How to Recreate A Minecraft Movie in Your Minecraft Game

How to Recreate A Minecraft Movie in Your Minecraft Game

Minecraft Movie Hero Image

‘A Minecraft Movie’ has proved that everyone yearns for the mines – not just the children. Now that the film based on the best-selling video game of all time is a smash-hit success, Minecraft players new and old might be wondering how they can recreate iconic movie moments in their own worlds – or maybe just run around yelling “I am Steve!”

Thankfully, we have the answers (well, apart from the “I am Steve!” one – you can probably just do that for yourself). Read on to find out:

Taming a Wolf

If you want to be like Steve, taming a wolf has to be your first task. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy – you’ll need bones to feed a wild wolf, and the easiest way to get those is by killing skeletons. But if you don’t want to risk life and limb fighting skeletons all night, there’s another, much safer way to get them – go fishing!

Finding a Village

Many Minecraft players start their journey by building houses from common materials like dirt and wood. But if you want to step up your game like Steve does in ‘A Minecraft Movie’, you’re going to want to find a real village to call your own. After all, villagers make great neighbors.

There are many ways to find a village. One thing to remember is, in most worlds, you generally won’t have to wander too far from your initial spawn point. But if you’re really feeling lost, you can always use Creative Mode to fly around without a care.

Venturing to the Nether

One of the pivotal moments in ‘A Minecraft Movie’ occurs when Steve enters the Nether for the first time. Players who are looking to live dangerously can do the same as soon as they find some diamonds and iron in their Minecraft worlds. Using iron to make buckets, you can pour water on lava to create obsidian. Then craft a diamond pickaxe to mine that obsidian, build it into a five-by-four rectangle, and ignite the center using flint and steel (“Flint and steel!”). Ruined portals can also be found, just like you might have seen in the movie.

Getting Elytra and Firework Rockets

If you’ve seen ‘A Minecraft Movie’, you’re probably interested in recreating the thrilling elytra flight using firework rockets to propel you at breakneck speeds. Fireworks are easy enough to craft using gunpowder from Creepers and paper crafted from sugarcane. But finding your own elytra is a different story – you’ll need to locate a stronghold in the overworld, jump through the portal to the End, defeat the Ender Dragon, and venture out to distant End islands until you find an End City.

Easier said than done – but it’s worth the effort once you’re flying through the sky. If you’d like to skip straight to the flying, you can take a sneak peek at the new happy ghast in Minecraft’s upcoming game drop. Curious about how the ghast became happy? Check them out in our most recent Minecraft Live broadcast!

Chicken, Creeper, and More Farms

‘A Minecraft Movie’ showcases some of the different farms that players might build in their Minecraft worlds. For example, Steve’s lava chicken cooker is based on a real contraption that uses Minecraft items including a dispenser, chicken eggs, and a bucket full of lava to automatically hatch, cook, and harvest chickens. Likewise, the “Creeper farm” that the movie characters venture through on their minecart ride is a useful build for players who need lots of gunpowder – if, say, they wanted to craft a lot of fireworks for some reason (wink). If you want to build these in your own world, the Minecraft community has created countless wonderful, in-depth tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere.

Applying Official A Minecraft Movie Marketplace Content

Minecraft Movie DLC Hero Image

For those who don’t just want to recreate ‘A Minecraft Movie’ moments in their worlds, but want to really live them, the Minecraft Marketplace has several movie-inspired downloadable items – and the best part is that they’re all free.

A Minecraft Movie: Add-On and Lava Chicken Add-On can be applied to any world, including existing ones, to bring items and entities from the movie into your game; while A Minecraft Movie DLC is a full-on standalone movie-themed adventure. Of course, you can always simply download A Minecraft Movie Hero Pack to play as Steve, Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, and the other movie characters in any Minecraft world.

‘A Minecraft Movie’ is in theaters worldwide now.

