Category: Xbox

Great New Games: Check Out the Season’s Most Exciting New Releases

Summary

  • A collection of the season’s hottest games, from roguelikes to RPGs
  • Key titles include Final Fantasy XIV Online, Harold Halibut, and Another Crab’s Treasure
  • Great New Games runs from April 16 through May 13 – jump in today!

Dare to explore new stories and worlds with Great New Games, a collection of brand new titles new to Xbox this season. Grab your controller. Gather your friends. Great memories await.

From April 16 to May 13, with new titles every week, Great New Games will continue to serve up a massive array of brand-new adventures. There’s a new game to suit every mood and style on Xbox, from new ID@Xbox titles, to new games hitting Xbox Game Pass on day one. Here are some examples of just a few exciting new releases to get stuck into, whether you’re looking for an underwater adventure, thrilling roguelike or a quirky platformer.

Final Fantasy XIV Online

Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in the epic and ever-changing Final Fantasy XIV Online. Experience all the hallmarks of the best-selling franchise — an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of diverse and captivating environments to explore. Party up with friends or play solo! Experience all the main story dungeons on your own by calling upon NPC allies to fight by your side.

House Flipper 2

Build the home of your dreams in this awaited house-flipping sequel! House Flipper 2 introduces brand new mechanics, and revamps ones from the original game, making for an even richer renovation experience. The good old hammer, the trusty paint roller, and the sturdy mop, all await your return! Complete jobs in the new story mode, or jump into sandbox mode and build a new house from the ground up, with more options than ever before.

Harold Halibut

Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. Find out more about Harold Halibut in a recent Xbox Wire preview.

Another Crab’s Treasure

A souls-like adventure set in a crumbling and unique underwater world, Kril the hermit crab must wear trash as shells to survive a dangerous submerged landscape on the verge of collapse. Hone your skills, defeat lethal predators, and embark on a treasure hunt to decide the fate of the ocean. Another Crab’s Treasure is the second game from Aggro Crab, creators of the indie darling Going Under.

WWE 2K24

Step into WWE 2K24 and enjoy an all-new Showcase, MyRISE updates, Match Types & a roster of 200+ Superstars & Legends! Relive 40-years of WrestleMania and experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.

Penny’s Big Breakaway

Ready. Set. YO! – Join Penny & Yo-Yo in a kinetic 3D-platformer bursting with expressive gameplay! Showcase your catalog of tricks and chain impressive combos to deliver Penny & Yo-Yo’s perfect breakout performance. Burst onto the scene in the fluorescent world of Macaroon, home to this over-and-under escape! Discover your true star power in this easy-to-play, difficult-to-master challenge.

Great New Games is your chance to immersive yourself in epic new adventures on Xbox. Grab your controller, summon your friends and create some great memories. Be sure to check out the full collection of titles here.

The post Great New Games: Check Out the Season’s Most Exciting New Releases appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat Ermac Key Art

How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1

Summary

  • Ermac joins the Mortal Kombat 1 roster today as part of the early access period for Kombat Pack owners, followed by wide availability on April 23.
  • For Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm wanted to further evolve the visual presentation of Ermac by leaning heavily into certain horror inspirations.
  • You can pick up the Mortal Kombat 1: Kombat Pack here on the Xbox Store.

On the way to the cafeteria at the NetherRealm Studios offices, we have a large poster of Ermac hanging on the wall. Seeing it often reminds me how far he has evolved over the years. Back in the early days before the Internet, rumors often ran rampant about him and drove all kinds of speculation, particularly in the arcades. In the first Mortal Kombat arcade game, there was a diagnostic called ERMACS short for “Error Macro” that appeared underneath the number of “Reptile Appearances” and “Reptile Battles,” and it was therefore assumed by sleuthing fans that there must be a hidden character in the game. Over time, these rumors had taken on a life of their own and wound up being the catalyst to Ermac’s eventual creation and inclusion as a playable fighter in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

Mortal Kombat Ermac Screenshot

Since the character’s arrival, Ermac has always been a vessel for souls and would use these souls to manipulate their energy for his own devious purposes. For Mortal Kombat 1, we wanted to further evolve the visual presentation of Ermac by leaning heavily into certain horror inspirations, and then explore the idea that Ermac has been haunted by unique souls he has captured throughout his existence. The collective of tortured souls include: the Witch, the Old Woman, the Monster, and the Soldier, each one playing a key role throughout Ermac’s move set. For Ermac’s classic Lift special move, the Witch’s soul bursts outward from Ermac to lift the opponent and slam them to the ground. The idea that these unique souls manifest themselves throughout his attacks is a common theme we wanted to showcase.

