Category: Xbox

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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for February 6 to 10

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

Akka Arrh – February 21

A cascade of words, color, shapes, and sound flows around your turret as you desperately fight off swarms of inbound attackers. This modern take from the developers at Llamasoft combines the intrigue of an incredibly rare Atari arcade prototype with a unique creative vision that delivers a wave shooter that is incredible fun to play.

Atomic Heart – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass

Available on day one with Game Pass! In a mad and sublime utopian world, take part in explosive encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, use your environment and upgrade your equipment to fulfill your mission. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

1860s Kyo is plagued by widespread inequality, and one samurai will change the course of history in his search for justice. Take up the sword of Sakamoto Ryoma and venture to Kyoto to find your father’s killer, clear yourself of a framed murder, and restore your honor. In doing so, you will bring an end to the samurai era and forever change the future of Japan. Draw your blade, load your revolver, and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure that only the creators of Yakuza: Like a Dragon could produce.

Remoteness – February 21
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

New York, 2034. You wake up after what seemed to be a terrible nightmare, but it’s not. After an electrical meteor shower hit Earth, the district has been evacuated and isolated overnight by the army. The only option left is to grab your crossbow to fight, explore, survive, and escape from this hell.

Arcadia Fallen – February 22
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Arcadia Fallen is a roleplaying visual novel where your choices shape the personality of your character. Play the role of a young alchemist apprentice who is unwillingly bound to an illegal spirit. Suddenly drawn into a war between humanity and magic, they must join a group of unlikely heroes to escape their own doom, hopefully saving the world along the way.

Blood Bowl 3 – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Strap on your boots, don your helmet, adjust your shoulder guards and chest plate… and slip a sharpened dagger into your belt (discreetly). Take control of a team from one of 12 factions, each with its own unique characteristics, and hobble the progress of your opponents by positioning your players wisely. Dodge or ruthlessly eliminate those who get in your way and reach the end zone to score decisive touchdowns! The cleverest strategists will obviously have the advantage, but will that be enough?

Catan: Console Edition – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Play the official video game of Catan on console! Acquire resources, master new strategies, and build your settlements across a board that comes to life. Challenge friends in your living room or play against smart and dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian, then take these skills online with full cross-play compatibility.

Midnight is Lost – February 23

Midnight is a witch’s animal helper. More precisely, he’s a cat that has accidentally ended up on a mysterious island and needs your help to get back home. Midnight is Lost gives you a unique and challenging experience that needs to be solved backward so get ready to challenge your brain!

Planet Cube: Edge – February 23
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Planet Cube is being invaded by a mysterious aggressor, and its populace are not ready for a fight. While most cubes run to the nearest exit, one square-headed lab technician named Edge finds it in himself to save the world. Run, gun, jump and dash through an underwater science complex, collecting fire-power to turn the tables on mysterious aggressors.

SimAirport – February 24

You control everything, from the cruise-altitude decisions to the smallest ground-level details. Challenge yourself to create an efficient and profitable international hub in Career Mode or create an artistic masterpiece without credit rating worries in Sandbox Mode. Construct your terminal, hire staff, sign airline contracts, and everything in between.

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The Sword and Fairy franchise may not be that well-known internationally, but it’s regarded in China as one of the most iconic RPG series ever made. Since its launch in 1995, Sword and Fairy has grown to include seven official sequels, more than 10 spin-off titles, and two live-action TV shows.

Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the latest game in this series, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, will arrive with Xbox Game Pass on July 6, 2023, and will support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to bring all your saves and achievements with you across Xbox and Windows PC.

For those new to the series, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a standalone story so there’s no need to catch up with all the older games (although if you’ve played them, you’ll definitely see how far the series has come). From a graphics perspective, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a huge step up from its previous games. Running on Unreal Engine 4, it’s filled to the brim with stunning character models, creatures, environments, and architecture.

At its core, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is about the relationships between humans, deities, and demons. Our story revolves around a young woman name Yue Qingshu, one of the last remaining members of the elusive Mingshu Sect; and Xiu Wu, a deity who has lost a divine sword and must remain in the human world. The two young warriors form a symbiotic bond and must stick together throughout their adventure as they discover new allies and mortal enemies.

