Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2311.240104-1615)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview coming to the Omega ring. It’s important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles.

We continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device. Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2311ZN25398.2922.240104-1615
  • Available: 4 p.m. PT – January 9, 2024
  • Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – January 10, 2024

Note: This update may not occur automatically before it has already become mandatory. You can always find the most current update as soon as it is available by opening the Guide > Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.

Remember: Newly enrolled users in this ring are not guaranteed to receive all early updates, but they’ll receive the update prior to the GA release. Additionally, a small subset of users may remain on their current GA build once they enroll until the next system update becomes mandatory for the public. Visit the Xbox Insider Program FAQ to learn more.

Fixes Implemented

Thanks to the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented for this build:

Capture & Share

  • Fixed an issue where capturing screenshots or game clips immediately after launching a title could prevent subsequent captures from completing as expected until the console was restarted.

Games

  • Additional fixes to address unexpected loss of saved game progress in various titles.

System

  • Various stability and performance fixes.

Known Issues

We understand some issues have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes. These items aren’t being ignored, but it will take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution.

Audio

  • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
    • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
      • When did the issue start?
      • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
      • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
      • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
      • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
      • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

Make sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of your issue. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please reach out to the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Don’t forget to use “Report a problem” before posting—the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today. We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2311.240104-1615) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox to Present Developer_Direct, Returning on January 18

You’re about to get an exciting look at some of the incredible games ahead with Xbox, as we present a new edition of Developer_Direct. On Thursday, January 18 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK, fans will get an inside look at a selection of highly anticipated games coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. Shortly after, ZeniMax Online Studios will host The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK to preview 2024’s biggest update.

Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct offers an in-depth look at upcoming titles, how they’re being created, and who’s creating them. We’ll visit MachineGames in Sweden to check in on their Indiana Jones game, swing by Obsidian’s Irvine offices to see more from Avowed, head to Oxide Games’ Maryland home to learn about Ara: History Untold, and take a trip to Cambridge, England to see Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from Ninja Theory. Please note that while this show won’t have updates on games from Activision Blizzard, you can look forward to news from those teams later this year.

The show will be a celebration of just a selection of our slate of upcoming games from Xbox. It’s also another part of our commitment to consistently bringing Xbox players can’t-miss experiences. 2024 kicked off with a bang for Game Pass members, and you can expect that line-up to include more incredible games from Xbox and our partners as the year goes on.

Fans should tune in on Xbox channels at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK, January 18 to see all the latest on: 

  • Indiana Jones game: MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, will reveal their upcoming Indiana Jones game, an action-adventure that puts players in the leather jacket of the legendary archaeologist. Developer_Direct will showcase more than 10 minutes of game and developer insights, including details about the game’s setting and story, how fans will actually play as Indy, additional details from his next globe-trotting adventure, and the premiere of the first gameplay trailer.
  • Avowed: The team at Obsidian will share the first deep dive into the gameplay experience fans can expect in Avowed, their upcoming fantasy action RPG, set in the fantastical, vibrant Living Lands. Learn more about how Obsidian’s expertise in building worlds with deep themes, dynamic gameplay, and thoughtful reactivity come to life in Avowed where players will have agency to make choices to shape every step of their adventure.
  • Ara: History Untold: Hear from the leads at Oxide Games – a studio founded by veterans of the strategy genre and the creators behind classic strategy titles including Civilization V – as they unveil exclusive new gameplay and share more details about the inspiration, key features, and road ahead for their upcoming historical grand strategy game.
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: Ninja Theory take us behind the scenes at their studio in Cambridge to give us some insight on how they are crafting Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. The team will speak to the ambition and meticulous care involved in creating Senua’s journey of survival.

Shortly after Developer_Direct has concluded, ZeniMax Online Studios will host The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9pm UK, a standalone presentation where the development team will unveil the game’s next major Chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other major features coming in the game’s biggest update this year.

Stay tuned to Xbox and Bethesda’s official social channels for more on Developer_Direct, coming on Thursday, January 18 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm UK.

The post Xbox to Present Developer_Direct, Returning on January 18 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2311.240104-1615)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview coming to the Beta ring. It’s important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles.

We continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device. Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS Version: XB_FLT_2311ZN25398.2922.240104-1615
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 8, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 9, 2024

Fixes Implemented

Thanks to the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented for this build:

Capture & Share

  • Fixed an issue where capturing screenshots or game clips immediately after launching a title could prevent subsequent captures from completing as expected until the console was restarted.

