The Grounded team is officially in the Home Stretch toward the full release on September 27 with their latest update to the game. The team is hard at work building the final game that a community of over 10 million players has helped define over the last two years. While that 1.0 launch will be the biggest update to the game yet, the Home Stretch update brings some major new features of its own for players to try out in the meantime.
First up is a big one that a lot of players have been waiting on: Shared Worlds. Shared Worlds let players store their worlds in the cloud, allowing friends to play that specific world even if the owner is offline. A player can own three Shared Worlds at a time, and have up to 50 worlds shared with them. Standard Worlds that players currently have will be convertible to Shared Worlds via the Save/Load menu.
In addition to these expanded opportunities to share the backyard with friends, players will also be able to share their adventures with a new in-game friend as they can tame a gnat as a pet. The little insects that bump into players because they can, will do so out of love now. The helpfulness of pets has also increased with tuning of their passive buffs and the ability to increase their health by gearing them up with armor. Further benefits for players include updates to everyone’s favorite robot friend, BURG.L, who has now acquired enough chips to remember he can roll his treads to inspect the Oak Lab and fulfill his assistant duties.
Speaking of assistance, another new addition coming in the Home Stretch update is the cookery. Meals will be craftable at the cookery instead of the oven, so players no longer have to have that odd feeling of mushroom bricks tainting their quesadillantlion anymore. The cookery is an earlier crafting unlock as well, allowing players access to meal recipes early on in their exploration of the backyard.
This isn’t the only change to crafting, however, as Armor and Weapon upgrades have also received a revamp in response to community feedback. The new upgrade system introduces Fashion Nuggets and Tough Nuggets, material types that players can use to craft and upgrade armor and weapons, respectively. This change dramatically improves the early-game experience for new and returning players.
Lastly, after tiring themselves out with all this crafting and cooking, players will be able to see the new Rest Timelapse which shows time passing in the yard while a player sleeps.
Groundedwill enter its full release on September 27, 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, and Steam for $39.99. It’s also available with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).
Grounded is also expanding its universe beyond the game as Bardel Entertainment, Kinetic Media, and SC Productions recently announced production of an animated television series based on the backyard world we’ve built. To learn more about Grounded, check out the latest Developer Vlogs on the Obsidian YouTube Channel or visit the official website.
Grounded – Game Preview
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆906
★★★★★
$29.99$23.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Xbox Game Pass members can now pre-install Grounded, so they’re ready to play as soon as Xbox Game Preview begins. Not an Xbox Game Pass member? You can still purchase Grounded through Xbox Game Preview when it enters on July 28, 2020. The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place – especially when you have been shrunken to the size of an ant. Explore, build, and survive together in this cooperative survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard? Join our community and help shape the future of Grounded in Xbox Game Preview. – Reactive World and Insect Life – Explore this immersive and persistent world, where the insect life reacts to your actions. – Base Building and Crafting – Shelter and tools are critical to your survival. Build epic bases to protect you and your stuff from the insects and the elements. Craft weapons, tools, and armor, allowing you to better fight, explore and survive. – Online Co-op – You can face the backyard alone or together, online, with up to three friends – it is your choice. – Campaign – Uncover the secrets lurking in the shadows of Grounded as you freely explore the backyard and progress through its mysterious story. Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://grounded.obsidian.net/
We’re excited to return to gamescom in Cologne, Germany this August and hang out in person with the community for the first time since 2019!
We’re really looking forward to being back on the show floor, bringing our passionate fans together again in person to celebrate what’s ahead at Xbox. At gamescom 2022, whether attending the show or watching the Xbox Booth @ gamescom Live Stream from home, fans in Europe and around the world can expect a little more insight into some of our previously announced games coming to Xbox in the next 12 months.
We’re also very pleased to announce the return of Xbox FanFest to the show floor. More details on this and everything else we’re up to at gamescom 2022, can be found below. Here’s what to expect.
