Members can also save up to 10% on the full game, FC Points, and other EA digital purchases. Plus, lock in recurring member rewards like Ultimate Team Draft Tokens and more.

Experience unrivaled authenticity and feel greater control in every mode as community-driven innovations deliver more true-to-football gameplay. Score in-game rewards like Ultimate Team Draft Tokens and more. Discover community-inspired gameplay improvements and greater control in every match. Welcome to The World’s Game.

What’s new in FC 27?

• A New Way to Play – The Grounds (XBOX Series X|S only) invites you to meet, play, and recruit new Club members while competing across a variety of football activities, from fast-paced Kickabouts to small-sided 2v2 matches and Clubs-only 11v11 stadium tournaments. Explore three distinct districts shaped by football culture, build relationships with renowned football mentors, and develop your game on and off the pitch.

• Community Driven Gameplay – Attack with greater fluidity through improved spatial awareness and intelligent curved runs as teammates better recognize space and passing intent. New off-balance dribbling maintains momentum through physical challenges, rewarding skillful control in one-on-one situations. Redesigned set pieces offer real-time control over positioning and attacking intent, while a new two-player header system delivers more competitive aerial battles.

• Football Ultimate Team Gallery – Immortalize your dream club in Football Ultimate Team with the all-new Gallery. Curate and grade Sets of past and present Player Items across clubs, leagues, nations, and FUT campaigns to increase your Gallery Level, earn rewards, and build your Club’s identity throughout the season.

• Rebuilt Transfer Market (Career) – Sign your next star in Manager Career with a fully rebuilt Transfer Market that’s faster, smarter, and more dynamic than ever. Player values are influenced by club buying power, player potential, ratings, and form to deliver greater realism.

Members can get 2 new items for The Grounds in EA Sports FC 27

There’s a fresh look waiting in The Grounds (XBOX Series X|S only). Jump in and hit the streets before Dec 1 to claim your EA Play member reward.

To learn more about EA Play, check out X and Instagram, or visit here. For more details on all the EA Play member benefits this month, visit the EA Play Member Benefits site. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.

Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards, 10% on EA digital purchases and more.

EA SPORTS FC 27 Ultimate Edition XBOX One & XBOX Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆ 280

★★★★★

$99.99 $89.99

Get it now

Pre-order‡ EA SPORTS FC 27 Ultimate Edition to get: – Up to 7 days Early Access – Season 1 Premium Pass – FUT 93+ OVR ICON Player Item (untradeable) for FC 26 (sold separately) – FUT Player Dribbling Evo for FC 26 (sold separately) – Career Dynamic OVR Pre-season Boost Ultimate Edition also features: – 6,000 FC Points over 3 months†† – FUT Player Evo slot – 5 Manager Live Challenge Creation Slots – 5-Star Senior Scout in Manager Career Plus all Standard Edition Career and The Grounds‡‡ content. †† You must complete the steps to obtain the initial FC Points distribution by August 1, 2027 to receive all 6,000 FC Points. If you redeem after September 26, 2027, you will not receive any FC Points. EA SPORTS FC 27 includes XBOX One & XBOX Series X|S versions. Welcome to The World’s Game in EA SPORTS FC 27. Step into The Grounds‡‡, a social football playground where the streets meet the stadium. From Kickabouts and 1v1s to teaming up with friends in Clubs, connect with renowned football mentors, improve your abilities, and express yourself on and off the pitch. Feel greater control in every game mode with more fluid, true-to-life gameplay, featuring dynamic corners, enhanced attacking awareness, player-focused defending tailored for competitive play, and more community-driven innovations. Sign your next star in Manager Career through a rebuilt Transfer Market with realistic player values and active club bidding. Master new negotiation tactics, including performance and buy-back clauses, as Dynamic OVRs reflect player form, morale, and fitness across every club. Immortalise your dream club in Football Ultimate Team with the brand-new FUT Gallery. Curate your favourite Player Items to grow your Gallery Level, earn rewards, and build your Club’s identity throughout the new football season. Experience unrivalled authenticity in EA SPORTS FC 27, with match data from the world’s top leagues powering 21,000+ licensed players. ‡‡The Grounds mode, including Clubs, only available on Xbox Series X|S version. This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items. ‡ Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-27/game-disclaimers for details. Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/legal/legal-disclosures for details. FC Points purchase & Ultimate Edition are not available in Belgium and South Korea. Audio commentary for languages other than English and the console-settings language requires a separate download. © 2026 Electronic Arts Inc. Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS logo, EA SPORTS FC, the EA SPORTS FC logo, Football Ultimate Team, and FUT are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

EA SPORTS FC 27 Standard Edition XBOX One & XBOX Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆ 277

★★★★★

$69.99 $62.99

Pre-order

Pre-order‡ EA SPORTS FC 27 Standard Edition to get: – Football Ultimate Team 92+ OVR ICON Player Item (untradeable) for EA SPORTS FC 26 (sold separately) The Grounds content ‡‡: – The Grounds Signature Sweatsuit – Tier 3 Amp inspired by Mbappe – 2 Double AXP for 10 Matches Consumables Career content: – Pre-order Challenges – 3 ICONs/Heroes – 5-Star Coach available for hire in Manager Career – 5-Star Youth Scout available for hire in Manager Career Welcome to The World’s Game in EA SPORTS FC 27. Step into The Grounds‡‡, a social football playground where the streets meet the stadium. From Kickabouts and 1v1s to teaming up with friends in Clubs, connect with renowned football mentors, improve your abilities, and express yourself on and off the pitch. Feel greater control in every game mode with more fluid, true-to-life gameplay, featuring dynamic corners, enhanced attacking awareness, player-focused defending tailored for competitive play, and more community-driven innovations. Sign your next star in Manager Career through a rebuilt Transfer Market with realistic player values and active club bidding. Master new negotiation tactics, including performance and buy-back clauses, as Dynamic OVRs reflect player form, morale, and fitness across every club. Immortalise your dream club in Football Ultimate Team with the brand-new FUT Gallery. Curate your favourite Player Items to grow your Gallery Level, earn rewards, and build your Club’s identity throughout the new football season. Experience unrivalled authenticity in EA SPORTS FC 27, with match data from the world’s top leagues powering 21,000+ licensed players. ‡‡The Grounds mode, including Clubs, only available on Xbox Series X|S version. This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items. Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/legal/legal-disclosures for details. ‡Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-27/game-disclaimers for details. FC Points purchase is not available in Belgium and South Korea. Audio commentary for languages other than English and the console-settings language requires a separate download. © 2026 Electronic Arts Inc. Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS logo, EA SPORTS FC, the EA SPORTS FC logo, Football Ultimate Team, and FUT are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

The post Welcome to The World’s Game: EA Sports FC 27 Early Access Trial with EA Play Available Today appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Every good witch’s workshop has a few essentials: a bubbling cauldron, all sorts of curious ingredients, and an ancient recipe book filled with magical brews.

In Hela: Of Mice & Magic, brewing has all of those things. But it’s also much more than a crafting system.

As tiny mouse familiars helping a kind-hearted witch care for the world around her, players spend much of their adventure exploring forests, meadows, and wetlands inspired by the landscapes of Northern Sweden. Players will come across native plants and other magical ingredients scattered throughout the landscape. Everything they collect eventually finds its way back to the witch’s cottage. That’s where brewing begins.

Every Recipe Is an Experience

Rather than selecting an item from a crafting menu, brewing in Hela is designed as an interactive process.

Each recipe follows its own set of instructions, combining different ingredients with a series of hands-on actions and asking for a specific sequence of steps before the brew can succeed.

No two recipes play exactly the same, encouraging players to engage with the process rather than simply collecting resources and pressing a button.

From the beginning, we wanted brewing to feel like an authentic experience in the witch’s workshop, one where curiosity and experimentation are just as important as gathering the right ingredients.

Brewing Drives Exploration

Brewing isn’t separate from exploration. It’s what gives exploration purpose. Every ingredient you gather has the potential to unlock something useful once you return home.

Some brews help the woodland creatures and communities you’ll meet throughout your journey. Others improve your own abilities. But perhaps the most important creations are magical tools known as Remedies.

Unlocking New Ways to Explore

Remedies expand how players move through the environment, solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and interact with each other.

As your collection grows, familiar places begin to reveal new possibilities. A path that once seemed unreachable might suddenly become accessible. A puzzle that appeared impossible earlier in the adventure can now be approached from an entirely new angle.

Instead of just making players more powerful, Remedies are designed to encourage them to look at familiar places in new ways.

Better Together

Like much of Hela, Remedies become even more playful in co-op.

Playing together encourages experimentation, as players combine different tools and approaches to overcome environmental challenges. While every puzzle can be completed solo, cooperative play often leads to unexpected moments as players combine their abilities in creative ways.

Some of our favorite moments come from discovering creative solutions we never explicitly thought of to try.

A World Built on Curiosity

At its heart, Brewing & Remedies reflect the philosophy behind Hela itself.

You’ll spend a lot of time wandering off the path. Spotting an unusual flower. Following a stream. Wondering whether that strange plant has a use. Those small discoveries are what keep the adventure moving.

Brewing is only one piece of the adventure waiting in Hela: Of Mice & Magic, but it captures the spirit of the game. We look forward to sharing more as we get closer to launch, and can’t wait to welcome Xbox players into Hela when it arrives on XBOX Series X|S and Game Pass on December 1, 2026.

