Get To Know Our Team
Dean
Technical Program Manager

Hi, everyone! Wynn here. We’re back with another Xbox Insider Team interview. Today we’ll be chatting with Dean—a Technical Program Manager, Xbox Mastercard maestro, and another all-around cat person. How’s it going, Dean?

I’m doing well! Happy to be here.

Glad we could have you on. I’m sure a brief respite from the Mastercard salt mines is welcomed.

Oh yeah! Most people don’t know this, but that’s how we get those rewards points. It’s hard work, but honest work.

So, that’s what that guy on CoD meant last night when he called me salty.

Exactly. Everyone knows that.

Haha. Well, let’s have everyone get to know a little more about Dean.

Let’s see. I’ve been in the tech industry for, gosh, it must be 25 years now. I’ve always been a gamer at heart, but I started at Microsoft working on Windows 2000/SQL 7 on databases.

The very first computer I ever owned personally was an old Windows 2000 machine that my granddad brought home after it was decommissioned at Delta.

It was an interesting OS. The last version before the codebase merges. But after several years on that team, I moved briefly over to do some work on 360, then a little work on Bing, before settling back in the Xbox world during the Xbox One launch on the ops side of things.

A man of many talents! I think you may have me beat on the number of orgs you’ve worked for, which is unique for Xbox. Most people get here and nail their feet to floor.

Ha. I couldn’t find my hammer at the time. But the last decade has been really great, and I love this team.

That leads perfectly into my next question. When did you start on the Xbox Insider Team?

It must’ve been around 2019 when I first came over. But I actually ran the program for a while before transitioning away a year ago.

Oh wow! I actually had no idea. That must be why I see so many older Wire articles attributed to you.

That’s right. During my stint in charge, I really tried to double down on partner evangelism and outreach. We did a lot of tradeshows like GDC, PAX, etc. It was just so incredible getting to talk to developers and bring them into the program. I loved feeling like we really were making an impact on their product, and Xbox Insiders were getting early looks at cool games.

Is there a particular developer or publisher that you worked with that was memorable?

Absolutely. The one that immediately comes to mind is Whitethorn Games. They were really interested in our program, so we met with them and just loved their portfolio. We worked with them to promote their games, and even did these testimonial videos for internal showcases. It was just a really great partnership and sort of laid some groundwork for how we could partner with not just developers, but publishers too.

Oh, that’s actually wild. We just had a call with them before the break about them wanting to be more involved with XIP vis-à-vis Xbox Accessibility Insiders League.

Yeah, I saw those emails floating around. Really cool to see them still involved with the program.

Very cool. All right let’s move on to a few rapid-fire questions I’m asking everyone about their interests.

Sure. Let’s do it.

What game has impacted your life the most?

Whew. That’s a deep one. Let’s see. I have a few. I remember the first time I ever played Half-Life. I was in an office at the time that had a ton of PCs setup in a row, and I installed it one afternoon. I loaded up the start of the game and as more people saw me playing it, a crowd started forming around the monitor because it was unlike anything we had ever seen at the time.

Then there’s Project Gotham Racing on the OG Xbox. Just putting that disc in and listening to the intro music kick in while watching the tracks go by was bliss. A fantastic memory of that opening with the jump in fidelity from my N64 to the Xbox.

More recently, I was really impressed with Hades all around. Stylistically, musically, gameplay, Supergiant was firing on all cylinders for that one. I still play it every once in a while because it’s so good.

That Half-Life story is so cool. I missed that train originally, but it still holds up so incredibly well. There are so many video game OSTs that mean a lot to me as well. It’s crazy how much emotion a good opening sequence can bring out in a game.

For me, that PGR intro is just so chill and so relaxing. It’s part of what made me want to get into music production, which I’ve been dabbling with recently.

Oh wow. You’ll have to play a set for the team sometime.

Haha. We’ll see.

But that’s a great segue for my next question: Do you have any songs or albums that you find yourself listening to over and over?

I try to always discover new music, across all genres, whenever I can. I try to not get bogged down. But one record I absolutely come back to frequently is Currents by Tame Impala.

