Resident Evil Revelations Drops Anchor, Boards PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Now!

The acclaimed survival horror game Resident Evil Revelations debuts on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One across North America digitally and at retail today for MSRP $19.99. Known for its narrative twists and turns, the story unravels like a television show, told in an episodic format as more of the mysterious plot is revealed from the perspective of several different playable characters. This entry stars series’ veterans Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate the reportedly abandoned “Queen Zenobia” cruise ship.

For series newcomers, Resident Evil Revelations game director, Kōshi Nakanishi, also directed this year’s acclaimed Resident Evil 7 biohazard game, making this a great way to be further immersed into the world of survival horror! This release marks the best-looking version of the game to date with HD visuals and an improved framerate. All previously released downloadable content is also included in the game as unlockable rewards.

The highly replayable online co-op Raid Mode returns in this release with a newly remixed, challenging stage called The Ghost Ship: Chaos, offering a fresh take on the popular map with more powerful weapons and ways for players to upgrade their arsenal.

A Nintendo Switch release of both Resident Evil Revelations and its follow up Resident Evil Revelations 2 will also be available in late 2017.

It's available now! Check it out!

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Resident Evil Revelations Docks August 29 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Late 2017 on Nintendo Switch

Now updated for current generation consoles, Resident Evil Revelations is the acclaimed survival horror title featuring series veterans Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate the reportedly abandoned “Queen Zenobia” cruise ship. This new version features a smoother 1920x1080 resolution, an improved framerate, increased environmental detail and refined creature movement, defining the best-looking version of the game to date. All previously released downloadable content is also included in the game as unlockable rewards.

Take on hordes of enemies with a friend online in the returning Raid Mode, which includes “The Ghost Ship: Chaos,” a fresh take on the popular stage with more powerful weapons and ways for players to upgrade their arsenal, and remixed enemy placements for an added challenge. Additionally, four controller schemes based on control types from across the entire series are available in this version of the game for a more flexible experience to accommodate different playstyles.

Resident Evil Revelations launches in North America at retail and digitally on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One August 29 for $19.99. A Nintendo Switch release of both Resident Evil Revelations and its follow up Resident Evil Revelations 2, which features series favorites like Claire Redfield and Barry Burton as they face untold horror, will also be available in Late 2017.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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Microsoft premieres Xbox One X, world’s most powerful console

Xbox unveils historic E3 lineup with 42 new games including 22 with console exclusivity

Xbox as Microsoft Corp. unveiled the world’s most powerful console, Xbox One X (formerly code-named “Project Scorpio”) and its largest and most diverse games lineup in E3 history. Broadcast for the first time in 4K UHD on Mixer, Xbox showcased a record 42 games in its briefing including 22 with console exclusivity from creators large and small. Coming to all Xbox One markets starting Nov. 7, Xbox One X will retail for $499, 449 pounds, 499 euros, CA$599 and AU$649.1

Xbox One X was designed to be the best console to create and play games on, putting the greatest graphic fidelity in the hands of the world’s best game creators to create true 4K games.Head of Xbox Phil Spencer underscored that every game will play great across the Xbox One family, and Xbox One X also makes your existing library even better, with better textures, smoother framerates and faster load times.

“Xbox empowers game developers large and small to create different types of games for every type of player,” Spencer said. “Not only do we have the biggest cross-platform blockbusters on our platform, we’ve also scoured the world to bring our fans unique content from creative artists that capture the imagination.”

Xbox One is the only console system designed to play the best games of the past, present and future. The Xbox One games and accessories you already own are compatible with Xbox One X, so if you’re an Xbox gamer, chances are you already have a library of games that will look and play better on Xbox One X.

Spencer announced that Xbox will expand the Xbox One backward compatibility library of nearly 400 popular Xbox 360 games to include original Xbox classics, starting with fan favorite “Crimson Skies.” Xbox also revealed that “Gears of War 4,” “Forza Horizon 3,” “Minecraft,” “Resident Evil 7,” “Final Fantasy 15,” “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands,” “Rocket League” and dozens of other popular Xbox One games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the power of Xbox One X. A host of these titles will be enhanced to run in true 4K, and many will be available at Xbox One X launch.

Introducing Xbox One X

Xbox One X was created to deliver uncompromised power, ultimate compatibility and design excellence. It’s both the most powerful and smallest console Xbox has ever built.

• Xbox One X. Games play better on Xbox One X. The world’s most powerful console begins rolling out to all Xbox One markets starting on Nov. 7. With 40 percent more power than any other console, experience immersive true 4K gaming when paired with a 4K display, such as Samsung’s flagship QLED TV. Xbox One X makes your existing library even better, with better textures, smoother frame rates and faster load times, even on a 1080p TV. Xbox One X also offers the ultimate 4K entertainment package with 4K Ultra HD for Blu-ray X and streamed content, HDR support for gaming and video, and Dolby Atmos support. Xbox One X will join the Xbox One family of devices and coexist alongside Xbox One and Xbox One S, and all Xbox One games and accessories are compatible.

Empowering the world’s creators
Xbox empowers game developers around the world to create different types of games for every type of player. Showcasing a record 42 titles on its E3 stage including 22 with console exclusivity, Xbox debuted a wide range of titles from game creators large and small, all of which play better on Xbox One X:

