Age Verification in the UK and Xbox’s Ongoing Commitment to Player Safety

Age Verification in the UK and Xbox’s Ongoing Commitment to Player Safety

Xbox Logo Hero

At Xbox, we’re committed to providing players with a safe and secure experience on our platform. Since launching our first ever gaming console that could connect players online in 2005, we’ve continued to invest in state-of-the-art tools and technologies to protect the Xbox community. Over more than two decades of experience, we’ve developed a multifaceted safety, privacy, and security approach that features built-in safety measures, respects player privacy, and empowers players, parents, and caregivers to have control over their gaming experiences.

We frequently iterate on these safety measures in collaboration with our community, publishing partners, and industry regulators to ensure we’re providing our players with the safest possible experience. Beginning today, as part of our compliance program for the UK Online Safety Act and our ongoing investments in tools and technologies that help ensure age-appropriate experiences, players who indicate their account age as 18 and over, based in the UK, and signing into an Xbox experience with a Microsoft account will begin seeing notifications encouraging them to verify their age. This one-time process for players in the UK ensures we can continue to provide all players on our platform with age-appropriate experiences.

Starting early next year, age verification will be required for these players in the UK to retain full access to social features on Xbox, such as voice or text communication and game invites. Players who don’t verify their age between now and early 2026 can continue to play and enjoy Xbox. However, starting early next year, their use of social features on Xbox will become limited to friends only until they complete the age verification process. Whether a player verifies their age will not affect any previous purchases, entitlements, gameplay history, achievements, or the ability to play and purchase games, however we encourage players to verify their age via this one-time process now to avoid uninterrupted use of social features on Xbox in the future.

QR code for age verification process in the UK

Adults in the UK can begin the age verification process now on their mobile device by scanning the QR code to then left, or by clicking this link: https://aka.ms/XboxUKAgeVerification

Players who prefer to verify via web can begin the process by signing into their Microsoft account at https://aka.ms/XboxUKAgeVerification.

There are several easy and secure methods for age verification that players can choose from, including proof of government-issued ID, age estimation, mobile provider check, and credit card check. The information players provide during the age verification process is protected with industry-standard encryption and is not stored or used for any other purpose. Additional information about the age verification process, including step-by-step instructions, the options players have for verifying their age, and how player data is kept private and secure, is available at aka.ms/XboxUKAgeSupport.

The Future of Safety at Xbox Globally

As this age verification process rolls out across the UK, we’ll continue to evaluate how we can keep players around the world safe and learn from the UK process. We expect to roll out age verification processes to more regions in the future. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to player safety, so these methods may look different across regions and experiences. We’ll work with local communities, publishing partners and regulators to determine the right approach that both respects player privacy and doesn’t take away from the Xbox gameplay experience. We’ll continue to communicate the changes we’re making to our practices and the data we collect so we can better protect players on our platform.

Additional Resources

We encourage parents and caregivers of children or teens who use an Xbox console to set up child or teen accounts, which do not require age verification and allow them to manage gaming activities like screentime, spending limits, privacy and content settings, and more using the Xbox Family Settings app. You can learn more at www.xbox.com/en-US/family-hub or check out the Xbox Gaming Safety Toolkit to read more about how caregivers can support safer gaming.

For more information on Microsoft privacy, safety, and responsible gaming, please see the below list of resources:

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Xbox July Update: More Ways to Play on PC – Stream Your Own Games via the Xbox PC App and More

Xbox July Update: More Ways to Play on PC – Stream Your Own Games via the Xbox PC App and More

Xbox July Update Hero

At Xbox, we’re always working to make your experience more meaningful, flexible and fun – wherever and however you choose to play. This month, we’re introducing new features in the Xbox PC app that bring that vision to life, giving you more ways to stay connected to your games and your progress.

These updates are part of a broader effort to make the Xbox experience on PC even better and bring more of what players love about Xbox into more places. Whether you’re streaming your own games, jumping back into the cloud, or earning rewards just for playing, it’s all about giving you more control, more flexibility, and more reasons to play your way.

Here’s what’s new:

PC Gaming Updates

Stream your own games on PC

Earlier this year, we rolled out the ability for Game Pass Ultimate members to stream their own games on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, TVs, Meta Quest Headsets as well as other browser supported devices like PCs, smartphones and tablets. We are now bringing that same flexibility to the Xbox PC app!

Starting today, Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to stream over 250 select games they own beyond the Game Pass catalog with the Xbox PC app, in the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is supported, including recently added game titles such as Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Mafia: Definitive Edition, The Callisto Protocol, and more.

With this feature (Stream your own game), players can save time, conserve hard drive space, and have greater flexibility in accessing their gaming library. Even better, this update includes console-only games that previously couldn’t be played with the Xbox PC app.

Just head to the Cloud Gaming section on the Xbox PC app, look for the Stream your own game list, choose a supported title you own, and start playing instantly. Learn more here.

Cross-Device Play History and Easier Access to Your Cloud-Playable Console Games on PC

In addition to being able to stream games you own on the Xbox PC app, we want to make playing Xbox games easier than ever across the Xbox platform. Xbox Insiders that are Game Pass Ultimate members have access to all cloud-playable games in their Xbox PC app library, including console-only games from the original Xbox through the Series X|S. Games that are either owned or available through Game Pass will all be in one place, so players can choose what and how they play. Also, Insiders can now preview their play history across devices, including on console and the Xbox PC app, displaying recently played games so players can pick up where they left off.

Explore these new capabilities on the Home page on console or on the Xbox PC app by going to “My Library” and jump back into gaming. Learn more details in the Xbox Insiders announcement post.

Rewards with Xbox – Get rewarded for playing games on the Xbox PC app

Keeping tabs on your weekly point bonuses just got easier! The Xbox PC app now includes a new feature that shows your progress toward rewards earned while you play.

This new feature is rolling out now in select markets for players ages 18 and older with a Microsoft account. Keep in mind that points must be claimed to be added to your Rewards points balance and that terms apply. To get started, open the Xbox PC app and check out the channel on the Home page. Start playing, track your progress, and rack up those points! Learn more about rewards with Xbox here. 

In Case You Missed It

The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition

Meta Quest Asset

We launched the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition on June 24, a headset fully equipped with everything players need to start playing with Xbox on a massive virtual display, right out of the box. It marks a celebration of Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Quest, with its unique colorway and in-box accessories, but anyone with anin-market Quest, strong internet connection, and Xbox wireless controller (sold separately) can play Xbox games on a massive virtual screen.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Check availability for the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition online through the Best Buy (USA), Argos (UK), and EE (UK) websites.