Hela: of Mice & Magic

Knights Peak

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Tiny Heroes Embark On A Big Adventure In 'Hela: of Mice and Magic' See the world through the eyes of a brave little mouse in this enchanting 3D co-op adventure. Explore breathtaking landscapes inspired by Northern Sweden, solve puzzles, and be a force for good in a land where heartwarming storytelling and the beauty of nature intertwine. When the world begins to fall out of tune and the kind witch who has long protected it grows ill, her familiars embark on a journey to restore harmony to the land and help her shoulder the burden she can no longer carry alone. Playing as a tiny, intrepid mouse, you’ll venture into the wild, gather ingredients, brew magical potions, and lend a helping paw wherever it’s needed. Journey Together Hela: of Mice and Magic encourages you to work hand-in-hand to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Play solo, with a friend in local split-screen, or with up to four players in online co-op as you explore vibrant vistas together, from rugged mountains trails, through magical forests, to tranquil lakes. Even when playing alone, you can experience the full adventure thanks to the Shade System, which lets you create magical copies of yourself to help solve puzzles and interact with the world. However you choose to play, the entire journey is open to you. Explore Freely The world of Hela is built to be explored at your own pace. Wander off the beaten path, experiment with playful interactions, and uncover story fragments scattered across the landscape. Immerse yourself in this enchanting world as you glide through the air, collect items, solve puzzles, and find creative ways to navigate a world where everyday objects become grand adventures. Meet Froggy Your magical froggy backpack is your constant companion. Use Froggy to interact with the world, collect resources, solve environmental puzzles, and discover playful new ways to explore the landscape around you.

The post How Remedies Shape Progression in Hela: Of Mice & Magic appeared first on XBOX Wire.

CONTROL Resonant

Remedy Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆ 33

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

CONTROL Resonant – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

After years in confinement at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), Dylan Faden emerges into a warped Manhattan at the peak of a paranatural 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, invasive micro-organism, the Mold, and other twisted paranatural threats.

Dune: Awakening

Funcom

☆☆☆☆☆ 186

★★★★★

$49.99 $39.99

Pre-order

Dune: Awakening – September 22
Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Dune: Awakening is a single- and multiplayer Open World Survival game with immersive adventure and RPG gameplay. Explore, build, craft, and unravel a cinematic Dune story as you rise from survival to greatness on the most legendary planet in the universe. Discover a dynamic and immersive Arrakis, from the rolling sand dunes of the Deep Desert to hidden Fremen caves and the bustling city streets of Arrakeen. Play alone in full single-player, multiplayer with friends on a shared server, or with hundreds of other players on a public server. The full game, with all its features, content and story, is available regardless of which mode you choose.

EA SPORTS FC 27 XBOX Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆ 274

★★★★★

Get it now

Free Trial

EA SPORTS FC 27 – September 25
Smart Delivery

Step into The Grounds, a social football playground where the streets meet the stadium. From Kickabouts and 1v1s to teaming up with friends in Clubs, connect with renowned football mentors, improve your abilities, and express yourself on and off the pitch. Feel greater control in every game mode with more fluid, true-to-life gameplay, featuring dynamic corners, enhanced attacking awareness, player-focused defending tailored for competitive play, and more community-driven innovations.

Graveyard Keeper 2

tinyBuild

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Graveyard Keeper 2 – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

You are the Grand Inquisitor now! Restore the town and lead your undead army into battle to save the realm from a zombie apocalypse. Welcome to Graveyard Keeper 2 – the sequel to the original, unhinged classic! Build and manage your own medieval graveyard. Harvest as much flora, fauna, and human remains as you can to build extraordinary machinery, automate production, and expand your graveyard for pure profit.

Alien Breed 35th Anniversary

Commodore

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$24.99

Pre-order

Alien Breed 35^th Anniversary – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

35 years ago, this station initiated blackout protocols, burying the first era of Intex’s xeno operations. Your objective – Infiltrate the station, get power and system systems back online, uncover the last, complete archive of original redacted documents, first-person combat firefights and classified secrets. Archive footage and the all-new Horde Mode training will equip you with the skills you will need to survive. When you’re ready, deploy across six core original campaigns as a lone-wolf, with locally assigned personnel, or alongside remote operators connected through a direct peer-to-peer uplink.

BLACKSHARD

Desarrollo Bromio S.C.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

BLACKSHARD – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

BLACKSHARD is a visual and narrative experience, a dreamlike journey into uncharted liminal spaces. You will roam strange places, endless corridors and unreal architectures, encountering mysterious figures that have been forgotten for ages. Explore a unique semi-open world and find your own way through the Labyrinth. Find shards of memory from those who came before. Accept the order of things or choose a different path. Interact with your environment to transform the Labyrinth with unspeakable powers, or preserve its cold complexity.

Garfield – Escape From Monday

Microids

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Pre-order

Garfield – Escape From Monday – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Wake up Garfield from this nightmarish veggie filled 3D Platformer! The laziest cat is about to work hard in Garfield – Escape from Monday! When you’re a lazy cat spending most of his time sleeping, having a nightmare can happen. But a nightmare full of vegetables and sugar-free candies, no way! After Jon fed him spinach lasagnas inspired by Chef Monday’s recipe, Garfield falls into a deep sleep… To wake up and reactivate his taste buds, the laziest cat in the world will have to explore worlds filled with enemies and eat a gigantic deal of lasagnas!

Bubble Stomp (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Bubble Stomp – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Get ready for an adventure packed with jumps, explosions, and creativity in Bubble Stomp! Here, every obstacle is an opportunity to test your skills and discover new ways to move through stages filled with exciting platforming challenges. Use temporary bubbles, Ground Pound, and cannons to reach impossible places, cross dangerous areas, and overcome increasingly challenging obstacles. Combine these mechanics in unexpected ways to create new paths, gain momentum, defeat enemies, and reach the final objective.

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked

Resolution Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Pre-order

Demeo X Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Experience the magic of Dungeons & Dragons like never before in this tactical, cooperative digital board game set in Forgotten Realms. Command your heroes, unravel sinister plots and forge mighty alliances in turn-based combat and choice-based storytelling. From recognizable settings and classic D&D classes – like paladin, sorcerer, ranger, fighter, bard, and rogue – to fiery explosions and divine healing, Battlemarked delivers quick, pick-up-and-play action for players of every level.

Gunstoppable

CAGE Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Gunstoppable – September 22

The speed limit is infinity. The faster you move, the harder you hit. Grapple, slide, wall-run, and rail-grind to build momentum. Dodge bullet-hell barrages with wild movement tech and perfectly timed parries. Rip through robots in style to rack up views as your rampage goes viral worldwide in a fully-voiced story campaign.

VORON: Raven’s Story (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99 $7.99

Pre-order

Free Trial

VORON: Raven’s Story – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

In this story-driven adventure, you are the raven from the pages of Norse legends. Fly, explore an open world, uncover its secrets, solve puzzles, save souls, and help your family. Caw! After death, every soul must reach the World of Gods – that’s the law. But what if a soul can’t leave the Human World? In such cases, ravens guide the lost – and now it’s your duty. On your path to the World of Gods, you and your family are attacked by an ancient evil force and separated. Help each soul, learn their stories, discover why they’re trapped, find your loved one, and reach the World of Gods before the world ends.

Well Dweller

Top Hat Studios, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Well Dweller – September 22
Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Deep within the forest, at the bottom of a well, lives the only creature brave enough to kill the queen…  WELL DWELLER is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania made by the creators of Crypt Custodian and Islets! Play as Glimmer – a tiny bird armed with a matchstick- who must burn the wicked queen to save his family. Explore a dark fairy-tale landscape and befriend the charming characters who reside in the kingdom’s underbelly. Battle terrifying beasts and gain new abilities to expand your map. Solve puzzles, discover secrets, and unravel the mysteries that lie in this rotted kingdom.

Bibi & Tina – Ready, Set, Ride!

Markt+Technik Verlag GmbH

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Pre-order

Bibi & Tina – Ready, Set, Ride! – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

A summer full of friendship, tournament excitement and horse-filled happiness! No sooner has Bibi returned to Martin’s Farm than the next big adventure awaits: the Summer Cup is starting at Falkenstein Castle. Together with Tina and Alex, you compete in exciting riding disciplines – and show what friendship, fairness and a little bit of witchcraft can make possible.

BIRDCAGE

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

BIRDCAGE – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Break free of your cage and protect humanity from certain destruction in old-school shoot’em up style! BIRDCAGE is an arcade-style vertical scrolling shoot’em up inspired by genre classics, blending gritty pixel art sprites with 2.5D backdrops and a pumping retro soundtrack! Blast through 6 unique stages of bullet hell mayhem, facing off against enemy swarms using multiple shot types and rechargeable specials.

I Hear Them (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99 $7.99

Pre-order

Free Trial

I Hear Them – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

You hear scurrying in the ceiling. You hear scratching in the walls. Your house is infested with rats, and it’s your job to get rid of them. Catch rats with the help of your best friend, Lola, and uncover the supernatural mysteries behind their gatherings inside your new home. I Hear Them is a first-person horror game where you team up with the family cat and try to clear the infestation of rats in your new home. Set in early 2008, explore an atmospheric house while unveiling supernatural secrets about the creatures running around in the walls.

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2

Skyhook Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 (LMS2) is the sequel to Lawn Mowing Simulator, which builds on the rewarding working-sim feel of the original. Listening to community feedback, and internal reflections, LMS2 will offer an expanded take on professional lawn care and use real-world equipment from manufacturer partners Kubota, SCAGⓇ and STIGA! The brand-new USA setting and completely new grass tech will allow players to get the best cut ever! Not only that, but new mowers and string trimmers will be included, as well as much requested leaf blowers!

Nomori

Enchanted Works

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Pre-order

Nomori – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere

Challenge your understanding of the world’s physical limits. Place, shift, and rotate portals to change the gravity direction of objects and even yourself. Make clever use of portals to reach new places, and make every surface a floor! Use your Spirit Powers to further influence the world around you. Control the flow of time and rotate the forces of gravity to solve mind-bending environmental puzzles!

2048 Battles – Sylvan Sirens

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99

Pre-order

2048 Battles – Sylvan Sirens – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

2048 Battles – Sylvan Sirens puts an enchanting spin on the classic 2048 puzzle formula! Slide tiles to combine matching numbers and launch devastating attacks against a coven of woodland foes. Fight your way through alluring sirens, spell-weaving forest witches, and majestic fae queens—each wielding wild nature magic and a flair for the dramatic.

