What would you like to say to your players after releasing Ninja Gaiden 4 this year?
Our deepest thanks to everyone who has played the game, from the Master Ninjas who have been supporting the series for a long time, to those who are playing the series for the first time! Our days were spent developing the game so that players can enjoy the series’ signature intensity and a variety of actions to overcome difficult situations, so I’m happy if you experienced even a bit of the game! I think the flavor of the action really comes through the more you play it, so please continue to enjoy the different characteristics of the two Master Ninjas, Yakumo and Ryu! – Hirayama
To everyone who has supported Ninja Gaiden over the years, and to those how have started playing the series from this entry, thank you for playing the game. I enjoy watching your gameplay videos and comments on social media every day. In this game, we aimed for the revival of pure action that transcends time, and the three companies put everything into developing it. The action is really exciting and it’s a stoically made game, so those of you who have played the game please continue to thoroughly study it… and those who haven’t played it yet, I’ll be thrilled if you give this feel good slash action a try! – Nakao
How does it feel to have the game out there after development?
First of all, to be able to deliver a new numbered title in the series after 13 years is something that our entire team is truly happy about. We continuously debated and adjusted the game towards its launch, and once it was released it felt like it passed in an instant so I didn’t feel anything immediately, but as I saw social posts and videos being posted every day, little by little I began to feel joy. – Hirayama
For our development team, there are many members who, during the golden age of slash action games, were players or were involved as developers. So, while we had confidence in the game itself, I felt more nervous and excited than I have ever been before. And my current feeling is of relief, since the action has been well received. – Nakao
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?
For a long time, we were in the dark while developing this game but seeing everyone playing and reacting to it at gaming events was a big driving force in development, and we made use of it in the final adjustments towards launch. Thank you again for your support! Post-launch, we are checking every single piece of feedback, so please look forward to future in-game updates! – Hirayama
Although I’ve mentioned it several times, we’ve been receiving a lot of feedback that, “the action definitely feels good!”, and it’s the part we’ve put our most effort into, so I am extremely happy that everyone is pleased with it. In this game we’ve taken the big challenge of mixing the best parts of Ninja Gaiden with the best parts of PlatinumGames’ action, so nothing makes me happier than hearing everyone enjoying the action. – Nakao
What is your studio most looking forward to in 2026?
We are really looking forward to everyone playing “The Two Masters,” the additional content currently in development! In addition to new weapons for Yakumo and Ryu, we are planning on an additional story and other replayable content. We’re working hard to deliver it as soon as we can, so please wait a little bit longer! – Hirayama
There are many games coming out next year, and as always, several action games will be released, so as an action game maker we are looking forward to seeing these games. For us, in 2026 we are planning to release additional content for Ninja Gaiden 4, “The Two Masters,” which we are currently hard at work developing. Not only is there content such as a new story, but above all the new weapons for each character will provide a new play experience unlike any of the previous weapons, so we hope you look forward to it! – Nakao
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
We’re back with even more of Obsidian’s favorite character builds for The Outer Worlds 2. From sharpshooters to smooth talkers, to something else that starts with S, we’re bringing you five new builds to help inspire your own role-playing creations. Like our glorious feature from earlier, we’re once again tapping the experts of Arcadia, The Outer Worlds 2 QA team, to share more of their favorite character builds with us here today.
If you’ve yet to experience it yourself, The Outer Worlds 2 features an array of character customization options that take Traits, Skills, Flaws, Backgrounds, and Perks to produce your very own soon-to-be hero (or menace). Later, as you dive further into the game, Perks and Flaws will tweak your character even further, giving you a gameplay experience that grows alongside you.
You can start playing The Outer Worlds 2today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Battle.net, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It’s also an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The Outer Worlds 2 brings back its signature Perks and Flaws system, giving you the freedom to decide what you’re great at, and what you’ll regret later.
The worlds of Arcadia are built on sprawling reactivity, bending the story to your every choice and making it nearly impossible for any two journeys to match.
The Outer Worlds 2 is available today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Battle.net, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
It’s time, Commander. Arcadia’s waiting — and so is everything that’s trying to destroy it.
In The Outer Worlds 2, you step into the boots of an Earth Directorate agent sent to investigate how skip drives are causing rifts that are threatening all of the colonies, including Arcadia, and every faction has its own idea of how to control “fix” them. The Order of the Ascendant wants to study the rifts, believing they hold the key to solving the Universal Equation—for the good of all, of course. Auntie’s Choice wants to control them, seeing an opportunity to dominate trade routes across the galaxy and boost profit margins. And the Protectorate? They want to control the rifts to keep the others out. Fortunately, anyone who calls that out will be mentally refreshed into perfect agreement. Everyone thinks they’re right, and they’ve got the speeches to prove it.