This limited-edition bundle was also featured in a Supersized Livestream with the AMP crew, including Kai Cenat, that aired on July 1st. Watch the replay here

Accessible Games Initiative

We launched Accessible Games Initiative tags across Xbox platforms, just in time for Disability Pride Month. Accessible Games Initiative tags are a standardized, cross-industry system for labeling accessibility features in video games, helping players quickly identify whether a game supports their specific accessibility needs.

Look out for Accessible Games Initiative tags marking specific accessibility features, like “Narrated Menus” or “Large & clear subtitles,” across console, PC, and mobile storefronts. They’re now visible across multiple customer-facing surfaces in the Xbox ecosystem, including on Xbox Consoles, the Xbox PC app, and on Xbox.com.

Learn more about our updates to Accessible Games Initiative tags in this article.

Xbox Consoles –Dynamic Background

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 introduced a new dynamic background for Xbox Series X|S consoles, because your background should be as rad as your gameplay.

To learn how to customize your Xbox Series X|S console by choosing a dynamic background, visit the Xbox Support page.

Game Additions

Xbox Play Anywhere – Buy once, play anywhere

Xbox Play Anywhere Asset

With over 1,000 games now supporting Xbox Play Anywhere, players can seamlessly switch between PC, Xbox console, and supported handhelds at no additional cost. Your progress, including saves, game add-ons, and achievements, is carried over wherever the game is played. Simply log in with an Xbox account on any device to continue playing from where you left off.

100+ games have been released with this feature so far in 2025! In June, these games came into the Xbox Play Anywhere collection:

  • 1f y0u’re a gh0st ca11 me here!
  • 3on3 FreeStyle
  • Candivity
  • Covenant of Solitude
  • Date Everything!
  • Dustwind: Resistance
  • FBC: Firebreak
  • Final Fantasy XVI
  • Forest Golf Planner
  • Freddy Farmer
  • I Am Your Beast
  • Keeper’s Toll
  • Lost in Random: The Eternal Die
  • Musical Vibes RX
  • Narcissus
  • Oirbo
  • Paper Bad
  • Pathfinders: Memories
  • Rematch
  • Robots at Midnight
  • Rollerdrome
  • SpotCat vs The Cheddar Mafia In The Americas
  • The Alters
  • Tropical Resort Story
  • Volcano Princess
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition
  • Wizard of Legend 2

Check out the full list of available games that players can enjoy anywhere.

Stream your own game – Over 250+ games

We’re continuing to add more games to the “Stream your own game” collection for Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). Game Pass Ultimate members can stream from a library of over 250+ cloud playable games they own on supported devices, such as Assassin’s Creed Unity and PGA Tour 2K25.

Recently added:

  • Aragami 2
  • Assassin’s Creed III Remastered
  • Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag
  • Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered
  • Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
  • Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection
  • Assassin’s Creed Unity
  • Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
  • Bramble: The Mountain King
  • EDENS ZERO
  • Flock
  • LEGO Batman
  • LEGO Batman 3 Beyond Gotham
  • LEGO CITY Undercover
  • LEGO Jurassic World
  • LEGO Marvel’s Avengers
  • LEGO WorldsMafia: Definitive Edition
  • Magical Delicacy
  • PGA Tour 2K25Saints Row
  • Saints Row 2
  • Saints Row IV Re-Elected
  • Saints Row The Third Remastered
  • SIGNALIS
  • Tchia
  • The Callisto Protocol

The Case of the Golden Idol

Coming soon:

  • Bassmaster Fishing 2022
  • Choo-Choo Charles
  • DEEEER Simulator Your Average Everyday Deer Game
  • F1 Manager 2023
  • F1 Manager 2024
  • Fae Farm
  • Five Nights at Freddy’s
  • Gigantic: Rampage Edition
  • Hole io
  • I Am Fish
  • Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
  • Mortal Shell
  • MX vs ATV All Out
  • MX vs ATV Legends
  • PICO PARK 2
  • RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business
  • Rubber Bandits
  • Rugby League 26
  • Solasta Crown of the Magister
  • Spelunky 2Streets of Rage 4
  • Tetris Effect Connected
  • Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
  • Ultimate Custom Night
  • Visage
  • Wheel World
  • Wo Long Fallen Dynasty

Check out the full list of cloud-playable games available to stream on supported devices here. For more information, learn more here.

More games added to Retro Classics

We believe great games should never be left behind. That’s why Xbox and Antstream Arcade are bringing retro favorites to modern devices through Game Pass. With 1 million players already enjoying Retro Classics, here’s a look at the latest titles:

  • Caesar
  • Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail
  • Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
  • Hard Head
  • Okie Dokie
  • Skate Boardin’
  • Skeleton+

Game Pass members can keep an eye out for new weekly tournaments, community challenges and more games added from Activision and Blizzard, expanding the Retro Classics collection to more than 100+ titles over time. Click here for more information on Retro Classics.

Xbox adds mouse and keyboard and touch controls for more games

We support use of wired USB mice and keyboards for navigation in select games and apps, and for getting around on Xbox and Windows devices.

In addition, for Xbox players enjoying games on their mobile devices, Xbox touch controls are available for select games, allowing you to experience a different way to play – by touch and without a controller. Some games render their own controls in-game or supply custom control overlays, providing a more tailored experience for each game’s unique gameplay. Learn more about how you can set up and tailor your game’s touch controls here.

These titles became available this month:

Mouse and keyboard:

  • Police Simulator: Patrol Officers

Touch:

  • South of Midnight

For support on setting up devices, see here for more details.

Help Shape the Future of Xbox

Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and the latest and greatest Xbox news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.

We love hearing from the community, whether you have a suggestion for a new feature that you’d like to see added, or you want to give feedback on existing features that could use some improvement. We’re always looking for ways to improve Xbox experiences for players around the world. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC.

Happy gaming.

 

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Xbox @ gamescom 2025

Xbox @ gamescom 2025

Gamescom 2025 Hero Image

Summary

  • Xbox returns to gamescom with over 20 titles to play, including the first public hands-on opportunities for multiple games.
  • Play Hollow Knight: Silksong with a new demo – on PC or ROG Xbox Ally X.
  • The Xbox booth will also include a theater experience for The Outer Worlds 2.
  • For those who can’t attend, check out the official Xbox @ gamescom Broadcast: Live From the Showfloor on August 20 & 21.