• · “ANTHEM” (ELECTRONIC ARTS). “Anthem” is a shared-world action-RPG, where Freelancers challenge the wilds past the wall, exploring a vast world filled with savage beasts and ruthless marauders, but also teeming with amazing technology and forgotten treasures. Players will be able to join with their friends to unravel the world’s mysteries and defeat the forces plotting to conquer humanity. Throughout their journeys, players can outfit their Freelancers with powerful Javelin exosuits, each of which are equipped with unique weapons and abilities. Freelancers can customize their Javelin with gear they earn and craft throughout the adventure, and leave a lasting mark on the world.
• · “THE ARTFUL ESCAPE OF FRANCIS VENDETTI” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). “The Artful Escape of Francis Vendetti” is a video game about great expectations, famous folk singers, lingering shadows, space gods, hallucinogens, individuality, reptile shops and wild imaginations. It’s an action, adventure, exploration, narrative-driven, musical-laser-light-battle kind of game and is the debut release from BEETHOVEN & DINOSAUR.
• · “ASHEN” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). This action role-playing game is about a wanderer in search of a place to call home. There is no sun, and the only natural light comes from eruptions that cover the land in ash. This is a world where nothing lasts, no matter how tightly you cling to it. At its core, “Ashen” is about forging relationships. Players can guide those they trust to their camp — together, you might just stand a chance.
• · “ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS” (UBISOFT – WORLD PREMIERE). Journey into Ancient Egypt, the most mysterious place in history, during a crucial period that will shape the world. Discover the secrets behind the Great Pyramids, forgotten myths, the last pharaohs, and the origin story of the Assassin’s Brotherhood. For the last four years, the team behind “Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag” has been crafting a new beginning for the franchise. Fight in a completely new way where you transition seamlessly between unique ranged and melee weapons, and take on multiple enemies at once. Choose your Assassin skills while exploring the full country of Ancient Egypt, engaging in multiple quests and gripping stories along a journey that will change civilization.
• · “BLACK DESERT” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). “Black Desert” is a sandbox-oriented MMO featuring next-gen graphics, full-action combat and an immense, seamless world full of adventure and danger. Travel through the lands in search of treasure and adventure or become one of the top craftsmen in the land. Set up trade routes and breed horses or compete against other guilds in epic siege warfare.
• · “CODE VEIN” (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC. – WORLD PREMIERE). A mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world. Deep within the devastation lies an abandoned society for Revenants. Having lost their former memories, these Revenants must submit to their thirst for blood to retain their final shreds of humanity. Without blood, they would devolve into mad ghouls known as the Lost. These shells of former Revenants wander the land, deformed and deranged, slaves to their own bloodlust. Team up and embark on a journey to the ends of hell to unlock your past and escape your living nightmare in “CODE VEIN.”
• · “CRACKDOWN 3” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE). Starring Terry Crews as Commander Jaxon, “Crackdown 3” brings the boom with its worldwide campaign gameplay reveal, where players will stop crime as a superpowered Agent in a sandbox of mayhem and destruction. Developed by Microsoft Studios in collaboration with Sumo Digital and Reagent Games, “Crackdown 3” delivers four-person campaign co-op, as well as an all-new multiplayer mode2 where destruction is your ultimate weapon, powered by the Microsoft Cloud. Available worldwide on Nov. 7 as an Xbox Play Anywhere title alongside the launch of Xbox One X.
• · “CUPHEAD” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE). Available (finally) beginning Sept. 29, 2017, as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, “Cuphead” is a classic run-and-gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e., traditional hand-drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds and original jazz recordings. Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or local co-op) as you traverse strange worlds, acquire new weapons, learn powerful super moves and discover hidden secrets while you try to pay back your debt to the devil!
• · “THE DARWIN PROJECT” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). “The Darwin Project” takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic landscape in the Northern Canadian Rockies. As preparation for an impending Ice Age, a new project, half science experiment, half live entertainment, is launched. It’s called “The Darwin Project,” and it challenges participants to survive the cold and fight to the death in a treacherous arena. “The Darwin Project” offers a competitive multiplayer third-person survival experience featuring at its core a new gameplay innovation: the manhunt. In his or her path to victory, a player must survive extreme environmental conditions, track opponents and set traps in order to win.
• · “DEEP ROCK GALACTIC” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). In “Deep Rock Galactic,” join a team of badass space dwarves in this stylish co-op first-person shooter for one to four players. Fight, dig and explore your way through enormous procedurally generated cave systems, uncover the riches and make it out alive.
• · “DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC. – WORLD PREMIERE). One of the world’s most famous and beloved anime franchises returns to its 2D fighting-game roots in “DRAGON BALL FighterZ” in early 2018. Developed by Arc System Works, one of the most celebrated developers of classic 2D fighting titles, the game delivers an explosive, action-packed experience that combines classic 2D fighting visuals with advanced graphics that look and feel as if they are ripped straight out of the DRAGON BALL anime series.
• · “FORZA MOTORSPORT 7” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE – WORLD PREMIERE). The best-selling racing franchise of this console generation 3 returns with “Forza Motorsport 7.” Experience the danger and beauty of competitive racing at its limits with the most comprehensive automotive game ever made. Drivers will experience gorgeous true 4K graphics at 60 fps and true resolution in HDR within 30 famous environments, with race conditions that change each time you return to the track. Whether you’re a new player or a pro, collect over 700 Forzavista™ cars, including the new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS cover car and the largest assortment of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis ever. The premier Xbox One X experience launches worldwide as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in October 2017.
• · “THE LAST NIGHT” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). Experience a two-dimensional cyberpunk open world, built with four unique districts each with distinct architecture, cultures and industries. Experience action and infiltration gameplay in the great tradition of cinematic platformers and travel between districts using taxis, ferries or monorail while trying to keep a low profile and remain undetected. Meet a diverse, inclusive cast of complex characters to interact with through meaningful, branching dialogue and enjoy varied gameplay such as driving down epic highways, flying drones and hacking droids to do your dirty work.
• · “LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM” (SQUARE-ENIX – WORLD PREMIERE) “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” is a new three part standalone adventure set three years before the first game in the BAFTA award-winning franchise. “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” features Chloe Price, a 16 year-old rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret it takes their new found alliance to give each other the strength to overcome their demons.
• · “METRO EXODUS” (DEEP SILVER – WORLD PREMIERE) “Metro Exodus” is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Flee the shattered ruins of dead Moscow and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in the greatest Metro adventure yet. Explore the Russian wilderness in vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.
• · “MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR” (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT). In “Middle-earth: Shadow of War,” players wield a new Ring of Power and confront the deadliest of enemies, including Sauron and his Nazgul, in a monumental battle for Middle-earth. This open-world Action RPG is brought to life through the expansion of the award-winning Nemesis System. The robust personalization from “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” is now applied to the entire world where the environments and characters are all shaped by player actions and decisions, creating a personal world unique to every gameplay experience. Available as an Xbox Play Anywhere title starting October 10.
• · “MINECRAFT” (UNIFICATION, BETTER TOGETHER UPDATE, SUPER DUPER GRAPHICS PACK). Mojang and Microsoft announced a new version of “Minecraft” that will bring the complete “Minecraft” experience to everyone on gaming consoles, mobile, VR and Windows 10 PCs this summer. The unification of “Minecraft” across platforms will transform the “Minecraft” experience everywhere from a game to a platform, providing simple access to massive community servers, community creations from the Minecraft Marketplace, Realms, dedicated servers and more. The team also announced the Super Duper Graphics Pack, a new optional upgrade for in-game visuals in stunning true 4K HDR.
• · “ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE – WORLD PREMIERE). From the creators of the multi-award-winning “Ori and the Blind Forest” comes the highly anticipated sequel, “Ori and the Will of the Wisps.” Embark on an all-new adventure to discover the mysteries beyond the forest of Nibel, uncover the hidden truths of those lost and unravel Ori’s true destiny.
• · “PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). “PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS” is a tactical, last-man-standing shooter being developed with community feedback where players must fight to locate weapons and supplies in a massive 8x8 km island to be the lone survivor.
• · “SEA OF THIEVES” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE). Developed by Rare, the legendary creators of “Perfect Dark” and “Banjo-Kazooie,” “Sea of Thieves” is an immersive, shared-world adventure game filled with pirates, unexpected dangers and loot for the taking. Explore, fight and live the pirate life together in a unique co-op experience that combines the thrill of adventuring together with friends with the unpredictability of a shared ocean and its threats, both from other players and the world itself. Available worldwide as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in early 2018.
• · “STATE OF DECAY 2” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE).“State of Decay 2” is the ultimate zombie survival fantasy game, where you build a lasting community in an open world filled with hostile zombies, human enemies and the valuable gear necessary to keep your community alive. Play solo or invite up to three friends in multiplayer co-op to overcome challenges and survive as a group while defining your own unique story. Your choices shape the identity of your community, ensuring that no two stories are alike — and remember, once you lose a survivor, they’re gone forever thanks to the return of permadeath in “State of Decay 2.” Available worldwide as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in spring 2018.
• · “SUPER LUCKY’S TALE” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 EXCLUSIVE – WORLD PREMIERE). Developed by Playful Corp., “Super Lucky’s Tale” is a delightful, playground platformer for all ages that follows Lucky, the ever-optimistic, energetic and lovable hero, on his quest to find his inner strength and help his sister rescue the Book of Ages. Along the way, encounter a hilarious supporting cast of friends and adversaries. Available worldwide on Nov. 7 as an Xbox Play Anywhere title alongside the launch of Xbox One X.
• · “TACOMA” (CONSOLE LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE). The second game from Fullbright, creators of the critically acclaimed “Gone Home,” “Tacoma” puts you in control of Amy Ferrier, an independent contractor sent to Lunar Transfer Station Tacoma to recover sensitive data. As she explores the station, she unearths why the previous crew of six have been evacuated, gathering clues to what exactly went wrong. Like “Gone Home,” it’s a game where you pull details of the narrative from the environment, both physical and digital. “Tacoma” is a story about people and relationships, even in the isolation of outer space. Available Aug. 2 on Xbox One and Windows 10.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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"Gears of War 4" May Update Includes a New Map from The Coalition and Rebirth of a Carmine

