Highlights from today’s ID@Xbox showcase: indies coming to Game Pass

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Today kicked off the IGN Fan Fest with an exhibition of indie games from Xbox’s ID@Xbox showcase. This has been a significant day for independent video games, as it follows the Annapurna Interactive showcase this morning and marks the beginning of Steam’s first Next Fest of 2025. At the moment, there are numerous demos on Steam for you to explore, with some of the games presented in this event also accessible.

The ID@Xbox showcase was extensive, spanning approximately forty-five minutes during IGN’s three-hour livestream, and it showcased a total of twenty-one featured games. Some of these games are brand new creations, while others are updates on previously announced titles.

ID@Xbox showcase reveals what indie games Game Pass subscribers have to look forward to

Instead of going over each announcement in detail, this article will zero in on some key points. If you’d like to see the entire presentation, you can find it on IGN’s YouTube channel, with the ID@Xbox showcase starting approximately one hour in. It’s worth noting that, given this is an Xbox-centric event, every game displayed will be joining Game Pass upon release.

Revenge of the Savage Planet

The fresh trailer for the upcoming game, Revenge of the Savage Planet, was unveiled at the showcase, serving as a commercial-like introduction to the various tools featured in the game. This is the follow-up to Journey to the Savage Planet. Contrary to what you might think due to the different studio name, Raccoon Logic Studios, which is made up of some developers from the original team, took over from Typhoon Studios after their closure in 2020.

Revenge of the Savage Planet retains the original’s witty satire and vibrant alien scenery, as well as its optional cooperative mode. The game is slated for release on May 8th, available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, and PC. If you’re interested, add it to your wishlist on Steam!

Jump Ship

Jump Ship – A Space Adventure FPS Game

Developed by Keepsake Games, Jump Ship is a mission-focused first-person shooter (FPS) that allows up to four players to command a spaceship. This game offers a unique blend of space travel, on-foot combat, and planet exploration. From the recent trailer release, it appears that transition between these modes may include falling freely from space. Players will need to land on planets to collect resources while battling off robots. An intriguing aspect is the need to manage their spaceship throughout the gameplay. A moment in the trailer shows a player using a fire extinguisher as the ship’s interior catches fire. This could be an exciting fusion of elements found in cooperative games like Lethal Company and traditional FPS games, but it remains to be seen how well it all comes together. Luckily, you can sign up for the game’s closed beta on PC and Xbox via its official website. Jump Ship is expected to release in Early Access this summer.

Moonlighter 2, Blue Prince, Outbound, & Herdling

The demonstration of new gameplay was unveiled for Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, the follow-up to the 2018 indie success Moonlighter. The enigmatic puzzle game Blue Prince, developed by Dogubomb, has set a release date for April 10th. The travel simulation game Outbound, focusing on driving around a classic van, is slated to arrive on Game Pass in 2026. Herdling, an exclusive game that lets you nurture mythical creatures from Okomotive, revealed a new trailer and announced a release window for this summer. It’s fantastic news that all these games are set to join Game Pass.

The Lonesome Guild

In today’s showcase, the developers at Don’t Nod, known for creating Life is Strange and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, unveiled a new game called The Lonesome Guild. This title is being created by Tiny Bull Studios and published by Don’t Nod themselves. In this game, you play as a ghost who can amass a team of diverse animal characters to solve puzzles, battle enemies, and recruit allies in a 3D, isometric world. As a ghost, you have the ability to briefly take control of your allies during combat and puzzle-solving scenarios. Additionally, by developing relationships with your allies, their strength can grow. The game has a similar feel to another Don’t Nod production, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, but with adorable animal characters instead of humans. The Lonesome Guild is scheduled for release this fall, and you can add it to your wishlist now on Steam.

Balatro’s Next Big Collaboration

Awaiting much anticipation prior to its unveiling, the forthcoming Balatro collaboration didn’t fall short of expectations. Since its debut approximately a year ago, the rogue-like poker game has soared in popularity, ultimately securing itself a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards. Over the course of the last year, the independent developer Localthunk has rolled out several free “Friends of Jimbo” expansions that incorporate cosmetic collaborations with various other video games.

The initial three Friends of Jimbo packs typically offered just four collaborations each; however, the fourth Friends of Jimbo bundle announced today will feature eight collaborations instead. This new pack will showcase decks inspired by the Civilization series, Fallout, Critical Role, Assassin’s Creed, and more. Furthermore, this highly engaging game is also accessible through Xbox Game Pass.

RockBeasts

A fresh game, created by publishers Team17 (known for Dredge, Overcooked 2, and Blasphemous 2) and developers Lichthund, places you in the role of a rock band manager featuring animal characters. The animation is similar to the TV series Bojack Horseman, with its mix of anthropomorphic creatures in a grimy, dark environment. In RockBeasts, storytelling takes center stage, and players will need to make significant choices regarding band management and interactions with other characters, whether they’re friendly or not. The game, RockBeasts, is scheduled for release this year; you can add it to your wishlist on Steam right now.

33 Immortals

Title Announcement: Thunder Lotus’ Multiplayer Game “33 Immortals” Sets Launch Date for Early Access

The much-anticipated multiplayer game by Thunder Lotus (Spiritfarer) titled “33 Immortals” has now confirmed its Early Access launch date. This unique game is designed to accommodate up to thirty-three players, who will band together to combat relentless waves of enemies and bosses in a shared quest for immortality.

I was fortunate enough to participate in some beta tests for this exciting title, and I must admit that teaming up with thirty-three strangers brought back an online gaming experience that I had almost forgotten about. This game is cooperative in nature. The more players manage to survive, the greater the chance of success for everyone involved.

Even without voice chat, it was heartening to see fellow gamers wait patiently for me to collect loot and revive before we proceeded together to the next area. It seemed that most players understood that by waiting for others, they would increase their chances of achieving victory. This level of anonymous collaboration is not a common sight in today’s gaming world.

“33 Immortals” will be available for Early Access on PC through the Epic Games store and on Xbox Series X/S on March 18th, 2025. Are you ready to join us in our quest for immortality?

Lies of P: Overture

The final segment of the ID@Xbox showcase featured a fresh trailer for an upcoming expansion called Lies of P: Overture for the game Lies of P. The new trailer did not reveal when this upcoming addition will be released, but its appearance at the event may hint that it’s coming to Xbox Game Pass, given that the original game is still available on the service. This DLC was initially unveiled about two weeks ago during PlayStation’s State of Play presentation, and we can expect more details in due time.

Rapid Fire Highlights

Additional games were exhibited during the ID@Xbox presentation, specifically ten more. However, this piece is becoming rather lengthy. Here are some quick, key takeaways:

A brief overview of additional showcased games:

1. Title 1…
2. Title 2…
3. Title 3…
4. Title 4…
5. Title 5…
6. Title 6…
7. Title 7…
8. Title 8…
9. Title 9…
10. Title 10…

If you’re an enthusiast of indie games, there’s plenty to anticipate! Particularly if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, this selection of games is just what the service requires to keep players engaged during the gaps between big-budget game releases. You can explore some fantastic games on Steam right now, and remember to add anything that catches your eye to your wishlist on your preferred platform. This helps independent developers greatly.

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2025-02-25 03:02