Category: Announcements

Una Fuerza Hermoza: Xbox Celebrates the Diverse Voices of Hispanic Creators

Team Xbox

Summary

Xbox celebrates the diverse Hispanic and Latino communities by showcasing games from Hispanic and Latino creators that highlight their unique cultural perspectives.
Minecraft Education, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, has created LatinExplorers and LatinExplorers 2 to inspire and educate young players by featuring Latino leaders and celebrating Hispanic culture.
Personal stories from the Xbox community emphasize the profound impact of these initiatives, reflecting Xbox’s commitment to empowering individuals and fostering inclusivity through diverse representation in gaming.

At Xbox, we’re dedicated to honoring the rich and multifaceted nature of Hispanic and Latino communities. Often misunderstood as a singular identity, these communities encompass a vibrant array of cultures, each with its own distinct history, values, and traditions. From diverse languages and cuisines to varied art forms and practices, the Hispanic and Latino experience is a complex and vivid mosaic. By recognizing and celebrating this rich diversity, we aim to shift the narrative from simplistic perceptions and appreciate the myriad voices and stories that globally impact art, music, cuisine, and more.

This year, Xbox is proud to showcase more games than ever before that reflect the unique perspectives and creativity of these communities. Through our partnerships with Hispanic and Latino developers, Xbox is amplifying these diverse voices and ensuring they have a unified platform to share their stories.

Juan Castaneda from StudioBando shares “We’ve incorporated the landscapes and fauna of Latin America, drawing inspiration from across the region; from the small towns we grew up in in the Andes Mountains to the Amazon region, to the Salar de Uyuni, where the sand blends into the sky. We’ve brought in incredible creatures from these places, like The Harpy Eagle, the Pink Dolphin, and the Culpeo Fox.

Our collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation underscores this commitment, helping to bring educational opportunities, strengthen workforces, and promote social impact. In particular, Minecraft Education partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to create LatinExplorers: A Hispanic Heritage Journey! and its sequel, LatinExplorers 2. These initiatives introduce Latino leaders as characters in Minecraft, providing an immersive experience that celebrates Hispanic culture and leadership. Players can navigate the lives of these leaders, celebrating their victories and learning about their challenges, thereby fostering a deeper connection to their culture.

The personal stories from within the Xbox community further highlight the profound impact of this support. As one community member shared, “I stand on the shoulders of women who came before me, who could not do what I do. We want to open doors for others. This is how I honor my community and my family, and how Microsoft lives up to its mission by empowering others to do more.” Another added, “Each generation works hard so the next generation can do better. I’m proud to partner with our ID@Xbox team, who is reaching out to Latino developers and giving them new opportunities we never had.”

The focus on legacy and community support is evident in the dedication of many Hispanic and Latino individuals at Xbox. Our commitment to creating inclusive and impactful experiences through Minecraft aligns with our broader mission to empower individuals and communities. By showcasing real-world Latino heroes and providing a platform for diverse voices, we’re fostering a more understanding, collaborative, and unified global community. The pride and connection felt by players, parents, and educators when they see their culture reflected in the game underscore the importance of representation and inspiration in driving positive change.

The title “Una Fuerza Hermosa” captures our celebration of the diverse and expansive range of games from Hispanic and Latino creators. This diversity reflects the vast and varied nature of these communities, showcasing their incredible contributions to the gaming world. Xbox is proud to support and elevate these voices, enriching our understanding of ourselves and fostering a more inclusive society through the powerful and beautiful force of their creative expressions.

GIVE

Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting Hispanic communities with Xbox. The organizations below will be featured on console throughout September and October:

Hispanic Heritage Foundation – Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s mission focuses on education, workforce, identity, and social impact through the lenses of leadership and culture.

CARE – CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice in 100 countries including Latin America and the Caribbean.

Xbox players can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Start earning today and redeem your points for great rewards. Donate your points on the Rewards hub or on the Rewards redeem page.

PLAY

Explore Games Curated by Hispanic and Latino Communities at Microsoft

Hispanic and Latino voices bring a rich and vibrant history to life through authentic storytelling and inspired creativity. Video games elevate these stories for an immersive experience. To celebrate these communities, explore a variety of game collections spanning creators, playable characters, and titles influenced by Hispanic and Latino cultures around the world.

Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, check out the Latin American community games collection that exists year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities. For Xbox Game Pass members, check out the Xbox Game Pass Hispanic community collection and the PC Game Pass Hispanic community collection.

