indicator Update

    Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) - Network Quality Indicator Update Image Asset

    Now available to everyone, the new network quality indicator will help to diagnose potential network issues during streamed gaming sessions. Most audio and video issues are caused by problems with the network connection. This new feature helps track the quality of the network connection while gaming on Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on supported devices.

    To toggle the network warning icons on or off, go to your profilepic > Settings > Streaming > Network quality indicator. Learn more about this feature and get troubleshooting tips here.

    Xbox Accessories – Xbox Wireless Controller firmware update

    Xbox Accessories - Xbox Wireless Controller firmware update

    We released a firmware update for the Xbox Wireless Controller that includes improvements to thumbstick auto-centering, trigger adjustments, and mouse-to-thumbstick inputs. Install this update through the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One or Windows PC.

    Help Shape the Future of Xbox

    Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and the latest and greatest Xbox news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.

    We love hearing from the community, whether you have a suggestion for a new feature that you’d like to see added, or you want to give feedback on existing features that could use some improvement. We’re always looking for ways to improve Xbox experiences for players around the world. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC.

    Happy gaming.

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