Supraland: Six Inches Under wasn’t really meant to exist—at least not like this.
Initially conceived as a DLC pack for the puzzle-filled sandbox adventure Supraland, creator David Münnich and his team improvised, experimented, re-scoped, and re-envisioned Six Inches Under into a bigger, fully standalone follow-up designed for anyone to dig into, whether they’ve played the first game or not. What’s even better, that creation is available to play starting today on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and through Xbox Game Pass!
If you’re wondering whether Supra Games’ latest little big adventure is for you, here are five facets of Six Inches Under’s design that should help you decide.
It’s a Connected Underworld
Like the original, Six Inches Under is a first-person 3D “metroidvania”—a unified world filled with paths to discover, and secrets or sub-areas that can only be accessed once you return with a new ability or item.
Unlike the original, Six Inches Under takes place underground, and as such, the vibe’s a little different. Paths are more defined and distinct: caves and corridors connected by a central hub called Cagetown, where all the toy-people survivors of the dreadful Rakening dwell.
The developers characterize the game as “55% exploration, 40% solving puzzles, and 5% combat,” to give you a breakdown. Now on to that other 45%…
Puzzles Permeate Everything
In the world of Six Inches Under, you’re always on the lookout for puzzles—and you’ll quickly find yourself thinking of the environment, your abilities, and even physics itself as a puzzle-solving tool. To help with the design of the puzzles, creator and lead dev David Münnich concocted 13 rules as a guideline, which doubled as a 13-point “checklist” to help him and his team determine whether a puzzle was good or not.
David awards points for puzzles where players set the goal themselves without being told it directly, or puzzles that use a mechanic players are familiar with in an unexpected new way. The puzzle gets more points if players can quickly execute the solution once they have their “Aha!” moment, or if the result is more interesting than a door opening or an elevator turning on. For David, a good puzzle scores around 8–10, and anything above that is rare. (And he’s a stickler; the best puzzles in Six Inches Under top out at 12.)
That 5% Combat…It’s Over There!
In another directional shift from the original game, you’ll encounter enemies to fight in Six Inches Under, but here they’re hanging out away from the puzzles—that way, they won’t get in your way when you’re focused on figuring out how to fix that lever to connect that battery to power that machinery behind that fence that you’re not quite sure how to get through yet.
And sometimes, the combat is a puzzle of its own too, as you use your pickaxe and other combat tools and abilities in creative ways—but as with any good puzzle, it’s more fun if you figure those out for yourself.
The End is Just Getting Started
You can make it to the finish line of the “main quest” pretty quickly—but once the end credits roll, that signals a whole new beginning. Whole new areas open up to explore full of secrets and surprises. In fact, some of Six Inches Under’s most challenging and rewarding puzzles are entirely optional…including at least one of the team’s rare 12-point-ers. (Hint: Look for the showerhead on the beach.)
It’s a proving ground
Six Inches Under began its life as a project intended to get the Supra Games team up to speed for Supra Games’ next major now-in-development game (and full-on sequel) Supraworld. It quickly turned into a place to experiment, test, and run ideas through the wringer. The result was something unexpected: a content-packed game worthy of standing on its own as something not quite an expansion, not quite a sequel, and infused with the creative spirit indie-developed games are known for.
Supraland: Six Inches Under is out today. Buy it for Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, or play it on Xbox Game Pass.
Unearth what’s beneath the surface in Six Inches Under, a new first-person Supraland adventure full of puzzles, exploration, fun secrets to discover, hundreds of gags, and two funny ones!
In the miniature world, the dreaded Rakening has scattered the townspeople of Superland six whole inches below the surface of the sandbox! Fulfill your toybox fantasies as a brave Blue Plumber and use your skill and ingenuity to survive and rescue your fellows. You may be small—but this is bound to be one big adventure.
Underworld exploration
Unearth a connected underworld of toys who’ve survived past calamities. The caverns are filled with secrets to discover and new areas to uncover—once you’ve acquired the right tools and abilities to access them.
First-person puzzling
Solve problems in the environment with brains (and occasional brawn). Use skillful platforming to find secrets and hard to reach areas, and harness the power of physics to find creative ways to overcome obstacles.
It’s a small world
For the people of Supraland, little things make a big difference. Turn a matchstick into the lever that opens a door or a torch that ignites an obstacle. Power mighty machines with the latest AAA battery technology, cross cracks the size of chasms, and walk (literally!) on the razor’s edge.
A great place to dig in
Six Inches Under is a content-packed standalone follow-up (and not quite a sequel) to the original Supraland, designed for everyone! You can delve straight in and have a blast without having played the original.
More Supraland to love
If you dug the original Supraland, you’ll discover tons more of the puzzle-solving, metroidvania-style exploration you loved—plus more skills, a novel new approach to combat, more optional activities, and an original new soundtrack.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an exciting moment for Xbox to recognize the importance of accessibility, celebrate the players and developers with disabilities that are part of our vibrant, global gaming community, and highlight recent accessibility work at Xbox. To meet the needs of over 427 million players with disabilities, and create a platform where everyone feels welcome, safe, and represented, we know that accessibility awareness and support is something that has to happen every day and has to be part of the community culture. What this support resembles will vary based on the player, but ultimately, accessibility at Xbox is all about creating gaming experiences that everyone can enjoy.
Gaming is all about the power of connection and play. And it has been incredible these last several months watching the energy our community has put into learning about game accessibility, especially as we continue our own accessibility journey and push for a more inclusive games industry. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023, we’re excited to share with you some of the work we’ve been doing in support of our Gaming & Disability communities, including updated accessibility support pages, new accessibility features on PC, and recognizing the achievements of thousands of Xbox Ambassadors who are showing how easy and fun it can be to learn about game accessibility by completing over one million Accessibility Explorer Path missions!
A Community Dedicated to Accessibility
Xbox Accessibility Ambassador Explorer Path – 1 Million missions completed!
The Xbox Ambassador program is home to a group of global Xbox players where each member celebrates the uniqueness of everyone who loves to play, promotes a safe gaming environment, and above all else, makes gaming more fun. Last year, when Xbox asked Ambassadors if there was interest in learning more about accessibility, the answer was a resounding yes! This inspired the team to create the Xbox Ambassador Accessibility Explorer Path, a gamified experience that allows Ambassadors to learn more about accessibility in gaming, as well as try out new gaming accessibility features across PC and console. Through the Explorer Path, Ambassadors are given specific quests and missions to complete, all while leveling up and having fun.
