May 18, 2026 Introducing XBOX Player Voice: A Simpler Way to Share Feedback
Team XBOX
The community is at the heart of XBOX. Players have always told us what’s working and what’s not across XBOX. That feedback has shaped what we’ve built and how we prioritize our work. But we’ve also heard clearly that it isn’t always obvious what happens after you share your feedback.
Today, we’re introducing XBOX Player Voice, a new place to collect your feedback and make it more visible. The goal is simple: make it easier to share input and see how it’s handled.
With XBOX Player Voice, you can:
Share feedback on your experience with XBOX
See when your feedback has been received and reviewed
Follow updates if and when there’s progress to report
Get a clearer sense of how your input is shaping the future of XBOX
How XBOX Player Voice Works
When you submit feedback, teams review and organize it so it can be understood and considered alongside other work. In some cases, ideas will move forward. In others, they may take longer to implement or may not be something we can act on. When there are meaningful updates, we’ll share them.
We want to be clear: this doesn’t mean every piece of feedback will turn into a feature or result in a change. Building across a large, global platform means weighing a lot of inputs. But better visibility helps close the gap between what you tell us and what you see happen next on XBOX.
While XBOX Player Voice replaces the XBOX Cloud Gaming feedback portal, it’s designed to complement the tools many of you already use:
XBOX Insider Hub for testing and bugs
Support forums for help and troubleshooting
Social channels for ongoing conversation
We’re starting small and will learn as we go. That means the experience will evolve over time as we see what’s useful and where we can do better. This is a step toward making that process more open and easier to follow.
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Forza Horizon 6 presents a stunning recreation of Japan, complete with a new Journal system where you can document and photograph every part of your journey.
Design Director Torbern Ellert and Art Director Don Arceta take us through some of the game’s most iconic locations, and how they were designed, built and adapted for the world of Horizon. Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC and XBOX Cloud as an XBOX Play Anywhere title, and playable day one with XBOX Game Pass.
It’s almost time – Forza Horizon 6 launches tomorrow – and plans to take us on a road trip of epic proportions around a mesmerizing recreation of Japan. From the snow-covered alpine hills to the dense, bustling streets of Tokyo City and all things in-between, the Forza team has put together the series’ biggest and most explorative adventure yet.
The adventure is made even more compelling by Forza Horizon 6’s new Journal feature, which encourages drivers to get out there and document as much of the world as you can. The map’s new fog-of-war shows where you’ve been, and where you’re yet to visit, and the photography feature allows you to capture points of interest, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders for your Journal as you explore.
While Forza Horizon 6 has taken the utmost care to ensure these spaces are true to life, it’s important to remember that this world is not a one-for-one recreation of real-world Japan, but rather, an interpretation of landmarks and how they’re tied together in an authentic way – while considering how you can get up close and personal with these historic buildings while inside a car. There’s lots to consider from a design perspective, and who better to ask than the team themselves?
To celebrate the launch of Forza Horizon 6, we sat down with Torben Ellert, Design Director, and Don Arceta, Art Director, to learn more about how these beautiful buildings were rebuilt for a driving game, and learn more about the process behind some of the most famous landmarks featured in Horizon’s Japan. If you’re not sure where to visit first, let this also serve as a handy guide on areas in Forza Horizon 6 that deserve to be discovered.
Nachi Falls
The first step to recreating anything – be it a building, an iconic road, or an entire village nestled on Japan’s coast, is to make it feel real and believable the space you’re putting it in. In this example, it’s Nachi Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall, with a towering, uninterrupted 133 metre drop. The waterfall also serves as the picturesque backdrop to the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, a striking red sanctuary that was of course, built way before we invented cars. According to Arceta, one major consideration while rebuilding this space in Forza Horizon 6 was effectively how to make it accessible for vehicles in a natural, and respectful way.
“We really wanted to capture the essence of this view we see a lot in real tourist guides, the big red temple with the waterfall behind it, but it’s always taken in an off-road area,” Arceta says. “In our game, we wanted to compose that in a way that you could fully appreciate it from the car. You can drive right up and around it, the space fully accommodates the car, and you can park and get a beautiful photo that looks like something you’d see in real life.
“We also take some liberties to ensure you’re not unnecessarily smashing through objects to appreciate the space.”
While it’s a beautiful spot to visit just for the sake of it, Forza Horizon 6 ensures that it’s combining these amazing spaces with gameplay elements. For example, if you follow the river down from the waterfall, you’ll also find an aftermarket car, placed intentionally to reflect where you are and what you’re doing at that moment.
Ellert also tells us that there’s an XP bonus board hidden behind the waterfall – something you’d only discover if you drive right up to the base (or over the top, in my case) – or, if you’re a seasoned gamer, attuned to finding secrets behind waterfalls, somewhere you’ll definitely, specifically go and look.
“Did we follow the iron law of game design? Yes, we did.” Ellert laughs. “Because this is also a traversal game, we lean into the playfulness of it in a way that is uniquely Horizon.”
Ruriko-ji Temple and Hirosaki Castle
Japan is full of breathtaking, ancient structures, heavily protected and deeply respected as either places or worship or the former homes to rulers of Japan’s regions. Ruriko-ji is a Buddhist Temple – recognizable by its towering, five-tiered pagoda surrounded by lush greenery. Hirosaki Castle offers a similarly attractive view, a stark but stunning black and white building surrounded by Sakura (Japan’s iconic cherry blossom trees).
Both locations hold national treasure status in Japan and preserving their prevalence and dignity as historical monuments was something that the Forza Horizon 6 team did not take lightly. Much like Nachi Falls, they look extremely close to their real-world counterparts, but some accommodations needed to be made to make them car-friendly.
“With places like these, we’re always trying to be as respectful as we possibly can,” Don explains. “With Hirosaki, we have cherry blossoms scattered around the castle, but that is actually one of the only trees you cannot smash in the game, out of respect, which is something that Kyoko Yamashita, our cultural consultant, highlighted. Kyoko was so important in helping us understand what we’re actually building and giving us the confidence to craft these landmarks.”
These two locations are also part of a collection of tourist hot spots that contributed to Forza Horizon 6’s Discover Japan path – the game includes Day Trip missions that mirror the trips that visitors often take.
“Those missions are bite-sized pieces of content scattered around the map, inspired by the things that people visiting Japan will often do – with a Horizon twist,” Ellert explains. “We thought very carefully about which Day Trips to create, what they would showcase, and how we would lead players to them, in a way that’s structured to reward you from a gameplay perspective.”
Ine Fishing Village and Shirakawa-go
Recreating singular, iconic buildings is one job, but redesigning entire settlements in Japan presents its own design hurdles. As mentioned earlier, the Forza Horizon 6 team can’t just effectively place a one-for-one recreation of an entire village inside the game – they had to work to bottle the vibe of a location instead – how do you make it feel authentic, like you’re really there, within the boundaries of a video game experience?
Ine Fishing Village and Shirakawa-go are two locations where this design approach really shines. Ine is a charming fishing town, made up of small, traditional buildings that hug Japan’s Northern Coast. One of its most recognizable features is its unique Funaya – a cluster of boathouses lining Ine Bay.
“We wanted to capture the main street going through the town, with all of the wooden houses and the koinobori fishes, two distinct visuals that captured the essence of the place,” Arceta says. “That leads to capturing the view you get from across the water, looking back at those boathouses. We wanted to make sure we factored in a road network that lets you appreciate it.”
There’s also a player house for sale in Ine, and a story mission very close to the village – again, giving players activities that reward your efforts to explore these areas.
Shirakawa-go is a similarly picturesque village, but instead it sits deep within the Ryohaku Mountains, obscured by forest greenery. Here, you’ll see beautiful, thatched farmhouses, designed to withstand the mountain’s brisk winters – something that the team wanted to showcase in Forza Horizon 6.
“The seasonality of this location was something that we really wanted to capture,” Arceta says. “Shirakawa gets super heavy snowfall, and they get these massive piles of snow on those roofs, which really captures the essence of the place.”
Forza Horizon 6’s seasons run in weekly instalments – a week of spring, a week of summer, and so on. This lets players experience Japan through vastly different conditions – and allows enough time to revisit certain areas that go through the most striking seasonal changes, like Shirakawa. Plus, the game’s race events – like the Shirakawa Circuit, for example – will look and play completely different depending on which season the game is currently in, another way to emphasizehow much seasonality affects the real-world area.
The team also had to think about the layout of both Ine and Shirakawa – to place a precedent on feeling real-world accurate rather than actually being true to life.
“We used videos of people walking through the village as a lens, so when you’re driving through, it feels authentic to that experience,” Arceta explains. “Sometimes, we’ll need to introduce something that might not exist there, but working with Kyoko [Yamashita], we explored elements that could believably exist. Like, ’Could this petrol station go here? Maybe not in the town centre, but on the outskirts.’ Or, ‘We’ll swap one building that exists for something else – adding flourishes to meet design needs for the game.’”
Mount Haruna and Tateyama Kurobe
It’s tough to truly appreciate an area’s sheer size and presence without seeing it with your own eyes. In Forza Horizon 6, you’ll soar down the cliffs of Japan’s Mount Haruna on thin, winding roads that require extreme control. From the top, they’re a scenic marvel – miles and miles of Japanese landscape where you’re often looking at beach, forest and snow-kissed peaks all at once. In comparison, Tateyama Kurobe – Japan’s epic alpine route that snakes through towering, immovable blocks of snowy walls, make you feel tiny, like you’re driving through a well-kept secret.
These two areas are strong examples of how the team has worked to capture a sense of scale, both wildly sprawling and expertly contained – simultaneously making them feel epic to explore, but feasible within the boundaries of Forza’s gameplay experience.
“It’s about collapsing these specific, memorable moments and getting rid of the filler between them, basically,” Ellert explains. “One thing that helps us express this is the point of transition between biomes. The linear distance isn’t massive, but moving between different areas and watching the scenery change around you adds to that scale.”
Ginkgo Avenue, Tokyo City… All of It
Tokyo City is of course, one of the most iconic places to visit of all. From its pleasant, suburban outskirts to the vibrant, neon-soaked central streets full of Japan’s most revered hotspots, it’s one of the most thrilling places to drive through, and one of Arceta’s favorite places on the map.
“A lot of work, love and learning has gone into developing Tokyo City, it’s the most three dimensional, layered, overlapping, and overall authentic urban area I think we’ve ever built.”
Here, the density of landmarks doesn’t feel out of place. Shibuya Crossing and Ginkgo Avenue for example – these two landmarks are pretty close in real-life, so it doesn’t feel unrealistic to see them both in quick succession here.
What makes Tokyo City feel so special is that it’s made up of lots of “little vibes” as Arceta describes it. Akihabara is a buzzing retail hub for technology and entertainment, it’s constantly alive and feels electric no matter when you pass through. Daikoku, just a short distance away, has a more chilled out feel in comparison, as does Ginkgo Avenue, a golden-hued pocket of natural beauty in otherwise highly urban environment, in which Shibuya Crossing sits, just that short drive away.
It’s the dichotomy of looming skyscrapers and overstimulated lightshows mixed with the serenity of small, green spaces and more “underground” areas that make Tokyo City feel truly special, and believable inside Forza Horizon 6’s impressive world.
Bonus Trip: Hokobu Time Circuit and Urakawa Space Center
If you got this far, here’s a departing treat. The Hokobu Circuit is a Time Attack mission available in Forza Horizon 6, where the goal is simply to set your best time, and challenge your friends. Ellert highlights this activity as one of his favorites, not just from a gameplay standpoint, but also as a homage to real-world Japanese car culture.
“It’s this wonderful, communal experience of people driving their cars on these little, rundown tracks that exist inside mountain valleys that is so quintessentially Japanese,” Ellert says. “We were then able to integrate game features that are about being together and competing with yourself, improving, and being with other people, and Hokobu is the one I like the most, possibly because I’ve spent the most time there.”
One final location that Ellert is particularly proud of is the Urakawa Space centre, which you’ll race to during Forza Horizon 6’s introduction.
“I’m a giant space nerd, and there’s something pure and aspirational about civilian spaceflight, and I was delighted that we managed to get this location in and integrate it into the campaign the way that we did,” Ellert adds. “There’s also a Drag Meet here, and several race routes that wind in and out, but overall, it was just lovely to have that incredibly modern expression of hyper-technology alongside ancient buildings just to indicate the sheer range of contrasts in Japan.”
“It’s also an encapsulation of the human desire to just… go.”
That sentiment is of course, captured perfectly in Forza Horizon 6, and this is just a small selection of the places you’ll be able to visit, document, and photograph as part of your own journey through Japan, which you’ll be able to embark on very soon, from today,by purchasing the Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition.
The road trip begins May 19, Forza Horizon 6will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC and XBOX Cloud as an XBOX Play Anywhere title, and playable day one with XBOX Game Pass.
Forza Horizon 6 Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
1994
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order
Pre-order Forza Horizon 6 now and get a pre-tuned and exclusive Ferrari J50 in-game!
Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.*
Your journey to a Horizon Legend starts now – Japan Awaits!
EXPERIENCE TOKYO, HORIZON’S LARGEST EVER CITY
Welcome to Japan, a place where the stunning contrasts of rural and urban come together as you uncover the secrets hidden within Horizon's most dense map yet, full of verticality, diverse biomes and spectacular driving experiences. Cruise the suburbs and iconic downtown streets or challenge yourself in the docks and industrial districts of Tokyo City, the largest ever urban area in a Forza Horizon game, and the home for car enthusiasts.
FEEL IMMERSED IN JAPANESE CAR CULTURE
Drive over 550 real-world cars, including some much loved and fan favorite JDM classics, featuring cutting-edge engine audio and updated steering animations with up to 540 degrees of wheel rotation. As you explore Japan, collect special Forza Edition cars fitted with extreme modifications and find rare Aftermarket Cars to test drive and buy. Your path to making a name for yourself will see you meet the Legends of the Horizon Festival, participate in Touge Battles, and experience authentic stories rooted in Japan’s legendary car culture.
