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Still here, still relevant.

The cast of “And Just Like That,” including Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Nicole Ari Parker, and Sarita Choudhury, are returning for the third season of the “Sex And The City” spin-off series. The show continues to break barriers by portraying women in their 50s dealing with real-life situations, from empty nest syndrome to exploring the dating world at an older age. Sarah Jessica Parker emphasizes that the series draws from authentic experiences, with stories coming directly from writers or their immediate circles. According to News Sky, Kristin Davis, one of the show’s stars, expressed her frustration about the lack of representation for older women in television, stating, “It is insane that there aren’t more shows like us. It’s very interesting that somehow, women, especially at a certain age, you’re just supposed to vanish. I don’t know where we’re supposed to be, and that just makes no sense.” Show tackles diversity and representation in a new season The series has evolved significantly from its predecessor, with Cynthia Nixon acknowledging that while “Sex And The City” broke taboos for white women in their 30s, it was “incredibly white.” The new iteration aims to expand its universe by including more diverse perspectives, including people of color, queer individuals, and characters of different ages. I’m sorry, so I’m just now finding out that not only does Kristin Davis has a Sex and the City-focused podcast, but that she also got MEGAN THEE STALLION on it???? Where have I been??? https://t.co/vXCUDp8UHG — Hunter Heilman (@HungerHuman) June 3, 2025 Parker notes that the show deals with the reality that life doesn’t “flat line at 50 or 60.” Instead, it portrays people living colorful, interesting, and exciting lives, wielding influence and authority while experiencing significant life changes such as career shifts, marriages, and widowhood. Nixon’s character Miranda, who now identifies as lesbian, allows the show to explore the challenges faced by individuals coming out later in life. The actress appreciates that the series has moved beyond traditional stereotypical portrayals of gay characters, offering more well-rounded representations. The writing team maintains authenticity by following a strict rule: stories can only be as far removed as one person from the writer, ensuring that all narratives are grounded in real experiences. This approach helps the show maintain its relevance while tackling contemporary issues facing women over 50, challenging the entertainment industry’s tendency to sideline older female characters.

Ben can't dance.

Ben Affleck is making his return as Christian Wolff in The Accountant 2, the sequel to the 2016 film where he portrays an autistic accountant who launders money for dangerous criminals. The upcoming film features an unexpected sequence where Affleck’s character breaks into line dancing, a scene that has become a talking point during recent media interactions. During a recent press event, Affleck addressed the dance sequence with humor, stating that while America wasn’t asking for it, they’re going to get it anyway. The actor explained that the scene represents his character’s attempt to navigate relationships and social interactions, particularly in the context of trying to connect with a woman. According to Hindustan Times, the line dancing sequence received particular attention from Affleck’s co-star Jon Bernthal, who plays his brother Braxton in the film. Bernthal openly roasted Affleck’s dancing abilities on set, declaring “This is a disaster” and even telling crew members that there was “no way this is making the movie.” Affleck admits dancing sequence was outside his comfort zone The actor acknowledged that the line dancing scene required significant effort from him, though he humorously noted that it wasn’t necessarily supposed to be good. Affleck approached the sequence as a representation of his character’s attempt to do something within his comfort zone, even though the dancing itself was far outside Affleck’s own comfort zone. Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal return in The Accountant 2, streaming globally on Prime Video June 5 after a $100M+ box office run and SXSW acclaim. Source: @DEADLINE #TheAccountant2 #PrimeVideo #BenAffleck #JonBernthal pic.twitter.com/JFgZ90JI3Y — Official Basement Society (@BsmntSoc) June 3, 2025 Affleck reflected on the universal nature of his character’s situation, relating it to the common experience of navigating early relationships and dealing with social uncertainty. He described the challenging nature of interpreting signals and managing the fear of potential humiliation in social situations. The dance sequence serves as a departure from the film’s darker themes, offering a unique perspective on the character’s personal growth. Despite Bernthal’s playful criticism, the scene remained in the final cut of the film, adding an unexpected dimension to the thriller’s narrative. The Accountant 2, directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque, features a cast including Cynthia Addai-Robinson, JK Simmons, and Daniella Pineda. Following a limited release in the United States, the film will be available globally on Amazon Prime Video starting June 5.

Still kicking at 95.

Legendary filmmaker and actor Clint Eastwood has officially addressed the circulation of a fake interview that was published in an Austrian newspaper, Kurier. The interview, which gained significant traction online, featured false quotes from Eastwood criticizing the current state of the film industry, particularly regarding remakes and franchises. According to Deadline, the fabricated interview appeared in Kurier, a German-language newspaper with a circulation of approximately 100,000 readers. Despite the publication’s relatively modest reach, the story quickly spread across various media platforms and was picked up by numerous outlets, including Deadline, which subsequently amplified its visibility. In response to the spreading misinformation, Eastwood provided a statement to Deadline to clarify the situation. “A couple of items about me have recently shown up in the news,” the statement read. “I thought I would set the record straight. I can confirm I’ve turned 95. I can also confirm that I never gave an interview to an Austrian publication called Kurier, or any other writer in recent weeks, and that the interview is entirely phony.” False claims about film industry criticism gain widespread attention The falsified interview contained fabricated quotes that portrayed Eastwood expressing disappointment with the current state of filmmaking, specifically targeting the industry’s reliance on remakes and franchise films. These manufactured statements resonated with many readers and industry observers, contributing to the rapid spread of the misinformation across various media platforms. Clint Eastwood Says Interview With Austrian Newspaper Criticizing Hollywood "Is Entirely Phony" pic.twitter.com/kKjEuH7pNr — Fandom Pulse (@fandompulse) June 3, 2025 The timing of the fake interview’s publication coincided with Eastwood’s 95th birthday, which may have contributed to its perceived credibility and widespread sharing. The veteran filmmaker’s reputation and standing in the industry made the supposed criticisms appear plausible to many readers and media outlets. The incident highlights the challenges faced by both traditional and digital media in verifying information before publication. Despite Kurier being a legitimate newspaper, the false interview managed to bypass fact-checking processes and was subsequently amplified by other reputable media organizations. This situation serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread in today’s digital age, even when originating from a relatively small publication. Eastwood’s direct statement to Deadline effectively put an end to the circulation of the false interview, demonstrating the importance of going directly to the source for verification of such claims.

Getting the band back together.

Andrew Cuomo, currently leading polls in the New York City mayoral race, is already planning to expand his influence beyond city limits to challenge President Donald Trump on a national scale. This comes at a time when Cuomo is reportedly under investigation by Trump’s Department of Justice. According to Politico, Cuomo outlined his strategy to campaign against Trump’s proposed Medicaid cuts, viewing it as a way to help Democrats potentially retake the House. The former New York governor sees this as a crucial strategy, particularly while facing the possibility of working with a presidential administration that is investigating him. “You’re going to have to be a spokesperson, advocate, organizer,” Cuomo explained during the interview. “This is what Medicaid means in Mississippi, this is what Medicaid means in Texas… And you organize that, they don’t have a lot of Congressional seats left to lose.” DOJ investigation looms as Cuomo plans national strategy The Department of Justice probe into Cuomo follows a criminal referral from House Republicans, who alleged he provided false testimony to Congress regarding his administration’s report on nursing home deaths during COVID. Cuomo has dismissed the investigation as “laughable” and “purely political nonsense,” stating he has not been contacted by the DOJ or received any subpoena. Meanwhile, Cuomo’s big plan on Medicare cuts seems to have been killing off seniors in nursing homes, then covering it up and lying about it while falsely attacking more successful states like Florida. He’s preferable to that radical socialist, but man, his legacy is awful. https://t.co/BsRoNOl1zX — Guy Benson (@guypbenson) June 3, 2025 Despite the limited authority of a mayor compared to a president, which Cuomo himself acknowledged, he plans to compensate through political organizing. He specifically mentioned targeting swing districts, including that of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York, as part of his broader strategy to fight potential federal punishment against the city. Cuomo’s approach marks a shift from his earlier, softer stance on dealing with Trump, where he had previously noted their shared Queens roots. His recent tougher rhetoric appears to align with New York Democratic voters’ desire for strong opposition to Trump, as evidenced by a new campaign ad portraying himself as a victim of a weaponized justice system. The White House has responded critically to Cuomo’s plans, with spokesperson Kush Desai referencing Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 crisis and questioning his ability to lead on healthcare issues. Meanwhile, Trump expressed surprise at the DOJ investigation, referencing his fluctuating relationship with Cuomo and stating he hopes “it’s not going to be serious for him.”

Miller's definition of "criminal" keeps expanding.

In a recent meeting, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller expressed frustration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials over what he perceived as insufficient arrest numbers. Miller, who serves as Trump’s most influential adviser on immigration matters, confronted top ICE officials about their performance in deportation efforts. According to MSNBC, during the meeting, which was first reported by Axios and later confirmed by NBC News, Miller established a new daily arrest quota for ICE’s 25 field offices. The target has been set at 3,000 arrests per day, doubling the previous quota from January, when each field office was required to make 75 arrests daily, totaling approximately 1,200 to 1,500 arrests. According to sources who attended the meeting, Miller instructed officials to “look more broadly than immigrants who have committed crimes and to arrest noncriminal migrants anywhere they encounter them as well.” He reportedly threatened to terminate the employment of field office leaders who ranked in the bottom 10 percent of monthly arrest figures. Widening deportation efforts raise concerns in communities The expanded scope of arrests has begun to affect communities where Trump received strong support. ICE agents have started apprehending migrants immediately after their cases are dismissed in immigration courts, effectively turning legal proceedings into potential traps for those seeking asylum or other means to remain in the United States. Stephen Miller ‘eviscerated’ ICE officials in private meeting for low deportation numbershttps://t.co/bFPV5I15Gs pic.twitter.com/M0gXMjXAty — K Webster @Bowerygals (@Bowerygals) June 3, 2025 The administration’s actions appear to contradict previous public statements focusing solely on criminal deportations. While White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had emphasized targeting “heinous monsters, rapists, murderers, kidnappers, sexual assaulters, predators,” Miller’s recent directives suggest a broader approach to deportation. This shift in policy has created confusion among Trump supporters in communities affected by the deportations. The case of Ming Li Hui, a waitress and house cleaner in Missouri who faces deportation after twenty years in the United States, exemplifies this disconnect. Local residents who supported Trump have expressed surprise, stating they believed deportations would target only gang members and criminals. Miller’s approach treats all undocumented immigrants as removal targets, regardless of criminal status. Under U.S. law, crossing the border illegally is typically considered a civil violation rather than a criminal offense. However, early executive orders signed by Trump instructed officials to treat all undocumented immigrants as potential targets for removal and implement expedited removal processes for recent arrivals.

The GOP's commitment to winning is apparently seasonal.

Pennsylvania Republicans are at risk of losing their recent gains among Latino voters due to insufficient outreach efforts, according to GOP strategists familiar with the state’s political landscape. The warning comes after Latino voters played a crucial role in Republican victories during the 2024 election cycle. According to Politico, the state’s 600,000 Latino voters were instrumental in securing Donald Trump’s second term, helping establish a GOP majority in the Senate, and flipping two Democratic House seats to Republican control. This included the historically Democratic district encompassing Hazleton, which now has a majority Hispanic population. However, Republican efforts to maintain these gains have been minimal, with one GOP consultant noting that “we’ve abandoned the playing field” by failing to engage with Hispanic voters through Spanish-language media, community advertising, or developing Latino political leadership. Recent polls indicate a significant decline in support, with Trump’s approval rating among Hispanic voters dropping to approximately 27 percent according to Pew Research Center. Latino voter support continues to decline as GOP remains silent on key issues The decrease in support is particularly concerning as Republicans have failed to maintain a positive message on crucial issues such as immigration and the economy. While the party has achieved successes in border security and reducing energy costs, its accomplishments are not being effectively communicated to Latino communities. Time to register democrats and get the democrats to do the transition team in 2028 if they discover nobody is voting for republicans 2028 will be a nail biter a total tight as tick and if you lose v Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania you are simply losers from 2026 midterms — Lars Hanon (@LarsHano) June 3, 2025 Instead of capitalizing on their 2024 victories, Republicans have allowed left-wing narratives to dominate Spanish-language radio, television, and digital platforms. This lack of engagement is especially problematic in Pennsylvania’s “Latino Belt,” which includes communities in Allentown, Reading, and North Philadelphia. Political analysts suggest that the Republican Party’s future success in Pennsylvania depends more on maintaining and expanding its support among Latino voters than on recapturing suburban voters. This was demonstrated in the 2024 election, where Latino voter shifts provided the winning margin in multiple races, including Dave McCormick’s narrow Senate victory. The upcoming 2026 midterm elections will be a critical test for Republicans, particularly in Pennsylvania, which features prominently on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target list. Political experts emphasize that without immediate action on community outreach, Spanish-language communications, and candidate recruitment, Republicans risk losing their newfound coalition of minority voters who helped secure their recent victories.

Progressive "safe spaces" become Trump's favorite weapon.

President Donald Trump has launched an extensive attack on free speech rights in America, particularly targeting pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. This crackdown represents the most significant threat to free speech since the McCarthy era, with universities facing pressure to suppress student protests. According to MSNBC, the response from Democratic leaders and progressive institutions has been notably weak, with many universities quickly complying with Trump’s demands. This includes prestigious institutions like Columbia University, which has implemented strict measures against pro-Palestinian protesters despite their largely peaceful nature. Brown University political scientist Alex Gourevitch explains how the concept of “safetyism” has been weaponized against student protesters. The transformation from “the right to be safe as a right to feel safe” has become a powerful tool for suppressing political dissent, particularly in university settings. How universities became battlegrounds for free speech Data shows that most pro-Palestinian student demonstrations between October 2023 and May 2024 were nonviolent, focusing primarily on calls for policy changes regarding Gaza and university divestment from Israel. However, these protests faced severe crackdowns, often resulting in more arrests than during the Vietnam War era demonstrations. This is for the liberals who keep talking about President Trump’s 34 felony charges. If you can accept that and be OK with them using law hair, you are just as corrupt as the left and you belong voting for them and giving them all your money. https://t.co/GrikxyK5c6 — GratefulAmericanLady (@Tamiran38) June 2, 2025 Columbia University has become the epicenter of this conflict. The institution employed its 2022 administrative apparatus, which emphasizes “holistic well-being” and “inclusion,” to discipline students. This approach proved more restrictive than older conduct codes that were specifically designed to protect political expression. Trump has intensified pressure on universities by threatening investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law requires federally funded universities to address discriminatory harassment and hostile environments on campus. Despite Columbia’s existing measures against antisemitism and strict protest regulations, the university yielded to Trump’s demands. The situation has exposed how progressive concepts like “safe spaces,” which originated in gay liberation and feminist movements of the 1960s, have evolved into tools for censorship. These ideas, combined with modern mental health awareness, have been appropriated to justify restrictions on political speech and assembly. Democratic lawmakers have struggled to mount an effective response, partly due to their own history of supporting restrictions on pro-Palestinian speech and backing legislation against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. This precedent has made it difficult for them to defend free speech rights when they conflict with pro-Israel positions.

Barbara Ferris, known for her brief stint as barmaid Nona Willis in Coronation Street, has passed away at the age of 85. The actress, who appeared in 10 episodes of the popular soap opera, died on May 23, 2025, leaving behind her husband and three children, Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine. According to Daily mail, during her decades-long career, Barbara made appearances in various productions, including Catch Us If You Can and Children Of The Damned. Her final film role was in Peter Medak’s The Krays in 1990. Her time on Coronation Street was notably short as she struggled to understand the Lancastrian accent. Her younger sister, acclaimed actress Pam Ferris, previously shared with the Mail how Barbara “changed her life.” The sisters maintained a close relationship throughout their lives, despite living on opposite sides of the world for many years. Barbara’s move to New Zealand shaped the family’s acting legacy Barbara’s decision to emigrate to New Zealand with her husband and young baby led to a chain of events that would significantly impact her family’s future. The emotional long-distance phone call from a local phone box in Bridgend, Wales, prompted their parents to relocate the entire family to New Zealand. Very sad to hear that Barbara Ferris has passed away. #RIP pic.twitter.com/lqZfZzi45j — Doris Speed Fans (@DorisSpeedFans) June 2, 2025 For 13-year-old Pam, this move proved transformative. The relocation not only reunited her with her sister but also introduced her to acting through a local amateur dramatics group. This early exposure to theater would eventually lead to her training at a theater company in Auckland. At age 23, Pam made the difficult decision to return to London to pursue her acting career, a move that proved successful as she went on to star in notable productions such as The Darling Buds of May and Call The Midwife. Despite the geographical distance, the sisters maintained their close relationship, making frequent visits to each other. The Ferris sisters came from a family of achievers, including another sibling, Liz, who won a bronze medal in springboard diving at the 1960 Rome Olympics. While their parents have since passed away, Barbara continued to live in New Zealand until her death. The cause of her passing has not been disclosed.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and acclaimed actress Hailee Steinfeld exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Southern California on Saturday. The wedding brought together the worlds of professional football and Hollywood, with both 29-year-old Allen and 28-year-old Steinfeld choosing their shared home state for the celebration. According to HuffPost, the ceremony, which was kept under tight wraps, was revealed through photographs obtained by People magazine. Steinfeld was captured wearing a white strapless gown as she walked down the aisle, with images also showing the couple sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. While the NFL star has never made it to the Super Bowl, his personal life has reached new heights with this union. The couple’s relationship, which became public in spring 2023 when they were spotted dining together in New York City, has quickly evolved into a marriage that combines the talents of two successful individuals in their respective fields. The timeline reveals a quick progression from dating to marriage The relationship between Allen and Steinfeld developed rapidly over the past year. After their initial public appearance in New York City, Steinfeld became a regular presence at Bills home games. Their engagement took place during the Bills’ bye week in November, with Allen proposing on a scenic California cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen tied the knot in California on May 31, 2025, after engaging in November 2024. The couple, who debuted their relationship in July 2024, celebrated with an intimate yet extravagant wedding surrounded by family. pic.twitter.com/c9MuED3tmA — Nyra Kraal (@NyraKraal) June 2, 2025 The couple’s commitment to their professional lives remained strong throughout their courtship. Allen maintained his focus on football, attending the Bills’ voluntary spring practices that began on Tuesday, even with the wedding approaching. He is scheduled to return to his media duties during the mandatory sessions beginning June 10. Their public appearances together increased in recent months, with the couple making a notable appearance at the NFL Awards ceremony in February. During this event, Allen acknowledged Steinfeld while accepting the league’s MVP honor. They were also seen together at the after-party following the premiere of Steinfeld’s movie “Sinners.” The wedding date itself became a subject of speculation when Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins accidentally revealed it would be May 31 during a March interview. He later retracted his statement, claiming he had no knowledge of the actual date, in an apparent attempt to maintain the couple’s privacy. For Steinfeld, this marriage marks another milestone in a career that began at age 10. Her professional achievements include an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her role in the Coen brothers’ 2010 remake of “True Grit.” The actress has continued to build her career in both acting and music, making her a recognized name in the entertainment industry.

Everything Jackie Chan thought he knew about himself was a lie.

Legendary martial arts actor Jackie Chan recently revealed a shocking family secret that turned his world upside down. In a candid interview with People magazine, the 71-year-old action star shared how he discovered his real identity and his father’s covert past. While showing a family photograph during the interview, Chan reminisced about his parents, though he admitted he couldn’t recall his exact age in the picture. The revelation about his true identity came much later in his life, fundamentally changing his understanding of his family history. According to Hindustan Times, the life-altering conversation occurred when Chan was in his forties. While driving his car one day, his father Charles initiated a serious discussion, saying, “Son, I’m old. I might sleep and never wake up… I have a secret to tell you… You are not Chan. Your original name is Fang.” The actor admitted to being “very shocked” by this revelation and initially struggled to process his father’s explanation. The hidden past of Chan’s parents reveals decades of secrets The truth about Chan’s family history runs deeper than just his name. In 2003, the actor commissioned a documentary titled “Traces of the Dragon: Jackie Chan and His Lost Family,” which unveiled the complex past of both his parents. The documentary revealed that his father, Charles, worked as a government spy during the Chinese Civil War in the 1940s. "My father was a spy" – Jackie Chan Jackie Chan shares his stories and family secret during his latest interview with People Magazine to promote his new film Karate Kid. This seems to be a signal that China is soon going to join the war with Russia as things turn for the worse… pic.twitter.com/GSWxjWRYsC — SynCronus (@syncronus) June 1, 2025 The documentary also brought to light that Chan’s mother, Lee-lee, had her own secretive past. She had previously been involved in opium smuggling and gambling activities, adding another layer to the family’s hidden history. Before these revelations came to light, Chan had already established himself as a prominent figure in both Asian and Western cinema. His breakthrough in Hollywood came in 1995 with “Rumble in the Bronx,” though it was his role in the 1998 buddy cop comedy “Rush Hour” alongside Chris Tucker that truly cemented his status as an international star. Currently, Chan continues his acting career with his latest project, “Karate Kid: Legends,” where he reprises his role as Mr. Han alongside Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso. The film, which was released in India on May 30, follows the story of a new young martial artist, played by Ben Wang, who receives training from both Chan and Macchio’s characters.

The Working Families Party can't read their own poll.

A new poll commissioned by the Working Families Party reveals that Democratic primary voters would choose New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams over Andrew Cuomo in a general election. The survey, conducted by Upswing Research & Strategy, showed Adams leading with 41 percent compared to Cuomo’s 34 percent if she were to run on the Working Families Party ballot line. Despite these favorable polling numbers for Adams, the Working Families Party announced Friday night that it would rank state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani as its first choice on a five-person slate to challenge former governor Cuomo in the primary. The party placed Adams third in their rankings, behind Mamdani and city Comptroller Brad Lander. According to Politico, State Attorney General Letitia James, who is Adams’ most prominent endorser, responded to the poll results by stating, “We cannot go back. Progress requires looking forward.” James emphasized that in a one-to-one matchup against scandals and toxic masculinity, Adrienne Adams is the only choice. James has a notably contentious relationship with Cuomo, having played a crucial role in ending his gubernatorial career through a report that substantiated sexual harassment accusations against him. Poll results show the WFP endorsement’s impact on voter behavior The Working Families Party’s polling data indicated that their initial unranked endorsement of Adams, Lander, Mamdani, and Myrie in March did not significantly affect Cuomo’s primary lead. However, the survey suggested that approximately half of the 600 potential voters would likely rank the party’s first choice as their top pick once the party established its rankings. Actually the only reason he got so far is because Adrienne Adams endorsed him and people like me will rank him fifth if it means keeping Cuomo off the ballot. You literally think new York state is a swing because you don't have social interactions with people outside of twitter. — paolo cremidis (@paoloredtoblue) June 2, 2025 Ana María Archila, co-director of the Working Families Party’s New York chapter, defended the decision to rank Mamdani first, citing his momentum, enthusiasm, and ability to communicate with voters across the city. The poll revealed that Mamdani had the highest favorability among the WFP’s slate of candidates. The survey also demonstrated strong voter loyalty to both Adams and Mamdani, with at least 70 percent of their supporters indicating they would follow their preferred candidate’s recommendation to rank other candidates. This finding highlights the potential impact of ranked-choice voting in the upcoming primary. The poll results showed particular strength for Working Families Party candidates among white, self-described liberals in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Interestingly, the party’s endorsement appeared to have the most significant potential impact among Black Democratic primary voters and those in the Bronx. Adams, who entered the race relatively late, recently received $2 million in public matching funds, which is expected to support her upcoming advertising campaign.

Even Republicans won't throw 10 million people off healthcare.

A group of Republican senators, known informally as the “Medicaid moderates,” has emerged as a significant force in shaping the GOP’s domestic policy megabill. These senators, ranging from conservative Josh Hawley to centrist Susan Collins, have united over concerns about the bill’s impact on Medicaid, the national safety net health program. According to Politico, the House-passed version of the bill has raised alarms among these senators, particularly regarding its potential effects on healthcare coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office’s early estimates, approximately 10.3 million people could lose their Medicaid coverage if the bill becomes law, with many losses expected in red states. “I would hope that we would elect not to do anything that would endanger Medicaid benefits as a conference,” stated Hawley, who has been vocal about his opposition. Speaking about potential changes to the ACA’s Medicaid cost-sharing structure, Hawley warned that “there will be no Senate bill if that is on the table.” Senators face tough choices as Medicaid changes impact state budgets and rural hospitals The proposed changes to Medicaid are particularly contentious due to their potential impact on state budgets and rural healthcare facilities. Key concerns include a freeze on provider taxes, which most states use to finance their share of Medicaid costs, and new co-payment requirements that Hawley has termed a “sick tax.” No lie. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 10.3 million AMERICANS will lose Medicaid coverage. (1.4M immigrants will lose coverage through state-funded programs.) Even MAGA senator Josh Hawley objects to the cuts. — cindimoreland (@cindimoreland) June 2, 2025 Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a challenging situation, as he can only afford to lose three GOP senators for the bill to pass with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. The situation is further complicated by Senator Rand Paul’s already declared opposition and Senator Ron Johnson’s likely dissent over fiscal concerns. The group of concerned senators includes Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Jim Justice of West Virginia, who have all expressed serious reservations about the healthcare provisions. Justice, drawing from his experience as a former governor, has specifically highlighted the burden the provider tax changes would place on states. Senator Collins and Murkowski, who previously helped defeat the GOP’s 2017 healthcare effort, remain key figures in the current debate. While some senators have indicated openness to certain aspects like work requirements, they continue to express serious concerns about the overall impact on healthcare access and rural hospitals, making the path forward for the megabill increasingly uncertain.

Even Democrats aren't buying what Kamala's selling.

Democrats across both South Carolina and California displayed a notably lukewarm response to Kamala Harris’s potential political future this weekend, as speculation continues about her possible run for California governor. According to Politico, the former vice president, who has set a late summer deadline to decide on her gubernatorial bid, was notably absent from the California Democratic Party convention in Anaheim, sending only a brief video address that received polite but subdued applause. “I feel like California isn’t a consolation prize,” said Madison Zimmerman, a state party delegate from rural Shasta County, expressing concern that Harris hasn’t engaged with California issues since Trump’s inauguration. Party members and donors remain in waiting mode as Harris contemplates her next move The uncertainty surrounding Harris’s decision has left major donors on the sidelines and labor unions holding off on endorsements. Some candidates are quietly preparing alternative plans for other offices should Harris enter the race. Honestly, the Democratic party of the American government has so much to answer for. The Idea he would be the backup to Kamala Harris is Laughable. If you run a State like California into the ground no right-minded person would give Gavin Newsom control over more land to ruin. — Ben Wilson-Smith (@IntuitiveMadman) June 2, 2025 While Harris leads in polls for California governor and remains a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, many party members expressed concern about her true motivations. Carol Weiss, a delegate from Sunnyvale, worried that Harris might use the governorship merely as a stepping stone for another presidential run. Lorena Gonzalez, leader of the California Labor Federation, noted growing frustration among both candidates and activists about the extended period of uncertainty. She suggested that the longer Harris takes to decide, the more likely other candidates are to stay in the race regardless of her decision. Despite her national profile and previous electoral successes in California, Harris’s reception in South Carolina was equally muted. Some Democrats there suggested that running for California governor could provide her with a graceful exit from the national stage, with Amanda Loveday, a Democratic strategist, stating Harris should focus on becoming “the best governor California has ever had.”

Ukraine's web catches Russia off guard.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) launched a significant drone attack on multiple Russian military airfields on Sunday, claiming to have successfully hit 41 strategic bombers. The operation, codenamed “Pavutyna” (web), targeted facilities in Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo. The assault was executed under the direct supervision of SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, according to an anonymous official from the security service. The operation involved a sophisticated method of delivering FPV drones to Russian territory, concealing them in mobile wooden housings mounted on trucks, and remotely activating them at the precise moment. According to Politico, Russian military aviation blogger Ilya Tumanov, known as Fighterbomber, acknowledged the severity of the attacks on Telegram, stating, “Today will later be called the dark day of Russia’s long-range aviation. And the day is not over yet.” Russia confirms attacks but disputes the extent of damage The Russian Defense Ministry has acknowledged the drone attacks but presented a different account of the events. According to their statement, bombers were only hit at two airfields in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions, while claiming to have successfully repelled attacks on military airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and the Amur regions. They also reported no casualties among military or civilian personnel. Ukrainian attack on middle of russia near china borders who deep strike in russia how a drone travelling so deeply is Ukrain radar tracking in this part of russia what a strategy Ukrain want show up china also not track this drone also which type of drone is this… pic.twitter.com/6NjcNIyhcB — Abhishek pandey (@Abhishe30886442) June 2, 2025 The timing of the attack is particularly significant as it precedes scheduled Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that a delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will attend the ceasefire talks. The assault comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. On the same day as the drone operation, a Russian missile struck one of Ukraine’s Land Forces training grounds, resulting in 12 deaths and more than 60 injuries. The Ukrainian military has initiated an internal investigation into this incident. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed skepticism about the upcoming negotiations, noting that Russia had not yet shared its promised memorandum outlining a potential ceasefire framework. He criticized Russia’s actions, stating that while they claim to be preparing for peace discussions, they continue to “attack, terrorize, and destroy.” The Kremlin has indicated it will present its memorandum during Monday’s talks in Istanbul.

Cardi B confronts Offset over spousal support demand

Rapper Cardi B has publicly confronted her estranged husband, Offset, in a heated exchange on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The confrontation occurred during a live audio session on Friday, following reports that Offset is seeking spousal support in their ongoing divorce proceedings. According to Hindustantimes, the dispute intensified after TMZ revealed that Offset had filed an amended divorce response in May, requesting spousal support from Cardi B. The filing also included his desire for joint custody of their children and a request to make Cardi B’s residence the primary address for their children. During the emotional X space session, Cardi B accused Offset of neglecting his financial responsibilities toward their children. “You were never like this. I don’t know what has happened in the past six-seven months. Are you on drugs?” she questioned, expressing concern about changes in his behavior. She also mentioned that she continues to allow him to see their children because “they love you.” Offset’s request for spousal support raises questions about financial arrangements The Grammy-winning artist claimed she has been solely responsible for their children’s expenses, including tuition and classes, stating that Offset hasn’t contributed financially for several months. She also expressed worry about his mental state, suggesting that he needs professional help, describing him as “mentally f***ed up right now.” CARDI B GOES OFF ON OFFSET.. ‘YOU ONLY SEEN BLOSSOM 5 TIMES’ Offset filed an amended divorce response earlier this month in which he's now asking that Cardi pay him spousal support. He does not request a specific amount in the documents. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/PgokXvRQ4G — The Gworls Are Fighting (@baddietvv) May 30, 2025 The couple, who had been married for seven years, officially filed for divorce in August 2024. Their separation has drawn significant attention from fans and media, with many supporters taking to social media to express their solidarity with Cardi B. Fans have been actively discussing the situation on social media, with some commenting on Cardi B’s emotional state during the live session. Several supporters have suggested that this might be an opportune moment for her to channel her emotions into new music, while others have called for more empathy and understanding toward her situation. As of now, Offset has not publicly responded to these recent accusations. The divorce proceedings continue to develop, with both parties’ legal representatives working through the details of their separation, including custody arrangements and financial responsibilities.

Taylor Swift owns all her music again

Taylor Swift has announced that she now owns her complete music catalog, marking the end of a six-year journey that began when she first protested the sale of her master recordings by her former record label. The announcement came through a letter posted on her website on Friday. According to CNN, the acquisition includes all of Swift’s master recordings, music videos, concert films, album artwork, photography, and unreleased songs. The deal with Shamrock Capital, a private equity company that previously held her master recordings, was completed with full autonomy and without any partnerships or conditions attached. “To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it,” Swift expressed in her letter, attributing the successful purchase to the tremendous success of her Eras Tour. She extended her gratitude to her supporters, acknowledging their role in helping her reunite with her art, which she had dedicated her life to but never owned until now. Swift credits the Eras Tour’s success and fan support for enabling music catalog purchases The singer praised Shamrock Capital for being the first to offer her the opportunity to buy back her music, describing their business relationship as honest, fair, and respectful. She noted that while it was a business transaction for them, they understood the personal significance it held for her, representing her memories, hard work, handwriting, and decades of dreams. SEVENTEEN'S 10TH ANNIV + TAYLOR SWIFT FINALLY OWNING HER MASTERS AGAIN CARATSWIFTIES WINNING THIS WEEK pic.twitter.com/v6wh8Obg0p — 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓻 (@gracie__boo) May 30, 2025 This development follows a contentious period that began in 2019 when the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums were sold to producer Scooter Braun and subsequently to Shamrock Capital. The initial sale prompted Swift to embark on a mission to reclaim ownership of her music by re-recording her first six albums. As part of her strategy to regain control of her music, Swift has already released “Taylor’s Version” albums for “Red,” “Speak Now,” “Fearless,” and “1989.” Each re-recorded album includes previously unreleased songs that she calls tracks from the vault.” The announcement also addresses fan speculation about the status of her remaining re-recordings, particularly her 2018 album “Reputation” and her 2006 self-titled debut album “Taylor Swift.” This complete acquisition of her catalog represents a significant milestone in Swift’s career and her ongoing efforts to maintain control over her artistic work.

Faith anchors Dolly after losing husband Carl

Country music legend and entertainment icon Dolly Parton is navigating life after the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March at age 82. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years, with Dean known for deliberately staying away from the spotlight while supporting Parton’s illustrious career. According to AP News, the 79-year-old recording artist’s journey through grief comes as she continues to expand her business ventures and artistic projects. Dean, who inspired several of Parton’s hits, including “Jolene” and songs from her 2023 “Rockstar” album, had been ill for some time before his passing. “I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday. And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we’ve built together,” Parton shared while promoting her new line of Southern-inspired frozen meals. She acknowledged that making new plans has been the most challenging aspect of moving forward. Music icon continues to honor husband’s memory through various projects Despite her loss, Parton remains committed to her numerous business and creative endeavors, something she says her husband always supported. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honoree and 10-time Grammy winner explained that Dean was always proud of her achievements and understood her drive to pursue her dreams. Expressing Gratitude:⁰Dolly has expressed gratitude to fans for their condolences and messages of support on the loss of her husband Carl, noting that it has meant the world to her. ⁰⁰“I Will Always Love You": ⁰Parton has referenced her song "I Will Always Love You,"… pic.twitter.com/z9efCMwOzg — Tosca Austen (@ToscaAusten) May 29, 2025 The entertainment icon is currently working on multiple projects, including a new book titled “Star of the Show,” which chronicles her life on the road and experiences performing. Additionally, she is developing “Dolly: An Original Musical,” a Broadway-bound production featuring both original songs and her biggest hits, set to debut at Belmont University’s Fisher Center of Performing Arts before moving to New York. Parton’s business acumen extends beyond entertainment, with her latest venture being a line of single-serve Southern-inspired frozen meals, following the success of her Duncan Hines baking mixes collaboration with Conagra Brands. Her theme park, Dollywood, is also celebrating its 40th anniversary with new additions, including a Hollywood-inspired sign bearing the park’s name. The entertainer maintains a humble perspective despite her global success, preferring to see herself as a “workin’ girl” rather than a superstar. This mindset has guided her through decades in the industry, during which she has consistently expanded her creative and business horizons while staying true to her roots.

Senate rules threaten GOP megabill dreams

Senate Republicans are preparing to challenge several key provisions of the House megabill, citing concerns over compliance with Senate budget rules, particularly the Byrd rule. The potential changes could affect multiple sectors, including technology, judicial powers, gun regulations, and agriculture. Among the contested items is a $500 million technology upgrade at the Commerce Department, which House Republicans argue is necessary. However, during a recent House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, panel staff labeled it as a “policy change,” potentially weakening Republicans’ argument for its inclusion under Senate rules. According to Politico, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) expressed skepticism about the technology upgrade provision, stating, “That sounds awfully policy-centric in my mind,” suggesting it might not meet the budget-impact requirements. Major provisions facing Senate scrutiny The House’s gun regulation changes, made to win Rep. Andrew Clyde’s (R-Ga.) support, face an uncertain future in the Senate. These modifications include eliminating the $200 transfer tax on gun silencers, ending the $200 manufacturing tax, and removing silencers from the National Firearms Act regulation. Elon Musk quit the Trump administration — days after calling the GOP’s “Megabill” a letdown. The bill passed in the House, but will likely need changes to survive a Senate filibuster. Will it pass before July? pic.twitter.com/nXMU0bsUTr — Futuur (@futuurHQ) May 29, 2025 Agriculture provisions worth $60 billion are also under scrutiny. Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) has privately indicated that portions of the House’s agriculture package might face complications under the Byrd rule. While he supports including risk management policies for farmers, other programs related to biosecurity, trade promotion, and research may not comply with Senate rules. The House’s attempt to defund Planned Parenthood faces similar challenges. A previous ruling by the parliamentarian in 2017 found similar language non-compliant with the Byrd rule during Republicans’ effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, several centrist Republicans in both chambers oppose targeting the organization. Energy permitting provisions aimed at streamlining fossil fuel projects are likely to face Senate budget rule restrictions. Republicans have already dropped several pipeline permitting provisions and modified language regarding the Ambler Road project in Alaska, though they maintain that narrower measures involving developer fees might survive Byrd rule scrutiny. The House language limiting federal courts’ ability to enforce contempt citations has also drawn opposition. While House Republicans claim the provision targets frivolous lawsuits, Democrats and legal scholars view it as an attempt to limit courts’ oversight of the Trump administration. Some House Republicans, including Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), have expressed surprise at the provision’s inclusion and pledged to seek its removal in the Senate.

Trump drowns everyone else in tariff chaos.

President Donald Trump’s administration has appealed against the U.S. Court of International Trade’s ruling that declared most of his tariffs illegal, continuing a pattern of rejecting various warnings about his trade policies. According to MSNBC, the markets were the first to signal concerns about Trump’s tariff decisions, showing significant drops when he imposed and withdrew tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. When Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, markets experienced their worst decline since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, despite his promise that “the markets are going to boom.” Trump’s advisers responded strongly to the trade court’s decision, with Stephen Miller calling it “a judicial coup” while National Economic Council Chair Kevin Hassett dismissed it as “a hiccup.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has temporarily paused the ruling. Economic impact grows as Trump maintains tariff stance The U.S. economy has shown signs of strain, with a decline in the first quarter even before the full effects of the sweeping tariffs were felt. Consumer spending growth dropped to 1.2 percent, less than half the average seen from 2022 to 2024. Full Report:https://t.co/ZnGzgYQUCk US court rejects 1977 law basis for Trump tariffs; they remain pending appeals UK hails a first legal step, wins a protective US trade deal European stocks edge up amid expectations of market volatility We post twice an hour. Always… pic.twitter.com/53ccj513Uh — CuriousCats | Breaking News – Facts, Stats, Quotes (@CuriousCats_US) May 30, 2025 According to a Reuters analysis, major companies from America, Europe, and Japan report that Trump’s inconsistent trade policies have made it impossible to estimate costs accurately. These companies have already incurred $34 billion in higher costs due to the trade war. Small businesses have been particularly vulnerable to the impact of these tariffs. Without the financial resources and political influence of larger corporations, they face increased costs for materials ranging from water bottles to cowboy boots, with these expenses likely to be passed on to consumers. The predictability of Trump’s tariff threats and subsequent retreats has led traders to develop a strategy called “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out). When confronted about this acronym by CNBC’s Megan Casella, Trump responded negatively, calling it a “nasty question” and telling her, “Don’t ever say what you said.” The Court of International Trade’s ruling, supported unanimously by both Democratic and Republican appointees, determined that the decades-old emergency powers law did not grant the president unlimited tariff authority. A similar ruling from a federal district court judge followed, but Trump’s administration continues to resist these legal challenges. Economics professor Justin Wolfers highlighted the hidden costs of these policies on MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace show, noting that, beyond visible effects, potential business opportunities are being lost due to uncertainty about import costs varying between 10 and 50 percent. Despite multiple warnings from markets, voters, and courts, Trump maintains his stance on tariffs, though he has delayed implementing blanket tariffs for 90 days for all countries except China. His 25 percent tariffs on steel, cars, and aluminum remain in effect.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Trump-appointed administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has defended the GOP’s Medicaid proposals against criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. In a recent interview with POLITICO’s newest podcast, The Conversation with Dasha Burns, Oz maintained that the budget megabill passed by the House would not cut Medicaid spending. According to Politico, the Congressional Budget Office’s May report presents a different picture, estimating that 7.6 million Americans could lose their insurance if the Medicaid portions of the GOP megabill are implemented. This has sparked concerns across party lines, with several Republican senators expressing reservations about the proposed changes. “Every great people takes care of their most vulnerable, and we’re a great nation,” Oz stated in the interview scheduled for Sunday release. He emphasized that the administration’s goal is to protect social services and ensure the program remains solvent, adding that they’re sensitive to accusations of neglecting people with disabilities, seniors without money, or children. Republican senators voice concerns over proposed changes The controversy has created a divide within the Republican Party. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri criticized what he called “corporatist Republicans” in a May New York Times op-ed, arguing that building legislation around cutting health insurance for the working poor is both morally wrong and politically self-destructive. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have also expressed doubts about the House bill’s Medicaid provisions. $14 billion in Medicaid fraud uncovered! Dr. Mehmet Oz and the new federal watchdog DOGE reveal shocking waste and abuse in the U.S. healthcare system. GOP pushes for work requirements, while Elon Musk steps away from reform efforts. Can CMS clean up Medicaid, or is deeper… pic.twitter.com/aKmNS2CVhR — Every Black Life Matters (@Every_BLM) May 28, 2025 Despite President Donald Trump’s earlier insistence that there would be no cuts to Medicaid when Oz was sworn into his post in April, the proposed changes have become a contentious issue. Democrats are preparing to launch advertising campaigns targeting House Republicans who voted for the spending cuts. Oz defended the administration’s position by claiming that most Americans support the White House initiative to implement work requirements in exchange for healthcare benefits. He explicitly stated, “We’re not cutting Medicaid,” and maintained that all proposals he has seen actually increase Medicaid spending. The CMS administrator emphasized that the work requirements included in the legislation would “future-proof” the program, aligning with the administration’s stated goals of protecting social services. He reiterated President Trump’s commitment to preserving these programs, quoting the president’s desire to “love and cherish these programs and keep them viable.”

