3on3 Freestyle continues to evolve with the introduction of Career Mode, a new solo experience designed to help players learn the game, build confidence, and grow their skills at their own pace.

Built as a stage-based PvE experience, Career Mode lets players take control of their chosen character and progress through a structured journey, where difficulty gradually increases over time. Through hands-on play, players naturally learn core systems, positioning, and strategy, creating a more approachable experience for both new and returning players.

A Character-Driven Progression System with Scalable Challenge

Career Mode is built around character-focused progression. Each character features their own set of stages, and as players continue to develop their character, higher difficulty stages become available.

With increased difficulty comes more demanding challenges, along with access to Career Mode-exclusive resources that reward progression. In addition to scaling difficulty, players can further customize their experience by applying different conditions — such as strengthening opposing AI, applying limitations to their own character, or modifying match rules.

This flexible system allows players to shape their own challenge while steadily pushing toward higher levels of play.

Strategic Gameplay Built on Player Choice

Career Mode incorporates roguelike-inspired elements to ensure that each run feels fresh and dynamic.

At the start of each stage, players select from a set of randomized buffs that impact gameplay. These buffs persist across all stages within the current difficulty tier, meaning each decision plays a meaningful role in the overall run. Rather than serving as short-term boosts, these choices require players to think strategically about how they approach each stage.

Once all stages are cleared and players move to the next difficulty level, buffs reset, allowing for new combinations and strategies in the next run. This structure naturally encourages experimentation and replayability.

A Progression System That Connects Play, Rewards, and Growth

Career Mode is designed so that gameplay directly feeds into progression.

By clearing stages, players earn Career Mode-exclusive resources, which can be used to invest in progression systems that strengthen their characters. These include both character-specific growth trees and shared progression trees that benefit multiple characters.

Completing all stages within a difficulty tier grants additional rewards, providing further incentives to take on greater challenges. As players develop multiple characters, shared progression becomes more impactful, enhancing overall growth efficiency across their roster.

Built for Growth While Preserving Competitive Balance

Career Mode integrates naturally with existing progression systems, allowing players to bring in characters they’ve already developed through upgrades, ability cards, and P-Buff setups, while continuing to grow them further within the mode.

At the same time, all progression gained in Career Mode is limited to solo play and does not carry over into PvP modes. This ensures players can freely experiment and grow without affecting competitive balance.

Visual enhancements powered by Lumen also bring added depth to the experience, introducing more dynamic lighting and environmental detail that make on-court action feel more natural and readable, while maintaining the fast-paced gameplay players expect.

A Natural Path Toward Competitive Play

Career Mode serves as more than just a standalone experience — it acts as a bridge into the broader 3on3 Freestyle ecosystem.

By learning systems and mechanics in a controlled environment, players can build confidence and transition more smoothly into multiplayer and competitive gameplay, preparing them for higher-level play.

Step Onto the Court

With Career Mode, 3on3 Freestyle introduces a new way to experience the game — from learning the fundamentals to refining strategies and taking on greater challenges. It’s a space to experiment, grow, and prepare for what comes next.

3on3 FreeStyle

JOYCITY Corp.

☆☆☆☆☆ 2872

★★★★★

Get it now

3on3 FreeStyle! Welcome to the world of 3on3 FreeStyle street basketball. Choose from 57 unique characters, each with their own signature skills, and lead your team to victory in intense 3v3 matches. Experience fast-paced, stylish street basketball action. Master each character’s skills and strategic team play to dominate the court. Enjoy both single-player and multiplayer modes: Grow your character in My Career (PVE) or compete in real-time 3v3 matches. Play solo or together—create your own style and become the best. Probability Item Info: http://3on3.fsgames.com/newNews/drawRate/5583/view

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

Dosa Divas

Outerloop Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Dosa Divas – April 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Outerloop Games delivers Dosa Divas – a spicy narrative turn-based RPG. After years apart, sisters Samara and Amani journey with their ancient spirit-mech on a mission to defeat a rotten fast food empire and reconnect communities with their traditions. Platform through vibrant villages, battle corporate goons, reconcile with loved ones, and eat one last meal together before saying goodbye.

Hades II

Supergiant Games LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99 $23.99

Pre-order

Hades 2 – April 14
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. As the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.

REPLACED

Thunderful Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Replaced – April 14
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Uncover the sinister secrets of Phoenix Corporation, through the eyes of its own creation, R.E.A.C.H. – an AI trapped in a human body against its will. Replaced is a 2.5D cinematic action platformer wrapped in an intense cyberpunk thriller narrative. Run, climb, and fight through crumbling districts, industrial wastelands, and neon-lit alleys with fluid movement and fast, responsive combat. Chain precise melee strikes with satisfying ranged attacks to take down enemies in high-intensity encounters while keeping the flow of exploration.