RACE AND DISCOVER IN JAPAN
In Forza Horizon 6, you will explore a vast campaign of discovery and Festival racing, playable solo and in co-op with your friends.* You’ll start as a tourist and must prove you’ve got what it takes to join the Horizon Festival as a rookie driver, all while you Discover Japan and complete your Collection Journal. Qualify for the Festival in the Horizon Invitational, then rise through the ranks in progressively faster cars and earn new Wristbands to become a Horizon Legend. Your newfound status will grant you access to Legend Island, an exclusive space reserved for the greatest drivers.
MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD YOURS
Your journey will see you purchase gorgeous homes in Japan, each with customizable garages – allowing you to create the ideal spaces to showcase your car collection, or you can download layouts shared online by the community. Unlock the Estate, a mountain valley where you can build freely in the open world, creating nearly anything you can imagine. And for your favorite cars, those can be upgraded with body kits and new Forza Aero options, as well as the ability to paint custom liveries on windows.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLAYER
This Festival is always better with your friends.* Seamlessly participate in Time Attack Circuits and Drag Meets or show off your customized cars at Car Meets. Earn new co-op LINK skills with other players, compete in Spec Racing Championships, or jump into the Horizon Multiplayer modes you know and love including The Eliminator and nailbiting Hide & Seek.
BUILD TOGETHER, ANYWHERE IN JAPAN
Create with unprecedented freedom anywhere in Japan as you build custom events with your friends in CoLab, the upgraded EventLab toolset – now featuring multiplayer support* and the ability to build literally anywhere in the world. Share your masterpieces for everyone to play and discover an always evolving catalog of exciting new content created by the community.
THE FESTIVAL FOR EVERY DRIVER
Hit the open road in our most approachable Horizon game yet. Our customization options include Granular High Contrast Mode, Car Proximity Radar, American and British Sign Language, and AutoDrive, allowing players to experience the beautiful cars, hit music and spectacular locations of the Horizon Festival.
Discover your Legend, and Explore the Contrasts and Culture of Japan.
*Online console multiplayer requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately.
Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
2177
★★★★★
$119.99
Get it now
Pre-order Forza Horizon 6 now and get a pre-tuned and exclusive Ferrari J50 in-game!
Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition includes the full game with Early Access – Play 4 days early starting May 15, and VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, and Car Pass (30 cars delivered to your game, one per week), as well as the Italian Passion Car Pack and two Premium Expansions coming post-launch.
Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.*
Your journey to a Horizon Legend starts now – Japan Awaits!
EXPERIENCE TOKYO, HORIZON’S LARGEST EVER CITY
Welcome to Japan, a place where the stunning contrasts of rural and urban come together as you uncover the secrets hidden within Horizon's most dense map yet, full of verticality, diverse biomes and spectacular driving experiences. Cruise the suburbs and iconic downtown streets or challenge yourself in the docks and industrial districts of Tokyo City, the largest ever urban area in a Forza Horizon game, and the home for car enthusiasts.
FEEL IMMERSED IN JAPANESE CAR CULTURE
Drive over 550 real-world cars, including some much loved and fan favorite JDM classics, featuring cutting-edge engine audio and updated steering animations with up to 540 degrees of wheel rotation. As you explore Japan, collect special Forza Edition cars fitted with extreme modifications and find rare Aftermarket Cars to test drive and buy. Your path to making a name for yourself will see you meet the Legends of the Horizon Festival, participate in Touge Battles, and experience authentic stories rooted in Japan’s legendary car culture.
RACE AND DISCOVER IN JAPAN
In Forza Horizon 6, you will explore a vast campaign of discovery and Festival racing, playable solo and in co-op with your friends.* You’ll start as a tourist and must prove you’ve got what it takes to join the Horizon Festival as a rookie driver, all while you Discover Japan and complete your Collection Journal. Qualify for the Festival in the Horizon Invitational, then rise through the ranks in progressively faster cars and earn new Wristbands to become a Horizon Legend. Your newfound status will grant you access to Legend Island, an exclusive space reserved for the greatest drivers.
MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD YOURS
Your journey will see you purchase gorgeous homes in Japan, each with customizable garages – allowing you to create the ideal spaces to showcase your car collection, or you can download layouts shared online by the community. Unlock the Estate, a mountain valley where you can build freely in the open world, creating nearly anything you can imagine. And for your favorite cars, those can be upgraded with body kits and new Forza Aero options, as well as the ability to paint custom liveries on windows.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLAYER
This Festival is always better with your friends.* Seamlessly participate in Time Attack Circuits and Drag Meets or show off your customized cars at Car Meets. Earn new co-op LINK skills with other players, compete in Spec Racing Championships, or jump into the Horizon Multiplayer modes you know and love including The Eliminator and nailbiting Hide & Seek.
BUILD TOGETHER, ANYWHERE IN JAPAN
Create with unprecedented freedom anywhere in Japan as you build custom events with your friends in CoLab, the upgraded EventLab toolset – now featuring multiplayer support* and the ability to build literally anywhere in the world. Share your masterpieces for everyone to play and discover an always evolving catalog of exciting new content created by the community.
THE FESTIVAL FOR EVERY DRIVER
Hit the open road in our most approachable Horizon game yet. Our customization options include Granular High Contrast Mode, Car Proximity Radar, American and British Sign Language, and AutoDrive, allowing players to experience the beautiful cars, hit music and spectacular locations of the Horizon Festival.
Discover your Legend, and Explore the Contrasts and Culture of Japan.
*Online console multiplayer requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately.
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May 15, 2026 Saccharine Echo: Paranormal Dating Novel or Something More?
Kira Liss, Developer, Neverliss
Summary
A romantic story with an unconventional twist.
Morally gray characters we can’t help but love.
Aesthetics and symbolism in the details.
While the otome genre has its own conventions and distinctive features, Saccharine Echo reimagines some of them to create a fresh, cross-genre experience. Out today on Xbox Series X|S, it combines themes uncommon for a romantic visual novel with pixel art and vivid characters, creating a story that leaves a lasting impression.
Through the Looking-Glass and the Fear of Loneliness
At its core, this visual novel draws heavily on the works of Lewis Carroll, but it’s not meant to be a straightforward retelling. Alice’s dreams in “Through the Looking-Glass” are usually interpreted as a product of a child’s vivid imagination—but what if they were those of an adult woman, tired of everyday life and its problems?
As a child, Alice’s adventures had a strong influence on me, captivating me with a sense of wonder — and sometimes even fear — because you never knew what surprises lay in wait in Wonderland or “Through the Looking-Glass”. I wanted to reinterpret these feelings through a more grounded lens, blending them with struggles familiar to many, such as the fear of loneliness and self-rejection. In Saccharine Echo, Alice does not physically travel through imaginary worlds, but at some point, this other world begins to seep into her reality, and for a time, it feels like salvation.
Whether this is a form of escapism or simply taking everything at face value is entirely up to you.
The heroine may see things differently from the player. In the game, I draw a clear distinction between the player and the protagonist, deliberately choosing not to let you play ‘yourself,’ as I believe this approach creates a more cohesive and compelling narrative. Alice has her own problems and fears — ones I hope most people do not share — but it was important to make them understandable to a wide audience.
A Non-Human Creature as a Love Interest
Memorable characters are essential to any romantic story. Love, hate, intrigue — Dinah, a new presence in the heroine’s life, is sure to evoke at least one of these feelings. The only thing that can be said for certain is that Dinah is far from a good person. Vague phrasing, gaslighting, and anger issues are far from a complete list of their “crimes,” yet they remain a romantic interest in Saccharine Echo.
When working on this character, I faced a difficult challenge: making someone whose actions and words are far removed from the idea of “good” appealing to the player.
I approached this largely through Dinah’s appearance, as visual is often the first thing that shapes a player’s perception of a character. Whether they are attractive is a matter of opinion, but Dinah is undoubtedly a striking presence who stands out within the game environment, and their cocky, eccentric personality only reinforces that impression.
Charisma is also an abstract quality, but it remains an important aspect of creating a morally ambiguous character, just as empathy does.
The player needs to understand the difficult circumstances that force a character to reveal the darker side of their personality — or at least understand where it comes from. Dinah is something entirely different, a mysterious creature that does not conform to human boundaries. This character is a prisoner who is clearly insincere and takes too many liberties, but they have their own reasons for acting that way. Most of the time.
Why Pixel Art?
Some of the in-game art is done in pixel art, a style rarely seen in this genre, but I deliberately chose to experiment with it. Beyond optimizing the development process, it also posed a creative challenge that allowed me to fully realize a key aspect of Saccharine Echo: symbolism. You will notice a cohesive color palette built around variations of carmine and gray blue, reflecting the main characters.
Keen-eyed players may also catch a subtle connection in the character design, echoed in the recurring imagery of a rose and a butterfly or make-up choices emphasizing the contrast between the characters while keeping them visually complementary.
Short Story with a Lot of Potential
What fate awaits this Alice?
Your choices shape how she deals with her problems and what she truly wants from life. It takes around two hours on average to reach an ending, and thanks to Skip Mode, those who wish to can easily and quickly explore the alternative ending. At the same time, the game dives into difficult themes, explores the dark sides of the human nature and leaves you with reflection.
See you through the looking glass.
Saccharine Echo
Xitilon
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Get it now
Scotland, 2020. Alice is a young woman struggling through a painful breakup. Hoping to distract herself with online shopping, she buys a vintage mirror; then whispers begin to echo through her flat. Soon, she discovers that a mysterious figure is trapped inside the mirror, and only she can help them break free by forming a deeper connection.
Black nails and lipstick. Theatrical charm wrapped in sweet words.
Who is the creature that watches through the mirror? A ghost? A demon? Something far more dangerous? And what intentions are they hiding behind that smile?
Your choices will shape Alice’s personality, how she copes with her trauma, and the nature of her relationship with the enigmatic entity known as Dinah. Are they a romantic saviour… or a dangerous escape from reality?
Is this true love, manipulation, or something far stranger?
And most importantly — who is Dinah, really?
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Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
1441
★★★★★
$119.99
Get it now
Forza Horizon 6 Deluxe Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
1424
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order
Forza Horizon 6 Standard Edition
Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.
Pre-order Forza Horizon 6 now and get a pre-tuned and exclusive Ferrari J50 in-game!
LEGO® Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition
Warner Bros. Games
☆☆☆☆☆
270
★★★★★
$89.99
Pre-order
LEGO® Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Bruce Wayne’s journey from origin to legend as he trains with The League of Shadows, becomes the hero of Gotham City, and forges a new family of allies with Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl. Confront an ever-growing threat from across Batman’s Rogues Gallery as you face The Joker, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, and more.
Pre-order and get “The Dark Knight Returns” Batsuit inspired by the legendary comic series and 3-day launch early access with the Deluxe Edition.
Riven – May 19 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Travel to Riven, a beautiful and mysterious world on the verge of collapse. Explore this mysterious place, solve its puzzles, reveal its mysteries, make a daring rescue, and escape. Experience Riven like never before – with free movement through a real-time 3D environment. This brand-new, re-imagined, and expanded version of Riven offers a deeper story, new captivating visuals, and a journey that stays true to the original release while also expanding on Riven’s breathtaking world.
R-Type Dimensions III brings the intensity, precision, and creative enemy design of the arcade originals to a new generation. Every stage, boss, and projectile pattern has been rebuilt with high-end 3D graphics, enhanced animations, and richly detailed environments—while preserving the instantly recognizable atmosphere that defined R-Type’s identity. Building on the legacy of R-Type Dimensions and R-Type Dimensions EX, Dimensions III has been completely re-envisioned with cutting-edge visuals and sounds, expanded gameplay modes, and a range of new features designed to deliver the most definitive modern edition of R-Type’s classic era.
Turn into a kaiju as you destroy everything in your path in this fast-paced dice game! Roll the dice and find the best possible combinations to rule over Tokyo, whether you choose to heal yourself, attack, buy cards or win Victory Points. Adapt your strategy to become the King of Tokyo at the right moment and attack all your opponents at the same time. The first player to reach 20 Victory Points wins the game… and so does the last player to stay alive!
High-octane combat racing in the Warhammer 40,000 universe! Race and customize buggies, tanks and helicopters, mastering advanced movement and explosive weaponry. Unlock gear, customize your rides and use the Creation Workshop to create, share, and play custom maps with the community!
Bubsy 4D – May 22 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Join Bubsy on a new, intergalactic, platforming adventure! Yeah, we couldn’t believe it either. The world’s most infamous, wise-cracking bobcat has returned to 3D with new challenges, new moves, and even more purrsonality – in space! Run, jump, glide, and roll across alien planets, battle robotic sheep, and collect tons and tons of yarn. What could possibly go wrong?
Launch dice across enchanted battlefields where realistic physics meets ancient magic. Matching dice fuse into a more powerful one that seeks its equals, triggering devastating chain combos. Plan each throw carefully – every dice placement can trigger massive combos that wipe out entire enemy waves or set up tactical future plays. Master both precise aiming and strategic prediction to unleash the full power of mystical dice fusion.
Atomic Owl – May 20 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
An avian story of a bird and a chatty blade unfurls its feathers! Hidalgo Bladewing and his companions return to their favorite ramen spot following a perilous mission, only to be confronted by the vengeful void crow Omega Wing. Two years later, Hidalgo must rescue his fallen companions from the clutches of this ruthless old foe with the help of a chaotic, brash-talking sword. Atomic Owl is a pixel art-based single-player, side-scrolling roguelite that combines fast-paced platforming with dynamic hack-and-slash combat and a variety of weapons, powerups and a demonic blade. Journey through 8 roguelite zones, save your friends and take up arms against Omega Wing!
Pack your bags for yet another cozy and adorable adventure with the Cats & Seek series! This time, we’re off to the heart of Japan’s bustling capital to find cats playing all around the city.
Explore a unique and connected world. Understand its fragile balance, uncover its deepest questions, and find more than just the answers. Chroma Zero immerses you in a universe of mystery, color, energy, and movement, and challenges your expectations and intuition. There are no levels, the puzzles are integrated into the fabric of the space itself, and everything can change in the blink of an eye. Exploration and curiosity are rewarded.
Set off into the lush fantasy world of Oolo, a modern take on the classic isometric adventure game! Embark on a non-linear journey across mysterious forests, haunted catacombs, magical factories, and more as you collect keys, solve puzzles, and discover upgrades that allow you to explore the map in new and exciting ways. Collect memories of previous adventurers to piece together the secrets of the Isle of Souls on your quest to rekindle the World Flame.
