!.07-Xbox Wire

!.07-Xbox Wire


Psychonauts Available Now with Xbox Game Pass

Posted: 13 May 2021 10:00 AM PDT

Earlier this month, we announced that the original Psychonauts would be coming soon to Xbox Game Pass, and today we're excited to share that Psychonauts is available now with Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, and on Android phones and tablets via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). Psychonauts is a psychic-comedy adventure from the mind of Tim Schafer and brought to life by the strange game-wizards at Double Fine Productions. The game follows the story of a young psychic acrobat named Razputin, where you explore the fantastic realm of the inner mind – join the Psychonauts!

Originally released in 2005, Psychonauts has resonated with fans of all ages for nearly two decades thanks to its mixture of comedic storytelling and inventive level-design. As Raz expands his psychic abilities, he must leap into the minds of those around him and explore levels based on their personalities and neuroses. A happy-go-lucky Psychonaut agent's mind is a constant dance party with secrets lurking in the unlit corners; the mind of a conspiracy theorist is full of twisting roads and pathways that loop in every direction imaginable. Combined with sharp wit and a cast of memorable characters, every step forward in Psychonauts is a step into the unknown and wonderful world of our minds.

Double Fine Productions is immensely pleased to bring Psychonauts to Xbox Game Pass, allowing diehard fans and new players alike to experience the classic that started everything ahead of the release of Psychonauts 2 later this year. Keep an eye on the studio's Twitter for more information on a "book club" style series of streams that span an entire playthrough of the game and feature guests who worked on it back in the "old days."

Xbox Live

Psychonauts

Double Fine Productions

161
$9.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass
This classic action/adventure platformer from acclaimed developers Double Fine Productions follows the story of a young psychic named Razputin. In his quest to join the Psychonauts–an elite group of international psychic secret agents–he breaks into their secret training facility: Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp. But this is no average psychic summer camp! A mysterious villain has kidnapped Raz's fellow campers and stolen their brains. Now he must use his psychic powers of Telekinesis, Levitation, and most of all his ability to project himself into the minds of others–to find the loose noodles and keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Fight mental demons! Uncover hidden memories! Sort emotional baggage! Explore the fantastic realm of the inner mind! Join the Psychonauts!
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Dungeons & Dragons Dark Alliance is Coming to Xbox Game Pass on Day One

Posted: 13 May 2021 09:00 AM PDT

I am thrilled to announce that Dark Alliance will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows 10 PC, and phones and tablets via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Xbox Game Pass on Day One, June 22! The game will also support PC and console cross play at launch!

Gather your party, choose your adventurer, and get ready to set out on an epic brawl through Icewind Dale on June 22 with Xbox Game Pass. Forget character sheets and math for the night, Dark Alliance is a third-person action brawler that drops you and your friends into the unforgiving frozen hellscape of Icewind Dale to take on iconic Dungeons & Dragons monsters and collect epic loot. You can venture on your own, but with the addition of cross play on PC and Xbox featuring up to 4-player co-op, why would you?

The Friends of the Hall

Dark Alliance lets you choose from four iconic heroes, the Companions of the Hall – Drizzt, Catti-brie, Bruenor, and Wulfgar – with over 50 different moves, special abilities, and team-attacks. The combat is pick up and play but difficult to master, with emergent strategies and tactics depending on the situation, skills, and monsters.

Choose what's best for you: rapid strikes, backstab executions and a giant panther? Drizzt is your guy. Acrobatics, long range bow and arrow more your style? Catti-brie will suit you just fine. Whatever your play style, the Companions have you covered. And it's a good thing they do…

Frost Giants, Dragons and Verbeeg, Oh my!

You're not in Baldur's Gate anymore, Bruenor. The companions (and you!) find yourself in the frozen north of Icewind Dale seeking the ancient and powerful crystal shard – Crenshinibon. Whoever wields it, possesses immense power. The only problem are the legions of monsters seeking it for themselves. You know the drill. You'll face 30 different iconic monsters and factions like the above-mentioned beholders, frost giants, white dragons and verbeeg, as well as duergars, gnolls and many more.

The Adventure Begins

We are excited to bring Dark Alliance to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows 10 PC with Xbox Game Pass! But this is only the beginning of our adventure.

Launch isn't too far away, and we have so much more to show. That's why starting tomorrow, May 14 and every Friday until launch, come watch us play Dark Alliance.

Join the developers at Tuque and special guests live every Friday at 12 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET/7 p.m. UTC) on twitch.tv/dnd and youtube.com/darkalliance.

Join the party!

