Indiana Jones has a feeling. Its not just in the more tangible elements the stories, the hero, or the music its also in the way it was filmed, the minutiae of choreography, and the tone. Those ineffable qualities are what have made this series so beloved, and so lasting. And thats a very difficult thing to recreate in a video game.It presented Indiana Jones and the Great Circle developer MachineGames with an extra challenge not only did the team have to create a fantastic, modern-feeling game, but one that simultaneously captures the magic that swirls around the movies. It comes down to a question of balance: making a compelling game that still looks, feels, acts, and sounds like the movies its drawing inspiration from.In speaking to developers across MachineGames, its fascinating to hear how that was achieved, mixing modern game design with traditional filmmaking techniques, all in service of creating something that hits the sweet spot MachineGames has been striving for.Perhaps one of the best examples of the deep thinking applied comes out of a single scene one you might even describe as incidental.Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark contains perhaps one of cinemas best-known jokes. A crowd parts, and our hero is faced with a menacing swordsman, brandishing a scimitar. He chuckles darkly, passing his sword from hand to hand, before twirling it with expert precision a show of how tough this fight will be. Indy grimaces, pulls out his revolver, and drops him with a single shot. What we thought was about to be a fight scene becomes a punchline. Its perfect.And its exactly the kind of scene that shouldnt work in a video game. This is effectively the intro to a boss battle this guy should have multiple attack patterns, three different health bars, the works. As it turns out, that very scene may have started as the challenge the team faced but it became part of the solution:That scene is a very good example of type of humor that one can experience in the classic Indy movies priceless!, says Creative Director Axel Torvenius. What we absolutely have been inspired by from that, and similar scenes, is that very humor. To have varied, engaging and rewarding combat encounters has been very important but to make sure we spice them up with the Indy-humor has been equally important.Taken on a wider level, this tells us a lot about MachineGames approach in almost every regard, the team has gone the extra mile to help capture the movies magic, even if theyre not an immediately natural fit for gaming, in a new form. And as youll see, this is just the tip of the iceberg.Matine IdolSitting as close as possible to the original look and feel of 80s cinema was something we wanted to get right from the beginning, explains Torvenius. There was never an interest in reinventing the look or feel of Indiana Jones the core ambition was always to make sure it really hit home in terms of having a style close to Raiders of the Lost Ark.You might be surprised at just how deep that effort goes. The team scrutinized the early films, not just for their tone and writing, but for technical detail. What color palettes and film grading were used? Which kind of film stock was in the cameras? How did the original audio team record sound effects? What kind of stunt work was done? And from there, the hard work began translating those original techniques into not just a modern context, but an entirely different medium.Some of the stories here are fascinating. Torvenius explains that the team studied how the original film teams created their sets, and applied those rules to locations in the game:Obviously in games, the big challenge is that you can constantly peek behind the curtain and go backstage you can roam freely and break the composition. But there are many locations throughout the game where we know from which direction the player will come, or where they will exit and what type of scenery they will see. So we identified those early and pushed those further so we can set the scene more in certain places.For cutscenes, which are naturally more controlled, the team could go further: Another big thing we did for this project was to have a Director of Photography on set for all the cinematic filming in the motion capture studio, continues Torvenius. We had the talented Kyle Kltz helping us and working in the mocap studio with this huge, heavy camera dolly rolling around to make sure we captured the right amount of velocity in pan, angular movement, composition and framing. Once we transfer this data into the cutscene shots in the game engine, it gives us a very solid start in terms of a camera work that feels reminiscent of the early Indiana Jones movies.Pitch PerfectSound is just as important as look for Indiana Jones, of course. From the iconic John Williams score, to the feel of its effects, to the iconic Wilhelm Scream (yes, its in the game), the soundscape of the movies is just as nostalgic as the look and story.The first thing we did was try to identify the core elements of that Indiana Jones sound, says Audio Director, Pete Ward. What did we have to nail to evoke the feeling of playing as Indy, in a cinematic way? We sat down as a team and watched all the Indy movies again, and we realized there were several things we absolutely had to get right Indys voice likeness, the musical score, the whip, the revolver, and the punches. There were other things too, like the sound of the puzzles, and the fantastical elements, where we constantly referenced the original movies and [original Indiana Jones sound designer] Ben Burtts sound design.It led Wards team down some unexpected paths. The aim wasnt to reuse sound effects directly from the game, but reproduce them as faithfully as possible to serve the games needs which in some cases meant returning to techniques used by the original team more than 40 years ago.We did hundreds of hours of original recordings, using props like the whip, the fedora, the leather jacket, and lots of different shoe types on lots of different surfaces, continues Ward. For impacts in particular, we also used techniques originally used by Ben Burtt and his team, like beating up leather jackets with baseball bats. We also used practical effects where possible, like plucking metal springs with contact mics attached, to get some of that old-school vibe in our spectacular set pieces.The result is a game that sounds reminiscent of an 80s movie its still naturalistic, but listen closely and youll find it comes across in a different way from most modern games.The same went for the score John Williams soundtracks are among the most recognizable in cinema history, but the aim was never simply to impersonate them. MachineGames brought in composer Gordy Haab to achieve that a fitting choice given that hes won awards for his work on multiple Star Wars games by drawing heavy inspiration from Williams, while making them his own.Gordy was such a great composer to work with for this project he really nailed the style and tone, and was able to emulate and seamlessly extend the original score where needed, while also creating entirely new themes for our story and characters that fit perfectly within the Indiana Jones universe, enthuses Ward. We were very careful about where and when we first hear certain themes as well the Raiders March is the iconic, instantly recognizable theme for Indiana Jones, and we wanted to incorporate it at the right moments, but also develop our own musical story with our own new themes.But the risk of creating new elements amid such an iconic score is that theyll stick out and again, MachineGames went the extra mile to ensure that this didnt happen. Haab and Ward researched how the original soundtracks were recorded, and even recorded in the same studio, Abbey Road. Amazingly, they even found out that theyd created accidental connections to the original along the way:We even had a couple of session musicians who played on the original sessions for Raiders, explains Ward. It was a lovely moment when they came to the control room after the session was finished and told us that!Telling the TaleBut where look and sound allowed the team to look back at what had come before, Indiana Jones and the Great Circles story needed to be something entirely new, yet totally fitting for both the franchise not to mention the games setting between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom. For Lead Narrative Designer Tommy Tordsson Bjrk, it required a different kind of research.Indiana Jones has an incredibly rich lore with movies, comic books, games and more that we could dig into and use in different ways, not only for immersing the player in Indys world, but also to connect the different stories and characters. In this regard, our great working relationship with Lucasfilm Games helped us enormously.From there, a lot of our work when developing the worldbuilding has been devoted to researching the 1930s, and then filtering it through lens of what we call an Indy matine adventure to make it feel both authentic and true to the story of this world.Youll see that commitment not just to the Indy series itself, but for the time period in which its set, in the ways characters talk, the world around you, and even down to the era-appropriate spelling of Gizeh. MachineGames and the connection of many of its developers, including Bjrk, to the acclaimed Starbreeze means that the team has a lot of experience working with established franchises, from The Chronicles of Riddick to The Darkness, and its an experience that guided them in this new endeavour.The approach that weve had on all of our games is to make them as true to what made the originals so great. We dont want to retread what has already been told, but instead move into new territory that evokes the same tone and spirit, says Bjrk. I think what the development of Indy has taught us is the importance of letting the character control the path of both the story and the gameplay, because this franchise is so much defined by Indy and who he is to an even greater extent than the previous games weve worked on.Playing With HistoryAnd that leads us to the final piece of the development puzzle turning the history of a movie series into a playable experience. How do you capture the excitement of a tightly-edited, linear movie in an interactive experience, where every player will choose to do things slightly differently, and take their Indy in different directions?Part of that is in returning to the movie making of it all, by grounding so much of what we play in real-life performance:We have done so much motion capture for this game! I think this is most motion capture and stunts we have ever done, says Torvenius. And some of the scenes we have in the game are quite wild from a stunt perspective. We shot a number of scenes at Goodbye Kansas in Stockholm, which has a ceiling height of almost 8 meters, just because some scenes required stunts to be performed from that height.Weve been working with some very talented stuntmen and women throughout the production and together with our talent director Tom Keegan I dare to say we have some of the strongest action scenes from a MachineGames perspective yet. When it comes to capturing the look and feel of the stunts and action sequences in the early Indiana Jones movies, it has been a combined effort from various members within MG; obviously our Animation Director Henrik Hkansson and Cinematic Director Markus Sderqvist has an important part to play here for look and feel of animations. And then the audio work from Audio director Pete Ward and his department also plays an important part in making sure everything sounds true to the movie.But even the smallest elements have been scrutinized, like throwing a simple punch, for example:It has been very important to make sure the combat feels fun and rewarding and easy enough to get drawn into but then hard to master for the ones that likes to crank up the difficulty settings, explains Torvenius. We definitely wanted to capture the cinematic feel of the melee combat! Getting those heavy cinematic impact sounds in, having a good response from the spray of sweat and saliva as you punch someone in the face, interesting animations, and the behaviour of a hulking opponent coming towards you.This depth of thought is everywhere in the game. Puzzles have been designed with the spirit of whether they might feel right for the movies; locations given the buzz not just of real-life, but a film set; and even the ability to use almost any disposable item as both a distraction and a weapon is drawn from the comic spirit of the movies.One of the core ingredients in Indiana Jones is definitely humour. It is something we have worked hard with across every aspect of the game: environmental storytelling, script and VO, in cutscene and story beats, and it absolutely needs to be conveyed in the minute-to-minute gameplay, such as combat. And it is not only the tools you use but also a lot of hard work from the engineer and animation teams to make sure we have interesting, rewarding and fun take down animations. And on top of all of that you also need the best possible audio! And when that cocktail is shaken just the right amount, voil out comes something very delicious and fun!Which brings us all the way back round to that iconic scene with the swordsman. In a normal game, no, that scene might not make sense when translated to a video game context. But in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Well, MachineGames has put in the research, the work, and the commitment to ensure that, while youre playing this game from solving spectacular puzzles to near-slapstick combat itll feel worthy of those classic movies.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle comes to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (with Game Pass), or Steam on December 9. Premium and Collectors Editions will offer 3 days of early access from December 6.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Digital Premium EditionBethesda Softworks$99.99Pre-orderPre-order now or Play on Game Pass* to receive The Last Crusade Pack with the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip, as seen in The Last Crusade. *** Live the adventure with the Premium Edition of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle! INCLUDES: Base Game (digital code) Up to 3-Day Early Access** Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants Story DLC Digital Artbook Temple of Doom Outfit ***Uncover one of historys greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them Indiana Jones. Youll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, youll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indianas trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isnt just a weapon, its Indys most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?*Game Pass members get access to all pre-order content as long as Game Pass subscription is active. **Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. DLC availability to be provided at a later date. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Standard EditionBethesda Softworks$69.99Pre-orderPre-order now or Play on Game Pass* to receive The Last Crusade Pack with the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip, as seen in The Last Crusade.***Uncover one of historys greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them Indiana Jones. Youll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard. YOU ARE INDIANA JONES Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time. A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, youll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces. WHIP-CRACKING ACTION Indianas trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isnt just a weapon, its Indys most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?*Game Pass members get access to all pre-order content as long as Game Pass subscription is active.

SummaryBlindfires Race to Kill update launches November 21 on Xbox Series X|S and Windows.This action-packed update introduces the Kill Race game mode, two expansive maps, new weapons, and competitive leaderboards.Gear up for nonstop thrills and jump into the neon-lit battlegrounds of Blindfire!The wait is over Race to Kill, the first major content update coming to Blindfire, is set to launch November 21 on Xbox Series X|S and Windows. Packed with exciting new features, modes, and weapons; this update is the first exciting step towards the full Blindfire experience. Whether youre a seasoned pro or new to the battlefield, Race to Kill offers something for you.From a bloodthirsty new game mode to unique weapons and competitive leaderboards, heres everything you need to know about whats coming in Blindfires Race to Kill update.Leap into Action in Kill RaceThe centerpiece of the Race to Kill update is our new game mode Kill Race, and its team-based variant, Team Kill Race. A fast-paced, deathmatch-style mode with one goal: reach the kill limit before your opponents do. Featuring dynamic respawns, players can choose their spawn point after surveying the arena carefully and then literally leap back into the action via our retro-futuristic respawn pods.Team Kill Race adds a collaborative element, allowing players to form squads of four and face off against another team in a race to rack up the required kills. These modes are perfect for players looking for nonstop thrills with minimal downtime. Even better, theyre perfect for players new to the pitchblack battlegrounds of Blindfire, so anyone can jump right in and enjoy the action without feeling overwhelmed.Reach New Heights: Two Expansive Maps IncomingKill Race takes place in two brand-new maps, designed to take Blindfires gameplay to new heights. These maps are double the size of the existing Bodycount maps you are used to, and introduce verticality into the mix for the first time.Climb up into the gantries to gain a tactical vantage point high above the battlefield, but beware: even in the dark, youll be completely exposed up there. With more space to explore and creative strategies to employ, these maps open up a world of possibilities for outmaneuvering and outthinking your opponents.Arm Yourself with the Scarab and ImpunityNo content update would be complete without new ways to take the fight to your opponents and light them up! This update introduces two new weapons that bring a fresh dynamic to the battlefield:The Scarab: An automatic pistol with an incredibly rapid fire rate. Unleash a full magazine in the blink of an eye, but understand that youll definitely give away your position while youre at it.The Impunity: A burst-fire shotgun with a unique twist. Each trigger pull fires two consecutive shots. Mastering its recoil is key to maximizing its devastating potential.These weapons cater to different playstyles, whether you prefer precision, bold aggression, or a mix of both. Experiment and find your own edge during the chaos of Kill Race.Chase Glory on the Elite 10 LeaderboardsFor the competitive players out there, Race to Kill introduces The Elite 10s leaderboards, where only the best of the best will be featured. There are three categories to compete for:Total Kills: Prove youre the deadliest player in the arena.Points Scored: Dominate through smart and strategic play.Matches Won: Show your skills by claiming victory time and time again.Climbing these leaderboards wont be easy, but the bragging rights will be worth it. Do you have what it takes to earn a place among the Elite 10?The Future of Blindfire Starts NowThe Race to Kill update isnt just a content drop; its a glimpse into the future of Blindfire. With new modes, maps, weapons, and features, this update reflects our commitment to delivering an exciting and evolving experience for our community during the Game Preview period.As we continue to listen to player feedback and fine-tune the game, were excited to see how youll push the limits of whats possible in the dark, neon-kissed world of Blindfire. Whether youre climbing the leaderboards or diving into Kill Race for the first time, we cant wait to share this next chapter with you.So, mark your calendars for November 21, and gear up for Race to Kill. Well see you in the arena Light them up!Blindfire (Game Preview)Double Eleven Ltd.115$8.99Get it nowFree TrialThis 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.WEAPONS LIVE, LIGHTS OUTBlindfire is an online multiplayer first-person shooter that takes place in the dark. Set in a shadowy underworld, the ultra-wealthy bet on illicit bloodsports beneath a neon skyline. For contestants lured by the promise of untold riches and unimaginable glory, its kill or be killed.EVERY KILL COUNTSBrave the arena alone or team up in matches of up to 8 players. In Bodycount mode, score the most points over five rapid-fire rounds. Be the last person standing when the lights come on and earn your place in the winners showcase.DANGER LURKS IN THE DARKLight is a rarity in close-quarter arenas riddled with traps for intense firefights. Players must decide where and when to fire at the risk of exposing their position. Hone your senses with the room-scanning Echo mechanic to help you navigate the arena and locate your opponents. REVENGE UNDER THE BLACKLIGHTSWhen defeated, spectators gain access to the arena's cutting-edge night vision cameras. Blacklight reveals the vibrant hues of hidden street art and transforms the slick designs of contestants outfits. The eliminated spectators can assume control of traps in the arena to influence the outcome of the match and exact revenge.LIGHT THEM UPThe pitch-black battlefields of Blindfire turn the first-person shooter genre on its head. Stalk the shadows as the tension builds, then run for cover as the shots start flying in a volley of muzzle flashes. Think youve got what it takes to eliminate the competition in Blindfire? Then grab your weapon and LIGHT THEM UP.Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://www.blindfiregame.com/.*PEGI RATING IS PROVISIONAL

SummaryStar Wars Outlaws first story pack, Wild Card, is available today on Xbox Series X|S, featuring a high-stakes game of Kessel Sabacc.The Kessel Sabacc table aboard the casino cruiser Morenia is slightly larger with a slightly different set of rules compared to other tables across the galaxy. Learn those differences now and start preparing your strategy.Developer Thibaut Machin gives insider tips on the best cheats to use and intel to gather to knock out your opponents and win the grand prize.Star Wars Outlaws first story pack, Wild Card, is out now for Xbox Series X|S. To access the story pack, players need to complete the Gunsmith quest as well as The High Roller quest for Lando Calrissian.In Wild Card, Kay Vess is tasked by Tosharas own Governor Thorden with infiltrating a high-stakes Kessel Sabacc game and winning a coveted prize only to find out another, secret game is being played in the underworld. This game of Kessel Sabacc is only part of the adventures that await in Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card. However, the game is invite-only, so Kay will have to use her scoundrel charm and wit to locate and find a way into the game.The basics of Kessel Sabacc remain the same in Wild Card: youll face off against opponents and draw blood and sand cards to see who can piece together the winning hand. Each round consists of three turns, and once youre out of chips to draw new cards, youre out.However, this high-stakes iteration of Kessel Sabacc will look a little different from the Sabacc tables players are used to. Protocol Droid EY-E9 is the host of the event and the owner of the casino cruiser Morenia, where the game takes place. She sets the house rules, one of which is that shift tokens are banned. Shift tokens are typically a tool for Kessel Sabacc players to give themselves the upper hand at the table, or devastate an opponents strategy. However, EY-E9 wants to ensure every player has a fair shot to win, so no shift tokens are allowed at her table.Cheating, on the other hand, is still possible (provided you can get away with it). The three primary cheats in Star Wars Outlaws are using magnetic dice, Lando Calrissians double draw trick (which allows you to draw two cards instead of one), and spying on opponents hands with Nix. However, in Wild Card, Nix wont be able to be the usual extra set of eyes for Kay. The game takes place in an open, lively environment with a crowd watching, making it difficult for Nix to sneak behind players unnoticed. However, that doesnt mean the beloved merqaal cant help Kay out. In Wild Card, Nix has a new cheat up his furry sleeve: the ability to plant cards on other players in the hopes that EY-E9 catches them cheating and ejects them from the game.Another new Kessel Sabacc element in Wild Card is that the other players will also be able to use cheats of their own to gain an advantage at the table. Its up to Kay to pay attention to their actions, and their dialogue with one another, to catch them in the act and surreptitiously alert EY-E9 to their antics. This will make the droid more suspicious of those players, and will often lead to their ejection from the game.Speaking of other players, Kay will have to outwit more of them in Wild Card. Across the galaxy, Kay typically encounters four-person tables, with herself and three opponents playing at one table. On the casino cruiser Morenia, there are six total players at the table. EY-E9 will also oversee the table, to announce whats happening to the audience, interact with the players, and keep an eye out for cheating.To help players craft their best strategy for victory in Wild Cards twist on Kessel Sabacc, we spoke to Thibaut Machin, game director at Ubisoft Paris, about how to handle these new rules and win big.Double DrawThe double draw technique, the expert skill players learn from Lando, is crucial in this game, says Machin. Typically, in a game, players would use double draw for a better chance at pulling a favorable card, then use double discard to discreetly return the extra card to the deck before getting found out. Machin advises players to use the double draw cheat, then pair it with Nixs new card-planting ability instead of discarding the bonus card. Not only will you get to keep the better card for your hand, but youll get a chance to have one of the other players kicked out.Gather IntelAccording to Machin, players will need to explore the Morenia to find a way into the game, and players should keep their eyes peeled for useful pieces of information about the others at the Sabacc table.During that investigation, there are many clues to find about the other players, which will help you know how they cheat during the game, says Machin. If you collect those clues, youll be able to act during the game to expose them.Have a Good ReputationMany of the syndicates will be onboard the Morenia, having received an invitation to the Kessel Sabacc game from EY-E9. In addition to adding flavor to the casino cruiser, these syndicate representatives will be key for Kay to find her seat at the table. According to Machin, Kay will either ally with or betray them, but having a good reputation with the syndicates will help Kay navigate the cruiser, and will make things easier in the story pack.Take Your TimeThe best tip I can give is not to rush, says Machin. With so much happening at the table, its safer to play carefully and avoid acting too quickly. Also, paying close attention to the table dynamics is crucial to stay ahead.He goes on to describe that a common strategy for players is to immediately spend chips to draw a better hand, but in Wild Card, the game will last for more rounds, and players will only have eight chips. Its better to use discretion when spending chips to draw cards, as well as paying close attention to your opponents banter and interactions.Lando has a few funny lines that I really like, as do the others, says Machin. The mood is pretty intense for the player, so theyre meant to make it more lively.Play Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card today on Xbox Series X|S! Theres more content coming to the game, so stay tuned to Star Wars Outlaws official channels on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and here on Xbox Wire.

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!Neon BloodMeridiem Games S.L.Get it nowNeon Blood November 26Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe year is 2053. The world as we know it came to an end in a war lost to time. Now, only inequality remains, in the form of Viridis, the great city that encompasses the dangerous Blind City and the luxurious Bright City. As former police detective Axel McCoin, you will become the key piece to unmask a plot of corruption and power that plagues the unstable peace of Viridis.Nine SolsRed Candle GamesGet it nowNine Sols November 26Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired, deflection-based combat. Embark on a journey through an Asia-inspired fantasy world, explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero on a quest to slay the 9 Solsthe powerful rulers of this forsaken realm.Tribe: Primitive BuilderPlayWay S.A.Get it nowTribe: Primitive Builder November 27Optimized for Xbox Series X|SYou are pulled out of the water by a masked native. With his help, you begin a journey into the depths of a mysterious island. Face the challenges that await you and uncover yet undiscovered places like a dangerous volcano, mysterious figures, and mystical tribes. What will you do to survive?SokoNatureOld School VibesGet it nowSokoNature November 27The game has 50 levels, with increasing difficulty and the introduction of new mechanics as the player progresses. Players can have three distinct sizes: small, medium, and large, growing whenever they collect a seed and shrink one size when they take damage (see board tiles/enemies). If the character takes damage when small, the game ends.Beyond HanwellSteel Arts Software Ltd$29.99Pre-orderBeyond Hanwell November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|SStep back into Hanwell and discover the world beyond it, set in the deeper parts of London. Explore a rich, atmospheric take on Westminster and its various Locations, filled with lore and secrets to discover as you scavenge scarce supplies like weapons and ammo as you utilize the environment in creative ways to take out the Anomolies in a frantic effort to simply survive.Death ElevatorQUByte InteractiveGet it nowDeath Elevator November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryEnter the relentless world of Death Elevator, a sleek, low-poly FPS where every decision matters and every encounter could be your last. With a one-hit death mechanic and dynamic slow-motion, each battle demands precision and quick reflexes. Ascend through randomized floors, battling waves of enemies with ever-changing weapons, as you unravel the mystery behind the elevator.Glitch HeroArtax GamesGet it nowGlitch Hero November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play AnywhereShow your logical skills and quick mind to help Ada save Codeland by defeating enemies and clear dungeons in this fun and thrilling action adventure full of logical puzzles, loops, and fun visual algorithms suited for players of all ages.MXGP 24: The Official GameNacon$59.99Pre-orderMXGP 24: The Official Game November 28After a 3-year break, the official game of the MXGP is back. All the official bikes and 20 tracks of the 2024 calendar await to give you the full championship experience. Over 50 riders are available, including those from official teams like Red Bull KTM, Red Bull GasGas, Monster Energy Yamaha, Honda HRC, Kawasaki, Nestaan Husqvarna, Monster Energy Triumph, Fantic and Beta MRT.Penguin's RoadPenguin Bros. Inc.$7.99Pre-orderPenguins Road November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe Battle of Penguins Road is a fast and fun 3rd-person action shooter. The player is given an arsenal of weapons and tools to defeat enemies that attack from the land, sea and air. Master run-and-gun, cover-shooting, long aims, close blasts, melee and commanding tanks for victory!RavenswatchNacon$29.99Pre-orderRavenswatch November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA top-down rogue-like action game in which you play as heroes of tales and legends that must slay hordes of nightmarish creatures in nerve-racking fights. After the success of Curse of the Dead Gods, Passtech Games returns with an improved formula and a compelling game experience with endless replay value. It can be played solo or with up to four players in co-op.ReactorX 3Ternox$4.99Pre-orderReactorX3 November 28A relaxing puzzle game where players work to restore the energy systems of a damaged spaceship. The main objective is to move reactors and activate the power grid, solving directional and color-based challenges. The game introduces new levels and obstacles that add depth while keeping the series accessible and easy-to-pick-up gameplay.Cursed FeedPlaystige InteractiveGet it nowCursed Feed November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryEmbark on a chilling journey with the Thornvale family as they confront a malevolent force unleashed by their own patriarchs archaeological discoveries. With each passing night, the family is tormented by terrifying apparitions and escalating paranormal activity, leading them to unravel dark secrets buried within the walls of their own home.Find Love Or Die TryingRatalaika Games S.L.$12.99Get it nowFind Love or Die Trying November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryWelcome to Find Love or Die Trying, a dating show where ending up single means ending up dead! Will you find love, or only score a date with death?Fly CorpKlabaterGet it nowFly Corp November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryExplore nearly 180 territories and tens of thousands of cities. Build airports anywhere and start transporting passengers globally. Adapt your strategy to different regions: shorter routes are easier to manage in places like Europe, while long-distance connections in vast areas will require careful planning due to higher costs.Furious BikersRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowFurious Bikers November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryBlast through 30 high-intensity action-packed racetracks as you compete to be the fastest in every contest. Catch bursts of speed while avoiding slippery banana peels. Grab bottles of nitro to build up your vehicle speed. Collect coins to trade in for stylish new custom skins from the in-game store. Dodge punches and kicks and outrun opponents on different tracks around the world. The big Furious Biker trophy awaits you.Pure Mini GolfGametry LLCGet it nowPure Mini Golf November 29Enjoy over 50 unique levels, each with its own set of obstacles, twists, and turns. Its simple controls make it a snap to learn from the outset and through its three modes, youll soon go from fledgling to master putter.Shines Over: The DamnedFirenut Games$14.99Pre-orderShines Over: The Damned November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryShines Over: The Damned will take you into a unique experimental horror experience in first person, where your senses will be tested and your reality questioned. You have no name, no memory, no weapons. There are no friends to protect you. You are alone except for your faithful German Shepherd dog, who will guide you through this dark world and stay by your side.

