Prime Video’s “Fallout” Comes to Fallout Shelter on Mobile
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The post Prime Video’s “Fallout” Comes to Fallout Shelter on Mobile appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau
How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Summary
- Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim shares his intriguing journey and his studio’s creative philosophy ahead of the release of their first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau.
- Surgent Studios is a collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.
- Tales of Kenzera: Zau launches April 23, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S.
Creating a video game is no small feat. It takes time, resources, experience, and many other things to continue tilting in your favor. This is where Surgent Studios, the team behind the upcoming Tales of Kenzera: Zau, currently sits. A collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.
You may have heard about Kenzera before – it was featured in the recent Xbox Partner Preview broadcast and was showcased during the Game Awards. Surgent Studios is taking a tremendously big swing with their first game, a metroidvania that celebrates the magnificent Bantu and the African cultures, and grounding its narrative around a deeply personal subject that we all can relate to: Grief. This might be why the game is breaking through for so many players ahead of its April 23 release on Xbox Series X|S.
“I always get asked as to why I made this into a game and not lean into where I originally come from, which is film and TV,” says Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim, speaking during a recent preview event. “The truth is my love for games is what got me into acting. Actively stepping into the shoes of these characters and evolving with them made me fall in love with the storytelling.”
Surgent Studios was founded to act as this sort of creative vehicle that, as Salim explains it, is to share stories that connect to the human truth. “We want to tell stories that go beyond race or gender. It’s raw. It’s real. And it taps into what makes us all human. We have a finite time in this world, so we might as well enjoy it as much as we can, right?”
It was on this journey of creating the studio that had Salim find some incredible people from around the world to join his team, from Nigeria, to Botswana, to New York, and Paris. And although Surgent Studios is a small team crafting their first game together, Salim says they have all been driven by delivering an experience that is not only fun but speaks to a deeper thing that makes us human. It was this aspect is what connected them with this project, allowing them to be vulnerable during its creation.
“I wanted to create an experience that honored my father and the ones that we have loved and lost,” he says. “It (Tales of Kenzera: Zau) was inspired by this question that I would ask myself almost every day after my father passed: what would I sacrifice to bring my father back? To hear him again. To touch him. The game is inspired and laced with Bantu myths and legends, mainly from the stories that my father would tell me as a kid.”
Tales of Kenzera: Zau follows a young shaman named Zao who makes a deal with Kalunga, the God of Death, that in exchange for three great spirits, he’ll bring his father back to the realm of the living. Zuberi is the character you will play when you start the game, and he is gifted a book by his late father — this book is his father’s final way of connecting with him – and you’ll learn that it’s through the eyes of Zuberi that you will journey into the world.
“When I was clearing my father’s things after he passed away, there was this book that he left which contained his handwriting. And it meant so much to me. Because it felt as if I was looking at his handwriting, I could almost bring him back to life, imagining him, you know, writing it, and this essentially inspired how we get into this story.”
Telling this story within the metroidvania space, as Salim explains, is because the genre’s rules and structure behave a lot like grief. As a player, you’re thrown into this alien world that you can never prepare for. Yet the longer you stay in it – exploring its various dark and unknown corners at your own pace — you become more comfortable within it.
“It’s the idea that the journey of grief is full of surprises. It’s full of ups and downs. It feels chaotic. You know, a constant music track that you must move to. But if you listen carefully, you’ll find the beat that you can follow to glide through the music,” Salim explains. “With the gameplay, you know we wanted it to be approachable, but you know, not too easy, right? We have challenging traversals, skillful progression, and you know, this combat system that allows agency… we wanted to emulate this dance that you dance to your own tune, essentially.”
Salim explains that it was important to approach Tales of Kenzera: Zau as a coming-of-age story, an evolution of this young kid becoming a young man as the game’s protagonist, Zao, is learning to cope with the loss of his father through the characters he meets and the vibrant world that he engages in. It’s this new version of himself that he discovers where he needs to press on.
“I kind of wanted to try and capture this clash of timeframes and perspectives, that of the son, in the modern space of Kanzera, and that of the father, in the mystical realm of Kenzera. And sometimes there is a clash, but other times there is also this synergy. Again, the father communicating through what he has left behind.”
A key component for Tales of Kenzera: Zau is duality, per Salim. Like, looking how life and death intersect and commune with each other. “Death is treated very differently in regard to the different African cultures,” he says. “There’s almost this constant communication that the living has with those we’ve lost.”
You’ll soon get to experience Zao’s adventure within the world of Kenzera, from its unique perspective of highlighting African culture as well as tapping into the familiar genre that is well-loved by many gamers. Tales of Kenzera: Zau has the chance to be something truly special for everyone who plays it starting on April 23 for Xbox Series X|S.
