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Fujimi Kaido makes its long-awaited return to Forza Motorsport this May in celebration of our 20-year anniversary.Where Dreams Are DrivenIts almost 20 years since the release of the first Forza Motorsport game. This moment was the beginning of a multi-decade journey to turn car lovers into gamers, and gamers into car lovers, one that would eventually lead us to the vibrant community we have today a community driven by car passion, racing skills, competition and creativity. Over the years that followed our debut game in 2005, we continued exploring our vision of creating innovative and immersive automotive experiences with the release of Forza Motorsport 2, 3, and 4 on Xbox 360; Forza Motorsport 5, 6, and 7 on Xbox One, and most recently, Forza Motorsport on Xbox Series X|S and PC. With less than two months until the 20th anniversary, today we are excited to share with you a preview of the content that will be available in Forza Motorsport as part of our May update, which includes the eagerly awaited return of a track considered truly legendary in the Forza community.Since the release of Forza Motorsport in October 2023, our team has been fully recreating Fujimi Kaido to modern standards in our biggest track project ever! Race and drift on the Full Circuit or Full Circuit Reverse that stretches 10.24 miles in length featuring 144 extreme turns and a 2,711-foot summit. Our goal is to recapture the magic of drifting with your friends on the massive stretches of serpentine Japanese mountain roads at Fujimi Kaido, and we cant wait for you to slide sideways once again as we now work to refine and polish this Forza original track for integration into the game this May. Fujimi Kaido is only the start of our upcoming anniversary content in Forza Motorsport. There are also some highly requested cars coming to the game, in addition to unlockable driver suits, special events in both Career and Featured Multiplayer, new themed Rivals challenges, and more. We will have more to share about the Forza Motorsport 20th anniversary as we approach the release of the update in May. Stay tuned to our @ForzaMotorsport social channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Discord, and X (formerly Twitter) for those details, where you can also let us know your favorite Forza Motorsport memories by using #ForzaMotorsport20. Plus, subscribe to the Forza Newsletter to be informed about everything thats happening both in the game and our community you will also receive the bonus Otherworld Driver Suit in Forza Motorsport just for signing up. It's been an incredible 20 years of racing and drifting. We look forward to sharing this anniversary with you, our players lets celebrate this milestone together on the track in Forza Motorsport.

With the Deluxe Edition of Atomfall launching today, and the regular game releasing with Xbox Game Pass this Thursday, March 27, I thought it would be an opportune moment to give you a few choice tips for how to survive life inside the Quarantine Zone.For those of you new to the game, Atomfall is an action-survival mystery set in the UK. The story takes place five years after the real-life events of the 1957 Windscale Disaster in the North of England. In the world of Atomfall, a quarantine zone has been established around the Windscale Atom Plant and no one has been allowed in or out for five years. Life and society have changed and adapted under these trying circumstances, and gangs of strange folk now wander the countryside.You wake up in a bunker with no idea who you are or how you got there. Given the circumstances, you have little choice but to set out on a journey to discover what really happened at Windscale and maybe try to find out who you are in the process.The world of Atomfall is essentially a large sandbox where you are free to explore and investigate at your own pace and in your own style. The way you approach every encounter and each scenario is completely up to you, but here are a few bits of advice to get you started.1) Pick your PlaystyleBefore you start the actual game, youll be prompted to set your playstyle. There are five pre-sets to cater for different approaches, as well as the option to customise this further should you wish. They adjust the challenge of combat, survival and exploration in the game.Sightseer a low-pressure mode for those who want to enjoy the narrative and exploration of Atomfall.Investigator for players who enjoy unguided exploration but prefer lighter survival and combat.Brawler you enjoy combat but prefer lighter survival and guided exploration.Survivor the classic Atomfall experience. A balance between combat and survival.Veteran harsh combat and consequences, a gritty battle for survival.Survivor offers the recommended Atomfall experience but pick whichever best suits you and the way you want to play. And dont worry, if you get into the game, and feel youve made a mistake, these settings can be adjusted at any time in the Options menu.2) Following LeadsAtomfall doesnt have a traditional quest or mission system. Instead, we have Leads snippets of information that you will uncover as you explore the world. There are numerous ways you can discover Leads, such as through conversations, tape recordings or by finding letters and items as you investigate the areas in the game. Discovering a new Lead will help you piece together the puzzle of what happened inside the Quarantine Zone, but how you use that information is up to you.In Survivor difficulty, the game does not add waypoints to your map or compass by default, but you can manually place markers on the map, which will then be shown on the in-game compass during play. If you do prefer a more guided experience, you can also adjust the Exploration settings in the Options menu.3) Where to StartSo, where is a good place to gather some Leads at the start of the game? When you leave the bunker, you are greeted by the lush open countryside of Slatten Dale. Directly in front of you is a ringing phone box that is just begging to be answered.Head down the hill to the left and youll come across Nat. Hes a talkative fellow and provided you dont offend him might be convinced to give you directions to find the nearby Molly, a trader who happens to indulge in lots of juicy gossip. Once youve have had a chat with Molly and maybe done a deal or two, why not visit the nearby village of Wyndham, where there is plenty to explore? We heartily recommend taking in the sights. Maybe visit the church or frequent the village shops, bakery and, of course, the village pub, to discover some Leads.Wyndham is under the control of Protocol a military force who was sent in when quarantine was put into effect to keep the peace. You can find their leader, Captain Sims at the band stand in the centre of the village, where he regularly harangues the populace.4) Pick your FightsAs you explore the various areas in the game you will encounter all sorts of colourful characters and gangs, some friendly, some less so. Remember that, when confronted, force is not always the best course of action many folks youll meet are just trying to make their way, same as you. Knowing when to back down and head for safety can be a great survival tool.Before charging into any fight, our suggestion is observe, plan, execute. Think about who youre fighting. Are they armed and, if so, with what? Can you take them out silently or should you just slip past and hope they dont notice you? Any course of action is open to you. It is, in fact, entirely possible to complete the game without killing anyone (although it is extremely challenging).5) Listen CarefullyYou will meet a host of weird and wonderful folk as you explore Atomfall. Some of these will want to trade but remember that money is useless in the Quarantine Zone, so bartering will be key. Others may have Leads that could help you understand what really happened at the Windscale Atom Plant. Some may have both. Others will simply push their own selfish agendas.You need to listen carefully and give real thought to the way you reply in order to gain an understanding of who you want to trust and who you dont. Some characters will play you off against another and may even want you to kill for them. Choosing the path you take, which Leads to follow, and who to trust will ultimately determine the end of the game, so choose wisely!6) Search and Scavenge Whenever You CanResources are scarce in the Quarantine Zone. Guns and ammunition are particularly hard to come by, so waste them at your peril. Take every opportunity you can to search areas for resources be that food, weapons or other items.As you explore you will also uncover Manuals that teach you new skills and unlock them by finding Training Stimulants. You can then choose which skills will be most beneficial to you and your playstyle.You will also acquire the ability to craft various resource and tonics that will help you fight, survive and heal. There is limited space in your backpack, so make sure to craft what you need as you go in order to have the best weapons and tools at your disposal.You can also make use of pneumatic dispatch tubes that you find in various places around the game world, a still-functioning relic of the military and science facilities. These are extremely useful for storing items that you dont immediately need access to. For example, you might find a great shotgun but have no bullets so you can choose to store it and then grab it back once you have enough shells to make the best use of it.Hopefully that little lot should give a little bit of a head start in the world of Atomfall. I hope you enjoy playing the game as much as we have enjoyed building such a unique and mysterious experience.See you in the Quarantine Zone!Atomfall Deluxe EditionRebellion$79.99Get it nowDeluxe Edition includes:The entire Atomfall game3 days Early AccessStory Expansion Pack (*not available Day 1):Basic Supply Bundle PackEnhanced Supply Bundle PackA survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences.Explore this Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you.Search, Scavage, Survive: Youll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it out alive! AtomfallRebellion2$59.99Pre-orderPre-order the Atomfall Standard Edition to receive:Basic Supply Bundle Supplies are scarce in the quarantine zone. Improve your chances for survival with additional items to find, including an exclusive melee weapon to help you in those brutal close-quarters engagements.Exclusive Melee Weapon VariantAdditional Loot CacheItem RecipeA survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences.Explore this Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you.Search, Scavage, Survive: Youll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it out alive!

I didnt have riding a fixed-gear bike possessed by an entity named Skully on my list of games to play this year, but thats part of the fun of attending events like the ID@Xbox Showcase at GDC you never know what new game is going to catch your eye. Wheel World, with its mix of open-world exploration, loot scouring, and surprisingly fun and competitive racing has put this radical take on bike racing on my radar as it speeds its way to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support for release later this year.In Wheel World you play Kat, a bike rider fated to save this unique realm thats full of rival riders, spare parts, and portal potties outhouses that work as a fast-travel option. That hits on another aspect I enjoyed about my time with the game: its humor. It never seems to take itself too seriously, as one should expect when it features a bike possessed by an entity in charge of marshaling spirits to and from the Moon. Helping Skully gather these spirits is your central goal during your time in Wheel World, but to do that you need to assemble the best ride possible.Traversing the realm of Wheel World and looking for loot (spare parts) is a big part of the fun, as you can uncover these items that contain a variety of pieces to customize your bike everything from its frame, to wheels, to handlebars, and more are all swappable which affect stats like speed and handling. These parts can also come in Legendary status and can give unique powers like increasing your boost meter to help during races.Another rule of this world is Reputation, needed to unlock higher-leveled zones, which you can gain by facing down other riders you encounter on the road, or when you take down a rival bike gang by you guessed it racing. Which is great, because it feels so fun to ride throughout Wheel World.All the competitions I tried out, whether they were up against a single rider or a pack, were very fun and lightly challenging with a nice pumping soundtrack running in the background (courtesy of Italians Do It Better). As I would glide through a pack of rivals, I found that both drafting (thats moving behind the rider to reduce wind resistance), and utilizing boost at the opportune times, were keys to success. Winning races can also net you coupons that you can use at bike shops found within the world, giving you access to even more spare parts for your bike.The physics for the handling of the bike also felt very natural, as you would have to factor in things like speed around turns, heavy peddling up hills, or just gliding downhill, it all felt very refined which is great because the game relies so much on this aspect. In addition, its cell-shaded world itself is beautiful to ride through, reminiscent of games like Sable or Dungeons of Hinterberg.Independent developer Messhof describes Wheel World as about the joy and freedom of living around bikes and that feels like the case here. From racing, to tinkering, to exploring or even just going out for a cruise through the hills, it captures that spirit of riding a bike and the freedom of exploration that comes with it. Look for Wheel World to come to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere, later this year.Wheel WorldAnnapurna InteractiveGet it nowWelcome to Wheel World, where the fate of the universe rests on your handlebars.You are Kat, a young cyclist with one mission: save Wheel World from total collapse. Explore a stunning open world filled with impressive vistas, hidden secrets, and races that will test your skills. Customize your bike with an endless array of parts, from sleek speedsters to off-road beaststhere's no limit to how you can ride.Wheel World is packed with things to do:Race and Dominate: Take on elite cycling teams and quirky rivals in high-stakes races where every second counts.Upgrade Your Ride: Scour the world for rare parts to build the ultimate bike, perfectly tailored to your style.Carry Out Your Destiny: Recover your stolen Legendary parts to ultimately perform The Great Shift ritual and save the world. No big deal.All of this is backed by an original soundtrack from Italians Do It Better, pumping energy into every race and moments of breathtaking semi-open world exploration.It's time to pedal your way to glory, save the spirits of Wheel World, and keep the universe on track. Hop on, ride fast, and don't look back.

Detective Dotson is far and away one of the most charming games Ive played this year. Its as if you were to throw Ace Attorney and classic Monkey Island games together, wrap it up in a Bollywood film, and then set it in modern-day India. That should give you an idea of what independent developer Masala Games is trying to achieve, as Detective Dotson is fast approaching its April 24, 2025, release date for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.The developer, which houses talent that has worked at studios like Pixar, Electronic Arts, and Prana, was one of the featured teams at this years ID@Xbox Showcase during GDC and it was a standout experience for me at the show I also had a chance to speak with Director Sharlin Shodhan separately about the games support for Xbox Play Anywhere.In Detective Dotson, you take on the role of the title character, an aspiring actor turned amateur detective who is trying to track down who killed his father. Thats the high-level pitch. But the fun of the game are the wild adventures hell embark on as he becomes a more honed gumshoe, taking on unexpectedly riveting cases like who shunned someone from attending a prominent tea party, or whos responsible for stealing someones lunch to ruin a film production.These lighthearted quests play out in a traditional adventure game style, where you guide Dotson across a 2D plane with a brightly colored, Indian-influenced 3D backdrop, talking with other characters for clues, picking up objects for your inventory, scanning the environments for hints, and taking down notes to later piece all your evidence together.Once all your notes and clues are assembled, youll then head to an evidence board to solve the active case. Here youll effectively move sticky notes with clues on them like, Broke Up With, Trained by, and Hides in, to then draw lines between all your suspects to solve the mystery at hand.What I enjoyed the most during my time with the game is that it taps into classic adventure gaming, a genre I love. Its not quite point-and-click, but its similar enough in its functions that it scratches that adventure game itch. It also feels like an incredibly accessible, cozy experience that gamers of all skill levels will be able to enjoy.It also looks like nothing Ive seen before, with its brightly colored world, diverse characters, and dance-offs. Im not proficient in the realm of Indian customs, but the game does a good job of easing you into the experience with its terminology, presentation of characters, as well as the cases youre given. Theres a reason why being shunned from a tea party can have a dramatic impact on someones social standing, which makes it the kind of thing Dotson would want to solve for who seems to not only be a better detective than advertised, but also a standup dude who is just trying to do right in his community.Even though my demo was short, its clear there are many more layers to explore within Detective Dotson, ones that Im eager to uncover. This lighthearted story of a reluctant hero has already moved to the top of my Cant Wait to Play More of This list which thankfully isnt a long wait: Detective Dotson is set to launch April 24, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.

