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Category: Xbox
How Ninja Theory Strives to Make Senua the Most Human Character in Gaming
How Ninja Theory Strives to Make Senua the Most Human Character in Gaming
2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an exceedingly special game. A bold, brash direction for Ninja Theory, the decision to craft a short, narrative experience revolving around mental health was a brave leap, but one that ultimately paid off. Now, seven years later, the studio is gearing up to reveal a sequel to Senua’s story, built with the same love and care, but expanding on the debut in every conceivable way.
In the run up to launch, we’ll be bringing you the story of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from inside the studio itself, as well as stories and lessons from Hellblade’s creative leads. This is Ninja Theory’s ultimate form, filled with industry-leading talent, groundbreaking technology, and one of the most unique approaches to game development you’ve ever seen to fulfil the ultimate goal – the pursuit of true immersion.
During one particularly tense cutscene in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, I’m rooted in place as I watch Senua make a critical decision. After triumphing in a bloody battle against Viking slavers, she’s presented with the choice to save a new character from a terrible fate. Ninja Theory’s incredible performance capture and Unreal Engine 5 visuals allow me to scan every emotion soaring across Senua’s face – concern, worry, distrust – as she considers the consequences of rescuing someone in need.
In the first game, she might not have experienced the same internal conflict, but in the sequel, she’s making choices and processing emotions in new ways. Senua has not arrived here overnight. She’s gone through and will continue to go through an incredible narrative evolution in Hellblade II. In gaming, “growth” is so often mechanical, statistical – but the Hellblade series makes it a truly characterful experience, and it’s one of many things that makes Ninja Theory’s work stand out.
At the end of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we see Senua come to terms with the loss of her love, Dillion, and soak in the physical and emotional journey she’s undertaken. Her sequel begins with the sum of that evolution; she’s hardened by her experiences, familiar and accepting of her condition, and tasked with a wider, more selfless goal. This emergence of Senua’s personality and extraversion of herself as she meets new people is an extraordinary step in making her feel real.
“Her purpose in the first game was very interior, the guilt that she felt over Dillion was a very personal mission to her,” says Lara Derham, Stage Director and Writer on Hellblade II. “While that drive is still present in this game, she’s pushing her goal a little more out of herself and into the world. It’s not about her personal love or her circumstances, it’s about preventing harm from coming to other people now.”
This evolution in Senua’s character is also outlined by a deeper understanding of herself, and how her experiences are no fault of her own. Professor Paul Fletcher, who has served as the mental health consultant on the Hellblade series, outlines the tonal shift between the two games: “The hallmark of [Senua’s Sacrifice] was it was totally enveloped by a darkness, and I think she’s emerging from that and finding a different meaning.”
“It’s not about [Senua’s] personal love or her circumstances, it’s about preventing harm from coming to other people now.”
Lara Derham
She’s still faced with the ever-present mental load of the Furies – the name given to the competing voices in her head – but they’ve evolved with her, and have more external factors to react to as Senua meets new characters. They don’t really have a consistent tone of voice, they’re reactive to Senua’s state of mind; if she’s anxious or frightened, they tend to be a little more chaotic and overbearing, when things are calm, they’re quieter. This dynamic ruleset allows for brief moments of respite for the player, but it also showcases growth in how Senua manages her condition.
According to Fletcher, this is in keeping with the clinical experiences of those living with psychosis – the voices do shift in what they mean to an individual.
“What I find interesting is that the voices now comment on what other people are doing, which was never really a part of the first game,” Fletcher says. “So they may encourage her to distrust what another person is saying, which really captures the dual reality that people might face in the midst of psychosis.”
Derham notes that most people have some sort of internal monologue active when we’re being spoken to, but it’s mostly not at the foreground, and it’s also not audible: “Imagine if every time someone was talking to you, you had that constant commentary on what they’re saying, maybe even arguing about the meaning. Every time Senua meets a new character, the voices are going to react to that.”
Fletcher accentuates this by describing a big step in the understanding of psychosis from a research perspective, which revolves around the meaningfulness of experiences for those living with psychosis. They’re not just neural noise – the experiences are constructed in the same way we all construct our reality.