Who is right or wrong is up to you to determine. This is your story after all…
The Outer Worlds 2 brings back its signature Perks and Flaws system, giving you the freedom to decide what you’re great at, and what you’ll regret later. Perks sharpen your edge; Flaws keep you humble, offering tempting trade-offs that can turn a weakness into an opportunity… or just a funny story. The worlds of Arcadia are built on sprawling reactivity, bending the story to your every choice and making it nearly impossible for any two journeys to match. And if they do, you can be mentally refreshed until they don’t.
For those who want something extra from their experience with The Outer Worlds 2, the Premium Edition and Premium Edition Upgrade are available now. They include the Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Prize Pack, a digital artbook, the game’s soundtrack, and an Expansion Pass featuring two upcoming story add-ons. Consider it your official Earth Directorate field upgrade — because in Arcadia, even heroes need a little help from marketing.
The rifts are unstable, the factions are restless, and your choices will shape the colony’s fate. Whether you stand with order, faith, or profit, one thing’s certain: Arcadia won’t survive without interference.
Good luck, Commander. The Universe needs a hero, but you’ll have to do.
The Outer Worlds 2 is available today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Battle.net, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 9
★★★★★
$99.99
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes:
– The Outer Worlds 2 base game
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions*
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
* Story expansions available as released
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Upgrade
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 9
★★★★★
$30
Upgrade* from Standard Edition and receive the following content:
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions**
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
*Requires base game or Xbox Game Pass membership (PC or Ultimate only), all sold separately.
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
The Outer Worlds 2
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 103
★★★★★
$69.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions—your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own—whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
Obsidian’s QA team shares some of their favorite character builds to help inspire your own role-playing adventure for The Outer Worlds 2.
The Outer Worlds 2 features robust customization options that go beyond Skills and Traits, adding Flaws and Perks to give you a unique character (and playthrough) all your own.
Pick up The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition to start playing with early access today, as well as Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack. The Premium Edition also includes a DLC Pass for two future story expansions, Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack, and more!
The Outer Worlds 2 is available October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Battle.net, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The Outer Worlds 2is the latest role-playing game from Obsidian Entertainment, full of dangerous fun in a new star system that’s just waiting for us to explore. This studio has been home to some of our favorite games over the years, most recently Avowed and Grounded 2, and our time with The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be some of their greatest work yet.
Part of what has made our adventure in the Arcadia system so unique is the way our character has been able to blend in – as you navigate through this world, your choices and habits may affect how your character is shaped, creating a wholly unique role-playing adventure all your own. This starts with the game’s robust character customization options that includes a host of unique Backgrounds, Traits, Skills, and Flaws (if you wish) to pick from. Later as you dive into the game, Perks will become available that will allow you to finely tune your character even further, and new Flaws may appear based on how you play. It amounts to a game that builds a character with you, ensuring your trip through Arcadia can be wildly different to someone else’s.
To help guide you on this journey, who better than The Outer Worlds 2 QA team – who have spent more time playing this game than anyone else – to share some of their favorite character builds? From a finely tuned adventurer to a cold-hearted sniper or a dumb roustabout, they’ve been over every inch of this galaxy – and now they’re sharing their experience here with you. We hope you’re able to draw some inspiration from below to help you make your own choices in Arcadia.
For difficulty and accessibility, the team carefully balanced challenge and attainability. The three primary modes: Hero, Normal, and Hard, are complemented by assist functions such as automatic evasion and defense mechanisms. Whether you seek the endless thrill of mastery or wish to immerse yourself in the story, Ninja Gaiden 4 welcomes all who wish to step onto the path of the ninja. A dedicated training mode also ensures that every player can sharpen their own skills at their own pace.
In art, music, and level design, Team Ninja and PlatinumGames set out to forge the definitive modern vision of Ninja Gaiden. The teams, guided by the three keywords of adversity, brutality, and transformation, built a distinctive visual world of rain and shadow. The sound design merges the resonance of traditional Japanese instruments with electronic distortion, creating a striking contrast between silence and battle. Woven together with meticulous level design, these elements make every stage feel as though the very world itself is baring its fangs at Yakumo.
Call of Duty: Next is the annual event that brings creators and developers together to celebrate one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. This year, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7was front and center ahead of its launch on November 14, 2025, with members of Treyarch, Raven Software, High Moon Studios and the Beenox development team on hand to talk through all things Multiplayer, Zombies, Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as Call of Duty: Mobile. We also got fresh details on this weekend’s upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta! Read on for a full recap from today’s event.