The May content update is available now, packed full of surprises for Gears of War 4 fans! Strap in as we unveil a new original map created by The Coalition, celebrate the return of a fan-favorite map from Gears of War 2 and see a beloved hero brought back from the dead to join the multiplayer ranks.

Maps
This month brings a brand-new map designed by The Coalition in Dawn, along with our first returning map from Gears of War 2 – Security!

Dawn

Set in a stunning Outsider village built around an abandoned mining colony, Dawn is a map defined by two defensive structures – the high ground of the bar, and the entrenched mine on the low side. Prepare for a new kind of fight centered around the vital Dropshot spawn, as it’s surrounded by both high and low flanks and features a risk-it-all one-way vault to secure the weapon. This map combines tight corridors of combat with open spaces – learn to use the right weapon for the right situations on this map and you’ll truly become a master of Dawn.

Security

Fans have been asking since the launch of Gears of War 4 to bring back some of the classic maps from Gears of War 2, and we’re incredibly excited to answer your cries with Security! They’ve worked extensively to bring this map up to modern graphical and gameplay standards, with improvements that incorporate Gears 4’s close-cover combat, Horde and proper support for respawn-based modes like TDM. This new reimagined setting for Security takes you to a fight over a glorious decadent COG depository, with stacks of gold bars providing makeshift cover throughout the map. Defensive lasers bar access to key parts of the map, so prepare for a tough fight for the button that disables the lasers to give your team control over the flow of combat.

For Gears of War 4, They’ve made a major change to how the lasers work. In King of the Hill and one of the key central rings on Escalation, the security lasers will only block the side entrances to the top sandbags to focus on opening flanks rather than blocking off entire areas. In addition, the lasers are activated in Horde when pressing the button (rather than disabled), offering a short defensive window that kills enemies as they try to run through it. Time your press just right to decimate groups of enemies getting too close to your base!

Multi-GPU Support Arrives on Windows 10

They are excited to announce that Multi-GPU support arrives with the May Update for ther Windows 10 players! Our Windows 10 team have been hard at work implementing support for users who use multiple graphics card setups, and now fans can take full advantage of their setup to really push the stunning visuals of Gears of War 4.

Looking Forward

As always, there’s plenty more for Gears fans to play for this month!

Back in Gears of War 2, the plucky Benjamin Carmine met his horrible end inside the Riftworm. This month, you’ll be able to find Benjamin Carmine back from the dead in one of our May Gear Packs as Zombie Ben Carmine – complete with his missing lower torso innards.

Our monthly Versus and Horde events also continue in May with a brand-new Horde variant and the return of Gnashers Only King of the Hill for Versus fans. Head on over to our Gears of War Community Hub for full dates and information.

And for you Locust collectors out there, start saving your Scrap – the Locust Grenadier Elite will be our Craftable Character for this month!

Season 1 Is Underway!

Last month, we launched our Seasons feature in Gears of War 4 alongside numerous Ranked Matchmaking improvements to provide better quality skill matchups.

At the beginning of each season, we reset your Tier in each playlist in order to re-evaluate your starting skill level for the month ahead. You’ll need to head back out there and complete your five placement matches for each playlist to earn your starting Tier, then win matches consistently in order to progress up the ranks.

However, with progress comes with rewards! Depending on your Tier placement at the end of the Season, you’ll earn parts of special Weapon Skin sets to take onto the battlefield. Check out the Diamond Weapon Skin set below – the ultimate prize for placing in the top echelon of players!

They’ve also updated GearsofWar.com with a rich Season experience, showing you your past and current placements plus exactly where you stack up with the rest of the community. Head on over to the site to check out your stats now!

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New FFXV DLC for Fans and Season Pass Holders

NEW FINAL FANTASY XV CONTENT INCLUDING “BOOSTER PACK +” RELEASE AND NIER: AUTOMATA COLLABORATION NOW AVAILABLE

Increased Level Cap, Powerful Weapon, Improved Fishing Gear and More

The FINAL FANTASY® XV “Booster Pack +” DLC, first announced at last month’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Event, is now available to all Season Pass holders. The “Booster Pack +” contains powerful items that give players a potent combat advantage and improve their angling skills.

