Grounded gets the Super Duper update today, available for free.
The update brings over 100 new craftable items, new creatures, a Base Coziness feature, and more.
Grounded is now Steam Deck Verified, and a free Steam weekend begins later this month.
The Grounded team is excited to bring update 1.2 to the community today. Rightfully titled the Super Duper update, this massive update brings with it many quality-of-life changes, more than 100 new items to craft, a brand new Base Coziness feature, and the terrifying new wasps.
Starting off with the titular item of the update, players will find the Super Duper machine the next time they visit BURG.L in the Oak Tree Lab. This duplication machine will allow players to duplicate specific equipment and items using Raw Science.
Making this even more helpful for players, any item duplicated will include all of the item’s upgrades, which is sure to help save a lot of time when you and your friends need to gear up quickly to go back to adventuring. To use the Super Duper machine, players must locate Duper Discs throughout the yard, granting the player the ability to duplicate different items. Happy hunting!
For players who have wanted to really spruce up their bases and make a new home in the backyard, a Base Coziness system has been added where buildings, furniture, and decorations now add to the coziness level of your base. Unlocking levels of coziness will also unlock specific decorative building recipes, a beneficial mutation for base building, and even new emotes that can only be unlocked by building up the coziness in your base.
To help players out with their bases and to start working on gaining those coziness levels, this update also brings with it close to 100 new crafting items for you and your friends to utilize to make the base of your dreams. The community has already shown a talent for creative bases, and we are super excited to see what new masterpieces you will create with the additional building pieces and furniture.
That’s just some of what’s on offer, as players will now get to meet a new friend to help them with all of their base building plans. Meet the ‘Handy Gnat,’ which you can summon and then use to bring all your base ideas to reality. This gnat will be able to build using planks, stems, and other resources from your stockpiles. This feature will default to be active in the Creative and Creative with Bugs game modes. To activate this new friend in Survival game modes, players must convert their games into Custom Games in the Game Settings menu, which is a small step to take for such a fantastic resource (and friend) to use!
Turrets have been changed, and we have combined the Pebblet Turret and the Pollen Turret to make the Acorn Turret. This turret uses different ammo types depending on the foe players are fighting. For example, Rocky Rounds can push creatures back, while Sappy Rounds are the perfect ammo to use when you need to slow your enemies down. There are five different types of ammo you can use, and all the ammo can be stored in a chest next to the turret so players can swap between ammo without ever leaving the turret seat.
Get ready to buzz with excitement as wasps invade the yard. Battle with wasps and drones that guard their mini hives across the upper yard. Keep your eyes peeled for the hidden main nest as well. A word of caution: piss off their kin and you’ll release the full fury of the hive. And those players looking for a more significant challenge can attempt to locate the Wasp Nest and meet the Wasp Queen, the newest creature boss, to enter the backyard! Players who successfully defeat these wasps will unlock new items to craft, such as a new armor set and a new trinket to wear.
Players on the go are about to get a pleasant surprise as the team has been able to get Grounded on the official Steam Deck support list. That’s right! Those on Team Steam Deck can now fully enjoy Grounded wherever they are. That’s not all: starting April 27, Grounded will be hosting a free weekend on Steam through May 1. This will be the best time to get your friends into the game with you and show them the fantastical world you have built. And as always, Grounded is included in Xbox Game Pass, so if you have an active subscription, you can download and start playing Grounded today.
Grounded is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and Steam for $39.99. It’s also available with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). To learn more about Groundedand for full details on the Super Duper update, check out the latest Developer Vlogs on the Obsidian YouTube Channel or visit the official website.
The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place – especially when you have been shrunken to the size of an ant. Explore, build, and survive together in this cooperative survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard?
Uncover the mysteries while playing through the story!
How did you wind up so small? Who did this to you? How do you go home? These are all answers you will uncover as you play through the story.
Solo or with friends – anytime!
You can face the backyard alone or together, online, with up to three friends. Not only that, but with the Shared Worlds feature, you can continue to play in your shared world even if the original host is not on, with all your progression saving!
(Online console multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold, sold separately.)
Nowhere is safe – not even your base.
Creatures can be found roaming the yard in a multitude of environments, such as the depths of the pond, the caverns of the termite den, and even the sweltering heat found in the sandbox. You can even attract them to different places in the yard by activating the MIX.R devices. However, the more you interfere with the creatures in the yard, the higher the chance that they come knocking at your own door, so you better prepare.
Play true to your playstyle!
Use the in-game customization systems such as Mutations and Milk Molars to activate the bonuses and perks you want for your character. Not only that, but craft and upgrade your armor and weapons to give your character the stats and advantages you need in order to take on the perils of the backyard.
