When it comes to making the most out of playtime, Xbox knows there’s more to the gaming experience than just what’s onscreen. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Oreo — the world’s number one cookie — to bring a new level of playfulness to Xbox. Featuring six embossed custom cookie designs and both exclusive in-game and real-world prizes, this partnership will let gamers taste victory in the form of Oreo’s beloved cookie-and-creme combo.
For the first time ever in 22 countries, Oreo will be releasing special edition packs with multiple new cookie designs, bringing together the iconography of Xbox with the deliciousness of Oreo. These limited-edition cookies will bear the Xbox logo, as well as the iconic A, B, X, and Y controller buttons alongside a directional arrow. By scanning the Oreo Xbox Special Edition cookies and by cracking exclusive cookie combinations, inspired by the cheat codes hidden in games throughout history, fans can unlock a range of prizes.
Entering the baked-in symbols in the correct sequence can unlock exciting, exclusive Oreo-themed in-game content, such as armor packs and vehicle skins for popular titles like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and Halo Infinite. Additionally, participants will be entered into the draw to win prizes ranging from custom Oreo hardware, Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate memberships, and a holiday experience for the whole family, subject to regional availability.
Oreo Xbox Special Edition cookies will be available from January 2023 at locations in participating countries, available whilst stocks last. Fans looking to participate in the fun can visit oreo.eu or join in on the conversation using #UnlockPlayfulness on your preferred social channels.
Hey there — I’m Scott, Design Director at Heart Shaped Games, and I’ve been given the opportunity to share a bit about the unique design process behind our new sci-fi grand strategy RPG, We Are The Caretakers. A lot went into creating the game over its 4+ years in development, but I’d like to focus on how our design team discovered fun and novel new strategy gameplay mechanics from a very unlikely source: the poaching of endangered animals and real-world animal conservation work.
Inspirations and Ideation
I’ve always wanted to make a grand strategy game with a large roster of characters to organize and upgrade, similar to games like Xcom, Darkest Dungeon, or my personal all-time favorite, the classic Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen. I had worked on concepts and prototypes in the grand strategy genre for many years prior, but finally found the right time to revisit those designs after our team was approached about making a game about the tracking and management of wildlife poachers.
At first this seemed like an odd topic to build a game around, but after spending time with actual researchers and rangers working in the field to protect endangered animals, we came away inspired. Their incredible work led us down a path of discovery about the realities of human-animal conflicts and animal conservation. Rangers work in small teams, with limited resources, tracking animals and poachers that move in unpredictable patterns across gigantic spaces. That unique management challenge translated into interesting gameplay decisions, and mapped perfectly to the squad-building and large roster management RPGs we loved. We quickly realized we had something innovative and special on our hands and got to work.
Bending Genres and Creating New Gameplay
Our solution to translating that research into a game was to blend a variety of game genres that each emulated an important aspect of protecting wildlife. We designed a Caretaker headquarters where you organize your hundreds of recruited characters into squads, deal with detained poachers, and upgrade your technology before heading out into the field. We created a real-time-with-pause map exploration system, where you deploy your squads to search for poacher activity. And we created a turn-based combat system to resolve meetings between your squads and poacher teams, giving you diplomatic options in addition to traditional JRPG-like abilities.
By giving players actions to take at the macro and micro levels over the course of our 30+ mission campaign, they get to experience what it is like piecing together an organization and that can fight back.
Building a World
While the gameplay design was a long discovery process, we put an equal amount of effort into creating an exciting world and style that matched the gameplay. Art Director Anthony “robotpencil” Jones found inspiration in Afrofuturist works such as Black Panther for the environment and character designs; Composer Jon Parra infused a striking orchestral score with inspirations from rap beats; and Narrative designer Xalavier Nelson, Jr. heightened the real-world stories with the addition of alien close-encounters and a post-apocalyptic planetary redemption story.
Lessons Learned
The biggest lesson learned making We Are The Caretakers was that looking outside of traditional genres and gameplay tropes is the path to new and original ideas. By bringing in collaborators from outside of the games industry and building a diverse development team, we ensured we had a variety of perspectives that could find the right solution and create something exciting and fresh for our players. Working with the team at Heart Shaped Games on We Are The Caretakers has been one of my greatest professional joys, and I hope it shows in the final game you’ll get to play.
We hope you enjoy We Are The Caretakersas much as we do. It’s available for pre-order today and launches on Friday, January 6th! Your purchase also supports the folks that inspired the game, with 10% of net revenue from the game being given to Wildlife Conservation Network’s Rhino Recovery Fund.
