Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240325-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Omega ring today.

It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN25398.4063.240325-2200
  • Available: 4 p.m. PT – March 28, 2024
  • Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – March 29, 2024

Note: This update may not occur automatically before it has already become mandatory. You can always find the most current update as soon as it is available by opening the Guide > Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.

Remember: Newly enrolled users in this ring are not guaranteed to receive all early updates, but they’ll receive the update prior to the GA release. Additionally, a small subset of users may remain on their current GA build once they enroll until the next system update becomes mandatory for the public. Visit the Xbox Insider Program FAQ to learn more.

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Backgrounds

  • Fixes to address an unexpected error when attempting to set a new dynamic background.

System

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

Audio

  • Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
    • Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
    • Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
      • Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Home

  • We are aware some tiles at the top of Home may not navigate as expected, such as when trying to claim Perks, and we’re working on a fix.
    • Workaround: Take an alternate path. For example, if you’re trying to claim Perks, open Game Pass > Perks.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
    • Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240325-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Stampede: Racing Royale on Xbox Insider Program – Test Drive the Wild 60-Player Online Kart Racer

Ahem… ‘scuse me, is this thing on?

Hey there! Chris here from the Stampede: Racing Royale team. We’re super excited to bring our upcoming free-to-play racing game to Xbox Insider Program today! Like, right now! If you’re wondering what in the world this is all about, sit back, grab a snack, and let me give you the elevator pitch…

Developed by the racing veterans and all-round swell folks at Sumo Leamington, Stampede: Racing Royale combines the fun and thrill of kart racing, with the tension, competition, and social shenanigans of a battle royale. Imagine dropping into a go-kart and racing in 60-player online events (yes, sixty!), avoiding elimination across three rounds, and competing to become the ultimate champion. Throw in a variety of wild power-ups to deploy, incredible maps to master, and different modes like Battle and Zombies, and you’ve got yourself a tasty cocktail known as ‘Stampede: Racing Royale’.

There’s no point in racing well if you don’t look good doing it, either. This early version of the game already includes over 450 different customisation items to discover, earn, and equip for both your kart and character. From cheese wheels, to pirate costumes, to wearing an octopus on your head (they’re called Ollie!), play and progress to stand out on the track with the rarest and wildest gear.

We may be early on in Stampede’s journey, but there’s still plenty to keep you coming back for one more match. Special Events will mix things up with different scenarios and limited-time rewards to earn. Account levels and kart progression will see you unlock Rare and Legendary gear to show off. Challenges are there to, err, challenge you to complete objectives and win more goodies.

There’s so much more that Stampede will be serving up over time, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. With Early Access kicking off later this year, joining Xbox Insider Program is an opportunity for our wonderful dev team to preview fresh features and additions, and a chance for you to test-drive what we’re building. Whether you’re on Xbox Series X|S or Windows PC, head to the Xbox Insider Hub now, find Stampede: Racing Royale, and jump into the action.

Whilst progress and unlocks unfortunately can’t be carried over once Early Access begins, we wanted to make sure your support for Stampede is rewarded. Play at any time via the Xbox Insider Program and, in a future version of Stampede, we’ll drop an exclusive gift into your account, available only to Xbox Insiders. Just make sure you’re playing on the same Xbox account you used for Xbox Insiders to redeem it.

Our first public playtests in 2023 allowed us to make improvements driven by community feedback, and we’ll be doing exactly the same with Xbox Insider Program. Keep an eye out for surveys and announcements in the Xbox Insider Hub to give your opinion, and share your thoughts on our official Discord server – or just hang out with us there. We’re cool, honest…

Stampede: Racing Royale is all about conquering the chaos with friends and against the world, making memories with fast-paced automotive shenanigans. The 10,000-IQ plays, the epic fails, the sick drifts – all that stuff. So, grab some friends, play, stream, give us your hot takes, and be part of the wildest racing event in existence. Now, where did I leave that homing missile…?

Ready to hit the track?

Note: This playtest has limited capacity and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

  1. Open the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S or Windows PC.
  2. Navigate to Previews > Stampede: Racing Royale
  3. Select Join.
  4. Wait for registration to complete, and you should be directed to the correct Store Page to install the preview.

Need a pit stop?

If you experience any issues while playing Stampede: Racing Royale, please use “Report a problem” so we can investigate. (Note: This is only for Xbox consoles.)

  1. Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
  2. Select Report a problem.
  3. Select the Games category and Stampede: Racing Royale subcategory.
  4. Fill out the form, in detail, and select Submit.

