Coming to Game Pass: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Creatures of Ava, and Mafia: Definitive Edition

Coming to Game Pass: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Creatures of Ava, and Mafia: Definitive Edition

I’m back with more games to populate your download queue! Day one titles, fan favorites, and some reminders on some announcements you might have missed (I see you there Valorant!). Let’s get to the games!

Coming Soon

Creatures of Ava (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – August 7
Available on day one with Game Pass! Let your empathy guide you as you play an exciting action-adventure, creature-saver game. Understand and tame the creatures of Ava and let them lead you through a variety of ecosystems – all in the hopes of saving the planet from a life-consuming infection.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 8

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Key Art

Your favorite marsupial, Crash Bandicoot, is coming to Game Pass! He’s enhanced, entranced and ready-to-dance with the N. Sane Trilogy collection. Spin, jump, wump and repeat as you take on the epic challenges and adventures through the three games that started it all, Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. Relive all your favorite Crash moments in their fully remastered graphical glory and get ready to put some umph in your wump!

Mafia: Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 13

Mafia: Definitive Edition

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a cinematic third-person shooter that tells the story of Tommy Angelo, a hardworking cab driver who becomes embedded in the brutal world of organized crime in 1930s America.

In Case You Missed It

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Console and PC) – Available now
In the direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against the ultimate threat. Game Pass members can also experience an all-out brawl in Season 5 with new core 6v6 maps, new weapons, cosmetic rewards and more! Learn more about Season 5 over at the Call of Duty blog.

Unlock Valorant Benefits for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Game Pass
Valorant is a 5v5 round-based tactical shooter where you outwit, outplay, and outshine your competition using dynamic abilities and ultra-stylish Agents. Game Pass members can link their Riot Account to unlock all current agents, day-one access to new agents as they’re released, and a 20% match XP boost to Battle Pass and Event content. Learn more on Xbox Wire.

Valorant Hero Image

Xbox Cloud Gaming on Amazon Fire TV Devices
Game Pass Ultimate members in over 25 countries are now able to play games directly from the Xbox app on select Amazon Fire TV devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming (beta), bringing more ways to play Xbox on more devices and enjoy your favorite games.

DLC / Game Updates

No Man’s Sky: Worlds Part I – Available now
The latest free update to No Man’s Sky, Worlds Part I (version 5.0), ushers in an entire universe refresh, bringing huge leaps in water and cloud quality, as well as increased planetary variety, new gameplay features, and more! Learn more about this refresh on Xbox Wire.

Dead by Daylight: 2v8 Game Mode – Available until August 8
Double the trouble, for the first time ever eight survivors face two killers in this new extreme game mode. Survivors can choose from four new classes, each with their own predefined loadouts. Maps have three exits, and three hatches will appear when only two Survivors are left standing in the trial. But beware, hooks have been replaced with a frightening new sacrificial device: the Cage of Corruption.

Sea of Thieves: Season 13 – Available now
Seize Flameheart’s flagship, the Burning Blade, in the latest boss fight to sail the Sea of Thieves! Rain fire on your foes with a skeleton crew at your command, gathering tribute in Flameheart’s name – or raid his new Skeleton Camps and take the treasures for yourself…

Sea of Thieves: Mayhem Ship Bundle – Available now
The Mayhem Ship Bundle returns to the Sea of Thieves via the Pirate Emporium! Crew up and cause chaos with this sunny symbol of anarchy – or simply sail about and share whatever claptrap is on your mind knowing you’re looking good while doing it.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Every month new content is available for Game Pass Ultimate members. Find new Perks in the Game Pass section of your Xbox console, Xbox Game Pass mobile app, or Xbox app for Windows PC.

Stampede Racing Royale: Game Pass Starter Kit – Available now
Join the herd in style! Kit out your kart with the Xbox KartCore 3000 Wrap, update your avatar with the Xbox Pic and get a head start with 25,000 coins!

Sea of Thieves: Ebon Rapier Pack – Available now
Cut a dashing figure with this collection of highly prized items! The Ebon Rapier, Obsidian Pocket Watch and Obsidian Figurehead are sure to set you apart from the crowd.

Naraka Bladepoint:Aeon Bundle – Available now
Grab free bonus cosmetics and boosts to help you in this fast-paced melee fighting game. Claim Xbox headgear, new season treasures, legendary skin trial bundle and more in the new Perks Bundle. Get a boost start in new season with the help of experience boost cards!

Leaving August 15

There’s still some time left to jump into the following games leaving soon! If you’re not ready to say goodbye quite yet, you can save up to 20% on your purchase and keep them in your library.

  • Airborne Kingdoms (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Offworld Trading Company (PC)
  • Shadow Warrior 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Cloud, Console, and PC)

We’re not done for August, so keep an eye here and on social @XboxGamePass, @XboxGamePassPC, and @Xbox for updates and when these games are ready for you to pick up in cloud gaming or start downloading. Talk soon!

The post Coming to Game Pass: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Creatures of Ava, and Mafia: Definitive Edition appeared first on Xbox Wire.

THQ Nordic 2024 Digital Showcase – Check Out All the Reveals Coming to Xbox

THQ Nordic 2024 Digital Showcase – Check Out All the Reveals Coming to Xbox

At THQ Nordic, we think of ourselves as a true variety publisher. No matter what kind of gamer you are, there’s a home for you in one of our digital worlds.

