Xbox continues GamesCom news with more announcements

Xbox had a great showing yesterday at Opening Night Live, and they’ve kept it going today at their live show. We finally have info and pre-orders available on the two new console variants announced in June, and some special accessibility controller options also made their debut. All that, and more awesome video game news. Check it out below!

Today at gamescom, Xbox announced release dates of the new Xbox Series X|S console selections, with four new accessibility offerings available as early as today, as well as new in-game content in Forza Horizon 5. For more information on Xbox’s latest hardware options and updates to Forza Horizon 5, see below:

Xbox Series X|S Consoles

Announced earlier this year at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, new console options will be released on October 15, with select countries following on October 29. Pre-orders for the new Xbox Series consoles start today, including the Xbox Series S – 1TB in Robot White, Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition in Robot White, and Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition.

• The Xbox Series S – 1TB ($349.99 USD) is equipped with 1TB of storage and is featured in Robot White. Now with double the storage, you can store even more of your favorite games.
• The Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition ($449.99 USD) is equipped with 1TB of storage, is all-digital, and is featured in Robot White for the first time.
• The Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition ($599.99 USD) is equipped with 2TB of storage and features a unique design and includes a matching Xbox Wireless controller with a Galaxy Black D-pad and Velocity Green back case.

New Accessibility Offerings

Created in partnership with the Gaming & Disability community and nonprofit organizations, new accessibility hardware will include the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, complementary 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab, and two Designed for Xbox controllers: ByoWave’s Proteus Controller and 8BitDo’s Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller. More information on each can be found below:

• The Xbox Adaptive Joystick ($29.99 USD ERP), is an affordable entry-level, singular, wired joystick designed to meet the needs of players with limited mobility as a companion for the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other Xbox controllers, including the Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick will be launching in early 2025 in select Xbox markets worldwide and sold exclusively through the Microsoft Store.
• 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers, is a complementary service offered with Xbox Design Lab that allows players to configure six different 3D printable thumbstick topper designs for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, the Xbox Wireless Controller, or the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. These thumbstick topper files are additional options beyond the standard thumbsticks that come with controllers. Xbox Design Lab outputs the design files that players can then 3D print or take to any 3D printing service of their choosing. The 3D printable files for  adaptive thumbstick toppers are available now with Xbox Design Lab.
• The Designed for Xbox Proteus Controller ($299 USD ERP), created by our partners at ByoWave, is a modular adaptive kit giving disabled gamers the tools to build their own way to play. The unique modular video game controller kit features innovative ‘snap and play’ parts that easily connect together and comes with everything that gamers need to play their favorite Xbox games on console and PC right out of the box. The ByoWave Proteus Controller is now available in select markets worldwide.
• The Designed for Xbox Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller ($59.99 USD ERP), created by our partners at 8BitDo, is a compact and lightweight controller designed for gamers with limited mobility, featuring low-resistance buttons and Hall Effect joysticks with greater sensitivity. The unified face-button layout offers easy access to all buttons on the top of the device, and comes with large, programmable Super Buttons that are also compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller. The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller is now available in select markets worldwide.

Beyond these controllers, Xbox shared details around toggle hold, a new accessibility feature, and accessible packaging for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick and new Xbox Series X|S console options.

To learn more about our new console and accessibility offerings, visit the Xbox Wire for the latest updates linked here.

New Hide & Seek Game Mode in Forza Horizon 5

In addition, Playground Games announced a new game mode coming to the Forza Horizon 5 Horizon Festival on September 10: Hide & Seek.

• In this new multiplayer mode, players will be assigned one of two roles — Hiders or Seekers. Hiders will be tasked with getting to a location in a set amount of time while Seekers try to prevent them from doing so, and each role will have a specific set of stock vehicles available to them. Hide & Seek will have its own progression track to level up and earn new badges, accolades, and achievements.
• Once Hide & Seek launches next month, a new location will be added to the in-game map to enter the mode. It will also be accessible through the Online page of the Main Menu.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more Xbox news and info!

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