Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases Local Legend 15: The Dornier Do 31
The post Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases Local Legend 15: The Dornier Do 31 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1
How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1
Summary
- Ermac joins the Mortal Kombat 1 roster today as part of the early access period for Kombat Pack owners, followed by wide availability on April 23.
- For Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm wanted to further evolve the visual presentation of Ermac by leaning heavily into certain horror inspirations.
- You can pick up the Mortal Kombat 1: Kombat Pack here on the Xbox Store.
On the way to the cafeteria at the NetherRealm Studios offices, we have a large poster of Ermac hanging on the wall. Seeing it often reminds me how far he has evolved over the years. Back in the early days before the Internet, rumors often ran rampant about him and drove all kinds of speculation, particularly in the arcades. In the first Mortal Kombat arcade game, there was a diagnostic called ERMACS short for “Error Macro” that appeared underneath the number of “Reptile Appearances” and “Reptile Battles,” and it was therefore assumed by sleuthing fans that there must be a hidden character in the game. Over time, these rumors had taken on a life of their own and wound up being the catalyst to Ermac’s eventual creation and inclusion as a playable fighter in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
Since the character’s arrival, Ermac has always been a vessel for souls and would use these souls to manipulate their energy for his own devious purposes. For Mortal Kombat 1, we wanted to further evolve the visual presentation of Ermac by leaning heavily into certain horror inspirations, and then explore the idea that Ermac has been haunted by unique souls he has captured throughout his existence. The collective of tortured souls include: the Witch, the Old Woman, the Monster, and the Soldier, each one playing a key role throughout Ermac’s move set. For Ermac’s classic Lift special move, the Witch’s soul bursts outward from Ermac to lift the opponent and slam them to the ground. The idea that these unique souls manifest themselves throughout his attacks is a common theme we wanted to showcase.
To me, one of the most compelling aspects to the design and implementation of Ermac was the challenge he presented to us. The last time we saw Ermac in a Mortal Kombat game as a playable fighter was in Mortal Kombat X, and we are lightyears ahead in terms of our capabilities from a visual perspective since then. For us, this meant an opportunity to evolve the look of his soul energy to create intricate visual effects-based attacks that help sell the unique telekinesis power he possesses. The inherent challenge is to ensure the visual elements are impactful, blend well with the gameplay elements, and are readable to the player. This is something the design and visual effects teams are constantly iterating on.
Gameplay wise, Ermac stands out as a character with interesting combo potential and routes, especially from the air. In terms of special moves, he employs a variety of his mainstay special attacks as well as new additions for Mortal Kombat 1. One of the main design goals was to evolve and showcase his classic attacks in a distinctive way while at the same time creating new special moves that both serve his gameplay plan while giving players a fresh experience. For instance, Ermac can still perform his Teleport attack but can now initiate it from either the air or ground then cancel it into an air or ground version just before he teleports acting as a mind game with options for different setups.
One of his new special moves is a Mana Shield where one of his souls creates a shield around him whereby incoming damage depletes his super meter instead of his health. Additionally, he has another new attack where he violently ejects souls upward, capable of launching the opponent and allowing Ermac to dash cancel out of. Lastly, one of my personal favorites and something players will want to check out is a brutality we created off Ermac’s Lift special move, which is a clear nod to his telekinesis Fatality from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
Working on klassic characters for a new Mortal Kombat game is almost a sacred responsibility, let alone one of the ninjas. I joined the team many years ago for the first Injustice game and I will always remember the surreal moment working on Scorpion attacks for the first time. This responsibility is a sentiment shared by everyone on the team. We are all very pleased to bring Ermac back in Mortal Kombat 1 and hope players enjoy playing him as much as the team did working on him.
Mortal Kombat
1
Warner Bros. Games
$69.99
$34.99
It’s In Our Blood!
Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities!
MK1: Kombat Pack
Warner Bros. Games
$39.99
$19.99
The Kombat Pack includes the Johnny Cage character skin featuring voice and likeness of actor and martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme (available now), along with 6 new post-launch DLC playable characters and 5 new post-launch Kameo Fighters. Kombat Pack also includes 1-week early access to all DLC playable characters.
DLC Playable Characters (All Coming Post-Launch)
Omni-Man (Invincible)
Quan Chi
Peacemaker (DC’s Peacemaker)
Ermac
Homelander (The Boys)
Takahashi Takeda
DLC Kameo Fighters (All Coming Post-Launch)
Tremor
Mavado
Janet Cage
Ferra
Khameleon
MK1: Ermac
Warner Bros. Games
No longer Quan Chi’s slave, nor bound to a royal family, Ermac must find a future worth fighting for.
This pack includes playable character Ermac including all new movesets.