Savara – May 20 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
In this dynamic and colorful action roguelite, delve into a fascinating universe where each decision matters and where strategy is rewarded. You’ve been invited to take part in grandiose festivities organized for the pleasure of Iop the warrior god. These aren’t your typical celebrations – they were designed to put the most valiant fighters in the dimension to the test.
Embark on a crunchy and challenging adventure in Bunny Crunch! In this vibrant 2D platformer, you take control of a hungry bunny on a mission across action-packed levels. The goal is simple but the challenge is real: in every stage, you must find and collect 3 hidden carrots to unlock the door and advance to the next world.
Coffee Talk Tokyo is the newest instalment of the beloved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator. It brings the warmth, heart, and delicious drinks from the previous games to an all-new café in Tokyo where humans and yokai alike share their stories. In a city of paper and steel, as large as a country, a small café gives humans and fantasy people a cozy place to be. Brew the right order for your customers as they seek refuge from the sweltering Tokyo summer heat and share heartfelt stories to chill lo-fi beats.
You are a prisoner sentenced to explore a derelict megastructure that sprawls deep beneath the surface of the mimic moon Luna. You are tasked with recovering forgotten technology from within the Abyss and the lost colony it consumed. Every move you make will be overseen by your artificial prison guard named Aylin.
Dive into an exciting 7-in-1 game collection packed with action, adventure, racing, and puzzle-solving fun! Explore the stars in Astro Rangers, uncover secrets in Detective Inspector: Mysterious Clues, and enjoy relaxing gameplay in Pure Mini Golf. Race at full speed in Ramp Car Racing, fight through danger in Shadow Samurai Revenge, dive into thrilling waters in Shark Adventure, and join the journey in Stickman Odyssey. With a mix of fast-paced challenges, mystery, exploration, and arcade fun, this bundle brings something for every kind of player.
Survive endless hordes in Monster Rush Survivors, a fast-paced roguelite survivor with insane builds! Combine items, upgrade abilities, unlock characters, and destroy thousands of enemies in this intense bullet heaven packed with synergies.
Psyvariar 3 takes place many years after the events of Psyvariar 2. After the fall of ETA, a faction of Psyvariars declared that Earth was too precious to be forsaken. They vowed to reclaim and colonize it once more, with GUIS rising from its ashes to resume its original mission. Decades pass. The Earth colony thrives. Then… a signal. Alien. Unknown. The moment Gluon particles are detected, dread spreads like fire. The skies darken with a familiar terror—Earth is under siege once again. The time has come for a new generation of Psyvariars to rise… and save humanity.
This physics-based puzzler turns everyday frustration into cathartic destruction as you throw, smash, and flip tables through levels inspired by modern life. Your adventure begins with a bad day at work, when your boss demands you work overtime on your birthday, and escalates into a heroic journey to become the President of the most powerful nation on Earth: Antarctica.
This deckbuilding roguelite puts inventory management into the heart of every run. Build a backpack full of weapons, armor, and healing items, carefully arranging your gear to create a setup that can carry you through battle after battle. Unlock new gear, strengthen your build, and discover better ways to use your limited space as you progress. Merge weapons to create stronger versions, fine-tune your loadout, and adapt your backpack for every challenge ahead.
Chicken Climber is a challenging vertical platformer where the only way to move is to jump! Guide a determined chicken through tall and unforgiving stages where each jump must be carefully timed and any mistake can send you falling down. Climb through 8 handcrafted levels, filled with tight platforms, sneaky traps and wide chasms, and test your precision, focus and skill while you try reaching the goal at the very top.
After a devastating war between ancient mages, a powerful spell is all that holds together the shattered planet of Driftland. Faced with the destruction of their entire civilization and life on the planet, the warring factions called a truce and tried to repair the damage – but it was already too late. By using all their remaining magic to cast a powerful spell, they managed to keep their world in relative balance. You take on the role of a Mage Overlord with your own castle, tower, and a small realm on one of the landmasses. With your unique powers, you can explore a procedurally generated world and connect floating lands to expand your kingdom.
Enter the dangerous world, where your journey starts in a small room and ends at the top of the food chain. This game is about more than just dealing; it’s about survival, strategy, and building a legacy in the underground market. You start with just a few seeds and a dream. Master the art of plant growing on your personal State Farm by cultivating everything from Schedule 1 to Schedule 5 products. But growing is only half the battle. You must also navigate the streets, find reliable buyers, and expand your distribution network – all while evading the law’s prying eyes.
Ocean Oddities is a relaxing spot the difference game that transforms mysterious underwater worlds into a captivating test of observation. At first glance, each ocean scene appears serene and unchanged, but subtle differences are hidden among coral reefs, drifting sea creatures, and sunken treasures challenging players to slow down, focus, and notice what others might overlook. With soothing aquatic visuals, satisfying “just one more” gameplay, and both timed and stress free modes, it strikes the perfect balance between calm and challenge. Players will care because it delivers that rewarding “I found it!” moment again and again, whether they’re looking to unwind or sharpen their attention to detail beneath the waves.
Panic Ball! – May 22 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A fast, skill-driven 2D platformer where every second counts. You control a nimble ball racing through compact stages packed with hazards, tight jumps, and high-speed challenges. Precise movement and quick reactions are essential as you push forward against constant time pressure.
Suika 3D Fruits is an evolution of the classic fruit-stacking puzzle. Set in a lush, stylized forest, the familiar merging mechanic is enhanced by dynamic physics, where each fruit — from tiny cherries to heavy coconuts — falls and settles inside a wooden box in the middle of the forest. Players must strategically drop their fruits to trigger a chain reaction of evolutions.
Easy to understand, funny to watch, and satisfying to master, Ultimate Wobble Run combines arcade racing, physics-based movement, and party game chaos into quick, replayable challenges for solo players and groups of friends.
Step into the shadows with Word Quest: Horror, a chilling word search journey through haunted mansions, dark forests, and forgotten crypts. Connect letters to reveal hidden words lurking in the mist and solve eerie puzzles that grow more spine-tingling with every level. Strange whispers guide your path as you uncover secrets buried deep in the darkness. Can you keep your nerve and conquer every haunting challenge?
Zero Squares is a minimalist puzzle game that challenges your logic and strategy. Move the colored squares into their matching empty slots. Use the black frame structures to navigate the level and clear all squares.
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May 14, 2026 Ticket to Ride’s 10th Expansion Arrives, Plus an Exclusive Look to New Horizons!
Amy Hodgetts, Copywriter at Marmalade Game Studio
Summary
Ticket to Ride: Poland Expansion is available on May 13 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
We go behind the scenes of Ticket to Ride’s ten expansions.
Exclusive to Xbox Wire readers, Marmalade Game Studio confirms a fan-favourite map is in the works.
Three years, ten expansions – and the Ticket to Ride train isn’t slowing down!
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Before we start gazing upon the horizon, we have our next stop to consider: Ticket to Ride’s tenth expansion, Poland. This marks the fifth digital debut for the game, following the well-received Heart of Africa, Japan, San Francisco, and Passenger-including Germany expansions!
Available on Xbox from May 13, the Ticket to Ride: Poland Expansion brings a new gameplay mechanic for you to master. It also includes two more locomotives, two additional carriages, and two original characters to play as.
From cards to coins
In the physical version of Ticket to Ride: Poland, you earn additional points by connecting neighbouring countries and picking up Country Cards. For the digital version, we’ve streamlined this mechanic by using Country Coins instead!
The game will take care of everything, setting up the Country Coins at the start of the match. Each country node gets a small pile of coins with different values shown on the top. When you connect one country to another, you get a coin from each node you built between – assuming there are any left in the pile, of course!
Then, at the end of the game, your Country Coins are added to your score. The trick is whether to focus on building out your railway network and completing tickets, or whether you rush to gather up as many Country Coins as you can before they all get swiped up by the other players!
Dance across Poland’s railway tracks and pick up those valuable Country Coins while riding the Polonaise train, or set off in the iconic Copernicus. Add the comfy Kujawiak carriage, or trust your cargo to the Orbiting Greatness carriage. You can also play as talented makeup artist Regina Kamińska or energetic drummer and student Kacper Pawlak.
Designed by history
As with all our Ticket to Ride expansions, history heavily influenced the design of the Ticket to Ride: Poland Expansion.
Filipa Semedo, Concept and 2D Artist at Marmalade Game Studio, explained: “I spent a lot of time researching 1950s Poland. The Polish government, highly influenced by the Soviet Union at the time, advised people to act and dress modestly. But American influence directly contradicted that. Since many Polish people had family in the US who sent them clothes, designs such as the American ‘A’ silhouette dress grew in popularity in Poland.
“Alongside fashion, jazz music became really popular with Polish youth too. We added a lot of that new subculture to Kacper Pawlak’s design.”
Going around the world
It’s not just historic research that drives Ticket to Ride‘s additional content. It’s been a long road to turn the maps you love into digital masterpieces!
Mike Rosser, Creative Director at Marmalade Game Studio, explained how the team selected ten expansions from the physical game’s library of maps.
“We aimed to have a good mix of expansions in the Round the World Ticket so that there are maps in there that appeal to all players. Some are more competitive, such as the India Expansion. Some are much more relaxed, like the co-operative vibes of the Japan Expansion.
“We also wanted a balance of complex maps that can take a while to play, and simpler, faster maps. By doing this, players always have a great choice available, regardless of how much time they have to play.”
“It was also important that we offered a mix of classic fan favourites like the Switzerland and Nordic Expansions along with more niche maps like Poland. We’re proud to have released some digital debuts too, like a full rendition of the Germany Expansion complete with its iconic Passenger mechanic.”
When you pick up the Round the World Ticket for Ticket to Ride, you’ll receive all ten currently released expansions to play with right away. That’s a lot of content to keep you going, but we’ve had a lot of questions about whether there’ll be more expansions beyond the ten that make up the Round the World Ticket.
What’s on the horizon for Ticket to Ride?
Well, we’re happy to confirm that there will be further content for Ticket to Ride. Plus, as an exclusive reveal for Xbox Wire readers, we can confirm that the highly requested Ticket to Ride: Pennsylvania Expansion is in the works! It’s still early days on that front, but you’ll be able to play this amazing map on Xbox in the future.
Full steam ahead, everyone!
Ticket to Ride and its current expansions are available now on the Xbox Marketplace.
Ticket to Ride: Poland Expansion is available from the May 13.
Ticket to Ride®: Deluxe Edition
Marmalade Game Studio Ltd.
☆☆☆☆☆
23
★★★★★
$39.99
$19.99
Get it now
Prepare for an adventure on a global scale! The Ticket to Ride Deluxe Bundle has everything you need to kickstart your railway empire.
With the base game, you’ll be able to explore North America with six characters, seven trains and six carriages to choose from. When you’re ready to chase new horizons, the Round the World Ticket included in this bundle will open up a total of ten expansions – all currently released expansions will be playable immediately, then the remaining expansions as they release. Plus, enjoy two Ticket Packs – Europa 1912 and USA 1910, adding more tickets and game modes!
Europe Expansion:
Play as Erika Ford and Bertie Hawkes, and power your enterprise with the Rocket and Dolomyte Dynamite locomotives! Bonus content includes the Europa 1912 Ticket Pack, which adds three new game modes and new tickets to the Europe Expansion map.
Nordic Expansion:
Build routes between colourful Nordic cities, claim the sprawling Murmansk route and earn the Globetrotter Bonus in the world’s favourite train-adventure game!
India Expansion:
Set off on an adventure in India! New characters, locomotives and carriages await in this vibrant map. Rethink your strategies and ponder beyond single routes as you chase the elusive Mandala Bonus, awarded for completing tickets in multiple different ways!
Legendary Asia Expansion:
Journey along the Silk Road and take on the mighty Himalayas in Legendary Asia! Make new friends in Wang Ling and Lê Chinh, add new locomotives and carriages to your fleet and aim for the Asian Explorer Bonus!
San Francisco City Expansion:
Cruise through San Francisco in the Sixties as this fan-favourite map goes digital for the first time! Jump aboard a tram or get a lift from fashion designer Summer Ashbury or silver-screen icon Felix Woods as you take in the city sights and seek out Souvenirs.
Switzerland Expansion:
Take in the stunning sights of nature’s very own masterpiece as you strategise your way across Ticket to Ride’s most competitive map yet – the Switzerland Expansion! Connect Switzerland’s neighbouring countries as you travel along with two brand-new characters.
Japan Expansion:
For the first time ever, play Ticket to Ride: Japan Expansion in digital form! Work together with other players to build the Bullet Train network with travel blogger Nakanishi Kimiko and Gyōji Moriyama Isamu.
Heart of Africa Expansion:
Build your railway network across incredible new landscapes with festival organiser Blessing Kipruto and griot Nnamdi Okpara.
Germany Expansion:
Pick up Passengers when you join atelier owner Franziska Braun and scholar Reinhard Hofmann on a trip across Germany!
INCLUDES:
– Ticket to Ride Base Game
– Round the World Ticket
– Europe Expansion
– Nordic Expansion
– India Expansion
– Legendary Asia Expansion
– San Francisco City Expansion
– Switzerland Expansion
– Japan Expansion
– Heart of Africa Expansion
– Germany Expansion
– Europa 1912 Ticket Pack
– USA 1910 Ticket Pack
Ticket to Ride®
Marmalade Game Studio Ltd.
☆☆☆☆☆
19
★★★★★
$24.99
$9.99
Get it now
Ticket to Ride has arrived at Platform Xbox!
Discover a fresh adaptation of the iconic, multi-award-winning board game. Play against fellow fans around the world, or take on state-of-the-art AI opponents. Build a railway empire, claim routes and dominate your competitors on the leaderboards in this fan-favourite modern classic!
FEATURES
– A TRULY SOCIAL TAKE ON MULTIPLAYER – Play online with friends or enjoy a seamless matchmaking experience when you challenge players from around the world. Alternatively, take on your friend sitting right next to you in couch play – use the free Ticket to Ride Companion App to really boost your couch gaming session!
– PLAY AROUND YOUR BUSY DAY – Set up a game in async mode and play a game across multiple days.
