How Monument Valley 3 Uses Soundscapes to Tell Its Story

How Monument Valley 3 Uses Soundscapes to Tell Its Story

Monument Valley 3 Screenshot

Summary

  • Learn how Monument Valley 3 transforms every interaction into a living soundscape for a fully immersive experience.
  • Audio Director Todd Baker shares how the game’s music and sound design tell Noor’s emotional journey.
  • Monument Valley 3 launches July 22, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One and the collectible vinyl soundtrack is available to pre-order now from iam8bit.

When we began working on Monument Valley 3 at ustwo games, our goal was to push the boundaries of what game audio could be. We didn’t want the soundtrack to simply sit alongside the visuals: it needed to be deeply embedded in the storytelling and gameplay, emotionally connected to every move the player makes. That approach has led to the sound design, audio direction and soundtrack being nominated at the D.I.C.E Awards, Mobile Game Awards, and more.

For Monument Valley 3, I worked closely with co-composer Lucie Treacher to blur the line between traditional composition and interactive sound design. Together, we crafted an audio experience that’s meant to be fully immersive – one that I believe is best appreciated with headphones when the game launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on July 22.

A Fresh, Experimental Approach to Sound

While Monument Valley and its sequel were celebrated for their serene, ambient soundscapes, I deliberately chose not to revisit those soundtracks during production as an attempt to break away from the formula of the previous games. I wanted to keep my perspective fresh and allow new ideas to take root without being overly influenced by what had come before. This decision gave me and my co-composer Lucie Treacher a blank canvas, and with it, the freedom to experiment.

Each level in Monument Valley 3 became its own miniature sound world. Instead of scoring the game with one overarching musical theme, we approached every chapter as a self-contained sound installation. This allowed us to tailor the sonic experience to the emotion, visual design, and narrative beats of each environment.

Monument Valley 3 Screenshot

It also opened the door to incorporating global musical influences, from the breathy tones of the Bansuri to the resonant chimes of Gamelan and the earthy plucks of the Kora, which is a harp from West Africa. These instruments weren’t chosen for novelty, but because they brought texture, cultural richness, and emotional resonance to the world of Noor, the game’s heroine. All on top of a 17-piece string section as our solid base.

A Living, Responsive Soundscape & Water As A Musical Element

Crucially, Lucie and I wanted sound to be interactive. One of the game’s core themes is transformation, so it felt natural to create an audio system that could morph in real-time based on how players move and manipulate the world. I leaned heavily on granular synthesis and virtual instrument design to achieve this. In certain levels, the architecture becomes an instrument itself: as you shift blocks, rotate towers, or guide Noor through a puzzle, the music responds and evolves. It’s like you’re composing as you’re playing.

This idea of interactivity also extended to our approach to environmental audio. Water is a central motif in Monument Valley 3, symbolizing both destruction and renewal. To do it justice, I recorded and processed a vast library of water sounds, including rivers, lakes, pouring taps, underwater ambiances, and used them as both musical and textural elements. In some moments, the water provides gentle ambience; in others, it becomes part of the melodic structure. Every drip, ripple, and splash were considered.

A Tactile and Cinematic Score

The game’s tactile nature was also key to the audio experience. We wanted each interaction to feel musical, like a note being played in a larger composition. This meant designing detailed, layered feedback for every touchpoint. The sound of turning a gear isn’t just a mechanical click; it’s tuned, rhythmic, and harmonically in key with the scene’s ambient music. Lucie and I often thought of the entire soundscape as a living instrument, with players improvising a unique performance each time they played.

Of course, this level of detail requires collaboration. Lucie and I worked closely with level designers and narrative leads throughout the production. Sound was never an afterthought as it had to be there from the very beginning, woven into the narrative arcs, spatial design, and even the puzzles themselves. We often built music and mechanics together, ensuring that one enhanced the other.

One of my favorite examples is a level inspired by paper and origami. Visually, it unfolds like a print coming to life, and we wanted the music to feel equally handmade. We used crinkling paper textures, lo-fi tape hiss, and analogue synths to create an intimate, tactile feel that matched the level’s delicate visual aesthetic.

What I’m most proud of, though, is how the audio in Monument Valley 3 supports the game’s emotional journey. Noor’s story is one of grief, growth, and hope. The music gently guides players through that emotional arc, rising and falling with the character’s internal struggles and triumphs. In more reflective moments, sparse strings and breathy flutes leave space for introspection. During climactic puzzles, the soundtrack swells, bringing a sense of momentum and catharsis.

We’ve designed Monument Valley 3 to be best experienced with headphones, where the full detail and nuance of the soundscape can be appreciated. It’s a game that rewards careful listening, and I hope players on Xbox will feel immersed not just visually, but sonically.

I’m excited for even more people to hear the story we’ve told: not just through dialogue or art, but through sound.


Monument Valley 3, developed and published by BAFTA-winning independent studio ustwo games, will be released globally for Xbox Series X|S and  Xbox One on July 22, fully optimized for widescreen displays, Xbox controllers and, of course, high fidelity audio. MV3 follows in the footsteps of Monument Valley 1 & 2, which were released for Xbox for the first time in April.

In addition, the Monument Valley 3 Original Game Soundtrack is now available to stream on all major music streaming platforms. It is also available as a limited edition vinyl exclusively from iam8bit.


Monument Valley 3

ustwo games


$19.99

$17.99

Set sail for adventure in MONUMENT VALLEY 3, a brand new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series.

Guide Noor, an apprentice lightkeeper, through impossible monuments, shifting landscapes, and tranquil seascapes to uncover the Sacred Light and save her home.

Monument Valley 3 takes you beyond the monuments and into the open sea. As Noor, you’ll navigate stunning, changing environments, solve mind-bending puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Light. With her village threatened by rising tides, Noor must chart her own course—and discover her own strength—in this stunning, emotional adventure.

Sail between geometry, manipulate architecture to reveal hidden paths, and let the iconic soundtrack guide you forward. With new mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and the series’ signature charm, Monument Valley 3 is a voyage like no other.

Features:

– Defy Perspective: Rotate and manipulate the environment to reveal hidden paths, solve intricate puzzles

– Uncover The Mystery: Help Noor unlock the secrets of this ever-changing world.

– Beautiful Art: A stunning world inspired by modern design, global architecture and hand-crafted, personal stories.