Xbox Booth
This year the Xbox booth will be back in Hall 8 and will feature 36 stations with a fantastic line-up of content coming to Xbox in the next 12 months, many of which will arrive on Game Pass on day one.
For those attending in person, you will be able to go hands-on with some of the latest games and updates from Xbox Game Studios, including:
Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios)
Age of Empires IV (Relic Entertainment & World’s Edge / Xbox Game Studios)
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios Publishing)
Sea of Thieves (Rare Games / Xbox Game Studios)
Grounded(Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios)
We will be celebrating some of our third-party partners too, with playable titles on the booth including:
APlague Tale: Requiem (Asobo Studio / Focus Entertainment)
Disney Dreamlight Valley (Gameloft)
Gunfire Reborn (Duoyi Games / 505 Games)
Inkulinati (Yaza Games / Daedalic Entertainment)
Last Case of Benedict Fox (Plot Twist Games / Rogue Games)
Lies of P (Neowiz)
Lightyear Frontier (Frame Break)
Planet of Lana (Wishfully / Thunderful)
You Suck at Parking (Happy Volcano)
Visitors to the booth will also be able to get hands-on with the new Xbox App on the latest 2022 Samsung Smart TV, part of our mission to empower everyone to play the games they want, with the people they want, anywhere they want.
In addition to getting hands-on with the latest games, attendees will have the chance to become a video game hero with some amazing photo opportunities. You’ll be able to…
Come face-to-face with the first boss from Grounded, the Broodmother, a larger-than-life spider 5 meters (17 feet) wide who is looking forward to getting a selfie with you
Walk the plank with Sea of Thieves
Fight the Piglins with Minecraft Legends
Storm the battlefield with Age of Empires IV
Take a selfie with Starfield’s robot companion, VASCO
We can’t wait to see what you get up to.
Xbox remains committed to the belief that gaming should be safe, inclusive, and accessible for all. That’s why we’re ensuring that Xbox Adaptive Controllers will be available on request and all areas of the booth will be wheelchair accessible. Additionally, easily identifiable American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and German Sign Language (DGS) interpreters, as well as “Here to Help” staff, will be available to assist players of all abilities.
We are also pleased to announce that Xbox is an official partner of “gamescom goes green” and we have made a voluntary climate contribution to ClimatePartner to offset the CO2 consumption of our show floor presence. We are also committed to the prevention of waste in the design, presence and breakdown of the Xbox booth itself. All of this forms part of Xbox’s commitment to our players and the industry to work tirelessly to reduce our environmental impact in a responsible way.
You will be able to find us at Hall 8 of the Koelnmesse, North entrance. Come hang out with Team Xbox!
See below for the consumer show opening times:
Thursday, August 25 – 10:00am – 8:00pm CEST
Friday, August 26 – 10:00am – 8:00pm CEST
Saturday, August 27 – 9:00am – 8:00 pm CEST
Sunday, August 28 – 9:00am – 8:00pm CEST
Xbox Booth @ gamescom Live Stream
Live from the Xbox Booth at gamescom, on Thursday, August 25 from 2:00pm CEST – 8:00pm CEST / 5:00am PT – 11:00am PT / 8:00am ET – 2:00pm ET we’ll also host a special day of live-streamed conversations. Expect developer interviews and gameplay from various Xbox Game Studios including Mojang Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, and World’s Edge plus Xbox Game Studios Publishing and their partners at Asobo Studio, in addition to some of our highly anticipated games from our third-party partners. Join us for the whole stream or tune in for the latest on your most anticipated titles. Keep an eye on Xbox Social channels for the full content schedule in the days leading up to gamescom.