Ancient Farm

Ultimate Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99 $13.49

Pre-order

Ancient Farm – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Plow, plant, water, and harvest as you build your ancient Egyptian farm from the ground up. Start with nothing and unlock workshops, production buildings, and temples through your own hard work. Ancient Farm is a hands-on farming experience set in ancient Egypt. Begin with empty land and basic tools—no automation, no shortcuts. Every field, building, and harvest is created by you as you transform barren land into a thriving farm.

Beer Manufacture Simulator

Games Incubator S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$11.99 $10.19

Pre-order

Beer Manufacture Simulator – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Start small with basic tools and a simple recipe, then expand step by step. Turn a passion for craft beer into a thriving business, managing every stage of the brewing process and transforming your tiny workshop into a bustling beer manufactory. Experience brewing like never before. Mash the grains, boil the hops, cool the wort, ferment the beer, and finally bottle or keg your creation. Each stage affects the final product, ensuring that patience, timing, and attention to detail really matter.

Farming Camp

SOEDESCO

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Farming Camp – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Farming Camp is a cozy, single-player farm management game that follows the journey of an ambitious teenager competing to become the best farmer in the camp. Manage your farm alongside your companions, complete chores for points, and deal with the dynamics of a colorful cast in their teenage years. Step into the boots of young Alessandra, before she became the renowned Evertree Farmer. Experience her life at the Evertree Farming Camp where it all began. Learn the ropes and face the fun and chaos of camp life.

Fit and Grow (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Fit and Grow – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Get ready to get your hands dirty and let your creativity bloom in Fit and Grow, a relaxing puzzle game where every planted piece can completely transform the board! Here, seeds and watering cans work together to create something bigger. Place the pieces carefully, make the plants grow, and watch as they expand into new spaces across the board. But be careful: the more your plants grow, the less space remains for your next moves. Planning the right moment to plant and water will be essential to finding the perfect solution!

Heroes of Magic & Cards

Forever Entertainment S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Heroes of Magic & Cards – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Heroes of Magic & Cards is an inventive deckbuilding poker roguelike that rewards both careful buildcrafting and poker skills. Choose your class and chart your path across the world, from encounter to encounter, upgrading your deck, collecting relics, and refining your tactics to take down powerful bosses, earning powerful rewards!

Kalanoro

New Tales

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Kalanoro – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

A world inspired by Madagascar’s folklore. Once a paradise, it now suffers under the witch Raneny’s ruthless rule. Having grown tired of exploiting its people, she decided to host a huge concert with the island’s most famous band. You’re sent on a mission to fight back by rallying legendary musicians to your cause! 

Laundering Simulator

Ritual Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Laundering Simulator – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Run your own forgery workshop with a laundromat as its front! Believe it or not, but Eddie Wiser is a clever manager and a brilliant inventor. Laundering Simulator revolves around him combining his talents to start a laundering operation… for both clothes and money. And you get to help him with his little project…

Owlen and the Starbound Mountain

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Owlen and the Starbound Mountain – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Venture into a realm of towering ice peaks, shimmering frost, and skies so high they brush the stars. As Owlen, you glide above frozen cliffs, drifting clouds, and ancient structures built into the mountain’s heart. Guided by distant spirits, your mission is to restore harmony by flying through magical circles that awaken frozen landscapes, rekindle star-touched flora, and breathe life back into forgotten heights.

PUPU's Adventure Park

Happy Player

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Pre-order

PUPU’s Adventure Pack – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Run a fantasy theme park where heroes get to play adventurer!

The Relic: First Guardian

Perp Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Relic: First Guardian – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S – XBOX Play Anywhere

Created by a small and passionate core team of a dozen people, Project Cloud Games has created a fresh new take on combat, with a heavy emphasis on balancing action and vulnerability, their unique, dark, and gritty spin on classic Korean stories has been in the making for six years. Traverse a vast, interconnected realm filled with forgotten ruins, hidden dungeons, and atmospheric landscapes. The world of Arsilthus rewards curious Guardians who venture off the beaten path with ancient artifacts, secret encounters, and pieces of lost lore buried deep within its ruined regions.

Sandwalkers

Red Art Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Sandwalkers – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Every decade, the Mka tribe sends caravans of adventurers into the Phithi, the meteorological chaos that keeps the Uwando tribes isolated from each other and makes life outside the refuges almost impossible. Their mission: to establish diplomatic and trade relations, to explore and reclaim the lands left to the mercy of monsters and pirates, and, most importantly, to plant a new tree city that can become a refuge for the Mka and their allies. Regardless of the success or failure of their mission, the caravans must send the memories they have gained back to the capital, using the crystospheres carried by traveling beetles.

Seafarer: The Ship Sim

astragon Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Seafarer: The Sim Ship – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Set sail and build your career at sea in Seafarer: The Ship Sim. Take the helm of various vessels solo or in multiplayer with a crew of up to 4 players, explore a vast open world inspired by Northern Europe, and take on maritime jobs ranging from cargo transport and rescue missions to firefighting, patrols, and unexpected events. In multiplayer, share duties on board, coordinate during missions, and tackle the challenges of life at sea as a crew.

Tiny Tanks Showdown

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Tiny Tanks Showdown – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Deafest the enemy tanks while dodging their deadly bullets. Improve your aim and maneuver skill while war itself is trying to end your adventure. Level by level the enemy’s tanks get faster, smarter, and deadlier. Can you make it to the end and defeat their leader?

The Trolley Solution

Take IT Studio! sp. z o. o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Trolley Solution – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Philosophers already waste their time and lives thinking about thinking. Why not have fun while doing it? The Trolley Solution is a compilation of minigames based on the famous trolley problem, originally proposed in 1967 by British philosopher Philippa Foot. Put your thinking power to the test through humorous variations of the problem. Unlock a variety of minigames where you can also put your gaming skills to the test. Challenge yourself, gain important and useful philosophical knowledge, and expand your mind!

Retro Cube Slider (Xbox Series)

Sweet Bread Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Retro Cube Slider – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Dozens of engaging single-screen sliding puzzles! Retro goodness! Crazy contraptions to master! Anyone can play Retro Cube Slider, just press the direction button and let the stylish neon cube slide away!

Used Cars Simulator

PlayWay S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Used Cars Simulator – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Welcome to the world of trading used (or stolen) cars! Got little money and nothing to lose? We were waiting for you! In Used Cars Simulator, you’ll fix up cars, put them up for sale, grow your business in an old shed, drive around an abandoned city, drink beer, and wander the desert with a metal detector. And it all starts when you meet a beautiful woman in a red dress at your favorite bar… Are you in?

Samson – A Tyndalston Story

Liquid Swords

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Samson – A Tyndalston Story – September 21
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Samson comes home to the worst streets of Tyndalston, a place that built him hard and never forgave him. Muscle, speed, and nerve decide who stays upright. Close-quarters fights, tight corners, and no room for hesitation. Samson’s debt hangs over everything, and his sister is the pressure point his enemies squeeze. Time is short, and the bill keeps growing.

Fading Echo

New Tales ; Com2Us Holdings

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Fading Echo – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Explore the surreal landscapes of the floating islands of Corel as a young Legend on a quest to discover her past and secure her future. Unleash chain reactions as you learn to control the elements in a fast-paced desert punk action-adventure.

Rivage

Raw Fury AB

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Rivage – September 22
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anyway

In the 25th century, humanity has been forced to expand beyond its solar system. Among the stars, the planet VESTA is discovered, a world that may hold the promise of a new home. To study it, the A.R.E.S. space station is launched into orbit to analyze its potential. But when the station, and the crew, was caught up in a space phenomenon, calamity struck…

THE BATHROOMS

Take IT Studio! sp. z o. o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

THE BATHROOMS – September 23
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

A first-person horror adventure that begins with an ordinary trip to work, until you awaken in a deserted high school swallowed by fog with your Shiba nowhere to be found. After a strange Halloween ritual, the school’s bathrooms have become a shifting labyrinth where every escape has a price, and only enough coins can buy your way out. Search the maze, upgrade your vacuum, evade the relentless Custodian, and decide whether to leave while you still can or risk everything to rescue your faithful companion.

Five Elements Chess

Candleman Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Five Elements Chess – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Five Elements Chess is a spell-duel game that combines the Five Elements theory and match-three gameplay featuring simple rules, deep strategy, calm, zen-inspired visual style, and a balance of strategy and luck that anyone can enjoy

Such a Guy

NiuGamer

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Pre-order

Such a Guy – September 24
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

A first-person narrative game that blends live-action interactive storytelling with light management gameplay. You play as Zane Zheng, a young man who leaves his city job in search of meaning and, together with two close friends, renovates a lakeside guesthouse by the sea.

Angle Of Attack

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Angle Of Attack – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Climb into your state-of-the-art fighter jet and brace yourself for intense 2D fights over sprawling fields, bustling cities, and treacherous seas. From intercepting warheads on the fly to smashing through huge air fortresses, every operation demands razor-sharp reflexes and shooting precision.

Gods With Guns

Mifa Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Gods With Guns – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X/S / Smart Delivery

Become a Norse myth hero and play as legendary characters like Odin, Thor, Loki, and Hela to fight against Ragnarok. Enjoy fast-paced 2D gunplay with smooth gun handling as you battle through storms of bullets and waves of enemies. Build card combinations to enhance your power and collect cards to strengthen your character and face endless enemies.

Moonlight Chess

Desert Water Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Moonlight Chess – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

A turn-based auto-battler tactics game where you build your own army, defeat waves of enemies, and conquer the evil raging across the kingdom. Deploy units on a gridded battlefield. Every unit fights automatically, but the outcome depends entirely on your tactics and positioning.

Roots

Phoenix Reborn Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Roots – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

Your grandfather left you a farm and one simple wish: take good care of it. In Roots, bring his old farm back to life. Till the soil, plant seeds, gather resources, and sell your produce to fund your next step. Turn small harvests into thriving fields as you unlock upgrades and expand across islands.

Runes Quest

Xitilon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Runes Quest – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S

A sokoban-like game where you help the knight to find the way back home. Lots of game elements: buttons, grates, keys, runes, boxes, pits and traps; 30 levels in total; 2 biomes, light and dark, enhanced by cute graphics and relaxing music.