– Every Update Included: Full Story is included, with brand new updates to come

Adventure awaits—will you uncover the light that guides the way?

ustwo games are proud independent developers, best known for the award-winning Monument Valley series, Land’s End, Assemble with Care and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure.


Monument Valley 1&2 Bundle

ustwo games


3

$17.99

Experience the magic of Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2 in one complete bundle.

Step into a world of stunning architecture, impossible geometry, and meditative puzzle-solving. Guide Ida and Ro through surreal landscapes, manipulating monuments to uncover hidden paths and solve intricate illusions.

With every chapter and DLC included, Monument Valley 1 & 2 Bundle is the definitive way to experience these award-winning games, now beautifully reimagined for new platforms.


The post How Monument Valley 3 Uses Soundscapes to Tell Its Story appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How Dying Light: The Beast Transformed Nights to Pure Horror – Let’s Ask the Devs

How Dying Light: The Beast Transformed Nights to Pure Horror – Let’s Ask the Devs

Dying Light The Beast Hero Image

More than a decade ago, the original Dying Light introduced a new and unique vision for the zombie survival horror genre: Instead of a linear, clearly defined space you were thrown into a brutal open world zombie apocalypse where first-person parkour and visceral combat are the only keys to survival. Since then, more than 50 million unique players have joined in humanity’s last fight. On August 22, Dying Light: The Beast, the third major installment in the series, opens a terrifying new chapter.

Steering the franchise back to its survival horror roots, The Beast marks the long-awaited return of a fan-favorite hero: Kyle Crane, the protagonist who started it all. We sat down with Franchise Director Tymon Smektała, Art Director Katarzyna Tarnacka-Polito, and Game Director Nathan Lemaire to learn more about what awaits players in the darkness.

A Return to Survival Horror

After the release of Dying Light 2: Stay Human, a common piece of community feedback was about the shift in tone. Franchise Director Tymon Smektała addresses this head-on.

“We heard our fans,” Smektała says. “While we are proud of Dying Light 2, I can admit that perhaps it wasn’t as scary as the first game. We lost some of that oppressive, terrifying atmosphere that made the original so special. With The Beast, our number one goal was to bring back the fear. We want players to feel genuine dread when the sun goes down.”

Night in Dying Light: The Beast is a fundamentally different experience. Once darkness falls, you are no longer the hunter; you are the prey. Your in-game watch isn’t just a cosmetic detail – it’s a lifeline. You’ll need to check it constantly, as being caught in the open after sunset, far from a safe zone, means you’re in the territory of the Volatiles. Your only options are to run, hide, or fight for your life.

“Night is truly pitch black,” explains Game Director Nathan Lemaire. “Imagine you’re alone in the woods, surrounded by unsettling noises. Your flashlight only illuminates a few meters ahead, leaving the rest of the screen dark. You have to constantly look around, guessing what lurks in the shadows. This completely changes the dynamic. Every step is fraught with tension. It’s pure survival horror.”

The developers are focused on creating suspense rather than overwhelming players with enemies. “We’re very deliberate with when and how many zombies we spawn,” says Smektała. “We want you on the edge of your seat. Sometimes, the absence of an enemy, paired with their terrifying sounds, can be just as scary as fighting them.”

The Beast Within

Kyle Crane, the hero from the original Dying Light, returns to fight a battle on two fronts: against the monsters outside and the beast within. After being infected at the end of Dying Light: The Following and experimented on for years, his DNA has been spliced with viral strains.

This internal struggle manifests as a new gameplay mechanic. Players can tap into Kyle’s Beast-like powers for brief, violent outbursts, allowing them to tear through zombies with savage force. But this power is fleeting. At the start of the game, Kyle barely has control over it. After a few precious moments of brutal power, you must return to the shadows, where parkour and stealth are once again your keys to survival.

“Don’t mistake the Beast-like powers for a god mode,” Smektała clarifies. “It’s rewarding and fun, but your most important weapon is still your brain.”

A Calculated Arsenal

Another major change is the reintroduction of firearms, a feature with a complicated history in the series. This time, their inclusion has been carefully balanced.

“The original Dying Light had firearms, but the focus was on melee,” Smektała recalls. “Fans loved the melee so much that for Dying Light 2, we launched without guns. The first piece of feedback we got? ‘Where are the guns?!’ This time, we want to do it right from the beginning.”

In Dying Light: The Beast, firearms are integrated early on, and for the first time, enemy NPCs will also wield them. However, this isn’t a run-and-gun shooter. “Ammo and resources are scarce in Castor Woods,” Lemaire notes. “You’ll have to look around in the world and loot them in world. More importantly, firing a gun is loud. It might solve your immediate problem, but it will attract more enemies. It creates a new strategic layer: do you use a precious bullet for a quick, noisy kill, or stick to stealth and melee?”

This risk-reward philosophy extends to the new driveable 4×4 trucks. They offer transportation but consume fuel, break down, and attract unwanted attention – a dangerous combination when night is falling.

The Beauty of a Decaying World

This terrifying experience unfolds in the Castor Woods valley, a dense, atmospheric, and entirely new open world. At its center is an old town built on a slope, a parkour paradise full of verticality. Beyond the city lie diverse biomes, including a national park, forests, swamps, farmlands, and mountains, as well as industrial zones and small villages.

“For Castor Woods, we made a conscious decision to handcraft the world instead of using procedural tools,” says Art Director Katarzyna Tarnacka-Polito. “Every room, every abandoned campsite – everything has been placed by our artists. This allows us to control the atmosphere and create a world that feels grounded and full of history. It’s our most beautiful, and most terrifying, environment yet.”

The team focused on density over sheer size, promising that every square inch of the map holds challenges, secrets, or gameplay opportunities. This design is enhanced by major technical improvements.

“Not only are we bringing back the dynamic day-and-night cycle, but we’re also introducing dynamic weather systems,” Tarnacka-Polito adds. “From sun and rain to fog and all-out storms, the world feels more alive than ever. This is enhanced by new lighting systems and elemental effects that impact gameplay.”

When it rains, roads become slippery, affecting vehicle handling. Water can extinguish flames you’ve used on enemies, while electricity becomes even more lethal in wet conditions. This combination of curated design and systemic chaos promises to deliver the unscripted, heart-pounding moments the series is known for.