Here’s a taste of what to expect:
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios Publishing)
Gunfire Reborn (Duoyi Games / 505 Games)
Sea of Thieves (Rare Games / Xbox Game Studios)
Lies of P (Neowiz)
High On Life (Squanch Games)
Grounded (Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios)
Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game Studios)
A Plague Tale: Requiem (Asobo Studio / Focus Entertainment)
Minecraft Legends (Mojang Studios & Blackbird Interactive / Xbox Game Studios)
Planet of Lana (Wishfully / Thunderful)
Age of Empires IV (Relic Entertainment & World’s Edge / Xbox Game Studios)
The live English-language broadcast from Xbox’s gamescom booth will be available in German, French, Polish, Italian, Spanish (Latin American & Castilian), Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified), along with ASL, BSL and DGS interpretation, and English Audio Descriptions. You can catch all the Xbox Booth @gamescom Live Stream on regional Xbox channels on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and elsewhere.
Xbox FanFest @ gamescom
After Hours Booth Access Event.
Xbox FanFest will host a special event after hours in the Xbox Booth. This event will take place on Wednesday, August 24from 8:00pm – 11:00pm CEST and gives select fans a chance to beat the crowds and get access to the booth before the show opens to public ticket holders. There’s no better way to connect with others in the Xbox community than being together in-person. Together, fans can enjoy fun booth activities, including meet and greets with game creators. To enter for a chance to win a ticket to the After Hours Booth Access Event for you and a friend, register as an Xbox FanFest fan at xbox.com/fanfest and opt-in on the exclusives page. Entry period ends August 15 at 11:59pm PT.
Virtual Meet & Greets with Sea of Thieves and Park Beyond.
Can’t make it to gamescom in person this year? No problem. Xbox FanFest will host Meet & Greets with Sea of Thieves and Park Beyond on Friday, August 26. Fans can participate no matter where they may be by joining a Microsoft Teams call. These virtual experiences are a unique opportunity to chat directly with game creators about their games and their experience in the industry. To enter for a chance to win, register as an Xbox FanFest fan at xbox.com/fanfest and opt-in for the meet and greet of your choice. Entry period ends August 15 at 11:59pm PT. See Official Rules for full details.
Xbox has partnered with Interscope Records, renowned record producer, DJ, and songwriter benny blanco, Jin, Jimin, V and Jung Kook of 21st century pop icons BTS, and rapper and actor Snoop Dogg to launch the first ever singing Xbox controller in celebration of their newly released single “Bad Decisions.”
The controller, sure to become a prized-collectible item for gaming and music fans alike, features custom artwork, the names of the artists and a speaker attached to the back which allows you to listen to the new single out loud through the press of a button. Fans will be able to enter to win one of their own singing controllers, simply by following and retweeting the @Xbox announcement tweet (terms and conditions).
In addition to this exclusive controller, Forza Horizon 5 will be giving away a custom vehicle designed in the theme of the single artwork of “Bad Decisions” as well as a QR code linking players directly to listen to the new song as they drive around the Horizon Festival. The 1971 Meyers Manx and livery will be available for download from the in-game “Gifts” tab within the Message Center.
Be sure to tune in to Xbox’s Twitch channel on August 5 at 11am PT to celebrate the “Bad Decisions” music video, enjoy an exclusive, first look at the singing Xbox controller and to experience the exciting in-game content from Forza Horizon 5.
Xbox in collaboration with the New York Liberty has unveiled the WNBA’s first gaming-inspired basketball court for the team’s August 2 and August 3 home games versus the Los Angeles Sparks at Barclays Center. The Xbox-inspired court is also the WNBA’s first secondary court among current teams.
Fans can also experience the Xbox-branded Liberty court within the Infinite Canvas’ Dunking Simulator, a leading basketball experience in Roblox. Players will be teleported to the special Liberty court within the experience to dunk in style and enjoy special, metaverse-only features like pyrotechnics, fireworks, fan chants, and more, all guided by New York native and 11-year-old sports journalist,Pepper Persley.
Xbox also invites fans who love basketball and gaming to share their dreams via itsPower Her Dreams website. For every submission made on the site from now through September 30, Microsoft will donate $10 to theMamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation orGirls Who Code, with up to a maximum donation of $50,000 per nonprofit.
Fans can also unlock unique virtual items for their avatars across millions of other Roblox experiences, including a special New York Liberty jersey, Xbox belt bag, and Xbox Shutter Shades.
