Gaming

Amiga Games

Skinny Marley is a love letter to a dog: a charming puzzle game all the way from Brazil, a country that hasn’t produced many Amiga titles.

The post Skinny Marley Amiga Review appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Welcome to part six of this PSVR2 review series where I try to review every single title released for the system since launch.

The post Almost Every PSVR2 Game Reviewed (Part Six / Letter F) appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Welcome to part five of this PSVR2 review series where I try to review every single title released for the system since launch.

The post Almost Every PSVR2 Game Reviewed (Part Five / Letter E) appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Welcome to part four of this PSVR2 review series where I try to review every single title released for the system since launch.

The post Almost Every PSVR2 Game Reviewed (Part Four / Letter D) appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

I keep seeing people on social media claiming that “there are no games for PSVR2.” Honestly, that’s nonsense.

The post Rant: The State Of The PSVR2 And The VR Industry In General appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Welcome to the third part of this PSVR2 review series where I try to review every single title released for the system since launch.

The post Almost Every PSVR2 Game Reviewed (Part Three / Letter C) appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

The original PSVR launched back in October 2016 and went on to receive more than 600 releases, with around 300 of those also appearing on physical media. A last goodbye to the game changing medium.

The post PSVR – The End Of An Era? appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

The ultimate Tower Defense game for PSVR2, It's so good that you will want to dive into it right now!

The post Iron Guard – Tower Defending Perfection appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

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Share of the Week is back, and ready to ride into the world of Ghost of Yōtei. You shared your best moments using #PSshare #PSBlog, here are this week’s highlights: YouSpoonyBardd shares an orange sunset sky facing Mount Yōtei with leaves falling around Atsu. tulippooh3 shares Atsu leaning down and smiling at a fox. GeekNamedMike […]

Share of the Week is back, and ready to ride into the world of Ghost of Yōtei. You shared your best moments using #PSshare #PSBlog, here are this week’s highlights: YouSpoonyBardd shares an orange sunset sky facing Mount Yōtei with leaves falling around Atsu. tulippooh3 shares Atsu leaning down and smiling at a fox. GeekNamedMike shares Atsu unleashing the Onryō howl in black and white. kcssrlnd shares Atsu running across a fallen tree trunk with Mount Yōtei in the background. ForgottenJasmin shares Atsu strumming her shamisen in a field of white lilies. CarrotsCaptures shares Atsu framed by the setting sun striking with her yari Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on October 15, 2025 Next week, we focus the lens on the Onryō herself. Share portraits of Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Greetings, Travelers! We’re delighted to meet you once again as Genshin Impact Version Luna II, Song of the Welkin Moon: Reprise — “An Elegy for Faded Moonlight,” will be launching on October 22. The story in Nod-Krai grows ever more intense as another clash with the formidable enemy, “Rächer of Solnari,” looms on the horizon. […]

Greetings, Travelers! We’re delighted to meet you once again as Genshin Impact Version Luna II, Song of the Welkin Moon: Reprise — “An Elegy for Faded Moonlight,” will be launching on October 22. The story in Nod-Krai grows ever more intense as another clash with the formidable enemy, “Rächer of Solnari,” looms on the horizon. To confront this threat, you will join forces with the Fatui Harbingers and other unexpected allies. Among them, the new 5-star character Nefer steps into the fray, unlocking new strategic possibilities for Lunar-Bloom reactions. Furthermore, this update heralds the long-awaited debut of Miliastra Wonderland! This brand-new UGC (User-Generated Content) system allows you to explore hundreds of imaginative stages created by other players. You can also personalize your very own Manekin or Manekina with distinctive styles. New power rising against the Sinner Back in Nod-Krai, the path ahead remains uncertain, overshadowed by the looming threat of “Rächer of Solnari,” Rerir — one of the Five Sinners. The newest Archon Quest in Version Luna II delves deeper into the secrets of this formidable foe, with support arriving from both trusted companions and unexpected allies. The powerful Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino and Sandrone, will lend their strength to the fight against Rerir. Meanwhile, Nefer, the head of the Curatorium of Secrets, may hold the key to uncovering the truth behind the enemy’s dark obsession. And just when the battle reaches its most perilous moment, our long-awaited old friend, Varka, makes a timely return, poised to turn the tide. Meanwhile, The Damselette awaits in the Silvermoon Hall, ready to share more of her stories. In Version Luna II, Traveler can spend more time with this mysterious maiden. In return for your companionship, she will grant you the Ascendant Gleam state — a blessing from the Moon Goddess to aid you in combat. As a final token of her grace, fulfilling her request will also reward you with an exclusive namecard. The lady to know all hearts Beyond the unfolding storyline, the new 5-star character Nefer debuts as a Dendro Catalyst wielder. As the head of the Curatorium of Secrets, she navigates a web of hidden knowledge with ease, possessing an uncanny ability to sense when even the most reserved individuals are guarding secrets. The intelligence she unearths with her unique talent can even be exchanged at the Adventurers’ Guild for a collection of quirky anecdotes. In combat, this elegant and sharp-eyed lady takes increased Lunar-Bloom DMG. By consuming Verdant Dew, Nefer can execute her special Charged Attack, Phantasm Performance, which summons a shade of herself to fight alongside her, dealing Lunar-Bloom DMG. When buffed by the Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam state, her Elemental Skill transforms all Dendro Cores into Seeds of Deceit. Nefer can then draw in these special resources to empower both her Charged Attacks and her Elemental Burst, the latter of which deals AoE Dendro DMG. Version Luna II’s Event Wishes will feature new and returning characters in two phases: the first half marks the debut of Nefer alongside the return of Furina, followed by the reruns of Arlecchino and Zhongli in the second half. More fun awaits in the event stories of Version Luna II. Traveler will reunite with Nefer and old friends on a journey to the long-lost remains of Sumeru, where mysterious occurrences await. By completing the event, you can earn the chance to invite Collei for free, as well as enjoy a variety of mini-games and rewards. The world of creativity – Miliastra Wonderland Making its grand debut in Version Luna II is Miliastra Wonderland, Genshin Impact’s brand-new UGC system, available on PlayStation 5 for PlayStation players. This whimsical realm springs from the mysterious Witch Octavia. With the special landscape orb Venti gave you earlier as your key, you’ll enter Miliastra Wonderland by awakening Manekins, avatars that act as projections of your will. Once you complete Act I of the Archon Quest Prologue, “The Outlander Who Caught the Wind,” you’ll unlock access to Miliastra Wonderland. It can then be entered anytime via the Paimon Menu or the quick-access button in the top-right corner. This is where the real fun begins: customizing your very own Manekin/Manekina. Freely adjust everything from clothing and hairstyles to facial features and accessories, tailoring their look to your inspiration. The best part? These customizations aren’t limited to Miliastra Wonderland. Your Manekin/Manekina can stroll through the world of Teyvat wearing your unique creations, turning your entire adventure into a personal showcase of style. After crafting your perfect look, step into the social heart of Miliastra Wonderland: the bustling Lobby. It’s a place buzzing with Manekins chatting, exchanging invites, and heading off to diverse stages. Explore the Popular Miliastra Wonderland tab to see what the community is raving about, browse All Wonderlands to find your favorites, or dive straight into hundreds of imaginative stages from management sims and party games to PvP battles and adventure challenges. To make your first steps even more rewarding, Version Luna II offers a wealth of bonuses through login events and in-game activities. These include exclusive outfits, lobby templates, and resources to obtain outfit blueprints (known as Catalogs), among other rewards. And that wraps up our preview for Version Luna II. With Miliastra Wonderland opening its gates and the battles of Nod-Krai calling for unity, this update celebrates creativity, courage, and discovery. We can’t wait to see the worlds you explore, the style you embrace, and the memories you create with friends. Until then, Travelers — happy journeys, and we’ll see you in Teyvat and beyond!

Hello again, PlayStation community! I’m Sam Eng, the sole developer behind Skate Story – a game where you play as a glass-bodied demon, doomed to skate through the Underworld and devour the Moon to satisfy the devil’s contract. Today I’m proud to share that Skate Story is set to release on December 8 on PS5. […]

Hello again, PlayStation community! I’m Sam Eng, the sole developer behind Skate Story – a game where you play as a glass-bodied demon, doomed to skate through the Underworld and devour the Moon to satisfy the devil’s contract. Today I’m proud to share that Skate Story is set to release on December 8 on PS5. Play Video It’s been a while since the last PlayStation Blog where we announced Skate Story coming to PS5, but I wanted to fill you all in on some new gameplay features, a peak behind the creation of an all-new original soundtrack from Blood Cultures, as well as how the PS5 DualSense Controller can help shape your experience of the game. Skate Story or true story Did you know? Skate Story is based on a true story. Yes, that’s right folks. Sure, it’s slightly dramatized for effect, but it’s all totally 100% true. Of course, names and places have been altered as well, for the privacy of those involved. For example, it was not originally a Frog who ran the bagel shop, and the Skater actually had to get a lawyer before signing the Devil’s Contract. Sound (track) of the city Blood Cultures breathed real New York City life into a brand-new 12 track original soundtrack. The way they captured the city’s heartbeat – the chaos, the beauty, the endless motion elevates the game into something richer and more alive. Their music doesn’t just accompany the world, it defines it. I tapped Blood Cultures to guide the statement above. “When I was working on the soundtrack, Sam gave me some insane instructions. He was like, “I dunno, maybe make it sound industrial… it’s the underworld, you know?” Industrial? So I decided to apply for a job at the local train depot. I was worried they wouldn’t like the bag I keep over my head, but I figured everyone would be wearing masks anyway! They were actually really nice, but they kept insisting I take off my jacket. I’m not doing that! So I didn’t get the job. The foreman said “don’t trip on the way out!” I should have heeded the warning because I tripped on several metal beams. What a tumble! It sounded glorious! Then I realized… I should sample New York itself! So then I went around the city, with my little pocket field recorder and a variety of little objects: spoons, chopsticks, my grandmother’s father’s watch, and started recording myself hitting objects! I eventually realized that inanimate objects work pretty good, and I was able to get some really nice samples from that. I recorded so many sounds of the city. I sampled obscure pillars under the bridge, to classic sounds like the rare subway screech at the last stop.” – Blood Cultures Dynamic board wear + stickers, stickers, and stickers The best thing about skateboarding is getting a new board. So what better to make you get a new board than to completely shred your current setup? In Skate Story, every trick, grind, slide, will wear away your deck. If you do more nose pops, then the nose will wear away. If you do more tailslides, the tail will show scrapes. As you skate your way to the Moon, you’ll come across various gift shops. These are gifts created specifically for your soul. You can then trade collected portions of your leased soul for new decks, fresh trucks, and stylish wheels. Make your own setup and then bless it with some new stickers. Stickers add style, customization, and will help keep your deck from falling apart. However, keep in mind you can only use a sticker once! Once you stick it, it’s stuck. Unhappy with where you stuck it? Grind it off! As you skate, the stickers on your board will wear off. Enjoy the ephemeral nature of the many adhesive designs you’ll find. The DualSense controller lights will dazzle you in the dark Playing Skate Story on PlayStation 5 with the DualSense Controller is a multisensory experience. I designed the DualSense light bar effect in Skate Story to give a beautiful effect to ambiently dazzle the darkness. As you skate through the underworld, your tricks will beam out the DualSense. The light bar will reflect the Skater’s glass body, a lens to the gritty underworld lights in that eternal night. STOMP your combo to deal damage To take down the celestial beasts of the underworld, you’ll need to deal some massive damage with your skateboard. Every trick you do will add to your skate combo. The combo will increase more if you perform different, stylish tricks. Performing tricks at speed, over objects, gaps, and catching air will increase your combo higher. If you repeat tricks or skate too slowly, it’ll still go up, but not as much. Keep your line by switching it up and chaining tricks at a stylish pace. In the light of the Moon, you can STOMP your combo to end it in explosive fashion. Every trick you’ve done in that line will be expelled as damage around you. All of your tricks and your combo will reset, allowing you to start a new line. Keep pushing. Chain a beautiful skate line. Stomp the lunar projection. A tasty Moon awaits. Well, I think that’s really all for now – it’s been quite the journey leading up to the final months of development, and I hope you all get to experience Skate Story on PS5 when it launches on December 8.

Create an infinite number of unique islands to house prehistoric animals with Jurassic World Evolution 3’s Island Generator. The Island Generator will be available to players in game when it launches October 21 on PlayStation Store, and is available to pre-order now. The powerful new feature in Sandbox Mode will allow players to create completely […]

Create an infinite number of unique islands to house prehistoric animals with Jurassic World Evolution 3’s Island Generator. The Island Generator will be available to players in game when it launches October 21 on PlayStation Store, and is available to pre-order now. The powerful new feature in Sandbox Mode will allow players to create completely custom island layouts on which to build their sprawling Parks. Park Managers will have control over the Shape and Terrain of the island, as well as the amount of Trees, Water and Mountains, giving them the tools to create endless unique tropical islands at the tweak of a slider. The Island Generator also comes with the full host of sandbox settings so Park Managers can build, manage, and control every aspect of their Parks. Each island layout will have an Island DNA code, so players can share the seed and settings of their island. Inputting other players Island DNA codes will let them recreate other islands players have made. Players will also be able to upload Parks to the Frontier Workshop to share their Community Creations. “We are so excited to bring the Island Generator to Jurassic World Evolution 3. This is a feature we have wanted to realise for a long time now, and with the incredible new environmental tools we’ve developed for JWE3, we are finally able to do it justice. Not only does this feature give players endless variety in their Sandbox maps, but the ability to share Parks on the Frontier Workshop means that people all around the world can see how you’ve developed your own unique starting point into a truly distinctive park. We also really love that players can use Monorails and Hyperloop transport systems to connect and extend their park out to any smaller islands that may have been generated away from the main landmass. The potential for elaborate and creative island parks is now greater than ever and we can’t wait to see what players do with these tools when the game launches.” – Andy Fletcher, Game Director Jurassic World Evolution 3 on PlayStation 5 Pro Building on the success of the previous game, Jurassic World Evolution 3 pushes the boundaries with new and improved graphical technology. The team at Frontier have worked with brand-new console technology to create the best player experience possible. PlayStation 5 Pro offers players incredible image quality with both PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and Ray Traced Sun Shadows. PSSR delivers super sharp image clarity with an extraordinary level of detail. Without Ray Traced Sun Shadows, the shadows cast by foliage and dinosaurs are darker and interact with the environment less realistically. Ray Traced Sun Shadows adds a great depth of realistic detail, with shadows cast by foliage and dinosaurs appearing softer. Brand-new to the Jurassic World Evolution franchise, the delivery of Ray Traced Sun Shadows is made possible on console by the PlayStation 5 Pro’s upgraded GPU and Advanced Ray Tracing. Ray Traced Sun Shadows provides accurate penumbra for shadows using ray tracing to improve their quality, making the subtle details even more noticeable than before. Without Ray Traced Sun Shadows, colours are brighter but have less contrast and shadows are more detailed but behave less realistically. Ray Traced Sun Shadows have a more accurate penumbra, softening the shadows cast by foliage and scenery items. This means sun shadows in Jurassic World Evolution 3 are very sharp near to the shadow-casting object and get blurrier further away, just like shadows in real life. This is one of two Ray Tracing features on the console with Ray Traced Global Illumination also available on PlayStation 5. With Ray Traced Sun Shadows off, the shadows cast on to Psittacosaurus, as well as the dinosaurs shadows themselves, are harsher and more solid. When Ray Traced Sun Shadows are on, shadows behave more naturally, adding a great depth of realistic detail. Jurassic World Evolution 3 launches on 21 October and is available to pre-order now on the PlayStation store.

While we’re approaching boogeyman season, your evenings needn’t be filled with frights (unless you enjoy a good scare!). Find something fun to play, explore fantastical frontiers, rediscover a favorite game series and more with PlayStation Store’s Player’s Choice promotion, offering a selection of games at reduced prices for a limited time*.  *Player’s Choice promotion is […]

While we’re approaching boogeyman season, your evenings needn’t be filled with frights (unless you enjoy a good scare!). Find something fun to play, explore fantastical frontiers, rediscover a favorite game series and more with PlayStation Store’s Player’s Choice promotion, offering a selection of games at reduced prices for a limited time*. *Player’s Choice promotion is live on PlayStation Store from Wednesday, October 8 at 00:00 AM PDT/BST/JST and finishes Wednesday October 22 at 11:59 PM PDT/BST/JST.

The Haunting returns in full force, bringing thrilling content to all three modes inspired by the rich history of horror films. Drop into map variants like Bootown and night versions of Verdansk and Rebirth Island, become the monster in Slasher Deathmatch, and face the undead in Haunted Havoc and Zombie Royale. Experience all the scares […]

The Haunting returns in full force, bringing thrilling content to all three modes inspired by the rich history of horror films. Drop into map variants like Bootown and night versions of Verdansk and Rebirth Island, become the monster in Slasher Deathmatch, and face the undead in Haunted Havoc and Zombie Royale. Experience all the scares alongside new maps, weapons, and more when The Haunting update goes live in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone starting October 9. Play Video Multiplayer overview New Maps Gravity (Launch): Explore the sprawling compound for the Advanced Technologies and Applications Gravity Division. Soar over foes in the Low Gravity room and fight through the concrete bunkers and outer walkway. Rig (Launch): Stop over at this truck stop after dusk, where a turned-over rig has slammed into the gas station pumps. Move through the combo Restaurant and Shop and get above the action from the Garage and Motel balcony. Mothball (Launch): Inspired by the cognitive research facility encountered in the Black Ops 6 Campaign, this Strike map sets combat around the base of the towering golden Statue and the outer wings surrounding it. Bootown (Launch): Skeletons, spiders, and Jack-o’-Lanterns infiltrate the quiet cul-de-sac at night in this Nuketown map variant featuring a soundscape of menacing laughter and creaking doorways. New Multiplayer modes Slasher Deathmatch (Launch): Play as and face off against slashers inspired by some of horror’s most iconic villains in this new hide-and-seek mode. Through four rounds of play, two of the eight survivors are randomly chosen to take on the role of a slasher. Hunt down the remaining survivors who must use their wits to fight back and run down the clock before going down. Slasher Deathmatch: Jason: Become Jason from Friday the 13, wielding a Machete and moving with an unnerving pace that quickens as he pursues his victims. The final living survivor is awarded the Pickaxe which, can eliminate Jason. Slasher Deathmatch: Chucky: Slashers gain abilities inspired by Chucky, a serial killer trapped inside a doll’s body. Chase after survivors with the Combat Knife and get back up again with extra lives to stay in the fight. Survivors can fight back with their Shock Charge and Molotov. Zombies overview New LTM: Haunted Havoc (Launch) Enter a relentless nightmare with lurking Mimics, treat-filled Jack-o’-Lanterns, and a forced Rampage Inducer making zombies faster and more aggressive from the start. Additionally, zombie health is reduced until Round 15, but their damage output increases much faster compared to Standard Zombies. Haunted Havoc will be available across all six maps. Complete the Main Quest to unlock sweet rewards, including a pack of 5 unique GobbleGums, an Ultra GobbleGum, and 15,000 XP per map. New GobbleGum: Jacked Lanterns Transform zombie heads into pumpkin heads with the new Jacked Lanterns Whimsical GobbleGum, bringing the Halloween spirit even when you’re not playing Haunted Havoc. Two New Leaderboard Events In Death Pit, compete to gather the most Essence in Haunted Havoc. In Extinction Protocol, eliminate the undead with Scorestreaks or while Field Upgrades are active to score points and progress. Call of Duty: Warzone overview Verdansk and Rebirth Island Night Variants Night descends on Verdansk and Rebirth Island. Play night map variants for both, setting the mood for the many zombified battles ahead, including the following limited-time modes: New LTM: Casual Z (Launch) Drop into a match against players, bots, and the undead. Regular and armored zombies roam the map, attacking living flesh on sight. Available on Verdansk and Rebirth Island. New LTM: Zombie Royale (In-Season) Zombie Royale returns to Verdansk, bringing new zombie abilities and map-wide features into play. In this mode, slain Operators are reanimated as zombies. Work with your remaining squad members to take down enemy squads and seek out special Anti-Virals to get back into the match as a living Operator. Zombie Abilities: Disguise yourself as a prop and then reveal your identity when the enemy approaches, and tear them to pieces. Plus, disrupt human Operators and their gear with the EMP Blast and become the powerful Mangler with the Mutant Injection. Portals: Enter portals for rapid traversal. Human Operators who enter a portal will redeploy in the air away from undead foes, while reanimated Operators will teleport to a random human Operator who is not part of their squad. General overview New Weapons: In the Battle Pass, unlock the Dresden 9mm SMG and Merrick 556 Assault Rifle. Through in-game events, get wild with the X52 Resonator Special Weapon and the Chainsaw Melee weapon. New Attachments: Up your fire rate with two new attachments, the GPR91 Double-Barrel Conversion and the GPMG-7 Muzzle Booster. Events, Ranked Play Celebrate the season with several in-game events including The Haunting Daily Login, Echoes of the Dead, Chucky Event Pass, and Tapes of Terror. Earn rewards including new seasonal weapons, a new attachment, Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, and more. Plus, prepare for a new season of Ranked Play for Multiplayer and Call of Duty Warzone, including Ranked Play: Battle Royale and Ranked Play: Resurgence. Earn new seasonal rewards based on the highest Rank obtained in the season. The Haunting Battle Pass, Store content Purchase the Battle Pass to immediately unlock rewards including, a seasonal 10% Battle Pass XP Boost, the new Jungle Hunter Predator Operator, and more, providing access to over 110 pieces of unlockable content. Get more with BlackCell. Look for exciting new Store Bundles including, the Tracer Pack: Jason Ultra Skin, Tracer Pack: Predator: Badlands Ultra Skin, Tracer Pack: Fallen Icon The Replacer, Tracer Pack: Halfpipe Havoc Mastercraft, and more. Free trial Play Black Ops 6 for free for an entire week from October 9 through 16, including full access to the entire single player Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. The Haunting launches October 9 Black Ops 6 is available now on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Experience the spy action thriller Campaign, the in-depth tactical chaos of Multiplayer, and soak in the gory glory of round-based Zombies experience. Plus, pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 today so you’re ready to go on its November 14 launch date.

Inspired by PlayStation’s storied heritage, here’s a first look at the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition, which features unique, layered shades of blue and a glossy pattern of PlayStation shapes on the touch pad. To share more about the inspiration behind this upcoming controller, here’s Leo Cardoso from our Color, Material and […]

Inspired by PlayStation’s storied heritage, here’s a first look at the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition, which features unique, layered shades of blue and a glossy pattern of PlayStation shapes on the touch pad. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image To share more about the inspiration behind this upcoming controller, here’s Leo Cardoso from our Color, Material and Finish design team: “From the moment the console powers on and the DualSense controller lights up, that signature blue glow signals the start of something special. It’s the spark that draws you into new worlds and immersive gameplay. Inspired by PlayStation’s iconic shades of blue, this design captures the feeling of anticipation and wonder every time you pick up the controller. As a nod to our origins, we added Katakana characters on the back that spell our name the Japanese way: Pureisutēshon.“ Starting on October 20 in the U.S. and Canada, October 28 in Mexico and Chile, the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition will be available for a recommended retailer price (RRP) of $84.99 USD / $109.99 CAD / $1,899 MXN / $93,490 CLP at Walmart locations in these regions as well as on Walmart’s official site. Alongside the controller, we’re also excited to share a look at upcoming products available in the U.S. on Walmart.com and in select stores highlighting PlayStation’s heritage, as well as characters and themes from games like The Last of Us, Astro Bot, and more. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Astro Bot Lunch Box A collectible lunch box featuring the beloved Astro Bot, complete with a playful lenticular face that shifts expressions as you move it. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal Meltz Figures A wild assortment of Culturefly’s signature Meltz figures reimagined as over-the-top characters and vehicles from the chaotic world of Twisted Metal. PlayStation Jersey A sleek, gamer-inspired jersey blending modern athletic style with iconic PlayStation heritage. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Monogram Backpack Clips A set of detailed figural backpack clips celebrating fan-favorite PlayStation characters, perfect for collecting or showing off on the go. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Last of Us Ellie Mini Backpack A mini backpack modeled after Ellie’s in-game pack from The Last of Us, designed as a stylish and functional accessory for everyday fans. We hope you enjoy the new controller design!

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to reveal more details about our debut game, Reach, an immersive action-adventure built from the ground up for next-gen virtual reality. Launching on PS VR2 next week, Reach puts you in the boots of a reluctant hero drawn deep into a world of collided realities. What starts as a search for […]

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to reveal more details about our debut game, Reach, an immersive action-adventure built from the ground up for next-gen virtual reality. Launching on PS VR2 next week, Reach puts you in the boots of a reluctant hero drawn deep into a world of collided realities. What starts as a search for an escape quickly becomes a high-stakes journey of survival, discovery and agency – where your movement, your decisions, and your tools directly affect your adventure through the game. Play Video We set out to create a VR experience that offers the scale, depth, and spectacle of a blockbuster action game while staying true to what makes VR special: presence, freedom, and physicality. Here’s a deeper look at what makes the game tick, and the journey we took to get here and how we’re making use of the power of PS VR2 to make every moment feel more impactful. Become an action hero Embodiment is one of VR’s biggest strengths, allowing for unrivalled expressive roleplay as you step inside a virtual body and experience the world through it. One of our core goals with Reach was to push embodiment further than ever before through a responsive full-body avatar that gives you a true sense of presence in the world in a way that’s only possible in VR. Whether you’re reaching for a ledge, dangling above a perilous drop, or dodging an enemy attack, your actions feel natural and fully grounded in the world. In Reach your physical actions really do directly impact the world around you. We want you to have the power to create epic moments and live through these thrilling action sequences, not just observe them. Key to this is how you traverse – or move – through the world. Traversal in Reach is so much more than a way of getting from A to B. From death-defying leaps across chasms to scaling breathtaking and vast environments while performing acrobatic escapes from the imposing threats within, you’ll feel like a true badass. No rails, no teleporting, it’s just you, your instincts, and the environment. We’re incredibly proud of this combination of physicality and responsiveness that makes every action – no matter how subtle – feel immersive and real. Complete freedom of choice One of our core aims, right from the start of the prototyping phase of Reach’s development, has been to put player agency right at the heart of the game. We want to give you the complete freedom of choice on how you approach every situation and to reward you for experimenting with different strategies. We’ve leant into this with our tools and weapons. They’re multi-functional and designed to adapt to whatever situation you’re facing, from parkour to puzzle-solving. Mastering these tools make you feel like you’re wielding superhuman abilities as you make your way through the game’s unpredictable and varied world. A perfect example is how you can transition from traversal to combat. You might start by using your grapple hook to swing from grapple point to grapple point, then fire arrows into a wall using your trusty bow, climb the arrows up to a vantage point, pull them out of the wall, and then fire them at an enemy from long range. That’s the kind of versatility and improvisation that we’re encouraging. This philosophy also shaped how we built levels in the game. Areas can be scaled in various ways and approached in multiple directions with the game rewarding experimentation and exploration. We’ve found that people start off slow and steady but quickly become more daring and confident, making death-defying jumps to access hidden paths and vantage points. Harnessing the power of PS VR2 Our ethos as a team has always been to continue pushing VR forward through innovative gameplay and boundary-pushing technology. Every system, animation, and interaction is designed to drive immersion, presence, and roleplay, and we’ve sought to use every ounce of PS VR2’s power to make moment-to-moment gameplay feel as impactful as possible. Using PS VR2’s Sense controllers, every interaction feels rich and tactile. Through haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, you’ll feel the weight and resistance of objects and surfaces as you interact with the world around you: doors push back as you slide them open, your hands adjust as they grip uneven surfaces, and your limbs react realistically when brushing against walls or crouching under obstacles. The tactility of that feedback as you land on a ledge, having desperately flung yourself across a cliff face, legs flailing beneath you, adds an extraordinary extra layer of depth to the feeling of embodying an action hero. Visually, we’re also using PS VR2’s 4K capabilities to bring our intricate world to life in spectacular fashion. Higher-resolution textures help to tell the story of the vast scale and minute detail that fills every area of the game, from sprawling caverns to crumbling subterranean architecture. That’s just a taste of what you can expect in Reach. If you like what you’ve read, then you can pre-order Reach on the PlayStation Store today ahead of its launch next week. We can’t wait for you to experience this exhilarating VR adventure for yourselves..

Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. […]

Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. In Ghost of Yōtei, Atsu seeks revenge on the Yōtei Six after they ruthlessly slaughtered her family. As she takes on each of her enemies with an “underdog vengeance”, Atsu traverses the open world of Ezo and adopts the spirit of the onryō to pursue justice on those who took everything from her. Ghost of Yōtei takes players through a sensory-driven, open world that offers players a unique perspective and experience. The original score, composed by Toma Otowa, is the perfect accompaniment to immerse you in a cultural adventure as you unlock hidden levels of beauty and brutality. East meets West when the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments merge with the modern Western influences to create a one-of-a-kind score that fully captures Atsu’s journey. Ghost of Yōtei – Official Soundtrack Listening Party | October 15 The PlayStation Studios Music team and Sony Music Masterworks are thrilled to invite you to the official soundtrack listening party celebrating the recent release of Ghost of Yōtei! Join our 60-minute livestream on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM PT, featuring exclusive commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the production of the game soundtrack. We’ll be joined by four talented speakers, each offering their own unique perspective and contribution on the creative process behind the music and characters that bring Atsu and the open world of Ezo to life. Toma Otowa Toma Otowa is a multi-award-winning film and game composer based in Los Angeles. He has worked on such Hollywood blockbuster films as Thor: Ragnarok, Croods: A New Age, Lego Movie 2, and Hotel Transylvania 3 with veteran film composer and DEVO frontman, Mark Mothersbaugh. Otowa’s video game work includes Resident Evil 5, Afrika, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, Halo 2: Anniversary, Knack, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which he co-composed with Mothersbaugh. Jason Connell Jason Connell is a Creative Director on Ghost of Yōtei and was Creative Director and Art Director on Ghost of Tsushima, leading lighting, cinematography, and concept direction. He has more than 20 years of game development experience, over half of which have been with Sucker Punch. Alaska-bred, he loves adventuring with his wife and two children. Jason lives in a beanie 99% of the time and abuses the word awesome. Brad Meyer Rev. Dr. Bradley D Meyer is an Audio Director at Sucker Punch with over 27 years of experience in game audio. He’s fortunate enough to have led the team that won both the BAFTA and D.I.C.E awards for best Audio in 2020 for Ghost of Tsushima. Brad now leads the team on Ghost of Yōtei. He has lectured extensively about game audio at universities and conferences around the world. He is an ordained minister and a Doctor of Metaphysics and Immortality, and you wouldn’t know if he didn’t plaster it everywhere his name appears. Erika Ishii Erika Ishii (all pronouns) is a well-known figure in games, animation, and comedy. They star as main character Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sektor in Mortal Kombat 1, Valkyrie in Apex Legends, and in October 2025 will play the titular lead in Ghost of Yōtei. Erika is considered an especially chaotic regular cast member on comedy streamer Dropout’s shows including Dimension 20, Game Changer, and Make Some Noise. They have appeared with Critical Role, hosted Marvel red carpets, and recently performed as a special guest in the Off-Broadway theater production Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Erika is the proud co-creator of the record-breaking narrative play and storytelling collective Worlds Beyond Number, along with Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Lou Wilson. Now Streaming: Ghost of Yōtei Original Soundtrack The Ghost of Yōtei original soundtrack by Toma Otowa is now streaming on all major platforms! This symphonic odyssey intricately weaves the haunting gravity of what Atsu has lost and carves the path of who she will choose to become. Listen now wherever you get your music. If you liked what you heard, tune in to Twitch | YouTube on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00PM PT / 8:00PM ET to join the Ghost of Yōtei soundtrack listening party! Ghost of Yōtei is now available on PS5.

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Kristen and I are back this week to celebrate the launch of Ghost of Yōtei, discuss upcoming releases, and share the latest news. This episode also includes an interview with Erika Ishii, voice of Atsu from Ghost of Yōtei. Stuff We […]

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Kristen and I are back this week to celebrate the launch of Ghost of Yōtei, discuss upcoming releases, and share the latest news. This episode also includes an interview with Erika Ishii, voice of Atsu from Ghost of Yōtei. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Ghost of Yōtei| PS5 (out now) Digimon Story: Time Stranger | (out today) Battlefield 6 | PS5 Little Nightmares III | PS5, PS4 Dreams of Another | PS5, PS VR2 PlayStation 30th anniversary merchandise — A new large-format photography book is coming in Spring 2026, featuring a rich look at the history of the consoles, including hundreds of unseen images. My Hero Academia: All’s Justice character episodes — The new anime arena fighter is coming to PS5 on February 6, 2026, and you can get a first look at the new modes. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 hands-on — Get a full report of the multiplayer, zombies, and more as the latest entry looks to push the series forward. PlayStation Plus Monthly Games October Alan Wake 2 Goat Simulator 3 Cocoon The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

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Share of the Week is back, and ready to ride into the world of Ghost of Yōtei. You shared your best moments using #PSshare #PSBlog, here are this week’s highlights: YouSpoonyBardd shares an orange sunset sky facing Mount Yōtei with leaves falling around Atsu. tulippooh3 shares Atsu leaning down and smiling at a fox. GeekNamedMike […]

Share of the Week is back, and ready to ride into the world of Ghost of Yōtei. You shared your best moments using #PSshare #PSBlog, here are this week’s highlights: YouSpoonyBardd shares an orange sunset sky facing Mount Yōtei with leaves falling around Atsu. tulippooh3 shares Atsu leaning down and smiling at a fox. GeekNamedMike shares Atsu unleashing the Onryō howl in black and white. kcssrlnd shares Atsu running across a fallen tree trunk with Mount Yōtei in the background. ForgottenJasmin shares Atsu strumming her shamisen in a field of white lilies. CarrotsCaptures shares Atsu framed by the setting sun striking with her yari Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Ghost of Yōtei – Atsu SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on October 15, 2025 Next week, we focus the lens on the Onryō herself. Share portraits of Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Greetings, Travelers! We’re delighted to meet you once again as Genshin Impact Version Luna II, Song of the Welkin Moon: Reprise — “An Elegy for Faded Moonlight,” will be launching on October 22. The story in Nod-Krai grows ever more intense as another clash with the formidable enemy, “Rächer of Solnari,” looms on the horizon. […]

Greetings, Travelers! We’re delighted to meet you once again as Genshin Impact Version Luna II, Song of the Welkin Moon: Reprise — “An Elegy for Faded Moonlight,” will be launching on October 22. The story in Nod-Krai grows ever more intense as another clash with the formidable enemy, “Rächer of Solnari,” looms on the horizon. To confront this threat, you will join forces with the Fatui Harbingers and other unexpected allies. Among them, the new 5-star character Nefer steps into the fray, unlocking new strategic possibilities for Lunar-Bloom reactions. Furthermore, this update heralds the long-awaited debut of Miliastra Wonderland! This brand-new UGC (User-Generated Content) system allows you to explore hundreds of imaginative stages created by other players. You can also personalize your very own Manekin or Manekina with distinctive styles. New power rising against the Sinner Back in Nod-Krai, the path ahead remains uncertain, overshadowed by the looming threat of “Rächer of Solnari,” Rerir — one of the Five Sinners. The newest Archon Quest in Version Luna II delves deeper into the secrets of this formidable foe, with support arriving from both trusted companions and unexpected allies. The powerful Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino and Sandrone, will lend their strength to the fight against Rerir. Meanwhile, Nefer, the head of the Curatorium of Secrets, may hold the key to uncovering the truth behind the enemy’s dark obsession. And just when the battle reaches its most perilous moment, our long-awaited old friend, Varka, makes a timely return, poised to turn the tide. Meanwhile, The Damselette awaits in the Silvermoon Hall, ready to share more of her stories. In Version Luna II, Traveler can spend more time with this mysterious maiden. In return for your companionship, she will grant you the Ascendant Gleam state — a blessing from the Moon Goddess to aid you in combat. As a final token of her grace, fulfilling her request will also reward you with an exclusive namecard. The lady to know all hearts Beyond the unfolding storyline, the new 5-star character Nefer debuts as a Dendro Catalyst wielder. As the head of the Curatorium of Secrets, she navigates a web of hidden knowledge with ease, possessing an uncanny ability to sense when even the most reserved individuals are guarding secrets. The intelligence she unearths with her unique talent can even be exchanged at the Adventurers’ Guild for a collection of quirky anecdotes. In combat, this elegant and sharp-eyed lady takes increased Lunar-Bloom DMG. By consuming Verdant Dew, Nefer can execute her special Charged Attack, Phantasm Performance, which summons a shade of herself to fight alongside her, dealing Lunar-Bloom DMG. When buffed by the Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam state, her Elemental Skill transforms all Dendro Cores into Seeds of Deceit. Nefer can then draw in these special resources to empower both her Charged Attacks and her Elemental Burst, the latter of which deals AoE Dendro DMG. Version Luna II’s Event Wishes will feature new and returning characters in two phases: the first half marks the debut of Nefer alongside the return of Furina, followed by the reruns of Arlecchino and Zhongli in the second half. More fun awaits in the event stories of Version Luna II. Traveler will reunite with Nefer and old friends on a journey to the long-lost remains of Sumeru, where mysterious occurrences await. By completing the event, you can earn the chance to invite Collei for free, as well as enjoy a variety of mini-games and rewards. The world of creativity – Miliastra Wonderland Making its grand debut in Version Luna II is Miliastra Wonderland, Genshin Impact’s brand-new UGC system, available on PlayStation 5 for PlayStation players. This whimsical realm springs from the mysterious Witch Octavia. With the special landscape orb Venti gave you earlier as your key, you’ll enter Miliastra Wonderland by awakening Manekins, avatars that act as projections of your will. Once you complete Act I of the Archon Quest Prologue, “The Outlander Who Caught the Wind,” you’ll unlock access to Miliastra Wonderland. It can then be entered anytime via the Paimon Menu or the quick-access button in the top-right corner. This is where the real fun begins: customizing your very own Manekin/Manekina. Freely adjust everything from clothing and hairstyles to facial features and accessories, tailoring their look to your inspiration. The best part? These customizations aren’t limited to Miliastra Wonderland. Your Manekin/Manekina can stroll through the world of Teyvat wearing your unique creations, turning your entire adventure into a personal showcase of style. After crafting your perfect look, step into the social heart of Miliastra Wonderland: the bustling Lobby. It’s a place buzzing with Manekins chatting, exchanging invites, and heading off to diverse stages. Explore the Popular Miliastra Wonderland tab to see what the community is raving about, browse All Wonderlands to find your favorites, or dive straight into hundreds of imaginative stages from management sims and party games to PvP battles and adventure challenges. To make your first steps even more rewarding, Version Luna II offers a wealth of bonuses through login events and in-game activities. These include exclusive outfits, lobby templates, and resources to obtain outfit blueprints (known as Catalogs), among other rewards. And that wraps up our preview for Version Luna II. With Miliastra Wonderland opening its gates and the battles of Nod-Krai calling for unity, this update celebrates creativity, courage, and discovery. We can’t wait to see the worlds you explore, the style you embrace, and the memories you create with friends. Until then, Travelers — happy journeys, and we’ll see you in Teyvat and beyond!

Hello again, PlayStation community! I’m Sam Eng, the sole developer behind Skate Story – a game where you play as a glass-bodied demon, doomed to skate through the Underworld and devour the Moon to satisfy the devil’s contract. Today I’m proud to share that Skate Story is set to release on December 8 on PS5. […]

Hello again, PlayStation community! I’m Sam Eng, the sole developer behind Skate Story – a game where you play as a glass-bodied demon, doomed to skate through the Underworld and devour the Moon to satisfy the devil’s contract. Today I’m proud to share that Skate Story is set to release on December 8 on PS5. Play Video It’s been a while since the last PlayStation Blog where we announced Skate Story coming to PS5, but I wanted to fill you all in on some new gameplay features, a peak behind the creation of an all-new original soundtrack from Blood Cultures, as well as how the PS5 DualSense Controller can help shape your experience of the game. Skate Story or true story Did you know? Skate Story is based on a true story. Yes, that’s right folks. Sure, it’s slightly dramatized for effect, but it’s all totally 100% true. Of course, names and places have been altered as well, for the privacy of those involved. For example, it was not originally a Frog who ran the bagel shop, and the Skater actually had to get a lawyer before signing the Devil’s Contract. Sound (track) of the city Blood Cultures breathed real New York City life into a brand-new 12 track original soundtrack. The way they captured the city’s heartbeat – the chaos, the beauty, the endless motion elevates the game into something richer and more alive. Their music doesn’t just accompany the world, it defines it. I tapped Blood Cultures to guide the statement above. “When I was working on the soundtrack, Sam gave me some insane instructions. He was like, “I dunno, maybe make it sound industrial… it’s the underworld, you know?” Industrial? So I decided to apply for a job at the local train depot. I was worried they wouldn’t like the bag I keep over my head, but I figured everyone would be wearing masks anyway! They were actually really nice, but they kept insisting I take off my jacket. I’m not doing that! So I didn’t get the job. The foreman said “don’t trip on the way out!” I should have heeded the warning because I tripped on several metal beams. What a tumble! It sounded glorious! Then I realized… I should sample New York itself! So then I went around the city, with my little pocket field recorder and a variety of little objects: spoons, chopsticks, my grandmother’s father’s watch, and started recording myself hitting objects! I eventually realized that inanimate objects work pretty good, and I was able to get some really nice samples from that. I recorded so many sounds of the city. I sampled obscure pillars under the bridge, to classic sounds like the rare subway screech at the last stop.” – Blood Cultures Dynamic board wear + stickers, stickers, and stickers The best thing about skateboarding is getting a new board. So what better to make you get a new board than to completely shred your current setup? In Skate Story, every trick, grind, slide, will wear away your deck. If you do more nose pops, then the nose will wear away. If you do more tailslides, the tail will show scrapes. As you skate your way to the Moon, you’ll come across various gift shops. These are gifts created specifically for your soul. You can then trade collected portions of your leased soul for new decks, fresh trucks, and stylish wheels. Make your own setup and then bless it with some new stickers. Stickers add style, customization, and will help keep your deck from falling apart. However, keep in mind you can only use a sticker once! Once you stick it, it’s stuck. Unhappy with where you stuck it? Grind it off! As you skate, the stickers on your board will wear off. Enjoy the ephemeral nature of the many adhesive designs you’ll find. The DualSense controller lights will dazzle you in the dark Playing Skate Story on PlayStation 5 with the DualSense Controller is a multisensory experience. I designed the DualSense light bar effect in Skate Story to give a beautiful effect to ambiently dazzle the darkness. As you skate through the underworld, your tricks will beam out the DualSense. The light bar will reflect the Skater’s glass body, a lens to the gritty underworld lights in that eternal night. STOMP your combo to deal damage To take down the celestial beasts of the underworld, you’ll need to deal some massive damage with your skateboard. Every trick you do will add to your skate combo. The combo will increase more if you perform different, stylish tricks. Performing tricks at speed, over objects, gaps, and catching air will increase your combo higher. If you repeat tricks or skate too slowly, it’ll still go up, but not as much. Keep your line by switching it up and chaining tricks at a stylish pace. In the light of the Moon, you can STOMP your combo to end it in explosive fashion. Every trick you’ve done in that line will be expelled as damage around you. All of your tricks and your combo will reset, allowing you to start a new line. Keep pushing. Chain a beautiful skate line. Stomp the lunar projection. A tasty Moon awaits. Well, I think that’s really all for now – it’s been quite the journey leading up to the final months of development, and I hope you all get to experience Skate Story on PS5 when it launches on December 8.

Create an infinite number of unique islands to house prehistoric animals with Jurassic World Evolution 3’s Island Generator. The Island Generator will be available to players in game when it launches October 21 on PlayStation Store, and is available to pre-order now. The powerful new feature in Sandbox Mode will allow players to create completely […]

Create an infinite number of unique islands to house prehistoric animals with Jurassic World Evolution 3’s Island Generator. The Island Generator will be available to players in game when it launches October 21 on PlayStation Store, and is available to pre-order now. The powerful new feature in Sandbox Mode will allow players to create completely custom island layouts on which to build their sprawling Parks. Park Managers will have control over the Shape and Terrain of the island, as well as the amount of Trees, Water and Mountains, giving them the tools to create endless unique tropical islands at the tweak of a slider. The Island Generator also comes with the full host of sandbox settings so Park Managers can build, manage, and control every aspect of their Parks. Each island layout will have an Island DNA code, so players can share the seed and settings of their island. Inputting other players Island DNA codes will let them recreate other islands players have made. Players will also be able to upload Parks to the Frontier Workshop to share their Community Creations. “We are so excited to bring the Island Generator to Jurassic World Evolution 3. This is a feature we have wanted to realise for a long time now, and with the incredible new environmental tools we’ve developed for JWE3, we are finally able to do it justice. Not only does this feature give players endless variety in their Sandbox maps, but the ability to share Parks on the Frontier Workshop means that people all around the world can see how you’ve developed your own unique starting point into a truly distinctive park. We also really love that players can use Monorails and Hyperloop transport systems to connect and extend their park out to any smaller islands that may have been generated away from the main landmass. The potential for elaborate and creative island parks is now greater than ever and we can’t wait to see what players do with these tools when the game launches.” – Andy Fletcher, Game Director Jurassic World Evolution 3 on PlayStation 5 Pro Building on the success of the previous game, Jurassic World Evolution 3 pushes the boundaries with new and improved graphical technology. The team at Frontier have worked with brand-new console technology to create the best player experience possible. PlayStation 5 Pro offers players incredible image quality with both PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and Ray Traced Sun Shadows. PSSR delivers super sharp image clarity with an extraordinary level of detail. Without Ray Traced Sun Shadows, the shadows cast by foliage and dinosaurs are darker and interact with the environment less realistically. Ray Traced Sun Shadows adds a great depth of realistic detail, with shadows cast by foliage and dinosaurs appearing softer. Brand-new to the Jurassic World Evolution franchise, the delivery of Ray Traced Sun Shadows is made possible on console by the PlayStation 5 Pro’s upgraded GPU and Advanced Ray Tracing. Ray Traced Sun Shadows provides accurate penumbra for shadows using ray tracing to improve their quality, making the subtle details even more noticeable than before. Without Ray Traced Sun Shadows, colours are brighter but have less contrast and shadows are more detailed but behave less realistically. Ray Traced Sun Shadows have a more accurate penumbra, softening the shadows cast by foliage and scenery items. This means sun shadows in Jurassic World Evolution 3 are very sharp near to the shadow-casting object and get blurrier further away, just like shadows in real life. This is one of two Ray Tracing features on the console with Ray Traced Global Illumination also available on PlayStation 5. With Ray Traced Sun Shadows off, the shadows cast on to Psittacosaurus, as well as the dinosaurs shadows themselves, are harsher and more solid. When Ray Traced Sun Shadows are on, shadows behave more naturally, adding a great depth of realistic detail. Jurassic World Evolution 3 launches on 21 October and is available to pre-order now on the PlayStation store.

While we’re approaching boogeyman season, your evenings needn’t be filled with frights (unless you enjoy a good scare!). Find something fun to play, explore fantastical frontiers, rediscover a favorite game series and more with PlayStation Store’s Player’s Choice promotion, offering a selection of games at reduced prices for a limited time*.  *Player’s Choice promotion is […]

While we’re approaching boogeyman season, your evenings needn’t be filled with frights (unless you enjoy a good scare!). Find something fun to play, explore fantastical frontiers, rediscover a favorite game series and more with PlayStation Store’s Player’s Choice promotion, offering a selection of games at reduced prices for a limited time*. *Player’s Choice promotion is live on PlayStation Store from Wednesday, October 8 at 00:00 AM PDT/BST/JST and finishes Wednesday October 22 at 11:59 PM PDT/BST/JST.

The Haunting returns in full force, bringing thrilling content to all three modes inspired by the rich history of horror films. Drop into map variants like Bootown and night versions of Verdansk and Rebirth Island, become the monster in Slasher Deathmatch, and face the undead in Haunted Havoc and Zombie Royale. Experience all the scares […]

The Haunting returns in full force, bringing thrilling content to all three modes inspired by the rich history of horror films. Drop into map variants like Bootown and night versions of Verdansk and Rebirth Island, become the monster in Slasher Deathmatch, and face the undead in Haunted Havoc and Zombie Royale. Experience all the scares alongside new maps, weapons, and more when The Haunting update goes live in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone starting October 9. Play Video Multiplayer overview New Maps Gravity (Launch): Explore the sprawling compound for the Advanced Technologies and Applications Gravity Division. Soar over foes in the Low Gravity room and fight through the concrete bunkers and outer walkway. Rig (Launch): Stop over at this truck stop after dusk, where a turned-over rig has slammed into the gas station pumps. Move through the combo Restaurant and Shop and get above the action from the Garage and Motel balcony. Mothball (Launch): Inspired by the cognitive research facility encountered in the Black Ops 6 Campaign, this Strike map sets combat around the base of the towering golden Statue and the outer wings surrounding it. Bootown (Launch): Skeletons, spiders, and Jack-o’-Lanterns infiltrate the quiet cul-de-sac at night in this Nuketown map variant featuring a soundscape of menacing laughter and creaking doorways. New Multiplayer modes Slasher Deathmatch (Launch): Play as and face off against slashers inspired by some of horror’s most iconic villains in this new hide-and-seek mode. Through four rounds of play, two of the eight survivors are randomly chosen to take on the role of a slasher. Hunt down the remaining survivors who must use their wits to fight back and run down the clock before going down. Slasher Deathmatch: Jason: Become Jason from Friday the 13, wielding a Machete and moving with an unnerving pace that quickens as he pursues his victims. The final living survivor is awarded the Pickaxe which, can eliminate Jason. Slasher Deathmatch: Chucky: Slashers gain abilities inspired by Chucky, a serial killer trapped inside a doll’s body. Chase after survivors with the Combat Knife and get back up again with extra lives to stay in the fight. Survivors can fight back with their Shock Charge and Molotov. Zombies overview New LTM: Haunted Havoc (Launch) Enter a relentless nightmare with lurking Mimics, treat-filled Jack-o’-Lanterns, and a forced Rampage Inducer making zombies faster and more aggressive from the start. Additionally, zombie health is reduced until Round 15, but their damage output increases much faster compared to Standard Zombies. Haunted Havoc will be available across all six maps. Complete the Main Quest to unlock sweet rewards, including a pack of 5 unique GobbleGums, an Ultra GobbleGum, and 15,000 XP per map. New GobbleGum: Jacked Lanterns Transform zombie heads into pumpkin heads with the new Jacked Lanterns Whimsical GobbleGum, bringing the Halloween spirit even when you’re not playing Haunted Havoc. Two New Leaderboard Events In Death Pit, compete to gather the most Essence in Haunted Havoc. In Extinction Protocol, eliminate the undead with Scorestreaks or while Field Upgrades are active to score points and progress. Call of Duty: Warzone overview Verdansk and Rebirth Island Night Variants Night descends on Verdansk and Rebirth Island. Play night map variants for both, setting the mood for the many zombified battles ahead, including the following limited-time modes: New LTM: Casual Z (Launch) Drop into a match against players, bots, and the undead. Regular and armored zombies roam the map, attacking living flesh on sight. Available on Verdansk and Rebirth Island. New LTM: Zombie Royale (In-Season) Zombie Royale returns to Verdansk, bringing new zombie abilities and map-wide features into play. In this mode, slain Operators are reanimated as zombies. Work with your remaining squad members to take down enemy squads and seek out special Anti-Virals to get back into the match as a living Operator. Zombie Abilities: Disguise yourself as a prop and then reveal your identity when the enemy approaches, and tear them to pieces. Plus, disrupt human Operators and their gear with the EMP Blast and become the powerful Mangler with the Mutant Injection. Portals: Enter portals for rapid traversal. Human Operators who enter a portal will redeploy in the air away from undead foes, while reanimated Operators will teleport to a random human Operator who is not part of their squad. General overview New Weapons: In the Battle Pass, unlock the Dresden 9mm SMG and Merrick 556 Assault Rifle. Through in-game events, get wild with the X52 Resonator Special Weapon and the Chainsaw Melee weapon. New Attachments: Up your fire rate with two new attachments, the GPR91 Double-Barrel Conversion and the GPMG-7 Muzzle Booster. Events, Ranked Play Celebrate the season with several in-game events including The Haunting Daily Login, Echoes of the Dead, Chucky Event Pass, and Tapes of Terror. Earn rewards including new seasonal weapons, a new attachment, Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, and more. Plus, prepare for a new season of Ranked Play for Multiplayer and Call of Duty Warzone, including Ranked Play: Battle Royale and Ranked Play: Resurgence. Earn new seasonal rewards based on the highest Rank obtained in the season. The Haunting Battle Pass, Store content Purchase the Battle Pass to immediately unlock rewards including, a seasonal 10% Battle Pass XP Boost, the new Jungle Hunter Predator Operator, and more, providing access to over 110 pieces of unlockable content. Get more with BlackCell. Look for exciting new Store Bundles including, the Tracer Pack: Jason Ultra Skin, Tracer Pack: Predator: Badlands Ultra Skin, Tracer Pack: Fallen Icon The Replacer, Tracer Pack: Halfpipe Havoc Mastercraft, and more. Free trial Play Black Ops 6 for free for an entire week from October 9 through 16, including full access to the entire single player Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. The Haunting launches October 9 Black Ops 6 is available now on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Experience the spy action thriller Campaign, the in-depth tactical chaos of Multiplayer, and soak in the gory glory of round-based Zombies experience. Plus, pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 today so you’re ready to go on its November 14 launch date.

Inspired by PlayStation’s storied heritage, here’s a first look at the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition, which features unique, layered shades of blue and a glossy pattern of PlayStation shapes on the touch pad. To share more about the inspiration behind this upcoming controller, here’s Leo Cardoso from our Color, Material and […]

Inspired by PlayStation’s storied heritage, here’s a first look at the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition, which features unique, layered shades of blue and a glossy pattern of PlayStation shapes on the touch pad. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image To share more about the inspiration behind this upcoming controller, here’s Leo Cardoso from our Color, Material and Finish design team: “From the moment the console powers on and the DualSense controller lights up, that signature blue glow signals the start of something special. It’s the spark that draws you into new worlds and immersive gameplay. Inspired by PlayStation’s iconic shades of blue, this design captures the feeling of anticipation and wonder every time you pick up the controller. As a nod to our origins, we added Katakana characters on the back that spell our name the Japanese way: Pureisutēshon.“ Starting on October 20 in the U.S. and Canada, October 28 in Mexico and Chile, the DualSense wireless controller – Icon Blue Special Edition will be available for a recommended retailer price (RRP) of $84.99 USD / $109.99 CAD / $1,899 MXN / $93,490 CLP at Walmart locations in these regions as well as on Walmart’s official site. Alongside the controller, we’re also excited to share a look at upcoming products available in the U.S. on Walmart.com and in select stores highlighting PlayStation’s heritage, as well as characters and themes from games like The Last of Us, Astro Bot, and more. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Astro Bot Lunch Box A collectible lunch box featuring the beloved Astro Bot, complete with a playful lenticular face that shifts expressions as you move it. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal Meltz Figures A wild assortment of Culturefly’s signature Meltz figures reimagined as over-the-top characters and vehicles from the chaotic world of Twisted Metal. PlayStation Jersey A sleek, gamer-inspired jersey blending modern athletic style with iconic PlayStation heritage. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Monogram Backpack Clips A set of detailed figural backpack clips celebrating fan-favorite PlayStation characters, perfect for collecting or showing off on the go. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The Last of Us Ellie Mini Backpack A mini backpack modeled after Ellie’s in-game pack from The Last of Us, designed as a stylish and functional accessory for everyday fans. We hope you enjoy the new controller design!

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to reveal more details about our debut game, Reach, an immersive action-adventure built from the ground up for next-gen virtual reality. Launching on PS VR2 next week, Reach puts you in the boots of a reluctant hero drawn deep into a world of collided realities. What starts as a search for […]

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to reveal more details about our debut game, Reach, an immersive action-adventure built from the ground up for next-gen virtual reality. Launching on PS VR2 next week, Reach puts you in the boots of a reluctant hero drawn deep into a world of collided realities. What starts as a search for an escape quickly becomes a high-stakes journey of survival, discovery and agency – where your movement, your decisions, and your tools directly affect your adventure through the game. Play Video We set out to create a VR experience that offers the scale, depth, and spectacle of a blockbuster action game while staying true to what makes VR special: presence, freedom, and physicality. Here’s a deeper look at what makes the game tick, and the journey we took to get here and how we’re making use of the power of PS VR2 to make every moment feel more impactful. Become an action hero Embodiment is one of VR’s biggest strengths, allowing for unrivalled expressive roleplay as you step inside a virtual body and experience the world through it. One of our core goals with Reach was to push embodiment further than ever before through a responsive full-body avatar that gives you a true sense of presence in the world in a way that’s only possible in VR. Whether you’re reaching for a ledge, dangling above a perilous drop, or dodging an enemy attack, your actions feel natural and fully grounded in the world. In Reach your physical actions really do directly impact the world around you. We want you to have the power to create epic moments and live through these thrilling action sequences, not just observe them. Key to this is how you traverse – or move – through the world. Traversal in Reach is so much more than a way of getting from A to B. From death-defying leaps across chasms to scaling breathtaking and vast environments while performing acrobatic escapes from the imposing threats within, you’ll feel like a true badass. No rails, no teleporting, it’s just you, your instincts, and the environment. We’re incredibly proud of this combination of physicality and responsiveness that makes every action – no matter how subtle – feel immersive and real. Complete freedom of choice One of our core aims, right from the start of the prototyping phase of Reach’s development, has been to put player agency right at the heart of the game. We want to give you the complete freedom of choice on how you approach every situation and to reward you for experimenting with different strategies. We’ve leant into this with our tools and weapons. They’re multi-functional and designed to adapt to whatever situation you’re facing, from parkour to puzzle-solving. Mastering these tools make you feel like you’re wielding superhuman abilities as you make your way through the game’s unpredictable and varied world. A perfect example is how you can transition from traversal to combat. You might start by using your grapple hook to swing from grapple point to grapple point, then fire arrows into a wall using your trusty bow, climb the arrows up to a vantage point, pull them out of the wall, and then fire them at an enemy from long range. That’s the kind of versatility and improvisation that we’re encouraging. This philosophy also shaped how we built levels in the game. Areas can be scaled in various ways and approached in multiple directions with the game rewarding experimentation and exploration. We’ve found that people start off slow and steady but quickly become more daring and confident, making death-defying jumps to access hidden paths and vantage points. Harnessing the power of PS VR2 Our ethos as a team has always been to continue pushing VR forward through innovative gameplay and boundary-pushing technology. Every system, animation, and interaction is designed to drive immersion, presence, and roleplay, and we’ve sought to use every ounce of PS VR2’s power to make moment-to-moment gameplay feel as impactful as possible. Using PS VR2’s Sense controllers, every interaction feels rich and tactile. Through haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, you’ll feel the weight and resistance of objects and surfaces as you interact with the world around you: doors push back as you slide them open, your hands adjust as they grip uneven surfaces, and your limbs react realistically when brushing against walls or crouching under obstacles. The tactility of that feedback as you land on a ledge, having desperately flung yourself across a cliff face, legs flailing beneath you, adds an extraordinary extra layer of depth to the feeling of embodying an action hero. Visually, we’re also using PS VR2’s 4K capabilities to bring our intricate world to life in spectacular fashion. Higher-resolution textures help to tell the story of the vast scale and minute detail that fills every area of the game, from sprawling caverns to crumbling subterranean architecture. That’s just a taste of what you can expect in Reach. If you like what you’ve read, then you can pre-order Reach on the PlayStation Store today ahead of its launch next week. We can’t wait for you to experience this exhilarating VR adventure for yourselves..

Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. […]

Five years ago, Sucker Punch took us to new frontiers on “Tsushima Island”, where we were introduced to Jin Sakai, a samurai struggling between abandoning his code of honor and protecting his home from the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Three hundred years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior has risen. In Ghost of Yōtei, Atsu seeks revenge on the Yōtei Six after they ruthlessly slaughtered her family. As she takes on each of her enemies with an “underdog vengeance”, Atsu traverses the open world of Ezo and adopts the spirit of the onryō to pursue justice on those who took everything from her. Ghost of Yōtei takes players through a sensory-driven, open world that offers players a unique perspective and experience. The original score, composed by Toma Otowa, is the perfect accompaniment to immerse you in a cultural adventure as you unlock hidden levels of beauty and brutality. East meets West when the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments merge with the modern Western influences to create a one-of-a-kind score that fully captures Atsu’s journey. Ghost of Yōtei – Official Soundtrack Listening Party | October 15 The PlayStation Studios Music team and Sony Music Masterworks are thrilled to invite you to the official soundtrack listening party celebrating the recent release of Ghost of Yōtei! Join our 60-minute livestream on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM PT, featuring exclusive commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the production of the game soundtrack. We’ll be joined by four talented speakers, each offering their own unique perspective and contribution on the creative process behind the music and characters that bring Atsu and the open world of Ezo to life. Toma Otowa Toma Otowa is a multi-award-winning film and game composer based in Los Angeles. He has worked on such Hollywood blockbuster films as Thor: Ragnarok, Croods: A New Age, Lego Movie 2, and Hotel Transylvania 3 with veteran film composer and DEVO frontman, Mark Mothersbaugh. Otowa’s video game work includes Resident Evil 5, Afrika, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, Halo 2: Anniversary, Knack, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which he co-composed with Mothersbaugh. Jason Connell Jason Connell is a Creative Director on Ghost of Yōtei and was Creative Director and Art Director on Ghost of Tsushima, leading lighting, cinematography, and concept direction. He has more than 20 years of game development experience, over half of which have been with Sucker Punch. Alaska-bred, he loves adventuring with his wife and two children. Jason lives in a beanie 99% of the time and abuses the word awesome. Brad Meyer Rev. Dr. Bradley D Meyer is an Audio Director at Sucker Punch with over 27 years of experience in game audio. He’s fortunate enough to have led the team that won both the BAFTA and D.I.C.E awards for best Audio in 2020 for Ghost of Tsushima. Brad now leads the team on Ghost of Yōtei. He has lectured extensively about game audio at universities and conferences around the world. He is an ordained minister and a Doctor of Metaphysics and Immortality, and you wouldn’t know if he didn’t plaster it everywhere his name appears. Erika Ishii Erika Ishii (all pronouns) is a well-known figure in games, animation, and comedy. They star as main character Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sektor in Mortal Kombat 1, Valkyrie in Apex Legends, and in October 2025 will play the titular lead in Ghost of Yōtei. Erika is considered an especially chaotic regular cast member on comedy streamer Dropout’s shows including Dimension 20, Game Changer, and Make Some Noise. They have appeared with Critical Role, hosted Marvel red carpets, and recently performed as a special guest in the Off-Broadway theater production Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Erika is the proud co-creator of the record-breaking narrative play and storytelling collective Worlds Beyond Number, along with Aabria Iyengar, Brennan Lee Mulligan, and Lou Wilson. Now Streaming: Ghost of Yōtei Original Soundtrack The Ghost of Yōtei original soundtrack by Toma Otowa is now streaming on all major platforms! This symphonic odyssey intricately weaves the haunting gravity of what Atsu has lost and carves the path of who she will choose to become. Listen now wherever you get your music. If you liked what you heard, tune in to Twitch | YouTube on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00PM PT / 8:00PM ET to join the Ghost of Yōtei soundtrack listening party! Ghost of Yōtei is now available on PS5.

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Kristen and I are back this week to celebrate the launch of Ghost of Yōtei, discuss upcoming releases, and share the latest news. This episode also includes an interview with Erika Ishii, voice of Atsu from Ghost of Yōtei. Stuff We […]

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Kristen and I are back this week to celebrate the launch of Ghost of Yōtei, discuss upcoming releases, and share the latest news. This episode also includes an interview with Erika Ishii, voice of Atsu from Ghost of Yōtei. Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Ghost of Yōtei| PS5 (out now) Digimon Story: Time Stranger | (out today) Battlefield 6 | PS5 Little Nightmares III | PS5, PS4 Dreams of Another | PS5, PS VR2 PlayStation 30th anniversary merchandise — A new large-format photography book is coming in Spring 2026, featuring a rich look at the history of the consoles, including hundreds of unseen images. My Hero Academia: All’s Justice character episodes — The new anime arena fighter is coming to PS5 on February 6, 2026, and you can get a first look at the new modes. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 hands-on — Get a full report of the multiplayer, zombies, and more as the latest entry looks to push the series forward. PlayStation Plus Monthly Games October Alan Wake 2 Goat Simulator 3 Cocoon The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

NVIDIA Blackwell swept the new SemiAnalysis InferenceMAX v1 benchmarks, delivering the highest performance and best overall efficiency. InferenceMax v1 is the first independent benchmark to measure total cost of compute across diverse models and real-world scenarios. Best return on investment: NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 delivers unmatched AI factory economics — a $5 million investment generates $75 Read Article

NVIDIA Blackwell swept the new SemiAnalysis InferenceMAX v1 benchmarks, delivering the highest performance and best overall efficiency. InferenceMax v1 is the first independent benchmark to measure total cost of compute across diverse models and real-world scenarios. Best return on investment: NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 delivers unmatched AI factory economics — a $5 million investment generates $75 million in DSR1 token revenue, a 15x return on investment. Lowest total cost of ownership: NVIDIA B200 software optimizations achieve two cents per million tokens on gpt-oss, delivering 5x lower cost per token in just 2 months. Best throughput and interactivity: NVIDIA B200 sets the pace with 60,000 tokens per second per GPU and 1,000 tokens per second per user on gpt-oss with the latest NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM stack. As AI shifts from one-shot answers to complex reasoning, the demand for inference — and the economics behind it — is exploding. The new independent InferenceMAX v1 benchmarks are the first to measure total cost of compute across real-world scenarios. The results? The NVIDIA Blackwell platform swept the field — delivering unmatched performance and best overall efficiency for AI factories. A $5 million investment in an NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system can generate $75 million in token revenue. That’s a 15x return on investment (ROI) — the new economics of inference. “Inference is where AI delivers value every day,” said Ian Buck, vice president of hyperscale and high-performance computing at NVIDIA. “These results show that NVIDIA’s full-stack approach gives customers the performance and efficiency they need to deploy AI at scale.” Enter InferenceMAX v1 InferenceMAX v1, a new benchmark from SemiAnalysis released Monday, is the latest to highlight Blackwell’s inference leadership. It runs popular models across leading platforms, measures performance for a wide range of use cases and publishes results anyone can verify. Why do benchmarks like this matter? Because modern AI isn’t just about raw speed — it’s about efficiency and economics at scale. As models shift from one-shot replies to multistep reasoning and tool use, they generate far more tokens per query, dramatically increasing compute demands. NVIDIA’s open-source collaborations with OpenAI (gpt-oss 120B), Meta (Llama 3 70B), and DeepSeek AI (DeepSeek R1) highlight how community-driven models are advancing state-of-the-art reasoning and efficiency. Partnering with these leading model builders and the open-source community, NVIDIA ensures the latest models are optimized for the world’s largest AI inference infrastructure. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to open ecosystems — where shared innovation accelerates progress for everyone. Deep collaborations with the FlashInfer, SGLang and vLLM communities enable codeveloped kernel and runtime enhancements that power these models at scale. Software Optimizations Deliver Continued Performance Gains NVIDIA continuously improves performance through hardware and software codesign optimizations. Initial gpt-oss-120b performance on an NVIDIA DGX Blackwell B200 system with the NVIDIA TensorRT LLM library was market-leading, but NVIDIA’s teams and the community have significantly optimized TensorRT LLM for open-source large language models. The TensorRT LLM v1.0 release is a major breakthrough in making large AI models faster and more responsive for everyone. Through advanced parallelization techniques, it uses the B200 system and NVIDIA NVLink Switch’s 1,800 GB/s bidirectional bandwidth to dramatically improve the performance of the gpt-oss-120b model. The innovation doesn’t stop there. The newly released gpt-oss-120b-Eagle3-v2 model introduces speculative decoding, a clever method that predicts multiple tokens at a time. This reduces lag and delivers even quicker results, tripling throughput at 100 tokens per second per user (TPS/user) — boosting per-GPU speeds from 6,000 to 30,000 tokens. For dense AI models like Llama 3.3 70B, which demand significant computational resources due to their large parameter count and the fact that all parameters are utilized simultaneously during inference, NVIDIA Blackwell B200 sets a new performance standard in InferenceMAX v1 benchmarks. Blackwell delivers over 10,000 TPS per GPU at 50 TPS per user interactivity — 4x higher per-GPU throughput compared with the NVIDIA H200 GPU. Performance Efficiency Drives Value Metrics like tokens per watt, cost per million tokens and TPS/user matter as much as throughput. In fact, for power-limited AI factories, Blackwell delivers 10x throughput per megawatt compared with the previous generation, which translates into higher token revenue. The cost per token is crucial for evaluating AI model efficiency, directly impacting operational expenses. The NVIDIA Blackwell architecture lowered cost per million tokens by 15x versus the previous generation, leading to substantial savings and fostering wider AI deployment and innovation. Multidimensional Performance InferenceMAX uses the Pareto frontier — a curve that shows the best trade-offs between different factors, such as data center throughput and responsiveness — to map performance. But it’s more than a chart. It reflects how NVIDIA Blackwell balances the full spectrum of production priorities: cost, energy efficiency, throughput and responsiveness. That balance enables the highest ROI across real-world workloads. Systems that optimize for just one mode or scenario may show peak performance in isolation, but the economics of that doesn’t scale. Blackwell’s full-stack design delivers efficiency and value where it matters most: in production. For a deeper look at how these curves are built — and why they matter for total cost of ownership and service-level agreement planning — check out this technical deep dive for full charts and methodology. What Makes It Possible? Blackwell’s leadership comes from extreme hardware-software codesign. It’s a full-stack architecture built for speed, efficiency and scale: The Blackwell architecture features include: NVFP4 low-precision format for efficiency without loss of accuracy Fifth-generation NVIDIA NVLink that connects 72 Blackwell GPUs to act as one giant GPU NVLink Switch, which enables high concurrency through advanced tensor, expert and data parallel attention algorithms Annual hardware cadence plus continuous software optimization — NVIDIA has more than doubled Blackwell performance since launch using software alone NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM, NVIDIA Dynamo, SGLang and vLLM open-source inference frameworks optimized for peak performance A massive ecosystem, with hundreds of millions of GPUs installed, 7 million CUDA developers and contributions to over 1,000 open-source projects The Bigger Picture AI is moving from pilots to AI factories — infrastructure that manufactures intelligence by turning data into tokens and decisions in real time. Open, frequently updated benchmarks help teams make informed platform choices, tune for cost per token, latency service-level agreements and utilization across changing workloads. NVIDIA’s Think SMART framework helps enterprises navigate this shift, spotlighting how NVIDIA’s full-stack inference platform delivers real-world ROI — turning performance into profits.

Microsoft Azure today announced the new NDv6 GB300 VM series, delivering the industry’s first supercomputing-scale production cluster of NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 systems, purpose-built for OpenAI’s most demanding AI inference workloads. This supercomputer-scale cluster features over 4,600 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs connected via the NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand networking platform. Microsoft’s unique systems approach applied radical engineering Read Article

Microsoft Azure today announced the new NDv6 GB300 VM series, delivering the industry’s first supercomputing-scale production cluster of NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 systems, purpose-built for OpenAI’s most demanding AI inference workloads. This supercomputer-scale cluster features over 4,600 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs connected via the NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand networking platform. Microsoft’s unique systems approach applied radical engineering to memory and networking to provide the massive scale of compute required to achieve high inference and training throughput for reasoning models and agentic AI systems. Today’s achievement is the result of years of deep partnership between NVIDIA and Microsoft purpose-building AI infrastructure for the world’s most demanding AI workloads and to deliver infrastructure for the next frontier of AI. It marks another leadership moment, ensuring that leading-edge AI drives innovation in the United States. “Delivering the industry’s first at-scale NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 production cluster for frontier AI is an achievement that goes beyond powerful silicon — it reflects Microsoft Azure and NVIDIA’s shared commitment to optimize all parts of the modern AI data center,” said Nidhi Chappell, corporate vice president of Microsoft Azure AI Infrastructure. “Our collaboration helps ensure customers like OpenAI can deploy next-generation infrastructure at unprecedented scale and speed.” Inside the Engine: The NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 At the heart of Azure’s new NDv6 GB300 VM series is the liquid-cooled, rack-scale NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 system. Each rack is a powerhouse, integrating 72 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 NVIDIA Grace CPUs into a single, cohesive unit to accelerate training and inference for massive AI models. The system provides a staggering 37 terabytes of fast memory and 1.44 exaflops of FP4 Tensor Core performance per VM, creating a massive, unified memory space essential for reasoning models, agentic AI systems and complex multimodal generative AI. NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra is supported by the full-stack NVIDIA AI platform, including collective communication libraries that tap into new formats like NVFP4 for breakthrough training performance, as well as compiler technologies like NVIDIA Dynamo for the highest inference performance in reasoning AI. The NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra platform excels at both training and inference. In the recent MLPerf Inference v5.1 benchmarks, NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 systems delivered record-setting performance using NVFP4. Results included up to 5x higher throughput per GPU on the 671-billion-parameter DeepSeek-R1 reasoning model compared with the NVIDIA Hopper architecture, along with leadership performance on all newly introduced benchmarks like the Llama 3.1 405B model. The Fabric of a Supercomputer: NVLink Switch and NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand To connect over 4,600 Blackwell Ultra GPUs into a single, cohesive supercomputer, Microsoft Azure’s cluster relies on a two-tiered NVIDIA networking architecture designed for both scale-up performance within the rack and scale-out performance across the entire cluster. Within each GB300 NVL72 rack, the fifth-generation NVIDIA NVLink Switch fabric provides 130 TB/s of direct, all-to-all bandwidth between the 72 Blackwell Ultra GPUs. This transforms the entire rack into a single, unified accelerator with a shared memory pool — a critical design for massive, memory-intensive models. To scale beyond the rack, the cluster uses the NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand platform, purpose-built for trillion-parameter-scale AI. Featuring NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNICs and Quantum-X800 switches, NVIDIA Quantum-X800 provides 800 Gb/s of bandwidth per GPU, ensuring seamless communication across all 4,608 GPUs. Microsoft Azure’s cluster also uses NVIDIA Quantum-X800’s advanced adaptive routing, telemetry-based congestion control and performance isolation capabilities, as well as NVIDIA Scalable Hierarchical Aggregation and Reduction Protocol (SHARP) v4, which accelerates operations to significantly boost the efficiency of large-scale training and inference. Driving the Future of AI Delivering the world’s first production NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 cluster at this scale required a reimagination of every layer of Microsoft’s data center — from custom liquid cooling and power distribution to a reengineered software stack for orchestration and storage. This latest milestone marks a big step forward in building the infrastructure that will unlock the future of AI. As Azure scales to its goal of deploying hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs, even more innovations are poised to emerge from customers like OpenAI. Learn more about this announcement on the Microsoft Azure blog.

