Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash: Building a New Game Based on Beloved Source Material

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Hero Image

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash: Building a New Game Based on Beloved Source Material

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash brings the world of Jujutsu Kaisen to console gaming! Jujutsu Kaisen, known for its serialization in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” and its action-packed anime series, joins the gaming world this February in a 2v2 action game where players go head-to-head in Cursed Technique battles.

In the story of Jujutsu Kaisen, the world is filled with Cursed Spirits that can only be exorcised by Jujutsu Sorcerers who utilize Cursed Energy and unique Cursed Techniques. Cursed Clash takes the concept of Cursed Techniques to new heights, where players can play as their favorite Jujutsu Sorcerers or Cursed Spirits and battle it out in exciting 2v2 matches that feel like you’re genuinely channeling the strength each character embodies.

To learn more about Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash and its connection to the original works, we met with the game’s lead Producer, Misaki Kai, to answer a few questions. Check out the interview below!

Each character in Jujutsu Kaisen has unique skills and Cursed Techniques that open the door to many ways a player can strategize during gameplay. How did the team build the Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash roster while staying faithful to the source material?

Misaki Kai: The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen have very detailed and distinctive Cursed Techniques. The first priority in development for us was determining which elements of each character would allow the player to feel the character’s personality when playing the game. However, there are some special characters, such as Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna, the strongest of the characters, so we had to continue adjusting the game’s balance until the very end.

While we value the characters’ unique characteristics, a PvP game also requires balance. Since there is an element of growth during battles in the game, we adjusted Gojo and Sukuna so that it takes time for them to build up energy, but when they are fully powered up, they will become the “strongest” in the game. As for the other characters, we have also adjusted the speed of their growth so that you can feel the character’s personality.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Screenshot

What inspired the 2v2 combat, and what gameplay elements are unique to Cursed Clash?

Misaki Kai: In the original work, there are, of course, 1v1 battle scenes, but in major battles, two characters often face off against a powerful enemy.

We felt one of the strong elements of Jujutsu Kaisen is the bonds between characters that can only be forged through battle. Even though it may be challenging to overcome some adversaries, the strength and built-up trust between characters is what helps them overcome an otherwise insurmountable enemy. This is what we wanted to try to portray in the battle system in Cursed Clash. We wanted to bring that sense of camaraderie and combined strength to the players and let them immerse themselves further in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.

In addition, there are moves called “Cursed Techniques” that are sometimes the only way to deal damage. By inserting “Cursed Techniques,” the idea was to give the player more strategy in figuring out where to execute them in battle. Rather than just focusing on attacking, the addition of “Cursed Techniques” changes things up a bit and also gives the player an opportunity for a last-minute comeback even when they’re up against the ropes.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Screenshot

How would you say the gameplay elements add to the game’s authenticity to the original work? Would you say that Jujutsu Kaisen fans would feel immersed in the character they are playing?

Misaki Kai: In the previous answer about the characters’ characteristics, I mentioned that we have tried to reproduce as many of each character’s unique traits as much as possible.

For example, Toge Inumaki’s “Cursed Speech” can damage his throat – and that can be particularly dangerous if he uses it against a strong opponent. If you use Cursed Speech, there is a gauge that will decrease. The stronger the opponent, the more significant the decrease. Once that gauge has been depleted, the player will take damage. However, you can recover the gauge by using throat medicine!

Regarding Ryomen Sukuna, we have made it so that, despite the 2v2 combat, you blow up your partner as well as the opponents. This mechanic allows players to feel the actual presence of the King of Curses.

These ideas are drawn directly from the source material, so the player can really experience Jujutsu Kaisen fighting by mastering the character’s Cursed Techniques.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Screenshot

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular publications in the world right now, and in the original works, there are many iconic moments and fight scenes that fans know and love. What did the team do to capture and implement these moments into the game, and what are a few ways that fans who pick up the game can experience these moments?

Misaki Kai: Players can experience memorable battle scenes from the anime and the original work, such as Black Flash and Domain Expansion.

Some of the Domain Expansions change the entire field when activated, trapping players within the Domain. This allows players to experience the feeling of being in a strong space or the sense of danger when they are dragged into the opponent’s Domain, just like the first time Yuji Itadori was exposed to a Domain Expansion.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Screenshot

Do you have additional comments or things you’d like to tell fans?