The post How to Recreate A Minecraft Movie in Your Minecraft Game appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Marathon Comes to Xbox This September, and Here’s What We Know So Far

Marathon Comes to Xbox This September, and Here’s What We Know So Far

Summary

  • Bungie has shared new gameplay for Marathon, a new team-based FPS extraction shooter.
  • Players work in crews of three to take down rival Runner teams, scavenge for resources and gear, and extract safely.
  • Marathon launches on Xbox Series X|S on September 23, 2025.

Bungie has unveiled a first look at Marathon, its upcoming sci-fi extraction shooter, as well as some brand-new details about the game. In a showcase today, the studio debuted gameplay, as well as a stylish cinematic short about the Marathon universe.

Even better – Bungie shared that there’s not much longer to wait – Marathon releases on Xbox Series X|S on September 23, 2025.

Become a Runner

In Marathon, you are a Runner, a mercenary who has traded your human form for a host of enhanced cybernetic abilities. Each playable Runner features a loadout of unique skills to compliment how you play – whether you want to run in guns blazing or take a more tactical approach. You’ll also be able to customize your Runner with implants and weapons at the start of the game, and with resources you’ll find during runs.

In teams of up to three players, you’ll drop into a zone where the goal is to loot as much as possible and get out alive. You’ll be up against several threats, including AI security forces and other teams, that you’ll need to deal with in some way. If you survive, everything you’ve collected is yours to keep for future runs. For extra challenge seekers, there’s also an option to run a match solo, take down teams alone, and extract with all the loot by yourself.

Bungie brings decades of satisfying FPS shooter experience to the table in Marathon from its previous work on Halo, and its ongoing work on Destiny 2. Marathon seeks to blend a dynamic, tactile FPS experience with seasonal content, giving you and your friends new mysteries to unravel about Tau Ceti IV and the abandoned Marathon ship that hangs above.

The World of Marathon

The studio also shared a cinematic short that gave us a deeper look at the cutthroat world of Tau Ceti IV where Marathon is set, directed by award-winning director Alberto Mielgo (“Love, Death & Robots”, “The Witness” episode). The short features several playable characters from the Marathon roster and sets the stage for the lost colony where your runs will take place. Check out the short here.

Marathon is heading to Xbox Series X|S on September 23, and you can wishlist it today. To keep up to date on news and  sign up for your chance to join the Closed Alpha Test this April, head to the official Marathon community Discord server.

Marathon

Bungie

From the creators of Halo and Destiny…

A massive ghost ship hangs in low orbit over a lost colony on Tau Ceti IV. The 30,000 souls who call this place home have disappeared without a trace. Strange signals hint at mysterious artifacts, long-dormant AI, and troves of untold riches.

Become a Runner in Bungie’s upcoming sci-fi PvP extraction shooter, Marathon. You are a cybernetic mercenary venturing into the unknown in a fight for survival and fortune where any run can lead to greatness.

Add Marathon to your wishlist now to get the latest updates and news.

The post Marathon Comes to Xbox This September, and Here’s What We Know So Far appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Zenless Zone Zero Arrives on Xbox This June – With In-Game Benefits for Game Pass Ultimate Players

Zenless Zone Zero Arrives on Xbox This June – With In-Game Benefits for Game Pass Ultimate Players

Zenless Zone Zero Hero image

Summary

  • Zenless Zone Zero, HoYoverse’s urban fantasy ARPG, will be available for free on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming in June.
  • Game Pass Ultimate members can play the game seamlessly across devices without downloads via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
  • Dive into the vibrant world of New Eridu, explore the brand-new area Waifei Peninsula, and experience exhilarating combat.

HoYoverse’s urban fantasy ARPG, Zenless Zone Zero, is set to officially launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming this June alongside its Version 2.0 update. Players will be able to enjoy the immersive urban life experience and thrilling action combat in this dynamic and vibrant game on Xbox.

