Star Wars Outlaws’ first story pack, Wild Card, is out now for Xbox Series X|S. To access the story pack, players need to complete the Gunsmith quest as well as The High Roller quest for Lando Calrissian.

In Wild Card, Kay Vess is tasked by Toshara’s own Governor Thorden with infiltrating a high-stakes Kessel Sabacc game and winning a coveted prize – only to find out another, secret game is being played in the underworld. This game of Kessel Sabacc is only part of the adventures that await in Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card. However, the game is invite-only, so Kay will have to use her scoundrel charm and wit to locate and find a way into the game.

The basics of Kessel Sabacc remain the same in Wild Card: you’ll face off against opponents and draw blood and sand cards to see who can piece together the winning hand. Each round consists of three turns, and once you’re out of chips to draw new cards, you’re out.

However, this high-stakes iteration of Kessel Sabacc will look a little different from the Sabacc tables players are used to. Protocol Droid EY-E9 is the host of the event and the owner of the casino cruiser Morenia, where the game takes place. She sets the house rules, one of which is that shift tokens are banned. Shift tokens are typically a tool for Kessel Sabacc players to give themselves the upper hand at the table, or devastate an opponent’s strategy. However, EY-E9 wants to ensure every player has a fair shot to win, so no shift tokens are allowed at her table.

Cheating, on the other hand, is still possible (provided you can get away with it). The three primary cheats in Star Wars Outlaws are using magnetic dice, Lando Calrissian’s double draw trick (which allows you to draw two cards instead of one), and spying on opponents’ hands with Nix. However, in Wild Card, Nix won’t be able to be the usual extra set of eyes for Kay. The game takes place in an open, lively environment with a crowd watching, making it difficult for Nix to sneak behind players unnoticed. However, that doesn’t mean the beloved merqaal can’t help Kay out. In Wild Card, Nix has a new cheat up his furry sleeve: the ability to plant cards on other players in the hopes that EY-E9 catches them “cheating” and ejects them from the game.

Another new Kessel Sabacc element in Wild Card is that the other players will also be able to use cheats of their own to gain an advantage at the table. It’s up to Kay to pay attention to their actions, and their dialogue with one another, to catch them in the act and surreptitiously alert EY-E9 to their antics. This will make the droid more suspicious of those players, and will often lead to their ejection from the game.

Speaking of other players, Kay will have to outwit more of them in Wild Card. Across the galaxy, Kay typically encounters four-person tables, with herself and three opponents playing at one table. On the casino cruiser Morenia, there are six total players at the table. EY-E9 will also oversee the table, to announce what’s happening to the audience, interact with the players, and keep an eye out for cheating.

To help players craft their best strategy for victory in Wild Cards’ twist on Kessel Sabacc, we spoke to Thibaut Machin, game director at Ubisoft Paris, about how to handle these new rules and win big.

Double Draw

“The double draw technique, the expert skill players learn from Lando, is crucial in this game,” says Machin. Typically, in a game, players would use double draw for a better chance at pulling a favorable card, then use double discard to discreetly return the extra card to the deck before getting found out. Machin advises players to use the double draw cheat, then pair it with Nix’s new card-planting ability instead of discarding the bonus card. Not only will you get to keep the better card for your hand, but you’ll get a chance to have one of the other players kicked out.

Gather Intel

According to Machin, players will need to explore the Morenia to find a way into the game, and players should keep their eyes peeled for useful pieces of information about the others at the Sabacc table.

“During that investigation, there are many clues to find about the other players, which will help you know how they cheat during the game,” says Machin. “If you collect those clues, you’ll be able to act during the game to expose them.”

Have a Good Reputation

Many of the syndicates will be onboard the Morenia, having received an invitation to the Kessel Sabacc game from EY-E9. In addition to adding flavor to the casino cruiser, these syndicate representatives will be key for Kay to find her seat at the table. According to Machin, Kay will either ally with or betray them, but “having a good reputation with the syndicates will help Kay navigate the cruiser, and will make things easier in the story pack.”

Take Your Time

“The best tip I can give is not to rush,” says Machin. “With so much happening at the table, it’s safer to play carefully and avoid acting too quickly. Also, paying close attention to the table dynamics is crucial to stay ahead.”

