The post It’s Mustang Month in Forza Motorsport: Celebrate 1 Year on the Track with a New Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Category: Xbox
Xbox Partner Preview | Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Amps Up the Horror – and the Connections to Control
Xbox Partner Preview brought us a first look at gameplay from The Lake House, the second expansion coming to Alan Wake 2 on October 22 – placing you in the shoes of FBC Agent Estevez, you’ll be exploring the titular Lake House, a research station situated in the wider game’s Cauldron Lake. It’s a true survival horror experience, but it also opens brand new doors into the wider Remedy Connected Universe – leaving us with a lot of questions. Thankfully, we were able to catch up with members of the development team to find out more about this fascinating new chapter in Alan’s horror tale.
If you’ve completed the main game, it’s clear that the events of Alan Wake 2 are fundamentally self-contained (“it’s not a loop, it’s a spiral,” after all…). That leaves Remedy in a very interesting position when it comes to its expansions – setting up extra story either before or after that story would be difficult, and could risk fracturing that carefully created storyline. That’s why the team’s used these expansions to tell tales that add to that story in unexpected ways.
“The Lake House tells the story of Agent Estevez’s visit to the Lake House facility, which takes place in parallel with the early part of [Alan Wake 2 co-protagonist] Saga’s story in Alan Wake 2,” explains Lead Writer, Clay Murphy. “By the time Saga and Estevez meet, the story of this expansion has already occurred.”
“When we originally came up with the concepts for [first expansion] Night Springs and The Lake House, we knew that they would be quite different tonally,” adds Game Director, Kyle Rowley. “Night Springs episodes were all about these kind of crazy ‘What If?’ scenarios where we could explore some rather unique ideas that were sometimes quite a dramatic tonal shift from the main experience in Alan Wake 2. With The Lake House, we wanted to again lean into the horror side of things.”
Our glimpses at the expansion today certainly make that clear. The course of Alan Wake 2’s main storyline allowed the team to shift gears throughout, drifting from surreal, comedic scenarios, to police procedurals, to full-on horror. The Lake House appears to be supercharging that last point – the lights are low, the enemies are elusive, and the scares are plentiful. The team likens it to the horror levels of the main game’s Valhalla Nursing Home sequence – and if you’ve played that, you’ll know what you’re in for.
The difference here is that The Lake House doesn’t just connect to Alan Wake 2, but a whole other Remedy game: Control. Kiran Estevez makes a small appearance in the main game, but here we’ll learn much more about her role as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Control – and the different kinds of horror that entails.
“Control explores horror themes as well of course,” explains Rowley, “but with Alan Wake 2 being a survival horror game we just felt that the world of Control provides some rather harrowing elements for us to lean into and scare players with.”
The connections to that previous game won’t just be skin-deep – besides working out what The Lake House means to this universe, a teaser at the end of the trailer seems to show Control’s quest goal/antagonist, Dylan Faden, implying there’s a much stronger link than we might have expected – although Remedy won’t be drawn on that right now.
As Communications Manager Miika Huttunen puts it: “It did look a lot like Dylan. It might be worth really exploring the nooks and crannies of the Lake House…”
Diving Into the Lake
Bringing this back to the expansion’s connection to Alan Wake 2, Estevez comes to The Lake House to speak to the FBC researchers inside about the Wake case, and the wider events of Cauldron Lake. But instead of finding answers, she gets more questions, as it becomes clear that the facility is going through a horrifying transformation of its own. The terrors of Alan Wake games always spawn from Overlaps – intersections of reality and art – and here an Overlap is bringing visual art to life. Most notably, that comes in the form of a new enemy type: The Painted.
“For The Lake House we wanted to introduce a new, different kind of enemy from those found in the main game,” says Rowley. “It’s important to us that our enemies follow on from themes found in and around the part of the game that they are revealed – whether that be the water-themed enemy, the “Diver” located at the Valhalla Nursing Home, or the Taken Wolves that are found in and around the Cauldron Lake Forest.
“With that in mind, the Painted are very much themed around one of the core elements inside the Lake House – paint! They can move in and out of the supernatural paint on surfaces, hunting the player as they do so and have devastating melee attacks that deal significant amounts of damage.”
