Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240402-1830)

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

It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.

Details can be found below!

System Update Details

OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN25398.4086.240402-1830
Available: 4 p.m. PT – April 4, 2024
Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – April 5, 2024

Note: This update may not occur automatically before it has already become mandatory. You can always find the most current update as soon as it is available by opening the Guide > Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.

Remember: Newly enrolled users in this ring are not guaranteed to receive all early updates, but they’ll receive the update prior to the GA release. Additionally, a small subset of users may remain on their current GA build once they enroll until the next system update becomes mandatory for the public. Visit the Xbox Insider Program FAQ to learn more.

Fixes Included

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

Rewards

Fixed an unexpected error that could occur when trying to change your auto redeem selection without canceling the existing one first.

System

Various stability and performance fixes.

Known Issues

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

Audio

Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
- Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
- Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
  - Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.

Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240402-1830) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Sign up Early for the THRONE AND LIBERTY Closed Beta

We’re excited to invite all Xbox Insiders on Xbox Series X|S to sign up early for the THRONE AND LIBERTY – Confidential Closed Beta starting on April 10th. Join now to secure your spot for the playtest!

THRONE AND LIBERTY is a free-to-play, multiplatform MMORPG where the winner takes all, but there is no single path to victory. Set in the vast open world of Solisium, you’ll need to adapt your fight to survive and thrive through strategic decisions in PvP, PvE or both as you encounter evolving battlefields impacted by weather, time of day, and other players. Take up arms, join others and sign up today.

How to Participate:

Sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
Navigate to Previews > THRONE AND LIBERTY – CLOSED BETA
Select Join
Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install THRONE AND LIBERTY – CLOSED BETA

NOTE: THRONE AND LIBERTY – Closed Beta begins on April 10^th. Join now to earn a spot for the playtest and to install the game early. On April 10^th, in game servers will open to allow you to play. You’ll also receive an Xbox Insider notification when the playtest begins.

NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X|S consoles.

NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.

How to Provide Feedback:

If you experience any issues while playing THRONE AND LIBERTY, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:

Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
Select Report a problem.
Select the Games category and THRONE AND LIBERTY – CLOSED BETA subcategory.
Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.

Other resources:

For more information: follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for release notes, announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

The post Sign up Early for the THRONE AND LIBERTY Closed Beta appeared first on Xbox Wire.

“We Have Another Story to Tell” – Why Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is A Revolutionary Sequel

Category: Games

“We Have Another Story to Tell” – Why Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is A Revolutionary Sequel

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is an exceedingly special game. A bold, brash direction for Ninja Theory, the decision to craft a focused, narrative experience revolving around mental health was a brave leap, but one that ultimately paid off. Now, seven years later, the studio is gearing up to fully reveal a sequel to Senua’s story, built with the same love and care, but expanding on the debut in every conceivable way.

In the run up to its May 21 launch on Xbox, PC, and Game Pass, we’ll be bringing you the story of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from inside the studio itself, as well as stories and insights from Hellblade’s creative leads. This is Ninja Theory’s ultimate form, filled with industry-leading talent, groundbreaking technology, and one of the most unique approaches to game development you’ve ever seen to fulfil the ultimate goal – the pursuit of true immersion.

Ninja Theory is a truly special studio. The levels of care and passion that exude from every corner of its unassuming Cambridge-based office are immeasurable, and that’s before you’ve even picked up a controller. Recently, the studio opened the doors to outsiders for the first time, and invited Xbox Wire into its mysterious halls to meet its teams, tour its unique facilities, and get hands-on with the first playable demo of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

For Ninja Theory, the idea to continue Senua’s journey was never in doubt. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a complete story in itself; but the studio knew it had more stories to tell. Studio Head Dom Matthews tells us that the team wanted to leave a door open for Senua, but the path to creating a follow-up was initially unclear while the studio remained independent. Now, as part of Xbox Game Studios, it’s quite a different story. This sequel feels larger than life; every single element has been refined, from its hyper-realistic environments, haunting audio design, to its stunning performance-captured combat.

Embarking on a New Quest

“We have a fantastic building; our performance capture stage, new technologies and techniques, but all of that exists to pursue the same goal,” Matthews tells us. “That goal is to create an experience that allows players to suspend their disbelief and immerse themselves fully in this world.”

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II follows swiftly after the final events of the first game, where Senua says goodbye to her lover Dillion for the final time. From here, she’s to embark on a new quest, to ensure that no one ever meets the same fate as Dillion again. Senua is stronger, fiercer, and – while she’s still ailed by her psychosis – she’s come to understand how it manifests, and how its grown to be an important part of her.