Wanna keep in touch?

Stampede: Racing Royale on X/Twitter || YouTube || TikTok || Instagram

Xbox Insider on X/Twitter || Reddit

The post Stampede: Racing Royale on Xbox Insider Program – Test Drive the Wild 60-Player Online Kart Racer appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How to Make the Most of Cyberpunk 2077 During Xbox Free Play Days for All

Summary

  • A free trial of Cyberpunk 2077 is available on Xbox Series X|S as part of Xbox Free Play Days For All.
  • Players can experience the first five hours of the action-adventure RPG from March 28 to April 1.
  • From high-stakes heists and high-octane shoot outs to street vendors, cyberpsychos, and more, Night City has a lot to offer newcomers.

At CD Projekt Red, we’re excited to give Xbox players a chance to discover Cyberpunk 2077 for free as part of Xbox Free Play Days For All! Starting tomorrow at 4pm CET, all Xbox players can hop into Night City and explore everything it has to offer. But with only five hours to spend in the city of dreams, I rounded up some tips and tricks to make the ascent to legendary merc that much smoother.

Upgrade Your Tools

In order to keep your weapons in top shape, dismantle any items or clothing you need for components (don’t worry, the clothes will be added to your wardrobe even if you scrap them for parts). These components can then be used to upgrade all of your Iconic weapons — all you need to do is navigate to the Crafting menu within your Inventory, and you’ll see how many components you need. When it comes to non-Iconics, keep an eye out for the guns that enemies drop. Their tier will grow alongside your own progress.

The same rule applies for cyberware: dismantling everything will also help with ensuring you can upgrade your chrome at the ripperdoc. Although you receive some basic pieces at the start of the game, I’d recommend first investing money into higher-tier cyberware and only then upgrading — especially when it comes to your skeleton, which will help mitigate damage. Another great piece of cyberware is Fortified Ankles or Reinforced Tendons, which let you make the most of Night City’s verticality with a charged jump or double jump.

Cyberpunk 2077 Asset

Familiarize Yourself With the Skill Tree

Cyberpunk 2077’s perks received a major overhaul as part of Update 2.0 — available on Xbox Series X|S — making it easier than ever to create unique and impactful builds. Take a look through the perks available in each skill tree to get a sense of where you should invest your points. Even in the early game, there are plenty of opportunities to level up and test out great perks.

If you’re interested in netrunning, it’s best to invest heavily in the Intelligence tree; for stealth, the Cool tree is a must, while anyone interested in melee will find a wealth of great perks in the Body tree. Feel free to mix and match, or go all in on one specific tree! If you want to plan your approach ahead of time, I’d recommend spending some time in the Cyberpunk 2077 Build Planner to get a sense of what you can choose.

Cyberpunk 2077 Asset

Decrypt Everything

In both the main story and side quests, you’ll come across optional chances to hack into terminals or decrypt shards. At the beginning, the hacking minigame, or Breach Protocol, can be trickier to nail because of the smaller margin of error. This means planning all your moves before you start is key — you’ll also have various sequences that you have to complete, but it’s not always possible to do all of them in one go. Decide which payoff you want to go for (which sometimes means the amount of eurodollars you’ll receive, or the level of decryption you’ll achieve). Be careful: Breach Protocol is a timed event, meaning that once you lock in your first move, you’ll only have so long to complete the whole sequence.

(Don’t) Fight the Law

As an up-and-coming merc (heavy emphasis on the “up-and-coming”), you might not be ready to tussle with trigger-happy law enforcement at this stage. Not to mention, the more you hit back, the more reinforcements the police call in, and the more intense their countermeasures become. Wreaking too much havoc can see you flagged as a cyberpsycho and facing down the NCPD’s apex predators: MaxTac. This new addition to the police department is available as part of Update 2.0, accessible on Series X|S. In any case, be sure to watch how many stars you’ve received in the top right corner and duck into a safe alley if need be.

