• A unique pivot in the Outbreak universe.
• Visual novel features branching paths, 24 endings, and mini-games.
• Bonus rogue-like game Outbreak RPG is designed for replayability.

Greetings Survivors! I’m Julia Wolbach, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Dead Drop Studios. Today we are launching a two-game pack, Outbreak The Fedora Files: What Lydia Knows, on Xbox Series X|S.  This includes our first ever visual novel as well as the rogue-like Outbreak RPG!

Up until now, you may know the Outbreak series for its survival horror gameplay.  We love daring players to carefully manage their resources, explore, and conquer unspeakable monsters by the skin of their teeth. This sort of tense gameplay is one way to experience the compelling world of horror, but for this project, I wanted to do something very different.

The horror genre is about more than fun scares and over-the-top gore; character-driven drama drives a compelling story that sticks with players long after it’s over. This switch to the visual novel format allowed me to meaningfully expand on the characters and the universe that we’ve created in a way we simply can’t in a traditional survival horror game. As a woman, I’m also excited to have written our main character as an empowered female lead; instead of serving as a damsel in distress or a mere plot point, Lydia is a passionate heroine with a strong sense of justice and a “can do” ’attitude. She is the type of character that I myself would like to see more of in video games!

An Average day on the Job Becomes Far Deadlier than Lydia Bargained for.

The primary draw of What Lydia Knows is its deep and interactive story. In this canon prequel to the upcoming Outbreak: Shades of Horror, Detective Lydia Daniels is desperately trying to solve the mystery behind her partner’s disappearance. There are so many paths the story can take; not only are there a whopping 24 endings to discover, but there are also constant choices to make and mini-games to complete along the way. This isn’t simply like reading a book or watching a movie; our visual novel takes full advantage of the interactivity of video games to put you and your personality in the driver’s seat. Even the order that you choose to prioritize different parts of your investigation will affect the outcome.
Throughout the journey, you’ll meet a diverse cast of shady characters who may either lend a hand or put a wrench in Lydia’s plans. Depending on how you treat these characters and the route you take, aspects of the story will change and lead you to a different destiny. As such, Lydia’s fate is in your hands; if you make the wrong choice, her life may come to an early and tragic end! Completionists will want to replay the game to discover each and every possible epilogue.

One Fateful Night, Cypress Ridge Experiences a Nearly Endless Nightmare.

On the other side of the coin, Outbreak RPG represents yet another way we’ve challenged ourselves to do something different with the Outbreak series. This is a rogue-like, turn-based adventure where survival is far from guaranteed. While most of our games explore survival horror gameplay from an action-oriented perspective, Outbreak RPG instead approaches this from a slower-paced, cerebral point-of-view.

The premise is simple; embark on a quest to evacuate survivors out of Cypress Ridge as the city has fallen to a zombie apocalypse. In this game, though, you need to manage a four-character party, complete with character-specific strengths and weaknesses, to take out deadly foes strategically. Do you attack with Lydia’s handgun for a higher chance of critically injuring monsters, or do you use Hank’s shotgun to hurt multiple ghouls with a single blast? Do you spend a turn to search for supplies or heal, or do you attempt to run away from an encounter entirely? Is it best to use a precious grenade when you’re out of ammo, or should you try to whittle down your opponent with a melee attack? These are the types of questions you’ll constantly need to answer correctly if you’re going to emerge from the city victorious.

In between random battles, you will stumble into events that may aid you in your fight or even deal damage to your party.  The timing of your choices in and out of combat will also impact your initiative, which affects your luck. As you rescue each Survivor scattered throughout Cypress Ridge, you’ll receive perks ranging from increased health to powered-up weapons.  Once you find all ten civilians, endure a final boss encounter and victory is yours!  No play-through of Outbreak RPG is the same, however, and with four difficulty settings, you can re-enter the hellscape for a fresh challenge.

Hungry Players and Zombies Alike Can Chow Down on a Feast of Fun Extras

Aside from the two distinct games included in What Lydia Knows, players can enjoy a variety of extra features!  Use the Scene Studio to make and save your own custom scenes using characters and locations you encounter during Lydia’s adventure. Unlock music from across the Outbreak series (including our smash hit Railbreak) and behind-the-scenes concept art as you discover more endings.  Once you finish the visual novel, you can even enjoy a preview of the next episode.  No matter where you look, What Lydia Knows has so much to see and explore!

Think You’re Fit for the Task, Detective?

Explore a seedy city teeming with the undead when Outbreak The Fedora Files: What Lydia Knows launches for Xbox Series X|S on May 17.  Pre-orders begin on May 10th with a 20% discount available for pre-orders and the launch window. Do you have what it takes to solve Cypress Ridge’s latest mystery?

Outbreak The Fedora Files What Lydia Knows

Dead Drop Studios LLC

☆☆☆☆☆ 6

★★★★★

$19.99 $15.99

Get it now

Super and extra-natural phenomena around the world are officially disavowed. In the United States, these phenomena are unofficially investigated by an elite squad of agents known as the Federal Disaster Organic Response Agency, FEDORA. These are their stories… This two punch, two game pack based in the Outbreak Universe, explore the before and after of the Outbreak with new eyes. FEDORA Files: What Lydia Knows In our first file of “The FEDORA Files” three part limited series: What Lydia Knows, play as intrepid detective Lydia Daniels as she tries to discover the mystery behind her partner's disappearance. Search for clues, probe allies and enemies, and solve the mystery of the Jackson Street Sewers in this installment that acts a prequel to Outbreak: Shades of Horror. Features – Narrative rich visual novel with a deep and engrossing storyline. – Multiple paths and endings to unlock where your choices matter. – Meet, befriend, or alienate a wide cast of characters where your relationships matter. – Solve devious puzzles and navigate crazy minigames as you hunt for the truth. Outbreak RPG In the aftermath of the Outbreak, play a group of survivors out to rescue their compatriots in Outbreak RPG! A Semi procedurally generated rogue-like RPG, every boot up is a new adventure. Rescued survivors will bring new skills and challenges with them. Can you survive the Outbreak?! Features: – Semi procedurally generated rogue-like RPG – Lead your party of four survivors through the apocalypse in turn-based combat – Search for supplies to keep yourself armed and healthy – Rescue a wide group of survivors, each of which joins your team with unique upgrades and abilities – Challenging escalating enemy encounters as the city becomes further overrun with the undead Hilarious and ridiculous dialogue in this non-canon adventure

The post What Lydia Knows, a Deep Visual Novel and RPG Double-Game Pack, Arrives on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Discover the two new playable characters from the Godzilla universe in GigaBash, complete with an official trailer to set the stage.
• Explore the six iconic Kaiju as we delve into the inspiration behind their designs to help you master your favorites from the Godzilla universe.
• Bonus rogue-likHighlights, features and powers of the iconic kaiju and two powerful newcomers.