“She’s come to a place of acceptance of two things,” Matthews tells us. “One is her experience of psychosis and unique view of the world, and the other is that she can’t bring Dillion back. So here, we find a Senua that has found determination, and a way to turn her agonizing grief into positive action, so that Dillion’s death wasn’t for nothing.”

In our time with the studio demo, we were able to experience a snapshot of how Senua has grown, as she interacts with other characters for the first time. One chapter had us take Senua through a camp in order to rescue a new character, a task she feels deep conflict over. Her voices are pulling her in different directions, and you can see and feel Senua overcome her fears and anguish in real time as she moves through this space. There’s a hesitancy in every step she takes, a flinch at every noise, you’re not just walking her through a pre-determined path; she’s physically responding to the environment in real-time, and it feels incredible.

Becoming Senua (Again)

While Matthews shares that there was always an aim to further Senua’s adventure, that path briefly looked a little different for Melina Juergens, the editor-turned-performer that brought Senua to life. Despite a monumental performance in a game that reached critical acclaim, Juergens shares that she wasn’t sure what to do after the launch of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice: “I’m not a trained actress or anything, so I just thought ‘what do I do with my life now?’”

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Juergens was brought on board to reprise the role of a bolder, more powerful Senua. In Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II all of Senua’s scenes are motion-captured in-house and performed by Juergens; animations, facial expressions, combat – all come to life through her, and a number of trained stunt performers.

She’s also overcoming her own hurdles in terms of her unconventional path into acting, and you can truly see and feel the evolution of her abilities as a performer resonating through Senua in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

“Hellblade was a huge test for me because I had never acted before, so this time around I am trusting my abilities more, trusting my gut instinct and believing that I can do this,” she adds.

In some ways, Juergens feels as though she actually shares that same mission to raise awareness in our world, as Senua does in hers: “I want to help people, I want to raise awareness around mental health and help them feel understood,” she says. “I have experience with these ailments – how can I turn that into something meaningful?”

“Senua has made peace with her past, but she’s more in control of the visions and voices,” Juergens tells us. “She’s not overcoming psychosis, but she knows how to manage it better.”

Capturing Combat

That energy is felt heavily through the revamped combat in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. It shares a lot of DNA with the first game, those careful, calculated fights, but every brawl feels so intentional and visceral this time. When Senua enters combat, we understand every foe standing in front of her, the strength she needs to overcome it, and most importantly – the struggle in every swing; made to feel like you’re really there with her as she pushes through. This isn’t combat designed to make you feel like the untouchable hero by mowing through hordes, every fight is one-on-one, expertly woven into her adventure to align you with her persistence, whether it’s a monumental brawl against a known enemy or a random scuffle out of nowhere.

“If all of this movement – running, climbing, fighting, is derived from performance capture, it’s going to be grounded in reality,” Matthews explains. “It’s going to feel consistent and real.”

We were shown a taste of this in action during our time at the studio; watching real-world actors violently clash swords and slam each other into the ground really emphasised how each hit should feel.

“The key goal was to make combat feel like part of the journey,” Matthews adds.

You Are Senua Now

Of course, the narrative is the one thing that drives all of these individual elements, and Ninja Theory has never lost sight of the goal to expand on a story that is not just dear to a community, but a portrayal of a mental illnesses that is rarely seen in entertainment. Matthews shoulders the responsibility to deliver a worthy sequel not just for the studio, but for everyone invested in Hellblade.

“Senua is not ours anymore,” he says. “All of our fans have a stake in Senua too, they’ve built a relationship with this character, and the onus is on us to deliver the next part of the story in a way that’s true to that.”

“It’s an absolute privilege to have that responsibility – we’re incredibly lucky to have a character and a world that people care so much about.”

Fans of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will find plenty to love in the sequel. It’s a brand-new adventure that feels familiar and rooted in its ambition despite huge leaps in technology. Ninja Theory knows where to guide you, and with a setting as magnificent as this, you’ll have no choice but to follow.

We’ll be fully digging into several elements of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II closer to launch, so be sure to keep an eye on Xbox Wire for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes peeks at how this monumental game came to life. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches on Xbox, PC, and day one with Game Pass on May 21, 2024.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Xbox Games Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.

Sink deep into the next chapter of Senua’s story, a crafted experience told through cinematic immersion, beautifully realised visuals and encapsulating sound.