Cyberpunk 2077 Asset

Meet Watson’s Resident Fixer

Each district in Night City has a fixer that rules the area, pulling in mercenaries for gigs and rewarding them appropriately. In Watson, Regina is the one to give you a call and introduce herself. You’ll meet her quite early in your story, and she’ll send a few potential gigs your way — on top of that, she’s got quite a unique proposition for dealing with the wave of cyberpsychosis hitting the city. If you’re looking to get a sample of the gigs and fights that Cyberpunk 2077 has in store for you, it may be worth hearing her out. However, fixers can be a particular bunch, and they’re not always happy with a merc zeroing everyone in the vicinity. Which brings me to my next point:

Learn How to Deal Non-Lethal Damage

There are a few quests where taking out your marks may not be the best option. In those situations, there are two main ways to handle that: equipping the non-lethal Pax mod on your gun, or whipping out a baseball bat or similar blunt weapon. (Of course, you could always ignore your non-lethal orders and go in for the kill, but this will affect your payout.) All blunt non-lethal melee weapons are marked as such, and the Pax mod can be picked up during your normal gigs or purchased from a weapons dealer. However, Pax is permanent, so it’s best to pick a gun you don’t mind defanging. And don’t get too trigger-happy: hitting someone who’s already unconscious will also zero them.

Cyberpunk 2077 Asset

Arm Yourself (With Knowledge)

Our team at CDPR has prepared plenty of guides to make your experience as fun as possible! Check out our Ultimate Edition Game Booklet for build inspiration, insight into characters, dev interviews, and more. You’ll have everything you need to make the most out of Cyberpunk 2077 during Xbox Free Play Days For All — and you’ll be ruling the streets of Night City in no time.

The post How to Make the Most of Cyberpunk 2077 During Xbox Free Play Days for All appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Indie Selects for March 2024: The ID@Xbox Team Serves Up Another Batch of Outstanding Indies

It’s been a month since our first round of Indie Selects were announced, and we’re back again with another great batch of games that we think you’ll love. As a reminder (or introduction if you’re new to this program), Indie Selects are chosen from recently launched Xbox games that the ID@Xbox team considers to be indie and that aren’t available with Game Pass. The whole team votes and the top six vote winners are our Indie Selects for the month.

The selects for March 2024 run the gamut from the return of an old favorite, a brilliant new take on a very old card game, and an intense horror experience. Here’s the list (in no particular order):

Balatro

Balatro Image Asset

It’s just video poker, right? You’d be forgiven for thinking that by just glancing at it, but you’d be very wrong. It takes the rather simplistic poker framework and reinvents it as a deep, engaging and utterly addictive roguelike. You start with a basic deck and play hands to beat a target number of chips for each round. But where it gets fun is unlocking bonus and special cards that make your choices much more complex and interesting. Leveling up “three of a kind” and playing it with a Spade bonus can make it more valuable than even a Royal Flush. And you can unlock new Jokers and other cards after each run to create new options for the next run. And…suddenly it’s 3:00 AM and you’re still playing.

Tomb Raider I – III Remastered Starring Lara Croft

Tomb Raider Remastered Image Asset

The first Tomb Raider came out in 1996 and took the gaming world by storm. It’s an absolute classic from start to finish. This remaster of the first three games is a love letter to the origins of the series, featuring all three original adventures, including the expansions and secret levels, improved graphics, and the choice to play with classic or modern controls. The classic “tank” controls might seem a bit alarming and strange to anybody under 35, but playing that way certainly took us back to our youth and thrill of tomb raiding with Lara.

As with many games from the ‘90s, they’re not considered particularly easy by modern standards, but finding your way through platforming-based puzzles and figuring out the best solutions is incredibly rewarding. Does a remaster compilation of games that were undeniably “triple A” back in their day count as “indie”? Great question. Who knows for sure. We decided that it counts since the developer behind the remaster, Aspyr, generally fits the bill. But instead of getting bogged down in that thought experiment, go play the games. You can thank me later.

The Outlast Trials

Outlast Trials Image Asset

The original Outlast and its sequel, Outlast 2, were terrifying first-person adventure survival games, where, with no way to defend yourself, you survived by hiding, sliding, creeping, crouching, and running through the levels, staying one step ahead of whoever was trying to kill you at that particular moment.

The Outlast Trials takes that formula and adds four player co-op, and radically over-the-top villains, who hunt you and buddies down in a series of outrageous death games. After each run you can upgrade your character through various class-based skill trees, before you and your friends jump back into the next terrifying experience. It can be as hysterically funny as it is terrifying, while the gameplay loop of surviving, solving puzzles, and finding an escape is incredibly compelling. The game can be played solo, but it’s much more fun if you can find some friends to brave the experience with you.

Rounds

Rounders Image Asset

Landfall created the delightfully wacky Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, and Stickfight, The Game. With Rounds, they’ve created probably the world’s first 1v1 roguelike combat game. At the start of the game, each player uses their noodle arms to select a card containing a power-up. You’re given a half dozen to choose from out of 65 or so overall. Powerups can let you shoot straighter, make bullets explode on impact, let your bullets push enemies back, or give you all kinds of other slight advantages.