Gameplay combat is simplified and fast-faced, especially compared to the last games’ turn-based system. Now in real-time, fighting is smooth and straightforward. You’ll also get to switch between party characters and assign elements to customize and balance the team as you progress.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is a refreshingly stunning Asian title featuring jaw dropping environments and impressive character models. In this beautiful world, you can explore mountains and fields, while fighting epic characters. To top it off, the official soundtrack is just stellar- you might just add it to chill/study playlist!

We look forward to seeing Xbox Game Pass members dive in and experience this epic franchise with Sword and Fairy: Together Forever on July 6, 2023.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever

E-Home Entertainment Development Co., Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆
57

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

Enter a realm that blends ancient mythology with traditional oriental aesthetics in Sword and Fairy: Together Forever, the latest standalone entry in the nearly 27-year-old RPG franchise! Weaving its tale between the three clans of Human, Deity and Demon, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever puts you in command of a memorable party of characters, each with unique personalities, motives, skills, strengths and weaknesses. Only together can they shape the future! Guide them as one in this compelling standalone chapter that serves as a jumping-on point for those new to Sword and Fairy while paying tribute to the series’ grand legacy.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever not only features the most advanced graphics in series history, but it also introduces dynamic real-time combat mechanics with total freedom of movement and fluid, screen-filling skill animations. Switch between playable characters and strategize on the fly! Along the way, you can also meet and care for spirit creatures that will aid in your journey. Discover lush interconnected environments, equip your party with new skills, play mini-games and much more as you explore this beautifully crafted action role-playing epic, including exclusive outfits and weapon skins to further enhance the experience!

Features:

• Fight in real-time and switch between party characters instantly!
• Explore diverse landscapes, towns and more across a vivid mythology-based world.
• Learn and equip new skills as you progress.
• Experience more than 30 hours of story content and optional side quests!
• Capture, tame and feed spirit creatures that aid you in different ways.
• Play card battle mini-games in between intense battles!
• Discover console-exclusive outfits and weapon skins!

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Explore the Mysteries of The Frosted Heights in Disney Dreamlight Valley’s New Update “A Festival of Friendship”
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Happy February, we hope you brought some winter clothing! Temperatures are dropping in Dreamlight Valley but that can only mean one thing – fun! The Disney Dremlight Valley team is happy to announce that “A Festival of Friendship” is now officially live for all platforms, introducing players to a whole new biome –  The Frosted Heights. Plus, launching alongside this new update is the brand-new Centennial Star Path launched in honor of Disney’s 100-year anniversary celebration.

Unlike the rest of Dreamlight Valley, The Frosted Heights remains an almost inhospitable place for you and your Disney and Pixar friends thanks to its frigid temperature and tumultuous blizzard. The ever-wise Merlin, however, believes that the Frosted Heights can be brought back to more mild conditions, but players will have to enlist the help of Olaf, everyone’s favorite snowman, in order to unravel the mystery behind the area’s wintry dilemma.

Meanwhile, players will also discover how the power of family and understanding can help bring another Disney friend back to Dreamlight Valley – Mirabel! The Madrigal family’s most well-known family member, and the Mini-Casita she calls home, was whisked away from Dreamlight Valley at the onset of The Forgetting. Players will need to work with Mirabel and use her skills at resolving family conflicts in order to bring her and the Mini-Casita back to Dreamlight Valley.

Everyone in Dreamlight Valley loves a party and who couldn’t be excited about a party 100 years in the making! For 100 years, Disney has tapped into the spirit of creativity and imagination to delight audiences of all ages around the world. It’s time to celebrate that legacy with the all-new Centennial Star Path! This season features new Dream Styles for both Mickey and Minnie, as well as a range of new furniture, clothing, and motifs!

Cozy up next to the fire or grab a warm blanket for the frigid temperatures and wintry adventure waiting for you in “A Festival of Friendship.” The entire team couldn’t be more thrilled for the launch of this new update, and to continue bringing improvements to the game with our Early Access. We hope you have a great time with Disney Dreamlight Valley’s “A Festival of Friendship” update.

Disney Dreamlight Valley — Ultimate Edition

Gameloft SE

☆☆☆☆☆
1108

★★★★★

$69.99

$55.99

Get it now

This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.

