xbox news

Tue Jul 28 18:30:00 EDT 2020

Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One

Summary

  • The classic Tony Hawk Soundtrack just got an update that includes dozens of songs added to your old favorites.
  • Listen to them now with the updated Spotify playlist.
  • Plus, check out a recap of the Noisey concert featuring new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater artists.

Turn up the volume and get ready to skate. 37 songs spanning five decades of music are joining the original soundtrack of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, available when the full game launches September 4 on Xbox One.

These extra tracks speak to the diverse sound of the ever-growing culture of skateboarding, from old-school 80s rap and 90s ska punk to international indie hits and the latest songs from up-and-coming artists.

Don't Just Read – Listen

Rather than just tell you about the new songs, let the artists themselves give you a taste of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 soundtrack, courtesy of the concert presented by Noisey by clicking here.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

For a longer, more in-depth look at some of the new songs, here's the Official Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Playlist on Spotify, now updated for your listening pleasure:

If you can't rock out and listen to this now, don't worry, we have you covered:

A Breakdown of the 37 New Tracks for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2:

  • A Tribe Called Quest – "Can I Kick It?"
  • Swayze & the Ghosts – "Connect to Consume"
  • Alex Lahey – "Misery Guts"
  • All Talk – "Let's Do It"
  • American Nightmare – "Life Support"
  • Backchat – "Step It Up"
  • Baker Boy – "In Control"
  • Billy Talent – "Afraid of Heights"
  • Black Prez ft. Kid Something – "The Struggle"
  • CHAII – "South"
  • Charlie Brown Jr. – "Confisco"
  • Cherry Kola – "Something To Say"
  • Chick Norris – "Made Me Do"
  • Craig Craig ft. Icy Black – "Stomp"
  • Crush Effect ft. KARRA – "Coming Through"
  • Destroy Boys – "Duck Eat Duck World"
  • DZ Deathrays – "IN-TO-IT"
  • FIDLAR – "West Coast"
  • JunkBunny – "Sedona"
  • Less Than Jake – "Bomb Drop"
  • Machine Gun Kelly – "Bloody Valentine"
  • Merkules – "Bass (feat. Tech N9ne & Hopsin)"
  • MxPx – "Let's Ride"
  • Pkew Pkew Pkew – "Mid 20's Skateboarder"
  • Reel Big Fish – "She's Famous Now"
  • Rough Francis– "Deathwire"
  • Screaming Females – "Let Me In"
  • Skepta – "Shutdown"
  • Spilt Milk – "Run It Up Pt II"
  • Strung Out – "Firecracker"
  • Sublime – "Same In The End"
  • The Ataris – "All Soul's Day"
  • The Super Best Frens Club – "Like This"
  • Token – "Flamingo"
  • Tyrone Briggs – "Lose Control"
  • Viagra Boys – "Slow Learner"
  • Zebrahead – "All My Friends Are Nobodies"
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2

Pre-Order Now for the Warehouse Demo

There is still time to pre-order Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 digitally and access the Warehouse Demo, available on August 14 for Xbox One and Xbox One X. Skate as Tony Hawk in the iconic opening level to THPS 1 in this demo, which serves as a warm-up to the full experience coming out on September 4.

Stay tuned for full details on the demo and the return to the iconic Warehouse on August 14. Check out all the details on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 in our reveal blog here. Stay tuned for more updates on Xbox Wire and on TonyHawkTheGame.com. Also be sure to follow news on TwitterFacebookInstagram @tonyhawkthegame, as well as subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Related:
Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One
New Games with Gold for August 2020

Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One

Othercide's production has come to an end, and I think it's a good occasion for me to talk about the art direction of the project, what we went through and why. Our dark tactical RPG is coming to Xbox One today and will present players a challenging war to defend reality against the forces of Suffering.

My name is Alex Chaudret, I have been working in the video game industry since 2011, and I joined Lightbulb Crew as Art Director in September 2017. It was my first official job as an art director, and the beginning of a hell of a ride, for the art team as well as myself.

Othercide

Othercide is set between dimensions, in an area of subspace we call The Dark Corner. It's backwards and damaged, shaped by broken psyches and trauma rather than the logical laws of our world. Depicting this in black and white makes it clear just how otherworldly and mysterious this place is – we're behind the scenes of reality. It also depicts an ocean of darkness, where a single spark of light can bring a new hope.

Art direction is a matter of choices and risks: we knew we wanted Othercide to be different and stand out in its genre. That each screenshot, concept art or 3D model belong to this universe and this universe only. It won't be to everyone's taste, but for those that love it, they'll really love it, and they'll always know it when they see it.

Othercide

In video games, all major components are tied up together: art is at the service of gameplay, and good gameplay supports narration and emotion.  The red colour is here to flesh out the important elements of both the lore and the gameplay: from the skills of our Daughters to their red scarves showing their health, or even the Vitae, the precious resource used for germinating new units and customising them…  Only the key elements get the honour of using Othercide's one colour to signify their importance.

Most of our design elements came from a personal place. I strongly believe that in order to give a soul to a project, you have to talk about what you personally experienced. A lot of the creatures and subjects you can see in Othercide are born from our own traumas. When I was 18 years old, I contracted a blood disease that kept me in bed for several months, with terrible pain in my articulations and muscles. 

Othercide

I could hardly move without vomiting, and my body became a temple of suffering. At night, the pain and fever were making me 'see' things: creatures nibbling my bones, hiding in the dark corners of my room, sneaking out of shadows to mock my condition…

Those were some of the 'visions' I wanted to bring into Othercide, and together with our talented art team, we ended up exploring our own feelings and fears to finally transpose them into the art direction.

Othercide

This has resulted in a wide array of horrendous creatures to fight, crawling and scratching across the Dark Corner. All of them are metaphorical representations of the traumas of one of our main characters, The Child.  They are topped off by the bosses, the centerpieces of our combat system and the most challenging encounters in Othercide. Each one of those bosses represents an avatar of The Child's suffering, created from his twisted mind, and helps to unveil the tragic story of his life.

Othercide hits Xbox One today on the Microsoft Store and we can't wait to welcome you to the Dark Corner!

Othercide
Xbox Live

Othercide

Focus Home Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆ 16
★★★★★
$39.99
Descend into Humanity's last hope. The Daughters, echoes of the greatest warrior to ever live, are all who stand before Suffering and death. Lead your army of Daughters to battle. Your prowess in combat will shape their abilities and personality. Make the toughest decision and sacrifice one to heal another – survivors will get stronger, ready to fight the next battle. Combat is an intricate dance of spectacular actions and counters: plan ahead of time and set up impressive chains of abilities to outsmart the enemy. Fight in epic boss battles against the sources of Suffering – dread creatures pulled from the worst of Humanity's crimes against itself. You will fight. You will fail. You will rise again. • Lead, evolve and sacrifice your army • Outsmart nightmarish creatures in a spectacular Tactical RPG • Endless combat possibilities with the Dynamic Timeline System • A deep and complex narrative • Failure is not the end. Return with lost powers to face a new nightmare
Related:
Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One
Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One
New Games with Gold for August 2020

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200724-2030)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox One update preview coming to the Beta ring. It's important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox One.

We continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal, so you're aware when updates are coming to your device. Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS version released: RS_XBOX_RELEASE_200819041.4007.200724-2030
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – July 28, 2020
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – July 29, 2020

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Beta users can expect something new coming to their Xbox One update preview.

Parties

  • You can now control the individual volume levels of other people in our party! In the party menu, just select their name and press right or left to change their volume.

Fixes Implemented

Thanks to the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented for 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, for more information go here.

Known Issues

We understand some issues have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes. These items aren't being ignored, but it will take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution.

New issues we're investigating:

Guide

  • The Achievements tab may have some odd display issues where it appears content is overlapping. We are aware and investigating.

We're still tracking these known issues:

Audio

  • Users who have Dolby Atmos enabled and console display settings set to 120hz with 36 bits per pixel (12-bit) are experiencing loss of Dolby Atmos audio in some situations.
    • Workaround: Disable 120hz or set Video Fidelity to 30 bits per pixel (10-bit) or lower.
  • Some users have reported that Dolby Atmos for Headphones audio setting changes when the console is rebooted/updated.
    • Note: If you attempt to set the audio to Dolby Atmos for Headphones and see a message advising you to launch the Dolby Access App, please file feedback before launching the app.

Game DVR

  • Some users have reported that clips are being recorded without audio. We are aware and investigating.
    • Note: When reporting the issue, please be sure to include details about what resolution, length, and game you were trying to record.

Guide

  • Some users have reported that the audio mixer cannot be used to adjust chat/game audio levels.

My Games & Apps

  • We've received reports of users being unable to edit or create Groups. We are aware of the issue and investigating.
  • Users have reported seeing black tiles instead of game artwork when browsing their collection.
    • Note: We are still investigating the issue, please report the issue again from the console if you have done so with a prior update and are still seeing this behavior.
  • Some titles in collection may appear with a "trial" tag incorrectly in collection.

System

  • We've received reports of some users getting "stuck" at the sign in screen. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may notice that the 24-hour clock does not display correctly across all sections of the dashboard. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may see the four new languages (Hungarian, Czech, Slovak and Greek) available as options for the keyboard. While they can be selected, they are non-functional at this time.

Profile Color

  • Sometimes users may encounter the incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.

Make sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of your issue. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we'll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

How to Get Xbox Insider Support

If you're an Xbox Insider looking for support, please reach out to 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 most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! 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. 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 One Update Preview ring!

Related:
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200724-2030)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200723-0000)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200721-0000)

Grounded Now Available on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access

Life just got a little more interesting. Grounded, the new survival adventure game from Obsidian Entertainment, is now available on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access!

We can't wait for players to step into Grounded's backyard. In fact, community is so important to us at Obsidian, that we specifically wanted to bring Grounded to Xbox Early Access so we could gather and implement your feedback early in the game development process and ultimately build a better game. This is the beginning of our journey together, and we will be adding content based on feedback from the community for everything from single-player story to new bugs and features. So once you've had a chance to play, please let us know what you think and any features you want added to the game!

Grounded

In Grounded, players wake up in a suburban backyard after being mysteriously shrunken to the size of an ant. Guided by a robot named BURG.L, players must explore, build, and survive while confronting the dangers and perils that come with suddenly being insect sized. Play single-player or co-op with friends as Max, Pete, Willow, or Hoops, and be sure to watch out for those pesky spiders. Oh if you have Arachnophobia, we have you covered with our Arachnophobia Mode making them way less…spider-like. Read more here.

Grounded is now available on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access for $29.99.

Related:
Exploring Grounded's Arachnophobia Mode
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to 31
Meet the Big Voices for the Tiny Characters of Grounded

Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One

Attention inhabitants of Planet Earth! Destroy All Humans! launches this week as part of ID@Xbox Summer Spotlight Series! Before you hop into your flying saucer, I think it's important to acknowledge the 15 years that have passed since the game's original release on Xbox. What better way to do that than to answer the simple question: What is Destroy All Humans!?

Destroy All Humans! – July 28

To start, it's a buddy comedy between the alien Crypto-137 and his superior Orthopox-13, aka: Pox! Pox is the level-headed strategist who has sent his hatchet-man Crypto down to a semi-fictional 1950s America on a very important mission – to undermine American society and take down its government. Pox's often fruitless attempts to keep the refreshingly unapologetic Crypto from leveling entire cities just long enough to gather some human intel make Destroy All Humans! one of the funniest games ever written.

Destroy All Humans!

Destroy All Humans! is also an action adventure featuring the quintessential alien arsenal! Flying Saucer? Check. Jet-Pack? Check. Psychokinetic Powers? Check. Abducto Beam? Check. Teslatastic Electricity? Check. Anal Probe? Check and mate. While weaponry will feel familiar to previous fans of the franchise, the team at Black Forest Games has delivered more freedom in the remake. Players can now send bolts of lightning through a bunch of puny humans while simultaneously bombarding others with a radioactive cow via psychokinesis; all while flying above their heads in an improved jetpack…very satisfying!

Destroy All Humans!

Finally, Destroy All Humans! is about the details, starting with franchise nostalgia! When we saw players remembering certain Destroy All Humans 2! features as available in the original Destroy All Humans!, we chose to integrate them in the remake. This, in addition to making changes to improve the overall experience. This is very apparent in the new Psychokinesis-system, which allows you to carry objects – humans, explosives or whatever else you want to throw – around with you without limiting your ability to shoot or use your jetpack. A diabolical alien's multi-tasking dream come true!

Destroy All Humans!

Destroy All Humans! also delivers more NPC variety, more VFX and a far richer game world, thanks to its rebuild in Unreal Engine 4. We even packed in the Lost Mission of Area 42 – a brand new mission based on unused voice files and notes unearthed in the game's archives. So, strap on your Jet-Pack and grab your Anal Probe! Those silly humans aren't going to destroy themselves!

Destroy All Humans!
Xbox Live

Destroy All Humans!

THQ Nordic

☆☆☆☆☆ 70
★★★★★
$39.99
Free Trial
The cult-classic returns! Terrorize the people of 1950's Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Harvest DNA and bring down the US government in the remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Annihilate puny humans using an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities. Reduce their cities to rubble with your flying Saucer! One giant step on mankind!
Related:
Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One
Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
New Games with Gold for August 2020

New Games with Gold for August 2020

Get ready for the Games with Gold August lineup! On Xbox One, shape your hero and your destiny in Portal Knights and level buildings with gigantic battling robots in Override: Mech City Brawl. On Xbox 360, and Xbox One via Backward Compatibility, perform sick stunts in MX Unleashed and save the commonwealth from a ruthless dictator in the classic first-person shooter Red Faction II.

Xbox Live Gold members will have exclusive access to these games for a limited time as part of Games with Gold. With Xbox Live Gold, you get the most advanced multiplayer service, free games, and exclusive member discounts on games in the Microsoft Store — get Xbox Live Gold today to get in on the action or join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate which includes all these fantastic benefits plus access to over 100 high-quality games with Xbox Game Pass.

