Category: Xbox News

Generation Zero has been live for over three years now, and there are still a ton of things happening with the game. We love this game and the world in it, and there is no shortage of ideas for new features we want to add to enrich the game further.

In this article, I will go over the major updates we have added over the last year. I hope that you will enjoy what we have worked on, and maybe we will see you explore it all in-game!

In Generation Zero you explore the idyllic island Östertörn, set in 1980s Sweden. In this beautiful environment, hostile machines roam the landscape, and almost all humans seem to be gone. As you traverse the island, you will work to uncover what is happening on Östertörn, and do what you can to fight back against the overpowering machines.

As of this year, the FNIX machines are no longer the only threat in Östertörn. Three machines of a new faction have found their way to Östertörn’s shores, and they are attacking both the already existing machines and any human who dares to cross their path.

The smaller Lynxes roll around in packs, the large Wolf patrols the fields, and in the skies our first flying machine can be spotted – the Firebird. Fire, gas, bombs, and gunshots are everywhere. Traversing the map is more dangerous than ever, but if you think fast and adjust to your circumstances, you can take down even these new enemies, or maybe arrange for them to take down each other.

Together with the new machines there are three new missions added, many new locations to visit, and collectibles to be found – which will all help you learn more about the new machines and why they came to Östertörn.

Over a year ago we introduced the first version of base building and a repeatable Horde Mode where you defend your base from waves of increasingly threatening enemies.

In addition, there are now Control Points to be found in several different regions. You can choose to build your own base in these unique places, but beware – FNIX machines can build bases there too. These procedurally generated FNIX bases are always different, creating a challenging maze of turrets and traps to navigate. But successfully taking them down will reward you with important resources as well as new places to build on.

We have also added a wide variety of buildings for you to use when designing your bases. Do you want to create an intimidating place with hard concrete and barbed wire? Or will you build a disco base with multi-colored lights and take down machines to your favorite tune from the Jukebox? The choice is yours as you play and experiment with where and how to build your home, to then defend it against our updated Horde Mode.

Did you ever wish for a faster way to move across the map than with the existing bike? With an added moped, and three more motorbikes to be found in a DLC, you can explore Östertörn at top speed. The motorbikes will give you a new experience of traversal, but don’t forget to bring fuel and a repair kit or two! And to broaden your options when fighting the machines, we have more weapons to use, as well as some equipment that lets you deal with the machines in creative ways.

Introducing new players to the game in an immersive and exciting way is very important to us, which is why we have made some improvements to the start of the game. We added an intro movie, new NPCs to meet, and new objectives to the first missions. With this we have expanded upon the already existing narrative, giving more details about what happened during the first hours of the invasion, and adding more personal perspectives on the fight against the machines.

The game has grown a lot this year, and the experience of Östertörn has expanded in many exciting ways. There are more deadly machines to destroy (or avoid), machines are fighting each other in the distance, and FNIX bases keep popping up whenever you turn your back. With these updates, we in the development team feel that Östertörn is more alive than ever. We hope that you will enjoy the updates, as we on the team do, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with you all in developing Generation Zero further in the years to come.

Death to the machines!

Generation Zero®

Systemic Reaction™

☆☆☆☆☆ 365

★★★★★

$29.99 $23.99

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Where did the machines come from? What do they want? How can you survive?
Generation Zero is a stealth-action hybrid with a rich and rewarding world to explore and mysteries to uncover. Play alone or with up to three friends in a vast open-world map that will challenge your resourcefulness and ingenuity. Because living is winning. Home is the battlefield. A resistance will rise. A World of Stealth-Action. Hide, seek, scavenge and shoot your way through a world of peril and secrets. From dense forests to derelict towns, from vast fields to makeshift bases, Östertörn is a location with a story to tell where no two encounters are the same. Home is the battlefield. A Resistance Will Rise.
As you journey through Östertörn you will connect with other survivors, each with their own unique story to tell. When enough of you have banded together, a resistance can begin to rise. Build Your Base. Make it Your Own.
This year brings a wealth of new content to Generation Zero, such as building (and customizing) your own unique outpost, to a tense new wave-based home base defense experience.

A quarter of a century is a long time and a milestone worth celebrating! Thank you for joining us today for our Anniversary Broadcast, celebrating 25 years of strategy, history and — most importantly — you, our players. We’ve taken time to look back at what’s made this first chapter in Age of Empires’ history great, as well as teased some sneak peeks of our future. Whether you want to relive everything we shared, or see what you missed, here’s our rundown of the show.