Misaki Kai: Since this is a 2v2 game, your strategy will expand depending on the combination of characters. You will need to change your strategy depending on the characters you have paired up with, so I hope you will find your favorite combination and enjoy a cursed co-op combat game!


That concludes our talk with the Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash producer, Misaki Kai! Whether you plan to play solo through story mode or challenge other fans or friends online, players can look forward to engaging in cursed 2v2 combat on February 2, 2024 – preorder Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash on Xbox today!

Xbox Live

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

For the first time ever, the highly acclaimed series from Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, JUJUTSU KAISEN, is expanding into the domain of console games!

• 2 VS. 2 CURSED TECHNIQUE BATTLES
Aim to become the strongest together by taking advantage of the characteristics of each technique, aiming for a Joint Attack that is triggered by combining attacks, and working together in harmony to assess the battle situation!

• CHARACTERS WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE CURSED TECHNIQUE
Familiar members such as Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo, as well as Cursed Spirits such as Jogo and Hanami, will also participate in the game.
Each character has his or her own unique Cursed Technique and actions.

• MASTER A NEW DOMAIN IN THE BATTLE!
As you grow in battle, more powerful techniques and latent abilities blossom.
Embrace the core of the Cursed Energy and win in the intensifying battle situation!

• UNLEASH THE SUPER DREADNOUGHT CURSED TECHNIQUE AND SEIZE THE VICTORY!
At the end of the game, when both players are fully developed, powerful techniques clash with each other.
The player must overwhelm his or her opponent dynamically, just as in the anime!

The post Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash: Building a New Game Based on Beloved Source Material appeared first on Xbox Wire.

How to Build Your Bulwark – Demo out Now

Hello there! I’m Tomas Sala – solo developer of Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles.

Way back in 2020, I launched my first game on Xbox in the form of The Falconeer, an Xbox Series S|X launch title that combined a hostile, flooded open world full of political intrigue, with supernatural and spiritual overtones all seen from the vantage point of Falconeers, skilled riders of giant building sized warbirds that fought each other with lances that charged from the stormy skies.

Four years later I’m asking you to return to the Great Ursee with the next entry in the series, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles – set 40 years after the events of The Falconeer within the same flooded open world. But whilst The Falconeer focused on tight aerial combat and moment to moment thrills, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an open world builder with freedom and expression at its core. Build sprawling towns, spires, and fortresses as hubs for trade, or rallying grounds for conquests.

The demo for Bulwark has just landed on Xbox consoles – here’s some useful tips that will help you make the most of your time with it as you reforge a shattered world.

Demo Tips

Experiment in Freebuild Mode

The included opening tutorial gets you to grips with how you’ll grow from simple wooden outposts to sprawling cityscapes in the hostile world of The Great Ursee. There is also a freebuild mode, which allows you to build without the need to locate resources, and upgrade any of your towers at will. This mode is perfect for experimenting with how you build, or simply enjoying the art of painting the landscape and embracing chaotic creativity!

Keep an Eye on Your Resources

Bulwark treats resources a little differently than other builders, instead of collecting X amount of a resource to build a specific unit or building, you must locate each resource type and link its extractors to the buildings you want to upgrade. The number floating above an extractor will tell you exactly how many ‘building jumps’ that resource is effective for, so optimising the routes your resources take to get to your towers is important for creating huge sprawling citadels.

Use the Right Captains

Some resource nodes will be far from your initial settlement, scattered across the restless waters of the Ursee. You’ll need to set a pair of harbours (indicated by an anchor icon on your surveyor’s target reticule) for pick up and delivery of your resources.

You’ll need to hire captains to transport these goods for you You’ll start with a set amount, unlock more in the soul tree or via random events. Each captain has vessels designed to carry certain types of cargo. Don’t forget to bring workers out to the resources to upgrade the extractors and increase their efficiency!

Keep an Eye on Your Trade Routes

Speaking of trade routes, you can see the path that each ship will take as it ferries your precious cargo across the Ursee, though be sure to install defences along the routes where possible and pay attention to updates from your advisor – there are opportunities that would rather raid your supply lines than scavenge for their own.