Portal Knights
Forge your character, craft epic weapons, and vanquish your enemies in this 3D action sandbox RPG. You and your party are the only hope for a world torn apart and terrorized by the Hollow King. Level up your hero as you explore dozens of randomly generated islands, create amazing structures, and interact with the colorful inhabitants of the land, in a quest to become the ultimate Portal Knight.

Override: Mech City Brawl
High-octane mech battles are delivered in a city-crushing ballad of destruction! Experience a blockbuster full-length campaign, a myriad of local and online multiplayer modes, and a cast of 12 gigantic mechs to pilot, each customizable and with their own special abilities. Tower over your opponents and lay waste to environments inspired by real life locations to become the top mech pilot. No gears, no glory!

MX Unleashed
Replay a fantastically addicting freestyle motorcycle game from the classic Xbox era. Perform stunts and tricks on huge, dangerous tracks to unlock amazing game secrets across a large variety of freestyle and supercross venues. Featuring enormous sandbox environments, this motocross game is one big off-road playground. 

Red Faction II
Fight to overthrow a corrupt dictator and government in this classic first-person shooter. It has been five years since the rebellion on Mars began and the oppressed people of the commonwealth are rising up. Lead a squad of unique super-soldiers, each with their own specialized methods of destruction ranging from demolitions to gunships, to topple the crooked government and restore peace to the land.

Read more about our Games with Gold program here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire for all the latest news on Xbox. Like we said before, if you're an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you have all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, plus over 100 high-quality console and PC games that you want to play. New games are added all the time, so you're never without something new to try when you're looking to find your next favorite game. If you're new, or if you're an existing Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for Console member, join or upgrade today for just $1. 

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Microsoft Corporation

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$14.99 $1
Get all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, plus over 100 high-quality console and PC games for one low monthly price. With games added all the time, there's always something new to play. With a huge variety of games from every genre, there's something for everyone. Enjoy exclusive member deals and discounts. . Plus, enjoy free perks, including in-game content, consumables, and partner offers. Play together with friends on the most advanced multiplayer network and discover your next favorite game. Use your active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to play games on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC (excludes Windows 10 in S mode and on ARM devices). Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox Live Gold and additional benefits. Note: Purchase of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate automatically upgrades your existing Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass membership(s) to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at a conversion ratio each based on days remaining. Learn how this works at www.xbox.com/gamepass. Future code redemptions are also subject to a conversion ratio. Conversion ratio subject to change. All conversions to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are final: Once converted, you cannot re-convert your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership back to a previous membership. Maximum 36 months of redeemed Xbox Game Pass Ultimate per account at a time, including any converted time from Xbox Live Gold and/or Xbox Game Pass (for PC or console). Game titles and number vary over time and by country. Membership continues to be charged at the then-current price (subject to change; plus applicable taxes) unless cancelled. Cancel any time to stop your next scheduled charge; see account.microsoft.com/services. Notice before purchase of add-ons, DLC, consumables, virtual currency, or subscriptions (sold separately): If your membership terminates or a game is removed from the catalog, you must reactivate your membership or buy the game separately to continue using these items. ISP fees may apply. Age restrictions apply. Xbox Game Pass discounts are based on Microsoft Store price and are not combinable with other offers and are not redeemable for cash. Discount offers exclude titles within 30 days of launch and are not available with select titles. Number and content of Perks vary by region, platform, and over time, and must be redeemed by stated timeframe. Service, features, and requirements may change or be retired. Subject to the Microsoft Services Agreement (microsoft.com/msa). For PC: App download, Windows update(s), and storage required (xbox.com/pcgamesplan). System requirements vary by game; performance scales with higher end systems. Sign in for your available offers. Promotional offers may not be valid for all members and are only available for a limited time. In Japan, Xbox Game Pass is only available for purchase to users 18 years and older. Offers not valid in Russia; other geographic restrictions may apply. After promotional period, subscription continues to be charged at the then-current regular price (subject to change), unless cancelled. Plus applicable taxes
Related:
Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One
Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One

Dirt 5: Codemasters Art Team Reveal Details on Stunning Racing Locations

Summary

  • Dirt 5 is coming to Xbox Series X and Xbox One with a slate of incredible, brand new racing locations that put a bold twist on iconic environments
  • Key members of the game's art and production team reveal the process behind creating these awesome, dynamic locations
  • Dirt 5 is coming to Xbox One on October 9 and Xbox Series X later this year

Bolder. Brighter. Bigger. For Dirt 5, the latest off-road racing game from us here at Codemasters, launching on Xbox One and Xbox Series X, those three beautiful Bs have been our mission statement. Every aspect of Dirt 5 aims to be more ambitious than we've ever been with a legendary racing franchise – and when you see where we're taking you for the racing, you'll see what we mean.

Our extreme racing events take place across ten brand new locations, taking iconic locations and landmarks and turning them into vibrant, thrilling destinations for over 70 race routes. Prepare to let loose in Brazil, Norway, Greece, China, Nepal, Morocco, Italy, Nepal, Arizona and Roosevelt Island.

Every location, route, and race scenario brings that boldness and excitement in spades – but don't take it from me. In this special Xbox Wire post, key members from Dirt 5's development studio on art and environment creation go in-depth on the game's fresh and spectacular landscapes, which combine with extreme dynamic weather and ever-changing conditions for a one-off visual racing experience.


Art Director Amrish Wadekar: The art of Dirt 5 is all built on four pillars: Hyperreal, Dynamic, Vibrant, and Choerent — and each of the locations delivers in full on these.

Producer Stuart Boyd: Our initial aim was to create vibrant and colourful interpretations of recognisable locations from across the globe. The artists on Dirt 5 wanted to challenge themselves technically from the very beginning; it was this drive and ambition that led to the team to recreating some of the most beautiful locations around the world. Our broader aim was to instil a desire from the player to be so blown away by the environment around them that they have to pause, open up Photo Mode and capture it in their own way.

Principal Lead Artist Andrew Fletcher: A key feature of all our tracks is how they embrace the beauty of the natural landscape – whether that's racing across a mudslide in the jungles of Rio de Janeiro, or wheel-spinning up a shear rock face in amongst the buttes and mesas of Arizona. All our tracks adhere to the same philosophy of combining fun, action-packed racing in rich, vibrant and believable worlds.

Dirt 5

That topic of challenge is something that you can see throughout Dirt 5, with vistas and visual detail going beyond norms and expectations. The entire studio immersed themselves in the minutiae to make all ten locations look and feel true to life, whilst turned up to 11 – and you'll feel that detail when the ever-changing world around you affects your race.

Amrish Wadekar: For Dirt 5, beauty is in the variety and detail. The team has embraced this with both hands and has really got their hands dirty in months of research to understand and learn every aspect of each of these locations to create believable and authentic worlds. Thanks to their research, some team members can now tell you the Latin names of over 50 trees!

Dirt 5

The weather system in Dirt 5 is what really dials up the racing and visual experience to 11. The most exciting aspect is the changing overhead conditions directly affecting the driving surface, which means each race looks, sounds and plays differently every time you jump in.

