Tag: xbox

Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 Recap: Everything We Announced

Posted on by faz_business


During the latest Developer_Direct, we showed off tons of brand new gameplay and provided developer insights on four upcoming games launching for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and cloud  – and even surprise released a bonus remaster along the way.

We visited the studios behind DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the never-before-seen NINJA GAIDEN 4 to get an inside look at new gameplay footage, as well as key information from each game, direct from the developers working on them. Plus, to celebrate the return of NINJA GAIDEN, we also announced that a remastered version of the beloved Xbox classic, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black will be available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass from today.

In addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming, all the games in our show also support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy them through the store on Xbox or Windows, they’re yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.

Here’s a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct today:

DOOM: The Dark Ages – Launching May 15, 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*

The team at id Software shared a deep dive into DOOM: The Dark Ages and revealed that the cinematic, epic first-person shooter will launch on May 15, 2025.

DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, is set in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOM’s immediately recognizable hellish twist. In the segment, three core pillars of the game were explored: Combat, which dug into deadly new weapons of mass destruction the Slayer can wield; Exploration, which offered a glimpse at an incredible new medieval-inspired setting that will take players to never-before-seen dark and sinister realms; and Story, which gave an overview of the characters and stakes the Slayer will face in his journey to turn the tides of a war.

This is the most ambitious DOOM game to date. id Software is seizing the chance to present both newcomers and long-time fans alike with an epic adventure as the super weapon in a medieval war against hell itself. Find out more about the game, with extra information from the developers in our Xbox Wire article.

South of Midnight – Launching April 8, 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and play it day one with Game Pass*

Compulsion Games took us behind the scenes at their studio in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, their new third-person action adventure game which releases on April 8, 2025.

In Compulsion’s segment, we learned more about the journey of Hazel, the game’s protagonist, which leads her into a darkly magical world where she discovers her new abilities as a Weaver. Her story is filled with macabre Southern Gothic folklore and encounters with mythical larger-than-life creatures that shape her growth and understanding of her newfound powers.

You can see more of South of Midnight’s hand-crafted art style, world building, and combat in South of Midnight’s new story trailer and get ready to explore the American Deep South with Hazel by pre-ordering today – and play up to five days early with the South of Midnight Premium Edition. Find out more about the game’s story in our exclusive Xbox Wire article here.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Launching April 24, 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass* (see developer website for other platforms)

We visited Montpellier, France, home of Sandfall Interactive, as they develop their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th Century France, where the world is facing an existential threat, one year at a time. The developer shared a deeper look at the game’s innovative mechanics, such as the “Reactive Turn-Based” system, and the unique art direction that brings the game’s world to life. We even got a first look at Expedition 33’s expansive overworld map.

As the coup de grace, Sandfall Interactive confirmed the game’s release date: our journey to stop the Paintress begins April 24. For more on the team’s creative vision and deep customization options, we’ve got more on Xbox Wire here.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 – Launching Fall 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*

Team NINJA announced the return of a beloved franchise with the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4. After more than a decade, the masters of action at Team NINJA and PlatinumGames have partnered with Xbox Game Studios Publishing to bring us an exciting new chapter in the NINJA GAIDEN series, a series with a long history on Xbox.

We were introduced to Yakumo, a new protagonist whose objective lies at the heart of a devastated Tokyo. On his mission, Yakumo will not only encounter fiends and demons , but also the legendary master ninja himself: Ryu Hayabusa. Gameplay footage showed that Yakumo will introduce players to a stylish new take on ninja action with Bloodbind Ninjutsu, alongside legacy techniques like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop. Ryu will also return as a playable character with a revamped arsenal that stays true to his signature brutality and precision.

During the segment, developers from both PlatinumGames and Team NINJA shared details about the game’s story, the setting in a near-future Tokyo, and its action-packed combat mechanics. We also got a glimpse into the creative process behind this highly anticipated title, which will be released in Fall 2025, and can be wishlisted on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5. For the latest information, follow Team Ninja on social media (YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram). Check out an exclusive interview with the developers on Xbox Wire.

NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black – Available Today!

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass*

The highly-acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 returns graphically remastered! NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black features the high-speed ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.

Looking Ahead

As with every Developer_Direct, today’s show marks just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. Next up is Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming fantasy RPG, which launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. With our own studios and incredible partners working on new experiences, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and Xbox social channels this year to see why there’s never been a better time to be an Xbox player.

*Game catalog varies by plan – Xbox.com/gamepass.



Microsoft and iFixit now sell official Xbox Series X/S replacement parts for DIY repairs

Posted on by faz_business


Xbox has announced a few more sustainability efforts, including an expansion of its repairability program. You’ll be able to buy official replacement parts for Xbox Series X/S systems from the and so you can repair your console yourself, even if it’s out of warranty. Until now, Microsoft had only through its own store, but now you can buy components for the Series S and both the and disc drive editions of the Series X. Along with various parts and step-by-step repair guides, iFixit also has an Xbox toolkit for sale.

Meanwhile, as of January 20, uBreakiFix by Asurion will be the first Xbox Authorized Service Provider. It will repair the consoles at nearly 700 participating locations in the US. Previously, authorized in-person Xbox repairs were only available at the Microsoft Store, so gamers will have many more places where they can go to get their console fixed without breaking the warranty.

These are positive steps forward for the right-to-repair movement. They should help reduce the number of games consoles that are consigned to the scrapheap.

“By expanding the number of ways players can get support and repair for their Xbox consoles, we also help extend the longevity of Xbox devices, reduce waste, promote re-use and ultimately reduce our environmental impact,” Trista Patterson, director of gaming sustainability at Xbox, wrote in an . In addition, there are no longer any single-use plastics in Xbox Series X/S packaging following a switch to fully paper- and fiber-based materials.

Elsewhere on the sustainability front, Microsoft says that, through recent efficiencies in how the Xbox Series S handles video content, there’s been an average power reduction of 10 percent while media apps are in use. As for the company’s game studios, they’ve been using the Xbox Sustainability Toolkit to make more energy-efficient games, Microsoft says.

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.

Marvel Rivals tier list for season 1

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The Marvel Rivals tier list is proof of an inherent truth: not every hero (or villain) is built equally. In the competitive shooter’s season 1 (which added two characters, two maps, a battle pass, and skins), every character is technically viable, but there are some who are obviously more powerful than the rest.

Below, we’ve compiled a tier list showing the current Marvel Rivals meta (as of the release of season 1), giving each character a rank from “best of the best” (S-tier) to “avoid at all costs” (F-tier). Read on for the full Marvel Rivals tier list for season 1.

Complete tier list for Marvel Rivals season 1

A tier list for season 1 for Marvel Rivals

Image: Tiermaker via Polygon

Season 1 of Marvel Rivals sees the game in quite a healthy spot, with only six characters falling in C-tier or below. For a game with 35 heroes (soon to be 37, when the Thing and Human Torch join the roster in late February), you’re hard-pressed to find a “bad” one.

While the tier list above (which we constructed in Tiermaker) showcases a general view of the season 1 launch, we’ve broken down each rank in tables below, including brief explanations for why each character belongs in the tier we’ve placed them.

Finally, it’s worth noting here that tiers can look different at different ranks, with some high rank heroes barely being played in low ranks, and some low rank dominators falling off significantly at higher elo levels. As it’s still early in season 1, this list is likely to change within a week or so, as the meta won’t cement for a few more weeks.

S-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Doctor Strange poses in the character screen of Marvel Rivals

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

As a rule, S-tier heroes are those that you should absolutely know how to play if you main their given role. Understanding how your Team-Up abilities work with all of these heroes is crucial to success — you’ll be seeing a lot of them in your games.