Lock, load and stream — the battle is just beginning. EA’s highly anticipated Battlefield 6 is set to storm the cloud when it launches tomorrow with GeForce RTX 5080 power, delivering the high-intensity combat and heart-pounding chaos the series is known for. Catch it as part of the six games joining the cloud, including Bethesda’s Read Article

Lock, load and stream — the battle is just beginning. EA’s highly anticipated Battlefield 6 is set to storm the cloud when it launches tomorrow with GeForce RTX 5080 power, delivering the high-intensity combat and heart-pounding chaos the series is known for. Catch it as part of the six games joining the cloud, including Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition and the launch of King of Meat. The Discord integration first unveiled at Gamescom is now live, debuting with Fortnite — showcasing how easy it is to discover games and stay connected with friends via Discord and GeForce NOW. Ashburn, Portland and London will soon be the latest regions to get GeForce RTX 5080-class power. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for updates. Follow along with the latest progress on the server rollout page. Ashburn, Portland and London will be the next regions to light up with GeForce RTX 5080-class power. War Waits for No Respawn Turn cover into rubble — and rubble into cover. Battlefield 6 drops gamers into all-out warfare, where every shot and explosion can change the tide of the fight. With a new Kinesthetic Combat System, in-game movements and gunplay feel sharper and more instinctive than ever. Battle through Conquest and Breakthrough modes or a global campaign spanning Cairo to Gibraltar. The Phantom Edition packs exclusive skins, weapons, vehicle cosmetics and a Battle Pass so gamers are geared up from day one. When every second counts, GeForce NOW puts players in control with ultralow-latency streaming and razor-sharp frames — whether dodging artillery or rocketing off a grenade mid-air. Stream at up to 240 frames per second (fps) from almost any device and take the fight anywhere when Battlefield 6 joins the cloud at launch. Ready, Set, Click From chat to combat — instantly. NVIDIA and Discord have teamed up to change how people discover and play games together, making it easier than ever for friends and communities to stay connected. Powered by GeForce NOW, the new integrated experience — first shown at Gamescom — lets anyone discover and try games like Fortnite directly on Discord with no downloads or installs needed, and even without a GeForce NOW membership. This next-level experience is fueled by a limited-time trial of the GeForce NOW Performance tier, letting anyone jump into streaming at up to 1440p and 60 fps — all without ever leaving Discord. For Discord’s hundreds of millions of users, it’s a fast, simple way to play together and keep the gaming conversation going, right where it’s already happening. The first playable game with this integration is Fortnite, rolling out to gamers now. A single click on a Discord chat link and an Epic Games account login are all it takes to join the action. The integration opens a new way to discover and play games, enabling publishers to create smooth gaming experiences for communities everywhere. Wander Where You Want To Adventure awaits. Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition is the single-player role-playing game that defined open-world fantasy adventures. This edition bundles the original The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind with its celebrated expansions, Tribunal and Bloodmoon, delivering the definitive version of the iconic game. Step into a rich world where every choice shapes destiny. Take on the epic quest to save Morrowind from a terrible blight, or carve a path across vast landscapes filled with ancient cities, dangerous dungeons and curious creatures. With the expansions, visit the mystical Clockwork City, brave frozen Solstheim, clash with werewolves and direct the rise of a mining colony, enjoying up to 80 hours of quests and stories. The game’s open-ended structure lets players build any character imaginable, offering unmatched depth and replayability. Jump into the world of Vvardenfell on nearly any device with GeForce NOW, from laptops and Macs to phones and TVs, and pick the adventure back up anytime, anywhere. Meaty New Games We got the meats. King of Meat is a wild and over-the-top brawler that doesn’t take itself too seriously — except when it comes to juicy combos and meaty takedowns. Part cooking show, part gladiator arena, it throws players into chaotic battles where the weapon of choice is meat. Whether tenderizing foes with a ham hock or unleashing absurd special moves, players can lean hard into the game’s goofy, carnivorous charm. It’s fast, silly and unashamedly over-seasoned fun. In addition, members can look for the following: Deathground (New release on Steam, Oct. 7) King of Meat (New release on Steam, Oct. 7) Seafarer: The Ship Sim (New release on Steam, Oct. 7) Little Nightmares III (New release on Steam, Oct. 9) Battlefield 6 (New release on Steam and EA app, Oct. 10, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. If you could play one game RIGHT NOW, regardless of its release date, what game would it be and why? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) October 8, 2025

Telecommunication networks are critical infrastructure for every nation, underpinning the global flow of communications and data across billions of smartphones and connected devices. The next generation of these networks, known as 6G, will for the first time be built to support AI traffic — and can be powered by AI from the ground up.   The Read Article

Telecommunication networks are critical infrastructure for every nation, underpinning the global flow of communications and data across billions of smartphones and connected devices. The next generation of these networks, known as 6G, will for the first time be built to support AI traffic — and can be powered by AI from the ground up. The nations and companies leading this shift, known as AI-native 6G, are poised to lead the global AI economy and lead in the AI era. Unlike previous network evolutions, the development and deployment of 6G will fundamentally redefine the architecture and functionality of global communications networks to go beyond connectivity. For the first time, AI will enable these networks to sense and infer at the edge, serving hundreds of billions of AI-powered endpoints and supporting AI-driven applications such as autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture and advanced manufacturing. How these next-generation networks are designed, deployed and managed has important implications for the economy as well as for national security. Since 6G networks will power billions of devices and run mission-critical applications, it’s more important than ever to determine who builds and operates these networks. NVIDIA is leading a coalition of U.S. companies committed to developing a high-performance, secure and reliable AI-native 6G solution under the AI-Native Wireless Networks project, aka AI-WIN. By designing a powerful 6G network solution running on American technology, the U.S. has an opportunity to regain global leadership by accelerating the path to AI-native 6G across the nation and worldwide. From 1G to 6G: The Evolution of Networks and Connected Devices As the technology and the types of data being transmitted over networks evolved, each generation of networks — and the standards that guide them — progressed to handle new use cases and complexity. While 1G supported analog voice services, 2G introduced text. In the 3G era, the first smartphones were enabled, and internet browsing became mainstream. In 4G, users experienced true mobile broadband — while 5G brought faster data transfers and greater throughput, enabling many telecom operators to offer unlimited data as part of their wireless services. The evolution of 5G. Source: OKportal Technology, via ResearchGate Today, the number of mobile phone subscriptions around the world exceeds the human population, and AI services are expected to proliferate at all points in the network, including at the edge. To support these billions of devices, the world will need AI-native 6G. Five Advantages of AI-Native 6G Development The convergence of AI and wireless infrastructure will fundamentally reshape the global telecommunications and AI landscape. Building 6G networks on a foundation of AI will make networks more efficient and enable them to bring AI services closer to end users. Here are five benefits of building AI into 6G infrastructure from the ground up. Built-In Capability to Deliver AI Services at the Edge Telecommunications networks traditionally delivered voice, data and video.  In the future, 6G networks will also be called upon to support a new kind of traffic: AI traffic. AI built into 6G infrastructure will enable the delivery of AI services through inference at the edge. This means that when a consumer interacts with an AI service, that workload can be handled by edge data centers in the 6G network, as well as centralized data centers when required. Mobile networks will support data-intensive, AI-powered use cases including autonomous vehicle fleet management, smart glasses, generative AI services and AI agents on phones or other devices, integrated sensing, interactive web and video streaming, collaborative robots, drone detection and other applications that are yet to be invented. The transmission of this massive increase in uplink and bursty data needs to be resilient, secure and purpose-built.  Extreme Efficiency Across Spectrum Usage, Energy Usage and Operations The most important raw material for wireless networks is spectrum: the airwaves over which two-way data transmission takes place. Since the amount of spectrum available to serve the exponential rise in AI traffic is finite, new, AI-based techniques are needed to optimize the usage of every bit of spectrum. AI-native algorithms deployed with 6G networks will deliver extreme spectrum efficiency, enabling billions of dollars in cost savings while improving user experience for all connected devices. AI-native hardware and software will also enable extreme energy efficiency at scale, reducing the overall operational costs for telcos. And agentic AI will improve and automate network management and operations, greatly improving reliability, resiliency and network performance. New Revenue Opportunities for Carriers 6G networks built on AI will create new revenue streams for telecommunications companies. Accelerated computing as the backbone of telecommunications infrastructure will drive new returns on capital investments that extend far beyond providing data connectivity. One estimate suggests that telco operators can earn roughly $5 in AI inference revenue from every $1 invested in new AI radio access network (AI-RAN) infrastructure. And, with the network efficiency gains provided by AI, operators will be able to harness excess capacity to run AI workloads concurrently with cellular services. Software-Defined Infrastructure Wireless networks can now innovate at the pace of AI, without having to make new hardware investments with every generation. Telecommunications infrastructure today largely consists of single-purpose, hardware-defined systems that are built to deliver voice, video and data services. With this setup, innovation cycles are long and tied to hardware upgrades with each new generation — and companies must still invest in different infrastructure to handle AI computing.  Moving toward software-defined RAN architecture will enable one common infrastructure stack to run mobile wireless services and AI applications, while making it easy to evolve to the next generation with a software upgrade. This will enable a rapid pace of innovation in telecoms, opening the field for many to participate and collectively deliver new capabilities and services for humans, AI agents and machines. Shifting a network’s underlying infrastructure from single-purpose technology to off-the-shelf, multi-purpose infrastructure is a game changer that can enable telcos to maximize every new dollar spent. Enhanced Cybersecurity In the 6G era, cybersecurity enters a new dimension where AI is a critical requirement across the network’s topology and deeply embedded into every layer of the technology stack. As 6G networks connect billions of IoT devices, AI is essential for real-time threat detection and automated remediation and incident response. AI models can process massive data streams to quickly identify and neutralize attacks, whether they’re occurring on the device, at the network edge or in the cloud. AI-driven cybersecurity can help keep hyper-connected systems — such as self-driving vehicles and massive factories — resilient, secure and adaptive. And to ensure that security, it’s imperative that 6G networks deployed across the world are operated by trusted companies committed to the principles of transparency and openness. Meeting the 6G Moment International standards committees have already started the work to define the upcoming standards for 6G. These standards are set by industry, academia and government experts who agree on technical specifications for each new generation of wireless technology. For the past several decades, international competitors have dominated global network deployments. They’re racing to do the same with 6G, building on their existing technology stacks and rapidly integrating AI compute and sensing capabilities to create a fabric for massively distributed intelligence. By developing a strong, AI-powered 6G network running on American technology, the U.S. will have a powerful tool to compete worldwide and advance open and transparent technology ecosystems. Learn about NVIDIA solutions for 5G and 6G networks and join the NVIDIA 6G Developer Program.

Editor’s note: This blog has been updated to include an additional game for October, The Outer Worlds 2. October is creeping in with plenty of gaming treats. From thrilling adventures to spine‑tingling scares, the cloud gaming lineup is packed with 18 new games, including the highly anticipated shooter Battlefield 6, launching on GeForce NOW this month. Read Article

Editor’s note: This blog has been updated to include an additional game for October, The Outer Worlds 2. October is creeping in with plenty of gaming treats. From thrilling adventures to spine‑tingling scares, the cloud gaming lineup is packed with 18 new games, including the highly anticipated shooter Battlefield 6, launching on GeForce NOW this month. But first, catch the six games coming this week. Miami and Warsaw, Poland, are the latest regions to get GeForce RTX 5080-class power, with Portland and Ashburn coming up next. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for updates as more regions upgrade to Blackwell RTX. Follow along with the latest progress on the server rollout page. Portland and Ashburn will be the next regions to light up with GeForce RTX 5080-class power. This week, inZOI and Total War: Warhammer III join the lineup of GeForce RTX 5080-ready titles, both already available on the service. Look for the “GeForce RTX 5080 Ready” row in the app or check out the full list. Falling for New Games Catch the games ready to play today: Train Sim World 6 (New release on Steam, Sept. 30) Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition (New release on Steam, Sept. 30) Car Dealer Simulator (Steam) Nightingale (Epic Games Store) Ready or Not (Epic Games Store) STALCRAFT: X (Steam) New GeForce RTX 5080-ready games: inZOI (Steam) Total War: Warhammer III (Steam and Epic Games Store) Catch the full list of games coming to the cloud in October: King of Meat (New release on Steam, Oct. 7) Seafarer: The Ship Sim (New release on Steam, Oct. 7) Little Nightmares III (New release on Steam, Oct. 9) Battlefield 6 (New release on Steam and EA app, Oct. 10) Ball x Pit (New release on Steam, Oct. 15) Fellowship (New release on Steam, Oct. 16) Jurassic World Evolution 3 (New release on Steam, Oct. 21) Painkiller (New release on Steam, Oct. 21) Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 21) Tormented Souls 2 (New release on Steam, Oct. 23) Super Fantasy Kingdom (New release on Steam, Oct. 24) Earth vs. Mars (New release on Steam, Oct. 29) The Outer Worlds 2 (New release on Steam, Battle.net and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Oct. 29) ARC Raiders (New release on Steam, Oct. 30) Stacked September In addition to the 17 games announced in September, an extra dozen joined over the month, including the newly added Train Sim World 6 this week: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (Steam, Battle.net and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass) Field of Glory II: Medieval (Steam) Goblin Cleanup (New release on Steam) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Steam) Professional Fishing 2 (New release on Steam) Project Winter (New release on Epic Games Store) Renown (New release on Steam) Sworn (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass) Two Point Campus (Steam, Epic Games Store) Two Point Museum (Steam, Epic Games Store) Town to City (New release on Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. If you could only play one genre of game for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? Extra credit: screenshots or clips of that genre in action! — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) October 1, 2025

NVIDIA AI Days — hosted for and in different pockets of the world — are drawing in hundreds of enthusiasts, developers, researchers and startups to discuss and explore the latest technologies making AI breakthroughs possible.

Many users want to run large language models (LLMs) locally for more privacy and control, and without subscriptions, but until recently, this meant a trade-off in output quality. Newly released open-weight models, like OpenAI’s gpt-oss and Alibaba’s Qwen 3, can run directly on PCs, delivering useful high-quality outputs, especially for local agentic AI. This opens Read Article

Many users want to run large language models (LLMs) locally for more privacy and control, and without subscriptions, but until recently, this meant a trade-off in output quality. Newly released open-weight models, like OpenAI’s gpt-oss and Alibaba’s Qwen 3, can run directly on PCs, delivering useful high-quality outputs, especially for local agentic AI. This opens up new opportunities for students, hobbyists and developers to explore generative AI applications locally. NVIDIA RTX PCs accelerate these experiences, delivering fast and snappy AI to users. Getting Started With Local LLMs Optimized for RTX PCs NVIDIA has worked to optimize top LLM applications for RTX PCs, extracting maximum performance of Tensor Cores in RTX GPUs. One of the easiest ways to get started with AI on a PC is with Ollama, an open-source tool that provides a simple interface for running and interacting with LLMs. It supports the ability to drag and drop PDFs into prompts, conversational chat and multimodal understanding workflows that include text and images. It’s easy to use Ollama to generate answers from a text simple prompt. NVIDIA has collaborated with Ollama to improve its performance and user experience on GeForce RTX GPUs. The most recent developments include: 50% performance improvements on OpenAI’s gpt-oss-20B model 60% performance improvements on the new Gemma 3 270M and EmbeddingGemma models for hyper-efficient RAG Improved model scheduling system to maximize and accurately report memory utilization Stability enhancements to reduce the number of crashes Ollama is a developer framework that can be used with other applications. For example, AnythingLLM — an open-source app that lets users build their own AI assistants powered by any LLM — can run on top of Ollama and benefit from all of its accelerations. Enthusiasts can also get started with local LLMs using LM Studio, an app powered by the popular llama.cpp framework. The app provides a user-friendly interface for running models locally, letting users load different LLMs, chat with them in real time and even serve them as local application programming interface endpoints for integration into custom projects. Example of using LM Studio to generate notes accelerated by NVIDIA RTX. NVIDIA has worked with llama.cpp to optimize performance on NVIDIA RTX GPUs. The latest updates include: Support for the latest NVIDIA Nemotron Nano v2 9B model, which is based on the novel hybrid-mamba architecture Flash Attention now turned on by default, offering an up to 20% performance improvement compared with Flash Attention being turned off CUDA kernels optimizations for RMS Norm and fast-div based modulo, resulting in up to 9% performance improvements for popular model Semantic versioning, making it easy for developers to adopt future releases Learn more about gpt-oss on RTX and how NVIDIA has worked with LM Studio to accelerate LLM performance on RTX PCs. Creating an AI-Powered Study Buddy With AnythingLLM In addition to greater privacy and performance, running LLMs locally removes restrictions on how many files can be loaded or how long they stay available, enabling context-aware AI conversations for a longer period of time. This creates more flexibility for building conversational and generative AI-powered assistants. For students, managing a flood of slides, notes, labs and past exams can be overwhelming. Local LLMs make it possible to create a personal tutor that can adapt to individual learning needs. The demo below shows how students can use local LLMs to build a generative-AI powered assistant: AnythingLLM running on an RTX PC transforms study materials into interactive flashcards, creating a personalized AI-powered tutor. A simple way to do this is with AnythingLLM, which supports document uploads, custom knowledge bases and conversational interfaces. This makes it a flexible tool for anyone who wants to create a customizable AI to help with research, projects or day-to-day tasks. And with RTX acceleration, users can experience even faster responses. By loading syllabi, assignments and textbooks into AnythingLLM on RTX PCs, students can gain an adaptive, interactive study companion. They can ask the agent, using plain text or speech, to help with tasks like: Generating flashcards from lecture slides: “Create flashcards from the Sound chapter lecture slides. Put key terms on one side and definitions on the other.” Asking contextual questions tied to their materials: “Explain conservation of momentum using my Physics 8 notes.” Creating and grading quizzes for exam prep: “Create a 10-question multiple choice quiz based on chapters 5-6 of my chemistry textbook and grade my answers.” Walking through tough problems step by step: “Show me how to solve problem 4 from my coding homework, step by step.” Beyond the classroom, hobbyists and professionals can use AnythingLLM to prepare for certifications in new fields of study or for other similar purposes. And running locally on RTX GPUs ensures fast, private responses with no subscription costs or usage limits. Project G-Assist Can Now Control Laptop Settings Project G-Assist is an experimental AI assistant that helps users tune, control and optimize their gaming PCs through simple voice or text commands — without needing to dig through menus. Over the next day, a new G-Assist update will roll out via the home page of the NVIDIA App. Project G-Assist helps users tune, control and optimize their gaming PCs through simple voice or text commands. Building on its new, more efficient AI model and support for the majority of RTX GPUs released in August, the new G-Assist update adds commands to adjust laptop settings, including: App profiles optimized for laptops: Automatically adjust games or apps for efficiency, quality or a balance when laptops aren’t connected to chargers. BatteryBoost control: Activate or adjust BatteryBoost to extend battery life while keeping frame rates smooth. WhisperMode control: Cut fan noise by up to 50% when needed, and go back to full performance when not. Project G-Assist is also extensible. With the G-Assist Plug-In Builder, users can create and customize G-Assist functionality by adding new commands or connecting external tools with easy-to-create plugins. And with the G-Assist Plug-In Hub, users can easily discover and install plug-ins to expand G-Assist capabilities. Check out NVIDIA’s G-Assist GitHub repository for materials on how to get started, including sample plug-ins, step-by-step instructions and documentation for building custom functionalities. #ICYMI — The Latest Advancements in RTX AI PCs Ollama Gets a Major Performance Boost on RTX Latest updates include optimized performance for OpenAI’s gpt-oss-20B, faster Gemma 3 models and smarter model scheduling to reduce memory issues and improve multi-GPU efficiency. Llama.cpp and GGML Optimized for RTX The latest updates deliver faster, more efficient inference on RTX GPUs, including support for the NVIDIA Nemotron Nano v2 9B model, Flash Attention enabled by default and CUDA kernel optimizations. Project G-Assist Update Rolls Out Download the G-Assist v0.1.18 update via the NVIDIA App. The update features new commands for laptop users and enhanced answer quality. Windows ML With NVIDIA TensorRT for RTX Now Generally Available Microsoft released Windows ML with NVIDIA TensorRT for RTX acceleration, delivering up to 50% faster inference, streamlined deployment and support for LLMs, diffusion and other model types on Windows 11 PCs. NVIDIA Nemotron Powers AI Development The NVIDIA Nemotron collection of open models, datasets and techniques is fueling innovation in AI, from generalized reasoning to industry-specific applications. Plug in to NVIDIA AI PC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X — and stay informed by subscribing to the RTX AI PC newsletter. Follow NVIDIA Workstation on LinkedIn and X. See notice regarding software product information.

Quantum computing promises to reshape industries — but progress hinges on solving key problems. Error correction. Simulations of qubit designs. Circuit compilation optimization tasks. These are among the bottlenecks that must be overcome to bring quantum hardware into the era of useful applications. Enter accelerated computing. The parallel processing of accelerated computing offers the power Read Article

Quantum computing promises to reshape industries — but progress hinges on solving key problems. Error correction. Simulations of qubit designs. Circuit compilation optimization tasks. These are among the bottlenecks that must be overcome to bring quantum hardware into the era of useful applications. Enter accelerated computing. The parallel processing of accelerated computing offers the power needed to make the quantum computing breakthroughs of today and tomorrow possible. NVIDIA CUDA-X libraries form the backbone of quantum research. From faster decoding of quantum errors to designing larger systems of qubits, researchers are using GPU-accelerated tools to expand classical computation and bring useful quantum applications closer to reality. Accelerating Quantum Error Correction Decoders With NVIDIA CUDA-Q QEC and cuDNN Quantum error correction (QEC) is a key technique for working with unavoidable noise in quantum processors. It’s how researchers distill thousands of noisy physical qubits into a handful of noiseless, logical ones by decoding data in real time, spotting and correcting errors as they emerge. Among the most promising approaches to QEC are quantum low-density parity-check (qLDPC) codes, which can mitigate errors with low qubit overhead. But decoding them requires computationally expensive conventional algorithms running at extremely low latency with very high throughput. The Quantum Software Lab, hosted at the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, used the NVIDIA CUDA-Q QEC library to build a new qLDPC decoding method called AutoDEC — and saw a 2x boost in speed and accuracy. It was developed using CUDA-Q’s GPU-accelerated BP-OSD decoding functionality, which parallelizes the decoding process, increasing the odds that error correction works. In a separate collaboration with QuEra, the NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo framework and cuDNN library were used to develop an AI decoder with a transformer architecture. AI methods offer a promising means to scale decoding to the larger-distance codes needed in future quantum computers. These codes improve error correction — but they come with a steep computational cost. AI models can frontload the computationally intensive portions of the workloads by training ahead of time and running more efficient inference at runtime. Using an AI model developed with NVIDIA CUDA-Q, QuEra achieved a 50x boost in decoding speed — along with improved accuracy. Optimizing Quantum Circuit Compilation With cuDF One way to improve an algorithm that works even without QEC is to compile it to the highest-quality qubits on a processor. The process of mapping qubits in an abstract quantum circuit to a physical layout of qubits on a chip is tied to an extremely computationally challenging problem known as graph isomorphism. In collaboration with Q-CTRL and Oxford Quantum Circuits, NVIDIA developed a GPU-accelerated layout selection method called ∆-Motif, providing up to a 600x speedup in applications like quantum compilation, which involve graph isomorphism. To scale this approach, NVIDIA and collaborators used cuDF — a GPU-accelerated data science library — to perform graph operations and construct potential layouts with predefined patterns (aka “motifs”) based on the physical quantum chip layout. These layouts can be constructed efficiently and in parallel by merging motifs, enabling GPU acceleration in graph isomorphism problems for the first time. Accelerating High-Fidelity Quantum System Simulation With cuQuantum Numerical simulation of quantum systems is critical for understanding the physics of quantum devices — and for developing better qubit designs. QuTiP, a widely used open-source toolkit, is a workhorse for understanding the noise sources present in quantum hardware. A key use case is the high-fidelity simulation of open quantum systems, such as modeling superconducting qubits coupled with other components within the quantum processor, like resonators and filters, to accurately predict device behavior. Through a collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke and Amazon Web Services (AWS), QuTiP was integrated with the NVIDIA cuQuantum software development kit via a new QuTiP plug-in called qutip-cuquantum. AWS provided the GPU-accelerated Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) compute infrastructure for the simulation. For large systems, researchers saw up to a 4,000x performance boost when studying a transmon qubit coupled with a resonator. Learn more about the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform. Read this NVIDIA technical blog for more details on how CUDA-Q powers quantum applications research. Explore quantum computing sessions at NVIDIA GTC Washington, D.C, running Oct. 27-29.

Building robots that can effectively operate alongside human workers in factories, hospitals and public spaces presents an enormous technical challenge. These robots require humanlike dexterity, perception, cognition and whole-body coordination to navigate unpredictable real-world environments in real time.

Editor’s note: This blog is a part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on how developers, 3D practitioners and enterprises can transform their workflows using the latest advances in OpenUSD and NVIDIA Omniverse. Building robots that can effectively operate alongside human workers in factories, hospitals and public spaces presents an enormous technical challenge. These robots require humanlike dexterity, perception, cognition and whole-body coordination to navigate unpredictable real-world environments in real time. A “sim-first” approach unlocks these critical skills by enabling parallel training of hundreds or thousands of robot instances using real robot-captured data and synthetic data in simulation environments. Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) provides the foundational framework for this advanced robot development, serving as a scalable, interoperable data standard that enables developers to build physically accurate virtual worlds where robots can practice and perfect their skills before transferring them to real-world applications. Accelerating Physical AI Development NVIDIA announced at the Conference on Robot Learning this week groundbreaking advances in open-source physics simulation, open foundation models and development frameworks, including: Newton Physics Engine: While robots learn faster and safer in simulation, humanoid robots — with complex joints, balance and movements — are pushing today’s physics engines to the limit. Codeveloped by Google DeepMind, Disney Research and NVIDIA, and managed by the Linux Foundation, Newton is an open-source, GPU-accelerated physics engine to advance robot learning. Built on NVIDIA Warp and OpenUSD, Newton enables robots to learn complex tasks more precisely while working seamlessly with robot learning frameworks like MuJoCo Playground and NVIDIA Isaac Lab. Tune in to an upcoming livestream for a Newton beta demonstration to learn about Newton’s core features and how to get started on Newton with NVIDIA Isaac Lab. Isaac GR00T N1.6: To perform humanlike tasks in the physical world, humanoids must understand ambiguous instructions and navigate unforeseen scenarios. The latest Isaac GR00T N1.6 open robot foundation model, available soon on Hugging Face, integrates NVIDIA Cosmos Reason, an open reasoning vision language model built for physical AI. Cosmos Reason serves as the robot’s deep-thinking brain and transforms vague instructions into step-by-step action plans using prior knowledge, common sense and physics understanding. NVIDIA Isaac Lab: The latest version of Isaac Lab, an open-source, modular robot learning framework built on NVIDIA Isaac Sim and OpenUSD, is now available as an early developer release. Version 2.3 brings a host of new features to robotics researchers and developers, including advanced whole-body control and expanded teleoperation for data collection. OpenUSD’s interoperability ensures these advanced physics simulations, foundation models and learning frameworks work together seamlessly, enabling developers to build unified robot learning pipelines that scale across different platforms and deployment scenarios. See How Developers Are Accelerating Robot Learning Leading humanoid and robotics developers, including Agility Robotics, Lightwheel, Mentee, Universal Robots and Wandelbots are adopting simulation technologies and libraries to accelerate physical AI development and deployment. Agility Robotics uses NVIDIA Isaac Lab to train a whole-body control foundation model for its Digit robot. Isaac Sim and OpenUSD enable precise digital twin creation of customer facilities, delivering a scalable way to optimize the robot’s operation before deployment. Lightwheel developed the Lightwheel Simulation Platform, built on NVIDIA Omniverse. Lightwheel is also building simulation-ready assets that use the NVIDIA USD Search application programming interface to streamline asset discovery and assemble accurate digital twins to help robotics developers accelerate their training and simulation workflows. Mentee Robotics harnesses NVIDIA’s three-computer architecture to develop MenteeBot’s sophisticated learning capabilities, using OpenUSD as the foundation for developing synthetic data generation pipelines in Isaac Sim. Universal Robots uses the NVIDIA Isaac platform for comprehensive robot simulation and learning, tapping OpenUSD to create interoperable digital twins of manufacturing environments that validate cobot safety protocols and optimize human-robot interaction across diverse industrial settings. Inbolt, a partner in the Universal Robots ecosystem, delivers dynamic vision guidance systems that enable robots to adapt to their environment on the fly, handling production variations with ease. Wandelbots, a German robotics software company, is helping Volkswagen shorten automation projects at its Transparent Factory in Dresden. Using Wandelbots NOVA, a robotics platform with deep integration into Isaac Sim, developers can build, train, test and validate their pick-and-place applications with a virtual twin before deployment. NVIDIA’s open frameworks and libraries are also being adopted by developers within the robotics community. Community member and NVIDIA Omniverse ambassador Dylan Tobin created an AI chatbot trained on Isaac Sim workflows to help developers navigate Omniverse more efficiently. See how other developers in the community are using Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab for innovation in robotics navigation, control and reinforcement learning by watching this livestream replay: Plus, an NVIDIA Robotics office hours session demonstrates how Brev makes it easy to run Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab on Omniverse: Get Plugged Into the World of OpenUSD To learn more about robot learning with OpenUSD and NVIDIA’s latest robotics technologies, explore these resources: Watch a tutorial on how to teach a robot new skills fast with Isaac GR00T N1.5. Read three ways to use OpenUSD in robotics workflows to significantly reduce deployment time and improve robot simulation and training performance. Listen to the NVIDIA AI Podcast episode on the future of robot learning and simulation with Seattle Robotics Lab lead Yashraj Narang. Train using the NVIDIA Robotics Fundamentals Learning Path, which covers basic robotics and advanced AI-powered automation. Attend Physical AI and Robotics Day on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at NVIDIA GTC Washington, D.C., which will feature curated sessions on how digital twins, robot learning and OpenUSD are shaping the future of physical AI. Earn an industry-recognized OpenUSD Development certification, offered at no additional charge to conference attendees. Stay up to date by subscribing to NVIDIA Omniverse news, joining the Omniverse community and following Omniverse on Discord, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X and YouTube. Explore the Alliance for OpenUSD forum and the AOUSD website.

On Tuesday, more than 800 attendees joined NVIDIA AI Day Ho Chi Minh City to learn about sovereign AI — including 15 breakout sections on physical, agentic and generative AI, as well as AI factories that are enabling innovation at the regional, national and global scales.

Suit up and head for the cloud. Mecha BREAK, the popular third-person shooter, is now available to stream on GeForce NOW with NVIDIA DLSS 4 technology. Catch it this week as part of 10 new titles joining the nearly 5,000 games supported on GeForce NOW, in addition to Capcom’s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This Read Article

Suit up and head for the cloud. Mecha BREAK, the popular third-person shooter, is now available to stream on GeForce NOW with NVIDIA DLSS 4 technology. Catch it this week as part of 10 new titles joining the nearly 5,000 games supported on GeForce NOW, in addition to Capcom’s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. This week, Alan Wake 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl join the lineup of GeForce RTX 5080-ready titles, both already available on the service. Look for the “GeForce RTX 5080 Ready” row in the app or check out the full list. Plus, LG is celebrating being the first to offer OLED TVs that can stream GeForce NOW natively at 4K 120 frames per second, powered by the new GeForce RTX 5080 servers. To mark the occasion, LG is giving away 100 one-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership codes for free. Head over to the r/LG_UserHub Reddit page to enter. Smashing Good Time Mecha BREAK is a multiplayer mech game where players can choose from diverse mechs, customize appearances and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain. The game pits pilots against each other in high-octane, team-based mech battles across vast, destructible arenas. Pick a Striker, master its unique abilities and outplay rivals in aerial and ground combat for pulse-pounding victory. Whether gearing up for 3v3, 6v6 or chaotic PvPvE matches, there’s a mech for every play style — from agile snipers to heavy frontline brutes. Mecha BREAK is now available for streaming on GeForce NOW, making it easy to jump into the action wherever, whenever. With DLSS 4, Ultimate members get to experience the crispest visuals and smoothest frame rates, all from the cloud. Hold It! No objections to the cloud here. In Capcom’s iconic Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, players become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle in the fight to save their innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection. Investigate crime scenes, gather evidence, cross-examine witnesses with razor-sharp wit and deliver iconic “Objection!” moments to uncover the truth. With a mix of quirky characters, twisting storylines and surprising humor, the trilogy captures everything fans love about the legendary courtroom adventure. On GeForce NOW, it’s never been easier to bring justice to the courtroom. Stream the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy across devices instantly, with crisp visuals and smooth performance that lets every “Hold it!” land with dramatic flair. Whether gamers are on the go or settled in, the courtroom is always in session. In addition, members can look for the following: ENDLESS Legend 2 (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Sept. 22) Renown (New release on Steam, Sept. 22) Baby Steps (New release on Steam, Sept. 23) Aztecs: The Last Sun (New release on Steam, Sept. 23) SWORN (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Sept. 23) Lost Rift (New release on Steam, Sept. 25) CloverPit (New release on Steam, Sept. 26) Mecha BREAK (Steam) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Steam) Predecessor (Steam) New GeForce RTX 5080-ready games: Alan Wake 2 (Epic Games Store) S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Steam, Xbox, available on PC Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Giveaway alert @LGGamingGlobal is celebrating being the world’s first OLED TVs to stream GeForce NOW natively at 4K 120 fps by giving away 100 one-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership codes. Enter here https://t.co/Tdd9hxdp1t — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) September 24, 2025

Open technologies — made available to developers and businesses to adopt, modify and innovate with — have been part of every major technology shift, from the birth of the internet to the early days of cloud computing. AI should follow the same path. That’s why the NVIDIA Nemotron family of multimodal AI models, datasets and Read Article

Open technologies — made available to developers and businesses to adopt, modify and innovate with — have been part of every major technology shift, from the birth of the internet to the early days of cloud computing. AI should follow the same path. That’s why the NVIDIA Nemotron family of multimodal AI models, datasets and techniques is openly available. Accessible for research and commercial use, from local PCs to enterprise-scale systems, Nemotron provides an open foundation for building AI applications. It’s available for developers to get started on GitHub, Hugging Face and OpenRouter. Nemotron enables developers, startups and enterprises of any size to use models trained with transparent, open-source training data. It offers tools to accelerate every phase of development, from customization to deployment. The technology’s transparency means that its adopters can understand how their models work and trust the results they provide. Nemotron’s capabilities for generalized intelligence and agentic AI reasoning — and its adaptability to specialized AI use cases — have led to its widespread use today by AI innovators and leaders across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and retail. What’s NVIDIA Nemotron? NVIDIA Nemotron is a collection of open-source AI technologies designed for efficient AI development at every stage. It includes: Multimodal models: State-of-the-art AI models, delivered as open checkpoints, that excel at graduate-level scientific reasoning, advanced math, coding, instruction following, tool calling and visual reasoning. Pretraining, post-training and multimodal datasets: Collections of carefully chosen text, image and video data that teach AI models skills including language, math and problem-solving. Numerical precision algorithms and recipes: Advanced precision techniques that make AI faster and cheaper to run while keeping answers accurate. System software for scaling training efficiently on GPU clusters: Optimized software and frameworks that unlock accelerating training and inference on NVIDIA GPUs at massive scale for the largest models. Post-training methodologies and software: Fine-tuning steps that make AI smarter, safer and better at specific jobs. Nemotron is part of NVIDIA’s wider efforts to provide open, transparent and adaptable AI platforms for developers, industry leaders and AI infrastructure builders across the private and public sectors. What’s the Difference Between Generalized Intelligence and Specialized Intelligence? NVIDIA built Nemotron to raise the bar for generalized intelligence capabilities — including AI reasoning — while also accelerating specialization, helping businesses worldwide adopt AI for industry-specific challenges. Generalized intelligence refers to models trained on vast public datasets to perform a wide range of tasks. It serves as the engine needed for broad problem-solving and reasoning tasks. Specialized intelligence learns the unique language, processes and priorities of an industry or organization, giving AI models the ability to adapt to specific real-world applications. To deliver AI at scale across every industry, both are essential. That’s why Nemotron provides pretrained foundation models optimized for a range of computing platforms, as well as tools like NVIDIA NeMo and NVIDIA Dynamo to transform generalized AI models into custom models tailored for specialized intelligence. How Are Developers and Enterprises Using Nemotron? NVIDIA is building Nemotron to accelerate the work of developers everywhere — and to inform the design of future AI systems. From researchers to startups and global enterprises, developers need flexible, trustworthy AI. Nemotron offers the tools to build, customize and integrate AI for virtually any field. CrowdStrike is integrating its Charlotte AI AgentWorks no-code platform for security teams with Nemotron, helping to power and secure the agentic ecosystem. This collaboration redefines security operations by enabling analysts to build and deploy specialized AI agents at scale, leveraging trusted, enterprise-grade security with Nemotron models. DataRobot is using Nemotron as the open foundation for training, customizing and managing AI agents at scale in the Agent Workforce Platform co-developed with NVIDIA— a solution for building, operating and governing a fully functional AI agent workforce, in on-premises, hybrid and multi-cloud environments. ServiceNow introduced the Apriel Nemotron 15B model earlier this year in partnership with NVIDIA. Post-trained with data from both companies, the model is purpose-built for real-time workflow execution and delivers advanced reasoning in a smaller size, making it faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. UK-LLM, a sovereign AI initiative led by University College London, used Nemotron open-source techniques and datasets to develop an AI reasoning model for English and Welsh. NVIDIA also uses the insights gained from developing Nemotron to inform the design of its next-generation systems, including Grace Blackwell, Vera Rubin and Feynman. The latest innovations in AI models, including reduced precision, sparse arithmetic, new attention mechanisms and optimization algorithms, all shape GPU architectures. For example, NVFP4, a new data format that uses just four bits per parameter during large language model (LLM) training, was discovered with Nemotron. This advancement — which dramatically reduces energy use — is influencing the design of future NVIDIA systems. NVIDIA also improves Nemotron with open technologies built by the broader AI community. Alibaba’s Qwen open model has provided data augmentation that has improved Nemotron’s pretraining and post-training datasets. The latest Qwen3-Next architecture pushed the frontier of long-context AI, the model leverages Gated Delta Networks from NVIDIA research and MIT. DeepSeek R1, a pioneer in AI reasoning, led to the development of Nemotron math, code and reasoning open datasets that can be used to teach models how to think. OpenAI’s gpt-oss open-weight models demonstrate incredible reasoning, math and tool calling capabilities, including adjustable reasoning settings, that can be used to strengthen Nemotron post-training datasets. The Llama collection of open models by Meta is the foundation for Llama-Nemotron, an open family of models that used Nemotron datasets and recipes to add advanced reasoning capabilities. Start training and customizing AI models and agents with NVIDIA Nemotron models and data on Hugging Face, or try models for free on OpenRouter. Developers using NVIDIA RTX PCs can access Nemotron via the llama.cpp framework. Join NVIDIA for Agentic AI Day at NVIDIA GTC Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The event will bring together developers, researchers and technology leaders to highlight how NVIDIA technologies are accelerating national AI priorities and powering the next generation of AI agents. Stay up to date on agentic AI, Nemotron and more by subscribing to NVIDIA developer news, joining the developer community and following NVIDIA AI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook.

Canada’s role as a leader in artificial intelligence was on full display at this week’s All In Canada AI Ecosystem event. NVIDIA Vice President of Generative AI Software Kari Briski today joined Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon and Aidan Gomez, cofounder and CEO of Cohere, in a special address moderated Read Article

Canada’s role as a leader in artificial intelligence was on full display at this week’s All In Canada AI Ecosystem event. NVIDIA Vice President of Generative AI Software Kari Briski today joined Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon and Aidan Gomez, cofounder and CEO of Cohere, in a special address moderated by SiriusXM host Amber Mac. “You’re all here to deliver the next big thing,” Solomon told the room full of founders, researchers, investors and students. “The AI revolution is the birth not just of a new technology — this is the birth of the age of the entrepreneur.” The session comes as Canadian communications technology company and NVIDIA Cloud Partner TELUS announces the launch of Canada’s first fully sovereign AI factory in Rimouski, Quebec, powered by the latest NVIDIA accelerated computing, and financial services company RBC Capital Markets continues building AI agents for capital markets using NVIDIA software. “For our government, for our country, ‘All In’ means building digital sovereignty — the most pressing policy, democratic issue of our time,” Solomon said. “Every nation should develop its own AI — not just outsource it,” Briski said during the panel conversation following Solomon’s address. “AI must reflect local values, understand cultural context and align with national norms and policies. It needs to speak and write in the nuanced patterns of your natural language. Digital intelligence isn’t something you can simply outsource.” From left to right, Amber Mac, SiriusXM podcast host and moderator; Kari Briski, vice president of generative AI software for enterprise at NVIDIA; Aidan Gomez, cofounder and CEO of Cohere; Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence. The event marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s AI journey, bringing together public and private sector leaders to spotlight the national infrastructure, innovation and policy that shape the future of artificial intelligence. It underscores the country’s commitment to digital sovereignty, economic competitiveness and the responsible development of AI. “Canada must own the tools and the rules that matter at this critical moment,” Solomon said. “We need our digital insurance policy — and that’s what we’re building.” Canada’s AI momentum is accelerating. TELUS’ new facility, powered by NVIDIA’s computing and software, and built in collaboration with HPE, offers end-to-end AI capabilities — from model training to inferencing — while ensuring full data residency and control within Canadian borders. The factory is already serving clients including OpenText, and is powered by 99% renewable energy and TELUS’ PureFibre network. Accenture will develop and deploy industry-specific solutions on the TELUS sovereign AI platform, accelerating AI adoption across its Canadian clients. And League, Canada’s leading healthcare consumer experience provider, will run its comprehensive suite of AI-powered healthcare solutions using the TELUS Sovereign AI Factory. This event is the latest in a global wave of initiatives as countries activate AI to supercharge their economies and research ecosystems. Over the past year, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang has appeared at events in France, Germany, India, Japan and the U.K., joining heads of state and industry leaders to highlight national AI strategies, announce infrastructure investments and accelerate public-private collaboration. “Leadership is not a birthright,” Solomon said. “It has to be earned again and again — and the competition is fierce.” And last year, during a visit to Canada, Huang highlighted Canada’s pioneering role in modern AI, describing it as the “epicenter of innovation in modern AI,” building on the foundational work of pioneering Canadian AI researchers such as Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, who is also speaking at the conference. RBC Capital Markets works with NVIDIA software to build enterprise-grade AI agents for Capital Markets. This enables global institutions to deploy intelligent systems tailored to local needs. These agents — customized with NVIDIA NeMo agent lifecycle tools and deployed using NVIDIA NIM microservices — are helping transform RBC Capital Markets’ research for faster delivery of insights to clients. Watch the entire conversation below.

Energy efficiency in large language model inference has improved 100,000x in the past 10 years — demonstrating that accelerated computing is sustainable computing. At Climate Week NYC, taking place through Sept. 26 in New York City, NVIDIA is showcasing how accelerated computing is propelling energy savings and advancing climate research. The summit brings together researchers, Read Article

Energy efficiency in large language model inference has improved 100,000x in the past 10 years — demonstrating that accelerated computing is sustainable computing. At Climate Week NYC, taking place through Sept. 26 in New York City, NVIDIA is showcasing how accelerated computing is propelling energy savings and advancing climate research. The summit brings together researchers, startups, scientists, technologists, nonprofits and policymakers to discuss bold ideas for climate action. This year’s theme is energy: where it comes from, how to scale it and how AI can optimize the grid in newfound ways. Throughout the week, NVIDIA will be highlighting its own innovative climate technologies, as well as a pair of recently published product carbon footprint reports on the emissions intensity of NVIDIA GPUs. AI Usage Isn’t Black and White — It Can Actually Be Green AI can play a critical role in stabilizing energy grids by pinpointing anomalies at a rapid rate. These timely insights can allow operators to respond to issues efficiently before they affect the larger grid. Forecasted AI-Induced Energy Savings Across Energy-Intensive Sectors by 2035 Sector Subsector 2035 AI Energy Savings (%) 2035 Demand: Reference Case Scenario (in petajoules) Industry Iron and Steel 3 1,160 Industry Cement 4 500 Industry Chemicals 2 10,440 Industry Aluminum 4 260 Industry Paper 2 1,860 Industry Other 8 13,650 Transportation Light commercial vehicles 6 8,160 Transportation Heavy duty trucks 3 3,670 Transportation Cars 3 4,460 Transportation Buses 6 1,690 Transportation Aviation 4 3,120 Transportation Shipping 4 940 Transportation Rail 7 530 Buildings Residential 1 4,780 Buildings Non-residential 4 1,760 Data Sources: Davide D’Ambrosio et al., Energy and AI (Paris: International Energy Agency, April 2025) and “Net Zero America: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts,” Princeton University, as featured in CSIS’ report “AI for the Grid.” According to Net-Zero America Project’s calculations, if AI applications are fully adopted, nearly 4.5% of projected energy demand in 2035 will be saved across the three most energy-intensive sectors — industry, transportation and buildings. NVIDIA joined a Climate Week panel discussion on AI: Powering a More Productive Energy Future yesterday following the release of Center for Strategic and International Studies findings on AI and energy. Panelists included Crusoe Energy Systems, a company that builds and operates clean computing infrastructure, and Emerald AI, a startup developing an AI solution to control data center power use during times of peak grid demand. This discussion centered around how AI will advance sustainability solutions at an unprecedented pace–from responsible grid and power infrastructure scaling to reliable transportation and nuclear energy optimization. Startup Ecosystem Advances AI Energy Efficiency, Sustainability Projects Emerald AI, a NVIDIA NVentures portfolio company, is collaborating with NVIDIA on a recently unveiled NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for building high-performance, grid-friendly and energy-efficient AI infrastructure. This new reference design enables the transformation of data centers into fully integrated AI factories — optimized so that every watt of energy contributes to intelligence generation. “As a collaborator on NVIDIA’s reference design for giga-scale AI factories, we’re helping prove that AI compute can be power-flexible,” said Varun Sivaram, founder and CEO of Emerald AI. “It’s a paradigm shift with a massive prize: unlocking 100 gigawatts of untapped power grid capacity and resolving AI’s energy bottleneck while promoting affordable, reliable and clean power grids.” Emerald AI is a member of the NVIDIA Inception program for startups, within the Sustainable Futures initiative. These companies are pioneering developments in fields such as green computing, sustainable infrastructure, wildlife conservation and more. Sustainable Futures members Vibrant Planet, FortyGuard, Pachama and Wherobots are also attending this week’s summit. Decreasing the Carbon Footprint of NVIDIA Products and Operations NVIDIA is continuously working to decrease its own carbon footprint. Its first product carbon footprint summary comparison was recently released — revealing a 24% reduction in embodied carbon emissions intensity between NVIDIA HGX H100 and HGX B200 baseboards. Scope and methodology of the product carbon footprint analysis for NVIDIA HGX B200. NVIDIA will continue to publish product carbon footprint summaries of newly released products to spotlight improvements in energy efficiency and sustainability. In terms of NVIDIA’s physical footprint, all offices and data centers under the company’s operational control run on 100% renewable energy — and carbon-free electricity is purchased to cover 100% of the company’s leased data centers’ footprint. NVIDIA headquarters in Santa Clara, California Applying AI to Climate and Weather Research High-resolution, AI-powered weather models are helping strengthen energy systems and reduce vulnerability to unpredictable climate events. When used to support energy grid stability, these simulations can help utilities more precisely direct maintenance crews to remove obstacles close to power lines ahead of storms. AI-driven climate models are also poised to increase the adoption and usage of renewables across the energy grid by lowering costs and ramping up efficiency. Josh Parker, head of sustainability at NVIDIA, and Holly Paeper, president of commercial HVAC Americas for Trane Technologies, spoke during a Climate Week NYC fireside chat at the Nest Climate Campus. With these climate models, grid operators can accurately determine factors like the amount of power wind turbines will generate on a given day, or how much energy collected in solar batteries will need to be saved to compensate and keep a city’s lights on and stable. These insights can help energy providers manage load and lower the cost of adopting renewables, presenting a path forward to decarbonize the grid. The NVIDIA Earth-2 platform offers tools, microservices, and reference implementations that help developers build applications to simulate and visualize weather and climate predictions at a global scale. Mike Pritchard, director of climate simulation research at NVIDIA, spoke on a Climate Week panel about AI and climate science at the Columbia Engineering Innovation Hub. Work powered by Earth-2 is featured on an array of panels at Climate Week, including Columbia University’s GenAI for Climate Science, AI for Energy and Energy for AI, Where the Internet Lives, Presented by Google, and the AWS Climate Tech & AI Forum. Learn more about NVIDIA Earth-2 and sustainable computing solutions.

OpenAI and NVIDIA just announced a landmark AI infrastructure partnership — an initiative that will scale OpenAI’s compute with multi-gigawatt data centers powered by millions of NVIDIA GPUs. To discuss what this means for the next generation of AI development and deployment, the two companies’ CEOs, and the president of OpenAI, spoke this morning with Read Article

OpenAI and NVIDIA just announced a landmark AI infrastructure partnership — an initiative that will scale OpenAI’s compute with multi-gigawatt data centers powered by millions of NVIDIA GPUs. To discuss what this means for the next generation of AI development and deployment, the two companies’ CEOs, and the president of OpenAI, spoke this morning with CNBC’s Jon Fortt. “This is the biggest AI infrastructure project in history,” said NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang in the interview. “This partnership is about building an AI infrastructure that enables AI to go from the labs into the world.” Through the partnership, OpenAI will deploy at least 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA systems for OpenAI’s next-generation AI infrastructure, including the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform. NVIDIA also intends to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI progressively as each gigawatt is deployed. “There’s no partner but NVIDIA that can do this at this kind of scale, at this kind of speed,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. The million-GPU AI factories built through this agreement will help OpenAI meet the training and inference demands of its next frontier of AI models. “Building this infrastructure is critical to everything we want to do,” Altman said. “This is the fuel that we need to drive improvement, drive better models, drive revenue, drive everything.” (L to R): OpenAI President Greg Brockman, NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Building Million-GPU Infrastructure to Meet AI Demand Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT — which in 2022 became the fastest application in history to reach 100 million users — the company has grown its user base to more than 700 million weekly active users and delivered increasingly advanced capabilities, including support for agentic AI, AI reasoning, multimodal data and longer context windows. To support its next phase of growth, the company’s AI infrastructure must scale up to meet not only training but inference demands of the most advanced models for agentic and reasoning AI users worldwide. “The cost per unit of intelligence will keep falling and falling and falling, and we think that’s great,” said Altman. “But on the other side, the frontier of AI, maximum intellectual capability, is going up and up. And that enables more and more use — and a lot of it.” Without enough computational resources, Altman explained, people would have to choose between impactful use cases, for example either researching a cancer cure or offering free education. “No one wants to make that choice,” he said. “And so increasingly, as we see this, the answer is just much more capacity so that we can serve the massive need and opportunity.” In 2016, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang hand-delivered the first NVIDIA DGX system to OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco. The first gigawatt of NVIDIA systems built with NVIDIA Vera Rubin GPUs will generate their first tokens in the second half of 2026. The partnership expands on a long-standing collaboration between NVIDIA and OpenAI, which began with Huang hand-delivering the first NVIDIA DGX system to the company in 2016. “This is a billion times more computational power than that initial server,” said Greg Brockman, president of OpenAI. “We’re able to actually create new breakthroughs, new models…to empower every individual and business because we’ll be able to reach the next level of scale.” Huang emphasized that though this is the start of a massive buildout of AI infrastructure around the world, it’s just the beginning. “We’re literally going to connect intelligence to every application, to every use case, to every device — and we’re just at the beginning,” Huang said. “This is the first 10 gigawatts, I assure you of that.” Watch the CNBC interview below.

AI is no longer solely a back-office tool. It’s a strategic partner that can augment decision-making across every line of business. Whether users aim to reduce operational overhead or personalize customer experiences at scale, custom AI agents are key. As AI agents are adopted across enterprises, managing their deployment will require a deliberate strategy. The Read Article

AI is no longer solely a back-office tool. It’s a strategic partner that can augment decision-making across every line of business. Whether users aim to reduce operational overhead or personalize customer experiences at scale, custom AI agents are key. As AI agents are adopted across enterprises, managing their deployment will require a deliberate strategy. The first steps are architecting the enterprise AI infrastructure to optimize for fast, cost-efficient inference and creating a data pipeline that keeps agents continuously fed with timely, contextual information. Alongside human and hardware resourcing, onboarding AI agents will become a core strategic function for businesses as leaders orchestrate digital talent across the organization. Here’s how to onboard teams of AI agents: 1. Choose the Right AI Agent for the Task Just as human employees are hired for specific roles, AI agents must be selected and trained based on the task they’re meant to perform. Enterprises now have access to a variety of AI models — including for language, vision, speech and reasoning — each with unique strengths. For that reason, proper model selection is critical to achieving business outcomes: Choose a reasoning agent to solve complex problems that require puzzling through answers. Use a code-generation copilot to assist developers with writing, changing and merging code. Deploy a video analytics AI agent for analyzing site inspections or product defects. Onboard a customer service AI assistant that’s grounded in a specific knowledge base — rather than a generic foundation model. Model selection affects agent performance, costs, security and business alignment. The right model enables the agent to accurately address business challenges, align with compliance requirements and safeguard sensitive data. Choosing an unsuitable model can lead to overconsumption of computing resources, higher operational costs and inaccurate predictions that negatively impact agent decision-making. With software like NVIDIA NIM and NeMo microservices, developers can swap in different models and connect tools based on their needs. The result: task-specific agents fine-tuned to meet a business’ goals, data strategy and compliance requirements. 2. Upskill AI Agents by Connecting Them to Data Onboarding AI agents requires building a strong data strategy. AI agents work best with a consistent stream of data that’s specific to the task and the business they’re operating within. Institutional knowledge — the accumulated wisdom and experience within an organization — is a crucial asset that can often be lost when employees leave or retire. AI agents can play a pivotal role in capturing and preserving this knowledge for employees to use. Connecting AI to data sources: To function at their best, AI agents must interpret a variety of data types, from structured databases to unstructured formats such as PDFs, images and videos. Such connection enables the agents to generate tailored, context-aware responses that go beyond the capabilities of a standalone foundation model, delivering more precise and valuable outcomes. AI as a knowledge repository: AI agents benefit from systems that capture, process and reuse data. A data flywheel continuously collects, processes and uses information to iteratively improve the underlying system. AI systems benefit from this flywheel, recording interactions, decisions and problem-solving approaches to self-optimize their model performance and efficiency. For example, integrating AI into customer service operations allows the system to learn from every conversation, capturing valuable feedback and questions. This data is then used to refine responses and maintain a comprehensive repository of institutional knowledge. NVIDIA NeMo supports the development of powerful data flywheels, providing the tools for continuously curating, refining and evaluating data and models. This enables AI agents to improve accuracy and optimize performance through ongoing adaptation and learning. 3. Onboard AI Agents Into Lines of Business Once enterprises create the cloud-based, on-premises or hybrid AI infrastructure to support AI agents and refine the data strategy to feed those agents timely and contextual information, the next step is to systematically deploy AI agents across business units, moving from pilot to scale. According to a recent IDC survey of 125 chief information officers, the top three areas that enterprises are looking to integrate agentic AI are IT processes, business operations and customer service. In each area, AI agents help enhance the productivity of existing employees, such as by automating the ticketing process for IT engineers or giving employees easy access to data to help serve customers. AI agents in the enterprise could also be onboarded for: For telecom operations, Amdocs builds verticalized AI agents using its amAIz platform to handle complex, multistep customer journeys — spanning sales, billing and care — and advance autonomous networks from optimized planning to efficient deployment. This helps ensure performance of the networks and the services they support. NVIDIA has partnered with various enterprises, such as enterprise software company ServiceNow, and global systems integrators, like Accenture and Deloitte, to build and deploy AI agents for maximum business impact across use cases and lines of business. 4. Provide Guardrails and Governance for AI Agents Just like employees need clear guidelines to stay on track, AI models require well-defined guardrails to ensure they provide reliable, accurate outputs and operate within ethical boundaries. Topical guardrails: Topical guardrails prevent the AI from veering off into areas where they aren’t equipped to provide accurate answers. For instance, a customer service AI assistant should focus on resolving customer queries and not drift into unrelated topics such as upsells and offerings. Content safety guardrails: Content safety guardrails moderate human-LLM interactions by classifying prompts and responses as safe or unsafe and tagging violations by category when unsafe. These guardrails filter out unwanted language and make sure references are made only to reliable sources, so the AI’s output is trustworthy. Jailbreak guardrails: With a growing number of agents having access to sensitive information, the agents could become vulnerable to data breaches over time. Jailbreak guardrails are designed to help with adversarial threats as well as detect and block jailbreak and prompt injection attempts targeting LLMs. These help ensure safer AI interactions by identifying malicious prompt manipulations in real time. NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails empower enterprises to set and enforce domain-specific guidelines by providing a flexible, programmable framework that keeps AI agents aligned with organizational policies, helping ensure they consistently operate within approved topics, maintain safety standards and comply with security requirements with the least latency added at inference. Get Started Onboarding AI Agents The best AI agents are not one-size-fits-all. They’re custom-trained, purpose-built and continuously learning. Business leaders can start their AI agent onboarding process by asking: What business outcomes do we want AI to drive? What knowledge and tools does the AI need access to? Who are the human collaborators or overseers? In the near future, every line of business will have dedicated AI agents — trained on its data, tuned to its goals and aligned with its compliance needs. The organizations that invest in thoughtful onboarding, secure data strategies and continuous learning are poised to lead the next phase of enterprise transformation. Watch this on-demand webinar to learn how to create an automated data flywheel that continuously collects feedback to onboard, fine-tune and scale AI agents across enterprises. Stay up to date on agentic AI, NVIDIA Nemotron and more by subscribing to NVIDIA AI news, joining the community and following NVIDIA AI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook. Explore the self-paced video tutorials and livestreams.

The U.K. was the center of the AI world this week as NVIDIA, U.K. and U.S. leaders announced new initiatives toward making the nation an AI superpower. NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to the U.K. this week culminated in an NVIDIA AI ecosystem celebration today at Town Hall by Bottaccio in London, where Read Article

The U.K. was the center of the AI world this week as NVIDIA, U.K. and U.S. leaders announced new initiatives toward making the nation an AI superpower. NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to the U.K. this week culminated in an NVIDIA AI ecosystem celebration today at Town Hall by Bottaccio in London, where he welcomed U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.K. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall on stage to discuss the nation’s “Goldilocks moment” where world-class universities, researchers, startups and venture capitalists converge to create a golden network for building out the nation’s AI. Huang also highlighted plans for the U.K.’s AI infrastructure on a panel with Peter Kyle, U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Panel with U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang. The United Kingdom was the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Huang said. Now, it’s the world’s third largest AI market — home to 3,700 companies and 60,000 employees, a powerhouse of talent and enterprise — making it an ideal ecosystem for pushing forth the next industrial revolution driven by AI. “This is the biggest-ever tech agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom,” said Starmer. He highlighted that the U.K’s work with NVIDIA and the U.S. government is focused on using AI for security and safety for both countries, in addition to business and trade. “[AI], which some people find strange and confusing, can open doors,” said Secretary Kendall. “The role of this government is to open doors … and together with [NVIDIA], we can open those doors and give that hope to people in this country.” U.K. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall with NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang. “This isn’t just about London,” Secretary Kyle said, highlighting the collaboration’s reach will span Belfast, Manchester, Edinburgh and other parts of the country. “What you’re seeing is the renewal, the refocus and crucially, the modernizing of the special relationship [between the U.K. and U.S.],” he said. That modernization taps into AI and digital infrastructure. Secretary Lutnick emphasized the importance of building this infrastructure, highlighting how the U.S. is bringing more energy online to power the AI factories that will make this transformation possible. “One of the things we need to do is to build — and that’s part of our philosophy: to build sufficiently at home so that we have the capacity to care for ourselves and the rest of the world if we need to,” Lutnick said. Combining supercomputing hyperscale facilities and AI investments in Britain will result in incredible scientific exploration and discovery — and crucially, the commercialization of it, Kyle added. “I believe the greatest natural resource of the U.K. is the incredible researchers and scientists,” Huang said. “It is really quite extraordinary. Your universities are creating critical thinkers, independent thinkers, creative thinkers — and they invent amazing things.” Over 500 attendees from startups, venture capital companies, higher education and industry came together at the event to forge connections, exchange ideas and catalyze new growth opportunities at the forefront of AI. NVIDIA Announces Investment in the UK Huang announced NVIDIA’s £2 billion investment in partnership with venture capital firms that have a longstanding U.K. presence, including Accel, Air Street Capital, Balderton Capital, Hoxton Ventures and Phoenix Court — all of which attended the AI ecosystem celebration. Designed to foster the U.K. AI startup ecosystem and scale AI’s impact across industries, the investment will act as an economic catalyst, bringing more innovative technologies and AI applications to market through new companies and jobs. Read more about other AI makers leading innovation in the U.K. More Key Announcements From the Week NVIDIA and partners are deploying 120,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs — the largest AI infrastructure rollout in U.K. history, 100x more powerful than today’s top supercomputers. By 2026, up to 60,000 GPUs will power new AI factories with Microsoft, Nscale, OpenAI and CoreWeave, enabling the next wave of U.K. innovation. NVIDIA and Oxford Quantum Circuits are building a quantum-GPU supercenter — advancing the U.K.’s leadership at the frontier of science. With techUK and QA, NVIDIA is launching a robotics R&D hub to train and upskill the next generation of AI talent. Built on NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchips, Isambard-AI — the U.K.’s most powerful AI supercomputer, based at the University of Bristol — is accelerating national projects including for healthcare, climate science and public services. Learn more about NVIDIA’s collaboration with the U.K. to fuel innovation, economic growth and jobs.

NVIDIA Blackwell is the core of an entire system architecture designed specifically to power AI factories that produce intelligence through inference using the largest and most complex AI models.

NPR explores the latest in games and gaming culture — from the latest digital titles to what's on our tabletops.

Electronic Arts, the video game publisher behind titles like "Madden NFL" and "The Sims," says it has agreed to be acquired by a group of investors in a deal worth $55 billion.

Electronic Arts, the video game publisher behind titles like "Madden NFL" and "The Sims," says it has agreed to be acquired by a group of investors in a deal worth $55 billion.

Silent Hill f stands among the series best by prioritizing atmosphere and storytelling.

Silent Hill f stands among the series best by prioritizing atmosphere and storytelling. (Image credit: Konami)

Hollow Knight was a Kickstarter-backed project that obliterated expectations. Now, after years of rumors, memes and anticipation, the three-person indie developer Team Cherry has delivered the sequel.

Hollow Knight was a Kickstarter-backed project that obliterated expectations. Now, after years of rumors, memes and anticipation, the three-person indie developer Team Cherry has delivered the sequel. (Image credit: Team Cherry)

The long-awaited sequel to the wildly popular indie video game is finally out, six years after fans learned one would come along.

The long-awaited sequel to the wildly popular indie video game is finally out, six years after fans learned one would come along.

The annual event pits some of the trading card and video game's most seasoned players against each other — and it demonstrates how Pokémon has maintained its grip on pop culture.

The annual event pits some of the trading card and video game's most seasoned players against each other — and it demonstrates how Pokémon has maintained its grip on pop culture. (Image credit: Jamal Michel)

The Metal Gear video game series is known for its innovations in game design, as well as stories that confront heavy philosophical themes — like the relationship between people and technology.

The Metal Gear video game series is known for its innovations in game design, as well as stories that confront heavy philosophical themes — like the relationship between people and technology.

In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly.

In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly. (Image credit: Andrew Max Levy)

People all over TikTok and Instagram are using the word "clanker" as a catch-all for robots and AI. Here's a deep dive into the origins of the pejorative and an explanation of why it's spreading.

People all over TikTok and Instagram are using the word "clanker" as a catch-all for robots and AI. Here's a deep dive into the origins of the pejorative and an explanation of why it's spreading. (Image credit: Leon Neal)

Hasan Piker likes fitness, gaming, and progressive politics, and millions of young men flock to him for his opinions. Is he the Joe Rogan of the left that Democrats are looking for? Hasan says no.

Hasan Piker likes fitness, gaming, and progressive politics, and millions of young men flock to him for his opinions. Is he the Joe Rogan of the left that Democrats are looking for? Hasan says no. (Image credit: Courtney Theophin / NPR)

SEGA revives a franchise that began in 1980s arcades with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. From the developers of the gorgeous Streets of Rage 4, the new game bursts with striking animation and snappy action.

SEGA revives a franchise that began in 1980s arcades with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. From the developers of the gorgeous Streets of Rage 4, the new game bursts with striking animation and snappy action. (Image credit: SEGA)

Games. Culture. Criticism.

HIGH Atmospheric. Exceptional pixel art.

LOW Minimal story and half-baked mechanics.

WTF Cow + wolf = giant monster bone bear?

The post Katanaut VIDEO Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Bloody, Senseless Violence HIGH Atmospheric. Exceptional pixel art. LOW Minimal story and half-baked mechanics. WTF Cow + wolf = giant monster bone bear? TRANSCRIPT: Hi everyone! Eugene Sax here with another review from GameCritics.com. A distress signal sounds. A small response group led by a fierce warrior named Naut heads out to a space station inhabited by thousands of people, only to find it quiet and desolate — but not empty. They quickly discover that the residents have been turned into terrible monsters. With survival as the only option, this small band must fight the horde to stay alive, while ultimately trying to find out what happened. Katanaut is a 2D action roguelike where players take on the role of Naut, a warrior with a knack for swords and an exterminator of monstrous creatures. Players will infiltrate the overrun space station, pick up special abilities and power ups, and fight bosses to get to the truth of what’s happening. As players go through each level and defeat enemies, they’ll uncover new things to unlock for future runs, like new weapons, guns, abilities, and passive upgrades. During play, there’s a lot of emphasis on movement and flow while balancing slicing with swords and shooting enemies. For example, the player’s gun only has a limited number of bullets, and gaining more requires players to get in close with melee, so each encounter becomes a bloody dance of shooting enemies from afar before diving headfirst into the horde to get ammo back. In addition, there’s a wealth of active abilities that can boost Naut’s combat abilities, like a ball of eldritch lightning, summoning a small group of allies, or things like shield generation or damaging enemies if players dodge-roll through them. There’s plenty of variety overall to make each run feel unique in how players will interact with the environment and the horde they’re fighting through. In terms of atmosphere, there’s an eerie and tense energy that Katanaut nails. Every cut paints the walls of the station in blood, and the environments become more and more grotesque as players near the core. There also seems to be a hint of mental manipulation – is Naut wanting to eliminate the threat and save the world, or is he trying to learn more and harness this power for himself? Is he being manipulated by this unknown power, or will he be strong enough to resist? Only time will tell as players run through again and again. While this all seems like a recipe for success and Katanaut does give a strong first impression, that feeling, unfortunately, fades quickly. My biggest issue with the experience is that the roguelike elements are here, but they aren’t quite on target. For example, while there are plenty of varied and interesting abilities, the guns feel too similar and boring. Sure, the damage of a given weapon can go up or down, but none felt that interesting, or even that different from one another, making guns overall seem like an afterthought. Main melee weapons suffer from this as well, although this might be more of a pacing issue. Katanaut offers six main weapons, but I have yet to unlock more than one additional weapon after all the time I’ve spent with it, and that includes fully completing a run. Speaking of pacing issues, it’s not limited to the main weapon unlocks. Looking at the campaign’s structure as a whole, progression from run to run feels so incremental that the time investment doesn’t feel worth it. Increasing health by one point, increasing stamina by five points, increasing katana damage by 5% — it all feels tiny, grindy and unsatisfying, and it makes the ultimate goal of reaching the end feel like an impossible slog that will take much, much longer than I want to spend with it. These are all significant downsides, and the story was equally unsatisfying. Does a roguelike need to have a grand, overarching narrative to be good? No. But does it need to at least have some core of a story to motivate me for why I should care about going through this space station? I think so. I wish I could say that the payoff was worth it, but after finishing a run, I got to see the credits for the game and then opened up an enhanced difficulty — and that was it! None of the story questions were answered! What was the villain’s motivation? Why create the monsters? If I beat the boss, why do I need to go back and do the same run again, but harder? This made the “ending” fall completely flat for me, and after that narrative letdown, I didn’t feel a lot of motivation to continue. Katanaut looks good and has potential, and honestly, it’s getting better by the day. The developer has been dropping frequent updates that offer additions and enhancements that weren’t there when I first started playing, and the push and pull of going between melee and ranged during the action feels on point. However, there’s a lot of competition in the roguelike genre right now, and in order to succeed, Katanaut‘s going to need better handling of its story and adjustments to the grindy nature of the meta-progression. As it stands today, it didn’t land with me and I haven’t stuck with it, but that could change in the future with a few more patches and upgrades. For me, Katanaut gets 6.5 otherworldly abominations out of ten. Rating: 6.5 out of 10 Disclosures: This game is developed and published by Voidmaw. It is currently available on PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PC. Approximately 8.5 hours of play were spent playing the game, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: This game is not rated by the ESRB. Players will use all types of weapons (blades, guns, grenades, etc) to slice enemies to bloody pieces. Dead bodies and gore are shown in each level. There are a lot of otherworldly horrors comprised of fleshy tissue, blood, and teeth. While there is no salty language in the game, there’s plenty of disturbing imagery throughout. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: There is text in-game, and the text is resizable. Audio is not needed for gameplay. The game is fully accessible. Controls: Controls are fully remappable. The post Katanaut VIDEO Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

HIGH Excellent handling and a lot of customization. 

LOW Lack of modes and unbalanced items.

WTF Sega needs to renew an agreement with Ferrari so we can get a new OutRun game.

The post Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Driving Around At The Speed Of Sound HIGH Excellent handling and a lot of customization. LOW Lack of modes and unbalanced items. WTF Sega needs to renew an agreement with Ferrari so we can get a new OutRun game. Despite running faster than any car, Sonic the Hedgehog has quite a background in racing games. From his humble origins in the Sonic Drift titles to the much-beloved Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Sega’s Blue Blur knows his way around a set of wheels. Now, six years after his last racing experience (Team Sonic Racing) Sonic returns to the starting grid with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. As an arcade racing lover and Sonic superfan, the idea of playing a brand new Sonic racer had me excited. What also piqued my interest was the fact that it was being developed by the internal Team Sonic studio (English studio Sumo Digital developed past racers) and would that it would receive contributions from developers of Sega’s Initial D arcade cabinets. The presentation grabbed me right away. Par for the course for any great Sonic title, players are presented with an awesome opening cutscene set to some bombastic pop-rock. The bright aesthetic permeates throughout the menus and gameplay, with characters modeled exceptionally well, and even fully-voiced. I loved how talkative everyone is, with bits of dialogue in the character select screen and the beginning and end of each race. There’s also a jukebox full of great songs, including tracks from Sonic Riders and Sonic Frontiers. In motion, CrossWorlds is a visual marvel, and the main gimmick comes from its titular mechanic. Basically, on the second lap of a race, the character in first place sees two portals in front of them and they choose the path they want, transporting them to a new track for that lap, and returning to the main track in time for the third and final lap. This results in a random new world appearing in every race. No matter what’s chosen, each course has something awesome to look at, whether it’s a herd of dinosaurs running, a mysterious pirate ship shrouded in darkness, or wide-open fields of green grass in the distance. Sure, it’s almost expected that Sonic games feature a vibrant aesthetic and kickass music, but I’m happy to see Sonic Team didn’t slack off with this racing spinoff. However, aesthetics aside, the driving is what’s key in in racing titles. Played from a third-person perspective, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is a kart-style racer that sees players control one of 18 characters taken from across the larger Sonic series before competing in a variety of events and courses. Right off the bat the driving is exceptional, with a great sense of speed and weight in all the vehicles. Cars and drivers are separated by different types: Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Power, and Boost. Each offers various strengths and weaknesses and the variety in both default and unlockable of cars is solid. There are also plenty of options to customize vehicles with different parts. Rather than feeling bouncy or floaty like most kart racers, I’d say this falls in line with something like a pure arcade experience, like Cruis’n Blast (owing to the devs’ arcade roots) thanks to the cars feeling heavier than I would have expected. Drifting is responsive, with a meter building up if players can hold their drifts as long as possible. Tricks can also be done while jumping in the air, resulting in a boost when landing. While I enjoyed the driving overall and trying to outmaneuver my opponents on the track, one thing I couldn’t enjoy was its use of items. Like Mario Kart or other mascot kart racers, different items can be collected and used offensively or defensively. They’re mostly standard stuff like speed boots or items that can be thrown at players. Sadly, most of these feel horribly balanced and seem to break the flow of most races. I get that rubberbanding is the name of arcade titles like this, but I played through some ridiculous instances of the AI catching up at the very last second thanks to a poorly-timed item hitting me. A major surprise of CrossWorlds has been the overwhelming amount of options players have, even before setting foot on a track. Things like the customizable car parts and various combinations of items for use in a race (like offensive weapons or speed boosting gadgets) strategy to what could have been a standard kart racer. For example, my main racer was Tails, who falls under the “acceleration” subclass. I centered my build around improved speed, boosting, and drifting. Another cool thing is the inclusion of rivals. Throughout each of the grand prix modes, a random character will be made the players’ rival. At the start of the cup, there’s a cool bit of dialogue between the two, which makes for some humorous interactions for fans of the series. Things like hearing Dr. Eggman complain about being forced to settle for battling Tails instead of Sonic is a nice treat. Speaking of fans, I think absolute best part of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has to be the sheer amount of love for Sonic and Sega as a whole. Courses like Radical Highway are ripped straight from Sonic Adventure 2, complete with the music from the original, and I could have sworn one track is one ginat reference to After Burner. The ‘stage complete’ music from the mainline Sonic series plays after every race, and the guest characters from other related franchises are cool, with faces appearing from Yakuza, Persona, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Pac-Man coming soon via DLC. With all of that said, at this point in the review I have to say that I do wish there were more to CrossWorlds than just racing. The main grand prix is enjoyable and the Race Park adds a lot of variety by offering things like events that reward bumping into others for a speed boost or trying to collect the most rings. However, a few more events or some supporting content like minigames or perhaps things taken from Sonic’s long history would go a good way towards making the experience feel richer. Don’t get me wrong, though — while Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds might not dethrone Mario’s racing adventures, it’s a solid racing title in its own right thanks to great handling and an overwhelming amount of options. I would have liked to see a little more supporting the package as a whole, but what’s here must surely rank among the finest arcade-style racers from the last few years. For those who absolutely gotta go fast, this one is an easy recommendation. Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Buy Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – PC – PS – XB – SW Disclosures: This game is published by Sega and developed by Sonic Team. It is available on PC, XBO, XBX/S, Switch/2, PS4/5. This copy was obtained via the publisher and was reviewed on PS5. Approximately 10 hours were spent in single-player, and the game was not completed. No time was spent in multiplayer. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E for Mild Fantasy Violence. According to the site: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB with Mild Fantasy Violence. Also includes In-Game Purchases. This is a kart-racing game in which players compete in whimsical racing events with characters from the Sonic universe. As players race against other drivers, they can use cartoony power-ups (e.g., spike balls, boxing-glove missiles, saw blades) to slow opponents’ progress and knock them off balance. Being hit by a power-up causes characters’ karts to blink red and slow down. Characters emit small cries when hitting or being hit by an obstacle (e.g., t-rexes, trucks). Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are not present in the options menu. Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Gamers: There are plenty of visual cues during races. All of these can be adjusted in the menu. Subtitles are present and can be resized. As no audio cues are needed for gameplay, I’d say this is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: The controls cannot be remapped and there is no diagram. On PS5, X is used to accelerate, R2 is used to drift, L1 is used to activate items, and Square is used to look behind. The post Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

HIGH Well-crafted homage to a classic murder mystery.

LOW Few locales in the campaign, resulting in visual boredom.

WTF Petting street rats?!