– SINGLE-PLAYER MODE DRIVEN BY EXPERT AIs – Powered by an innovative adaptive AI system, single-player mode offers a challenge for new and experienced players alike.
– AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE – Every moment has been brought to life with beautiful graphics that will immerse you in the adventure.
– STRATEGIC GAMEPLAY – Every game presents fresh challenges, and it’s your mission to work out the most efficient solutions. Collect points by completing tickets, linking destinations and building the longest route.
Join the Marmalade Game Studio Discord server to connect with players, organise matches, see the latest news and updates, and take part in events!
Contains:
– Ticket to Ride base game – the fan-favourite train-adventure game that started it all!
– Europe Expansion – includes the Europe map, two additional characters, two additional locomotives and two additional carriages
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May 14, 2026 Free Play Days – Battlefield 6, Bassmaster Fishing and JDM: Japanese Drift Master
Kyle OceanMarketing Manager, Xbox
Clear out your weekend plans, we got something for everyone this weekend with Free Play Days! Battlefield 6, Bassmaster Fishing and JDM: Japanese Drift Master are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members to play from Thursday May 14 until Sunday, May 17.
How To Start Playing
Scroll down and 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 Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership.
To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to 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 achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required)
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Wage all-out war in Battlefield 6 for free as an Xbox Game Pass member. From May 14-17, experience infantry and vehicle combat, class-based squad play, game-changing destruction, and new seasonal content like our biggest map yet. Lock and load, Soldier.
Bassmaster Fishing Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere Grab those shades, attach that lure and get ready to reel in a prize catch – Bassmaster Fishing is back for Free Play Days! In Bassmaster Fishing, anglers can relive the thrill of big bass fishing in locations around the USA. Cast out and hone your skills during our Free Play Days – This is your chance to get out on the water with your favorite Pro Anglers and haul in a lunker!
JDM: Japanese Drift Master Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Explore the birthplace of drift and dive into Japan’s iconic car culture! JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an homage to Japan, Japanese street racing culture and drift. It’s an open world, story-driven experience, blending Tōuge (mountainous) serpentines, with narrow rural roads and vast highways leading to a modern cityscape.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential 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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Chris Mallinson Co-founder and Game Director at Caged Element
Hey everyone, I’m Chris Mallinson – Co-founder and Game Director at Caged Element, and I’m here with Jon Doughty, our Lead Designer and Level Designer. Today we’re excited to announce that the loudest, most Orky racer around is roaring onto Xbox, launching May 21!
Speed Freeks is a high-orktane combat racing game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Expect brutal, high-speed races, deep vehicle customization, and a completely live creation mode where you and your friends can jump into a blank map to build and play your creations together in real time.
With our previous title Grip being a spiritual successor to Rollcage, we’ve always had a soft spot for this style of racer and Xbox has always been a natural home for action-packed multiplayer. With Speed Freeks, we’re hoping to bring that same energy to you and maybe even spark an Xbox revival for combat racers. It’s a genre that deserves more attention, and with everything we’ve added, especially Creation Mode and cross platform play – this feels like the perfect place for it.
At its core, Speed Freeks is a full-on vehicle shooter; something you don’t see too often. We pulled inspiration from all the best bits of vehicular combat: agile stunt cars flipping through the air while firing, heavy tanks holding strategic positions, and then we layered in some properly wild Orky ideas. You’ve got things like assassin trikes, massive Grot tanks with mechanical tricks, even airborne threats with the Deffkopta. It’s a chaotic mix, but it all comes together in a way that feels balanced and incredibly fun, whilst importantly – being 100% lore accurate to the wider 40k universe.
Agility and movement have always been a huge focus for us, letting players really express skill through mobility. Interestingly, a lot of what’s in Speed Freeks came from players experimenting during development. We saw what they were doing and leaned into it to give the same kind of ‘high skill ceiling’ that games such as Rocket League or Apex Legends provide.
Vehicles can shift momentum almost instantly when grounded or even on walls. Once you start combining abilities like Dash with handbrake turns and propulsion boosts, it becomes incredibly satisfying to master.
It’s not all about high tier movement tech though, there’s several ways to play Speed Freeks and just enjoy the chaos (not the heretical kind), from straight up Deff Rally racing where you can choose to speed through checkpoints and be first to the finish, or simply throw as much dakka as possible at the enemy to stop them – to Kill Konvoy, a mode that started as a twist on Capture the Flag, but we flipped the idea. Instead of stealing flags from a base, you grab explosives from the center and deliver them to the enemy’s base, which just so happens to be a massive, walking Stompa mech.
Because the base is constantly moving, it creates this dynamic battlefield where roles naturally emerge. You’ve got players focusing on high-speed bomb runs, others defending, some clearing paths, and even dedicated blockers guarding the Stompa. If you’ve played fast-paced CTF modes in games like Tribes, or even modern hero type FPS games with role-based abilities such as Valorant or Overwatch, you’ll recognize that same kind of energy – it just feels different when you’re screaming ork speak down a microphone.
Our most recent update on PC came directly from the community in the form of creation mode. Players kept pitching creative, over-the-top Orky ideas for environments – and as we started to toy with the idea of giving them our editing tools.
It evolved into something really special.
You can jump in and out of sessions while a level is being built, driving around mid-construction and sometimes getting hilariously taken out by objects being placed in real time. It’s chaotic, social, and genuinely creative in a way that brings us back to the old Forge modes in Halo.
We also added a workshop system where you can upload your maps for others to try, whether solo or online. It came together faster than we expected, and it’s become one of the most unique parts of the game.
Warhammer is an incredible IP. Rich lore, iconic visuals, and a very passionate fanbase. At the same time, it comes with responsibility. There are clear boundaries around how things should look and feel, especially when you’re doing something new like a combat racer. We worked very close with Games Workshop to ensure that the in game models are identical and lore accurate to the minis, and that we included as many customization options for your vehicles and pit boss as possible, from alternate weapons, additional kit items to bolt onto the vehicles, and of course, lots of paint options.
The feedback from both the community and Games Workshop has been really positive. We set out to capture that raw, chaotic Ork energy and I think we got there
Thanks for checking out Speed Freeks. If this sounds like your kind of chaos, be sure to Wishlist it on Xbox and rally your crew, because this one’s best enjoyed loud and with as many Gitz as possible! We’ll see you on May 21st!
Waaagh!
Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks
Wired Productions
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Get it now
High-octane combat racing in the Warhammer 40,000 universe! Race and customize buggies, tanks and helicopters, mastering advanced movement and explosive weaponry. Unlock gear, customize your rides and use the Creation Workshop to create, share, and play custom maps with the community!
More speed. More dakka. Join da Speedwaaagh and tear through war-torn tracks, racing solo, against bots, or with other people online across multiple game modes. Featuring cross platform crossplay support with PC and other platforms, meaning you can Krump yer' mates wherever they play!
Prove you’re the fastest git in Deff Rally, an 8v8 combat race where, speed, kunning and aggression combine before an all-out sprint to victory.
Use Orky tactics in Kill Konvoy as teams defend their giant mechanical Stompa while sabotaging the enemy’s one, with every match erupting into chaos as you fight to the finish line. Each vehicle plays differently, rewarding players with diverse skill, kunnin', and brutal strats.
When the dust settles, jump into building your own chaos – using a powerful level editor with over 400 assets. Create racetracks and battlefields either solo or with friends in real time, then share them on the Workshop where you can also download other wild creations by the community.
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May 13, 2026 Available for Xbox Insiders: New Xbox Console Updates Bring Updated Boot Up, Gamerscore Badges and More
Alex ChartersSenior Product Manager
Starting today, select Xbox Insiders can begin testing the latest updates coming to Xbox consoles, bringing even more ways to personalize and shape your experience. This latest update brings the newly introduced boot up experience, tiered Gamerscore badges, and expanded game library filters.
These features will roll out to more Insiders over time, with broader availability coming to all players later. We’re excited to hear what you think, and we’ll keep bringing you more of the features you’ve been asking for throughout the year.
New Boot up Experience
We’ve updated the console boot up experience with a new animation and sound, featuring the new Xbox logo with the signature green players know so well. You’ll see and hear the update when you power on your console, bringing a refreshed look and feel from the moment you jump in.
Earn New Tiered Gamerscore Badges
Players will now earn new tiered badges that reflect your lifetime Gamerscore, giving you a fresh way to showcase your journey on Xbox. These badges appear on your profile and in the Guide, making it easy to see your achievement history at a glance.
As your total Gamerscore grows, your badge evolves with you, reflecting every milestone along the way.
Understanding Your Game Library at a Glance
Quickly see what you can play and why. New filters make it easy to separate games you own from those shared with you and identify installed titles you no longer have access to. Whether you’re switching devices or jumping between consoles, it’s now clearer what’s in your library and what’s actually playable.
How to Get Xbox Insider Support and Share Your Feedback
We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit, where official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We recommend adding to threads with the same topic before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!
If you aren’t part of the Xbox Insider Program yet and want to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and keep an eye on this blog for all the latest news.
Thank you for being part of Xbox Insiders. We can’t wait to hear what you think.
For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.
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May 13, 2026 Inside the Heist: How PUBG Teamed Up with Payday to Evolve Beyond Battle Royale
June Yang, PUBG IP Franchise
What happens when the world’s most iconic battle royale invites a crew of hardened heisters through the door? You get the PUBG x Payday mode, a limited-time collaboration that doesn’t just blend two games, but asks a bold question: does PUBG: Battlegrounds have the potential to be something more than battle royale?
Here’s an exclusive look at how PUBG Studios and Starbreeze Studios came together for this collaboration: the ambition, the creative tension, and the moment it all clicked.
More Than A Crossover
Payday is a limited-time heist mode for PUBG: Battlegrounds, developed in collaboration with Starbreeze, available from May 21 until June 25, 2026. Players team up to plan and execute high-risk heists across four urban environments, securing targets like vaults, data, and cash before making their escape. Players can choose from five classes, Assault, Medic, Tank, Marksman, and Ghost, each bringing distinct strengths to the job, and decide whether to move in quietly with stealth or escalate to direct combat when the situation demands it.
For the team at PUBG Studios, this wasn’t simply about adding Payday content to the game. It was about proving something bigger – that PUBG can go beyond battle royale.
“The most important starting point for this collaboration was the direction to evolve PUBG: Battlegrounds, not to keep it as just a battle royale game, but to transform it into a gameplay platform capable of housing diverse genres and play experiences,” said Gi Hwan Park, Mode Production Team at PUBG Studios. “We wanted to show that within PUBG: Battlegrounds, even a genre entirely different from battle royale can be fully realized.”
For the team at PUBG Studios, that question, ‘what if PUBG: Battlegrounds could hold an entirely different kind of game inside it?’, pointed naturally toward Payday. The franchise’s identity around teamwork, role assignment, and plan execution mapped directly onto what PUBG Studios wanted to build: a new kind of cooperative experience inside PUBG: Battlegrounds’ existing landscape.
And on the other side of the table, Starbreeze needed no convincing.
“There was genuine enthusiasm on both sides from the start,” said Tobias Remmers, Payday Franchise Director at Starbreeze.
“As big fans of PUBG: Battlegrounds, we were very excited when this opportunity came up. For us, collabs like this are one of the best ways to give Payday fans more of what they love, but within the games they’re already playing.”
The DNA Of A Heist
Bringing Payday into PUBG: Battlegrounds wasn’t just a matter of reskinning a squad match. It required transplanting the core feeling of a heist, the planning, the pressure, the desperate final push to the extraction point, into a world built around completely different rules.
For Starbreeze, there were non-negotiables.
“When you think of Payday, you think of the iconic masks and the heists,” said Remmers. “The core of a Payday heist is the feeling of executing a plan and getting away. To reach your goal, you must bypass multiple obstacles, and fighting a variety of enemies will require different strategies and quick wits to claim the loot. However, now that you have the loot in a bag on your back, it’s not over yet. You still need to escape. The desperate fight through the opposition is as important as the heist itself.”
That philosophy shaped every stage in PUBG: Battleground’s new Payday mode. Across four distinct locations, Money Exchange, Diamond District, Nightclub, and Road Rage, players work together to hack security systems, blow open vault doors, and seize cash before figuring out a way to escape. The goal isn’t to be the last one standing. It’s to get in, get what you need, and get out.
A Different Kind of Tension
Making the two game philosophies co-exist took more than good intentions. Battle royale is built on individual survival, even in a squad-based scenario, while a heist demands collaboration, where each member of the team works on different tasks that contribute to a collective goal.
“The structure itself is completely different,” said Gi Hwan Park. “If PUBG: Battlegrounds players approach it in the way they’re used to, the heist simply doesn’t work. The most important thing we focused on was making players naturally play in a goal-oriented way, building a structure where dividing roles and pushing through objectives as a team is far more effective than individual combat skill.”
That structural shift begins before the match even loads. Players choose from five distinct classes, Assault, Support, Tank, Marksman, and Ghost, each shaping how the team approaches the job. And the job itself can be handled in two very different ways.
Go quiet. Use stealth to slip past security and reach the objective without raising an alarm. Or go loud: breach, engage, and fight through everything standing between your crew and the exit. The choice isn’t just aesthetic; it determines how the entire heist unfolds.
“Coming from a traditional PUBG: Battlegrounds match, you’ll recognize the feeling of us against everyone,” said Remmers. “But unlike PUBG where weapons are found in the game, in Payday, the teamwork starts while planning the heist. What score are we aiming for? What role will you have on the team? What weapon will you bring?”
Built Together, Not Borrowed
What makes Payday Mode distinct from a typical branded event is how it was made. PUBG Studios didn’t attempt to recreate the feel of Payday on their own. They brought Starbreeze into the development process directly.
“The most important thing in this collaboration was that the Starbreeze team, who knows Payday best, participated in the development directly,” said Gi Hwan Park. “Rather than us imitating what feels Payday-like, we approached it as properly transplanting the original experience into PUBG.”
For PUBG Studios, Payday mode is a proof of concept, a demonstration that PUBG: Battlegrounds can be a platform for additional experiences that go far beyond where it started.