SummaryDiscover more about the world of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, coming to Xbox Series X|S on April 17.Brian Mitsoda, who penned the story and its fantasy world, shares insights about development.Branching narrative, where choices you make define your characters fate and the fate of Faelduum.Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is an ambitious action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. Developed by Primal Game Studio, it features challenging Soulslike combat and an expansive story that promises over 40 hours of gameplay.With six classes to master, an intricate Talent Tree system to progress, and a sprawling, interconnected world to discover, this is a world you can truly succumb to.Find out more about how Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree immerses you in its dark fantasy with insights from writer Brian Mitsoda.Defy Your Fate, InquisitorMandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is set in the world of Faelduum. Inspired by myths, folklore, and fairy tales, this is a land where magic is very real, but outlawed.City-states are governed by tyrannical archmages, and justice is done upon magic-using heretics by Inquisitors. You play one such Inquisitor, whose fateful decision at the start of the game sets them on a path of defiance that will lead them to the darkness festering in the heart of Faelduum.Personally, one of the things that drew me to the project was the strong Castlevania influence, as thats one of my favorite games series of all time, says writer Brian Mitsoda, who shaped the lore, characters, and worldbuilding in Mandragora together with the team at Primal Game Studio.The dark fantasy elements reminded me of Berserk, and there was also a bit of traditional folk tale and fairy tale influence.Some of that influence can be seen in the monsters. From wild wolves to bloodthirsty vampires and other creatures of the night, theres a veritable bestiary out for your blood. Blades (or spells) at the ready, then.Entropy Is ComingAt the beginning of your Inquisitors quest, they discover that monsters are bleeding into Faelduum through tears in reality created by the mysterious, parallel plane of Entropy. The path forward is clear: Entropy must be cut off if Faelduum is to survive. And to do that, youll have to contend with legions of beasts and even more challenging bosses.But even with world-ending stakes, Brian says its important to keep players focused on having a good time.The most important part of the game is the gameplay, so for me, I always ask how I can complement it without bringing it to a grinding halt, says Brian.For example, if youre fighting a bandit, I want you to know why theyre in your path aside from the fact that theyre called bandits and theyve got enemy HP bars over their heads. If you want to know more, you can get some information from the environments and bestiary. If you pay attention to background dialogue, youll learn more about the state of the area.Characters are vividly brought to life by a cast of incredible voice actorsincluding Aysha Selim (Overwatch 2, World of Warcraft)with many unique regional accents fleshing out the geographical scope and cultures of Faelduum.Ripples Through RealityIve been playing video games since I was old enough to hold a controller, but what made me want to write them is that, unlike traditional mediums, the player can have a more active role in deciding everythingfrom their relationship with a character to the way the world is changed by their actions. Theres an active element in game design that makes everything feel a lot more personal.With Brians background in branching narratives, its no surprise that players will be presented with choices at various points in the game.We let the player define who the Inquisitor is with their dialogue and story choices, so the main characters fate isnt set in stone, says Brian.And though the world is extremely dark and cynical, he believes there is hope for redemption for your Inquisitor. But that choice lies in your hands.Finally, Brian has one piece of advice for new Inquisitors set to begin their quests in Mandragora: Dont sleep on the Caravan character quests. You get to learn a lot more of their secrets if you do these. Really happy with the way they came out!What will you become at journeys end? Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is coming to Xbox Series X|S on April 17. Add it to your wishlist and discover the fate of Faelduum for yourself soon!Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch TreeKnights PeakGet it nowSlash, burn, and rage your way through Mandragora, a 2.5D side-scroller action-RPG with deep Metroidvania and Soulslike elements. Light your Witch Lantern, enter the dark realm of Entropy, and tear reality asunder.UNIQUE SIDESCROLLING SOULSLIKETraverse 2.5D side-scrolling levels with skill-driven combat that deals punishment and reward in equal brutal measure. From the leering Caretaker to the Vampires of Braer Island, face ruthless foes and uniquely horrifying bosses that will make or break you.FALL INTO A DARK FANTASY WORLDGet lost in a rich and atmospheric world brought to life by timeless painterly art direction and the epic, twisted music of Christos Antoniou. Discover every detail with Metroidvania exploration, tearing down crumbling walls, utilizing new skills such as ground strike, and scaling buildings with your grappling hook.A BRANCHING TALE OF LOST HUMANITYAcquire the legendary Witch Lantern and enter the otherworldly plane of Entropy through tears in the fabric of reality. Make devastating choices in a sinister and immersive story by acclaimed writer Brian Mitsoda.SLAY YOUR WAYFrom Vanguard to Spellbinder, master one of multiple unique classes and customize your skills and powers through a deep and satisfying character development system. Find Artisans to join your Caravan and unlock new upgrades, and craft powerful weapons, armor and trinkets to help you die less and deal death faster. And when all is said and done, restart stronger and wiser with new difficulty levels in New Game Plus.

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Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Lets jump in!Breakout BeyondAtari$14.99$13.49Pre-orderBreakout Beyond March 25Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart DeliveryBreakout is back! Choice Provisions (Bit.Trip) has flipped the legendary series on its head. Or rather side. In this neon-drenched take on the classic, youll need to literally break through each puzzle by clearing bricks to breach the final goal. Longer play will rack up a combo and increase the intensity of the effects creating a spectacular light show as a reward for the most skilled players.AtomfallRebellionGet it nowAtomfall March 27 (Deluxe Edition March 24) Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play AnywhereA survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies. From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.Play from March 24 with an Atomfall Deluxe Edition purchase.Blue WednesdayForever Entertainment S. A.Get it nowBlue Wednesday March 27 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart DeliveryAn interactive game where the player can move through the city and chat with various NPCs, play the piano, and interact with lots of other items through the main character, Morris. The main parts of the game are mini games and adventures, and learning more about Morriss story through vivid cutscenes that pop up at key moments in the game.Sports RenovationsDear VillagersGet it nowSports: Renovations March 27 Optimized for Xbox Series X|SYour hometown basketball court is in danger once home to a top-tier league team fostering many new talents in the field, now covered in cobwebs and dust. And now a big developer is only waiting to get his grubby hands on the place, tear it down and build a new shopping mall instead. But you wont accept that. Give sports facilities a second life in this relaxing story-driven simulator. Restore the glory of old gyms, courts and pitches, and add a sprinkle of your own style.The First Berserker: Khazan Standard EditionNexon Korea Corporation52$59.99Pre-orderThe First Bezerker: Khazan March 27 Optimized for Xbox Series X|SThe First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action RPG based on the Dungeon Fighter Online (DnF) universe, Nexons flagship IP with more than 800 million players worldwide. Set 800 years before the events of DnF, the game unfolds on the continent of Arad and explores the untold story of Khazan, the first Berserker. Players will experience Khazans legendary journey firsthand as they master intricate and engaging combat mechanics and strategic battles that bring his epic tale to life.Dollhouse: Behind the Broken MirrorSOEDESCOGet it nowDollhouse: Behind the Broken Mirror March 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|SDollhouse: Behind the Broken Mirror is a terrifying first-person horror adventure game that tells a dark and mysterious story in a cinematic style. Enter the broken mind of Eliza de Moor, once a celebrated singer, now trapped in the labyrinth of her own forgotten memories. Since collapsing on stage during a performance, Eliza has been suffering from amnesia. The only hope for recovering her memories lies with Dr. Stern and his experimental medicine.

If Nightdive Studios were a home, it would be built upon the foundation of System Shock. As one of the studios formative projects, the Kickstarter campaign for its acclaimed System Shock remake put Nightdive on the map. But it wasnt System Shock that inspired Nightdives creation, rather its sequel, System Shock 2.With the recently announced June 26, 2024, release date for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster fast approaching, some have wondered: why a remaster instead of a full remake?To answer this, lets look back at Nightdives origins, remasters as a form of preservation, and the many enhancements that make System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster a worthy tribute to a beloved classic!Where It All BeganLike many others, my first experience with System Shock was the sequel, begins Nightdive Founder and CEO Stephen Kick, who recounts being introduced to the game while eating lunch with his friends at school.After sharing how much he loved Half-Life, his friend Marshall suggested giving System Shock 2 a try. The next day, he came back to the table and handed me the Big Box. That night, I installed the game and was instantly captivated. Every aspect of it congealed into an unforgettably immersive experience that still gives me chills every time I think about it.Little did he know at the time, this pivotal moment would later contribute to Nightdives founding in 2012 when Kick had the nostalgic desire to replay System Shock 2. Unable to get his game to run, and unable to re-purchase it on digital platforms, Kick began reaching out to license holders and was ultimately rewarded with the rights to re-release System Shock 2 in 2013, followed by the original.After System Shock: Enhanced Edition introduced mouse look and other quality of life improvements, we knew we had the unique opportunity to re-introduce the gaming world at large to one of the most influential and overlooked experiences ever created. The decision was then made to assemble a team to remake System Shock to not only honor the original, but to celebrate the legacy it created, Kick explains.While wed already announced an enhanced edition of System Shock 2, the success of the remake caused us to pivot and re-evaluate our goals for System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition, ultimately leading to a remaster thats much grander in scope and ambition.So, why didnt this pivot with System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (formerly System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition) lead to another remake?Remaster vs. RemakeWith System Shock 2, the game was already in a playable state, it just needed the same care and attention weve brought to other games weve worked on from that generation, Kick clarifies. Improved graphics, performance, and the ability to play on console so it was decided to remaster the game instead of completely remaking it.Nightdives mission extends beyond bringing lost and forgotten games back from the depths with its commitment to game preservation. As Nightdive developer Alex Lima points out, remasters and remakes are two very different approaches to game preservation.In a remake, we have the liberty of using modern engines, and we need to seek a specific type of talent when assembling a development team. In a remaster, were adapting legacy source code and doing lots of reverse engineering when that source code is lost.If you think of games as art, like Nightdive VP of Business Development Larry Kuperman does, a remaster is closer to restoration work done with old paintings while remakes are akin to creating a replica. Games are a form of interactive art and should be preserved as art deserves to be preserved, says Kuperman.Being able to leverage as much of a games original content as possible is not only valuable from a preservation standpoint, but from a modding one too.In a remaster, we adhere to the modding standards the original developers or community have already established. In a remake, were able to create the modding ecosystems with modern practices and standards. All in all, we do both with passion, and its up to the public to decide which one they favor, notes Lima.We decided to go with a remaster because we care a lot about the System Shock 2 fanbase, and we know a modding community has built around this game thatd benefit from the addition of advanced features. A remake would also be great, but it wouldnt affect the modding community in as positive a way as this remaster will.Bringing a Horror Classic to XboxModders arent the only ones wholl benefit from the enhancements of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster. With a wealth of fixes and improvements, the games shaping up to be more approachable than ever.For example, as you explore the creepy corridors of the Von Braun, one of the first things youll notice is the games visual enhancements. Menus and in-game UI elements have been upgraded to high-resolution assets, providing enhanced clarity and readability, confirms Lima.The Xbox family of systems has the kind of hardware that PC players in the 90s could only dream of, and we make use of that extra muscle, adds developer Lexi Mayfield. The game runs natively at 4K resolution on the Xbox One X and Xbox Series X|S with 120Hz also supported on the Xbox Series X|S version.Its not just looks System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster plays better, too.The 3D renderer used by System Shock 2s Dark Engine has been modernized. You can expect to see high-resolution assets, modern materials and shaders, support for ambient occlusion, and many of the performance bottlenecks of the older renderer addressed, explains Mayfield.As expected for a game releasing on consoles, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster offers comprehensive controller support.Every interface in the game, from PDA screens to hacking tools, can now be quickly navigated with the directional pad and face buttons. Cycling between PDA interfaces is done with the triggers, and tabular interfaces in those screens are cycled with the bumpers.You can do more with the bumpers than cycle between screens, thanks to the games newly added quickbar system. Now, switching between weapons and psi powers is both faster and easier thanks to two quick-access bars bound by default to the Left and Right bumpers.You can also slow down your aim for the sake of accuracy, and instead of multiple lean buttons theres now a single lean toggle that uses the control stick for the lean direction.If the default setup doesnt work for you, nearly every control except looking and walking with the analog sticks can be remapped. You can even swap the sticks to a southpaw configuration if you prefer.And if youd rather stick to mouse and keyboard, Mayfield assures we have you covered there too. While the team cant delve too deep into either of these just yet, multiplayer and co-op are in development for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster. Crossplay functionality is also supported, allowing players across different platforms to connect and play together, notes Lima.A Look to the FutureNightdives remaster of System Shock 2 isnt a highly-polished reimagining; its the same game you remember from 1999 but better. With visual enhancements, optimized performance, and full controller support, Xbox players are in for a real treat.Perhaps more than one. With several projects in active development, including some highly requested fan favorites, the Nightdive team shows no signs of slowing down. While a full remake of System Shock 2 isnt on the list (yet), its certainly not outside the realm of possibility.According to Stephen Kick:Our team has been working within the world of System Shock for the last 10 years and I couldnt think of a more qualified group of developers to tackle a project like that should we decide to take that on.So, whether youre a first-timer or a longtime fan, Nightdive looks forward to welcoming you aboard the Von Braun when System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster launches on June 26, 2024, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary RemasterNightdive StudiosGet it nowHow can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster by Nightdive Studios brings to you the modernized remaster of the FPS/RPG classic.Its the year 2114 and as you awake from cryo sleep on the FTL ship Von Braun, you are unable to remember who or where you are and something has gone terribly wrong. Hybrid mutants and deadly robots roam the halls while the cries from the remaining crew reverberate through the cold hull of the ship. SHODAN, a rogue AI bent on the destruction of mankind has taken over and it's up to you to stop her.Delve through the corridors of the derelict ship Von Braun and immerse yourself in the story rich atmosphere and environments. Explore deck by deck and unravel the horrifying fate of the Von Braun and her crew.System ShockPrime Matter195$39.99Get it nowSystem Shock is the fully fledged remake of the ground breaking original from 1994, combining cult gameplay with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and all-new sounds & music; it even has the original voice actor of SHODAN, one of gamings most iconic villains. Witness the rebirth of one of the greatest and most influential games ever created.A first-person fight to the death in the depths of space!SHE IS SELF-AWARE AND AWARE OF YOUMeet SHODAN: The psychotic AI has taken control of Citadel Station and turned the crew into an army of cyborgs and mutants; She now plans to do the same to Earth. You must explore and battle your way through the depths of a space station gone to hell. Stop SHODAN and avert humanitys destruction.HER TERMINATION IS OUR SALVATION