PRAGMATA

CAPCOM CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

Pragmata – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An all-new science fiction action-adventure with its own unique hacking twist! It is the near future, and protagonists Hugh and his android companion Diana, must work together as they make their way through the cold lunar research station.

In order to bring the game to you as soon as possible, we’ve moved the release date forward in most regions from April 24 to April 17. Consequently, the pre-order bonus for the digital version of Pragmata will now be an early bird bonus, available until the original release date (Hugh Outfit – Neo Bushido, Diana Outfit – Neo Kunoichi).

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire

PlaySide

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Pre-order

Mouse P.I. For Hire – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Mouse: P.I. For Hire is an action-packed first-person shooter that draws inspiration from the classic cartoons of the 1930s. Its black and white rubber hose visuals are drawn by hand, frame by frame, delivering a striking vintage aesthetic. Unravel layers of corruption with a thrilling noir-fueled detective story, lively environments to explore, an original big band jazz soundtrack, and a fully loaded arsenal of cartoon weapons and devastating power-ups.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss

Nacon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99

Pre-order

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss – April 16 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

2053. Across the globe, the occult threat grows ever more blatant, and strange, incomprehensible events multiply. As the Earth’s surface resources dwindle, powerful corporations turn to the uncharted depths of the oceans, unaware of the ancient horror they are about to awaken. In this tense Lovecraftian thriller, you play Noah, tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of miners in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. With the help of your AI companion, Key, explore the vast, labyrinthine prison of R’lyeh—an ancient, sunken city of cyclopean proportions—and resist the creeping madness caused by Cthulhu’s influence. At its core lies a secret that could shatter your understanding of reality.

BEFORE I GO

J's Labratory

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Pre-order

Before I Go – April 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Explore the haunting, dreamlike fantasy world of Before I Go, a punishing Metroidvania where you embody the innocence of an inner child on an allegorical odyssey towards death acceptance. The end is inevitable, but will you brave the journey? The world is old and unwell. An ominous affliction has left every living soul weak, terrified and helpless before despair. But this paralyzing infestation has left the innocence of a young child untainted. Lost in limbo, an otherworldly journey awaits you. Find answers. Face your greatest fear. Confront reality.

Spire Blast

Drageus Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Spire Blast – April 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Embark on a journey full of fun and challenging puzzles with various mechanics and unexpected encounters.

City Transport Simulator 2026

ViewApp

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

City Transport Simulator 2026 – April 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step into the next generation of urban public transport with City Transport Simulator 2026! Experience the most immersive bus and tram simulation yet, with a dynamic city that reacts to your every decision. Manage your fleet, plan routes, and explore a richly detailed European-inspired metropolis like never before. City Transport Simulator 2026 is FREE for all previous CTS owners! Transfer your DLCs at no cost and enjoy them upgraded with all the new features, including dynamic weather, free roam mode, realistic ticketing, and much more.

Claim the Forest: Settling Peace (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Claim the Forest: Settling Peace – April 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to relax in Claim the Forest: Settling Peace, a cozy puzzle where your mission is to fill each board with adorable capybara-shaped pieces. They arrive peacefully on little boats along the river, and it’s up to you to pick them up, rotate them, and find the perfect fit to complete every space. Across 30 handcrafted levels, boards vary in size and shape, offering gentle challenges that unfold at a calm and pleasant pace. It’s the perfect experience for puzzle fans, casual players, and anyone who enjoys quiet moments alongside the forest’s cutest capybaras.

Find My Frogs

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Find My Frogs – April 15
Xbox Play Anywhere

Find My Frogs is a cozy hidden object game where you search for frogs and toads in a peaceful, animal village. Explore charming spots, uncover secrets, and help Uncle Froger gather everyone for a family photo!

Pengilo

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Pengilo – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Bounce your penguin with precision as you master brainteasing stages in chill wintry style! A chill world of puzzling challenges awaits in Pengilo, a physics-driven platformer where you fling a bouncy penguin through charming winter landscapes. Across 50 levels, collect stars and grab the key to unlock the exit, mastering precision launches to escape every frosty challenge!