Hello Xbox fans! Were delighted to announce that our new game, Overthrown, will launch into Xbox Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 10, and will be available with Game Pass. For those of you who might be seeing our game for the very first time, Overthrown is a city builder with more than just one twist our game is all about chaos, and just to throw something a bit unusual into the mix, we allow you to play like an anime character with superhero abilities, and with up to 5 friends. That said, youll still have to build a city, defend it from mutants and bandits, and manage it. Today, Im sharing some insights to maximize your co-op experience.Now, just to set the scene, a bit of background. Thanks to an ancient soul-stealing crown that possesses magical abilities, you have the power to lift anything thats in front of you. Big trees not a problem. Monster nests even easier. Lifting a whole sawmill building so instead of feeding individual trees you can just run through the forest and absorb trees along the way? Why not? Your strength knows no bounds! You also possess supersonic speed, a throw thats made for the history books, and a spin attack so fast that itll make you take off into the sky like a helicopter. Now imagine having all this power with up to five of your friends. Can you already see the shenanigans you can have?To give you a bit of a head start, here are a few tips to get the most from your co-op sessions.One Crown to Rule Them AllWhen you play co-op with friends, the Crown appears on the map for anyone to grab, so youll want to get to it first. Everyone will have the Crown powers, but the person wearing the Crown gets the most reserve crown charge and will be able to perform cool moves faster. Youre all working together, but its always best to be the best at working together, right? During your play session, there might be a moment when the all-powerful Crown might be stolen or lost, which could be the perfect moment for a bit of friendly competition. The Crown can be picked up by an enemy such as a Tuskar or an Outlaw, and you and your friends will have to claim it back. The one who recovers the Crown now gets the extra boost. There is no PvP in Overthrown, so dont even think about trying to kill your friend for the Crown.Teamwork Makes the Dream WorkSecondly, the more workstations you build in your city, the more citizens will start to spawn in your settlement. When youre playing with your friends, you can have different people working in different zones and districts so that you can start to get more citizens a bit faster right from the get-go. And dont forget that not everyone loves all jobs equally. Maybe you love building, but your friend loves combat that is not a problem! Its easy to divide the chores amongst each other.ExperimentAnd the final tip that I have is to go out and experiment. When we first started working on Overthrown it was inspired and built primarily around player curiosity. When playing our game, we want players to ask themselves and their friends Can I do this? and What happens if I do that? To which the answer is Yes, yes you can and, Please try it out! Were crafting the game with as much interactivity in mind as possible so that you can experience moments of surprise, playfulness and just silly goofy fun! Thats what makes playing with friends fun!We hope that you like the sound of Overthrown and are keen to check it out either with your friends or by yourself. In Game Preview, we are building Overthrown with community feedback and would love for you to join us on this ride. Youll be able to start your adventure on December 10 when Overthrown launches into Xbox Game Preview and Game Pass for Xbox consoles and PC.

Following the success of Iron Meats launch back in September, the team at Retroware has been hard at work charting the path forward with planning major content updates to their modern retro gem!With the first major update arriving on Xbox, you can experience a fine platter of new content to sink your teeth into!Mirror, MirrorOne of the highly requested new features in the game is Mirror Modean option that lets you run through every level, but this time to the left! While flipping the x-axis may seem like a trivial update, facing every enemy, every boss, and every level becomes a whole new experience. Players can unlock this mode after beating the game for the first time on any difficulty!Red Rapid FireA second new feature is the automatic Supercharge upgradeor the third tier of possible weapon upgrades. With the Supercharge upgrade active on a player, all of that players projectiles will now have a red coloration, instead of maintaining their blue or green colors, regardless of their current upgrade tier.So, if a player has one or two guns that are fully upgraded (as in, they fire green projectiles instead of blue), they can try to pick up a third copy of that gun(s) and be rewarded with an automatic Supercharge (Rapid Fire) upgrade, coupled together with a new red color for their projectiles!My 1UPs, Thank YouWith this first major update, were happy to announce that all extra lives players earn while playing through a level will be kept as you start a new level. In other words, you now get to keep extra lives if you finish a level with more lives than you started with.Visual Enhancements to Level BackgroundsWeve gone back to the backgrounds of certain levels and added in some more details that we believe will really drive home some of the unspoken narrative points relevant to Iron Meats story. Some of these new details include: adding a brief section where the helicopter flies in shooting down at Meat monsters on Forest, adding in spikes to the midboss on Base, adding in surviving pilots to the ending credits animation, and explosive impacts from the Meat meteors on Train.Other UpdatesIn addition to minor bug fixes on the backend, weve also:Buffed the default damage dealt by the E, U, and M guns.Added more Meat to different sections of the Moon Base.Retooled certain patterns of the MI-24 helicopter boss fight to be more clear.And slightly changed sections of all levels to be more fair to the player (for example: Meat worms are now killable on Base the second they appear, the Meat Mouth Doors on Train are now killable, and other minor fixes).We wanted to give players a taste of what weve got in store for Iron Meats future, and we cant wait to share even more new content with updates later down the line! Iron Meat is available now!Iron MeatRetroware24$19.99Get it nowIron Meat is a fast-paced, run-and-gun shooter that immerses players in a world overrun by The Meatan all-consuming interdimensional biomass. With a mix of classic arcade and console mechanics, players will battle against mutated victims and machines, dodge bullet barrages, and crush bosses in nine levels of gore-ific brutality. As Vadim, fight back against The Meat and stop the terrors spawned from scientist Yuri Markov's experiments on the Moon.MULTI-PHASE BOSS FIGHTSIron Meat pays homage to classic run-and-gun titles from the past, with intense boss fights fixed into multiple phases. With three difficulty settings to choose from, players can put their skills to the test, where a higher difficulty is rewarded with an even more challenging boss battle.MULTIPLAYER COUCH CO-OPWho says you have to take on The Meat invasion alone? With 2-player couch co-op, you can grab a buddy to leave a trail of bloody, Meat-infected corpses together! It's double the firepower, double the carnage, and double the MEAT!OVER 30 UNLOCKABLE SKINSYou don't have to be a soldier to fight against The Meat. Hell, you don't even have to be a HUMAN to do so! With over 30 unlockable skins to choose from, players can customize their character the way they want. Each skin comes with interchangeable parts, allowing for greater customization with mixing and matching. Want a shark head on a robot body with dinosaur feet? DONE. Maybe a half human, half doggo? YOU BET! Or how about a cowboy with a tail and demon wings? HmmYEP!

Our mission is to bring more games to more people around the world, across devices. We believe gaming should be easy to access and available for all players, no matter what device you choose to play with. Thats why were dedicated to making great games available across consoles, PCs, and with cloud gaming.Today, millions of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members are enjoying Xbox Cloud Gaming to play top titles from the Xbox Game Pass catalog on various devices. Weve also heard your excitement about having more flexibility to stream games you own beyond the Game Pass catalog. Starting today, Im excited to announce that were allowing Game Pass Ultimate members to stream select games they own through TVs and browser on supported devices like smartphones, PCs, and tablets,in all 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is available. This is just the beginning. Next year, were excited to bring this feature to Xbox consoles and the Xbox app on Windows.50 Great Games Available Today, With More to ComeWe are happy to announce that over 50 great games are now available for streaming. Our library of cloud-playable titles will continue to grow, as we work with our partners around the world to bring you a diverse and expansive selection of great games across devices. You can stream any version of these games below that you own, for example Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition.Here are the games available today:Animal WellAssassins Creed MirageAvatar: Frontiers of PandoraBalatroBaldurs Gate 3Banishers: Ghosts of New EdenCall of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)The Casting of Frank StoneCyberpunk 2077Dragon Quest III HD-2D RemakeDredgeDying Light 2 Stay HumanFarming Simulator 25Fear the SpotlightFinal Fantasy XIV OnlineFinal FantasyFinal Fantasy IIFinal Fantasy IIIFinal Fantasy IVFinal Fantasy VFinal Fantasy VIHadesHarry Potter: Quidditch ChampionsHigh On LifeHitman World of AssassinationHogwarts LegacyHouse Flipper 2Kena: Bridge of SpiritsLego Harry Potter CollectionLife is Strange: Double ExposureMetro ExodusMortal Kombat 1NBA 2K25PGA Tour 2K23PhasmophobiaPrince of Persia: The Lost CrownRust Console Edition7 Days to DieStar Wars OutlawsStrayThe Crew MotorfestThe Outlast TrialsThe Plucky SquireThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntTom Clancys The Division 2TopSpin 2K25UndertaleVisions of ManaWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2WWE 2K24Ready to Get Started? Heres How:Game Pass Ultimate members can stream select cloud-playable games you own, even if theyre not included with Game Pass Ultimate, directly on various devices. This includes Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, Meta Quest headsets as well as other browser supported devices like PCs, smart phones, and tablets. For more details, see below or check out our support page.On your PC, phone, tablet, handheld, and most devices with access to a web browser:Use a supported browser like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari.Navigate to https://xbox.com/play.Sign into your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.Look for Stream your own game to discover games you can play right now, and others you can stream after purchasing them.Connect a supported controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible. On PC, some games will also support mouse and keyboard input.Start playing!On supported TVs and VR headsets:Download and launch the Xbox app (on supported Samsung TV, Amazon Fire device) or the Xbox Cloud Gaming app (on Meta Quest 2, 3 or Pro)..Sign into your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.Look for Stream your own game to discover games you can play right now, and others you can stream after purchasing them.Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.Start playing!If youre not an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member yet, you can join here to start playing hundreds of great games across console, PC, and cloud. Games you digitally purchase for streaming can also be downloaded and played on an Xbox console.Thank you for being a part of Xbox. Your passion and support inspire us every day to bring the joy of gaming everywhere.

Gamers, treat yourself this month to some incredible gaming experiences with your EA Play* membership!When youre done watching your favorite football team defeat their rivals on TV, you can keep the heart-pumping moments by booting up your console to launch a perfect bomb downfield for a game-changing touchdown in EA Sports College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25. With EA Play game trials, you can keep the game going and dominate the gridiron for up to 10 hours. Love the game? Save 10% on a full game download with your progress carried over, and add to your lineup with monthly Ultimate Team Packs.In addition to these titles, EA Play offers trials of up to 10 hours for many other favorite games, including EA Sports NHL 25, EA Sports FC 25, EA Sports UFC 5 and EA Sports F1 24. And theres even more gaming to experience when youre done with trials! EA Play members can jump into an unrivaled collection of EAs best-loved series and top titles, including Madden NFL 24, EA Sports FC 24 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.EA Play members can also score monthly rewards on select titles, including 10% off purchases of Electronic Arts digital content including game downloads, Season Passes, Madden Points and more. This months member benefits include:Apex Legends Golden Demon Weapon Charm Now to December 2Battlefield 2042 Sanguine Impact Now to November 26EA Sports F1 24 5000 XP Boost Now to November 30EA Sports College Football 25 Loyalist Ultimate Team Pack Now to November 30Madden NFL 25 MUT Pack Now to November 30EA Sports FC 25 Powered Right Leg Tattoo & Clubs Coins Now to November 28EA Sports FC 25 Football Ultimate Team Draft Token Now to December 14EA Sports NHL 25 3000 CHEL Coins Now to December 5EA Sports NHL 25 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier Tokens Now to December 5Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription. Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards and more.Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on, Instagram, or X. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.*Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See https://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eaplay/US/en/PC/ for details.

New worlds are calling! War Robots: Frontiers, a new entry in the smash-hit War Robots series, is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One in 2025. To celebrate and welcome new Pilots on Xbox, a limited-time Console Playtest is available to Xbox Insiders from November 20 until December 4.Get ready to build your very own mech fleet, squad up with friends, and take the fight to the Wild Ten in this online mech shooter. If youre new to the War Robots universe, lets brush up before you jump in the cockpit.Battles Rage on New WorldsHuman advancement sees this future-set War Robots game rocket across the stars. The new setting known as the Wild Ten is a collective of planets that Dominions mega corporations from Earth are vying for control over, employing mercenary Pilots and their mechanical War Robots as enforcers.From your base of operations on Tortuga, you can accept jobs from Dominions, then go out and battle across these new worlds. Storm the fiery refineries of Catalyst, plunge into the towering industry of Fissure, and traverse the city-spanning Spectrum in six-versus-six online battles. Youll be beset by dynamic weather as well as enemy teams, so be sure to keep that metal in good shape.Battles can be waged in three modes. Capture points for your team in Warp Rush, go all-out on destruction in Team Deathmatch, and make quick work of the enemy team in Last Robot Standing.You Are the Pilot and the EngineerBuild a battle-ready War Robot, finetuned with a massive selection of Pilots, weapons, parts, and abilities. New unlockables can be found in a variety of ways to help you stay on top of new strategies and counters. Different War Robots and combinations can be used to experiment with different combat roles, and play to the strengths of your own personal playstyle.When youre in the midst of battle, youll have to manage the War Robots at your disposal. These mechs dont come cheap, so respawns are limited. Optimize your fleet and coordinate with friends to give yourself a fighting chance, and adapt to the task at hand and the state of play.Titanic PowerPilots of the Wild Ten have made a new discovery: the Titan, a hulking power-up build with maximum damage in mind. These Robots are much larger and more formidable than their more standard counterparts. Theyre powerful, but they also make for a large target. If you can build up enough power to unleash it, you might just turn the tide of battle or go down in flames. Worth a try either way!Titans come with their own quirks and abilities but have limited use per battle. Deploy wisely, and if you see the enemy team call their own Titan in, take it out with extreme prejudice.Ready to construct your first mech? War Robots: Frontiers is now available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One for Xbox Insiders, with the full game set to launch in 2025.How to Participate:Sign in on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console andlaunch the Xbox Insider Hub app.Navigate toPreviews > War Robots: Frontiers Beta.SelectJoin.Wait for the registration to complete, and you should be directed to the Store page to install it.Wishlist the full game today!War Robots: FrontiersMY.GAMESGet it nowBattle in the Wild Ten star system in War Robots: Frontiers! Build and customize your mechs, squad up, and unleash the destructive power of your machines in this online multiplayer mech shooter.MASSIVE MECHA MAYHEMShoot and smash your way to victory in 6v6 online battles. Whether youre an attacker, tank, support, or speed-loving gearhead, theres a playstyle for you.GALACTIC BATTLEFIELDSStorm the worlds of the Wild Ten in battles that rage across a vast, tactically rich map roster. Immerse yourself in this brave new galactic frontier with dynamic weather systems and satisfyingly stompable terrain.ENGINEERED VICTORYConstruct the perfect mech and customize it with the huge selection of Pilots, weapons, parts, and abilities at your disposal. Switch up your builds with new unlocks to keep up with the competition!TITANIC DESTRUCTIONBuild up enough power to unleash your ultimate secret weapon: the Titan. This hulking power-up is built with maximum damage in mind, and armed with unique specializations and abilities.

Get ready for Magikrabs Gauntlet, where youll hop aboard one of the Mer-lines interdimensional trains and face off against old friends, foes, and bosses from your previous adventures. This thrilling challenge is unlocked after completing the main storyits the perfect test for those who believe theyve truly mastered their adventures in New Wirral! The gauntlet can be tackled alongside a friend in online co-op so grab your buddy and brace yourselves; this journey is going to be a wild ride!Enough yapping, lets explore the specifics of whats in store when you board the Midnight Train!The gauntlet train is a randomized series of challenging battle encounters, that increase in difficulty as you progress. Think youve mastered beast battle? Think again these are tough battles that are sure to make even the most seasoned adventurer break a sweat! The train also includes:Occasional carriages that contain chests instead of battles.A rest carriage that heals you and saves your progress. You can also spend some of your winnings at Magikrabs caf here!Boss carriages that will test your mettle including Archangel fights that you are still able to challenge with a buddy!The longer your winning streak, the more Fused Material youll rack up. But be warned, the Gauntlet is a double-edged sword the longer you go, the greater your reward, but you also risk losing it all if you fail a battle along the way. Tap out and claim your reward or push it one more encounter, the choice is yours.Youll be facing off against many familiar faces as you go (whether as a friend or foe), but all of them have had significant upgrades to their tapes and stickers. Some of the encounters are only present in your gauntlet if youve met certain conditions. Well let you discover how this affects your run while you play!This update also introduces the Sticker Fusion feature, newly added to the Harbourtown Town Hall. Sticker Fusion allows players with stickers that have rare and uncommon attributes to transfer those attributes onto other stickers, provided that the attributes are compatible. This gives you the chance to revamp your move stickers like never before using Fused Materials. Be sure to stockpile those Fused Materials, theyre a precious commodity!We also have a new cosmetic DLC launching today!The Fashion Pack is priced at $3.99 /3.99 EU/3.29 and will come with a ton of new looks for your character as they travel through New Wirral!The Fashion Pack adds the following cosmetic items to the players wardrobe: Baseball Cap Flat Cap Twin Tails Bow & Bangs Foxy Cut Windswept Spikes & Goggles Swept Mohawk Flower & Fringe Beret Round Specs Trenchcoat Crop Top Tall BootsShare your gauntlet progress with us by tagging us @ByttenStudio or, better yet, join our Discord where you can chat with other players, find groups to join, and share your biggest and best moments: https://discord.gg/byttenstudioSee you in New Wirral!Cassette BeastsRaw Fury250$19.99$15.99Get it nowPC Game PassXbox Game PassAdventure. Battle. Transform.Welcome to New Wirral, a remote island inhabited by strange creatures youve only dreamed of, nightmares you hopefully havent, and a cast of brave folks who use cassette tapes to transform for battle. To find a way home youll need to explore every inch of the island, and record monsters to your trusty cassette tapes to gain their abilities! Transform into monsters using retro cassette tapes? Faced with the constant threat of monster attacks, the residents of Harbourtown, New Wirral choose to fight fire with fire. Record a monster to tape, then play it back to take on its form for battle! Fuse monster forms. Getting close to your companion has benefitswhile transformed you can combine your strengths to gain the upper hand in battle! Any two monster forms can be fused to produce unique, fully-animated new fusion forms. Explore a rich open world. Certain monster abilities can be used in human form. Youll need these to help you get around, solve puzzles, and locate dungeons. Glide, fly, swim, climb, dash, go invisible, or turn magnetic! Travel alongside a diverse cast of human companions. Never fight alone! Form bonds, spend time together, and help your selected partner complete personal goals to become a better team. Master a deep battle system. Take advantage of elemental chemistry to apply extra buffs or debuffs alongside your attack, or even alter your opponents elemental type! Play with Friends!Team up in online multiplayer to trade Beasts, Challenge your friend to 1v1 duals, or take on a fearsome raid Beast with up to 8 friends to reap great rewards!

If youre not too busy taking off for the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 today, may we interrupt your flight with these games? We have a selection of day one games, game benefits, indies, and more. What can we get started for you (aka: what will you put in your download queue first)?Available TodayMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) November 19Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassAvailable on day one! From Xbox Game Studios and Asobo Studios, pursue your aviation career with dynamically generated missions, compete against other pilots, and explore the most detailed digital twin of the world to date. Set out on your global adventure with our largest fleet of aircraft as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes simulation to new heights of authenticity and realism.Coming SoonS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) November 20Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassAvailable on day one! Discover the vast Chornobyl Exclusion Zone full of dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies, and powerful artifacts. Unveil your own epic story as you make your way to the Heart of Chornobyl. Choose your paths wisely, as they will determine your fate and shape the future of humankind in the end.Little Kitty, Big City (Console) November 20Now with Game Pass StandardAvailable with Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and now coming to Game Pass Standard members. In this open-world playground, youre a curious little kitty with a big personality on an adventure to find your way back home. Explore the city, make new friends with stray animals, wear delightful hats, and leave more than a little chaos in your wake. After all, isnt that what cats do best?PlateUp! (Console) November 20Now with Game Pass StandardComing soon to Game Pass Standard, PlateUp! brings classic cooking action with permanent rogue-lite progression. Cook and serve your dishes, design and decorate your restaurants, and expand your culinary kingdom with unlocks, abilities and dishes in procedurally generated layouts. Take on the challenge solo or hire up to 3 friends.Nine Sols (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) November 26Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassNine Sols is a lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired, deflection-based combat. Embark on a journey through an Asia-inspired fantasy world, explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero on a quest to slay the 9 Solsthe powerful rulers of this forsaken realm.Aliens: Dark Descent (Cloud, Console, and PC) November 27Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardIn Aliens: Dark Descent, command a squad of hardened Colonial Marines to stop a terrifying Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe. Lead your soldiers in real-time combat against iconic Xenomorphs, rogue operatives from the insatiable Weyland-Yutani Corporation, and a host of horrifying creatures new to the Alien franchise.Genshin Impact Benefits Coming to Game Pass Ultimate on November 20Go on an adventure in the fantasy world of Teyvat in this free-to-play open-world adventure RPG on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Game Pass Ultimate including full native touch-controls. Game Pass Ultimate members will receive recurring rewards via their in-game mailbox, starting off with 2 Intertwined Fate, 1 Northlander Billet Trove, 10 Heros Wit, 100,000 Mora, and 15 Mystic Enhancement Ore in-game to celebrate the release on November 20!In Case You Missed ItSpyro Reignited Trilogy (Cloud, Console, and PC) Available nowGame Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardThe original roast master is now on Game Pass! Same sick burns, same smoldering attitude, now all scaled up in stunning HD! Rekindle the fire with the original three games, Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Riptos Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, all in fully-remastered glory.DLC / Game UpdatesCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone Season 01 Available nowReady to wreak havoc? The Black Ops 6 era is here with Season 01. Prepare for a vast new season of content with six Multiplayer maps including a festive Nuketown variant, seven new weapons, a brand-new Zombies map, and full Call of Duty: Warzone integration alongside the debut of Area 99 in the new Resurgence map.New League of Legends Champion: Ambessa, the Matriarch of War Available nowFrom Arcane to the Rift, Ambessa is ready to dominate all in her path. Unlock League of Legends newest top laner instantly with Xbox Game Pass.Celebrate Arcane Season 2 in Valorant Available until December 5Celebrate the release of Arcanes second season on Netflix by putting on Vis Atlas Gauntlets or causing some chaos with Jinxs Fishbones-themed Vandal skin.Xbox Game Pass Ultimate PerksThe Elder Scrolls Online: 10-Year Anniversary Pack #4 Available NowCelebrate 10 years of ESO with the 10-Year Anniversary Pack #4! This bundle includes 2 Grand Gold Coast Experience Scrolls, 1 Major Instant All Research Scroll, and 500 Seals of Endeavor. Claim your Perk today!Sea of Thieves: Festive Fighter Pack Available NowFor a limited time, claim the Festive Fighter Pack! Along with four weapons (blunderbuss, cutlass, pistol and Eye of Reach) themed around the Festival of Giving, youll also receive the Humble Gift and Mistletoe Emotes to express your holiday spirit.Leaving November 30Dont let the following games leave without a proper farewell! Dont forget to use your membership discount to save 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library.Conan Exiles (Cloud, Console, and PC)Coral Island (PC)Hello Neighbor 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)Remnant: From The Ashes (Cloud, Console, and PC)Rollerdrome (Cloud, Console, and PC)Soccer Story (Cloud, Console, and PC)Spirit of the North (Cloud, Console, and PC)The Walking Dead: The Final Season (PC)While the Irons Hot (Cloud, Console, and PC)As always, keep an eye on Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox for reminders when these coming soon announcements turn into play today! In the meantime, enjoy your time in the skies and well be back here soon. Cheers!

