With decades of rich storytelling across comics and television, a dynamic roster of charismatic heroes and villains, and a universe packed with superpowered beings wielding brutal and diverse abilities, it was only a matter of time before “Invincible” made the leap to video games.

Now, several months after Invincible VS’ reveal during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 in June, Skybound’s first in-house game development studio, Quarter Up, has been steadily unveiling a lineup of playable characters for Invincible VS, the 3v3 tag fighting game, and the latest addition is sure to be a fan-favorite surprise.

Recently, during Quarter Up’s developer livestream, which featured an appearance from
“Invincible” co-creator Robert Kirkman, the team revealed that intelligence agent and Director of the Global Defence Agency, Cecil Stedman, has joined the Invincible VS roster as a playable character.

A fan-favorite from the “Invincible” TV series and comic, Cecil has been one of the most requested playable characters. Pragmatic and driven, Cecil is willing to do whatever it takes to save the world, even when that means crossing a line. Decades of espionage experience and near-limitless resources fuel Cecil’s mission, and he refuses to let anyone – enemy or ally – stand in his way.

While he’s been behind the desk for a long time, he’s more than happy to dust off those old bones and get his hands dirty back on the battlefield. Usually heard as a voice in Mark’s earpiece, Cecil enters the fight in Invincible VS with specialized weapons, including plasma pistols, projectile launchers and grenades to keep opponents at a distance.

His ranged gameplay style is paired with tactical combat, allowing him to play cat and mouse with enemies. Cecil can also summon a limitless supply of ReAnimen for backup; his access to The Hammer, a massive orbital laser, makes him a devastating force on the battlefield.

Cecil joins a growing lineup of fan-favorite superheroes in Invincible VS, including Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, Bulletproof, Thula, Rex Splode, Battle Beast, and Omni-Man. Unlike the others, Cecil doesn’t rely on superhuman powers – instead he brings a tactical edge to the battlefield with a masterfully engineered arsenal of classic weapons, proving that timeless tech can go toe-to-toe with raw power.

Look for Invincible VS to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. Players can register for an upcoming Invincible VS Closed Alpha later this year here.

Find out more by following Invincible VS on Instagram, X (formally Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and online at InvincibleVS.com. Add Invincible VS to your wish list on the Microsoft Store below.

Invincible VS

Skybound Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Invincible VS is a brutal superhero 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe, where you can battle to the death as a team of fan-favorite characters in iconic locations. Unleash bone-breaking combos through fast combat and smart defensive tactics to leave a trail of blood and destruction. Land vicious Super moves and Ultimates to leave your opponents in a mess of blood.

Invincible VS features a variety of game modes including a captivating cinematic story mode with an original narrative from a writer of the animated series. Jump into Arcade and battle with your team, hone your combos in Training mode, and test your skills against the world in competitive and casual multiplayer. Show, comic fans, and fighting game lovers will experience unparalleled heroic brutality, where every earth-shattering blow will leave you feeling… Invincible.

This is the debut title from the newly formed Quarter Up—the first in-house studio at Skybound—led by former members of the core Killer Instinct (2013) dev team.

Wizard101 has made its way to Xbox! While we’re eager to welcome new students into Ravenwood Academy, we know that starting such a massive adventure with so much history can feel a bit daunting. So, consider this article your first lesson: the 101 of Wizard101 to help you get started in the Spiral.

Choosing the Right School of Magic

There are 7 classes in the game, known as schools. The school you choose at the very beginning of the game will shape your style and the rest of your journey to come. Each school has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as special spells and even pets.

Understanding the Art of the Duel

Now that you’ve selected a school that fits your desired style, it’s time to ready yourself for combat! At its heart, Wizard101 is a turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG. Your success will largely depend on how you build your spell deck, whether you’re fighting solo or with friends, and if you have a bit of luck on your side.

Only 7 spells will be initially drawn from your deck during combat, so constructing a deck that will allow you to get the right cards at the right time is instrumental. Overloading your deck may result in you not getting helpful cards when you need them, but packing too few cards could mean you don’t have enough spells to finish the fight. It’s a delicate balance!

Constructing Your Spell Deck

There are 3 main types of spell sources: regular spells, treasure cards, and item/pet cards.