As a new playable character, Estevez doesn’t have the same abilities we’re used to from Saga and Alan – but she does come equipped with the expertise and equipment needed to deal with these fresh threats:
“As a character, she is very familiar with the paranatural forces at play around Cauldron Lake and has experienced many events similar to this in her career,” explains Murphy.
“Much like Saga, Estevez is a federal agent,” adds Rowley, “so she is quite capable with standard issue firearms. That said, we did add a new FBC-specific weapon to this expansion which can be used to deal with slightly more… paranatural entities. Estevez’s base weapons also deal a bit more damage than Saga’s, so Taken enemies go down a little faster.”
Unlike the Night Springs expansion, this isn’t a series of standalone activities, either:
“Much like some of the larger missions inside the main game of Alan Wake 2, this mission is structured like a more traditional survival horror game,” says Rowley. “There is a large open structure for the player to explore, secrets to discover and dangerous enemies to try and survive against. Narrative obviously plays a large role in the expansion – as it did in the main game – so it is definitely worth exploring and trying to locate the many narrative objects scattered throughout the environment.”
Estevez herself will help enrich that story too: “We have tweaked the map so that you also get some nice little notes from Estevez where she uses her experience within the FBC to comment on what is happening in and around The Lake House, giving the player some nice additional context,” adds Rowley.
If you’ve already played Alan Wake 2, you’ll be able to jump directly into the Lake House content from the main menu, but it’s been designed to sit within the main game for any players coming to this for the first time:
“Like with the Night Springs expansion, The Lake House is incorporated into the main game flow, so players will come across these missions while playing through the main campaign in a seamless manner. We really believe adding both Night Springs and The Lake House into our core flow has improved the game’s pacing and makes for the ultimate Alan Wake 2 experience.”
It’s another masterstroke in how Remedy uses its expansions – not building on top of their games, but within them, making each one feel essential. But there’s an added point of interest here. In Control, the game’s second expansion, AWE, was used as a means of teasing the events of Alan Wake 2. With a Control sequel on the way, and plenty of connections already being made, is The Lake House performing a similar trick? Huttunen makes clear that that’s one question we won’t get an answer to until we play The Lake House:
“Let’s just say that we’re as excited as anyone in seeing how the story of the Faden siblings unfold in the future…”
Alan Wake 2: The Lake House arrives for Xbox Series X|S on October 22.
Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition
Epic Games
$79.99
Unlock exclusive content with the Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition.
– Digital base game
– Expansion Pass
– Night Springs Expansion (additional story content)
– Lake House Expansion (additional story content)**
– Nordic Shotgun Skin for Saga
– Crimson Windbreaker for Saga
– Celebrity Suit for Alan
– Parliament Shotgun Skin for Alan
– Lantern Charm for Saga***
Night Springs Expansion:
Dive back into the mysterious and ever-twisting world of the Dark Place in the first expansion for Alan Wake 2, Night Springs.
Trapped in the enigmatic Dark Place, Alan Wake seeks an escape route through an unexpected medium: his imagination. As he pens the scripts for the once-beloved TV show “Night Springs,” he unwittingly unravels the fabric of reality, plunging players into a surreal journey where the familiar morphs into the unexpected.
Night Springs allows you to play as several fan-favorite characters through three highly stylized episodes, each offering a unique slice of the Alan Wake universe. While similar to previously known characters, they are different—Night Springs versions of themselves.
Become the Time Breaker, manipulating time to rewrite your destiny. Embrace the cosmic mysteries in the North Star and unravel secrets that defy reason. Or channel your inner obsession as the Number One Fan, fighting the shadows in pursuit of truth and love.
Focusing on characters from Alan Wake games and the Remedy Universe. While similar to previously known characters, they are different – Night Springs versions of themselves, written by Alan Wake based on what he saw in his visions in the Dark Place.
The Episodes:
– Time Breaker : An Actor, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Bright Falls sheriff Tim Breaker, is a multiversal hero in the game “Time Breaker”. His character must track down the Master of the Many Worlds and prevent him from murdering the multiversal hero’s different selves across parallel universes.
– North Star : The Sibling, an unknown woman who bears a striking resemblance to FBC Director Jesse Faden, is trying to find her missing brother, who is being held captive at Coffee World.