Unlock and Use Commanders

Commanders are powerful units that live within fully upgraded towers – converting them to their faction’s aesthetic and providing useful boosts to your economy, defences to your creations and trade routes, or units to escort your surveyor and act as a war band.

More commanders can be recruited through random events (question marks in the world map) or by simply expanding your settlement and increasing your population (progress can be checked in the soul tree)

Use the Photo Mode
With Bulwark’s super flexible photo mode you can control the time of day, apply depth of field and camera positioning completely detached from any unit.

Want to turn it from night to day and soar across the Ursee to capture a whale breaking the waters by your port whilst in the middle of a raid – go for it! You can also choose to pause the action when in photo mode, or allow events and time to play out, perfect for video capture or time lapse photography as you manipulate the time of day.

Finally, Bulwark stores every single brick you build and commits the action to memory – just click the stick while in photo mode and watch your creation build itself brick by brick from where you started to really show off the scale of your achievement and progress!

I hope you enjoy the Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles demo, whether you’re a fan of The Falconeer returning to try your hand at creation rather than destruction, or this is your first adventure in the Great Ursee – there’s a restless world out there waiting to be tamed and built upon – and I can’t wait to see what you create.

Thank you!

Xbox Live

Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles Demo

Wired Productions


5

A FRESH TAKE
Paint the landscape with ever more complex and stunning fortifications simply by building up from humble wooden structures to colossal defensive ‘command towers’. Connect your towers through a freeform network of walkways and battlements to supply resources and defences.
Build a refuge for the scattered people of this broken world and they will build their houses and industries powering your ambitions,

AN OPEN WORLD OF WAVES AND LORE
Extend your empire across many islands in this open world through a network of trading ships, discover new locations to build or conquer, and learn about the ancient history of the Ursee and its people in this continuation of the Falconer Saga.

A DIVIDED WORLD
Who you invite into your home determines your political alignment, unlocking new commanders and their flying units, war or trade-ship captains, new building options and architecture.

DEFEND YOUR BULWARK
Some in this world will eye your progress with envy, and violence and conflict will come for your settlements, and it will do so from the air. Your defences need to be strong, your towers mighty and your commanders with their warbirds, dragons and mighty airships need to be ready!

The post How to Build Your Bulwark – Demo out Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Palworld Becomes the Biggest 3rd Party Game Pass Launch Ever

Palworld Becomes the Biggest 3rd Party Game Pass Launch Ever

Palworld 7M Image

Summary

  • Palworld has been played by more than 7M players on Xbox, and is the biggest 3rd party launch in Game Pass history.
  • Palworld is the most-played 3rd party day one release via cloud gaming with Game Pass Ultimate.
  • Palworld (Game Preview) is out now for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC, and is available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.

It’s no secret that Palworld has been sweeping the gaming world since its Early Access launch earlier this month – and we’re happy to announce that, in its first ten days as part of Xbox Game Preview, Xbox players have made it the biggest 3rd party Game Pass launch in history! You’ve also helped Palworld to become the most-played 3rd party day one launch on Xbox Cloud Gaming with Game Pass Ultimate. 

Across console and Windows PC, Palworld has welcomed more than 7 million players, and has recently reached a peak of nearly 3 million daily active users on Xbox, making it the most-played game on our platforms at that time. 

Speaking to Xbox Wire, CEO of developer Pocketpair, Takuro Mizobe, said: “The response from fans has been tremendous and it’s incredible to see the millions of players around the world enjoying Palworld. This is just the beginning for us and Palworld, and the feedback we’re gathering while in Game Preview will allow us to continue to improve the experience for Pal Tamers across all platforms.” 

For those yet to become a Pal Tamer themselves, Palworld is an online open world game that sees players dropped into a mysterious land and given the ability to capture over 100 Pals, monsters with a range of abilities – both in battle, and in surviving in a hostile world. Battling, crafting, building are all a part of the experience, and it’s proven a huge draw for players across the world. 

Palworld is available in the Xbox Game Preview program, meaning there’s much more to come as Pocketpair refine the experience ahead of a full 1.0 release. Developers are listening to player feedback, and have started applying their learnings to the game already – and they know cross-play is one of the largest requests from fans, and are working quickly to address it. 