Mortal Kombat Ermac Screenshot

To me, one of the most compelling aspects to the design and implementation of Ermac was the challenge he presented to us. The last time we saw Ermac in a Mortal Kombat game as a playable fighter was in Mortal Kombat X, and we are lightyears ahead in terms of our capabilities from a visual perspective since then. For us, this meant an opportunity to evolve the look of his soul energy to create intricate visual effects-based attacks that help sell the unique telekinesis power he possesses. The inherent challenge is to ensure the visual elements are impactful, blend well with the gameplay elements, and are readable to the player. This is something the design and visual effects teams are constantly iterating on.

Mortal Kombat Ermac Screenshot

Gameplay wise, Ermac stands out as a character with interesting combo potential and routes, especially from the air. In terms of special moves, he employs a variety of his mainstay special attacks as well as new additions for Mortal Kombat 1. One of the main design goals was to evolve and showcase his classic attacks in a distinctive way while at the same time creating new special moves that both serve his gameplay plan while giving players a fresh experience. For instance, Ermac can still perform his Teleport attack but can now initiate it from either the air or ground then cancel it into an air or ground version just before he teleports acting as a mind game with options for different setups.

Mortal Kombat Ermac Screenshot

One of his new special moves is a Mana Shield where one of his souls creates a shield around him whereby incoming damage depletes his super meter instead of his health. Additionally, he has another new attack where he violently ejects souls upward, capable of launching the opponent and allowing Ermac to dash cancel out of. Lastly, one of my personal favorites and something players will want to check out is a brutality we created off Ermac’s Lift special move, which is a clear nod to his telekinesis Fatality from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

Mortal Kombat Ermac Screenshot

Working on klassic characters for a new Mortal Kombat game is almost a sacred responsibility, let alone one of the ninjas. I joined the team many years ago for the first Injustice game and I will always remember the surreal moment working on Scorpion attacks for the first time. This responsibility is a sentiment shared by everyone on the team. We are all very pleased to bring Ermac back in Mortal Kombat 1 and hope players enjoy playing him as much as the team did working on him.


Mortal Kombat™ 1
Xbox Live

Mortal Kombat™ 1

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆
391
★★★★★


$69.99

$34.99
Get it now

It’s In Our Blood!

Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat™ Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat™ 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities!


MK1: Kombat Pack

MK1: Kombat Pack

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆
208
★★★★★


$39.99

$19.99
Get it now

The Kombat Pack includes the Johnny Cage character skin featuring voice and likeness of actor and martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme (available now), along with 6 new post-launch DLC playable characters and 5 new post-launch Kameo Fighters. Kombat Pack also includes 1-week early access to all DLC playable characters. 

DLC Playable Characters (All Coming Post-Launch)
Omni-Man (Invincible)
Quan Chi
Peacemaker (DC’s Peacemaker)
Ermac
Homelander (The Boys)
Takahashi Takeda

DLC Kameo Fighters (All Coming Post-Launch)
Tremor
Mavado
Janet Cage
Ferra
Khameleon


MK1: Ermac

MK1: Ermac

Warner Bros. Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

Get it now

No longer Quan Chi’s slave, nor bound to a royal family, Ermac must find a future worth fighting for.

This pack includes playable character Ermac including all new movesets.

The post How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More

Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More

  • Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

It’s nice to see you’re willing to take a break from watching “Fallout” on Prime Video, because I have the next round of amazing games for you to check out! We have new games coming to the Game Pass Core library, your PC, and even one you can download and start playing today! Let’s dive in.

Available Today

Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here.

