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Get Sneak Peek at The First Descendant’s Compelling Heroes Ahead of its Open Beta Event on Xbox

Summary

Get a detailed breakdown on the playable characters in the upcoming cross play open beta event for The First Descendant starting September 19 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Every Descendant has a unique ability, like being able to bend fire to their will or unleash a bone-chilling cold on their enemies.
You can sign up here for the upcoming open beta, which will be playable on Xbox for the first time!

Get ready to go hands-on with the upcoming third-person looter shooter The First Descendant during its upcoming cross play open beta event starting on September 19 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!

For those unaware, The First Descendant features unique characters called the Descendants, heroes who have awakened the Arche, an infinite force that flows through their bodies. As one of these characters, you will defend humanity from alien invaders, the Vulgus, across stunning environments powered by Unreal Engine 5.

Every Descendant has a unique ability, like being able to bend fire to their will or unleash a bone-chilling cold on their enemies. Others use wits to develop weapons that can take on the evil Vulgus and Colossi, while some can use Superconductivity Thrusters and their own Arche to overwhelm these evil foes.

While engaged in combat against the Vulgus, you will be able to utilize these unique character skill sets, equip powerful weapons, use a handy grappling hook, or get creative and come up with your own Descendant build.

Today, ahead of The First Descendant‘s cross play open beta event on September 19, I’m sharing some new details on how the Descendants lived their lives before their varied abilities were unleashed, unlocking their purpose as protectors of the world of Ingris. You can sign up here for the upcoming open beta, which will be playable on Xbox for the first time!

Kyle, the Experienced Technician

Kyle was the leader of one of the divisions within the Albion Headquarters, overseeing an operational unit. He was a seasoned veteran who had spent a long time setting up and managing outposts throughout various regions of the Ingris continent, ensuring that Descendants could operate effectively.

As an experienced technician, he could quickly grasp how to control and manipulate his power. The Magisters often had to tread around him carefully, as he was meticulous and deeply involved in developing his suit to the extent that they would avoid him.

Repulsion Dash: a technique that allows Kyle to quickly charge forward and knock back enemies in front of him. This technique uses the pushing force of “Repulsion” and is part of the reason Kyle’s suit is so massive — it’s a safety measure implemented to ensure his protection during collisions.
Magnetic Bulwark: enables him to protect himself and his Teammates. This skill generates a magnetic shield, allowing him to shield both allies and himself from incoming gunfire.
Magnetism Spurt: a skill to expertly maneuver Magnetic Force to defend himself and his allies. It inflicts damage on nearby enemies when all accumulated energy is spent. Of course, it also replenishes the Energy Shields of nearby allies.

We wanted the character of Kyle to be incredibly cool, both visually and technically. We didn’t want his story to end with him just overcoming hidden sorrows – we wanted him to soar above them. So, we truly made him fly. He uses the Superconductivity Thrusters to swiftly fly and land wherever he desires, sweeping away his enemies.

Valby, the Water Dancer

Valby, a Descendant with a bright and pure smile, possesses an Arche that can turn her entire body turn into water. Therefore, she can drastically reduce her use of Mental Points when she’s in the presence of it.

Bubble Bullet: combines Valby’s cute personality and the characteristics of the skill. When thrown forward, these bubble projectiles burst into multiple bubbles, clearing away any obstacles in Valby’s path.
Plop Plop: was another Skill that was bounced around a lot. We wanted to incorporate the basic yet beautiful material of water into this skill, so we looked for beautiful water-related movements and details. With this skill, Valby can move towards enemies or to safety. She could do so more flexibly, beautifully, and in a cute manner than anyone else.
Clean Up: enables her to adjust her suit to turn her entire body into water or move swiftly through her enemies. The wet path she leaves behind also serves as a trap she’s set: enemies who come in contact with the water become “Laundry” to be cleaned up.

To make her look impressive and grand, we handed her a launcher so she could wash her laundry, when Valby launches those massive water droplets, the struggling “Laundry Vulgus” inside will be made helpless.