It’s a Multiplayer Overload
Black Ops 7 will feature a staggering 18 maps at launch and today we got a deeper look at a handful of them with Blackheart, Cortex, Exposure, The Forge, Imprint, and Toshin – all of these will be available to play in the upcoming Beta.
As members of the Multiplayer development team from Treyarch explained, one of the key elements they’re focused on this year is adding innovative features to the Multiplayer experience, so it feels great for a wide range of players. Part of that feeds into some of the new biomes, which include covert Guild facilities in Japan, David Mason’s childhood cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, and a high-tech solar array in the Australian Outback.
Alongside existing modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Hardpoint, we also got our first look at the new Overload game mode (part of the upcoming Beta and available at launch).
Here, teams will fight for control of the Overload Device, which they must pick up and carry into one of the enemy’s two control zones. The device’s position is shown via HUD and Tac-Map, and any Operator carrying it receives extra map intel. The device changes hands throughout the match in a great tug of war, rewarding the team who can get the item and protect their carrier at all costs on their way to overload the enemy and win the match.
We also learned that Omnimovement – the freeform movement system introduced in Black Ops 6 – will be further refined, keeping the action feeling fresh and fluid, while introducing a new wall jump ability. You will now be able to propel over gaps, reach higher surfaces (you can wall jump up to three times in a row), and some maps will even feature steep drops where you’ll need to wall jump to make it to safety.
Treyarch also detailed some other new features coming to Black Ops 7, like the Overclock System, which will bring further customization options to your Equipment, Field Upgrades, and Scorestreaks. You can unlock these abilities through repeated use and then pick the bonus that feeds best into your style of play. Also, for the first time, players will be able to share Weapon Builds! Each build will generate a code that you can then share with your friends and gaming community.
Zombies is getting the band back together! After Weaver, Grey, Carver, and Maya fight for their lives, they’ve been thrust into the Dark Aether where they meet up with some faces long-time fans may remember: Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richtofen (learn more about the crew here). Now with all 8 heroes ready, we can experience one of the biggest updates yet to Call of Duty: Zombies.
Ashes of the Damned is set up to be the biggest round-based Zombies map in Black Ops history, featuring six unique regions in Janus Towers Plaza, Vandorn Farm, Blackwater Lake, Ashwood, Exit 115, and Zarya Cosmodrome. Here you’ll explore more about the inner workings of the Dark Aether, a purgatory-like location that comprises scattered time periods and dimensions.
We also got a look at some of the new features, like the new Wonder Vehicle, Ol’ Tessie. It’s a rusted pick-up truck that serves as the crew’s method of transportation through the malevolent fog coating the Dark Aether. It’ll be up to you to keep it running by collecting repair modules and upgrades, like mounting the DG-2 turret and with the assistance of T.E.D.D. (a robot bus driver introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops II). Other new features include a Fireworks ammo mod (bullets have chance to shoot fireworks at enemies); Wisp Tea (summons an ethereal companion); and a new Wonder Weapon, the Necrofluid Gauntlet, an ancient gauntlet that can shoot and skewer targets at range.
Prepare to Deploy to New Call of Duty: Warzone POIs
For Call of Duty: Warzone, we got a fresh look at the new Haven’s Hollow Resurgence map, which is a small riverside town, complimented with an antique Main Street. Players will be battling through a rural setting that takes you from the riverfront to the foothills. In addition to the new Resurgence map, we were also treated to a preview of two POIs arriving in Verdansk : all-new Signal Station and remastered Factory.
The developers also walked through some of the upcoming gameplay changes, like no default Tac Sprint but all Operators’ baseline movement speed will be increased. , t In addition, players can access enhanced movement with Perk options, such as the Combat Roll as part of the Mountaineer Perk and Tactical Sprint as part of the Sprinter Perk.
We also got a look at the upcoming Season 9 for Call of Duty: Mobile, which is celebrating its 6th anniversary this year. There will be an upcoming collaboration with WWE superstars Alexa Bliss and Undertaker, as well as the the return of the fan-favorite Mythic Ghost Operator Skin.
The developers also showcased a new mode coming soon to Call of Duty: Mobile — DMZ: Recon. This is their take on the extraction shooter genre based on DMZ from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, taking place on the new Serpent’s Island map.
Check out the official Call of Duty: Blog for more info about all the news for Call of Duty: Mobile.
Play the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta This Weekend!
Starting October 1, you can preload Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta. It will feature a lot of the Multiplayer content shown during Call of Duty: Next, plus the new Zombies Survival map, Vandorn Farm.