Pull Out Your Controllers – Age of Empires is Coming to Xbox Consoles

We’re ageing up and heading into the console age. Age of Empires is coming to Xbox consoles in 2023! Our team has been listening to you when you’ve been asking us to bring these globally beloved RTS games to Xbox and we’ll be doing that next year. After launching and evolving these games, the time is right to bring them to both existing fans and new players on Xbox. 2023 will have two console launches to look forward to: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition arrives on Xbox on January 31, 2023, with Age of Empires IV coming to consoles later in the year.

Age of Empires – A Franchise History

Age of Empires games tell stories of human history. So with 25 years under our belt, we wanted to tell the story of our history. Join our warrior by the fireside as he takes a look at the games, cheats, campaigns, moments, and victories that have formed this era for Age of Empires.

Wait, Did You Say Myth?

Gods will return. Heroes will rise. Legends will battle. Age of Mythology Retold is in production! We know that the Age of Mythology community has been hopefully waiting for a Definitive Edition, and we’ll be delivering. We’re working hard to bring you the glory of the original game with updated graphics, features and more. Stay tuned for more news.

Age of Empires is Heading to Mobile

We shared a teaser trailer for a whole new way to play Age of Empires as it heads to mobile. This uniquely designed, visually stunning game will allow you to build your empire on the go. If the teaser has you excited, there’ll be more to share in the not too distant future. So stay tuned….

Age of Empires IV Anniversary Edition

Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.

The Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and the Season Three: Anniversary Update are here and we’re excited to celebrate with you! With the update comes new civilizations, challenges, achievements, features, and more. Whether you’re interested in creating new strategies with the Malians and Ottomans, building your skillset with challenges, competing in 1v1 Solo Ranked or competing with friends in the all-new Team Ranked, or earning a set of Age-themed rewards, there’s something for every playstyle coming your way with the Season Three: Anniversary.

Three Games, Three Events, and One Giant Anniversary Celebration

The giant celebration for the Age of Empires Anniversary extravaganza is underway! Here’s your connection to all the in-game events with unique challenges and rewards starting today, October 25. Don’t miss out on all the fun in Age of Empires IV, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition with celebratory cakes, castles, capybaras, and more!

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Releases a Huge Update Plus Cosmetic Packs

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition recently had some exciting news! First, a giant update happened with some awesome new features, maps, and more. Plus, fans now have the opportunity to access some new and unique cosmetic packs to enhance the in-game experience. These packs cover previously-released and brand-new heroes from across all of the civilizations in the game. Don’t forget to check it out!

Still Not Enough Age?

While you can always log into an Age of Empires game and participate in anniversary fun, we also have some friends who are pretty big fans of Age too!

In honor of Age of Empires’ 25th birthday, the AoE II Ninja hoodie has been unlocked for everyone! Log in to State of Decay 2 any time before November 7, 2022, and snag a cool hoodie just in time for the party!

Forza Horizon 5 players can also show their love through this exclusive customer livery for the Ford Ranger Raptor. Use Livery Share Code 726 949 524 to get yours!

Get Your Age Merch!

We’re very excited to also introduce the Age of Empires Insert Coin merch! From sheep pj’s, to an idle villager mug, to a wololo hoodie, you can find some pretty awesome stuff to complete your collection!

Want one of those gold 25th Anniversary t-shirts? Or maybe a deck of Age of Empires playing cards? Well, we’ve got you covered with a whole slew of new Age Anniversary swag available in the Xbox Gear Shop! Check out our new 25th anniversary items.

It’s a great honor to work on Age of Empires, which is beloved by so many players all over the world. We know how much the games mean to you and we are so proud to be able to work with you to take this franchise forward. We’re constantly listening to your feedback and working hard to grow the games in the way you want. Our players are part of the development team and have been the beating heart of Age of Empires for 25 years.

Raise a glass to yourselves, to empires built, to castles fallen and to the many wololos. We hope you enjoy the celebrations.

Start the game already!

Here are this week’s games and add-on deals available from the Microsoft Games Store. Discounts are valid now through October 31, 2022 (actual end date varies by sale).

Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Deals

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.

Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region. Content Type varies by title and some titles may have multiple types not listed. Check the title’s individual product page for specific details about the game.

Xbox 360 Deals

*These offers are only valid for Xbox Live Gold members.

Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region. Content Type varies by title and some titles may have multiple types not listed. Check the title’s individual product page for specific details about the game.

Welcome to the new era for Call of Duty! It started October 20 with all players who digitally pre-ordered Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, gaining early access to the game’s Campaign mode before the game’s official launch on October 28.

Week Zero: Early Campaign Access

Available with digital preorder, Campaign Early Access gives you:

• An insider look into Modern Warfare II’s storyline: Take this week to immerse yourself into the narrative that gives insight into Task Force 141, their link to the Mexican Special Forces, and how this story will expand the Modern Warfare universe.

