While the drivers might be the stars of the show in Formula 1, it takes an entire team to build lasting success. F1 Manager 2023 is our officially licensed management simulation which puts you in the shoes of Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, and Guenther Steiner, as you lead one of the ten official F1 teams to glory. It will take strategy, decision making, and foresight to write your name in the history books and establish yourself as one of the greats.

“You don’t expect to be at the top of the mountain the day you start climbing” – Ron Dennis, CEO McLaren Racing (1981 – 2016)

Brand new in 2023 is the addition of ‘Race Replay’ – a game mode which offers single race scenarios based on data and conditions from the real-life 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship. Start from the grid and improve on the team’s results in ‘Starting Grid’, or rewrite some of the season’s key strategy calls in ‘Race Moments’ as you answer a selection of 2023’s ‘what ifs’. New Race Replay scenarios are added after every race in the 2023 season, so you’ll regularly have new content as we accelerate towards the glamorous neon lights of Las Vegas and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

For those seeking the ultimate challenge, the returning and improved career mode will see you taking responsibility for every area of your team. At HQ your leadership and direction will cover all bases, from designing and researching parts, recruiting and developing drivers and staff, even down to defining the training schedule of your pit crew. On-track, you’ll see all the action unfold in a stunning broadcast-like experience, with the new visor cam bringing you even closer to every thrilling moment. Relaying commands to your drivers via real team radio messages, your strategizing will be put to the test as you aim to maximize your results, reacting to pit-stop mistakes, safety cars, and weather changes.

Before you take your seat on the pit wall, we’ve put together a dossier of essential reading for Team Principals to give you the edge over your rivals.

Designing the Ultimate Upgrade

Whilst a star-studded driver line-up might get you moving up the grid order, crucial to your success across the season is the development of new car parts. When designing these, there are a few considerations you’ll want to account for – including managing your Aerodynamic Testing Restriction (ATR) budget. In Formula 1, teams are allocated a limited number of hours they can spend testing their aerodynamic parts in the Wind Tunnel or with Computational Fluid Dynamics, with those towards the back of the field being allocated more to help them close the gap.

ATR allocation will reset at set times throughout the season, and any unused time when this happens will be lost, so top Principals will utilize of all these hours before their allocation resets. Making the most of this testing will allow you to improve your car’s pace against your competitors and increase the Expertise of your team, allowing you to create even better parts in future.

Building Your Dream Team

Crucial to success in F1 is an ability to always look ahead and plan for the next challenge. In F1 Manager 2023, you’ll invest your budgets into developing your car, your facilities, and your people. Staffing your team with the best upcoming talent can often give you an edge when you might have a disadvantage on the balance sheet.

When recruiting, consider the impact of changing out a driver or staff member during their contract. There will often be a costly fee for cutting short their time with the team, and instead you might look to offer your new recruit a position starting in the following season. Each driver and key staff member can develop their skills based on your preference, so identifying areas of weakness and considering whether to take the time to train, or whether to opt for an immediate change, will likely be influenced by your own board objectives.

Practice Makes Perfect

Although you’re able to simulate each of the three practice sessions during an F1 race weekend, you can gain an edge on your rivals by managing these yourself and responding to each of your drivers’ feedback. When each car is on track, drivers will build up their track familiarity (how well they know how their car handles on the circuit this year) as well as gathering feedback on the individual set-up of the car. Once a driver’s accrued five pieces of feedback covering each major area of the car (indicated by a number out of 5 next to a speech bubble in the driver control panel), it’s best to bring them back into the pitlane to see how you need to adjust.

It might be tempting to put on a fresh set of soft tires in every stint to finish top of the table in practice, remember that you won’t get any points for that! Tire usage is rolled over to each session, with an allocation being returned to Pirelli after every session on track. You’ll need to use a minimum of two compounds during a dry race, so remember that sometimes it can be beneficial to save a set of tires to give yourself the edge when it really counts.

Tire-ing Work and Crucial Race Strategy

Race strategy is king on track, and even an underperforming car can deliver exceptional results in the right circumstances. Before the race begins, make sure to take a moment to assign a strategy for each driver. Keep an eye on the ‘estimated race time’ to weigh up your options, as well as the weather forecast for any downpours which might create an opportunity.

During the race, it can be easy to give your drivers’ the freedom to push as hard as they possibly can, but a good Team Principal knows when to push and when to hold some pace in reserve. When you ask your drivers to increase their pace, you’ll be increasing their tire wear and their usage of fuel and stored ERS (Energy Recovery System) charge.  

As tire life decreases, so too will your drivers’ ability to consistently improve their lap-times. Remember to consider the tire temperatures, which will fluctuate throughout the race depending on how hard your driver is pushing, as well as the track conditions. When the tire drops below 30% of its’ remaining life, expect to see a significant drop in your pace and an increased risk of a costly puncture.

