Category: Xbox

How Jackbox Games Took a Beloved Party Game and Made a New Remote Play Version

Back in The Jackbox Party Pack 3, Jackbox Games unleashed a social deception game called Fakin’ It that had friends and family pointing at each other, throwing their hands up, and ultimately accusing each other of lying. At the beginning of the game, we let players know the best way to sit and enjoy the game so you can have the best view of your fellow players. Now, in Jackbox Naughty Pack, we are bringing it back, but is it possible to have this explosively funny game work remotely? Spoiler alert: Hell yeah it is!

Hi, I’m Tim Sniffen, the director of Fakin’ It All Night Long. When we started making this new version, one of the team’s biggest hopes (and a request we’ve heard from Jackbox players over the years) was to have the game work in a purely remote setting.

Jackbox Fakin it

Since the game relies on carefully studying your fellow players to see who might be Fakin’ It, we made the player avatars (designed by lead artist Owen Watson) more present in the game so they could raise their hands, point at each other, etc. All of the moments that would traditionally be enacted by players in the room are done by selecting options on your controller, and then those actions are shown on the game screen.

We also paid a lot of attention to the timing and order of operations when things are revealed in the Remote Play version to make sure that it was easy to process all the information on screen. And both Same Room and Remote Play contain the same round categories, including one of our new ones, Emojional Damage (who doesn’t love deception through emojis?), so ultimately the game plays the same, even with the adjusted interactions.

Jackbox screenshot

This way, having your camera on isn’t mandatory… even though it’s always satisfying to watch someone’s face as they wiggle out of an accusation.

So even if you’re feeling like staying in, you can Fake It with the best of them! And for all you original Fakin’ It lovers… the original “in the same room” playing style is present in the Jackbox Naughty Pack too. Because sometimes you just need to honk the nose of the person calling you a dirty liar for the third time.

Jackbox Fakin it screen

The Jackbox Naughty Pack
Xbox Play Anywhere

The Jackbox Naughty Pack

Jackbox Games, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$21.99
Get it now

Bring the heat with a threesome of fun in Jackbox Naughty Pack.

We’ve Seen How You Play Our Games
We know you’ve been begging to burst out of the box. It’s time to set your party aflame with a brand new pack of three adult party games that will bring some harmless heat to your next weekend hang with friends. It’s the perfect pack for your next college party, grown-up game night, bachelor/ette celebration, or hump day gathering.
Play with your phone or tablet – no special controller required. All three games support 3 to 8 players and 10,000 audience members.
We’re spreading the love around the world. All Jackbox Naughty Pack games can be played in English, French, Italian, German, Castilian or Latin American Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

A Threesome of Fun

Fakin’ It All Night Long (Social Deduction): Fakin’ It returns and this time we’re putting it all out there. Everyone gets a secret task except the Faker, who tries to blend in. Find out which of your friends is the best liar… and SO much more! Featuring new categories like “Finger Blasting” and a brand new “remote play” mode. Who doesn’t like a good Finger Blast with their friends?

Dirty Drawful (Drawing, Guessing): It’s Drawful, but dirty… It’s Dirty Drawful. Hosted by the one and only Drawful Owl, as you’ve never seen her before. We’ve taken the game that you love and added prompts to ensure your drawings are both terrible and titillating. This game has everything:, sex, drugs, blasphemy, you name it! Also, if you can’t commit to a relationship, or a drawing, we added an undo button just for you.

Let Me Finish (Presentation): Let Me Finish is Jackbox’s new presentation game that examines life’s serious questions like, “Where is the mailbox’s butt?” or “How does this avocado get aroused?” Everyone gets a chance to speak their mind, but will others pick up what you’re putting down?

Content Warning
Jackbox Naughty Pack contains mature themes and explicit content. It is not intended to be played by children. This game contains references to consensual sex acts, light drug use, non-graphic violence, and crude language

The post How Jackbox Games Took a Beloved Party Game and Made a New Remote Play Version appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How Ubisoft Built an Authentic New World for Star Wars Outlaws

How Ubisoft Built an Authentic New World for Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws is a game that invites you to meander. If you move through its various locations, orbits, cities and homesteads at a considerate pace, you’ll spot all kinds of thoughtful props, quirks and details that are meticulously placed to showcase a part of the Star Wars galaxy through Kay Vess’ scoundrel eyes. While some locations featured in the game are known favourites from the Star Wars galaxy, other spots are lesser known.

In fact, Toshara – the savanna moon serving as a bubbling crime hotspot that you’ll visit early in the game – was designed by Massive Entertainment, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, marking a new entry into the Star Wars galaxy. Adding a brand-new creation to this established world is no mean feat – and we had the chance to speak to two Massive Entertainment designers about how the team went about building Toshara, right down to its inhabitants, wildlife, and even plants, as well as bringing other popular locations to life through a new lens.

With countless pre-established locations on offer within the Star Wars galaxy, Massive Entertainment had to carefully consider which places felt fitting to tell Kay Vess and Nix’s story. The team wanted to showcase diversity in its settings, ranging from classic, recognizable areas like Tatooine, the desert home of Luke Skywalker, to lesser-shown planets like Kijimi, briefly seen in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” as a snow-coated haunt for the galaxy’s rogues. Akiva, meanwhile, is a jungle planet that has never been seen, only described in the Aftermath series of Star Wars tie-in novels.