Built Together With Community

Everything you’ve read about today – the return to scarier nights, a beloved but changed hero, the handcrafted world of Castor Woods – is a direct result of the dialogue we have with you – the players! Dying Light is what it is because of our community. We are pouring all of our passion into making The Beast an unforgettable journey.

From all of us at the studio, we truly can’t wait for you to finally make your own trip to Castor Woods: Dying Light: The Beast releases on August 22, 2025 and if you pre-order now, you’ll get the Hero of Harran Bundle on top – a set of items that won’t just help you in Castor Woods, but also honors the legacy of the Dying Light franchise. Good night and good luck out there!

Dying Light: The Beast

Techland


6

**Important: Anyone who purchased the Ultimate Edition of Dying Light 2 Stay Human will receive Dying Light: The Beast at no additional charge.**

Pre-order the Standard Edition now to get the exclusive Hero of Harran Bundle, which contains:
– Ultimate Survivor Outfit
– Harran Combat Knife (+ Upgradable Blueprint)
– The Follower Crossbow (+ Upgradable Blueprint)
– In Jade’s Memory Pistol (+ Upgradable Blueprint)
– Castor Woods Patrol

You are Kyle Crane. After being captured by the Baron and enduring his painful experiments for years, you escape. But the scars remain. Left on the edge of humanity with both human and zombie DNA, you struggle to control your inner beast and the conflict that comes with it. But you’ll need to, if you want to get your revenge on the man who did this to you. A unique blend of open world and action survival horror, Dying Light: The Beast is set in the beautiful, yet dangerous valley of Castor Woods that’s now overrun with zombies rather than tourists. To take your former captor down, you’ll need to form fragile alliances, as well as utilize all the combat and traversal options in your arsenal. But be careful: out here, each step is a fight for survival, especially once the sun sets and the tension heightens as the true horrors come out at night!
Half Beast, Half Survivor
Become Kyle Crane, a unique hero with DNA of a survivor… and a beast. Switch between two playstyles and experience a fierce inner conflict between man and monster, leading to the ultimate embrace of unstoppable strength.

Primal Brutality
Take the raw savagery of Dying Light’s combat to the extreme and push brutality beyond human limits as you crush skulls, rip heads off, and tear enemies in half struggling to control the hero’s constantly evolving, rage fueled, beast-like powers.

Own the day, fear the night
A signature of the Dying Light series – two vastly different experiences of day and night merge into one unforgettable whole. Scavenge and explore by day, mindful of the constant tension of the moving clock – as when the sun sets, the night unleashes horrors that leave you with only three choices: run, hide, or fight for your life.

Run the Rooftops, Rule the Roads
Feel the rush of best-in-class first-person parkour as you jump from rooftop to rooftop and climb over any obstacle using a movement system accessible to all, yet rewarding those who master it. Then take the wheel of an off-road vehicle and plow through hordes of zombies enjoying unparalleled freedom of open world traversal.

Beautiful Zombie Apocalypse
Breathtaking next-gen visuals bring the handcrafted zombie apocalypse to life, where every detail tells a story of survival. Get lost in the majesty of Swiss-Alps inspired valley of Castor Woods with various biomes – tourist town, industrial area, national park, farm fields, swamps – full of beauty… and decay.

Share the adventure
Band together in up to 4-player co-op to take on the dangers of Castor Woods, where every fight, every discovery and every twisting step of the story can be faced as a group. Use shared progression to conquer the entire adventure side by side, as you face relentless enemies, scavenge for resources and save each other from the brink of death.

The post How Dying Light: The Beast Transformed Nights to Pure Horror – Let’s Ask the Devs appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 21 to 25

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 21 to 25

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, 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!


Monument Valley 3

ustwo games


$19.99

$17.99

Monument Valley 3 – July 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Set sail for adventure in Monument Valley 3, a brand-new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series. Guide Noor, an apprentice lightkeeper, through impossible monuments, shifting landscapes, and tranquil seascapes to uncover the Sacred Light and save her home.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Wheel World

Annapurna Interactive

Wheel World – July 23
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass! You are Kat, a young cyclist with one mission: save Wheel World from total collapse. Explore a stunning open world filled with impressive vistas, hidden secrets, and races that will test your skills. Customize your bike with an endless array of parts, from sleek speedsters to off-road beasts — there’s no limit to how you can ride.


WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

505 Games

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – July 24
Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a Souls-like action RPG set in the dark final days of the Ming Dynasty. Play as Wuchang, a pirate warrior battling memory loss and a deadly curse, as you master brutal combat, evolve your skills, and uncover the truth behind a world consumed by chaos.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Abiotic Factor

Playstack Ltd

Abiotic Factor – July 22
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

A survival crafting experience for one to six players set in the depths of an underground research facility. Caught between paranormal containment failure, a military crusade, and chaos from a dozen realms, the world’s greatest minds must survive against the universe’s biggest threats.


Cubey: Blockbyte

Jolly Lobster Interactive

Cubey: Blockbyte – July 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Smash. Collect. Escape. In Cubey: Blockbyte, every jump counts. Crush blocks beneath you, grab every last coin, and unlock the gate to freedom. Miss a coin? The exit stays shut. Plan your jumps, move fast, and don’t leave anything behind.


Luto

Selecta Play

$19.99

Luto – July 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

This is a story about death. Luto is a psychological horror experience where you take on the role of someone unable to leave their home. Every attempt to escape will lead you deeper into the unknown, where nothing is as it seems and everything will test your senses.


Wildgate

Dreamhaven, Inc.

Wildgate – July 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Blast off into high-stakes spaceship battles and intense first-person shootouts, where no two matches are ever the same. If you want to claim the ultimate prize — the mysterious and priceless Artifact — you’ll need to improvise on the fly, whether it’s chasing down rival crews and stealing their gear, repairing your damaged ship, or scanning for precious resources.


Chess Battle

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Chess Battle – July 23

Develop your thinking, tactics and visual memory with the most popular game on the planet. Strategize and lead your army to victory – improve your chess skills and unlock your inner grandmaster!


Rogue Raccoon

Afil Games

Rogue Raccoon – July 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to sneak into the city’s most overprotected museum… all for food! In Rogue Raccoon, you play as a fast and cheeky raccoon on a clear mission: clean out the food court, one hidden snack at a time.


