Celebrating 10 Years of World of Tanks on Xbox

Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

Summary

We’re celebrating ten years of tanks throughout the whole year.
Enjoy a look at the Year of the Dragon season.
Get a preview of what’s coming this year in World of Tanks Modern Armor.

World of Tanks is hitting the big ten! Since 2014, the game’s been part of the Xbox free-to-play scene, bringing you only the best tank battles on console. It’s safe to say that the game wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for its first release back in the Xbox 360 days.

Wargaming CEO, Victor Kislyi himself reflects on his time at the Microsoft E3 2013 Press Conference. “As I look back, it was incredible to be on stage 10 years ago during the 2013 Microsoft press conference announcing World of Tanks for Xbox. Wargaming was thrilled to bring World of Tanks, the game that has been my life, to a platform with millions of players. We were the vanguard of F2P on console, providing a new way to both play and discover games. This was only possible with the support and belief of our trusted partner, Microsoft, with whom we have continuously achieved significant results. It has been an amazing decade for World of Tanks on Xbox and here is to many more!”

Since then, it was full speed ahead to keep Victor’s vision alive. And Director of Live Operations Valerie MacCracken will vouch that it was quite the ride. “At the time, there weren’t many free-to-play games on Xbox 360… It felt like unchartered territory.” The hard work would eventually pay off. “The game has evolved tremendously since its release, from having only three tank nations to now having a full tech tree across two game modes, a ton of new features, with more coming up this year!”

From the World War II theaters to the high-paced Cold War battlefields, we’ve traveled across history with a roster of tough-as-nails vehicles of all shapes, sizes, and nations.

As a thank-you for ten incredible years of tanking, get ready for a yearlong celebration unlike any other with monthly gifts, special events and sales, and the opportunity to earn two end-of-the-year tanks with the year-long Celebrations event.

American Tier X MBT-B Heavy Tank Image — The American Tier X MBT-B Heavy Tank.

Firstly, enjoy your first gift by logging in on February 13 and unlocking the American Tier X MBT-B Heavy Tank (plus its exclusive Raider Skin) for free, or in discounted bundles. Your discount is based on the number of years you’ve been playing the game.

Leading into our tenth anniversary festivities, our January 30 update brought important updates to the game, particularly to Cold War mode. We’re calibrating the Silver and XP research costs for your Cold War vehicles, so you grind less, collect faster, and enjoy your time on the battlefield even more.

The latest update also brought the new Azure Coast community map, a fresh batch of War Chests, and limited-time Chinese New Year-themed bundles to the game. It also marked the end of the Resolutions event. Commanders who participated in it (by completing seasons throughout 2023) and finished at least five seasons will find the one-of-a-kind T34 Calliope waiting for them in their garage. This unique vehicle is the only World War II tank with rockets, making it a real collector’s item exclusive to console. And if you’ve completed six seasons, you’re getting the tank plus a side of bonus rewards!

And now, let’s dive into the Year of the Dragon season details. As in previous seasons, you have 100 levels where themed rewards are ready to be earned. In this season, inspired by the Chinese zodiac for 2024, there are three reward paths to choose from. All tank commanders automatically start on the Free path, where you can earn rewards every few levels ranging from the reliable Type 59-II Premium tank, the season Medal, a 2D Dragon Commander, Gold, War Chests, and more! Then you have the Season Pass, where you receive rewards at every level (in addition to the Free rewards), more tanks, and the new WZ-1224 premium tank once you complete level 100.

And for your third option, the Ultimate Season Pass will immediately give you everything in the Season and Free pass, plus the new Highlander 116-F3 Premium tank for World War II mode, a themed 3D Hero Commander, and 25 completed levels.

It’s World of Tanks Modern Armor’s anniversary, but it’s you who’s getting the gifts. New affiliations for Cold War mode, a new World War II Tech Tree line, and specials for D-Day’s 80th anniversary, Tankfest, and Halloween are among some of the highlights for 2024.

WZ-1224 tank image — The WZ-1224, unlocked by completing level 100 in the Year of the Dragon Season Pass.

Also, going back to Cold War and researching just for a bit, this February, you’ll be able to start a new Tech Tree line of German light tanks, from the Post-War Era (Era 1) all the way to the Détente Era (Era 3), and tank destroyers, from the Post-War Era (Era 1) to the Escalation Era (Era 2). If you’re new to the game, Cold War mode’s light tanks may look “light” at first, but they pack some serious firepower and are crucial for suppressing and ambushing the enemy thanks to their maneuverability. As for the tank destroyers, their name says it all.