• Get Campaign completion unlocks to expand your arsenal: Play the Campaign and earn rewards for use in Multiplayer, Special Ops, and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, at each respective launch. Rewards include four base operators, Captain Price’s signature Union Guard Weapon Blueprint, and more by playing the Campaign.

We recommend you take this early start to grab all the Campaign rewards and be ready for the launch of Multiplayer on October 28.

Campaign: The Next Chapter of the Modern Warfare Story

Modern Warfare II’s story begins three years after Task Force 141’s original formation, where the team resurfaces after executing classified missions around the globe. In this indirect continuation of Modern Warfare’s (2019) story, you’ll travel the globe to assist in heart-pounding missions while uncovering deception and a web of crime. Take the full week to explore this story, and you may find some critical intel along the way…

Campaign: Prepare for Launch with Completion Rewards, Platform-Specific Accolades

Make your way through the Modern Warfare II Campaign and earn completion rewards, for use in Multiplayer, Special Ops, and Warzone 2.0 at launch.

In addition to four base Operators and Task Force 141–themed cosmetics, such as Calling Cards and Emblems, completing the Campaign awards you with the Union Guard Weapon Blueprint. This Assault Rifle variant is Captain Price’s signature weapon that comes with four pre-equipped attachments: the Aim OP-V4 Reflex Optic, the SZ 1MW PEQ Laser, the FSS Covert V Silencer on the Muzzle, and the Lockgrip Pricision-40 Underbarrel Vertical Grip.

Plus, you can use the early access period to knock out most of the Xbox-specific accolades, which are equal parts points of pride and practice for other modes.

One of these challenges involves completing Campaign on either of the hardest difficulty settings: Veteran and Realism. The latter turns off all HUD and lowers health for a true test of ability. Complete it, and you will be well prepared to face the AI combatants in Special Ops, Multiplayer, and Warzone 2.0.

The accolades and items can be unlocked at any time in Modern Warfare II. However, with a full week of early access, this is your opportunity to earn everything in Campaign before the full Modern Warfare II game launches.

Don’t fall behind your fellow community members by waiting until October 28 to get these rewards!

Digitally Pre-order for Campaign Early Access

Now is the perfect chance to familiarize yourself with the in-game universe during Campaign early access. Digitally pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II today on the Xbox Store and earn rewards as you complete the Campaign and prepare yourself for more launch content coming on October 28!

Stay frosty.

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Vault Edition

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 3965

★★★★★

The Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Vault Edition includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game. Pre-order the Vault Edition and receive: – Access to Play the Campaign now*
– The Ghost Legacy Pack – for immediate use in Modern Warfare® (2019 and Warzone™)**. Contains:
— 12 Ghost Operator skins
— 10 Weapon Blueprints
– Final Judgement Bundle and Khaled Al-Asad Operator Bundle – for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Vanguard and Call of Duty®: Warzone™***
– The opportunity to pre-load the game now *Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. Includes: – Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– Red Team 141 Operator Pack:
— 4 Operators: Ghost, Soap, Farah and Price
– FJX Cinder – First-Ever Weapon Vault****
– Battle Pass (1 Season) + 50 Tier Skips***** Welcome to the new era of Call of Duty®. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141. Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights. Modern Warfare® II will launch with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay. *Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. **Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® / Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem Ghost Legacy Pack. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 28th, 2023. ***Call of Duty®: Vanguard / Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem the Final Judgement Bundle and Khaled Al-Asad Operator Bundle. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 28th, 2023. ****Weapon Vault design limited to Weapon Vault contents at launch. *****Battle Pass and Tier Skips, or equivalent versions, will be accessible in Modern Warfare® II once the Season 1 Battle Pass, or equivalent system, is made available in game. Battle Pass redemption applies to one season of Modern Warfare® II Battle Pass, or equivalent system, only. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. © 2019-2022 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY VANGUARD, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE, and WARZONE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2022 Id Software, Inc.

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Cross-Gen Bundle

Activision Publishing Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 3841

★★★★★

The Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II – Cross-Gen Bundle includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game. Pre-order any digital edition and receive: – Access to play the Campaign now*
– Final Judgement Bundle and Khaled Al-Asad Operator Bundle – for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Vanguard and Call of Duty®: Warzone™**
– The opportunity to pre-load the game now *Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. Includes: – Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game Welcome to the new era of Call of Duty®. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II drops players into an unprecedented global conflict that features the return of the iconic Operators of Task Force 141. Infinity Ward brings fans state-of-the-art gameplay, with all-new gun handling, advanced AI system, a new Gunsmith and a suite of other gameplay and graphical innovations that elevate the franchise to new heights. Modern Warfare® II will launch with a globe-trotting single-player campaign, immersive Multiplayer combat and an evolved Special Ops game mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay. *Actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. **Call of Duty®: Vanguard / Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem the Final Judgement Bundle and Khaled Al-Asad Operator Bundle. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 28th, 2023. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. © 2019-2022 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY VANGUARD, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE, and WARZONE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software (‘Id Technology’). Id Technology © 1999-2022 Id Software, Inc.