SummaryPlay Genshin Impact, the open-world adventure RPG for free today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming and claim the Wings of Fates Course Intertwined.Game Pass Ultimate members can enjoy recurring bonuses with each major version update.Explore the newest map expansion of Natlan, and command the power of the skies to move and fight in mid-airGenshin Impact, the open-world adventure RPG, has officially arrived on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming, launching alongside Version 5.2 Tapestry of Spirit and Flame. Travelers can now begin or continue their journey through the world of Teyvat on Xbox, experiencing the latest stories and gameplay updates, along with exclusive, limited-time rewards! Plus, Game Pass Ultimate members can begin to claim recurring bonuses that will come with every major version update from here on out. Read on for all the details.An Immersive Adventure on XboxAs a Traveler from another world, your journey begins in the visually stunning and culturally rich world of Teyvat. In search of your long-lost sibling, youll explore the seven major nations of Teyvat, each with its unique landscapes, history, people, creatures, mysteries, and gameplay.Xbox Series X|S is now ready to bring this massive fantasy world to life with vivid details, offering world-class console experiences, where players can enjoy HDR support on both consoles and 4K resolution on the Xbox Series X. Additionally, Game Pass Ultimate members can play on a variety of devices they already own via Xbox Cloud Gaming.Special Bonuses for XboxSpecial rewards are also available for Xbox players. Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 2 will receive the Wings of Fates Course Intertwined as a gift in their in-game mailbox upon logging into Genshin Impact on Xbox.Furthermore, Game Pass Ultimate members can enjoy special bonuses, with recurring rewards available with each major version update. These rewards can be claimed from your in-game mailbox, starting today with a bundle of useful items:Intertwined Fate 2Northlander Billet Trove 1Heros Wit 10Mora 100,000Mystic Enhancement Ore 15Please note that rewards will be subject to change with future updates.Play Genshin Impact Your WayGenshin Impact offers a vast world, and the journey is yours to shape. The seven Elements that flow throughout the world are key to defeating powerful enemies, solving challenging puzzles, reaching various locations, and uncovering the rich lore of Teyvat. By triggering Elemental Reactions combining specific elemental effects on targets you can deal extra damage or affect your surroundings in creative ways.The world of Genshin Impact is constantly evolving, with new landscapes, playable characters, stories, events, and diverse gameplay styles being introduced regularly. In addition to world exploration and Story Quests, players can enjoy limited-time challenges, mini-games, and long-term gameplay like card games and housing systems. Meanwhile, you can journey alongside over 90 playable characters, each with unique abilities and personalities.While Genshin Impact offers an immersive single-player experience, you can also team up with friends for multiplayer adventures. The game supports cross-play and cross-progression across platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Android, iOS, and the Epic Games Store. The game now supports 15 text languages and 4 voice-over languages, allowing players to enjoy it in their preferred language.Fly and Play Like DragonsThis summer, Genshin Impact introduced its sixth major nation, Natlan, where humans coexist with powerful local dragons known as Saurians. Known as the Nation of War, Natlan offers unique gameplay opportunities, allowing you to recruit elite warriors or transform into Saurians to enhance your movement abilities whether its swimming swiftly through liquid and lava, soaring through the air, burrowing underground, or scaling cliff walls.With the release of Version 5.2, new Saurian companions and powerful warriors Chasca and Ororon are introduced, along with the tribes and lands they hail from. Soon, youll command the power of skies to move and fight in mid-air, and explore an ancient, ruined city that towers into the clouds.Genshin Impact is now available on Xbox, with more waiting for you to discover in the world of Teyvat. We look forward to seeing you very soon!Genshin ImpactCOGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD.Get it nowXbox Game PassGenshin Impact is an open-world adventure RPG. In the game, set forth on a journey across a fantasy world called Teyvat. In this vast world, you can explore seven nations, meet a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities and abilities, and fight powerful enemies together with them, all on the way during your quest to find your lost sibling. You can also wander freely, immersing yourself in a world filled with life, and let your sense of wonder lead you to uncover all of its mysteries Until you are at long last reunited with your lost sibling and bear witness to the culmination of all things at the end of your journey. Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game. You do not need to purchase Game Pass Ultimate or Core to play the game in Co-Op Mode. Players with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription can receive in-game bundles upon the game's launch and after subsequent version updates, as well as play Genshin Impact on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is by far our most ambitious simulator to date, and we are incredibly excited for all of you from our core sim fans to all gamers and those who want to explore the world with us to join us on this journey. With authentic realism of all environments, aviation careers to pursue and the ability to explore our beautiful world with various kinds of aircraft, there is something amazing for everyone in this version of the simulator.We feel very fortunate that Microsoft Flight Simulator has a vibrant, highly informed and passionate community which has been invaluable on our journey to continually improve the simulator. Our motto is for the community with the community, which means that we will continue to carefully listen to your feedback and suggestions to help guide our development efforts and it also means that we will continue to work with teams from the community to help us produce the best aircraft, airports, scenery, missions, and other features.The team at Asobo is very much the core with the engine and key innovations all coming from the team in Bordeaux. We were able to substantially enhance the breadth and quality by inviting other creator teams from the flight sim community to help and bring focus to the many areas of this vast simulator. Aircraft were built by well-known and loved community teams like iniBuilds, Carenado, Got Friends, Blackbird, Hype Performance Group, MilTech, S&H, FlightFX, DC Designs, ATSimulations, BlueMesh and others to create the largest and most detailed fleet we have ever had (70 aircraft) for the base simulator. Other areas like airports, heliports, glider airports were mostly built by the talented team at Gaya, worldwide obstacles by Orbx & Puffin Flight, animals by Lakshya and via a collaboration with Frontier Developments, air racing by Climax, and many other elements like avionics and flight planning from Working Title. In total, we had over 800 people contributing to the sim and the result is beautiful and incredibly impressive.The dream of flight is ingrained in us yet many people have been unable to pursue that dream due to a lack of opportunity to pilot their own plane MSFS 2024 provides 70 highly diverse aircraft, our entire beautiful Earth, and many activities to suit your aviation desires.Thank you for embarking on this incredible adventure with us. We hope you enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.The Sky Is Calling.Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available in a variety of editions. The Standard Edition available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass comes with 70 aircraft and 150 upgraded airports; Deluxe Edition includes 10 additional aircraft and five extra airports; the Premium Deluxe includes another 15 aircraft (total of 95); Aviator Edition includes everything from the Premium Deluxe Edition plus the entire fleet of 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator between 2021 and 2024. If you own Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Deluxe Edition or Premium Deluxe Edition the additional aircraft and airports unique to these editions will automatically work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Standard EditionXbox Game Studios99$69.99Get it nowStandard EditionExplore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Standard Edition includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports.Fly with Purpose Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.Advanced Simulation Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers all influenced by seasonal changes.The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Deluxe EditionXbox Game Studios156$99.99Get it nowDeluxe EditionExplore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 10 additional aircraft and 5 additional handcrafted international airports.Fly with Purpose Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.Advanced Simulation Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers all influenced by seasonal changes.The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Premium Deluxe EditionXbox Game Studios155$129.99Get it nowPremium Deluxe EditionExplore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 25 additional aircraft and 10 additional handcrafted international airports.Fly with Purpose Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.Advanced Simulation Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers all influenced by seasonal changes.The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Aviator EditionXbox Game Studios151$199.99Get it nowAviator EditionExplore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Aviator Edition includes everything from the Premium Deluxe Edition plus the entire fleet of 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator between 2021 and 2024.Fly with Purpose Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.Advanced Simulation Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers all influenced by seasonal changes.The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.

Today marks the release of the official trailer for A Minecraft Movie and those with keen eyes might have already noticed some familiar elements from the game. The cast and crew have put a lot of work into staying true to Minecraft, and that includes bringing to life beloved features that have shaped players adventures throughout the years.If youre new to the Minecraft universe, some of these references may have left you scratching your head, but fret not! Im here to explain some of the most iconic elements from the trailer, what they do, and how theyre useful to Minecrafters.The PickaxeIn Minecraft, you can build almost anything. But in Survival mode, you need to start somewhere, and for most players, one of the first steps of that journey is crafting a humble wooden pickaxe. However, try to mine diamonds with it and youll watch that precious ore crumble into voxel dust. Youll have to work your way up to stone, and then an iron pickaxe much like the one that Steve has in the movie to mine most materials in the Overworld. But to reach other dimensions, youll need a couple more upgradesThe Crafting TableFew blocks are more recognizable than the crafting table, which unlocks countless recipes, from more durable tools to refined materials and various contraptions. You can place a crafting table in your base like Steve does in the trailer, or you can carry it around with you in your inventory to use as needed in your adventures. Crafting tables are often accompanied by furnaces for smelting ores, as well as enchanting tables that add special properties to your gear in exchange for experience points.You could technically play Minecraft without ever making a crafting table, if you wanted to. Would it be difficult and keep you from discovering many cool things? Absolutely. But theres no wrong way to play Minecraft, so you do you! Or would it just be Mine then?CreepersTo this day, the sight or hissing of a creeper sends chills down the spines of Minecrafters everywhere and thats no different in A Minecraft Movie. Unlike skeletons or zombies, creepers dont have any upper limbs to use against you, so its understandable if you assume they cant hurt you. However, at close range, youll discover the creepers devastating attack: a literal explosion. Many playthroughs have been cut short by these stealthy ambushers so keep your head on a swivel when exploring the darker corners of the Overworld.PiglinsNative to the Nether, these bipedal pig-like creatures normally cant live in the Overworld, as they become zombified by the clean, spore-less air. However, in A Minecraft Movie, theyve apparently found a way to not only enter the Overworld but also cause major trouble. What can you expect from them when playing Minecraft? The piglins youll encounter in the Nether are a bit more receptive to the idea of not attacking you on sight as long as youre wearing a piece of golden armor. Bring some gold ingots and theyll even trade various items for them! And if youre lucky, you might even get to see a baby piglin riding a hoglin. Awww!VillagesIn A Minecraft Movie, the protagonists pass through a village where Steve demonstrates his favorite way of cooking chicken. Were still recovering from that one. And while you dont get to witness any creative culinary feats in the in-game villages, theyre a huge boon for Survival mode players in need of resources, especially sustenance. The villagers might hrrrm and haaaaah as you raid their homes and farms, but they dont really care! Thats just how they talk. In fact, theyll also trade various goods for emeralds; the cartographer will even sell you maps to hidden treasures but that doesnt mean finding them will be easy.Ender PearlsYou may have noticed Garret accidentally using a curious item called an Ender pearl in the official trailer the last one in Steves stash, no less! In-game, Ender pearls are dropped by defeated Endermen and work in the same way: you throw them, and you get teleported to where they land. An even more interesting use for them is to craft eyes of Ender, which help you locate portals to the End dimension. This is an odd, desolate land of floating islands populated by Endermen, at the center of which lives the Ender Dragon, the largest mob in Minecraft and what is considered to be the final boss of the game.Why would you even want to start a fight with the Ender Dragon? For the heaps of experience points but also for the rare dragon egg, which you can display in your base for bragging rights. If you just want to see the egg up close without fighting, you can always switch to Creative mode and place one from your unlimited inventory! I wont tell if you dont.RedstoneAh, redstone! Hard to learn and even harder to master in my experience but the payoff is worth it! This crimson element can transmit signals between different components to create various automations, such as Steves minecart system from the trailer. Using redstone is one of the most technical skills to master in the game, but it unlocks a world of possibilities in terms of both functionality and creativity. Minecraft players have used redstone to create firework shows, automate resource farms, and even build actual computers inside of Minecraft then played games on them! I wasnt joking when I said you could build almost anything in Minecraft.I hope this brief deep dive helped you understand a bit more about how Minecraft works and why Steve yearns for the mines. But the Minecraft universe is literally endless, and Ive barely scratched its pixelated surface so why not grab a virtual pickaxe and see what secrets you can uncover for yourself? Theres plenty of time to practice until A Minecraft Movie comes out in theaters on April 4!

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Before we truly begin, a warning for movie fans! Although this article wont spoil any specific events from the Scream franchise, and certainly wont reveal any killer identities, it is not completely spoiler-free, as itll talk about traits that define Screams iconic recurring villain and how they influenced our design. If this is somehow your first exposure to this classic horror series, I highly recommend you go watch Scream its great!Yes, Ghostface will join the Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns roster on November 26 (with early access beginning on November 19). So, who is Ghostface? Ghostface is an assumed identity used by a string of loosely related, vengeful, psychopathic murderers. Aside from being, you know, serial killers, other consistent traits include donning the iconic costume while in the act, and taunting victims through a voice modulator (and youll be pleased to know that Roger L. Jackson, the actor behind the voice in the films, is also the voice of Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns). When going for kills, Ghostface attacks physically, favoring hunting knives but sometimes using something opportunistic from their surroundings. It makes this classic killer a perfect Kombatant.To represent the core Ghostface ethos, we crafted the character in Mortal Kombat 1 based mostly on the original Scream, which revealed that there were multiple killers behind the mask. Teamwork is their most lethal weapon, and how theyre able to accomplish seemingly supernatural feats. Highlighting this was always intended to be a core aspect of bringing the character into our game.Since the identity of Ghostface in the first Scream film was in fact two knife-wielding high schoolers, we kept core functions very brawler and grappler-like. The goal of Paulo Garcia, Principal Designer at NetherRealm Studios, was to deliver perhaps the most throw-centered character in Mortal Kombat 1 thus far. It was grimly fun going through the various Scream films and finding the most cringe-inducing up-close stab flurries to reference when designing, motion-capturing, and implementing successful grab attacks.Many other moves directly hearken to various Ghostface appearances in the movies, like sprinting maniacally towards the intended victim and having a knife at the ready for lunging and pouncing. Ghostface can also dive to the ground and slither forward on belly and elbows, slashing at shin-height.Its quintessential horror fare for a villain to seem always able to spring up behind you, as if they have access to hidden hallways. Ghostface can use the Backstage Pass special move to briefly flee the fight before reappearing on either side of the screen, as though from an overlooked closet or secret passage. When using the Always Outnumbered special move, Ghostface produces a trusty 90s-style brick cordless phone to call for help from another Ghostface. Theyll pop out conveniently right behind the opponent, ready with a jump-scare-worthy slash or grab. While Ghostface isnt a straightforward zoning character, the Always Outnumbered special serves as an unusual long-range option all the same, and is a way to keep anxious zoners looking over their shoulders.And these background Ghostface partners arent just there to help during a special move. The lead Ghostface can temporarily hand-off killer duties to a couple of other Ghostface characters. Using both the Backstage Pass and Always Outnumbered moves (among several others), its possible to temporarily swap in alternate Ghostface background characters, each with their own unique specialties.They still use many of the same basic attacksyou usually cant tell whos under the robe, after allbut they may tip off their identities with the use of their own basic attacks and special moves. While the original Ghostface killer was a darkly overachieving teenager, otherGhostface characters come from different walks of life, and you may find some of their kombat techniques more polished, and even vaguely recognizable. One of the alternate Ghostfaces possesses special moves more tailored to aggressive striking combos, while another is a master of ranged attacks. Itll be up to the Ghostface player to decide when to stick with the lead Ghostface or pass the bloody baton to killers waiting in the shadows!Ghostface will be available on November 19 as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion owners on Xbox Series X|S, followed by wide availability for purchase on Nov. 26.Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns ExpansionWarner Bros. Games21Get it nowA New Reign of Khaos unfolds in Liu Kang's Era. This pack includes the upcoming Story Expansion + Kombat Pack 2*.Available at Launch:Noob SaibotCyraxSektorAvailable Post-Launch (includes 1 week early access):Ghostface (Scream Franchise)T-1000 (Terminator 2)Conan the Barbarian*Separate Kombat Pack 2 character bundle not available

NameGinetta Gina LombardiAge36OriginItalyOccupationInvestigative JournalistBioAfter a damning article in the national newspaper she worked for got her labeled a subversive and thrown in prison, Gina was introduced to an Italian resistance movement. Upon leaving prison, she wrote for an underground publication that investigated dirty truths the government tried to hide. When her sister disappeared, she put her work as a journalist on hold to pursue answers. A pursuit that led her to the Vatican, where she met Indiana Jones.NameLocusAgeUnknownOriginUnknownOccupationUnknownBioA man of few words, little is known about Locus. Where hes from. Who he works for or with. What his goals are. Is he just another obstacle in Indys journey or is he something more? One thing is certain: Locus is exceptionally tall.NameEmmerich VossAge41OriginGermanyOccupationSS-Sturmbannfhrer of the Third Reich Special Antiquities Collection DivisionBioRival archaeologist. Expert psychological manipulator. Full-fledged narcissist. Voss believes hes the smartest man in any room he walks into, and his obsession with psychoanalysis has put him at odds with Indy in the past. Now that hes a strict believer in the power of the Third Reich, the divide between Voss and Indy has grown even wider.NameMarcus BrodyAge59OriginEnglandOccupationCurator at the Marshall College MuseumBioIn his youth, Brody was eager for archaeological fieldwork, but in his older age he spends more time in purely academic pursuits and now curates several museums on the US east coast. Though hes a bit easily distracted (and easily lost), Brody is a brilliant historian, and Indys patron and closest friend.NameFather AntonioAge45OriginItalyOccupationPriestBioBorn to a moderately wealthy family in southern Italy, Father Antonio found God during the Great War. When peace came, he studied to be a priest in Rome, though he still carries both mental and physical scars from the war.NameNawal Shafiq-BarclayAge42OriginEgyptOccupationShipping Magnate & PhilanthropistBioNawal is one of Ginas connections in Gizeh. Shes made a real name for herself in the shipping industry and has quite a few philanthropic ventures on the side. Nawal is smart and charitable, but she also has a pet snake. Do with that information what you will.NamePailinAge29OriginSiamOccupationRebel LeaderBioWhen a failed attack by her rebel group led to the death of her husband and the loss of her sight in one eye, Pailin and her co-conspirators fled to a small village near the ruins of Sukhothai. Now Voss is closing in on the area and Pailin will need to rally her forces (with the help of new allies) to fight back and protect their home.NameViktor GantzAge38OriginGermanyOccupationOberst of the German Armed ForcesBioWhere Voss is an intellectual, Gantz is all brawn. Though he and his men were sent to Gizeh to assist Voss excavation efforts, Gantz has a severe dislike of Voss and his strange obsessions. Luckily for Voss, Gantz devotion to the Third Reich makes him easy to manipulate.

Age of Mythology: Retold Standard EditionXbox Game Studios237$29.99$23.99Get it nowPC Game PassXbox Game PassNominated for:Best Sim/StrategyANIMAL WELLBigmode41$24.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Independent GameBest Debut Indie GameBalatroPlaystack Ltd212$14.99Get it nowNominated for:Game of the YearBest Game DirectionBest Independent GameBest Debut Indie GameBaldur's Gate 3Larian Studios858$69.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Community SupportCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 Cross-Gen BundleActivision Publishing Inc.348$69.99Get it nowXbox Game PassNominated for:Best Audio DesignInnovation in AccessibilityBest Action GameBest MultiplayerCloser the DistanceSkybound Games4$19.99Get it nowNominated for:Games for ImpactDestiny 2Bungie2001Get it nowXbox One X EnhancedNominated for:Best OngoingDiablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Standard EditionBlizzard Entertainment65$39.99$29.99Get it nowNominated for:Innovation in AccessibilityBest OngoingDragon Age: The VeilguardElectronic Arts372$69.99$62.99Get it nowNominated for:Innovation in AccessibilityDRAGON BALL Sparking! ZEROBandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.442$69.99Get it nowNominated for:Best FightingDragon's Dogma 2CAPCOM CO., LTD.485$69.99$41.99Get it nowNominated for:Best RPGEA SPORTS FC 25 Standard Edition Xbox One & Xbox Series X|SElectronic Arts623$69.99$34.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Sports/RacingELDEN RING Shadow of the ErdtreeBandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.430$39.99Get it nowNominated for:Game of the YearBest Game DirectionBest Art DirectionBest RPGF1 24Electronic Arts200$69.99$27.99Get it nowFree TrialNominated for:Best Sports/RacingFINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete EditionSQUARE ENIX128$59.99Get it nowNominated for:Best OngoingBest Community SupportFrostpunk 211 bit studios1Get it nowPC Game PassNominated for:Best Sim/StrategyFortniteEpic Games Inc.2001Get it nowXbox One X EnhancedNominated for:Best OngoingBest Community SupportINDIKA11 bit studios73$24.99Get it nowNominated for:Games for ImpactKunitsu-Gami: Path of the GoddessCAPCOM CO., LTD.252$49.99$39.99Get it nowPC Game PassXbox Game PassNominated for:Best Sim/StrategyLeague of LegendsRiot GamesGet it nowPC Game PassNominated for:Best Esports GameLife is Strange: Double ExposureSquare Enix203$49.99Get it nowFree TrialNominated for:Best Performance (Hannah Telle)Games for ImpactLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthSEGA224$69.99Get it nowNominated for:Best NarrativeBest RPGManor Lords (Game Preview)Hooded Horse10Get it nowPC Game PassNominated for:Best Debut Indie GameBest Sim/StrategyMetaphor: ReFantazioSEGA220$69.99Get it nowNominated for:Game of the YearBest Game DirectionBest NarrativeBest Art DirectionBest Score and MusicBest RPGMultiVersusWarner Bros. Games1373Get it nowNominated for:Best FightingNBA 2K25 Standard Edition2K589$69.99$31.49Get it nowNominated for:Best Sports/RacingNevaDevolver Digital27$19.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Art DirectionGames for ImpactBest Independent GameNo Man's SkyHello Games995$59.99$47.99Get it nowXbox One X EnhancedPC Game PassXbox Game PassNominated for:Best Community SupportThe Plucky SquireDevolver Digital53$29.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Debut Indie GameBest Family GamePrince of Persia The Lost CrownUbisoft212$39.99$19.99Get it nowNominated for:Innovation in AccessibilityBest Action-AdventureSenuas Saga: Hellblade IIXbox Games Studios644$49.99$32.49Get it nowPC Game PassXbox Game PassNominated for:Best NarrativeBest Audio DesignBest Performance (Melina Juergens)Games for ImpactStar Wars OutlawsUbisoft1175$69.99$52.49Get it nowNominated for:Best Performance (Humberly Gonzlez)Innovation in AccessibilityBest Action-AdventureTales of Kenzera: ZAUElectronic Arts106$19.99$9.99Get it nowFree TrialNominated for:Games for ImpactTEKKEN 8Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.261$69.99$34.99Get it nowNominated for:Best MultiplayerBest FightingTopSpin 2K25 Cross-Gen Digital Edition2K138$69.99$23.09Get it nowNominated for:Best Sports/RacingUnicorn OverlordSEGA213$59.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Sim/StrategyVALORANTRiot Games759Get it nowXbox Game PassNominated for:Best Esports GameWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2Focus Entertainment622$69.99Get it nowNominated for:Best Action GameBest MultiplayerWWE 2K24 Cross-Gen Digital Edition2K897$69.99$23.09Get it nowNominated for:Best Sports/Racing

