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How Endless Dungeon Redefines Roguelite With Tower Defense Tactics

The first thing you need to know about Endless Dungeon is that it is not your standard roguelite. There are familiar components in how you play, but this isometric sci-fi shooter requires you to strategize your defence just as boldly as your offense. I found out exactly why in a recent hands-on with the upcoming game.

Endless Dungeon is a follow-up to 2014’s Dungeon of the Endless, but it is described to us as a “spiritual successor” rather than an all-out sequel. It looks and plays a lot differently, with a more vibrant 3D aesthetic and a new control system for players. The first game unfolds primarily in a turn-based style, whereas Endless Dungeon puts you in direct control of your characters’ movements and attacks. But that change is only part of what makes Endless Dungeon a fascinating new experiment in the genre.

The core dungeon loop is still present in Endless Dungeon; your character is dropped on an abandoned space station, and the only way to escape is to escort your Crystal_bot to The Core. While we’re unsure what is in The Core, we do know that’s absolutely imperative to reach it unscathed. Unfortunately, there are waves upon waves of monsters in between you and The Core, and it’s up to you to take them out while, crucially, making sure your fragile robot companion remains safe. That constant back-and-forth is what marks this game out as different from its peers. Endless Dungeon is a dance between blasting forward to discover as much loot as possible, while making sure your defenses are top notch and capable of protecting your Crystal_bot, research stations, and — if you’re playing with a group — fellow teammates.

Endless Dungeon stands out from the roguelite crowd because your defenses require forethought and proactivity; you’ll need to be prepared for threats before they even arrive. A room full of bugs will benefit from a deftly placed flamethrower, or a swarm of robots can be kept in check with electrical EMP blaster turret. However, you’ll need to research how to build these, and make you have enough resources to dedicate to it before the waves begin. All of this makes this the rare roguelite in which skill isn’t just about the moment-to-moment combat, but in learning how enemies work, and countering them.

You’ll progress through the station room by room in classic roguelite fashion, clearing the area while hunting for resources that’ll aid you in your journey. This can be offense inventory such as devastating elemental guns; it can be revelatory, in the form of new lore; or you can add upgrades to the turrets than can be placed as defenses in any area you’ve previously been to during your current run.

Your team’s resources are also shared, so if components are scarce, you’ll have to collaborate on what to spend it on. Perhaps the decision to push on into another room will turn into a fatal mistake if your resources are misplaced – collaboration is truly a necessity, and sticking together can sometimes be more important than progressing.

It’s this blend of tower defense, tactical gameplay and roguelite that makes Endless Dungeon feel unique. The primary objective is to blast your way through the station room by room, while mowing through the hordes along the way, while crafting a safe path to escort the Crystal bot out of the area and into the next one. Some rooms contain monster spawners, and the more you unlock, the more overwhelming these waves will become. Even opening doors requires strategy; if you enter a new room that’s too close to your Crystal bot, it might allow swarms to reach and chew it apart faster. If you’re unlucky, you’ll trigger a rare, deadlier wave with much tougher enemies. This is an extremely rare occurrence, (although we encountered this on our third wave, making for some extra chaos).

Once your character dies (and they will) you’ll be transported back to a hub world known as The Saloon, which is oozing with space western appeal. Creative Director Jean-Maxime Moris tells us that this area draws inspiration from the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars’ Cantina scenes to create a space that attracts a humdrum of oddballs.

Here, you can switch up your character’s look, grab a drink at the bar that will give you a selection of enhancements, or check out the library to read up on the monsters you’ve encountered. While you don’t necessarily need prior knowledge of this world to jump into Endless Dungeon, existing fans will also find connections to previous instalments in this loosely connected universe. And, of course, the more you know about your enemies, the better equipped you’ll be to take them down, and help your team survive just that little bit longer in the next run.

It’s all the more motivation to get stuck back into another round, and if our playtime was anything to by, there will be many, many more rounds of Endless Dungeon when it launches May 18.

ENDLESS™ Dungeon

Amplitude STUDIOS

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Pre-order

Pre-Order ENDLESS™ Dungeon now and get your hands (or tentacles) on exclusive content!
– Standard Game
– ‘Pioneer Elite’ Skin Pack (3 hero skins, 4 weapon skins, 1 Crystal Bot Skin) (Early Adopter Bonus)

WE GOT TURRETS AND WE GOT GUNS

You’re stranded on an abandoned space station chock-full of monsters and mysteries. To get out you’ll have to reach The Core, but you can’t do that without your crystal bot. That scuttling critter is your key to surviving the procedurally generated rooms of this space ruin. Sadly, it’s also a fragile soul, and every monster in the place wants a piece of it. You’re going to have to think quick, plan well, place your turrets, and then… fireworks! Bugs, bots and blobs will stop at nothing to turn you and that crystal into dust and debris. With a large choice of weapons and turrets, the right gear will be the difference between life and death.

RIDE SOLO OR GIDDY UP WITH FRIENDS

You can face the horrors of the Station riding solo, or squad up and run the gauntlet in 3 player co-op. Once you’ve got your posse, plan your moves. Pick their weapons from a wide choice ranging from flamethrowers to poison snipers. When you’re set, enter the Station to take on a character’s quest, take a stab at escaping, or just go loco on the locals. You’ll likely die trying, but hey, that’s the way it goes in this space dungeon!

ASSEMBLE YOUR RECKLESS SQUAD

Prepare to meet a cast of colorful heroes all gunning for the same goal: to get the hell out! Each brings their own cards to the table. There’s tanky Bunker who’ll soak up damage, fiery Blaze who loves to blow stuff up, or maybe Shroom who’ll heal her squadmates with her “unusual” incense. Select your heroes to build the team that works for you. As you get to know them, you’ll learn that they all have their own particular motivations and secrets…

MONSTERS, DANGERS, SECRETS AND TREASURES, OH MY!