For our 2024 Digital Showcase we wanted to demonstrate exactly that, with games including a remake of a beloved Disney classic, a new IP from a team of horror legends, an adrenaline-fuelled wreck racer, and much more. Here’s what is coming to Xbox.

The Eternal Life of Goldman

This year’s stream opened with a new 2D adventure platformer from Weappy Studio, developers behind This Is the Police.

Navigate a mysterious archipelago as Goldman, realized in expertly-crafted 2D animation, every frame bursting with the passion injected by devs creating the game they have always wanted to make.

Weappy have put player freedom and a sense of wonder at the core of their design philosophy, rewarding players for exploring the archipelago’s many hidden nooks and crannies. Platforming sections pose a challenge, but a fair one – focused on helping you find the solution that works for you through experimentation.

We’ll have more news on The Eternal Life of Goldman to share before the year is out – until then, make sure to wishlist the game on Xbox to be among the first to receive updates.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

The time has almost come to pick up your brush and decide the fate of Wasteland! When Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed releases on September 24, the power to shape the world will be in your hands.

Use paint and thinner to restore harmony to a mysterious world and uncover its secrets in classic 3D platformer action, spending time with beloved characters and exploring side-scrolling levels inspired by Mickey Mouse’s history.

Whether you first journeyed to Wasteland fourteen years ago or it’s your first time taking up the brush, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is unmissable for any Disney fan. We can’t wait for you to join us on this adventure later in the year.

Wreckfest 2

Customize your ride and take your own personal wrecking machine online in a range of events designed for maximum vehicular mayhem! With never-before-seen damage modelling fidelity thanks to the power of Xbox Series consoles, you’ll leave every event with your car’s bodywork telling its own story.

The team at Bugbear Entertainment are devoting themselves to giving you the freedom to wreck how you want – whether it’s trading paint with other speed demons in a traditional race, bombing through obstacle courses, or settling scores in a classic destruction derby grudge match.

Keep the engine running, we’ll be back with more on Wreckfest 2 soon.

Titan Quest II

When we announced Titan Quest II a year ago, the support we received from the community was incredible, with the reveal trailer quickly becoming one of our most watched ever. We want to thank all of you who have expressed your excitement for the long-awaited sequel to the original mythological ARPG by taking you on the next step in Titan Quest II’s journey to release – our debut gameplay trailer.

In today’s broadcast, we gave ARPG fans their first glimpse of what awaits in the gorgeous Ancient Greek landscapes of Titan Quest II, and the legendary powers you’ll use to fight your way through Nemesis’ vengeful hordes. The team at Grimlore Games are hard at work crafting a world that feels rewarding to explore, with adversaries waiting around every corner, ready to drop meaningful loot that can completely alter your playstyle.

Your hero in Titan Quest II should feel personal to you, with deep customization at the heart of the experience – from how your hero looks, through to their own unique choice from thousands of different skill and equipment combinations. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or you team up with friends online to weave your legend together, Titan Quest II will take you on an odyssey unlike any other, offering a fresh experience for ARPG veterans and newcomers alike.

Gothic 1 Remake

Since our reveal back in 2020, the support for Alkimia Interactive’s Gothic 1 Remake has been nothing short of amazing. Seeing that not just die-hard Gothic fans, but also RPG players as a whole are excited for Gothic’s return has been the best motivation for the team.

Today, we showed you how Alkimia are crafting a world that feels like it extends far beyond the player, with a fully realized ecosystem and influential groups warring for control of the land.

Gothic 1 Remake will feel familiar to longtime fans, but some crucial updates have been made to harness the power of new gen consoles. Gameplay and visuals have been overhauled, with deeper progression and crafting systems, as well as varied NPC routines and interactions.

No matter which camp you lend your allegiance to – the ore-rich Old Camp, the plotting New Camp, or the Brotherhood of the Sleeper, who swear fealty to a strange new deity – the mysterious, unforgiving world of Gothic 1 Remake will soon be ready to explore.

Way of the Hunter: Lintukoto Reserve

As with last year, the THQ Nordic Showcase marks release day for the latest DLC for Way of the Hunter, this time taking the hunt to the Scandinavian wilderness. 

Venture to Lintukoto Reserve, a fictionalized vision of tranquil forests glowing with magical moonlight, vast meadows bustling with wildlife, and snow-dusted hills. A range of new endemic wildlife populates the beautiful scenery – lynxes, arctic foxes, and many others each with their own range of unique behaviors.

The team at Nine Rocks have spent months meticulously sculpting every inch of this new DLC – we can’t wait to welcome you to Lintukoto Reserve, out now!

A New Tale From Tarsier Studios

They’re coming.

A new vision of horror from the team behind Little Nightmares I & II.

Want to know more? Tune in to Gamescom Opening Night Live, Tuesday August 20, 11am PT/8pm CEST.  

It wouldn’t be our yearly showcase without one last tantalizing reveal…

The Future of Darksiders

The foreboding rumble of caverns eons old. Embers swirl through the air, cast up from pools of bubbling lava.

Three enormous heads, hewn from otherworldly stone suddenly burst into life with mystical flame. The Charred Council roar a single word in unison: HORSEMAN.