Beware, citizens… A three-headed shadow looms above the sky while acidic mist suffocates the air below. What doom has crossed over to the GigaBash world? Introducing the latest additions to the GigaBash roster from the Godzilla universe, King Ghidorah and Hedorah! Let’s take a closer look at what they are capable of.

King Ghidorah

As seen in “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)”, you play as Godzilla’s most formidable rival. Your supersonic wings allow you to fly and rain destructive Gravity Beams from above. You can also wind up your wings to produce a powerful shockwave that sends buildings hurling towards the enemy with a single flap. Each of your colossal, horned heads can blast destructive lightning bolt-like Gravity Beams capable of tearing through entire skyscrapers.

Hedorah

As Hedorah, you play as the smog monster that stands taller than Godzilla and can match the King of the Monsters blow for blow. As seen in “Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)”, you can spit Acidic Sludge, pollute the air with Acidic Sulfuric Mist, throw deadly mud balls, and even shoot a Hedrium Ray from one of your eyes. You can also dodge oncoming attacks by shifting into your Flying Stage, leaving behind a pool of Acidic Sludge that damages and slows the enemy.

Battle against the OGs

Don’t you have that Kaiju battle matchup idea in mind that has yet to be realized on film? With the additional purchase of the Godzilla 4 Kaiju Pack DLC, you can pit Godzilla, Gigan, Mechagodzilla, and Destoroyah against King Ghidorah and Hedorah to recreate your ultimate Kaiju fantasy.

Check out the new GigaBash Godzilla DLCs All-in-One Showcase video.

Godzilla

Play as the superstar and the OG of the Tokusatsu genre. This version from the 1990s Godzilla movies , features a more predatory-looking head with a sleeker and more powerful body. As Godzilla, you can grab hold of your enemies and ram them toward skyscrapers for big damage. You can fire its iconic heat ray from across the map, incinerating anyone in your way with additional burn damage to enemies when performed as an S-Class!

Gigan

As Gigan, your razor-sharp claws can dice up enemies in a jiffy. They also apply a deadly Bleeding Status that deals additional damage if your victim tries to move around. You can rev up the buzz saw on its abdomen to devastate anything and anyone who comes too close. You can also fire a destructive laser beam that explodes into multiple clusters, keeping enemies at bay while you scheme your next approach.

Mechagodzilla

This version is Nicknamed Kiryu, an anti-Godzilla weapon as seen in the film “Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)”. Its Weapon Control System allows it to wield a wide arsenal of weapons such as wrist blade, rockets, homing missiles, and railguns, Hyper Maser Cannon and Absolute Zero Cannon. Unique to Mechagodzilla, each of its weapons consumes one of two different types of energy, making it one of the more difficult characters to master. However, in the right hands, it can swiftly annihilate its foes with a merciless display of firepower.

Destoroyah

As seen in “Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995),” these microcellular organisms evolve into larger and more destructive stages, ultimately reforming into a single terrible but awesome creature. As Destoroyah, you use your pincer tail to snag and drag enemies across the battlefield. Also your Micro-Oxygen beam can , easily vaporize anything caught in its path.

Beam Clash

The hallmark of any epic Kaiju film is definitely… Beam Clash! That’s right, you can trigger one whenever two beam attacks collide. Mash the attack button to increase your power before this tug-of-war ends in a massive explosion, just like in the movies.

With two of Godzilla’s most fearsome nemeses crossing over into GigaBash along with the characters from the Godzilla 4 Kaiju DLC, that’s a total of six kaijus from the Godzilla universe, along with ten original GigaBash characters from the base game for fans to enjoy. So, will you sow terror as the Nemeses of Godzilla? Or will you team up with old adversaries out of sheer survival instinct to fight off these formidable foes? We await your answer in the arena!

GigaBash

Passion Republic Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 184

★★★★★

$24.49

Get it now

GigaBash combines the chaos and creativity of titles like Power Stone, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and War of Monsters with the jaw-dropping scale of the classic kaiju movies. Play as either a rampaging Titan or a Titan-hunting mecha; summon lightning from the heavens, use a radio tower as a baton, or roll a whole district (and your enemies) into a single massive snowball. Wreak enough havoc and you'll evolve into your final form, the terrifyingly titanic S-Class.

The post Godzilla: Nemesis DLC – King Ghidorah & Hedorah Invade GigaBash appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – On Location at The Vast Iceland Setting appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Category: Games

May 17, 2024

The Most Important Moments in Minecraft’s First 15 Years

• Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

As Minecraft turns 15 years old, we wanted to take a look back. As one of the most important (and best-selling) games of all time, Minecraft and Mojang’s journey has been incredible to witness – starting as a one-person creation and blossoming into a truly world-changing proposition. 

With that in mind, we thought we’d take you back over the biggest moments in Minecraft’s history, year-by-year: 

2009: Launching Classic Edition 

On May 16, 2009, it all began. Inspired by the likes of Infiniminer and Dungeon Keeper, Markus ‘Notch’ Persson had begun work on what was initially known simply as “Cave Game” a week earlier, before settling on a catchier title: Minecraft: Order of the Stone. Then he was convinced to choose an even catchier title: Minecraft.  What came to be known as the Java Classic Edition lacked much of what we’ve come to know from the game – but the building blocks (pun very much intended) were there. 

Classic would generate a world, and allow you to dig and build freely, creating your own geometric slices of paradise in its technicolor world. Over the course of the year, Classic would split into Creative and Survival modes, ushering us closer and closer to the Minecraft we’ve known for a decade and a half. 

2010: Minecraft Gets Its Crafting System – Plus Minecarts and Multiplayer 

By January of 2010, Minecraft had already amassed over 100,000 players – but some of its most fundamental improvements were still to come – not least making good on that “Craft” part of the title. A crafting system was added late that month, introducing the familiar wood-iron-diamond ‘level’ system for items, and changing, well, everything about how we played the game. Dig-loot-craft-repeat was born. 

But that was far from the only major change. By June, minecarts had appeared in the game, changing how players could travel through their worlds and, in August, the first version of multiplayer in Survival mode popped up. So much of Minecraft’s popularity is built on playing with your friends, and this was the first time we could see a glimpse of how huge that would be for the game. 

2011: Minecraft 1.0 Released – and the First Port Arrives 

If you want a sense of how fast Minecraft grew, consider this. By January of 2011, the game hit a million players. But July, that had jumped to 10 million. And, to top it all off – all of this came before the game had launched its full 1.0 version. That came on November 18, 2011. What came to be known as Minecraft: Java Edition was released during Minecon 2011, bringing everything millions of players were already loving to an even wider audience – even an “ending” to the game with the Ender Dragon boss fight. 

And we can’t ignore that 2011 also saw the game’s first-ever non-PC ports. Minecraft: Pocket Edition launched exclusively for the Xperia Play smartphone in August, followed quickly by an iOS version – from these small beginnings, Minecraft would spread across practically every modern gaming device over the years, becoming the phenomenon it has been in the process. 