Death By Scrolling

MicroProse Software

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Death By Scrolling – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Welcome to Death By Scrolling, an action game set in the chaotic depths of Purgatory, inc. now under new management! Choose your character—each with unique perks and abilities, and race upward through endless levels. Battle bizarre monsters, dodge death itself, and collect gems to pay the Ferryman’s exorbitant fee! With each screen inching upward, time is never on your side. Outsmart the Reaper, grab power-ups, complete quirky side quests, and shop from vendors mid-run. Stay alive, pay your dues, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll cross that river.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy

SelectaPlay

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99 $17.99

Pre-order

Ereban: Shadow Legacy – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a fast-paced stealth platformer game where you become Ayana, the last descendant of a forgotten race. Harness mystical shadow powers, high-tech gadgets and avoid or kill to uncover the truth about your past and the key to saving a dying, morally grey universe. What will your legacy be?

Ground Zero

Kwalee

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Ground Zero – April 16

Ground Zero is a retro survival horror set in post-apocalyptic South Korea. A devastating meteor impact has wiped out South Korea. 2 months later as the dust and lightning storms settle and the air becomes breathable, an elite Korean operative and her Canadian partner are sent to investigate. What waits for them in the foggy remains is more terrifying than they ever could have imagined…

Magic Sheep (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Magic Sheep – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to fluff your brain and relax your heart, because this little sheep in a top hat is about to turn puzzle-solving into the cutest ritual of calm you’ve ever seen. Magic Sheep is a charming, slow-paced puzzle adventure where you push wooden barrels across peaceful gardens until each one rests perfectly on a marble pedestal. No pressure, no timer, only soft music, gentle thinking, and plenty of “oh, that was clever” moments.

Nullstar: Solus

indie.io

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Nullstar: Solus – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

In the distant future, mankind has discovered volatile sources of near-infinite energy, known as Nullstars. These mysterious anomalies can power entire planets, but are ticking time bombs that can wipe out entire worlds if they go critical. To this end, mega-corporations hire teams of archivists to find traces of lost worlds, to scavenge for the valuable remains of their nullstar. You are a scav drone pilot, sent into the orbit of a crippled megastructure to retrieve the treasure buried within.

Smash it Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike

Goblinz Publishing

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Smash It Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Dive into a fantasy world where champions face off in an unforgiving tournament. In Smash it Wild, every match counts, mixing volleyball and dodgeball in tactical turn-based gameplay. Upgrade your players, kit them out with powerful items, discover unique synergies and do your best to survive this roguelike competition where defeat means starting all over again.

星之翼(Starward)

Shengtianyouxi

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Starward – April 16

Starward is a 3D fighting game that integrates mecha girls and classic GVG combat gameplay, with 1V1 and 2V2 mode as the core gameplay. In Starward, players can control mecha girls with distinct personalities and different combat styles, and experience three-dimensional combat experiences beyond the ground.

Under Par Golf Architect

Broken Arms Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Under Par Golf Architect – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Design world-class golf courses by terraforming rough wasteland into lush fairways for smooth drives and pristine greens to ensure a true roll for every putt. Raise and lower terrain and lay the course for rivers and lakes to craft breathtaking landscapes that will fill your golfers with awe. Every course you create is a masterpiece waiting to be explored!

Without a Dawn

Clickteam LLC USA

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Without a Dawn – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

Without a Dawn is a dark, psychological, and philosophical visual horror novel featuring hauntingly beautiful pseudo-ASCII art. She seeks refuge from her constant, restless thoughts in a remote cabin. There are no distractions in the profound silence and isolation, but the eerie sound of the cold wind weaving through the trees keeps her awake. In the dark stillness of the night, the silence has begun to take on physical form.

ZPF

Mega Cat Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

ZPF – April 16
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Inspired by classic horizontal shooters like Lords of Thunder, Elemental Master, and the Thunderforce series, ZPF is a passion project from the designer and developer of Super XYX and Tänzer. Players will dodge and weave through intense bullet patterns, unleashing a barrage of firepower upon hordes of unique and challenging enemies.

Curious Copy Cats

Jolly Lobster Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Curious Copy Cats – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Get ready to flip your perspective with Curious Copy Cats, the purr-fect puzzle adventure that keeps you on your toes! Each level presents two adorable cat-filled scenes that may look identical at first glance… but there’s a twist, the images are mirrored, turning familiar details into a clever visual challenge. From missing paw prints, different colour yarn balls, and whiskers reversed in surprising spots, every puzzle tests your observation skills in a whole new way.

Decollate Decoration

KEMCO

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$8.99 $8.09

Pre-order

Decollate Decoration – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

One day, without warning, you become a ghost. You lived an honest life and committed no wrongs, so your soul should surely find peace… right? But the thought of being separated from the one you love is more terrifying than the abyss itself. If you can no longer stay by his side, then you must bring him with you before your soul passes on. Torn between love and obsession, you struggle against fate in this dark, emotional pixel-art visual novel about devotion, loss, and the desperate choices made in the afterlife.