Remedy comes back to a key point about FBC: Firebreak repeatedly this game isnt a second job. You wont need to check in every day. You wont need to frettingly finish a battle pass before a deadline. None of your friends are going to be locked out if they dont buy an expansion. Theres so much to be excited about here Remedys first full online multiplayer game, its wild addition to the Control mythos, and its gratifyingly bizarre touches but just the idea of being able to play an evolving, online game like this at my own pace is upping my anticipation all by itself.To bring you up to speed, FBC: Firebreak is a first-person, co-op PvE shooter that pulls us six years beyond the ending of Control. That game left us with The Oldest House the shifting, eldritch home of the Federal Bureau of Control under lockdown after a hostile force known as The Hiss attacked. This spin-off (very much a widening of that games story, rather than a sequel to it) sees the House still under lockdown, and those stuck inside stuck in increasingly desperate circumstances. Youll play as members of the titular Firebreak, a ragtag group of first responders drafted in to clean up strange threats, using cobbled-together technology to do so.In theory, its a familiar set-up three-player parties head out into missions that gradually escalate over time, throwing objectives and enemies at you with abandon. In practice, this is anything but familiar. For a start, those objectives are unusual. In the mission Im shown during a hands-off presentation, the team are sent out to complete a mission called Paper Chase, in which they not only need to deal with Hiss-afflicted enemies (many of which youll remember if you played Control) but to clean up an infestation of sticky notes.Yes, those little yellow squares of paper seem to have gained some measure of sentience, and are covering entire sections of The Oldest House. As you fight, youll need to clean them up not just because theyre causing issues for the dcor, but because they have a habit of spontaneously attacking you (literally covering your field of view with little bits of paper), and even coalescing to create elite enemies youll need to take down. At the end of this mission, we see a boss affectionately known as Sticky Ricky made up of literally millions of sticky notes (I know this, because an onscreen objective is counting down each note, one by one). It sounds like a comedy, but its presented with the deadpan sense of dread that defined Control its weird, even unsettling, and a perfect match for this kind of game.Firebreak is doing a lot beyond getting weird with its missions, however. Team composition appears to be everything to your success youll tool up your character not only with weapons and perks (of which there appear to be dozens), but a Crisis Kit, which provides some of the stranger tools youll have at your disposal. I see the Splash Kit (which fires pressurized water), the Jump Kit (offering electrical powers), and the Fix Kit (which, well, fixes things). Each of these provides both offensive and utilitarian abilities a Fix Kit user can repair broken systems in the House, but also has access to enhanced melee using their wrench, for example. Your teams mix of Crisis Kits will alter how you approach a level (and each other, given there are doubtless ways to combine these powers), with strategies sure to emerge from those who really dive deep into the systems.And your strategy around these levels will be paramount your in-game currency needs to be collected during the missions themselves, and youll only earn it by safely extracting from a level. But the longer you stick around, the more Hiss arrive, adding a constant risk-reward tug-of-war. On top of this, your potential rewards are affected by two separate choices youll make before you begin your mission the Threat Level (a basic choice of difficulty), and the Clearance Level. The latter is a truly interesting piece of design each mission is split into distinct zones, escalating in complexity, and your chosen Clearance Level designates how many of those Zones youll need to get through. In effect, youre gambling against your own teams skill.This ability to tailor how hard or long a mission will be all feeds into that point I made at the beginning Remedy isnt just trying to make a compelling online shooter, but a welcoming one. Only got time for a quick burst? Jump into a low Threat, low Clearance mission for a bit of instant gratification. Settling down for the long haul? Grab your friends and start upping that Clearance level.This kind of thinking is all over the game. As I mentioned previously, Firebreak is being made purposely without daily or limited-time events, to ensure you never feel like youre being forced to play. But alongside that, Remedy has worked to make it as fast as possible to boot the game and get into a mission; theyre thinking deeply about making co-operation truly meaningful, but without punishing your for being matched with a player of lower skill, or who might be trolling their team; and all post-launch content (and theres a lot planned) will be free, meaning youll never have to split up a party.Its a game aiming to balance uniqueness and replayability with a healthy dose of respect for its players, and their time. Honestly, that might be just as revolutionary as having a boss made of sticky notes.FBC: Firebreakwill arrive this Summer for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC and you can play it day one with Game Pass.FBC: FirebreakRemedy EntertainmentGet it nowFBC: Firebreak is a cooperative first-person shooter set within a mysterious federal agency under assault by otherworldly forces. As a years-long siege on the agencys headquarters reaches its boiling point, only Firebreakthe Bureaus most versatile unithas the gear and the guts to plunge into the buildings strangest crises, restore order, and blast their way back from the brink.

As we touched on earlier this week, there are now over 1,000 developers utilizing Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) for their games, bringing their amazing experiences to players across a variety of devices they own.If youve never heard of XPA before, let us give you a refresher: when you buy a digital game that supports XPA through the Xbox Store or the Windows Store, its available to play on your Xbox console, Windows 10/11 PC, and supported handheld gaming devices at no additional cost. Even better, your progression comes with you across all platforms.While the benefits of XPA for players are clear, we wanted to show you how developers have embraced this feature for their games. At this years annual ID@Xbox Showcase event at GDC, we chatted with the teams behind upcoming XPA games Clair Obsur: Expedition 33, Detective Dotson, and Towerborne to learn more about what influenced their decision to implement this feature and what benefits it may hold for their gaming communities.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33I mean, I think for us its all about discovery, says Detective Dotson Director Sharlin Shodhan. Making a game is hard enough, but selling a game in 2025 is super hard. This just gives us all the surfaces that Xbox and Microsoft have as a common access point to sell our game.In chatting more with Shodhan, he cites that being able to connect with players across multiple platforms is a key benefit in supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. Having all types of players access their game, and know that it can be played on multiple owned devices, is important for them because it widens the surface where people can access it and thus share it.The upcoming Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launching day one with Game Pass on April 24, will also support Xbox Play Anywhere at launch. Again, allowing a variety of gaming communities on different platforms to come together thanks to XPA was seen as a tremendous benefit, especially for a new studio.Forming new friendships with players who are discovering our game is really the most we can hope for, explains Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Producer and Studio Co-founder Franois Meurisse. Having players able to play our game on different devices they already have at home is ideal. This helps them discover the game and feel a link with the universe, to the characters, and maybe even follow-up [for] future games [we make].Detective DotsonOther teams I talked to had Xbox Play Anywhere on their mind from the get-go. In talking with Towerborne Game Director Daniel McLaren, whose game is focused heavily on co-op, implementing XPA was necessary so anyone could join their community, whether theyre on PC or Xbox.We have built a game structured around playing together. From couch co-op to online co-op, or even just sitting by yourself with someone next to you telling you how to play. We needed to implement Xbox Play Anywhere so that anyone could join our community, whether theyre on PC or Xbox, says McLaren. No matter how you access your Xbox, be it through Game Pass or direct purchase, it was important for us to make sure we had the maximum number of players able to sit down anywhere, anytime, and just be able to play together.And its not just about utilizing XPA to connect with their gaming communities. As players themselves, these developers are also huge fans of what it means to play games they own with their friends and family, then taking that learned experience to implement into their games. In chatting more with McLaren, having XPA as an option to play across platforms is a huge benefit both personally and professionally.Well, the fact that I dont have to segregate my audience [is what I like most about the Xbox Play Anywhere feature]. When trying to build an online game, It [would be]s absurd that I cant sit down at my PC on some games and play with my buddy, who is not a PC person at all, who only has an Xbox console, it just boggles my mind. So, being able to do this I dont understand why everybody wouldnt do it, McLaren says.TowerborneShodhan also looks at it from a player perspective. This is how it should be: If I own a game and several devices, the developer will want me to play their game on as many devices as possible without paying each time or having to go through different store procedures. So, I think thats the ideal player experience, and thats why Im happy to support this for our players and make it a great experience.As a player and a Game Pass member, I really enjoyed the experience, says Meurisse. I havent got a Steam Deck yet but being able to play games on my iPad (with Xbox Cloud Gaming) while in bed is fantastic. The bigger screen of the iPad, combined with a controller, makes for an enjoyable gaming experience.Xbox Play Anywhere offers incredible convenience to players and a strong benefit to developers in fostering a cross-platform community for their games. And only having to purchase a game once to play it on both Xbox and PC is a huge perk for playing on Xbox, wherever you are. When youre a developer, at the end of the day, you just want more people to play your game XPA is here to help make that happen.

At Xbox, our goal is to empower as many people as possible to play the games they want, with the people they want, anywhere they want, in a way that works for them. This includes the more than 429 million players with some form of disability, who may rely on a variety of accessibility hardware such as the recently launched Xbox Adaptive Joystick and features to get the most from their gaming.For many players, it can be a challenge not having a common and consistent language to describe the accessibility features within different video games. To help solve this, Xbox introduced its Game Accessibility Feature Tags back in November 2021.But we want to do more, and today at Game Developers Conference (GDC), Xbox proudly joined forces with Electronic Arts, Google, Nintendo of America, Ubisoft and other gaming companies to announce that it is a member of the new Accessible Games Initiative.This initiative, helmed by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), strives to provide players with clear information about the accessibility features in video games through a set of tags that players can use to identify the features available in a specific game, before they make a purchase.To ensure there is no duplication between tags, and every tag adds unique value for players, Xbox will replace existing Xbox Game Accessibility Feature tags with their equivalent Accessible Games Initiative tags. Any Xbox Game Accessibility Feature tags that do not have equivalent Accessible Games Initiative tags will remain on our platform. This combination of tags will make it even easier for players with disabilities to find their next great game and understand the accessibility features available to play.We are excited to be part of the Accessible Games Initiative and happy to share our years of learnings from our Xbox Game Accessibility Feature Tags to help inform these new tags, alongside our partners. As with any advancements made that enable more people to play, we are thrilledto see more steps being taken in the name of inclusion and greater standardization of accessibility in games. We hope thiscollaborative effort across multiple gaming companies signals the power of accessibility to connect people, bring joy, and build community to the rest of the industry.In the same way, we hope the Accessible Games Initiative emboldens game developers to not only implement these tags in the name of inclusion, but inspires them to consider building more accessibility into their games as a result.Xbox is working with developers around the world to implement Accessible Games Initiative tags across participating titles. Once ready, players will be able to find both sets of tags in a variety of digital Xbox experiences.In the meantime, players can find the descriptions for each tag on the Accessible Games Initiative website. With the Accessible Games Initiative tags, players no longer need to worry about guessing what a tag means for each individual game, and you can know exactly what to expect before you buy a game.Stay tuned for more information. Visit www.accessiblegames.com to explore the tags and learn more.

Get Your Game On! The Global Candy Crush All Stars Tournament Returns with $1M Prize Pool Up for GrabsIndia - EnglishNews provided byCandy Crush SagaMar 20, 2025, 09:00 ETCandy Crush All Stars 2025 kicks off worldwide on March 20, 2025, following last year's tournament where over 15 million players competed for victoryThe massive $1M prize pool is back, and the stakes are just as sweet as ever.From millions of Crushers to just 10 finalists, only the top Crushers will advance to the live Los Angeles final where they'll battle for the coveted Candy Crush All Stars title.NEW YORK, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BIGGER. BOLDER. SWEETER. King's Candy Crush All Stars is back for its fifth consecutive year, and the tournament is taking the competition to legendary heights. The stakes? A place to compete in the live final and a chance to win a monumental $1M prize pool. Think you've got what it takes to claim the crown? It's time to put your skills to the test and crush the competition!Continue Reading Candy Crush All Stars Tournament Returns with $1M Prize Pool Up for Grabs Kicking off on March 20, 2025, Candy Crush All Stars 2025 is open to players around the world, from newcomers to seasoned Crushers. The global tournament builds on last year's epic showdown, where more than 15 million players competed for victory. This year, Crushers around the world are invited to join the action in a thrilling battle of skill, strategy, and sweet triumph. The two-month, free-to-enter competition features qualifiers, knockout rounds, and second-chance opportunities all leading up to a live final in Los Angeles, where in-game winners will compete for the Candy Crush All Stars title. Only the best will make it to the ultimate showdown for a chance to claim their share of the $1M prize pool matching the largest in Candy Crush history!Last year alone, a staggering 15 million players joined the battle (that's more than the populations of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago combined!) swiping their way through 2.2 billion levels and collecting an astonishing 11.4 trillion All Stars Candies. 2024's reigning champion, Ben, rose to the top, outplaying the competition to claim the crown in a thrilling live final. Now, in 2025, the competition is fiercer than ever. Who will rise to the challenge and etch their name in Candy Crush history?This year, Candy Crush is cranking up the nostalgia with Smash Mouth's iconic hit, 'All Star' a song that's been hyping up champions for decades. "This legendary track sets the perfect tone for the campaign," saysLuken Aragon, VP of Marketing for Candy Crush Saga, King. "In a tournament where skill meets fun, and anyone can go from casual Crusher to world champion, we're proudly reminding our community that every player can be an All Star."Think you have what it takes to be an All Star? Get your game on, press play! The action kicks off with qualifiers running until March 27th, giving all players the chance to compete. This will be followed by knockout rounds, leading up to the high-stakes live final event where the top 10 in-game winners will compete for their share of the $1M prize pool and the coveted Candy Crush All Stars title.The Candy Crush All Stars tournament is available in 23 markets worldwide and open to players 18 and older on selected level 5+ accounts. Candy Crush Saga is free to download and play on iOS and Android. Ready to prove you're a Candy Crush All Star? The countdown to the sweetest competition in gaming starts now! For more information about the mobile game and global tournament, please visit:www.candycrushsaga.com.About Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga is one of the world's most popular mobile games. Millions of players around the globe match colorful candies in combinations of three or more to win points, defeat obstacles and progress through more than 18,000 levels. In November 2022, Candy Crush Saga celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Candy Crush Saga is available to download for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon App store, Windows App Store and Facebook.About KingWith a mission of Making the World Playful, King is a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world's most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world-famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile game hits such as Farm Heroes Saga. Candy Crush has been the top-grossing franchise in U.S. app stores for six years, and King games areplayed by morethan 200 million monthly active users. King, a part of Activision Blizzard which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has game studios in Stockholm, Malm, London, Barcelona and Berlin and offices in Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Malta. More information can be found at King.com or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram, or @king_games on X.SOURCE Candy Crush SagaWANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+Newsrooms&Influencers 9k+DigitalMediaOutlets 270k+JournalistsOpted In GET STARTEDModal title