Since the Xbox Ambassador Accessibility Explorer Path’s launch just 7 months ago, over 110 quests were posed to the group and today we are excited to announce that Ambassadors collectively completed over 1 million missions centered around accessibility, with over 18,000 individual Ambassadors contributing. Check out some stories from Ambassadors below:
ctrlaltcraft
How would you describe the experience of following the Accessibility Explorer Path?
Highly informative! And very exciting. It’s exciting to see a business like Microsoft and Xbox taking accessibility so seriously. It draws from a myriad of resources and articles. It wasn’t just slapped together like a business faking interest in accessibility to seem on-trend. You can tell the team that put all this together actually really cares about this cause.
ItsMileyGirl
What impact did the Accessibility Explorer Path have on how you think about accessibility in gaming?
Before I started the Accessibility Explorer Path I was just starting to learn and advocate for accessibility in gaming, but reading more about accessibility options and how they work and the importance they have in gaming and media made me appreciate them even more. Now I’m an even fiercer advocate!
If you haven’t done any of the Accessibility Explorer Path missions yet, all I can say is do it! You’ve got nothing to lose but a ton to gain. You get sweet XP, a new badge for your profile, get the tools to be an effective accessibility advocate and you learn more about accessibility options and their importance. It’s a win-win-win!
Players can access the full list of support pages via the support.xbox.com accessibility site, within the accessibility tab on Xbox App on PC, Xbox.com, and coming soon to Game Bar.
New Accessibility Settings on Xbox App on PC
In March, the Xbox App on PC rolled out a new accessibility settings menu that features two brand new settings: Disable background images and Disable animations. These settings are designed to help players reduce visual components that could cause disruption, confusion, or irritation. Links to additional accessibility settings and a link to learn more about accessible gaming are now also available in the new settings menu.
It’s easier than ever to find your next favorite Xbox games! A new update on the Microsoft Store on Xbox.com now allows users to filter and search games based on their accessibility needs and preferences, as well as search for games based on their Supported Language, with over 17 supported languages. For example, let’s say a player is looking to find Action & Adventure games that have adjustable difficulty settings and spatial audio support. The improved Xbox.com experience allows users to do just that – and more – by applying different filters, including 20 accessibility filters, to find their next great game across Console, PC, and Cloud. Try it out here.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Xbox Plays Livestream
Cal Kestis and the Mantis crew are back to stand against the Darkness in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Tune in to the Xbox Twitch channel on May 18th at 11 AM PT to watch Lead UI/UX Designer Jordan DeVries and Tara Voelker, Sr. Accessibility Lead at Xbox, play Jedi: Survivor and delve into the game’s accessibility features and how the team strived to ensure that as many players as possible could embrace the fantasy of being a Jedi Knight in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Viewers will have a chance to win a collector’s edition of Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.
Progress Made on Existing Accessibility Offerings at Xbox
Microsoft Game Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS)
In February 2021, Xbox launched the Microsoft Game Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS), a program developed for publishers and developers to validate the accessibility of their games, and since launch, Xbox has added information for developers around how to validate Accessibility Feature Tags in their games. To make it easier for developers to understand the criteria behind those tags, Xbox has added 119 test steps and 124 examples to Accessibility Feature Tags – Microsoft Game Dev | Microsoft Learn. Guidance includes screenshots from As Dusk Falls, Flight Simulator, Forza Horizon 5, Grounded, Halo Infinite, Minecraft and Sea of Thieves to provide examples of meeting criteria.
In addition, since launch, MGATS has added a ‘Player with Disability’ offering with focused feedback on core game and communication features. We are excited to share that over the past year, players with disabilities have logged over 13,000 hours of testing across the program, all in an effort to make games more fun and accessible for everyone.
Game Accessibility Feature Tags
Microsoft’s Game Accessibility Feature Tags were created to make it easier to find games that have accessibility features players need to enjoy a game. At launch two years ago, games with over 4 tags were showcased at our Accessibility Spotlight, a location on the Xbox store where customers can find games that include a variety of accessibility features. Since then, more and more developers have tagged their games, raising the bar for what it takes to be featured in Accessibility Spotlight. Now, games must have 6+ tags to be spotlighted, due to the sheer number of titles with multiple tags. In addition, we have added new features on the Xbox App on PC that allows players to discover Game Accessibility Feature Tags for different games, as well as filter options.
Xbox Celebrating Accessibility Around the World
Xbox partners with Korea’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
From May to September, Xbox will partner with Korea’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) for an art exhibition titled “Game Society”, showcasing contemporary visual art works embodying games’ imagination and realism. One of the exhibitions will spotlight game accessibility and will include the installation of the Xbox Adaptive Controller for visitors to use.
XboxNL and HiPerks Foundation spotlight the Xbox Adaptive Controller
In 2018, Xbox launched the Xbox Adaptive Controller as part of our mission to empower gamers around the world to play the games they want, with the people they want, on the devices they want. In honor of GAAD, Xbox Netherlands is excited to partner with Paul Van Der Made, a player with a disability, and the HiPerks Foundation to release a new video series showcasing the impact the Xbox Adaptive Controller continues to have for players with disabilities.
Check out the video series at the following links:
Xbox is meeting athletes at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
For the past two years, we’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Special Olympics to showcase the power of inclusion in two epic Gaming for Inclusion esports tournaments. This year, we’re excited to continue our support of athletes and Unified partners at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. In June, Xbox and the inclusion specialist Humanelektronik will be providing Xbox gaming stations in the athlete’s lounge in Berlin. Athletes and Unified partners will be able to sit back, unwind from competition, and try different Xbox accessibility features and games while connecting with other participants from around the world through the universal language of play.
More Ways to Play: Increasing the Accessibility of Our Games
Forza Motorsport
Last month, Turn 10 Studios shared how they are creating their most accessible Forza Motorsport ever, which includes an innovative accessibility feature set called Blind Driving Assists (BDA), built for players who are Blind or have Low Vision. Blind Driving Assists work by providing a set of supplemental audio cues designed to help Low/No Vision players navigate the tracks of Forza Motorsport. The features were built in close partnership with the Disability community over two years, including Accessibility Consultant and Blind gamer, Brandon Cole.
Other notable accessibility features in Forza Motorsport include one touch driving, a customizable narration system, Colorblindness Modes, and more. For more information on the accessibility features in Forza Motorsport, click here.
Minecraft Legends (Available with Xbox Game Pass, Cloud, Console, and PC)
Minecraft Legends is a new action strategy game, where players must lead their allies in heroic battles to defend the Overworld from the destructive piglins. The game, released last month, includes a host of accessibility features, including:
Text to Speech (both natively as well as within game menus)
Controller Options
Swap AB buttons
Swap XY buttons
Wrap toolbar navigation.
