Joe Skrebels (Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief) and Albert Dankwa (Xbox Content Program Manager II, Social Lead)
If you want to give a game to a friend or family member this holiday season, gifting a digital game is a great and convenient option. With the Microsoft Store on Xbox, Microsoft Store on Windows, the Xbox App on PC, or the Microsoft Store online experience, it’s never been easier to send someone a near-instantaneous gift on Xbox or PC.
To see how easy it is to gift a game on console, you can watch our tutorial video below, or read on for a step-by-step guide.
Gifting Through Console
To send a digital game as a gift on your console just go to the Microsoft Store, find the game you’d like to gift, locate the gift wrap icon, and click on it.
This will open the “Buy as gift” options, where you can either choose someone from your friends list or type in an email. Note: Make sure the person receiving the gift is in the same country as you.
From here, just choose your payment option and buy as a gift.
Your friend will receive a message both on their Xbox console and the email associated with their Xbox account. From there they only need to click on “Redeem code” and they are ready to play!
You can also send add-ons and subscriptions as gifts, such as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate!
Gifting Through the Xbox App on PC
This is the same process as buying a gift on console – simply search for the game you want to send, then hit the “…” button and pick “Buy as Gift” in the dropdown menu. You can choose to send this to an Xbox friend, or send to an email address.
Gifting Through Web Browser
On the web your experience will be quite similar, though you will only have the email option. Visit the Microsoft Store Online, find the game, add-on, or subscription you wish to send as a gift and click on “Buy as a Gift,” in the “…” dropdown menu beside the buy button, be it on your desktop or mobile device. After you log in to your Microsoft Account, choose your payment method, and you are ready to go.
Gifting Through the Microsoft Store on Windows
On the Microsoft Store on Windows experience, you will only have the email option. Visit the Microsoft Store on Windows, find the game, add-on, or subscription you wish to send as a gift and click on “Buy as a Gift”, icon below the buy button. After you log in to your Microsoft Account, choose your payment method, and you are ready to go.
Since Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has launched we’ve been pouring over the thrilling Campaign, enjoying our epic Multiplayer matches, and trying to see just how long we can hold out with Round-Based Zombies. It’s time to wreak havoc with the launch of Season 01 which brings with it new maps, a variety of new modes, the integration of Call of Duty: Warzone with BO6, and the debut of the new Resurgence map Area 99! Read on for the full details on what you can expect with Season 01.
New Multiplayer Maps
Prepare for a vast new season of content with six Multiplayer maps including a festive variant of a fan-favorite later in the season. Three of these new maps will land at the start of Season 01 today: Hideout; a medium-sized training site. Extraction, another medium-sized map taking place near the remnants of a heliport; and Heirloom, a compact-sized map taking place in a fine art museum. You can then look forward to the return of Hacienda (a Multiplayer map from Black Ops 4) to arrive during Season 01, Racket, a brand new small-sized underground bank vault, and a variation of Nuketown that is promising to be pretty festive.
New Multiplayer Modes
Two new modes will drop with Season 01. The first is Ransack, where you’ll be looting gold bars from crates on 6v6 maps. Once you’ve acquired your gold bars, you then bring it back to your team’s stash. Naturally, this batch of gold bars needs to be guarded, as enemy teams can raid the stash. So, expect a flurry of activity and planning between gathering and defending to achieve victory.
The second is Prop Hunt, where you’ll play as a Prop (e.g. a piece of the scenery) or as a Hunter. If you’re the Prop, you’ll be given a limited amount of time at the start of the match to find a hiding spot for you to blend in with the landscape. You can drop decoys to try and throw off your scent or change shapes into different scenery. Just don’t let the Hunters spot you or the jig it up.
You can also look forward to some time-limited modes in the middle of the season and beyond. And expect Ranked Play to land in the coming days featuring plenty of rewards, innovations, and updates.
New Warzone Map and More
Welcome to Area 99! Step into the scorching Nevada desert and uncover a once-classified Weapons Station where Nuketowns were constructed and dispatched for testing. After being dormant for decades, it reopens today for all Operators with the launch of Season 01 Then, head to Urzikstan at launch and soon after launch drop into Rebirth Island, both seamlessly integrated with Black Ops 6 innovations, including Omnimovement.