Cementing A Place in the History Books

The Greatest Team Principals can establish a team as a dominant force, returning season after season to challenge for every title and lifting new drivers into the spotlight as older talents move on. In F1 Manager 2023, building a team that can not only succeed but maintain that success is something which will challenge you, just as it challenges the real 10 Team Principals currently heading up official F1 teams in 2023.

Our aim has always been to recreate this thrilling sport in all its detail, and to put you, our players, behind those big decisions which shape the sport. Remember, you can always hone that race strategy in Race Replay mode and compare your results to reality. Armed with our top tips and hopefully plenty of silverware from a glittering career, maybe it’s time to dust off that cover letter and add your F1 Manager achievements to your CV… Good luck out there!

F1® Manager 2023 Deluxe Edition

Frontier Developments

☆☆☆☆☆
16

★★★★★

$64.99

$51.99

Get it now

Purchase the Deluxe Edition of F1® Manager 2023 now to receive: 

The Exclusive Scenarios Pack which offers 12 unique challenges, including both starting grid and race moments, that will put even the most strategic Team Principal to the test.

The intense world of Formula 1® comes alive for a new season in F1® Manager 2023. 23 races, six F1® Sprint events, new cars, new circuits including the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, new drivers, new challenges… Your legacy begins here. 

F1® Manager 2023 challenges you to manage the F1® team of your choice on your terms. Start your career as Team Principal at one of the 10 F1® teams and manage every aspect from the factory to the garage, to the starting grid 

Experience broadcast-quality presentation as you take your team through practice, qualifying and a thrilling race day for each race of the season, and beyond 

Detailed management systems give you control over your drivers, staff and car. Your decisions determine how your season unfolds 

New Race Replay Mode 
Relive thrilling races and key moments from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship in Race Replay, a brand-new mode which brings you even closer to the excitement and drama of F1®. 

Utilising real world F1® data taken from the live races, Starting Grid replicates the race conditions and driver starting positions of every race from the 2023 season, and Race Moments allow you to take control of a specific team during a pivotal moment of a real race from the 2023 season. 

Whether it’s taking control of Aston Martin at Monaco and trying to get Alonso his first win of the season or trying to keep McLaren in the points after a chaotic Australian GP, Race Moments challenges you to make those defining split-second decisions in the moments that matter.  

Fine-tuned Racing Simulation 
Races are more dramatic and dynamic than ever with refinements to racing lines, overtakes and incidents. Improved driver AI, rival team decision making, and an enhanced tyre temperature simulation will pose a greater challenge across fully-realised F1® races. 

Get closer to the racing action than ever before with all-new visor camera, jump on board with any of the 20 drivers on track and experience the thrill of a Formula 1® race from their point of view.  

Driver Tactics & Confidence 
Feel the emotional highs and lows of the drivers as they compete for victory. A spin, pit stop error or failed overtake may affect your driver’s confidence. Weigh up the risks and use the new Driver Tactics options to instruct your drivers on how to approach the racing action and come out on top of important battles for positions. 

Enhanced Management Experience 
Compete at the highest level of motorsport with more depth and detail than ever before. Older drivers will regress as they age, so scout the simulated F2 and F3 championships for the next generational talent. In order to catch the enhanced race AI, making the next breakthrough in car development is more important than ever. Balance the push for performance against the need to replace less durable parts. 

Hire an experienced Sporting Director, opening up the ability to manage your pit crew’s training regime and hone their skills, crucial for a successful race weekend, avoiding costly errors and winning the Fastest Pit Stop award. 

F1® Manager 2023

Frontier Developments

☆☆☆☆☆
24

★★★★★

$54.99

$43.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

The intense world of Formula 1® comes alive for a new season in F1® Manager 2023. 23 races, six F1® Sprint events, new cars, new circuits including the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, new drivers, new challenges… Your legacy begins here.

• F1® Manager 2023 challenges you to manage the F1® team of your choice on your terms. Start your career as Team Principal at one of the 10 F1® teams and manage every aspect from the factory to the garage, to the starting grid
• Experience broadcast-quality presentation as you take your team through practice, qualifying and a thrilling race day for each race of the season, and beyond
• Detailed management systems give you control over your drivers, staff and car. Your decisions determine how your season unfolds

NEW RACE REPLAY MODE

Relive thrilling races and key moments from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship in Race Replay, a brand-new mode which brings you even closer to the excitement and drama of F1®.

Utilising real world F1® data taken from the live races, Starting Grid replicates the race conditions and driver starting positions of every race from the 2023 season, and Race Moments allow you to take control of a specific team during a pivotal moment of a real race from the 2023 season.

Whether it’s taking control of Aston Martin at Monaco and trying to get Alonso his first win of the season or trying to keep McLaren in the points after a chaotic Australian GP, Race Moments challenges you to make those defining split-second decisions in the moments that matter.