Okay, so no binging on the music front, how about TV/movies? Are you one of the yearly Office re-watchers?

It’s not so much yearly or constant, but we are an Office family. Especially around the holidays when the kids are home from school, that’s a comfort show around that time. My daughter and I also watch a ton of SpongeBob and quote it back and forth.

Well cool man. Other than opening for Coachella 2025, do you have any hobbies outside of tech/gaming?

Yeah, I really enjoy American Football, both College and Professional.

Who are your teams?

Penn State for CFB and Seahawks for NFL.

Ah, as someone from Atlanta, you too have felt the pain of losing a Super Bowl to Brady.

Well, I think we can wrap this one up. Anything else you’d like to share with the Community? Anything cool you’re working on you can talk about?

Well, the Xbox Mastercard program is still running full speed ahead, so there’s lots of work being done with that every day.

*cough* Available for Xbox Insiders right now! *cough*

Gesundheit. But other than that, not too much to mention here.

I’ll sign off by saying that I’ve always loved the Xbox Insider Community, from my time leading the program and even now as I’ve somewhat moved on. It’s an incredible team to be a part of and I’m excited to see both Xbox Insiders and partners both get to utilize the program more.

Incredible man. Dean, thanks so much for taking the time chat today.

Xbox Insiders, be sure to be on the lookout for more content all throughout February including more interviews from the team, a trip down memory lane, and so much more. All of our 10th Anniversary content can be found on our Hub Page.

Until next time! Wynn/

The post Get To Know Our Team: Dean – Technical Program Manager appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Calling all Renegades! Xbox players can embark on the ultimate treasure hunt in Hawked, a brand-new online extraction shooter launching tomorrow, February 15 on Xbox Series X|S. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or looking to squad up with a buddy or two, a brave new world of daredevil escapades, exploration, and thrilling PvP and PvE combat awaits you on X-Isle.

If you’re ready to heed adventure’s call, here’s an overview of everything you should know before finding your fortune in Hawked.

Write Your Renegade Origin Story

A rich tapestry of our favorite comic books and pulp adventures inspired Hawked‘s art style and narrative. The game’s story unfolds in Issues, seasonal chapters released quarterly chronicling the exploits of treasure-hunting mercenaries known as Renegades. Issues will introduce new questlines, rewards, events, weapons, gear, and treasures to hunt, all while driving the story to weird and wonderful new places.

In Issue #1: Renegades, the adventurers guild GRAIL sets its sights on an uncharted world called X-Isle. This verdant paradise was once home to a lost civilization whose temples, ruins, and treasures still cover it. GRAIL is particularly interested in the treasure part… but there’s a snag. A monstrous faction called the Disciples have also made their way to X-Isle in pursuit of this treasure, and they’re proving to be a bit of a thorn in GRAIL’s side. That’s where you come in!

Together with a vibrant cast of rogues and rapscallions, embark on quests as you battle Disciples and rival Renegades, undertake daring heists to reclaim ancient treasures, and safely extract your hard-earned loot. Your Renegade legend is about to be written, and it’ll only get wilder from here on out!

Explore the Mysterious World of X-Isle

X-Isle is the kind of place you see on postcards. Gorgeous views. Tropical jungles. Beautiful beaches. Reptilian monsters. Well, maybe it’s not quite picture-perfect.

This newly discovered world is indeed beautiful, but it’s crawling with hostile enemies and dangerous locations. The good news is you’re equipped with exploration gear, standard issue courtesy of GRAIL. Your trusty Traverser is a multitool you can use to whack Disciples, ascend and descend cliffs, cross ravines, ride ziplines, or get out of a tough spot. If you want to make use of X-Isle’s plentiful waterways (and look cool in the process), your Hoverboard is the right tool for the job.

Discoveries await you on every adventure. As the story develops in limited-time events and Issues, the island will continue to grow and evolve, as will your relationship with GRAIL. Visit X-Isle often to see what’s new!