As an exclusive benefit, Game Pass Ultimate members will unlock special in-game rewards—including Polychromes, Dennies, and more—simply by logging in after each major version update. It’s time to wishlist Zenless Zone Zero on Xbox now! Curious to learn more? Read on!

Stunning Performance on Xbox

In the world of Zenless Zone Zero, a calamity called the “Hollows” has destroyed modern society. New Eridu, the last remaining metropolis, has risen against the odds amidst this destructive catastrophe to become the last bastion of modern civilization. Players step into the shoes of a Proxy, a professional specializing in navigating the dangerous Hollows, guiding those who, for various reasons, need to venture inside.

With the extraordinary performance of Xbox Series X|S, Proxies can look forward to an exceptional audiovisual feast, featuring DirectX RayTracing and HDR support, as well as native 4K resolution running at a smooth 60FPS performance. In addition, Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to seamlessly play Zenless Zone Zero across multiple devices, including mobile phones, via Xbox Cloud Gaming without downloads.

Exhilarating Combat Experience

Zenless Zone Zero distinguishes itself with an exciting combat system that blends accessibility with depth. It is designed to make thrilling combat more accessible and satisfying for all players while offering deep mechanics for skilled action veterans who desire to hone their combat skills.

The game is optimized to support the Xbox controller, incorporating customized vibration feedback for different actions such as Basic and Special attacks. Players can fully unleash their skills in challenging battles while embracing the enhanced immersion and sense of impact during battle.

Play Zenless Zone Zero Anytime, Anywhere

Cross-progression and flexible server selection are fully supported on Xbox, allowing players to link their existing Zenless Zone Zero account from other platforms such as PlayStation, PC, Android, and iOS to Xbox. Furthermore, players can switch back and forth between multiple active games without lengthy loading times with the exclusive “Quick Resume” feature on Xbox Series X|S.

Currently, the game supports 13 text and 4 voice-over languages. All of these ensure that Xbox players can dive into Zenless Zone Zero with unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and instant accessibility — wherever and whenever they choose.

An Enchanting Journey Awaits in June 2025

Zenless Zone Zero fuses contemporary urban aesthetics with retro elements, crafting evocative narratives and authentic emotions that delve into the significance of ordinary people and their daily lives. Accompanied by distinctive characters, many players have found a profound sense of connection through this adventure in New Eridu.

We are so thrilled and grateful that Zenless Zone Zero will finally arrive on Xbox alongside the highly anticipated Version 2.0 this June. The new chapter of the game will unfold in a unique area called Waifei Peninsula, in which urban life and Hollow exploration closely intertwine, bringing a more cohesive and immersive narrative experience.

Soon, you will be able to join this spectacular journey as a Proxy and we just can’t wait to see you in New Eridu! Until then, stay tuned for more information on the game and on the exclusive rewards we are preparing for you. And of course, don’t forget to add Zenless Zone Zero to your Wishlist now!

The post Zenless Zone Zero Arrives on Xbox This June – With In-Game Benefits for Game Pass Ultimate Players appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 14 to 18

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 14 to 18

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Crystal Ball of Firmament – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The spell book is missing! Help the magician to find it in this action platformer adventure. Use the crystal ball to change between the day and night to make your path, collect tokens and buy useful upgrades. Venture out four different biomes (mountain, woods, winter forest and city) with a total of 32 levels. Warping the day / night cycle changes Ambiental obstacles and enemies’ behavior.


Chains of Freedom

Nordcurrent Labs

Chains of Freedom – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step into a thrilling turn-based tactics game set in a fictional, dystopian Eastern European state. Lead an elite military squad as you navigate perilous missions filled with danger, deceit, and moral dilemmas.


Finding Frankie

PERP GAMES

Finding Frankie – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Fight for your life as you compete against two other contestants in Frankie’s twisted parkour game show. Run, jump, swing and slide your way throughout parkour and obstacle courses while avoiding Frankie, Henry Hotline and many other terrifying enemies.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Hot Rod Mayhem

Casual Brothers Ltd.