Tales of Kenzera
: ZAU Standard Edition
Electronic Arts
$19.99
$17.99
Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. Pre order* Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Standard Edition and receive:
– a 10% discount
– Kalunga’s Blessing visual effect variant
– 2 shaman points to unlock up to 2 skills in-game
– “Soulshifters” digital companion comic
: ZAU Standard Edition and receive:– a 10% discount
– Kalunga’s Blessing visual effect variant
– 2 shaman points to unlock up to 2 skills in-game
– “Soulshifters” digital companion comic
A grieving boy begins to read a Bantu tale written by his late father. Adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of death to bring his Baba back from darkness.
With your cosmic powers and untried courage, you advance into unknown mythological lands. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?
Become the warrior shaman – Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Own your journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes from whom you will gain valuable life lessons.
The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks – Wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat, from ordinary warriors to the mighty Impundulu or GaGorib. Manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the power of the Moon mask or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. Leap, glide, and unlock abilities to advance through the Highlands, Woodlands and Deadlands in this metroidvania-style adventure.
Set foot in a mystical realm – Discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with colour and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.
Crafted by Surgent Studios, the entertainment studio founded by actor Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Raised by Wolves) and published by EA Originals, Tales of KenzeraTM: ZAU takes you on a thrilling emotional journey inspired by the rich myths of Bantu cultures.
*Conditions and Restrictions apply. See http://ea.com/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau/disclaimers for details.
The post How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 15 to 19
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 15 to 19
This is Next Week on Xbox! Every week, we show you all the games that are coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! You can find out more about these upcoming games by clicking on their profiles (release dates may vary). Let’s get started!
PERISH
HandyGames
Perish – April 15
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
A stylish four-player FPS with a cross to bear. Slay hordes of creatures on the scorched sands of Purgatory and sell their gold-stained corpses to craven priests. Kill magnificent bosses and use the proceeds to gain entrance to Elysium, a place of cosmic revelations.
Harold Halibut
Slow Bros.
Harold Halibut – April 16
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery
Available day one with Game Pass! A handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of home.
Argonauts Agency 6: Missing Daughter
8floor ltd
Argonauts Agency 6: Missing Daughter – April 17
Join the Argonauts in a new time management game and unravel the story of the missing daughter! Construct buildings, remove obstacles, repair damaged bridges. Over 40 beautiful levels await you, along with a multitude of varied quests, increasing difficulty, an upbeat plot, an extraordinary magical world, and exciting gameplay for all ages.
The Mildew Children
Valkyrie Initiative LLP
The Mildew Children – April 17
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Featuring a blend of 2D adventure and visual novel, The Mildew Children is a grim tale about a village inhabited only by children who follow savage pagan traditions. Combining the elements of fairy tale and horror, the story draws on pagan folklore and ancient beliefs.
Lunar Axe
QUByte Interactive
A point-and-click adventure game with locations and story inspired by real places with incredible hand-drawing art. The story begins after a massive earthquake rocks the city, trapping you inside the ruins of a collapsed building. Now, you must find a way to escape this abandoned house, unravel the mystery behind the strange tremors, and meet the guardian spirit of a mystical artifact.
Pummel Party
Rebuilt Games
An online and local multiplayer party game. Pummel friends or AI using a wide array of absurd items in Board Mode and compete to destroy friendships in the entertaining collection of minigames.
Sker Ritual
Wales Interactive
$24.99
$22.49
An intense, round-based, zombie horror shooter by Wales Interactive. Play solo or up-to 4-players online, facing relentless waves of Quiet Ones whilst solving mysterious missions, uncovering Easter Eggs, upgrading steampunk weapons and obtaining Miracles — a vast network of Celtic God powers.
Richman 11
Eastasiasoft Limited
Richman 11 – April 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere
Board game mayhem comes to life with Richman’s biggest and zaniest multiplayer experience ever! From classic maps paying homage to the series’ 1989 origins to brawl boards with missiles and bombs, there are many ways to keep the multiplayer mayhem fresh and exciting no matter how many times you play.
The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 15 to 19 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2405.240408-2200)
Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox Update Preview releasing to the Beta ring today.
It’s important we note that some updates made to these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox consoles. We will continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal or behind the scenes, so you’re aware when updates are coming to your device.
Details can be found below!
System Update Details
- OS Version: XB_FLT_2405ZN25398.4409.240408-2200
- Available: 2 p.m. PT – April 11, 2024
- Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – April 12, 2024
Fixes Included
Thanks to all the great feedback Xbox Insiders provide and the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented with this build:
System
- Various updates to properly reflect local languages across the console.
- Note: Users participating in Preview may see “odd” text across the console. To learn more visit: What’s This? Learn More About Pseudo-Loc in Preview.
Known Issues
While known issues may have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes, they are not being ignored! However, it may take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution. If you experience any of these issues, we ask that you please follow any guidance provided and file feedback with Report a Problem.
Audio
- Some users have reported experiencing intermittent audio issues across the dashboard, games, and apps.