There’s so much to look forward to with the release of Year of the Dragon and World of Tanks Modern Armor’s tenth anniversary’s yearlong celebrations.

Here’s to ten more epic years to come. Keep on tanking!

World of Tanks

Wargaming.net

☆☆☆☆☆
1590

★★★★★

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

World of Tanks is a global online multiplayer free-to-play game dedicated to tank warfare in the mid-20th century. Custom built for Xbox, World of Tanks features realistic vehicles and environments, enabling players to command history’s most powerful tanks and experience combat on Xbox like never before.

Features:
• Strategic, fast-paced 15 vs 15 online action.
• Over 700 authentic tanks to choose from among 12 nations.
• Battle across a variety of environments with varying terrain and weather effects
• Built-in support for Xbox One X pushing the boundaries of graphic fidelity.
• Regular updates offer new content and frequent special events.

The post Celebrating 10 Years of World of Tanks on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Whip it Good! Breaking Down Weapons Included in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition

Summary

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition is available on February 6 at 5pm PT
Complete Edition features all content from the three DLC packs and collaboration DLCs
Three game-changing weapons are available: Cestus, Whip, Long Sword

Wo Long Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition is available for download on February 6, transporting gamers into a dark Three Kingdoms world infested with demons. The Complete Edition comes packed with all of the new weapon types, divine beasts, bosses, story chapters, and end game content included in the three DLC packs plus the collaboration DLCs.

However, it’s the three new weapon types – cestus, long sword, and whip – that really flex the game’s muscles, offering distinct new ways to play the game as you fight for every last breath.

Here’s a breakdown of how to use each new weapon type…

Cestus

Time to beat down demons with your bare hands! Aggressive attacks enable you to quickly combo punches and kicks while also preparing to deflect at any moment due to the speed of animations. Watch out, though, the lack of range can be a problem against certain enemies, so team cestus with Wizardry Spells like fireballs in order to have the best of both worlds.

While cestus is equipped, you can actually increase your Spirit by up to three levels, with each level granting certain positive effects:

Level 1: Increases attack damage dealt to enemies
Level 2: Reduces Martial Arts and Wizardry Spell Spirit consumption
Level 3: Decreases the damage taken from enemy attacks

To top it off, when you are fighting in High Spirits, using Martial Arts, Spirit attacks, or Fatal Strikes will actually grant you a positive effect that increases the amount of Spirit you obtain. When you perform a Spirit attack, the surplus Spirit from your current level will be consumed. You will also lose any Spirit gained from Level 3 if you switch to a weapon other than cestuses.

Master’s Tip: Learn to take advantage of the different levels of Spirit when fighting with cestus. Depending on the enemy, use the different positive effects during battle appropriately.

Long Sword

The long sword is a great weapon thanks to its ability to charge before strikes. That’s right, using this extended blade enables you to actually charge and accumulate energy as you hold down either X or Y to perform normal attacks or Spirit Attacks. The longer you hold the button, the more powerful the charged attack will become, with each button unleashing two phases of strikes. With a longer accumulation period enabling a more powerful attack with different animations and sound cues to help clue you in to whether you’re using a phase 1 or phase 2 attack.

Building up power directly after Spirit attacks, Martial Arts, or successful deflects will shorten the time it takes to accumulate power. In fact, moving while accumulating energy will also allow you to quickly dodge in that direction. It is even possible to deflect enemy attacks at the beginning of the dodge sequence and doing so successfully will instantly boost your energy level to the maximum level. This enables you to launch a powerful counter attack while breaking the enemy’s stance.

Master’s Tip: Learn when to charge your sword with your Spirit attack (Y button) – even during a mid-combo string – so that you can either land a strong blow or move away mid charge to deflect and instantly charge your final attack.

Whip

When first trying out the whip, just know, this weapon has the biggest risk/reward factor of any item in Wo Long. You’ll want to first build up your Spirit Meter as much as you can before taking on the deadlier demons, but once you’re ready to rumble, activate Frenzy mode by pressing Y while guarding. Here’s the reward, as your whip attacks in Frenzy mode, combine the whip with Martial Arts and Wizardry Spells to overwhelm opponents with a series of strikes. This combination of attacks makes the whip one of the best (and most fun) long-range weapons in the game to take out hordes of monsters. You will even deal damage to surrounding enemies upon successfully deflecting an attack.