Players who have pre-ordered Black Ops 7 or players who have a subscription to select Game Pass plans can start playing when early access begins on October 2; the Open Beta kicks off on October 5 for everyone else (terms).
During the Beta you’ll be able to track and compare stats, show off your progress, and compare your skills with friends. Starting October 3 at 9am PT, your Multiplayer and Zombies stats will be ready to view here at callofduty.com/bo7betastats.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Cloud – with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass – as well as PlayStation 4 & 5, Battle.net, and Steam. Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans to receive Early Access to the Open Beta, as well as the Reznov Challenge Pack and Guild Override Weapon Camo (terms). Learn more here.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order any digital edition and receive:
– Early Access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™**:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
The Vault Edition includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Xbox PC versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite team on a covert mission to the sprawling city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
**Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
***BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition Upgrade
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 64
★★★★★
$30
Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console).
**BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:
– Early Access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™***:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
Includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox PC versions of the game
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite JSOC team on a covert mission to the sprawling Mediterranean city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience. Take on high-stakes challenges across a wide spectrum of environments, from the neon-lit rooftops of Japan to the Mediterranean coast, and even into the deepest corners of the human psyche.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. From futuristic Tokyo vistas to the frozen, unforgiving wilds of Alaska, every environment is brimming with danger and opportunity. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape. This isn’t just survival. It’s a descent into madness.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC by November 14, 2025 to redeem the Reznov Challenge Pack.
**Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
***Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
When we set out to launch Ninja Gaiden 4, we asked ourselves: what if the blades of legend weren’t confined to the game? What if Ryu Hayabusa’s iconic Dragon Sword and new protagonist Yakumo’s Takeminakata — weapons rooted in centuries of lore — could be forged in the real world? That question brought us to Kyoto, Japan, where ancient swordsmithing traditions met the next chapter of Ninja Gaiden.
In association with master swordsmith Yuya Nakanishi and the Masahiro Tantoujou Sword Forge, we set out to create real-life versions of the Dragon Sword and the Takeminakata. These aren’t just props — they’re living, breathing testaments to craft, power, and story.
The Stories of the Swords
The Dragon Sword has always been more than steel. In-game, it’s the ancestral blade passed down through the Dragon Lineage for generations.,
Combined with the Eye of the Dragon, a sacred jewel granted to Ryu by his childhood friend Kureha, the blade now displays its full power, transforming into the “True Dragon Sword.” With this legendary blade in hand, Ryu has purged the encroaching forces of evil and saved the world time and time again.
Yakumo’s Takeminakata has also been passed down through generations of the Raven Clan, who have actively collected cursed blades to utilize with Bloodbind Ninjutsu. Yakumo uses Bloodbind Ninjutsu to share the life force of blood with Takeminakata and the accursed armaments to maximize their destructive potential.
The Creation Process
Creating these blades in real life took months. Hundreds of hours. And no compromises. Each artisan at Masahiro Tantoujou Sword Forge approached their part of the process with the same dedication Ryu and Yakumo bring to battle — patience, discipline, and unwavering focus.
The result? Two swords that don’t just mirror their in-game counterparts — they embody them. When you see the Dragon Sword’s gleam or the Takeminakata’s raven feather-imbued blade, you’re not just looking at steel. You’re looking at the legacy of the Dragon Clan and the Raven clan, and the Master Ninjas that define Ninja Gaiden 4.
This collaboration is more than a celebration of a game. It’s where story meets steel, and where fantasy becomes something you can hold in your hands. Because in Ninja Gaiden 4, legends aren’t imagined — they’re forged.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Deluxe Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$89.99
Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch
Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition! The Deluxe Edition includes:
• NINJA GAIDEN 4 base game
• Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
RETURN OF THE LEGEND
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
EPIC HACK AND SLASH COMBAT, EVOLVED
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
AN ANCIENT ENEMY RETURNS
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
*For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 4
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
Mayhem seems to be the name of the game when it comes to The Outer Worlds 2. During Xbox Games Showcase, we got to see first-hand how open-ended its approach to missions can be, with its world designed to allow for multiple pathways to achieve your objective. Today at gamescom, we got an even fresher look at some of the shenanigans that can occur in a recent hands-off presentation of Obsidian’s upcoming sci-fi RPG, hosted by Game Director Brandon Adler, with Design Director Matt Singh behind the controls.
Today’s demo was billed as an old-fashioned breaking and entering on the planet of Praetor at the Tomb of the Matriarch, the resting place of the founder of Arcadia and of the Protectorate. Our objective was to locate a secret passage to a high security facility hiding somewhere inside, but first we had to deal with some pesky Protectorate guards stationed outside. Thankfully we had some companions along for the ride: Niles and Tristan.