“What’s exciting to me about Hellblade II is the growing interest that people can entertain two levels of reality,” Fletcher says. “Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”
“Senua may have the darkness and the voices, but at the same time, she can recognise and be part of other people’s constructions too.”
Professor Paul Fletcher
Senua’s willingness to be part of other people’s stories – as we briefly mentioned earlier regarding her choice to save someone who is a stranger to her – also showcases another aspect of how she’s moving past certain experiences that made her so insular.
“Her psychosis had influenced her relationships with other people to a point where she was weary and withdrawn from the world, Derham says. “What we’re showing now is her starting to overcome that, depending on who she meets, and we’re showing that her perspective is just as valuable as anyone else’s.”
“Some people will react to her with harshness or horror, but some will see her differently, and she’ll find common ground and share positive experiences with them. It’s really exciting to watch Senua explore these interpersonal dynamics and relationships with other characters, and how she can help them.”
Senua’s Sacrifice is considered one of, if not the most authentic representation of psychosis in modern media, but Derham and Fletcher both agree that there may never be a truly complete depiction of the condition, as it “doesn’t remain static, and people’s relationship to it changes over time,” according to Derham.
One line in particular struck me during my time with Senua Saga: Hellblade II, which sees Senua calmly and assertively say “it’s not a prison, it’s a promise.” In this moment, we see Senua make peace with her past, and prepare to pursue her new goal confidently, not just for herself, but for the people around her. It’s in this line where I really feel her growth as a character, as a survivor, and more widely, as a woman living in a harsh world with a chronic, invisible condition.
“It was important for us to show that Senua is still on a journey,” Derham adds. “The courage and persistence that she showed in the first game is still evident, but it’s more self-directed now. She will still hear voices that’ll try to influence her, but she can choose whether to respond to that or not. She has agency in a way she didn’t have in the first game, and that evolution really is key.”
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will be released on May 21, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and Cloud – and will be available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass day one.
The post How Ninja Theory Strives to Make Senua the Most Human Character in Gaming appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Community Update May 2024 – Movements and Requests
Hi there, Xbox Insiders!
Order
Since this month’s Community Update is on the lighter side with regard to specific projects, we’ve decided to try something a little different. In addition to the usual fare, we’ve included some highlights from our recently released features and bug fixes. Let us know if you enjoy these callouts and we’ll keep them in moving forward!
Enterprise
We’re making headway on some continued improvements to the Xbox Insiders subreddit. We’ve had a few internal discussions around content planning and support improvements, so we’re hopeful those will bear fruit soon. Granted, there’s still much to be done to truly get things where we’d like, but we’ve really appreciated all the continued feedback and discussions around the changes so far. Keep ‘em coming!
State of Gold
We’ve seen quite a few different features land across our entire ecosystem in the past couple of weeks. On the console side of things, we enabled the ability to remember up to ten different WiFi Networks for all Alpha & Alpha Skip-Ahead users (Alpha Ring (2406.240429-2000)). Additionally, just yesterday, Alpha users received “Update Pre-download” for games that have enabled that feature (Alpha Ring (2406.240509-2000)).
Over in the PC/Cloud realm, we had a big update to Compact Mode go live to all PC Xbox Insiders that included a handful of new experiences (Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC). We also enabled a suite of “User Content Management” features for Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) that all Xbox Insiders can enjoy (Xbox App [2405.1000.39.0]).
These are just a few of the numerous improvements we’ve made across our platforms recently, so remember to regularly check our Console and PC release notes at their new home! Also, if you’re thinking to yourself, “These are mostly going to Alpha/Alpha Skip-Ahead! I can’t get them yet!” I may or may not have good news coming soon for those of you that are recently highly experienced and want to join those rings.
Integral
Finally, we want to call attention to a few Community-driven fixes that were made possible specifically due to the efforts of Xbox Insiders’ feedback. For both a notification issue, as well as a party chat/game chat issue, the feedback that was submitted was instrumental in determining the root cause and delivering a fix for the platform. We greatly appreciate all the feedback that we receive from our Xbox Insiders, and we’ll continue to highlight this in future Community Updates.
