Category: Xbox

My Lovely Empress: How Xbox Helped a Fascinating Game Find Its Audience

My Lovely Empress: How Xbox Helped a Fascinating Game Find Its Audience

  • Carlo Lopez, Writer in Residence, Neon Doctrine

My Lovely Empress Hero Image

Summary

  • My Lovely Empress is an indie empire sim based on Asian fantasy, created by Indonesian developers.
  • Indonesian game developer Riris Marpaung shares how the Xbox Global Expansion Team assisted in My Lovely Empress finding its audience beyond Southeast Asia.
  • My Lovely Empress is out now for Xbox Series X|S.

When you think of games made in Asia, your mind most likely goes to games made in Japan or, more recently, China. Asia’s a big continent though, with plenty of talent just waiting for their time to shine – but it’s tough out there for small developers from developing regions to get the attention often focused on their larger neighbors.

That’s why the Xbox Global Expansion team exists, designed to help developers from places like Southeast Asia, India, Africa and Latin America reach audiences around the world. Here’s how the Xbox Global Expansion team put a spotlight on a small Indonesian team and their new title, My Lovely Empress.

My Lovely Empress is a dark fantasy empire management game inspired by Asian mythology and created by Jakarta-based developer GameChanger Studio. You play as the most powerful man in the Ashuwa continent, Emperor Hong of the Crimson Empire, and your life is torn to pieces after your beloved Empress Xiang succumbs to a mysterious disease.

My Lovely Empress Image

Unwilling to accept that there are limits for even an emperor, you turn to black magic and begin summoning the supernatural Yaoguai to help you run your empire and eventually resurrect your empress.

With a game so clearly based on the myths and legends of East and Southeast Asia, it can be quite a challenge for indie game developers to get the word out, especially when it comes to audiences unfamiliar with the original tales. This is where the Global Expansion Team came in to help.

In April 2023, GameChanger’s CEO Riris Marpaung met with the Global Expansion Team to discuss strategies on how to best release My Lovely Empress on Xbox, as well as share the game’s development progress from using 2D art to 3D models.

Discussions culminated in My Lovely Empress being featured in the Xbox Digital Broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2023, helping GameChanger and their publisher Neon Doctrine set the stage for the game’s world premiere. This was an incredible opportunity for GameChanger to get the game in front of players outside their own region, and for its founder and CEO Riris Marpaung to appear on camera speaking directly to global audiences. The response was amazing with people from around the world reaching out to share their interest in My Lovely Empress and their support for the studio.

My Lovely Empress Image

The Global Expansion team’s support provided GameChanger Studio more than just the ability to sell copies of the game, it provided a platform from which a small team could create meaningful connections and foster more opportunities. And more such games are being discovered through the Global Expansion team’s work, traveling to events around the region, and through initiatives such as Game Camp Asia – Xbox’s education program to uplevel developers in regions like Southeast Asia and India – and the Developer Acceleration Program which provides funding and support for underrepresented developers sharing their games and stories with the world.

It is GameChanger’s hope that players from around the world enjoy My Lovely Empress’ take on East Asian and Southeast Asian culture, and that people find many more games from all over the world supported by these invaluable initiatives.

My Lovely Empress launched on Xbox August 21, 2024. If you’d like to support the growth of the wonderful Southeast Asian indie scene, do give My Lovely Empress a chance and check out all the other indie titles the region has to offer!


My Lovely Empress

My Lovely Empress

Neon Doctrine

☆☆☆☆☆
7
★★★★★

$19.99
Get it now

You have an empire at your command and the world at your feet. Your hands hold the happiness, hopes, and lives of an entire nation, and those who call you, their ruler.

You have everything, and yet, in your heart, you have nothing.

You are Emperor Hong, the esteemed Emperor of the Crimson Empire, and you have experienced profound loss. Following the passing of your mother, the former ruler, you tragically lost your beloved Empress as well.

Faced with no other options, you are compelled to summon and seek the aid of the Yaoguai, forbidden but powerful creatures of the north with a taste for human souls, to assist you in resolving imperial challenges, enforcing your will, and supporting the welfare of your citizens.

You are far from the only ruler in the world, and balancing the needs of your people with the businesses you conduct with other rulers will be a difficult necessity on the path of growing the Crimson Empire. However, once your land has hit the peak of its prosperity, you are given a choice—live with all you have created or command the Yaoguai to bring about a calamity to devour your empire and sacrifice your people in a bid to resurrect your beloved empress.

The post My Lovely Empress: How Xbox Helped a Fascinating Game Find Its Audience appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox

Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox

Black Ops 6 Open Beta Hero Image

Summary

  • The two Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta weekends will be your first chance to try new Multiplayer features like Omnimovement.
  • Level-up and earn exclusive Multiplayer Beta Rewards that include Weapon Charms, Operator Skins, and a Weapon Blueprint.
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch October 25, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available on day one with Game Pass.

Welcome, recruit! Starting today, those who have pre-ordered any version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or those with an active subscription to select Game Pass plans, can start playing the Multiplayer Beta during this limited Early Access period. This will be your first time to check out the Multiplayer offerings of the action-packed spy thriller series that Black Ops has become synonymous with.

Over the course of the next two weekends, with more maps and modes rolling out over this limited play period, your goal during this time will not only be to engage with your opponents across various maps, but to level-up and earn unique in-game rewards that will only be available to those who participate in the Multiplayer Beta period. Also, this time is key for the development team to assess data helping to ensure that Black Ops 6 Multiplayer is going to be as great an experience as possible at launch on October 25, 2024.

This will also be the first time for you to try out the new Omnimovement system and other Black Ops 6 combat innovations that will make this year’s Call of Duty experience one of the most innovative (and fun) experiences you can play this year.

During both Beta weekends, the official Call of Duty Blog will be a great place for you to check out as well during this time, as it will be chock full of gameplay tips, map guides, and much more.

Start Playing – Weekend One: August 30 to September 4

Like we mentioned earlier, if you pre-ordered any version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or if you have an active subscription to select Game Pass plans, you can jump in and start playing the Beta during Early Access which kicks off on August 30 and runs through to September 4. You can download the Beta from the Microsoft Store, Battle.net, or Steam. Digital pre-orders don’t need a Beta code to participate during Early Access – you’re automatically registered and ready to play.