While the holiday period is often considered a time for rest and reflection, we know what its really about finally having time to play some excellent video games. And what better match for the season than cozy games titles built for relaxation, lacking in stress, but just as inventive as their action-oriented cousins.Whether the cold weather has you peeking into a shameful backlog or browsing the Xbox storefront for something new, weve got a mighty fine selection of tried and tested titles that are great to cozy on up with divided into categories to ensure you find the exact right fit for your mood. So, grab yourself a hot drink in your favourite oversized mug, fetch a big ol blanket, and dive on in here.Fun on the FarmFarming sims are effectively the ancestral home of cozy gaming, offering respite in peaceful worlds where we can grow produce, hangout with friends, and adventure to our hearts content. Whether youre looking for a combat-free space or a light challenge to your adventures, weve got you covered.Stardew ValleyCloud, Console, and PCAfter inhering your grandfathers old farmland in Stardew Valley, youll embark on a journey to transform this overgrown plot into a gorgeous home. Along the way, youll level up key skills to improve your farming, fishing and fighting abilities, and unlock new items and recipes to craft and cook. Youll meet the locals of the town, make friends, and even fall in love. Stardew Valley also recently received the 1.6 update with lots of new content and features, the perfect time for both new and returning farmers to jump in, either alone, or with up to 8 friends via co-op mode.Lightyear FrontierCloud, Console, and PCIf youre looking for peaceful farming on a galactic scale, Lightyear Frontier has you covered. An open-world adventure that lets you build the interstellar homestead of your dreams, equipped with your fully customisable mech companion. Explore a mysterious world, discover the planets secrets and help the ecosystem in the process. Its the ultimate cozy simulator for farm and big robot enthusiasts alike, and up to three friends can join in your adventure via the online multiplayer.Coral IslandCloud, Console, and PCIn this vibrant, laid-back take on farming sims, ditch the bustling city life and put together a dreamy tropical paradise on Coral Island. Here, youll tend to crops, nurture animals, and become part of a lovely community of over 70 unique characters. The island also offers plenty of exciting outdoor activities such as insect hunting and fishing, as well as diving in the local coral reef to hunt for hidden treasures. Take life as it comes in this relaxing simulator full of charm.Comfy, Cozy PuzzlesIf the farm life isnt quite for you, perhaps this selection of lovely puzzle games will sate your interest. Were not talking brain busters here, just cozy exploration and peaceful, satisfying puzzling that you can take at your own pace, all bundled up in gorgeous art styles.Botany ManorCloud, Console, and PCThis quaint puzzle game sees places you in the wellington boots of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist on a quest to restore the gardens of her stately home. As you explore the manor, youll uncover clues that aid in growing forgotten flora and fauna, use your green thumb to solve puzzles to unlock more of the manors grounds, and uncover the tale of Arabellas life and research.A Little To The LeftCloud, Console, and PCSettle in for a calming time with this wonderfully charming puzzle game that makes tidying up fun. Stack and organise a wide array of household items, from loose screws to pantry shelves, in over 100 unique and intuitive scenarios. If youre someone that gets a burst of satisfaction from a well-organized space, A Little to the Left is for you.Strange HorticultureCloud, ConsoleIn this occult-themed puzzle game, youll assume the role of the proprietor of a local plant store on the hunt to discover new species of plants. Balancing calm and creepy in a way very few games can manage, youll wield your growing knowledge of flora and fauna to influence Strange Horticultures story, and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the quaint but spooky town of Undermere.Light-hearted AdventuresPerhaps youre looking for something a little more interactive than a puzzle game but without the pressures of combat or big decisions? A place to explore fun environments, enjoy some light questing, and engage in some action is sometimes necessary to keep your mind occupied. Roam around a big city as a cat or challenge yourself to an atmospheric climb in these easy-going adventures!Lil Gator GameCloud, Console, and PCExplore a lovingly crafted island full of new friends and hidden secrets as a lil gator in this joyful, low stress platformer. Quests are nestled in every corner of the island, and youll make new friends as you adventure through forests and mountaintops. Its an adorable cozy time if youre looking for a joyful game to take on at your own pace.Dungeons of HinterbergCloud, Console, and PCDungeons of Hinterberg combines exciting dungeon delving with cosy social systems. As protagonist Luisa, youll venture to the picturesque town of Hinterberg that is, quite curiously, now full of perilous dungeons serving as tourist attractions. Each day, you can choose between exploring these locations or relaxing in town and spending with the locals. Theres no pressure to go either way, which makes for a lovely, relaxing experience with some light challenge here and there.Little Kitty, Big CityCloud, Console, and PCExperience the big city through a cats eyes in Little Kitty, Big City, a cozy exploration game with plenty of fun areas to discover. As a curious little kitty with a big personality, make your way home via the streets at your own pace, befriend stray animals, complete quests, and of course, leave a little chaos in your wake. You can even wear a little hat!SpiritfarerCloud, Console, and PCDespite its macabre theme, Spiritfarer is a cozy management affair that explores mortality. As Stella, youll sail across an atmospheric world and encounter new spirit friends to look after, before finally releasing them into the afterlife. All the while, enjoy farming, mining, cooking and crafting new discoveries thatll aid your journey. You can even invite a friend to play alongside you as Stellas pet, Daffodil the cat.JusantCloud, Console, and PCAscend to new heights in Jusant, a meditative action puzzle adventure game. Equipped with a trusty set of climbing tools, your goal is to reach the peak of a tall tower, but the real joy comes from the journey, not the destination. As you climb, youll uncover new paths, discover beautiful biomes, and master your abilities as you reach higher areas. Conquer the tower at your own pace (and without fear of falling), with plenty of freedom to take in the sights and relax to the atmospheric surroundings and music as you go.A Short HikeCloud, Console, and PCKeeping to the outdoor adventure theme, A Short Hike presents a peaceful jaunt through the mountainous landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. As a little bird, enjoy a calming adventure though vibrant scenery, discover secrets and chat to other kind characters on the trial as you make your way to the summit.Disney Dreamlight ValleyCloud, Console, and PCIf youre looking for an adventure on the magical side, come down and meet the inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley! In this hybrid of life simulator mixed with exploration, youll befriend iconic Disney and Pixar characters and take on new challenges from heroes and villains. Youll also have the opportunity to decorate your own home, create custom designs, and help restore Dreamlight Valley to its former glory for all of your new friends.Cozy Narrative DelightsIf youre hankering for a good story alongside some low energy cozy gameplay, these narrative-driven titles may be for you. Jump into a hand-drawn journey as a photographer or a stylish claymation adventure in space theres stories to be found everywhere.ChicoryCloud, Console, and PCDiscover your inner artist in Chicory, a top-down adventure game full of vibrant characters. On the hunt for superstar artist Chicory, who has mysteriously gone missing, youll wield your creative powers to solve puzzles, help your friends, and discover the poignant story behind the mystery.ToemCloud, Console, and PCIn Toem, youll see the world through a new lens, literally. Pack your trusty camera and embark on a delightful expedition to uncover the hidden mysteries nestled inside a magical world that is all about finding the perfect angle. Meet quirky characters, flex your creative muscles taking photos, and enjoy a relaxed jaunt through a gorgeous hand-drawn landscape.Harold HalibutCloud, Console, and PCThis point-and-click adventure set under the sea places you in the squeaky shoes of its titular protagonist Harold, a lab assistant working aboard an underwater spaceship. As Harold, youll encounter numerous weird and wonderful creatures as you learn more about humanitys past, in a cozy narrative adventure brimming with retro futuristic charm.Satisfying CleanupsIf the validation of clearing up a big mess is your idea of a calming time, why not do it from the comfort of your sofa? Here, youll find a cozy selection of titles that will have you putting off your own chores in favour of scrubbing, sorting and styling a range of vibrant virtual worlds.PowerWash SimulatorCloud, Console, and PCIf youre searching for stress-free satisfaction, PowerWash Simulator has you covered. Suit up and embark on a cleaning adventure, blasting away every speck of dirt across levels ranging from a simple van to an entire subway platform. As you progress, youll unlock bigger levels and better equipment. Plus, if youre paying close attention, youll unravel a fun story about the town of Muckingham and its inhabitants as you make their surroundings sparkle.House FlipperCloud, Console, and PCBecome a one-person renovation crew in House Flipper. Take on a series of contracts to build up funds, then buy abandoned, rundown properties to transform into spectacular new homes. With a vast range of tools at your disposal, youre free to knock down walls, apply a lick of paint, and furnish every room down to the smallest details.UnpackingCloud, Console, and PCIn this cozy narrative puzzle game, youll follow the life of an unseen protagonist as they move through numerous homes. As you unpack possessions and place them mindfully around numerous environments, youll uncover their story, their memories, and other clues about their life as you curate satisfying living spaces full of personal treasures.Nostalgic Cozy FavoritesSometimes, nothing beats the warm embrace of familiarity, and returning to a beloved series from your youth is the perfect way to experience it. The holiday season is all about reconnecting and sharing memories, and this selection of reboots of seminal 90s games will have you reminiscing in no time, whether youre revisiting a favourite for yourself or introducing a loved one.Spyro: Reignited TrilogyCloud, Console, and PCSave the Dragon Realms from the clutches of evil in this stunning remastered collection of the original Spyro trilogy. As the titular purple dragon, glide across the world once more freeing your kin from crystal prisons, collecting treasure, and rescuing dragon eggs from peril. Its a cozy platforming adventure for all ages, and whats even better is youll now be able to explore these lovingly crafted remakes via Xbox Game Pass.Crash Bandicoot: NSane TrilogyCloud, Console, and PCRelive your youth and rediscover your favourite marsupial in this collection of the first three iconic Crash Bandicoot games. Packaged up with entirely remastered visuals, all three games offer a nostalgic platforming experience with a modern twist as you adventure to take down Dr. Neo Cortex and his villainous crew. Whether youre jumping back into an old favourite or experiencing Crash for the first time, youre sure to have a wonderful time jumping and spinning your way through this shiny new version of a classic trilogy.Return to Monkey IslandCloud, Console, and PCReprise the role of the iconic Guybrush Threepwood in this exciting return to the revered Monkey Island series. Melee Island has taken a turn for the worst, and is now led by the hip, young Captain Madison. This new entry to the series brings classic point-and-click gameplay to the modern day, with all the familiar elements that made the original games so special. Banter with friends old and new and uncover clever puzzles as you venture across the high seas and confront the new leaders of Melee Island.

Xbox Design Lab is a one-stop shop that allows you to create your very own controller. From the controller itself to every external component, Xbox Design Lab is a hugely customizable platform that lets you create controllers for yourself, or as a truly personal gift for the Xbox player in your life.But before you get started, There are a lot of options to choose from let us break down every single one, to help you create the perfect Xbox controller:Choose Your ControllerThe key question before you begin using Xbox Design Lab is: which Xbox controller do you want to design?Xbox Wireless Controller Starting at $69.99 USD, the Xbox Wireless Controller is our standard model, bringing you high performance at an affordable price. With textured triggers and grips, a hybrid D-Pad, and Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect it to multiple devices. Click here to start creating an Xbox Wireless Controller.Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Starting at $149.99 USD, the Elite Series 2 makes our premium controller better than ever. With refined components, paddle slots offering extra options, adaptable elements like adjustable thumbsticks and hair trigger locks, and rubberized grips as standard, this controller delivers pro-level performance. Click here to start creating an Xbox Eliter Wireless Controller Series 2.Customize ComponentsOnce youve chosen your controller, Xbox Design Lab gives you 10 different customization options, allowing you to make a controller thats uniquely yours. And if you cant quite decide as you go, Xbox Design Lab allows you to preview your controller at any time, as well as save designs to your own personal gallery, allowing you to create multiple options to compare before you pick the final one.BodyApplied to the entire front case, your choice of Body makes a statement. With the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from a variety of matte finishes, or from a selection of gorgeous patterns, including the swirling Vapor designs, the multi-toned Shift patterns, bold Camo looks, our vibrant Pride design, or special, game-inspired designs like the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 top case and the Fallout top case. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from matte finishes, our new Cipher series which adds a transparent case that allows you to see through the case to the components inside, or game-inspired designs.BackYour choice of Back encompasses everything behind the grips on your controller. With all the standard colors available in the Body category, you can choose to match the front of the controller, or create a two-tone pop of color.GripsFor a small extra cost, you can add rubberized back and side grips to your Xbox Wireless Controller, offering an extra level of control in the hand. Rubberized grips come as standard on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.BumpersYour choice of Bumper color encompasses the two buttons on the top of the controller, and the case in between them. On the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from all the standard colors available for the Body and Back. For the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from an array of metallic finishes.TriggersThe Triggers are key to controlling many games, and come with multiple options. With the Xbox Wireless Controller, all the standard colors are available, but Xbox Design Lab also offers a variety of metallic options, allowing you to add a stately point of difference from the rest of the design. On the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, choose from a series of metallic designs that can blend in with your bumpers, or choose a different tone to create a standout design.D-PadOn the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from all the standard colors available in other categories, or pick a metallic hue. On the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, pick from the classic four-direction D-Pad, or our unique Faceted design for extra control. Both D-Pad choices offer a variety of single-tone metallic finishes, or pick our new multi-toned Chroma designs for a truly standout look.ThumbsticksOn the Xbox Wireless Controller, thumbsticks can take on any of the standard colors available on the rest of the controller. Take more control with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 pick the color of the metal base, as well as separate colors for both the thumbstick ring and topper.ABXY ButtonsOn the Xbox Wireless Controller, pick from seven different designs for the iconic Xbox buttons, from classic colored looks to different two-tone treatments. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, get even more choice with 20 different treatments, including colored variants that allow you to create even more specific looks.View, Menu, Share ButtonsOn the Xbox Wireless Controller, choose from 5 different designs for the central buttons on your controller. With the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, pick from 24 color options to help bring your design to life.EngravingFor that final touch, both controller types allow you to add a 16-character engraving. Add a name, a Gamertag, or a personal message to make the controller truly theirs.Pick a Pre-Made DesignIf youre looking to create a controller to celebrate a particular game, we may already have what you need. Xbox Design Lab is always adding new Inspired By designs that celebrate games on Xbox pick a pre-configured design, make any changes you see fit, and show your fandom. Theres also the Xbox Design Lab Game Collection, which offers extra-special designs for the likes of Fallout and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 all of which can be customized further.Choose Some Elite ExtrasIf youre opting for an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Design Lab offers a number of extra adjustable elements for the premium controller, all of which can be customized to fit your design. The Carrying Case and Charging Pack helps you take your controller anywhere in safety. The Paddle Pack adds a number of easily added extra paddles for the back of your controller, which can be used by adjusting options on your console. The Thumbsticks and D-pad Pack offers both D-Pad options and multiple interchangeable thumbsticks to let you swap how you want to play, game-by-game. And the Everything Pack includes all of the above in a single package. If you already own an Elite Series 2 controller, you can also opt to purchase the additional accessories packs by themselves.Adaptive Thumbstick ToppersWe collaborated with community members, charity organizations, and a hospital involved in adaptive gaming and 3D printing to design complimentary 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab. Available to download, these designs can be 3D printed to create thumbsticks that meet multiple accessibility needs and are available for both the Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Xbox Design Lab also offers thumbstick topper designs for the upcoming Xbox Adaptive Joystick, coming in early 2025 for select Xbox markets.You now have everything you need to start creating a unique Xbox controller head over to Xbox Design Lab to start experimenting!

Game Pass is all about options. Want the total gaming experience? What about high-quality games on PC? Or do you just want to play with your friends? Whatever type of player you are, Game Pass has you covered with an ever-expanding set of top-tier games.Heres a one-stop shopping guide to Game Pass to help you choose the plan thats right for you:PC Game Pass Want to play high-quality games on PC? PC Game Pass offers hundreds of games, including new titles on day one like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Plus, get an EA Play membership, Riot Games benefits in Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics, and more. Members also enjoy discounts of up to 20% on many games. If youre a PC player, then PC Game Pass is designed for you.Game Pass Core Is your main interest jumping on your Xbox console and challenging your friends online or teaming up to take down a final boss? Game Pass Core is a great avenue for online console multiplayer. For a low monthly price, play with others online, get member deals of up to 50% off select titles, and enjoy a select catalog of over 25 high-quality games in the Game Pass library, including Grounded, Among Us, Halo 5: Guardians, Gears 5, and more.Game Pass Standard Are you looking to level up your Xbox console gaming experience at a great value? Then Game Pass Standard may be right for you. In addition to all of the benefits you receive with Game Pass Core, including online console multiplayer and member discounts, you get access to hundreds of high-quality console games in the Game Pass library. Legendary series like Halo or Age of Empires, and massively popular games such as Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Siege are ready for you to play. Dive in and discover your next favorite game today.Game Pass Ultimate Are you a player who wants the total gaming experience? Then Game Pass Ultimate has what you need with all the Game Pass benefits we have to offer. Enjoy hundreds of high-quality games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Starfield, and Diablo IV, including new games on day one like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on your console, PC, and cloud. Get beloved series like EA Sports F1, Battlefield, and Star Wars with EA Play. Get a head start in Valorant, League of Legends, and more of the biggest PC and mobile games from Riot Games. Join friends and play together with online console multiplayer. Experience premium member benefits with deals and discounts on games and add-ons, free Perks, and more. Stream a game with cloud gaming before you download it on your console no installs required. With Game Pass Ultimate, theres always something new to play.We continue to be focused on delivering the best gaming experience at a range of price points so players can choose the plan with the features that best fits their gaming needs and budget. If you are interested in learning more about Xbox Game Pass and pricing for each plan, please visit our main page.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the excitement of finding the perfect gift for the kid(s) in your life. For some, this means considering an Xboxan experience that can offer endless hours of fun, connection, creativity, and learning.But navigating the gaming world can seem daunting to some especially those that are new to gaming. From questions around online gaming communities, to regulating screen time, content appropriateness, and how to maintain safety it can feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, Xbox makes it easy for adults to make the right choices for their families.The single most important thing you can do when setting up a new Xbox console is to select Yes when asked Will this console be used by kids?By spending just a few minutes setting up an Xbox Child Account (versus having them use your existing account), youre building a safer, more tailored experience for them and one thats right for your family (and thats easy to adjust as your little one grows up). Dont worry, you wont have to buy your games again to allow your child to play on the same console*. You will, however, have control over which of these games theyre allowed to play, how long they can play, who they can communicate with, and more.Once youve set up your Xbox console, you can keep the experience safe by downloading the Xbox Family Settings app for your Android or iOS device. This powerful tool allows you to easily tailor your childs gaming experience from anywhere, even if youre nowhere near your Xbox.Heres just some of what it can do:Screen Time Management: You can set time limits to manage how long your child can play each day. Parents (and grandparents, aunts and uncles!) tell us one of their favorite features is the ability for kids to request extra playtime, which you can easily approve or reject right from the app. You can even pause game time temporarily from the app; the perfect way to say dinners ready!Content Filters: The app allows you to tailor the content your child can access, blocking games that are too mature and ensuring they only see age-appropriate content that you approve.Purchase Limits and Approvals: Prevent unexpected purchases by approving each purchase through the ask-to-buy feature. To reward good behavior, you can easily add funds to a childs account for future purchases.Communication Controls: Decide who your child can communicate with during their gaming sessions through robust controls. You can manage your childs friend list and review incoming requests, and can restrict communication to just friends, or block it entirely.Activity Reporting: Stay informed with weekly activity reports that give you an overview of what your child is playing, how long theyve played, and any requests theyve made for additional time or new games. Pretty cool!Additionally, the Xbox Series X|S offers numerous features designed to make gaming accessible for everyone. You can find the full range of accessibility settingson Xboxs Accessibility site.Once youve curated the experience youd like your children to have, the only question is, what should you play together? Xbox Game Pass offers great value with access to hundreds of games for one monthly price, including a diverse range of family-friendly games that everyone can enjoy. From action-packed adventures to educational games, theres something for everyone; check out an updated list of titles here just click the Family & Kids box underneath Genres on the left rail or in the Game Pass area on your Xbox console.Playing games can stimulate creativity, improve hand-eye coordination, and offer a sense of achievement. They can also be a fantastic way for children to unwind and connect with friends, or be the center of your familys game night, especially in todays digital age.With the robust features built into your Xbox console and managed by the Xbox Family Settings app, you can ensure that your childs gaming experience is as safe and controlled as you need it to be.For more information about the Xbox Family Settings app, visitXbox.com/family-app.*Entitlements are shared only if child accounts are using the same console set as the Home console. More details on designating a Home console can be found here.

Immerse yourself in a world filled with mystery and darkness. Developed by Juan-Mod Studio, Shines Over: The Damned features a unique horror narrative that grips you from the start. Explore vast lands with your faithful dog, a German Shepard. Face the horror and experience a unique atmosphere.Your loyal German Shepherd is more than just a companion; it plays a crucial role in navigating the world and providing emotional depth during key moments in the story.Shines Over: The Damned is now accessible to a whole new audience, bringing its unique experience to Xbox players. Whether youre an Xbox Series X|S player or enjoying the game on Xbox One, you can dive into this immersive world November 26, and preorder today.Innovative Design Pulls you inThe art style of Shines Over: The Damned stands out for its dark and immersive atmosphere, complemented by a soundtrack that heightens the experience. Every visual element contributes to the narrative and world-building. Shines Over: The Damned has been developed with megascans technology a unique technology for hyper-realistic environments. Being an environmental game, all the environments have been made with realistic textures of elements with very high definition. This gives the game a realistic look and feel all the way through.A Game that Hits the Ground RunningSince its initial launch in March, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Shines Over: The Damned has received great reviews from around the gaming community as a pleasant surprise with a thought-provoking story. Its hard to define within a genre, and we agree with Softpedias review that Shines Over: The Damned deserves its own category. We are so excited to bring the game to Xbox and watch Xbox fans make it their next must-play Xbox title.Shines Over: The Damned is a journey you wont want to miss. This game redefines the horror experience with its rich narrative and captivating art style. Whether youre a fan of psychological thrillers, survival horror, or simply enjoy exploring rich and beautifully crafted game worlds, Shines Over: The Damned offers something for everyone. Dont wait preorder today and join the ever-growing community of players who have already been drawn into this unforgettable tale when it launches November 26.Shines Over: The DamnedFirenut Games$14.99Pre-orderShines Over: The Damned will take you into a unique experimental horror experience in first person, where your senses will be tested and your reality questioned. You have no name, no memory, no weapons. There are no friends to protect you. You are alone except for your faithful German Shepherd dog, who will guide you through this dark world and stay by your side. Immerse yourself in a mysterious and terrifying walking simulator with your faithful companion, where jump scares, tension, and environmental puzzles surround you, and danger lies in wait. Beware of the horrors that await you in Shines Over: The Damned. You have been warned

This month, Team Xbox is back with new updates and improvements inspired by your feedback. Weve made enhancements across console, the Xbox app on Windows, and accessories to make your gaming experience even better.Across the Xbox EcosystemFriends and FollowersAfter an initial release with Xbox Insiders in September, we are thrilled to announce the return of friend requests!You now have the option to become friends with someone or follow them. Friendships are reciprocal, invite-approved relationships, giving you greater control and flexibility over who can see your player data. Following someone is a one-way connection that allows you to stay updated with their shared content, whether its from another player, a club, or a game.Your current connections will be updated accordingly. You will remain friends with those players who have also added you as a friend, and you will continue following anyone who hasnt.To manage your friends and followers on Xbox consoles, press the Xbox button to open the guide and go to the People tab. From there, you can view your friends list, accept or delete new friend requests, or search for someone new and send a friend request. You can always check your profile to see who you are following and who is following you.Along with all this, weve updated relationship and privacy notification settings. These changes empower you to manage your Xbox social experience from any device, including your console, the Xbox app on Windows, Xbox mobile app, and xbox.com/play.Search Just Got BetterWere excited to announce that a better search experience is rolling out this month across all regions and supported languages. Whether youre playing on your Xbox console or the Xbox app on Windows, the newly improved search will enhance accuracy, delivering more useful results to help you find your next game or related content faster even when youre not exactly sure what youre looking for. This new AI-powered search will allow you to look up things such as cozy farming games with fishing or FPS games with zombies, providing accurate results so you can spend more time playing and less time browsing. It also handles typos, shortcuts, synonyms and even emojis.Xbox App on WindowsThe New Home experience Is Rolling OutThe new Home experience, initially available for Xbox Insiders to test in October, is now rolling out to all players over the coming weeks. This includes the Jump back in experience available in Compact Mode, so that you can quickly access the latest games youve played without having to browse through the app.The new Home experience brings together the latest and greatest content from Game Pass and Store in one convenient place. Youll also have access to the latest games, news, curated recommendations, free-to-play content, and deals.Xbox ConsoleMore Personalization Options are Here Expanded options for players to personalize their gaming experience with custom images are here. Now, you can create gamerpics from your achievement art or screenshots. Additionally, you have the option to zoom and crop images when setting a home background on your Xbox console, giving more ways to make your experience your own.Xbox AccessoriesThis month, were rolling out a series of updates and improvements for your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, and the Xbox Accessories app. Read on for all the details.Thumbstick Calibration Comes to Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2The thumbstick calibration tool in the Xbox Accessories app on both console and PC is now available for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. This feature allows you to recalibrate the thumbsticks on your controllers to address minor thumbstick issues, such as inconsistent responses, without the need for support calls, controller repairs, or returns.To maximize your controller lifespan, you can now replace worn-out or damaged parts on your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Thumbsticks, paddles, and D-pad replacement parts can be found here. If youre self-repairing your controller, be sure to use the thumbstick recalibration tool after replacing the controllers base and circuit board, as this may affect thumbstick calibration values. Please note that not all thumbstick issues, such as drift due to normal wear and tear, can be resolved with this tool.Trigger Calibration Is Now Available for Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2For players experiencing minor trigger issues on their Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, we now offer a user-guided self-calibration tool for controller triggers through the Xbox Accessories App.Map Your Thumbstick Cardinals to Buttons on Your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 or Xbox Adaptive ControllerWere excited to provide even more flexibility with the option to map your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and external joysticks attached to the Xbox Adaptive Controller thumbsticks to buttons or keyboard inputs! To get started, create a new profile or edit an existing one in the Xbox Accessories app and check out the new options for mapping your thumbsticks.Map Mouse Inputs to Your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 or Xbox Adaptive ControllerThumbstick or joystick movement can be mapped to mouse cursor movement. Additionally, buttons can be mapped to left, right, and middle mouse clicks. On PC, your controller must be wired to use this feature. Check the Xbox Accessories app to explore the new options.Map Hat Switch to Alternative Stick with Your Xbox Adaptive Controller For external joysticks with hat switches, you can now map the hat switch to operate as the opposite stick when attached to your Xbox Adaptive Controller.Help Shape the Future of XboxStay tuned to Xbox Wire for the latest updates and news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.We love hearing from the community! Whether you have a suggestion for a new feature or feedback on existing ones, were always looking for ways to improve Xbox experiences for players around the world. If youd like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC.