Building Toshara

But Massive Entertainment crafted something entirely new in Toshara, the inhabited moon designed and purpose-built by the studio to act as a core component of the Star Wars Outlaws journey. After escaping her home city of Canto Bight, on Cantonica, Kay finds herself temporarily grounded on the moon, which is home to the Pyke Syndicate, as well as a host of other syndicates, ambiguous characters, hidden treasures and prosperous opportunities for a budding outlaw.

“We wanted to bring something entirely fresh to Star Wars that had never been seen before, and really embrace that as our playground for telling this exact story,” says Matthieu Delisle, Lead Systems Designer on Star Wars Outlaws. “This was the place where we could experiment the most and set a benchmark for the rest of the game.”

Toshara serves as a space where the different Syndicates in the underworld can come together, and, while it is controlled by the Pykes, it’s a location where The Empire is willing to let some things slide in exchange for some credits. Among its points of interest are Mirogana, a bustling major city that plays host to several Syndicate districts and Jaunta’s Hope, a smaller settlement. Off the beaten paths of Toshara, you’ll also uncover numerous points of interest –  flyer nests containing valuable items stolen from locals, fields full of grazing wildlife, or Pirate Camps with treats ripe for the taking.

“This is where we had the most freedom to define what feels good in terms of an open world experience,” Delisle says. “We considered the speeder distance between different activities, how we could create points that will catch your eye and lead to something interesting.

Star Wars Outlaws Screenshot

Not only is Toshara an entirely new experience for Star Wars fans, it’s also the first truly open world area that you can freely explore in a Star Wars game. As soon as you land here, it feels like an authentic Star Wars location you’ve seen in a classic movie, but what’s most impressive is that everything on Toshara, from its sweeping, dusty vistas to the flora and fauna that inhabit it, has been designed by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.

“Since we designed Toshara from scratch, we could create its entire history, from when it formed, to when it was first settled on, and how that fits into the wider Star Wars timeline,” says Benedikt Podlesnigg, Art and World Director.

“We created all of the wildlife, the architecture, what Toshara’s inhabitants eat, what they wear, their relationship to the Empire, and how all of these things are connected to each other. If you look really close, you’ll find food that characters are eating growing out on a tree somewhere, for example.”

Star Wars Outlaws Screenshot

Massive Entertainment hasn’t just considered the visuals of Toshara, either. The team went as far as to define the planet’s gravitational forces and surrounding solar winds, so that pilots will struggle to navigate and land their ships without crashing unless they are very familiar with its orbit and layout. This in particular feels like an extremely cool detail that ties into Toshara’s presence as a hideaway for criminals with minimal Empire presence.

“It’s really in the DNA of Massive to create this logic of a world where things make sense,” Delisle adds. “There’s always a reason for something existing, and that’s really a trademark for us – to try and establish all of these locations and details to make them as believable and lived in as possible.”

An Overview of Kijimi

Later in the story, Star Wars Outlaws sees Kay Vess travel to Kijimi, a dark, frigid planet housing Crimson Dawn and the Ashiga Clan, another criminal syndicate, developed by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. Similar to Toshara, Kijimi is largely ruled by anarchy, but the Empire has a much greater presence here. Unlike Toshara, Kijimi has been seen in previous Star Wars media, which gave  Massive Entertainment a jumping off point in how to build the planet’s eponymous main city into an interactive space, with a unique spin, of course.

“We worked closely with Lucasfilm on Kijimi – we were given access to a big bank of concepts and behind the scenes footage, as well as the references they used for the location, these Japanese mountain towns that served as inspiration,” Podlesnigg tells us.

“We also got to see the 3D model of Kijimi that they used as an overview shot of Kijimi City in [Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker], to also get a sense of orientation – where buildings are placed, for example.”

Kijimi City is a densely packed area, a stark comparison to the open vistas of Toshara and Tatooine. The urban environments are comprised of small streets and alleys brimming with questionable figures – walking through the city breeds a real sense of unease, as though anything could jump out at you.

“There’s a struggle here between The Ashiga Clan and Crimson Dawn, and there’s this a mood of cloak and daggers going on throughout,” Delisle adds. “We’re telling some of the main story here, but what was interesting for us was the smaller stories we could tell about people that ended up on Kijimi. It felt like a nice palette cleanser compared to the other more open environments in Outlaws.”

Star Wars Outlaws Screenshot

The Secret Ingredient is the Underworld

While all of the locations shown in Star Wars Outlaws vary in terms of familiarity, they’re all chosen with one primary focus in mind – depicting the underworld. Each place acts as another flavor of the dodgy dealings that Kay and Nix (mostly) voluntarily take part in – from the very first moment. Kay herself hails from Canto Bight, an Outer Rim gambling destination famously shown in Star Wars: “The Last Jedi”.

The location is a hotbed for the wealthy to be frivolous with their earnings – a situation that Kay has learned to take full advantage of as a thief. The contrast between Canto Bight’s setting and Kay’s upbringing sets the immediate tone for Outlaws – this story wants to show you these locations not through the eyes of a known hero, but as a scoundrel, desperate and hopeful. In the sandy dunes of Tatooine, Kay is not looking at the home of Jedi Luke Skywalker, she’s focused on opportunities, skulking down alleys, surveying buildings, perpetually on the hunt for something to give her an edge.