Descend on the desert wasteland as the post apocalypse comes to Call of Duty: Mobile in Season 3 Cyber Mirage. Empower your Loadouts with the Wildcard system coming to Multiplayer and Battle Royale and experience a suite of Multiplayer optimizations like the addition of a ping system and new graphics settings.Face the challenges ahead with a wasteland-themed Battle Pass bringing new Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, the M1 Garand Marksman Rifle base weapon, and more. In the Challenge Pass, unlock the R.A.P.S. Scorestreak and rain down explosive bots that track down your foes.Plus, sneak into action with the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Stealth pack and directly help veterans get back to work.Season 3 Cyber Mirage launches on March 26 at 5PM PT.Pick a Card, Any CardPut a twist on your Loadouts as the Wildcard system from Black Ops series arrives on mobile. The Wildcard system adds new ways to build your Multiplayer Loadouts, joined by a Wildcard-themed Battle Royale mode where players collect a hand of cards empowering their Operator.Multiplayer WildcardsYour Multiplayer Loadouts will now consist of a Wildcard slot unlocked at level 10, allowing you to attach one of several Wildcards to each class:Bomber: Equip an extra Lethal item. Plays well with the Demo Expert or Shrapnel Perk.Tactical Shift: Equip an extra Tactical item. Deploy with three Tactical items by stacking this with the Tactician Perk.Perk Greed: Equip an extra Perk.Overkill: Carry a Primary Weapon in the Secondary Weapon slot.Battle Royale WildcardsIn Battle Royale, Operators begin the match by choosing from one of several preset Loadouts, each based on a Wildcard. You will also find and earn additional Wildcards throughout the match, at first equipping up to two and then three at a time. Swap them out with one another to change up your playstyle on the fly.Here are some of the many Battle Royale Wildcards:Hawks Eye: After hitting a target, they remain highlighted for you for several seconds.Covert Action: When not sprinting, you are now quieter, and your overall sound range is reduced.Medical Kit: Get some extra utility out of armor, now youll also heal when repairing your armor.Armor Overload: Make the most of Armor Packs by finding this perk and getting an extra level of armor repair with each pack.Military Recycling: When you are throwing grenades or firing launchers there is a chance no ammo will be consumed.Quick Recover: Always be ready for battle with this perk that reduces HP recovery cooldowns and increases the amount of HP you recover.Ping the map for your team in Multiplayer, benefit from improved enemy visibility, and enjoy new graphical settings with the following game optimizations being added in the new season:Ping System: Players can now ping enemies and other targets of interest, including on the mini-map, to aid in team communication, allowing you to call out threats and give directions whether or not youre on the mic.Improved Enemy Visibility: Multiplayer enemies will now display a thin red line marking their outline to improve visibility in all areas of the map.New Graphics Settings: Choose from a wider variety of graphics settings to suit your preference, including separate settings for Multiplayer and Battle Royale.Ling CageImprove your chances in the desert wasteland in a collaboration with the post-apocalyptic anime series Ling Cage. Earn XP in any mode to scavenge valuable resources that can be used to unlock milestone rewards themed around the anime such as the Kilo 141 Baiyuekui Weapon Blueprint and an Epic Charm, Avatar, Spray, and Calling Card.EasterYour team of Operators has been commissioned to prepare for Easter by decorating eggs that in turn can be traded in for rewards like the secret caches, the PPSh-41 Dead Mans Custom Weapon Blueprint, Clandestine Strongboxes, and more cosmetics. Watch for the 7-day login event arriving near the holiday for the chance to earn even more.The Cyber Mirage Pass features free and premium items including new Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, Calling Cards, and additionalCall of DutyPoints to spend on your next Premium Pass or Store purchase.Battle Pass Free TiersUnlock the classic M1 Garand Marksman Rifle, a semi-auto weapon that offers effective accuracy and stopping power along with its iconic ping sound following your last fired round. Joining it is the Molotov Cocktail Liquid Flame, the ideal throwable for area control, setting its point of contact aflame. Other free tier highlights include a variety of Skins, Weapons Blueprints, Vault Coins, and more.Premium Pass TiersPurchase the Premium Pass for the chance to earn all the content in the Cyber Mirage stream, including Operator Skins Farah Sandstorm, Maxis Sand, Knight Junker Soldier, and Wade Mecha Mesozoic. Survive the post-apocalyptic wasteland with an assortment of scrappy weapons like the Grau 5.56 Knot Sling, ISO Scrapfire, KN-44 Rival, SVD Static Burn, and the M1 Garand Pipe Rifle, based on the new Season 3 weapon.Battle Pass Subscription:Enlist with the Ground Forces by purchasing a Battle Pass Subscription, granting additional monthly rewards along with a 10% boost to Player and Weapon XP, discount coupons, plus limited discounts on 10x crate pulls.Season 3s Ground Forces rewards include the Garcia Revolutionary Operator Skin, the MAC-10 Burn Off Weapon Blueprint, and the Backpack 2 Burn Off.Complete Standard, Special, and Elite Missions to progress through the Season 3 Challenge Pass. Use your earned Challenge Tokens to purchase items in the Exchange including the new R.A.P.S. Scorestreak, calling in an airdrop of explosive devices that track down enemy Operators and blow up their up their face.Check the in-game Events tab throughout the season for new Missions and rewards. For a broader glimpse of ongoing seasonal activities, check the Mission Board located in the main menu.New Mythic Weapon: Wield the Mythic LW3-Tundra, the long-awaited Sniper Rifle formed of unstable elements that assure a fatal strike when unleashed on enemy targets. Upgrade the weapon for improved weapon and death effects and wield it as Foxtrot, a member of Ghosts anti-terrorist strike force, also available to earn in the Draw.New Legendary Draws: Thrive as a survivalist with an assortment of Draws pairing up new Legendary Weapon Blueprints and awesome Operator Skins like the PDW-57 Wastelands End with Antonov Badlands Crusader.Support Vets with the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Stealth Pack: Inspired by UK Special Forces veterans and ThruDark founders, the Call of Duty Endowment Stealth Pack includes the Wanderer Operator Reskin plus the Ghastly Guile LW3-Tundra and Savage Strength BP50 Weapon Blueprints alongside a Helicopter Vehicle Reskin, Weapon Charm, Sticker, Calling Card, Avatar, and Spray. Available at the launch of Call of Duty: Mobile Season 3, 100% of ActivisionsMythic Sophia: The Mythic Operator Skin for Sophia is still available for purchase in Season 3. Gain redemption in the wasteland with this transformational Operator.Battle Pass Vault:Wind back the clock and pick up any Operator Skins and Weapon Blueprints you missed the first time around as Season S11 Final Snow, from 2021, arrives in the Vault.Season 3 Cyber launches on Call of Duty: Mobile on March 26 at 5PM PT.See you online.For the latest Call of Duty Mobile news, visit theCall of Duty: Mobilewebsite, as well asCall of Duty: Mobileon YouTube. Also follow Call of Duty: Mobile onX,Instagram, andFacebook.For the latest Call of Duty intel, visitCall of Duty, as well asCall of Dutyon YouTube. Also follow Call of Duty onX,InstagramandFacebook. 2019-2025 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.For more information on Activision games, visit theActivision Games Blog. Also follow @Activision onX,Instagram, andFacebook.

Cancel your plans, weve got something for everyone to play this weekend with Free Play Days! Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance, Bassmaster Fishing, Warhammer Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate Edition and Thief Simulator are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday March 20 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, March 23 at 11:59pm Pacific.How To Start PlayingFind and install the games on each of the individual game details page onXbox.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 GoingPurchase 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)Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Digital Deluxe EditionSEGA119$69.99$41.99Get it nowShin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceEmbark on this definitive version of the critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei V, massively expanded with a brand-new storyline featuring new locations, demons, and choices to make that will dictate the fate of all existence.Bassmaster FishingDovetail Games Fishing212$39.99$7.99Get it nowBassmaster FishingOptimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart DeliveryGrab those shades, attach that lure and get ready to reel in a prize catch The real-world Bassmaster Classic takes place this weekend and you can join the angling action with Bassmaster Fishing on Xbox! Anglers can relive the thrill of big bass fishing and explore locations around the USA. Whether taking to the water solo or playing online against other anglers, the right combination of boats, rods, lures, reels and sunglasses, will determine whether you lift that coveted Bassmaste trophy or flounder at the foot of the leader board. If youre casting out this weekend Tight lines!Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate EditionNacon171$49.99$12.49Get it nowWarhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate EditionOptimized for Xbox Series X|SThe Ultimate Edition includes Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr and all additional content. You are an Inquisitor, the Imperiums most powerful agent. In this action-RPG, choose from amongst several character classes and take part in tactical and violent combat, in solo or co-op mode.Thief SimulatorPlayWay S.A. 212$19.99Get it nowThief SimulatorBecome the real thief. Steal in free roam sandbox neighborhoods. Observe your target and gather information that will help you with the burglary. Take the challenge and rob the best secured houses. Buy some hi-tech burglar equipment and learn new thief tricks. Sell stolen goods to the passers. Do anything that a real thief does!

There are numerous features developers must consider implementing when developing their games. These could be large, overarching ones How big should the game world be? Will it need to support multiplayer? or some of the less critical, but no less important, questions to answer like what color should the doors be on a house?Accessibility in gaming has grown significantly in recent years among game developers who have been more conscious of adding these types of features into their games, ensuring more people can play them across all facets of the gaming community. This could be anything from including a color-blind option, a high contrast mode, or game difficulty adjustments to name a few.At this years ID@Xbox Showcase event at GDC, I had a chance to talk with Philip Crabtree, technical director and co-founder of Kaizen Game Works Limited, who was showcasing Promise Mascot Agency, which had the Xbox Adaptive Controller as well as the newly launched Xbox Adaptive Joystick enabled at their demo station. I was immediately curious to ask how the team decided to dedicate development resources to accessibility, and why it was important to them.I dont think there was a decision; I think it was just something we wanted to do. And I think it was pretty much an unspoken understanding. Whenever an idea came up for an accessibility feature, we didnt have a meeting about it. Its just, Im putting it in, its as simple as that, explains Crabtree. If something comes to us, like a suggestion from someone who played the demo or something weve seen in another game, then its just mentioned, and we put it in where we can. Its not a very complicated process.In Promise Mascot Agency, you play Mitchy, an exiled Yakuza living in a dying town who is seeking redemption. Your goal is to rebuild a mascot agency by recruiting mascots, helping them regain confidence, and renovating the town where they live. Crabtree describes it as an open-world narrative adventure game that combines crime drama with mini-games and car battles.Crabtrees previous game, Paradise Killer had several accessibility settings that Kaizens community responded well to, but they also identified several limitations, such as the inability to alter the style of text dialogue. So, with Promise Mascot Agency, accessibility was a feature they wanted to push further and prioritized it early in development.In our Promise Mascot Agency, you drive around in a truck, so we wanted to make sure you could do things like drive without having to hold the triggers. So, weve implemented modes where you can just tap to drive and tap to reverse. Same thing with boosting tap to do this or that. We also wanted to introduce options like high contrast mode so you can easily see objectives on the screen, Crabtree says while detailing some of the accessibility settings theyve implemented. Where there are elements of difficulty, like timers, we wanted to make all those settings changeable so you can make it easier to chase or have more time to read the text. Anything we could think of that was achievable for a small team, we tried to get it in there.I asked Crabtree if there were any specific accessibility features the team really wanted to ensure worked well with Promise Mascot Agency, including those that may center around playing with the Xbox Adaptive Controller which was on-hand at the event for attendees to try. The answer? Everything.Everyone wanted the whole game to work (with it). Theres no point in just having 10 percent of the game accessible we wanted the whole thing. So, once we had [the Xbox Adaptive Controller] in front of us and we could use it, it was then just trying to figure out what the correct method of control is, explains Crabtree. As I mentioned before, rather than holding a button down to accelerate, you could tap. And then when you want to brake, do you tap the same button? Do you tap a different button? Its just trying options to see what fit we wanted every feature to work with it and I think we managed to get that.The team also got to experience using the new Xbox Adaptive Joystick with their game. The new Xbox Adaptive Joystick is great I didnt realize it existed until very recently. Im happy just to have held it its a wonderful little thing, says Crabtree.When we got the first [Xbox Adaptive Controller], the obvious downfall was we needed an analog stick the games we make need an analog stick. So, youd need most if not all the buttons on the controller. That was the first problem when looking at our old games before the new controller came out. But the Xbox Adaptive Joystick is very flexible to assign how you want. It didnt take anytime at all to figure out how to just control it.As Crabtree points out to me, its about spotting opportunities in how you approach accessibility. Its not that a developer needs to think too hard about getting it perfect or questioning who will like it or who wont like it. Its about giving players options and trying to identify what they might be; its fairly straightforward, he says. Any developer making a game just wants people to play it and wants people to enjoy it. And with these controllers, more people can enjoy it. It feels pretty good to be able to let people find it and connect with the games that previously might have been out of reach.And for those developers who are just starting to look at ways to make their game accessible, Crabtree boiled it down simply here as well: Just do it.Dont overthink it. Just have a look at your game and say, Well what is accessibility? Dont just think about motion. Think about things like timers, which could add initial stress or cognitive issues, where you can give people more time to understand what they need to do to take things at their own pace, Crabtree details.Think about all the actions players take in a game. How can you make it more accessible? You dont have to hit everything. Itd be wonderful if you could, but every little bit helps. And once youve done one implementation, then that bit of knowledge can go forward to implement something else. And then on your next game, you can start with that and then keep expanding. So, just do it. People want to play your games. Help them play it.Promise Mascot Agency is set for release soon for Xbox Series X|S and will launch day one with Game Pass. You can also check out a free demo of Promise Mascot Agency here.Promise Mascot Agency DemoKaizen Game Works Limited18Get it nowFrom the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols theyre unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!Welcome to the Mascot Hustle You thought mascots were just fluffy, innocent brand ambassadors? Think again. The Mascots are all living, breathing, fully formed personalities, with dreams, fears, and the occasional breakdowns of their own- just like us! Whether its Trororo, a charming cat whos a little too obsessed with "adult video" or sweet, silken To-Fu, who cant stop sobbing, your job is to befriend, mentor, and (hopefully) get these mascots to finish their jobs without causing a major catastrophe.Play Your Cards RightSending your mascots out to work is never as easy as it sounds. One minute theyre promoting delicious food, the next theyre stuck in a doorway or starting a kitchen inferno. Need help? Good thing Kaso-Machi is full of intrepid everyday heroes ready to lend a hand (if youve managed to befriend them, of course). Unlock Hero Cards, featuring Kaso-Machis lovable local weirdos like Captain Sign, Japans only road-sign superhero (dont ask questions), or Mama-San, a bar owner with a serious latex collection. These heroes will step in to provide help when your mascots inevitably lose control.Tear Through Town in Your Upgradable Kei TruckKaso-Machi is a town full of secrets, and Michi isnt just stuck in an office managing mascots hes on the road in his rusty (but upgradeable!) Kei Truck. This nifty little ride may look like a heap of junk, but with a few tweaks, itll have nitro boosts, glider wings, and even the ability to launch Pinky Michis maniacal mascot assistant like a missile. Use your truck to explore the strange, forgotten town, unlock collectibles, and uncover hidden mysteries. Who knew a Kei Truck could be your best friend in a town where literally everything else hates you?!Crime! Drama! A Walking Finger?! Exiled after an ambush that left his clan in shambles, Michi finds himself piecing together the mystery of what really happened, while the town seems to actively conspire against him. Nightmare spirits seem a little too interested in your business, and theres an ever-present sense that somethings very, very wrong in this placeThink you can resist? Think again. The mascots know where you live. Step into the world of Promise Mascot Agency and claim your place in this brave new world of mascot domination.Promise Mascot AgencyKaizen Game Works LimitedGet it nowFrom the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols theyre unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!Welcome to the Mascot Hustle You thought mascots were just fluffy, innocent brand ambassadors? Think again. The Mascots are all living, breathing, fully formed personalities, with dreams, fears, and the occasional breakdowns of their own- just like us! Whether its Trororo, a charming cat whos a little too obsessed with "adult video" or sweet, silken To-Fu, who cant stop sobbing, your job is to befriend, mentor, and (hopefully) get these mascots to finish their jobs without causing a major catastrophe.Play Your Cards RightSending your mascots out to work is never as easy as it sounds. One minute theyre promoting delicious food, the next theyre stuck in a doorway or starting a kitchen inferno. Need help? Good thing Kaso-Machi is full of intrepid everyday heroes ready to lend a hand (if youve managed to befriend them, of course). Unlock Hero Cards, featuring Kaso-Machis lovable local weirdos like Captain Sign, Japans only road-sign superhero (dont ask questions), or Mama-San, a bar owner with a serious latex collection. These heroes will step in to provide help when your mascots inevitably lose control.Tear Through Town in Your Upgradable Kei TruckKaso-Machi is a town full of secrets, and Michi isnt just stuck in an office managing mascots hes on the road in his rusty (but upgradeable!) Kei Truck. This nifty little ride may look like a heap of junk, but with a few tweaks, itll have nitro boosts, glider wings, and even the ability to launch Pinky Michis maniacal mascot assistant like a missile. Use your truck to explore the strange, forgotten town, unlock collectibles, and uncover hidden mysteries. Who knew a Kei Truck could be your best friend in a town where literally everything else hates you?!Crime! Drama! A Walking Finger?! Exiled after an ambush that left his clan in shambles, Michi finds himself piecing together the mystery of what really happened, while the town seems to actively conspire against him. Nightmare spirits seem a little too interested in your business, and theres an ever-present sense that somethings very, very wrong in this placeThink you can resist? Think again. The mascots know where you live. Step into the world of Promise Mascot Agency and claim your place in this brave new world of mascot domination.