It won’t be long until we reveal more about where the Darksiders series is going next, but for now, know this… the Four Horsemen will ride again.

That concludes our wrap-up for the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2024! From the whole team at THQ Nordic and our dev partners – thank you all so much for your passionate support over the last year. We hope to see you soon in one of our digital worlds!

The post THQ Nordic 2024 Digital Showcase – Check Out All the Reveals Coming to Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Valorant Console Out Now – and We’re Just Getting Started

Valorant Hero Image

Valorant Console Out Now – and We’re Just Getting Started

Summary

  • Valorant is live now and free-to-play for everyone on Xbox Series X|S.
  • Regular balance patches are essential to creating a highly competitive landscape – especially for tactical shooters.
  • Valorant on Console receives the same regular balance updates that PC players experience – patches every two weeks.

Valorant is now live on Xbox Series X|S– with some serious benefits for Game Pass members. So grab four of your friends and hop into our 5v5 tactical shooter where you’ll need creative strategy, effective communication, and clutch aim to climb up the ranks.

But launch is only the beginning for Valorant on console – here’s how we’ll be supporting the game going forward.

Our Philosophy

Riot Games was founded with the idea that competition should be enjoyable at any level – whether it’s your first Valorant Competitive game after hitting level 20 or you’re grinding to Radiant, competing in our games should feel fair. Competitive integrity is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s one element that sets Valorant apart from other shooters on console.

One thing we’ve learned after 4+ years of Valorant on PC is that y’all are pretty cracked. The Valorant playerbase constantly innovates around the meta and comes up with new strats that surprise even us. Players consistently find new ability synergy between Agents, new line-ups, new flank watches, new ways to use a weapon, better smoke placements – you get the picture. Honestly, we love to see it. And now we’re so excited to welcome the console community into that space and see what you’ll come up with next.

Valorant All Agents Image

Because of the ever-changing landscape, we’re constantly monitoring how our maps, Agents, weapons, and abilities are performing across different skill levels.

Sometimes an Agent might skew too powerful as players learn and master their abilities. Or maybe a map becomes one-sided as teams figure out how to optimize Agent utility. Or maybe a certain weapon becomes too strong as players hone their aim and learn how to better synergize with Agent abilities.

Over time, seemingly small imbalances can make a game start to feel stale and predictable. And that’s just not Valorant.

What That Means for Players

So, what does all this mean for the game long term? For our devs, it means their work is never done. For our players who aren’t familiar, it means live service and live balance.

We put out patches every two weeks across all platforms to address things like game balance, bug fixes, or QoL improvements. And a few times per year, we release larger updates to an Agent’s entire kit when there’s an opportunity to bolster or tamp down their strength. These kinds of updates typically aren’t needed very often and will only be implemented at a time that won’t affect active Pro play schedules.

So far, since Limited Beta started on console two months ago, Valorant has already seen four patch updates. We’re updating the game frequently, but paying attention to the unique needs of each platform. Balance parity between PC and console isn’t necessarily guaranteed.

Valorant Image

Why? While the level of competition and skill-expression is the same for Valorant on PC and console, the game needs to be balanced independently between platforms. With different input methods (controller vs. mouse and keyboard) comes different playstyles. Some Agents shine on console but aren’t as effective on PC and vice versa. So our game developers have to test each extensively and adjust only when it makes sense.

Beyond game balance, Valorant features a rotating map pool for Competitive queue to ensure players get more variety while ranking up, and even occasionally to make changes to a map when it’s out of the competitive rotation.

Ultimately, it’s up to you – our passionate community – to let us know how we’re doing and show us how you’d level up the game. We’re so grateful to those of you who helped us prepare for this day by participating in our Limited and Open Beta periods, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. So hop on, queue up, and frag out.

GL HF.

The post Valorant Console Out Now – and We’re Just Getting Started appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for August 5 to 9

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for August 5 to 9

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and with Game Pass. Discover more about these forthcoming titles below and explore their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!


Xbox Live

Pepper Grinder

Devolver Digital

Pepper Grinder – August 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An action-packed pirate adventure starring the titular Pepper, a seafaring soul with a passion for prospecting, and Grinder, her super-powered drilling device. Cruise through a colorfully animated world with precise movements, fluid drilling, and thrilling leaps. Chew through the world with Grinder and find new drill bits to ramp up the chaos and solve clever puzzles.


Xbox Live

Seed of Life

GS2 Games Inc

$39.99

Seed of Life – August 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

An action-adventure puzzle game that will take you to a beautiful yet toxic world where almost all life has disappeared. There’s only one way to survive: help Cora find The Seed, an alien device capable of generating the essence of life and save your planet from annihilation. Find your way through a labyrinth like world full of mysteries, dangers, and beauty. Search for capsules and learn special abilities. Face off against alien creatures and solve challenging puzzles.


Xbox Live

CYGNI: All Guns Blazing

Konami Digital Entertainment


$29.99

$26.99

Cygni: All Guns Blazing – August 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An exhilarating space shooter elevating the genre to a truly next-generation experience. An unrelenting onslaught of eye-popping visuals, ear bursting soundscapes and mind-melting action makes Cygni the vanguard for the next generation of shoot ‘em ups. Choose to route power between weapons or shield systems and go up against unrelenting waves of ground and aerial enemies. Upgrade your ship by picking up new tech and take down colossal alien bosses in visceral combat; do whatever it takes to survive.