Coming Soon

Orcs Must Die! 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 17
Orcs Must Die! 3 ushers orc-slaying mayhem to a previously unimaginable scale. Solo, or 2-player co-op, arm yourself with a massive arsenal of traps and weapons. Slice, burn, toss, and zap hordes of repugnant orcs in this long-awaited successor to the award-winning tower defense series.

EA Sports NHL 24 (Console) EA Play – April 18
Just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL 24 is coming to Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play! Members can experience authentic on-ice action and give their Ultimate Team a boost with the EA Play Mega Players Pack until May 9, containing 30 items, all Gold Players, with at least five 80+ OVR Players for Ultimate Team mode in the game.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 23
Available on day one with Game Pass! Gather your allies for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the grand JRPG adventure. Assemble your 6-party team from a cast of over a hundred heroes and shape your destiny in this lush, hand-crafted 2.5D world brimming with war, intrigue, and magic. Manage your town of vibrant characters, play delightful mini-games, and prepare for an unforgettable narrative of boundless charm.

Another Crab’s Treasure (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 25
Available on day one with Game Pass! A soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.

Manor Lords (Game Preview) (PC) – April 26
Available on day one with Game Pass! Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord — the seasons pass, the weather changes and cities rise and fall.

Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 30
In this darkly charming 2D action roguelike, play as an overworked Death, whose employees have run rampant, completely throwing off the balance of souls – and his vacation plans. Grab your trusty scythe and show your employees who’s boss.

More Games Coming to Game Pass Core on April 23

For Game Pass Core members, there are three more games coming to the library on April 23! Become a badass space Dwarf in Deep Rock Galactic, dance the slow-motion ballet of destruction in Superhot: Mind Control Delete, and face total demolition derby madness in Wreckfest.

DLC / Game Updates

Ark: Survival Ascended – Scorched Earth – Available now
Saddle up and stake your claim on the Scorched Earth! Build new Western-style structures like your own rootin’ tootin’ saloon, then tickle the ivories on your own piano for an authentic frontier experience. Hunt for buried treasure with your trusty shovel, tame hardy new creatures to pull your configurable wagon and even hop aboard your own chugging steam train to explore those harsh badlands!

Conan Exiles: Age of War Chapter 4 – Available now
 In the new Sacred Hunt, embark on a quest to fell the champions of Jhebbal Sag, Lord of Beasts. Discover a new hub area and uncover a new mystery. Unleash brutality with fatalities. Daze enemies by bringing their health low and then finish them off with a range of savagely animated finishing moves, depending on the weapon you have equipped. If there is glory in gore, you will find it.

Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition – Available now
The ultimate Grounded experience is now bulging with new content that’s sure to get you pumped! Experience new ant queens, new game + mode and an exciting array of new gear. Are you ready to get Fully Yoked?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Fallout 76 Vault 33 Survivor Kit – Available now
Vault-Tec is happy to offer Vault Dwellers a handy bundle of Wasteland survival and a sturdy Vault 33 Backpack to use in this vast open-world multiplayer entry in the Fallout universe.

The Elder Scrolls Online 10th Anniversary Pack #1 – Available now
Celebrate 10 years of The Elder Scrolls Online with a Perks bundle that includes three Grand Gold Coast Experience Scrolls and 500 Seals of Endeavor.  Explore and quest solo or with friends in the award-winning fantasy RPG today. 

Leaving April 30

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in before they go or save 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library!

  • 7 Days to Die (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Besiege (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • EA Sports NHL 22 (Console)
  • Loot River (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Pikuniku (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Ravenlok (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That wraps us up! Keep up with the coming games on social at @Xbox, @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC. Catch you next time!

The post Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes Have a New Home!

Hi there, Xbox Insiders!

We’ve teased it a few times in our monthly Community Updates, but the time is officially upon us. Starting today, all Xbox Insider release notes will be migrating from our blog here on the Xbox Wire to the Xbox Support website! This change has been in the works for some time, and we’re so excited to finally be launching. Not only will this shift be a more cohesive user experience by having all Xbox ecosystem release notes in one place, but it will also free up space to allow us to produce more (different! new!) content on the blog itself. We have big plans for the coming months, so stay tuned for more info!