FINE-TUNED RACING SIMULATION

Races are more dramatic and dynamic than ever with refinements to racing lines, overtakes and incidents. Improved driver AI, rival team decision making, and an enhanced tyre temperature simulation will pose a greater challenge across fully-realised F1® races.

Get closer to the racing action than ever before with all-new visor camera, jump on board with any of the 20 drivers on track and experience the thrill of a Formula 1® race from their point of view.

DRIVER TACTICS & CONFIDENCE

Feel the emotional highs and lows of the drivers as they compete for victory. A spin, pit stop error or failed overtake may affect your driver’s confidence. Weigh up the risks and use the new Driver Tactics options to instruct your drivers on how to approach the racing action and come out on top of important battles for positions.

ENHANCED MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Compete at the highest level of motorsport with more depth and detail than ever before. Older drivers will regress as they age, so scout the simulated F2 and F3 championships for the next generational talent. In order to catch the enhanced race AI, making the next breakthrough in car development is more important than ever. Balance the push for performance against the need to replace less durable parts.

Hire an experienced Sporting Director, opening up the ability to manage your pit crew’s training regime and hone their skills, crucial for a successful race weekend, avoiding costly errors and winning the Fastest Pit Stop award.

The post Take Your F1 Team to the Top of the Podium with These Tips for F1 Manager 23 – Available Now on Game Pass appeared first on Xbox Wire.

In Dreams, We Can

Today, we’re excited to invite all gamers into the fantastic, inspirational, spectacular world of endless possibilities that gaming provides with our latest Xbox Power Your Dreams global brand campaign. 

Power Your Dreams is a direct reflection of the extraordinary experiences gamers will have across new worlds, iconic characters, inspirational stories, and unforgettable moments. With an incredible lineup of launches, Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Forza Motorsport, the future launches of Star Wars Outlaws and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and an exciting holiday with new games being added to Xbox Game Pass all the time – now has never been a better time to play with Xbox.  

Wake Up and Dream

We celebrate the launch of this new, immersive, multimedia campaign by debuting our new live-action trailer – “Wake Up and Dream” – exclusively for the Xbox community before airing this evening during Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and continuing to run across global markets through the holidays. 

“Wake Up and Dream” is an immersive adventure story, inspired by gamers and their dreams – going beyond imagination, and capturing the fun, joy, community and love we all share for our favorite games and epic gaming moments experienced with friends.  

“Wake Up and Dream” is custom scored by Son Lux, a BAFTA-nominated band, and Academy Award® nominee for the musical score to the film, “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” 

This original score provides an ethereal sound scape, meticulously designed with never-before-heard sounds and melodies, that heighten the emotional intimacy of each unique visual moment and experience.  

Xbox Is on Display

From dreamy worlds to unforgettable spectacles, Power Your Dream visuals and activations will spring to life throughout the duration of the campaign – ranging from awe-inspiring to downright playful. If you are an Xbox fan and you come across one of the many dream-worthy activations, be sure to capture and share them by tagging #PowerYourDreams on social media.  

An Xbox Console for Everyone

Xbox welcomes gamers who play all kinds of games to do so playing on Xbox consoles that meet any gaming ambition. From the powerful Xbox Series X, to the small and next-gen performant Xbox Series S, including the recently released Carbon Black Xbox Series S with 1TB of storage and the recently announced Xbox Series S – Starter Bundle, which includes Xbox Series S and access to hundreds of games with 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – there is a console for everyone in this growing and expansive community.  

The post Power the Gaming Dreams in All of Us appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Wizard with a Gun, our sandbox survival adventure game just released on Xbox Series X|S and we’re hoping all you budding gunmancers are excited to jump in! Before you set off on expeditions to vanquish enemies, gather loot, and explore The Shatter, we thought we’d drop a little more detail on the cooperative adventuring for two players online. With the timer counting down, you and your wizard bud will need to make some big decisions because dying means dropping almost everything you have collected. But with twice the power and magic, there are several co-op mechanics to optimize your teamwork.

Combine Powers

Magical bullets are integral to surviving The Shatter. Each one has a unique effect and many can be upgraded for more potency. Having different kinds of bullets between you and your partner will allow for devastating combos. For example, one wizard can sling the freeze spells while the other shatters the chunk of ice with destruction spells, dealing huge damage together. There are many combinations like oil + fire, electricity + water, and several more we’ll leave for you to discover and experiment with. Even some wild combinations with enchanting and healing.

Protect and Heal

Speaking of healing, if you run out of HP, you’ll be knocked down instead of immediately succumbing to death. While knocked down, your partner can help you up, but doing so will leave them vulnerable. Please ensure you are safe before helping anyone else. We don’t need any more dead wizards out there!

Ward Off Evil (When You’re Dead)

If one of you does succumb to the cold embrace of death, you can still lend a ghostly hand. Ghosts can spook enemies into a fearful state, causing them to run away. When the game is in two-player balance, it can get pretty overwhelming for a single wizard. Even a small spook could be the difference between survival or failure.