Xbox Live

Volgarr the Viking II

Digital Eclipse


$19.99

$15.99

Volgarr the Viking II – August 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

More than a decade after Volgarr the Viking’s chaotic, challenging debut, the barbarian king’s story continues in an uncompromising new form. Volgarr the Viking II is a hardcore, 2D action-platformer where precision is everything and one false move can spell a brutal death. While the sequel delivers the same unforgiving 1980s-arcade level of difficulty as the original, Volgarr the Viking II also (mercifully, begrudgingly) offers modern quality-of-life options such as checkpoints, save states, and an undead mode. You decide how punishing your quest should be – but now anyone can be a viking!


Xbox Live

Eden Genesis

Aeternum Game Studios


$24.99

$22.49

Eden Genesis – August 6– Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A platform game focused on fast-paced trials, quick reflexes, and a rich story by the same dev team responsible for Aeterna Noctis and Summum Aeterna. Take control of Leah, a young cyborg lady, and overcome challenging trials to liberate her corrupted mind!


Xbox Live

Bleak Faith

PERP GAMES

Bleak Faith: Forsaken – August 6 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Explore the last remnants of civilization in this vast, unforgiving, and interconnected world. Learn what is left of its history. Discover pockets of civilization in the perpetually expanding Omnistructure. Lose yourself in a journey unlike any other. Choose a class and progress into your perfect playstyle. But remember, not every choice is reversible, so decide wisely what direction you take your character in.


Xbox Live

Creatures of Ava

11 bit studios

$24.99

Creatures of Ava – August 7

A unique creature saver game inviting you to explore a world brimming with wild beings. Instilling joy and wonder, they provide a unique bond that enables you to utilize their skills for traversing the planet and solving environmental challenges. Once peaceful creatures, they now succumb to an unknown infection driving them to behave aggressively, which makes your mission to save them an urgent necessity.


Xbox Live

I Want To Go To Mars (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You


$4.99

$3.99

I Want To Go To Mars – August 7 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A fun and exciting point & click story book adventure to Mars for kids and parents. Suitable for the young and the young at heart! Robyn & Teddy want to go to a place that never rains, that’s always sunny, that never runs out of sand. They want to go… to Mars! Embark on an award-winning imaginative adventure that’s perfect for the whole family. Build your rocket, pass Moon customs, dodge asteroids and collect star fuel in this short and heartwarming tale of adventure and growth.


Xbox Live

Cattie

Eastasiasoft Limited

Cattie – August 7 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Pounce with precision in feisty feline style as you journey through an old-school action platforming adventure! Get ready for platforming action of the retro kind as you take the role of a nimble kitten named Cattie! Run, jump, hop from wall to wall, crouch, pounce and swipe at enemies as you make your way through side-scrolling pixel art pixel art stages with feline precision.


Xbox Live

The Lullaby of Life

Midwest Games

The Lullaby of Life – August 7 – Optimized for Xbox Series X| S / Smart Delivery

A puzzle adventure where you encounter puzzles solved through timing-based music notes. Solve these challenges using sound waves matched in sequences of different colors and symbols. Challenge the way you think with each level featuring unique puzzles, mechanics and ambience. Awaken new companions, bring life to inert beings, and solve your way in this abstract universe!


Xbox Live

Cat Quest III

Kepler Interactive

$19.99

Cat Quest III – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Get whiskered away on a hearty catventure in the third installment in the award-winning Cat Quest series! Play as a swashbuckling purrivateer in this 2.5D open-world action RPG set in a fantastical pirate-themed world – the Purribean – an archipelago swarming with Pi-rats searching for the Northern Star – a long-lost mythical treasure. Alongside your trusty spirit companion, set sail through the Purribean in your very own ship! But beware, the seas are dangerous, and a meow-tiny is nigh as the hordes of Pi-rats under the order of the Pirate King hunt you down…


Xbox Live

SteamWorld Heist II

Thunderful Publishing


$29.99

$26.99

SteamWorld Heist II – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Join Captain Leeway and his ragtag crew as they uncover the enigmatic menace threatening the Great Sea. Equip and upgrade your crew for turn-based gunfights packed with ricochet action and engage in real-time naval combat. Get ready to aim, plot, and plunder in this uproarious Steambot adventure!


Xbox Live

Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition

Klabater

Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A game of apocalypse and yearning. Play as a seeker after unholy mysteries, in a 1920s-themed setting of hidden gods and secret histories. In this roguelike narrative card game, what you find may transform you forever. Every choice you make, from moment to moment, doesn’t just advance the narrative – it also shapes it.


Xbox Live

Deathbound

Tate Multimedia Sp. z o.o.

Deathbound – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike set in a callous world where Faith and Science clash. The forbidden city of Akratya is an unforgiving land that cannot be conquered alone. Bind with fallen warriors found throughout your crusade and dynamically transform between characters seamlessly in mid-combat with the unique 4-hero party system.


Xbox Live

HoneyLand

Afil Games

HoneyLand – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A charming puzzle with a turn-based strategy. Help Mr. Fluff to drink all the honey from HoneyLand! A paradise where the greatest honey worshipers seek to feel satisfied and happy. Who else could show up here? Yes, Mr. Fluff, a naive bear with a monstrous appetite. Help Mr.Fluff to drink all the honey, and of course, reach the fabulous honey volcano!