If you can believe it, weve been enjoying Assassins Creed games for nearly two decades weve come a long way from Altair and Ezio and the Templars. Each entry was an incredible achievement in breadth and scope as well as a unique chance to step into history. Now, with the release of Assassins Creed Shadows on Xbox Series X|S, were traveling to a realm that fans have been eager to see ever since we took our first steps into the Animus: Feudal Japan.Assassins Creed Shadows isnt just a brand-new adventure its a bold new chapter in the acclaimed series that introduces a new way to play (weve never seen anything like Yasuke), but also new stealth mechanics that have us truly feeling like a master assassin. Not to mention how much more immersive the game can be with a fully-voiced cast of Japanese actors.To highlight some of these new changes to the series, weve compiled some of the more notable ways Assassins Creed Shadows breaks from previous entries to give you an even more engaging and thrilling experience to play on Xbox Series X|S.Mind the ShadowsOne of the unique elements of Assassins Creed Shadows is that it goes through a period of four seasons Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer giving you four distinct environments to play in, shifting roughly after every hour or so of gameplay, and theres the occasional storm that sweeps through the area. It really makes the whole world feel alive. But what really helps your ability to succeed as an assassin is the time of day and how that plays into the games dynamic lighting system, affecting how you choose to come after your targets and striking from the shadows. For example, infiltrating a castle at night versus during the day gives you a bit more leeway from detection by guards, with more shadows to take advantage of beyond just ducking into haystacks and bushes. Even if daytime infiltration is your only option, you can knock out lanterns and snuff out candles when inside structures, allowing you to sneak through darkened, shadowy hallways and take on your targets by surprise. Also, some armor and weapon types can give a damage bonus when used at night, so keep an eye out for those when looting crates.Customizable Base-BuildingHaving a home base isnt a new feature for Assassins Creed Shadows, but having one be as highly customizable as this is. For example, you can choose where you want your expanding village to take shape, what statues to place in the yard, the type of gravel youll like to use on the pathways, and even place dogs all over the place to fill it out (I have eight Akitas running around mine).Each of these buildings is upgradable as well, which is essential as you dive into the higher-level zones of Feudal Japan. Youll want to invest in your Forge early on so you can upgrade your armor and weapons, and Study so you can have additional Scouts to feed into what we talked about earlier, being able to source the location of your targets and tag resources to be smuggled out of hideouts.Viewpoints Dont Tell You Everything, Encourge ExplorationObserve your surroundings, Naoe is frequently told early on in Assassins Creed Shadows, and it is good advice, as identifying objectives, treasures, and enemies has been tweaked from previous entries in the series. To start, simply climbing a synchronization viewpoint doesnt give you granular details of everything in the area. At most, it pops a few question marks on the map, denoting places you should check out, for well, finding out whats there is a huge part of the game. When you get to that point on the map, dont expect an NPC to come running; just know youre closer to your destination. Once again, observe by holding down LT and looking around will identify objectives (blue dots), treasures and supplies (gold dots), and other notable items (white dots). Where theres treasure, you can expect resistance. Pressing down on the right thumbstick as Naoe activates Eagle Vision, an Assassins Creed staple, making enemies glow red, even though walls. Then: observe them with LT held to keep them marked, even when you look away.If you just want to go from point to point, like the old days, check out the Guided Exploration Mode option. Point, click, assassinate.Gaining Knowledge, Seek Inner PeaceIts worth checking out these points of interest on the way to your next objective, as many play into the new Mastery Point system. While leveling up, hitting major story points, and assassinating key enemies earn you those valuable points, the new Knowledge Rank system unlocks higher tiers of the skill tree, giving you more options on where to develop your characters. Back to those question marks: upon close observation, some will become a red-orange circle on your map, denoting a Knowledge Rank-earning opportunity. Early on, I stumbled upon a place for Naoe to sit near a shrine, which led to a meditative QTE event, eventually giving way to a meaty flashback about Naoes first taste of battle. Over time, I encountered more of these Kuji-Kiri opportunities, revealing essential bits of Naoes past, while helping me unlock the next tier of abilities for her to use in the future.Two Very Distinct HeroesThis is a little stating the obvious its one of the most unique features about Assassins Creed Shadows but the two characters play styles are very dramatic from one another. As Naoe, youre an agile assassin who relies on stealth and guile; Yasuke is a devastating tank that can quickly leave a bloody path through a courtyard in a manner of seconds. But how (and when) you choose to use them in Assassins Creed Shadows is just as important. The opening hours of Assassins Creed Shadows will primarily have you playing as Naoe, learning the art of swordplay, stealth, assassination basically learning how to be a badass ninja. You learn to become reliant on your speed, tools, and unique approaches to expose an enemy she is closest to what you may have played previously in an Assassins Creed game.Yasuke on the other hand, unlocked after you complete Act 1 (you cant miss it), has no need for these tricks. What he lacks in unique Assassin Creed-like abilities (he cant sense through walls, for example), he makes up for it with sheer brutality, soaking up hits and parrying with lethal results making him great for crowd control. Youve never played anything like him before in an AC game and it brings an exciting new dynamic to how you choose to play. Especially since youll be able to freely swap between these heroes at numerous points later in the game and sometimes even mid-mission allowing you to have a multi-pronged attack when it comes to checking off the next target on your list.Multiple Weapon Options Open Up CombatAs we detailed in our Assassins Creed Shadows weapon guide on Xbox Wire, Naoe and Yasuke can each equip two different weapon types, providing unique strengths and strategies for combat Yasuke with his long katana, naginata (polearm), kanabo (massive club), bow, and teppo (rifle); Naoe with her katana, hidden blade, kusarigama (spiked ball and chain), and a variety of throwable tools.There are also several ways to enhance your weapons as each type has a specific mastery tab where you can allocate mastery points to boost damage and unlock new abilities. Weapons also have levels; you cannot use a weapon that exceeds your current level, but with a Forge built in your Hideout, you can upgrade lower-level weapons to match your player level, improving their base stats. Best of all, these weapons can be hot-swapped during combat encounters (right on the D-Pad). For example, you could start off with your katana with Naoe and then switch up to your kusarigama if you get surrounded. Or as Yasuke, you could open the battle with a ranged attack with his bow or teppo, then swap to his kanabo to bash foes. Its a flexible dynamic that makes combat in Assassins Creed Shadows feel more exciting than any of the series and is one of the strongest aspects of the game in my opinion.Scouts Are Vital to SuccessOne of the elements Ive liked the most is that Assassins Creed Shadows doesnt hold your hand as tightly as previous entries when it comes to finding your target. Instead, youre given access to an intel network of Scouts who can help you pinpoint your targets general location the rest is up to you to put the pieces together.Not only does this feature make us feel more like an assassin tracking their target and looking for clues, but it also encourages us to get out there and explore this beautiful recreation of 16th Century Japan. Scouts are also useful for smuggling resources back to your hideout as you begin to become bolder in your infiltration of castles and the like, youll come across Stockpiles that you can tag for them to bring back to your base at the end of the season (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer), allowing you to invest in upgrades or create additional structures like a Forge. Scouts will also automatically replenish at the end of these seasons as well, but can be refilled for a cost at Kakurega (unlockable safe houses) if you dont want to wait.Canon Mode vs Immersive ModeJapan has long been a requested setting for an Assassins Creed tale, and if you really want to immerse yourself in the vibe, there are two settings worth considering. As Naoe and Yasuke, youll frequently be making dialogue choices that affect how other characters perceive you. But what answer is canon? Wonder no further, Assassins Creed Shadows offers a new Canon Mode, where the story plays out in a set way. As a fan of recent hit series Shogun, I found the interplay of Japanese and Portuguese speakers in this era fascinating. Immersive Mode replicates this; characters speak in their native language with subtitles. And with that, we hope you enjoy the most ambitious Assassins Creed title yet.Assassins Creed Shadows is available now for Xbox Series X|S. Assassins Creed Shadows also supports Stream Your Own Game for Game Pass Ultimate members if you own the game, you can play it via the cloud on the supported devices you own. Learn more here. Assassin's Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe EditionUBISOFT89Get it nowThe Assassins Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition includes: The base game The Sekiryu Dual Pack including gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke, the Sekiryu Beast, and Dragon Tooth trinket The Sekiryu Hideout Pack including four unique ornaments to customize the hideout for your shinobi league Five mastery pointsExperience an epic action-adventure story set in feudal Japan!Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and powerful, legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch between these two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.ENTER FEUDAL JAPANExplore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLESBecome Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power.MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPONTravel the world and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOMECreate a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your bases building layout, decorations, and accessories.Internet connection and Ubisoft Account required to redeem digital content.Internet connection, Ubisoft account and Microsoft Account required to access online features.Assassins Creed ShadowsUBISOFT125Get it nowExperience an epic action-adventure story set in feudal Japan!Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and powerful, legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch between these two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.ENTER FEUDAL JAPANExplore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLESBecome Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power.MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPONTravel the world and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOMECreate a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your bases building layout, decorations, and accessories.Internet connection, Ubisoft account and Microsoft Account required to access online features.

SummarySouth of Midnights soundtrack, created by Olivier Deriviere, is available today on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Bandcamp. To celebrate, we spoke to Deriviere and Audio Director Chris Fox to find out how they created a unique gaming musical experience.South of Midnighthas also gone gold! Compulsion Games has reached a major milestone, with the games development now complete and approved for release.South of Midnight will be available on April 8, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and will be available day one with Game Pass. And with Xbox Play Anywhere, play on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and cloud with full cross-entitlements and cross-saves. Play up to five days early, starting April 3, 2025, and get access to digital extras with the Premium Edition.Pre-order The Art and Music of South of Midnight, developed in collaboration with Dutch design house and publisher Cook and Becker. The box set includes a two-LP vinyl with the full soundtrack of the game presented in a beautiful gatefold alongside a 160-page art book, a comic book inspired by the game, and more.Composer Olivier Deriviere has a very elegant way of summing up South of Midnights approach to music: This game is singing with the player.Xbox Wire spoke to Deriviere, and Audio Director Chris Fox, on an important day for the team South of Midnight had just gone gold, with development complete ahead of the games April 8 global release date. On the day this article publishes, its another important milestone South of Midnights soundtrack is now available on all major streaming platforms. It felt only natural, then, to discuss how this game uses music in an all-new way for the genre.In most games, the soundtrack is something like a mood board something to prompt you on the fact that youre in an important battle, or experiencing the joy of exploration. But Compulsion Games has woven music far more intricately into the experience of playing South of Midnight. As you progress through its levels, melodies and harmonies repeat, snatches of lyrics float like a breeze through the experience, offering hints at the wider story youre taking part in. And, as you reach each levels crescendo, taking on the games mythical creatures, it explodes into life as a fully performed track, ebbing and flowing, reacting to your actions, and telling the creatures tales through lyrics.It was, as you might imagine, a complex task. Its the biggest music production Ive ever done, explains Deriviere. But, at the beginning, it wasnt supposed to be like this. Musical IntroductionCompulsion did a huge amount of research in the early parts of production, with Creative Director David Sears and his team undertaking multiple trips to the American South in order to properly capture the look, feel, and stories of the region they aimed to depict. And it was at the end of one of these trips that Sears returned with an idea.Audio Director Chris Fox tells the story that started it all: David came back from one of his trips to the South and said, I really feel like Ive had this epiphany players actions should equal musicality. So that was kind of the first big challenge, and then I had to go away and kind of think about what that meant.Music is a huge part of the identity of the South blues, country, jazz and more can all trace their roots to the region and that was always going to be represented. But the gauntlet thrown down to Fox and Deriviere was to create a game in which that music needed to feel tied to what the player was doing, where they were, and what story they were unravelling.So I was like, OK, how can someone make music while they play, but not [just make] a music game? explains Fox. That was how it started, and then we just went into lots of brainstorms. David came back from one of his trips to the South and said, I really feel like Ive had this epiphany players actions should equal musicality.Chris Fox, Audio DirectorIts rare for an action-adventure like South of Midnight to try something like this, and its rarer still for the songs created to have lyrics. This wasnt just about creating a technical system for how music reacts to the player, but for how it told distinct stories around them.We started with story, of course, says Fox. We needed to know the story of the creatures first, which then spawned the narrative our version of the [real-life] tales which in turn spawned the lyrics. The lyrics and the narrative have to go hand-in-hand. We worked with the narrative team, and then we had to make sure Olivier had what he needed. I was very pleased with the content that we got its always a worry at the beginning when you talk about making original songs, its not something thats normally done. Anything could happen and the most important thing was just to put trust in everyone.That trust meant that Olivier was given another unusual task to create a concept song, in the same way a games production will often begin with concept art.This was the first time Ive had to think of [traditional] songs within a game, Deriviere continues. How can we make a song happen, and how is this relevant? How do we arrange the song? The starting point was this concept song and I had to sing it. And when the song was there, just by me, it was enough for David and Chris to be like, OK, with that, we can go into production. The Art of ScienceFrom here, the team worked together to create the full suite of songs youll hear in the final game. And unexpectedly, at least for Deriviere, the practical element of getting the game to adjust its music to how youre playing was actually one of the easier parts of the process.Technology in video games has immensely improved over the time, and we are now able to very much tailor throughout any situation in a game [how the music reacts to] whatever we want. The difficulty is that you have the technology, but you still have to have the creativity and the coherency of using the technology in the right way. For instance, for music, you dont want the system to be complex [to the point where it] doesnt make musical sense. Its just years and years of practicing and experimenting. And we did experiment its fail-and-retry, basically.The systems Fox and his team created mean that the soundtrack will know if youre stopping to explore, or charging headlong into a combat section, adjusting the track around that to feel right, while still carrying the core themes.We had to deconstruct each song to make it work within the levels, Deriviere continues. At the end of the level, you visit the creature and you have this song at its peak but previously [in the level], you have sections that are building up, and its not in the same form as the final song. Its a completely different form, with different harmonies, different melodies. Sometimes theres even a corrupted aspect to the melody, because the world is corrupted, and we wanted people to feel this way.In effect, its turning music into a part of the wider soundscape the same way a game will have different sound effects for walking through water as opposed to mud. I think thats why I wanted to work with Olivier, enthuses Fox. He sees the audio and not just music. Its music woven into sound effects, sound effects woven into music. Its the audio experience for the player, and theyre not separated necessarily.Pushing that idea even further, in South of Midnight, music is quite literally a character: At the end of the level, the song is always performed by a top-talent singer, but within the levels its by a kids choir, explains Deriviere. The kids are basically the star of the show theyre all over the place, and they mean so much to the game. These are the Strands, the entities, whatever magic you want to call them, that are helping [lead character] Hazel find her way through this magical world. Southern CharmAnd to add to the complexity of all this, there was a final piece of the puzzle for Fox and Deriviere going all the way back to those original research trips, the music needed to feel as if it belonged in the South, across multiple regions, while still offering up a single, coherent soundtrack.At the beginning, you know, talking with Chris and David, it was more about trying to find something that would be interesting, get something inspired by the Deep South, but create something that was unique for the game, explains Deriviere.He realized that, in order to do that, he needed to look outwards, not inwards: Oh, we may need to hire some talents to record live music. But [then it became] multiple talents, on a scale that Ive never done. [We had] more than 50 people involved, not even including the orchestra.This was a much bigger task than the team had gone in expecting. It was something that evolved over time, says Fox. We started with like an hour of music, or something ridiculous like that, which was obviously way too little. But at the beginning of a project, you just dont know what the needs are.I appreciate the belief in us that when I said, Weve got this really cool idea, we need to we need to go with live performers. And then later on, Oh, actually, I know I said we werent going to use an orchestra, but we actually need to go and record an orchestra now. For the higher-ups here at Compulsion to say, This wasnt necessarily budgeted, but we think youve got a strong vision, and what youre doing with Olivier seems really good, so here we go that was something I really appreciated from Compulsion and Xbox, to roll with us on that. You can feel, hopefully, when youre listening to the soundtrack or the songs, that there are people there. It feels like theyre there, and they want to provoke emotions, move you, tell the story, bring you into this world.Olivier Deriviere, ComposerBut even with all of this in place, Deriviere needed to create music that managed a tricky balance:We worked with various established musicians from the South, but we were never willing to copycat it would have been inauthentic, because Im not from there, you know? It was not the goal. The goal was to be inspired and to turn the music into something else. So yes, there is of course influences from country, bluegrass, blues, jazz. But the best reaction was from these [musicians] one of them plays blues, one of them country and they were playing the songs, and they were like, Oh, I wouldnt do this, but this is super interesting!They were doing what they were used to, but with the twist that I would do. I thought they would be a little bit lost in the process, but it was completely the opposite. They embraced it so much. For me, thats the success in this production, working with these people, getting their genuine, authentic vibe from the South, and [bringing them] into the world of Compulsion, the world of this music.The result is a soundtrack that Deriviere and Fox believes represents the South, but doesnt simply copy its homework this was a true collaboration with the real musicians from the region:You can feel, hopefully, when youre listening to the soundtrack or the songs, that there are people there, says Deriviere. It feels like theyre there, and they want to provoke emotions, move you, tell the story, bring you into this world.Its an idea that lends extra weight to the idea that South of Midnight sings with you its not just the game itself singing, but the many, many people who made that music.South of Midnight will be available on April 8, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam and cloud, and arrives on day one with Game Pass. If you want to immerse yourself into the macabre and fantastical world of South of Midnight early, get the Premium Edition to play up to 5 days early, and get access to digital extras.The South of Midnight soundtrack is available to stream today on all major streaming platforms. You can also pre-order The Art and Music of South of Midnight, developed in collaboration with Dutch design house and publisher Cook and Becker. The box set includes a two-LP vinyl with the full soundtrack of the game presented in a beautiful gatefold alongside a 160-page art book, a comic book inspired by the game, and more. South of Midnight Premium EditionXbox Game Studios$49.99Pre-orderImmerse yourself into the macabre and fantastical world of South of Midnight with the Premium Edition, which includes the full game, up to 5 days early access, and digital access (in English) to: South of Midnight Artbook Original Soundtrack composed by Olivier DeriviereThe Boo-Hag Comic book by Rob GuilloryMusic Video: Songs & Tales of South of Midnight Documentary: Weaving Hazels Journey, Directors CutUNRAVEL THE PAST From the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world. When disaster strikes her hometown, Hazel is called to become a Weaver: a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. Imbued with these new abilities, Hazel will confront and subdue dangerous creatures, untangle the webs of her own family's shared past and if she's lucky find her way to a place that feels like home. A DARK MODERN FOLKTALE When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory made real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown. In this folktale for modern times, Hazel will need to reconcile the weight of family, history, and legacy against her own identity. CONFRONT MYTHICAL CREATURES Wield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them. Cast weaving magic to fight destructive Haints, explore the diverse regions of the South, and reweave the tears in the Grand Tapestry. HAUNTING BEAUTY OF THE GOTHIC SOUTH Discover the lush, decayed county of Prospero and its locals. Experience a crafted visual style, touching storytelling, and immersive music inspired by the complex and rich history of the South. South of MidnightXbox Game Studios$39.99Pre-orderFrom the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world. When disaster strikes her hometown, Hazel is called to become a Weaver: a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. Imbued with these new abilities, Hazel will confront and subdue dangerous creatures, untangle the webs of her own family's shared past and if she's lucky find her way to a place that feels like home.A DARK MODERN FOLKTALE When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory made real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown. In this folktale for modern times, Hazel will need to reconcile the weight of family, history, and legacy against her own identity.CONFRONT MYTHICAL CREATURESWield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them. Cast weaving magic to fight destructive Haints, explore the diverse regions of the South, and reweave the tears in the Grand Tapestry.HAUNTING BEAUTY OF THE GOTHIC SOUTHDiscover the lush, decayed county of Prospero and its locals. Experience a crafted visual style, touching storytelling, and immersive music inspired by the complex and rich history of the South.