More than 75 new games will launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One between July 26 and September 5.
Spend $50 on eligible games and movies to receive 5,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
Here’s a sneak peak of some exciting Summer Spotlight games coming your way to get you get you pumped for a fantastic season of gaming.
Summer Spotlight 2022 has officially kicked off and we’re excited to bring you a ton of games every week for the next six weeks — more than 75 new games will launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One between July 26 and September 5! Like prior years, you’ll also be rewarded for buying Summer Spotlight games!
Play More, Get More
Spend $50 on eligible games and movies to receive 5,000 Microsoft Rewards points! In addition to the games, we are including several movies and TV titles in the collection each week that are eligible for the promotion. To kick things off, here’s a sneak peak of some exciting Summer Spotlight games coming your way to get you get you pumped for a fantastic season of gaming.
Capcom Arcade 2ndStadium Bundle – Now Available Capcom is taking you back to the stadium with another collection of your favorite classics! See what has changed, and what’s completely new, in Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, from 3D-rendered arcade cabinets to scanline filters, there’s everything you need to recreate that arcade atmosphere.
Multiversus – July 26 (Open Beta) The Multiverse is at your fingertips as you battle it out in intense 2v2 matches. Up against Batman & Shaggy? Try using Bugs Bunny and Arya Stark! This platform fighter lets you play out your fantasy matchups in a fun co-op or head-to-head fight for supremacy.
RimWorld Console Edition – July 28 A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
Two Point Campus – August 8 – Xbox Game Pass The next game from the makers of the critically acclaimed Two Point Hospital. In Two Point Campus you can build the university of your dreams, while looking after your students and staff and fulfilling all their wants and needs!
Tribes of Midgard-August 16 A combination of action, survival, and rogue lite elements. With a co-op mode, players work together to defend their village from hordes of invaders threatening to destroy the Seed of Yggdrasil. Protect the Seed and stop Ragnarök — the end of the world!
Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed– August 30 Crypto is back with a license to probe. The alien invader returns, groovier than ever. Experience the swinging ‘60s in chemical-induced glory and take revenge on the KGB for blowing up your mothership. To thwart the schemes of your enemies and form alliances with the very species you came to enslave.
Rumbleverse An all-new, free-to-play, 40-person brawler royale where anyone can be a champion. You play as your own unique citizen of Grapital City as you battle your way to victory! Customize your fighter by mixing and matching hundreds of unique items and stand out from the crowd.
Cult of the Lamb Take on the role of a possessed lamb saved from annihilation by an ominous stranger, and repay your debt by building a loyal following in his name. Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland followers and spread your word to become the one true cult.
TinyKin – Xbox Game Pass Milo arrives on Earth to find that he’s way too small, everybody’s gone, and a day hasn’t passed since 1991! Team up with the mysterious tinykin and use their unique powers to create ladders, bridges, explosions and a lot more! Find a way home through a sprawling ant-sized metropolis and unravel Earth’s biggest mystery!
This is just a small taste of all the great games releasing this summer. Make sure you check out the Microsoft Store every Tuesday to discover all the new games to play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Also, please join us while we stream the latest Summer Spotlight titles on our official Xbox Twitch Channel every Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT. Tune in for a chance to win a code of whatever game we are playing that week. And be sure to follow Major Nelson on Twitter to get weekly updates and find out about special giveaways including a chance to win a token for every single Summer Spotlight game! See the full list of games at Xbox.com.
Get ready to connect with your Discord friends and communities on Xbox! Discord Voice chat is coming to your Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. You will be able to chat with anyone on Discord via voice channels or group calls directly from your console making it easy to connect with friends across mobile, Xbox, and PC. The update will start rolling out to Xbox Insiders today and will be available soon for everyone.
Streamlined audio experience
Today’s update enables a highly requested feature – Discord Voice on Xbox consoles allows you to talk with your friends and community while you play your favorite games. Planning a few rounds of multiplayer action in Halo Infinite with buddies on both console and PC? Exploring new biomes with your friends in Minecraft? See them already playing a game that supports cross-play? Connect to their voice channel and chat as you all play.