Where it gets interesting is at the end of each, uh, round the loser gets to pick a new card with a new ability. And since abilities stack, by the end of each five-round game, you can create an overwhelmingly powerful custom build (assuming, of course, that you lose a lot). This mechanic turns an otherwise simple, level-based combat game into a sophisticated roguelike where each player can build their strengths against the other player’s weaknesses. The game is never the same from one round to the next.

Slave Zero X

Slave Zero X Image Asset

Slave Zero, a cult favorite 1999 Windows and Dreamcast game, cast the player as a giant, rampaging robot in a third person shooter. A quarter century later, Ziggurat brings us a prequel to that game, in a stylish 2.5D world. But unlike the original, Slave Zero X plays out as a brawler blended with the precise gameplay mechanics of a fighting game.

It’s the kind of game that can drive you to toss your controller through a window, but in the next breadth has you climbing through the window to retrieve it because you just can’t stop playing. The art and music are both fantastic and do a lot to help serve up the rich cyberpunk world. Hard? Yes. A bit unfair at times? Maybe. Rewarding, addictive and compelling? Absolutely.

Choice of Life: Middle Ages 2

Choice of Life: Middle Ages 2 Image Asset

Finally, this month we have something completely different. Choice of Life: Middle Ages 2 is a medieval choose-your-own-adventure experience, where you play your cards to direct your choices. Each decision you make leads to seemingly endless twists and turns. There are apparently over a thousand different events that you can encounter in the game, along with over 99 ways to do, but you’d have to go through many different playthroughs to find them all.

It’s a relaxing, casual experience that encourages you to play around with your choices to see where your kingdom will end up. At the end of the first playthrough (which might be very short, since death is constantly right around the corner) you’ll almost certainly find yourself wanting to jump in and see where else fate, and your decisions, will take you.

The post Indie Selects for March 2024: The ID@Xbox Team Serves Up Another Batch of Outstanding Indies appeared first on Xbox Wire.

No Man’s Sky Orbital Update Introduces Space Station Overhaul, Ship Customization, and More

No Man's Sky Orbital Update Image Asset

No Man’s Sky Orbital Update Introduces Space Station Overhaul, Ship Customization, and More

Summary

  • No Man’s Sky free Orbital Update available to download today.
  • Space stations are now vast and varied in the all-new Orbital update for No Man’s Sky.
  • No Man’s Sky players on Xbox can now customize their starships.

Last month, all Xbox owners were able to try No Man’s Sky’s free Omega expedition whether they owned No Man’s Sky or not. We were thrilled to welcome so many new Travellers into our friendly community. This month, we’re excited to show all those new players what veteran players have come to expect by way of regular updates as we unveil the Orbital update, free for existing owners to download today.

Orbital focusses on an area of the game which has remained largely unchanged since No Man’s Sky launched on Xbox five years ago. It’s an aspect which every player encounters almost every time they embark on a new adventure – the ever-present space stations!

No Man's Sky Orbital Update Image Asset

Space stations have always been a vibrant and much-frequented feature of every No Man’s Sky star system and are a bustling destination for trade, equipment upgrades, missions, fast travel around the universe and endearing yourself to the locals.

The first thing to strike you about these news stations is their vastness. They loom ever larger upon your starship as you approach the docking entrance. Secondly, their procedurally-generated exteriors mean that you rarely encounter the same form twice. Upon initiating the docking sequence, the large, cavernous landing strip you traverse hints towards a much larger interior than previous, again with a wide variety of layouts.

No Man's Sky Orbital Update Image Asset

One of the new additions to the space station map which Travellers will no doubt race towards is the Ship Fabricator. For a while now, players have dreamed of the ability to create their own starships in their dream configuration. This new function enables you to combine parts of salvaged ships together in a near-limitless array of permutations to create brand new form factors. You may still need to scour the universe for that perfect S-Class though!

The envoys from the three universe guilds – Merchant, Mercenary, Explorer – frequent the new space stations and it’s always worth paying them a visit. Your standing with the guilds can be increased with donations of interesting artefacts from your travels, and a higher standing unlocks ever-higher gifts, cheap supplies and discounts, anything from free ammo and fuel to powerful equipment upgrades.

No Man's Sky Orbital Update Image Asset

Orbital also ushers in the concept of “Intervention Events” as part of freighter expeditions. Frigates that you have dispatched to the far-flung corners of the universe on lucrative missions can now call upon further instruction mid-voyage or even ask you to come to where they are to assist them in their objective.