For nearly 5 years, players from around the world have been wall running, kunai throwing, and unleashing powerful jutsu skills in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the game, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with a new season! Kicking off the new Season Pass 6 is the latest DLC character addition, Minato Namikaze (Reanimation). We have some useful tips on how to gain the upper hand while playing with this character along with some tricks on how to play on the newly renovated map!
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker has explored many themes through its season updates. The theme of this Season Pass is “Chronicle,” which is an appropriate representation of this latest playable character. Minato Namikaze is quite important to series lore, as he is Naruto Uzumaki’s father as well as Boruto Uzumaki’s grandfather, and essentially the beginning to their stories. Minato chose to protect his village of Konoha, paying with his life and forever influencing the fate of his family for generations to come. He returned to the series during the Great Ninja War, having been reanimated to fight alongside the other Hokage. While his time back in the living world was fleeting, Minato managed to celebrate Naruto’s 17th birthday and bid him a final farewell just before returning to the afterlife in one of the series’ most highly emotional moments.
The Fourth Hokage
Fan favorite character, Minato Namikaze (AKA the Fourth Hokage), returns to the game — and returns to life! After making the ultimate sacrifice, this reanimated version of Minato comes equipped with unique skills that set him apart from the pack. Minato Namikaze is a playable character that was introduced in Season Pass 1 as an attack class type who can freely manipulate distance and aggressively engage in close-quarters encounters.
In Season Pass 6, Minato Namikaze (Reanimation) is a defense class type, although he is much more well-rounded than you may expect. He excels at supporting his team, as he did when he saved the Ninja Alliance in the Great Ninja War. Like his Season Pass 1 counterpart, Minato Namikaze (Reanimation) is capable of using Flying Raijin Jutsu, which makes it possible to cover wide areas from long distances. He is adept at everything from high mobility, to taking on groups of enemies, to protecting his allies. His versatility makes him an asset to any team.
In addition, each of his ninjutsu can build up to “Kurama Link Mode.” Activate this technique to enhance your speed, attack power, ninjutsu recovery, and healing (Bonus: allies within range of Kurama Link Mode activation will also share some of these enhancements)! Don’t forget to use the finishing move before this mode wears off, or else you may miss out on an instant KO of your opponents.
Despite his flexibility and many strengths, Minato Namikaze (Reanimation) can struggle in some areas. His offensive power is rather low, and he is not the most practical at engaging in one-on-one battles. To compensate for these shortcomings, be sure to master his powerful ninjutsu and show off the power of the Fourth Hokage, once known as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” on the battlefield!
New Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu 1: Celestial Air Slice Type-Zero
This is an ultra-fast surprise attack that applies Flying Raijin Jutsu, throwing multiple kunai and letting loose a flurry of slices around the enemy.
TIP: This attack affects a wide area and can engulf a large number of enemies. The true value of this ninjutsu is demonstrated when used against opponents in melee situations. When cornered or under pressure from attackers in close proximity, unleash Celestial Air Slice Type-Zero to turn the tables!
Ninjutsu 2: Flying Raijin: Guiding Thunder
Use this ninjutsu to nullify your enemies’ long-range attacks. This technique places a space-time ninjutsu ward in the area where it is activated, neutralizing most enemy projectile attacks within its range.
TIP: By placing it around important objects, such as scrolls, flags, or pillars, this ninjutsu can provide strong support and an extra layer of defense for your team! This is particularly effective against ranged class types. Execute a counterattack against opponents that get too close.
This is an extremely powerful series of attacks that combines Shadow Clone Jutsu and Flying Raijin Jutsu. Minato throws a wave of kunai, and upon contact, will result in a devastating finisher!
TIP: This technique starts up quickly and can be launched as a surprise attack from a long distance, so do not miss the chance to use this at a critical stage of the battle!
Updates – Hidden Rain Village (Renovated)
The Hidden Rain Village is getting renovated in time for Season Pass 6! Previously, this map featured two distinct layouts – one half of the map was covered with tall buildings and meandering corridors, and the other half being a wide-open, flooded arena. The new map makes some major changes with buildings taking over the surface, leaving open areas harder to come by. This can make traversal and battles more intense as your opponents can be around any corner (or above you)!
Another notable addition to Hidden Village (Renovated) is a new pipe system that runs around almost the entire perimeter of the map. These pipes can be used to trek around the environment if you wish to avoid traveling through clusters of buildings and to mitigate the chance of surprise ambushes. On the other hand, the pipes can be useful for straight-on combat as neither you nor your opponent will have much of a height advantage in these enclosed spaces.