Enjoy classic modes like Resurgence, Battle Royale, and Plunder to kick off with the start of Season 01, followed later by Battle Royale Ranked and a variety of LTM modes later in the season.
As mentioned above, Warzone is now integrated with the Black Ops 6 Loadout System. This means you can look forward to features like Dedicated Melee, three Perks, and a Wildcard. You can also transfer your Global Weapon Builds, utilize an enhanced Gunsmith, and choose from over 170 weapons from Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, or Black Ops 6 that you’ve collected! There will also be the “Pick-3” Perk System which allows for three active Perks at the start of the match, with up to six more to find in-game.
Everything Else You Need to Know
New Weapons – Seven new weapons will be available across Season 01, including four Primaries (the Krig C AR, Saug SMG, Maelstrom Shotgun, and AMR Mod 4 Sniper Rifle), a Special Secondary (the foldable Sirin 9mm), as well as two Melees (Power Drill and Cleaver). Plus, unlock four weapon attachments, and face more Challenges to unlock firepower in the new Armory.
Battle Pass and BlackCell – Whether you’re unlocking the free tiers and base weapons or obtaining the Battle Pass Bundle (available in-game) or going all out with BlackCell (available for purchase here in the Microsoft Store), the Season 01 Battle Pass System grants you the opportunity to earn 100+ rewards, including free base weapons, numerous Weapon Blueprints, Equipment Skins, Operator Skins, and much more. This can be done by:
Earning 20+ free rewards, including cosmetic content and base weapons
Purchase the Premium Battle Pass (in-game) and earn up to 1,100 COD Points as you progress through the Battle Pass Pages.
Purchase BlackCell for the ultimate seasonal experience, including new Operator “Goliath”, a variety of molten hot Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, COD points, and other rewards.
New Operators – And who doesn’t love having some new Operators to play as? For Season 01 you’ll have Goliath as a BlackCell Operator, along with Sevati “Sev” Dumas, a clandestine assassin from Rogue Team available in the Battle Pass. Plus, The Replacer is back, and “Competitor” Operators arrive in time for the 2025 Call of Duty: League season. Also be on the lookout for some new Mastercraft Bundles to drop in the in-game Store.
For even more information about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as a deep dive on all the things included in Season 01, be sure to check out the official Call of Duty Blog for all the latest and greatest intel drops.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Call of Duty: Warzoneis free to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net
Game Pass Ultimate members can also enjoy playing Call of Duty titles in more places than ever before via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and Call of Duty: Warzone all playable via the cloud.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)*
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Woods Operator Pack
— Includes 3 Operator Skins
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities
– Reflect 115 Camo Pack for use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III and Call of Duty®: Warzone**
— Unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
*Battle Pass, BlackCell and Tier Skips will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.
**Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
This Pack contains BlackCell (1 Season) for Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6*, including Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more.
*Battle Pass and BlackCell will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone, the massive free-to-play combat arena which features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and thrilling modes and updated gameplay features.
Turn the Heat Up
Prepare to take the battle to a massive metropolis in the Urzikstan map, the big Battle Royale map. Or Jump into the fan favorite small Resurgence map, Rebirth Island. No matter where you land, these locales are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.
A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Avowed Arrives February 18 – Pre-order the Premium Edition to Start Your Adventure Early
Shyla SchofieldSenior Communications Manager, Obsidian Entertainment
Summary
Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming fantasy RPG, launches on February 18, 2025, with pre-orders beginning today for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, and Steam, or play it on day one with Game Pass.
The Premium Edition offers up to five days early access, two premium skin packs, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack.
Customize your experience with various accessibility options, including a third-person view, remappable controls, and adjustable text sizes.
We’re just a few months away from the launch of Obsidian Entertainment’s first-person fantasy RPG, Avowed, and everyone at the studio couldn’t be more thrilled to invite players to experience the mystery and allure of the Living Lands.
Arriving on February 18, 2025, Avowed brings you to a previously unseen region from the unforgettable world of Eora, first introduced in the award-winning Pillars of Eternity. In your role as envoy, alongside your companions, you’ll uncover hidden truths and navigate delicate situations, where every choice shapes the fate of the land and the people living here.