This pack contains:

• Early Access to Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All the exclusive cosmetic items from the Standard and Deluxe Founder’s Packs
o From the Standard Founder’s Pack: 9 decorative items, 3 motifs & 2 wearable items
o From the Deluxe Founder’s Pack: 1 animal companion, 10 decorative items, 3 motifs & 7 wearable items
• 20,000 Moonstones* (in-game currency)
o These Moonstones can be used to activate the premium Star Path**, granting extra rewards for 7 seasons.
• Exclusive Ultimate Regal Fox animal companion
• Exclusive Ultimate Clothing Set (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Ears Headband and Jersey (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Furniture Set (13 decoration items)
• Exclusive Ultimate Wall & Floor Coverings (2 decoration items & 2 color variants)
• Exclusive Ultimate Design Motifs (3 motifs to use in the Touch of Magic tool***)

*Moonstones are an in-game currency that can be collected for free by performing tasks in the game or be purchased using real money. They are used to unlock the premium track of the Star Path (a battle-pass-inspired system that grants in-game cosmetic items as a player completes various tasks and missions). Moonstones can also be used to accelerate progress in the Star Path. Additionally, Moonstones can be used to purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store that will be added later on as part of early access.

**The Star Path is a season-based mission system inspired by the idea of a “Battle Pass” and used to reward players for completing various missions and tasks. The player has a full season to complete a set of duties to receive exclusive cosmetic items (clothing items, companions, furniture sets, etc.). The duration of a season will be determined during early access based on community feedback. The plan for now is to make each season last one month.

***The Touch of Magic is an in-game tool that allows the player to create custom T-shirts, backpacks, Mickey ears headbands, etc. Using a variety of colors, shapes and motifs, players will be able to create an infinite number of combinations and express themselves in unique ways!

For more details on the Founder’s Pack and its contents, please visit https://gameloft.helpshift.com/hc/en/66-disney-dreamlight-valley/

Disney Dreamlight Valley — Deluxe Edition

Gameloft SE

☆☆☆☆☆
717

★★★★★

$49.99

$39.99

Get it now

This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.
This pack contains:

• Early Access to Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All the exclusive cosmetic items from the Standard Founder’s Pack
o 9 decorative items, 3 motifs & 2 wearable items
• 14,500 Moonstones* (in-game currency)
o These Moonstones can be used to activate the premium Star Path**, granting extra rewards for 5 seasons.
• Exclusive Deluxe Celestial Sea Turtle animal companion
• Exclusive Deluxe Clothing Set (5 wearable items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Ears Headband & Jersey (2 wearable items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Furniture Set (8 decoration items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Wall & Floor Coverings (2 decoration items)
• Exclusive Deluxe Design Motifs (3 motifs to use in the Touch of Magic tool***)

*Moonstones are an in-game currency that can be collected for free by performing tasks in the game or be purchased using real money. They are used to unlock the premium track of the Star Path (a battle-pass-inspired system that grants in-game cosmetic items as a player completes various tasks and missions). Moonstones can also be used to accelerate progress in the Star Path. Additionally, Moonstones can be used to purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store that will be added later on as part of early access.

**The Star Path is a season-based mission system inspired by the idea of a “Battle Pass” and used to reward players for completing various missions and tasks. The player has a full season to complete a set of duties to receive exclusive cosmetic items (clothing items, companions, furniture sets, etc.). The duration of a season will be determined during early access based on community feedback. The plan for now is to make each season last one month.

***The Touch of Magic is an in-game tool that allows the player to create custom T-shirts, backpacks, Mickey ears headbands, etc. Using a variety of colors, shapes and motifs, players will be able to create an infinite number of combinations and express themselves in unique ways!

For more details on the Founder’s Pack and its contents, please visit https://gameloft.helpshift.com/hc/en/66-disney-dreamlight-valley/

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Gameloft SE

☆☆☆☆☆
140

★★★★★

$29.99

$23.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

It’s time to make yourself a cup of hot cocoa, grab a cozy blanket, and join the new Festive Star Path!

Welcome to Disney Dreamlight Valley’s early access! Show your love for Disney with exclusive outfits that celebrate the classic Disney Parks themes, along with beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse. This Founder’s Pack grants early access to the game and contains exclusive items.

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game rich with quests, exploration, and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar friends, both old and new.