Star Wars Outlaws Screenshot

“One of the big ambitions when we started [Outlaws] was to show what is behind the curtain,” Delisle says. “Our generation grew up watching those movies and wondering ‘what would it be like to go there? You see things in the movies, but you never really get off the rollercoaster to really look at the world, see the wildlife, talk to the people that live there, and it was really important to us all to let players be someone that can just live in this world.”

“Every time I step out of the Mos Eisley Cantina, jump on my speeder, I just have a big smile on my face,” Podlesnigg adds. “This is just a love letter to everything Star Wars.”

The post How Ubisoft Built an Authentic New World for Star Wars Outlaws appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 16 to 20

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 16 to 20

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Discover more about these upcoming titles below and visit their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!


Paladin's Passage

Paladin’s Passage

Bent Vector Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Paladin’s Passage – September 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Embark on an epic journey in this challenging 2.5D precision platformer with over 100 hand-crafted dungeons filled with monsters. Become a master of block manipulation in your quest to restore harmony to the realm. The passage beckons; dare to answer the call!


The Plucky Squire

The Plucky Squire

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

The Plucky Squire – September 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Plucky Squire follows the magical adventures of Jot and his friends – storybook characters who discover a three-dimensional world outside the pages of their book. When the malevolent Humgrump realizes he’s the villain of the book – destined to lose his battle against the forces of good for all eternity – he kicks the heroic Jot out of its pages and changes the story forever.


STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™ Standard Edition Xbox One

STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™ Standard Edition Xbox One

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆
6
★★★★★


$49.99

$44.99
Pre-order

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Xbox One) – September 17

The story of Cal Kestis continues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a third person galaxy-spanning action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games – now available on Xbox One! This narrative-driven, single-player game picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and follows Cal’s increasingly desperate fight as the galaxy descends further into darkness.


Train Sim World® 5: Standard Edition

Train Sim World® 5: Standard Edition

Dovetail Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$49.99
Pre-order

Train Sim World 5 – September 17
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Available on day one with Game Pass! The rails are yours in Train Sim World 5! Take on new challenges and new roles as you master the tracks and trains of iconic cities across three new routes. Immerse yourself in the ultimate rail hobby and embark on your next journey.


World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24

World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24

iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$49.99
Pre-order

World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 – September 17
Smart Delivery

World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing 24 features 49 tracks, including all your favorites like Eldora Speedway, Knoxville Raceway, and Volusia Speedway Park, with new additions like Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, and Millbridge Speedway.


Cozy Designer
Xbox Play Anywhere

Cozy Designer

Lucky Raccoon Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Cozy Designer – September 18

Position furniture and objects however you prefer and decorate 60 incredibly cozy environments. Without right or wrong, the only limit is your imagination. Photograph the finished spaces and create your own design gallery.


Dark Elven Legacy

Dark Elven Legacy

Old School Vibes

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Dark Elven Legacy – September 18

You are Elynar, the strongest archer in the Kingdom, who must face terrible creatures in the Great Dark Forest. Shoot with your bow, use a special power, or obtain power-ups during the game to fight various types of enemies.


Elasto Mania II

Elasto Mania II

Infinite Zone

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Elasto Mania II – September 18

The long-awaited sequel is still a 2D enduro simulator with a nostalgic feel, but it’s also about giving you more bang for your buck than ever, with more challenges, extra collectibles, updated physics and new graphics.


Hidden Cats in Berlin

Hidden Cats in Berlin

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Hidden Cats in Berlin – September 18

Take a little pleasant trip through a big and lovely illustration! Start with monochrome scenery and fill it with color! Kick back, relax, and find all the cats to reveal the final, colorful landscape.


Keylocker

Keylocker

Serenity Forge LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$19.99
Pre-order

Keylocker – September 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A cyberpunk turn-based rhythm JRPG where you play as the singer and songwriter, B0B0. Fuel your moves with the electric power of music on this unforgiving planet by using real-time execution of moves in rhythm game style! Choose a unique class, battle the authorities, unlock the secrets of Saturn, play in your own bands’ concerts, and hack into the network to bring an end to this corrupt system, for better or worse.


The Last Shot (Xbox Series X|S)

The Last Shot (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$9.99

$7.99
Pre-order
Free Trial

The Last Shot – September 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A platforming adventure game set in a war-ravaged, diesel-punk world. Militaristic cities fight endlessly with massive weaponry, all striving to be the last one standing. When your comfortable routine is interrupted and you are thrust into the outside world on a dangerous journey, you must uncover a terrible conspiracy and find a way to put an end to a nefarious plan.


A Night on the Farm

A Night on the Farm

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

A Night on the Farm – September 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Following a sudden car crash, you’re stranded out in the country at night and all alone. A nearby farm might offer help or refuge, but there’s something very unsettling about the place, and exploration only leads to greater fears. A Night on the Farm is an atmospheric retro-inspired horror adventure with unpredictable plot twists and deep lore to discover.


Andromeda Survivors

Andromeda Survivors

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Andromeda Survivors – September 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Prepare yourself for an epic journey in Andromeda Survivors, a casual game with rogue-lite elements that will challenge your skills and strategy! In a universe threatened by thousands of enemies, you are the last defender of Andromeda. Command your ship and destroy endless waves of adversaries while collecting skills and powerful upgrades to create the most incredible and invincible builds!


Atama

Atama

Indie Games Starter

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Atama – September 19

Use psychic powers in Atama to see through the eyes of your pursuers to avoid detection as you investigate a cursed rural Japanese village. You can’t fight back; you must rely only on your abilities and your wits to avoid your enemies.