Some highlights for Xbox Game Pass members include:

Common’hood (Available on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Build your own community in this economy management and city building simulation game from the brain of Chile-born architect and urban planner, Jose Sanchez. Decide how you want to live in this highly customizable habitat, form a thriving neighborhood, and share your designs in multiplayer mode.

Far Cry 6 (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Welcome to Yara! Take on the role of Dani Rojas, and fight alongside revolutionaries against the regime of Antón Castillo. With a story heavily influenced by Cuba’s revolution, Dani being local to Yara brings a unique perspective of someone fighting for their home while embracing the complexity of political conflicts. For the first time in the Far Cry franchise, players also have the choice to play as a woman or a man, making the game even more inclusive.

Overwatch 2 (Free on Xbox Console and PC) – Starting on September 17, unlock in-game loot with Xbox Game Pass in Overwatch 2! Featuring a wide roster of characters with backstories from all over the globe, Overwatch 2 includes many Hispanic and Latino options. IIari is a warrior from Peru, voiced by Peruvian musician, Myriam Andrea Cisneros Linares. From the city of Dorado, Mexico comes Sombra, one of the world’s most notorious hackers. While the mercenary Reaper’s background is largely a mystery, it’s known that he was born Mexican-American. And Lúcio is a support hero that uses his DJ talents from Brazil for social change.

Explore Even More Games from Hispanic and Latino Creators on the Microsoft Store

Xbox is thrilled to partner with talented creators from across the vibrant regions of Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, and Peru, celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences they bring to the gaming world. Many had some personal stories on how their culture and history impacted their creations.

Leo Motta from Mad Mimic: “…we always carry a lot from our personal experiences living and growing up in Brazil into all of our creations. A good example in Mark of the Deep of how we brought our culture to the game to make it special for Brazilian players is present in Okiros, one of the main characters in the game. As he is a cook, and this is an important aspect of the character, he is constantly talking about herbs and spices he will use in his dishes, so in Portuguese, we changed them to herbs and spices that are traditional in Brazilian cuisines, such as folha de louro, a common herb used, for example, in feijoada, one of our most famous dishes.”

Paola Vera from Maula Games said, “Growing up, I always heard my grandfather talk about Álvaro Obregón, the president who stole less than others because he only had one hand… The leader of the revolution, shot and killed by a cartoonist. It’s been a story that’s followed my life forever. So learning my country’s history through investigation and game design has been magical, to say the least.”

Mario Vallarta from Dracma Studios wanted gamer to know, “A lot of the architecture for the castle in Candle Knight is inspired by a church in Zacatecas, México, called Nuestra Señora de Fátima and also by some other gothic buildings in our country.”

These collaborations highlight the incredible creativity and innovation emerging from these diverse communities, enriching the global gaming landscape with unique stories and perspectives. By featuring these exceptional games through the Microsoft Store, Xbox not only provides gamers with access to extraordinary new experiences but also amplifies the voices of these talented creators.

Adore (Available on Xbox consoles) – Adore is a monster-taming action game where the main character, Lukha, is able to summon and control creatures to fight by his side in a simple and innovative way! In Adore, you can customize your gameplay according to the creatures you capture. Each of them has very different characteristics and abilities. Traits, special abilities and the Synergy system allow even more varied playstyles and powerful combos!

Play Adore Today

Candle Knight (Available on Xbox consoles) – Wield your flame to overcome menacing creatures lurking in the shadows of a ruined castle, use the dynamic difficulty system to your advantage, traverse challenging platforming sections and solve cryptic puzzles inside surreal paintings in this 2.5D action-adventure platformer.

Play Candle Knight Today

Tunche (Available on Xbox consoles) – Tunche is a charming hand-drawn action game with roguelike elements. Team up with your friends or play solo. Choose from five unique characters and restore peace in the Amazon rainforest!

Play Tunche Today

Astor: Blade of the Monolith (Available on Xbox consoles) – In this adventure game, explore the vibrant planet of Gliese, once inhabited by an ancient race, and now home to their sentient creations – the Diokek. After the ancients’ disappearance, the Diokek lived in peace until malevolent creatures, the Hiltsik, started wreaking havoc among their settlements. With threats of a more sinister force at play, Astor – a young Diokek warrior, must journey across Gliese to solve the mysterious disappearance of his creators thousands of years ago, believing that they may have left behind the key to their salvation.

Play Astor Today

Baca Juga

The Inheritance of Crimson Manor (Available on Xbox consoles) – In The Inheritance of Crimson Manor you will explore a beautiful and enigmatic Victorian manor with a dark secret. This is a gothic horror story first person exploration puzzle game filled with fine art, secret passages and mysterious mechanical puzzles playing as the executor of the last will & testament from the enigmatic railroad magnate Hadley Strange.