Secret Paws – Cozy Offices

Eastasiasoft Limited

Secret Paws – Cozy Offices – July 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Find the hidden kitties around the office! Secret Paws – Cozy Offices is an isometric hidden object game themed around cats and colorful workspaces. Explore unique, adorably decorated cube-shaped rooms as you search for dozens of cleverly obscured felines lying around each stage.


Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S+

Crypton Future Media

Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S+ – July 24

This new and improved version of Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S includes a variety of new features! Work alongside Miku and other Piapro characters to solve these unique puzzles! In addition to the Normal Puzzles and all-new illustration-based Special Puzzles, you can also update the appearance of each Piapro character and even customize your room to your liking.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Crowd City

QubicGames S.A.

Crowd City – July 25
Xbox Play Anywhere

Gather people across the city and crush your opponents with your overwhelming leadership. The more people you run into, the bigger your crowd becomes! Beware! If other group has more members, yours will be taken completely and you will have to start from scratch… Try out a variety of funny skins and play on different maps.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 21 to 25 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds

Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds

In Planet Coaster 2, you can push the boundaries of your creativity like never before. With enhanced and improved building tools, you can design a true water and theme park paradise that will delight and thrill your guests.

The latest free updates have included many new features for players to explore including modular souvenir shops, on-ride photos for guests to take home their memories, and tasty sit-down restaurants that can be fully customised to fit any theme in your park. Returning themes from the original Planet Coaster have also unlocked even more creative possibilities!

With this in mind, we’ve picked some of our favourite Xbox community creations from the Frontier Workshop to get you inspired and we can’t wait to share them with you!

These blueprints and park builds show off the fantastic tools and features you can use to create amazing theme and water parks in Planet Coaster 2, which can be downloaded into your game.


1. Lazy River by Baaty

Share Code – 62T-9L7-44L

A lazy river is a classic staple in any water park! The use of scenery items like the inflatables scattered around the pool add a fun moment of realism to the paradise created by the trees and plants along the water’s edge. A great example of the scenery brush, a tool that gives you the ability to place lots of objects in a short amount of time!


2. Ragnarök Ridge – Viking Themed Coaster by BluerRoosterUK

Share Code – 1NY-G28-19L

Building rides in Planet Coaster 2 isn’t only about the visuals! This epic build doesn’t just look great as a focal point for any park, it boasts excellent stats, making it ideal for Franchise Mode. It also features amazing custom animatronics that breathe life into this fierce Viking-themed rollercoaster.


3. Shabadoo’s Electric Garden by Daypass

Share Code – 3JG-Y3Y-S3Y

Dark rides are a fantastic way to play with the lighting in your park, and this ride shows that off brilliantly with a range of glowing scenery pieces and lights that really stand out! The number of lights and effects in Planet Coaster 2 allow you to create awesome dark ride experiences that your guests (and you – thank you first person mode!) can enjoy.


4. AquaAdventure World by SplashZone

Share Code – 2Z6-8J0-PJT

This theme park is what Planet Coaster 2 is all about! Using rocks, water and terrain tools allows you to add levels to the space, instead of having a flat theme park. The fantastic mix of coaster and water park elements on an epic scale looks amazing and goes down well with your guests too.


5. Fantasy Building by Birtie

Share Code – 1F2-J6W-016

Planet Coaster 2’s themes have wonderful versatility for creating details in your parks. By using the Aquatic, Mythology and Viking themes, this park building adds the perfect fantasy flair with all the little details – we want to walk around here ourselves!

If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your wonderful and wacky park building ideas, check out the Planet Coaster 2 community page to see the Featured Creators and Workshop Creations we’re loving right now.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and create a splash.

Planet Coaster 2

Frontier Developments


138

$49.99

Create a splash with Planet Coaster 2 – sequel to the world’s best coaster park simulator!  

Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. 

Dive in now! 

EMBRACE CREATIVITY 

Expand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. It’s never been easier to bring your dream park to life.  

Create the ultimate theme park: Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customisable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique.

Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before!  Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember. 

Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes.   

Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity. 

MASTER MANAGEMENT 

Find the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. 

Take care: Provide for your guests’ health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool. 

Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new ‘heat maps’ feature lets you understand the wider park’s needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park.  

SHARE THE RIDE 

Create together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save! 

Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards! 

Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand – explore their worlds in first person as a park guest! 

Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in other’s creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online. 

The post Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet

Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet

RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business Key Art

Summary

I’m going to do that thing people don’t like, where I remind you about the inevitable passage of time. If that’s the sort of thing that does about as much damage to you as failing to comply when ordered by ED-209, then look away now. Today marks 38 years since RoboCop’s debut and what better way to celebrate than with a double feature.

On the surface, “RoboCop” might feel like a gratuitous action flick, but that would be ignoring the deep worldbuilding, themes, and characterization explored across these movies. It’s also deeply satirical and not afraid to have fun, with some iconic jokes, gags, and one-liners.  

These were a must when it came to building RoboCop: Rogue City, a first-person shooter that launched at the end of 2023 and is available today with Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC! As RoboCop, you can hit the streets, interrogate witnesses, and complete objectives in alignment with your moral compass. If you’ve still not checked out Rogue City, now’s the perfect time.

Rogue City was a fantastic success for us, and that’s down to the passionate fans. Their support also gave us the opportunity to work on a follow-up, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business.  If Rogue City is a little more about downtime, exploring Old Detroit, and experiencing the life of RoboCop, then Unfinished Business can be considered playing a high intensity RoboCop movie.

Unfinished Business begins with a group of mercenaries tearing through the Metro West Precinct, bodies and bullets left in their wake. With components stolen from RoboCop’s chair, their objective is clear: the OmniTower. Combine these with the technology at the top, and they can seize control of all OCP technology, including RoboCop. The stakes are high and since the OmniTower is outside the Detroit Police Department’s jurisdiction, it means RoboCop is going in alone.

Unfinished Business follows on from Rogue City, and both games sit between “RoboCop 2” and “RoboCop 3” on the timeline. This gives us a lot of lore to draw from, it means we can introduce new enemies, like the katana wielding androids (those don’t look like OCP tech), or jetpack users, who rain fire down from above. These threats turn each level of the OnniTower into a puzzle that needs to be solved.  How will you navigate the turrets, drones, and the small army of heavily armored mercs standing between you and the summit.

One of the most important things for players is that they feel the power of being RoboCop, we’ve kept the option to toss enemies and objects with ease, but we’ve also added powerful environmental finishers where the camera pulls back and see RoboCop in action. This was in response to feedback from our players who wanted to see more of the iconic hero.