Between Horizons

Between Horizons

Assemble Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Between Horizons – September 19

Between Horizons is a modern 2.5D pixel art adventure that brings a branching narrative into a semi-open world. Set aboard the Zephyr, humanity’s first-generation ship enroute to another star, you assume the role of Stella, born on the ship 24 years ago and recently inherited her father’s post as Chief of Security. Dive into a conspiracy behind the incident that threatens to disrupt Zephyr’s social order and foil its mission.


Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged

Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged

Revolution Software Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged – September 19

Step out onto the streets of Paris in “Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged”, a substantially enhanced version of the multi-award winning, all-time classic adventure. Enjoy a globe-spanning story when intrepid American George Stobbart and fearless journalist Nico Collard are pitched into a gripping adventure, exploring exotic locations, solving ancient mysteries, and thwarting dark conspiracies to discover the arcane secrets of the Knights Templar.


Byte The Bullet

Byte The Bullet

JanduSoft

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$5.99

$5.39
Pre-order

Byte The Bullet – September 19

Get into an infected computer and restore every virus-ridden system by recovering game attributes like color or save functions. Enjoy this parody of multiple classic games from 80s & 90s.


Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
2
★★★★★

$49.99
Pre-order

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster – September 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Dead Rising returns with modern graphics! More than just a remaster, this Deluxe Remaster is a full graphical overhaul of the first game in zombie-slaughtering action game series, fully voiced, auto-saves, and various quality-of-life features. Witness the unmatched mayhem and freedom for yourself.


DROS

DROS

©RedDeer.Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

DROS – September 19

DROS is a dark fantasy adventure where you’ll swap between a small gooey creature and her human bounty hunter shell. Explore freely through 40 unique diorama-like levels filled with strange characters, intricate puzzles, hidden rooms, and ancient collectibles.


The House of Da Vinci 3
Xbox Play Anywhere

The House of Da Vinci 3

Blue Brain Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$24.99
Pre-order

The House of Da Vinci 3 – September 19

The grand finale to The House of Da Vinci trilogy is here! Solve numerous new puzzles and mind benders and explore new mystifying locations of ravishing beauty. Use your wits and observational skills to escape rooms and solve the mysterious story behind one of the world’s most prolific inventors in history. With sharp wits and an open mind, you will prevail.


Matchbox™ Driving Adventures

Matchbox™ Driving Adventures

Outright Games Limited.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

Matchbox Driving Adventures – September 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Jump into an authentic Matchbox vehicle, show off those driving skills, and embark on larger-than-life quests as you explore six dynamic environments. Race against the clock to help citizens, complete deliveries, chase down runaway cars, and tackle exciting rescue missions.


Paper Plane Arena - Lost Places

Paper Plane Arena – Lost Places

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$9.99
Pre-order
Xbox One X Enhanced

Paper Plane Arena – Lost Places – September 19
Xbox One X Enhanced

Paper Plane Arena is an interactive game experience that is designed to ease your mind and have fun popping innocent balloons. You jump into the role of a little paper plane that is supposed to rescue the world from evil balloon demons by dashing through them.


pureya

pureya

Mameshiba Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

pureya – September 19

Simple arcade games are great, but they can get boring quickly. What if they changed every 10 seconds? Pureya is a collection of arcade minigames that play with just 2 buttons. Every 10 seconds, the game will jump from one random minigame to another. Avoid obstacles and collect as many marbles as you can, then use them in the pachinko machine to unlock new mini games, music and skins. 


EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Ultimate Edition Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

EA SPORTS FC™ 25 Ultimate Edition Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆
282
★★★★★


$99.99

$89.99
Pre-order

EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Edition (Early Access) — September 20

EA Sports FC 25 has the best players from the biggest clubs and competitions around the globe, with match data from the world’s top leagues powering how 19,000+ players move, play, and win in every match. New additions to Manager and Player Career let you live out the biggest storylines from the real-world with Live Start Points; rewrite the stories of past icons with today’s teams in Player Career; and for the first time, play an authentic Women’s Career experience, taking control of a club or player from the top five women’s leagues. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with EA Play can experience a 10-hour trial of EA Sports FC 25 starting on September 20.


Home Safety Hotline

Home Safety Hotline

Torture Star Video

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$19.99
Pre-order

Home Safety Hotline – September 20

Hearing noises? Seeing things? Call Home Safety Hotline! Our operators are standing by, waiting to give you the answers you need to protect your home from all manner of pests and household hazards.


The Karate Kid: Street Rumble

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble

GameMill Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble – September 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Sweeping across iconic locations of the first three classic The Karate Kid movies from the 1980s, you’ll step out of the dojo and into the streets of the West Valley and Okinawa as you battle waves of enemies in this pixel art, side-scrolling, beat ‘em up adventure.


MindSeize (Xbox Series X|S)

MindSeize (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$16.99

$13.59
Pre-order
Free Trial

MindSeize – September 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Fast-paced combat and extensive exploration await in this metroidvania-inspired game. Transfer your mind into a MAG (Mind Action Gear) and set out on an epic action-adventure to save your daughter from the leaders of the dangerous criminal organization called The Ascended.