Xbox Live

Dark Alliance

Wizards of the Coast

$39.99
Dark Alliance brings to life the world of Dungeons & Dragons in an explosive action RPG filled with real-time combat and dynamic co-op. Frost giants and vengeful dragons roam unchecked through Icewind Dale as invading armies of evil grow stronger every day. Now four heroes must beat back the onslaught of creatures and defend against the dark. Choose your hero and join up to four friends to battle legendary monsters. Explore the frigid world of Icewind Dale as you vanquish unstoppable bosses, earn powerful gear, and unlock new abilities to take on even bigger challenges. Conquer Unstoppable Monsters Dark Alliance pits players against some of the most legendary monsters from the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Frost giants, Beholders, White Dragons—muster the strength to defeat them all against insurmountable odds. Fight Alongside Your Friends Join up to four friends and fight together in a dynamic co-op experience with explosive real-time combat. Unleash devastating combos as you topple unstoppable monsters too powerful to go it alone. Choose Your Hero Play as one of four distinct heroes, each with their own unique playstyle and customizable abilities. Complete missions and vanquish bosses to unlock new skills and earn powerful gear, allowing players to take on even bigger challenges. Brave the Frozen Landscape Dark Alliance brings to life the world of Dungeons & Dragons like never before. Explore the frigid and dangerous world of Icewind Dale as you defend your homeland from armies of abominable monsters. Pre-order now to get the following digital content: Standard Game Beholder Weapon Set
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Celebrating 20 Years of Xbox

Posted: 13 May 2021 08:00 AM PDT

Do you remember where you were when you played your first Xbox game?

It may be hard to believe, but this year will mark the 20th anniversary of Xbox. I'm proud to have been a member of Team Xbox for 17 of those 20 years!  The original Xbox console was released in North America on November 15, 2001, followed by many more launches all around the world including Japan, Australia, Europe, Latin America, China, and more! 

Twenty years ago, playing on Xbox meant hooking up your console with three (or more!) cables to a standard definition CRT TV.  You had to pre-order the hottest new games and stand in line at your favorite retail shop to pick them up. Games were played in 640×480 resolution, and you only had 8GB of storage and 64MB of memory to enjoy them with. And you either played alone or with a friend sitting next to you on the couch.

Two Decades of Gaming

The Xbox experience today, as shaped by you, is wildly different. You can now jump into your favorite games on your Xbox Series X|S console (imagine showing your past self a 4K HDR game!), on PC, or on mobile*. You and your friends can play with and against the more than 100 million players who log into Xbox every month from around the world. And there’s no more convincing every person in the group to go out and buy a big game. If you all have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can pick the destination from a variety of games in the catalog and just start playing. We love this gaming future.

Thanks to game creators and players like you, we have a greater variety of games and diverse characters  – with more worlds to explore, stories to tell, heroes and villains to meet, and achievements to unlock – in the 7 thousand games that have been released across the Xbox platform. Do you remember unlocking your first Xbox achievement? To-date, you and the Xbox community together have racked up nearly 1 trillion total Gamerscore. Most importantly, you've worked together to change the face of gaming by welcoming players from all walks of life, everywhere in the world. 

Halo Key Art

The Game That Started It All

This year not only commemorates 20 years of Xbox, but it also marks the 20th anniversary of the Halo franchise. That magical moment when the Master Chief first stepped on to a mysterious ringworld has long been a hallmark of the Xbox experience, and over the last 20 years, Halo has become deeply embedded into the Xbox DNA. We're thrilled to celebrate this milestone, as well as the launch of Halo Infinite, with our players this Fall.

Celebrating Together

As we approach the 20-Year mark, it has never been clearer that the heart of Xbox is you. And we are excited to celebrate this milestone together. 

Halo Gear

The celebration starts today and continues through November 15, 2021. 

  • #Xbox20: This celebration is all about you, and we want to hear what Xbox means to you. Use #Xbox20 on social media to share your favorite Xbox moments, stories, friendships, prized possessions, achievements… anything! We'll be asking loads of questions on Xbox social channels and spotlighting your answers through November 15, so keep an eye out.
  • Check out the Xbox Gear Shop for the first wave of Xbox 20th Anniversary official gear.
  • Show off your Xbox and Halo love with free anniversary-themed wallpapers.
  • Register today for Xbox FanFest to participate in 20th Anniversary FanFest activities including exclusive sweepstakes, FanFest gear, and digital experiences.
  • Personalize your Xbox experience: check out the new 20-Year gamerpic and "The Original" profile theme in your "Customize Profile" menu.  For Xbox Series X|S owners, "The Original" dynamic background is available in the Personalization menu. 
  • Looking for something new to play? Check out this collection featuring some of the greatest games that have marked Xbox history. You can also find the game collection on your Xbox console by searching for "Xbox Anniversary" in the Store.
  • Join us today at Twitch.tv/Xbox at 11am PT / 2pm ET to kick off the celebration with our livestreaming hosts as they reminisce about two decades of gaming while playing the game that started it all – Halo: Combat Evolved via the Halo: Master Chief Collection.
  • We'll keep the fun going through November with more announcements, activities, and ways to celebrate.  Visit xbox.com/20Years for up-to-date details on anniversary activities throughout the year.