Artist Liam Maynard: We researched our locations extensively, working out every little detail and finding the things that made those locations unique; from the type of the dirt, the type of trees, the buildings and even the rocks!

Andrew Fletcher: For environments, the track surfaces are a key component and care has to be taken to ensure textures and materials are accurately balanced, so each surface reacts appropriately in the various conditions. Surface water needs to collect in the various recesses and troughs throughout the track, and snow should collect in the places you would tend to expect.

Dirt 5

Ensuring everything changes and adapts to our dynamic wind system also plays an important role in creating a believable experience. Flags, foliage and particles are all set up to react accordingly to these dynamic shifts of wind during different weather conditions.

Senior Principal Technical Artist Andrew Seymour: From the offset, the goal was to create a system where as much as possible was dynamic. For example, as storms draw in, rain starts to fill the ruts made by the tyres in the dirt tracks, forming puddles. The puddles grow deeper and more expansive soaking the dirt, turning it to mud.

We try to add as much detail as we can realistically imagine. Ripples can be seen as raindrops hit the puddles and are perturbed as vehicles race through them. All the weather types are interconnected; so if snow was now to fall, it would start to fill the puddles, turning them to slush. The snow collects in crevices and sticks to the sides of cold surfaces.

Dirt 5

Of course, those goals and that approach for Dirt 5's brand new locations are made even more possible by the arrival of next-gen console gaming. With our amplified off-road racer coming to Xbox Series X, and the Codemasters Cheshire team having Series X kits to develop and test on for some time, we're excited to show the world how Dirt 5's unique environments harness that new power.

Andrew Fletcher: We had next-gen consoles in mind from the outset of pre-production. We aimed higher than we had previously, adding scalability to all our shaders, and not limiting them so that we could harness the extra GPU power of Xbox Series X. For, example our track shader uses Parallax Occlusion Mapping, Tessellation and Displacement as standard across 16 surface types. This is double the number we had on our previous title.

Amrish Wadekar: The speed, graphical performance and storage that the next generation of consoles bring means we can not only have higher resolution and detail in the environments and vehicles, but also dial up the particles and weather effects to create a blockbuster experience.


Dirt 5 launches on Xbox One October 9 and later this year on Xbox Series X. Thanks to Smart Delivery, you'll get the next-gen optimized version for Xbox Series X at no additional cost.

DIRT 5 Amplified Edition
Xbox Live

DIRT 5 Amplified Edition

Codemasters

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$79.99
Grab your ticket to a host of incredible DIRT 5 perks and content by pre-ordering the Amplified Edition – and get it all with three days early access!  On launch, Amplified Edition players have three ready-to-race cars in their garage (Ariel Nomad Tactical, Audi TT Safari, VW Beetle Rallycross), three-player sponsors with fresh objectives, rewards and liveries, and content for features yet to be revealed – all exclusive to Amplified Edition, along with boosts to currency and XP earnings. After launch, we are committed to developing a massive selection of new show-stopping moments, and new ways to truly Let Loose. Amplified Edition players get access to every single post-launch addition to DIRT 5, including a minimum of 12 new cars, 60 new Career events, new player sponsors with fresh rewards and liveries, and more items for features yet to be revealed… Grabbing DIRT 5: Amplified Edition from October 2020 ensures you have the keys to everything the boldest, bravest off-road racing game has to offer, and are first in line for everything we create post-launch. Pre-order DIRT 5 now to receive the Ford F-150 Raptor PreRunner by Deberti Design! Game leverages Smart Delivery allowing access to both the Xbox One title and Xbox Series X title when available
Related:
Brave the Supernatural in Echo Generation
From the Creators of SteamWorld, The Gunk Will Be an Xbox Exclusive
Tetris Effect: Connected Brings Multiplayer to the Ultimate Puzzle Game on Xbox

Get Ready to Unleash Swimsanity! on August 7

We are beyond excited to announce to you the release date for our inaugural Xbox One title. Swimsanity! is a multiplayer underwater shooter with action-packed co-op and versus game modes, all supported by online and local play. You play as our hero Mooba, who uses a variety of unique power ups and weapons to survive in this aquatic world. Whether you're teaming up with friends to swim into Adventure mode or clashing in competitive matches such as Last Mooba Standing, there's more than 150+ challenges to complete across 8 action-packed game modes in Swimsanity!

Swimsanity!

We wanted to make sure that no matter how or where you play Swimsanity!, that you can enjoy it to the fullest. That means Swimsanity! will feature cross-play across all platforms. Which means that you can enjoy this underwater shooter with all your friends. We also have robust online features with matchmaking, custom rooms, parties, and cross platform leaderboards powered by Microsoft Azure PlayFab. All of this fast intuitive gameplay running on predict/rollback netcode to give our online community a seamless experience. Oh, and if you are not looking to play online, we have you covered with 1-4 players local play including support with bots.

Swimsanity!

For those of you who have not played yet, the game is quite simple. Before entering any match, a player can choose from a range of eye-popping Unleashes, which are essentially your special moves. Unleashes range from a Medic to heal yourself and teammates, all the way to a Shark to devour your opponents. When a Mooba strikes enough damage on their opponents, players have the special ability to "Unleash Swimsanity!" to gain a major advantage in battle. The foundation of Unleashes brings the excitement to battle seamlessly across both versus and co-op game modes.

Swimsanity!

We're a huge multiplayer fan of both versus and co-op games, so making sure you could enjoy Swimsanity! in both forms was a huge push for us in development. If you are into online competition jump into Versus modes where you can try out the traditional deathmatch, the elimination style Last Mooba Standing, or the capture the flag-esque Orb Rush. Bump up the tactics and compete 2v2 as well. If you are more of a team player, we have co-op modes for 1-4 players where you can team up with friends in the side scrolling boss battle filled Adventure mode, or see how long you can last in our wave based Survival mode. Do all this across 5 completely different worlds with 150 in game challenges, and you have an ocean filled with extensive content.

Our three-man team has been hard at work, and we will definitely be online competing against and with everyone who plays. We are so excited that all the gamers on Xbox One can pre-order now to unleash Swimsanity! this Summer on August 7.

Swimsanity!
Xbox Live

Swimsanity!

Decoy Games, LLC

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$24.99
Swimsanity! is a multiplayer underwater shooter with action-packed Co-Op and Versus game modes, all supported by online and local play. You play as our hero Mooba, who uses a variety of unique power ups and weapons to survive in this aquatic world. Whether you're teaming up with friends to swim into Adventure mode, or clashing in competitive matches such as Last Mooba Standing, there's more than 150+ challenges to complete across 8 action-packed Game Modes in Swimsanity! All modes can be played online or locally.
Related:
Summer Spotlight 2020 – Great Games for the Season of Play
Summer Game Fest Demo Event Coming July 21 to an Xbox One Near You
ID@Xbox Launches Summer Spotlight Series

Exploring Grounded's Arachnophobia Mode

Grounded, the new survival game from Obsidian Entertainment is available tomorrow on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access. In the game, players wake up in a suburban backyard after being mysteriously shrunken to the size of an ant. Guided by a strange robot voice named BURG.L, players must explore, build, and survive while confronting the dangers and perils that come with suddenly being insect sized.