These items include:

• Ragnarok - A single handed sword allowing players to perform a powerful Warp-strike attack
• Dragon Drain - A fishing rod that suppresses the movement of fish, making harder fish easier to catch
• Avior - A reel that can pull in fish with greater strength by taking off more HP the lower the line durability fallsThe “Booster Pack” (Free Version) that includes the Magitek Exosuit will be released at a later date.

In another new update released this week, two new music tracks from the upcoming action-RPG NieR: Automata™ (“Song of the Ancients/Destiny,” “Weight of the World”) have been added to the music player in FINAL FANTASY XV, letting players enjoy the atmosphere of the game’s world while driving the Regalia, walking around or riding a chocobo®. Several other additions and improvements include:

• Addition of timed quests
• Increased level cap, from 99 to 120
• Total number of saved photos increased from 150 to 200
• Music player is now accessible while riding chocobos
• Support for increased framerate on PlayStation®4 Pro light mode 
• Previously exclusive as a pre-order bonus, A KING’S TALE™: FINAL FANTASY XV will be available as a free download for all players starting March 1st via the Xbox Games Store and the PlayStation®Store. Taking place a fictitious 30 years before the events of FINAL FANTASY XV, the game features retro-style graphics centered around a fast-paced combat system with influences from modern gaming. The in-depth combat system blends intense attacks, devastating magic, mighty summons and unique companion attacks into a singular gaming experience through three diverse locations in the world of FINAL FANTASY XV.

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Atriox and Cutter Battle in a Halo Wars 2 Live-Action War of Wits

As we continue the countdown to the launch of Halo Wars 2, Xbox and 343 Industries look to awaken your inner strategist and test your wits in these two new live-action trailers. We find the two faction leaders – Atriox, leader of the Banished and Captain Cutter of the UNSC Spirit of Fire – plucked out of their intergalactic conflict and engaged in a “War of Wits” in what can only be described as relatable struggles.

In each trailer, both Atriox and Cutter use their strategic military minds to fight it out over the ownership of an airplane armrest or haggle over the price of a used car. Only the strategist who best knows his enemy will win.

Don’t forget; Halo Wars 2 launches on Feb. 21 (Feb. 17 for Ultimate Edition owners) and is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so a single digital purchase of the game on Xbox One or Windows 10 will include the other version at no additional cost. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire as we continue to share more news about Halo Wars 2 in the upcoming weeks, and don’t forget to join 343 Industries for the launch live stream event on Feb. 16.

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Real Time Strategy Returns in the New Halo Wars 2 Launch Trailer

Calling all Spartans! We’re only a few weeks away from the launch of Halo Wars 2 on Tuesday, Feb. 21 (or Friday, Feb. 17 for Ultimate Edition owners)! In advance of launch, Xbox and 343 Industries are excited to show you just what you’re dealing with in this brand-new launch trailer, created by the geniuses at Blur.

In case you haven’t been following Halo Wars 2, here’s a quick refresher. After experiencing a pyrrhic victory following the events of the first Halo Wars, Captain Cutter and the brave crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire wake up after 28 years of cryosleep to discover themselves orbiting a familiar Forerunner construct; Halo 3 fans, you know what it is. After receiving a distress signal and sending down some Spartans to investigate, the crew meets Atriox – an incredibly dangerous Brute who is as intelligent as he is strong. He poses a grave threat to humanity, and it’s up to you to stop him and his Banished.

In addition to the robust campaign, Halo Wars 2 is packed with a full suite of multiplayer modes that are suited to players of all skill levels and familiarity with real time strategy (RTS). Build your base, assemble your army and battle for control of the map in Domination, test your strategies solo or with a friend against AI in Skirmish, fight to hold more bases than your opponent in a timed Strongholds match, duke it out until you’re the last one standing in Deathmatch, or jump straight into the action with the all-new deck building multiplayer experience, Blitz.

Don’t forget; Halo War 2 is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so a single digital purchase of the game on Xbox One or Windows 10 will include the other version at no additional cost. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire as we continue to share more news about Halo Wars 2 in the upcoming weeks, and don’t forget to join 343 Industries for the launch live stream event on Feb. 16.

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"Gears of War 4" Reintroduces Legacy Favorites with Series 2 Cards and New Maps

Xbox announced details about the January Update for “Gears of War 4.” The update is live now, this update introduces a huge 280 new Cards to collect, two of the most popular maps in franchise history, and hotly requested community features that further improve the “Gears of War 4” online experience.

The Series 2 Collection brings 280 new Cards to earn as you play

Series 2 is here, bringing with it our biggest content drop to date with 280 new Cards to collect. From iconic characters of the past, to a wealth of new weapon skins, there is something for everyone in this latest drop. All Series 2 cards are available in standard Gear Packs and are craftable using Scrap.

Thirteen (13) new characters are up for grabs in Series 2, including the first delivery of Legacy Characters in “Gears of War 4!” Armored Anya and Armored Sam are back in their Gears 3 armor, and Zombie Minh rises from the dead (sporting Raam’s blade-sized hole in his chest!). Additionally, there are over 260 new Weapon Skins to collect across 13 full weapon skin sets.

Fan-favorite maps return

This month, two fan-favorite maps come to life in Gears of War 4: Blood Drive and Clocktower!

• Blood Drive - Blending together the best of Gears 2’s original take and the Gears 3’s re-imagining, Blood Drive in “Gears of War 4” brings back intense, center-map pillar fights with the improved flow of its refined sibling. Spawn at the Diner or the Morgue, then head to the city streets to battle it out over the Longshot and Overkill.
• Clocktower - Clocktower also returns to Gears of War 4, re-imagined as the stunning Bank of Bronn as it’s slowly claimed by the Swarm. The imposing classic Gears architecture brings back memories of the battles you know and love, from the intense close-quarters combat in the lower streets to the Lancer-heavy crossfire at the Bank entrance.

Both maps are available to Season Pass holders in the Developer Playlist now (including Double XP and 20% more Credits), and will be available for free for everyone in Public Play starting January 17th.

More Value for Season Pass Holders

Xbox is excited to announce the Series 2 Airdrop for Season Pass holders! Arriving January 13th, this special Season Pass Airdrop is loaded with twenty Gear Packs containing sixty random cards from the Series 2 Characters and Weapon Skins, giving you a head start on building your new collection of content.