During the Game Developers Conference, were celebrating innovation in gaming and our communities. Meet some talented employees from Blizzard, King and Ninja Theory presenting at the show. Kings newest game, Candy Crush Solitaire, is timeless, easy to pick up and full of depth. Its a perfect combo of strategy, excitement, rhythm and vibrant rewards. Marta Cortias, executive producer of Candy Crush Solitaire, was excited to see how seamlessly Candy Crush mechanics integrated with a classic game like Solitaire, creating a new experience for mobile gamers. At the conference, Marta spoke about how the studio realized they had something special in the testing process. Players engaged deeply and provided valuable insights that helped refine the game design. At King, Candy Crush Soda Saga associate UX director Emilio Jldrez spoke about making their games more accessible so every player can have fun. Game Board Color is a feature that helps players choose from five options to enhance contrast with candies, improving accessibility and visual comfort. Deepforge is a machine-learning model trained to help fit World of Warcraft armor from the original design to characters of different races (such as Gnomes or Night Elves) and genders. Zhen Zhai, a senior manager in data science at Blizzard Entertainment, spoke about how this tool helps devs bring greater variety to players, who can express themselves better with whatever armor they choose. With Deepforge, Blizzards artists can spend more time crafting the fine details of armor fitting, making it look just right for different sized character models. Senuas Saga: Hellblade II follows the journey of a Celtic warrior who experiences psychosis and embarks on a dangerous quest to Iceland to help enslaved people. Principal sound designer Daniele Galante of Ninja Theory discusses binaural recording at GDC, a practice that replicates how people perceive sound in a three-dimensional space by using a microphone shaped like a human head. This technique creates a realistic, immersive audio experience. Voices appear from different directions and distances, mimicking how Senua perceives auditory hallucinations. Visit Xbox Wire and follow Blizzard, King and Ninja Theory for more updates and insights into the world of game development.

SummaryFor a limited time, find great deals across the Square Enix catalogue on the Xbox Store.Critically acclaimed games like Nier: Automata,the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, and Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix are currently discounted.The Square Enix Publisher Sale lasts until March 31, visit the Microsoft Store to view the full range of offers.The Square Enix publisher sale is here! Starting today, we are excited to bring you huge discounts across our Xbox catalogue. Whether someone is playing a new release or an all-time classic, our goal at Square Enix is to deliver unforgettable experiences to every player. Here are a few of the games that aim to do just that.Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 RemixKingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 Remix is an essential collection of the first six stories in the Kingdom Hearts series, a collaboration between Disney and Square Enix. Wield the legendary Keyblade and unlock the true power of friendship as you explore Disney worlds and defend them from darkness.Final Fantasy I-VI BundleThe games that inspired a generation come to life once more in the ultimate 2D pixel remaster! Enjoy universally updated 2D pixel graphics and a beautifully rearranged soundtrack as well as the original version. Experience improved gameplay including modernized UI, auto-battle options, and more. You can even access additional boost features to expand gameplay options, including switching off random encounters and adjusting experience gained multipliers between 0 and 4. There has never been a better time to check out the games that started it all.Life is Strange: Double ExposureMax Caulfield is thrust into a thrilling supernatural murder mystery more dangerous than ever before! Forge allies and pursue suspects across two versions of reality, shaping both timelines through unforgettable choices. A relentless detective has Max in his sights, and Safis killer grows closer with every clue uncovered. Can Max survive long enough to do the impossible?Nier:Automata: Become as Gods EditionHumanity has been driven from the Earth by mechanical beings from another world. In a final effort to take back the planet, the human resistance sends a force of android soldiers to destroy the invaders. Now, a war between machines and androids rages on A war that could soon unveil a long-forgotten truth of the world.Final Fantasy XV Royal EditionNoctis, crown prince of the magical Kingdom of Lucis, embarks on a quest to reclaim his homeland in this action RPG. In an action-packed battle system, channel the power of your ancestors to warp effortlessly through the air in thrilling combat, and together with your comrades, master the skills of weaponry, magic and team-based attacks.These titles and more will be on sale until March 31. Head to the Microsoft Store to see the full range of discounts.

Microsoft Ability Summit 2025: Accessibility in the AI era Mar 18, 2025| Jenny Lay-Flurrie - Vice President, Chief Accessibility Officer 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!Heres a quick summary of the new accessibility products, features and programs announced at the 2025 Ability Summit.Whats 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 VideoAI 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 were 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.OnwardFor 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.Lets move forward together.

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With GDC kicking off, our team is in San Francisco to celebrate with independent developers who continue to inspire us every day with their ambition, creativity, and passion. In the past year alone, ID@Xbox has seen over 1,000 games launch, including fan favorites like Balatro, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Phasmophobia, bringing new experiences to console and PC communities.Since ID@Xbox was launched in 2013, more than $5 billion have been paid to independent developers from all over the world. Were also proud to offer developers the ability to use our platform to maximize the opportunity to reach an audience across multiple screens.As announced last week, over 1,000 titles are now supporting Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA). When players purchase an XPA game, they can play on Xbox and Windows 10/11 PCs at no additional cost, bringing their saves, progress and achievements across devices. This means players can access their favorite games in more places which has led to these titles getting 20% more play time. Today, Xbox offers more places than ever to play independent games: Xbox consoles, gaming PCs, and laptops, Windows handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X or Legion Go, mobile phones, tablets, Samsung and Amazon FireSticks enabled by the Cloud all of these are an Xbox, and all a potential home for your next favorite ID@Xbox title like Another Crabs Treasure, Neva, and Animal Well.In addition to offering more ways for people to play, the Developer Acceleration Program (DAP) is ensuring that we have content that speaks to everyone. The program fosters innovation for over 200 teams and creators from different countries around the world. We help developers by hosting information sessions with studios, providing port and prototype funding, and helping to reduce costs of bringing games to Xbox and building new ideas. The Xbox Excellence Award-winning Botany Manor and the recently released Mullet Madjackare recent DAP titles, both of which are available today with Xbox Game Pass.Our mission with ID@Xbox has always been to empower teams to achieve more with Xbox. Over the years, our program has evolved to bring ID@Xbox games to players on more screens and in new ways through Game Pass and Stream Your Own Game. Were focused on helping independent teams enable Xbox Play Anywhere to reach more players allowing seamless play across console, PC, and cloud. No matter where people choose to play, were working with developers to make the most of the features unique to that device or screen. Looking ahead, our lineup is incredible with upcoming games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Descenders Next, and FBC: Firebreak to play across the whole Xbox universe and of course Hollow Knight: Silksong too! Today, were excited to host developers from 10 countries at our annual hands-on preview event for press and creators. Among them are 11 Xbox Play Anywhere and six Xbox Game Pass titles, including Winter Burrow from Pinecreek in Denmark, Detective Dotson from Masala Games in India, and Promise Mascot Academy from Kaizen Works in the UK.Our team is thrilled to work with so many developers around the world to bring you unique and innovative experiences. Whether players buy, stream, or discover their next favorite game through Xbox Game Pass, now is the perfect time to join the Xbox community.

Even aside from coming to consoles and Game Pass, the Class Mastery Update, arriving on April 29, is a huge moment for Towerborne, offering upgrades to almost every facet of the game across all platforms. Heres what to expect:Cross-Platform Play and Progression: PC and Xbox players will be able to party up together, no matter their platform (including Steam) and progression is shared across all platforms.Couch Co-op on Xbox Consoles: New for this release, youll now be able to grab a second (or third, or fourth) controller and play Towerborne together on a single screen. Consider this a love letter to the feeling of playing local co-op in classic brawlers of yesteryear!Class Skills: Probably the biggest change to the game itself, Class Mastery is an all-new progression system that makes every Ace unique, based on individual player choices. By completing missions, players earn Skill Points, allowing you to fine-tune your chosen class, unlocking Focus Skills and Class Mechanics that drastically change how you play. And dont worry, you can swap your Skill Points freely between missions, meaning you can experiment and find the perfect build. Reimagined World Map and Questline: Responding to feedback from Early Access players, Towerbornes map has been remade to offer a more refined questline, relocates bosses to make for more exciting progression, and offers over 50 new handcrafted missions.New Umbra: Umbra are your spirit companions, offering a range of abilities, depending on who you choose to bring along with you into battle. With the new update, two more are joining the roster in the form of Boshi and Querida, bringing the total number to 11.New Enemy Type: The Merk Brawler is a new, high-impact opponent, ready to put you and your party to the test, with more to come in the future.New Legendary Items: A new suite of legendary weapons is available, with perks that enhance Focus Skills.Gameplay Improvements:Menders Flask: Lives and automatically reviving are out, and the new Menders Flask consumable is in. Aces can use the Flask mid-fight to heal, but they must be more mindful of their health in combat. Friendly Aces can still revive their downed comrades, however.Aspect Overhaul: The impact of Aspects (items slotted into your gear to add extra benefits) has been enhanced and rebalanced to support the new Class Skill progression system, addressing previously overlooked statistics to ensure your Ace is best prepared to defend the Belfry. Job Board: More daily jobs, greater variety, and a refreshed interface to track progressto help your effort to earn Writs.Keybinds: Remap controls to match your playstyle.Item Badging: Newly acquired items are now clearly marked for easy tracking in your inventory.Social Play ImprovementsImproved Group Finder: The new Group Finder feature consolidates multiple groups of the same type into a single, streamlined group, allowing players to quickly find and join compatible teams without the hassle of sifting through individual groups. Player Interaction: See a group of Aces gathered around the World Map? Interact with nearby players, invite them to your group and get adventuring in the Wilds together. Improved Friends list: Its now easier to identify and connect with fellow players cross-platform, thanks to clearer sorting and online-status indication.Get Ready for TowerborneTowerborne is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Xbox App, and with Game Pass on April 29 and you can pre-install the game today. Its also available on PC via Steam Early Access. Game Pass members receive access to Towerborne, as well as a set of Game Pass Perks, as part of their membership.Players who are not a Game Pass member can choose to get access to Towerborne through the purchase of a Founders Pack, which comes with additional, exclusive items check out the Towerborne website for more details.