Some of these dangers include an array of hostile spiders, which present a regular threat to surviving the backyard. However, the team behind Grounded considered that some players might have a potential fear of spiders and experience a negative reaction to their appearance in the game, so Obsidian worked closely with the Xbox Research team to explore what triggers arachnophobia.

During their study, fear, and disgust increased across all respondent groups as spider textures, number of eyes, and audio effects were added. The findings from Xbox Research helped determine the best form for spiders to take in the game, while also deciding how to vary their appearance depending on the severity of the phobia.

This resulted in the game's Arachnophobia Mode, where players can alter the appearance of spiders and limit their audio effects, helping to make the game more accessible for everyone.

Grounded is rated 'T' for Teen by the ESRB and is available tomorrow on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access for $29.99.

Related:
Grounded Now Available on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to 31
Meet the Big Voices for the Tiny Characters of Grounded

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200724-2030)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox One update preview coming to the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha ring. It's important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox One.

We continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal, so you're aware when updates are coming to your device. Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS version released: RS_XBOX_RELEASE_2008\19041.4007.200724-2030
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – July 27, 2020
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – July 28, 2020

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox One update preview.

Messaging

  • We're working to simplify notifications on Xbox! Messages from Xbox will now show up in the Notifications area when you open the Guide, keeping the Parties & chats area focused on chatting with friends and other players.

Fixes Implemented

Thanks to the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented for 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, for more information go here.

Known Issues

We understand some issues have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes. These items aren't being ignored, but it will take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution.

New issues we're investigating:

Guide

  • The Achievements tab may have some odd display issues where it appears content is overlapping. We are aware and investigating.

We're still tracking these known issues:

Audio

  • Users who have Dolby Atmos enabled and console display settings set to 120hz with 36 bits per pixel (12-bit) are experiencing loss of Dolby Atmos audio in some situations.
    • Workaround: Disable 120hz or set Video Fidelity to 30 bits per pixel (10-bit) or lower.
  • Some users have reported that Dolby Atmos for Headphones audio setting changes when the console is rebooted/updated.
    • Note: If you attempt to set the audio to Dolby Atmos for Headphones and see a message advising you to launch the Dolby Access App, please file feedback before launching the app.

Game DVR

  • Some users have reported that clips are being recorded without audio. We are aware and investigating.
    • Note: When reporting the issue, please be sure to include details about what resolution, length, and game you were trying to record.

Guide

  • Some users have reported that the audio mixer cannot be used to adjust chat/game audio levels.

My Games & Apps

  • We've received reports of users being unable to edit or create Groups. We are aware of the issue and investigating.
  • Users have reported seeing black tiles instead of game artwork when browsing their collection.
    • Note: We are still investigating the issue, please report the issue again from the console if you have done so with a prior update and are still seeing this behavior.
  • Some titles in collection may appear with a "trial" tag incorrectly in collection.

System

  • We've received reports of some users getting "stuck" at the sign in screen. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may notice that the 24-hour clock does not display correctly across all sections of the dashboard. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may see the four new languages (Hungarian, Czech, Slovak and Greek) available as options for the keyboard. While they can be selected, they are non-functional at this time.

Profile Color

  • Sometimes users may encounter the incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.

Make sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of your issue. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we'll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

How to Get Xbox Insider Support

If you're an Xbox Insider looking for support, please reach out to 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 most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! 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. 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 One Update Preview ring!

Related:
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200724-2030)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200723-0000)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200721-0000)

Getting to Know Guu Ma, Road to Guangdong's Most Prominent Character

Summary

After spending so much time working on Road to Guangdong's story, and now that the rest of the team are busy working on preparations for the upcoming release, I find myself pining for Guu Ma, who, to me, is the most important character in the story.

Guu Ma is Cantonese for the oldest paternal aunt. In this story that opens with Sunny losing her parents to a tragic accident, Guu Ma steps into the parental role swiftly due to her rank and situation. In the game, you play Sunny, and your relationship with Guu Ma has to develop in order for you to fulfil Sunny's parents' final wishes for Sunny to take over the family restaurant.

Initially, Guu Ma, like any other character, might trick you into believing that she's just a typical aunt, who has dedicated her whole life to managing the family restaurant. Whether it becomes obvious or not, Guu Ma's background is complicated. Though she was the most conscientious and responsible of the Tong siblings, the family restaurant was given to Sunny's father, the oldest male. And in this latest distressing turn of events, Guu Ma has to support her niece, who has no experience in restauranting, through not only grief, but also a chance to change the conservative patriarchal practices of the culture, by successfully managing the restaurant.

Guu Ma cares like all good matriarchs, with tough love. And if Sunny is able to prove herself to Guu Ma, then things will get easier for them both. Guu Ma might even show her softer side.

Whatever happens, Guu Ma will always be Sunny's harshest critic and biggest cheerleader. If it gets too much, just go for a drive and hope that Guu Ma will be lulled into a nap. Some zen driving might help you cool off from Guu Ma's nagging, though be warned that she won't stand for Sandy the car being treated badly.

Are you ready to meet Guu Ma and begin your relationship with her?

Road to Guangdong launches August 28 on Xbox One, and is available to pre-order now! If you can't wait to try it out, a Road to Guangdong demo is available as part of the Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo Event until July 27.

Road to Guangdong
Xbox Live

Road to Guangdong

Excalibur Games

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$19.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
Penned by acclaimed author Yen Ooi, this captivating coming-of-age tale is set against the evocative backdrop of 90s China. Sunny's life is at a crossroads. She knows everything's about to change. She just doesn't know how yet. She glances again at the contract. The good news is she's now the proud owner of her family's cherished restaurant. The bad news? It's seen better days. A tap at the door announces the arrival of her aunt, Guu Ma. Yep, everything's about to change alright. But the "how" part will be decided by a bunch of strangers she's only seen in faded photographs. Embark on a journey of discovery On a mission to revive their struggling family restaurant, Sunny and Guu Ma must visit long-lost relatives in search of secrets that will bring diners flooding back. But it won't be easy. The long trip with her ageing aunt will truly test their relationship as cultural differences bubble to the surface. Only by making tough choices along the way will Sunny discover what fate has in store for her. Keep your car on the road A treasured part of her family for longer than Sunny can remember, Sandy has carried her loved ones through many a crisis. But her beloved car is falling apart and she'll need a helping hand to respond to this latest emergency. Only careful driving and regular checks under the bonnet will enable her to carry Sunny to the climax of her quest.
Related:
Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One
Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One

People Can Fly Interview: Getting to Know the Dark and Desperate Sci-Fi Universe of Outriders

Once considered a paradise, the pristine planet of Enoch has been transformed within 30 years into a brutal world of darkness and despair due to a mysterious anomaly. What sounds like an apocalyptic prophecy, turns out to be the starting point for the brand-new RPG shooter Outriders, which will be released later this year on Xbox One and Xbox Series X. The editorial staff of Xbox Wire Germany has talked to the developers of People Can Fly in order to give you an insight into the new mix of story-driven action RPG and shooter.


