five billion dollars in funding to developers all around the globe<\/a>, and the mission to bring amazing games right to you remains stronger than ever.<\/p>\nLast week, we got to see brand-new gameplay for ten independent titles currently in development across the globe as part of two Xbox Developer sessions. We also spoke to the teams working on each project to find out how they\u2019re doing, and to share one major thing they want you to know about their game.<\/p>\n
Many of these titles will support Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows players to access eligible games across Xbox consoles and Windows PCs with one singular purchase.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also be able to share saves, progress and achievements across devices too, for seamless play anywhere.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you can look forward to, all heading to Xbox and Windows PC in the near future.<\/p>\n
Winter Burrow<\/strong>Xbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nWe saw some new gameplay for Winter Burrow<\/em>, described by developer Benjamin Salqvist as a combination of Don\u2019t Starve<\/em> and Animal Crossing<\/em>. A cozy survival experience where you play as tiny mouse searching for a lost relative, Winter Burrow<\/em> combines relaxing activities like baking and knitting with the perils of adventuring. With minimal map features, you\u2019ll rely on landmarks and your own snowy footprints to navigate the wilderness, and the help of woodland NPCs dotted around the landscape to aid you on your journey.<\/p>\nOne thing to know:<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s a game that really lets you explore the contrast between cozy and harsh and that this contrast enhances each other, something that we spend a lot of time nailing, but now that it is coming together it makes the game a very special experience.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of:<\/strong> \u201cWe are very proud of the atmosphere and setting that we have created with the hand-drawn art style and all the amazing details, and the way the team has implemented all that into a fascinating game world that you can\u2019t help wanting to explore and enjoy.\u201d \u2013 Benjamin Salqvist, CEO and Creative Director, Pine Creek Games.<\/p>\nOutbound\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nNext, we got a fresh look at Outbound<\/em>, an open-world exploration game that lets you take to a distant, utopian future in your very own eco-friendly camper van. As you adventure, you\u2019ll find materials to upgrade parts of the van, as well as build your own cozy outdoor cabin that can travel with you. It\u2019s a peaceful, jaunty journey through an idyllic world with lots of secrets to uncover, either alone or with friends.<\/p>\nOne thing to know:<\/strong> \u201cThe one thing people should know about Outbound<\/em>, is that you can build on top of your vehicle! You can customize and build both on top and inside your vehicle, while also being able to easily pack everything up and get back to the road again. This makes Outbound one of the first games in which you can take your base with you virtually everywhere you go!\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of:<\/strong> \u201cThe idea and fantasy that the game portrays. The fantasy being that you can go out into nature at any time with your own customizable camper van. Our fans and community responded so strongly to that idea, that this has shown to be one of the biggest sources of the success of Outbound<\/em> to date. This makes us very proud as a studio, both about the game, but also about our fans and community.\u201d \u2013 Tobias Schnackenberg, Co-founder, Square Glade Games.<\/p>\nHelaXbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nA new game from the team behind Unraveled, Hela<\/em> is a 3D co-op adventure where you play as mouse familiars belonging to a witch. When the witch falls ill, its up to her tiny rodent buddies to venture into the wilderness and scavenge potion supplies to restore her strength. The game combines exploration and adventure with clever cooperative puzzle solving, all wrapped up in a vibrant setting inspired by the gorgeous Swedish countryside.<\/p>\nOne thing to know:<\/strong> \u201cWe want people to know they can play the game with friends\u2014either in two-player local split-screen or with up to four players online.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: \u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re most proud of how deeply playful the game is, and how lovely the world feels to spend time in.\u201d \u2013 Martin Sahlin, Creative Director, Windup Games.<\/p>\nThe AltersXbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nNext, an update on The Alters<\/em>, a sci-fi survival idea with a fascinating twist from the minds behind This War of Mine<\/em>. As the lone survivor of a crashed expedition, you must use a mysterious substance to create alternate versions of yourself to run an abandoned space station. Each \u2018clone\u2019 will have a different experience of your past life, and you\u2019ll need to build and maintain good relationships with every version of yourself to survive.