Category: GamesJuly 22, 2026 We All Float On: The Goodyear Blimp is Now Available to Fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Mike Nelson, XBOX Wire Editor The Goodyear Blimp, one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft, is now available to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024! This exciting new release builds upon Goodyear’s century-long innovation legacy. In the 1900s, the rubberized materials Goodyear manufactured to produce its tires were used to engineer balloons, which eventually progressed into airships for military use and, later, into the iconic Goodyear Blimp we know today. Now with its first appearance in Microsoft Flight Simulator, it’s kicking off its latest chapter with players. This release comes on the heels of Microsoft Flight Simulator’s World Update 22: US National Parks which features over 30 National Parks and Monuments. And with the Goodyear Blimp, simmers can now float over these majestic locations like never before at cruising speeds that let them really take in the beauty of these beautiful natural wonders like Death Valley National Park, Olympic National Park, Acadia National Park, and Mount Hood National Forest. “The inclusion of the Goodyear Blimp in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is perfectly timed – as we are celebrating the 250th birthday and the natural beauty of the United States with World Update 22,” says Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann. “The famous Goodyear Blimp is the perfect aircraft to take in the stunning and varied landscapes of America as well as 36 of its National Parks from the skies.” View this post on Instagram The modern Goodyear Blimp is based on Germany’s Zeppelin New Technology (NT), a helium-filled, semi-rigid airship that uses an internal framework for support, unlike a traditional nonrigid blimp. Goodyear transitioned its fleet to this state-of-the-art airship in 2014, ensuring the future of this powerful symbol of technology and innovation that defines the brand today. The aircraft combines a carbon-fiber-and-aluminum internal structure, computer-controlled flight surfaces, three vectored-thrust engines, fly-by-wire controls, and a configurable gondola carrying up to 14 people. It measures roughly 246 feet long, can remain airborne for more than 22 hours, has a 600-mile range, and reaches a maximum speed of 73 mph. To learn more about how thrilling it is to have the Goodyear Blimp arrive in Microsoft Flight Simulator, we spoke with the company’s Chief Pilot of Training & Safety Standards Adam Basaran, about his reactions to seeing the aircraft in-sim, favorite locations for sightseeing, and what makes flying over stadiums such a memorable airship experience. What was your first reaction when you saw the Goodyear Blimp represented in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024? Chief Pilot of Training & Safety Standards Adam Basaran – “The visuals look amazing! Wingfoot Two was captured exactly how it looks in real life, even including the LED sign computer keyboard in the left side pilot storage cubby.” Were there any small visual or operational touches that really impressed you? Like, what aspects of the cockpit, controls, or overall airship presence stood out. Basaran – “The visuals captured the textures of the material design of the actual airship.” If you could point players toward one detail they might overlook, what should they pay attention to? Basaran – “Pay attention to the feeling of being suspended in space over an event (pick your favorite stadium) or location without spending a lot of mechanical energy like an airplane or helicopter.“ For simmers used to airplanes and helicopters, what is the biggest mindset shift when flying a blimp, and what are some good habits to practice when at the controls? Basaran – “The airship has a lot of mass compared to the amount of HP to move it. It’s close to 20,000 lbs. and has 600 total HP. There is a lag between control and engine imputes and seeing the ship respond so be patient. Think of flying the blimp like you would captaining a large ship on the ocean.” How do wind, weather, and ground conditions influence a real flight, and how should players think about those factors in the sim? Basaran – “The wind makes a big difference when you’re operating an airship due to their relatively slow speed. Find the best altitude to maximize tail winds or minimize headwinds.” World Update 22 emphasizes U.S. National Parks and landmarks – which locations would you most want to see from the blimp’s slower, lower sightseeing perspective? Basaran – “Logans Pass in Glacier National Park.” Does flying over natural landmarks in the sim evoke anything like real-world aerial sightseeing from the blimp? Basaran – “The visuals look very similar to real life. Enough to use it to scout out unfamiliar event locations before flying them in the actual blimp.” If you could design the perfect in-sim route for a first-time blimp pilot, where would you start and what would you want them to notice? “I would recommend departing our home base at Wingfoot Lake (4OH6) in Mogadore, Ohio and taking a short flight to the historic Akron Air Dock at Akron Fulton Airport.” The Goodyear Blimp is closely associated with major sporting events. What makes a stadium flyover such a memorable airship experience? Basaran – “The Goodyear Blimp is so quiet over a college football event that we can hear the marching band playing at half time and the crowd roaring with each score.” What do you hope players understand about blimp flying after taking the Goodyear Blimp up in MSFS 2024? Basaran – “There is no better way to see the world than by blimp. It will make simmers take their time and enjoy the journey.” From scenic landmarks to packed stadiums, the Goodyear Blimp offers a distinctly unique way to explore the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 You can learn more about World Update 22 here on MicrosoftFlightSimulator.com and start flying today! The sky is calling! