• Category: Announcements

May 1, 2024

Xbox Empowers Asian and Pacific Islander Communities with GameTan and NEEL

• Team Xbox

Summary

• Learn how Xbox is partnering with GameTan and NEEL.
• Explore games curated by the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
• Discover how the Ramayana inspired the Xbox logo redesign.

The Asian and Pacific Islander communities have long been a vibrant and integral part of the global gaming ecosystem. Building upon the foundations laid in the early days of video game development, Xbox is proud to innovate in gaming spaces and champion beloved game titles thanks to the incredible work of developers and artists who identify as part of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The rich storytelling traditions, innovative technology, and unique artistic perspectives from these regions continue to enrich the gaming world, offering players a wide array of experiences that challenge, entertain, and inspire.

Developers often draw upon their lived experiences to help inform elements of their games. This is also true for many developers within the Asian and Pacific community, who will sometimes feature traditional folklore, art, and philosophy in games. This not only introduces gamers to new narratives and aesthetics but also promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of these cultures. Moreover, the rise of competitive gaming, or esports, has seen players from these communities rise to the top, showcasing their skills on the world stage and inspiring a new generation of gamers. We are also partnering with two nonprofits who live these values. They share our goal of sharing the joy of play and community across the globe and providing opportunities to students and those interested in the industry to learn and gain experience in the world of esports, technology, and game design.

The contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities are not just limited to content creation. The community is also full of avid gamers, forming a significant portion of the player base and actively participating in online communities. Their feedback and engagement are crucial in shaping the development of games, ensuring they remain relevant and enjoyable for a global audience. Xbox is committed to supporting and celebrating the diversity within our community, recognizing that it is the blend of different cultures and ideas that drives innovation and makes the gaming world so dynamic and exciting.  After all, games allow players to feel seen, and can also be a tool for empathy and provide insights into underrepresented communities’ experiences. Here’s how we are supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities this year:

GIVE

Xbox is Partnering with GameTan and Nevada Esports Education League

This year, Xbox is excited to announce our collaboration with two exceptional nonprofit organizations dedicated to enriching their communities through the power of gaming and esports education. These partnerships are a testament to our commitment to increasing representation and building empathy through the power of play. By working closely with these nonprofits, we aim to create inclusive spaces where the thrill of competition and the spirit of teamwork can thrive through the lens of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

These nonprofits embody our core mission: to spread the joy of gaming far and wide, and to build strong, supportive networks of gamers within the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This work is pivotal in unlocking new possibilities, as they expand gaming from mere entertainment into a pathway for educational and professional opportunities. Through these partnerships, we are opening doors to new experiences, empowering individuals with the skills and confidence to explore the dynamic world of esports and gaming, and fostering a community that celebrates underrepresented communities and inclusion. Read more about each organization below:

GameTan (Within HauTutū) – Based in New Zealand, and working within the nonprofit HauTutu, GameTan provides kids the opportunity to learn and step into the world of gaming, esports, and technology. Through various events, and projects, they allow students to step into leadership roles and gain experience at a young age. They also host game clubs where they provide a space for the community to come together through food and video games. These game clubs also allow GameTan to help homeless children get a meal, build community, and also learn about opportunities within the gaming, esports, and tech industries. This year, Xbox will be providing a donation to support GameTan in furthering their mission and programs.

GameTan’s mission has 4 main pillars: 

• “In order for our kids to change the future, we as teachers must change our approach.” 

Me aro ngā kaiako i ngā wawata o ngā tauira, kia mārama ngā tauira i te anamata 

• Game-Led Learning: Where Fun Meets Future Skills 

Ako Ātea : Te tūtakitanga a tākaro me pūkenga ki te anamata 

• Whānau-Centered Innovation: Tech for All 

Te auahatanga o te whānau: Mō te ao katoa te hangarau. 

• Creating Career Pathways: From Local Talent to Global Leaders 

Whaohia te ara ki tua o paerangi: Ngā rangatira o te kainga, Ngā rangatira o te ao 

GameTan, where culture meets technology, and innovation knows no bounds. Together, we’re not just playing games; we’re changing the game. 

Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL) – The Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL), Nevada’s sole nonprofit dedicated to Esports, pioneers programs for youth focusing on career development, STEM outreach, and community engagement. From organizing charity Twitch streams to volunteering at Esports conventions, and hosting community tournaments and boot camps, NEEL actively engages youth and cultivates inclusive communities, particularly among Asian American Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AAPINHPI) groups. This year Xbox will be providing a donation that NEEL will leverage to prioritize mental health awareness initiatives tailored for AAPINHPI gamers, champion diversity and inclusion in esports, and celebrate cultural heritage through gaming events. Collaborating with Xbox, NEEL is committed to empowering AAPINHPI youth and fostering positive change within the esports industry, highlighting gaming’s potential as a platform for social impact and community involvement.

Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards

Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities with Xbox. The organizations below will be available on the Rewards hub: 

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC – AAJC works through strategic policy advocacy, active community education, and impactful litigation to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
• AAPI Equity Alliance – AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity) is dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through civic engagement, capacity building, and policy advocacy.
• Stop AAPI Hate – Stop AAPI Hate advances equity & justice by dismantling systemic racism & building a multiracial movement to end anti-Asian American & Pacific Islander hate through community empowerment, solidarity & advocacy for comprehensive solutions.

Xbox players can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Start earning today and redeem your points for great rewards. Donate your points on the Rewards hub or on the Microsoft Rewards redeem page. 

PLAY

Explore Games Curated by Asian and Pacific Islander Communities at Microsoft

Pacific Islander Heritage month featuring water, fire, and two characters from the Ramayana, Sukhrip and Madchanu on a stage with embroidered curtains.

Gaming would not be what it is today without the contributions, perspectives, and influence from Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Here at Xbox, we want to honor this richly diverse set of communities by providing engaging gaming experiences that represent a myriad of histories and heritage. ​

During May and beyond, check out a variety of game collections that reflect the vast diversity of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. These collections showcase creators, lead characters, and games inspired by these cultures. Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, check out the collections of East, South, and Southeast Asian Community Games and Pacific Islander and Indigenous Community Games. These collections will exist year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities.​

Featured titles within the collections available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass include:​

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Japanese creators Yoshitaka Murayama and Junko Kawano designed this game to bring players a modern take on a classic JRPG experience. Lead up to 100+ playable characters through a war-torn world with diverse cultures and values that only you can save. ​

Mineko’s Night Market (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Play this cozy game as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fugu. Mineko’s Night Market celebrates Japanese culture while introducing a heartwarming story about friendship, tradition, and many, many cats. The husband-and-wife team of Meowza Games, Brent and Brandi Kobayashi, incorporated inspiration from Studio Ghibli and the real-life cat island in Aoshima, Japan.​

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Enter a realm based on ancient Chinese mythology and aesthetics in a real-time role-playing adventure from Taiwanese director, Yao Zhuangxian. Command a memorable party of characters, tame spirit creatures, play mini-games, and explore a vast world full of side quests to discover.​

Thirsty Suitors (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – A celebration of South Asian identity, Thirsty Suitors is a game about culture, intergenerational trauma, and expressing oneself. Follow Jala Jayaratne, a bisexual daughter of immigrants from India and Sri Lanka, in this story-driven adventure that unfolds through skateboarding, cooking, and turn-based battles against exes. Created by Outerloop Games, a minority–led indie game studio that aims to create accessible games with depth about underrepresented cultures and themes. ​

Venba (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Cook delicious South Indian cuisine and experience the journey of an immigrant Tamil family, from lead developer Abhi Swaminathan. Take on the role of a loving mother and restore lost recipes in this narrative cooking simulator about family, love, loss, and exploring new challenges that arise in day-to-day life.