We Are The Caretakers is an afrofuturist squad management RPG. Assemble an arcane team of protectors in squad-building systems inspired by Darkest Dungeon, Ogre Battle, and XCOM. Defend the endangered animals your world relies on in strategic turn-based combat. Define your approach to a global resistance by balancing your reputation, funds, research, animals and alliances. We Are The Caretakers is a challenging strategy RPG fusion that asks you to protect a planet by fighting for the people, animals and ecosystems that inhabit it.
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!
A dark adventure game that tells the story of Lucy, a girl growing up in a village deep in a forest inhabited by monsters. People disappearing is nothing uncommon here, but this time, Lucy is old enough to investigate on her own. Or so she thinks…
Featuring both of the original games (Breakers and Breakers Revenge) and new content for the cult-classic that was first released in 1996 for the Neo Geo and arcades. Featuring modes like the classic Versus mode either locally or online, Arcade mode, Ranked battles, art gallery, and more.
Inspired by ‘80s sci-fi horror and contemporary surrealist cinema, Chasing Static delivers a unique take on the narrative adventure genre through new audio driven gameplay mechanics and non-linear exploration.
It’s you against the clock in an intense race to escape the room before time runs out! Do you have the mental fortitude to assemble the clues and connect the dots so that you might overcome the challenges and see what lies on the other side of the door? NEScape! combines the look and feel of an 8-bit retro game with the modern-day elements of escape rooms.
A new RPG for Xbox Series X|S from the hugely popular manga and anime series. The famed pirate Monkey.D.Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew are sailing across the New World in search of the next island and the next adventure that awaits them. But during their voyage they are caught in a storm and shipwrecked. Washed up on a lush tropical island and surrounded by raging storms and separated from his crew, Luffy sets off on a grand, new adventure to find his friends and escape the island! Also available is the One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition.
Become the deadliest delivery… cat in the world. Intense fights, multiple weapons, and demanding boss fights. Join Kimuto on his hardest first day on the job in a fantasy world that lets you fight in a variety of ways — magical bubbles, a boomerang cannon, and a classic longsword can go a long way in this foreign land.
Razer’s new handheld console will let you play Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games on the go, and you can pre-order today.
Launching on January 26, you’ll be able to play Forza Horizon 5, Vampire Survivors, and hundreds of other games on the go with Xbox Cloud Gaming on the all-new Razer Edge 5G Handheld Gaming Device, available for pre-order today.
Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate puts your games right on the devices most convenient to you. We’ve heard fantastic stories from the gaming community about playing Microsoft Flight Simulator directly through your Smart TV if you didn’t have a console, or joining your friends in Elder Scrolls Online on a tablet. As we look ahead to making more games available on even more devices, we’re excited to partner with Razer to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to its newest handheld console.
“As the first dedicated 5G handheld console, the Razer Edge lets you access Xbox on the go more seamlessly than ever.“
As the first dedicated 5G handheld console, the Razer Edge lets you access Xbox on the go more seamlessly than ever. Whether you’re away from your console and want to keep your Grounded campaign going, or are diving into High on Life for the first time while at a coffee shop, the Razer Edge makes it possible to play what you want, when you want.
With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, you can play hundreds of games on a range of devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming, including titles from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda the day they launch, as well as big hits and indie favorites from our partners. With Xbox Cloud Gaming, you can also play Fortnite via the cloud for free, no Xbox Game Pass membership required.
For those at CES, you can get hands-on time with the Razer Edge at the Razer booth or Microsoft experience center. And those interested in purchasing a Razer Edge, you can do so here.
CES always brings exciting new developments in hardware, and never more so when it comes to gaming devices. CES 2023 is no exception, bringing us early looks at portable-but-powerful laptops, beefy home rigs, future-proofed AI chips, and more. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a sampling of the new Windows 11 PCs announced at CES 2023 from several of our top partners.
Each one is designed to run the newest, most demanding games, not least from PC Game Pass. Even better, every single computer listed below comes with at least one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included*, helping you jump straight into a game the moment you get your hands on your new device.
CyberPower
CyberPower’s new Prism 360V features a wide-open front and side glass panel so you can see all your components. The company also introduced the 7th generation of its Tracer Edge Laptop Series with optional Liquid Cooling add-on unit. It comes with a 17-inch 240Hz 100% SRGB IPS display, 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX Processor, up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Graphics and a full mechanical keyboard with Cherry switches.