Six Multiplayer Maps will be available for you to play during this first weekend: Derelict, SCUD, Skyline, Rewind, Pit, and Gala. These various maps will take you to locations such as a deserted desert outpost, a shopping plaza, an underground mining tunnel, and even a fundraising event. You’ll also be able to sample a variety of game modes that include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Order, and Face Off.

Personally, I’m most excited to try out Kill Order, the newest game mode to be introduced in Call of Duty Multiplayer. Here you’ll be tasked with eliminating the enemy’s High Value Target (HVT) while keeping your HVT alive (taking it out can earn your team bonus points). It sounds like a great mix of chaos and teamwork, and I can’t wait to try it myself.

During the first weekend of the Closed Beta, you can max out at Player Level 20. While progressing down this path, you can unlock additional Loadout gear, the ability to create Custom Loadouts, as well as earn in-game rewards playing in the Beta and in Black Ops 6 at launch. You’ll also get a chance to play as a range of Operators during the Multiplayer Beta, including Adler, Park, Brutus, and Klaus who will only be available in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Vault Edition. Plus, flex the Mastercraft Weapon Collection, only available in the Vault Edition.

For even more information on the first weekend of the Call of Duty Multiplayer Beta, check out the official Call of Duty Blog which has a detailed breakdown of every map, Loadout, Beta Reward, and Multiplayer mode for you to experience during the first Beta Weekend event. Check it out here.

Prepare for Weekend Two: September 4 to 9

For the second Beta Weekend, all players can jump in and start playing regardless of if they have pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Game Pass Core not required. It kicks off September 6 and runs through to September 9 and will include all the other maps and modes from the previous weekend.

Speaking of, if you played the previous weekend during the Early Access period, you’ll find that your current Player Level will carry over into this weekend along with the ability to get up to Level 30 now, which in turn also includes several new in-game rewards. The second Beta Weekend will also include two new maps – Babylon and Stakeout – in addition to the Gunfight and Face Off Kill Order game modes.

Diving into a new Call of Duty Beta Multiplayer experience is always a fun time because it lets you scratch that multiplayer itch before launch. And with Omnimovement gearing up to be a game changer, I can’t wait to try this out first-hand and see what makes this such an exciting prospect for engaging opponents online. Also, gunning for all those sweet Multiplayer Beta rewards is a great incentive (I see you “Bug Smasher” Weapon Blueprint).

For even more details on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta, check out the Call of Duty Blog for a game-winning overview and tips to levelling up to ensure you unlock all those great Beta Rewards. Also, be sure to check out Xbox Wire’s coverage of Call of Duty NEXT to get even more information about what’s in store for the next Call of Duty entry.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch October 25, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and will be available on day one with Game Pass.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Open Beta

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Open Beta

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
221
★★★★★

Get it now
Xbox Game Pass

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and get Early Access to the Open Beta**.

– Early Access is August 30th – September 4th
– Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6th – September 9th

Get your first taste of the next-level action coming to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 with the Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta.

– Feel Omnimovement for yourself and experience the most fluid Call of Duty® movement to date that allows players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction.

– Explore several of the brand-new core 6v6 maps and Strike maps coming at launch, and start defining your perfect strategy for each across multiple game modes.

– Try out new weapons and gadgets, in addition to a refreshed Gunsmith and attachment system, to start planning your ideal loadout.

– Gear up, hit the lobby with your team, and experience many other game-changing innovations coming to Black Ops 6 so that you’re ready to go as soon as the game officially launches on October 25th.

Earn in-game rewards for playing the Beta, which will be immediately available in the Beta once unlocked, and playable in Black Ops 6 once the full game launches.

Pre-order the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition and use the Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack in the Beta, including Operator Skins for Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus, as well as the Mastercraft Collection, including five Mastercraft Weapons.

*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console.

**Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
1341
★★★★★

$99.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile**:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies

The Vault Edition includes:

– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

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.

*Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

**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.

***Battle Pass, BlackCell an 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.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Cross-Gen Bundle

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4623
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile***:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins.
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies.

Includes:

– 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.

*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S by October 25th, 2024 to redeem the Woods Operator Pack and Reflect 115 Camo Pack.

**Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

***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 25, 2025.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition Upgrade

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition Upgrade

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4821
★★★★★

$30
Get it now

Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:

– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Console).

**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.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

The post Your Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6

Next Week on Xbox - Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6

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 explore their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!


Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Edition

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Edition

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions – September 3

Take to the sky as one of the classic positions — Chaser, Seeker, Keeper, or Beater — each with their own unique play style. Soar into legendary Quidditch arenas, as well as maps that showcase never-before-seen areas of the wizarding world.


Star Trucker

Star Trucker

Raw Fury

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Star Trucker – September 3

Available on day one with Game Pass! Hop into the driver’s seat of your rocket-powered big rig as you haul cargo, scavenge for salvage and interact with an eclectic cast of star-hopping truckers in this Americana-infused journey on the ultimate open road – space!


The Casting of Frank Stone™

The Casting of Frank Stone™

Behaviour Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

The Casting of Frank Stone – September 3

The storytelling prowess of Supermassive Games meets the Dead by Daylight universe in a haunting horror game that won’t soon be forgotten. The shadow of Frank Stone looms over Cedar Hills, a town forever altered by his violent past. As a group of young friends are about to discover, Stone’s blood-soaked legacy cuts deep, leaving scars across families, generations, and the very fabric of reality itself.


3XTINCTION

3XTINCTION

2BAD GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$9.99
Pre-order

3xtinction – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

3xtinction is an online co-op, top-down shooter with tactical and strategic elements. After a series of experiments on spiders gone wrong, the world is devastated by an outbreak. You and your friend will have to cooperate to complete missions. Prepare yourself before every wave, buy weapons, ammos and set up turrets to stay alive. Each wave, the Infected are more and more numerous.


Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition
Xbox Play Anywhere

Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$29.99
Pre-order

Age of Mythology: Retold – September 4 – Game Pass / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass! From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide. Combining the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology with modern real-time strategy design and visuals, Retold is an epic and innovative experience for old and new players alike. Secure your domain, command legendary monsters, and call upon the power of the gods to crush your enemies.