Games

  • Additional fixes to address unexpected loss of saved game progress in various titles.

System

  • Various stability and performance fixes.

Known Issues

We understand some issues have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes. These items aren’t being ignored, but it will take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution.

Audio

  • We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
    • Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
      • When did the issue start?
      • Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
      • Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
      • Does rebooting resolve the issue?
      • What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
      • And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Networking

  • We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.

Make sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of your issue. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please reach out to the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Don’t forget to use “Report a problem” before posting—the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today. We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2311.240104-1615) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Take Cult Customization to the Next Level in Cult of the Lamb’s Free Sins of the Flesh Update

Cult of the Lamb’s next free update is preparing to slither into our dimension on January 16. Sins of the Flesh is our biggest expansion yet, adding a bounty of wicked new content—including a new Sin resource that lets you perform the darkest Rituals yet. Whether you’re knocking back a cool glass of Poop Juice or sneaking into the Mating Tent, there are lots more ways to be bad in this unholy update.

There’s a cult-load of fresh, awesome stuff in Sins of the Flesh, but there’s one new feature in particular that leaders who love customizing their flock will get an extra kick out of. Joining Cult of the Lamb’s cast of eccentric characters is Berith, a silkworm clothes maker. After meeting them, a new upgrade in the Divine Inspiration tree will be revealed and will allow you to build a Tailor in your cult’s base.

You can then use gathered materials to craft new outfits for your followers, decking them out in the hottest occult fashion. Some outfits can be customized too, letting you switch between different colors and variants. Unlock new threads by embarking on Crusades or performing certain actions—such as sinking a heroic number of drinks at the Drinkhouse, a brand new base structure. Here a follower can become a bartender, mixing up drinks and serving them to the cult to generate Sin.

The Drinkhouse and other sinful new structures will earn you Sin, which can then be used to unlock Doctrines and perform some of the gnarliest Rituals Cult of the Lamb has ever seen. You can also make the most of love connections between followers and birth new ones in the Mating Tent—or just crack the egg and harvest the yolks, you monster. But wait, that’s not all Sins of the Flesh has to offer.

Thanks to a selection of savvy quality of life improvements, Sins of the Flesh also makes the day-to-day business of running your cult less of a chore. Now, as you clean up after your messy followers by sweeping up poop, vomit, and burnt food, your mop will gradually level up and become more powerful. The stronger it gets, the faster it sweeps. That’s right, baby: unlockable mops! Ten of ’em!

We’ll also accept thanks in advance for the new follower auto-level feature. When you declare a Doctrine or perform a Sermon or Ritual that upgrades your followers’ level of loyalty, anyone with a full loyalty bar will automatically upgrade to the next level. We’ve also sped up Sermons, added huge new high-level storage structures, and a heap of other new improvements designed to streamline your experience.

You can indulge in the Sins of the Flesh yourself when Cult of the Lamb’s newest, darkest update releases on January 16. Cult of the Lamb is available now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Xbox Live

Cult of the Lamb

Devolver Digital


303

$24.99
Free Trial

*** Don’t Starve Together Crossover Update ***

Don’t let the Lamb starve in this crossover update with Don’t Starve Together! We’ve cooked up a whole new game mode, new themed decorations, and a new follower form, to satisfy your hunger.

Survival Mode
The ails of mortality plague the Lamb in Penitence mode. Eating. Sleeping. You will learn how your followers struggle to survive. But a simple bed isn’t enough for a great leader. The Leader Tent is the perfect place to get your beauty sleep.

An Arachnid’s Allegiance
Webber arrives from the world of Don’t Starve Together. Can you unwrap the quest to convert them to your cult? They just don’t starve!

New Crossover Decorations
From homages to the Deerclops and Pig society, to base necessities like the science machine and alchemy engine, you can customize your cult with a whole set of decorations from Don’t Starve Together.

***

Cult of the Lamb casts players in the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger and must repay their debt by building a loyal following in his name. Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland worshippers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.

BUILD YOUR FLOCK
Collect and use resources to build new structures, perform dark rituals to appease the gods, and give sermons to reinforce the faith of your flock.

DESTROY THE NON-BELIEVERS
Explore a sprawling, randomly generated world, fight off hordes of enemies and defeat rival cult leaders in order to absorb their power and assert your cult’s dominance.