Other controller features include adjusting the placement, aiming sensitivity, and toggle modes for building and sprinting.
Text size options
Including the ability to set text at 100%, 125%, or 150%
Colorblindness Mode, including:
Deuteranopia
Protanopia
Tritanopia
Subtitles
Available both in-game and in pre-recorded video files (FMVs) used in the video game.
Hi-Fi Rush (Available with Xbox Game Pass, Cloud, Console, and PC)
In January, Xbox released Hi-Fi Rush where players star as wannabe rockstar Chai, fighting back against a sinister robotics enhancement conglomerate using rhythm-amplified combat where everything – from the motion in the environment to the blows of combat – is synced to the music.
Hi-Fi Rush was designed to provide as many players as possible with the opportunity to live out their own rock star fantasy through game customization and accessibility features. This includes Rhythm Visualization, which allows players to visualize the beat pulse in the environment and UI, allowing the game to still be completed when playing without sounds enabled, an Auto-Action Mode for users that have difficulty performing complex button, four different difficulty settings, the option to adjust font size and subtitles, and more. Check out Hi Fi Rush’s full accessibility guide.
Deathloop (Available with Xbox Game Pass, Cloud, Console, and PC)
In Deathloop, two rival assassins are trapped in a mysterious timeloop on the island of Blackreef, doomed to repeat the same day for eternity. The game, released last year, comes with a slew of accessibility features, which can all be found within a dedicated Accessibility category within the options menu. These include gameplay settings that allow players to further customize combat in Single-Player Mode, such as increasing or decreasing combat difficulty, adjusting the number of Reprises, and slowing game speed.
The game also includes a new HUD and subtitle options, including the ability to change the size, opacity and color of various text and graphical elements. Check out Deathloop on Xbox today.
Elder Scrolls Online (Available with Xbox Game Pass)
In Elder Scrolls Online, players are invited to experience limitless adventure within the Elder Scrolls world. In February, Elder Scrolls Online was updated on Xbox to include a screen narration tool which allows the majority of the game’s menus to be narrated and can be automatically enabled when the game is put into Accessibility Mode. Players can also control both the speed and volume of narration.
Adios is a cinematic first-person game centered around a pig farmer in Kansas who decides he no longer wants to work for the mob. A partner of the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program, the game was created by GB ‘Doc’ Burford, a disabled game developer whose lived experiences ultimately inspired parts of the game.
“I remember when I was working on Adios, I designed all of the scenes to accommodate people with ADHD,” Burford shared. “(For example,) there’s a scene in Adios where you actually play a game of horseshoes while having a conversation at the same time.” Because so much of the game involves dialogue, Burford wanted “things you could fidget with, things you could do, things that keep you acting while (dialogue is happening), but not so intense that you can’t pay attention to both at the same time.”
As a game developer with a disability, Burford shares that he frequently experiences chronic pain, but “when I make a game, I get to go somewhere else. I get to be somebody else. Writing is one of the few jobs that is completely disability-friendly. It’s perfectly suited for me.”
We’re thrilled to share that starting today, NVIDIA GeForce NOW cloud gaming members in the U.K., the U.S., the European Union and around the world can stream Gears 5, and on May 25 will be able to enjoy fan-favorites Deathloop, Grounded, and Pentiment. This is just the beginning stage of our forward-thinking 10-year partnership with NVIDIA to make PC games from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda available to their GeForce NOW members. Together, we’re accelerating access to players around the globe by letting them choose how and when they game.
The initial slate of launch games spans our catalog, providing players high-quality, immersive titles with a little something for everyone–single player campaigns, story-driven experiences, and opportunities to play with friends and family through multiplayer. Following this initial release, we’ll continue to add more content from our portfolio on a regular basis to ensure players can always find a new and exciting game. News and release dates will be shared via GFN Thursday updates.
Members will be able to stream PC hits from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda purchased through Steam or Epic Games Store (for eligible games) on PC, Mac, SHIELD TV, and Android devices – or by visiting play.geforcenow.com on Chromebook and iOS Safari. Our teams are also working to bring support for games purchased through the Microsoft Store in the coming months.
This is the first in a series of partnerships we’re activating to make our PC games available to players globally through a variety of cloud gaming services, starting with NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and with Boosteroid, Ubitus, EE and Nware in the future. We remain committed to releasing current titles from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda, and future Activision Blizzard PC games once Microsoft’s acquisition closes.
Delivering our content through more partners and cloud gaming services puts players at the center, empowering them to play the games they want, with the people they want, on the devices they want. NVIDIA has been an outstanding partner for team Xbox over the years, and we can’t wait to see their devoted fans discover and play their next favorite PC games from Xbox.
The Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) helps unemployed / underemployed veterans find high-quality careers.
In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the C.O.D.E. Valkyrie Pack is now available and 100% of all net proceeds go directly to the Endowment to help military veterans.
Activision and Infinity Ward answer our questions about the Call of Duty Endowment, how you can support this program, plus a couple of noteworthy features included in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 Season 03 Reloaded update.
I normally don’t discuss my military service, but in the mid-2000’s I deployed to the Middle East, like so many others had before me. After landing in country at the international airport, I sat there on the hot and dusty tarmac with dozens of other service members, waiting for transportation to the base to begin my one-year tour of duty. I continually scanned my surroundings, not knowing what to expect from this place. One thing was for certain, I was a stranger in a strange land. Amidst all the hustle and bustle consistent with any airport, I heard these two service members talking. They looked to be in their early twenties, one had just arrived in theater and the other was preparing to leave. It was obvious they were friends, catching up in the minutes they had until they were once again separated. One commented on this being his third tour in two years, the other said this would also be his third. And then their conversation changed to happier thoughts. The one asked the other about the latest video game releases back home since he had been away for so long, and what the other had been playing. The other responded, “Call of Duty”.
I’ll never forget this moment, these two young kids sitting in the middle of a warzone having already completed a couple tours, and they’re bonding and laughing and sharing stories about Call of Duty. There was something encouraging about this moment that put me at peace, like everything was going to be okay. I didn’t know them or whatever happened to them, but my hope is they both made it home okay and are once again playing Call of Duty together.
Call of Duty has always been an important video game series for me, and not just because they are amazing games with these epic single player campaigns and insanely fun multiplayer modes, but perhaps just as importantly because of their efforts to support military veterans transitioning to the civilian world by helping them find employment opportunities through the Call of Duty Endowmentprogram.