Character

Role

Why they’re S tier
Doctor Strange Vanguard Doctor Strange is one of the hardest-to-kill heroes in Marvel Rivals, and is exceptional at shielding his allies from big blasts. Paired with his unique portal and extremely powerful ultimate, he’s a hard pick to beat for top tank.
Hulk/Bruce Banner Vanguard Hulk is extremely mobile and very difficult to kill in Marvel Rivals. He’s a menace in the backline with massive damage and is able to protect his own supports with shields.
Luna Snow Strategist Luna Snow has the best healing ultimate in Marvel Rivals, making all combat stop the moment she hits it. On top of this, she has great healing, damage, and stuns.
Mantis Strategist Mantis both helps her team deal loads of damage with her boost and keeps them healthy with heals over time. Paired with the second best healing ultimate, she’s a great choice.
Hawkeye Duelist Hawkeye requires accurate aim, but he’s the only hero capable of regularly one-shotting squishy targets. That alone is enough for a top rank.
Hela Duelist Hela is one of the most consistent damage dealers in the game if you’re capable of hitting your shots. She can take down target after target and has some great Team-Ups.
Iron Man Duelist On his own, Iron Man is a great hero who can dish out lots of damage, with a powerful ultimate that can shut down Luna Snow. But paired with his Hulk Team-Up, his damage is unmatched.
Psylocke Duelist Psylocke is able to dive into the backline of the enemy team to get kills or attack from range, which makes her very versatile. Her ultimate is also extremely powerful and can shut down objective areas.
Storm Duelist Storm has one of the most powerful ultimates for a duelist in the game, and can guarantee kills or an empty objective zone. Paired with her quasi support abilities and season 1 buffs, she’s become a menace overnight.

A-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Cloak and Dagger pose in the character screen of Marvel Rivals

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

Generally, A-tier heroes are great. They’re not the best heroes, nor do they come out on top in the. meta, but they’re extremely solid. All of these are heroes that anyone should be thankful to have on their team, but likely won’t catch a ban as you reach the higher ranks.

Character

Role

Why they’re A tier
Magneto Vanguard Magneto is the definition of a consistent tank. He’s very hard to kill when he’s playing selfishly, but can extend some of that safety to allies to make them much tankier during big moments.
Groot Vanguard Groot can technically do more damage than any other tank in the game with his powerful walls. But his real value is as a frontline beast with a ton of health and powerful crowd control.
Adam Warlock Strategist Adam Warlock is a very technical strategist, capable of dealing big damage and keeping his allies alive. His normal play is great, but his ultimate is capable of swinging entire games on its own.
Cloak & Dagger Strategist Cloak & Dagger offer very powerful heals and some pretty decent damage, all in a relatively easy-to-play package. They were good at launch, but their buffed ultimate in season 1 helps kick them up a notch.
Invisible Woman Strategist Invisible Woman can pump out a lot of healing and control the battlefield with her various crowd control moves. Even better, her invisibility makes her difficult to lockdown and kill.
Rocket Raccoon Strategist Rocket Raccoon is able to automatically revive players with his B.R.B. device, which is a very powerful effect. Paired with decent healing and decent damage, he’s a great pick when the S-tiers are unavailable.
Black Panther Duelist Black Panther is both fast and consistent, which is what you want in a duelist. He’s also much easier to play than most of the other duelists.
Magik Duelist Magik is both slippery and great at dealing with multiple backline targets at once. This makes her a real menace for duelists and strategists, and she basically requires a tank to help their team deal with her.
Namor Duelist Namor and his pets can deal massive amounts of damage from afar, rivaling characters like Hela. But what makes Namor so great is his immunity bubble, which lets him survive divers.
Star Lord Duelist Star Lord can dish out a lot of damage in a short amount of time, and he’s very fast. That’s a potent combo, and paired with his ultimate, it makes him a great choice for duelist players.
Winter Soldier Duelist Winter Soldier is best known for his ultimate, which he can repeat multiple times to wipe teams. However, his hook and powerful primary fire make him a menace even while charging his ultimate.
Wolverine Duelist Wolverine is the ultimate tank buster character, and is able to abduct high health targets and kill them away from their team. He strikes fear into the hearts of all tank mains.