Escaping means overcoming all the dangers of the Station. Yup, all of them. Deadly robots, merciless monsters, loot, and giant beasts await you at every corner. The deeper you delve into this scrap heap, the more you’ll discover its tragic history. Why does the Station reel in any ship that flies too close? Why do you come back every time you kick the bucket? No matter how familiar you are with the ENDLESS™ Universe, the Station has more stories to tell.

THE MORE DYIN’, THE MORE GROWIN’

Hate to break it to you, this won’t be easy and you might die… a lot. But that’s okay, because every time you do, you get reloaded back into the Saloon. Think of it as your center of operations (and beverages), where you can upgrade your heroes and weapons, unlock new paths to The Core, chat with the locals, listen to tunes, and drink boosting (and delicious) libations. Then, jump back into the Station and try to get out — again.

GDC 2023: Four Incredible New ID@Xbox Games You’ll Be Playing This Year

At many gaming industry events, high-profile, AAA games tend to garner most of the airtime and ensuing discussion. The Game Developers Conference is different – it’s an event where indies have traditionally stepped into the limelight; indeed multiple showcases were fully populated by upcoming independent titles this year.

At GDC 2023 we’ve been celebrating 10 years of ID@Xbox with a Preview event showcase featuring a number of titles coming to Xbox consoles and PC this year, showcasing the diversity of genres and styles in independent games. Here’s a look at a few we got to spend some time with.

Botany Manor

The debut title from UK-based Balloon Studios nestles comfortably in the burgeoning “Cozy Games” category; my time with this plant-based puzzler was undoubtedly the chillest experience of the conference. Here’s how it works:

I stepped into a fogged-up greenhouse, and planted a seed which germinated, but would not grow further. Finding clues to the plant’s native land and temperature preferences around the room, I learned to place the plant pot in front of a heat source at the exact right intensity to heat the soil. The plant obliged my efforts by blooming dramatically, clearing out smog in the greenhouse and allowing progress to the next area. The next plant was a bit more complicated; I needed to replicate its favored stormy conditions by mixing chemicals and placing the sprout in front of an old-timey flash camera.

The more plants you grow, the more puzzles you solve, the further you go. Fans of puzzlers like The Witness and Escape Academy will feel right at home… only cozier.

My time with this plant-based puzzler was undoubtedly the chillest experience of the conference.

Laure De Mey, creative director at Balloon Studios, promises the final game will be much more open-ended than the linear demo – if a player gets stumped on one plant, they can pursue clues to others across the sprawling manor, returning once they’ve hit on a revelation.

De Mey explained how the plants grow into the story: “When people see weeds, they pull them out, because they didn’t put them there. These weeds are forgotten flora, and the main character is also a bit forgotten.”

Botany Manor is part of the just-announced Developer Acceleration Program, and Balloon Studios plans on a release this year. We won’t forget it.

Planet of Lana

Another studio’s first title, Planet of Lana comes from Wishfully Studios, a gaming offshoot of Sweden-based artist and animation group Fully Studios – and that artistic influence shows.

This cinematic puzzle adventure is stunningly animated; evident not just in the movement of main playable character Lana and feline-esque alien companion Mui, but throughout the mysterious world of Novo. Throughout the showcase, I found myself gazing at the gently swaying branches of Planet of Lana‘s lush swamp level – but this isn’t just something you look at, and fortunately the gameplay holds up its end of the package.

Lana and Mui work together in symbiosis, using their unique strengths to help each other overcome obstacles and enemies as Lana aims to rescue her sister, kidnapped by robots who have besieged the peaceful planet.

Tom Davis of publisher Thunderful said the game was as “if Studio Ghibli made Inside.”

The demo started off simply; players guide Lana towards a raft to help the hydrophobic Mui cross a bog (even alien cats hate baths, apparently). But this isn’t a one-sided escort mission: hold RT to point and direct Mui to places that Lana can’t get to, like up a high ledge where it can release a vine for Lana to climb. Mui can also interact with the world in unusual ways to allow Lana passage through routes blocked by alien creatures. While it wasn’t part of the demo, I was told puzzle solving extends to combat, as the pair use the environment to defeat enemies and survive, as opposed to direct conflict.

Tom Davis of publisher Thunderful said the game was as “if Studio Ghibli made Inside.” I was also reminded at times of Ori and the Will of the Wisps… if any of those references made you perk up, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Planet of Lana, which it comes to Xbox consoles and PC with Game Pass this spring.

Lamplighters League

From new studios readying their first games for launch to veteran teams prepping their latest creation: Harebrained Schemes, makers of BattleTech and recent Shadowrun Trilogy presented the first playable experience of Lamplighters League, announced earlier this month.

Lamplighters League is “a globetrotting adventure” set in a stylized take of the 1930s. Initial vibes are very “Indiana Jones meets XCOM“, though after playing for an hour I believe the closer comparison is the excellent Mutant Year Zero. Players control their party from above in a real time “Infiltration mode,” going over or through obstacles via class-specific abilities. Often outnumbered, there’s an emphasis on staying stealthy; you can see how much noise you’re making while moving and interacting. 

Lamplighters League is “a globetrotting adventure” set in a stylized take of the 1930s. Initial vibes are very “Indiana Jones meets XCOM“.

Once detected, the action pauses and proceeds as a turn-based battle until the skirmish is through. Each character has a signature ability which can be used once per mission, and these can be game changers. “Sneak”, for instance drops a decoy and becomes invisible, which helped reestablish strategic positioning after I was clumsily detected in an open area.

After combat, which can range from a small fray to a pitched battle, the game reverts to Infiltration mode; and levels may feature several different battle sequences. The flexibility in choosing when or even if to engage enemies, paired with the not-often-seen setting make Lamplighters League a must-play for strategy fans when it lands day one with Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC this year.

Venba

Also coming to console and PC with Game Pass this year is Venba, a cooking/puzzle game where players experience the lives of an Indian couple who immigrate to Canada via interactive, stylized food prep.