• Regular spells are standard spells that you unlock on your adventure either through your professor or through quests. They get added to the “main” section of your spell deck.
• Item/pet cards are spells that come from equipped items and pets. They appear in a specific section below your “main” spell deck. You can choose which pet/item cards you’d like to appear in battle by clicking on them.
• Treasure Cards are single use spells that have a dedicated section in your spell deck. Once you use one during battle, it’s gone forever. You’ll need to continuously replenish your Treasure Cards if you find yourself using them often.

When it comes to spell deck strategy, we often find that less is more. It’s very common for new players to get excited and add as many spells to their deck as possible, but that makes it very difficult to fight battles effectively. For example, if you’re at full health, pulling heal card after heal card extends the battle length and doesn’t help you in that specific moment. Packing heal spells is fantastic idea, but make sure you’re keeping a good ratio in mind.

Don’t be afraid to leave some spots empty too … especially as you continue to level up and have access to larger decks!

How Combat Works

Walking up to any enemy will automatically trigger combat to begin. Once the combat starts, you’ll see a 30-second timer and 7 drawn cards from your spell deck. If you’re happy with those cards, amazing! If you’re not, you can always discard any undesired cards to make space for new cards to appear the following round. Discarding a spell also lets you draw a Treasure Card, if you added any to your deck beforehand. A max of 7 cards will always be shown at any given time whether they are normal spells or Treasure Cards.

When you’re ready to cast a spell, select it and choose which enemy (or ally) you want to play it on. You can also pass if you’d prefer to wait or if you don’t have enough pips to cast the spell you want. Pips are the energy/power you use to cast spells.

Once all players have selected a spell, the round plays out in a turn-based fashion where the spell cards are brought to life through whimsical animations. After all spells have been cast, the next planning phase commences with another 30-second timer. This continues until either you defeat all the enemies, or the enemies defeat you.

Helpful Tips for New Wizards

• Speaking of efficient traveling, utilize the Mark and Recall for locations that you know you’ll need to visit again. You’ll save yourself a lot of walking and time!

• The Bazaar is an incredible resource for obtaining good gear, especially early on. Check it frequently throughout your adventures to see if anything there provides better stats than what you currently have.

• The pet system is robust and can be overwhelming at first, but training a pet can come in handy extremely quickly. You never know when a pet spell might just save you in battle!

• When in doubt? Team-up! If you’re ever stuck on a particular dungeon or boss, you can ask for help through the Team-Up feature. This allows other players in the game to see that you need assistance and come running to your aid.

There’s so much more to explore in Wizard101, but hopefully you have a good understanding of the basics! We’re grateful to everyone who has played our magical MMO the last 17 years, and we can’t wait to see what the next 17 bring … this time on console!

Wizard101

KingsIsle Entertainment, gamigo group

☆☆☆☆☆
309

★★★★★

Get it now

Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue. Darkness threatens to engulf the Spiral as you master powerful spells, explore over 22 whimsical worlds, and team-up with friends in this nostalgic wizard turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG.

Experience big sequel energy with The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The world needs a hero, but you will have to do. Embark on your own action-packed sci-fi RPG adventure with a new crew, new weapons, new enemies, new colony, and a new controller.

These designs are out of this world featuring the iconic The Moon Man and the galactic rifts that threaten to destroy all of humanity. With your new controller, your ultimate weapon, you’ll rise to the occasion and be the hero that Arcadia system desperately needs. Both controllers are available now with Xbox Design Lab.

To be the hero Arcadia needs, you’ll need to be well equipped. The Xbox Wireless Controller on Xbox Design Lab offers endless customization to help you play your way, whether its guns blazing or stealth combat. Choose from a variety of button styles curated for your chosen The Outer Worlds 2 color scheme.

You can enhance your controller with a variety of upgrades, including metallic triggers that shine like the rifts of Arcadia, a metallic D-Pad, rubberized side and back grips, and even topcase engraving for a personalized touch. Whether you’re exploring The Outer Worlds 2 or embarking on any other adventure, this controller is ready to go with Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth compatibility. It connects seamlessly to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PCs, as well as iOS, Android, and cloud devices. Plus, with the dedicated share button, you can easily capture and share photos and videos of your heroic moments with friends.