Vampire Blood Dynasty

GamePoc LTD

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Vampire Blood Dynasty – September 25
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere

Step into the shadows of a modern metropolis where ancient bloodlines wage silent wars for supremacy. As a powerful vampire thrust into a world of political intrigue and supernatural conflict, your choices will shape the destiny of an entire city’s vampire society.

The post Next Week on XBOX: New Games for September 21 to 25 appeared first on XBOX Wire.

TRANSCRIPT

LINA MADRID: Games in this podcast range from E to N.
[ XBOX sound ]
Hey, everyone, welcome to the official XBOX podcast, the only podcast, coming to you from inside XBOX.
I’m Lina, this is Jeff, and we’re here at BlizzCon 2026.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: In case you didn’t hear the noise behind you — we hear the noise, don’t we?
LINA MADRID: Yeah, yeah.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: All right, Ben Bell, Aaron Keller, fresh off the stage here at BlizzCon.
Thank you so much for joining us during your Super Bowl weekend.
AARON KELLER: Thank you so much for having us.
BEN BELL: Thank you.
AARON KELLER: Super excited.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I would love to talk about this year in general.
Starting with the Overwatch Spotlight at the beginning of the year, from that point forward, it felt like everyone I was talking to, they’d be no, I’ve really gotten back into Overwatch this year.
And then announcement after announcement, new characters, and then sort of peaking here on stage with yet another announcement of both a map and a character.
I’d love to hear, just tell us about the state of Overwatch here as you’re wrapping up 2026.
AARON KELLER: Yeah, we wanted to go big this year, and we had this plan to do all of that early on in our Spotlight event in February.
We announced five new heroes, the return to story to Overwatch.
And since then, every season we’ve released a new hero, we’ve moved the story forward.
And you’re right, it culminated here at BlizzCon 2026 where we announced our ninth hero of the year.
His name is Doctrine, and he has a big part to play in the wrap-up of the whole story that we’ve been telling that’s going to end next season in Season 5.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, I’m very much looking forward to February, the Spotlight, because I loved last Spotlight.
And so, looking forward to kind of what’s coming to Overwatch.
Is there anything that you could maybe share, maybe tease?
I don’t know?
BEN BELL: So, Aaron talked a little bit about Spotlight next year.
And I think first I’d say we want every season to feel big, but we want to blow people away at Spotlight.
And it’s not going to be exactly the same formula as this year, but we’re going to bring some new gameplay, new heroes, things that people want and have asked for, and some things that are really, I think, going to surprise people, and they’re going to be excited by.
The thing about this team is we’re just so focused on players, and like the team is just so passionate about the game.
So, I think we’re going to blow people away.
AARON KELLER: It’s going to be really cool.
BEN BELL: And this is BlizzCon.
So we really wanted to make sure we showed up in a big way.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Ben, you mentioned the players.
This is your first BlizzCon, right?
What was it like announcing things in front of them, seeing them immediately jump on and play and enjoy these new characters and that.
BEN BELL: Yeah, it’s really humbling and awesome.
We do this to make people happy and to bring people together.
And I said it on stage, but it’s really true.
It’s totally inspirational to be here and see people out there.
We have this event called Play the Devs and just like seeing the interactions between players and our team, it’s amazing.
So I can’t wait to go down to the floor and see some more of it.
And I can’t wait to be at BlizzCon again in the future.
LINA MADRID: So, for folks who may have just seen the reveal, nothing else, who is Doctrine?
AARON KELLER: Okay, so Doctrine is Overwatch’s take or inspired by a vampire.
And you can kind of see it when you look at him.
And I do think when Overwatch is at its best, when we’re making our best heroes, you can look at them and just kind of understand what that fantasy is supposed to be.
You can take a look at Reinhardt, this medieval knight, or Mercy, who is like an angel.
And I think Doctrine kind of fits in with all of some of those greatest hits that we’ve made over the years.
And Doctrine is a support hero, which is maybe a little bit surprising because it’s a vampire and he’s a villain at the same time.
But he’s got this past that really fits in with him being a support and him dealing with the life energy of people.
So that person in that role of being able to decide whether somebody lives or dies is something that is integral to who he is as a character.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Do you want to talk to us a little bit about his kit?
We’ve been playing, and he’s got some really unique, very technical things, especially this one ability that can amp up any of his other abilities.
A lot of thinking going on in this character.
AARON KELLER: I think that’s what makes Doctrine so exciting.
So you can look at him and immediately understand the fantasy, but there is a lot of depth to his kit.
So first and foremost, it’s this is a first-person shooter, right?
So his weapon is his scepter, and it can actually both heal allies and damage enemies, but it is a very precise weapon.
So, just at the start, there’s high aim skill involved in playing Doctrine.
He has a dash where he can take reduced damage and get around the level a little bit.
He can send his drone out to allies and it heals them and it speeds up their attacks, but you’re right.
He has this ability that does transform everything else he does, and he actually has multiple charges of it available at any time.
So while there is a lot of skill involved with his other abilities, there’s a strategic element to Doctrine.
There’s a lot of high-level decision-making that you need to be doing because when you transform something like his dash, now you can fly.
So do you need to get to high ground?
Or if you transform his drones, it also speeds up your attacks and it starts healing you.
And if you empower his scepter, now it pierces people; you can finish people off in the back line, if you have enough awareness of what’s happening and can do something like that.
So I think that this is like a very high-skill cap hero when he’s being played right.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Very cool.
Alongside Doctrine, as a support main, like eating good, I’m going to get to use Sombra now?
AARON KELLER: Yes!
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I would love to hear about both that and with Roadhog.
What are you aiming to do?
What are you hoping is the outcome from these reworks?
AARON KELLER: Yeah, so I think with both of those heroes, we’re calling them re-reworks because we have reworked these heroes multiple times over the years.
And one of the reasons why is because their kits have elements of them that are very sharp, that are also integral to the fantasy of who those characters are.
But with Sombra, we’re actually moving her role from DPS to support.
We recognize that we actually have to make a really big change to Sombra in order to get her to work out on the battlefield.
She still keeps her identity, she can still stealth.
She can still hack people’s abilities, but only by ulting now.
But she’s also going to be around the team more.
So if you have a Sombra on your team, you’re going to see the benefit that you get out of her all the time because she’s going to be around you healing you, while still having those moments where she gets to go off and do somber things for a little bit.
And then Roadhog, he’s got an ability now where he can actually absorb damage from the enemy team without just letting it hit his body.
So he can do that and he can absorb all of that.
We’ve also reduced the ability to get his one-shots off.
It’s going to be really difficult to do now, primarily because his primary fire now, it fires in a two-hit cadence.
So it’s boom, boom, to actually do it.
So you’ll pull people in, you can try to hit them with both.
It’s probably not going to take them out, and they have so much more time to actually be able to react to it.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Our warriors are going to be able to escape in between.
LINA MADRID: Yeah.
[inaudible]
And then, along with the new hero reveal, there was also a new map that came in.
And you’re going to have to help me with the pronunciation because — BEN BELL: It’s “Grímsvötn.” LINA MADRID: Thank you, Grímsvötn.
AARON KELLER: That’s better than I can do it.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: Yeah, I can [inaudible]
longer the hardest part.
AARON KELLER: Yeah, right.
LINA MADRID: So, what do we need to know about Overwatch’s trip to Iceland?
AARON KELLER: So, Grímsvötn or Watchpoint Grímsvötn is the highest security prison on the planet.
And it is where the most dangerous criminals have been locked away for years.
And actually, this is where Doomfist was imprisoned before he escaped and started leading talent again.
But this is where Doomfist met Doctrine, was in this prison and learned about him and recognized the talents and the abilities that Doctrine actually has.
The cool thing about this map: it’s an escort map, and you can see the aftermath of this battle that just took place there.
So, like at the end of that cinematic, where you see Doomfist take out that Sentinel robot.
That robot’s at the end of the map right there.
You can see the cell that Doomfist was locked away in.
And there’s all these other cool little Easter eggs and things, little hints and the other types of characters that we’ve had locked up in this prison.
LINA MADRID: Oh, the Easter eggs that you sprinkle out throughout the maps, love those.
So we need to keep our eyes out for those for sure.
BEN BELL: Yeah, very cool.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: We know you all have to run.
And so we just wanted to wrap up with one final question.
As we were looking through everything and we’re putting together blogs for XBOX Wire, we were looking at some of the images.
And I want to know: who is this?
Who is this?
LINA MADRID: Who is that?
AARON KELLER: Okay, so when we had Spotlight last year, we announced our five new heroes and we had silhouettes of everybody else and there’s been a lot of speculation on that character.
And we didn’t want to go through this whole BlizzCon without giving people at least a better glimpse of who they are.
So, right now, we can’t say anything else about them, but they’ve got a big part to play in the story that’s coming up next year.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: And they’ve got a cool hat.
AARON KELLER: And they’ve got a cool hat.
Yeah.
JEFF RUBENSTEIN: I love that.
So we talked a little bit about the reworks of certain characters.
What do the characters themselves think about those reworks?
We’re asking them right now.
LINA MADRID: We have a very special bonus segment.
I’m joined by some of the cast of Overwatch.
Thank you guys for being here with me.
I’m so excited to kind of chat through why you’re here.
Yeah, so BlizzCon, the energy is phenomenal.
SPEAKER 1: It’s wild.
LINA MADRID: How are you all feeling kind of being in the midst of it?
SPEAKER 1: I’m too excited.
I couldn’t get to sleep yesterday because I was still pumping energy from it.
I was super, super excited.
My first time here, by the way.
Yeah.
SPEAKER 2: First time in America, first time at BlizzCon.
SPEAKER 1: I love the first times.
Yeah.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, yeah.
That’s exciting.
How about some of you who have been to BlizzCon before?
How’s this feeling a little different?
SPEAKER 3: I haven’t been to BlizzCon since many years ago.
And so coming back to it still feels just kind of as new as it did back then, and especially with what we’re doing this time, it feels super brand new.
Plus, the excitement of the 10-year anniversary of Overwatch is palpable, and I’m really excited about getting to celebrate that with everyone.
SPEAKER 4: We were in the elevator coming up to the press area, and we heard the crowd cheering, and it was insanely loud and exciting.
And it reminded me of when Sombra came out.
And I was oh, yep, it’s still a very unique feeling.
SPEAKER 5: I remember being here for the very first BlizzCon, for my guild meetup at the server meetups here, and I’ve been like almost every BlizzCon since then.
And so then to transition into the professional side of things has been very odd in its own right.
And now to come together with all these wonderful people to be doing such a grand stage experience like we’re doing on Sunday has been wild.
So, needless to say, the energy is palpable indeed.
LINA MADRID: Yeah, I mean, speaking of Sunday, you all are here for something extra special.
Westwatch, which the crowd went wild when that was announced.
I’m personally very excited to watch.
Could someone kind of give me a little spiel on what it is?
SPEAKER 5: Yeah, yeah.
Westwatch is a wonderful collaboration with the folks at Blizzard to do a two-hour actual play Dagger Heart game using the Dagger Heart system from Darrington Press.
We are going to be playing a tabletop game for two hours as our Overwatch characters, playing characters in the game.
So you’re basically watching a live game night improvised recreation of all these characters coming to Cassidy’s game night and then playing through the game as themselves as the characters that they made.
It’s going to be wild.
LINA MADRID: That is amazing.
SPEAKER 5: There’s also going to be some audience participation.
There’s going to be moments in the story where the audience can scan a QR code to change some of the course of the story.
If anybody drops to zero hit points, they could possibly see if the character lives or dies.
It’s going to be very, very cool.
LINA MADRID: Okay, the stakes are high then.
SPEAKER 5: Oh, yeah.
LINA MADRID: Yeah.
Wow, that’s awesome.
So, a lot of huge news for Overwatch that was announced.
A lot of reworks, character reworks, Sombra.
Yeah, a lot of people.
What?
What?
Am I going to not have to wake up in the middle of the night hearing your voice?
SPEAKER 6: Yeah, sorry.
I don’t know what that means, guys.
I’m excited, and I hope that I don’t get banned as much, maybe, for that reason.
LINA MADRID: Yes, I’ll stop banning you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER 6: But I almost feel like I was a Gemini and they’re telling me I’m going to be a Virgo or something.
My identity has changed.
I don’t know how to be support.
But we’ll see how the gamers are.
LINA MADRID: It’s really exciting, though.
Because then you’re using Sombra’s powers for good on your team.
SPEAKER 6: We’ll see.
I don’t know.
I’m excited to play.
Yeah.
LINA MADRID: Last question for you all.
We have a Season 5 coming, new voice lines that you have recorded.
Your favorite niche line.
I would love to hear that.
SPEAKER 2: I mean, I do it.
I kind of fall in love with him, and I get used to talking as him.
And I’ve been very lucky.
I do a lot of Make-A-Wish, and then you change the light in a child’s eyes when you just go to them, going, “You are my shield.
I am so proud to know you and you make me stronger.” So it’s not a line that’s in the game, but the voice affects somebody.
And ultimately, that should be what the job is about, is that we’re making you feel something.
So that’s just me.
Everybody else probably has something.
I’m a very old man.
So I talk in that kind of stuff.
SPEAKER 1: Are we supposed to go after that?
[ Laughter ]
Because I can basically answer the question, I was just being very kind.
I’m like the Phil Rosenthal of Overwatch.
Cookies are nice.
Everybody should have a cookie.
Hey, what’s your favorite cookie?
Like the question was not about cookies, Rhino.
Okay, I still like a cookie.
SPEAKER 5: A great transition to this, though, speaking of Make-A-Wish, is that the game that we are playing, the miniatures, the set pieces, signed posters, we have a lot of things that’ll be auctioned off after the game for Make-A-Wish.
So we’re doing it for fun, but we’re also doing it for charities.
LINA MADRID: That’s amazing.
SPEAKER 5: Everyone gets a chance to watch it.
Please check into any of the things that will be auctioned if you want to try and help and support them.
It’s some cool stuff.
LINA MADRID: Great.
Awesome.
Thank you so,so much.
SPEAKER 6: No, I’m not done with the line that doesn’t go.
I will.
LINA MADRID: Please.
SPEAKER 6: It’s one that never gets enough attention, and it’s like hacking a marshmallow.
And the one that I want in game, because Sombra quotes movies and stuff, is “You’re killing me, Smalls.” LINA MADRID: Come on!
SPEAKER 6: Wishes, just maybe it’s a wish list.
Make-A-Wish, wish list.
I’m connecting the two.
SPEAKER 5: I’m here for Sandlot references.
SPEAKER 3: I still just want Symmetra to say “dope.” LINA MADRID: Yes.
SPEAKER 3: I’d love for her to say that.
But I do love the line, “if I can think it, I can create it.” LINA MADRID: That’s a great one.
SPEAKER 1: I really love the line, “Let ambition flame burn and starve the enemy of blood.” Because I think that’s [inaudible]
SPEAKER 5: So cool.
SPEAKER 1: I would really love if there was a line, like something like, “They throw me amongst the wolf, and I came back as the alpha.” LINA MADRID: Yeah!
SPEAKER 3: You got someone back there nodding and cheering, you guys here.
SPEAKER 1: Yeah!
LINA MADRID: Amazing.
SPEAKER 5: You introduced yourself as like the nicest person ever.
And now you’re, I like the toxic one.
SPEAKER 1: Yes, I do.
SPEAKER 3: You’ve got to get it out of your system somewhere.
LINA MADRID: There we go.
SPEAKER 5: I was like, I hear you, pumpkin.
LINA MADRID: I love that one.
SPEAKER 5: It’s simple, but it’s great.
LINA MADRID: So good.
SPEAKER 3: Oh, I love hearing Cassidy call me perfect.
LINA MADRID: Thank you again so much for joining me.
And that wraps things up for Overwatch at BlizzCon 2026.
SPEAKER 2: Bye-bye.
LINA MADRID: My life is made.
[ XBOX sound ]