We’re excited to return to gamescom in Cologne, Germany from August 20-24 to connect with our fans from all over the world.

This year, the Xbox booth will be full of fantastic upcoming games from Xbox and our incredible third-party partners coming to Xbox, PC, and Game Pass this Holiday and beyond – and yes, that includes Hollow Knight: Silksong. On top of that, there will be the first ever public opportunity to go hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, as well as other fun activities and photo opportunities. We’ll also deliver two days of broadcasts live from the show floor on August 20 and 21, join up with our amazing community for another FanFest, and more.

Keep reading for more details on everything we’ve got planned for gamescom 2025.  

Xbox Booth 

This year the Xbox booth will feature over 20 games from our first party studios and our amazing third-party partners – spread across more than 120 gaming stations – alongside photo opportunities and experiences.  

Attendees will be able to go hands-on with some of our upcoming game releases and hardware, as well as experience updates to some of our most beloved franchises, including: 

  • ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally Xour two new handhelds crafted in collaboration with ASUS that combine the power of Xbox with the freedom you expect from Windows. Players can go hands-on with games including Hollow Knight: Silksong, Roblox, Sea of Thieves, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, with additional hands-on experiences with more games available at the ASUS ROG booth.
  • Grounded 2 is heading to gamescom! Attendees can check out hands-on demos of the shrunken co-op survival adventure from Obsidian Entertainment and Eidos Montreal.
  • Ninja Gaiden 4: Gamescom attendees at the Xbox booth can get the first public hands-on with Ninja Gaiden 4, a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in a high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat
  • MachineGames, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, is bringing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to gamescom in celebration of the upcoming story DLC, The Order of Giants. Attendees can play the base game on the showfloor, snap a themed photo, and step into the boots of Indy himself and attempt to find and piece together a mummified cat puzzle—a daily competition where the fastest participant wins a prize worthy of the adventurer. All activities and activations will be available at the Xbox booth starting Wednesday, August 20 through Sunday, August 24.  
  • World’s Edge is heading back to Cologne for gamescom 2025, bringing with it the legendary worlds of Age of Empires and Age of Mythology: Retold. With a significant presence on the show floor, the studio will be showcasing the depth and diversity of the Age franchise, offering fans a fresh look at beloved titles and teasing a few surprises along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a newcomer to the battlefield, there’s something epic in store for everyone.
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces an exciting city update, a brand-new aircraft that many fans will recognize for use in the sim, and exciting and unique challenges for players to test their piloting skills.

We will also host an exclusive theater presentation of The Outer Worlds 2, the sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment. Step into Protectorate territory for an exclusive look inside the Tomb of the Matriarch—an opulent facility where history, loyalty, and propaganda intertwine. In this guided theater experience, witness how The Outer Worlds 2 explores a society that trades freedom for security, and reveres its founders with unsettling devotion.

From our third-party partners around the world, the Xbox booth will feature playable demos for:

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong
  • Borderlands 4
  • Onimusha: Way of The Sword
  • Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
  • EA Sports FC 26
  • Aniimo
  • There Are No Ghosts at the Grand
  • PowerWash Simulator 2
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
  • Final Fantasy XVI
  • Invincible VS
  • Super Meat Boy 3D
  • Cronos: The New Dawn
  • Mistfall Hunter

And we’ll have a couple more surprises at the show from our partners too.  

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

  • Thursday, August 21 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
  • Friday, August 22 – 10am – 8pm CEST   
  • Saturday, August 23 – 9am – 8 pm CEST   
  • Sunday, August 24 – 9am – 8pm CEST  

World of Warcraft

gamescom 2025 will also see a celebration of the World of Warcraft community, unveiling the game’s next expansion, Midnight, with a dedicated booth in Hall 8. For the first time, players will be able to get their hands on the all-new Housing system. One of WoW’s most anticipated features ever, Housing will allow players to build, decorate and customize their own homes in Azeroth.

The booth will also feature a Community Stage with non-stop programming, including developer & creator meet & greets, esports competitions, cosplayers, and Midnight developer panels. The celebrations aren’t limited to the WoW booth, as the entire week kicks off with a World Premiere of the expansion’s opening cinematic during Opening Night Live on August 19, immediately followed by a special Midnight Expansion Reveal broadcast on the World of Warcraft YouTube and Twitch channels.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will be revealed live on August 19 during Opening Night Live at gamescom. Get ready for epic twists, developer intel, and the official start of a bold new chapter in Black Ops history. Then tune into Call of Duty social channels after the show for even more exclusive content.

Xbox Play Anywhere @ gamescom

This year at gamescom, we’re thrilled to introduce the Xbox Digital Passport Quest – a fun and interactive way to explore each Xbox booth and get a chance to win exciting prizes from Xbox and our top partners including Amazon, Meta, LG, NVIDIA GeForce, and NVIDIA GeForce NOW. As attendees journey through the broader Xbox booth, they will complete activities that showcase the benefits of Xbox Play Anywhere – buy a game once and play across PC, Xbox console, and supported gaming handhelds – and the unbeatable value of Xbox Game Pass – hundreds of high-quality games on Xbox console, PC and cloud. At Gamescom we’re celebrating our commitment to let you play the games you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want.  

Gaming for Everyone 

We want everyone to be able to visit us in comfort and safety. As such, we are ensuring that all areas of the booth are wheelchair accessible, Xbox Adaptive Controllers will be available upon request, and there will be select demo stations with adjustable-height desks and monitors. Plus, we’ll have “Here to Help” staff to assist players of all abilities navigate our booth and game experiences.

Live from the Showfloor with our Broadcast Teams

Gamescom Broadcast Image

For those who can’t make the trip to Cologne this year, we’ll be bringing the show to you with a broadcast live from the heart of the Xbox booth on Wednesday and Thursday. Join Xbox and friends for a deeper dive into some of the highly anticipated games at gamescom 2025 from our first party studio teams and partners around the world. We’re bringing you first-look gameplay, developer interviews, new trailers, updates, and more. We can’t wait to connect with fans across the globe and show off some of the amazing games coming soon to Xbox.

Wednesday, August 20  

  • Xbox @ gamescom 2025 Broadcast
    • Start: 6am PT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
    • Featuring the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Grounded 2, Keeper, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and more.