But here comes the risk. In Frenzy mode, your attacks will be more powerful, but you will not be able to recover Spirit, and each of your attacks will also consume Spirit. Additionally, Frenzy mode will be automatically deactivated when you are staggered, such as when you are inflicted with a status effect or Spirit Disruption, leaving you open to taking on huge damage, or possibly even leading to your demise.

Master’s Tip: When using Frenzy mode, as Spirit gets low, switch over to a different weapon using deflect counterattack (RB + B). This will smoothly transition you to your secondary weapon while also deflecting. And while this will take you out of Frenzy mode, since you are now using another weapon, it will also give you the opportunity to build up Spirit quickly again before switching back to the whip to once again find yourself in a Frenzy.

Think you have what it takes to defeat the demons of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition? Download the game when it launches on February 6.

The post Whip it Good! Breaking Down Weapons Included in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Railbreak’s Free Time Korrisis Update Available Now and Upcoming Tailbreak DLC Expansion on Xbox Series X|S

Hello there, Survivors! I’m Evan Wolbach, co-founder of Dead Drop Studios. Today we’re excited to share more info about the present and future of Railbreak, our mind-meltingly entertaining on-rails shooter, which is currently available on Xbox Series X|S! The new free Time Korrisis content update is available now, our ferocious Tailbreak DLC expansion arrives in October, and new players can save 20% on Railbreak via Deals with Game Pass from February 6th to February 13th.

Railbreak screenshot — Be Quick or Time Will Rapidly Expire

The new features included in the free Time Korrisis update now available for Railbreak add a whole new dimension to the game’s variety! This feature changes the whole experience into a frenzied time attack game. Blast enemies and collect items to restore precious seconds to your timer; now on top of needing to survive, you also need to watch the clock. Running out of time in a mode will cost you a continue, and your rank will be determined by how much extra time you have remaining at the end of a round! This new twist on Railbreak’s ballistic on-rails arcade shooting is sure to provide a new challenge even for players who’ve already exhaustively blasted zombies!

Railbreak new character — Meet a Powerful New Character with the Most Outrageous Load out Yet!

Another major component of Railbreak’s first free content update is the addition of playable character Korrine Joining the nine-character roster, Korrine’s play style is unique compared to the rest of the cast. Korrine’s plasma cannon is a great screen clearing tool, but it costs a lot of ammo to fire. Her glitched sidearm causes all kinds of wild effects with each shot. On top of the grenades that every character possesses, Korrine has a fourth weapon: the Katana. This weapon blasts sword beams that have a chance of dismembering your enemy, but using it also inflicts a Super Glitch; receive Korrine’s Blessing for improved score and damage output, but also be prepared for a significant nerf determined at random. Korrine is the game’s first expert level character, so if you think you’ve seen it all, choose her for a spicy new challenge. On top of the additions we’ve talked about today, Railbreak has also received a graphical boost on Xbox Series X|S and other tweaks to improve the gameplay experience.

Railbreak Tailbreak dinosaurs — Nature’s Most Ferocious Predators Join the Carnage this October

Looking to the future, we recently confirmed that the Tailbreak DLC expansion will arrive for Railbreak this October. If the zombie outbreak was bad, just wait until Cypress Ridge has to contend with fearsome dinosaurs, too! The Tailbreak DLC expansion will include new voiced story content and levels, new modes, and more. We hope you look forward to more ferocious details in the future as we stampede toward launch!

If you haven’t leaped into the arcade madness of Railbreak, now is the best time to yet. With a total of two game types, six exhilarating modes, and nine characters with the free Time Korrisis update, the game has never been so exciting. You can even enjoy a timed game trial on Xbox Series X|S before you commit to buying. The newly announced Tailbreak DLC expansion coming this October also means there’s still plenty of thrilling content to come, so the fun has only just begun. Save 20% via Deals with Game Pass from now until February 13th and show those pesky zombies you mean business today in Railbreak for Xbox Series X|S. It’s a war against the undead….and the clock!

Railbreak

Dead Drop Studios LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
26

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

Free Trial

It’s Saturday night in Cypress Ridge which means the city is in ruins, hordes of flesh eating undead are on the prowl, and you have the arcade all to yourself! Grab your controller, select your survivor, and blast your way to safety as the city burns around you in this on-rails survival horror shooter. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a friend for zombie fodder, er, we mean multiplayer experience!