Once an idyllic land, Dreamlight Valley was a place where Disney and Pixar characters lived in harmony—until the Forgetting. Night Thorns grew across the land and severed the wonderful memories tied to this magical place. With nowhere else to go, the hopeless inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley retreated behind locked doors in the Dream Castle.

Now it’s up to you to discover the stories of this world and bring the magic back to Dreamlight Valley!

Discover the Secrets of Dreamlight Valley
Free the Dream Castle from the insidious grip of the Forgetting, and unlock the unique Realms of well-loved Disney and Pixar characters. Each Realm has its own challenges, with puzzles to solve and friends to bring back to Dreamlight Valley. Free the Dream Castle from the Forgetting’s grasp and unlock the Realms of great queens and kings such as Anna and Simba. Each Realm contains unique challenges with puzzles to solve in the quest to bring friendship back to the Valley.

You’ll start your adventure in the Valley, but your journey will take you to infinity… and beyond! Explore what lurks in the Forest of Valor and brave the deepest caverns as you take on challenges from iconic Disney and Pixar heroes and villains. Who knows who—or what—you might discover.

Forge Friendships with Disney & Pixar Characters
Garden with WALL•E, cook with Remy or kick back and fish with Goofy. What better way to collect, craft, and rebuild the Valley than with a friend! From beautiful princesses to nefarious villains, every Dreamlight Valley resident brings their own story arc, quests, and rewards. Meet up in daily hangouts and make friends with some of your favorite Disney and Pixar characters.

Restore the Valley to Its Former Glory
Free the Valley from the grip of the Forgetting and return Dreamlight Valley to its former greatness by making it your own. In Dreamlight Valley, you can build the perfect neighborhood that is just for you with a fully customizable layout, creative landscaping, and thousands of decorative items.

Will you settle on the Beach next to Moana, or call Buzz Lightyear your next-door neighbor in the Plaza?

Express Your Disney Style
Bring out your inner princess, villain, or Disney bounder! Assemble unique outfits and decorate your home with thousands of fantastic items. Using the Touch of Magic tool, you can even create your own designs using Disney and Pixar decals!

With the in-game Camera, get ready to snap a sunset selfie with Rapunzel, a culinary creation with Remy or simply cherish a moment.

A Game in Constant Evolution
New content means that there’s always something fresh to explore. Meet new characters in the Valley, check out the latest clothing and furniture collections in Scrooge’s Store, and complete challenging in-game events! Be sure to dream your way back to Dreamlight Valley regularly to discover new adventures!

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How do you stand out in such an overcrowded indie market? Such is the question I asked myself when I left my day job eight years ago to go full “solo game dev”.

For me the answer was blending two genres I love but which are diametrically opposed: Point & Click adventure games like Sam & Max, and Beat ‘em up a la Streets of Rage. A real challenge! I have called this new genre “Punch & Click”.

It really makes sense. Facing a door you can’t access? You can use your brain and try to figure out a way to unlock it… or you can simply smash it! No more frustration from non-logical puzzles that plague the Point & Click genre.

After a first “quick” release (the quirky adventure Demetrios), this big project took six years of work to come to fruition. I first released Brok the InvestiGator on PC a few months ago, which proved to be a real success.

Brok is visually inspired by early ’90s cartoons, filled with anthro animal characters, but with deep characters you will care about and an emotional plot. If you might think “TaleSpin” by looking at it, that’s no coincidence. I even got my script edited by Jymn Magon, who co-created popular licenses from the era such as “Ducktales” and “A Goofy Movie”!

That said, this story takes a darker spin. This universe is what I describe as “light cyberpunk”, taking place in a futuristic dystopia where the rich live inside a dome protected from the ambient pollution whereas the poor have to make ends meet outside of it.

Despite great player reviews, I still heard the feedback and improved further on the original release (and the Prologue released on Xbox during the last Summer Fest). In particular I made the combat even more dynamic and studied what happens frame by frame, making sure the gameplay is tight with more predictable enemies.

The adventure parts on consoles use direct control (as opposed to moving a cursor) and I designed the game with controllers in mind from the start.