Blair, Chef of the Battlefield

Blair is humorous, brash, and optimistic. He is also one of the few Descendants whose Arche manifestation is intertwined with the Colossi — unknown beings that roam the Void destroying all civilization. Blair is one of the Descendants who underwent a change in skill name change following last year’s beta test. We wanted his skills to invoke more of a “battlefield chef” image, and as Korean developers, we wanted to play with language that can be expressed in Korean.

Pitmaster: we intentionally used different terminology in English and Korean, selecting well-suited terms for each language region. This skill was called “Flame Manipulation” last year.
Blaze Up: generates a fiery ground beneath Blair. We envisioned him conjuring it as if he were dealing with a rush of orders in a busy kitchen. Of course, being a skilled chef with precise flame control, there’s no need to worry. When Blair ignites, the ground he gestures at instantly becomes a blazing grill. And since orders can come in from other “kitchens,” the skill “Extinguish” ensures seamless Vulgus preparation at just the right temperature.
Burn Taste: is one example where Korean language play was applied. The flames that emanate from Blair’s hands give the enemy a taste of what it’s like to be burned.
Deadly Cuisine: the fourth active skill, involves hurling a massive fireball forward, reminiscent of a flaming meatball. We thought that if Blair were to present a spectacular dinner show to his enemies, then for the grand finale, he should serve one “Deadly Cuisine,” which is why we chose this name.

There are many more Descendants that we haven’t introduced to you yet, so don’t forget to join us during our cross play open beta starting on September 19, where you’ll get to meet a total of 13 Descendants. You can sign up for the upcoming cross play open beta here at fd.nexon.com to receive registration rewards!

How Iconic Voice Actor Mark Meer Brings Mythforce Villain Deadalus To Life

Summary

Learn more about the evil vampire lord, Deadalus, revealed in this cinematic trailer.
Exclusive Interview with Mark Meer about his inspirations, and lessons learned from TTRPGs.
MythForce is available to play now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The voice of MythForce’s newest villain, Deadalus, has been revealed as Mark Meer, best known for his voice performance as Commander Shepard from the Mass Effect trilogy. Meer has also lent his voice to a number of iconic Baldur’s Gate characters, including Cyric and Baeloth “the Entertainer” Barrityl, so we’d wager that he knows a thing or two about voicing villains.

In this exclusive interview for Xbox Wire, I had the chance to speak to Meer about his inspirations, insight and reflections he is bringing to the role of Deadalus, and we are also able to shed some light on the captivating world of the visionary voice actor.

Aspyr Marketing Specialist Matthew Ray: Which great villainous actors were you most inspired by for your performance as Deadalus?

Mark Meer: Definitely some Tim Curry in there — though whether it’s leaning more toward Darkness from “Legend” or Frank N. Furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” I leave for you to judge. Alan Rickman’s turn as the Sheriff of Nottingham is a likely influence, and who can possibly play a vampiric uber-villain without turning to Christopher Lee’s Dracula for inspiration?

Ray: What are some of the joys of playing villains?

Meer: I’ve always been a fan of the bad guys: Doctor Doom, Darth Vader, Skeletor. Their designs have always been more appealing to Halloween-loving me. And when you’ve got a villain who clearly enjoys his villainy like say, Loki (or Deadalus), you generally get to have a bit more fun in the role than the hero. You get to chew the scenery a little more, really relish it. “Wallow in your own crapulence,” as another classic villain would have it.

Ray: Which video games have consumed the most hours of your life?

Meer: I played Red Dead Redemption 2 almost nonstop for the first few months of the pandemic. But I’d have to say that I’ve logged the most total gaming hours in the Fallout universe, particularly Fallout 4. I’ve probably spent days or even weeks of real time building weird settlements in the Commonwealth.”

Ray: As a game master, what lessons do you bring back to acting from running roleplaying games?

Meer: There is much similarity between tabletop RPGs and improvised theater—both are a form of collaborative storytelling. In fact, I always credit Dungeons & Dragons with being my first acting and improv experience. A lot of the same guidelines apply—acceptance of offers, reincorporation of ideas, and making the other guy look good. Whether onstage or around the table, if everyone is supporting and actively making their fellow players look good, everyone benefits—as does the show/game as a whole. Things kind of came full circle with my very first voice acting gig on the original Baldur’s Gate II game, and years later my return to the Forgotten Realms with Beamdog in the Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Editions.”