The Elite Series 2 version of this design comes with all the features you’ve come to love, including adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger lock for even more precise gameplay. For even greater customization, you can add back paddles for enhanced input control and limitless customization with exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox accessories app. Immerse yourself deeper into The Outer Worlds 2 with the 3.5mm jack—just connect any compatible headset to experience the action-packed Arcadia system like never before.  Plus, just as you shift between different paths in the game, the controller’s dynamic features ensure you’re always ready for whatever the galaxy throws your way.

If you’re ready to become the hero the galaxy needs, head over to Xbox Design Lab today to design yours. These controllers are available today, starting at MSRP $94.98 for the Xbox Wireless Controller and MSRP $184.98 for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 exclusively at https://www.xbox.com/accessories/controllers/the-outer-worlds-2-xbox-controllers. Visit Xbox.com for more information.

The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam — and day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.

The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
24

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.

The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes:
– The Outer Worlds 2 base game
– Up to 5 days early access
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions*
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack

* Story expansions available as released

The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!

As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.

Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!

Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!

Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.

We surprise-added a bunch of games last week – for cloud, console, PC, and even the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds – with more to come, meaning we have something for everyone. Let’s get to the games.

Available Today

Supermarket Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Run your own supermarket in this store management game! Stock shelves, set your prices, take payments, hire staff, expand your store, handle shoplifters, and design your layout. Purchase goods from online or local markets around town and personally deliver online orders to your customers.

Coming Soon

Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions (PC) – October 9
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Available on console and cloud gaming and now coming to Xbox on PC! Gather your party; the RPG saga returns. Immerse yourself in an epic RPG series where every choice matters. Play over 100 hours of adventure in enhanced editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II!

The Casting of Frank Stone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 14
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

The shadow of Frank Stone looms over Cedar Hills, a town forever altered by his violent past. As a group of young friends are about to discover, Stone’s blood-soaked legacy cuts deep, leaving scars across families, generations, and the very fabric of reality itself.

Ball x Pit (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

 Available on day one with Game Pass: Ball x Pit is a brick-breaking, ball-fusing, base-building survival roguelite. Batter hordes of enemies with ricocheting balls and gather the riches of the pit to expand your homestead, generate resources and recruit unique heroes.

The Grinch: Christmas Adventures (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

The Grinch has a wonderful, awful idea – steal all the presents in Who-ville, using gadgets like his stealthy Santa costume and Candy Cane Lasso. Help him sneak around, freeze creatures with snowballs, and learn the meaning of Christmas along the way, in this festive platformer!

Eternal Strands (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Eternal Strands is the debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games. Fight epic, towering creatures while blending magical abilities with an arsenal of powerful weapons to keep the world from crumbling in this third-person, action-adventure game.

He Is Coming (Game Preview) (PC) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Deep in the forgotten corners of the world, a dark force stirs – the Demon King rises once more. Sharpen your wits, seek out powerful artifacts, and stand firm in the face of the apocalypse in this roguelite RPG auto battler.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15
Now with Game Pass Premium

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black features the high-speed, ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.

Pax Dei (PC) – October 16
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Welcome to a vast, social sandbox MMO inspired by the legends of the medieval era. Here, myths are real, ghosts exist, and magic is unquestioned. Join thousands of players as you explore the land, build your home, forge your reputation, and craft your own stories. What world will you make?

Keeper (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 17
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a story told without words, in which a long-forgotten lighthouse is awakened and, joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, and an unexpected journey into realms beyond understanding.

Evil West (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 21
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Making a return to the Game Pass library! A dark menace consumes the Old West. In solo or co-op, fight with style in visceral, explosive combat against bloodthirsty monstrosities. Eradicate the vampiric hordes with your lightning-fueled gauntlet and become a Wild West Superhero. 

Ninja Gaiden 4 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 21
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! The definitive ninja hack and slash franchise returns with Ninja Gaiden 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

In Case You Missed It

We recently revealed new details about Xbox Game Pass memberships. You can learn more about this below:

Hogwarts Legacy (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover magical beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be.

Little Rocket Lab (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass

Little Rocket Lab is a cozy, machine building RPG. You play as Morgan, an aspiring engineer! Head home to St. Ambroise to help complete your family’s dream-building a rocket. Help the locals with new machines, be creative, and become the ultimate engineer! That rocket isn’t going to build itself!