It’s Been a Pleasure
As always, I hope everyone enjoyed this installment of the Xbox Insider Program Community Update. If you want to chat about this—and everything else XIP—hop on over to the r/XboxInsiders subreddit or throw us a follow @xboxinsider.
Wynn/
The post Community Update May 2024 – Movements and Requests appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Demo the Award-Winning Paper Trail Now, Ahead of the May 21 Xbox Launch
Hey, Xbox Wire readers! Fred Hoffman here, the better of the two brothers behind
Newfangled Games. I can hardly believe it, but we’re releasing Paper Trail on Xbox One and Xbox Series on May 21. If that sounds too far away for you, then I’ve got good news – we’ve got a shiny new demo available right now! It’s only available from now until our May 21 launch, so make sure you get it whilst you can!
A charming world of crafty puzzles awaits: grab and fold the fabric of reality like paper, and embark on a magical journey like no other! You play as Paige, a budding academic and the first of her family to be accepted into university. The problem? Your parents don’t want you to go. Using your secret origami powers (that’s totally a thing), you leave the confines of home to make your own way in the world.
Contained within the game, is a whole interactive storybook. As you travel further from your home, fragments of memory return and must be pieced together, weaving together the stories of your past, present and future. We won’t go too far into spoilers here, but it’s a story which is personal to us – and one we believe a lot of people will relate to.
Your adventure takes you through many beautiful hand painted locations, from sun drenched ruins, to rain swept forests. Each new area comes with quirky characters, hidden secrets, and unexpected puzzling twists. Uncover ancient patterns, connect magical circuits, navigate dizzying heights, and plumb long forgotten depths in your journey along the Paper Trail!
To have gone from wrestling the controller from my brother to get a turn on Halo as a kid; to releasing our own game together on Xbox – it’s a dream come true. Five years ago, we had an idea for a little paper folding game, it’s taken us around the world and back to where it all started. So if you have a sibling, go tell them that it’s your turn on the family console, and play the Paper Trail demo – available now!
Paper Trail Demo
Newfangled Games
Paper Trail is a top-down puzzle adventure about leaving home, set in a foldable, paper world. You play as Paige, a budding academic, leaving home for the first time to pursue her studies. On the journey, you learn to fold the world, merging two sides to solve puzzles, explore new areas and uncover long-lost secrets.
The post Demo the Award-Winning Paper Trail Now, Ahead of the May 21 Xbox Launch appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store – Closing July 29, 2024
Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store – Closing July 29, 2024
Xbox 360 launched 18 years ago and was a generation-defining console that invited many people to jump into gaming for the first time and connect with friends around the world. We’re thrilled people continue playing their favorite Xbox 360 games on Xbox 360, or on newer consoles via Backward Compatibility for supported titles.
As we shared last August, we have a change coming to the Xbox 360 experience. Starting on July 29, 2024, Xbox will stop supporting the ability to purchase new games, DLC, and other entertainment content from the Xbox 360 Store on the console and the Xbox 360 Marketplace (marketplace.xbox.com).
To celebrate the legacy of Xbox 360, we’re working with our amazing publishing partners to bring you as many price reductions from our online store or from the Xbox 360 Store on the console. We’ll be updating this list with more games on June 18, 2024, and on July 16, 2024, bringing you as many repriced games as possible before the end of July.
It’s important to know that this change will not affect your ability to play Xbox 360 games or DLC you have already purchased — Xbox 360 game content previously purchased will still be available to play.
If you have more questions or need help troubleshooting any issues, please visit our support page: Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace FAQ.