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, Steam, and with Xbox Game Pass with support for Xbox Play Anywhere. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Aviator Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 2056 ★★★★★ $199.99 $149.99 Get it now Aviator Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Aviator Edition includes everything from the Premium Deluxe Edition plus the entire fleet of 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator between 2021 and 2024. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Premium Deluxe Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 2070 ★★★★★ $129.99 $97.49 Get it now Premium Deluxe Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 25 additional aircraft and 10 additional handcrafted international airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Deluxe Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 2018 ★★★★★ $99.99 $74.99 Get it now Deluxe Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 10 additional aircraft and 5 additional handcrafted international airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Standard Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 3298 ★★★★★ $69.99 $52.49 Get it now PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Standard Edition Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Standard Edition includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports. Fly with Purpose ·       Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet. ·       Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses. ·       Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment. Advanced Simulation ·       Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism. ·       New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion. ·       Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator. Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin ·       Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet. ·       Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences. ·       The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries. Related Stories for “We All Float On: The Goodyear Blimp is Now Available to Fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024” Category: Backward CompatibilityPlay More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC Category: ID@XBOXFixForce: The Fun Starts When Everything Goes Wrong Category: ID@XBOXGigaBash’s Ultraman Zero DLC Brings Two New Characters, Crackling with Rivalry The post We All Float On: The Goodyear Blimp is Now Available to Fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: Backward CompatibilityJuly 22, 2026 Play More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation, XBOX Today, we’re introducing XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC, making it easier to play classic XBOX games from the past across PC and handhelds, including the ROG XBOX Ally and XBOX Ally X. Your library is more than just a collection of games. It is your personal history of epic stories and treasured memories from the past. And as players, we don’t want to leave our gaming legacy behind even as technology continues to evolve and advance. We expect our library of games to move forward with us and to be able to play them in entirely new ways. Rolling out today, XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC launches in early release, starting with four classic original XBOX games, now playable on PC and handhelds for the first time ever. This marks the beginning of a broader effort to preserve XBOX games from the past and bring them to PC over time. And we are not just enabling you to play them on PC. We are also adding new features to make your gaming experience better than ever. Players can jump into the following games on PC and supported handheld devices beginning today in supported regions:  BLiNX: The Time Sweeper  Conker: Live and Reloaded  Crimson Skies®: High Road to Revenge  Fuzion Frenzy®  Each of these games is now available for purchase on PC and also included with all XBOX Game Pass plans. If you already own a digital license for these games on console, that license now carries over to your PC or handheld. Through the power of XBOX Play Anywhere and XBOX Cloud Gaming, you can now play these classic games from the past on your XBOX console, cloud, PC and handheld. In addition to making these games available on PC for the first time ever, we’ve added new features to enhance the experience on PC while preserving the original gameplay. Players can customize graphics settings, including up to 4x resolution upscaling, VSync support, Fullscreen and Windowed display modes, anisotropic filtering, enhanced anti-aliasing, and more. These games also include customizable language and audio settings. We plan to add even more features to XBOX Backward Compatibility games in the future. I’m excited to share that later this year we will be bringing one of the top fan-requested features to select original XBOX games on both console and PC: Achievements. The first four games releasing in preview today will be updated to include Achievements in the coming months. Getting started is simple. If your PC or handheld meets the minimum system requirements below, you’ll be able to access backward compatible titles through the XBOX on PC app.  