Alpacapaca Dash

Alpacapaca Dash

Synnergy Circle Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Alpacapaca Dash – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A 2D run and shoot game where you are the last hope of saving the Alpaca World from eternal darkness! Control the last alpaca and run through the world, using your mighty Alpaca Beam to destroy evil your hooves to purify and restore the world to what it once was. Do you have what it takes to save the alpaca goddess?


Billy’s Game Show

Billy’s Game Show

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$9.99

$7.99
Pre-order
Xbox One X Enhanced

Billy’s Game Show – September 4 – Xbox One X Enhanced

You’re the current contestant in a twisted game environment designed by Billy himself, for his own twisted enjoyment. Billy’s Game Show set is made for you to choose your own path, but remember, its Billy’s game, and he sets the rules.


Bunny Battle Nemesis Demo

Bunny Battle Nemesis Demo

DCF Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
10
★★★★★

Get it now

Bunny Battle Nemesis – September 4

Sci-fi, bloodthirsty bunnies, and the powers of a goddess at your disposal! This is Bunny Battle Nemesis. Experience intense action, explosions, and chaos as you defend the Bunny Kingdom from certain doom at the hands of a vengeful demigod and her army of mercenaries and robots. Pick between the servants of Ella, a powerful goddess from the DCF Universe and lay waste to hundreds of enemies with might and magic!


Elon and the Divine Proof (Xbox + Windows)

Elon and the Divine Proof (Xbox + Windows)

DERIK D.F

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$7.99
Pre-order

Elon and the Divine Proof – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Thoroughly explore every part of this beautiful, mysterious beach. Use all of Elon’s skills to perform acrobatic jumps, spins, wall jumps and, above all, his ability to glide without getting tired. You can reach high, distant and dangerous places.


Green Soldiers Heroes

Green Soldiers Heroes

DERIK DF

☆☆☆☆☆
23
★★★★★

$4.99
Get it now

Green Soldiers Heroes – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

After a long and intense war. The army has created a machine to regenerate the bodies of the best soldiers. But due to the chemicals used in the regeneration process, the soldiers’ skin turns greenish. Therefore, many of them do not return to society and live exclusively for military service.


Mining Mechs

Mining Mechs

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Mining Mechs – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Strange noises and weird activities have been detected underground and you’ve been called in to help! Mining Mechs is a retro 2D action game presented in fluid pixel art style! Commander a high-tech mining mech to dig deep into the earth and collect valuable resources. Sell those resources on the surface to earn money, which you’ll need to upgrade your mech or buy new ones.


Offroad Mechanic Simulator

Offroad Mechanic Simulator

PlayWay S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Offroad Mechanic Simulator – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In Offroad Mechanic Simulator you are employed to modify off-road vehicles and prepare them for the toughest challenges they could face! Accept contracts that go well beyond standard repair jobs. Equip the client’s cars with the best parts that far exceed their original capabilities and make sure they’re ready to travel the most difficult terrains possible.


Super Snake Block DX

Super Snake Block DX

DERIK DF

☆☆☆☆☆
16
★★★★★

$4.99
Get it now

Super Snake Block DX – September 4 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Super Snake Block: Moves automatically and along the way there are coins, snake body parts, boxes, shield, magnet and scenery objects. Be careful with objects in the scenery. Even in the dark, the snake will lose body parts when colliding with solid objects.


The Holy Gosh Darn
Xbox Live

The Holy Gosh Darn

Yogscast Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

The Holy Gosh Darn – September 5 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Rewind time and save the future in this hilarious time-travelling adventure game. In six hours, Heaven will be destroyed. Unless you can save it. Use your powers of time travel to jump freely between the past and present across Heaven, Hell, Earth and Helheim.


Mudness Offroad - 4x4 Truck Car Simulator
Xbox Play Anywhere

Mudness Offroad – 4×4 Truck Car Simulator

Midnight Works

☆☆☆☆☆
5
★★★★★

$12.99
Get it now

Mudness Offroad 4×4 Truck Car Simulator – September 5 – Xbox Play Anywhere

Experience the ultimate offroad adventure with Mudness, where you’ll encounter a diverse range of vehicles from standard offroaders to monstrous trucks. Navigate a meticulously crafted map spanning three biomes – a treacherous muddy forest, expansive sandy quarry, and challenging snowy mountains.


Shogun Showdown

Shogun Showdown

Entalto Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Shogun Showdown – September 5 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Shogun Showdown is a turn-based combat game with rogue-like and deck-building elements. Position yourself and attack at the right time, upgrade your tiles and combo them to get ready to face the Shogun!


Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Ultra Edition (Pre-order)

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Ultra Edition (Pre-order)

Focus Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$109.99
Pre-order

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultra Edition and Gold Edition – September 5

Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine, the greatest of the Emperor’s warriors. Hold at bay the horrors of the galaxy in epic battles on far-flung planets with your deadly abilities and devastating weaponry. Uncover dark secrets to drive back the everlasting night and prove your ultimate loyalty to humanity. Pre-order Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultra Edition or Gold Edition to play up to 4 days before release.


Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
Xbox Play Anywhere

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
1
★★★★★

$39.99
Pre-order

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection – September 6 – Xbox Play Anywhere

Experience both Ace Attorney Investigations games in one gorgeous collection! Step into the shoes of Miles Edgeworth, that prosecutor of prosecutors from the Ace Attorney mainline games! Leave the courtroom behind as you walk with Edgeworth around the crime scene, gathering evidence and clues and talking with persons of interest. Use your wit and what you discover to solve tough, intriguing cases through logic and deduction.


Aero The Acro-Bat 2
Xbox Live

Aero The Acro-Bat 2

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

After managing to stop Edgar Ektor’s mad plans to destroy the world of amusement, Aero decides to investigate the madman’s museum of horror. Aero will need to escape the mysterious place he’s trapped in if he wants to stop Edgar Ektor’s new plan!


Live Factory
Xbox Live

Live Factory

17Studio LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Live Factory – September 6

Explore an underground factory hidden from eyes, filled with dangers, secrets and spatial puzzles. Use your wits and reaction to reveal all the secrets!