The post Overwatch w/Devs: Doctrine, Grimsvötn, Reworks, and More | Official XBOX Podcast appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Summary

• Action RPG that combines two cultures in a post-apocalyptic world.
• The creative process behind bringing a unique world to life.
• Character personalities and how they relate to gameplay.

Kernel Hearts is an action RPG about magical girls fighting angels to save the world, but it’s so much more than a punchy soundbite can explain. The game and its characters are a love letter to two cultures that have shaped the lives of the developers. Japanese culture inspired the art, the story, even the language of the game itself; but the culture of Argentina, the home of Ephemera Games, permeates through everything, down to Fernet drinking yerba mate during one of her idles.

The game itself takes place in a sort of post-apocalyptic Patagonia, painting the story of a world that had collapsed and is now trying to rebuild. It’s a theme that is familiar in many video games, but not necessarily a setting. The Argentine team at Ephemera Games is uniquely poised to tell this familiar story in a new way. And they do this by combining elements of their favorite games into something new entirely. 

Kernel Hearts was born in a game jam in 2020, a rough idea of a world that would eventually become Babel, but the game’s style was developed over years. Akira, the Game Director of Kernel Hearts, says that long action RPGs and JRPGs have always held a special place in his heart; but like many of us, his ability to get absolutely engrossed in those games in the way that we love has changed. Not because of the games themselves, but because the time we have to play as we grow older changes.

So, the team thought: What if we could combine the epic stories we love with the more bite-sized run times of a roguelike? It was this combination of elements that captured our attention at Whitethorn Games: a story-driven game that could be enjoyed in small chunks, incorporating a style of gameplay that we had yet to see in our catalog? We were so on board.

The characters also make up a vital part of both the story and the gameplay. In any game with an ensemble cast of characters, it’s important to balance abilities and personalities to make a cohesive group for character interactions in and out of combat. The four girls of the M.A.H.O.U unit do just that, and it’s easy to see even in the trailer.

Akira defined one of the guiding ideas that lead to the design of the four main characters by stating: “A character shouldn’t just have a different weapon. You should be able to watch a few seconds of gameplay and immediately understand something about their personality. Their animations, silhouettes, magic, movement, and even the rhythm of their attacks all have to tell you who that person is.”

What if we could combine the epic stories we love with the more bite-sized run times of a roguelike?

That’s how you end up with the differing characters in Kernel Hearts. Fernet fights with swords and spirits which allows her to be the most versatile member of the team. Spika fights up-close with her katana with very clean and disciplined attacks that reflect her disciplined personality. Laika is the most physically impressive of the team, and her massive sword and heavy attacks follow suit. Finally, Dolce fights in a way that you might not expect in a post-apocalyptic setting: incorporating performance and dance into her fighting style, a callback to some of the more familiar magical girls in pop culture.

Assembling your team in the game is just as vital as assembling it in real life. Kernel Hearts is a game that can be completed solo; but the developers made a story about a squad teaming up to take down the insurmountable together, and they think that’s something that’s integral to the experience of the game. It makes sense to play the game in co-op because that’s the nature of the story itself. Just like with the gameplay, though, the developers are aware that trying to get your friends gaming at the same time is a mission all of its own. That’s why Kernel Hearts is a game that can be experienced fully in both single player and multiplayer, though we encourage you to try multiplayer if you can.

Kernel Hearts is filled with action-packed fights, beautiful scenery, fields of enemies to slash your way through, and so much heart.This game is a project nearly six years in the making, and the teams at Ephemera Games and Whitethorn Games are so proud to bring it to you now.

Only you can save the world from drowning in ashes, so we hope we’ll see you there.