Ray: As an avid comics fan, what are some of your favorite Saturday-morning cartoons? What makes the great ones stand out from the rest?

Meer: Probably my attachment to whatever license they were based on. In the ’80s, cartoons were all about selling toys. One of the best DC Comics toy lines of all time is still the Super Powers Collection, based on the revamped Super Friends show, “Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians.” The old “Dungeons & Dragons” Saturday-morning cartoon also stands out for me. Speaking of toys, they finally made action figures of the main characters of that show (Venger, Dungeon Master, and the kids), and I immediately snapped them up. Nostalgia is a powerful thing. I was also a regular viewer of “The Real Ghostbusters,” “Spider-Man,” “Masters of the Universe,” and even though it was a much older show, reruns of “Rocket Robin Hood” will always have a place in my Canadian heart.”

Ray: What’s a role you’re dying to play?

Meer: I recently crossed an item off my nerd bucket list when I got to play a classic DC Comics villain, Starro the Conqueror, in Gotham Knights. Since I’ve always been a fan of both DC and Marvel, I figure I eventually need to play a Marvel Universe villain too. I mentioned Doctor Doom earlier—he’s always been my favorite supervillain, so he ‘s at the top of the list. In a way, I did get to play him already, or at least a very thinly veiled homage to him, with my character Doctor Von Chaos in Tiny Plastic Men.

Ray: Which MythForce hero is your favorite? As Deadalus, how would you most like to defeat them?

Meer: I’ve been friends with Nikki Rae Hallow (Hulowski) for years, so I think I’d best pick Victoria. Then again, I tend to favor spellcasters in tabletop RPGs, so maybe Maggie? I think I’d like Deadalus to have some sort of Mortal Kombat-style “Finish Him!” fatality move, with plenty of spine-ripping action and gore. Can you guys fit that in? Though now that I think of it, that might be a little too 1990s for this 80s-influenced game.

Gather your friends and hop into the ever-changing world of Eldryth! MythForce is now available for purchase on the Xbox Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

MythForce

Aspyr

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Inspired by beloved Saturday morning cartoons, MythForce unites swords & sorcery with gripping 1st-person combat in a new roguelike adventure.

Brave the dungeon alone or join forces with friends to take on an ever-changing Castle of Evil!

Saturday Morning Cartoons are Back!
Become a cartoon hero in a Saturday morning cartoon fantasy world. Scratch that nostalgic itch with wholesome fun that’s easy to pick up and play (but tough to master).

In true roguelike fashion, each time you’re defeated, you’ll have to start over at the beginning — but every playthrough makes you a little stronger.

Level up as you explore the dungeon, uncovering magical artifacts and upgrades to make you say “I HAVE THE POWER!”

Gripping First-Person Swords & Sorcery
Wield legendary weapons and powerful magic to smite hordes of enemies in an immersive fantasy dungeon-crawl through a colorful cartoon castle.

Explore an Ever-changing Castle of Evil
Fresh adventures await with each new attempt to storm the keep! Explore a replayable dungeon with treasure, traps, and terrors lurking around every corner.

Team up to Fight Evil
Brave the dungeon alone or join forces in co-op mode for up to 4 players. Choose your team wisely — each hero brings unique skills to the fight!

Meet the Heroes of MythForce: Victoria the valiant Knight joins forces with Rico the charming Rogue, Maggie the wise Mage, and Hawkins the deadly Hunter. Together, they form the legendary team known as… MythForce!

These courageous champions are all that stand between Eldryth and the tyranny of the vampire lord, Deadalus. Will our heroes prevail against the many malevolent minions, tricks, and traps in his ever-changing dungeon?

How Lies of P Twists the Story of Pinocchio into a Compelling New Soulslike Adventure

Summary

Lies of P takes the story of Pinocchio and flips it on its head, creating a world of horror fiction that we seldom see.
Influenced by the Soulslike genre, Lies of P takes place in a challenging, dark world where sinister mechanical puppets inherit the city.
Play Lies of P starting September 15 in early access by picking up the Digital Deluxe Edition today on the Xbox Store. Game Pass members can start playing the Standard Edition at launch on September 19 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.