– Number One Fan : The Waitress, who bears a striking resemblance to Oh Deer Diner’s waitress Rose Marigold, must save her idol, the Writer, from the danger he finds himself in. To do so, she must confront the Writer’s critics, and the Bad Boy who is the Writer’s evil twin.
Digital base game:
A string of ritualistic murders threatens Bright Falls, a small-town community surrounded by Pacific Northwest wilderness. Saga Anderson, an accomplished FBI agent with a reputation for solving impossible cases arrives to investigate the murders. Anderson’s case spirals into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror story that starts to come true around her.
Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare beyond our world, writes a dark story in an attempt to shape the reality around him and escape his prison. With a dark horror hunting him, Wake is trying to retain his sanity and beat the devil at his own game.
Anderson and Wake are two heroes on two desperate journeys in two separate realities, connected at heart in ways neither of them can understand: reflecting each other, echoing each other, and affecting the worlds around them.
Fueled by the horror story, supernatural darkness invades Bright Falls, corrupting the locals and threatening the loved ones of both Anderson and Wake. Light is their weapon—and their safe haven — against the darkness they face. Trapped in a sinister horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?
Solve a Deadly Mystery
What begins as a small-town murder investigation rapidly spirals into a nightmare journey. Uncover the source of the supernatural darkness in this psychological horror story filled with intense suspense and unexpected twists.
Play As Two Characters
Experience both Alan Wake’s and Saga Anderson’s stories and see events unfold from different perspectives. Switch between Anderson’s life-or-death race to solve the case and Wake’s desperate attempts to rewrite his reality to escape the depths of the Dark Place.
Explore Two Worlds
Experience two beautiful yet terrifying worlds, each with its own rich cast of characters and deadly threats. Discover majestic landscapes of Cauldron Lake in the Pacific Northwest and the idyllic towns of Bright Falls and Watery. Contrasting sharply, attempt to escape the nightmarish cityscape of the Dark Place.
Survive With Light
With limited resources, take on powerful supernatural enemies in desperate close-combat situations. It takes more than just a gun to survive: light is the ultimate weapon in the fight against the darkness and will be your refuge when enemies threaten to overwhelm you.
**Additional story content available post-launch, more to be unveiled later.
***Gives Saga an additional battery for the flashlight.
The post Xbox Partner Preview | Alan Wake 2: The Lake House Amps Up the Horror – and the Connections to Control appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Nostalgia Perfected – How 8-Bit Adventures 2 Won Hearts with Pixels
Summary
- A story rich tribute to the Golden Age of JRPGs nine years in the making.
- Strategic turn-based combat with Team Attack finishing moves inspired by pixel adventure classics.
- 8-Bit Adventures 2 launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One today.
“My Final Fantasy.” That’s how I described the first 8-Bit Adventures game in 2015. But while my work was heavily inspired by the legendary series, I really meant this as a personal ultimatum. I’d spent four years making games on PC and mobile which failed to turn a profit. So just like Hironobu Sakaguchi (the creator of Final Fantasy) in 1987, I was prepared to quit the industry and give up on my dreams if 8-Bit Adventures 1 was a failure.
What a difference nine years can make! Now the sequel 8-Bit Adventures 2 launches today on Xbox, against a backdrop of growing popularity and glowing public reception – including (at the time of writing) an 87 score on Metacritic, a 91 score on OpenCritic, and a Very Positive rating from players on Steam.
It’s been described by players as a “story-telling masterpiece”, with writing that is “inspiring” and which provides an emotional journey that’s “up there with Chrono Trigger” – accompanied by characters that are “grounded and relatable”. Other players said that it’s “a whole, full, new, refreshing, satisfying RPG”, “game of the year on its character writing alone”, and “the best RPG that I’ve played in years.”
Earning that reception has taken nine years of hard work from a team of four. But how was this achieved, and what really makes an RPG special? In 8-Bit Adventures 2, I believe it comes down to three core elements – characters, combat, and community.
The most essential element of any RPG is the characters. If I think back on Final Fantasy VII, Chrono Trigger, Persona 5, or Baldur’s Gate 3, the first thing I remember is the cast and how I connected with them. So seeing players relate to every member of the 8-Bit Adventures 2 party has been especially satisfying – be they a sharp-tongued former thief with a heart of gold, a blind martial artist with a desire to prove her worth, or an Exterminator-class robot who struggles with the limitations he was programmed with.