While you are playing on your console, you will be able to see who is in the call and speaking. You’ll also be able to adjust the sound, and switch between Discord Voice and Xbox game chat.
Link your Discord account to your Xbox
To get started, open the guide by pressing the Xbox button on your console, then go to Parties & chats and click Try Discord Voice on Xbox. You’ll see an option to scan a QR code. The QR code will take you to the Discord and Xbox apps to connect and set up a two-way link between your Discord account and Xbox. If you’ve previously linked your Discord account to your Xbox, you will have to re-link. To link your Discord account you must be at least 13 years old and other parental controls may apply. Learn more in the Discord Xbox Connection article.
Once your Discord account is linked to Xbox, you can hop in a channel you’d like to talk in using Discord just as you normally would. On the Discord mobile app, you’ll see a new option to Join on Xbox. At this point, you’ll need the Xbox app to transfer voice chat from your Discord account to your Xbox. If you have it installed, the Xbox app will launch and let you connect the Discord Voice chat to your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console. Discord’s safety standards will apply when chatting on Xbox consoles with Discord Voice.
What’s ahead and how you can jump in
Today’s update will start to roll out to select Xbox Insiders and will expand to more in the coming weeks. Check Xbox Insider release notes for more details. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates with Discord and all the latest and greatest Xbox related news.
If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get access to new features download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC today. Share with us what your dream gaming community looks like and help shape the future of gaming!
Team Xbox honors Disability Pride month for the first time, uplifting our extraordinary Gaming and Disability community. As a member of the disability community and an Xbox Accessibility Program Manager, I’d like to highlight the importance of celebrating people with disabilities. Disability Pride is about acknowledging our own unique experiences with disability as a natural and beautiful aspect of human diversity. This includes all disabilities – both seen and unseen. This is our chance to highlight the vast spectrum of people represented by this moment, including advocates past and present working to create more inclusive and accessible experiences across all facets of life. This is an opportunity for Xbox to celebrate the more than 400 million video game players with disabilities around the world (source), as we aim to create a space where people with disabilities don’t feel the need to mask or cover their disabilities, but find connection among an inclusive gaming community that celebrates us as we are.
As someone with multiple invisible disabilities, the tendency to mask and cover resonates with me. We must work to remove this barrier for so many who feel that they must hide their disabilities to fit in or make others feel more comfortable. It took many years, but with the support of friends and family I’ve learned to embrace the importance of my mental health, chronic pain, and attention-deficit-related disabilities as key aspects of my identity. Like so many others in the disability community, it drives the work I find meaningful and has led to amazing opportunities to work on projects near and dear to my heart. This includes our new Mental Health Guidelines section of our Xbox Accessibility Guidelines that launched in May.
My connection to this community began with the nonprofit work my father does with wounded veterans through Warfighter Engaged. It grew as I pursued a career in occupational therapy before joining Team Xbox. I have witnessed so many navigating their own journeys with temporary and permanent disabilities. For myself and many others, gaming commonly played a powerful role in unlocking opportunities to connect socially with others and build a community of support through fun and engaging mediums. Gaming is a staple of modern culture today, and it should be inclusive of everyone who wants to play. This inspires my work and the work of my team, as we remain vigilant in our dedication to helping the disability community feel heard, included, and supported in accessing gaming in a way that brings them joy and community.
As we honor Disability Pride, here are a few ways that Xbox is celebrating and uplifting our Gaming and Disability community in July and beyond:
Ways to connect and join our community!
Team Xbox is excited to offer features and resources that support and enable the Gaming and Disability community to come together, play, and be who they are. We remain committed to providing gaming experiences that invite all players to share in the joy and connection of gaming. Learn more.