The Sound of the Job
The collaboration goes beyond gameplay. PUBG: Battlegrounds has partnered with artist 070 Shake to release an original track that captures the mood and atmosphere of Payday Mode. The song is coming soon to major music platforms, but you can catch a preview in the trailer below. And if you want to hear the full track first, you can listen to it exclusively in the PUBG: Battlegrounds lobby when the update arrives.
Drop In. Plan the Job. Get Out.
Payday Mode launches on Xbox Series X|S on May 21, and will be available until June 25.
For PUBG players, it’s a chance to experience a kind of tension the game has never offered before. For Payday fans, it’s the heist DNA they know, running through a world they might not expect.
“We hope PUBG: Battlegrounds players who have been with us for a long time will experience something completely different through this mode,” said Gi Hwan Park. “We want Payday fans to see for themselves how the familiar heist flow unfolds within the world of PUBG: Battlegrounds.“
The crew is assembled. The plan is set. Now it’s time to pull the job.
Payday Mode is a limited-time event, available from May 21 to June 25, 2026. Follow PUBG: Battlegrounds on X, Reddit, or YouTube for the latest updates.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
KRAFTON, Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆
29114
★★★★★
Get it now
Xbox One X Enhanced
LAND, LOOT, SURVIVE!
Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free.
Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds.
Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is a free-to-play game, supporting limited cross-platform play on featured platforms.
This content download will also provide access to the BATTLEGROUNDS Test Server, which requires a separate download to play.
Optional in-game purchases available.
Please visit battlegrounds.pubg.com/ for more information.
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May 12, 2026 Little Kitty, Big City Celebrates Two Years of Feline Mischief with a Delightful Birthday Update
Arsenio Navarro, Business Operations at Double Dagger Studio
It has been two a-meow-zing years since our favorite tiny black cat first tumbled from a high-rise windowsill into the bustling streets of the Big City. Since then, millions of players have helped Kitty find their way back home, as well as tripping innocent human pedestrians, knocking over plant pots and stealing shiny trinkets, of course! To celebrate this milestone, we’re thrilled to invite everyone back to the Big City for Little Kitty, Big City‘s free Birthday Update, live today on Xbox Game Pass!
New Content – Kitty’s Apartment
The journey always began and ended at Kitty’s windowsill nap spot, but players only got glimpses into the apartment itself. Today, we’ve opened the doors to the rest of Kitty’s home, expanding the interior to be a full, explorable playground! Whether you’re chatting with Turt, Kitty’s TV-loving turtle roomie, or discovering Kitty’s musical side, you’ll have plenty of new opportunities to run amok!
Pet Party
It’s not every day you turn two years old, so we’ve also decked the apartment halls with balloons, cake, and presents, as well as providing fresh new Photo Mode stickers and frames. It’s the perfect place for a birthday photo shoot! Just don’t forget to open your presents – there’s an adorable hat somewhere under all that paper!
Exciting Crossovers
We’ve teamed up with some amazing friends for this update, too!
From the world of The Amazing Digital Circus and Glitch Productions, you can now find a Jax character hat in your hat library, and unlock a Jax skin via the Kitty Customizer (unlock code: VEGAN), while Pomni pops up as an interactable character plush! We didn’t think Kitty could get more chaotic, but we’re delighted to be proven wrong like this!
Thanks to Aggro Crab Games and Landfall Games, the lovable Bing Bong from the hit multiplayer game Peak is now available as an interactable plush for Kitty to carry! Can you take Bing Bong all the way to the top in the Big City? It’s time to find out!
We also know that exploring the Big City is more fun with a buddy, so we’ve added the Little Gecko from adorable puzzle platformer Gecko Gods as a hat, courtesy of Inresin and Super Rare. It’s like meeting Gecku’s teeniest tiniest cousin!
Smoother Experience for Kitty and Companions
As well as adding these new areas and hats, we’ve spent time refining the Little Kitty experience for Kitty’s loyal fans!
The ducklings now react to Kitty’s moods and emotes, allowing them to join Kitty at nap spots for some truly precious group snoozes. These mischief-makers also have their own animated icons on load screens now, ensuring they get the spotlight they deserve.
We’ve tucked in several technical fixes too—like a permanent solution for getting back into the construction yard (hooray!)—to make sure Kitty’s world is as smooth as their fur.
Thank youuuuuuuu!
Whether you are a long-time fan or a brand-new player joining us through Xbox Game Pass, we want to thank you for making these last two years with Little Kitty, Big Cityso special. The Birthday Update is our gift to this amazing community. Pounce on the fun today and help us wish Kitty a very happy birthday!
Little Kitty, Big City
Double Dagger Studio
☆☆☆☆☆
2772
★★★★★
$24.99
$19.99
Get it now
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? I mean, getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it's one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline… It's definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration!
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May 12, 2026 Win the Ultimate Car and Game Lover’s Jacket, Built with Forza Horizon 6
Sung Kang, Actor and Car Enthusiast
Together with Japanese-American lifestyle brand Uprisers Lab and Zipangu, the first-ever J-Pop music festival to take place in LA, we have created two Japanese denim racing jackets to mark the upcoming launch of Forza Horizon 6. And now, fans have the chance to score them.
The aim with the drop was to create something that felt broken-in from day one. Both designs are built from upcycled Japanese selvedge denim. A custom laser-etched print layers in cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and JDM cars.
The Zipangu x Forza Horizon 6 Edition features reflective silver taping along the seams, designed to catch light at night. Inside, it includes a full Forza Horizon 6 lining and a purpose-built controller pocket. The zipper pull doubles as a collectible keychain.
Then there’s my version, the Sung Kang x Forza Horizon 6 Edition. It’s designed to hit different. It includes hand-sewn 3D cherry blossom appliqués and sashiko patches etched with game and culture references. Inside: a mechanic pocket, a controller pocket, and a snack pocket. LED tape runs through the seams – wireless, rechargeable, and activated by a switch.
To mark the launch, fans can enter for a chance to win one of ten Zipangu x Forza Horizon 6 Edition denim jackets or one Sung Kang x Forza Horizon 6 Edition denim jacket by following Xbox on Instagram and commenting on the official sweepstakes post with #SungKangFH6Sweepstakes.
No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of Xbox-supported regions (excl. Russia), 18+. Ends at 5:00 p.m. PT on June 28, 2026. See Official Rules at https://rules.xboxpromotions.com/SungKangFH6 for details.)
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May 12, 2026 Phasmophobia by Alan Wake: Opening the Doors to Phasmophobia’s First Collaboration
Asim Tanvir, Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Kinetic Games
It’s been a long time since we opened the doors for players to first experience Phasmophobia. Since its launch into Early Access in 2020, we’ve always been focused on defining what the game is at its core – a mix of cooperative investigation, unpredictability, and player-driven horror.
But as the game has grown over the years, we’ve finally reached a point where we feel especially confident in the game’s identity and where it’s heading. This confidence gave us the space to explore something new without losing what makes Phasmophobia what it is, and opportunities to surprise our fans with something other than a ghost event! ‘Phasmophobia by Alan Wake’ is a limited-time event in Phasmophobia, live on Xbox Series X|S from May 12 until June 2.
A limited-time collaboration felt like the perfect step for us, as it’s something special and memorable, but still very much Phasmophobia. When it came to choosing the right partner, Alan Wake 2 felt like the perfect fit. At Kinetic Games, we’re huge fans of the series – especially what Remedy Entertainment achieved with the sequel.
The tone, atmosphere and psychological edge of Alan Wake 2 aligns closely with what we try to create with Phasmophobia; both games focus on tension and the unknown, they just express them in different ways. Alan Wake 2 leans into narrative and psychological horror, while Phasmophobia has a more emergent experience that is shaped by player interaction – but at their core, both experiences are built around that same feeling of unease.
When we look back at the decision to work with Alan Wake 2 rather than the original Alan Wake, it was clear that the sequel was the right place to draw inspiration from. It pushes further into horror, with a darker atmosphere that really resonates with Phasmophobia’s players. It’s a great moment to celebrate where both of the games currently are, so this collaboration felt really warranted.
The collaboration itself came together very naturally, as both teams have a lot of mutual respect for one another. Once conversations started, it became clear that we shared a similar approach to horror and player experience. From there, ideas started flowing pretty easily, and it became less about “should we do this?” and more about “how can we make this as cool as possible?”
Rather than trying to merge the two games completely, we focused on bringing together elements that complemented our existing systems in Phasmophobia. The goal became enhancement instead of replacement, as Phasmophobia is built around the unpredictability of each investigation and the way players react in the moment – so we wanted to keep that very much intact. When players jump into the event, it should still feel like Phasmophobia, just with a different edge to it.
A lot of that comes through in the atmosphere. Alan Wake 2 does an incredible job of creating an environment that feels both oppressive and alive, and we wanted to capture that energy in this collaboration. Without going into specifics, we looked closely at how lighting, sound, and environmental storytelling could incorporate that tone in a way that fits into Phasmophobia’s investigations.
There’s a shift in atmosphere, something that feels familiar but just a little more intense and stylised. It’s still about investigating, communicating, and surviving, but the tone brings a different flavour of horror into the experience. Even players who’ve spent hundreds of hours in Phasmophobia should find something here that surprises them.
Even though this collaboration let us explore exciting new ideas, bringing another world into Phasmophobia wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing authenticity with gameplay was one of the bigger challenges for us, as we wanted to respect Alan Wake 2 and make sure anything introduced felt true to it, while also working with our own systems and mechanics. It was definitely an enjoyable puzzle to solve, especially with the support from the team at Remedy.
‘Phasmophobia by Alan Wake’ has been a major milestone for us, and opens the door to new possibilities for the future. We’d love to explore more collaborations like this if they feel like the right fit, as this has shown us how well it can work when there’s genuine alignment between both games.
Ultimately it always comes back to player experience and seeing how they react. Phasmophobiahas always been shaped by its community, and the fans are incredibly perceptive when it comes to the details. Watching them pick up on the subtle shifts in the tone and atmosphere, including fans of Alan Wake 2, is something we’re really looking forward to.
It’s a moment where two worlds come together – and we can’t wait for players to step inside and experience it for themselves.
Phasmophobia (Game Preview)
Kinetic Games
☆☆☆☆☆
3637
★★★★★
$19.99
Get it now
Free Trial
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.
INVESTIGATE
Immersive Experience: Realistic graphics and sounds as well as a minimal user interface ensure a totally immersive experience that will keep you on your toes.
Unique Ghosts: Identify over 20 different ghost types, each with unique traits, personalities, and abilities to make each investigation feel different from the last.
Equipment: Use well-known ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF Readers, Spirit Boxes, Thermometers, and Night Vision Cameras to find clues and gather as much paranormal evidence as you can. Find Cursed Possessions that grant information or abilities in exchange for your sanity.
PLAY YOUR WAY
Locations: Choose from over 10 different haunted locations, each with unique twists, hiding spots, and layouts.
Game Modes: With 5 default difficulties and daily and weekly challenges, there are plenty of ways to test your skills.
Teamwork: Dive in head first, get your hands dirty searching for evidence while fighting for your life. If you're not feeling up to the task, play it safe and support your team from the truck by monitoring the investigation with CCTV and motion sensors.
Custom Difficulty: Create your own games to tailor the difficulty to your or your group's needs, with proportional rewards and come up with crazy game modes of your own!
MULTIPLAYER
Co-operate: Play alongside your friends with up to 4 players in this co-op horror where teamwork is key to your success.
Play together: Phasmophobia supports all players together, play with your friends with any combination of input types.
Cross-play: Play alongside your friends on other platforms.
Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://kineticgames.co.uk/.
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May 11, 2026 A Breathtaking Rebirth of One of the Greatest Shoot ’em up Sagas Ever Told
Carl Itari, Inside Sales Manager, United Games
Summary
Hardcore arcade action and wild enemy designs for a new generation.
Digital pre-orders now available.
The story behind the developer team-up to remake a classic.
The Legend Resurgent: R-Type Dimensions III Lands on Xbox May 19
In the gaming world, true legends refuse to hit “Game Over.” We’re here to drive their return, resurrecting them with greater intensity, sharper detail, and a spirit that truly breathes—with a little help from our friends!
At ININ Games, we’re dedicated to reviving the classics you love from our home in Germany. Today, we have something special to share with the Xbox community. Get ready to return to the cockpit…
A profoundly enhanced successor to the SNES masterpiece R-Type III: The Third Lightning, this project is a ground-up remake of one of the most technically impressive shooters in history. Rather than a simple sequel, this is a definitive, high-quality experience built to elevate a 16-bit icon for a modern audience.
The result is a faithful recreation that preserves the original’s haunting biomechanical aesthetic and strategic depth, while expanding the experience with new modes, refined systems, and features designed to take full advantage of today’s hardware capabilities.
The Story: Facing the Bydo Threat
Humanity faces annihilation by the Bydo Empire—a chilling techno-organic plague that consumes and corrupts everything it touches. Once a man-made weapon that spiraled out of control, the Bydo now launch invasions from a twisted dimension beyond our reality. To combat this peril, the Earth Space Corps has deployed the R-90 Ragnarok. As its pilot, you are humanity’s last line of defense. You must penetrate the heart of the Bydo domain and dismantle the empire before it consumes our world entirely. Get ready—the legend is reborn!
A Monumental Team Effort
This project stands as ININ Games’ most ambitious undertaking to date, investing heavily in bringing a legendary Japanese arcade experience into the modern era through an extensive and highly coordinated development effort. In a rare and exciting collaboration, the game is being led by a powerhouse team of experts—Inin, Irem and Tozai—making this a unique fusion of Japanese legacy and European engineering.
Those two key industry veterans anchor the project firmly within its original legacy. Irem, the legendary Japanese developer and the foundational architect of the R-Type series, is globally celebrated for revolutionizing the shoot ’em up (shmup) genre. Beyond mere gameplay, IREM defined a haunting “biomechanical” aesthetic—a grotesque, Giger-inspired fusion of flesh and machinery—that gave the Bydo Empire its distinctively chilling identity. This visual mastery was matched by their signature design philosophy: a relentless, precision-based, and high-difficulty experience that demanded tactical mastery of the iconic “Force” pod. Decades later, IREM’s pioneering spirit remains deeply embedded in the DNA of the franchise, serving as the gold standard for side-scrolling shooters.