NBA 2K25 Standard Edition

NBA 2K25 Standard Edition

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
55
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

NBA 2K25 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Compete your way as you define your legacy in MyCareer and MyTeam, and experience MyNBA and The W on Xbox Series X|S or MyLeague on Xbox One. Express your personality with an array of customization options and explore an all-new City (Xbox Series X|S) or urban metropolis in the Neighborhood (Xbox One). Bring your game to life with ProPlay on Xbox Series X|S, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in the most authentic NBA experience to date. Pre-order to play up to two days early starting September 4, 2024, and receive 5,000 VC to spend in-game.


Ship Graveyard Simulator 2
Xbox Live

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2

Ultimate Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Dust off your torch and hammer – it’s time to get back to work, you have a new job to do. Visit the new beach coast with the largest, biggest ship graveyard in the world, dismantle huge ship parts and collect tons of precious steel. Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to get back to the business.


SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection

SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection

Red Art Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★


$9.99

$7.99
Pre-order

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection – September 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection, discover three of the legendary Japanese publisher’s 8-bit games and play them in English for the first time ever: The Wing of Madoola, Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido, and Ripple Island.

The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 2 to 6 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn: The Three-Decade Journey of a Cult Classic and its Epic Remake, Out Now on Xbox

Summary

  • Epic co-op action with plenty of replayability.
  • Updated for 2024 by the original design team.
  • Jumping onto the Xbox for the first time ever.

The nimble ninjas Hayate and Kaede are finally back in Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn!

Katana? Check. Shuriken? Check. Grappling hook? Check. Ready to tackle Emperor Garuda’s army!

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is the brand new, unexpected remake of the cult classic Shadow of the Ninja (a.k.a. The Dark Operative: Kage, a.k.a. Blue Shadow, a.k.a. Yami no Shigotonin Kage), originally released in 1990 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was later ported a few times on various Nintendo consoles, before finally hitting Xbox Series X|S with this here remake.

After having earned widespread acclaim from action loving gamers and the wider gaming industry in the 90s, particularly for its co-op gameplay, Shadow of the Ninja is back and better than ever, remade by the original development team, Tengo Project. They might be slightly grayer (I mean, it’s been three decades!), but their passion and commitment for making good ole’ thrilling hack ‘n slash action games have not changed one bit!

SNR developers

Following the success of both Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors and Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, Inin is once more partnering with NatsumeAtari and Tengo Project to dish out another serving of unbridled ninja action to modern consoles.

Set in the far future of 2029 (look, the plot is from the 90s), Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn recounts the tales of Lord Hayate and Lady Kaede, two noble ninjas of the Iga clan on a quest to depose the evil Emperor Garuda and his army of robotic soldiers. A daunting task, but not impossible for ones as skilled and armed as they are.

The Tengo Project trio have worked together on many a Natsume 90s action game. In a recent interview, soon to be available online, they give us a thrilling behind-the-scenes glimpse into the triumphs and challenges of developing Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, their fourth 16-bit remake and take us on an unforgettable journey through the history and background of this acclaimed development team. Snippets of this interview can be seen in the soon-to-drop Inin launch trailer.

As a love letter to the original game and to platformers of yore, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a full-sized remake that boasts gorgeous modern pixel art and new designs from the original artists, a reworked score based on the original from star composer Iku Mizutani, and an array of additional features that will keep fans busy for more than a couple of playthroughs.

For the real retro game and music aficionados amongst you, Inin will also release a Digital Deluxe Edition, that includes the electrifying digital soundtrack by legends Iku Mizutani and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki, who helped create that iconic Natsume sound!

Pick your favorite character, maybe grab a friend along the way, and prepare to run, jump, climb and fight Garuda’s army across five stages (plus a sixth brand new stage), complete with bosses and mini-bosses!

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is available now on Xbox Series X|S.


Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn

United Games Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
5
★★★★★

$19.99
Get it now

It’s 2029. A vicious dystopian future. And it’s up to two warriors of the night to save the nation!

After 33 years in the shadows, prepare to see this legendary action adventure in a new light! Looking and playing better than ever before, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is Tengo Project’s remake of a cult classic, that the fans have been waiting for.

In this thrilling action-adventure, you will use your striking katana along with a wide variety of weaponry that has greatly expanded from the NES original, as well as the acrobatic finesse of a ninja to face the onslaught of powerful enemies. Although, the challenge does not end here! 6 complex, expansive, and masterfully designed stages test your skills through devious traps and challenging platform puzzles.
Critically acclaimed as one of the best 2-player co-ops of its time, Shadow of the Ninja—Reborn lets you play together locally as the legendary ninjas Hayate and Kaede.

In addition to the contributions of Tengo Project, this remake also features Iku Mizutani, the star composer who helped create the iconic Natsume sound and renowned tracks for various NES games. Fans of Mr. Mizutani and retro gamers across the world will find delight in his renowned guitar riffs and fast-paced retro melodies!

Our fearless heroes, Hayate and Kaede have undergone a massive visual upgrade over their original 8-bit models. And the improvements don’t stop there: From the deadly foes to the no-less deadly stages, every part of this title has been faithfully recreated in stunning high-quality sprites.

So, cloak yourself in shadows and slash your way through a treacherous concrete jungle of the future in this dark action gem Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn!

The post Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn: The Three-Decade Journey of a Cult Classic and its Epic Remake, Out Now on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage Kick Flips Onto Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Today

Hi there! I am John Kalderon of Angry Demon Studioand we are purr-sitively thrilled to announce that Gori: Cuddly Carnage, our action-packed hack ‘n’ slash adventure, is out now!

Set in a neon-drenched futuristic world where it’s up to Gori and F.R.A.N.K, his comical and deadly sentient hoverboard, with their deadpan A.I companion, CH1-P, to execute lethal combos to slay the evil Adorable Army.

To help you land those devastating combos, here are our top tips and tricks to help you throughout your epic battle to prevent the Adorable Army from conquering the galaxy!

Don’t Stop Moving

In Gori: Cuddly Carnage you will want to make sure you’re always on the move, putting your platforming skills to the limit as you rampage through twisted landscapes filled with dangerous foes! Power slide, grind, evade and make use of your boost – it’s the best way to dodge any and all oncoming attacks.