Each of Venba‘s levels places us a little later in the characters’ lives, with a new recipe to make. Our demo had us prepare idli, a savory rice cake from South India. After reading the recipe, I arranged batter on special plates and set them to steaming… spilling batter everywhere. I should’ve read the recipe more closely! Next time, I placed towels over the plate first, and rotated the trays to allow more even steaming. These came out perfectly, and then I learned more about the couple, and their decision to stay in Canada.

Venba’s art is inspired by cartoons like “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Powerpuff Girls,” but more serious.

“A lot of stories about immigrants focus on the kids, but we wanted to talk about the parents,” explained Sam Elkana, lead artist at developer Visai games. “They really sacrifice so much, so we wanted to tell the story from Venba’s perspective.”

With art inspired by cartoons like “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Powerpuff Girls,” but more serious, Venba will bake a place in your plans this summer.

Begin Your Shadow Over Morrowind Adventure with The Elder Scrolls Online: Scribes of Fate Dungeon DLC

Summary

Venture into two challenging new dungeons today and kick off your Shadow Over Morrowind saga in The Elder Scrolls Online: Scribes of Fate Dungeon DLC.
The Scribes of Date Dungeon DLC is available for purchase from the in-game Crown Store.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is available for digital pre-order today on the Xbox Store, available in either Standard, Deluxe, Standard Upgrade, or Deluxe Upgrade.

Live now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, The Elder Scrolls Online: Scribes of Fate is now available via ESO Plus membership or for purchase from the in-game Crown Store. This all-new dungeon DLC features two challenging new dungeons, Bal Sunnar and Scrivener’s Hall, that kick off the events of the Shadow Over Morrowind adventure and the upcoming Necrom chapter.

Bal Sunnar

The Psijic Order needs your help! Investigate the origins of a mysterious temporal anomaly emanating from the House Telvanni township of Bal Sunnar and venture through time itself to shut it down. Be warned, the mages and sorcerers of House Telvanni are quick to protect their secrets and don’t suffer interlopers lightly.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Scribes of Fate Dungeon DLC Screenshot

Scrivener’s Hall

For centuries, the Scribes of Mora had dedicated themselves to the recording of knowledge, both within Tamriel and other, more mysterious realms. However, the upstart Valinna has seized control over this formerly benign cult and threatens to lead them down a dangerous path. Team up with ousted leader Keshargo to confront Valinna’s followers and reclaim the mantle of leadership before the Scribes are forever doomed.

Knowledge Is Power

Both four-player PvE dungeons challenge you and your allies with new boss battles, monsters to overcome, and long-hidden secrets to uncover. In addition, each dungeon has its own quest and storyline that sets the stage for the Shadow Over Morrowind adventure and the events of the upcoming Necrom chapter. Finally, should you brave Bal Sunnar and Scrivener’s Hall, you’ll be able to claim new rewards specific to these two dungeons, including new item and monster sets, unique collectibles, and more.

Are you ready to dive deep into the mysteries of House Telvanni and the Scribes of Mora? Two exciting new dungeons await Tamriel’s intrepid adventurers, complete with their own stories, challenges, and rewards. The Elder Scrolls Online: Scribes of Fate is now live on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles — good luck!

The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Collection: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
133

★★★★★

$79.99

$63.99

Get it now

Begin a unique adventure filled with the unparalleled storytelling and deep lore of The Elder Scrolls. Journey to Tamriel – a living, breathing, fantasy universe of magnitude, where your choices shape your experience. Battle, loot, craft, steal or role-play as an archer, mage, merchant, scholar or warrior. Play solo or with friends and combine equipment and abilities to suit your own play style. No game subscription required – buy once, play anytime.

What truths are best left hidden? Discover Necrom and the forbidden secrets of Apocrypha. From the Telvanni Peninsula in Eastern Morrowind to the cosmic realms of the Prince of Fate – fight to uphold reality and unlock the runic power of a new Class – the Arcanist!

PRE-PURCHASE

Pre-purchase the Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Collection: Necrom now to start your adventure immediately within the game (base game or previous Chapter zones), get instant access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed & Pony* pair, plus more items when Necrom launches – as listed below. *Spore Pony pet only available with pre-purchases until 4/18/2023.

Unlock instantly:
• Sadrith Mora Steed & Pony* pair

Get the following at launch:
• Sadrith Mora Formal Attire costume
• Apocryphal Bookwyrm pet
• x1 Unfeathered crate
• x3 Treasure maps
• x2 Experience scrolls (+100% for 1 hour)

COLLECTION

The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Collection: Necrom is like “8-games-in-one” and best for adventurers who wish to access the Deluxe items, plus all major Chapter zones, biomes and quest arcs from across Tamriel. The Deluxe Collection: Necrom includes the base game, Necrom, Deluxe items and all previous Chapters, as below.

• Necrom (NEW for 2023)
• High Isle
• Blackwood
• Greymoor
• Elsweyr
• Summerset
• Morrowind
• Base game

NECROM**

UNLOCK THE NEW CLASS – Become empowered by the secrets of Apocrypha and the forbidden knowledge of Hermaeus Mora. The Arcanist is a powerful new Class capable of destructive, restorative, or defensive magic by channelling the arcane, ancient runes, and lost tomes of power.

ALL-NEW ZONES – Explore the Telvanni Peninsula, home of colossal mushrooms, arcane magic, rocky spires and the capital city of Necrom, additionally, behold the forbidden books of the endless library of Apocrypha.

A COSMIC STORY – The Prince of Fate holds secrets too dangerous for mortals or Daedra to comprehend. Now hidden yet turbulent powers threaten Hermaeus Mora’s realm of Apocrypha and if the Daedric Prince’s secret is uncovered, it could unravel all of reality.

NEW WARDEN AND ARCANIST CLASS COMPANIONS – Two new allies seek grand quests and glory! Unlock the Arcanist-power-wielding Redguard and Argonian Warden Companions to battle by your side and keep you company on your journey across Tamriel.