But what does this mean for all of you Xbox Insiders? Well, you can still expect the same fantastic preview update coverage for both console and PC, just in a different place. The individual release notes will be familiar territory for those that watch our social media, but they’ve been given a slightly new look.

We’ve also made sure that the release notes are categorized in an easy-to-navigate, historical point of record, that makes finding older version information much easier. It all starts with the new Xbox Insider Home.

From this hub, you can find links to both the console release notes directory, as well as for PC. Let’s take a quick look at the console flow, called: Xbox Update Preview.

Upon clicking in, you’ll be met with the “Console Browse” page that allows you to select which preview ring you’d like to look up. We’ve got the invite, so let’s pick Alpha. (Note: PC Gaming Preview doesn’t have the same ring system that console does (…for now), so PC users will proceed directly to the next page type.)

On each ring page, you will find a few notes about the ring itself and some helpful links for reporting any issues to our Xbox Insider team. You’ll also find the historical list of all release notes dating back to the beginning of 2024. Let’s click into last week’s update. (Note: A few rings will be missing some pre-April release notes at launch. These will be uploaded in the next few weeks.)

We’ve made it full circle. If you want to go back to any of the previous pages we’ve mentioned so far, you can quickly navigate there using the “Related topics” section on the right-hand side of the screen.

We hope that you enjoy this new release notes experience on the Xbox Support website. It’s the first of a few different improvements we have in the pipeline to deliver robust, informative updates to our Xbox Insiders. If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, feel free to let us know over @xboxinsiders on Twitter/X; or, pop by r/XboxInsiders.

Wynn/

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes Have a New Home! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2404.1001.21.0]

Hey Xbox Insiders! We are releasing a new Xbox App and Game Bar app for Windows builds to Xbox Insiders who are enrolled in the PC Gaming Insiders preview! Thank you all for being Xbox Insiders. Continue read to learn about fixes and known issues. Make sure that you update the Xbox app, Gaming Services and Game Bar to ensure you get all of the fixes!

Versions of PC Gaming prerelease products:

Xbox App version: 2404.1001.21.0

  • Released: 4:00 p.m. PT – April 12th 2024

Game Bar version: 7.124.3191.0

  • Released: 4:00 p.m. PT – March 21st 2024

What’s New

Store

Starting today, users will notice a new section for Casual Games when accessing the Store tab, where you can either install Microsoft Solitaire & Casual Games or launch directly into a games included with that title.

Xbox App Bug Fixes:

  • Various performance and stability fixes.

How to Get Xbox Insider Support

Don’t forget! If you encounter any issues, you can leave feedback by navigating to the feedback option on your profile menu.

You can also provide feedback, as well as interact with the community, on the Xbox Insiders Subreddit. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!

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

Thank you to everyone who participates in the Xbox Insider Program! Your feedback helps us continue to build a great gaming experience in the Xbox app on PC. 

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2404.1001.21.0] appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2405.240410-2000)

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

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

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2405ZN25398.4415.240410-2000
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – April 12, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – April 13, 2024

Fixes Included

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

System

  • Various stability and performance fixes.
  • Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.

Known Issues

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

Audio

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

Controllers

  • We are aware the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 paddles are remaining active when there is no active profile, and we are working on a fix.
    • Workaround: Temporarily, you can create a new profile in the Xbox Accessories app with the paddles unmapped, then assign it to a profile slot to use. Alternatively, detaching the paddles when not in use may be an option.
  • We are investigating an issue impacting 3.5mm joysticks used with the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Networking

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

Parties & Chats

  • We are aware some users are experiencing issues with party chat and hearing one another, and we are working on a fix.
    • Workaround: Press the Xbox button to open the guide, then navigate to Parties & chats > open the party > Options > then toggle Switch to game chat on and off a couple times.
      • If you are still having trouble, leave the party, and try starting the party from Home before launching a game.
      • If the issue persists, restart your console from the Power Center or the guide then try again.