DLC / Game Updates

Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace – Available now
The skin tears. The head rises. The hunt begins. In Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace, play as The Krasue, forever cursed by insatiable hunger and a terrifying creature well suited for The Fog. The Krasue’s blood-drenched tale is one of ambition gone awry.

Diablo IV: Season of Infernal Chaos – Available now
Season 10 takes gameplay to chaotic heights, with updates that encourage deeper build experimentation and mastery through powerful Chaos Armor Uniques and deadly class-tailored Chaos Perks. The chaos persists in endgame with revamped Infernal Hordes, now overtaken by new, relentless Chaos Waves.

FBC: Firebreak – Breakpoint Update – Available now
The first free Major Update, Breakpoint is packed with systemic overhauls, new content, and quality-of-life improvements – all aimed at making FBC: Firebreak more fun, varied, and rewarding to play.

Grounded 2: Hairy and Scary Update – Available now
The Hairy and Scary update unleashes AXL the tarantula with a full armor set to craft, new weapons to wield, and new base décor. Fine-tune your loadout with new gear and build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M interface as you prepare to face AXL on the back of your Buggy.

Age of Empires II: DE – Chronicles: Alexander the Great – October 14
Pre-order now and save 15%! Prepare for the next chapter in the fan-favorite Chronicles saga by stepping into the sandals of history’s greatest conqueror. Embark on Alexander the Great’s epic journey in this narrative-driven campaign featuring three new civilizations, customizable armies, and fresh storytelling. 

In-Game Benefits

Now all Game Pass subscribers can get in-game benefits for eligible free-to-play games and titles in the Xbox Game Pass library, in addition to special offers like Discord Nitro. Specific benefits may vary per plan, region, and time.

Valorant: Play the new Agent Veto (Console and PC) – Available now
Upset your enemy’s gameplan and take every fight on YOUR terms with Veto: Valorant’s new Senegalese Sentinel whose Radivore mutation shuts down and shrugs off enemy abilities.

Call of Duty: Warzone – Game Pass Pack 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15
Get a free in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone. This pack includes operator skins, weapon blueprints, emotes, weapon charms and more that you can use in both games.

Leaving October 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Be sure to pick up where you left off before they go and remember you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!

• Cocoon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Core Keeper (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutants Unleashed (Cloud, Console, and PC)

No matter how you want to game – be it on your PC, your console, a metaphorical ton of devices for cloud gaming (maybe a literal ton, if you count the CAR that has cloud gaming??), we have something for you. Talk soon!

When we set out to launch Ninja Gaiden 4, we knew we had to do more than drop another game trailer. When the opportunity came to join forces with the cult streetwear brand BAIT at New York Comic Con, we sharpened our blades.

This isn’t merch. This is something far bolder: the collision of a legendary franchise, Japanese artistry, and streetwear culture. Together, we’ve created an apparel capsule unlike anything the Ninja Gaiden community—or Comic Con—has ever seen.

Here’s how it works: inside the BAIT booth, you’ll step into a sealed chamber that looks like it could belong in the Dragon Ninja’s lair. Instead of fighting fiends, you’ll wield a replica mock sword. Every swing and slash splatters vibrant crimson ink across your garment, transforming it into a one-of-a-kind wearable canvas. Fast, fluid, and dynamic like the swordplay of the two deadly ninjas, Yakumo and Ryu in Ninja Gaiden 4.

The result? No two pieces are alike. Just like every battle in Ninja Gaiden, every shirt tells its own story—crafted live, in front of the crowd, with you at the center of the action.

But here’s the catch: only 500 pieces will ever exist. Once they’re gone, they’re gone—true artifacts of a moment where video games and streetwear bled together in real time. For fans who can’t make it to New York Comic Con, a limited number of garments will drop online, giving the global Ninja Gaiden community a chance to own a slice of this collaboration.

To us, Ninja Gaiden has always been about mastery, speed, and precision—and with BAIT, those values take on a new form. It’s not just about what you wear, but how it was forged.

When you step into that glass chamber, you’re not just buying a piece of clothing. You’re wielding the Way of the Ninja—turning every movement into art, every strike into style.

Only the bold will walk away with one. Will you?