
A new wave of adventures is coming soon to Xbox Game Pass, some even arriving as early as today. The ever-evolving library continues to evolve with new games becoming available and older entries being removed to make more room. For those with Xbox Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate, here is what's coming and what's leaving the subscription service over the next month.
Before we dive into the new titles coming to the Microsoft service, let's talk a little bit about what this membership even is. The Xbox Game Pass library continues to change with new titles being added. From day one launches of hit games to indie treasures that deserve their stage time just as any other game, the Game Pass membership allows Xbox fans a chance to have instant access to an eclectic library without having to shell out $60 for each experience.
For those that already have Game Pass, here are the new games on the way:
There are two options for those that may not have Xbox Game Pass: the standard membership and Ultimate. Xbox Game Pass is $9.99 per month, with Ultimate coming in at $14.99, including Xbox Live. With Microsoft making some big moves in recent years – the recent Bethesda acquisition and more on the way – the internal ecosystem at Xbox continues to grow. This means more AAA wonders and indie darlings will be yours to play at no additional cost. With the price of games increasing to $70 in many cases, a discounted library access membership like this has its fair share of benefits.
Thoughts on the latest additions to Xbox Game Pass? What would you like to see added next? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments below!
If you've read my Epileptic's Guide to Gaming, then you know that you don't have to be epileptic to have a seizure. It can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons. That's why I've been pushing so hard for epileptic health in media for years now, including the realm of video games. A small change made to Cyberpunk 2077 made it infinitely safer, and it's those design elements in mind that many studios aren't even aware of until it's too late. A small color shift, a slight alteration to a pattern – it's easier and less intrusive than many might think. However, one thing is for certain: either many games don't have any sort of warning label, or the ones that do don't provide any useful info. That's why I like to highlight when games do more, and I will continue to do so. This time, it's regarding Fall Guys and Amazon's New World.
Before we get started diving into some of the triggers below, I want to reiterate something from my previous epileptic PSAs one more time: You do not have to be epileptic to have a seizure. The people in your home do not have to be epileptic to have a seizure. As noted in my Epileptic's Guide to Gaming, a common misconception about seizures is that they only happen to people with epilepsy. That's not true; seizures can occur in anyone. There is also no "one type" of an epileptic episode, which means learning about triggers can be a tricky process. With accessibility in gaming becoming more of a priority, studios are finally beginning to look at the impact of certain effects on those susceptible to neurological episodes beyond simply slapping a warning label on games and calling it a day.
In any sci-fi or adventure game, dramatic visual effects can be expected to offer an impactful ambiance for the player experience. These are made with the intention of causing the action to pop more, especially in high-intensity fights, boss encounters, and the overall experience. Fall Guys took feedback offered about certain flashing animations and with season 5, made the necessary adjustments to make it just a little bit safer. It's still the jelly bean battle royale you remember, just now more people can play.
?️ Certain Season 4 Rounds had flashing lights which could cause issues for some of our photosensitive players, this situation has been improved
— Fall Guys ? Season 5 ? (@FallGuysGame) July 19, 2021
Amazon's New World is still in development, but I have talked with several developers in the past about certain visuals that could pose a problem. With the early access demo having some triggers, many of our readers here at Game Informer pinged me with the opening screen seen when Amazon's game is booted up. Note that it goes beyond just the standard "warning" message. It not only drives home the point that you don't have to be epileptic to have seizures, but it also points out what signs to look out for if you start feeling a bit off, because you could be having a neurodivergent reaction.
@DirtyEffinHippy i blame you for this very poggers warning screen! Thank you for all that you do for inclusivity.
— Logan (@LHP64D) July 20, 2021
Dizziness, loss of feeling, muscle twitches, and more can all be seen in the above message. This messaging in Amazon's warning is far more helpful than many realize. It opens up the scope of awareness beyond just confirmed cases and tells players exactly what to watch out for. You love to see it.
I opened up about certain types of triggers in an article back in December regarding Cyberpunk 2077. Since then, CD Projekt Red took the necessary steps to make (very) small tweaks to make the title a little safer for all. I've also been hit with a plethora of questions from gamers with epilepsy, parents of children susceptible to seizures, and studios looking to make more educated design choices. Because of this interest, and in the interest of continuing to make gaming something that everyone can enjoy, here are a few tips that I've learned throughout the years when approaching new adventures in the digital space. If you're interested in learning more about epileptic health, please feel free to check out our guide here.
It's time to du-du-du-du-DUEL! For those Yu-Gi-Oh! fans out there, new details have emerged about Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel and what it will have to bring fans of the hit anime series. Konami first announced the game back on January 22, 2021, but now we're getting a closer look at what it has to offer, thanks to a recent live stream.
During Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! Digital Next live stream from Japan, one of the announcements revealed was a new Master Duel experience. This new game will showcase the original OCG/TCG experience and will offer 4K support, which is great considering this is a digital card game. Those finer details can be highlighted enjoyably.
Konami also confirmed that Master Rules can be used and that there are easy-to-use in-game tutorials for anyone that may be a little newer to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh.
Click here to watch embedded mediaKonami also revealed Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel Saikyou Battle Royale specifically for the Nintendo Switch. Currently, it's only slated for a Japan release later this year on August 12, 2021, but Konami did confirm that a global launch will follow soon after later this Fall.
A new mobile game is also on the way called Cross Duel. This game will allow for 4-player card battles, but we don't have a release date yet. The only estimated window we have for this particular Yu-Gi-Oh adventure is that it is "coming soon." You can see all of the latest reveals from Konami in the full live stream above.
Thoughts on the latest wave of Yu-Gi-Oh! reveals? Any particular announcement that has your attention the most? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!