The post “We Have Another Story to Tell” – Why Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is A Revolutionary Sequel appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2404.1001.9.0]

Hey Xbox Insiders! We are releasing a new Xbox App and Game Bar app for Windows builds to Xbox Insiders who are enrolled in the PC Gaming Insiders preview! Thank you all for being Xbox Insiders. Continue read to learn about fixes and known issues. Make sure that you update the Xbox app, Gaming Services and Game Bar to ensure you get all of the fixes!

Versions of PC Gaming prerelease products:

Xbox App version: 2404.1001.9.0

Released: 4:00 p.m. PT – April 3rd 2024

Game Bar version: 7.124.3191.0

Released: 4:00 p.m. PT – March 21st 2024

Xbox App Bug Fixes:

Assorted UI fixes while browsing game pages.
Various performance and stability fixes.

How to Get Xbox Insider Support

Don’t forget! If you encounter any issues, you can leave feedback by navigating to the feedback option on your profile menu.

You can also provide feedback, as well as interact with the community, on the Xbox Insiders Subreddit. Please be as specific as possible when providing feedback.

When posting to the subreddit, please look through most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information!

Thank you to everyone who participates in the Xbox Insider Program! Your feedback helps us continue to build a great gaming experience in the Xbox app on PC.

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Xbox App [2404.1001.9.0] appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2404.240402-1830)

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

Details can be found below!

System Update Details

OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN25398.4086.240402-1830
Available: 2 p.m. PT – April 3, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – April 4, 2024

Fixes Included

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

Rewards

Fixed an unexpected error that could occur when trying to change your auto redeem selection without canceling the existing one first.

System

Various stability and performance fixes.

Known Issues

Audio

Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
- Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
- Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
  - Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2404.240402-1830) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2405.240401-2200)

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

Details can be found below!

System Update Details

OS Version: XB_FLT_2405ZN25398.4388.240401-2200
Available: 2 p.m. PT – April 3, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – April 4, 2024

New Features and Experiences

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

Controllers

We’re releasing a new version of the Xbox Wireless Controller firmware today which contains various fixes, including improvements to thumbstick calibration and unexpected disconnections when using a wired headset.

If your controller needs an update, you will be prompted to install it once the controller is powered on and connects to your console. You can also open the Xbox Accessories App to install the update manually if you missed or dismissed the prompt.

Fixes Included

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

Games

Fixes to improve unexpected behavior when saving game data in some titles.

Rewards

Fixed an unexpected error that could occur when trying to change your auto redeem selection without canceling the existing one first.

System

Various stability and performance fixes.
Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
- Note: Users participating in Preview may see “odd” text across the console. To learn more visit: What’s This? Learn More About Pseudo-Loc in Preview.

Known Issues

Audio

Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
- Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
- Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
  - Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha (2405.240401-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Use the Potions You Craft in Alchemist: The Potion Monger

Hello soon to be Alchemists,

I’m Mateusz, Game Designer of Alchemist: The Potion Monger, here to convince you to buy property surrounded by gigantic vines (a small annoyance) on a faraway island.

This fresh opportunity is now available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S owners!

Purchase Agreement Includes:

Solving puzzles to brew potions and using them during RPG adventures.
Furnishing and decorating your newly bought property.
Adopting alchemical pets (and petting them!).
And much more…

Interested?

Feel welcome to the world of Alchemist: The Potion Monger, full of anthropomorphic animals! Let me be your guide.

Potion Brewing

Alchemy is the key aspect of the game (as you surely expected from the title called Alchemist: The Potion Monger).

Every potion recipe is based on Aspects – reflections of emotions, forces of nature, and ideas. Aspects are divided into four Elements:

Earth – the backbone of many brews, such as Healing Potions, Poisons, Resurrection Potions, and many more!
Air – a huge part in Speed Potions, Jump Potions, Perfumes, and all kinds of mind-boosting brews.
Fire – can set fires (what a surprise), explode, cause aggression, or spread love.
Water – creates brews such as Cleaning Potions, Quick Reflexes Potions, Ice Potions, etc.

Creating a potion is no easy task and every brew is a Puzzle to solve. How you solve them will depend on the ingredients and alchemical tools you have available. Use various alchemical and other (demonic altars, holy waters, and more) tools to process the ingredients. Then put them into the cauldron and start brewing!

Using your Brews

This is a unique aspect among the alchemist simulators available on the market. After creating potions venture outside your home and influence the world with their help! Possibilities are plenty:

Help the farmer grow plants

Or„ “Grow” the farmer!

Make a fireworks show for the townsfolk

Or freeze them with the bottled snowstorm!

Turn the townsfolk into sheep and adopt them

Or burn them to the glory of the oinking pig god!