This new Airdrop will be awarded to anyone who has purchased the “Gears of War 4” Season Pass, and instantly to any new Season Pass holders from that date onward. In addition, Season Pass holders will also now be able to log in and claim a bonus Bounty Gear Pack every Friday!

New Gameplay Features

Alongside the release of Series 2, Title Update 3 brings the first phase of a hotly requested community feature – quit penalties. The new matchmaking timeout system punishes leaving the fight early, while our Join In Progress feature gives you the flexibility to rejoin the battle for a short time – if, say, your dog tripped the power cable. It happens.

This new update also contains improvements to Spectator Mode, keeping the action front and center while adding new features that give you more information about the intense eSports action playing out live. See it in action this Wednesday, January 11 for the first time during the Gears eSports Fight Night from 3pm PDT on live.gearsofwar.com.

For additional details about the “Gears of War 4” Series 2 Collection of Cards, new multiplayer maps, special January events and more, please check out Xbox Wire.

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Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Early Access Available Now

It’s finally here – early access to Halo Wars: Definitive Edition starts today for folks who pre-ordered the digital version of Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition!

When they started to work on Halo Wars: Definitive Edition, they wanted to make sure that the experience still shines and that the game looks better than it did seven years ago. However, the most exciting part is finally bringing that experience to PC. Having Halo Wars on PC has been something the community has asked for since the game launched so many years ago, and it’s surreal that it has finally happened with Halo Wars: Definitive Edition.

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is set to launch in February alongside Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition, but we thought it would be great to give everyone a chance to start playing now to sharpen their skills in preparation for the next game. The game you’ll get today is early access – it’s only available to people who pre-ordered the digital version of Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition. It also means that we’re still putting the finishing touches on the game before launch, so expect to see more improvements come online between now and February. The team worked insanely hard to bring both campaign and multiplayer online before release in February and we can’t wait to hear what you think.

In addition to the great campaign and multiplayer modes fans will remember, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition also features a new multiplayer session browser in place of the legacy matchmaking system. This allows players to create and join their favorite multiplayer, skirmish, or co-op campaign games quickly and easily on their preferred platform.

Codes are rolling out through the coming weeks, but anyone who pre-ordered by December 14 should receive one now, so keep an eye out – check out the FAQ here for more info on how to find and redeem your code. And of course, since Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, your code will work on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC!

They are working hard at 343 Industries on the first update, as well as on the upcoming Blitz Beta – and of course, the full launch of Halo Wars 2 on February 21. There’s a lot of goodness coming your way in the New Year, but for now, download your copy and get re-acquainted with the Spirit of Fire, because things are going to get crazy for them next year!

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New Halo Wars 2 Atriox Trailer, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Rolls out on Dec. 20

343 Industries’ Dan Ayoub unveiled a brand new “Halo Wars 2” trailer centered around Atriox and that anyone who pre-orders the digital version of “Halo Wars 2” Ultimate Edition will receive early access to “Halo Wars: Definitive Edition” with codes rolling out on Dec. 20.

Atriox is the leader of the Banished, a dangerous new foe intent on controlling the Ark. Atriox is unique in that he is not only incredibly strong like most Brutes, but also deviously intelligent and is a brilliant strategist. Under his leadership, he’s drawn powerful figures such as Shipmaster Let’ Volir and Decimus to his side to help command his growing armed forces.

“Halo Wars: Definitive Edition” is an enhanced version of the original “Halo Wars” that runs natively on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, featuring improved graphics, additional Achievements and includes all of the DLC created for the classic real-time strategy game.

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Monitor's Bounty Now Available for Halo 5: Guardians

343 Industries is getting the holiday celebrations off to an early start – Monitor’s Bounty is out now for Halo 5: Guardians! The latest content release marks the tenth update for Halo 5: Guardians, and is an epic salvo of experience-enhancing additions: new weapons, armor and skins, brand new ways to play and seek out custom games, and the largest Forge update we’ve ever released.

With Monitor's Bounty, Halo 5's Forge mode has been updated with over 650 new objects on top of entirely new systems and functionality! One of the most exciting outcomes of all these awesome new improvements and additions to Forge's scripting systems is an expanded ability to create all-new game modes in Halo 5.

With this new "Minigames" functionality, players can not only experience fan-favorite modes like Race and King of the Hill, but also create a ridiculous array of new modes and experiences, the likes of which have never been seen in a Halo game before.

Halo 5 players on Xbox One and Windows 10 will have a new way to find matches and teammates with the addition of the join-in-progress Custom Games Browser. This new browser enables players to search for in-progress games from the main menu and utilizes the content browser to filter for any map or mode your heart desires. With this powerful new feature, Halo 5: Forge on Windows 10 graduates to a full-fledged Halo Arena multiplayer experience, letting players search, find and join games to play with strangers and friends alike - at up to 4K resolutions - for free!

First revealed at the 2016 Halo World Championship, Halo 5's Observer Mode is a special in-game overlay developed initially for esports that's now making its way to Halo players everywhere. Observer Mode allows any player in a Custom Game lobby to enter the match as an observer and cycle through player POVs, view the weapon and status details of all active players in the match and enable the fan-favorite "player outlines" to see every player across the battlefield.

Although not specifically part of the free content release, 343 has also released a new REQ gifting feature for Halo 5: Guardians. Spartans Rank 5 or higher now have the option when purchasing REQ Gold Packs from the Xbox Store of gifting it to another Halo 5: Guardians player. To familiarize the community with this new feature, all Halo 5: Guardianswill be receiving a Gold Gift Pack in their REQ inventory.

Finally, a new way to customize announcer commentary is now available. The “Voices of War REQ Pack,” available for $9.99 USD, delivers three new announcers for the game – the rakish warfighter Spartan Buck, the Grunt-with-a-past Yabda the Merciless, and the stylish monitor Exuberant Witness. These new voices will be available in Arena and Warzone game modes.

Head over to Halo Waypoint for even more information on the Monitor’s Bounty content release for Halo 5: Guardians,and happy holidays from 343 Industries!

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Tomb Raider breaks Guinness World Records!

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS HONORS TOMB RAIDER FOR ‘MOST MAGAZINE COVERS FOR A VIDEO GAME CHARACTER’ AND ‘LARGEST GATHERING OF PEOPLE DRESSED AS LARA CROFT’ 

Lara Croft Has Graced a Total of 1,400 Covers and Broke the Record of 250 Cosplayers in a Single Venue

Crystal Dynamics® and Square Enix® celebrate Lara Croft®’s Guinness World Records win for ‘Most Magazine Covers for a Videogame Character’ and ‘Largest Gathering Of People Dressed As Lara Croft’ alongside a one-of-a-kind feature in the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition next year.

