Latest news with #STALKER2
Digital Trends
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (May 23-25)
The last few weeks of Xbox Game Pass titles have been some of the best we've ever seen on the service. We're still riding the high off Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, and Doom: The Dark Ages. If you're anything like me, you've already burned through all of these games over the past few weeks and have found yourself in need of a new distraction for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Xbox appears to be trying to set some kind of record for the number of amazing weeks it can offer its subscribers. Let's kick off the long weekend strong with the top Xbox Game Pass games I recommend downloading. Monster Train 2 Deckbuilding roguelike fans (yes, there are dozens of us) have been waiting all year for Monster Train 2, and now we can grab it at no extra charge on day one through Game Pass. This sequel has the same basic setup as the first, in which you set up your forces and play special cards to defend your train as it moves through the map, but features more clans, cards, enemies, challenges, modes, and more. The original was already very friendly to newcomers to the genre, and the refinements in the sequel only make it more accessible. At the same time, veterans can always push the challenge up by taking on Dimensional Challenges with their own rewards. Recommended Videos Monster Train 2 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 Stalker 2 did launch on Game Pass at the PC and Ultimate tier, but is now available for all subscribers. If you held off on the game because of that, or because it was a bit buggy at launch, now is the best time to finally start your adventure in the Zone. This game was already a looker at release, but now runs and plays as good as the team intended. It has similar vibes to a Fallout game, but is much more hardcore and unforgiving. If you enjoyed Atomfall from earlier this year, especially, this is a game that will eat up your entire weekend thanks to the dynamic world events and multiple ways you can complete quests. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is available now on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Tales of Kenzera: Zau We've had a lot of very touching and personal games, but an overlooked one I am glad to give a spotlight to is Tales of Kenzera: Zau. What looks to be a typical Metroidvania is a deeply personal and cultural story about loss. The main thrust of the game centers around a young man mourning the loss of his father by reading his story about Zau, a shaman who is working with Death himself to try and save his father's spirit. Each step of the journey teaches him another lesson on grief until the climax. There's also a very solid game here with challenging platforming and a unique system of swapping between masks to alter your powers. You can complete the entire thing in a weekend, and I highly suggest you do. Tales of Kenzera: Zau is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft Gaming Names Kayleen Walters Head of ‘Minecraft' Maker Mojang Studios as Åsa Bredin Exits
Microsoft Gaming's Kayleen Walters has been promoted to head of the company's Stockholm-based 'Minecraft' maker, Mojang Studios, as current chief Åsa Bredin exits the Swedish video game developer. Per Microsoft Gaming leadership, Bredin made the decision to step down 'to focus on personal goals outside of work.' She joined Mojang Studios in 2021 and was promoted to head of the studio in 2023. More from Variety 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6' Scores Franchise's Biggest-Ever Launch Weekend, Microsoft Gaming Says Xbox Sets Documentary About 'STALKER 2' Developers Making Game Amid War in Ukraine (EXCLUSIVE) Microsoft Gaming to Lay Off 3% of Global Workforce, About 650 Employees, in Additional Post-Activision Blizzard Cuts Walters will begin in her new role effective immediately. Bredin will remain with Mojang through the end of February to help with the transition. Currently, Walters is vice president and head of franchise development at the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Gaming, a leadership position she will continue in as she adds head of Mojang to her title. Federico San Martin will take on day-to-day management of franchise development and report directly to Walters. Walters will be based in Redmond and travel between Redmond and Stockholm frequently. She will report to Microsoft game content and studios chief operating officer Helen Chiang. Before becoming head of franchise at Microsoft Gaming overall, Walters led brand and entertainment at 'Minecraft.' Prior to joining Microsoft in 2018, she spent 13 years at Lucasfilm, where she rose to vice president of franchise marketing and integrated planning. Additionally, Amy Stillion will add to her responsibilities as chief of staff, supporting both Microsoft game content and studios operations as well as Mojang Studios. She will head up Mojang's Redmond People Experience team and join the Mojang Studios leadership team. 'Change is never easy, but I have full confidence in this team and its ability to deliver incredible experiences for our players and community,' Microsoft game content and studios chief operating officer Helen Chiang said in an internal memo announcing the shuffle Wednesday, which was obtained by Variety. 'With strong leadership in place and a clear vision for the future, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges we face in the marketplace with speed and momentum.' The leadership change at Mojang comes just ahead of the April release of the Warner Bros.-produced 'A Minecraft Movie.' See Chiang's note to staff about Bredin's departure and Walters' appointment in full below. I want to share an important leadership update at Mojang Studios. As a global team, strong leadership is essential in shaping our vision and driving our collective success. Today, I'd like to share that Åsa Bredin has decided to step down from her role as Head of Mojang Studios to focus on personal goals outside of work. Åsa has been a vital part of our team and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact and contributions since has made since joining in 2021. While I, along with the entire Microsoft Gaming leadership will miss Åsa in this role, I fully support her decision and wish her all the best as she embarks on this next chapter. With Åsa's departure, I am pleased to share that Kayleen Walters will step in as Head of Mojang Studios, effective immediately. Kayleen has been an integral part of Mojang Studios since 2018, leading our Franchise Development team and more recently, expanding her focus across the Game Content & Studios (GCS) organization. In her new role, Kayleen will continue to drive Mojang Studios' growth while maintaining oversight of Franchise Development. Federico San Martin will now manage the day-to-day operations of Franchise Development within GCS Operations, reporting directly to Kayleen to ensure a smooth transition. A strong One Team mindset across Stockholm and Redmond is critical to the success of Mojang Studios and the Minecraft Franchise. Kayleen will lead Mojang Studios in close partnership with our Global Leadership Team which includes Annie Chenn, Jens Bergensten, Ryan Cooper, Ada Duan, Scott Dell'Osso, Emma Brandt, and key partners across Marketing, PR, Human Resource, and CELA partners: Jeanie DuMont, Addie Coronado, Natalie Graham, and Nick Morgan. I am also pleased to announce that Amy Stillion will be taking on an expanded role as Chief of Staff, supporting both GCS Operations and Mojang Studios. In this capacity, she will also lead Mojang's Redmond People Experience team and join the Mojang Studios leadership team. Change is never easy, but I have full confidence in this team and its ability to deliver incredible experiences for our players and community. With strong leadership in place and a clear vision for the future, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges we face in the marketplace with speed and momentum. Kayleen and the leadership team will be hosting Open Forums to answer your questions – please look out for those invitations. Thank you for your continued dedication to Mojang Studios and the Minecraft community. Please join me in celebrating Åsa's contributions and wishing her well in her next chapter, and congratulating Kayleen as she steps into this new role. Helen Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