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rayfield and 11 other attorneys general secured a significant victory against the Trump administration’s tariff policies in a recent unanimous court decision. The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled against a substantial portion of Trump’s tariffs, marking a notable setback for the former president’s trade policies. According to Politico, the ruling’s unanimity has become a major talking point among the attorneys general, with particular attention being paid to the composition of the judicial panel. Two of the three judges were Republican appointees, lending a bipartisan character to the decision that challenges Trump’s emergency tariff powers. “I don’t know if exit strategy is in the Trump vocabulary,” Rayfield remarked when discussing potential next steps for the Trump administration, suggesting that the former president’s team might continue pursuing their tariff strategy through alternative means, such as Article 19 trade rules. Why the court rejected the Trump administration’s argument about emergency powers The court’s decision largely centered on the Trump administration’s claim that its emergency orders and International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) actions were beyond judicial review. This argument was firmly rejected by the court, which emphasized that Congress never intended to grant such unrestricted authority. Yesterday a court ruled against Trump’s tariffs because the constitution gives congress, not the president, the power to levy taxes. And even Musk is pissed that they’re not passing the DOGE cuts into law. So why should I support this worthless bunch? — Mike Sweeney (@unaffiliated00) May 29, 2025 Rayfield explained that the administration’s position would essentially make any presidential emergency declaration unreviewable, using a hypothetical scenario about hockey players and maple syrup tariffs to illustrate the potential for abuse. She argued that such unlimited power would upset the constitutional balance of the separation of powers. The ruling represents more than just a decision on tariffs; it reinforces the principle of checks and balances between branches of government. Rayfield pointed out that these democratic principles are designed to check both Democratic and Republican presidents, warning that unchecked emergency powers could be misused by any administration. The case will now move to the federal circuit in Washington, D.C., where the Trump administration is expected to continue its appeal. Unlike many recent cases involving preliminary injunctions, this ruling was a summary judgment on the merits, which Rayfield believes will strengthen their position in the appellate court. The decision has already had economic implications, with markets rallying following the announcement. The response to the ruling has been widespread, with Rayfield receiving numerous congratulatory messages from friends, family, small businesses, and elected officials, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.

Standing up to power.

In the race for New York City comptroller, two Democratic candidates are taking different approaches in their stance against Mayor Eric Adams, highlighting a growing divide in how city officials respond to the embattled mayor. According to Politico, City Council member Justin Brannan and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, both vying for the fiscal watchdog position, have shown contrasting styles in their criticism of Adams, particularly following the Department of Justice’s involvement in the mayor’s federal corruption case. “The truth is he’s not going to resign; he’s made that clear,” Levine stated in a recent interview, maintaining a measured approach to the situation. Meanwhile, Brannan took a more decisive stance by joining fellow Democrats in calling for Adams’ resignation after the DOJ moved to drop federal corruption charges against the mayor. Candidates differ on their approach to challenging the current administration Brannan, who serves as the City Council’s Finance Chair, has positioned himself as a more confrontational figure, questioning his opponent’s commitment to standing up against Adams. His campaign has emphasized this contrast through advertisements featuring bold sounds and imagery, directly challenging the mayor’s budget cuts. There are great candidates. We have the comptroller, city council members. Just sucks bc the campaigns are not breaking through. I guess it’s alot for average voters to research on their own. People remember the good Cuomo and are forgetting why he resigned. — Jassmine (@jassmine_b) May 28, 2025 Levine has defended his record of criticism against the Adams administration, pointing to his charter-mandated responses to the mayor’s budget in 2024 and 2025. His campaign provided documentation showing his opposition to various mayoral proposals, maintaining that he has been “unsparing in calling out what is an administration riddled with corruption.” The dynamic between the candidates reflects a significant shift from 2021, when Brannan supported Adams during his mayoral campaign. Brannan’s district, which includes Coney Island, showed strong support for Adams, and both shared police union endorsements. However, Brannan’s current comptroller campaign has secured backing from the Working Families Party, known for its anti-Adams stance. Looking ahead to the city’s next administration, both candidates have been notably cautious about addressing Democratic frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, who has a history of diminishing the power of oversight positions. When questioned about potentially standing up to a future Mayor Cuomo, both candidates provided general responses about maintaining independence and oversight, regardless of who becomes the next mayor.

The audacity of obvious solutions.

Recent data analysis reveals a clear pattern in the Democratic Party’s presidential elections: male voter support significantly drops when a woman heads the ticket, and rebounds when a man is nominated. This trend, observed over the last four presidential elections, suggests a straightforward solution to the party’s ongoing struggle with male voters. According to Catalist, a progressive data analysis organization, the 2024 election showed a substantial decline in male support for the Democratic ticket. While women maintained their support levels for Kamala Harris compared to Joe Biden in 2020, male backing dropped from 48% to 42%, resulting in an 11-point shift toward Republicans. According to MSNBC, The New York Times reported that Democratic donors are considering a $20 million “strategic plan” called “Speaking with American Men” to study male voter behavior and language that gains traction in male spaces. However, historical voting patterns suggest this investment might be unnecessary if the party simply nominates male candidates. Male voter support shows a consistent pattern across demographic groups The decline in male support was widespread across various demographics in 2024. White men showed a four-point drop, Black men a seven-point decrease, and Latino men demonstrated a 12-point decline. Young voters between 18 and 29 exhibited a particularly striking gender gap of 17 points, with male support falling from 55% in 2020 to 46% in 2024. Why Do The Democrats Have Such A Huge Problem Reaching Young Male Voters?? #politics #democrats #trump #kamala #republicansoftiktok #fyp #donaldtrump #republicansoftiktok #men #masculinity pic.twitter.com/ZhfS9zVqRW — Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) February 15, 2025 Similar patterns emerged in previous elections. When Hillary Clinton ran in 2016, the gender gap increased to 12 points from Obama’s eight-point gap in 2012. Under Biden in 2020, it decreased to nine points, only to widen again to 13 points with Harris in 2024. Notably, female support remained relatively constant throughout these elections, with only male support showing significant fluctuations. The trend is particularly visible among white non-college-educated voters. While women in this demographic maintained steady support levels since 2012, men showed a six-point drop from 2012 to 2016, followed by a two-point increase in 2020, and another three-point decline in 2024. This pattern highlights a persistent challenge for the Democratic Party in presidential elections. The United States remains one of the few Western democracies that has never elected a female head of state, despite increasing female representation in Congress, which has grown from 105 members in 2017 to 151 today. While female candidates have made significant progress in congressional elections, the presidency appears to face unique challenges regarding gender dynamics in voter support.

Republican senators are facing a critical decision as the Big Beautiful Bill, which passed the House by a single vote, now heads to the Senate. The bill, representing a significant portion of President Trump’s domestic agenda, has sparked intense debate within the Republican Party about its future direction and fiscal responsibilities. According to MSNBC, the legislation, which would add more than $3 trillion to the nation’s debt, has created a distinct divide among Republicans. The party must now choose between aligning with Trump’s economic vision or standing with families and small business owners who are concerned about the growing national debt burden. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, known for his fiscal conservative stance, has openly criticized the bill, describing its financial impact as “mortgaging our children’s future.” Similarly, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has expressed his disapproval, calling the proposed spending cuts “wimpy and anemic.” Republican senators signal major changes needed before supporting the bill Several Republican senators have indicated they want substantial modifications to the bill, though there appears to be no consensus on what these changes should entail. The legislation faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where concerns about its economic impact have become increasingly vocal. Republicans always huff and puff. They get elected. And all the over large talk dies away. I stopped being a Republican when 14 GOP senators voted to fund red flag laws. I had it. I am now registered as other. No donations. You likely won’t see any arrests. No convictions — Mark Levan (@MarkLevan10) May 29, 2025 The bill’s provisions include cuts to social safety net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, while simultaneously offering tax cuts to wealthy individuals. This has raised questions about the bill’s impact on healthcare access and social services for many Americans. The debate has evolved beyond simple fiscal policy considerations into what many see as a test of loyalty to Trump. Republican lawmakers are being forced to weigh their traditional conservative principles about managing the nation’s debt against Trump’s economic approach, which has been characterized by underfunded tax cuts and record deficits. The situation highlights a fundamental transformation within the Republican Party, where traditional conservative economic policies have largely given way to Trump’s economic vision. Despite ongoing Republican discussions about national debt and deficits, the party’s approach to economic policy has become increasingly aligned with Trump’s priorities, often at the expense of conventional fiscal conservative principles.

Better late than never.

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has signaled a significant shift in the country’s approach to military spending, indicating that defense will become a national priority amid increasing pressure from international allies, particularly the United States. According to Politico, the move comes as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announces that the alliance’s current spending target of 2 percent of GDP is likely to increase to 5 percent at next month’s NATO summit in The Hague. Canada currently spends only 1.37 percent of its GDP on defense, making it one of the lowest contributors among NATO members. “We need to rebuild our armed forces. We need to rebuild the infrastructure. We need to build new defense systems, but we need to do that where we support Canadian industry, Canadian workers, and Canadian autonomy,” Champagne told POLITICO during an interview in his office. NATO spending targets could rise to 5 percent as global tensions increase The push for increased defense spending has been a long-standing issue, with both Republican and Democratic U.S. administrations urging Canada to increase its military budget. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously indicated to NATO officials that Canada would never meet the 2 percent target, according to leaked Pentagon documents. The danger here is that the Trump administration is looking for an excuse to justify their tariffs on Canada and lord knows what other bullshit Steven Miller will dream up in an attempt to justify economic/military pressure on Canada. Where is the actual evidence of this? — Jay Straith (@straithinator) May 19, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump and Ambassador Pete Hoekstra have been particularly vocal about Canada’s need to increase its defense spending. The pressure comes as global security concerns continue to rise, with ongoing conflicts and changing geopolitical dynamics requiring NATO members to strengthen their military capabilities. Champagne, who has served in various senior Cabinet positions including international trade, foreign affairs, and industry, emphasized the government’s commitment to swift action. The finance minister indicated that the upcoming budget, planned for early fall, would provide more clarity on defense spending plans after the NATO summit in June. The proposed changes aim to not only strengthen Canada’s military capabilities but also rebuild the country’s defense industrial base. Champagne stressed the importance of smart procurement and investment approaches that would simultaneously protect Canadian sovereignty while supporting domestic industry and workers.

So much for that trade war.

A federal court has unanimously struck down former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on multiple countries, ruling that his use of national emergency claims to justify the duties exceeded his legal authority. The decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade represents a significant blow to one of Trump’s key economic policies. According to Politico, the ruling nullified Trump’s executive orders that imposed 25 percent duties on Canadian and Mexican products, 20 percent tariffs on Chinese goods related to drug trafficking concerns, and a 10 percent tariff on all U.S. trading partners to address trade deficits. The court also invalidated Trump’s paused “reciprocal” tariffs of between 20 and 50 percent on approximately 60 trading partners. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who filed one of the lawsuits along with 11 other state attorneys general, celebrated the decision, stating: “Today’s court order is a victory not just for Oregon, but for working families, small businesses, and everyday Americans. President Trump’s sweeping tariffs were unlawful, reckless, and economically devastating.” He emphasized that the Constitution doesn’t grant any president unchecked authority to disrupt the economy. Businesses may receive refunds as the Justice Department appeals the decision The court’s decision opens the possibility for businesses to receive refunds on previously paid tariffs. According to Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University who helped argue the case, anyone who paid these tariffs will be eligible for refunds. The Justice Department has already filed an appeal, potentially setting up a path to the Supreme Court. Court strikes down most of Trump’s tariffs, ruling them illegalhttps://t.co/6LtleCYUEx — bitckoni (@bitckoni036617) May 29, 2025 The three-judge panel, consisting of appointees from different administrations, including Trump’s own, determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 does not authorize the president to impose unlimited tariffs. This law typically allows presidents to implement tariffs, embargoes, and sanctions in response to national emergencies. The ruling specifically affects cases brought by V.O.S. Selections, a New York-based wine company, along with other small businesses, and a separate case filed by Democrat-led states. However, it does not impact other tariffs Trump imposed under different authorities, such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which permits tariffs based on national security grounds. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate argued that blocking the tariffs would “kneecap” the president’s ongoing efforts to negotiate new trade deals before July 8, particularly with major trading partners like Japan, India, and the European Union. The White House has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the ruling. Legal experts suggest that while Trump could attempt to impose similar tariffs through other legal means, replicating the scope of this program would be challenging under different statutes. The court’s decision adds to a series of legal setbacks for Trump’s policy initiatives, including previous judicial blocks on his immigration and federal agency reforms.

The art of the backdown.

The stock market experienced a significant rally on Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s announcement to delay the implementation of a 50% tariff on the European Union. This development coincided with an unexpected rise in consumer confidence in May, as reported by the Conference Board, marking a positive turn after five consecutive months of decline. According to MSNBC, the administration’s fluctuating stance on tariffs has created a pattern of market responses, with White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett suggesting that countries providing “good-enough offers” might maintain a 10% tariff rate or possibly lower. However, the specifics of what constitutes an acceptable offer remain undefined. The market’s behavior has given rise to what Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong calls the “TACO” trade theory, short for “Trump always chickens out.” This theory has emerged from a consistent pattern: markets decline when Trump announces tariffs and surge when he scales them back. How businesses and consumers are responding to tariff uncertainty The unpredictable nature of Trump’s tariff decisions has created significant challenges for businesses, both large and small, making it difficult for them to plan effectively. While investors can adapt their trading strategies around these announcements, businesses face potential paralysis or severe operational difficulties due to the uncertainty. President Trump responds to the “TACO” trade theory of tariffs and markets: “Don’t ever say what you said. That’s a nasty question,” he says. Full Q&A. https://t.co/TwwPLAkk0C pic.twitter.com/JfI3KxADYg — Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) May 29, 2025 Consumer sentiment has shown similar volatility, with public confidence closely tied to perceptions of impending tariff decisions. When tariff threats loom, consumer worry increases, and when these threats are withdrawn, confidence typically rebounds. Sources close to Trump’s team indicate that the president is not concerned about the market’s volatile reactions to his tariff decisions. Instead, he reportedly takes satisfaction in his ability to influence global markets, where a single statement or social media post can result in billions of dollars in market value being created or erased. When confronted about the “TACO” theory by a reporter, Trump responded defensively, calling the question “nasty” and defending his approach by citing his handling of tariffs with China and the European Union. “I’ve never heard that,” Trump stated, questioning whether his actions in reducing various tariffs and demanding market access could be considered “chickening out.”

Constitutional, but still imprisoned.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate student, is likely unconstitutional. Despite this ruling, Khalil remains in detention in Louisiana, where he has been held since March. According to Politico, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued a 106-page decision on Wednesday, requiring Khalil to present additional legal arguments for his release. Khalil, who has not been charged with any crime, was arrested in his university residence lobby and placed into deportation proceedings. The Trump administration utilized a rarely used federal law provision that permits the deportation of any noncitizen if the Secretary of State determines their “presence or activities” in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Judge Farbiarz ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s application of this provision likely violated constitutional rights. Immigration battle continues as new father remains detained Khalil’s case has become particularly notable as he was the first in a series of foreign-born pro-Palestinian academics targeted by the Trump administration, despite holding green cards or valid student visas. During his detention, Khalil’s wife gave birth to their first child. Latest on Controversial Deportations: – US district judge ruled that the Trump admin's bid to deport Mahmoud Khalil is likely unconstitutional. – Federal judge granted bail for Kseniia Petrova, but she remains in custody.https://t.co/IeeaXpQIB8 — AllSides (@AllSidesNow) May 29, 2025 The judge’s ruling highlighted that Secretary Rubio failed to explain how Khalil’s activities affected U.S. relations with other countries, making the use of the provision “unconstitutionally vague.” However, the government maintains additional concerns, including allegations that Khalil omitted information about his membership in several organizations when applying for his green card. While this federal case proceeds, Khalil faces parallel challenges in the immigration court system. An immigration judge in Louisiana has already ruled that Khalil can be deported as a national security risk, though he is expected to appeal this decision. Thanks to a previous order from Judge Farbiarz, the government cannot deport Khalil while his legal challenge remains active. Khalil and his legal team argue that the administration’s actions represent illegal retaliation for his role in organizing campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas war. His lawyers expressed satisfaction with the court’s recognition of the likely unconstitutional nature of Secretary Rubio’s actions, stating they will work quickly to provide the additional information requested by the court to secure Khalil’s release and reunion with his family.

Former President Donald Trump has pardoned several high-profile individuals convicted of corruption and financial crimes, including former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. Jenkins was facing a 10-year federal prison sentence for accepting over $100,000 in bribes from wealthy citizens in exchange for deputy badges. According to MSNBC, the pardons represent a significant shift in how corruption cases are being handled, with guilty parties now openly lobbying for presidential intervention rather than accepting their sentences. Jenkins, despite clear evidence including undercover photos and videos of him accepting payments, maintained his innocence and claimed he was targeted by a “weaponized Biden Justice Department.” After receiving his pardon, Jenkins appeared on Steve Bannon’s “WarRoom” show, where he thanked God for the president’s pardon. Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, claiming Jenkins and his family had been “dragged through HELL.” Wealthy supporters gain access through cryptocurrency and fundraising events The pattern of pardons extends beyond law enforcement officials. Paul Walczak, a nursing home company executive who pleaded guilty to tax crimes in 2024, received a pardon after his mother attended a $1 million per plate fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, where she met personally with Trump. With Trump in office, there will be no depression. There will be prosperity, security, economic growth, freedom. Thieves and corrupt officials will go to jail. Taxpayers' money will not be stolen and given to outcast and enemy countries. You will be given depression to invaders. — Carmen de Wilker (@Carmen_Wilker) May 28, 2025 Similarly, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of defrauding banks of over $36 million and tax evasion, are set to receive pardons after their daughter Savannah, a Trump supporter who spoke at the Republican National Convention, visited the White House to advocate for their release. Trump’s own financial activities have raised eyebrows, particularly regarding his cryptocurrency ventures. At a private dinner held at his Sterling, Virginia, country club, Trump hosted buyers of his meme coin, $TRUMP, generating $148 million for his family’s crypto platform. Notable attendees included Justin Sun, who purchased $18.5 million worth of the token, making him the largest holder. The intersection of political influence and financial gain has become increasingly visible, with Vincent Liu, chief investment officer of Taiwan-based Kronos Research, viewing such access to the president as a sign of digital assets entering the mainstream. Former FBI officials note that this behavior validates two common justifications for corruption: the belief that “everyone is doing it” and the expectation of facing no consequences.

The White House is preparing to submit a modest $9.4 billion spending cuts package to Congress next week, according to senior GOP officials who spoke with House Republicans on Wednesday. This development comes after weeks of internal discussions about formalizing cuts through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative. According to Politico, the proposed package represents only a fraction of the DOGE cuts, which have already fallen significantly short of Musk’s initial multi-trillion-dollar goals. The cuts will primarily target NPR, PBS, and foreign aid agencies that were previously reduced under President Donald Trump’s administration. In a CBS News interview on Tuesday, Musk expressed his disappointment with Trump’s recent spending bill that narrowly passed the House. “A bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk stated, “But I don’t know if it can be both.” He criticized the bill for increasing the budget deficit and undermining the DOGE team’s efforts. White House faces resistance from key Republican figures over proposed cuts The package’s success in Congress remains uncertain, with several Republican leaders expressing concerns about its viability. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska showed hesitation regarding cuts to public media, stating that Nebraska public media “does a good job” and he was not inclined to support such measures. BREAKING: White House plans to send several DOGE cut requests to House Republicans next week amid "online pressure campaign" – POLITICO YES, THE PRESSURE ON X GOES NOTICED. — Mr Pool (@RealMrPoolx) May 28, 2025 Senator Susan Collins, the Senate’s top Republican appropriator, has indicated she wants her panel to review any clawback requests from Trump before implementation. She expressed having “considerable difficulties” with the package based on preliminary information. The $9.4 billion in proposed cuts represents a minimal portion of the $1.6 trillion in yearly discretionary spending and falls far short of the $175 billion in savings that DOGE claims to have identified. This disparity has frustrated some Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, who criticized both the White House and Congress for their handling of the situation. House Speaker Mike Johnson has promised swift action on the package, though specific timing remains unclear. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole revealed that Republican leaders have been engaged in “robust” negotiations with the White House regarding the package’s contents, focusing on finding different approaches to achieve their target numbers.

Former President Donald Trump’s recent legal battles have resulted in significant setbacks, with a Stanford political science professor finding that Trump has lost 96% of his cases this month. Even with Republican-appointed judges, the loss rate stands at 72%. According to MSNBC, the mounting legal defeats have sparked controversial responses from Trump’s allies, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who suggested a conspiracy against Trump within the justice system. Trump himself has gone further, labeling judges who rule against him as “monsters” and “lunatics” who are working against American interests. About a month after Trump’s second inaugural, Elon Musk appeared on Fox News arguing that “If the will of the president is not implemented and the president is representative of the people, that means the will of the people is not being implemented, and that means we don’t live in a democracy.” Vice president raises concerns about courts overturning ‘will of the people’ Vice President JD Vance, in a recent interview with The New York Times’ Ross Douthat, expressed similar sentiments, describing a “real conflict” between judicial interpretation and democratic principles. Vance claimed that courts are making “an effort to quite literally overturn the will of the American people.” ‘Overturn the will of the American people’: JD Vance goes scorched earth on federal courts and judges, says SCOTUS focusing too much on ‘excesses of the executive’ Thank God for the courts ⁦@nytimes⁩ ⁦@thehill⁩ ⁦@WhiteHouse⁩ ⁦@VP⁩ https://t.co/yiI7q7x9Q9 — wendy dutton (@windyweather57) May 27, 2025 This argument suggests that since Trump won a democratic election, challenging his actions through the courts somehow defies democracy itself. However, this interpretation contradicts the fundamental principles of the American political system, which is designed with checks and balances. Legal experts point out that it is not the judiciary’s role to defer to another branch of government based on election results. The courts are tasked with evaluating legal disputes on their merits, regardless of electoral outcomes. New York magazine’s Ed Kilgore has criticized this perspective, noting that the repeated suggestion that judges should bend the law to accommodate Trump because he represents the “Popular Will” is particularly concerning, especially given that Trump did not receive a majority of votes in the election. Kilgore argues that this narrative strengthens authoritarian tendencies among the president’s supporters and advisers.

Recent large-scale drone and missile attacks by Russia on Ukrainian targets have highlighted the growing tension between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Ukrainian officials, this offensive marks the largest aerial assault since the war began, coming just a month after Trump’s social media directive to Putin that simply stated, “Vladimir, STOP!” The situation has prompted U.S. senators, including some Republicans, to urge the White House to implement new economic sanctions against Moscow. Despite months of threats, Trump has shown reluctance to take such action, leading to increased scrutiny of his stance toward Russia. According to MSNBC, Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota expressed his concern about the situation, stating that “nobody likes to see somebody try to play the president.” However, Trump’s response to Putin’s actions has been notably subdued, with his latest social media post suggesting that he has been protecting Russia from “really bad things.” Trump claims he’s preventing ‘really bad things’ from happening to Russia In a puzzling social media post on Tuesday, Trump declared that Putin doesn’t realize that “if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!” This statement has raised questions about Trump’s relationship with Russia and his apparent efforts to protect it from unspecified consequences. Russia’s state-run media mocks Trump over his weakness toward Putin – MSNBC- MAGA-Madness Invasion of Russia & his bestie Putie https://t.co/S9pDuIqCml — Colonel Old Dude & Penecostal Prairie Dog (@gilpinm67) May 28, 2025 The Russian state television network RT, which effectively represents the Putin regime’s viewpoint, responded to Trump’s message with mockery just eight minutes after it was posted. This public ridicule by Russia’s state-run media marks a significant shift in the dynamic between Trump and Putin’s government. The incident has highlighted Trump’s continuing reluctance to take a firm stance against Russia, even as pressure mounts from within his own party for stronger action. His claim of protecting Russia from severe consequences has led to multiple unanswered questions about the nature and duration of this protection, as well as why such actions have been kept secret. Trump’s apparent weakness toward Putin continues to draw criticism, particularly as Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine. Despite the mockery from Russian state media and growing concerns from fellow Republicans, Trump maintains his unusually accommodating position toward Putin’s regime, showing little sign of changing his approach even in the face of public ridicule from Moscow.

Colorado’s attempt to regulate how companies use personal data for pricing has hit a roadblock as corporate pushback led to the suspension of a proposed bill. The legislation, introduced by state Representative Javier Mabrey in February, aimed to prohibit companies from setting prices and wages based on consumers’ personal data. According to Politico, the bill was part of a broader national movement, with five states, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, and New York, introducing similar legislation to address concerns about surveillance pricing. This practice, also known as dynamic or individualized pricing, allows companies to tailor prices to individual online shoppers using their personal information. “While the bill wasn’t intended to prevent discounts, the writing on the page did just that,” said Rachel Beck, executive director of the Colorado Competitive Council, a local business group that opposed the state’s legislation. The council proposed an amendment that would permit the use of behavioral data, like purchase history, for offering discounts. Corporate resistance leads to significant changes in state-level pricing regulations Major companies, including DoorDash, Verizon, and United Airlines, mounted opposition to the Colorado bill. Representative Mabrey ultimately voted to suspend his own legislation, believing that lobbyists had influenced his colleagues’ positions. He acknowledged that arguments about discounts likely resonated with legislators. Read "The Trump administration stopped investigating a new pricing scheme. States are stepping in." on SmartNews: https://t.co/54UtpUH1oD #SmartNews — Rose No fucking DM'S (@RoseMPearl2) May 28, 2025 The pushback against surveillance pricing regulations has been consistent across states, with companies arguing that they use consumer data to offer lower prices and targeted discounts. Business groups have emphasized that such regulations could hurt consumers during times of economic uncertainty by preventing beneficial pricing practices. This development in Colorado reflects a larger pattern of corporate influence on surveillance pricing legislation. In New York, the original bill was significantly modified and incorporated into the state budget bill, requiring only disclosure when algorithms use personal data for pricing rather than outright prohibition. The situation highlights the vacuum left by federal inaction, as the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into surveillance pricing was shelved by FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson after President Donald Trump took office. This has left states attempting to regulate the practice individually, though they continue to face substantial resistance from business interests.

NPR, and three Colorado public radio stations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that aims to cut off federal funding to public broadcasting. The lawsuit presents strong arguments based on constitutional grounds and the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. According to MSNBC, the executive order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to halt current and future funding for NPR and PBS. While NPR receives approximately 1% of its operating budget directly from federal sources, Influence Watch reports that the organization receives nearly 10% of its budget indirectly from federal, state, and local governments. Trump’s description of NPR’s content as “left-wing propaganda” and his claims that their broadcasts aren’t “fair, accurate, or unbiased” may prove to be a critical weakness in his administration’s legal position. These statements explicitly reveal that the executive order targets NPR based on disagreement with its content. Why viewpoint discrimination matters in First Amendment cases Legal experts emphasize that viewpoint-based discrimination by the government is considered one of the most serious violations of First Amendment rights. This type of discrimination, which targets specific viewpoints rather than just subject matter, is presumptively unconstitutional under established legal precedent. Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio and KSUT Public Radio joined NPR to sue the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges President Donald Trump’s May 1 executive order seeking to cease all federal funding to NPR and PBS. https://t.co/dO1cAio5KW — Aspen Daily News (@AspenDailyNews) May 28, 2025 The lawsuit argues that Trump’s administration lacks the constitutional authority to direct the CPB to stop funding NPR, as the Constitution grants spending power to Congress, not the president. Additionally, the Public Broadcasting Act established the CPB as a private, nonprofit corporation specifically to protect media outlets from government interference. NPR’s legal team argues that the executive order represents “textbook retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination.” The administration’s explicit admission of targeting NPR due to perceived bias in its political coverage, rather than the fact that it covers political news, strengthens this argument. The case has broader implications for press freedom, as it challenges whether a president can use federal power to penalize media outlets based on their content. With an estimated 43 million people per week receiving news from NPR, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant consequences for public broadcasting and First Amendment protections in the United States.

Whatever it takes.

Senate Republicans are working on consolidating President Donald Trump’s agenda into a single comprehensive bill, transforming the House’s megabill into legislation that can successfully pass through the Senate. This effort requires navigating around potential Democratic filibusters through specific procedural methods. According to MSNBC, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s recent strategic maneuver has increased the likelihood of pushing through more policy projects from the House’s “big, beautiful bill” than previously anticipated. This development came through a series of 10 votes last week, where Thune successfully circumvented the Senate parliamentarian’s authority regarding California’s electric vehicle mandate. Thune’s understanding of Senate operations was clear when he demonstrated that “the Senate’s rules are whatever a majority of the Senate says that they are.” This principle became evident as he managed to work around Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough’s previous ruling that had blocked Republican attempts to overturn California’s EV standards using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). How Senate Republicans plan to bypass traditional procedures The typical process for passing bills in the Senate requires 60 votes for cloture to overcome a filibuster. However, Republicans are utilizing exceptions like the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain spending legislation to move forward with a simple majority. With 53 Senate votes, Republicans can effectively exclude Democrats from the process. The People Hit Hardest by Trumps Megabill might surprise you: There is more to this bill than most know, all of it short-sighted and self-defeating. The Republican bill will cause red states to lose 1000s of planned jobs & millions in investments -The WSJ https://t.co/2lYjYIpkdX — Shirley C (@ghhshirley) May 23, 2025 Thune’s recent parliamentary strategy involved getting a Senate majority to agree that points of order are permitted under the CRA process, despite the law stating otherwise. This move created a pathway to challenge the California mandate’s classification, despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempts to block the maneuver through various parliamentary tactics. This development raises concerns about the potential handling of other elements in the House bill that should normally be removed under the Byrd rule, including provisions about artificial intelligence regulation and court injunction enforcement. Republicans’ approach to calculating tax cut costs might also conflict with the parliamentarian’s interpretation of budget laws. While the Senate still needs to prepare its version for the parliamentarian’s review, Thune’s demonstrated ability to circumvent traditional procedures suggests that Republicans may continue to bypass established rules to advance their agenda. If McDonough doesn’t provide favorable responses, Republicans have shown they’re willing to work around her authority as long as they maintain majority support.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has threatened to prevent government scientists from publishing their work in leading medical journals, marking a significant shift in his approach to scientific discourse. This announcement follows a major White House report he spearheaded, which suggests that overprescribed medications might be causing an increase in chronic diseases among children. According to Politico, the report highlights concerns about pharmaceutical industry influence and claims there is a culture of fear surrounding speaking out, which has prevented medical professionals from investigating the root causes of chronic diseases. This development comes shortly after the Department of Justice sent letters to both JAMA and the New England Journal of Medicine investigating potential partisanship. Kennedy’s stance has created tension within his administration, particularly with NIH director Jay Bhattacharya, who publicly supports academic freedom. In a recent podcast appearance, Kennedy criticized top medical journals and claimed that their own leaders, including The Lancet’s Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton, “really disgraced himself” during the Covid-19 pandemic. Medical journal controversies and leadership responses raise questions about scientific integrity Kennedy referenced past statements from prominent journal editors that cast doubt on the reliability of published clinical research. He cited former NEJM editor-in-chief Marcia Angell’s 2009 statement that it had become “simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published” due to pharmaceutical company financial ties. He also mentioned Richard Horton’s 2015 concerns about the replicability of scientific research. Secretary Kennedy speaks on how gain-of-function research has proven to be a threat to humanity, and how “NIH research almost certainly led to the Covid pandemic”. RFK Jr. just casually confirming that the USGov are guilty of crimes against humanity. pic.twitter.com/zoe2DSnPZu — Clandestine (@WarClandestine) May 14, 2025 The Lancet faced significant controversy in 2020 when it had to retract a study linking hydroxychloroquine to increased Covid-19 deaths. Following this incident, Horton announced changes to the journal’s peer review process. The journal also published a controversial letter from scientists, including EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak, which dismissed questions about Covid-19’s origins as conspiracy theories. The situation has been further complicated by the Biden administration’s decision to stop funding Daszak and EcoHealth, citing their failure to follow grant protocols. A Trump administration website claims that EcoHealth was involved in “dangerous gain-of-function” research at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology, which President Donald Trump believes led to the pandemic. In response to these developments, FDA chief Marty Makary and NIH director Bhattacharya have launched their own publication, the Journal of the Academy of Public Health, which aims to promote open discourse. Both have taken leaves of absence from the journal’s editorial board. When asked about Kennedy’s remarks, JAMA’s spokesperson declined to comment, while The Lancet and NEJM did not respond to requests for comment. The Department of Health and Human Services has also remained silent on the matter.

A federal judge has reprimanded the Trump administration for violating court orders by attempting to deport migrants to South Sudan without proper legal procedures. The migrants are currently being held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti following their removal. According to MSNBC, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy criticized the administration’s actions in an opinion published Monday, stating that they had “mischaracterized” the court’s order while “manufacturing the very chaos they decry.” The judge emphasized that the administration’s rush to transport six class members to unstable South Sudan was clearly in breach of both law and court orders. “Due process is, in some sense, a binary, one either receives what the Constitution requires, or one does not,” Murphy wrote in his ruling. He acknowledged that while the class members had criminal histories, this fact does not negate their right to due process. Administration claims military and foreign relations powers are being constrained The administration argued in its unsuccessful reconsideration motion that the court’s orders were placing “impermissible, burdensome constraints” on the President’s Article II powers, including military command, foreign relations management, and immigration authority execution. The Administration defied a federal court order and shipped people off to a civil war-torn country they've likely never been to, all in the dead of night to avoid oversight. This lawless and inhumane action cannot go unchecked. pic.twitter.com/kA2nTA4ki1 — New Democrat Coalition (NDC) (@NewDemCoalition) May 20, 2025 This case is not isolated, as similar issues have arisen in other deportation cases. In the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was illegally removed to El Salvador in March, the government has resisted facilitating his return despite Supreme Court orders. The situation extends to other cases, including that of a gay Guatemalan man identified as O.C.G., whom the government sent to Mexico despite his claims of being held for ransom and raped there. The government later admitted it had no witnesses to support its initial claim that O.C.G. was not afraid to go to Mexico. Judge Murphy noted that the government’s suggestion to conduct immigration proceedings abroad has proven more challenging than anticipated. The administration has since “changed their tune” upon discovering the logistical complexities of managing such proceedings on another continent. The Trump administration has now launched an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to block Murphy’s injunction. The final consequences of the government’s actions and their attempts to avoid compliance with legal process remain to be determined.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the recently passed bill that could implement significant cuts to Medicaid during his appearance on “Face the Nation.” The proposed legislation, which could result in reductions of approximately $880 billion over a decade, has sparked controversy as Medicaid currently serves one in five Americans. According to MSNBC, Johnson insisted that the Republican-led initiative does not constitute cuts but rather introduces work requirements aimed at addressing what he describes as “fraud, waste and abuse” in the system. The speaker specifically targeted “able-bodied workers, young men” in his defense of the new requirements. “You’re cheating the system,” Johnson stated during the interview, “And no one in the country believes that that’s right. So there’s a moral component to what we’re doing. And when you make young men work, it’s good for them, it’s good for their dignity, it’s good for their self-worth, and it’s good for the community that they live in.” Census data reveals majority of Medicaid recipients already employed The speaker’s characterization of Medicaid recipients appears to conflict with census data, which shows that 44 percent of beneficiaries worked full time in 2023, while 20 percent held part-time positions. The remaining recipients included family caregivers (12 percent), ill or disabled individuals (10 percent), students (6 percent), and retirees (4 percent). After passing a budget that aims to cut Medicaid by $880 billion in ten years House Speaker Johnson says: "You return the dignity of work to young men who need to be out working instead of playing video games all day." pic.twitter.com/LxxgtqvAjt — More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) April 10, 2025 According to the Congressional Budget Office’s nonpartisan analysis, the proposed cuts could result in approximately 8.6 million people losing their health care coverage by 2034. This projection has contributed to significant public opposition, with Kaiser Family Foundation polling from April indicating that 76 percent of Americans oppose major cuts to Medicaid. Johnson’s focus on young men’s employment status as a condition for receiving health care has drawn criticism for potentially promoting discriminatory policies. Critics argue that making health care access contingent on employment status or perceived “dignity” raises concerns about equity in healthcare access. The Republican-backed legislation’s emphasis on work requirements has sparked debate about the relationship between employment and access to healthcare benefits. While supporters argue these requirements promote self-sufficiency, opponents contend that such measures could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who rely on Medicaid for essential health services, including those who are already employed or unable to work due to various circumstances.

Ed Martin, the newly appointed Justice Department pardon attorney, has personally reviewed a pardon application for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes during his first full week in office. The review marks a significant shift in how politically sensitive pardon applications are being handled under the Trump administration. According to Politico, the pardon application was among 11 applications hand delivered to Martin at the Justice Department by Peter Ticktin, a lawyer and former classmate of President Donald Trump at New York Military Academy. Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy, is currently serving an 18 year prison sentence for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack. Martin, who has a history of supporting January 6 defendants, was previously seen posting on social media during the riot, comparing the event to “Mardi Gras.” His appointment as the first political appointee to serve as pardon attorney in modern history signals a dramatic change in how clemency powers might be wielded under the current administration. New applications include prominent January 6 participants seeking full pardons The batch of applications also includes requests from Proud Boys members Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola. While Trump had previously commuted sentences for many January 6 participants to time served on his first day back in office, some are now seeking full pardons rather than commutations. Vought: “We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut down.… We want to put them in trauma.” — Dylan Leigh (@DylanLeigh03) May 24, 2025 Norm Pattis, an attorney representing Biggs, has urged Trump to grant his client’s pardon application, emphasizing Biggs’ military service and Purple Heart award. According to Pattis, while a commutation was appreciated, a full pardon would restore Biggs’ pension benefits. Martin’s background includes raising funds for January 6 legal defense over the past four years and personally representing defendants in court. During his recent interim position as chief federal prosecutor in Washington, he dismissed numerous prosecutors who were handling January 6 cases. The Justice Department’s pardon attorney office, traditionally led by career officials, reviews clemency applications and makes recommendations to the president. While previous presidents have bypassed the pardon attorney for politically sensitive cases, Martin’s willingness to directly evaluate controversial applications through official channels represents a departure from historical norms. According to Liz Oyer, the previous pardon attorney who was terminated in March, having a political appointee in this role is unprecedented and suggests a different approach to wielding clemency power than previous administrations.

House Republicans have advanced legislation aimed at overturning Washington, D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote in local elections. The House Resolution 884, which moved forward through the House Oversight Committee last week, represents another step in the ongoing debate over voting rights in the nation’s capital. The move comes as part of a broader Republican initiative that has previously introduced multiple bills and amendments targeting noncitizen voting in D.C. While federal law prohibits noncitizens from participating in federal elections, several cities across the United States currently allow noncitizen residents to vote in specific local elections. According to MSNBC, in announcing the bill’s advancement to the House floor, the Oversight Committee declared on social media that “Voting is a RIGHT of citizenship.” This latest legislative action aligns with former President Donald Trump’s previous calls for federal control over the capital city. Republicans face criticism over selective approach to D.C. voting rights House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents Washington, D.C., has highlighted what she sees as inconsistency in the Republican approach to voting rights. Norton pointed out that while Republicans have introduced 14 bills or amendments to restrict noncitizen voting in D.C., they have consistently avoided addressing the district’s requests for full congressional representation. Good. Voting is a right of citizenship-this should be common sense. — Boring thoughts (@boring_thoughtt) May 27, 2025 The delegate emphasized that despite numerous legislative attempts to limit voting rights, Republicans have shown reluctance to support the one electoral change D.C. residents have actively sought: the right to elect voting members to both the House and Senate through D.C. statehood. Critics of the Republican-led initiative suggest that if voting rights in Washington were truly the primary concern, efforts would be directed toward expanding representation through statehood rather than restricting local voting access. The current focus on preventing noncitizen participation in local elections appears to sidestep the broader issue of limited congressional representation for D.C. residents. The legislation’s advancement through the House Oversight Committee represents Congress’s unique authority over Washington D.C.’s laws, allowing federal legislators to intervene in local governance matters. This authority has raised concerns about the district’s autonomy in determining its own electoral processes, particularly as it relates to local elections where some communities have chosen to extend voting rights to noncitizen residents.

Amiga Games

Welcome to the first 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 One) appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

The Amiga version of Caveman Ninja came sort of late for an Amiga game (1993), was it worth the wait? How is the 2022 remake from Mr.Nutz Studios compared...

How was the original Arcade game?

The post New Joe & Mac Caveman Ninja vs. Original appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Dungeonette - The New Adventure is set in the kingdom of Amigea, Dark lord Aksnes (cough) will have to be defeated and only one person can do it, you!

The post Unboxing: Dungeonette – The New Adventure On Amiga appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

ONIRIAM is an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience available for PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) that transports players through a series of dreamlike landscapes, blending elements of dreams and nightmares to create a deeply personal journey.

The post ONIRIAM – Living The Dream? appeared first on AmigaGuru's GamerBlog.

Official PlayStation Blog for news and video updates on PlayStation, PS5, PS4, PS VR, PlayStation Plus and more.

It’s almost Zed Time again. The gore-drenched co-op FPS, Killing Floor 3, is exploding its way onto PS5 on July 24. In preparation for launch, Studio Creative Director Bryan Wynia and Design Director Leland Scali from Tripwire Interactive took me through what to expect in this big, brutal and bloody sequel to one of the […]

It’s almost Zed Time again. The gore-drenched co-op FPS, Killing Floor 3, is exploding its way onto PS5 on July 24. In preparation for launch, Studio Creative Director Bryan Wynia and Design Director Leland Scali from Tripwire Interactive took me through what to expect in this big, brutal and bloody sequel to one of the best blasters on the block. Play Video PlayStation Blog: In terms of gameplay, what was the main focus for Killing Floor 3? And what sets it apart from its previous titles? Leland: It really was adding depth to existing systems. So, in Killing Floor 1 and 2, you could progress the player and add skills. You essentially have passive, throwable, and gadget skill sets. It’s much more robust and there’s more choices the player can make. Depending on what you choose, you could end up synergizing early skills with later skills, or you could find better mixes later. Bryan: There’s also the new player hub, where you can adjust those skills, weapon mods, and other elements. But we wanted to find ways to keep it as immersive as possible. So these skill trees aren’t just numbers under the hood, but things you can actually see and feel when you play the game. Leland: And we’ve modernized player movement. You can now do things like slide and clamber. But once we did that, we knew we needed to improve how the enemies moved, too. So instead of them walking around objects to get to you, they jump and climb over things. No matter where you go, they can go too. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. How has the Zed Time mechanic been reworked? Leland: When we started testing KF3, some of the early feedback we got was that this feature is cool, but what causes it? So there’s a bar at the top of the screen that you’re filling by doing different actions like destroying Critical Zones or killing enemies. And once it’s about to trigger, the whole team can take advantage at the same time. Also each Perk has two unique skills that increase as the player increases their proficiency level. This increases the effectiveness of the Perk during Zed Time as the player progresses. These are just some ways in which we’ve enhanced Zed time to be more of a meaningful tool in the player’s arsenal, rather than a random event. Bryan: We hired a former SWAT team leader and weapons expert, and I remember him saying that in combat there’s this clarity that becomes present. That’s a huge source of inspiration for Zed Time. You can feel overwhelmed in the moment, but when it kicks in we put the power in your hands. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. Can you tell us more about the new Critical Zone system? Leland: So when you damage certain enemies enough, their armor breaks off and exposes a Critical Zone. Destroying that puts them in a state where you can perform this gory [explosive] execution on them, and by using Zed Time you can get them in that state quickly. Bryan: I think players enjoy communicating that they’re skillful at something, so that was one of the biggest driving factors for implementing the Critical Zone system. You have multiple ways of killing enemies: you can unload rounds, go for headshots or you can look for Critical Zones to really take advantage. Leland: For example, the Impaler boss has a ton of Critical Zones. If you destroy the ones on his arms, you’ll be able to disable him from firing rockets, while destroying the Zones on his back stops him from firing smoke grenades. Being able to disable abilities is really cool because you quickly realize if we fight him in a certain way at the beginning of the match, it’ll benefit us later in the following phases. Are there any new updates to the weapon mods system that you can reveal? Bryan: With a first-person shooter you experience and interact with the world through your weapons, so it was important to give players more than cosmetic ways of customizing their guns. For example, in the sharpshooter class I keep my distance and do really precise high damage. So, I’m going to craft weapon mods that are various types of sights and grips for when I aim down the sights. I can then combo those with skills, like taking a knee when I shoot does increased damage. We still want the identity of these weapons to be kept – we’re not turning a shotgun into a sniper rifle – but you can use mods to play with it the way that you like. Leland: And you can modify ammo. So you can craft something like fire ammunition for a gun that’s not normally fire based. Which is useful for a new system called Wave Mutations, which randomly changes certain properties of the upcoming wave. A certain enemy may be more susceptible to freeze damage, for example, and instead of normally having to focus on a different enemy if you’re not a suitable class, you can craft a modded weapon to deal that freeze damage. Are there any particular things you want players to pay attention to when they boot it up for the first time? And do you have any tips for them? Bryan: I’d love for players to dive into some of our outer loops, looking at skill trees and weapon mods, and learning about Critical Zones. It’s about showcasing your skill and taking advantage of new features like movement and dynamically fighting your way through a wave to show you’re the best Zed hunter on the internet. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. In terms of tips, the biggest thing that helps you survive is prioritizing targets. Just because that Zed is the closest one to you doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the one you should shoot first. There could be a Husk or a Siren at the back of the battlefield that’s lining up a shot that can take you out. Leland: And when you hit the Critical Zone of some of the bigger Zeds they essentially turn into a bomb, which is super useful when you’re surrounded by low-level enemies – that big guy’s explosion will take out all the little guys. So even if you take a bit of damage focusing on that Critical Zone, that’s tactically a better move. Killing Floor 3 launches on July 24.