| Content Title | Content Type | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Far Cry 4 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Fighters Uncaged | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance 2016 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance 2018 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance 2019 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance 2014 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance 2015 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Just Dance® Kids 2014 | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| MotionSports: Adrenaline | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Motionsports | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| PowerUp Heroes | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Rabbids Invasion: The Interactive TV Show | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Raving Rabbids: Alive & Kicking | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Self-Defense Training Camp | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Watch Dogs | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Bloody Good Time | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Child of Light | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Cloudberry Kingdom | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Panzer General Allied Assault | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| RISK | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Risk Urban Assault | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Trials Fusion | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Valiant Hearts: The Great War | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| War World | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Zeit² | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Voodoo Dice | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Final Exam | Xbox 360 | 67% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Rotastic | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Star Raiders | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Yar’s Revenge | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| MURDERED: SOUL SUSPECT | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Thief | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Geon: Emotions | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Puzzle Arcade | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Mini Ninjas Adventures | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Space Invaders Infinity Gene | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Kane and Lynch: Dead Men | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Handball 16 | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| IHF Handball Challenge 14 | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| My Body Coach 3 | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Snipers | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Fireburst | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Hunter’s Trophy 2 – America | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Hunter’s Trophy 2 – Australia | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| ArcaniA | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Black Knight Sword | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Zombie Driver HD | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Alone In The Dark | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Fantastic Pets | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Legend of Kay Anniversary | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| MX VS ATV Supercross | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Risen 3 Titan Lords | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Enemy Front | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Sniper: Ghost Warrior | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Alien Rage | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Dogfight 1942 | Xbox 360 | 90% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Xbox 360 | 80% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Tomb Raider | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| The Escapists | Xbox 360 | 85% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Worms Revolution | Xbox 360 | 50% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
| Worms: Ultimate Mayhem | Xbox 360 | 75% | Xbox 360 Price Reductions |
The post Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store – Closing July 29, 2024 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Coming to Game Pass: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Immortals of Aveum, Lords of the Fallen, and More
Grab your controllers and keyboards, because we have another round of games coming soon! Most importantly though, grab your headphones – Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches next week. While sharing is caring, this is one you’re going to want to listen to yourself for the full experience. Now let’s get to all the games!
Available Today
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC)
The critically acclaimed and award-winning classic is returning to the Game Pass library! Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director Josef Fares and developer Starbreeze Studios. Solve puzzles, explore the varied locations, and fight boss battles while controlling one brother with each thumb stick.
Coming Soon
Chants of Sennaar (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 15
In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler whose quest is to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.
EA Sports NHL 24 (Cloud) EA Play – May 16
EA Sports NHL 24 will be available with Xbox Cloud Gaming soon via EA Play! Feel the intensity of hockey with all new gameplay features that dial up the pressure, physicality, and control of authentic on-ice action.
Immortals of Aveum (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – May 16
Immortals of Aveum is coming to The Play List! Summon your power with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play in this single-player, first-person magic shooter. Unleash an arsenal of spells as Jak, who joins an elite order of battlemages to save a world on the edge of abyss.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 21
Available on day one with Game Pass! The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Pre-install now to get ready to play on day one.
Galacticare (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – May 23
Available on day one with Game Pass! You are the Director of Galacticare, an interstellar healthcare company and quasi-voluntary savior of the Galaxy (for cash.) Build hospitals and recruit staff to satisfy the whims of various alien species and cure their bizarre illnesses Save the (literal) Galaxy in story mode, or head into sandbox to design the hospital of your dreams.
Hauntii (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 23
Available on day one with Game Pass! Play as a brave yet naive little ghost, Hauntii, and set off on a quest guided by enigmatic Eternians. Possess, solve puzzles, and shape your fate in this captivating adventure. The game’s hand-crafted art style blends line art and animation with a striking palette, creating a visually captivating experience. Coupled with the dynamic soundtrack, it enhances the immersive exploration of mysterious landscapes.
Moving Out 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 28
Are you ready to become an all-star F.A.R.T? That’s a Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician in the world of Moving Out 2. Working solo, or with up to three friends, slip into your uniform and help the residents of Packmore, and beyond, to pack up and ship out!
Humanity (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 30
Become a Shiba Inu and help reconstruct humankind in the acclaimed action-puzzle game Humanity. 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.
Lords of the Fallen (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 30
A vast world awaits in the all-new, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God. Learn more about how Lords of the Fallen goes rogue(like) with its recent ‘Master of Fate’ update on Xbox Wire.
Firework (PC) – June 4
An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate the closed case of a massacre. You will play as a rookie police officer who participates in the re-investigation by chance. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges and the case becomes more bewildering.