Since Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has launched weve been pouring over the thrilling Campaign, enjoying our epic Multiplayer matches, and trying to see just how long we can hold out with Round-Based Zombies. Its time to wreak havoc with the launch of Season 01 which brings with it new maps, a variety of new modes, the integration of Call of Duty: Warzone with BO6, and the debut of the new Resurgence map Area 99! Read on for the full details on what you can expect with Season 01.New Multiplayer MapsPrepare for a vast new season of content with six Multiplayer maps including a festive variant of a fan-favorite later in the season. Three of these new maps will land at the start of Season 01 today: Hideout; a medium-sized training site. Extraction, another medium-sized map taking place near the remnants of a heliport; and Heirloom, a compact-sized map taking place in a fine art museum. You can then look forward to the return of Hacienda (a Multiplayer map from Black Ops 4) to arrive during Season 01, Racket, a brand new small-sized underground bank vault, and a variation of Nuketown that is promising to be pretty festive.New Multiplayer ModesTwo new modes will drop with Season 01. The first is Ransack, where youll be looting gold bars from crates on 6v6 maps. Once youve acquired your gold bars, you then bring it back to your teams stash. Naturally, this batch of gold bars needs to be guarded, as enemy teams can raid the stash. So, expect a flurry of activity and planning between gathering and defending to achieve victory.The second is Prop Hunt, where youll play as a Prop (e.g. a piece of the scenery) or as a Hunter. If youre the Prop, youll be given a limited amount of time at the start of the match to find a hiding spot for you to blend in with the landscape. You can drop decoys to try and throw off your scent or change shapes into different scenery. Just dont let the Hunters spot you or the jig it up.You can also look forward to some time-limited modes in the middle of the season and beyond. And expect Ranked Play to land in the coming days featuring plenty of rewards, innovations, and updates.New Warzone Map and MoreWelcome to Area 99! Step into the scorching Nevada desert and uncover a once-classified Weapons Station where Nuketowns were constructed and dispatched for testing. After being dormant for decades, it reopens today for all Operators with the launch of Season 01 Then, head to Urzikstan at launch and soon after launch drop into Rebirth Island, both seamlessly integrated with Black Ops 6 innovations, including Omnimovement.Enjoy classic modes like Resurgence, Battle Royale, and Plunder to kick off with the start of Season 01, followed later by Battle Royale Ranked and a variety of LTM modes later in the season.As mentioned above, Warzone is now integrated with the Black Ops 6 Loadout System. This means you can look forward to features like Dedicated Melee, three Perks, and a Wildcard. You can also transfer your Global Weapon Builds, utilize an enhanced Gunsmith, and choose from over 170 weapons from Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, or Black Ops 6 that youve collected! There will also be the Pick-3 Perk System which allows for three active Perks at the start of the match, with up to six more to find in-game.Everything Else You Need to KnowNew Weapons Seven new weapons will be available across Season 01, including four Primaries (the Krig C AR, Saug SMG, Maelstrom Shotgun, and AMR Mod 4 Sniper Rifle), a Special Secondary (the foldable Sirin 9mm), as well as two Melees (Power Drill and Cleaver). Plus, unlock four weapon attachments, and face more Challenges to unlock firepower in the new Armory.Battle Pass and BlackCell Whether youre unlocking the free tiers and base weapons or obtaining the Battle Pass Bundle (available in-game) or going all out withBlackCell (available for purchase here in the Microsoft Store), the Season 01 Battle Pass System grants you the opportunity to earn 100+ rewards, including free base weapons, numerous Weapon Blueprints, Equipment Skins, Operator Skins, and much more. This can be done by:Earning 20+ free rewards, including cosmetic content and base weaponsPurchase the Premium Battle Pass (in-game) and earn up to 1,100 COD Points as you progress through the Battle Pass Pages.Purchase BlackCell for the ultimate seasonal experience, including new Operator Goliath, a variety of molten hot Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, COD points, and other rewards.Purchase the Vault Edition or Vault Edition Upgrade which includes Season 01 BlackCell plus additional premium content.New Operators And who doesnt love having some new Operators to play as? For Season 01 youll have Goliath as a BlackCell Operator, along with Sevati Sev Dumas, a clandestine assassin from Rogue Team available in the Battle Pass. Plus, The Replacer is back, and Competitor Operators arrive in time for the 2025 Call of Duty: League season. Also be on the lookout for some new Mastercraft Bundles to drop in the in-game Store.For even more information about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as a deep dive on all the things included in Season 01, be sure to check out the official Call of Duty Blog for all the latest and greatest intel drops.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Call of Duty: Warzone is free to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.netGame Pass Ultimate members can also enjoy playing Call of Duty titles in more places than ever before via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and Call of Duty: Warzone all playable via the cloud.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Vault EditionActivision Publishing Inc.110$99.99Get it nowThe Vault Edition includes: Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game BlackCell (1 Season)* Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus Mastercraft Collection 5 Mastercraft Weapons Woods Operator Pack Includes 3 Operator Skins GobbleGum Pack for Zombies 12 GobbleGums of high rarities Reflect 115 Camo Pack for use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone** Unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare ZombiesForced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.*Battle Pass, BlackCell and Tier Skips will be accessible in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.**Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III or Call of Duty: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Cross-Gen BundleActivision Publishing Inc.308$69.99Get it nowXbox Game PassIncludes: Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the gameForced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 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 property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.BlackCell Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Activision Publishing Inc.22Get it nowThis Pack contains BlackCell (1 Season) for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6*, including Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more.*Battle Pass and BlackCell will be accessible in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 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 property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.Call of Duty: WarzoneActivision Publishing Inc.1786Get it nowWelcome to Call of Duty: Warzone, the massive free-to-play combat arena which features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and thrilling modes and updated gameplay features.Turn the Heat UpPrepare to take the battle to a massive metropolis in the Urzikstan map, the big Battle Royale map. Or Jump into the fan favorite small Resurgence map, Rebirth Island. No matter where you land, these locales are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.Loot For RewardsDiscover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty: Warzone. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty: Warzone.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, MODERN WARFARE and CALL OF DUTY WARZONE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

As we continue our mission at Xbox to bring the joy and community of gaming to even more people, we remain committed to protecting players from disruptive online behavior, creating experiences that are safer and more inclusive, and continuing to be transparent about our efforts to keep the Xbox community safe.Our fifth Transparency Report highlights some of the ways were combining player-centric solutions with the responsible application of AI to continue amplifying our human expertise in the detection and prevention of unwanted behaviors on the platform, and ultimately, ensure we continue to balance and meet the needs of our growing gaming community.During the period from January 2024 to June 2024, we have focused our efforts on blocking disruptive messaging content from non-friends, and the detection of spam and advertising with the launch of two AI enabled tools that reflect our multifaceted approach to protecting players.Among the key takeaways from the report:Balancing safety and authenticity in messaging: We introduced a new approach to detect and intercept harmful messages between non-friends, contributing to a significant rise in disruptive content prevented. From January to June, a total of 19M pieces of Xbox Community Standards-violating content were prevented from reaching players across text, image, and video. This new approach balances two goals: safeguarding players from harmful content sent by non-friends, while still preserving the authentic online gaming experiences our community enjoys. We encourage players to use the New Xbox Friends and Followers Experience, which gives more control and flexibility when connecting with others.Safety boosted by player reports: Player reporting continues to be a critical component in our safety approach. During this period, players helped us identify an uptick in spam and advertising on the platform. We are constantly evolving our strategy to prevent creation of inauthentic accounts at the source, limiting their impact on both players and the moderation team. In April, we took action on a surge of inauthentic accounts (1.7M cases, up from 320k in January) that were affecting players in the form of spam and advertising. Players helped us identify this surge and pattern by providing reports in Looking for Group (LFG) messages. Player reports doubled to 2M for LFG messages and were up 8% to 30M across content types compared to the last transparency report period.Our dual AI approach: We released two new AI tools built to support our moderation teams. These innovations not only prevent the exposure of disruptive material to players but allow our human moderators to prioritize their efforts on more complex and nuanced issues. The first of these new solutions is Xbox AutoMod, a system that launched in February and assists with the moderation of reported content. So far, it has handled 1.2M cases and enabled the team to remove content affecting players 88% faster. The second AI solution we introduced launched in July and proactively works to prevent unwanted communications. We have directed these solutions to detect Spam and Advertising and will expand to prevent more harm types in the future. Underpinning all these new advancements is a safety system that relies on both players and the expertise of human moderators to ensure the consistent and fair application of our Community Standards, while improving our overall approach through a continuous feedback loop.At Microsoft Gaming, our efforts to drive innovation in safety and improve our players experience also extends beyond the Transparency Report:Prioritizing Player Safety with Minecraft: Mojang Studios believes every player can play their part in keeping Minecraft a safe and welcoming place for everyone. To help with that, Mojang has released a new feature in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition that sends players reminders about the games Community Standards when potentially inappropriate or harmful behavior is detected in text chat. This feature is intended to remind players on servers of the expected conduct and create an opportunity for them to reflect and change how they communicate with others before an account suspension or ban is required. Elsewhere, since the Official Minecraft Server List launched a year ago, Mojang, in partnership with GamerSafer, has helped hundreds of server owners improve their community management and safety measures. This has helped players, parents, and trusted adults find the Minecraft servers committed to the safety and security practices they care about.Upgrades to Call of Dutys Anti-Toxicity Tools: Call of Duty is committed to fighting toxicity and unfair play. In order to curb disruptive behavior that violates the franchises Code of Conduct, the team deploys advanced tech, including AI, to empower moderation teams and combat toxic behavior. These tools are purpose-built to help foster a more inclusive community where players are treated with respect and are competing with integrity. Since November 2023, over 45 million text-based messages were blocked across 20 languages and exposure to voice toxicity dropped by 43%. With the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the team rolled out support for voice moderation in French and German, in addition to existing support for English, Spanish, and Portuguese. As part of this ongoing work, the team also conducts research on prosocial behavior in gaming.As the industry evolves, we continue to build a gaming community of passionate, like-minded and thoughtful players who come to our platform to enjoy immersive experiences, have fun, and connect with others. We remain committed to platform safety and to creating responsible AI by design, guided by Microsofts Responsible AI Standard and through our collaboration and partnership with organizations like the Tech Coalition. Thank you, as always, for contributing to our vibrant community and for being present with us on our journey.Some additional resources: Share feedback via theXbox Insiders programor on theXbox Support websiteRead ourXbox Community StandardsLearn about the Xbox Family Settings app anddownload the appwhen youre readyKeep up to speed onPrivacy and Online SafetyRemain informed onHow to Report a PlayerandHow to Submit a Case ReviewDiscover Minecraft Educations immersive learning worlds:Privacy ProdigyCyberSafe: Home Sweet HmmGood GameNeed help?Request a Call, Chat Online, and More

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Its a big year for the Warcraft universe, and whether youre a Hearthstone fan, youve joined the chaos in Warcraft Rumble, ventured into the world of Azeroth for the first time in Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, or youre a World of Warcraft player, theres something for everyone in our Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream. Join us for a celebration as we dip into the mana pool of nostalgia and cast far sight on the future of all things Warcraft.Get the Drop on New RewardsViewers can watch on any Warcraft, Hearthstone, or Warcraft Rumble stream on Twitch or TikTok to earn rewards during the giveaway period from November 13 at 10:00 am PST through December 11 at 10:00 am PST. Learn more in our previously published article.Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct News Round-UpWeve rounded up everything you need to know from the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct here. Jump directly to each section to learn more: Warcraft RTS, Hearthstone, Warcraft Rumble, World of Warcraft, World of Warcraft Classic, World of Warcraft: The War Within.Rediscover 30 Years of the Warcraft RTSIts been 30 years since Warcraft: Orcs and Humans made its debut, setting the path for so many stories and adventures that have come after. To continue these adventures in the Warcraft series, weve released Patch 2.0 now available for all Warcraft III: Reforged players.The patch overhauls environments, lighting, and the user interface. It also introduces uprezzed classic Warcraft III assets to HD, allowing players to choose and customize their graphical experience. Mix and match assets as you wish. There are also new quality-of-life improvements such as in-game hotkey customization, updated ladder, and much much more.Beyond the update for Warcraft III: Reforged, were happy to announce the release of fully remastered versions of Warcraft I and Warcraft II, taking you beyond Orcs and Humans, the Tides of Darkness, and the Dark Portal for the first time, again. Players will be able to switch between the original graphics and the remastered versions in real time. Weve also added more modern controls to Warcraft I, such as right-click move, band box select, and faster game speed.Both Warcraft I and II also have UI and UX improvements, such as tooltips and health bars, a mission select screen, and increased unit selection.Warcraft II will continue to have multiplayer functionality, and all legacy custom maps will remain fully compatible and playable.Travel back in time to experience each of these titles once more or for the very first time by visiting the shop: Warcraft I: Remastered, Warcraft II: Remastered, Warcraft III: Reforged.Youll never forget the first time you hear zug zug.Introducing the Warcraft Battle ChestWeve also brought back the Battle Chest, allowing players to purchase all three games in one bundle. For those who already purchased Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft: II Battle.net edition, or Warcraft III: Reforged from the Battle.net shop, the bundle will be available at a discount.Add the Battle Chest to your Collection NowHearthstoneHearthstone: Heroes of StarCraft The Great Dark Beyond Mini-Set Early next year, Hearthstone is going beyond Warcraft and into... Heroes of StarCraft!This special Mini-Set will have a whopping 49 new cards across three themed factions, which show what the StarCraft universe would look like in the Hearthstone Tavern. Each faction is made up of cards that can be used across multiple classes, including an iconic Hero card.ZergDeath Knight, Demon Hunter, Hunter, and Warlock have joined the Zerg! Led by the formidable Sarah Kerrigan, they will have aggressive cards that win the game by swarming the board.ProtossDruid, Mage, Priest, and Rogue fight for the Protoss Empire. Led by the High Templar Artanis, they will have powerful, high-cost cards that are made cheaper throughout the game.TerranPaladin, Shaman, and Warrior make up the Terran forces, lead by the one and only Jim Raynor. They will command Battlecruisersa special take on the Starship mechanic from The Great Dark Beyond.The Mini-Set will feature a slew of StarCraft units which are sure to invoke nostalgia, as well as the Terran-armored Murloc, Grunty, and new, thematic music. You can chart a course for the Heroes of StarCraft Mini-Set, launching in January 2025! More announcements, details, and card reveals are coming closer to launch.Major Arena UpdatesThen, for the first time in 10 years, Arena Mode is getting a major overhaul. With that update, there will be two kinds of Arena to choose from. Normal Arena will be shorter form, allowing you to complete your runs more quickly. Competitive Arena players will be able to play in the higher-stakes Underground Arena, with longer runs and a new feature: Re-Draft on Loss. Re-Draft on Loss means that, after you lose, youll have the option to re-draft cards, edit your deck, and keep your run alive.Ratings will also be added to both Normal and Underground Arena. Normal, skill-based matchmaking will be used for Normal Arena. Underground Arena throws caution to the wind and lets you face off against opponents of all skill levels.This major Arena revamp is coming in the first half of next year. Look out for more details about this update closer to when it goes live.A Preview of the Year Ahead: The Year of the Raptor!On top of those updates, Hearthstone has an exciting year of expansions ahead, with much-requested themes, locations, and familiar faces across Azeroth.In the first expansion of the year, enter the Emerald Dream and join the battle between the Old Gods and the Druids of the Emerald Dream for the fate of the World Tree. Things will heat up even more when the Druids of the Flame light up the Mini-Set (releasing earlier than normal this year, during the 32.2 Patch).The second expansion of the year will be Hearthstones first-ever sequel: the return to UnGoro Crater! Join Elise on a hunt for a mythical, lost Tortollan city. When you find it, join the Tortollans in a festival to celebrate the mighty dinosaurs of the crater in the 33.4 Mini-Set.In the third expansion of the year, travel with Chromie through alternate realities to recruit Legendary Warcraft heroes like youve never seen them before. Leading to the 34.4 Mini-Set: an epic showdown against Murozond at the end of time!Celebrate One-Year of Warcraft RumbleIts been one year since Warcraft Rumble went live. To celebrate, players can log in to Warcraft Rumble today and join the one-year anniversary celebration in game. Players can collect daily rewards, including new avatars and cosmetics!Introducing Split LeadersThe Warcraft universe is built on rich and diverse characters that may not fit into any singular family, and because of this, were introducing split Leaders! In Season 10, we reintroduce Sylvanas Windrunner as the first playable split Leader, honoring her allegiance to both the Horde and Undead families. Later, we will introduce Malfurion Stormrage as Alliance and Cenarion, Orgrim Doomhammer as Horde and Blackrock, and last but not least, Anubarak as Undead and Beast.Get Ready to Rumble from Your PCWarcraft Rumble is coming to PC! The PC beta will launch on December 10, 2024; stay tuned for more information!World of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft celebrates 20 years of adventure in Azeroth, bringing together players of all ages and abilities from all over the world, making connections both in the game and out.Inspired by the incredible story captured in The Remarkable Life of Ibelin documentary about Mats Ibelin Steennow live on Netflix a Norwegian WoW player who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, you can add the Reven Pack to your collection and support CureDuchenne, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and extending the lives of those affected by this disease.Live now in modern World of Warcraft, players can join the World of Warcraft 20th Anniversary Celebration to collect updated Tier 2 armor appearance sets, undertake Classic Timewalking, engage with others to defeat iconic world bosses, head to the Trading post, and earn iconic new rewards, and more.The War Within has taken the leap into the first chapter of the Worldsoul Saga and adventures continue in WoW Classic, but this is only the beginning of what we have planned.Season of DiscoveryCurrently, in Season of Discovery, players are exploring new adventures with new class abilities, all-new level-up raids, finding secrets, and teaming up to defeat Ragnaros and Nefarian. It wont be long until everyone can join the War Effort and open the gates to AhnQiraj, where theyll get to plunder the depths for new rewards and face new challenges.After AhnQiraj, players in Season of Discovery can look forward to one more phase, in which theyll face the dangers of Naxxramas, along with new instanced content featuring the Scarlet Crusade as well as adventures in Deadwind Pass!Cataclysm ClassicIn Cataclysm Classic, Ragnaros has risen in the Firelands once more, and players are working toward adding the Dragonwrath Staff to their collection. In the final phase of Cataclysm Classic, players will experience the Hour of Twilight patch and Dragon Soul raid dungeon early next year.And thats not all we have in store for Classic World of Warcraft.Revisit the Mists of PandariaWere pleased to announce that Mists of Pandaria Classic will be arriving in the summer of 2025, taking players back to the shores of Pandaria and bringing its legendary class design, incredible raids and dungeons, stunning environments, and (of course) an unforgettable soundtrack.WoW Classic 20th Anniversary EditionRelive the World of Warcraft Classic experience with all-new fresh realms in the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition arriving November 21. Join players on a whole new journey to level 60, with the first raid dungeon, Molten Core, becoming available a few weeks after launch. Choose to play on a PvP realm, a Normal PvE realm, or (for the very first time) a Hardcore realm progressing through content with the other realms all from the beginning, with fresh economies, on very large realms.These realms will launch with some of the quality-of-life features that came later in the WoW Classic cycle, such as the Chronoboon Displacer to save your world buffs and the improved PvP Honor Ranking system. The PvP and Normal PvE realms will also progress into Burning Crusade Classic!It's never too late to go back and re-experience World of Warcraft anewjust in time to celebrate 20 years of adventures in Azeroth!World of Warcraft: The War WithinThe first chapter of the Worldsoul Saga kicked off in August with the launch of The War Within, bringing with it myriad new experiences with a new raid, dungeons, delves, PvP, new appearances and rewards, pets, mounts and much more.Siren IsleOn the horizon, our next content update, Siren Isle, is currently available on the Public Test Realms (PTR), and the update will go live next month with a little something for everyone. This update also includes the epilogue questline for Dalaran and the Kirin Tor. No spoilers, but the storyline will feature the mysterious haranir, who also starred in the expansion release cinematic.The Siren Isle introduces a new outdoor environment to explore, full of mysteries to uncover and rewards to help catch your alternate characters up and prepare for the next War Within season ahead.Plunderstorm ReturnsPlunderstorm is returning with a new Plunderstore to provide more flexibility for earning rewards instead of a linear Renown track. There are also some quality-of-life changes to spell interactions, the UI and more ahead.The Siren Isle content update also brings with it Turbulent Timeways once more and additional updates to the Feast of Winter Veil in-game holiday event.New The War Within Novella: HeartlandsWere introducing a new novella that explores more of the story behind the scenes. Find out what happened with Jaina and Thrall after the Fall of Dalaran as they seek out reinforcements in this five-chapter special available today and as read by Chris Metzen!Listen and read here.Up Next Undermined!Xalataths trail leads adventurers to a location in our next major content update that has long been known about but, as yet, remained unexploredthe Undermine.Players will travel deep into the goblin city of Undermine, the capital of the goblins trade empire! It is a city like none other seen before in World of Warcraft and stands as a testament to goblin intelligence and creativity as experts in both technology and alchemy. As our adventures continue, well learn more about goblin culture and society that we have never been able to see before. Well learn whats important to them, the problems they are trying to solve everything that makes them truly unique, and what theyre capable of as a society. Well dig a bit deeper beyond just their humor and explosions, though there will still be explosions and a LOT of mayhem to be found.Youll arrive in an Undermine thats in conflict between the four major goblin cartels: Steamwheedle, Blackwater, Bilgewater, and the Venture Company. Each cartel is run by notorious goblins like Monte Gazlowe, Renzik The Shiv, Baron Revilgaz, Marin Noggenfogger, and more. Which one you align yourself with is up to you.Youll want to make sure you have a sweet ride to roll around town in players can earn a customizable vehicle early on thats designed just for use in Undermine. Youll push the boundaries of locomotion on the roads of Undermine and speed through its causeways and byways at a higher rate than a ground mount can.Players can adjust the cars driving characteristics by adding a little extra grip to hug the roads or adjust to slide and glide as they drift around corners. Want to accelerate faster? Then, you may have to sacrifice a little speed. How you customize your cars characteristics is up to you.New Dungeon- Operation: FloodgateThe new dungeon, Operation: Floodgate, builds on the narrative of Undermine as players race to stop a group of goblins from blowing a dam that will bring ruin to the Ringing Deeps.This new dungeon will be available immediately as a part of the new The War Within Season 2 dungeon pool on Heroic, Mythic, and Mythic+, alongside the four other launch dungeons and three legacy dungeons. Well share more information on the full slate of dungeons at a later point, but we would be remiss if we didnt include MOTHERLODE from Battle for Azeroth in the rotation.Players will also experience two new Delves and variations of existing Delves in the content update. Seasonal updates are also being introduced to Brann Bronzebeard, a new adversary to follow, Zekvir, and a new set of goblin-inspired Curios.New Raid- Liberation of UndermineExperience a new 8-boss raid dungeon that takes you through the city streets and into the magnificent Gallagio brimming with color and extravagance, it houses the dark secrets of its owner Gallywix.Theres more at play here than it first seems, and goblin politics are treacherous and fraught with the underpinnings of something more where Xalatath is concerned.Theres even more ahead in 2025, and we have the roadmaps to help guide you on what you can look forward to in World of Warcraft and WoW Classic.Thank you for making Azeroth your home over these last two decades. Speaking of home, the World of Warcraft team has one last thing to share with youAnd yes, in World of Warcraft: Midnight, your next adventure begins at home. A house to call your very own. Stay tuned!Wherever your gaming experience takes you, we cant wait to continue on this journey with you all.Loktar ogar! Well see you at the Inn, in Azeroth, and wherever the road takes us all next!