2012: Minecraft Gets Lego-fied, Comes to Xbox 360, and Gets the Pretty Scary Update

If you wanted to pinpoint the moment where Minecraft became more than just a game, look no further than when Lego officially confirmed that Minecraft – in many ways the brick-building hobby’s digital cousin – would become an official set. Lego Minecraft Micro World allowed you to build four cubic vignettes from Minecraft in real-life, complete with Steve and Creeper mini-figs. 

In the world of gaming itself, 2012 was no less important. This year marked the first meeting of Minecraft and Xbox, as Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition launched in May, offering a console version of the game to millions of new players. This console edition became the basis for Minecraft’s off-PC future – from here, we’d see the game appear on almost every new Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo console over the years. 

We also saw a landmark new update: Pretty Scary brought a host of new mobs to fight off, and also brought one of the most important blocks in the game’s history – the Command Block became the basis for some of the most impressive creations in Minecraft, adding a level of programming that would allow magnificent ideas to spring forth. 

2013: The Redstone Update Changes Everything and Horses Ride In 

If 2012’s Command Block was the start of something special, 2013’s Redstone Update was when it got really special. Redstone, a block that allows players to power various elements of the game, had already been introduced, but this update opened up a host of new opportunities. Redstone could now be used to power pressure plates, change how rail blocks worked, detect daylight and much, much more. From here, players began to experiment with how far Redstone could take their creations – all the way up to creating working 8-bit computers inside the game. 

On the less complicated side of things, we also got the Horse Update, which changed the game in a more adorable way, allowing you to tame and ride the majestic, blocky beasts and travel your world in a new way. Notably, this was a major moment for how Mojang worked with its community – the Horse Update was inspired by a mod, Mo’ Creatures, and shows how the game has been worked on with the fans themselves (many of whom went onto be Mojang developers, too). 

2014: Microsoft Acquires Mojang and The Bountiful Update Blooms 

I might not even be writing this article if it weren’t for 2014 – when Microsoft saw quite how earth-shaking Minecraft had become and acquired Mojang for $2.5 billion. After two years of working closely together, the two companies came together to shape the future of the game, which has only continued to grow in the decade since. 

In the game itself, the Bountiful Update represented an enormous improvement. Built over a full 10 months, Bountiful saw massive changes to the codebase of the game, invisibly improving everything about the experience – but it also brought floating islands, underwater temples, killer rabbits, and much more. 

2015: Minecon Breaks Records, and the HoloLens Demo Wows 

Since humble beginnings in 2010, Minecon had been bringing fans of Minecraft together to celebrate the game – and had subsequently become the home of some of the game’s biggest releases. Come this year, it had become a truly enormous affair – record-breaking, even. Held in London, Minecon 2015 sold 10,000 tickets, earning a Guinness World Record for the largest convention in history for a single game. 

2015 also saw Mojang showing just how creative it could get with its ideas – the Minecraft HoloLens demo became one of the most talked-about E3 presentations of recent years. The mixed-reality headset could effectively create parts of a Minecraft world amid the real world around you, offering a perspective on the game no one could have imagined. While it never became a full product, it’s a brilliant evocation of how restlessly creative Mojang is with its game. 

2016: Hitting 100 Million Sales, and Minecraft: Education Edition Launches 

There was no doubt that Minecraft was already a worldwide concern, but 2016 saw its biggest cultural landmark yet – passing 100 million copies sold. In 2016, 53,000 people were buying Minecraft every day – and four copies were even sold in Antarctica. The game has now passed triple that number, but it was here that Minecraft truly set out its stall as one of the most-loved, most important games of all time. 

Its influence was so strong, in fact, that 2016 also saw the launch of Minecraft: Education Edition (now simply Minecraft Education). Developed alongside Xbox Game Studios, this version of the game was designed to be used in the classroom, and has allowed kids to build collaboratively, learn from educators inside the game itself, and been updated to include worlds that help learning on Cyber Safety, natural history, and much, much more. 

2017: The Better Together Update Unites Players, Minecraft Marketplace Empowers Them 

For years, players had been able to get Minecraft on their consoles, but 2017’s Better Together helped make that all the more significant. This was the moment that Mojang began to bring platforms together, allowing anyone with the Bedrock Edition of the game to play together, no matter what device they were playing on. It was a gigantic step, and a true piece of Minecraft magic. 

In the same year, Mojang doubled down on its commitment to its community with Minecraft Marketplace – a store that sells curated creator-made skins, texture packs, and maps. Effectively, it offered modders – a huge part of Minecraft’s success over the years – to make money from their creations, and opened the door to literally millions of more people to access their hard work. 

2018: Update Aquatic Opens Up New Worlds 

70% of Earth is covered with water, and while that ratio may differ in your Minecraft world, that’s still a lot of space you might otherwise not see. Not so after Update Aquatic – the biggest update to Minecraft’s oceans saw new mobs, blocks, and mysteries added to the game’s underwater realms. 

From dolphins and turtles to the only-slightly-horrifying Drowned enemies, there was a lot to play with under the sea, not to mention buried treasure, shipwrecks, and reefs to explore. 

2019: 10 Years of Minecraft, and the Village & Pillage Update Storms In 

A decade is a very long time in gaming, but it was just the start for Minecraft. The 10-year anniversary of the game went hard, not least with a beautiful map that acted as an interactive museum about the game itself – and a re-release of the Classic Edition of the game to show you just how far the game had come. 

Looking forward, we also saw the Village & Pillage update, which populated your world in new ways. Revamped villages (and their villagers) now sprung up across the biomes, offering trading, jobs, and more ways to interact. But to combat all this loveliness, we also saw the addition of Pillagers, a new faction of bandit mobs who’d roam the map looking to spoil your good time. Also, pandas were added, which is only ever a good thing. 

2020: Nether Update Takes Us Deeper Underground, and Minecraft Dungeons Arrives

The Nether had long been an object of fascination and terror for Minecraft players, offering a whole other dimension to the game. But the Nether Update changed this world of danger forever, adding new biomes and mobs that turned it from a curious, dangerous place into a true realm to explore in itself. 

Meanwhile, Mojang also saw fit to release the biggest Minecraft spin-off yet – Minecraft Dungeons twisted the original game’s basics into an all-new action experience. In partnership with Double Eleven, this game offers a new story-driven approach to the Minecraft universe, transforming familiar items, mobs, and blocks into dungeon crawling essentials. 

2021: Minecraft Passes 1 Trillion Views on YouTube, While Caves and Cliffs Emerges 

YouTube has been an incredibly important part of Minecraft’s history, with creators across the globe enjoying and sharing the game, and becoming famous in their own right as a result. If you want a sense of quite how intertwined the two became, Minecraft became the first entertainment franchise to break through the 1 trillion views mark on YouTube. As YouTube itself put it: “If each of those one trillion views were just one second long, that would add up to over 30,000 years.” Please, take it from me, don’t try and catch up on all of it. 