Rolling Hills (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 4
Available on day one with Game Pass! Serve up sushi as a robot chef in Rolling Hills, a life sim about running your own restaurant in a cozy village. Make new friends, purchase ingredients, enhance your shop, and improve the lives of your neighbors as you perfect your craft!
DLC / Game Updates
Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns – Available now
Game Pass members save 10% off their purchase! Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns sees the smash hit roguelike join forces with Konami’s iconic Contra series, adding tons of guns and other weapons (we’re talking 22, including evolutions!), 11 new characters, a huge map, and a soundtrack that combines classic Contra tracks with Vampire Survivors covers.
Minecraft 15 Year Anniversary – Starting May 15
Minecraft is celebrating 15 years of gripping adventures and mind-blowing creations! Whether you’ve been crafting since alpha or joined somewhere along the way, you’ve left your mark on every block. Watch out for upcoming announcements from Minecraft!
Starfield Update – May 15
Starfield’s largest update since launch is coming on May 15! The May Update includes more detailed surface maps; new gameplay difficulty options and display settings; new features for ship customization and more! Learn more on Bethesda.net.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Minecraft: 500 Minecoins – Starting May 15
Claim 500 Minecoins! Spend them on epic adventure maps, skins, add-ons, and more imaginative content, all crafted by creators and available on Minecraft Marketplace. What will your next adventure be?
Naraka: Bladepoint – Available Now
Claim exclusive Xbox headgear, new season treasures, legendary skin trial bundle and more in the new Perks Bundle! Get a kick start in the new season with the help of experience boost cards! This Perk content requires Naraka: Bladepoint to use.
Leaving May 31
The following games are leaving soon, so be sure to jump back in and tie up and loose ends or grab some extra achievements before they leave! You can also save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library and keep the fun going.
- Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Farworld Pioneers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Pac-man Museum Plus (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Little Witch in the Woods (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Railway Empire II (Cloud, Console, and PC)
That’s the list for now, but you can always keep an eye on Xbox, Game Pass, and PC Game Pass for reminders on when all of these are available to play. Also, don’t forget to block your calendar for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct June 9 – we’ll have even more news for you then. Talk soon!
The post Coming to Game Pass: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Immortals of Aveum, Lords of the Fallen, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Forza Motorsport: Track Toys Come to Life in Update 8
The post Forza Motorsport: Track Toys Come to Life in Update 8 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Join the Circuit of Champions Event Now through May 23
Crafted with meticulous attention to player feedback, this electrifying track is a direct response to the clamor for more verticality in our racing experience. We heard you loud and clear after the release of our first Racing circuit, and Titans’ Alley delivers in spades. Prepare to navigate hairpin turns, dizzying ascents, and heart-stopping descents as you vie for victory in this thrilling new desertic environment.
Harness the power of your Dragons and ascend to victory in the ultimate test of speed and skill!
Ready for an unparalleled adrenaline rush? Get set to soar with the wind and command the strength of Dragons as you plunge into the depths of the Titan’s Alley desert.
The Circuit of Champions event not only unveils the new desert-themed circuit, but also two new Pick Ups:
- Blast ability: This ability works like the one used in PvP modes on the Phantom & Windguard: You first launch a projectile with a visible “bubble” to display its blast radius (grey for the caster, red for the enemies). The projectile explodes when colliding with a surface or when you press the ability key again for manual activation.
- Dash Ability: This ability is similar to the Feral Charge used by the Rimeblood in PvP modes. You can lock a target in front of you and quickly dash towards them upon activation. If you hit the target, they are struck while you continue forward.
You can also experiment with two new features added to the Dragon Racing game mode:
- Double Pickup System: You can now carry up to two abilities at the same time. The UI now displays an active slot in the foreground and a reserve slot in the background.
- Draft System: The Dragon Racing mode now features a Draft System, similar to other racing games. Staying behind a dragon for a short time (1.5s) will trigger a small speed boost.
The swiftest Dragoneers will not only claim victory but also unlock amazing prizes as a testament to their triumph! 
As Dragoneers take flight atop their majestic dragons, navigating through challenging laps and outmaneuvering rivals, their quest extends beyond mere glory. They’re racing towards the promise of incredible prizes, awaiting those bold enough to seize victory with skill and determination.