PlayStation’s Summer Sale is almost here! Kick off the season with a wide range of offers on digital PS5 and PS4 games and add-ons at PlayStation Store starting July 16 at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST.  The promotion includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25 Standard Edition for 79% off (PS5, PS4), Call of Duty: Black Ops […]

PlayStation’s Summer Sale is almost here! Kick off the season with a wide range of offers on digital PS5 and PS4 games and add-ons at PlayStation Store starting July 16 at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST. The promotion includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25 Standard Edition for 79% off (PS5, PS4), Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle for 45% off (PS5, PS4), Assassin’s Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition for 25% off (PS5), Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition for 25% off (PS5) and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for 10% off (PS5) for a limited time.* But there’s many more titles included! You can preview just some of those games below, while the full list of PlayStation Store offers will be revealed when the sale begins – visit the PlayStation Store page here once the sale is live to browse available games and discover the next gaming adventure to embark on. *Sale refreshes at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST on July 29 and some deals will be replaced by new offers. Sale ends on August 13 at 23:59 PDT/BST/JST. Certain deals end before August 13. Check PlayStation Store for details of individual deals.

Hello PlayStation readers! I’m Chris Darril, creator of Bye Sweet Carole and founder of Little Sewing Machine. Bye Sweet Carole is a special project, one that reimagines the animation that inspired me in childhood, interwoven with homages to video games that today’s players can relate to. Before the game launches on PlayStation, it’s my pleasure […]

Hello PlayStation readers! I’m Chris Darril, creator of Bye Sweet Carole and founder of Little Sewing Machine. Bye Sweet Carole is a special project, one that reimagines the animation that inspired me in childhood, interwoven with homages to video games that today’s players can relate to. Before the game launches on PlayStation, it’s my pleasure to introduce the first and exclusive look at The French, a mysterious character found sneaking into Bunny Hall by Lana. They seem to have an interest in heat and flames — could this be a clue to Carole’s disappearance? Introducing The French As mysterious as they look, this is clearly someone who has shared proximity with Carole. Eyes cast down, but what did they see? What intentions do they hide? Is there a secret in the burning flames they hover around? Players will find out alongside Lana soon enough. Drawing inspiration for a modern fairytale Shifting from making films to video games has been a life-changing experience. Carole started off as a mistake: one day, while playing with my unfinished Remothered prototype in RPG Maker, I created a dreamy, cell-shaded protagonist. Instantly, the image reminded me of those early popular animated films featuring pastel-coloured princesses against dark backdrops. Connecting this visual concept to video games was the first hurdle: titles like Resident Evil on the first PlayStation, Clock Tower, and Gris were all foundational sources of gameplay inspiration. Their slow, measured approach to storytelling and unique atmospheres informed our initial development, refined with modern messaging designed to evoke the same child-like awe in a now fully-grown video game player today. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Moving pictures to interactive pictures As game designers, we are already directors, and the “cinematography” of video games is equally important. The presentation of a world makes an impact on the audience, and in both cinema and games, technology brings the storytelling to life. You’ll always meet technological limitations, so remaining fluid is absolutely critical in the development stage. You start with the concept, then jump to the storyboard, then the rough animation, clean-up, and then the colors. Exporting animation happens differently if it’s a cutscene, a video, or eventually a game scene, so you have to find people just to export each animation. As with filmmaking, collaboration is key. The art & artists behind Bye Sweet Carole The animation of Bye Sweet Carole was hand-drawn, frame by frame. Sacrificing even just one frame means the magic of the old-fashioned animation style is lost. Computers made the production much smoother, but we made certain that the tangible expression of the animation style is always felt when playing the game. PlayStation players will be able to see the true labour of love in full 4K display. We’ve also ensured that the visual and audio components work in harmony. The soundtrack was composed by Luca Balboni, a frequent collaborator. The large cast of characters will be fully voiced by Rossa Caputo in the Italian dub, Lani Minella (voice of the iconic Infected of The Last of Us), and Elsie Lovelock as our protagonist Lana. Conclusion Doing something that by today’s standards is considered “old school” wasn’t easy, and required a huge learning curve. On behalf of the entire team, we hope all players will enjoy meeting The French and experiencing Bye Sweet Carole later this year by purchasing the game from PlayStation Store or at their favourite retailer. We aspire for the game to be a modern fairytale, one that feels like a deep-seated memory: sad, yet peaceful, and long-lasting. It’s the best, most ambitious game I’ve ever worked on, and for those that missed it, our most recent trailer is a fantastic place to start. There is one more mystery I can shed light on today, and that is confirming that Bye Sweet Carole is available from major retailers on discs. Today, players who want to experience the nostalgia of physical pieces of media inspired by nostalgia can pre-order a copy now in many regions and storefronts. Of course, the PlayStation Store is always open for those that appreciate modern accessibility of digital copies. We still have several surprises to reveal about Bye Sweet Carole, so stay tuned—we’re incredibly excited to bring this love letter to life.

Last week, we asked you traverse the world of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and share different ways that Sam gets around using using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: ChristianNOTJay shares Sam ziplining in front of a massive moon cresting over mountains call_me_xavii shares Sam pausing his tri cruiser in the desert […]

Last week, we asked you traverse the world of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and share different ways that Sam gets around using using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: ChristianNOTJay shares Sam ziplining in front of a massive moon cresting over mountains call_me_xavii shares Sam pausing his tri cruiser in the desert to let a kangaroo pass by Chescone shares Sam riding a coffin board across the water Milz_VP shares Sam hitching a ride with a launchable cargo catapult F1Str4nd shares Sam getting some air after driving the truck off a ramp MohdNazif shares Sam riding along with the monorail 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 Tsushima – 5th Anniversary SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 16, 2025 Next week, Ghost of Tsushima is turning 5! To celebrate Jin’s journey for honor and justice, share your best captures using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Get ready to enjoy new Diamond 99 All-Star player items, Programs, Moments, Missions, and more highlighting some of the most impactful players and plays from the 2025 MLB All-Star Week. Today, Friday, July 11, marks the start of the 2025 MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. For those that can’t make it […]

Get ready to enjoy new Diamond 99 All-Star player items, Programs, Moments, Missions, and more highlighting some of the most impactful players and plays from the 2025 MLB All-Star Week. Today, Friday, July 11, marks the start of the 2025 MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. For those that can’t make it to the big game, don’t worry, as MLB The Show has you covered with all-new All-Star content covering the 2025 MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and the 95th annual MLB All-Star Game. MLB The Show 25: A guide to all things All-Star Get ready to experience the excitement of 2025 All-Star Week events in MLB The Show 25! Start your All-Star adventure with a FREE 2025 All-Star Team Affinity Voucher Pack, available in The Show Shop, allowing you to select 1 of 31 items including any of the 30 All-Star Vouchers to turn in for a 2025 All-Star player card to anchor your Diamond Dynasty squad. If you have earned all of them, then you can choose the 2025 All-Star Game Deluxe Pack featuring additional players from the Midsummer Classic. You’re on the clock! Take control in the 2025 Draft Program on Sunday, July 13, featuring players added to the 2025 Draft Series as their names are called on Draft Day. Experience the new content THAT NIGHT and play as all-new stars. Then the following night, take a swing with fan-favorite 2025 Home Run Derby Series players in the Home Run Derby Program. Look for new cards dropping after the champion is crowned! On Tuesday, stay up late after the game with us to relive the excitement of the Midsummer Classic in a Program featuring more 2025 All-Star Series rewards. With dozens of MLB Draft picks, all eight Home Run Derby participants, and 40+ ASG player items headed your way, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting content drops of MLB The Show 25! For those fans who have been finishing their Team Affinity My Journey programs, this is when you can redeem each respective team’s 2025 All-Star Game series player. Look for All-Star rewards in these themed Diamond Dynasty* modes: All-Star Game Diamond Quest – A rouge-like, single player mode consisting of a risk-and-reward boardgame style experience where both luck and skill play a part in your success. All-Star Game Showdown – A single player experience where you’ll build your own Showdown Squad to compete in a series of challenges where you’ll test your skills against prolific pitchers from the past and present. Moonshot: Home Run Derby Event – A time-limited experience where you’ll bring your best hitters to face off against common-rated pitchers in Truist Park, the site of this year’s MLB All-Star Game. Earn win streak rewards and Multiplayer Program progress. Midsummer Classic Mini Seasons Challenge – a single player styled foray through the fictitious World Baseball League consisting of 28, 3-Inning regular season games culminating in a chance to make the playoffs and, potentially, the championship. …and much more in MLB The Show 25. MLB The Show at the 2025 All-Star Village If you’re attending in-person the 2025 All-Star Week festivities at Truist Park in Atlanta, then be sure to stop by the MLB The Show booth to get hands on with MLB The Show 25. Snap a photo and take home a printed keepsake, and pick up a limited-edition postcard featuring a special code to redeem in-game items — exclusively for fans at All-Star Village! Test your luck with Coach’s Locker Loot, a one-of-a-kind interactive touchscreen game available only inside the booth. Tap your way for a chance to win awesome rewards like Stubs, Packs, a special-edition MLB The Show x HOMAGE T-Shirt, and even signed, authenticated MLB memorabilia. You can choose to reserve a time through the official MLB All-Star Experience Pass app to play Coach’s Loot Locker and receive your MLB The Show photo op, or feel free to walk in and enjoy the booth. While you’re at the booth, don’t miss the chance to check out our Legends Wall, celebrating some of the all-time greats from the Atlanta Braves. Then take a walk down memory lane at our 20th Anniversary Showcase, featuring a full franchise timeline and an interactive wall where you can mark the year you started your journey with The Show. And last but not least, don’t forget to pick up and play MLB The Show on one of 20+ playable consoles right at the booth! For all the latest information on MLB The Show, head over to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. *Internet connection is required.

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle, featuring a new intricate console design with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction […]

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle, featuring a new intricate console design with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. Play Video These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of Ezo (which is now known as Hokkaido), and the world that players will embark on to explore Atsu’s tale of vengeance. Mt. Yōtei is an iconic location and has become a symbol for Hokkaido as well as Atsu herself, which is why we wanted to reflect the beauty of the region and landscape by paying homage to two beautiful Japanese visual traditions. Fans will also love that both consoles feature a special maker’s seal engraved with PlayStation shapes on the back of the console’s top cover as well as on the DualSense Wireless controllers. Play Video The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally, and is inspired by the Japanese art form, kintsugi, a traditional process to repair broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. The design captures the essence and aesthetic of kintsugi, symbolizing beauty in imperfection and mirroring Atsu’s own personal journey of healing and resilience amidst the adversities she’ll face along the way. 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 This bundle comes with a matching DualSense wireless controller, featuring a striking silhouette of Atsu on the DualSense touchpad. We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: Our inspiration for this design came straight from one of the core aspects within the game: a deep focus on exploration. This includes the hand-drawn icons Atsu marks on her map, a kintsugi-style effect pulled from her Ghost mask, and brushstrokes reminiscent of her Sumi-e paintings. The towering Mount Yōtei is included at the center of the console design to pull it all together, and Atsu is spotlighted on the DualSense controller. Each of these elements were thoughtfully woven into both the console and controller designs. – Jason Connell, Creative Director, Sucker Punch The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles include a limited edition PS5 console with disc drive, matching DualSense wireless controller, and a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei Standard Edition that includes pre-order content, featuring a unique in-game mask, as well as a set of seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six. 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 If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, we have great news for you, too. You’ll be able to purchase Console Covers for PS5 (model group – slim) and PS5 Pro – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition – in limited quantities through select authorized PlayStation retailers. Both console covers feature the same kintsugi inspired designs and maker’s seal found on The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle. The DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase. We recognize the importance of capturing the essence from which Ghost of Yōtei draws its inspiration, and we hope players deeply feel this influence through these designs as they experience the game. We can’t wait for you to follow the wind again and experience Atsu’s journey when Ghost of Yōtei releases on October 2. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and Accessories PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle Available at select retailers PlayStation 5 (model group – slim) Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles and accessories will be available on October 2nd in limited quantities. Pre-order information will be shared at a later date. Check our blog for more details.

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles, featuring new intricate console designs with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of […]

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles, featuring new intricate console designs with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. Play Video These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of Ezo (which is now known as Hokkaido), and the world that players will embark on to explore Atsu’s tale of vengeance. Mt. Yōtei is an iconic location and has become a symbol for Hokkaido as well as Atsu herself, which is why we wanted to reflect the beauty of the region and landscape by paying homage to two beautiful Japanese visual traditions. Fans will also love that both consoles feature a special maker’s seal engraved with PlayStation shapes on the back of the console’s top cover as well as on the DualSense Wireless controllers. Play Video The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally, and is inspired by the Japanese art form, kintsugi, a traditional process to repair broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. The design captures the essence and aesthetic of kintsugi, symbolizing beauty in imperfection and mirroring Atsu’s own personal journey of healing and resilience amidst the adversities she’ll face along the way. 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 The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Bundle will be exclusively available at direct.playstation.com*. This version draws inspiration from another Japanese traditional art form, Sumi-e, which is the use of black ink on paintings. Expressing the landmarks of Ezo through bold black brush strokes, this design captures the essence of the land’s beauty and mystery, while echoing Atsu’s inner struggle and journey towards redemption. 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 Both bundles come with a matching DualSense wireless controller, featuring a striking silhouette of Atsu on the DualSense touchpad. We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: Our inspiration for this design came straight from one of the core aspects within the game: a deep focus on exploration. This includes the hand-drawn icons Atsu marks on her map, a kintsugi-style effect pulled from her Ghost mask, and brushstrokes reminiscent of her Sumi-e paintings. The towering Mount Yōtei is included at the center of the console design to pull it all together, and Atsu is spotlighted on the DualSense controller. Each of these elements were thoughtfully woven into both the console and controller designs. – Jason Connell, Creative Director, Sucker Punch The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles include a limited edition PS5 console with disc drive, matching DualSense wireless controller, and a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei Standard Edition that includes pre-order content, featuring a unique in-game mask, as well as a set of seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six. 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 If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, we have great news for you, too. You’ll be able to purchase Console Covers for PS5 (model group – slim) and PS5 Pro – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition – directly from PlayStation where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities in other regions through select online retailers. Both console covers feature the same kintsugi inspired designs and maker’s seal found on The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle. Both designs of the DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase. We recognize the importance of capturing the essence from which Ghost of Yōtei draws its inspiration, and we hope players deeply feel this influence through these designs as they experience the game. We can’t wait for you to follow the wind again and experience Atsu’s journey when Ghost of Yōtei releases on October 2. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle and Accessories Purchase Information Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and Accessories PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle Available globally at select retailers and direct.playstation.com* PlayStation 5 (model group – slim) Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com* and select retailers outside of these regions PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com* and select retailers outside of these regions DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available globally at select retailers and direct.playstation.com* Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and DualSense Wireless Controller PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Bundle Available exclusively at direct.playstation.com*. DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com*. Also available at select retailers in Japan. Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles and accessories will be available on October 2nd in limited quantities. Pre-order information will be shared at a later date. Check our website for more details. *Regions where direct.playstation.com is available: U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Austria.

Attention, Helldivers! The Ministry of Defense Research & Development team has just declassified the following information for immediate release.  You have been cleared to field test a new range of experimental weapons built from acquired alien technology. R&D scientists have completed the Control Group Premium Warbond* for deployment to your Super Destroyer! Weapons & Stratagems […]

Attention, Helldivers! The Ministry of Defense Research & Development team has just declassified the following information for immediate release. You have been cleared to field test a new range of experimental weapons built from acquired alien technology. R&D scientists have completed the Control Group Premium Warbond* for deployment to your Super Destroyer! Play Video Weapons & Stratagems First up, in the primary weapon category, is the VG-70 Variable, a seven-barrelled volley gun with three different firing modes: Auto, which has three selectable RPM values; Volley, which fires a single shot from each barrel at once; and Total, which fires all remaining ammunition in one go. Researchers noted that using the Total firing mode with a lot of ammunition may result in bodily harm to the user. Also in need of field testing is the new G-31 Arc grenade. The lightweight G-31 bounces while discharging electricity that strikes enemies (and Helldivers) in proximity. The next declassified item is the PLAS-45 Epoch support weapon which charges plasma into a focused sphere which is then fired. This weapon is ready for battlefield use, but additional research data suggests that it can explode if overcharged. No safe mode is available. But we’re sure you can handle it, Helldiver. This is what field testing is all about! Next up in offensive technology is the A/LAS-98 Laser Sentry. For this sentry, the ammunition canisters on standard turrets have been replaced with a supersized heatsink, allowing the potential for infinite laser firing. However, R&D would like to remind users that the turret can overheat and explode if the laser is continuously active with no cooldown. Perhaps the most significant and exciting development from the Ministry of Defense is the new LIFT-182 Warp Pack stratagem. R&D has harnessed the power of Dark Fluid to generate a (somewhat) stable wormhole on demand. Once the wormhole is active, wearers can teleport short distances with no cooldown between jumps. In practice, the wearer is pulled into the singularity, dematerialized, and rematerialized again in a new location. The head of R&D noted that the dematerialization process can be somewhat painful, and that users should bear in mind that the wormhole cannot maintain integrity for extended periods–each jump will further destabilize it, and the wearer may experience death should the singularity fully collapse. A small price to pay for ultra-convenient traversal! Armors & more And don’t forget about proper personal protective equipment! Good field testing involves enforcing safety protocols, which is why we’re outfitting Control Group with two new sets of armor designed to provide adequate battlefield protection. For medium armor, we’ve included the AD-26 Bleeding Edge that will allow for protection and greater ease of movement combined. But for more dangerous experiments, there’s also the AD-49 Apollonian heavy armor that’s meant to assist you with the perils of evaluating all this new equipment. Each armor set looks professionally stylish with the coordinating capes, Conductor of Brilliance and Over Artifice Triumphant, and both armor sets feature a new and exciting passive: Adreno-Defibrillator! After you take lethal damage and the Adreno-Defibrillator detects that the user has collapsed, it activates and revives the user to full health. R&D did indicate that the Adreno-Defibrillator only has enough charge for one use to bring the user to maximum health, and the user will begin losing health continually after activating it. In addition to all this, R&D is including new player cards to match the Conductor of Brilliance and Over Artifice Triumphant capes, and we’re giving you access to a new emote to assist in testing: Protect Eardrums. Covering your ears is the leading method to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Safety first! And, finally, with great scientific discovery comes much hard work and sacrifice, Helldivers, and that’s why we want to recognize your valiant field testing efforts of the Control Group Warbond with a special title: Exemplary Subject. Wear this to show your squad that you got in on the ground floor of this advanced technology! You’ve been recruited into the Control Group, divers. Report to R&D for field testing on July 17! *Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as […]

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as ghost-hunters Antea and Red across 17th-century North America in the story-driven action-RPG Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. All these titles and more are available in July’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Cyberpunk 2077 is available to play from July 10, with Abiotic Factor launching into the service July 22. We’re exploring new ways to deliver PS Plus Game Catalog titles so this month, in select markets including Singapore, games will be available on varying dates as noted below. PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Today’s Cyberpunk 2077’s release forms part of our ongoing PlayStation Plus PlayStation Plus 15th anniversary celebrations, which also includes a special 30% discount for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, exclusive for PlayStation Plus members. That discount will be available from today until July 23. There’s plenty more to enjoy: head to the PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Hub for more information. Play Video PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4 Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red. Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. Customise your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be? *Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing in Southeast Asia on July 10. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Abiotic Factor | PS5 Abiotic Factor brings a 90’s sci-fi twist and rich character progression to the multiplayer open world survival crafting genre. Up to 6 players can choose their PHDs, build their scientist, gear up, and explore a massive subterranean complex, filled with supernatural artifacts, transdimensional foes, and science experiments gone awry. Home to the world’s greatest minds, GATE operates a global network of secretive research laboratories, spanning every field of scientific study – and the realms beyond. As a GATE employee you extend the bounds of human knowledge, and seek to explain the unexplainable – including anomalies and paranormal entities: from gravity-distorting artifacts to supernatural creatures with an unbridled instinct for violence. Safety, security, and secrecy are of the utmost importance… usually. *Abiotic Factor is releasing worldwide July 23 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden | PS5 New Eden, 1695. Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith are lovers and Banishers, ghost-hunters who vowed to protect the living from the threat of lingering ghosts and spectres. Following a disastrous last mission, Antea is fatally wounded, becoming one of the spirits she loathes. In the haunted wilds of North America, the couple desperately searches for a way to liberate Antea from her new plight. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, intimate and powerful story between two fated lovers. Challenging decisions will lay on your path, dramatically impacting your story and the fate of New Eden’s inhabitants – be they living people or wandering souls. How much will you compromise your ghost-hunting vow for the sake of your lover who’s become a spirit herself? *Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Zoo | PS5 Build a world for wildlife with Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, Planet Zoo features an incredible array of authentic animals who think, feel, and explore the world you design around them. Create unique habitats and vast landscapes, and make meaningful choices to nurture animals as you construct and manage the world’s wildest zoos using intuitive console controls. Pick up and play across four engaging game modes: embark on a globe-trotting campaign in career mode, build a network of connected zoos in Franchise mode, put your skills to the test in Challenge mode, or let your imagination run wild in the freedom of Sandbox mode. Manage an amazing living world that responds to every decision you make. Focus on the big picture or go hands-on and control the smallest details. Thrill visitors with iconic exhibits, develop your zoo with new research, and release new generations of your animals back into the wild. Your choices come alive in a world where animal welfare and conservation comes first. *Planet Zoo is releasing in Singapore July 22 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Risk of Rain 2 | PS5, PS4 Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing. Over a dozen handcrafted locales await, each packed with challenging monsters and enormous bosses that oppose your continued existence. Fight your way to the final boss and escape or continue your run indefinitely to see just how long you can survive. A unique scaling system means both you and your foes limitlessly increase in power over the course of a game. Tackle the adventure solo or with up to three friends in online co-op, or compete in the rotating challenge of the Prismatic Trials. Brand new survivors like the Captain and MUL-T join classic survivors such as the Engineer, Huntress, and–of course–the Commando. *Risk of Rain 2 is releasing in Singapore July 29 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tropico 6 | PS5, PS4 Play El Presidente on the island state of Tropico as you shape the fate of your own banana republic. Play on large archipelagos for the first time in the series. Manage multiple islands at the same time and adapt to various new challenges. Tropico 6 features cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to 4 players. *PS5 edition is the Next Gen Edition which includes “The Llama of Wall Street” DLC, and the El Prez Pack, which contains one additional mission, new buildings, new customization options for your palace, outfits for El Prez and much more! *Tropico 6 is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New World: Aeternum | PS5 Experience a thrilling action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity. Discover the island of Aeternum: Explore a massive, beautiful world and uncover the secret truth of the eternal island and its strange inhabitants. Endless opportunities to fight, forage, and forge await among the island’s wilderness and ruins. Control magical forces or wield deadly melee and ranged weapons. Timing and positioning are key to defeating enemies in combat. Use your skills to survive the island’s horrors and reap its valuable rewards. *New World Aeternum is releasing in Singapore July 29 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. PlayStation Plus Deluxe View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 3 | PS5, PS4 Welcome to our twisted world where the drivers are insane, the explosions apocalyptic and the weapons hard-core nasty. It’s the original and ultimate automotive combat experience! Get twisted with high powered vehicles, an arsenal of weapons and unbeatable bosses! Experience Twisted Metal 3 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *Twisted Metal 3 is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 4 | PS5, PS4 Sweet Tooth and his pumped-up posse of evil henchmen have taken control of the most explosive freakshow on wheels! Get ready for high-octane action with a multitude of characters, vehicles, and powerful weapons. Battle through interactive arenas with crisp vehicles and lush battlegrounds for an intense, chaotic experience. Experience Twisted Metal 4 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *Twisted Metal 4 is releasing worldwide July 15 *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as […]

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as ghost-hunters Antea and Red across 17th-century North America in the story-driven action-RPG Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. All these titles and more are available in July’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Cyberpunk 2077 is available to play today, July 9, with Abiotic Factor launching into the service July 22. All other titles will be available to play on July 15, which includes Twisted Metal 3 and Twisted Metal 4 for PlayStation Plus Premium members. PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Today’s Cyberpunk 2077’s release forms part of our ongoing PlayStation Plus 15th anniversary celebrations, which also includes a special 30% discount for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, exclusive for PlayStation Plus members. That discount will be available from today until July 23. There’s plenty more to enjoy: head to the PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Hub for more information. Play Video PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4 Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red. Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. Customise your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be? *Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing July 9 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Abiotic Factor | PS5 Abiotic Factor brings a 90’s sci-fi twist and rich character progression to the multiplayer open world survival crafting genre. Up to 6 players can choose their PHDs, build their scientist, gear up, and explore a massive subterranean complex, filled with supernatural artifacts, transdimensional foes, and science experiments gone awry. Home to the world’s greatest minds, GATE operates a global network of secretive research laboratories, spanning every field of scientific study – and the realms beyond. As a GATE employee you extend the bounds of human knowledge, and seek to explain the unexplainable – including anomalies and paranormal entities: from gravity-distorting artifacts to supernatural creatures with an unbridled instinct for violence. Safety, security, and secrecy are of the utmost importance… usually. *Abiotic Factor is releasing July 22 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden | PS5 New Eden, 1695. Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith are lovers and Banishers, ghost-hunters who vowed to protect the living from the threat of lingering ghosts and spectres. Following a disastrous last mission, Antea is fatally wounded, becoming one of the spirits she loathes. In the haunted wilds of North America, the couple desperately searches for a way to liberate Antea from her new plight. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, intimate and powerful story between two fated lovers. Challenging decisions will lay on your path, dramatically impacting your story and the fate of New Eden’s inhabitants – be they living people or wandering souls. How much will you compromise your ghost-hunting vow for the sake of your lover who’s become a spirit herself? View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Bluey: The Videogame | PS5, PS4 Join the fun with Bluey and her family in Bluey: The Videogame! Play a brand-new story set across 4 interactive adventures. For the first time ever, explore iconic locations such as the Heeler House, Playgrounds, Creek and a bonus beach location. Play your favourite games from the TV show, including Keepy Uppy, Chattermax Chase, and more! Experience the joy and wonder of Bluey’s world, explore and collect items for your sticker book, unlock outfits and uncover the many secrets and hidden references throughout each location. Recreate iconic scenes or create your very own Bluey inspired adventures and games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Zoo | PS5 Build a world for wildlife with Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, Planet Zoo features an incredible array of authentic animals who think, feel, and explore the world you design around them. Create unique habitats and vast landscapes, and make meaningful choices to nurture animals as you construct and manage the world’s wildest zoos using intuitive console controls. Pick up and play across four engaging game modes: embark on a globe-trotting campaign in career mode, build a network of connected zoos in Franchise mode, put your skills to the test in Challenge mode, or let your imagination run wild in the freedom of Sandbox mode. Manage an amazing living world that responds to every decision you make. Focus on the big picture or go hands-on and control the smallest details. Thrill visitors with iconic exhibits, develop your zoo with new research, and release new generations of your animals back into the wild. Your choices come alive in a world where animal welfare and conservation comes first. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Risk of Rain 2 | PS5, PS4 Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing. Over a dozen handcrafted locales await, each packed with challenging monsters and enormous bosses that oppose your continued existence. Fight your way to the final boss and escape or continue your run indefinitely to see just how long you can survive. A unique scaling system means both you and your foes limitlessly increase in power over the course of a game. Tackle the adventure solo or with up to three friends in online co-op, or compete in the rotating challenge of the Prismatic Trials. Brand new survivors like the Captain and MUL-T join classic survivors such as the Engineer, Huntress, and–of course–the Commando. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tropico 6 | PS5, PS4 Play El Presidente on the island state of Tropico as you shape the fate of your own banana republic. Play on large archipelagos for the first time in the series. Manage multiple islands at the same time and adapt to various new challenges. Tropico 6 features cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to 4 players. *PS5 edition is the Next Gen Edition which includes “The Llama of Wall Street” DLC, and the El Prez Pack, which contains one additional mission, new buildings, new customization options for your palace, outfits for El Prez and much more! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New World: Aeternum | PS5 Experience a thrilling action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity. Discover the island of Aeternum: Explore a massive, beautiful world and uncover the secret truth of the eternal island and its strange inhabitants. Endless opportunities to fight, forage, and forge await among the island’s wilderness and ruins. Control magical forces or wield deadly melee and ranged weapons. Timing and positioning are key to defeating enemies in combat. Use your skills to survive the island’s horrors and reap its valuable rewards. PlayStation Plus Premium View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 3 | PS5, PS4 Welcome to our twisted world where the drivers are insane, the explosions apocalyptic and the weapons hard-core nasty. It’s the original and ultimate automotive combat experience! Get twisted with high powered vehicles, an arsenal of weapons and unbeatable bosses! Experience Twisted Metal 3 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 4 | PS5, PS4 Sweet Tooth and his pumped-up posse of evil henchmen have taken control of the most explosive freakshow on wheels! Get ready for high-octane action with a multitude of characters, vehicles, and powerful weapons. Battle through interactive arenas with crisp vehicles and lush battlegrounds for an intense, chaotic experience. Experience Twisted Metal 4 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.

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It’s almost Zed Time again. The gore-drenched co-op FPS, Killing Floor 3, is exploding its way onto PS5 on July 24. In preparation for launch, Studio Creative Director Bryan Wynia and Design Director Leland Scali from Tripwire Interactive took me through what to expect in this big, brutal and bloody sequel to one of the […]

It’s almost Zed Time again. The gore-drenched co-op FPS, Killing Floor 3, is exploding its way onto PS5 on July 24. In preparation for launch, Studio Creative Director Bryan Wynia and Design Director Leland Scali from Tripwire Interactive took me through what to expect in this big, brutal and bloody sequel to one of the best blasters on the block. Play Video PlayStation Blog: In terms of gameplay, what was the main focus for Killing Floor 3? And what sets it apart from its previous titles? Leland: It really was adding depth to existing systems. So, in Killing Floor 1 and 2, you could progress the player and add skills. You essentially have passive, throwable, and gadget skill sets. It’s much more robust and there’s more choices the player can make. Depending on what you choose, you could end up synergizing early skills with later skills, or you could find better mixes later. Bryan: There’s also the new player hub, where you can adjust those skills, weapon mods, and other elements. But we wanted to find ways to keep it as immersive as possible. So these skill trees aren’t just numbers under the hood, but things you can actually see and feel when you play the game. Leland: And we’ve modernized player movement. You can now do things like slide and clamber. But once we did that, we knew we needed to improve how the enemies moved, too. So instead of them walking around objects to get to you, they jump and climb over things. No matter where you go, they can go too. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. How has the Zed Time mechanic been reworked? Leland: When we started testing KF3, some of the early feedback we got was that this feature is cool, but what causes it? So there’s a bar at the top of the screen that you’re filling by doing different actions like destroying Critical Zones or killing enemies. And once it’s about to trigger, the whole team can take advantage at the same time. Also each Perk has two unique skills that increase as the player increases their proficiency level. This increases the effectiveness of the Perk during Zed Time as the player progresses. These are just some ways in which we’ve enhanced Zed time to be more of a meaningful tool in the player’s arsenal, rather than a random event. Bryan: We hired a former SWAT team leader and weapons expert, and I remember him saying that in combat there’s this clarity that becomes present. That’s a huge source of inspiration for Zed Time. You can feel overwhelmed in the moment, but when it kicks in we put the power in your hands. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. Can you tell us more about the new Critical Zone system? Leland: So when you damage certain enemies enough, their armor breaks off and exposes a Critical Zone. Destroying that puts them in a state where you can perform this gory [explosive] execution on them, and by using Zed Time you can get them in that state quickly. Bryan: I think players enjoy communicating that they’re skillful at something, so that was one of the biggest driving factors for implementing the Critical Zone system. You have multiple ways of killing enemies: you can unload rounds, go for headshots or you can look for Critical Zones to really take advantage. Leland: For example, the Impaler boss has a ton of Critical Zones. If you destroy the ones on his arms, you’ll be able to disable him from firing rockets, while destroying the Zones on his back stops him from firing smoke grenades. Being able to disable abilities is really cool because you quickly realize if we fight him in a certain way at the beginning of the match, it’ll benefit us later in the following phases. Are there any new updates to the weapon mods system that you can reveal? Bryan: With a first-person shooter you experience and interact with the world through your weapons, so it was important to give players more than cosmetic ways of customizing their guns. For example, in the sharpshooter class I keep my distance and do really precise high damage. So, I’m going to craft weapon mods that are various types of sights and grips for when I aim down the sights. I can then combo those with skills, like taking a knee when I shoot does increased damage. We still want the identity of these weapons to be kept – we’re not turning a shotgun into a sniper rifle – but you can use mods to play with it the way that you like. Leland: And you can modify ammo. So you can craft something like fire ammunition for a gun that’s not normally fire based. Which is useful for a new system called Wave Mutations, which randomly changes certain properties of the upcoming wave. A certain enemy may be more susceptible to freeze damage, for example, and instead of normally having to focus on a different enemy if you’re not a suitable class, you can craft a modded weapon to deal that freeze damage. Are there any particular things you want players to pay attention to when they boot it up for the first time? And do you have any tips for them? Bryan: I’d love for players to dive into some of our outer loops, looking at skill trees and weapon mods, and learning about Critical Zones. It’s about showcasing your skill and taking advantage of new features like movement and dynamically fighting your way through a wave to show you’re the best Zed hunter on the internet. Verify your age to view this content. Verify your age to view this content. In terms of tips, the biggest thing that helps you survive is prioritizing targets. Just because that Zed is the closest one to you doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the one you should shoot first. There could be a Husk or a Siren at the back of the battlefield that’s lining up a shot that can take you out. Leland: And when you hit the Critical Zone of some of the bigger Zeds they essentially turn into a bomb, which is super useful when you’re surrounded by low-level enemies – that big guy’s explosion will take out all the little guys. So even if you take a bit of damage focusing on that Critical Zone, that’s tactically a better move. Killing Floor 3 launches on July 24.

PlayStation’s Summer Sale is almost here! Kick off the season with a wide range of offers on digital PS5 and PS4 games and add-ons at PlayStation Store starting July 16 at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST.  The promotion includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25 Standard Edition for 79% off (PS5, PS4), Call of Duty: Black Ops […]

PlayStation’s Summer Sale is almost here! Kick off the season with a wide range of offers on digital PS5 and PS4 games and add-ons at PlayStation Store starting July 16 at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST. The promotion includes the likes of EA Sports FC 25 Standard Edition for 79% off (PS5, PS4), Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle for 45% off (PS5, PS4), Assassin’s Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition for 25% off (PS5), Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition for 25% off (PS5) and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for 10% off (PS5) for a limited time.* But there’s many more titles included! You can preview just some of those games below, while the full list of PlayStation Store offers will be revealed when the sale begins – visit the PlayStation Store page here once the sale is live to browse available games and discover the next gaming adventure to embark on. *Sale refreshes at 00:00am PDT/BST/JST on July 29 and some deals will be replaced by new offers. Sale ends on August 13 at 23:59 PDT/BST/JST. Certain deals end before August 13. Check PlayStation Store for details of individual deals.

Hello PlayStation readers! I’m Chris Darril, creator of Bye Sweet Carole and founder of Little Sewing Machine. Bye Sweet Carole is a special project, one that reimagines the animation that inspired me in childhood, interwoven with homages to video games that today’s players can relate to. Before the game launches on PlayStation, it’s my pleasure […]

Hello PlayStation readers! I’m Chris Darril, creator of Bye Sweet Carole and founder of Little Sewing Machine. Bye Sweet Carole is a special project, one that reimagines the animation that inspired me in childhood, interwoven with homages to video games that today’s players can relate to. Before the game launches on PlayStation, it’s my pleasure to introduce the first and exclusive look at The French, a mysterious character found sneaking into Bunny Hall by Lana. They seem to have an interest in heat and flames — could this be a clue to Carole’s disappearance? Introducing The French As mysterious as they look, this is clearly someone who has shared proximity with Carole. Eyes cast down, but what did they see? What intentions do they hide? Is there a secret in the burning flames they hover around? Players will find out alongside Lana soon enough. Drawing inspiration for a modern fairytale Shifting from making films to video games has been a life-changing experience. Carole started off as a mistake: one day, while playing with my unfinished Remothered prototype in RPG Maker, I created a dreamy, cell-shaded protagonist. Instantly, the image reminded me of those early popular animated films featuring pastel-coloured princesses against dark backdrops. Connecting this visual concept to video games was the first hurdle: titles like Resident Evil on the first PlayStation, Clock Tower, and Gris were all foundational sources of gameplay inspiration. Their slow, measured approach to storytelling and unique atmospheres informed our initial development, refined with modern messaging designed to evoke the same child-like awe in a now fully-grown video game player today. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Moving pictures to interactive pictures As game designers, we are already directors, and the “cinematography” of video games is equally important. The presentation of a world makes an impact on the audience, and in both cinema and games, technology brings the storytelling to life. You’ll always meet technological limitations, so remaining fluid is absolutely critical in the development stage. You start with the concept, then jump to the storyboard, then the rough animation, clean-up, and then the colors. Exporting animation happens differently if it’s a cutscene, a video, or eventually a game scene, so you have to find people just to export each animation. As with filmmaking, collaboration is key. The art & artists behind Bye Sweet Carole The animation of Bye Sweet Carole was hand-drawn, frame by frame. Sacrificing even just one frame means the magic of the old-fashioned animation style is lost. Computers made the production much smoother, but we made certain that the tangible expression of the animation style is always felt when playing the game. PlayStation players will be able to see the true labour of love in full 4K display. We’ve also ensured that the visual and audio components work in harmony. The soundtrack was composed by Luca Balboni, a frequent collaborator. The large cast of characters will be fully voiced by Rossa Caputo in the Italian dub, Lani Minella (voice of the iconic Infected of The Last of Us), and Elsie Lovelock as our protagonist Lana. Conclusion Doing something that by today’s standards is considered “old school” wasn’t easy, and required a huge learning curve. On behalf of the entire team, we hope all players will enjoy meeting The French and experiencing Bye Sweet Carole later this year by purchasing the game from PlayStation Store or at their favourite retailer. We aspire for the game to be a modern fairytale, one that feels like a deep-seated memory: sad, yet peaceful, and long-lasting. It’s the best, most ambitious game I’ve ever worked on, and for those that missed it, our most recent trailer is a fantastic place to start. There is one more mystery I can shed light on today, and that is confirming that Bye Sweet Carole is available from major retailers on discs. Today, players who want to experience the nostalgia of physical pieces of media inspired by nostalgia can pre-order a copy now in many regions and storefronts. Of course, the PlayStation Store is always open for those that appreciate modern accessibility of digital copies. We still have several surprises to reveal about Bye Sweet Carole, so stay tuned—we’re incredibly excited to bring this love letter to life.