B-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Iron Fist poses in the character screen of Marvel Rivals

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

The B-tier heroes bring a lot to the table, but are situational and niche. Some of these heroes can be A- or S-tier in the right situation, but they just aren’t of the same caliber as the heroes above them in a general setting.

Character

Role

Why they’re B tier
Peni Parker Vanguard Peni Parker is a very potent tank in the right situation. On defensive maps, she’s able to hold the zone better than almost any other character.
Thor Vanguard Thor is a fantastic bully tank, and can deal massive damage if he’s given the support he needs to survive the enemy.
Venom Vanguard Venom is a highly mobile dive tank, and is able to quickly reach the backline. He doesn’t deal a ton of damage, but acts as a powerful distraction for his enemies.
Loki Strategist Loki is a lot of work to get right, but in the right hands, he is nearly impossible to kill and pumps out a lot of healing. His ultimate is also the best in the game, as it allows him to mirror any other character.
Iron Fist Duelist Iron Fist has extremely high burst potential and is very slippery. He does take a bit of practice to fully understand, but a good Iron Fist can destroy your backline in seconds.
Moon Knight Duelist Moon Knight has a ton of area damage, making him capable of wiping and entire team if they’re not careful. His Ankhs are easy to shutdown, but they’re on a low enough cooldown that he’s always getting decent damage out.
Squirrel Girl Duelist Squirrel Girl is a very simple character, but her explosive nuts deal a lot of damage with very little effort. Her reworked ultimate in season 1 is also quite strong and can hunt down enemies.
The Punisher Duelist The Punisher is the shooter character in Marvel Rivals, and is able to shred through enemies with his two guns. His kit is a little limited, but he has what he needs to succeed in most situations.

C-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Jeff poses in the character screen of Marvel Rivals

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

The C-tier heroes are ones that just don’t seem worth playing when you compare them to the other options. However, they’re still playable, and viable on some teams or when used by certain players. You could really surprise the enemy team with a C-tier pocket pick, but you’d probably be better off learning a better hero altogether.

Character

Role

Why they’re C tier
Captain America Vanguard Captain America doesn’t have much of an identity in Marvel Rivals. He’s able to bully the backline fine, but he struggles to protect his team in the process.
Jeff the Land Shark Strategist Jeff has decent support capabilities with his normal kit, but the lack of a good healing ult really hurts him. Even so, his ultimate can win games if enemy players aren’t paying attention.
Mister Fantastic Duelist Mister Fantastic is a hybrid damage dealer and tank, but he’s a bit too hybrid at the moment, so he isn’t great at either role.

D-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

Heroes in the D-tier are, quite frankly, pretty subpar. Not so bad that you’re going to automatically lose if you have one on your team, but bad enough that you should probably be picking a better option.

Character

Role

Why they’re D tier
Scarlet Witch Duelist Scarlet Witch does very low damage over time, even if that damage is reliable because it doesn’t require aim. When paired with an ultimate that’s powerful but very easy to counter, she just doesn’t bring enough value to a team.
Spider-Man Duelist Spider-Man is capable of dishing out a lot of damage and destroying a backline, but he takes so much more work than any other dive character in the game for no additional benefit.

F-tier characters in Marvel Rivals season 1

Image: NetEase Games via Polygon

Heroes in the F-tier are bad and you shouldn’t play them. And while you should never flame your teammates in games like Marvel Rivals, you should be concerned if someone picks one of these heroes, as it’s a little too close to playing 4v5.

Character

Role

Why they’re F tier
Black Widow Duelist Black Widow can’t one-shot targets, she struggles to have awareness around here because she’s forced into first-person, and her ultimate is worthless. Black Widow requires a lot of buffs or a rework in order to even be viable for all but the best players.

For more Marvel Rivals guides, here’s a list of all known codes, all Team-Up abilities, all maps and modes, and a look at the game’s roadmap.