DISCOVER

Discover the Inspiration Behind the Xbox Logo Design

For Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Xbox commissioned an artist from Thailand to redesign the Xbox logo. The artist was inspired by the Ramayana, an epic tale originally from India and has also influenced other Asian peoples, including those in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Laos. In Thailand, the story of the Ramayana is told through Kohn, a traditional Thai dance.  Just as players create avatars to assume an identity in a game, Kohn performers wear masks to portray different characters.

The Xbox design features Sukhrip (Sugriva), the son of the sun, and Madchanu, the son of a mermaid.  The stage scene focuses on Songkran, the Thai New Year, which is celebrated in April. Traditionally, this celebration includes splashing with water to cool down from the hot sun. In this scene, Madchanu playfully splashes Sukhrip with water, while the Xbox logo represents the vibrant sun, capturing the festive spirit of Songkran.

The stage curtains include embroidered wild orchid flowers in the traditional style of Northern Thailand.  The pattern also includes fog and rivers, embodying the beautiful, mountainous landscape of the region.

Xbox Ambassadors Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024

As part of Xbox’s celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we connected with Xbox Ambassadors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage about their favorite gaming experiences. They shared ways video games can highlight their heritage in positive and authentic ways. Hear more from Xbox Ambassadors in this Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month blog.

APIHM Dynamic Background and Wallpaper Available Now

The Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Xbox design is available today as an Xbox wallpaper and dynamic background on console – follow these steps to apply the dynamic background:

• Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
• Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.

You can choose between Games, Xbox, or Abstract dynamic backgrounds. Choose the background art that you want with the A button.

The post Xbox Empowers Asian and Pacific Islander Communities with GameTan and NEEL appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Get ready to suit up and command your Wanzers because Front Mission 2: Remake is landing on Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One!

This strategic turn-based classic returns with a stunning visual overhaul and refined gameplay, ready to reignite the hearts of its fans once again.

The People’s Republic of Alordesh, already struggling financially, has been pushed to the brink by the devastating Second Huffman Conflict. This war has left the nation deeply impoverished, fueling widespread public frustration.

Follow the O.C.U.’s elite military squads – the “Muddy Otters,” “Dull Stags,” and the “O.C.U. Ground Defense Force Intelligence Agency” – as they navigate the war-torn nation of Alordesh and fight to end the brutal civil war.

Beyond the gripping story, Front Mission 2: Remake offers a deep and engaging strategic combat system. Take complete control of your Wanzers, customizing them to your tactical preferences. Enhance the original experience with two new Wanzers: Uisk and Igel Eins H, along with two powerful weapons: Storm Trident and Heavy Trident, and explore new camo options!

Refine your tactics by equipping different weapons, armor parts, and special abilities. Master the battlefield with a free camera system, allowing you to survey the environment and exploit enemy weaknesses.

Front Mission 2: Remake isn’t just about a visual upgrade.  The game boasts a complete overhaul, featuring: modernized battle scenes, improved loading times, modern in-game effects, a renewed soundtrack, and localization into nine languages to make the story accessible to a wider audience.

Brand new content added to the remake version also includes the free camera option, allowing you to freely hover around the map to gain an even greater overview of your battlefield. Additionally, a brand new game mode called “New Game+” lets you keep all your gathered weapons, parts, and progress, allowing you to start the game anew and challenge your opponents once again! Whether you’re a seasoned Front Mission veteran or a newcomer to the series, Front Mission 2: Remake offers a captivating story, deep strategic gameplay, and a chance to rewrite the fate of Huffman Island. Prepare to deploy!

FRONT MISSION 2: Remake

Forever Entertainment S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$34.99

$31.49

Get it now

A classic tactical RPG returns! The second game in the main Front Mission storyline is finally available outside of Japan for the first time.

FRONT MISSION 2 blends intense strategy with a deep and involved storyline.

12 years have passed since the second Huffman conflict. The impoverished People’s Republic of Alordesh has been suffering a severe economic decline ever since the war ended. In June 2102, soldiers of the Alordesh Army rise up and, led by Ven Mackarge, declare independence from the O.C.U. (Oceania Cooperative Union).