SPREAD YOUR WORD
Train your flock and embark on a quest to explore and discover the secrets of four mysterious regions. Cleanse the non-believers, spread enlightenment, and perform mystical rituals on the journey to become the mighty lamb god.

The post Take Cult Customization to the Next Level in Cult of the Lamb’s Free Sins of the Flesh Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 8 – 12

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 8 – 12

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!


Xbox Live

Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow

Catthia Games


$13.99

$12.59

Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow – January 10

A third-person stealth adventure game focused on the story of the Moonshadow Huntress: Cynthia Stranborg. Take control of the young adept and learn new stealth skills during your journey. Find out what happened in the home village and follow your desired path to rescue the ones you love the most.


Xbox Live

Ikkarus and the Prince of Sin

Eastasiasoft Limited

Ikkarus and the Prince of Sin – January 10

Prove your worth as a village hero by rebuilding a tavern, taking on quests and discovering romance along the way! Ikkarus and the Prince of Sin is a Yaoi-themed fantasy adventure visual novel where you can manage your daily routine, travel the land, accept side quests, and more.


Xbox Live

Popcorn Rocket

Battle Geek Plus, L.L.C.

Popcorn Rocket – January 10

Play it old school like being back in the arcade in a fluid top-down space shooter which feels as smooth as buttery popcorn! Have fun blasting away as you jam out to some rockin’ 8-bit, 16-bit, and orchestral tunes just like playing arcade games at the movie theater!


Xbox Live

Electrician Simulator

Gaming Factory S.A.

Electrician Simulator – January 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Learn the secrets of the electrician profession and become the best professional in town. Check your inbox regularly and accept a variety of jobs, from small tasks to complex electrical installations. Try to do your job with as much attention to detail as possible!


Xbox Live

Top Racer Collection

QUByte Interactive & bleem.net

Top Racer Collection – January 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S /

Top Racer Collection brings back three ‘90s classic arcade racers in one incredible package, featuring classic titles such as Top Racer, Top Racer 2, and Top Racer 3000. In addition, the collection will feature new and exclusive content. Get up to speed and experience the nostalgic mix of action and addictive gameplay today!


Xbox Live

True Virus

Ultimate Games


6

$8.99

True Virus – January 11

A point-and-click adventure game that takes players to an abandoned psychiatric hospital. Set in a world ravaged by an enigmatic and dangerous pandemic, play the role of a mental hospital patient who has awoken to a devastated world — your job is to find out what really happened.


Xbox Live

War Hospital

Nacon


$39.99

$35.99

War Hospital – January 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The year is 1918. You are major Henry Wells, a retired British combat medic, drafted back to take charge of a field hospital in the nightmare of World War I. Understaffed and undersupplied, the hospital is the last bastion of hope for countless soldiers on the Western Front. Your main aims are to keep up your team’s morale and support the war effort with the soldiers you have treated.


Xbox Live

Beyond Doors

Old School Vibes

Beyond Doors – January 12

Immerse yourself in this mind-bending platformer as Caleb who has awakened in a mystical dimension after experiencing burnout in his job. Door-to-door, guided by enigmatic musical notes, he needs to be reminded of his true calling.


Xbox Live

Creatura

FreeMind S.A.

Creatura – January 12

In Creatura, design and take care of enclosed ecosystems full of animals and plants grown from scratch, using scientifically accurate natural/artificial selection and genetic engineering. Make an epic journey over epochs of evolution, from single cell organisms sharing water with algae, to complex animals living in lush gardens.


Xbox Live

Grotto

Digerati

Grotto – January 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Grotto is a mystical, narrative-focused experience. You are the Soothsayer. The one capable of talking with the stars and unveiling their messages. In a time of turmoil, the tribe of the valley turn to your powers of divination and come to you for guidance.


Xbox Live

Kitten Hero

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Kitten Hero – January 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A fast-paced action platformer were you play as an extremely cute little cat trying to save his human and other kittens trapped inside a spaceship controlled by a powerful supercomputer. To get there, you’ll jump, climb, and dash your way through 80 levels filled with deadly spikes, saws, missiles and more.


Xbox Live

Shinorubi

Red Art Games

Shinorubi – January 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A shoot ’em up rooted in the bullet hell, danmaku, and manic shooter genres. In the universe, there is a compound that can only be found on one singular planet, Shinorubi. Shinorubi packs a great arcade action punch with great replayability thanks to its numerous difficulty levels, arranged modes, and player ships.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 8 – 12 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Resident Evil 2, Hell Let Loose, and More

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Resident Evil 2, Hell Let Loose, and More

Xbox Game Pass Update - January 2024 - Hero Image

Happy 2024! We hope your new year’s celebration was full of fun and games and that you have even more in store in the days to come. To help with that, let’s add some more games to your “to be played” list!