Brok is a big adventure, spanning 15 to 20 hours on a first playthrough and with replayability through multiple choices having real impact on the outcome (you will want to see all the 11 endings)

Plus I got the chance to work with talented voice actors such as Michael Kovach (“Hazbin Hotel”, “Lackadaisy”) and Bryan Olson (Max from Streets of Rage 4) providing the two main characters lines, for a full voice acting coming at 23,000 lines.

A big fan community has already gathered around Brok the InvestiGator (fanart can be submitted for inclusion within the game extras). After release, I was surprised by the number of players who said they don’t usually play Point & Click games but who really enjoyed it, so I believe this is the perfect game to start with the genre. It comes with built-in hints (through ads to collect in-game) so you can never get permanently stuck, in addition to multiple ways to solve puzzles, and a very user friendly interface.

If you’re interested in this new kind of adventure, make sure to pre-order it now on Xbox with a special 20% discount before the full release on March 1, 2023. And be sure to follow me on Twitter @COWCATGames for updates.

BROK the InvestiGator

COWCAT

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

$19.99

Pre-order

The very first PUNCH & CLICK!

Brok is an innovative adventure mixed with beat ’em up and RPG elements. In a grim world where animals have replaced mankind, what kind of detective will you be?

In a futuristic “light cyberpunk” world where animals have replaced humans, privileged citizens live under a protective dome from the ambient air pollution while others struggle to make a living on the outside.

Brok, a private detective and former boxer, lives with Graff, the son of his deceased wife. Although he could never elucidate her accident, recent events may shed some light on an even more tragic outcome… one that may be linked to their own existence.

Will they be able to withstand the threats of this corrupted world and face their own destiny?

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Football fans can follow up last weekend’s big game with their own moments on the gridiron in Madden NFL 23, now available on The Play List to all EA Play members. Throughout February, members get more game with recurring member-only rewards, including the EA Play Supercharge Pack, which features MUT content to help players dominate on the field. This month, members will also be able to unlock the All Madden February Gear Set, featuring AFC and NFC jerseys and visors.

Alongside Madden NFL 23, here are even more member-only content and rewards available now in EAPlay:

• Battlefield 2042 Biofog Rare Specialist set for Angel – Now to March 1
• Apex Legends Gilded Grenade Weapon Charm – Now to March 13
• NHL 23 WOC 90s Neon Set  – Now to February 28
• FIFA 23 love.fútbol Vintage Kit – Now to February 28
• FIFA 23 FUT Hero Lars Ricken Tifo Set – Now to February 28
• FIFA 23 FUT Season 4 XP Boost – Now to March 17
• FIFA 23 Pro Clubs Hunter Red Headband – Now to March 17
• Madden NFL 23 MUT February Pack – Now to March 6
• Madden NFL 23 The Yard February Gear Set – Now to March 6
• Madden NFL 23 Supercharge Pack – Now to March 9

In addition to these rewards, EA Play members can access a growing library of fan-favorite games, including the next generation of all-out warfare Battlefield 2042 and the all-action, edge-of-your-seat driving experience GRID Legends, as well as limited-time trials of the action-packed Need for Speed Unbound and the new AAA hunting title, WILD HEARTS.

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.

Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.

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Cities: Skylines is the ultimate city-builder that allows players to create and manage the city of their dreams. Today we are proud to release Cities: Skylines Remastered, an enhanced edition for Xbox Series X|S that aims to provide a better optimized and more fun game experience for console players. 

We are thrilled to finally see Cities: Skylines Remastered release on Xbox Series X|S. We want console players to experience Cities: Skylines at its best, and we also want to give back to our supportive and caring community – this project is our love letter to you! 

To start, we focused on delivering something that our console players kept asking us: more tiles. Cities: Skylines Remastered finally offers 25 buildable tiles – 16 more than the ones available on Xbox One. We also added a Quick selection tool, improved the User Experience by adding precision placements and distance indicators, and updated the snapping options. 

We can’t wait for you to try the new environment coloring tool and the environmental controls panel. The latter allows you to adjust the time of day, so take the most beautiful in-game shots at dawn or sunset – your City will look amazing! But that’s not all, you can now manage atmospheric changes, controlling rain and fog as you please. Last but not least, we’re happy to give you the Map editor to create your own maps and use them in-game. 

Thanks to the power of Xbox Series X|S we improved the overall graphics of Cities: Skylines Remastered. We hope you’ll be as amazed as we are to see how beautiful your cities will look now.  