Niles is an Earth Directorate agent, like our player character, and is an engineer, which makes him pretty good with a wrench. We’re told we can tweak his abilities to function as either a solid tank or heavy ranged damage dealer. Tristan, however, is part of the Protectorate. He judges people and then he decides how he wants to deal with them, potentially executing or imprisoning them. He’s there to give you deeper insight into Protectorate culture and can also function as a solid tank, but more melee focused. For our demo, he was equipped with a large hammer that deals some heavy damage.
As for our character, this build was focused on stealth and firearms with a bit of hacking and engineering on the side (and Observation skills to help uncover secret passages; very convenient). They were also equipped with a Scrutinizer’s Eyepiece for their headwear, designed to scale with Observation skills and modded to increase our number of grenade slots.
On the weapon front, we had a heavy revolver (modified to include a silencer, which is great for stealth), a compact assault rifle with a Reflex Sight mod (increases critical chance), and an antimatter plasma sniper rifle (heavy damage at range). Rounding that out were a handful of plasma grenades. All of this gives great insight into just how customizable our experience can be in The Outer Worlds 2, from party makeup to weapons. It’s all very exciting.
Speaking of our party composition, they seemed uniquely equipped to handle any encounter for our presentation, giving us a preview of how much we can tweak our group of adventurers. It makes me think back to Obsidian’s other recent RPG, Avowed, and how that companion system allowed for a lot of variety in how I wanted my party composition to complement my character. This has been dialed up a bit for The Outer Worlds 2 as it will feature six companions to choose from.
As we approach the tomb, we find some tall grass to duck into, allowing us to survey our approach (the grass can allow us to perform a Stealth Attack). It wasn’t long until the first sniper shot rang out from our side, and our companions jumped into the fray by attacking these guards with plasma grenades hurled at incoming reinforcements. Of note, I liked seeing destructible cover in action once again, as the compact assault rifle tore through some metal barricades, forcing the enemies to retreat to another location. After the chaos of battle died down, it was time to venture inside.
As we enter, we’re immediately drawn to the large display of an exquisite outfit display of something called the Golden Shroud — an important piece for the Protectorate, an item originally worn by the first sovereign. And yes, we can nab it if we can find the “Golden Shroud Display Key” to open the display.
As we continued to navigate through the tomb/museum, we could see through a large glass window at the tombs below in an adjacent room with a docent and a sentinel looking over them. Looting a tomb isn’t necessarily what we came here for, but why not take the opportunity to screw around with its caretakers?
By pulling up a Scanner, we’re able to trace the power output of a panel that controls the tomb’s laser grid security system. If we could manage to hack this panel, we could potentially mess up the docent’s day. But our hacking skill isn’t quite up to the task (yet) – unless we can uncover a “Good Subjects Guide to Electrical Systems” to help hack the panel, we’re told.
Once again, this feeds into the strength of The Outer Worlds 2’s varied and open-ended approach to mission design. Essentially what this means is that almost everything in the world that you’re able to touch, interact with, or see, there’s an intention behind it. There’s usually a tool or something helpful nearby that can help you “try your way” through the game. In this case, it wasn’t long until we really did find a book to assist with the hacking of the panel. In doing so we turned one of the docents into a pile of ash as soon as the laser defense grid suddenly activated.
Moving further through the museum in search of this secret passage, we come across a series of exhibits explaining the history of the Protectorate and the Matriarch, resembling something akin to an art nouveau theme park with animatronic narrators. But what catches our eye is a four-legged robot off to the side known as an automechanical. Searching for a nearby panel, we’re able to use our Engineering ability to disengage the constraints for it to serve as a possible distraction, allowing us to sneak further through the museum. Sure enough, it goes on its way and serves up a great diversion that only Obsidian can deliver… by having it argue with other types of mechanicals guarding the exhibit.
This is yet another great demonstration of how you can be rewarded by exploring all your opportunities that are laid out for you. It really does start to feel like The Outer Worlds 2 is going to give us so many options to mess around with its world — it’s starting to boggle my mind a bit. Taking our previous hands-on time into account, everything we’ve seen and played has had a tremendous amount of open-endedness to it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far we can push it. If what we’ve seen so far is any indication, we’re going to have a lot of fun following all the breadcrumbs Obsidian has littered about for us to uncover.
And yes, we eventually did find the “Golden Shroud Display Key” on the docent’s body. And while we were there, we decided to loot the tomb and grab the remains of the matriarch – looks like it sells for a high price… but who would buy such a thing? Given the nature of this universe and of its masterful game and quest designers, I’m certain we can find somebody who would buy this off us.