The Empty Desk

JanduSoft

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$10.49 $8.39

Pre-order

The Empty Desk – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

The Empty Desk is the first chapter of Detective Bennett: Solved Cases, a psychological thriller blending narrative adventure and horror. Follow veteran homicide detective Thomas H. Bennett, just a week from retirement, as he investigates the mysterious death of tycoon Arthur Blackthorn and the disappearance of his daughter Emily. What begins as a routine case soon turns into a surreal descent through the twisting corridors of Blackthorn & Co, where time, space, and sanity collapse.

Inhuman Resources: A Literary Machination

Dolores Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Inhuman Resources: A Literary Machination – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Take part in an expansive choose-your-own-adventure horror story, where you’ll uncover the secrets of an anachronistic corporation reigning over a post-truth world. Solve cryptic riddles, make difficult choices, and escape the depths of Smyrnacorp with your mind intact, no matter the cost. With hundreds of possible story routes, multiple endings, interactive puzzles and RPG elements, Inhuman Resources aims to elevate the traditional reading experience to more immersive, engaging heights, without forgoing the satisfaction of a well-crafted story.

Rail Rescue: Puzzle Lines

QubicGames S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Rail Rescue: Puzzle Lines – April 17
Xbox Play Anywhere

Your friends are scattered across the city, and the rail network is in pieces! Draw colored tracks, reconnect the railroads, and guide trains back to their stations to find your lost buddies and bring everyone home. With each rescue, your hometown slowly recovers, but the puzzles get trickier. Tunnels, crossroads, and clever obstacles will test your logic and creativity as you invent new routes, solve mind-bending challenges, and restore order to the railways.

Void Blasters

RainForest Game Studio

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Void Blasters – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Void Blasters is an arcade space shooter where you battle waves of enemy ships, collect upgrades during combat, and increase your firepower to face the final bosses, The Hunter and The Crystal, in decisive encounters.

Word Quest Fantasy

Gametry LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Word Quest Fantasy – April 17

Wield enchanted swords, explore ancient castles, and unravel word puzzles charged with mystical power. Each grid hides words that bring you closer to becoming a true hero of the realm. Defeat challenges, unlock secrets, and let your imagination guide you through a storybook world where every word is part of your adventure. Are you ready to prove yourself in the ultimate fantasy word quest?

We’re just a few short weeks away from the launch of Double Fine’s unique pottery brawler, with Kiln rolling ever closer to its April 23, 2026, launch date. If you can’t wait to start playing, Kiln’s Open Beta Throwdown is live starting today, and you can participate on Steam using the “Request Access” button until April 11, playing through a sampling of what the full game has to offer and helping fine tune its multiplayer magic alongside many other players and the team at Double Fine.

If you’re unfamiliar with Kiln, we announced it during our Developer Direct back in January. It’s Double Fine’s first-ever online competitive multiplayer game where you’ll play as spirit that can inhabit clay pots and take them into battle against your friends. What makes it even more unique is you can craft your own pot by using a wealth of shaping tools on the pottery wheel, tapping into a variety of pot sizes and special abilities that complement your unique playstyle.

Pre-orders are now live for both the Standard ($19.99) and Fired Up ($29.99) editions. The Fired Up edition includes the base game as well as premium glazes, stickers, attachments, and custom pots.

Kiln launches on April 23, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, PlayStation 5, Steam, and with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as an Xbox Play Anywhere title and will be Handheld Optimized.

Double Fine’s Favorite Pots

To help inspire your soon-to-be amazing pottery creations, we enlisted the help of the amazing folks at Double Fine to share with us some of their favorite pots. From tall in thin, short and stout, and somewhere in between, each of these were made using the same in-game tools that will be at your disposal during Kiln’s Open Beta Throwdown!

Kiln launches on April 23, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, PlayStation 5, Steam, and day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It will support Xbox Play Anywhere and Handheld Optimized.

Clear out your weekend plans, we have got plenty to try with Free Play Days! Subnautica is available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members to play from Thursday April 9 until Sunday, April 12.

Project Motor Racing and One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 are free for all Xbox members to try Free Play Days for All from Thursday April 9 until Sunday, April 12.

Graveyard Keeper will be free for all Xbox users to keep from April 9, 9am PT until April 13, 10am PT, so be sure to download while you can!