Minimum system requirements:  GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310   CPU: Min 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor   RAM: 8GB   OS: Windows 11    Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026  Recommended specifications:  GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770  CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme  DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11  GPU VRAM: 8GB  OS: Windows 11  Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026  XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC is another step toward preserving the games from the past and making it easier for you to enjoy and play more of the games you already own across the devices you use every day. Related Stories for “Play More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC” Category: AnnouncementsFrom GDC: Building the Next Generation of Xbox Category: ROG XBOX AllyXbox September Update: ROG Xbox Ally, Gaming Copilot, Aggregated Library, and More Category: GamesThis Week’s Deals with Gold and Spotlight Sale The post Play More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: ID@XBOXJuly 21, 2026 FixForce: The Fun Starts When Everything Goes Wrong Dana Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director, Surgent Studios If we know one thing, it’s this: heads are gonna fly. In FixForce, the new co-op extraction platformer from Surgent Studios, you and up to five friends are robot repairmen trying to make quota in a post-post-apocalyptic world. Machines need fixing, the clock is always ticking, and no repair job goes exactly to plan. What a Round of FixForce is Like Over the course of development, we’ve learned that people enjoy the disasters more than the shifts where everything’s smooth sailing. Picture this: your team spends several minutes carefully building the perfect bridge, but then someone notices the support on one end isn’t quite right. One pallet later, the entire thing collapses, and suddenly everyone’s a head. When we first experimented with detachable heads in FixForce, they were intended more or less as spectator mode. Then we noticed that everyone was having a ridiculous amount of fun trash talking each other from their disembodied heads. From there, we added movement as heads (you can scoot, jump, and swim), and basically made it so that you can still play even after you’ve “died.” It all really clicked when we started allowing players to revive each other by snapping heads back onto bodies, effectively making death just another way of playing. Let’s say everyone on your team died when the bridge collapsed. Your options are to zip around on the surface of the water as disembodied heads, explore a few heads-only zones that you can’t access with a body, or push your bodies back to shore so the guilty party can put you back together. It’s your choice and, it must be said, revenge is also entirely up to you. Another element we knew we wanted to play with early on is, of course, proximity chat. We spent a while just allowing everyone to talk freely to one another, no matter how far away on the map they were. However, in testing, we quickly discovered the sheer joy of hearing a friend’s Doppler Effect shriek of horror as they fell from a height above you. You can hear other players shouting distantly via proximity chat, “I’ve found a toaster!” To cut down on frustration when you’re too far away to talk but still need to convey info, we gave each Fixer a laser pointer built into their fingers. Now, players who get separated from the group can still help pull off last-second rescues and escapes while keeping the fun and humour that distance creates. One of the biggest lessons we learned during development is that failure is only frustrating if it stops the fun. In FixForce, losing your body isn’t the end of your run, and a collapsed bridge isn’t the end of your shift. Every disaster is another opportunity for your team to solve a problem together, and the sheer creativity we’ve seen in those recoveries has resulted in some of our favourite moments ever in the game. How the FixForce of Yesterday Became the Fixfoce of Today During development, one of the more surprising discoveries was that making platforming easier actually created more chaos. When players trusted their movement, they started experimenting with riskier and more creative structures to get where they needed to go. When one person built a DNA-style double helix to access a particularly inaccessible machine, we knew we were onto something good. We also got serious about making sure that you know exactly what you’re doing and how to do it before you drop into your first shift. While some players like to take their time to learn on the fly, we found that most just wanted to get down to business immediately. And we respect that. Now, the lobby is better equipped for practice so you can get the basics under your fingers (and maybe shoot a few hoops once you’re really good) before you head out for the real thing. These and tons of other little tweaks and adjustments make FixForce the wacky yet creative experience it is today. We at Surgent are so excited to see the shenanigans you get up to, the monstrosities you build (we’ve seen more than one giant robot built out of headless robot bodies), and the explosions you dodge as you dive into the world of FixForce. At the end of the day, every team finds its own way of creating chaos. Some build ambitious bridges that last all of ten seconds. Others somehow turn piles of junk and discarded robot bodies into towering monuments to bad ideas. Still others blow each other up with impunity. However you play, we can’t wait to see the disasters you create (and how you fix them). FixForce is available now on XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC. It’s an XBOX Play Anywhere title and available day one with XBOX Game Pass.  