Xbox and LG to Bring Cloud Gaming to LG Smart TVs

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We’re focused on bringing more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. Millions of Game Pass Ultimate members are already using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to play great games from the Game Pass catalog on various devices.

Today, we’re excited to announce our collaboration with LG Electronics to bring the Xbox app to their new LG Smart TVs later this year. This means Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to play their games directly from the Xbox app on supported LG Smart TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This gives players even more choice in how they enjoy their favorite games.

Soon, players with LG Smart TVs will be able to explore the Gaming Portal for direct access to hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and upcoming releases like Avowed (launching February 18, 2025).

Stream Your Own Game

We also recently announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can stream select games they own, outside the Game Pass catalog. This feature will also be available on the Xbox app with LG Smart TVs, allowing Game Pass Ultimate members to stream over 50 games they own, including NBA 2K25, Hogwarts Legacy, and more.

We’ll share more details on the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience with LG TV in the coming months. To learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming and how you can play across TVs and browsers on supported devices like smartphones, PCs, and tablets, visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.

Elden Ring soft caps for all stats in 2025

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Understanding soft caps are key to how to level up stats and runes in Elden Ring. That way, if you know the soft cap breakpoints, you’ll be able to get the optimal return from the runes you’ve spent — as opposed to receiving diminishing returns from excessive stats.

If that sounds a bit complex, don’t worry; in this guide, we’ll explain everything there is to know about soft caps in Elden Ring.

What are soft caps in Elden Ring?

If you’re no stranger to the Lands Between and Shadow of the Erdtree’s Realm of Shadow, you probably know the drill: defeat enemies, receive runes, and use the runes to level your stats at a Site of Grace. Each individual stat can be leveled from 1 to 99, with 99 being the “hard cap” — the limit.

Beware, however, that there’s a difference between leveling a stat from level 30 to level 31 or from level 50 to level 51, as you’ll receive less benefits once you’ve crossed a certain threshold. This threshold is called a “soft cap” or a “breakpoint” in Elden Ring. When you start leveling a stat, the returns will initially remain the same or even improve with every new level, but after reaching a certain breakpoint, the stat will be soft-capped and the returns will become less and less.

A menu shows the stats that have soft caps in Elden Ring.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • If you level your Vigor from level 3 to level 4, your HP will increase from 312 to 322.
  • If you level your Vigor from level 4 to level 5, your HP increases from 322 to 334.

As you can see, the returns per level have improved; instead of 10 HP points, you received 12 HP points the second time. These growing returns will reach their peak when leveling Vigor from level 39 to level 40, with a whopping 48 HP points gained (from 1402 HP to 1450 HP).

If you continue to level your Vigor from level 40 to level 41, though, your HP will improve from 1450 to 1476; a return of 26 HP points. It’s still an improvement, but obviously not nearly as great as the previous 48 HP points. From this point onwards, the amount of HP gained from additional Vigor levels will steadily decline. Level 40 is therefore called the first soft cap for Vigor.

And that’s not all; every Elden Ring stat has at least two soft cap points, up to as many as four. For Vigor, the amount of HP gained from higher levels will drop significantly after level 60, as you will only get between 3 and 6 HP points per level afterwards. Level 60 is therefore named the second soft cap for this stat.

An Elden Ring player visits Rennala to upgrade soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

The existence of soft caps in Elden Ring doesn’t mean you should stop leveling a stat after reaching such a breakpoint, but it does mean that you need to mind your stat point allocation. Leveling Vigor from 40 to 60 can still be a great choice, but you might need to prioritize other stats before you do so, as the returns from those upgrades may be far greater. If you’d like to respec your current stats, visit Rennala in the Raya Lucaria library and select “Rebirth”.