Working to safeguard this prestigious lineage is Tozai Games, a specialized video game publisher and developer dedicated to ”building legacy with innovation and passion.“ Their mandate is the preservation and sophisticated modernization of gaming history. Acting as a vital bridge between the 16-bit era and the current landscape, Tozai serves as a custodian of legacy, often working in close collaboration with original creators and IP holders. Their mission transcends simple porting; they meticulously ensure that classic titles are faithfully adapted to leverage modern hardware—such as 4K resolution and improved frame rates—while carefully balancing the gameplay to remain accessible and engaging for a new generation of players without losing the original’s soul.
The project’s overseas contributors bring incredible technical and creative weight to the remake, now defining the rich, atmospheric sonic identity of R-Type Dimensions III by blending artistry with technology for high production value. Drawing on decades of multi-platform expertise, they channel technical mastery into revitalizing this legendary franchise with surgical precision, breathing new life into the classic series through meticulous craftsmanship.
What’s New in the Cockpit?
The game delivers a buttery-smooth experience with impressive upgrades like “Retro 2.0″ mode. You can jump straight in with clear instructions or team up for two-player co-op. A stage-selection system tracks your progress as you conquer levels, and players can seamlessly toggle between original and updated visuals. Whether you choose the classic score or the newly recorded soundtrack, this polished performance makes the legendary shooter feel remarkably fresh and more enjoyable than ever.
Pre-Order Available Now
Before the official digital release on May 19, 2026, R-Type Dimensions III can be pre-ordered in the Microsoft / Xbox Store. Whether you are a devoted nostalgist of the 16-bit era or discovering this biomechanical nightmare for the first time, prepare to relive a legend reborn for a new generation.
ありがとう and Dankeschön!
R-Type Dimensions III
ININ Games
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$34.99
Pre-order
In the distant future, humanity faces its greatest threat: the Bydo Empire, a horrifying bio-mechanical life-form capable of corrupting and absorbing anything it touches. Although humans once created the Bydo as a weapon, the experiment spiraled out of control. Now the Bydo exist beyond normal space and continually attempt to invade human reality.
After multiple wars and near-extinction events, the Bydo return once again—stronger, more adaptive, and far more aggressive. To counter this new invasion, the Earth Space Corps develops a cutting-edge fighter: the R-90 Ragnarok, a next-generation R-Type craft.
As the pilot of the R-90, you’re deployed into hostile zones that warp between normal space and the twisted Bydo dimension. Your mission: penetrate deep into enemy territory, dismantle the Bydo’s core networks, and ultimately destroy the heart of the empire before it engulfs humanity completely…
R-Type Dimensions III brings the intensity, precision, and creative enemy design of the arcade originals to a new generation. Every stage, boss, and projectile pattern has been rebuilt with high-end 3D graphics, enhanced animations, and richly detailed environments—while preserving the instantly recognizable atmosphere that defined R-Type’s identity.
Building on the legacy of R-Type Dimensions and R-Type Dimensions EX, Dimensions III has been completely re-envisioned with cutting-edge visuals and sounds, expanded gameplay modes, and a range of new features designed to deliver the most definitive modern edition of R-Type’s classic era.
Features:
– A fully remastered experience with completely reconstructed assets
– Local co-op, enhanced with new scoring and survival mechanics
– Customizable controls and quality-of-life features in the settings
– 3D Camera settings (normal and crazy)
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May 11, 2026 A Tourist Guide: Top 5 Landmarks to Visit in Outbound, Out Today
Tobi Schnackenber, Co-Founder, Square Glade Games
The wait is officially over. Outboundlaunches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC today, and we finally get to trade our office chairs for a driver’s seat and take our dream camper-vans out onto the open road!
To help you kick off your journey, we’ve scouted the map and hand-picked the top landmarks you need to visit. Grab your gear – you won’t want to miss these!
The Fire Lookout
Perched atop the highest hill in the starting meadows, this iconic tower is likely the first landmark you’ll spot!
Why Stop By: It offers a 360° view of the surrounding valley, making it the perfect spot to plan your next route. Don’t forget to check the interior for a terminal & download a blueprint to help upgrade your early-game workbench!
The Lighthouse
As you reach the coast, the Lighthouse stands as a beacon for all travelers. The views are fantastic, and it’s got that perfect salty-air atmosphere, but unfortunately the main light is busted!
Why stop by: To get the light shining again, you’ll have to solve a clever environmental puzzle and craft some electronics to fix the broken bulb. A satisfying project & incredible views, perfect for a cheeky screenshot mode photoshoot? Sign us up!
Paws & Whiskers Lodge
This is arguably the most important stop on the map. Located right at the start of the cast, this lodge has a backyard full of dogs just waiting for a travel buddy.
Why stop by: You actually get to adopt one! You can choose your favorite pup to join you in the van, and they’ll be your companion for the rest of the game. (Yes, you can pet them. Yes, they are the best.)
The Windmill
Imagine a mountain crowned by a massive windmill and surrounded by rows of bright tulips!
Why stop by: Park up by the most vibrant tulips and explore the windmill, while enjoying the great views of the surrounding wheat fields. But here’s the twist: this mill doesn’t make flour. It grinds flower petals into the vibrant paints that can be used to colour your furniture!
Red Rock Rapids Kayak Club
Deep in the canyons, you’ll find this community hub for paddlers that will need your help in repairing the broken bridge!
Why stop by: If you want to see how much the world changes as you travel, this is the place. Tucked between two tall waterfalls and on two sides of a lake that flows into a rushing river, the Kayak Club is one of the most fun places to explore!
Pack your bags! The road trip of the year begins today, so get your engines ready and prepare to find your home away from home. Outbound is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and will be playable day one with Xbox Game Pass. We’ll see you on the road!
Outbound
Square Glade Games
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Get it now
Explore a colorful world and build your own cozy home on wheels. Craft workstations, and source energy from the sun, wind, or water. Upgrade and customize your vehicle, grow crops, and live sustainably off-grid with up to 4 players.
Outbound is a cozy open-world exploration game set in a utopian near future. Start with an empty camper van and turn it into the home of your dreams – alone or together with your friends. Build and explore at your own pace. Collect materials, craft, and build in and on top of your vehicle with modular parts. Advance in technology and efficiently use energy to power your home.
Explore
Explore a colorful world in your electric camper van, powered by the sun, wind, or water. Discover iconic landmarks across diverse biomes.
Build & Craft
Build your moving base with a modular building system. Customize your vehicle with paint, decorations, and furniture to create your own perfect cozy
place.
Grow
Create gardens to grow a variety of plants and mushrooms. Enjoy them fresh or cook delicious meals to stay healthy on the road.
Best friends forever
Adopt a new friend at the Paws & Whiskers Lodge who you can feed, pet, and train to help you.
Play together
Go on a road trip across diverse biomes and build your home on wheels solo or in co-op with up to 4 players online.
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May 11, 2026 Xbox Game Pass and Discord: Building on Our Partnership to Bring More Benefits to Players
Team Xbox
For years, Xbox and Discord have worked together to make it easier to connect, chat, and play together across devices. From bringing Discord voice to Xbox consoles to enabling live streaming directly to your Discord friends, we’ve been focused on meeting players where they already are and making gaming more social along the way.
We’re teaming up again as we continue to make Game Pass more flexible for players, bringing new benefits to both Xbox Game Pass and Discord communities.
Discord Reveals Updates to Discord Nitro, Now Including Xbox Game Pass
Earlier today, Discord shared updates to its Discord Nitro membership, introducing new features and benefits for its members. As part of that update, Discord Nitro now includes a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass where available, giving eligible members a new way to discover and play great games.
Discord has also rolled out updates that make it even easier to discover and jump into games included with Game Pass. When you see a friend playing something you want to try, whether in their game stream or Discord game activity, look for the ‘Play’ button and select ‘Xbox Game Pass’ to start playing.
Coming Soon: Discord Nitro Benefits for Xbox Game Pass Subscribers
Soon, eligible Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also receive Discord Nitro benefits as part of our ongoing partnership. This will start later this month.
Benefits will include:
250 Discord Orbs each month
1.2x extra Orbs when completing Quests
Automatically applied Discord Shop discounts
We’ll keep working alongside Discord to bring players closer together. We’ll have more to share soon on how eligible Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access these Discord benefits. Stay tuned to our social channels and Xbox Wire for future updates.
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We talk with Remedy’s Miika Huttunen, Mikael Kasurinen, and Anne-Marie Grönroos about the game’s diverse gameplay, support for XPA, and working with ID@Xbox.
Control Resonant takes the series in a new direction, from evolving combat to a new playable character, with support for a variety of platforms and devices.
Control Resonant launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.
A highlight for independent developers is having the creative control in the direction of the experience they want to bring to the player. It’s what makes indies such a unique facet of game development today.
Over the years, Remedy Entertainment has staked their claim as one of the most innovative game developers, delivering numerous high-quality games from the likes of Alan Wake, Control, and soon with Control Resonant. It’s here where things get exciting — Remedy will be publishing Control Resonant themselves and the ID@Xbox team has been helping support and guide them through this journey as they bring this game to the Xbox community. Part of that support has been to make sure that the game will support Xbox Play Anywhere at launch for Control Resonant.
Xbox Play Anywhere titles can be played across Xbox console, PC, and supported gaming handhelds at no additional cost, allowing you to pick up where you left off on your preferred device, bringing all your saves, game add-ons, and achievements with you.
To learn more about this journey, ID@Xbox’s Guy Richards spoke with Remedy’s Miika Huttunen, Mikael Kasurinen, and Anne-Marie Grönroos about the game’s diverse gameplay, support for XPA, and more.
You’re bringing Xbox Play Anywhere support to Control Resonant at launch. What does that unlock for players, and how has it shaped your approach to development?
Miika Huttunen, Senior Communications Manager: We want players to feel at home with Control Resonant wherever they choose to play. Our focus has been on making sure the experience feels great across platforms.
You’re self-publishing Control Resonant and working with ID@Xbox on this project. How does that partnership support the way you want to bring the game to players?
Huttunen: Yes, Remedy Entertainment is publishing Control Resonant ourselves, which is incredibly exciting. It’s been amazing to see our company grow over the years and we appreciate all of the support from our fans and partners. Of course, the ID@Xbox team has been a tremendous group to work with as we get closer to the launch of Control Resonant. Their support and guidance has been such a positive aspect of the journey to bring this game to the incredible Xbox community.
We of course have many partners we work with, such as ID@xbox to try to make sure we land well on all platforms. Remedy has a long history with Xbox, so that always helps!
With more players spending time on handheld devices, you’ve worked to make Resonant Handheld Optimized. How have you approached making Control Resonant feel great in that format?
Huttunen: We want to ensure the game is great on all platforms and the best possible experience for players. Many of the moments in AAA games tend to really shine on big displays, but we of course realize that there are players on handheld devices. We take that into account from a performance and controls standpoint to ensure that those players get the best possible experience.
Is this the kind of game that could benefit from playing side-quests on handheld, and switching to the TV for major moments?
Huttunen: That’s an interesting question. I think it’s up to players to decide on what type of device they want to play, but it’s definitely great that you can play on one device and then continue on another.
Control Resonant takes the series in a new direction, from evolving combat to a new playable character. What drove those decisions, and how did you balance these new ideas with what fans loved about the original?
Mikael Kasurinen, Creative Director: I look at these two games as siblings, each standing on their own feet, with their own attitude and approach to the world. But it’s still the same shared world, in the middle of a new crisis. The stories in both games have the Faden siblings at the center; we just shift the perspective depending on which game you play. So, players shouldn’t worry about losing a connection to these characters and who they are. But to truly get to know them, you need to see their respective journeys through their own eyes.
This also lets us bring a fresh take on the world through quests, gameplay, weapons, and abilities. And it’s easier for new players to jump in: there’s no pressure to play the first Control before Resonant. They both work as their own experiences, each with a protagonist who’s a blank slate, ready to discover their fate. And if you want to expand the picture, nothing stops you from seeing the other side of the coin.
The first game effectively took place in a single (albeit very changeable) location – how has creating an entire city changed how you design exploration, combat, and more?
Anne-Marie Grönroos, Lead Level Designer: We have a bigger, more interconnected world. The open areas are bigger and more frequent than in the first game, which means we can show landmarks from further away, creating anticipation between seeing them for the first time and finally reaching them: many of our landmarks are created by paranatural situations that the player needs to deal with, so just seeing them in the distance already starts building up a mystery. Compared to being constrained inside the Oldest House, we can show several interesting things to pursue at once, giving the player more options for where to go and what to focus on next.
There’s a greater variety of environments and a mix of both indoor and outdoor locations, creating a bigger contrast between the two (versus going from a small office space into a bigger office space). We also get the contrast of regular New York against the paranatural. The paranatural feels stranger when it’s grounded by something familiar. The scale of the big events is and feels bigger when you see the city as a point of comparison.
We can show and tell stories of the FBC interacting with the civilian world and see the impact of the paranatural on the lives of the regular people. You can see how FBC operations work outside the Oldest House, before and during the current situation. We also have stories with no FBC connections at all.
The city environments provide a lot of opportunities for vertical gameplay. We had significant verticality in the first game, too, but now you are constantly switching between the rooftops and street level and below, feeling even more like a superhero than in the first game.
Between Control, FBC, and Resonant – and the major ways they all differ – it feels like this setting can support whatever kind of game you want to make. Do you see Control as a place for Remedy to experiment in ways it would feel less appropriate to do with other projects?
Kasurinen: Control is a versatile franchise. It can support a wide variety of experiences, but of course they need to feel like they belong and have a meaningful role to play in the larger scheme of things.
Each entry in the franchise has to push the world’s story forward. For instance, even though FBC: Firebreak was a departure in many ways, it conveyed events that happened during the lockdown of the Oldest House after the events in Control and, in its own way, set the stage for Control Resonant.
So yes, it can and should also be a place for experimentation, as long as we keep our eye on the ball and it has something meaningful to say.
CONTROL Resonant
Remedy Entertainment
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Get it now
After years in confinement at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), Dylan Faden’s former captors are deploying him at the peak of a supernatural crisis.