“The world’s first vending machine dispensed ________.”

The truth is holy water…! Or is it live cats…? Or moldy cheese?*

When writing and researching for Fibbage, the goal has always been to find facts that are just as weird, if not weirder, than the joke answers our players submit. That way, the truth blends in with any idea a wild party could come up with.

This editorial direction has created one of Jackbox Games’ most iconic trivia/comedy games. It’s so popular, in fact, fans are constantly asking for a new version with almost every Party Pack. Luckily, we love to listen to our fans.

So it was time to write Fibbage 4. Time to find more funny facts. The question becomes: How do we locate even more unbelievable true stories, bizarre historical events and truly trivial bits of knowledge, and how do we up the ante?

If you watch a couple of Fibbage live streams, you will find that one of the most common words uttered after the truth reveal is “Really?” So how about a question type where we could answer, “Yeah! Really! … and here’s the video evidence!”

If seeing is believing, then showing our players the truth in the reveal could pack the punch we’re looking for in Fibbage 4. Thus, two new question types were planned: Cookie’s VHS Vault and Fibbage Fan Facts.

And when I say planned, I mean we started with the barest bones of an idea: “How about a video question?” Then they needed to be tested to see if they would work and, more importantly, would be fun to play. Lately, our paper tests have gotten a lot more digital. This is due to the new tech available to us, and Jackbox team members who step up and build electronic tools to better demonstrate what a game looks like “on its feet.”

If the Fibbage team wanted to playtest video questions, we had to start watching some of the most bizarre movies available and editing clips for playtests. I, for one, spent weeks going through public domain horror movies, old educational films and nearly forgotten sci-fi “masterpieces.”

We were looking for the oddest bits of movie trivia we could collect. “The villain of this 1950’s eco-thriller turns out to be blank,” “This educational film teaches recycling tips by comparing our planet to blank,” etc.

What we really wanted was “the reveal.” Something where we could ask a Fibbage style question and the answer could play out in front of the audience. We wanted clips where people opened a door to show a sentient giant cactus or stepped out of a rocketship dressed like a tinfoil gladiator.

You usually learn something you didn’t expect from playtests and after a few practice games, we found that players also really enjoyed guessing the titles of movies. What words would best sum up the set of images they just saw?

Cookie’s VHS Vault uses public domain films, movies, shorts, etc. Our other video question type, Fibbage Fan Facts, features recordings sent to us by the Jackbox players themselves.

Play Fibbage long enough, and you’ll see many of these facts are about people who do strange things or have odd occurrences happen to them. We wanted to see if we could reach out and have these people tell their stories themselves.

We were right. We got hundreds of entries, and were able to pick the ones that really made us laugh and provided some sort of visual evidence they could share with Fibbage players in the answer clips. Thus, they delivered the same jaw-dropping reveal as the fantastical films.

Both content types took a lot of research and careful curating to find our video Fibbage questions, but once we had them, we still had to get them into the game.

Our engineers and game designers broke new ground by putting video questions into our party games. Thanks to their hard work, you’ll get to see the movie clips on your big screen, answer the question on your phone and then move to the edge of your seat to watch the reveal play out in front of your entire party.

In the end, we’re all very proud to put something totally new into this Jackbox Party Pack while still delivering the shock-inducing Fibbage true facts. Only now, there may be a couple times where the “Really?” is replaced with gasps and laughter.

*The answer is holy water.

Play Fibbage 4 and other brand new party games in The Jackbox Party Pack 9. Now available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

The Jackbox Party Pack 9

Jackbox Games, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆ 2

★★★★★

About The Jackbox Party Pack 9
Introducing the ninth installment of the best-selling Party Pack Franchise you know and love! Whether you’re hanging out with friends, having a remote happy hour, trying to make the holidays less awkward, or looking for your next game to stream, The Jackbox Party Pack 9 is here to spice things up. Let’s keep it simple. You don’t need extra controllers for extra players – everyone uses their phones or tablets to play! Games support up to 10 players and 10,000 audience members joining in the fun to impact the outcome of the game. The Jackbox Party Pack 9 is in English only at launch but a patch is coming soon with French, Italian, German, and Spanish localization. This game does not support online matchmaking but can still be enjoyed remotely using livestreaming services or video conferencing tools. About Each Game Fibbage 4 (2-8 players) – The hilarious bluffing party game returns with an all new Final Fibbage, video questions, fan-submitted questions, and Fibbage Enough About You mode! It’s a game so beloved that we decided to slap a 4 on it. Quixort (1-10 players) – In this trivia sorting factory, work with your team to sort falling answers into their proper order before they hit the floor! Or, play the single player mode and see how many blocks you can sort before topping out. It’s as easy as A, C, B! Junktopia (3-8 players) – A strange wizard has turned you into a frog! Create hilarious backstories for weird objects and then get them appraised. The player with the most valuable items becomes human again! Nonsensory (3-8 players) – Professor Nanners is here to test your NSP (Nonsensory Perception) in this drawing, writing, and guessing game! How close can you get to guessing where another player’s prompt ranks on the silliest of scales? Roomerang (4-9 players) – Channel your inner reality TV star in an attempt to come out on top! Respond to prompts, bring the competition and role-play to avoid being voted out. Never fear though, even when you’re out you’ll find yourself Roomerang-ed right back into the drama!