Morkull Ragast's Rage

Morkull Ragast’s Rage

Selecta Play

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$17.99
Pre-order

Mordkull Ragast’s Rage – September 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A 2D video game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration. You control Morkull, the villain of the story, who not only knows he’s a character in a video game, but is also aware of the player who controls him (i.e., you) and the developers who created him.


Pneumata

Pneumata

PERP GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆
4
★★★★★

Get it now

Pneumata – September 20

Deep in the Missouri countryside, a small town is being ravaged by a series of murders at the old Clover Hill Apartments. After a traumatic brain injury and the passing of his late wife, homicide detective David Hernandez is determined to bury himself in his work and investigate the mysterious complex. Pneumata is a true Lovecraftian survival horror with disturbing and brutal gameplay, enveloped by the psychological horrors that exist somewhere between reality and the beyond.


They Came From the Sky 2

They Came From the Sky 2

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

They Came From the Sky 2 – September 20

Get ready for nostalgic arcade action inspired by 1980s vintage console classics, as terror from space throws world into panic once again! They Came From the Sky 2 is a fast paced arcade game wherein you take the role of one of the giant alien robot. The game offers infinite replayability, over 20 types of enemies, and 50 hidden artifacts to discover.


Welcome to Empyreum

Welcome to Empyreum

Tapioca Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Welcome to Empyreum – September 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Welcome to Empyreum, the video game that will transform your gaming experience into a fun-filled party for the whole family! This exciting cooperative party game for up to 4 players immerses you in the fascinating and wild universe of Hotel Empyreum.

The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 16 to 20 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Free Play Days – UFC 5, Rainbow Six Siege, Classified: France ’44 and Overcooked All You Can Eat

Get ready for an action-packed Free Play Day with an exciting lineup featuring the intense battles of UFC 5, the tactical operations of Rainbow Six Siege, the strategic warfare of Classified: France ’44, and the culinary chaos of Overcooked All You Can Eat! available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday September 12 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, September 15 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Gamers can enjoy Rainbow Six Siege for an extra day with Free Play Days from September 12 until September 16.

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)


UFC® 5

UFC® 5

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆
444
★★★★★


$69.99

$34.99
Get it now
Free Trial

EA Sports UFC 5
Powered by Frostbite, EA Sports UFC 5 is the next evolution of the fight game. From unrivalled graphics upgrades to all-new damage systems and doctor stoppages that affect gameplay in truly authentic fashion — this is as real as it gets.


Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege

UBISOFT

☆☆☆☆☆
2002
★★★★★

Get it now
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass

Rainbow Six Siege
Play the new season of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege in Operation Twin Shells. This season introduces the Skopós, an Operator who deploys modern robotics technology to outmaneuver her foes. Operation Twin Shells also brings enhanced player protection against cheating, Siege Cup (Beta) a new competitive playlist, improved player comfort with a redesigned After-Action Report, and new items in the Marketplace.


Classified: France '44

Classified: France ’44

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆
50
★★★★★

$34.99
Get it now

Classified: France ’44
Command an elite team of allied special operators in Nazi-occupied France wreaking havoc in the run up to D-Day in this ambitious turn-based tactics game. Take on the might of Germany’s war machine and launch daring raids in occupied territory. Can you do enough to ensure Allied victory?


Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆
124
★★★★★

$39.99
Get it now

Overcooked! All You Can Eat
The Peckish have risen again and it’s your job to satisfy their hunger, are you ready to save the world again? Overcooked! All You Can Eat is a chaotic cooking game where players need to work together (or alone) to serve as many dishes as they can before the timer runs out. Travel through the land cooking up a variety of recipes in evolving and dynamic kitchens.

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 – UFC 5, Rainbow Six Siege, Classified: France ’44 and Overcooked All You Can Eat appeared first on Xbox Wire.

New Xbox Friends and Followers Experience

Beginning this week, starting with Alpha Skip-Ahead users on Xbox consoles, and users that have joined the PC Gaming preview on Windows PCs and handheld devices, Xbox Insiders will be able to preview an updated friends and followers experience! With updated relationships, and new privacy and notification settings, you can start managing your social experiences with Xbox just the way you like, from any device.

Friends and followers

We’re thrilled to announce the return of friend requests! Now, you can easily send, accept, or delete friend requests, making it simpler to connect with others. Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility. Meanwhile, following someone remains a one-way connection, allowing you to stay updated with their shared content, whether it’s another player, club, or game.

Getting started is easy

Existing friends and followers will update automatically with this change. You’ll stay friends with people who had also added you as a friend previously and continue following anyone who hadn’t.

To start managing your friends and followers on Xbox consoles, press the Xbox button to open the guide and head to the People tab. Here, you can find all your existing friends in the Friends list, accept (or delete) new friend requests, or find someone new and send a friend request of your own.

It’s just as easy from all the devices you’re already using! Starting with Xbox consoles, Windows PCs and handheld devices, and coming to the rest of your devices later, you’re never far from your friends.

Newly added friend request button on the People tab of the Xbox console.

Managing your social experience

With these updates, we are also adding new privacy and notification settings, letting you decide who can send you friend requests or follow your account and which notifications you receive.

You can manage who can send you friend requests, or follow your account, directly from your Xbox console by navigating to Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety > Xbox privacy, then select View details & customize > Friends, followers & clubs to customize your settings. You can also update your notification preferences on Xbox consoles from Settings > Preferences > Notifications.