To celebrate this milestone for Cities: Skylines we wanted to go further. So, if you already have Cities: Skylines – or any other DLCs – on your Xbox Series X|S, the Remastered Edition of those same products will be available for you for free. We are working on adding the most recent expansions too, so stay tuned on Xbox for more news! 

Cities: Skylines – Remastered

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

This is ‘Cities: Skylines – Remastered’ for Xbox Series X|S. Purchase of this product also gives you access to ‘Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition’.

Cities: Skylines is an award-winning, best-selling management game, now remastered for Xbox Series X|S with all of its robust city-simulation gameplay and unique charm along for the ride.

Cities: Skylines – Remastered puts you in charge of a growing city, from the ground-breaking of its first streets to the ever-changing needs of thousands of citizens. Design, build, and manage the city of your dreams, from public services to civic policies, and challenge yourself to grow from a simple town to a bustling metropolitan hub.

Introducing an enhanced player experience for Xbox Series X|S players, including:

• 25 buildable tiles!
• Quick selection tool
• UX Improvements (such as precision placements, distance indicator and updated snapping options)
• New environmental controls panel (adjust things like time of day, rain, fog, and environment colouring)
• Map editor
• And an overall graphic performance increase for the bigger city builders!

Cities: Skylines Main Features
Build the city of your dreams: plan road networks, bus lines and parks. Bring on a smog-filled industrial revolution or create a quiet beach town ideal for tourists powered by renewable energy. Bring education, healthcare and safety to your citizens. Build it your way!

• Multi-tiered and challenging simulation
Playing as the mayor of your city, you’ll be faced with balancing essential requirements such as education, water electricity, police, firefighting, healthcare and much more, along with your city’s economy. Citizens within your city react fluidly, keeping you on your toes with ever-evolving demands.

• Extensive local traffic simulation
Managing traffic and the needs of your citizens to work and play will require the use of several interactive transport systems – use careful road planning alongside buses, trains, subways, and much more.

• Districts and policies
Be more than just another city hall official! Create a car-free downtown area, assign free public transport to your waterfront, or ban pets in suburbia. Designate parts of your city as a district in order to set policy at the local level, and give different parts of town their own personalities.

• After Dark expansion included
Watch your city become an entirely different place at night: a day-night cycle will have your citizens seeking out places to unwind after work. Add in new policies and zones to create popular hotspots and provide enough taxis and trains to get to and from the clubs!

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As a tremendous fan of baseball, I was thrilled to see the news that MLB The Show 23 is bringing a new feature to the upcoming game known as “Storylines: The Negro Leagues.” For this first season, many of the league’s greatest stars will be profiled in a new interactive mode in partnership with the Negro League Baseball Museum and their President Bob Kendrick, a national institution dedicated to preserving the rich history of Black baseball and its impact on America.

Because of racist segregation laws at the time, Black Americans were not allowed to play alongside white players or participate in Major League Baseball. To counter that, Rube Foster — an amazing player in his own right and founder of the Chicago American Giants — lead the formation with other Black club owners to create the Negro National League in 1920, giving an avenue for Black people to play organized baseball. The result gave us some of the greatest legends to ever play the game, many of which we as gamers will learn more about in this new Storylines feature for MLB The Show 23.

We had a chance to catch up with Communications and Brand Strategist at San Diego Studio, Ramone Russell and talked about how MLB The Show 23 plans to use an interactive medium to tell this powerful piece of American history, the ways in which it fits within the framework of the game, and what future iterations of this mode may look like in following seasons.

“The Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball and American history, whose iconic figures are not nearly as well-known as other baseball players of the era,” explains Russell. “We plan to use MLB The Show and the interactive medium which is gaming as a gateway; a gateway to expose new generations of baseball fans to these historic figures and their stories of triumph over adversity.”

“Storylines is a new game experience in MLB The Show 23,” continues Russell. “It will lead gamers through a sequential narrative focusing on a single player, watching short informational videos about the player. After which they will play as them in Moments to reflect on important events in that player’s career.”

Obviously, part of what makes this such an incredible journey for these players are the social hardships they endured, overcoming significant adversity in their professional and personal lives. It was refreshing to hear that this ‘gateway’ to the past aims to be very honest in its telling of these players’ history.