Extract Artifacts

You’ll find many treasures across your excursions, but you’re looking for the real deal: Artifacts. Complete encounters across X-Isle — such as puzzles, freeing helpful beasties from their prisons, and fighting off waves of Disciples — to obtain Glyphs. Once acquired, these mysterious symbols will grant you a temporary power-up for the duration of the match. Collecting five Glyphs will lead you to your prize.

Artifacts are locked safe and sound behind a Treasury Vault somewhere on X-Isle. Deadly traps and Disciple legions defend them, and the journey is treacherous, but it’s worth it. Solve the puzzle on the Treasury’s door to unlock it. Grab the Artifact and treasures within. Then get the hell out of there via Extraction Point — just stay frosty, as rival Renegades are itching to get their hands on your score.

Adapt Your Loadout for the Heist at Hand

A fully loaded arsenal of weapons and superpowered abilities is at your disposal. Scavenge shotguns, assault rifles, pistols, SMGs, sniper rifles, grenades, and more from chests to stand a fighting chance as your heists heat up.

Turn the tide by adding Exo and Ward Gear to your Loadout, along with their super-powered attacks and abilities. Take the Infernat Lantern, for example — it can unleash a fiery swarm to hunt down and inflict burns on enemies. Backed against the wall? Deploy Gelatinum to put a jelly wall between you and your opponents to slow them and their projectiles right down. Add new Gear to your Loadout via the menu before every treasure hunt to experiment with new tricks.

Your looted Artifacts can also be incorporated into your Loadout to get game-changing new powers, be it a speed boost, reduced cooldowns, health regeneration, or other useful effects.

Customize your Renegade

Unlock a massive suite of customization options. Switch up your Renegade’s look with full-body Avatars, Outfits, new Color Schemes for your clothes, striking Weapon Skins, new wraps for your Gear, and lovely sets of decorations for your Quarters. You can also express yourself mid-hunt with Emotes!

One of the best ways to unlock new cosmetics is via the Renegade Pass. Its Free and Premium tracks are themed to each Issue, with the Renegade Pass #1 available to start at launch. Tackle quests to progress your Pass and unlock more than 60 exclusive rewards. Complete the blazing Aztec Spirit Avatar and its full collection of variants, earn the Reptile Slayer and Sky Captain Outfits, wield the Veteran’s Blade Exo Gear, and brandish the Jungle Gods Weapon Skin in Issue #1: Renegades! There’s even more to unlock, so level up and see how much loot you can score.

Ready to rock X-Isle to its core? Hawked will be available to play for free tomorrow, February 15 on Xbox Series X|S.

HAWKED

MY.GAMES

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Embark on the ultimate treasure hunt in HAWKED, a free-to-play online Extraction Shooter full of daring adventures, boundless exploration, and all-out PvPvE action in pursuit of ancient treasures.

Adventure through a mysterious world where roguish Renegades battle monsters — and each other — to reclaim powerful relics from a lost civilization. Time to flip the page on your Renegade origin story!

OUTFOX & OUTGUN! Play solo or team up in 2- or 3-player squads. Fight monsters and rival Renegades in explosive PvPvE combat. Switch up your loadout for the heist at hand with powerful weapons and superpowered abilities.

EXPLORE AN UNCHARTED WORLD! Traverse X-Isle, a world lush with verdant vistas, dense jungles, gorgeous beaches, and ancient ruins to raid. Use your Traverser and Hoverboard to get around while dodging traps and enemies!

RECLAIM ANCIENT TREASURES! Solve puzzles to collect Glyphs, unlock the Treasury, and claim the Artifact. Get it to an Extraction Point to cash out and upgrade it — wield extracted Artifacts to unlock new powers!

BECOME A RENEGADE! Experiment with different playstyles by combining weapons, Gear, Artifacts, and Boosters in your loadout. You can also change your look with hundreds of customization options like Outfits, Weapon Skins, and more!

FIND FORTUNE IN AN EPIC, EVOLVING ADVENTURE! Join the adventurers guild GRAIL, complete quests to unlock exclusive rewards, and witness X-Isle change and evolve as new threats rise, alliances shift, and adventure calls.