**Available when Necrom launches.

DELUXE

In addition, those who buy the Deluxe Collection: Necrom will receive the Deluxe in-game items when Necrom launches:

• All past Chapter Collector’s Edition / Deluxe items†
• Hermitage Servitor mount
• Cipher’s Eye Pocket Watcher pet
• Dark Lady’s Headrest memento
• Knowledge Eater Armor outfit style
• Leaning / Sitting / Standing Scholar emotes

†Does not include past Chapter pre-order / pre-purchase in-game items.

The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
133

★★★★★

$59.99

$47.99

Get it now

PRE-PURCHASE

Pre-purchase the Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom now to start your adventure immediately within the game (base game or previous Chapter zones), get instant access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed & Pony* pair, plus more items when Necrom launches – as listed below. *Spore Pony pet only available with pre-purchases until 4/18/2023.

Unlock instantly:
• Sadrith Mora Steed & Pony* pair

Get the following at launch:
• Sadrith Mora Formal Attire costume
• Apocryphal Bookwyrm pet
• x1 Unfeathered crate
• x3 Treasure maps
• x2 Experience scrolls (+100% for 1 hour)

COLLECTION

The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Necrom is like “8-games-in-one” and best for adventurers who wish to access all major Chapter zones, biomes and quest arcs from across Tamriel. The Collection: Necrom includes the base game, Necrom and all previous Chapters, as below.

• Necrom (NEW for 2023)
• High Isle
• Blackwood
• Greymoor
• Elsweyr
• Summerset
• Morrowind
• Base game

NECROM**

**Available when Necrom launches.

The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Upgrade: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$49.99

$44.99

Get it now

The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Upgrade: Necrom requires The Elder Scrolls Online Standard Edtition (base game) to play.

PRE-PURCHASE

Pre-purchase The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Upgrade: Necrom now to get instant access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed & Pony* pair, plus more items when Necrom launches, as listed below. *Spore Pony pet only available with pre-purchases until 4/18/2023.

Unlock instantly:
• Sadrith Mora Steed & Pony* pair

Get the following at launch:
• Sadrith Mora Formal Attire costume
• Apocryphal Bookwyrm pet
• x1 Unfeathered crate
• x3 Treasure maps
• x2 Experience scrolls (+100% for 1 hour)

NECROM**

**Available when Necrom launches.

DELUXE

In addition, those who buy the Deluxe Upgrade: Necrom will receive the Deluxe in-game items when Necrom launches:

• Hermitage Servitor mount
• Cipher’s Eye Pocket Watcher pet
• Dark Lady’s Headrest memento
• Knowledge Eater Armor outfit style
• Leaning / Sitting / Standing Scholar emotes

Requires The Elder Scrolls Online, sold separately.

The Elder Scrolls Online Upgrade: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$39.99

$35.99

Get it now

The Elder Scrolls Online Upgrade: Necrom requires The Elder Scrolls Online Standard Edition (base game) to play.

PRE-PURCHASE

Pre-purchase the Elder Scrolls Online Upgrade: Necrom now to get instant access to the Sadrith Mora Spore Steed & Pony* pair, plus more items when Necrom launches, as listed below. *Spore Pony pet only available with pre-purchases until 4/18/2023.

Unlock instantly:
• Sadrith Mora Steed & Pony* pair

Get the following at launch:
• Sadrith Mora Formal Attire costume
• Apocryphal Bookwyrm pet
• x1 Unfeathered crate
• x3 Treasure maps
• x2 Experience scrolls (+100% for 1 hour)

NECROM**

**Available when Necrom launches.
Requires The Elder Scrolls Online, sold separately.

Gear Up Like the Pros and Play in Style – Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Now Available in Vibrant Red or Blue

Introducing the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core, now in red and blue. We expanded the core version of the Xbox Elite Series 2 lineup to give gamers more options to play like a pro. Play in style with just the components you need to unleash your best game.

The new, vibrant red and blue color schemes of the core version of Xbox Elite Series 2 are sure to make a statement amongst your friends while delivering key performance-focused benefits. Turn on a dime with adjustable tension thumbsticks where inches are the difference. Make split seconds count with hair trigger locks and stay on target with wrap-around rubberized grips. Enjoy limitless customization with exclusive button mapping options to find your groove. Perfect your game day prep with assignable custom profiles so you can dominate regardless of playbook or sport.

Custom profiles can be set up through the Xbox Accessories App, where you can adjust other settings like the color the Xbox button lights up with on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC devices. Use Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth®, or the included USB-C cable to play across your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and mobile. Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life and refined components built to last¹. For added peace of mind, Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers come with Microsoft’s 1-year limited warranty².

The best part is that Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers are designed to be fully customizable, so you can play with a specific setup that works best for you. Add even more customization to the core version of Xbox Elite Series 2 with the Complete Component Pack (sold separately) for $59.99 USD MSRP. Tailor the controller to your preferred gaming style with interchangeable thumbsticks, paddle shapes, and D-pad. Includes a carrying case, charging dock, and USB-C cable. Add an extra splash of color with Xbox Design Lab, where you can personalize component packs for Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers to match your style.

Complete Component Pack image. — The Complete Component Pack (sold separately).

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Core in red or blue are available for pre-order today in select Xbox markets worldwide for $139.99 USD MSRP, respectively. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including Microsoft Store, for more information.

¹  Battery life varies with usage and other factors.
²  Microsoft’s Limited Warranty is in addition to your consumer law rights.

This Week on Xbox: Lego Racing Game Revealed, Crash Team Rumble, and More Coming Soon

How Dredge Corrupts ‘Cozy Fishing’ Into ‘Cosmic Horror’

Your voyage begins at first light. The sun ascends as you sail out, its sparkling reflection dancing on the gentle waves of the bay. Plentiful shoals of fish can be seen through the glassy surface as you peer into the water below. It’s a fine day for fishing. And the townsfolk are hungry.

Dredge opens with the above sequence, putting you behind the wheel of your boat within the first minute of gameplay. The scene is picturesque. Our glossy, stylized water ripples against islands with their trees swaying in the wind. Soon, sparse piano keys will join the cries of the seagulls overhead.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in a happy place.