The Tomb Raider® franchise is a two-decade strong cultural phenomenon which follows the globetrotting action-adventures of celebrated archaeologist Lara Croft.

Since making her videogame debut in 1996, Lara Croft has been featured front-and-center on approximately 1,230 magazine covers spanning film, culture, lifestyle, and video game publications such asTIME Digital, Entertainment Weekly, Mad, PlayStation Magazine, and PC Gaming. With new covers from around the world being unearthed every day, that number grows to over 1,400 when factoring in covers that saw Lara alongside a co-star. These covers include portrayals of Lara Croft through official videogame artwork, original illustrations, parody cartoons, and real-life photo-shoots with official Lara Croft models and actresses.

Check out the Flickr feed to browse 20 years of Croft covers, as archived by the community. [http://bit.ly/TR20_Mag_Covers]

Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix hosted a cosplay gathering at Paris Games Week on Saturday, October 29th as part of the ongoing celebration of 20 years of Tomb Raider. During the cosplay gathering, the European Tomb Raider community – spearheaded by passionate French fans – broke the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most People Dressed as Lara Croft’ in a single venue, drawing a crowd of 270 Tomb Raiders total. Fans could dress as any of the hundreds of official Lara Croft representations from the past 20 years, with participants donning costumes from the games, comics, movies, and even obscure fashion renders.

Check out the official event photos here. [http://bit.ly/PGW_GWR_Gallery]

“Over the past two decades, Lara Croft has established herself as an iconic character in entertainment,” said Rich Briggs, global brand director at Crystal Dynamics. “Her Guinness World Record wins further solidify her continuing influence and relevance in popular culture.”

Lara’s two new Guinness World Records titles are added to an already impressive roster. Lara was awarded with six records in the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamers Edition, including the Most Successful Video Game Heroine, Most Recognizable Female Character in a Video Game, Most Detailed Video Game Character, Most Official Real Life Stand-Ins, Highest Grossing Computer Game Spin-off, and Most Successful Live-Action Transfer.

“Lara Croft is one of the most vital and iconic characters in gaming, with a powerful legacy and a string of great games under her belt,” said Stephen Daultrey, Editor, Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition. It’s fantastic to see so many cosplayers celebrate her in this unique way. Along with her covers record, these are already two of my favorite new GWR titles of the year. I look forward to seeing them in next year’s Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition annual."

Lara has made an indelible mark on every facet of entertainment including video games, motion pictures, theme parks, lifestyle cosplay, and comic books. With over 30 video game titles released, selling over 46 million copies worldwide, winning hundreds of awards, and becoming an ambassador for scientific excellence to appearing live on tour with U2, Lara Croft continues to inspire and entertain millions around the world.

Rise of the Tomb Raider®: 20 Year Celebration™ is the most comprehensive version of the award-winning experience, and includes Rise of the Tomb Raider, along with a host of completely new content such as the new story chapter “Blood Ties,” “Lara’s Nightmare” zombie combat mode, PlayStation® VR support for “Blood Ties,” (available on PS4) co-op Endurance gameplay, an “Extreme Survivor” difficulty, five classic Lara skins, and an outfit and weapon inspired by TR III. It also includes all of the previously released downloadable content such as the critically acclaimed “Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch,” “Cold Darkness Awakened,” 12 outfits, seven weapons, multiple Expedition Card packs, and more.

For more information on Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.TOMBRAIDER.com
Official Twitter: @TOMBRAIDER
Official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/TOMBRAIDER
Official Tumblr: http://tombraider.tumblr.com/
Official YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/TOMBRAIDER

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Celebrating 10 Years of Gears of War!

On November 7th, it will have been 10 years since the original Gears of War released on store shelves. Those ten years have included the release of five Gears of War titles, memorable character moments, emotional endings, and jumping 25 years into the future of Sera with Gears of War 4 to start a whole new saga.

At the heart of it all, what truly makes Gears special is the fans – from the stories shared finding love through Gears, the huge tattoos of favorite characters, intricately crafted fan-art built from months of effort, to simply connecting with one another because of the game. As a thank you to one of the best communities in gaming, The Coalition is announcing “10 Years of Gears”, a series of celebrations to mark this incredible milestone for Gears of War.

Tenth Anniversary Gear Pack
First seen in the Outsider community during the Gears of War 4 campaign, Gary Carmine is here and ready for action – if he can stay alive. Death runs strong in the Carmine family, and the Tenth Anniversary Gear Pack teaser video pays tribute to the family tradition as Gary Carmine takes to the Versus battlefield. It’ll be up to you to save Carmine when you play as him this November!

Gary Carmine is part of a special Tenth Anniversary Gear Pack built for fans. This special pack contains Gary Carmine, a trio of weapons themed to the previous Carmine brothers, commemorative anniversary weapons and emblems to collect as you play. Obtainable exclusively through gameplay, each 200 Credit pack contains one 10 Years of Gears customization item, one 10 Years of Gears Emblem or bounty, and a random card from the Gears of War 4 Launch Series of Cards. The full list of content can be found below:

• Gary Carmine Character
• Anthony Carmine Longshot
• Benjamin Carmine Gnasher
• Clayton Carmine Lancer
• 10 Years of Gears Lancer
• 10 Years of Gears Hammerburst
• 10 Years of Gears Retro Lancer
• 10 Years of Gears Markza Mk. 1
• 10 Years of Gears Enforcer
• Gary Carmine Emblem
• 10 Years of Gears Emblem
• 5 Bounties, each themed to a Gears of War game

The Tenth Anniversary Gear Pack arrives in-game on November 7th.

In-Game Events
Enjoy brand new ways to play with returning fan-favorite playlists:

• One Shot, One Kill, the ultimate fan-favorite special event with a new Gears of War 4 twist. This sniping-focused mode spawns you only with a Longshot – but now the EMBAR is available for pickup on the battlefield to change the game. Now is the time to go for those collateral headshots!
• Gnashers-Only King Of The Hill returns to Gears of War, bringing with it a gib-filled carnage of objective-driven, close-quarters combat. Your trusty Gnasher is your only friend as you battle to control the hill.