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

What Happens to Your Feedback

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

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

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

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

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2405.240410-2000) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau

How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Summary

  • Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim shares his intriguing journey and his studio’s creative philosophy ahead of the release of their first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau.
  • Surgent Studios is a collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.
  • Tales of Kenzera: Zau launches April 23, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S.

Creating a video game is no small feat. It takes time, resources, experience, and many other things to continue tilting in your favor. This is where Surgent Studios, the team behind the upcoming Tales of Kenzera: Zau, currently sits. A collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.

You may have heard about Kenzera before – it was featured in the recent Xbox Partner Preview broadcast and was showcased during the Game Awards. Surgent Studios is taking a tremendously big swing with their first game, a metroidvania that celebrates the magnificent Bantu and the African cultures, and grounding its narrative around a deeply personal subject that we all can relate to: Grief. This might be why the game is breaking through for so many players ahead of its April 23 release on Xbox Series X|S.

“I always get asked as to why I made this into a game and not lean into where I originally come from, which is film and TV,” says Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim, speaking during a recent preview event. “The truth is my love for games is what got me into acting. Actively stepping into the shoes of these characters and evolving with them made me fall in love with the storytelling.”

Surgent Studios was founded to act as this sort of creative vehicle that, as Salim explains it, is to share stories that connect to the human truth. “We want to tell stories that go beyond race or gender. It’s raw. It’s real. And it taps into what makes us all human. We have a finite time in this world, so we might as well enjoy it as much as we can, right?”

It was on this journey of creating the studio that had Salim find some incredible people from around the world to join his team, from Nigeria, to Botswana, to New York, and Paris. And although Surgent Studios is a small team crafting their first game together, Salim says they have all been driven by delivering an experience that is not only fun but speaks to a deeper thing that makes us human. It was this aspect is what connected them with this project, allowing them to be vulnerable during its creation.

“I wanted to create an experience that honored my father and the ones that we have loved and lost,” he says. “It (Tales of Kenzera: Zau) was inspired by this question that I would ask myself almost every day after my father passed: what would I sacrifice to bring my father back? To hear him again. To touch him. The game is inspired and laced with Bantu myths and legends, mainly from the stories that my father would tell me as a kid.”

Tales of Kenzera: Zau follows a young shaman named Zao who makes a deal with Kalunga, the God of Death, that in exchange for three great spirits, he’ll bring his father back to the realm of the living. Zuberi is the character you will play when you start the game, and he is gifted a book by his late father — this book is his father’s final way of connecting with him – and you’ll learn that it’s through the eyes of Zuberi that you will journey into the world.

“When I was clearing my father’s things after he passed away, there was this book that he left which contained his handwriting. And it meant so much to me. Because it felt as if I was looking at his handwriting, I could almost bring him back to life, imagining him, you know, writing it, and this essentially inspired how we get into this story.”

Telling this story within the metroidvania space, as Salim explains, is because the genre’s rules and structure behave a lot like grief. As a player, you’re thrown into this alien world that you can never prepare for. Yet the longer you stay in it – exploring its various dark and unknown corners at your own pace — you become more comfortable within it.

“It’s the idea that the journey of grief is full of surprises. It’s full of ups and downs. It feels chaotic. You know, a constant music track that you must move to. But if you listen carefully, you’ll find the beat that you can follow to glide through the music,” Salim explains. “With the gameplay, you know we wanted it to be approachable, but you know, not too easy, right? We have challenging traversals, skillful progression, and you know, this combat system that allows agency… we wanted to emulate this dance that you dance to your own tune, essentially.”

Salim explains that it was important to approach Tales of Kenzera: Zau as a coming-of-age story, an evolution of this young kid becoming a young man as the game’s protagonist, Zao, is learning to cope with the loss of his father through the characters he meets and the vibrant world that he engages in. It’s this new version of himself that he discovers where he needs to press on.

“I kind of wanted to try and capture this clash of timeframes and perspectives, that of the son, in the modern space of Kanzera, and that of the father, in the mystical realm of Kenzera. And sometimes there is a clash, but other times there is also this synergy. Again, the father communicating through what he has left behind.”