Perhaps the biggest change to Hidden Rain Village (Renovated) are the new teleportation devices scattered throughout the environment. Blue devices will direct you vertically into the rooftops, or below into the streets and flooded corridors. Conversely, yellow devices are designed for lateral movement and will send you to corresponding yellow devices. Use teleportation to quickly cover long distances, or to surprise from your enemies, or escape from them.
These new changes to Hidden Rain Village (Renovated) offer more possibilities for travel and strategy and will undoubtedly make matchups more thrilling!
What Else is to Come
We have more exciting plans in store for Season 6 of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker! This season’s theme, “Chronicle,” also brings playable characters Obito Uchiha (Ten Tails Jinchuriki) and Kaguya Otsutsuki to the mix. We can’t wait to share more with you on these new additions when the time comes. In the meantime, purchase Season Pass 6 to play as Minato Namikaze (Reanimation). We would like to thank the many fans of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker for their continued enthusiasm of this title! Here’s to many more ninja battles into the future!
Season Pass 6 gives you access to special training from 3 different masters, including Minato Namikaze (Reanimation)! Learn new Ninjutsu from each master and receive special items.
SEASON PASS 6 INCLUDES:
• Master Character Training Pack #34 – Minato Namikaze (Reanimation)
• Master Character Training Pack #35 – TBA
• Master Character Training Pack #36 – TBA
The Naruto franchise is back with a brand new experience in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER! This new game lets gamers battle as a team of 4 to compete against other teams online! Graphically, SHINOBI STRIKER is also built from the ground up in a completely new graphic style. Lead your team and fight online to see who the best ninjas are!
Deep Silver Dambuster Studios has been working on Dead Island 2 since 2018. When we were first asked by our publisher, Deep Silver, to take on the project, we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of a franchise we already loved and respected so much.
With so many Dead Island fans already in our ranks and a history of creating first-person, narrative-driven games, it seemed like a perfect fit. We had our own unique vision for Dead Island 2, so over the past five years, we have lovingly built the game from the ground up. We haven’t been in “development hell” at Dambuster. Instead, we’ve taken our time to meticulously craft a game that we feel is worthy of its namesake.
We’re also proud to say that we’ve done so without crunching or putting our employee’s health and well-being at risk in the process. After all, happy devs make great games!
What Makes Dead Island So Special?
Ever since George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead hit theatres back in 1968, zombies have been at the forefront of cinema, television, literature, and – more recently – video games.
In a horde of zombie-based media, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but since the first title in the series was released in 2011, Dead Island has managed to carve out its own identity. Putting an emphasis on visceral melee combat in a truly scenic setting, the game achieved cult-like status on the Xbox 360 for its fun twist on zombie slaying.
Why Did Dead Island Need a Sequel?
Revealed to the world back in 2014, the E3 trailer for Dead Island 2 lit a fire in zombie slayers’ bellies worldwide, which has since ceased to go out. The short trailer also introduced the location of LA, which, with its sun-soaked beaches, iconic landmarks, and rich and famous residents, we felt was the perfect location for a zombie outbreak.
Some fans placed their pre-orders immediately after the show and have held onto them for the last nine years. The game we have poured all our efforts into over the last five years is for them.
The Community
As we just mentioned, the other thing that makes Dead Island unique is the community around it. You’ll struggle to find a bunch of people more passionate and dedicated to their chosen franchise.
To this day, the servers are active, fans continue to create their own artwork involving the characters, and the forums are still alive with folks conjuring up theories surrounding the game’s story. We know that fans have been waiting patiently for Dead Island 2, and we are proud to deliver them the game they deserve.
The Journey Ahead
Once the playground of the rich and the famous, LA is now overrun with flesh-feasting freaks. During your time in the city – which the locals have taken to calling HELL-A – You’ll slay your way across various locations including the jaw-dropping mansions of Beverly Hills and the iconic Venice Boardwalk.
Sending the undead to their final resting place has never been so much fun. Dead Island 2’s proprietary gore system, F.L.E.S.H (Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids), and the expansive arsenal of fully moddable weapons at your disposal make tearing zombies apart a frightfully fun affair.
A New Mystery to Unravel
LA is the center of a zombie outbreak, the city has been locked down by the military, and you’ve been bitten. However, for some unknown reason, you aren’t turning fully feral like the rest. Instead, you’re thriving on the infection. During your time in HELL-A, you’ll search for answers about the origins of the outbreak and your newfound zombie status.
See You in HELL-A
All there is left to say is that we will see you in HELL-A! Dead Island 2 is out now and is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. You can pick it up from your local retailer or digitally via the Microsoft Store.
Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
The Gold Edition includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, two premium character packs, Golden and Pulp Weapons Packs and Expansion Pass.
The Expansion Pass gives access to two brand new chapters of the story coming after release. Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi Pack.