The post Agatha Christie: Death On The Nile Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Ready To Play A Book? HIGH Well-crafted homage to a classic murder mystery. LOW Few locales in the campaign, resulting in visual boredom. WTF Petting street rats?! Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile sets out to translate a well-known murder mystery novel onto today’s gaming consoles, putting players in the shoes of famous fictional detective Hercule Poirot as he struggles to untangle a well-thought-out and well-executed homicide case. Set in the ‘70s and unraveling mostly on the S.S. Karnak with the Nile river sparkling in the background, this point-and-click adventure presents a series of meaty logic-based puzzle challenges, forcing the player to don their thinking cap right away. Unlike other cross-media iterations of this popular novel, Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile spices things up by introducing a second playable character that isn’t part of the source material — namely, a budding detective named Jane Royce, who works alongside Poirot while investigating a different death on her own. At first, I cringed at this inclusion, given that I saw no need to deviate that much from the established plot. Also, as a character, Royce is the exact opposite of Poirot in several regards — he is male, she is female. He is white, she is black. He is hetero, she is lesbian. He refers to himself in the third person, she speaks normally. This play on stark contrasts didn’t do much to lure me in… at first. Yet as the chapters rolled on, I got accustomed to and enjoyed controlling Royce as much as I did Poriot. Her sections take a different, more ‘hands-on’ approach and she even stars in several stealth and action sequences, while Poriot mostly moves around and speaks. However — and most importantly — her arc deftly complements the novel’s highpoints, adding to the narrative in a manner fitting for the medium of videogames. As a result, this character never felt like someone competing for the spotlight, and Nile’s runtime proved sufficient to leave even the most cost-conscious consumer satisfied. As for the gameplay, it’s comprised of curated, tough-to-crack logic puzzles while also being rich in varied mini-games. For instance, when a character refused to share info unless she heard her favorite song, I had to meddle with an old jukebox’s interior electronics, altering pieces to allow for proper electric flow. Later, while inspecting why the smoke coming out of the boat’s chimney suddenly turned black, I had to get familiar with how the Karnak’s furnace worked via an iteration of the classic Pipe Dream path-making formula. I was pleasantly surprised at how varied and creative these challenges were, and the constant evolution in their difficulty is perhaps the most confident example of Nile’s quality — it simply never dropped the ball with any lackluster obstacles. Throughout Nile’s chapters, I also had to diligently inspect 3D pieces of evidence before spending hours within the main characters’ “mind maps” (accessible via menu) where all hard-earned deductions are stored and comprehensively arranged. Then, I had to carefully connect the scattered info into rock-solid conclusions that rose above all of the obfuscating layers smothering the truth. This process often involved pointing out which character could or couldn’t have taken a particular action due to their physical location at a precise moment in the scenario, as corroborated by other passengers on the Karnak. Oftentimes, Nile supported this by arranging all of the uncovered facts into an easy-to-follow timeline where we get to rearrange NPC positions, tracking each of their movements minute-by-minute until we have logically reverse-engineered the undisputed paths and actions all of them surely followed. Obviously, the difficulty of these segments depends on the number of suspects present at a given scenario, as well as on which of Nile’s three difficulty levels the player chooses. For me at least, untangling these timeline challenges was a triumph in and of itself, leading to unsuspected revelations and coveted resolutions to tricky mental knots, an experience not unlike solving challenges in any number of other, more puzzle-focused experiences. Between deductions I was able to freely inspect locations like a nightclub in London, a fancy hotel in Egypt, and a few other places that I won’t reveal here. Of course, chatting with and interrogating the dozens of primary and secondary characters gives Nile much of its richness, almost making me overlook how little variety in locales there is here – a few more areas wouldn’t have hurt things. Luckily, the craft of outsmarting the myriad of multilayered characters is a triumph on par with the way the same process unfolds in the source material itself. My victory here was delicious. Anyone willing to get knee-deep into exercises like inspecting a vase until they spot the tiny crack that proves the villain must’ve hastily knocked it over in the middle of the night will surely find much to love in Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile, and in the end it stands as an excellent example of the right way to adapt classic material for the modern age and its new mediums. Rating: 8 out of 10 Buy Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile: PC – Switch – Xbox – PS Disclosures: This game was developed by Microids Studio Lyon and published by Microids. It is currently available on the Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PS4/5. This copy was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the Switch Lite. Approximately 30 hours of play were devoted to the game, and it was completed. This is a single-player only title. Parents: This game has received a T rating from the ESRB and contains Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Blood, and Mild Violence. The official ESRB summary reads: “Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile is a seek-and-find mystery game in which players search for specific items/clues on a screen full of objects. Players – as detective Poirot – search through several rooms and interview suspects to find clues to solve a murder. In one room, the partially visible body of the victim is shown as well as a letter “J” written in blood above the victim. Wine is featured in the opening cinematic, while some of the items (selectable and background) include alcohol and tobacco products (e.g., cocktail glass, liquor bottle, cigarettes). Cutscenes depict images of a gun held to a woman’s head as a flash appears when the weapon is fired. Another sequence depicts two characters in silhouette and still frames shooting themselves in an apparent suicide pact.” Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: All dialogue is shown via textboxes, and I found the font to be easily readable at all times. While some of the puzzles lead the player to identify sounds as a means to a resolution, there are enough visual indicators to allow any player to figure them out without relying solely on audio. Plus, players can ask for a hint at any moment at the push of a button, which will prompt the game to reveal the solution instantly. I’d say this game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: This game offers a controller diagram, and the controls are not remappable. However, they are intuitive and easy to get used to, with the movement assigned to the sticks and the face buttons used to make choices and interact with the environment. The post Agatha Christie: Death On The Nile Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

The So... Videogames! Podcast · So Videogames Episode 456

The post So Videogames Episode 456 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

In this shorter-than-usual episode, Brad covers: Strange Antiquities Endoparasitic Xenotilt Femboy Futa House – HEADS UP, this is an adults-only title. The podcast discussion is not graphic, but since we don’t cover adult titles often, please be aware it’s here and listen responsibly. = ) You can also hear the show on iTunes Please send feedback and mailbag questions to SoVideogamesPODCAST (at) gmail (dot) com, or post them in the comments section below. Thanks! The post So Videogames Episode 456 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Being able to attend Gamescom 2025 in Cologne on a leisurely, hustle-free basis is one of the perks of living in Belgium, aside from enjoying the best French fries (which are originally Belgian) along with quality mayonnaise and chocolate pralines all year long!

The post OPINION: The Good & Bad – Gamescom 2025 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Being able to attend Gamescom 2025 in Cologne on a leisurely, hustle-free basis is one of the perks of living in Belgium, aside from enjoying the best French fries (which are originally Belgian) along with quality mayonnaise and chocolate pralines all year long! While Gamescom 2025 was my second time visiting this popular annual gaming event (RIP E3) it came with both joy and fear — joy from playing some of the boldest upcoming titles, and fear from realizing a rising and costly trend in the industry. Let’s start with the good and go through the three boldest Gamescom 2025 demos that I played. *** Pragmata It’s always nice to see big names trying new ideas, especially when it’s Capcom. Though the idea behind Pragmata looks like another take on the humans vs rogue AI trope, the way Capcom added a cute little girl as the companion AI to support the player enriched the experience emotionally. Gameplay, on the other hand, is bold. Players have to hack enemies (in a tech sense) and shoot them at the same time while avoiding being hit. Though both the hacking and gunplay mechanics are pretty straightforward, doing them together is the exciting challenge that’s unique to Pragmata. There are also platforming aspects as the protagonists hover around the environment and over pits and traps with a jetpack, but the demo was too short to focus much on this aspect. For those who are tired of every action game being another soulslike, roguelike, Overwatch clone or remake, Pragmata is a breath of fresh air. *** Onimusha: The Way of the Sword I love fantasy action games — perhaps it’s due to growing up in the early 2000s, when there were loads of them. The PlayStation 2 was full of great entries in the genre, Onimusha was one of them. The series started as a hack & slash based on Capcom’s technical achievements made with the Resident Evil series, but soon found its own footing. After a long hiatus that lasting two decades, a new Onimusha is coming next year, and boy, it’s good to have it back! What immediately caught my eye with Way of the Sword’s demo was how the game retained its unique essence. While the basic swordplay was what one might expect, Way of the Sword creates a cycle that players needed to actively follow during combat. Enemies take damage and have their postures broken before they can be executed, but if players keep button-mashing, they’ll lose the execution window. The swordplay also feels weighty and authentically recreated with the goal of making every stroke of the blade feel painful and real. To anyone who is an old-time fan of the series or any Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice fans that are tired of waiting for the sequel, Onimusha the Way of the Sword is a sight for sore eyes. *** Crimson Desert Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert is a promising Korean title, and perhaps the most ambitious one on my list. Set in the world of the popular Black Desert Online, Pearl Abyss’ upcoming third-person action-adventure is one of the most mechanically complicated titles in the genre that I’ve seen, seemingly a blend of other wildly successful action-adventure franchises. There are levitated sky islands that can be reached and explored like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The climbing and parkour mechanics are inspired by the Middle-Earth: Shadow series, and the combat is something like the new era of Assassin’s Creed titles. There are just so many mechanics! The list includes (but is not limited to) gliding, riding a horse, climbing, picking up and dropping objects, light and heavy sword attacks, blocking and parrying, using magic and ultimate abilities, dodging and vaulting over enemies, and using environmental attacks and weapons, and more. In the demo, it was truly difficult to learn them all. In my experience, titles with such a huge swath of mechanics end up being shallow and incoherent. Yet there have been studios that defy the odds and make history. Hopefully, Pearl Abyss’ ambitious Crimson Desert is one of them. *** Profit & Problems So that was the good. Now, to the not-so-good. What caught my attention in this regard at 2025 Gamescom were the number of reappearances. A lot of titles, even smaller indies like Reanimal and Little Nightmares 3, returned to Gamescom this year. While at first that didn’t seem like anything special, when digging a bit deeper I felt like this is signaling an issue plaguing the industry — long development times. The longer it takes for a product to be made, the more time and energy the workforce behind it is supposed to invest. Consequently, the costs of production increase as companies have to pay the workforce for their time. Long development times used to be an issue mainly experienced by AAA game devs, but 2025 Gamescom was, a turning point, in my opinion, as many studios seem to be wrestling with this challenge. Of course, we love videogames as a medium that enables us to interact with artists’ visions, but the fact is that videogames are also part of the entertainment industry — and actually, its most lucrative branch. For any industry to survive, it needs to be sustainable. As such, extended development times create an unsustainable environment in which many games might eventually cost so much and take so long that by the time the game is published there’s little chance of recouping costs and making profit in such a competition-heavy, fast-moving medium. Without change, I fear the current situation can only lead to a crash akin to the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s. We’ve already seen how big industry names are jumping on the “$80 pricepoint” train while others are downsizing or replacing workforce with AI, which comes with its own wealth of issues. Of course, there are ways to decrease the development costs and time, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be painless, and we might have to start thinking about new norms and new expectations. There’s no easy way out of this situation, and the elephant in the Gamescom hall is becoming more and more difficult to avoid. If nothing changes, players will pay increased prices while waiting half a decade for our favorite games to hit shelves. I don’t think that’s attractive to anyone, and it certainly doesn’t seem sustainable. At the end of the day, both producers and consumers will likely need to buckle up and work together to find a new way to improve things for all sides. The post OPINION: The Good & Bad – Gamescom 2025 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

HIGH The chain tires – snowy roads be damned!

LOW Inadvertently locking myself out of the true ending.

WTF The snow-covered frozen corpses I kept finding.

The post Easy Delivery Co. Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Neither Snow Nor Rain… HIGH The chain tires – snowy roads be damned! LOW Inadvertently locking myself out of the true ending. WTF The snow-covered frozen corpses I kept finding. If I showed up for the first day of work and was greeted with empty city streets, caustic shopkeepers, and sub-zero temperatures that apparently send me to a bizarre void world after several seconds of exposure, I would probably turn around and go home – which is probably why I’ve never been hired by the Easy Delivery Co. As a fresh-faced recruit, players will brave blizzards and uncanny townsfolk as they cruise snowy mountains delivering packages and piecing together the truth behind a mysterious village. The core loop of Easy Delivery Co. is simple enough – select a job, head to point A to pick up, deliver to point B, get paid. Structured as a semi-open-world courier simulator, charting a route across three primary burgs is left to the player’s discretion. Longer distance deliveries net higher payouts which, in turn, can be redeemed for gasoline, vehicle upgrades, and supplies to guard against the cold. Weather plays a key role in Easy Delivery Co., with any time spent outdoors presenting the danger of rapid hypothermia (and a quick return to that spooky void world – Yikes!) Purchasing items such as logs to build a fire or coffee to keep up one’s cold tolerance and speed are crucial for surviving the long, cold nights. Aesthetics are crucial for Easy Delivery Co.’s success and, thankfully, it more than delivers with its abrasive lo-fi ‘90s styling forming a rock-solid foundation for its foreboding world. Jagged, warping power-lines crisscross vacant streets. Tires spin, straining doggedly against slushy terrain while kicking up chunky white pixels in their wake. High beams click on in the waning daylight, taillights rendering as warm halos in dithering snowfall. There’s a fuzziness to the whole affair – a juxtaposition of warmth and chill that is at once disconcerting as well as curiously comforting. The narrative is, for the most part, told indirectly through conversation with the denizens of Mountain Town and the surroundings hamlets. The player has one ally, MK. They’re apparently the only lucid character in the area, providing context for the proceedings and also acting as the primary quest giver. The townsfolk in Easy Delivery Co., seemingly confined to their storefronts, are generally standoffish. Some are downright hostile, but most just seem depressed and lonely as they reveal their neuroses and desires in casual conversation. While uncovering the secrets at the heart of the wintry town and its melancholy inhabitants becomes the primary objective, the narrative ultimately ends up feeling like a bolster for the tonal elements, as opposed to an end in and of itself. I appreciated the pervasive unease and slow rollout of details, though I didn’t end up feeling terribly invested in the outcome, with the climax hinging on an emotional connection I never experienced. Further buoying the stellar presentation is Easy Delivery Co.’s strong mechanical core. Controlled from the third or first-person perspectives, players will spend much of their time in their (surprisingly nimble) mini ‘kei’ truck, but on-foot journeys across the unforgiving tundra are occasionally necessary. The kei truck proves a faithful steed, and I relished every opportunity to manually open its tailgate as I loaded a package (dutifully closing it behind me), kicking on the headlights and puttering into the wavering dark. There is a reactivity in its handling – bouncing on its suspension over bumps, or losing traction as I hit a patch of snow or ice. It was rarely enough to jolt me off course, but just enough to demand my attention. For the most part, Easy Delivery Co. lives up to its titular difficulty, but there is a subtle hostility in certain aspects of its design. The most notable of these is the map system, or lack thereof. There is no mini-map, and while a full map can be accessed from the menu, it contains no indicators as to the player’s whereabouts — only a waypoint for the destination. While the level design isn’t terribly complex and a healthy smattering of road signs helped keep me on course, I couldn’t ever shake the feeling of being vaguely lost. Overall, Easy Delivery Co. is a resoundingly successful marriage of tone and mechanics. The developers demonstrate a keen eye toward player engagement, offering just enough depth to require my focus, but not so much as to distract from their haunting world. While the narrative ultimately falls a bit flat, the quiet moments of brewing tea by firelight and harrowing drives through blinding blizzards will stick with me long after I make my final delivery. Rating: 8 out of 10 Buy Easy Delivery Co. – PC Disclosures: This game is developed by Sam C and published by Oro Interactive. It is currently available on PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PC. Approximately 6 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: At the time of this review, this game has not been rated by the ESRB. While there is no violence, blood, or gore there is spooky imagery that might be scary for younger or more sensitive audiences. Additionally, while there is no explicit sexual content, there is mildly suggestive dialogue during conversations with certain characters. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles. The subtitles cannot be altered and/or resized. I did not experience any issues when playing this game without sound, all audio cues are accompanied by visual indicators. This game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: Certain functions are remappable. While the primary controls cannot be altered in this game, the “Accept” and “Back” buttons can be reversed in the options menu. The post Easy Delivery Co. Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

HIGH Fantastic combat system that is both modern and an homage to classic RPGs.

LOW Sluggish pacing in the middle chapters.

WTF “How about a hundred smacks on the ass?”

The post Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Videogame Comfort Food HIGH Fantastic combat system that is both modern and an homage to classic RPGs. LOW Sluggish pacing in the middle chapters. WTF “How about a hundred smacks on the ass?” About a month ago I started seeing buzz online for Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. The Trails/Legend of Heroes series, despite its vast library, is one I knew very little about, but this remake of the first in the series seemed to check a lot of personal boxes — realtime combat that transitions into turn-based, a captivating art style, and a high fantasy setting harkening back to classic JRPGs. So, I booted up the free demo, and by the end of its generous eight-hour playtime, I was completely hooked and thirsty for more. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a beautiful RPG with top-notch combat, memorable characters, and also serves as a perfect entry point into the long-running Trails series. 1st Chapter follows the story of sixteen-year-old Estelle and her adopted brother Joshua as they aim to become top notch Bracers — people who help protect the citizens of Liberl from monsters, thieves, and any threats to the kingdom. Over the course of their journey, they will travel across the kingdom to aid as many people as possible while balancing each other out perfectly — Estelle is captivatingly optimistic and reactionary, while Joshua is more reserved and calculated. As they blossom into powerful bracers, so do their feelings for one and other. The story Falcom weaves is a complex one commencing with Estelle and Joshua’s hunt for their missing father, which eventually matures into a struggle for military power, treason from within the government, and other powerful forces at work behind the scenes. When firing on all cylinders, Trails is captivating and engrossing, simultaneously balancing the intimate and personal story of two kids trying to find their dad, and the larger, more sophisticated political drama. However, I found myself disengaged in the middle chapters because the focus shifted off both these potent storylines, and more into side characters that are ultimately important to the overall plot, though they feel gratuitous during their runtimes. Besides the sluggish middle section, another issue is that each chapter tends to focus on two characters that will join in battle with Estelle and Joshua, but their residence in the party is short-lived as they always depart at the end of each chapter, leaving Estelle and Joshua effectively starting from scratch. Each of these side characters are memorable — from over-the-top traveling musician Olivier, to the mysteriously powerful swordsman Agate, the cast is top notch. However, it felt like just as soon as I got to know the characters on a deeper level, they would set off on their own journey. That said, all of the intermittent party members reappear in an epically-bombastic final act that ties everyone’s stories together quite well, but the thickness of the middle chapters does lessen the overall experience. Also puzzling was that some of these itinerant characters have voice acting while Estelle and Joshua do not, which did occasionally pull me out of the immersion. What does remain engaging throughout 1st Chapter’s runtime is the phenomenal combat system. When approaching wandering enemies, players can enter into a basic, but effective real-time battle complete with normal attacks, dodges, and a special meter that charges over time. Once the enemy’s stun meter is full, the player will have a huge advantage when they enter into turn-based combat, which they can slickly switch into with the press of a button. In the turn-based combat, characters will have a range of options at their disposal, with different resources for each. The key to successful battles is knowing how to balance spells and abilities, and also knowing how to correctly position party members. For example, some buffs and healing spells are only effective when party members are positioned near each other, but certain enemies might abuse this proximity with powerful AOE attacks. Understanding both party strengths and enemy attack patterns is crucial. In addition to a traditional level-up system and equipment management, Trails adds a deeper level of preparation to combat with the orbment system. Each playable character has the ability to equip an elemental quart into a total of six slots. Depending on the element of the quartz and its proximity to other quartz, the character can obtain varying spells to use in battle. For example, equipping a water-based HP quartz will give the character healing spells, while a water-based mind quartz will give the character an offensive aqua attack. As the adventure progresses, players will obtain more powerful quartz to create incredibly powerful offensive and defensive spells. The level of customization here is high, and finding the correct quartz for each character is enticing. (There’s is also an auto-equip for those who want to enjoy battles without too much experimentation.) The world of Liberl is one brimming with history — it’s filled with collectable books that outline how the kingdom came to be, and mysterious towers hint at the many wars and struggles the country has endured. Trails does a great job at making the land feel lived-in and real, though I do wish the environments were a little more varied when exploring. The sun is always shining brightly over the samey-looking rolling meadows, with the occasional cave or forest thrown in. Overall, I truly enjoyed my time with Estelle, Joshua, and their many companions in their quest to become senior bracers. Falcom does a commendable job creating a world and story that feels real for the majority of its runtime, despite a few occasional stumbles. As a newcomer to the series, the combat system captivated me from the first battle and never let me go. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter feels like a classic JRPG I might have grown up playing, yet produced in a modern and nuanced way at the same time. Thanks to the obvious pride and care put into this remake, consider me the newest fan of the Trails series. Rating: 8 out of 10 Disclosures: This game is developed by Nihon Falcom & Nihon Falcom Corporation and published by GungHo Online Entertainment America, Inc. It is currently available on Switch/Switch 2, XBX/S, PS5 and PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PS5. Approximately 39 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There is no multiplayer mode. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco. The official description reads: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is rated T for Teen by the ESRB with Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco. This is an action role-playing game in which players assume the roles of adopted siblings searching for their missing father. From a third-person perspective, players explore a kingdom, interact with characters, complete missions, and engage in battle with human and fantastical enemies (e.g., plants, robots, soldiers). Players use swords, staffs, guns, and magic spells to attack enemies. Players can use special moves that depict brief cutscenes of the attacks. Combat is highlighted by colorful light effects and impact sounds. Still-images sometimes depict bloodstains near bodies and on characters’ faces/clothing. One female character is designed with a somewhat revealing outfit (e.g., deep cleavage) and breast-jiggling effects; some camera angles focus on her chest. Story elements also allude to a romantic relationship between adopted siblings (e.g., struggling with their feelings, kissing). One scene depicts two characters under the influence of alcohol (e.g., flushed faces, slurred speech), with accompanying dialogue (e.g., “Come and drink with your big sister. You drink or I bring the whole place down”; “Wow, I really drank. Feels like it’s been forever since I last got to cut loose.”) One character is seen smoking a cigarette, and a side mission involves finding stolen cigarettes. The words “sh*t” and “a*sholes” appear in the game. Colorblind Modes: There is no colorblind mode. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles, though they are not resizable. Audio cues are not needed for progression, making the game fully accessible. Remappable Controls: Yes, the game’s controls are remappable. The post Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter Review appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

The So... Videogames! Podcast · So Videogames Episode 455

The post So Videogames Episode 455 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

In this episode, Brad has a very special guest — Jeremiah Bratton, formerly of the GaymeBar Podcast! In this mammoth ep the guys reminisce and go off on a dizzying number of tangents before covering titles including, but not limited to: Ratatan Strange Antiquities Fire Emblem (NES) Hotel Barcelona Borderlands 4 Wander Stars …And more! And if you enjoyed Jeremiah’s time on SVG, drop us a line and let us know! You can also hear the show on iTunes Please send feedback and mailbag questions to SoVideogamesPODCAST (at) gmail (dot) com, or post them in the comments section below. Thanks! The post So Videogames Episode 455 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

The So... Videogames! Podcast · So Videogames Episode 454

The post So Videogames Episode 454 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

In this episode, Brad covers: Ritual of Raven Frostpunk 2 Metal Eden TMNT Tactical Takedown …And more! You can also hear the show on iTunes Please send feedback and mailbag questions to SoVideogamesPODCAST (at) gmail (dot) com, or post them in the comments section below. Thanks! The post So Videogames Episode 454 appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

This is a transcript excerpt covering the score awarded to Discounty on the So Videogames Podcast, episode 453. For further coverage, please see episodes 452 and 451.

The post SVG REVIEW: Discounty appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

This is a transcript excerpt covering the score awarded to Discounty on the So Videogames Podcast, episode 453. For further coverage, please see episodes 452 and 451. Brad: Okay, just wanted to, finally, for the final. Final time, circle back on Discounty. We’ve been talking about it off and on for at least a month or so. finally rolled credits last night, and I will say, I was kind of surprised that I rolled credits. this is the case where I really like the game left me wanting more. I would have gladly played another ten, 20 hours of this game, and I kind of wished that there was so a little bit of like, it sounds bad to say that I was disappointed it was over, but I was kind of disappointed it was over for those who might have missed it Discounty is a game.. a 2D indie? kind of a top down. Well, I don’t know, 2D, just whatever. How do you call it? I always struggle, I’ve been in the video game arena for like 40 fucking years. What do you call a game that is 2Dut you’re not looking straight down. But the characters are like side view, but like also the map is 2D. What the fuck do you call that besides 2D? I don’t even know. Carlos: We’ve said three quarters view. B: But it’s not three quarters view, though. It isn’t isometric. It’s not… whatever. Fuck it. Whatever. It’s the same thing as Stardew Valley, you know? C: Yeah, yeah, yeah. B: Okay, I need, like, a really definitive… I can’t just say 2D because that’s too broad. But it’s not top down either, because you’re not looking at characters heads. What the fuck? 40 years and I still can’t describe it. Anybody listening? Help me out. What the fuck is a good title? Okay, it doesn’t matter anyway. Moving on… So you move to town, you start a grocery store, and you stock the shelves and you rearrange the store, and you run the store every day, which is really well done. It’s very streamlined and fast and fun. But then you’re also dealing with side quests in the town where it seems like something spooky is going on or something weird is going on. And so you’ve got like these side quests which are not super long and involved, like they’re very light, they feel very appropriate for the game. So you’ve got like your side content, which keeps you busy during night time. You’ve got your store content which keeps you busy during the day. It’s just really, really well done. It’s really measured and polished and balanced. Graphics are great. I think the controls are nice. I think the UI is great. Everything about it is really well considered. I think the scope is right on. I’ve had just like a blast playing it. It just feels like a very, very well put together game from somebody who really thought carefully about what they were doing and really made sure all the pieces fit together. It was great. I had a blast the entire time from start to finish. The only thing I think that I had an issue with, and this is kind of what I just mentioned a second ago, was like, it feels like it stops a little abruptly. I’m not going to spoil anything. I absolutely think it’s worth playing. I loved it, had a great time. Would recommend it. No problem. , it just feels like when you get to the next big thing, it kind of is like, and there’s the end and I’m like, oh it ended a little bit too abruptly for me. But again, I guess it’s better to leave me wanting more rather than going on for 20 hours too long. Yeah. Like, you know, oh, I’m so sick of this. C: Which we’ve had. B: We’ve definitely have had. That’s the norm. Honestly. C: Two follow up questions. First, how long have you played… how long, how many hours then? B: I mean, it’s hard to say because I was playing a little bit every night before bed. I want to say it’s like not longer than 20 hours. It might even be shorter than that. C: Well, that’s not bad. B: No, no, it’s very reasonable. It’s probably in fact, it’s probably shorter than that. It just seems longer because I was playing it in such small doses. C: Second question, can you keep playing after credits or is it not that kind of game? B: You can like you can keep playing if you want to just if you just really like super enjoy running the store, you can keep doing that infinitely. But there are no more like side quests. There’s nothing else really to like to do other than to run the store, which is fine. C: Ok well all right, well, I still I’m still interested and I still might pick it up because. B: It’s a good time. It’s a good time. I don’t want to end on a downer because I had a blast with Discounty and I would love DLC or a Discounty 2. I want the developers to expand what they built on. I think the mechanics are smart, the size is smart, the pace is smart — it’s it’s just really, really well done. C: A good problem to have. B: It’s like the best possible complaint. C: Yes. I was just talking to my buddy Damien last night about short games. And again it came back with Silksong and he just played a couple and I feel bad. I can’t remember the names of them. I’ll I’ll find it. And you can put in the show notes. But he just played two and he beat both of them and I’m like, you know. Or he beat one and he’s about to beat the other. And I’m like, oh my goodness, that’s what I want right now in my life. Yeah, I want to beat these short experiences. And we go in cycles, you know, like sometimes I want Assassin’s Creed and just like to live in those worlds forever. Yeah. But just recently, like, Diablo is different because I can put that up and pick it up and put it down. You know. B: It’s more of a lifestyle. C: Yeah, yeah. But other games like hell, which we’ll talk about in the show, you know, they’re if they’re pretty huge in scope, I’m like, oh, I don’t know. You know, I just want to like beat something. So yeah. B: Well, before we get off of this Discounty, I do want to give it an official score, since I talked about it so many times, and I’ve gone through the whole journey with the people here listening. So I feel like it’s a great game. Like I said, at the end of the day, my only complaint about Discounty is that I wanted more of it, and that’s probably the best problem you could possibly have. It was great from start to finish and I wanted more, but it does what it does well — it gets in, it gets out, and it’s a great example of of how to deliver a measured experience. And I feel like a solid eight is a good place for that to live. C: I totally I totally predicted that score from you. B: Did you? Okay. C: In my head I said it’s he’s gonna say eight. B: There you go. Eight out of ten. Rating: 8 out of 10 Disclosures: This game is developed by Crinkle Cut Games and published by PQube. It is currently available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the Switch. Approximately 20 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E and contains Alcohol Reference. The official description reads: Discounty is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB with Alcohol Reference. This is a role-playing/simulation game in which players help a character salvage a grocery store in an old harbor town. Players organize and restock shelves, assist customers, and befriend local characters. A bar location is named the Drunken Tern, with billboards depicting a bird with bubbles over its head. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available in the options. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: All dialogue comes in the form of text which cannot be resized or altered. There are no audio cues needed for play. This game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: No, this game’s controls are not remappable. There is no control diagram. The left stick moves the character, the face buttons handle interact/confirm/cancel. The plus button brings up a menu. The entire control scheme is fairly straightforward. The post SVG REVIEW: Discounty appeared first on Gamecritics.com.

Fixes, Tutorials and Guides for Games

Fix the Out of the Park Baseball 26 window not opening on Mac with our easy step-by-step troubleshooting guide. Get back to gaming!

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Window Doesn’t Open On Mac (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re a fan of Out of the Park Baseball 26 and have encountered issues with the window not opening on your Mac, you’re not alone. Many users face this frustrating problem, but fortunately, there are several methods to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to get your game up and running smoothly again. When the game window fails to open, it can stem from various reasons, including software compatibility, system settings, or corrupted game files. By following the outlined solutions, you can quickly pinpoint the cause and apply the appropriate fixes. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, these steps will help ensure you return to managing your baseball team in no time. Why Won’t Out of the Park Baseball 26 Open on Mac? Check System Requirements Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s essential to verify that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements for Out of the Park Baseball 26. Ensure your macOS version, RAM, and graphics card are compatible with the game. Update Your Game and macOS An outdated game or operating system can lead to compatibility issues. Check for updates for both Out of the Park Baseball 26 and your macOS. Updating can often resolve unexpected issues and improve performance. Adjust Security & Privacy Settings Sometimes, macOS security settings may prevent applications from launching. Navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy, and ensure that Out of the Park Baseball 26 is allowed to run. Look for any warnings about blocked applications and adjust the settings accordingly. Delete Preferences Files Corrupted preferences files can interfere with how the game operates. To delete these files, go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Preferences/, and look for any files related to Out of the Park Baseball 26. Move them to the trash and restart the game. Reinstall the Game If all else fails, reinstalling Out of the Park Baseball 26 might be your best option. First, remove the game from your Applications folder, then download a fresh copy from the official website or your digital distribution platform. Check for Background Applications Sometimes, other applications running in the background can interfere with the game. Close any unnecessary applications and try launching Out of the Park Baseball 26 again. Tips for Troubleshooting Always back up your save files before deleting or reinstalling the game. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Consider checking forums and community discussions for additional user experiences and solutions. The above steps should help you troubleshoot the Out of the Park Baseball 26 window not opening on your Mac. Each of these solutions targets common issues faced by players, so you can find the right fix for your situation. To further assist you, here are some frequently asked questions regarding this issue. FAQs Q: What should I do if the game still doesn’t open after following all the steps? A: If the game still fails to open, consider contacting the game’s support team for further assistance. Q: Are there any known bugs with Out of the Park Baseball 26 on Mac? A: Yes, some users have reported bugs related to specific macOS versions. Checking the official forums may provide updates and fixes. Q: Can I run Out of the Park Baseball 26 on older versions of macOS? A: It is recommended to use a version of macOS that meets or exceeds the game’s system requirements for optimal performance. Q: How can I ensure my game files are not corrupted? A: Verifying the integrity of the game files through the platform you purchased it from can help identify and fix corrupted files. Related reading How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Achievements Not Unlocking (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Roster Import Not Working (Easy Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Online Leagues Not Working (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Save Corrupted (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Window Doesn’t Open On Mac (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Fix resolution issues in Out of the Park Baseball 26 with simple methods to enhance your gaming experience.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Can’t Change Resolution (Simple Methods) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re experiencing issues with Out of the Park Baseball 26 where the resolution settings won’t change, you’re not alone. Many players face this frustrating problem, which can hinder your gaming experience. Fortunately, there are several straightforward methods to address this issue. In this article, we will explore effective solutions to help you adjust the resolution settings so you can enjoy the game as intended. Resolution problems can arise from various factors, including game settings, display configurations, or even graphics driver compatibility. Understanding these potential causes can make it easier to pinpoint the issue and apply the right fix. Below, we’ll outline the steps you can take to resolve the resolution issue in Out of the Park Baseball 26. Can You Change the Resolution in Out of the Park Baseball 26? If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to change the resolution in Out of the Park Baseball 26, the answer is yes. However, the process can sometimes be complicated due to various factors. Here are the steps you can follow to change the resolution effectively: Check In-Game Settings Begin by launching the game and navigating to the settings menu. Look for the “Display” or “Graphics” tab where you can adjust the resolution settings. Ensure that you select the desired resolution and save your changes before exiting the menu. Update Graphics Drivers Outdated graphics drivers can prevent the game from properly applying resolution settings. Check if your graphics card drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and downloading the latest drivers. Install them and restart your computer to see if this resolves the issue. Modify Configuration Files Sometimes, the resolution settings may be hardcoded in the game’s configuration files. You can locate these files by going to the game’s installation directory. Look for a file named “config.ini” or similar. Open it with a text editor and find the resolution settings. Change them to your desired resolution and save the file. Restart the game to see if the changes take effect. Check Display Settings on Your PC It’s essential to ensure that your PC’s display settings match the resolution you want to use in the game. Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.” Adjust the resolution here to match what you are trying to set in the game. Sometimes, having mismatched settings can prevent the game from applying the desired resolution. Run the Game in Compatibility Mode If you’re still having trouble, try running the game in compatibility mode. Right-click on the game’s executable file, select “Properties,” and navigate to the “Compatibility” tab. Check the box for “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select an earlier version of Windows. This can sometimes resolve conflicts that hinder resolution changes. Tips for Better Gaming Experience Ensure your monitor supports the desired resolution. Avoid using custom resolution settings that exceed your monitor’s limits. If you’re using multiple displays, try launching the game on the primary monitor. Regularly update the game to the latest version for optimal performance. Consider adjusting other graphics settings in the game to improve overall performance. It’s important to remember that resolution issues can be a result of multiple factors, and a trial-and-error approach may be necessary to find the right solution for your setup. Adjusting Resolution in Out of the Park Baseball 26 By following these steps, you should be able to successfully change the resolution settings in Out of the Park Baseball 26. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to the game’s support community for further assistance. FAQs Q: Why can’t I change the resolution in Out of the Park Baseball 26? A: This issue can occur due to outdated graphics drivers, incorrect display settings, or hardcoded configurations in the game files. Q: How do I update my graphics drivers? A: Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers for your model. Q: Can I change resolution settings through configuration files? A: Yes, you can modify the game’s configuration files to manually set your desired resolution. Q: What should I do if the game still won’t change resolution? A: Try running the game in compatibility mode or check for any game updates that may resolve the issue. Related reading How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Achievements Not Unlocking (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Roster Import Not Working (Easy Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Online Leagues Not Working (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Save Corrupted (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Can’t Change Resolution (Simple Methods) appeared first on Games Errors.

Resolve achievement issues in Out of the Park Baseball 26 with our quick fixes and tips to unlock your hard-earned rewards.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Achievements Not Unlocking (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re a fan of Out of the Park Baseball 26 (OOTP 26) and have encountered issues with achievements not unlocking, you’re not alone. Many players find themselves frustrated when they complete the necessary tasks only to see no recognition for their efforts. Understanding the common reasons behind this problem can help you troubleshoot effectively. In this article, we will guide you through potential fixes and tips to resolve the issue of achievements not unlocking. Unlocking achievements in OOTP 26 can depend on various factors, including game settings, bugs, and specific player actions. By following the steps outlined below, you can increase your chances of successfully unlocking those elusive achievements. What Causes Achievements to Not Unlock in OOTP 26? Several reasons may prevent achievements from unlocking in Out of the Park Baseball 26. Below are some common causes and their respective solutions to ensure you can enjoy the full experience of the game. Check Game Settings Ensure that your game settings are configured correctly. Sometimes, achievements can be disabled if certain options are turned off. Navigate to your settings and verify that achievements are enabled. Verify Steam Cloud Sync If you are playing on Steam, check that the Cloud Save feature is enabled. This allows your achievements and progress to sync properly. If syncing is disabled, achievements might not register as completed. Update the Game Make sure you are running the latest version of OOTP 26. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, including achievement issues. Check for updates regularly on your platform. Restart the Game Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve persisting issues. Close the game completely and relaunch it. This can refresh the game state and allow achievements to unlock. Check for Known Bugs Stay informed about any known bugs that may affect achievements. Visit the official forums or community pages for OOTP 26 to find discussions about similar issues. Developers may provide solutions or workarounds. Complete Requirements Accurately Ensure that you are meeting the specific requirements for each achievement. Sometimes, the criteria can be misinterpreted. Double-check the requirements for the achievements you are attempting to unlock. Use Safe Mode Try running the game in Safe Mode. This mode can help eliminate conflicts with mods or custom settings that might interfere with achievements. Contact Support If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t unlock achievements, consider reaching out to the game’s support team. Provide them with detailed information about your issue for better assistance. Tips for Troubleshooting Achievement Issues Regularly check for updates and patch notes from the developers. Join the OOTP community forums to share issues and solutions with other players. Keep a list of achievements and track your progress to ensure you’re meeting all requirements. Achieving success in Out of the Park Baseball 26 can be immensely satisfying, especially when it comes to unlocking achievements. By following the steps outlined above, you can troubleshoot common issues and enhance your gaming experience. FAQs Q: Why are my achievements not unlocking? A: Achievements may not unlock due to game settings, bugs, or unmet requirements. Q: How can I check if achievements are enabled? A: Go to your game settings and ensure that achievements are turned on. Q: What should I do if the game is up to date but achievements still won’t unlock? A: Try restarting the game or running it in Safe Mode to eliminate potential conflicts. Q: Where can I find help for unresolved achievement issues? A: Visit the official OOTP forums or contact the game’s support team for assistance. By following these guidelines, you can resolve issues with Out of the Park Baseball 26 achievements not unlocking, ensuring a smoother gaming experience. Related reading How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Roster Import Not Working (Easy Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Online Leagues Not Working (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Not Launching (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Achievements Not Unlocking (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Fix Out of the Park Baseball 26 roster import issues with easy troubleshooting steps and get back to managing your team seamlessly.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Roster Import Not Working (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re encountering issues with the roster import feature in Out of the Park Baseball 26, you’re not alone. Many players have experienced difficulties when trying to import their rosters, leading to frustration and confusion. Understanding the reasons behind these issues and knowing how to resolve them can greatly enhance your gaming experience. In this article, we will explore effective solutions to fix the roster import problem, ensuring you can get back to managing your team with ease. When dealing with the "Out of the Park Baseball 26 roster import not working" issue, it’s essential to identify common causes such as file format errors or compatibility issues. By following the steps outlined below, you can troubleshoot and resolve these problems efficiently. Let’s dive into the solutions that will help you successfully import your roster. Why is My Roster Import Not Working? Check File Format Compatibility Ensure that the roster file you are trying to import is in the correct format. Out of the Park Baseball 26 typically supports CSV files. Any deviation from this format can lead to import failures. If your file is in a different format, convert it to CSV before attempting to import again. Validate the Roster File Before importing, validate the content of your CSV file. Look for any missing data, incorrect delimiters, or malformed entries. A corrupted roster file can cause the import function to fail. Use a text editor to open the CSV file and check for any discrepancies. Update the Game Ensure that your game is updated to the latest version. Sometimes, bugs or compatibility issues can be resolved through updates. Check for any available patches or updates for Out of the Park Baseball 26 and install them. Reboot the Game Occasionally, the game may encounter temporary glitches. Restarting Out of the Park Baseball 26 can refresh its system and resolve minor bugs that might be causing the import issue. Clear Cache and Preferences If the problem persists, consider clearing the game’s cache and resetting its preferences. This can help eliminate any corrupted settings that could be affecting the import process. Navigate to the game settings to find the option to restore defaults. Seek Community Support If you’ve tried all of the above and still face issues, reach out to the Out of the Park Baseball community forums. Other players may have experienced similar problems and can offer solutions and insights. Tips for Successful Roster Imports Always back up your existing roster before attempting any imports to avoid losing valuable data. Keep your game and files organized to easily retrieve and manage your roster files. Regularly check for updates or patches from the game developers to ensure smooth functionality. In addressing the roster import issue in Out of the Park Baseball 26, players can effectively troubleshoot and resolve any problems they encounter. Roster Import Issue Resolved The solutions provided should help you successfully navigate the "Out of the Park Baseball 26 roster import not working" challenge. Implementing these steps will ensure that you can import your rosters without hassle and continue enjoying your gameplay. FAQs Q: What file format should my roster be in for successful import? A: Your roster should be in CSV format for proper importation into Out of the Park Baseball 26. Q: What should I do if my roster file is corrupted? A: If your file is corrupted, try creating a new roster or downloading a fresh version of the roster file. Q: How do I check for game updates? A: You can check for updates through the game launcher or by visiting the official Out of the Park Baseball website. Q: Can community forums help with this issue? A: Yes, community forums can provide valuable insights and solutions from other players who have experienced similar issues. Related reading How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Not Launching On PC (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Language Change Issue (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Achievements Not Unlocking (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Roster Import Not Working (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Resolve Out of the Park Baseball 26 online league issues quickly with our practical troubleshooting guide and get back to the game.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Online Leagues Not Working (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re an avid player of Out of the Park Baseball 26 (OOTP 26), you might have encountered issues with the online leagues not functioning as expected. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to participate in your favorite virtual baseball experience. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve these issues effectively. In this guide, we’ll explore common causes and practical solutions to get your online leagues back up and running smoothly. When dealing with online gaming issues, it’s essential to consider various factors that might be affecting your experience. From server problems to local network issues, understanding the root cause can help streamline the troubleshooting process. Below are the steps you should follow to diagnose and fix the issues with your OOTP 26 online leagues. What Are the Common Reasons for OOTP 26 Online Leagues Not Working? Check Server Status Before diving into complex troubleshooting, it’s wise to start by checking the official server status for OOTP 26. Sometimes, scheduled maintenance or unexpected outages can prevent access to online leagues. Visit the game’s official website or community forums to see if there are any announcements regarding server issues. Verify Your Game Files Corrupted game files can lead to various issues, including problems with online leagues. If you’re using Steam, you can easily verify the integrity of your game files. Open your Steam library, right-click on OOTP 26, and select "Properties." From there, navigate to the "Local Files" tab and click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files." This process will automatically fix any corrupted files. Check Your Internet Connection A stable internet connection is crucial for online gaming. Ensure that your connection is not only active but also strong enough to support online play. You can perform a speed test to check your connection quality. If you’re experiencing issues, try resetting your router or connecting via a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi for better stability. Update the Game Keeping your game updated is vital for optimal performance. Developers frequently release patches that fix bugs and improve functionality. Check for any available updates for OOTP 26 through your gaming platform and install them. This simple step might resolve many issues related to online leagues. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Software Sometimes, firewall or antivirus software may inadvertently block the game from accessing online features. Temporarily disable these programs to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you may need to add OOTP 26 to the exceptions list in your firewall or antivirus settings to prevent future conflicts. Reinstall the Game If all else fails, a complete reinstallation of OOTP 26 might be necessary. Uninstall the game, restart your computer, and then reinstall it. This step can clear up any lingering issues or conflicts that may be affecting online league functionality. Tips for Smooth Gameplay Always keep your game and system software updated to avoid compatibility issues. Regularly check community forums for tips and updates related to OOTP 26. Ensure that your internet connection is reliable before starting your gaming sessions. In summary, if you find yourself facing issues with Out of the Park Baseball 26 online leagues not working, follow the steps outlined above to troubleshoot effectively. From checking server status to reinstalling the game, these solutions should help you get back to enjoying your online baseball experience. FAQs Q: What should I do if the server is down? A: If the server is down, you’ll need to wait until the developers address the issue. Check official channels for updates. Q: How can I check if my game files are corrupted? A: Use the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” feature in Steam to check for and repair corrupted files. Q: Is a wired connection better than Wi-Fi for gaming? A: Yes, a wired connection typically provides a more stable and faster internet connection, reducing lag and disconnections. Q: What if reinstalling the game doesn’t work? A: If reinstalling doesn’t solve the problem, consider reaching out to OOTP support for further assistance. Related reading How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Not Launching On PC (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Language Change Issue (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Achievements Not Unlocking (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Online Leagues Not Working (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Fix Out of the Park Baseball 26 cloud save syncing issues with our quick troubleshooting guide for a seamless gaming experience.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you’re a fan of Out of the Park Baseball 26, you know that having your game data synced properly is crucial for enjoying a seamless gaming experience. However, many players encounter issues with cloud saves not syncing, which can be frustrating and prevent you from accessing your saved games. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some straightforward steps to troubleshoot and resolve the syncing issues you might be facing with your cloud saves. Understanding the root of the problem is essential to finding a solution. Syncing issues can occur due to various factors, such as connectivity problems, software glitches, or misconfiguration in your game settings. By following the steps outlined below, you can effectively address these issues and get back to enjoying Out of the Park Baseball 26 without further interruptions. What Are the Steps to Fix Out of the Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing? Check Your Internet Connection A stable internet connection is vital for cloud syncing. Ensure that your device is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable. You can do this by running a speed test or trying to access other online services. Restart the Game and Your Device Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. Close Out of the Park Baseball 26 and restart your device. This can help reset any temporary glitches and re-establish the connection to the cloud save service. Verify Game Settings Ensure that cloud saves are enabled in your game settings. Navigate to the settings menu in Out of the Park Baseball 26 and check for any options related to cloud saves. Make sure it is turned on. Update the Game Keeping your game updated is important for smooth performance. Check for any updates for Out of the Park Baseball 26 and install them. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements, including issues related to syncing. Check Cloud Storage Space Verify that you have enough cloud storage space available. If your cloud storage is full, new saves may not sync correctly. You may need to delete old saves or increase your cloud storage capacity. Re-link Your Cloud Account If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try unlinking and then re-linking your cloud account from the game. This can reset the connection and may solve syncing problems. Contact Support If none of the above steps work, it may be time to contact Out of the Park Baseball support. They can provide additional troubleshooting steps or identify if there are any ongoing server issues affecting cloud saves. Tips for Successful Cloud Saving Always ensure a strong and stable internet connection when playing. Regularly check for game updates to avoid bugs. Make backups of your saves locally, if possible, to prevent data loss. Keeping your cloud saves in sync is essential for a smooth gaming experience. By implementing these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issues you’re facing with Out of the Park Baseball 26. Smart Variation of Main Keyword for Conclusion Fixing Your Cloud Save Issues FAQs Q: Why are my cloud saves not syncing? A: Cloud saves may not sync due to internet connectivity issues, game settings, or insufficient storage space. Q: How can I check if my internet connection is stable? A: You can use online speed test tools to check your connection stability and speed. Q: What should I do if I have enough cloud storage but still face issues? A: Try restarting the game and your device, and ensure that cloud saves are enabled in the game settings. Q: How do I contact Out of the Park Baseball support? A: You can reach out to their customer support through their official website for assistance. Related reading How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Not Launching On PC (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Language Change Issue (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Achievements Not Unlocking (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Cloud Save Not Syncing (Quick Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Fix corrupted saves in Out of the Park Baseball 26 with our easy guide. Restore your progress and get back to managing your team.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Save Corrupted (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Experiencing a corrupted save in Out of the Park Baseball 26 can be frustrating, especially when you’ve invested a significant amount of time into your team and season. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to recover your save data and get back to managing your dream baseball franchise. This guide will walk you through the steps you can take to potentially fix your corrupted save files and restore your gaming experience. Corruption in save files can occur due to various reasons, including software crashes, improper shutdowns, or issues during file transfers. Understanding how to address these issues can save you from losing your progress. Below, we will outline a series of steps to help you navigate this problem effectively. How Can I Fix a Corrupted Save in Out of the Park Baseball 26? Check for Backup Saves Before diving into more complex solutions, check if you have a backup of your save files. Out of the Park Baseball often creates automatic backups, which can be located in the game’s directory. If you find a backup file, you can easily restore your progress by replacing the corrupted save with the backup. Verify Game Files If you’re playing on platforms like Steam, you can verify the integrity of your game files. This process checks for any corrupted or missing files and replaces them automatically. To do this, right-click on Out of the Park Baseball 26 in your Steam library, select ‘Properties’, go to the ‘Local Files’ tab, and click on ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files’. Use Save Recovery Tools There are various third-party save recovery tools available that can help fix corrupted save files. Programs like "Save Wizard" or "Game Save Manager" specialize in restoring and repairing save data. Ensure you follow the instructions carefully and use reputable software to avoid further issues. Manually Edit Save Files If you’re comfortable with a little technical work, you can open your save files in a text editor to manually inspect for errors. Look for any unusual characters or data that seems out of place. However, this method requires caution, as any changes might exacerbate the corruption. Reinstall the Game As a last resort, you might consider uninstalling and reinstalling Out of the Park Baseball 26. This process can help eliminate any game-related issues that might be affecting your saves. However, be cautious with this approach and ensure you back up your current saves before proceeding. Tips for Preventing Save Corruption Regularly back up your save files to an external drive or cloud storage. Avoid sudden shutdowns or crashes by ensuring your system is stable. Keep the game and your operating system updated to the latest versions. If you follow these steps, you stand a good chance of recovering your corrupted saves in Out of the Park Baseball 26. It’s important to take preventive measures to safeguard your progress in the future. Smart Fix for Save Corruption in OOTP 26 FAQs Q: What causes save files to become corrupted in Out of the Park Baseball 26? A: Save files can become corrupted due to software crashes, improper shutdowns, or issues during file transfers. Q: How can I find backup save files for my OOTP 26 game? A: Backup saves are typically located in the game’s installation directory. Check the "saves" folder for any automatic backups. Q: Are there any tools specifically designed for recovering corrupted save files? A: Yes, there are third-party tools like Save Wizard and Game Save Manager that can assist in recovering corrupted save data. Q: Will reinstalling the game delete my saved data? A: Reinstalling the game can potentially delete your saved data unless you back it up beforehand. Always ensure your saves are secured before uninstalling. Related reading How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Not Launching (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Not Launching On PC (Easy Fix) How To Fix Assassin’s Creed Shadows Language Change Issue (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Save Corrupted (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Fix the black screen issue on launch for Out of the Park Baseball 26 with these easy troubleshooting steps and get back to gameplay.

The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

If you are experiencing a black screen when launching Out of the Park Baseball 26, you’re not alone. Many players encounter this frustrating issue, which can prevent them from enjoying their favorite baseball simulation. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to resolve the problem and get back to managing your team. In this guide, we’ll explore effective solutions that can help eliminate the black screen issue and ensure a smooth gaming experience. First, it’s important to understand that the black screen can be caused by a variety of factors, including graphics settings, software conflicts, or outdated drivers. By following the steps outlined below, you can troubleshoot the issue and restore functionality to the game. What Causes the Black Screen on Launch of Out of the Park Baseball 26? Check System Requirements Before diving into troubleshooting, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for Out of the Park Baseball 26. Insufficient hardware can lead to performance issues, including a black screen. Review the requirements on the official site to confirm compatibility. Update Graphics Drivers Outdated graphics drivers can often lead to display issues. To update your graphics drivers, follow these steps: Open Device Manager on your computer. Expand the “Display adapters” section. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update Driver.” Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Run the Game in Compatibility Mode Running the game in compatibility mode can sometimes resolve launching issues. To do this: Right-click on the Out of the Park Baseball 26 shortcut. Select “Properties,” then navigate to the “Compatibility” tab. Check the box for “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select an earlier version of Windows. Disable Full-Screen Optimization Some players find that disabling full-screen optimization can help. To do this: Go back to the “Compatibility” tab in the properties. Check “Disable full-screen optimizations.” Click “Apply” and then “OK.” Verify Game Files Corrupted game files can lead to issues at launch. If you’re using a platform like Steam, you can verify the integrity of the game files: Open your Steam Library. Right-click on Out of the Park Baseball 26 and select “Properties.” Navigate to the “Local Files” tab and click on “Verify integrity of game files.” Check for Software Conflicts Other software running in the background can sometimes conflict with the game. Close unnecessary applications and background processes, especially those that utilize graphics resources. Reinstall the Game If none of the above steps work, reinstalling the game may be the best option. This ensures that you have a fresh installation without any corrupted files: Uninstall Out of the Park Baseball 26 from your system. Download and install it again from your game library. Tips for Preventing Future Issues Once you successfully resolve the black screen problem, consider these tips to prevent it from happening again: Keep your graphics drivers up to date. Regularly check for game updates and patches. Ensure your system meets the required specifications for optimal performance. Avoid running too many applications simultaneously while gaming. Out of the Park Baseball 26 should now run smoothly without the black screen issue. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can ensure a better gaming experience. FAQs Q: What should I do if the black screen persists after trying all the steps? A: If the issue continues, consider reaching out to the game’s support team for further assistance. Q: Can I play Out of the Park Baseball 26 on lower-end hardware? A: It’s recommended to meet or exceed the minimum system requirements for the best experience. Q: Is there a way to check if my drivers are up to date without Device Manager? A: Yes, you can use software tools or the manufacturer’s website to check for the latest driver versions. Q: Should I disable my antivirus while trying to launch the game? A: Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with game launches. If you suspect this is the case, temporarily disabling it may help, but ensure to enable it afterward. Related reading How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Not Launching (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Crashing On Startup (Quick Fix) How To Fix Atomfall Not Launching On PC (Easy Fix) The post How To Fix Out Of The Park Baseball 26 Black Screen On Launch (Easy Fix) appeared first on Games Errors.

Get a Bolt of Gaming Now!

It's the biggest launch for the series on Steam, easily surpassing the lifetime peaks for Battlefield 5 and Battlefield 2042.

Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 6 is live, and despite server queues, it’s off to an incredible start. On Steam alone, the military shooter has reached 747,440 peak concurrent players at this time, and it’s likely to climb higher during the weekend. Even if it doesn’t, this is already the franchise’s biggest launch on Steam, beating out Battlefield 5 (116,104) and Battlefield 2042 (107,376). It’s still early for user reviews, with only 825 currently live, but only 58 percent have given the thumbs-up, resulting in a “Mixed” rating. Complaints range from needing to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to the queue times and lack of a Closed Weapons version of Conquest. Alongside PC, Battlefield 6 is available for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Check out our review – we praised elements of the multiplayer, map design and presentation while criticizing parts of the campaign and the UI. You can also read our tips and tricks, from useful settings to utilizing cover.

Understand the various modes, both new and old, for your Football Ultimate Team in EA Sports FC 26 with this guide.

With new modes of play and improvements in EA Sports FC 26, there is much to learn in this year’s Football Ultimate Team (FUT). It certainly can’t hurt to know how to best proceed on your team’s journey. This EA Sports FC 26 is a complete primer on the various modes and events for FUT. Ultimate Team Chemistry The synergy or chemistry between players on your Ultimate Team is what determines how well they function as a team. Rated on a scale of 0 to 3, the ideal total team chemistry would be 3 multiplied by 11, or 33 chemistry points. Individual chemistry is determined by club, league, and nationality, and under the best of circumstances, all 11 players would have to share all three traits for maximum chemistry effect. Realistically, however, you will likely have an overlap of between 1 and 2 chemistry traits as you assemble your team. Timing Trades Snatching up the best deals on cards on the market has always been a matter of patiently waiting out the mass movements in prices. Weekends, beginning on Friday evening specifically, are the ideal time to shop around for deals as that is when the largest cohort of sellers comes online. Cross-play has expanded the size of the pool even further, with both generations of Xbox and PlayStation now able to trade with each other. The greater majority of sellers also tend to dispose of their cards without much thought, or worse, panic selling in response to steep price drops. This presents an opportunity to get valuable cards on the cheap, as one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. Heroes And Icons These two card types are a pricey but powerful addition to any team, with unique chemistry effects on both league and nationality. However, they are naturally hard to come by, at least not without investing large amounts of money in-game. Ideally, you will have one or two on your squad, while focusing on building up ordinary cards through Evolutions. Evolutions Cards with already respectable ratings can be ascended to their best stats through Evolutions. While not always available for every position at any given time, as the seasons progress you will be able to put your players through multiple Evolutions, and raise their overall ratings, by completing objectives as and when they are offered. Live Events This is the go-to limited-time mode for your squad to compete in special scenarios. Accessible via the Event Hub, certain criteria may have to be met first, in terms of squad composition, ability, and matches played. Objective completion will earn you rewards such as packs, all of which is now much more easily viewable in the new user interface. Tournaments A returning favorite, this rotating mode may not always be available for play. When the Tournaments do drop however, they will have certain requirements to enter, as well as limits to entries. Gauntlets These groups of up to five matches also rotate, initially being made available once a fortnight. Gauntlets have you running a fresh squad for each match, with the goal of completing objectives. While this is not an elimination mode, winning more leads to greater rewards. Rivals Rivals is still here, but with added improvements. Bounties are relatively simple challenges that you can be offered before your round of Rivals, the successful completion of which can earn you rewards such as Rival Stage Skips to progress faster, or the more mundane coins and packs, among others. Whether you win or you lose, you get to keep your prize. Duels are more competitive Bounties, wherein both you and your opponent have the same challenge at stake. Champions With the removal of Playoffs from Champions, you must now qualify instead through accumulating Champions Qualification Points, and attaining a certain minimum Rivals Division. Challengers If you can’t crack the Divisions, Challengers offers the same broad experience without the astronomically high level of play. That is everything there is to know about Football Ultimate Team in EA Sports FC 26.

Here’s a guide on how to get a hold of every single one of the weapons at Atsu’s disposal in Ghost of Yotei.

Aside from Atsu’s trusty katana, there are a fair number of weapons for her to discover and utilize in Ghost of Yotei. These range from more melee weapons to primitive firearms to rudimentary grenades. This guide for Ghost of Yotei lists all of the weapons to be discovered by Atsu across the three major groups of melee, ranged, and quickfire. Melee Wolf Blade Katana Most effectively used against single-wielded Katanas. Default starting weapon. Dual Katana Most effectively used against Polearms such as Yari or Naginata. Complete “Way Of The Dual Katana” and learn under Master Hanbei. Odachi Most effectively used against Brutes. Complete “Way Of The Odachi” over the course of “The Saito Brothers” and learn under Master Yoshida. Yari Most effectively used against Sickles such as Dual Katana or Kusarigama. Complete “Way Of The Yari” over the course of “The Oni” and learn under Sensei Takahashi. Kusarigama Most effectively used against Shields. Complete “Way Of The Kusarigama” over the course of “The Kitsune” and learn under Master Enomoto. Acquiring all Melee weapons will earn you the trophy/achievement “Tools Of A Warrior”. Ranged Hankyu A medium shortbow for fairly fast firing. Also very effective for shooting while airborne in conjunction with techniques and charms. Complete “Old Inn” in order to unlock Ran The Bowyer at Yotei’s Shadow Inn, who is the merchant that will sell you the Hankyu for 300 Coins. Yumi A heavy longbow for power shots. Slower to draw, but longer ranged and penetrative to helmets, use this for sniping from afar. Complete “Old Inn” in order to unlock Ran The Bowyer at Yotei’s Shadow Inn, who is the merchant that will sell you the Yumi for 2000 Coins. Tanegashima This firearm has the slowest rate of fire, but does the greatest damage with its penetrative rounds. During “The Storm Breaks” over the course of “The Saito Brothers”. Acquiring all Ranged weapons will earn you the trophy/achievement “Take Aim”. Quickfire Kunai Throwing knives that come in handy with assassination techniques. During “The Winter Farms” over the course of “The Kitsune” in order to unlock Hana The Kunai Artisan, who is the merchant that will supply you with Kunai. Metsubushi A ninja style deployable, the Metsubushi is a blowable powder that blinds adversaries caught in its cloud. Defeat the bounty boss Crow Genzo in combat. Scorch Bomb Essentially grenades, Scorch Bombs are best used against clumped enemies for maximum area of effect. Complete “The Bomb Maker” in order to unlock Ina The Bomb Maker, who is the merchant that will supply you with Scorch Bombs. Blind Bomb Essentially flashbangs, Blind Bombs are an improvement on Metsubishi offering added range as well as disorienting enemies. Complete “Fight Fire With Fire” on behalf of Ina The Bomb Maker, who is the merchant that will supply you with Blind Bombs. Oni Flame Douse your melee weapon with the Oni Flame in order to set it ablaze and add fire damage to your now unblockable strikes, as well as setting enemies themselves alight. Complete “Twin Wolves, Twin Hearts” over the course of “The Oni”. Smoke Bomb Make a ninja-esque escape by deploying these enemy vision-obscuring bombs. Complete “Poison And Lies” over the course of “The Kitsune” in order to unlock Oyuki, who is the merchant that will supply you with Smoke Bombs. Tanzutsu A single-shot ranged sidearm for rapid deployment in emergencies. Complete “Guns and Consequences” over the course of “The Saito Brothers”. Acquiring all Quickfire weapons will earn you the trophy/achievement “Quick Draw”. Those are all of the weapons for Atsu to discover and use in Ghost of Yotei.

Enhance your combat abilities with these ten advanced combat tips and tricks for Atsu in Ghost of Yotei.

Ghost of Yotei is fairly transparent about all of the combat maneuvers that Atsu can perform as she battles her way across the open world. However, there are some important techniques of the trade that are not necessarily conveyed to players in the game itself, but are only discovered through trial and error and with a little lateral thinking on the side. This guide for Ghost of Yotei is a shortlist of ten of the best combat tips and tricks for players of all levels. Situational Weapon Selection The five major weapon types are all equally adept at combat, but will particularly excel at countering one specific type of enemy. They are: Wolf Blade Katana which is most effective against other single Katana wielders. Dual Katana which is most effective against Polearms such as Yari or Naginata. Yari which is most effective against Sickles such as Dual Katana or Kusarigama. Kusarigama which is most effective against Shields. Odachi which is most effective against Brutes. Combatting Dual Wielders Prepare in advance for adversaries that switch between weapon types mid-combat by paying close attention to the arms they are bearing even before combat actually begins. Target Prioritization When facing large groups of diversely equipped enemies, be sure to target ranged opponents first, as they will chip away at your health from deep in the battle line. Either pick them off early on before combat even begins with your own bow, or rush them mid-engagement while ignoring melee adversaries. Crowd Control The Kusarigama’s sweep attack is the best choice for battling multiple enemies if you find yourself mobbed chaotically. Use it to interrupt attacks, then make a break towards ranged units first, if any. Target shield bearers next as that is what the Kusarigama is most effective at countering, while continuing to hold off the larger group. Once you have whittled down their numbers, you can then switch to weapons that correctly counter the remaining foes. Disarm Counter Failure If you are consistently unable to correctly time the disarm QTE counter, simply dodge or evade instead. The window is much larger as you can begin your evasion as soon as you see the yellow glint that indicates a disarm maneuver is about to be initiated. Environmental Hazard Kills Pay attention to the environment, and try to make it work to your advantage. Enemies standing in tall grass can be quickly dispatched by setting it ablaze with a Fire Arrow. Enemies standing at the edge of a long drop can be instantaneously terminated by either Typhoon Kicking with the Yari, or Shoulder Charging them right off of the side. Blazing Shields Fire Arrows also come in handy for setting ablaze the shields of enemies bearing them. They will drop them quickly, providing you with the opportunity to properly counter them with your own weapon. Winning Standoffs Timing standoffs correctly can be difficult, especially if you are looking for visual cues in the wrong places. Rather than watching for upper body feints and twitches, focus on the rear foot of your adversary instead. As soon as you see it in motion, release your strike. Rapid Arrow Type Switching In the midst of combat, you can remain in the bow’s aiming mode and quickly flick through your arrow types using R1 as the situation demands. Those are some of the best tips and tricks for combat in Ghost of Yotei.

Here’s a guide on how to acquire all of the Armor sets and how to upgrade the Onryo Armor in particular in Ghost of Yotei.

The various Armor pieces in Ghost of Yotei have unique perks to each of them, in addition to their distinct cosmetic appearance. Most of them are acquired through completion of specific objectives in the main storyline, while a handful are entirely missable through side content. This guide is a comprehensive listing of each of the thirteen Armor pieces in Ghost of Yotei as well as how to get them and what their fully upgraded perks do. ARMOR HOW TO GET UPGRADED PERKS Snake Skin Armor Ghost of Yotei Digital Deluxe Edition and Collector’s Edition exclusive. Added to inventory automatically. (Not applicable) Onryo Armor Default starting armor. The upgrade path is unique. Killing an enemy with a Spirit Attack or a thrown Melee weapon has a moderate chance of Terrifying nearby enemies. The wolf has a major chance to appear when enemies are Terrified. Terrified enemies take increased damage by a massive amount. Bounty Master Armor Unlock and complete “Soma The Condemned” bounty in Lake Jozan. Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a major amount, but regular Parries are disabled. All Spirit Gains are increased by a massive amount. A Perfect Parry enables 3 additional counterattacks. Crimson Kimono Unlock and complete “The Crimson Kimono” by speaking with Ugetsu The Storyteller beneath the Mother Daughter Tree in Sakuru Woods, Teshio Ridge. Chain Assassinations can be performed with Kunai (max 2 Kunai thrown). Enemy detection is reduced by a massive amount. Kusarigama Assassinations can be unleashed from further away. The distance is increased by a major amount. Dragonfly Armor Unlock and complete “The Dragonfly Armor” by speaking with Daijiro at Cairn Forks in southern Ohara Plains, Tokachi Ridge. Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, majorly increasing its damage and range. Firing an empowered Arrow grants a moderate amount of Concentration. Increase Arrow reload speed by a major amount. Fundoshi Rest at each of the 16 Hot Springs. At the cost of warmth, running and sprinting no longer create noise. Ginji’s Guard Armor Unlock and complete “Pride Before Tea“ by speaking with Ginji The Armorer in Benten Port on the Oshima Coast. Increase Tanegashima reload speed by a moderate amount. Blocking deflects incoming bullets and grants a minor amount of Spirit. Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a massive amount. Robes For Sitturaynu Unlock and complete “The Heart of an Ainu” by speaking with huci at her home in Husko Kotan in the Iwor Mountains of northern Nayoro Wilds. Fireflies and controller vibrations guide you Ainu Items when you are within a 100m distance. Golden Birds can lead to Shamisen Songs, Sumi-e Painting locations, Pillars of the Fallen, and Dye Merchants. Flowers have a major chance to be automatically collected when riding through white flower trails or stealthing through tall grass. Armor Of The Undying Unlock and complete “The Undying Samurai” by speaking with Ugetsu The Storyteller at his camp in north-western Nakagoya Spring, Ishikari Plain. If weapon aligned, Staggering enemies restores a major amount of Health. If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a moderate amount. If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a moderate chance to increase Stagger damage. Spider Lily Armor Unlock and complete “The Spider Lily” by entering the Mysterious Gate of Abandoned Tominaga Estate in south-eastern Shizunai Woods, Tokachi Range. Enemies have a moderate chance to drop throwable weapons. Stagger damage inflicted by melee weapons increases by a moderate amount. Staggering an enemy has a moderate chance of dealing moderate Stagger damage to nearby enemies. Mercenary Attire Acquired over the course of “The Oni”. Thrown Melee weapons deal increased damage by a moderate amount and grant a moderate amount of Spirit. Nine Tail Armor Acquired over the course of “The Kitsune”. Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a moderate amount. Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 2 Quickfire ammo. Enemy detection is reduced by a moderate amount. Taro’s Armor Rescue Taro The Scavenger from Ronin in a random encounter with no set location. All Spirit gains increased by a moderate amount when graced with a cooking bonus. Maximum Health increased by a moderate amount. Fire and Cold damage reduced by a major amount. How To Upgrade The Onryo Armor The Onryo Armor can be upgraded only by progressing the main storyline, unlike the other Armors which either are upgraded through Ginji The Armorer, or are simply non-upgradeable. The specific Tales are: Saito The Oni The Kitsune The Saito Brothers Those are all 13 Armors to be unlocked in Ghost of Yotei.

Latest rumours indicate that, much like Microsoft, Sony is also looking at a seven-year life cycle for its console generations.

With rumours indicating that Microsoft might be targeting 2027 as the launch window for its next-generation Xbox, it looks like Sony is on a similar track for the PlayStation 6. According to leaker KeplerL2 on the NeoGAF forums, Sony is also said to be targeting 2027. However, the company is also wary that there is also the potential for “unexpected delays”. Interestingly, taking the PS5’s 2020 launch into account, a 2027 launch for the next-gen console would mark a 7-year console cycle, which has been similar to the last couple of generations as well. Along with this, KeplerL2 has also offered some insight about the new technologies that AMD and Sony recently spoke about in a video, resulting from the two companies working together as part of their partnership. For example, Neural Arrays have been described as a combination of workgroup clustering and global scratchpad sharing. The technology has seemingly existed in Nvidia’s hardware as well, but limited to the GPUs that the company makes for datacenters. AMD’s new Radiance Core technology has also been described as being a more advanced take on Nvidia’s RT Cores, with more features that even the latter company’s current-generation RT cores from its Blackwell line-up. However, details about these features are currently unknown. The new set of hardware that is rumoured to be powering the PS6 has been the subject of quite a few rumours and reports this year. A report from back in September indicated that the AMD Orion APU powering the PS6 will be capable of 5 to 10 times better ray tracing performance than the current-generation chips powering the PS5 and PS5 Pro. The chip is slated to be fabricated using TSMC’s 3 nm process, and the whole APU will measure 280 mm-squared. The design of the Orion APU has been described as being a monolithic chip, and the power draw is said to be relatively low, coming in at 160 watts. The PS5 Pro, for the sake of context, takes up between 200 and 240 watts of power. The lower level of power draw likely means that the PS6 will end up not running quite as hot as its predecessors, which means that the cooling can also be more efficient. Along with a full-fledged console, the PS6 generation will also reportedly feature a handheld that is capable of being hooked up to a dock, in a similar vein to the Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2. Both the main console as well as the handheld are also said to feature backwards compatibility with PS4 and PS5 games. The chips powering these consoles will reportedly feature 16 RDNA5 compute units capable of running a 1.20 GHz in handheld mode, and can go up to 1.65 GHz when docked. The handheld is also said to be quite reasonably priced, and will likely cost less than the $999.99 price tag of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally x. The pricing range is said to fall somewhere between $399 and $499, while the home console is expected to cost between $549 and $699.

Having trouble finding your footing in Battlefield 6? Want to pick the best class or simply survive longer than a few minutes? These tips and tricks have you covered.

Battlefield 6 takes the large-scale warfare, tactical teamwork, and chaotic vehicular destruction from previous titles and turns it up a couple of notches. This new entry sticks to tradition but offers some additional features and secrets. Even seasoned veterans can miss some of the game’s new mechanics and hidden settings, some of which make a huge difference in the heat of battle. Whether you’re new or just looking for every possible advantage, these tips and tricks will help you survive longer and play smarter in every match. Adjust Aim Settings Battlefield 6 has a bunch of different settings across several categories, including aim sensitivity, which can completely change your kill/death ratio. The default aim sensitivity for infantry weapons is decent, but I found my accuracy improving after sliding it down five or so points. The goal here is to aim smoothly in every direction without jarring and erratic movements. Another setting that helps is aim assist. Aim assist preference greatly varies between players, but for controllers, it’s helpful to compensate for the lack of precise mouse movement by turning up aim assist, at least a bit. Battlefield 6 lets players select classic aim assist settings from every BF game too, so if you’re familiar with Battlefield 1 or Battlefield 1943, those configurations are loosely translated. For those not keen on the slight slowdown that occurs when looking at enemies, consider lowering aim assist. Lowering aim assist and zoom snap is a nice compromise, though. On the visual end, consider turning off filters like film grain and reducing motion blur for clarity. Use Quick-Turning Console players know the pain of configuring ideal sensitivity settings for a controller. Unlike with a mouse, you’re either moving too fast for reliable aiming or too slow to perform rapid adjustments. The new quick look kind of solves this dilemma, allowing instant 180-degree rotation with the press of a single button—no sensitivity tweaks necessary. To achieve this, go to controller settings and find ‘flick look forward’ and ‘flick look backwards’ in the ‘movement’ section. Play the Objective Rather than constantly zeroing in on the closest opponent to kill in a match (that’s what Team Deathmatch is for), prioritize the objective, helpfully on the minimap and compass. This doesn’t always mean running directly to the contested zone, though; it may be beneficial to find a rooftop across the street to snipe opponents entrenched in the contested zone. It’s also paramount to fill in Class gaps appropriately. Check the units your squad chose and help by selecting the appropriate Class. Toggle Rate of Fire This one isn’t explained well in-game, but it’s super helpful to know. You can change your ammo’s fire rate in real-time by aiming down sights and pressing down on the D-pad, as indicated by the bullet icon in the lower right. Some guns allow you to switch between single shots, burst fire, and full auto, as indicated by the one, two, and three bullet icons in the lower right. When not aiming down the sights, press down on the D-pad to toggle your flashlight and/or laser sight. Spotting Enemy Units Another important feature that might go unnoticed is spotting. You can actively mark and spot enemy units and vehicles by hovering your aiming reticle over them and pressing Q/L1. This allows you and all of your teammates to see the location of opponents on the minimap for a limited time. Spotting is a lifesaver in the midst of a smoke grenade attack because enemies will appear on the map and field, allowing your team to keep track of them in the haze. Spotting doesn’t just contribute to your team as a whole; it also adds to your own individual score, so use it often. Control Your Shots Avoid wildly spamming automatic rounds at opponents. Not only does the spray-and-pray strategy drain ammo, but it also greatly reduces accuracy and weapon stability while revealing your location. Practice shooting in smaller controlled bursts instead. One thing even seasoned Battlefield players have to contend with is recoil, but there are ways to overcome it. To counteract vertical recoil on most guns, feather your aiming slightly downward. For further stability, mount your weapon like a turret. You can mount guns that have a mount underbarrel attachment, but you need a ledge to do so. To mount, first aim down sights near a ledge or platform (or anything used for cover) and click R3. Just be careful, since it may leave you exposed to flankers. You can practice these techniques with any unlocked gun at the shooting range in the main menu or while customizing loadouts. Cover is Your Best Friend Speaking of cover, Battlefield has long been a cover-heavy FPS. Moving between cover is crucial to surviving firefights. Avoid lingering around open areas for too long. Look at the battlefield in terms of cover opportunities, moving (and sliding) from cover to cover instead of across open areas. And for the best results, sprint with a knife out to improve speed before a slide. To slide, quickly crouch immediately after a sprint. Cover is also great for leaning and shooting around corners. Know Your Routes Don’t always follow the most popular route into contested areas. Hiding in empty buildings and hidden alcoves can make for some sneaky kills from the shadows. If you’re a Recon unit, roosting on top of a building overlooking a popular skirmish route may turn the tide of a losing battle. However, if you’re a Support unit, you may want to limit your deviated route and stick close to where the mayhem is unfolding. Know Your Role This brings us to the four Classes. Support: There’s a reason Support (or medics) stick close to teammates; they provide health and ammo. While any unit can patch up fallen comrades, support units do it faster and with much greater efficacy. Charge up your defibrillator gadget before resuscitating downed allies to revive them to full health in an instant. Oh, and don’t forget to drag them out of the line of fire as you’re healing them. Medics also have a resource package they can toss to teammates, which contains ammo and healing— press up on the D-pad to use it. Engineer: Engineers are vehicular specialists. Stick close to manned vehicles to repair them with your gadget, or go on the offensive and destroy tanks with your missile launcher, land mine, and engineer-specific torch. Recon: Recons are your dedicated sniper class, so clever positioning is key. Be on the lookout for elevated spots to pick opponents off. Recons also have the best spotting ability, enabling enemies to appear on maps and the HUD for much longer than other units. Again, to spot, simply press Q/L1 as you target a soldier or vehicle. Assault: Finally, there is Assault. These frontline soldiers excel in close-quarters combat. Utilize your extra primary weapon (the shotgun is especially powerful). Make sure not to forget your Adrenaline Injector gadget to improve sprint speed, resist stun and flash, and even reduce explosives damage. The Assault Ladder can also be incredibly useful for accessing high ground much quicker. In short: Assault thrives up close, Engineers dominate vehicles, Support keeps the team alive, and Recon controls the field from afar. Reduce Detection With Weapon Attachments Choosing attachments that hide in-world spotting and reduce detection while shooting is crucial. If you have a laser sight equipped, remember to toggle it off with down on the D-pad during matches. Laser sights improve hip-fire accuracy but are visible to soldiers unless toggled off. Flashlights can actually blind soldiers, but you want to toggle that off to avoid detection. Lastly, certain muzzle accessories show your location on the map when firing. Be sure to attach suppressors if you want a sneakier shooting experience. Wear Headphones Sound is keenly designed to give you an edge in battle. Beware of footsteps and shot directions, as the game utilizes directional audio more drastically than previous games. It may also be helpful to turn off the tinnitus effect in settings. That loud, stinging sound when getting hurt can disguise directional audio and other cues, even if it is indicative of fatal damage. Calling for Aid When downed in severely contested zones, measure the pros and cons of calling for help versus simply respawning. Sometimes, it’s quicker to just spawn back on a nearby teammate if there are no Supports nearby. Of course, since you can be revived with full health and turn on your attackers in the heat of the moment, it may also be beneficial to wait. Situational awareness and knowing where your Supports are can often be a difference maker, especially in tense pushes. Drag Teammates This one’s pretty self-explanatory, but it bears repeating. You can drag fallen comrades while reviving them by simply moving with the control stick or mouse. Sure, your movement speed is greatly impaired while aiding someone (when not playing Support), but the ability to move a teammate out of harm’s way behind cover, and even down stairs or across inclines, is absolutely vital so both you and your downed comrade aren’t both compromised. Explosives in Close-Quarter Maps It may seem counterintuitive, but going with launchers in close-quarter maps can catch some enemies by surprise. Anti-vehicle weapons are most ideal against, well, vehicles, but when enemies are grouped up in some of the tighter corridors, they can be surprisingly effective. Consider this an option in the regular playlists or go Engineer in the Closed Weapons playlists. Make Vehicles More Efficient to Control For ground vehicles, be sure to adjust aim-relative controls. Aim-relative controls determine if the vehicle’s aim rotates according to camera or vehicle direction (you know, like the warthog in Halo). There’s also a setting that decouples turret aiming from the vehicle rotation. It’s recommended you leave this off for unrestricted turret movement. Jets and helicopters can have the steepest learning curve. Don’t be too proud to turn the helicopter and jet control assist on. Control assist enables helicopters to automatically hover, a technique that otherwise requires additional input alongside trajectory and acceleration control. Turn this on if you’d rather focus more on the shooting.