A key component for Tales of Kenzera: Zau is duality, per Salim. Like, looking how life and death intersect and commune with each other. “Death is treated very differently in regard to the different African cultures,” he says. “There’s almost this constant communication that the living has with those we’ve lost.”

You’ll soon get to experience Zao’s adventure within the world of Kenzera, from its unique perspective of highlighting African culture as well as tapping into the familiar genre that is well-loved by many gamers. Tales of Kenzera: Zau has the chance to be something truly special for everyone who plays it starting on April 23 for Xbox Series X|S.


Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU Standard Edition
Xbox Live

Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU Standard Edition

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆
4
★★★★★


$19.99

$17.99
Pre-order

Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. Pre order* Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU Standard Edition and receive:
– a 10% discount
– Kalunga’s Blessing visual effect variant
– 2 shaman points to unlock up to 2 skills in-game
– “Soulshifters” digital companion comic

A grieving boy begins to read a Bantu tale written by his late father. Adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of death to bring his Baba back from darkness.
With your cosmic powers and untried courage, you advance into unknown mythological lands. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?

Become the warrior shaman – Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Own your journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes from whom you will gain valuable life lessons.

The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks – Wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat, from ordinary warriors to the mighty Impundulu or GaGorib. Manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the power of the Moon mask or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. Leap, glide, and unlock abilities to advance through the Highlands, Woodlands and Deadlands in this metroidvania-style adventure.

Set foot in a mystical realm – Discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with colour and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.

Crafted by Surgent Studios, the entertainment studio founded by actor Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Raised by Wolves) and published by EA Originals, Tales of KenzeraTM: ZAU takes you on a thrilling emotional journey inspired by the rich myths of Bantu cultures.

*Conditions and Restrictions apply. See http://ea.com/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau/disclaimers for details.

The post How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2405.240408-2200)

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

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

Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2405ZN25398.4409.240408-2200
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – April 11, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – April 12, 2024

Fixes Included

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

System

Known Issues

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

Audio

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

Networking

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

Parties & Chats

  • We are aware some users are experiencing issues with party chat and hearing one another, and we are working on a fix.
    • Workaround: Press the Xbox button to open the guide, then navigate to Parties & chats > open the party > Options > then toggle Switch to game chat on and off a couple times.
      • If you are still having trouble, leave the party, and try starting the party from Home before launching a game.
      • If the issue persists, restart your console from the Power Center or the guide then try again.

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

What Happens to Your Feedback

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

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

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

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

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2405.240408-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Free Play Days – Fallout 76, PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ‘44

Double header with Free Play Days! PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ’44 are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday April 11 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, April 14 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.  

Additionally, Fallout 76 will be free for all Xbox members starting Tuesday April 11 at 12 pm ET until Tuesday, April 18 at 12 pm ET with Free Play Days for All. 

Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals! Read more about Game Pass Core at Xbox Wire. 

How To Start Playing

Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Keep The Fun Going

Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.

Free Play Days (Game Pass Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)


PGA TOUR 2K23
Xbox Live

PGA TOUR 2K23

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
228
★★★★★


$59.99

$14.99
Get it now

PGA Tour 2K23 
Challenge the greatest players on the PGA Tour and find your glory in PGA Tour 2K23. Bolstered by a diverse cast of playable pros, featuring Tiger Woods, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and many more! Take your swing to world-renowned, officially licensed courses, like Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No.2, or Torrey Pines. Create your MyPLAYER and fill your golf bag using the biggest brands in the industry. Express your creativity in the Course Designer mode, where you can construct your dream course and share it with the world.  


Classified: France '44
Xbox Live

Classified: France ’44

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆
20
★★★★★


$34.99

$27.99
Get it now

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

Free Play Days For All


Fallout 76
Xbox Live

Fallout 76

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
999
★★★★★


$39.99

$7.99
Get it now
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass

Fallout 76 
Play solo or join your fellow Vault Dwellers in a dynamic open-world adventure set in the Appalachian Wasteland. Fallout 76 is free to try now through April 18. 

Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news. 

The post Free Play Days – Fallout 76, PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ‘44 appeared first on Xbox Wire.