But not only did I want the characters to be memorable and relatable; I wanted them to be always present. One of the issues with a lot of classic RPGs is that you’d only have three or four allies participating in battles and story sequences at once; it was hard to make full use of the entire cast. In 8-Bit Adventures 2, the full party is always present, and you can swap characters in and out of battle without wasting a turn. This means you don’t have to stick with a few favourites while everyone else sits on the bench. Rather, every character gets their time in the spotlight – especially since, inspired by Mother 3, the characters are always visible and showing off their personalities in combat.
And character swapping is not only an option; it’s an integral part of combat. You have seven playable characters, each with an arsenal of unique abilities suited to different situations. But taking a page from Chrono Trigger, we also have Combo and Trio attacks which allow different members of the party to team up and deliver devastating blows. Combined with equipable Augments and Accessories which grant special bonuses and status buffs, and a turn-based system inspired by Final Fantasy X (allowing you to see and manipulate the order of turns ahead of time), you can devise some incredible strategies which take advantage of your entire party in a single fight.
But beyond characters and gameplay mechanics, I feel that 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a game which was shaped by our community. Nine years of development is a long time, but what it also offered was nine years of engaging directly with RPG fans and applying their feedback. This ranged from adding a sprint button, to removing random encounters, to speeding up the flow of dialogue, and much more.
I’ve made it a point to try and respond to every comment about my games, even if it’s just to say thank you. That’s getting progressively harder, but I think it’s really important and can open up some amazing discussions with insightful players. These interactions have encouraged me to put my own passions and inspirations on full display. Because it turns out that if I want to see, for example, a new take on Final Fantasy X’s battle system, a lot of other RPG fans will also feel the same way!
And so I find myself where I was nine years ago – on the verge of releasing another personal “Final Fantasy”. Yet things are different this time. On the one hand, I’ve put almost a decade of my life into this project, so the stakes feel higher than ever – especially since I want to fund future games. But on the other hand, most players and critics love 8-Bit Adventures 2, we’re reaching a wider audience on new platforms like Xbox, and I’m supported by a wonderful community of fans. I’m even reaching media with help from the wonderful team at PR Hound. So rather than an ultimatum, this time it feels like the beginning of something special.
I started making games because I wanted to make people happy – the way titles like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger did for me. I strongly believe that entertainment should leave us in a better place than where it found us. So, if you’re looking for an uplifting experience – and if you love Japanese-style RPGs, turn-based combat, or story rich games – I sincerely invite you to try 8-Bit Adventures 2, out today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!
8-Bit Adventures 2
Critical Games
$19.99
8-Bit Adventures 2 features everything you love about classic JRPGs. An earnest, engaging storyline; relatable, easy-to-love characters; strategic turn-based combat; deep party customization; an unforgettable soundtrack; and a large, fantastical world – traversed by Airship, and brought to life by vibrant 8-Bit inspired visuals.
When a mistreated child with impossible powers threatens to reshape the world, a hero’s disappearance kicks off a grand adventure – and a battle for survival…
While it may be a sequel, anyone can jump into this all-new JRPG experience!
The post Nostalgia Perfected – How 8-Bit Adventures 2 Won Hearts with Pixels appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Experience True Hockey Intelligence in EA Sports NHL 25 With EA Play
The latest evolution of the iconic hockey game series, EA Sports NHL 25, is out now! EA Play members can skate onto the rink now with a 10-hour trial of the game (conditions, limitations and exclusions apply – see here for details) and experience unstoppable one-timers and heart-pumping breakways
NHL 25 is powered by Ice-Q, a new gameplay intelligence system that lets you control every inch of the ice. Experience true hockey intelligence with the modernized skating of Next-Gen Vision Control, an overhaul of Chel’s AI player movement, authentic Reactive Action animations and more.
EA Play members can also fly down the ice in style with in-game rewards including World of Chel Coins and Battle Pass XP Modifiers. Plus, those who decide to buy after their trial will have their progress carry over to the full game and they’ll get 10% off, thanks to EA Play’s member discount.