EA Play members can now access a 10-hour trial of NHL 23, so put your skates on and get ready to hit the ice.

In NHL 23, you’ll experience the most authentic and immersive NHL game ever on current-gen consoles, as well as on Xbox One. Powered by the Frostbite engine, the game brings fans new levels of authenticity with gameplay improvements that include over 500 new last chance playmaking animations, living arenas and atmosphere, as well as deep franchise-mode customizations. The game also allows the best women’s and men’s players in the world to compete on one lineup through Hockey Ultimate Team.

In addition to NHL 23, fans of The Sims are in for a treat too. Starting October 18, all EA Play members can live out their doctor, detective, or scientist dreams when The Sims 4 Get To Work Expansion Pack enters The Play List (requires The Sims 4 and all game updates to play).

Here are even more exclusive content and rewards available now in EA Play:

• NHL 23 World of Chel Vampire Set – Now to October 31
• FIFA 23 Hero Joe Cole Tifo Set – Now to October 31
• FIFA 23 EA (Re)Play: Vol. 1 Stadium Set – Now to October 31
• FIFA 23 FUT Season 1 XP Boost – Now to November 11
• FIFA 23 VOLTA Juventus Apparel and COINS – Now to November 11
• FIFA 23 Pro Clubs Crossover Vanity Item – Now to November 11
• Madden NFL 23 MUT EA Play October Pack – Now to October 31
• Madden NFL 23 The Yard EA Play October Vanity Set – Now to October 31
• GRID Legends EA Play October Event – Now to October 30
• Apex Legends From Above Weapon Charm – October 11 to November 14
• Battlefield 2042 Rising Tide Rare Weapon Skin for AM40 – Now to November 1

In addition to these rewards, EA Play members can access a growing library of fan-favorite games, including the all-action, edge-of-your-seat driving experience – and the newest addition to The Play List – GRID Legends, as well as a 10-hour trial of FIFA 23.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play at no additional cost with your Game Pass subscription. Members enjoy great player benefits, including in-game challenges and rewards, unlocking special member-only content, trials of select brand-new titles, access to a collection of our best-loved series and top titles, and 10% off purchases of Electronic Arts digital content.

Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.

Back in September we announced for the second successive year our latest release, Football Manager 2023, would be available on November 8 and included Day One with PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass. We’re buzzing with anticipation and we’re sure you are as well.

Should you want to kick-off your FM23 career on PC earlier than November 8, you can pre-purchase the game now from the Microsoft Store to own the game and receive Early Access, which is typically available about two weeks prior to full release.

Before then, we’re here to give you a taste of what’s to come in both FM23 and FM23 Console by delving into the new features, game upgrades, and licensing updates that’ll make this year one to remember.

Don’t Just Meet Expectations – Crush Them

The world’s favorite sports management simulation, Football Manager delivers the closest experience to stepping into the hotseat at an elite club for real. The world of professional football has been carefully modelled, enabling you to chase your dreams and write your own football story. Whether you’re developing title-winning tactics or recruiting the best Wonderkids on the market, you’re making key decisions in the moments that matter most.

In FM23, new tools thrust you closer to the heart of the beautiful game than ever before. Not only will you be challenged with building a squad capable of fighting for football’s biggest prizes, but you’ll also have to navigate the demands and expectations of both your owners and your fans.

Formerly titled the Xbox edition, FM23 Console is a bespoke version of the desktop classic zoning in on football’s most important areas – the transfer market, the tactics board, and the pitch. Whether you’re chasing promotions, winning titles, or dominating your friends online, you’re empowered to play the beautiful game your way.

Tailored to work across the Xbox ecosystem, FM23 Console maximizes the capabilities of the Xbox Controller and harnesses the power of Xbox Play Anywhere technology, allowing you to transfer your progress between your console and Windows PC using the same Xbox Live profile. If you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S, you’ll also benefit from stunning 4K visuals.