Lies of P is a fantastic interpretation of “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” dropping our beloved puppet within the nightmarish city of Krat, a fallen utopia built on the backs of mechanical puppets who have gone mad and slain its citizens. Their creator, Geppetto, has gone missing and “P” is brought to life to track him down to try and save the city.

In the classic fairy tale, Pinocchio embarks on many adventures of self-discovery and encounters a wide range of characters – many of them bad actors who take advantage of his ignorance — which leads him on a transformative journey where he learns what it means to be human, the power of forgiveness, and of course, repercussions for lying.

It doesn’t take much to see that the string that connects Lies of P to the classic tale of Pinocchio is a delicate one, but that’s precisely the allure the game brings to the table here. This isn’t a story you’ve heard before and it plays with the familiar in ways we really haven’t seen with the Pinocchio fable.

The lurid world of Lies of P is a compelling one, filled with evil puppets, dim alleyways, treacherous rooftops, and bodies scattered about; victims of a corrupting Petrification Disease or at the hands of puppets turning on their former masters. All of this is captured in a cityscape inspired by the Belle Époque era of France — a time of great scientific and artistic achievement – in both its majestic architecture and how technology works (e.g., lots of clocks and steam). The game’s world plays with ideas familiar to you, both from the real world and its fabled source material, as you continue to explore its haunting environments.

The string that connects Lies of P to the classic tale of Pinocchio is a delicate one, but that’s precisely the allure the game brings to the table here.

As you step into the world of Lies of P, you’ll no doubt start making these connections yourself, with some of the more iconic characters tied to its source material. There’s P (Pinocchio) and your narrative companion named Gemini standing in for the cricket (Gemini, Jiminy – get it?). The puppet inventor Geppetto and the blue-haired Sophia (the fairy) are both instrumental in helping level up your character – and perhaps these characters will play a role in having P become more human later in the game.

There are other callbacks as well that we’ve encountered, like the Parade Watchman, one of the first bosses in the game, who seems to be inspired by the puppet master, Mangiafuoco. And you can “turn into a donkey” by equipping The Mad Donkey mask, obtained by defeating a wild citizen who functions as the game’s third boss. And from the screenshots, it appears The Black Rabbits, undertakers for Death from the original story, will make an appearance at some point in the game as well. There will be more introduced throughout to be sure, but these were some of the more recognizable characters I’ve encountered in the early parts of the game.

The other inspiration that Lies of P draws upon is the Soulslike genre. Many of the genre’s staples are at play here, like a high degree of difficulty, repeated death yielding knowledge, limited save points, and combat mechanics that reward parries and attacks of opportunity – all of which feed into the challenging gameplay found in Lies of P.

The challenge, like many Soulslikes, will be in your patience with any enemy confrontation throughout the game, forcing you to study, anticipate, and then exploit the patterns you’re able to discern. It can be a very difficult game at times and perseverance will be tested. But the trickle of seeing what is hiding just beyond the dreary fog that blankets the world of Lies of P is a compelling one that will push you forward.

The trickle of seeing what is hiding just beyond the dreary fog that blankets the world of Lies of P is a compelling one that will push you forward.

And at the center of both the adaptation of Pinocchio and Soulslikes will be the “lying” element. The game’s lore leads you to believe that puppets are incapable of lying, but something is special about P — he can. There will be times when you will be confronted with choices where you can give solace to others by lying — or you can tell the truth. How this plays out through the rest of the adventure remains to be seen, but it does add another, very Souls-y layer of mystery that Lies of P has promised here.

Lies of P launches on September 15 in early access for those who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition on the Xbox Store. Game Pass members can start playing the Standard Edition on September 19 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows. Check out our earlier coverage from the Lies of P demo to get some great pointers on how to play.

Lies of P Digital Deluxe Edition

NEOWIZ

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Pre-order Lies of P Digital Deluxe Edition and receive
• 72 Hours Early Access
• Mischievous Puppet’s Clothes
• Mischievous Puppet’s Parade Hat
• The Great Venigni’s Signature Coat
• The Great Venigni’s Glasses
• Mask worn by those preparing for the festival
* The Mischievous Puppet’s Clothes and Mischievous Puppet’s Parade Hat are preorder bonuses.

Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.

You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.

You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat – a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.

・ A DARKLY ELEGANT AND CRUEL WORLD
Unearth the secrets of the city of Krat – a place soaked in the style of the Belle Epoque era which once thrived due to its puppet industry and now sees its streets covered in blood.

・BATTLE WITH TWISTED INSTRUMENTS
Develop a unique combat style to counter vicious enemies and terrain by weaving together dynamic weapon combinations, utilizing the Legion Arms, and activating new abilities.

・WHAT’S IN A LIE?
There will be times when you will be confronted with choices where you can give comfort to others in sorrow or despair by lying…or you can choose to tell the truth.

Carve your own path.

・A CLASSIC REIMAGINED
Experience the beloved fairy tale of Pinocchio reinterpreted as a dark, grim narrative that allows players to discover the secrets and symbols hidden within the world of Lies of P.

Lies of P Standard Edition

NEOWIZ

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now to receive the following bonus content
• Mischievous Puppet’s Clothes
• Mischievous Puppet’s Parade Hat
* The Mischievous Puppet’s Clothes and Mischievous Puppet’s Parade Hat are preorder bonuses.

Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.

・WHAT’S IN A LIE?
There will be times when you will be confronted with choices where you can give comfort to others in sorrow or despair by lying…or you can choose to tell the truth.

Carve your own path.

What To Expect on Day One with Xbox Game Pass Core

We’re almost there – tomorrow we’re excited to bring to life all our updates for Xbox Game Pass Core! As we shared last month, this is our latest evolution of what was previously known as Xbox Live Gold. Same great online experience, new name, and an added library of games!

When we announced Xbox Game Pass Core, we shared that this membership would come with more than 25 high quality games from the Xbox Game Pass library – we’re thrilled to share that there will be 36 games available to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One starting tomorrow! We’ll get to the full list – starting with some truly iconic multiplayers, games with incredible storytelling, and influential indies.

Check out the most recent single player Fallout game, Fallout 4, and use your continued access to multiplayer in Fallout 76. Traverse the backyard in Grounded or explore Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online. Play the absolute mind trip that is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (get some headphones for this one!). These are only a few of the Xbox Game Studios games for you to dig into tomorrow.

We’re also thrilled to share games that will be available from our creator partners. Check out the roguelike Vampire Survivors, or on the other end of the gaming spectrum, cozy game Stardew Valley. We also have some unhinged co-op fun with Gang Beasts and Golf With Your Friends.

Let’s look at the full list of games coming tomorrow! (Note: Game Library may vary over time and by country)

Among Us
Astroneer
Celeste
Dead Cells
Descenders
Dishonored 2
DOOM Eternal Standard Edition
Fable Anniversary
Fallout 4
Fallout 76
Firewatch
Forza Horizon 4 Standard Edition
Gang Beasts
Gears 5 Game of the Year Edition
Golf with your Friends
Grounded
Halo 5: Guardians
Halo Wars 2
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Human Fall Flat
INSIDE
LIMBO
Ori & the Will of the Wisps
Overcooked! 2
Payday 2: Crimewave Edition
Powerwash Simulator
Psychonauts 2
Slay the Spire
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
Stardew Valley
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
Superliminal
The Elder Scrolls Online
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Unpacking
Vampire Survivors

We plan to update the Game Pass Core library 2-3 times a year. If you’re interested in the full library that updates more frequently, check out other Game Pass memberships .

Game Pass Core will continue to provide the benefits you had with Xbox Live Gold, including the ability to play together with online console multiplayer, deals and discounts (up to 50% off select games!), and access to Free Play Days for select fully featured games. All of that is the same. As a reminder, the price isn’t changing from Gold to Core, and there is no action required for you to change your payment or make adjustments to your membership. Xbox Live Gold cards in retail stores will remain purchasable and redeem for Game Pass Core, while supplies last. For more details, check out the Game Pass Core homepage here.