Xbox Live

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime – Isekai Chronicles – August 8 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Spin a new tale of the Jura Tempest Federation together with all your favorite characters from the animated series! Relive the original story from the encounter with the Kijin to the battle against the Kingdom of Falmuth fully voiced! In addition, there are two brand new adventures from the original author for fans to enjoy!


Xbox Live

Gravitators

Eastasiasoft Limited

Gravitators – August 9 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Repel a relentless alien force, travel the galaxy and deliver payloads to secure the future of mankind! Old-school challenge and style collide with modern advancements and mission design in Gravitators, a twin-stick shooter that puts you in control of 4 different ships as you defend mankind against invasion!


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for August 5 to 9 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Mars 2120: How a Veteran Indie Team Turned their 90s Dream into Martian Reality

Summary

  • A tribute to 80s and 90s pop culture  and the metroidvania genre.
  • Passion project from a small team of literally senior developers.
  • Uncover the dangers and mysteries of the Red Planet.

For me, and I believe also for all gamers who find video games an opportunity to experience great adventures, discoveries and challenges, Mars has always been an ongoing source of fascination and mystery. Throughout history, many works of science fiction have placed the planet as the setting for epic adventures in books, films and, of course, video games.

And it’s precisely all of these references, spanning 40 years, since the core of our development team is comprised of 80s kids (I’m almost 50 myself!), that have set the tone, theme and genre for the game Mars 2120, out today.

Mars 2120 interior

In Mars 2120 you’ll face an adventure that tries to bring back the nostalgia of the action and science fiction films of the 80s and 90s, as well as a loving homage to the genre known as metroidvania, a mix of RPG elements, platforming and non-linear exploration. And nothing could be more appropriate than encouraging exploration in a game whose main theme is space exploration and the scientific curiosity that drives us as innate explorers towards incredible discoveries about our universe.

Mars 2120 scrednshot

Every time you play a game, there is a rich story from the very first sketches to its final form. Mars 2120 was no different. With a very small team and dividing our time between our other projects and games, it took us almost five years to finish the game that we’d love you to experience, explore and feel like, again or for the first time, depending on your age, watching the movies that fascinated us when we were young, or playing the games of the genre that left you in front of the screen for hours trying to find that special item or power up to overcome a challenge that seemed insurmountable at first.

Mars 2120 armor

All that time may seem like a lot to you, but for us it also represented a giant step forward. For the first time, we faced a project four times bigger than any other before, as you do in a game that puts you in front of great challenges, while learning and experiencing a new development technology with which we were not completely unfamiliar.

Mars 2120 screenshot

Step into the shoes of Sergeant Anna “Thirteen” Charlotte and traverse scenarios reminiscent of the planet seen in “Total Recall”, feel the fear of facing gigantic enemies like Ellen Ripley did with the queen of the xenomorphs in “Alien”, throw punches like Arnold Schwarzenegger did in his classic action films (Yes! Mars 2120 has hand-to-hand combat!) and feel the abandonment and uncertainty of being lost in space like the character of Willis Davidge (Dennis Quaid) felt in the 1985 movie “Enemy Mine”.

I think you get the message here. We have taken everything that amused us when we were young and brought it back especially for you, in the form of a game. Because we want you to have fun with everything that sparked our desire to make entertainment our job – games! So I’m not exaggerating when I say Mars 2120 is a dream we have been building since we were kids.

Mars 2120 screenshot

The games industry is for everyone, you just have to jump in and make the game you want to play. And that’s exactly what we did and what you can do too! Now it’s time to put on your spacesuit, get your fists ready and go on a great adventure knowing that Mars 2120 is not just a game, it’s also a dream, a piece of our lives that we really want to share with you.

Are you ready to defeat terrifying enemies and discover all the secrets of the first human colony on Mars?

I dare you! And then come back and tell us how it went. Good luck and have a good adventure!

Xbox Live

MARS 2120

QUByte Interactive


2


$19.99

$17.99

MARS 2120 is an action-adventure game that draws inspiration from iconic Metroidvania titles, with gameplay elements from fighting games. With the use of special abilities tied to elements like ice, fire, and electricity help Sgt. Anna “Thirteen” Charlotte navigate the colony and battle her way through the secrets of Mars.

The post Mars 2120: How a Veteran Indie Team Turned their 90s Dream into Martian Reality appeared first on Xbox Wire.

AirportSim Has Landed on Xbox: The Journey So Far

After a successful landing on PC back in October, AirportSim, the advanced airport ground handling simulator, arrives on Xbox Today. For the past few months, Polish studio MS Games have been hard at work bringing their highly-detailed airport experience to console. With the release of AirportSim on Xbox now on the horizon, Iceberg Interactive’s Ben Kobs sat down with producer Krzysztof Stabryła to talk about their journey so far!

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of AirportSim? How long have you been working on it and how did the development go?

We’ve been working on AirportSim since late 2021. We’re all aviation fans at MS Games, but Mateusz, our CEO, has been a devoted aviation enthusiast since childhood. Not only does he have a pilot’s license, but he has also been creating software for flight simulators since 2008. The idea of developing a ground handling simulator has been floating around in his head for a long time and we felt like that area was generally unexplored in the sim space, so we were eager to get to work on a sim focussing on ground operations.