Elden Ring soft caps in 2025

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of all soft cap breakpoints per stat type in Elden Ring:

  • Vigor: 40, 60
  • Mind: 50, 60
  • Endurance: 30, 50 (equipment load 60)
  • Strength: 60, 80
  • Dexterity: 60, 80
  • Intelligence: 50, 60, 80
  • Faith: 50, 60, 80
  • Arcane: 60, 80

Let’s delve into each stat, one-by-one:

An Elden Ring player stands in a field showing off their vigor soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • Level 1-40: growing returns, up to +48 HP per level.
  • Level 41-60: diminishing returns, between 27 and 13 HP per level.
  • Level 61-99: diminishing returns, between 6 and 3 HP per level.

Vigor improves HP, fire resistance, and immunity. As mentioned in the example above, Vigor has growing returns before reaching the first soft cap at level 40. This is amazing, as it means you’ll receive more and more HP with every level up until that point. Sadly, the drop-off is rather steep, going from 48 HP to 26 HP points — and even down to only 6 per level after the second soft cap at level 60.

Having a high HP is extremely useful for almost any Elden Ring build – it’s hard enough to stay alive without giving every enemy the possibility to one-shot you. We therefore recommend to hit the first soft cap of level 40, and continue to level 60 if your playstyle needs it (frontline melee builds, for example). Anything above level 60 is a waste of runes.

An Elden Ring player casts a spell with their mind soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • Level 1-15: between 3 and 4 FP per level.
  • Level 16-35: between 5 and 6 FP per level.
  • Level 36-50: between 6 and 7 FP per level.
  • Level 51-60: diminishing returns, between 4 and 6 FP per level.
  • Level 60+: diminishing returns, between 2 and 3 FP per level.
  • Focus: only starts to improve from Mind level 31 onwards, with soft cap at level 40.

Mind improves your FP and Focus. Focus is a nice defensive stat to have (protects against sleep and madness) but FP, also known as “mana,” is far more important as it’s needed to cast spells. With that in mind, you really only need as much Mind as you require FP to cast your magic. With a fully upgraded Flask of Cerulean Tears, you can restore 220 FP — one full FP bar at Mind level 38. Therefore, Mind at +38 is therefore the “sweet spot” before hitting the FP soft cap at level 50 and Focus soft cap at level 40.

An Elden Ring player runs through a dark pond chasing after Endurance soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • Stamina level 1-30: between 1 and 2 points per level, but usually 2.
  • Stamina level 31-50: diminishing returns, between 1 and 2 points per level, but usually 1.
  • Stamina level 50+: diminishing returns, between 0 and 1 point per level.
  • Equipment load level 9-25: only starts to improve from Endurance level 9 onwards, with +1.6 points per level up to level 25.
  • Equipment load level 26-45: adds between 1 and 1.4 points.
  • Equipment load level 46-60: adds between 1.4 and 1.5 points.
  • Equipment load level 60+: soft cap with a huge drop-off, down to 1 point.
  • Robustness: only starts to improve from Endurance level 31 onwards, with soft cap at level 40.

Endurance improves stamina, maximum equipment load (allowing you to stay within the “medium load” range while wearing heavier armor, for example), and robustness (resistance to bleed and frostbite). The amount of stamina you’ll need depends on how much you consume; if you’re using a melee build, you’ll typically want at least +34 Endurance, a stamina and equipment load sweet spot that also offers some robustness.

If you’re an endgame player with lots of runes to spend, you may keep going until the equipment load soft cap at level 60, as this allows you to equip far better armor sets while remaining in a below-heavy load range.

Strength and Dexterity soft caps

An Elden Ring player wields a giant club because of their strength soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • Strength armaments: soft caps are usually at level 20, 60, and 80.
  • Physical defense: improves at levels 30 and 40, peaking at 60. Diminishing returns after level 60.
  • Dexterity armaments: soft caps are usually at level 20, 60, and 80.
  • Incantations: soft caps at level 30 and 45.

Strength and Dexterity improve the damage dealt with armaments (weapons) scaling with these stats (usually physical/melee weapons). Although the breakpoints and minimum stats required depend on the individual armament, the physical damage soft caps are typically at level 20, 60, and 80.