Since 2009, the nonprofit Call of Duty Endowment has helped more than 118,000 veterans find meaningful careers after their military service (that’s a group of vets more than half the size of the US Marine Corps). The Endowment seeks to help U.S. and U.K. veterans find high-quality careers by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market and by raising awareness of the extraordinary value veterans bring to the workplace. For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, please visit www.callofdutyendowment.org
Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director for the Call of Duty Endowment, discussed the program with us, including how it has helped service members since its inception and this year’s activities during Military Appreciation Month. My first question was why this program and why this approach.
“Every veteran needs a job when they return from service. The data shows that if a veteran finds high-quality employment upon re-entry into civilian life, the other challenges they face become much more surmountable,” explains Goldenberg. “A good job means a roof, the ability to raise children in a healthy environment, access to healthcare, social interaction, and, perhaps most importantly, purpose.”
The Call of Duty Endowment ensures success by monitoring results through rigorous quality controls and periodic performance reviews. “We have developed a great, scalable model for finding and funding the highest performing nonprofits that place vets in jobs,” states Goldenberg.“Our model, launched in 2013, is called the Seal of Distinction. In short, it helps us find the needles in the haystack and turn them into spears.”
Military Appreciation Month and C.O.D.E.
Every year, Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty Endowment support Military Appreciation Month through various activations providing gamers the opportunity to proactively support the endowment. Earlier this month, they hosted the Loot for Good campaign culminating in a substantial donation to C.O.D.E.
“Each Military Appreciation Month, the Endowment launches an in-game activation to engage the community in our work. We have been blown away by the response – last year we launched the first-ever in-game charity run – Call of Duty Veterans. This year, we launched Loot for Good and the response from our community was incredible,” says Goldenberg. “The Loot for Good campaign was the first of its kind charity extraction challenge and was a way for players to extract in-game loot and be credited with a real-world cash contribution. We raised $1,000,000, which will help fund the placement of more than 1,600 veterans into high-quality jobs.”
One of the other ways Activision Blizzard offers gamers the opportunity to support this program is through the purchase of special C.O.D.E. packs. This year’s pack is a bit different than previous packs, and Goldenberg discusses how and why.
“This month, we are launching the Call of Duty Endowment Valkyrie Pack, which has the Endowment’s first-ever female operator skin. These content packs have proven highly successful with our community, raising more than $27 million for veteran employment to-date while also raising awareness about the cause,” explains Goldenberg. “We also try to embed the cause with the content. This latest pack highlights female veterans and the major contributions they make every day in our armed forces.”
The Call of Duty Endowment was created after I left the military so I couldn’t use the services it provides, but since then I have reviewed the program so I could assist friends and fellow service members as they prepare to leave the military, and there are some great resources available. I asked Goldenberg if he had any advice for transitioning service members looking for employment.
“Our research shows that veterans who reach out for professional help with resume writing and interview preparation are 2-3 times more likely to land high-quality employment. Veterans should reach out for this help and should never pay for these types of services,” says Goldenberg. “Getting help translating military experience into civilian hiring language is critical to getting hired. The best place to find world-class support is at our website.”
For more information about this program, check out this week’s Official Xbox Podcast with Major Nelson interviewing Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director, Call of Duty Endowment.
In addition to the new Call of Duty Endowment Valkyrie Pack launching on May 17, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 recently launched Season 03 Reloaded on May 10. The latest season includes a new raid and mission; new 6v6 map; new modes, equipment, and ranked play for Warzone 2.0; and much more! Stephanie Snowden, Director of Communications at Infinity Ward, provided us with more details about a few of the features from Season 03 Reloaded.
Step Into the Shoes of the Basketball MVP – Kevin Durant
We’ve witnessed some spectacular operators added to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, but perhaps never one as unique as basketball MVP Kevin Durant. “Kevin is a huge Call of Duty fan, which made scanning and designing his operator and items a ton of fun for us at Infinity Ward,” says Snowden. “While making the operator as realistic as possible is always a priority, it was important for us to be sure the feel of the items matched KD’s swagger both on and off the court. We can’t wait to see players easy money sniping.”
New 6v6 Multiplayer Map – Alboran Hatchery
Maps are one of the most talked about features, especially anytime we are near a new season. There are always lengthy discussions online about fan-favorite maps from previous Call of Duty games and speculation about what map might be added with each new season. But in Season 03 Reloaded, we already know this new map is Alboran Hatchery.
“Alboran Hatchery is set in Galicia, Spain, which was a featured locale in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II campaign in the Recon By Fire mission. The map can be broken down in 4 overall sections: Fishery Warehouse, Containers, Main Entrance, and Storage Building,” explains Snowden. “Prepare for close-quarters action in the Warehouse, while rooftops may offer a vertical advantage. Containers can provide key defensive cover for your team in 6v6 modes.”
For more details about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Season 03 Reloaded, check out the official site and follow @CallofDuty on Twitter.
As a veteran, I’d personally like to thank Activision Blizzard for their tremendous efforts with the Call of Duty Endowment. It’s worth noting the company funds all operating costs for this program and has donated over $38M to the endowment, with 100% of all player contributions going straight to providing employment support to veterans with the goal of finding them high-quality jobs that fully leverage their experience, character, skills, and education. Read more about the program here.
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141.
Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights.
Modern Warfare® II launches with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay.
You also get access to Call of Duty®: Warzone™ 2.0, the all-new Battle Royale experience.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Welcome to Warzone™ 2.0, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features the brand-new map, Al Mazrah.
Turn the Heat Up
Join forces with your friends and jump into a sprawling battleground in the metropolitan area and rural outskirts within the Republic of Adal.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
Introducing DMZ Mode
Drop into the all-new sandbox objective-based mode to choose your own experience within the warzone and collecting gear to keep in your Call of Duty®: Warzone™ 2.0 inventory.
Purchase the Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II Vault Edition and get the Red Team 141 Operator Pack, FJX Cinder Weapon Vault*, 10 hours of 2XP, 10 hours of Weapons 2XP, Battle Pass and 50 Tier Skips** – also usable in Warzone™ 2.0.
An Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required to play the Warzone™ 2.0 game mode. All other online modes still require Xbox Live Gold.
*Weapon Vault design limited to Weapon Vault contents at launch.
**Battle Pass redemption applies to one season of Modern Warfare® II Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Alongside armored knights or Viking raiders, the king’s court endures as one of the most popular public images of the Middle Ages. We all have pictures of a royal throne at the center of a tapestry decorated hall in our mind, with peasants and petitioners seeking justice from a mighty ruler, or bringing gifts to cultivate favor with the royal power.
So, Royal Court is a natural jumping off point for an expansion to Crusader Kings III, our role-playing strategy game about the Medieval world. This expansion puts players in the seat of majesty, dealing with the problems that a king or emperor would face, while leveraging the grandeur of their court for diplomatic and strategic goals.