FEATURES
Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.
Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.
Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?
A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.
Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.
The Deluxe Edition includes the Xbox and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, two premium character packs, featuring a unique costume and weapon, and the Golden Weapons Pack. Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi pack, with two weapons, a special weapon perk and skill card.
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.
Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
FEATURES
Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.
Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.
Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?
A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.
Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.
Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
Pre-order now and get the Memories of Banoi pack, featuring two unique weapons, a special weapon perk and skill card.
FEATURES
Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.
Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.
Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?
A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.
Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.
New writers approach the challenge of keeping the magic blend of character and story
Inspirations for the cast of fantastical characters and their problems
In a social media world where more people want to talk and express their opinions, listening can seem an underappreciated skill. This is what we from Toge Productions wish to highlight in Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, out now on Xbox and available with Game Pass. I’m Arya, Toge Production’s PR & Communications Manager and I’d like to tell you more about how a game that’s focused on listening can be engaging…
Heart to Hearts over a Warm Brew
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator that will take you to an alternate near-future of Seattle. Here, you’ll not only find humans as its residents but also a myriad of fantasy creatures such as vampires, werewolves, orcs, elves, and a few others too. If you have played the first game you will also catch up with some familiar faces, as well as get to know some new ones too.
You play the barista, whose job is to brew coffee and other warming beverages, while listening to your customers and helping them out. So how does Coffee Talk make listening interesting?
I chatted with Hibiscus & Butterfly’s two writers, Junkipatchi (Narrative Designer and Lead Writer) and Anna Winterstein (Writer), on how they maintain the right atmosphere and experience in a game where listening is pivotal, and their own challenges as new writers for the series.
Coffee Shop Conversations
“The writing is one of the most crucial aspects after the vibe (visuals, music), as it’s how the player interacts with the characters. We need to ensure the characters talk, while players gently encourage them to open up, so to speak.” Junki said.
Real-life experience, according to Junki, can also come as inspiration.
“Some experience with real-life conversations with strangers can be helpful, as people’s communication styles vary based on location. Coffee shops or bars often serve as a ‘third place’ for individuals, where they might either relax or become more cautious, depending on their personality. This can lead to interesting dynamics…” she added.
The ordeal dates to when Junki was – in their own words – “a penniless freelancer” in Toronto, which makes Coffee Talk and its Seattle setting relatable.
“Back when I did freelance comic work, I often spent hours in a cafe for the background noise. I’d stay for hours, always ordering the same drink – the baristas knew my order by heart! Oddly, people would chat with me because they saw me drawing.” she recalled.
“There was a bodybuilder who loved manga, a curious chef who always noticed me there, and even a textile factory owner seeking new pattern ideas. Even the cafe itself ended up inviting me to test new drinks. It was kind of a funny experience and admittedly made me nervous!”
Building Relationships
As for Anna, she said the key to creating the right player experience is about making the characters feel like they’re the player’s friends, which means that as a writer, you start seeing them as your friends as well.
“The process is very similar to watching a sitcom: nothing big or dramatic happens, but as you grow familiar with the protagonists, you start rooting for them, and you want to know what’s going on in their lives—much like with the real people you care about,” Anna said.
“Of course, in this case, a lot of the characters are already familiar to the players, which makes it extra daunting, because you don’t want them to feel like their friends have become strangers! There’s some pressure there to make sure that they keep enjoying the pixel people they’ve grown to love, and that they keep feeling invested in their personal stories.”
Maintaining the Magic
The challenge for both in writing the sequel, of course, was to do justice to the existing work. They had to gather character stories and lore from the first game, create a continuation that enhances fans’ experience, yet keep that relaxed and magical experience that so many players have already enjoyed… so no pressure!
Anna played the first game, and it had a huge impact: “When I got a chance to write for the sequel, I was thrilled but also a little scared: I really didn’t want to mess it up for everyone else who had felt like me,” she said.
“Fortunately, the channels of communication with everyone at Toge, who had worked on the original game, as well as with Jho, my fellow writer, who had long-standing ties to the project, were always completely open, and every part of this was a joint effort. Now I only hope the fans of the original game enjoy reading this sequel as much as I enjoyed working on it.”
In a time where people are isolated from each other, Coffee Talk is a place where we can reconnect over a cup of warm drink.
It’s time to revisit your favorite late-night coffee shop and reconnect with your fantasy friends over a warm drink or two. You are a barista, and your customers aren’t always humans, listen to their stories and influence their hearts with a warm cup of coffee or two.
*Brew Warm Drinks
Mix a combination of ingredients, such as tea, ginger, mint, chocolate, coffee and many more. Experiment and uncover secret recipes, change people’s lives by serving drinks that will warm their hearts.