As with all No Man’s Sky free updates, Orbital features a whole host of other additions and improvements, large and small. It is available to download from today, free for all existing Xbox and Game Pass owners. Our journey continues.

Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

No Man’s Sky

Hello Games


925


$59.99

$47.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 26 major updates up to and including Omega.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

The post No Man’s Sky Orbital Update Introduces Space Station Overhaul, Ship Customization, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240321-2000)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Omega ring today.

It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN25398.4051.240321-2000
  • Available: 4 p.m. PT – March 26, 2024
  • Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – March 27, 2024

Note: This update may not occur automatically before it has already become mandatory. You can always find the most current update as soon as it is available by opening the Guide > Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.

Remember: Newly enrolled users in this ring are not guaranteed to receive all early updates, but they’ll receive the update prior to the GA release. Additionally, a small subset of users may remain on their current GA build once they enroll until the next system update becomes mandatory for the public. Visit the Xbox Insider Program FAQ to learn more.

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Omega users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

Capture & Share

Users will now see a toast notification after uploading a new screenshot or game clip to OneDrive if they’re running low on space.

Discord Voice – Soundboard Audio

Xbox players who have joined Discord Voice will now be able to hear soundboard audio from others in the channel or call. A mute button for soundboard audio can be found in the Discord Voice options in the Guide. At this time, you cannot trigger soundboard audio from the console.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)

Xbox Insiders can preview Mouse and Keyboard support while playing via cloud gaming on supported browsers (Edge and Chrome) and the Xbox App on Windows PCs for users enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview.

Note: Users on browser will need to enable Preview features on their browser to gain access to the feature. This is done by clicking on your profile picture at xbox.com/play and then select Settings and then enable “Preview features.”

Currently supported titles and any known issues are below:

  • Fortnite
    • Browsers only
  • ARK Survival Evolved
  • Sea of Thieves
  • Grounded
  • Halo Infinite
  • Atomic Heart
    • Known Issue: There is some difficulty switching between gamepad (controller) and Mouse and Keyboard while streaming game
  • Sniper Elite 5
  • Deep Rock Galactic
  • High on Life
  • Zombie Army 4 Dead War
  • Gears Tactics
  • Pentiment
  • Doom 64
  • Age of Empires 2

Additional consideration for Xbox Insiders:

  • Some games will display controller UI elements (e.g., “press A to start”) by default. Their UI will adapt to Mouse & Keyboard input only after player has started to use Mouse/Keyboard to interact with the game (moving the cursor and/or pressing keys)
  • On browser:
    • The game stream needs to be in full screen mode to work with mouse and keyboard. Players can hold the ESC key at any time to exit full-screen mode.
    • The player must click on the game stream element explicitly for it to “capture your pointer”. Otherwise, your mouse input won’t be sent to the game.
    • Players can press F9 to exit mouse and keyboard use for the game

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Capture & Share

  • Fixes to improve unexpected behavior in the Captures app when storing captures on both the internal Xbox storage and an external drive.

Network Transfer

  • Fixes to address an unexpected error that could occur when initiating a network transfer if the content already exists.

Parties

  • Fixes to address an issue where no members would be listed when attempting to invite club members to a party.

System

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

Audio

  • Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
    • Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
    • Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
      • Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
    • Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

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Everything You Need to Know About Diablo IV Coming to Game Pass

Everything You Need to Know About Diablo IV Coming to Game Pass

Diablo 4 Game Pass Hero Image

The gates of Hell are opening even wider, and Diablo IV is coming to Game Pass starting March 28! Whether you’re a seasoned demon slayer, or brand new to the world of Diablo, this guide is for you. Let’s unleash the darkness and unravel the mysteries of Sanctuary.

For PC players, here’s how to get in the game:

Diablo BattleNet Summary Asset
  • Open the Xbox App on PC and make sure you are signed in with your Microsoft account tied to your Game Pass membership. Then click on Diablo IV and then the Install button.
  • Click “Install Battle.net” when prompted and complete the installation. (If you already have Battle.net installed, you’ll skip to the next step automatically)
  • You’ll be prompted to connect your Battle.net account to your Microsoft account. If you already have a Battle.net account you can log in to complete the connection, or from here you can create a Battle.net account to make the connection.
  • Once you have downloaded Battle.net and connected your accounts, you can complete the installation of Diablo IV!