American Sign Language (ASL) Xbox Twitch Channel – Two months ago, Xbox launched an American Sign Language (ASL) Xbox channel on Twitch at /XboxASL in partnership with Sorenson, a communications company with the largest interpreter base in the world. Every day, the Xbox Plays team goes live on the Xbox Twitch channel, playing the latest and greatest titles from the world of Xbox. The channel features interpretation for approximately 25 hours of livestreams each week. Visit the new channel here and learn more about Xbox’s partnership with Sorenson here.
Filter capabilities on tags making it easier to discover the next game you will love – Last fall, Xbox announced the addition of Accessibility Feature Tags for games in the Xbox Store, making it easier for players to find games that have one or more of the 20 accessibility tags that were defined in partnership with the disability community and user research. Now with over 400 titles tagged and over 100 with 5 or more tags, we are excited to share players can now search and then filter by one or more tags to find their next game! This feature was based on community feedback, and we look forward to continuing to incorporate suggestions in the future.
Addition of required inputs for games on Family Gaming Database: Xbox is proud to support the Family Gaming Database as it makes it easier for players with disabilities to find games with control schemes that are well-suited for them. Their accessibility pages now lists the default required inputs to popular games to enable caregivers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists to more easily create adaptive gaming configurations for those in the Gaming & Disability Community they support. Check out more on the Family Gaming Database Accessibility pages.
Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards
Microsoft Rewards members in the United States and the United Kingdom can earn and donate points to organizations supporting gaming and disability communities with Xbox. The organizations below will be featured on console throughout July:
SpecialEffect: We put fun and inclusion back into the lives of physically disabled people by helping them to play video games. We are transforming the lives of physically disabled people across the world through the innovative use of technology. At the heart of our work is our mission to maximize fun and quality of life by helping people control video games to the best of their abilities. (US and UK)
The AbleGamers Foundation: Creating opportunities that enable play in order to combat social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. (US)
Warfighter Engaged: Warfighter Engaged Is a 501c3 non-profit. Their mission is to improve the lives of severely injured and disabled warfighters with custom adapted video game controllers, recreational items, and other solutions to provide greater independence. (US)
DAGERSystem: DAGERSystem is a nonprofit focused on gaming journalism through the lens of accessibility. Our goal is to educate disabled gamers and their support systems, while providing meaningful employment for disabled professionals. (US, featured mid-July)
Xbox gamers can earn Microsoft Rewards points in various ways, such as playing or purchasing games after downloading the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox. Earn points and redeem them for real rewards. Join us today and donate through Xbox.
Xbox Ambassadors Feature Stories about Gaming and Disability
Throughout Disability Pride Month, we will be spotlighting stories about accessibility in gaming from Xbox Ambassadors within the community with disabilities. These are their stories.
Discover Games Curated by Disability and Neurodiversity Communities at Microsoft
People with disabilities and who are neurodiverse are among the talented people that work on and play games, and have been for as long as games have existed. During July and beyond, Microsoft Store on Xbox or Windows visitors and Xbox Game Pass members can easily access games created by and reflecting the experiences of neurodiversity and people with disabilities related to chronic or complex illness, mobility, hearing, vision, speech, learning, and mental health.
Check out a few highlights from the Xbox and Windows games collection that include creators, leads, experiences, and character creation options that include features like prosthetic limbs.
Citizen Sleeper (Available with Xbox Game Pass) – Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism, this game explores the complexity of a body that functions differently than the mind. In order to keep your artificial body alive, you must acquire technology that is high in demand and hard to come by, creating a playable experience that is parallel to the obstacles of having a disability in today’s modern world.
Forza Horizon 5 (Available with Xbox Game Pass) –Forza Horizon 5 improved character creation options to include prosthetic limbs and pronoun options. Accessibility features also include American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) support for in-game cinematics, a game speed modification setting, customizable subtitle options, High Contrast mode, Color Blindness mode, and more.
The Vale: Shadow of the Crown – Play as Alex, a princess who was born blind, in this audio-based adventure created in partnership with people who are blind. This action-adventure game also won Best Blind/Low Vision Accessibility, and Indie Excellence Awards from Can I Play That? in 2021.