“We don’t gloss over the adversity they faced or the ugliness of American segregation during that time,” says Russell. “But MLB The Show is an E-rated game and 100% of the storytelling is done by our narrator, Negro League Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick.”

Founded in 1990, the Negro League Baseball Museum, as described on its official site, is “the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its profound impact on the social advancement of America.” Bob Kendrick, who first began working with the NLBM as a volunteer in the early ‘90s and was later named President in 2011, has been responsible for many of the museum’s educational programs, events, and more.

As part of his role with the museum, Kendrick has been a tremendous advocate for telling the history of the Negro Leagues and sharing stories about many of its legendary players, many of which will be featured in the Season 1 Storylines roster that will include Leroy “Satchel” Paige, Jackie Robinson, Andrew “Rube” Foster, Hilton Smith, Hank Thompson, John Donaldson, Martín Dihigo, and John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil. Having someone like Kendrick front and center will lend a degree of authenticity to this feature that fans of baseball are sure to appreciate.

In addition, as part of this historic partnership with the NLBM, MLB The Show and San Diego Studio are donating $1 to the museum for every MLB The Show 23 Digital Deluxe Edition or The Captain Edition sold in the United States through December 31, 2023.

In talking more about how this partnership came to be, Russell indicated that this has been something the San Diego Studio, which has been developing MLB The Show for nearly two decades, has wanted to do for a very long time — it was just a matter of finding the right partner to tell the story the team envisioned and to do it the right way.

“The Negro Leagues are not only an important part of baseball history; more importantly they are crucial part of American history,” explains Russell. “The inspiration to introduce the Negro Leagues into MLB The Show has always been there, however we never had a good grasp on how to do it and that’s always been the conundrum. The stars aligned and we finally figured out a way to do it the right way.”

Best of all, this is just the beginning of this new Storylines feature for MLB The Show. Next year’s release will feature a new group of Negro League Legends and will profile their unique stories of grit, grace, and triumph in the face of adversity.

“The Storylines feature is a vehicle we created to tell meaningful stories in the baseball universe with a controller in your hand,” says Russell. “The possibilities are endless; however, our focus right now is on the Negro Leagues. It’s going to take us years to properly tell their stories with the respect, dignity, admiration, and appreciation they deserve.

In asking what he hopes people will take away from this new gameplay feature, Russell summed it up succinctly.

“We hope everyone who plays Storylines walks away feeling inspired, educated, and enlightened by these stories,” he says. “Anything past that is a bonus.”

MLB The Show 23 is available for pre-order today for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass on March 28, 2023. We’ll have more exciting news to share soon about MLB The Show 23 here on Xbox Wire, so stay tuned!

MLB® The Show™ 23 Digital Deluxe Edition – Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆
25

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack and four days’ early access to start playing MLB® The Show™ 23 from March 24 2023

This edition includes:
• Four Days Early Access.
• Full game for Xbox Series X|S.
• Full game for Xbox One.
• One Captain’s Choice Pack.
• One TBA Choice Pack.
• One TBA Uniform Choice Pack.
• Five Gold Choice packs.
• 20 The Show packs.
• One Ballplayer pack.
• Double daily login rewards.
• 30K Stubs™.

MLB® The Show™ 23 gets you closer than ever to living your Baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock The Game and Own The Show with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB moments.

Get the next-generation MLB The Show 23 experience when you play on Xbox Series X|S, including the return of Stadium Creator mode, and face your friends with cross-platform play* or continue your progress on other platforms with cross progression**.

MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox Series X|S

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆
25

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack.

This edition includes:
• Full game for Xbox Series X|S
• Full game for Xbox One
• Five The Show Packs.
• 10K Stubs™.

MLB® The Show™ 23 gets you closer than ever to living your Baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock The Game and Own The Show with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB moments.

Get the next-generation MLB The Show 23 experience when you play on Xbox Series X|S, including the return of Stadium Creator mode, and face your friends with cross-platform play* or continue your progress on other platforms with cross progression**.

MLB® The Show™ 23 Xbox One

MLB

☆☆☆☆☆
25

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Pre-order to get the Gold Choice pack.

This edition includes:
• Full game.
• 5K Stubs™.