The development had its ups and downs, but it was a lot of fun. We had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and collaborate with them to create our game. From actual ground handling companies to vehicle manufacturers, we were lucky to get access to meticulous technical documentation and first-hand insights into the intricacies of airport life, which made the development process a lot easier.

AirportSim airfield
Hustling and bustling

How exciting is it for you to be able to bring your game to a console like Xbox?

We are very excited to introduce AirportSim and the world of ground handling to Xbox. This will help us reach aviation enthusiasts who may not have access to the game otherwise. Bringing our game to a console like Xbox is a thrilling milestone for us, as it allows us to share our passion for aviation with a wider community!

What role does an active community play in the development of the game? How does fan feedback affect you?

During production, we received enormous amounts of support and feedback from our community. We launched a couple of demos for people to try out, and their feedback was invaluable in fine-tuning some features and fixing key issues before launch. The aviation community has always been a huge help in creating projects like this one, and their insights were crucial to our development process.

How important was it for you to give players a realistic experience in AirportSim? Can you elaborate on how realistic the game is compared to real-life ground handling?

It was important for us to deliver a realistic ground handling experience in AirportSim. We are proud to say that our mechanics are nearly identical to real life! We visited many airports and ground handling firms, and, during production, partnered with Welcome Airport Services, LS Airport Services, Warsaw Chopin Airport, and countless others. These partnerships provided us with enormous support.

Of course, some procedures can vary from country to country, airline to airline, and even city to city. This means there may be some discrepancies as certain tasks might be performed differently than what some players are used to. That’s why we decided to standardize these procedures. We wanted to keep things realistic, but also needed to ensure the game was cohesive and enjoyable for players.

AirportSim loadng
Use the exact sequence of buttons right to get the GPU to work

What challenges have you faced in the design and execution?

Before we partnered with industry experts, one of the biggest challenges we faced was the lack of documentation and clear and detailed photos. Creating and recreating these models took a lot of time and effort and it was tough to start working on accurate models and representations. We dug through thousands of pages of documentation. It was a tedious and time-consuming task, but essential for the level of realism we were aiming for.

Sound recording was another big hurdle. Airports are incredibly loud places! It’s difficult to get clear audio recordings. But our sound designer, Łukasz, did an amazing job navigating this and made sure everything sounds just right in the game.

So, what’s next?

For now it’s focussing on Xbox! The game is out today and we’re stoked to see how it goes. We’re proud of how it turned out, so make sure to check out AirportSim on Xbox and enjoy the fulfilling experience of the duties of a ground crew member at various airports!

Xbox Live

AirportSim

Iceberg Interactive


$39.99

$33.99

Praised for its accuracy by real-life ground handling Crew, AirportSim is an Advanced Airport Ground Handling Simulator with true-to-life visuals and operations, licensed planes vehicles and airports, and live weather conditions using the METAR-system. Enjoy the varied tasks of an airport ground handler alone or with friends, making this an unforgettable experience.

There is always so much to do!
Enjoy many of the accurate in-game tasks developed using documented knowledge and interviews with real-world airport ground handling staff:
– Follow me – Taxiing Aircraft Guidance
– Marshalling
– Securing an aircraft
– Connecting GPU
– Fuelling
– Handling Luggage
– Jetway manoeuvring
– Catering…
– and more

Real life Airports
Four true-to-life airports which we personally captured and carefully recreated, focusing on elements such as ground layouts, plane parking, lines, and gate numbers all matching real life. You can follow real aviation charts to move around!

Gameplay Modes
There are multiple gameplay modes within AirportSim,
– Scenario: Based on stacked flight plans, predefined weather conditions and tasks you’ll need to complete in sequence.
– Challenge: Feel like you can handle any situation at the airport? Test your skills by placing as high as possible on the scoreboard!
– Co-op: Together you can do more, and have more fun – invite your friends to join you on an adventure at one of the busy airports.
– Free Play: No rules here, explore airports at your own speed and do as you please. You can watch the planes come and go or get involved, you decide!

The post AirportSim Has Landed on Xbox: The Journey So Far appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox @ gamescom 2024

Xbox @ gamescom 2024

Gamescom 2024 Hero Image

Summary

  • Xbox returns to gamescom with over 50 titles to check out.
  • The Xbox booth will also include a theater, photo ops, a Gear Store, and more.
  • For those who can’t attend, check out the Xbox @ gamescom: Live From the Showfloor Broadcast on August 21-23.

Following this year’s jam-packed Xbox Games Showcase, we’re excited to return to gamescom and connect with fans in Cologne, Germany from August 21-25 to show off even more of what Xbox players have in store. 

The community is what makes gaming – and gamescom – so special and there will be something for everyone this year, whether you’re on the show floor in Cologne or watching at home via our livestreams. This year the Xbox booth will be overflowing with exciting upcoming titles, one-off experiences and fantastic photo opportunities for games coming to Xbox, PC, and Game Pass this Holiday and beyond. We’ll also deliver three days of broadcasts live from the show floor, join up with our amazing community for another FanFest, and plenty more. Keep reading for more details on everything we’re up to at gamescom 2024.  