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cWhile The Alters<\/em> may seem worlds apart from This War of Mine<\/em>, the two share more than just a part of the dev team. At their core, both games are about survival. Both games force you to step out of your safe space\u2014whether it\u2019s a bombed-out shelter in This War of Mine <\/em>or the expandable, circular base in The Alters<\/em>. In both, venturing into a hostile environment isn\u2019t just a risk\u2014it\u2019s a necessity in a world where resources are scarce. Where This War of Mine <\/em>gave you a group of survivors to manage, in The Alters you \u201cbuild\u201d your crew in the most unique way\u2014by revisiting your own past and altering the choices you made.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: <\/strong>\u201cI just read on Reddit: \u2018Absolutely stoked for this game. Day one purchase on Xbox,\u2019 so I guess some already are. In short though \u2013 The Alters is high-concept sci-fi with mind-breaking implications, wrapped in a deep space survival simulation that leaves you with a deep impact: both emotional and simply as thrilling game. What else gives you possibilities to alternate yourself in order to survive?\u201d \u2013 Tomasz Kisilewicz, Game Director, 11 bit Studios.<\/p>\nMoonlighter 2Xbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nA sequel to popular roguelike Moonlighter<\/em>, Moonlighter 2 <\/em>brings back the game\u2019s combination of adventuring and shopkeeping with a trove of charming improvements. Embark on perilous dungeon crawls to find rare relics and shiny loot, and bring it home to help build the store of your dreams. The sequel also boasts a lovely new 3D art style, alongside a brand-new setting and story.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cIf you loved the first Moonlighter<\/em>, you\u2019ll find everything that made it special here\u2014but taken to a new level. This is a deeper, more layered take on what it means to live that double life: adventurer by night, shopkeeper by day. From refined dungeon design to more meaningful shopkeeping choices and a richer world, Moonlighter 2<\/em> expands on the original in every direction. It\u2019s familiar\u2014but bolder, darker, and more ambitious in all the right ways.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: <\/strong>\u201cMoonlighter 2<\/em> builds directly on the legacy of the first game\u2014but it\u2019s not just more of the same. We\u2019ve revisited every system and improved it across the board. One of our biggest technical and artistic achievements is the transition from 2D to full 3D. It\u2019s a bold step, but we made sure to preserve the charm and identity of the original while unlocking new possibilities for worldbuilding, animations, and storytelling. It still feels like Moonlighter<\/em>\u2014but now it breathes with even more life.\u201d \u2013 Israel Mallen, Communications Manager, Digital Sun.<\/p>\n13Z: The Zodiac TrialsXbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nEmbark on a quest to become the 13th Zodiac in this vibrant hack-and-slash roguelike, inspired by the legendary tales of the 12 Eastern Zodiacs. Built for replayability, 13Z <\/em>fuses frantic combat with a deep upgrade system that lets you craft powerful builds across a cast of mystical animal spirits. Take on thrilling trials\u2014solo or in co-op with friends. Along the way, you\u2019ll encounter the 12 Zodiac Guardians: powerful and unique characters whose stories unfold as you rise through the Trials.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cUltimately, we want 13Z<\/em> to be a game where the challenge goes beyond combat. Every Zodiac you face represents more than a fight \u2013 they\u2019re characters with history, values, and something to prove. And as a player, you\u2019re not just trying to defeat them \u2013 you\u2019re navigating a system built on tradition, trying to carve out your place in it. The more you engage \u2013 through your build choices, your curiosity, your adaptability \u2013 the more the game reveals.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: \u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re proud of the depth we are aiming for across both gameplay and storytelling. 13Z<\/em> takes inspiration from the Eastern Zodiac \u2013 but instead of treating the signs as symbols, we built an entire world where the Zodiac Guardians are living, flawed, and evolving characters. Each one represents a different challenge, not just mechanically, but thematically. Their personalities and values shape the Trials they host, and each boss fight is designed to reflect who they are and what they stand for. At the same time, the story asks what happens when these ancient roles no longer fit the modern world \u2013 and what it takes to earn a place among them.\u201d\u00a0 \u2013 <\/strong>Chalit Noonchoo, Game Director, Mixed Realms.<\/p>\nKriegsfront Tactics<\/strong><\/p>\nKriegsfront Tactics<\/em>\u00a0is a procedural turn-based game that combines familiar elements from classic tactical strategy with mecha combat. As the commander of a mecha squad sent behind enemy lines in an alternate 1970s Southeast Asia, you\u2019ll need to manage your squad, strategize smart battleplans, and maintain your mechs and pilots. The game is also wrapped up in nostalgic, lowpoly retro-style visuals, harking back to classic isometric strategy titles like\u00a0Front Mission<\/em>, a big inspiration for\u00a0Kriegsfront Tactics<\/em>.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cThere is no hit chance in Kriegsfront Tactics<\/em>, so there should be no more frustration where players have a 98% hit chance but still miss the shot. And, because Toshiro Tsuchida enjoyed the demo, we hope players who like mecha turn-based tactical RPGs like Kriegsfront Tactics will also enjoy the demo and buy the game when it\u2019s out.