First of all, it’s important to note that the royal court in Royal Court is aspirational. Only player characters with the rank of king or emperor get to hold court; the court is intended as a kind of reward and distinctive attribute of these higher titles. Lower ranked characters can, however, pay homage to their liege at court.
Second, your court is kind of a superbuff for your character and realm. Beyond the obvious role-playing elements of making decisions whenever a vassal or courtier asks you for a favor, spending money on your court and decorating it with relics and artifacts will convey bonuses on your character, realm or dynasty.
Decorating your Royal Court with artifacts fits into two of the new features in Crusader Kings III for console – Inventory and Inspirations.
Inventory works a lot like a traditional role-playing game. You have your character model, and you can outfit them with weapons, armor, jewelry and so on to make them more impressive or powerful. So how do you get these special items? You find special people, of course.
Inspirations are when you, as the ruler, hire a craftsperson to make something special for you and your castle. It can be a special tapestry, a new weapon, a shiny crown, and so on. Each of these, as said above, can give bonuses to you and your realm. But, sometimes, master crafters will approach you with their own inspiration and ask that you hire them. The more impressive your Royal Court is (better food, better lodging, a better calibre of people), the higher the quality of crafter you will attract. They can make better weapons and better decorations, which can further increase the reputation of your Royal Court.
In many ways, Royal Court accentuates one of the core strengths of Crusader Kings III. Even if you choose to play as a personal story of a specific family, all of the seemingly minor cosmetic decisions – decoration choices, money invested in your court, selecting which relics to put on display – can have repercussions for your realm. It’s like the old nursery rhyme about the horseshoe nail – small things can have big consequences.
A lot of this comes down to the fact that in Crusader Kings III, gold isn’t the only currency that matters. You will need gold, of course. Soldiers cost money, titles cost money, bribes and ransoms cost money. Gold is certainly important.
But gold is, in Royal Court, an investment in other major currencies, like Prestige, or the odds of success in certain activities. Any gold you spend to increase your grandeur will, as your grandeur increases, give your certain advantages. For example, if you have a court with a fashion focus (maybe in Milan), higher grandeur can mean a hefty Prestige bonus. A court that emphasizes good servants can add power to your spymaster’s schemes. You can even reduce the effects of bad food or unlock special actions for your council with enough grandeur.
So, the Royal Court is not simply a fun place to act out little medieval plays. Carefully managed, the court can be the hub of activity from where you plan a long term theme for your dynasty. It can even serve as a center for short-term activity if you redecorate the throne room with artifacts and relics that enhance a specific skill you need right now.
Royal Court is the first major expansion for Crusader Kings III, and we hope you find it a challenging and diverting way to make your royal family the greatest in history.
There is but one true center for power and prestige: a ruler’s court. Step into your own fully immersive throne room with Crusader Kings: Royal Court, and get ready to impress vassals and courtiers with your splendor and treasure on display. Watch visitors pay respect or family members squabble as you pass judgment in royal audiences, establishing the vital link between your people and your realm.
In Crusader Kings: Royal Court, you can commission great works of art from inspired craftspeople. Impress your rivals with the grandeur of your court, or awe them with your noble house’s heirlooms and relics. An enhanced Culture system lets you guide your people to novel cultural understandings as they merge or splinter off, embrace their heritage, learn languages, or acquire new traditions.
A Royal Court on display
● As King or Emperor, watch as your personal throne room comes to life with the vast range of drama and intrigue of your court. Step into a fully 3D realized space, available in one of four major cultural visual styles, and fill it with regalia and majesty.
● Harsh or benevolent, pass judgment on those seeking arbitration. Hold court and watch as your courtiers scheme and vie for your attention.
● Match yourself against your greatest rival with your court’s grandeur. Or fail to impress them and suffer the sad diplomatic consequences of bad taste.
A true treasure
● Show off your exquisitely crafted relics, or focus on your noble house’s history with your family heirlooms. A whole range of new artifacts can be admired in the series’ return of the inventory system.
● Talented craftspeople, from jewelers to weavers, can be employed on special projects, adding even more unique items to your domain.
● Commission special great works of art or win artifacts in battle. Be careful, as they can just as easily be lost in a botched duel or rival’s scheme.
Culture and the people
● A greatly overhauled Culture system lies ready at your fingertips. Major new Cultural Traditions allow you to significantly change the way you play, from choosing the right benefits due to your realm’s terrain to giving your military new bonuses. Determine your heritage through Cultural Pillars or have your subjects learn new languages.
● Create a truly dynamic melting pot through the new Hybridisation feature, mixing and matching the defining traits of your people into a unique cultural fusion. Become a great Bedouin conqueror who merges with freshly subjugated people or follow the adventurous Norse ruler who came to adopt the local Sri Lankan ways.
● Witness your realm’s culture evolve with the new Divergence feature, with the hands of time subtly transform a single cultural strand into smaller sub-cultures. Shape it as you see fit, or sow the seeds of change, and watch as one monolithic culture grows into a collection of many different people.
I am Kostas Zarifis from Rogue Sun and we’re thrilled to announce that our wholesome narrative puzzle adventure, Tin Hearts, launches today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
A powerful tale of love and compromise, Tin Hearts unravels the thought-provoking story of Albert J. Butterworth, a genius inventor of Victorian times, masterfully woven into the fabric of a puzzle-filled world. March through over 50 levels of time-bending, soldier-routing riddles, forge new paths and solve increasingly elaborate puzzles to help your soldiers reach their destination.
In preparation for an emotional journey that promises to warm your heart, just as much as it might break it, here are our top tips to help you to complete the increasingly intricate puzzles!
Clues Are Everywhere!
When taking your first steps into the whimsical and magical toy-filled world of Tin Hearts you will soon find out that clues are everywhere. With various photo frames, hand-written letters hidden and memories to discover throughout each level, it will soon be clear that Tin Hearts is a puzzle and narrative game in equal measure. Seek each of these out, and you will be rewarded with a heartfelt tale!
Solve Puzzles Using Your Imagination
Don’t be afraid to use your imagination to solve each of the increasingly elaborate puzzles. Each new invention has a unique mechanic, introducing new ways to help your soldiers to reach their destination.
From toy drums to bounce your soldiers to safety, cannons to create makeshift bridges, trains to forge new trails to pin wheels and balloon machines to glide across the room you might even find that there are a variety of ways to solve each of the puzzles!
A Relaxed Puzzle Adventure
Tin Hearts is a challenging puzzle adventure – but it is not punishing. Instead, we have aimed to create a relaxing atmosphere, free of severe consequences in the players’ actions. For example, it is possible to reverse time to save your soldiers from an unsettling fate, but most puzzles can be finished without every single soldier reaching the destination, too! At the very least, we hope you will try!