Eager to start your adventure early? Great news—pre-order the Avowed Premium Edition on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, or Steam, and you’ll get up to five days early access starting on February 13. To explore and try new ways to meet players where they are, Avowed will also be made available for pre-order and purchase on Battle.net, Blizzard’s PC platform.
In addition, players with a Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership will be able to play Avowed on Battle.net by linking their Xbox and Battle.net accounts. Whether you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, or on day one with Xbox Game Pass, get ready to dive into a world where you play your way.
Choose Your Edition
Avowed offers two digital editions and one physical edition:
Avowed Digital Standard Edition – $69.99 (or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass)
Base Game
Avowed Digital Premium Edition – $89.99
Base Game
Up to five days Early Access
Two Premium Skin Packs
Access to Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
Avowed Premium Edition SteelBook – $94.99
Base Game Digital Code
Up to five days Early Access
Two Premium Skin Packs
Access to Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
Avowed SteelBook
Map of the Living Lands
If you purchase the Standard Edition or are playing with Xbox Game Pass and then later decide you want the Premium Edition, you can upgrade at any time for $24.99. You’ll receive all the digital extra content, including up to five days early access and digital bonuses.
Behind-the-Scenes with the Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
One of the highlights of the Premium Edition is the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack, where you’ll be able to dive deeper into the world of Avowed with behind-the-scenes artwork from the team and music by composer Venus Theory. These extras are perfect for fans of the Pillars of Eternity franchise and newcomers looking to fully immerse themselves in the lore and soundscapes of the Living Lands.
Exclusive Skins for You and Your Companions
The Premium Edition includes two cosmetic skin packs: the Eora Collection Set and the Obsidian Collection Set. Each pack includes five skins—one for each of the game’s four companions and one for your player character.
Eora Collection Set: Inspired by beloved characters and regions from Pillars of Eternity, a perfect throwback to the original games.
Obsidian Collection Set: Sleek, black outfits that bring a stylish look to your companions, inspired by our very own studio.
Accessibility Features for All Players
Avowed offers a variety of accessibility features to make the game enjoyable for all players. In addition, a third-person mode option is available through the accessibility menu, which helps those who may need it to enjoy the game from a different perspective, enhancing both comfort and gameplay. Some key accessibility options include:
UI & Camera: Customize field of view, disable camera shake, toggle head bobbing, adjust camera sway.
Text & Subtitles: Adjust UI text size, subtitle text size, and subtitle background opacity for optimal readability.
Controls: Fully remappable controls with adjustable sensitivity for all analog inputs, enhancing gameplay comfort.
Languages: While all voice acting will be in English, at launch Avowed will be localized in 12 languages, including French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.
Minimum PC Specs
To play Avowed on PC, make sure your setup meets the following minimum requirements:
Pre-orders for Avowed are open from today on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, and Steam. Embark on a thrilling adventure filled with memorable companions, dangerous enemies and situations, and choices that shape the world around you. By pre-ordering the Premium Edition, you’ll be among the first to explore the Living Lands with up to five days early access, starting on February 13.
The countdown to February is on—are you ready to uncover the secrets of Eora? We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!
Avowed launches February 18, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, and cloud, or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.
Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.
Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.
At Xbox, we’re building a future defined by player choice—where people can play their favorite games, discover new adventures, and connect with friends, wherever and however they love to play.
We also believe that gaming should be easy to access and available for everyone, so whether you have an Xbox console, play on PC, with Samsung Smart TVs, handhelds, mobile phones, Amazon Fire TV, or a Meta Quest headset with Game Pass Ultimate, you can play with Xbox.
In fact, you’re probably reading this on an Xbox-enabled device, that can be powered on with the help of Cloud Gaming or the Xbox App for PC.
And that’s the inspiration for our new ‘This is an Xbox’ campaign.
This Is an Xbox invites people to play with Xbox across multiple devices and screens. It showcases the evolution of Xbox as a platform that extends across devices, with bold, iconic, fun visuals and a light-hearted tone. Launching today, the campaign will come to life in a variety of ways.