I often wondered what Lord Saito was feeding his men when we were fending them off during our time in Ezo. Turns out that it was quite a simple yet potent recipe courtesy of Sucker Punch.

If you, like me, have spent the last 24 hours obsessively playing Ghost of Yotei, you might have noticed that while its combat system shares a lot with its predecessor, things are also quite different this time around. Atsu’s adventure across Ezo sees her take on opponents who are as deadly as she is, and every battle is a desperate blur of slashes, parries, dodges, and weapon switches against overwhelming odds. And that’s just on the game’s normal difficulty. Tune things up to Hard or Lethal and you’re in for a challenge that can have you rage-quitting more often than you’d like. Saito’s forces are quite nasty and give no quarter to Atsu, leaving her scrambling to turn the tide back in her favor after an ill-timed parry or a missed dodge. But is Sucker Punch’s latest samurai action blockbuster really so different from Jin Sakai’s battles against the Mongols? Well, I’d say yes and no. No, because everything that made Ghost of Tsushima’s combat system shine bright is certainly a part of the new title. Yes, because all of those systems are now fine-tuned so well, making Yotei’s combat feel like less of an overhaul and more like a logical evolution of what came before it. How, you ask? I’d say that it comes down to three basic pillars: the combat system’s narrative framing, mechanical changes to how fights play out, and a drastically different enemy AI this time around. Let’s get started with how they’ve taken things up a notch in the franchise’s latest outing. Giving Context to Combat A key strength of the Ghost franchise is its ability to justify in-game mechanics with narrative beats that support the action that unfolds on your screen. That was done very well in Ghost of Tsushima, where Jin wielded the Sakai katana and tanto with the brutal efficiency that comes with years of training as a samurai. While he did gain access to bows and his Ghost tools later down the line, his family’s blade was his primary tool for dealing with the Mongol threat. That made sense for the samurai, whose main goal was to attempt to preserve his family’s legacy and traditions while also being an effective living weapon pointed at the Mongol army and Khotun Khan. That balancing act was a major part of Jin’s character arc, and the Sakai blade was the tightrope on which he walked. Unlocking stances to deal with varied enemy types in accordance with the samurai code’s tenets of being one with the world around them was a part of that balance, as was the honor-bound tradition of respecting life even when taking it away from those who left him with no alternatives. Honor, and the gradual erosion of it were the core tenets of Ghost of Tsushima, and its combat system played a major role in conveying that theme to its audiences. However, Jin’s reliance on the Sakai blades did limit his range, forcing him to try getting up close and personal with his opponents in open combat. While that worked for him, Ghost of Yotei’s story does things a little differently. Atsu has not had the luxury of being trained by samurai and is perhaps better off for it. Her combat prowess comes from many years on the battlefield as a mercenary, learning on the job and becoming quite good at fighting in large scale battles. Her innate ability to quickly learn the ins and outs of wielding a new weapon is a part of her character arc, allowing her to gain mastery over four new weapon types that replace Jin’s stances. Despite her compassionate side coming through on many occasions, the battlefield is the one place where Atsu is utterly ruthless, and she has to be. That’s partly because Lord Saito is similarly merciless, and a master of the art of killing. Another reason is the fact that she actively cultivates her reputation as an Onryo, a departure from Jin’s reluctant acceptance of the mantle of the Ghost. These narrative beats translate to a combat loop that sets Yotei’s protagonist free from the limitations of the samurai code, resulting in a combat loop that’s more versatile. Atsu’s katana, dual blades, kusarigama, odachi, and yari are all potent tools in the field, each coming with its own pros and cons that make Yotei’s combat feel liberating and dynamic, underlining the smoldering rage she feels for the Yotei Six. While both titles have effectively woven narrative threads into their combat systems, Atsu’s role as a mercenary in Ghost of Yotei allows the game to bring logical, incremental improvements that make drastic differences to the manner in which fights play out in the game. A Mechanical Marvel The most obvious difference that I noticed when I began to find my footing in Ghost of Yotei was the stance system being replaced with different weapons. For starters, their varying range makes each one quite handy in different situations. The kusarigama is a perfect crowd control tool while the odachi could be quite effective even against non-Brute enemies once you figure out its moveset. If I were to drop a pro tip, I’d advise you not to switch weapons simply based on stagger damage but to act on instinct and choose the best one for what you’re trying to achieve in the moment. A more subtle change that sets Yotei’s combat apart from Tsushima is the way in which you’re going to adjust your attack timings on the fly as you switch between different weapons. The Sakai katana attacked in largely the same rhythm, with only minor variations between stances. But each of Atsu’s killing tools has a unique moveset and gets you very involved in each swing as even the slightest error can take control of the fight away from you. That’s because your enemies come with tricks of their own, the ability to disarm you being a very important one. I cannot imagine Jin losing his sword in Tsushima but I found my time with Atsu being dotted with occasions where I’d fail to appropriately respond to a disarming strike and then scramble to regain my dropped weapon. Inflicting disarming strikes of my own and then flinging my foe’s weapon into them was another brilliant addition that I quickly weaved into my battle strategy. They are creative flourishes that I believe should have been in Tsushima too but it is what it is. Another important aspect of Yotei’s combat is that Lord Saito has seemingly invested in better training for his soldiers than Khotun Khan ever did. While consecutive strikes were relegated to boss battles in Tsushima for the most part (looking at you, Kojiro), I was (un)pleasantly surprised to see even basic enemy soldiers coming at me with multiple slashes and stabs that I had to parry individually. Regular troops often switched weapons on the fly, adding even more depth and nuance to an already excellent combat system. Add in different special attacks for different weapons and the possibility of your wolf buddy joining the fight from time to time, and you have a recipe for a combat system that’s constantly working both for and against you depending on how well you’re able to adapt to the action and stay two steps ahead of your opponents. The Onryo Howl is an important part of this combat loop, and is quite devastating when used correctly. All of these additions create a combat loop that almost feels alive in Ghost of Yotei, a stark contrast to the challenging yet comparatively static one on display in Tsushima. Once again, Sucker Punch hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but made iterative improvements that add up to create an experience that renders its predecessor obsolete. Which brings us to the final facet of this evolution: the enemies themselves. A Stronger and Smarter Rogues Gallery Aside from my foes switching up weapons and chaining combos together in their attacks, the enemy AI in Ghost of Yotei makes the Mongols feel too easy waving their weapons around and hoping to catch me off guard. Saito’s men are vicious and unrelenting, adapting their tactics in response to my own strategies while finding very creative ways to initiate encounters with Atsu via traps and ambushes. I constantly found I had my eyes peeled as I tore across Ezo, wary of enemies looking to trip up my horse or stage a well-planned attack that could have me on the back foot right from the start. They flank Atsu quite cleverly, often coming at her from all directions and with different weapons, forcing me to abandon one strategy for another in ways that the Mongols could never force me to do back in 2020. They felt unresponsive even on higher difficulties and I’d even go as far as to say that they were quite a sloppy bunch in comparison to Saito’s outlaws. Their arsenals were limited and their attacks now feel so simple and repetitive thanks to Atsu’s desperately pitched battles against opponents who are willing to be as dynamic as she can be in the field. You might even find yourself making regular use of the Loadout system depending on which member of the Yotei Six you’re hunting. I found myself relying heavily on the yari when taking on The Kitsune’s shinobi and their preference for the kusarigama, for instance. Yotei’s enemy AI is the final pillar of how its combat system has taken the basic skeleton of its predecessor and added enough muscle to it to make it feel familiar yet fresh. I’d say that Jin would have a thing or two to learn from Atsu if the two protagonists could have met. Her aggression and dynamic approach is something he’d find easy to understand but hard to master thanks to his rigid samurai training. As far as combat is concerned, the Ghost has gracefully made way for the Onryo to take the center stage in one of the franchise’s most crucial aspects. Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

What does the future hold for Sucker Punch's flagship franchise? Where could the Ghost go next and what could motivate them? We take a look at a few potential options for the studio.

If you’ve been having a blast in Ezo with Atsu and her tale of revenge in Ghost of Yotei, you might be wondering how Sucker Punch could top the excellent open world and combat loop it has created this time around. Although Yotei is admittedly an incremental upgrade over Jin Sakai’s adventure in Ghost of Tsushima, those changes are done so meaningfully that they elevate the experience and make the game feel familiar but fresh. It’s easy to see how Sucker Punch retained the best of Tsushima and built around it to refine the experience it was offering in the franchise’s first current-gen title. But can that strategy work if it decides to bring a new addition to its ranks? What could a new Ghost title bring to the table to set itself apart from both Jin and Atsu? That’s what we’re here to discuss as we dive into what the future could hold for the studio’s excellent brand of samurai action, and the potential time periods it could take on. An Interesting New Direction First of all, it’s important to remember that Sucker Punch is not keen on the idea of using a location other than Japan, a sentiment made known by the Brian Fleming, the studio’s head. According to him, the Ghost franchise relies on “somebody wielding a katana” and “Japan’s natural beauty”. While the possibility of seeing a Ghost title centered around other locations around the world would have been quite thrilling, Japan still has a lot to give to the franchise’s fans. With that out of the way, let’s talk about Yotei’s Atsu. While her story does reach a sort of peaceful conclusion at the end of the game, we can’t help but wonder about the many years she spent away from Ezo as a wandering mercenary. It would be a great idea to explore that time frame, and look into how she was moulded from a frightened girl into the fearsome Onryo. However, like the Iki Island expansion that explored Jin Sakai’s memories of his father, that could very well be done in a DLC expansion. So what then, could a new Ghost game bring to the table? Well, we’ve got a few ideas. For starters, we think that it could go back to its samurai roots but not in the way that you’d expect. Considering how the samurai have been perceived by the common folk in both Tsushima and Yotei, it could be a good idea to make them the focus of the next Ghost’s ire. Take Yariwaka, for instance. Kasumasa Sakai and Shimura’s brutality in stamping out that region’s rebellion was a major talking point in Tsushima. So much so that Jin would have to earn the trust of its leaders who were happy to see the samurai being placed on the back foot by the Mongols. Its people saw the samurai as villains, an extension of an oppressive Shogun regime that did not care about them. Things are the same in Ezo, where a large part of its population have travelled to the region to escape the Shogun’s oppression, and as such, look at the Matsumae clan with either suspicion, or disdain. While both Tsushima and Ezo have their fair share of people who do admire what the samurai stand for, a new Ghost title could be a very interesting take on what could happen if the samurai themselves are the enemy. The sequel could then have its protagonist going against either his own clan or the Shogun himself, their goal being to fight against corruption and oppression. There are several time periods in Japanese history that would be excellent choices for such a tale, and would fit very well with the franchise’s penchant for exploring complex philosophies governing individual identity and the role of each person in the world that they live in. Let’s take a look at a few. A Plethora of Options For starters, the Sengoku period is an obvious choice. There was a lot of anti-Shogun sentiment around the time, and the era is in fact a precursor to the story on display in Yotei. The Onin War and its eventual progression into the Sengoku period could see a new Ghost wage their crusade in a more urban setting. It would allow Sucker Punch to improve verticality in the franchise’s gameplay loop, potentially bringing changes to the grappling hook while adding several interesting twists to both exploration and combat. With intense political struggles between rival clans, a Ghost title in this time period could allow its protagonist to pit clans against each other in order to achieve their own goals. It’s an opportunity to introduce a bit of psychological warfare into the mix while activities like night raids, duels with displaced ronin, and so much more bring a new yet familiar title to the franchise’s illustrious ranks. There’s also the option of having the new Ghost take to piracy. The Wokou were Japanese pirates but did have people from other Asian ethnicities among their ranks. It would be the perfect opportunity to examine varying ideologies while introducing naval combat to the franchise. A pirate Ghost could be a great option, coming with a ton of new weapons and tactics while also bringing the opportunity to examine how poverty and the apathy of leaders could lead people to take desperate measures. We could very well see the new Ghost using rope darts, navigating the seas through varying tides, boarding ships silently, and so much more. Thanks to Yotei, we’ve been introduced to the Ainu, an indigenous group native to Ezo (or Hokkaido as it’s now known). Their resistance to Japanese colonization could be another great idea for a new Ghost title given their relatively peaceful culture. An Ainu Ghost might be torn between their roots and their mission to prevent the erasure of their people, resorting to drastic measures to achieve their ends that risk them being alienated from the ones they hold dear. That would be quite a narrative goldmine that aligns with the stories that we’ve seen so far but could also be a valuable way to introduce some truly innovative gameplay mechanics into the mix. There could be stealth sections using boats in rivers, the opportunity to bring in social stealth, a weather system that changes how the game is played during winter, mythic tales based on Ainu folklore, hunting, and so much more. It’s an opportunity to tell a deeply personal story with a protagonist who might be the most charming Ghost we’ve met so far. Another option, and probably our favorite one, is the Boshin War and the political strife that followed it. That’s an interesting point in Japanese history where the nation’s isolationism and the opening of its borders led to a lot of turmoil in its political hierarchies, leading to a lot of conflict that’s the perfect stage for the rise of a new Ghost. It could be an excellent way to introduce new weapons into the character’s arsenal while also retaining the combat system that has made the franchise as popular as it currently is. It’s also perfect from a narrative standpoint, with the debate surrounding ideologies and the influence of other nations on Japan being great places to stage a story about where a samurai’s loyalty must truly lie. Gameplay wise, it could feature large scale battles and desperate last stands, the likes of which the franchise has not brought to the table thus far. If Sucker Punch continues to craft its experiences in the manner that it is, this era in Japanese history could be a great option for the studio to tell us a tale that we’re not likely to forget. The Path Ahead No matter what lies ahead for the franchise, I would argue that Sucker Punch needs to do things a little differently this time around. Despite Yotei being among my favorite open world experience and my personal pick among PlayStation exclusives, the fact remains that it is only an iterative upgrade over Jin Sakai’s adventure in Tsushima. The next title cannot afford to ride on the goodwill of the games that came before it, and must be a game that doesn’t just build on its predecessors, but outshines them entirely. It can be quite hard to achieve that balance but considering just how well the studio has managed to bring reverence and authenticity to its take on ancient Japan, the third time could very well be the charm in its case. The next Ghost carries the weight of living up to their predecessors while ushering the franchise into its future. But with Sucker Punch’s penchant for creating hard-hitting stories and excellent gameplay mechanics, we’re sure that the Ghost, and the franchise, is going to come out swinging. All that remains is to wait for the eventual announcement of the next instalment in a franchise that has now firmly cemented its place among the best that the open world action-adventure genre has to offer. Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

An open letter by the IWGB Game Workers union has accused the studio of "longstanding disrespect and mistreatment" of its staff.

While MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy has seemingly gone through major lay-offs after the poor reception of the action game earlier this year, the company has now come under fire from Britain’s IWGB Game Workers trade union. The union has published an open letter calling out the company for having treated its “longstanding disrespect and mistreatment” of its staff. The open letter also referred to the release of MidnsEye as “one of the worst video game launches this decade,” while noting that 250-300 workers from the companies have lost their jobs. Among the subjects broached by the union include Build a Rocket Boy’s lack of communications with its employees, long stretches of over-time work, especially in the four months leading up to the release of MindsEye where the company implemented a mandatory 8 hours of overtime per week, as well as the company’s “disastrous handling” of lay-offs. Along with this, the union has also called out Build a Rocket Boy for offering its employees Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for the forced overtime, but still not allowing the employees to actually take the time off due to “high-priority” post-launch work on MindsEye. “We stand in solidarity with employees and ex-employees at Build a Rocket Boy as they file legal claims through our union and publish an open letter, condemning the way in which they’ve been mistreated and discarded by the studio’s millionaire executives,” wrote the IWGB Game Workers union in a social media post. According to the union, Build a Rocket Boy has caused quite a bit of “confusion and distress” for its staff in its handling of lay-offs. In the open letter, the union described the process as involving employees getting misinformation and being given dismissal notices with wrong notice periods, as well as being put in wrong teams to affect their internal performance metrics. “These and many other issues, some of which have been made public already, have caused pain and stress for your employees,” wrote the union in its open letter. “Our experience at the company has been one of burnout, job insecurity, health issues, and the failure of a game that many of us have put years of our lives into. [Build a Rocket Boy] needs to change. CEOs need to take a backseat and allow the skilled people who remain at the company to forge the path ahead.” The union is demanding a public apology from the company for its mistreatment of employees, proper compensation to those affected by lay-offs, the option for employees on redundancy notice to either work during their notice period or to take Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON), a concerted and documented effort to improve working conditions at the studio, and a commitment to use official external partners for future redundancies to prevent unfair treatment. The open letter was signed by 93 employees and former employees of Build a Rocket Boy, along with the IWGB Game Workers leadership, and specifically calls out company leaders Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies for treating the studio’s employees badly. We stand in solidarity with employees and ex-employees at Build a Rocket Boy as they file legal claims through our union and publish an open letter, condemning the way in which they’ve been mistreated and discarded by the studio’s millionaire executives. https://t.co/WWm4vxKEfd pic.twitter.com/bOOHaQEakQ — IWGB Game Workers (@IWGB_GW) October 10, 2025

The Best Anime RPG Games For Girls

Alternate Theory Breakdown: Is Rachel the Real Villain in Trap? We rewatched Trap last night (saw it in theaters when it came out but forgot a lot — it’s been over a year). Now I can’t stop thinking about it. Here’s why I believe that — at least for Spencer’s abduction — it might be Rachel,...

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Geeky Sweetie Gets Airplay on VRT Radio 1 in Belgium with “Even ChatGPT Said It – Must Be True” Independent artist Geeky Sweetie just hit a major international milestone—her playful and thought-provoking track “Even ChatGPT Said It – Must Be True” received radio airplay on VRT Radio 1, one of Belgium’s most prominent public radio...

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Hey sweeties, So, the Nintendo Switch 2 finally got its big reveal and… whew. I have a lot of feelings. Some good. Some not-so-good. Some why even bother bro. Let’s just rip the band-aid off: I’m kinda disappointed. I mean yeah, there’s some exciting stuff in the mix—a new Zelda (yes please), a new Donkey...

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Last night, I had the chance to see the dress rehearsal for Sailor Moon Super Live in Pittsburgh, and it was a surprisingly fun and memorable experience! A Night of Good Food & Magical Nostalgia The evening started off with an amazing dinner at Gaucho Parrilla Argentina—highly recommend it if you’re ever in Pittsburgh! Great...

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The Long Wait is Over: AIR Officially Releases in English A Shocking, Unbelievable Surprise Imagine my utter shock, surprise, and amazement when I clicked to start exploring a Steam queue—and there it was. I had heard nothing about its release, and just days or weeks ago, I was literally chatting with a friend about how...

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2025: The Best Year EVER for Gamer Girls! OMG, fellow gamer girls, I have NEVER been this excited for a year in gaming! 2025 is absolutely stacked with amazing releases, re-releases, and next-gen consoles that will make our hearts burst with happiness! Whether you’re into visual novels, JRPGs, or cozy simulation games, this year has...

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So you may be wondering why I haven’t updated my website lately. I’ve been using most of my free time to create AI Generated Music using an app called Suno AI. I have been using Suno for about 6 months now and here are my thoughts and some of my favorite creations so far. I’m...

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Omg, I loved Here with Tom Hanks! Critics and fans might give it low ratings, with scores around 20-30% out of 100, but I’m here to say, don’t let that fool you! This movie is not garbage at all—it’s thought-provoking, moving, and exactly the type of film that makes you think. If you’re the type...

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Do not read this review if you do not want to hear spoilers for the new 2024 Joker 2: Joker folie à deux. Again this will contain spoilers Leave now this is your last warning. Spoiler Warning: This review contains major spoilers and personal reflections on Joker: Folie à Deux. We went to see Joker:...

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Apple’s recent event was packed with exciting new releases and updates across its product lines. Here’s a roundup of everything announced, including details on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, the new Apple Watch models, updated AirPods, and iOS 18. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro We’re all excited about the new color options...

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Hold onto your hats, ghost lovers! The ending of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is so bonkers it’s igniting some of the wildest theories on the internet. Did Lydia really marry Beetlejuice? Is Astrid a figment of Lydia’s imagination, or—get this—is Lydia actually dead and doesn’t know it? Spoiler Warning! This article is packed with juicy details and...

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Introduction: When I first heard about A Ghost Story (2017), the hype was real. The critics were raving, the trailer hinted at deep existential themes, and the movie seemed to have collected awards like a ghost in a haunted house. But does it live up to the buzz? I dove in, prepared for an emotional...

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Welcome to Fields of Mistria, a game that captures the essence of ’90s JRPGs and fuses it with the best elements of farming sims to create a unique, cozy experience. From the moment you step into its pixel-perfect world, the game feels like a nostalgic journey back in time, yet it offers a fresh twist...

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Nintendo recently announced that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the popular mobile game, will be shutting down its online services on October 31, 2024. While this news may come as a disappointment to many fans, there’s a silver lining—your progress and campsite aren’t going anywhere. Nintendo is launching a new offline version of the game, allowing...

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Sailor Moon Cosmos has finally landed on Netflix in North America, and for fans of the beloved franchise, this marks a monumental moment. Whether you’ve been a Sailor Moon devotee since the 90s or are just now discovering the magic, this two-part film adaptation of the final arc, known as “Sailor Stars,” promises to be...

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The Debate Over Machine Language Translations: A Look at Hanaemu Kare to & Bloom on the Japanese Nintendo eShop The world of otome games is vast and full of unique titles that often remain exclusive to Japan. As an avid fan of this genre, I’ve always faced the challenge of accessing games that never make...

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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Laptops for InZoi – Perfect for Gamer Girls As the release date for InZoi draws near, it’s time to start thinking about upgrading your gaming setup to ensure you’re ready for the ultimate experience. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, having the right laptop is essential...

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Welcome to GeekySweetie.com! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip, focusing on what makes this machine an excellent choice for gamer girls, creatives, and anyone who loves a balance of power, portability, and style. This review will cover everything from the unboxing experience to the...

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Top 20 80s Anime with Complex Relationships and Tragic Romance The 1980s was a golden era for anime, offering a range of series that delved into the depths of human emotions, complicated relationships, and often tragic romances. For fans of intricate storytelling, these anime are a must-watch. Here are the top 20 80s anime that...

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I’ve had the Steam Deck since its launch, and it’s been a mostly positive experience. However, a few quirks and challenges remain. Here’s my take after using it for a few years. Finding The Sims 4 CC Custom Content Mod Folder One thing that many players, especially Sims 4 fans, might wonder is where to...

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The Gaming Blog

“Everything’s a reboot. There’s nothing original anymore.” Boring statements. Defeatist. Ironically, not even original complaints. “Everything’s a remix.” Punk as hell. Creates opportunities. Empowering. Whether we’re talking about Marvel movies, the latest Disney live-action reboot, or an American remake of a popular foreign film, the idea that we’ve “run out of ideas” runs rampant amongst […]

“Everything’s a reboot. There’s nothing original anymore.” Boring statements. Defeatist. Ironically, not even original complaints. “Everything’s a remix.” Punk as hell. Creates opportunities. Empowering. Whether we’re talking about Marvel movies, the latest Disney live-action reboot, or an American remake of a popular foreign film, the idea that we’ve “run out of ideas” runs rampant amongst those of us who hang out in creative spaces or care deeply about the stories we consume. And while I don’t think this article will save us from the ump-teenth reboot of Batman’s origin story, I do think there’s something important we can take away from this storyteller’s lament — if nothing’s original any more (and really, it hasn’t been original since before Classical times) then everything’s a remix, and all stories are fodder for our stories. So, in the punk spirit of DIY, I’m gonna tell you how to steal a story and get away with it. HOW IT’S DONE To steal a story, you have to step back and train your brain to look at stories like recipes. You know how a good cook can taste a dish and tell you the ingredients that went into it? (And how great cooks can then give suggestions for substitutions that would transform the food into a completely new experience?) That’s what we need, and that’s what we’re gonna learn how to do. So, if you’re new to this deconstruction thing, start by taking notes on five key elements of the story: the characters, the situation they find themselves in, their goals, the obstacles that prevent them from completing those goals, and your favorite thing about the story. (For the rest of this article, my go-to example will be my current obsession: K-Pop Demon Hunters, or as I like to call it, “Hannah Montana meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”) The more we study stories and how they work, the easier it will be to come up with our own. Characters You know these folks. They’re the heroes, the sidekicks, the villains, and bystanders. When we’re thinking about stealing a story for our table, the characters in your target story are important, but a lot less so than you might think. That’s because your players should be the main characters, but you can’t expect your players to make the same choices those characters did. And that’s a good thing. If you expect your infernal pact warlock to hide their contract from the party the way Rumi hides her demonic heritage from the other members of HUNTR/X, then you’re making some huge assumptions about your players and taking away a lot of their agency. So what will this ingredient be good for? NPCs, of course. Especially villains. Hell, you can twist it around so your players end up fighting the world’s favorite supernatural idol group. Situation You may be tempted to call this “the plot,” but I want to veer away from that word because plot and story tend to be synonyms in most people’s minds. I don’t want us prescribing the route our players will take through the adventure. Instead, think of the situation as the context for the action. It’s all of the various external events that bring the players together and propel them towards the climax. For example, if we say, “a demonic boy band is using their music to steal the souls of their fans,” we’re giving our players context for the situation without dictating how they should solve it. Depending on the length of the story you’re stealing, the characters could find themselves in a lot of different situations. Make note of them, and save them for our synthesis phase (coming up shortly). What happens if you mix up Star Wars with Downton Abbey? Or Edgerunners with Fraggle Rock? Goals When you’re analyzing your story, look at the characters’ goals — what they want. Rumi, for example, wants to energize the Honmoon so she can banish all of the demons in the world and live a normal life. Ideally, your players’ goals should be determined by the players themselves, but the more you train your brain to think about the goals of the characters within your favorite stories, the easier it will be for you to pull out the appropriate elements. Then, when your paladin player comes to you with a tragic backstory and says, “My paladin is hunting her father, who betrayed his knightly order and brought shame to my character’s family,” you’ll know where you can situate that character within the rest of the story. A traitorous father is not the same as a secret shame, but it’s close enough that you’ll know what to do when the time comes. And by that, I mean… Obstacles Now we’re getting into the real meat and potatoes of what it means to steal a story. Obstacles are the things that get in the way of the characters from achieving their goals. A demonic love interest, for example, forces a character to realize there are shades of gray in a world she once thought of as black and white. Or having your secret shame outed in front of a room of people you’ve been lying to for years. These are the roadblocks that create delicious, delicious conflict. The kind that keeps our players on the edges of their seats, wondering how they’re going to get out of this one. When you combine the situation with character goals and obstacles, that’s where the “plot” develops. Where the story comes to life. And studying the kinds of roadblocks your favorite stories throw in the path of their protagonists will help you port those obstacles into your campaigns. Your Favorite Thing Maybe it’s a derpy demon tiger. Or themes of found family and self-discovery. Or really cool outfits. Make note of your favorite thing(s) in your favorite stories. It doesn’t have to be big and important — like the way all of the Saiyans are named after vegetables in Dragon Ball Z — but it can be a big thing too — warp technology in Star Trek. I want you to note your favorite things for a couple of reasons, but mostly because they’re the elements that draw you back into the story. So, regardless of how important the tiger is to the plot, it’s important to your heart. And if you can find ways to incorporate Derpy into your campaign, well, that’ll give you even more investment, and your excitement will spill over into your players, creating a wonderful feedback loop of awesome. Take this list and go through three or four of your favorite stories, making the notes I mentioned above. Once you’ve done that, come back here because… IT’S TIME TO GET WILD Now that you’ve got a stack of notes about characters and goals and giant blue tigers, it’s time to start synthesizing them and turning them into your next game session. How do you do that? Well, you pick up your elements like they were action figures in a toy chest, and you smash ’em together and make ’em kiss. This technique works best when you mash up two stories from different genres. Take my “Hannah Montana/Buffy the Vampire Slayer” joke above. From Hannah Montana, we’re taking elements of musical acts and the pull between two lives — one very public and one very private — and we’re mixing that up with the supernatural demon slaying from Buffy. What happens if you mix up Star Wars with Downton Abbey? Or Edgerunners with Fraggle Rock? I don’t know, but it sounds like fun! And when you’ve broken down your stories into their elemental components, you get to find out. Use the goals and the situations to create hooks. Then lean on the obstacles to create your encounters. Sprinkle in NPCs from the characters you’ve studied and bam! Your campaign is ready to rumble. Just add players and chase your favorite things through the new story you totally didn’t steal. THE CONCEIT If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably figured out that I’m not really talking about heisting a story like it’s a diamond in a vault. I’m talking inspiration. Where we find it. How we call on it. And most importantly, how we can teach our brains to find it even when we’re not feeling inspired. The more we study stories and how they work, the easier it will be to come up with our own. Original or not, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we love them, even a little, and that our players are having fun. What are the wildest mashup ideas you can think of? Leave them in the comments and let’s figure out how to turn them into campaigns!

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_222_Combating-Analaysis-Paralaysis-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Jared and JT as they talk about how to combat analysis paralysis! What do you do when your players get stuck overthinking and overanalyzing things and start dragging the game down! Links: Cyberpunk Legends Kickstarter DM Andy’s Maps Invincible RPG by Free League

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_222_Combating-Analaysis-Paralaysis-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Jared and JT as they talk about how to combat analysis paralysis! What do you do when your players get stuck overthinking and overanalyzing things and start dragging the game down! Links: Cyberpunk Legends Kickstarter DM Andy’s Maps Invincible RPG by Free League

Your weapons are more than just damage dice.

You don’t need me to tell you there are A LOT of RPGs out there. There is a huge, diverse, and wildly creative selection to choose from. Just counting those that involve medieval (ish) combat, this is still true. But despite the huge variety of mechanics, trends in modern game design, and dramatic reimagining of these games, there is one mechanic that is remarkably consistent: variable dice damage for weapons. All d20 systems, as far as I know, but also percentile systems and a whole slew of other games, use different damage dice for different weapons and nothing else. That’s all you get to distinguish a short sword from a lance. And that’s not a problem if you want your combat abstracted and you like what you know. You might be perfectly happy that nobody ever uses a spear in your games, even though they were the most used weapon for thousands of years. Or that the half dozen or so blunt weapons in your game are all but redundant, bar fighting undead. Apart from the fact that I find it fundamentally unconvincing that a blow from a short sword would hurt less than a blow from a long one, should it strike me, there is an intrinsic disadvantage to variable dice. It doesn’t take long for the modifiers your player characters get to outweigh the difference between those die types. The difference in the medium results of a d6 and a d8 is only 1 (3.5 and 4.5 respectively). Your d8 wielding player character only benefits from his choice of weapon one in four die rolls (I know I’m simplifying the laws of probability here, but you get the gist…). And once other rules kick in, especially with level-based progression, that 1 to 2 points of damage soon vanishes beneath the avalanche of bonuses, additional damage dice, magic weapons, or increased Attributes. Soon enough, the weapons are just flavour. Which is fine. I guess. Sometimes more is better. But to me it seems a wasted opportunity. In 2014, 5e introduced Qualities to its weapons. It wasn’t the first system to use the idea, and they mainly took the place of pre-existing rules. Still, they added some interest, but they were fairly limited. They didn’t change the way players thought about their characters’ weapons. I am well aware that most people don’t want to bog down their combat with complex rules, cross-referencing weapon types with armours, as I tried to do with homebrew rules back when I was young and foolish and didn’t know better. But Reach and what a weapon does on a critical success, can easily make combat more interesting. And fun! In fact, in many ways, the other stuff can do more to distinguish one weapon from another, more to add flavour to the fight, more to make your character stand out, and more to make a fight, well, interesting, than different-shaped dice. Ever get the feeling that some (or all?) of your players are ‘tuning out’ when it isn’t their turn in combat? That might be because it’s predictable. And I mean that the process of resolving combat has become predictable, not just the outcome. Think about it: most of these sorts of games, whether d20 based or not, generally tend towards the ‘roll dice, add modifiers, hit a target number, roll damage, modify, end’. Sometimes there is an option to parry, or to dodge, or you might compare scores, like in Runequest, to see the outcome. But it matters little whether you’re swinging a longsword or a war hammer. The weapon you are using is unlikely to alter the outcome of the fight, other than its duration. Not really. So, what can we do about it? First off, let’s think about Reach. Weapons vary a lot in length. If you know what you’re doing with one, that can really impact how easy or difficult it is to strike your opponent or, more importantly, for them to strike you. I got some first-hand experience of this when my son was little, and we fenced with garden canes. Yeah, cute, right? Until he picked up the garden hoe and I realised I was in trouble! Because it is incredibly difficult to ‘parry’ a long, sharp, stabby thing with a one-handed, short, stabby thing (or slashy or bashy thing), unless you have a big round woody thing. Even if you stop them hitting you, you have to get past that to hit them. Sure, a swordsperson could get past a spear-wielder and strike, if they are nimble, I hear you say. Well yes… maybe that should be part of the game? Axes are often portrayed as particularly destructive in RPG combat systems. They have a tendency to sever things… Modiphius’ “Conan: Adventures In An Age Undreamed” (2016, now out of print) used Reach scores of 1 to 4, assigned individually to weapons. Where Reach scores differed, the lower was subtracted from the higher and the difference became a disadvantage to the wielder of the shorter weapon. When I ported this rule to a d20 game, I assigned scores of 1 to 5, because that way, I could easily give a score of 5 to weapons already listed as having Reach. After play-testing, only a Pike would ever get Reach 5 in practice. If a Pike has Reach 5 and bare hands have a Reach of 0, you can pretty well fit other weapons to the scale: dagger and short sword have Reach 1, normal sword Reach 2, bastard sword Reach 3, two-hander Reach 4. You can work out most weapons from that kind of scale. In practice, you immediately start seeing the humble spear getting picked up a lot more, with its Reach 4. In a game I ran recently, two stalwart adherents to the axe and shield model suddenly realised my NPC guards were getting a big advantage from the reach their spears gave them. As soon as they (eventually) dispatched them, they snatched up those spears like they were yreasure! Which, of course, they were… Weapon Qualities are another thing altogether. Dungeons & Dragons 3.5, which had its issues, varied the Critical Threat range of its weapons, which was fun. Swords all critted on 19-20 but axes had a crit damage multiplier of 3. Nice. But another way to distinguish weapons entirely is to label each weapon with a single one-word descriptor of what it is good at and use existing rules to resolve critical hits. For example – ‘Thrown’, which most systems will already use. If war hammers and mauls have the ‘Knockdown’ quality, which results in the victim being knocked Prone, suddenly new opportunities open up for how a fight might evolve or end. Whether you still multiply damage or not is up you or your table. ‘Stun’ is another obvious one – but not just for rogues knocking out guards; being stunned in most rulesets makes you an easy target for a potentially killing blow, maybe even a coup de grace, or else prevents you from attacking. Perhaps in your game a ‘stunned’ target takes a penalty to their armour or defence score? The trusty cudgel. A stalwart of the medieval world. But are they underrated in your game? I recommend you try this out in your own game and see what happens. Don’t worry about trying to introduce too many Qualities at once. You only really need to assign Qualities to the weapons your player characters have and to those most popular with NPCs. Let your players get used to a couple first. Make sure you don’t stack too many qualities in a single weapon: it will soon become the only one players use. Here are some examples of Qualities I have used: A ‘Savage’ weapon automatically inflicts more damage. How much depends on your system – perhaps an additional hit point or hit die. ‘Mounted’ might get a bonus to hit and to damage when used from horseback; lances or scimitars might have this. ‘Brutal’ might get an increase in critical multiplier or automatically score maximum damage or get a bonus when rolling on the critical table. ‘Armour Piercing’ reduces the effectiveness of armour – either the Armour Class or the amount damage is reduced by. The infamous ‘bollock dagger’ of the Middle Ages was designed to fit through the gaps in plate armour. ‘Parrying’ can be applied to daggers, maybe, or swords, giving a bonus to the parry skill or an additional parry attempt per turn, or simply add to a defensive score such as Armour Class. ‘Cover’ might be a quality given to shields, which enables them to parry arrows – allowing an attempt to avoid the hit entirely instead of increasing an armour score or just reducing the damage. ‘Fearful’ weapons are intimidating and require a Will save or equivalent, to not take a small to hit penalty due to being intimidated. The best Qualities are the ones that require the player character to do something in order to take effect. The ‘Ruthless’ quality (perhaps attached to certain daggers or a crossbow) might mean that if the player character spends a round eyeing up the target by making the equivalent of a Perception/Observation/Spot check, then the weapon gains other qualities – maybe ‘Brutal’ or ‘Savage’ or both, from above. But only if you make the skill test to spot the gaps in their armour or the patterns in their movement. Qualities and Reach should be about encouraging players to engage with their characters’ weapons and enabling them to do more than just ‘roll to hit’ time after time. They are about putting a fork in the road of the combat, making outcomes less predictable and letting different characters shine in different ways. As with anything, try it out and see how it works at your table.

NPCs in your RPGs come in all shapes, sizes, purposes, abilities, and reasons. It’s near impossible to enumerate all of the facets of an NPC or why they are in the storyline. Despite the Herculean task before me, I’ve done my best to outline what I think are the basic elements of NPCs in your […]

NPCs in your RPGs come in all shapes, sizes, purposes, abilities, and reasons. It’s near impossible to enumerate all of the facets of an NPC or why they are in the storyline. Despite the Herculean task before me, I’ve done my best to outline what I think are the basic elements of NPCs in your games. Purpose: Provide Information (Rumors/Clues) The rumor mill is hot tonight! NPCs can provide information to the PCs. This information can be true or false, somewhere in-between, or a little of both. It can be helpful, sidetracking, direct, or indirect. The NPC might actually know things that can help the party. On the other hand, the NPC might have heard from his cousin’s best friend’s ex-girlfriend’s former roommate that something is going down on Elm Street at night. These kinds of rumors need to be couched as such instead of having them being presented as full truths. The exception to this is if the NPC absolutely believes in the truth of what they are saying. One the point of providing information that sidetracks the PCs, this might fall into the category of a “red herring” depending on how the information is delivered and if the PCs can detect if the NPC is trying to intentionally deflect the party from the main goal or mission. Tread carefully with information that will intentionally throw the party off the main trail, especially if it will take a long time to resolve the sidetracked nature of the information. Purpose: Provide Support Help is just around the corner. NPCs can also be supportive to the party. This could be as simple as a shopkeeper staying open late to allow the PCs to reequip at the last second before delving back into the Forest of Tears as the sun goes down. The support can also be monetary or with aid from other NPCs. Factions go a long way into playing into a support structure for the PCs. NPCs can also provide non-monetary support in the form of favors asked, owed, or due. This could be free henchmen/hirelings, cheap mercenaries, the loan of a powerful item, free/cheap healing potions, or a handy map that will lead them down the safest path through the Forest of Tears to reach the Necromancer’s Citadel in the heart of the forest. Purpose: Provide Inspiration NPCs don’t have to be cheerleaders. Rah! Rah! Rah! You can do it! No. Not that kind of inspiration… kinda. What I’m talking about here is to give the PCs motivation to go forth and be the Big Darn Heroes of the story. This can be a quest giver, a mission handler, a faction leader, or someone else that will put the party on the path to greatness. These don’t always have to be people in positions of power. The lonely orphan on the street begging for loose change so he can pay for a cure disease spell to help out his headmaster can inspire the party to delve into the orphanage to cure the headmaster, and/or find out what dire events are plaguing the orphanage. Purpose: Provide Opposition The NPCs can hurt the PCs, too. NPCs can also oppose the efforts of the party. This is usually in the form of minions, lieutenants, bosses, the BBEG, monsters in the way, and other things that can result in combat. This doesn’t always have to be the case, though. It could be that the old lady in the back of the tavern is the bandit captain’s mother. She might not be proud of her son, but she doesn’t want to see him dead at the tip of a PC’s sword, either. She might misdirect the party or sabotage their equipment while they drink it up or sleep it off. Purpose: Fill in the World Extras are vital as scenery. Lastly, there are more non-important people in the world than important people. At least, this is true of storytelling efforts. Each person is the hero of their own story, but you’re only telling the story of the players’ heroes. If an NPC doesn’t fulfill an important role, they fill the world with their presence. This will make your world, setting, tavern scene, or street movements feel authentic by having people present. They don’t need to be named or detailed or even given descriptions, but they still need to be mentioned as being there. A street devoid of people is an oddity that the PCs might get interested in… even if you don’t want them to. Features: Notable Appearance Details What do they look like? Give each important NPC two or three appearance details. Clothing, facial hair, hair style, jewelry, level of cleanliness, smells, and so on are important to keep your NPCs memorable in the minds of the players and important to the attention of the characters. This is one reason the “affectation” chart in Cyberpunk 2020 is so incredibly potent. I just wish the list were longer, so there would be fewer repeats. The solo with the cybershades and three interface ports on his forehead is more memorable than the rockerboy with a chromed guitar. Though (and this is from one of my CP2020 games from ages ago), a rockerboy in full chromed-out, hardened body armor is certainly memorable, especially while on stage under all those lights. Features: Personality Quirks Pick one unique thing about important NPCs. Give your NPCs a quirk. Maybe they don’t make eye contact, or they make intense eye contact at all times. Maybe they don’t blink much at all. Always smiling is another good trait. Then again, so is never smiling. Popping knuckles is a good one. Maybe the NPC has a phobia or hates the taste of ale or has zero-g sickness. Pick an appropriate quirk for your setting and apply it to your NPC. I recommend only one quirk per NPC, and I only recommend spending your time coming up with that quirk if the named NPC is going to directly interact with the party or intersect with the story arc in some manner. Features: Accents/Speech Patterns Speech patterns are more vital than accent usage. I can’t do accents. Period. Full stop. I don’t even try. If you can pull off accents, go for it! Yay! Though, not everyone is going to have that “odd” accent, so don’t overdo it. You might find yourself using the wrong accent for the wrong NPC or driving the players batty trying to remember which NPC had which accent. I fall back to using speech patterns. Rapid-fire speech. Run-on sentences are good (especially if from the mouths of young children). Fragments getting used all the time. Delayed or hesitant speech. A long, thoughtful pause before answering a question or delving into a conversation. Using lots of contractions… or none at all. Another good one to use is someone saying, “umm” or “errr” or “hrmm” before each paragraph like they’re trying to piece together what they want to say. Applying a stutter to an NPC’s speech pattern will call them out as being memorable as well. As an example, I had a great uncle who would start every affirmative statement with, “Yep, yep, yep.” He would also start every negative statement with, “Nope, nope, nope.” This happened without fault, and I found it quite endearing. My grandfather, however, found it annoying. Regardless of how we perceived my uncle’s speech trait, it was memorable. Features: Goals Everyone needs something. Everyone has goals. Period. Full stop. It could be to turn a coin or make a buck by the end of the day to pay for rent. That’s minor, applies to almost everyone, and is important, but it’s also a goal. The goal could be to conquer the neighboring nation, or as personal as finding their lost cat. Each NPC that impacts the story (meaning just a handful of them) or has an important encounter with the PCs needs to have at least one goal in mind for their interactions. The more important NPCs could have as many as three goals. Yep. Three of them. I learned from the great author, Kevin Ikenberry, that important characters in a story should have a professional, personal, and private goal. Each of those are subtly different and may have some overlap in them. The professional goal is how the NPC is going advance their position in their job, society, faction, or similar arenas. The personal goal is what the NPC holds dear in their heart to cross off their bucket list before the last day comes for them. The private goal is one they attempt to accomplish, but will never tell another soul about. Features: Motivations Why do they need that thing? Each goal must have a motivation attached to it. Just trying to accomplish something is hollow. It doesn’t ring true. There are motivations behind every goal, so when you attach a goal to an NPC, you need to attach a motivation to that goal. Just ruling the world for the sake of ruling the world creates a “mustache-twirling evil person,” and you want something deeper than that to drive your plot, your story, and your PCs into action. Features: Secrets Can you keep a secret? Most people have secrets. Not all of them will impact your party or the story you’re telling. If that’s the case, don’t worry about generating a secret for the NPC. However, if the NPC secretly supports the bandit captain (see the mother example above), then that’s probably going to be kept secret by the NPC. If the secret never comes out in front of the PCs, that’s okay. It doesn’t need to. However, if it doesn’t, then it must drive the NPC’s actions, reactions, goals, and motivations. This indirect influence on the NPC will make the NPC feel more authentic and three-dimensional. Conclusion What did I miss? Are there any other facets of NPCs that you feel are important? Let us know!

Every week, I run a game on Sunday evenings. Currently, I am running Blades in the Dark and Neon City Blues on alternating weeks. Every Sunday afternoon, I start my pre-game so that I am ready for game night. What makes up my pre-game changes depending on the game, where it is being played, etc, but […]

Every week, I run a game on Sunday evenings. Currently, I am running Blades in the Dark and Neon City Blues on alternating weeks. Every Sunday afternoon, I start my pre-game so that I am ready for game night. What makes up my pre-game changes depending on the game, where it is being played, etc, but there is always a pre-game. Let me tell you about it. Getting Ready to Play I try to be very organized in my gaming. Some of it comes from genetics, some from childhood trauma, and a bit comes from my time as a college DJ, where it was impressed upon me that you never have dead air. Never. I try to carry that through to my gaming by making sure everything is prepared. Now in the prep life-cycle, pre-game is the second-to-last step. The first steps involve session and campaign prep. I talk about those a lot in Never Unprepared and with Walt in Odyssey. The last step is mise en place, when you set up your gaming space. Back to pre-game. It is your final chance to get things in order so that you can come to the table ready to play. Things to Consider There are two components to pre-game: mental and physical. The Mental For me, this is the time when I take a final look at my session prep and start loading it into short-term memory The mental part of pre-game is to get your mind ready to run the game. For me, this is the time when I take a final look at my session prep and start loading it into short-term memory. I have prepped the game some time before Sunday, typically at the start of the week, so I don’t always remember every detail of what I came up with. With the game only hours away, it’s now safe to put all the details into my short-term memory. That is accomplished by reading my session prep and imagining how various scenes will look, or how NPCs will sound. Based on this, I may add a few last-minute notes to my prep. I will also use this time to check any notes (mine or the players) on the past session to also refresh myself on what happened at the last session. Finally, this is the time to check any rules that may come up or just browse the rule book to reinforce the mechanics of the game. For newer games, this may be sitting down and re-reading the rules; for games I am more familiar with, it could be just looking up some specific rules, powers, or spells that are going to come up. The Physical On the physical side, this is the time to get the physical components together for the game. Depending on whether your game is at your place or another place, this will vary. If you are playing at your place, this may also be a time to prepare your physical gaming space, cleaning or tidying up. If you are playing online, this is the time to prepare your VTT. Here are several possible activities you may need to do, depending on where your game is played and what game is being played. This list isn’t comprehensive, I am sure you can think of a few more things… Cleaning and preparing the gaming space Deciding what books you will need at the table Gathering minis or making tokens for the encounters planned in the session Getting together maps (physical or digital) for the session Printing handouts Gathering props to be used in the game Packing your gaming materials for transport Uploading assets to your VTT Determining what aids you need for the game (cards, name lists, etc) Charging electronics (tablets, laptops) Making a playlist or loading a soundboard for the session Pro-tip: If you are using any electronics, run updates during your pre-game. Nothing kills the flow of a game like a device that starts to update when you get to the table. During pre-game, check for updates and run them while your devices are charging. My Game Day Rituals For both my games, my session is on Sunday evenings, so my pre-game happens early Sunday afternoon. It is just a few hours before the game, so I have ample time to run through all the items on the list without feeling rushed. For my Blades game, I am running at a friend’s house. So my pre-game looks like this: Read the session notes – load into short-term memory. Optional – re-read parts of the rulebook. Charge my iPad and Apple Pencil. Confirm the sync of my Obsidian database from my desktop to my iPad. Confirm the sync of my OneNote session notes from my desktop to my iPad. Set up session notes pages in my Blades Good Notes notebook, and put a heading and page number on them. Gather my physical materials – Character sheets, rule book, Clock Cards, etc. Pack my game bag. For my Neon City Blues game, my pre-game looks like this: Clear my dining room table. Read the session notes – load into short-term memory. Review the open mysteries. Charge my iPad and Apple Pencil. Confirm the sync of my Obsidian database from my desktop to my iPad. Confirm the sync of my OneNote session notes from my desktop to my iPad. Set up session notes pages in my NCB Good Notes notebook, and put a heading and page number on them. Gather my physical materials – Character sheets, rule book, Clock Cards, etc. Put everything on my rolling cart in the office (it gets rolled out to the dining room table after we eat). Preparing for Success The pre-game is an important step in being prepared to run your session. It gets you organized mentally and physically to come to the table and run a great game. What goes into your pre-game will be a mix of your style, the game you are playing, and where you are playing. Come up with a pre-game (and even make it a checklist if you need to), and you will be prepared to run your session. Also, one last time — run your updates before your session starts! Do you pre-game? When do you do it? What is in your pre-game?

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GC_221_Triffles_final.mp3 Join Ang, Chris and JT as they chat about what to do when your players get fixated on trifling matters that you didn’t intend to matter in the game. Do you make it matter or do you redirect them, and how do you do either of them?!? LINKS: The Streets of Avalon Playtest Viper’s […]

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GC_221_Triffles_final.mp3 Join Ang, Chris and JT as they chat about what to do when your players get fixated on trifling matters that you didn’t intend to matter in the game. Do you make it matter or do you redirect them, and how do you do either of them?!? LINKS: The Streets of Avalon Playtest Viper’s Bane Talons and Tails Reading D&D Aloud

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GC_221_in_person-v-virtual-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Josh and Jared as they talk about the pros and cons of playing virtually online versus playing in person face-to-face. Listen to them talk about what they love about both ways of playing! LINKS: Coyote & Crow Digital Kickstarter CzePeku 2 Minute Tabletop Tom Cartos Afternoon Maps

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GC_221_in_person-v-virtual-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Josh and Jared as they talk about the pros and cons of playing virtually online versus playing in person face-to-face. Listen to them talk about what they love about both ways of playing! LINKS: Coyote & Crow Digital Kickstarter CzePeku 2 Minute Tabletop Tom Cartos Afternoon Maps

Last month, I started a new way to manage the information for my campaigns, and I have been excited about it. Excited enough, that I started doing something that in my 40 years of gaming I have not really done before, that is to have a post-session debrief. It happened by accident, the first time, […]

Last month, I started a new way to manage the information for my campaigns, and I have been excited about it. Excited enough, that I started doing something that in my 40 years of gaming I have not really done before, that is to have a post-session debrief. It happened by accident, the first time, but then I caught on and made it more formal, and now I think I might be on to something. So, let’s talk about it. Disclaimer: I may have just been late to the party… The internet being what it is, I suspect I am not the first person to discover this, but I do think that those of us doing this are in the minority. What is a Post-Session Debrief? First, for the sake of this article, let’s go with PSD (back off Adobe). Ok, the definition… the PSD is where the GM performs a set of activities after a session has been played and before they prep the next session. This activity ideally takes place directly after or shortly after the season. If done too far from the end of the last session, this winds up more like prep. What kind of activities make up a PSD? There are a number of different activities that could occur in this space. Rather than list them individually, I will try to lay out some categories: Knowledge Documentation We know that during the course of a game, a story is generated, and depending on your style of GMing, many campaign elements could be created at the table – such as NPCs, locations, items, etc. In addition, notable events may have occurred during the game that have changed the campaign world. This information needs to be cataloged and stored so that it can be called upon in future sessions. This will often take the form of updating your campaign notes or database. Engaging Inter-Session Mechanics Some games have inter-session mechanics, things that the GM needs to do between sessions. For instance, in Blades in the Dark, the GM is to review the various factions that are in play and advance any clocks. They can do this on their own or make Fortune rolls. The outcomes of these mechanics need to be documented and may be communicated in upcoming sessions. Updating the Session Notes Depending on your style of prep, you may prep more material than you play in a given session. After a session has been played, the actions of the characters may cause changes to your original prep. This is a good time, while the ideas are fresh, to make those changes to your prep for the upcoming session. Reminders for the Next Session During the course of play, the actions of the characters may set into motion future consequences from NPCs or other forces. Rather than forgetting these things, during the PSD, this information can be captured to be included in the upcoming session. What is the function of the PSD? If your campaign notes and inter-session mechanics are updated, then you have less to prep for your next session. There are reasons why the PSD is a valuable activity, rather than pushing these activities into the prep for the next session. First, and most important, everything is still fresh in your mind. You just played the session, and all the details that you did not write down are fresh in your mind, so you can take the time to document them. Second, if you do have inter-session mechanics, doing them in the PSD allows you to ruminate on them before you start the prep for the next session, giving you time to elaborate on them and work them into your next session. Third, it shortens your prep. If your campaign notes and inter-session mechanics are updated, then you have less to prep for your next session. Being deliberate about your PSD In order to get the most out of your PSD, consider creating a checklist of activities to perform. This will make your PSD more efficient and consistent. You can start the list with some simple tasks, such as “document any NPCs created”. Then, after you have a short list, you can try it out, adding on to it as needed. Your checklist will be a function of your information tools, your game, and your GMing style. Some activities will be pervasive between games, and other activities will change due to the type of game you are running. As an example, here is the list of my PSD for my Blades in the Dark campaign: Transfer a PDF copy of my session notes (in GoodNotes) to OneNote. Create Obsidian entries for any new elements (NPCs, Factions, Locations, etc). Fill in a score page if a score was completed this session. Update Faction Statuses from the score (inter-session mechanic) NPC & Faction Downtime (inter-session mechanic) Step 1 is to ensure that my session notes are merged with my prep for the session. I like to have everything for a session in one place, after the game. The bulk of my work during the PSD is step 2, as I create the entries in Obsidian for the things created during the session. These are then the elements I can reference in future prep and future sessions. The last two steps are from the Blades rules, so that I don’t forget to do them. Do you PSD? In the 40 years I have been gaming, I have never done a PSD. I ran my sessions, captured my session notes, and “future Phil” took care of all of that stuff when I would prep the next session. It was fine, I got by with it for a long time, but in the past few weeks, I have noticed how much easier my prep is when my campaign management system is updated, and I have finished my inter-session mechanics before I sit down to prep. Now I am working on creating PSD checklists for all my campaigns. What about you? Do you have a post-campaign debrief? If you do what goes into yours? If you don’t, are you considering it?

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CG_219-Fabula-Ultima-review-Final.mp3 Josh and Chris take over the Gnomecast as Ang is on her Gnomecation. They talk JRPGs and the JRPG TTRPG Fabula Ultima. They played through a session 0 and four four hour sessions. Now they’re here to give you their thoughts and feelings on the game. Links: DIE by Kieran Gillen and Stephanie Hans […]

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CG_219-Fabula-Ultima-review-Final.mp3 Josh and Chris take over the Gnomecast as Ang is on her Gnomecation. They talk JRPGs and the JRPG TTRPG Fabula Ultima. They played through a session 0 and four four hour sessions. Now they’re here to give you their thoughts and feelings on the game. Links: DIE by Kieran Gillen and Stephanie Hans Draw Steel released

Does the word GMPC even mean anything anymore? Let’s find out. Tally Tally is one of my favorite characters ever. He also happens to be an NPC. He was a hobgoblin from a space prison ship my group ran into during session one of a new campaign. They found a crashed part of a prison […]

Does the word GMPC even mean anything anymore? Let’s find out. Tally Tally is one of my favorite characters ever. He also happens to be an NPC. He was a hobgoblin from a space prison ship my group ran into during session one of a new campaign. They found a crashed part of a prison spaceship on their fantasy planet and a bunch of alien prisoners had escaped. These aliens were about to start causing havoc in an attempt to create a way to get back up to the rest of the prison ship where they had started a prison break. Tally was a mercenary before being incarcerated. He wasn’t interested in fighting the party, was happy to be free, but understood he had nothing on this planet. Hearing Tally’s story, one of the player characters decided to hire him as a bodyguard. Tally was part of that party from levels 1 – 11 when we eventually stopped playing that campaign. Now when I say he was part of the party I mean he fought alongside them, saved other party members, put forth ideas and opinions, and was listened to just like anyone else in the group. He also had his own quirks and desires, and eventually became the romantic interest of one of the other player characters via that player’s romantic advances. He was an important and valued member of the group. I didn’t intend him to be that. It just happened through play and the unpredictability of RPGs. I made Tally as an NPC, potentially even one that showed up for one scene and was never heard from again, but in the end he served the same function as what is commonly known as the GMPC. With that experience I thought to try and replicate the end result, which is having an NPC that’s a beloved and functional member of the party. Not a mascot, not a sidekick, but someone who is a true part of the group, and I have. Many times over the last decade. You can even hear a more recent version of it on The Heroes of Hovel’s Way actual play podcast. Sylpharia and Monte would sit in that role in that game. Do we need GMPCs? That’s made me question if the term GMPC has a place anymore. I don’t think it does. The term itself is an oxymoron. Game Master Player Character. I guess you can take both roles at the same time but wouldn’t that just make the GMPC the same thing as an NPC and therefore an unnecessary and meaningless term? I’m also pretty sure the ttrpg internet hivemind believes the GMPC to be the character a Game Master puts into the party to play because they’re not able to get to play as a PC in a game. The worst offenders are the ones whose characters can do anything and everything that the PCs collectively could do, and probably do it better. It’s very much in the vein of the Mary Sue or Marty Stew archetype. The Allied NPC For my money I’d call them allied NPCs or allied GMCs (Game Master Characters) if you prefer. I don’t. I like a classic. The only thing that makes them different from other NPCs is the role they play in the game, which is as a member of the group. These kinds of NPCs can be there from the beginning. They can join up in the middle. They can come and go. They can die. They can become enemies. They can do all the things any other character in the game can do. They just happen to be members of the party and NPC’s. That said, there is a set of best practices to make sure your allied NPCs are actually enjoyed and embraced by the PCs. First – Role Allied NPCs need to fulfill a role in the group that other characters can’t fulfill. I’m not a big niche protection person but in the case of an allied NPC this is hugely important. They can be good at healing if there’s no healer. They can be an excellent hacker if no one is any good at hacking. If someone built a parkour second story styled character, the allied NPC best not be better than that PC. They need to fill a role, not overshadow a role. To make sure you get this right is pretty easy. Just understand what your party needs and what your party has and fill in the gaps. Wanna make it more palatable to the PCs? Have them help you decide what kind of allied NPCs they want to fill in the gaps, either using the game’s rules to build those characters, or just some general questions they can answer, so you can craft the allied NPCs from the adversary rules your game has. Second – Motivation The allied NPC should have their own motivations. This gives them reasons for hanging out with the party other than because they’re the party. To figure out their motivations, answer the following questions as your starting point and then fill in until you believe you understand why the NPC wants what they want, and what they’re willing to do and not do to get it. What are two or three things this NPC wants? What lines are they willing to cross and not willing to cross to get what they want? Why do they want these things and have these lines? Third – Personality Traits Give them a couple of personality traits to help guide how we can present them. You can choose to give them more since people are many faceted, but I’d start with two and let the others come through play. Now when I mention personality traits, I’m thinking things like the allied NPC is dour and aggressive, or silly and curious. I like trying to find ones that could be both good and bad depending on the situation but once you have them, using the information you got from motivations filtered through the personality traits will give your allied NPC a distinct personality and voice. Fourth – Have an Opinion In play the allied NPC needs to have their own opinions. These characters should also have a say in how the group functions. The thing is, that input needs to be from the allied NPCs point of view and not the GMs. That’s the important thing. And it’s doable. But to do it you need to be a little self aware because the problem is, as game masters, we know everything that’s going on in the background. We shouldn’t let that information leak into the allied NPCs’ conversations and actions unless it makes sense. Now by filtering the context of the game at any moment through the motivations and personality traits of the allied NPC, you’ll be having them taking actions, saying things, and having their own opinion in play. With these four ideas we have a pretty good basis for a character that’ll be more than a mascot and have a good chance at fitting into the party. Here’s an example of that: Alice Our allied NPC is Alice. Alice is a healer because I’ve heard the term cleric on a stick so many times, I kind of hate it, and I would like Alice to be more than that. She wants money so she can open up a bar, and serve people food and drinks for the rest of her life. That’s her motivation that pushes her to be an adventurer. Alice won’t commit any illegal acts, especially around her hometown, because that’s where she wants to open the tavern. Now Alice would cross that line if it meant protecting someone she loved, but she’d first look for other solutions. She’s an adventurer because she is willing to risk her life for a way to get money faster to open her tavern instead of working in someone else’s tavern to make the money slowly over many years. Alice’s reason for opening the tavern is that her parents owned the previous tavern in town before it burned down. She loved the place, grew up there, saw how happy it made people, and how much she enjoyed just watching the life of the townsfolk pass through the tavern on a daily basis. The memory of how her parents made the townsfolk lives a little better has stuck with her all this time. Alice doesn’t like defying the law because it was an escaped prisoner who burned down her parents’ tavern and a lawman who saved her from the fire. It gave her a great deal of respect for the profession of law enforcement. In fact, when she sees law enforcement abusing their power it angers her greatly. Alice lost her dad in the fire and her mom was hurt pretty bad. That loss makes it hard for her to think of losing others so she’s willing to go pretty far to keep those she cares about safe. Now we know a lot about Alice: What’s important to her – people she cares about. Things she’s interested in – business, food recipes, drinks and drink recipes. Where her emotional triggers are – how she feels about the law and abuse of it, why loss hits her so hard, and how it can affect her. For personality traits I like sincere and sociable. Tying that to her motivations and the reasons behind them you can fill in some more of her story for yourself if you’d like, but playing her is even easier now. She’s willing to help since she’s a healer, will be a pretty open book as far as her feelings are concerned, and enjoys talking to people. This last bit gives the GM playing Alice a reason to chime in often with how she feels about things and just to be a part of the party’s conversations. Going Deeper? You can go even deeper on this if you want by giving the allied NPC a flaw and a need. This would give you the pieces so they can have a personal story arc, but what we have here is plenty to provide you with a solid foundation to play the character. Let Them Choose Last thing – and probably the biggest hack to this concept. Sometimes the players just won’t like someone, especially if you force the allied NPC on the players. The easiest way I’ve found for this type of NPC to become a member of the party is to let the party choose them. When they do, you can flesh them out as described above, but in the many times I’ve done this, the party choosing the allied NPC to be a part of their group has worked every time. In Summary Ok, the summary, or thing to refer back to in the future: Give the allied NPC a role that fills a role that isn’t filled. Figure out what motivates the allied NPC and why. Give them a couple of personality traits. Make sure they have their own opinions. With those steps you’ll have a way to get allied NPCs into your groups that’ll have some depth, be easier to play, and have a greater chance of being enjoyed by the party. But I want to hear from you. What are your tips for getting NPCs that stick around and are enjoyed by the party? How would you improve this methodology? What do you think about the term GMPC? Is it still relevant? Does it even matter?

All things Indie Games

Here you can learn everything about Little Nightmares 3, Chapter Two, Candy Factory.

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Little Nightmares 3 has just been released, following a lot of hype and anticipation. The... The post Little Nightmares 3 Walkthrough – Candy Factory appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Here you can find some advanced beginner's tips to make your Little Nightmares 3 experiene better.

The post Little Nightmares 3 – 6 Beginner’s Tips appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 has finally been released, and while the reception is mixed for now,... The post Little Nightmares 3 – 6 Beginner’s Tips appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 is the first game in the series to introduce two players and...

The post Little Nightmares 3 – Walkthrough And Guides Hub appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 is the first game in the series to introduce two players and... The post Little Nightmares 3 – Walkthrough And Guides Hub appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In Absolum, you can play as one of the few outcast heroes that serve the...

The post Absolum Walkthrough Hub appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In Absolum, you can play as one of the few outcast heroes that serve the... The post Absolum Walkthrough Hub appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Absolum is a side-scrolling rogue-like game with a beat’em up combat style. Azra sits on...

The post Absolum – Grandery Walkthrough appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Absolum is a side-scrolling rogue-like game with a beat’em up combat style. Azra sits on... The post Absolum – Grandery Walkthrough appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Low and Alone are the two main characters in Little Nightmares 3, so find out here which one is the better choice.

The post Little Nightmares 3 – Low Or Alone: Who Should You Choose? appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 has just recently been released, and so far, most of the reviews... The post Little Nightmares 3 – Low Or Alone: Who Should You Choose? appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Complete walkthrough of Little Nightmares 3, Chapter One, Necropolis.

The post Little Nightmares 3 Walkthrough – Necropolis appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 is finally out after a lot of anticipation. The game, although receiving... The post Little Nightmares 3 Walkthrough – Necropolis appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Welcome to our walkthrough for Bye Sweet Carole. Chapter 4 ends on a haunting note,...

The post Bye Sweet Carole Walkthrough Chapter 5 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Welcome to our walkthrough for Bye Sweet Carole. Chapter 4 ends on a haunting note,... The post Bye Sweet Carole Walkthrough Chapter 5 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

You may have played several games as a child protagonist, but only a handful of...

The post SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato Review appeared first on Into Indie Games.

You may have played several games as a child protagonist, but only a handful of... The post SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato Review appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Little Nightmares 3 is currently the best selling Indie game on Steam.

The post Little Nightmares 3 Becomes Third Best Seller On Steam Ahead Of Release appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Many fans were disappointed when Little Nightmares 3 was delayed last year. However, now, without... The post Little Nightmares 3 Becomes Third Best Seller On Steam Ahead Of Release appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More.

A Reddit user decided to science the heck out of loot RNG

The post <i>Borderlands 4</i> Player Kills 3,000 Bosses To Discover Disappointingly Low Legendary Drop Rate appeared first on Kotaku.

The post <i>Borderlands 4</i> Player Kills 3,000 Bosses To Discover Disappointingly Low Legendary Drop Rate appeared first on Kotaku.

Bose’s TV soundbar and speaker just hit a new all‑time low and it’s not just for Prime members.

The post Just Three Days After Prime Day, Bose Offloads Its TV Soundbar at a New Record Low Price appeared first on Kotaku.

The post Just Three Days After Prime Day, Bose Offloads Its TV Soundbar at a New Record Low Price appeared first on Kotaku.

This week we’re hanging out with vampires, stressed out writers, and jumping back into the new Battlefield

The post <i>Kotaku’</i>s Weekend Guide: 5 Cool Games We Can’t Wait To Get Back To appeared first on Kotaku.

The post <i>Kotaku’</i>s Weekend Guide: 5 Cool Games We Can’t Wait To Get Back To appeared first on Kotaku.

The meta-fiction Disney+ series is a promising self-satire of the MCU

The post Marvel’s <i>Wonder Man</i> Trailer Knows You’re Getting Bored With Superheroes appeared first on Kotaku.

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The publisher is evaluating all the negative feedback from fans

The post Capcom Wobbles On Pay-Per-View <i>Street Fighter 6</i> Livestream After Backlash appeared first on Kotaku.

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Popular streamer CR1TIKAL is urging his viewers to put their money elsewhere

The post One Of The Biggest YouTubers In The World Asks Fans To Stop Paying Him appeared first on Kotaku.

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Though, like, really it could use the most gentle kiss of color

The post Finally, A Gaming Chair I Don’t Have To Be Embarrassed By appeared first on Kotaku.

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What’s more terrifying than hearing 'Chicken Jockey!' as a boxing glove collides with your hoverboard?

The post Oh No, Someone Added Jack Black’s <em>Minecraft</em> Steve To <em>Sonic Racing: Crossworlds</em> appeared first on Kotaku.

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EA's military shooter is already crushing it on Steam even as players face weird errors

The post <i>Battlefield 6</i> Shatters Over 700,000 Concurrents On Steam As Fans Fight Errors And Login Queues appeared first on Kotaku.

The post <i>Battlefield 6</i> Shatters Over 700,000 Concurrents On Steam As Fans Fight Errors And Login Queues appeared first on Kotaku.

For those who can get it to run, it sounds like a pretty good time

The post <i>Borderlands 4</i>, As Told By Steam Reviews appeared first on Kotaku.

The post <i>Borderlands 4</i>, As Told By Steam Reviews appeared first on Kotaku.

Stack our special code with the 82%-off deal and this powerful all-in-one Artificial Intelligence tool will be your creative boost for life.

The post Lifetime Access to All-in-One AI Tool 1minAI Is Nearly 90% Off, and a Coupon Makes It Almost Free appeared first on Kotaku.

The post Lifetime Access to All-in-One AI Tool 1minAI Is Nearly 90% Off, and a Coupon Makes It Almost Free appeared first on Kotaku.

Also: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is killing it and Galactus has no time for corporate cowardice

The post PlayStation Hardware Guru Outlines The Breakthroughs Powering The PS6 appeared first on Kotaku.

The post PlayStation Hardware Guru Outlines The Breakthroughs Powering The PS6 appeared first on Kotaku.

Jared Hess returns to write and direct, but can it match the runaway success of the original?

The post After Making A Billion Bucks, A <i>Minecraft</i> Movie Sequel Arrives In Just Two Years appeared first on Kotaku.

The post After Making A Billion Bucks, A <i>Minecraft</i> Movie Sequel Arrives In Just Two Years appeared first on Kotaku.

The Portland Frog has inspired other protesters to dress up as anthropomorphic animals

The post A Frog Cosplayer Has Become The New Face Of Portland ICE Protests appeared first on Kotaku.

The post A Frog Cosplayer Has Become The New Face Of Portland ICE Protests appeared first on Kotaku.

Get a smartphone the fraction of the size of an iPhone for a fraction of the price, on sale at StackSocial.

The post Apple Doesn’t Have a Smartphone This Tiny and Cheap, Even $100 Still Gets You Change Back appeared first on Kotaku.

The post Apple Doesn’t Have a Smartphone This Tiny and Cheap, Even $100 Still Gets You Change Back appeared first on Kotaku.

Following Prime Big Deals Days, you can save 38% on the Logitech Brio 101 Full HD webcam.

The post This Logitech Webcam Works With Switch 2 and Is Practically Free Compared to Nintendo’s appeared first on Kotaku.

The post This Logitech Webcam Works With Switch 2 and Is Practically Free Compared to Nintendo’s appeared first on Kotaku.

Legacy of the Dark Knight pulls from a lot of Batman history, but none more so than Rocksteady’s action games

The post Hands-On With The New <em>Lego Batman</em>: This Feels Like The <em>Arkham</em> Game Everyone’s Been Missing appeared first on Kotaku.

The post Hands-On With The New <em>Lego Batman</em>: This Feels Like The <em>Arkham</em> Game Everyone’s Been Missing appeared first on Kotaku.

The 10-core Intel i5 processor, huge RAM and storage, preloaded Windows 11 Pro, and free accessories package are impressive deal sweeteners.

The post This 5-Star Dell Laptop Bundle (64GB RAM, 2TB SSD) Sees 72% Cut, From Above MacBook Pricing to Practically a Steal appeared first on Kotaku.

The post This 5-Star Dell Laptop Bundle (64GB RAM, 2TB SSD) Sees 72% Cut, From Above MacBook Pricing to Practically a Steal appeared first on Kotaku.

Nearly 100 current and former staff have signed an open letter calling for change

The post <i>MindsEye</i> Devs Blast Former <i>GTA</i> Producer And Studio Leadership Over Forced Crunch And Botched Layoffs appeared first on Kotaku.

The post <i>MindsEye</i> Devs Blast Former <i>GTA</i> Producer And Studio Leadership Over Forced Crunch And Botched Layoffs appeared first on Kotaku.

Save 29% on the Intel-powered GMKtec Mini PC over at Amazon for a limited time.

The post This Intel N150 Mini PC Is Nearly 4x Cheaper Than Mac Mini, Still at Record Low Post-Prime Day appeared first on Kotaku.

The post This Intel N150 Mini PC Is Nearly 4x Cheaper Than Mac Mini, Still at Record Low Post-Prime Day appeared first on Kotaku.

AMD TechTalk provides insight on data center to edge innovation that helps IT managers optimize today's deployments and tomorrow's infrastructure planning. Hosted by AMD's director of server competitive marketing, Jim Greene, and featuring leading technologists from AMD and the industry, AMD TechTalk features discussion on servers, cloud computing, AI, HPC and more.

Join AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene, Director of EPYC Product Marketing, in conversation with Varun Chhabra, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Dell Technologies. Varun shares how Dell and AMD are working together to help enterprises adopt AI while managing real-world constraints around cost, power, and space. From consolidating infrastructure with Dell PowerEdge servers powered by 5th Gen AMD EPYC processors to scaling GPU-heavy workloads with AMD Instinct accelerators, this discussion explores how balanced architectures, open ecosystems, and joint innovation are shaping the next generation of AI data centers.