Story and Lore

If you’re new to Diablo, you will be able to dive right into the demonic world of Diablo IV with no need to have played the previous titles. The story takes place several decades after the events of Diablo III and introduces a new cast of characters and motivations in the most sinister chapter of the Diablo universe to date. This is a standalone game that you can jump into immediately, illustrating how the very world you’ll save came to be. Set in Sanctuary, a refuge built by members of the warring High Heavens and Burning Hells as an escape from the unremitting conflict, you begin your journey wandering through an ominous frozen land. You quickly learn about the prophesied return of the demon Lilith, the Daughter of Hatred, who created Sanctuary alongside the arch angel Inarius. Consumed by hatred and revenge, her desire for the conquest and destruction of heaven and hell puts all of Sanctuary’s denizens at risk as she brings dark urges to the hearts of both demons and humans alike.  It falls on you and a select few to oppose her plans and do battle while keeping the fate of Sanctuary in the balance.

Gameplay

Now that you know a little more about Sanctuary, let’s talk gameplay. Diablo IV is an isometric action role playing game (ARPG), where you’ll harness abilities, powerful Skills, and famed gear to defend your home from snarling demons and otherworldly horrors. Across Sanctuary, you’ll delve into replayable, procedurally generated dungeons, while progressing through the story and getting more potent items and materials for your wanderer. Your character traverses the open world of Sanctuary, hack-and-slashing through the progression system as one of five experience-defining class fantasies: Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, or Sorcerer Participate in world events, take down strongholds, work with other players to tackle World Bosses, or battle other players in the PvP Fields of Hatred. Join or make your own clan to form alliances with other players.   

We have a quick “teach me” from head of Diablo Rod Fergusson to walk through how to play:

Choose your Class

 There are 5 classes to choose from in Diablo IV. Each with multiple skills and talents to  fit your preferred playstyle.

  • Barbarian: The master of arms of Diablo IV. Dual wield or swing massive 2-handed weapons (with the ability to swap between both in the heat of combat) while you get up close and personal with your enemies.
  • Druid: Shapeshift your way through Sanctuary as a werewolf or a werebear while doling out magic alongside your spirit animal pets (they each grant you specific boons) to freak out everyone around you.
  • Necromancer: You never have to travel alone as a speaker of the dead. Use your profane knowledge to summon your own personal pack of skeletons and a golem to fight the monsters for, or with you.
  • Rogue: If you can’t choose between ranged or melee, why not both? Move quickly in combat to either stab combatants up close or fire at them with a bow from afar.
  • Sorcerer: Enjoy time around the fire as you set your enemies ablaze (or freeze them or strike with lightning) with elemental magics.

If you’re new to Diablo IV, it’s recommended to start by creating a character in the Seasonal realm, but do not check the “Skip Campaign” option – make your way through Diablo IV’s story mode first. Seasons are recurring, time-limited events, challenges, rewards, and gameplay changes, and when a season ends, your seasonal characters and their progress are converted to non-seasonal characters, so once you’re through the story mode, you’re good to roll a new character for Season 4 dropping in May!

You’re about to dive into a world of chaos, monsters, gear, and a conflict between the High Heavens and Burning Hells.

Pick your class, play style, and go hunt down Lilith. See you in hell, friends!

Xbox Live

Diablo® IV

Blizzard Entertainment


679

Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.

Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.

For more information, please visit Diablo.com.

© 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

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Chill Out with the Arctic Camo Special Edition Controller

The Arctic Camo Special Edition controller is now making its worldwide debut! It was originally launched in the United States on May 2023 at select retailers and will now expand to international markets to reach more fans. Arctic Camo features a patchwork of rugged white and grey that all tie together into one striking visual. This monochromatic multitool, from the thumbsticks to the hybrid D-Pad and all the way to the triggers, is the perfect purchase for gamers who crave a controller that exudes both style and sophistication.

Arctic Camo Special Edition Controller

Like the rest of the Camo series, Arctic Camo comes with features which make Xbox controllers stand out. Enjoy modern sculpted surfaces and refined geometry for enhanced comfort during gameplay – with a hybrid D-Pad that allows your fingers to glide across the surface, textured grips on the bumpers, triggers, and back case for a stronger support. By using Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless, the Arctic Camo controller can connect to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, PC, mobile phones and tablets (see xbox.com/controller-compatibility for more details).

With a 3.5mm audio jack, you only need your favorite compatible headset to either fully immerse yourself within the gaming world or coordinate with your friends to campaign collectively. Play longer with up to 40 hours of battery life (varies with usage and other factors) and save all your best memories on the expedition through the dedicated share button. Tailor your experiences with the Xbox Accessories app which lets you remap your controller’s buttons and create controller profiles to have vastly different personalization options for your games.