Community Events and Competitions
On top of all the in-game action, there will be several days of community events, announcements and competitions throughout the “10 Years of Gears”. This includes a Game with Developers event next week, allowing fans and developers from The Coalition to play together. Details on how to join will be announced soon.

Also coming next week is the official launch of The Coalition Army. Thousands of fans have already signed up to be part of the initiative, with The Coalition delivering brand new content hand-built by the team, and providing a new way to access resources like 4K Cosplay Guides, Stream overlays and more.

For more on the Gears of War 10th Anniversary celebrations, please visit Xbox Wire.

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Alpinestars Car Pack Comes to Best-Selling Forza Horizon 3 - New Expansion Teased

Forza Horizon 3 is the year’s best-selling, highest-rated racing game, further strengthening Forza as the most successful racing franchise on any platform this generation. Thanks to the biggest Forza launch to date, they had more than five million fans playing Forza games in September on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.

They are so grateful for our fans and will continue working hard to deliver great content that will add to the Forza Horizon 3 experience.

Arriving now, the Alpinestars Car Pack brings seven new cars to Forza Horizon 3. Leading off the pack are a pair of beloved drifting legends, the 1998 Nissan Silvia K’s and the 1990 Mazda Savanna RX-7; two of the most requested cars in the Forza community. The Alpinestars Car Pack also features a chunk of Australian racing history in the Ford Falcon XR GT, a street-legal racer in Dodge Viper ACR, and more. The Alpinestars Car Pack is included as part of the Forza Horizon 3 Car Pass, which is available for purchase in the Microsoft Store. Players can also get the pack as a standalone purchase for $6.99.

The partner Alpinestars produces the highest level of performance and protective footwear and apparel for nearly all forms of motorsport as well as lifestyle clothing and accessories. To learn more about this month’s car pack partner visit: http://www.alpinestars.com/

Here is the full list of cars included in the Alpinestars Car Pack:

• 2017 Acura NSX
• 1998 Nissan Silvia K
• 1990 Mazda Savannah RX-7
• 1967 Ford Falcon XR GT
• 2016 Dodge Viper ACR
• 2016 BMW M4 GTS
• 1979 Talbot Lotus Sunbeam

One last thing –  winter is coming and that means some less than ideal road conditions.  They are offering players a Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass available at $34.99 for discounted access to two future expansions. Ultimate Edition owners will receive a discount of $10 on the Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass if purchased before the end of 2016. Be sure to stay tuned to Xbox Wire and ForzaMotorsport.net for more information!

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Legendary Rap Duo Run the Jewels Smacks Down the Swarm in Gears of War 4

Hip hop’s biggest names officially join the Gears of War family with playable characters ready for Versus Multiplayer and Horde 3.0. Available for purchase as part of the Run the Jewels Air Drop, both EL-P and Killer Mike have lent their voices, likeness and ‘can’t nobody save us but us’ attitude to Gears of War 4 continuing their partnership with Xbox and The Coalition. This is the first time two recording artists have been reimagined as playable characters in the Gears of War franchise or any Xbox game. The brotherhood that Killer Mike and El-P represent as Run the Jewels perfectly matches the soul of Gears, which at its core is about that brotherhood and never fighting alone.

Also available alongside the playable EL-P and Killer Mike within the Run the Jewels Air Drop are 18 themed weapon skins, emblems and bounties to ensure fans have the appropriate levels of swagger to add to their Gears of War 4 Versus Multiplayer and Horde experience.

As anticipation for the megalithic rap duo’s forthcoming RTJ3 album continues to mount, Run the Jewels have announced their first full scale North American headlining tour since 2015. The “Run the World” tour kicks off mid-January in Philadelphia and continues through to the end of February, with stops in veritably every major city in the US along the way. Support for the tour will be provided by Brainfeeder-affiliated hip hop experimentalist The Gaslamp Killer, mysterious underground MC Spark Master Tape, & longtime Killer Mike collaborator CUZ. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 4th at 10am local time (with exception of New York & St. Paul which go on sale at noon). More announcements detailing worldwide tour dates are expected in the near future.

For more info on Run the Jewels, including the Run the Jewels x Gears of War clothing, please visit http://www.runthejewels.com.

Additionally, starting now, two of the most popular Gears of War Legacy Maps will also make their debut in Gears of War 4 with the addition of Checkout and Drydock. Season pass holders receive early access to these maps as part of the Developer Playlist with full public availability scheduled for November 8.

Gears of War 4 and the Gears of War 4 Season Pass are available now at your local retailer, including Microsoft Stores and microsoftstore.com. Season Pass owners also receive five exclusive digital items as part of the Vintage VIP Pack, including the Vintage JD character skin, Vintage Gnasher and Dropshot weapon skins, Vintage JD Emblem and Vintage JD Bounty for extra XP; permanent DLC map ownership of over 24 additional maps (two per month for a year) for private play on dedicated servers; access to an exclusive Developer Playlist where new maps, modes and features can be tested prior to broad release; and the Starter Airdrop, a care package that outfits gamers with over a dozen Gear Packs and grants assorted character and weapon skins, Horde skills and abilities, and XP boosting bounties. Pick up the Gears of War 4 Ultimate Edition to get the Season Pass and base game bundled at a discount.

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Dead Rising 4: Deluxe Edition Available for Pre-Order and Season Pass Contents Revealed

Microsoft is excited to announce the pre-order availability for Dead Rising 4: Deluxe Edition. Along withDead Rising 4 the game will come with Season Pass (a $24.99 USD value), making it the best way for fans to get the complete Dead Rising 4 experience, granting you access to an all-new multiplayer mode, new story content and the exclusive bonus Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack. The game will be available both from the Microsoft Store digitally and at select retailers globally via purchase of a digital code ($79.99 USD). It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Dead Rising 4 Season Pass comes with:

• · Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack: Frank West is home for the holidays and he’s got a naughty list the size of Willamette, Colorado. Tear up the streets with festive weapons, zombies, vehicles, costumes and more.
• · Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf: You’ve mastered the outbreak – now it’s time to master the green, with eighteen holes of pure wanton destruction you can play with up to three friends online. Flip zombies the birdie where bloodthirsty, over the top zombie mayhem is par for the course. The world of Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf is extreme and the fairways are the town of Willamette, Colorado, including the iconic Willamette Memorial Megaplex Mall. Use Frank West’s favorite weapons as your set of golf clubs. With an oversized golf ball, drive down the fairways, reaching for the green to nail the perfect putt. Watch your score as you do not want to bogey in this zombie filled eighteen-hole golf course. Mini golf is made crazier with the zombie horde as obstructions and hazards. Dead Rising Fore!
• · Dead Rising 4: Frank Rising: In this DLC, Frank West is freshly infected and needs to find a cure before he becomes a zombie and is lost forever. While searching for a cure, Frank discovers that everything is not the same as it was; zombies are getting smarter, people cannot be trusted and paramilitary forces are plotting to wipe out Willamette. Frank has a limited time before he reverts to the full zombie state and the city is wiped out. Frank will have to get to the truth first… or die trying.