Xbox Booth 

This year the Xbox booth will feature over 50 gaming titles from Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard, Bethesda, and our amazing third-party partners – spread across more than 240 gaming stations – alongside amazing photo ops and experiences, and specially constructed theaters for exclusive looks at upcoming titles.  

Attendees will be able to go hands-on with upcoming Xbox releases, including: 

  • Age of Mythology: Retold  
  • Ara: History Untold 
  • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred 
  • Fallout 76: Milepost Zero 
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road 
  • Towerborne 

We will also host exclusive theater presentations of Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Starfield: Shattered Space.  

Joining the Xbox booth for the first time, Blizzard Entertainment will make their return to gamescom with multiple offerings for Diablo and World of Warcraft. Ahead of the launch of the Vessel of Hatred expansion in October, Diablo will bring an exclusive public hands-on gameplay demo of the Spiritborn class to the gamescom show floor, with a Diablo Immortal Helliquary boss tournament taking place as well. World of Warcraft celebrates the launch of The War Within on August 26 with the power of a special immersive experience, giving gamescom attendants the chance to feel the thrill of Skyriding in Azeroth.  

The Xbox booth will also have playable titles from our third-party partners, including Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws, Studio Wildcard’s ARK 2, Saber Interactive’s Space Marine 2, Rebellion’s Atomfall, and the return of GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl with an all-new demo. And in our Indie Selects area – dedicated to diverse, exciting upcoming titles from independent developers – we’ll host games including Maximum Entertainment’s Squirrel with a Gun, Noodlecake’s Winter Burrow, 11 bit Studios’ Creatures of Ava, and more. 

The above is just a small selection of the titles playable on the Xbox booth. For the full list of playable titles visit here. Whatever you’re into, we’ll have something for you. 

You’ll be able to find us in Hall 7 of the Koelnmesse, North entrance. See below for the consumer show opening times:   

  • Thursday, August 22 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
  • Friday, August 23 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
  • Saturday, August 24 – 9am – 8 pm CEST   
  • Sunday, August 25 – 9am – 8pm CEST  

Beyond the Xbox booth, Overwatch 2 will also have a joint stand with Porsche, highlighting their new collaboration by featuring a life-sized D.Va statue modeled after the new all-electric Macan, along with an invitation for fans to enter a real-life rendition of an iconic Overwatch 2 map. 

Game Pass @ Gamescom  

This year at gamescom, Game Pass is turning up the fun with an exciting setup reminding players that they can discover their next favorite game across devices. Guests will have an opportunity to explore different sections dedicated to PC, Console, and Cloud as they learn about all the different ways to play their favorite games. In addition to exclusive gamescom 2024 prizes available through claw and gacha machines, guests have the opportunity to play the Big Green Button for a shot at winning exciting prizes like:  

  • Game Pass tokens (PC and/or Ultimate) 
  • NVIDIA GeForce Now cards 
  • WD_BLACK PC and Console Storage 
  • Cloud Gaming devices (e.g., Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and Meta Quest headsets) that can directly stream Xbox games 
  • OMEN monitors 
  • HyperX headsets, microphones, mice and keyboards 

Gaming for Everyone 

Xbox remains committed to the belief that gaming should be safe, inclusive, and accessible for all. We are ensuring that all areas of the booth are wheelchair accessible, Xbox Adaptive Controllers will be available upon request, and there will be select demo stations with adjustable-height desks and monitors. We also have multiple American Sign Language (ASL) and German Sign Language (DGS) interpreters and Audio Description tours in English and German for guests who are blind or visually disabled.

Additionally, we’ll have sensory aids and a quiet room for everyone who needs them, as well as “Here to Help” staff to assist players of all abilities navigate our booth and game experiences. Please check out the Accessibility “Here to Help” desk at our booth for support. 

Other Booth ElementsShape

Gear Shop 

Check out the official Gear Shop at the booth to get the latest with gear from Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard, Activision, and Bethesda! 

Can´t make it? Don’t worry, find your new favorite gear online in the following stores: 

Community Area 

This year the Xbox booth will also include the Community Hub! This more chilled out space within the Xbox Booth will be a perfect place for attendees to stop and hang out during the show, and will also feature special programming and activities from titles and teams across Xbox taking place throughout gamescom. Activities will include cosplay meetups, trivia games, meet-and-greets with game developers and voice actors, and more! Be sure to stop by and see what’s on! 

Live from the Showfloor with our Broadcast Teams 

If you can’t make the trip to Cologne this year, we’ll bring the show to you with a series of daily streams from the Xbox booth. Join Team Xbox and friends on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for a deeper dive into some of the highly anticipated games at gamescom 2024, with first-look gameplay, developer chats, new trailers and more. The Bethesda team will also have daily content streaming live from the booth over on their Twitch channel: twitch.tv/bethesda_de.  

Whether you join us for every stream, or just dip in for the latest on your most anticipated titles, we’re looking forward to connecting with fans across the globe and showing off some of the amazing games coming to Xbox.