On Xbox’s part, we’re working with Pocketpair to help provide support for Xbox versions of the game. We’re providing support to enable dedicated servers, offering engineering resources to help with GPU and memory optimization, speeding up the process to make Palworld updates available for players, and working with the team to optimize the title for our platform. 

Palworld is available now for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC through the Game Preview program. It’s available for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members, and can be played through Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. 

Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Palworld (Game Preview)

POCKET PAIR, Inc.


981

$29.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Free Trial

This game is still under development. It is subject to change before its release as a finished product. Please purchase only if you are comfortable with the game in its current state.

Q. What kind of game is this?
A. In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate.
Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories.
You can even sell them or eat them.

▼Survival
In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices…even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.

▼Mounts & Exploration
Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.

▼Building Structures
Want to build a pyramid? Put an army of Pals on the job. There are no labor laws for Pals, so exploit them to your heart’s content.

▼Production
Find a variety of useful Pals to make fire, generate electricity, or mine ore so that you can live a life of comfort.

▼Farming
Some Pals are good at planting seeds, while others are skilled at watering or harvesting crops. Work together with your Pals to create an idyllic farmstead.

▼Factories & Automation
Letting Pals do the work is the key to automation. Build a factory, place a Pal in it, and they’ll keep working as long as they’re fed—until they’re dead, that is.

▼Dungeon Exploration
With Pals on your side you can tackle even the most dangerous areas. When the time comes, you might have to sacrifice one to save your skin. They’ll protect your life—even if it costs their own.

▼Breeding & Genetics
Breed a Pal and it will inherit the characteristics of its parents. Combine rare pals to create the strongest Pal of them all!

▼Poaching & Crime
Endangered Pals live in wildlife sanctuaries. Sneak in and capture rare Pals to get rich quick! It’s not a crime if you don’t get caught, after all.

▼Multiplayer
Multiplayer is supported, so invite a friend and go on an adventure together! And of course you can battle your friends and trade Pals, too.
Note: PvP will be implemented in a future update

Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!

The post Palworld Becomes the Biggest 3rd Party Game Pass Launch Ever appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Introducing the Vapor Xbox Wireless Controller Collection: Where Style Meets Victory

Introducing the newest collection of Xbox Wireless Controllers: the Vapor series in Xbox Design Lab and the Xbox Wireless Controller – Dream Vapor Special Edition. In this collection, each top case features a dynamic pattern that is unique to every controller. If you are familiar with the Xbox Wireless Controller – Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition, you have seen how this misty pattern creates a subtle and textured look that only you can call yours.  

The Vapor series with Xbox Design Lab brings some of the most unique controller designs available for your customization, offering six top case options with swirling color patterns. If green is your thing, the Electric Vapor top case merges the bold Electric Volt and the iconic Velocity Green, while the Nocturnal Vapor top case draws you in with its Dark Green and Grey swirl. Feel the heat with the Fire Vapor top case, featuring a fiery red and orange swirl, or opt for the cool and collected Stormcloud Vapor, with a sleek blue swirl design. If pink and purple are your power colors, look no further than the Cyber Vapor top case, showcasing a lively pink and purple swirl, or enter in the dreamy hues of the Dream Vapor top case with its soft pink and soft purple swirl. 

Vapor Series Image

Once you’ve selected one of these unique Vapor top cases, it’s time to personalize further by choosing from a variety of button and thumbstick styles. You can even enhance your design with metallic triggers and D-pads, rubberized side and back grips, and add a personalized engraving for the finishing touch. 

Dream Vapor Image

Alternatively, enter dreamland with our newest Special Edition design, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Dream Vapor. Using the pink and purple top case from the Vapor collection, we’ve dreamt up a Special Edition controller that highlights the best that this colorway has to offer. The subtle pink-purple swirl is extended to the rest of the design, featuring soft pink thumbsticks, bumpers, triggers, and hybrid D-pad. What you’ll find unique about this Special Edition controller is the inclusion of purple rubberized side grips, soft pink ABXY buttons with purple accents, and an exclusive Dynamic Background that brings this amazing design over to your Xbox Series X|S console.  

All controllers within the Vapor Collection include all the incredible features fans can expect with our newest generation of controllers. This includes a battery life of up to 40* hours of gameplay, allowing you to stay immersed in the action for longer. Enter every reality of gaming via the Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless connection, enabling you to connect and play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, iOS and Android devices.