$19.99

$15.99

Hot Rod Mayhem – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Start your engines, gearheads – it’s time for Hot Rod Mayhem! Prove yourself as the ultimate little racer by putting your speed and swerving skills to the test in wild races and one-of-a-kind trials! Use perilous pick-ups, like the tricky Marble or the Homing Dart, to leave your opponents in the dust!


Lab Rat

Klei Publishing

Lab Rat – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Lab Rat is a hand-crafted narrative puzzler masquerading as a machine-generated video game. This satirical adventure stars a metrics-obsessed AI who will monitor, profile, and guide you as you solve over a hundred unique spatial problems. Over time this AI will develop a hilariously misguided understanding of humanity based on your performance and survey response data.


Lushfoil Photography Sim

Annapurna Interactive

Lushfoil Photography Sim – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience detailed, true-to-life recreations of beautiful and diverse locations around the world. Trek through and explore environments to capture stunning vistas and landscapes with your fully featured in-game camera. Each environment is filled with objectives to reward players that have a good eye for angles and perspectives, and hidden secrets for those who are patient and observant.


Monument Valley

ustwo games

Monument Valley – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Embark on a dreamlike adventure in the iconic Monument Valley, the award-winning puzzle game where architecture defies reality. Guide Princess Ida through surreal monuments, uncovering hidden paths and optical illusions that challenge perception.


Monument Valley 2

ustwo games

Monument Valley 2 – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Monument Valley 2 invites you on an award-winning emotional puzzle adventure where architecture transforms as you play. Join Ro and her child as they explore stunning, ever-shifting worlds, solving optical illusions that challenge perception and their lives.


Bear Knight Honey Quest

Marcos Game Dev

Bear Knight Honey Quest – April 16

Bear Knight Honey Quest is an action platformer about a huggable bear and his trusty sword on a mission to recover the bee queen’s stolen honey. With easy controls, it’s guaranteed fun for the whole family!


Farmer’s Life

FreeMind S.A.

Farmer’s Life – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Unleash the Farmer within. Dive into the rustic charm of rural living in Farmer’s Life, where you’ll experience the joy and challenges of life on a vibrant farm stead. Plant, grow, and embrace a country living in a vast open world. You choose from diverse mechanics and endless possibilities.


I, Robot

Atari


$14.99

$13.49

I, Robot – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Jeff Minter is back with another unique take on a 1980s Atari arcade game: I, Robot. Reimagined in Minter’s signature assault of colors, shapes and sounds, this new take on the eclectic arcade title is built from the ground up with new challenges, new twists, and a whole lot of llamas.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Moving Houses

Eastasiasoft Limited

Moving Houses – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Enjoy a silly physics-based game about moving on as you box up your life while immersed in casual comfy gameplay and the instant gratification of task-based gamification of packing chores. Be neat, be careful or be a chaos goblin. The choice is yours!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Sunshower

NOKOGODO

Sunshower – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

A colorful, casual arcade action game that follows a robot’s survival in a rainstorm! Use the plant installed on your head to reach for the sky as you achieve high scores and stop the rain from washing away the world.


Vinebound: Tangled Together

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Vinebound: Tangled Together – April 16

A co-op roguelike for 1-2 players where you must coordinate attacks with a ping-pong cooldown to defeat hordes of enemies. Can your friendship survive the botanical mayhem of Garden Lands?


Xbox Play Anywhere

Crime Scene Cleaner

PlayWay S.A.

Crime Scene Cleaner – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

When insurance companies dodge the responsibility, it’s up to you to save your daughter’s life. This will require some dirty work and shady clientele, but you have no other choice, right? When the big boss calls once again, bring a bucket and a mop cause you will really need them. Are you up for the challenge?