Available Today


Close to the Sun (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Deep in international waters, Tesla’s Helios stands still. An unbound utopia for scientific research, Rose Archer steps aboard in search of her sister, quickly to discover not all is as it seems. Use your wits to guide Rose on her journey to find her sister Ada, overcome dangers unknown to understand the fate of the Helios and its inhabitants in this narrative driven steampunk adventure.


Coming Soon


Hell Let Loose (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 4
Squad up and take to the battlefields of World War II in the ever-expanding, hardcore, first-person shooter experience that is Hell Let Loose. Join other players online in epic, 100 player battles, taking place across huge, to-scale maps, where working as a team is a matter of life and death, and the right – or wrong – decision can turn the tide of battle. We’ll see you on the front lines!

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 9
Become Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior. Explore England’s Dark Ages as you raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power in the quest to earn a place among the gods in Valhalla in this critically acclaimed entry in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Figment (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 9
An action-adventure game that invites you to explore a unique, surreal universe filled with music, humor and a multi-layered narrative. Join Dusty and his ever-optimistic friend, Piper, on an adventure through the different sides of the mind, seeking to restore the courage that’s been lost.

Super Mega Baseball 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – January 11
Super Mega Baseball 4 is coming soon to PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play, so grab your glove and your bat. It’s time to go yard with the best to ever play the game. Hit, pitch, throw, and slide into home plate with the series’ signature combination of arcade-inspired style and immersive gameplay depth.

We Happy Few (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 11
Making a return to the Game Pass library! From Compulsion Games, set in a drug-fueled, retro futuristic city in an alternative 1960s England, We Happy Few is an action adventure game in which you hide, fight, and conform your way out of a delusional Joy-obsessed world.

Resident Evil 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 16
Revisit the critically acclaimed nightmare of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 with new visuals, modern gameplay mechanics, and an over-the-shoulder perspective. Join rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they fight to survive a mysterious viral outbreak in Raccoon City that has turned its citizens into terrifying, flesh-eating zombies.

Those Who Remain (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 16
As the lights go out, the embers of darkness are stoked in the sleepy town of Dormont. Confront uncomfortable horrors, keep your sanity in check, and survive the night in this story-driven first-person psychological-thriller.


DLC / Game Updates


Dead by Daylight: Chucky – Available now

Game Pass members save 10% on their purchase! Meet your new best friend ‘til the end. Dead by Daylight: Chucky brings an iconic horror legend into The Fog with a new Killer: The Good Guy – Chucky. Purchasing this add-on unlocks an exclusive Charm: Good Guys Box. Wanna play?

Hello Neighbor 2 Anniversary Update – Available now

To celebrate the recent anniversary of Hello Neighbor 2 there is a new free update to check out. Visit the whole new area – the forest located on the outskirts of Raven Brooks. Explore the church and adjoining graveyard, once a renowned landmark and popular destination for townsfolk, now abandoned and eerily weird. Recent reports of a strange, cloaked figure seen lurking throughout the woods are probably completely unfounded. Are you brave enough to find it out?

Sea of Thieves: Season Ten – Available now
Sea of Thieves: Season Ten continues with the arrival of a new way to sail! Enjoy playing Safer Seas mode at your own pace, alone or with a crew of friends, immersing yourself in your adventures without interruption. Other crews and greater rewards await in the existing High Seas mode. Learn more here.


Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks


Sea of Thieves: Nightshine Parrot Pack – Available Now
This pack contains the Nightshine Parrot Jacket, Nightshine Parrot Sails, Nightshine Parrot Figurehead, Nightshine Parrot Hat and Nightshine Parrot Cutlass, as well as 10,000 gold to spend in-game.


Leaving Soon


The following games are leaving soon, so make sure to tie up any loose ends before they go. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% to keep them in your library.

January 5:

  • Grand Theft Auto V (Cloud and Console)

January 15:

  • Garden Story (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • MotoGP 22 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Persona 4 Golden (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Persona 3 Portable (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That wraps us up! Be sure to toss us a follow on our socials at Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass PC and stay tuned for more updates. Catch you next time!

The post Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Resident Evil 2, Hell Let Loose, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.