Ash, an O.C.U. soldier, manages to survive the ensuing battle, but Alordesh is completely overrun by the Revolutionary Army. Ash and his surviving teammates infiltrate Alordesh’s chaotic underground in an attempt to escape the country. However, they soon discover that there is a huge conspiracy behind the coup.

In FRONT MISSION 2, the perspective switches between three characters: Ash, Lisa, and Thomas, creating a worldview that goes beyond a simple dichotomy between good and evil.

The post Front Mission 2: Remake is Available Now on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

That’s a wrap folks! The second edition of the IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase just ended and there was a lot to show. From bullet hell shooters to roguelites, or open world co-op games to mascot managers, we just showed off a diverse set of games coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC. A little bit of everything for everyone to love!

Read on for a full recap of every game we brought along during the showcase – including two montages with even more indie games!

33 Immortals (coming to Game Pass)

Developer: Thunder Lotus

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

33 Immortals is a co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play a damned soul, and rebel against God’s final judgment. Dive straight into epic 33-player co-op battles with instant “pick-up and raid” matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul. Face the wrath of God in a fight for your eternal life.

Stay up to date on 33 Immortals here.

All You Need Is Help (coming to Game Pass)

World Premiere

Developer: Q-Games Ltd. 

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

While bumping around and supporting each other, turn your friendships into friend-shapes! This innovative cooperative multiplayer game introduces a fresh gaming experience.

Dive into a quirky multiplayer co-op puzzle game where adorable, fluffy cube-shaped creatures collaborate to reach their goals. These creatures, each oddly shaped, jostle against each other to help solve puzzles. When in trouble, shout “HELP!” and friends will surely come to your aid!

Stay up to date on All You Need Is Help here.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith

Developer: C2 Game Studio

Publisher: Versus Evil, tinyBuild

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Rip through hordes of enemies with fury and style in this fast-paced action-RPG. Play as Astor, a young warrior determined to unveil the secrets behind his creators’ unforeseen demise. Learn new attacks, abilities and combos, unlock magical powers, and collect legendary weapons as you crush hordes of enemies. Find your way towards the Monolith, an ancient structure holding immense power, and confront the source of the planet’s haunting evil. Will you join Astor on his journey to become the planet’s savior?

Stay up to date on Astor: Blade of the Monolith here.

Centum

World Premiere

Developer: Hack the Publisher

Publisher: Serenity Forge

Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Centum is an unreliable narrative-driven adventure game. At first, it appears to be a point-and-click adventure. You’re a prisoner in a cell. You have 100 days to escape. But is that really the goal? Centum plays with your mind and tricks you into thinking you’re playing a different game. But through surprising interactions, surrealist storytelling, and striking, large-scale animated pixel art, this unexpected experience takes players on a mind-bending, emotionally fraught journey through the looking glass to show them a different side to their familiar reality.

Stay up to date on Centum here.

Commandos: Origins (coming to Game Pass)

Developer: Claymore Game Studios

Publisher: Kalypso Media

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

A reboot of the iconic ‘Commandos’ franchise, revisit the frontlines of WW2 and experience the story of how the elite unit from the original games was formed. From the blazing deserts of Africa to frozen Scandinavian fjords, meet the 6 members of your squad and use their unique skills to overcome the most demanding of missions.

Watch the humble beginnings of the Commandos unit as it first begins to form and experience the stealth-based tactical gameplay which made the series so beloved.

Stay up to date on Commandos: Origins here.

Dungeons of Hinterberg (coming to Game Pass)

Developer: Microbird Games

Publisher: Curve Games

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Welcome to Hinterberg, a new tourist hotspot in the idyllic Austrian Alps! As Luisa, you’ll snowboard down glaciers, zipline through the forest, climb a mighty mountain, or have a coffee by the lake while you’re out looking for your next dungeon. 

Braving dungeons requires more than just cutting-edge sports gear and a good sword arm. Hinterberg’s dungeons are full of puzzles that will surprise and challenge you. Use your head, your magic skills, and every trick in the book to become a Master Slayer!