He goes on to describe that a common strategy for players is to immediately spend chips to draw a better hand, but in Wild Card, the game will last for more rounds, and players will only have eight chips. It’s better to use discretion when spending chips to draw cards, as well as paying close attention to your opponents’ banter and interactions.

“Lando has a few funny lines that I really like, as do the others,” says Machin. “The mood is pretty intense for the player, so they’re meant to make it more lively.”

Play Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card today on Xbox Series X|S! There’s more content coming to the game, so stay tuned to Star Wars Outlaws official channels on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and here on Xbox Wire.  

As soon as I got off the boat and set foot in Dawnshore, the first major open zone of Avowed, I knew I was in for a good time. The port city of Paradis is absolutely dripping in character. From the mix of weathered buildings with missing bricks, merchants waving me over to see their wares, and a handful of thieves hanging about that don’t want to talk to me, it all felt so alive. So naturally the first thing I do is climb to the top of the bell tower for a better view and discover some gold coins resting inside a bird’s nest. “The game anticipated I might go here; this is going to be great.”

Avowed is launching February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows, Battle.net, Steam, and will be available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It is currently available for pre-order on the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and Steam. The Premium Edition offers up to five days early access, two premium skin packs, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack. Learn more here on Xbox Wire.

Avowed Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
27

★★★★★

$89.99

Pre-order

Premium Edition includes:
– Avowed base game
– Up to 5 days early access
– Two Premium Skin Packs
– Access to Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack

Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?

The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.

Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.

Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.

Avowed Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
27

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?

The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.

Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.

Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.

Gamers, treat yourself this month to some incredible gaming experiences with your EA Play* membership!

When you’re done watching your favorite football team defeat their rivals on TV, you can keep the heart-pumping moments by booting up your console to launch a perfect bomb downfield for a game-changing touchdown in EA Sports College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25. With EA Play game trials, you can keep the game going and dominate the gridiron for up to 10 hours. Love the game? Save 10% on a full game download with your progress carried over, and add to your lineup with monthly Ultimate Team Packs.

In addition to these titles, EA Play offers trials of up to 10 hours for many other favorite games, including EA Sports NHL 25, EA Sports FC 25, EA Sports UFC 5 and EA Sports F1 24. And there’s even more gaming to experience when you’re done with trials! EA Play members can jump into 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.

EA Play members can also score monthly rewards on select titles, including 10% off purchases of Electronic Arts digital content including game downloads, Season Passes, Madden Points and more. This month’s member benefits include:

• Apex Legends Golden Demon Weapon Charm – Now to December 2
• Battlefield 2042 Sanguine Impact – Now to November 26
• EA Sports F1 24 5000 XP Boost – Now to November 30
• EA Sports College Football 25 Loyalist Ultimate Team Pack – Now to November 30
• Madden NFL 25 MUT Pack – Now to November 30
• EA Sports FC 25 Powered Right Leg Tattoo & Clubs Coins – Now to November 28
• EA Sports FC 25 Football Ultimate Team Draft Token– Now to December 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 Xbox Game Pass PC 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.

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.

_{*Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See https://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eaplay/US/en/PC/ for details.}

As I cowered in the rafters of an abandoned farmhouse, my mind reckons with the type of game that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is going to be. My torch is switched off, both my pistol and my stomach are empty. Beneath me, a gunfight plays out in the darkness, and gruff, Ukrainian voices echo over the wind. I tuck into a tin of suspicious looking meat and wait it out. Some moments pass, and silence falls across the dark field. I deem it safe enough to apprehensively venture out and pick at the bodies for scraps, torch still off. In that moment, I am unceremoniously mauled to pieces by mutant dogs. 

Let me preface that I am not a particular fan of hard nor scary games, so meeting this fate less than 30 minutes into S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 really set a scorned tone that I believed would be unshakeable. And how wrong I was.

“So that is how it’s going to be,” I whisper out loud to myself. 

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a tough-as-boots, first-person survival affair that follows the premise of predecessors in the Stalker series. As new protagonist Skif, the game begins with you entering an alternate recreation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, or “The Zone”, home to  a myriad of strange and horrifying phenomena. Skif, a Stalker that has ventured into The Zone in pursuit of artifacts, valuable items that can aid in survival or sold for a hefty price. Unfortunately, a lot of other unsavoury characters are also on the hunt for artifacts, so Skif’s journey quickly takes a turn inside The Zone.