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BAD

The post Hawked Is the Comic Book Adventure-Shooter You’ve Been Hunting For appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Get To Know Our Team
Evie
Game Release Support Manager

Hi, everyone! Wynn, here. Back with another Xbox Insider Team interview. Today we’re chatting with Evie—a Game Release Support Manager who helps Xbox launch and support their first-party titles. How’s it going, Evie?

It’s going really well, Wynn! Very excited to be here talking with our Xbox Insiders.

Well then let’s dive right in. Let’s tell everyone a little about Evie.

Well, first things first. I’ve loved gaming my entire life. So much so that I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to go to school for game design / work in the gaming industry.

Was there a particular game or experience that influenced that decision, or was it something you just always wanted to do?

A little bit of both. I always thought games were awesome, but there was a specific moment that really solidified my decision. My older sister had gotten stuck on this mission in the original Assassin’s Creed game. Well, I was watching her, and she asked me to try and get her past this one spot—as she was heading out to meet some friends—but to stop after I finished that mission. She didn’t want to miss any of the story.

Haha. I think I see where this is going.

Oh yeah. I literally couldn’t stop playing! I beat the rest of the game that night; I just loved it. The way it blended real history into the story was just so fascinating to me. I had never played a game like that before. Then, I played the second one when it came out a few years later, fell even more in love, and the rest is history. From that point on, I knew I wanted to make games that impacted others the same way that the Assassin’s Creed series impacted me, so I went to school for game design and graduated with honors in 2021.

Much better than my route. Loved games and wanted to go to school for it. But I ended up dropping out of college to go the “starving artist” route. Did a lot of starving and much less art than I would’ve liked.

Oh, I feel that! Everyone’s journey is different, for sure, and mine had its ups and downs. I loved every second of my game design college experience, though. It was a really tough curriculum, but it pushed me to be a better artist and I’m grateful for it.

So, you’re fresh out of college, ready to design games. What happens next?

It’s funny you should ask. I actually started at Xbox the day after I finished college! The timing was unreal. I legit turned in my last college assignment at 6:00pm on a Sunday and then started at Xbox at 9:00am the next day.

All right. Well, I’m unbelievably jealous. That’s incredible.

It really was. A few years before Xbox, I was working at my local mall at a LUSH cosmetics store that was across from one of those Microsoft Specialty Kiosks. I was always over at the kiosk talking to the team about the newest games and tech during my breaks. When a spot opened on their team, they told me to apply since I was so passionate about the industry… and I got it!

Oh, that’s sick! I started off in MS Retail as well. Love to see fellow Retail peeps making it big.

Absolutely! My time at Retail was a lot of fun—I met amazing people, made a lot of great memories, and I learned a lot. But, of course, it wasn’t without its own struggles.

Pray tell?

Well, barely three months after I started at Microsoft, they closed all of the Specialty Kiosks. I lost my job. I was seriously so devastated. The remaining Microsoft “full-line” store in my city only had a single spot on their team available at the time, and everyone I knew that got let go applied for it. For some reason, I just knew that my story with Microsoft wasn’t finished yet, so I applied for it too. I really hoped that they’d see my passion/potential and give me a shot despite only being with the company for a few months. Thankfully they did, and I got the role!

Then, less than a year later in March 2020, all the physical Microsoft Stores permanently closed due to COVID. All retail folks were moved to digital sales, which I did for about a year and a half while I was finishing school. About a month before I graduated, they opened a nationwide offer for 10 people to join Team Xbox. There were hundreds and hundreds of people that applied, and I was able to be one of those lucky 10!

Wow! That’s impressive. Literally batting 1.000 with your survival streak.

Yeah, I’m incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve had throughout my Microsoft career.

Big same. So, you get this Xbox gig. Was that on this team?

Not originally. We all started as Customer Success Managers who worked on the Xbox Forums. We answered questions and escalated issues that customers were reporting. We’ve all since spread throughout Team Xbox, and a few of us made our way over to this team!

Excellent. Love to hear there’s even more Retail people here.

So, I know you’ve only been on the team for a couple of years, but has there been anything you were just super psyched to work on?

