Entertainment Archives - Xbox Wire

War Thunder Founder Packs Available Now on Xbox One

by Viacheslav Bulannikov, Project Lead, War Thunder Posted on June 19, 2018June 19, 2018

From the start, our vision for War Thunder was always ambitious. We set out to create a massively multiplayer online game featuring aviation, armored vehicles, and warships from the pre-World War II 1930s to the height of Cold War in the 1980s. War Thunder reflects real-life warfare where nations unleashed joint military operations. Air battles feature AI-controlled ground vehicles that attackers and bombers will destroy to achieve victory. In Ground Forces battles, players are not only using tanks, but take to the skies (once they earn enough points) to rain fire and destruction from above -- which the opposition counters with aircraft and anti-air platforms of their own. As a result,... Read more

WWE 2K19 Features Cover Superstar AJ Styles, Releases October 9 on Xbox One

by Bryan Vore, Digital/Social Marketing Manager, 2K Posted on June 18, 2018June 18, 2018

The WWE 2K cover reveal day is always huge for us, but today’s announcement is particularly special. We scored one of the most talented and dynamic WWE Superstars working today. On top of that, he’s one of the best video game players on the WWE roster. The WWE 2K19 cover Superstar is none other than “The Phenomenal One,” AJ Styles. This nearly 20-year veteran is respected and admired by fans and colleagues alike as one of the best to ever step in the ring. He’s the current WWE Champion, having just defended his title at Sunday’s WWE Money in the Bank event. We’re excited to work with him through the release of the game and beyond for special activities we have... Read more

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for June 19 – 22

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 16, 2018June 16, 2018

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox, where we cover all the new games coming soon to Xbox One! Every week the team at Xbox aims to deliver quality gaming content for you to enjoy on your favorite gaming console. Read on below and click on each of the game profiles for pre-order details (dates are subject to... Read more

A Rundown of Windows 10 Gaming Hardware Announced at E3 2018

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on June 19, 2018June 19, 2018

At this year’s E3, PC hardware partners Lenovo and Dell both announced new gaming devices powered by Windows 10 that join the PC gaming mix, all ready to go with built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers to engage with other gamers. Remember, a mobile gaming PC can be a great companion for staying in touch with your save games when on the move; with Xbox Play Anywhere, you can buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and any of these Windows 10 PCs – picking up your saved games right where you left off, whether switching from console to PC or the other way around! First up, a rundown of Lenovo hardware: Lenovo Legion Y530... Read more

E3 2018: Playing in the Dark World of Ashen on Xbox One

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

At last year’s E3, we went hands-on with an earlier version of Ashen, an adventure game that aims to blend the difficulty of Dark Souls with the mystery of a dark fantasy tale. Featuring a co-op mechanic that allows you to join a friend on an adventure – or with an AI stand-in if no one is available – it was great to see more of the game at this year’s E3 and how its world, lore, and quest system have all started to expand, creating an even more intriguing and complex adventure that we’re looking forward to playing more of when the game launches day and date on Xbox Game Pass later this year. One of the more striking things I appreciate from the game’s simple, direct, and... Read more

E3 2018: Leave Aliens for Dead in Co-Op Shooter Earthfall

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 15, 2018June 18, 2018

The elevator pitch for Holospark Games’ upcoming game Earthfall could be adequately summed up in five extremely awesome words: Left 4 Dead with aliens. That’s very much by design. It’s been nearly a decade since Valve’s beloved co-op survival shooter blew away gamers with its intense action and innovative AI. Holospark hopes to update that game’s riotous multiplayer by changing the enemy and adding a few new twists. The otherworldly bad guys certainly don’t come in peace. Taking place 30 years in the future, Earthfall’s invaders arrive on our planet courtesy a meteorite slamming into the Pacific Northwest. When the government and military fail to act, average,... Read more

Resident Evil 2 Remake Coming to Xbox One on January 25

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

The Resident Evil series revolutionized the survival horror genre in video games, bringing terror to the masses with its blend of realistic zombies, gore, environmental puzzles, and memorable locales. Now, 20 years after its initial release in 1998, Capcom has announced that a remake of Resident Evil 2 will be hitting Xbox One on January 25, 2019. Resident Evil 2 will be a complete remake of the original game, albeit one updated more modern gameplay mechanics, improved over-the-shoulder camera, and gorgeous visuals thanks to the RE Engine that helped to power last year’s terrifying Resident Evil 7 biohazard. The game has been built from the ground up to make Raccoon City’s... Read more