Last week, we asked you traverse the world of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and share different ways that Sam gets around using using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: ChristianNOTJay shares Sam ziplining in front of a massive moon cresting over mountains call_me_xavii shares Sam pausing his tri cruiser in the desert […]

Last week, we asked you traverse the world of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and share different ways that Sam gets around using using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: ChristianNOTJay shares Sam ziplining in front of a massive moon cresting over mountains call_me_xavii shares Sam pausing his tri cruiser in the desert to let a kangaroo pass by Chescone shares Sam riding a coffin board across the water Milz_VP shares Sam hitching a ride with a launchable cargo catapult F1Str4nd shares Sam getting some air after driving the truck off a ramp MohdNazif shares Sam riding along with the monorail 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 Tsushima – 5th Anniversary SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 16, 2025 Next week, Ghost of Tsushima is turning 5! To celebrate Jin’s journey for honor and justice, share your best captures using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Get ready to enjoy new Diamond 99 All-Star player items, Programs, Moments, Missions, and more highlighting some of the most impactful players and plays from the 2025 MLB All-Star Week. Today, Friday, July 11, marks the start of the 2025 MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. For those that can’t make it […]

Get ready to enjoy new Diamond 99 All-Star player items, Programs, Moments, Missions, and more highlighting some of the most impactful players and plays from the 2025 MLB All-Star Week. Today, Friday, July 11, marks the start of the 2025 MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. For those that can’t make it to the big game, don’t worry, as MLB The Show has you covered with all-new All-Star content covering the 2025 MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and the 95th annual MLB All-Star Game. MLB The Show 25: A guide to all things All-Star Get ready to experience the excitement of 2025 All-Star Week events in MLB The Show 25! Start your All-Star adventure with a FREE 2025 All-Star Team Affinity Voucher Pack, available in The Show Shop, allowing you to select 1 of 31 items including any of the 30 All-Star Vouchers to turn in for a 2025 All-Star player card to anchor your Diamond Dynasty squad. If you have earned all of them, then you can choose the 2025 All-Star Game Deluxe Pack featuring additional players from the Midsummer Classic. You’re on the clock! Take control in the 2025 Draft Program on Sunday, July 13, featuring players added to the 2025 Draft Series as their names are called on Draft Day. Experience the new content THAT NIGHT and play as all-new stars. Then the following night, take a swing with fan-favorite 2025 Home Run Derby Series players in the Home Run Derby Program. Look for new cards dropping after the champion is crowned! On Tuesday, stay up late after the game with us to relive the excitement of the Midsummer Classic in a Program featuring more 2025 All-Star Series rewards. With dozens of MLB Draft picks, all eight Home Run Derby participants, and 40+ ASG player items headed your way, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting content drops of MLB The Show 25! For those fans who have been finishing their Team Affinity My Journey programs, this is when you can redeem each respective team’s 2025 All-Star Game series player. Look for All-Star rewards in these themed Diamond Dynasty* modes: All-Star Game Diamond Quest – A rouge-like, single player mode consisting of a risk-and-reward boardgame style experience where both luck and skill play a part in your success. All-Star Game Showdown – A single player experience where you’ll build your own Showdown Squad to compete in a series of challenges where you’ll test your skills against prolific pitchers from the past and present. Moonshot: Home Run Derby Event – A time-limited experience where you’ll bring your best hitters to face off against common-rated pitchers in Truist Park, the site of this year’s MLB All-Star Game. Earn win streak rewards and Multiplayer Program progress. Midsummer Classic Mini Seasons Challenge – a single player styled foray through the fictitious World Baseball League consisting of 28, 3-Inning regular season games culminating in a chance to make the playoffs and, potentially, the championship. …and much more in MLB The Show 25. MLB The Show at the 2025 All-Star Village If you’re attending in-person the 2025 All-Star Week festivities at Truist Park in Atlanta, then be sure to stop by the MLB The Show booth to get hands on with MLB The Show 25. Snap a photo and take home a printed keepsake, and pick up a limited-edition postcard featuring a special code to redeem in-game items — exclusively for fans at All-Star Village! Test your luck with Coach’s Locker Loot, a one-of-a-kind interactive touchscreen game available only inside the booth. Tap your way for a chance to win awesome rewards like Stubs, Packs, a special-edition MLB The Show x HOMAGE T-Shirt, and even signed, authenticated MLB memorabilia. You can choose to reserve a time through the official MLB All-Star Experience Pass app to play Coach’s Loot Locker and receive your MLB The Show photo op, or feel free to walk in and enjoy the booth. While you’re at the booth, don’t miss the chance to check out our Legends Wall, celebrating some of the all-time greats from the Atlanta Braves. Then take a walk down memory lane at our 20th Anniversary Showcase, featuring a full franchise timeline and an interactive wall where you can mark the year you started your journey with The Show. And last but not least, don’t forget to pick up and play MLB The Show on one of 20+ playable consoles right at the booth! For all the latest information on MLB The Show, head over to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. *Internet connection is required.

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle, featuring a new intricate console design with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction […]

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle, featuring a new intricate console design with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. Play Video These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of Ezo (which is now known as Hokkaido), and the world that players will embark on to explore Atsu’s tale of vengeance. Mt. Yōtei is an iconic location and has become a symbol for Hokkaido as well as Atsu herself, which is why we wanted to reflect the beauty of the region and landscape by paying homage to two beautiful Japanese visual traditions. Fans will also love that both consoles feature a special maker’s seal engraved with PlayStation shapes on the back of the console’s top cover as well as on the DualSense Wireless controllers. Play Video The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally, and is inspired by the Japanese art form, kintsugi, a traditional process to repair broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. The design captures the essence and aesthetic of kintsugi, symbolizing beauty in imperfection and mirroring Atsu’s own personal journey of healing and resilience amidst the adversities she’ll face along the way. 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 This bundle comes with a matching DualSense wireless controller, featuring a striking silhouette of Atsu on the DualSense touchpad. We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: Our inspiration for this design came straight from one of the core aspects within the game: a deep focus on exploration. This includes the hand-drawn icons Atsu marks on her map, a kintsugi-style effect pulled from her Ghost mask, and brushstrokes reminiscent of her Sumi-e paintings. The towering Mount Yōtei is included at the center of the console design to pull it all together, and Atsu is spotlighted on the DualSense controller. Each of these elements were thoughtfully woven into both the console and controller designs. – Jason Connell, Creative Director, Sucker Punch The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles include a limited edition PS5 console with disc drive, matching DualSense wireless controller, and a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei Standard Edition that includes pre-order content, featuring a unique in-game mask, as well as a set of seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six. 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 If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, we have great news for you, too. You’ll be able to purchase Console Covers for PS5 (model group – slim) and PS5 Pro – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition – in limited quantities through select authorized PlayStation retailers. Both console covers feature the same kintsugi inspired designs and maker’s seal found on The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle. The DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase. We recognize the importance of capturing the essence from which Ghost of Yōtei draws its inspiration, and we hope players deeply feel this influence through these designs as they experience the game. We can’t wait for you to follow the wind again and experience Atsu’s journey when Ghost of Yōtei releases on October 2. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and Accessories PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle Available at select retailers PlayStation 5 (model group – slim) Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at select retailers Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles and accessories will be available on October 2nd in limited quantities. Pre-order information will be shared at a later date. Check our blog for more details.

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles, featuring new intricate console designs with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of […]

We just had an exciting State of Play gameplay deep dive air for Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, and this included a first look at the PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles, featuring new intricate console designs with a matching DualSense Wireless controller. Play Video These stunning designs capture Sucker Punch’s fictional depiction of Ezo (which is now known as Hokkaido), and the world that players will embark on to explore Atsu’s tale of vengeance. Mt. Yōtei is an iconic location and has become a symbol for Hokkaido as well as Atsu herself, which is why we wanted to reflect the beauty of the region and landscape by paying homage to two beautiful Japanese visual traditions. Fans will also love that both consoles feature a special maker’s seal engraved with PlayStation shapes on the back of the console’s top cover as well as on the DualSense Wireless controllers. Play Video The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally, and is inspired by the Japanese art form, kintsugi, a traditional process to repair broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. The design captures the essence and aesthetic of kintsugi, symbolizing beauty in imperfection and mirroring Atsu’s own personal journey of healing and resilience amidst the adversities she’ll face along the way. 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 The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Bundle will be exclusively available at direct.playstation.com*. This version draws inspiration from another Japanese traditional art form, Sumi-e, which is the use of black ink on paintings. Expressing the landmarks of Ezo through bold black brush strokes, this design captures the essence of the land’s beauty and mystery, while echoing Atsu’s inner struggle and journey towards redemption. 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 Both bundles come with a matching DualSense wireless controller, featuring a striking silhouette of Atsu on the DualSense touchpad. We’re proud of these fantastic designs from the teams at Sucker Punch, which were made in close collaboration with the design team at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sucker Punch shared with us why they decided to pursue these unique forms of art: Our inspiration for this design came straight from one of the core aspects within the game: a deep focus on exploration. This includes the hand-drawn icons Atsu marks on her map, a kintsugi-style effect pulled from her Ghost mask, and brushstrokes reminiscent of her Sumi-e paintings. The towering Mount Yōtei is included at the center of the console design to pull it all together, and Atsu is spotlighted on the DualSense controller. Each of these elements were thoughtfully woven into both the console and controller designs. – Jason Connell, Creative Director, Sucker Punch The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundles include a limited edition PS5 console with disc drive, matching DualSense wireless controller, and a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei Standard Edition that includes pre-order content, featuring a unique in-game mask, as well as a set of seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six. 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 If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, we have great news for you, too. You’ll be able to purchase Console Covers for PS5 (model group – slim) and PS5 Pro – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition – directly from PlayStation where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities in other regions through select online retailers. Both console covers feature the same kintsugi inspired designs and maker’s seal found on The PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle. Both designs of the DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase. We recognize the importance of capturing the essence from which Ghost of Yōtei draws its inspiration, and we hope players deeply feel this influence through these designs as they experience the game. We can’t wait for you to follow the wind again and experience Atsu’s journey when Ghost of Yōtei releases on October 2. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition Bundle and Accessories Purchase Information Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and Accessories PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle Available globally at select retailers and direct.playstation.com* PlayStation 5 (model group – slim) Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com* and select retailers outside of these regions PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com* and select retailers outside of these regions DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Available globally at select retailers and direct.playstation.com* Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition PS5 Console Bundle and DualSense Wireless Controller PS5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Bundle Available exclusively at direct.playstation.com*. DualSense Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Black Limited Edition Available at direct.playstation.com*. Also available at select retailers in Japan. Ghost of Yōtei Limited Edition PS5 consoles and accessories will be available on October 2nd in limited quantities. Pre-order information will be shared at a later date. Check our website for more details. *Regions where direct.playstation.com is available: U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Austria.

Attention, Helldivers! The Ministry of Defense Research & Development team has just declassified the following information for immediate release.  You have been cleared to field test a new range of experimental weapons built from acquired alien technology. R&D scientists have completed the Control Group Premium Warbond* for deployment to your Super Destroyer! Weapons & Stratagems […]

Attention, Helldivers! The Ministry of Defense Research & Development team has just declassified the following information for immediate release. You have been cleared to field test a new range of experimental weapons built from acquired alien technology. R&D scientists have completed the Control Group Premium Warbond* for deployment to your Super Destroyer! Play Video Weapons & Stratagems First up, in the primary weapon category, is the VG-70 Variable, a seven-barrelled volley gun with three different firing modes: Auto, which has three selectable RPM values; Volley, which fires a single shot from each barrel at once; and Total, which fires all remaining ammunition in one go. Researchers noted that using the Total firing mode with a lot of ammunition may result in bodily harm to the user. Also in need of field testing is the new G-31 Arc grenade. The lightweight G-31 bounces while discharging electricity that strikes enemies (and Helldivers) in proximity. The next declassified item is the PLAS-45 Epoch support weapon which charges plasma into a focused sphere which is then fired. This weapon is ready for battlefield use, but additional research data suggests that it can explode if overcharged. No safe mode is available. But we’re sure you can handle it, Helldiver. This is what field testing is all about! Next up in offensive technology is the A/LAS-98 Laser Sentry. For this sentry, the ammunition canisters on standard turrets have been replaced with a supersized heatsink, allowing the potential for infinite laser firing. However, R&D would like to remind users that the turret can overheat and explode if the laser is continuously active with no cooldown. Perhaps the most significant and exciting development from the Ministry of Defense is the new LIFT-182 Warp Pack stratagem. R&D has harnessed the power of Dark Fluid to generate a (somewhat) stable wormhole on demand. Once the wormhole is active, wearers can teleport short distances with no cooldown between jumps. In practice, the wearer is pulled into the singularity, dematerialized, and rematerialized again in a new location. The head of R&D noted that the dematerialization process can be somewhat painful, and that users should bear in mind that the wormhole cannot maintain integrity for extended periods–each jump will further destabilize it, and the wearer may experience death should the singularity fully collapse. A small price to pay for ultra-convenient traversal! Armors & more And don’t forget about proper personal protective equipment! Good field testing involves enforcing safety protocols, which is why we’re outfitting Control Group with two new sets of armor designed to provide adequate battlefield protection. For medium armor, we’ve included the AD-26 Bleeding Edge that will allow for protection and greater ease of movement combined. But for more dangerous experiments, there’s also the AD-49 Apollonian heavy armor that’s meant to assist you with the perils of evaluating all this new equipment. Each armor set looks professionally stylish with the coordinating capes, Conductor of Brilliance and Over Artifice Triumphant, and both armor sets feature a new and exciting passive: Adreno-Defibrillator! After you take lethal damage and the Adreno-Defibrillator detects that the user has collapsed, it activates and revives the user to full health. R&D did indicate that the Adreno-Defibrillator only has enough charge for one use to bring the user to maximum health, and the user will begin losing health continually after activating it. In addition to all this, R&D is including new player cards to match the Conductor of Brilliance and Over Artifice Triumphant capes, and we’re giving you access to a new emote to assist in testing: Protect Eardrums. Covering your ears is the leading method to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Safety first! And, finally, with great scientific discovery comes much hard work and sacrifice, Helldivers, and that’s why we want to recognize your valiant field testing efforts of the Control Group Warbond with a special title: Exemplary Subject. Wear this to show your squad that you got in on the ground floor of this advanced technology! You’ve been recruited into the Control Group, divers. Report to R&D for field testing on July 17! *Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as […]

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as ghost-hunters Antea and Red across 17th-century North America in the story-driven action-RPG Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. All these titles and more are available in July’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Cyberpunk 2077 is available to play from July 10, with Abiotic Factor launching into the service July 22. We’re exploring new ways to deliver PS Plus Game Catalog titles so this month, in select markets including Singapore, games will be available on varying dates as noted below. PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Today’s Cyberpunk 2077’s release forms part of our ongoing PlayStation Plus PlayStation Plus 15th anniversary celebrations, which also includes a special 30% discount for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, exclusive for PlayStation Plus members. That discount will be available from today until July 23. There’s plenty more to enjoy: head to the PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Hub for more information. Play Video PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4 Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red. Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. Customise your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be? *Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing in Southeast Asia on July 10. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Abiotic Factor | PS5 Abiotic Factor brings a 90’s sci-fi twist and rich character progression to the multiplayer open world survival crafting genre. Up to 6 players can choose their PHDs, build their scientist, gear up, and explore a massive subterranean complex, filled with supernatural artifacts, transdimensional foes, and science experiments gone awry. Home to the world’s greatest minds, GATE operates a global network of secretive research laboratories, spanning every field of scientific study – and the realms beyond. As a GATE employee you extend the bounds of human knowledge, and seek to explain the unexplainable – including anomalies and paranormal entities: from gravity-distorting artifacts to supernatural creatures with an unbridled instinct for violence. Safety, security, and secrecy are of the utmost importance… usually. *Abiotic Factor is releasing worldwide July 23 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden | PS5 New Eden, 1695. Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith are lovers and Banishers, ghost-hunters who vowed to protect the living from the threat of lingering ghosts and spectres. Following a disastrous last mission, Antea is fatally wounded, becoming one of the spirits she loathes. In the haunted wilds of North America, the couple desperately searches for a way to liberate Antea from her new plight. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, intimate and powerful story between two fated lovers. Challenging decisions will lay on your path, dramatically impacting your story and the fate of New Eden’s inhabitants – be they living people or wandering souls. How much will you compromise your ghost-hunting vow for the sake of your lover who’s become a spirit herself? *Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Zoo | PS5 Build a world for wildlife with Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, Planet Zoo features an incredible array of authentic animals who think, feel, and explore the world you design around them. Create unique habitats and vast landscapes, and make meaningful choices to nurture animals as you construct and manage the world’s wildest zoos using intuitive console controls. Pick up and play across four engaging game modes: embark on a globe-trotting campaign in career mode, build a network of connected zoos in Franchise mode, put your skills to the test in Challenge mode, or let your imagination run wild in the freedom of Sandbox mode. Manage an amazing living world that responds to every decision you make. Focus on the big picture or go hands-on and control the smallest details. Thrill visitors with iconic exhibits, develop your zoo with new research, and release new generations of your animals back into the wild. Your choices come alive in a world where animal welfare and conservation comes first. *Planet Zoo is releasing in Singapore July 22 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Risk of Rain 2 | PS5, PS4 Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing. Over a dozen handcrafted locales await, each packed with challenging monsters and enormous bosses that oppose your continued existence. Fight your way to the final boss and escape or continue your run indefinitely to see just how long you can survive. A unique scaling system means both you and your foes limitlessly increase in power over the course of a game. Tackle the adventure solo or with up to three friends in online co-op, or compete in the rotating challenge of the Prismatic Trials. Brand new survivors like the Captain and MUL-T join classic survivors such as the Engineer, Huntress, and–of course–the Commando. *Risk of Rain 2 is releasing in Singapore July 29 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tropico 6 | PS5, PS4 Play El Presidente on the island state of Tropico as you shape the fate of your own banana republic. Play on large archipelagos for the first time in the series. Manage multiple islands at the same time and adapt to various new challenges. Tropico 6 features cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to 4 players. *PS5 edition is the Next Gen Edition which includes “The Llama of Wall Street” DLC, and the El Prez Pack, which contains one additional mission, new buildings, new customization options for your palace, outfits for El Prez and much more! *Tropico 6 is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New World: Aeternum | PS5 Experience a thrilling action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity. Discover the island of Aeternum: Explore a massive, beautiful world and uncover the secret truth of the eternal island and its strange inhabitants. Endless opportunities to fight, forage, and forge await among the island’s wilderness and ruins. Control magical forces or wield deadly melee and ranged weapons. Timing and positioning are key to defeating enemies in combat. Use your skills to survive the island’s horrors and reap its valuable rewards. *New World Aeternum is releasing in Singapore July 29 and on July 15 in other Southeast Asia markets. PlayStation Plus Deluxe View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 3 | PS5, PS4 Welcome to our twisted world where the drivers are insane, the explosions apocalyptic and the weapons hard-core nasty. It’s the original and ultimate automotive combat experience! Get twisted with high powered vehicles, an arsenal of weapons and unbeatable bosses! Experience Twisted Metal 3 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *Twisted Metal 3 is releasing worldwide July 15 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 4 | PS5, PS4 Sweet Tooth and his pumped-up posse of evil henchmen have taken control of the most explosive freakshow on wheels! Get ready for high-octane action with a multitude of characters, vehicles, and powerful weapons. Battle through interactive arenas with crisp vehicles and lush battlegrounds for an intense, chaotic experience. Experience Twisted Metal 4 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *Twisted Metal 4 is releasing worldwide July 15 *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as […]

This month, carve your legend in the neon-soaked streets of Night City as the mercenary V in the dystopian open-world RPG Cyberpunk 2077, join up to five fellow scientists to repel inter-dimensional horrors deep within an underground research facility in the co-op survival and crafting adventure Abiotic Factor, or wrestle with love and duty as ghost-hunters Antea and Red across 17th-century North America in the story-driven action-RPG Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. All these titles and more are available in July’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup*. Cyberpunk 2077 is available to play today, July 9, with Abiotic Factor launching into the service July 22. All other titles will be available to play on July 15, which includes Twisted Metal 3 and Twisted Metal 4 for PlayStation Plus Premium members. PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Today’s Cyberpunk 2077’s release forms part of our ongoing PlayStation Plus 15th anniversary celebrations, which also includes a special 30% discount for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, exclusive for PlayStation Plus members. That discount will be available from today until July 23. There’s plenty more to enjoy: head to the PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Hub for more information. Play Video PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Cyberpunk 2077 | PS5, PS4 Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red. Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. Customise your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be? *Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing July 9 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Abiotic Factor | PS5 Abiotic Factor brings a 90’s sci-fi twist and rich character progression to the multiplayer open world survival crafting genre. Up to 6 players can choose their PHDs, build their scientist, gear up, and explore a massive subterranean complex, filled with supernatural artifacts, transdimensional foes, and science experiments gone awry. Home to the world’s greatest minds, GATE operates a global network of secretive research laboratories, spanning every field of scientific study – and the realms beyond. As a GATE employee you extend the bounds of human knowledge, and seek to explain the unexplainable – including anomalies and paranormal entities: from gravity-distorting artifacts to supernatural creatures with an unbridled instinct for violence. Safety, security, and secrecy are of the utmost importance… usually. *Abiotic Factor is releasing July 22 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden | PS5 New Eden, 1695. Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith are lovers and Banishers, ghost-hunters who vowed to protect the living from the threat of lingering ghosts and spectres. Following a disastrous last mission, Antea is fatally wounded, becoming one of the spirits she loathes. In the haunted wilds of North America, the couple desperately searches for a way to liberate Antea from her new plight. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, intimate and powerful story between two fated lovers. Challenging decisions will lay on your path, dramatically impacting your story and the fate of New Eden’s inhabitants – be they living people or wandering souls. How much will you compromise your ghost-hunting vow for the sake of your lover who’s become a spirit herself? View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Bluey: The Videogame | PS5, PS4 Join the fun with Bluey and her family in Bluey: The Videogame! Play a brand-new story set across 4 interactive adventures. For the first time ever, explore iconic locations such as the Heeler House, Playgrounds, Creek and a bonus beach location. Play your favourite games from the TV show, including Keepy Uppy, Chattermax Chase, and more! Experience the joy and wonder of Bluey’s world, explore and collect items for your sticker book, unlock outfits and uncover the many secrets and hidden references throughout each location. Recreate iconic scenes or create your very own Bluey inspired adventures and games. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Planet Zoo | PS5 Build a world for wildlife with Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, Planet Zoo features an incredible array of authentic animals who think, feel, and explore the world you design around them. Create unique habitats and vast landscapes, and make meaningful choices to nurture animals as you construct and manage the world’s wildest zoos using intuitive console controls. Pick up and play across four engaging game modes: embark on a globe-trotting campaign in career mode, build a network of connected zoos in Franchise mode, put your skills to the test in Challenge mode, or let your imagination run wild in the freedom of Sandbox mode. Manage an amazing living world that responds to every decision you make. Focus on the big picture or go hands-on and control the smallest details. Thrill visitors with iconic exhibits, develop your zoo with new research, and release new generations of your animals back into the wild. Your choices come alive in a world where animal welfare and conservation comes first. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Risk of Rain 2 | PS5, PS4 Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing. Over a dozen handcrafted locales await, each packed with challenging monsters and enormous bosses that oppose your continued existence. Fight your way to the final boss and escape or continue your run indefinitely to see just how long you can survive. A unique scaling system means both you and your foes limitlessly increase in power over the course of a game. Tackle the adventure solo or with up to three friends in online co-op, or compete in the rotating challenge of the Prismatic Trials. Brand new survivors like the Captain and MUL-T join classic survivors such as the Engineer, Huntress, and–of course–the Commando. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tropico 6 | PS5, PS4 Play El Presidente on the island state of Tropico as you shape the fate of your own banana republic. Play on large archipelagos for the first time in the series. Manage multiple islands at the same time and adapt to various new challenges. Tropico 6 features cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to 4 players. *PS5 edition is the Next Gen Edition which includes “The Llama of Wall Street” DLC, and the El Prez Pack, which contains one additional mission, new buildings, new customization options for your palace, outfits for El Prez and much more! View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New World: Aeternum | PS5 Experience a thrilling action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity. Discover the island of Aeternum: Explore a massive, beautiful world and uncover the secret truth of the eternal island and its strange inhabitants. Endless opportunities to fight, forage, and forge await among the island’s wilderness and ruins. Control magical forces or wield deadly melee and ranged weapons. Timing and positioning are key to defeating enemies in combat. Use your skills to survive the island’s horrors and reap its valuable rewards. PlayStation Plus Premium View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 3 | PS5, PS4 Welcome to our twisted world where the drivers are insane, the explosions apocalyptic and the weapons hard-core nasty. It’s the original and ultimate automotive combat experience! Get twisted with high powered vehicles, an arsenal of weapons and unbeatable bosses! Experience Twisted Metal 3 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Twisted Metal 4 | PS5, PS4 Sweet Tooth and his pumped-up posse of evil henchmen have taken control of the most explosive freakshow on wheels! Get ready for high-octane action with a multitude of characters, vehicles, and powerful weapons. Battle through interactive arenas with crisp vehicles and lush battlegrounds for an intense, chaotic experience. Experience Twisted Metal 4 originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. *PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe lineups may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day.

The University of Bristol’s Isambard-AI, powered by NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchips, delivers 21 exaflops of AI performance, making it the fastest system in the U.K. and among the most energy-efficient globally.

Listen up citizens, the law is back and patrolling the cloud. Nacon’s RoboCop Rogue City — Unfinished Business launches today in the cloud, bringing justice to every device, everywhere. Log in, lock and load, and take charge with the ten games heading to the cloud this week. Plus, Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 update amps up the Read Article

Listen up citizens, the law is back and patrolling the cloud. Nacon’s RoboCop Rogue City — Unfinished Business launches today in the cloud, bringing justice to every device, everywhere. Log in, lock and load, and take charge with the ten games heading to the cloud this week. Plus, Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.3 update amps up the chaos in Night City while Zenless Zone Zero’s 2.1 update delivers summer vibes — all instantly playable in the cloud. Suit Up You have the right to remain excited. Step into the titanium boots of RoboCop, the ultimate cybernetic law enforcer. Whether a veteran of the force or a rookie looking to protect the innocent, players will encounter a fresh case file packed with explosive action, tough choices, and that signature blend of grit and dry wit in RoboCop Rogue City — Unfinished Business. Tackle a new storyline that puts players’ decision-making skills to the test, and wield the iconic RoboCop weapons while upholding the law. With GeForce NOW, players won’t need a high-tech lab to experience high visual quality and lightning-fast gameplay. Stream the game instantly on mobile devices, laptops, SHIELD TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs, gaming handhelds or even that old PC that’s seen better days. Night City, New Tricks See Night City in a whole new light. Cyberpunk 2077’s Update 2.3 is rolling out with a turbocharged dose of Night City attitude. Four new quests are dropping, each unlocking a fresh set of wheels — including the ARV-Q340 Semimaru from the “Cyberpunk Kickdown” comic and the Rayfield Caliburn “Mordred,” plucked from the personal collection of Yorinobu Arasaka himself. Getting around just got slicker, too, thanks to the new AutoDrive feature: Players can let their rides do the work while soaking in the neon skyline with cinematic camera angles. Those with eddies to burn can even call a Delamain cab to take them to their destination in style. Almost every ride in the game is getting an upgrade through the expanded CrystalCoat and TwinTone technologies that let players customize their vehicle’s colors. Plus, Photo Mode is getting a serious glow-up. Add new characters, poses, outfits, stickers and frames to shots, and change the time of day to get the perfect lighting. Those ready to hit the streets can stream Cyberpunk 2077’s latest update instantly on GeForce NOW and experience Night City’s new thrills from anywhere, on any device — at the highest-quality settings. No upgrades or fancy hardware needed, just pure, cutting-edge gameplay delivered straight from the cloud. New Games Assemble Time to make waves. Catch Zenless Zone Zero’s 2.1 update, “The Impending Crash of Waves,” in the cloud without having to wait for downloads. The update brings a wave of summer content to the game. Explore two new regions — Sailume Bay and the Fantasy Resort — while diving into a fresh chapter of the main story featuring the Spook Shack faction. The update introduces two new S-Rank agents, Ukinami Yuzuha and Alice Thymefield, plus the S-Rank Bangboo Miss Esme, alongside summer-themed events, mini games — like surfing and fishing — new outfits and quality-of-life improvements. In addition, members can look for the following: Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (New release on Steam, July 15) The Drifter (New release on Steam, July 17) He Is Coming (New release on Steam, July 17) DREADZONE (New release on Steam, July 17) RoboCop: Rogue City (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, July 17) RoboCop: Rogue City — Unfinished Business (New release on Steam, July 17) Battle Brothers (Steam) BitCraft Online (Steam) Humanity (Xbox, available on the Microsoft store) SteamWorld Dig (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. What game soundtrack do you still hear in your head—years later? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 15, 2025

Submissions for NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon are due Sunday, July 20, at 11:59pm PT. RTX AI Garage offers all the tools and resources to help. The hackathon invites the community to expand the capabilities of Project G-Assist, an experimental AI assistant available through the NVIDIA App that helps users control and Read Article

Submissions for NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon are due Sunday, July 20, at 11:59pm PT. RTX AI Garage offers all the tools and resources to help. The hackathon invites the community to expand the capabilities of Project G-Assist, an experimental AI assistant available through the NVIDIA App that helps users control and optimize NVIDIA GeForce RTX systems. Entrants gain the chance to win a GeForce RTX 5090 laptop, or a limited NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 or RTX 5070 Founders Edition graphics card, plus NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute credits. Finalists may also be featured on NVIDIA’s social media channels. Register for the hackathon and check out the curated technical resources below to bring these submissions to life. (G-)Assist With AI When in the heat of a gaming moment or the flow of a creative project, interrupting one’s focus to navigate complex PC settings menus is a common frustration. For example, manually tweaking GPU performance or optimizing system parameters often requires leaving the user’s current application, which breaks concentration. Enter Project G-Assist, which allows users to control their RTX GPU and other system settings using natural language. It’s powered by a small language model that runs on device and can be accessed directly from the NVIDIA overlay within the NVIDIA App — no need to tab out or switch programs. Users can also expand its capabilities via plug-ins and even connect it to agentic frameworks such as Langflow. G-Assist plug-ins can be built in several ways, including with Python for rapid development, with C++ for performance-critical apps and with custom system interactions for hardware and operating system automation. Project G-Assist requires a GeForce RTX 50, 40 or 30 Series Desktop GPU with at least 12GB of VRAM, a Windows 11 or 10 operating system, a compatible CPU (Intel Pentium G Series, Core i3, i5, i7 or higher; AMD FX, Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9, Threadripper or higher), specific disk space requirements and a recent GeForce Game Ready Driver or NVIDIA Studio Driver. Cross the Finish Line As the hackathon’s submission deadline approaches this weekend, RTX AI Garage is providing resources that can help: Sydney Altobell, a senior software engineer at NVIDIA, offers tips and tricks for working with G-Assist plug-ins in this on-demand webinar. The presentation and Q&A are available on the NVIDIA Developer YouTube channel and embedded below. Fellow community developers are collaborating and sharing notes in the NVIDIA Developer Discord server. Altobell and the G-Assist engineering team have already answered many questions about plug-in submissions — keep the questions coming. Plus, explore NVIDIA’s GitHub repository, which provides everything needed to get started developing with G-Assist, including step-by-step instructions and documentation for building custom functionalities. Take inspiration from sample plug-ins, which include code for using G-Assist to integrate into Discord, IFTTT, Google Gemini and more. Learn more about the ChatGPT Plug-In Builder to transform ideas into functional G-Assist plug-ins with minimal coding. The tool uses OpenAI’s custom GPT builder to generate plug-in code and streamline the development process. NVIDIA’s technical blog walks through the architecture of a G-Assist plug-in, using a Twitch integration as an example. Discover how plug-ins work, how they communicate with G-Assist and how to build them from scratch. Find submission details and requirements on the Hackathon entry page. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. 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.

This month, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang promoted AI in both Washington, D.C. and Beijing — emphasizing the benefits that AI will bring to business and society worldwide.  In the U.S. capital, Huang met with President Trump and U.S. policymakers, reaffirming NVIDIA’s support for the Administration’s effort to create jobs, strengthen domestic AI infrastructure and onshore Read Article

This month, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang promoted AI in both Washington, D.C. and Beijing — emphasizing the benefits that AI will bring to business and society worldwide. In the U.S. capital, Huang met with President Trump and U.S. policymakers, reaffirming NVIDIA’s support for the Administration’s effort to create jobs, strengthen domestic AI infrastructure and onshore manufacturing, and ensure that America leads in AI worldwide. In Beijing, Huang met with government and industry officials to discuss how AI will raise productivity and expand opportunity. The discussions underscored how researchers worldwide can advance safe and secure AI for the benefit of all. Huang also provided an update to customers, noting that NVIDIA is filing applications to sell the NVIDIA H20 GPU again. The U.S. government has assured NVIDIA that licenses will be granted, and NVIDIA hopes to start deliveries soon. Finally, Huang announced a new, fully compliant NVIDIA RTX PRO GPU that “is ideal for digital twin AI for smart factories and logistics.” As Huang noted during his visits, the world has reached an inflection point — AI has become a fundamental resource, like energy, water and the internet. Jensen emphasized NVIDIA’s commitment to support open-source research, foundation models and applications, which democratize AI and will empower emerging economies in every region, including Latin America, Europe, Asia and beyond. “General-purpose, open-source research and foundation models are the backbone of AI innovation,” Huang explained to reporters in D.C. “We believe that every civil model should run best on the U.S. technology stack, encouraging nations worldwide to choose America.” 

Ceramics — the humble mix of earth, fire and artistry — have been part of a global conversation for millennia. From Tang Dynasty trade routes to Renaissance palaces, from museum vitrines to high-stakes auction floors, they’ve carried culture across borders, evolving into status symbols, commodities and pieces of contested history. Their value has been shaped Read Article

Ceramics — the humble mix of earth, fire and artistry — have been part of a global conversation for millennia. From Tang Dynasty trade routes to Renaissance palaces, from museum vitrines to high-stakes auction floors, they’ve carried culture across borders, evolving into status symbols, commodities and pieces of contested history. Their value has been shaped by aesthetics and economics, empire and, now, technology. This figure visualizes 20 representative Chinese ceramic craftsmanship styles across seven historical periods, ranging from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) to the Modern era (1913–2025). These styles, including kiln-specific categories and decorative techniques, were selected for their historical significance and visual distinctiveness for the AI’s training dataset. Courtesy of Yanfeng Hu, Siqi Wu, Zhuoran Ma and Si Cheng. In a lab at University Putra Malaysia, that legacy meets silicon. Researchers there, alongside colleagues at UNSW Sydney, have built an AI system that can classify Chinese ceramics and predict their value with uncanny precision. The tool uses deep learning to analyze decorative motifs, shapes and kiln-specific craftsmanship. It predicts price categories based on real auction data from institutions like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, achieving test accuracy as high as 99%. Beyond form, the AI also analyzes the intricate decorative patterns found on Chinese ceramics, which are organized into six major categories: plant patterns, animal motifs, landscapes, human figures, crackled glaze patterns and geometric designs. The system annotates images at the category level based on the most visually dominant pattern types. Courtesy of Yanfeng Hu, Siqi Wu, Zhuoran Ma, and Si Cheng. It’s all powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, a consumer-grade GPU beloved by gamers, explains Siqi Wu, one of the researchers behind the project. Not a data center, not specialized industrial hardware, just the same chip pushing frame rates for gamers enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2 across the world. The motivation is as old as the trade routes those ceramics once traveled: access, but in this case, access to expertise rather than material goods. The AI system employs a typological classification system for ceramic vessel shapes, based on modular morphological parts like the bottle neck, handle, shoulder, spout, body and base. This approach allows for detailed analysis and classification of shapes such as bottles, jars, plates, bowls, cups, pots and washbasins. Courtesy of Yanfeng Hu, Siqi Wu, Zhuoran Ma and Si Cheng. “Artifact pricing and dating still heavily rely on expert judgment,” Wu said. That expertise remains elusive for younger collectors, smaller institutions and digital archive projects. Wu’s team aims to change that by making cultural appraisal more objective, scalable and accessible to a wider audience. It doesn’t stop at classification. The system pairs its YOLOv11-based detection model with an algorithm that learned market value directly from years of real-world auction results. In one test, the AI assessed a Ming Dynasty artifact at roughly 30% below its final hammer price. It’s a reminder that even in an industry steeped in tradition, algorithms can offer new perspectives. Those perspectives don’t just quantify heritage, they extend the conversation. The team is already exploring AI for other forms of cultural visual heritage, from Cantonese opera costumes to historical murals. For now, a graphics card built for gaming is parsing centuries of craftsmanship and entering one of the world’s oldest and most global debates: what makes something valuable?

As one of the world’s largest emerging markets, Indonesia is making strides toward its “Golden 2045 Vision” — an initiative tapping digital technologies and bringing together government, enterprises, startups and higher education to enhance productivity, efficiency and innovation across industries. Building out the nation’s AI infrastructure is a crucial part of this plan. That’s why Read Article

As one of the world’s largest emerging markets, Indonesia is making strides toward its “Golden 2045 Vision” — an initiative tapping digital technologies and bringing together government, enterprises, startups and higher education to enhance productivity, efficiency and innovation across industries. Building out the nation’s AI infrastructure is a crucial part of this plan. That’s why Indonesian telecommunications leader Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, aka Indosat or IOH, has partnered with Cisco and NVIDIA to support the establishment of Indonesia’s AI Center of Excellence (CoE). Led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, called Komdigi, the CoE aims to advance secure technologies, cultivate local talent and foster innovation through collaboration with startups. Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha, Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins and NVIDIA Senior Vice President of Telecom Ronnie Vasishta today detailed the purpose and potential of the CoE during a fireside chat at Indonesia AI Day, a conference focused on how artificial intelligence can fuel the nation’s digital independence and economic growth. As part of the CoE, a new NVIDIA AI Technology Center will offer research support, NVIDIA Inception program benefits for eligible startups, and NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute training and certification to upskill local talent. “With the support of global partners, we’re accelerating Indonesia’s path to economic growth by ensuring Indonesians are not just users of AI, but creators and innovators,” Sinha added. “The AI era demands fundamental architectural shifts and a workforce with digital skills to thrive,” Robbins said. “Together with Indosat, NVIDIA and Komdigi, Cisco will securely power the AI Center of Excellence — enabling innovation and skills development, and accelerating Indonesia’s growth.” “Democratizing AI is more important than ever,” Vasishta added. “Through the new NVIDIA AI Technology Center, we’re helping Indonesia build a sustainable AI ecosystem that can serve as a model for nations looking to harness AI for innovation and economic growth.” Making AI More Accessible The Indonesia AI CoE will comprise an AI factory that features full-stack NVIDIA AI infrastructure — including NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, NVIDIA Cloud Partner reference architectures and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software — as well as an intelligent security system powered by Cisco. Called the Sovereign Security Operations Center Cloud Platform, the Cisco-powered system combines AI-based threat detection, localized data control and managed security services for the AI factory. Building on the sovereign AI initiatives Indonesia’s technology leaders announced with NVIDIA last year, the CoE will bolster the nation’s AI strategy through four core pillars: Some 28 independent software vendors and startups are already using IOH’s NVIDIA-powered AI infrastructure to develop cutting-edge technologies that can speed and ease workflows across higher education and research, food security, bureaucratic reform, smart cities and mobility, and healthcare. With Indosat’s coverage across the archipelago, the company can reach hundreds of millions of Bahasa Indonesian speakers with its large language model (LLM)-powered applications. For example, using Indosat’s Sahabat-AI collection of Bahasa Indonesian LLMs, the Indonesia government and Hippocratic AI are collaborating to develop an AI agent system that provides preventative outreach capabilities, such as helping women subscribers over the age of 50 schedule a mammogram. This can help prevent or combat breast cancer and other health complications across the population. Separately, Sahabat-AI also enables Indosat’s AI chatbot to answer queries in the Indonesian language for various citizen and resident services. A person could ask about processes for updating their national identification card, as well as about tax rates, payment procedures, deductions and more. In addition, a government-led forum is developing trustworthy AI frameworks tailored to Indonesian values for the safe, responsible development of artificial intelligence and related policies. Looking forward, Indosat and NVIDIA plan to deploy AI-RAN technologies that can reach even broader audiences using AI over wireless networks. Learn more about NVIDIA-powered AI infrastructure for telcos.

Grab a friend and climb toward the clouds — PEAK is now available on GeForce NOW, enabling members to try the hugely popular indie hit on virtually any device. It’s one of four new games joining the cloud this week. Plus, members can look forward to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 coming soon. Read Article

Grab a friend and climb toward the clouds — PEAK is now available on GeForce NOW, enabling members to try the hugely popular indie hit on virtually any device. It’s one of four new games joining the cloud this week. Plus, members can look forward to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 coming soon. Time to Climb There’s always gonna be another mountain. PEAK is a co-op climbing game that puts players in the shoes of lost nature scouts, ascending a mountain at the center of a mysterious island. Scavenge for food (even if it’s of questionable quality), manage injuries on the climb and help the squad summit safely. Members can play solo or survive together with up to four players. There’s a new island to survive on every day. And, with more than 100,000 concurrent players daily on Steam, there’s always a climbing buddy to join. GeForce NOW members are equipped for the challenge with an Ultimate membership, which powers the climb at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second. Ultimate members can play PEAK and more than 2,000 other games they already own with extended session lengths and ultralow latency on a GeForce RTX 4080 rig. Upgrade today for elevated gameplay. Get Hyped Old school, new tricks. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is coming soon to GeForce NOW. The legendary franchise series that taught generations to ollie, grind and combo like maniacs is back, helping members hit the 900 from nearly any device. The Birdman and crew return, bringing all the classic parks, legendary skaters and iconic soundtrack gamers remember — now fully remade with a few wild surprises for players. Relive the glory days, whether grinding rails in the airport or pulling off insane combos in Los Angeles. New environments like a water park add a creative twist. The roster is stacked with original legends and new faces — plus a few unexpected guests. Career Mode delivers with heart-pounding runs, while New Game+ and Solo Tours keep the challenge alive. Take on friends and rivals in online multiplayer mode. The upgraded Create-a-Park and Create-a-Skater tools mean gamers can build, style and shred their way. With GeForce NOW, gamers will soon be able to skate anywhere, anytime — no console required. Enjoy the title in stunning 4K resolution and ultrasmooth frame rates with an Ultimate membership powered by GeForce RTX 4080 servers. Drop in instantly on any device, chase high scores with the lowest latency and keep the shred alive. The ultimate skate session is always just a click away. Every Day a New Game Fight as one, survive as many. Catch Every Day We Fight, a new roguelite, turn-based tactic game from Singla Space Lab and Hooded Horse, in the cloud with GeForce NOW. In this title, citizens from either side of an ongoing war must set aside their differences as a mysterious alien invasion threatens humanity — and time has come to a stop for all but a small band of freedom fighters. Caught in a seemingly endless loop, players must shape these ordinary civilians into heroes as they repeatedly fight and die. Real-time exploration, stealth and teamwork are essential to acquire new skills, seek out more powerful weapons, escape the time loop and save the world. Members can look for the following games to stream: Every Day We Fight (New release on Steam, July 10) Mycopunk (New release on Steam, July 10) Brickadia (New release on Steam, July 11) Peak (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Which game demands the fastest reflexes you’ve got? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 9, 2025

Coding assistants or copilots — AI-powered assistants that can suggest, explain and debug code — are fundamentally changing how software is developed for both experienced and novice developers. Experienced developers use these assistants to stay focused on complex coding tasks, reduce repetitive work and explore new ideas more quickly. Newer coders — like students and Read Article

Coding assistants or copilots — AI-powered assistants that can suggest, explain and debug code — are fundamentally changing how software is developed for both experienced and novice developers. Experienced developers use these assistants to stay focused on complex coding tasks, reduce repetitive work and explore new ideas more quickly. Newer coders — like students and AI hobbyists — benefit from coding assistants that accelerate learning by describing different implementation approaches or explaining what a piece of code is doing and why. Coding assistants can run in cloud environments or locally. Cloud-based coding assistants can be run anywhere but offer some limitations and require a subscription. Local coding assistants remove these issues but require performant hardware to operate well. NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs provide the necessary hardware acceleration to run local assistants effectively. Code, Meet Generative AI Traditional software development includes many mundane tasks such as reviewing documentation, researching examples, setting up boilerplate code, authoring code with appropriate syntax, tracing down bugs and documenting functions. These are essential tasks that can take time away from problem solving and software design. Coding assistants help streamline such steps. Many AI assistants are linked with popular integrated development environments (IDEs) like Microsoft Visual Studio Code or JetBrains’ Pycharm, which embed AI support directly into existing workflows. There are two ways to run coding assistants: in the cloud or locally. Cloud-based coding assistants require source code to be sent to external servers before responses are returned. This approach can be laggy and impose usage limits. Some developers prefer to keep their code local, especially when working with sensitive or proprietary projects. Plus, many cloud-based assistants require a paid subscription to unlock full functionality, which can be a barrier for students, hobbyists and teams that need to manage costs. Coding assistants run in a local environment, enabling cost-free access with: Coding assistants running locally on RTX offer numerous advantages. Get Started With Local Coding Assistants Tools that make it easy to run coding assistants locally include: Continue.dev — An open-source extension for the VS Code IDE that connects to local large language models (LLMs) via Ollama, LM Studio or custom endpoints. This tool offers in-editor chat, autocomplete and debugging assistance with minimal setup. Get started with Continue.dev using the Ollama backend for local RTX acceleration. Tabby — A secure and transparent coding assistant that’s compatible across many IDEs with the ability to run AI on NVIDIA RTX GPUs. This tool offers code completion, answering queries, inline chat and more. Get started with Tabby on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs. OpenInterpreter — Experimental but rapidly evolving interface that combines LLMs with command-line access, file editing and agentic task execution. Ideal for automation and devops-style tasks for developers. Get started with OpenInterpreter on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs. LM Studio — A graphical user interface-based runner for local LLMs that offers chat, context window management and system prompts. Optimal for testing coding models interactively before IDE deployment. Get started with LM Studio on NVIDIA RTX AI PCs. Ollama — A local AI model inferencing engine that enables fast, private inference of models like Code Llama, StarCoder2 and DeepSeek. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Continue.dev. These tools support models served through frameworks like Ollama or llama.cpp, and many are now optimized for GeForce RTX and NVIDIA RTX PRO GPUs. See AI-Assisted Learning on RTX in Action Running on a GeForce RTX-powered PC, Continue.dev paired with the Gemma 12B Code LLM helps explain existing code, explore search algorithms and debug issues — all entirely on device. Acting like a virtual teaching assistant, the assistant provides plain-language guidance, context-aware explanations, inline comments and suggested code improvements tailored to the user’s project. This workflow highlights the advantage of local acceleration: the assistant is always available, responds instantly and provides personalized support, all while keeping the code private on device and making the learning experience immersive. That level of responsiveness comes down to GPU acceleration. Models like Gemma 12B are compute-heavy, especially when they’re processing long prompts or working across multiple files. Running them locally without a GPU can feel sluggish — even for simple tasks. With RTX GPUs, Tensor Cores accelerate inference directly on the device, so the assistant is fast, responsive and able to keep up with an active development workflow. Coding assistants running on the Meta Llama 3.1-8B model experience 5-6x faster throughput on RTX-powered laptops versus on CPU. Data measured uses the average tokens per second at BS = 1, ISL/OSL = 2000/100, with the Llama-3.1-8B model quantized to int4. Whether used for academic work, coding bootcamps or personal projects, RTX AI PCs are enabling developers to build, learn and iterate faster with AI-powered tools. For those just getting started — especially students building their skills or experimenting with generative AI — NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series laptops feature specialized AI technologies that accelerate top applications for learning, creating and gaming, all on a single system. Explore RTX laptops ideal for back-to-school season. And to encourage AI enthusiasts and developers to experiment with local AI and extend the capabilities of their RTX PCs, NVIDIA is hosting a Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon — running virtually through Wednesday, July 16. Participants can create custom plug-ins for Project G-Assist, an experimental AI assistant designed to respond to natural language and extend across creative and development tools. It’s a chance to win prizes and showcase what’s possible with RTX AI PCs. Join NVIDIA’s Discord server to connect with community developers and AI enthusiasts for discussions on what’s possible with RTX AI. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. 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.