Thursday, August 21  

  • Xbox @ gamescom 2025 Broadcast
    • Start:  6am PT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST 
    • Featuring Ninja Gaiden 4, Overwatch 2, The Outer Worlds 2, and more.

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

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

Broadcast Channels:  

Bethesda Broadcast

Bethesda Broadcast Image

Building on a successful tradition, Bethesda will once again bring gamescom directly to its global fanbase. The team will deliver three days of live broadcasts from the Xbox show floor in Cologne, beginning on Friday, August 22. Each daily show on twitch.tv/bethesda_de will feature developer interviews, game showcases, community segments, crafting highlights, and live IRL tours from the event.

Xbox FanFest  

Gamescom FanFest Image

Xbox FanFest is turning 10—and we’re celebrating a decade of unforgettable moments and community at gamescom 2025 in Cologne! From our first gathering in Los Angeles to this milestone event, FanFest has always been about bringing fans closer to the games, creators, and each other.

Winners of our 10th Anniversary Sweepstakes have been selected—congrats to all! Not a winner this time? Sign up at https://aka.ms/XboxFanFest so you don’t miss future events and giveaways. Already a member? Join the celebration and share your favorite moments with #XboxFanFest on social.

Xbox Social and Xbox Wire

Our social media teams will be on the ground bringing you live coverage, updates, news, new videos, and lots of fun stuff too. And make sure to keep an eye on Xbox Wire all week for coverage of the Opening Night Live show, not to mention articles about many of the games on show. 

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

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Tales of the Shire: How to be a Hobbit – an Essential Guide to Settling into Bywater

Tales of the Shire: How to be a Hobbit – an Essential Guide to Settling into Bywater

Tales of the Shire Hero Image

Summary

  • Tales of the Shire is out on July 29 for Xbox Series X|S.
  • Live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the peaceful corner of Bywater.
  • Get some tips and guidance on living life at a Hobbit’s peaceful pace.

The pies are cooling on the sill, the garden is being tended, and tea is nearly ready, dearest Hobbits. Our cosy life-sim, Tales of the Shire, launches on July 29 for Xbox Series X|S.

Based on the beloved fantasy books ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien, your time in this peaceful corner of The Shire will quietly unfold between the great epics of Middle-earth, as you arrive in the catchment of Bywater after hitching a ride with a grey-bearded steward. It’s enough to make a Took misty-eyed, and we cannot wait to welcome you to this quaint town to experience everything it has to offer.

We know it can be quite daunting starting off in a new town, so we’ve put together some helpful tips to help you settle in.

Take as Much Time as You Need Transforming Your Hobbit-hole into a Hobbit Home

Beyond your perfectly round door, things could do with, well, some tender loving care. You’ve inherited a Hobbit-hole from a generous relative, who, in her old age, has boarded up many of the rooms to save time on upkeep. As you settle into Bywater and forge deeper bonds with your neighbours, you’ll open new doorways, unlock grand rooms and cosy nooks, and discover undeveloped gardens full of good, tilled earth.

Perhaps you’re a bibliophile who’d like to steadily build your very own library, or maybe you’d like to set up a crafts room with a loom. In Decoration Mode, time holds still, meaning you can take as long as you like making sure everything is just where it should be, with grid-free placement.

Above all, a Hobbit-hole means comfort: artfully panelled walls, floors nicely tiled and carpeted, and an inviting hearth to sit by as you settle into your homestead. Take a short stroll to see Willow Took, Bywater’s local carpenter, who can help with renovating your home into something the whole town would envy.

Tip: Cook your neighbours their favourite meals and they’ll thank you with extra decoration rewards. The more delicious the dish, the sweeter the reward.

Your Garden Awaits! Just Be Sure to Have a Watering Can on Hand

Like your home, your garden is fully customisable. Plant fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers across your garden beds, then watch them grow into a veritable bounty for your home-cooked meals. Plants are precious things and require regular tending, though rainy days will save you a trip with the watering can.

When you haven’t got your hands in the soil, there’s plenty of decorating to be done. You can place many of youritems in your garden, if that’s where you think they’ll look best. Perhaps you’ll set up a daybed for some quiet respite or create a beautiful outdoor table setting for your next dinner party.

Tip: Bywater gardens love companion planting! Your garden will flourish by planting the right flowers and ingredients close to each other.

You Can Buy All Sorts at Bywater’s Village Centre, Though Trading is a Big Part of the Community too

Bywater is well-known for its busy market stalls, where you can buy and trade for fine wares, well-made clothes, fresh produce and more. Hobbits put care and craft into all things, and you’ll find plenty of goods that have been lovingly tooled and are built to last.

Shopkeeper, storyteller and obsessive collector of mathoms (the Hobbit term for trinkets with no use, but you never want to throw away), Nora Smallburrow runs the Bywater Store — the go-to place for stylish attire — with her brother, Fosco, an expert tailor (and perfectionist). Hobson Hornblower, a kindly fellow with a penchant for telling tall tales, sells interesting spices and unusual items like cloves, lemons, raisins and salt. If you’re thinking about dinner, say hullo to Young Tom Cotton at his family’s stall and pick up some mutton for a hearty stew.

Your neighbours might also be on the lookout for particular items. Swap your parsley for a jar of fragrant plum jam or give your milk to Rosie Cotton and she’ll curdle it into cheese.

Tip: Unlock better trades by developing closer bonds with your new friends and neighbours — even the grumpy ones!

The Fields and Forests Are Full of Riches — If You Know Where to Look

Nuts, berries, herbs and mushrooms are free — for those willing to explore a little. Stock up your pantry by foraging for seasonal items like just-ripe peaches dropped from their tree, bright chanterelle, and bunches of hedge mustard which grow along the Great Road and all the way back to Bree.

Collecting some juicy berries for a fresh summer tart or greens to add to a harvest pie? Delphinium Brandybuck, an avid herbalist and healer who lives at the edge of the forest and knows much about its bounties, might be able to help you find what you’re looking for.

Tip: Keen foragers should also keep a close eye on the butterflies fluttering by — when closely followed, they’ll serve as a helpful guide to new discoveries.

Secret Fishing Spots Abound, But You’ll Need to Win Over One of Your Neighbours

Nestled by a tranquil waterway, there’s ample opportunity to hook a tasty catch for your next meal in this corner of The Shire. Watch the bobber closely and carefully reel in your line once you have a bite from the quaint little jetty at Old Ruby’s Pond.