MSI
MSI announced a new laptop and desktop product lineup at CES 2023, including its gaming flagship Raider GE78 built for enthusiasts, pushing the peak of performance and innovation with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs and up to 13th Gen Intel Core HX series processors. The Raider GE78 also comes with up to i9 HX and RTX 4090 with maximized CPU-GPU combined power and MUX Design, as well as a 16- or 17-inch 16:10 QHD+ 240Hz 100%DCI-P3 display, with a new matrix bright bar and per-key RGB gaming keyboard. MSI also announced new Content Creation series laptops.
Razer
Power meets precision and portability with the new Razer Blade 16. Engineered to push performance to new places, it comes equipped with the innovative dual mode 4K mini-LED display or blazing fast QHD+ 240Hz option.
iBUYPOWER
To kick off 2023, iBUYPOWER will introduce its new line of custom gaming and content creation PCs to the market. With the launch of the new HYTE Y40 case, iBUYPOWER will introduce both custom configured and RDY systems for customers looking for out-of-the-box PC solutions featuring the Y40. The Creator RDY Y40BG201 will feature the new mid-tower case from iBUYPOWER’s sister brand, HYTE, an Intel Core i9 13900KF, RTX 4090, Z790 motherboard, 2TB M.2 SSD and Windows 11 pre-installed for easy setup.
Acer
The Predator Helios 16and Predator Helios 18 are two new Windows 11 gaming laptops revealed at CES 2023, with new designs and upgraded thermals. They come with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core mobile processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs, making them Acer’s most powerful gaming laptops to date.
ROG
ROG has redesigned the ultra-sleek 2023 Zephyrus M16 from the ground up, retaining a thin-and-light design but now including an improved cooling system featuring Tri-Fan Technology, which routes air from three fans through precisely calculated cutouts toward the heatsink for more efficient cooling. This allows the device to run 25 watts higher compared to last year’s model — providing even more power to the Intel Core i9 13900H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus in this flagship gaming machine.
Alienware
Alienware’s most powerful laptop, the m18, has 13th Gen Intel Core HX processors that harness up to 65W (compared to previous-gen 45W), the full stack of NVIDIA GeForce Next-Gen Laptop GPUs and dual user-replaceable DDR5 SO-DIMM slots. Additionally, AMD Advantage models will be powered by next-gen AMD Ryzen Processors and Radeon Graphics for mobile.
HP
The OMEN 17 Laptop, HP’s most powerful gaming laptop, has up to 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX and latest NVIDIA GeForce graphics, which utilizes OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology for desktop-caliber gaming. This PC is HP’s first to feature optical mechanical keys, which are 25 times faster than traditional keys.
Lenovo
To give gamers an advantage, Lenovo has developed an AI chip for gaming laptops, including for its Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. The chip uses software machine learning, deployed through Lenovo Vantage, to help monitor in-game FPS and dynamically adjust for the highest performance output.
Find out more about these and other new gaming PCs from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo that were highlighted this week on the Microsoft CES microsite.
*Xbox Game Pass Ultimate not available in all regions. Learn more about supported regions at https://www.xbox.com/regions.
Resolve to have more fun this year! Get started this weekend during Free Play Days. Cricket 22, For the King, and Saints Row are all available this weekend for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday, January 5 at 12:01 a.m. PT until Sunday, January 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
How to Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and enter the Gold member area to locate the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep the Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and earned achievements during the event! Please note that discounts and percentages may vary by title and region.
Step on to the field for the most comprehensive cricket game ever! With more licenses, a narrative-driven career mode, and 4K visuals, Cricket 22 is a true next-generation sporting experience. All-new control options make the game more accessible to players of all skill levels, while Big Ant Studios’ authentic recreation of every aspect of the sport provides hundreds of hours of hyper-realistic cricket action for fans. Lead your team to glory, your way!
For the King
Gather your friends and prepare for war! For the King is a strategic RPG blending tabletop and roguelike elements in a challenging adventure that spans the realms. Set off on a single player experience or play cooperatively both online and locally.
Saints Row
It’s the American dream to be your own boss, but this startup hits different! Witness the birth of the Saints as you fight to the top of the criminal underworld in the Weird, Wild West of Santo Ileso. Explore a vast urban playground in blockbuster action filled with thrills, customization, violence, and humor. Take on the campaign with a friend, complete missions and progress together…or play a wicked prank on them just for the hell of it.
Don’t miss out on this exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