As Rogue Black Ops attempt to topple the Luttazzi Crime Family and drive Crimson One forces out of Avalon, Operators in the field are going to need the finest gear and weapons for the battles ahead. Ready up with the Season 01 Battle Pass, BlackCell, and Store content dropping into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone on November 14, and throughout the first part of the season.An all-new Battle Pass System grants you the opportunity to earn 100+ rewards, including free base weapons, numerous Weapon Blueprints, Equipment Skins, Operator Skins, and much more. There are three ways to obtain some or all of this content:Earn 20+ free rewards, including cosmetic content and base weapons.Purchase the premium Battle Pass and earn up to 1,100 COD Points as you progress through the Battle Pass Pages.Or purchase BlackCell for the ultimate seasonal experience, including a variety of molten hot Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, COD points, and other rewards.The Season 01 Black Ops 6 Battle Pass is brimming over with content, which is both showcased and unlocked in a brand new Page system. Think of the Battle Pass as a book, with 17 total pages. The first Page displays BlackCell Instant Rewards and the second Page shows premium Battle Pass Instant Rewards, followed by 100 in-game Battle Pass rewards across 14 Pages and a Completion Page that is instantly unlocked once all other Pages are completed. Pages include Free and Paid content. As always, all Base Weapons are free to unlock.Purchase the premium Battle Pass for 1,100 COD Points for the ability to earn all Battle Pass rewards. For a head start on the season, grab the Battle Pass Bundle for 2,400 COD Points, including 20+ Tier Skips.Starting Your Battle Pass Journey: Page 1The Season 01 Battle Pass Instant Rewards PageAs you start your new Battle Pass journey, the Instant Reward Page and Page 1 are unlocked by default. All the other Pages are locked but can be previewed. Your goal is to complete the Battle Pass and access the 100 percent Completion Page at the end of the Battle Pass.The Season 01 Battle Pass Page 1Each Page contains a slight variation on the following:Around six item rewards (known as Tiers) that are unlocked in any order you wish within the Page. Each requires an earned Battle Pass Token to unlock.Each Page (except for the BlackCell, Instant, and Completion Pages) contains up to two free Tier rewards. The rest are unlocked via purchasing the premium Battle Pass, BlackCell, or the Vault EditionAn HVT (High Value Target) Tier reward is unlocked once all the previous items on that page are unlocked. This is usually an Operator Skin or Weapon Blueprint, and sometimes theres a BlackCell variant.When both the regular and HVT Tiers are unlocked, the Page is complete.Use the Auto Claim feature to automatically unlock rewards as you play. Or turn it off to earn Battle Pass Tokens used to manually claim rewards.Battle Tokens: Unlocking a PageThe Season 01 Battle Pass Page 6, with Tiers needed to unlock (from Page 1).Battle Pass Tokens make their return to the Battle Pass and work in a similar way to those in previous Battle Passes. A Token Bank is displayed in the top-right corner of your Battle Pass. These are used to unlock the l reward Tiers across all 14 Pages.Premium Battle Pass and BlackCell owners can spend these Tokens on any available Tier reward on an unlocked Page. Tiers can also be automatically unlocked by turning on the Auto Claim feature; with this feature, Tokens are spent as they are earned and not deposited in a Token Bank.Players who do not own the premium Battle Pass earn free rewards in a linear order and do not have access to Tokens.Unlocking Later PagesThe Season 01 Battle Pass Page 7.If there is a reward in a later Page that catches your eye, you simply need to earn enough Battle Tokens to unlock that Page and its Tier content.BlackCell owners get the bonus of unlocking a single Battle Pass Page at any point, regardless of whether the Pages before it are unlocked. Begin unlocking Tier Rewards on that Page immediately.Each new Page requires reaching a certain threshold of claimed Tiers before it unlocks; you dont have to complete an entire Page to access the next one.BlackCell Season 01: Goliath Operator (Rogue Black Ops)BlackCell Instant Rewards Page, HVTJoin the molten, crystalized skull-headed Goliath as he stalks the epic Season 01 BlackCell content. Featuring the Goliath Operator Skin with writhing flames across his onyx carapace armor, this orange-hued demon favors fiery combat and swift deaths. Goliath is part of an impressive BlackCell offering that brings the heat, delivering Operators clad in true Black Ops style with deep blacks and fiery orange accent hues.Additional BlackCell Instant Rewards ContentUpgrade your Battle Pass Experience: Purchase BlackCell to gain complete access to all the amazing rewards offered in the Season 01 Battle Pass. Owners will gain immediate access to the BlackCell Instant Rewards page, acquiring the following items:20 Battle Pass Tier Skips1,100 COD PointsThe Boiling Point Mastercraft Weapon Blueprint for the Goblin Mk2 (Assault Rifle) thats literally dripping with molten heat including a first-of-its-kind unique weapon inspect animation.The Whos Laughing Now Finishing Move with Companion Hyena.The BlackCell Clan Tag (showcased in Lobbies and Winners Circles).The Goliath New Operator.Additionally, BlackCell owners can expect to access page after page of additional rewards within the Season 01 Battle Pass. These include:Seven BlackCell-exclusive Operator Skins for: Sev (two Skins), Bayan, Bailey, Carver, Alvarez, and Stone.Six BlackCell-exclusive Weapon Blueprints for the XM4 (Assault Rifle), Marine SP (Shotgun), Tsarkov 7.62 (Marksman Rifle), GPMG-7 (LMG), Saug (SMG), Krig C (Assault Rifle).The ability to unlock any single Page from the Battle Pass, ignoring the usual minimum Tier requirements. From here, you can unlock the Tiers within that Page, and progress forwards (or backwards) from the Page provided the subsequent Tier unlock criteria is met.NEW: Access to BlackCell-themed rewards throughout Season 01, offering earnable content throughout the Season.Over 130 Rewards (Battle Pass and BlackCell related) for those who fully complete the Season 01 BlackCell Battle Pass.As usual, players who upgrade to BlackCell after purchasing the Battle Pass will also receive 1,100 COD Points back.If youre considering an upgrade to the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition, this is the time to do it! For the same price as the BlackCell offering ($30 or your regional equivalent), the Vault Edition entitles you to the very same Season 01 BlackCell offering, along with the following:The Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack featuring Operator Skins for Adler, Park, Brutus, and Klaus.The Mastercraft Weapon Collection (five weapons).The GobbleGum Pack (12 single-use consumables).Woods Operator PackNote for Prestige Players: Any Weapon Blueprint and Equipment Skin you unlock in the Battle Pass is permanently unlocked and does not re-lock when you subsequently Prestige.When you purchase the premium Battle Pass or BlackCell, you immediately unlock the Battle Pass Instant Rewards Page, including the following items:10% Battle Pass XP Boost.The Superbloom Frag Grenade Skin.The Thorn Legendary Blueprint for the Tanto .22 SMG.The Rose Goes Legendary Weapon Sticker.The new Sev Operator and Sev Skin, along with the Sev BlackCell Operator Skin for BlackCell owners.Sevati Sev Dumas (Rogue Black Ops)Battle Pass Instant Reward Page, HVTA main player in the Rogue Team after the conclusion of the Campaign, Sev is ready to make a deal with the untrustworthy French Syndicate and is gearing up to take down the rival Luttazzi family to prove it. Sporting two different Skins, depending on the infiltration mission at hand, shes more than ready to lead the charge.Complete Battle Pass Pages and choose content to unlock, including a variety of Operator Skins, many paired with an molten hot Animated BlackCell variants:Bayan: Drifter SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Page 2Bayan is clad for dark ops with dark gray and black tactical attire, including a black balaclava, gloves, and pouches. His alternate BlackCell form features cracked lava, embers and smoke rising from his jacket, and a featureless mask with glowing eye sockets.Maya: Underground SkinOperator Skin, Battle Pass, Page 3Maya lets her hair down and travels light, dropping her jacket in favor of a burgundy tank top, braces and a pair of camo pants.Bailey: Anarchist SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Page 4Dropping her mask and going for a clean tactical look, top-knot, face tattoo and a light combat jacket in black and white with red piping. Her BlackCell variant changes the outfit to a black and molten orange, burning flecks of fire emanating from her, and a glowing hand tattoo.Carver: Tarnished SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Page 7Mac is on the hunt and comes prepped with a camo vest with numerous pouches, a snakeskin-sheathed hunting knife, a shock of white hair and neck gaiter. In his BlackCell form, Carver goes molten, smoking with fire while his face-covering sports a pair of tactical goggles reflecting an inferno inside.Alvarez: Flight Path SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Page 9Clad in fighter pilot combat gear with front pouches, a comms radio and large helmet with reflective visor and purple accents, Alvarez sports a rust and black BlackCell variant with animated flames scorching across her helmet visor.Nazir: Slick Style SkinOperator Skin, Battle Pass, Page 11Clad for rappelling maneuvers in a swift and sleek manner, Nazir goes with a combat jacket and decides on red gloves, matching crimson tactical joggers, and lower torso buckles.Stone: Zip Tie SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Page 12Stone changes his usual combat plans and aims to take prisoners as his deep gray combat fatigues and camo pouches that also come with a set of zip ties. Under his hood, Stone wears a set of cyclopean vision goggles. His BlackCell variant switches up the outfit to black, and the augmentations to glowing orange.Rossi: Mean Streets SkinOperator Skin, Battle Pass, Page 13Channeling a more dapper style from a bygone era, Rossis hair is slicked back with a cowlick, a neck scarf, shirt and braces, and suit trousers, with room to pack a pistol and comms radio.Niran: Big Slick SkinOperator Skin, Battle Pass, Page 14While pinstripe pants and a bikers jacket might not work on some Operators, Niran pulls off the look with badass aplomb, including sporty shades with tactical side shields.Perhaps the two most important Battle Pass Pages are the ones containing a new Base Weapon. All players can access these for free (as always) at Season 01 Launch.Saug Submachine GunBattle Pass, HVT, Page 3Levels: 39MAGS: 4MAG SIZE: 36Mastery Badges: YesAttachments: Optic, Muzzle, Barrel, Underbarrel, Magazine, Rear Grip, Stock, Laser, Fire ModsCustomize Options: Skins, Reticle Unlocks (MP, ZM, WZ), Accessories (1), Decals (1), Stickers 3).Military Camos: 21 (MP, ZM, WZ)Special Camos: 6 (MP, ZM, WZ)Mastery Camos: 12 (MP, ZM, WZ)Fully automatic submachine gun. Excellent mobility and good handling. Great rate of fire. High recoil.Pepper your enemies with a hailstorm of lead using this rapid-fire SMG thats perfect for breaching and clearing small spaces. Pull down when aiming down sights to counter the Saugs recoil, or better yet, improve the weapons already great hip-fire capabilities with the appropriate attachments, including the Tactical Laser for a killer combo of mobility and accuracy via Tactical Stance. Or go all out on hip-fire with the Akimbo Saug Stock for unmatched SMG firepower.Krig C Assault RifleBattle Pass, HVT, Page 6Levels: 43MAGS: 3MAG SIZE: 30Mastery Badges: YesAttachments: Optic, Muzzle, Barrel, Underbarrel, Magazine, Rear Grip, Stock, Laser, Fire ModsCustomize Options: Skins, Reticle Unlocks (MP, ZM, WZ), Accessories (1), Decals (1), Stickers 3).Military Camos: 21 (MP, ZM, WZ)Special Camos: 6 (MP, ZM, WZ)Mastery Camos: 12 (MP, ZM, WZ)Full-auto assault rifle. High damage and average handling. Recoil pattern starts very controllable before ramping up.For a hard-hitting, versatile Assault Rifle that performs well across multiple ranges, look no further than the Krig C. The weapon inflicts moderate damage across the whole body with a four-shot elimination within its effective range, three when accounting for headshots. Recoil control becomes shakier through sustained fire, so burst fire to retain accuracy or consider attachments offering improved control to help counter the ramped-up movement.With 30 Weapon Blueprints to earn across the Season 01 Battle Pass and BlackCell, lets first check out the armaments with a single, unique Blueprint design:Thorn Tanto .22 Submachine Gun, Instant RewardTurmoil ASG-89 Shotgun, Page 1Idle Hands XMG Light Machine Gun, Page 2Batter Up Melee Baseball Bat, Page 4Tattered AK-74 Assault Rifle, Page 4Tip the Scales Goblin Mk 2 Assault Rifle, Page 5Omert Grekova Pistol, Page 6Eviscerator Melee Knife, Page 7Forced Retreat SVD Sniper Rifle, Page 8Tide Turner GS45 Pistol, Page 8Strained PP-919 Submachine Gun, Page 9Psycho Snake Model L Assault Rifle, Page 10Coroner GPR 91 Assault Rifle, Page 11Butchers Friend Melee Knife, Page 12 (not shown)Liars Gambit C9 Submachine Gun, Page 12Reconciliation AEK-973 Marksman Rifle, Page 13Crack Shot LW3A1 Frostline Sniper Rifle, Page 13Now lets focus on all the HVT Weapon Blueprints that have molten BlackCell variants. Note that all BlackCell variants are Animated with Magma Tracers and Molten Death FX.Boiling Point Goblin Mk2 Assault Rifle, BlackCell Instant Reward. Mastercraft, Animated, with Magma Tracers and Molten Death FX.Wild Mannered and Wild Mannered BlackCell XM4 Assault Rifle, HVT, Page 1.Boomslang and Boomslang BlackCell Marine SP Shotgun, HVT, Page 5.Furious and Furious BlackCell Tsarkov 7.62 Marksman Rifle, HVT, Page 8.Hither Slither and Hither Slither BlackCell GPMG-7 Light Machine Gun, HVT, Page 10.Animated Salutations (with Red & White Tracers) and Salutations BlackCell Saug Submachine Gun, HVT, Page 11.Animated, Reactive Bad Beat with Violet Darkness Tracers and Animted, Reactive Bad Beat BlackCell with Violet Heat Tracers and Violet Molten Death FX Krig C Assault Rifle, HVT, Page 14.Black Ops 6 introduces a larger variety of Equipment Skins than ever before, whichonce youve earned the itemyou access and equip in the Loadout menu. Heres what to expect:Superboom Frag Grenade Skin (Lethal), Battle Pass Instant Reward (shown)La Petite Concussion Grenade Skin (Tactical), Page 3 (shown)Clamped View Reticle (Optic Attachment), Page 4Inside Shot Reticle (Optic Attachment), Page 612 Gauge Dragons Breath (Fire Mod Attachment), Page 7 (shown)Snake Charmer RC-XD (Scorestreak), Page 9Bracketed Reticle (Optic Attachment), Page 10Viperfire Sentry Turret Skin (Scorestreak), Page 10 (shown)New Emotes, Finishing Moves, and SpraysEquipped in the Customize Menu of your Barracks, theres a selection of new Emotes, Finishing Moves and Sprays to bring your personal flavor to the fight. Showcase these rewards during matches or (with Emotes) during the Winners Circle. Heres what to expect:Whos Laughing Now Finishing Move (with Hyena Companion), BC IRHeadache Finishing Move, Page 2Hit Run Hitman Finishing Move, Page 9Good Point Finishing Move, Page 14Sore Throat Emote, Page 7I Oughta! Emote, Page 9Move Set Emote, Page 14Royal Rage Spray, Page 1 (shown)Sliced Spray, Page 6To A Flame Spray, Page 8 (shown)Grim Shadow Spray, Page 11 (shown)Spinal Rat Spray, Page 12 (shown)The Black Ops 6 Battle Pass offers a wealth of content, including item highlights (shown above) from the following additional categories:COD PointsWeapon Charms (example shown above)Weapon Large Decals (example shown above)Weapon Stickers (example shown above)GobbleGums (example shown above, 13 total, various rarities and powers)Finishing MovesEmblems (example shown above)Calling Cards (some Animated)Loading ScreensClan Tags (BlackCell only)Consumable 2XP & 2WXP TokensSeason 01 Battle Pass Weapon Blueprints TrackerTo ascertain which weapons the Battle Pass gives you earnable Blueprints for, heres a table listing every Season 01 Battle Pass Weapon Blueprint. Note that when you unlock a Weapon Blueprint, it becomes permanently unlocked during Prestige leveling. Battle Pass Weapon Blueprints Tracker:ASSAULT RIFLES::::TypeXM4AK-74GPR 91 Model LGoblin Mk2Goblin Mk2Krig C:Blueprint NameWild ManneredTatteredCoronerPsycho SnakeBoiling Point Tip the Scales Bad Beat:BlackCellYesNoNoNoYesNoYes:Page141110BC IR514:SUBMACHINE GUNS::::TypeC9Tanto .22PP-919Saug:Blueprint NameLiars GambitThorn StrainedSalutations:BlackCellNoNoNoYes:Page12BP911:SHOTGUNS::::TypeMarine SPASG-89:Blueprint NameBoomslangTurmoil:BlackCellYesNo:Page51:LIGHT MACHINE GUNS::::TypeXMGGPMG-7:Blueprint NameIdle HandsHither Slither :BlackCellNoYes:Page210:MARKSMAN RIFLES::::TypeTsarkov 7.62AKE-973:Blueprint NameFuriousReconciliation:BlackCellYesNo:Page813:SNIPER RIFLES::::TypeLW3A1 FrostlineSVD:Blueprint NameCrack ShotForced Retreat:BlackCellNoNo:Page138:PISTOLS::::TypeGrekovaGS45:Blueprint NameOmertTide Turner:BlackCellNoNo:Page68:MELEE::::TypeKnifeKnifeBaseball Bat:Blueprint NameButchers FriendEvisceratorBatter Up:BlackCellNoNoNo:Page1274Complete all the Battle Pass Pages and youre automatically rewarded with a final Completion Page filled with exciting content. This includes the following:200 COD PointsWonderbar! Ultra GobbleGumSeason 01 EmblemCrasher Calling CardOpulent Ultra Skin with a BlackCell variant awarded to BlackCell OwnersSev: Opulent SkinsOperator Skins, Battle Pass and BlackCell, HVT, Completion PageSev sports a silver and black carapace plate and face mask, leather jacket and shorts, gun garter, and exposed tats. Her BlackCell alter egos ink is seared into her skin, glowing with a fiery orange hue.The Season 01 Announcement Blog detailed some exciting in-store Bundles coming to the game during the Launch Window. Check out this recap along with additional reveals.Look out for Ultra Skins, Reactives, and Mastercraft Weapon Blueprints across this seasons Bundles.Ultra Skins are highly detailed, themed, and often include VFX.Reactive Skins and Weapons feature a visual effect that intensifies as you land more eliminations.Mastercraft Weapon Blueprints include custom animations, unique weapon inspects, and much more.We are excited to announce the all-new Locked Visuals Feature exclusive to Mastercrafts. Now players can change Barrel, Stock, and other attachments while maintaining the weapons signature look.Tracer Pack: The ReplacerThe Replacer voiced by Peter StormareYour services are no longer needed; sub in The Replacer and become undeniable! Replace both yourself and your enemies with the Tracer Pack: The Replacer Bundle. The Bundle comes with a new Operator sporting two Operator Skins: The Replacer and a molten The Replacer BlackCell*, along with the Quick Wit Animated AS Val and Ramifications Animated PU-21 Blueprints, the Aura +5000 Animated Calling Card, Many Hats Animated Emblem, Replacement Killer Finishing Move, and a vehicular Weapon Charm.*BlackCell Owners: For BlackCell Season 01 owners, expect to receive the bonus The Replacer BlackCell skin in addition to all the regular bundle content. Note you must have obtained BlackCell prior to purchasing this Bundle; the skin will not be available if you purchase S01 BlackCell after purchasing this bundle.Competitor CDL Home and Away Operator BundlesNote that this Bundle includes the Weapon Camo for the shown weapons, not these weapons as BlueprintsRep your favorite pro team just in time for the arrival of Ranked Play and the 2025 Call of Duty: League season.Look for a variety of CDL Bundles themed around your favorite teams featuring a Home and Away variant of the Competitor Operator alongside other team-themed items like Weapon Camos, Large Decals, Calling Cards, Emblems, and Sprays.Tracer Pack: Parasite Warrior Ultra SkinLet the parasite take over with the gruesome and bloody Host Ultra Skin for Carver. Wield the infected Idiopathic Krig C Assault Rifle and Exo-Organism GPMG-7 LMG Weapon Blueprints. Get under your opponents skin with the Parasite Feast Companion Finishing Move. For a messier finish, deploy the Flesh Tangle Equipment Skin for the Zombie favorite Kazamir Device.Gross out your enemies with the Pest Control Emote, Back Spasm Animated Calling Card, Fearwood Loading Screen, Caustic Flight Weapon Sticker, and the Idle Eyes Legendary GobbleGum for Zombies.Tracer Pack: Cascade Failure ReactiveFollow your programming and eliminate the enemy with the cybernetic Attrition Skin for Marshall. Shut them down with the Reactive Kill Switch C9 SMG and Feedback Loop Tsarkov 7.62 Marksman Rifle Blueprints. Up close, dispatch enemies using the Acro-Badass Finishing Move.Lockdown the competition with the Big Guns Calling Card, Fully Jacked Large Decal, Brainjacked Loading Screen, and Machine Heart Weapon Charm.Tracer Pack: Steer ClearKick the tires and give em the horns with The Bull Skin for Caine, paired with the buck wild Yeehaw AK-74 Assault Rifle and Axel SVD Sniper Rifle Weapon Blueprints. Charge up close and finish off enemies with a devastating Finishing Move and keep the party going with the Mecha Bull Calling Card, Draw Emote, Steer Wrangler Spray, and Fire Breather Animated Emblem.Tracer Pack: Eternal Hunter Ultra SkinHunt the damned with the Volatile Ultra Skin for Rossi armed with three Legendary Weapon Blueprints: Vile Tribute XM4 Assault Rifle, Blood Draw Jackal PDW SMG, and Severer ASG-89 Shotgun. Stalk the night with the purple Hunters Mark Reticle, Stakeout Finishing Move, Bloodstalker Calling Card, Family Heirloom Weapon Charm, and Moonlit Emblem.Tracer Pack: Cash Bandit ReactiveSwap trash for cash as the Raccoon Goon Skin for Niran, a mischievous Operator ready to do damage with the Debt Collector Reactive Weapon Skin for the all new Sirin 9mm Special Weapon. Make sure you are backed up with the Vault Security GPR 91 Assault Rifle Blueprint.Cash in on your eliminations with the Cash Flow Reticle plus the Disarmed Finishing Move, Cash Eater Large Decal, and Raccoon Robber Weapon Charm. To help with the grind, this Bundle also includes a 1-hour Double XP Token.Tracer Pack: GDay BaitBounce them or bite them with the Bloke Biter Ultra Skin for Carver. This shark takes the ocean with him in the form of two Weapon Blueprints: overwhelm the enemy with the Bloody Water XMG LMG and race in for the bite with the Fair Dinkum KSV SMG.Share your soft side for the sea with the It Bites Emote, the Mechano-Shark Weapon Charm, Aussie Forever Large Decal, Making Waves Spray, and the Perfection Calling Card.Tracer Pack: Kick Some Brass Mastercraft Ultra SkinElectrocute enemies with the Chainblade Mastercraft Melee Blueprint wielded by the steam-powered Merciless Skin for Nazir. For ranged combat, eliminate targets with the Razor Burn XM4 Assault Rifle and Riptear Tanto .22 SMG Blueprints. Steam the punk out of them with the Akimbo Assassin Finishing Move.Activate the Show Off Emote in the Winners Circle and equip the Gearcrest Emblem, Synchsight Reticle, and Universal Weapon Charm.Plus, GobbleGum Packs and More!This is just a preview of the new content arriving in the Season 01 Store! Also keep an eye out for GobbleGum Packs, a new Store item that once purchased provides a collection of delicious and powerful single-use GobbleGums to consume during your future Zombies deployments.Other Bundles on the way include those predominantly featuring Weapon Blueprints; which include Hells Cleaner (with blueprints for the Power Drill and GPMG-7), Death Rattle (with a blueprint for the XMG), and Doom and Boom (with blueprints for the Cigma 2B, PU-21, and ARC-XD).Black Ops 6 is available now, and theres never been a better time to experience the spy action thriller Campaign, the in-depth tactical chaos of best-in-class Multiplayer, and soak in the gory glory of an incredible round-based Zombies experience! Click here to Purchase Black Ops 6. 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE, and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. The Call of Duty League names are the properties of their respective team owners. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.For more information, please visitwww.callofduty.comandwww.youtube.com/callofduty, and follow@Activisionand@CallofDutyon X, Instagram, and Facebook. For Call of Duty Updates, follow@CODUpdateson X.

Looking at social media comments, many seem confused, irritated, maybe a little scared by the fact that people indulge in virtual agriculture. How could they! And who are they, anyway? If the mere concept has you questioning the appeal of rural busywork, let us enlighten you.Pour yourself a cup of tea. Add a dash of your favorite energy drink, if you have to. Well explain who plays Farming Simulator and why they love it. Plus, with Farming Simulator 25 launching on Xbox Series X|S today, promising plenty of new updates and improvements its the perfect time to give a virtual farming career a try.Why Should You Start A Farm?Take your pick, there are many reasons: relaxation, escapism, self-determination, and generally wholesome entertainment are just the overarching buzzwords but heres a few more reasons to kick off your virtual farming career.Adapting to Challenges From yield improvement and timely management of fields to withstanding seasons and weather events like twisters. Youll be kept on your feet.Growing the Business Expand and grow your farm into an agricultural empire with construction projects, production chains, and the logistics to make it efficient.Mastering Agriculture Farmers never stop learning. Theres much for you to explore and experience. You will see tractors driving around with different eyes and maybe even appreciate the food in your fridge a bit more.Farming Simulator 25 offers plenty of possibilities to live out a farmers dream. For aspiring farmers as well as returning agriculturists who find new crops, animals, machine categories and depth of gameplay from the feeling of sinking into the mud of deformed soil, GPS-based steering for increased automation and efficiency, extended baling-mechanics based on consumable foil types (expert farmers really love it) up to new challenges like weather events, as twisters and hail prompt land owners to prepare.Who Even Plays This Stuff?Without flexing numbers, we can assure you that a lot of people play Farming Simulator. And we dont mean those with a knack for ironic entertainment, because lol, tractors. Sure, one fan told us he was given the game as a joke. He and his family now own a real farm because he got a bit hooked on the idea and is probably the last one laughing. While you may not be rushing out to purchase your own fertile land just yet, you could find yourself fitting into some of the below archetypes.Kids notoriously like tractors and learn how to potato with Farming Simulator. There is some educational value for everyone. Do you know the difference between a plow, a cultivator, and a subsoiler?Parents can relax and play it with tiny observers present. It might be a nice first bonding-experience over gaming, and appropriate for all ages.Gamers who are into cooperative multiplayer. Building a multi-faceted empire of field operations, production chains, and logistics. Everyone plays a role.Stressed-out people too empty after work to engage in competitive online games where verbal shootouts sadly mock the honor of their female guardians.Everyone looking for satisfaction paired with relaxation. Harvesting a crop that grows in straight rows with an Alien-looking machine just scratches this very particular itch.Farmers. The real ones. The ones harvesting the produce you buy at the supermarket and who are basically feeding the world. We know your next questionWhy Would Real Farmers Play It After Work?Hard to imagine for people who havent plowed before, but listen: playing Farming Simulator is not work!Farmers play it because of passion for agriculture. Its not just a job where you feel the need to numb yourself with social media doomscrolling.Farmers love machines, fine-mechanics, and impressive technology. Others enjoy that, too, and might get hooked on the 400+ machines all authentic and detailed.Farmers can experiment and so can you. 25 field crops, plus greenhouse crops, various tree species, and an ensemble of animals, now with goats & water buffalos.The reason is passion. Its as simple as that. For nature. For plants. For trees. Animals. Machines. And rewarding results. The game allows them to experiment with crops and machinery that they could never grow and operate on their own fields.Its hard to grow cotton in small fields somewhere in England, for example. Or buying cattle just so you can have natural, sustainable lawn mowers when you really have a sweet sugar beet farm. With three environments to choose from, North-America, Europe and East Asia, Farming Simulator 25 offers an agricultural variety not only farmers find exciting.Farming Simulator 25 Out TodayFarming Simulator 25 also features overall enhanced graphics, physics and effects making this entry of the family-friendly series the most atmospheric and immersive yet.If thats not enough for you, we have one of the most active modding communities with user-creations hands-on tested by our developers themselves available directly in the game.If you need help starting out, you can visit our Farming Simulator Academy, a series of official tutorials.Farming Simulator 25 is available today on Xbox Series X|S.Farming Simulator 25GIANTS Software GmbH11Get it nowPRE-ORDER NOW TO GET THE MacDon Pack FOR FREE!!!Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer you decide: This Farm is Your Farm!New features include: * Three maps in North America, East Asia & Central Europe* Crops: Rice, spinach, peas & green beans* Animals: Goats, water buffalo & baby animals* 400+ machines from 150+ agricultural brands* Weather events (Twister & Hail) and improved effects* Ground deformation & GPS-assisted steering* New production chains & farm shops & constructions* Many quality-of-farming improvements

MarketplaceWritten ByLinn VibergPublished11/12/24Moana sails into MinecraftThe wind is warm, the water blocks are glistening, and Im pretty sure I can hear the ancient voice of the ocean calling my name. Or perhaps its telling me that adventure awaits in the Moana 2 DLC by Disney and Starfish Studios! Since this DLC is available in multiplayer, lets both hop into our canoes and set sail for the island of Motunui, and maybe even beyond...Oh, there she is! The one and only Moana, here to teach us how to sing. No? Oh, not sing sail! Maybe wishful thinking but learning the ways of the ocean from somebody who knows how to wayfind sounds pretty epic.The Moana 2 DLC will take you on a journey across iconic locations on Motunui and beyond to relive moments from both Disneys Moana and Moana 2. Meet new and familiar characters like Moanas little sister Simea, the beady eyed Tamatoa, and, not to mention, our favorite rooster Hei Hei!Now that the people of Motunui have embraced voyaging once more, Chief Tui wants to expand the village to more islands. Moana and Maui will teach you to ride the ocean waves and then send you off on thrilling quests around the island and beyond the reef.Set sail beyond the reef with your canoe of choice!Discover the secrets of the Wayfinders Cavern, fight off the cute but equally sneaky little pirates called Kakamora, and dive into the monstrous realm of Lalotai to recover Mauis hook. I dont know if its the ocean again, but I think I hear whispers of a canoe race and an unforgettable island celebration in the name of an island hero, too.Top off your island adventure with the Flower Crown, available for free in the Dressing Room for a limited time!The Moana 2 DLC is out now, so put on your free Character Creator item: the Flower Crown and sail into Minecraft Marketplace to start your island adventure today. Community Creations Discover the best add-ons, mods, and more being built by the incredible Minecraft community!