At the start of your Elden Ring game, should you decide to wield a strength- or dexterity-scaling weapon, try to reach soft cap level 20 as soon as possible. Go up to 60 as you progress further (don’t forget your Vigor, Endurance, and Mind soft caps), but there’s no need to proceed past the level 80 soft cap.

Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane soft caps

An Elden Ring player stands in front of ruins while rocking Intelligence soft caps.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

  • Intelligence armaments: soft caps are usually at level 20, 50, and 80.
  • Intelligence sorceries: usually level 60 and 80.
  • Magic defense: best benefits until level 20 and slightly less until level 35. Soft cap at level 35 and soft cap with steep drop-off at level 60.
  • Faith armaments: usually level 20, 50, and 80.
  • Faith incantations: usually level 60 and 80.
  • Arcane armaments: usually level 20, 60, and 80.
  • Arcane buildup: usually level 40 and 60.
  • Arcane incantations: soft caps at level 30 and 45.
  • Arcane vitality and holy defense: hit their first soft cap at level 15 and 20 respectively. Final soft caps are level 60 for both.

Besides improving armaments that scale with these stats, Intelligence boosts the power of your sorceries, Faith increases the power of incantations, and Arcane improves status buildup (for Arcane-scaling weapons).

Similar to Strength and Dexterity, the exact scaling depends on the armament you’re using, but you typically need to hit level 20 for the best gains in early game. Try to eventually hit the soft cap around level 50, but it’s not worth it to go beyond level 80.

The defensive attributes (vitality, magic defense, etc.) hit a very steep drop-off after level 60.

Xbox previews cloud streaming of games you own on consoles

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Microsoft has a beta test that will finally bring cloud streaming to Xbox consoles. Participants in the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha tiers of the Xbox Insiders program can start using this feature now on their Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.

This news is an extension of the “stream your own game” feature that Microsoft in November. That initial launch allowed Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream select games they’ve digitally purchased to their televisions, Meta Quest VR headsets and to some supported browser setups. The company said at the time that it planned to also bring streaming to Xbox consoles and to the Windows Xbox app in 2025.

While this update is a welcome addition to the “stream your own game” hardware, there are still some caveats on the feature. First, it’s limited to Game Pass Ultimate members. Second, the game needs to support cloud streaming. There’s a short of titles included in the program for now, but several of them are excellent ones that are well worth a look: Baldur’s Gate 3, Balatro, Cyberpunk 2077, Animal Well, Stray and the first six Final Fantasy games, to name a few highlights. Once this goes live to the whole Xbox audience, it should be a useful way to streamline game downloads and to access your whole library without needing to shell out for external storage.

In related Microsoft news, the Windows Xbox app is getting . The new Home screen for the app will highlight curated game collections and suggested titles, as well as recent game news, releases and sales.

Hitman adds Jean-Claude Van Damme as next elusive target contract

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“The Splitter,” as the new content is known, features Van Damme in the role of Max Valliant, a former ICA agent who somehow avoided a previous assassination attempt several years prior. Agent 47 will need to infiltrate the rainy streets and underground data facility of Chongqing, China as he escorts an ICA board member, susses out Valliant’s “sinister agenda,” and finally puts the fellow assassin down for good.

“Max Valliant is quite the entertaining character, bringing a lot of action movie villain energy, he is ruthless, and of course, he can do the split!” Van Damme said, referring to own penchant for performing the splits in his movies and stunts. “The Splitter is a thrilling mission and like in any good action flick, Hitman players will have a few surprises, but I’ll let them find out by themselves.”

Like all elusive targets, The Splitter cannot be attempted again if failed (restarting is always allowed, of course) and has a hard end date, this time Jan. 12, 2025. Paid downloadable content will provide endless retries in arcade mode as well as a new SMG, kukri knife, and cosmetics based on the mission. And finally, the new “Season of the Splitter” roadmap will feature three missions developed by the Hitman community, new featured contracts, and the return of past elusive targets.