Railbreak melds a classic on-rails arcade experience with the cutting edge Unreal Engine 5. In this prelude to Outbreak: Shades of Horror, you’ll get an opportunity to see the sights and sounds of Cypress Ridge and get chomped on by a zombie or four! Face the city alone, or bring a friend along with optional 2-player co-op supported across the entire game

Featuring a wide cast of survivors each with their own loadouts and traits, you’ll find plenty of replayability in this absurd take of a survival horror game in a survival horror game. A full story mode experience awaits across six scenarios. Bonus modes include Score Attack, and the endless Onslaught Mode that keeps ratcheting up the difficulty until the undead finally seal your fate.

Crack open your piggy bank, snag a fizzy soda, and take a trip back to the 1990’s arcade.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The post Railbreak’s Free Time Korrisis Update Available Now and Upcoming Tailbreak DLC Expansion on Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Alisa – Developer’s Cut Brings Us to the Dollhouse

Welcome back to the dollhouse. Following last year’s demo featured in the ID@Xbox Demo Fest Showcase, Alisa Developer’s Cut is finally releasing on Xbox One & Series X|S systems. The game aims to be a callback to the golden age of survival horror, all the way down to the native resolutions and pre-rendered backgrounds of the games of old. The newly released launch trailer aims highlights a mix of the game’s narrative as well as gameplay, featuring an introduction to the game’s story as well as the madness waiting for you inside of the dollhouse.

Alisa’s story takes place in a wartime fantasy universe inspired by the mid-late 1920s. You take the role of Alisa; an elite royal agent tasked with chasing a wanted criminal noted for stealing “blueprints”. However, things seem to go wrong immediately – after a surreal nightmarish experience with doll-like creatures, she wakes up in an old Victorian mansion. There she seems to be only surrounded by doll-like beings that lurk the mansion’s grounds – and aren’t exactly friendly either. Why is she there? What secrets does this strange mansion hold?

In-game, you’ll find yourself faced with highly nostalgic, familiar survival horror gameplay. Alisa is at its core a nostalgic throwback to the classics of the genre. The Developer’s Cut version of the game in this release features some modernized features for accessibility however, including multiple controller layouts (allowing the player to select both tank and non-tank control styles), as well as featuring the optional auto-aim toggle found in the old version of the game. It also features multiple save slots, unlike some older survival horror titles. Other than that, however, the game is a survival-horror classic down to its bones (or, pinwheels rather) – including limited currency-based saving, prerendered backgrounds, and even native 480p (upscaled to modern standards of course).

Despite taking place in a dollhouse, you’ll find yourself trekking through tons of distinct and zany environments. The game revels in variety and off-kilter humor, with tons of bizarre and surreal environments and enemies for you to overcome. The mysterious mansion is sectioned off into various different distinct areas, some of which include sprawling gardens and bathhouses, and others which are zany and otherworldly like the funhouse. Each area is filled with a sundry assortment of wicked enemies; these can range from zombie-like humanoid dolls to giant ballerinas to disembodied gigantic baby doll heads to strangely proportioned clowns – among others!

Lastly, Alisa features a full array of unique weapons and customizable outfits. Each weapon has a unique combat style and traits. Weapons can include the default sword and then an array of different guns – and possibly other weapons. You can both unlock as well as use your hard-earned pinwheels (the currency of the mansion) to purchase these weapons, outfits, and other items at the puppet shop in the various saferooms in the mansion. Just keep in mind you have limited inventory – so you’ll have to strategize what you take along with you as you venture deeper and deeper into the mansion’s depths.

Developed by Casper Croes and ported to Xbox and published by Top Hat Studios, Alisa Developer’s Cut is out now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, with a 15% launch discount until February 20th.

Alisa Developer’s Cut

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$17.99

$15.29

Get it now

Elite Royal Agent Alisa – hot on the heels of a notorious thief in a fantastical world somewhat reminiscent of the 1920s – finds herself suddenly whisked away to an old, bizarre, Victorian-style mansion. Now trapped in a world up-side down, Alisa must find a way to escape – all the while being haunted by the mansion’s strange, mechanized doll-like inhabitants. Can you survive the dollhouse… and escape with your humanity?