New Features for a New Campaign

This year, we’ve placed a real emphasis on reflecting on the insights we’ve gleaned from close relationships within the real world of football to make FM23 the most true-to-life experience yet. Our Recruitment revamp has been powered by an understanding of how clubs execute their planning, scouting, and transfers over multiple seasons. Our Tactical Instructions have been freshly aligned with terminology from modern football analysis and our Supporter Confidence system reflects the growing importance of fans to managerial security. We’ve also introduced hundreds more features that advance our everlasting pursuit of creating complete football authenticity.

A key area of change across both FM23 and FM23 Console is in the Match Engine. We’ve furthered last year’s work on animations, with new technology allowing us to not only improve the quality of the animations, but also the way they’re blended together. A number of player roles have been adapted, with Wingers now consistently offering more width and Advanced Playmakers pushed higher up into the half-spaces to contribute to build-up play. AI Managers are now smarter than ever, with an extensive rewrite of their logic enabling them to evaluate every facet of a match and create more nuanced tactical battles with you. We’ve simplified a number of our tactical instructions in order to make them more accessible. In FM23 Console, you’ll notice that matches now have a more ‘hands on’ feel to them, with radial menus, an improved Touchline tablet, and refined User Interface pulling you into the heart of the on-pitch action.

Another new addition for both FM23 and FM23 Console is the Dynamic Manager Timeline. Sharing Football Manager stories is a key part of what makes our community so special, so for this year we wanted to provide a new way of displaying and tracking the achievements and milestones of every career. On the timeline, you’ll see snapshots of various events throughout your career, ranging from title wins to academy players getting their debuts, all in chronological order.

We recently delved into these features and other FM23 additions, such as Supporter Confidence and our Recruitment revamp, in our Headline Feature reveal video, which you can find on the Football Manager YouTube channel.

A long-time request from our community, Team Talks are a new addition to FM23 Console. Make your voice heard at half-time and full-time with a wide range of reactions that allow you to become a difference-maker in every situation.

In FM23 Console, we’ve also introduced a raft of accessibility changes to make this the most engaging edition of Football Manager for the platform yet. Whether you’re an experienced player or a series newcomer, our new onboarding flow ensures you’ll get the right level of detail and responsibilities in every career.

Create the Future

This season it’s all about going bigger than ever. Don’t just build a team, create a dynasty! It’s time to tear it up.

With more than 2,000 clubs across 53 nations available for you to choose from, where will you create the future in Football Manager 2023?

Football Manager 2023 Console

SEGA Europe Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$49.99 $39.99

Become the best in Football Manager 2023 Console, newly renamed for this season. Formerly titled the Xbox edition, this tailored version of Football Manager zones in on football’s most important areas – the transfer market, the tactics board and the pitch. Whether you’re chasing promotions, winning titles or dominating your friends online, play the beautiful game your way. In perfect sync with the Xbox controller, it harnesses the power of Microsoft’s Play Anywhere technology to enable you to keep your career on the move across both console and Windows 10 PC with the same Xbox Live profile. New features, game upgrades and pre-order information will be revealed in October. Follow Football Manager on social media to stay ahead of the game. Game Description
• Choose where to start your journey, with the world’s biggest leagues at your fingertips. Will you aim for instant success at an elite club ready to win European trophies?
• Effortlessly snap up the globe’s best players with the help of your scouts. They’ll also help you to identify the wonderkids that will drive your success. • Hit the ground running with the tactical styles and formations of the world’s most successful managers just a click away. • Matchdays are there to be remembered. Watch your vision play out in native or upscaled 4K as your side battle their way to three points. • Dominate the group chat with victories over your friends across a trio of multiplayer modes. Triumph head-to-head in Versus Mode, create an elite team against the clock in Fantasy Draft or go the distance over a season in Online Career Mode.