The sun sets sharply at six o’clock, and the fog descends soon after. Any anglers still left out on the water better have good lights, or they’ll never make it back to safe harbor.

Cosmic Horror Fishing

Dredge initially presents itself as a fishing game, and the premise is deliberately simple: catch fish, sell fish, upgrade your equipment. You’ll want to invest in your boat, as it’ll allow you to equip faster engines, better rods, and store more fish – all in a grid-based inventory that grows with your vessel. Money might seem important, but arguably your most vital resource is time. As you sail around, a day-night cycle is in motion, and it’s something to behold.

While you’re more likely to catch valuable, corrupted specimens in the dark, eldritch encounters are also more frequent – particularly in deeper water. You’ll also come across larger, hostile creatures which can be outsmarted (via abilities) or outmaneuvered (via a sufficiently upgraded vessel) rather than outgunned. Dilapidated towns you come across are home to peculiar residents with even stranger requests.

We try to twist every feature that might feel familiar into something unexpected, so that right from the start, you’ll sense that something sinister lurks under the surface. It’s no accident that the name ‘Dredge’ is adjacent to “dread” – we’ve infused every aspect of the game with an unsettling atmosphere. In this article, I’ll delve into the ways we’ve achieved this, and touch on how each element contributes to the overall experience.

A Harsh Aesthetic

The visuals of the game will immediately feel familiar to fans of typically joyous adventure and exploration games – and that’s where our subterfuge begins. What may appear to be very low-poly models are deceptively detailed, with jagged edges and shapes carved to accentuate false shadows. A dark and dreary color tone underpins the world, offsetting any warmth from the sun’s bright colors. It’s crucial to visually remind players that something unexpected could happen at any moment, even if everything seems calm right now.

We added angular edges to the portraits of characters – reminiscent of paint applied by palette knife – leaving harsh patterns on their faces and sleeves to match their already prickly dialogue. This same geometry is reflected in the clouds; normally light and fluffy things, here we made them sharp, and they shift between broken shapes.

This world doesn’t want you here. It wasn’t made for you. But you’ll explore it all the same.

The weather can be as unpredictable as the people you meet. Overcast days can turn into thunderous storms, causing high waves to slow your return to port. On that note, civilization itself is scarce and often dilapidated. It only makes sense that the others in this world are suffering as much as you, and have been for many years. This bleak and unforgiving landscape only adds to the feeling of isolation and despair that permeates the game.

When you drop your line to catch some fish, we pull the camera up above your boat, showing you the dark depths below. As we do this, we conveniently eliminate your peripheral vision. You’re focused on fishing, after all. At night, we bring the oppressive fog down around you, leaving you with nothing but a small circle of vision to navigate rocks and other hazards. The shapes you see through that fog might be imagined or real – I’m not sure which is worse.

This world doesn’t want you here. It wasn’t made for you. But you’ll explore it all the same.

No Wasted Words

In the world of Dredge, people are efficient and practical. As a result, we made sure their spoken dialogue reflects this utilitarian mindset. Each line tries to achieve at least two of the following goals:

Give you an instruction.
Add to the story of the world.
Carry a sinister, suspicious or strange tone.

Despite the importance of dialogue in Dredge, we understand the value of brevity, and don’t want to keep you from the gameplay for too long. To avoid overwhelming you, most conversations are optional and can be skipped if you want. The world itself should do most of the talking, and the people in it aren’t so keen on gossip anyway. These characters don’t have names, either – they have roles, like “The Fishmonger”, and “The Mayor”. You wouldn’t want to get too familiar with them. They’re not your friends.

The atmosphere bleeds into item descriptions too, particularly in the fish. Strange, corrupt specimens you haul aboard might give you an insight to where they came from, and why.

Our storytelling doesn’t stop at the borders of the game itself, of course. The achievement descriptions and OST music track titles add a different perspective or give names to things which were unknowable or unspeakable inside the game itself.

Blending Genres

Juxtaposition is one of my favorite words to use when describing Dredge. The juxtaposition of ‘cosmic horror’ and ‘fishing’ genres is one of the things players love about it. We combined a lot of features, mechanics and concepts that wouldn’t normally exist together in the same game. We set out to create something fresh, unexpected, and unpredictable – and what better way to evoke the sense of cosmic horror than by diving into the unknown?

DREDGE – Digital Deluxe Edition

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$26.99

Pre-order

The ultimate pack for your impending voyage. The DREDGE Deluxe Edition includes everything you’ll need to weather the seas and trawl the deep for sinister secrets.

Includes:

DREDGE
Blackstone Key in-game item
Custom Rod (Pre-Purchase only)

DREDGE

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

Pre-order

Pre-Purchase DREDGE to receive the Custom Rod!

Give yourself an advantage with this improved starting rod. You’ll start the game with this stylish piece of equipment, decorated with the company colors of its creator. But it’s not all just looks. Unlike other equipment you might find in DREDGE, this rod is in reasonable condition and should allow you to get the edge on other anglers – for a while at least.

This grants access to the following item:

Custom Rod
This rod replaces the normal starting rod when beginning a new save. It can catch fish more effectively than some other rods of its size.

Captain your fishing trawler to explore a collection of remote isles, and their surrounding depths, to see what lies below. Sell your catch to the locals and complete quests to learn more about each area’s troubled past. Outfit your boat with better equipment to trawl deep-sea trenches and navigate to far-off lands but keep an eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark…

Game Features

● Unravel a Mystery: Captain your fishing trawler across a collection of remote islands, each with its own inhabitants to meet, wildlife to discover, and stories to unearth

● Dredge the Depths: Scour the sea for hidden treasures and complete quests to gain access to strange new abilities

● Study Your Craft: Research special equipment and upgrade your boat’s capabilities to gain access to rare fish and valuable deep-sea curios

● Fish to Survive: Sell your discoveries to the locals to learn more about each area, and upgrade your boat to reach even more secluded locations

● Fight the Unfathomable: Strengthen your mind and use your abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for March 27 to 31

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

Great New Games Spotlight has officially kicked off and we’re excited to bring you a ton of games every week for the next six weeks — more than 100+ new games will launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One between February 28 and April 10 – and if you spend $50 on eligible games and movies, you can receive 2,500 Microsoft Rewards points! Get more details here.