Unleash Your Inner Warrior with the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Warrior Pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: WarzoneLearn MoreAnnouncing the Call of Duty Endowment [C.O.D.E.] Bowl IV Presented by USAA on October 5Learn MoreCall of Duty: Modern Warfare III: Detailing all Game Editions and Preorder BenefitsLearn MoreSupport Veterans With the Call of Duty Endowment Valkyrie Pack in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0Learn MoreExtract In-game Currency and Support Veterans in Loot for Good, A Charity Extraction Challenge for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 DMZLearn More5 Ways the Call of Duty Endowment Has Changed the Nonprofit SpaceLearn MoreThe Call of Duty Endowment Wins Its 7th National Award for #CODEMedicalHeroes CampaignLearn MoreCall of Duty: Next: Announcing Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Bowl III Presented by USAA on December 16 Learn MoreHow the Call of Duty Endowments Seal of Distinction Became a Social Impact BenchmarkLearn MoreSupport Veterans with the Call of Duty: Mobile C.O.D.E. Timeless PackLearn More

Lets get this out of the way if you havent played Case of the Golden Idol yet, you really should do that (hint: its on Game Pass). Developer Color Grays debut game is one of the most smartly conceived, intriguingly told puzzle games of recent years. Spinning the story of a seemingly magical artifact through a series of murder-mystery tableaus, you amass clues in each scene, then literally piece the story together yourself, word-by-word revealing an incredible fantasy-history tale of national conspiracy, political wrongdoing, and dangerous technology in the process. There was simply nothing quite like it until now.The sequel, Rise of the Golden Idol (which arrives on Xbox Series X|S tomorrow) is left in a pretty unique position as a result. How do you follow up a beloved one-off retaining what made it special, but expanding its world and ideas meaningfully? Color Gray has managed a truly deft balance here this is effectively the game you know, but a setting you really, really dont. Far from continuing where we left off, Rise picks up whole centuries after the events of the first game, in this worlds equivalent of the 1970s. For fans of Case, it means that, even if you have all the backstory, youre just as lost in the context of this world, giving you the thrill of putting all the pieces back together once again.This is a world where the very real Idol of the first game has not only become a myth, but been physically broken into pieces and we discover what happens when people begin putting them back together again. To give away any more would spoil the surprises, but its safe to say that while it deals in similar themes to the first game, this is a very different story.On first glance, you might assume that this is a very similar game, however. The basic formula remains each level gives you a look at a very specific (almost always violent) moment in time, and offers the option to click on the people and objects in that moment, picking up clues. These could be names, objects, or associated verbs. In each scene, youre given distinct puzzles figuring out who each character is, what their jobs might be in that moment and, almost always, a final conclusion as to whats happened in the run-up to the scene. Almost every one of the dozens of interactive elements will be relevant to that final conclusion, and youll need to use the bulk of the words youve amassed to put that together.Despite an upgraded art style retaining the Hogarthian caricatures of characters, but placing them in a grubbier urban context its very familiar. Until you reach the end of a chapter.This is Rise of the Golden Idols key new feature every chapter contains multiple scenes but, once youve completed them all, youre given an overarching meta-puzzle. Using all the information you collected from each scene, you then need to work out the story of what was going on around the full chapter itself often revealing twists youd never have expected. Youll likely need to revisit each scene to do so, jumping from moment to moment (and perhaps even the cutscenes and clues presented between those moments) to re-establish whether, say, that particular item which felt like a red herring at the time was actually a major clue you didnt know you needed.Its a truly smart piece of extra design nothing that you loved about the first game has been changed, theres just way more of it all of a sudden. Thats also a summation of the game as a whole, and perhaps the greatest recommendation I can give for Rise of the Golden Idol. Its a brilliant sequel to a brilliant game when something was this good already, who wouldnt want more of it?

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!Farming Simulator 25GIANTS Software GmbH$59.99Pre-orderFarming Simulator 25 November 12Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer you decide. New features include maps in North America, East Asia, and Central Europe; crops like rice, spinach, peas, and green beans; and new animals like goats, water buffalo, baby animals, and more.The Rise of the Golden IdolPlaystack LtdGet it nowThe Rise of the Golden Idol November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe Rise of the Golden Idol follows a tenacious relic hunter on a quest to unearth the powerful artefact that if legend is true can reshape the world. Uncover the truth behind 15 strange cases of crime, death and depravity in the 1970s.Songs of ConquestCoffee Stain Publishing ABGet it nowSongs of Conquest November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown. Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking seize it!Tetris ForeverDigital Eclipse$34.99$29.74Pre-orderTetris Forever November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryUnrivaled after four decades, Tetris Forever celebrates the original, genre-inspiring puzzle game that escaped from behind the Iron Curtain, onto the world stage, and into our cultural consciousness. Celebrate 40 years of Tetris with 15+ games, a new game, and documentary videos.Beautiful Sakura: Running ClubCropwareGet it nowBeautiful Sakura: Running Club November 13Beautiful Sakure: Running Club is a continuation of Kaitos journey, where he embarks on a new hobby. This visual novel delves into themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Kaitos new passion for running leads him to join a local running club, where he reunites with familiar faces from his past and meets intriguing new characters.Food BoyShort N SweetGet it nowFood Boy November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryInspired by the classic Paperboy, Food Boy gets players to deliver pizzas in urban environments in an exciting arcade format. Make perfect deliveries and knock out furious customers to get the highest scores and unlock new cities and challenges!Harmony Chronicles: Chaos Realms Collector's EditionOcean MediaGet it nowHarmony Chronicles: Chaos Realms Collectors Edition November 13Join Mona on her quest and experience the ultimate adventure! Venturing through portals, Mona will encounter werewolves, mermaids, dragons, and other fantastical beings on her way to face off against an unseen malevolent menace! With stunning visuals, captivating storytelling, humorous dialogues, and challenging puzzles, The Harmony Chronicles promises endless hours of immersive gameplay.Nephise: AscensionCatness Game StudiosGet it nowNephise: Ascension November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryStep into the mystical, atmospheric world of Nephise: Ascension, where danger lurks beneath breathtaking beauty. As Nephise embarks on her most perilous journey yet, youll find yourself lost in the stunning landscapes of Dragons Valley, where ancient secrets await and survival hangs by a thread.Off The Grid (Game Preview)Gunzilla Games1Get it nowOff The Grid November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|SGet ready to dive into the ultimate extraction royale where PvP and PvE collide in an all-out battle for survival! Teardrop Island once full of promise, now a dystopian warzone needs a hero. Too bad its getting you. This isnt just another shooter. This is the next evolution of cyberpunk warfare, imagined by visionary director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium), and its about to turn the genre upside down.Songs of SilenceChimera EntertainmentGet it nowSongs of Silence November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|SSongs of Silence is a fantasy strategy title which marries deep, tactical gameplay with fast-paced auto battles and an engaging, compelling narrative. Presented in a unique graphical style derived from the Art Nouveau movement, its a beautiful example of the evolution of a classic genre. The game features an extensive singleplayer, narrative-driven campaign, plus multiple competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for endless replay value.Bullet RunnerBonus Stage PublishingGet it nowXbox One X EnhancedBullet Runner November 14Xbox One X EnhancedTop-down bullet hell shooter where you stop the clone army from taking over the world by one way: kill. them. all. Fight your way through hordes of powerful enemies, execute combat strategies with quick reflexes to take on the biggest of the baddies.Doors: ParadoxSnapbreak GamesGet it nowDoors: Paradox November 14A relaxing puzzle escape game where you make your way through a variety of hand-crafted 3D dioramas, look for useful objects, find hidden clues and solve fun puzzles! Unravel this mysterious adventure about chaos, order and the surreal.Dorfs: Hammers For HirePurple Play LLCGet it nowDorfs: Hammers for Hire November 14Forge, run, and fight as a team! In this frantic co-op game, youll have to work alongside your friends to craft legendary weapons and prepare the heroes for an epic battle. Coordinate, manage resources, and keep things under control as chaos unfolds!DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D RemakeSQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.$59.99Pre-orderDragon Quest III HD-2D Remake November 14A stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy. Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos he failed. Now, Ortegas only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortegas quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.Heretic's ForkRavenage Games$9.99Pre-orderHeretics Fork November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryIn Heretics Fork, your role will involve not only managing the current population of Hell but also implement innovative strategies to help streamline its operations, tasked with punishing sinners by using a state-of-the-art computer system developed by DeusVult Inc.Irem Collection Volume 2ININ GamesGet it nowIrem Collection Volume 2 November 14Brace yourselves ININ is coming in guns blazin for the 2nd volume of Irem arcade classics! With iconic titles Air Duel, GunForce, and GunForce II, this is one action-packed collection you cant miss.Little Big Adventure Twinsen's QuestMicroidsGet it nowLittle Big Adventure: Twinsens Quest November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryTwinsen is back in this remake featuring a new stylish makeover and modernised gameplay. Faithful to the original game, Little Big Adventure Twinsens Quest takes you on an epic journey on a small planet harbouring both magic and technology.Rage Of The Dragons NEOQUByte Interactive & Bleem!Get it nowRage of the Dragons NEO November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryAn updated version of Rage of the Dragons, originally released in 2002 for arcades. It was a unique and innovative game, mainly due to its highly praised visuals and technical aspects at the time. With beautiful scenery and animations, incredible moves and an acclaimed soundtrack, its a must-have for any fighting game lover.Smoothcade2Awesome PartnersGet it nowSmoothcade November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA cute clear the screen modern arcade game that features co-op gameplay for up to four players. Recover the missing golden blender through 100 platform-jumping, puzzle-solving levels in story mode consisting of handcrafted levels and a ton of fruity critters!Tell Me Your StoryRedDeer.GamesGet it nowTell Me Your Story November 14A story-driven cozy puzzle game, which might remind you of the warm times spent with your grandparents or loved ones on getting to know the many, sometimes unexpected stories from their lives.VEDFulqrum PublishingGet it nowVED November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play AnywhereA story-driven RPG featuring stunning hand-drawn art and animation combined with a unique teleporting system, turn-based combat mechanics and rogue-lite elements. Immerse yourself in a fantastical world with a rich storytelling experience, dozens of irreversible consequences and alternative endings, and gameplay thats easy to learn but difficult to master!Access Denied: EscapeRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowAccess Denied: Escape November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA 3D device-hacking puzzle game in a cyberpunk setting. In the future, people no longer trust computer networks and prefer to use physical devices to store important information. You are a professional hacker of such Data Vaults. Use your wits and powers of observation to discover the secret hidden within the walls of this laboratory.Check and SlashAfil GamesGet it nowCheck and Slash November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryAn action-packed roguelite where chess meets fast-paced combat. You play as the Black King, wielding a sword to fight your way through waves of White enemies in a single epic level, all while seeking to free your army from the enemys grasp.Great God GroveFellow TravellerGet it nowGreat God Grove November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|SOnce in a generation, the gods come together to postpone the apocalypse. But this time, the god of communication started a bunch of heavenly fights and then went AWOL. With the sky splitting and the gods in disarray, whos gonna join the Bizzyboys to help save the world?Laws of MachineBadri BebuaGet it nowLaws of Machine November 15A 2.5D platformer with logical puzzles that you should to solve. In the game, you control the robot DR12 that must get to the professor to save him from the evil robot who wants to escape from the lab. To get to the professors room, you need to solve logical puzzles.LiberteUltimate Games S.A.Get it nowLiberte November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA thrilling action roguelike mixed with a deck-builder set in an alternate-history Paris, where political unrest collides with cosmic terror. Take control of Ren, a Parisian caught in a deadly struggle among four factions while being manipulated by the mysterious Lady Bliss, an interdimensional being with her dark motives.Repit17Studio LLC$9.99Pre-orderRepit November 15Madness is the repetition of the same action repeatedly, in the hope of a change. The challenge that Repit throws at your nerves is not everyone is ready to accept and only a few will be able to reach the endSlam and RollKaleidoGames$12.49$9.99Pre-orderSlam and Roll November 15Earths monuments are under attack, conventional human arsenal is ineffective against the extraterrestrial invaders. Fortunately, the sports club, armed with enhanced sports equipment, is ready to defend our planet alongside the ingenious Dr. McLabby!

In Destiny 2, dungeons are designed to be self-contained experiences often relating to a wider narrative branch of the Destiny universe, but built with their own gameplay mechanics, boss encounters and, most importantly for many, themed loot. The challenges faced within a dungeon require wits and a coordinated fireteam (although the most seasoned players can try to complete it solo), and conquering a piece of high-level content like this is one of the most rewarding Destiny 2 experiences.With that in mind, theyre also a marvel of game design. When you first enter a dungeon, almost everything is a mystery. Theres no waypoint, no guidance even finding the right way to go is a test of your intuition, and thats before youve encountered any puzzles, enemies, or high-octane boss encounters.Destiny 2s newest dungeon, Vespers Host, was introduced at the start ofRevenant earlier this month and is an exciting continuation of the dungeon entries. Vespers Host takes Guardians into the depths of an abandoned Braytech space station being damaged by a mysterious anomaly, and the setting takes an unnerving horror turn as you uncover its depths.Inside this atmospheric new environment, you may come across a new set of armor, as well as a fresh pool of weapons that are exclusive to this dungeon. Among them is the returning Exotic Sniper Rifle Ice Breaker, an original Destiny weapon that has finally returned to the game with a set of updated perks that complement the current Destiny 2 experience. With plenty of brand new and returning treats up for grabs, its the perfect time to drop in and test your mettle against what lurks in Vespers Host, and if youve not been following the evolution of Destiny 2s dungeons, youre in a for a pleasant surprise.We spoke to several key designers and developers on the Destiny 2 team to break down some of the core elements of Vespers Host, discuss what goes into drafting and crafting the dungeon experience, and ask about some of Vespers Host unique additions that make it the most mechanically unique dungeon yet.Delving InBefore a dungeon can enter its granular planning stages, several high-level decisions need to be made about its setting, and how it slots into the catalogue of existing dungeons, according to Destiny 2 Design Lead Brian Frank. The team intentionally seeks to create contrast from one dungeons theme and setting to the next. The last dungeon, Warlords Ruin, took place in a brisk, fantasy-style arena, full of snow-capped medieval architecture a starkly different setting to the hard sci-fi design of Vespers Host.Guardians have explored Braytech facilities before, and while previously its felt very clean and sterile, a big environmental goal was to take something familiar and twist it into a new context that felt fresh and exciting, explains Ryan Baker, Senior Environment Artist on Destiny 2. Theres a theme of space madness with the Fallen spinning this web compelled by an alien mind, something has broken containment and swept through the station.We really wanted Guardians to step onto the station and feel like finding an old crime scene after something terrible happened.Destiny 2 also shines in its ability to show Guardians the way with environmental nods and intuitive level design, a shrouded ledge or a well-placed light that alludes to a correct path. However, this aptitude is not always used for good players are often tricked by what appears to be the way forward, only to meet a quick end in a trap or down a hole. The peril is short-lived and of no consequence (unless youre aiming for a flawless run with zero deaths) but laying out believable paths to send players the wrong way also encourages exploration and quick thinking.Using Revenants horror theme, we can run with a film analogy [in Vespers Host], Baker tells us. Our approach is like writing a script. Thinking of the environment as the player journey, we need to identify where to create tension or provide a moment of respite to take in the scenery and get your bearings. The same peaks and valleys come with a good horror movie, and too many traps, like jump scares, could become stale or even tedious. Within the context of the entire dungeon experience, including the surrounding encounters and major emotional beats, we can space traps out appropriately to always feel warranted.A good example: The second encounter is frantic and intense. After clutching the win, Guardians will begin a spacewalk for the second traversal. It is a quieter moment to breathe and absorb the new environmental storytelling. Just as they get comfortable, we start raining down lightning bolts, ramping up the tension by introducing a new environmental hazard spewing from the anomaly.A New EncounterOnce youve made your way through the winding, haunting corridors of the station, chewed through waves of smaller enemies and familiarized yourself with the dungeons mechanics, youll land at a boss room. Boss encounters are a core component of dungeons and there are usually three very different encounters throughout each.As a basic overview, players will typically be presented with a one large enemy that is immune to damage, and engaging with a set of mechanics or goals will unlock a limited-time phase to deal as much pain as possible before the immunity returns. The aim is to repeat these steps until the threat is taken care of, which sounds easy enough, but on a first run, its a tough battle.We start all encounter designs by defining an experience statement, which describes the player fantasy for the encounter in one sentence, explains Chris Manprin, Design Lead on Destiny 2. They are guideposts to help drive a number of key design decisions, including narrative, boss behaviors, puzzle mechanics, and map layouts.With that in mind, Vespers Host features a particularly interesting encounter Raneiks, a Servitor that can shift its form between one large sphere and nine smaller ones. Its the first dungeon boss that places a premium on area of effect damage that can hurt several smaller targets at once, rather than solely hitting big enemy as much as possible, which is a first for Destiny 2s dungeons.In the Raneiks Unified encounter, being swarmed was a core part of the experience statement, Manprin adds. This theme resonates throughout many elements of the encounter design. Players are trapped in a confined space, filled with enemies, then when teleported outside they are immediately surrounded by Shanks. Raneiks bombards players with bombs, and even in death, Raneiks multiplies tenfold. Almost every element of this encounter swarms the player.The unique design of Raneiks also in turn inspires versatility in how Guardians choose to conquer it, which, for a game that features over 1000 unique weapons and countless perk possibilities, is always extremely welcoming. With multiple targets to damage, theres much more room to get creative with those high-level loadouts.Were always looking for ways to react to the evolving meta and create experiences that feel unlike anything players have encountered before, explains Julia Condemi, Designer on Destiny 2. With Raneiks, we wanted to build a boss that would reward players for using their knowledge of the games sandbox and their collection of weapons in a way they hadnt thought about previously.Youre welcome to use your old reliable favourites, but this boss says, Hey, that Grenade Launcher you havent used since you got it? Those Heavy weapons with the One for All perk you have collecting dust in your vault? Those might be great here!A Worthy ContestThe Destiny team also had another first to consider during the launch of Vespers Host. This is the first dungeon launch to include Contest Mode which challenges players to complete the dungeon at a heightened difficulty within the first 48 hours of it being live. This mode has typically been reserved for Destinys raids endgame content that challenges a full fireteam of six to complete. That said, the community is still extremely enthusiastic about dungeon completion at launch seasoned players will still race to be the first to beat it, and the introduction of Contest Mode to Vespers Host is an official acknowledgement of such and adds that necessary extra hurdle for Destiny 2s most practiced Guardians.We wanted to reinforce and amplify what was already happening in the community when a new dungeon launched, says Frank. Given historical completion times for dungeons without Contest Mode, we knew the difficulty would need to be increased to make the event worthy of the caliber of teams making day one attempts. The pressure of competition and a limited time to earn rewards sees these players rapidly develop and refine strategies for overcoming Vespers Hosts unique puzzle mechanics, but its worth nothing that unlike Destiny 2s raids, dungeons are designed to be completable solo. This is an incredibly aspirational achievement, the most difficult thing to do in the game by a significant margin, but possible.Every encounter is designed with the intent that a single player with mastery over the encounters, sandbox, and buildcrafting can complete it, says Manprin. Mechanics that lean too far into coordination or complexity are modified with consideration for the solo experience.The addition of Contest Mode came with systemic changes to support it. We branched the difficulty settings for normal and contest, which allowed for tuning boss health independently between the two versions.Breaking the IceDungeons are not built to be completed once theyre designed to be run multiple times and contain a varied loot pool of armour and weapons, as well as one Exotic weapon with a rare chance to drop when the dungeon is completed. In Vespers Host, the Exotic drop is Ice Breaker, a reintroduction of an Exotic Sniper Rifle that dates all the way back to 2014s Destiny.Longtime fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting the return of the weapon, but the team felt Vespers Hosts final encounter made for the perfect place to finally earn it back.With us coming into Destinys 10th Anniversary year weve been looking at Destiny weapons players remember most fondly, and Ice Breaker is right at the top of that list, says Chris Proctor, Senior Design Lead. Given how strong the weapon is in endgame PvE content, its fitting it come from a challenging PvE source, and so Vespers Host made a ton of sense.We put some time into updating the design of the weapon to match the Destiny 2 sandbox, trying to retain the feel of the original, but making the loop more interesting and giving it the Exotic 2.0 treatment to bring it up to our Destiny 2 Exotic weapon quality bar. At the end of this design process, we had something we were excited to ship, incorporating high ammo uptime and a Solar and Stasis tie-in.If youre itching for a new Destiny 2 challenge or youre a seasoned Guardian thats due another run to score the coveted Ice Breaker Exotic, Vespers Host is available to play in Destiny 2: Revenant now.Destiny 2Bungie2001Get it nowXbox One X EnhancedDive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.AN IMMERSIVE STORYYou are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.GUARDIAN CLASSESChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter. Disciplined and proud, Titans are capable of both aggressive assaults and stalwart defenses. Set your hammer ablaze, crack the sky with lightning, and go toe-to-toe with any opponent. Your team will stand tall behind the strength of your shield. Warlocks weaponize the mysteries of the universe to sustain themselves and destroy their foes. Rain devastation on the battlefield and clear hordes of enemies in the blink of an eye. Those who stand with you will know the true power of the Light. Agile and daring, Hunters are quick on their feet and quicker on the draw. Fan the hammer of your golden gun, flow through enemies like the wind, or strike from the darkness. Find the enemy, take aim, and end the fight before it starts.COOPERATIVE AND COMPETITIVE MULTIPLAYERPlay with or against your friends and other Guardians in various PvE and PvP game modes. Exciting co-op adventures teeming await with rare and powerful rewards. Dive into the story with missions, quests, and patrols. Put together a small fireteam and secure the chest at the end of a quick Strike. Or test your team's skill with countless hours of raid progression the ultimate challenge for any fireteam. You decide where your legend begins. Face off against other players in fast-paced free-for-all skirmishes, team arenas, and PvE/PvP hybrid competitions. Mark special competitions like Iron Banner on your calendar and collect limited-time rewards before they're gone.EXOTIC WEAPONS AND ARMORThousands of weapons, millions of options. Discover new gear combinations and define your own personal style. The hunt for the perfect arsenal begins.105 GB hard drive storage space required as of November 10, 2020. Subject to change. Requires broadband internet. After November 10, 2020 see www.destinythegame.com/size-requirements for current requirements prior to purchase. Destiny 2 may contain flashing patterns and images that may produce adverse effects for a small percentage of people sensitive to them.Bungie, Inc. makes no guarantee regarding the availability of online play or features and may modify or discontinue online services with reasonable notice at any time. Using the software constitutes acceptance of the Destiny Software License Agreement available at www.bungie.net/sla. 2023 Bungie, Inc. All rights reserved. Destiny, the Destiny Logo, Bungie and the Bungie Logo are trademarks of Bungie, Inc. Published and distributed by Bungie, Inc.