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)

Subnautica

Unknown Worlds Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆ 13989

★★★★★

$29.99 $14.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

Subnautica
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere
Explore an alien underwater world filled with wonder and danger in Subnautica during Free Play Days. After crash-landing on an ocean planet, you’ll collect resources, craft equipment, build underwater bases, and uncover the mysteries lurking beneath the surface. From vibrant coral reefs to dark and treacherous depths, every dive is a chance to discover something new… all while trying to survive.

Free Play Days For All

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 49

★★★★★

$39.99 $9.99

Get it now

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
All aboard, pirates! Battle your way through waves of enemies as your favorite One Piece characters in One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4. In search of treasure, play through some of the most extraordinary areas in the One Piece story and take on memorable foes. Experience the latest evolution of Pirate Warriors action and prepare for even more thrilling gameplay with enhanced graphics on Xbox Series X|S and the latest DLC content. Don’t miss your chance to try out the most complete One Piece experience during this Free Play Days Weekend and grab the game while it’s on sale for a limited time to keep the One Piece adventure sailing after the weekend!

Project Motor Racing

GIANTS Software

☆☆☆☆☆ 133

★★★★★

$69.99 $38.49

Get it now

Project Motor Racing
Update 2.0 is the most significant overhaul to Project Motor Racing since launch and introduces a redesigned UI, far improved driving feel, enhanced online systems, and a stronger Career Mode. It’s time to race!

Graveyard Keeper

tinyBuild

☆☆☆☆☆ 858

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

Graveyard Keeper
Graveyard Keeper is the most inaccurate medieval cemetery management sim of the year. Build & manage your own graveyard while finding shortcuts to cut costs, expand into entertainment with witch-burning festivals, and scare nearby villagers into attending church. From April 9 at 9am PT until April 13 at 10am PT players will be able to get Graveyard Keeper for free to keep!

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.

Starting today, select Xbox Insiders can begin testing improvements to Achievements that make it easier to celebrate your accomplishments and curate how they appear on your profile. These features will roll out to more Insiders over time, with broader availability coming later to all players. We’re excited to hear what you think, and we’ll keep bringing you more of the features you’ve been asking for.

Achievements Get a Visual Refresh

We’ve refreshed achievement notifications with a new look and feel, including updated icons and animations when you unlock classic or rare achievements. Notifications will also match your custom color, making each unlock feel more personal. Happy achievement hunting!

Hide Games from Your Achievement List

Coming later this month, you will be able hide any game from your Achievement history on your profile, giving you more control over how your accomplishments are presented. Whether you want a cleaner look or just want to highlight what matters most to you, this puts your profile in your hands. This only affects how your profile appears, hidden games will still count towards your total Gamerscore and your activity in these games will still be reported across Xbox.

This has been one of the most requested features from Xbox Insiders and we’re excited to finally get it into your hands very soon.

Highlight Your 100% Completed Games

When you’ve earned all available Gamerscore for a title, you’ll now see it highlighted in your achievements list, so your hard work is easy to spot. This gives you a quick, at-a-glance way to celebrate full completion.

We’ve also added new filter options to this view, making it easier to find your fully completed games alongside any titles you’ve chosen to hide.

This is a small but meaningful step in a broader set of improvements we’re making to Achievements. We’re continuing to explore new ways to recognize completion and milestone moments over time, and this update is one of our first steps towards celebrating those moments.

How to Get Xbox Insider Support and Share Your Feedback

We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit, where official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We recommend adding to threads with the same topic before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! 

If you aren’t part of the Xbox Insider Program yet and want to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and keep an eye on this blog for all the latest news. 

Thank you for being part of Xbox Insiders. We can’t wait to hear what you think. 

Other resources:

• Get the Xbox Insider Hub app
• Xbox Insider FAQ
• How to provide feedback as an Xbox Insider

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

The time is upon us! Invincible VS’s Open Beta kicks off tomorrow, April 9, giving players one final chance to step into the arena before launch. Whether you’re a first-time fighter or an experienced brawler, now is the time to show us what you’re made of.

Running from Thursday, April 9 at 10:00am PT to Saturday, April 11 at 9:00pm PT, the Open Beta gives players three full days to try out our 10 available characters to find their early mains. The stacked roster includes Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, Bulletproof, Thula, Rex Splode, Battle Beast, Omni-Man, Robot, Monster Girl and Allen the Alien – each ready to throw down and give their all.

Our Open Beta has three modes, giving a few different ways to jump into the action:

• Tutorial – We love newcomers! Our tutorial gives you the chance to learn everything from movements and inputs to Active Tagging and Assist Breakers.
• Practice Mode – If you need to warm up or perfect a certain skill, hit the Practice Mode before heading into battle.
• Ranked Mode – Go head-to-head with other players to earn League Points and climb the leaderboard. The top 20 players during Open Beta will have their names featured as “Beta Beasts” in the Invincible VS credits, so may the best fighters prevail!