This Is an Immersive Takeover
To truly understand what an Xbox is, it’s equally important to understand what is not an Xbox. To bring this to life, we’ve had some fun and labeled “This is Not an Xbox” on non-Xboxes in unexpected places, while also featuring our “This is an Xbox” campaign visuals across San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London, New York, and Berlin to highlight all the devices that are part of Xbox.
This Is a Video About This Is an Xbox
Our live action trailer takes you through a player’s journey of experiencing their favorite games across different devices and locations, whether it’s at home or on-the-go. Set to the beat of Black Sheep’s classic, ‘The Choice Is Yours’, it reinforces the idea that whatever device you choose, you’re likely able to play with an Xbox.
This Is a Partnership
To further extend This Is an Xbox, we’ve partnered with several brands including Samsung, Crocs, Porsche, and The Happy Egg Co. (UK) to help bring the campaign to life in unexpected and entertaining ways.
The Samsung Smart TV experience continues to be an exciting way to play with Xbox, giving Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members easy and instant access to hundreds of high-quality games through the Xbox app from the Samsung Gaming Hub. Through this campaign, players can not only immerse themselves in their favorite games on Samsung’s platform but also see ‘This is an Xbox’ creative directly on their home screens – and on an even grander scale, coming soon to Times Square.
This Is an Xbox Gear Shop Collection
In celebration of this campaign launch, we have a collection of This Is an Xbox merchandise now available in the Xbox Gear Shop – from T-shirts and hoodies to iPhone and Samsung phone cases, and even a sticker sheet so you can proudly label your Xbox(es).
Take our officialThis Is an Xbox quizto find out more about what is (and is not) an Xbox, and how you can boot up your gaming experience from the device of your choice this holiday.
What You Need to Know About Final Fantasy XIV Online Patch 7.1: Crossroads – Out Now!
Mark BuckleyPR Manager, Square Enix
Summary
The first major patch since the release of Dawntrail.
New story, battles, events and more.
The first part of highly anticipated Final Fantasy XI crossover raid.
It’s been a few months since we welcomed the Xbox family into the world of Eorzea in the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online, and we’ve since seen the fifth expansion, Dawntrail launch to players around the world.
But Eorzea is always growing. This week, we launched the first major patch for Dawntrail, titled Crossroads, which brings with it an awesome number of additions and changes, including the first installment of the hotly anticipated crossover raid with Final Fantasy XI (the original Final Fantasy MMORPG).
Let’s take a look at some of the things included in Patch 7.1 and why this is a great time to head into the world of Eorzea as the Warrior of Light!
Main Scenario Quests
If you’ve yet to dive into the land of Tural and experienced Dawntrail, firstly – what are you waiting for? The story of Dawntrail takes twists and turns in fantastic locales and offers the start of a brand-new story arc for FFXIV.
For those of you who have been waiting to discover what is next following the dramatic story of Dawntrail, Patch 7.1 continues this journey. The Warrior of Light and their companions seek to help the people of two worlds move forward, and find that some secrets of the past must be unearthed…
But what if you’re a newer player, keen to experience the game for the first time? Well have no fear, all previous expansion stories are available to you and set the scene for the epic Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga spanning the first 10 years of FFXIV. When you join us in Tural, you’ll be perfectly primed and ready for the next epic saga, which is only just starting to unfold!
Final Fantasy XI Crossover Alliance Raid – Echoes of Vana’diel
After being revealed at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023, the worlds of Hydaelyn and Vana’diel collide in the first installment of the crossover alliance raid series with Final Fantasy XI, the first MMORPG from Square Enix.
Even if you’ve never played FFXI before, the raid offers incredible scenery, boss battles and an incredible story to match! Echoes of Vana’diel is the latest Alliance Raid to join FFXIV and will continue to be updated throughout the Dawntrail patch cycle with new story, battles and scenery to explore!
“What is an Alliance Raid?”, I hear you ask. These epic 24-player adventures are multi-part, multi-boss encounters where 3 parties of players band together to take on a variety of foes in different settings, each series having its own story to follow as you face the challenges ahead.