Additionally, you can manage your settings online by navigating to Privacy & online safety and signing in. Here, you can customize all your privacy settings, then select Submit when you’re done.

To learn more about managing your settings, visit: Manage Xbox online safety and privacy settings.

Xbox console page with options to customize friends, followers, and clubs related privacy settings.
Xbox console page with options to customize friends, followers, and clubs related privacy settings.

Shape the future of Xbox

We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. Your feedback is a key part of our process.

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 replying to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can!

You can also provide direct feedback to Team Xbox by following the steps here: Provide feedback to Team Xbox, and follow the Xbox Insider Program on Twitter @XboxInsider to stay in the know.

If you’re not yet an Xbox Insider, and 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.

For more information, and to keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes, visit the Xbox Insider Home.

The post New Xbox Friends and Followers Experience appeared first on Xbox Wire.

One Big Game: 24-Hour Football Match Returns in Aid of SpecialEffect

One Big Game: 24-Hour Football Match Returns in Aid of SpecialEffect

  • One Big Game: 24-Hour Football Match Returns in Aid of SpecialEffect

Rare One Big Game Hero

Soccer-based shenanigans return to St. George’s Park as the UK games industry once again comes together to raise crucial funds for charity! Taking place across September 25 and 26 2024 – a mere two weeks away – 24 hours of high-quality game dev football will be livestreamed on Twitch for everyone’s viewing pleasure, all in the name of raising money for SpecialEffect.

One Big Game has come a long way since its inception in 2020: what started off as a FIFA-based rivalry between Xbox Game Studios Rare and Playground Games evolved into a real-life football face-off between the teams in 2021, and has now transformed into a multi-studio, 24-hour effort played and broadcast live from the English FA’s national football centre. This will be the second time the One Big Game squad have attempted to pull off an event on this scale, with 2023’s event raising an astonishing £30,596 overall.

Building on the brilliant efforts of last year’s One Big Game, teams from games companies such as Activision, Jagex, Ninja Theory, Ubisoft and more will come together to decide once and for all (or for at least a year) who is better: Team Red or Team Blue. All teams taking part will be assigned to represent one of those colours and will play in a full 90-minute match, where the final score will contribute to the overall Team Red and Team Blue tallies.

Rare One Big Game Team Line-ups Image

The sporting showdown will kick off at 7pm BST on September 25, with coverage beginning on the Xbox On Twitch channel from 6:30pm BST – and then at approximately 7:15pm BST on September 26, the final score will be settled alongside the final whistle, when one brave band of players will emerge victorious. You can expect to see some familiar faces on the broadcast and commentary team too, with the Xbox On crew (and some special guests!) taking the reins on hosting the event.

We’re once again thrilled to have the support of so many studios across the UK, all of whom are remarkably enthusiastic about donating their legs, lactic acid and, in some cases, dignity to raise money for SpecialEffect. We’re so proud to be bringing so many people together both on and off the pitch, and this event promises to be an incredibly special show of skill, spirit and generosity amongst the games industry community.

As Xbox Game Studios, we couldn’t be prouder to support SpecialEffect’s mission to level the playing field for all gamers with disabilities. For many people, games are a vital form of recreation and games like Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 5 have a particular role to play in connecting gamers with additional needs. SpecialEffect uses innovative technology to make gaming accessible to all, and your donations will allow this charity to continue supporting disabled gamers well into the future.

So please, if you can, tune in from Wednesday, September 25 for competition, camaraderie and absolutely corking goals from the participating players. Rivalries will be born, heroes will be made and friendships will be forged on the immaculate astroturf of the Sir Alf Ramsey Pitch at St. George’s Park. And, most importantly, vital funds will be raised for charity. If you’d like to get the ball rolling with donations, please head over to the One Big Game ’24 Tiltify donation page to pledge your support.

See you on the 25th – and don’t forget your stretches!

The post One Big Game: 24-Hour Football Match Returns in Aid of SpecialEffect appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Brings Back Max Caulfield By Taking on a Whole New Gaming Genre

Life Is Strange Double Exposure Hero Image

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Brings Back Max Caulfield By Taking on a Whole New Gaming Genre

Max Caulfield became something of an unexpected video game icon in the course of the first Life Is Strange. In a medium often associated with over-muscled, under-dressed lead characters, stepping into the shoes of an ordinary person, with relatable hopes and fears (and, yes, just a dash of superpowers) felt quietly revolutionary.

Discovering the mysteries of Arcadia Bay was the headline of that game, but helping Max discover who she was through the course of our adventure became the thing I remember most about the first installment in what’s become a major gaming series.

So, as I picked up the controller to play a slice of her unlikely return, I expected all of this to feel familiar – a character, her powers, and a vibe that still live in my mind, years later. I’m thrilled to say I was wrong.

We knew that the Max Caulfield of Life Is Strange: Double Exposure would be older, with a life history for us to catch up on, but that translates into a game that feels equally evolved. Double Exposure is set years after the original, and places Max (and us) in the midst of a supernatural murder mystery. Her best friend, Safi, is killed, awakening a whole new power in Max – the ability to shift between two timelines, allowing her to see a world in which Safi never died alongside her own.

In my demo of the game, set a few hours into the game, I see quite how much those new powers change the fabric of Life Is Strange as a whole. Where Max’s original power to rewind time effectively played with the idea of a Choose Your Own Adventure – the virtual equivalent of putting your finger in the page before you turn to a new one  – timeline shifting goes some way towards changing the genre entirely. Double Explosure is more of a puzzle game than this series has ever allowed for before.