Exploring The Zone

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an open world affair, in which you’re expected to fend for yourself in brutal and unpredictable situations, where basically any living thing you come across can and will hurt you. For those unfamiliar with the series, it is paramount to stay prepared – as with any survival game, you’ll need to constantly be on the hunt for weapon ammo, medical supplies and food. Not to mention, this entire habitat is one giant, quarantined hazard, brimming with monsters, environmental anomalies and of course, radiation. 

However, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 does not present its horrors like a horror game. Within the boundaries of The Zone, the creatures you’ll encounter, the hostile personalities, and the desperation you’ll often face are all an inalienable normality – this just how it is. Life in this area isn’t some nightmare that inhabitants have just woken up in, it is, for better or worse, a choice that many Stalkers make, and that is a particularly unique, complex and compelling setting to unravel.

Visually, The Zone feels like a true labour of love to developer GSC’s home, and it looks wonderful. Brash European architecture looms authoritatively over eerily beautiful fields and forests, decimated by tragedy but still holding firm. The surprisingly large map rivals adjacent open-world epics, and, in spite of the nuclear nightmares that lurk within, remains consistently inviting to explore.

However, I found the duality of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 really kicks in between its day and night cycles, with the latter creating the most permeating sense of dread I’ve experienced in game of this ilk for a long time. By daylight, The Zone is quite welcoming, threats are highly visible, and venturing out at dawn with a bag full of supplies is a relatively serene, even exciting experience.

But tension rises as soon as the sky starts to darken – everything I’m doing in that moment is uprooted as I consider what is coming, and how prepared I am for it. The game wastes no time introducing you to the unforgiving perils of the night during the prologue, and it is truly an exhilarating experience to face such consequences, especially earlier in the game when supplies and funds are scarce. Later on, darkness will become your ally if you’re equipped to handle it (and the powerful mutants hiding within it) but during those first few hours, it’s an experience like nothing else.

Friends and Foes

Throughout The Zone, you’ll encounter new characters with varying degrees of importance to your story, and in true roleplaying fashion, you can often decide that yourself. In one mission, I’m tasked with collecting a debt from someone, only to find him holed up in a house by bandits. Like me, they’re here to collect a debt. I try appealing to the common ground, but they’re not very nice about it, and so I dispose of them. In many moments like this, I’m given the option to proceed diplomatically, snarkily, or just open fire without cause and take the spoils by force. The latter can of course, come with consequences, but the freedom to decide upon your own levels of morality and violence make for an excellent roleplaying experience in this world.

One additional aspect that I didn’t expect was the dry humour that characters often exhibit in dialogues, which is heightened substantially by the vocal performances given in GSC’s native Ukrainian. Even in safe areas such as settlements or bars, character interactions often carry a perpetual air of tension or rigidity, as though conflict could kick off at any moment, that dissipates into banter as you, and they, conclude that there is no immediate threat. This harks back to my earlier point about how “normal” this landscape feels to the characters that inhabit it, and the horrors they’ll take in their stride, often humorously, on a daily basis.

Early on the game, for example I’m sent to retrieve an artifact from a perilous cave spewing toxic gas and mulch into the air. It also happens to be housing some sort of mutant monster that catches me by surprise and takes most of my supplies to deal with. When I return to the quest giver and ask “hey, what gives?”, he calmly takes a moment to light up a cigarette, enjoys a drag, and nonchalantly say “well, you wouldn’t have gone if I’d told you.” It’s interactions like this that make NPCs, even for a moment, an entirely believable part of this world, and I’d recommend playing through the game in Ukrainian for that extra level of immersion to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s already impressive setting.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s greatest strength lies in its ability to craft a haunting survival experience that doesn’t have to dip into the occult unnecessarily. While the phenomena lurking inside The Zone leans into the science fiction realm, the horrors and anomalies remain entirely believable within the bounds of the alternate Chornobyl that GSC World has built. 

It is however, a thoroughly unforgiving world that will challenge, thwart and reward you in equal measure, and, as I reckoned with what type of game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was going to be after being decimated by radioactive dogs, I could not have predicted that the conclusion would be “my type of game.” Who knows, it might be yours too.

Fortunately, you can find out – S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl launches today on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and you can play it day one with Xbox Game Pass. 