SummaryThe No Mans Sky Cross-Save Update enables players to continue their journey across a wide range of supported devices.Link your accounts for different platforms on a dedicated website to access and launch your saves in-game.In celebration of Mass Effects annual N7 celebrations, we are bringing back the iconic and much-sought-after SSV Normandy SR1 as a limited-time expedition reward.Hello,This year has already been a very busy one for No Mans Sky, with six updates already this year, including the huge Worlds Update. Our last one, The Cursed, dropped just a couple of weeks ago, and players have been loving the spooky Halloween vibe.In game development some features take weeks or months, and others take years. Today we are releasing some features that have been years in the making.Cross-Save Support on All PlatformsStarting from today we are rolling out Cross-Save support on all platforms including PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and more. This has been a huge undertaking and is one of most requested features.Being able to jump seamlessly between platforms is transformative. Players can play from the comfort of their sofa on console, continue an Expedition on the move with Switch or Steam Deck, build an incredible base on their beefy PC rig, and view it in incredibly immersive Virtual Reality.Adding the ability to transfer saves between platforms via a server is especially difficult for No Mans Sky, as the work involved increases with each platform supported and how long folks have already been playing for. Both those numbers are large for our tiny team.Its very common for players to rack up thousands of hours of saves exploring across space, building elaborate bases and cataloguing their discoveries, with incredibly detailed saves. Adding Cross-Save for us is a little bit like moving house, the longer people have lived there the more complicated it is to move them! We also have players who played once at launch, eight years ago, suddenly loading up that save on a platform that didnt even exist back then!For these reasons we have secretly been introducing the technology for this update for over six months. We are now ready to start rolling Cross-Save out to a small number of players. From today, all No Mans Sky players can link their different accounts together at No Mans Sky: Cross-Save website. A subset of players will be enabled to then select their saves from multiple devices on the in-game save screen. In the coming weeks all players will be invited to do so.The Normandy ReturnsEveryone here at Hello Games is a huge sci-fi nerd. One of our absolute favorite series is the incredible Mass Effect games. To join in Mass Effects annual N7 celebrations, we are pleased to welcome the legendary SSV Normandy SR1 back into No Mans Sky!It was in 2021 that the Normandy made its first appearance in one of the first expeditions we ever ran. The limited-time expedition culminated in players being able to claim the Normandy for their fleet.In the intervening years since that event, we have welcomed a huge number of Travellers, not least a whole new cohort of Switch players and an increasingly large number of Chinese fans. Many of these new players have envied those who proudly displayed their Normandy in their frigate collection.Mass Effect fans know that this legendary freighter only appears when it is most needed! Today, and for the next two weeks, as a love-letter from one science fiction game to another, we are giving everyone another chance to encounter the Normandy in an overhauled version of the original mission and add it to their collection.Huge thanks to our friends at EA and Bioware for helping make this happen.It has been a momentous year for No Mans Sky in several ways. Were so grateful to be able to continue this journey with you.

Hey Xbox players, Im Joel Rydholm from Coffee Stain Publishing, one of the original developers on 2014s Goat Simulator, and producer on Goat Simulator: Remastered! 10 years ago, we unleashed Pilgor into the world, a chaotic she-goat with a penchant for destruction, and now were bringing her back to run free amongst a new generation of goat-lovers.Goat Simulator: Remastered launches today for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass, and brings all the fun, mayhem, and beloved bugs from the original game, while introducing a handful of new features for the most complete Goat Simulator experience yet (excluding Goat Simulator 3)!Whether youre new to Goat Simulator or riding the nostalgia wave, there are loads of wacky things to discover and enjoy, so buckle up , join the herd, and get ready for an adventure unlike any other (except, well, Goat Simulator 3).If youre still unconvinced, I have 7 reasons why you should jump straight into our udderly weird game today.Goat Simulator as a series thrives on parody, and one of my personal favourite examples of this is the Just Around the Corner escort quest in Goat MMO, where players have to lead McSlowPants to a specific destination. Yes, that is his legal name.Weve all experienced our fair share of boring video game escort quests, where the NPC youre supposed to be leading someone is as slow as a slug. So, we took this concept and made it a little more exciting by letting players expedite the process through non-stop headbutting, dragging McSlowPants along the ground, or even placing him into the in-game inventory and carrying him to the destination.Goat Simulator lets you play as all kinds of different goats, including a tall goat (that definitely isnt just a giraffe), a shopping cart goat (pretty sure this is literally just a shopping cart), and even a goat goat talk about getting the full Goat Simulator experience!With a handy mutator menu thats been introduced as part of the remaster, you can now change your appearance on the fly, and enjoy playing as all manner of goats, goat-like creatures, and not-so-goat-like creatures, whenever you want!The Goat Simulator series has about as many references and easter eggs crammed into it as you could ever want, and Goat Simulator: Remastered is no different. One of my favourite references is an entire quest that takes players on a mysterious journey to find the Turdis, a portable toilet that looks suspiciously like a certain famous blue police box.Once headbutted, the Turdis will disappear and show up at various locations around the map, travelling through space (and time) in true sci-fi fashion.For any Sanctum fans, theres also a super niche reference in the Payday DLC quest where you have to embark on a quest to steal a copy of Sanctum 3 (which does not exist at least not yet) and upload it to the pirate ship mainframe youll have to try it for yourself to see what happens though!If you ever missed out on any of the old Goat Simulator DLC packs on PC, then youre in luck, because all 5 come packaged with Goat Simulator: Remastered for you to enjoy. Theres even an additional DLC pack included that was originally exclusive to Goat Simulator Mobile can you baaa-lieve it?From the medieval mayhem of Goat MMO to the hilarious heists of PAYDAY, know that youre in for a wild ride.While every DLC in Goat Simulator: Remastered has fun elements and numerous quirks, my personal favourite is Goat MMO Simulator. Not only was it incredibly fun to develop, but it has some of the silliest, wildest, and most unhinged jokes incorporated into it. There are wandering NPCs exclaiming about their lost butter, elves asking you to embark on the important quest of licking 10,000 things, demons being spawn camped by a pack of nerdy goats, a man that asks you for assistance in inflating his knee so he can reach the skies, and an obligatory cow level (if you know you know).Goat Simulator has a lot crammed into it, and theres a good chance if you played it back in 2014 that you didnt experience absolutely everything. There are tons of hidden secrets and niche mechanics that few know about, and with your newfound gaming skills from the last 10 years, youll no doubt discover more than before!As an example, the pentagram symbol from the base game is a key component in more than one quest, which not a lot of players realised. And whats better is that there are some fun interactions built into the game if you decide to bring other objects to the symbol instead of those poor NPCs I wont spoil things too much, but definitely give it a go and see what you find!Did I mention that you get to play as a goat? Goat Simulator: Remastered is all about embracing the goat lifestyle, which means headbutting everything you see, licking random things, and screaming at passers-by, and just generally causing havoc.If that sounds like something youve always wanted to do, then great! Because thats pretty much what this game is about and let me tell you, its a lot of fun. Some would say its even the most goated way of life.Goat Simulator: Remastered is available today for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass.

Hi everybody, Im Rudolf Kremers, director of Omni Systems Ltd, purveyor of strange games and theories. Some of you might have played my Eufloria games, or played games I consulted on. I am delighted to get the chance to talk about our upcoming game Bioframe Outpost, out now in Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.Console Magic DustReleasing a game on console will always be special to me. While I love PC and Mobile gaming, and have proudly released games to those platforms in the past, there is something truly magical about seeing your games splash screen load onto a nice, big tv, powered by a dedicated gaming console. Its a feeling that just cant be beat.With Bioframe Outpost we kept that console magic firmly in focus.While Bioframe Outpost is a thoroughly modern game with replayability and polished controls and juice and onboarding experience and all that jazz, some elements are meant to celebrate the qualities of classic games that have oodles that console magic.Lets Put it in the FrameMy favourite aspect of console gaming is when games bring something genuinely fresh to the party. There was a period in console gaming, before dev budgets exploded in order to keep up with the 3d rendering arms race, when console games routinely innovated. Risk-taking was not yet stifled, and experienced teams still tried to woo players with things they hadnt seen before.The Oddworld series did this in spades, with the talking bug-based ammo in Strangers Wrath, or the mind control mechanic in Abes Odyssey. This quality was seen in titles big and small Halo: Combat Evolved, Rez, Metal Gear Solid, GTA, Tetris, Virtua Fighter, all iconic games and big hits, but it is easy to forget how innovative they were at the time.In Bioframe Outpost we tried to innovate by giving players a bunch of a-typical gameplay tools with which players can generate almost endless gameplay outcomes often with hilarious unintended results.CameraCentral to this aim is the players mega powerful Camera/PDA combo. The camera can photograph specific creature behaviours, like eating, fleeing, recharging, attacking, and many more. Each time you do so successfully which can be hard and dangerous you unlock super useful PDA files regarding that behaviour. (Knowledge is power)Also, for each photographed state, the camera-induced stun effect increases in duration. With that knowledge and added stun control, you can pit creatures against each other, or find other ways to manipulate the games extremely deep and detailed ecosystem.Lure a giant Rainbow Wasp with its favourite food into a Spider Hunters habitat, and watch em duke it out. Rob a Laser Plant of its Sticky Glow Orb (dont worry, it will regrow) and skillfully throw and stick it to a dark cave dwelling Lizard. Drive it before you and voila: an illuminating scout runs ahead of you to spot any dangers lurking in the dark.Because the games ecosystem is deep and complex, and creatures and things react to each other in many different ways, things get enjoyably emergent.Since you need to get out there and put yourself in a position where you can photograph these creature behaviours safely, a fundamentally satisfying risk .vs reward element is integrated in the core gameplay loop.That gameplay loop is a classical positive feedback loop: where new knowledge (and stun power) unlocks more and more tools to discover even more ways to manipulate your environment. Exploration and experimentation are completely integrated into the experience in a meaningful way.Its super fun, and often challenging. (Ever tried to photograph an enraged Giant Rainbow Wasp?). Other strange tools throw even more wildcards into the mix. (Seriously, the Fire Extinguisher allows for some crazy antics).Other Console MagicsInnovation is one thing, but we also love how classic console games always tried to make sure that players could really lose themselves in the experience for long durations. Its not like modern mobile games that can be finished in very little time, and there was no multiplayer to keep the experience fresh through interaction with other users.With Bioframe Outpost we made sure the game is biiiiiig and replayable, and fun to watch for other people. We wanted to make sure that people can settle on their couch, and really lose themselves in the world.The world of Bioframe is not just deep in its gameplay systems and ecology, but also, filled with tons of secrets, missions, side missions, Easter Eggs, narrative oddities, in-jokes, hommages, and an almost endless freedom to just play around and experiment with the dynamic elements of the world.Controls are designed for joypad from the first day of development, and the game takes full advantage of the analog feedback they offer.Oh, and the game is child and adult friendly, doesnt include guns or other explicit weapons, and requires a large dose of lateral thinking. Ideal to play with friends and family members of all ages.The latter point is possibly the most important. Some of our favourite games are those that generate unique stories that we want to share with others. Memories of epic, fun sessions, and a sense of wonder about the strangely beautiful things console games can achieve.We cant wait to hear your stories about Bioframe Outpost, and hope that it will generate many new ones for years to come.Bioframe OutpostOmni Systems Publishing$24.99Get it nowThe same dream again. How many times must someone die in their sleep? You wake up. No memory of the dreams. No identity, no idea of where you are or where you come from. You need to find out. Now.Inspired by classic 70s and 80s sci-fi, Bioframe Outpost is a 2d sci-fi action adventure game, dedicated to exploration, experimentation, emergent gameplay and narrative. Its unique, photography-based approach to non-linear exploration and action gameplay offers a fresh take on Metroidvania gameplay.Creatures and systems are immobilized by an alien infestation, only you can set them free. But beware; many pose a danger to yourself. Use photography to learn how they behave, and discover a hugely detailed and fascinating ecosystem. Fill your Compendium with vital knowledge, use it to manipulate creatures and systems in order to survive. Unlock secrets on how creatures interact, how you can pit them against each other and even how to use them as weapons or pickups.Explore the immense universe of Nova Aurora and unleash your ingenuity and creativity to solve captivating, challenging puzzles.

Metal Slug Tacticsavailable now on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Passfeatures the iconic run n gun soul of the original SNK series translated into gripping tactical gameplay.As you gear up your squad to face the gargantuan war machines and merciless soldiers of General Mordens army, the Peregrine Falcon HQ is disclosing on Xbox Wire an exclusive tactical dossier with crucial information about the operatives under your command and on how to start your war campaign on the right footing.Meet the Magnificent NineYour first tactical choice will be selecting the operatives to deploy on the battlefield. Make sure your squad is well-rounded, synergic, and, most of all, aligned with your playstyle!Marco Rossi is a proven battlefield commander and a well-rounded soldier who can easily fit into any squad composition. His abilities focus on enhancing and supporting his allies and empowering their synchronizations with him.Eri Kasamoto specializes in explosions and elevated attacks. Her kit includes explosive abilities that take advantage of height, and her mobility allows her to be effective in nearly any situation.Tarma Roving is a powerhouse that is constantly in the thick of battle. Most of his attacks have a short range, allowing him to stack Dodge. His playstyle, albeit primarily defensive, allows for devastating precision strikes.Fio Germi manipulates the battlefield to her liking, moving allies and enemies with her abilities. She also has a solid offensive skill set, enabling her kit to snowball quickly once the situation is in her favor.Trevor Spacey uses top-secret nanotechnology to control the minds of his opponents temporarily. Stalking the battlefield like a ninja, he delivers devastating strikes before retreating into the shadows. The more enemies he hits, the more he can reposition and strike again!Nadia Cassel can count on her mines to deny enemy mobility, and the robots she summons can act as decoys, support, or guided bombs. Her immediate damage output is lower than average, but she makes up for it with delayed damage and situational setup.Ralf Jones is a mobile brawler who gives his best when charging into the enemy lines like a raging bull: he can gain bonus actions when he defeats enemies using his special abilities, effectively stacking frag after frag.Clark Still is a defensive melee character who repositions enemies with throw abilities. Like his fellow Ikari Warrior Ralf, he gives his best when close and personal, with melee attacks that debuff his foes and counter their cover bonuses.Leona Heidern leaves lingering images behind her each time she synchronizes, gradually flooding the battlefield with units that can also sync with her allies. Depending on the battles flow, she can capitalize on her afterimages offensively or defensively.We Run, We Gun, and We Get Things DoneIn Metal Slug Tactics, the original series run n gun spirit is kept alive through a damage reduction mechanic that takes movement and covers into account.The further your soldiers move, the more Dodge Points they gain, effectively reducing or even wholly canceling the damage from enemy strikes. Ending their movement in a blue cover square will grant them additional Cover Points that will be added to the overall damage reduction provided by their Dodge.Once a cover is destroyed, the damage reduction points it provides are also gone, so think twice before crouching behind a bullet-riddled truck (they also have the rude habit of exploding once their hit points are gone) and keep moving!Adrenaline: Feel the SurgeRunning is also how you get Adrenaline, which powers some of the most impressive abilities your operatives can unleash! Maximizing Adrenaline gain with passive abilities like Team Leader (+2 Adrenaline for each sync) and Weapon Mods such as Impressive (+1 Adrenaline every time the weapon kills a foe) is the key to controlling the battle flow.For example, Marcos Determination trait reduces the Adrenaline cost of his special abilities by one every time he participates in a sync. His Efficiency trait, on the other hand, awards a bonus action if you activate a special ability that had its cost reduced to zero. Have Marco sync with his teammates often and enjoy some zero-cost gunslinging mayhem!Think Before you SyncPerforming syncs with your allies is fundamental for defeating the numerous threats Morden will send in your way: for every attack you perform either with your base weapon, your secondary weapon, or an Adrenaline-powered skill every teammate who has a direct line of sight with the foe you attacked will perform a free attack with their base weapon!Syncing is a key mechanic to master if you want to progress in Metal Slug Tactics: position your soldiers carefully and take advantage of battlefield control abilities such as Fios Nudge and Clarks Argentine Backbreaker to move your opponents into your teams crossfire!Iconic Weapons and How to Mod ThemMetal Slug Tactics features nine emblematic weapons from the Metal Slug universe: handgun, knife, grenade, shotgun, heavy machine gun, rocket launcher, grenade launcher, flamethrower, and laser rifle all with their unique perks and utility. As you progress in your campaign, you can unlock new weapon kits for your teammates, but theres more!You can obtain Weapon Mods by completing specific missions, and they will be a very important asset in your progression: from piercing enemies to ignoring cover to simply dealing more damage, there are dozens of Mods in Metal Slug Tactics that you can pick and mix to maximize your efficiency in battle!This is a quick breakdown of some core mechanics featured in Metal Slug Tactics. Mastering positioning and syncs, building a cohesive squad, and optimizing your weapons are just the basics! Youll need to hone your tactical skills to a razor-sharp edge to defeat Mordens war machines once and for all.Are you ready? Mission Start! Metal Slug Tactics is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.Metal Slug TacticsDotemu117$24.99Get it nowPC Game PassXbox Game PassMetal Slug Tactics brings the explosive charm and nostalgic fun of the cult METAL SLUG series to the tactical scene. Get ready for an intense ride through the best of both worlds: classic arcade action and roguelite tactical thrills. Jump into the combat zone and revive your METAL SLUG nostalgia in a whole new way!TACTICAL RPG WITH ROGUELITE ELEMENTSMetal Slug Tactics offers a fresh perspective on the iconic battles of the METAL SLUG series. Lead your squad to victory through strategic guile and superior firepower in a perfect blend of classic action and tactical depth. Unleash powerful special attacks and shape the outcome of each encounter!Accumulate experience after each battle to unlock new weapons or bonus perks to upgrade your team's firepower and tactical skills.Assemble your team and rewrite the rules in this modern tribute to a cult classic!GET YOUR GEAR, SOLDIERS! MISSION START!Choose between iconic brothers-in-arms from across the METAL SLUG series and create the perfect team to stop Morden's devious plans.Determine the best weapon loadouts and mods to maximize combo efficiency on the battlefield.Launch simultaneous attacks with the "SYNC" mechanic to deal massive damage to the enemy. And if your team is in trouble, you can always call in some reinforcements and watch the big guns at work: heavy artillery, airstrikes, the glorious METAL SLUG itself you name it, you get it!FIGHT YOUR WAY TO VICTORYEmbark on an exalting campaign through beautiful, hand-crafted maps to end the war and defeat the infamous Rebel Army once and for all! You're going to face many challenges, so brace yourself for countless deaths, but dont give up and push through.Whether you're a skilled veteran or a new recruit, play and replay your favorite missions, learn precious strategic insight from each adventure and hone your skills with each hard-fought victory.Gain experience, level up your operatives, adapt to your enemies, and remember: every defeat is a lesson, yet triumph awaits those who refuse to surrender!STORYDonald Morden is back! After years of hiding in a country opposed to the World Government, the devious General patiently staged a coup. Now, he is finally ready to take revenge upon the World with the army he has secretly gathered throughout the years.The Peregrine Falcon Squad will have to do everything in their power to make it through the enemy lines and take down General Morden before the war escalates into catastrophe!

SummaryPlanet Coaster 2 is available now on Xbox Series S|X, bringing the ultimate coaster and water park simulation to console!Learn the basics and refine your skills in Career mode, set your own challenges and build with total freedom in Sandbox mode, and join up with friends to compete against players around the globe in Franchise mode.Push the boundaries of creativity with piece-by-piece construction and share your designs with the world, or build your park quickly using blueprints and the Frontier Workshop.Hayo Park Managers! Planet Coaster 2 is available now and is ready to create a splash on Xbox Series X|S. Build epic rollercoasters and dive into breathtaking water parks, bringing your creations to life with boundless creativity and enhanced management as you design and build the ultimate theme park.Before you go grabbing your towel and rushing off to the flumes, were here with some top tips to help you build a park which will wow your guests:Dive into water parks and remember those changing rooms!Brand-new in Planet Coaster 2, water parks are making waves quite literally, if you put down a wave machine! Create entirely free-form pools, relaxing lazy rivers and spectacular flumes, either as a standalone park, or integrated into your theme park. Place scenery pieces to theme your pools, add heated body dryers and even offer your guests a variety of colourful inflatables to use in the pool at a Queen Splash Emporium. Just make sure you dont forget changing rooms so that your guests can get pool-ready no one wants to swim in their park clothes!Expand your creativity with piece-by-piece constructionBringing your park to life has never been easier Planet Coaster 2 gives you all the tools youll need to create buildings and displays from scratch, or add the finest details to put the shine on the perfect new attraction. With over 3,000 individual scenery items to choose from, you have more freedom at your fingertips than ever before to help shape your park, whether thats scaling objects or attaching pieces to your rides and shops to create something truly unique. Once youve brought your ride to life, why not jump on board with the first-person camera, and experience your creations from a guests point of view!Find your perfect way to playWed recommend starting your journey in Career mode, where the prologues tutorials will introduce you to the team from Coaster Coast, committed to helping you create the park of your dreams with a handy introduction to theme parks and water parks. Career mode offers increasingly challenging scenarios, set in extraordinary parts of the world. Sandbox mode is where you can set your own challenge level, allowing you to unleash your imagination and customise your own rules, creating your own gaming experience. Finally, Franchise mode lets you pitch your parks against the best in the world, attempting to earn a spot on the global leaderboards by competing in new online challenges.Build an attractions prestigeWhilst everybody loves a day out at a theme park, we all have a ride that we absolutely need to try before we head home for the day. Each ride, flume and pool which you build will have its own Prestige rating essentially, how appealing it is to guests. Everything from scenery to the rides Excitement, Fear and Nausea (EFN) ratings can draw additional guests into the queue, but if theyre turning away in favour of something else maybe its time to look at a change. Remember that a park needs to cater for lots of different types of guests, you can use heatmaps to quickly assess which areas of your park might need some attention.Control the flow of your park with pathsEvery attraction is linked together with one common thread, vital for getting your guests from A to B of course, were talking about paths! In Planet Coaster 2 you can create tight twisting walkways through your scenery, wide open plazas, and everything in between using a pathing tool redesigned with flexibility in mind. Youll find a variety of tools to create, edit and connect your paths exactly how you wish, and you can use three different types of path to keep things moving; regular paths to connect every aspect of your park, queues for the entrances to rides and flumes, and staff paths to keep guests away from the inner workings of your theme park machine. Mastering paths gives you even greater control over the flow of guests and the aesthetics of your park.The Blueprints to successBlueprints allow you to place a pre-themed ride, slide, shop, even a group of different scenery items. Theyre a great place to start when you just want to get things moving. The in-game Frontier Workshop also allows you to save your own creations as a blueprint for other players to drop into their park, so you can share your skills with the world, or add someone elses creation to your own!Share the park construction with a friend!Have a friend whos the most incredible coaster creator? Or maybe youre looking for inspiration to take you to the top of the leaderboards? In both Sandbox and Franchise modes, you can team up with up to three other players to create a park together, passing your creation between players to work on one at a time. Whether you choose to build in the same space, or take your own section of the sandbox to sculpt, youll have to consider consistent theming and look at the guest experience in the same way real-world park design teams do. Collaboration is key!Its all connected to the Power and Water systems!As you play Planet Coaster 2, youll need to consider Power and Water as you expand your park. Rides and Shops will require Power in order to remain operational, and will need to be within range of a distributor to access the power youre generating. Pools on the other hand, need a water pump and filter to keep them looking sparkling and ready for your guests to jump into! Connecting your pools and slides to a water filtration system will improve their cleanliness, and similar to power, you can use the radius of the water pump to see whats covered. After all, no one wants to splash around in grimy water!Come rain or shineDynamic weather also arrives for the first time in Planet Coaster 2, bringing with it new considerations for your guests. If its a hot sunny day, youll need to provide shade and adequate opportunities for guests to buy suncream. If its pouring with rain, an umbrella will keep your guests dry and happy. Make sure your vendors are appropriately priced for the demand and ready to offer the solution, whatever the weather! Staff ManagementKeeping your guests happy is one thing, but dont forget to keep the people happy who are well, keeping your guests happy! Cleaners will keep your park looking at its best, Mechanics make sure everythings running smoothly, Lifeguards to keep a watchful eye on the pool, even through to Entertainers who can get your guests running for the hottest new food vendor in the park! Your staff members will need a break room, as well as a good salary to keep their morale high!Ready to build the theme park of your dreams and splash into brand new water rides? You can purchase Planet Coaster 2 on Xbox Series S| X here! Hungry for more tips? (or maybe the mention of our in-game food vendors just made your stomach rumble) head over to the Planet Coaster 2 website, where you can find more guides and advice on how you can create your ultimate day out! You can also follow us on TikTok, X, Instagram and Facebook for more design inspiration.Planet Coaster 2Frontier Developments35$49.99Get it nowCreate a splash with Planet Coaster 2 sequel to the worlds best coaster park simulator! Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests.Dive in now!EMBRACE CREATIVITYExpand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. Its never been easier to bring your dream park to life.Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before! Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember.Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes.Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity.MASTER MANAGEMENTFind the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master.Take care: Provide for your guests health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool.Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new heat maps feature lets you understand the wider parks needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park. SHARE THE RIDECreate together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save!Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards!Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand explore their worlds in first person as a park guest!Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in others creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online.