In addition to a NHL 25 trial, EA Play offers a variety of content to members each month. This month’s offerings can be found below:
- Apex Legends Golden Generator Weapon Charm – Now to November 4
- Battlefield 2042 Veridian Flux – Now to October 29
- EA Sports F1 24 5000 XP Boost – Now to October 31
- EA Sports College Football 25 Loyalist Ultimate Team Pack – Now to October 31
- Madden NFL 25 MUT October Pack – Now to October 31
- EA Sports FC 25 Clubs Teamwork Protective Glasses – Now to October 31
- EA Sports FC 25 EA Play Welcome Pack– Now to October 31
- EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team Draft Token – Now to November 14
- EA Sports NHL 25 3000 CHEL Coins – Now to December 5
- EA Sports NHL 25 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier Tokens – Now to December 5
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription. Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards and more. Members can unlock the thrill of their next favorite game with up to 10-hour trials of EA’s latest titles such as EA Sports FC 25, EA Sports NHL 25, EA Sports Madden NFL 25, EA Sports College Football 25, F1 24 and EA Sports WRC, in addition to access to an unrivaled collection of EA’s best-loved series and top titles, including Madden NFL 24, EA Sports FC 24 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on, Instagram, or X. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.
The post Experience True Hockey Intelligence in EA Sports NHL 25 With EA Play appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Uncover the Truth – The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection is Here
As Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 approaches, we’re excited to introduce the Black Ops 6 Collection—a range of thoughtfully designed accessories that bring the covert operations of the Black Ops series to life. The collection includes the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and the Xbox Series X Wrap. Each piece is crafted to capture the tension and intrigue of the ’90s spy thriller theme, with visual elements that immerse players deeper into the game’s world.
The Black Ops 6 controllers are available to customize and purchase now, exclusively through Xbox Design Lab. Players can also get their hands on the Xbox Series X Wrap – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 available for pre-order exclusively from the Microsoft Store. For a limited time, when you pre-order the Xbox Series X Wrap – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from the Microsoft Store, players will receive a one-hour 2XP token for use in Black Ops 6.
Inspired by the covert, clandestine forces and spy action thriller nature of the new game, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 captures the intrigue of Black Ops 6 with striking visual elements. The top case and side caps feature a layered pattern of redacted documents, hidden coordinates, and concealed Black Ops symbols, representing a campaign shrouded in secrecy. Choose from a range of Call of Duty-inspired color options for buttons, triggers, and grips, and complete the look with metallic upgrades for added tactical appeal.
Personalize your setup further by selecting rubberized side and back grips for extra control or adding a custom engraved message over the classified intel, making your controller a true piece of spy craft. Whether you switch between stealth operations in the Campaign, high-octane Multiplayer showdowns, or thrilling Zombies action, the Xbox Wireless Controller is ready to keep up — featuring Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth technology for seamless connectivity to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android, and select Samsung and Amazon Fire TV devices (see xbox.com/controller-compatibility for more details).
For those seeking the next-level edge in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 delivers pro-level performance wrapped in a design inspired by the game’s gritty ’90s spy thriller aesthetic. The controller features the same sleek Black Ops 6 top case with redacted text, tactical schematics, and hidden insignia—a homage to covert operations. The specialized neural-textured front grips that the Elite Series 2 not only enhances control, but also incorporates the controller artwork on top of the grips.
Customize your Elite controller further by selecting from metal D-pads and metallic triggers and utilize the four interchangeable back paddles to map critical moves to how you choose to play. The adjustable-tension thumbsticks are perfect for mastering Black Ops 6’s new Omnimovement mechanics, and shorter hair trigger locks help tailor your controller to match your playstyle.
Choose from your favorite set of Call of Duty-inspired button designs and finishes and add a custom top case engraving to complete the look—transforming the Elite Series 2 into a one-of-a-kind controller that balances both style and performance for the ultimate Black Ops experience. Create your perfect Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 controller combination with Xbox Design Lab and play like a pro on Xbox console, PC, and cloud. Visit Xbox Design Lab for additional information.
Complete your Call of Duty setup with the Xbox Series X Wrap – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, designed to give your console a striking new look that embodies the covert intrigue of the Black Ops series. Featuring a layered design inspired by ’90s spy thriller themes, the wrap’s exterior showcases a mind-bending array of redacted documents, classified files, and Black Ops 6 Campaign references. Beneath the intricate surface pattern reveals even more hidden details, nodding to the game’s complex narrative and iconic Zombies mode.
