!.07-Xbox Wire

Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized: A Plague Tale: Innocence
“It’s All There” with Xbox All Access
Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Bloodroots, Farming Simulator 19, UFC 4, and More

Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized: A Plague Tale: Innocence

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 09:00 AM PDT

One of the biggest benefits of all that power in the hardware is giving developers the ability to make games that are Optimized for Xbox Series X|S. This means that they've taken full advantage of the unique capabilities of Xbox Series X|S, both for new titles built natively using the Xbox Series X|S development environment, as well as previously released titles that have been rebuilt specifically for the console.

In our Inside Xbox Series X|S Optimized series, these creators share the behind-the-scenes accounts of how they're optimizing their titles for Xbox Series X|S and what that means for the future of gaming. Today, we'll be chatting with Executive Producer at Asobo Studio Brice Davin about optimizing A Plague Tale: Innocence for Xbox Series X|S.

Q: “What excites you most about developing and bringing A Plague Tale: Innocence to life on next-generation hardware?"

A: We're super excited to bring A Plague Tale: Innocence to more players who have not yet experienced surviving the rats alongside our young heroes. It's always a thrill to invite new people to our universe and share Amicia and Hugo's journey with them. Of course, we are also happy to offer our fans the opportunity to join the adventure with their new console and relive the epic journey of initiation but in an enhanced and even more immersive version.

Q: In addition to benefiting from the power and performance of Xbox Series X|S for quicker load times and other enhancements, what Xbox Series X|S features were you most excited to explore leveraging in the development of A Plague Tale: Innocence?

A: Besides the faster load times, we think the 4K resolution and 3D audio are a real plus for a game like A Plague Tale: Innocence.

Q: Why is your development team especially enthusiastic about these features?

A: A Plague Tale: Innocence is above all a narrative experience and the emotional story of family bonds and friendship in a brutal but splendid world. Dialogue and music are as key as graphics and here we can blend those into an optimal mix. We think having 4K graphics for the first time on consoles with the Xbox Series X will bring the most out of our universe. Thanks to 3D audio, both Xbox Series X|S takes immersion to the next level, served by the beautiful soundtrack, composed by Olivier Derivière, and the performance of our actors. We definitely think it is a compelling experience to live or relive, and it may change the way you perceive all the details of the world and the depth of Hugo and Amicia's relationship as well as all our orphans' tragic destiny. The players will also enjoy optimal load times and cross saves of course, giving more fluidity to players' experience on the device they want.

Q: How do you expect fans of A Plague Tale: Innocence will respond to playing it on Xbox Series X|S with these enhancements?

A: To us, having our game on the Xbox Series X|S is a way to gather different generations and types of players together around a universal tale. We hope the newcomers will share their experience with their relatives and find an echo of their own family bonds in this adventure. So many people identify with one of our orphans. It is very heartwarming when they contact us telling us they understood our story and were able to share this with the one they love. We invite them to watch and play together around their Xbox Series console. Why not join our community with as much enthusiasm and kindness as the first fans? It would be awesome to get their feedback and feelings as well!

Q: What does Smart Delivery mean for your game and how you're bringing A Plague Tale: Innocence to fans?

A: A Plague Tale: Innocence on Xbox One is of course naturally backward compatible with Xbox Series X|S but we really wanted to offer our fans the HD version the game deserves, with enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay thanks to the 60fps. The title is also cross-save meaning your progression and your achievements from the Xbox One will carry over to the Xbox Series consoles. It's a great opportunity to replay the game to achieve your 1000 Gamerscore if you missed a few flowers!

Q: What does Xbox Series X|S development enable in current or future projects that you could not have achieved with the previous generation of consoles?

A: We have just announced the sequel to our first opus – A Plague Tale: Requiem, coming in 2022. 4K resolution enables us to craft the most beautiful and immersive action-adventure game we have ever dreamt of. It pushes the boundaries of our landscapes and helps us develop epic-scale, never-before-seen rat waves that the players will have to face. And that is just terribly exciting.

A Plague Tale: Innocence

Focus Home Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆ 479

★★★★★

$49.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

Free Trial

Follow the grim tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Hunted by Inquisition soldiers and surrounded by unstoppable swarms of rats, Amicia and Hugo will come to know and trust each other. As they struggle to survive against overwhelming odds, they will fight to find purpose in this brutal, unforgiving world.

“It’s All There” with Xbox All Access

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:00 AM PDT

At Xbox, we're always looking for ways to give our fans even more choice in how to jump into the next generation of gaming—and to have some fun doing it. Whether you're upgrading to the newest consoles or joining the Xbox family for the first time, Xbox All Access gives you everything you need to get playing — an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S and 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — from just $24.99 a month for 24 months with no upfront cost.^

As gamers begin the next generation of play on Xbox Series X|S, we do so remembering the great experiences we had before with excitement for what's to come. And no one knows how to navigate the waters of love, loss and love again than 90s R&B singers. So, we thought, what better way to celebrate the reimagining of how you can join Xbox with the all-inclusive offer of Xbox All Access than with the '90s R&B sensation, All-4-One, reimagining "I Swear," their 1994 ballad?