The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indoors or on the go. Six new games are landing on GeForce NOW this week, including launch day titles Figment and Little Nightmares II. And to make Read Article

The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indoors or on the go. Six new games are landing on GeForce NOW this week, including launch day titles Figment and Little Nightmares II. And to make the summer even hotter, the GeForce NOW Summer Sale is in full swing. It’s the last chance to upgrade to a six-month Performance membership for just $29.99 and stream top titles like the recently released classic Borderlands series, DOOM: The Dark Ages, FBC: Firebreak, and more with GeForce RTX power. Jump Into July Face your nightmares. In Figment, a whimsical action-adventure game set in the human mind, players guide Dusty — the grumpy, retired voice of courage — and his upbeat companion Piper on a surreal journey to restore lost bravery after a traumatic event. Blending hand-drawn visuals, clever puzzles and musical boss battles, Figment explores themes of fear, grief and emotional healing in a colorful, dreamlike world filled with humor and song. In addition, members can look for the following games to stream this week: Little Nightmares II (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, July 1) Figment (New release on Epic Games Store, free, July 3) Path of Exile 2 (Kakao Games) Clicker Heroes (Steam) Fabledom (Steam) Rogue: Genesia (Steam) Schedule I (Steam) Here’s what’s coming in the rest of July: The Ascent (New release on Xbox, PC Game Pass, July 8) Every Day We Fight (New release on Steam, July 10) Mycopunk (New release on Steam, July 10) Brickadia (New release on Steam, July 11) HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT (New release on Steam, July 15) Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (New release on Steam, July 15) DREADZONE (New release on Steam, July 17) The Drifter (New release on Steam, July 17) He Is Coming (New release on Steam, July 17) Killing Floor 3 (New release on Steam, July 24) RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business (New release on Steam, July 17) Wildgate (New release on Steam, July 22) Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (New release on Steam and Epic Games Store, July 23) Battle Brothers (Steam) June-tastic Games In addition to the 25 games announced last month, 11 more joined the GeForce NOW library: Frosthaven Demo (New release on Steam, June 9) Kingdom Two Crowns (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, June 11) Firefighting Simulator – The Squad (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass) JDM: Japanese Drift Master (Steam) Hellslave (Steam) Date Everything! (New release on Steam, June 17) METAL EDEN Demo (Steam) Torque Drift 2 (Epic Games Store) Broken Age (Steam) Sandwich Simulator (Steam) We Happy Few (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. New month, new energy. What are your cloud gaming goals for July? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 2, 2025

Black Forest Labs, one of the world’s leading AI research labs, just changed the game for image generation. The lab’s FLUX.1 image models have earned global attention for delivering high-quality visuals with exceptional prompt adherence. Now, with its new FLUX.1 Kontext model, the lab is fundamentally changing how users can guide and refine the image Read Article

Black Forest Labs, one of the world’s leading AI research labs, just changed the game for image generation. The lab’s FLUX.1 image models have earned global attention for delivering high-quality visuals with exceptional prompt adherence. Now, with its new FLUX.1 Kontext model, the lab is fundamentally changing how users can guide and refine the image generation process. To get their desired results, AI artists today often use a combination of models and ControlNets — AI models that help guide the outputs of an image generator. This commonly involves combining multiple ControlNets or using advanced techniques like the one used in the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for 3D-guided image generation, where a draft 3D scene is used to determine the composition of an image. The new FLUX.1 Kontext model simplifies this by providing a single model that can perform both image generation and editing, using natural language. NVIDIA has collaborated with Black Forest Labs to optimize FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] for NVIDIA RTX GPUs using the NVIDIA TensorRT software development kit and quantization to deliver faster inference with lower VRAM requirements. For creators and developers alike, TensorRT optimizations mean faster edits, smoother iteration and more control — right from their RTX-powered machines. The FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] Flex: In-Context Image Generation Black Forest Labs in May introduced the FLUX.1 Kontext family of image models which accept both text and image prompts. These models allow users to start from a reference image and guide edits with simple language, without the need for fine-tuning or complex workflows with multiple ControlNets. FLUX.1 Kontext is an open-weight generative model built for image editing using a guided, step-by-step generation process that makes it easier to control how an image evolves, whether refining small details or transforming an entire scene. Because the model accepts both text and image inputs, users can easily reference a visual concept and guide how it evolves in a natural and intuitive way. This enables coherent, high-quality image edits that stay true to the original concept. FLUX.1 Kontext’s key capabilities include: Character Consistency: Preserve unique traits across multiple scenes and angles. Localized Editing: Modify specific elements without altering the rest of the image. Style Transfer: Apply the look and feel of a reference image to new scenes. Real-Time Performance: Low-latency generation supports fast iteration and feedback. Black Forest Labs last week released FLUX.1 Kontext weights for download in Hugging Face, as well as the corresponding TensorRT-accelerated variants. Three side-by-side images of the same graphic of coffee and snacks on a table with flowers, showing an example of multi-turn editing possible with the FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] model. The original image (left); the first edit transforms it into a Bauhaus style image (middle) and the second edit changes the color style of the image with a pastel palette (right). Traditionally, advanced image editing required complex instructions and hard-to-create masks, depth maps or edge maps. FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] introduces a much more intuitive and flexible interface, blending step-by-step edits with cutting-edge optimization for diffusion model inference. The [dev] model emphasizes flexibility and control. It supports capabilities like character consistency, style preservation and localized image adjustments, with integrated ControlNet functionality for structured visual prompting. FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] is already available in ComfyUI and the Black Forest Labs Playground, with an NVIDIA NIM microservice version expected to release in August. Optimized for RTX With TensorRT Acceleration FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] accelerates creativity by simplifying complex workflows. To further streamline the work and broaden accessibility, NVIDIA and Black Forest Labs collaborated to quantize the model — reducing the VRAM requirements so more people can run it locally — and optimized it with TensorRT to double its performance. The quantization step enables the model size to be reduced from 24GB to 12GB for FP8 (Ada) and 7GB for FP4 (Blackwell). The FP8 checkpoint is optimized for GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs, which have FP8 accelerators in their Tensor Cores. The FP4 checkpoint is optimized for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs for the same reason and uses a new method called SVDQuant, which preserves high image quality while reducing model size. TensorRT — a framework to access the Tensor Cores in NVIDIA RTX GPUs for maximum performance — provides over 2x acceleration compared with running the original BF16 model with PyTorch. Speedup compared with BF16 GPU (left, higher is better) and memory usage required to run FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] in different precisions (right, lower is better). Learn more about NVIDIA optimizations and how to get started with FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] on the NVIDIA Technical Blog. Get Started With FLUX.1 Kontext FLUX.1 Kontext [dev] is available on Hugging Face (Torch and TensorRT). AI enthusiasts interested in testing these models can download the Torch variants and use them in ComfyUI. Black Forest Labs has also made available an online playground for testing the model. For advanced users and developers, NVIDIA is working on sample code for easy integration of TensorRT pipelines into workflows. Check out the DemoDiffusion repository to come later this month. But Wait, There’s More Google last week announced the release of Gemma 3n, a new multimodal small language model ideal for running on NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs and the NVIDIA Jetson platform for edge AI and robotics. AI enthusiasts can use Gemma 3n models with RTX accelerations in Ollama and Llama.cpp with their favorite apps, such as AnythingLLM and LM Studio. Performance tested in June 2025 with Gemma 3n in Ollama, with 4 billion active parameters, 100 ISL, 200 OSL. Plus, developers can easily deploy Gemma 3n models using Ollama and benefit from RTX accelerations. Learn more about how to run Gemma 3n on Jetson and RTX. In addition, NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon — running virtually through Wednesday, July 16 — invites developers to explore AI and build custom G-Assist plug-ins for a chance to win prizes. Save the date for the G-Assist Plug-In webinar on Wednesday, July 9, from 10-11 a.m. PT, to learn more about Project G-Assist capabilities and fundamentals, and to participate in a live Q&A session. Join NVIDIA’s Discord server to connect with community developers and AI enthusiasts for discussions on what’s possible with RTX AI. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. 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.

In many parts of the world, including major technology hubs in the U.S., there’s a yearslong wait for AI factories to come online, pending the buildout of new energy infrastructure to power them. Emerald AI, a startup based in Washington, D.C., is developing an AI solution that could enable the next generation of data centers Read Article

In many parts of the world, including major technology hubs in the U.S., there’s a yearslong wait for AI factories to come online, pending the buildout of new energy infrastructure to power them. Emerald AI, a startup based in Washington, D.C., is developing an AI solution that could enable the next generation of data centers to come online sooner by tapping existing energy resources in a more flexible and strategic way. “Traditionally, the power grid has treated data centers as inflexible — energy system operators assume that a 500-megawatt AI factory will always require access to that full amount of power,” said Varun Sivaram, founder and CEO of Emerald AI. “But in moments of need, when demands on the grid peak and supply is short, the workloads that drive AI factory energy use can now be flexible.” That flexibility is enabled by the startup’s Emerald Conductor platform, an AI-powered system that acts as a smart mediator between the grid and a data center. In a recent field test in Phoenix, Arizona, the company and its partners demonstrated that its software can reduce the power consumption of AI workloads running on a cluster of 256 NVIDIA GPUs by 25% over three hours during a grid stress event while preserving compute service quality. Emerald AI achieved this by orchestrating the host of different workloads that AI factories run. Some jobs can be paused or slowed, like the training or fine-tuning of a large language model for academic research. Others, like inference queries for an AI service used by thousands or even millions of people, can’t be rescheduled, but could be redirected to another data center where the local power grid is less stressed. Emerald Conductor coordinates these AI workloads across a network of data centers to meet power grid demands, ensuring full performance of time-sensitive workloads while dynamically reducing the throughput of flexible workloads within acceptable limits. Beyond helping AI factories come online using existing power systems, this ability to modulate power usage could help cities avoid rolling blackouts, protect communities from rising utility rates and make it easier for the grid to integrate clean energy. “Renewable energy, which is intermittent and variable, is easier to add to a grid if that grid has lots of shock absorbers that can shift with changes in power supply,” said Ayse Coskun, Emerald AI’s chief scientist and a professor at Boston University. “Data centers can become some of those shock absorbers.” A member of the NVIDIA Inception program for startups and an NVentures portfolio company, Emerald AI today announced more than $24 million in seed funding. Its Phoenix demonstration, part of EPRI’s DCFlex data center flexibility initiative, was executed in collaboration with NVIDIA, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and the regional power utility Salt River Project (SRP). “The Phoenix technology trial validates the vast potential of an essential element in data center flexibility,” said Anuja Ratnayake, who leads EPRI’s DCFlex Consortium. EPRI is also leading the Open Power AI Consortium, a group of energy companies, researchers and technology companies — including NVIDIA — working on AI applications for the energy sector. Using the Grid to Its Full Potential Electric grid capacity is typically underused except during peak events like hot summer days or cold winter storms, when there’s a high power demand for cooling and heating. That means, in many cases, there’s room on the existing grid for new data centers, as long as they can temporarily dial down energy usage during periods of peak demand. A recent Duke University study estimates that if new AI data centers could flex their electricity consumption by just 25% for two hours at a time, less than 200 hours a year, they could unlock 100 gigawatts of new capacity to connect data centers — equivalent to over $2 trillion in data center investment. Putting AI Factory Flexibility to the Test Emerald AI’s recent trial was conducted in the Oracle Cloud Phoenix Region on NVIDIA GPUs spread across a multi-rack cluster managed through Databricks MosaicML. “Rapid delivery of high-performance compute to AI customers is critical but is constrained by grid power availability,” said Pradeep Vincent, chief technical architect and senior vice president of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, which supplied cluster power telemetry for the trial. “Compute infrastructure that is responsive to real-time grid conditions while meeting the performance demands unlocks a new model for scaling AI — faster, greener and more grid-aware.” Jonathan Frankle, chief AI scientist at Databricks, guided the trial’s selection of AI workloads and their flexibility thresholds. “There’s a certain level of latent flexibility in how AI workloads are typically run,” Frankle said. “Often, a small percentage of jobs are truly non-preemptible, whereas many jobs such as training, batch inference or fine-tuning have different priority levels depending on the user.” Because Arizona is among the top states for data center growth, SRP set challenging flexibility targets for the AI compute cluster — a 25% power consumption reduction compared with baseline load — in an effort to demonstrate how new data centers can provide meaningful relief to Phoenix’s power grid constraints. “This test was an opportunity to completely reimagine AI data centers as helpful resources to help us operate the power grid more effectively and reliably,” said David Rousseau, president of SRP. On May 3, a hot day in Phoenix with high air-conditioning demand, SRP’s system experienced peak demand at 6 p.m. During the test, the data center cluster reduced consumption gradually with a 15-minute ramp down, maintained the 25% power reduction over three hours, then ramped back up without exceeding its original baseline consumption. AI factory users can label their workloads to guide Emerald’s software on which jobs can be slowed, paused or rescheduled — or, Emerald’s AI agents can make these predictions automatically. (Left panel): AI GPU cluster power consumption during SRP grid peak demand on May 3, 2025; (Right panel): Performance of AI jobs by flexibility tier. Flex 1 allows up to 10% average throughput reduction, Flex 2 up to 25% and Flex 3 up to 50% over a six-hour period. Figure courtesy of Emerald AI. Orchestration decisions were guided by the Emerald Simulator, which accurately models system behavior to optimize trade-offs between energy usage and AI performance. Historical grid demand from data provider Amperon confirmed that the AI cluster performed correctly during the grid’s peak period. Comparison of Emerald Simulator prediction of AI GPU cluster power with real-world measured power consumption. Figure courtesy of Emerald AI. Forging an Energy-Resilient Future The International Energy Agency projects that electricity demand from data centers globally could more than double by 2030. In light of the anticipated demand on the grid, the state of Texas passed a law that requires data centers to ramp down consumption or disconnect from the grid at utilities’ requests during load shed events. “In such situations, if data centers are able to dynamically reduce their energy consumption, they might be able to avoid getting kicked off the power supply entirely,” Sivaram said. Looking ahead, Emerald AI is expanding its technology trials in Arizona and beyond — and it plans to continue working with NVIDIA to test its technology on AI factories. “We can make data centers controllable while assuring acceptable AI performance,” Sivaram said. “AI factories can flex when the grid is tight — and sprint when users need them to.” Learn more about NVIDIA Inception and explore AI platforms designed for power and utilities.

This GFN Thursday rolls out a new reward and games for GeForce NOW members. Whether hunting for hot new releases or rediscovering timeless classics, members can always find more ways to play, games to stream and perks to enjoy. Gamers can score major discounts on the titles they’ve been eyeing — perfect for streaming in Read Article

This GFN Thursday rolls out a new reward and games for GeForce NOW members. Whether hunting for hot new releases or rediscovering timeless classics, members can always find more ways to play, games to stream and perks to enjoy. Gamers can score major discounts on the titles they’ve been eyeing — perfect for streaming in the cloud — during the Steam Summer Sale, running until Thursday, July 10, at 10 a.m. PT. This week also brings unforgettable adventures to the cloud: We Happy Few and Broken Age are part of the five additions to the GeForce NOW library this week. The fun doesn’t stop there. A new in-game reward for Elder Scrolls Online is now available for members to claim. And SteelSeries has launched a new mobile controller that transforms phones into cloud gaming devices with GeForce NOW. Add it to the roster of on-the-go gaming devices — including the recently launched GeForce NOW app on Steam Deck for seamless 4K streaming. Scroll Into Power GeForce NOW Premium members receive exclusive 24-hour early access to a new mythical reward in The Elder Scrolls Online — Bethesda’s award-winning role-playing game — before it opens to all members. Sharpen the sword, ready the staff and chase glory across the vast, immersive world of Tamriel. Fortune favors the bold. Claim the mythical Grand Gold Coast Experience Scrolls reward, a rare item that grants a bonus of 150% Experience Points from all sources for one hour. The scroll’s effect pauses while players are offline and resumes upon return, ensuring every minute counts. Whether tackling dungeon runs, completing epic quests or leveling a new character, the scrolls provide a powerful edge. Claim the reward, harness its power and scroll into the next adventure. Members who’ve opted into the GeForce NOW Rewards program can check their emails for redemption instructions. The offer runs through Saturday, July 26, while supplies last. Don’t miss this opportunity to become a legend in Tamriel. Steam Up Summer The Steam Summer Sale is in full swing. Snag games at discounted prices and stream them instantly from the cloud — no downloads, no waiting, just pure gaming bliss. Treat yourself. Check out the “Steam Summer Sale” row in the GeForce NOW app to find deals on the next adventure. With GeForce NOW, gaming favorites are always just a click away. While picking up discounted games, don’t miss the chance to get a GeForce NOW six-month Performance membership at 40% off. This is also the last opportunity to take advantage of the Performance Day Pass sale, ending Friday, June 27 — which lets gamers access cloud gaming for 24 hours — before diving into the 6-month Performance membership. Find Adventure Two distinct worlds — where secrets simmer and imagination runs wild — are streaming onto the cloud this week. Keep calm and blend in (or else). Step into the surreal, retro-futuristic streets of We Happy Few, where a society obsessed with happiness hides its secrets behind a mask of forced cheer and a haze of “Joy.” This darkly whimsical adventure invites players to blend in, break out and uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface of Wellington Wells. Two worlds, one wild destiny. Broken Age spins a charming, hand-painted tale of two teenagers leading parallel lives in worlds at once strange and familiar. One of the teens yearns to escape a stifling spaceship, and the other is destined to challenge ancient traditions. With witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, Broken Age is a storybook come to life, brimming with quirky characters and clever puzzles. Each of these unforgettable adventures brings its own flavor — be it dark satire, whimsical wonder or pulse-pounding suspense — offering a taste of gaming at its imaginative peaks. Stream these captivating worlds straight from the cloud and enjoy seamless gameplay, no downloads or high-end hardware required. An Ultimate Controller Elevated gaming. Get ready for the SteelSeries Nimbus Cloud, a new dual-mode cloud controller. When paired with GeForce NOW, this new controller reaches new heights. Designed for versatility and comfort, and crafted specifically for cloud gaming, the SteelSeries Nimbus Cloud effortlessly shifts from a mobile device controller to a full-sized wireless controller, delivering top-notch performance and broad compatibility across devices. The Nimbus Cloud enables gamers to play wherever they are, as it easily adapts to fit iPhones and Android phones. Or collapse and connect the controller via Bluetooth to a gaming rig or smart TV. Transform any space into a personal gaming station with GeForce NOW and the Nimbus Cloud, part of the list of recommended products for an elevated cloud gaming experience. Gaming Never Sleeps “System Shock 2” — now with 100% more existential dread. System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is an overhaul of the acclaimed sci-fi horror classic, rebuilt by Nightdive Studios with enhanced visuals, refined gameplay and features such as cross-play co-op multiplayer. Face the sinister AI SHODAN and her mutant army aboard the starship Von Braun as a cybernetically enhanced soldier with upgradable skills, powerful weapons and psionic abilities. Stream the title from the cloud with GeForce NOW for ultimate flexibility and performance. Look for the following games available to stream in the cloud this week: System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (New release on Steam, June 26) Broken Age (Steam) Easy Red 2 (Steam) Sandwich Simulator (Steam) We Happy Few (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. The official GFN summer bucket list Play anywhere Stream on every screen you own Finally crush that backlog Skip every single download bar Drop the emoji for the one you’re tackling right now — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) June 25, 2025

Mark Theriault founded the startup FITY envisioning a line of clever cooling products: cold drink holders that come with freezable pucks to keep beverages cold for longer without the mess of ice. The entrepreneur started with 3D prints of products in his basement, building one unit at a time, before eventually scaling to mass production. Read Article

Mark Theriault founded the startup FITY envisioning a line of clever cooling products: cold drink holders that come with freezable pucks to keep beverages cold for longer without the mess of ice. The entrepreneur started with 3D prints of products in his basement, building one unit at a time, before eventually scaling to mass production. Founding a consumer product company from scratch was a tall order for a single person. Going from preliminary sketches to production-ready designs was a major challenge. To bring his creative vision to life, Theriault relied on AI and his NVIDIA GeForce RTX-equipped system. For him, AI isn’t just a tool — it’s an entire pipeline to help him accomplish his goals. Read more about his workflow below. Plus, GeForce RTX 5050 laptops start arriving today at retailers worldwide, from $999. GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPUs feature 2,560 NVIDIA Blackwell CUDA cores, fifth-generation AI Tensor Cores, fourth-generation RT Cores, a ninth-generation NVENC encoder and a sixth-generation NVDEC decoder. In addition, NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon — running virtually through Wednesday, July 16 — invites developers to explore AI and build custom G-Assist plug-ins for a chance to win prizes. Save the date for the G-Assist Plug-In webinar on Wednesday, July 9, from 10-11 a.m. PT, to learn more about Project G-Assist capabilities and fundamentals, and to participate in a live Q&A session. From Concept to Completion To create his standout products, Theriault tinkers with potential FITY Flex cooler designs with traditional methods, from sketch to computer-aided design to rapid prototyping, until he finds the right vision. A unique aspect of the FITY Flex design is that it can be customized with fun, popular shoe charms. For packaging design inspiration, Theriault uses his preferred text-to-image generative AI model for prototyping, Stable Diffusion XL — which runs 60% faster with the NVIDIA TensorRT software development kit — using the modular, node-based interface ComfyUI. ComfyUI gives users granular control over every step of the generation process — prompting, sampling, model loading, image conditioning and post-processing. It’s ideal for advanced users like Theriault who want to customize how images are generated. Theriault’s uses of AI result in a complete computer graphics-based ad campaign. Image courtesy of FITY. NVIDIA and GeForce RTX GPUs based on the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture include fifth-generation Tensor Cores designed to accelerate AI and deep learning workloads. These GPUs work with CUDA optimizations in PyTorch to seamlessly accelerate ComfyUI, reducing generation time on FLUX.1-dev, an image generation model from Black Forest Labs, from two minutes per image on the Mac M3 Ultra to about four seconds on the GeForce RTX 5090 desktop GPU. ComfyUI can also add ControlNets — AI models that help control image generation — that Theriault uses for tasks like guiding human poses, setting compositions via depth mapping and converting scribbles to images. Theriault even creates his own fine-tuned models to keep his style consistent. He used low-rank adaptation (LoRA) models — small, efficient adapters into specific layers of the network — enabling hyper-customized generation with minimal compute cost. LoRA models allow Theriault to ideate on visuals quickly. Image courtesy of FITY. “Over the last few months, I’ve been shifting from AI-assisted computer graphics renders to fully AI-generated product imagery using a custom Flux LoRA I trained in house. My RTX 4080 SUPER GPU has been essential for getting the performance I need to train and iterate quickly.” – Mark Theriault, founder of FITY Theriault also taps into generative AI to create marketing assets like FITY Flex product packaging. He uses FLUX.1, which excels at generating legible text within images, addressing a common challenge in text-to-image models. Though FLUX.1 models can typically consume over 23GB of VRAM, NVIDIA has collaborated with Black Forest Labs to help reduce the size of these models using quantization — a technique that reduces model size while maintaining quality. The models were then accelerated with TensorRT, which provides an up to 2x speedup over PyTorch. To simplify using these models in ComfyUI, NVIDIA created the FLUX.1 NIM microservice, a containerized version of FLUX.1 that can be loaded in ComfyUI and enables FP4 quantization and TensorRT support. Combined, the models come down to just over 11GB of VRAM, and performance improves by 2.5x. Theriault uses the Blender Cycles app to render out final files. For 3D workflows, NVIDIA offers the AI Blueprint for 3D-guided generative AI to ease the positioning and composition of 3D images, so anyone interested in this method can quickly get started. Photorealistic renders. Image courtesy of FITY. Finally, Theriault uses large language models to generate marketing copy — tailored for search engine optimization, tone and storytelling — as well as to complete his patent and provisional applications, work that usually costs thousands of dollars in legal fees and considerable time. Generative AI helps Theriault create promotional materials like the above. Image courtesy of FITY. “As a one-man band with a ton of content to generate, having on-the-fly generation capabilities for my product designs really helps speed things up.” – Mark Theriault, founder of FITY Every texture, every word, every photo, every accessory was a micro-decision, Theriault said. AI helped him survive the “death by a thousand cuts” that can stall solo startup founders, he added. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. 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.

Simulated driving environments enable engineers to safely and efficiently train, test and validate autonomous vehicles (AVs) across countless real-world and edge-case scenarios without the risks and costs of physical testing.

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. Simulated driving environments enable engineers to safely and efficiently train, test and validate autonomous vehicles (AVs) across countless real-world and edge-case scenarios without the risks and costs of physical testing. These simulated environments can be created through neural reconstruction of real-world data from AV fleets or generated with world foundation models (WFMs) — neural networks that understand physics and real-world properties. WFMs can be used to generate synthetic datasets for enhanced AV simulation. To help physical AI developers build such simulated environments, NVIDIA unveiled major advances in WFMs at the GTC Paris and CVPR conferences earlier this month. These new capabilities enhance NVIDIA Cosmos — a platform of generative WFMs, advanced tokenizers, guardrails and accelerated data processing tools. Key innovations like Cosmos Predict-2, the Cosmos Transfer-1 NVIDIA preview NIM microservice and Cosmos Reason are improving how AV developers generate synthetic data, build realistic simulated environments and validate safety systems at unprecedented scale. Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD), a unified data framework and standard for physical AI applications, enables seamless integration and interoperability of simulation assets across the development pipeline. OpenUSD standardization plays a critical role in ensuring 3D pipelines are built to scale. NVIDIA Omniverse, a platform of application programming interfaces, software development kits and services for building OpenUSD-based physical AI applications, enables simulations from WFMs and neural reconstruction at world scale. Leading AV organizations — including Foretellix, Mcity, Oxa, Parallel Domain, Plus AI and Uber — are among the first to adopt Cosmos models. Foundations for Scalable, Realistic Simulation Cosmos Predict-2, NVIDIA’s latest WFM, generates high-quality synthetic data by predicting future world states from multimodal inputs like text, images and video. This capability is critical for creating temporally consistent, realistic scenarios that accelerate training and validation of AVs and robots. In addition, Cosmos Transfer, a control model that adds variations in weather, lighting and terrain to existing scenarios, will soon be available to 150,000 developers on CARLA, a leading open-source AV simulator. This greatly expands the broad AV developer community’s access to advanced AI-powered simulation tools. Developers can start integrating synthetic data into their own pipelines using the NVIDIA Physical AI Dataset. The latest release includes 40,000 clips generated using Cosmos. Building on these foundations, the Omniverse Blueprint for AV simulation provides a standardized, API-driven workflow for constructing rich digital twins, replaying real-world sensor data and generating new ground-truth data for closed-loop testing. The blueprint taps into OpenUSD’s layer-stacking and composition arcs, which enable developers to collaborate asynchronously and modify scenes nondestructively. This helps create modular, reusable scenario variants to efficiently generate different weather conditions, traffic patterns and edge cases. Driving the Future of AV Safety To bolster the operational safety of AV systems, NVIDIA earlier this year introduced NVIDIA Halos — a comprehensive safety platform that integrates the company’s full automotive hardware and software stack with AI research focused on AV safety. The new Cosmos models — Cosmos Predict- 2, Cosmos Transfer- 1 NIM and Cosmos Reason — deliver further safety enhancements to the Halos platform, enabling developers to create diverse, controllable and realistic scenarios for training and validating AV systems. These models, trained on massive multimodal datasets including driving data, amplify the breadth and depth of simulation, allowing for robust scenario coverage — including rare and safety-critical events — while supporting post-training customization for specialized AV tasks. At CVPR, NVIDIA was recognized as an Autonomous Grand Challenge winner, highlighting its leadership in advancing end-to-end AV workflows. The challenge used OpenUSD’s robust metadata and interoperability to simulate sensor inputs and vehicle trajectories in semi-reactive environments, achieving state-of-the-art results in safety and compliance. Learn more about how developers are leveraging tools like CARLA, Cosmos, and Omniverse to advance AV simulation in this livestream replay: Hear NVIDIA Director of Autonomous Vehicle Research Marco Pavone on the NVIDIA AI Podcast share how digital twins and high-fidelity simulation are improving vehicle testing, accelerating development and reducing real-world risks. Get Plugged Into the World of OpenUSD Learn more about what’s next for AV simulation with OpenUSD by watching the replay of NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s GTC Paris keynote. Looking for more live opportunities to learn more about OpenUSD? Don’t miss sessions and labs happening at SIGGRAPH 2025, August 10–14. Discover why developers and 3D practitioners are using OpenUSD and learn how to optimize 3D workflows with the self-paced “Learn OpenUSD” curriculum for 3D developers and practitioners, available for free through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute. Explore the Alliance for OpenUSD forum and the AOUSD website. Stay up to date by subscribing to NVIDIA Omniverse news, joining the community and following NVIDIA Omniverse on Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium and X.

To speed up AI adoption across industries, HPE and NVIDIA today launched new AI factory offerings at HPE Discover in Las Vegas. The new lineup includes everything from modular AI factory infrastructure and HPE’s AI-ready RTX PRO Servers (HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12), to the next generation of HPE’s turnkey AI platform, HPE Private Cloud Read Article

To speed up AI adoption across industries, HPE and NVIDIA today launched new AI factory offerings at HPE Discover in Las Vegas. The new lineup includes everything from modular AI factory infrastructure and HPE’s AI-ready RTX PRO Servers (HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12), to the next generation of HPE’s turnkey AI platform, HPE Private Cloud AI. The goal: give enterprises a framework to build and scale generative, agentic and industrial AI. The NVIDIA AI Computing by HPE portfolio is now among the broadest in the market. The portfolio combines NVIDIA Blackwell accelerated computing, NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet and NVIDIA BlueField-3 networking technologies, NVIDIA AI Enterprise software and HPE’s full portfolio of servers, storage, services and software. This now includes HPE OpsRamp Software, a validated observability solution for the NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory, and HPE Morpheus Enterprise Software for orchestration. The result is a pre-integrated, modular infrastructure stack to help teams get AI into production faster. This includes the next-generation HPE Private Cloud AI, co-engineered with NVIDIA and validated as part of the NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory framework. This full-stack, turnkey AI factory solution will offer HPE ProLiant Compute DL380a Gen12 servers with the new NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs. These new NVIDIA RTX PRO Servers from HPE provide a universal data center platform for a wide range of enterprise AI and industrial AI use cases, and are now available to order from HPE. HPE Private Cloud AI includes the latest NVIDIA AI Blueprints, including the NVIDIA AI-Q Blueprint for AI agent creation and workflows. HPE also announced a new NVIDIA HGX B300 system, the HPE Compute XD690, built with NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs. It’s the latest entry in the NVIDIA AI Computing by HPE lineup and is expected to ship in October. In Japan, KDDI is working with HPE to build NVIDIA AI infrastructure to accelerate global adoption. The HPE-built KDDI system will be based on the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 platform, built on the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell architecture, at the KDDI Osaka Sakai Data Center. To accelerate AI for financial services, HPE will co-test agentic AI workflows built on Accenture’s AI Refinery with NVIDIA, running on HPE Private Cloud AI. Initial use cases include sourcing, procurement and risk analysis. HPE said it’s adding 26 new partners to its “Unleash AI” ecosystem to support more NVIDIA AI use cases. The company now offers more than 70 packaged AI workloads, from fraud detection and video analytics to sovereign AI and cybersecurity. Security and governance were a focus, too. HPE Private Cloud AI supports air-gapped management, multi-tenancy and post-quantum cryptography. HPE’s try-before-you-buy program lets customers test the system in Equinix data centers before purchase. HPE also introduced new programs, including AI Acceleration Workshops with NVIDIA, to help scale AI deployments. Watch the keynote: HPE CEO Antonio Neri announced the news from the Las Vegas Sphere on Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT. Register for the livestream and watch the replay. Explore more: Learn how NVIDIA and HPE build AI factories for every industry. Visit the partner page.

From the heart of Germany’s automotive sector to manufacturing hubs across France and Italy, Europe is embracing industrial AI and advanced AI-powered robotics to address labor shortages, boost productivity and fuel sustainable economic growth. Robotics companies are developing humanoid robots and collaborative systems that integrate AI into real-world manufacturing applications. Supported by a $200 billion Read Article

From the heart of Germany’s automotive sector to manufacturing hubs across France and Italy, Europe is embracing industrial AI and advanced AI-powered robotics to address labor shortages, boost productivity and fuel sustainable economic growth. Robotics companies are developing humanoid robots and collaborative systems that integrate AI into real-world manufacturing applications. Supported by a $200 billion investment initiative and coordinated efforts from the European Commission, Europe is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of industrial automation, powered by AI. This momentum is on full display at Automatica — Europe’s premier conference on advancements in robotics, machine vision and intelligent manufacturing — taking place this week in Munich, Germany. NVIDIA and its ecosystem of partners and customers are showcasing next-generation robots, automation and AI technologies designed to accelerate the continent’s leadership in smart manufacturing and logistics. NVIDIA Technologies Boost Robotics Development Central to advancing robotics development is Europe’s first industrial AI cloud, announced at NVIDIA GTC Paris at VivaTech earlier this month. The Germany-based AI factory, featuring 10,000 NVIDIA GPUs, provides European manufacturers with secure, sovereign and centralized AI infrastructure for industrial workloads. It will support applications ranging from design and engineering to factory digital twins and robotics. To help accelerate humanoid development, NVIDIA released NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1.5 — an open foundation model for humanoid robot reasoning and skills. This update enhances the model’s adaptability and ability to follow instructions, significantly improving its performance in material handling and manufacturing tasks. To help post-train GR00T N1.5, NVIDIA has also released the Isaac GR00T-Dreams blueprint — a reference workflow for generating vast amounts of synthetic trajectory data from a small number of human demonstrations — enabling robots to generalize across behaviors and adapt to new environments with minimal human demonstration data. In addition, early developer previews of NVIDIA Isaac Sim 5.0 and Isaac Lab 2.2 — open-source robot simulation and learning frameworks optimized for NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 workstations — are now available on GitHub. Image courtesy of Wandelbots. Robotics Leaders Tap NVIDIA Simulation Technology to Develop and Deploy Humanoids and More Robotics developers and solutions providers across the globe are integrating NVIDIA’s three computers to train, simulate and deploy robots. NEURA Robotics, a German robotics company and pioneer for cognitive robots, unveiled the third generation of its humanoid, 4NE1, designed to assist humans in domestic and professional environments through advanced cognitive capabilities and humanlike interaction. 4NE1 is powered by GR00T N1 and was trained in Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab before real-world deployment. NEURA Robotics is also presenting Neuraverse, a digital twin and interconnected ecosystem for robot training, skills and applications, fully compatible with NVIDIA Omniverse technologies. Delta Electronics, a global leader in power management and smart green solutions, is debuting two next-generation collaborative robots: D-Bot Mar and D-Bot 2 in 1 — both trained using Omniverse and Isaac Sim technologies and libraries. These cobots are engineered to transform intralogistics and optimize production flows. Wandelbots, the creator of the Wandelbots NOVA software platform for industrial robotics, is partnering with SoftServe, a global IT consulting and digital services provider, to scale simulation-first automating using NVIDIA Isaac Sim, enabling virtual validation and real-world deployment with maximum impact. Cyngn, a pioneer in autonomous mobile robotics, is integrating its DriveMod technology into Isaac Sim to enable large-scale, high fidelity virtual testing of advanced autonomous operation. Purpose-built for industrial applications, DriveMod is already deployed on vehicles such as the Motrec MT-160 Tugger and BYD Forklift, delivering sophisticated automation to material handling operations. Doosan Robotics, a company specializing in AI robotic solutions, will showcase its “sim to real” solution, using NVIDIA Isaac Sim and cuRobo. Doosan will be showcasing how to seamlessly transfer tasks from simulation to real robots across a wide range of applications — from manufacturing to service industries. Franka Robotics has integrated Isaac GR00T N1.5 into a dual-arm Franka Research 3 (FR3) robot for robotic control. The integration of GR00T N1.5 allows the system to interpret visual input, understand task context and autonomously perform complex manipulation — without the need for task-specific programming or hardcoded logic. Image courtesy of Franka Robotics. Hexagon, the global leader in measurement technologies, launched its new humanoid, dubbed AEON. With its unique locomotion system and multimodal sensor fusion, and powered by NVIDIA’s three-computer solution, AEON is engineered to perform a wide range of industrial applications, from manipulation and asset inspection to reality capture and operator support. Intrinsic, a software and AI robotics company, is integrating Intrinsic Flowstate with Omniverse and OpenUSD for advanced visualization and digital twins that can be used in many industrial use cases. The company is also using NVIDIA foundation models to enhance robot capabilities like grasp planning through AI and simulation technologies. SCHUNK, a global leader in gripping systems and automation technology, is showcasing its innovative grasping kit powered by the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin module. The kit intelligently detects objects and calculates optimal grasping points. Schunk is also demonstrating seamless simulation-to-reality transfer using IGS Virtuous software — built on Omniverse technologies — to control a real robot through simulation in a pick-and-place scenario. Universal Robots is showcasing UR15, its fastest cobot yet. Powered by the UR AI Accelerator — developed with NVIDIA and running on Jetson AGX Orin using CUDA-accelerated Isaac libraries — UR15 helps set a new standard for industrial automation. Vention, a full-stack software and hardware automation company, launched its Machine Motion AI, built on CUDA-accelerated Isaac libraries and powered by Jetson. Vention is also expanding its lineup of robotic offerings by adding the FR3 robot from Franka Robotics to its ecosystem, enhancing its solutions for academic and research applications. Image courtesy of Vention. Learn more about the latest robotics advancements by joining NVIDIA at Automatica, running through Friday, June 27.