Working with the first-party studios—like Turn 10 and Bethesda—has been the most exciting thing I get to do on the daily. Which is actually part of what I was most stoked about doing last year. I supported Bethesda with the Starfield launch! Working with the studio and developers during the months leading up to the launch was an amazing experience.

What a coincidence! The Starfield launch window was literally when I was finding out I was getting this role, so it holds a special place in my heart too.

Aw, I love to hear that! That’s amazing.

Is there anything you’re working on right now that you can tell us about?

Unfortunately, things have to be a little tight-lipped for most of my projects. I’m working on some exciting releases throughout the rest of the year, so I can say that our Xbox Insiders should be on the lookout for some cool game flights coming down the pipeline!

We absolutely love to see it.

Okay, let’s do some rapid fire. Normally I start with favorite game, but we’ve got that covered. What’re you jamming to recently music wise?

My music tastes are seriously all over the place. I like to listen to everything from hardcore to indie folk. Phonk and Darkwave are probably some of my favorite genres right now. I really like to listen to that kind of stuff while I’m gaming, especially when it’s games like CoD.

I’ve also been super into the band Heilung recently.

I’m not sure I’m familiar with them.

They’re the band that’s doing the soundtrack for the second Hellblade game!

Oh! The one we had on stage. That’s super cool.

Yeah, I saw them in concert a few months back and I just cannot stop listening to their music. Listening to them and seeing them live is like being transported back to the Iron Age. I think they’re just amazing.

I’ll have to check out their stuff then.

Moving on. Any shows you like to binge or movies you like to re-watch?

I really like binging competition shows. Like, I will drop everything and binge The Great British Baking Show whenever a new season drops! I’m also shamelessly into romance / period pieces like Bridgerton or Outlander. Scary shows like The Haunting of Hill House, and the French horror series Marianne, are some additional all-time favorites.

All of Mike Flanagan’s Netflix stuff is top tier. The Fall of the House of Usher was sublime.

Right? He’s so good.

Aside from shows, I do have a few comfort movies. The Dark Knight trilogy is a fave. The 2005 Pride and Prejudice is amazing. Oh, and I love The Lord of the Rings trilogy… Extended Edition only of course. Those get yearly rewatches for sure.

I’m resisting the urge to spend the next 15 minutes debating which Pride and Prejudice is better, but I’ll just say that Colin Firth is the best Mr. Darcy.

Mmm. Agree to disagree! Haha.

Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of gaming/tech?

Let’s see. I cross-stich, I garden, I just started making candles, and I really like baking.

Oh, and I want to start making mead!

Oh, got it. You want to live in Pride & Prejudice. This is all making sense now.

You’re not entirely wrong! I also love animals, always have. I volunteer for a wildlife rescue on the side, which came in handy a few months ago when I had to save a bat that flew into my apartment.

I’m sorry. What’s good?

Haha. Yeah, it was pretty intense.

I bet! I’m kinda petrified of bats because of the whole, “They can bite you without you knowing and transfer a disease to you that kills you before you know you’re infected” thing.

Like a totally rational person.

That was definitely something I was keeping in mind! Bat bites and diseases are no joke. Luckily, I took many precautions while handling / caring for it, before delivering the little one to the wildlife rehab center the next day.

Well, aside from apparently being a professional bat-wrangler, is there anything else of note?

Another neat thing about me is that I am a twin! Fraternal, not identical. She’s awesome. We’re super close and she’s my best friend. Also, in case anyone is curious, I am the older twin. By two minutes!

As an older sibling, I know the importance of making that distinction.

Well, it’s been great chatting with you Evie. Any final words for the Community?

Just that I’m so excited to be part of the Xbox Insider Team and I think 2024 is going to be an incredible year for the entire program. There’re all kinds of amazing things happening. I’m excited for everyone to see what we have in store!

Beautifully said, Evie. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Xbox Insiders, be sure to be on the lookout for more content all throughout February including more interviews from the team, a trip down memory lane, and so much more. All of our 10th Anniversary content can be found on our Hub Page.