My demo sees me aiming to help Moses, a (seemingly innocent) friend suspected of Safi’s murder – inadvertently incriminating evidence is locked in a Caledon University science lab, and Max needs to find and remove it before a suspicious detective can stumble across it himself. Max can only shift timelines through what amount to rips in space-time, offering me a way into the lab that’s otherwise inaccessible.

Initially, it’s pure Life Is Strange – I enter the lab and ask other-Moses where he might safely keep a secret, building a picture of the situation entirely through dialogue. But soon, this becomes another kind of game entirely. I’m tasked with figuring out not only how to make my way around, but piecing together the mystery across both timelines – clues from one affecting how I proceed through another. There are elements of stealth, as I avoid the detective in the “dark” timeline, and even an entirely new power, allowing me to switch objects between timelines and change the rooms around me. This is not the Life Is Strange you remember, and it’s all the more enticing for that.

It’s a whole new take on puzzle solving for Life Is Strange – there are still the pivotal dialogue choices, deeply personal histories to uncover, and carefully chosen diegetic indie music, but with a new focus on classic game design weaving it all together. Like Max, Life Is Strange is learning how to become something new.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure launches for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC on October 29 this year – and those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition can play both Chapters 1 and 2 from October 15.


Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Xbox Play Anywhere

Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Square Enix

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$49.99
Pre-order

Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, discovers her closest new friend, Safi, dead in the snow.

Murdered.

To save her, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years… instead, Max opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger!

Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality.

With her new power to Shift between two timelines – can Max solve and prevent the same murder?

ORDINARY GIRL, EXTRAORDINARY POWER
Max is thrust into a thrilling supernatural murder mystery – more dangerous than ever before!

TRAVERSE TWO TIMELINES
Forge allies and pursue suspects across two versions of reality, shaping both timelines through unforgettable choices.

RACE AGAINST TIME
A relentless detective has Max in his sights, and Safi’s killer grows closer with every clue uncovered. Can Max survive long enough – to do the impossible?

DECIDE THE FATE OF CALEDON
Explore two versions of a vivid winter campus, each packed with clues, secrets, and tough decisions.

EXCLUSIVE SOUNDTRACK
A rich original score, new songs, and thrilling licensed tracks!

The post Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Brings Back Max Caulfield By Taking on a Whole New Gaming Genre appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Game Pass Standard Is Here – How to Choose the Right Plan for You

Xbox Game Pass Standard Is Here – How to Choose the Right Plan for You

  • Chris Lee, VP Xbox Marketing

Starting today, we are launching a new plan for Xbox Game Pass – Game Pass Standard. This plan brings together features that players love about Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Core, while providing an additional option when you are deciding which plan is right for you. If you’re still wondering which Game Pass plan might fit your needs, we have the guide for you.
As players, we all have different approaches to gaming. Maybe you’re a PC player, or perhaps enjoy playing online with friends. Maybe you’re gaming on a budget, or you want to play the latest titles day one like the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in October. Providing options to you is important, which is why Game Pass has several options to choose from.

Choose the Plan that’s Right for You

PC Game Pass – Want to play high-quality games on your PC? PC Game Pass offers a multitude of benefits, including hundreds of great games and access to new titles on day one. That includes Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, access to an EA Play membership, Riot Games benefits in Valorant, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and more. Members also enjoy discounts of up to 20% on many games. If you’re a PC-only player, then PC Game Pass is designed for you.

Game Pass Core – Is your main interest jumping on your Xbox console and challenging your friends online or teaming up to take down a final boss? Game Pass Core is your main avenue for online console multiplayer. For a low monthly price, play with others online, get member deals of up to 50% off select titles, and enjoy a select catalog of over 25 high-quality games in the Game Pass library, including Grounded, Among Us, Halo, Gears 5, and more.

Game Pass Standard – Are you looking to level up your Xbox console gaming experience at a great value? Then Game Pass Standard may be right for you. In addition to all of the benefits you receive with Game Pass Core, including online console multiplayer and member discounts, you get access to hundreds of high-quality console games in the Game Pass library. Legendary series like Halo or Age of Empires, and massively popular games such as Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege are ready for you to play. Dive in and discover your next favorite game today.

Game Pass Ultimate – Are you a player who wants the total gaming experience? Then Game Pass Ultimate has what you need. Including all the benefits in the other Game Pass plans, enjoy hundreds of high-quality games such as Starfield, Forza Motorsport, and Diablo IV, including new games on day one like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on your console, PC, and cloud. Get beloved series like EA Sports F1, Battlefield, and Star Wars with EA Play. Join friends and play together with online console multiplayer. Experience premium member benefits with deals and discounts on games and add-ons, free Perks, and more. Stream a game with cloud gaming before you download it on your console – no installs required. Get a head start in Valorant, League of Legends, and more of the biggest PC and mobile games from Riot Games. With Game Pass Ultimate, there’s always something new to play.

We continue to be focused on delivering the best gaming experience at a range of price points so players can choose the plan with the features that best fits their gaming needs and budget. If you are interested in learning more about Xbox Game Pass and pricing for each plan, please visit our main page. You can also find additional information about the new Game Pass Standard plan on Xbox Support.