Want to be featured in the official Invincible VS credits? Well, you gotta fight for it!

By the end of Open Beta, the top 20 players on the Ranked leaderboard will have their names in the credits when Invincible VS launches on April 30. So, prepare yourself to duke it out with the best of the best to make it there! But that’s not all that’s in store for Open Beta Players…

The Omni-beard is back! Open Beta players will also receive a special Omni-Man skin inspired by his appearance in episode 406 of the Invincible animated series. Trading in his signature mustache for a full beard, this version of Omni-Man looks even more kick-ass.

We’ve been counting down the days until Open Beta and we’re stoked it’s almost here. We can’t wait to see the epic battles and wild moments that will surely come out of this.

Players can jump into the Invincible VS Open Beta on Xbox Series X|S tomorrow, April 9, by heading to the Xbox Store. For more information on the Invincible VS Open Beta, visit invinciblevs.com/open-beta.

Invincible VS launches on April 30, 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and is available for pre-order now at invinciblevs.com/#preorder.

Find out more by following Invincible VS on Instagram, X (formally Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and online at InvincibleVS.com. Add Invincible VS to your wish list on the Microsoft Store below.

Last month’s Remnant update caused much hilarity as you tooled with your newfangled gravity guns and customisable exocraft, transporting precarious industrial cargo across uneven terrain in a classic risk vs. reward fight. Our latest update is a whole different beast. 

Introducing… Xeno Arena, an all-new beast battler for No Man’s Sky! Build your pet squad. Beef up your animal stats. Train your ultimate fighting team. And throw down in epic simulated showdowns in the Xeno Arena.

Xeno Arena playfully brings attention back to the creatures you have been adopting throughout your adventures and turns them from journey companions into potentially lucrative battle pets.

The Space Anomaly has recently been decked out with an array of holodeck tables where you can enter your most powerful animals in simulated battles with other space farers for bragging rights and tangible rewards. If you prefer a more solitary journey, there are also NPC alien lifeforms to challenge at Space Stations – including champion battlers who take expert advantage of the local wildlife’s biome affinities, and reigning champion iteration: Oceanus at the Anomaly.

Choose wisely and understand each of your creature’s unique attributes to prevail against your opponent and reap the spoils on the table. The size, agility, species, and origins all play a part in a successful tactical encounter, and you must be strategic in your selection and respond strategically to your contender’s every move.

Moreover, there are hundreds of attack, defence and healing abilities to discover and master, such that each companion combination has countless ways of engaging with your combatant.

There is even the option to genetically evolve your creatures, fine-tune their capabilities, and complement the other members of the pack to create the ultimate battle squad. Win battles to rise in the ranks of the Arena League and earn in-game medals and titles.

And when it comes to your squad, there’s strength in depth so the number of creatures you can adopt at any one time has been raised from 18 to 30.

Now there is more reason than ever to befriend and nurture the beasts you encounter throughout the universe as you build up your squad in readiness for the next Xeno Arena face-off. 

Our journey continues.

No Man's Sky

Hello Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 9714

★★★★★

$59.99 $23.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I. Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man's Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action. In No Man's Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you'll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again. Embark on an epic voyage At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you'll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit. Find your own destiny Your voyage through No Man's Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry. Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you'll reap huge rewards. Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary. Share your journey The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

The Forza Horizon games know how to make an entrance, and Forza Horizon 6 is no outlier.

Within moments of my hands-on preview beginning, the now-traditional intro sequence had me barrelling through the hills of breathtaking rural Japan in the game’s latest cover car – the 2025 GR GT Prototype – soaring past iconic landmarks, speeding down the Japanese Alps, and brazenly skidding up to a live rocket launch. This is the Forza experience the team wants you to have – sleek, superfast driving with an impeccable backdrop. And then, like some sort of petrol-fumed fever dream, the prologue is over and you’re left to discover this world for yourself.

In Forza Horizon 6, you’re no circuit superstar, here to rub shoulders with racing’s finest. Not yet, anyway. You’re a fan, a festival tourist, visiting Japan on a whim with two good friends. The Horizon Festival is in full swing, but your invite for the Invitational isn’t even in the post yet. You’ll need to qualify for the Invitational by proving your worth.

For newcomers, this narrative makes absolute sense as a tutorial while you get to grips with how these fantastically designed vehicles handle, their nuances, how they each respond to the environment, and what you’ll need to be driving for each type of activity.