Inside the game, we saw an update so massive it had to be split into two parts. Caves & Cliffs was the most ambitious update Mojang had ever put together to this point, not only adding the expected new mobs, items, and blocks, but adding entire new biomes and overhauling how Minecraft worlds themselves were generated. 

2022: New Default Skins Added and The Wild Update Bursts Forth 

Skin-swapping had been easy for a long time, but good old default skins Steve and Alex were probably a little lonely come 2022. Enter Noor, Sunny, Ari, Zuri, Makena, Kai, and Efe – new default skins that let players express themselves more easily than ever while jumping into their world. 

Meanwhile, the Wild Update included even more new biomes on top of 2021’s Caves & Cliffs, including the Deep Dark, a biome only found underground, replete with ancient cities to discover, and the terrifying, blind Warden enemy. Also: frogs! 

2023: Minecraft Legends Offers Another New Adventure, and Trails & Tales Launches

Minecraft Dungeons was only the start. Last year, Minecraft Legends arrived to offer another new look at how Minecraft could be adapted. This action strategy game zoomed way out to offer you a bird’s eye view of the Overworld – and an army of mobs to help you protect it from Piglin hordes. 

In Minecraft itself, the Trails & Tales update offered new means of self-expression in your world, not to mention added new stories underground with the addition of archeology in desert biomes. Count yourself lucky if you find the new, rare Cherry Blossom biome – and maybe find your way there on the new camel mob, which has space for you and a friend on its back. 

2024: Looking to the Future 

And so we reach 2024, as Minecraft turns 15. You might think Mojang might want a bit of a break, but not so – they’ve already released the Armored Paws drop, and announced a massive birthday sale, but there’s so much more still to come. From the upcoming Tricky Trials update to secrets yet to be revealed, this 15th year is, somehow, only the beginning. 

Minecraft

Microsoft Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 2009

★★★★★

$19.99 $9.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

Xbox Game Pass

Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs. Scale craggy mountains, unearth elaborate caves and mine large ore veins. Discover lush cave and dripstone cave biomes. Light up your world with candles to show what a savvy spelunker and master mountaineer you are! FEATURES: If you can dream it, you can build it. Put your imagination and limitless resources to work with Creative Mode. Battle mobs, construct shelters and explore the landscape – it’s all in a day’s work when you try to survive and thrive in Survival Mode. New tools, locations and spaces are yours to explore, thanks to our regular updates. Cross-platform play for up to eight players across Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox and mobile devices. Discover skin, texture and mash-up packs from the community! Find out more at minecraft.net/marketplace. REALMS PLUS: Play with up to 10 friends cross-platform in worlds that exist any time, anywhere – and get access to over 150 pieces of Marketplace content. Try a free 30-day trial in-app and learn more at minecraft.net/realms/bedrock. You can also play Minecraft with Xbox Game Pass – check it out at xbox.com/gamepass.

The post The Most Important Moments in Minecraft’s First 15 Years appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Do you have what it takes to write your own legacy in Formula 1? F1 Manager 2024 accelerates onto Xbox consoles on July 23, placing you in the hotseat of a team competing in the world’s most prestigious motorsports championship. This year, for the first time ever, you will be able to add your own 11^th team to the grid, designing your own route to the podium as you customise the look of your team and seek sponsorship to support your lofty goals.

F1 Manager 2024 utilizes hundreds of real-world data points taken from the sport in the most authentic and immersive experience to date. But just how does that data affect how you’ll be managing your team?

New to the series this year is the Mentality System, which gives you a greater understanding than ever before into the personal ambitions and characters of your team. To do this we wanted each driver and staff member to react in a more human way, for them to have ambition, opinions, and expectations about how you and your team are performing. To do this we looked at real-world data regarding their careers. How many wins do they have? How many races have they competed in? Did they compete in F2 or F3? Have they developed a championship winning car?

We use this type of data to make each individual’s history and experience drive how they react and respond to the world they live in. This also allows our drivers and staff to develop and change over time just like in real life as the data points we use are constantly updating and changing, which in turn changes how they perceive the world. Putting two previous World Championship winners in the same car won’t guarantee results, as they’re still hungry for race wins. Likewise, someone who’s new to the F1 paddock will be happy to see their experience build. Fail to keep your stars happy, and rival teams can take advantage of this to poach them to their own teams.

Authenticity is at the core of the F1® Manager series, so this commitment to real-world data forms the foundations of our driver and staff ratings.  From the individual Driver attributes to each staff member’s abilities in building a car or operating at a race track, everything is balanced according to real life results and historic data. For example, a 1^st – 20^th ranking of the number of laps done on each compound of tyre in every Grand Prix since 2020, how efficient those strategies were at those races, plus car performance weightings to ensure fairness in the results, allows us to indicate an initial smoothness rating for a driver.

Revamped UI in F1 Manager 2024 shows you how important each area of the car is, in anticipation of the next few races. This information is generated using calculations that amalgamate real tyre, lap time and performance data directly from our partners at F1, such as best sector times in Qualifying, or speed differential between using or not using DRS through a Speed Trap. This level of commitment to the real-world data spreads throughout every part of the game, from the strategies you’ll use on track to the development of future talent through the new Affiliates system, allowing you to recruit the stars of the future from F2, F3 and beyond.

Once you’ve got your team set up, our race simulation brings the action to life with broadcast-like cameras, including the strategic new Heli-cam.  How each car performs across each of the 24 circuits is informed by more real-world data which we work on with the F1 Motorsport team. Our engineering team run thousands of simulated scenarios on every lap and every corner to produce a wealth of information, identifying each car’s opportunities to overtake and how they perform. These simulations are fed by data such as overall lap times from previous Grand Prix, weather conditions and the rate of tyre wear, ensuring every race in F1 Manager 2024 feels authentic and realistic to F1 fans.

You can dive into the data yourself and create a legacy with your own team when F1 Manager 2024 releases on July 23 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Pre-order ahead of launch to receive an additional exclusive Create A Team preset livery replicating the F1 2024 Show Car, or choose to enhance your experience with 10% off the suggested retail price of F1 Manager 2024: Deluxe Edition, which adds five classically inspired patterns to Create A Team mode, whilst an additional five fictional Race Replay scenarios offer unique single-race challenges.