In the music video, shot and edited in a nostalgic '90s-style, the band takes us on a journey from reminiscing about our favorite gaming experiences and memories of years past to those waiting for us on Xbox Series X|S with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Aptly narrated by the band with custom lyrics centered on Xbox All Access, "It's All There" highlights the benefits and ease of your all-inclusive pass to Xbox.

"It's All There" speaks the heart and truth of Xbox All Access. It's all there. Xbox All Access gives you everything you need to get into gaming with Xbox – not only an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, but also a library of over 100 high-quality games for console, PC, phones, and tablets with 24-months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included. Plus, you get all new Xbox Game Studios titles the same day they release, including Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, and so many more. All-4-One low monthly price! And don’t worry about leaving the favorite gaming experiences behind, with backwards compatibility on Xbox Series X|S you can enjoy 1000s of your favorite Xbox games from across four generations.

Xbox All Access is available in twelve countries around the world and will come to more partners in more countries over the next year. Click here to learn more about Xbox All Access and look out for more nostalgic Xbox All Access '90s themed content in the coming days.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Bloodroots, Farming Simulator 19, UFC 4, and More

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 06:00 AM PDT

Summer is heating up and we're ready to catch the next wave of great Xbox Game Pass games coming soon. Now let's kick back, relax, and enjoy these new arrivals!

Coming Soon

Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Cloud) – July 8
Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a block-building RPG set in a fantasy land threatened by an evil cult. Explore, battle, create, and harvest in the charming single-player campaign or build big projects in the online sandbox mode for up to four players.

Tropico 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – July 8
In Tropico 6, travel to a beautiful island state and make it your own. In this sixth entry in the series, build and manage a whole archipelago, decking it out with your choice of buildings, industry, and décor. Will you rule your people as a generous statesman or ruthless dictator? The choice is yours.

UFC 4 (Console) EA Play – July 8
Shape your legend with EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – UFC 4 is coming soon to The Play List! Members can enter the Octagon on July 8 to create and customize their own character and start their journey from unknown amateur to UFC superstar.

Bloodroots (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – July 15
Left for dead by a colorful group of bandits, you will chain killing sprees to exact revenge on the treacherous Mr. Black Wolf. Improvise your kills with utterly everything you can get your hands on from carrots to plasma guns.

Farming Simulator 19 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 15
The ultimate farming simulation returns! Become a modern farmer and develop your farm on two huge American and European environments, filled with exciting new farming activities, crops to harvest and animals to tend to.

The Medium (Cloud) ID@Xbox – July 15
Discover a dark mystery only a medium can solve. Travel to an abandoned hotel resort and use your unique psychic abilities to uncover its deeply disturbing secrets, solve dual-reality puzzles, survive encounters with sinister spirits, and explore two realities at the same time.

In Case You Missed It

Going Under (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – Available now
A satirical dungeon crawler about exploring the cursed ruins of failed tech startups. As an unpaid intern in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia, you'll wield office junk as weaponry as you make your way through the offbeat procedural dungeons beneath your company campus.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) Availability Expands to PC and Apple Devices

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is available to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with Windows 10 PCs and Apple phones and tablets, on Xbox.com, across 22 countries. Xbox Cloud Gaming is also now powered by custom Xbox Series X hardware, bringing you faster load times and improved frame rates. Simply go to xbox.com/play on Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Safari on your PC or mobile device to start playing hundreds of games from the Xbox Game Pass library. Learn more here!

DLC / Game Updates

A Plague Tale: Innocence Series X|S Update – Available now
Follow the critically acclaimed tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Now optimized for Xbox Series X|S with native 4K resolution on Series X, 60 FPS, 3D audio support and improved visuals.

Astroneer: Jet Powered Update – Available now
Explore and reshape distant worlds! Astroneer is set during the 25th century Intergalactic Age of Discovery, where Astroneers explore the frontiers of outer space, risking their lives in harsh environments to unearth rare discoveries and unlock the mysteries of the universe. The Jet Powered Update adds new missions that will help you unlock new vehicles including a VTOL and Hoverboard!

Black Desert: Corsair Update – Available now
Need a break from the heat wave? Meet Corsair! She's a commander of the sea and the newest class in Black Desert. This seafarer can ride the (actual) waves, use tsunamis, and transform into a mermaid to defeat her enemies. Her combat style mimics the waves of the ocean – unpredictable, unique, and cool. If you want to spend summertime surfing with dolphins, Corsair is the right choice for the adventure!

Destiny 2 Solstice of Heroes Event – Available until August 3
Soar across the EAZ in search of glory and treasure. Each day features a buff based on either Solar, Arc, Void, or – for the first time – Stasis. New Prism days let you choose the element you charge! Earn Legendary Solstice armor and upgrade it until it begins to glow, revealing the power within.