Another thing we wanted to do with Unfinished Business is to dive deeper into the man in the machine. Humanity has always been a core theme in this series, and while the bulk of the story takes place in the OmniTower, levels that put you into the shoes of different characters present new gameplay styles that serve as a change of pace throughout the campaign.

When playing as Alex Murphy back when he was a beat cop, players will need to alter their playstyle without RoboCop’s powerful armor serving as a shield. Ammo counts become important when you can’t fall back on the Auto-9, but more than that, it’s an opportunity for us to build on Murphy’s story. The link between Murphy and RoboCop was a crux in the films, something that Peter Weller was known for doing so well, and the reason we needed to get him back for the standalone — welcome back to Old Detroit, Murphy.

It’s a great day for RoboCop fans! RoboCop: Rogue City is available today with Game Pass and the action-packed standalone follow-up, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, is available now for Xbox Series X|S!


Xbox Play Anywhere

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business

Nacon


12

$29.99

ROBOCOP IS BACK ON DUTY TO SETTLE UNFINISHED BUSINESS

FIGHT YOUR WAY TO THE TOP FLOOR
Following RoboCop’s decisive victory over Detroit’s gangs, a new chapter unfolds in this standalone extension set after the events of RoboCop: Rogue City.

The New Guy in Town has been defeated, but the streets are still riddled with crime. A spark of hope comes from OCP’s latest project: OmniTower – a massive housing complex designed specifically to provide for the needs of the residents of Old Detroit.

But when a group of highly trained mercenaries armed with cutting-edge weapons takes control of the building and turns it into their deadly fortress, RoboCop must take action to put a stop to their plans and uphold the law.

FACE A DEADLIER CLASS OF CRIMINALS
Prepare to take on a new breed of enemies: OmniTower is packed with high-tech threats.

From flying drones to exploding bots and anti-personnel turrets, every floor is riddled with deadly traps, and heavily armed elite troops. Expect to face minigun-toting armoured squads, special forces equipped with jet packs or even katana-wielding foes who look more machine than man.

RESTORE ORDER WITH JUSTICE SERVED COLD
When it’s too late to shout “freeze”, you can rely on RoboCop’s arsenal to to cool down enemies’ ambitions. Choose from a wide range of powerful weapons to serve Justice, including the iconic Auto-9 or the all-new Cryo Cannon.
Unleash RoboCop’s unmatched strength to deliver devastating finishing moves – whether smashing an opponent’s skull against a concrete wall or into the nearest drinks vending machine.

PLAY AS ALEX MURPHY AND ED-209
Experience unique missions with familiar faces which reveal more of the storyline of Unfinished Business.

Before becoming RoboCop, he was plain old police officer Alex Murphy, brave and resolute, but all too vulnerable on the beat in Old Detroit. Discover a different side of the legendary law enforcer, voiced by Peter Weller.

Step into the big boots of ED-209 and make the mercs know the efficiency of the iconic urban pacifier in action. This time, criminals won’t have 20 seconds to comply.


Xbox Play Anywhere

RoboCop: Rogue City

Nacon


365


$59.99

$47.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and bring justice to the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit.

Uphold the law by any means necessary:
With your powerful Auto-9 or one of the other 20 weapons available, eradicate criminals throughout this explosive first-person adventure. Your cyborg strength and cybernetic abilities can be upgraded as you progress, to make you an even more formidable law enforcement officer.

It’s up to you to decide how to fulfil your prime directives:
Explore open areas and complete your objectives according to your own sense of justice. Finding evidence, interrogating suspects and maintaining public order are just some of your daily tasks as a police officer. But don’t take decisions lightly: your choices can determine the fate of citizens and the result of your mission.

An original story set in the world of RoboCop:
The city of Old Detroit has been hit by a crime wave, with a new enemy threatening the peace and order. Your investigation leads you right into the heart of a shadowy conspiracy in an original story that takes place between RoboCop 2 and 3, with striking locations to explore and familiar faces to meet. Peter Weller, the original RoboCop actor, is even back on duty to voice the cybercop.

Get ready to…

PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND UPHOLD THE LAW


RoboCop: Rogue City – Alex Murphy Edition

Nacon


924


$69.99

$6.99

The ”Alex Murphy” Edition throws you into the thick of the action for an even more exhilarating experience. It includes:
– The base game
– The ”OCP Shotgun” side arm
– The hero’s damaged armour, taken from the first RoboCop film (cosmetic)
– The ”Prototype” version of the Auto-9 gun (cosmetic)
– Early access to the game, 48 hours before the official launch
– The digital artbook containing 100 pages of images, with comments from the game developers


The post Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox

All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox

Summary

  • Find out what makes BattleCap so addictive.
  • A deep dive into the physics behind this chaotic couch co-op.
  • Learn how to customize your warships and heat up the competition.

Ahoy, Captains!

Ruizhao Chen here, designer of BattleCap – the naval combat party game that transforms your living room into a bottle cap battleground. After years of sweat, laughter, and way too many “last rounds” with our dev team, I’m thrilled to announce: BattleCap launches today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!

Why our Team Couldn’t Stop Playing

During development, our golden standard was simple: If our team didn’t get hooked during testing, players wouldn’t either. We’d promise “one last match” only to keep hitting “Start Game.” This obsession shaped every decision:

  1. Team-wide enjoyment: We refined mechanics until programmers and artists loved them – not just designers.
  2. Accessible depth: Simple controls hide strategic depth. Kids to grandparents can enjoy it.
  3. Perfect session length: Matches fit a lunch break but deliver maximum laughter.
  4. Social chaos: Backstabs and comeback victories make players “scream, laugh, and stomp.”
BattleCap screenshot

Physics: our Biggest Challenge and Triumph

BattleCap’s soul is its real-time physics simulation. Every interaction follows physical rules:

  • Elastic Warships: Connect bottle caps with bubblegum adhesive. Attacks make ships wobble and deform. Clever players exploit this to steal enemy caps mid-battle by breaking connections.
  • Environmental Strategy:
    • Ride wind currents to dodge or chase.
    • Avoid deadly whirlpools that pull ships toward destruction.
  • True Projectile Physics:
    • Cannonballs arc with gravity.
    • Lasers pierce targets.
    • Flamethrowers have short range.
  • Smart Enemies: Foes use line-of-sight physics. Hide behind obstacles to ambush them!