Rise Again (aka Not Be Dead)

You may find a Resurrection Altar as you wander across The Shatter. We’ve heard that when a living wizard and a ghost stand within the Altar’s circle, the ghost will return to the realm of the living. Take note of any Altars you may see on your travels.

This is just a little look at all the fun and sometimes mysterious features that two wizards can use together to get an upper hand on the chaotic evils that roam The Shatter. We hope you give Wizard with a Gun a shot to survive and thrive with your favorite co-op friends on Xbox!

Wizard with a Gun: Deluxe Edition

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆
17

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Wizard with a Gun: Deluxe Edition bundles the base game with the Gunmancer Pack which includes the Dream Projector building recipe, Arch Wizard outfit, and Dandy outfit.

Wizard with a Gun is an online sandbox survival game for 1 – 2 players set in a magical wilderness wrought with dangerous creatures and arcane mysteries. Embark on a journey alone or with a friend to collect, craft, and outfit your wizard however you see fit as you explore the unknown. Carefully design weapons, bullets, and furnishings for your tower home but try not to burn it all down as the magic you wield escalates beyond your control…

Magical Weapon Customization
Collect resources from the world and craft unique enchanted ammunition for your arsenal of guns. Combine elements for intended or suprising effects that alter the shot, blast radius, bullet trail, and even the status of the creature in your crosshairs.

Customized Whimsical Wizards
Create a dazzling wardrobe for your magic wielder from robes and hats to armor and accessories – functional and fashionable in a way that’s sure to impress.

Randomly Generated Biomes
Explore and uncover new sections of the world filled with deserts, swamps, tundra, and prairies – all loosely floating together through space and time after the world was fractured. Unleash cosmic power from the safety of your tower to reset the world and emerge once again to find a new layout to once familiar lands.

Cooperative Adventuring
Survive alone or with a wizard friend in online cooperative play to combine resources, magic, and creativity in your tower building. Or just watch it all burn down together – the choice is yours.

Systemic Gameplay
Experiment with new spell combinations and find out how they affect enemies and the world around you the hard way. Creative arrangements can lead to powerful creations that overwhelm your foes while untethered amalgamations can be a recipe for disaster!

Wizard with a Gun

Devolver Digital

☆☆☆☆☆
17

★★★★★

$24.99

Get it now

Free Trial

Wizard with a Gun is an online sandbox survival game for 1 – 2 players set in a magical wilderness wrought with dangerous creatures and arcane mysteries. Embark on a journey alone or with a friend to collect, craft, and outfit your wizard however you see fit as you explore the unknown. Carefully design weapons, bullets, and furnishings for your tower home but try not to burn it all down as the magic you wield escalates beyond your control…

Magical Weapon Customization
Collect resources from the world and craft unique enchanted ammunition for your arsenal of guns. Combine elements for intended or suprising effects that alter the shot, blast radius, bullet trail, and even the status of the creature in your crosshairs.

Customized Whimsical Wizards
Create a dazzling wardrobe for your magic wielder from robes and hats to armor and accessories – functional and fashionable in a way that’s sure to impress.

Randomly Generated Biomes
Explore and uncover new sections of the world filled with deserts, swamps, tundra, and prairies – all loosely floating together through space and time after the world was fractured. Unleash cosmic power from the safety of your tower to reset the world and emerge once again to find a new layout to once familiar lands.

Cooperative Adventuring
Survive alone or with a wizard friend in online cooperative play to combine resources, magic, and creativity in your tower building. Or just watch it all burn down together – the choice is yours.

Systemic Gameplay
Experiment with new spell combinations and find out how they affect enemies and the world around you the hard way. Creative arrangements can lead to powerful creations that overwhelm your foes while untethered amalgamations can be a recipe for disaster!

The post Wizarding Together is Better in Wizard with a Gun – Now Available for Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Greetings wanderers. Whether you have already mastered the nightmarish landscapes of Sanctuary, or you’re tempted to try a savage new experience– Diablo IV’s Season of Blood revitalizes the many paths that players walk. On October 17, tons of quality-of-life changes and a bloodthirsty scourge arrive in Diablo IV. Leveling a character to 100 is much quicker, more Endgame Bosses have been added, and many changes have been made across all of Diablo IV.

Skip the Campaign, Dive Into the Season

Starting with Season of Blood, players will now have the option to skip the Campaign after completing the Missing Pieces quest from the Prologue on the Seasonal Realm. Doing so will allow you to dive straight into Seasonal content, fast tracking your path to mastering the sanguine arts.

For those wanting to dive right into the Seasonal content with a pack of your best demon slaying allies, this change is for you!