Fractured Minds – Created by Emily Mitchell with the hope of aiding in understanding and awareness of mental illness, this game explores anxiety and mental health through a journey into the human psyche.
Psychonauts 2 (Available with Xbox Game Pass) – This fun action-platformer explores the psyche of its characters and is praised for its approach to mental health. Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo is an autism self-advocate and was consulted as a mental health expert.
View the collections in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. Visitors to both the Xbox and Microsoft Store on Windows can find disability and neurodiversity community picks by searching for “Disability”, “Neurodiversity”, and related terms. Content is subject to availability by country.
Celebrate with New Disability Pride Gamerpic, Profile Themes and Avatar Items!
In partnership with gaming and disability communities at Xbox, we’re introducing a new gamerpic, profile themes, and avatar items! The gamerpic and profile theme will be available on console and the Xbox PC app. Get your avatar items here. Content is subject to availability by country.
Today, we’re excited to celebrate the launch of the Xbox App on Samsung 2022 Smart TVs, enabling you to play hundreds of cloud-enabled Xbox Game Pass games like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator without a console.
Starting today in 27 countries, you can turn on your Samsung 2022 Smart TV, navigate to the Xbox App in the new Samsung Gaming Hub or Media Hub, connect your Bluetooth controller, and play. It’s as simple as using any other streaming app on your TV.
Here’s what you need to know to get started:
Getting Ready
Playing Xbox games on 2022 Samsung Smart TVs is a seamless experience. To make sure you’re ready to game, here’s what you’ll need:
To access the Xbox app, you’ll need one of Samsung’s 2022 Smart TVs.
If you don’t have a membership and want to try the experience for yourself before you sign up, you can play Fortnite for free without an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
Almost any Bluetooth-enabled controller will work with the Xbox app, like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Elite Series 2 Controller, or the DualSense controller.
How to Access the Xbox App
There are two ways you can access the Xbox app on a 2022 Samsung Smart TV depending on where you’re located.
In some countries you can access the Xbox app through Samsung’s new Gaming Hub. Simply navigate to the Gaming Hub via the user interface, launch the Xbox app, and you’re ready to go!
Otherwise you can navigate to the Samsung App store from the Samsung Media Hub, search for “Xbox” to download the app onto your TV, and launch it to begin playing.
As we shared earlier this month, we’re excited to take this first step with Samsung and look forward to keeping you up to date during this next evolution in our vision. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and a controller, you can easily jump into the world of gaming and connect with your friends and communities on Xbox.
We can’t wait to hear what you think of this experience, so please continue sharing your feedback with us.
It’s been just over six months since the docuseries “Power On: The Story of Xbox” was released around the world. The six-part series, a ten100 production directed by Andrew Stephan, takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the 20-year history of Xbox. From the design behind the original prototype console, to heartbreaking challenges like the “RRoD,” to more recent milestones like the creation of Xbox Game Pass…you’ll hear directly from the team who lived through the triumphs and challenges. And it’s been so fun hearing from those of you who have watched the series talk about your favorite surprises and the nostalgia you felt in re-experiencing many of the iconic moments in Xbox history.
We are incredibly grateful to share that “Power On: The Story of Xbox” has recently received multiple entertainment industry awards, including:
We are so thankful for the many of you who voted to support “Power On” in the People’s Voice Webby Awards, and for the judges that have honored the series with these other prestigious awards and nominations.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch the series, or if you want to re-watch your favorite parts, you now have more viewing options available. All six episodes of “Power On: The Story of Xbox” are now available to watch for free on Tubi, and will be coming to VIZIO WatchFree+ on July 1.
In addition to these new platforms, the series continues to be available to watch on The Roku Channel, freevee, YouTube, Redbox, Microsoft Movies & TV, and others. The series is offered in 30 languages along with audio descriptions in English to enable players around the world to enjoy the journey. For more details, please visit the “Power On” site here.
Thank you again for celebrating the story of Xbox with us!