Heading back to the entrance we pick up the Golden Shroud and find that it’s got a unique property on it, where not only do you get a 30% damage resistance that scales with your speech skill, but you can lose half the damage total in bits (currency). Quite the expensive tradeoff by being able to talk your way through Arcadia.
Oh, right. The mission. Well, we did find the secret entrance by investigating the museum further with our observation skill – but that’s when our demo came to an end. An adventure we’ll have to wait for and try another day. Our demo was a perfect example of The Outer Worlds 2’s quest design that sometimes it’s not the destination, but the adventures we had along the way – and in a short span of about 20 minutes, we had plenty to talk about. From storming a museum, electrocuting a docent, hacking an automechanical, checking out an exhibit, and stealing a cool-looking cape. What other adventures are out there for us?
We’ll find out soon once The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam — and day one with Game Pass Ultimate. Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 20
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes:
– The Outer Worlds 2 base game
– Up to 5 days early access
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions*
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
* Story expansions available as released
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
The Outer Worlds 2 Standard Preorder Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 20
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 now to receive the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack at launch.
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
There’s a primal human pleasure in simply finding out what something does. It’s the reason you’d still want to push a button that says “do not touch”, or wonder what’s behind a locked door. Keeper thrives on that idea, building out a game of discoveries and experiments around it.
Seeing extended gameplay for the first time at gamescom, Keeper’s key trick – of telling its story in a never-before-seen world, all without words – means that almost everything you do is less about completing an objective you’re told to follow, and more about finding out what the objective is.
Shine Your Light
First revealed at Xbox Games Showcase earlier this year, Keeper is a dreamy, otherworldly adventure that puts you in the misshapen body of a suddenly sentient walking lighthouse – but there’s no narrator, nor talking sidekick to explain where you are, what’s going on, and what you should be doing. Working these things out is the game.
“A key tenet of this game is the unexpected,” Creative Director Lee Petty tells me. “We wanted players to be able to relax a bit, chill out a bit, and embrace the unexpected. So to that end, there’s some experimentation, but there’s nothing the player can do to die in this game. They can’t mess up the experience. We sort of get the player on board early so that, when something unexpected is thrown at them, it’s not a moment of panic that they don’t know how to get through.”
In three portions taken from early sections, I see how Keeper slowly introduces new ideas in subtle ways. With only the ability to walk, shine a beacon, and the help of a bird companion called Twig, the player needs to work out what they should be doing through context clues.
“The lighthouse beam has two main modes,” explains Petty. “It has an unfocused and a focused mode. The unfocused mode is for exploring – as you shine it around, you might see little subtle shimmers or reactions in the world. Bigger transformations occur when the player focuses that bigger, brighter beam on things, and that’s often used to solve puzzles as well.
“Twig rides along on the lighthouse and can do things that the lighthouse can’t. The lighthouse doesn’t have arms, only legs. Twig however, can directly manipulate things in the world. So what the player can do, for example, to solve a puzzle is use a combination of that light ability and Twig’s ability to pick up and collect things.”
I see this early on, as the lighthouse comes across a lumpen… thing blocking its path. Under the unfocused beam, the creature bristles slightly, enough to show you that it’s reacting – and, focusing the beam, it puts a claw in front of its eyes. This produces a shimmer, which attracts Twig, who flies to grab the claw, and an option to “tug” appears on the screen. Twig pulls at the creature, who flops to one side, revealing a seed that Twig stows away for a future puzzle.
It’s a sequence of purely organic discovery – the game doesn’t tell you what you need to be doing, and the weirdness of it all means you don’t come in with a preconceived idea of what you should be doing, other than trying things out. And this is repeated throughout. I see the lighthouse effectively organising a dance of creatures attracted to its light to smash through a sheet of ice, a gorgeous discovery that touching a certain spore-like plant will allow the lighthouse to subvert gravity itself, and even a wild sequence in which it becomes apparent that the beam can control the flow of time on objects it touches in a certain area.
The real ace in the hole here is that Keeper’s world is unlike any other – its bucolic landscapes inhabited by scuttling, alien-like creatures, trees with faces, and flora with unusual effects. It means that, even once you do work out where to go, or what to look at, the effects of your interaction remain a surprise. Crucially, Double Fine never want that feeling to go away:
“We wanted the entire game to have this sort of organic, almost handmade, bespoke feel,” Petty adds. “It’s not a game of repeating actions as much as a game of wandering among unique areas and set pieces that change.”