KEMCO RPG Selection Vol. 4

KEMCO

$39.99

Kemco RPG Selction Vol. 4 – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Now you can enjoy 4 RPGs; Chronus Arc, Bonds of the Skies, Legend of the Tetrarchs, Monochrome Order in one bundle!


Leila

NAISU

$12.99

Leila – April 17

Play as Leila and traverse through all phases of her life, uncovering her pivotal life moments. By unraveling puzzles imbued with the fragments of her narrative, you’ll comprehend the motives behind Leila’s life decisions. As you delve deeper into her psyche and her emotional landscape, you’ll discover facets of your own self mirrored in the life journey of this seemingly ordinary woman.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

Knights Peak

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Slash, burn, and rage your way through Mandragora, a 2.5D side-scroller action-RPG with deep Metroidvania and Soulslike elements. Light your Witch Lantern, enter the dark realm of Entropy, and tear reality asunder.


Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate

Rocket Panda Games

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A side-scrolling beat ’em up with the heart of a fighting game, supporting cross-platform pixel art anime action with up to 8P online multiplayer and all the characters from Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive!


Xbox Play Anywhere

Terror Mansion

Domynyo SRL

Terror Mansion – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Terror Mansion is an exciting, first-person horror video game that catapults you into a frightening Mansion. Your main objective is to escape the infested Mansion, finding objects and challenging riddles while exploring incredible scenarios.


Xbox Play Anywhere

The Safe Place

Restless Corp

The Safe Place – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

A gripping, social point-and-click adventure game that delves into the harsh realities of childhood and the complexities of self-sacrifice. As the third installment of the trilogy from the creator of Little Kite and Repentant, this game takes you on an emotional journey through the lives of two characters bound by fate.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Tempopo

CULT Games

Tempopo – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

When Hana’s garden of musical flowers are scattered across a sky full of beautiful islands, she must turn to the magical Tempopo for help returning them. Chaotic and uncoordinated by nature, the Tempopo rely on Hana’s conducting skills to keep on the right track, and solve each island’s puzzle.


Cute Puppy Academy

COMMANDO PANDA

Cute Puppy Academy – April 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Welcome to Cute Puppy Academy, the ultimate place for puppy lovers! Train, care for, and play with adorable pups! Feed, groom, and teach them tricks to keep their tails wagging. Take them on fun walks, play mini-games, and test their skills. Expand your academy with new facilities, attract more puppies, and become the best trainer in town!


Xbox Play Anywhere

LUNAR Remastered Collection

GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc.

Lunar Remastered Collection – April 18
Xbox Play Anywhere

Dive into the enchanting worlds of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete, two beloved JRPGs that have captured the hearts of gamers for generations. This definitive remastered edition features enhanced graphics, audio, and quality-of-life improvements that will satiate that hunger for 90s nostalgia–better than you remember!


Snow Squall

Dolores Entertainment

Snow Squall – April 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Your helicopter crashes in a remote, icy wilderness en route to delivering batteries to a mysterious research facility. Now, you must complete your delivery before you freeze to death or get eaten by a strange presence stalking you.


Space Smash

Rising Moon Games

Space Smash – April 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A retro-style, fast-paced, and addictive shoot ’em up. A throwback to the classic arcade games of the 80s. Great for playing while waiting in line for another game.


Thrill Penguin

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Thrill Penguin – April 18
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

You are an ambitious penguin who brandishes a stylish bandana and aspires to be a parkour master. Run, jump, dive, and swim through different and six unique zones containing challenging levels to demonstrate your esteemed parkour prowess.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 14 to 18 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Let’s Catalog the Universe Sticker by Sticker: Meet Pilo & the Holobook

Summary

  • One-of-a-kind blend of cozy puzzle adventure and sticker collecting.
  • Unlock abilities, track progress and explore the farthest reaches of space through Holobook stickers.
  • Mind-bending mechanics, and vibrant hand-drawn visuals optimized for Xbox.