The precision-fit wrap is built with solid panels and a high-quality fabric finish, making it a perfect match for your Xbox Series X. It’s fastened with Velcro enclosures, making installation and removal quick and tool-free—no adhesives or complex setups required. The inside sleeve features a clean, dotted gray pattern marked with the Call of Duty logo in white, and each wrap includes a removable cover for the disc drive to ensure compatibility across all Xbox Series X consoles. The Xbox Series X Wrap – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a must-have for fans looking to transform their console into a true piece of Black Ops memorabilia. Preorder exclusively from the Microsoft Store now through October 22, 2024 and, for a limited time, receive a one-hour 2XP token for use in Black Ops 6.
Now’s the time to gear up for the newest high-octane entry in the popular Black Ops series with this complete accessory collection. The new Xbox Wireless Controller – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now starting at $84.98 USD ERP and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now, starting $164.98 USD ERP, exclusively through Xbox Design Lab, where you can customize each controller to make it your own. The Xbox Series X Wrap – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available for pre-order exclusively from the Microsoft Store for 54.99 USD ERP. The console wrap will be released on October 23 for purchase through Microsoft Store as well as Xbox Design Lab in all Xbox Design Lab markets where Microsoft Store is present.
We’re also excited to introduce the latest additions to the Xbox Icon Collection. Inspired by the same striking visual elements featured on the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 controllers, the new hoodie and new joggers are now available exclusively at the Xbox Gear Shop.
The post Uncover the Truth – The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Accessories Collection is Here appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Check Out Minecraft’s Once Upon a Dr. Seuss DLC
The post Check Out Minecraft’s Once Upon a Dr. Seuss DLC appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Black Ops 6 Audio — A More Detailed, Dynamic Soundscape
The post Black Ops 6 Audio — A More Detailed, Dynamic Soundscape appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Coming to Game Pass: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft & StarCraft II, and More
Happy spooky season to those who celebrate! We have a collection of scary games for you to enjoy with Game Pass, while hiding under the blankets (or maybe that’s just how I play). And if you want to do something slightly less scary, we have a whole list of games for you to start pre-installing including more day one additions like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and more! Let’s get to the games.
Coming Soon
South Park: The Fractured but Whole (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 16
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes South Park: The Fractured but Whole, a sequel to 2014’s award-winning South Park: The Stick of Truth. Players will assume the role of the New Kid and join South Park favorites Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman in this hilarious and outrageous RPG adventure.
Donut County (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 17
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Making a return to the Game Pass library! Donut County is a story-based, physics puzzle game where you play as an ever-growing hole in the ground. Meet cute characters, steal their trash, and throw them in a hole.
MechWarrior 5: Clans (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 17
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one! In MechWarrior 5: Clans, players become new Smoke Jaguar pilots in the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere. Lead a five-mech “Star” squad across diverse planets, engaging in an expansive campaign with immersive gameplay and intricate combat. Armed with customizable BattleMechs featuring cutting-edge technologies, players explore a wealth of tactical options and strategic possibilities.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 25
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one! Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Developed by the award-winning teams at Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is an action thriller with a mind-bending narrative and unbound by the rules of engagement. This is signature Black Ops across a cinematic single-player Campaign, a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, and the epic return of Round-Based Zombies.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (Cloud) – October 25
Game Pass Ultimate
Coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Game Pass Ultimate! In the direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against the ultimate threat. The ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov is extending his grasp across the world causing Task Force 141 to fight like never before.
Call of Duty: Warzone (Cloud) – October 25
Game Pass Ultimate
Coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Game Pass Ultimate! Welcome to Call of Duty: Warzone, the massively popular free-to-play battle royale experience, which now features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island, and Fortune’s Keep.
Ashen (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 29
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Returning to the Game Pass library, Ashen is an open world co-op action RPG about a wanderer in search of a place to call home. As you adventure through the realm of Ashen, you’ll occasionally encounter other players in a passive, co-operative multiplayer open world. It’s up to you to decide how to deal with them – fight together against evil, invite them into your party, or simply ignore them.
Dead Island 2 (PC) – October 31
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on Cloud and Console and now coming to PC Game Pass! A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, turning its inhabitants into zombies. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover who – or what – you are. Survive, evolve and save the world!