Good day, Xbox fans! Here we are kicking off our third Summer Game Fest Demo event with 35 exciting game demos on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Just like last year’s Summer Game Fest Demo event, you can download and play these in the comfort of your own home (and favorite pjs!) between June 21st – 27th.
Demos are playable starting today, and we encourage you to continue to check them out all week. Don’t forget that you can provide feedback to the devs too! Keep in mind that most of these demos are an early look at gameplay and may not represent the full game at their release, including the availability in each country as developers continue to update and refine their title ahead of launch.
We’re also excited to share the 11 newly announced games below are coming to Xbox!
Ato (Tiny Warrior Games)
In Ato, every combat encounter is an intense duel to the death. Perform risky parry maneuvers, bounce off of your opponent, evade their attacks and unlock new abilities to further expand your arsenal of options against your adversaries. Every combat encounter has its own personality and fighting style. Challenge, observe, and overcome each opponent you face as you strive to retrieve your child back from the clan you once served.
Boxville(Triomatica Games)
The core idea of the game is that it’s not just a game – but also an animated film that you can watch and play at the same time. We designed Boxville’s gameplay with the purpose of taking away your anxiety and stress. You can explore and observe the world without rushing and pressure. The game is full of environmental quests and logical puzzles that we have carefully picked from among hundreds of options.
Despot’s Game(Konfa Games)
Guide puny humans through Despot’s Game – a rogue-like tactics army battler. Equip your team and sacrifice them through procedural dungeons as you fight enemies, and other players!
Exhausted Man (Candleman Games)
Exhausted Man is a slow-paced action game with funny physics and ridiculous missions offering an exhausted life experience.
MUSYNX(MUSYNX Studio)
Indie rhythm game MUSYNX now on Xbox! Real “KEY” Sound System, Classic Gameplay, Unique Visual Themes and Constant Music Updates! MUSYNX is waiting for you!
Overrogue (EXE-CREATE)
A card deck-building roguelite! Explore labyrinths each time from level 1! In the underworld, a battle is announced to decide the next Overlord. Complete labyrinths and collect crystals to achieve the title of Overlord! Proceed through dungeon-like labyrinths building up your card deck in a roguelite style! Pre-order available now
RE:CALL(maitan69)
In RE:CALL you play through the memories of the character you’re controlling. Your actions inside these flashbacks have immediate consequences in the present moment, letting you take advantage of the situation in order to progress the story. Tackle mind-bending puzzles that rely on altering your own memories to shape the future.
Richman10(Softstar Technology)
Richman10 is a classic chess game in which players earn money by luck (dicing) and strategy (buying land and buying cards) to defeat other players. Fine arts adopt pure 3D Q version of the original painting style.
Stuffed (Waving Bear Studio)
STUFFED is a procedurally generated first-person shooter, that takes place in the dreams of a little girl. Play as a teddy bear and fight waves of nightmares as you defend your owner. Play solo or join your friends in up to 4 player online co-op.
Wave Break(Funktronic Labs)
Grind, grab, and kickflip your boat while shooting your way through an explosive 80s crime-filled Miami Vice themed world in Wave Break, the world’s first skateBOATING game! Inspired by arcade skateboarding classics, enjoy the episodic single player campaign, online multiplayer with multiple custom game modes, and an advanced park creator!
YNGLET (Nifflas’ Games)
Ynglet is a platformer with no platforms. With fluid difficulty and movements, jump between floating, hand-drawn illustrations, and unusual creatures. Melt into a highly reactive and dynamic soundtrack created by Ynglet’s custom (and needlessly complicated) music software. Full release will also feature new content, including new levels, news “platforms” and an unlockable minigame!”
Along with those titles, there is a great variety of games that will be available to try! Below is a list of games, and their developers, participating in the [email protected] Summer Game Fest Demo event:
Head over to your Xbox and start enjoying these fantastic game demos on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S! And yes, we’d love to hear what you think. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Discord, Twitch, and YouTube. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned, and of course, have an incredibly fun summer of gaming!