Kernel Hearts

Whitethorn Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 116

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Kernel Hearts is a unique blend of action RPG and roguelike elements with multiplayer co-op. As part of the M.A.H.O.U Unit, you are tasked with climbing the Tower of Babel, eliminating the angelic creatures in your path as you dethrone God and save a world drowning in ashes. ONE MORE GOD REJECTED Mix and match your attacks, spells, and movement with unique powers during each run to unleash devastating combos on the enemies you encounter. Punch biblical monsters in the face with up to four friends. Each level culminates in an intense boss fight against the domain's guardian. EQUIP & CUSTOMIZE YOUR UNITS After each expedition, you will return to the last memory backup in a laboratory located on the outskirts of humanity's last holdout. Spend the rewards from each run to unlock and equip up to 256KB of chips onto your Unit MAHOU.OS, and customize them as you see fit. TRANSFORM INTO A MAGICAL GIRL Harness the strength of the tower to dispel the Heavenly Curse from yourself, unleashing a devastating attack on nearby foes and attaining your true form for a short period. BOND WITH YOUR ALLIES Interact with the tower's unique inhabitants and give them gifts to deepen your bond.

The post Character Development and Storytelling in Kernel Hearts, Out Now on XBOX appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Summary

• Launching today on XBOX.
• John’s game design and creation process.
• Sources of inspiration and teamwork during development.

Fountains is a solo-developed Metroidvania inspired by Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, built over five years by creator John Pywell. With the game now launching on XBOX, we spoke with Pywell about its development, influences, and unexpected international success.

Sam: So firstly, tell us a bit about yourself – a brief introduction of anything you’d like to say or not say.

John: I’m John Pywell, a computer science graduate from Canada. Halfway through high school, I took my first computer programming course, and when I realized I was good at it, I never stopped. I work full time in the field, plus a ton of my free time as you can see.

Sam: What was your earliest memory of video games?

John: I think my earliest memory of video games was seeing my older brother play a racing game on our Windows XP desktop. The first video game I remember owning is Wii Sports, around 2006. I was around six years old, and my parents brought me to some kind of technology exhibition at our local university. There was a display of the newly-released Wii, which I remember being fascinated with. A few months later, we had one of our own, and Wii Sports is the game that comes with the system.

Sam: Could you tell us some of your favourite games? Do you see anything of those games in Fountains?

John: Well, it might be obvious from the content of Fountains, but Dark Souls 1 is my favourite single-player game of all time. The twisting, interlocking world design of the first game in the series is so mysterious to me. After playing it, I wished there were more games with world designs like that, and unfortunately the sequels are more linear. That’s one of the main reasons I made Fountains. Another favourite game of mine is Satisfactory. If you don’t know of it, it’s a first-person factory-building game. It’s obviously nothing like Fountains, but I love optimizing and solving problems, so I think it appeals to the programmer part of my brain.

Sam: What was your main motivation for making Fountains? Seeing a video game through to the end is not an easy task.

John: Like I touched on earlier, I love when games are mysterious. When you find a secret in an RPG, it sometimes feels like you’re the first person to ever see that part of the game. My goal in making Fountains was to create a world with a real feeling of mystery. If you play the game, you’ll notice this; there is practically nothing telling you what your goal is or where to go. Your only option is to explore the world and uncover the story for yourself.

Sam: How did you choose the mechanisms for battle and exploration in the game?

John: The mechanisms for exploration are very inspired by the Metroidvania genre. The main idea is that the entire world is technically open to you at all times, but there are certain tools and skills you need to acquire to progress. This creates a satisfying loop where players encounter a barrier, make a mental note of it, and later return with the right skill or item to push forward. It’s about rewarding curiosity and giving players those “aha!” moments as they gradually learn the world’s layout and secrets. The main battle mechanic of hitting enemies to regain your magic resource was shamelessly stolen from Hollow Knight, although I’m not sure who first invented it. Hollow Knight is my favourite game in the Metroidvania genre, so it was also a big inspiration for the exploration-focused gameplay in Fountains.

Sam: What was the most challenging thing about creating the game? Or which part took the longest to get right?

John: Since I already had a background in programming, the most difficult part for me was learning to create pixel art. If you look at early builds of the game, the art was a lot more rudimentary and had a “MS Paint” vibe. As my skills improved over the approximately five years of development, I went back and replaced my terrible early art with slightly less terrible art. You might also notice that the later you progress into the game, the characters and enemies are progressively more well-animated. At the start of development, I wasn’t using the proper software to have a good preview of what character animations would look like before fully adding them to the game. So, lots of the early animations are still there, and look a bit more “stiff”.

Sam: Did you feel any restrictions when making the game, or was it a smooth process? Is there something you’d like to explore in the future that you would have liked to explore in Fountains but didn’t get the chance?

John: The release version of Fountains is the final product I always imagined when I started work on it. It’s also a considerably longer game than I thought I was capable of making myself. However, I do wish I had more time to include a few more *really* secret bosses. There are secret bosses, of course, but if there were one that only one percent of players could find, I think that would be really cool. Unfortunately, spending that much time on something so few people would see wasn’t in the cards, since the last boss in the final game was added only a few months before release.

Sam: How did you approach the programming and systems of the game?

John: The game is written in Godot engine. I chose this engine because it’s a free and open source project, and (in my opinion) the best engine all-around for 2D games. If anyone is reading this and is interested in game development, I recommend they start with Godot. Of course, the engine isn’t quite ready for AAA graphics, but solo devs don’t need to worry about that.

Sam: How did you approach the music of the game?

John: The music for the game was entirely composed by Travis Moberg, and honestly, he absolutely nailed it. I’d explain the atmosphere I was going for – whether it was eerie, tense, or calm, and somehow he’d come back with a track that perfectly captured that mood. His ability to translate vague descriptions into music that feels spot-on is kind of unreal. The soundtrack really helps set the tone throughout the game, and his work brought a whole new layer of depth to the experience.

Sam: Other than games, what kind of media influenced this game? Be it music or films… etc.

John: The 1986 fantasy movie “Labyrinth” gives off really similar vibes to what I was going for in Fountains. It’s a bit corny, but it has similar themes: exploring a strange world, characters speaking in riddles, and a sense of mystery throughout.

Sam: Could you speak about the 3D modelling in the game, how did you achieve them?

John: There’s actually no 3D modelling in Fountains at all. It may seem that way in some parts, but everything is made of flat 2D sprites. There’s some forced perspective to make it seem like they have depth, but in reality everything’s 2D. The only time I used 3D modelling in development was to help me visualize the perspective of one of the “spiral staircase” sprites I drew. However, the original prototype I made for Fountains was a top-down 3D game, as opposed to the fully 2D game that was released.

If anyone’s interested in this, there’s a short video showing the original 3D prototype on the Fountains YouTube channel.

Sam: Your game got a lot of attention, could you speak about your feelings towards doing so well in your first commercial endeavour?

John: When I started this project, I imagined only my friends would play it. I had no idea it would become popular, no less that people would be playing it all the way over in Japan. If I could, I would personally thank anyone who played the game.

Want to see Fountains in action for yourself? The game and DLC are available now!

FOUNTAINS

Crunching Koalas

☆☆☆☆☆ 2

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

The Fountain of Youth was hidden away. Nonetheless, it is fated that a Usurper will slay the Ageless and unearth it once more. FOUNTAINS is a soulslike action-RPG built around fighting your way through a maze-like interconnected, seamless world. You'll take the role of a hooded stranger, recently imprisoned by a tyrannical regime. Will you escape and uncover the mysteries of this war-torn empire? Demanding, but fair combat Tight, responsive combat puts every tool and tactic in your arsenal to the test, rewarding precision and quick thinking. Your enemies will hit hard and punish hesitation, turning each fight into an intense back-and-forth where the tide of battle can shift in an instant. Adjustable difficulty settings let you feel that thrill at exactly the intensity you crave, no matter your experience. Exploration that rewards curiosity The world of FOUNTAINS is one, seamless, giant dungeon. It is a tightly packed labyrinth which twists and loops back on itself. You'll always discover something new: items, powers and upgrades to unlock new parts of the world. Leave Your Mark FOUNTAINS features an online message system. Leave hints throughout the world to help out your fellow players, or trick them into doing something foolish! – Souls-like action combat set in a metroidvania-style interconnected world. – Find new abilities and tools to help you to defend yourself and to traverse the world. – Rich dark fantasy lore told through exploration and environmental storytelling. – Online message system for community interaction. – Secrets are everywhere, so always keep an eye out!

The post Five Years of Solo Development – Interview with Fountains Creator John Pywell appeared first on XBOX Wire.

On behalf of everyone at The Coalition, I want to thank the many people who helped bring us to this moment, especially the fans. Your passion for Gears has inspired us every step of the way and reminds us why this franchise continues to mean so much to so many. Thank you to everyone who has played, watched, and shared feedback throughout the journey so far.

Reaching gold is an important milestone for the studio. More importantly, it means we’re one step closer to players experiencing Emergence Day for themselves.  We’re excited to finally put the game in your hands when Early Access begins October 1, ahead of launch on October 6.

Gears of War: E-Day will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, Steam, and is available day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Players can pre-order today at GearsofWar.com.

We also shared the full achievement list.

Pre-Install Begins September 29

Pre-install for Gears of War: E-Day begins September 29 at 8am Pacific Time (15:00 UTC) on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and Steam.

Whether you’re joining through Game Pass or have pre-ordered, pre-installing ahead of time ensures you’re ready to deploy when Early Access begins on October 1 at 8am Pacific (15:00 UTC), or at worldwide launch October 6 at 8am Pacific (15:00 UTC).

Premium Edition players can begin playing up to five days early starting October 1. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can join the fight starting October 6.

PC Features and Specifications

Today we are also revealing the complete PC specifications for Gears of War: E-Day.

Since our Multiplayer Open Beta in July, we’ve continued to iterate and improve PC stability and performance across a wide range of hardware configurations. Today, were excited to share our final PC Specifications for Launch.

Mark your calendars for September 29 when pre-installs begin and get ready to experience Emergence Day when Gears of War: E-Day is released on October 6.