Runbeam Galactic – March 27
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Run, jump, and roll your way to a new high score as hazards and bonuses pop up all around the planet. Step into the shoes of RunBean, an astronaut who landed on a hazardous planet that tries its best to kill the intruder. Try to delay your inevitable fate by running around the diminutive 2D globe, jumping over spikes, sliding under killer platforms, collecting bonuses, and quickly reacting to sudden direction changes.

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator – March 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Take the reins of your dream restaurant. Choose and customize dozens of kitchen components (cooking surfaces, food processors, ovens, etc.) to build your dream kitchen! Before firing up your burners, organize your team and manage your suppliers to obtain premium ingredients that would impress the most demanding of gourmets.

Kingdom Rush Frontiers – March 28
Xbox Play Anywhere

Bigger and badder than ever before, Kingdom Rush: Frontiers is a whole new level of the furiously fast, enchantingly charming gameplay that made the original title an award-winning hit. Command your troops through an epic (mis)adventure as you defend exotic lands from dragons, man-eating plants, and ghastly denizens of the underworld.

MLB The Show 23 – March 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass: MLB The Show 23 gets you closer than ever to living your baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock the game and own the show with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB moments. Want to hit the field early? Game Pass members can get four days early access starting today including additional in-game items with the purchase of the Early Access Bundle. Read more about the new updates and features coming to MLB The Show 23 here. Playable on Cloud and Console.

Sifu – March 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In Sifu, you will ponder the value of life and revenge as you hunt down your family’s assassins. One against all, you have no allies, countless enemies, and a mysterious amulet that brings you back to life every time you die. Yet, be warned. Your secret weapon comes with a hefty price to pay: aging and its consequences.

Dredge – March 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Lunark – March 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Uncover the dark origin of humanity’s new home and the truth about yourself in this epic sci-fi adventure! Set on a distant planet ruled by a totalitarian regime, Lunark is a modern take on the 2D cinematic platformer genre of the ’90s. As Leo, a courier with unique abilities and a mysterious past, you’ll run, jump, hang, climb, roll, and shoot through gorgeously animated pixel-art environments ranging from a dystopian megalopolis to eerie caves to an alien forest.

Palindrome Syndrome – March 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Palindrome Syndrome is an escape room sci-fi game that will test your deduction skills. Solve puzzles, decode secret codes, find hidden objects, and investigate the different rooms of the spaceship while you discover the events that led you there.

Saga of Sins – March 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

It’s time to atone for your sins! Saga of Sins is an action-adventure game featuring a mystical storyline and arcade gameplay where you’ll immerse yourself into a world of stained glass inspired by the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. Play as the righteous cleric Cecil — who can enter people’s minds by transforming into four unique demonic creatures such as a howling werewolf or a fierce gargoyle — to fight the seven deadly sins and free the plague infested village of Sinwell.

Tales of the Neon Sea – March 29

Take on the role of Rex, veteran cop turned hard-boiled detective, as you investigate crime in a future cyberpunk world, where the magnificent sky city blots out the sun. In this retro-style, pixel-art adventure set in a fully realized cyberpunk cityscape, you’ll encounter innumerous items to investigate and a whole cast of interactive NPCs. You must analyze every detail and discover the truth that lurks behind the heavy mist to solve a strange murder that may be tied to a robot rebellion.

Aery – Calm Mind 3 – March 30

An interactive game experience designed to relax your mind and soul. Jump into the role of a little bird, explore beautiful landscapes, and collect magical crystals that mark certain landscapes. Because there are no enemies or other dangers in this game, you will be able to lean back and enjoy the scenery and the sensation of flying. A great game to play for relaxing and calming down after an exhausting day.

Formula Retro Racing – World Tour – March 30

The second in the Formula Retro Racing series, retro-style arcade racing games influenced by the classic arcade racing games of the early ‘90s. Featuring fast and exciting gameplay, crisp low poly visuals, a retro soundtrack, and high-speed action. Do you have what it takes to master each racing line, hug every apex, and cross the checkered flag to victory?

Guns N’ Runs – March 30

A stylish action-platform and shooter game, containing super specials and dash mechanics at a fast-paced speed. Unlock hundreds of meticulous challenges and battle bosses. All of this with an immersive soundtrack and an individual narrative for each of the 8 characters!

Infinite Guitars – March 30
Xbox Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass: The metal war machines have reawakened — and only your electric guitar can turn their technology against them! Gather up your party, tune up your favorite axe, and get ready to rock in Infinite Guitars, a rhythm RPG featuring vibrant anime-inspired art, adrenaline-fueled Mech battles, and a blazing original soundtrack. Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

The Last Worker – March 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An immersive narrative adventure centered around a lone worker’s last stand in an increasingly automated world. A unique blend of work simulation and stealth strategic gameplay set in a lonely, oppressive but strangely beautiful environment, with characters designed by comics legend Mick McMahon. Featuring an all-star cast starring Jason Isaacs, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Clare-Hope Ashitey, David Hewlett, Zelda Williams, and Tommie Earl Jenkins.

Rally Rock ‘N Racing – March 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready to skid around at full speed with your family and friends! In Rally Rock ‘N Racing, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of natural environments, such as deserts, snow-covered mountains, and forests where you can show your skill at the wheel, competing against everyone to become the fastest.

“Impossify” Your Park Beyond with Xbox Series X|S on June 16

Hello, Visioners!