*Create Latte-Art Masterpieces
Show your creativity, draw your own latte-art masterpiece with our in-game fluid simulation to decorate your drinks.
*Chill Lo-fi Atmosphere
Immerse yourself in the relaxing coffee shop atmosphere. It’s raining outside, brew yourself a warm drink, play that lo-fi chillhop beats, and listen to the coffee talk.
*Urban Fantasy Cappuccinopunk
Set in an alternate present-day Seattle where humans, orcs, elves, and other races have been coexisting since the beginning of time. Explore the world through the stories told by your customers one cup at a time.
*Hangout With a Diverse Cast
Meet quirky and interesting characters, such as; Baileys the elf freelance graphic designer, Lua, the succubus bisdev executive, Myrtle the orc game developer, and more. Listen to their stories and influence them with a warm drink or two!
Help us gear up for Launch as we welcome all to venture to Sanctuary and storm our servers in preparation for June 6. We’re dubbing this our Server Slam, which will run from May 12-14*.
This is your last chance to try Diablo IV before launch. Explore all five classes, discover your favorite character builds, join forces against a World Boss, and earn rewards – such as one more chance to earn the Beta Wolf Pack cosmetic – and the new Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy**. All this and more await in a brand-new build where we’ve integrated learnings and player feedback from the recent Diablo IV Open Beta, including adjustments that will make the Server Slam more representative of what players will experience at launch. With a fresh start for everyone, you can grow your power up to Level 20 and behold what horrors await in Sanctuary. Progress will be wiped before launch, so discover your favorite ways to slay during Server Slam.
“We recently shared exciting news that Diablo IV has officially gone gold,” Game Director Joe Shely explains. “I want to thank everyone for being a part of this amazing journey and helping us create the epic next chapter in the Diablo series. I hope you can all join us for one final weekend of testing on May 12 as we solidify our server infrastructure so we can have the best possible launch when Hell is officially unleashed on the world on June 6. Come slam our servers and smash some demon skulls!”
Earn all four rewards during Server Slam, and receive them once Diablo IV launches:
Initial Casualty Title: earned by reaching Kyovashad with one character.
Early Voyager Title: earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
Beta Wolf Pack Cosmetic Item: earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
NEW Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy**: earned by defeating Ashava with one Level 20 character.
During Server Slam, you can explore the early game of Diablo IV, adventuring through the Prologue and Act 1. The entire first zone – Fractured Peaks – will be yours to roam, filled with dungeons, strongholds, quests, and events for you to discover. Play solo or co-op in groups of up to 4 with cross-play, cross progression, and couch co-op on console. Traverse the rugged landscape, and slay demons with brutal might, earning bonus XP as you fight with friends nearby.
A fearsome foe awaits in Server Slam and you’ll need to join forces to take her down. The larger-than-life World Boss, Ashava, will first make her presence known Saturday, May 13 at 9am PT. After that she will be appearing every three hours to give you opportunities to slay this gargantuan World Boss and earn your spoils.
Diablo IV will launch on June 6 with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Pre-order the Deluxe or Ultimate editions and get up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo® IV’s Launch***.
Pre-order Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition digitally and receive the Light-Bearer Mount* and Caparison of Faith Mount Armor* for use in Diablo® IV, plus up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo® IV’s Launch**.
Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition also includes:
– Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III***
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®****
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™****
– Temptation Mount in Diablo® IV*
– Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo® IV*
– Wings of the Creator Emote in Diablo® IV
– Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo® IV (includes a Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock plus 20 Tier Skips and a cosmetic)*****
Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
*Mount access must be unlocked in-game before using mounts.
**Up to 4 days based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
***Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately.
****Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately.
*****Battle Pass will unlock with Season 1 .
Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.
Pre-order Diablo® IV – Digital Deluxe Edition and receive the Light-Bearer Mount* and Caparison of Faith Mount Armor* for use in Diablo® IV, plus up to 4 days Early Access to Diablo® IV’s Launch**.
Diablo® IV – Digital Deluxe Edition also includes:
– Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III***
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®****
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™****
– Temptation Mount in Diablo® IV*
– Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo® IV*
– Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo® IV*****
Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
*Mount access must be unlocked in-game before using mounts.
**Up to 4 days based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
***Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately.
****Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately.
*****Battle Pass will unlock with Season 1 .
Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.
Pre-order Diablo® IV – Standard Edition digitally and receive the Light-Bearer Mount* and Caparison of Faith Mount Armor* in Diablo® IV.
Diablo® IV – Standard Edition also includes:
– Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III**
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®***
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal™***
Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
*Mount access must be unlocked in-game before using mounts.
**Downloaded separately. Available on Xbox One when Diablo® III: Season 28 launches. Diablo® III sold separately.
***Downloaded separately. Available at Diablo® IV launch. World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal™ sold / downloaded separately.
Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.
*Platform availability and dates subject to change. See Diablo.com for more details. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. Limited time only. Internet connection and Battle.net account required.
** Mount access must be unlocked in-game before using mounts.
***Up to 4 days based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
The Crash Team Rumble Closed Beta is officially here – so what can you expect? Starting April 20 those who pre-ordered the game will gain access to a slice of the game, which officially launches on June 20, 2023.
In the Closed Beta, players will get to play as some of their favorite heroes and villains including Crash Bandicoot, Dingodile, Neo Cortex, Tawna, and Coco – plus more to come at launch. In addition, players will get to experience three of the maps, their relic stations, various character customizations, and more!
The team at Toys For Bob is excited for fans to finally get their hands on the game, get feedback, and see how players progress in the span of those four days. This beta is crucial to the development cycle and provides the team at Toys For Bob with the opportunity to ensure the best possible game at launch. “There will be lots more people playing Crash Team Rumble than there ever have been,” says Dan Neil, creative director at Toys For Bob, “and it’s going to give us a bunch of really important information about the game balance to allow us to fine-tune it as we move forward to launch.”
The crew at Toys For Bob have been hard at work creating an all-new type of Crash game which is also a “new, and weird, and it’s uncharted territory,” says Lou Studdert, associate creative director at Toys For Bob. “One of the things I love about the Crash franchise is how it swings from a core platforming experience to something new, but in multiplayer games like Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash, the platforming DNA was lost, and it was more about the characters in a new type of game. Crash Team Rumble brings the multiplayer fun while retaining the DNA of the skills you’ve built up by playing the franchise.”
Fans will get to test this out and get to experience all of the fun first-hand, and Toys For Bob will be eagerly waiting for their feedback and is excited to see what they have been working tirelessly on!
To access the Closed Beta on April 20, fans can pre-orderCrash Team Rumble now, then get ready to rumble with full game access on June 20, 2023.
– Access to the Crash Team Rumble™ Closed Beta, starting April 20, 2023*
– Retro Threads Tawna Skin
This Edition also includes:
– Crash Team Rumble™ for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Premium Battle Pass Unlock for Season 1
Get ready to dash, jump, slide, and bounce into an all-new way to Crash.
Crash Team Rumble™ takes Crash Bandicoot™ in a brand new direction, placing the series’ iconic heroes and villains into a 4v4 team-based competition. Players will duke it out across diverse and dangerous maps as both teams race to be the first team to collect and bank enough Wumpa fruit to claim victory! Rise as a hero, or feed your inner villain across a wild and N.Sane cast of characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities. Teamwork is integral to every match, as players must work together to battle the opposing team, defend their own Wumpa Bank, and capture key points around the map to boost their score.
There’s more to come for Crash Team Rumble™, with additional heroes, modes, maps, rewards, and more coming soon!
*Actual platform availability and beta date(s) subject to change. Beta downloaded separately. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. See www.crashbandicoot.com for more details. Minimum Beta duration is two days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Xbox Live Gold subscription may be required.
For more information, please visit www.crashbandicoot.com for more details.
– Access to the Crash Team Rumble™ Closed Beta, starting April 20, 2023*
– Retro Threads Tawna Skin
This Edition also includes:
– Crash Team Rumble™ for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Premium Battle Pass Unlock for Seasons 1 + 2
– Digital Proto Pack. Includes:
— 8 ‘Blocky’ hero skins
— ‘Pixelated’ Shadow
— ‘Get On My Level’ In-Game Victory Music
— ‘Blocky’ Hat
— ‘Blocky’ Backpack
— ‘Blocky’ Score FX
— Unique Banner
– 25 Tier Instant Unlock for Season 1 Premium Battle Pass
Get ready to dash, jump, slide, and bounce into an all-new way to Crash.
Crash Team Rumble™ takes Crash Bandicoot™ in a brand new direction, placing the series’ iconic heroes and villains into a 4v4 team-based competition. Players will duke it out across diverse and dangerous maps as both teams race to be the first team to collect and bank enough Wumpa fruit to claim victory! Rise as a hero, or feed your inner villain across a wild and N.Sane cast of characters, each with their own unique skills and abilities. Teamwork is integral to every match, as players must work together to battle the opposing team, defend their own Wumpa Bank, and capture key points around the map to boost their score.
There’s more to come for Crash Team Rumble™, with additional heroes, modes, maps, rewards, and more coming soon!
*Actual platform availability and beta date(s) subject to change. Beta downloaded separately. Play time subject to possible outages and time zone differences. See www.crashbandicoot.com for more details. Minimum Beta duration is two days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Xbox Live Gold subscription may be required.