StarCraft: Remastered (PC) – November 5
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Prepare to rediscover a classic. StarCraft: Remastered upgrades Blizzard Entertainment’s original sci-fi real-time strategy game and its acclaimed expansion, StarCraft: Brood War, from beginning to end. Experience the intergalactic battle between the terran, protoss, and zerg with improved graphics and audio, and the same classic gameplay that made StarCraft a global phenomenon.
StarCraft II: Campaign Collection (PC) – November 5
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
With millions of players already in the fight, StarCraft II has made gaming history. Now it’s your turn to take command and lead vast armies of terran, protoss and zerg to victory amongst the stars. Prepare for interstellar war, commander. You’re needed at the front. The StarCraft II: Campaign Collection includes Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm, Legacy of the Void, and Nova Covert Ops.
DLC / Game Updates
Core Keeper Coming to Xbox One – October 17
Game Pass members on Xbox One will be able to dive into Core Keeper on October 17! Craft, build, and explore in a dynamic world. Develop your character, uncover ancient secrets, and engage in thrilling co-op or competitive play. Embrace the challenge and unearth the mysteries that await!
Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Monster Hunter Now: MHN Bundle – Available Now
Claim one Ultra Hunting Ticket, 2 Paintballs, 2 Potions, a Magnamalo, and Rajang crafting materials for weapons and armor. This Perk content requires Monster Hunter Now (mobile) to use.
Throne and Liberty: Clay and Mischievous Bundle – Available Now
Express yourself with this Clay Outfit in Xbox colorways and a Mischievous Youngster Amitoi to tag along on your adventures. Base game Throne and Liberty included with this Perk.
Free Digital Comic GONE #1 by Jock from DSTLRY – Available now
On a distant, impoverished planet where resources are scarce, the best place to be is gone. Follow Abi’s epic sci-fi journey as she is swept light years into the cosmos. Written and drawn by Jock, from DSTLRY.
Leaving October 31
The following games will be leaving the Game Pass library soon, so be sure to jump back in and wrap up where you left off. Remember you can save up to 20% off your purchase with your membership discount to keep the good times going!
- Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Headbangers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Inkulinati (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Lonely Mountain’s Downhill (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Mineko’s Night Market (Cloud, Console, and PC)
We are super excited to see you jump into these games (including those checking out Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 with cloud gaming in case you missed that announcement yesterday!). We’ll be back in November with more games, and until then keep in touch with us across Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox. Talk soon!
The post Coming to Game Pass: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, StarCraft & StarCraft II, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Xbox Partner Preview: See the Latest Games From Our Incredible Partners This Week
We’re thrilled to announce the next Xbox Partner Preview – our no-fluff, all-games broadcast – is coming this Thursday, October 17. In the latest installment, we’ll feature a mix of new and upcoming games for you from incredible partners like Remedy Entertainment, Sega, 505 Games, and many more, with over a dozen new trailers over the course of around 25 minutes.
During Xbox Partner Preview, you’ll get a first look at gameplay from Alan Wake II’s next expansion, The Lake House, an action-packed new trailer for Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, a peek at multiple bosses in dark-fantasy action game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, multiple world premieres, and other great titles coming to Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and Game Pass.
As always, Xbox Partner Preview is all about sharing exciting games news from our talented partners across the globe: you’ll get new game reveals, release date announcements, and fresh new gameplay from upcoming games. And to sweeten the deal, during the broadcast, Xbox Wire will post exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about select titles shown.
This event will be broadcast digitally on Thursday, October 17, at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK across our Xbox channels on YouTube and Twitch. Read on for all the details you need to know in advance:
Q&A
What time does Xbox Partner Preview begin? Thursday, October 17, at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.
How do I watch? Xbox Partner Preview will be available through a variety of outlets:
- YouTube.com/Xbox
- Twitch.tv/Xbox
- Twitch.tv/XboxASL
- Linkedin.com/showcase/xbox
- Regional Xbox channels around the world
Please note, YouTube.com/Xbox will be in 4K at 60fps, while all other channels will be 1080p / 60fps.
Is the event available in languages other than English? We will be providing live subtitle support in the following languages: Arabic (MSA), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Czech, French, Canadian French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish and Turkish.
Aside from going directly to a regional Xbox channel, you’ll be able to find 30+ languages at YouTube.com/Xbox in the days following the show. Just click the gear icon in the lower righthand corner of the primary stream to choose the language of your choice.