Join host TechTalk host Jim Greene, Director, EPYC Product Marketing in a conversation with Gina Rosenthal, Principal at Digital Sunshine Solutions, as she discusses the ever-evolving IT landscape. With over 20 years of experience, Gina shares insights into managing the challenges of IT inflation, the adoption of new technologies like AI and virtualization, and how businesses are navigating the rapidly changing digital economy. Tune in as we explore the impact of automation, data center hygiene, and the role of infrastructure in supporting innovation.

Join TechTalk host Jim Greene, Director, EPYC Product Marketing, in conversation with Necole Lin, Product Marketing and Development Manager at ASRock Rack, as she discusses the company's role in the server industry and how its solutions are shaping the future of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Necole explores trends in cloud, hybrid infrastructures, and AI adoption, as well as ASRock Rack’s innovative approach to energy-efficient, scalable, and affordable server solutions.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene, Director, EPYC Product Marketing, chats with Jon Stevens, CEO of Hot Aisle about his journey from pioneering large-scale Ethereum mining to founding Hot Aisle, a company focused on democratizing enterprise compute power. Discover how Jon's vision is reshaping the data center space, his insights on AMD's role in AI innovation, and the future of scalable infrastructure

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Piotr Weglicki, Global Telco Lead in AMD’s Server Business Unit, about the biggest telecom trends at MWC 2025—from AI-driven infrastructure to energy-efficient compute.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Carrie Wang, data center lead at Giga Computing, about the evolving demands of AI infrastructure, the future of data center cooling, and how Giga Computing and AMD are collaborating to drive data center computing innovation.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Arun Nandi, Head of Data and Analytics at Unilever, about the rise of AI tokens, the impact of DeepSeek, and how tokenization is reshaping enterprise AI adoption.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene sits down with Elio Van Puyvelde, founder and CEO of ElioVP, to discuss how deep hardware optimization can enhance AI performance, improve efficiency, and reduce power consumption. They discuss the evolution from GPU overclocking to AI workload tuning, the challenges of AI infrastructure, and the future of AI model efficiency.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Madhura Maskasky, Co-Founder & VP of Product at Platform9, about the future of private cloud, seamless VMware migrations, and optimizing AI-ready infrastructure.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Arun Nandi, Head of Data and Analytics at Unilever, about how AI and Gen AI are driving smarter decision-making, optimizing sustainability, and creating real business impact across Unilever’s global operations.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Neeraj Kumar, Chief Data Scientist at PNNL, about how AI is accelerating discovery across scientific research, energy efficiency, and healthcare.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Iddo Kadim, Field CTO at NeuReality, about the rapid evolution of AI, the future of enterprise deployment, and the infrastructure changes driving innovation.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Todd Koelling, Senior Director of Product and Solutions Marketing at Synopsys about how AI is reshaping the semiconductor industry and how the partnership between AMD and Synopsys led to the fastest ramping product in AMD history.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Steen Graham, founder of Metrum AI, to explore the evolving world of AI infrastructure, testing, and enterprise solutions.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Mahdi Ghodsi, Director of Engineering at Aupera Technologies about how edge AI is transforming video processing across industries like retail, security, and smart cities.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Eric Herzog, CMO of Infinidat about how it leverages cutting-edge technology to revolutionize enterprise storage, AI, and cybersecurity.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Linda Yang, the Senior Solution Manager at Supermicro about the transformative impact of AI on computing infrastructure and the sustainable innovative solutions Supermicro is providing to meet these demands.

TechTalk Host Jim Greene chats with Meena Arunachalam, AMD's AI Systems Engineering Director and Fellow, about how RAG is paving a simpler path to AI adoption in the enterprise and delivering capability to ensure an enterprise-class reliability to AI solutions.

Tech Talk host Jim Greene chats with Alan Czeszynski, VP of Product at BeeKeeperAI, about how BeeKeeperAI's EscrowAI platform enables secure collaboration between algorithm developers and data stewards, preserving data privacy and intellectual property. Jim and Alan explore the technology, its applications across industries, and the future of AI and data security.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Robert Daigle, Director of Global AI Business at Lenovo about how AI is evolving in the enterprise, challenges organizations are currently facing to deploy AI solutions, gaps in sustainable infrastructure solutions, and how Lenovo is positioning itself to help customers deploy technology right sized for responsible delivery of AI at scale.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Oii co-founder and CEO, Bob Rogers, about how his organization is tapping AI to bring new levels of insight and control to supply chains, and how infrastructure optimization is critical to fully unleash the potential of Oii solutions.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with the VP of Sales and Alliances at RadiusAI, Robert Hubbard, about how they're transforming the retail checkout game with AMD EPYC CPUs. With AI-assisted checkout, RadiusAI is lowering shrink and food waste, and increasing employee retention and customer satisfaction.

AMD TechTalk host talks with Oracle's VP of Mission-Critical Database Product Management, Ashish Ray, about how his organization is shaping the future of enterprise data management and how Oracle is tapping AMD EPYC processors to deliver the performance required by enterprise customers.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Chaos' Director of Media and Entertainment and Strategic Products, Albena Ivanova about how her company is disrupting the world of media and entertainment with new software capabilities that tap AMD EPYC performance.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Geico's Rebecca Weekly about how her organization tackles compute innovation to serve corporate requirements and customer needs and how AI's advancement represents new opportunity for IT innovation

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with GigaIO CEO Alan Benjamin about his company's unique take on delivering SUPERNODE, a scalable platform alternative that fast tracks company deployment of AI workloads.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with IronYun's Paul Sun about how his company is infusing AI into analytics solutions that yield breakthrough results for customers and how the IronYun team has worked with AMD to deliver improved performance and efficiency for customer deployments.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Ateme's Director of Technology and Standards, Jan Outters, about how the company is transforming media delivery with AI infused encoding innovation.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Altair's Fatma Kocer-Poyraz about how her company is driving unique engineering solutions to market by tapping the confluence of AI and data science.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with Ansys's Wim Slagter about how his company is tapping AI to improve simulation and comments on the deep collaboration between Ansys and AMD in driving the highest performance solutions to customers.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene sits down with Cadence's Dan Lee to discuss the Spectre simulation suite and how the company is helping to advance silicon design with the help of AMD EPYC processor performance.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with AMD's Server Solutions Group CVP Ravishankar Kuppuswamy about changing computing requirements in the AI era and how AMD EPYC processors will deliver core capabilities to customers as they implement generative AI models.

AMD Tech Talk host Jim Greene chat's with Hexagon's Vicky Tsianika about the company's multi-physics and fluid dynamics solutions, how these markets are being re-shaped by AI, and how Hexagon has tapped AMD EPYC processors to fuel improved performance for their customers.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with security expert Sally Eaves on the latest requirements for data center security in the AI era and how a hardware root of trust is becoming even more important for trusted environments.

AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene chats with IT veteran Ramki Balasubramanian about challenges facing IT professionals with today's workloads and how his organization approaches infrastructure modernization including use of AMD EPYC processors.

TechTalk host Jim Greene chat's with Clarify 360 analyst Jo Peterson on her view of the state of data center security, new opportunities and threats posed by AI, and how a hardware root of trust can help data center managers best protect their organizations.

AMD Tech Talk host Jim Greene chats with Cloudflare VP Rebecca Weekly about her organization's challenges in delivering to customer demands at the edge, where industry innovation is headed to deliver the performance required to fuel AI workloads, and how her company has tapped AMD EPYC processors to fuel innovation.

AMD Tech Talk host Jim Greene chats with Charles Luzzato, SIMULIA Industrial Equipment Industry Process Director, at Dassault Systèmes about how SIMULIA taps data to improve data center performance and efficiency, and how AMD EPYC processors deliver a performance foundation for SIMULIA deployments.

AMD Tech Talk host Dylan Larson sits down with tech guru Jason Collier to chat about the realities of managing virtualized environments and how AMD EPYC platforms can help IT managers drive innovation into the enterprise.

In this episode, TechTalk host Dylan Larson chats with Lynn Comp, AMD Vice President of Server Technology Marketing, about the unique opportunity new infrastructure represents in freeing IT resources for innovation.

TechTalk host sits down with the TechArena's Allyson Klein to discuss performance characteristics of multi-cloud environments and infrastructure evolution with the shift to distributed computing environments across cloud and edge.

AMD TechTalk host Dylan Larson chat's with CTO Advisor Keith Townsend on the hidden costs of IT inaction in modernizing data center infrastructure and what can be done to spur innovation.

In this episode AMD TechTalk host Dylan Larson chats with AMD's Server System Architect Mahesh Wagh about disruptive innovation coming to server platforms and how technologies like CXL will create new opportunity for memory capacity scaling and system design flexibility. Learn more at www.amd.com

Join AMD TechTalk host Jim Greene, Director of EPYC Product Marketing, in conversation with Rohit Badlaney, General Manager of IBM Cloud Product and Industry Platform Group. Rohit shares how IBM Cloud is advancing enterprise transformation with a hybrid-by-design approach and the integration of AI at scale. From meeting security and compliance requirements in regulated industries to expanding AI infrastructure in partnership with AMD, this discussion highlights how enterprises can balance flexibility, performance, and trust in today’s hybrid multi-cloud era.

Video Game Reviews, Features, and Gaming News

Headup and developer Sonorode have officially announced a new publishing partnership for Warding Witches, an upcoming witch-themed shoot ’em up set to launch in 2026. The game blends classic bullet hell action with a unique magical twist, giving players powerful defensive spells instead of traditional bombs, all wrapped in a pixel-perfect fantasy aesthetic and an […]

room6 and developer 72studios have officially launched the sci-fi adventure game BatteryNote today on Steam, inviting players to explore a quiet, melancholic world filled with broken robots and difficult choices. To celebrate the release, the game is available at a 10% discount until October 24, with an additional 10% off when purchasing the game + […]

Greenheart Games is finally opening the doors to its long-awaited fantasy business sim, Tavern Keeper, which will launch on Steam Early Access on November 3rd, 2025. After more than 11 years in development, the studio behind Game Dev Tycoon is ready to serve up a mix of humor, management, and creativity in a cozy fantasy […]

Koei Tecmo and legendary producer Kou Shibusawa have announced Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle, a massive tactical strategy experience launching January 29, 2026, on PC via Steam. The release marks the 40th anniversary of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, one of Koei Tecmo’s most iconic franchises. […]

Get ready to roll for your life literally. Yogscast Games and developer Goodview Games have officially launched Dicealot, a medieval-themed roguelike dice-building battler that’s out now on Steam. Featuring Arthurian legends, comedic flair, and high-stakes Farkle mechanics, Dicealot challenges players to outwit the Knights of the Round Table through risk-versus-reward combat where every roll can […]

An ordinary office worker’s mundane routine takes a wild turn in Life Slash Death (LSD), the upcoming action RPG from indie studio Two Horn Unicorn. The team has released a brand-new gameplay trailer alongside a free playable demo on Steam, offering players a first look at its bizarre blend of fantasy and office-life satire. An […]

I’ve got something of a storied history around here with Bubsy. I’ve never been especially impressed by the sarcastic bobcat’s gaming outings, but the trailer for Bubsy 4D had me intrigued enough to check out this demo for a preview. To my own surprise, I think there’s actually a good deal of potential in this […]

System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital are taking players back to the Astroneer universe in Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, a new co-op space adventure launching in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Unveiled during the first Starseeker Direct, the broadcast showcased extended gameplay and fresh details about the chaotic, cooperative […]

Swedish studio Modoyo has announced the first global playtest for Heart Electric, an adrenaline-fueled hero shooter powered by Unreal Engine 5 and the developer’s proprietary SnapNet technology. Running from October 24 to 26, the playtest gives players their first hands-on experience with the game’s inventive “Magnetic Flux” system. This ability lets combatants manipulate metal, soar […]

Noodle Cat Games has released a brand-new playable demo for Cloudheim, its upcoming physics-driven co-op action-RPG. Available now on Steam, the demo offers a deep look at the game’s creative combat, wacky emergent physics, and cooperative dungeon crawling ahead of its Early Access release later this year. Soar Into the Odin Shell and Discover Arcadia […]

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Eurogamer - "Battlefield 6 delivers a thrilling multiplayer reset and decent, if derivative single-player. But shows nagging doubts about what makes Battlefield special."

NoobFeed author Mahi writes: ASKA doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it adds enough twists to stand apart from the copy-and-paste survival gimmick you see these days. The blend of survival and management, along with Norse myth, creates a loop that you enjoy despite the flaws that come with the game. Sand Sailor Studio's ambition shines through, but I hope they've taken notes on what they can do better.

Absolum Review: Guard Crush, Supamonks, and Dotemus roguelite game with combat, strategic progression, and why it keeps pulling you back in.

Square Enix has announced multiple classic Final Fantasy titles will receive physical releases this December;including Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX.

The Epic Games Store has two more freebies for you this week.

Sony is trimming a few PS4 features in 2026, like Tournaments and Teams, and slowing PS Plus adds. Your library, downloads, and most multiplayer still work, with clear dates and simple steps to stay ready.

DIYers developers can adapt the design with different sensors, optics, or displays to create custom VR hardware.

To celebrate the occasion, theyre adding some community requested features to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in a brand-new Anniversary Update. The Anniversary Update will be available on October 10 on Xbox Series X|S, PC and PlayStation 5.

Virgil, design director for ARC Raiders, writes: "Previously, the question of how we will handle resets or wipes has come up. Until now, the answer has been that currently we do not intend to do mandatory wipes. These words were chosen carefully, as we dont intend to have mandatory wipes. However, as some have guessed, we do have a voluntary reset mechanic. Just to make it clear, we absolutely see the benefits a global wipe provides. Veteran players can experience the game fresh, the economy is reset to the baseline, and all players have about the same level of capabilities. At least for a little while."

Joel writes: "The most caked-up gacha game that doesnt have a secret x-rated version, Goddess of Victory: Nikke, is almost three years old. Developed by Shift Up, its the studios second gacha game after Destiny Child, and carries on the studios roots. You might know Shift Up better from Stellar Blade, which is also equally excited about human anatomy. Set to air on October 25, 19:00 (UTC+9), or for regular shmoes, 2:30 am PT/5:30 am ET/11:30 am CET. So get the coffee on, I guess."

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The post The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Related Stories for “The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S” Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 Category: Games Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster The post The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 10, 2025 Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Coralie Feniello, Producer, Supermassive Games The Little Nightmares series has become a dark delight for horror fans around the world, drawing millions of minds into the perilous grasp of the Nowhere. Today, the newest game in the series, Little Nightmares III, arrives for Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. And for the first time, you’ll be able face your childhood fears with a friend thanks to the online co-op feature. Low and Alone You’ll play as Low and Alone, two children trapped in a world they’re desperate to escape. They know each other so well, they can practically communicate without words. They’ve discovered a way to travel through certain mirrors that send them to different areas, but each one is far apart and there’s no going back once they’ve tumbled out. To help you find your way through the horrors of Little Nightmares III, here’s a quick guide to the locations you’ll explore as Low and Alone make their way deeper into the Spiral – a cluster of disturbing places – in your search for a way out of the Nowhere. The Necropolis A massive, ancient city in the middle of a windswept desert, the Necropolis used to be home to the Dwellers. Now, it seems that nothing remains of them except ruins and a few strange statues scattered about. Here, you’ll find feather umbrellas that will allow Low and Alone to ride the updrafts that turn the remaining windmills that power the city. Hidden among the clay urns and complex machinery are the hives of Beetles, enormous insect threats that must be shot down by Low’s arrows and crushed with Alone’s wrench. The Necropolis is a massive playground for Monster Baby; you’ll need to stay out of her eager clutches or you’ll both become her little toys… The Candy Factory This smoking behemoth of a factory is the domain of the Supervisor, who oversees production of an endless supply of sticky, sickly sweets. From her nest of surveillance monitors, she watches over the endless maze of machines, ready to snatch any interlopers who would dare to put grit in the gears. In the bowels of the facility where her cameras don’t reach, hordes of parasitic Candy Weevils have massed to feed on the remains of old stock. In spite of their name, they’re not picky and they’ll swarm anything that gets in their way, so you’ll need to find ways to use light to keep them at bay. The production line is manned by the Herds, barely sentient workers who think only of their next vacation. They’re too bored witless to notice that there’s a special ingredient in every hunk of sugary delusion that comes off the conveyor belt. The Vault of Curiosity This sprawling museum seems to be a collection of trinkets and history from all across the Nowhere. Its original curators have vanished without a trace, with no lights remaining, leaving only a simple flashlight to guide your way through the dust and spiderwebs. Here you’ll see some familiar faces if you’ve survived other games in the series. A small collection of Nomes now inhabit the nooks and crannies of the Vault. If they know who made this place, they aren’t talking. You can explore other mysteries about the Nowhere here, if you can solve the strange puzzles that lock parts of the museum away from visitors. Perhaps this was once a sideshow attraction, now left to rot by the restless audience of… The Carnevale All the fun and frivolity the Spiral can afford is here on the rainy boardwalks of the Carnevale. This creaking, clattering collection of carnival rides and games is host to those members of the Herd to have survived to reach their day off from the Factory. Sadly for them, it’s not all fun and games. With their senses distracted by the flickering lights and sugary snacks, no one notices when their members are ruthlessly culled by all manners of midway mishaps and dragged off to a sinister end. Low and Alone will have to avoid these hapless rubes as well as the malicious Puppets who run the stalls along the main thoroughfare. Those tiny terrors don’t appreciate anyone who distracts their marks, and they’re not afraid to give any interlopers the old heave-ho. All of these wooden carnies work alongside the Kin, the ringmaster of the show. Both the main attraction and its true beneficiary, the Kin lives through his audience. He captures Low and Alone to add to his array of freaks, and they’ll have to work together to avoid dying on the stage. The Institute At the heart of the Spiral, there is a distortion. An unreal reality that lives crouched in the depths of the jungle. When Low and Alone arrive there, it is an old, decrepit and abandoned institute. This place is like a well-known face seen through a dark mirror – only barely recognizable. The jungle has wound its way into the veins of the facility: beautiful and deadly carnivorous flowers lurk among the invading foliage, waiting to snap their tendrils around any tender neck that wanders by. The original staff of the hospital aren’t going to succumb without a fight, though. Attentive Nurses still occupy the more intact portions of the campus, still waiting for someone to treat. A greater menace lurks somewhere even deeper within the dank passageways. But to learn more, you’ll need to survive the experience for yourself. Play The Nightmare Today This is only the start of your adventures together in the Nowhere. If Little Nightmares III is your first time visiting, don’t worry: each story stands alone, so you can play in any order. If you are missing a friend to join you in online co-op, you can pick your favorite character and your partner will play using artificial intelligence, or you can join the official Little Nightmares Discord to find a buddy to play with! If you still aren’t convinced, try the free Necropolis Demo today. We’re certain once you lose yourself in this world, you’ll never want to wake up. Little Nightmares III is available today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. You can tell yourself you won’t be afraid, but we know the truth. Little Nightmares III Deluxe Edition Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. ☆☆☆☆☆ 49 ★★★★★ $59.99 Get it now Expand your eerie journey in The Spiral with the Deluxe Edition of Little Nightmares III! With this Edition, you will get access to the Secrets of The Spiral (Expansion Pass) and The Residents Costume Set. SECRETS OF THE SPIRAL – EXPANSION PASS: – 2 additional chapters to play – delve deeper into the eerie lands of The Spiral. These additional tales enrich the experience and let you uncover hidden secrets, new perspectives, and unexpected horrors. – Ferryman Costumes Set – exclusive to the Expansion Pass. A mysterious figure familiar to all children in The Nowhere. This costume set is suited for both characters Low and Alone. THE RESIDENTS COSTUMES SET: Conceal your identity in The Nowhere and embrace your dark side by wearing the costumes of some of The Residents of the two previous games: The Janitor, The Twin-Chefs, The Lady, The Hunter. Each costume goes in a set of two, suited for both characters Low and Alone. Prepare to enter a world where fear wears many faces. Two young friends, lost in a frightening world not made for children. If they cannot find a way out of this Nowhere place, they’ll be condemned to a fate worse than death. FACE YOUR CHILDHOOD FEARS TOGETHER You play as Low and Alone, best friends ever since they found each other in this lonely nightmare. They each possess their own iconic item: a bow for Low and a wrench for Alone. Working together, they’ve become adept at sneaking through hidden passages, hoisting each other over massive obstacles, and watching each other’s backs. Whether you’re playing with a friend or an A.I. companion, you’ll depend on each other's iconic items to create opportunities and to progress. The environment is full of clues and possibilities for imaginative children to exploit. Low’s arrows can reach high targets, cut through ropes, or down flying enemies, and Alone’s wrench is just the thing for crushing stunned enemies, smashing through barriers, or manipulating the workings of massive machines. EMBARK ON AN IMMERSIVE AND DISTURBING ADVENTURE No matter where you go, the Nowhere is home to horrific monsters. These Residents won't hesitate to go out of their way to capture any intrusive little Visitors that draw their attention. You might find yourself playing a terrifying game of hide and seek with Monster Baby in the sandy ruins of the Necropolis, struggling to avoid swarms of voracious Candy Weevils in an unsetling Candy Factory, or dodging heavy feet while running along the rain-soaked promenade of a filthy funfair. You'll need to be ready to run, hide, or even defend yourself at a moment's notice to stay in one piece. SINK INTO THE SPIRAL Don’t be too distracted by the desolate beauty of the Nowhere. There are dark mysteries waiting for you as Low and Alone follow their mirror path across the Spiral. As each new location will become more dangerous and disturbing than the last, traumatic flashes from the past will begin to emerge. Will Low and Alone finally escape from this unending nightmare? Only you can help them, little ones… Little Nightmares III Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. ☆☆☆☆☆ 48 ★★★★★ $39.99 Get it now Two young friends, lost in a frightening world not made for children. If they cannot find a way out of this Nowhere place, they’ll be condemned to a fate worse than death. FACE YOUR CHILDHOOD FEARS TOGETHER You play as Low and Alone, best friends ever since they found each other in this lonely nightmare. They each possess their own iconic item: a bow for Low and a wrench for Alone. Working together, they’ve become adept at sneaking through hidden passages, hoisting each other over massive obstacles, and watching each other’s backs. Whether you’re playing with a friend or an A.I. companion, you’ll depend on each other's iconic items to create opportunities and to progress. The environment is full of clues and possibilities for imaginative children to exploit. Low’s arrows can reach high targets, cut through ropes, or down flying enemies, and Alone’s wrench is just the thing for crushing stunned enemies, smashing through barriers, or manipulating the workings of massive machines. EMBARK ON AN IMMERSIVE AND DISTURBING ADVENTURE No matter where you go, the Nowhere is home to horrific monsters. These Residents won't hesitate to go out of their way to capture any intrusive little Visitors that draw their attention. You might find yourself playing a terrifying game of hide and seek with Monster Baby in the sandy ruins of the Necropolis, struggling to avoid swarms of voracious Candy Weevils in an unsetling Candy Factory, or dodging heavy feet while running along the rain-soaked promenade of a filthy funfair. You'll need to be ready to run, hide, or even defend yourself at a moment's notice to stay in one piece. SINK INTO THE SPIRAL Don’t be too distracted by the desolate beauty of the Nowhere. There are dark mysteries waiting for you as Low and Alone follow their mirror path across the Spiral. As each new location will become more dangerous and disturbing than the last, traumatic flashes from the past will begin to emerge. Will Low and Alone finally escape from this unending nightmare? Only you can help them, little ones… Related Stories for “Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 Category: Games Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster The post Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Next Week on Xbox October 10, 2025 Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 Will Fulton, Xbox Wire Editor Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in! Keeper Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Keeper – October 17 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words. On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding. NASCAR 25 iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $59.99 Pre-order NASCAR 25 – October 14 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S With a physics model tuned by the experts, and based on real world feedback from actual NASCAR drivers and race teams, you’ll be immersed in the sights and sounds of race day like never before. From Quick Race, Championship, Multiplayer, or Career, the combinations of tracks, cars, and experiences will keep you coming back for more. Work your way from your backyard shop in ARCA Menards series all the way through a multi-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion in Career Mode and show the world what you’re made of. It’s the NASCAR game you’ve been waiting and asking for! Welcome to NASCAR 25! Pre-Order and receive 5,000 Career Bonus Dollars, 3 Cover Driver Paint Schemes, and 500 Career Rep Points. BALL x PIT Devolver Digital ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Ball x Pit – October 15 Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Ball x Pit is a fast-paced fantasy roguelite where heroes must find the balls to plunge deeper into a seemingly bottomless pit of monsters. Develop arcane ammunition and resources in pursuit of treasure, recruiting additional heroes to aid you in your perilous quest. Ember Knights : Heroes of the Nexus Edition Twin Sails Interactive ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S In this fast-paced action rogue-lite, play as Ember Knights, the last spark of hope of a universe in turmoil. Praxis, the mad sorcerer, has syphoned the life out of the Ember Tree and fled through the Prime Worlds spreading corruption in his path. In solo or co-op (up to 4 players), use powerful weapons and skills to hack and slash deadly hordes, defeat epic bosses, free the decaying Prime Worlds and restore energy to the Ember Tree! Decision: Red Daze Nordcurrent Labs ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Decision: Red Daze – October 14 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S The Dust Bowl, once a “thriving” society of corrupt politicians, rich property barons and everyday people who work for them “100% willingly,” has been overtaken by a mysterious phenomenon only known by survivors as the Red Daze. As the illness takes hold of the survivors and turns them into crazed and EXTREMELY dangerous mutated creatures, the world’s governments are running around like headless chickens. It falls to the few who remain to fend off the monsters in hopes of finding a way to eradicate the Red Daze once and for all. Paint Path (Xbox Series) Afil Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Paint Path – October 14 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S In Paint Path, every step is a brushstroke. This pixel-art puzzle puts you in control of a walking canvas that must cross hexagonal maps to reach the right painters. The atmosphere is charming and relaxing, with sound design tied to each painting action, creating a cozy and artistic experience. Captain Tideborne and the Siren's Call Synnergy Circle Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Captain Tideborne and the Siren’s Call – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery In this retro-inspired 2D platformer with pixel art charm, you’ll join Melissa Tideborne—a bold pirate chasing a childhood memory and the mystery of mermaids. Explore a sunken dungeon filled with deadly traps, lurking creatures and hidden treasures. Your stamina is always draining—every step, swim and second counts. Will Melissa find the mermaid at the end of the dungeon, or will the siren’s call become her last lullaby? DETECTIVE – The Test JanduSoft ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $9.69 $7.75 Pre-order Detective – The Test – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Do you have what it takes to be a great detective? In Detective – The Test, you will face three intriguing cases where only your observation skills and logical thinking will lead you to the truth. Explore crime scenes, analyze the connections between the people involved, and answer key questions: Who is the victim? Who is the culprit? When did the crime take place? There are no easy clues or shortcuts, only you and your deduction skills. Take notes, connect the dots, and uncover the truth in three distinct locations. Kotenok Eastasiasoft Limited ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Kotenok – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Pounce with precision as a pixel art kitty in retro platforming style! Play as a lost kitten in a dangerous forest! Master tight platforming controls, sprint, pounce, and double-jump through 50 tricky stages filled with spikes, enemies, and clever puzzles. Explore vibrant pixel-art worlds, bounce on mushrooms, outsmart foes, and hunt for hidden collectibles. Can you guide this frisky feline home? A charming love letter to classic platformers! One Military Camp Abylight Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now One Military Camp – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S An evil maniac has conquered all territories in the region, except one. The world’s last hope resides in an old military camp located in this peaceful land. Bring it back to its former glory, to recruit and train a brave group of fighters to push back the evil forces. Face the challenge of building a military camp, keeping an eye on the resources and logistics. Place the buildings efficiently, hire the staff that will keep everything running and set up the training courses. Build defenses, because the enemy will send spies and drones to try to sabotage your camp. Rabbiman Adventures Israchem LTD ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Rabbiman Adventures – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Ready for a true adventure? Imagine you’re traveling through time and space, where there’s always something new and amazing waiting for you. There are colorful locations, hidden routes, devious villains, magical items, and exciting puzzles to solve at each level. Your wits and ingenuity will be your best allies in unravelling the mysteries of this magical world and reaching the end. STARBITES IKINAGAMES ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Starbites – October 15 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Starbites is a story-driven RPG where you meet various companions and strengthen your partner mecha while adventuring on the devastated planet Bitter in the aftermath of the space war. You will become the debris collector Lukida in Delight City, collecting spaceship parts and relics, and embark on an adventure with the laid-back and kind drinker Gwen-Dol and the calm engineer Badger, who supports the Lukida and Gwen-Dol duo. Will Lukida reach the truth at the end of the universe? Blood West New Blood Interactive ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Blood West – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere Weird West legends meet eldritch horror in Blood West, an immersive stealth FPS. Become the Undead Gunslinger, doomed to roam the barren lands until he manages to purge their curse, freeing his soul. 3 varied scenarios, perk-based character progression, and 20+ hours of gameplay await you! Bumblebee – Spooky Nights EpiXR Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $11.99 Pre-order Bumblebee – Spooky Nights – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X On your quest to find a beautiful new home you will discover distant places, friendly animals, and amazing and dangerous habitats. You are a tiny bee in a giant environment and move continuously forward. You are free to fly wherever you want and explore the level to your heart’s desire. After you have played around a little and enjoyed the sensation of flying, you start to discover the nearby areas and hidden secrets. The Cabin Factory Feardemic ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now The Cabin Factory – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Welcome to The Cabin Factory! You’re now a newly hired Cabin Inspector – congratulations! Your job is simple: inspect the cabins and determine whether or not they are haunted. Step into the anomaly-hunting experience, inspired by liminal spaces and psychological horror walking simulators, Cookie’s Trails (Xbox Series) Afil Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Cookie’s Trails – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Cookie’s Trails is a cozy tactical puzzle set in a post-apocalyptic world with a sweet twist. The player guides a friendly hamster survivor through zombie-filled trails, collecting baseball bats and medical kits to safely reach the camp. Combining strategy, charm, and a unique atmosphere, Cookie’s Trails is the perfect choice for fans of challenging and personality-filled puzzles. Deathless. The Hero Quest Fulqrum Publishing Ltd. ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Deathless: The Hero Quest – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S In Deathless, elements of a collectible card game, roguelike, and turn-based strategy combine seamlessly. Build a unique deck of cards, discover unusual relics, and defeat legendary bosses. Embark on the journey of each of the four heroes, unravel a web of intrigue, and protect the beautiful world of Belosvet. The Elf on the Shelf®: Christmas Heroes Outright Games Ltd. ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $39.99 Pre-order The Elf on the Shelf: Christmas Heroes – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Do you believe in Christmas magic? You’ll need every bit to help Santa save Christmas! Dash, swing, and leap through training to become an “official Scout Elf!” Pick your most festive outfit and spread cheer as you explore every room, dodge obstacles, and add sparkle to each corner of the home. This season, pledge to make things merry and bright. Are you ready to be a Christmas Hero? Infinos PIXELHEART ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $4.99 $3.99 Pre-order Infinos – October 16 Infinos is a pixel art side-scrolling shoot ’em up that pays tribute to the golden age of arcade shooters while offering fast-paced, modern gameplay. Take control of the Fauria, a powerful one-of-a-kind fighter ship, and face an overwhelming alien invasion threatening to destroy your entire civilization. Infinos 2 PIXELHEART ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $4.99 $3.99 Pre-order Infinos 2 – October 16 Infinos 2 is a 2D horizontal shoot ’em up crafted as a loving tribute to the golden age of Japanese arcade classics. Pixel-perfect art, relentless action and tight, accessible mechanics combine to deliver an experience that’s instantly engaging yet rewards mastery. Each level unfolds a unique setting, fresh enemies and bosses with intricate attack patterns. KAKU – Ancient Seal Microids ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $29.99 Pre-order Kaku – Ancient Seal – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Play as Kaku, a lonely young boy living in the snowy mountains, suddenly thrust into a legendary adventure by a forgotten prophecy. Guided by this ancient prophecy and accompanied by Piggy, your loyal and surprisingly helpful flying pig, Kaku is the only one who can restore balance to the world. Explore forgotten continents, brave the challenges of the Ruins, face titanic foes, and uncover the mysteries of the Creator Saga in a journey as epic as it is personal. Sokobear Winter Bad Minions, Little Giant ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Sokobear Winter – October 16 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Adjust the temperature and relax in the spa! Sokobear Winter is a relaxing puzzle game with 40 cozy levels to warm up your day! Push the logs into the correct spots to raise the spa’s temperature to perfection. But beware: blocks of ice block your path and must be broken before you can move forward. Challenge yourself to complete each stage with the fewest moves and in the shortest time possible. Adrenaline Rampage Games Harbor ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $14.99 Pre-order Adrenaline Rampage – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Adrenaline Rampage is a platformer roguelite set in a dark, sci-fi world where you play as a soldier with up to 5 weapons to fight techno-zombies. Choose characters and skills to rush through the space city, kill ugly bosses and survive. AQUADREAM YUME GAME STUDIO ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now AquaDream – October 17 AquaDream is a cozy underwater adventure that blends puzzle-solving with exploration. Players control a small anglerfish, navigating the depths of a mysterious ocean. Each world introduces new mechanics, gradually increasing the challenge while maintaining an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere. With its beautiful pixel art, intuitive gameplay, and a rewarding sense of discovery, AquaDream offers an experience that is both relaxing and engaging—perfect for players who enjoy exploring and taking on cleverly designed levels. Ball Blast QubicGames S.A. ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Ball Blast – October 17 Xbox Play Anywhere A wild rain of bouncing rocks crashes down – move fast, blast faster! Every rock has a number – hit it that many times and boom! It splits into two rocks with half the number and double the speed, turning the field into fast-moving chaos! Play solo or with a friend for double firepower. Beat hundreds of levels, survive endless waves, and climb the world leaderboard! Bit ESC Essssam ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Bit Esc – October 17 Break free from the system as Bit in this action/adventure platformer where you and set out to escape from the tyrannic OS. Gaining your freedom, though, might not be as clear-cut as it seems… Blaster Force 3000 Ratalaika Games S.L. ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Blaster Force 3000 – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery Dive into retro FPS action where every level brings a new challenge! Battle relentless aliens in dark cellars, ancient castle halls, and the vastness of space. You’ll need to adapt to the environment and enemies on the fly. Explore hidden areas, rack up as many points as possible, and put your reflexes and aiming skills to the test! Frobbutt 3D Sweet Bread Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Frobbutt 3D – October 17 Frobbut 3D is a 3D platformer about a goofy frog finally departing from his home to explore the land! Run, jump, flip and bounce across 5 big open levels searching every nook and cranny for valuable gems! Be creative with your movement abilities to reach the highest mountains and traverse the most dangerous paths to collect every treasure you can find. Kamikaze Lassplanes Crunching Koalas ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Kamikaze Lassplanes – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Kamikaze Lassplanes is a brand new mix of Visual Novel and SHMUP with crucial story-branching decisions that lead to different gameplay and story outcomes, both for war, romance, and the protagonists’ fate. Meet and fall for Alba Trossé and Hannah Brandenburg, charismatic Lassplanes who transform into deadly war planes you pilot. Face the Imperial fleet together in challenging arcade shoot-’em-up encounters and discover the secret behind their mysterious origin. Lumo 2 Numskull Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Lumo 2 – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S The isometric icon is back in the sequel to 2016’s arcade-adventure hit, Lumo. Experience a brand-new adventure of shifting dimensions and new perspectives, with gameplay that never stops evolving. Rewind the cassette and fall head over heels into a love letter to the trailblazing days of early ‘80s & ‘90s British videogames. Hunt for collectibles, and vault through portals – some even flip the script, morphing into wild genre twists that’ll keep you on your toes. Ping Pong Up Super Power Up Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $6.99 $5.59 Pre-order Ping Pong Up – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Feel the tension of the big match breaking through the screen. In Ping Pong Up, your reflexes and precision will be the key to success. Play face to face with up to 4 friends or against the AI. Racing Champions Revulo Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Racing Champions – October 17 Experience the rush of motorsport in a unique blend of simulation and arcade racing, crafted with passion by true racing enthusiasts. With gameplay that’s easy to jump into, but rewards precision and mastery, this game invites you to chase that flawless lap again and again. Test your skills against a range of AI difficulties in single-player mode, or bring the competition home with local multiplayer to race head-to-head with friends. Space Elite Force – Reloaded Rising Moon Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Space Elite Force – Reloaded – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Gear up for an intergalactic thrill ride! Space Elite Force is a frenzied space-shooter packed with weapon customization and epic boss battles. Take command of your ship and fight for the survival of humanity! Super Hero Demolition Entity3 Limited ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Super Hero Demolition – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery Suit up and wreck everything in your path in Super Hero Demolition—an explosive, pixel-packed game where destruction is just the beginning. You’re a super-powered wrecking machine on a mission to smash everything down to the last pixel. Run out of energy and your run ends. You’ll start over—but with all your upgrades intact. Smash harder, last longer, and earn faster every time you play. Tiny Arctic Hero Desert Water Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Tiny Arctic Hero – October 17 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Tiny Arctic Hero is a cozy sokoban puzzle game about a clever little penguin who was taken by mysterious aliens to participate in their logic experiments. Solve puzzles, outsmart the alien tech and guide this brave Arctic Hero back home! Related Stories for “Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17” Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 6 to 10 Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 30 to October 3 Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 22 to 26 The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 9, 2025 Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster Mike Willette, Executive Producer, Invincible VS Summary Intelligence agent Cecil Stedman is the latest playable fighter in Invincible VS. Invincible VS is a new 3v3 tag fighting game based on the beloved comic book and TV series. Invincible VS comes to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title in 2026. With decades of rich storytelling across comics and television, a dynamic roster of charismatic heroes and villains, and a universe packed with superpowered beings wielding brutal and diverse abilities, it was only a matter of time before “Invincible” made the leap to video games. Now, several months after Invincible VS’ reveal during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 in June, Skybound’s first in-house game development studio, Quarter Up, has been steadily unveiling a lineup of playable characters for Invincible VS, the 3v3 tag fighting game, and the latest addition is sure to be a fan-favorite surprise. Recently, during Quarter Up’s developer livestream, which featured an appearance from “Invincible” co-creator Robert Kirkman, the team revealed that intelligence agent and Director of the Global Defence Agency, Cecil Stedman, has joined the Invincible VS roster as a playable character. A fan-favorite from the “Invincible” TV series and comic, Cecil has been one of the most requested playable characters. Pragmatic and driven, Cecil is willing to do whatever it takes to save the world, even when that means crossing a line. Decades of espionage experience and near-limitless resources fuel Cecil’s mission, and he refuses to let anyone – enemy or ally – stand in his way. While he’s been behind the desk for a long time, he’s more than happy to dust off those old bones and get his hands dirty back on the battlefield. Usually heard as a voice in Mark’s earpiece, Cecil enters the fight in Invincible VS with specialized weapons, including plasma pistols, projectile launchers and grenades to keep opponents at a distance. His ranged gameplay style is paired with tactical combat, allowing him to play cat and mouse with enemies. Cecil can also summon a limitless supply of ReAnimen for backup; his access to The Hammer, a massive orbital laser, makes him a devastating force on the battlefield. Cecil joins a growing lineup of fan-favorite superheroes in Invincible VS, including Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, Bulletproof, Thula, Rex Splode, Battle Beast, and Omni-Man. Unlike the others, Cecil doesn’t rely on superhuman powers – instead he brings a tactical edge to the battlefield with a masterfully engineered arsenal of classic weapons, proving that timeless tech can go toe-to-toe with raw power. Look for Invincible VS to launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. Players can register for an upcoming Invincible VS Closed Alpha later this year here. Find out more by following Invincible VS on Instagram, X (formally Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and online at InvincibleVS.com. Add Invincible VS to your wish list on the Microsoft Store below. Invincible VS Skybound Games ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Invincible VS is a brutal superhero 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe, where you can battle to the death as a team of fan-favorite characters in iconic locations. Unleash bone-breaking combos through fast combat and smart defensive tactics to leave a trail of blood and destruction. Land vicious Super moves and Ultimates to leave your opponents in a mess of blood. Invincible VS features a variety of game modes including a captivating cinematic story mode with an original narrative from a writer of the animated series. Jump into Arcade and battle with your team, hone your combos in Training mode, and test your skills against the world in competitive and casual multiplayer. Show, comic fans, and fighting game lovers will experience unparalleled heroic brutality, where every earth-shattering blow will leave you feeling… Invincible. This is the debut title from the newly formed Quarter Up—the first in-house studio at Skybound—led by former members of the core Killer Instinct (2013) dev team. Related Stories for “Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post Invincible VS: Intelligence Agent Cecil Stedman Joins The Roster appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Collect and Customize to Your Heart’s Content in Yooka-Replaylee appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: ID@Xbox October 9, 2025 Collect and Customize to Your Heart’s Content in Yooka-Replaylee Anni Valkama, Brand Manager at Playtonic Summary The world is your platform with collectibles hidden in every nook and cranny. Customizable gameplay modifiers, cosmetics and more. Out now on Xbox Series X|S with an automatic 30% discount to owners of Yooka-Laylee. A retelling of an epic adventure, Yooka-Replaylee is a content-packed 3D platformer and collectathon that mixes nostalgia of yesteryears with modern gameplay, graphics and feel. Yooka-Replaylee is the definitive edition of Yooka-Laylee (2017) packed with double the content, new areas, challenges, collectibles and customisation plus new moves and combos for platforming perfection. After a brief introduction, you get thrusted straight into the action with each of the five worlds having their unique identity. Yooka-Replaylee does not hold you back and from the moment you enter a level you are free to explore and undertake the various platforming challenges, puzzles and minigames in an order you prefer. Make use of the buddy-duo’s varied move set and reach even the hardest to reach places and make traversing the packed open worlds a breeze. From the moment you enter, you’ll discover a variety of collectibles to line your pockets with, each carefully positioned throughout the worlds to invite curiosity and exploration. You will be rewarded with collectibles through various means from simply traversing the world to completing puzzles, races, minigames or other challenges. Pagies The main collectibles in the game are called Pagies, magical pages that power up and live inside the One Book. How do these sentient pages live inside a sentient book? Don’t worry about it. The only barrier Yooka-Replaylee sets for you come in the form of Pagie Doors which are an obstacle developed by the game’s secondary antagonist, Dr Quack, to halt Yooka and Laylee’s progress until they have collected enough Pagies to progress into the next world. The game boasts a whopping 300 Pagies to collect but those seeking a more casual experience can complete the game with only 125 Pagies collected. Pagies are also the secondary reward to collecting some of the game’s other collectibles. This includes the ghostly Ghost Writers, five of which are hidden in each world and each requiring you to complete certain actions to catch them. Additionally, there are Rextro’s Arcade Tokens which give you access to Rextro’s Arcade. Take on the adorable self-contained small isometric platforming challenges as Rextro himself and be rewarded with even more Pagies! Could these be their own game someday? Who knows. Q.U.I.D.S. Q.U.I.D.S are a currency developed by the evil Capital B that is the only acceptable currency within Hivory Towers, forcing staff to invest their hard-earned coin straight back into the company. Q.U.I.D.S can be found everywhere in Yooka-Replaylee and can be spent on the Vendi store for Tonics and cosmetics but more on those in a bit. Coins can also be obtained through special coin challenges or through the golden piggy bank Coinelius. Just break him open and collect the coins. He doesn’t mind, I don’t think. Quills And how could I forget about the Quills! These writer’s best friends are carefully hidden and can be spent with everyone’s favourite snake in a pair of trousers, Trowzer, for upgrades and cosmetics. Quills come in different colours and are specific to each world, meaning in each world Trowzer sells wares specific to the world that cannot be purchased with Quills from the other levels. Here’s a free tip: Quills typically come in groups of three or four, so you should rarely find yourself in a situation where you are only missing one! Mollycools Mollycools are collected for Dr Puzz who in return will transfer the buddy-duo into several things from a snowplough to a school of fishes. And those most adventurous can go after the Pirate Treasure (arrr!), the most well-hidden treasure in the entire game! Watch the Mark Wow, that’s a lot to try and keep track of! Don’t worry, that’s where your handy collectibles tracker and game map come in handy! You should also keep an eye on Mark, the blue bookmark, who acts as your warp point and guide through the game. About Those Tonics and Cosmetics So, what about those Tonics and cosmetics I mentioned you can spend your hard-earned Q.U.I.D.S and Quills on? Yooka-Replaylee features a total of 139 different Tonics and cosmetics, 104 pieces of cosmetics and 35 gameplay modifying Tonics. The gameplay modifiers allow you to change how you play the game. Maybe you are feeling silly and want to add googly eyes on all the enemies? Maybe you want to play the game entirely in GameBoy graphics? Or maybe you are looking for a real challenge and want to reduce your health to one and add fall damage? Tonics allow you to make Yooka-Replaylee your own! Cosmetics, on the other hand, allow you to play dress-up with your favourite buddy-duo. Cosmetics come in individual items and complete costumes. Choose between various tops, bottoms, hats, glasses and gloves for Yooka and without forgetting Laylee, of course, who also gets her own selection of cosmetic items! Although most cosmetics can be purchased from either Vendi or Trowzer, some are hidden behind certain completion requirements. The cosmetics even include some references to other beloved game titles, so keep an eye on those. Yooka-Replaylee offers an unforgettable open world 3D platforming experience packed with charm, challenges, minigames, and collectibles galore! On behalf of all of us at Playtonic and our publisher PM Studios, thanks for all the support for Yooka-Replaylee. We are so back! Now go fight an evil capitalistic bee! Yooka-Replaylee is out now on Xbox Series X|S, and if you own the original Yooka-Laylee you’re entitled to an automatic 30% discount on the game. Yooka-Replaylee PM-Studios, Inc. ☆☆☆☆☆ 13 ★★★★★ $29.99 Get it now Embark on an epic 3D platforming collectathon adventure with Yooka and Laylee! Yooka-Replaylee is packed with new moves, more story, exciting challenges, hidden secrets, and more than double the collectibles to uncover. Can you help them rescue the world’s biggest treasure? Two unlikely treasure hunters retell the story of their greatest adventure; how they crashed their ship, discovered perhaps the most valuable book in the universe only for its Pagies to be stolen by a greedy capitalist, Capital B. Step into a wacky adventure across many fantastical and imaginative worlds, full of colourful characters and vault-loads of shiny collectibles, and save the world! FEATURES: THE STORY RETOLD – Here come the cheeky embellishments as Yooka and Laylee recall the story of their adventure! The story is unravelled in a brand-new story book style presentation with new sequences introduced throughout the game! DOUBLE THE CHALLENGES & PAGIES – New areas have been added; brand-new challenges have been introduced and old ones improved or replaced completely. Collectibles have been rearranged across all levels and the number of discoverable Pagies has been doubled! GAMEPLAY OVERHAUL – The moveset has been tweaked, sharpened and upgraded, including all new moves and combos for a flowing, expressive style of platforming. New camera features and refinements make framing the action a breeze too. REXTRO BYTES BACK – 2 games in 1! Take control of Rextro in his very own isometric platforming game for shiny rewards! Find hidden arcade games throughout the adventure and take on the puzzles, platforms and pests that he must overcome to become a video game hero himself! NEW COLLECTIBLE CURRENCY – Introducing Q.U.I.D.S! Capital B's inept minions have dropped their hard-earned coins all over the place. Collect the official currency of the Hivory Towers to spend on video games' most beloved sentient vending machine. Or undertake one of Coinelius’ many mini-challenges! NAVIGATING THE WORLD –The all-new adventurers’ notebook will help you hunt down EVERYTHING hidden in the game. Plus find bookmarks to fast-travel around and never get lost! Use your Q.U.I.D.S to buy hints to the whereabouts of more challenges – can you find all 300 magical Pagies!? VENDI HAS PLENTY TO OFFER – Tonics are back with all new flavours! With the option to equip multiple game-changing enhancements, you can truly customise and perk your playstyle. And as if that wasn't enough you can dress to impress! Vendi has new lines of merchandise for the modern fashionable adventurer too. A DREAMY ORCHESTRAL SOUNDTRACK – The original score from famed video game composers David Wise, Grant Kirkhope and Steve Burke returns, but as a beautifully arranged orchestral score with some new tracks from Dan Murdoch and Matt Griffin. Now seriously, clean out those ears. Related Stories for “Collect and Customize to Your Heart’s Content in Yooka-Replaylee” Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 Category: Xbox Game Pass Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Ninja Gaiden 4, Keeper, Ball x Pit, Supermarket Simulator, and More Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 6 to 10 The post Collect and Customize to Your Heart’s Content in Yooka-Replaylee appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post How to Get Started in Wizard101 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 9, 2025 How to Get Started in Wizard101 Kayly Ginsberg, Head of Marketing, Wizard101 Summary Wizard101 is launching from Xbox Game Preview today for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Learn which School to pick, how to construct a deck, and other useful tips to get started in this turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG. Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue. Wizard101 has made its way to Xbox! While we’re eager to welcome new students into Ravenwood Academy, we know that starting such a massive adventure with so much history can feel a bit daunting. So, consider this article your first lesson: the 101 of Wizard101 to help you get started in the Spiral. Choosing the Right School of Magic There are 7 classes in the game, known as schools. The school you choose at the very beginning of the game will shape your style and the rest of your journey to come. Each school has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as special spells and even pets. Fire “The All-Rounder” Strengths: Powerful hitter with lots of damage-over-time options Weaknesses: Moderate accuracy and health Great For: Beginners who want a balanced gameplay experience Fire has a variety of powerful spells, many of which are damage-over-time. This makes breaking enemy shields a breeze while still packing that punch that players are looking for. Their survivability is not the best in the game, but it’s not the worst either. Therefore, Fire is a great school choice for those looking for a pretty straightforward and balanced game experience. Not too challenging, but not too simple either. Storm “The Glass Cannon” Strengths: High damage Weaknesses: Low accuracy and health Great For: High risk/high reward players, people who are up for a challenge, group play Storm is known for its explosive damage from even the earliest of levels. The school is very powerful, but comes with the tradeoff of high fragility. This can make Storm an incredibly challenging school to play solo, but easier to adapt to if you’re playing with a group of friends who can help heal and protect you. Ice “The Tank” Strengths: High health, resistance, and survivability Weaknesses: Low damage Great For: Group play, patient solo players Ice wizards have the highest health in the game and are great at absorbing damage. This makes them tough to defeat in combat and a great tank to have in group play. However, since their spells have low damage, Ice wizards usually have prolonged battles since they’re unable to deal damage quickly. Solo Ice wizards should be prepared to have patience during combat. Death The Survivor Strengths: Can steal health from enemies, access to many universal buffs Weaknesses: Moderate damage, health, and accuracy Great For: Solo players, beginners Despite its name, Death is actually a wonderful school for survivability. Because many of their spells allow you to both damage enemies and steal their health, Death wizards can hold their own in a fight – making it a fantastic choice for solo players. They also have access to multiple universal buffs which helps amplify their damage, allowing for quicker battles. Life The Healer Strengths: Wide array of healing spells, high accuracy Weaknesses: Doesn’t excel in damage or other areas Great For: Support players, especially in groups Life, as you may have guessed, specializes in healing themselves and others. With their high accuracy and various different heals to choose from, Life wizards are extremely dependable support players. They’re always useful in group settings to help keep the gang in tip-top shape, but the school is also a good solo choice if you don’t mind the lack of damage options compared to other schools. Myth The Manipulator Strengths: Variety of minions to aid you, lots of double attack spells, decent damage Weaknesses: Moderate survivability and accuracy Great For: Solo players Myth wizards are great at manipulating battles. They can summon a vast arsenal of minions to aid them and cast highly functional spells that are difficult for enemies to deal with. Myth wizards also excel at removing shields, whether through spell after-effects or double hit attacks. Because they have a variety of tricks up their sleeve to utilize, Myth is a great school for solo players. Balance The Support Strengths: Extensive access to universal buffs and utilities Weaknesses: No school prism, often needs to carry a specific deck for Balance enemies, challenging school to play Great For: Group play Balance shines brightest as a key support player in groups. With their wide variety of buffs, Balance wizards can boost the damage of any school in the game. The main drawback is their lack of prism, which creates difficulties when facing other Balance enemies. As a result, Balance wizards often carry dedicated decks for these encounters and makes Balance one of the most difficult schools to master, especially for solo play. Understanding the Art of the Duel Now that you’ve selected a school that fits your desired style, it’s time to ready yourself for combat! At its heart, Wizard101 is a turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG. Your success will largely depend on how you build your spell deck, whether you’re fighting solo or with friends, and if you have a bit of luck on your side. Only 7 spells will be initially drawn from your deck during combat, so constructing a deck that will allow you to get the right cards at the right time is instrumental. Overloading your deck may result in you not getting helpful cards when you need them, but packing too few cards could mean you don’t have enough spells to finish the fight. It’s a delicate balance! Constructing Your Spell Deck There are 3 main types of spell sources: regular spells, treasure cards, and item/pet cards. Regular spells are standard spells that you unlock on your adventure either through your professor or through quests. They get added to the “main” section of your spell deck. Item/pet cards are spells that come from equipped items and pets. They appear in a specific section below your “main” spell deck. You can choose which pet/item cards you’d like to appear in battle by clicking on them. Treasure Cards are single use spells that have a dedicated section in your spell deck. Once you use one during battle, it’s gone forever. You’ll need to continuously replenish your Treasure Cards if you find yourself using them often. When it comes to spell deck strategy, we often find that less is more. It’s very common for new players to get excited and add as many spells to their deck as possible, but that makes it very difficult to fight battles effectively. For example, if you’re at full health, pulling heal card after heal card extends the battle length and doesn’t help you in that specific moment. Packing heal spells is fantastic idea, but make sure you’re keeping a good ratio in mind. Don’t be afraid to leave some spots empty too … especially as you continue to level up and have access to larger decks! How Combat Works Walking up to any enemy will automatically trigger combat to begin. Once the combat starts, you’ll see a 30-second timer and 7 drawn cards from your spell deck. If you’re happy with those cards, amazing! If you’re not, you can always discard any undesired cards to make space for new cards to appear the following round. Discarding a spell also lets you draw a Treasure Card, if you added any to your deck beforehand. A max of 7 cards will always be shown at any given time whether they are normal spells or Treasure Cards. When you’re ready to cast a spell, select it and choose which enemy (or ally) you want to play it on. You can also pass if you’d prefer to wait or if you don’t have enough pips to cast the spell you want. Pips are the energy/power you use to cast spells. Once all players have selected a spell, the round plays out in a turn-based fashion where the spell cards are brought to life through whimsical animations. After all spells have been cast, the next planning phase commences with another 30-second timer. This continues until either you defeat all the enemies, or the enemies defeat you. Helpful Tips for New Wizards Speaking of efficient traveling, utilize the Mark and Recall for locations that you know you’ll need to visit again. You’ll save yourself a lot of walking and time! The Bazaar is an incredible resource for obtaining good gear, especially early on. Check it frequently throughout your adventures to see if anything there provides better stats than what you currently have. The pet system is robust and can be overwhelming at first, but training a pet can come in handy extremely quickly. You never know when a pet spell might just save you in battle! When in doubt? Team-up! If you’re ever stuck on a particular dungeon or boss, you can ask for help through the Team-Up feature. This allows other players in the game to see that you need assistance and come running to your aid. There’s so much more to explore in Wizard101, but hopefully you have a good understanding of the basics! We’re grateful to everyone who has played our magical MMO the last 17 years, and we can’t wait to see what the next 17 bring … this time on console! Wizard101 KingsIsle Entertainment, gamigo group ☆☆☆☆☆ 312 ★★★★★ Get it now Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue. Darkness threatens to engulf the Spiral as you master powerful spells, explore over 22 whimsical worlds, and team-up with friends in this nostalgic wizard turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG. Related Stories for “How to Get Started in Wizard101” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post How to Get Started in Wizard101 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 9, 2025 The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole Chris Darril, Game Director, Little Sewing Machine Today, all of us at Little Sewing Machine are thrilled to share five details about our upcoming horror-platformer Bye Sweet Carole that make us feel proud. This is a game born from passion, nostalgia, and four years of hand-crafted artistry. We hope that you will like playing it as much as we loved making it. So, let’s get into it! Every Frame Is Hand-Crafted Bye Sweet Carole is our love letter to the golden age of animation and the emotional resonance of childhood classics. Every single frame is drawn by hand by us – no shortcuts, no cut-out, no automation, no AI. Over three years, our team meticulously animated each movement, expression and eerie twist. We wanted to create a visual style that channels the lush, expressive worlds of Don Bluth, from “The Secret of NIMH” to the legendary Dragon’s Lair saga, and traditionally animated Disney masterpieces like “Snow White” and “Beauty and the Beast.” We hope that our visual style will hit a bit of that nostalgia – the feeling of old times, old movies, watching cartoons when we were kids. A way to transport back in time, using our memories and mind as a time machine. We hope that players will feel that when they play our story and I hope they’ll see and appreciate the little details in our animations that we poured our hearts into. Childhood Wonder Meets Unsettling Horror At first glance, Bye Sweet Carole might look like a whimsical fairy tale: birds flutter, gowns billow, and Lana, our protagonist, wanders through painted environments that echo forgotten animated reels. But beneath the surface lies something darker. Inspired by the quiet terror of childhood classics like “The Fox and the Hound,” “The Secret of NIMH” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” our horror doesn’t rely on gore or shock. Instead, it disrupts comfort zones, turning familiar spaces into sites of unease. We hope that players will like the slow burn and discover a fantasy land that is not as picture perfect as the surface might suggest. It’s always the things that are below the surface that show the true overall self, isn’t it! A Story Rooted in History Bye Sweet Carole is more than a game: it’s a narrative experience that delves into complex, human themes. It explores issues such as emancipation, human rights, loneliness and loss. Through Lana’s journey, we also touch on the impact of bullying and the silence of a society struggling to confront its own injustices. Rather than presenting Lana as a damsel in distress, we’ve shaped her as a resilient protagonist whose story reflects the quiet strength of those who dare to challenge the status quo. Her path is a tribute to the voices often overlooked that have inspired us to tell stories that go beyond entertainment and speak to the heart of social change. A Fusion of Gameplay Genres Bye Sweet Carole blends multiple gameplay styles into an experience of its own. You’ll find platforming, puzzle-solving, exploration and hide-and-seek mechanics woven throughout the journey. This genre fusion is designed to keep players engaged and surprised, constantly shifting between curiosity and caution, giving a feeling of wonder and adventure. We want you to explore the world together with Lana, through her wide-open eyes. A Modern Homage to ‘90s Adventure Games We drew inspiration from the spirit of ‘90s adventure titles like Dragon’s Lair, Another World, Clock Tower and Heart of Darkness, but also some unforgettable masterpieces of the 2000s such as Haunting Ground, Detention and the hardly discussed Rule of Rose. But we didn’t stop at nostalgia. We wanted to breathe new life into familiar formats. Bye Sweet Carole is our way of honoring the past while delivering something fresh, emotionally resonant and visually unforgettable. Thank you so much for reading and spending these few moments with us! We hope that Bye Sweet Carole has piqued your interest — it’s available today on Xbox Series X|S. Bye Sweet Carole Maximum Entertainment ☆☆☆☆☆ 6 ★★★★★ $24.99 $19.99 Get it now Step into Corolla… Immerse yourself in a world where the warmth of hand-drawn animation meets a rich story steeped in horror. From Chris Darril (Remothered series), Bye Sweet Carole invites you on a haunting journey full of secrets. Once Upon a Time… Set in early 20th Century England, as the suffrage movement begins to reshape society, young Lana Benton searches for her missing friend, Carole Simmons. Her path leads her through Bunny Hall orphanage and on to the mysterious kingdom of Corolla, a place controlled by the sinister Mr. Kyn, the ruthless owl Velenia, and swarms of ravenous tar bunnies. Caught between two worlds, Lana must find a way to survive and uncover the dark truth behind Carole's disappearance. Key Features: A heartfelt love letter to the precious classic animated films of our childhood and the evergreen old school adventures of the 90s. Explore the eerie corridors of Bunny Hall and the fantastical world of Corolla, each filled with secrets and dangers. Meet a cast of memorable characters: from the kind Mr. Baesie to the ominous owl Velenia and the menacing Mr. Kyn. Investigate through puzzle solving, sneaking around deathly enemies, and overcoming platforming challenges. Transform into a rabbit and use your forms to escape the threats of Bunny Hall and Corolla. Related Stories for “The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post The Five Things to Know About Bye Sweet Carole appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Free Play Days – Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Grounded 2 and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 9, 2025 Free Play Days – Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Grounded 2 and More Kyle OceanMarketing Manager, Xbox The hits just keep coming – explore even more with Free Play Days! Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Dovetail Games Euro Fishing, Grounded 2 and Under The Waves are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential to play from Thursday, October 9 until Sunday, October 12. Between October 9 to October 16, Game Pass members can play Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for free for a full week. This free trial will include the cinematic single-player campaign. Then, jump into all of Multiplayer with more than 40 multiplayer maps, including Gravity, Mothball, and Rig, which are brand-new in Season 06. In Zombies, partake in the thrilling Zombies saga with access to all six Round-Based Zombies maps. Dive in and experience the full breadth of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6! Riders Republic and Kingdom Two Crowns are free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required). Enjoy even more time with Riders Republic as it will be unlocked until October 13. Under the Waves is free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required) with a 2-hour timed trial. How To Start Playing Scroll down and find and install the games on each of the individual game details pages on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. Keep The Fun Going Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region. Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required) Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle Activision Publishing Inc. ☆☆☆☆☆ 865 ★★★★★ $69.99 $38.49 Get it now Xbox Game Pass Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early ’90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops. AEW: Fight Forever THQ Nordic ☆☆☆☆☆ 289 ★★★★★ $39.99 $15.99 Get it now AEW: Fight Forever Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Recognized for its retro approach to design including hand-crafted animations and nostalgic arcade feel, AEW: Fight Forever is now available as a part of Xbox Free Play Days. Presenting wrestling fans with their a chance to pull off wrestling moves only seen on the wildly popular AEW programming. Plus online co-op wrestling with Tag-Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. AEW: Fight Forever will be a part of Xbox Free Play Days through October 12. Take advantage of the long roster of the most popular AEW wrestlers, wrestler customization, and multiple match types today! Grounded 2 Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 490 ★★★★★ $29.99 Get it now PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Grounded 2 Xbox Play Anywhere In this open-world, single-player or co-op survival adventure, craft weapons and armor, build your base, and traverse the playground on your buggy. The Hairy and Scary update unleashes AXL the tarantula into Grounded 2,with a full armor set to craft, new weapons to wield, and new base décor. Fine-tune your loadout with new gear and build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M interface as you prepare to face AXL on the back of your Buggy. Dovetail Games Euro Fishing Dovetail Games ☆☆☆☆☆ 288 ★★★★★ $18.49 Get it now Xbox One X Enhanced Dovetail Games Euro Fishing Master your rod, line and tactics, and refine your technique this weekend to become a top angler in Euro Fishing. Learn the basics or dive straight into one of the five unique European locations, each posing their own unique challenge to land the big catch. Whether casting solo or enjoying with friends, embrace the thrill of real fishing from the comfort of your own sofa. Under The Waves Quantic Dream ☆☆☆☆☆ 177 ★★★★★ $29.99 $5.99 Get it now Free Trial Under The Waves Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life… Free Play Days For All Kingdom Two Crowns Raw Fury ☆☆☆☆☆ 283 ★★★★★ $19.99 $3.99 Get it now Xbox One X Enhanced PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Free Trial Kingdom Two Crowns Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere The Kingdom game series is celebrating a decade since its first release this October with a new free update – the 2.3, 10th Rulerversary Major Update for Kingdom Two Crowns! A new challenge island will treat you with great festivities, beautiful landscapes, towering monuments, a new enemy and… party spirit (with obligatory party hats, cake and candles)! Riders Republic UBISOFT ☆☆☆☆☆ 551 ★★★★★ $39.99 $9.99 Get it now Xbox Game Pass Riders Republic Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Jump into the Riders Republic massive multiplayer playground! Bike, ski, snowboard, or wingsuit across an open world sports paradise. Race in mass start events, develop your rider’s career, or kick back with friends and free roam the parks. Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news. Related Stories for “Free Play Days – Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Grounded 2 and More” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post Free Play Days – Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Grounded 2 and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post New Game+, New Outfit & More Come to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in the MachineGames Anniversary Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Related Stories for “New Game+, New Outfit & More Come to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in the MachineGames Anniversary Update” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post New Game+, New Outfit & More Come to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in the MachineGames Anniversary Update appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Syberia – Remastered: Modernizing Without Altering the Original appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games October 9, 2025 Syberia – Remastered: Modernizing Without Altering the Original Valérie, Producer, Syberia – Remastered Summary Syberia – Remastered launches November 6 on Xbox Series X|S. Aurélien Lévêque, Game Director at Virtuallyz, discusses the challenges of remastering such an iconic adventure game. Find out how the studio strived to find a balance between improving upon Benoît Sokal’s vision and staying true to the original. Released in 2022, the first Syberia left an impact on the adventure genre. Three sequels followed, and enriched the universe created by the author Benoît Sokal. Now, 2025 sees the arrival of a remaster of the first episode, which takes what made the success of the original, all while adding elements to bring it up to modern standards. Between Remake and Remaster Even though Syberia – Remastered logically presents itself as a remaster, the teams at Virtuallyz and Microids Studio Paris decided to modernize the game to speak to a broader audience. They immersed themselves into what had been done for Syberia – The World Before released in 2022, as Aurélien Lévêque, Game Director at Virtuallyz, explains: “The backgrounds have been entirely modeled after the original 2D plans, so we had to imagine some missing viewpoints. Even the characters have been entirely modeled and animated in 3D.” “Fun fact: at the start of the project, we didn’t have enough 3D models for all the characters, so we used Felix Smetana, the receptionist at the Kronsky Hotel, everywhere when working on the cutscenes. After seeing him so many times, he ended up becoming the team’s mascot. Thankfully, we got the opportunity to work with the team at Microids Studio Paris, which developed Syberia – The World Before and Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy, to help us achieve the level of quality we aimed for.” Taking advantage of this 3D modeling, the development team were able to completely revamp the camera to make the game more enjoyable and readable, all the while allowing players to better locate themselves in the environment. Moving protagonist Kate around has also been greatly improved, as Aurélien goes into details on the matter: “We took inspiration from many elements in The World Before, starting with the character controller, meaning the way Kate moves around using a controller or computer mouse. Microids Studio Paris also helped us with putting the camera in place.” Always with modernization in mind, the team tried to make choices that would satisfy both old fans and new players who want to discover the series. As such, they decided to implement a quest journal in the vein of what was present in The World Before, and to offer two different game modes: Story Mode, which gives hints so that players won’t stay stuck too long, and Adventure Mode, in which no help is provided and is thus way closer to the original experience. Preserving Benoît Sokal’s legacy The team did everything to find the right balance between the wish to improve the author’s vision and staying true as possible to the DNA of the original. Thus, if the original cutscenes have simply been upscaled, the backgrounds have benefited from a complete overhaul. Used to the Unity engine, Virtuallyz and Microids Studio Paris were able to greatly improve the visuals to enhance Benoît Sokal’s vision without altering the geography of the locations. In addition, by using the HDRP (Unity’s High Definition Render Pipeline), Virtuallyz was able to make the whole experience more immersive than ever, as Aurélien points out: “The HDRP is a rendering pipeline made for next-gen or current-gen consoles. It enables more realistic lighting, but also more control on ‘material PBR’ (Physically Based Rendering), generally used to add a sense of realism and texture to objects. All those factors allowed for an improvement of the scenery, as well as for the characters.” The sound design was also reworked. Given that the original plot hasn’t been modified, the decision to keep the original dubbing and music was made quite early into the project. However, the devs have improved some old sounds that didn’t age well, and created new ones (such as the crackling of the chimney fire) to emphasize the immersion. Aurélien adds: “We worked on FMOD so that the voices and sounds would take into account the acoustics of the rooms or of the exterior.” The studio faced some challenges with the cutscenes, especially as they were trying make the direction smoother while also making sure that everything would be consistent, no matter the language. “As each language uses a different duration, we had to design an ingenious system so that the cutscenes would adapt to the duration of each sound,” Aurélien explains. “A lot of work was done to make sure that everything would interlink perfectly, and we even added new animations with travelling effects to make the whole thing more dynamic and harmonious.” The team made all those improvements to improve Benoît Sokal’s original vision and give Syberia a new lease of life. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind journey across Europe in Syberia – Remastered, releasing on November 6 on Xbox Series X|S. Syberia – Remastered Microids ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $29.99 Pre-order More than 20 years after its original release, Syberia is reborn in a fully modernized version. Rediscover its iconic locations and unforgettable characters through a stunning visual overhaul, redesigned gameplay, and the same captivating storytelling that made it a classic. Kate Walker, a brilliant lawyer from New York, is sent to a remote village in the French Alps to finalize the sale of an old automaton factory. But what begins as a routine assignment soon turns into an extraordinary journey across Eastern Europe and its snow-covered landscapes. Accompanied by Oscar, a loyal and one-of-a-kind automaton, Kate sets out to explore mysterious and forgotten places, filled with eccentric characters, as she follows the trail of Hans Voralberg, a genius inventor pursuing a seemingly impossible dream: finding the last living mammoths on the mythical island of Syberia. An unexpected, thrilling, and deeply emotional voyage that will challenge everything she thought she knew. First released in 2002, Syberia became a reference in the adventure genre, praised for its unique atmosphere, sharp writing, and the richness of Benoît Sokal’s artistic vision. This remaster is a new opportunity to (re)discover the masterpiece, following in the footsteps of other titles from Benoît Sokal such as “Syberia: The World Before” and the newly released “Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy”. KEY FEATURES – A faithful and stunning overhaul: Meet Syberia’s iconic characters fully redesigned and explore the game’s most emblematic locations brought to life in beautifully enhanced 3D. Every environment has been carefully rebuilt with an art direction that stays true to Benoît Sokal’s unique style, offering an even deeper immersion into his singular visual universe. – Reimagined mechanical puzzles: Enjoy a fresh take on the game’s intricate puzzles, redesigned to provide a smoother and more intuitive experience while preserving their essential role in uncovering the secrets behind Voralberg’s genius. – A modernized gameplay experience: Rediscover Kate Walker’s journey with an updated user interface, improved 3D navigation, and more fluid controls tailored to today’s standards, all without compromising the game’s contemplative and narrative soul. – A rich and immersive world: From the alpine town of Valadilène to the frozen edges of Eastern Russia, Syberia transports you into a world of mystery, automatons, and poetic machinery. Dive into a clockpunk adventure where realism blends seamlessly with dreamlike wonder. – A moving and unforgettable story: Experience a deeply human narrative, as Kate Walker’s legal assignment turns into a profound journey of self-discovery. Filled with unexpected encounters, emotional choices, and moments of awe, Syberia’s tale blurs the line between strangeness and the sublime. Related Stories for “Syberia – Remastered: Modernizing Without Altering the Original” Category: Games The Ultimate All-Out Warfare Experience: Battlefield 6 Is Available Today on Xbox Series X|S Category: Games Little Nightmares III: Explore These 5 Spooky Locations With a Friend Today Category: Next Week on Xbox Next Week on Xbox: New Games for October 13 to 17 The post Syberia – Remastered: Modernizing Without Altering the Original appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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HYKE: Northern Light(s) is about "witches, camping, and an adventure across the world." I'm interested in only one of those things, but I gave this action RPG a go nonetheless. I'm happy to say it has its moments, but how many of those will depend upon what you want from it.