This Week on Xbox: E3 2018 Edition

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

We know you’re busy and might miss out on all the exciting things we’re talking about on Xbox Wire every week, especially during E3 2018. If you’ve got a few minutes, we can help remedy that. We’ve pared down the past week’s E3 news into one easy-to-digest article for all things Xbox. Be sure to come back every Friday to find out what’s happening This Week on Xbox! Announcements and Reveals E3 2018: Microsoft and McLaren Continue Storied Partnership with Forza Horizon 4 During the Xbox E3 2018 briefing, we announced that the 2019 McLaren Senna will grace the cover of Forza Horizon 4, the latest entry in the award-winning Forza Horizon series, and we couldn’t be more... Read more: This Week on Xbox: E3 2018 Edition

E3 2018: Gaming for Everyone, a Conversation with Phil Spencer

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 15, 2018June 15, 2018

E3 is always an incredible time to come together to appreciate the breadth of creative energy that abounds in our industry and to celebrate what’s ahead for gamers. At this year’s E3 Coliseum series, Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox sat down with Tina Summerford, Head of Programming at Xbox, to discuss Microsoft’s approach to gaming, his perspective on E3 and to hear why the industry has a responsibility to make gaming for everyone. Other topics discussed during the panel were the unique games Xbox is looking to bring to the ID@Xbox program, insight into the creation of the Xbox E3 2018 Briefing, from matching thematic elements to creating an engaging experience, and the creation of the... Read more

E3 2018: We Embark on a Mini-Adventure with a Furry Friend in Tunic on Xbox One

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 14, 2018June 14, 2018

Making its appearance during the Xbox E3 2018 Briefing, the isometric camera, colorful visuals, and exploratory gameplay of Tunic were immediately drawing links to another green tunic wearing adventurer. And getting our hands on this title showed that indeed, there are similarities, but Tunic is trying some unique things that make it stand on its own. Waking on the beach of a small island, I took control of the little fox adventurer as he ascended some lengthy stairs, roll-dodging aggressive blobs and made my way into a small cave. Inside I found a small, unlocked chest that contained a large stick for whacking enemies across the head -- which I quickly proceeded to do once outside of... Read more

E3 2018: Cyberpunk 2077 Takes Open-World Gaming into the Dark, Dangerous Future

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 14, 2018June 14, 2018

You would expect the next game from CD Projekt Red, developer of the acclaimed role-playing game The Witcher 3, to have a sturdy RPG backbone. You might not expect it to have fierce first-person gunplay, however, or a dynamic world on par with the likes of the seminal Grand Theft Auto V. But here we are, and here is Cyberpunk 2077. Fusing deep, multi-faceted role-playing features with riveting action gameplay, this futuristic thriller aims to redefine what fans should expect from an open-world RPG. Based on a recent hands-off E3 demo, we’re convinced it will hit its target. You play as V, a mercenary living in the dense, neon-soaked jungle of Night City in the free state of... Read more

Build Your Own Jurassic Park in Jurassic World Evolution on Xbox One

by Michael Brookes, Game Director, Frontier Posted on June 14, 2018June 14, 2018

Jurassic World Evolution launched this week for Xbox One and in this post I’d like to give you a helping hand taking care of your dinosaurs. Back in "Jurassic Park," way back in 1993, Ray Arnold said that Jurassic Park had all the complications of a theme park and a zoo, and that’s the challenge you face when you first start developing your islands. Of course, Jurassic World is no ordinary zoo, and the creatures you’ll bioengineer and (try to) contain on the Las Cinco Muertes islands are deadlier and more challenging than any modern animal. The first task is to keep the dinosaurs healthy, and top of the list is their hunger and thirst. If you don’t satisfy those basic... Read more

E3 2018: Kingdom Hearts III Confirms Frozen World, Fire-Infused Simba, Release Date

by Brendan Docherty, Senior Manager of Product Marketing, Square Enix Posted on June 13, 2018June 13, 2018

During Microsoft’s E3 Showcase, Kingdom Hearts III confirmed that Disney’s “Frozen” would be the latest new world to be added to the adventure! Sora, Donald, and Goofy find themselves in the icy realm of Arendelle, where the Heartless have continued their invasion. We see Sora using Blizzard Blades, a brand-new Keyblade form, to freeze his enemies and ice-skate. Additionally, Goofy’s shield finds a new use in escaping the Heartless during downhill Goofy Curling. The heroes team up with the heroes from “Frozen” -- Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Kristoff, and Sven -- but there are some more familiar faces of friends and foes, as well. Simba from “The Lion King” appears as a... Read more

E3 2018: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a Ninja Nightmare from the Designer of Dark Souls

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 13, 2018June 13, 2018

From Software, the creative force behind gruelingly challenging action-RPGs Dark Souls, has been responsible for ludicrous in-game death counts and nigh-impossible boss fights -- and we keep coming back for more. So does the protagonist of their next diabolical effort, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. While the upcoming action game will undoubtedly put its ninja hero through hell, it will also let him rise again to avenge whatever ruthless demon took his life. Sekiro wears its influences on its sleeve. At times it looks and plays like the legendary Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, letting players sneak, stalk, and surprise baddies with devastating stealth attacks. Find yourself in the thick... Read more