You can chat with your friends using any compatible headset and share your most unbelievable gaming highlights using the dedicated Share button on your controller. Use the Xbox Accessories app to remap your controller buttons and create custom controller profiles for your favorite games, giving you endless potential to elevate your gaming experience. 

The Vapor Series is available now with Xbox Design Lab, where you can choose from the six Vapor designs to create a completely customized controller. You can also pre-order the Xbox Wireless Controller Special Edition – Dream Vapor today in select Xbox markets worldwide for $69.99 USD ERP. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including Microsoft Store, for more information. 

Vapor Series Hoodies

We’re also introducing the newest addition to the Xbox Icon Collection – The Vapor Hoodie. Inspired by the two-color swirl of the new Xbox Vapor wireless controllers, our Icon Collection Vapor Hoodie is available in 3 print colors each with its own unique swirl pattern: the orange and red Fire Vapor, the purple and pink Cyber Vapor, and the green and electric volt yellow Electric Vapor. Available only in the Xbox Gear Shop.

*Battery life varies with usage and other factors. Testing conducted by Microsoft using standard AA batteries in preproduction units. Button mapping available via Xbox Accessories app for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11; app for Windows PC requires compatible USB-C cable (sold separately). 

The post Introducing the Vapor Xbox Wireless Controller Collection: Where Style Meets Victory appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240125-2000)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

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 will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, 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_2402ZN25398.3453.240125-2000
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 29, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 30, 2024

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

Capture & Share

  • Fixed an issue which could prevent uploading captures to OneDrive.

System

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

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.

Game Card

  • Some users are reporting an unexpected black screen when opening the game card or selecting “Show in Microsoft Store” after it has opened, and we are investigating.

Games

  • We are investigating user reports of some titles experiencing unexpected display or graphical issues.

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.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. 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 visit 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 the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, 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 and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! 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 – Alpha (2402.240125-2000) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Creating the Bahnsen Knights Universe – A Love Letter to Old-School Games and Pulps

  • LCB Game Studio’s third Pixel Pulp, is out now on Xbox.
  • Unique interactive fiction experience merging 20th-century ‘Pulps’ with 80s game aesthetics.
  • A captivating fusion of undercover cop drama, supernatural beliefs, and tornado-chasing road trips.

Bahnsen Knights is the third Pixel Pulp released by LCB Game Studio. A Pixel Pulp is our own way of understanding interactive fiction, trying to bring together two distant elements such as the genre narratives of the early twentieth century— the so-called ‘Pulps’—and the computer games of the 80s, with their limited palettes and with a whole history of possibilities ahead as a medium.

But what we term “Pixel Pulps” is not mere nostalgia; it’s a glimpse into a past that might have been.

History of Bahnsen Knights

In Bahnsen Knights, players assume the role of Boulder, investigating the disappearance of a fellow Agency member by infiltrating the Bahnsen Knights—a cult led by Toni, a former used car salesman. Toni believes that hell is above us, and tornadoes are the devil’s doing. With his Bahnsen Knights, Toni drives his Sierra to conduct ‘road exorcisms’, as a way to fight F5 tornadoes.

As with all Pixel Pulps, Bahnsen Knights aims to craft a gripping narrative experience reminiscent of stories published in pulp magazines from the first half of the 20th Century—stories that refuse to release their grip on readers.

BK screenshot

Art of Bahnsen Knights

The starting point was the color palette of the ZX Spectrum console, limited to six colors plus black and white with two levels of brightness. Although the palette can be strident when used in its entirety, this is part of its charm and nostalgia.

To create distinct identities for each game, we reduced the palette to a couple of colors for each Pixel Pulp. Drawing parallels with magazine printing techniques—mixing small dots of two colors to create the illusion of a third color—we aimed to achieve this effect.

In Bahnsen Knights, centered around an undercover cop, saturating everything in red felt appropriate, creating a continuous sense of alertness. Combining it with magenta gives the visuals a vibrant neon 80s quality that complements the story perfectly.