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The Nintendo eShop states that HYKE: Northern Light(s) is about “witches, camping, and an adventure across the world.” I’m interested in only one of those things, but I gave this action RPG a go nonetheless. I’m happy to say it has its moments, but how many of those will depend upon what you want from it. The game begins with a 1v1(+1) battle in the war between humans and witches. As is often the case, it doesn’t end well for the witch. We then quickly fast-forward to the future, where the witch’s daughter, Hyke, now finds herself without a family after the death of her father. Hyke decides it’s time to find out what really happened to her mom, so she packs her camping gear and portable radio and sets out on an adventure with her sleepy friend, Riko. The portable radio is actually the important bit, as someone starts using it to communicate with Hyke, guiding her on a dangerous path in which she’ll meet numerous other witches with powers similar to her own. The adventure is largely split into two parts: dungeon crawling and camping. We’ll start with the former. The gameplay in HYKE: Northern Light(s) is similar to that of other retro RPGs out there. You’ve got a top-down view of the action as you make your way through numerous, varied environments. You’ll have to dodge the charging enemies, then take them out with a melee attack or with your choice from a couple of magical attacks that are more effective but have a cooldown period. Of course, the deeper you get into the game, the more numerous and powerful those magical attacks will become. More on that in a bit. Exploration is fun enough, offering a decent balance of combat and level-mapping as you make your way through. You’ll get glimpses of treasure chests off the path that you’ll need to find your way towards, but there otherwise isn’t much backtracking. It’s all pretty expedient. Each level ends with a boss battle against another witch, most of whom are protecting the area you’re exploring. They’re symbolic of the location, such as a robotic alien witch protecting Fifty-One. In a fun twist, though, defeating these bosses then adds them to your party, allowing you to use them and their very unique skillsets in the levels to come. The abilities of the witches are so diverse that swapping characters almost felt like starting over, but mastering each will definitely help players through; certain skills are more effective against certain enemies. That said, combat and exploration still become repetitive. The levels sometimes carry on too long, creating repetition in what you’re seeing and doing. Side quests and challenges spice things up, but only a little. Perhaps this is why the developers tacked on the camping component. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it feels: tacked on. When you’re not exploring or fighting, you’re chilling at your campsite. You can decorate it with items you’ve obtained, populate it with the people you’ve met and befriended, and cook. And that’s it. Cooking at least gives you buffs for your next run, but nothing else at the campsite serves a purpose beyond giving you something to look at and listen to. I didn’t get the point, so I didn’t spend any time there. HYKE: Northern Light(s) will challenge retro RPG fans in parts, and meeting a new witch provides for some fun combat and compelling narrative moments. Combat may be too imprecise, the story too predictable, but it’s all very pretty both visually and musically. It’s an enjoyable time when you’re playing, but this isn’t a trip that’s likely to stick with you. The post Review: HYKE: Northern Light(s) (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

An excellently creepy game from the very beginning, Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus is a pixel art survival horror game that thoroughly absorbs you into its chilling world. It is

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An excellently creepy game from the very beginning, Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus is a pixel art survival horror game that thoroughly absorbs you into its chilling world. It is a prequel to Vlad Circus: Descent Into Madness. If you’ve played the earlier game, the sense of crawling unease in this one will likely be enriched, but it isn’t necessary to fully follow the story and get drawn into the world. You play as the morally questionable Joseph Petrescu. The game opens to reveal you, robbed of your memory, trapped in a dank dungeon strewn with medical paraphernalia and the gruesome remnants of the experiments carried out with it. You are offered no clue as to how you got there – or how you got so horribly disfigured either. Your task is to figure that out. The gameplay is simple. You explore the dungeon and interact with things you find there to piece together the story, collecting items to help you along the way. Medication keeps you healthy, keys you need to progress are scattered around, weapons can be used against your enemies. The relatively uncomplicated format doesn’t detract from the game. The options to combine the items you find to best utilise them still require a level of creative thinking that elevates the point-and-click function. Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus most shines when it comes to its story. As you explore the dungeon, you encounter mirrors where you are forced to confront your mutilated face, triggering flashbacks to your last memories leading up to the disaster that brought you here. Petrescu is an alcoholic who sought out his estranged brother to beg for help. In exchange for a second chance, he agrees to manipulate a talented performer into running away with the circus, only to be drawn into the sinister machinations of a cult. You play through both storylines, jumping between the two each time you encounter a mirror as the narrative gradually builds into a cohesive whole. The pacing of the story is incredibly well constructed. You weave between the two sides of the plot effortlessly, each one teasing you with glimpses of what awaits you. The story itself is compelling, combining a creeping sense of dread with an intriguing mystery and a sequence of moral conundrums that generate a great sense of suspense. The pixel art style lends itself incredibly well to enhancing the story, equally suits both the sepia-toned circus scenes and the dark, dank dungeon chapters. The slight blurriness inherent in wide shot pixel art cleverly hides secrets in the pixellated shadows and makes the more detailed close-up shots all the more impactful when they leap out at you like a sucker punch. Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus is a relatively short game that tells its story fantastically well and draws you fully into its blood-curdling world. The post Review: Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Star as Hercule Poirot in Microids Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile. But not the portly, shorter Poirot you’re used to — this version of the retired Belgian detective

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Star as Hercule Poirot in Microids Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile. But not the portly, shorter Poirot you’re used to — this version of the retired Belgian detective is surprisingly tall and svelte, yet he’ll still have you exercising your “little grey cells” in classic, faithful fashion. That is, once you switch off the default “Story” difficulty. Seriously, why not let players pick their challenge level from the start? But I appreciate the considerate options. Despite being something of a Christie fan, having read many of her books and played many of the video game adaptations, Death on the Nile is a bit of a mystery to me. This makes the ’70s setting less jarring to me than it might be for others. While Christie was still writing in the early ’70s, the novel whose title this game shares was already decades old by then. I’m unsure if this game takes inspiration from the ’70s film adaptation (which I’ve yet to see), but perhaps it doesn’t matter. That is, unless you’re hung up on how Poirot’s fashion sense translates to the decade that style and taste forgot. Say what you will about the change of setting, but the devs really embraced it in a fun way. Right from the start at a discotheque, Poirot is arrayed in a white jacket with wide lapels. Later, he’s clad in an ascot, fashionable for the time. I got a real kick out of simple exploration, navigating a representation of a time I wasn’t even alive for. The titular Nile, of course, plays a big part later in the game. But before that, you’ll be navigating the back alleys of the Bronx or an upscale home in Majorca, just a few locations. Whether seeing a Pong machine at a bar, or a sunken living room bathed in the glow of an illuminated waterfall panel, you’re consistently reminded of the ’70s. And this game does a very effective job of making smaller enclosed areas feel much bigger than they actually are. Even though it’s a ’70s setting, the soundtrack is varied (it’s not just tunes from the “Disco Fever Syndicate”). Even with some chapters being several hours long, the variety means you won’t be reaching for the mute button. There’s even a jukebox (part of the museum extras) where you can listen to tracks. The bigger audio strength is, arguably, the speech, but I’ll discuss that more shortly. Overall, the soundtrack complements the gameplay, enhancing the atmosphere (mysterious mid-’70s), making long chapters genuinely enjoyable. It’s still a tale of betrayal, theft, and murder, but now Poirot isn’t flying solo. A parallel story has you controlling Jane Royce, a private detective and Poirot fan. This tale adds content to what can be a surprisingly long game. It also introduces unique mechanics, such as running, stealth segments, and several choices that can alter the game. The times when these characters share a location fare best. But when the game alternates between chapters that star them alone, it can make built momentum come skidding, not to a stop, but definitely to a slower pace. I think a more thoughtful approach (perhaps giving the option to play Joyce’s plot separately) would’ve been advantageous. Because while I was generally quite fine with this addition, my wife (who was playing alongside me) was less forgiving. She’s read the book and seen the films, so perhaps that’s indicative that this game (or at least the Royce chapters) will fare better for those coming in fresher. A key feature in Death of the Nile is the “Mindmap”. It’s a visually crowded board where facts you’ve acquired connect, and you can make observations and deductions to move the present mystery along. We found it a bit cumbersome initially. Sometimes we were well ahead of the leads, but couldn’t solve something to advance until the map was navigated just so. It’s workable, and we adjusted, yet it seems overly slow for such a defining gimmick, from a conceptual level down to its implementation in this game. A cleaner notebook-type setup might’ve been more beneficial, albeit robbing the game of some of its personality. But the fact that you can click wrong answers with seemingly no punishment might tempt those less driven to solve the mystery properly than we were. Perhaps this was to compensate for the weak hint system, which usually will restate the puzzle goal or tell you what you already know. But again, options are a good thing. The game is at its best and brightest when talking to characters. I mentioned the strength of the vocals, and that applies to each of the main cast, of which there are many. These aren’t little snippets of speech, either. The well-written, vocal characters make the story engaging from the start, adding a level of charm that elevates this game above many other mystery adventures. The interactions flesh out the tale in enjoyable ways as you learn more about the various personalities, and even make some puzzles easier. The puzzles themselves can be wildly hit or miss, disrupting the pacing occasionally. The fifth chapter, for instance, was primarily one long light puzzle (using mirrors to illuminate paths), and it felt like it was taken from another game. The seventh upped the ante with many smaller puzzles that again felt lifted from another product, often lacking context and, worse, enjoyment. It seemed like the devs eventually became more concerned with the quantity of puzzles than the quality. Some are, frankly, bad, feeling like they might be designed by a bad AI. When puzzles start yanking you out of the story and force you to suspend believability, you know the mark is being missed. And the less said about timed action puzzles, the better. Still, overall, there are more hits than misses. It’s a nice step-up in content and quality from Microids’ published ABC Murders (not to be confused with the weak DS game from years earlier). And with optional collectibles and game-altering choices, there’s replayability that games like this tend to lack. So, don’t let the bad puzzles discourage you or take attention away from the stronger ones. When the puzzles work (which is more often than not), they’re genuinely satisfying and contribute to a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile translates its ’70s setting into a fun audio-visual package. The mysterious characters (fully voiced) are well-developed, giving the game a page-turning quality. You’ll want to see them reach their conclusions, no matter the outcome. A few well-meaning but ultimately unfortunate choices knock the game down from great to just good, and I suspect this will fare less positively with Christie purists, given some of the liberties. But I think most players will get their money’s worth at $39.99, and the game’s replay value only sweetens the deal. The overall experience delivers an uneven, albeit high-quality, memorable mystery adventure. The post Review: Agatha Christie – Death on the Nile (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Splatterbot is a multiplayer game that’s all about making a mess. Think of it as a simplified, top-down version of Splatoon. With robots. It’s the first title from indie developer

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Splatterbot is a multiplayer game that’s all about making a mess. Think of it as a simplified, top-down version of Splatoon. With robots. It’s the first title from indie developer Hey! Kookaburra, and this cute, family-friendly entry shows a promising future for this one-person team. In Splatterbot, you control a robot vacuum on a mission to paint the room rather than clean it. This little title pits players against one another in a race to cover the most territory before time runs out. It’s a party game that can be played with up to four local players made up of humans or CPUs. When the AI is in charge, it doesn’t present much of a challenge. Maybe a difficulty setting could help here? The real fun is playing with actual people anyway, and it becomes a competitive experience once you get into the swing of things. Gameplay involves moving around the stage while your bot automatically paints the floor in your team’s color. At the end, you’ll find out the percentage of territory you or your team painted, crowning someone the winner. There are six areas to choose from, which adds to the experience with some creative locations. For example, one level features two boats and two piers with gaps between them. There’s also an office with various rooms, which was a highlight. There are a few options to customize the gameplay to your liking. These are found in a settings menu, but they might be clearer if presented while creating a game. I still appreciate them, though, allowing you to change the level timer (60, 120, or 180 seconds) as well as toggle any of the items. The items in particular make a big difference, as it can create an overpowered combatant when someone collects too many. The items pop up randomly during a game to power up your robot. These upgrades include speed and size increases, along with a short burst of color and a ball that paints for you as it bounces. The speed and size boosts in particular make things much easier, but they last forever, as in Bomberman. This means if one person collects a few upgrades, they’re likely to keep reaching them before anyone else, making it a little unbalanced. Switching them off can level the playing field to an extent. Other options include a color-blind mode, which assists with accessibility. I also appreciate the simple controls. This is a game that can truly be enjoyed by anyone of any age. It’s meant to be a simple, fun experience for the whole family, and on that note, it delivers. Naturally, you can choose your robot’s color. These come in four bright varieties that help you differentiate yourself from others: yellow, magenta, blue and white. You will also unlock trails (the lines that follow you as you paint) and costumes for your little robo-buddy the more you play. These help personalize the game in a fun way. There aren’t any notifications to alert you to newly unlocked items; a little popup would go a long way in incentivising you to play again. Regardless, I enjoyed putting different items on my robot to make it my own. Mine was wearing a halo and emitting bubbles at one point. Cute. Overall, Splatterbot is a fun little game. It’s simple, sure, but the bones are here for a neat party title. You’ll have yourself some fun playing it in short bursts with four players as a warm up on game nights. With a few more options or modes, this could be even better. I’m keen to see what’s next for Hey! Kookaburra. The post Review: Splatterbot (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk discuss the latest releases for the Nintendo Switch 2: Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Invalice Chronicles.

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This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk discuss the latest releases for the Nintendo Switch 2: Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Invalice Chronicles. Last week was also a big week of new releases with the likes of Hades, Sonic Racing, and EA Sports FC 26. This week, there’s more gaming love with two huge Nintendo Switch 2 releases (though Mario Galaxy is also available on the original Nintendo Switch). We’re also preparing for PAX Aus next week, so be sure to let us know what you’d like to hear from the event! Plus, we want to play a demo recommended by YOU! Let us know your choice and we’ll play it during the week and report back. We also begin our countdown to Halloween, kicking things off with a look at a couple of creepy titles you might want to consider. We’re also playing some non-scary games, from Splatterbot to Puzzle Quest. It’s all happening on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, your weekly dose of all things Nintendo! With well over 100 episodes down, we’re excited to bring you more Nintendo content each and every week. There’s so much to look forward to in the rest of 2025 alone with Metroid Prime 4 and Hyrule Warriors yet to come our way – and now with release dates! So be sure to tune in each and every Monday for the latest dose of all things Nintendo on the Pure Nintendo Podcast! Support us on the Pure Nintendo Podcast! And don’t forget to follow us on Blue Sky to keep up to date with our news and reviews, and support us over at Patreon.com/PureNintendo! Our next issue of the Pure Nintendo Magazine has just been shipped, so keep your eyes on your mailbox for your copy! Until next time, game on everyone! The post Let’s play Super Mario Galaxy 1+2! Pure Nintendo Podcast E132 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

What’s happening on the Nintendo Switch eShop this week? Oh, just a little something called Super Mario Galaxy. And Super Mario Galaxy 2. In a bundle. In 4K. Let’s-a-go!

Yes,

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What’s happening on the Nintendo Switch eShop this week? Oh, just a little something called Super Mario Galaxy. And Super Mario Galaxy 2. In a bundle. In 4K. Let’s-a-go! Yes, while it might not quite be the new 3D Mario we were hoping for, it’s the glorious return of Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel. These two classic 3D platformers feature colorful worlds, fun powerups, and star-crossed exploraiton. Not to mention the addition of a new Assist Mode and extra storybook content. We’ll be chatting about this nostalgic title on our next episode of the Pure Nintendo Podcast, and writing up a review soon, too, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, this week’s other big hitter is another blast from the past in the form of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Invalice Chronicles. This classic turn-based RPG has been enhanced for the Switch 2, bringing engaging battles and exciting gameplay to Nintendo’s latest hybrid. There’s plenty more on offer this week, including new music to enjoy on the Nintendo Music app. This week’s update brings the bouncy, fun tunes from Princess Peach Showtime! There are also plenty of games on sale, along with a long list of new releases to tempt your digital wallet. Check out the full details below, and let us know what you’re playing this week. Highlights Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Travel the galaxy with Mario in two classic adventures, featuring enhanced resolution (1080p on Nintendo Switch and 4K on Nintendo Switch 2 with a free update), a new Assist Mode and more! In the Super Mario Galaxy game, Mario meets Rosalina, and must rescue Princess Peach and recover the stolen Power Stars from Bowser. In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario teams up with Yoshi and travels across the universe in Starship Mario, a flying vessel shaped like Mario’s head! Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 are available now on Nintendo eShop. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – Step back into the story of ambition, betrayal and honor that defined a generation in this iconic RPG. Featuring fully voiced dialogue, enhanced graphics and multiple gameplay improvements, players can lead their party in exhilarating encounters where strategic positioning and forward planning determine the outcome. Use the varied terrain of 3D battlefields to your advantage, skillfully manipulate the turn order, and victory will be yours for the taking! FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system is available now, along with a Nintendo Switch version on Nintendo eShop. Nintendo Music Encore! Encore! – Get ready to step back into the spotlight as the dazzling soundtrack to the Princess Peach: Showtime! game is available now on Nintendo Music1, the smart-device app for Nintendo soundtracks! The show must go on with showstopping sounds including “A Perfect Rehearsal,” “Assassin Disco,” “Captivating Prelude” and more. For more info, visit: https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/nintendo-music/. Nintendo eShop sales Check out the full list of deals available this week at https://www.nintendo.com/store/sales-and-deals. My Nintendo store The Nintendo Switch 2 system is now available to purchase on the official My Nintendo Store – no invitation required! Additionally, the limit on Nintendo Switch 2 systems and select accessories has been increased to two per item, per customer: https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/. Also new this week on Nintendo Switch A Wild Last Boss Appeared! ~Black-Winged Survivor~ – Available Oct. 4 Battle Suit Aces – Available Oct. 7 Broken Rules Collection Candy Rangers Candy Trail Carlos the Taco – Available Oct. 3 Castle Crumble – Available Oct. 3 Castle of Heart: Retold – Available Oct. 3 Catching Spirits Cats Visiting El Dorado Colorama Cubes Craft Your Way Dawnfolk – Available Oct. 7 EGGCONSOLE ARAMO MSX Flight Simulator 2025 – Available Oct. 3 Grill it! Sanma Guchio Rising Mountain – Available Oct. 8 Hidden Legends Lost in Fantaland – Available Oct. 8 Lovely Spot the Difference Monument Valley: The Collection Mystic Pathways: Crystal Quest – Available Oct. 8 no brake no gain Piggly Pagly Boom – Available Oct. 3 Project 7: Escape Room ROUNDS Shujinkou Smith & Dungeon: Crafting the Legendary Weapons Snow Aces League – Available Oct. 4 Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer – Available Oct. 3 Sonic Wings Reunion – Available Oct. 7 Squirrel Madness & Silent Mist Super Mining Mechs – Available Oct. 8 To Farm Lands Torched The post Mario Galaxy and final Fantasy Tactics join this week’s eShop roundup appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Cronos: The New Dawn is a self-described “brutal third-person survival horror” game. This could be the most apt description of an eShop listing I’ve ever seen. It’s a tough, dark,

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Cronos: The New Dawn is a self-described “brutal third-person survival horror” game. This could be the most apt description of an eShop listing I’ve ever seen. It’s a tough, dark, and horror-filled journey into the past that’s not for the faint of heart. Or for those without a ton of patience. Cronos presents an interesting concept akin to the plot of 12 Monkeys. You play the role of a traveler from the future on a mission to decipher the past. You awaken in a chamber, receiving instructions on the mission ahead from a disembodied voice. It seems the previous explorer—known as a Traveler—has gone AWOL. Your first task is to follow the trail to your comrade’s last known whereabouts. The past is, in fact, 1980s Poland. It’s also a dark, bleak, and quiet place. Something has gone very wrong in this world, with globules of organic matter splattered around the place like something from the Alien series. The things that spring forth from these gross structures are arguably worse than those scary sci-fi antagonists, though. They remind me of the creatures from early Resident Evil outings; elongated mutants bent on eating flesh. Like zombies, only somehow worse. The cause of this terror-filled past? Well, that’s part of the mission. Along the way, you come across various pieces of evidence that help decipher what really happened. It’s clearly an outbreak of some sort, with stories leading to a terrible pandemic that makes COVID-19 look like a walk in the park. Your nameless character wears a hefty suit. This clunky armour serves to protect you from whatever vile disease is out there. It won’t protect you from those awful creatures, though. I appreciate the feeling of weight the suit gives, with a metallic clunk echoing as you step through the ghostly environment. The developers have done a great job of making you feel like you’re trapped in this heavy outfit, emitting a feeling of claustrophobia that goes hand in hand with the feeling of isolation. Graphically, Cronos looks bleak—in a good way. Everything is shrouded in darkness, giving an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness that compliments the narrative. I’m happy to report that this Switch 2 outing looks and performs very well. I’d even go so far as to say it’s quite stunning at times. It’s not without its bugs (I found myself stuck in the terrain on more than one occasion), but it’s well designed and certainly makes use of Nintendo’s more powerful console. Remember the term I used initially to describe Cronos? Well, “brutal” actually doesn’t even begin to cover it. This is a difficult game, punishing players repeatedly as they progress slowly through this unfriendly world. This could put some players off; be prepared for a tough slog. This high difficulty is partly due to the strength of the grotesque enemies, who are extremely hard to kill. They can also morph with other entities, making them even more powerful. On top of that is the survival part of the game. Despite having a weapon, your supplies are constantly low—you will run out of ammo. Part of the fun (and occasional frustration) is working with what you’ve got to make it through each section. Just be prepared to take your time with this one. If you caught the numerous references mentioned throughout this review, you’d be right in assuming that Cronos takes its cues from various popular sources. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, coming across as more of an homage with its own take on the classic outbreak formula. Overall, Cronos: The New Dawn is an atmospheric horror outing with an interesting premise that creates a bleak feeling of isolation. It borders on frustrating at times with its high difficulty, but that’s also part and parcel of the genre. It may not convert anyone not already invested in these tough outings, but survival-horror fans are in for a treat. The post Review: Cronos: The New Dawn (Nintendo Switch 2) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Nashville, TN – Oct 3, 2025 – Our cover game, Metroid Prime 4, is still a ways off, but we can wait a little longer. Heck, since it was first

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Nashville, TN – Oct 3, 2025 – Our cover game, Metroid Prime 4, is still a ways off, but we can wait a little longer. Heck, since it was first announced, we’ve already been waiting over 8 years, so what’s a few more months? And don’t feel bad if you haven’t upgraded yet, as Samus will be finding her way to the original Switch hardware, too. The PNM crew shares our top Switch 2 launch game picks, our early impressions of the hardware overall, and many fresh reviews, including the latest from “The Big N” and its third parties. Reader-favorite features also return, including Archive Anthology, Switching on a Budget, and more. PNM wouldn’t be possible without the patience and support of our loyal Koopaling subscribers. On behalf of the entire team, we appreciate you. Good gaming, friends! Not a subscriber yet? Sign Up on our Patreon Page Here Those who want a PDF version to view in a digital format on any of their devices will still have that option via our Patreon page. And if you just want a single issue in print, you can still order from our MagCloud storefront: Pure Nintendo Magazine (PNM) Issue 70 By Pure Media LLC in Pure Nintendo Magazine (PNM) 52 pages, published 10/3/2025 Our cover game, Metroid Prime 4, is still a ways off, but we can wait a little longer. Heck, since it was first announced, we’ve already been waiting over 8 years, so what’s a few more months? And don’t feel bad if you haven’t upgraded yet, as Samus will be finding her way to the original Switch hardware, too. The PNM crew shares our top Switch 2 launch game picks, our early impressions of the hardware overall, and many fresh reviews, including… Take part in making PNM great! – The Question Block We also love it when our readers interact with staff so that they can also participate in creating PNM and making it fun for everyone to read! Contribute to PNM by sending your feedback, letters, or questions to questionblock@purenintendo.com! We take our readers letters or questions, respond to them, and publish the results in The Question Block. – Nintendo Fan Art We regularly publish Nintendo fan art in each issue of PNM! Do you have a piece of artwork that you are particularly proud of? E-mail it to Kaelyn, our artwork curator, at kaelyn@purenintendo.com for a chance to see it published within the pages of PNM! – Reader Poll As a fun little extra, we feature reader polls on PureNintendo.com. The poll, results, and information about the next poll are then published in The Question Block for each issue of PNM. If you want to make your voice heard, check out the right side bar and vote in our current poll! The post Pure Nintendo Magazine Reveals the Cover of Issue 70, Arriving Soon! appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Covenant of Solitude is a JRPG developed by Magitec and published by KEMCO that was originally released in 2013 as a mobile game. I never played the game before, so

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Covenant of Solitude is a JRPG developed by Magitec and published by KEMCO that was originally released in 2013 as a mobile game. I never played the game before, so this was a new experience for me, and I was eager to test out the game’s unique monster mechanics. You play as Fort, a young man from the village of Listy. Monsters are feared by everyone, though there are some people, known as genies, who can summon these monsters and command them. Fort is a genie, and he does his best to hide this secret. However, when war and ruin arrive, and genies are a target to be used or be killed, Fort has no choice but to use his power and work alongside monsters to not only survive, but help save the world. The beginning is heavy with dialogue and backstory with two brief practice battles in between. It took about fifty minutes to get through it all before I could start playing. I think that’s too long for an intro, especially since I didn’t care for the writing or Fort’s personality. First, Fort’s character was unlikeable. He’s a bit of a wimp and whiny. In addition, the overall dialogue didn’t do it for me. It didn’t flow well or read authentically. Some of the banter between characters fell flat, and I found myself skipping through the text just to get through it. I had to choose carefully when to pay attention because Covenant of Solitude doesn’t have a quest list on the pause screen. There are no map markers or reminders of what to do or where to go next. Once a character tells you to go to a certain place, that’s it. You better remember what they said or else you’ll wander. Luckily, the map isn’t too big so the next area was simple enough to find. Enemy encounters are frequent in dungeons and on the map, so leveling up your party is simple. I only had one game over, though that’s not to say the battles are simple. Overall, the enemies versus my party were pretty balanced. No one was ever too overpowered, leaving room for strategy in battle or using the auto battle function when I did feel the need to grind just a little bit. But who’s your party in Covenant of Solitude? That’s up to you. Since Fort can summon and command monsters, the player gets to choose between four types of monsters: dragons, fairies, vampires, or beasts. Each type has its own specialties. For example, the beast has increased attack and speed stats. Then you assign them each a job: fighter, healer, wizard, or thief. The fighter is a strong attacker while the thief uses quick movement. I could have made my beast either/or if I wanted to utilize its specialties, so I made my beast a thief. I also had a dragon fighter and a vampire wizard. I enjoyed using this mechanic to create my party to mix and match stats. The game allows for multiple parties. It’s encouraged to create many monsters so you can change out your party members depending on the area and enemies you’re facing. However, the monsters not in your party don’t increase in level. This makes sense, but when my party was level thirty-eight, I created a healer to see what that’d be like and they were level one. Unless I backtracked to an earlier part of the game and grinded a lot, it wasn’t worth it to me. This brings up some great replayability for Covenant of Solitude, although the story will always be the same and, being an RPG, its gameplay is linear. I’m not into the story or the characters, so I’m not sure I would want to go through all of this again to test out other skills and stats. The monster mechanic is super cool, and I like creating and customizing my party as such, but…I enjoy RPGs so much for the comradery of the party, and the monsters don’t talk. There’s no banter, conversation, or character development of the monsters or the party as a whole. That was a bummer for me. I wanted to feel a connection to the characters, but the only one with personality was Fort and I didn’t care for him. Covenant of Solitude has fun battle mechanics, though it’s nothing groundbreaking aside from creating the party members. Each battle is turn-based, where you can use basic melee attacks, magic, items, defend, or run away. As mentioned before, the auto battle was handy for grinding. The characters will always default to their basic melee attack in an auto battle, though. They don’t think to use magic or items, but it worked regardless. Speaking of items, I wish these were more balanced. The only way to fully heal was to either sleep at an inn or use the healing spot right before a boss battle. The game is generous with HP healing items, but the MP healing items were a rare find. The “heal MP slightly” item was available at the shop in various towns, but that only healed thirty MP. My magic user had 200+ MP and her stronger attacks used at least twenty MP. So, you can imagine how much I’d go through in one dungeon. Leveling up didn’t help, either. It only fully healed their HP, not their MP, and it didn’t get rid of status conditions. Overall, Covenant of Solitude is a decent RPG. The battles are the heart of it, and they were great. Between my party, the enemies, and bosses, it wasn’t too easy or too difficult. I was able to make progress without getting frustrated. However, I wish the item pool were more balanced, the writing were better, and the characters had more of a say. Still, if you’re a fan of RPGs, this game is worth a go, especially if you’re more interested in the battling. The post Review: Covenant of Solitude (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Kirby is back! The wonderful Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a highlight for the Nintendo Switch when it debuted in 2022. Adding new content and features to this lovely

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Kirby is back! The wonderful Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a highlight for the Nintendo Switch when it debuted in 2022. Adding new content and features to this lovely platformer is a great way to breathe new life into it, even if it means only Switch 2 players can experience the extras on offer. I’m not going to delve too deeply into the Forgotten Land portion of the DLC. We covered this in our original Kirby and the Forgotten Land review at the time. Needless to say, it’s an absolutely terrific 3D platformer, brimming with cuteness and collectibles. It serves as Kirby’s first proper 3D outing, and it made for a fantastic debut for the Pink Puff. If you haven’t tried it, do yourself a favor and download the demo at the very least. If you have tried it, you likely already know how great the game is. So, this begs the question, is the Star-Crossed World DLC worth your time? Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, with a gushing explanation. Let’s get to it! Kirby has a long and varied history, with his first outing way back in 1992 for the humble Game Boy. He’s come a long way since then, sporting well over thirty titles in the series, including spin-offs. As one of the most popular Nintendo characters, particularly in Nintendo’s homeland of Japan, it was only a matter of time before we saw Kirby’s foray into the 3D realm. It’s not clear why Mario and Zelda made this leap much sooner, but here we are. The Star-Crossed World portion of the game begins as soon as you’ve completed the first section of Forgotten Land proper. A cutscene introduces us to a strange object as it descends from the skies, crash-landing in the ocean not far from where Kirby and his crew are hanging out. A volcano sprouts from this location, springing strange blue crystals into the air and altering the world around you. What this mysterious arrival means from a practical sense is revamped levels to play. While the Star-Crossed World DLC doesn’t provide new levels per se, it adds content to existing ones. To be clear, there are now two choices when you hover over certain levels: original or crystallized versions. I say “certain” because not every level is revamped this way. There are 12 remixes among the existing 40 levels, giving you an idea of the amount of new content. I know what you’re thinking; no new levels? But hear me out. Firstly, if you haven’t played Forgotten Land since 2022, these will seem like new levels to you. Secondly, coming from a player who missed the game the first time around, I played the original levels and then almost immediately played the remixed versions. And they still felt new. In other words, they’re different enough to make this a worthwhile experience. They have a unique name compared with the original version, making them stand out as new experiences. Not only are the levels remixed, but the Star-Crossed World DLC also comes with new Mouthful Mode abilities. If you’ve played the original, you’ll know this Kirby outing features traditional Copy Abilities along with a new Mouthful Mode mechanic. Kirby wouldn’t be Kirby without his special moves, and the Mouthful Mode introduces some terrific new ways to transform using large objects. From cars to cones, Kirby can swallow huge items like the stretchy marshmallow-like character he is, bending to their shape. Driving around as a Kirby-covered car in the intro is something truly wonderful to experience. In Star-Crossed World, three new Mouthful Modes are available: Spring Mouth, Gear Mouth, and Sign Mouth. Spring Mouth lets Kirby bounce high and smash the ground. Gear Mouth grants Kirby the ability to scale walls and roll vertically. And Sign Mouth lets Kirby slide and spin down slopes to launch himself. These three add to the existing 14 in the Forgotten Land. Visually, Kirby’s latest adventure looks lovelier than ever. This is a Switch 2 outing after all. While cartoony characters and colorful backdrops might not seem like the most obvious use case for the Switch 2’s capabilities, this game looks absolutely stunning. The glistening water, the detailed characters; and the improved framerate all combine into something pretty spectacular. Kirby has never looked better. The in-game music is also a delight. The original outing features a terrific soundtrack full of bouncy pop-based tunes (you can check some of them out on the Nintendo Music app if you’re interested). Star-Crossed World adds remixes and new tracks, providing more wonderful synth-based melodies to become your next earworm. The energetic soundtrack suits the colorful tone of the entire game, providing another level on which you can experience Kirby’s unbridled enthusiasm. It’s catchy, to say the least. Overall, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World breathes new life into this fantastic platformer. If you enjoyed the original outing, do yourself a favor and check out the DLC. If you missed it the first time around, then you’re in for a real treat, with a massive game ripe for exploring. The lovely visuals, catchy tunes, and solid level design will keep you entertained throughout the journey. The post Review: Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

All Steam news, all the time!

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added missing style for the One-Man Convoy Fixed regression in vbsp Fixed broken styles for the Professor Photon Renamed Feathered Villain to Feathered Foe Updated the Pyromantic Plumage to fix a clipping problem Updated the backpack image for the Fused Plates Updated arena_afterlife Fixed the bug that caused the round to never end Fixed some of the default announcer lines not being replaced with the Devil Updated koth_dusker Lighting and fog adjustments Fixed displacement seam Fixed perch spot on blue mountain Fixed being able to build in the death pit Adjusted timing of voicelines Updated sd_marshlands Reduced pumpkin bomb amount Removed spell pickup from the mid shack Adjusted trigger_push speed on top of the bridge Reduced respawn time

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Scream Fortress XVII has arrived! Featuring 5 new community maps: Cowerhouse, Dusker, Afterlife, Devilcross, and Marshlands Added the Spectral Stash Case Contains 23 new community-created cosmetic items that make up the Spectral Stash Collection Has a chance to give one of 4 new community-created Halloween-restricted items as a bonus item Has a chance to give a taunt Unusualifier as a bonus item Added 3 new community-contributed taunts to the Mann Co. Store Taunt: Heartbreaker Taunt: Healthcare Hog Taunt: Ring King Added 15 new community-created Unusual effects 7 new effects for Unusual hats 8 new effects for Unusual taunts All players who launch the game will receive a Soul Gargoyle if they don't already have one Grants access to Merasmissions and Halloween item transmutations Tracks Merasmissions completed and souls collected All Halloween Contracts have been reset, allowing them to be completed again Added new Contracts for this year's featured community maps Completing a Halloween Contract will give players a classic Halloween item and the chance for a Spectral Stash Case Continue last year's event by collecting the souls of dead players for your Soul Gargoyle by killing enemies, doing map objectives, or collecting the Soul Gargoyles that spawn in the maps All cosmetic and taunt Cases will grant Halloween 2025 Unusual effects instead of their normal Unusual effects during the event. This does not include Crates. Join Halloween matches by using the Special Events category in Casual Scream Fortress XVII runs through November 7th, 2025 General Added (VSH) and (ZI) extensions to the community game mode map names to help identify them Fixed self-illum settings for capture point materials (community fix from Horiuchi) Fixed The Weather Master not cloaking properly Fixed an issue with props and team colors when taunting with the Mutated Milk Updated several strings with consistency fixes Updated the ConTracker to allow community map contracts to be completed in any order Updated the Dusk Duster to add "No Bullets" styles and fix an issue with missing triangles under the right lapel Updated the Fully Charged and Overcharged Unusual effects to improve performance Updated Randolph the Blood-Nosed Caribou to fix missing self-illum setting for the BLU team Updated pl_camber Fixed forward spawn again Updated pl_citadel Adjusted prop placement around the C checkpoint Clipping fixes and adjustments Visual fixes and adjustments Updated koth_demolition Updated steam whistle sounds Reduced ambient_generic across the map to avoid problems with sounds not playing Adjusted RED side wooden signs on the lower flank to match BLU side Adjusted spawn points to point at the main door Removed trimp spot on the crane platform Moved healthpack on the crane platform forward so players don't need to make an U turn to reach the control point Added jump pad on the crane platform to allow less mobile classes to get back to the control point if they get stuck there Added critical hit particles to the "evil deer" when it kills players Added collision to some pipes near the control point platform so players can stand on them Adjusted nav mesh to accommodate the new changes (thanks again Katsu)

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Fixed a physics crash whenever a ragdoll is spawned

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added 'No Bullets' styles for the Tsar Platinum, Siberian Sweater, Heavy Metal, and Bigger Mann on Campus Updated the Tsar Platinum to fix some clipping issues when using the 'No Bullets' style Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated pl_citadel Further adjustments to payload collision Adjusted cover near first checkpoint gate Made drawbridge less prone to crushing players while opening Fixed some projectiles colliding with the bounding box of func_brush entities Fixed an exploit that allowed buildings to be placed under terrain Fixed an exploit that allowed BLU players to enter RED spawn Improved navmesh (community fix from Koi) Visual fixes and adjustments Clipping adjustments Updated cp_gravelpit_snowy Enabled radial fog Repositioned weather particles Adjusted holiday events Fixed displacement seams Fixed footstep sounds on clipping brushes Updated pl_aquarius Fixed underwater speed boost conflicting with several item effects Fixed some cases where players could get stuck in payload lifts Fixed case where Megalodon could eat the payload without final being capped (Thanks Chaos!) Adjusted layout of catwalk area over A to improve flow and navigation Full ammo on B reduced to medium Slightly raised rubber catwalk over C lift Blocked dead end cubby near point C D shortcut platform given short barrier and easier pipe jump

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added 'No Bullets' style for the Heavy Tourism, the Combat Casual, the Sleeveless in Siberia, and the Siberian Tigerstripe Fixed point_camera transmit state in multiplayer (GitHub fix from ficool2) Fixed CVoiceStatus::UpdateServerState not sending the correct vban state from the client (GitHub fix from FlaminSarge) Updated the Team Cap to fix some clipping problems Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated cp_fortezza Managed problematic sniper sightline on point A Updated koth_boardwalk Fixed a missing window in Mad Manor Restored missing signage along the shoreline boardwalk Fixed the funhouse mirrors breaking under extreme circumstances

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added 'No Bullets' styles for the Brute's Braces and the Hunter Heavy to support the new 'bullets' bodygroup Updated cp_fulgur Added an extra dropdown path between B and C Fixed particle manifest naming Updated cp_fortezza Managed sniper sightlines on last Added new cover object to first point Improved clipping in areas Updated koth_demolition Fixed a prop on the RED helipad building being inside a wall Fixed two props missing particle effect on the helipad buildings Fixed a small bug with the shortcuts where sometimes they stayed closed after players exited them even when other players were on the trigger Fixed nav mesh (thanks Katsu for editing it) Added missing spectator cameras around the map Added the "evil deer" on the boat hanging above the sea, do not touch it Raised the water kill trigger slightly Changed the type of the water kill trigger from drown to fall so it displays the message " fell to a clumsy and painful death" Reduced the damage of the water kill trigger from 9999 to 2000 to avoid issues with physic objects Notes missed from the previous update: Fixed the Taunt: Bear Hug not always playing the correct animations

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added missing Engineer audio for the Taunt: The Final Score Fixed an issue with props and team colors when taunting with Australium weapons Updated the Le Morne Uniforme to fix some clipping problems Updated the Kapitan's Kaftan to hide the Heavy's bullets Updated the Fully Charged and Overcharged Unusual effects to fix a refraction bug Updated the Esprit De Corps to improve the rigging Updated the Blindin' Bonnett and Shady Shelby to adjust their team colors Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated the Fat Friar Improved rig Adjusted mesh to compensate for lack of bullets bodygroup Removed misplaced ambient occlusion and light generators from the texture Removed normal map artifacts Updated backpack icon to represent above changes Updated pl_citadel Adjusted payload collision Reduced radius of payload spawn exit explosion Updated various decorative particles to not render on low graphics settings Updated pl_odyssey Added 60 seconds to the round timer when the final control point is activated Fixed some projectiles colliding with the bounding box of func_brush entities Visual fixes and adjustments Updated koth_blowout Added Experimental Cage around the maps central Blowout Preventer This change aims to make the cover around the point feel more consistent and prevents players from shooting through small gaps or from behind unfair cover Improved Optimization Fixed kill trigger delay in finale sequence Fixed some Unintended Sightlines Improved Detailing and Visual Clarity in some areas Updated koth_boardwalk Fixed being able to smuggle enemy Spies into spawn Reduced ambient soundscape music Added new voice lines for the Barker Fixed a visible hall-of-mirrors error in the water by the Sawmill of Love Fixed visible nodraw under the shoreline boardwalk Updated cp_cargo Added bullet block to prevent Red from being able to shoot into blue spawn Added bullet block to the last point wires Fixed the setupgoal text Extended the fence next to red spawn slightly Updated cp_fortezza Added more cover to Last Added defensive hold for Engineer's holding valley between A and B Rebalanced pickups in some areas Lighting improvements Reduced file size of the map Updated koth_demolition Replaced pillars under the crane using the red texture with ones using the yellow texture Fixed the HDR so lights aren't super bright Replaced the helicopters with ones not using the Yeti Park logo Replaced the Coaltown frames with new ones using newspapers talking about story of the oilrig Added a decal showing the oilrig name (Fort Water Rig No. 2) next to the spawns Updated the luxel scale in multiple places of the map Replaced old blockbullets with new blockbullets for better footsteps sfx Replaced the health and ammo pack stands with new ones, metal for outdoors and wooden for indoors Added a mini ammo on the furnace rooms Added new clipping on top of the furnace rooms to avoid demos and soldiers spamming the point from far away Improved the clipping on the spawn platforms to not allow stickies to stick mid air Added a wooden sign pointing to the shortcut and long path Added new signs that toggle depending on the state of the shortcut to help players navigate the map Reworked the art pass inside the helipad platform Added a new catwalk behind the furnace buildings to give players more routes on the map Adjusted the stairs inside the office building Clipped the open window inside the office building so demos can lob pipes through it Moved a prop on BLU spawn to prevent it from clipping inside a floor light Changed the lights on the shortcuts to be more vibrant and have better illumination and fading

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Reverted the change to the Taunt: Texan Trickshot Updated koth_boardwalk Fixed players being able to spam the Barker's voice lines when approaching the shooting galleries Fixed a set of missing handrails Improved ambient lighting Fixed missing shoreline visible from the far end of the pier

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Fixed Wrangler shield not moving with parented Sentry Gun (GitHub fix from ficool2) Fixed missing sounds for Taunt: The Final Score Fixed sound effect being clipped for the Taunt: Bear Hug Reduced the taunt attack range for the Taunt: Texan Trickshot Updated the Esprit De Corps to fix a clipping issue on the shoulder Updated the Short Fuse to fix an issue with the normal map Updated the in-game item importer to support the new 'bullets' bodygroup Updated the Fully Charged and Overcharged Unusual effects to fix problems with DirectX80 Updated the Iconic Outline and Subtle Silhouette Unusual effects Added path to fallback material for refract texture to prevent rendering issues for dx80 users Lowered depth bias value of refraction to mitigate rendering issues on taunts that do not move their default control point with the model Updated pl_aquarius Fixed skybox Updated soundscapes Updated cp_conifer Fixed missing poster texture Fixed outdated loading screen pictures Updated cp_fulgur Fixed clipping in the exterior area Replaced one of the outdated spytech assets with newer version Updated pl_citadel VScript stability improvements

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Summer 2025! Featuring 10 new community maps: Citadel, Aquarius, Fulgur, Cargo, Conifer, Boardwalk, Blowout, Mannhole, Demolition, and Pressure Added the Summer 2025 Cosmetic Case Contains 23 new community-contributed items Added 4 new community-contributed taunts to the Mann Co. Store Taunt: The Final Score Taunt: Bear Hug Taunt: Texan Trickshot Taunt: Flying Colors Added 14 new community-created Unusual effects 7 new effects for Unusual hats 7 new effects for Unusual taunts All cosmetic and taunt cases will grant Summer 2025 Unusual effects instead of their normal Unusual effects during the Summer event. This does not include crates. The Summer event runs through September 15th, 2025 General Fixed the Frontline Field Recorder not using its normal map Fixed The Texas Half-Pants not fully using rimlight Fixed the Das Hazmattenhatten's materials not using its normal map Fixed The Bazaar Bargain's scope being painted when using the Saccharine Striped, Team Detail, Gobi Glazed, and Team Charged war paints Fixed some outdated in-game tips Reduced default value for ConVar 'tf_mm_next_map_vote_time' from 30s to 15s Updated materials for The Candy Cane to fix consistency issues Updated lightwarptexture setting for the blood version of the Half-Zatoichi Updated the Strasbourg Scholar to improve clipping Updated the Heavy's model to add a 'bullets' bodygroup for cosmetics Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated cp_fortezza Reworked routes between Point A and Last Improved lighting and visuals across the map Clipping fixes Updated vsh_distillery, vsh_maul, vsh_nucleus, vsh_outburst, vsh_skirmish, and vsh_tinyrock Big thanks to Whurr, Starfall and Bradasparky for reporting bugs and suggesting changes. Balance changes Consecutive Wall Climbs no longer cut your preexisting speed Mini-Sentries now deal 80% damage (up from 50%) Crit-boosted Miniguns now deal 70% damage (up from 60%) Reduced the Mighty Slam's damage at point-blank range Rebalanced Hale's damage against buildings Level 1 buildings are destroyed with a single punch Level 2 and 3 buildings now require two punches The Wrangler Shield adds an additional punch to the required count Ability-based damage to buildings is unchanged Bugfixes Fixed a crash caused by the string pool overflowing over time Fixed Hale's attacks applying knockback in the wrong direction Fixed dead players being flagged as AFK and kicked for idling during long rounds Fixed the round timer resetting to 60 seconds if it was lower when the number of alive Mercs dropped to 5 Fixed Hale being able to punch immediately as the Sweeping Charge ends. Fixed Hale's punch knockback being too strong against Demoman, Heavy, and Medic Fixed healing effects from the Warrior's Spirit and the Powerjack erasing overheal Fixed the Quick-Fix occasionally failing to mirror the patient's Wall Climbing Fixed a rare bug at the start of a round where Hale couldn't move Fixed being able to Wall Climb off of projectiles

SCUM is Now Available on Steam! Traverse punishing environments, looting, crafting and evading the constant threats to your life. The unprecedented levels of character customization and progression are your ultimate tools for survival.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Fixed some players not being able to start Friends Only servers

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Re-enabled all players to be able to use voice commands and party chat Added more detailed options for server visibility and privacy when creating a server The "Use Steam Networking" checkbox has been replaced with a dropdown, allowing the creation of Local, Friends Only, Unlisted and Listed servers -- defaulting to Unlisted Using map command by default will no longer create a join-able game Fixed a crash on exit under Linux

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Fixed HUD scope animation exploit (GitHub fix from mastercoms) Fixed case where the door model for Match Status HUD wasn't initialized before setting the submodel (GitHub fix from rabscootle) Fixed money not automatically being collected in Mann vs. Machine respawn rooms (GitHub fix from mastercoms) Fixed stuck Mann vs. Machine bots sometimes causing spawn softlocks (GitHub fix from Mentrillum) Fixed Mann vs. Machine ammo canteens not affecting energy weapons (GitHub fix from Mentrillum) Fixed 'Shell Extension' achiemevent not working for energy weapons (GitHub fix from Mentrillum) Fixed not being able to deploy parachute after landing and becoming airborne without jump button (GitHub fix from FlaminSarge) Fixed some heap allocated KeyValues leaks (GitHub fix from Dmitry Tsarevich) Relaxed in-game chat restrictions for certain accounts

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added missing string for the PNG filter when using the Decal Tool Added missing newline to the 'Unable to initialize sound capture' console message Added IsNextBot() method (GitHub fix from Bitl) Added support for custom mission briefings in vsh and zi game modes (GitHub fix from Gamer_X) Added convar to control max Mann vs. Machine robots (GitHub fix from ficool2) Added prediction for Thermal Thruster + self-stun (GitHub fix from wgetJane) Fixed crash with game_round_win in KOTH (GitHub fix from doclic) Fixed Mann vs. Machine status HUD not using the mini boss background for enemies in the Support group Fixed Medieval Mode Auto-RP not matching lowercase input unless it begins with an 'a' Fixed backpack page buttons putting the 'New' label behind the button Fixed character info panel not being positioned correctly Fixed The Front Runner using the wrong team color for the headset on the Stylin' style Fixed Announcer VO with static at the end of the sound (community fix from Lindon) Fixed missing lightwarp setting for the Conniver's Kunai and The Half-Zatoichi (community fix from Lindon) Fixed The Bazaar Bargain's scope being painted when using the Elfin Enamel war paint Fixed commentary text not displaying Fixed TFBot VScript methods SetBehaviorFlag, ClearBehaviorFlag, IsBehaviorFlagSet, SetMission, SetPrevMission, GetMission, GetPrevMission, and HasMission using 'unsigned int' by mistake Fixed overlapping internal font names causing one font to overwrite the other for Linux clients (GitHub fix from RoseyLemonz) Fixed Casual late-joiners seeing Competitive logo on Match Status HUD doors (GitHub fix from rabscootle) Fixed Spy bots using human voice lines in Mann vs. Machine (GitHub fix from John Kvalevog) Fixed crash on VGUI menu bar button cursor entrance (GitHub fix from RGBACatlord) Fixed Mann vs. Machine bomb carrier voice line playing during normal CTF with bots (GitHub fix from mastercoms) Fixed organ props spawning from non-Vita-Saw damage (GitHub fix from Thomas Kain) Fixed uninitialized field use in CParticleEffectBinding (GitHub fix from Thomas Kain) Fixed type cast warning caused by pointer size mismatch (GitHub fix from SanyaSho) Fixed typo in Mann vs. Machine score calculation (GitHub fix from HalfMatt) Fixed missed break in logging character field save data causing incorrect logging (GitHub fix from Dmitry Tsarevich) Fixed Engineer bots soft locking on CTF maps (GitHub fix from AwfulRanger) Fixed middle mouse kicking you in PASS Time (GitHub fix from ficool2) Fixed radial fog not being enabled in 3D sky on official maps (GitHub fix from ficool2) Fixed PLAYER_FLAG_BITS truncating m_fFlags sent to clients (GitHub fix from copperpixel) Fixed prediction for jumping when The Huntsman is charged/released (GitHub fix from wgetJane) Fixed prediction for Force-A-Nature jumps (GitHub fix from wgetJane) Increased PLAYER_FLAG_BITS to 32 Removed temporary player jingle files if tf_delete_temp_files (GitHub fix from AndrewBetson) Removed MFC dependency in the launcher exe (GitHub fix from Slartibarty) Updated the ConTracker 'Back' button to accommodate longer localization strings Updated plr_hacksaw_event Fixed erroneous and asymmetric clipping across the map Fixed pumpkin bomb quota being too low

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Added missing files for Taunt: The Travel Agent Added No Hat styles for the Cozy Cover-Up Added VScript support for HIDEHUD_MATCH_STATUS flag to hide the Match Status panel Added a borderless window option to video settings Added bicubic lightmaps (from Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Update) Added radial fog (from Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Update) Added support for Steam Networking Made the default server name for listen servers include the player's name Made the game launch in native resolution by default instead of 640x480 Client-side prediction fixes (these fix 'jank'/rollback in certain situations) Fixed a prediction bug where if the player was moved on the client, their input-based movement for that tick was not taken into account in non-player actions Improved prediction for walking on props and other entities Made certain client-side entities only trigger local prediction errors e.g. If the viewmodel experiences a prediction error, the player will not experience a prediction error Fixed prediction of viewmodel sway Fixed a prediction error regarding weapon idle animations Fixed certain breakable props not gibbing correctly Fixed an issue where certain variables like position would not be updated correctly to match the server in certain situations Fixed the player's base velocity (eg. conveyors, moving items etc.) getting subtly out of sync from client/server Fixed players being able to spam duel cancellation messages for a duel that doesn't exist Fixed not being able to join community servers via Steam invites or game info Fixed lighting position discrepancies for cosmetic items, weapons, and viewmodels (community fix from ficool2) Fixed Equipped label overlapping attribute icons in the loadout menu (community fix from Lindon) Fixed an issue with props and team colors when taunting with Australium weapons Fixed the Voices from Below effect not working when taunting with the Highland Hound set equipped Fixed player voice commands being abruptly ended when the player enters shallow water Fixed incorrect number on the Geneva Contravention achievement icon Fixed the Military Style for The Surgeon General to stay properly semi-visible at all angles Fixed some classes missing the BLU team material for That '70s Chapeau Fixed the Spanish-Latin America option being displayed as English in the Settings menu Fixed the MOTD dialog not working for Spanish-Latin America Updated attribute descriptions for The Scottish Resistance and the Stickybomb Jumper to use 'stickybomb' instead of 'pipebomb' Updated equip_region settings for The Little Bear, The Heavy-Weight Champ, The Grand Duchess Tutu, and the Combat Slacks to fix unnecessary conflicts Updated the Spooky Night and Ominous Night Unusual taunt effects to fix a visual bug (Thanks Kiffy!) Updated koth_overcast_final to improve optimization Updated ctf_applejack Added block bullets to some stores Unblocked a window at mid, allowing Snipers to shot across the middle hut Removed the missing texture in BLU spawn Gave a chicken a friend, because friendship is magic Updated cp_fortezza New radio model for spawn rooms Changed sentry shack ammo pack on last to a medium Adjusted health pickups throughout the map Changed kill volume on cap A double doors to be more consistent with visuals Improved bot support (Thanks Star Bright) Detail pass Updated pl_patagonia [Stage 1] Fixed some RED bots stuck forever trying to make an impossible jump on the stairs outside spawn Fixed the cart not capping the first point on extremely rare occasions [Stage 2] Improved optimization Fixed a nodraw floor near the first BLU spawn train bridge waterfall Fixed 3D skybox looking pitch black for players using mat_hdr_level 2 [Stage 3] Improved optimization Fixed wrap assassin baubles colliding with a solid func_brush bounding box outside BLU spawn Removed the platform above the open choke of the last point Added an additional path to the window overlooking the open choke of the last point Fixed RED bots getting stuck on a solid fence outside the RED spawn Fixed 3D skybox looking pitch black for players using mat_hdr_level 2

Foundation is Now Available on Steam and is 25% off!* Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management. *Offer ends February 7 at 10AM Pacific Time

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Fixed the Battle Balaclava's "No Gloves" style hiding the Heavy's hands Fixed broken materials for The Westcoat's "Ugly" style Added smoke effect to The Checkered Past Update the Buck's Brim's "Bad" style Fixed broken materials Added smoke effect Updated cp_fortezza Detail improvements Improved clipping Updated koth_cachoeira Fixed players being able to get stuck in certain displacements Various clipping improvements throughout the map Various miscellaneous fixes (Thanks Midnite!) Improved bot navigation (Thanks Katsu!)

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Updated the Brain Cane to fix problems with the texture and phong value Updated The Battle Music Added missing Hat style Fixed the models due to clipping on Heavy's ears and misalignment on Engineer Improved and strengthen the Noise Cancellation Updated the materials to fix it not being shiny Updated the backpack icon to reflect the materials change Updated cp_gravelpit_snowy Fixed potential incompatibility with external VScript files (thanks Le Codex!) Re-implemented cubemap reflections in ice cave Fixed perch spots Updated vsh_distillery, vsh_maul, vsh_nucleus, vsh_outburst, vsh_skirmish, and vsh_tinyrock Restored Hale's resistance to knockback back to 75% Reduced bonus flame damage against Hale from 50% to 25% Hale can now do 1 extra Brave Jump before the Jump Fatigue kicks in (thanks Wendy) Weighdown is no longer blocked by the Jump Fatigue (thanks Wendy) Removed area-of-effect of Hale's normal punches (thanks Wendy) Demoman shields now absorb 70% of Saxton Punch! damage (compared to normal 50%) to make the following launch into the stratosphere survivable Fixed Hale taking mini-crits from Direct Hit and Reserve Shooter while underwater (thanks Bradasparky) Fixed airborne mini-crits of Direct Hit and Reserve Shooter applying against the wielder (thanks Bradasparky) Fixed Hale being able to stomp while underwater (thanks Bradasparky) Fixed Sweeping Charge not working against underwater opponents Fixed the bug that prevented Quick-Fix from mirroring a patient's wall climbing (thanks Bradasparky) Fixed Hale's faulty ground detection (thanks Bradasparky) Fixed Baby Face's Blaster's loss of boost not applying correctly (thanks Whurr and MilkMaster72) Fixed the voice lines refusing to play sometimes Updated pl_patagonia Stage 1 Fixed the cart going under the elevator in extremely rare occasions (Thanks Shocked) Fixed sometimes hearing outside soundscapes inside blue spawn Fixed being able to build in a very high rooftop after point A Fixed being able to build in blue spawn Cart elevator is no longer the glitchiest thing in the universe Fixed cart not rolling back after completing the elevator descent sequence Now, if the cart is rolling into the elevator in overtime, the round timer will be set to 5 seconds left, to avoid unfair loses for blue. Timer will resume once the cart reaches the bottom (Thanks I. C. Wiener). Stage 2 Removed rollback from the train container ramp in last point (Thanks b4nny) Gave blue more high ground for last point Added an additional dropdown for blue for last point Fixed being able to be teleported into red spawn as blue after capping point A Removed long hill rollback before point C Fixed bots getting stuck on the closed train doors after cap B Fixed being able to leave stickies inside blue last spawn Fixed being able to get stuck in the point C shortcut door for red. If you get trapped, it will kill you. Fixed a pop-in issue relating to areaportals below point B Fixed being able to enter the last blue spawn as red Birdie (Thanks Explocivo808) Stage 3 Added a fenced section for the long wood cover wall in last point (Thanks b4nny) Mirrored the window sniper spot in last point choke Fixed being able to build behind a displacement rock wall in last point Removed troll teleport spot in last point ending ramp All Stages Slightly lowered sun brightness and slightly raised skylight brightness Improved skybox transitions The cart no longer tries to defy the law of physics Ninjaneers have more freedom to be ninjas The bots have learned how to play the map Gave the cart another coronación de gloria

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Updated the Dapper Noel to fix an issue with the mesh Updated vsh_maul Fixed broken areaportals Changed some props in the upper area that could be mistaken for a large ammo pack

Wizards of the Coast has revealed a brand new Magic: The Gathering crossover set, bringing the totally tubular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into the fray.
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Wizards of the Coast has revealed a brand new Magic: The Gathering crossover set, bringing the totally tubular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into the fray. Read this article on TechRaptor

A new report has confirmed the existence of A Minecraft Movie 2 (which is hopefully not its final name), and it's set for a 2027 release.
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A new report has confirmed the existence of A Minecraft Movie 2 (which is hopefully not its final name), and it's set for a 2027 release. Read this article on TechRaptor

HoYoverse has revealed the release date for the next major Genshin Impact update, which will bring user-generated content and more later in October.
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HoYoverse has revealed the release date for the next major Genshin Impact update, which will bring user-generated content and more later in October. Read this article on TechRaptor

Developer and publisher Greenheart Games has announced the long-awaited Early Access release date for tavern management sim Tavern Keeper.
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Developer and publisher Greenheart Games has announced the long-awaited Early Access release date for tavern management sim Tavern Keeper. Read this article on TechRaptor

The crowdfunding campaign for Starfinder: Afterlight, a cRPG adaptation of Paizo's TTRPG, is a bona fide success on Kickstarter, raising over $400,000.
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The crowdfunding campaign for Starfinder: Afterlight, a cRPG adaptation of Paizo's TTRPG, is a bona fide success on Kickstarter, raising over $400,000. Read this article on TechRaptor

Ubisoft reportedly canceled a Reconstruction-era Assassin's Creed game last year, citing concerns about the political climate in the US.
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Ubisoft reportedly canceled a Reconstruction-era Assassin's Creed game last year, citing concerns about the political climate in the US. Read this article on TechRaptor

EA's Battlefield 6 is coming for the multiplayer FPS throne, and it makes a strong impression with complex destruction physics and weighty gunplay.
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EA's Battlefield 6 is coming for the multiplayer FPS throne, and it makes a strong impression with complex destruction physics and weighty gunplay. Read this article on TechRaptor

Sackbird Studios is a brand new developer from ex-ZeniMax Online Studios staffers, and it's pledging to create games free from "corporate compromises".
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Sackbird Studios is a brand new developer from ex-ZeniMax Online Studios staffers, and it's pledging to create games free from "corporate compromises". Read this article on TechRaptor

Three more SNES games have come to Nintendo Switch Online, including one featuring two iconic mascots (and one that features a slightly less iconic mascot).
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Three more SNES games have come to Nintendo Switch Online, including one featuring two iconic mascots (and one that features a slightly less iconic mascot). Read this article on TechRaptor

Heart Machine has announced that it's ending development on action roguelike Hyper Light Breaker, and some staffers will be losing their jobs as well.
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Heart Machine has announced that it's ending development on action roguelike Hyper Light Breaker, and some staffers will be losing their jobs as well. Read this article on TechRaptor

Our favorite adventurous duo, Yooka and Laylee, have waited years for a glow-up as they return to where it started in Yooka-Replaylee.
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Our favorite adventurous duo, Yooka and Laylee, have waited years for a glow-up as they return to where it started in Yooka-Replaylee. Read this article on TechRaptor

Netflix has announced that an official competitive Clue TV show is coming to the platform, based on the iconic social deduction mystery board game.
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Netflix has announced that an official competitive Clue TV show is coming to the platform, based on the iconic social deduction mystery board game. Read this article on TechRaptor

Paradox has revealed a brand new Crusader Kings III expansion called All Under Heaven, and it'll bring new Far Eastern nations, along with new mechanics.
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Paradox has revealed a brand new Crusader Kings III expansion called All Under Heaven, and it'll bring new Far Eastern nations, along with new mechanics. Read this article on TechRaptor

Sandfall Interactive has announced a new sales milestone for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and a big new update is on the way for the RPG as well.
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Sandfall Interactive has announced a new sales milestone for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and a big new update is on the way for the RPG as well. Read this article on TechRaptor

Nightdive has announced that the original System Shock 2 will be delisted from PC storefronts soon, but you haven't seen the last of it.
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Nightdive has announced that the original System Shock 2 will be delisted from PC storefronts soon, but you haven't seen the last of it. Read this article on TechRaptor

Bye Sweet Carole is an enchanting experience wrapped in beautiful hand drawn illustrations and topped with notes of terror. See what made us scream in our Bye Sweet Carole review.
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Bye Sweet Carole is an enchanting experience wrapped in beautiful hand drawn illustrations and topped with notes of terror. See what made us scream in our Bye Sweet Carole review. Read this article on TechRaptor

Little Nightmares III is a fun, and short, adventure through an unsettling world. Co-op mechanics enhance, but also detract from the gameplay.
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Little Nightmares III is a fun, and short, adventure through an unsettling world. Co-op mechanics enhance, but also detract from the gameplay. Read this article on TechRaptor

The Shift RPG Kickstarter has gone live, promoting an accessible collaborative storytelling-focused TTRPG experience. It was fully funded within minutes.
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The Shift RPG Kickstarter has gone live, promoting an accessible collaborative storytelling-focused TTRPG experience. It was fully funded within minutes. Read this article on TechRaptor

The first major Frosthaven Early Access update is on its way, and it's bringing a new storyline for you to tackle, plus new heroes and more.
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The first major Frosthaven Early Access update is on its way, and it's bringing a new storyline for you to tackle, plus new heroes and more. Read this article on TechRaptor

FuturLab has revealed the PowerWash Simulator 2 release date, and it won't be long before you're once again purging Muckingham of dirt.
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FuturLab has revealed the PowerWash Simulator 2 release date, and it won't be long before you're once again purging Muckingham of dirt. Read this article on TechRaptor

Funcom and Astrolabe Interactive have announced Bloom & Blight, the latest big update for cozy survival sim Aloft, and it's bringing big changes next month.
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Funcom and Astrolabe Interactive have announced Bloom & Blight, the latest big update for cozy survival sim Aloft, and it's bringing big changes next month. Read this article on TechRaptor

A new Vampire Survivors update is coming this fall, and it'll bring online co-op to the action-packed roguelike, as well as more as-yet-secret features.
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A new Vampire Survivors update is coming this fall, and it'll bring online co-op to the action-packed roguelike, as well as more as-yet-secret features. Read this article on TechRaptor

Yacht Club Games has announced that retro Zelda-style action-adventure game Mina the Hollower has been delayed, and no new release date has been revealed.
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Yacht Club Games has announced that retro Zelda-style action-adventure game Mina the Hollower has been delayed, and no new release date has been revealed. Read this article on TechRaptor

Supergiant Games' Hades 2 is a mythical roguelite that has now set a new standard for the genre.
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Supergiant Games' Hades 2 is a mythical roguelite that has now set a new standard for the genre. Read this article on TechRaptor

EA's free-to-play Skate reboot has hit a major player milestone just a few weeks after its Early Access launch, the publisher has revealed.
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EA's free-to-play Skate reboot has hit a major player milestone just a few weeks after its Early Access launch, the publisher has revealed. Read this article on TechRaptor

Ubisoft has revealed a free update for Assassin's Creed Mirage by the name of Valley of Memory, and it's bringing new story and gameplay next month.
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Ubisoft has revealed a free update for Assassin's Creed Mirage by the name of Valley of Memory, and it's bringing new story and gameplay next month. Read this article on TechRaptor

Wizards of the Coast has incorporated player feedback into their Psion UA update for the latest edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
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Wizards of the Coast has incorporated player feedback into their Psion UA update for the latest edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Read this article on TechRaptor

Our The Lacerator review will let you know what we think of this grindhouse survival-horror games from the genre masters at DreadXP.
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Our The Lacerator review will let you know what we think of this grindhouse survival-horror games from the genre masters at DreadXP. Read this article on TechRaptor

Revolution Software has announced Broken Sword - The Smoking Mirror: Reforged, a remastered version of the second Broken Sword adventure.
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Revolution Software has announced Broken Sword - The Smoking Mirror: Reforged, a remastered version of the second Broken Sword adventure. Read this article on TechRaptor

The Outsiders, the studio behind rhythm FPS Metal: Hellsinger, has been closed down by parent company Funcom as part of a wave of layoffs.
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The Outsiders, the studio behind rhythm FPS Metal: Hellsinger, has been closed down by parent company Funcom as part of a wave of layoffs. Read this article on TechRaptor

These impressions will be spoiler free After years of speculation and multiple delays, The Assassin’s Creed franchise finally made it to Japan. With the stealth gameplay and assassination combat style, it only made sense to incorporate ninjas and samurai into the Assassin’s Creed world. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you play as a dual protagonist, the […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/a-tale-of-two-warriors-assassins-creed-shadows-impressions/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

With the growing popularity of mobile and cloud gaming, many have been on the hunt for the perfect controller. The Backbone and Razer Kishi have done a great job making mobile gaming more portable and accessible but I always felt like something was missing. The MCon controller from Ohsnap aims to address everything that is […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/is-the-mcon-the-best-smart-phone-controller-yet/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Every year CES comes around and every year, LG has a great booth. They may be one of the most consistent companies when it comes to showing technology at the trade show. For years they have continued to improve incrementally and this year it has really paid off. From transparent televisions and projectors to small […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/lg-at-ces-2025/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Six Days in Fallujah was originally announced in 2009. It is a first-person shooter based on the 2004 conflict in Iraq. It was met with much opposition because it is based on modern real-world events. This may not seem like a big deal in 2024 but things were slightly different in the years following 9/11. […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/real-warfare-with-six-days-in-fallujah/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Mad Catz, the company known for their fight sticks, is releasing a new force feedback racing wheel. The Mad Catz M.2.X. Pro force feedback racing wheel is the perfect plug-and-play solution that works with your consoles and PC. In the box you get the racing wheel, a six speed shifter, foot pedals and all the […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/level-up-you-racing-experience-with-the-mad-catz-m-2-x-pro-racing-wheel/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

When Fortnite was initially released in 2017, it was a PVE defense game that didn’t seem like it would be around for long. With the growing popularity of games in the battle royale genre, Fortnite decided to throw its hat in the ring. Soon it would become not only the most popular battle royale but […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/how-fortnite-hurt-the-gaming-industry/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

https://youtu.be/Cagxj2RchQI?si=_fFf3fs_fsh7d0Fq Many people have a gaming franchise that changed their life in some way. I have life-long friendships that have been formed while playing games like Mario Kart and Golden Eye late into the night. Halo is the franchise that shaped a good portion of my gaming life. Halo 2 strengthened my passion for the […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/what-halo-infinite-should-have-been/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

https://youtu.be/EVSbA2Yxx2k?si=G2KXmPguAB_45u5n Meta recencetly heald their Meta Connect conference and announced some excited things if you’re into VR and AR. The Meta Quest 2 was once the hottest item in their lineup be we have some new tech on the horizon. It looks like the Meta Quest 2 is no longer being sold but it may […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/should-you-buy-a-meta-quest-3s/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

https://youtu.be/a2CCRgycbLI?si=3juhSUwirUTpKWoJ There have been rumors for years about what is next for Halo. Today during the Halo World Championships, we got our answers. 343 Industries will now be known as Halo Studios. This is exciting because it let’s the fans know that Xbox/Microsoft has not given up on the franchise. The long rumored move to […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/what-is-the-future-of-halo/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

It may surprise many, but there has never been a Power Rangers arcade beat ’em up game. (I know right!?!?!) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a passion project from people who felt the Power Rangers deserved their shine. You and four friends can join up to go against classic enemies from the Power […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/mighty-morphin-power-rangers-ritas-rewind-developer-interview/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Going into PAX West 2024, I knew that I was going to enjoy ‘Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch’, but I did not know it was going to be my game of the show. Some may remember the retro style ‘Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl’ game that was released in 2020. Well, The […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/jay-and-silent-bob-the-chronic-blunt-punch-pax-west-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Ash Habib has a true passion for boxing and Undisputed is his love letter to the sport. ‪@PlayUndisputed‬ aims to be both a technical and fun boxing game. The game is currently in early access and will have over 70 boxers, you can also create your character in a deep career mode. I had a […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/undisputed-at-pax-west-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Star Wars games have been around for longer than many gamers have been alive at this point. You have played as clone troopers, Jedi, fighter pilots, and now in Star Wars Outlaws, you will be playing as a scoundrel. This is a slightly more grounded story than the ones many players have experienced before and […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/is-star-wars-outlaws-any-good-review-in-progress/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

There has been some rumor and speculation that we would be getting a PS5 Pro as soon as this year. We are halfway through the year and past ‘E3’ season and there is still no word. With the lack of console price drops, is the mid-gen refresh still a thing? There are some people who […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/where-is-the-ps5-pro/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

I’ve been playing the Marvel Rivals for a couple of weeks and there are a ton of things to dissect here. The game is a ton of fun but it is definitely not perfect. If you enjoy games like Overwatch, then this will definitely be a game for you. The gameplay loop is very similiar […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/is-marvel-rivals-any-good/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

In Hive Jump 2: Survivors, try to survive as long as you can against what seems like endless waves of aliens. With many weapons and jumpers to unlock, be prepared for hours of fun. This is a smaller game that packs a big punch. Hive Jump 2 takes a lot of the weapons and enemies […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/lets-play-hive-jump-2-survivors/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

The long rumored price increase of Xbox Game Pass has finally been confirmed and we have a detailed breakdown of the pricing structure. With these new prices and a new tier, is this still the best deal in gaming? I believe that there are a couple of different ways to assess the value of Game […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/the-price-of-xbox-game-pass-is-going-up/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

If you missed it, Xbox is bringing its cloud gaming services to Amazon Fire TV devices. There have been talks about an Xbox streaming device for years now. With the partnership, will we still get streaming hardware from Microsoft? Is this the best way to get Xbox games in more homes? Let’s talk about it.The post https://thegamefanatics.com/xbox-cloud-gaming-is-coming-to-amazon-devices/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Ubisoft just released season 1 of XDefiant and it comes with a ton of content. If you are not aware, XDefiant is a free-to-play shooter that ties in characters and abilities from various Ubisoft games. XDefiant Preseason was originally released in May of 2024 and it garnered a lot of attention. Some even went as […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/xdefiant-season-01-is-here/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Nintendo’s most recent direct delivered a ton of games and I am sure there was something for everyone here. From HD Remakes to long awaited sequels, Nintendo made sure that there was a reason for lapsed players to dust off that Switch. Now I have to admit, I am one of those lapsed players who […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/nintendo-gave-the-people-what-they-wanted/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

During the most recent Xbox showcase, they announced three new SKUs of the Xbox Series X|S consoles. While we didn’t get an announcement of a new handheld like many were hoping there may still be a possibility in the future. Phil Spencer was questioned about this during IGN live and he seemed excited about the […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/what-is-the-future-of-xbox-hardware/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

If you are not familiar, SolForge Fusion is a CCG (Collectable Card Game) created by Richard Garfield (Magic The Gathering) and Justin Gary (Ascension). It started as a physical card game and it is now making its way over to Steam. I have been having the best time in its single-player campaign mode. It reminds […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/a-collectable-card-battler-lets-play-solforge-fusion/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

For those who are not aware, Gigantic was originally released in 2017. It is a third-person MOBA Hero hero shooter originally developed by Motiga and published by Perfect World Entertainment. I had a ton of fun with the game when it was originally released but unfortunately, the servers shut down a year late. Now, in […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/gigantic-is-back-and-you-should-be-playing-it/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Most people who have used a PC or had some sort of laptop bag have heard of Targus. They are a well-known name in the PC peripheral space and have been around since 1983. Targus has continued to innovate when it comes to laptop bags and things like PC docking stations. We saw a ton […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/targus-targets-sustainability-and-innovation-with-their-ecosmart-line-of-products/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Many people are most familiar with Moon Studios from their games in the Ori universe. Those games are filled with some of the best and most complex platforming mechanics and amazing art. With No Rest For The Wicked, Moon Studios is partnering with Private Division for a totally new experience. They will be applying their […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/no-rest-for-the-wicked-launch-trailer/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

People have questioned the benefit of Game Pass since its original release in 2017. Subscription services can have amazing benefits for the consumer but does it negatively impact developers? The amount of content that is available continues to grow (along with the prices of said content) but people’s time and budgets continue to stay the […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/are-subscription-services-like-xboxs-game-pass-good-for-developers/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

When we say that Shidosha has an interesting taste in games, we are not exaggerating. Are you into bullet hell shooters? How about dating sims? Well if that piques your interest, Kamikaze Lassplanes may be a game you need to check out. This may not be the style of game you expect from a Polish […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/a-plane-dating-sim-kamikaze-lassplanes-pax-east-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

No Love Lost is a new extraction shooter from Ratloop Games Canada. You are dropped onto an alien world and have to compete against not only the enemy team but the environment as well. The concept of an extraction shooter is not new but the team-based competitive elements make things feel a little fresh. There […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/a-colorful-competitive-extraction-shooter-no-love-lost-pax-east-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

PAX continues to deliver new and unique gaming experiences. This year, one of our favorite games was Heartworm, a PS1 style horror game with Tank controls. Inspired by games like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Dino Crisis, Heartworm aims to scratch that nostolgic itch that some many people have been feeling. You play as Sam, […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/a-ps1-styled-masterpiece-heartworm-pax-east-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Digital Extremes held their most recent Devstream live during PAX East 2024, celebrating 11 years of Wareframe. One of the most exciting bits of news was the deeper look into the upcoming Warframe 1999. This included a new cinematic trailer launching later this year: Jade Shadows. Here you are introduced to the 57th Wareframe, Jade […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/warframe-and-soulframe-make-an-apprearance-at-pax-east-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

It’s been a while since we first got word that the great Amy Hennig was working on a new Black Panther and Captain America game. After creating something like Uncharted, many couldn’t wait to see what was next from Amy. Her highly anticipated Star Wars game was canceled so many were delighted when they got […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/get-a-closer-look-at-the-new-black-panther-and-captain-america-game-marvel-1943/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

I have been on the search for a decently priced wireless keyboard and there is no shortage these days. Our friends over at Mad Catz sent over their S.T.R.I.K.E. 11 mechanical keyboard for us to try out. The first thing you will notice is its unique design. The red and black colorway is striking (no […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/mad-catz/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Nanoleaf has been one of the market leaders in the gaming lighting space for years now. They have a variety of products to level up not only your office space but your entertainment system. The Nanoleaf 4D kit is definitely one of the best led kits that I have tried. The camera takes the immersion […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/level-up-your-set-up-with-nanoleaf/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the next big game set for release and the rumor mill has been set ablaze with talks of Xbox going multi-platform. We take a few minutes to talk about our past with the Final Fantasy franchise and Brandon gives us his thoughts on what he thought of the State of […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-and-whats-next-for-xbox-lets-chat/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

AR and VR were some of the bigger topics during this year’s CES. Last year I was able to go hands-on with the Pimax Portal but this year it was all about the Pimax Crystal. The Pimax Crystal has some of the highest quality when it comes to VR headsets on the market. Each eye […]The post https://thegamefanatics.com/the-pimax-crystal-8k-vr-headset-ces-2024/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

Reviewing all the coolest, newest games for Xbox, Playstation, Switch & PC!

Battlefield 6 has debuted strongly on Steam, achieving over 747,000 concurrent players, surpassing previous titles. However, players face significant queue issues, and the campaign has received mixed reviews.

Halo Studios faces turmoil as Art Director Glenn Israel leaves, hinting at internal conflicts and ethical concerns. A mass exodus of artists raises questions about the studio's direction and morale.

Ghost of Yotei, PlayStation's latest exclusive, has sold 1.6m copies, slightly slower than Ghost of Tsushima. It quickly recouped its $60m development budget, marking a successful launch for Sucker Punch.

Sony has introduced user-written reviews for digitally owned games on the PlayStation Store, allowing up to 4000 words. Currently only available on the web, these reviews lack visibility on consoles.

A recent report reveals that 63% of gamers buy two or fewer new games annually, highlighting a significant difference between casual players and enthusiasts who drive game sales in the industry.

The new Skate game's Early Access has attracted 15 million players, averaging $3 million in revenue. Opinions are split, with veterans critical of the design, while newcomers enjoy its casual fun.

Microsoft's Game Pass Ultimate recently increased its price by 50%, amid reports of $300m lost in Call of Duty sales. Subscriber counts remain uncertain, raising concerns about the service's profitability.

Microsoft plans to launch a free ad-supported cloud gaming subscription, allowing users to stream games while viewing ads, amid dissatisfaction surrounding recent Game Pass changes and pricing.

Microsoft's announcement of a 50% price increase for Game Pass Ultimate led to a surge in cancellation attempts, causing website issues and significant social media backlash, prompting speculation about potential reversals.

A report confirms that Virtous Abstraction is assisting Halo Studios in the remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, incorporating a new sprint feature and using two game engines. Details to be revealed soon.

Free Video Game Alpha & Beta Tests. The Worlds Biggest Beta Testing Site

Triangle: Cursed Town is a co-op horror game that challenges up to four players to serve as the church’s last defense against demonic possession.

In Triangle: Cursed Town your team of priests and nuns must methodically investigate the cursed settlement, gathering evidence about the specific entity that plagues these haunted grounds. Each tool you discover serves a purpose – whether communicating with spirits, detecting demonic … Read More

The post Triangle: Cursed Town – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

The Enigma Cases challenges players to solve meticulously crafted mysteries ranging from suspicious suicides to brutal murders, each with unexpected twists.

In The Enigma Cases you’ll enter a gritty world of forensic investigation where your deductive reasoning determines if justice prevails. You’ll examine detailed crime scenes – from bustling cafes to desolate highways – gathering physical evidence, analyzing security footage, and conducting thorough interrogations. Choose … Read More

The post The Enigma Cases – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Good Boy is a co-op comedy horror game where breaking and entering has never been more hazardous to your health.

In Good Boy you are dropped into a peculiar neighborhood, where that sweet wood-paneled VCR you’re eyeing might cost you your limbs. As amateur burglars, your mission seems straightforward: loot houses, avoid detection, split the profits. The twist? These homes are protected by horrifically mutated … Read More

The post Good Boy – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Dinolords is a genre-bending RTS where history takes a fantastical turn as Vikings discover dinosaur eggs in Greenland’s frozen glaciers.