Outriders: A role-playing shooter in a sci-fi universe

By mixing an in-depth story with explosive shooter action, Polish developer studio People Can Fly, together with Square Enix, created an entirely new IP that is very different from traditional sci-fi titles. To find out what the anomaly is all about, you and other Outriders follow an unknown signal that may lead you to the origin of the anomaly – or to its demise.

Flexibility and freedom of choice

Outriders' comprehensive freedom of choice runs like a thread through the story. With the class tree, you develop your self-designed hero according to your wishes, while the countless equipment modifications do the rest. In addition, it's up to you to decide whether you want to learn more about the background story via the omnipresent dialogue options or plunge straight into battle.

Play Outriders either alone or in co-op mode

With the world level system, a flexible difficulty control, you will find the optimal difficulty level. This will make you sweat a lot, but you will always have the chance to emerge victorious from the battles. Even if you go on a journey with up to two friends in multiplayer mode, the difficulty level will automatically adapt to your skills. But again, the better you work together and combine the synergies of your skills, the greater the chances of success.

It's no coincidence that Outriders will be released at the end of 2020 after years of development. As an Optimized for Xbox Series X title, the game uses the full power and performance of Xbox Series X, which makes the journey into the dark sci-fi universe even more realistic – in addition, the title is also available for owners of Xbox One. Pre-order Outriders now and get a free upgrade to the Deluxe Edition. This includes the Hell's Rangers Content Pack with special equipment sets, 11 unique weapons and truck mods and designs in the Hell's Rangers look.


People Can Fly interview

In an interview with Game Director Bartosz Kmita and Senior Designer Piotr Nowakowski from the People Can Fly development studio, Kmita explains how to combine RPG and shooter action, what makes Outriders stand out and why every type of player gets his money's worth with the title.

Xbox Wire: How would you describe Outriders briefly in a few words? What makes it so different?

Bartosz Kmita: Not easy to boil it down into a few words, but we will try! Basically, Outriders is a genre mix of shooter and action RPG. We at People Can Fly have a long history of creating intense shooters, so we take the best of our knowledge and transport lots of the core mechanics of this genre into Outriders. The RPG aspect shows in the extensive freedoms every player experiences as well as in the rich story. To bring it on point: The player will get the best of both worlds – the dazzling excitement of a fast-paced shooter and an atmospheric RPG full of stories to discover.

Xbox Wire: What makes Outriders different from other genre representatives?

Bartosz Kmita: Compared to other core shooters, Outriders offers the player a deep story, which is explored bit by bit in main and side quests. At the same time, the character can be developed exactly to one's wants, the appearance individualized, and the versatile skills adapted to one's own game needs.

Xbox Wire: Outriders mixes shooter with action RPG: Which genre came to your mind at first and why did you want to mix them?

Bartosz Kmita: We at People Can Fly have been developing shooters for almost twenty years. The shooter gene is anchored in our DNA and has therefore always been an essential part of our work. At this point, we as a studio asked ourselves: What do our hearts beat for apart from the shooter genre? And it was here that we discovered our deep shared love for stirring stories which unfold in the course of a game. So, it was clear that our next title would contain many role-playing elements.

Xbox Wire: What is your personal favorite feature in Outriders?

Bartosz Kmita: Well, it's hard to determine a favorite feature, because we worked on the game for several years. During this time, all the different aspects of the game became kind of our babies. For sure we are happy about the gameplay perspectives. On the one hand, we love the skill trees and the character customization, because they offer so many options to the players. But on the other hand, we are proud of the world, the story, and the side activities we created. We are excited about the whole package in general.

Piotr Nowakowski: On my side, I love all the cinematic parts and interactive dialogues. Every scene creates an intense atmosphere with the player in the center of attention, without talking heads or other distractions from the environment.

Xbox Wire: An alien planet, a mutated fauna, and the player in the middle: Where do you even start, creating a whole new universe and its history? And what inspired you?

Bartosz Kmita: It was a challenge not only to create a game but the IP as a whole. Even though Outriders has sci-fi aspects, our vision was a grittier and darker world than the classic clean utopian science fiction game. There are definitely some ruff fantasy elements in it as well. Creative processes always start in your head, that's for sure! But the loose ideas and thoughts can only be turned into a coherent world through teamwork and constant, elaborate reworking. This brainstorming process always takes a lot of time but in the end the whole team loved the outcome and it was worth it.

Xbox Wire: Action shooter with an atmospheric story: How do you harmoniously bring these different aspects together?

Bartosz Kmita: We decided on a cinematic approach as a core system to deliver the layered story in an appropriate way early. The main story will offer almost 90 minutes of cinematics and additionally 90 more in dialogues. But the dialogues in Outriders are not simply two talking heads like in many other games. Even side missions will offer cinematic dialogues because they all offer their own atmospheric story.  The whole story is shaped around the players customized character. Even when playing coop missions, the cinematics and dialogues will highlight the players figure as the main hero on his own epic adventure. In this way, everyone will experience their own individual adventure mixed with action-packed team matches.

Xbox Wire: Outriders is suitable for both multiplayer fans and solo players. What content can both types of players look forward to? 

Bartosz Kmita: The whole story can be experienced as a solo adventure, so the player won't be forced to play coop if he doesn't like to. The player can decide at any time whether s/he prefers to play alone or together with others. There is no multiplayer exclusive content, each player can experience the game in the way he or she likes best. But we would like to encourage players to play together because there are pretty fun and challenging dynamics in playing Outriders as a team. We will elevate the team experience by using the moving story and its atmospheric cinematics to drag the whole group into this great world. Sometimes it will feel like going to a cinema with your friends and discovering something new together.

Xbox Wire: The special skills bring new possibilities into the shooter gameplay and skill trees provide flexibility. So, are there no more classic role assignments like tank and damage dealer?

Bartosz Kmita: The players can create a character class fitting into one of these classic roles, but nobody will be forced into the holy trinity of tank, damage dealer and healer. Every character class can be played in more than one way. The sub classes within the class provide maximum flexibility and we encourage the players to experiment with different skill trees to find just the right combination, that suits their play style best. If you want to play an independent allrounder, who can heal and tank by himself, it is possible. At the same time, you can totally specialize in a supportive role in order to empower your team. At the end of the day every player should feel badass!

Xbox Wire: You have given us lots of exciting insights. To conclude, why should Xbox players be playing Outriders at the end of this year?

Bartosz Kmita: Every fan of shooters or RPGs will find something in Outriders to satisfy him or her. Even though we are experienced at developing top notch shooters, this game will be fun for lots of different player types. Each player can concentrate on those aspects of the game that suit them the best. So, whether you're a passionate story fan or an action-loving sniper, the versatile gameplay with many different customization options will satisfy all kind of players.

Related:
Groove with New Music in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 on Xbox One
Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
Crypto-137 and Orthopox Return: Destroy All Humans! is Available Today on Xbox One

Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200723-0000)

Hey Xbox Insiders! We have a new Xbox One update preview coming to the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha ring. It's important we note that some updates made in these preview OS builds include background improvements that ensure a quality and stable build for Xbox One.