Dragoneers will not only etch their names into the annals of dragon racing history but also gain access to exclusive rewards that will leave them in awe. From legendary Dragon gear, legendary and epic chests to scarce in-game currency and beyond, every triumph in the Circuit of Champions event propels you closer to a vault of jolly rewards.
Don’t wait another moment—leap into action today and claim your place as the quickest Dragoneer in this time-limited challenge!
Century: Age of Ashes
Playwing LTD
Century: Age of Ashes, the multiplayer dragon battle game is now available for free! Customize your dragon, dive into the arena and compete to become a legendary Dragoneer. Burn your enemies and rule the skies!
——-
INTENSE ARENA BATTLES
Dive into the arena alone or with friends and fight for your survival in exciting game modes:
– Outbreak (PvE): team up and protect the towers of Hel’s Breach against waves of horrific enemies.
– Carnage (PvP): A killing spree with special power ups. It’s Team Deathmatch, Dragon riders style!
– Gates of Fire (PvP): Two teams clash over possession of the flag. Gain points by flying through gates while holding the flag!
– Spoils of War (PvP): Steal gold from carriers & the enemy while protecting your own nest, and adapt to unexpected situations!
– Survival (PvP): It’s every dragoneer for themselves! Pit against other players in a ferocious and unforgiving free-for-all clash.
——-
CHOOSE YOUR CLASS
Experience different play styles with unique classes, each with their own abilities! Shield and disorient as the Windguard, track and destroy as the Marauder, stealth and trap as the Phantom, rush and thunder-shock your opponents as the Stormraiser, vine-trap them as the Thornweaver or frost-charge them as the Rimeblood! How will you choose your path to victory?
——-
FULL CUSTOMIZATION
Your dragon, your style! Century: Age of Ashes offers carefully designed cosmetic items to stand out in the arena. Gain experience as you play and unlock awesome skins to customize your dragon and its rider! Don’t worry, these items are purely cosmetic and offer no advantage in battle.
——-
FREE TO PLAY
Century: Age of Ashes is completely free-to-play. In order to keep the experience fair and equitable, in-game purchases are purely cosmetic. Battles are won by skill and teamwork alone.
The post Join the Circuit of Champions Event Now through May 23 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17
Summary
- A magical roguelike deckbuilder where strategy is king and cats are the pawns.
- Innovative card gameplay featuring a diverse deck of 100 unique magical cats.
- Enchanting narrative set in a world where cats wield elemental powers.
Experience a magical convergence of strategy and chance in Spellcats, where mystical felines rule and tactics triumph. In this innovative roguelike deckbuilder, you are the catalyst in a spellbound world dominated by a group of humans called Nekocasters. Dare to venture into mysterious dungeons and the shadowy lairs where you must use your strategic skills to overcome your adversaries and free your four-legged siblings. Traverse mysterious dungeons, make card combos, and free your companions combining cards and cats.
As the Only Cat with Free Will, You are the Hope for Your Species.
Harness the raw power of over 100 diverse cat cards. Each cat comes to life with extraordinary abilities, from the stealthy Alley Pouncer to the majestic Thunderclaw. Build your deck with a mix of tactical prowess and random fortune, ensuring each dungeon run is filled with thrilling unpredictability.
Five Elements, Twenty Amulets, and Endless Meows
Spellcats also offers a unique gaming experience with five different elements: Water, Electricity, Fire, Ice, and Earth, each with its unique gameplay style that enriches the player’s experience through a myriad of mystical landscapes. Additionally, over 20 amulets await to be discovered and used. These will enhance the army of kittens and give an advantage in battles.
Strategy and Magic Combined in a Unique Rogueline Card Game
Empower your journey with unique trinkets, each adding layers of depth to your strategic maneuvers. These artifacts are imbued with capabilities that amplify your feline summons, turning the tide of battles. Dive into the heart of darkness and light in Spellcats, where each play is a step towards liberation or doom. The fate of the Nekos rests upon your shoulders—will you rise as their savior, or will the shadows of Nekocasters eclipse the land forever? Prepare to cast, conquer, and ascend in this enchanting saga of survival and sorcery, launching this May. Are you ready to unleash the true power of the paw?
Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics
NintaiStudios
$13.99
Calling all cat lovers and card game aficionados!
Step into the paws of the only sentient feline in a human-dominated world. Gifted with the extraordinary magic power to summon other cats, you alone hold the key to freeing your kind. Fight the Nekocasters, a cadre of humans exploiting innocent ‘Nekos’ for their own nefarious gains, serving a greater evil.
Step into the paws of the only sentient feline in a human-dominated world. Gifted with the extraordinary magic power to summon other cats, you alone hold the key to freeing your kind. Fight the Nekocasters, a cadre of humans exploiting innocent ‘Nekos’ for their own nefarious gains, serving a greater evil.
Embark on an enchanting journey through mysterious dungeons, the grim lairs of the Nekocasters. Outplay your adversaries with a powerful combo of summoned kittens.
As the world’s only self-aware cat, uncover the mystery behind your origins. Are you the product of an ancient spell, a botched experiment, or something more profound? This vibrant, cat-filled world teems with secrets waiting to be unraveled.
Brave through the perilous dungeons, outsmart the cunning Nekocasters, and liberate your feline brethren in ‘Spellcats’. The future of the Nekos rests in your paws.
A Vibrant Deck of 60 Diverse Cats
Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command!
Five Elements with Unique Gameplay
Dive into the diverse mechanics of five unique elements: Water, Electric, Fire, Ice, and Earth. Each element offers a distinct playstyle that adds to the richness of the gameplay. The strategy you employ is entirely up to you!
Roguelike Trinkets
Discover and utilize over 20 unique trinkets to enhance your gameplay experience. These powerful items can power up your kitten army, granting them new abilities or augmenting their existing ones, giving you the upper hand in battles. Each trinket’s unique effect adds an extra layer of strategy to your dungeon runs, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.
The post Magical Felines Collide in Strategy Deckbuilder Spellcats, Launching May 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
The Land Beneath Us
Dear Villagers
The Land Between Us – May 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
A turn-based, rogue-lite action dungeon crawler. Use powerful skill combos and stylish weaponry to battle your way through the Underworld known as Annwn. Enjoy challenging dynamic encounters and discover the mysteries of this mythological world.
Athenian Rhapsody
Top Hat Studios, Inc.
Athenian Rhapsody – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A comedy RPG in which you’ll explore the World of Athens. Your goal is to build your very own Rhapsody – the story of you (the player) and your epic tale in this world. You’ll be faced with many challenges, and you’ll have to fight (or hug) your way through the world by either battling, or awkwardly trying to make friends with your opponents through esoteric knowledge, abstract jokes, memory games, and other strange and funny interactions.
Chip and Charge
Weakfish Studio Publishing
Chip and Charge – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery6
A classic arcade-style tennis game with customizable characters and equipment as well as a wide variety of game modes to choose from, like Bomb mode where you don’t let the ball hit the ground. You can also play co-op with your friends.
Ziggy
Afil Games
Ziggy – May 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Get ready to jump, slide, and unleash the power of the dash in a game that will test your abilities and your capacity for triumph. Conquer the 30 challenging levels and become the ultimate master of Ziggy!
Awesome Pea 3
Sometimes You
$4.99
$3.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
Awesome Pea 3 – May 15
Xbox One X Enhanced
The final chapter, now in shape of a fast precision platformer where you must run and jump through a series of challenging stages. What you’ll definitely find in this game: nearly 70 different stages to show your skill, stylish pixel graphics, and a chiptune soundtrack.
Braid, Anniversary Edition
Thekla, Inc.
Braid Anniversary Edition – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Control the flow of time to solve subtle platform puzzles in this update of the indie classic Braid, featuring refreshed artwork and seriously in-depth creator commentary. Travel from a city house through a series of interconnected worlds where time behaves strangely, searching for an elusive Princess.
Electronics Puzzle Lab
Eastasiasoft Limited
Electronics Puzzle Lab – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Awaken your inner engineer with the brainteasing circuitry of Electronics Puzzle Lab! In this fun and educational 3D puzzle game, your task is to inspect circuit boards and adjust power LED lights. Take a seat at your workbench, cut wires, flip switches and more as you trace the path of the current.