Were back with more day one games for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, more games for Game Pass Standard, and more games for Game Pass Core! There is a little bit of everything, including co-op battles, classic console games, survival action and more. Lets get to the games!Available Today33 Immortals (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassAvailable on day one! 33 Immortals is a co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play as a damned soul, and rebel against Gods final judgment. Dive straight into epic, 33-player co-op battles with instant pick-up and raid matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul.Coming SoonOctopath Traveler II (Series X|S) March 19Now with Game Pass StandardIn this critically acclaimed second title in the Octopath Traveler series, eight new travelers venture forth into an exciting new era in the land of Solistia. Step into their shoes and explore the land as you see fit, using their unique talents to aid you along your journey in this role-playing adventure.Train Sim World 5 (Console) March 19Now with Game Pass StandardThe rails are yours in Train Sim World 5! Take on new challenges and new roles as you master the tracks and trains of iconic cities across 3 new routes. Immerse yourself in the ultimate rail hobby and embark on your next journey.Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Cloud, Console, and PC) March 20Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardYoure shipwrecked on a lost mythical island. As backpacker Alex, you must befriend the forgotten gods of Greek mythology and restore their memories. Explore the dynamic island and its story sandbox to build new friendships, solve the mystery and save the gods.Blizzard Arcade Collection (Console and PC) March 25Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardExperience a blast from Blizzards past! The Blizzard Arcade Collection brings five classic console games to modern platforms and new audiences, including Blackthorne, The Lost Vikings, The Lost Vikings 2, Rock N Roll Racing, and RPM Racing. Plus, visit the Blizzard Arcade Collection Museum to explore a trove of treasures from each games past, including concept art, music, behind-the-scenes interviews, and more.Atomfall (Cloud, Console, and PC) March 27Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassAvailable on day one! A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.More Games Coming to Game Pass Core on March 26Game Pass Core members can look forward to three more games coming to the library on March 26! Explore a land filled with lost legends in Tunic, experience the explosive finale to the award-winning Arkham series in Batman: Arkham Knight, and collect, train and battle monsters in Monster Sanctuary.Xbox Game Pass Ultimate PerksMore March Perks are here! Check the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on Windows PC to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership.EA Sports WRC: Livery & Content Pack Available nowShow off in your dream car on new roads with the EA Sports WRC EA Play Livery & Location Content Pack, available with your EA Play membershipWar Robots: Frontiers: Lancelot Rising Available nowGo beyond your limits with new battle supplies with the Lancelot Rising. Unlock Lancelot (War Robot) for your Hangar with 4 Punisher Weapons, Counterattack and Speedboost Abilities, Ruin (Common Pilot), 3 days of Premium, a Play Hard Sticker, and the exclusive Mean & Green Wrap.Apex Legends: Gold Voidwalker Injector Weapon Charm Available nowFlex your style with the Apex Legends Gold Voidwalker Injector Weapon Charm, available with your EA Play membershipLeaving March 31The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, so this is your call to jump back in! Game Pass members can also save up to 20% on their purchase to keep these games in their library.MLB The Show 24 (Cloud and Console)Lil Gator Game (Cloud, Console, and PC)Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)Open Roads (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza 0 (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza Kiwami (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza Like a Dragon (Cloud, Console, and PC)The Lamplighters League (Cloud, Console, and PC)Monster Hunter Rise (Cloud, Console, and PC)Were adding more games over time to the Stream your own game collection for Game Pass Ultimate members. Go to Xbox.com/Play to see the list of available cloud playable games to stream on supported devices if you own them.Thats a wrap! Ill be grabbing 32 of my fellow Immortals for some raids, but in the meantime be sure to follow Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox for updates when games are available!

After about my third death, it became very clear to me that its dangerous to go alone in 33 Immortals. My sinful pride was getting the best of me as I navigated the Inferno, inspired by Dantes Divine Comedy, filled with all manner of infernal beasts, creatures, and tortured souls, presented with crisp, beautiful hand-drawn animation. I thought my experience with ARPGs would be enough to push back against this enemy horde alone I was wrong. Its once I found other Rebel Souls (fellow players) to tag along with when my journey through Hell became a bit more manageable.33 Immortals describes itself as a distillation of the MMO raid experience, an action-packed roguelike where 33 players are placed together on a large world map, a land littered with charred buildings and jagged spears of stone surrounded by flames. Its also full of monsters. Lots of monsters.In the first part of this game, conquering Hell is an exercise in structure. Your goal is to defeat Lucifer, the boss of Inferno, but first you must work with other players to unlock an Ascension Battle just to reach him. How do you do that? Glad you asked: You must complete 12 Torture Chambers, mini raids where you are grouped up with up to six players to battle multiple waves of monsters. Complete these to earn a variety of helpful loot and resources that you can then put into your character, increasing your odds of success as you proceed to tackle the next Torture Chamber, and then the one after that, and so forth.This multi-tiered approach to finishing your roguelike run is challenging, yet very fun to play with even though I only managed to complete just three Torture Chambers before succumbing to the elements (aka ripped apart by monsters). As I would learn during repeated runs it seems the number of completed Torture Chambers is retained should you die and reenter Inferno the larger the group of fellow Souls I traveled with, the larger my chances of survival became and you can imagine how much bigger those chances get with 32 other people on your side. Leaning on one anothers skills and class abilities to unleash a balanced attack against waves of monsters is a key to success.And becoming familiar with your abilities and how they interact with others is deeply important. Before you enter Inferno, youre given the choice to pick one of four weapons, which also assign you a class: Bow of Hope (Shooter), Sword of Justice (Tank), Daggers of Greed (Fighter), and Staff of Sloth (Specialist). Each of these weapons have a primary and secondary attack that rely on you inflicting damage on enemies to build up their respective gauges.For example, hitting enemies with the Sword of Justice will generate Justice points for you to execute special attacks like Heavy Slash or Guard. Or like with Daggers of Greed, you generate Greed off enemy hits; the amount of Greed you build up determines the amount of damage youre able to inflict with a takedown attack.Of all these choices, I liked playing with the Bow of Hope the most, as it kept me at a decent length away from enemy attacks. Also, its Guiding Light feature, where returning arrows sliced through monsters on the way back into my quiver, allowed for a nice interplay of positioning to my targets so I could double-up on damage. I really like how 33 Immortals combat system is constantly finding ways to encourage you to go on the offensive.There are three types of currency used in 33 Immortals that youll want to get a handle on. First, theres Dust, which you earn from defeating enemies and can be spent at a Dust Shrine to upgrade characteristics like Attack, Vitality (Health), or Empathy (Co-op). There are also Bones which can be found in Urns and world chests in Inferno, used to buy healing, teleport stones (lets you warp across the world map), or a chest key that can open a locked chest full of useful loot found only in Torture Chambers chests. And then there are Shards, found inside the chests of Torture Chambers, used to spend on weapon upgrades and more when youre in the Dark Woods (Ill touch on this in a moment).Upgrading your character and focusing on strengthening your class abilities is what will keep you in the fight through Inferno, along with working with other players, and the variety of currency you can earn here feeds into that. The reliance on other Souls to unlock the more difficult sections of 33 Immortals is a unique approach to cooperative gaming that I didnt realize I was going to enjoy as much as I did. I primarily enjoy single-player experiences where Im free to suddenly drop without letting my party down Ive become an unreliable online raider with growing adult responsibilities that can pull me away at a moments notice.33 Immortals elegant solution here is to have a surplus of souls available on the world map at seemingly any given time 33 to be precise ready to jump in and help fill up any open slots. But should any Soul die, they will go back to the Dark Woods and not be replaced in that instance, making it vital to collaborate to give you and your Souls the best shot at taking down Lucifer. That also means you can join an open game at any time there are more than enough enemies around should I just want a quick pick-up and raid session to earn some Shards to spend on cosmetics and Perks in The Dark Woods, your home base on this adventure. Having a constant flow of Souls in and out Inferno also fits nicely within the narrative of 33 Immortals with this being Hell, theres no shortage of damned souls looking for a chance of redemption. And loot, apparently.The above-mentioned Dark Woods is a staging ground outside the realm of Inferno, free of enemies, and where youll be able to upgrade your Soul for its next run by speaking to some notable literary characters. Its here where you can spend some of the Shards youve earned from those Torture Chambers or in your fights with Elite Bosses in Inferno.Speaking with Dante will help you equip and upgrade various Perks like Fortitude of Heart, which increases vitality, or Guiding Light, which lets you inflict Status Effects on monsters. As your Feat level grows you can equip additional Perks (a maximum of six). Beatrice (Dantes guide in The Divine Comedy) can also be found here in the Dark Woods to help with your progression, managing your Feats, like Kill 35 Monsters or Complete 5 Torture Chambers. Completing a Feat gets you Feat Points (XP) which then contribute to your Feat level. As this grows you can unlock additional features like weapon upgrades and more.Youll also find Charon, who manages the in-game shop, where you can equip and manage cosmetics for your Soul. One of those customization options is a pet by your side Ive got my eye on a little beagle companion. Finally, Virgil (based on the ancient Roman poet) is also here, managing the Compendium should you need a refresher on how the game works and if really wanted to know the official name of that creepy silkworm with teeth that killed you on your last run (for the record, its called a Mangiatore).Of all of these, I found myself spending most of my interactions with Beatrice, tracking my various Feats and working to increase my Level and eventually unlock even more features. But I liked the vibe The Dark Woods area offers, letting me recover a bit from the hectic Inferno, and interact with these characters to help the story of 33 Immortals unfold.Just a short time with 33 Immortals revealed a surprising amount of depth for what could first appear to be a simple action-roguelike. And theres so much more for me to see: Whats the Ascension Battle like? How hard is it to face down Lucifer? How much more difficult will the second world, Purgatorio, be compared with Inferno? How badass can I make my weapons? Whats it like to run around hell with a beagle by your side? These are all exciting questions Im looking forward to answering once 33 Immortals launches into Game Preview on March 18.33 Immortals (Game Preview) launches March 18 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Cloud.33 Immortals (Game Preview)Thunder LotusGet it now33 Immortals is a co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play a damned soul, and rebel against God's final judgment. Pick-up and raid, cooperate to survive hordes of monsters, defeat massive bosses, and face the wrath of God in a fight for your eternal life.Join the rebellionYour mortal life has been judged sinful, and your souls fate is to be punished for all eternity but an uprising is brewing among the damned! Press on as a renegade in the immortal rebellion against Gods final judgment, and fight for your eternal life.Pick-up and raidJump start your rebellion dive straight into epic co-op battles with instant matchmaking. Fight through a lean, mean distillation of the MMO raid experience.33-player co-opFind true strength in numbers. Optimize your skills and tactics to bolster your 33-player team, and tip the odds in your favor through powerful cooperative moves. Sustain your numbers as best you can, for only the strongest group of survivors stand a fighting chance in brutal boss battles.Rise above the AlmightyFace the Wrath of God, and stay bold for He will end your quest swiftly and often. Expand your epic arsenal with weapons empowered by sins and virtues, loot the spoils of His realms, equip potent new relics to match your playstyle, and gain permanent upgrades to your soul.Inspired by the Divine ComedyExperience your souls epic journey through the afterlife rendered in beautiful hand-drawn animation. 33 Immortals is a unique take on Dante Alighieris literary masterpiece, the Divine Comedy.This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.

SummaryYasuke and Naoe each have access to unique weapons that dramatically impact how they fight in Assassins Creed Shadows.Pre-order Assassins Creed Shadows on the Microsoft Store for Xbox and get the Claws of Awaji expansion and Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest for free.Assassins Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S.Assassins Creed Shadows launches on March 20, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and allows you play as two completely distinct characters: Naoe, an agile ninja, and Yasuke, a hulking samurai. Nearly everything about them is different, including what weapons they can use. Naoe and Yasuke can each equip up to two different weapon types to switch between, with each offering unique strengths and strategies to use in a fight. Here is a breakdown of all the weapons in Assassins Creed Shadows so you can find the right combination for any situation.Yasukes WeaponsLong KatanaA samurai is nothing without his katana, and Yasukes long katana is his fastest weapon type, allowing him to quickly slice through foes with deadly precision. While it doesnt have the longest range, its attack speed makes it ideal for dealing with small groups of enemies or for when you just want to feel like a samurai and slash through a wandering ronin who thought himself strong enough to challenge you.NaginataA polearm capable of sweeping attacks, the Naginata is perfect for dealing with large groups of enemies at once. While slower than the long katana, it has the longest reach of any of Yasukes melee weapons, allowing you to keep threats at a distance. Its also particularly useful when facing enemies with naginatas of their own.KanaboA massive club, what the Kanabo sacrifices in speed, it more than makes up for in sheer brute force. Even light attacks with the Kanabo can break an enemys guard and subsequent hits will dismantle any opponents armor and likely their entire health bar in seconds. The Kanabo is a slow weapon, so Yasuke can be vulnerable while using it in large groups when many different attackers can interrupt his swings.BowOne of Yasukes two ranged weapons, the bow is a silent killer. The ultimate tool in a stealthy Yasukes arsenal, its great at silently picking off guards from a distance. Certain abilities allow you to slow time while shooting or fire multiple arrows in quick succession, making the bow a viable option in a full-on fight as well.TeppoWhen silence isnt high on Yasukes list of priorities, the teppo rifle packs a serious punch but be prepared for it to attract a lot of attention as well. Youll have to reload after each shot, meaning you might need to hot swap to a melee weapon as enemies swarm. Its not just a one-trick-pony, though there are abilities that allow you to detonate a sack of gunpowder to create area-of-effect damage, and you can even use the rifle as a club to knock opponents down before shooting them, if you want to make an entrance.Naoes WeaponsKatanaDont let the name fool you. The way Naoe wields her katana, it might as well be a completely different weapon to Yasukes. A full combo of attacks with Naoes shorter katana is likely to feature as many kicks and flips as swings and slashes. A medium speed weapon in Naoes hands (to be fair, no weapons are slow in Naoes hands), the katana is a solid all-around choice, good for one-on-one fights and small groups.Tanto/Hidden BladeThe tanto is a dagger that Naoe wields with extreme speed, and couples with her Hidden Blade to unleash a flurry of rapid strikes on her enemies. Its range is minimal, so Naoe will have to get up close and personal to use it effectively, but its great for fighting singular enemies. As a bonus, a passive upgrade to Naoes Assassin mastery tab allows her to use the tanto to perform dual assassinations, but only if the tanto is one of her two equipped weapons.KusarigamaA scythe and a spikey metal ball connected by a long chain; the Kusarigama is arguably Naoes most versatile weapon. Light attacks mean quick strikes with the scythe end, while heavy attacks are sweeping swings with the metal ball end, perfect for dealing with large groups. Its huge range allows Naoe to keep her distance if she chooses.Theres never really a bad time to use Naoes Kusarigama, unless youre worried about collateral damage as those heavy swings will tear through everything from crates and shoji doors to bamboo trees and fruit baskets. Like the tanto, a passive ability in the Assassin mastery tab allows Naoe to use an equipped Kusarigama to rush assassinate targets, using the chain to hook enemies and launch herself in for the kill.ToolsNaoe doesnt have traditional ranged weapons like Yasuke, but she does have throwable tools that can help her kill, deal damage, and distract at a distance. Her kunai can take out many unarmored enemies in a single headshot, while her shuriken only deal minimal damage and are best used to stun enemies mid fight so you can regroup to go in for the kill.Upgrading WeaponsThere are multiple ways to upgrade your weapons in Assassins Creed Shadows. Each weapon type has a dedicated mastery tab that you can invest your mastery points in to increase damage and unlock new abilities. Weapons also have levels; you cannot equip a weapon that has a level greater than yours, but if youve built a Forge in your Hideout, you can upgrade lower-level weapons to meet your current player level, thereby increasing their base stats.Weapons come in five tiers of rarity: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Uncommon weapons each come with a single engraved perk that provides a unique bonus, such as an increase to critical hit chance when striking multiple enemies. Rare and above weapons have two engraving slots, one with a predetermined perk, and another slot that allows you to select an individual perk from your Hideouts blacksmith. Like to use abilities while fighting? You can engrave a perk that increases your adrenaline gain (adrenaline allows you to use abilities) when striking afflicted enemies. Couple that with a weapon that causes bleeding or poison affliction, and your adrenaline will stay topped up.Theres no wrong weapon loadout or combination in Assassins Creed Shadows, and a master Assassin will learn to skillfully wield them all. As long as you have more health than your targets then youre doing just fine.Assassins Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S. That means you still have time to pre-order Assassins Creed Shadows on the Microsoft Store for Xbox to get the Claws of Awaji expansion (coming later in 2025) and the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest for free. You can also pick up Assassins Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe EditionAssassins Creed ShadowsUBISOFT$69.99Pre-orderPRE-ORDER BONUSPre-order now to get the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest available at launch, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, releasing later in 2025. Feel the fear of being hunted and under threat on a mysterious island. Reclaim a lost treasure while avoiding the traps and ambushes of deadly new foes. Master the B (a new weapon type), unlock new skills/gear/abilities, and get over 10 hours of additional content.Experience an epic action-adventure story set in Feudal Japan!Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and powerful, legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch between these two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.ENTER FEUDAL JAPANExplore the captivating open world of Feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLESBecome Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power.MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPONTravel the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOMECreate a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your bases buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.Assassin's Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe EditionUBISOFT$89.99Pre-orderPRE-ORDER BONUSPre-order now to get the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest available at launch, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, releasing later in 2025. Feel the fear of being hunted and under threat on a mysterious island. Reclaim a lost treasure while avoiding the traps and ambushes of deadly new foes. Master the B (a new weapon type), unlock new skills/gear/abilities, and get over 10 hours of additional content.The Assassins Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition includes: The base game The Sekiryu Dual Pack including gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke, the Sekiryu Beast, and Dragon Tooth trinket The Sekiryu Hideout Pack including four unique ornaments to customize the hideout for your shinobi league Five mastery pointsExperience an epic action-adventure story set in Feudal Japan!Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and powerful, legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch between these two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.ENTER FEUDAL JAPANExplore the captivating open world of Feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLESBecome Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power.MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPONTravel the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOMECreate a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your bases buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.Internet connection and Ubisoft Account required to redeem digital content.