Gori Cuddly Carnage screenshot

Power Up F.R.A.N.K

As mentioned, F.R.A.N.K is a sentient hoverboard, who is both your means of transport and the ultimate weapon! Keep an eye on F.R.A.N.K’s energy to unleash powerful and devastating attacks. Be sure to utilize any rails or billboards you come across to power him up!

Gori Cuddly Carnage gleaming

Get the Ultimate Combo

Keep your combo going to hit PPP rank (Pawsitively Purrfect Points!) by switching between a range of different attacks, and grinding on billboards or grind rails. Cause maximum carnage and don’t get hit to secure the best combo score!

Gori Cuddly Carnage screenshot

Plan Your Attack

Saving the entire galaxy from the formidable and bloodthirsty Adorable Army is no easy feat, so when faced with a horde of enemies be sure to take out those ranged attacks first – after all, Gori is allergic to bullets!

Gori Cuddly Carnage grid

Slay In Style

Using your extreme hoverboard parkour skills, make sure to explore every single corner of each level to find collectables to unlock radical new filters, outfits and “fur” styles for Gori!

Gori Cuddly Carnage character styles

Meow

And finally, don’t forget to press the ‘Meow’ button (for good vibes).

Gori Cuddly Carnage screenshot

We are so proud to be releasing Gori: Cuddly Carnage, we hope that you have a great time skating and slashing through the twisted landscapes and meeting a host of unexpected allies in a script packed with heart and adult humor as razor-sharp as F.R.A.N.K’s blades!


Gori: Cuddly Carnage
Xbox Play Anywhere

Gori: Cuddly Carnage

Wired Productions Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆
15
★★★★★

$21.99
Get it now

Humanity has been destroyed – and it’s up to Gori, along with his deadly but wise-cracking sentient hoverboard, F.R.A.N.K, and morose A.I companion, CH1-P, to slay the evil Adorable Army with lethal combos.

Fuelled by insatiable demand, ‘Cool-Toyz Inc.’ created ‘Ultra Pets’. The ultimate companions that never hunger, never require bathroom breaks and are impervious to the ravages of time. Little did anyone expect the mutation that transformed these perfect pets into twisted toys straight from your nightmares, hell-bent on wiping out humanity.

Master explosive weaponry and devastating combos in an epic battle to prevent the Adorable Army from conquering the galaxy, and rescue Professor Y, their missing creator and only human who showed Gori and his friends love. Push your combat and platforming skills to the limits as you fight your way through twisted landscapes filled with environmental hazards, razor-sharp adult humour and a bone-crunching, pulse-pounding soundtrack.

These reluctant heroes must track down and obliterate the generals of the Adorable Army, and with the help of a wild cast of unlikely allies – discover the truth about Cool-Toyz Inc. and unravel the secrets of this thrilling, action-packed hack ‘n’ slash adventure. Get ready to unleash the cuddly carnage!

PLAY AS A BADASS CAT – One of the last prototype synthetic pets, smuggled out of Cool-Toyz Inc before destruction, Gori is cute, cuddly, yet extremely deadly.

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE… – Save the galaxy with a team of the unlikeliest heroes, from F.R.A.N.K and CH1-P to a host of unexpected allies, with a script packed with heart and adult humour that’s as razor-sharp as F.R.A.N.K’s blades!

SLAY WITH STYLE – Battle the blood-thirsty hordes of the Adorable Army in fast-paced combat where your hoverboard is your weapon! Power slide, grind and spin to cause MAXIMUM carnage and high combo scores.

LEVEL UP – From neon-drenched city streets and toy factories awash with deadly toxins, to twisted carnivals and the insides of arcade machines – each level is filled with lethal environmental hazards and mutated toys to push your combat and platforming skills to their limits.

LOCK AND LOAD – This cat has claws… and a devastating arsenal of explosives, razor-sharp weaponry and unlockable moves to lay waste to the Adorable Army in the most brutal and stylish way possible.

HUNT FOR SECRETS – Use your extreme hoverboard parkour skills to explore every corner of the level for collectables that unlock radical new filters, outfits and fur-styles for Gori!

PACKED WITH GORE – Paint the town red with F.R.A.N.K’s blades as you slice and dice with gratuitous amounts of dismemberment – body horror and the most twisted toy designs you’ve ever seen!

EXPLOSIVE AND SOUNDTRACK – Skate and slay out to an original bone-crunching soundtrack bursting with energy across multiple genres.

The post Gori: Cuddly Carnage Kick Flips Onto Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Call of Duty NEXT 2024 Showcase Recap – New Details on Black Ops 6 Warzone, Zombies, Multiplayer, and More

Call of Duty NEXT 2024 Hero Image

Call of Duty NEXT 2024 Showcase Recap – New Details on Black Ops 6 Warzone, Zombies, Multiplayer, and More

Summary

  • Call of Duty NEXT 2024 brought fresh details across all the new gameplay systems and more for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
  • We got new details on Zombies, Warzone, Multiplayer, and a whole lot more that we’ve recapped for you below.
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches October 25, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and day one with Game Pass.

If you’re looking for the latest news and intel for all things Call of Duty, then the annual Call of Duty NEXT broadcast is for you. And this year is no different with tons of new details on the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Warzone changes, Call of Duty Mobile, and more. We’ve condensed some of the highlights below, but if you want an even deeper dive into every new feature offering, be sure to check out the official Call of Duty Blog which breaks down everything from Omnimovement to Zombies to Mastery Camos to Multiplayer and more!

Multiplayer Intel

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer is going to launch with an incredible collection of 16 brand-new maps that will drive home some of the new features like Omnimovement (more on that in a bit), providing plenty of fast-paced action. As with earlier Call of Duty games, expect to encounter meticulously designed maps that will highlight what it’s like to engage in combat in Black Ops 6’s era with gorgeous set pieces, close quarter encounters, and ample cover opportunities to deliver an unmatched multiplayer experience.