Much, Much More
The world of FFXIV is never short of things to see, stories to tell and places to explore, and Patch 7.1 is no exception, are you a Housing afficionado? How about a dedicated PvP’er or even an intrepid inspector? Well, we have you covered:
Housing – Patch 7.1 includes changes to player housing, including the ability to further customize the interior décor with new designs and the ability to choose city state interiors regardless of location
Player versus Player – A rework of multiple Crystalline Conflict maps, PvP action changes, and more
New Hildibrand Quests – The Hildibrand quests are a long-running side-story in FFXIV, featuring the inimitable Inspector Hildibrand and his entourage. The upcoming Patch 7.15, set for release on Tuesday, December 17 arrives with the latest adventures of our favorite inspector, in a new story sure to intrigue and inspire in equal measure!
The release of Patch 7.1, Crossroads, this week is only the start of the Dawntrail journey, with numerous smaller updates scheduled across the end of 2024 and into the new year, each bringing changes and updates that ensures there’s always something to look forward to in FFXIV. For more information and the latest news, please visit the Dawntrail website.
This has been just a small handful of the new things that have arrived with Patch 7.1 this week and we hope you’ll join us as we take the next steps in the journey of the Warrior of Light and Final Fantasy XIV!
For newcomers to FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, this edition includes the base game (A Realm Reborn) and all expansions through Dawntrail, plus a 30-day free play period*
Begin your adventure in FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn
Create your very own Warrior of Light and embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.
Take to the skies in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward
Take your first steps in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle with dragons.
Rekindle the fires of hope in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood
Journey to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.
Become the darkness in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers
Travel to a world where light ushers all unto oblivion. But hope is not yet lost, for where there is light there is shadow.
Journey to the very stars above in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker
A great calamity has been building – a second advent of the Final Days. The Warrior of Light must journey ever higher and stand firm as hope’s last bastion.
Set forth for new horizons in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail
Blue seas, clear skies, and boundless possibilities await! Explore uncharted territories with familiar faces as hope’s light dawns once more.
IMPORTANT:
• *The 30-day free play period included with purchase can only be applied once to each platform on a single service account.
•All editions of the game require user registration. All editions of the game other than the Free Trial require an active paid subscription to play.
•Age restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the User Agreement (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_agreement) and Square Enix Account Terms of Use (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_terms) for the terms and conditions of registration and service. Please visit the FINAL FANTASY XIV website at https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/ for additional information.
• An active Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan is required to play this product.
The FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial includes three award-winning titles – FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn the base game, and the first and second expansions: FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward and FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood.
Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in an epic and ever-changing FINAL FANTASY. Experience all the hallmarks of the best-selling franchise – an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of diverse and captivating environments to explore.
Party up with friends or play solo! Experience all the main story dungeons on your own by calling upon NPC allies to fight by your side.
Your journey takes you ever higher in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward:
• Take your first steps in the reclusive nation of Ishgard, locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle with dragons.
• Three additional jobs: channel celestial magicks to heal your allies as the mystical Astrologian. Attack from afar using firearms and mechanical weaponry as the daring Machinist. Wield a mighty greatsword and the power of darkness as the valiant Dark Knight.
Rekindle the fires of hope in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood:
• Journey to the East and rise up against the might of the Garlean Empire.
• Two additional jobs: master the balance of martial and arcane arts as the rapier-wielding Red Mage. Draw your katana and let steel sing as the noble Samurai.
IMPORTANT:
• Requires game purchase and on-going subscription to continue playing after the Free Trial.
• All editions of the game require user registration.
• Age restrictions and other terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the User Agreement (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_agreement) and Square Enix Account Terms of Use (https://sqex.to/ffxiv_terms) for the terms and conditions of registration and service. Please visit the FINAL FANTASY XIV website at https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/ for additional information.
Indulge in Farm Life With Farming Simulator 25, Out Today
Dennis Reisdorf, Lead Content Marketing Manager, Giants Software
Looking at social media comments, many seem confused, irritated, maybe a little scared by the fact that people indulge in virtual agriculture. How could they! And who are they, anyway? If the mere concept has you questioning the appeal of rural busywork, let us enlighten you.
Pour yourself a cup of tea. Add a dash of your favorite energy drink, if you have to. We’ll explain who plays Farming Simulator – and why they love it. Plus, with Farming Simulator 25launching on Xbox Series X|S today, promising plenty of new updates and improvements – it’s the perfect time to give a virtual farming career a try.