Arctic Camo Special Edition Controller

The Xbox Wireless Controller – Arctic Camo Special Edition is available today in all Xbox markets worldwide for $69.99 USD ERP. Consider pairing your new Arctic Camo controller with the Arctic Camo Xbox Series X Console Wrap to complete your style, only available in United States and Canda at the Microsoft Store. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including Microsoft Store, for more information.

The post Chill Out with the Arctic Camo Special Edition Controller appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Get To Know Our Team: Shawn – 3rd Party Studio Support Specialist

Get To Know Our Team
Shawn
3rd Party Studio Support Specialist

Hi, everyone! Wynn here again. Welcome back to another Xbox Insider Team interview. Today we’re sitting down to talk with Shawn—a 3rd Party Studio Support Specialist on our team.

How’re we doing today, Shawn?

Feeling good Wynn. Excited for the interview.

Excellent! Let’s dive right in. Give the audience a little backstory.

Let’s see. I mean. I’ve been playing games my entire life. My parents got me started with an Apple //e where I was playing the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy text adventure.

Wow. That’s pretty OG.

Yeah, I had the monitors that were only green interface and everything.

I missed that initial wave of early computer gaming. The closest thing I have now are some Apple II floppies for a game called Nox Archaist that was made as if it was an old Apple II game.

It was a great system to start off on. I’ve moved through pretty much all of the systems over the years, but I think my favorite is still the Sega Genesis.

Ahh, you were the Sega kid on your block.

Absolutely. I did what Ninten-kids-don’t.

Haha. I think that joke still lands 30 years later.

The Genesis was just so cool. The games, the SoundBlaster, just a lot of cool tech. I still have my 32X and CD attachments hooked up.

The true Voltron of home consoles.

Exactly! It was brilliant. But I had pretty much every system up until the original Xbox launched. I remember going into my local GameStop and seeing the advertisements for Halo. I pre-ordered it, the console, and a memory unit on the spot.

Oh, so you were like, all in all in.

100%. I loved the original Xbox, the Duke, everything, and I’ve never really looked back. Been fully immersed in the ecosystem ever since. It’s funny. That trip to GameStop sort of kicked off my main professional career down the line.

Pray tell.

Well, I hung around that GameStop a lot just talking games, and at some point, the manager kind of looked at me and goes, “You kind of like already work here. Do you wanna actually work here and get paid?”

I started the next week.

I had a pretty similar onboarding to my GameStop career. I kept coming in all summer and when they finally had a position the manager asked me, “Tell me 5 games coming out this year,” and I told him the next five games. Hired on the spot.

Yeah, I ended up staying with GameStop for about four years. Slowly grinding myself up the ladder until I got to Store Manager. But I was looking around trying to figure out what’s next and I really like the idea of like “taking the show on the road”. So, I hit up some of the Xbox field reps and figured out which companies had Microsoft contracts.

I knew a few of the field reps back at my store too. They always seemed like they enjoyed the job.

It was a super fun gig. When I first started, they didn’t have a Microsoft position available, so I ended up doing brief stints selling tablets in Best Buy and dog food inside of PetSmart. But when an Xbox gig eventually opened up, I got to do a big Super Bowl event literally at the Super Bowl.

So, the wait was worth it, then?

Definitely. The job itself was great too. I’d drive around to all the GameStop’s, Fry’s, and Best Buy’s in my area and just make sure Xbox was being represented properly. When the Microsoft Stores opened, I would stop by there as well just to chat with everyone. Which is actually how I got my first role at Microsoft. I was chatting with the Store Manager, and he mentioned a new position was coming out called “Gaming Expert”. It’s like, of course, I’m going to apply for that.

Oh, I remember when Gaming Experts became a thing in stores. Really cool for community events.

Yeah, some of the tournaments we ran were a lot of fun. League of Legends, Gears, Halo. Lots of great memories from my time there. I rode that position until the stores closed in 2020.

Ahh, so you moved over to DSS along with Evie and Vanessa?

Yup! I was mostly focused on the education side of things, and then was one of the 10 lucky former retail employees selected for the Xbox CSM position.

It seems like those original 10 CSMs were a super tight knit group.

We kinda got put in the crucible a little bit, so we were brought together as we all made the move from retail to corporate life. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about my time since I joined Xbox. Seeing how all of us have grown—and continue to grow—in our various roles. It’s been personally really inspiring, and I’m really grateful to have worked with all of them.