The new Multiplayer maps are split into two main categories: 12 brand-new Core 6v6 maps and four compact-sized Strike maps designed to be played in either 6v6 Faceoff or 2v2 configurations. Those of you who have access to the upcoming Closed Beta will get a chance to dive in and experience Babylon, Derelict, Rewind, Scud, Skyline, Gala, Pit, and Stakeout.

And what good are maps without a ton of games modes to play them on? And it’s not just about simply adding classic modes like Team Deathmatch, Gunfight, Domination, or Hardpoint. We’re told Treyarch have spent a significant amount of time looking at all the core modes and adjusting to suit the unique Black Ops 6 style of play.

This will also include a brand-new game mode that you can take for a spin when the Beta kicks off on August 30: Kill Order. The component behind Kill Order is protecting your team’s High Value Target (HVT), while trying to eliminate your enemy’s HVT. It features two teams of six, where teams score points for all eliminations, but taking out a HVT will yield a larger number of points. Sounds chaotic; can’t wait!

Other tweaks that have taken place are Time to Kill (TTK) being tuned to be a little bit faster than the previous Black Ops game, various settings for your in-game HUD, a variety of audio improvements, and slide canceling. You can get a full breakdown on all the Multiplayer features here on the official Call of Duty Blog which also details features like Loadouts, Combat Specialties, and more.

Global Gameplay Systems Intel

Omnimovement, Gunsmith changes, Global Weapon Builds, Classic Prestige, and Mastery Camos will be some of the primary innovations you can look forward to across Multiplayer Zombies, and Warzone modes, but perhaps none will be as game changing as Omnimovement.

The way it works is this: Omnimovement will let you chain combat maneuvers together, like sliding, sprinting, and diving, all with a full 360 degrees range of motion (the upcoming Closed Beta will be a great chance for you to try this in action). It’s basically giving you all the tools to be a full-blown action hero, like shooting while diving forward, sideways, or backwards. Or pulling off combat dives off the edge of a building, rotating yourself in mid-air to face an enemy, and opening fire — there’s going to be a lot of incredible ways for you engage opponents.

Black Ops 6 is also going to feature Intelligent Movement, allowing you to customize how Operatives move through the field. These include Sprint Assist (auto-applies your preferred Sprint); Mantle Assist (auto mantle over objects); Crouch Assist (crouching while moving through a usable opening); Corner Slice (sloping your weapon when moving around corners).

You can get a full rundown on all the other Gameplay Systems on the official Call of Duty Blog that will cover things like the new Gunsmith system, Reticle challenges, Weapon and Mastery camos, and much more. Read about it here.

Warzone Integrations

We also got a look at the first gameplay of the new Area 99 Resurgence Map coming later this year to Warzone, as part of Season 1. Set within the Nevada desert, Area 99 was a secret government site built in the late 1940s, hidden just out of sight from the Nuketown testing site. Designed for radiation testing, this region was abandoned shortly after a reactor leak, and all work was erased by the government. Taking inspiration from the classic Multiplayer map Nuketown, Treyarch analyzed what makes that map so special, then building out its lore and implementing new Warzone mechanics with a variety of challenging and compact locations throughout.

There are several unique locations to explore here, each having a dash of retrofuturism behind them. Some notable ones include Reactor, which is focused on a massive reactor tower that is slowly leaking radiation; Nuketown Shipping that is highlighted by a shipping yard and gigantic crane; and the Mannequin Assembly plant which features (you guessed it) a factory full of creepy mannequins.

Also, while it was great to learn more about what’s going to be new for Warzone like Omnimovement integration, it was equally great to hear that Warzone will support Carry Forward Content. That means the weapons, blueprints, Operators and Skins, and many cosmetics from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III, can be carried over, as well as full integration into the gameplay and cosmetic content of Black Ops 6.

There will also be some other larger changes based on Raven’s learnings from the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare era of Warzone, all the way back to the original map, Verdansk, and working to focus this iteration for Warzone on more simplicity. One of these will be an effort to make setting your non-Loadout inventory a bit easier by removing backpacks, with a series of inventory slots for items like Gas Masks, Killstreaks, Armor Plates, and more. You can learn more about this feature and all the other changes for Warzone by checking out the Call of Duty Blog’s deep dive on everything from Perks to Vehicles to Warzone Mobile and more here.

Zombies Intel

Coming out of Call of Duty: NEXT, we’re excited to share even more details regarding Round-Based Zombies in Black Ops 6, including information on Liberty Falls, Story Mode, Wonder Weapons, and more.

First up is Liberty Falls, the second “medium-sized” Zombies map that will be available at launch for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Liberty Falls was once an idyllic town in West Virgina; now it has been consumed by this bloody outbreak of Zombies. Here you’ll navigate its narrow streets and do battle at various landmarks like churches, banks, and even a comics store to give this a true hometown-gone-wrong feeling, complimented by undead cheerleaders, deputies, and other townsfolk covered in tattered plaid.

We also got confirmation that every Zombies map coming to Black Ops 6 will include a “multi-stage Main Quest,” with Treyarch assuring us that they will be involved, difficult, and entertaining with plenty of awards being handed out for completing them. There will also be Directed Mode, which is great for new players to jump in and get a feel for this unique gaming world, allowing them more assistance in completing the Main Quest.

When traversing Liberty Falls, you’ll also be able to get your hands on some Perks to help with your battle against the undead. Some notable Perks that caught our attention were the Deadshot Daiquiri, that helps your aim of sight to target critical locations on enemies; Elemental Pop, which gives a small chance of a random Ammo Mod effect to every bullet you fire; and Jugger-Nog, which can increase your max health by 100. Learn more about Perks as well as Augments and how GobbleGum works here on the official Call of Duty Blog.

You can try out some of these features starting soon by pre-ordering Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the Microsoft Store or subscribe to select Game Pass plans to get early access to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Open Beta which kicks off August 30, 2024. This is your first chance to go hands on with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and provide essential feedback to help ensure the best day one experience possible. Learn more here.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is currently available for pre-order on the Microsoft Store and will launch October 25, 2024, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and will be available day one with Game Pass.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition
Xbox Live

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
1198
★★★★★

$99.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile**:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies

The Vault Edition includes:

– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

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.

*Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

**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.

***Battle Pass, BlackCell an 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.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Cross-Gen Bundle
Xbox Live

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4489
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:

– Early access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access is August 30 – September 4
— Open Beta access is available for all players from September 6 – September 9
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile***:
— Woods Operator Pack – unlock the Classic Woods Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Zombie Woods and Numbers Woods Skins.
— Reflect 115 Camo Pack – unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies.

Includes:

– 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.

*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S by October 25th, 2024 to redeem the Woods Operator Pack and Reflect 115 Camo Pack.

**Actual launch date(s) and platform availability of MP Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required.

***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 25, 2025.

Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.

Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.


Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 - Vault Edition Upgrade
Xbox Live

Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Vault Edition Upgrade

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
4783
★★★★★

$30
Get it now

Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:

– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities

*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Console).

**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.

For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

The post Call of Duty NEXT 2024 Showcase Recap – New Details on Black Ops 6 Warzone, Zombies, Multiplayer, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Escape Room Madness: Which Mad Experiments Game is for You?

If you like escape rooms, puzzle games or enjoy delving into a dark and twisted story, you’re in for a treat. That’s because these Xbox games have just been released: Mad Experiments: Escape Room and Mad Experiments 2: Escape Room. However, with two of them to pick from, where do you get started? Well, let’s discuss what it is that makes each game special as well as why one may be better than the other—or perhaps we should say why you will end up playing both anyway.

Mad Experiments screenshot

Choose Your Challenge: Classic Puzzles or Story-Driven Mystery?

Both games throw players into the unsettling world created by Professor Cheshire where escaping requires smartness. Nevertheless, they offer different flavors of escape room gameplay:

  • Mad Experiments: Escape Room is for the classic puzzle enthusiasts. It’s all about the thrill of discovery—finding hidden objects, piecing together clues, and solving increasingly complex puzzles. Each of the three chapters—The Mansion Lab, Memory Loss, and Lost Childhood—presents its own set of challenges. This game is perfect if you love the satisfaction of cracking a tough puzzle and want to immerse yourself in a dark, atmospheric setting.
  • Mad Experiments 2: Escape Room, on the other hand, takes the puzzle formula you loved in the first game and layers in a more complex, story-driven experience. Here, you’re not just escaping rooms; you’re uncovering the full, twisted story of Professor Cheshire and his daughter, Hildegarde. From the eerie Library to the dangerous Greenhouse and the suspenseful Train, each room tells a piece of the story. This sequel is ideal for players who want their puzzle-solving wrapped in a rich, narrative-driven package.
Mad Experiments screenshot

Solo or Squad: Play the Way you Want

Another key difference lies in how you approach these games:

  • Solo Puzzlers: Both games can be tackled on your own, but the first game’s straightforward puzzle design might appeal more to solo players who want to solve at their own pace.
  • Team Players: Mad Experiments 2 shines in multiplayer. With its deeper story and more elaborate puzzles, having a team of up to five friends can make the experience even more engaging. You’ll need to work together, communicate, and share your findings to unravel the mysteries of the Cheshire Institute.
Mad Experiments screenshot

What Makes Each Game Special?

If you’re on the fence, here’s a quick rundown of what each game brings to the table:

  • Mad Experiments: Escape Room:
    • Classic Escape Room Vibes: Perfect for players who want a pure escape room experience with tight puzzles and a dark atmosphere.
    • Three Unique Chapters: Each with its own set of challenges and a glimpse into the sinister mind of Professor Cheshire.
    • Replayability: Whether you’re speedrunning or taking your time, the game offers a different experience every time you play.
  • Mad Experiments 2: Escape Room:
    • Narrative Depth: Unravel the full story behind Professor Cheshire’s madness and his desperate attempts to save his daughter.
    • Four Intricate Rooms: From the knowledge-packed Library to the life-or-death stakes of the Greenhouse, each room is a puzzle and a story in itself.
    • Enhanced Multiplayer: Team up with friends to solve the puzzles faster—or struggle together as you get deeper into the mystery.
Mad Experiments screenshot

Ready to Dive In?

Whether you’re in it for the puzzles or the story, the Mad Experiments series has something to offer every escape room fan. If you crave the challenge of tight, intricate puzzles, start with Mad Experiments: Escape Room. But if you want a richer, more narrative-driven experience, Mad Experiments 2: Escape Room will be your go-to.

Why choose? Go ahead and play both of them – therefore getting a taste of all stages that constitute Professor Cheshire’s universe of madness. Each game offers different kind of thrill and they altogether form one entity— a complete journey into dark puzzling universe.

So, which one will you dive into first?


Mad Experiments: Escape Room
Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Mad Experiments: Escape Room

Nejcraft

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$14.99
Get it now

Award-nominated cross-platform escape game. Alone or with up to 5 players, explore 3 unique rooms, solve mind-bending puzzles, and unravel the dark secrets of the Professor Cheshire and his experiments.

ESCAPE WITH FRIENDS
Play alone or in a team of up to 6 players. In first-person view, explore and gather clues that will help you to solve the puzzles of the room. As you solve puzzles, you unravel story bits and gets closer from the exit. Challenge yourself with time limit, or take your time and play in Relax mode with unlimited time!

FIND CLUES AND UNRAVEL A DARK STORY
Interact and examine with dozens of objects to uncover the secrets of the rooms and understand why the Professor does all this.

Chapter 1: The Mansion Lab
You have been “invited” by Professor Cheshire and his assistant Hildegarde to try their new experiments. They are obsessed with people’s minds and want to see how you react to their tests.

Chapter 2: Memory Loss
Cheshire’s experimentations damaged your brain and you are now in a coma. Hildegarde wants to help you to wake up by recovering your memory…

Chapter 3: Lost Childhood
You will keep diving into the past of Hildegarde. In her child room, you will witness what her daily life looked like when she got into Cheshire’s lab.

The post Escape Room Madness: Which Mad Experiments Game is for You? appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Starbound Demo is now available to Xbox Insiders!

Chucklefish would like to invite Xbox Insiders to join the Starbound Demo, starting today Wednesday 28th August – Wednesday 4th September! The playtest will be available to both Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S players in all regions, but space is limited so users will be accepted on a first come, first served basis!

What is Starbound?