GeForce NOW is throwing open the vault doors to welcome the legendary Borderland series to the cloud. Whether a seasoned Vault Hunter or new to the mayhem of Pandora, prepare to experience the high-octane action and humor that define the series that includes Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced, Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3 and Borderlands: Read Article

GeForce NOW is throwing open the vault doors to welcome the legendary Borderland series to the cloud. Whether a seasoned Vault Hunter or new to the mayhem of Pandora, prepare to experience the high-octane action and humor that define the series that includes Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced, Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Members can explore it all before the highly anticipated Borderlands 4 arrives in the cloud at launch. In addition, leap into the flames and save the day in the pulse-pounding FBC: Firebreak from Remedy Entertainment on GeForce NOW. It’s all part of the 13 new games in the cloud this week, including the latest Genshin Impact update and advanced access for REMATCH. Plus, GeForce NOW’s Summer Sale is still in full swing. For a limited time, get 40% off a six-month GeForce NOW Performance membership — perfect for diving into role-playing game favorites like the Borderlands series or any of the 2,200 titles in the platform’s cloud gaming library. Vault Hunters Assemble Gear up for a world where loot is king and chaos is always just a trigger pull away. The Borderlands series is known for its wild humor, outrageous characters and nonstop action — and now, its chaotic adventures can be streamed on GeForce NOW. Welcome to Pandora. Members revisiting the classics or jumping in for the first time can start with Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced, the original mayhem-fueled classic now polished and packed with downloadable content. The title brings Pandora to life with a fresh coat of paint, crazy loot and the same iconic humor that started it all. New worlds, same chaos. In Borderlands 2, Handsome Jack steals the show with his mix of charm and villainy. This sequel cranks up the fun and insanity with unforgettable characters and a zany storyline. For more laughs and even wilder chaos, Borderlands 3 delivers the biggest loot explosion yet, with new worlds to explore. Face off against the Calypso twins and enjoy nonstop action. The rise of Handsome Jack. The adventure blasts off with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, revealing how Handsome Jack became so handsome. The game throws in zero gravity, moon boots and enough sarcasm to fuel a spaceship. Jump in with GeForce NOW and get ready to laugh, loot and blast through Pandora, all from the cloud. With instant access and seamless streaming at up to 4K resolution with an Ultimate membership, enter the chaos of Borderlands anytime, anywhere. No downloads, no waiting. Suit Up, Clean Up The Oldest House needs you. Step into the shoes of the Federal Bureau of Control’s elite first responders in the highly anticipated three-player co-op first-person shooter FBC: Firebreak. Taking place six years after Control, the game is set in the Oldest House — under siege by reality-warping threats. It’s up to players to restore order before chaos wins. Equip unique Crisis Kits packed with weapons, specialized tools and paranatural augments, like a garden gnome that summons a thunderstorm or a piggy bank that spews coins. As each mission, or “Job,” drops players into unpredictable environments with shifting objectives, bizarre crises and wacky enemies, teamwork and quick thinking are key. Jump into the fray with friends and stream it on GeForce NOW instantly across devices. Experience the mind-bending action and stunning visuals powered by cloud streaming. Contain the chaos, save the Oldest House and enjoy a new kind of co-op adventure, all from the cloud. No Rules Included Score big laughs in the cloud. REMATCH gives soccer a bold twist, transforming the classic sport into a fast-paced, third-person action experience where every player controls a single athlete on the field. With no fouls, offsides or breaks, matches are nonstop and skills-based, demanding quick reflexes and seamless teamwork. Dynamic role-switching lets players jump between attack, defense and goalkeeping, while seasonal updates and various multiplayer modes keep the competition fresh and the action intense. Where arcade flair meets tactical depth, REMATCH is football, unleashed. Get instant access to the soccer pitch by streaming the title on GeForce NOW and jump into the action wherever the match calls. Time To Game Skirk has arrived. Genshin Impact’s next major update launches this week, and members can stream the latest adventures from Teyvat at GeForce quality on any device. Version 5.7 includes the new playable characters Skirk and Dahlia — as well as fresh story quests and the launch of a Stygian Onslaught combat mode. Look for the following games available to stream in the cloud this week: REMATCH (New release on Steam, Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, June 16) Broken Arrow (New release on Steam, June 19) Crime Simulator (New release on Steam, June 17) Date Everything! (New release on Steam, June 17) FBC: Firebreak (New release on Steam, Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, June 17) Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (New release on Steam, Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, June 17) Architect Life: A House Design Simulator (New release on Steam, June 19) Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced (Steam) Borderlands 2 (Steam, Epic Games Store) Borderlands 3 (Steam, Epic Games Store) Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (Steam, Epic Games Store) METAL EDEN Demo (Steam) Torque Drift 2 (Epic Games Store) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. What's a gaming achievement you'll never forget? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) June 18, 2025

Project G-Assist — available through the NVIDIA App — is an experimental AI assistant that helps tune, control and optimize NVIDIA GeForce RTX systems. NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon — running virtually through Wednesday, July 16 — invites the community to explore AI and build custom G-Assist plug-ins for a chance to Read Article

Project G-Assist — available through the NVIDIA App — is an experimental AI assistant that helps tune, control and optimize NVIDIA GeForce RTX systems. NVIDIA’s Plug and Play: Project G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon — running virtually through Wednesday, July 16 — invites the community to explore AI and build custom G-Assist plug-ins for a chance to win prizes and be featured on NVIDIA social media channels. G-Assist allows users to control their RTX GPU and other system settings using natural language, thanks to a small language model that runs on device. It can be used from the NVIDIA Overlay in the NVIDIA App without needing to tab out or switch programs. Users can expand its capabilities via plug-ins and even connect it to agentic frameworks such as Langflow. Below, find popular G-Assist plug-ins, hackathon details and tips to get started. Plug-In and Win Join the hackathon by registering and checking out the curated technical resources. G-Assist plug-ins can be built in several ways, including with Python for rapid development, with C++ for performance-critical apps and with custom system interactions for hardware and operating system automation. For those that prefer vibe coding, the G-Assist Plug-In Builder — a ChatGPT-based app that allows no-code or low-code development with natural language commands — makes it easy for enthusiasts to start creating plug-ins. To submit an entry, participants must provide a GitHub repository, including source code file (plugin.py), requirements.txt, manifest.json, config.json (if applicable), a plug-in executable file and READme code. Then, submit a video — between 30 seconds and two minutes — showcasing the plug-in in action. Finally, hackathoners must promote their plug-in using #AIonRTXHackathon on a social media channel: Instagram, TikTok or X. Submit projects via this form by Wednesday, July 16. Judges will assess plug-ins based on three main criteria: 1) innovation and creativity, 2) technical execution and integration, reviewing technical depth, G-Assist integration and scalability, and 3) usability and community impact, aka how easy it is to use the plug-in. Winners will be selected on Wednesday, Aug. 20. First place will receive a GeForce RTX 5090 laptop, second place a GeForce RTX 5080 GPU and third a GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. These top three will also be featured on NVIDIA’s social media channels, get the opportunity to meet the NVIDIA G-Assist team and earn an NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute self-paced course credit. Project G-Assist requires a GeForce RTX 50, 40 or 30 Series Desktop GPU with at least 12GB of VRAM, Windows 11 or 10 operating system, a compatible CPU (Intel Pentium G Series, Core i3, i5, i7 or higher; AMD FX, Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9, Threadripper or higher), specific disk space requirements and a recent GeForce Game Ready Driver or NVIDIA Studio Driver. Plug-In(spiration) Explore open-source plug-in samples available on GitHub, which showcase the diverse ways on-device AI can enhance PC and gaming workflows. Popular plug-ins include: Google Gemini: Enables search-based queries using Google Search integration and large language model-based queries using Gemini capabilities in real time without needing to switch programs from the convenience of the NVIDIA App Overlay. Discord: Enables users to easily share game highlights or messages directly to Discord servers without disrupting gameplay. IFTTT: Lets users create automations across hundreds of compatible endpoints to trigger IoT routines — such as adjusting room lights and smart shades, or pushing the latest gaming news to a mobile device. Spotify: Lets users control Spotify using simple voice commands or the G-Assist interface to play favorite tracks and manage playlists. Twitch: Checks if any Twitch streamer is currently live and can access detailed stream information such as titles, games, view counts and more. Get G-Assist(ance) Join the NVIDIA Developer Discord channel to collaborate, share creations and gain support from fellow AI enthusiasts and NVIDIA staff. Save the date for NVIDIA’s How to Build a G-Assist Plug-In webinar on Wednesday, July 9, from 10-11 a.m. PT, to learn more about Project G-Assist capabilities, discover the fundamentals of building, testing and deploying Project G-Assist plug-ins, and participate in a live Q&A session. Explore NVIDIA’s GitHub repository, which provides everything needed to get started developing with G-Assist, including sample plug-ins, step-by-step instructions and documentation for building custom functionalities. Learn more about the ChatGPT Plug-In Builder to transform ideas into functional G-Assist plug-ins with minimal coding. The tool uses OpenAI’s custom GPT builder to generate plug-in code and streamline the development process. NVIDIA’s technical blog walks through the architecture of a G-Assist plug-in, using a Twitch integration as an example. Discover how plug-ins work, how they communicate with G-Assist and how to build them from scratch. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. 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.

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

From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff and contributors round up their favorite games of the year so far.

From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff and contributors round up their favorite games of the year so far.

Nintendo has been a titan in the video game industry for decades, but that wasn't always the case. At its very core, Nintendo sees itself as a toy company which is evident in its products from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Today on the show, we explore Nintendo's history and examine how a small playing card company in Japan became a multimedia giant.

Related episodes:
Forever games: the economics of the live service model
Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible
The boom and bust of esports
Work. Crunch. Repeat: Why gaming demands so much of its employees
Video Game Industry Week: The Final Level

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Nintendo has been a titan in the video game industry for decades, but that wasn't always the case. At its very core, Nintendo sees itself as a toy company which is evident in its products from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the Nintendo Switch 2. Today on the show, we explore Nintendo's history and examine how a small playing card company in Japan became a multimedia giant. Related episodes: Forever games: the economics of the live service model Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible The boom and bust of esports Work. Crunch. Repeat: Why gaming demands so much of its employees Video Game Industry Week: The Final Level For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

The annual Play Days showcase was far more interesting than the reveals themselves.

The annual Play Days showcase was far more interesting than the reveals themselves. (Image credit: Capcom)

The Switch 2 improves upon the first console in nearly every way. But is it worth the $450? We review how to get the best bang for your buck.

The Switch 2 improves upon the first console in nearly every way. But is it worth the $450? We review how to get the best bang for your buck. (Image credit: Nintendo)

Performers who do stunt and voice work for video games went on strike in July after reaching a stalemate in negotiations over how companies can use AI in game development.

Performers who do stunt and voice work for video games went on strike in July after reaching a stalemate in negotiations over how companies can use AI in game development. (Image credit: Valerie Macon)

The crackdown on the video game and its users is just the latest in what democracy and human rights advocates say is an erosion of Hong Kong's civil rights and freedoms.

The crackdown on the video game and its users is just the latest in what democracy and human rights advocates say is an erosion of Hong Kong's civil rights and freedoms. (Image credit: Ryland Barton)

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks journalist Jeff Gerstmann what's next for gaming now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally in stores.

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks journalist Jeff Gerstmann what's next for gaming now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally in stores.

Criticized for its high cost but still selling out nearly everywhere, Nintendo's sequel to their popular Switch console releases as a trade war squeezes the video game industry.

Criticized for its high cost but still selling out nearly everywhere, Nintendo's sequel to their popular Switch console releases as a trade war squeezes the video game industry. (Image credit: Nintendo of America)

More than 18,000 video games came out last year. And developers are getting creative with YouTube and Instagram to get more people interested in their games.

More than 18,000 video games came out last year. And developers are getting creative with YouTube and Instagram to get more people interested in their games.

Nightreign shrinks Elden Ring down into intense expeditions that demand tight three-player coordination. It's a joy for co-op fans, but sacrifices the expansiveness that made the original game so compelling.

Nightreign shrinks Elden Ring down into intense expeditions that demand tight three-player coordination. It's a joy for co-op fans, but sacrifices the expansiveness that made the original game so compelling. (Image credit: Bandai Namco/FromSoftware)

Games. Culture. Criticism.

HIGH Tight city-building controls and lots of customization.

LOW Each experience ends abruptly.

WTF Why am I able to infinitely stack bushes into the sky?

Build-A-Village Workshop HIGH Tight city-building controls and lots of customization. LOW Each experience ends abruptly. WTF Why am I able to infinitely stack bushes into the sky? Tranquil Isle is all about building a tiny island village far away from everything, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything else. The objective of Tranquil Isle, if you can even call it an objective, is to place buildings around an archipelago’s town center and slowly expand the population by building houses, artisan buildings, and other fixtures, while also expanding to other islands. Each building the player can place also has a point total assigned to it, with certain buildings buffing and debuffing others. As the points add up, Tranquil Isle presents the player with two options for buildings to populate their village with after certain point thresholds, like a choice between one group of an altar and five houses, or another group comprising a farm and some stables. It’s an effort to give players more control over their end score, which tallies up all the points for every building placed across their village, after which the player can move on to a new project. A player can experience Tranquil Isle in two different styles — the first being a purely numbers-based experience where they attempt to stack as many buildings as close to each other as possible, while combining certain groups of buildings and their buffs to get the highest score possible. The other is to create an aesthetically pleasing paradise to look at. Mechanically, the first style is a complex puzzle to solve, but placing certain buildings next to each other makes intuitive sense. Forager buildings work better when they’re not in contact with any other nearby buildings. The mills with big windmills get buffed by nearby farms, but are debuffed by other mills within a certain distance. Houses buff the town center, as well as altars and town halls where people who live in these houses certainly congregate. The best part of this buff and debuff system is that it naturally lends itself to creating towns that look aesthetically pleasing, so it rarely compromises any part of itself. I don’t play builder-adjacent games like The Sims or Frostpunk because I feel like my poor design choices would ruin whatever architectural layouts make a well-run city look the part, but Tranquil Isle takes that out of the equation, and makes me feel like a somewhat capable city planner. Aesthetically, designing my islands to make them look more lived-in came secondary to placing down buildings — but that doesn’t mean I still didn’t try to dress them up. While each building has spacial requirements that prevent them from being too close to one another, there’s no limit to the amount of decorations the player can put on every building and empty inch of grass in town. I found the limits of customization in Tranquil Isle when I found out I could infinitely stack decoration objects like rocks and shrubs on top of each other. Naturally, I made infinitely tall stacks of these objects and just laughed to myself that I was permitted me to do that. Getting to create a beautiful island utopia is most evident in Tranquil Isle’s Sandbox Mode, which lifts the limits of building space requirements and allows players to run free. I could put ten town halls on one island, or make an island that’s full of taverns and theatres, surrounded by houses so the townspeople could access them. There’s a world full of combinations of buildings, decorations, and terrain forms that can make Sandbox mode a joy to explore. My only issue with Tranquil Isle come from the eventual end to these building experiences. While I can begin lots of new islands to create lots of different potential towns, it always feels like the building process ends too abruptly. For example, a “medium” sized town will have three different islands to populate and build upon, but once the player runs out of buildings to build, the game forces them to end. Every time I’d place my last building, I was given the option to build a bridge to a new island… that didn’t exist. I wish Tranquil Isle would give players a greater sense of closure when they were clearly finished with the space at hand, or build out some objectives for the player to complete when they were actually done. However, with tons of combinations of buildings, decorations, and island constructions, players can get nearly infinite replayability out of this title’s solid foundation, chill vibes, and potential. Rating: 6.5 out of 10 Buy Tranquil Isle – PC Disclosures: This game is developed by Tom Daly and published by Future Friends Games. It is currently available on PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and was reviewed on PC. Approximately 2.5 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: This game is not rated by the ESRB, but it contains no violence, graphic imagery or language. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Dear & Hard of Hearing Gamers: There is no dialogue, and the only bits of text are in pop-ups on the screen. The text can be resized by a “UI Slider” in the game’s settings. The game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: The game’s controls are fully remappable.

In this episode, Carlos Rodela returns to chat about all the things, including but not limited to: Punch Club Date Everything Tony Hawk 3-4 Vasilisa & Baba Yaga Cairn (demo) Baby Steps Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Missile Command Delta …And more! You can also hear the show on iTunes and Spotify! Please send feedback and mailbag questions to SoVideogamesPODCAST (at) gmail (dot) com, or post them in the comments section below. Thanks!

HIGH Great use of Remedy's Control aesthetic for a team shooter.

LOW Little interaction between the different weapon classes.

WTF Don’t ask about Sticky Ricky…

These Aren’t The Overtime Benefits I Signed Up For HIGH Great use of Remedy’s Control aesthetic for a team shooter. LOW Little interaction between the different weapon classes. WTF Don’t ask about Sticky Ricky… I don’t play many first-person shooters. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited at the prospect of a multiplayer shooter taking place in the Remedy connected universe (notable residents: Alan Wake and Control). It’s a universe that I love playing single-player titles in, so my interest was high. Unfortunately, the reality is that FBC: Firebreak fell far short of my expectations. It’s a weird experience like almost every Remedy title is, but its mechanics and gameplay quirks fall flat instead of standing out. Firebreak’s ask of players is to team up in a squad of three people and clock in for their shift at the Federal Bureau of Control, a fictional government agency that deals with all things ghostly and “paranatural.” In a new initiative called the Firebreak Protocol, FBC management sends teams out into the depths of FBC HQ to tackle the zombified masses of people known as the Hiss, as well as ghosts and strange happenings that have spiraled out of control. These missions vary in scope, but nearly all of them replicate the Control aesthetic to a T. The soulless, corporate interiors of various office floors were our playground, but more often they felt like killing floors. Each level is oppressive, contrasting most other titles in the genre that take a fantastical or slightly horrifying approach. In this way, Firebreak takes a different path towards putting players on edge in a zombie shooter, and it’s the game’s biggest success. Rather than being the super-powered heroine of Control, Firebreak puts the player in the shoes of a regular guy with a gun and a home repair kit. The anxiety of going up against a threat that’s normally taken care of by an extraordinary individual is what kept me going. At its best, Firebreak offers the fast-paced excitement of a great Call of Duty: Zombies level, but it can’t maintain that tone. When it wanes, the material feels like the corporate exercises the title is trying to mock. Each of the five selectable missions are different threats that teams need to clear in the Oldest House, an enigmatic building first shown in Control. Between destroying endlessly multiplying sticky notes to collecting larva from an alien in an office basement, the mission variety is theoretically there. However, these tasks start to get stale after replays of each mission, which are required to progress in the rewards system. These replays are also a great time to practice teamwork with other players, but so many of the roles and tasks that each player on a given team “should complete” often feel disconnected and superfluous. Starting on the mission design, the way a mission begins is with all three players needing to complete a few tasks toward the overall goal. Sometimes that’s destroying haunted sticky notes, fixing panels on a giant furnace, or exorcising ghosts from the FBC. All the while, a crowd of Hiss zombies is attempting to kill every player while they’re trying to do their jobs. The problem here is that these tasks often felt like filler to me. Sure, I had to go fix a few panels or load some alien specimens into a cart, but the best parts of the missions are killing the Hiss en masse. It makes the goals feel like hoops to jump through to unlock better gear, instead of being the “meat” of Firebreak. There are standout portions of each mission, sure, like the giant sticky note Sticky Ricky acting as a final boss, or the frantic sprint to load barrels and stop a giant furnace from going supernova. Sadly, there are few of these tremendous moments, and more tasks that boil down to clicking a sequence of buttons in a row to get to the next room. The “roles” of Firebreak also don’t have implications for gameplay outside of doing the random tasks in each level. Each player is assigned one of three “Crisis Kits” before they play — a Fix Kit, complete with a wrench that can fix electrical panels, a Jump Kit, fitted with an electrical shocker that can charge up powered devices and electrify water, and the Splash Kit, a super soaker on a player’s back that can cleanse players of ailments like poison or burn. Theoretically, all three also have in-game combat uses, but they aren’t as strong as a player’s secondary gun. If you didn’t guess, the Splash Kit is about the only one that consistently pays off. I would consistently play using the Fix Kit and stick to it, but I wish I had used the Splash Kit more since it could heal damaged players. The problem is none of these kits seemed to matter when it came to deciding the ends of matches, and all of them should be reworked to have greater effects in combat. Ultimately, Firebreak’s gameplay problem is that the gunplay in this supernatural team-based jaunt is the best portion of the experience – it isn’t a terrible problem to have, but it’s a sign that the missions and classes need design boosts to make them more relevant and compelling. Firebreak is a new direction in expanding Remedy’s connected universe, but the art direction and aesthetics can only do so much of the heavy lifting when the other aspects aren’t bringing as much to the table. The end result doesn’t stack up to the source material that inspired it, and to this Remedy fan, it could and should be so much better. Rating: 5.5 out of 10 Buy FBC: Firebreak – PC – XB- PS Disclosures: This game is developed and published by Remedy Entertainment. It is currently available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and was reviewed on PC. Approximately 6 hours of play were devoted to the multiplayer mode, and each mission was completed at least once. There are no single-player modes. Parents: This game is rated on the ESRB as T for violence, blood, and language. It contains gun violence killing non-human creatures. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Dear & Hard of Hearing Gamers: There are subtitles in the game that can be resized. The game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: The game’s controls are fully remappable.

HIGH Smart tweaks to singleplayer and more options than before. 

LOW A lack of onboarding for new players... Again.

WTF Weird tie-ins to the upcoming F1 movie. 

Shut Up And Drive HIGH Smart tweaks to singleplayer and more options than before. LOW A lack of onboarding for new players… Again. WTF Weird tie-ins to the upcoming F1 movie. Last year, I reviewed EA Sports F1 24. In that write-up, I mentioned my journey into becoming a fan of the titular motorsport, involving a lot of outside research (thank you, Netflix) and diving into EA and Codemasters’ annual series for the first time. In the year since I first played F1 24, I’ve been glued to my TV every Sunday to catch all the races, cheering on McLaren and wondering what ancient entity has put a curse on Ferrari. This appreciation for the sport became full-blown excitement for the next installment, F1 25. After months of buildup, advertising new features, and some uncertainty regarding developer Codemasters’ future, I was curious to see what the latest in the series had to offer. Annual sports titles are known to iterate rather than truly innovate, but I still had confidence that the famed racing studio would deliver something special. F1 25 is a driving simulator set across the 2025 Formula One season. Players choose from a variety of modes with different goals, yet the objective remains the same — drive. Played from either a third or first-person perspective, the main single-player modes are Career and Braking Point. The career mode returns from last year’s installment, with some smart improvements. MyTeam (dubbed MyTeam 2.0) tasks the player to create a new F1 organization to compete in the world championship. Rather than playing as a combination racer/manager, players create their manager and team, selecting various options to align their preferences. Feeling like a lighter version of F1 Manager, I appreciated the options to fine-tune the experience, such as selecting an archetype for the kind of manager I want to be. My choices were between a driver-friendly one, a manager with engineering experience, or someone drowning in cash and wanting to run everything like a business. I picked the engineering background, as the boosts to R&D and team morale seemed worth it. Being a manager means taking care of a lot of little things like PR opportunities, balancing a budget, dealing with staff concerns, and so forth. Every week before a race, players are presented with these issues, and it’s their job to determine what’s worth tackling. I love the smaller, mundane choices, such as scheduling a driver’s time on a simulator before a new race or deciding which facility gets an upgrade. These have a real impact come race day, and being able to see how the proverbial sausage is made right before hitting the track is both cool and stressful. As the manager, it’s also important to make sure the drivers are happy, whether that means granting them better upgrades and parts for their cars or simply leading them correctly to victory. There’s also the option to sign other drivers, meaning that the player can poach someone else’s best driver, though others can do the same to the player’s team! With the manager being a custom-created character, players choose their two drivers from a pool of real-life Formula 2 drivers, each with their stats. The driving is even better than it was last year, thanks to the technical prowess that developer Codemasters possesses. Specifically, handling has improved, resulting in cars that feel much heavier and closer to the ground, making tight corners feel more satisfying to maneuver. While there’s no true tutorial system (again!), there are plenty of excellent assist options that can make driving easy for newcomers, and it can be tweaked as much as possible. The Driver career is largely unchanged from last year, but still allows for meaningful choices to be made. Here, players can choose between real drivers from the current F1 roster, F2 drivers, legends such as the late, great Ayrton Senna, and even Brad Pitt from the upcoming F1 movie (weird). The other major single-player option is Braking Point. This full-blown story mode continues a narrative from F1 ’21 and ‘23. Here, players follow the fictional Konnersport racing team as they try to compete with the best teams in Formula One. Presented with some excellent cutscenes and mixing faux-documentary segments to add greater context and heighten the drama, makes it an entertaining watch. Gameplay involves a lot of racing and slight management gameplay. On the track, players usually have to complete an objective, like beating a certain lap time or moving ahead in the positions against a certain driver. The light management sections usually involve solving some intrapersonal issues in Konnersport, like staff disputes or PR controversies. I like the idea of a racing title being linear for the sake of the story, and the off-track drama adds so much excitement to the driving. It’s great, and I’m happy it’s separate from the dedicated career modes. While some of the changes aren’t drastic, the minor things do make it a definite upgrade over the last entry, especially regarding the options in single-player. Other changes include presentation choices, like adding more detail in the tracks to make them as close to their real-world counterparts. Being a Miamian, I appreciated how nice the Miami Grand Prix track looked, with added detail like foliage and very lifelike lighting. Being able to race these courses in new reverse variants adds a lot of variety here as well. F1 25 is an exceptional driving game and one that further cements developer Codemasters’ place as one of the finest racing developers currently working. It was a pleasure to go through the excellent story mode, and I spent many hours obsessing over the expansive MyTeam mode. While it may not feel like an evolutionary change from F1 24, there’s more than enough here to keep racing fans happy for the season. Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Buy F1 25 – PC – PS – XB Disclosures: This game is published by EA Sports and developed by Codemasters. It is available on PC, XBX/S and PS5. This copy was obtained via publisher and was reviewed on PS5. Approximately 20 hours were spent in singleplayer and the game was not completed. Approximately 1 hour was spent in the multiplayer mode. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E for Mild Langauge. According to the site: This is a racing game in which players can drive Formula One cars on real-world tracks. Players compete in a variety of game modes that include Career, Time Trial, Racing League, and Grand Prix. Some language in the game is partially censored by audible bleeps (e.g., “Let’s [bleep] go boys”; “I [bleep] it all up again”; What the [bleep]?). Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are present in the options menu. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gamers: There are plenty of visual cues during races and the menu-based gameplay segments. All of these can be adjusted in the menu. Subtitles are present but cannot be resized. As no audio cues are needed for gameplay, I’d say this is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: The controls can be remapped.

Video game soundtracks take on lives of their own -- The opening beats of Morrowind’s main theme, the shifting chords of C418’s Minecraft, and the panic-inducing pizza delivery theme from Spider-Man 2 have stayed with gamers since they came out and will continue to for years to come.

Video game soundtracks take on lives of their own — The opening beats of Morrowind’s main theme, the shifting chords of C418’s Minecraft, and the panic-inducing pizza delivery theme from Spider-Man 2 have stayed with gamers since they came out and will continue to for years to come. Video game composing has become as respectable and mainstream a profession for musicians as any other genre: The band Sea Power made the soundtrack to the hit 2019 game Disco Elysium, the music collaborative Machine Girl composed the original soundtrack for the 2022 game Neon White, and even Paul McCartney helped work on Destiny soundtrack in 2014. Becoming a composer for a popular or hit video game can easily become a highway to stardom for musicians like Lena Raine, Koji Kondo, and Austin Wintory. However, there is an entire subgenre of video game soundtracks deserving particular acclaim — Videogame mod soundtracks. As videogame mods have become larger and more mainstream and accessible, so too have their makers become more ambitious, often incorporating fully-fledged soundtracks into their creations. These soundtracks are written by indie albeit highly skilled musicians, adding new life to mods, as well as occasionally opening up new opportunities for their composers. Mod soundtracks easily have the power to reshape the video game music world as it’s known, as seen in mods for Deus Ex, The Elder Scrolls and the Portal series. Deus Ex Revision One of the most impressive examples is Deus Ex Revision, a community-made overhaul mod of the groundbreaking 2000 immersive sim, Deus Ex. Available for free on the Steam store, it provides a total revamp of the base game, adding new areas, achievements, characters—and a totally revamped soundtrack. The composing duo EdenShard, consisting of John French and Logan Felber, did the soundtrack to Revision. Composing a soundtrack is a difficult enough task, but even more so when working with a game that has a preexisting soundtrack. For Felber, who was writing a remixed soundtrack for Deus Ex Revision, this led to an interesting challenge, saying, “For the most part I refrained from ripping the original [Deus Ex soundtrack] samples as an exercise in the sound design…It’s a little tedious but plotting notes by hand gives me cleaner results as well as a more thorough handle on the composition.” This led to a soundtrack which, Felber says, had a “moodier, more ambient tilt at the cost of the characteristic ‘tracker sound’ edge…” Felber admits that “…While we took that as a matter of artistic license at the time, I think in retrospect it was more the limits of what we knew how to do musically. In some places it worked, but if I had to do it over again it would sound a lot different.” Felber’s soundtrack has been hailed since Revision was released, with many citing it as instrumental in retaining the atmosphere of the original game. The Elder Scrolls Immersive sims are not the only genres to have mod soundtracks. Two of the largest mods for the renowned RPG series The Elder Scrolls, namely Beyond Skyrim and Tamriel Rebuilt, have similar initiatives. Beyond Skyrim is a sprawling fourteen-year-old project by modders to add the rest of the continent of Tamriel to Skyrim, and has had numerous composers work on its myriad subprojects, such as Daniel Ran, who wrote the soundtrack to the mod’s Bruma release; Michiel de Groot, who wrote the soundtrack for the mod’s upcoming Elsweyr release; and Eric Gordon Berg, who wrote the soundtrack for the mod’s upcoming The New North release. Tamriel Rebuilt is Beyond Skyrim’s older (and even more ambitious) counterpart for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and it too has had various soundtrack releases, some by Erik Rettig, known by his pseudonym ASKII. For Beyond Skyrim, each composer had a differing thought process. Daniel Ran admits it was daunting work, saying, “When I’m working on something else, it will for the most part stand on its own, but the Bruma OST was implicitly put up against some of the best work by one of the most successful video game composers to date. That was a mental challenge I often struggled with.” Like Felber, however, he tried to stay true to the original music of Oblivion, where Bruma first appeared, while also developing something novel: “It’s not so much about the specific choices Jeremy Soule made, like chord progressions or instrumentation, but rather how each was used to create the desired effect as a whole. People have specific expectations for a TES score; memorable, song-like tracks with harmony and structure that are easy to follow. So I applied my own style to those principles.” Ran worked on a section of the world of The Elder Scrolls seen in a previous title; whereas Michiel de Groot had no such restrictions working on an Elsweyr project. He found writing the soundtrack to be a challenge, but a fun one. Speaking of the differences between snowy Skyrim and balmy Elsweyr, he says, “We needed something more distant, something vastly different, in order to really make it fit this beautifully unique place…In the case of the music for Beyond Skyrim Elsweyr, it ended up as a wonderfully diverse collection of instruments from all over the world, due to the visual input and history of the region.” De Groot cited extensive research he did on both the fictional world of Elsweyr’s lore as well as the cultures that inspired it as being key in helping create his soundtrack. Having that to guide him prevented him from falling into what he called the “Infinite freedom” trap and doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. “Yes, having no time / budget restraints can be dangerous for efficiency when you’re not careful—but it also paves the way for more creative freedom than a professional environment might provide,” he finished. Eric Gordon Berg agreed that the process is a daunting one. Like Ran, Berg has worked on a soundtrack for a part of Tamriel previously seen in another game, this time Morrowind. “I have spent countless hours listening, studying, researching and trying to emulate the sound of these games. Not just Skyrim, but the entire franchise. There is something so special and unique about these soundtracks. They aren’t just fantasy soundtracks. They have an identity of their own.” He is hopeful of the finished product: “ I want people to listen to The New North fifteen years from now and feel that same level of nostalgia they have for the original Morrowind.” He hopes that when people hear his music for Beyond Skyrim, they don’t think of him, but rather of The Elder Scrolls. ASKII worked on the soundtrack for Tamriel Rebuilt. ASKII says he does not that the task of writing for Tamriel Rebuilt lightly. “It’s not just about complementing an existing soundtrack, but also about honoring the nostalgia and emotional connection people have with the original music.” He similarly does research as de Groot does: “Before I begin writing, I spend time listening to the original soundtrack again to get into the right mindset. I also ask for screenshots and lore background from the new regions to understand the story and emotional tone I need to convey.” Still, ASKII lets his own style shine through, especially as he has access to new technology: “The original soundtrack from 2002 used sampled instruments that don’t quite compare to modern libraries. That’s the biggest shift in sound. Some purists aren’t too fond of that—which I totally understand.” As for whether or not working on mod soundtracks provided future opportunities, the results are mixed. De Groot found his work with Beyond Skyrim to be quite enriching. Aside from working with instruments and sounds and cultures he was unfamiliar with, most of his active clients were once developers on Beyond Skyrim. De Groot has had the opportunity to work on many other soundtracks on a smaller scale, on top of meeting several talented artists who’ve since made album covers for him. Berg has similarly had success, calling the gravity his project credit has “Overwhelming.” Berg has been interviewed by the BBC on his work, met musicians like Chrissy Taylor and Vela Farguharson, and started a small YouTube channel. “While I can’t say that the project has specifically been attributed to one opportunity or another,” he says, it has certainly launched my music career.” ASKII’s music was introduced to a broader audience through his work on Tamriel Rebuilt. “It’s become a meaningful part of my portfolio, and I feel honored to contribute to something with such legacy,” he said. Portal Portal mods are taking a similar path. Popular mods such as Portal Stories: Mel and Portal Reloaded both have their own unique soundtracks. Jared Poolaw collaborated with Ella Ayar for the soundtrack to the mod Portal Revolution, which released in 2024 on Steam to overwhelmingly positive reviews and adds an entirely new storyline independent of the base game of Portal 2. Composing for Portal mods is a similarly challenging task, according to Jared Poolaw. Poolaw says the initial process of composing for Portal Revolution was “Surreal.” The project was intimidating at times and he admits, “There were many times where I felt like I bit off more than I could chew,” yet he adds, “I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking that.” Like other composers, Poolaw “tried to make sure every test chamber’s music sounded meditative and reminiscent of the first Portal’s soundtrack while also trying to mix in bits from Portal 2 and Half-Life.” Poolaw says his work on Portal Revolution has yet to open up any other opportunities so far, but says he’s glad to have it in his portfolio. The Future Most of the composers are in consensus — even more mods will have soundtracks in the future. Ran said his soundtrack is not the first and won’t be the last: “The barrier to entry is low enough now that getting paid for the work isn’t necessary any more, and streaming platforms like Spotify have made it easier to earn money than ever before, despite its drawbacks.” De Groot and Poolaw both agree that mod soundtracks will become more prevalent going forward and that working on one is one of the best ways for aspiring composers to get experience and build up a portfolio. “I think these kinds of modding projects are quite special and I’m glad to see them highlighted, specifically from an audio and music perspective,” said de Groot. — J. Barnes

HIGH Excellent worldbuilding. Engaging combat. Fantastic art direction.

LOW Frequent crashes and freezes, slow loading screens. Sparse, unpopulated areas.

WTF The way Vrann says “faces” sounds an awful lot like “feces.”

Rude Awakening From An Arthurian Dream HIGH Excellent worldbuilding. Engaging combat. Fantastic art direction. LOW Frequent crashes and freezes, slow loading screens. Sparse, unpopulated areas. WTF The way Vrann says “faces” sounds an awful lot like “feces.” From the moment I stepped foot into my first dungeon, I was fully immersed in Questline’s Tainted Grail — a dark fantasy take on what can best be described as a “Scrollslike” due to its Elder Scrolls-adjacent gameplay with lore that borrows concepts, places and characters from the Arthurian mythos. The adventure begins on the Island Asylum. It’s a vast, cavernous compound run by Red Priests who treat their inmates much as inquisitors would heretics, subjecting them to the rack and other means of torture as well as experimenting on them with an otherworldly force known as the Wyrdness. Once the player finishes creating their character from a disappointingly short list of customizable features, a guard will approach the cell and ask them a series of questions to determine how they landed themselves in the dungeon. The player’s class is based on how they choose to respond. For instance, responding with “I was hunting” granted me the Ranger class, deadly with a bow and arrow. After the player has been freed from their cell by a mysterious NPC, they’re free to explore the linear but dynamic dungeon where they’re presented with many opportunities to lockpick or crawl through tunnels. Along the way, they’ll encounter cells containing inmates afflicted by the Red Death (a plague with mysterious origins) who share some juicy lore bits with the player. There are also back rooms where they can beat down Red Priests and acquire loot before finally escaping and boarding a ship bound for the shores of Avalon. This process of effectively rolling a character followed by the trope of escaping from a dungeon and setting out on the main quest will be familiar to longtime CRPG players. The similarities between Tainted Grail and The Elder Scrolls series in particular are countless, but more significant are the similarities in gameplay, worldbuilding and level design — and arguably, it improves on all three. The gameplay is largely the same (first-person ARPG with the option to toggle third-person on and off) but the movement in Tainted Grail is surprisingly fluid and responsive, even on mouse and keyboard. The inclusion of mechanics like parrying and dodging, as well as a wide variety of interesting spells and powerful weapons — all equipped with light, heavy and charged attacks — make combat equally challenging and rewarding. Things like upgrading weapons, using skill and ability points to buff the player’s build and gaining passive XP (the player can boost their agility level just by running) all manifest in a similar way to Scrolls but there are enough differences to function as quality-of-life updates to the formula established by Bethesda. Being able to chop wood, dig for treasure, fish, mine for ore, forage for mushrooms, cook various dishes and brew potions (as one can also do in Scrolls) makes the resource-gathering aspect of Tainted Grail a bit more lifelike, although the places where one can handcraft weapons and armor or chop wood on chopping blocks were a little too rare. The open world aspect of Grail was also a significant strength, as I felt like I could look at practically any distant point on the horizon and eventually be able to make my way to it. There always seemed to be a new path to explore, whether tucked away in a forest, in a cavern, or hiding in plain sight. If I got frustrated with an area, I could easily fast-travel somewhere else. The level of creativity that’s gone into the art direction is remarkable, from the Giger-esque Archspires to vast highlands that rival the verdant beauty of Scotland. Speaking of which, it’s apparent that much of Grail is influenced by ancient Celtic culture — hence the presence of druids. The druids were easily my favorite NPCs because of their many idiosyncrasies, such as one named Therrov who dabbled in alchemy but consistently botched his potions with one particularly humorous result: I had my PC imbibe one of his potions which caused his speaking voice to sound like a chicken until the effect finally wore off. I felt rewarded by their change in demeanor as they went from being hostile to warm and appreciative once I helped their comrade in a quest, and I also admired their fierce loyalty to each other (mostly) in the face of total annihilation, as they were hounded by both the Red Priests and a certain Knight of the Round Table. Some of their lines of dialogue doubled as compelling lore dumps and heart-wrenching soliloquies about genocide, thanks to Grail‘s excellent writing and exceptional voice acting. Though it was satisfying to continue to meet NPCs, explore the world and fill the map in, there was a point at which I felt Grail start to lose its magic — and partly, it was due to technical issues. The concept art featured in the loading screens is gorgeous and horrific in equal measure, but one can only look at it for so long before the length of the load time erodes any enjoyment of the piece — and Grail‘s loading times are long. I would watch the clock as seconds turned to minutes, the pause in gameplay long enough to make me want to check my phone, and even after looking at emails and such, the game would still be loading. Worse, nearly every time I tried to boot Tainted Grail up, it would either crash or take a lifetime to verify the integrity of its files. On a recent attempt, I had to download the latest patch (which took only a minute or two to install) but then had to wait for almost a half an hour for the integrity of the files to be verified before it finally started… and then immediately crashed. The developers are clearly trying to address many of these issues by fixing bugs and adding slight changes and modifications, but the patches never seemed to do quite enough. Even after downloading the latest patch, I would run into weird glitches such as the afterimage of my short sword cutting in and out after sheathing it to enter dialogue. There’s also often stuttering in higher-density areas and sometimes combat will cause the game to freeze, which is especially frustrating during a boss fight. All this leads me to say that I think that Tainted Grail could have benefited from more time in development even though it had already been a couple of years since the demo dropped. Though it often stumbles over the technical weight of its own creative ambition, Tainted Grail has the makings of a phenomenal RPG — but readers just might want to hold off until that weight has been lifted. Rating: 8 out of 10 Buy Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon – PC Disclosures: This game was developed by Questline and published by Awaken Realms. This game is currently available on PC, PS5 and XBS/X. It was obtained via the publisher and reviewed for PC. Approximately 10 hours were devoted to the campaign mode. The game was not finished. There is no multiplayer mode. Parents: This game is not yet rated but it’s a dark fantasy RPG so one can expect a high level of graphic violence and gore, foul language and disturbing imagery. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game has subtitles for dialogue but no visual cues to warn the player of incoming attacks from the side or from behind, which makes it not fully accessible. Remappable controls: The controls can be remapped.

In this episode, I cover: Punch Club God of Weapons Date Everything Lost in Random: The Eternal Die – FULL REVIEW Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Burggeist …And more! You can also hear the show on iTunes and Spotify! Please send feedback and mailbag questions to SoVideogamesPODCAST (at) gmail (dot) com, or post them in the comments section below. Thanks!

HIGH Cozy vibe and pixel art style.

LOW Gameplay can get repetitive.

WTF How many eldritch monsters can fit in one lake?

Caught In A Wave Of Adventure HIGH Cozy vibe and pixel art style. LOW Gameplay can get repetitive. WTF How many eldritch monsters can fit in one lake? From a background extra to the star of the show, Nice Day for Fishing introduces humble fisherman Baelin who embarks on an adventurous journey to save his town from evil. In developer Jake Mackenzie’s words, this “quadruple A title”, developed by the popular Youtube channel Viva La Dirt League blends fishing, fighting, and fighting while fishing into an entertaining and cozy RPG. Viva La Dirt League are known for their short comedy skits, which imitate NPCs in games. A while back they released a short film centered around Baelin, who is known for his looped lines like “Morning!”, “Nice day for fishing, ain’t it!”, and the occasional “Uh-huh”. Baelin’s monotonous life is disrupted when a girl named Willow journeys with him across the fictional kingdom of Azerim. Along the way, Baelin becomes self aware and grows like a player. Nice Day for Fishing is loosely based on Baelin’s adventures, and the player controls him as he goes around completing quests for recurring characters from skits like Greg the Garlic Farmer and Bodger and Blacksmith. These quests are focused on fishing, finding materials, and fighting bosses. The controls are entirely on keyboard, with interactions using the letter and arrow keys. (No mouse). The highlight of Nice Day for Fishing is the combat/fishing system. When the player hooks a fish, they have a limited amount of time to attack using the letter “E”. After a while, the fish attacks and the player must press the letter “Q” with correct timing to avoid losing health. If the player’s health drops to 0, their line snaps and the fish escapes. This simple idea is made more engaging thanks to special abilities and unique fish. The bosses in Nice Day for Fishing are amusing to battle, with just enough challenge to stay enjoyable while still making the player work for it. For example, there is a Kraken that can stun and throw projectiles. The player has to use consumables and abilities at the right time to negate these attacks and dish out damage of their own. There’s also a progression system between fishing trips that keeps the game engaging. As Baelin completes quests, NPCs will reward him with gold which can be used to purchase new items like rods, bait, and cosmetics. In addition to stat upgrades, these unlock new types of fish to catch and new abilities. Another focal point of Nice Day for Fishing is the story. Without giving too much away, Baelin’s journey captures the adventurous feeling a good RPG should have. From sun-drenched shores to shadowy forests, the map is full of entertaining moments and the player meets many new characters along the way, with most NPCs having backgrounds and questlines that extend the lore even more. Nice Day for Fishing is designed using simple 2D pixel art, giving it a platformer feel. The graphics are not focused on realism, but are instead used to create charm. The colors are detailed perfectly, and the lighting and background changes depending on the scene. These small details give Nice Day for Fishing a great atmosphere and an appealing visual style. The environmental design is also something that impressed me because the ecosystems and creatures are visually distinct, making it feel like I was entering new landscapes, even when I didn’t move much on the map. Audio isn’t a major focus, but it’s solid enough. Hearing the Viva La Dirt League members voice their own characters is a pleasant addition for fans of the channel. Nice Day for Fishing has clear strengths, it’s funny, unique, and charming. However, it can suffer from repetition since the fishing can get tedious. As the player progresses, fish only get harder to reel in, causing button mashing that sometimes lasts minutes. Also, although the environments are great, the map feels a bit limited due to the fact that I ended up visiting the same places over and over again. Lastly, story progression is a bit slow. Some of the quests felt like filler material and didn’t do much to advance the overall plot. Nice Day for Fishing is a great mixture of humor, adventure, and chill vibes. If the player is a fan of Viva La Dirt League, there’s also many easter eggs and references to enjoy. However, even if they’re not, Nice Day for Fishing is still a lighthearted RPG adventure — just don’t expect anything too deep. Rating: 7 out of 10 — Eddie Guo Buy Nice Day For Fishing – PC – PS5 – Switch Disclosures: This game is developed by FusionPlay and published by Team17. It is currently available on PC, Switch and PS5. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on PC. Approximately 8 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed. There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated T and contains fantasy violence, language, mild blood, and suggestive themes. The player kills wildlife, fights monsters, and there is mild blood depicted in some fights. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game offers subtitles that cannot be altered or resized. Audio is mainly supplementary and does not directly affect gameplay, important dialogue is displayed on screen. I’d call this one fully accessible. Remappable Controls: No, this game’s controls are not remappable. This game does not offer a controller map diagram, but the W,A,S,D, and space keys are used to move and the arrow and letter keys interact.