The post Alisa – Developer’s Cut Brings Us to the Dollhouse appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Madden NFL 24, Tales of Arise, PlateUp!, and More

Category: Games

February 6, 2024

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Madden NFL 24, Tales of Arise, PlateUp!, and More

Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

Hi, your local game slinger here, back to add more to your “to be played” collection! Maybe you want to simulate some football before the big game; simulate running from horrors, or simulate moving things a little to the left without having to actually organize your things… we have some games for you. Claim your Perks, check out some updates, and get ready to pre-install some games!

Available Today

Anuchard (Cloud, Console, and PC)
The kingdom of Anuchard has fallen. Generations after the collapse, its surviving descendants have chosen you to become The Bellwielder of the magical Audros Bell. Go forth, battle monsters, solve puzzles, and restore Anuchard to its former skyward glory!

Coming Soon

Train Sim World 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 7
Hit high speeds, roam free along the tracks and get creative with a host of new tools and features in Train Sim World 4. Design your own liveries, plan Scenarios and capture railfan shots with the new Photo Mode across three detailed routes in the UK, Austria and USA.

Madden NFL 24 (Console and PC) – February 8

Get ready to light it up in Madden NFL 24 with EA Play. PC Game Pass or Ultimate members can start your season on February 8, 2024, when it joins The Play List, and from then until March 8, you’ll also score an Ultimate Team Supercharge Pack.

Resident Evil 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 13

Jill Valentine is one of the last remaining people in Raccoon City to witness the atrocities Umbrella performed. To stop her, Umbrella unleashes their ultimate secret weapon; Nemesis! Playing as Jill, you must navigate through the chaotic, zombie infested streets of Raccoon City, stunningly re-built using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine. Solve puzzles, encounter other gruesome creatures and try to escape the relentless Nemesis in this reimagining of the 1999 classic!

A Little To The Left (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 14
A cozy puzzle game where every day messes become pleasing puzzle arrangements. Stack documents, sort postcards, and solve all kinds of puzzles across over 100 levels. But watch out for a playful cat who might stop by to swipe away all your hard work!

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 14
Returning to the Game Pass library, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG packing all the best features you’ve come to know and love from the metroidvania genre into a single, content-packed game.

PlateUp! (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 15

Classic cooking action with permanent roguelite progression. Cook and serve your dishes, design and decorate your restaurants, and expand your culinary kingdom with unlocks, abilities and dishes in procedurally-generated layouts. Take on the challenge solo or hire up to 3 friends.

Return to Grace (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 20
A daring space archaeologist has just unearthed the ancient resting place of a long lost A.I. god known as Grace. Adventure with various fractured A.I. personalities as you uncover the great mystery of why she was shut down all those years ago in this first-person narrative adventure set in a visually stunning ‘60s retro sci-fi world.

ICYMI

MLB The Show 24 is Coming to Game Pass

Coming to Game Pass on day one, MLB The Show 24 announced Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr will be the cover athlete of the Standard Edition. The Deluxe Editions will pay tribute to the legends of Negro Leagues –– Xbox Game Pass members can upgrade with the Digital Deluxe Add-On to get bonus items and play 4 days early. Learn more here.

DLC / Game Updates

Sea of Thieves: Season 11 – Available now
New adventures are at your fingertips! Discover your next Voyage directly at your Quest Table, or choose a challenge that suits you and dive straight into the action. Gather fresh plunder for the Trading Companies as you rise to level 100 and beyond, earning new Distinctions and rich rewards.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Mighty Doom: Cacodemon Mini Slayer Cosmetic – Available now
Wear this Cacodemon cosmetic on your Mini Slayer to show those demons you mean business! Comes with an Xbox cosmetic for the BFG, Cacodemon cosmetic for the Heavy Cannon and more. Download Mighty Doom on mobile, and log into the game with your associated Microsoft account to claim your Perk. You will need to play through the tutorial at first launch.

F1 23: Champions Upgrade – Available now
Get the Champions Upgrade including 4 New My Team Racing Icons and more with your EA Play membership included with Game Pass Ultimate.

The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure Pack – Available now
Help celebrate The Sims 4’s 24th birthday with us! As a gift to you, enjoy the Jungle Adventure Game Pack with your EA Play membership included with Game Pass Ultimate.

Smite: Year 11 Starter Pack – Available now

Celebrate Year 11 of Smite in style! The Year 11 Starter Pack includes Anubis and his Voice Pack, as well as two skins for Anubis, Gravehound and Cosmic Power, and a 3 Day Account Booster.