BK screenshot

Input in Bahnsen Knights

Our Pixel Pulps use a choice-based input system, extending beyond choose-your-own-adventure decisions to control mini-games. In Bahnsen Knights, this is no different. This system not only aligns with certain game genres we love but also allows us to experiment with game design elements such as time, muscle memory, and reflexes. And like our other Pixel Pulps, Bahnsen Knights includes a variant of a solitaire we designed… Cross Solitaire!

Time in Bahnsen Knights

Time is a crucial element that enhances the gripping nature of the story. As an infiltrated agent, Boulder is always on the verge of discovery, leaving no room for rest.

Experimenting with quick-time events, counters, and other game design resources, we aim to break the passivity of reading an interactive fiction, where time is usually on the player’s side—one of the achievements of the game has to do with this, specifically with the reading time… can you unlock it?

BK screenshot

What Could Have Been and What Might be

Our Pixel Pulps – rooted in pulp-like narratives, pixel aesthetics reminiscent of a 1980s that might have been, and a control system that allows itself to experiment as if the video game industry hadn’t already calcified some design practices – are not products of a past we yearn for, but of a past yet to come. We hope you enjoy discovering this little universe of ours!


Xbox Live

Bahnsen Knights

Chorus Worldwide Games

$9.99

In a world of religious fanaticism, F5 tornadoes and Ford Sierras you are Boulder, an undercover agent. Your assignment sees you infiltrate the Bahnsen Knights, a deadly, supercharged cult with an enigmatic leader. In this murky and dangerous world you must keep your wits about you and stay alive to unravel the mystery behind an old friend’s disappearance.

Who are the Bahnsen Knights?
The Bahnsen Knights are the fastest cult in the land. Powered by religious fanaticism and supercharged Sierras they follow their charismatic leader Toni as they unleash hell upon earth. What are their aims? Why are they performing ‘route exorcisms’ and babbling about ‘miracles on the road’? And adding to the enigma: Why are they holding paranormal investigator Lou Hill captive in a trunk?

An enigmatic leader
The Bahnsen Knights’ highest authority, Toni, is an ex-car salesman preaching that Hell is not below but above us all. He was being investigated by agent Cupra, one of your oldest friends in the Agency. But now Cupra’s gone. Does Toni have something to do with his disappearance?

An undercover agent
You thought you had seen everything in all your years working for the Agency, but this assignment is something else, something personal, something darker… and it scares you. Will you be able to keep it together for long enough to uncover what happened to Cupra and take down Toni and the Bahnsen Knights once and for all? Danger lies around every corner and every conversation. You just need to stay alive!

Features
– Immerse yourself in the story with its rich, branching narratives and evocative illustrations
– Decide the fate of characters in ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style gameplay
– Earn the trust of the Bahnsen Knights to survive the investigation
– Piece together more of the interconnected world of Pixel Pulps
– Accessible, brain-tickling puzzles throughout the story… including the return of solitaire!

A Pixel Pulps adventure
Bahnsen Knights is a standalone experience and the third in the Pixel Pulps series of interactive adventures. Created by novelist Nico Saraintaris and artist Fernando Martinez Ruppel, Pixel Pulps fuse exceptional writing and stunning illustration, inspired by mid-20th century pulp fiction and 80s home computer graphics. The first volume comprises three games: Mothmen 1966, Varney Lake, and Bahnsen Knights.

Bahnsen Knights, like all the Pixel Pulps, is made to be played by anyone who enjoys fine storytelling.

The post Creating the Bahnsen Knights Universe – A Love Letter to Old-School Games and Pulps appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2402.240124-2200)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Alpha ring today.

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 will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, 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_2402ZN25398.3450.240124-2200
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – January 26, 2024
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – January 27, 2024

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox Update Preview.

Xbox Game Pass

When launching an Xbox Game Pass title that is leaving the catalog soon, a random subset of users will see we have re-enabled a new dialog which will help clarify exactly when it is leaving and offer an easy path to purchase the game to keep playing even after it has left.

Fixes Included

Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:

System

Known Issues

While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.

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.

Game Card

  • Some users are reporting an unexpected black screen when opening the game card or selecting “Show in Microsoft Store” after it has opened, and we are investigating.

Games

  • We are investigating user reports of some titles experiencing unexpected display or graphical issues.

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.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. 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 visit 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 the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, 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 and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! 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!

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