Manipulate the Clock!
As the adventure continues, Tin Hearts will introduce the player to the Cuckoo Clock and Pocket Watch mechanics, unlocking the ability to manipulate time which in turn helps increasingly with the puzzle solving process.
Players will find they can halt time completely to receive a fuller picture of what they need to do, reverse time to change the course of action, or alternatively they can speed up time when the puzzle has been solved!
Push the Chicken!
Finally – be sure to keep an eye out for the hidden miniature toy chickens placed throughout Tin Hearts. Reminiscent of our time on Fable at Lionhead Studios, give the chickens a push for a fun Easter Egg!
We are so proud to be releasing Tin Hearts, we hope that you take your time working through the relaxing puzzles, enjoy the poignant soundtrack, unravel a deeply emotional story spanning generations and dimensions and ultimately enjoy a wholesome game that we have poured our hearts and souls into over the years.
Behind every brilliant invention, hides an incredible story. From members of the team that brought you Fable, comes Tin Hearts – an immersive puzzle adventure game wrapped in a powerful tale of love and compromise.
Guide a troop of mischievous tin soldiers through a magical toy-filled world using a variety of whimsical and inventive contraptions to bounce, shoot and glide them to their goal. March through 50+ levels of time-bending, soldier-routing riddles, forge new paths for your toys to follow, and solve increasingly elaborate puzzles to unravel the emotional, thought-provoking story, of Albert J. Butterworth, a genius inventor of Victorian times.
EMBARK ON A TRAIL OF PUZZLES: Control toy cannons to clear the way ahead, bounce to new heights using trampoline drums and manipulate balloon inflating machines to help the soldiers reach their destination!
UNRAVEL THE STORY: Discover a deeply emotional story spanning generations and dimensions, masterfully woven into the fabric of this puzzle-filled world. Clues are everywhere, seek them out and you will be rewarded with a heartfelt tale, beautifully voiced and animated over three acts.
EXPLORE A MAGICAL WORLD: Feel like a child in a toy store as you immerse yourself in a magical, alternate-timeline Victorian universe full of nostalgic warmth and charm.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION: Unlock powers to control objects in the world, from wooden blocks to drums to toy trains. Link objects in interesting ways as you build paths to the exit for your fearless tin soldiers to follow, and slowly reveal the secrets of their past.
MANIPULATE TIME: Pause, fast-forward and rewind time to change the outcome of your actions and complete increasingly intricate puzzles.
ENJOY THE MEMORABLE SOUNDTRACK: Take your time working through the relaxing puzzles and enjoy the poignant soundtrack, from award-winning composer Matthew Chastney, whose credits include trailers for ‘JOKER’, ‘Chernobyl’, and ‘Bridgerton’.
FROM THE DEVELOPERS OF FABLE: Tin Hearts is brought to life by former members of the exceptionally talented Lionhead Studios development team, responsible for the critically acclaimed Fable series.
May has a plethora of genres and game styles coming your way. You can hit the pitch later today, or soon you can build a railway empire, collect monsters, voyage a magical world, or we can stop here and get right into the games. Let’s dive in!
Available Today
FIFA 23 (Console and PC) EA Play The World’s Game is available today from 10:00AM PDT with PC Game Pass & Ultimate via EA Play. Hit the pitch today, plus claim monthly FIFA 23 member rewards. Experience HyperMotion2 Technology on Xbox Series X|S that delivers even more gameplay realism, the addition of women’s club teams, and more.
Coming Soon
Eastern Exorcist (Console and PC) – May 18 This is a fictitious eastern world with an infestation of vicious demon monsters. Play as a skilled exorcist against chaotic evil to fight your way through the brutal world, and experience unforeseen entanglements of complex beings.
Ghostlore (Console) – May 18 Available now with PC Game Pass and coming soon to Xbox consoles. Ghostlore is an ‘Eastpunk’ Action-RPG where you fight monsters from Southeast-Asian folklore. Inspired by timeless classic ARPG’s such as Diablo 2 and Titan Quest, Ghostlore offers a detailed item and character customization system, procedurally generated maps, and an authentically retro 90’s aesthetic.
Planet of Lana (Console and PC) – May 23 Available on day one with Game Pass: Planet of Lana is coming soon to Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. In this cinematic puzzle adventure, Lana and her companion Mui go on a voyage of discovery that will take them across the strange and magical world they call their home.
Cassette Beasts (Console) – May 25 Recently added to PC Game Pass and making its way to Xbox consoles! Bring your cassette player and get ready to press play! Collect awesome monsters to use during turn-based battles as you adventure into the open-world RPG, Cassette Beasts. Get ready to experience an incredible retro vibe with unique innovations to the genre.
Massive Chalice (Cloud and Console) – May 25 Massive Chalice is a tactical strategy game set on an epic timeline from Double Fine Productions. As the Immortal Ruler of the nation, you’ll take command of its heroes, forge heroic marriages to strengthen your Bloodlines, and battle a mysterious enemy known as the Cadence in a 300 year war.
Railway Empire 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 25 Available on day one with Game Pass: All aboard the express train to riches and fame in Railway Empire 2! Grow your company into the largest railway company of the continent and outsmart your competitors as you connect cities and companies with an ever-expanding network of rail lines, bridges, and tunnels.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Console and PC) – May 30 Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world where you can draw on anything. Use your painting powers to explore new places, solve puzzles, help your friends, and change the world!
DLC / Game Updates
Sea of Thieves: The Hoarder’s Hunt – Available now A new Sea of Thieves Mystery has begun, and there are over 100 real-world prizes to claim! Players must race to unlock a triple-locked chest, but the keys can only be unearthed by following a trail of crazed clues left by the mysterious ‘H’. In-game rewards await all pirates who take part.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Return to Rome – Available today Game Pass members can save 10%! Return of Rome brings the original Age of Empires into Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as a brand new, self-contained experience. Relive the triumph and trials of antiquity with the original sixteen civilizations – plus one brand-new civilization, the Lac Viet.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
FIFA 23 Ultimate Team Pack – Available today Get your EA Play FUT Supercharge Pack, featuring new players for your FIFA 23 Ultimate Team! EA Play members can claim this Pack from May 16 to June 16.
Smite x Vshojo Starter Pack – Available Today Anime VTubers fight the Gods? Vei, Ironmouse, Nyanners, Silvervale, Kson, and Apricot have crashed into Smite as new Skins! Get Six Free Goddesses and start your Smite x VShojo journey today!
Leaving May 31
The following games are leaving the library soon, so there’s no better time to jump back in. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on games available in the Game Pass library!