Until next time! Wynn/

The post Get To Know Our Team: Evie – Game Release Support Manager appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Chaotic intensity from complex natural systems and wild magic: ice meteors, volcanic craters, electrified lakes, and more.
• Explore a vast, beautiful archipelago by boat, wing, and paw in this open world adventure.
• Available for preorder now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Windows Store.

Hello Gamers and Goblin Enthusiasts,

I’m Badru, Tenderfoot Tactics‘ director, and I’m writing this post to introduce you to the game which we just announced as coming to Xbox platforms and is available to preorder today ahead of its full release on February 21st.

Tenderfoot Tactics takes advantage of both Play Anywhere and Smart Delivery so you’ll be able to carry your squad of goblins across a variety of platforms, such as the Xbox Series S|X where you’ll be exploring the archipelago at 60fps with a native 1440p and 4k resolution (respectively).

I’ve been playing it again on my Series S and it’s such a joy to be reminded what a curious, distinctive, and gripping game it is. So, what is it?

A Rowdy, Chaotic Tactics Game with No Random Chance

Before everything else, Tenderfoot Tactics is a game about strategic thinking in small scale grid-and-turn-based combats. The battles are fast, tricky, and wild. One mistake can spiral out into a huge number of consequences, but clever play can recover a seemingly impossible battle and turn it into a win. In line with its goblin-brained ethos, it encourages risky, aggressive tactics.

Unlike most games of this type, in Tenderfoot Tactics, skills always do exactly what they say: there are no damage ranges or hit chances. You’ll never have to restart a combat because of a random number generator. Nevertheless, the battles are anything but predictable.

Chaos rom Complexity: Natural Systems

Water flows downhill, pools in valleys, and soaks into soil.

Plants propagate and draw moisture out of the soil.

Fire spreads through dry plants (and goblins).

Like in the real world, Tenderfoot Tactics’ natural systems are deterministic, but so richly interdependent that the results of an action are impossible to really know, and beautiful to watch unfold.

At the start of the game, your goblins will be relative outsiders to magic, but as you grow in power you’ll be able to evolve them into advanced breeds: Wizards and Woods Witches, Liches, Elementalists, and other strange creatures. Before long you’ll be calling down meteors, raising mountains, electrifying lakes, opening volcanic chasms, and much, much more.

Exploring the Archipelago

Again unlike most games of this type, Tenderfoot Tactics takes place in a tremendously large world, and has a lightweight, exploratory, nonlinear story.

Very early in the game, you’ll find yourself with an objective that is both distant and vague, and you’ll have to set your own route towards it. Don’t worry if you feel lost. Take some time to sail around, looking for landmarks or interesting features. Gather birds and use them to soar higher and further afield.

As you roam, your goblins will express their impulsive desires: to follow their nose to a nearby herb, or maybe to visit that town on the horizon. Take whatever cues seem interesting to you. There’s no wrong way to spend your time in the archipelago.

Tips for New Players

The tutorials are all available in your pause menu at any time. Don’t be nervous about skipping them if they’re too much to read at first, but do go read them eventually! The game is much more enjoyable with a full understanding of its systems, which are fairly simple.

You can change your goblins’ skills at any time out of combat, and for the starting breed, the base ‘goblin’, doing so is completely free.

The game features dynamic difficulty adjustment, and very few consequences for fleeing a battle, so if a fight is too hard for you, just run!

Okay thanks! Have fun with Tenderfoot Tactics! I think it looks, sounds, and plays beautifully on my Xbox Series S. It’s a strange game, and one I’m very proud of. I hope it gets its nasty little hooks in your brain like it does mine.

• Badru

Tenderfoot Tactics

Ice Water Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Pre-order

MODERN TACTICAL RPG, INSPIRED BY THE CLASSICS
A novel, deterministic combat system, with easy to grasp rules and astonishing depth. No random miss chances. No damage ranges.

Manipulate the elements to turn the battlefield to your advantage, but beware the consequences, as nature is complex and fickle. Open chasms, raise mountains, boil lakes, drain rivers. Start fires you later regret.