Design your Home/Lab

…and make it truly your own! – Alchemist: The Potion Monger will allow a lot of customization in designing your home and yard.

When you first arrive at the Island as an alchemist apprentice, you’ll have an empty home, a sleeping bag, and only some basic alchemical tools with you. Slowly you’ll be able to fill the empty space with furniture, trophies (from slain bosses), advanced tools, and some other weird stuff.

Acquire blueprints from the market, find them in the world, or receive them as a quest reward, and make your – empty at-first – home a true mansion of the wealthy alchemist!

Pets

To learn alchemy you’ll surely need some help, luckily you’re not alone.

You’ll arrive on the island with yourtrusty Shiba (you’ll be able to name him/her as you wish). He/she is very special. He/she is the best boy/girl!

Actually, there is one more thing that makes him/her special -the ability to discover the Earth’s element Aspects. With time you’ll be able to let more special animals join your party! Every element (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) has its own corresponding pet for you to find and tame.

Potion Trading

Everybody has to eat, and is there any better way to make your coin than to sell magical potions to those in need?

Start with working for the middleman and fulfill potion contracts to earn Gold and Reputation. Receive bonuses for better-quality brews, and slowly grow topurchase your own market stall!

Every sold Potion will award you with:

Gold- a basic resource on the Island, thanks to it you’ll be able to buy Ingredients, Blueprints, Home Upgrades, Potion Recipes, Skill Books, Tools, and more. However, there are some things gold cannot buy…
Reputation- You arrive on the Island as a nobody and have to slowly gain trust and renown. Do various quests for the Islanders, complete potion contracts, and participate in various events to grow your reputation. A higher reputation will unlock new goods in stores, more quests, more lucrative potion contracts, and progress in the story.

Abilities

During your alchemist career, your character will develop in various ways. However, there is no ordinary leveling-up system, instead, you’ll be able to get/find/purchase ability scrolls. When you acquire them, the task for the respective skill will be unlocked (e.g. have four potion effects on yourself at once – Slower Metabolism), and when you finish it, you’ll gain a new ability.

Abilities take the form of Merit Badges for you to collect and store in the Almanac, here are some of them:

Pro Milker – Milking the cow will give you two times the milk.
Farmer – Planted seeds grow faster.
Toxic Botanist – Allow to pick up toxic plants without hurting yourself.
Rascal – Acquire more gold when knocking out characters.

That’s not all that will await you on the Island when you get there, but I’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.

Happy brewing!

Alchemist: The Potion Monger_SGD23

Art Games Studio S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆
12

★★★★★

Get it now

Alchemist: The Potion Monger is a mixture of simulation puzzle and RPG game, in which you can leave your lab, venture into the world and change it with your brews!

Take the role of apprentice of the alchemical arts, in a world full of anthropomorphic (described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes ~Merriam-Webster) animals!
Choose your character “Race” from a wide array of animal types, with their strengths and weaknesses.

And begin your alchemical journey!

BREW POTIONS
Use various alchemical (and not only… – demonic altars, holly waters, time-controlling sands, and more) tools to process the ingredients.
Then put them into the cauldron and start brewing!

SELL YOUR BREWS
Residents of the surrounding town and countryside, have their potion needs, fulfill them and become the wealthiest alchemist alive!

USE THEM YOURSELF!
During your adventures, you may need healing, immeasurable strength, insanely high jumps, or even the ability to fly, help yourself and drink one of your brews!
Every potion can also be thrown to create an environmental effect.
Set fires, launch wildlife and NPCs into the air, or make the whole village throw up!
Do good, bad, or just have fun – the whole world is your playground.

EXPLORE
Venture outside your warm and safe alchemical hut into the world, discover various secrets, meet distinct NPCs, and gather ingredients!
Collect merit badges and then complete the assigned challenge to learn new skills.
Find out how to pick poisonous plants, trade more efficiently, get into the battle frenzy, regain health by helping others, and much more…

DISCOVER ALCHEMICAL ASPECTS
Every ingredient you’ll find consists of alchemical aspects.
To find out about them you’ll need some help from your pets.
Unravel the whole Great Alchemy Wheel!

The post Use the Potions You Craft in Alchemist: The Potion Monger appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Community Update April 2024 – Seeking Updates of the Morning

Hi there, Xbox Insiders!

The Fire Dawn

Welcome back to another monthly Community Update. Thankfully, this year’s April 1st landed on Monday, so you can rest assured knowing everything below isn’t an elaborate ruse. (But watch out for next year!) We have a couple of updates, as well as a new development we think will excite everyone; so, let’s dive in!