Please Fix The Road
Silesia Games
The roads are broken again. And so are paths. Sidewalks. Lakes. Oh dear. And now it’s your job to fix them all! Each level gives you a limited set of tools that will help you get all the cars, boats, trains or animals from point A to point B. The mentioned animals include, of course, kittens, dogs and… cute ‘ol pink llamas.
Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered
Two Cakes Studio
$9.99
Time Trap: Hidden Objects Remastered – May 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Time Trap is a hidden object game telling a detective story with distinct realistic visuals, puzzles, and challenges. A journalist has gone missing after investigating a hazardous disaster. Now it is your job to follow in his steps and uncover the secrets of the danger zone.
Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing
Midnight Works
$9.99
Turbo Dash Kart 2024 Racing – May 15
Xbox Play Anywhere
Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush with our action-packed kart racing game. Choose your champion driver, customize your ride, and dominate challenging tracks to become the undisputed ruler of the asphalt jungle! Buckle up for a heart-pounding adventure where strategy and skill meet lightning-fast laps.
Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER
Chorus Worldwide Games
Read Only Memories: Neurodiver – May 16
ES88 is an esper tasked with capturing Golden Butterfly, a psychic entity hiding in the memories of others. Play as ES88 and join her cyborg colleague GATE, and the creature known as a NEURODIVER to help repair the memories Golden has damaged and stop them in their tracks in this “psy-fi” adventure!
PO’ed: Definitive Edition
Nightdive Studios
PO’ed: Definitive Edition – May 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
An adrenaline-pumping space shooter that features gameplay elements inspired by generational powerhouses Doom and Quake. Play as a chef who crash lands on an alien planet infested with extraterrestrial foes.
Musashi vs Cthulhu
QUByte Interactive
A fast-paced action game where you take control of Musashi, the most famous warrior from feudal Japan, as he fights for his life against unspeakable monsters. The enemies come from both sides of the screen and must be attacked with precise blows to bulging weak spots shown in their bodies. Challenge your friends to see who the most precise warrior.
Claws & Feathers 3
ChiliDog Interactive
$5.99
Claws & Feathers 3 – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
The birds and cats are back in an all-new puzzle adventure that sends them soaring across the galaxy in search of a new home! When a zombie apocalypse ravages their home planet, the birds set off for the stars. But they’re not alone. Their eternal rivals, the cats, snuck on board and will do everything they can to make the journey an unpleasant one!
FoxyRush
Ratalaika Games S.L.
FoxyRush – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Foxy is a little fox who loves to eat cherries. One day, his supplies were stolen! Now he must go through many levels and collect all the cherries to get his supplies back. Run, jump, slide on walls, cling to ropes, and dodge various traps and enemies!
Not Not – A Brain Buster
naptime.games
Not Not – A Brain Buster – May 17
Xbox Play Anywhere
Ready to push the limits of your brain and challenge your intelligence? The ultimate brain-busting challenge is finally here! Do exactly what the cube says in a limited amount of time to test your reflexes and your thought processing speed.
Morbid: The Lords of Ire
Merge Games
Mordbid: The Lords of Ire – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Morbid: The Lords of Ire is a continuation and reinvention of the critically acclaimed isometric Souls-like ARPG Morbid: The Seven Acolytes with the heroic Striver returning once more to do battle with horrific creatures in a dark and twisted world of pain and suffering
Outbreak The Fedora Files What Lydia Knows
Dead Drop Studios LLC
$19.99
$15.99
Outbreak The Fedora Files: What Lydia Knows – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Super and extra-natural phenomena around the world are officially disavowed. In the United States, these phenomena are unofficially investigated by an elite squad of agents known as the Federal Disaster Organic Response Agency, FEDORA. These are their stories…
Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics
NintaiStudios
$13.99
Spellcats: Auto Card Tactics – May 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Experience the excitement of collecting and summoning a wide variety of magical cats, each with their own unique abilities. Use these feline allies strategically to overcome challenges and vanquish enemies. From a small alley kitten to a majestic mountain cat (literally a mountain), the power of these cats will be at your command!
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.