We'll have more fun to share as we get closer to the November 15th anniversary date. Keep an eye out here on Xbox Wire or at xbox.com/20years for the latest updates.

Looking Ahead

Whether you have been an Xbox fan since day one or joined Xbox for the first time this week, we are humbled and excited to be a part of the Xbox community with you. As we reminisce together about the memories we've shared over 20 years, we also can't help but be excited about what's next for Xbox. Imagine what we will do together over the next 20 years! 

Celebrating 20 Years of Xbox
Celebrating 20 Years of Xbox

*Where available, requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

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Free Play Days: NBA 2K21 and TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2

Posted: 13 May 2021 07:00 AM PDT

Show off your handles on the hardwood or your reflexes on the road, all in this weekend's Free Play Days. NBA 2K21 standard edition and TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 are available for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday, May 13 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, May 16 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

How to Start Playing

Find and install the games here 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 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.

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 discount percentage may vary by region.

Game Details

NBA 2K21
The NBA Playoffs are almost upon us, and NBA 2K21 is the perfect way for fans to get into the game. Enjoy best-in-class gameplay and one-of-a-kind immersion into all facets of NBA basketball and culture with the full game this Free Play Days weekend.

TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2
Enjoy the unique experience of TT Isle of Man 2 with Free Play Days. Race across an over 60 km long ultra-technical track at breakneck speed requiring realistic riding skills, challenge your friends, and become the best motorcycle rider in the most dangerous race in the world.

Don't miss out on this exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! 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.

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Rogue Company Season Two Starts Today

Posted: 12 May 2021 01:00 PM PDT

Rogue Company Season Two starts now! Featuring an all new Battle Pass, new rogue, and more, this season of Rogue Company is shaping up to be our biggest yet – read on for all the exciting details about our Season Two update!

Rogue Company has always seemingly existed beyond the reach of the law – until now. All of that changes with the introduction of Mack, an unrelenting Justicar agent who will stop at nothing to bring those he's charged with to justice. What happens when an elite vigilante force who considers itself above the law collides with a man who considers himself to be the very embodiment of the law? Find out in Rogue Company Season Two!

Rogue Company

Mack's main tools for law enforcement are Conviction and Objection – and we aren't talking about courtroom maneuvering, we're talking about his trusty guns, which can be used to lay down major suppressing fire on the battlefield! If the fight gets up close and personal, Mack is always prepared with his massive claymore. This powerful sword, a weapon which hails from Mack's home in the Scottish isles, can do some serious damage in close quarters. A defender who excels at repelling attacking enemies, Mack also comes equipped with his Lightbomb device, which can temporarily blind anyone on the opposing team who is caught in its blast!

Season Two also introduces an all-new Rogue Company Battle Pass. Incarcerated by Mack, Ronin's new Prisoner 625 outfit headlines this Battle Pass — she may be locked up for now, but no one can keep Ronin under lock and key for long! Players advancing through this Battle Pass will also unlock Golden Absque Lancer, Urban Explorer Gl1tch, and Wasteland Scavenger Phantom, as well as dozens of other rewards! Every player will earn free rewards during Season Two, whether or not they've unlocked the full Battle Pass — meaning you can dive in today and start earning free rewards! 

Rogue Company

A new Rogue is great, but how about a whole new battlefield to test his mettle? A top-of-the-line training facility which has succumbed to a surprise attack by Jackal, Breach is an all-new Rogue Company map which also debuts with Season Two. Countless Rogues have trained for deadly missions in this facility, but now comes their most important mission yet — defending their home base when an enemy brings to fight to their doorstep!

New Battle Pass. New rogues. New maps. New events. Rogue Company Season Two promises to be the biggest yet for Rogue Company, and you can play it free today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!