HIGH Classic compulsive Monster Train cardplay, crunchier than ever.

LOW Higher learning curve than the first. Some unclear interactions.

WTF Which one of you sickos put all these waifus in the train???

Crazier Train HIGH Classic compulsive Monster Train cardplay, crunchier than ever. LOW Higher learning curve than the first. Some unclear interactions. WTF Which one of you sickos put all these waifus in the train??? Though lots of strong roguelite deckbuilders have followed in the wake of Slay the Spire, Monster Train is the only one to have staked out a space equal to Mega Crit’s genre-establishing release. It managed to do this by being, emphatically, its own thing, accomplished by taking a mere handful of mechanical waypoints from Spire and then building out an entirely original vision on top of that framework. This is, in some narrower, less foundational way, the process by which we saw FPS titles like Duke Nukem 3D and Blood carve out separate, full identities away from the “DOOM clone” designation. Monster Train was fresh, it felt new within a new genre. People cottoned to it, unsurprisingly, so it’s no surprise that it got a sequel. But, it is unusual because Monster Train 2 is the first sequel to a major roguelite deckbuilder we’ve seen. In fact, the larger roguelite space is light on sequels overall. It’s a genre in which the exemplars generally live forever (or near enough to it in gaming terms) growing not so much older as denser, either through official content infusions or the ministrations of dedicated communities. In other words, whether or not Shiny Shoe realized it, they were blazing new trails for the roguelite deckbuilder genre and setting precedent for what to expect from the sequel to a foundational text. As a sequel, Monster Train 2 is classical in its approach, focused on refinement and amplification. Many elements are carried over more or less unchanged, and there was a moment when I nearly became disappointed — almost underwhelmed — with it. But the more I played, the more I could appreciate the judicious improvements, creative expansions, and, most importantly, the enormous generosity of content. When it came fully into focus after a few hours, Monster Train 2 impressed the hell out of me. Remember, much is the same. Monster Train 2 takes place on a four-tiered train. The lower three levels are where cards – monsters, spells, and a few new things – can be played, while the uppermost fourth level houses the Pyre Heart, the train’s energy source. Each round enemies will enter from the lowest level, and any existing enemies in the train move up one level. Any goons that get to the Heart will attack it until they’re killed, but if they reduce the Heart’s HP to zero, it’s game over. (Please, I beg, do not make me explain the story of Monster Train 1 or 2. I know there are people out there who care about this series’ goofball lore about a war between the spangled, melodramatic cartoon characters of this particular heaven and hell, but I’m definitely not one of them. There’s a train, there are monsters in it, and really, isn’t that enough?) It certainly starts in a familiar way but the most important refinement here is the fancy new Deployment Phase. Before the first turn, players are given all unit cards marked with a blue banner, and can place as many of them as they have energy for. Then the first standard turn occurs. This may seem insignificant to someone who hasn’t played Monster Train 1, but it’s a seismic shift. It cleans up one of the most ambiguous mechanics in the original – draw priority – making it much more legible, and much more strategic. Arranging the Deployment Phase units is a delicious tactical aperitif before hefty main course of locomotive card battling. Monster Train 2 also delivers five brand new clans to play with. In Monster Train 1, the clans were unlocked in order of complexity. That’s true here too, but the introductory clans start with more complicated, oblique elements than were on offer with the first title’s Hellhorned and Awoken. All five clans have unique keywords, and two of them have a bespoke, overarching mechanic separate from the words on the cards. In other words, things start out dense, and get denser as the player goes along. This is not a criticism, but I think Monster Train 2 is targeted at people who have played the first one a decent amount. Despite the bright, googly art style, this is a mechanically crunchy game afroth with calculations and considerations that are easier to grok with some Monster Train-ing under the belt already. The upside to this is that the weirder, twistier, more offbeat strategies of these clans are wonderful puzzles for all the Train mavens out there. I’m partial to the Underlegion, an army of myconids with a unique “Troop” keyword that allows for massive stacks of little fungoid footmen to overwhelm opponents. The Pyreborn, a race of classic red dragons, lean into one of my favorite traditional draconic characteristics — greed for gold. Their spells and units play with the economy in unique ways. Other existing elements have been tastefully embroidered. There isn’t just a single, standard Pyre Heart, for example — more than ten different Hearts can be unlocked through play, each with different stats and traits. There are equipment and room cards now too. Equipment works just like you’d think, and the most complicated new clan, the Lazarus League, plays with these cards in some wild ways. Rooms provide a powerful effect on one entire train floor, and there are also some new units with baked-in abilities, activated manually, with attendant cooldowns between uses. All of this adds up to a sequel built directly and unabashedly on top of the original, but in such a way as to feel fresh, compelling, and surprising all over again. Every hour I spent with it, some new idea, mechanic, mode or flourish unfurled itself. I don’t have space to go into the alternate game modes, covenant ranks, or other surprises (and wouldn’t if I could) but take my word for it — this title is absolutely stuffed with things to play with. Monster Train 2 is more Monster Train – but it’s more in the most considered, intelligent possible way. Highly recommended. Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Disclosures: This game is developed by Shiny Shoe and published by Big Fan Games. It is available on PC, PS5, Switch and XBX/S. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher. Approximately 27 hours of play were devoted to the game, and it was completed (at the basic level, with many covenant levels and unlocks left to get). There are no multiplayer modes. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E 10+ and contains Alcohol References, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood and Mild Language. The core gameplay features a lot of monsters fighting each other, but it’s mostly bloodless. The monsters themselves are, for the most part, pretty tame in their designs – although a few of the later clans’ creatures can be gory and/or creepy in ways that might be upsetting to younger players. In terms of bad language, sometimes the game says “Hell yeah,” but that seems to be about it. Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are present, including a preset deuteranopia mode as well as the option to customize the colorblind settings. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: This game has subtitles for the (very few) voiced sequences. Most of the dialogue in the game is text only. The subtitles cannot be resized, but the UI can be set to a “Large” configuration. Remappable Controls: The game offers fully remappable controls for Mouse and Keyboard, but not for gamepad. The gamepad controls function much like they do in other deckbuilders — the A button confirms, B button goes back, the X button ends the turn. The left stick moves between cards in the hand and units on the field when necessary. The only unusual element of the gamepad controls relative to other deckbuilders is that the right analog stick allows for moving between the different floors of the train.

HIGH Playing Tag.

LOW The general lack of content.

WTF Anyone that can play the first-person mode without getting sick is made of sterner stuff than I.

Flip, Fall, Repeat HIGH Playing Tag. LOW The general lack of content. WTF Anyone that can play the first-person mode without getting sick is made of sterner stuff than I. Rooftops & Alleys is an uncommonly focused experience. As a third-person platformer centered around parkour, players will sprint and trick their way through obstacle-riddled urban environments to improve their free-running skills. There is zero fluff in Rooftops & Alleys, and every one of its elements works towards reinforcing the core sensation of rapid, smooth traversal. Without any traditional narrative, movement itself becomes the motivation. Flipping, leaping, and rolling across those titular Rooftops & Alleys is far from an intuitive act, and I was several hours in before feeling comfortable with the controls. Actions like jumping and sliding — so simple in other titles — take on a level of finesse in Rooftops & Alleys that is at once rewarding and frustrating. Many of the buttons serve multiple functions – the X button, for example, is used for jumping, mantling, and performing tricks, all depending on how, when, and in what order it’s pressed. The distinction between these acts often comes down to a split-second difference in timing, and my early hours were spent flat on my face as often as not. In all fairness, these missteps often came down to my own lack of digital dexterity, and as I became more accustomed to the complex inputs I began sailing through challenges I’d previously thought insurmountable. Learning to smoothly transition from a stories-high leap of faith into a shock absorbing roll, then springing off a stack of pallets is a fluid and satisfying process. These moments are hard-won, and though I wasn’t ready to shoulder responsibility for every trip and slip, the lithely-animated slides and wallruns served as catharsis for any pent frustrations. This dogmatic adherence to the core concept in Rooftops & Alleys is compelling… yet it also works to its detriment. With such nuanced and demanding play, it is doubly important for the underlying structure to support and motivate the player towards greater heights, and in this regard Rooftops & Alleys is unsuccessful. The majority of the content is comprised of Time Trials and Trick Challenges. While these straightforward objectives provide a solid instructional foundation for the mechanics, they are too limited in scope to keep pace with the sophisticated play. I enjoyed running the same courses over to shave precious seconds off in hopes of getting top marks, but these obstacles began to feel repetitive long before I had mastered the core concepts. Furthermore, the stage design is almost entirely functional, with many levels lacking strong visual identity. The Steel Yard and Construction Site are almost indiscernible thanks to a mixture of grey concrete and rusty girders. The container ship choked with stacked shipping crates offers endless combo opportunities, but feels compiled of assets and textures I’ve seen many times before. The sunny streets and colorful stucco of Sunset Paradise is a welcome reprieve, but this is the exception. While the solo content feels uninspired, Rooftops & Alleys nearly reaches its potential in its multiplayer modes. There is a liberating Freeplay mode where players can practice together in the same space, but the real standout is Tag mode. Playing like a far more dexterous version of the playground pastime, one player is designated as “It” and must chase the others down. The frantic pace of this mode snaps Rooftops & Alleys’ strengths into focus. The generic aesthetic of the stages fades as the impeccable lines and flow of the wireframe design takes over – a seemingly arbitrarily placed box becomes a springboard to outpace an opponent, inconspicuous ledges become critical footholds to outpace a pursuer. Without the structured solo objectives, I had to rely more on instinct and skill to succeed – and though I was often in last place, these moments were by far Rooftops & Alleys’ most thrilling. With that said, it should be mentioned that I had some technical difficulty connecting (and staying connected) to online matches, though I imagine this will improve with future patches. Rooftops & Alleys, in part, is victim to its own ambition. With its extraordinary mechanical strength, the majority of the content simply doesn’t measure up and found myself tiring of the experience prematurely due to a lack of variety and aesthetic interest. While this was leavened by the online modes, I still came away wishing for a more robust foundation to support its staggering mechanical heights. Rating: 6.5 out of 10 Buy Rooftops & Alleys – PC – PS5 – Xbox – Switch Disclosures: This game is developed by ML Media and published by Shine Research. It is currently available on Switch, XBX/S, PS5, and PC. This copy of the game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PS5. Approximately 13 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was completed. 4 hours of play were spent in multiplayer modes. Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E. There is very little in this game that could be considered objectionable. Play consists entirely of running through environments while performing tricks and stunts, there is no violence or profanity. When falling, the player’s character will tumble about like a ragdoll, and this can lead to some gnarly looking wipeouts. There is no blood, and these falls aren’t terribly lifelike. Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available. Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: There is no spoken dialogue in this game, and all information is presented in text. This text cannot be resized. I played a good portion of my time without sound and experienced no issues. There are no audio cues that I noticed, and all on-screen visual indicators clearly stand out. This game is fully accessible. Remappable Controls: No, this game’s controls are not remappable. Beyond the controls listed in the screenshots below, tricks can be performed with different combinations of the face buttons (X, Square, Triangle, Circle) and directions on the left control stick.

Fixes, Tutorials and Guides for Games

Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game enjoyed by millions worldwide, but it seems like Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a is giving headaches to a wide range number of fans. If you are facing this error, don’t worry; this guide will walk you through some proven methods to fix it and get you back to […]

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Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game enjoyed by millions worldwide, but it seems like Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a is giving headaches to a wide range number of fans. If you are facing this error, don’t worry; this guide will walk you through some proven methods to fix it and get you back to your block-building adventures. What is Minecraft error code 0x87e5003a? When encountering the Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a, users are often met with a pop-up error message indicating that the game failed to start, accompanied by the error code. This particular error code emerges and presents the gamer with the following message: “This game is already running. If you just quit the game, it should be ready to launch again in a moment”. While this could potentially be a passing glitch, more often than not, this generally indicates that the ability to partake in the game will remain unavailable even following a waiting period. How can I fix Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a? Check the live status Force closing the game Use an old Minecraft Launcher Reinstall Minecraft 1. Check the live status Open a web browser on your device. In the search bar, type Minecraft server status or a similar query and press Enter. From the search results, select a reliable website or service that offers real-time or updated information about Minecraft server status. Popular options include Minecraft Server Status or Mojang Status. On the chosen website, you may need to enter the server address (IP address or domain) you want to check. Click on the Check or Submit button to initiate the server status check. The website will then provide you with details about the server’s current status, whether it’s online, offline, or experiencing any issues. Review the information presented on the website to understand the current status of the Minecraft server. It might also display additional details about server performance and any ongoing incidents. If you want to cross-reference the information, you can also check official Minecraft community forums, social media accounts, or other community-driven platforms for updates on server status. 2. Force closing the game Time needed: 2 minutes It seems like forcing closing any active related instances is one of the best solutions to get rid of our today’s issue. Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + X Choose Task Manager. Make sure you’re in the Processes tab. Search for Minecraft or Minecraft Launcher, then select it, and click on the End task button. Restart your PC or console and check if you managed to get rid of the Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a. 3. Use an old Minecraft Launcher If the error persists on your display, you might consider utilizing the previous version of the Minecraft launcher. If you lack familiarity with this option, you can access the Minecraft alternatives to acquire comprehensive details, along with discovering alternative Minecraft launchers. 4. Reinstall Minecraft Hit the Windows key, then type Control Panel, and open the first result. Under the Programs section, choose to Uninstall a program. Locate and click on Minecraft in the list of installed apps, then click on the Uninstall button, just as we show you with the LoL example in the picture below. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove Minecraft from your system. After uninstalling, open the Microsoft Store and search for Minecraft. Click on the Install button to download and install Minecraft again. Once the installation is complete, launch the game to see if the error is resolved. Related articles: Minecraft Won’t Update: How to Force it to Update Properly Minecraft Packet Loss: How To Fix & Avoid It For Good Minecraft Error Code Creeper: Fix It Effortlessly Minecraft Error 403: How To Fix It Using Quick Solutions Minecraft Exception_Access_Violation 0xc0000005: How To Fix By following the methods mentioned in this guide, you should now be able to fix the Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a. Now, you can dive back into the fascinating world of Minecraft and enjoy your adventures without any hindrance. Happy gaming! In case you encounter any additional questions, feel free to leave a comment in the dedicated section below. The post Minecraft Launcher Error Code 0x87e5003a: Try These Fixes appeared first on Games Errors.

Fortnite has captivated millions of players with its exciting gameplay and vibrant world. However, encountering errors, like Fortnite Error code 0, can be frustrating and disrupt your gaming experience. It seems like this error is pretty popular among worldwide users, so have no fear! There are plenty of solutions to fix it without effort. In […]

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Fortnite has captivated millions of players with its exciting gameplay and vibrant world. However, encountering errors, like Fortnite Error code 0, can be frustrating and disrupt your gaming experience. It seems like this error is pretty popular among worldwide users, so have no fear! There are plenty of solutions to fix it without effort. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to help you fix Error 0 and get back to the Battle Royale action. How can I fix the Fortnite error code 0? Before getting into our main solutions, we recommend trying these fast fixes: Check your system specifications to see if it is meeting at least the minimum requirements to run the game. Because this error might occur due to missing or corrupted files, you should verify the integrity of game files in Epic Games Launcher. Now, in case you didn’t manage to solve the problem, move to the following solutions: Check the game server status Update the game Reset network settings Temporarily disable your antivirus software or any unnecessary apps 1. Check the game server status Navigate to the official Epic Games status website and check if the Fortnite status is Operational. You can also try to visit the official Fortnite social media channels and search for any notifications pertaining to server downtime or scheduled maintenance. If there’s a server issue, you may need to wait until it’s resolved. In the meantime, you can follow Fortnite’s social media for updates. 2. Update the game Open your Epic Games Launcher client. From the bottom left window pane, choose Settings. Go to the Manage Games section, then ensure to checkmark the box next to the Allow Auto-Updates option. Expand the menu for Fortnite, then make sure it has its Auto-update box checked. 3. Reset network settings Time needed: 3 minutes Resetting your network settings seems to be one of the most efficient solutions to fix Fortnite error code 0. Use the following keyboard shortcut to open Windows Settings: Windows + I. From the left window pane, click on the Network & Internet option. Then, look at the right side of the window and choose Advanced network settings. Now, navigate to Network reset. Once you reach the new window, click on the Reset now button. In the pop-up window, confirm the process by clicking on Yes. Wait a bit, then restart your PC. 4. Temporarily disable your antivirus software or any unnecessary apps Simultaneously press these keys: Windows + X. Select Task Manager from the pop-up menu. Make sure you’re in the Processes tab. Select each app/program you don’t necessarily need, then choose to End task. The error code 0 in Fortnite could refer to a variety of issues, such as problems with game files, network connectivity, or other technical glitches. Some users might suggest disabling antivirus software as a way to rule out the possibility that the antivirus is interfering with the game’s functionality. Related articles: How to Make Fortnite Run Better on PC: 7 Expert Tips to Try Fortnite This Client is Not Compatible: Why & How to Fix Fortnite Successfully Logged Out: Fix It in 3 Minutes Fortnite Unexpected Error Occured on Xbox: How to Fix Fortnite Update Stuck at 100% Xbox One [Easy Fix] Fortnite Error code 0 can be a minor setback, but with the troubleshooting steps provided in this guide, you should be able to fix the issue and jump back into the action-packed world of Fortnite. The below comment section is dedicated to you, so make sure you use it in case of having any other related questions or curiosities. The post Fortnite Error Code 0: Fix It Now appeared first on Games Errors.

Fortnite is a highly popular and addictive online battle royale game played by millions of players worldwide, but the 0xc0000005 error seems to sometimes generate headaches among fans. Like any other software, it can encounter various errors and issues that disrupt the gaming experience. The 0xc0000005 error is one of the most common occurrences for […]

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Fortnite is a highly popular and addictive online battle royale game played by millions of players worldwide, but the 0xc0000005 error seems to sometimes generate headaches among fans. Like any other software, it can encounter various errors and issues that disrupt the gaming experience. The 0xc0000005 error is one of the most common occurrences for some players. If you’re facing this error while trying to play Fortnite, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through several troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and get back into the game. What is error code 0xc0000005 in games? Error code 0xc0000005 is a common Windows error that can occur when running various applications, including games. This error is officially known as the Access Violation error and indicates that an application attempted to access a memory address that it was not allowed to access. In simpler terms, it means that a program tried to read or write to a memory location that it doesn’t have permission to use, resulting in a crash or termination of the application. There are several reasons why this error can occur in games: Corrupted Game Files: If some game files are corrupt or missing, the game may try to access an invalid memory location, triggering the 0xc0000005 error. Outdated or Incompatible Drivers: Graphics drivers, audio drivers, or other hardware drivers that are outdated or incompatible with the game can lead to memory access issues. Faulty RAM: Problems with your computer’s RAM (Random Access Memory) can cause memory access violations in games, resulting in the error code 0xc0000005. Third-Party Software Interference: Certain third-party software, such as antivirus programs or system optimizers, may interfere with the game’s memory allocation and cause access violation errors. Compatibility Issues: Some games may not be fully compatible with certain versions of Windows or specific hardware configurations, leading to access violation errors. How can I fix the error code 0xc0000005 in Fortnite? Before going deeper into the main solutions, we suggest first ensuring these quick steps: Check if your system meets at least the minimum requirements to run Fortnite. Verify the game files on Epic Games Launcher, by using our expert guide. Now, if none of the above options worked, let’s discover some additional solutions you can try to get rid of the Fortnite 0xc0000005 Error. Update your drivers Run an SFC scan Scan PC with Windows Defender Disable third-party software 1. Update your drivers Time needed: 5 minutes Simultaneously hit the Windows and X keys, then choose Device Manager from the shown menu. Now, look for the Disk drivers section, then double-click on it. Once the section is expanded, right-click on the needed component, then choose to Update driver. Now, choose to Search automatically for drivers (Just as we show you in the example below). Wait until the process is completed, then check if our today’s issue is gone. 2. Run an SFC scan Hit the Windows key, type cmd, then choose to Run as administrator. In the opened window, type the following code, then press Enter: SFC/scannow Because the process might take a while, we recommend being patient until it is completed. 3. Scan the PC with Windows Defender Navigate to Windows Settings by using this keyboard shortcut: Windows + I. Go to Privacy & Security, then to Windows Security. Choose Virus & threat protection. Scroll down until you see the Current Threats option, then choose to perform a Quick Scan. You can also go for Scan options. There, you’ll find multiple alternatives from which you can choose. Initiate the scanning process. After completion, restart your system and follow additional instructions for virus removal in case any is detected. Then, run Fortnite and check if you’ve managed to get rid of the 0xc0000005 error. 4. Disable third-party software Open Task Manager by pressing simultaneously the following keys on your keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + Esc. There, make sure you’re in the Processes tab. Then, look for any app or program you don’t necessarily need or use while running Fortnite, and choose to End Task. Related articles: How to Make Fortnite Run Better on PC: 7 Expert Tips to Try Fortnite Successfully Logged Out: Fix It in 3 Minutes Fortnite This Client is Not Compatible: Why & How to Fix Fortnite Unexpected Error Occured on Xbox: How to Fix Encountering the Fortnite 0xc0000005 Error can be frustrating, but armed with the right troubleshooting steps, you can swiftly overcome this hurdle and get back to the exhilarating world of Fortnite. In case of facing any additional questions, feel free to use the comment section listed below. The post Fortnite 0xc0000005 Error: Try These Fixes appeared first on Games Errors.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) is a cornerstone of the CoD franchise, offering intense multiplayer action and a gripping campaign. However, the gaming experience can sometimes be ruined by various errors, one of which is the notorious Dev Error 12502. This technical problem can stop players in their tracks, leaving many to wonder […]

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) is a cornerstone of the CoD franchise, offering intense multiplayer action and a gripping campaign. However, the gaming experience can sometimes be ruined by various errors, one of which is the notorious Dev Error 12502. This technical problem can stop players in their tracks, leaving many to wonder about its nature and, more importantly, how to fix it. In this guide, we’ll explore what Dev Error 12502 is and provide you with reliable methods to get you back into the action as swiftly as possible. What is Dev Error 12502 in MW3? Dev Error 12502 is a common issue that players of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 might encounter. This error generally signifies a problem related to the game’s files or settings that prevents it from running smoothly. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, including corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, or incorrect game settings. How Can I Fix MW3 Dev Error 12502? To resolve Dev Error 12502 and restore your gaming experience, consider the following preliminary solutions: Run the game as an administrator Close unnecessary background tasks Repair the game files Table of contents 1. Update the game 2. Adjust Your System’s Paging File Size 3. Disable Game Overlays 1. Update the game Updating your game is a crucial step in resolving MW3 Dev Error 12502, as developers often release patches to fix bugs and improve game performance. Here’s how you can ensure that Modern Warfare 3 is up to date: Open Your Game Launcher: Begin by launching the platform you use to play MW3, such as Steam, Battle.net, or your console’s home screen. These platforms typically manage game updates automatically. Navigate to Your Game Library: In your game launcher, locate your library or list of owned games. Here, you’ll find Modern Warfare 3 among your collection. Check for Updates: Highlight Modern Warfare 3 and look for any prompts or options indicating an available update. Launchers like Steam and Battle.net display update statuses directly on the game’s library entry. For consoles, selecting the game usually prompts an update check. Initiate the Update Process: If an update is available, you’ll typically see an “Update” button or similar. Click or select this to start downloading the update. On consoles, updates may start automatically upon selecting the game or may require you to confirm the update. Wait for the Update to Complete: Download and installation times will vary based on the update’s size and your internet connection speed. Ensure the process completes without interruption. On PC, avoid using other bandwidth-intensive applications to speed up the download. Launch the Game: After the update is installed, open MW3 to check if Dev Error 12502 has been resolved. Updated game versions often include fixes for common errors and might resolve your issue directly. Keeping MW3 and your game launcher updated ensures you have the latest content and fixes. If automatic updates are disabled in your launcher, consider enabling them to automatically receive these improvements in the future. 2. Adjust Your System’s Paging File Size Adjusting your system’s paging file size can be an effective way to fix MW3 Dev Error 12502, especially if the error is related to insufficient system memory. Follow these detailed steps to adjust your paging file size for Windows: Press Windows Key + R: This will open the Run dialog box. In the box, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter. This command opens the System Properties window. Navigate to Advanced System Settings: Once the System Properties window is open, click on the “Advanced” tab. Here, you’ll find performance, user profiles, and startup and recovery options. Access Performance Settings: Under the Performance section, click on “Settings” to open the Performance Options window. This window allows you to adjust various settings related to your computer’s performance. Modify Virtual Memory: In the Performance Options window, switch to the “Advanced” tab, and then click on “Change” under the Virtual memory section. Virtual memory is where your computer supplements its physical RAM by temporarily storing data on the hard drive. Adjust Paging File Size: By default, the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option is selected. Uncheck this box to manually adjust the paging file size. Then, select the drive where your game is installed (typically the C: drive). Set Custom Size: After selecting the drive, choose the “Custom size” option. Here, you will input the initial size (MB) and maximum size (MB) for your paging file. It’s recommended to set the initial size to the amount of RAM your system has and the maximum size to double the amount of RAM. However, these values can vary based on your system’s specifications and the requirements of the game. Apply and Set: After entering your custom sizes, click on “Set” and then “OK” to apply the changes. You may be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Restart Your Computer: Save any open files and close all applications, then restart your computer. This will ensure that the changes to the virtual memory settings are properly applied. Launch the Game: Once your computer has restarted, try launching MW3 again to see if the Dev Error 12502 has been resolved. Adjusting the paging file size can help accommodate games that require a lot of memory, like MW3, especially if you’re running several applications simultaneously or have limited RAM. If you’re unsure about the best settings for your system, it’s a good idea to consult Windows’ recommendations in the Virtual Memory window or seek advice from a knowledgeable source to avoid system instability. 3. Disable Game Overlays Disabling game overlays can significantly improve game performance and potentially resolve MW3 Dev Error 12502. Many gaming applications provide overlays that offer convenient features like FPS counters, instant messaging, and live streaming, but they can also cause conflicts or use valuable resources. Here’s how to disable the most common game overlays: For Nvidia GeForce Experience: Launch Nvidia GeForce Experience: Open the GeForce Experience application on your computer. Access the Settings: Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to go to the settings. Disable In-Game Overlay: Find the “In-Game Overlay” option and toggle it off. This will disable the overlay that GeForce Experience provides in games. For Discord: Open Discord: Start the Discord app on your PC. Go to User Settings: Click on the cog icon near your username at the bottom left to access settings. Navigate to Overlay Settings: Select “Overlay” in the App Settings section. Toggle Off the Overlay: Ensure the “Enable in-game overlay” option is toggled off to disable Discord’s game overlay. For Steam: Open Steam: Launch the Steam client. Access Settings: Click on “Steam” in the upper left corner, then “Settings”. Find the In-Game Settings: Go to the “In-Game” tab in the settings menu. Disable the Steam Overlay: Uncheck the box labeled “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”. For Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10/11): Open Settings: Press the Windows key and type “Settings”, then press Enter. Navigate to Gaming: Click on “Gaming” to access the game bar settings. Go to Xbox Game Bar: Select “Xbox Game Bar” from the side menu. Toggle Off: Ensure the “Enable Xbox Game Bar for things like recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invites” is set to Off. For AMD Radeon Software: Launch AMD Radeon Software: Open the software through your desktop or search function. Access the Settings: Look for the gear icon or a similar settings menu. Disable Overlay: Find the overlay option and toggle it off to disable AMD’s overlay feature. After disabling these overlays, restart your game to see if Dev Error 12502 persists. Turning off these features can not only solve compatibility issues but also free up resources for a smoother gaming experience. If you’re not using a particular overlay feature, keeping it disabled during gameplay is generally a good practice. Conclusion Tackling Dev Error 12502 in Modern Warfare 3 feels a bit like detective work, doesn’t it? You’ve got your list of potential problems—outdated game versions, mischievous system settings, those sneaky overlays—and it’s all about patiently ruling them out one by one. The key is to keep calm and troubleshoot on, starting with the basics like ensuring your game is up to date, then maybe diving into the more techy stuff like tweaking your virtual memory settings if needed. And, if you ever feel lost, remember that Activision’s official support is like the detective’s handbook, always there to guide you with the latest insights. By methodically following these steps, you’re not just trying to fix an error; you’re ensuring your gaming setup is as robust as can be, ready for uninterrupted action. Here’s to smoother gaming ahead! The post How to Fix Dev Error 12502 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 appeared first on Games Errors.

The Call of Duty series has been a staple of the first-person shooter genre, offering players intense combat scenarios and a rich, narrative-driven experience. However, like any complex games, it’s not immune to technical problems. One such issue that has been a thorn in players’ sides is the MW3 Dev Error 5433, especially within the […]

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The Call of Duty series has been a staple of the first-person shooter genre, offering players intense combat scenarios and a rich, narrative-driven experience. However, like any complex games, it’s not immune to technical problems. One such issue that has been a thorn in players’ sides is the MW3 Dev Error 5433, especially within the game’s zombie mode.. This error can abruptly halt your gaming session, leaving you searching for solutions. What is Dev error 5433 in Modern Warfare 3? Dev Error 5433 in Modern Warfare 3 typically indicates an issue within the game’s system that prevents it from operating correctly. Such errors usually relate to problems with game files, graphics settings, system configurations, or compatibility issues with hardware or drivers. How to fix Dev error 5433? To fix Dev Error 5433, try disconnecting and then reconnecting your internet connection. This quick fix has helped some users, although it may not be a long-term solution. Additionally, run the game as an administrator and remove unnecessary background tasks. Table of contents 1. Verify the game files 2. Update the game 3. Update Windows & Drivers 4. Set Game Priority to High 5. Optimize your internet connection 1. Verify the game files Corrupted game files are a common cause of MW3 Dev Error 5433. Regularly checking the integrity of your game files can help prevent this issue. Here’s a simplified process: Open your game launcher and locate the executable file for MW3. Right-click on the file and choose “Properties.” Navigate to the “Local Files” tab within the Properties window. Select the option to “Verify the integrity of game files.” Allow the launcher to check and repair any corrupted files. Restart your game after the verification process to see if the error has been resolved. This method ensures your game files are intact and can often clear up errors related to file corruption. 2. Update the game Ensuring your game is up to date is another key strategy in resolving MW3 Dev Error 5433. Game developers frequently release updates that fix bugs and errors. Follow these steps to update the game: Open the game launcher (like Steam, Battle.net, or the console’s home screen). Navigate to Modern Warfare 3 in your game library. Look for any available updates. If there’s an update option, select it to initiate the update process. Wait for the update to download and install, which may take some time, depending on the size of the update and your internet speed. Once the update is complete, launch the game to see if the error persists. Keeping the game updated ensures you have the latest fixes and game improvements, potentially resolving the Dev Error 5433 and enhancing your gaming experience. 3. Update Windows & Drivers Keeping your operating system and drivers up-to-date is crucial for fixing MW3 Dev Error 5433. Updates often include patches for software bugs that could be causing the error. Here’s how to go about it: Update Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click on “Check for updates.” Install any available updates and restart your computer. Update Drivers: Specifically, your graphics card drivers should be kept up to date. You can do this by visiting the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and downloading the latest driver for your model. Alternatively, you can use the device manager in Windows to check for driver updates. These updates can enhance system compatibility and performance, potentially resolving the Dev Error 5433 in MW3. 4. Set Game Priority to High Adjusting the game’s priority to high in your system’s task manager can potentially resolve MW3 Dev Error 5433 by allocating more system resources to the game. Here’s a simplified guide: Launch Modern Warfare 3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. Go to the “Details” tab, find the game process (it might be listed as ModernWarfare3.exe or something similar). Right-click on the game process, hover over “Set priority,” and then select “High.” This action tells your computer to prioritize MW3’s operations over less critical processes running in the background, which could smooth out performance issues and mitigate the dev error. 5. Optimize your internet connection Optimizing your internet connection can play a critical role in preventing MW3 Dev Error 5433, especially in online play where a stable connection is vital. Here’s how to ensure your internet is in the best shape for gaming: Wired Connection: If possible, use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. Ethernet connections are generally more stable and offer faster speeds. Restart Your Router: Simply turning your router off for a minute and then back on can refresh your connection and improve stability. Limit Bandwidth Usage: Ensure no other devices are using the network for bandwidth-heavy tasks like streaming or downloading large files while you play. Update Router Firmware: Check your router’s manufacturer website for firmware updates that can improve performance and security. Adjust Game’s Bandwidth Settings: Some games allow you to limit how much bandwidth they use. Lowering these settings can make your connection more stable. Use a Gaming VPN: A VPN designed for gaming can sometimes reduce ping and packet loss by routing your traffic more efficiently than your ISP. Contact Your ISP: If you consistently have connection issues, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be able to help optimize your connection or troubleshoot problems on their end. By following these steps, you’re not just addressing Dev Error 5433 but also enhancing your overall online gaming experience. Fixing Dev Error 5433 on PS5 Restart Your PS5: Sometimes, a simple restart can clear temporary glitches causing the error. Check for Game Updates: Ensure MW3 and your PS5 system software are up to date. Go to the game on your dashboard, press the options button, and select ‘Check for Update.’ Rebuild Database: Boot your PS5 in Safe Mode and select the ‘Rebuild Database’ option. This can fix issues without deleting your data. Reinstall the Game: If the error persists, try uninstalling and then reinstalling MW3. This can resolve corrupted game data issues. Improve Internet Connection: Use a wired connection if possible and restart your router to ensure a stable online experience. Adjust PS5 Settings: Some users find that tweaking network settings or restoring default settings in the PS5 can help. These steps target the common causes of Dev Error 5433 on PS5, focusing on system and game software health, as well as network stability. Conclusion Navigating through the annoyance of Dev Error 5433, whether on PS5 or PC, requires a mix of system checks, game updates, and internet optimization. Each suggested solution targets a potential root cause, from software glitches and outdated files to unstable network connections. Implementing these fixes not only aims to resolve the specific error but also enhances the overall gaming experience by ensuring your system and network are optimized for performance. Remember, persistence is key; if one solution doesn’t work, move on to the next until you find the right fix for your situation. Happy gaming, and may your sessions be error-free! The post MW3 Dev Error 5433: How To Fix It Easily appeared first on Games Errors.

Many believe that Gaming and Esports industry has taken a hard hit as the offices reopened after COVID-19, and the downfall of this industry has begun. While we can say this about just the Esports industry, the Gaming industry is still booming, and if you are wondering how big it is, you can have a […]

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Many believe that Gaming and Esports industry has taken a hard hit as the offices reopened after COVID-19, and the downfall of this industry has begun. While we can say this about just the Esports industry, the Gaming industry is still booming, and if you are wondering how big it is, you can have a look at the comparison between the revenue generated by the Movie Industry, which is widely considered as the wealthiest entertainment sector vs. Gaming Industry. Gaming vs. Movie Industry Revenue: Which Is Bigger? Gaming vs. Movie Industry Revenue Comparison. (Image via S-GAME/Universal Pictures) As per the report by SuperData Research, the Gaming Industry was valued at $159.3 billion in 2020; however, on the other side, the Movie Industry was worth $19.1 billion, which makes the Gaming Industry around eight times bigger than the Movie Industry. Moving forward in 2022, even though the global games market took a small hit of -5.1%, as per Newzoo, it was still the second biggest entertainment industry after the TV industry as it was worth $182.9 billion and once again surpassed the revenue generated by the Movie and Music Industry combined. Global Games Market Revenue in 2022. (Image via Newzoo) Some of the highest-selling video games include Animal Crossing, GTA 5, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and more; however, mobile games had the highest percentage of revenue (around 50% in 2022, as per Newzoo) among all. The reason behind this is the portability of mobile devices and their affordability compared to other gaming devices available out there. There are a bunch of other factors that contribute to the success of the Gaming Industry in comparison to the Movie Industry. One of the biggest factors is the immersive and attractive experience games offer. Unlike watching movies, playing video games will let you control your character in the game and experience the stories as you like, making it a more immersive experience than just consuming content through eyes and ears. Apart from this, it’s a social platform that will connect players from around the world and let them make friends across countries which is not possible in movies. Even in 2023, Activision Blizzard’s Diablo 4 made over $666 Million in just five days after its launch that became their fastest-selling game till date, while on the other hand, Modern Warfare 2 grossed $1 billion in 10 days after it got released, giving us an idea on how well the industry is performing. Global Games Market Revenue Forecast till 2025. (Image via Newzoo) Not only this but as per Newzoo’s report, the Gaming Industry will be worth $206.4 billion by 2025. Thus, it is safe to say that the Gaming Industry massively dominates the Movie Industry and is only projected to grow in the coming years. Related articles: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: What is Different? Japanese Games VS Western Games: Understanding the Key Differences Diablo 4 Monetization: Microtransactions Discovered by Fans Diablo 4 Release: 5 Most Irritating Issues You May Encounter The post Gaming vs. Movie Industry Revenue: Striking Revenue Gap Revealed appeared first on Games Errors.