Stay up to date on Dungeons of Hinterberg here.

Fera: The Sundered Tribes

Developer: Massive Damage Games

Platform: PC

Fera: The Sundered Tribes is an open world co-op survival crafting RPG that blends monster hunting and colony sim mechanics with fun aerial traversal and exploration. 

In a unique post-apocalyptic world of untamed magic and ancient secrets, you are the only hunter to have taken down one of the invasive behemoths terrorizing your land. Your tribe elected you as their leader, so follow your destiny to reclaim this magic-ravaged land you call home. 

Stay up to date on Fera: The Sundered Tribes here.

Gamera Montage (all coming to Game Pass)

Today at ID@Xbox Digital Showcase, Gamera Games announced that their lineup of indie games will be launching across Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC and will be available with Xbox Game Pass and/or PC Game Pass. From a fantastical parenting simulator to narrative horror, acclaimed games like Depersonalization, Firework, Keplerth and Volcano Princess are coming to Game Pass in the next few months. On top of that, pixel puzzle adventure The Rewinder is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC with Game Pass today! 

Here are all the games shown in the montage:

The Rewinder

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (with Game Pass)

Developer: Misty Mountain Studio

Using pixel art to evoke ancient Chinese painting styles, this 2D puzzle adventure game sees you take on the role of Yun, a “rewinder” who has the ability to enter people’s memories and influence their actions. Travelling to a village, you’ll be able to unravel the mysteries of what occurred there, and uncover a story inspired by Chinese mythology.

Firework

Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

Developer: Shiying Studio

Firework is a horror puzzle game. An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate a horrifying closed case. You play as a rookie police officer who joins the case by chance, and discovers that this crime is more bewildering than they could have expected.

Depersonalization

Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

Developer: MeowNature

Depersonalization is a branching RPG with multiple endings, which allows you to shape the world of the game around you. Players can create a variety of characters, each with their own personalities, offering exploration, investigation, and deductive reasoning as means to reach the end of the story you help create.

Keplerth

Platform: PC (with PC Game Pass)

Developer: TARO

A 2D sandbox RPG, Keplerth lets you take on the threats of a dangerous alien planet wither alone or with friends. Offering an open world with near-infinite variation on every run, you’ll be able to fight, farm, craft, and even edit your own characters’ genes to survive.

Volcano Princess

Platform: Xbox Series XIS and PC

Developer: Egg Hatcher

In this fantasy parenting simulator, you’ll be tasked with raising a daughter – not only affecting her future, but the future of an entire kingdom. With multiple choices and endings, you’ll be able to help your daughter to learn, train, and befriend others, ultimately affecting how the story plays out as a result of your decisions. 

Hangry

Developer: Game Pill

Platform: Xbox One, PC  

Explore the galaxy. Discover new life. Eat it. Play as Hangry, a beastly mercenary with an insatiable hunger hunting down fearsome monsters in a snack n’ slash RPG. Traverse through barbequed woodlands and candy-coated caverns to find ingredients for Goutra, the chief chef of an alien underworld diner. 

Your goal is to find the finest cuts for Goutra and climb the ladder of the city’s underbelly to become the planet’s best hunter. But beware, you must resist the temptation to eat the merchandise.

Stay up to date on Hangry here.

Humanity (coming to Game Pass)

Developer: tha ltd., Enhance

Publisher: Enhance

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox One Series X|S, PC

A unique blend of puzzle-solving and action-platforming, Humanity puts the fate of all mankind in your hands. Er, paws. Did we mention you’re a dog? 

Become a Shiba Inu and help reconstruct humankind in this acclaimed action-puzzle game. Drop commands to guide a mindless human horde to the goal through 90 increasingly challenging handcrafted story mode stages. Then, choose from thousands of user-made puzzles expanding on the breadth of mechanics, or design your own and share it with the community.