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: <\/strong>\u201cWith Kriegsfront Tactics<\/em>, we are not only bringing back mecha turn-based tactical RPG and ambitiously modernizing the game mechanics, but we are also setting the game in a world inspired by the history and culture of Southeast Asia and taking the players to see the perspective of Southeast Asians. Front Mission<\/em> is one of the inspirations of this game, and as a developer, I am a huge fan of this series. When we found out that the original creator of Front Mission<\/em>, Toshiro Tsuchida, tried the demo of Kriegsfront Tactics<\/em> and was impressed, I was so happy, and it truly motivated me and the team!\u201d \u2013 Ivander Emlingga, Project Manager, Toge Productions.<\/p>\nAgni: Village of CalamityXbox Play Anywhere<\/em><\/p>\nAgni: Village of Calamity<\/em>\u00a0is a cinematic survival horror experience that puts you in the shoes of an Indonesian investigator from a secret covert unit. Tasked with uncovering a case beyond human comprehension, every step you take brings you closer to the truth, but at a cost. A relentless, unkillable entity lurks in the shadows, stalking your every move, ready to strike if you make a single wrong decision.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cInspired by the eerie, unsettling nature of Lynchian horror, the game goes beyond fear and suspense. It delves into the personal struggles of each character, revealing how their fates intertwine with the case you are unraveling. As the lines between reality and nightmare blur, the true horror isn\u2019t just what hunts you, it\u2019s what you uncover.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: <\/strong>\u201cWe know we\u2019re not the first Indonesian game studio to explore cinematic storytelling in games , but we believe we are among the best in Indonesia. What sets us apart is the seamless fusion of authentic talent from both the animation and game development industries, coming together to create something meaningful and push the boundaries of what\u2019s possible in both fields.\u201d \u2013 Leo Avero. Creative Director, \u00a0Separuh Interactive.<\/p>\nNightmare Circus <\/strong>Become a member of a wandering circus troupe in Nightmare Circus<\/em>, a top-down, platforming adventure where your goal is to make it back to the real world. Trapped in a quaintly spooky world full of mysteries, you\u2019ll need to take down enemies and plot your escape using the game\u2019s puppeteer mechanic \u2013 a slick tool that\u2019ll allow you to attack foes and traverse this whimsical realm.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: \u201c<\/strong>If you\u2019ve seen our game trailer, we would love for our players to try our unique \u2018Collision Combat\u2019 system firsthand to truly get a feel of Nightmare Circus<\/em>\u2018 unique mechanics. We will make sure our demo is ready for you to experience even more than what our trailer has previewed. We hope you look forward to it!\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: \u201c<\/strong>We are proud that Nightmare Circus<\/em> is the most ambitious game our studio has ever made to date. Our game\u2019s key feature, the \u2018Puppet String\u2019 mechanic is another component we are very proud of. The puppeteer\u2019s string is used to traverse, manoeuvre, and attack using our unique \u2018Collision Combat\u2019 system. Players can employ an array of tools to create satisfying collisions, smashing, crashing, and slamming into enemies, obstacles, and danger; create your playstyle to deal with the many nightmares that roam the land!\u201d Kachain Puttiwarawut, Co-founder and CEO, Fairplay Studios.<\/p>\nVapor\u00a0World: Over The Mind<\/strong><\/p>\nThe final game we saw at the sessions took a spookier turn \u2013\u00a0Vapor World: Over The Mind<\/em>\u00a0is a narrative driven platformer that sees a young boy dragged into a twisted dream. With souls-like mechanics and a focus on deflection combat, you must take on enemies known as \u201ctraumas\u201d in boss fights that steadily increase in scope and difficulty. The surreal, 2D world is also completely hand-drawn, bringing a unique atmosphere to a setting both foreboding and magical.<\/p>\nOne thing to know: <\/strong>\u201cVapor World<\/em> is not just a visually unique action platformer, it is a narrative-driven adventure that explores inner fears, traumas, and the hidden truths buried deep within. We will immerse you in this dream-like world from start to finish. If you love exploring rich stories with challenging battles, challenging the nightmare of Vapor World <\/em>will be a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\nOne thing you\u2019re proud of: <\/strong>\u201cWe are especially proud of how Vapor World <\/em>successfully combined our own dark, moody, painterly art style with intense souls-like battles. I think we\u2019ve done a good job of this seemingly impossible challenge of having to create every scene without recycling any resources, which has created a unique and original feeling that we haven\u2019t felt in existing games. It\u2019s a great achievement for our team to see players get pulled into this seamless, alive illustration and then experience the challenge of our dynamic battles.\u201d Young Kim. CEO, Alive Inc.<\/p>\nKeep an eye on the ID@Xbox channels for updates on all of these exciting titles, coming to your Xbox and PC very soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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