- Troubleshooting: If you do experience issues, please confirm your TV and all other equipment have the latest firmware installed. If you are unsure, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. You can also find additional troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshoot audio on your Xbox console.
- Feedback: If you continue to experience issues after applying the latest firmware and troubleshooting further, please submit feedback via Report a Problem when you are experiencing the issue. Use the “Reproduce with advanced diagnostics” option, then select the category “Console experiences” and “Console Audio Output Issues”.
- Note: Be sure to include as much information as possible about the issue, when it started, your setup, troubleshooting you have completed, and any additional information that will help us reproduce the issue.
Networking
- We are investigating reports of an issue where the console may not connect to the network immediately on boot. If you experience this, be sure to report the issue via Report a Problem as soon as you’re able.
- Workaround: Wait a minute or two for the connection to establish. If your console still hasn’t connected, restart your Xbox from the Power Center or the guide then file feedback with Report a Problem. Learn more about restarting here: How to restart or power cycle your Xbox console.
Parties & Chats
- We are aware some users are experiencing issues with party chat and hearing one another, and we are working on a fix.
- Workaround: Press the Xbox button to open the guide, then navigate to Parties & chats > open the party > Options > then toggle Switch to game chat on and off a couple times.
- If you are still having trouble, leave the party, and try starting the party from Home before launching a game.
- If the issue persists, restart your console from the Power Center or the guide then try again.
- Workaround: Press the Xbox button to open the guide, then navigate to Parties & chats > open the party > Options > then toggle Switch to game chat on and off a couple times.
As always, be sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of any issues you encounter. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we’ll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.
If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please visit the community subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help with your concerns.
When posting to the subreddit, please look through the most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to existing threads with the same issue before posting a new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, don’t forget to use “Report a Problem” before posting – the information shared in both places helps us understand your issue better.
Thank you to every Xbox Insider in the subreddit today and welcome to the community if you’re just joining us! We love that it has become such a friendly and community-driven hub of conversation and support.
For more information regarding the Xbox Insider Program follow us on Twitter. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding your Xbox Update Preview ring!
The post Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2405.240408-2200) appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Season 10: Venture Forth | Overwatch 2 Official Trailer
Overwatch 2 Season 10: Venture Forth launches April 16!
Instantly unlock our new Hero, Venture, dig into their ability kit and explore new underground mechanics.
Blur the lines between good and evil with the Mirrorwatch Event, where the virtuous have crumbled into villainy, and the wicked emerge as heroes.
Collect Mythic Prisms as you progress through the Battle Pass and use them to unlock Vengeance Mercy and select previous skins at the Mythic Shop!
Engage in an intense tug of war as you vie for control across a series of capture points in Clash Game Mode Trial, an exciting new 5v5 game mode.
Overwatch 2 is free to play for everyone on console & PC!
https://www.xbox.com/games/overwatch-2
SUBSCRIBE TO XBOX: https://xbx.lv/2EEjmaR
FOLLOW XBOX
Tweets by Xbox
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Source: XBOX YouTube
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Free Play Days – Fallout 76, PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ‘44
Double header with Free Play Days! PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ’44 are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play from Thursday April 11 at 12:01 a.m. PDT until Sunday, April 14 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Additionally, Fallout 76 will be free for all Xbox members starting Tuesday April 11 at 12 pm ET until Tuesday, April 18 at 12 pm ET with Free Play Days for All.
Game Pass Core will give players access to our advanced multiplayer network, a select collection of over 25 games to play with friends around the world, and exclusive member deals! Read more about Game Pass Core at Xbox Wire.
How To Start Playing
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 Core or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 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 Core or Game Pass Ultimate Required)
PGA TOUR 2K23
2K
$59.99
$14.99
PGA Tour 2K23
Challenge the greatest players on the PGA Tour and find your glory in PGA Tour 2K23. Bolstered by a diverse cast of playable pros, featuring Tiger Woods, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and many more! Take your swing to world-renowned, officially licensed courses, like Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No.2, or Torrey Pines. Create your MyPLAYER and fill your golf bag using the biggest brands in the industry. Express your creativity in the Course Designer mode, where you can construct your dream course and share it with the world.
Classified: France ’44
Team17
$34.99
$27.99
Classified France ‘44
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Command an elite team of allied special operators in Nazi-occupied France wreaking havoc in the run up to D-Day in this ambitious turn-based tactics game. Take on the might of Germany’s war machine and launch daring raids in occupied territory. Can you do enough to ensure Allied victory?
Free Play Days For All
Fallout 76
Bethesda Softworks
$39.99
$7.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
Xbox Game Pass
Fallout 76
Play solo or join your fellow Vault Dwellers in a dynamic open-world adventure set in the Appalachian Wasteland. Fallout 76 is free to try now through April 18.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
The post Free Play Days – Fallout 76, PGA Tour 2K23 and Classified France ‘44 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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