Charged with combating a mysterious cosmic entity as it alters fundamental aspects of our reality, Dylan must harness his new-found powers to take the fight to the myriad threats overwhelming Manhattan.
Join Dylan in this sequel to the multi-award-winning CONTROL to explore the expansive zones of a city overrun by the corrupting influences of the chaotic Hiss and invasive micro-organism, the Mold, and other twisted paranatural threats.
On the path to unlocking the full potential of his supernatural abilities Dylan will also seek out his sister, FBC Director Jesse Faden, as he bids to comprehend and contain the dangers that have spilled beyond the confines of the Oldest House to tear our world apart.
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May 8, 2026 Arty-Facts: Why Two Point Museum’s New DLC is the Most Creative One Yet
Luke Finlay-Maxwell Lead Designer, Two Point Museum
Summary
Two Point Museum: Arty-Facts is available now for Xbox Series X|S, with a limited 10% discount at launch. • Build and curate Two Point’s very first art museum, and take on Expeditions to uncover Famous Works of art to display. • Using the new Commissions feature, have your Art Experts create unique art in-house, inspired by their own emotions and traits.
In the world of Two Point Museum, moving from dusting fossils to commissioning works of art might seem like a pretty big change in scenery – but that’s exactly what the next adventure has in store for our curators. As one of the most eagerly awaited DLCs, finally bringing an art museum to Arty-Facts felt like the perfect next step for Two Point.
One of the highlights of our DLCs is the challenge – and the creativity involved – in adapting a new location and curating the best experience for your museum guests. In Undee Docks, a brand-new museum location set in an industrial port, you’ll build and curate the very first Art Museum in Two Point County, helping to turn a rundown port town into a genuine cultural hub.
Through the Expedition feature, you’ll send your staff off on adventure, dispatching a team of (partially) trained experts to discover Famous Works of art. We’ve given the concept a little twist this time around, as players will be following in the footsteps of a Two Point legend, revisiting cherished areas from the Two Point universe while exploring Zara Fitzpocket’s sketchbook. Instead of a traditional map, you’ll uncover pages from the book, each filled with delightful illustrations and doodles.
Now, Expeditions are a well-loved feature by this stage, so while you’ll discover Famous Works through these adventures, the real fun begins in the Studio Room with commissions. This is the true highlight of the expansion, as for the first time, players aren’t just uncovering pre-determined exhibits, they’re commissioning original art. By setting up your Art Experts in this new space, you’ll select the medium and Emotion for them to use in creating a brand-new artwork. Whether it’s 2D art like paintings and portraits, or 3D pieces such as sculptures and statues, the possibilities for your art collection are virtually endless.
A Blank Canvas
You’ll curate your talent on inspiring expeditions, as staff return with fresh emotions to spark in your original art in the Studio Room. Through these feelings, your newly created artwork will shape your guests’ experiences; they may suddenly develop a love of clowns, and donate generously in their presence, or be so overwhelmed with Rage that they ignore price tags, embarking on a spontaneous spending spree in your Gift Shop while disregarding the ridiculous prices.
By harnessing Emotions, you unlock a new level of the guest experience, as these powerful effects can be curated to create specialised areas, whether your aim is to max-out guest excitement with Buzz, or rake in the cash by manipulating guest emotions to have them flood you with donations.
A Work of Art
Commissioning a new piece uses a clever system to craft original art, it selects bespoke, created layers, alongside a colour palette, all influenced with which Expert it is taking on the commission. This all happens under the hood; leaving you in suspense for the result. The team put a lot of effort into creating these layers, so you’ll see a variety of pieces, ranging from abstract blobs and splats (that invite your own interpretation) to more grounded art containing still-lives – all in the Two Point-y art style, of course. Things get really interesting when your Art Experts traits come into play; as, for example, one member of staff may specialize in drawing nothing but stick people.
Managing your museum isn’t all business – there’s plenty of room for creativity! And it’s not just the Studio Room where this creativity shines. Arty-Facts introduces a huge array of new options for players, from industrial décor to fit the port’s vibe, to bright, colourful elements reminiscent of childhood dreams, like giant crayons and splashes of paint.
A lot of love and effort went into creating new customisation options, with over ten new wallpapers and ten new flooring options, which are always community favourites. The cozy creatives out there can now pair their art pieces with the perfect colourful backgrounds, as the new coverings range from traditional patterns to trippy designs.
What Players Can Expect
Arty-Facts takes everything we know our fans love – engaging yet easy-to-understand mechanics, charming humour – and brings it to a fresh set of curation challenges and creative opportunities. Whether you’re discovering Famous Works, inspired by real-life art, or experimenting with commissions in the Studio, you’ll be shaping an art-gallery-stroke-museum (a gallery-um, if you like), that’s genuinely yours. So, are you ready to splash some paint and build a world-class art museum?
Two Point Museum: Arty Facts is available on Xbox Series X|S now. Aspiring creative curators can try the DLC before they buy, playing the first act for free as part of the base game, or you can pick it up separately – with a 10% discount running for the first seven days.
Two Point Museum
SEGA
☆☆☆☆☆
84
★★★★★
$29.99
$22.49
Get it now
Two Point Museum Includes:
Design, manage and develop incredible museums
5 unique main museum locations to Two Point County:
– Prehistory – Memento Mile
– Aquarium – Passwater Cove
– Supernatural – Wailon Lodge
– Science – Bungle Wasteland
– Space – Pebberley Heights
3 Pop up museums with set tasks and challenges
Sandbox mode to build your very own MEGA MUSEUMS!
6 main exhibit types and 30+ sub categories of exhibits
You’ll adventure through 5 different expedition maps with 100+ unique points of interest
200+ unique exhibits to uncover and fill your sticker book
350+ decorative items to make your museum uniquely you
18 guest types to meet and cater for …. including those meddling kids
Unlock and manage all the museums in Two Point County!
As fledgling curators, you have the task of designing and refining your very own museums to create the ultimate guest experience. Coordinate Experts on far-flung expeditions to discover new Exhibits, generating Buzz to entice droves of knowledge-hungry guests who will expect top info-tainment if they’re to leave impressed. This is all while you keep your Exhibits safe, rooms clean, staff happy… and children off the dinosaur bones.
EXPLORING FOR EXHIBITS
As Curator, the design and management of your expanding museum is in your hands! Send your team of partially trained Experts on Expeditions in search of rare and mostly well-preserved artefacts. When (and hopefully not if) your Experts return from their adventure, proudly display their fantastic finds in your museum.
You’ll unlock new locations as you decide where the next adventure takes you, and complete a sticker book to document your journey as a souvenir of your discoveries.
Your work doesn’t end there; Exhibit maintenance is crucial. While some Experts are gallivanting across Two Point County and beyond, you’re in charge of managing staff back home to ensure Exhibits and the museum stay in tip-top condition. If taking care of the carnivorous Chomper isn’t enough, there are also meddling thieves to watch out for. Thieves, and more frequently, children, are known for touching and grubbing up the displays, so make sure enough security is guarding your prized collection!
DESIGN-OSAURS
Get creative to design your museum layout your way! You have decorative freedom, so design thematic areas to guide your guests’ visit. Splash paint and lay carpet as you lovingly arrange each prehistoric fern, potentially melting iceman, and dinosaur remains wherever you see fit.
Once you’ve created the perfect atmosphere, arrange guided tours with custom routes led by a charismatic Expert. Tours are a fantastic way to enrich your guests' experience. To keep guests enthused, showcase Exhibits with the highest Buzz – those that are top quality, provide ample info and beautiful decorations are likely to attract the most donations!
GUEST-ERTAINMENT
Guests know best! The different types of guests who will frequent your museum may have different interests, but they do have some things in common… they expect the place to be kept clean, have plenty of refreshments, ample toilets, and a gift shop filled with goodies. And, of course, they need to be dazzled with knowledge of your Exhibits, which are kept well-maintained… or else you could make them sick.
Two Point County will bring a variety of guests to your museum, and they all hope to discover their new favourite Exhibit… From dino fanatics and botany buffs to haunted horror seekers, you’ll need to cater to their personal preferences to meet their needs. By exceeding their expectations, you can keep them engaged, leading to longer visits, increased donations, and glowing reviews!
Two Point Museum: Arty-Facts
SEGA
☆☆☆☆☆
1
★★★★★
$10.99
$9.89
Get it now
Two Point Museum: Arty-Facts includes art, facts and artefacts.
– A brand new museum location: Undee Docks
– New expert type: Art Experts
– An unexplored expedition map through Zara’s Sketchbook
– 27+ Art Exhibits including Famous Works
– New Gift Shop items
– New themed Cafe items
– Five new Interactive Art displays
– New themed items and decorations
– New Art Studio room to create original art pieces
Now hiring for Art Experts to re-establish and re-imagine ‘Art’ for Two Point County in a brand new museum location: Undee Docks!
As our new resident Art Expert, you won’t just be in charge of standing around looking pensive (although that is 70% of the role), you’ll also be responsible for establishing a brand new Art Studio in the museum, creating new works to invoke a broad range of emotions in guests to the museum gallery… a gallery-um as it were!
Not only will this new gallery(um) feature Famous Works from Two Point’s greats, as our resident expert you’ll immerse guests in interactive experiences, alongside creating your very own original pieces, made right in the museum Studio, from sculptures to paintings.
Experts will need an eye for detail to distinguish the genuine arty-facts from the geneuin-ish works you might find in the back of a Roach Burger car park. Your talent will be curated on inspiring expeditions, where you’ll (probably) bring back ideas and emotion ready to evoke in the medium of your choosing.
Perks to the role mostly include a free beret, and hazard pay for the inevitable however, rare, paint-related incidents, and the salary expectations are set to the competitive industry rate of "mostly exposure".
APPLY NOW!
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Cloud GamingGamesID@XboxNext Week on XboxPC GamingXbox Game PassXbox OneAery - Calm HorizonBackroomsBandits on WestBlack JacketBlockonCall of the Elder GodsCountryside Farm CluesDentist BlingDirective 8020gallipoliHabitat Shapes: The Tropical JourneyHidden Memory - Neko's LifeJourney of Johann: To The SkyMenace from the Deep: Complete EditionMiddle Evil: The PriestMilky Way TD Survivors AutobattlerNitro Gen OmegaOutboundPawbayRoadOutSaccharine EchoSlime JumperSlots & DaggersSnack and Quack: Duckling StepsSolomon Snow: First ContactSubnautica 2SummerhouseTiny Lands 2Underling UprisingYomi 2Zumba World - The Marble Monster
Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure set on an all-new alien world, developed by Unknown Worlds. Play alone or with friends in 4-player co-op. Adapt to survive by building custom bases and crafting tools. Explore the unknown to uncover the mysteries hidden within the depths.
Outbound – May 11 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Explore a colorful world and build your own cozy home on wheels. Craft workstations, and source energy from the sun, wind, or water. Upgrade and customize your vehicle, grow crops, and live sustainably off-grid with up to 4 players. Outbound is a cozy open-world exploration game set in a utopian near future. Start with an empty camper van and turn it into the home of your dreams – alone or together with your friends. Build and explore at your own pace. Collect materials, craft, and build in and on top of your vehicle with modular parts. Advance in technology and efficiently use energy to power your home.
Black Jacket – May 12 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere
Play Blackjack against the restless souls wandering the hellish afterlife. You play for their coin, and you’ll need lots of them to bribe the ferryman and escape. But watch your bet because this isn’t your regular game of Blackjack. The Blackjack-inspired rogue-lite deck builder where you gamble your way out of hell, supercharge your deck and play impossible combos.
All is not well at Miskatonic University. Professor Harry Everhart tries to ignore the shadows flitting at the corners of his vision, while student Evangeline Drayton is haunted with impossible dreams of an artifact uncovered a decade ago. In their search for answers, the pair will uncover revelations more ancient than anyone could have imagined.
From the creators of Until Dawn and The Quarry, an all-new cinematic sci-fi horror adventure that blends intense survival gameplay with meaningful choices and a branching storyline. Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. 12 light years from home, Tau Ceti f offers a small sliver of hope. When the colony ship Cassiopeia crash lands on the planet, its crew soon realize they are far from being alone.
For a limited time only, receive with every purchase: The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack, Additional Dark Pictures Collectibles, Cinematic Filter Packs, Digital Artbook and exclusive soundtrack.
Humanity has lost the war. The wastelands are now crawling with rogue AI and scavenging war machines. You and your mercenary crew fight to survive, taking on contracts from the last remaining cities built high above the wasteland Fly across a massive open world filled with settlements, machine lairs, quests, and unexpected events. Take on contracts, recruit new pilots, and shape your crew’s legend one battle at a time.
Get ready for an irresistibly cute adventure in Snack and Quack: Ducklings Steps, a charming puzzle where you help a mother duck take care of her hungry ducklings. In peaceful, water-inspired environments, every move matters as you guide the little ones toward delicious pieces of bread scattered across the path.
Habitat Shapes: The Tropical Journey (Xbox Series)
Get ready for a relaxing and charming journey in Habitat Shapes: The Tropical Journey, a delightful puzzle where every piece finds its place in nature. Arrange adorable creatures and complete unique environments as you transform each board into a vibrant, living habitat. With intuitive and fluid gameplay, you can place pieces freely without complicated rules, creating natural and satisfying solutions. Just pick, rotate, and fit pieces together while enjoying a calm pace that rewards creativity and spatial thinking.
Milky Way is a blend of real-time strategy, tower defense, autobattler, and survivors. Visit planets in the Milky Way galaxy and defend them from hordes of enemies. Develop your economy: mine stone with mines and gold with furnaces. Strengthen your defenses: use the resources you’ve collected to build towers. Towers come in two types: some summon warriors, while others attack enemies. Some summoned warriors are great for drawing enemies away and protecting other towers. Remember, clever tower placement is the key to victory.
Yomi 2 – May 13 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Yomi 2 is a fighting game in card form. Learn your character, practice combos, and read the opponent’s tendencies. Yomi captures the feel of fighting games such as Street Fighter and Fantasy Strike and was created by a lead designer of both. Cards represent your moves: attacks, blocks, throws, dodges, and abilities. For example, throws beat blocks. Manage your hand to keep your options open while also trying to build up the right cards to pull off a big combo.