I’m happy to share some facts about what’s sure to become your favorite park management game of all time! Park Beyond is coming to Xbox Series X|S on June 16, 2023. From the beginning, we’ve been developing the game on console to give you the best experience. The entire UI and all our features have been custom designed for the Xbox version to provide an optimized gaming experience.

In Park Beyond, we give you the opportunity to build the park of your dreams. You can do this in our unique campaign guided by our loveable written characters or jump right into our sandbox mode.

Of course, we also have a deep management system with different layers, depending on how deep you would like to dive into this world of numbers but…

What makes Park Beyond special are the “Impossifications” – over the top versions of theme park feature that let you go beyond the humdrum and ordinary. And you can use these with so many features, it’ll make your head swim! You may have already seen how our normal Ferris wheel becomes a colossus with eleven wheels instead of just one. Or the Crazy Kraken is transformed from an (already awesome) whirling animatronic ride into a colossal, living, breathing octopus that throws guests through the air.

For purists, it is possible to stay within the limits of what is physically possible and enjoy all aspects of the game. But if reality is just too restrictive, there’s very little you can’t Impossify, even the deepest levels of our park management systems!

A janitor with a broom is a bit too dull? No problem! Give him a flamethrower and any garbage guests leave behind is incinerated on the spot. Your mechanics are only carrying around normal, boring equipment? No problem! See what a few extra exo arms can do.

You can also Impossify any beverage or grocery store in Park Beyond, increasing the fun factor for visitors. You’ll gasp in delight along with your guests the first time you see what happens to a simple kebab store or a coffee shop.

Our story is also Impossified. How is that possible, you ask? We’ve crafted a hearty selections of story missions for you to play through. Additionally, in our extensive campaign you will have different choices before each mission to drag you deeper into the story and increase the replayability. Our unique characters will take you by the hand and teach you all aspects of the game. Even simple tutorials are always connected with fun and entertaining dialogs or cutscenes.

You want infinite possibilities? The sandbox mode is the perfect place for that. You can use all the features we mentioned in the sandbox mode and combine them to design the park of your dreams. Just let your modular roller coasters whiz past your Impossified rides and then rush them right through one of your modular buildings and shoot your coaster through a cannon into a mountain, you created with terraforming.

And believe me when I say that is just the beginning…

Finally, you may wish to share your awesome creations with your friends. We’re all show-offs sometimes, aren’t we? Especially when we have spent hours or even days with the wildest creations and parks. I have very good news for you. We wanted to make sure you could share your creations with the world, and we are so excited to see what you come up with. We’ll give you the opportunity to share your content on Xbox Series X|S.

If all this sounds great and you can’t wait for the release anymore, then you won’t have to wait much longer. Park Beyond will be coming to Xbox Series X|S on June 16, 2023 and you can already pre-order it now on the Xbox Store.

Everyone who pre-orders the game gets the Park Beyond: Pac-Man Impossification Set to bring some classic arcade flavor to their creations!

We can’t wait to see what the park of your dreams will look like, but right now you’ll have to excuse me, it’s my turn to board the Fireball Express Screammaker 8000, so I’ll see you in the park!

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Experience Driving Made Awesome With The Open-World Adventure of LEGO 2K Drive

Summary

LEGO 2K Drive is an all-new, open-world driving adventure coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Cruise around the huge open world of Bricklandia in awesome transforming vehicles that let you drive across Street, Off-Road, and Water terrains! Explore multiple biomes, compete in races, complete quests, and build new rides!
Pre-order LEGO 2K Drive on the Xbox Store now ahead of the launch on May 19

Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world driving adventure in LEGO 2K Drive! This all-new AAA LEGO driving game is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on May 19 and is now available for pre-order.

Developed by Visual Concepts as part of a multi-title partnership between 2K and the LEGO Group, LEGO 2K Drive lets you race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals in your quest for the coveted Sky Cup Trophy. This is driving made awesome.

In LEGO 2K Drive, your transforming vehicle gives you the freedom to speed seamlessly across Street, Off-Road, and Water terrains as you explore the vast landscape of Bricklandia.

The unique biomes of Bricklandia are rich with personality and exhilarating challenges, with tons to see and discover as you cruise around, compete in races, meet colorful characters, complete quests, collect treasures, and build new rides! The world is packed with LEGO humor and carefree fun, with lighthearted commentary provided by Awesome News Network anchors Vikki Wheeler and Parker Carr.

LEGO 2K Drive‘s expansive Story mode follows your journey from rookie roadster to renowned champion, with the ultimate goal of winning a Grand Brix Cup hosted on tracks among the clouds to claim the coveted Sky Cup Trophy. But to be the best, you’ll have to prove yourself against a series of rival racers and eventually triumph over the infamous Shadow Z, a braggadocious villain who doesn’t want to share the road with anyone. As you claim victory in more races and complete events throughout Bricklandia, you’ll unlock new areas and level up your License Class for additional abilities and extra speed.

Outside of the Story mode, which you can enjoy solo or in two-player splitscreen co-op, you can also jump straight to action with the single track Race and Cup Series tournament modes, or let loose in off-the-wall Minigames. Speaking of co-op multiplayer, you can roam across Bricklandia in a party of up to six pals in the Play With Friends online mode—and if you’re looking for some friendly competition, Play With Everyone mode lets you take on racers around the world to see who’s the fastest.

Drivers of all skill levels will have a blast cruising around Bricklandia, but LEGO 2K Drive‘s deep mechanics make it easy to learn and tough to master. The pick-up-and-play accessibility is great for younger audiences, while experienced drivers can go for the fastest times with clever use of exciting power-ups and techniques like drifting, boosting, quickturns, and even instantaneous jumps. Your drives can be as casual or competitive as you like!

When you’re not behind the wheel, unleash your creativity in the Garage, where building Street, Off-Road, and Water vehicles is as easy as snapping bricks together. Construct new cars and boats from scratch, modify any vehicle in your collection, or unwind by following guided builds, then take your creation for a spin. There are tons of customization options in the Garage, from individual brick shapes and paint jobs to finer details like the sounds of your horn and engine. Using Brickbux earned via gameplay, you can also unlock new vehicles, brick types, flairs, and more for your growing collection.