VAST OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION
Unearth ancient ruins, discover strange artefacts, and meet new friends, in a lush, painterly world. Explore the reaches of the archipelago by boat. Take to the skies as a bird to survey the landscape and plan the best route forward.

For a generation, the terrible Fog – one vast, voiceless, and cruel spirit – has been eating the once-thick forests of the mainland. Now, with nowhere left to call home, and granted magic by the friendly spirits of the archipelago, one small party of would-be adventurers sets out. Find a way to save the many goblin towns of the rocky coast, discover the truth of the Fog, and, if possible, put an end to it.

The post Go Goblin Mode in Tenderfoot Tactics on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox and Microsoft Flight Simulator are immersing gamers worldwide in the captivating world of Arrakis, commemorating the highly anticipated release of “Dune: Part Two.”  Enthusiasts can anticipate a free game expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator launching, bespoke Xbox hardware, and an awe-inspiring gaming simulator-all intricately inspired by the film. Two prominent stars from the movie, Timothée Chalamet, portraying Paul Atreides, and Austin Butler, who embodies Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, captured the collaboration with a short video.

Dune Comes Alive Like Never Before in Free Expansion

Microsoft Flight Simulator, working with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, for the first time ever is taking you beyond Planet Earth into the harsh deserts of the world of “Dune” and the planet Arrakis.  The skies of Arrakis are traversed by a deft craft called an ornithopter, a nimble flying machine propelled by four precisely tuned oscillating wings. The Royal Atreides Ornithopter is a special ultra-performance variant of the craft, renowned for its lightning acceleration, blazing speeds, and precision maneuverability when under the control of pilots skilled in its operation – and who have the fortitude to survive the harsh extremes of Dune.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Aviators have the unique opportunity starting today to put their courage and skills, to the test in the cockpit of the Royal Atreides Ornithopter in this latest expansion.  which includes three tutorials: take-off, landing, and freefall. Once simmers have mastered the basics, they can move on to attempt the package’s six activities: five-time trials and a daring rescue mission where aviators must save their flight instructor before a massive sandstorm engulfs him.

Custom Xbox Series S with Dune-themed Ornithopter Stand and World’s First Floating Xbox Controller

A specially designed console holder inspired by the Ornithopter captures the vibrant colors of Arrakis’s sun, planets, and sand. This custom Xbox Series S is a true collector’s item for fans. In addition, Xbox introduces the world’s first floating Xbox Controller. Hovering above oceans of sand dunes like an Ornithopter, the visually stunning design will look great in any living room. Fans have the chance to win this set of custom hardware by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet during the Entry Period. The giveaway runs exclusively from February 13, 2024 through March 25, 2024. For official rules and eligibility details, visit here.

Ornithopter Gaming Simulators

Following their appearance at the world premiere in London and at the U.S premiere in New York, Xbox will bring two life-size Royal Atreides Ornithopter gaming simulators to the London Microsoft Experience Center on Oxford Circus starting February 16th and New York Microsoft Experience Center on Fifth Avenue starting February 26th. Take your skills to the skies in the Microsoft Flight Simulator: Dune Expansion pack and explore the custom Dune-themed hardware on display for a limited time only.

The sky is calling!

About Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly Twitter).

About “Dune: Part Two”
“Dune: Part Two” explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. 

Denis Villeneuve returns to direct from a script he wrote with Jon Spaihts, based on Frank Herbert’s novel. Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick produce. The executive producers are Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, a Film by Denis Villeneuve, “Dune: Part Two.”  A Warner Bros. Pictures’ release, the film will be only in theaters and IMAX on March 1, 2024.

About Legendary Entertainment:
Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world’s most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $19 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com 

The post Xbox and Microsoft Flight Simulator Unveil Dune Expansion and Floating Controller appeared first on Xbox Wire.

• Promenade is a brand new and ambitious collectathon coming to Xbox consoles.
• Download the Promenade demo and try four different gameplay sequences.
• Play as Nemo as he goes on a beautiful coming-of-age adventure.

Promenade is coming to Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One on February 23. And we at Red Art Games are so excited that we wanted to give everybody the opportunity to try out the game before it comes out. That’s why we put together a playable demo that give players a taste of what we believe makes Promenade so good.  That demo is available right now! But before we get into the demo’s content, let us tell you a bit more about Promenade.