There are several quiet streams and bubbling brooks for you to cast your lure, though you’ll need to befriend Old Noakes, Bywater’s master angler, to unlock those secret fishing spots. He may be cantankerous (given a chance, he’d start an argument with an empty room), but he’ll play a vital role in teaching you how to fish. Become close enough with Old Noakes and he might even make you a trophy of your best catches to sit pride of place in your Hobbit-hole.

Tip:  Fishing takes a bit of skill! Reel in your catch by pulling in the opposite direction that the fish is swimming. You’ll need to pause reeling every now and then to ease some of the tension on the line.

Invites for Good Food Go a Long Way

A slice of jam sponge for elevenses, a Sackville pasty for afternoon tea — the way to a Hobbit’s heart is through their stomach, so make sure to invite your neighbours over for second breakfast or a nice spot of lunch.

To begin, you’ll have access to a few cooking stations in your kitchen, where you’ll learn how to properly prepare meals that cover several core tastes: sweet, sour, spicy, salty and bitter.

Of course, hosting Hobbits is no easy task, and your neighbours will be paying close attention as they rate your food. As you develop your culinary skills and gain access to more equipment to chop, boil, fry and pickle, you’ll need to learn about their many likes and dislikes to satisfy their unique cravings. Be it smooth or crunchy,textures make taste even better.

You’ll know if you’ve made a meal to remember if you receive a thoughtful gift or another special reward. Well-mannered Hobbits give gifts, after all, and presents are freely given and accepted in Bywater.

Tip: Hobbits are a sociable bunch. If you forget to invite one of your neighbours over for mealtime, you’ll be sure to hear about it.


This all might sound like a lot to remember when everything is so new and different, but worry not. Bywater’s small, growing community will have you feeling right at home. Each new day brings so much to discover in The Shire — and as you’ll soon find out, there’s plenty more awaiting you. We look forward to seeing you on July 29. We’ll have the kettle ready.

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings™ Game

Private Division

Welcome Home, Hobbit! – From the creative studio, Wētā Workshop, live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits and familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game.

Create your own Hobbit as you set forth in Bywater. Though not yet established as an official village in Hobbiton, play a part in helping the quaint town flourish. Greet comfort at the door as you decorate your own Hobbit hole, tend to your garden, fish at the clear ponds, forage wild fruits and herbs, or trade with townsfolks. Prepare homemade meals to share with fellow Hobbits and foster relationships.
With much to see and lots more to eat, enjoy days of splendor in the picturesque forests, lakes, and pastures.

Unwind in the place where what matters most are all the little things. Help bring the community together to achieve village status in Bywater. Experience delight in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game.

Key Features:

Welcome Home, Hobbit – Play as a Hobbit, directly out of J.R.R Tolkien’s beloved books! Personalise your appearance and brandish your best Hobbit attire with an array of customisations. Decorate your own Hobbit home and transform the cosy space with grid-free placement to position furniture home décor to your liking. Discover the wonders each new day brings to Bywater as you settle into your serene homestead for much needed rest.

Food Is Love – No Hobbit’s day is complete without food. Fish, garden, and forage to stock up the pantry with the fruits of your labour. Harvest for seasonal crops and flowers as time passes in your homestead. Enjoy the warmth of the kitchen and show off your culinary chops with recipes for mealtimes. Partake in second breakfast or host a dinner party with fellow Hobbits. Share meals with invited guests to create new relationships.

Explore Bywater – Explore the outdoors to discover secret glades and lost treasures of the Shire. Experience the ever-changing weather that affect daily routines and seasonal surprises based on time of year. Gain rewards through your story progression. Meet iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families to trade for upgrades to skills, clothes, home, and more. Join club missions to complete daily activities and help gain official village status in Bywater.

The post Tales of the Shire: How to be a Hobbit – an Essential Guide to Settling into Bywater appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to August 1

Next Week on Xbox - Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to August 1

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox PC, 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!


Grounded 2

Xbox Game Studios

Grounded 2 (Game Preview) – July 29
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere (Console & PC) / Cloud

Available on day one with Game Pass! Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. Survive a perilous open world alone or better yet, co-op together with friends. Craft weapons and armor, build your base, and explore the park on your trusty Buggy mounts. Unravel hidden mysteries and face unexpected threats. But something else is out there — and it hasn’t forgotten you.


Achilles: Survivor

Dark Point Games S.A.

Achilles: Survivor – July 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Achilles: Survivor is a fast-paced, single-player bullet heaven set in Ancient Greece. Play as Achilles – or one of the legendary souls freed from Tartarus – and face relentless waves of enemies. Build deadly structures, evolve your powers, and grow stronger with every run. Defeat your enemies… or die trying.


(Dis)Assemble Xbox + Windows Bundle

Afil Games

(Dis)Assemble – July 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In (Dis)Assemble, moving blocks has never been so challenging… or so satisfying. You control two geometric shapes at once: one with each hand. Sounds simple? Wait until obstacles enter the scene. With clean, minimalist 3D visuals, each level reveals a new architectural surprise. One pushes… the other dodges… and you must think in perfect sync. Master the controls, master the space, and guide your duo of shapes to the finish line.


Day of the Shell

Entalto Publishing

Day of the Shell – July 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Day of the Shell is a fast-paced tactical roguelite, where each turn is played in a single click. The gods have brought down their wrath on humanity, and only a few remote islands remain. A lonely monster huntress has risen to challenge and appease the gods, traveling through what’s left of the world.


Dragons vs Balloons TD

Kanuni Games Oyun Yazılım Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi

Dragons vs Balloons TD – July 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Prepare yourself for an epic battle in Dragons vs. Balloons TD, where strategy, power, and mythical beasts meet in an exciting tower defense showdown! Take control of a legion of powerful dragons as you defend your territory from waves of mischievous and dangerous balloons.


Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights

Current Games / Lion Castle BV

Hot Import Nights – July 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome to Cyber Clutch, a high stakes racing competition set in a neon soaked future. This is arcade racing with an edge. Fast, aggressive and loaded with abilities that can flip the race in an instant. Drift through city streets, weave past collapsing traffic and outplay rivals in a world where speed alone will not be enough.


Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings™ Game

Private Division

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game – July 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome Home, Hobbit! From the creative studio, Wētā Workshop, live the cozy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits and familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Maiden Cops

Eastasiasoft Limited

Maiden Cops – July 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

When Maiden City faces the fury of a secret criminal organization called The Liberators, seeking to control the city and its inhabitants through violence, fear, and chaos, it’s up to the Maiden Cops to bring the crackdown! Join Priscilla, Nina, and Meiga as they fight to eradicate crime and restore peace and justice in this old-school, side-scrolling beat ’em up packed with arcade-style action.