That’s so heartwarming, man. I love it.

My next question was going to be about your favorite moment in time since joining, but I guess that about covers it.

Well, if you want a more discrete example, I have another tear-jerker from my time in retail. We did those League tournaments every weekend for like 18 months, right? Well, at one of the first ones, we have this son and dad come in a join a team. They were playing well together and doing like post-match analysis. The next day after the tournament, the dad comes back in and starts thanking us profusely for the opportunity. Apparently, his relationship with his son hadn’t been the best the last few years and the son wanted to come to the tournament. It was the first time they had connected like that in a long time. After that, I think they showed up every week until we stopped hosting them in-store.

Dude. That’s incredible. I’m about to tear up over here.

Stuff like that really solidified to me that we were doing good work in the stores, and that I wanted to continue in that sort of field where I could have that impact.

I had a few of those like “Oh, this is why we do this,” moments at retail as well. Some of them I still use to guide me today.

Speaking of, and this might be a bit of a whiplash segue, do you have a game that’s had that sort of foundational impact in your life?

Haha. No, perfect transition!

When I was younger it was easily all about Sonic. Even to this day, Sonic & Knuckles is just one of my favorite games of all time.

You can tell you were primarily a Genesis kid. I think you’re the first one who has mentioned Sonic.

I played Mario too! But something about the speed of the game and just the vibe I guess appealed to me more.

I grew up totally on the SNES but one thing that’s undoubtedly better on Genesis is the music. Like, Lava Reef Zone of Sonic & Knuckles 3 is one of my favorite tracks from that era. It’s up there with Down the Tubes from Earthworm Jim for me as just a showcase of the Genesis’s style and power.

Are you a purely retro guy or do you have any recent favorites?

Oh, my current gen pick is the Borderlands series. It doesn’t matter how many remasters, remakes, bundles, or whatever they have, I’m getting it. I don’t know what it is about watching multi-colored guns explode out of enemies, but I just cannot get enough.

Well, pivoting back to music for a moment, do you have a particular album or track that you jam out to?

I kinda go through phases of music where I’ll listen to like a lot of classic rock, or like right now a lot of EDM/techno influenced stuff. So, my favorite I’ve had on repeat lately has been Woman Worldwide by this group called Justice.

Oh yeah. I really like † by Justice. Their song “Let There Be Light” is phenomenal.

I’ve been partial to Heavy Metal x DVNO currently. The drop is sick. So yeah, that’s my current pick. But I can always listen to my all-time favs like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gorillaz as well.

Fersure. Any favorite movies or shows?

I’m into more of the sci-fi angle, so I’ll throw on X-Files in the background sometimes. But, for a show or movie that I can just always watch no matter what, that would be Futurama and The Fifth Element.

Excellent choices. The Fifth Element is such a blast. Like that movie should absolutely not exist or have the star power it does, but I’m glad it does.

Right? The practical effects they were doing in the 90s on that are so mind blowing.

Top 10 movie easily.

It’s a movie that’s held up well too.

Let’s move outside of the realm of entertainment. What’re your hobbies that don’t include electricity?

One word: Dodgeball.

Like, if you can dodge a wrench?

The very one. It’s just been a passion of mine for a long time. I also collect all kinds of weird like non-official pressed coinage. So, like those flattened pennies, car wash coins, casino coins. Stuff like that.

I have a small coin collection too. I have every US penny back to like 1944 or something like that. All just entirely found through getting change. Never went out and actually “hunted” or anything.

Wow! That’s pretty sick.

Thanks! Well cool man. We’re about ready to wrap up.

I meant to ask earlier. I know you work on a lot of hush-hush projects, but is there anything you’re working on currently you can share with the Community?

Yeah, nothing directly that’s not under NDA unfortunately. But I hope that everyone has been enjoying the Partner Previews we’ve been doing. Lots of really cool stuff to come there.

Dude, the trailer for The Alters was SO sick from earlier this month.

Any last thoughts for the Xbox Insiders?

Mainly, just that I hope everyone is stoked for what’s coming in the future. Like, I think about when I first started out gaming and how almost secretive it was. Now, video games are the highest grossing industry in the world, and it’s completely pervaded pop-culture. The next few years are going to be incredible. Get ready for the ride.

That’s what we like to hear. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat, Shawn.

Anytime!

Xbox Insiders, be sure to be on the lookout for more content all throughout February including more interviews from the team, a trip down memory lane, and so much more. All of our 10th Anniversary content can be found on our Hub Page.

Until next time! Wynn/

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