In Promenade, you play as Nemo, a kid who finds himself dropped into a world that is as mysterious as it is colorful. Luckily for him, he won’t have to make his way through this magical place alone. When things look like they couldn’t get any worse for him, a cute, and very skilled, octopus swoops in to save the day.  Joined by his new cephalopod sidekick, Nemo is tasked with the mission to repair the Great Elevator whose cogs have been scattered all around the world by a scary character. Why did that mean looking guy break everything you ask? You will have to play Promenade to find out!

What we can tell you is that to put the all important elevator back in working condition, the brave duo will have to go on a life-changing trip across a mysterious world full of challenges, puzzle, races and funny looking creatures. In order to collect the 180 cogs needed to fully repair the elevator, Nemo and the octopus will have to face many challenges. But it will be worth it in the end.

Promenade is a charming 2D Collectathon full of gameplay ideas and memorable scenes. Its story, told through environmental storytelling, is one of growth. Throughout his journey, Nemo will learn to overcome his fears and self doubt. Promenade’s creators were inspired by numerous and varied pieces of work such as  “Alice in Wonderland” ,  “Little Nemo”  – after which the protagonist too his name –  “Adventure Time” ,  “Peter Pan” ,   “Gravity Falls”  and   “Over the Garden Wall” . And even though it is a 2D game, Promenade has also been inspired by 3D gaming classics such as Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro the Dragon. The game’s creators worked tirelessly to reinvent as a 2D title a genre that is closely associated with 3D games.

In the Promenade demo, players get the opportunity to try out four different gameplay sequences, as many times as they like. We carefully selected those sections of the game as we believe that they show what Promenade has to offer without spoiling the latter levels. The first sequence, called ”Cavern of Awakening” starts off with the opening cutscene and leads into the tutorial level. When they reach the end of the level, players have a good grasp of the game’s controls.

The second sequence, “Sandy Stroll”, is Promenade’s first full level. On this sunny level, players will get to pick ups some of the game’s very first cogs. Some are easy to spot, others are well hidden… Sandy Stroll gives players an idea of the various types of situations they will find themselves in during Nemo’s journey.

The third sequence, titled “Slinghops”, is a trial-type level. The trials are skills-based levels and tend to be the most difficult levels of Promenade. Once they’ve managed to get to the end of trial levels, players can do it all over again. But this time, with a time limit…

The fourth and final sequence, “Masked Demon’s Lair”, leads to a boss fight. In order to complete their cogs collection, and gain access to some very special mini-games, Nemo and his companion will have to face a collection of bosses. Each boss fight is different and the heroic duo will have to use their skills and reflexes to defeat them.

While Promenade’s creators developed it with speedrunners and fans of challenging games in mind, more casual players will also be able their time with Nemo and his octopus friend. It is  possible, and absolutely fine, to focus on less difficult cogs to get to Promenade’s ending. That being said, players who manage to collect all 180 cogs will get to see something truly special…

Promenade invites players to find out on their own what makes each part of the world and object unique. In Holy Cap’s debut title, trying things can lead to surprising results. But as we said previously, don’t let its pastel graphics and funny looking characters fool you. Promenade has been carefully crafted with experienced players and completionists in mind. Achievement hunters who want to get the 1,000 GS on Promenade will have their hands full for a while. We can promise you that!

Ported to Xbox consoles by Red Art Studios, Promenade is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on February 23. Its playable demo is available now.

Promenade – Demo

Red Art Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Oh no! The Great Elevator has been broken and its cogs have been scattered all around the world!

Travel the world with your poulp using a dynamic moveset to find all the cogs!

Interact with colorful characters and solve puzzles!

Explore dungeons and face the bosses that dwell there!

Use different objects and their properties to your advantage!

Collect the lost cogs, repair the Great Elevator and unlock new levels in this collectathon directly inspired by 3D platformers!

The post Promenade Showcases its Gameplay in a Brand New Demo appeared first on Xbox Wire.