In Dinolords players are thrust into an alternate 1002 AD as Edmund Ironside, defending England against Sweyn Forkbeard’s dinosaur-powered Danish invasion. You’ll gather resources to construct a thriving medieval settlement complete with specialized buildings and automated production chains. Design elaborate fortifications using the modular castle … Read More

The post Dinolords – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Crime Scene Clean: Paranormal is an atmospheric cleanup simulator where you’re not fighting demons – you’re erasing their existence.

In Crime Scene Clean: Paranormal you are a Sector 7 janitor who must scrub away evidence of paranormal incidents before the public discovers what lurks beyond the veil. Armed with ritual scrubbers, spectral vacuums, and sigil erasers, you’ll meticulously cleanse haunted crime scenes while navigating unstable … Read More

The post Crime Scene Clean: Paranormal – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Cropdeck is a charming roguelite where farming meets deck-building as you transform wild land into thriving fields.

In Cropdeck players clear obstacles, strategically plant crops, and protect harvests from nature’s wrath – all while building the perfect card collection. You’ll deploy scarecrows with powerful passive abilities that create satisfying synergies. One might accelerate growth while another repels pests, allowing for countless strategic combinations.

Each biome … Read More

The post Cropdeck – Open Beta first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Ex Sanguis is a tactical RPG that evolves turn-based combat through a dynamic Timeline system, allowing players to manipulate the flow of battle by accelerating allies or delaying enemies.

Currently in development by the creators of Othercide, in Ex Sanguis each procedurally-generated mission offers strategic depth through environmental interactions and physical effects like knockbacks and flanking. You’ll carefully chain these elements to transform seemingly … Read More

The post Ex Sanguis – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

You can now download and play the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 open Beta on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, for some multiplayer PvP and Zombie blasting action.

Black Ops is back! Set in 2035’s chaotic global landscape, players join David Mason’s elite JSOC team on a Mediterranean mission that quickly spirals into a haunting psychological journey through their own pasts. The multiplayer Beta features … Read More

The post Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Open Beta (PC, Xbox & PlayStation) first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

DDoD is an unforgiving top-down shooter that features realistic ballistics, set in an industrial zone consumed by a semi-sentient biological anomaly known as “the Fog.”

The gameplay in DDoD blends tactical top-down combat, weapon customization, and strategic resource management. And when ammunition fails (and it will) desperate melee confrontations ensue. It features a risk-reward mechanic centred on Fog exposure: embrace mutation for superhuman abilities or … Read More

The post DDoD – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Kaiju Cleanup puts you in charge of this gloriously grotesque task, transforming kaiju disaster zones into buildable land one severed appendage at a time.

In Kaiju Cleanup, when giant monsters attack cities only to be obliterated by military hardware, someone has to deal with the aftermath. Armed with meat-wrenching claws, industrial slicers, and heavy-duty power washers, you’ll methodically process radiation-leaking, acid-dripping carcasses at your … Read More

The post Kaiju Cleanup – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Side Effects is a tense turn-based medical trial-based game of Russian roulette where desperate patients are forced to consume mysterious pills with unpredictable consequences.

In Side Effects you face off against a rival in a 1v1 medical trial. Each round you are given a selection of pills – some may aid you, some may alter your resistance and some may kill you. A core element … Read More

The post Side Effects – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Ash & Adam’s Existential Treads is an innovative hybrid of city-builder and retro vehicle shooter, where you build settlements in a world ravaged by a rogue AI.

In Ash & Adam’s Existential Treads players are challenged to construct thriving settlements while defending against waves of a hostile rogue AI. You drive your trusty tank through procedurally generated wastelands, demolishing decayed structures for valuable resources. Every … Read More

The post Ash & Adam’s Existential Treads – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

The Hole Keeper is a multitasking first person horror game where you’re tasked with feeding buckets of flesh and blood to a hole with an insatiable hunger.

In The Hole Keeper you have a wonderful new job! It involves carrying buckets of blood down a long corridor and emptying them into a giant hole. You have other tasks too, such as praying, making sure the … Read More

The post The Hole Keeper – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a glorious pixel art beat ‘em up that sends famous Marvel heroes planet-hopping across the Marvel universe to battle Annihilus – the living death who threatens all existence.

Currently in development by the creators of Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and Steel Assault, MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a fast, fun and vibrant beat ‘em up set in the Marvel Universe. The game … Read More

The post MARVEL Cosmic Invasion – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

CONTAMINANT is a third-person horror adventure where reality fractures within the rusting walls of a Soviet-era factory.

In CONTAMINANT players are dropped into the shoes of Maria, a woman trapped in her grandfather’s industrial legacy, where family secrets lurk beneath layers of rust and blood. In the game you’ll navigate environments that constantly shift between brutal industrial spaces and surreal nightmarish realms. What begins as … Read More

The post CONTAMINANT – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

CLAWPUNK is a destruction-filled frantic 2D roguelite action game where nine unique feline fighters battle to reclaim Feral City’s neon-soaked streets.

The gameplay in CLAWPUNK rewards aggression – the more destruction you cause, the more powerful your combo-fueled special attacks become. You can choose your cat warrior (3 in the demo and 9 in the full game) and tear through destructible vertical levels. Each character … Read More

The post CLAWPUNK – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Corner Shop: Nightshift is a chilling first-person horror game where a broken man works the graveyard shift to regain custody of his daughter after his wife’s mysterious disappearance.

In Corner Shop: Nightshift the mundane becomes menacing as you stock shelves, mop floors, and serve customers in a convenience store that seems to have a memory of its own. With each passing night, reality warps around … Read More

The post Corner Shop: Nightshift – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Well Keeper is an electrifying bullet hell shoot ’em up where you’re a lightning-charged mouse defending your home – a worn leather shoe at the bottom of a well.

Well Keeper features a unique flapping-based movement system, a little like Flappy Bird. You’ll need to master horizontal flapping and altitude control while dodging intricate bullet patterns across 30 increasingly challenging enemy waves spanning three … Read More

The post Well Keeper – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

House Flipper Remastered Collection bundles the beloved property renovation experience with enhanced visuals, complete voice acting, and all previous DLCs in one comprehensive package.

In House Flipper Remastered Collection you’ll transform dilapidated disasters into dream homes. Armed with tools and determination, you’ll tackle everything from cleaning stubborn stains to demolishing walls and designing custom interiors. The revamped storyline introduces heartfelt narratives where your renovations help … Read More

The post House Flipper Remastered Collection – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

WE, JUNK ARTISTS is a delightfully multiplayer party game where you attempt to create pictures out of random piles of junk

In WE, JUNK ARTISTS creative expression requires no artistic skill – just imagination and a pile of junk. The game features a very creative “collage-and-guess” format. Instead of struggling with digital drawing tools, players arrange rusty metal, broken toys, and discarded appliances to represent … Read More

The post WE, JUNK ARTISTS – Open Beta first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Rogue Point is an intense 4-player co-op shooter, where corporations have weaponized mercenary armies, turning business competition into lethal combat.

In Rogue Point your elite vigilante squad is all that stands against a forceful corporate takeover. Starting with just a pistol and vest, your team battles through dynamically generated missions across four diverse locations. The Parametric Design System ensures no two operations feel identical, creating … Read More

The post Rogue Point – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

ARTIUS: Pure Imagination is a vibrant hand-drawn momentum-focused platformer, set in a world where creativity itself is under attack.

In ARTIUS: Pure Imagination you take control of four uniquely talented artists – Pierre the Painter, Walter the Photographer, René the Musician, and Guga the Dancer – as they battle to restore imagination to a world dominated by the anti-art tyrant PIVOLO.

Each character brings distinct … Read More

The post ARTIUS: Pure Imagination – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a tactical first person shooter that delivers a pitch-perfect homage to the N64 classic GoldenEye 007.

In Agent 64: Spies Never Die you are ex-special agent John Walter, tasked with infiltrating 14 meticulously crafted missions across three escalating difficulty levels, each revealing new objectives and areas. The visuals and gameplay recreates that distinctive late-90s feel with polygonal environments, objective-based … Read More

The post Agent 64: Spies Never Die – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Outward 2 is a fantasy action RPG game where you’re not the chosen one – just a vulnerable human navigating the perilous world of Aurai.

Following on from the well received original, Outward 2 sequel embraces its identity as the ultimate adventurer simulation, where hunger, thirst, and weather can kill you as easily as the creatures that roam the wilderness. Combat demands strategy rather than … Read More

The post Outward 2 – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Slots & Daggers is an excellent fusion of gambling mechanics and roguelike combat, with every spin potentially unleashing treasure, defense or attacks.

Currently in development by the creator of SUMMERHOUSE, Slots & Daggers is a unique RPG that delivers fast-paced turn-based combat where your fate dangles between lucky streaks and strategic choices. In the game you navigate a weird fantasy realm populated with deadly … Read More

The post Slots & Daggers – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

MotorSlice plays like a blend of Mirror’s Edge and Shadow of the Colossus as you traverse a brutalist post-apocalyptic world where fluid parkour meets brutal chainsaw combat.

In MotorSlice you are ‘P,’ – a professional Slicer. You’re tasked with navigating imposing brutalist architecture and destroying the autonomous machines that’ve taken over the world. Armed with only your chainsaw and flashlight, you’ll battle rogue construction equipment … Read More

The post MotorSlice – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Arkheron is a 3v3 PvP action RPG where your past defines your power, and rather than traditional character selection, the items you collect are your heroes.

In Arkheron, teams battle to ascend a mysterious Tower built from fragmented memories, where survival demands constant adaptation. You’ll loot powerful relics in real-time, each granting unique abilities that instantly reshape your combat potential. Collect a full matching … Read More

The post Arkheron – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Beneath is an atmospheric first-person shooter that plunges players into the abyss as a seasoned diver’s routine expedition spirals into a nightmare when ancient horrors awaken in the ocean depths.

In Beneath you’ll navigate claustrophobic underwater facilities while managing dwindling oxygen, ammunition, and (most crucially) your sanity. The dynamic combat system offers strategic choices: conserve resources by hiding in shadows or confront monstrosities head-on with … Read More

The post Beneath – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

House Builder 2 is a cheerful low poly construction simulation game where you build from blueprint to finished home.

Playable solo or in online co-op, in House Builder 2 you’ll begin each project by visiting the local warehouse to purchase and load materials onto your truck. You’ll navigate the expansive open world to reach your construction site, where precision building mechanics allow for detailed craftsmanship … Read More

The post House Builder 2 – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

SimplePlanes 2 is a sandbox creation tool that invites players to snap together parts to build planes, cars, boats – or anything imaginable.

Building on the gameplay of its well received predecessor, SimplePlanes 2 promises an intuitive building system that welcomes newcomers while offering veterans expanded options – with procedural jet engines, curved wings, underwater components, and aircraft textures. You’ll be able to take your … Read More

The post SimplePlanes 2 – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Comics Gaming Magazine

With the successful launch of Ghost of Yōtei, CGmagazine recently sat down with Joanna Wang, the Art Director for Sucker Punch's latest and greatest.

Ghost of Yōtei is here and continues the excellent track record set by 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima. Of course, a big part of Yōtei’s success stems from the stellar art direction that brings Edo and Atsu’s quest for vengeance to life, just like it did for Jin’s conquest, 300 years prior. At the heart of both games is Joanna Wang, the Art Director for Sucker Punch’s latest and greatest. With a career spanning 20 years at Sucker Punch, Joanna began as a Texture Artist for the Sly Cooper series, moving on to the likes of Infamous, and, of course, eventually Ghost of Tsushima, having done work on every generation of PlayStation hardware since the PS2. With the release of Ghost of Yōtei, Joanna took the time to sit down with CGMagazine to discuss her work on the game and how a trip to Japan helped inspire her and the rest of the art team at Sucker Punch in bringing the world to life on PlayStation 5. How early on in development was Hokkaido chosen to be where Ghost of Yōtei would take place, and why? Joanna Wang: After we finished Ghost of Tsushima, we began to look into the locations where the sequel could take place. And Hokkaido quickly stood out to us. It was called Ezo during that time period, and the land is beyond the edge of Japan, making it wild, remote and untamed. Endless fields, forests that stretch all the way into the shadows, and snowy mountains, with an overall feeling of vastness. We definitely felt we could tell a lot of stories on the unique land. Like Ghost of Tsushima before it, Yōtei features an expansive open world. What are some key design elements and goals put in place to differentiate Yōtei from Tsushima, while still being true to the design philosophies of the series? Joanna Wang: We built everything on the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima, but since Hokkaido is vast, we wanted the player to feel immersed as a lonely warrior, so we put in lots of cool elements, such as boost flowers that can boost up your speed when on your horse, including some of the rivers, which can speed up your horse too. And the camping, which can bring the world to you, as the game is pretty big and massive, to make your route easier and more relaxing. Ghost of Yōtei heavily features the indigenous Ainu people, including a plethora of meticulously crafted collectables inspired by their culture. Can you tell us what steps were taken to bring them to life? Joanna Wang: We recognize the responsibility of telling the story outside of our culture. And just like the work we did for Ghost of Tsushima, we surrounded ourselves with advisors who are experts in different areas of Japanese culture, and this time, we had an Ainu advisor, and we took the responsibility of respecting their culture as being super important. We made a trip to Hokkaido, and a big part of the trip was meeting the Ainu expert families in person. We were picking the wild mushrooms with them, and they showed us how they recognize plants that are safe to eat, while showing us how they respect nature — taking only what you need and always giving thanks. They showed us the traditional fabric designs and art crafts that they do. We visited the National Ainu Museum, and they gave us a very detailed tour explaining those historic items (in-game collectables). Of course, it goes without saying that Akira Kurosawa and Takashi Miike are a big part of Ghost of Yōtei’s identity, but beyond the obvious, were there any other specific pieces of media or other inspirations used during the development of the game? Joanna Wang: Princess Mononoke, and of course, Yojimbo, Lady Snowblood, and Unforgiven, which was shot in Hokkaido and 13 Assassins, and lots of those movies are great inspiration for our team. Cinematography and how the landscape is being represented were important to us. Most importantly, we were also looking at lots of traditional art. Japan has a long history of art, such as woodblock and ink painting, which we really studied, going as far as studying how they painted a blade of grass. On the topic of traditional art, did you work on the Sumi-e art that cleverly uses the DualSense controller in Ghost of Yōtei? Joanna Wang: The power of the PlayStation 5 with the DualSense controller made it possible for us to actually work with a traditional Japanese artist, who is a Sumi-e artist, who is working on paper, who then sends it back to us. We are using our digital ways to try to mimic this traditional painting, creating a collaboration of traditional meets modern. Ghost of Tsushima was ultimately a cross-generational game, initially targeting PlayStation 4, while Ghost of Yōtei is currently a PlayStation 5 exclusive. With the jump to more powerful hardware, what can players expect from a visual standpoint that was not possible on last-gen hardware? Joanna Wang: From the visual art aspect, because we are making Hokkaido, and the big difference is how vast the land is. You are able to see vertically and horizontally a much greater draw distance, showcasing the richness of the world. To create a dynamic world, we have an all-improved cloud system that uses particles, mist and haze to utilize the depth of the space. We also have the DualSense haptics, such as the clashing of the weapons and even the shamisen. I remember asking our particle artists, and they said the game uses around a quarter million of particle effects that we are able to load. And finally, do you have any favourite elements or flourishes you have worked on for Ghost of Yōtei that you want to share or are excited about for players to discover? Joanna Wang: Yes! And this is a very good question because with the name of the game being called Ghost of Yōtei, there was one day, when I thought I already knew our game pretty well, but playing the section where I was climbing the mountain, when I saw the land stretching every direction beneath my feet, and the distant clouds rolling, I was wowed. Even after playing the game often, it reminded me of the first time I saw the mountain in Hokkaido, and this is the perfect shape, the snow-capped mountain, towering against the whole land; it was almost a magical feeling, and I definitely had that emotional feeling in-game. Hopefully, the players who have the chance to climb the mountain will enjoy it regardless of whether they’ve been there in person. Ghost of Yōtei released on October 2, 2025, on PS5

It has been confirmed at NYCC 2025. Soon, fans will be able to see favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters on Magic: the Gathering cards in 2026.

After revealing almost the entire 2026 schedule at MagicCon Atlanta, Wizards of the Coast set their sights on NYCC 2025 and announced the one hidden Nickelodeon Universes Beyond Set yet to be revealed. It has been confirmed at NYCC 2025. Soon, fans will be able to see their favourite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters on Magic: The Gathering cards in 2026. Back at MagicCon Atlanta, the seven expansion sets for 2026 have been revealed alongside their suspected release dates, and that includes an announced/unannounced mysterious unannounced Universes Beyond set scheduled to launch in March 2026. While speculation pointed fans in the direction of TMNT (due to the Nickelodeon logo), today’s confirmation at NYCC 2025 means the Heroes in a Half Shell will be crashing into the tabletops of MTG. Like every other set release, MTG | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles introduces new (and returning) mechanics to the tabletops of Magic: the Gathering. While previous set spoiler seasons have given fans a taste of what the bonus sheet would look like (with Final Fantasy: Through The Ages, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Spider-Man‘s Marvel Universe Bonus Sheets), WOTC’s reveal today is all about TMNT, mechanics, and multiple art treatments for card designs that fans of the series will be thrilled with. Like with past Universes Beyond, a Bonus Sheet for TMNT has been prepared, and it features artwork from the Turtles’ storied history. NYCC 2025 Magic: The Gathering – New & Returning Mechanics in TMNT Mutagen Tokens: This new-to-TMNT Artifact Token allows players to pay one and tap and sacrifice the artifact to put a +1/+1 counter on a target creature. This allows players to tinker with another token artifact in play, adding to the pool of Artifact Tokens available to swarm the tabletop with. Sneak: This is an updated version of the “Ninjutsu” keyword introduced in Betrayers of Kamigawa back in 2005. Where the keyword previously had restrictions (Ninjutsu was required to have been played from the hand to activate), Sneak removes previous hangups and lets players use Sneak on their instant and sorcery cards, as well as cards not in hand. To use Sneak, an attacking creature needs to be unblocked, and then you can cast a card for its Sneak ability by putting the unblocked attacking card into the player’s hand and paying the Sneak cost. Boss Cards: In a new co-op-based product introduced with MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at NYCC 2025, WOTC revealed Boss cards for a Turtle Team Up bundle. These cards operate like Arch Enemy cards that don’t require a player, and they play against a group of up to four players. Each boss card imposes harsh status effects on the players, bringing longstanding fans of the TMNT arcade games into the fold with a co-op-based experience. Partner – Character Select: Previous Partner abilities (like the Stranger Things Secret Lair) allow players to play two commanders in the command zone at once if both creatures have Partner – Character Select. This returning mechanic lets players choose their turtle partners however they like at the commander table. Team-up Character Cards: Team-up cards were introduced in March of the Machines, and at the NYCC 2025 panel for TMNT, it has been confirmed to make a comeback in a big way. For MTG TMNT, the team-up cards are designed with diplomacy and 2 vs. 2 player games in mind. Donnie & April, Adorkable Duo allows players to choose two good effects that target themselves and another target player, allowing for diplomacy at the commander table. Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Collectible Card Treatments Revealed Specialized treatments have continued to grow in popularity with each MTG launch, and the “Bonus Sheet” (which is a group of reprints from MTG, printed with new artwork) from the previous MTG Final Fantasy set featured artwork pulled from the years of drawings, sketches, and concept art from the franchise’s history. The bonus sheet is denoted by an expansion symbol separate from the main set (the main set has TMT, the bonus sheet has PZA as an identifier), and it excavates the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles history all the way from Mirage #1. These Bonus Sheet cards are called Source Material cards in the TMNT set, and they feature some of the most iconic moments in TMNT captured on Magic: The Gathering reprints, and the first one revealed at NYCC 2025 embodies the powerful card Doubling Season. This card uses the cover artwork from Turtles creator Kevin Eastman, and it is the cover of the very first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book. Embracing the headliner cards from the previous MTG Spider-Man and Final Fantasy Universes Beyond sets, TMNT Collector Booster packs will have the potential of hosting a Borderless Headliner Card with artwork from Kevin Eastman, complete with a gloss signature present on the front text box of the card. These will come as four different variants for each turtle, and be represented by vintage artwork inspired by the Mirage Comics TMNT run. Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles notably skips the individual headliner (as seen with Spider-Man‘s Soul Stone) for these four headliner cards. A single new preconstructed Commander Deck has been made for MTG TMNT, and the design team elected to make one with all of the Turtles instead of four different decks featuring a different Turtle, to embody their all-as-one teamup spirit. The face of the deck is the Turtle Leader, Leonardo, and he is featured in all five colours of MTG‘s colour pie to keep the rest of the gang intact in the deck. Speaking of colour pie, the full art basic lands for TMNT are called Pizza Lands, and they feature a dripping slice of pizza with mana sign toppings for each of MTG‘s main colours to coincide with the Turtles’ love for pizza (these can be seen in the gallery below). MSRPs for the entire set, all products, and pricing have been revealed, and they can be seen listed below as shown at NYCC 2025. Play Booster: $6.99 Collector Booster: $37.99 Commander Deck: $69.99 Bundle: $69.99 Pizza Bundle: $99.99 Draft Night: $119.99 Team-Up: $49.99 For MTG TMNT, the designers also included a single card called Turtles Forever, and it features four distinctive art styles for each of the heroes embracing with a hug spanning the entire history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This card, along with the rest as revealed at NYCC 2025, can be seen below. Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuts on March 6, 2026, and WOTC will likely reveal many more cards before then.

A veteran Halo developer has left the series after 17 years, with a cryptic message suggesting it was on bad terms.

Glenn Israle, an art director who’s actively worked on Halo for nearly 17 years, has left Halo Studios of his own volition, with a cryptic message suggesting it was on bad terms. Israel joined Bungie in 2008 when it was working on Halo, and then transitioned to 343 Industries in 2010, when Microsoft took over stewardship of the series. Since then, he’s served as a concept artist and senior concept artist, with his first official credit as Halo 3: ODST. The departure from Halo Studios was announced on Israel’s LinkedIn page, where he states he ” am officially no longer contributing to the Halo universe. There is little more I can say for the moment, though I intend to share this particular story in its entirety when it is absolutely safe to do so next year.” It’s not exactly clear what the “next year” part of the comment refers to, but it does imply he’ll be free to talk about what happened in 2026. “I have a message for anyone and everyone who needs to hear it,” Israel says, “I know that the state of our industry seems dire, but never forget that you are *free to choose*. No illusion of security nor promise of wealth or fame or power is worth trading away your health, your dignity, your ethics or values – and no one can force you to. Stay strong, take evidence when necessary, and find where you belong.” It’s a fairly strong statement that implies something happening behind the scenes. And Xbox has already been mired in controversy and mass layoffs over the last few years. In 2024, the company closed four studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. And just earlier this year, in June, Microsoft cut a staggering 9,000 jobs. Microsoft has also seen employees protesting over its ties to the Israeli military with its cloud technology. In August, Microsoft workers occupied the company’s HQ in protest, and just today, a 13-year engineer resigned, citing the military contracts as the reason. With Halo, the last game in the series, Halo Infinite, released in 2021. While the game was met with fairly warm reception, it struggled to maintain its multiplayer base and has gone through changes ever since. At last year’s Halo World Championships, 343 Industries rebranded to Halo Studios and announced it was working on multiple Halo games developed with Unreal Engine 5. The studio will, apparently, have a “deep dive” on the future of Halo at this year’s World Championships, taking place on October 24.

Elgato has announced its very first gaming chair, an ergonomic-focused seat called Embrace.

Elgato, the consumer technology company well-known for its software and capture cards, is breaking into a whole new area — chairs. Today, the company has announced Embrace, an ergonomic gaming chair that’s supposed to be easy to put into any setup. It’s certainly not as flashy as you might find with other notable gaming chairs, but it feels more designed around flexibility and practical use, whether that’s in a home studio, office, editing bay, or anywhere else. A press release says Embrace is intended to favour “posture,” and is designed to accommodate a wide array of body types. The chair is adjustable to the needs of each person, and has independent control for seat height and depth, lumbar support, and a five-step recline with a locking mechanism. Here are some highlights of the ergonomic features from Elgato’s website. Waterfall Edge Arm Rests – Relieves pressure and improves circulation, even during long sessions. Airy Backrest – Breathable and flexible, keeping you cool under pressure. Luxe Cushioning – Shockingly comfortable with just the right amount of give. “With Embrace, we set out to deliver the type of ergonomic performance usually reserved for high-end chairs that professionals have relied on for years,” says Elgato product manager Jeff Stegner, “What makes Embrace different is how we’ve brought those features down to a more accessible price point. It’s part of our broader effort to democratize the tools needed in content creation for users at all levels, while still offering the premium experience people associate with Elgato. Embrace is going to be sold exclusively through the Elgato web store in the US, Canada, EU, and UK. You can sign up to be notified when it’s on sale. The chair will officially release this holiday season and cost $499.99, but it does include free shipping.

Current and former developers from Mindseye studio Build a Rocket Boy have signed an open letter condemning studio leadership's treatment and handling of the game.

Nearly 100 current and former developers at Mindseye studio Build a Rocket Boy (BARB) have signed a scathing open letter, condemning the leadership for both its handling of the game and treatment of workers. Published via the Game Workers Branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the letter claims there was “longstanding disrespect and mistreatment” of staff by studio heads Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard. It specifically sites three major issues during development and post-release: lack of transparency and communication, unbearable levels of overtime, and disastrous handling of redundancies (with nearly 250-300 devs now out of a livelihood). Mindseye is the first game from Build a Rocket Boy and was published by Hitman studio IO Interactive — launching earlier this year in June. It was an unequivocally disastrous launch, met with terrible reception by both critics and players alike, so much so that the actor behind the main character of Mindseye said he felt he might never work in video games again. PlayStation even approved a wave of refunds after the game’s launch. In a meeting shortly after the game’s launch studio head Leslie Benzies, who was formerly a lead on Grand Theft Auto, claimed that Mindseye’s downfall was caused by “internal and external saboteurs” who simply wanted to see him, and the game, fail. That same meeting announced nearly 100 employees were being laid off, and there were plans to essentially “relaunch” the game. “We believe you have consistently mishandled the redundancy process, causing confusion and distress for all staff,” says the letter, “Employees have received misinformation, been handed dismissal notices with the wrong notice periods, and been put in the wrong teams so that their performances were scored by the wrong people. These and other errors have potentially resulted in the wrongful dismissal of dozens of staff members.” Further, the letter states there are many issues that have caused “pain and stress for your employees,” with the job being one of “burnout, job insecurity, health issues, and the failure of a game that many of use have put our lives into.” “Many fantastic, hard-working developers have felt used and discarded, while public statements of care have not matched the reality of working conditions,” MindsEye audio engineer Isaac Hudd said in a statement. “A pattern of poor decisions from senior management has led to a disappointing launch and ongoing challenges for both players and employees.” The studio now faces legal action from former employees, as well as the following demands from the open letter. A public apology for this mistreatment of employees and proper compensation for laid-off employees; The option for remaining employees on redundancy notice to either work their notice period or take Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON); A concerted, meaningful, and documented effort to improve conditions and processes within the company, including the acknowledgement of the IWGB as a trade union; A commitment to use official external partners to action any future redundancies and prevent unfair treatment.

We went hands-on with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment at a Nintendo Canada event, and we can't wait to play the full release this November.

Nintendo Canada invited CGMagazine to a brief hands-on preview of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment ahead of their October holiday event. We spent about 45 minutes playing through a repeated 10-minute section of the game. After 10 minutes, the preview ended, no matter how far you are. The game was also playable at the holiday showcase, and we were able to move through it freely, repeatedly, to learn more about Zelda and her companions, as well as a bit about how the game plays overall. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment follows Zelda after she travels back in time and joins the war against the Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion. This war, now known as the Imprisoning War, was briefly alluded to in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and now players will get the chance to dive deeper into the story. The section we played didn’t reveal much in terms of story, but it did give us a walkthrough of a few of the mechanics available in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. In our playthrough, we had access to Zelda, Rauru and Mineru, who were all playable. Each character brings something entirely unique to the table so far. Zelda is more of a ranged character, where Rauru is more like a tank, and Mineru is a DPS role who uses Zonai devices to traverse the map. I found myself wanting to stick with Zelda most, both because she’s the coolest—obviously—and because I’ve always mastered ranged over anything else. Lots of speculation has been going around about playable characters in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, largely from screenshots released by Koei Tecmo. So far, Argusta, the chief of the Goron tribe, Kia, a princess of the Zora tribe, Krafika, the leader of the Rito tribe, and Ardi, a warrior from the Gerudo tribe, are rumoured to be playable thanks to some screenshots. The trailer above also says, “fight alongside your allies, like this brave Korok.” Plus Zelda, RauRu and Mineru, whom I went hands-on with. Hopefully, an official list will be released soon! “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment looks like it is going to be a lot of fun, especially for those invested in The Legend of Zelda franchise.” Something that has been seen in trailers for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the new Sync Strike mechanic. Once a bar on the left side of the screen is charged, you can trigger a Sync Strike, which pulls whichever character you are and whoever you triggered together to create a new kind of combat. I was only able to trigger this with Zelda and Mineru or Zelda and Rauru, but the trailer shows it between other characters as well. Sync Strikes offer high-damage or other effects. In my case, Zelda was flung on the other’s shoulders to create a new mechanic where I could smash and bash whoever we were fighting. Zonai devices were also available to test out during our Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment preview. I preferred one that would blast the room with fire, doing damage to anything that came near it. You can walk with these devices in hand, aiming them at anything in front of you, or you can place them down to assist while you fight your way through waves of enemies. There is something very satisfying about knocking down hordes of enemies with fire. Water and wind have also been unveiled so far, so there will be some options in your gameplay. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, there is a bar on the left side of the screen that you will see during battle. It will look like a series of Ys and Xs, and it will light up as you press those buttons. Essentially, these are combos, which allow you to chain your X and Y attacks for different results. There are many combinations that look something like Y-Y-Y-X, or Y-X or even Y-Y-Y-X2. It is something we’re familiar with in gaming, but seeing it displayed on the screen and reacting gives you confirmation that you are doing something right. I think it is especially great for new or younger players diving into Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. For co-op players, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will feature couch co-op, so you and one friend can play the game in split screen. Considering the party was three players, I thought it was a bit strange that you can’t have three-player co-op, but I get that the screen splitting could be awkward. The game will also feature Game Share, allowing players who only own the game to join in on another system as well. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment looks like it is going to be a lot of fun, especially for those invested in the The Legend of Zelda franchise, with nods to events mentioned in Tears of the Kingdom. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will release on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 6th, 2025, for $69.99 USD/$99.99 CAD.

Heart Machine announced they would be hit with more layoffs, with the development of Hyper Light Breaker winding down.

In what has seemingly become the terrible standard for the game industry, Heart Machine—the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter—will be initiating layoffs. According to Game Developer, the studio announced it would be carrying out a round of layoffs; however, they did not specify how many people would be losing their jobs. Heart Machine had its first wave of layoffs back in November 2024; however, it also did not divulge how many staff members were let go at that time as well. As a result of this, development on Hyper Light Breaker—which was released in Early Access on January 14, 2025—has become somewhat fractured. In a statement to Game Developer, a spokesperson for Heart Machine clarified the studio is trying to polish the game as much as possible, saying, “We still have something coming in January. We plan to deliver something meaningful and as polished and complete as we can, given our current circumstances. We’re doing our best to refine what we can, complete key systems, and have the game culminate in a satisfying punctuation point.” They went on to say, “Given our limited resources with team members rolling off the project, we won’t be releasing any more updates or hosting any Q&As for the rest of this year. We want to make sure the team can focus fully on getting this next release into the best shape possible.” However, to quote Game Developer, “The indication…is that the studio will not be able to realize its original vision for the project.” It is truly unfortunate to see a promising studio like Heart Machine so negatively affected by the current state of the game industry. Heart Machine struck gold in 2016 with the critically acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter, and managed to capture that magic again in 2021 with Solar Ash. Hopefully, the studio and those affected can land on their feet.

Razer unveils the first licensed gear collection for Riot Games’ 2XKO, celebrating the spirit of tag team combat.

Razer has announced the Razer | 2XKO Collection, an exclusive lineup of high-performance gear created in collaboration with Riot Games. 2XKO is Riot’s new fighting game featuring champions from League of Legends and Arcane. The collection launches alongside the game’s early access, now available to all players on Windows PC. The Razer | 2XKO Collection introduces the first licensed gaming peripherals for the title. The products are designed to meet the needs of both competitive players and casual fans. Each item features champion-inspired artwork, blending high-performance engineering with iconic character design. 2XKO is a next-generation two-versus-two tag fighter from Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends and Valorant. The title allows you to team up with friends or play solo, battling with a growing roster of League of Legends champions reimagined for explosive fighting game combat. With stunning visuals, fluid mechanics and deep strategic gameplay, 2XKO blends accessibility with competitive depth. Whether you’re a longtime competitor or new to the genre, this free-to-play fighter offers intense matches and meaningful social interaction. “2XKO brings a bold new intensity to the fighting game genre, and we are excited to support its competitive spirit with gear engineered for performance, precision and style,” said Addie Tan, global head of lifestyle division at Razer. “This collection is crafted for precision, tuned for dominance and styled to stand out.” The Ultimate Tag Team The collection includes three pro-grade esports gaming peripherals, each built for the explosive pace of two-versus-two combat, where quick transitions, coordinated plays and dual momentum shape every match. With distinctive designs and performance trusted by professionals, the Razer | 2XKO Collection empowers players to gear up, tag in and dominate the arena together. Razer Kitsune – 2XKO Edition As a lifelong member of the fighting game community (FGC), any news of a new fight stick makes for a good day. Razer has revealed a new pro-grade, leverless arcade controller powered by ultra-responsive optical switches. The original Kitsune was released in August 2023, and fans around the world will be glad to see it back in action. Say goodbye to missed inputs (unless you’re off your game) and welcome clean executions with frame-perfect timing. On top of that, this leverless controller is fully tournament-ready. Razer BlackShark V3 Pro – 2XKO Edition At this point, I’ve used almost every BlackShark headset to hit the market, and with the way this new headset is looking, I will be back again to use this one. Coming game ready with powerful Hybrid ANC and pick up on every character cue with next-gen, ultra-clear drivers powered by THX Spatial Audio. The art featuring Arhi is absolutely phenomenal and any fan of League of Legends or 2XKO will definitely want this in their collection Razer Iskur V2 X – 2XKO Edition The Razer Iskur V2 X is back with a bold new look, showcasing a sleek anime-inspired aesthetic. This ergonomic gaming chair, engineered for long-lasting support and comfort, stands out as one of the top ergonomic gaming chairs to hit the market this year. It features built-in lumbar support and a high-density seat foam cushion, designed for maximum comfort during extended gaming sessions. The character art is clean yet eye-catching, making it a great fit for any gaming room or office. Razer | 2XKO Collection at EVO France 2025 As 2XKO’s first gaming peripherals partner, Razer will showcase the collection live on the tournament floor and broadcast stage. The gear will be featured in competitive setups and commentator zones, giving players, fans and viewers a firsthand look at the collection in action. This activation reinforces Razer’s commitment to the fighting game community and marks a key moment in the launch of 2XKO’s competitive ecosystem. Whether you’re a competitive player, casual fan or newcomer to the League of Legends universe, the Razer | 2XKO Collection offers the gear to dominate the arena—and make a statement beyond it. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Razer Kitsune – 2XKO Edition $329.99 USD / €349.99 MSRP – Available now for Pre-order at Razer.com Razer BlackShark V3 Pro – 2XKO Edition $269.99 USD / €289.99 MSRP – Available now for Pre-order at Razer.com Razer Iskur V2 X – 2XKO Edition $399.99 USD / €479.99 MSRP – Coming Soon For more information on the Razer | 2XKO Collection, please visit: https://www.razer.com/collabs/2xko.

Larian Studios' Michael "Cromwelp" Douse had some choice words for Elon Musk's plans to make a videogame completely with generating AI

Elon Musk has been making some big claims that his xAI Game Studio will deliver great AI-generated video games, but not everyone is convinced—most notably, Larian Studios. On October 6th, 2025, Musk took to Twitter to claim that “The XAI game studio will release a great AI-generated game before the end of next year,” in response to a post that Grok could dynamically generate video games. One person who had an issue with this was Publishing Director at Larian Studios, Michael “Cromwelp” Douse. Genuinely what this industry needs is not more mathematically produced, psychologically trained gameplay loops, rather more expressions of worlds that folks are engaged with, or want to engage with. AI has its place as a tool, but we have all the tools in the world and they… https://t.co/eL98XeLGW8 — Very AFK (@Cromwelp) October 6, 2025 In response, Douse posted a series of Tweets, beginning with, “Genuinely, what this industry needs is not more mathematically produced, psychologically trained gameplay loops, rather more expressions of worlds that folks are engaged with, or want to engage with.” He continued, “AI has its place as a tool, but we have all the tools in the world, and they aren’t compensating for the incredible lack of cogent direction. AI isn’t going to solve the big problem of the industry, which is leadership and vision.” Douse made a compelling point about how the collapse of retail should have resulted in a direct relationship with developers/publishers and consumers, but instead became a “game of headless chickens racing to the P&L sheet,” finishing his statement with “AI isn’t going to solve that.” He states that every growing market has its roots, but with where the industry is currently, we need “more human-human expression, not less.” Douse stressed the need for human involvement in the game-making process, saying, “Those who will succeed are those who are people building something for people,” going on to say, “There is no craft without the human touch; the relative skill issue, or ‘the exhibition of otherness.’ To turn games into digital, emotionless content is to abandon all resonance–which is why people play!” While forms of AI technology have existed for years, only recently has it become a rapidly expanding and controversial industry—as companies seek to replace humans with algorithms. Whether this will even happen is debatable, as Musk has a long history of over-promising and under-delivering.

Understanding how to read and interpret Dota 2 stats goes beyond improving your own gameplay.

Dota 2 stands as one of the most complex and rewarding games in the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) genre, but for newcomers, the sheer depth of statistical information can feel overwhelming. As explained on gocore, understanding how to read and interpret Dota 2 stats goes beyond improving your own gameplay and extends to appreciating the strategic depth that has made this game a cornerstone of competitive esports for over a decade. The Foundation: What Is Dota 2? At its core, Dota 2 is a team-based strategy game where two teams of five players each control unique heroes with distinct abilities. The primary objective appears deceptively simple: destroy the enemy’s Ancient, a heavily fortified structure at the heart of their base. However, achieving this goal requires coordinating with teammates, managing resources, controlling map objectives, and making split-second tactical decisions that can determine the outcome of matches lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. Each hero fills specific roles. Carries become increasingly powerful as the game progresses, supports enable their teammates through healing and utility, and initiators start team fights. The interplay between these roles creates a dynamic ecosystem where every statistic tells a story about team strategy and individual performance. Decoding Essential Dota 2 Statistics Kills, Deaths, and Assists (KDA): The most visible statistics in any match, KDA ratios provide a snapshot of a player’s impact in team fights. However, these numbers require context. A support player with fewer kills but high assists often contributes more to victory than a carry with impressive kills but poor positioning that leads to crucial deaths. Gold Per Minute (GPM) and Experience Per Minute (XPM): These efficiency metrics reveal how effectively players farm resources and gain levels. High GPM indicates successful last-hitting, objective control, and kill participation. XPM shows consistent experience gain through creep kills, hero kills, and strategic positioning. Together, they illustrate a player’s ability to stay relevant as matches progress. Last Hits and Denies: Fundamental farming statistics that separate casual players from serious competitors. Last hits represent successful creep kills that provide gold, while denies prevent enemies from gaining experience and gold from their own creeps. Elite players consistently achieve 8-10 last hits per minute in favourable conditions. Damage Statistics: Hero damage, tower damage, and healing provide insights into different aspects of contribution. High hero damage might indicate aggressive positioning and successful team fight participation, while significant tower damage suggests objective-focused gameplay that directly contributes to victory conditions. The Professional Stage: Tournament Analysis Dota 2‘s competitive scene reaches its pinnacle with The International, an annual championship that helped establish the modern esports landscape. When The International debuted in 2011 with a groundbreaking $1.6 million prize pool, it demonstrated that competitive gaming could achieve mainstream recognition and financial legitimacy. The tournament’s crowdfunding model through battle passes has since pushed prize pools beyond $40 million, making it one of the most lucrative events in all of sports. The International and other major tournaments like the Dota Pro Circuit showcase the highest level of statistical optimization. Professional teams analyze thousands of data points, from draft win rates and hero matchup statistics to ward placement patterns and objective timing windows. These tournaments have elevated statistical analysis from casual interest to scientific precision. Reading Professional Match Statistics Draft Analysis: Pick and ban phases in professional matches reveal strategic priorities through win rate statistics. Teams study which heroes perform well together (synergy) and which heroes counter specific strategies (anti-synergy). Draft statistics often predict match outcomes before a single creep has spawned. Economic Trends: Professional matches showcase efficient resource allocation through gold distribution charts and net worth leads over time. Teams that maintain economic advantages while controlling map objectives typically convert statistical leads into tournament victories. Objective Control: Roshan kills, tower destruction timing, and map control statistics demonstrate how professional teams translate individual skill into coordinated strategic execution. These macro-game statistics often prove more predictive of success than individual player statistics. Building Your Statistical Understanding For players looking to improve their own gameplay, focusing on specific statistical improvements can accelerate skill development. Concentrating on efficiency metrics like GPM and last hit accuracy provides better results than obsessing over KDA ratios. These foundational skills translate directly into better match performance regardless of hero choice or team composition. Watching professional matches with statistical overlays helps newcomers understand how elite players optimize their decision-making. Many tournament broadcasts now include real-time statistical analysis that explains why certain plays succeed or fail based on numerical advantages and disadvantages. Advanced Statistical Concepts As your understanding develops, consider exploring more sophisticated metrics like damage efficiency (damage dealt relative to gold invested), support impact ratings (successful ward placements, ally saves, and objective contributions), and positional heat maps that show optimal hero positioning throughout different game phases. The Path Forward Mastering Dota 2 statistics transforms the viewing experience from casual entertainment into strategic education. Whether you’re analyzing your own replays to identify improvement areas or following professional tournaments to understand meta developments, statistical literacy enhances every aspect of engagement with the game. The complexity that initially seems daunting becomes the source of endless depth and discovery. Every match generates hundreds of data points that tell stories about decision-making, team coordination, and strategic adaptation. As you develop fluency with these numbers, you’ll find yourself appreciating both the spectacular plays that make highlight reels and the subtle statistical advantages that separate good teams from championship-calibre organizations. The journey from statistical confusion to analytical clarity mirrors the broader path of mastering Dota 2 itself. Patience, practice, and persistent learning eventually transform complexity into understanding, and understanding into genuine appreciation for one of competitive gaming’s most demanding and rewarding experiences.

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Excited gamers looking to play Battlefield 6 test this week were met with a confusing error, and it's one that prevents any fun to be had.

"SecureBoot is not enabled," the error code reads, and refuses to let you launch Battlefield 6 whatsoever. This is obviously a problem, but it's something that's unfortunately an intended feature as part of the game's security.

Here's everything there is to know about Battlefield 6 Secure Boot, including how to enable it so you can play the game.

What is Battlefield 6 Secure Boot?

Image via EA

Secure Boot is a security feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that makes sure your PC only loads "safe software" during setup, and it's become an integral feature of anti-cheat for EA games like Battlefield 6.

"Secure Boot allows games supported by EA Javelin anti-cheat to detect and remove bad actors, resulting in fewer cheaters and a better experience for players," EA said.

Cheaters have become a serious problem in online games, using hacks like wallhacks or aimbots to ruin the experience for others. Some cheats are even more nefarious, allowing players to take over your PC remotely.

Because of this, Secure Boot is a requirement to play Battlefield 6 on PC, so if it’s disabled on your rig, you won't be able to launch the game at all. Enabling Secure Boot requires opening your system's BIOS menu and turning it on.

How to enable Secure Boot for Battlefield 6

Screenshot by Destructoid

Here's how to enable Secure Boot on your PC, with directions directly from EA.

1. Select the Windows Key and search for "Change Advanced Startup Options."
2. Next to "Advanced Startup" select "Restart Now." Your computer will restart into Advanced Startup. 
3. Select "Advanced Options."
4. Select UEFI Firmware Settings.

   • This will enter into your PC's BIOS.

5. Navigate to the "Boot" tab.

   • If you are having difficulty finding the correct option, many BIOS have a search function that you can use to find the correct tab and setting Pictured above the search can be accessed by hitting F9. 

6. "Secure Boot state" should be Enabled.

   • If it’s set to Disabled, change it to Enabled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFSelMXXX8

The video above also highlights how to do this properly. If you want to avoid this situation entirely, playing the game on console will be the way to go. But for many PC games now and in the future, these kernel-level anti-cheat systems will require more usage of your system than you may like or want to deal with, including Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat or Call of Duty's RICOCHET anti-cheat.

Good luck getting your Secure Boot up and running on PC, FPS gamers, otherwise BF6 may have to be tabled until you can, or you might need to boot up a PS5 or Xbox.

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The post How to enable Secure Boot for Battlefield 6 – ‘Secure Boot is not enabled’ error appeared first on Destructoid.

Excited gamers looking to play Battlefield 6 test this week were met with a confusing error, and it's one that prevents any fun to be had. "SecureBoot is not enabled," the error code reads, and refuses to let you launch Battlefield 6 whatsoever. This is obviously a problem, but it's something that's unfortunately an intended feature as part of the game's security. Here's everything there is to know about Battlefield 6 Secure Boot, including how to enable it so you can play the game. What is Battlefield 6 Secure Boot? Image via EA Secure Boot is a security feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that makes sure your PC only loads "safe software" during setup, and it's become an integral feature of anti-cheat for EA games like Battlefield 6. "Secure Boot allows games supported by EA Javelin anti-cheat to detect and remove bad actors, resulting in fewer cheaters and a better experience for players," EA said. Cheaters have become a serious problem in online games, using hacks like wallhacks or aimbots to ruin the experience for others. Some cheats are even more nefarious, allowing players to take over your PC remotely. Because of this, Secure Boot is a requirement to play Battlefield 6 on PC, so if it’s disabled on your rig, you won't be able to launch the game at all. Enabling Secure Boot requires opening your system's BIOS menu and turning it on. How to enable Secure Boot for Battlefield 6 Screenshot by Destructoid Here's how to enable Secure Boot on your PC, with directions directly from EA. Select the Windows Key and search for "Change Advanced Startup Options." Next to "Advanced Startup" select "Restart Now." Your computer will restart into Advanced Startup.  Select "Advanced Options." Select UEFI Firmware Settings. This will enter into your PC's BIOS. Navigate to the "Boot" tab. If you are having difficulty finding the correct option, many BIOS have a search function that you can use to find the correct tab and setting Pictured above the search can be accessed by hitting F9.  "Secure Boot state" should be Enabled. If it’s set to Disabled, change it to Enabled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFSelMXXX8 The video above also highlights how to do this properly. If you want to avoid this situation entirely, playing the game on console will be the way to go. But for many PC games now and in the future, these kernel-level anti-cheat systems will require more usage of your system than you may like or want to deal with, including Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat or Call of Duty's RICOCHET anti-cheat. Good luck getting your Secure Boot up and running on PC, FPS gamers, otherwise BF6 may have to be tabled until you can, or you might need to boot up a PS5 or Xbox. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post How to enable Secure Boot for Battlefield 6 – ‘Secure Boot is not enabled’ error appeared first on Destructoid.

Ratings Reload is now live in FC 26 Ultimate Team, and it could be an exciting campaign for all.

With it going live, the promo will debut on Ultimate Team. It features special cards of footballers who might have received lower ratings than the community had expected. We already knew about some of the cards, thanks to the leaks appearing on social media.

Table of contents

• FC 26 Ratings Reload players
• FC 26 Ratings Reloaded release date

FC 26 Ratings Reload players

This is the complete list of promo cards that are now in packs.

• Matsukubo ST 83
• Morton CDM 83
• Damnjanovic ST 84
• Dreyer RW 84
• Vignola LB 85
• Wubben-Moy CB 85
• Florian Thauvin ST 85
• Oscar Bobb RW 85
• Pau Cubarsi CB 85
• Salma Paralluelo LW 86
• Marc Cucurella LB 86
• Hugo Ekitike ST 86
• Cristian Romero CB 86
• Eberichi Eze CAM 86
• Trinity Rodman RM 87
• Scott McTominay CM 87
• Michael Olise RM 87
• Lucy Bronze RB 88
• Heung Min- Son LW 88
• Julian Alvarez ST 88

More cards will also be added as SBCs and objectives, so make sure to be on the lookout for them.

FC 26 Ratings Reloaded release date

The Ratings Reloaded promo went live after the Cornerstones promo expired. The promo went live on Friday, Oct. 10. The release, as always, happened at 12pm CT (6pm BST).

You can now find the cards in packs if you are lucky. You can also complete various objectives and SBCs to add the promo cards to your squad. Unlike pack items, you won't have to rely on luck to get these cards. We already have Arda Guler available in Ultimate Team, and more options should appear in the next few days.

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The post All FC 26 Ratings Reload players and release date appeared first on Destructoid.

Ratings Reload is now live in FC 26 Ultimate Team, and it could be an exciting campaign for all. With it going live, the promo will debut on Ultimate Team. It features special cards of footballers who might have received lower ratings than the community had expected. We already knew about some of the cards, thanks to the leaks appearing on social media. Table of contents FC 26 Ratings Reload players FC 26 Ratings Reloaded release date FC 26 Ratings Reload players This is the complete list of promo cards that are now in packs. Matsukubo ST 83 Morton CDM 83 Damnjanovic ST 84 Dreyer RW 84 Vignola LB 85 Wubben-Moy CB 85 Florian Thauvin ST 85 Oscar Bobb RW 85 Pau Cubarsi CB 85 Salma Paralluelo LW 86 Marc Cucurella LB 86 Hugo Ekitike ST 86 Cristian Romero CB 86 Eberichi Eze CAM 86 Trinity Rodman RM 87 Scott McTominay CM 87 Michael Olise RM 87 Lucy Bronze RB 88 Heung Min- Son LW 88 Julian Alvarez ST 88 More cards will also be added as SBCs and objectives, so make sure to be on the lookout for them. FC 26 Ratings Reloaded release date The Ratings Reloaded promo went live after the Cornerstones promo expired. The promo went live on Friday, Oct. 10. The release, as always, happened at 12pm CT (6pm BST). You can now find the cards in packs if you are lucky. You can also complete various objectives and SBCs to add the promo cards to your squad. Unlike pack items, you won't have to rely on luck to get these cards. We already have Arda Guler available in Ultimate Team, and more options should appear in the next few days. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post All FC 26 Ratings Reload players and release date appeared first on Destructoid.

Many Battlefield 6 players have been unable to enjoy the best parts of the new game, all thanks to the Multiplayer Not Installed issue that has popped up.

Typically, this error falsely flags your version of the game as it claims that you're yet to purchase multiplayer. That's utterly impossible as Battlefield 6 is only available as a complete package that includes the Campaign and the Multiplayer content.

This guide will list all the steps to take to solve the problem so that you can jump into the multiplayer modes.

Table of contents

• Potential Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue fixes
  • Steam
  • EA App
  • Consoles

Potential Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue fixes

Before we deep dive into some potential solutions, it's important to note that the fixes here are based on the trial-and-error method. They're not guaranteed to work at all times. However, there's been an official acknowledgment from Battlefield Studios, who have reportedly detected the cause. A permanent should come soon, but here's what you can do in the meantime.

https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976711820640457139

Steam

If you're on Steam, your best option is to verify the file integrity of your installed content. If any content is missing, it should download automatically. These could be the files required to play multiplayer content. However, you can still end up with the error returning. In that case, verify the files once more. It's not an ideal situation, but just something to get you by.

EA App

The EA App allows you to download and install the files selectively. First, click on Repair, which should automatically redownload any missing files. If that doesn't work, the only alternative is to untick Multiplayer and reinstall the files once more. This fixed the problem when it popped up at my end.

Consoles

If you're on PlayStation, you can try out the Rebuild Database option. If that doesn't work, the only alternative is just to reinstall the game altogether, or just wait for EA to do its job.

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The post How to fix Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue appeared first on Destructoid.

Many Battlefield 6 players have been unable to enjoy the best parts of the new game, all thanks to the Multiplayer Not Installed issue that has popped up. Typically, this error falsely flags your version of the game as it claims that you're yet to purchase multiplayer. That's utterly impossible as Battlefield 6 is only available as a complete package that includes the Campaign and the Multiplayer content. This guide will list all the steps to take to solve the problem so that you can jump into the multiplayer modes. Table of contents Potential Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue fixes Steam EA App Consoles Potential Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue fixes Before we deep dive into some potential solutions, it's important to note that the fixes here are based on the trial-and-error method. They're not guaranteed to work at all times. However, there's been an official acknowledgment from Battlefield Studios, who have reportedly detected the cause. A permanent should come soon, but here's what you can do in the meantime. https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976711820640457139 Steam If you're on Steam, your best option is to verify the file integrity of your installed content. If any content is missing, it should download automatically. These could be the files required to play multiplayer content. However, you can still end up with the error returning. In that case, verify the files once more. It's not an ideal situation, but just something to get you by. EA App The EA App allows you to download and install the files selectively. First, click on Repair, which should automatically redownload any missing files. If that doesn't work, the only alternative is to untick Multiplayer and reinstall the files once more. This fixed the problem when it popped up at my end. Consoles If you're on PlayStation, you can try out the Rebuild Database option. If that doesn't work, the only alternative is just to reinstall the game altogether, or just wait for EA to do its job. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post How to fix Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Not Installed issue appeared first on Destructoid.

The Red Bull Challenge SBC is now live in FC 26, and you can exchange lower-rated cards from your Ultimate Team inventory to get a new pack.

Like all fodder challenges, there's only one task to complete. The requirements are simple, but they can easily become a stumbling block in your pursuit. This guide will prevent you from getting any headaches while completing the challenge and unlock the rewards easily.

Table of contents

• FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks
• FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC solutions

FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks

Here are the requirements of the single tasks of this challenge.

Red Bull Challenge SBC

• Min. 1 Players from: RB Leipzig OR RB Salzburg
• Min. Clubs in Squad: 5
• Min. Nationalities in Squad: 3
• Min. 6 Players: Gold
• Min. 3 Players: Rare
• Min. Squad Total Chemistry Points: 22

There are two stumbling blocks for this challenge. The 22 chemistry requirement can be slightly iffy when you have to use players from at least five different clubs and three different nations. You will also need to include a card from either RB Leipzig or RB Salzburg.

FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC solutions

Here's a set of solutions you can use to complete the challenge.

• Buhl LM 86
• Eichinger ST 61
• Muller RW 62
• Oberdorf CDM 84
• Ibisi CDM 55
• Beste LB 76
• Hojlund 76
• Liaigre 75
• Matriciani CB 64
• Emerson 77
• Zingerle GK 69

Completing the SBC gets you a tradeable Small Rare Gold players pack, which includes six Gold players items. At least five of them are guaranteed to be rare, with one rated 82 or higher. The pack has a great chance to include a Ratings Reload/walkout item that you can sell for profits. Hence, make sure to complete the challenge before it expires from Ultimate Team.

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The post FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks and solutions appeared first on Destructoid.

The Red Bull Challenge SBC is now live in FC 26, and you can exchange lower-rated cards from your Ultimate Team inventory to get a new pack. Like all fodder challenges, there's only one task to complete. The requirements are simple, but they can easily become a stumbling block in your pursuit. This guide will prevent you from getting any headaches while completing the challenge and unlock the rewards easily. Table of contents FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC solutions FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks Here are the requirements of the single tasks of this challenge. Red Bull Challenge SBC Min. 1 Players from: RB Leipzig OR RB Salzburg Min. Clubs in Squad: 5 Min. Nationalities in Squad: 3 Min. 6 Players: Gold Min. 3 Players: Rare Min. Squad Total Chemistry Points: 22 There are two stumbling blocks for this challenge. The 22 chemistry requirement can be slightly iffy when you have to use players from at least five different clubs and three different nations. You will also need to include a card from either RB Leipzig or RB Salzburg. FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC solutions Here's a set of solutions you can use to complete the challenge. Buhl LM 86 Eichinger ST 61 Muller RW 62 Oberdorf CDM 84 Ibisi CDM 55 Beste LB 76 Hojlund 76 Liaigre 75 Matriciani CB 64 Emerson 77 Zingerle GK 69 Completing the SBC gets you a tradeable Small Rare Gold players pack, which includes six Gold players items. At least five of them are guaranteed to be rare, with one rated 82 or higher. The pack has a great chance to include a Ratings Reload/walkout item that you can sell for profits. Hence, make sure to complete the challenge before it expires from Ultimate Team. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post FC 26 Red Bull Challenge SBC tasks and solutions appeared first on Destructoid.

The first batch of alleged Pokémon Legends: Z-A leaks is out, as players online claim to get their hands on early physical copies. Part of such leaks is a list of items that should be available in the base game, which includes a meager three fossils.

According to a Pastebin posted by dataminer Centro Leaks, the only five fossil Pokémon in Legends: Z-A are Aerodactyl (Old Amber), Amaura (Sail Fossil), Tyrunt (Jaw Fossil), and the evolutions Aurorus and Tyrantrum. While Game Freak has yet to confirm this, Amaura and Aerodactyl have already been spotted in the official trailers. Since Tyrunt is a Generation Six fossil just like Amaura, it will probably be in the game as well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PokeLeaks/comments/1o2wxet/shoddy_attempt_at_translating_the_leaked_new_items/

Since Legends: Z-A takes place in the world of the sixth generation, these fossil Pokémon are obvious choices, if not underwhelming. Aerodactyl has to be in the game because all Megas are returning, and Mega Aerodactyl exists. Amaura and Tyrunt are already this generation's fossils, so no surprises there either.

When we look back at fossils from XY, those from every other generation were also available, from Omanyte and Kabuto to Tirtouga and Archen. In total, Z-A should have eight fewer fossils compared to XY, if leaks are right.

Based on that, you can choose an optimistic or pessimistic view of Game Freak's fossil choice for Z-A. The first would say that the Pokémon Legends games aren't remakes, but spin-offs with their own merit, so Z-A doesn't have to copy what XY did. The second and negative one would believe that more fossils are locked behind the Mega Dimensions DLC.

My conviction is that these other fossils will come with the DLC, just like we're already expecting Mega Rayquaza to be tied to it instead of releasing with the base game. If leakers and dataminers are right and pulling complete information from the data files, the missing content from the base game of Legends: Z-A surely looks like it will force you to buy the DLC for the full experience.

The post Pokémon Legens: Z-A fossil Pokémon have allegedly leaked, and Game Freak played it frustratingly safe appeared first on Destructoid.

The first batch of alleged Pokémon Legends: Z-A leaks is out, as players online claim to get their hands on early physical copies. Part of such leaks is a list of items that should be available in the base game, which includes a meager three fossils. According to a Pastebin posted by dataminer Centro Leaks, the only five fossil Pokémon in Legends: Z-A are Aerodactyl (Old Amber), Amaura (Sail Fossil), Tyrunt (Jaw Fossil), and the evolutions Aurorus and Tyrantrum. While Game Freak has yet to confirm this, Amaura and Aerodactyl have already been spotted in the official trailers. Since Tyrunt is a Generation Six fossil just like Amaura, it will probably be in the game as well. https://www.reddit.com/r/PokeLeaks/comments/1o2wxet/shoddy_attempt_at_translating_the_leaked_new_items/ Since Legends: Z-A takes place in the world of the sixth generation, these fossil Pokémon are obvious choices, if not underwhelming. Aerodactyl has to be in the game because all Megas are returning, and Mega Aerodactyl exists. Amaura and Tyrunt are already this generation's fossils, so no surprises there either. When we look back at fossils from XY, those from every other generation were also available, from Omanyte and Kabuto to Tirtouga and Archen. In total, Z-A should have eight fewer fossils compared to XY, if leaks are right. Based on that, you can choose an optimistic or pessimistic view of Game Freak's fossil choice for Z-A. The first would say that the Pokémon Legends games aren't remakes, but spin-offs with their own merit, so Z-A doesn't have to copy what XY did. The second and negative one would believe that more fossils are locked behind the Mega Dimensions DLC. My conviction is that these other fossils will come with the DLC, just like we're already expecting Mega Rayquaza to be tied to it instead of releasing with the base game. If leakers and dataminers are right and pulling complete information from the data files, the missing content from the base game of Legends: Z-A surely looks like it will force you to buy the DLC for the full experience. The post Pokémon Legens: Z-A fossil Pokémon have allegedly leaked, and Game Freak played it frustratingly safe appeared first on Destructoid.

Only one game can survive this battle royale of the battle royale genre itself. Well, not really.

There are many fun BR games out there to play, and EA is set to join the fray with a Battlefield 6 battle royale mode sometime soon. BF6 launched to big player numbers on Oct. 10, 2025, and its free-to-play BR component is not far behind, sure to bring in even more players. But when can we play it?!

Here's what we know about when to expect BF6's battle royale mode to become widely available.

Table of contents

• Battlefield 6 battle royale release date
• Battlefield 6 battle royale details

Battlefield 6 battle royale release date

Screenshot by Destructoid

Battlefield 6's battle royale mode does not currently have an official release date, but there was some speculation that it could become widely available as part of season one of BF6 on Oct. 28, 2025. This does not seem likely, though, since EA has detailed season one's roadmap and BR was not a part of it.

If this does not happen, it's more likely that BF6 BR will drop alongside season two sometime in early 2026. The mode is currently in testing as part of Battlefield Labs, so there's no real rush to launch the free-to-play mode until it's ready to go.

"Testing this new mode and all of its features with the community is the true power of Battlefield Labs," EA said of BF6 BR on Sept. 10. "We are excited to hear about players’ experiences as they explore the ins and outs of this Battle Royale done the Battlefield way. We look forward to sharing more details after the testing is complete and we’ve reviewed the feedback from players."

Stay tuned for an official announcement on when BF6 BR will launch. For now, it's currently being tested by players who have been invited for the process.

Battlefield 6 battle royale details

Image via EA

Here are some details on what's currently being tested in BF6 BR, straight from EA:

• Map: Battlefield is no stranger to epic maps, and this all-new map has been built for the Battle Royale experience. It features a diverse array of tactical Points of Interest, each with distinct layouts and themes that offer unique gameplay opportunities.
• Vehicles: Players can find common transport vehicles around the map and even unlock powerful armored vehicles to turn the tide of battle. The intent is to offer more ways for players to traverse the map early on in a match and to create interesting combined arms action in the process.
• Tactical Destruction: Destruction will be everywhere in this mode. From creating pathways through walls to toppling buildings, we look forward to seeing players’ ingenuity with destruction and how they use it to defeat their opponents.
• Squadplay: For this test, each match will feature 100 players, organized into 25 four player squads, fighting to be the last one standing. Communicating with your squad through pings, text, or VOIP aims to boost the experience and enhance their tactical options.  
• Second chances: Between the Support class revives and Mobile Redeploy options, there are multiple tools to keep your squad in the fight.

BF6 BR will also have "the deadliest ring" in the genre, instantly killing players that it comes into contact with, so you'd better haul ass.

"We set out to bring the most dangerous ring in gaming to Battle Royale that instantly kills players upon contact," BF6 devs explained. "With urgent warnings as the fire approaches, soldiers will be pushed into more intense firefights as the game space continues to shrink. There’s no jumping in and out of it, no using it for cover, no walking through it - if you get caught in it, you are done. We’re excited to see how the ring affects the pace of the game and how it creates spontaneous showdowns."

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Only one game can survive this battle royale of the battle royale genre itself. Well, not really. There are many fun BR games out there to play, and EA is set to join the fray with a Battlefield 6 battle royale mode sometime soon. BF6 launched to big player numbers on Oct. 10, 2025, and its free-to-play BR component is not far behind, sure to bring in even more players. But when can we play it?! Here's what we know about when to expect BF6's battle royale mode to become widely available. Table of contents Battlefield 6 battle royale release date Battlefield 6 battle royale details Battlefield 6 battle royale release date Screenshot by Destructoid Battlefield 6's battle royale mode does not currently have an official release date, but there was some speculation that it could become widely available as part of season one of BF6 on Oct. 28, 2025. This does not seem likely, though, since EA has detailed season one's roadmap and BR was not a part of it. If this does not happen, it's more likely that BF6 BR will drop alongside season two sometime in early 2026. The mode is currently in testing as part of Battlefield Labs, so there's no real rush to launch the free-to-play mode until it's ready to go. "Testing this new mode and all of its features with the community is the true power of Battlefield Labs," EA said of BF6 BR on Sept. 10. "We are excited to hear about players’ experiences as they explore the ins and outs of this Battle Royale done the Battlefield way. We look forward to sharing more details after the testing is complete and we’ve reviewed the feedback from players." Stay tuned for an official announcement on when BF6 BR will launch. For now, it's currently being tested by players who have been invited for the process. Battlefield 6 battle royale details Image via EA Here are some details on what's currently being tested in BF6 BR, straight from EA: Map: Battlefield is no stranger to epic maps, and this all-new map has been built for the Battle Royale experience. It features a diverse array of tactical Points of Interest, each with distinct layouts and themes that offer unique gameplay opportunities. Vehicles: Players can find common transport vehicles around the map and even unlock powerful armored vehicles to turn the tide of battle. The intent is to offer more ways for players to traverse the map early on in a match and to create interesting combined arms action in the process. Tactical Destruction: Destruction will be everywhere in this mode. From creating pathways through walls to toppling buildings, we look forward to seeing players’ ingenuity with destruction and how they use it to defeat their opponents. Squadplay: For this test, each match will feature 100 players, organized into 25 four player squads, fighting to be the last one standing. Communicating with your squad through pings, text, or VOIP aims to boost the experience and enhance their tactical options. Second chances: Between the Support class revives and Mobile Redeploy options, there are multiple tools to keep your squad in the fight. BF6 BR will also have "the deadliest ring" in the genre, instantly killing players that it comes into contact with, so you'd better haul ass. "We set out to bring the most dangerous ring in gaming to Battle Royale that instantly kills players upon contact," BF6 devs explained. "With urgent warnings as the fire approaches, soldiers will be pushed into more intense firefights as the game space continues to shrink. There’s no jumping in and out of it, no using it for cover, no walking through it - if you get caught in it, you are done. We’re excited to see how the ring affects the pace of the game and how it creates spontaneous showdowns." Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post When does Battlefield 6 battle royale come out? Release date information and countdown appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is finally here, and was very much worth the wait. It's probably the best BF experience in the last decade, superseding 2042 by a wide margin, both in quality and popularity.

But, like any game, it can and will suffer issues following its initial launch. One such issue is the mysterious 1:8600 error code, which is plaguing some users and preventing them from getting into the game. So, here's everything you need to know about it, including a potential fix.

What is error code 1:8600 in Battlefield 6?

BF6 is out, but not without a hitch. Image via EA

Error code 1:8600 appears to pop up for players trying to load the game before even the main menu appears. It most commonly appears during authentication, which the game has to do to verify you're running a legit and purchased copy of the game, as well as that your PC isn't running potentially malicious software.

The authentication process is directly tied to your account, which seems to be the most common cause of this error code. Battlefield 6 is most likely failing to authenticate your account, log you into EA's app underneath, or has given you a shadowban for whatever reason.

Fixing the issue can usually be done by enabling in-game overlay, making sure you're logged into the EA app and with the proper account, or contacting EA support to ensure you're not banned.

Connection issues, too, can prevent EA from connecting to the relevant authentication services. Go to your Firewall and see if EA or Battlefield 6 isn't blocked within, as that could prevent the authentication process from going through. If your internet is breaking up during this process, that, too, can mess things up and lead the system to fail to authenticate you.

Some players have reported that external USB drives, such as Flash Drives or external HDDs, can cause the issue. The exact reason why this could be is unclear, though it could be due to Javelin anti-cheat mistakenly identifying your USB stick as potentially hazardous external hardware that could be used for nefarious in-game means.

EA staff suggests verifying game files on your relevant platform, ensuring a stable and strong internet connection (and, likely, a less restrictive NAT type, which you should ask your ISP about), closing background apps that could be conflicting with the game, and updating drivers.

Battlefield 6 also requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled, as these security measures help prevent cheaters, and could be behind your failed authentications.

If all else fails, contact EA Support and explain your issue in detail; it could reveal potential problems with your account itself, with the system flagging you for whatever reason. The company is working on resolving the issue as well, since it can just be on its own end.

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The post Battlefield 6 error code 1:8600, explained appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is finally here, and was very much worth the wait. It's probably the best BF experience in the last decade, superseding 2042 by a wide margin, both in quality and popularity. But, like any game, it can and will suffer issues following its initial launch. One such issue is the mysterious 1:8600 error code, which is plaguing some users and preventing them from getting into the game. So, here's everything you need to know about it, including a potential fix. What is error code 1:8600 in Battlefield 6? BF6 is out, but not without a hitch. Image via EA Error code 1:8600 appears to pop up for players trying to load the game before even the main menu appears. It most commonly appears during authentication, which the game has to do to verify you're running a legit and purchased copy of the game, as well as that your PC isn't running potentially malicious software. The authentication process is directly tied to your account, which seems to be the most common cause of this error code. Battlefield 6 is most likely failing to authenticate your account, log you into EA's app underneath, or has given you a shadowban for whatever reason. Fixing the issue can usually be done by enabling in-game overlay, making sure you're logged into the EA app and with the proper account, or contacting EA support to ensure you're not banned. Connection issues, too, can prevent EA from connecting to the relevant authentication services. Go to your Firewall and see if EA or Battlefield 6 isn't blocked within, as that could prevent the authentication process from going through. If your internet is breaking up during this process, that, too, can mess things up and lead the system to fail to authenticate you. Some players have reported that external USB drives, such as Flash Drives or external HDDs, can cause the issue. The exact reason why this could be is unclear, though it could be due to Javelin anti-cheat mistakenly identifying your USB stick as potentially hazardous external hardware that could be used for nefarious in-game means. EA staff suggests verifying game files on your relevant platform, ensuring a stable and strong internet connection (and, likely, a less restrictive NAT type, which you should ask your ISP about), closing background apps that could be conflicting with the game, and updating drivers. Battlefield 6 also requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled, as these security measures help prevent cheaters, and could be behind your failed authentications. If all else fails, contact EA Support and explain your issue in detail; it could reveal potential problems with your account itself, with the system flagging you for whatever reason. The company is working on resolving the issue as well, since it can just be on its own end. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Battlefield 6 error code 1:8600, explained appeared first on Destructoid.

The Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC is now live in FC 26, and you can complete the challenge to unlock a special card for the Real Madrid wonderkid.

Guler becomes the first Ratings Reload card to have been released as part of an SBC. The 86-rated card can be obtained by completing three tasks, and this guide will help you with the cheapest solutions.

Table of contents

• FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC tasks
• FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC solutions

FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC tasks

Here are the requirements of all three tasks. The requirements are relatively simple, and solving them should be straightforward.

Real Madrid

• Min. 1 Players from: Real Madrid
• Min. Team Rating: 83

LaLiga

• Min. 1 Players from: LALIGA EA SPORTS
• Min. 1 Players: Team of the Week
• Min. Team Rating: 84

Top Form

• Min. Team Rating: 85

FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC solutions

Here are the solutions for completing all three tasks of the SBC.

Real Madrid

• Turner 82
• Athenea 83
• Hjulmand 83
• Koch 82
• Stiller 83
• Brahim 82
• Mancini 83
• Dali 83
• McGinn 81
• Ake 83
• Mahrez 84

LaLiga

• Vivian 84
• Any 82-rated TOTW item
• Gwinn 84
• Fernandez 84
• Greenwood 84
• Lawrence 84
• Ruben Neves 84
• Locatelli 84
• Maddison 84
• Joaoa Cancelo 84
• de Vrij 84

Top Form

• Viggosdottir 84
• Cuthbert 85
• Hjulmand 83
• Mateo 85
• Walsh 85
• Dumfries 84
• Watkins 84
• Sorloth 84
• Joao Cancelo 84
• Acerbi 84
• Lewandowski 88

The 86-rated CAM item can play in three different positions and has four roles. It has decent playstyles, including Finesse Shot, Incisive Pass, and Technical. The stats are pretty decent, and he seems like the perfect CAM to add to your lineup. The SBC will cost you around 65,000 coins worth of fodder if you're aiming to complete it from the market.

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The Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC is now live in FC 26, and you can complete the challenge to unlock a special card for the Real Madrid wonderkid. Guler becomes the first Ratings Reload card to have been released as part of an SBC. The 86-rated card can be obtained by completing three tasks, and this guide will help you with the cheapest solutions. Table of contents FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC tasks FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC solutions FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC tasks Here are the requirements of all three tasks. The requirements are relatively simple, and solving them should be straightforward. Real Madrid Min. 1 Players from: Real Madrid Min. Team Rating: 83 LaLiga Min. 1 Players from: LALIGA EA SPORTS Min. 1 Players: Team of the Week Min. Team Rating: 84 Top Form Min. Team Rating: 85 FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC solutions Here are the solutions for completing all three tasks of the SBC. Real Madrid Turner 82 Athenea 83 Hjulmand 83 Koch 82 Stiller 83 Brahim 82 Mancini 83 Dali 83 McGinn 81 Ake 83 Mahrez 84 LaLiga Vivian 84 Any 82-rated TOTW item Gwinn 84 Fernandez 84 Greenwood 84 Lawrence 84 Ruben Neves 84 Locatelli 84 Maddison 84 Joaoa Cancelo 84 de Vrij 84 Top Form Viggosdottir 84 Cuthbert 85 Hjulmand 83 Mateo 85 Walsh 85 Dumfries 84 Watkins 84 Sorloth 84 Joao Cancelo 84 Acerbi 84 Lewandowski 88 The 86-rated CAM item can play in three different positions and has four roles. It has decent playstyles, including Finesse Shot, Incisive Pass, and Technical. The stats are pretty decent, and he seems like the perfect CAM to add to your lineup. The SBC will cost you around 65,000 coins worth of fodder if you're aiming to complete it from the market. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post FC 26 Arda Guler Ratings Reload SBC tasks and solutions appeared first on Destructoid.

The Backline Glow evolution is an amazing piece of content for all FC 26 players who are looking to improve their defense in Ultimate Team.

For just 10,000 coins, you can improve a CB of your choice and boost it with various upgrades. The list of upgrades includes stat boosts, playstyles, and roles. This guide will help you figure out the best choices for the upgrades.

Table of contents

• FC 26 Backline Glow evolution requirements
• FC 26 Backline Glow evolution upgrades
• Best players to use in Backline Glow evolution

FC 26 Backline Glow evolution requirements

Here are the requirements of the Backline Glow evolution in FC 26.

• Overall: Max 80
• Pace: Max 84
• PlayStyle: Max 5
• Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars
• Position: CB

FC 26 Backline Glow evolution upgrades

The evolution has four levels of upgrades, and there are certain conditions to fulfil.

Level 1 upgrades

• Overall: +7|84
• Passing: +5|74
• Defending: +8|84
• Acceleration: +10|80
• Sprint Speed: +10|80
• Roles: Defender+

Level 2 upgrades

• Aggression: +10|81
• Agility: +5|70
• Balance: +5|75
• Reactions: +10|77
• PlayStyles: Jockey|5

Level 3 upgrades

• Aggression: +5|81
• Jumping: +15|80
• Stamina: +15|80
• Strength: +15|81
• Composure: +15|77
• Weak Foot: +1|3

Level 4 upgrades

• Defending: +7|84
• Agility: +5|70
• Balance: +5|75
• Reactions: +5|77
• PlayStyles: Block|5

Level 1 upgrade requirements

• Play 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.

Level 2 upgrade requirements

• Win 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.

Level 3 upgrade requirements

• Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.

Level 4 upgrade requirements

• Win 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.

Best players to use in Backline Glow evolution

Here are some of my best recommendations for this evolution.