Step into the vibrant universe of Pilo & The Holobook and embark on a heartwarming adventure where exploration meets sticker collecting. Available on Xbox Series X|S, this cozy journey introduces a unique way to document your space travels – with stickers!

Pilo &THB screenshot

Turn Discovery into a Collection – One Sticker at a Time

Join Pilo, a curious apprentice explorer, on a unique scientific mission. Sent by his mentor, the Professor, and armed with a powerful tool – the Holobook – Pilo sets off across the far corners of the XOP-642 star system to uncover its secrets and solve puzzles.

At the heart of Pilo & The Holobook lies the Holobook itself: a powerful tool designed to catalog all the wonders Pilo encounters. But it’s not just a diary or encyclopedia – though it has a bit in common with both. It’s a… dynamic sticker album! Every creature you meet, every plant you analyze, and every mystery you unravel becomes a beautifully designed sticker in your Holobook.

Pilo &THB screenshot

Why Stickers?

The developers experimented with different collectibles before landing on stickers – and it was the perfect choice! Stickers are fun, nostalgic, and a delightful way to visualize Pilo’s discoveries. They serve as snapshots of the universe through his eyes, making exploration feel personal and rewarding.

Pilo &THB screenshot

 More Than Just Decoration

The sticker system isn’t just for show – it tracks your progress and even unlocks new abilities! The more you explore and interact with the world, the more your collection grows, enhancing your adventure. Some stickers are easy to find, while others require patience and a keen eye. Can you collect them all?

Psst! Ready to unveil a shred of mystery? There’s even a way to collect a sticker of Pilo himself! But since the Holobook doesn’t come with a “selfie” function… how will you do it? That’s a riddle you’ll have to solve on your own!

Pilo &THB screenshot

A Forgotten World Waiting to Be Uncovered… and Saved

Every planet you visit feels completely unique – in mood, design, and atmosphere. Levels are easy to navigate, yet full of hidden surprises, encouraging you to explore at your own pace. As you unlock new tools and tech, new areas and secrets become accessible. Keep an eye out for secret stickers and clever puzzles that reward your curiosity.

But beware – a strange substance called Tar is beginning to spread across the galaxy, threatening its delicate balance. With the help of your Holobook and growing knowledge, you’ll slowly uncover the origins of this mysterious force and try to save the stunning universe from creeping destruction.

Pilo &THB screenshot

 

A Relaxing Adventure for Curious Minds

With its hand-painted worlds and peaceful exploration at its core, Pilo & The Holobook is perfect for players who love taking their time to uncover every little detail. The joy of discovering engaging, detailed, and charming environments – and expanding your sticker collection – makes every step of the journey feel meaningful and rewarding.

Rather than battling threats, Pilo approaches challenges with kindness, clever thinking, and empathy. Every obstacle is met with compassion and respect for the life forms affected by the spreading Tar. His greatest tools are not weapons, but friendships, positivity, and the wise support of Professor.

Pilo &THB professor

Start your sticker-filled adventure today and let the Holobook guide you through an unforgettable cosmic experience!

Pilo & The Holobook is available digitally on the Microsoft Store. Don’t miss your chance to step into this mesmerizing storybook world on day one!

Stay tuned for more updates and follow Pilo & The Holobook on social media for the latest news!

Pilo and the Holobook

©RedDeer.Games

$12.99

Pilo and the Holobook is an exploration-based adventure game set in a colorful galaxy where you guide Pilo, an apprentice explorer, on a journey to document the universe’s wonders and solve mysteries. Using the Holobook, a powerful encyclopedia-like tool, Pilo collects stickers to record his discoveries and uncover the story behind a mysterious dark force known as the Tar.