LEGO 2K Drive is available for pre-order as LEGO 2K Drive Standard Edition, LEGO 2K Drive Awesome Edition, and LEGO 2K Drive Awesome Rivals Edition, with the latter two editions offering bonus content packs and the Year 1 Drive Pass* featuring four seasons of post-launch content. Pre-order LEGO 2K Drive on the Xbox Store today and prepare to put the pedal to the plastic on May 19!

*Year 1 Drive Pass included with 2K Drive Awesome Edition and Awesome Rivals Edition. Also available for individual purchase. Base game required. For digital orders, Year 1 Drive Pass content will be automatically delivered in-game upon release. For physical orders, Year 1 Drive Pass content will be delivered via a code in box to be redeemed in game and available upon release. More details on the Year 1 Drive Pass will be shared in the future.

LEGO® 2K Drive Awesome Edition

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

The Awesome Edition includes LEGO® 2K Drive for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world LEGO® driving adventure. Race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals for the coveted Sky Trophy!

THE ULTIMATE LEGO DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Get behind the wheel and gear up for tons of open-world exploration and thrilling races! Take on the exciting Story mode, jump into a single race or Cup Series tourneys, and let loose in off-the-wall minigames. Master the art of drifting, boosting, jumping, and using power-ups to defeat opponents!

RACE FOR THE SKY TROPHY
Story mode follows your journey from rookie racer to famous champion as you compete against a series of charismatic rivals. With each victory, you’ll work your way up the ranks to take on the infamous Shadow Z.

OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION
The vast and vibrant world of Bricklandia is yours to explore as you see fit, full of colorful characters and kooky quests. Zoom past lush fields on Turbo Acres’ pavement, go off-roading in the deserts of Big Butte County, cruise across Prospecto Valley’s picturesque waterways, and more.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY
Building vehicles in the Garage is as easy as snapping bricks together. Construct new cars and boats from scratch, modify any vehicle in your collection, or unwind with guided builds, then take your creation for a drive!

PLAY TOGETHER AT HOME AND ONLINE
Roam around Bricklandia in local splitscreen or join your driving buddies online!

THERE’S MORE AWESOME IN THE AWESOME EDITION
LEGO 2K Drive Awesome Edition includes:
– Aquadirt Racer Pack
– Year 1 Drive Pass: Includes Season 1, 2, 3 and 4 DLC packs. the Awesome Pizza Vehicle. Release timing of the DLC contents will be revealed at a future date.
– 550 Coins
– Awesome Bonus Pack: Includes Wheelie Stunt Driver Minifigure, Machio Beast Vehicle and a Vehicle Flair.
– 3 Day Early Access

“When Everyone Reduces Emissions, Everyone on the Planet Wins” – Explaining Xbox’s New Game Development Sustainability Tools

Xbox’s Director of Gaming Sustainability, Trista Patterson, joined the Xbox Podcast this week with a very clear message:

“Gaming sustainability is something that Xbox is very proud of, and making big strides in. But, with climate [change], you can’t beat your competitor at it. You have to compete against your own best self in every category. And just like we’re saying, ‘When everyone plays, everyone wins,’ the same goes for, ‘When everyone reduces energy and emissions, everyone on the planet wins.’ No doubt about it.”

Appearing on the podcast following Xbox’s announcement of a new suite of developer tools designed to reduce energy use and emissions through game code, Patterson explained how she and her team have been making ground-breaking strides to help the entire industry apply more sustainable thinking, and to “create powerful good using the gaming industry”

It’s not been a simple task. “For a long time, the industry has maintained that there’s no gains to be found in greening game code,” Patterson explained. “And that’s because there’s an enormous complexity between the hardware, the software, the electrical and other engineering, the design, and then the game code itself that creates the power that is required in order to create the gaming experience.”

“Broadly considered, the industry decided that this was a completely intractable problem – in fact, within the UN’s Playing for the Planet Alliance, it was considered even as of a month ago to be an impossible problem to solve.”

The solution to that seemingly impossible problem was to create resources for developers to identify ‘Energy Bugs’ – previously invisible problems created by coding that can unintentionally use more power than needed – at source, and fix them quickly. While Xbox has already taken strides to reduce power usage in consoles themselves, this new effort will aid developers in reducing power consumption caused by the games you play on them.

“You can have fun breaking things in a game. And right now we’re not having fun breaking the planet. Let’s have fun fixing it.”

At GDC, Xbox announced the rollout of a new Developer Sustainability Toolkit, a power monitoring system, certification reports, power consumption dashboards, guides, case studies, and a pilot program that offers specialist assistance to game devs looking to work on their games’ energy consumption. The goal is to, “precision engineer the visual and analytical feedback that is needed for game developers to make changes to their code that will allow them to reduce energy consumption on the consoles in the living room of every gamer in the world.”

That openness, that this isn’t only applicable to the Xbox platform, is key here: “The thing that I find really remarkable is that when a studio sees what a no-brainer it is to fix so many of these Energy Bugs, they fix them in a way that is not just reducing emissions on the Xbox console platform, but they’re instituting [them] to the entire game code. And that game code then gets released to almost every other platform that they are releasing to in the future.”

The work won’t stop with Xbox developers, either: “We are empowering and inviting the rest of the industry to use these insights, these case studies, these tools, and also inspire their own investigations in order to be able to create impact, no matter how small or large their gaming studio is.”

The overall goal here is to make the enormous size of the games industry not a problem for sustainability, but a part of the solution – and making use of the inherent positivity of that creative space:

“In the environmental field, things are going haywire right and left. It’s a depressing field. If society focuses on everything going wrong all the time, and we’re encountering stories of loss and destruction, it’s true that statistically there are many challenges in front of us, but gaming opens up all of this remarkable, creative problem solving… You can have fun breaking things in a game. And right now we’re not having fun breaking the planet. Let’s have fun fixing it.”