Football Manager 2023

SEGA Europe Ltd

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Build your team, establish your managerial style and create a dynasty in Football Manager 2023. Get ready to begin your journey to soccer glory.
Pre-purchase for 20% off and Early Access*. To become elite, managers must win the love and respect of the fans. In FM23, it’s not just about picking tactics or crafting a team. It’s about establishing your style and creating title-winning dynasties. Turn supporters’ dreams into reality this season by exceeding their expectations and dominating your rivals. It’s time to change the game. How will you be remembered?
Game Description
• Find the club that’s right for you. Meet the board’s expectations and beat the best on your way to winning football’s top prizes. • Don’t just sign superstars, create them. Recruit smartly with the help of your backroom staff and provide pathways to the first team for your wonderkids to develop a world-class squad. • Your team’s playing style is down to you. Create a unique strategy on the tactics board to deliver big wins and memorable matchday moments. NEW FOR THIS SEASON
BETTER SQUAD BUILDING
Power your transfer activity with revamped scouting and recruitment meetings, a closer relationship with player agents and brand-new squad planning tools. Deliver on the club’s ambitions with a better oversight of your future superstars.
OUTSMART YOUR RIVALS
Test your managerial skills against the most realistic opposition yet. Every manager you face will now make smarter decisions, while new tactical instructions empower you to experiment more with defensive and counter-attacking football. Changes to the way wing-backs and double pivots operate and a range of new animations are among the further match engine advancements as you begin your journey to the top.
GET THE FANS ONSIDE
Get closer to the fans of your club and their ambitions with the new Supporter Confidence system. Deliver on their expectations on and off the pitch to ensure a bright future in the dugout.
BIG EUROPEAN NIGHTS
Experience a greater sense of occasion with the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League all fully licenced. Remodelled Cup Draws and officially branded team sheets, scoreboards and goal graphics vividly bring to life UEFA’s Club Competitions.
SAVOUR YOUR SUCCESS
Relive your career milestones and achievements with the brand-new Dynamic Manager Timeline. Whether you’ve given a youth player their first-team debut or won the UEFA Champions League, it’s never been easier to celebrate and share your Football Manager story. Countless more features, big and small, designed to improve your game experience are ready for you to discover in every career. *Early Access versions of the game may go live at different times on different platforms.

F1 22 is ready to delight fans and players this week with a whole host of free content and the chance for new players to sample the game during Xbox’s Free Play Weekend from October 20-24.

Fans who would like to experience the glamorous life of an F1 driver will finally be able to do so during this week’s Free Play Weekend. Players will be able to take the wheel and create their own racing destiny, play with friends in the multiplayer mode, and immerse themselves in F1 life.

In addition to the Free Play Weekend, players of F1 22 will receive the new My Team Icon Mika Häkkinen for free. The ‘Flying Finn’ won back-to-back World Championships in 1998 and 1999 and was one of the most respected drivers of his generation. Players will be able to log into their in-game inbox and add Mika to their My Team lineup from 10pm BST on October 17 until November 7. (Requires F1 22, sold separately, and all game updates to play. Game includes in-game purchases. Items only available in-game until November 7 and the date is subject to change.)

With the F1 season heading to the Circuit of the Americas, all racers will also receive free US-inspired content, straight to their in-game inbox. The Stars and Stripes livery, helmet, race suit, and gloves will be available in-game from October 17, just in time to celebrate the United States Grand Prix, October 21-23.

Furthermore, F1 22 players will also receive “The Griddy” for free. It’s the dance craze that took the US sports scene by storm and is likely to take podium celebrations to an entirely new level. The Griddy finally makes its way into F1 22 for all player-created drivers.

Those who play F1 22 during the Free Play Weekend and decide to purchase the full game will keep all their claimed items and progress. New and existing fans will also be able to enter Daniel Ricciardo’s upcoming challenge, exclusive to F1 22 (requires F1 22 and all game updates to play).

For more F1 22 news, visit the Formula 1 game website and follow the social channels on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

F1® 22 Xbox Series X|S

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆ 119

★★★★★

$69.99 $41.99

Free Trial

Play between Oct 17 and Nov 7** to enjoy the United States GP and unlock new My Team Icon, Mika Häkkinen for free!* Enter the new era of Formula 1® in EA SPORTS™ F1® 22, the official videogame of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™. Take your seat for a new season as redesigned cars and overhauled rules redefine race day, test your skills around the new Miami International Autodrome, and get a taste of the glitz and glamour in F1® Life. Race the stunning new cars of the Formula 1® 2022 season with the authentic lineup of all 20 drivers and 10 teams, and take control of your race experience with new immersive or broadcast race sequences. Create a team and take them to the front of the grid with new depth in the acclaimed My Team career mode, race head-to-head in split-screen, Two-Player Career or in multiplayer, or change the pace by taking supercars from some of the sport’s biggest names to the track in our all-new Pirelli Hot Laps feature. • NEW SEASON, NEW RULES: Race a new era of Formula 1® cars in F1® 22
• RACE DAY, REDEFINED: Take control of your virtual F1® experience with immersive and broadcast options for Pit Stops, Formation Laps, and more
• F1® SPRINT: Match the real-world with sprint races at the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian and Sao Paulo Grands Prix™ or enable sprint in custom modes for any race on the calendar
• F1® LIFE: Get a taste of the glitz and glamour of Formula 1® This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items. *Requires F1® 22 and all game updates to play. Game includes in-game purchases.
**Items only available in-game until 7th November (date subject to change). CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE https://www.ea.com/legal FOR DETAILS.
F1® 22 Game – an official product of the FIA Formula One World Championship. © 2022 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS logo, Codemasters, EGO and the Codemasters logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