Stay up to date on Humanity here.

iii Montage

This montage was a recap of all the games that were featured in the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April 10 that will be playable on Xbox. Here is the full list of content seen in the montage:

Games that have currently been announced for Xbox: 

• 33 Immortals
• Cat Quest III
• Death Must Die
• Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
• Kill Knight
• Let’s School
• Never Alone 2
• Shadows of Doubt
• Wizard of Legend 2

Games that are already available on Xbox:

• Broken Roads (released on April 10)
• Brotato: Abyssal Terrors DLC
• Dyson Sphere Program: Rise of the Dark Fog Stage II Update (PC Game Pass only)
• My Time at Sandrock
• Palworld: Arena Update (Coming this Fall)
• Ravenswatch: Fall of Avalon Update
• Risk of Rain 2: Devotion Update
• Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns DLC (Coming soon)

Jackbox Naughty Pack

World Premiere

Developer: Jackbox Games

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Jackbox Naughty Pack is an intimate pack of three games that are sure to have you laughing, and maybe even sweating just a little! This title is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S later this year, with individual games to be revealed later this summer. This will be Jackbox’s first M (Mature 17+) rated game, full of spicy surprises and maybe even some familiar faces!

Stay up to date on Jackbox Naughty Pack here.

Keylocker 

Developer: Moonana Games

Publisher: Serenity Forge

Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Keylocker is a bizarre and colorful turn-based rhythm JRPG. Play as the singer and songwriter, BOBO, and take down a despotic regime that has outlawed all sound. Fuel your moves with the electric power of music by using real-time execution of moves in rhythm game style! Battle the authorities, unlock the secrets of Saturn, play in your own band’s concerts, and hack into the network to bring an end to this corrupt system, for better or worse. Inspired by the charm and physical comedy of the Mario & Luigi RPG series, with the mechanics and storytelling depth of Chrono Trigger. 

Stay up to date on Keylocker here.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Developer: Don’t Nod Montreal

Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative adventure game set in the fictional town of Velvet Cove in the summer of 1995. Four high school friends – Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat – spend the summer together hanging out, playing music, and becoming best friends… until something changes the trajectory of all of their lives. After 27 years of silence between them, they reunite to confront the dark secrets that made them promise to never speak again. 

Stay up to date on Lost Records here.

Palworld (available on Game Pass)

Developer: Pocketpair

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

You’ll be meeting some new Pals this summer! Attention please, Pal Tamers! New species of Pals have been discovered on the Palpagos Islands. Track them down and discover how these new Pals can help you in your adventures. Palworld’s first major update is heading your way this June. Stay tuned!

Stay up to date on Palworld here.

Promise Mascot Agency

World Premiere

Developer: Kaizen Game Works

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Explore the cursed town of Kaso-Machi! Recruit and train a variety of mascot friends! Help them out when jobs are inevitably met with disaster! Solve the mystery of your exile from the yakuza! Help Pinky work through her many, many anger issues! Upgrade your cute kei truck with turbo and wings! Shoot Pinky like a freakin’ missile! Turn Promise Mascot Agency into the number one agency in Japan! Go go, Michi and Pinky!

Stay up to date on Promise Mascot Agency here.

Stampede: Racing Royale

Developer: Sumo Leamington

Publisher: Secret Mode Limited

Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Stampede: Racing Royale is a wild, thrilling 60-player online karting battle royale game. Take on the world in races, battles and more to avoid elimination. Take the crown, and earn incredible rewards. Discover incredible maps, over 400 customization items and so much more!

Don’t miss your chance to head straight into pole position, when Stampede: Racing Royale speeds into Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S this summer. Do you have what it takes to get to the front of the herd?

Stay up to date on Stampede: Racing Royale here.

Sulfur

Developer: Perfect Random

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Sulfur combines first-person shooter mechanics with role-playing and roguelite elements. It’s a single-player ‘hardcore’ roguelike extraction shooter with modifiable and enchantable guns. Welcome to a modern old-school action-adventure: Outsmart enemies, find treasure, improve weapons, harness powers. Delve deeper, find answers, make it end. 