MLB® The Show™ 23 gets you closer than ever to living your Baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock The Game and Own The Show with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB moments.

Buy the MLB® The Show™ 23 digital version for Xbox One and when ready, upgrade to the MLB® The Show™ 23 digital version for Xbox Series X|S for an additional cost.

Related:
Miami Marlins Star Outfielder, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Will Grace the Cover of MLB The Show 23
MLB The Show 22 Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S (Game Pass)
MLB The Show 22 Deluxe And MVP Editions Are Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S

Courage. Grit. Heroism. If you have these qualities, then you belong on the World of Tanks battlefield. And if you’ve got those qualities in spades, then our latest season, Valiant, is just the opportunity for you to prove it!

The Valiant season starts on February 14 and runs through April 10. It gives you eight weeks to take on challenges, earn points, conquer 100 levels, and claim reward after reward as you go.

Like our previous seasons, Valiant lets you choose one of three paths you can follow to earn your rewards:

The Free Rewards path gives you rewards every few levels and is automatically open to every player.

The Season Pass gives you all the Free Rewards plus additional rewards at every level.

The Ultimate Season Pass gives you everything from the Free Rewards path and the regular Season Pass, plus 25 levels already completed and bonus content that you receive as soon as you purchase it.

You’ll start out on the Free Rewards path, but you can upgrade to a Season Pass or Ultimate Season Pass at any time and get all the rewards you’ve earned up to that point, no matter when you get it. And we think the temptation to upgrade will be hard to ignore!

Get the Season Pass, and you’ll be on your way to earning not one but two new Premium tanks that are making their debut this season: the perfectly named Valiant medium tank for World War II, and the CATTB “Thumper” tank destroyer for Cold War. No matter which game mode you prefer, the Season Pass gives you options.

Want more? Then don’t miss the Ultimate Season Pass, which comes loaded with the newest British bastion, the FV4003 Centurion Mk. 5 AVRE medium tank. This is a powerhouse top-tier (Tier X) vehicle that makes the Ultimate Season Pass an unbelievable deal!

If all this wasn’t enough, Valiant also marks the beginning of Resolutions, a bold, year-long event that rewards our most dedicated tankers for each season they complete throughout 2023. Keep an eye out for more information – this is the year to pursue your tanking legacy.

Valiant was designed to satisfy your hunger for new thrills in your console battles. However, we can’t ignore this game’s history. After all, World of Tanks is celebrating nine years on Xbox this February! To commemorate the occasion, the Valiant season also arrives packed with features that are a salute to our longtime players.

The Garage Swap option lets you choose the look of your garage from several styles that have existed in the game over the past nine years. Whether you prefer the classic hangar or a rugged outdoors scene, the choice is yours as to how you display the powerful tanks under your command.

Similarly, the return of the Classic HUD brings back player-requested features like repositioned enemy target info and a clearly visible base capture status bar to make you more informed and more effective in every match you play.

As you explore these and other updates, keep an eye out for events this season that put you at the center of the game’s own history as well as its historical connections. In store for you are a community event that leads to the return of the classic Swamp map, an in-game Challenge that commemorates the historic Battle of Kasserine Pass, the Mary the Mechanic 3D Commander, vehicle skins inspired by vintage pin-up posters, and so much more.

The legacy of World of Tanks was always rich; we’re just giving you new ways to explore it!

They say that fortune favors the bold. We say that victory favors the valiant. Gear up, Commander: The Valiant season is waiting for you starting February 14!

World of Tanks – Valiant Starter Pack

Wargaming.net

☆☆☆☆☆
190

★★★★★

Get it now

Act boldly and charge toward victory with the FREE Valiant Starter Pack! This DLC bundle is packed with Boosters and Premium Time to increase your earnings as you prove your mettle in the latest season of World of Tanks. Fight with honor—good fortune awaits!

Bundle includes:
• 3 Days of Premium Time
• (5) x2 Silver Boosters
• (5) x3 Vehicle XP Boosters
• (5) x4 Commander XP Boosters

World of Tanks

Wargaming.net

☆☆☆☆☆
1603

★★★★★

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.

Related:
The Dragon Strikes Back with the World of Warships: Legends Lunar New Year Update
Get to the World of Tanks Holiday Event
Delve into a New Story in Neverwinter: Northdark Reaches