• Calvin Bassey
• Lukas Klostermann
• Emmanuel Agbadou
• Jordan Torunarigha
• Illia Zabarnyi
• Hiroki Ito
• Frank Kessie
• Noussair Mazraoui
• Mario Hermoso
• Luke Shaw
• Lewi Colwill

While the upgrades are decent, you can include these cards in future evolutions to create a chain and upgrade their stats further.

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The Backline Glow evolution is an amazing piece of content for all FC 26 players who are looking to improve their defense in Ultimate Team. For just 10,000 coins, you can improve a CB of your choice and boost it with various upgrades. The list of upgrades includes stat boosts, playstyles, and roles. This guide will help you figure out the best choices for the upgrades. Table of contents FC 26 Backline Glow evolution requirements FC 26 Backline Glow evolution upgrades Best players to use in Backline Glow evolution FC 26 Backline Glow evolution requirements Here are the requirements of the Backline Glow evolution in FC 26. Overall: Max 80 Pace: Max 84 PlayStyle: Max 5 Not Rarity: World Tour Silver Stars Position: CB FC 26 Backline Glow evolution upgrades The evolution has four levels of upgrades, and there are certain conditions to fulfil. Level 1 upgrades Overall: +7|84 Passing: +5|74 Defending: +8|84 Acceleration: +10|80 Sprint Speed: +10|80 Roles: Defender+ Level 2 upgrades Aggression: +10|81 Agility: +5|70 Balance: +5|75 Reactions: +10|77 PlayStyles: Jockey|5 Level 3 upgrades Aggression: +5|81 Jumping: +15|80 Stamina: +15|80 Strength: +15|81 Composure: +15|77 Weak Foot: +1|3 Level 4 upgrades Defending: +7|84 Agility: +5|70 Balance: +5|75 Reactions: +5|77 PlayStyles: Block|5 Level 1 upgrade requirements Play 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game. Level 2 upgrade requirements Win 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game. Level 3 upgrade requirements Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game. Level 4 upgrade requirements Win 3 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game. Best players to use in Backline Glow evolution Here are some of my best recommendations for this evolution. Calvin Bassey Lukas Klostermann Emmanuel Agbadou Jordan Torunarigha Illia Zabarnyi Hiroki Ito Frank Kessie Noussair Mazraoui Mario Hermoso Luke Shaw Lewi Colwill While the upgrades are decent, you can include these cards in future evolutions to create a chain and upgrade their stats further. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Best players to use for FC 26 Backline Glow evolution appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is off to a flying start, but many players (myself included) have ended up getting unforeseen crashes. In some situations, players have also reported being unable to launch.

These are two fundamentally different problems. The issue of Battlefield 6 not launching stems from specific issues in the background, while the crashes appear to be completely random. Here's how you can try to address the problems before Battlefield Studios sends out a post-launch patch to resolve the situation.

How to fix the Battlefield 6 not launching error

The Battlefield 6 not launching error is a major problem that you can encounter if you don't have Secure Boot enabled. This is a result of the game's anti-cheat system, which requires you to have Secure Boot enabled. Given the tricky nature of the problem, I won't advise you on whether you should enable it or not. The process also requires you to go to your BIOS settings and make the change, which is a different rabbit hole altogether.

https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976679780264153186

If you have third-party mounting software like Daemon Tools, Battlefield 6 might either not launch at all, or you'll end up getting crashes. This is a minor issue that might get fixed later with a future patch. However, having Secure Boot enabled is a must if you want the game to be functional on your PC.

How to fix Battlefield 6 crashes

The crashes appear to be completely random in nature, so here are a few tips and tricks to try out.

• I have encountered three crashes as of writing on Oct. 10, and all three happened during the Campaign. I will stick to playing online in the meantime if you have also endured the same fate.
• Reduce the graphical load on your system by opting for the best settings that are suitable for your hardware.
• If you have downloaded Battlefield 6 on Steam, check the integrity of your downloaded file.

If none of these steps work, the only alternative is to reinstall Battlefield 6 from scratch. Ultimately, EA is aware of the current situation, and permanent fixes are expected.

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The post How to fix Battlefield 6 crashes and not launching error appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is off to a flying start, but many players (myself included) have ended up getting unforeseen crashes. In some situations, players have also reported being unable to launch. These are two fundamentally different problems. The issue of Battlefield 6 not launching stems from specific issues in the background, while the crashes appear to be completely random. Here's how you can try to address the problems before Battlefield Studios sends out a post-launch patch to resolve the situation. How to fix the Battlefield 6 not launching error The Battlefield 6 not launching error is a major problem that you can encounter if you don't have Secure Boot enabled. This is a result of the game's anti-cheat system, which requires you to have Secure Boot enabled. Given the tricky nature of the problem, I won't advise you on whether you should enable it or not. The process also requires you to go to your BIOS settings and make the change, which is a different rabbit hole altogether. https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976679780264153186 If you have third-party mounting software like Daemon Tools, Battlefield 6 might either not launch at all, or you'll end up getting crashes. This is a minor issue that might get fixed later with a future patch. However, having Secure Boot enabled is a must if you want the game to be functional on your PC. How to fix Battlefield 6 crashes The crashes appear to be completely random in nature, so here are a few tips and tricks to try out. I have encountered three crashes as of writing on Oct. 10, and all three happened during the Campaign. I will stick to playing online in the meantime if you have also endured the same fate. Reduce the graphical load on your system by opting for the best settings that are suitable for your hardware. If you have downloaded Battlefield 6 on Steam, check the integrity of your downloaded file. If none of these steps work, the only alternative is to reinstall Battlefield 6 from scratch. Ultimately, EA is aware of the current situation, and permanent fixes are expected. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post How to fix Battlefield 6 crashes and not launching error appeared first on Destructoid.

Absolum has four different characters available for the players, and you can unlock them all to enjoy more options.

While the game offers you two picks by default, you can expand your roster pretty soon. The actual time taken will differ depending on how well you're doing on your run and the speed of your progression. This guide will provide you with all the required information about the full roster, before discussing who is the best character.

How to unlock all characters in Absolum

The table below has all the information you need to know to unlock all four characters in Absolum.

Character How to Unlock Karl Available by default Galandra Available by default Cider Cider is the first of the two unlockable characters in Absolum. You'll find Gazorg in an encounter, and then take him down. Gazorg isn't the most demanding boss you'll come across; however, he can still dish out decent damage. Once you take care of Gazorg, visit the Goblin Village. There, you'll need to assist Cider in a battle, and she will then become available for selection. Brome Brome is the second of two characters to unlock in the game. You'll encounter him in Jaroba and then help him in a battle to add him to your roster. It's fair to say that Brome will likely take a long time for you reach him.

Which is the best character in Absolum

Screenshot by Destructoid

All four characters in Absolum have their unique playstyles, strengths, and weaknesses. You can clear the game with all of them. However, my favorite character is Galandra.

She's available from the start, and her kit is better than that of Karl. Galandra's playstyle is highly suitable for every style of player. It does just the right amount of damage without being overpowered. Once you upgrade some of your Rituals from Vikhana, Galandra will definitely be the easiest character to master to clear the game.

If you want to go for a ranged playstyle instead, go with Brome. His kit is pretty simple and fun to play for those who don't want to get too close to the enemies. And if things are too challenging, you can always change the difficulty from the settings.

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Absolum has four different characters available for the players, and you can unlock them all to enjoy more options. While the game offers you two picks by default, you can expand your roster pretty soon. The actual time taken will differ depending on how well you're doing on your run and the speed of your progression. This guide will provide you with all the required information about the full roster, before discussing who is the best character. How to unlock all characters in Absolum The table below has all the information you need to know to unlock all four characters in Absolum. Character How to Unlock Karl Available by default Galandra Available by default Cider Cider is the first of the two unlockable characters in Absolum. You'll find Gazorg in an encounter, and then take him down. Gazorg isn't the most demanding boss you'll come across; however, he can still dish out decent damage. Once you take care of Gazorg, visit the Goblin Village. There, you'll need to assist Cider in a battle, and she will then become available for selection. Brome Brome is the second of two characters to unlock in the game. You'll encounter him in Jaroba and then help him in a battle to add him to your roster. It's fair to say that Brome will likely take a long time for you reach him. Which is the best character in Absolum Screenshot by Destructoid All four characters in Absolum have their unique playstyles, strengths, and weaknesses. You can clear the game with all of them. However, my favorite character is Galandra. She's available from the start, and her kit is better than that of Karl. Galandra's playstyle is highly suitable for every style of player. It does just the right amount of damage without being overpowered. Once you upgrade some of your Rituals from Vikhana, Galandra will definitely be the easiest character to master to clear the game. If you want to go for a ranged playstyle instead, go with Brome. His kit is pretty simple and fun to play for those who don't want to get too close to the enemies. And if things are too challenging, you can always change the difficulty from the settings. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post All characters in Absolum and how to get them appeared first on Destructoid.

There are many unique collections you can work on in The Sims 4, but the Adventure Awaits Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths one is an especially tricky collection to complete. There's a really cool display for this collection, though, so it's certainly worth tackling.

All Butterflies and Moths have precise spawn locations, and many also have some prerequisites you need to meet before they'll appear. You're not given a whole lot of information to work with, so finding them all on your own can be tough. Here are all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths, and where to find them in The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits.

Table of contents

• How to complete the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection in The Sims 4
• How to get all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths in The Sims 4

How to complete the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection in The Sims 4

Screenshot by Destructoid

To finish the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection, you must find and catch all 14 Butterflies and Moths around the world in the Adventure Awaits expansion pack. These special creatures can be placed in the Gibbi Point Butterfly and Moth Habitat item, which you can purchase from Buy Mode for 600 Simoleons.

It's a bit costly, but it's a really special item that's unlike anything other collections have, so it's certainly worth buying. If you need to earn some quick cash, consider tackling the Peculiar Plumbird's missions, including Tangible Traces, Feeding Frenzy, Local Legends, and Community Spirit.

How to get all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths in The Sims 4

There are 10 Butterflies and four Moths you can find around Gibbi Point. Butterflies can only be caught during the day, while Moths can only be captured at night. Some of these critters also have a few other conditions that must be met before they'll appear, so here's a full breakdown of how to find each one.

Image Name Location Explanation Jelly Butterfly By Jellyfish The Jelly Butterfly spawns when you place a Jellyfish in the world, so you can technically summon them anywhere. It's generally easiest to visit the Electric Lagoon in Crystal Valley, catch a Jellyfish by fishing there, and place it in the world. Banded King Shoemaker Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found by the wooden bridge close to the Chavez-Ralston house. Jorjan Birdwing Butterfly Crystal Valley Attend the Sunrise, Sunset festival in Crystal Valley. It takes place every weekend from 1pm to 8pm. You can find them fluttering around near the red flowers in white boxes close to the pink and white candy stall. Owl Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found by the blue water balloon bucket close to the Old Firewatch Tower. Red Admiral Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Appears near the Hothead Rock Geyser after completing Toshie's Melody of the Geyser quest. Once you've accepted this quest, work through the steps until you're tasked with visiting a boulder. You can find the boulder close to the geyser. When you're by it, select the "Investigate Boulder" option followed by "Smack Boulder!" A massive fire will burst out of the geyser when you perform this action, and a cluster of Red Admiral Butterflies will spawn on the deck with the benches facing the geyser. Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Right by the Butterfly Topiary between Camp Gibbi Gibbi and the playground. Magical Origami Butterfly N/A This must be the last Butterfly you get, and it doesn't have a specific spawn location. After catching all other Butterflies and Moths, you can craft this one. You need at least level two of the Papercraft skill to make it. Cordelian Butterfly Jellyfish Junction Near the eastern edge of the Jellyfish Junction shoreline, close to a bathroom hut, a shed packed with hay, and two white lounge chairs with a blue table between them. Dina Yellow Butterfly Crystal Valley Can be found fluttering around some colorful flowers and bushes slightly east of the town square, where the Fearful Fish lounge is located. This small cluster of bushes is situated right by the east edge of the plaza and is close to the road. They can also be found floating near the edge of the water near the north end of the path that runs by the Butterfly Topiary, close to the Peculiar Plumbird's nest. Glasswing Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found between the trees right by the massive waterfall in the Wanderwood Wilds region. Grim's-head Hawkmoth Jellyfish Junction Attend the Glow and Flow Festival during a New Moon to find this Moth along the shores at Jellyfish Junction. Cryptid Moth Crystal Valley Complete all of the Peculiar Plumbird's quests, including Tangible Traces, Feeding Frenzy, Local Legends, and Community Spirit. Then visit the nest area at night to find some Cryptid Moths flying around nearby. Sphinx Moth Wanderwood Wilds Attend the 'Round the Fire Festival in the Wanderwood Wilds region. This festival takes place from 7pm to 2am during the weekend. You can find Sphinx Moths flying around close to the fire pit. Goliath Silk Moth Jellyfish Junction Found in the Plaza area of Jellyfish Junction, slightly left of the Jellyfish Junction town model and around the fountain. There are some clusters of them close to the massive bird statue in the small playground area just north of this, too. They also sometimes pop up over in Crystal Valley near the lampposts, but not as frequently.

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There are many unique collections you can work on in The Sims 4, but the Adventure Awaits Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths one is an especially tricky collection to complete. There's a really cool display for this collection, though, so it's certainly worth tackling. All Butterflies and Moths have precise spawn locations, and many also have some prerequisites you need to meet before they'll appear. You're not given a whole lot of information to work with, so finding them all on your own can be tough. Here are all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths, and where to find them in The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits. Table of contents How to complete the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection in The Sims 4 How to get all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths in The Sims 4 How to complete the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection in The Sims 4 Screenshot by Destructoid To finish the Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths collection, you must find and catch all 14 Butterflies and Moths around the world in the Adventure Awaits expansion pack. These special creatures can be placed in the Gibbi Point Butterfly and Moth Habitat item, which you can purchase from Buy Mode for 600 Simoleons. It's a bit costly, but it's a really special item that's unlike anything other collections have, so it's certainly worth buying. If you need to earn some quick cash, consider tackling the Peculiar Plumbird's missions, including Tangible Traces, Feeding Frenzy, Local Legends, and Community Spirit. How to get all Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths in The Sims 4 There are 10 Butterflies and four Moths you can find around Gibbi Point. Butterflies can only be caught during the day, while Moths can only be captured at night. Some of these critters also have a few other conditions that must be met before they'll appear, so here's a full breakdown of how to find each one. Image Name Location Explanation Jelly Butterfly By Jellyfish The Jelly Butterfly spawns when you place a Jellyfish in the world, so you can technically summon them anywhere. It's generally easiest to visit the Electric Lagoon in Crystal Valley, catch a Jellyfish by fishing there, and place it in the world. Banded King Shoemaker Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found by the wooden bridge close to the Chavez-Ralston house. Jorjan Birdwing Butterfly Crystal Valley Attend the Sunrise, Sunset festival in Crystal Valley. It takes place every weekend from 1pm to 8pm. You can find them fluttering around near the red flowers in white boxes close to the pink and white candy stall. Owl Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found by the blue water balloon bucket close to the Old Firewatch Tower. Red Admiral Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Appears near the Hothead Rock Geyser after completing Toshie's Melody of the Geyser quest. Once you've accepted this quest, work through the steps until you're tasked with visiting a boulder. You can find the boulder close to the geyser. When you're by it, select the "Investigate Boulder" option followed by "Smack Boulder!" A massive fire will burst out of the geyser when you perform this action, and a cluster of Red Admiral Butterflies will spawn on the deck with the benches facing the geyser. Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Right by the Butterfly Topiary between Camp Gibbi Gibbi and the playground. Magical Origami Butterfly N/A This must be the last Butterfly you get, and it doesn't have a specific spawn location. After catching all other Butterflies and Moths, you can craft this one. You need at least level two of the Papercraft skill to make it. Cordelian Butterfly Jellyfish Junction Near the eastern edge of the Jellyfish Junction shoreline, close to a bathroom hut, a shed packed with hay, and two white lounge chairs with a blue table between them. Dina Yellow Butterfly Crystal Valley Can be found fluttering around some colorful flowers and bushes slightly east of the town square, where the Fearful Fish lounge is located. This small cluster of bushes is situated right by the east edge of the plaza and is close to the road. They can also be found floating near the edge of the water near the north end of the path that runs by the Butterfly Topiary, close to the Peculiar Plumbird's nest. Glasswing Butterfly Wanderwood Wilds Found between the trees right by the massive waterfall in the Wanderwood Wilds region. Grim's-head Hawkmoth Jellyfish Junction Attend the Glow and Flow Festival during a New Moon to find this Moth along the shores at Jellyfish Junction. Cryptid Moth Crystal Valley Complete all of the Peculiar Plumbird's quests, including Tangible Traces, Feeding Frenzy, Local Legends, and Community Spirit. Then visit the nest area at night to find some Cryptid Moths flying around nearby. Sphinx Moth Wanderwood Wilds Attend the 'Round the Fire Festival in the Wanderwood Wilds region. This festival takes place from 7pm to 2am during the weekend. You can find Sphinx Moths flying around close to the fire pit. Goliath Silk Moth Jellyfish Junction Found in the Plaza area of Jellyfish Junction, slightly left of the Jellyfish Junction town model and around the fountain. There are some clusters of them close to the massive bird statue in the small playground area just north of this, too. They also sometimes pop up over in Crystal Valley near the lampposts, but not as frequently. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post All Gibbi Point Butterflies and Moths in The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits and where to find them appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is now live on PC and consoles, but the servers seem to be in a bit of a pickle.

If you have been trying to get into the game on opening day, chances are that you're sitting in front of the screen with a long queue in front of you. While Battlefield 6 has a single-player campaign on offer, connecting to the servers is a must if you want to participate in any mode.

This guide will help you stay updated about the current server status and situation.

Table of contents

• Are Battlefield 6 servers down at launch?
• How to check Battlefield 6 server status

Are Battlefield 6 servers down at launch?

As of Oct. 10, Battlefield 6 servers all around the globe are working as intended. The servers went live and global at 8am PT/10am CT, and you can join in to enjoy one of the many available modes.

As I have mentioned above, chances are high that you're finding yourself behind a long queue when trying to get into Battlefield 6. This is absolutely routine, and there's no need to worry. EA had already informed us that a login queue would be placed at launch to ensure that the servers don't crash. While you're waiting for your turn, it ensures that the servers don't end up getting overloaded due to unexpected traffic.

https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976668505253515758

Just wait for the queue to get over, and you'll be able to log in and start a match.

How to check Battlefield 6 server status

While the servers are working on launch day, they could go down in the future. The best way to check server status is to follow the official X handle for the game's status updates. If there are any server maintenance plans, they will post in advance.

Otherwise, you can always depend on third-party sites like Downdetector to find out if the servers are operational. If you have a plethora of red dots on your screen, it means that the servers are down. When the servers go down, the only option is to wait patiently.

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Battlefield 6 is now live on PC and consoles, but the servers seem to be in a bit of a pickle. If you have been trying to get into the game on opening day, chances are that you're sitting in front of the screen with a long queue in front of you. While Battlefield 6 has a single-player campaign on offer, connecting to the servers is a must if you want to participate in any mode. This guide will help you stay updated about the current server status and situation. Table of contents Are Battlefield 6 servers down at launch? How to check Battlefield 6 server status Are Battlefield 6 servers down at launch? As of Oct. 10, Battlefield 6 servers all around the globe are working as intended. The servers went live and global at 8am PT/10am CT, and you can join in to enjoy one of the many available modes. As I have mentioned above, chances are high that you're finding yourself behind a long queue when trying to get into Battlefield 6. This is absolutely routine, and there's no need to worry. EA had already informed us that a login queue would be placed at launch to ensure that the servers don't crash. While you're waiting for your turn, it ensures that the servers don't end up getting overloaded due to unexpected traffic. https://twitter.com/BattlefieldComm/status/1976668505253515758 Just wait for the queue to get over, and you'll be able to log in and start a match. How to check Battlefield 6 server status While the servers are working on launch day, they could go down in the future. The best way to check server status is to follow the official X handle for the game's status updates. If there are any server maintenance plans, they will post in advance. Otherwise, you can always depend on third-party sites like Downdetector to find out if the servers are operational. If you have a plethora of red dots on your screen, it means that the servers are down. When the servers go down, the only option is to wait patiently. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Are Battlefield 6 servers down? How to check server status and more appeared first on Destructoid.

Marvel Comics has no shortage of teams and groups that come together to fight against the evils of the world, and Marvel Rivals already has several of them represented.

X-Men, Avengers, and Spider-Verse heroes are just some of the existing groups already in the game. But in season 4.5, with the arrival of Daredevil, a new team has come to the forefront: Marvel Knights.

In the 1990s, Marvel Knights was a special run of comics that included several limited series, but also was a part of an ongoing series of comics, centered around a number of characters that are in the game. In season 4.5, a new achievement requires some Knights knowledge to progress.

Here's everything there is to know about the Marvel Rivals "The Defenders" achievement, including who counts as Marvel Knights.

Marvel Rivals 'The Defenders' achievement - Marvel Knights members

Screenshot by Destructoid

To unlock "The Defenders" achievement in Marvel Rivals and land 10 KOs as Daredevil with other Marvel Knights members, you need to combine for a KO on enemy players with Black Widow, Blade, Cloak & Dagger, Moon Knight, or The Punisher.

This achievement should come pretty naturally if you play as Daredevil and earn eliminations while playing with any of the other above heroes, who are just some of the Marvel characters who could be considered Marvel Knights.

Just play any match in Marvel Rivals as Daredevil and team up with the other heroes to land eliminations on enemy players, meaning both of you need to deal damage to the player to eliminate them, and this achievement should pop pretty quickly.

Finishing this will unlock 10 achievement points on the rewards track.

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Marvel Comics has no shortage of teams and groups that come together to fight against the evils of the world, and Marvel Rivals already has several of them represented. X-Men, Avengers, and Spider-Verse heroes are just some of the existing groups already in the game. But in season 4.5, with the arrival of Daredevil, a new team has come to the forefront: Marvel Knights. In the 1990s, Marvel Knights was a special run of comics that included several limited series, but also was a part of an ongoing series of comics, centered around a number of characters that are in the game. In season 4.5, a new achievement requires some Knights knowledge to progress. Here's everything there is to know about the Marvel Rivals "The Defenders" achievement, including who counts as Marvel Knights. Marvel Rivals 'The Defenders' achievement - Marvel Knights members Screenshot by Destructoid To unlock "The Defenders" achievement in Marvel Rivals and land 10 KOs as Daredevil with other Marvel Knights members, you need to combine for a KO on enemy players with Black Widow, Blade, Cloak & Dagger, Moon Knight, or The Punisher. This achievement should come pretty naturally if you play as Daredevil and earn eliminations while playing with any of the other above heroes, who are just some of the Marvel characters who could be considered Marvel Knights. Just play any match in Marvel Rivals as Daredevil and team up with the other heroes to land eliminations on enemy players, meaning both of you need to deal damage to the player to eliminate them, and this achievement should pop pretty quickly. Finishing this will unlock 10 achievement points on the rewards track. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post How to partner with Marvel Knights members to land 10 KOs as Daredevil in Marvel Rivals appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is now out worldwide on PC and consoles, and you can tweak the graphics settings to get the best performance.

Being a competitive shooter, it's essential to ensure there are no sudden lag spikes or frame drops. If you have a consistent FPS at all times, the visual performance will be smoother, offering you a key edge over your opponents.

This guide will help you get the most out of your hardware as long as it meets the requirements to run Battlefield 6.

Table of contents

• Best tips and tricks for smooth graphics in Battlefield 6
• Best graphic settings in Battlefield 6

Best tips and tricks for smooth graphics in Battlefield 6

There are some basic steps that you'll need to get right before jumping into a game in Battlefield 6.

• Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Whether you're using an Nvidia card or one from AMD, check whether there's an available update. Having updated graphic drivers will be key to getting the best visual performance.
• I will recommend turning off Vsync unless your hardware is pretty strong and comfortably clears the recommended requirements. You'll be losing very little by turning it off, while putting less stress on your system.
• Until we get a few patches rolling out, it's better to cap the FPS. If your hardware is close to the minimum requirements, set it to 60 FPS. Otherwise, you can crank it up to 90 FPS. While you could potentially lose on more frames, having a cap will stabilize the number of frames you're hitting every moment.

Let's look at what I am using on my system to get the best visual performance.

Best graphic settings in Battlefield 6

My current setup has the following specifications: AMD Ryzen 5600G, NVIDIA RTX 3060 12 GB, and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM.

Screenshot by Destructoid

• Performance Preset: Custom
• Graphics Quality: Medium
• Texture Quality: Medium
• Texture Filtering: Medium
• MEsh Quality: Medium
• Terrain Quality: Medium
• Undergrowth Quality: Low
• Effects Quality: Low
• Volumetric Quality: Low
• Lighting Quality: High
• Local Light and Shadow Quality: Low
• Sun Shadow Quality: Medium
• Shadow Filtering: PFC
• Reflection Quality: Medium
• Screen Space Reflections: Low
• Post Process Quality: Low
• Fixed Resolution Scale: 100
• Frame Rate Limiter: On
• Frame Rate Limit: 90
• Dynamic Resolution Scale: Off
• Nvidia Reflec: Enabled+ Boost
• Anti-Aliasing: Off
• Upscaling Technique: Off
• Future Frame Rendering: Off
• Resolution: Native
• Vsync: Off

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The post Best Battlefield 6 graphics setting for performance, less lag and max FPS appeared first on Destructoid.

Battlefield 6 is now out worldwide on PC and consoles, and you can tweak the graphics settings to get the best performance. Being a competitive shooter, it's essential to ensure there are no sudden lag spikes or frame drops. If you have a consistent FPS at all times, the visual performance will be smoother, offering you a key edge over your opponents. This guide will help you get the most out of your hardware as long as it meets the requirements to run Battlefield 6. Table of contents Best tips and tricks for smooth graphics in Battlefield 6 Best graphic settings in Battlefield 6 Best tips and tricks for smooth graphics in Battlefield 6 There are some basic steps that you'll need to get right before jumping into a game in Battlefield 6. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Whether you're using an Nvidia card or one from AMD, check whether there's an available update. Having updated graphic drivers will be key to getting the best visual performance. I will recommend turning off Vsync unless your hardware is pretty strong and comfortably clears the recommended requirements. You'll be losing very little by turning it off, while putting less stress on your system. Until we get a few patches rolling out, it's better to cap the FPS. If your hardware is close to the minimum requirements, set it to 60 FPS. Otherwise, you can crank it up to 90 FPS. While you could potentially lose on more frames, having a cap will stabilize the number of frames you're hitting every moment. Let's look at what I am using on my system to get the best visual performance. Best graphic settings in Battlefield 6 My current setup has the following specifications: AMD Ryzen 5600G, NVIDIA RTX 3060 12 GB, and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM. Screenshot by Destructoid Performance Preset: Custom Graphics Quality: Medium Texture Quality: Medium Texture Filtering: Medium MEsh Quality: Medium Terrain Quality: Medium Undergrowth Quality: Low Effects Quality: Low Volumetric Quality: Low Lighting Quality: High Local Light and Shadow Quality: Low Sun Shadow Quality: Medium Shadow Filtering: PFC Reflection Quality: Medium Screen Space Reflections: Low Post Process Quality: Low Fixed Resolution Scale: 100 Frame Rate Limiter: On Frame Rate Limit: 90 Dynamic Resolution Scale: Off Nvidia Reflec: Enabled+ Boost Anti-Aliasing: Off Upscaling Technique: Off Future Frame Rendering: Off Resolution: Native Vsync: Off Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Best Battlefield 6 graphics setting for performance, less lag and max FPS appeared first on Destructoid.

The day we've all been waiting for is finally here: Battlefield 6 is officially live. But despite EA saying the servers will be ready for the incoming traffic, players are clogging up the queue so bad it's reaching numbers as high as my country's total population.

As of this article, I am sitting in a queue at position 416,000, meaning there's half a million people ahead of me trying to get into the game. I don't even want to look behind myself at the line that is just forming, given how this queue size is already almost equal to my home country's population of some 625,000. Battlefield 6 is by far EA's biggest release in these last few years, with this summer's open beta indicating we'd be in for a true storm once the launch day comes.

It's almost as much as Iceland! Screenshot by Destructoid

And the launch day has come, with BF6 now officially live across the world. Though the server queue is massive, performance remains stable and steady, with respectable frames and pings. Finding a match is super easy, whether through official matchmaking or the server browser, and that should remain so for the foreseeable future. The server queue is also moving relatively quickly, so even if you do get stuck way behind, you shouldn't spend too long within it.

Hopefully, EA will also expand the server network in the coming days as the company adjusts to the infinite sea of players trying to get their hands on what could just be the best Battlefield in a decade.

In the meantime: stay frosty, soldiers, and we'll see you all at the front of the queue (after we're done compiling shaders for an extra five minutes, that is).

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The day we've all been waiting for is finally here: Battlefield 6 is officially live. But despite EA saying the servers will be ready for the incoming traffic, players are clogging up the queue so bad it's reaching numbers as high as my country's total population. As of this article, I am sitting in a queue at position 416,000, meaning there's half a million people ahead of me trying to get into the game. I don't even want to look behind myself at the line that is just forming, given how this queue size is already almost equal to my home country's population of some 625,000. Battlefield 6 is by far EA's biggest release in these last few years, with this summer's open beta indicating we'd be in for a true storm once the launch day comes. It's almost as much as Iceland! Screenshot by Destructoid And the launch day has come, with BF6 now officially live across the world. Though the server queue is massive, performance remains stable and steady, with respectable frames and pings. Finding a match is super easy, whether through official matchmaking or the server browser, and that should remain so for the foreseeable future. The server queue is also moving relatively quickly, so even if you do get stuck way behind, you shouldn't spend too long within it. Hopefully, EA will also expand the server network in the coming days as the company adjusts to the infinite sea of players trying to get their hands on what could just be the best Battlefield in a decade. In the meantime: stay frosty, soldiers, and we'll see you all at the front of the queue (after we're done compiling shaders for an extra five minutes, that is). Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Battlefield 6 is finally live—and yes, its queue is as big as a country appeared first on Destructoid.

Game launches on Fridays are a beautiful thing. I remember growing up they were basically all on Tuesdays, which was not conducive to being productive throughout the week.

But with a hyped game like Battlefield 6, many players are taking sick days or paid time off to play it on its Friday launch day and extend the fun into their weekend to have several consecutive days of grinding out wins and frags with their squads.

But with a Friday launch comes even more players who want to play right when the game goes live. Because of this, EA has implemented a server queue. Here's what that means for you.

Battlefield 6 'game servers full' explained

Screenshot by Destructoid

On the day of BF6's launch, many players are being placed into a queue to log in to the game in a list of well over 400,000 players for some gamers. EA and Battlefield Studios explained that this has been put in place as a safeguard and is due to large demand to play the game as soon as it's available.

"Battlefield 6 launches today at 15:00UTC and we anticipate many of you to login at the same time during this initial moment," BF Labs explained. "To help ensure a smooth and stable login experience for everyone, we’re adding a queue system during this and other peak moments. Thanks for your patience as we launch Battlefield 6."

Basically, this means you have to wait in line to get on the servers to play the game, whether you're on console or PC. This can obviously be a bit of a bummer, but the hope is that once you make it through the queue, you can play BF6 with no further issues.

Even after launch day, it's possible that server queues could pop up as a bottleneck to prevent the servers from crashing if there are too many players online, like "other peak moments" as described. It may also happen after updates when servers need downtime and come back online once deployed.

Screenshot via EA

Just sit tight, grab an energy drink or a snack, and get ready for your queue to let you in the game as you impatiently watch that massive number slowly dwindle to zero.

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The post Why is there a server queue for Battlefield 6? ‘Game servers full’ error appeared first on Destructoid.

Game launches on Fridays are a beautiful thing. I remember growing up they were basically all on Tuesdays, which was not conducive to being productive throughout the week. But with a hyped game like Battlefield 6, many players are taking sick days or paid time off to play it on its Friday launch day and extend the fun into their weekend to have several consecutive days of grinding out wins and frags with their squads. But with a Friday launch comes even more players who want to play right when the game goes live. Because of this, EA has implemented a server queue. Here's what that means for you. Battlefield 6 'game servers full' explained Screenshot by Destructoid On the day of BF6's launch, many players are being placed into a queue to log in to the game in a list of well over 400,000 players for some gamers. EA and Battlefield Studios explained that this has been put in place as a safeguard and is due to large demand to play the game as soon as it's available. "Battlefield 6 launches today at 15:00UTC and we anticipate many of you to login at the same time during this initial moment," BF Labs explained. "To help ensure a smooth and stable login experience for everyone, we’re adding a queue system during this and other peak moments. Thanks for your patience as we launch Battlefield 6." Basically, this means you have to wait in line to get on the servers to play the game, whether you're on console or PC. This can obviously be a bit of a bummer, but the hope is that once you make it through the queue, you can play BF6 with no further issues. Even after launch day, it's possible that server queues could pop up as a bottleneck to prevent the servers from crashing if there are too many players online, like "other peak moments" as described. It may also happen after updates when servers need downtime and come back online once deployed. Screenshot via EA Just sit tight, grab an energy drink or a snack, and get ready for your queue to let you in the game as you impatiently watch that massive number slowly dwindle to zero. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post Why is there a server queue for Battlefield 6? ‘Game servers full’ error appeared first on Destructoid.

Today, a new batch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A leaks is coming from the game's 1.0.1 patch, which some players online claim to have their hands on. Among the most surprising reveals, Pokémon dataminer Kaphotics pointed out that Legends: Z-A could release without Mega Rayquaza.

Kaphotics pulled all Pokémon moves in the game files, and Rayquaza's signature attack, Dragon Ascent, is not on the list. This move has been exclusive to Rayquaza since it got its Mega form in Generation six, and the Legendary Pokémon has never been seen without Dragon Ascent in its move pool.

If accurate, this information all but confirms that Rayquaza and its Mega form will not be available when Legends: Z-A releases.

https://twitter.com/Kaphotics/status/1976488282520420725

Other data backs up this claim. The form reversion table Kaphotics pulled from the Legends: Z-A files also suggests Mega Rayquaza is missing. This table shows Pokémon that have multiple forms that are reverted when they're moved to the box, like Castform's weather forms and Darmanitan's Zen Mode. Mega Evolutions count as a reversible form, so all Mega Pokémon revealed so far, such as Malamar, Hawlucha, and Victreebel, are on this list. Rayquaza isn't, so it shouldn't have extra forms aside from its base looks as of Z-A patch 1.0.1.

That doesn't mean Mega Rayquaza will never be in the game. Raichu is also absent from the form reversion list, but The Pokémon Company has confirmed Mega Raichu X and Y will come out with the Mega Dimensions DLC on February 28, 2026. So, it's reasonable to think that Mega Rayquaza could also become available with the DLC.

Take those leaks with a grain of salt. While Kaphotics is a reliable dataminer, all the information they've published is unconfirmed and subject to change until Pokémon Legends: Z-A comes out.

But I don't see The Pokémon Company giving up on Mega Rayquaza on Legends: Z-A, which is why I believe in the theory that it's coming in a future DLC. Rayquaza is one of the most liked legendaries in the series: it was the #8 overall Pokémon of the Year in 2020 and #1 from the Hoenn region. It's more likely that The Pokémon Company is delaying its launch to drive DLC sales than leaving it out of the game entirely.

The post Pokémon Z-A leaks suggest all Mega evolutions are returning except one glaring omission appeared first on Destructoid.

Today, a new batch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A leaks is coming from the game's 1.0.1 patch, which some players online claim to have their hands on. Among the most surprising reveals, Pokémon dataminer Kaphotics pointed out that Legends: Z-A could release without Mega Rayquaza. Kaphotics pulled all Pokémon moves in the game files, and Rayquaza's signature attack, Dragon Ascent, is not on the list. This move has been exclusive to Rayquaza since it got its Mega form in Generation six, and the Legendary Pokémon has never been seen without Dragon Ascent in its move pool. If accurate, this information all but confirms that Rayquaza and its Mega form will not be available when Legends: Z-A releases. https://twitter.com/Kaphotics/status/1976488282520420725 Other data backs up this claim. The form reversion table Kaphotics pulled from the Legends: Z-A files also suggests Mega Rayquaza is missing. This table shows Pokémon that have multiple forms that are reverted when they're moved to the box, like Castform's weather forms and Darmanitan's Zen Mode. Mega Evolutions count as a reversible form, so all Mega Pokémon revealed so far, such as Malamar, Hawlucha, and Victreebel, are on this list. Rayquaza isn't, so it shouldn't have extra forms aside from its base looks as of Z-A patch 1.0.1. That doesn't mean Mega Rayquaza will never be in the game. Raichu is also absent from the form reversion list, but The Pokémon Company has confirmed Mega Raichu X and Y will come out with the Mega Dimensions DLC on February 28, 2026. So, it's reasonable to think that Mega Rayquaza could also become available with the DLC. Take those leaks with a grain of salt. While Kaphotics is a reliable dataminer, all the information they've published is unconfirmed and subject to change until Pokémon Legends: Z-A comes out. But I don't see The Pokémon Company giving up on Mega Rayquaza on Legends: Z-A, which is why I believe in the theory that it's coming in a future DLC. Rayquaza is one of the most liked legendaries in the series: it was the #8 overall Pokémon of the Year in 2020 and #1 from the Hoenn region. It's more likely that The Pokémon Company is delaying its launch to drive DLC sales than leaving it out of the game entirely. The post Pokémon Z-A leaks suggest all Mega evolutions are returning except one glaring omission appeared first on Destructoid.

The Witchful Thinking Star Path has arrived with Disney Dreamlight Valley's Return to Beast's Castle update, and it features loads of festive fun to enjoy. This event is packed with duties you can tackle to claim exclusive rewards.

All the Star Path events are fairly large, which can make them a bit tricky to navigate. You can also only see a few missions at a time, making it tough to plan ahead as needed. If you want to ensure you're prepared to get the full event done, here are all the Witchful Thinking Star Path duties and rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Table of contents

• All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All Witchful Thinking Star Path routine duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley
• All Witchful Thinking Star Path rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley

All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley

Screenshot by Destructoid

In total, there are 74 duties to complete throughout the entire Witchful Thinking Star Path event. These missions involve tasks like mining, fishing, cooking, crafting, and much more, so there's plenty to get done around your village. Here's a breakdown of all the tasks you need to complete and how many Tokens you get for finishing each one.

Duty How to complete Quantity Reward Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 10 15 Practice Mine-fulness. Mine rock spots. 5 15 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 1 20 Get crafty! Craft items at any crafting station. 3 15 Whip up a one-star meal. Cook one-star meals. 5 20 Go fish! Catch fish. 5 15 Earn 5,000 Dreamlight. Earn Dreamlight. 5,000 20 Dig anywhere in the Valley. Dig using your Royal Shovel. 15 15 Pick the Fruit that put Snow White to sleep. Harvest Apples. 25 20 Mine precious Gems with a Royal Tool. Mine Gems. 10 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Finish Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 1 20 Hang out with Goofy. Hang out with Goofy for 30 minutes. 30 30 Sell Gems. Sell any Gems. 5 15 Cook any two-star meal. Cook any two-star meal 10 20 Catch fish somewhere peaceful. Fish around the Peaceful Meadow biome. 10 15 Pet your animal Companion. Pet a Critter Companion. 5 15 Gain 15,000 Star Coins. Earn Star Coins. 15,000 15 Uproot Night Thorns. Clear away Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 10 15 Mine for Blue gems. Mine blue Gems, including Aquamarine, Pure Ice, Star Sapphire, Sapphire, and Blue Zircon. Shiny variants count too. 10 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 3 20 Dig for pottery material. Dig up Clay. 20 15 Cook a fairly fancy dinner. Cook any four-star dinner. 10 20 Catch fish somewhere dazzling. Catch Fish around Dazzle Beach. 10 15 Sell Seaweed. Sell Seaweed at Goofy's Stall. 5 15 Complete Boutique Challenges. Complete one of Daisy's Boutique Challenges. 1 25 Mine for Red gems. Mine red Gems. This included Garnet, Spinel, and Ruby. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Tackle Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 5 20 Harvest different Fruits. Harvest any Fruit. 5 15 Pick blue Flowers. Forage for blue Flowers. 20 15 Cook a fairly fancy appetizer. Cook any four-star appetizers. 5 20 Fish somewhere valorous. Catch fish in the Forest of Valor biome. 10 15 Sell items. Sell any items at Goofy's Stall. 20 15 Earn 30,000 Star Coins. Earn Star Coins. 30,000 25 Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 20 15 Mine for yellow Gems. Mine yellow Gems, including Citrine and Topaz. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 10 20 Sell Fruit. Sell any Fruit at Goofy's Stall. 15 15 Buy seeds from the Forgotten Lands. Buy any seeds from Goofy's Stall in the Forgotten Lands biome. 50 20 Cook a fairly fancy dessert. Cook any four-star dessert. 3 20 Fish somewhere trustworthy. Fish in the Glade of Trust. 10 15 Earn 7,500 Dreamlight. Earn Dreamlight. 7,500 20 Harvest something white and fluffy. Harvest 15 Cotton. 15 15 Mine for green gems. Mine green Gems. This includes Emerald, Peridot, and Jade. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Finish Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 15 20 Craft a potion you can really "dig." Craft one Miracle Shovel Varnish or Even More Miraculous Shovel Varnish. 1 25 Hang out with Donald Duck. Spend 30 minutes hanging out with Donald. 30 15 Take a picture of Scrooge McDuck's shop. Take one picture of Scrooge McDuck's shop. 1 15 Open up fresh Memories. Find and open Memory Shards. 10 20 Fish somewhere that's always sunlit. Fish in the Sunlit Plateau biome. 10 15 Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 15 15 Mine for purple Gems. Mine purple Gems, including Amethyst and Alexandrite. Shiny variants count too. 5 15 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 20 20 Earn 10,000 Dreamlight. Acquire 10,000 Dreamlight. 10,000 20 Have a daily discussion with Lumiere. Have one daily discussion with Lumiere. 1 15 Cook a perfect appetizer. Cook any five-star Appetizer. 3 20 Fish somewhere frosty. Catch Fish in the Frosted Heights biome. 10 10 Hang out with Lumiere. Spend time with Lumiere. 30 30 Dig up a root vegetable with many eyes. Harvest Potatoes. 15 20 Mine for white gems. Mine white Gems. This includes Opal and Diamond. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Tackle Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 15 20 Have a daily discussion with Cogsworth. Have a daily discussion with Cogsworth. 1 15 Craft any refinement item. Craft any items from the Refinement category. 30 20 Cook a perfect Dessert. Cook any five-star Dessert. 3 20 Fish somewhere forgotten. Catch Fish in the Forgotten Lands biome. 10 15 Hang out with Cogsworth. Hang out with Cogsworth for 30 minutes. 30 30 Mine for square Gems. Mine square Gems. This includes Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, and Spinel. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Collect some shoreline shellfish. Forage for Seafood. 10 15 Give the Sea Turtle critter their favourite food. Feed Sea Turtles their favorite food. 5 15 Mine for oval Gems. Mine oval Gems, including Citine, Aquamarine, Garnet, Blue Zircon, Peridot, and Tourmaline. 10 20 Cast around for Seafood. Fish and catch Seafood. 15 20 Feed the Sunbird critters their favourite food. Feed Sunbirds their favorite food. 5 20 Mine for something shiny. Mine shiny Gems. 10 15 Catch Fish in gold ripples. Catch Fish from gold ripple spots around the valley. 5 25 Hang out with Daisy. Hang out with Daisy for 40 minutes. 40 30

All Witchful Thinking Star Path routine duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley

Screenshot by Destructoid

In addition to the main duties, you can also tackle some routine duties, which unlock on a weekly basis across the course of eight weeks. Here are all of the routine duties you can tackle, which will be updated each week as they arrive.

• Week one: Cooking – 10/01/2025

  • Sell 10 Flowers to earn 25 Tokens.
  • Sell 10 Fruits to earn 25 Tokens.
  • Sell five Meals to earn 40 Tokens.

• Week two: Friendship – 10/08/2025

  • Spend 30 minutes with a villager to earn 25 Tokens.
  • Give 10 favorite gifts to villagers to earn 25 Tokens.
  • Have six daily discussions with villagers to earn 40 Tokens.

• Week three: Pictures & DreamSnaps – 10/15/2025
• Week four: Go Fishing – 10/22/2025
• Week five: Shop & Craft – 10/29/2025
• Week six: Visit Your Friends – 11/05/2025
• Week seven: Frosted Heights Adventure – 11/12/2025
• Week eight: Animal Companion – 11/19/2025

All Witchful Thinking Star Path rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley

Screenshots by Destructoid. Remix by Destructoid

There are six pages of main rewards you can earn throughout the Witchful Thinking Star Path, plus four pages of bonus prizes to claim after that. Here's everything featured in this event and how many Tokens you need to purchase each item.

Page Type Reward Cost 1 Critter Purple Fiery Raven 50 1 Clothing Green Witch Dress 50 1 Clothing Green Witch Hat 40 1 Clothing - Glider Green Witch Book Glider 70 1 Motif Bat Motif 10 1 Clothing Green Witch Boots 30 1 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 10 2 Furniture Hocus Pocus Cauldron 40 2 Furniture Witch's Bookcase 40 2 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 20 2 Furniture Green Witch's Glass Window 20 2 Furniture Glass Potion Case 20 2 Motif Potion Drip Motif 10 2 Furniture Luminous Vivarium Wall 50 3 Clothing - Accessory Green Witch Staff 70 3 Furniture Watchful Spell Book 45 3 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 20 3 Clothing Green Witch Gloves 20 3 Motif Magic Power Motif 15 3 Motif Purple Magic Flame Motif 15 3 Motif Green Magic Power Motif 15 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Frame 80 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Door 30 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Wall 30 4 Furniture Greenhouse Bench 20 4 Photo Frame Thorn Photo Frame 10 4 Furniture Bewitched Garden Tools 10 4 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 35 5 Furniture Twisted Tree 30 5 Furniture Night Thorn Lights Arch 40 5 Wallpaper Mossy Witch Wallpaper 25 5 Flooring Mossy Witch Flooring 25 5 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 40 6 Dream Style Spiderweb Dress Daisy 100 6 Clothing Purple Witch Robes 50 6 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 60 6 Clothing - Accessory Purple Witch Purse 30 6 Furniture Wooden Potion Cupboard 30 6 Clothing Purple Witch Boots 30 6 Clothing - Hat Pumpkin Helmet 50 Bonus 1 Furniture Sanderson Sisters' Flyers 40 Bonus 1 Furniture Witchy Vanity Desk 60 Bonus 1 Furniture Witch's Cooktop 50 Bonus 2 Furniture Wicked Fiery Thorns 50 Bonus 2 Clothing - Glider Purple Witch Book Glider 70 Bonus 2 Furniture Witch's Dark Bookcase 60 Bonus 2 Clothing Purple Witch Hat 35 Bonus 2 Clothing Purple Witch Gloves 35 Bonus 2 Photo Frame Thorn Photo Frame 10 Bonus 3 Player House Witch's Forest Cottage 300 Bonus 4 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 90 (Repeatable up to 900) 10

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The post All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties and rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid.

The Witchful Thinking Star Path has arrived with Disney Dreamlight Valley's Return to Beast's Castle update, and it features loads of festive fun to enjoy. This event is packed with duties you can tackle to claim exclusive rewards. All the Star Path events are fairly large, which can make them a bit tricky to navigate. You can also only see a few missions at a time, making it tough to plan ahead as needed. If you want to ensure you're prepared to get the full event done, here are all the Witchful Thinking Star Path duties and rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Table of contents All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley All Witchful Thinking Star Path routine duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley All Witchful Thinking Star Path rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshot by Destructoid In total, there are 74 duties to complete throughout the entire Witchful Thinking Star Path event. These missions involve tasks like mining, fishing, cooking, crafting, and much more, so there's plenty to get done around your village. Here's a breakdown of all the tasks you need to complete and how many Tokens you get for finishing each one. Duty How to complete Quantity Reward Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 10 15 Practice Mine-fulness. Mine rock spots. 5 15 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 1 20 Get crafty! Craft items at any crafting station. 3 15 Whip up a one-star meal. Cook one-star meals. 5 20 Go fish! Catch fish. 5 15 Earn 5,000 Dreamlight. Earn Dreamlight. 5,000 20 Dig anywhere in the Valley. Dig using your Royal Shovel. 15 15 Pick the Fruit that put Snow White to sleep. Harvest Apples. 25 20 Mine precious Gems with a Royal Tool. Mine Gems. 10 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Finish Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 1 20 Hang out with Goofy. Hang out with Goofy for 30 minutes. 30 30 Sell Gems. Sell any Gems. 5 15 Cook any two-star meal. Cook any two-star meal 10 20 Catch fish somewhere peaceful. Fish around the Peaceful Meadow biome. 10 15 Pet your animal Companion. Pet a Critter Companion. 5 15 Gain 15,000 Star Coins. Earn Star Coins. 15,000 15 Uproot Night Thorns. Clear away Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 10 15 Mine for Blue gems. Mine blue Gems, including Aquamarine, Pure Ice, Star Sapphire, Sapphire, and Blue Zircon. Shiny variants count too. 10 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 3 20 Dig for pottery material. Dig up Clay. 20 15 Cook a fairly fancy dinner. Cook any four-star dinner. 10 20 Catch fish somewhere dazzling. Catch Fish around Dazzle Beach. 10 15 Sell Seaweed. Sell Seaweed at Goofy's Stall. 5 15 Complete Boutique Challenges. Complete one of Daisy's Boutique Challenges. 1 25 Mine for Red gems. Mine red Gems. This included Garnet, Spinel, and Ruby. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Tackle Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 5 20 Harvest different Fruits. Harvest any Fruit. 5 15 Pick blue Flowers. Forage for blue Flowers. 20 15 Cook a fairly fancy appetizer. Cook any four-star appetizers. 5 20 Fish somewhere valorous. Catch fish in the Forest of Valor biome. 10 15 Sell items. Sell any items at Goofy's Stall. 20 15 Earn 30,000 Star Coins. Earn Star Coins. 30,000 25 Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 20 15 Mine for yellow Gems. Mine yellow Gems, including Citrine and Topaz. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 10 20 Sell Fruit. Sell any Fruit at Goofy's Stall. 15 15 Buy seeds from the Forgotten Lands. Buy any seeds from Goofy's Stall in the Forgotten Lands biome. 50 20 Cook a fairly fancy dessert. Cook any four-star dessert. 3 20 Fish somewhere trustworthy. Fish in the Glade of Trust. 10 15 Earn 7,500 Dreamlight. Earn Dreamlight. 7,500 20 Harvest something white and fluffy. Harvest 15 Cotton. 15 15 Mine for green gems. Mine green Gems. This includes Emerald, Peridot, and Jade. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Finish Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 15 20 Craft a potion you can really "dig." Craft one Miracle Shovel Varnish or Even More Miraculous Shovel Varnish. 1 25 Hang out with Donald Duck. Spend 30 minutes hanging out with Donald. 30 15 Take a picture of Scrooge McDuck's shop. Take one picture of Scrooge McDuck's shop. 1 15 Open up fresh Memories. Find and open Memory Shards. 10 20 Fish somewhere that's always sunlit. Fish in the Sunlit Plateau biome. 10 15 Uproot Night Thorns. Remove Night Thorns, Splinters of Fate, or Inkies. 15 15 Mine for purple Gems. Mine purple Gems, including Amethyst and Alexandrite. Shiny variants count too. 5 15 Tackle Royal Tasks. Complete Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 20 20 Earn 10,000 Dreamlight. Acquire 10,000 Dreamlight. 10,000 20 Have a daily discussion with Lumiere. Have one daily discussion with Lumiere. 1 15 Cook a perfect appetizer. Cook any five-star Appetizer. 3 20 Fish somewhere frosty. Catch Fish in the Frosted Heights biome. 10 10 Hang out with Lumiere. Spend time with Lumiere. 30 30 Dig up a root vegetable with many eyes. Harvest Potatoes. 15 20 Mine for white gems. Mine white Gems. This includes Opal and Diamond. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Tackle Royal Tasks. Tackle Dreamlight Duties, Mist Duties, and Storybook Duties. 15 20 Have a daily discussion with Cogsworth. Have a daily discussion with Cogsworth. 1 15 Craft any refinement item. Craft any items from the Refinement category. 30 20 Cook a perfect Dessert. Cook any five-star Dessert. 3 20 Fish somewhere forgotten. Catch Fish in the Forgotten Lands biome. 10 15 Hang out with Cogsworth. Hang out with Cogsworth for 30 minutes. 30 30 Mine for square Gems. Mine square Gems. This includes Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, and Spinel. Shiny variants count too. 5 20 Collect some shoreline shellfish. Forage for Seafood. 10 15 Give the Sea Turtle critter their favourite food. Feed Sea Turtles their favorite food. 5 15 Mine for oval Gems. Mine oval Gems, including Citine, Aquamarine, Garnet, Blue Zircon, Peridot, and Tourmaline. 10 20 Cast around for Seafood. Fish and catch Seafood. 15 20 Feed the Sunbird critters their favourite food. Feed Sunbirds their favorite food. 5 20 Mine for something shiny. Mine shiny Gems. 10 15 Catch Fish in gold ripples. Catch Fish from gold ripple spots around the valley. 5 25 Hang out with Daisy. Hang out with Daisy for 40 minutes. 40 30 All Witchful Thinking Star Path routine duties in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshot by Destructoid In addition to the main duties, you can also tackle some routine duties, which unlock on a weekly basis across the course of eight weeks. Here are all of the routine duties you can tackle, which will be updated each week as they arrive. Week one: Cooking – 10/01/2025 Sell 10 Flowers to earn 25 Tokens. Sell 10 Fruits to earn 25 Tokens. Sell five Meals to earn 40 Tokens. Week two: Friendship – 10/08/2025 Spend 30 minutes with a villager to earn 25 Tokens. Give 10 favorite gifts to villagers to earn 25 Tokens. Have six daily discussions with villagers to earn 40 Tokens. Week three: Pictures & DreamSnaps – 10/15/2025 Week four: Go Fishing – 10/22/2025 Week five: Shop & Craft – 10/29/2025 Week six: Visit Your Friends – 11/05/2025 Week seven: Frosted Heights Adventure – 11/12/2025 Week eight: Animal Companion – 11/19/2025 All Witchful Thinking Star Path rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley Screenshots by Destructoid. Remix by Destructoid There are six pages of main rewards you can earn throughout the Witchful Thinking Star Path, plus four pages of bonus prizes to claim after that. Here's everything featured in this event and how many Tokens you need to purchase each item. Page Type Reward Cost 1 Critter Purple Fiery Raven 50 1 Clothing Green Witch Dress 50 1 Clothing Green Witch Hat 40 1 Clothing - Glider Green Witch Book Glider 70 1 Motif Bat Motif 10 1 Clothing Green Witch Boots 30 1 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 10 2 Furniture Hocus Pocus Cauldron 40 2 Furniture Witch's Bookcase 40 2 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 20 2 Furniture Green Witch's Glass Window 20 2 Furniture Glass Potion Case 20 2 Motif Potion Drip Motif 10 2 Furniture Luminous Vivarium Wall 50 3 Clothing - Accessory Green Witch Staff 70 3 Furniture Watchful Spell Book 45 3 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 20 3 Clothing Green Witch Gloves 20 3 Motif Magic Power Motif 15 3 Motif Purple Magic Flame Motif 15 3 Motif Green Magic Power Motif 15 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Frame 80 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Door 30 4 Furniture Stained Glass Greenhouse Wall 30 4 Furniture Greenhouse Bench 20 4 Photo Frame Thorn Photo Frame 10 4 Furniture Bewitched Garden Tools 10 4 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 35 5 Furniture Twisted Tree 30 5 Furniture Night Thorn Lights Arch 40 5 Wallpaper Mossy Witch Wallpaper 25 5 Flooring Mossy Witch Flooring 25 5 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 40 6 Dream Style Spiderweb Dress Daisy 100 6 Clothing Purple Witch Robes 50 6 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 60 6 Clothing - Accessory Purple Witch Purse 30 6 Furniture Wooden Potion Cupboard 30 6 Clothing Purple Witch Boots 30 6 Clothing - Hat Pumpkin Helmet 50 Bonus 1 Furniture Sanderson Sisters' Flyers 40 Bonus 1 Furniture Witchy Vanity Desk 60 Bonus 1 Furniture Witch's Cooktop 50 Bonus 2 Furniture Wicked Fiery Thorns 50 Bonus 2 Clothing - Glider Purple Witch Book Glider 70 Bonus 2 Furniture Witch's Dark Bookcase 60 Bonus 2 Clothing Purple Witch Hat 35 Bonus 2 Clothing Purple Witch Gloves 35 Bonus 2 Photo Frame Thorn Photo Frame 10 Bonus 3 Player House Witch's Forest Cottage 300 Bonus 4 Currency - Moonstone Moonstones 90 (Repeatable up to 900) 10 Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post All Witchful Thinking Star Path duties and rewards in Disney Dreamlight Valley appeared first on Destructoid.

Scooby Doo and his friends have arrived on the Fortnite island to help put a stop to the spooky chaos that has overtaken it for Fortnitemares. They need your help to do so, though, which is why they come with some key found quests to complete.

The 2025 installment of Fortnitemares offers loads of free rewards, but to earn them, you first need to work through lots of important quests, including these ones. Most of these missions are fairly tough to get done, so here's how to complete all the Scooby Doo found quests in Fortnite.

All Scooby Doo quests in Fortnite

Screenshot by Destructoid

There are five missions you need to get done to complete all Scooby Doo quests. There's one to tackle for each member of the gang, and most of these tasks are fairly complex, with many smaller quests you have to get done within the larger one. To tackle these missions, you'll first need to know all Scooby Doo character locations, as you must meet up with each one to acquire these tasks.

Quest How to complete Daphne's found quest Find Daphne's missing luggage and interrogate the thief. Fred's found quest Recover the five missing pieces of the Mystery Machine and return them to Fred. Velma's found quest Find Velma's lost magnifying glass. Shaggy's found quest Make a burger for Shaggy. Scooby Doo's found quest Hire Scooby Doo.

Complete Daphne's found quest in Fortnite

For Daphne's found quest, you need to find her stolen luggage and confront the thief who took it. Both the luggage and the thief can be found on a mountain that's slightly southwest of Daphne's location at Viney Shafts.

They're near the edge of the mountain, close to some tents and RVs parked there. Approach the luggage to check off the first task, then walk over to Mothman a few feet away to chat with him about stealing her belongings.

Complete Fred's found quest in Fortnite

To complete Fred's found quest, you need to find the five lost pieces of the Mystery Machine. This includes two tires, which are found on the road leading down to Ranger's Rest, and three engine parts, which can be scavenged from junk piles near the end of the road right by the entrance to Ranger's Rest. Once you have all five pieces, take them back to Fred to finish the mission.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Complete Velma's found quest in Fortnite

Velma's lost an important item, and finding it for her is the only way to complete her found quest. For this mission, you must find the missing magnifying glass. This item is located on the second floor of the house Velma is in. You can find it right behind some boxes covered with white sheets in the corner of the small second-floor area.

Complete Shaggy's found quest in Fortnite

Next up is Shaggy's found quest, in which you must gather three ingredients to grill the perfect burger. Around the gas station, there are loads of ingredients marked with a white diamond icon. Walk up to three of them to pick up the items you need. Once you have three, head behind the counter to enter the kitchen, then interact with the stove to cook the burger. Pick it up and bring it to Shaggy to finish this mission.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Hire Scooby Doo in Fortnite

Your last mission is also the easiest, as you simply need to hire Scooby Doo once to finish it. You can find him hanging out inside a gas station that's west of Bugswatter Beach, south of Creepy Camps, and north of Viney Shafts.

It's best to head there straight from the battle bus to ensure you're able to recruit him before another player does. You need 600 gold bars to hire him, so make sure you have a solid amount of gold before attempting this quest.

With all of the Scooby Doo quests now complete, you can move on to tackling other key Fortnitemares quests. You'll need to complete many more missions to unlock all available event rewards. Some good ones to work on next are visiting Pumpkin Takeovers with the Mother of Thorns, becoming Ghostface, and finding the Mother of Thorns Doja Cat.

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The post How to complete all Scooby Doo found quests in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Scooby Doo and his friends have arrived on the Fortnite island to help put a stop to the spooky chaos that has overtaken it for Fortnitemares. They need your help to do so, though, which is why they come with some key found quests to complete. The 2025 installment of Fortnitemares offers loads of free rewards, but to earn them, you first need to work through lots of important quests, including these ones. Most of these missions are fairly tough to get done, so here's how to complete all the Scooby Doo found quests in Fortnite. All Scooby Doo quests in Fortnite Screenshot by Destructoid There are five missions you need to get done to complete all Scooby Doo quests. There's one to tackle for each member of the gang, and most of these tasks are fairly complex, with many smaller quests you have to get done within the larger one. To tackle these missions, you'll first need to know all Scooby Doo character locations, as you must meet up with each one to acquire these tasks. Quest How to complete Daphne's found quest Find Daphne's missing luggage and interrogate the thief. Fred's found quest Recover the five missing pieces of the Mystery Machine and return them to Fred. Velma's found quest Find Velma's lost magnifying glass. Shaggy's found quest Make a burger for Shaggy. Scooby Doo's found quest Hire Scooby Doo. Complete Daphne's found quest in Fortnite For Daphne's found quest, you need to find her stolen luggage and confront the thief who took it. Both the luggage and the thief can be found on a mountain that's slightly southwest of Daphne's location at Viney Shafts. They're near the edge of the mountain, close to some tents and RVs parked there. Approach the luggage to check off the first task, then walk over to Mothman a few feet away to chat with him about stealing her belongings. Complete Fred's found quest in Fortnite To complete Fred's found quest, you need to find the five lost pieces of the Mystery Machine. This includes two tires, which are found on the road leading down to Ranger's Rest, and three engine parts, which can be scavenged from junk piles near the end of the road right by the entrance to Ranger's Rest. Once you have all five pieces, take them back to Fred to finish the mission. Screenshot by Destructoid Complete Velma's found quest in Fortnite Velma's lost an important item, and finding it for her is the only way to complete her found quest. For this mission, you must find the missing magnifying glass. This item is located on the second floor of the house Velma is in. You can find it right behind some boxes covered with white sheets in the corner of the small second-floor area. Complete Shaggy's found quest in Fortnite Next up is Shaggy's found quest, in which you must gather three ingredients to grill the perfect burger. Around the gas station, there are loads of ingredients marked with a white diamond icon. Walk up to three of them to pick up the items you need. Once you have three, head behind the counter to enter the kitchen, then interact with the stove to cook the burger. Pick it up and bring it to Shaggy to finish this mission. Screenshot by Destructoid Hire Scooby Doo in Fortnite Your last mission is also the easiest, as you simply need to hire Scooby Doo once to finish it. You can find him hanging out inside a gas station that's west of Bugswatter Beach, south of Creepy Camps, and north of Viney Shafts. It's best to head there straight from the battle bus to ensure you're able to recruit him before another player does. You need 600 gold bars to hire him, so make sure you have a solid amount of gold before attempting this quest. With all of the Scooby Doo quests now complete, you can move on to tackling other key Fortnitemares quests. You'll need to complete many more missions to unlock all available event rewards. Some good ones to work on next are visiting Pumpkin Takeovers with the Mother of Thorns, becoming Ghostface, and finding the Mother of Thorns Doja Cat. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post How to complete all Scooby Doo found quests in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Bubsy 4D was one of the standout announcements from this year's Opening Night Live back in August (even if that isn't saying much). Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a small demo of the game ahead of its release during Steam Next Fest, and I can tell you, Destructoid, this game boasts some seriously tight platforming.

I was genuinely surprised by how well the controls worked when I first picked up the game. It takes some getting used to, but the amount of platforming options available to you feels like a speedrunner's dream. It's challenging to summarize through text fully; it's something you have to experience firsthand to truly understand.

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

Bubsy 4D is the fourth installment in the Bubsy series. This retro series has not been known for producing amazing games (seriously, Bubsy 3D alone is meme-worthy content), so there isn't much for me to go on here about its pedigree. If anything, Bubsy 4D is taking its meme status and doing something no one could have predicted—making a good Bubsy game.

It's a 3D platformer where you enter multiple worlds and need to reach the end to advance to the next one. Each world is divided into individual levels, each with a series of secrets and collectibles to discover. You can skip them all if you want and go straight to the end, but some of these items are used to unlock new movement tech in the small hub area, and even unlock new cosmetics for you to equip to Bubsy, and some of them are pretty fantastic.

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

My only gripe so far is that the individual levels can feel a bit cluttered at times and are unusually constructed. I think I would have personally preferred to see one massive world that you can explore and find collectibles, akin to Super Mario Odyssey. However, the individual levels still have a distinct charm. If anything. It's just a personal preference.

I also find that collecting literally everything is hard to do on a first sit-down. There have been times when I have missed individual collectibles and gone back, only to have still trouble finding them all. However, I'm sure completionists will have a field day with all the tasks to complete.

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

Image via Atari

All in all, though, the small amount of time I was able to play has me keen to see more about the game in the future. The charm of the story and its characters, coupled with pretty great gameplay and movement mechanics, offers a glimpse into what could be a good retro revival of one of gaming's most memed icons. While I have only sampled a small selection of what is on offer, I am cautiously optimistic that we could be in for a treat here.

The content I played will be available in the upcoming Steam Next Fest, and there is even a speedrunning leaderboard for those who want to race to the finish and end up on top, should you feel so inclined.

The post Bubsy 4D preview: Great platforming action that has me hopeful appeared first on Destructoid.

Bubsy 4D was one of the standout announcements from this year's Opening Night Live back in August (even if that isn't saying much). Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a small demo of the game ahead of its release during Steam Next Fest, and I can tell you, Destructoid, this game boasts some seriously tight platforming. I was genuinely surprised by how well the controls worked when I first picked up the game. It takes some getting used to, but the amount of platforming options available to you feels like a speedrunner's dream. It's challenging to summarize through text fully; it's something you have to experience firsthand to truly understand. Image via Atari Image via Atari Image via Atari Bubsy 4D is the fourth installment in the Bubsy series. This retro series has not been known for producing amazing games (seriously, Bubsy 3D alone is meme-worthy content), so there isn't much for me to go on here about its pedigree. If anything, Bubsy 4D is taking its meme status and doing something no one could have predicted—making a good Bubsy game. It's a 3D platformer where you enter multiple worlds and need to reach the end to advance to the next one. Each world is divided into individual levels, each with a series of secrets and collectibles to discover. You can skip them all if you want and go straight to the end, but some of these items are used to unlock new movement tech in the small hub area, and even unlock new cosmetics for you to equip to Bubsy, and some of them are pretty fantastic. Image via Atari Image via Atari Image via Atari My only gripe so far is that the individual levels can feel a bit cluttered at times and are unusually constructed. I think I would have personally preferred to see one massive world that you can explore and find collectibles, akin to Super Mario Odyssey. However, the individual levels still have a distinct charm. If anything. It's just a personal preference. I also find that collecting literally everything is hard to do on a first sit-down. There have been times when I have missed individual collectibles and gone back, only to have still trouble finding them all. However, I'm sure completionists will have a field day with all the tasks to complete. Image via Atari Image via Atari Image via Atari Image via Atari All in all, though, the small amount of time I was able to play has me keen to see more about the game in the future. The charm of the story and its characters, coupled with pretty great gameplay and movement mechanics, offers a glimpse into what could be a good retro revival of one of gaming's most memed icons. While I have only sampled a small selection of what is on offer, I am cautiously optimistic that we could be in for a treat here. The content I played will be available in the upcoming Steam Next Fest, and there is even a speedrunning leaderboard for those who want to race to the finish and end up on top, should you feel so inclined. The post Bubsy 4D preview: Great platforming action that has me hopeful appeared first on Destructoid.

There are many different factors that can make ghost hunting tougher than usual in Phasmophobia. Weather is a big one, especially if you find yourself encountering the rare Blood Moon weather condition.

With all other weather conditions, it's pretty obvious how the contract changes. Blood Moon weather is a bit trickier, though, as you likely don't really know what it means for your investigations. Understanding this weather is crucial if you want to succeed, so here's what Blood Moon weather does in Phasmophobia.

Table of contents

• What does Blood Moon weather mean in Phasmophobia?
• Blood Moon weather effects in Phasmophobia
• How to get Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia
• How often does Blood Moon weather happen?

What does Blood Moon weather mean in Phasmophobia?

Screenshot by Destructoid

Encountering Blood Moon weather in a contract means you're working with some special effects and modifiers that are exclusive to this weather type and drastically alter how the round progresses. This type of weather features a bright red sky with a full moon and consistent light rain that stays throughout the entire contract.

While other types of weather, like snow or rain, generally just make visibility and temperature readings a bit tougher to accurately track, Blood Moon weather fundamentally alters the rules of the round. If you head into a Blood Moon contract without understanding these changes, survival is unlikely, as this weather makes everything a lot tougher than you'd expect.

Blood Moon weather effects in Phasmophobia

There are three main effects associated with Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia:

• Your passive sanity drain rate is increased by 100 percent.
• The contact payout is boosted by 10 percent.
• The ghost is 15 percent faster during hunts.

Essentially, the round is a lot tougher than usual, but you get increased rewards upon completing it. This weather basically acts as a high-risk, high-reward modifier that gives you a healthy bit of challenge. It's more similar to a weekly challenge mode than it is to other weather types, which makes it a bit tricky to get used to.

How to get Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia

Screenshot by Destructoid

Across all regular contracts, the weather is random, so there's no way to guarantee you get Blood Moon weather. You can, however, create a custom mode and choose the type of weather you want, allowing you to activate the Blood Moon with ease. Certain weekly challenge modes may also have this type of weather selected. This weather is also much more common during the annual Crimson Eye event, when certain maps have this modifier toggled on each day.

How often does Blood Moon weather happen?

Blood Moon weather is very rare, so the chances of it happening in any contract are quite low. The exact percentage chance hasn't been shared, but it's much lower than all other types of weather, as it's designed to be a rare occurrence.

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The post What does Blood Moon weather do in Phasmophobia? appeared first on Destructoid.

There are many different factors that can make ghost hunting tougher than usual in Phasmophobia. Weather is a big one, especially if you find yourself encountering the rare Blood Moon weather condition. With all other weather conditions, it's pretty obvious how the contract changes. Blood Moon weather is a bit trickier, though, as you likely don't really know what it means for your investigations. Understanding this weather is crucial if you want to succeed, so here's what Blood Moon weather does in Phasmophobia. Table of contents What does Blood Moon weather mean in Phasmophobia? Blood Moon weather effects in Phasmophobia How to get Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia How often does Blood Moon weather happen? What does Blood Moon weather mean in Phasmophobia? Screenshot by Destructoid Encountering Blood Moon weather in a contract means you're working with some special effects and modifiers that are exclusive to this weather type and drastically alter how the round progresses. This type of weather features a bright red sky with a full moon and consistent light rain that stays throughout the entire contract. While other types of weather, like snow or rain, generally just make visibility and temperature readings a bit tougher to accurately track, Blood Moon weather fundamentally alters the rules of the round. If you head into a Blood Moon contract without understanding these changes, survival is unlikely, as this weather makes everything a lot tougher than you'd expect. Blood Moon weather effects in Phasmophobia There are three main effects associated with Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia: Your passive sanity drain rate is increased by 100 percent. The contact payout is boosted by 10 percent. The ghost is 15 percent faster during hunts. Essentially, the round is a lot tougher than usual, but you get increased rewards upon completing it. This weather basically acts as a high-risk, high-reward modifier that gives you a healthy bit of challenge. It's more similar to a weekly challenge mode than it is to other weather types, which makes it a bit tricky to get used to. How to get Blood Moon weather in Phasmophobia Screenshot by Destructoid Across all regular contracts, the weather is random, so there's no way to guarantee you get Blood Moon weather. You can, however, create a custom mode and choose the type of weather you want, allowing you to activate the Blood Moon with ease. Certain weekly challenge modes may also have this type of weather selected. This weather is also much more common during the annual Crimson Eye event, when certain maps have this modifier toggled on each day. How often does Blood Moon weather happen? Blood Moon weather is very rare, so the chances of it happening in any contract are quite low. The exact percentage chance hasn't been shared, but it's much lower than all other types of weather, as it's designed to be a rare occurrence. Like our content? Set Destructoid as a Preferred Source on Google in just one step to ensure you see us more frequently in your Google searches! The post What does Blood Moon weather do in Phasmophobia? appeared first on Destructoid.

The Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC is now live in FC 26, and you can complete it to get a stunning card in Ultimate Team.

Haaland became the first Premier League Player of the Month to be released on the Ultimate Team. His SBC has eight tasks, and completing all can be a true challenge. This guide will provide you with the cheapest solutions.

Table of contents

• FC 26 Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC tasks
• FC 26 Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC solutions

FC 26 Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC tasks

Here are the requirements of the eight tasks.

Manchester City

• Min. 1 Players from: Manchester City
• Min. Team Rating: 84

Top Form

• Min. 1 Players: Team of the Week
• Min. Team Rating: 85

Premier League

• Min. 1 Players from: Premier League
• Min. Team Rating: 86

86-Rated Squad

• Min. Team Rating: 86

87-Rated Squad

• Min. Team Rating: 87

87-Rated Squad

• Min. 1 Players: Team of the Week
• Min. Team Rating: 87

88-Rated Squad

• Min. Team Rating: 88

88-Rated Squad

• Min. Team Rating: 88

FC 26 Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC solutions

Here is a set of the cheapest solutions for the challenge.

Manchester City

• Pavard 84
• Egurrola 84
• Alex Baena 84
• Oberdorf 84
• Vivian 84
• Fernandez 84
• Engen 84
• Palacios 84
• Lobotka 83
• Grimaldo 84
• Kovavic 83

Top Form

• Viggosdottir 84
• Cuthbert 85
• Any 83-rated TOTW item
• Mateo 85
• Walsh 85
• Dumfries 84
• Watkins 84
• Sorloth 84
• Joao Cancelo 84
• Acerbi 84
• Lewandowski 88

Premier League

• Harder 86
• Ona Batlle 86
• Dani Olmo 85
• Miedema 85
• Gabriel 88
• Renard 85
• Irene Paredes 88
• Rolfo 84
• Milinkovic-Savic 84
• Grimaldo 84
• de Vrij 84

86-Rated Squad

• Harder 86
• Ona Batlle 86
• Dani Olmo 85
• Miedema 85
• Gabriel 88
• Renard 85
• Irene Paredes 88
• Rolfo 84
• Milinkovic-Savic 84
• Grimaldo 84
• de Vrij 84

87-Rated Squad

• Katoto 88
• Hasegawa 85
• Engen 84
• Pajor 88
• Gabriel 88
• Thuram 85
• Lawrence 84
• Reiten 88
• Irene Paredes 88
• Tielemans 85
• de Vrij 84

87-Rated Squad

• Katoto 88
• Hasegawa 85
• Engen 84
• Pajor 88
• Gabriel 88
• Thuram 85
• Lawrence 84
• Reiten 88
• Irene Paredes 88
• Tielemans 85
• Any 84-rated TOTW item

88-Rated Squad

• Nusken 84
• Fox 84
• Katoto 88
• Shaw 89
• Pajor 88
• Martinez 88
• Reiten 88
• Irene Paredes 88
• Tielemans 85
• Kane 89
• Lewandowski 88

88-Rated Squad

• Nusken 84
• Fox 84
• Katoto 88
• Shaw 89
• Pajor 88
• Martinez 88
• Reiten 88
• Irene Paredes 88
• Tielemans 85
• Kane 89
• Lewandowski 88

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The post FC 26 Erling Haaland Premier League POTM SBC tasks and solutions appeared first on Destructoid.