Bloodthirsty Foes Descend Upon Sanctuary

Diablo IV’s Season of Blood calls upon players to battle against new monstrous threats – Vampires, Blood Skeletons and Blood Seekers threaten the citizens of Sanctuary. Uncover a new Season Journey, Questline, 22 Vampiric Powers, Battle Pass and more. Fight against the forces of the dark master Lord Zir and defeat them to unlock the secret of their dark art.

Fresh Blood, Fresh Start   

In Diablo IV, at the start of a Season, players must create a new character in the Seasonal Realm. Considering it’s a fresh start for all players, the beginning of a new Season is the perfect time to come to Sanctuary’s defense alongside everyone else on the same journey. Fear not! Once Season of Blood has concluded, your Seasonal Character becomes part of the Eternal Realm. Here, you can continue to progress, level and slay demons at your leisure.

For those savvy enough to have previously aided Sanctuary denizens, any earned renown (gained from uncovering the Map and conquering mighty Strongholds) will provide an advantage when the time comes to begin anew. All earned Renown Rewards persist between any new character on the same Realm, providing an immediate edge to your latest wanderer. This includes increased Potion capacity, Murmuring Obols Capacity and additional Skill Points.

The Road to Hell is Paved with Slain Demons

Reaching Level 100 with a character takes cunning, grit and determination; it’s no small feat. With Season of Blood, the team has implemented many changes to make achieving Level 100 significantly faster across both Seasonal and Eternal Realms. We heard the community feedback to decrease the time spent to reach Level 100 and for more meaningful content to play while progressing past Level 50 and beyond.

With the update on Oct. 17, many changes have been made to core game mechanics to help wanderers on their journey to glory. The experience gained from killing monsters at Level 50 and above has been generously increased and rises steadily as you level. Experience bonuses (such as Elixirs and Seasonal Blessings) are now multiplicative with the World Tier bonus. Nightmare Dungeon layouts have also been improved to ensure players don’t miss out on key Objectives, which reduces the need to backtrack. Monster density has also increased in Dungeons, drastically raising the carnage of these brutish hollows.

These changes, alongside many others, make the overall journey to Level 100 about 40% faster.

Seasons are a great opportunity for the development team to introduce new content and make bold changes. Season of Blood is a chance for us to address many community concerns and make the experience of slaying demons more exciting for all. As for meaningful ways to level up in the Endgame, bosses of awesome power stand in your way.

The Chase to the Endgame

On your path to greatness, new and familiar threats arrive to challenge even the most fearsome of warriors. Starting in World Tier III, Uber difficulty bosses become available, each with their own ability to drop exclusive Uniques, items that provide rare, powerful upgrades to your character. These bosses will require different materials and conditions to engage them – fighting the mighty Echo of Duriel will require playing in World Tier IV and resources gained from all other Uber boss fights.

We received community feedback that there should be more Endgame activities and better opportunities to farm Unique and Uber Unique items. This group of Endgame bosses were created to pose a challenge to high-level players while allowing them to hunt down sought-after items in a fun and intense way. These Endgame bosses each drop glorious cosmetics to earn – use them to style your character and Mount.

The Endgame experience for wanderers has also improved through vastly increased Gold and experience gained from Helltide Chests, Grim Favors and completing individual Whisper tasks. For the avid loot collectors, we’ve changed how items are collected in later World Tiers. Items of lower rarity in higher World Tiers simply drop as materials, freeing up much needed inventory space.

Legions of Lord Zir’s Minions Await

This is a brief glimpse of the Season Journey, quality-of-life changes and Endgame challenges that are coming with Season of Blood. Classes have been adjusted, Damage has been redistributed, Unique items have received a major overhaul and more!

For a full look at everything that arrives on Oct 17, you can read our Diablo IV patch notes. Fierce new challenges and Lord Zir’s vampiric scourge await in Season of Blood.

If you want to enhance your Diablo IV experience, we’ve created a custom console that turns an Xbox Series X into a Diablo-inspired statue of the Gates of Hell – you can be one of two people to earn this sinfully stylish prize by entering our sweepstakes – learn more here.

Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition

Blizzard Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
2387

★★★★★

$99.99

$74.99

Get it now

Diablo® IV – Ultimate Edition includes:

– Diablo® IV for Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
– Inarius Wings & Inarius Murloc Pet in Diablo® III*
– Amalgam of Rage Mount in World of Warcraft®*
– Umber Winged Darkness Cosmetics Set in Diablo Immortal®*
– Temptation Mount in Diablo® IV**
– Hellborn Carapace Mount Armor in Diablo® IV**
– Wings of the Creator Emote in Diablo® IV
– Accelerated Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock in Diablo® IV (includes a Premium Seasonal Battle Pass Unlock plus 20 Tier Skips and a cosmetic)***

Diablo® IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or go rogue through an expansive End Game and shared world where players will meet in towns to trade, team up to battle World Bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.

This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.

*Downloaded separately. Diablo® III, World of Warcraft® and Diablo Immortal® sold / downloaded separately.