The post How the Legendary Kombatant Ermac Made His Grand Return in Mortal Kombat 1 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Spinning Blades and Brutal Mayhem: New Weapons for Dead Island 2’s SOLA Expansion
Summary
- Two new legendary weapons will be introduced with Dead Island 2’s second expansion.
- The Ripper resurrects a Dead Island classic, while the Saw Blade Launcher amps up ranged combat.
- Dead Island 2 SOLA expansion to launched on April 17, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S.
Dead Island 2’s upcoming SOLA expansion introduces a whole new area and storyline set around the ultimate California festival. But when the mosh pit’s crowded with zombies and the backstage is a bloodbath, you know you’re going to need new tools to clean up the mess.
Luckily, SOLA packs in two new legendary weapons, giving you even more ways to slice, dice, disembowel, decapitate, and dismember your decomposing zombie foes.
Dead Island 2 players will be familiar with F.L.E.S.H., the game’s brutally ingenious procedural damage system, which enables limbs to be lopped off, skulls crushed, and organs splattered in spectacularly gory style. The two new legendaries are a love letter to F.L.E.S.H, taking the carnage to a whole new level.
Crafting the Ripper
Long-term fans of the series will be delighted to see the return of the mighty Ripper, repurposed as a flagship weapon. “It’s a homage to the weapon upgrade from the first Dead Island,” explains Dambusters’ Combat Game Designer Haris Iqbal. “But from our end, we wanted to give it that Dead Island 2 signature appeal.”
The team evolved the original concept of a baseball bat, augmented it with a spinning blade, and made it into the ultimate machine for cutting through an undead mob. “Ultimately, we want to add to all the gore-filled spectacle with our new legendaries,” says Iqbal. “But also make sure that every weapon, especially the legendaries, feels like its got its own interesting micro-mechanics and loops.”
With the Ripper, that means a weapon that feels like a bat when you first start swinging, but with a blade that keeps revving up, spinning faster and faster until you’re pulling off impossibly gory kills and finishers.
It not only gives you a new way to engage with the game’s brutal melee combat, but also a new way to showcase what the F.L.E.S.H. system can do, delivering the kind of ultra-violent slapstick that’s so core to Dead Island 2’s appeal.
Building the Saw Blade Launcher
The second weapon is the Saw Blade Launcher, a multi-functional ranged weapon that fires out industrial sawblades capable of tearing through a mob of walkers and cutting the toughest apex zombies down to size.
“It’s a very fresh weapon for us,” says Iqbal. “We’re taking the ranged weapon in a different direction this time around. We really wanted to emphasize the F.L.E.S.H. system and let players play around with it a whole lot more.”
To this end, slayers can fire out the deadly, saw-toothed discs either one at a time, or charge all their shots and release them in a single burst – perfect for wrecking multiple flesh-munching menaces or chopping through the limbs of the tougher brutes.
“We’re giving players more options with a single weapon,” Iqbal notes. “With previous ranged weapons, you could shoot off limbs. But with the sawblade launcher, we really wanted to make it much easier to do. It gives you a new way to interact with the F.L.E.S.H sandbox and, besides, it’s just fun to use.”
Time to mix it up
“We really try to look at the player’s fantasies,” adds Lead Game Designer Matt Abbott. “These new weapons might be a bit more potent moment to moment than we’re usually comfortable with, but how can we put in the mechanics to give players that kind of pinnacle fantasy without it being too easy? They can charge up multiple blades then fire them out, and chop a zombie clean in half!”
What’s more, the new weapons encourage players to mix things up and explore different ways to slay. “Each weapon feels like it’s got a play style you might want to lean into as well, to get the most out of it,” says Abbott; Iqbal agrees. “It’s always about promoting varied attacks, and allowing players to really engage with each weapon, moment to moment.”
The team can’t wait to see how you make use of the new legendaries or the other weapons waiting in the new expansion. “I think it’s always cool to see the brutal creativity of our players, and see what they’re doing,” says Iqbal. “I know there are dedicated players who spend hours hacking away at zombies with different weapons just to see how far they can push the system. That excites us and inspires us to keep pushing and give them something fresh.”
Dead Island 2’s second expansion, SOLA, will launch April 17, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S. It’s also included with the Gold Edition and the Dead Island 2 Expansion Pass.
DEAD ISLAND 2 GOLD EDITION
Deep Silver
$89.99
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.
Dead Island 2 is thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer.
The Gold Edition includes the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, the Golden and Pulp Weapons Packs (both available at launch), and grants access to two upcoming premium Character Packs each featuring a unique slayer costume and weapon, and the Expansion Pass. The Expansion Pass includes the Red’s Demise Katana weapon, and grants access to two upcoming major story expansions and an additional premium Character Pack.