Is the show going to be Accessible to those with low/no hearing or low/no vision? There will be a version of the show with Audio Descriptions (AD) in English on the Xbox YouTube channel, and American Sign Language (ASL) on Xbox’s YouTube channel and the /XboxASL Twitch channel. The /XboxOn YouTube channel will also carry a British Sign Language (BSL) feed.
I’m not going to be able to watch, where can I find out what was announced? A full show recap will go live immediately following the end of Xbox Partner Preview. As announcements roll out during the broadcast, the Xbox Wire team will be publishing exclusive blog posts about select titles right here on Xbox Wire (including localized versions in Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, LATAM Spanish, and Japanese).
Co-streamer and content creator notes for the Xbox Partner Preview: We at Xbox greatly appreciate any co-stream efforts and aim to ensure you have a smooth experience if you choose to do so. However, due to forces beyond our control, we cannot guarantee that glitches or disruptions by bots and other automated software won’t interfere with your co-stream. For those planning to create post-show breakdowns of Xbox Partner Preview in the form of Video on Demand (VOD) coverage, we recommend you do not use any audio containing copyrighted music to avoid any action by automated bots, and to also consult the terms of service for your service provider.
We can’t wait for you to join us on Thursday for the next Xbox Partner Preview! See you soon.
The post Xbox Partner Preview: See the Latest Games From Our Incredible Partners This Week appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Go Solo or Team up in Starship Troopers: Extermination
Summary
- Swarm-based combat encounters, hundreds of Bugs on screen at a time, base building, and frenetic online 16-player online co-op FPS action.
- New single-player mode with original Starship Troopers actor Casper Van Dien.
- Liberate the galaxy with fellow Troopers in online Galactic Front campaigns with exclusive rewards.
Fight for the United Citizen Federation in Starship Troopers: Extermination, a 16-player online co-op FPS set in the universe of the 1997 cult classic film Starship Troopers. As a member of the Deep Space Vanguard, it’s your duty to defend the Federation’s planets from Bug incursions by establishing bases and battling swarms together with your fellow Troopers.
With the game’s launch on Xbox Series X|S, we’re thrilled to reveal two new ways to crush Bugs: by rubbing shoulders with a Starship Troopers legend in single-player, and together with many more Troopers in online campaigns.
Welcome to the Special Operations Group
The Special Operations Group (S.O.G.) is a boot camp designed to introduce core mechanics like Bugs, resources, base building, and this expansive universe to new Troopers in a thrilling and engaging way. The single-player campaign features 25 missions starring the hero of planet P himself, General Johnny Rico — a role reprised by Casper Van Dien from the original Starship Troopers film.
The first chapter of the S.O.G. — ‘Answering the Call’ — has you following General Rico’s orders through a gauntlet of underground missions, winding down the infested tunnels and caves of Valaka that lead to an Arachnid hive.
Three original characters form the rest of your squad and will help you learn more about the importance of combat roles. Jackson “Moose” Callahan is a Demolisher, a master of explosives who believes force can be overcome with greater force. Taral “Scorch” Ashcroft is a Ranger, nimble and effective in close-range combat. Rounding it out, Olivia “Jensen” Jensen is a quick-thinking Medic who’s always got her fellow Troopers’ backs.
More chapters will be released in the future, so even if you’re a veteran Trooper, you’ll want to stick around to see what happens next!
Storm the Galactic Front
Remember the mission: everyone fights, no one quits! There’s a wider galaxy waiting for you in the Galactic Front, a brand-new online campaign where many players can work together to overcome threats too big for your usual Trooper squads. Join a Company of players and enlist in Company Operations, where you can work together to achieve collective goals.
The first Galactic Front revolves around Boreas, a newly discovered ice planet in an unexplored system. It’s rich in resources that could turn the tide against the Bugs, so make sure you beat the Bugs to it.
Unique rewards await, including special cosmetics, and your actions may impact the ongoing story of Starship Troopers: Extermination. Check back often for new phases of the Galactic Front, and make sure you’re doing your part in this galactic struggle!
Come on Trooper, you wanna live forever? Starship Troopers: Extermination is now available on Xbox Series X|S.
The post Go Solo or Team up in Starship Troopers: Extermination appeared first on Xbox Wire.