**Mount access must be unlocked in-game before using mounts.

***Battle Pass unlock applies to one Diablo® IV Seasonal Battle Pass only.

Battle.net account required. Internet connection required.

For more information, please visit Diablo.com.

© 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

The post Slay Vampires in Diablo IV’s Season of Blood appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Gaming allows us to experience worlds beyond imagination, share our stories and forge friendships with people across the world. At Xbox we believe that gaming is for everyone, including the over 429 million players with disabilities, and it is our responsibility to create a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and included to experience the joy and community of gaming. 

Each October we take a moment to celebrate the disability community, and earlier this month  Xbox celebrated its partnership with Special Olympics in the form of Gaming for Inclusion, a hybrid, multi-day tournament that aims to showcase the power of inclusion through gaming, break down barriers and empower Special Olympics athletes through technology.

Prioritizing accessibility in gaming invites more people to experience gaming, by empowering all gamers to play in the way that is true to them. Today, we are excited to continue our support of the Gaming & Disability community by sharing a variety of updates. These include:

• Recognizing Craig Hospital’s Adaptive Gaming Program, which showcases the power of play and importance of making gaming for everyone.
• Sharing new accessibility features from Team Xbox.
• Unveiling the Playbook for Accessible Gaming Events, an events guide that shares 12 best practices Xbox has learned partnering with the Gaming & Disability community over the years. 
• Highlighting the Accessibility in Games channel in the Xbox store, that now features hundreds of games and thousands of accessibility tags! 
• Announcing the next chapter of the Xbox Ambassador Accessibility Explorer Path, including new knowledge checks and badges, while recognizing the over 2 million quests completed since its launch in October 2022.
• Spotlighting some of our favorite accessible games including Sea of Thieves, Age of Empires, and the recently launched Forza Motorsport.
• And much more!

When everyone can play, we all win. Check out more details below!

Community Spotlight – Making Gaming for Everyone

Craig Hospital’s Adaptive Gaming Program

Craig Hospital is a Colorado-based neurorehabilitation and research hospital specializing in the treatment of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Xbox has been partnering with Craig Hospital since the development of the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which launched in 2018. Since then, Craig Hospital has been an invaluable partner in helping shape Team Xbox’s accessible hardware journey.

Today, we are excited to highlight the hospital’s Adaptive Gaming Program, which brings the joy and connection of gaming to patients and family members alike who love to play. Check out the video below which details how gaming has been a positive force for players who have taken part in Craig Hospital’s gaming program.

Many of the players at Craig Hospital use the Xbox Adaptive Controller to customize their gameplay. To learn more about the Xbox Adaptive Controller, including how to get started, visit the Xbox Adaptive Controller User Guide:

• Getting started with the Xbox Adaptive Controller
• Using external buttons with the Xbox Adaptive Controller
• Using external joysticks with the Xbox Adaptive Controller
• Using the Xbox Accessories app to customize your controller’s inputs
• Advanced functionalities of the Xbox Adaptive Controller

New Accessibility Updates from Xbox

Playbook for Accessible Gaming Events

At Xbox, we aspire to a world where everyone can participate in gaming. Industry events are no exception, which inspired the creation of the Playbook for Accessible Gaming Events.  In this guide, Xbox shares best practices learned over years of working with the Gaming & Disability Community at events such as GDC, gamescom, E3, Xbox Fanfest, and more. Accompanying this guide is a newly published Disability Etiquette Training Video. 

Much like our Xbox Accessibility Guidelines, these best practices are designed for event production teams, and are meant to serve as a catalyst for generating ideas and provide a set of guidelines when planning. They can also be used when evaluating the accessibility of an event at its completion to build for the future.  

Use Existing Controller to Start Controller Pairing

Wireless pairing just got more accessible, as direct contact with your console to press the pair button is no longer required. From the comfort of a couch, wheelchair, hospital bed, etc., players can now put their console into pairing mode using an Xbox media remote, digital assistant voice command, or previously paired controller to connect a new controller to their console.  Check out the support article on how to  Connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to your console for more details.

Elite 2 & Adaptive Controller to Keyboard Remapping

Players will soon be able to remap controller buttons to almost 90 keyboard keys on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Elite Series 2, allowing players with limited mobility to use the Xbox Adaptive Controller with games that only support mouse/keyboard input.  For example, a player can remap the Left Bumper on their controller to the Keyboard C key, Ctrl + C, or Ctrl + Shift + C, etc.

Remapping will be available through the Xbox Accessories app available on both PC and console. This feature is currently available to Xbox Insiders and Xbox Accessibility Insiders League (XAIL) members, and will be available to all players in the coming months. Check out more details in the Keyboard Button Mapping for Xbox Controllers – Xbox Wire post and how to join Xbox Accessibility Insider League.