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Xbox Edition

GSC Game World

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the unforgiving FPS survival adventure in a dark science-fiction open world. Scavenge for gear and resources, hunt for wonders, make hard decisions to survive and pave the path through the Chornobyl Anomalous Zone.

Genshin Impact, the open-world adventure RPG, has officially arrived on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming, launching alongside Version 5.2 “Tapestry of Spirit and Flame.” Travelers can now begin or continue their journey through the world of Teyvat on Xbox, experiencing the latest stories and gameplay updates, along with exclusive, limited-time rewards! Plus, Game Pass Ultimate members can begin to claim recurring bonuses that will come with every major version update from here on out. Read on for all the details.

An Immersive Adventure on Xbox

As a Traveler from another world, your journey begins in the visually stunning and culturally rich world of Teyvat. In search of your long-lost sibling, you’ll explore the seven major nations of Teyvat, each with its unique landscapes, history, people, creatures, mysteries, and gameplay.

Xbox Series X|S is now ready to bring this massive fantasy world to life with vivid details, offering world-class console experiences, where players can enjoy HDR support on both consoles and 4K resolution on the Xbox Series X. Additionally, Game Pass Ultimate members can play on a variety of devices they already own via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Special Bonuses for Xbox

Special rewards are also available for Xbox players. Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 2 will receive the “Wings of Fate’s Course Intertwined” as a gift in their in-game mailbox upon logging into Genshin Impact on Xbox.

Furthermore, Game Pass Ultimate members can enjoy special bonuses, with recurring rewards available with each major version update. These rewards can be claimed from your in-game mailbox, starting today with a bundle of useful items:

• Intertwined Fate ×2
• Northlander Billet Trove ×1
• Hero’s Wit ×10
• Mora ×100,000
• Mystic Enhancement Ore ×15

Please note that rewards will be subject to change with future updates.

Play Genshin Impact Your Way

Genshin Impact offers a vast world, and the journey is yours to shape. The seven Elements that flow throughout the world are key to defeating powerful enemies, solving challenging puzzles, reaching various locations, and uncovering the rich lore of Teyvat. By triggering Elemental Reactions — combining specific elemental effects on targets — you can deal extra damage or affect your surroundings in creative ways.

The world of Genshin Impact is constantly evolving, with new landscapes, playable characters, stories, events, and diverse gameplay styles being introduced regularly. In addition to world exploration and Story Quests, players can enjoy limited-time challenges, mini-games, and long-term gameplay like card games and housing systems. Meanwhile, you can journey alongside over 90 playable characters, each with unique abilities and personalities.

While Genshin Impact offers an immersive single-player experience, you can also team up with friends for multiplayer adventures. The game supports cross-play and cross-progression across platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Android, iOS, and the Epic Games Store. The game now supports 15 text languages and 4 voice-over languages, allowing players to enjoy it in their preferred language.

Fly and Play Like Dragons

This summer, Genshin Impact introduced its sixth major nation, Natlan, where humans coexist with powerful local dragons known as Saurians. Known as the Nation of War, Natlan offers unique gameplay opportunities, allowing you to recruit elite warriors or transform into Saurians to enhance your movement abilities — whether it’s swimming swiftly through liquid and lava, soaring through the air, burrowing underground, or scaling cliff walls.

With the release of Version 5.2, new Saurian companions and powerful warriors Chasca and Ororon are introduced, along with the tribes and lands they hail from. Soon, you’ll command the power of skies to move and fight in mid-air, and explore an ancient, ruined city that towers into the clouds.

Genshin Impact is now available on Xbox, with more waiting for you to discover in the world of Teyvat. We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Genshin Impact

COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Xbox Game Pass

Genshin Impact is an open-world adventure RPG. In the game, set forth on a journey across a fantasy world called Teyvat. In this vast world, you can explore seven nations, meet a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities and abilities, and fight powerful enemies together with them, all on the way during your quest to find your lost sibling. You can also wander freely, immersing yourself in a world filled with life, and let your sense of wonder lead you to uncover all of its mysteries… Until you are at long last reunited with your lost sibling and bear witness to the culmination of all things at the end of your journey.

– Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game. You do not need to purchase Game Pass Ultimate or Core to play the game in Co-Op Mode.
– Players with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription can receive in-game bundles upon the game’s launch and after subsequent version updates, as well as play Genshin Impact on Xbox Cloud Gaming.