F1® Manager 2024 Deluxe Edition

Frontier Developments

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$44.99 $40.49

Pre-order

Preorder the F1® Manager 2024 Deluxe Edition now to receive:  Create A Team F1® 2024 Show Car preset   5 Create A Team Classically Inspired Livery Patterns   5 Custom Race Replay Scenarios  A 10% Prepurchase Discount  The F1® Manager 2024 Deluxe Upgrade Pack contains 5 classically inspired livery patterns for use in Create A Team and 5 custom race replay scenarios that will push even the most strategic Team Principal to the limit.  Lead your team to glory in F1® Manager 2024. A new Formula 1® season has arrived, and with it, the most comprehensive F1® management experience to date. Build a legacy with one of 10 official F1® constructors or create your own team for the very first time. Plan and direct your team’s strategy and watch as your driver’s execute your commands in thrilling F1 races, brought to life with a broadcast-quality presentation. Manage your drivers, staff, car development and facilities throughout multiple seasons to give your team the best chance to claim a spot on the Formula 1 podium. NEW FOR 2024 CREATE A TEAM For the first time in the series, create your own team to challenge the grid and forge a new legacy. Customise every element of your team from your origin and livery design to logo and racing suits. Recruit the right staff and drivers and negotiate with sponsors for placement on your car. DEEPER MANAGEMENT The dramatic world of F1 comes to life on and off the track with the brand-new Mentality System. Manage the personalities and needs of your staff and drivers in the pursuit of success. Keep your stars happy to avoid allowing rivals from poaching your talent, disrupting your team’s trajectory towards the top. Build a legacy by fostering talents from F2 & F3 to add to your own affiliate pool. Access the stars of the future and ensure their success is your success. F1 RACES BROUGHT TO LIFE Circuits visuals have been refreshed for the official 2024 season, including the returning Shanghai International Circuit. Improved track marbling and enhanced use of real-world data mean racing lines are clearer than ever, with enhanced trackside detailing providing the best-looking visual presentation to date. Helicam provides a strategic bird’s eye view on the action, giving you a new perspective when executing and evolving your race day plans Races present ever-evolving challenges and opportunities with the introduction of Mechanical Failures. Can you mitigate these issues as they arise to stay on track? Ensure you are in position to capitalise on rivals' issues and claim unexpected results. MORE TO DISCOVER ·         2024 F1® Sprint race format ·         2024 driver and staff roster, including drivers from development and team academies ·         Improved approachability including refreshed data visualisations, the option to simulate the full race weekend, and enhanced tutorials ·         Race Replay returns for another thrilling season, allowing you to relive and redefine moments from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship

The post Discover How Real F1 Data Creates the Ultimate Sporting Simulation in F1 Manager 2024 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Get ready to unleash an arsenal of spells in Immortals of Aveum!

The single-player, first-person magic shooter from Ascendant Studios, in partnership with EA Originals, is now on the Play List for all EA Play members (Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See https://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eaplay/US/en/PC/ for details). PC Game Pass and Ultimate Game Pass subscribers can now experience the story of Jak, set in the Immortals of Aveum’s original fantasy universe.

Powered by the groundbreaking Unreal Engine 5.1 technology, Immortals of Aveum puts players in a visceral and cinematic fantasy universe that combines modern characters and a story-driven campaign with intense magic-based action, world exploration and puzzle-solving. The game tells the story of Jak (played by actor Darren Barnet) who discovers that he is a magically-imbued ‘Unforeseen’ and finds himself reluctantly caught in the middle of the raging Everwar. Members will find themselves thrusted into action-packed gameplay, testing their skills in fast, fluid combat that is easy to learn and satisfying to master.

In addition to Immortals of Aveum, EA Play members also get unlimited access to an expansive catalog of EA games, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, EA SPORTS NHL 24 and more, as well as a 10% discount on EA digital content (including game downloads, Season Passes, point packs, and DLC).

EA Play also offers members regular in-game rewards! This month’s rewards include:

• Apex Legends Golden Syringe Weapon Charm – Now to June 3
• Battlefield 2042 Offshore Protector – Now to May 28
• EA SPORTS FC 24 Clubs Nike What The FC Tn Shark – Now to June 6
• EA SPORTS FC 24 VOLTA Nike What The FC T-Shirt and COINS – Now to June 6
• EA SPORTS FC 24 Ultimate Team Draft Token – Now to June 14
• F1 23 5000 XP Boost – Now to May 31
• Madden NFL 24 MUT May Pack – Now to May 31
• EA SPORTS WRC Season 4 Rewards – Now to June 3
• NHL 24 Super Hero Set – Now to May 22
• NHL 24 WOC Coins – Now to May 22
• NHL 24 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier – Now to May 22

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription. Members enjoy great player benefits, including in-game challenges and rewards, special member-only content, trials of select new games such as EA SPORTS FC 24 and access to a collection of EA’s best-loved series and top titles, including the recently added EA SPORTS PGA Tour.

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.

The post EA Play: Immortals of Aveum Joins the Play List Alongside New Member Rewards this Month appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The entire Disney Dreamlight Valley team is grateful for players checking out the latest update, Thrills & Frills! Starting today, we’re thrilled to present even more reasons to play with the launch of a new in-game event, the Dreamlight Parks Fest, and the introduction of iconic Disney Parks popcorn buckets! Here’s everything you need to know.

Players can talk with Scrooge McDuck to kick off the event by unlocking new Disney Parks-inspired cupcake recipes. However, Scrooge McDuck isn’t the only Villager who’s getting into the spirit of the event. All the Villagers are excited to try out some special cupcake recipes inspired by real treats players can get at Disney Parks! By making cupcakes for the Villagers and completing other tasks around the Valley, players will be able to craft popcorn buckets based on beloved Disney characters like Stitch and Figment. That’s right – now players can have some of their favorite Disney Parks-inspired popcorn buckets in their Valleys too!

We know how much avid Park goers love collecting popcorn buckets, we’ve got a few collectors on the team, too! The Disney Parks popcorn buckets are not just simple snack containers but popular collectibles that carry memories of adventure-filled days. Celebrating cherished Parks memories in-game or aiding in creating new ones, they are the perfect addition to the Dreamlight Parks Fest. 

With so many incredible designs featured over the years, we took inspiration from our own memorable trips to the Parks to recreate some of our favorite popcorn buckets – from a big jar of “Hunny” from Disney’s Winnie the Pooh to the enchanted carriage from Disney’s Cinderella.

It was important to us to be accurate with the 1-to-1 recreations of these memorable Parks popcorn buckets. To add a little surprise and delight for players, we made every popcorn bucket interactable – players can open them and see all that buttery popcorn inside!

The Dreamlight Parks Fest event will run from May 15 to June 5, giving players three weeks to complete the event and collect all the rewards, and don’t worry – players will still be able to keep and display your popcorn buckets long after the event has ended. We would appreciate seeing how players are displaying the buckets in their Valleys and learning about their favorite popcorn buckets. Everyone can join the event now and collect them all, then share pictures with us by tagging Disney Dreamlight Valley on social media!