For the latest updates on Gears of War: E-Day, follow @GearsofWar on social media, or visit GearsofWar.com

Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition Pre-Order

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$99.99

Pre-order

Emergence Begins Pre-order Gears of War: E-Day to get early access to the Open Beta, get an XBOX gift card and unlock the Exfil Dom Character Skin and the Exfil Weapon Skin Set in-game at launch.* more details here https://aka.ms/Gears26 The Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition Includes: – Base Game – Up to 5-Days Early Access – Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack – Five Seasonal Customization Packs, starting with the Emergence Pack at launch (the remaining packs will be available as released) – 1,000 Iron (premium in-game currency) Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival. Rally your squad and fight on in multiplayer with a reimagination of Gears’ iconic PvE mode, Horde Siege, or go head-to-head with a refined Versus PvP.* Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day delivers the most immersive Gears yet. The Story of E-Day Fight through the chaos of Emergence Day in a gripping origin story campaign. Battle alone, side by side in two-player split-screen, or rally up to four players online across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus.* Horde Siege PvE – Back and Bigger Than Ever Survive a city under siege in an evolved take on Gears’ iconic co-op wave survival mode built for larger maps, more players, and bigger battles. Choose your class – Assault, Marksman, Medic, or Breacher – then drop in as a 4-player squad to fight back the Locust. Team up with multiple squads to conquer shared objectives and take down world bosses. Survive to earn rewards, unlock customization and improve your loadout for the next match. Versus Returns – Refined and Focused PvP Battle across all-new maps and refined fan-favorite 4v4 modes. Choose your level of competition. Lock in and climb the ranks in Ranked or jump into Social playlists for a more relaxed match. Modernized controls and movement make combat feel more fluid while retaining Gears’ signature cover-based feel. Jump, vault, slide, and flank with intent. A Terrifying Threat from Below  A darker, grittier tone and reimagined enemies restore fear and dread to the series. Atmosphere and detail are pushed further than ever. The world feels more grounded, believable, and dangerous. Familiar enemies are more threatening, joined by all-new creatures and villains that reestablish a true sense of horror. Feels Like Gears. Plays Like New. Iconic cover‑based combat returns, enhanced with modernized movement and traversal that add freedom and verticality. Fan‑favorite weapons return and are reimagined, alongside all‑new weapons built for brutal, close‑quarters combat. Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 A new technical foundation for Gears. Built for modern performance with 4K resolution and up to 60FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer.* *Important Information Pre-Order Offer: valid with pre-orders made before October 6, 2026 (7:59 am PT) except early access to the Open Beta requires pre-order before the end of the Open Beta early access period (expected to be from August 6-10, 2026; dates may vary by platform and subscription). At participating retailers while supplies last. Pre-order benefits may require redemption of a single-use code. Consult your retailer for details. Limit: 1 offer per person/account. Online Multiplayer: Online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus, Open Beta and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately. Open Beta: Early access date may vary by platform and subscription. 2-Player Split-Screen: is available for console only. 4K and 60FPS: require a compatible display. Game requires initial download. May require future updates (additional storage may be required). All downloads and updates require significant storage and broadband internet connection (ISP fees apply). You must accept the Microsoft Services Agreement (microsoft.com/msa). May require additional hardware and subscriptions. Content, features, services, online play (if applicable), and support not available in all regions (xbox.com/regions) and may vary, change, or terminate. Microsoft Account required. WARNING: Some people may experience a seizure when exposed to flashing lights or patterns in video games. (xbox.com/healthandsafety).

Gears of War: E-Day Pre-Order

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Emergence Begins Pre-order Gears of War: E-Day to get early access to the Open Beta, get an XBOX gift card and unlock the Exfil Dom Character Skin and the Exfil Weapon Skin Set in-game at launch.* more details here https://aka.ms/Gears26 Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival. Rally your squad and fight on in multiplayer with a reimagination of Gears’ iconic PvE mode, Horde Siege, or go head-to-head with a refined Versus PvP.* Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day delivers the most immersive Gears yet. The Story of E-Day Fight through the chaos of Emergence Day in a gripping origin story campaign. Battle alone, side by side in two-player split-screen, or rally up to four players online across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus.* Horde Siege PvE – Back and Bigger Than Ever Survive a city under siege in an evolved take on Gears’ iconic co-op wave survival mode built for larger maps, more players, and bigger battles. Choose your class – Assault, Marksman, Medic, or Breacher – then drop in as a 4-player squad to fight back the Locust. Team up with multiple squads to conquer shared objectives and take down world bosses. Survive to earn rewards, unlock customization and improve your loadout for the next match. Versus Returns – Refined and Focused PvP Battle across all-new maps and refined fan-favorite 4v4 modes. Choose your level of competition. Lock in and climb the ranks in Ranked or jump into Social playlists for a more relaxed match. Modernized controls and movement make combat feel more fluid while retaining Gears’ signature cover-based feel. Jump, vault, slide, and flank with intent. A Terrifying Threat from Below  A darker, grittier tone and reimagined enemies restore fear and dread to the series. Atmosphere and detail are pushed further than ever. The world feels more grounded, believable, and dangerous. Familiar enemies are more threatening, joined by all-new creatures and villains that reestablish a true sense of horror. Feels Like Gears. Plays Like New. Iconic cover‑based combat returns, enhanced with modernized movement and traversal that add freedom and verticality. Fan‑favorite weapons return and are reimagined, alongside all‑new weapons built for brutal, close‑quarters combat. Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 A new technical foundation for Gears. Built for modern performance with 4K resolution and up to 60FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer.* *Important Information Pre-Order Offer: valid with pre-orders made before October 6, 2026 (7:59 am PT) except early access to the Open Beta requires pre-order before the end of the Open Beta early access period (expected to be from August 6-10, 2026; dates may vary by platform and subscription). At participating retailers while supplies last. Pre-order benefits may require redemption of a single-use code. Consult your retailer for details. Limit: 1 offer per person/account. Online Multiplayer: Online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus, Open Beta and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately. Open Beta: Early access date may vary by platform and subscription. 2-Player Split-Screen: is available for console only. 4K and 60FPS: require a compatible display. Game requires initial download. May require future updates (additional storage may be required). All downloads and updates require significant storage and broadband internet connection (ISP fees apply). You must accept the Microsoft Services Agreement (microsoft.com/msa). May require additional hardware and subscriptions. Content, features, services, online play (if applicable), and support not available in all regions (xbox.com/regions) and may vary, change, or terminate. Microsoft Account required. WARNING: Some people may experience a seizure when exposed to flashing lights or patterns in video games. (xbox.com/healthandsafety).

The post Gears of War: E-Day Has Gone Gold, Pre-Install Begins September 29, Full PC Specifications Revealed appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Additionally, Sea of Thieves is free for all XBOX members to try from September 17 until September 20 on XBOX and PC (XBOX Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required).

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)

Hell Let Loose Vietnam
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S, XBOX Play Anywhere
Unleash Hell in the Jungle. Enter the explosive conflict of the Vietnam War and fight your way through some of the fiercest clashes in modern history. Join the battle raging across an extreme landscape of vast mountain gorges and thick jungle, where the North Vietnamese Armies clash with the military strength of the US Armed Forces. Build tunnels, fly helicopters, drive patrol boats, use historically accurate weapons and work with your team to achieve victory.

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

Team17

☆☆☆☆☆ 985

★★★★★

$39.99 $35.99

Get it now

Free Play Days For All

Sea of Thieves
Optimized for XBOX Series X|S, Smart Delivery, XBOX Play Anywhere
Sea of Thieves is a smash-hit pirate adventure game, offering the quintessential pirate experience of plundering lost treasures, fighting intense battles, vanquishing sea monsters and more. Season 20 is all about putting the power in players’ hands. Custom Seas introduces a suite of tools that enable you to bring your own Sea of Thieves game ideas to life, setting up unique modes to challenge your crewmates and create content in ways that previously wouldn’t have been possible. Alongside this, a shake-up of the Seasonal rewards structure promises clearer, more reliable ways of ensuring your time on the seas always feels valuable!

Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition

Microsoft Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 21687

★★★★★

$39.99 $13.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

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. 

The post Free Play Days – Sea of Thieves and Hell Let Loose Vietnam appeared first on XBOX Wire.

During the XBOX Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast, we offered players a look at what’s coming to XBOX from Activision, Bethesda, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, KOEI TECMO, and SEGA. The show featured 17 fresh gameplay reveals, announcements, a surprise release, and a world premiere.

We saw a new campaign trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, launching October 23, 2026, while Fallout 76 showed an animated trailer for its eerie new update, The Slasher, available now.

Studios throughout Asia and around the globe brought even more surprises. Serenity Forge unveiled a world premiere for Faraday Blues, Netmarble bought brand-new gameplay for Bloomwalker (which is now officially part of the beloved Ni No Kuni universe), and SEGA revealed Japan as one of the locations coming to Crazy Taxi: World Tour.

We also saw new gameplay for Raji: Kaliyuga, Wo Long 2, Wings of Ember and Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, a character reveal for Persona 4 Revival, and shared that Shape of Dreams is available to play on XBOX today.

And the broadcast ended with an unforgettable “one more thing” appearance by none other than Hideo Kojima. Check out our full recap below to catch up on everything shown during the broadcast. 

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Reveals the Talent Behind PHYSINT’s Lead Role

Just when it appeared that the XBOX Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast had come to a close, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima appeared to reveal fresh updates on OD – KNOCK and PHYSINT, including that Swedish actor and producer Bill Skarsgård will portray the lead role in PHYSINT, sharing a new poster for the title featuring Skarsgård and Charlee Fraser. Read the full story here.

Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories Confirms Two Returning Characters

A new trailer for Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories reveals the return of Rutger and Lenja from Atelier Yumia. Now experienced members of the Aladiss Pioneering Team, the two will support Karia and her companions on their new adventure, with their interactions with new companions revealing new sides of both returning characters. Wishlist now on XBOX Series X|S.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Unleashes New Gameplay Trailer

Japanese developer ArtPlay revealed an action-packed new gameplay trailer for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, coming in 2027. From legendary producer IGA (Koji Igarashi), Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is a new metroidvania adventure set in the gothic world of 16^th Century England. The new trailer showcases the game’s fast-paced 2.5D action, with protagonists Leo and Alex battling their way through formidable enemies while exploring a sprawling, cursed land.