In just 15 minutes of gameplay, I see – by my count – 11 different puzzles (not to mention smaller interactions as you prod and poke at the world around you). It’s clear that the aim here is to keep surprising the player with what they realize they’re being asked to do. Not all of this is ‘mission-critical’, either – the more you explore, the more you’ll find:
“There’s a lot of stuff for the player to discover along the experience,” adds Petty. “Some of those come in the form of environmental storytelling, some of those things are in the form of hidden interactions with the various creatures, and a lot of it is also just about the players’ interpretation of the games events, and finding meaning in the experience.”
Crucially, though, this is all done with the same small pool of button presses. It might have been complex for the developers to find so many ways to play with these toys, but they didn’t want the player to be bogged down by an unwieldy control scheme:
“We wanted Keeper to be an experience that wasn’t especially difficult to play,” says Petty. “It’s not a game about control, mastery or incredibly hard challenges, because we wanted this sort of unique, weird-but-chill experience for players to go on. We don’t have a need for all those buttons on the controller.
“And we also just have a really big set of accessibility features where people can map the controls to what they want. If they prefer to play with keyboard and mouse, or they play on a controller, we support both of them.”
For a game this overtly strange, it’s a way of easing you in – in all ways, Keeper has been designed as a welcoming experience, not an alienating one. You’re discovering this world, not being repelled by it – and it seems there’s a great deal to discover. What I’ve seen is from its earliest stages, and a literal cliffhanger at the end of the demo – in which the lighthouse tumbles into an abyss caused by a bridge, well, ceasing to exist under its feet – promises that there are far more surprises to come.
Keeper arrives for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Steam on October 17, priced at $29.99 USD. It will be an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and available day one with Game Pass.
Keeper
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words.
On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.
Thursday’s Xbox showcase included some big games that I can’t wait to play. But if you tuned it right when the action started you might have missed the best part of the show: a series of fun pop-up facts and trivia about various Xbox-owned studios.
On January 18, Xbox posted its latest Developer Direct, showing off gameplay from a few big titles coming to Xbox and PC later this year and letting the people making these games talk about them in detail. (Hey, Geoff, take note.) It was a solid showcase and that new Indiana Jones game looks wonderful. But perhaps my favorite part of the event happened before all the trailers and gameplay. During a countdown before the Developer Direct started, Xbox flashed numerous fun facts about studios like MachineGames, Oxide, and Obsidian Entertainment.
I didn’t see a lot of people talking about these neat little pieces of trivia, so I wanted to take a moment and highlight some of them so we can all enjoy them after the fact. I love stuff like this. I also lovedPop-Up Videoon VH1 back in the day. Anyway, to the facts!
Starfield has been a big success for Bethesda and Microsoft. Not only was it the best-selling game in the US for September, but it’s also been a significant boon for Game Pass. According to Microsoft, the day of Starfield’s launch set a record for the highest number of new Game Pass subscribers.
Starfield’s launch set a record for new Game Pass subscribers
Microsoft recently held its 2024 first-quarter earnings call. The hour-long conference covered a lot of ground, including the recent completion of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard buyout. However, it also touched on the success of Bethesda sci-fi RPG. This includes its launch day setting a red for Game Pass subscribers and Starfield crossing a massive sales milestone.
“We released Starfield this quarter to broad acclaim,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. More than 11 million people have played the game to date. Nearly half of hours played have been on PC, and on launch day, we set a record for the most Game Pass subscriptions added on a single day ever.”
The executive also reported that Game Pass saw more hours played than ever before. However, he did not specify precisely how many. He added that Minecraft surpassed 300 million units. Nadella also mentioned Microsoft’s strong holiday lineup featuring Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Forza Motorsport.
Yesterday also saw Microsoft publish its 2024 Q1 earnings report. The company overall saw a 27% increase in net income. Gaming revenue grew by 9%, with Xbox content and services rising by 13%. However, Xbox consoles also experienced a dip in revenue, falling by 8%. Still, the beginning of 2024’s fiscal year has been good overall for Microsoft and its gaming division.
Around 100 employees at Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios Group are unionizing. This means around a fifth of the 500-person Swedish team is now bargaining with the company’s management for a fair contract.
The Week In Games: What’s Releasing Beyond Pikmin 4
IGN confirmed with a union representative that more than 100 workers have joined Unionen, a Swedish trade union. According to their statement, Avalanche Studios Group workers have been working toward joining a union since earlier this year, when members formed a local union board to bargain with the studio’s management over specific benefits, but the rep didn’t share specific issues. According to IGN’s sources, moving to a four-day work week is at least one issue the team has raised in its negotiations.