After having a normal day at the office, Terrence while traveling home inexplicably falls down to the Backrooms. A journey chronicling 7 days… Can Terrence escape this liminar horror phenomenon? Or will he be trapped within this place forever? Backrooms is a horror adventure game where you explore the liminal space of the Backrooms while you interact with strange and creepy characters. Explore the Backrooms, find the unexpected as you go into impossible spaces and see things you shouldn’t have seen.
Blockon is a minimalist puzzle game focused on strategy, planning, and precision. Your objective is simple: eliminate specific blocks and complete each level using the most efficient moves possible. Featuring 40 handcrafted levels with a progressive difficulty curve, Blockon introduces new challenges that require logical thinking and careful decision-making. Every move counts, and removing the wrong block can prevent you from completing the level.
What began on mainland Europe, was never likely to end there… Prepare for relentless WW1 beach landings and desert warfare across the Middle Eastern Front in Gallipoli! Experience the varied battlefields of the front, including the Gallipoli and Mesopotamia campaigns. Land on the beaches of Gallipoli with the ANZACs to seize the Dardanelles, fight in the streets of war-torn towns to defend Ottoman-controlled soil, and charge to victory across no man’s land under the scorching sun.
Hidden Memory – Neko’s Life is an invitation to unwind. More than just a logic puzzle, it is an emotional journey where you reconstruct the memories of a small stray kitten searching for a place to belong. Disconnect from daily stress and dive into a zen experience that blends a charming visual narrative with satisfying gameplay.
Journey of Johann is an action-adventure platformer with puzzle elements. Make your way through levels and a boss with different challenges and obstacles. Collect goblets, secrets and beat time trials. Use your weapons as tools such as climbing, blocking hits, and defeating enemies. The game was designed with speedrunning in mind.
Explore the grim world inspired by Cthulhu Mythos and collect memory fragments to uncover the secret society. Experience the gritty atmosphere through your multiple runs, upgrade your cards to shape unique strategies and most importantly – try not to lose your sanity.
RoadOut is a story-driven action RPG that combines twin stick action with rubber-burning driving mechanics. Explore a vast post-apocalyptic world in your car, then battle your way through puzzle-filled dungeons on foot. Work for hire, thrash rival gangs, and race for glory as Claire, a mercenary who survives by executing sabotage, delivery, and murder contracts in The Dead Zone.
Slime Jumper – May 14 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
A casual yet challenging 2D precision platformer that puts your skills to the test. Slime Jumper features a Jump-Only control system that delivers a fresh twist on platforming by limiting the player’s input to just two buttons for maximum simplicity and precision.
Tiny Lands 2 brings finding the differences to the next level! Dioramas mix photorealistic daily objects in 3D, explore from any angle stunning visual scenes with a real sense of handcrafting, and enjoy beautiful experiences with a refreshing visual aesthetic to relax and chill.
Underling Uprising is a new take on classic “brawlers”. Enjoy Beat ‘Em Up gameplay mixed with inspirations from those vibrant ’90s cartoons. Fight across the world as the Underlings, a group of scientifically enhanced experiments, each with their own unique powers. You only have one mission at hand: Stop the mad scientist that created you!
This game is an interactive game experience that is designed to relax your mind and soul. You jump into the role of a little bird, explore beautiful landscapes and collect magical crystals that mark certain landscapes. Because there are no enemies or any other danger in this game you will be able to lean back and enjoy the scenery and the sensation of flying. It is a great game for relaxing and calming down after an exhausting day full of hassle.
After a group of bandits breaks out of prison, the sheriff must chase them down, restore order, and bring justice to the Wild West in this pixel-art platformer.
Countryside Farm Clues is a cozy spot the difference game that turns peaceful farm life into a satisfying test of observation. At first glance, every scene looks perfect, but subtle changes are hidden everywhere, challenging players to slow down, focus, and spot what others might miss. With relaxing countryside visuals, quick “just one more” gameplay, and both timed and stress-free modes, it’s the perfect blend of calm and challenge. Players will care because it delivers that rewarding “I found it!” feeling again and again, whether they want to unwind or sharpen their attention to detail.
Treat your patients with different dental issues, from cavities to plaque buildup, and watch as their smiles transform under your expert care! Perform treatments under time pressure, and don’t forget about your customer’s comfort. If you drill too long in the teeth, the customer will be dissatisfied with your service! Pull out decaying teeth and replace them with shiny new ones. Change their shape to fangs or apply braces. Yes doctor, at your salon, your patients love braces! Don’t forget about your special bling diamond treatment. This is a fancy teeth salon after all!
A righteous young priest arrives at a remote village in the Middle Ages to cleanse the local church from evil infestation. Take up your holy weapons to battle with skeletons, ghosts, vampires, and other invading demonic creatures. Get assistance from the villagers and the underworld alike, sing prayers, and work divine miracles. Can you survive 7 nights of onslaught and rid the church of demonic possession?
Pawbay – May 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Slip into the paws of a mischievous little cat and turn a cozy seaside town upside down. In Pawbay, every alley, rooftop, shop, and secret corner is full of playful ways to stir up trouble. Sneak, climb, swipe, and pounce your way through a charming world where curiosity always leads to chaos. Better yet, you can enjoy the full adventure solo or with a friend in local 2-player split-screen co-op. The town may be lovely, but that will not stop you from becoming its most unforgettable little menace. With plenty of freedom to experiment, every prank becomes its own funny story.
Scotland, 2020. Alice is a young woman struggling through a painful breakup. Hoping to distract herself with online shopping, she buys a vintage mirror; then whispers begin to echo through her flat. Soon, she discovers that a mysterious figure is trapped inside the mirror, and only she can help them break free by forming a deeper connection.
Steady your blade – and spin! Slots & Daggers is a strange little blend of slot machine and fantasy RPG. To make this game I combined a lot of things I deeply love – weird fantasy worlds, crude drawings of strange little guys, old school crunchy hiphop drum machines and addictive arcade games that go “pling pling pling” as they spit out little coins – with classic roguelike mechanics.
Save your colleagues, planet and workplace! You are the first line of defense. If you try your best, you might not be the last. Rescue the survivors, fight your way to the roof and exterminate alien scum! No one said it’s going to be easy—and it won’t. Be smart, be quick, and be on your guard. Oh, and we hope you brought your puzzle-solving skills with you—you just might need them. Therefore, Mr. Snow, we sincerely hope you’re up for some alien murdering, maze exploring, team building and enemy portal closing-related activities today.
Summerhouse is a small-scale building game and a love letter to the feeling of long lost summer afternoons. Craft a neighbourhood of tiny, beautiful lived-in homes in a variety of settings: the sea, the city, or the mountains. While there are some little secrets to uncover, there are no rules, and you can’t win or lose. Just chill out, build to your heart’s content and soak up the atmosphere.
Zumba World – The Monster Marble Adventure fuses classic marble-shooter action with an explorable hub world! You play as a fearless dinosaur hero carrying colorful marbles in your snout. Dash across a central plaza strewn with glowing portals to four monstrous realms
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It’s race season, and if you’re feeling inspired to get onto the track and ride, Rival Stars Horse Racing has you covered. Here’s our top helpful tips to get you straight into breeding and racing your own equestrian champions!
Tip 1: Stay in the Zone
Just like in real life, every horse in Rival Stars Horse Racing has their own position preference when it comes to flat racing. Some horses like to lead from the front, while others will hold the middle or even coast at the back before making a final push for the finish line. Make sure you check your horse’s position preference before you race! When racing, staying in your horse’s preferred position will give a boost to the charge rate of their Sprint. This way, when you hit that final stretch, you’ll be ready to put on a burst of speed and take first place!
Tip 2: Family Matters
If you want to breed a racing legend, you’ll need to pay attention to your horse’s parents. Rival Stars Horse Racing uses an in-depth genetic system to determine not only a horse’s looks, but also its stats in Agility, Acceleration, Jump and more. By breeding exceptional horses together, you’re more likely to get those great stats passed on to their offspring – and even improved.
Tip 3: Make the Grade
As you progress in your equestrian journey, you’ll need to own horses of higher levels, in order to compete in more challenging racing divisions. Breeding two horses of the same grade will result in an offspring of a higher grade and that can be trained to higher levels than before – but with a hit to their stats. By breeding and mixing lineages, you can experiment until you get the grade and the stats you want!
Tip 4: Practice Makes Perfect
In Rival StarsHorse Racing, you’re able to compete in four different racing disciplines – Cross Country, Steeplechase, Flat Racing and Showjumping. In every discipline except Flat Racing, you’ll have to contend with jumps. These require you to nail your leaps with your horse to vault over fences, logs, or pits. If you miss a jump, you’ll take a penalty, which will affect your race time. Luckily, you can redo tracks if you want, giving you the ability to practice hard and perfect your approach. You might even hit a new record!
Tip 5: The Right Horse for the Job
Rival Stars Horse Racing includes ten different horse breeds, and each one is suited to a particular type of racing through their unique breed bonuses. The proud Arabian is the best choice to take on those sharp turns on Cross Country, with a primary bonus to Stamina and a secondary bonus on Agility. Meanwhile the elegant Selle Français is better suited to Steeplechase due to bonuses in Sprint Energy and Jump. And the Knabstrupper – famous for its beautiful spotted patterns – shines best in Show Jumping. The best part? You can crossbreed horses to create the perfect horse for your favourite disciplines!
☆☆☆☆☆
17
★★★★★
$29.99
Get it now
Play Rival Stars Horse Racing for the ultimate horse racing and riding experience.
Handed the keys to a rundown ranch, it’s up to you to restore your family’s legacy and become an equestrian legend! With the help of a host of colorful characters, you’ll raise charming foals, manage your dream stable of horses, and bring the ranch back to its former glory.
Ride your way — take the reins to feel the thrill and thunder on the racecourse, hone your jumping skills on the Cross Country course, explore the ranch with your horses, and so much more.
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May 7, 2026 Vampires, Werewolves, and Hunters Take the Stage at Nacon Connect 2026
Cryss Leonhart, Lead Community Manager, Nacon
Ah, here we are again. Nacon Connect has rolled around and we are eager to show what our studios and partners from across the globe, have been cooking, drawing on their cultures and interests to make the games they want to create.
Whether that’s an anime inspired French JRPG, a roleplaying game that puts you in the shoes of a Hunter in the World of Darkness, or a cosmic horror inspired psychological co-op game that asks if you can believe what you’re seeing, we’ve got it all.
If any of this sounds like news to you, it means you missed the Nacon Connect. So read on for a recap of the biggest announcements, and don’t forget to check out our sales where you can get big savings on RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, Hell is Us and more!
Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish
Following the announcement of Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish at the Xbox Partner Preview earlier this year, Game Director, Piotr Łatocha from Teyon sat down to talk about the team’s vision for what they’re building.
It starts with character creation, where you’ll define your look, backstory and skills, with attributes and skills drawn directly from the tabletop. From there, it’s a question of how you play. Which skills do you lean on? Do you go in guns blazing or smooth talk to get the information you need?
Fight back against the Darkness and reclaim the night in Summer 2027 – Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish launches for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Rageborn
While some of you were excited to be stepping into the boots of a Hunter, others wanted to be the supernatural, but don’t worry Canadian studio, Creā-ture Studios have got you covered with the announcement of Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Rageborn.
Learn what it means to be Garou, switching to between Lupus, Crinos, and Homid forms to navigate the wilds, taking the fight to Pentex while developing your Den, building relationships with your pack and powering up your abilities in an upcoming Metroidvania set in the World of Darkness.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Rageborn is coming to Xbox Series X|S in 2027.
The Mound: Omen Of Cthulhu
Gather your most trusted friends and put that trust to the test with The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu. Chilean studio, ACE Team are giving us a deep look into the gameplay of their upcoming cooperative horror experience.
Gear up on the Galleon and then step into a jungle that operates by its own rules. You are the outsider here, on the hunt for treasure while the jungle throws a mix of mind-bending events and Lovecraftian horrors your way. Working with your team is a recipe for success, but there’s no guarantee you’ll all get out alive.
Your adventure through the cursed jungle begins on July 15 when The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu launches on Xbox Series X|S.
Dracula: The Disciple
We’re heading back to France where Cyanide Studio reveal their next project, Dracula: The Disciple.
With a terminal illness draining your health, rumours of an elixir of immortality have drawn you to the castle of Count Dracula, where twisted experiments were once carried out with the goal of defying death itself.
Guided by the ghost of Renfield, the Count’s former servant in this first-person puzzle game. Through esoteric rituals, elixir making, astrology, and other occult means, you may find the answers to the questions you seek, but what will be left of you at the end.
Dracula: The Disciple is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud in 2027, and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
Wait, didn’t you mention a French JPRG? Yes, I did. There’s a lot more of the Nacon Connect that you’ve yet to see, so head on over to our playlist to watch all the trailers and don’t forget to check out the sales and pick yourself up a bargain!
I’ll see you here again next year, for another Nacon Connect. If you want to support our teams spread across the globe, then drop a wishlist on the games you’re looking forward to the most.
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We got a double header this weekend with Free Play Days! Catan and Deadside are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members to play from Thursday May 7 until Sunday, May 10.
How To Start Playing
Scroll down and 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 Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership.
To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to 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 achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required)
CATAN® – Console Edition
Catan Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery “We had an alliance!” Charmed by opportunity and the promise of faraway riches, you and a collection of like-minded adventurers discover new lands, untouched by humanity and abundant in resources. Challenge friends (of the orange kingdom) in your living room or play against smart and dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian for free this weekend.
Deadside
tinyBuild
☆☆☆☆☆
1158
★★★★★
$24.99
$12.49
Get it now
Free Trial
Deadside Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Jump into the fast-paced, open-world survival of Deadside during Free Play Days! Whether you prefer intense hardcore PVP combat or a more relaxed PVE cooperative experience, you’ll scavenge for valuable gear, explore a vast map, and build your own custom fortress. There’s never been a better time to start your journey: the massive recent 1.8 update introduced an overhauled crafting system, new weapons like the heavy-hitting R-12 Revolver, and brand-new locations to conquer. Try it out this weekend and grab the base game and all DLCs for 50% off for a limited time to keep your survival story going!
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential 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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