Leaving February 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, so make sure to jump back in and take care of remaining Achievements before they leave. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% to keep them in your library.

Galactic Civilizations III (PC)
Opus: Echo of Starsong (Cloud, Console, and PC)

For more updates, stay tuned here on Xbox Wire or keep an eye on our socials over at @Xbox on WhatsApp, @XboxGamePassPC on X, or @XboxGamePass on Instagram. Catch you next time!

The post Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Madden NFL 24, Tales of Arise, PlateUp!, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2402.240201-2000)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Beta 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_2402ZN25398.3474.240201-2000
Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 5, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 6, 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:

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

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

We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
- Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
  - When did the issue start?
  - Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
  - Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
  - Does rebooting resolve the issue?
  - What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
  - And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Game Card

Some users are reporting an unexpected black screen when opening the game card or selecting “Show in Microsoft Store” after it has opened, and we are investigating.

Games

We are investigating user reports of some titles experiencing unexpected display or graphical issues.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected 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 for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide. Learn more 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 – Beta (2402.240201-2000) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Minecraft Education Launches Good Game Ahead of Safer Internet Day

Every day, online games are a way for young people to connect with others. They’re engaging, creative spaces where players interact and build community. At Xbox, we strive for every player to have an inclusive, welcoming experience — and an important step in that is creating environments where players feel safe. Together, we can foster thriving digital communities.

Online environments have their own unique challenges compared with real-world scenarios, and they require different digital skills, especially for our youngest players. Ahead of Safer Internet Day, Minecraft Education has created a new addition to the CyberSafe collection of immersive Minecraft worlds designed to help young people stay safe, happy, and thriving online.

CyberSafe: Good Game is a fun, story-based adventure that helps players understand the responsibilities, tools, responses, and strategies that enable healthy online interactions, collaboration, and rewarding digital experiences, whether those are part of multiplayer gaming or other online activities.

Minecraft Education users can find CyberSafe: Good Game in the in-game lesson library. The world is also available for free for Minecraft Bedrock players in the Minecraft Marketplace.

An Adventure Through Online Gaming

CyberSafe: Good Game takes place just before summer break, as a group of friends discusses how to level up in their favorite game together. Unfortunately, one of their friends can’t play because they broke their controller after a series of frustrating encounters with online bullies.

To help their friend, players create a Good Game Guide. This guidebook will provide helpful strategies for managing challenging online situations in support of a safer, more enjoyable gaming experience.

In CyberSafe: Good Game, players encounter common problems they might experience in online spaces, including online bullies sabotaging their success, excessive distractions from the in-game chat, inappropriate screen names and language, and more. In each scenario, they’ll have the chance to use the right tools to address the issue. Players can choose to ignore, correct, mute, or report a behavior.

After each challenge, players will reflect on what they’ve experienced and add an entry into their Good Game Guide. At the end of the adventure, they’ll be able to use this guidebook as a code of conduct for their future online gaming experiences.

Building a Better Online Community for Everyone

CyberSafe: Good Game emphasizes responsibility and treating others with respect, kindness, and consideration when online. The game’s challenge-based framework allows players to apply effective tools and strategies to the gaming space, giving them opportunities to practice appropriate responses, normalizing their use, and fostering empathy and responsible digital behavior.

“Good Game is the latest learning adventure in the CyberSafe series where players are given the tools to be agents on their safety journey. In a world that deeply needs more collaboration and dialogue, what could be more important than sparking a cultural shift to foster healthy and respectful communities,” says Carlos Figueiredo, Director of Player Safety on Minecraft.

As the world becomes more infused with technology, it’s critical that young people learn to look at digital spaces as forums they can use to make the world better.

Research shows the role that parents and educators can take to help young people navigate the online world. Microsoft’s annual Global Online Safety Survey found that 87 percent of children surveyed reported talking to their parent about an online risk. That means young people often trust their parents for support on these issues, and speaking with parents, caregivers or trusted adults is an important part of creating safer online habits.