SummaryIchigo Kurosakis most powerful form, Final Getsugatensho is revealed with unique combat mechanics, different from other characters in the gameThere are a total of three different Ichigo Kurosaki forms that you can play in Multiplayer Mode or through the progression of Story ModeBleach Rebirth of Souls is available on March 21, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S.Bleach Rebirth of Souls is an upcoming fighting action game based on the legendary anime franchise, delivering an immersive Bleach experience. Engage in thrilling one-on-one sword combat with your favorite characters and unlock powerful forms to overturn the tide of battle the more desperate the situation, the more powerful you become! Of course, a Bleach game would be nothing without protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and we have some news on the classic character.Ahead of the games release on March 21, were excited to reveal Ichigo Kurosakis most powerful form, Final Getsugatensho and its unique playstyle as well as his two other forms, Bankai and base.Through the Story Mode, re-live iconic battles and moments from the Bleach storyline and experience the growth of Ichigo Kurosaki as he discovers his new powers and unlocks powerful transformations. In the game, this will be represented by three different forms, each as a separate playable character, which will come with different combat styles to best suit his stage of growth in the Story Mode. Let us run you through each one.Ichigo Kurosaki (Final Getsugatensho)Ichigo Kurosaki (Final Getsugatensho) appears in the battle with Sosuke Aizen, the main antagonist in the Battle of Karakura Town Arc. The most unique feature of this form is that the combat mechanics are very different from other characters in the game. In this form, Ichigo cannot activate his Awakening state (an ability that significantly boosts stats and abilities) like other characters, but upon landing the Kikon Move (a powerful attack that depletes your opponents remaining life force) in succession three times, victory is yours! What also makes the Final Getsugatensho form unique is that Ichigos Signature Moves are unstoppable and cannot be guarded, making his combo chains incredibly dangerous when executed flawlessly.Ichigo Kurosaki (Bankai)Ichigo Kurosakis other alternate form is his Bankai state, offering an advanced sword technique that allows one to unleash the full power of their Zanpukuto (sword), which becomes available after the training arc in the Story Mode.The Awakening state for Ichigo Kurosaki (Bankai) activates his Hollowfication, increasing overall performance where he gains a boost in Spiritual Power, allowing his powerful moves to deal additional damage.While in Hollowfication, upon taking additional damage and filling out the Awakening Gauge, you have the ability to unleash Reawakening, where Ichigo will transform into the final stage of Hollowfication called Full Hollowfication, unlocking wild, high-powered attacks.Ichigo Kurosaki (Base)This is the base form of Ichigo Kurosaki and is a playable character during the iconic battle against Byakuya Kuchiki in the Soul Society Arc.His combat mechanics are simple but have the potential to do massive damage against his opponents especially with his movement abilities, which allow him to quickly close the distance to strike the enemy with a powerful attack.During Ichigos Awakening state, he will be able to execute combo attacks in quick succession, enabling you to diversify your battle style against different opponents.All three Ichigo Kurosaki forms will be available in both the Story and Multiplayer Modes. However, in the Story Mode, you can experience Ichigos journey right from the start, following his rise to become a Soul Reaper, and the challenges he faced to unlock new powers.Play as Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach Rebirth of Souls when it launches later this week, March 21, for Xbox Series X|S!BLEACH Rebirth of SoulsBandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.Get it nowAwaken the blade within you and reverse your fate in BLEACH Rebirth of Souls! Engage in thrilling battles with powerful sword abilities and characters from this legendary anime franchise. Unleash Your SwordChoose your favorite character and unleash their unique sword abilities! Take advantage of each character's unique abilities and command the flow of battle to find an opening that spells defeat for your enemies. Defeat Enemies with a Single StrikeIn BLEACH Rebirth of Souls, a single strike can spell defeat for your opponent. Change the situation dramatically with the swing of your blade! Reverse Fate and Awaken Your PowerThe more desperate the situation, the more powerful you become. Overturn the tide of battle and unlock new forms and new blades in the heat of battle to bring victory from the edge of defeat! Experience the BLEACH Story from the BeginningRelive the main story of BLEACH from Ichigo's rise as a Soul Reaper in the Substitute Soul Reaper Arc to the climactic battle against Sosuke Aizen in the Arrancar Arc. Unlock deeper insights into the characters of BLEACH with Secret Story mode, revealing the moments that shaped their personalities.*There are also Deluxe Edition and Ultimate Edition products available. Please be careful not to purchase the same content twice.

SummaryHanoi Studios presented Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match in an inclusive support institution in Santo Andre, Brazil.How inclusive games bring benefits to neurodivergent individuals.Creator Luis Otavio shares the desire to bring this initiative to a wider range of educational institutes in Brazil.On February 8, 2025, Luis Otavio, co-founder of the Brazilian indie game publisher Hanoi Studios and developer of Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, visited Centro de Apoio e Reforo Escolar (CARE), an inclusive support institution in Santo Andre, SP, Brazil. The studio introduced both the Board Game and the ID@Xbox Play Anywhere versions of Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, as a support tool for the development of neurodivergent children.Fernanda Mombelli, neuropsychopedagogue and owner of the institution, emphasized the importance of early identification of a childs special needs. She also highlighted the key skills and educational stimuli that inclusive games provide for neurodivergent students.As a new release in the genre, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match helps develop attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning skills, functions in which neurodivergent individuals often face greater challenges.Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match is designed to offer a welcoming challenge to players, where the number of moves per level is not enforced, allowing for experimentation and problem-solving at your own pace. Check out what pedagogue and physical educator Alan Nobre had to say about this initiative:In early childhood education, we dont aim for high performance. We want this to be the happiest moment of a childs life, because we believe that a happy child learns more, develops more and thats our main goal.Take a deeper look at how inclusive games benefit neurodivergent individuals.A student with ADHD, anxiety disorder, stuttering, and socialization difficulties played the game, and Fernanda Mombelli documented and observed their engagement and learning process:Initially, with minimal guidance, the student quickly understood the objective of the game and demonstrated rapid progress through the early stages. However, upon reaching the intermediate stages, they encountered more complex challenges, which led to visible signs of anxiety, including stuttering. The game was paused, and the student was instructed to take a deep breath, observe, and click on each piece to explore the available paths before making a decision. With this structured approach, they gradually overcame their difficulties and continued progressing through the intermediate stages.Additionally, when engaging with the board game version in cooperative mode alongside two educators, they expressed great enthusiasm, stating that they loved the game and wanted to play more frequently during the sessions. This response not only highlighted their enjoyment of the activity but also indicated significant progress in their socialization skills, attention, concentration, and sense of belonging. It was a truly rewarding moment for all of us.What does the future of inclusive games look like for Luis?I want to develop more games with inclusion in mind and make this initiative reach a wider range of educational institutes in Brazil.If youre looking for more resources and tips for family gaming, visit xbox.com/family. You can learn more about what Xbox offers for families, including information about privacy and access to privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app and Community Standards.Play Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match on Xbox and PC today! The game is available as an Xbox Play Anywhere game with cross save and Smart Delivery.Hanoi Puzzles: Solid MatchHanoi Studios$4.99Get it nowA new game concept inspired by the classic Tower of Hanoi. Assemble towers stacking pieces of the same color on a hexagonal board with a mysterious and relaxing atmosphere.Use the rules of the famous Tower of Hanoi puzzle,where a larger piece cannot be on top of a smaller one.Unlock blocked hexagonal cells by building a tower of the same color,to open new paths and advance in the resolution of the Level.

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). Lets jump in!33 Immortals (Game Preview)Thunder LotusGet it now33 Immortals (Game Preview) March 18Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere/ Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game PassA co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play as a damned soul, and rebel against Gods final judgment. Dive straight into epic, 33-player co-op battles with instant pick-up and raid matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul.MLB The Show 25 Standard Edition (Preorder)MLB$69.99Pre-orderMLB The Show 25 March 18Forge your baseball journey in The Show. Ignite your passion and build your very own path to greatness, from high school all the way to the Hall of Fame! Along the way, connect with iconic baseball stars in fan-favorite modes updated with new ways to play. You can start playing today by picking up MLB The Show 25 Digital Deluxe Edition.Scrap DiversTernoxGet it nowScrap Divers March 18Dive into an incredibly fast-paced and beautifully crafted retro runner! Control your robot with just a finger to dodge sawblades, flames and many other dangerous obstacles while flying through an infinite tunnel. Are you ready for the drop? Parachute not included.Boomerforge (Series X)Synnergy Circle GamesGet it nowBoomerforge March 19Optimized for Xbox Series X|SBoomerforge is a top-down strategy game inspired by the classic game Bomberman. Place bombs strategically to open the path and find all the required ores. Explode the ores with your bombs to find iron, gold or mithril ingots. Gather everything you can and keep going until Grimfur finally reaches the end of the dungeon.KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CATMameshiba Games$17.99Pre-orderKinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat March 19Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryGet ready to enjoy this crazy 2D platformer adventure starring KinnikuNeko! A cat with the body of a bodybuilder who will fight against a big alien army that has invaded planet Earth and captured all its inhabitants. He will be accompanied by his friends Lemon and Keita, who havent yet been captured by evil beings from outer space.S. Prysm DestroyerEastasiasoft LimitedGet it nowS. Prysm Destroyer March 19Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryS. Prysm Destroyer is a side-scrolling 2.5D shooter inspired by run n gun genre classics and mecha anime. Blast through enemy hordes and collect elemental power-ups to unleash the awesome potential of Prysm Destroyer attacks. Chase high scores through skillful play and unlock loads of costumes for Amor!Stellar Docks: Deep SpaceAfil GamesGet it nowStellar Docks: Deep Space March 19Optimized for Xbox Series X|SEmbark on an interstellar puzzle adventure in Stellar Docks, a grid-based logic game featuring charming 2D pixel art. Guide an astronaut as they push drones to their charging docks across challenging maps filled with strategic puzzles. With a top-down view and intuitive controls, the game offers a satisfying progression that will test your problem-solving skills. From the interiors of a spaceship to the icy landscapes of Neptune, explore diverse environments and unravel intricate challenges that push your mastery of each mechanic.1-Bit DungeonOld School VibesGet it now1-Bit Dungeon March 20Optimized for Xbox Series X|S1-Bit Dungeon is a fast-paced 2D action platformer that blends crisp 1-bit pixel art with modern game design. Tight controls, intense combat, and a rewarding difficulty curve await those brave enough to enter. Dodge with precision, learn enemy attack patterns, and strike at the right moment to defeat monsters, ghosts, and slimes in brutal sword-based combat.Assassins Creed ShadowsUbisoftGet it nowAssassins Creed Shadows March 20Optimized for Xbox Series X|SExperience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal ninja assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.SleddersBonus Stage OyGet it nowSledders March 20Optimized for Xbox Series X|SShred your sled in open-world backcountries. Sledders is a realistic, physics-based snowmobile simulator. Maneuver the big open terrain, plow through tons of fresh snow, conquer the mountains, and reach the peak faster than your friends!The Answer Is 42Mens Sana InteractiveGet it nowThe Answer is 42 March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryYes, 42 is the Answer to the ultimate question! As this is inevitable, dont fight against it, and decipher the fundamental answer in all levels in this game. Bring your towel and master the secret of Life.Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned LandKOEI TECMO AMERICA4$69.99Pre-orderAtelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|SIn a world where alchemy is deemed taboo, the alchemist Yumia yearns for the truth, hidden in a ruined continent. The time has come for her to take the first step on her grand adventure. Atelier Yumia tells the story of Yumia and her companions as they follow the path they believe in while being confronted by the memories they discover along the way.BLEACH Rebirth of Souls Pre-OrderBandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.$59.99Pre-orderBleach: Rebirth of Souls March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|SAwaken the blade within you and reverse your fate in Bleach Rebirth of Souls! Engage in thrilling battles with powerful sword abilities and characters from this legendary anime franchise. Choose your favorite character and unleash their unique sword abilities! Take advantage of each characters unique abilities and command the flow of battle to find an opening that spells defeat for your enemies.Hero's HourForever Entertainment S. A.Get it nowHeros Hour March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|SHeros Hour is an accessible, yet-deep and content-rich Strategy Roleplaying Game. Take control of your hero, explore the world, build up your town, fight fast-paced battles, level up your hero and amass an army large enough to take out the opponents before they take you out.The Last Hero: Journey to the UnknownRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowThe Last Hero: Journey to the Unknown March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryVoidgem, a powerful wizard, has stolen all the magical relics of the ancient world, and then created evil minions and monsters to begin a reign of terror. The relics of the ancient world are scattered across various parts of the world. As a lone knight armed with only a sword, a shield, and incredible courage, set out for adventure in search of the lost relics and face all enemies in your way. Explore over 30 diverse levels, collect powerful items, and battle menacing bosses on your quest to save this pixelated fantasy world.Space War: InfinityRising Moon GamesGet it nowSpace War: Infinity March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA semi-procedural shoot-em-up that will test your skills. Level up your ship, unlock amazing weapons, and defeat 5 formidable bosses. Challenge the infinite by facing real-time waves of enemies after completing all missions. Become the intergalactic hero now!Spot Challenge Vol. 3Lucky Raccoon GamesGet it nowSpot Challenge Vol. 3 March 21Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play AnywhereSpot Challenge Vol. 3 is a game series inspired by the classic Spot the Differences, where you need to compare two images and identify the differences between them. With over 340 differences spread across 35 levels, will you be able to find them all? Perfect for playing solo or with friends and family, Spot Challenge is the ultimate challenge to test your attention to details!