The Finisher

We’re happy to confirm that we are in the final stages of two different projects. This month should see the formal transition of release notes away from the Xbox Wire to their new home on the Xbox Support website! This has been a tremendous undertaking so that all Xbox users can find their updates in one central location. There will be a larger article forthcoming that outlines all of the changes along with links/hubs for this new setup. This change will also enable some of the future content we’re planning for this blog, so stay tuned!

The other conclusion we’re reaching this month is our “Get To Know The Team” articles. There are around a half dozen of these still to come, so expect those to come out throughout the rest of the month. It’s been a lot of fun getting to share more about the team, so we hope that everyone has enjoyed these chats with the Xbox Insider Team. (Yesterday’s was particularly fun to write. )

The Pitch

Now, for an announcement of sorts. Over the past few months, we’ve been working in close partnership with the wonderful team over at Sumo Leamington on their preview for Stampede: Racing Royale, which launched late last week. If you haven’t seen it yet check this out!

In the near future, we’ll be hosting the first ever “community/developer plays” event exclusively for Xbox Insiders. Hop into the kart-battling mayhem of Stampede: Racing Royale and challenge the developers themselves to become the ultimate champion! More details about this event will be shared on socials for Xbox Insider and Stampede: Racing Royale. See ya there!

The Summit

One other community initiative we’ll be doing this month is over on the Xbox Insiders subreddit. There was a great thread last week that a lot of our community members were passionate about, so we’re following that up starting today with a “Community Talk Back” thread to discuss the topic in greater detail. Stop on by and share your thoughts with the team!

The Rise

And that’s it for April! We still have projects in various states of progress (baking, simmering, heating; we like our cooking analogies), but nothing quite ready to share further.

As always, I hope everyone enjoyed this installment of the Xbox Insider Program Community Update. If you want to chat about this—and everything else XIP—hop on over to the r/XboxInsiders subreddit or throw us a follow @xboxinsider.

Wynn/

The post Community Update April 2024 – Seeking Updates of the Morning appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240328-2200)

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

Details can be found below!

System Update Details

OS Version: XB_FLT_2404ZN25398.4073.240328-2200
Available: 4 p.m. PT – April 2, 2024
Mandatory: 4 p.m. PT – April 3, 2024

New Features and Experiences

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

Settings – Access Restrictions

We have added two new access restrictions options for installing and uninstalling games and apps. To find them, navigate to Settings > System > Access restrictions.

Fixes Included

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

Game Clubs

Fixed an unexpected ‘Like’ tooltip that could appear in the Watch area when focus is on the filter.

Home

Fixes to address some tiles on Home not navigating as expected, such as when trying to claim Perks.

System

Various stability and performance fixes.

Known Issues

Audio

Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
- Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
- Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
  - Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.

For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!

The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2404.240328-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Own the Night with the Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition Controller

Explore the mysteries of the nocturnal world with the uniquely created Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller. Inspired by nature at night, every color swirl is an expression of that expansive landscape with a design that’s unique to each controller – each with its own energy and pattern. A striking addition to the Vapor series, alongside Stormcloud Vapor and Dream Vapor, this controller features a dynamic smoky design blending style seamlessly with performance.

The Nocturnal Vapor’s design is a strong contrast of dark and light green. The swirl effect mixes these two colors across the top case and textured side grips, all while being accented by the surrounding parts. Feel the allure of the rubberized, green diamond-pattern grips on the back case, elevating your experience with a touch of sophistication.

The Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition packs the performance punch you need. Wield the smoke and stay on target with the textured side and back grips that let you hold on to the action. Embark on your gaming odyssey with confidence, boasting up to 40 hours of battery life (varies with usage and other factors). Enjoy gaming anywhere you desire with Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth technology, allowing you to connect seamlessly to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, PC, iOS, and Android devices (see xbox.com/controller-compatibility for more details; use with controller compatible games).

No matter where you play, you’re going to want to listen to your game with crisp, clear audio. Utilize the 3.5mm audio jack to plug in your favorite compatible headset, perfect for listening to your game or chatting with friends. Share clips with your friends with the dedicated share button or use the Xbox Accessories app to remap your controller buttons and create custom controller profiles for your favorite games, giving you endless potential to elevate your play.

The Xbox Wireless Controller – Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition is available to preorder today in select Xbox markets worldwide for $69.99 USD ERP. Visit Xbox.com or your local retailer, including the Microsoft Store, for more information.

The post Own the Night with the Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition Controller appeared first on Xbox Wire.