As always, you can keep up with the latest updates for Game Pass (now including Core!) on Twitter and Instagram, or right here on Xbox Wire. We’re excited to see what you all play first!

Forza Horizon 5 Map Creators, Build Your Next Masterpiece with EventLab 2.0

Summary

Forza Horizon 5 introduces EventLab 2.0, a new free update for the in-depth map editor with new features and tools so creators can more easily and quickly build their incredible events.
The EventLab Island is a new 2km x 2km flat terrain where you can unleash your creativity thanks to an increased prop budget.
New Prefabs allow creators to combine multiple props into one new mega prop which can be shared for the entire community to include in their custom maps.
Players can now browse an unlimited number of EventLab creations in search menus with custom flyers that creators can use to showcase their events.
We have enabled day/night toggle and weather settings during event creation so you can see how your creation will look while you are making it.

Since the launch of Forza Horizon 5, all of us here at Playground Games have been blown away by the stunning creativity and talent of the EventLab community. Your unique maps and game modes provide exciting new experiences for every player in Forza Horizon 5, and today we’re excited to double down on this with EventLab 2.0.

Available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC on Windows and Steam, and Cloud Gaming (Beta), this free upgrade to Forza Horizon 5’s custom map editor is certain to get your creativity racing and inspire you to build the events you’ve always imagined.

EventLab 2.0 introduces new quality-of-life improvements and asset creation tools to help players build their dream maps, races and game modes in Forza Horizon 5. Here’s a quick look at the new features:

Multi-Selection Mode

This new multi-selection mode will let you grab a number of individual props and then rotate them, move them around, or even duplicate them. You will be able to save and reuse any group of props you have assembled at any time making your creative process faster and more efficient.

Multi-selection will also let you clone, move, and delete props in mass selection, reducing the time you will spend creating courses for events.

Prefabs

Prefabs are an assortment of props combined to make a new mega prop. You can save any prop you have created as a Prefab and share it with the entire community.

This also means you can browse and use the creations of other players to implement into your own maps. In addition to this, you can bookmark your favorite and most used props so you can find them even quicker.

Custom Flyers

Previously when creating a new event on EventLab, the promotional flyer would auto-generate based on the car restrictions you set. This meant that other players would not see how your event looked until they decided to download and play it.

This all changes with EventLab 2.0. You can now replace the predetermined flyer with a photo taken of your event. This allows creators to better represent their EventLab Blueprint. For you and your friends, it’ll now be easier and faster to discover fun new events to play.

This is made even better by the ability to browse more than 15 events in the event browser, as players can now scroll through multiple pages of community-created blueprints.

EventLab Island

New features deserve an amazing new place to be experimented at. EventLab Island is a brand-new location specifically for creating EventLab content. It comprises of a 2km x 2km flat concrete platform surrounded by ocean.

Since EventLab Island is its own separate location, you will be able to add more props to each event you create within it thanks to an increased prop budget.

EventLab Island can be accessed through its own icon on the in-game map. Click on it, and you will be transported to the island. Look for the activation point and start creating!

New Props

The EventLab 2.0 update wouldn’t be complete without new props, and we have introduced new prop packs for you to implement into your custom maps. These include a petrol station with signs, a coffee cup, pumps, and roofs, a variety of primitive shapes like a cone, cube, cylinder, pyramid, sphere, torus, and wedge, and different surface types like snow, ice, grass, tarmac, and dirt. You can also style up your checkpoint markers with different styles including various colors of street race flares.

Some of our existing props have received attachment nodes so they are now easier to move around and, more importantly, snap together. There are three different node sizes: small, medium, and large. The original nodes included in the Hot Wheels content were “large” and designed for Hot Wheels track pieces, while these new smaller-sized nodes will work much better with smaller props.

What’s more, EventLab 2.0 lets you set the exact time-of-day and weather conditions while your map is being created. This means you will see your creation in the exact conditions that you intend for players to experience it. For example, if you want to design a night-time race, you will see how it looks as you build it.

For more details on the new customization features and reward cars in the latest Forza Horizon 5 update, check out the Forza.net blog.

Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
1508

★★★★★

$99.99

$79.99

Get it now

Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars. The Premium Edition includes the all-new expansion FORZA HORIZON 5 RALLY ADVENTURE, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels, VIP, Car Pass and the Welcome Pack.

Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
1079

★★★★★

$59.99

$47.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.

Show Off Your Prestige with the New Xbox Wireless Controller – Astral Purple

Introducing the newest addition to our classic Xbox controller lineup, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Astral Purple. The rich purple color has such a distinct regal look to spice up your gaming setup and bolster your collection. The dark purple theme is carried over to both the thumbsticks and buttons, with a black matte finish on the hybrid D-Pad, bumpers, and triggers. This is all tied together with a clean white back case that results in the front of the controller looking even more striking.

Each Xbox Wireless Controller in Astral Purple comes with all the features you’ve come to love in our current generation of controllers. The D-Pad’s hybrid design offers an accurate yet familiar glide, perfect for navigating complex gaming worlds with precision. The textured grips on the bumpers, triggers, and back case allow for a better grip and the 3.5mm jack enables you to chat with friends using a compatible headset. By using Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless, the Astral Purple controller can connect to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, PC, mobile phones, and tablets¹. Play longer with up to 40 hours of battery life and save your favorite moments like hitting a new personal speed running record with the dedicated Share button².

Be ready for all sorts of different gaming journeys by using the Xbox Accessories app to remap your controller buttons to meet any layout need. Create controller profiles to make swapping between distinct game controls seamless.

The Xbox Wireless Controller – Astral Purple is available for pre-order today in select Xbox markets worldwide for $64.99 USD ERP. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including Microsoft Store, for more information.

¹ See xbox.com/controller-compatibility. Use with controller compatible games.

² Battery life varies with usage and other factors.

Forza Motorsport Is the Competitive Ground for Building Skill

Starfield Starters: Xbox Wire’s Guide to the Galaxy

Starfield is finally here – Bethesda Game Studios’ first new universe in 25 years is an enormous game, full of overlapping systems, mysteries, and mechanics. We’re sure you want to know more and, in the spirit of getting you ready to play it yourself, we put together a series of articles focused on getting you out into the galaxy prepared for what’s to come. Allow us to present Starfield Starters, a four-part, spoiler-free guide to some of the game’s most important, complex, and lesser-known features – and how to succeed with them.

Our series is now complete, so consider this your one-stop shop for all of our guides. Here’s what we covered:

Starfield Starters: Customizing Your Perfect Captain

Starfield Starters: An Explorer’s Guide to Planet Hopping

Starfield Starters: Space Combat 101

Starfield Starters: 10 Things to Know as You Begin Your Journey

This Week on Xbox: Starfield’s Launch is GO, NBA 2K24, and More

Cities: Skylines II – Building the Metropolis of Your Dreams Has Never Been Simpler

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Cities: Skylines singlehandedly resuscitated the city builder gamer when it arrived in 2015; indeed it also made the genre relevant on console with a very slickly handled Xbox console port in 2017.

The announcement of Cities: Skylines II promised to take things even further: bigger cities, redesigned economies, dynamic seasons – even the ability to zoom in and observe any citizen, any time.

As I sat down to play Cities: Skylines II at gamescom last month, I wasn’t thinking about any of that; I was more worried that in the years since I last built a town, I’ve forgotten almost everything I had ever known about the game.

Fortunately, Cities: Skylines II has your back.

The developers from Paradox led off by sharing that there is a renewed focus on “onboarding,” so while the sequel is more complex than the original Cities: Skylines, it’s actually easier to understand.

Instrumental for new and lapsed players is the new tutorial, a quick, but digestible introduction to road building, zoning (residential, commercial, industrial), and getting buildings powered and connected to water and sewage. Crucially, roads include power and water hookups, making initial infrastructure and city layout very easy; just build the road the way you want it and you’re good. Tips for (slightly) more advanced functions such as bulldozing and rezoning wait just off to the side so you can learn them when you need them and not a moment before.