KEY FEATURES:

– Holobook Sticker System: Collect and customize stickers that document your findings in the Holobook, creating a personalized in-game encyclopedia.
– Beautiful, Hand-Painted Planets: Immerse yourself in visually stunning environments that tell the story of each unique world. Explore Floral Asteroid, sunny SRTOM and play along Prof in Labship.
– Environmental Puzzles: Use the Holobook’s abilities to solve light environmental challenges and uncover hidden areas.
– Thematic Depth: Dive into a heartwarming story about mentorship, friendship, and confronting environmental decay through compassion and creativity.
– Evolving Holobook: As you progress, the Holobook gains new capabilities, allowing deeper interactions with the world around them.
– Engaging Story: Unravel the mystery of the Tar and its impact on the planets, with meaningful encounters and touching character moments.

Discover more about Pilo and the Holobook

Cosmic Odyssey
Set in the mystical XOP-642 star system, players guide Pilo through vibrant, hand-painted worlds filled with strange creatures and ecosystems. Each planet is teeming with unique flora and fauna to discover. Instead of combat, Pilo uses observation and creativity to explore these planets, collecting valuable knowledge through the Holobook.

The Holobook: Your Gateway to Knowledge
The Holobook serves as your main tool throughout the journey. Players use it to interact with the environment and creatures, turning their findings into collectible stickers that populate an ever-growing encyclopedia. These stickers record your progress, unlock new abilities, and help solve environmental puzzles.

The Shadow of the Tar
An ominous, mysterious substance called the Tar has begun to spread across the galaxy, threatening the beautiful worlds Pilo explores. Along the journey, players will uncover the origins of the Tar and work to save the planets from its corruption. The Holobook can also temporarily repel the Tar, allowing deeper exploration and interaction with affected creatures.

A Heartfelt Adventure
Pilo and the Holobook emphasize creativity, kindness, and curiosity over combat. The game encourages peaceful problem-solving and compassion as Pilo helps the creatures affected by the Tar and works to restore balance to the galaxy.

The post Let’s Catalog the Universe Sticker by Sticker: Meet Pilo & the Holobook appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Duskfade – A Journey Through Nostalgia, Loss, and Moving Forward

Duskfade – A Journey Through Nostalgia, Loss, and Moving Forward

Hi! I’m thrilled to welcome you to Duskfade, a fast-paced, nostalgic action-platformer from the talented indie team at Weird Beluga Studio, coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

Duskfade sees players setting off on a journey to restore time to a world seized in eternal night, playing as young apprentice Zirian on an adventure across a wondrous clockpunk world. If you grew up playing action-platformers in the early 2000s (just like I did!), Duskfade is being made for you, expertly blending the best of classic design with modern mechanics to deliver an emotional story that leaves a lasting impact.

Take a look at our brand new trailer – and welcome to the world of Duskfade.

A Tribute to Classic Action-Platformers

There’s something truly special about the golden era of action-platformers – the tight controls, iconic characters, fluid movement, and the sense of joy, discovery and reward in every level. Duskfade captures that magic with fast, responsive traversal, satisfying combat, and a world that feels like a forgotten classic, reimagined for today.

At its core, Duskfade is built on the DNA of beloved titles from the past, but pushes forward with modern refinements. Whether you’re dashing between floating islands, rail-grinding through a crystal mine shaft, or fending off clockwork foes, the game is designed to feel intuitive, dynamic, and full of momentum.

Duskfade’s world is built on old watchmaking knowledge, where magic blends with gears and clocks,” says Diego Redondo González, Lead Artist on Duskfade. “Players can expect a wide range of dynamic, magical worlds full of surprises, with a colourful and imaginative art style that mixes innocent, stylized visuals with a few darker touches.”

Duskfade strikes a careful balance between accessibility and depth, offering a difficulty curve that welcomes newcomers while still challenging seasoned players. The game’s platforming encourages exploration at your own pace, letting players fully take in the beauty and mystery of each world. Combat is easy to grasp but hard to master, designed to be both challenging and fun, with mechanics that reward timing, skill, and strategy. As players progress, they’ll unlock new abilities and gadgets that not only deepen combat but also open new ways to explore, encouraging discovery in every corner of the game.