These conversations aren’t always easy, but there are some powerful strategies parents can keep in mind. A report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology shares some key findings:

Start the conversation early.
Discussions about digital citizenship can start as soon as young people begin using technology. By the time they’re in elementary school, children often already know about security, privacy, and online risks, and they’re eager to learn how to stay safe.
Talk it out to help young people navigate online spaces.
Parents might hesitate to bring up online privacy and security because they don’t feel like they know enough. But when children talk to their parents, they become more knowledgeable, even if the conversations aren’t highly technical—just topics like online activities and making good choices.
Understand how young people see the digital world.
Children tend to see online privacy and security as within their control, and they understand that different risks come with different situations. On the other hand, parents tend to see most online activities as risky, so they often enforce restrictions instead of discussing positive behaviors and outcomes.

If you’re looking for more resources and tips for family gaming, visit xbox.com/family. You can learn more about what Xbox offers for families, including information about privacy and access to privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app, and our Community Standards. Finally, explore the Family Online Safety Toolkit to find further guidance and support for safe, fun, and healthy digital communities.

The post Minecraft Education Launches Good Game Ahead of Safer Internet Day appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – Meet Lost Ghosts and Determine Their Fate in Haunting Cases

Hi everyone, we are Elise Galmard, Lead Narrative Designer, and Simon Svoboda, Lead Level Designer at Don’t Nod. We’re a part of the team bringing you Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, a supernatural tale of two lovers and ancient secrets.

In this supernatural Action-RPG, play as two ghost hunters and lovers who face impossible choices that harbor dramatic consequences for the living… and the dead.

From February 13, you’ll get the chance to sift through the shadows of the past in New Eden, but before then we’d love to give you a glimpse into the world. Today we’re talking all about haunting cases, a common form of quest you’ll encounter in Banishers.

Behind The Veil

Our game universe is set in the world of the 17^th century as we know it, with one major difference: the world is plagued with curses and ghost hauntings.

During a Haunting Case, you will find ghosts that are still attached to the world of the living, which you as a Banisher, will be asked to investigate and solve. Haunting Cases serve as side quests in our game.

A ghost is the lingering spirit of a dead person, holding onto some of their memories and feelings. Bound to the Incarnate world (the world of the living) by unresolved emotion that takes the form of an item called the Soul-tie, a ghost is also attached to one or more living beings, forever linked and wandering until you set them free. You must discover the truth behind each lingering ghost and why they’re here.

With time, all ghosts will decay and turn into specters: entities reduced to their base primal emotion, and with no memory or personality. This dilution of their humanity – also called paling – can be resisted if they feed from the surrounding life force. Indeed, the only way for a ghost to sustain themselves in the Incarnate is to feed on the essence of the living to keep their hold and grow stronger. That is the main reason as to why Banishers dispatch the dead: to protect the life force of the living, and to keep ghosts from paling into terrible, forever hungry spirits.

In the game you’ll encounter characters with deep secrets and concealed truth. For instance, you’ll uncover the story of an anxious wife awaiting her husband’s return, only to later realize that she had taken his life to escape an abusive marriage. As Banishers, a crucial choice awaits. Wil you blame her, seeking retribution for murder? Or will you banish the soul of her departed, abusive and revengeful husband?

Reveal The Unsaid and Bring Closure

To bring Closure, a Banisher needs to investigate and gather Hints on all people and ghosts involved in the case to understand everyone’s Intent.

In the case’s final moments, the Banishers will be presented with a choice to solve the situation. Three different solutions are available: releasing, banishing, or blaming the people and spirit involved. Ascending the departed souls allow them to find peace, whereas banishing lead them to infinite torment in a realm where souls wander without finding any solace. Blaming on the other hand, is a darker path where that involves a sacrifice: taking the life of the living to feed Antea with their soul.

Each decision that you take during the game will have a consequence on the remaining settlers. Each choice will have an impact and lead to different outcomes, especially for Red and Antea.

In Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, you’ll fall into a powerful and intimate narrative. We have put a lot of ourselves in each of the stories and narrative branches. We can’t wait for you to discover the game on Xbox Series X|S on February 13!

The post Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – Meet Lost Ghosts and Determine Their Fate in Haunting Cases appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2402.240131-2000)

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_2402ZN25398.3471.240131-2000
Available: 2 p.m. PT – February 2, 2024
Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – February 3, 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:

Profile

Fixes to address an issue where users were unable to ‘Like’ posts in the recent activity section on the welcome page when viewing the full profile.
Fixes to improve navigation of recent activity with a keyboard.

Rewards

Fixed an issue where the Rewards catalog was difficult to read when using Light Theme.

