Technology

Xbox Game Pass subscribers have a robust lineup of new titles to look forward to in February and March, headlined by the highly anticipated Kingdom Reach: Deliverance II. The addition of the sequel to the critically acclaimed medieval RPG was announced by Xbox on Tuesday, promising a deep and immersive experience for players on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and via cloud streaming.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, set in 15th-century Bohemia, continues the story of Henry of Skalitz, offering a narrative of revenge, betrayal, and discovery. The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance was praised for its historical accuracy and realistic gameplay, and the sequel aims to build upon that foundation. Xbox’s announcement signals a commitment to bringing high-quality, story-driven experiences to its subscription service.

But Kingdom Come: Deliverance II isn’t the only addition. The February and March Game Pass wave includes a diverse range of titles, catering to various gaming preferences. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition will also be available on console and via cloud streaming, offering players a massive open-world adventure. The full version of Towerborne is rolling out, and several new releases are also joining the service.

New Games Coming to Xbox Game Pass

Here’s a complete list of the games joining the Xbox Game Pass library in late February and early March:

• Aerial_Knight’s DropShot (PC, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, and Cloud) – February 17 (Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
• Death Howl (PC, Xbox Series X/S, Handheld, and Cloud) – February 19 (Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass)
• EA Sports College Football 26 (Xbox Series X/S and Cloud) – February 19 (Game Pass Ultimate)
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition (Console and Cloud) – February 19 (Game Pass Ultimate and Premium)
• TCG Card Shop Simulator (Game Preview) (PC, Xbox Series X/S and Cloud) – February 24 (Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass)
• Dice A Million (PC) – February 25 (Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
• Towerborne (PC, Console and Handheld) – February 26 (Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass)
• Final Fantasy III (PC, Xbox Series X/S and Cloud) – March 3 (Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass)
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PC, Xbox Series X/S and Cloud) – March 3 (Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass)

Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass

As with each update, several titles will be leaving the Xbox Game Pass library on February 28th. Subscribers looking to continue playing these games will necessitate to purchase them separately:

• Monster Train (PC, Console and Cloud)
• Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (PC, Console and Cloud)
• Injustice 2 (PC, Console and Cloud)
• Middle Earth: Shadow of War (PC, Console and Cloud)

The addition of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II to Xbox Game Pass is a significant win for subscribers, offering access to a highly anticipated title at no extra cost. The diverse range of other games joining the service further solidifies Game Pass as a compelling value proposition for gamers. The service continues to evolve, offering a constantly updated library of experiences across a variety of genres.

Looking ahead, Xbox is expected to continue announcing new additions to Game Pass throughout the year. The ongoing strategy of bringing both first-party and third-party titles to the service is likely to remain a key focus, further enhancing the value and appeal of the subscription offering.

What games are you most excited to play on Xbox Game Pass? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Los Angeles – Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified Wednesday in a landmark civil trial examining whether social media platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive, and whether those designs contribute to mental health issues in young users. The case, brought by a plaintiff identified as K.G.M., alleges that platforms like Instagram and YouTube exploit vulnerabilities in the developing brains of children and adolescents, leading to depression, anxiety, and body image issues. This trial is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for hundreds of similar lawsuits pending across the United States.

The core of K.G.M.’s claim centers on features like infinite scrolling and personalized recommendations, arguing these mechanisms are deliberately engineered to maximize user engagement, even at the expense of well-being. Her lawsuit details a history of social media use beginning at age six with YouTube, followed by Instagram – years before the platform’s stated age requirement – and later Snapchat and TikTok. The plaintiff alleges that Instagram filters contributed to body image dissatisfaction, and that algorithms even provided harmful weight loss advice, such as consuming only a cucumber per day.

The Stakes for Social Media Companies

The outcome of this case could have significant ramifications for the social media industry. Hundreds of comparable lawsuits are currently filed in the U.S., and the Los Angeles trial is the first to reach this stage, serving as a crucial test case for the viability of these claims in American courts. Comparisons have been drawn to litigation against the tobacco industry, where companies were accused of concealing the addictive nature of cigarettes and ultimately faced billions of dollars in settlements and restrictions on advertising, according to reports.

Snapchat and TikTok recently reached settlements with K.G.M. Prior to the trial’s commencement. However, Instagram and YouTube, both owned by Meta and Google respectively, are contesting the allegations in court. Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, previously testified that he does not believe social media platforms are inherently addictive, stating users can become “addicted…like to a television series,” but not “clinically addicted,” as reported by The Fresh York Times. Meta has similarly highlighted measures implemented over the years to protect young users, including dedicated teen accounts and parental supervision tools.

Section 230 and Legal Hurdles

Social media platforms benefit from significant legal protections in the United States under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision generally shields platforms from liability for content posted by their users. Initially, the companies attempted to leverage Section 230 to dismiss the case, arguing they should not be held responsible for the actions of others on their platforms. However, Judge Carolyn Kuhl ruled that this defense did not apply, stating that liability could exist based on the design of platform features.

Despite this ruling, K.G.M. Faces a substantial legal challenge. Her legal team must convince the jury that Instagram and YouTube’s features were a substantial factor in her psychological distress. Meta’s defense argues that K.G.M. Faced significant challenges long before her engagement with social media, citing a history of family difficulties and alleged abuse. They also emphasize that K.G.M. Has not been diagnosed with a social media addiction.

Global Scrutiny and Regulatory Responses

The legal battle in the U.S. Is unfolding alongside increasing regulatory scrutiny of social media platforms worldwide. In Europe, TikTok is currently under investigation by the European Union, with preliminary findings suggesting the app violates EU law through addictive mechanisms, such as highly personalized recommendations and the continuous autoplay of videos. The EU Commission found that TikTok’s design “rewards” users with constant new content, encouraging endless scrolling.

Australia has implemented a strict ban on social media for individuals under 16, effective in mid-December. Similar bans are being considered in Denmark, Greece, Spain, and France, while the United Kingdom is currently debating the issue. In Germany, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has called for a ban on social media for children under 14.

The outcome of this trial, and the broader wave of legal and regulatory challenges, will likely shape the future of social media and its impact on young people. The focus on platform design and its potential to contribute to addiction and mental health issues represents a significant shift in the conversation surrounding these powerful technologies. What comes next will depend on the jury’s decision and how platforms respond to the growing pressure to prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics.

What are your thoughts on the role of social media in mental health? Share your perspective in the comments below.