Welcome to HELL-A
A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, turning its inhabitants into zombies. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover who – or what – you are. Survive, evolve and save the world!
FEATURES
Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.
Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.
Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?
A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.
Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.
Players using Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One X consoles can host and join co-op sessions. Xbox One|S players can join co-op sessions, but due to technical limitations they can host sessions for only one joining player.
Dead Island 2
Deep Silver
$69.99
$55.99
Xbox Game Pass
The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure.
Dead Island 2 is a thrilling First-Person Action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore an iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
FEATURES
Explore HELL-A – Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach.
Brutal Melee Sandbox – Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde. Whether you’re slicing, smashing, burning or ripping, we want you to truly feel it.
Be the Ultimate Zombie Slayer – There are six characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues. You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
Zombie Infestation – Ready to experience the most advanced dismemberment system in games? Our LA is crawling with zombies that look and react realistically. These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of visual LA-themed variants. Our monsters are relentless, challenging, and true Los Angelinos. Will you be able to survive?
A Cinematic Co-op Adventure – As a proper RPG experience, Dead Island 2 offers plenty of exciting quests, a crazy cast of characters, and a thrilling pulp story, to truly immerse you in its twisted universe. Re-playability is guaranteed. Add an over-the-top co-op mode for up to three players, and you’ll stay in LA for a very long (and gory) trip.
Alexa Game Control – Use your voice to swap weapons, set waypoints, goad zombies, and much more, available first on Dead Island 2. Play with any microphone or headset, no Alexa device required. UK, US and Canada (English) only.
Players using Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One X consoles can host and join co-op sessions. Xbox One|S players can join co-op sessions, but due to technical limitations they can host sessions for only one joining player.
DEAD ISLAND 2 EXPANSION PASS
Deep Silver
$29.99
$26.99
Experience two major story expansions along with brand new missions, weapons, skill cards, zombies and areas of HELL-A to explore.
The Expansion Pass includes:
– Haus: Lose yourself in a surreal, psycho-horror dreamscape as you explore a mysterious villa in Malibu. Descend through madness, debauchery and gore, where survival means confronting a new wave of unexpected horrors.
– SoLA: Lured to the most iconic festival in Los Angeles, by an enigmatic warning message, players must explore SoLA’s ruins and put a stop to an otherworldly menace.
– Red’s Demise Katana: Slice through the zombie horde with the Red’s Demise Katana, which earns you a temporary damage boost with every slay.
– Gaelic Queen Dani Character Pack: Through hail and blood and fire, and a wall of barbs and clashing steel, customise Dani with a unique costume and weapon from the HELL-A Catwalk Collection.
The Expansion Pass is included in the Gold Edition.
The post Spinning Blades and Brutal Mayhem: New Weapons for Dead Island 2’s SOLA Expansion appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases City Update 06: Southwest Germany
The post Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases City Update 06: Southwest Germany appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More
It’s nice to see you’re willing to take a break from watching “Fallout” on Prime Video, because I have the next round of amazing games for you to check out! We have new games coming to the Game Pass Core library, your PC, and even one you can download and start playing today! Let’s dive in.
Available Today
Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is 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’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here.
Coming Soon
Orcs Must Die! 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 17
Orcs Must Die! 3 ushers orc-slaying mayhem to a previously unimaginable scale. Solo, or 2-player co-op, arm yourself with a massive arsenal of traps and weapons. Slice, burn, toss, and zap hordes of repugnant orcs in this long-awaited successor to the award-winning tower defense series.
EA Sports NHL 24 (Console) EA Play – April 18
Just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL 24 is coming to Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play! Members can experience authentic on-ice action and give their Ultimate Team a boost with the EA Play Mega Players Pack until May 9, containing 30 items, all Gold Players, with at least five 80+ OVR Players for Ultimate Team mode in the game.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 23
Available on day one with Game Pass! Gather your allies for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the grand JRPG adventure. Assemble your 6-party team from a cast of over a hundred heroes and shape your destiny in this lush, hand-crafted 2.5D world brimming with war, intrigue, and magic. Manage your town of vibrant characters, play delightful mini-games, and prepare for an unforgettable narrative of boundless charm.
Another Crab’s Treasure (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 25
Available on day one with Game Pass! A soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.
Manor Lords (Game Preview) (PC) – April 26
Available on day one with Game Pass! Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord — the seasons pass, the weather changes and cities rise and fall.
Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 30
In this darkly charming 2D action roguelike, play as an overworked Death, whose employees have run rampant, completely throwing off the balance of souls – and his vacation plans. Grab your trusty scythe and show your employees who’s boss.