How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Brings Us Inside the Mind of Indy

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Another key element for The Great Circle’s take on the character was in having him change over time – MachineGames isn’t looking to create a static icon of who Indiana Jones is, but offer a meaningful exploration of how he grows after ‘Raiders’ and before ‘The Last Crusade’. That comes down not just to the story, but the game itself – MachineGames has found ways of hinting at Indy’s personal growth through mechanics.

“There are several ways we have worked with this,” begins Torvenius. “Throughout the game we reward the player with Adventure Points. These points can be spent to unlock skills that you find in ability books. These are basically new skills you learn throughout the adventure – and all these skills and moves you unlock have been carefully crafted to fit the character of Indy. Some of these are things like more health or stamina and others are related to handling the whip – all features intimately tied to Indiana Jones. This gives a sense of experience building up.

“We also have a visual progression with his hat and jacket becoming a tad more beaten up throughout the experience, and the same goes for the journal. Indy’s journal becomes more and more built out, and shows stains and scribbles on the pages to emphasize the player’s journey. All of these things combine to work together very nicely – the player will never be left feeling that the character of Indy is not evolving throughout the game.”

And, of course, playing the majority of the game in first-person plays a major part here too. While it may seem a challenge to set the game within a character so defined by his look, it gave MachineGames a chance to use their experience within this area – particularly in the recent Wolfenstein games.

“We knew this was super important challenge from the get-go,” says Andersson. “Luckily, this is not our first rodeo. Big parts of the team have worked together on story-driven first-person games all the way back to The Chronicles of Riddick and The Darkness. Also, I think the Wolfenstein series surprised the world by having a very interesting and relatable character with B.J. Blazkowicz, so we have had a lot of experience with this.”

“One important thing that has been part of our DNA for a very long time – and is definitely something that helps create great characters – is that we put story front and centre,” adds Torvenius. “We always start with a strong narrative, and we always end with a narratively strong ending. And our experience is weaving those stories tightly with solid gameplay.

“Having the perfect mix of strong cutscenes and interesting gameplay, driven by an interesting character that is complex with many nuances, that continues to evolve throughout the game, is crucial. A good story survives everything and that’s why we’re always so very focused on getting the story just right.”

Finding a Voice

Interscope Records Launches Custom Juice WRLD Fortnite Island and Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab Controllers

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Summary

  • On November 30, a custom Juice WRLD-themed Fortnite Island, “Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends” launches, featuring unreleased music, iconic tracks, and Xbox Lounges.
  • Xbox will release two Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers.
  • Xbox will also host a live Fortnite tournament during the final Juice WRLD Day at Chicago’s United Center.

In celebration of the upcoming release of The Party Never Ends, Juice WRLD’s highly anticipated final, posthumous album dropping on November 29, Xbox is partnering with Interscope, Grade A, and Life Free 999 to launch a custom in-game Island – “Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends” – inspired by the artist. Fans can dive into this unique experience starting November 30, 2024. Please note: this is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Epic Games, Inc.

This Island features an epic tower-climbing race set amid stunning landscapes of lush mountains, serene lakes, and open fields. Along the way, players will be able to chill at Xbox Lounges, where they’ll hear a snippet of an unreleased Juice WRLD track alongside fan-favorite hits like “Lucid Dreams,” “Wishing Well,” and “Robbery.” Juice-related imagery and collectibles are woven throughout the experience, ensuring fans feel truly immersed in his world.

Juice Wrld Xbox Controller

Xbox will also launch Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers, available to order starting today. These custom designs honor Juice WRLD’s bold style and love for gaming, giving fans a unique way to incorporate his influence into their gaming setups. You can order them here.

The celebration doesn’t stop there—on November 30, Xbox will host a live, in-person Fortnite tournament during the fourth annual and final Juice WRLD Day at Chicago’s United Center. Local students will compete in the custom Island finale, adding excitement to a day filled with an exclusive listening experience, surprise performances, and more. It’s a tribute fans won’t want to miss!