Wednesday August 21  

  • Xbox @ gamescom 2024
    • Start: 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
    • Featuring S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Atomfall, Age of Mythology, plus others  
  • Bethesda MainStream 
    • Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST  

Thursday August 22  

  • Xbox @ gamescom 2024 
    • Start:  6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
    • Featuring Star Wars Outlaws, World of Warcraft: The War Within, Towerborne plus others
  • Bethesda MainStream 
    • Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST

Friday August 23  

  • Xbox @ gamescom 2024
    • Start: 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST
    • Featuring Avowed, Ara: History Untold, plus others
  • Bethesda MainStream 
    • Start: 5am PDT / 8am EST / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST 

Keep an eye on Xbox Social channels for the full content schedule in the days leading up to gamescom.  

The live English-language broadcast from Xbox’s gamescom booth will be available in German, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Czech, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Mexican Spanish and Turkish, along with ASL and English Audio Descriptions. You can catch the Xbox @ gamescom Livestream on regional Xbox channels on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and elsewhere.   

Livestream Channels:  

Xbox FanFest  

On Wednesday, August 21, Xbox FanFest is returning to host a special community event to kick off gamescom week! We’ll be bringing players together to connect around their shared love of gaming. If you’re planning to attend gamescom or will be in the Cologne area, you can enter for a chance to win tickets to attend.

Login at xbox.com/fanfest and use code FANFEST to unlock the sweepstakes. No Purchase Necessary. Open only to registered Xbox FanFest members. 18+. Ends 08:59 CEST on 5 August 2024. Click here for Official Rules. 

Xbox Coverage  

Our social media teams will be on the ground bringing you live coverage, updates, news, new videos, and lots of fun stuff too. And make sure to keep an eye on Xbox Wire for coverage of the Opening Night Live show, and articles about many of the games on show. 

For all the latest updates on Xbox at gamescom this year, stay tuned to the Xbox channels on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube social channels, or the @XboxDACH X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube social channels for German-language coverage. We’re using #Xboxgamescom as our event hashtag.  

The post Xbox @ gamescom 2024 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Chronodeck – A New Time-Challenge Mode for Xbox in Deadlink, Available Now

Summary

  • Deadlink launches today on Xbox Series X|S.
  • A new game mode is unveiled for the console launch.
  • Read on to learn how you can win a Pro Controller.

Greetings, Agents.

I’m happy to be able to announce to you that mission command has authorized the use of an experimental training programme, to keep you sharp as ever. As you know, the Combat Shells you use in our missions, while disposable, are nevertheless an asset we would prefer you to utilize to the full extent of their potential. To do so, the R&D department has provided us with a cutting-edge, virtual environment that will really push you to achieve mastery over the craft of disrupting the operations of the corpos we aim to dismantle.

Introducing the Chronodeck Mode:

A series of timed challenges, or obstacle courses if you will, the Chronodeck mode is designed to improve your abilities such as fluid movement, precise aim and utilizing the many skills of the various Combat Shells to dominate the battlefield.

Just making it through the obstacle course can be difficult to initiate Agents, so expect to fail every now and then. However, that’s not where the true challenge lies. At the end of each run, your performance will be judged and graded based on how quickly and precisely you completed the run.

Deadlink screenshot

Understand now, that there will always be a better score to achieve. Shaving seconds off of each run may just be the difference between a great and a truly outstanding Agent, so make sure you do your best. To further motivate you, your score will be compared against other Agents in Global Leaderboards.

Think you’ve got what it takes to achieve the top scores? Prove it!

Head over to the X account of Crunching Koalas to find and enter the competition. Achieve the highest score among other participants before August 14th and win an Xbox Pro Controller!

Deadlink screenshot

Don’t be too intimidated though. Surely, the competition will be fierce, but Deadlink was created with controller players in mind. Rather than relying on aim-down-sights mechanics and long-range precision shooting, the game invites you to get up close and personal with various mobility, short-range and area control skills.

Hone them and you’ll see yourself become the master of the battlefield!

That’s it for now, Agents. I’ll see you on the other side. Make your Agency proud!

Deadlink is launching today on Xbox Series X|S.

Xbox Live

Deadlink

Crunching Koalas


1

$24.99

Deadlink is a cyberpunk FPS with roguelite elements. You’re the first operative to be recruited to the experimental Deadlink project. Pilot an autonomous combat shell, fighting your way through cramped slums, twisted labs, grimy warehouses, and sleek office buildings on a mission to thwart the schemes of the most powerful corporations in the world. Wield a deadly arsenal, upgrade your skills and tech, devastate destructible environments, and slash corporate profit margins — all at the same time.

You are the Corporate Security Agency’s greatest weapon, and it’s your job to make sure the corporations and their shady deals are anything but secure. With the team at HQ backing you up, you’re tossed headfirst into the fray, where a military operation with plausible deniability can fix things for a fraction of the cost of a hopeless court case.

Every randomized run will be different, but one thing never changes: you will be outnumbered. Get ready to think on your feet as you dash, jump, and use the environment to your advantage. You can’t still, not even for a second.

Equip your shell with powerful weapon loadouts. Try out various combinations as you blaze a path of destruction. Want to snipe your foes from a distance, debilitate them with status effects, or just go in guns blazing? Whatever your playstyle, you can find the right kit for the job.

Your enemies have no shortage of bullets and bodies to throw at you. But you’re no slouch either. Sure, you might lose a combat shell here and there, but your next one will be even tougher. Start each new run with amped-up skills and deadlier firepower!

The post Chronodeck – A New Time-Challenge Mode for Xbox in Deadlink, Available Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.