F1® 22 Xbox One

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆ 101

★★★★★

$59.99 $35.99

Free Trial

Play between Oct 17 and Nov 7** to enjoy the United States GP and unlock new My Team Icon, Mika Häkkinen for free!* Enter the new era of Formula 1® in EA SPORTS™ F1® 22, the official videogame of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™. Take your seat for a new season as redesigned cars and overhauled rules redefine race day, test your skills around the new Miami International Autodrome, and get a taste of the glitz and glamour in F1® Life. Race the stunning new cars of the Formula 1® 2022 season with the authentic lineup of all 20 drivers and 10 teams, and take control of your race experience with new immersive or broadcast race sequences. Create a team and take them to the front of the grid with new depth in the acclaimed My Team career mode, race head-to-head in split-screen, Two-Player Career or in multiplayer, or change the pace by taking supercars from some of the sport’s biggest names to the track in our all-new Pirelli Hot Laps feature. • NEW SEASON, NEW RULES: Race a new era of Formula 1® cars in F1® 22
• RACE DAY, REDEFINED: Take control of your virtual F1® experience with immersive and broadcast options for Pit Stops, Formation Laps, and more
• F1® SPRINT: Match the real-world with sprint races at the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian and Sao Paulo Grands Prix™ or enable sprint in custom modes for any race on the calendar
• F1® LIFE: Get a taste of the glitz and glamour of Formula 1® This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items. *Requires F1® 22 and all game updates to play. Game includes in-game purchases.
**Items only available in-game until 7th November (date subject to change). CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE https://www.ea.com/legal FOR DETAILS.
F1® 22 Game – an official product of the FIA Formula One World Championship. © 2022 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS logo, Codemasters, EGO and the Codemasters logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

Restrictions and conditions apply. See www.ea.com/games/f1/f1-22 for more information.

The Hero of Hawai‘i Update for Smite introduces Maui, the Hero of Hawai’i to the Battleground of the Gods!

After completing incredible feats like discovering fire for humanity or pulling the very islands from the sea, Smite’s newest Guardian is ready for the Battleground of the Gods. Maui’s abilities reflect his heroic, mischievous nature by protecting his fellow gods while confusing his enemies.

In his first ability, Maui shows his prowess as a Master Fisherman, by throwing out his hook to catch an enemy god and then reeling them in. Maui’s second ability, Mystical Ulua, throws out a fish of pure water that explodes on impact, giving allies protections and movement speed and creating a pillar of water that can rescue endangered allies by carrying them to Maui. Maui’s fourth ability, Landfall, leverages his great strength to leap into the air and throw his hook at an area to pull up an island while knocking enemies into the air and blocking movement for a short duration. Don’t let Maui’s mischievous nature fool you – his love for humanity and heroic nature make him a force to be reckoned with. Even the Sun itself couldn’t withstand the might of Maui; these silly gods won’t stand a chance!

Maui isn’t the only exciting addition to this update. For all you fans of the spooky season, we’re bringing back The Reaping! In this bone-shaking Halloween event, you can collect pumpkins by buying Reaping skins or rolling the new Halloween Chest. Earn enough pumpkins and you can unlock fantastic new rewards for FREE: Dark Magic Aphrodite and the final reward skin: Toony Terror Scylla.

Finally, for all you fans of RWBY out there, Cinder Fall arrives in Smite as a new skin for Morgan le Fay! Embrace the powers of the Fall Maiden and defeat the members of Team RWBY!

Hop into Smite today and check out all the new content in the latest update including Maui, the Hero of Hawai’i and latest Guardian to join the Battleground of the Gods, plus The Reaping seasonal event.

SMITE

Hi-Rez Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 1286

★★★★★

Xbox One X Enhanced

Enter the Battleground of the Gods Join 35+ million players in SMITE, the world’s most popular action multiplayer online battle arena. Become a legend of myth, enter the Battleground of the Gods, and play FREE now! 100+ Gods
Unleash each deity’s unique strategies, legendary weapons, and earth-shattering powers. Rain lightning down upon your foes as Zeus, assassinate from the shadows as Loki, or transform and trick your foes as the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Which God will you choose? Unique Perspective
Unlike other MOBAs, SMITE puts you directly onto the battlefield with a third-person action viewpoint. From blind-side ambushes to aimed shots, a new pantheon of strategic possibilities awaits. Become Godlike
Never played a battle arena before? Don’t worry. Auto-buy, auto-level, and the deathmatch-like Arena mode let you jump right into divine MOBA action. Aspiring pro? Top the ladders, join a competitive team, and you too could be playing at the SMITE World Championship. © 2012 – 2022 Hi-Rez Studios, Inc. “SMITE”, “Battleground of the Gods”, “Titan Forge Games”, and “Hi-Rez Studios” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hi-Rez Studios, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All trademarks and copyright material are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.