System

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

We have received reports of users experiencing intermittent issues with audio across the dashboard, games, and apps. If you have experienced issues, be sure you have the latest firmware updates for your TV and other equipment. If you’re unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.
- Note: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware updates, please submit feedback via Report a Problem immediately with the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”. Be sure to include as much information as possible:
  - When did the issue start?
  - Did you lose audio just in the game/app or system audio as well?
  - Does changing the audio format resolve the issue? If yes, what was the format before and after?
  - Does rebooting resolve the issue?
  - What does your setup include? Equipment, layout, etc.
  - And any additional information you can provide to reproduce the problem.

Game Card

Some users are reporting an unexpected black screen when opening the game card or selecting “Show in Microsoft Store” after it has opened, and we are investigating.

Games

We are investigating user reports of some titles experiencing unexpected display or graphical issues.

Networking

We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to their network as expected 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 for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide. Learn more 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 (2402.240131-2000) appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Xbox Anime Month Returns with Great Discounts on Games and Movies

Category: Games

Xbox Anime Month Returns with Great Discounts on Games and Movies

Summary

More than 90 games and movies are discounted during Xbox Anime Month.
Experience new anime-inspired games on Game Pass like Persona 3 Reloaded.
Enjoy special Free Play Days events featuring One Piece Odyssey, Code Vein, and more.

Whether you’re into hanging out with Naruto, catching up on some of your favorite anime series, or just love to throw down in some of your favorite games, Xbox Anime Month is coming soon and will be running all through the month of February with awesome discounts across movies, games, and more! Grab these savings on the Xbox Store for a limited time as we celebrate all things anime across new Game Pass releases, new game launches (we see you Persona 3 Reloaded), and Free Play Days.

Save Big on Select Anime-Inspired Games on Console and PC

During Anime Month, play through awesome adventures with two amazing limited-time sales! The first collection will be available until February 14, followed by a second collection running through February 29. Both feature new titles and feature classic anime worlds from the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle, and One Piece World Seeker.

For PC gamers we have two collections: One is full of anime-inspired PC games and the other related to games available with PC Game Pass, including Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Persona 5 Tactica, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, and more. Many of these games support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning your saved progress is shared between console and PC.

Experience Two Epic Anime Game Launches

Persona 3 Reload (Cloud, Console, and PC): If I told you there was an hour “hidden” between one day and the next…would you believe me? Walk the delicate line between life and death and unravel the mysteries of the Dark Hour in Persona 3 Reload, a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era. Learn how Atlus has reimagined this classic game in this in-depth preview on Persona 3 Reloaded here on Xbox Wire.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash: Experience the highly acclaimed series from Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, “Jujutsu Kaisenjutsu Kaisen,” for the first time on console. Play iconic characters from the series and relive the story of the anime with 2 VS. 2 3D battles! You can learn more about how this new game is based on the beloved source material in this exclusive feature on Xbox Wire.

Get up to 80% off on Microsoft Movies & TV

Find your new favorite anime movies and TV series, or catch up on the ones you already love, in our massive Microsoft Movies & TV Anime sale. Our collections feature favorites such as “Bleach: The Complete Series,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Sailor Moon,” and more.

Explore more with Xbox Game Pass

Dive into collections of anime-inspired games available with Game Pass on Console and PC. Game Pass Ultimate members also get special discounts on movies and TV shows throughout the month and Season 1 of “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” as a Perk from February 7 to March 7, 2024. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in the U.S. on Console and PC can find this specific Perk within the Game Pass Gallery.

Game Pass members can also check out the anime-inspired fighting game, Guilty Gear – Strive-. The latest entry in the critically acclaimed Guilty Gear fighting game franchise, Guilty Gear -Strive- upholds the series’ reputation for groundbreaking hybrid 2D/3D cell-shaded graphics and intense, rewarding gameplay with a fully voiced story mode diving deep into the Guilty Gear universe.

Free Play Days

Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can try the below games for free during Free Play Days:

One Piece Odyssey: February 2 – February 4, 2024
Code Vein: February 8 – February 11, 2024

More details can be found by navigating to the Free Play Days section from your home Xbox console by following these steps:

Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Select Store > Home > Subscriptions.
Scroll down to Free Play Days to explore what’s currently available.

Make sure you take advantage of these savings on the Xbox Store for a limited time while you can! Xbox Anime Month will be running through February 2024 with awesome discounts on movies, games, and more!

The post Xbox Anime Month Returns with Great Discounts on Games and Movies appeared first on Xbox Wire.