Months of tuning ensured these systems feel intuitive yet strategically rich.

BattleCap screenshot

What Awaits on the High Seas

🛠 Build Custom Warships

Collect scattered bottle caps to assemble multi-functional warships that deform, extend, or split apart. Adapt your strategy on the fly!

🌊 Conquer three Battle Zones

  • Mysterious Ruins: Navigate ancient hazards.
  • Stormbreaker Bay: Harness tactical winds.
  • Devil’s Whirlpool: Lure enemies into the maelstrom.

⚔ Choose Your Combat

  • Four-Player Local PVP: Compete in chaotic “triple-match championships” across dynamic maps.
  • Roguelite PVE: Team up against sea monsters! Collect random blessings and relics (like Tidal Shields) to upgrade your ship each run.

Set Sail Today!

BattleCap delivers fresh naval combat where physics rules and bottle caps reign. Perfect for:

  • Chaotic couch co-op nights.
  • Strategic shipbuilders.
  • Players seeking “easy to learn, hard to master” depth.

👉 Grab your crew. Fair winds, Captains!

BattleCap

E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd


$11.99

$9.59

The naval combat party game “BattleCap” is now available! This innovative party game, supporting 1-4 players, will take you into an exciting naval battle. Here, you can use various bottle cap modules to create your own unique warship, engage in intense battles with friends, or team up to challenge powerful sea monsters. The unique flexible physics engine makes every ship collision dynamic and fun, offering a refreshing combat experience!

In the game, players will find themselves in three major themed combat zones, ranging from mysterious ruins to the devil’s whirlpool. Each map is filled with tactical changes and mechanical challenges. By collecting scattered bottle cap modules, you can assemble multi-functional warships that can deform, extend, or even break apart. Adapt your strategy flexibly in battle and enjoy the unique fun of ship assembly. The game also features rich Roguelite elements, allowing you to strengthen your warship with randomly dropped blessings and relics.

Whether you want to compete with friends in party mode or team up to fend off angry sea monsters in cooperative mode,”BattleCap” has something for you. The local PVP mode offers a tense and exciting triple-match championship, while the PVE mode is filled with strategy and teamwork, challenging your operational and tactical limits.

Join BattleCap: Clashing Wars now and embark on a new and fun naval battle experience with your friends! Build your custom warship and face endless adventure and challenges!

The post All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders!

The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders!

Are you ready for the ultimate first-person shooter? The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today! Dive into the high-stakes extraction and the epic Warfare today in the Xbox Insider Playtest, available now on Xbox Series X|S.

About the Game:

Delta Force is the definitive free-to-play modern team-based tactical shooter coming to consoles on August 19. As the latest installment of the classic series that has defined the genre for 25 years, Delta Force is back with 3 main game modes: large-scale multiplayer PvP – Warfare, next-gen extraction shooter – Operations, and classic PvE campaign mode – Black Hawk Down.

3 Experiences in One:

Experience the all-out 32 Vs. 32 Warfare mode, the next-gen extraction mode, and the cinematic Black Hawk Down campaign mode in one game.

1 Account, 3 Battlefronts:

Progression shared among console, PC, and mobile. Cross-play available between console and PC version.

Free-to-Play:

3 modes, 10+ Operators, 10+ maps, tons of rewards, all for free.

Learn more about Delta Force here: https://playdeltaforce.com

Playtest Times:

Start: Wednesday, July 16th, 6 PM PT (9 PM ET / July 17th, 1 AM UTC)

End: Saturday, July 20, 6 PM PT (9 PM ET / July 21st, 1 AM UTC)

How To Participate

  1. Sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
  2. Navigate to Previews > Delta Force BETA
  3. Select Join
  4. Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install Delta Force Beta for CBT Xbox

NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.

NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X|S consoles.

NOTE: This playtest is only available to users in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

How to Provide Feedback:

If you experience any issues while playing GOALS, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:

  • Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
  • Select Report a problem.
  • Select the Games category and Delta Force Beta for CBT Xbox subcategory.
  • Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.

Chat, share your thoughts and feedback on the Delta Force Discord here.

You can also reach out for customer support via email:

service@playdeltaforce.com

See FAQ about The Delta Force Technical Test here.

Other resources:

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

The post The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know

Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know

Grounded 2 Screenshot

Summary

  • Grounded 2 launches July 29, 2025, in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud, in Early Access on Steam, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass —get ready to shrink down and dive in!
  • And with Xbox Play Anywhere, a single purchase lets you play with Xbox consoles and Xbox PC with full cross-saves – at no additional cost.
  • Suit up with the Founder’s Edition — the Standard Edition with additional content including four cosmetic character skins, custom emotes, and a digital artbook plus soundtrack to flex your style.
  • Play your way with accessibility options like Arachnophobia Safe Mode, Read to Me, and more from day one!
  • Everyone gets a gift! The Tools of Yore decorative set is free for all players jumping into Grounded 2.

The countdown to Grounded 2 is nearly over, and we’re gearing up to welcome players back to Brookhollow — only this time, the world is bigger, the bugs are bolder, and the park is ready to play in so saddle up! As we get closer to the Game Preview/Early Access launch on July 29, 2025, we’re excited to announce the Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants: Oh My! Founder’s Edition, available for purchase starting at launch.

This edition is packed with stylish cosmetics to help you stand out while exploring Brookhollow Park. You’ll get the game plus unlock four premium character skins, each with their own custom emotes: the mighty Minotaur, the stoic Myrmidon, the elusive Rogue, and the fearsome Mant. You’ll also get access to “ONYX-PRO, Inside the Game” — a digital artbook and soundtrack that takes you behind the scenes of Grounded 2’s development and will be updated throughout Game Preview/Early Access — and a decorative set of Tool Effigies called the Tools of Yore, perfect for showing off your adventuring spirit at home base.

Correction — almost perfect. The Tools of Yore aren’t actually exclusive to the Founder’s Edition. They’re a gift to every player who joins us in Grounded 2, whether you’re playing through Game Pass, purchasing the standard edition, or picking up the Founder’s Edition down the line. It’s a simple “thank –you” from the team, for stepping back into the tiny world with us.

Players can always start their adventure with the Standard Edition of Grounded 2, or by playing day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. If they decide they want the additional cosmetic items — none of which affect gameplay or progression — and the digital artbook and soundtrack, the Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants: Oh My! Founder’s Edition will be available as a Founder’s Pack upgrade as well.