Why Should You Start A Farm?
Take your pick, there are many reasons: relaxation, escapism, self-determination, and generally wholesome entertainment are just the overarching buzzwords – but here’s a few more reasons to kick off your virtual farming career.
Adapting to Challenges – From yield improvement and timely management of fields to withstanding seasons and weather events like twisters. You’ll be kept on your feet.
Growing the Business – Expand and grow your farm into an agricultural empire with construction projects, production chains, and the logistics to make it efficient.
Mastering Agriculture – Farmer’s never stop learning. There’s much for you to explore and experience. You will see tractors driving around with different eyes and maybe even appreciate the food in your fridge a bit more.
Farming Simulator 25 offers plenty of possibilities to live out a farmer’s dream. For aspiring farmers as well as returning agriculturists who find new crops, animals, machine categories and depth of gameplay – from the feeling of sinking into the mud of deformed soil, GPS-based steering for increased automation and efficiency, extended baling-mechanics based on consumable foil types (expert farmers really love it) up to new challenges like weather events, as twisters and hail prompt land owners to prepare.
“Who Even Plays This Stuff?”
Without flexing numbers, we can assure you that a lot of people play Farming Simulator. And we don’t mean those with a knack for ironic entertainment, because “lol, tractors”. Sure, one fan told us he was given the game as a joke. He and his family now own a real farm because he got a bit hooked on the idea and is probably the last one laughing. While you may not be rushing out to purchase your own fertile land just yet, you could find yourself fitting into some of the below archetypes.
Kids notoriously like tractors and learn how to potato with Farming Simulator. There is some educational value for everyone. Do you know the difference between a plow, a cultivator, and a subsoiler?
Parents can relax and play it with tiny observers present. It might be a nice first bonding-experience over gaming, and appropriate for all ages.
Gamers who are into cooperative multiplayer. Building a multi-faceted empire of field operations, production chains, and logistics. Everyone plays a role.
Stressed-out people too empty after work to engage in competitive online games where verbal shootouts sadly mock the honor of their female guardians.
Everyone looking for satisfaction paired with relaxation. Harvesting a crop that grows in straight rows with an Alien-looking machine just scratches this very particular itch.
Farmers. The real ones. The ones harvesting the produce you buy at the supermarket and who are basically feeding the world. We know your next question…
“Why Would Real Farmers Play It After Work?”
Hard to imagine for people who haven’t plowed before, but listen: playing Farming Simulator is not work!
Farmers play it because of passion for agriculture. It’s not “just a job” where you feel the need to numb yourself with social media doomscrolling.
Farmers love machines, fine-mechanics, and impressive technology. Others enjoy that, too, and might get hooked on the 400+ machines – all authentic and detailed.
Farmers can experiment – and so can you. 25 field crops, plus greenhouse crops, various tree species, and an ensemble of animals, now with goats & water buffalos.
The reason is passion. It’s as simple as that. For nature. For plants. For trees. Animals. Machines. And rewarding results. The game allows them to experiment with crops and machinery that they could never grow and operate on their own fields.
It’s hard to grow cotton in small fields somewhere in England, for example. Or buying cattle just so you can have natural, sustainable lawn mowers when you really have a sweet sugar beet farm. With three environments to choose from, North-America, Europe and East Asia, Farming Simulator 25 offers an agricultural variety not only farmers find exciting.
Farming Simulator 25 Out Today
Farming Simulator 25 also features overall enhanced graphics, physics and effects – making this entry of the family-friendly series the most atmospheric and immersive yet.
If that’s not enough for you, we have one of the most active modding communities with user-creations hands-on tested by our developers themselves – available directly in the game.
If you need help starting out, you can visit our Farming Simulator Academy, a series of official tutorials.
Farming Simulator 25 is available today on Xbox Series X|S.
Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer – you decide: This Farm is Your Farm!
New features include:
* Three maps in North America, East Asia & Central Europe
* Crops: Rice, spinach, peas & green beans
* Animals: Goats, water buffalo & baby animals
* 400+ machines from 150+ agricultural brands
* Weather events (Twister & Hail) and improved effects
* Ground deformation & GPS-assisted steering
* New production chains & farm shops & constructions
* Many quality-of-farming improvements
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