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Gameloft SE

☆☆☆☆☆ 340

★★★★★

$39.99 $31.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

INCLUDES 8,000 MOONSTONES* Disney Dreamlight Valley is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game rich with quests, exploration, and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar friends, both old and new. Once an idyllic land, Dreamlight Valley was a place where Disney and Pixar characters lived in harmony—until the Forgetting. Night Thorns grew across the land and severed the wonderful memories tied to this magical place. With nowhere else to go, the hopeless inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley retreated behind locked doors in the Dream Castle. Now it's up to you to discover the stories of this world and bring the magic back to Dreamlight Valley! Discover the Secrets of Dreamlight Valley Free the Dream Castle from the insidious grip of the Forgetting, and unlock the unique Realms of well-loved Disney and Pixar characters, including great queens and kings such as Anna and Simba. Each Realm contains unique challenges with puzzles to solve in the quest to bring friendship back to the Valley. You’ll start your adventure in the Valley, but your journey will take you to infinity… and beyond! Explore what lurks in the Forest of Valor and brave the deepest caverns as you take on challenges from iconic Disney and Pixar heroes and villains. Who knows who—or what—you might discover. Forge Friendships with Disney & Pixar Characters Garden with WALL•E, cook with Remy or kick back and fish with Goofy. What better way to collect, craft, and rebuild the Valley than with a friend! From beautiful princesses to nefarious villains, every Dreamlight Valley resident brings their own story arc, quests, and rewards. Meet up in daily hangouts and make friends with some of your favorite Disney and Pixar characters. Restore the Valley to Its Former Glory Free the Valley from the grip of the Forgetting and return Dreamlight Valley to its former greatness by making it your own. In Dreamlight Valley, you can build the perfect neighborhood that is just for you with a fully customizable layout, creative landscaping, and thousands of decorative items. Will you settle on the Beach next to Moana, or call Buzz Lightyear your next-door neighbor in the Plaza? Express Your Disney Style Bring out your inner princess, villain, or Disney bounder! Assemble unique outfits and decorate your home with thousands of fantastic items. Using the Touch of Magic tool, you can even create your own designs with Disney- and Pixar-inspired decals! With the in-game Camera, get ready to snap a sunset selfie with Mirabel, capture a culinary creation with Remy, or simply cherish a moment. A Game in Constant Evolution New content means that there's always something fresh to explore. Meet new characters in the Valley, check out the latest clothing and furniture collections in Scrooge’s Store, and complete challenging in-game events! Be sure to dream your way back to Dreamlight Valley regularly to discover new adventures! *Moonstones are an in-game currency that can be collected for free by performing tasks in the game or be purchased using real money. They are used to unlock the premium track of the Star Path (a battle-pass-inspired system that grants in-game cosmetic items as a player completes various tasks and missions). Moonstones can also be used to accelerate progress in the Star Path. Additionally, Moonstones can be used to purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store.

The post Collect Exclusive Disney Parks Popcorn Buckets in the New In-Game Event from Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Crafted with meticulous attention to player feedback, this electrifying track is a direct response to the clamor for more verticality in our racing experience. We heard you loud and clear after the release of our first Racing circuit, and Titans’ Alley delivers in spades. Prepare to navigate hairpin turns, dizzying ascents, and heart-stopping descents as you vie for victory in this thrilling new desertic environment.

Harness the power of your Dragons and ascend to victory in the ultimate test of speed and skill!

Ready for an unparalleled adrenaline rush? Get set to soar with the wind and command the strength of Dragons as you plunge into the depths of the Titan’s Alley desert.

The Circuit of Champions event not only unveils the new desert-themed circuit, but also two new Pick Ups:

• Blast ability: This ability works like the one used in PvP modes on the Phantom & Windguard: You first launch a projectile with a visible “bubble” to display its blast radius (grey for the caster, red for the enemies). The projectile explodes when colliding with a surface or when you press the ability key again for manual activation.
• Dash Ability: This ability is similar to the Feral Charge used by the Rimeblood in PvP modes. You can lock a target in front of you and quickly dash towards them upon activation. If you hit the target, they are struck while you continue forward.

You can also experiment with two new features added to the Dragon Racing game mode:

• Double Pickup System: You can now carry up to two abilities at the same time. The UI now displays an active slot in the foreground and a reserve slot in the background.
• Draft System: The Dragon Racing mode now features a Draft System, similar to other racing games. Staying behind a dragon for a short time (1.5s) will trigger a small speed boost.

The swiftest Dragoneers will not only claim victory but also unlock amazing prizes as a testament to their triumph!

As Dragoneers take flight atop their majestic dragons, navigating through challenging laps and outmaneuvering rivals, their quest extends beyond mere glory. They’re racing towards the promise of incredible prizes, awaiting those bold enough to seize victory with skill and determination.

Dragoneers will not only etch their names into the annals of dragon racing history but also gain access to exclusive rewards that will leave them in awe. From legendary Dragon gear, legendary and epic chests to scarce in-game currency and beyond, every triumph in the Circuit of Champions event propels you closer to a vault of jolly rewards.

Don’t wait another moment—leap into action today and claim your place as the quickest Dragoneer in this time-limited challenge!

Century: Age of Ashes

Playwing LTD

☆☆☆☆☆ 326

★★★★★

Get it now

Century: Age of Ashes, the multiplayer dragon battle game is now available for free! Customize your dragon, dive into the arena and compete to become a legendary Dragoneer. Burn your enemies and rule the skies! ——- INTENSE ARENA BATTLES Dive into the arena alone or with friends and fight for your survival in exciting game modes: – Outbreak (PvE): team up and protect the towers of Hel’s Breach against waves of horrific enemies. – Carnage (PvP): A killing spree with special power ups. It’s Team Deathmatch, Dragon riders style! – Gates of Fire (PvP): Two teams clash over possession of the flag. Gain points by flying through gates while holding the flag! – Spoils of War (PvP): Steal gold from carriers & the enemy while protecting your own nest, and adapt to unexpected situations! – Survival (PvP): It's every dragoneer for themselves! Pit against other players in a ferocious and unforgiving free-for-all clash. ——- CHOOSE YOUR CLASS Experience different play styles with unique classes, each with their own abilities! Shield and disorient as the Windguard, track and destroy as the Marauder, stealth and trap as the Phantom, rush and thunder-shock your opponents as the Stormraiser, vine-trap them as the Thornweaver or frost-charge them as the Rimeblood! How will you choose your path to victory? ——- FULL CUSTOMIZATION Your dragon, your style! Century: Age of Ashes offers carefully designed cosmetic items to stand out in the arena. Gain experience as you play and unlock awesome skins to customize your dragon and its rider! Don't worry, these items are purely cosmetic and offer no advantage in battle. ——- FREE TO PLAY Century: Age of Ashes is completely free-to-play. In order to keep the experience fair and equitable, in-game purchases are purely cosmetic. Battles are won by skill and teamwork alone.

The post Join the Circuit of Champions Event Now through May 23 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Experience a magical convergence of strategy and chance in Spellcats, where mystical felines rule and tactics triumph. In this innovative roguelike deckbuilder, you are the catalyst in a spellbound world dominated by a group of humans called Nekocasters. Dare to venture into mysterious dungeons and the shadowy lairs where you must use your strategic skills to overcome your adversaries and free your four-legged siblings. Traverse mysterious dungeons, make card combos, and free your companions combining cards and cats.