FixForce Surgent Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 127 ★★★★★ $7.99 $6.39 Get it now PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Leap, climb, and launch your friends in this chaotic co-op extraction platformer for up to 6 players! Use your drill-wrench to build your way across a vibrant post-apocalyptic world, find replacement parts, and fix broken machines. BUILD WITH FRIENDS As FixForce bots, you and up to 5 friends will build towers and paths out of scrap parts, using the structures to climb all over the worksite. Rescue each other when things get hairy, and remember: how high or far you go is limited only by how much scrap you can find. FIND + FIX In each round, you and your team will be dropped near machines in desperate need of repair. Once you’ve found them, use your drill-wrench to scour the site for the perfect replacement parts to get them working again so you can clock out on time. You might even find a few extra odd jobs around to line your pockets… WORKPLACE HAZARDS No job is the same, but they’re all teeming with hazards and violent rogue robots. Keep your eyes peeled so you can protect yourself, your friends, and your precious towers and bridges from their destructive wrath while you finish the job. BUT DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD FixForce means reliability, and high-risk assignments are your bread and butter. If you take a tumble, slip into the water, or find yourself on the wrong side of a rogue bot, your friends can simply recover your head and snap it onto another body. Good as new! PERKS OF THE JOB The work is relentless, but so is your resolve! Every successful fix lines your bank account, letting you snag new tools to maximise efficiency and tackle even the toughest of challenges in exchange for a few unorthodox updates to your uniform. Wield the drill-wrench: Use your built-in power tool to fix machines, build towers and bridges to get around, retrieve your friends’ fallen heads, and launch items around. Related Stories for “FixForce: The Fun Starts When Everything Goes Wrong” Category: ID@XBOXGigaBash’s Ultraman Zero DLC Brings Two New Characters, Crackling with Rivalry Category: ID@XBOXHow Blueberry Shows Players the Purpose of Traumatic Memories Category: Next Week on XBOXNext Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24 The post FixForce: The Fun Starts When Everything Goes Wrong appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: ID@XBOXJuly 21, 2026 GigaBash’s Ultraman Zero DLC Brings Two New Characters, Crackling with Rivalry Muhammad Hazim Azri Narrative Designer, Passion Republic Games Light and Dark Yes, it’s true! Two legendary Ultras, each the other’s antithesis, are making their entrance in the GigaBash arena all the way from the Land of Light. The GigaBash – Ultraman Zero DLC adds the eponymous Ultraman Zero and the dark reflection Ultraman Belial into the game, each bringing their iconic skills and moves to the forefront. Unwavering What’s better than one Ultra? Two? How about a total of six (read it again: six!) Ultras duking it out in the same arena?! With the addition of Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Belial, we at Passion Republic Games are excited to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary with these two absolute fan favourites. Some fans have been utterly dedicated to the hope of these characters coming in with this Ultraman Zero DLC, and we hope they’re having the time of their lives. When it came down to deciding which Ultraman characters to slot into the roster for this momentous occasion, Ultraman Zero stood out. Here was an icon of heroism who has struggled with the temptation of power, who ultimately triumphed over that inner darkness and became a stalwart warrior of justice. So, naturally, Ultraman Belial followed suit, as a character who let that inner darkness out. The rivalry between these two forces of personality really gave us a lot to work with, and we’re excited to welcome them aboard. The Two Stars Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the characters coming in this DLC! Ultraman Zero Behold, the hero of justice, Ultraman Zero! With the iconic Zero Sluggers and Emerium Slashes that complement the Space Martial Arts mastery this Ultra displays, no opponent will be able to seek quarter on the battlefield. At range, the Zero Sluggers envelop the foe from front to back! Up close, dismantle the enemy with blinding rushes, blitzing punches, and brutal kicks! Ultraman Zero knows: power without justice is dangerous. But justice empowered is a hero’s strongest weapon, and most solemn charge. Limits exist so that the self is not lost! Ultraman Belial But limits can be broken! Why settle for anything less, as Ultraman Belial unleashes the full might of an Ultra against any and all who would dare to resist. Thunder! Lightning! Overwhelm them all! Flames of rage, manifested as fireballs to scorch the