Morgan: Metal Detective

subSilico

Morgan: Metal Detective – July 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Each of the residents of Glasden has objects they have lost, and Morgan must search the island with her metal detector to find these lost treasures. Relax, explore and experience that childlike sense of wonder as you skip around the island. Traverse the island at your own pace, steadily solving the mystery your Grandpa couldn’t.


9 Years of Shadows

JanduSoft


$19.99

$17.99

9 Years of Shadows – July 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A side-scrolling Metroidvania by Halberd Studios. Travel alongside Europa, a brave warrior determined to enter the mechanical giant Talos and stop the corruption within before it swallows the world in darkness. Battle through tainted creatures, meet charismatic musicians and uncover the truth behind the curse that robbed the land of all color.


Above Snakes

©RedDeer.Games

Above Snakes – July 31

Step into a handcrafted Wild West-inspired world in this relaxing isometric adventure RPG with light survival elements. Build, explore, farm, and fight as you piece together your own unique journey across shifting biomes and mysterious threats.


Cook Serve Forever

Vertigo Gaming Inc.

Cook Serve Forever – July 31

Chop, stir, and sauté your way through the bustling solarpunk city of Helianthus. You play as Nori Kaga, a food cart chef aspiring to make it big like her role model, the Culinary Queen, Chef Rhubarb. Cook Serve Forever is a brand new, story-rich cooking adventure from the creators of Cook, Serve, Delicious!


A Dream About Parking Lots

Take IT Studio! sp. z o. o.

A Dream About Parking Lots – July 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Look for your car in a series of mazes and parking lots while you talk to your therapist about feeling lost. An interactive short story about trying to make sense out of the unreal. Based on real dreams!


NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

Dotemu

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – July 31

From the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now Koei Tecmo Games) Ninja Gaiden series from the classic era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.


Out of Moves: Another Try Windows + Xbox Bundle

Afil Games

Out of Moves: Another Try – July 31

In a world of mysterious mazes, every move counts. Out of Moves: Another Try is a challenging puzzle game where you must carefully plan to reach the star before your moves run out.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Spell Disk

Sunpeak Games

Spell Disk: July 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Spell Disk is a rogue-lite action game with a unique synergy building mechanic so that your runs can never be the same. Strategize and create your own spell combo synergies to blast through enemies on your way! Each run is unique, so you must plan out how to build your power.


Date with Devils

Happy Player


$14.99

$13.49

Date with Devils – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Being the Lord of Hell is hard. One minute you’re judging souls, the next you’re speed-dating devils and writing love poems to angels. You are the Lord of Hell, tasked with judging mortals who arrive for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes, you even have the power to resurrect certain individuals, changing the course of fate itself.


Esophaguys

Esophaguys Team

Esophaguys – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

You are the Esophaguys, old folks with elongating necks! Stretch, bite, and swing yourself around in 1-4 player guttural mayhem: co-op, competitive, and solo. Progress across each mode, reuniting your lost kin!


Pokettohiro

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Pokettohiro – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A group of brave heroes must gather the fragments of the Magic Crystal to face the evil Black Knight and thus prevent the destruction of the kingdom. Be prepared to discover a huge open world to explore, with secrets and surprises in every corner. Embark on hidden dungeons, forge bonds with villagers and help them solve their problems, discover useful items to progress in your adventure, release imprisoned heroes, and unite them to your cause.


SOS OPS!

PAYBOX SRL

SOS OPS! – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

SOS OPS! is more than a game. Your task is to save the city. You will find yourself in the epicenter of madness, where co-op missions with friends will raise the adrenaline to the limit!


Tile Jong

Webnetic s. r. o.

Tile Jong – August 1

Dive into Tile Jong, a beautifully designed tile-matching game that blends relaxation with strategy! Solve engaging puzzles by selecting and matching sets of three identical tiles. Each level brings new challenges with increasingly intricate layouts that will test your concentration and problem-solving skills.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Top Driver

Entity3 Limited

Top Driver – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Top Driver is a precision-based, top-down racing experience that challenges your skills in intense time trials across diverse tracks and terrains. It’s just you, the road, and the pursuit of perfection.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Wander Stars

Fellow Traveller

Wander Stars – August 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Join Ringo, a young martial artist looking for her brother, and Wolfe, a mysterious scoundrel running from his past, as they join forces in an unlikely partnership to collect the pieces of the fabled Wanderstar Map. Across 10 “episodes” of anime-inspired adventure, Ringo and Wolfe will have to work together to find answers, make up for past mistakes, and travel across the universe in search of their goal.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to August 1 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Asphalt Celebrates 20 Years on the Track!

Asphalt Anniversary Hero Image

Asphalt Celebrates 20 Years on the Track!

The Asphalt series is kicking off its 20 year anniversary, and celebrating two decades of spectacular races with a season full of surprises!

Since its first start on the track with Asphalt GT, back in 2005, the Asphalt series has been constantly at the frontline of arcade racing for 20 years! Over the course of 9 main line titles, including 12 spin-offs and adaptations, we’ve helped define the meaning of speed alongside our fans, who have gone behind the wheels of over 1,000 cars through the series.

It’s been a wild ride and, this year, we want to take some time to celebrate 20 years of racing alongside our fans and across the entire franchise, including both Asphalt Legends and Asphalt 8: Airborne!

Asphalt Legends will be the first to kick off the celebrations and is gearing up for a whole season of celebration, including devising some special surprises that will both bring nostalgia and something radically new to the racetrack.

Anniversary Track

Our first new track of the year will teleport you through time, as we visit some iconic locations for our series’ long-time fans – all contained within a single race.

Coming straight from memory lane, we’ll warm things up with an updated version of San Diego Harbor. Our fans will definitely be able to recognize its layout as it is one of the main tracks of Asphalt 8! We’ve brought it back to life and taken advantage of our more powerful engine to also give it a more cinematic feel, as you’ll now find yourself riding down a rained down and overcast San Diego.

Then, we’ll take a further step back in time and race down the LA river, which was also featured in Asphalt 6 & 7. A brand new re-imagining of Sunny LA, bringing all the level of detail (and water effects!) that we could only dream of creating back in the day. It’s definitely a more niche call-out for our fans, but it really comes to show how far we’ve come!