As the Only Cat with Free Will, You are the Hope for Your Species.

Harness the raw power of over 100 diverse cat cards. Each cat comes to life with extraordinary abilities, from the stealthy Alley Pouncer to the majestic Thunderclaw. Build your deck with a mix of tactical prowess and random fortune, ensuring each dungeon run is filled with thrilling unpredictability.

Five Elements, Twenty Amulets, and Endless Meows

Spellcats also offers a unique gaming experience with five different elements: Water, Electricity, Fire, Ice, and Earth, each with its unique gameplay style that enriches the player’s experience through a myriad of mystical landscapes. Additionally, over 20 amulets await to be discovered and used. These will enhance the army of kittens and give an advantage in battles.

Strategy and Magic Combined in a Unique Rogueline Card Game

Empower your journey with unique trinkets, each adding layers of depth to your strategic maneuvers. These artifacts are imbued with capabilities that amplify your feline summons, turning the tide of battles. Dive into the heart of darkness and light in Spellcats, where each play is a step towards liberation or doom. The fate of the Nekos rests upon your shoulders—will you rise as their savior, or will the shadows of Nekocasters eclipse the land forever? Prepare to cast, conquer, and ascend in this enchanting saga of survival and sorcery, launching this May. Are you ready to unleash the true power of the paw?

Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics

NintaiStudios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$13.99

Pre-order

Calling all cat lovers and card game aficionados! Step into the paws of the only sentient feline in a human-dominated world. Gifted with the extraordinary magic power to summon other cats, you alone hold the key to freeing your kind. Fight the Nekocasters, a cadre of humans exploiting innocent 'Nekos' for their own nefarious gains, serving a greater evil. Embark on an enchanting journey through mysterious dungeons, the grim lairs of the Nekocasters. Outplay your adversaries with a powerful combo of summoned kittens. As the world's only self-aware cat, uncover the mystery behind your origins. Are you the product of an ancient spell, a botched experiment, or something more profound? This vibrant, cat-filled world teems with secrets waiting to be unraveled. Brave through the perilous dungeons, outsmart the cunning Nekocasters, and liberate your feline brethren in 'Spellcats'. The future of the Nekos rests in your paws. A Vibrant Deck of 60 Diverse Cats Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command! Five Elements with Unique Gameplay Dive into the diverse mechanics of five unique elements: Water, Electric, Fire, Ice, and Earth. Each element offers a distinct playstyle that adds to the richness of the gameplay. The strategy you employ is entirely up to you! Roguelike Trinkets Discover and utilize over 20 unique trinkets to enhance your gameplay experience. These powerful items can power up your kitten army, granting them new abilities or augmenting their existing ones, giving you the upper hand in battles. Each trinket's unique effect adds an extra layer of strategy to your dungeon runs, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.

The post Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Hi everyone, Dom Matthews here, Studio Head at Ninja Theory. On May 21 we release Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on Xbox Series X|S and on PC. It will be a proud moment for our team and those that have contributed to our development journey. Today, I’d like to celebrate the contribution of our mental health consultants, with the release of ‘Senua’s Psychosis’, a feature video that details how, by way of collaboration, Senua’s experiences of psychosis in Hellblade II are rooted both in neuroscience and in real lived experience.

When the idea for telling the story of a character who experiences psychosis was first thought of, we knew instantly that we had a responsibility to understand the subject thoroughly. With this intent in-hand, we started a collaboration with Professor Paul Fletcher, Professor of Health Neuroscience at University of Cambridge, which in-turn led to us building a partnership with Recovery College East and other groups of people who, like Senua, have had real lived experience of seeing and hearing things that others don’t and having unique beliefs about the world. What started off as an exercise in hoping to learn, quickly transitioned into a creative collaboration where the openness, honesty and enthusiasm of our collaborators gave us the chance to not only portray Senua’s experiences truthfully – but enhance our character, her world and her story.

In Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we were so honored to hear from fans that Senua’s journey had helped them understand psychosis a little more. For some, it helped them to understand their own experiences. For others, it helped them to understand the experiences of loved ones. And for many, it helped them to build empathy for the millions of people who struggle daily with mental health challenges.

As we approach the launch of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II my hope is that once again we can, for some, give a taste of what it can be like to hear voices, to see things that only you can see and to be driven by beliefs that may be unusual to others. Several weeks ago, I was excited to share the stage with our collaborators at Hellblade: A Journey of the mind, a conference, hosted in partnership with Cambridge Neuroscience, dedicated to exploring the theme of how Senua’s psychosis has come to life in Hellblade. For those interested, you can watch the full conference here. The conference was a reminder to me of how fortunate we have been to work with our mental health collaborators, a special group of people that have, throughout our development, dedicated themselves to helping us tell Senua’s story as someone who’s experiences could very well be those of a real person.

In today’s video, I’m proud to introduce you to Paul, Eddy and Kathy and I thank them, and all our collaborators, for their immense contribution to Hellblade.

For further information on the themes discussed in this video, please visit hellbladehelp.info.

The post How Senua’s Experience of Psychosis in Hellblade II is Rooted in Neuroscience and Lived Experience appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Solving crime is no walk in the pond.

We’re very excited to announce that Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store! Duck Detective is Aggretsuko meets Return of the Obra Dinn, in a cozy mystery setting where a down-on-his-luck duck is tasked with exposing a sinister sausage-based conspiracy.

You play as Eugene McQuacklin, part-time private investigator, full-time duck. As a recent divorcee and ex-police detective, you must use your supreme powers of deduc(k)tion to save your ailing career and maybe, just maybe, pay next month’s rent.

Our small team at Happy Broccoli Games have been greatly inspired by the classic Agatha Christie novels. While they take a darker and more suspenseful approach, we wanted to create something that would keep you guessing as much as it will make you smile. It has been fantastic fun for our team to write such an energetic and twisty tale. A pompous detective, mismatched characters, and cramped environment, all mixed together surely makes for a big hoot!

Justice is a dish best served at the bottom of a pond. And you’re sure to get your flippers wet when it comes to the case of The Secret Salami.

We are very much looking forward to having all you detectives quack the case on release! We don’t have a firm date just yet, but we’ll work hard to get it in your hands as quackly as possible. Please look forward to more puns and more fun when the game launches on Xbox!

The post Use Your Powers of De-duck-tion in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami appeared first on Xbox Wire.

We’ve got a jam-packed weekend for you with Free Play Days! Crime Boss: Rockay City, Cities Skylines – Remastered and From Space are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday May 9 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. 

Additionally, expansions for Destiny 2 including Shadowkeep, Beyond Light and The Witch Queen are free for all Xbox members from May 7 until June 4 (Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate not required). 