Bloomwalker’s New Trailer Reveals New Gameplay and Pocket Dimension

Bloomwalker unveiled a new trailer, this time showcasing the Pocket Dimension! Through a door inside the Moving House, the Pocket Dimension is a special, self-contained area where players can construct buildings and freely customize their surroundings. Alongside their Familiars and Higgledies, players can gradually transform the space into a lively home and enjoy the game’s crafting and housing experience.

Experience aheartfelt crafting adventure in Bloomwalker, driven not by the pressure to survive, but by the joy of bringing a broken world back to life. Bloomwalker is heading to XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere. Wishlist today to stay updated.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Reveals Campaign Trailer

Price is on the run, war has erupted on the Korean Peninsula, and a catastrophic weapon of war is on the verge of falling into the wrong hands. The October 23 launch date is fast approaching for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with Campaign Early Access going live on October 16 for those who pre-order the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition of the game.

Watch the official Tokyo Games Show Campaign trailer for a deeper look at the elements in play. The stakes have never been higher, and with this much on the line, one wrong move could result in disastrous consequences for the world as we know it. This is Modern Warfare 4. 

Crazy Taxi: World Tour Reveals Japan Map

SEGA has revealed that Japan is one of the locations coming to Crazy Taxi: World Tour. A place beautifully suspended between two worlds, Japan’s historic neighborhoods and traditions sit alongside the bustling energy of the modern city. Players will be able to freely explore Japan’s exciting streets, get to know the locals, and pick up a souvenir or two. Get ready to fall in love with the land of the rising sun when Crazy Taxi: World Tour hits the streets in 2027! Wishlist now on XBOX Series X|S.

Edge of Memories Set to Launch on November 5, 2026

Action-JRPG Edge of Memories has revealed its November 5 release date. Developed through a collaboration between a small French studio and veteran Japanese developers, this gorgeous anime-style world is threatened by a mysterious disease that corrupts the land as you progress through the story, opening new paths in areas you’ve already explored.

Join Eline and her companions on a journey to stop the spread of the Corrosion and save their home. The latest trailer showcases the Japanese dub, featuring a cast of renowned Japanese voice actors. Whether you’re playing in English or Japanese, pre-order Edge of Memories now on XBOX Series X|S.

Fallout 76: The Slasher Premieres New Animated Trailer

In Fallout 76’s new animated trailer for its latest update, The Slasher, Vault Boy comes face to face with the Pint-Sized Slasher Imposter…

Available now for all Fallout 76 players, The Slasher brings a new eerie storyline unfolding over multiple weeks that evokes a certain waist-high menace from the days before the Great War. An emergency broadcasts lead players to unravel the mystery behind a spree of masked murders, with tasks ranging from fighting Infestations of fanatical Slasher supporters to digging up unmarked graves for clues. Corner the villain behind the grisly spree for the chance at a unique Power Armor set, a new Super Slasher weapon, and a chance to rest easy that night.

Faraday Blues Unveiled in World Premiere

Faraday Blues made its world premiere during the XBOX Tokyo Game Show Broadcast, revealing Serenity Forge’s surreal sci-fi adventure about a daughter searching for parents who don’t know she exists. Players will collect and play character cards to rewrite tragic choices across three interconnected visual novels, with decisions carrying forward through three distinct eras and visual styles. The game features 64 reality-altering endings, where changing one moment can reshape an entire family’s future. Faraday Blues is coming to XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and cloud. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere. Wishlist it now on the XBOX Store.

GACHIAKUTA: BREAKOUT Gets Extended Gameplay Trailer

Based on the hit TV anime, GACHIAKUTA: BREAKOUT is a survival action RPG featuring intense melee-focused combat. Explore the vibrant world of Gachiakuta, brought to life with premium cartoon-style rendering and evocative visual design. During the XBOX Tokyo Game Show Broadcast, we saw an extended look at new gameplay. GACHIAKUTA: BREAKOUT is coming toXBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC in 2027. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.

A Fresh Look at Genigods: Nezha with Developer Commentary

Genigods: Nezha is an original hardcore action RPG rooted in ancient Chinese genesis mythology. Players step into the role of the Spirit Pearl – the primal life essence crafted by Goddess Nüwa – reincarnated as the legendary Nezha to embark on an epic primordial adventure. Developed by the 20-year veteran team at Genigods Lab, this hardcore action RPG reimagines ancient Chinese creation mythology for a global audience.

Join Producer Young and Creative Director Erdi in a new developer diary for Genigods: Nezha. Explore a world born from the remains of primordial giant Pangu, fluid aerial divine combat, Nezha’s seven transforming relics, and the profound themes of defiance, life, and rebirth woven into this re-imagined mythic journey. Genigods: Nezha is coming to XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC soon. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.

Hope in the City is coming to XBOX and PC November 10, 2026

Anticipated narrative mystery Hope in the City is coming to XBOX – and soon. A new trailer, exclusive to the showcase, offered a deeper look at teenage Hope’s investigation of her parents’ sudden disappearance, relying on her artist’s eye and sketchbook. Canadian studio Lofty Sky Games revealed that the title will be on XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.

Once Human Announces October 22 Launch date for Biggest Expansion Ever on XBOX

Once Human, the free-to-play strange worlds survival game, unveiled a new trailer for its upcoming Ocean Expansion: Isles of Abyss – its largest free content update to date. The update brings full ship-building, island-and-ocean dual survival, deep-sea exploration, and terrifying endgame boss encounters.

The trailer presents six survival rules for a forbidden sea where nothing is what it seems: ghost vessels drift with no living crew, the sea is hunting, and entire islands may begin to move. Isles of Abyss launches October 22, 2026 on XBOX Series X|S and is included with Game Pass.

Persona 4 Revival Introduces Detective Naoto Shirogane

Atlus has released the latest character trailer for Persona 4 Revival, the upcoming remake of Persona 4. This new video introduces Naoto Shirogane, a member of the Special Investigation Team. The cool and sharp-witted high school detective Naoto Shirogane joins the protagonist in uncovering the truth behind a series of mysterious incidents, and brings a signature flair to the game’s combat. Persona 4 Revival is scheduled for release on February 18, 2027, and will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, cloud, and included with Game Pass. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.

Raji: Kaliyuga Gets An Extended Gameplay First Look

Developer Nodding Heads unveiled a first look at gameplay for Raji: Kaliyuga, alongside developer commentary. The video focused on the unique game systems at the core of the combat design in Raji: Kaliyuga. Set six years after the original game, Raji: Kaliyuga expands on the conflict, portraying not just a war among mortals but a cosmic struggle involving gods, asuras, and mystical forces. The sequel also makes bold new strides into a new genre, pivoting from the first game’s isometric interpretation of ancient India, into a full third person action-adventure. Raji: Kaliyuga is slated to launch on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, cloud, and included with Game Pass. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.

Shape of Dreams Launches Today on XBOX Series X|S and Game Pass

Surprise! Shape of Dreams is available today on XBOX Series X|S, and is available on day one with Game Pass. The new trailer cuts between animated story sequences and gameplay, following its Travelers into combat – including Cetus, the newest to join them – as Memories build up their power. One run’s end flows straight into the next, showing the roguelite loop at the core of the game, before four players take it on together. Cross-play is supported at launch, so XBOX players can team up with friends across other available platforms.

Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember Reveals Powerful New Boss

Watch the newly revealed boss fight against Zuochi, a powerful demon, featuring a voice-over introduction by the game’s producer, Masakazu Hirayama! Learn key combat skills, then take on the Alpha Demo, available until September 30. Complete the Alpha Demo to claim your special reward: Fledgling Phoenix Helmet in the full game at launch! Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember launches March 4, 2027 for XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and cloud. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere. Pre-orders are now open.

The post XBOX @ Tokyo Game Show 2026: All the Announcements, Including an Appearance by Hideo Kojima appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Kojima-san also shared a new poster for the title featuring a photo he personally shot of Skarsgård alongside Charlee Fraser, offering a fresh glimpse at the talent helping bring this ambitious project to life. 

“I’m delighted to confirm the lead role for PHYSINT will be Bill Skarsgård,” said KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS founder Hideo Kojima in a press release. “We are both long-time fans of each other’s work, and we’ve decided to embark on this new adventure together. The costume fittings, scans, and camera tests we conducted with Bill and Charlee earlier this year gave me tremendous confidence in the direction of the project.”

Most recently, Skarsgård received rave reviews for his performance in Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire (2026). He next stars in Peter Bergs’s The Mosquito Bowl and Andrew Niccol’s Lords of War opposite Nicolas Cage. Earlier this year he co-starred in The Death of Robin Hood (Michael Sarnoski, 2026) with Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer.

Skarsgård gained international recognition for his portrayal of the iconic clown Pennywise in It (Andy Muschietti, 2017), a role he reprised in It: Chapter Two (Andy Muschietti, 2019).

His film career spans titles such as Nosferatu (Robert Eggers, 2024), Barbarian (Zach Cregger, 2022), The Crow (Rupert Sanders, 2024), Atomic Blonde (David Leitch, 2017), John Wick: Chapter 4 (Chad Stahelski, 2023), The Devil All the Time(Antonio Campos, 2020) and Boy Kills World (Moritz Mohr, 2023).

On television, he recently starred in It: Welcome to Derry (2025), the It prequel series for HBO Max, in which he reprised the role of Pennywise and also served as executive producer. His television credits also include Clark (Jonas Åkerlund, 2022), Castle Rock (2018–2019), and Hemlock Grove (2013–2015).

He joins an ensemble cast that includes Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe with Kojima-san promising further casting updates in the future.

For OD – KNOCK, Kojima-san shared an update on development progress, revealing behind the scenes footage of stars Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer in a performance capture session.

Last week, XBOX and KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS announced that XBOX will publish PHYSINT, expanding a relationship that already includes OD. The collaboration also extends beyond games, with the companies working together across film and television to bring new stories to broader audiences.

Watch these announcements from the XBOX Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast here, and stay tuned for more updates as development progresses.

The post Tokyo Game Show 2026: Bill Skarsgård Cast as Lead Role in PHYSINT appeared first on XBOX Wire.