Play The Inheritance of Crimson Manor Today

Mulaka (Available on Xbox Console & PC) – Dive into northern Mexico’s breathtaking landscapes with Mulaka, a 3D action-adventure game based on the rich indigenous culture of the Tarahumara. Renowned for their impressive running abilities, embark on the journey of a Sukurúame – a Tarahumara shaman – as you fight back the foulness corrupting the land, while drawing upon the powers of demigods.

Play Mulaka Today

On the Horizon

Xbox is proud to also showcase these incredible upcoming gaming experiences from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil that will be coming soon to Xbox consoles and PC. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the Microsoft Store for these unique and captivating experiences coming your way!

SOPA: Tale of the Stolen Potato

From the talented developers at StudioBando, comes an adventure game like no other. As Juan Castaneda from StudioBando describes:

“Growing up in Colombia with my co-writer and Game Designer Nelson Guevara, as part of a huge family, was a major inspiration for SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato. We came up hearing fantastical stories from our parents and uncles and aunts about the remote places where they had grown up. We heard stories of fish raining from the sky, of pigs as big as houses, of ghosts hanging out at home along with everyone else. We grew up around incredible landscapes and animals that we’ve never seen anywhere else to this day, and have witnessed a sort of everyday fantastical absurdity that has tinted our view of the world.”

So get ready to meet quirky characters, venture through the depths of South America, and learn the importance of the things we pass along in this unforgettable emotional narrative adventure.

Check out SOPA: Tale of the Stolen Potato and look for it on Xbox from Q4, 2024.

Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber

Mexico, 1921 follows the life of Juan Aguirre, a young photojournalist that will be swept by Mexico’s whirlwind transformation to modernity, find himself inside the surreal revolutionary art world, rub shoulders with politicians and discover through his camera why Mexico ain’t no place for the weak.

Paola Vera, Macura Games: “In Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber we’ve anchored our story to one of Mexico’s history biggest mysteries: Who planned the assassination of President Álvaro Obregón? In this game you’ll play as a journalist that will have to interview and photograph subjects and collect historical objects that will immerse the player in Mexican post revolutionary history.”

Check out Mexico, 1921 and look for it on Xbox from Q4 2024.

Mark of the Deep

Brought to you from the incredible team at Mad Mimic, Mark of the Deep is an epic pirate adventure with a strong narrative and a thrilling mix of elements from acclaimed Metroidvania and soulslike games. Embark on this journey as the pirate Rookie, explore the mysteries of a cursed island and find your missing pirate crew!

Play the Demo for Mark of the Deep today and look for it on Xbox in October 2024.

Continue Learning with Minecraft Education

We’re thrilled to announce the continuation of our successful partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation through Minecraft Education‘s LatinExplorers 1 & 2. This exciting installment, featuring four game characters, is available in the Minecraft Education lesson library and for free on Minecraft Marketplace for Bedrock Edition players.

In LatinExplorers 2, students can explore the impactful journeys of three remarkable Hispanic mentors: Gloria Estefan, the trailblazing Cuban-American singer; Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel to space; and Monica Ramirez, a dedicated social activist and attorney. These figures inspire players with their stories of perseverance, creativity, and leadership. Building on 2022’s LatinExplorers, which introduced three other influential Latino leaders, this release continues our mission to empower and educate young players by showcasing real-world heroes in the beloved world of Minecraft.

Join Minecraft on October 11th (11AM -12PM PST) for an exciting Discord Stage Show featuring a Minecraft software engineer, Minecraft Marketplace Creators, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation! This is your chance to uplift and celebrate the Hispanic community, hear inspiring stories of history and achievements, and get valuable advice for those aspiring to build careers in gaming. Tune in and be part of the celebration!

DISCOVER

Xbox Meets with Hispanic & Latino Creators at Gamescom LATAM

This June, the Xbox Team traveled to São Paulo, Brazil for Gamescom LATAM. During our visit Xbox’s ID@Xbox Round Table and Mixer event made a significant impact, bringing together over 50 developers and 50 creators at the Mixer and holding 75 meetings with industry professionals. We engaged with a diverse range of developers, including, Mad Mimic, VR Monkey, Pipa Studios, Double Dash Studios, and many new to Xbox. This visit underscored not only Brazil’s, but Latin America’s rapid growth and rich talent pool, reinforcing our commitment to this vital market.

Wallpapers and Dynamic Backgrounds

The Hispanic Heritage Month Xbox design is available today as an Xbox Wallpaper as well as via Gamerpics. Get your wallpaper here. Content is subject to availability by country.