Starbound, a sci-fi sandbox adventure, available for the first time on console!

You’ve fled your home, only to find yourself lost in space with a damaged ship. Your only option is to beam down to the planet below and gather the resources you need to repair your ship and set off to explore the vast, infinite universe…

In Starbound, you create your own story – there’s no wrong way to play! You may decide to save the universe from the forces that destroyed your home, uncovering greater galactic mysteries in the process, or you may wish to forego a heroic journey entirely in favor of colonizing uncharted planets. The choice is yours!
To find out more about Starbound, check out the official website.

Playtest Times:

Start: Wednesday 28th August, 15:00 PM BST (07:00 AM PDT)

End:  Wednesday 4th September, 15:00 PM BST (07:00 AM PDT)

How to Participate:

  • Sign-in on your Xbox console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
  • Naviagte to Previews and select the Starbound Demo from the list
  • Select Join
  • Wait for the registration to complete and you will be directed the the Store to install the Starbound Demo
  • Note: This is a limited size playtest, offered on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • Note: This playtest is available to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S users.

How to Provide Feedback:

If you experience any issues while playing the Starbound Closed Beta, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:

  • Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
  • Select Report a problem.
  • Select the Games category and Starbound Demo subcategory.
  • Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.

Other Resources:

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Detailed Breakdown of its Painterly RPG Combat

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Detailed Breakdown of its Painterly RPG Combat

Expedition 33 Key Art

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was revealed for the first time at Xbox Games Showcase, and wowed an unsuspecting audience with its mix of stunning visuals and RPG combat, set within a truly unique fantasy world inspired by the French Belle Époque. It’s all the more impressive for being the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, telling the story of a world in which the ominous Paintress regularly condemns everyone of a set age to death – and the group of adventurers who set out to put an end to the cycle.

That reveal was a tease for what’s to come – and in a walkthrough at gamescom 2024, I got a far more in-depth look at the game. Watching a party helmed by Gustave, a character we met in the reveal trailer, I saw two areas from the game: a fantastical underwater realm called Flying Waters (with gorgeous, shifting lighting and enormous coral reefs) and a glimpse of Ancient Sanctuary, covered in blood red vegetation and dotted with imposing structures on the horizon.

But perhaps the most detailed part of the walkthrough focused on combat, a mixture of classic turn-based systems accented with real-time inputs. Clearly inspired by the Persona series, and with flashes of recent Final Fantasy titles, it’s immediately striking in how it turns what could be familiar, simplistic systems into something deeply stylish and gratifyingly reactive.

Here’s a rundown of how it all works:

Exploration and Pre-Battle

Expedition 33 screenshot

Areas in Expedition 33 are freely explorable – you control a single character (it’s your choice who from your party that will be) as they navigate locations, finding treasures, secrets, and points of interest. Enemies roam these areas, and interacting with them kicks off an instance of battle – but you have the opportunity to strike them before they strike you, offering a turn advantage as the battle begins.

Your Turn

Expedition 33 screenshot

When in a battle, you and your enemies’ turn order is displayed prominently at all times, allowing you to prepare for battle accordingly. When one of your characters’ turns arrives, you’ll be presented with a slick menu, offering the ability to attack, use items, use skills, or enter a free-aim mode (more on that below).

Your skills are the key point of difference between characters, offering special physical attacks, elemental abilities, stat buffs and debuffs, and more. Key to all your skills is timing – each attack comes with an onscreen prompt, asking you to hit a button at the correct time to make the skill more powerful or add additional beneficial effects.

Each character also has a wholly unique ability that changes how they play. Gustave has a mechanical arm that is charged by other abilities, and does huge damage when unleashed. Lune can create “elemental stains” that are created by casting spells and can be consumed to unleash extra effects, while Maelle can seemingly take up different swordfighting stances to allow for a range of different abilities and stat changes.

Free-Aim Abilities

Expedition 33 screenshot

As mentioned above, you can start your turn with a free-aim ability that acts slightly differently to other options. Your character will use a pistol or magic, and you physically aim them at your enemies, adding extra damage. This can come with some added benefits – in the example I saw, an enemy called a Demineur was attached to a floating sea mine, which could be shot and detonated with Gustave’s gun. This dealt damage to all the enemies, rather than just one, and made the evasive Demineur vulnerable to follow-up physical strikes.

Enemy Turns

Expedition 33 screenshot

You can’t take your eye off the ball during enemy turns, either. Expedition 33 has a neat risk-reward system for enemy attacks – many attacks can be dodged or parried with well-timed button presses, but which you choose can determine how well you succeed. A successful dodge has a longer input window, and will negate all damage you receive. Parries, however, are harder to pull off – but manage them successfully and you can perform massive counterattacks as well as avoiding the damage. Neither is designed to be easy to pull off, but there’s a clear indication about how you should prioritize which to use during tougher bouts.

Boss Battles

Expedition 33 screenshot

I only saw sections of a single boss battle – against a gigantic monster called Goblu – but it’s clear that Expedition 33 will add more to think about in its signature fights. Goblu can attack all your party members at once, making dodges and parries more important than ever – and of course comes with an enormous health bar that means your choices are more important than ever.

Post-Battle

Expedition 33 screenshot

While I only saw a glimpse of its skill trees, Expedition 33’s battles end with the loot and XP rewards you’d expect – as well as more in-depth stats like the highest damage you did, the number of successful parries and dodges, and more. You can even get a bonus for taking no damage at all within a fight, teasing the possibility of doing a challenging no-hit run of the game for die-hard players. How all of this ties into your party’s progression is still a mystery, and I look forward to seeing more.

Even in a short look at the game’s combat, it’s clear that Expedition 33’s combat is as flashy and in-depth as you’d hope for from that first look – and a tease of the areas and enemies we’re still yet to see promises that there’s so much more to find out.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 comes to Xbox Series X|S in 2025, and you’ll be able to play on day one with Game Pass.


Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Xbox Live

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Kepler Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

“Year by year, She erases us.”

Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission – Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again. We are Expedition 33.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies.

Reactive Turn-based Combat
In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat – dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system.

“Tomorrow Comes”
With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.

A Hauntingly Beautiful World
Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit special companions, access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.

Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.

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