In addition to new cosmetic options and the digital artbook and soundtrack, we’re also continuing our commitment to accessibility. Grounded 2 will launch into Game Preview and Early Access with a wide array of features designed to support different playstyles and player needs. This includes Arachnophobia Safe Mode, colorblind options, subtitle customization, narration through Read to Me, adjustable reticles, control settings, and more. We’re also committed to supporting the same localized languages from the original Grounded, starting with English, French, Castilian Spanish, German, Italian, Latin American Spanish, and Simplified Chinese at Game Preview/Early Access—with more languages to be added over time. These tools and options are just the beginning — we’ll continue building on them with community input throughout development.

Grounded 2 launches July 29, 2025, in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud, in Early Access on Steam, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. And with Xbox Play Anywhere, a single purchase lets you play with Xbox consoles and Xbox PC with full cross-saves – at no additional cost. The Standard Edition during the Game Preview/Early Access period is $29.99 USD while the Founder’s Edition will be available for $39.99 USD, and the Founder’s Pack upgrade will be available to $10.00 USD. We’re incredibly excited to explore what comes next with you. This world is meant to grow and evolve, and that only happens with your feedback, creativity, and curiosity.

So, grab your gear, round up your team, and meet us in the park. And don’t forget to join the conversation in our official Discord — we’ll be there, keeping an eye out for your base builds, bug tales, and all the wild stories that only Grounded 2 can deliver.


Grounded 2

Xbox Game Studios

Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. Survive a sprawling open world alone or in co-op with friends. Craft weapons, forge armor, and build bases while exploring the park on your trusty Buggy mounts. Unravel hidden mysteries and face unexpected threats. But something else is out there—and it hasn’t forgotten you.
Shrunk to the size of an ant, you’ll find once-familiar spaces turned into a sprawling, uncharted frontier. Survive alone or in co-op with friends, crafting weapons, forging armor, and building bases as you explore manmade playgrounds overgrown by nature. Traverse this new realm on trusty Buggy mounts—your capable allies—and uncover the mysteries lurking beneath bright colors and towering structures. But stay wary: something else is out there, and it hasn’t forgotten you.

Survive, Adapt, Overcome
The world is relentless, but so are you. Shape your adventure with unique archetypes, each offering distinct abilities to match your playstyle. Whether you rely on precision, cunning, or sheer strength, you’ll need every advantage to survive against the threats lurking in the park.

Stronger Together
The perils of the park are daunting alone, but with friends, every challenge becomes an adventure. Work together to build, fight, and uncover the secrets buried beneath the grass. Whether you’re facing danger side by side or continuing your journey in a shared world, survival is always better with allies.

Because Walking is Bogus
They scurry, they fight, and now—they help you survive. Hatch, raise, and ride your own insect friends – Buggies! Saddle up and traverse through the park, fight on them or alongside them in battle, or use them to gather resources and build your base. The right partner could mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.

A Shadow That Follows You
The threat is always there—watching, learning, waiting. You don’t know where it’s coming from, only that it never leaves. The deeper you dig, the closer it gets. Some mysteries should stay buried, but it’s too late now. It knows you’re looking. And it’s ready. Every answer drags you deeper, every step invites something closer. You were never alone. You thought you were in control. You were wrong.


The post Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever

Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever

Ratshaker key art

With Ratshaker, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake the cartoon Rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good.

Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, Ratshaker ensures your space stays problem-free in no time. But make no mistake, this is no ordinary game. This is a ritual. You must perform it. It is coming for us.

Launching today on Xbox Series X|S, this $3.49 nightmare will burn itself into your psyche. You are not prepared. You never were.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, our most unhinged Rat-gineers have curated ten of the most rat-tastic, most cursed reasons why Ratshaker will change your life—forever.

1. Ratshaker Deceives Your Mind

You will be lulled into a state of confusion as the world around you is not what it seems. You will see a Ratshaker Meter overhead while a 2D cartoon Rat rests firmly in your fist.
Gaze upon The Pale Fields and despair, for you are not ready for the descent into self-destruction you will endure in just a few shakes.

2. A Balance of Horror and Humour

Ratshaker will mercilessly throw you into a blend of liminal dread and absurdism that you need to experience.
You’ll wonder why you’re laughing at all. Maybe the game is laughing at you. It knows what you have done.

3. The Golden Voice of the Rat

Did you expect the Rat in Ratshaker to have a deep, silky, posh voice as it screams with every shake?
Of course it does! Not only does the Rat look absurd, it talks! The Rat offers its commentary as you spiral.

  • You can skip the Rat’s commentary with just a quick squeeze!

4. Many Have Been Cast Into the Basement

Countless content creators have willfully given in to the strange call from the other side of the meat wall—beckoned to open the door with a fist full of Rat and jump right in.
From Markiplier’s climactic playthrough of the original build, to that guy from two doors down who just hates having fun, many of them went on to make videos—scared and confused—about what Ratshaker is.
They could not stop shaking. They loved it. They had to.

5. Feel the Burn. Wiggle Until It Hurts. Can You Endure?

Ratshaker will challenge your “I can press the A button really fast” championship that you and your friends made up.
Unnecessary quick time events have nothing on the finger punishment that is shaking this cartoon cross-eyed Rat.

Seriously, it calls for some real handwork. Shake it!

6. Nostalgia Will Snare You. You Can’t Escape Its Trap.

Don’t let the pixelated visuals fool you! There’s something in the walls, something shaped like your guilt. You know what you did (or are going to do)!
You can shake (and/or squeeze) that silly Rat all you want, it’s not going to save you. Your surroundings might look familiar—but there is something waiting around the next corner. Always.

Ratshaker screenshot

7. Completionists Love Shaking the Rat

You’ve done this before. What’s a few more shakes? Collect everything to fill that Rat-shaped hole in your soul.
From clever achievement names to two different outcomes you deserve, Ratshaker gives you the feeling that maybe it really was all your fault, and you need to go back.
Go back and face it again and again and again and again and again. Over and over. Forever.

Ratshaker screenshot

8. Secrets That Only Appear on Special Occasions

Ratshaker will regularly drag you back to your favourite suffering chamber, 2778-B.
During those cold winter months, remember who gave you a gift? That’s right. Ratshaker.
Boot the game up during the festive season and receive a twisted surprise.
Come Valentine’s Day, fire it up again and receive something even stranger!