very land and sky. And let none underestimate the power of the Giga Battlenizer, equally powerful in offense and defense. Revenge has never tasted so delightfully decadent. Ultraman Belial is fury without limits; cunning and brutal in equal, undivided measure. Limits exist only to cage you! Unleashed Potential And there we have it. Two rival Ultras face each other on the GigaBash stage, alongside other Ultraman franchise characters, legendary tokusatsu icons, and the original GigaBash cast. We’re up to an astonishing 30 characters in the biggest kaiju fighting arena you’ve ever seen! It’s our hope that the GigaBash – Ultraman Zero DLC will be just as beloved in players’ hands as it has been in ours throughout its development. We are ever appreciative of everyone’s continued support for all these long, fruitful years. So! Have you decided yet? In this clash of the heavens, will you embody the light of Ultraman Zero, and let justice ring with each strike and blow? Or perhaps you will not let yourself be bound anymore; let Ultraman Belial speak fire and fury, and take what is rightfully yours? The path is yours to walk! GigaBash Passion Republic Games ☆☆☆☆☆ 396 ★★★★★ $24.49 $8.57 Get it now GigaBash combines the chaos and creativity of titles like Power Stone, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and War of Monsters with the jaw-dropping scale of the classic kaiju movies. Play as either a rampaging Titan or a Titan-hunting mecha; summon lightning from the heavens, use a radio tower as a baton, or roll a whole district (and your enemies) into a single massive snowball. Wreak enough havoc and you'll evolve into your final form, the terrifyingly titanic S-Class. Related Stories for “GigaBash’s Ultraman Zero DLC Brings Two New Characters, Crackling with Rivalry” Category: ID@XBOXHow Blueberry Shows Players the Purpose of Traumatic Memories Category: Next Week on XBOXNext Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24 Category: ID@XBOXGameplay Tips and Details on the Summer Fun Hitting Outbreak: Shades of Horror The post GigaBash’s Ultraman Zero DLC Brings Two New Characters, Crackling with Rivalry appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: XBOX Game PassJuly 21, 2026 XBOX and Meta: More Ways to Enjoy XBOX Game Pass  Team XBOX For years, XBOX and Meta have teamed up to make it easier to play the games you love across more devices.  Today, we’re building on that with a new benefit connected to the Meta Horizon+ subscription, giving you another way to discover and play with Game Pass, alongside the existing access to XBOX and Game Pass on Meta Quest devices. Meta Horizon+ Adds XBOX Game Pass   Starting today, eligible Meta Horizon+ subscribers now get a starter edition of XBOX Game Pass where available, offering access to 50+ games, 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, and Rewards for playing.   The starter edition Game Pass library is packed with titles ranging from AAA hits to indie favorites, including post-apocalyptic open-world RPGs Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 from Bethesda Softworks; Ghost Town Games’ chaotic co-operative cooking game Overcooked 2; Obsidian Entertainment’s survival game Grounded, where shrunken kids explore an oversized backyard; the brutal multiplayer zombie title DayZ from Bohemia Interactive; co-operative first-person shooter Deep Rock Galactic, where you form a band of dwarven space miners; and truck simulator SnowRunner, which challenges you to drive powerful machines across extreme environments.  Meta has all the details on how XBOX Game Pass is now included with a Meta Horizon+ subscription, which you can read here. A Meta Horizon+ subscription is available for $59.99 USD per year, or $7.99 USD per month.  If you’re an eligible Meta Horizon+ subscriber in a supported region, you can start exploring the starter edition of XBOX Game Pass today and find your next game to play. We look forward to hearing what you think.  Related Stories for “XBOX and Meta: More Ways to Enjoy XBOX Game Pass ” Category: XBOX Game PassComing to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More Category: Next Week on XBOXNext Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24 Category: GamesFree Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 The post XBOX and Meta: More Ways to Enjoy XBOX Game Pass  appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: XBOX Game PassJuly 21, 2026 Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, XBOX Game Pass Suit up Spartans, it’s time to jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved (plus a whole bunch of other games). We’ve got more coming into Premium, some Day One with XBOX Game Pass games, and more. Let’s get to it!   Available Today The Planet Crafter (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 21Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass Embark on a chill terraforming experience alone or in online co-op. You are sent to a hostile planet with one mission: make it habitable for humans. You’ll have to survive, collect resources, build your base, produce machines to heat the planet, create an oxygen-rich atmosphere and eventually geo-engineer an entire planet. Coming Soon Shift at Midnight (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 22Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Available on day one with XBOX Game Pass! In this online co-op detective horror game, you’ll work with two other players across randomly generated shifts to investigate your customers. Some of them are not what they seem, but make one mistake, and you’ll be forced to board up, set traps, and hide! Hell is Us (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 23Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass Ready your blade and follow your instincts. Step into Hadea, a nation shattered by civil war and cursed by a supernatural calamity. Master brutal melee combat, unravel a dark mystery, and explore on your own terms. The game doesn’t hold your hand. It sets you free through true exploration and rich storytelling. Halo: Campaign Evolved (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – July 28Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Available on day one with XBOX Game Pass! Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign, rebuilt from the ground up. Play the legendary story with HD visuals, refined controls, up to 4-player online co-op, 3 new missions, and an expanded arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and new enemies. Mistfall Hunter (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 30Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Available on day one with XBOX Game Pass! Mistfall Hunter is a dark fantasy extraction ARPG. Combine skills, talents, and gear for each class in thrilling combat! Whether you team up or go solo, one thing remains certain — only by fighting your way through can you return with a full haul. Good luck, Gyldhunter. Corsair Cove (PC) – July 31Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Build a sprawling pirate haven, raise a fleet to explore the high seas, and take on the crown to keep the age of piracy alive in this city-builder game. From ale to flintlock pistols, from scallywags to swashbucklers, you’ll need to manage complex production chains and govern a rowdy crew to reign supreme. Heretic + Hexen (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – August 4Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass  Step into the definitive re-release of two dark spell-casting shooters that shaped the genre. This enhanced restoration makes Heretic + Hexen available to new audiences and long-time fans with expanded accessibility across more platforms and languages than ever before. Beast of Reincarnation (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 4Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Available on day one with XBOX Game Pass! Game Freak’s brand-new title, Beast of Reincarnation, is an action RPG with a fusion of real-time and turn-based combat. Experience the innovative “one-person, one-dog action RPG” in the beautiful yet harsh post-apocalyptic Japan. What awaits at the end of Emma and Koo’s journey? In Case You Missed It Buckshot Roulette (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – July 8Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass Buckshot Roulette is a tabletop horror take on the infamous game of Russian Roulette, with a proper 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Live and blank shells are inserted into the chamber in a hidden sequence. Take aim and pull the trigger. Four enter. One leaves. Roll the dice with your life. Denshattack! (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 15Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass Flip, trick and grind your train in a fast-paced, off-the-rails ride through a colorful Japanese dystopia. Outmatch rival gangs, wreck a shady megacorp, and take back the tracks with nothing but skill, speed, and style. In-Game Benefits Zenless Zone Zero (PC) – Available July 29Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential, PC Game Pass The first-gen Void Hunter who slumbered for a century, Remielle, descends. Does she bring hostility or opportunity? Sigrid, Deputy Director of the Airspace Patrol, arrives alongside her. Blades and Ether intertwine as a new bond of trust takes shape. Select an S-Rank Agent for the 2nd Anniversary! Leaving July 31 The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Don’t want the fun to end? Save on these games now before they leave Game Pass! Back to the Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) Celeste (Cloud, Console, and PC) Crusader Kings 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord (Cloud, Console, and PC) My Friendly Neighborhood (Cloud, Console, and PC) Rain World (Cloud, Console, and PC) Sniper Elite Resistance (Cloud, Console, and PC) Whiskerwood (PC) Now that you have the list of what is coming next, give us a shout on social and let us know what you’re adding to your download queue! We’ll be back here to talk soon. Cheers! Note: Games with a ‘Handheld’ designation represent those that are optimized for handheld play. Related Stories for “Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More” Category: Next Week on XBOXNext Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24 Category: GamesFree Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Category: GamesDenshattack: Designing A New Skateboarding Game Where the Skateboard is A Train The post Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Related Stories for “Modern Warfare 4: Open Beta Dates, Call of Duty: NEXT, Fanatics Fest Recap, and Serialized Weapon Camo Pre-Order Bonus” Category: GamesThe Planet Crafter Launches on XBOX July 21: Co-op Survival With No Enemies, Timers, or Pressure Category: ID@XBOXHow Blueberry Shows Players the Purpose of Traumatic Memories Category: GamesA Note from Bethesda Game Studios The post Modern Warfare 4: Open Beta Dates, Call of Duty: NEXT, Fanatics Fest Recap, and