Cities: Skylines II is loaded with quality of life touches that allow players to deftly address issues and focus on the fun parts of building and managing a city. For example, when getting new systems up and running, like adding in a water pumping station, you see a positive reaction (stars coming from nearby homes and businesses) indicating that yes, things are connected. No more wondering “did I do that right?” Another great feature: you can replace roads in place without bulldozing; cities can start with smaller roads and upgrade to higher capacity down the line, when your citizens demand it. And they will demand things!

In game social media channel “Chirper” keeps you keyed in on what’s going on in your city, good and bad. Someone complaining about housing prices? Your residential zoning demand may be spiking. You can even click through and learn more about the citizen who was tweeting at you.

Despite not playing the original in years, with all of these onramps, I got up to speed in Cities: Skylines II in under a half hour. In that time, I had built a functioning, growing “Tiny Village” – receiving some rewards including cash, and even a signature building, a “pop music mansion.” Taylor Swift is formally invited to relocate to my humble village.

Cities: Skylines II also lets you choose your new features via a skill tree, which unlocks as you reach these milestones. Around the time I hit Tiny Village status, I earned the right to build roundabouts, traffic lights, and more. Basic services are automatically added, others are only unlocked as you prove yourself a capable city planner. I may have gone crazy with roundabouts, replacing every 4 way stop in town. Don’t like it, leave. Or better yet, build your own town!

Cities: Skylines II will be incorporated into Game Pass on Day One for Console, PC, and Cloud. And if reading this piqued your Inner Mayor, know that the original Cities: Skylines – Remastered is playable now, also with Game Pass.

Cities Skylines II – Ultimate Edition

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$89.99

Pre-order

Preorder Bonus: Landmark Buildings
Set your City apart with 9 Unique Buildings based on famous landmarks from around the world. Included is also a map based on the geography of Tampere, home of Colossal Order.

Cities: Skylines II: Ultimate Edition gives you access to the base game, as well as the Expansion Pass.
This includes the San Francisco Set, Beach Properties Asset Pack (Q4 ‘23), two Content Creator Packs (Q1 ‘24), the Bridges & Ports Expansion (Q2 ‘24) as well as 3 Radio Stations paired with each release (Q4 ‘23, Q1 Q2 ‘24).

If you can dream it, you can build it.
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into the thriving metropolis only you can imagine. You’ve never experienced building on this scale. With deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines II delivers world-building without limits.

Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.

How your city grows is your call too, but plan strategically. Every decision has an impact. Can you energize local industries while also using trade to boost the economy? What will make residential districts flourish without killing the buzz downtown? How will you meet the needs and desires of citizens while balancing the city’s budget?

Your city never rests. Like any living, breathing world, it changes over time. Some changes will be slow and gradual, while others will be sudden and unexpected. So while seasons turn and night follows day, be ready to act when life doesn’t go to plan.

The most realistic and detailed city builder ever, Cities: Skylines II pushes your creativity and problem-solving to another level. With beautifully rendered high-resolution graphics, it also inspires you to build the city of your dreams.

Deep simulation.
AI and intricate economics mean your choices ripple through the fabric of the city. Remember that as you strategize, problem-solve, and react to change, challenges, and opportunities.

Epic scale, endless possibilities.
Cities: Skylines II lets you create without compromise. Now you can build sky-high and sprawl across the map like never before. Why not? Your city is you.

Cities that come alive.
Your decisions shape each citizen’s life path, a chain of events that defines who they are. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, follow their life’s ups and downs.

A dynamic world.
Pick a map to set the climate of your city. These are the natural forces you’ll negotiate to expand your city amid rising pollution, changeable weather, and seasonal challenges.

Cities: Skylines II

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

Pre-order

Lay the foundations for your city to begin. Create the roads, infrastructure, and systems that make life possible day to day. It’s up to you – all of it.

Epic scale, endless possibilities.
Cities: Skylines II lets you create without compromise. Now you can build sky-high and sprawl across the map like never before. Why not? Your city is you.

Cities that come alive.
Your decisions shape each citizen’s life path, a chain of events that defines who they are. From love and loss to wealth and wellbeing, follow their life’s ups and downs.

A dynamic world.
Pick a map to set the climate of your city. These are the natural forces you’ll negotiate to expand your city amid rising pollution, changeable weather, and seasonal challenges.