The post Xbox Game Pass Standard Is Here – How to Choose the Right Plan for You appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Persona 3 Reload and Episode Aigis The Answer: A Deeply Personal Journey

Persona 3 Reload and Episode Aigis The Answer: A Deeply Personal Journey

  • Kazuhisa Wada, Producer, Persona 3 Reload

Persona 3 Reload DLC Hero

Summary

Hello, everyone. This is Kazuhisa Wada, producer of Persona 3 Reload. As we approach the release of the final story chapter Episode Aigis -The Answer-, I’d like to talk a little bit about how we got here.

The journey begins with Persona 3 Reload. If you haven’t played it yet, I encourage you to do this first. Speaking personally, the original Persona 3 was not only the beginning of a new era for the Persona series, but a turning point for my career as a game developer as well. Many members of the P3R development team were fans of the original when it first released, so bringing their perspectives together with mine to create its remake has been quite emotional. We understood deeply how much this title meant to both fans and ourselves, pouring all of these feelings into creating the best version of the game we could from the ground up.

Persona 3 Reload DLC Screenshot

The core storyline of Persona 3 resonated with the hearts of players across the globe, and we strove to maintain everything that made it that way while modernizing the gameplay and visuals to live up to the flashy and engaging experience fans loved in Persona 5. Whether you’ve been a fan for years or you’re curious to try out the series for the first time, we wanted to make this game something that would leave a lasting impression. I’ve said this before, but it’s my belief that good things never become obsolete, and seeing the outpouring of love from players has filled me with gratitude and relief that we have succeeded in our duty to deliver that goodness to a modern audience.

Next, we have the downloadable content, Episode Aigis -The Answer-, available today. In the same way, we wanted to remake the original The Answer (released as part of Persona 3 FES on PS2) from the ground up. In truth, from the very start of planning P3R we felt that this was an indispensable part of the story and wanted to find some way to create it, but the realities of development got in the way and it wasn’t looking like it was going to be possible… I was so disappointed that I just couldn’t give up on it, and continued searching for a way forward as we developed the main game.

Persona 3 Reload DLC Screenshot

When we finally revealed to the world what we were working on, the response from fans was overwhelming, and many of them pleaded for The Answer to be included. Knowing that it wasn’t just my own stubborn wish was the final push we needed, and so we managed to make it a reality. Honestly, thank you all so much.

Lastly, I’d like to highlight Metis, the new character who only appears in The Answer. While Persona 3‘s characters have already been featured in modern titles such as Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight, Metis herself hasn’t been seen since Persona 3 FES, so we took extra care in how to depict her in the P3R style. While similar to Aigis, she has her own elements that are unique. Of course, she also comes equipped with her Persona, Psyche, along with her own special Theurgy skills to stand tall with the rest of the team. We hope both new and returning players will be able to appreciate the attention we gave to her design and animation!

Persona 3 Reload DLC Screenshot

Thank you for your continued interest in the Persona series that we have all poured our hearts into. Please look forward to Episode Aigis -The Answer-! Persona 3 Reload is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass – and the Expansion Pass (including Episode Aigis -The Answer-) is available as a perk for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.


Persona 3 Reload
Xbox Play Anywhere

Persona 3 Reload

SEGA

☆☆☆☆☆
382
★★★★★


$69.99

$55.99
Get it now
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour “hidden” between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.

Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.

Key Features:
– Experience the pivotal game of the Persona series faithfully remade with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, and signature stylish UI.

-Fully immerse yourself in an emotional, gripping journey with new scenes, character interactions, and additional voiceover.

– Choose how to meaningfully spend each day through various activities from exploring the Port Island to forging genuine bonds with beloved characters.

– Build and command your optimal team to take down otherworldly Shadows and climb closer to the truth.


Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass

Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass

SEGA

☆☆☆☆☆
251
★★★★★


$34.99

$31.49
Get it now

Dive deeper into the world of Persona 3 Reload with this expansion pass featuring new costumes, BGM, and an extended story content scenario “Episode Aigis -The Answer-”, offering over 30 hours of additional gameplay.

Content will be released as follows:

Wave 1 – Persona 5 Royal EX BGM Set and Persona 4 Golden EX BGM Set
Release Date: March 2024
Unlock and listen to additional tracks from Persona 5 Royal and Persona 4 Golden while exploring and battling in dungeons in Persona 3 Reload and Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer-.

Wave 2 – Velvet Costume & BGM Set
Release Date: May 2024
Unlock Velvet Room themed costumes and BGM to further customize your dungeon experience in Persona 3 Reload and Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis -The Answer-.

Wave 3 – New Expansive Story Scenario, “Episode Aigis -The Answer-”
Release Date: September 2024
After unravelling the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fighting epic battles through Tartarus, and all the unforgettable events of Persona 3 Reload, the S.E.E.S. members find themselves trapped in a never-ending March 31st. Journey through the Abyss of Time as Aigis, undertake new challenges, and uncover the cause of this strange fate and the truth of what happened on that day…

Delve into this final chapter now with cutting-edge graphics, modernized quality-of-life features, fresh animations and UI, and a rearranged soundtrack.

You must own Persona 3 Reload with the latest patch downloaded to access expansion pass content.
Some content in this product may overlap.
Names and descriptions in this product are subject to change without notice. For more information on each item, please refer to their individual listings.
Scheduled release dates are subject to change.

The post Persona 3 Reload and Episode Aigis The Answer: A Deeply Personal Journey appeared first on Xbox Wire.