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

How To Start Playing

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

Keep The Fun Going

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

Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)

Crime Boss: Rockay City

505 Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 221

★★★★★

$39.99 $19.99

Get it now

Crime Boss: Rockay City 
Play Crime Boss: Rockay City for FREE! This co-operative, organized heisting game can be played either solo in the single-player campaign or with friends in multiplayer. Start levelling up and earning rewards in the new progression system and enjoy tons of new content from our latest update. 

Cities: Skylines – Remastered

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆ 256

★★★★★

$39.99 $9.99

Get it now

Xbox Game Pass

Cities: Skylines – Remastered  
Cities: Skylines – Remastered puts you in charge of a growing city, from the ground-breaking of its first streets to the ever-changing needs of thousands of citizens. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub.

From Space

Curve Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 208

★★★★★

$14.99 $11.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

From Space
From Space is a solo and co-op action-shooter for squads up to four players. Take on the challenge of liberating the earth from an alien infestation with your friends, using over-the-top weaponry in a post-apocalyptic world with awesomely stylized graphics. The apocalypse has never been so much fun! 

Free Play Days For All

Destiny 2: Legacy Collection (2023)

Bungie

☆☆☆☆☆ 104

★★★★★

$59.99 $11.99

Get it now

Destiny 2 Expansions (Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen)
During Destiny 2’s Expansion Open Access month, you can play through Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and The Witch Queen, along with all four Year-6 Seasons. Enjoy the updated New Light experience by exploring the Cosmodrome or skip it and join your friends right away. Open Access Month ends when The Final Shape launches, but any rewards you collect are yours to keep. 

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

The post Free Play Days – Destiny 2 Expansions, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Cities: Skylines – Remastered and From Space  appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Jump back in comes to Compact Mode 

In November, we introduced Compact Mode, a feature available via the Xbox app on PC that enhances your gaming experience by providing a more intuitive user interface on smaller screens, including Windows handhelds. We’re excited to announce that the Jump back in feature and enhancements to the Friends panel are rolling out to all Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview starting today! 

When we launched Compact Mode, we focused on giving you more space to browse content by simplifying the sidebar. We are now taking it further with Jump back in, our latest feature that allows you to quickly access the games you have recently played on your Windows device when you are immersed in Compact Mode. 

Jump back in will feature the last nine games you played from the app. When you click on any game card, you will go directly to its game hub where you can jump into game play. You can also right-click or press the menu button on your controller to launch directly into game play from the context menu.  

Enhancements to the Friends panel 

With Compact Mode, we have also made it easier to access the Friends panel via controller navigation, with quick access directly from the sidebar, and consistent with other panels like Notifications. We are looking forward to hearing your feedback as we continue to improve the experiences related to Friends in the app. 

Starting next week, a new survey will be available in the Xbox Insider Hub (open or install clicking here) for players enrolled in the PC Gaming preview to give us your feedback on Jump back in and the updated Friends panel access with Compact Mode. As a reminder, you can always give us suggestions for the app or leave feedback by clicking on your Profile card inside the Xbox App and then selecting Feedback from the dropdown menu. We can’t wait to hear from you as we work to bring more enhancements to Compact Mode and the Xbox App on PC for you to enjoy seamless Xbox gaming experiences across all your Windows devices. 

How to get Xbox Insider support and share your feedback 

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, you can provide direct feedback to Team Xbox by following the steps here under the “Report a problem online” section. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding the PC Gaming Preview. 

Like what you see but not an Xbox Insider? 

If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. (Note: The features outlined in this article are currently only available for PC-based Xbox Insiders.) 

The post Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The game also features a unique combat system, which mixes traditional JRPG-esque turn-based combat alongside real-time bullet-hell elements. However, that’s not all! The game throws a monkey wrench in this formula by introducing a vast assortment of distinct ways of battling through an eclectic mix of unique minigames. This may include playing basketball, cooking, dancing your heart out, working out, playing old arcade games, drawing pictures, and more! And that’s not even mentioning the unique conversations and personalities of each enemy you can find throughout the game.

As you explore Athens, you’ll come across tons of different biomes, all with their own unique feel and residents (both friendly and not)! Not only will your party members play a role in how you explore these biomes, but so will the choices you make throughout the game and how you interact with those around you. You’ll find yourself in situations that range from odd (such as fighting an arrogant fly) to utterly bizarre (helping out in an Italian restaurant). What other secrets does the world of Athens hold? You’ll have to explore every nook and cranny to find out!

Last but not least, what’s up with that online system we mentioned? The complexity and deep variety of the game’s design means no two playthroughs will ever be the same. As you wrap up each playthrough of the game, you’ll be awarded your very own “rhapsody”, something of a unique memento that contains your player character and each and every nuance of how you experienced Athens. These rhapsodies can be collected and viewed, but also traded to friends! Collected rhapsodies can also be stacked/combined to give them additional effects. Plus, some rare rhapsodies exist, which may grant special in-game bonuses or allow for unique experiences to pop up in game.

Developed by Nico Papalia with co-development help, porting assistance for Xbox, and publishing by Top Hat Studios, Athenian Rhapsody is launching May 14 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, with a 15% launch discount until May 28th.

Athenian Rhapsody

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

ARE YOU READY FOR THE CRAZIEST GAME EVER? CAN THE DEVELOPER OF THE GAME DO A BACKFLIP??? No, he can't. Maybe one day, but for now he's too scared! …anyway, Athenian Rhapsody is a super-fresh, one-of-a-kind comedy RPG in which you'll explore the World of Athens! Your goal is to build your very own Rhapsody – the story of you (the player) and your epic tale in this world. You'll be faced with many challenges, and you'll have to fight (or hug) your way through the world by either battling, or awkwardly trying to make friends with your opponents through esoteric knowledge, abstract jokes, memory games, and other strange and funny interactions. If you want more of the meat'n'cheese, well feast your eyes upon these rather dry feature descriptions, written by someone who's probably a little bit boring: – Each character in the world of Athens has a bold personality, and a large amount of depth for you to discover. You can choose to adventure with whoever you'd like! There truly is a favorite for everyone to bond with, I promise. – This world has no shortage of intense battles with opponents that range from weird, wacky, tough, cute, and outright goofy! – On your journey, you may face mind-bendingly difficult challenges such as "Spell Richard" and "Carry A Feather" throughout your Rhapsody. Would you dare come face to face with the infamous 3×3 slide puzzle? – Many characters will switch up the tactics of battle, you'll be faced with various minigames based on the scenario you find yourself in. – This game is fast paced, action packed, and full of zany and ironic humor that anyone can have a nice laugh at. – You will NOT run out of things to do. If you do, you probably haven't seen the sunlight in quite some time! – Nothing substantial in this game is up to RNG. You choose your pathway from start to finish, creating an extremely specific pathway which'll then be recorded – this is your playthrough's Rhapsody, a narrated story of your journey through Athens! When you come to the end of the line and reflect upon your Rhapsody, could you say you did your best? – You'll be able to share Rhapsodies between your friends. Share, combine, read through, and maybe even delete your friend's Rhapsodies!

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