“Japan is such an exciting, interesting, intriguing location that many people have wanted from [the Horizon] franchise for a long time, that we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Design Director Torben Ellert tells us in a new episode of the Official Xbox Podcast. “What would it feel like if the Festival was there? It wouldn’t dominate Japan, it would be part of Japan, and with that we asked: ‘how do we give players permission to just be in Japan?’ Well – tourism.”

One early game race is a tight, unpredictable zip through Tokyo’s urban district that allowed my modest first car – a 30-year-old Toyota Cecilia GT-Four – to shine (literally) through the dense, neon-soaked hotspots of Ginko Avenue and Shibuya Crossing. Another race is a cross-country affair full of rough terrain and water, and your starter off-roader, a ’70s GMC Jimmy, is the perfect accompaniment for these tumultuous routes.

But what makes Forza Horizon 6 feel incredibly special is how seamless and inviting this take on Japan is. Once you’re through a short section of introduction, the world is all yours. The campaign is there to guide you through the ranks and races at the heart of the game. Your car’s built-in AI guide is there to offer direction if you feel genuinely stuck. There’s a “golden path” for you to take – but there’s no need to take it at anything other than your own pace. For the most part, the goal is simply: Explore.

And that feels like the true innovation at the heart of Forza Horizon 6 – more than ever before, the game tasks you with finding what you want to do next, rather than simply heading from icon to icon on the map. It’s a philosophy that suffuses the game – there’s always another race in the Festival ‘campaign’ to complete, but there’s an equal sense that if you just take a different turn, you could discover something for yourself.

The clearest hint to that change comes from the map itself – for the first time, a Horizon game has a “fog of war”, with the map unveiling as you travel through it. It gives you a real sense of your journey through the game at a glance, not to mention makes each new icon feel like a discovery rather than something you simply pointed your GPS at.

“This new system is designed to tell you where you have been and what you have seen in a really legible way,” Ellert explains. “We have this rule with all of the Discover Japan content where if you find it, you can play it.”

“Ultimately, freedom is a core design pillar for us – we’ve really tried to not force you to go and do a specific thing, but instead, tempt you into going and doing them.”

During my preview time, those discoveries included Time Attacks, which let you set a best time on a specific lap around a route. Meanwhile, Drag Races are there for that insatiable urge to just go really, really fast, without having to worry about arbitrary nonsense like steering or corners. Both of these activities come with the added bonus of drawing from the wider player pool, and your friends list, to act like asymmetric multiplayer – these tracks will be filled with ghost cars from real players, and billboards displaying best times will constantly beckon you to try and beat their scores.

What made that experience even richer was the new Aftermarket Cars feature. As you travel through the world, you can now find time-limited opportunities to buy new cars at cheaper-than-normal prices. For me, that was stumbling upon a black Dodge SRT Demon, parked right next to a Drag Race spot, and I fortunately had enough credits on-hand to purchase it right away. The banged-up Toyota I brought to the Drag Race? Relegated to the garage. The Dodge? Immediately in my hands, ready to take for a spin.

According to Ellert, the Aftermarket Cars feature is informed by the desire to put interesting cars that are relevant to your gameplay experience right in front of you while you’re exploring, if that’s your preferred thing to do: “It’s a subtle suggestion of ‘hey, try this car out, take this car to this event’ – and it’s my hope that more people will experience these wonderful machines by us placing them in the open world, and making them cheaper to purchase.”

To push that need to explore even further, each area of Horizon’s Japan has a series of collectible mascots dotted around locations, which grant a small reward when collected. Some of them are set out on the side of the road, easily spottable as you pass, and some are tucked away, goading you to nosey down an as-yet unexplored path.

It’s a step forward for the Horizon series to add activities that make exploration feel not just viable, but exciting. There’s always a reason to veer off course and take a road you’ve never been down, poke around a suburb or a forest, or simply just stop to look at the sun-soaked horizon in front of you and just… drive towards it, because you can.

It’s the interconnectivity of all of these activities that make Forza Horizon 6 feel so magically immersive this time around. Every goal, side-mission or collectible item is right there on the road with you – whether it’s picking up a mascot, testing your car’s paces at a Time Attack stop, or challenging a passing player’s Drivatar to a quick battle.

These features extend way beyond what we saw in the preview too – the Journal is another fresh addition to Forza Horizon 6 that adds another layer of intrigue to the world around you. With the Journal, you can collect photographs of iconic landmarks and hotspots, to create your own personalized account of your journey in Japan.