For more information, please visit www.crashbandicoot.com for more details.
Composing for video games requires many things — musical skill, an understanding of modern scoring techniques, an awareness of player experience, and perhaps even a hint of sorcery. Rhythm title God of Rock is *all about* the music (and then some), and weaving together notes and melodies than can invoke a spectrum of emotion often goes beyond skill and into the arcane, according to its creators.
God of Rock’s 48 music tracks were masterfully curated by a talented team of five indie composers: Marina Ryan, DeBisco, Whitetail, Tyson Wernli, and Fotts. Each composer brings unique perspectives from their experience in the industry and from working on this unique project. Check out the full interview with the composers here, or click the link above.
”Music has always felt like a sort of magic to me,” says Wernli. “The fact that I can put notes on a page and make someone I’ve never met feel sad or feel powerful…it’s an amazing feeling.”
Storytelling Through Music
Composing for video games is not just about creating catchy songs but also about helping the developers share the game’s story. The composers work closely with the developers to familiarize themselves with the narrative, setting, characters, and overall atmosphere of the game to deliver music that enhances the gameplay experience rather than distract from or clash with it.
“With video games, it’s an interactive medium, and so you’re constantly telling a story,” says Ryan. “But it’s also a dance between [the composer] and the player. What I love about it is you have to be aware of what that player experience looks like to ultimately create something beautiful.”
Composing For God Of Rock Created New Opportunities
Working on God of Rock created unique opportunities and challenges for the composers. For example, it was a chance for some of them to break away from their usual genres and try something new.
“What excited me most about composing for God of Rock was the opportunity to make rock music,” shares Debisco. “I’m mostly an electronic music artist…so I had to do a lot of research. In addition to that, I’ve always wanted to make music for fighting games, so it was an incredible opportunity overall.”
The project also posed an extra challenge for the composers, stretching each of them to pull from their knowledge of many different genres and fuse them with rock.
“The thing I appreciated about working on God of Rock was that it gave me a unique challenge to try and compose in as many genres as possible,” says Tyson. “So being able to write rock n’ roll tracks, but also experiment with other genres— EDM tracks, folk-inspired tracks, fusion tracks. I really tried as best I could to stretch with each piece that I wrote and do something a little different…And a game like God of Rock gave me that opportunity, which I feel like is pretty unique for video games.”
Become a NoteChart Artist With The Custom Beat Builder
You can take the center stage as an artist with the Custom Beat Builder game mode in God of Rock. Try your own hand at composing a fight chart to craft your very own battle to the beat. Then share them with friends as you play locally or online.
“If you are thinking of picking up God of Rock or maybe you already have, I just wanted you to know that we poured so much love into this,” Ryan shares. “And I hope you love it as much as we loved making it.”
The mysterious God of Rock has revived the souls of the universe’s greatest musicians to clash for his entertainment. Revitalized with new bodies and new powers, each musician will become a contestant in his game, battling it out with each other for musical supremacy on a global stage.
God of Rock blends rhythm-based gameplay with fighting game mechanics in tense 1v1 matches. Choose from a dozen unique fighters, each with their own design, mechanics, and harmonic attacks. Soften up your opponent by executing normal moves and building meter by hitting notes to the beat of the song, then spend your meter to unleash EX and special moves do damage and add complexity to their tracks. Finally, finish them off with a devastating Super attack! As the battle progresses, the music track will continue to grow in complexity and difficulty until only one fighter is left standing!
Key Features
• Battle to the Beat – Engage in over-the-top musical battles in this competitive rhythm-based fighter.
• Limitless Skill Ceiling – Tracks will continue to scale in difficulty until only one fighter remains.
• Over 40 Original Songs – Each with their own unique and challenging tracks to master.
• The Universe is Your Stage – Control 12 wildly different characters each with their own playstyle across 8 dynamic stages set across the universe.
Game Modes
• Story Mode – Follow your favorite character through a branching story mode, battling against other musicians to become the last one standing.
• Training Mode – Master the most challenging segments each song and practice executing special moves to the beat.
• Track Editor – Put your own spin on your favorite tracks by adding and removing notes to your liking.
• Local & Ranked Online Multiplayer – Go head-to-head against players at home or around the globe in casual and ranked multiplayer.
Uncover the story of Sylas, the Unshackled in a brand new tale set in the League of Legends universe
Learn how the partnership between developer Digital Sun and Riot Forge Games brought this adventure to life
Jump into The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story today, on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
Experience the magic of The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story today, out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is a 2D pixel action RPG developed by Digital Sun, an indie studio best known for their monster-stomping RPG, Moonlighter. Riot Forge and Digital Sun joined forces to bring the revolutionary story of Sylas, the Unshackled, to life.
Sylas was just a boy when his ability to sense magic was discovered by the Demacian Mageseekers. The Mageseekers, looking to unearth and control dangerous hidden sorcery in the kingdom, quickly recruited young Sylas into their ranks. During his time with the Mageseekers, Sylas realized that magical abilities were far more prevalent than previously thought. Beginning to doubt the righteousness of his actions, he committed an act of rebellion to save the life of a fellow mage, only for it to end in disaster.
As a result, Sylas was sentenced to life in prison. Shackled in the darkest depths of the Mageseeker compound, Sylas’s desire for vengeance began to take root. Join Sylas on his journey for retribution as he breaks free from his shackles to bring Demacia to its reckoning.
In this 2D action RPG, combine both melee and magic to take down hordes of enemies as you grow your rebellion. Use your fists to bash down foes, or steal and throw their own magic back at them. Join forces with fellow mages to strengthen your forces and grow your base. The revolution has begun.
Riot Forge partners with talented developers from across the globe to craft awesome experiences in the League of Legends Universe. Digital Sun’s extraordinary ability to bring stories to life in a beautiful 2D pixel style made them an obvious choice for bringing to life the League of Legends universe and the champions within.
Check out the interview below with Javi Giménez, CEO and Co-Founder of developer Digital Sun, and Rowan Parker, Creative Director at Riot Forge to learn more about how this partnership came together.
What was it like being asked to take on a League of Legends game as an indie studio?
Giménez: It was very exciting. We are huge League fans at the studio so it felt like a great opportunity to add a little bit of ourselves to the world of Runeterra. And get to build a game with characters we love. Now that it’s almost finished, we can confirm that it’s been a blast to build the game!
What were some of the greatest challenges in recreating the world of League of Legends?
Giménez: We wanted to make sure that we got right the very popular League champs that appear in the game in terms of visuals, narrative and mechanics. That last one, mechanics, was very fun to do – translating what Jarvan or Garen, or even Sylas himself can do on the MOBA to an ARPG was very fun to do, but challenging to get right. We hope players will like it!
Why did you choose to partner with Digital Sun?
Parker: Honestly, we loved Digital Sun’s previous game Moonlighter! Their charming pixel art style drew us in, and we stayed for the action gameplay. While playing, it was exciting to think through ways they might experiment with the League of Legends characters, so we reached out to see if they’d be open to the possibility. Obviously it worked out, because here we are!
What did you enjoy about the collaboration with Digital Sun?
Parker: The team over at Digital Sun are real League of Legends fans. The core team had been playing for years long before we’d even met each other. They know these champions, have their own personal history with them from thousands of games, and bring that with them to The Mageseeker. I think it really shows that a group of fans have made this game, with the easter eggs they’ve hidden in there, their passion for the champions and the world of Runeterra. It made the collaboration with Forge really effortless.
What excites you most about seeing League of Legends champions in Riot Forge games?
Parker: Riot Forge games give us an opportunity to get up close and personal with our champions in a way that isn’t possible in our bigger live service games. We can create these character vignettes that explore the motivations and nuance of our champions as we’re storytelling. Players can also immerse themselves in the world of Runeterra, touching and interacting with our factions like only a video game can allow. We really enjoy these chances to showcase the true power level of our champions, while telling compelling stories at the same time.
Unshackle the magic in The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story, available today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Pre-Order the Standard Edition to receive a Lost Silverwing for your Hideout.
Developed by Digital Sun, creators of Moonlighter, The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™ is an action RPG that takes place in the League of Legends universe. In the kingdom of Demacia, the Mageseekers hold the power to oppress magic-using citizens in the name of public order–by inducting and indoctrinating them, locking them away, or driving them into hiding.
Play as Sylas, a spell-stealing mage who has just broken free of his unjust captivity at the Mageseekers’ hands. Wielding the chains that once bound you, you must liberate your homeland from tyranny, one Mageseeker at a time.
It’s time to unshackle the magic.
Command the Magic
Magic is everywhere, including on the battlefield. From searing flames to deadly ice, master a variety of spells and customize your unique play style. Brandish your chains and use your enemies’ magic against them, or bash them with your fists–the choice is yours.
Raise a Rebellion
Demacia is ripe for a revolution, but can you rise to the challenge of leading it? It’s up to you to find mages across the land and recruit them to your cause. Harness the power of your growing army to upgrade your base and unlock unique abilities.
Forge Your Legacy
You see the Mageseekers for the criminals they are, but not everyone is ready for the truth. Battle formidable foes and align with unforgettable allies, both new and old. Only you can uncover the buried secrets of Demacia’s past, and use them to change the course of its future.