Stay up to date on Sulfur here.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

Developer: Odd Bug Studio

Publisher: United Label

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Embark upon a vast, snow-ravaged kingdom in Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, sequel to the critically acclaimed action-RPG. An old and unspeakable evil has stirred in the North; wings black as death; fangs sharp as steel; and a thirst for blood rivalled only by their hunger for vengeance.

As Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts, unite disparate clans, upgrade your settlement, and discover a terrible secret of blood & crown…

Stay up to date on Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter here.

Times & Galaxy

Developer: Copychaser Games

Publisher: Fellow Traveller

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Meet over 100 alien weirdos in Times & Galaxy, a space journalism adventure coming to Xbox in June 2024! Times & Galaxy is a funny, heartfelt game about space aliens and the richness of the stories that make up their everyday lives. Set in a solar system full of strange beings, from space lizards to goo people, you will step into the shoes of a shiny new Robo intern for the system’s most trusted holopaper, the Times & Galaxy.

Your goal? Prove that Robos can report, get to know a whole bunch of aliens, and maybe keep your job at the end of it all. Good luck, intern!

Stay up to date on Times & Galaxy here.

Vampire Survivors (available on Game Pass)

Developer: Poncle

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Vampire Survivors’ new Laborratory update will challenge your survival skills with two new characters, two new stages, two new weapons, one new evolution, and 1 new passive. Most importantly, there will be 6 new achievements!

Stay up to date on Vampire Survivors here.

And that’s all for our latest showcase! Connect with ID@Xbox on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Discord, Twitch, and YouTube, and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned.

The post IGN x ID@Xbox Digital Showcase – See Everything We Showed in Our Second Edition appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Brace yourselves for a one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike. Deathbound is a passion project developed by Brazilian developers at Trialforge Studio, with the game already garnering critical acclaim from IGN, Kotaku, The Escapist, and many others.

In Deathbound, your journey through the city of Akratya isn’t a solo quest. You’ll need to forge bonds with seven fallen warriors whose stories you’ll discover during your crusade through the forbidden city. Take advantage of the four-hero party system, something new to soulslike games, and switch warriors at any time during gameplay – even while executing attacks and dodges.

Each of the playable characters available in Deathbound is unique with their own skill sets, combat styles, and rich histories. Fallen warriors are intricately connected to the world of Deathbound and each other, belonging to conflicting factions and driven by diverse motivations. Synergies between warriors can provide combat buffs, while conflicts among them can lead to debuffs within your party.

The combat system in Deathbound was meticulously crafted over many months, with developers implementing feedback from players and fans of the genre. A key element of the combat system, and one of the most important mechanics in Deathbound, is the Morphstrike – a devastating attack similar to combos that crushes every enemy in your path, uniting the forces of the fallen warriors in your party.

But what would a soulslike game be without unforgiving monsters and bosses? In Deathbound, you’ll confront challenging enemies meticulously crafted to test your skills to the fullest. Encounter abominations created in dark laboratories by a cult devoted to eternal life. Each battle could be lethal for you, don’t underestimate any of the enemies that stand in your way.

Deathbound is coming to Xbox Series X|S consoles later this year. If you’re intrigued by what you’ve read, we encourage you to visit the game’s store page and add Deathbound to your Wishlist.

See you in Akratya, Fallen Warrior!

Deathbound

Tate Multimedia Sp. z o.o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Deathbound is a one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike set in a callous world where Faith and Science clash. The forbidden city of Akratya is an unforgiving land that cannot be conquered alone. Bind with fallen warriors found throughout your crusade and dynamically transform between characters seamlessly in mid-combat with the unique 4-hero party system.

The fallen are individual characters with their own unique skill sets, combat styles, and rich history. By absorbing their essence, you inherit the fiber of their very being. Conflicts and synergies between characters greatly impact gameplay, so relationships must be balanced. Strong synergies may offer combat buffs that can spell disaster for the ruthless boss awaiting your steel and magic.

Throughout combat, you will charge a sync meter shared across all characters. During an opportune moment, dispel your sync meter and unleash a devastating Morphstrike using the combined power of the bound fallen warriors. When faced with a formidable abomination, a precisely executed Morphstrike can be the deciding factor between life and death.