The personalization can also be felt within Horizon 6’s garage customization options – which we got a small glimpse of at Mei’s house – your first “base” in the game. Each home you purchase from there on out comes with its own garage that you can design however you like – deck it out with furniture, floodlights, odd objects, or leave the cars to be the star of the show. It’s entirely up to you – your adventure, your space.

It is, as Ellert puts it, about “giving players agency over the place where they keep their cars.” You can build something grounded, realistic and gritty, like a garage, or something wildly ephemeral like a secret lair or a dinosaur jungle, – or whatever else you can think of.

“That just felt in-line with what we saw players doing, and we know that having agency over the world, and being able to earn and build something that is yours, is a really fun and compelling thing.”

With more reasons to simply hop into your chosen car and drive – not just because you’re trying to win races or climb Festival ranks – Forza Horizon 6 taps into more than just a love of driving competitively. It’s passionate about exploration in a way we’ve never seen inside a Horizon game – it invites you to explore the world, unlock the map, take your favorite vehicles out for a spin because you feel like it, because there is something out there on offer, something to discover. Your cars aren’t just a tool for victory and prowess, they become your partner in this mesmerizing journey. And with a breathtaking environment like ray-traced Japan, it’s incredibly hard to refuse.

Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026, and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and playable day one with Xbox Game Pass.

Check out the full interview with Forza Horizon 6 Design Director Torben Ellert and Art Director Don Arceta in the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, linked above.

Forza Horizon 6

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 63

★★★★★

Get it now

Pre-order Forza Horizon 6 now and get a pre-tuned and exclusive Ferrari J50 in-game! Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.* Your journey to a Horizon Legend starts now – Japan Awaits! EXPERIENCE TOKYO, HORIZON’S LARGEST EVER CITY Welcome to Japan, a place where the stunning contrasts of rural and urban come together as you uncover the secrets hidden within Horizon's most dense map yet, full of verticality, diverse biomes and spectacular driving experiences. Cruise the suburbs and iconic downtown streets or challenge yourself in the docks and industrial districts of Tokyo City, the largest ever urban area in a Forza Horizon game, and the home for car enthusiasts. FEEL IMMERSED IN JAPANESE CAR CULTURE Drive over 550 real-world cars, including some much loved and fan favorite JDM classics, featuring cutting-edge engine audio and updated steering animations with up to 540 degrees of wheel rotation. As you explore Japan, collect special Forza Edition cars fitted with extreme modifications and find rare Aftermarket Cars to test drive and buy. Your path to making a name for yourself will see you meet the Legends of the Horizon Festival, participate in Touge Battles, and experience authentic stories rooted in Japan’s legendary car culture. RACE AND DISCOVER IN JAPAN In Forza Horizon 6, you will explore a vast campaign of discovery and Festival racing, playable solo and in co-op with your friends.* You’ll start as a tourist and must prove you’ve got what it takes to join the Horizon Festival as a rookie driver, all while you Discover Japan and complete your Collection Journal. Qualify for the Festival in the Horizon Invitational, then rise through the ranks in progressively faster cars and earn new Wristbands to become a Horizon Legend. Your newfound status will grant you access to Legend Island, an exclusive space reserved for the greatest drivers. MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD YOURS Your journey will see you purchase gorgeous homes in Japan, each with customizable garages – allowing you to create the ideal spaces to showcase your car collection, or you can download layouts shared online by the community. Unlock the Estate, a mountain valley where you can build freely in the open world, creating nearly anything you can imagine. And for your favorite cars, those can be upgraded with body kits and new Forza Aero options, as well as the ability to paint custom liveries on windows. JOIN THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLAYER This Festival is always better with your friends.* Seamlessly participate in Time Attack Circuits and Drag Meets or show off your customized cars at Car Meets. Earn new co-op LINK skills with other players, compete in Spec Racing Championships, or jump into the Horizon Multiplayer modes you know and love including The Eliminator and nailbiting Hide & Seek. BUILD TOGETHER, ANYWHERE IN JAPAN Create with unprecedented freedom anywhere in Japan as you build custom events with your friends in CoLab, the upgraded EventLab toolset – now featuring multiplayer support* and the ability to build literally anywhere in the world. Share your masterpieces for everyone to play and discover an always evolving catalog of exciting new content created by the community. THE FESTIVAL FOR EVERY DRIVER Hit the open road in our most approachable Horizon game yet. Our customization options include Granular High Contrast Mode, Car Proximity Radar, American and British Sign Language, and AutoDrive, allowing players to experience the beautiful cars, hit music and spectacular locations of the Horizon Festival. Discover your Legend, and Explore the Contrasts and Culture of Japan. *Online console multiplayer requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately.