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 X – our 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

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:  

• Youtube.com/xbox 
• Twitch.com/xbox 
• Facebook.com/xbox 

Bethesda Broadcast

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  

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 X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and LinkedIn social channels, or the @XboxDACH X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube social channels for German-language coverage. We’re using #Xboxgamescom as our event hashtag.  

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

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

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 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!

Asphalt Legends Unite

Gameloft

☆☆☆☆☆
1997

★★★★★

Get it now

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
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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.  

Experience the Unique and Fun Gameplay of the Swap

Wouldn’t it be great if you could change the world? In Ruffy and the Riverside, you can! Use the magical Swap to turn lava into ice or a waterfall into a climbing vine. It’s as easy as copy and paste, and it feels fantastic when your ideas suddenly become reality. Swap is a truly unique game mechanic that you can use to transform the world around you. Whether you want to unlock a new path, solve a puzzle, or defeat an opponent, just use Swap and the world will instantly become a better place!

The Swap opens up whole new gameplay possibilities, whether you want to take out a few bully sharks with hot lava or boost your score in the skate contest by swapping a few numbers on the scoreboard. You just can’t stop the Swap!

Explore an All Hand-Drawn Open World

Completely hand-drawn? Yes, that’s right! We drew every character and every texture by hand, and it took seven years. If you look closely, you can even see which pencils we used. Ruffy alone has over 600 drawings, because no matter what he does, we drew him from every angle. And he is doing a lot. He can run, fight, climb, skate, and flick his finger like a pro. And if you need a break, just let your cheeky bee Pip carry you through the air. She’ll take you to faraway places and help you explore the world. And that’s a good thing, because there are treasures and collectibles hidden around every corner waiting to be found. Some are even hidden in two dimensional walls full of riddles and dangers, but no worries, Ruffy can go 2D as well. Jump into the walls and grab those treasures. Just make sure to swap all obstacles out of the way first.

Story, Side Quests, Collectibles and Creativity

Ruffy and the Riverside has an adventurous story that will take you to the most extraordinary places. Explore ancient locations and solve their mysteries, explore deep dungeons, and show off your skills in crazy competitions as you search for the six golden letters to save the world. Along the way, you can pursue a variety of side quests and find extraordinary collectibles. Can you find the hiding places of all the legendary Etoi? These little furry creatures look cute, but they have the power to free the world from a dark curse! And can you help Quintus the fox collects all the butterflies from Riverside? Along the way, you might even find one of the legendary gemstones and let Sir Eddler tell you its story. And if you really need a break, just start the world over again. That’s right! You can paint your own textures and give the world your own personal look. Riverside is truly a magical place!

Ruffy and the Riverside is out Now on Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One

Ruffy and the Riverside is a magical game, and with the power of your Xbox it really shines. Jump into this wonderful adventure on your Xbox Series S|X or Xbox One.

RUFFY AND THE RIVERSIDE

Phiphen Games

☆☆☆☆☆
12

★★★★★

$19.99

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Story

Join Ruffy on an exciting quest to stop the mischievous villain Groll from destroying the World Core and throwing Riverside into chaos. Along the way, you’ll travel to fantastic places with helpful friends like Pip the sassy bee, Sir Eddler the adventurous mole, and Silja the wise turtle. Meet a lively cast of characters, each with their own unique stories and dialogues, as the exciting adventure unfolds with unexpected surprises for Ruffy around every corner.

Unique Gameplay

As Ruffy, the Chosen One, you’ll harness the magical power of SWAP, and use it to transform the game world. With SWAP you’ll change the sun into the moon or ice into lava while overcoming countless puzzles and effortlessly manipulating objects to your will. You can turn a stone into wood to create a boat or swap a wall into rubble to clear your path, and much more as you fight, jump, and ride hay bales throughout the adventure. The unique SWAP ability opens up endless possibilities, making every moment feel magical and full of surprises.

2D levels and puzzles

Ruffy just won’t stop! When the 3D world ends, he leaps into new 2D levels to collect even more treasures, but watch out – many obstacles must be swapped before you can safely pass through walls. Use your cleverness and the magical SWAP mechanic to transform objects and unlock new paths in your delightful adventure!

Explore a magical open world

Explore the marvelous open world of Riverside, where Ruffy embarks on playful side quests, masters challenges, and collects magic treasures across seven distant regions. Ride hay bales, perform tricks on secret rails, and discover unknown areas as you meet the mysterious Etoi and team up with the Fish Gang to defeat bully sharks. Unleash your creativity by designing your own textures with Pix, transforming the game world into your personal adventure filled with surprises around every corner.