The world of Deathbound has been lovingly crafted and influenced by the developer’s homeland of Brazil, a vibrant culture brimming with life, creativity, rhythm, and a rich history. From the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira to the sweeping music cascading through Akratya, Trialforge’s origins shine throughout every aspect of Deathbound.

The post Deathbound is Coming to Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

This journey includes:

• Crafting your own unique post-apocalyptic boat.
• Saving your friends from the hands of cruel scavengers.
• Fishing mini-game!

Our team at Three Whales Studio (named after the signature settlement you’ll visit in our game!) has been developing Age of Water for quite a few years. Our goal was to build a world that is post-apocalyptic in nature, but visually bright and colorful. The ruins of the old civilization serve as a sombre reminder of what was lost, while the vibrant new societies that have emerged atop them radiate with life and resilience.

Age of Water is also our love letter to, well, water. Its realistic flow, reflections, and interactions with objects and characters help to immerse players in this vast, aquatic world. From the gentle lapping of waves against your boat to the terrifying majesty of a whirlpool, every aspect of the water has been crafted to feel as real and dynamic as possible.

Obviously, this is a video game, so the adventure won’t go too easy, as pirates and other evil guys, both seaborne and airborne, will attack your boat on sight. You’ll have to prepare for battle by customizing your boat or building a completely new one, adding more weapons and training crew members. 

On the other hand, Age of Water has a lot of more peaceful things to do: you can trade between settlements, hunt for treasure and undertake story quests to unravel the mysteries of this brave new world.

Age of Water is an online adventure game, and that means that you’ll meet other players and will be able to talk to them and invite them into your quests. But I’d like to stress that you’re totally welcome to play solo if that’s your preference. 

Age of Water

Gaijin Distribution Kft

☆☆☆☆☆
15

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Become a sea captain of a post-apocalyptic Earth completely covered in water and go on an adventure in a huge open world. Sail through storms, fight and trade, capture other people’s boats or build your own, extract resources from the bottom of the ocean, reveal the secrets of the Age of Water world.

Water post-apocalypse
The ocean destroyed a once great civilization, but people survived and adapted. They built settlements on the roofs of tall buildings and the tops of other man-made structures. People travel across the ocean in tiny boats and huge combat vessels. The ocean provides everything they need, including extractable resources on the seabed. And yet, the dream of real land is still alive.

True open world
Explore the world at your own pace, discover new settlements and meet their inhabitants. Complete tasks, search for and extract valuable resources from the bottom of the ocean, earn money on trade or simply sell the artifacts you have obtained, and when you get the idea of how this world works, build your own base.

Hundreds of unique ships
Build boats from scratch or modify existing ones. Players have access to dozens of hulls and hundreds of parts, from which they can assemble anything ranging from a small boat to a hefty vessel 30 meters long, and then install equipment, armor and weapons. It’s important not to forget to gather a team of good crewmembers so that there is someone to stand behind machine guns and cannons or do other work on board.

Fierce naval battles
Pirates are always waiting for you at sea, and in some cases more aggressive players even start to chase you, so do not forget to install enough guns on your deck. You can destroy an enemy vessel, or you can capture it in battle and take it for yourself forever. Adventures might also get you into storming enemy fortresses and defending allied settlements!

Personal naval base
This shelter is reliably protected from enemies, and it allows a player to organize the production of everything that the captain may need on it. Build factories for the production of equipment, weapons, hulls for boats of all sizes, as well as the necessary resources.

Flexible balance between PvE and PvP
At first, you will only meet computer opponents, but later you can challenge other players if you are confident enough in your skills and gear. Always be on the lookout: if your task is to transport illegal goods, then other players may well take the quest to hunt smugglers. In Age of Water, everyone decides for themself who they are today – a peaceful traveler or a bloodthirsty pirate.

The post Explore the Post-Apocalyptic Seas in Age of Water appeared first on Xbox Wire.