And of course, we’d be remiss not to include one of our players’ favorite tracks from Asphalt Legends: Cairo! We’ve also slightly altered the time of day on this one from our usual version, to give it a slightly different air and feel, and it’s the perfect capstone for our travel through time.

A unique challenge for the team, not only did we have to rebuild all three of these tracks from scratch to take advantage of Asphalt Legends’ more powerful engine, but we also had to devise the technology which allows us to switch between such drastically different environments mid-race. This one-of-a-kind track will offer a medley of fan-favorites, as racers will teleport seamlessly from track to track while chasing their own nostalgia.

Season of Celebration

The entire season will be a celebration of Asphalt’s legacy, and will be jam-packed with amazing events, such as an all-new Drive Syndicate! It’s our star event of the year, as it offers a new chapter in the story of the Drive Syndicate, and features the most powerful cars of the year! This edition will feature the new Arash Imperium, whose speed will do more than just turn heads.

We’re really pulling all the stops for this one – our team created a fantastically intricate series of events that will feature 20 cars for players to chase after and collect for their garages, featuring some powerful new additions alongside some fan-favorite classics. And don’t miss out on joining our community celebrations either, as we’ll have special editions of our ACE Challenges, pitting the best of the best against one another in some live races and rewards, and daily redeemable codes that will feature free goodies for you to claim during the anniversary!

Get the Best with Game Pass

Of course, you can complete the victory lap by claiming even more rewards with your Game Pass!

Just make sure to link your Asphalt account to your Xbox account with an active Game Pass subscription and you’ll be able to claim the following rewards from July 30 to August 28:

  • Unlock the Acura NSX GT3 Evo for free.
  • 10 Card packs.
  • 500,000 Credits.

You can easily link accounts directly in-game, by heading over to the “CONNECT” section of the settings menu and making sure you’re logged in to your active Xbox account. This will work for Game Pass members on console or PC and give you a nice boost to get you started – or to help you continue upgrading your favorite cars!

Don’t miss out on the celebrations and race to the track with Asphalt Legends Unite!

Xbox Play Anywhere

Asphalt Legends Unite

Gameloft


1997

PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass

Spark your competitive soul with Asphalt Legends UNITE and feel the collective heartbeat of the road! Join forces with other players to speed through intense arcade races, perform jaw-dropping stunts, and charge towards victory while driving the finest hypercars!

Take On the World
Gear up and dive into the international arena of Asphalt Legends UNITE’s online multiplayer mode. Challenge up to 7 opponents from every corner of the world across platforms in thrilling cross-play races. Engage in split-screen competitions with friends (up to 4 players). Get ready to group together, dominate, and leave your mark on the asphalt!

Join Global Racing Legends
Embrace the global racing community where camaraderie fuels the pursuit of victory. Connect with friends through the friend list, create private lobbies for personalized races and rally with Asphalt titans! Join or establish racing Clubs, unlocking exclusive rewards as you climb the leaderboards. Experience a new cooperative multiplayer mode where you can be a Security agent chasing down Syndicate members or one of the outlaws evading capture.

Pick Your Ride and Dominate the Competition
Harness the power of the pack: Over 250 hypercars await, from elite manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, each meticulously crafted to push the boundaries of speed and performance. Conquer tracks inspired by iconic locations across the world, cherished by racers worldwide.

Feel the Rush of Absolute Control
Feel one with the beat of the track as you and your teammates dive into electrifying races, perform gravity-defying stunts, and power to victory with adrenaline-fueled boosts. With precise manual control or streamlined TouchDrive™, Asphalt Legends UNITE puts you in the driver’s seat, ready to steal the show!

Arcade Racing at Its Finest
Dive into the thrilling world of high-speed racing, where detailed vehicles, stunning effects, and vibrant dynamic lighting await.

Kick-Start Your Racing Legacy
Take the wheel on your journey to racing greatness in Career mode. Maneuver through endless seasons and conquer diverse challenges at every turn. Feel the thrill of pulse-pounding events, with a constant stream of limited-time challenges and activities to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is your chance to carve out a legacy that echoes throughout the racetrack!

Customize Your Ride, Own the Road
Personalize your vehicle and show off your style to your rivals with unique body paint, rims, wheels, and body parts!
_____________________________________________

Please note that this game contains in-app purchases, including paid random items.

Visit our official site at http://gmlft.co/website_EN
Check out the new blog at http://gmlft.co/central

Don’t forget to follow us on social media:
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The post Asphalt Celebrates 20 Years on the Track! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Grounded 2: Celebrating Game Preview Launch with a Wild 10-foot Red Ant Plush

Grounded 2: Celebrating Game Preview Launch with a Wild 10-foot Red Ant Plush

Grounded 2 Giant Plush Hero Image

Summary

  • Grounded 2 Game Preview launches on July 29, 2025—now featuring Buggies like ants that you can tame, ride, and fight alongside.
  • To celebrate, Xbox built a massive piece of gaming decor—a 10-foot Red Ant Plush.
  • Fans have a chance to win one by following Xbox on social and entering the giveaway.

We’ve always said Obsidian Entertainment’s co-op survival adventure Grounded was big fun at a tiny scale—but Grounded 2 is taking things to bigger and bolder new levels. The Game Preview launches next week, featuring the secretive Brookhollow Park, a huge new setting with rich biomes, a more mysterious story, more satisfying combat mechanics, and plenty of room to build alongside the community again.  

The most requested addition from the Grounded community is the cornerstone of the new game – you can now ride insects like the Red Ant Buggy, which let you traverse, build, battle, and survive the suburban wilderness of the park. 

To celebrate the amazing new Buggy feature, and the game’s massive new park setting, we decided to go just as big in real life. Like, really big. Say hello to possibly the biggest, wildest piece of gaming décor for your living room ever built: a 10-foot Red Ant Plush. 

That’s right. We turned the in-game Red Ant Buggy into a real-world, mountable, ultra-soft, totally bonkers gaming plush. It’s part furniture, part Buggy, and all awesome. Climb up, grab your controller, and play Grounded 2 like the Red Ant-riding boss you are—if you can fit it in your living room, that is.  

The giveaway runs exclusively from today through August 31, 2025, and fans can enter a sweepstakes by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and reposting the official Xbox sweepstakes promotional post containing “#Grounded2Sweepstakes” during the sweepstakes period or following Xbox on Instagram and commenting on the official Xbox sweepstakes promotional post with the “#Grounded2Sweepstakes” during the sweepstakes period. For official rules and eligibility details, visit here.  