While one in five workers joining the union might seem small, Swedish union membership is different than what we typically know of unions in the USA, as workers can join a trade union without a union election. This means that around “70 percent of the country” is part of a union, according to data shared with IGN by Unionen.
Avalanche Studios Group provided the following comment to IGN regarding the situation:
As an employer, we’re committed to creating the best possible conditions for all Avalanchers to thrive. We support and welcome any initiative that goes in this direction. This also means that we listen, invite dialogue, and encourage people to bring forward their perspectives and needs. After all, it’s thanks to each and every Avalancher that we’re able to make the great games we’re known for.
The Xbox app has a section called “popular with friends” that shows you the games your buddies are playing. It can be a handy little tool for bothering your friends about their progress in Diablo IV or needling them over their refusal to stop playing Overwatch 2 (it’s me, I’m that friend).
But based on a picture shared on Reddit, it looks like at least one person has early access to Starfield: Phil Spencer. The screenshot shared shows Spencer’s Xbox profile picture, an Xbox Avatar version of him (notice he’s also wearing a t-shirt and jeans, so it’s lore-accurate) against a purple background, underneath both Starfield and Exoprimal, a dinosaur shooter from Capcom that came to Xbox Game Pass on July 14.
While Spencer playing Exoprimal checks out as the game just launched, his apparent access to Starfield is interesting. It makes sense, though—Spencer and Todd Howard have worked closely together to promote the upcoming Bethesda RPG ever since Microsoft bought Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax in 2021. At Summer Game Fest, they sat down for a press presentation alongside the head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, and head of Xbox’s gaming ecosystem, Sarah Bond. If you’re the head of Xbox, you can have a little Starfield early access as a treat.
Based on the Reddit post, it seems like Spencer was playing Starfield on July 14, the day the news dropped that the FTC failed to pause Microsoft’s $69 million purchase of Activision. Maybe he was celebrating the lengthy battle by hopping from planet to planet in Starfield, his mind finally free from fretting over whether Microsoft would get another jewel in its gaming Infinity Gauntlet or not. In space, no one can hear you gloat.
Microsoft revealed some exciting new first-party games like InExile’s Clockwork Revolution and Compulsion Games South of Midnight at its June 11 Xbox Showcase. But others like Fable and Avowed were first teased years ago and still don’t have clear release dates. What’s taking so long?
Thank You, PS Plus, For Making My Backlog Even Bigger
Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty recently said in interviews with Axios and IGNthat the industry is still catching up to a new reality that major projects are simply more complex due to new hardware and rising audience expectations. 4K graphics, ray-tracing and other graphical improvements have made development harder and more expensive, while Microsoft itself had to manage a transition period beginning in 2018 when it snatched up tons of new studios, including those under the Zenimax acquisition like Bethesda, id Software, and Machine Games.
“I think that the industry and the fans were a little behind the curve on sort of a reset to understand that games aren’t two or three years anymore,” Booty told Axios. “There are higher expectations. The level of fidelity that we’re able to deliver just goes up.”
“One, gen 9 hardware is awesome—ray tracing, all the stuff we can do,” he told IGN. “But that trickles down through everything through how the assets are build. Like in Forza Motorsport, how the cars have to be built, how the lighting’s got to be done, how the track’s got to be set up, all the detail. The expectation is very high. Games are just getting more complex in terms of the interactions that are expected.”
There are plenty of examples that back up Booty’s point about games taking longer. Ghost of Tsushima took Sucker Punch six years, the longest the studio had ever spent on making a single game. Final Fantasy XVI is in a similar boat, arriving seven years after the last game in the storied fantasy-RPG franchise. Exceptions like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a dense 35 hour action adventure and game of the year contender made in just three years, only undermine how rare that turn around time has become.
At the same time, it’s clear Microsoft in particular has struggled to iron things out in its post-acquisition production processes. Halo Infinite’s anemic post-launch support and the poor state of Redfall at release have shown that even when a big game finally arrives, it’s not without problems. Microsoft founded The Initiative back in 2018 but we’ve yet to see anything vaguely tangible out of Perfect Dark. Instead, it’s now reportedly relying on a partnership with Crystal Dynamics to push development forward on the game.
While games like State of Decay 3, Gears 6, and Everwild were all missing from the Xbox Showcase, Microsoft is hinting that they could make an appearance at other events throughout the year like Gamescom or The Game Awards. Even so, it’s not clear their re-emergence will include substantial gameplay reveals or definitive release dates versus CGI trailers. In the meantime, fans finally have Starfield and Forza Motorsport to round out the year. And if Booty’s right, a parade of hits will begin to follow shortly after.