More Games Coming to Game Pass Core on April 23
For Game Pass Core members, there are three more games coming to the library on April 23! Become a badass space Dwarf in Deep Rock Galactic, dance the slow-motion ballet of destruction in Superhot: Mind Control Delete, and face total demolition derby madness in Wreckfest.
DLC / Game Updates
Ark: Survival Ascended – Scorched Earth – Available now
Saddle up and stake your claim on the Scorched Earth! Build new Western-style structures like your own rootin’ tootin’ saloon, then tickle the ivories on your own piano for an authentic frontier experience. Hunt for buried treasure with your trusty shovel, tame hardy new creatures to pull your configurable wagon and even hop aboard your own chugging steam train to explore those harsh badlands!
Conan Exiles: Age of War Chapter 4 – Available now
In the new Sacred Hunt, embark on a quest to fell the champions of Jhebbal Sag, Lord of Beasts. Discover a new hub area and uncover a new mystery. Unleash brutality with fatalities. Daze enemies by bringing their health low and then finish them off with a range of savagely animated finishing moves, depending on the weapon you have equipped. If there is glory in gore, you will find it.
Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition – Available now
The ultimate Grounded experience is now bulging with new content that’s sure to get you pumped! Experience new ant queens, new game + mode and an exciting array of new gear. Are you ready to get Fully Yoked?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
Fallout 76 Vault 33 Survivor Kit – Available now
Vault-Tec is happy to offer Vault Dwellers a handy bundle of Wasteland survival and a sturdy Vault 33 Backpack to use in this vast open-world multiplayer entry in the Fallout universe.
The Elder Scrolls Online 10th Anniversary Pack #1 – Available now
Celebrate 10 years of The Elder Scrolls Online with a Perks bundle that includes three Grand Gold Coast Experience Scrolls and 500 Seals of Endeavor. Explore and quest solo or with friends in the award-winning fantasy RPG today.
Leaving April 30
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Jump back in before they go or save 20% on your purchase to keep them in your library!
- 7 Days to Die (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Besiege (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- EA Sports NHL 22 (Console)
- Loot River (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Pikuniku (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Ravenlok (Cloud, Console, and PC)
That wraps us up! Keep up with the coming games on social at @Xbox, @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC. Catch you next time!
The post Coming to Game Pass: Manor Lords, Another Crab’s Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Drill Into the Competition in Overwatch 2 – Season 10
The post Drill Into the Competition in Overwatch 2 – Season 10 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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Xbox Insider Release Notes Have a New Home!
Hi there, Xbox Insiders!
We’ve teased it a few times in our monthly Community Updates, but the time is officially upon us. Starting today, all Xbox Insider release notes will be migrating from our blog here on the Xbox Wire to the Xbox Support website! This change has been in the works for some time, and we’re so excited to finally be launching. Not only will this shift be a more cohesive user experience by having all Xbox ecosystem release notes in one place, but it will also free up space to allow us to produce more (different! new!) content on the blog itself. We have big plans for the coming months, so stay tuned for more info!
But what does this mean for all of you Xbox Insiders? Well, you can still expect the same fantastic preview update coverage for both console and PC, just in a different place. The individual release notes will be familiar territory for those that watch our social media, but they’ve been given a slightly new look.
We’ve also made sure that the release notes are categorized in an easy-to-navigate, historical point of record, that makes finding older version information much easier. It all starts with the new Xbox Insider Home.
From this hub, you can find links to both the console release notes directory, as well as for PC. Let’s take a quick look at the console flow, called: Xbox Update Preview.
Upon clicking in, you’ll be met with the “Console Browse” page that allows you to select which preview ring you’d like to look up. We’ve got the invite, so let’s pick Alpha. (Note: PC Gaming Preview doesn’t have the same ring system that console does (…for now), so PC users will proceed directly to the next page type.)
On each ring page, you will find a few notes about the ring itself and some helpful links for reporting any issues to our Xbox Insider team. You’ll also find the historical list of all release notes dating back to the beginning of 2024. Let’s click into last week’s update. (Note: A few rings will be missing some pre-April release notes at launch. These will be uploaded in the next few weeks.)
We’ve made it full circle. If you want to go back to any of the previous pages we’ve mentioned so far, you can quickly navigate there using the “Related topics” section on the right-hand side of the screen.
We hope that you enjoy this new release notes experience on the Xbox Support website. It’s the first of a few different improvements we have in the pipeline to deliver robust, informative updates to our Xbox Insiders. If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, feel free to let us know over @xboxinsiders on Twitter/X; or, pop by r/XboxInsiders.
Wynn/
The post Xbox Insider Release Notes Have a New Home! appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Source: Xbox Blog
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