Game Accessibility Settings Menu for Xbox Widgets in Game Bar

Xbox gaming on PC is about to be even more accessible! Following the launch of the Xbox app’s ‘Accessibility’ settings menu last spring, the Xbox widgets in Game Bar will include their own ‘Game accessibility’ settings menu on October 19 to make it even easier for players to locate accessibility settings on the platform. In the updated Xbox widgets, you’ll find both visual and audio-related accessibility controls to customize your PC gaming experience according to your preferences and needs.

To see the new menu, starting on 10/19, update Game Bar and the Xbox App on PC to the latest versions; the ‘Game accessibility’ settings are available via any of the new Xbox widgets in Game Bar by clicking on their “settings” button.

Progress Made on Existing Accessibility Offerings

New accessibility knowledge checks in the Xbox Ambassador Accessibility Explorer Path

Since launching the Xbox Ambassador Accessibility Explorer Path a year ago, over 2 million quests have been completed by Xbox Ambassadors as a way to learn more about accessibility and support a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone has fun.

In addition to continuing to share new quests, Xbox is excited to announce that in upcoming months the Explorer Path will feature knowledge checks that will celebrate ambassador’s knowledge of accessibility from completed quests.  At the completion of these checks, ambassadors will earn an Xbox Accessibility Ally Badge that can be linked to their profile.  If you haven’t already, check out the Xbox Ambassadors page to start your accessibility journey!

New ‘Accessibility in Games’ channel on Xbox Store

Players looking for their next great game just got even easier! Xbox Game Accessibility Feature Tags were launched in 2021 with over 20 tags that represent accessibility features players can use to find games to play. Previously only titles with 6 or more tags were highlighted in the Xbox store and Xbox.com, but with hundreds of games and thousands of tags now available, Xbox created an Accessibility in Games channel that includes all games with accessibility feature tags, making it even easier to find games with accessibility features that work best for players. 

Check out the selection of games with accessibility features in the Microsoft Store on Xbox navigation bar or home page. From there, players can filter and sort games based on Gameplay, Audio, Visual and Input accessibility features.

Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS) at PAX 2023

The Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS) program is an offering for developers and publishers to validate the accessibility of their game, get feedback from Players with Disabilities and understand what accessibility tags apply to their games. 

At PAX West on Sept 1, the MGATS team hosted a workshop providing an overview of gaming accessibility and testing tips. This was followed by breakout sessions with 8 workstations equipped with Xbox consoles and accessories, ready to test games like Minecraft to see how they support accessibility features such as “progress saving options”, “adjustable difficulty”, “full keyboard support” and more.  This community connection not only provided feedback to build the program further, but demystified how video games can be tested to ensure accessibility for all. 

More Ways to Play:  Increasing the Accessibility of Our Games

At Xbox, accessibility is a journey with no single end point. This includes creating gaming experiences for everyone to enjoy. Today, we are excited to spotlight some recent accessibility accomplishments across various games from Xbox.

Forza Motorsport

Last week, Turn 10 Studios released their most accessible Forza Motorsport ever, which includes several innovative accessibility features including one touch driving, screen narration, text-to-speech and speech-to-text, and more.  Blind Driving Assists, a feature set built for players who are Blind or have Low Vision, works by providing a set of supplemental audio cues designed to help Low/No Vision players navigate the tracks of Forza Motorsport. The full suite of accessibility features were built in close partnership with the Disability community over two years.

For more information on the accessibility features in Forza Motorsport, click here. Then, to help you get comfortable with the new features and create an accessible racing experience that works best for you, check out this video guide as well as these driving tips from accessibility consultant Brandon Cole.

Sea of Thieves

In August, to help blind/low vision players target other players and enemy AI when using guns and cannons. As they aim, a clicking noise goes off if players are close to a target. The closer they are, the faster it clicks. Specific features include:

• The sound pans left and right to help players know which way to rotate horizontally
• The sound pitches up and down to help players know which way to move vertically
• It has a lock on noise when players are over a target.
• Aim assist begins automatically when players aim down the sight of a projectile weapon or man a cannon.

Age of Empires

In August, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, the latest instalment of the iconic strategy series arrived as a surprise announcement during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live and was made immediately available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. With the move to console, the Age team worked to optimize the game for Xbox controllers, revamped the user interface to be console-specific, and added new tutorials designed for first time players to help achieve easy setup and success.

And with the surprise release came numerous accessibility features that allowed players to tailor their gameplay. This included adjustable difficulty settings, on-demand tutorials that help players learn the controls and basic gameplay mechanics, UI narration and Strong Contrast Mode, steady camera settings, and so much more. For a full list of available accessibility features for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on Xbox, visit this link.

Looking for More Games to Play?

During October and beyond, we are featuring games created by and reflecting the experiences of neurodiversity and people with disabilities. Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, check out the Stores collection that exists year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities. For Xbox Game Pass members, check out the Xbox Game Pass Gaming & Disability community collection and the PC Game Pass Gaming & Disability community collection.  