Our movement system is built around speed, agility, and flow,” says Tomás Manzano Sobrido, Duskfade’s Lead Programmer. “We want players to feel like Zirian is gliding through the world – chaining actions effortlessly, moving with momentum, and covering large distances in a way that feels smooth and dynamic.”

Esteban Marín Illana, Game Designer on Duskfade, adds: We want Duskfade to strike a balance that makes it accessible for newcomers, but with enough depth to keep experienced players engaged. The platforming lets you explore at your own pace, while the combat is simple to learn but offers real challenge as you progress. With new abilities and gadgets unlocking over time, the experience keeps evolving and rewarding curiosity.”

A Personal Story About Loss and Letting Go

Beneath its vibrant visuals and exhilarating gameplay, Duskfade tells a deeply personal story. The game follows siblings Zirian and Allira, who find themselves trapped in a mysterious reality shaped by memory and grief.

The story is shaped by Narrative Designer Ricardo Chorques Mesa’s experience of a deeply personal loss, which became the heart of exploring the many ways that people deal with grief and loss.

“Losing someone you love, especially a guide and role model, leaves a lasting wound. That’s what I experienced with the loss of my grandfather,” Mesa tells us. “But in that grief, I found the strength and inspiration to write this story. Overcoming the absence of a loved one is not about forgetting; it’s about learning to walk accompanied by their memory.”

A Game That Hits Both Heart and Memory

Nostalgia is powerful: it isn’t just about the games we played, but about the feelings we had while playing them. Duskfade taps into that magic, not only with its gameplay, but with its story about the memories that have shaped us over the years.

For players who grew up with action-platformers, we want Duskfade to feel like home. For those experiencing the genre for the first time, it’s a fresh, modern adventure. Either way, it’s a journey that you won’t forget.

We hope this brief introduction has given you a closer look at what to expect from this wondrous new action-platformer, and we can’t wait for you to experience Duskfade for yourself when it launches on Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

The post Duskfade – A Journey Through Nostalgia, Loss, and Moving Forward appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct Airs June 8

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct Airs June 8

Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Hero Image

Make some space on your calendar – the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 will be livestreamed on Sunday, June 8, starting at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK time. Following in the footsteps of the 2023 Starfield Direct and 2024 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct, this year we will again have a double feature, with the Xbox Games Showcase immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct.

It all begins with our annual Xbox Games Showcase, bringing you a look at upcoming titles from across our first-party studios, in addition to incredible new titles from our third-party partners across the globe. This year, the show will be digital-only – our livestream will bring you everything you’ll need to know about what’s next for Xbox, no matter where in the world you’re watching.

Immediately following Showcase, The Outer Worlds 2 Direct will bring you inside the walls of Obsidian Entertainment, revealing new gameplay, details, and developer insights, straight from the people making the sequel to the award-winning, first-person sci-fi RPG.

You’ll be able to enjoy our June 8 double feature through a variety of outlets, in over 40 languages, as well as American Sign Language, British Sign Language and English Audio Descriptions. These include (but won’t be limited to):

Airtime for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct in local time zones:

  • PDT: June 8, 10am
  • EDT: June 8, 1pm
  • BST: June 8, 6pm
  • CEST: June 8, 7pm
  • JST: June 9, 2am
  • AEST: June 9, 3am

The double-feature broadcast also kicks off a week’s worth of coverage here on Xbox Wire, The Official Xbox Podcast, and the Xbox YouTube channel, featuring updates, exclusive extra details, and deep-dives on many of the games you’ll see in the show.

Join us on June 8 for the Xbox Games Showcase followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct. Be sure to check back here on Xbox Wire for more information and tune-in details ahead of the show.

The post Xbox Games Showcase Followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct Airs June 8 appeared first on Xbox Wire.