9. No Matter How Fast You Are, It Never Ends

They tried to run through as fast as possible—all just to start again. What about you? Do you prefer ripping it off like a sticky bandage, or do you just like to take it all in?
Sink deeper into the atmosphere, feel the negative space pulse with every inch it gets closer to you.
Maybe you should try to clear it in seven minutes. Don’t let it get you.

10. The Hive Mind Is Growing. Join Us

Take the first real breath in six years. Go on. Breathe in. Breathe out. There are people out there with eyes like ours.
You and I are the same. You want Ratshaker, I want Ratshaker for you.
We’ve already tasted the cycle of eternity. What about you?
You don’t want to be left out here alone, out here in The Pale Fields. Something is out here. Something is watching.

Just. Shake. The. Rat.
Join us. Ratshaker, Ratshaker, Rat, Rat, Rat.

Ratshaker can soon be yours!
Don’t miss the gaming phenomenon that is the simple act of shaking a cartoon Rat and walking through your personalised torment.
All for the low, low price of a coffee…

Ratshaker

Dark Product


4

$3.49

RATSHAKER™ – The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems!
Tired of pests taking over your space? Say goodbye to them for good with RATSHAKER™, the revolutionary new way to deal with unwanted pests! Just take and shake, and RATSHAKER™ does the rest. No traps, no mess, no unmarked disposal barrels!

With RATSHAKER™, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake that rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, RATSHAKER™ ensures your space stays problem-free in no time.

The post Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever appeared first on Xbox Wire.

New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer

New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer

Minecraft Chase the Skies Hero Image

Wherever you look, Minecraft is doing something new right now. From a blockbuster movie to some huge game drops and upgrades, there’s never been a livelier time for fans to jump in and try something new. 

In fact, there’s so much, we thought it might be a good idea to round up everything in one place. From happy ghasts to smash hit songs, here’s every piece of news from the world of Minecraft this summer: 

Chase the Skies Game Drop – Out Now

Minecraft’s latest game drop isn’t just focused on what’s under your feet, but what’s above your head. Chase the Skies introduces the happy ghast, a new rideable mob that lets you take to the air alone or with friends. While exploring the Nether, you can now come across a dried ghast – return it to the Overworld, then hydrate it with water, and you’ll net yourself a ghastling, who will then grow into your new flying mount after you’ve waited long enough, or fed it enough snowballs. Just make sure you also have a ghast harness to use your smiley new ride! 

Chase the Skies also introduces a number of new features, from craftable saddles, to new Amos Roddy music tracks, to a player locator bar to help make playing with friends that little bit easier, and even the ability to leash multiple mobs together like you’re the Overworld’s strangest dog walker. Why not leash a boat to your new happy ghast and help carry even more players through the skies? 

Vibrant Visuals – Out Now for Compatible Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Devices 

One of the biggest shifts in Minecraft history is here – Vibrant Visuals transforms the look of the Bedrock Edition, retaining the game’s iconic style while adding improved graphical elements – directional lighting, volumetric fog, pixelated shadows and reflections, and much more. 

It’s a truly stunning change, turning Minecraft into the game you’ve always imagined in your head (but, if you like the original look, you can always switch back!). You can read all about the upgrade on Xbox Wire, but trust me, you really should play it for yourself. 

Vibrant Memories Camera Add-On – Out Now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition 

Minecraft Vibrant Memories Add-on image

Want to make the most of those Vibrant Visuals vistas? The Vibrant Memories camera add-on (available in the Minecraft Marketplace) introduces multiple features to let you take the perfect shot – from saving camera angles, to changing the weather, or controlling time itself. Each shot will be saved to your personal album, and you can even add music to capture the perfect mood. 

Realms Plus – New Content Available Now 

Minecraft Realms Plus image

Realms Plus subscribers can now add Chase the Skies and Vibrant Visuals content to their own personal servers – and there are also new Marketplace drops included in your subscription. 

The One Slime Block Adventure world by Mush Co throws you into an adventure featuring 5 unique boss battles, 6 dimensions, and a lot of slime, from enemies to weaponry. Meanwhile the Aquaculture add-on by Team Metallurgy will turn you into the ultimate angler, adding 60 new underwater creatures, rare equipment, new cooking mechanics, and more. Both are included as part of Realms Plus. 

A Minecraft Movie – Now Streaming on HBO Max  

A Minecraft Movie poster image

This year’s blockiest buster is available to stream now. After becoming a phenomenon in theaters, with an HBO Max subscription, you can now watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at home.  

Join Garrett (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) – four misfits who are pulled through a portal to Minecraft’s Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. After meeting Steve (Jack Black), they’ll need to harness the power of creativity to repel a Piglin invasion and return to the real world. 

Whether it’s your first time venturing into the live-action Overworld, or you already know all the words to Steve’s Lava Chicken, it’s easier than ever to watch. 

Steve’s Lava Chicken Remix Music Disc and Dennis Painting – Out Now 

MInecraft screenshot showing the Lava Chicken music disc in-game

Speaking of Steve’s Lava Chicken, you’ve got two new ways of listening to the song inspired by the movie. It’s available to stream now, and in Minecraft. Get your blocky hands on a music disc that will let you play the song from your jukebox. 

Plus, pay tribute to man’s (well, Steve’s) best friend by crafting a new painting of Dennis, the pale wolf hero of ‘A Minecraft Movie’. 

Claim Your Community Challenge Rewards 

Minecraft community challenge rewards image

In its latest Community Challenge, Mojang asked the Minecraft community to work together to spawn 50 million happy ghasts in Creative mode, and feed snowballs to 1 million ghastlings in Survival mode – and you delivered! As your reward, every Bedrock Edition player can now access the Ghast Rider Floatie and the Happy Ghast Pilot Gear in the Dressing Room, while every Java Edition player can download the Ghast Riding Swimmer and Happy Ghast Pilot skins here

Minecraft

Microsoft Studios


2004


$19.99

$15.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass

CREATE
Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.

EXPLORE
Discover biomes, resources and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.

SURVIVE
Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.

PLAY TOGETHER
Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile and PC. Connect with millions of players on community servers or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server.

EXPERIENCE MORE
Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace. Subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more – refreshed monthly.

The post New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer appeared first on Xbox Wire.