Serialized Weapon Camo Pre-Order Bonus appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Category: GamesJuly 20, 2026 The Planet Crafter Launches on XBOX July 21: Co-op Survival With No Enemies, Timers, or Pressure Amélie Bernardi, co-founder of Miju Games We’re so excited for you to finally get to try The Planet Crafter, one of the best-selling survival games on PC, on XBOX when it launches on July 21. The Planet Crafter is unlike many of the survival games you’ve played in the past. When we were designing it, we sought to make a chill, non-violent survival experience. The Planet Crafter will still challenge you. The player has to carefully manage needs like oxygen, food, and water; especially early in the game, you can push your limits too far and discover that there’s a fatal result to that. But this isn’t a game with jump scares and monsters. There’s nothing to dread behind that boulder or in the depths of that cave. But there is wonder. We’ve made some big worlds for you to explore, and secrets to uncover. The planets and moons you will find are evolving as you start the long journey to terraform them. When you build heat pumps and drill into a planet’s core to raise the atmospheric pressure and temperature, you’ll find that the changes are more than just cosmetic. Maybe a glacier has melted, revealing a new valley you couldn’t access before. When life starts to take root on your world, perhaps you’ll notice trees growing that provide a bridge to a new location. The Planet Crafter is not a violent game, but we promise that it is full of adventure. One point of inspiration for us when creating The Planet Crafter surprises people when we tell them. We’ve always appreciated idle games, and you’ll find some of that DNA in our game. When you build terraforming machines, they keep operating as long as your grid has power. You’re always making progress towards that next terraforming milestone. We think that’s a great way of encouraging you to explore. Let the machines do their thing while you go hunt for relics from a lost previous expedition, prospect for rare minerals in the shards of a fallen meteorite, or get acquainted with the new life forms that you’ve introduced into the world. In The Planet Crafter, things are always getting a little better. The wait is almost over! The Planet Crafter arrives on XBOX on July 21, and will be available to play with Game Pass on XBOX Series X|S and Windows Store. Thanks to XBOX Play Anywhere support, your progress, achievements, and adventures will follow you wherever you choose to play. We can’t wait to see the bases that you and your friends create in single-player or co-op in The Planet Crafter on XBOX. The worlds we’ve created for you to terraform may be stark and desolate when you first arrive. But with a little effort, we hope you will find that they’re warm and inviting places for you to hang out. Good luck out there, and we hope to see you soon in game. The Planet Crafter Miju Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Embark on a chill experience alone or with up to 8 friends in online co-op. Your mission is to survive on a hostile planet and turn a barren land into a lush paradise. Terraforming is the only way! You are sent on a hostile planet with one mission: Make it habitable for Humans. You'll have to survive, collect resources, build your base, produce machines to heat the planet, create an oxygen-rich atmosphere and eventually geo-engineer an entire planet! Gather minerals and resources to survive. Craft all the tools you need to fulfil your mission. Explore old shipwrecks and ruins and discover a planet full of mysteries! You'll need a base and all sorts of machines to make yourself at home, and be able to bring life to this planet! Progress through building tiers to upgrade and expand your base and explore the planet further. See life forms appear on the planet as you terraform it by increasing heat, oxygen and pressure. Witness the first signs of life with moss and insects and unleash the planet's full potential with thick forests and animals. From chill to hardcore, choose the difficulty level that suits you. Play with starting pre-sets to create new games and experience endless possibilities. Multiplayer: survive by yourself or with friends (1-8 online co-op) Survival: Thirst, Oxygen, Temperature and Health mechanics Base Building: shelter from a hostile environment and expand your exploration Crafting: equipment, tools and food to help you survive Terraformation: turn an entire hostile planet to a habitable paradise! Build machines to create atmospheric pressure and heat the planet Create a biosphere with breathable oxygen See your environment change as your terraformation progresses Creatures: create life by decrypting and mixing DNA extracts and make your own animals Procedurally generated shipwrecks: explore and find infinite rare loot Chill experience with no violence: the only enemy you'll have to fight is the hostile environment Adjustable difficulty to fit your level Adjustable pre-sets for renewed experiences through time Creative mode Related Stories for “The Planet Crafter Launches on XBOX July 21: Co-op Survival With No Enemies, Timers, or Pressure” Category: ID@XBOXHow Blueberry Shows Players the Purpose of Traumatic Memories Category: GamesA Note from Bethesda Game Studios Category: Next Week on XBOXNext Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24 The post The Planet Crafter Launches on XBOX July 21: Co-op Survival With No Enemies, Timers, or Pressure appeared first on XBOX Wire.