For gamers looking for a core Dead Rising 4 experience, the Xbox One Standard Edition ($59.99) is available globally for pre-order from the Microsoft Store digitally or from participating retailers worldwide. Also will announce the availability of Windows 10 pre-order soon – check back for more details.

Dead Rising 4 releases globally on Xbox One and Windows 10 on December 6, 2016 and December 8, 2016 in Japan.

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New Gears of War 4 Multiplayer Maps to Debut November 1

Coming this November, two of the most popular Gears of War Legacy Maps will make their debut in Gears of War 4 with the addition of Checkout and Drydock for Versus Multiplayer and Horde.

Available November 1 for Season Pass holders as part of the early access Developer Playlist, Checkout and Dry Dock will also be introduced into free public playlists on November 8. The addition of Checkout and Drydock signals the first month of free map updates for Gears of War 4. Owners and fans can look forward to two new maps each month.

• Checkout - Revisit the iconic supermarket in Cole’s hometown of Hanover 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3 in this Legacy Map. Much like the rest of Sera, nature is reclaiming whatever it can following the Locust Wars, but that hasn’t slowed the fast, furious and frenetic combat that takes place between the checkout lanes and the electronics department.
• Drydock - Transported from a COG ship building facility to a ship breaking scrapyard on a Seran mudflat, this fan-favorite returns with a vengeance to Gears of War 4 Versus Multiplayer and Horde modes.

In addition to the release of these fan favorite maps, tune into Xbox Wire on November 1 for a sneak peek at the Run the Jewels “Air Drop” featuring playable Killer Mike and EL-P characters for Versus Multiplayer and Horde.

Season Pass owners also receive five exclusive digital items as part of the Vintage VIP Pack, including the Vintage JD character skin, Vintage Gnasher and Dropshot weapon skins, Vintage JD Emblem and Vintage JD Bounty for extra XP; permanent DLC map ownership of over 24 additional maps (two per month for a year) for private play on dedicated servers; access to an exclusive Developer Playlist where new maps, modes and features can be tested prior to broad release; and the Starter Airdrop, a care package that outfits gamers with over a dozen Gear Packs and grants assorted character and weapon skins, Horde skills and abilities, and XP boosting bounties.

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Announcing two new Xbox One S "Gears of War 4" Bundles

The Xbox One S “Gears of War 4” Bundle comes with a 1TB hard drive to play all the biggest blockbusters in Xbox history, a matching new Xbox Wireless Controller with expanded range and Bluetooth support for Windows 10 PCs and a full-game download for “Gears of War 4.” It will be available worldwide starting Oct. 11 for $349 USD,

Fans in the US and Australia will also have the option to get an Xbox One S “Gears of War 4” Special Edition Bundle starting Nov. 1. This bundle features a special edition deep blue console bundle with a 500GB hard drive and matching new Xbox Wireless Controller with expanded range and Bluetooth support for Windows 10 PCs along with a copy of “Gears of War 4” for $299 USD (exclusively at GameStop and Microsoft Stores in the US, and at EB Games and Microsoft Stores in Australia).

Both bundles include the Xbox One S, the only console available today with built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and 4K video streaming plus High Dynamic Range for video and gaming. With all the biggest blockbusters this year, including more than 100 console exclusives, a growing catalog of more than 250 titles playable through Backward Compatibility on Xbox One and the fastest, most reliable gaming network with Xbox Live, Xbox One S is the ultimate games and 4K entertainment system for all gamers.

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Gears of War 4 Prologue Debuts with Twenty Minutes of New Gameplay Footage

Gears of War has a history of iconic campaign openings, from the prison break in the first Gears of War to Marcus’ nightmare flashback in Gears of War 3, and Gears of War 4 is no different. Gears is excited to share the first gameplay of the epic opening to Gears 4’s campaign known as Prologue. Dropping players straight into the action at the opening of the game, Prologue immerses you in a series of pivotal moments from the Gears of War universe never before seen in a Gears videogame – including Emergence Day and a key battle from the Pendulum Wars.

After a brief introduction by The Coalition’s Studio Head Rod Fergusson and Lead Campaign Designer Matt Searcy, the uncut gameplay of Prologue will have you joining the fight across three decades of Gears history: the COG’s raid on UIR forces to secure the Hammer of Dawn technology at Aspho Fields, Emergence Day at the House of Sovereigns, and the Locust’s siege of Anvil Gate.

You can play Prologue for yourself when Gears of War 4 launches worldwide on October 11 on Xbox One and Windows 10! Fans who pre-order Gears of War 4 from their local retailer, including Microsoft Stores and microsoftstore.com will receive the “Brothers to the End” Elite Gear Pack — featuring unique character skins Old Man Marcus, Zombie Dom, and Tomorrow Anya — plus the entire Xbox 360 Gears of War collection for Xbox One at no additional cost.

In addition, the Gears of War 4 Limited Edition Xbox One S 2TB Bundle is also available, including the Gears of War 4 Ultimate Edition and 4-day early access.

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World Premiere: “Gears of War 4” Launch Trailer

The countdown to October 11th has officially begun as Gears of War 4’s Launch Trailer was released. Featuring never-before-seen action…and a few surprises.

25 years ago, Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad made Sera safe for tomorrow’s generation. His son JD has lived with that peace, until now. A new threat called the Swarm has emerged and now JD, along with his friends Del and Kait, must fight together and survive the night. Narrated by John DiMaggio, the voice of Marcus Fenix, the new trailer features high-intensity action orchestrated by a cover of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” as performed by Lissie. 

With the October 11 launch date just a few short weeks away (or on October 7 with early access for Gears of War 4: Ultimate Edition owners) Gears of War 4 encourages players to ‘Never Fight Alone’ by teaming up with a friend through cross-platform co-op gameplay on Xbox One and Windows 10 platforms. As Gears of War 4 is anXbox Play Anywhere title, you’ll be able to play across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, as all game progress, Gamerscore, and Achievements are saved on and accessible through Xbox Live.

For more on Gears of War 4, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and GearsofWar.com.

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