Doom Eternal Series X|S Update – Available now
Attention all Slayers! Patch 6 for Doom Eternal is available now, bringing you free next-gen upgrades that unlock the full capabilities of the Xbox Series X|S. Plus, duke it out online in the new Battlemode arena, Corrosion, and put your skills to the test in the Taras Nabad Master Level. Learn more here!

Gears 5 Operation 7 Free Update – Available now
Strike at the enemy in Gears 5 Operation 7, available now. Jump in with four new characters, a brand-new map and a rebuilt classic map, renewed Tour of Duty and more.

Grounded Shroom and Doom Update – Available now
Grounded's Shroom and Doom content update brings the game's terrifying first boss, mushroom building materials to build castles from, and long-awaited community requests like sitting and, best of all, pet companions! Learn more about what's new in the backyard here.

Greedfall Series X|S Update – Available now
Enjoy exploring uncharted lands filled with magic, secrets, and creatures in 4K resolution, highly improved visual, fast loading and 60 FPS in performance mode! With diplomacy, deception, and force, influence a living world to shape your story and forge your own destiny. Read more here.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege: Year 6 Season 2 North Star – Available now
Xbox Game Pass members save 10%! North Star will soon ascend in the Siege’s constellation! Discover more about our new operator Thunderbird, the Favela map rework, and much more including some balancing changes, a new death experience animation and the new seasonal "Medicant" skin bundle. Learn more about North Star here.

Zombie Army 4: Abaddon Asylum DLC – Available now
Xbox Game Pass members save 10%! Abaddon Asylum is the second mission in Return to Hell, a haunting three-part Zombie Army 4: Dead War campaign! Explore a terrifying new location in this 1-4 player mission, complete with terrifying enemies, collectibles and more! Plus, grab the free Left4Dead Character Pack 1 containing Bill, Francis, Louis, and Zoey! You may have survived a damned facility – but the dead don't care! Read more here.

Fallout 76 Steel Reign Update – July 7
Steel Reign is the final chapter in the Brotherhood of Steel storyline. Tensions have never been higher between Paladin Rahmani and Knight Shin. The appearance of Super Mutants and people disappearing are only adding to the divide. Will you take the side of justice or remain committed to duty? Read more here.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Here are lots of brand-new Perks to go claim in the Perks Gallery on your Xbox Console, Xbox App on Windows 10 PC, or the Xbox Game Pass Mobile app for iOS/Android.

Space Jam: A New Legacy The Game – Play It First with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Play as LeBron, Bugs, and Lola as they face the Goon Squad in a wacky basketball beat-em up! Claim this Perk to get exclusive early access and play the full game right now through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks. Space Jam: A New Legacy – The Game will be available as a free-to-play title for all players starting July 15 through the Microsoft Store on your Xbox console.

Black Desert – Special Gift Bundle – Available now
The new class Corsair joins the battlefield of Black Desert! Gear up with this special bundle and embark on an adventure you’ve been longing for!

Apex Legends – Protocol 3 Weapon Charm – Available now
Show the competition what you’re made of with your new Protocol 3 Weapon Charm, brought to you by EA Play! Equip this to your favorite weapon and battle for glory, fame, and fortune in style.

World of Warships: Legends – Navy of the Realm – Available now
Get a pair of powerful early German warships in the new Xbox Game Pass bundle: Navy of the Realm. You’ll get your hands on the fan favorite cruiser Königsberg and the destroyer G-101 along with plenty of Camouflages and Boosters.

Xbox Game Pass Quests

Starting on July 6, Xbox Game Pass members can earn 2x points for completing Quests built around select games celebrating 20 Years of Xbox. Check for Quests on your Xbox console or the Xbox Game Pass mobile app. You can also learn more about Xbox Game Pass Quests here.

Check out the new July monthly Quests you can start today:

Grand Theft Auto V (150 points): Steal 5 cars
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege (150 points): Play 1 training grounds match
Grounded (225 points): Earn one achievement

Leaving Soon

It's time to prepare to say farewell to the games leaving the Xbox Game Pass library on July 15, including a batch of EA Play games to be delisted from The Play List on July 14.

Remember, you can use your Game Pass member discount to save up to 20% on games leaving the Game Pass library, while PC and Ultimate members can save up to 10% on the EA Play games.

July 14 (EA Play)

EA Sports UFC (Console)
EA Sports UFC 2 (Console)

July 15

Endless Space 2 (PC)
Downwell (PC)
CrossCode (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That concludes our first round of July announcements! We'll be back later this month with more news, but in the meantime be sure to follow @XboxGamePass and @XboxGamePassPC on Twitter to get a heads up when these games are available to play. From there, you can download these games straight to your Xbox console or PC from the Xbox Game Pass mobile app! See you next time!

!.07-Xbox Wire

!.07-Xbox Wire

A Plague Tale: Innocence

Coming Soon

In Case You Missed It

DLC / Game Updates

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Xbox Game Pass Quests

Leaving Soon

No comments:

Popular Posts