The post Xbox Continues to Champion the Gaming & Disability Community with New Accessibility Updates appeared first on Xbox Wire.

If you’re looking to build a city, build a team, or build a to-play-next list of games, we have updates for you. Some games you’ll remember from seeing at gamescom or at our Xbox Games Showcase, and we have a few new announcements – excited to get to the game play!

Available Today

Like A Dragon: Ishin! (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Take up the sword as Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure.

Coming Soon

F1 Manager 2023 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 19
Drive every decision in F1 Manager 2023. Manage every aspect of your chosen F1 team from your HQ to the garage and from the pitlane to the podium. Challenge for motorsport’s highest accolade, making the split-second decisions that can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Your legacy begins here.

Cities: Skylines II (PC) – October 24
Available on day one with PC Game Pass: Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis in the long-awaited sequel to the smash-hit city-building game. With deep simulation, a living economy, and more realistic features than ever before, Cities: Skylines II offers world-building without limits.

Dead Space (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – October 26
Just in time for Halloween: Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play members can confront the nightmare onboard the USG Ishimura and unravel its dark secrets in the sci-fi survival horror classic Dead Space.

Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery (Cloud and Console) – October 26
Available now on PC and coming to Game Pass on Xbox consoles! Play as The Detective in three silly mysteries! Finding clues and questioning suspects is just part of the job for such an experienced frog. Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery is a collection of all three Frog Detective cases.

Mineko’s Night Market (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 26
Welcome to Mount Fugu, a cozy Japanese inspired village with a great mystery to unfold. Join Mineko in her new hometown, where she’ll make new friends, collect and craft whimsical items, revitalize the once thriving Night Market, and uncover the truth of the great sun cat, Nikko.

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 31
Available on day one with Game Pass: Have you ever looked at a Pigeon and thought, “what is going on in your head?” Well, think no more! Headbangers puts you and 29 others into the eye of the Pigeon while you battle it out in rhythmic challenges to find out who is the ultimate Master Headbanger. Compete against each other in mind-bending musical minigames, screw over your competitors with powerups, and collect Crumbs to customize your very own Pigeon!

Jusant (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 31
Available on day one with Game Pass: Embark on a climbing adventure in Jusant! Master your climbing tools as you ascend a mysterious, ever-changing tower. Enjoy an atmospheric soundtrack and breathtaking biomes, accompanied by the enigmatic Ballast. Your watery companion will guide you while awakening nature along your path to reveal the tower’s mysteries and reach the top.

DLC / Game Updates

EA Sports UFC 5: EA Play Early Access Trial – October 24
EA Sports UFC 5 is as real as it gets – and you can experience the next evolution of the fight game starting October 24 with the EA Play early access trial. With EA Play, you can save 10% on the full game with your member discount if you decide to buy.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

75-days of Crunchyroll Mega Fan – Available until October 20
Grab 75-days free of Crunchyroll Mega Fan! Crunchyroll Mega Fan grants members access to stream the world’s largest anime library (with over 1,300 titles) ad-free, anywhere you want, with access to new episodes simulcast the same day following premiere in Japan.

Smite – Season of Celebration Pack – Available now
Jump in today to check out the New Map, Odyssey: Immortal Revelry, Tier 5 Medusa, Celestial Syndicate Battle Pass, and more.

Leaving October 31

The following games are leaving soon, but there’s still time for a proper farewell. Remember to use your membership discount to save 20% off your purchase before they go to keep them in your library!

• Gunfire Reborn (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Kill It With Fire (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Signalis (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Solasta Crown of the Magister (Cloud, Console, and PC)

I guess all that’s left now is to go play some games while we wait for these games. We’ll be back with more updates but be sure to follow us on social at Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass in the meantime!

The post Coming Soon to Game Pass: Cities: Skylines II, Dead Space, Jusant, Mineko’s Night Market, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox has teamed up with Diablo IV to create a custom, exclusive Xbox Series X console inspired by the forces of evil that threaten the world of Sanctuary.

Diablo IV developers and partners at Takeoff Studios collaborated on a concept for this custom console, which blends Diablo lore with classic art to create something as beautifully dark as the world of Diablo. Inspired by the Gates of Hell bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin, the custom Series X brings to life the Gates of Hell that players may encounter in Diablo IV and other installments in the Diablo franchise.

Diablo IV fans in Xbox-supported regions can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win this one-of-a-kind work of art, complete with a custom stand to display their hellish reward. The winner will also receive a fully functional Xbox Series X console to level up their demon-slaying adventure.

Learn more about the sweepstakes and how you can enter to take home this sinfully stylish Grand Prize.

Enter just before the stroke of midnight (October 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT) for your chance to be one of two lucky players that takes home one Hell of a Grand Prize.

The post Enter the Gates of Hell in Style With This Sinfully Cool Diablo IV Xbox Series X appeared first on Xbox Wire.