Xbox Live

Rogue Company

Hi-Rez Studios

491
Xbox One X Enhanced
The world needs saving and only the best of the best can do it! Rogue Company is the third-person tactical action shooter that puts the fate of the world in your hands. Suit up as one of the elite agents of Rogue Company, each with their own individual set of skills, and go to war in a variety of different game modes. Download and play FREE now! Rogue Company is action packed with no shortage of weapons, gadgets, and style. The mission starts now. Save the Day, Look Good, Get Paid.
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Chernobylite: Preserving the Zone

Posted: 12 May 2021 11:00 AM PDT

Chernobylite is an upcoming sci-fi survival horror RPG set in the hyper-realistic, 3D scanned wasteland of Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone, originating from a deeply personal experience for Polish developers Farm 51.

In the Spring of 1986, during a routine safety test designed to simulate an electrical power outage, newly installed operators, upon test completion, triggered a reactor shutdown that led to two explosions which ruptured the reactor core and destroyed the reactor building. This resulted in an open-air reactor core fire that released considerable amounts of radioactive contamination throughout Russia and Western Europe.

Chernobylite

The panic that followed from the resulting radioactive cloud spreading over Europe, the unpalatable Lugol’s liquid that had to be drunk to counter the effects of the radiation poisoning, as well as an order to stay at home, indoors, this was the reality for millions of people, including the members of Chernobylite's development team.

These events triggered a deep fascination and interest in Chernobyl with Farm51. This interest was later developed into a project that aimed to transfer the Chernobyl power plant and surrounding city of Pripyat, into a virtual state. A virtual documentary of the events that shook the world.  Proceeds from this virtual experience were donated to the victims who still require care from the decades-old disaster. Taking many years to 3D scan one of the most dangerous places on earth and faithfully recreate the Zone, Farm 51 conceived the idea of developing story-driven game that could replicate the responsibility for oneself, and others, that those must have experienced in such a terrifying situation.

Chernobylite

A game that would allow others to see and feel the atmosphere of this deserted, once bustling town through their own eyes. A feeling of sadness and emptiness. An intensified feeling of anxiety that Farm 51 felt themselves.

Preserving Chernobyl from natural destruction became one of the pillars of the game, to memorialise a place that is deteriorating and disappearing from year to year. The abandoned buildings in the city of Pripyat, buildings and objects exposed to the weather that won't stand the test of time. There are already places in Chernobyl that have collapsed or burned down in recent years and can now only be seen thanks to the great effort to preserve the site in digital form.

The Story

April 26, 1986, 1:23am. The day that changed Chernobyl forever.

You will take on the role of Igor Khymynyuk, a former physicist and ex-employee of Chernobyl, 30 years on from that fateful day, April 26, 1986. The day that changed Chernobyl, and his life, forever. Haunted by the loss of your fiancée Tatiana Amalievain, in the chaotic aftermath, you return to Pripyat for the first time to investigate her mysterious disappearance. Can you survive the harsh and unforgiving environment in your search for the truth?

Chernobylite

Stealth, Survival & Combat

Survival in the Zone is not easy, and each day brings fresh challenges as comrades die and supplies diminish. Danger lurks in every corner.

Stay undetected while navigating the rough and contaminated environment and gather all the evidence to piece together the events of the past.  Avoid detection to perform stealth takedowns or engage in open armed combat with a variety of weapons at your disposal. Maintaining your mental wellbeing and that of your comrades alike will be equally as important to your chances of success as the range of enemies and obstacles you will face increases. Life in the Zone is fragile, and your decisions determine not only your fate, but that of others. Surrounded by threats from all directions, you must plan your strategy carefully to survive.

Chernobylite

Base Building & Crafting

You'll need to construct a base from which to plan your daily operations and excursions. Utilize workstations to craft gadgets, create traps and weapons, modify equipment, or produce valuable lifesaving medicines to help keep you and your crew alive. 

Improve your skills to gather as many pieces of information and evidence about past events as you can. Use that knowledge to fulfil your mission.

Chernobylite

Resource & Team Management

Each day will require careful planning and assignment of resources and tasks to your comrades. Take on the tasks yourself or send your colleagues to complete the job. These companions are key to your survival and the resolution of your journey. Treat them well and make them comfortable and they will be very helpful, lower their quality of life, and your odds of success will diminish. Gather resources using your PDA and other gadgets to help survive the hostile environment and source new materials for your base to create a more comfortable surrounding for your team. Remember though, decisions you take early, affect the later outcome of events.

Chernobylite

If you are a fan of extraordinary history, combined with survival horror and RPG elements and would like to see Chernobyl with your own eyes, get ready for an unforgettable experience.

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