E3 2018: Death is Educational in the Mysterious Depths of Below

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 13, 2018June 13, 2018

After a prolonged absence, highly-anticipated RPG Below from Toronto-based developer Capybara Games is finally coming to the surface. First announced in 2013, the Xbox One exclusive has undergone some serious nips and tucks over the years, re-emerging at E3 2018 as a colorful, confident, and challenging journey through a mysterious network of caverns. We experienced this beautiful, enigmatic adventure firsthand at a recent hands-on demo. Played from a top-down, isometric perspective, Below begins by dropping players off on the shores of a dark, shadowy island. A nearby campfire beckons, introducing us to the game’s crafting mechanics. Players will have to scavenge for items to create... Read more

E3 2018: Fighting Conformity in the Demented World of We Happy Few

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

One of the newest members of the Microsoft development family, Compulsion Games has been working on the dystopian action adventure We Happy Few for quite some time. What began as a procedural roguelike has morphed into a much more narrative-driven experience, and considering its fascinating backdrop, hilarious dialogue, and menacing enemies, that was a wise decision. Having recently played a 45-minute demo of the reworked game, we came away excited at its potential, enamored with its writing, and slightly creeped out by its unsettling characters. Set in an alternate version of 1960s England, We Happy Few tells the intertwining tale of three rebellious citizens trying to escape from... Read more

E3 2018: Announcing the Adventure Game Sable on Xbox One

by Gregorios Kythreotis and Daniel Fineberg, Shedworks Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

Hi, we’re Shedworks, a two-man (and one dog) team working in a shed on the upcoming adventure game Sable, coming in 2019 to the Xbox One family of devices. We're extremely excited to be able to share what we’ve been working on, and we hope you’ll be as excited to play it as we are to be building it! First, a little background on us. We are Gregorios Kythreotis and Daniel Fineberg, based in London. We've known each other from a young age and decided after we graduated to try making games together. After working on a few different projects, we came up with the idea for Sable about two years ago, but it was just a prototype until we started development full time in August... Read more

E3 2018: Taking Turns with the Tactical Strategy of Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Xbox One

by Jeff Rubenstein, Influencer Relations, Xbox Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

It's understandable if you're unfamiliar with Valkyria Chronicles -- the original title released a decade ago, and some entries never saw a Western release. But don't let the "4" in its title scare you off from experiencing one of the most unique games coming to Xbox One this year. Based on the meaty E3 demo we experienced, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a fresh return to the turn-based strategy, endearing characters, and stunning watercolor visuals that made the original a fan favorite. And as the storyline runs concurrently with events of the original Valkyria Chronicles, past experience with the series is purely optional. Set in something of an alternate history Europe during a... Read more

E3 2018: Surviving the Harsh Winter of Metro Exodus

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

Metro Exodus made a serious splash when it debuted at the Xbox E3 2017 Briefing. Showcasing the power of Xbox One X, the gorgeous first-person survival game brought gamers face to face with some of the less…friendly…denizens of the franchise’s post-apocalyptic Russia. Rats aren’t supposed to grow quite that big, you know. Roughly one year to the day, we finally got a closer look at 4A Games’ ambitious game. Delivering a vast, frigid landscape to explore, tight storytelling, overhauled weapon customization, and new survival systems, it’s shaping up to be another technical and mechanical showpiece. Here are four things we learned about Metro’s waterlogged wasteland during a... Read more

E3 2018: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Beyond Good & Evil 2, The Division 2 and More Wow the Crowd at Ubisoft’s E3 Press Conference

by Ben Silverman, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

Fans of Ubisoft’s many franchises were treated to a smorgasbord of reveals and demonstrations during the company’s crowd-pleasing E3 2018 Press Conference. Opening with a surreal marching band led by a dancing panda (note: no real pandas were harmed), the show began with an homage to Ubisoft’s immensely popular Just Dance series. The next entry, Just Dance 2019, is out for Xbox One on October 23. It quickly segued into a stunning new trailer for the highly-anticipated Beyond Good & Evil 2, introducing us to the game’s colorful characters, including an enigmatic look at former protagonist Jade. The game’s developers took to the stage to introduce the motley cast and give... Read more

E3 2018: Assassin’s Creed Goes Full RPG with Ambitious Odyssey

by Matt Cabral, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 12, 2018June 12, 2018

Last year’s Assassin’s Creed Origins introduced several role-playing game elements to Ubisoft’s heralded series, affording fans more freedom in how they shaped their character and tackled the story. The recently revealed Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is doubling down on this approach, representing the franchise’s first, full-on RPG entry. During an extended hands-on preview of the game, we got a taste of many of these new elements, as well as the potential depth they’ll bring to the series’ next stunningly realized historical romp. Set in ancient Greece – before even the Brotherhood-establishing Origins – Odyssey immediately introduces its RPG intentions by allowing... Read more