Europa Universalis (PC)
Evil Genius 2: World Domination (Cloud, Console, and PC)
FIFA 21 (Console and PC) EA Play
Floppy Knights (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Lawn Mowing Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Let us know what you’re jumping into next over at @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass on Twitter, or at least check in to stay up to date on Game Pass news. See you next time!
Soccer Fans: put your cleats on and get ready to hit the pitch – FIFA 23is coming to The Play List tomorrow – May 16!
The most expansive EA Sports FIFA title to date, FIFA 23 hosts the next evolution of HyperMotion2 technology on current-gen platforms, setting the standard in realistic and immersive gameplay. In addition, and for the first time in EA Sports FIFA history, players now have the chance to play as their favorite women’s club team – so get ready to nutmeg opponents and get on the scoreboard with teams from the Barclays Women’s Super League, Division 1 Arkema, National Women’s Soccer League, and UEFA Women’s Championship League.
Take the pitch now in FIFA 23 to earn great monthly rewards, including the FIFA 23 Ultimate Team Supercharge Pack which features FUT content to help take your club to the next level. This month, members can also show their personality on the field with the Overdrive Lightning Head Tattoo, the FUT Hero Iván Córdoba Tifo Set, and more rewards.
Alongside FIFA 23, here are even more member-only content and rewards available now in EA Play:
Battlefield 2042 Dismemberer Weapon Skin – Now to June 1
Apex Legends Luxurious Wheels Weapon Charm – May 16 to June 12
Need for Speed UnboundNissan Fairlady ZG 1971 Epic Custom – Now to June 6
PGA TOUR EA Driver & Utility Club Headcovers – Now to June 7
NHL 23 WOC May Bag – Now to May 31
FIFA 23 Pro Clubs Overdrive Lightning Head Tattoo – Now to June 7
FIFA 23 VOLTA Overdrive Blue Glasses – Now to June 7
FIFA 23 FUT Hero Hero Iván Córdoba Tifo Set – Now to June 7
FIFA 23FUT Season 6 XP Boost – Now to June 7
FIFA 23 FIFA 23 Supercharge Pack – May 16 to June 16
Madden NFL 23 MUT May Pack – Now to June 5
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play at no additional cost with their Game Pass subscription. Members enjoy great player benefits, including in-game challenges and rewards, special member-only content, trials of select brand-new titles, access to a collection of EA’s best-loved series and top titles, and 10% off purchases of Electronic Arts digital content.
EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23 on Xbox Series X|S brings even more of the action and realism of football to the pitch in The World’s Game, with advances in HyperMotion2 Technology driven by twice as much real-world motion capture helping to create more true football animation than ever before in every match.
Play the men’s FIFA World Cup™ now in FIFA 23, with the women’s FIFA World Cup™ coming later as a post-launch update. Plus play as women’s club teams – powered by dedicated HyperMotion2 animation – for the first time ever, and enjoy cross-play features that make it easier to play against friends*.
Enjoy a new way to play and build your dream squad with FUT Moments and a revamped Chemistry system in FIFA Ultimate Team™, or live out your football dreams in Career Mode as you define your personality as a player, or manage as some of football’s most famous names.
In VOLTA FOOTBALL and Pro Clubs, bring more personality to the pitch with new levels of customisation and enhanced street and stadium gameplay. However you play, experience The World’s Game with over 19,000 players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums, and over 30 leagues – including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, new Barclays FA WSL and France D1 Arkema with unrivalled authenticity in FIFA 23.
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
Conditions and restrictions apply. See https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/game-offer-and-disclaimers for details.
*Cross-play enabled in certain modes on same-generation platforms. More info on cross-play at https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/news/pitch-notes-fifa-23-cross-play-deep-dive.
EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23 brings The World’s Game to the pitch, with both men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, the addition of women’s club teams, and new ways to play your favourite modes.
Play the men’s FIFA World Cup™ now in FIFA 23, with the women’s FIFA World Cup™ coming later as a post-launch update. Plus play as women’s club teams for the first time ever, and enjoy cross-play features that make it easier to play against friends*.
Enjoy a new way to play and build your dream squad with FUT Moments and a revamped Chemistry system in FIFA Ultimate Team™, or live out your football dreams in Career Mode as you define your personality as a player, or manage as some of football’s most famous names.
In VOLTA FOOTBALL and Pro Clubs, bring more personality to the pitch with new levels of customisation and enhanced street and stadium gameplay. However you play, experience The World’s Game with over 19,000 players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums, and over 30 leagues – including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, new Barclays FA WSL and France D1 Arkema with unrivalled authenticity in FIFA 23.
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
Conditions and restrictions apply. See https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/game-offer-and-disclaimers for details.
*Cross-play enabled in certain modes on same-generation platforms. More info on cross-play at https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/news/pitch-notes-fifa-23-cross-play-deep-dive.
Return of Rome is a brand new DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that adds content from the first original game
Play with 17 new factions including the brand-new Lac Viet, and battle through three new campaigns in a self-contained expansion
We speak to executive producer on Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Earnest Yuen, to learn moreahead of its May 16 release
Over the last 20 years, Age of Empires II has consistently been viewed as the cornerstone of this great RTS franchise. Praised for its myriad mechanical improvements over the first game, unique units and the addition of gates to stop yourself accidentally imprisoning your on-screen warriors, Age of Empires II ushered in an era almost as unforgettable as the in-game factions we love to roleplay.
But a groundbreaking sequel always has an origin story that started it all, and the first Age of Empires title is by no means being left behind. The latest expansion, Return of Rome, is set to bring integral parts of the game’s original content into Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as its own self-contained offering, plus some brand new additions for fans to get stuck into.
“We are literally taking the Age of Empires gameplay and putting it… inside Age of Empires II.”
Earnest Yuen, executive producer on Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, tells us that the Age of Empires community is wholeheartedly at the forefront of the decision to craft this expansion, which is a nod to Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome, an expansion for the original game.
“It’s a different type of expansion pack that we have never done before,” Yuen explains. “We are literally taking the Age of Empires gameplay and putting it as a game within the game inside Age of Empires II.”
Return Two Rome
Return of Rome includes 16 ancient civilizations featured in the first Age of Empires, one brand new civilization, and three brand new campaigns. It’s not a bolt on for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, but a separate entity that operates with its own original rules and factions not included in the second remake of the game. You’ll be able to switch between the two with ease.
There is one exception to the faction exclusivity – Return of Rome would of course, not be complete without a Roman faction, but interestingly, this expansion introduces two different Roman civilizations to play as. The Roman faction that is playable in this expansion focuses on the earlier periods of history, but the empire being added to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition actually covers a later period in Roman history, and it’s been created from scratch especially for the game.
This period dates back to around 395 C.E, making them contemporaries with the Goths, Celts, Britons, Persians and other factions from the Early Middle Ages. By this point, Rome was – as told by the experts on the Age of Empires team – considered a crumbling shadow of its former glory, unable to pay for its soldiers or fortify its home effectively.
“They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it also didn’t fall in one day either,” Yuen says. “So for those that love history, they can actually feel the differences between the earlier and later Roman factions.”
25 years of Rome in Age of Empires, from 1997, to 2017 to 2023
Yuen, who also served as executive producer on the first Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, tells us that the goal of the game was to recreate the ultimate updated experience of the title from 20 years prior. This included having it run on modern systems with better graphics, while still feeling like the original. However, doing so was quite the learning curve for the team.
“We wanted newcomers to actually see what the game is like, while letting fans experience it all over again, and we learned a lot from it,” Yuen says. “The learning was that while the hardcore fans of the original Age of Empires fans are very happy, it was hard for new players to join. It’s still very old school, and some players are very used to the innovation that has happened in other awesome RTS games over the last two decades.”
It was that inspiration that altered the team’s focus towards building the definitive version of the game that fans remember via subtle quality of life changes, not necessarily the exact original with all of its quirks. It’s now more like a merger of the two titles, optimized for a smoother all-round experience while retaining each game’s unique points.
“When we released the original Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, people remembered the game having gates, factions having formations, but no, it didn’t have any of that, only Age of Empires II had those,” Yuen says. “But now we’re in the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition engine, we’ve been able to add these quality of life tweaks.”
“Instead of rebuilding the definitive edition of the original game as it was, we want to build a definitive edition of the game in your head,” Yuen says. “But at our core, we want to make sure the original Age of Empires fans feel at home.”
The Official D3 Ruleset
The Return of Rome expansion also includes a brand new D3 game mode, an in-game implementation of a long-running unofficial ruleset created by Vietnamese Age of Empires players. The ruleset restricts players to one military unit up until the bronze age, which limits rushing tactics and keeps all parties at an equal level. It also introduces a brand new faction, the Lac Viet, a Southeast Asian faction from the late Neolithic period.
“The Vietnamese fans have been keeping the original Age of Empires alive for the last 25 years,” Yuen tells us. “They still have local tournaments, they stream online, and we wanted to honor that community for keeping the game alive for all of that time.”
The D3 ruleset has long existed as a popular way for Age of Empires players to compete against each other, but it’s very much a handshake agreement with no actual in-game limitations. Now it’s an official mode, players can set up the game with the ruleset so everybody has to follow it no matter what – a much more pleasant and reliable D3 experience for those playing online.
“Ideally, it will spread internationally as well, so the Vietnamese fans can actually play with that ruleset against other people from all around the world,” Yuen says.”
The Lac Viet is a brand new faction for Age of Empires, built to honor the Vietnamese community
There’s a lot here to keep existing Age of Empires fans happy, but this offering isn’t just for those that enjoyed the classic games all those years ago. They’re smooth and modern, and designed to entice newcomers, whether they’re familiar with RTS games or not. Age of Empires is timeless fun for everyone, and now more accessible than it has ever been before.
“The franchise is 25 years old now, which means it’s cross generational,” Yuen says. “We have fans that played as a kid, that are now playing again with their own kids, and it’s fantastic.”
“One way that people describe Age of Empires that really resonates with me is that it’s kind of like real-time chess. That’s how people play it and think about it, and chess is timeless.”
Prepare for battle once more when Age of Empires: Return of Rome launches May 16 on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Return of Rome
Welcome to Return of Rome, a completely new type of expansion pack which brings Age of Empires, the title that started it all, into Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as a brand new self-contained experience. This new expansion will allow you to challenge friends with the original sixteen Age of Empires civilizations — plus one brand-new Return of Rome exclusive civilization, the Lac Viet— and relive the triumph and trials of antiquity. Battle your way across the ancient world with three new campaigns featuring conquerors, empire-builders, and gifted tacticians fighting desperately against fate! As an additional bonus, the Romans will no longer be bound by time as they become a new playable civilization within Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, ready to battle in the new Age.
17 Ancient Civilizations:
• Assyrians
• Babylonians
• Carthaginians
• Choson
• Egyptians
• Greeks
• Hittites
• Macedonians
• Minoans
• Palmyrans
• Persians
• Phoenicians
• Romans
• Shang
• Sumerians
• Yamato
• And 1 entirely new, Return of Rome exclusive: Lac Viet — The ancient civilization of Southeast Asia
PLUS 1 new longtime fan-requested civilization for use in standard Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition:
• Romans — Rise to the throne of an empire dominating the Mediterranean Sea and defend your borders against countless barbarian invasions. The Roman unique units are the Legionary, a sturdy infantry unit, and the Centurion, a heavy cavalry unit that increases the power of nearby Militia-line units. Available in singleplayer and unranked multiplayer games.
New! A Rise of Rome exclusive Game Mode:
Introducing the D3 Game Mode, inspired by a ruleset made popular in Vietnam, is now an official part of the franchise!
3 New, Fully Voiced Campaigns:
Sargon of Akkad — An unlikely man rises to power in the city-states of Mesopotamia: Sargon is a simple cupbearer to the king, but everything changes when the war goddess Ishtar appears in his dreams. Under her guidance, Sargon leads the quarreling Sumerians into a new age, but the appealing nature of power forces him to choose between his divine destiny and his personal ambition. In this campaign, you will play as the Sumerians.
Pyrrhus of Epirus — As the Wars of the Diadochi saw Alexander the Great’s successors throw the Greek world into chaos, Pyrrhus of Epirus began as a small player among titans. Will he become worthy of the legendary Hannibal Barca’s judgment of him – a renowned general of the age – or will his constant uphill struggle prove insurmountable? In this campaign, you will play as the Macedonians.
Trajan — Marcus Ulpius Trajanus climbed the ranks of the legions while the Emperor Domitian’s tyrannical rule tarnished the Roman Empire’s glory. When circumstance elevates him to the throne as Emperor Trajan, he inherits a realm on the brink of disaster. Will resourcefulness, virtue, and military might be enough to save Rome and lead it to its historical zenith, or will the Roman Empire collapse four centuries before its time? In this campaign, you will play as the Romans.
Experience Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Quality of Life improvements to Age of Empires gameplay:
• Gates
• Formations
• Trade carts
• Improved pathfinding
• UI improvements
• Visual improvements
• Spectator mode
• An enhanced AI for computer opponents
• And much more!