In addition, the 10-foot Red Ant Plush will be at the Xbox FanFest event during gamescom in Cologne, Germany on August 20 where fans can see it in person. 

We can’t wait for you to jump into Grounded 2 to explore Brookhollow Park and all it has to offer. Ride Buggies, fight off massive threats, and maybe—just maybe—become the biggest tiny hero in gaming history. 

Grounded 2 launches July 29, 2025, in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud, in Early Access on Steam, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. And with Xbox Play Anywhere, a single purchase lets you play with Xbox consoles and Xbox PC with full cross-saves – at no additional cost.  

The post Grounded 2: Celebrating Game Preview Launch with a Wild 10-foot Red Ant Plush appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Introducing Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 — Phantom Current

The post Introducing Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 — Phantom Current appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Survive Shu: Your Essential Guide to Starting Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Survive Shu: Your Essential Guide to Starting Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is out today on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Whether you’re a seasoned Soulslike veteran or new to the genre, this guide will help you prepare for the journey ahead.

Set in the final days of the Ming Dynasty, Wuchang places players in the role of Bai Wuchang, a pirate warrior battling both amnesia and the mysterious Feathering disease. Her path takes her across the shattered land of Shu, where every step forward is a test of skill and a battle against fate.

From memorable bosses to lush environments and deep customization, Wuchang’s world is steeped in myth and madness. Each encounter reveals more about the truth behind the Feathering, and your place in it.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

Mastering Combat and Weapon Builds

Combat in Wuchang is fast, rewarding, and layered with tactical depth. The game features five weapon classes and over 25 distinct weapons to collect and master. Each part of your arsenal offers unique perks and advantages. Dual blades offer great agility, axes offer powerful defense, and longswords allow for perfectly timed parries.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

By landing precise attacks, dodges, and blocks, you build up a combat resource called Skyborn Might. This unlocks devastating spells and weapon-specific abilities to turn the tide of battle. Experiment with timing to discover new combos and strategies for every fight. Find the right combination of weapons, spells, techniques, accessories, and outfits to soar with monstrous power and overcome brutal odds.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

You can carry two weapons at a time, and each one has its own skill tree. Whether you favor raw strength or graceful precision, the combat system gives you the tools to evolve with each new encounter.

The Power of Red Mercury and the Impetus Repository

As you fight and explore, you’ll earn Red Mercury, a currency used to level up Wuchang’s core stats and abilities in the Impetus Repository or make purchases from the many shops around Shu. Want to invest in vitality, strength, or stamina? You’re free to shape your build and respec later as needed.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

Each weapon has an upgrade path tied to your progression, and the game offers full build flexibility. Swap styles before bosses, optimize for specific damage types, or pursue a glass cannon strategy, every choice has impact.

Gear, Armor, and Customization

Armor in Wuchang isn’t just cosmetic. Each piece affects combat stats and resistance to different damage types. Choosing the wrong gear for a fight leaves you vulnerable to certain forms of damage.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

Prepare for each encounter by equipping gear with resistances that match the threats ahead, slash, fire, blight, feathering, tenacity, corruption, frostbite, and paralysis are just some to worry about. Build strategy begins before combat even starts.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

Bosses That Define the Journey

Wuchang’s bosses are manifestations of the land’s transformation, born from myth, history, and the Feathering. Each boss fight is a test of resolve forged in the heart of chaos.

From the haunting Perfect Bride, whose sorrow turns to deadly rage, to the grotesque Blightweaver, a centipede made of corrupted monks, each foe tests more than just your reflexes.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers screenshot

Expect to adapt. Some enemies demand aggressive builds, others reward patience and precision. Learn their patterns, time your Skyborn Might, and enter every fight ready to die, and try again.

Deluxe Edition Bonuses

Players who upgrade to the Deluxe Edition will start with several powerful advantages. These include:

  • Four Deluxe-only armor sets: Soul Ritual Robe, Tiger of Fortune, Overlord’s Regalia, and Draconic Resurgence.
  • Four legendary weapons: Dragoncoil Lance, Eternal Sovereignty, Moonlight Dragon, and Watcher’s Gaze,
  •  Blood of Changhong, (stat boost item)

These early rewards allow players to personalize their look and sharpen their edge from the beginning.

Begin the Descent

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is available today on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and with Game Pass. Enter a cursed dynasty, discover what the Feathering truly is, and carve your fate by challenging the creeping darkness that threatens the humanity that remains. Nothing is Forever.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

505 Games

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike, action RPG set in the land of Shu during the dark and tumultuous late Ming Dynasty, plagued with warring factions and a mysterious illness spawning monstrous creatures.

Become Wuchang, a skilled pirate warrior struck by amnesia, who must navigate the uncertainties of her mysterious past while afflicted by the horrific Feathering disease. Explore the depths of Shu, enhancing your arsenal and mastering new skills harvested from fallen foes. Evolve your fighting style by sacrificing elusive Red Mercury and further develop new techniques obtained throughout your action-packed journey. Augment the weapons in your repertoire with powerful enchantments, allowing for a unique approach to combat and strategy that suits your personal style.

Battle against grotesque abominations, drawing on ancient lore to challenge the creeping darkness that threatens the humanity that remains. Your quest for truth will take you through forgotten temples, overgrown ruins, and shadowed paths fraught with peril. As you piece together Wuchang’s lost memories, your choices will lead you to one of several endings—each determined by the choices made, secrets unearthed and the allies you choose to trust.

Immerse yourself in a rich storyline, dynamic combat system, and breathtaking visuals that offer an unforgettable adventure through lands veiled in chaos and death. Will you reveal the truths of Wuchang’s curse and bring peace to Shu, or will you succumb to the encroaching horrors? The fate of the land rests in your hands.

The post Survive Shu: Your Essential Guide to Starting Wuchang: Fallen Feathers appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Announces a Marketplace Lifetime Exclusive: The Cessna Citation X by FlightFX

The Cessna Citation X by FlightFX Key Art

Microsoft Flight Simulator Announces a Marketplace Lifetime Exclusive: The Cessna Citation X by FlightFX

The post Microsoft Flight Simulator Announces a Marketplace Lifetime Exclusive: The Cessna Citation X by FlightFX appeared first on Xbox Wire.