We continue to post these release notes, even when the noticeable changes to the UI are minimal, so you're aware when updates are coming to your device. Details can be found below!

Xbox Insider Release Notes

System Update Details:

  • OS version released: RS_XBOX_RELEASE_2008\19041.3991.200723-0000
  • Available: 2 p.m. PT – July 24, 2020
  • Mandatory: 3 a.m. PT – July 25, 2020

New Features and Experiences

We have exciting news! Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha users can expect something new coming to their Xbox One update preview.

Parties

  • You can now control the individual volume levels of other people in our party! In the party menu, just select their name and press right or left to change their volume.

Fixes Implemented

Thanks to the hard work of Xbox engineers, we are happy to announce the following fixes have been implemented for 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, for more information go here.

Known Issues

We understand some issues have been listed in previous Xbox Insider Release Notes. These items aren't being ignored, but it will take Xbox engineers more time to find a solution.

New issues we're investigating:

My Games & Apps

  • We've received reports of users being unable to edit or create Groups. We are aware of the issue and investigating.

We're still tracking these known issues:

Audio

  • Users who have Dolby Atmos enabled and console display settings set to 120hz with 36 bits per pixel (12-bit) are experiencing loss of Dolby Atmos audio in some situations.
    • Workaround: Disable 120hz or set Video Fidelity to 30 bits per pixel (10-bit) or lower.
  • Some users have reported that Dolby Atmos for Headphones audio setting changes when the console is rebooted/updated.
    • Note: If you attempt to set the audio to Dolby Atmos for Headphones and see a message advising you to launch the Dolby Access App, please file feedback before launching the app.

Game DVR

  • Some users have reported that clips are being recorded without audio. We are aware and investigating.
    • Note: When reporting the issue, please be sure to include details about what resolution, length, and game you were trying to record.

Guide

  • Some users have reported that the audio mixer cannot be used to adjust chat/game audio levels.
  • We've received reports that the Friends tab is not showing the correct status of online/offline friends.
  • Some users may notice that the Guide has changed appearance and functionality, this is expected behavior as there are certain experiences being flighted among a random subset of users in Preview.

My Games & Apps

  • Users have reported seeing black tiles instead of game artwork when browsing their collection.
    • Note: We are still investigating the issue, please report the issue again from the console if you have done so with a prior update and are still seeing this behavior.
  • Some titles in collection may appear with a "trial" tag incorrectly in collection.

System

  • We've received reports of some users getting "stuck" at the sign in screen. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may notice that the 24-hour clock does not display correctly across all sections of the dashboard. We are aware and investigating.
  • Users may see the four new languages (Hungarian, Czech, Slovak and Greek) available as options for the keyboard. While they can be selected, they are non-functional at this time.

Profile Color

  • Sometimes users may encounter the incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.

Make sure to use Report a problem to keep us informed of your issue. We may not be able to respond to everyone, but the data we'll gather is crucial to finding a resolution.

What Happens to Your Feedback

How to Get Xbox Insider Support

If you're an Xbox Insider looking for support, please reach out to 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 most recent posts to see if your issue has already been posted or addressed. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! 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. 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 One Update Preview ring!

Related:
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200724-2030)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha (2008.200724-2030)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2008.200721-0000)

Get Ready to Throw Down in the World of Tanks: SummerSlam Season

Summary

  • World of Tanks, the free-to-play tank-based shooter, is launching an all-new season of in-game events and rewards in partnership with the WWE.
  • Players can earn points and progress through a series of Levels to receive epic game content, including in-game currency, tank equipment, and legendary WWE tanks helmed by your favorite Superstars!
  • From the ring-themed tank garage to the outrageous tank intro videos, you've never experienced tank warfare like this!

With World of Tanks, we're always asking ourselves what could make online tank battles more exciting, more explosive, and more fun for commanders when they engage in explosive battlefield brawls.

This Summer, we've got an answer that's going to hit harder than a corkscrew elbow drop – World of Tanks: SummerSlam!

World of Tanks

Celebrate the launch of World of Tanks: SummerSlam with the epic World of Tanks: Big Ticket Combo (U.S. residents only) – combining amazing World of Tank's content with a free rental of "WWE: Stone Cold Steve Austin: The Bottom Line on the Most Popular Superstars of All Time" at an exceptional value. Then jump into the ring with World of Tanks: SummerSlam, an all-new season of in-game content offered in collaboration with WWE. SummerSlam will enter the ring with brand-new rewards and an ambiance that will have both new and longtime players shouting, "Hell Yeah!"

World of Tanks

Like our previous season, World of Tanks: ValorSummerSlam is divided into 100 Levels. Commanders can progress from level to level by completing certain goals in online battles and receiving points in the process. The more points they earn, the higher the level they reach… and the better their rewards!

XP boosters, in-game currency, tank add-ons, and much more — players will receive rewards along the way as they make their way towards level 100, which has the ultimate reward: the new TL-1 LPC tank under the command of none other than famed Superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin!

World of Tanks

But the Texas Rattlesnake is not the only WWE Superstar players will see in the game. By acquiring the World of Tanks: SummerSlam Season Pass, players will receive the rewards from the regular SummerSlam season progression plus additional rewards… including two earth-shattering tanks featuring WWE titans Becky Lynch and the legendary Andre the Giant! 

Upgrade to the Season Pass Ultimate, and players will automatically unlock the first 25 stages of SummerSlam AND receive the formidable and incomparable Undertaker's tank!

World of Tanks

Completing the World of Tanks: SummerSlam season is a victory like no other. Of course, we know that some Commanders won't be able to wait to get their hands on punishing tanks driven by some of the best-known WWE Superstars.

Throughout the season, we'll have WWE tanks available for purchase in the in-game store, as well as limited-time SummerSlam Chests that will allow players to put their favorite Superstars in charge of any tanks in their Garage! And who knows? There might be faces from the WWE that will make a surprise appearance in the game later in the season!

World of Tanks

No matter how far tank Commanders go in the World of Tanks: SummerSlam season, they'll be able to enjoy all the high-octane energy of WWE with a themed garage that puts them ringside for all the action.

Are you ready to get into the ring? Be prepared, Commander—the fight to the top is going to take everything you've got. World of TanksSummerSlam starts on July 21! Roll out!

World of Tanks: SummerSlam
Xbox Live

World of Tanks: SummerSlam

Wargaming.net

☆☆☆☆☆ 1358
★★★★★
Xbox One X Enhanced
World of Tanks is a global online multiplayer free-to-play game dedicated to tank warfare in the mid-20th century. Custom built for Xbox, World of Tanks is cross-play enabled between Xbox One and Xbox 360 featuring realistic vehicles and environments, enabling players to command history's most powerful tanks and experience combat on Xbox like never before. Features: • Strategic, fast-paced 15 vs 15 online action. • Over 450 authentic tanks to choose from among 8 nations. • Battle across more than 80 maps with different terrains and weather effects. • Built-in support for Xbox One S pushing the boundaries of graphic fidelity. • Regular updates offer new content and weekly special events.
Related:
World of Tanks: Valor Salutes Independence Day with Epic Events
World of Tanks: Valor Honors D-Day with In-Game Events and Rewards
Join the Most Rewarding Season Yet with World of Tanks: Valor on Xbox One

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for July 28 to 31

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox, where we cover all the new games coming soon to Xbox One and Windows 10 PC! Every week the team at Xbox aims to deliver quality gaming content for you to enjoy on your favorite gaming console. To find out what's coming soon to Xbox, read on below and click on each of the game profiles for pre-order details (dates are subject to change).


Maid of Sker – July 28

Maid of Sker – July 28

A first-person survival horror game set in a remote hotel with a gory and macabre history from British folklore. Inspired by the haunting tales of Elisabeth Williams, discover a suffocating family secret with stealth tactics amongst sound-based AI enemies.


Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection – July 28

Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection – July 28

The ultimate collection is here! It all began in '93, and now, the weapon-based fighting game series that swept the world is ready to be taken home in a new stellar collection! Six NeoGeo titles as well as one mysterious, unreleased game are featured.


Destroy All Humans! – July 28

Destroy All Humans! – July 28

Xbox One X Enhanced – Terrorize the people of 1950s Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Harvest their DNA and bring down the US government in the faithful remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Annihilate puny humans using an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities.


Skater XL – July 28

Skater XL – July 28

Experience unparalleled board control and responsiveness while you skate legendary real-world skate spots. Style your tricks the way you want, from the way you flip the board to the way you move your feet. Feel connected to your board like never before.


Grounded (Game Preview)– July 28

Grounded (Game Preview)– July 28

Xbox Play Anywhere / Xbox Game Pass – 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 first person, multiplayer, survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard?


Othercide – July 28

Othercide – July 28

As Humanity's last hope, lead your army to combat in an intricate dance of spectacular actions and counters, using an original Dynamic Timeline System, and face fearsome bosses in epic battles. The Daughters, echoes of the greatest warrior to ever live, are all who stand before Suffering and death.


Cubers: Arena – July 28

Cubers: Arena – July 28

An electrifying arena brawler/ twin-stick slasher game. Play as Baller, a slave fighting his way through an array of gladiators to reclaim his freedom. Play solo or in a local co-op and fight waves of enemies using a variety of weapons, armory, and skills.


112th Seed – July 29

112th Seed – July 29

In a future where Earth has become uninhabitable and food is so scarce that most of humanity has perished, take the role of a seed that could restore hope! Solve puzzles, avoid traps, grow plants and find an exit in this casual yet challenging pixel art platformer.


Nicole – July 29

Nicole – July 29

Classes, homework, and mysterious abductions! You can take up part-time jobs to earn money, explore various locations, do recreational and extra-curricular activities, and meet intriguing characters like Darren, Kurt, Jeff and Ted in this dating simulator.


The Sims 4: Nifty Knitting – July 29

The Sims 4: Nifty Knitting – July 29

In this artsy Community Voted Stuff Pack, Sims can needle their own clothes, toys, and knittable home décor. Take a seat in one of the new rocking chairs and start creating. When you're done, pile your handcrafted styles onto your loved ones or turn a profit with the new online shopping platform, Plopsy. What delightful projects will your Sims take on?


Lost Wing – July 29

Lost Wing – July 29

Lost Wing combines shooting and flying at super high speed. Race through a huge variety of tracks, dodging and shooting everything in your way, if you reach the end goal, destroy the boss for a massive points bonus. Featuring an original electronic soundtrack, multiple play modes, stages, ships and weapons. A perfect challenge for the most demanding players.


Nowhere Prophet – July 29

Nowhere Prophet – July 29

Xbox Game Pass (Console & PC) – You are the last hope to a band of outcastes and refugees. Lead them across the randomly generated wastelands. Pick fights with greedy slavers and crazy machines using the turn-based card combat. Can you survive long enough to reach the mysterious Crypt?


Hellpoint – July 30

Hellpoint – July 30

An intense action RPG taking place on Irid Novo, a derelict space station soaked in an intoxicating dark sci-fi atmosphere. Fight dreadful creatures, face the Cosmic Gods, and unravel their twisted story. Should the challenge be too great, play with a friend in local or online coop.


Yakuza Kiwami 2 – July 30

Yakuza Kiwami 2 – July 30

Xbox Game Pass (Console & PC) – Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, must face the ambitious Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, in an all-out war between two rival yakuza clans. An extreme recreation of one of Yakuza's most beloved entries. There can be only one dragon.


Merchant of the Skies – July 30

Merchant of the Skies – July 30

Captain a small cloudship and work your way towards establishing your own company. Merchant of the Skies aims to capture the feeling of traveling the world and setting up your own company with exploration, base building, trading, and RPG elements.


The Touryst – July 30

The Touryst – July 30

Xbox Game Pass (Console & PC) – You are just arriving at the Monument Islands. Want to go swimming? Or rather take a dive into the deep sea? Or do you want to visit the amusement arcade, do some shopping, dance at the beach party? Fancy some surfing? Or will you talk with the strange old tourist and listen to what he has to say about these ancient mysterious monuments? Explore all of these activities in this action adventure puzzle game!


CastleStorm II – July 31

CastleStorm II – July 31

CastleStorm II levels up gaming's greatest genre mishmash with ruthless destruction powered by Unreal 4, plus a whole new metagame of strategic, tactical conquest. The heroes of the Kingdom defend their homeland against the vile forces of the Undead, and only you can plot the path to triumph for both sides in two epic story-driven campaigns. But not without some hands-on chaotic carnage and delightful devastation!


Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises – July 31

Family Mysteries: Poisonous Promises – July 31

Entertaining plunge into the world of debauched elites, alluring women, and corrupted cops, where power is the ultimate currency. This is a thrilling introduction to the brand-new Hidden Object Game series in the tradition of best police dramas.


Seasons of the Samurai – July 31

Seasons of the Samurai – July 31

Lead a samurai through a series of puzzles set in the eight provinces of Japan. Control the season and the time of day to change the configuration of each level, allowing the samurai a safe passage to the next level.


Swim Out – July 31

Swim Out – July 31

Dive into the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere of Swim Out, a strategic, turn-based puzzle game, that will transport you into a sunny day by the swimming pool, the river or the sea. Plan each of your strokes wisely and be sure to never cross any other swimmer's path if you want to peacefully enjoy the sea view on a cosy chaise-longue.


Heroes of Hammerwatch – Ultimate Edition – July 31

Heroes of Hammerwatch – Ultimate Edition – July 31

Encounter endless hordes of enemies, traps, puzzles, secrets and tons of loot, as you battle your way through procedurally generated levels to reach the top of the Forsaken Spire. Upgrade to grant your persistent heroes with various enhancements that will further help you in your quest, and even bring them to your friends' game!

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Enter the Beautiful, Dark World of Othercide on Xbox One
Grounded Now Available on Xbox Game Preview with Xbox Game Pass and Steam Early Access