Apex Legends vs Fortnite. Which one is more popular and better? This question can arise in your mind. But, without proper analysis, it’s not possible to answer. Both of these games are known for their amazing multiplayer experience. But that’s not the complete story. We have looked far deeper than you can imagine and found […]

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Apex Legends vs Fortnite. Which one is more popular and better? This question can arise in your mind. But, without proper analysis, it’s not possible to answer. Both of these games are known for their amazing multiplayer experience. But that’s not the complete story. We have looked far deeper than you can imagine and found many surprising facts. In this analytical article, you will learn about fantastic stats, facts, and graphics that will satisfy your curiosity. Note: We’re excited to share an excellent article comparing Apex Legends and Fortnite. Our dedicated writer spent an incredible 10 hours crafting this outstanding research piece. The extensive research and knowledge poured into this exceptional article will captivate you. Apex Legends vs. Fortnite: A complete overview of Popularity Before we dive deeper, we should have some idea about the nature of these two games: System requirements Both of these games have apparent system requirements that give us a clear idea about the optimization level of these titles. Here are the system requirements for Apex Legends: Processor: Core i3 6th Gen/AMD FX-4350 or Better RAM: 6GB Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640/Radeon HD 7730 Disk Space: 22 GB+ Operating System: Windows 7 or higher After knowing the required specifications, you can see that a PC with basic hardware can run Apex Legends without any problem. Even the obsolete Windows 7 OS is also compatible. Though we don’t know for how long Windows 7 support will exist. Looking at Fortnite, we can see that this game is also compatible with PCs with basic hardware. Here are the system requirements for Fortnite: Processor: Core i3 3rd Gen RAM: 8GB Graphics Card: Intel HD 4000 on PC/AMD Radeon Vega 8 Disk Space: Not specified, but maybe around 40 GB Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit or Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6 Unlike Apex Legends, Fortnite doesn’t run on Windows 7. Also, it needs more disk space. But AL needs at least 6th gen Intel core i3 processor, whereas Fortnite can be played using the older i3 3rd gen processor. In fact, gamers can play both of these titles on very basic computers with minimum GPU power. Gameplay Mechanics Although both of these titles have many similarities, some key differences have made them unique from each other. Apex Legends is a First-Person shooter game, while Fortnite is Third-Person. This characteristic has created many more contrasts, particularly in the shooting, movement, and overall game mechanics. Fortnite has a built-in defense against enemy shootings. But, in the AL, the player needs to be more skillful to protect themself from enemy shooters. The movement mechanics in Fortnite is very basic. You can easily move and play. However, in Apex Legends, a gamer must be an expert and do more to move and fight. Both of these titles with cross-platform play capacity. Also, these two are getting regular updates which improve the stability and add new features to the game. Now, at this point, AL and Fortnite are not the same compared to the time when these were released. Total number of gamers Currently, Apex Legends have a total of approximately 136 million registered accounts and 114,580,698+ active players. On the other hand, Fortnite holds an estimated around 550 million registered accounts and 234,546,282+ active gamers. We have tagged a gamer active if he/she has played the game within the last 30 days. We may not get the whole story after seeing the active players. So, we have made some very specific statistics that represent the changes in the number of total players over the years in different ways. Source: ActivePlayer.IO, EsportsDriven Total number of registered gamers over the last 4 years: Here are the data of total registered player accounts in Million since 2019: Year Apex Legends Fortnite 2019 70 250 2020 90 350 2021 100 390 2022 130 450 2023 136 550 For your convenience, we have featured a graph that gives you a clear view of the total number of players in millions on both Apex Legends and Fortnite. The number in the above graph represents the total number of registered players in both games. This statistic may not be 100% accurate as no precise data is available on the official sources. So, based on the many unofficial sources and our analysis, we have estimated these numbers. The latest data is not precisely available on any recognizable forums or sources. So, we have made our estimation for 2023’s data in some cases. Source: reuters.com, Business of Apps, Statista The number of active gamers changes every month: In the following graph, you can see the number of active players over the years in every month. It shows the trend of the popularity of Fortnite and Apex Legends. The above graph is clearly showing that Apex Legends is slowly gaining popularity. On the other hand, Fortnite is losing its place even though it’s still the most popular battle royal game and far ahead of AL. However, to understand the scene from an even closer position, you should look at the other factors featured in the next parts of this post. Peak players by year: We may see different data if we look at the number of players who are active in the peak hour. Year Apex Legends Fortnite 2020 13,093,785 191,302,008 2021 67,563,911 338,845,462 2022 99,458,463 312,730,506 2023 17,333,097 71,906,471 The following smooth line graph shows the trend of active peak players over the last three years. However, we can exclude the 2023 part, as it’s the middle of the year. The above statistic clearly shows that if we exclude 2023, the number of active peak players of Apex Legends’ is increasing. But the opposite is happening for Fortnite. This information is based on the data available on ActivePlayer.IO. We have used data till April 2023. Average time spent by players: There is no exact data available about the average time spent by players on both of these games. However, according to various unofficial sources, on average, for both Apex Legends and Fortnite, gamers spent a few hours a week on these games. In Fortnite, most of the active players spend 6-10 hours a week; on Apex Legends, it’s around 7 or 8 hours. Platform preferences: Both Fortnite and Apex Legends are available on mobile, PC, and console. If we look at Fortnite, we can see that 69% of players play it on Console, which includes both Xbox and PlayStation. The PS is the most popular platform for this title, with around 40% of gamers. 46% of the players play on smartphones, and 28% play on PC. This percentage seems wrong to you. It is because some players play this title on both PC and Console or even all of these three platforms. Apex Legends’ player count per device has not yet been released by any official or unofficial channel. So, we are unable to give you an insight. Geographical distribution for Apex Legends and Fortnite: Undoubtedly, these two games are very popular around the world. In the USA, Apex Legends has 38.92% of its total number of players; for Fortnite, it’s 21.63%. We have also collected the percentage of other mentionable countries as well. Based on it, we can easily find an estimated number of gamers playing these titles in specific countries. And we did it. After calculation, we have found the following data Country Apex Legends Fortnite USA 44M 51M UK 8.2M 12.1M Russia 6.7M 18M Brazil 6.3M 13M For your convenience, we have made the following graph. It will help to understand the popularity of these two games in the countries mentioned in the above table: We can see that both of these games are very popular in the USA. Apex’s user count is particularly closer to Fortnite in this country. So, we don’t know if Fortnite can hold its position in the United States of America in the upcoming years or not. Demographical distribution for Apex Legends and Fortnite: 62.7% of Fortnite players are young. They belong to the 18-24 years age group. The 25-34 years age group’s percentage is 22.5, and the 35-44 is 12.7. On the other hand, Apex Legends doesn’t have this many statistics available. However, according to various sources, most of the players are below 18. The 18-34 age group has a significant number of players. The Apex Legends also don’t have any clear statistics on player count based on gender. But, it is indeed a male dominant FPS multiplayer where a significant number of gamers are also female. In Fortnite, 72.4% are male players, and 27.6% are female. Source: Exploding Topics Number of tournaments and prize pools for Apex Legends and Fortnite Each year, gamers attend tournaments for both Apex Legends and Fortnite. Some of these events are official. Here are some interesting stats and graphs about these events: The total number of tournaments: According to the Esports Charts, both Apex and Fortnite had many official and unofficial tournaments. The following tables show the number of tournaments for these two games from 2019 to 2022. Year Fortnite Apex Legends 2019 58 28 2020 109 155 2021 54 268 2022 72 293 2023 7 73 The above table shows that the number of Apex Legends tournaments is increasing each year. Even as of May 2023, this game has more tournaments held compared to Fortnite. In the following column chart, we have excluded the data from 2023. It will help to compare the number of the tournament for these two games over the last few years. Source of information: Esports Chart’s Apex Legends and Fortnite page. Prize Pool: Apex Legends vs Fortnite: If we look at the total prize pool per year for these two popular multiplayer games, we find the following data: Year Apex Legends Fortnite 2019 $2.1M $51.9M 2020 $6.6M $5.24M 2021 $5.3M $5.75M 2022 $1.71M $12.62M 2023 $2.27M $0.5M We can see that the tournament prize pool is very attractive for these two games. Fortnite is ahead. But Apex Legends’ ones are also impressive. The above data is based on the information found on Esports Chart. There may be errors as no precise information is available now. Revenue and Profit Margins: Since the release of Apex Legends, EA has made over 2 billion USD revenue from this game. Fortnite is much ahead. It’s making several billion a year. Here is the list of revenue in billion for these two popular battle royal games per year: Year Apex Legends Fortnite 2019-2020 0.4 5.1 2020-2021 0.6 5.8 2021-2022 1 6 The following scatter chart will help to understand the increasing trend in terms of revenue: For this statistic, we have used information from Thcsngogiatu.edu.vn, Demand Sage, Epic Games, and Statista. We have excluded the year 2023 as no complete data is available for this year yet. There is no clear information about the profit for these two titles. However, It’s hard to determine which one is more successful in increasing revenue. According to The Verge, Fortnite made $9 billion in revenue in its first two years, which is much higher than Apex’s 2 Billion in the first three years. During that period, Battle Royal games experienced a sudden spike in popularity which is also a factor. Most popular skin and character Two of these Battle Royal games have a wide range of choices when it’s skin and characters. If we look at the Apex Legends, Pathfinder, Octane, Wraith, Bangalore, Bloodhound, and Ballistic, are the most picked characters. On the other hand, if we look at Fortnite, The Foundation, Jonesy, The Visitor, Leviathan, Midas, The Reaper Fortnite Skin, Drift, etc., are very popular. Source: Dexerto, SportsKeeda, Fiction Horizon. Most viewed and streamed content If we look at the most viewed content for Fortnite, we find Travis Scott and Fortnite Present: Astronomical (Full Event Video) as the most watched content on any platform. It has gained 204 Million views. On Twitch, Fortnite Esports (0.372M views) and Kid jerks off in the Fortnite arena (0.86M views), getting the highest views. For Apex Legends, 【悲報】釈迦、漏らす – Twitch (1.99M views), LOVE_FuryXD Dies!?! (0.46M views); these are the two most popular Twitch content. If we compare the top 3 most watched videos on Twitch related to these two battle royale games, we can see the following data: Rank Fortnite Apex Legends 1 863,669 1,984,064 2 372,305 459,372 3 351,263 331,306 For your convenience, here is the graphical representation: To get an even better idea, we can have a look at the following graph based on the average views in thousand on Twitch: The above graph shows how the average monthly view counts have changed over the last three years. We can see that since January 2020, Apex Legends’ content has gotten more average views than Fortnite. Source: twitchmetrics.net and buzzrank.io, TwitchTracker Average Time-to-Kill (TTK) and Time-to-Survive (TTS) Determining the average TTK and TTS for these two games is tricky, as these depend on several factors. For Apex Legends, killing a player with 200 HP health takes 2.7 seconds on average and 2.4 seconds for 175 HP. For Fortnite, no such information is available right now. If we look at the Time-to-Survive data on Apex Legends, it may vary from player to player. Generally, a player’s survival time can be from a few seconds to several minutes. Fortnite is from a few to 20+ minutes, depending on many things. Factors that work behind the Popularity Apex Legends: We will find some interesting facts behind the scene of Apex Legends’ popularity. These are: Surprise release and announcement: Apex Legends was launched suddenly and surprised everyone. At that time, Fortnite and some other battle royal games were going through prime time. Apex Legends was a new addition with many unique and different features. That attracted young gamers. As a result, it gained a large player base within a few weeks of its release. Influencer partnerships: EA has partnered with many influencers and streamers for Apex Legends. This battle royal game was a very attractive choice for their many followers. Free-to-play model: Since Apex Legends was launched as a free-to-play game, anyone could test this title. Therefore, this title got a considerable player base within a short time. Other factors: Else, active social media presence, developer responsiveness to the players’ feedback, in-game rewards, and the amazing gameplay mechanisms developed by Respawn Entertainment hugely contributed to Apex Legends’ popularity. Fortnite: Like Apex Legends, Fortnite also got the advantage of being a free-to-play game. Apart from this, the following factors also have a significant role in its popularity: Early access and beta testing: The Fortnite beta was released before releasing the full version. That created hype among battle-royale lovers. Celebrity endorsements: To gain more player base, Epic Games have made deals with several mentionable celebrities like DJ Marshmello, Keanu Charles, Travis Scott, and many other people. Often we saw that gamers were playing Fortnite with celebrity skins and faces. In-game events and collaborations: Fortnite held many in-game events and collaborated with many popular franchises, including Marvel, DC, Star Wars, John Wick, etc., to bring their skins, themes, and characters into the game. Community Engagement: Epic Games’ engagement with the Fortnite community effectively increased player engagement. Cross-platform: One of the coolest things is Fortnite is available on multiple platforms, and gamers can have a cross-play facility, which also has increased its popularity. Else, cultural impact and social media integration, in-game challenges, community-created content, etc., have made a huge impact on Fortnite’s popularity. Fortnite has made a huge contribution to the increasing battle royal game in the industry. Apex Legends is not too far. While Epic Games is still enjoying the benefits of owning the most popular battle royal title even in 2023, EA is making its strategy to make its title more attractive and unique. We may see many interesting changes in the upcoming years when we compare Apex Legends vs Fortnite. But, the truth is Fortnite is still the most played and popular battle royal title in the industry. The post Apex Legends vs. Fortnite: Assessing Popularity in 2023 appeared first on Games Errors.

Packet loss severely impacts Counter Strike 2 and its players globally. Experiencing high ping and packet loss while playing CS2 can lead to frustrating delays and lagging. Aware of this problem, I made this guide to show you how to fix CS 2 Packet Loss. Unfortunately, I dealt with this problem a few times since […]

The post Fix CS2 Packet Loss Easily [Simple Instructions] appeared first on Games Errors.

Packet loss severely impacts Counter Strike 2 and its players globally. Experiencing high ping and packet loss while playing CS2 can lead to frustrating delays and lagging. Aware of this problem, I made this guide to show you how to fix CS 2 Packet Loss. Unfortunately, I dealt with this problem a few times since CS:GO turned into Counter Strike 2, but the solutions below helped me fix it in no time. What causes packet loss in CS2? Playing CS2 can be incredibly frustrating if you’re experiencing high ping and packet loss. These issues can cause lag and delay, making it difficult or impossible to play the game smoothly. Various factors could cause packet loss: Server issues Slow and unstable internet connection Corrupted game files DNS server issues Too many programs running in the background How do I fix packet loss in CS2? To fix packet loss in CS2, first make sure that your internet connection works as it should without any interruptions. We recommend starting with these simple steps: Check the Counter Strike 2 service status page. If servers have issues, you must wait until the servers are fully operational. Power cycling your network device. Ensure that your internet connection is steady and without any interruptions. Check with your ISP to see if the issue is on their side of the connection or above them in the network distribution company. Verify and repair game files. If you still encounter packet loss in Counter Strike 2, apply these tips: Update your network driver Flush your DNS Use launch options for the game Use a VPN 1. Update your network driver Packet loss in CS2 may indicate that you are using an outdated network driver. I encountered this problem on one of my older devices. To fix it, update your network driver as follows: Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type; “devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open Device Manager. Double-click on the Network adapters to expand. Right-click on your network card, and select Update driver. Follow the on-screen guide for installing the latest network driver. Disclaimer: We are affiliated with the following Driver Update Tool. We suggest utilizing PC HelpSoft to streamline the laborious process of updating your computer’s system drivers. This tool automates the task, guaranteeing a quicker and more dependable solution without requiring manual updates or scouring the internet for authentic drivers. ⇒PC HelpSoft 2. Flush your DNS If you are experiencing packet loss in Counter Strike 2, you can attempt to resolve the issue by flushing your DNS to clear the cache. This will remove any saved IP addresses and DNS records that may be causing connectivity issues. Follow these steps: 1. Press Win+R to show the Run dialog box. 2. Type; “cmd” and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open Command Prompt as administrator. 3. Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter. 4. Type “ipconfig /registerdns” and press Enter. 5. Type “ipconfig /release” and press Enter. 6. Type “ipconfig /renew” and press Enter. 7. Type “netsh winsock reset” and press Enter. 8. Reboot the PC, launch CS2, and check if the issue is gone. 3. Use launch options for the game Time needed: 1 minute We recommend entering commands in the game launch options that promote an efficient and stable connection to optimize the communication between your PC and the CS2 server. Open Steam launcher Right-click on the CS2 and choose Properties. Set Launch Options Enter the following command in the Launch Options: rate 128000 cl_cmdrate 128 cl_interp 0 cl_interpratio 1 cl_lagcompensation 1 Relaunch Steam Play CS2 to check if the issue is gone. 4. Use a VPN Improve your gaming experience with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN. It can lower ping, avoid packet loss, and provide fast and stable connectivity. Choose from many servers in different countries for playing with friends online. It should be noted that a VPN can solely enhance your ping if your ISP imposes limits on your connection. 1. Download and install ExpressVPN. 2. During installation, provide your email address; you will get the code to access your ExpressVPN dashboard. 3. Click on Sign In. 4. Connect to a desired server. 5. Launch CS 2 and check if the issue is gone. Do you still have CS2 packet loss? Then, consider these extra methods: Update Windows to the latest version. Update DirectX, .NET Framework, and VCRedist. Update CS 2 Close unnecessary apps and downloads that are running in the background. Temporarily disable Windows firewall or antivirus. If you use WiFi, disable any devices that reduce your bandwidth. Use a wired connection instead of a wireless one. Use public DNS servers like Google’s. Reinstall CS2 Perform clean boot. Conclusion If you’re playing CS 2 and experiencing packet loss, it’s recommended that you first check for any server or internet connection issues. Other possible solutions include flushing your DNS, updating your network driver, using launch options for the game, disabling any unnecessary background apps, or utilizing a trustworthy VPN service. If you have any additional solutions, feel free to add them to the comments. We will test them on our devices, and add them to the list. The post Fix CS2 Packet Loss Easily [Simple Instructions] appeared first on Games Errors.

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No, it doesn't offer New Game Plus or PS5 Pro support, but the latest patch does add some great quality-of-life features and improvements.

The latest update for Cyberpunk 2077 is out today for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC players (Nintendo Switch 2 owners will have to wait slightly longer). If you’re confused, it’s understandable. CD Projekt RED said, fairly unequivocally, that it wrapped up support for the FPS/RPG. Phantom Liberty launched alongside the massive 2.0 overhaul in 2023; Patch 2.1 finally added the metro system and many other quality of life features; and it seemed like the redemption journey was complete, roughly three years after launch. However, the team decided that wasn’t enough and partnered with Virtuos for Patch 2.2. It went live last December as a surprise, introducing the ability to customise your vehicle colours with the new Rayfield CrystalCoat. Photo Mode was overhauled with options for full collision, locking the camera, and adding light sources. The character creator received numerous new options, including fresh eye colors, face scars and new face cyberware options. If that wasn’t enough, Johnny Silverhand could join you while out on a drive after progressing enough through the story. So what does Patch 2.3 have to offer, especially since it’s similar in scope to Patch 2.2? Believe it or not, even more options to improve immersion and really help players, new or otherwise, to take in the sights. One of the most significant new features is also one that I’m surprised took this long to be added to the game: AutoDrive. Yes, you can finally set a destination or select a job, and V’s vehicle will take them there automatically (while abiding by the traffic rules, hopefully). Of course, you stop when attacked, but otherwise, this is a great way to pick a random objective that’s popped up – an NCPD call, a new Gig, a fresh cyberpsycho sighting – and seamlessly travel there. If that isn’t enough, you can call a Delamain cab and have it drive you to a destination. Sit in the backseat, either alone or with Johnny. This is more of fan service for those who probably wanted to reunite with Delamain following the outcome of his side job. It may not feel significant, especially when there’s AutoDrive, but much like the metro, having the option feels nice. Almost like the world of Cyberpunk 2077 is still evolving in its own little ways. Regardless of whether you opt to AutoDrive or take a cab, there’s a new cinematic camera that provides different angles as you seamlessly cruise through Night City. Think of it as an alternative to simply peering out in first or third-person all the time, and really observing your surroundings. But what if you want to endlessly observe the city while driving? AutoDrive lets you do that as well. And if you’re looking for new wheels to do this in, four new vehicles are being added: the Yaiba ARV-Q340 Semimaru from the comic Cyberpunk 2077: Kickdown; the Rayfield Caliburn “Mordred”; the Yaiba ASM-R250 Muramasa motorcycle; and the Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila truck. By completing existing jobs and activities – or in the case of the Muramasa, purchasing three vehicles from Autofixer, owning a Yaiba vehicle and completing a Reported Crime – you can unlock new side jobs for three of these new vehicles. The Aquila is purchasable directly from Autofixer instead of completing any associated gig. While not exactly the heftiest new narrative content, I’d rather have them than not at all. CrystalCoat has also received some updates – you can now use it to customise more vehicles, and its functionality finally extends to motorcycles. Hilariously, “lower-end vehicles” can make use of a cracked version, complete with a glitched screen. It would have been enough to add as a feature and not think too much about it, but I appreciate the extra effort to justify it lore-wise. Photo Mode users are making out like bandits once again with all the new additions. Twenty-seven new NPCs to add to shots (from The Mox’s Rita Wheeler to various fixers and the Cassel twins), whose alternate outfits can be swapped out; options for adjusting the time of day and weather (throw in some acid rain because why not?); and even Game Speed, which sees in-game time moving normally for some sick timelapses. That’s only a handful of new features, and while I’m not the biggest Photo Mode enjoyer, some of the work that fans have put into their shots has been exceptional, and it’s great to give them even more tools to play with. In terms of graphical options, AMD FSR 4 support is finally here, but PC players need to wait until the corresponding AMD driver goes live at a later date. On the bright side, AMD FSR Frame Generation 3.1 is available immediately and can be combined with any upscaler. Intel GPU users also get XeSS 2.0 and XeSS Frame Generation alongside HDR10+ Gaming support. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players can also rejoice, because Variable Refresh Rate support is also added. When you take a step back and look at all this, you might debate how impactful any of these features are. After all, there’s no PS5 Pro support, which CD Projekt RED hasn’t ruled out but has no plans for either. New Game Plus still isn’t available, and some fans want a third-person camera for some reason. The biggest thing is likely that there are no new quests or stories to experience, and I can empathise. However, the fact that CD Projekt RED continues to support the game is commendable. Not just because it moved on two years ago to work on Project Orion, the sequel, but also because it’s implementing features that the community has wanted for a long time. You may not think of AutoDrive as a big deal, but as someone who restarted the game on different platforms twice (don’t ask), this would have been an excellent feature to have while attempting to complete all of Regina’s gigs before leaving Watson. New vehicles are always a plus, as are the new upscaling and console VRR options, since they allow even more players to enjoy the game in their preferred way. Above all else, updates like these really add to the Night City experience while also addressing any lingering bugs and glitches, which means an even better experience for any new player. And while I’ve had my fill of Night City, returning for a new playthrough will be even more worthwhile, given all the new options and features. Like anyone else, I’d love to see CD Projekt RED and Virtuos deliver something like New Game Plus, even if it needs to go beyond simply carrying everything over and bumping up numbers. But aside from that, the real question is: Where does the game go from here? What other patches could the team possibly unveil? Dare I hope for some new content to tie into Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2? Regardless, patches like 2.3 are akin to dessert after the main course. They’re not necessary to enjoy the excellent story, combat, build-crafting, world-building, and quests. It’s the commitment to improving the game, even through bug fixes and Photo Mode options, that’s appreciated. Even as CD Projekt RED moves forward with Orion into a potential new era, the fact that it hasn’t forgotten what ultimately led it to this point – and beyond – bodes well for the future. 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.

Tripwire Interactive’s wave-based horde shooter threequel provides a suite of strategic upgrades to compliment the series’ upgraded gut-spilling viscera.

Despite the lacklustre response to Killing Floor 3’s closed beta earlier in the year, there’s still widespread hope this threequel in Tripwire Interactive’s much-loved horde slaying shooter series can be a worthy successor to Killing Floor 2. There’s certainly ambition in Tripwire’s efforts; if they pull this off, Killing Floor 3 will be the series’ bloodiest, most brutal, and strategically immersive experience yet. Here’s fifteen things we think distinguish Killing Floor 3 beyond its predecessor. New game engine We’re the best part of a decade out from Killing Floor 2’s original release date – a revered game which maintains an active player base – so to answer the question of why a third entry in the series is justifiable rests on the technology now available to developers Tripwire Interactive. Tech, which wasn’t available ten-years ago, is propelling Killing Floor towards its most detailed, visceral, immersive body horror potential. To achieve their vision, Tripwire are harnessing the technological bells and whistles of Unreal Engine 5 (for reference, Killing Floor 2 was constructed with Unreal Engine 3). M.E.A.T. 2 An abbreviation of Massive Evisceration and Trauma, through Unreal Engine 5’s potential Killing Floor 3’s M.E.A.T. system is more potent and gory than was ever possible in Killing Floor 2. Viscera splurges out of walking Zed corpses thick and meatily; persistent blood – with enemies and weapons each harbouring unique ‘splatter maps’ – inner guts flinging from ripped flesh in ways bespoke to weaponry and enemy movement, with limbs severing at their precise entry wound. Each weapon and enemy has their own custom animations which are informed via the M.E.A.T. 2 system too. Levels offer more verticality Traversal in Killing Floor 3 has received a mini overhaul in that any environmental object or obstacle – so long as it’s at eye level – can be vaulted. Levels themselves have been designed with this verticality in mind, giving players much more freedom to evade enemies or reach higher areas. Vantage points impossible to reach in Killing Floor 2. Enhanced movement In addition to the mantling just discussed, Killing Floor 3 presents more movement options to mix up frenetic battling. Quick-dodges – triggerable via a single press of the sprint button – swiftly dash you out of danger or rapidly back in for a quick melee swing. Sprints into slides, ziplines, climbing, the aforementioned vaulting and mantling; these manoeuvres present new agility options for funneling hordes into choke points, or escaping an overwhelming scenario entirely. Specialists replace Perks One of Killing Floor 3’s biggest distinguishing factors over its predecessors is its absorption of Killing Floor 2’s Perks, replacing it with a Specialists System. This system won’t be unfamiliar to anyone who’s played adjacent games in the genre with Specialists functioning as archetypes akin to hero shooters which players can attune to their whim. Deep, multi-leveled customisation aims to offer some point of distinction for Killing Floor 3’s players to digest, as well as the ability for teams to include multiple of the same specialist should its players prefer. Each specialist comes loaded with special abilities and unique power moves too. Branching skill trees And on the note of multi-leveled customisation, Killing Floor 3 brings progression via branching skill trees rather than Killing Floor 2’s linear skill tracks. Remade from scratch, in fact, is Killing Floor 3’s multi-linear progression, with upgrade choices governing options to fine-tune combat style – from how weapons operate right through to a Specialist’s specific role within their team. New armoury system Expanding upon Killing Floor 2’s weapons modification systems is Killing Floor 3’s new Armoury System. Here, procedurally generated blueprints can be collected via traders dotted throughout the threequel’s maps which, when utilised with scavenged crafting materials, provide access to hundreds of accessories, including larger magazines and more powerful scopes, to mods which enhance weapon handling, such as reduced recoil. Cosmetics expanded Killing Floor 3 brings an expanded suite of cosmetics to affix to guns and personnel, including a wider variety of skins, costumes, trinkets, and apparel. Cosmetics will be unlocked through quarterly Supply Passes which includes a free version for all players and a paid premium version which offers extra rewards upon completion. Other in-game systems will offer cosmetics too between Supply Pass drops. Faster levelling up A common bugbear amongst Killing Floor 2 players was that character progression was too much of a grind. Well, whilst this isn’t a total overhaul Killing Floor 3 is set to offer levelling up at a much faster rate than its predecessor. The threequel’s story chugs along at a faster pace too. Enemy AI Those enhanced player movements we discussed earlier? Well, Killing Floor 3’s bioengineered Zed enemies have had their manoeuvrability tweaked too. Thanks to overhauled AI, they’re now faster and more unpredictable than they’ve ever been, with their designs appearing much more varied and terrifying than their previous guises too. Zeds have weak points A neat addition to Killing Floor 3’s revamped brand of bloody murder is that Zeds now have weak points which can now be exploited by players. What’s more, these weaknesses are generally in different spots depending on the enemy, so there’ll be layers of breakneck strategising in how best to wipe out hordes of powerful enemies. Note: ‘best’ here actually means most fun; or most creative, perhaps. Case in point: a Scrake’s chainsaw arm can be damaged, leading it to drop its chugging weapon whilst exposing a glowing weak point. Obliterate its glowing spot and the Scrake will be stunned. Then, maybe, it can be executed with its own chainsaw. Tripwire Interactive assure us there are numerous encounters just like this, discoverable by players skilled enough to exploit Zed weak points. Other players can’t steal your weapons In an effort to reduce trolling or, simply, unfair theft, when you die in Killing Floor 3 your weapon’s stash won’t be sitting waiting for another player to steal it into their own inventory. Instead, a map marker will highlight where your stash was dropped so you can head back to pick it up. Dynamic objectives Killing Floor 3 is ostensibly still a wave-based shooter, but the introduction of dynamic objectives offer extra satisfaction on top of all the visceral gut spilling. Beyond defending static points, teams can now divert some of their attention to hacking consoles, diverting reactor power, utilising points of control to trigger environmental traps, escort missions, and so on. These dynamic objectives emerge off the back of emergent threats such as power surges, acid leaks, or collapsing floors, ensuring each run is laced with unpredictability and, hopefully, replayability. New team-wide Synergy Meter Whilst Killing Floor 3 can still be played solo, co-operative play has received enhancements which reward true teamwork. Killing Floor 3 has introduced a team-wide Synergy Meter which is filled via combo takedowns and crossfire killing, with bonus wave modifiers unlocked as a result. There is an enhanced pre-match hub Included in Killing Floor 2 of course, Killing Floor 3 introduces an enhanced pre-match stronghold hub whereby players can tailor their loadouts much like before but with the addition of absorbing extra narrative content. Here is where players can choose to play with friends via crossplay too which, by the way, has been extended across PC and console users for the first time.

While Xbox faces down problems on various fronts, Fallout continues to be a ray of hope for fans of its over-the-top action and dystopian narratives.

It hasn’t been a great time for the Xbox and its fans in recent years. Despite leaving its run-ins with the FTC over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the past, news about layoffs and the cancellation of several projects like the Perfect Dark reboot and Everwild have raised eyebrows about the future of one of modern gaming’s most significant presences. The situation is further exacerbated by a new multi-platform approach to Xbox titles, with the ROG Xbox Ally’s announcement fuelling speculation that the legendary console as we know it might fade away into the sunset in the coming years. Despite Microsoft joining hands with AMD, and the confirmation of at least one more generation of Xbox as a result, things may not be as great as Microsoft would hope as far as its Xbox gaming division is concerned. It’s a bleak future that could disappoint fans of the console’s many first party titles, which include legends like Halo, Gears of War, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. However, Fallout fans might not be feeling the pinch as much as others in this situation, if recent reports about new additions to the franchise are any indication. The Xbox’s New Road With an emphasis on the ‘Xbox Anywhere’ tagline, Microsoft’s approach to its gaming division’s approach to exclusive first-party titles seems to be evolving in line with its CEO Phil Spencer’s assertion that the company remains open to its first-party titles being at the frontline of its multi-platform approach back in 2024. That ties in well with the launch of the ROG XBox Ally, as it is an AMD-powered system that runs Windows with an Xbox UI overlay, and can, in theory, download games from other storefronts like Steam and Epic Games. News of its multi-year collaboration with AMD to create chips for its gaming devices suggests that while the Xbox will continue to be present in modern gaming, it may not rely on console-exclusive titles to retain its position. Coupled with Microsoft’s insistence on the viability of Game Pass, and the manner in which the subscription service continues to be a safe haven for new developers, the company’s multi-platform approach to gaming might be a new standard for Xbox as the years go on. It could spell the evolution of what used to be a console that was the only option to play a few excellent titles to a platform that gives its players a lot of choices as to how they play their games, and with whom they play them. And yet, despite all of this uncertainty about what the future holds for the Xbox, it seems that Bethesda Game Studios is going full steam ahead with upcoming additions to the Fallout franchise in what is sure to be great news for its fans. A Gift That Keeps on Giving Appearing on the Friends per Second podcast, VGC staff writer Jordan Middler teased multiple Fallout related projects in development over at Bethesda, including one that he believed would have many long-term fans of the franchise very delighted indeed. The timing of these projects is quite opportune, considering how the franchise received a lot of positive attention from Amazon Prime’s excellent live-action adaptation, bringing it to the screens of audiences who may not have played the games as a showcase of its quirky yet insightful examinations of complex themes like corporate greed and human empathy in a world in which survival comes at a heavy price. There is speculation, and perhaps hope among the franchise’s players, that one of these projects is a remaster of Fallout 3, a game that made its debut back in 2008 on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows. Its popularity is now the stuff of legends, and a remaster of the game has long been the focus of rumors and leaks, Middler’s latest statement notwithstanding. For Bethesda, such a remaster would make sense, allowing a new generation of players to enjoy one of its most popular titles in the same way that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered brought another one of its classics back into the fold on current-gen systems. The studio could even consider a complete package that brings Fallout 3 and New Vegas together into a single title with updated visuals and quality of life changes that make the most of the raw power that current-gen systems are capable of, making it an experience that brings nostalgia and improvements in equal measures. Although all of this is speculation at this point in time, Fallout players would eagerly lap up any new additions to the franchise considering that it’s been nearly a decade since Fallout 4 hit the shelves. However, reports suggesting that there could be good news on that front could very well have fans of the franchise leaping for joy. When One Door Closes, Another Opens Microsoft’s decision to shut down Zenimax Online’s MMO codenamed Blackbird might have been bad news for players looking forward to the next IP from the makers of Elder Scrolls Online. It’s always saddening to see ambitious projects vanish into the ether and the consequent news of layoffs that follow such cancellations, after all. However, all of the resources that were being directed towards Blackbird may now be diverted to development of Fallout 5, with Windows Central executive editor Jez Corden’s appearance on the Xbox Two Podcast more or less confirming that the project has been greenlit over at Xbox. However, Bethesda’s current projects that include The Elder Scrolls VI and more DLC for Starfield may not allow the studio to return to the helm of this sequel. While that may be off-putting to more than a few fans of the franchise, it could also mean that other talented studios get a shot at recreating the magic that Fallout games are known for, perhaps even adding touches of their own that could elevate the franchise to new heights. It could also be a project that allows Microsoft to avoid more layoffs and closures if it chooses another studio to take on a project that carries a lot of potential. Another factor that could spell good news is the announcement of a third season of Prime’s TV show, ahead of the December 2025 premiere of Fallout’s second season which is all set to continue the exciting story it established in the first season, bringing faces old and new to a season that is primed to be as exciting as the first one. Depending on the success of the show’s next couple of outings, a new Fallout game could benefit greatly from establishing continuity between the show and the game, making for an experience that bridges the gap between the show’s interpretation of past titles with a game that draws from it directly. Of course, the studio helming the new game could choose to go in a different direction if the story they wish to tell does not coincide with the show’s narrative. While all of this is just speculation based on reports with no official confirmation at the time of writing this article, Fallout’s fans might be wary of getting their hopes up for either a remaster of Fallout 3 or a new addition to the franchise. However, it does make sense for Xbox to take either one or both of these projects forward, making Fallout a solid pillar to support a new strategy for its games. It’s an opportunity that Microsoft would be remiss to pass up considering how the gaming world has sorely missed one of its most stellar takes on a post-apocalyptic world. Whatever the future holds for Xbox, betting on one of its best performers is sure to be a decision that could galvanize its plans for the future in both the short and long term. For now, as fans of Fallout ourselves, it’s time to wait patiently with our fingers crossed and hope all of the rumors are true. 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.

After a delay and extensive improvements, Tripwire's co-op shooter launches on July 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Following its recent stress test, Tripwire Interactive has released the launch trailer for Killing Floor 3. As you’d probably expect, it’s full of Zed slaughter, slow-mo (with Zed Time seemingly returning to the original look), heavy metal, and even the Queen Crawler. Check it out below. Killing Floor 3 takes place decades after its predecessor, with a megacorporation called Horzine manufacturing and controlling Zeds. Players select one of six Nightfall Specialists, who venture to different missions to impede the undead threat. There are other objectives to complete, such as collecting samples, with Tripwire promising to expand the story post-launch. Killing Floor 3 launches on July 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It faced a delay after negative feedback for its closed beta earlier this year, and several improvements have been made to the visuals, weapon recoil, etc. Unfortunately, features like allowing Specialists to equip any perk will be implemented after release. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Looking great on the story front, Mafia: The Old Country still leaves us with a few unanswered questions about gameplay.

The wait for a new entry in the Mafia series is almost finally at an end come August 8th when Mafia: The Old Country releases. Times have changed since Mafia 3 came out and the studio at 2K that made that have merged into Hanger 13 to craft a prequel set in Sicily. The team aims for The Old Country to replicate some of Mafia 1 and Mafia 2’s success and charm. But there still appear to be some rough spots to patch out, if the recent nine minute gameplay video is anything to go by. Here are 3 things we can’t wait to see in action, and 3 aspects we’re still a bit iffy on regarding the upcoming mobster game from 2K and Hanger 13. Things We Like Linear Focus We recently published an article on the horrors that bloated open worlds have unleashed on games. Mafia 3 was unsurprisingly on that list of games, and for good reason. It was filled with throwaway tasks and repetitive missions that bored players to tears, distracting from the otherwise interesting setting and story that lie dormant within. It’s not very often that developers actively take feedback from players, but in the case of Mafia 3, there was no choice but to cut the fat – after all, sales were paltry and players let their dissatisfaction be known from the proverbial rooftops. And cut the fat 2K has, touting a more lean and linearly focused adventure harking back to the structure that Mafia 1 and Mafia 2 found success with. The Hanger 13 dev team has clarified via the Mafia website Q&A that The Old Country won’t be totally claustrophobic in its exploration. Rather, there’s open, yet compact, zones with an obvious critical story path but still some side routes to explore. We don’t quite know the full extent of this new game’s explorability yet, but hearing the devs describing its linear nature really sets off Indiana Jones and the Great Circle vibes, and that’s a wonderful thing. Authentic Realism Indiana Jones isn’t a bad parallel for something else The Old Country has us impressed by: authenticity. In true period drama fashion, Hanger 13 are infusing the adventure with historically inspired vehicles that could’ve been driven in early 20th Century Europe . Whether or not any actual real-life licensed vehicles are included is another question. The one vehicle we know the name of is called the “Garzia Tumulto” – a purely fictional car name that nonetheless resembles an early 1900s Darracq. In examining all the Darracq models, it’s clear that it’s a near 1-to-1 inspiration despite some liberties with the rear carriage. This realism extends to the Sicilian architecture as well. We’re given a glimpse of some of the ornate sights in the 9 minute gameplay trailer, but what’s particularly impressive to me are the number of distinct objects decorating the indoor environments. Portraits of Italian families dot the kitchens and brick walls of the rural buildings while lovingly crafted teacups and a variety of antiques line the wood shelves. Hitman fans should have their attention piqued here because the doodad detailing is impressive just like in those games. We can’t wait to explore more of Hanger 13’s version of Sicily when the game comes out. Story and Characters That authenticity extends to narrative as well. I’m curious how many Goodfellas references we’ll find in the game, considering the mob drama framing inherent with the game. It wouldn’t be unbecoming to hear a character demanding some cannoli at some point. Because the narrative is so clearly structured after classic mob tales, it’s natural to assume aspects of it might feel derivative or better told elsewhere. But there’s also a ton of potential for some spectacular character development and emotion, given that Enzo’s personal journey has been emphasized so much during the preview phase. There’s a reason criminal mobster stories are so often used in cinema and other media; it allows for lots of plot twists, backstabbing, inter-personal relationships, and the kind of moral wrestling that makes us feel connected to the characters. Here’s hoping 2K can meet the potential set by such a distinguished genre of storytelling. Things We’re Concerned About Enemy AI The game is primed to be a blockbuster on the story and setting axis, but things begin losing their luster a bit once gameplay kicks in, at least from what we’ve seen so far. Enemy AI looks somewhat underbaked for one. Opponents aim like Star Wars stormtroopers, completely oblivious to the shotgun aiming down their face or the situational disadvantage that an open field opens. Consider how poor enemy AI was in Mafia 3 and Mafia Definitive. Hanger 13 hasn’t built trust in that department yet, but we’re eager to be surprised. The icing on the jank cake are the partially finished animations that can be spotted several times within the nine minute gameplay footage. Grenading a foe launches them forward in a hilariously stilted, almost comedic way, and let’s remember that this is the front-facing footage the publisher isn’t shy about sharing. And while Enzo’s reloading animations look slick, enemies often skip frames or idle longer than they should. We have our doubts, but here’s hoping the team can add some more animation frames to NPCs and improve the situational awareness of enemy AI in time for release. Gunplay Is it just me, or do guns sound a tad bit worse than they did in Mafia Definitive? We see Enzo choose the hunting shotgun before engaging in the infiltration in the preview footage, and while the gun recoil is nice and hefty, the wallop from the noise is absent. It sounds flat and muzzled to a degree. The pistol has a bit more presence to its sound than the shotgun, what with the clink of chamber and all, but other guns sound rather sanitized. I’m also not a fan of the red blood splashes adorning the side of the screen every time Enzo gets hit. I know why it’s there, but the large visual obfuscation and color filter shift always hamper the shooting experience for me. Lastly, fears of poor enemy AI pop its ugly head up again. I want the game to be properly difficult, not like shooting a sea of HP-inflated target dummies. To the game’s credit, enemies hide behind cover periodically, but they eagerly pop out and slowly follow Enzo out in the open like idiots at random moments. Stealth Among all the aspects of gameplay, the team is clearly positioning stealth at the forefront of them all. Enzo likes to rely on his trusty set of knives in particular to get him through a wealth of sneaky situations; whether that be lock-picking doors, taking down foes up close, or throwing knives as distractions or projectiles. There’s even coins you can use to distract opponents all Hitman style. But it isn’t just the toolkit or actual mechanics that we’re worried about. It’s the AI intelligence and level design. It’s easy to imagine stealth sequences being buggy, broken, and way too easy coming off of Mafia 3. In that game, stealth was unsatisfying because there were no smart opponents to stealth around; they didn’t hear or see most actions done to them until they were dead. This similar lack of awareness persists in spurts within the 9 minute gameplay footage. There’s even a section where Enzo walks right up to a man and stabs him face-to-face. The guy’s loud death holler somehow goes unnoticed. Sure, it’s dark, but I have doubts this NPC would’ve behaved any different in daylight conditions. What we’ve seen of Mafia: The Old Country certainly looks improved from Hanger 13’s recent outings, but I’m reserving judgement until more areas and missions get unveiled. Mafia The Old Country releases on August 8th and it looks vastly improved from Mafia 3, especially when it comes to world design and the more focused story, one that serves as a prequel to the trilogy as a whole. Here’s hoping Enzo’s journey is as fun as it is cinematically thrilling. 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.

There are nearly 40 pro skaters in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, with six secret skaters mixed in among them. Unlocking them requires a variety of criteria to be met. This guide lists all the secret skaters in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 and how to unlock them. Doom Slayer Doom’s […]

There are nearly 40 pro skaters in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, with six secret skaters mixed in among them. Unlocking them requires a variety of criteria to be met. This guide lists all the secret skaters in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 and how to unlock them. Doom Slayer Doom’s protagonist can only be unlocked by purchasing either the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Deluxe Edition Upgrade for the base game. Doom guy has a Park Style and a Goofy Stance. Revenant This Doom antagonist can only be unlocked by purchasing either the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Deluxe Edition Upgrade for the base game. Revenant has a Freestyle and a Regular Stance. Michelangelo One of the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Michelangelo can be purchased from the Secret Shop for the steep price of $10,000. He has a Street Style and a Goofy Stance. Andy Anderson Canadian skater Andy Anderson is another purchase in the Secret Shop for a much more affordable $5,000. Andy has a Freestyle and a Goofy Stance. Bam Margera TV celebrity and former pro skater Bam Margera can be purchased for $5,000 as well, from the Secret Shop. Bam has a Street Style and a Goofy Stance, just like Michelangelo but for half the price. Birdman Birdman is unlocked from the Secret Shop but may not even be visible until you complete every goal on every stage. At that point, you will be able to buy Strange Feathers for $5,000 from the Secret Shop which actually unlocks Birdman for your roster. Birdie has a Park Style and a Goofy Stance. Constable Richard Not quite Officer Dick, Constable Richard is about as hard a task to unlock as the one required for Birdman. There is a single Panda Plushie secreted away on each of the game’s 19 stages, and all of these will have to be collected in order to unlock the option to buy Constable Richard for $5,000 in the Secret Shop. He has a Vert Style and a Goofy Stance. Those are all the unlockable skaters in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 and how you go about unlocking them.

There are a number of cheats for you to use in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, where they are now referred to as ‘Assist Mods’. Most are available for use by default, with a few others unlocked with bucks in the Secret Shop. This guide lists all the cheats or mods in Tony […]

There are a number of cheats for you to use in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, where they are now referred to as ‘Assist Mods’. Most are available for use by default, with a few others unlocked with bucks in the Secret Shop. This guide lists all the cheats or mods in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, how to unlock them, and what they actually do. Assist Mods This menu is buried under Options. Note that these Assist Mods are disabled in specific modes and challenges, and any scores will not be registered on the leaderboards, for obvious reasons. Progression for trophies and achievements will also be stymied. Perfect Rail Balance Grinding rails will have you balancing perfectly every time. Perfect Manual Balance Your balance will always be perfect during manuals. Perfect Lip Balance Lip tricks will never fail as you balance perfectly. Perfect Skitch Balance Skitching will not require any effort to balance on your part. Always Special The Special meter bar will always be full and never deplete. No Bails You simply cannot mess up a trick or combo. Instant Quick Recovery If bailing is active, you will simply recover from failures much quicker. Game Speed Gameplay speed control with four additional modes: Half, 1.5X, Double, or Triple. Timer Length Determine the length of career mode sessions, ranging from 5 minutes, to 10, and finally a full hour. Double Base Score Simply doubles the base score of any trick to lessen the difficulty of challenges. Stats Adjust stats to modify the gameplay experience, either expert or super. This mod is locked behind completion of every goal on every stage in the game. That will unlock the option to buy the mod for $5,000 in the Secret Shop. Visual FX Mods These cosmetic FX mods are graphical only and have no real bearing on gameplay. Skater Size Choose between different skater character model sizes just for your amusement. This mod is locked behind completion of every goal on every stage in the game. That will unlock the option to buy the mod for $10,000 in the Secret Shop. Skater Trail Choose between different skate trails for a nice visual touch. These mods are locked behind the collection of Iron Galaxy tokens and goal completion. That will unlock the option to buy the mods for $2,000 in the Secret Shop. Cube Trail FX: the only trail FX unlocked by default Confetti Trail FX Neon Trail FX Electric Trail FX Energy Trail FX Flame Trail FX Heart Trail FX Rainbow Trail FX Smoke Trail FX Sparkler Trail FX Post Process FX Choose between a variety of visual FX filters that affect the whole screen. These mods are locked behind the collection of Iron Galaxy tokens and goal completion. That will unlock the option to buy the mods for $1,000 in the Secret Shop. 80’s Camera: the only post process FX unlocked by default Chromatic Aberration Cel Shade Edge 2 Color Fake Fog Fake Smog Night Vision Old Film Over Sharpen Pixel Sketch Texture Color Toon Flat Toon White Underwater Video Tape Overlay Those are all the cheat codes or mods available to use in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 and their unlock criteria.

Coins are the primary in-game currency in EA Sports College Football 26, and you will be hurting for them just like every other player out there. You will need coins for everything from purchasing packs to improving your roster to assembling your Ultimate Team. This guide for EA Sports College Football 26 has all the […]

Coins are the primary in-game currency in EA Sports College Football 26, and you will be hurting for them just like every other player out there. You will need coins for everything from purchasing packs to improving your roster to assembling your Ultimate Team. This guide for EA Sports College Football 26 has all the tips and tricks you can use to farm lots of coins quickly and efficiently, without spending any real money. Weekly Packs Spend some points to earn some coins: the Weekly Platinum Fantasy Pack is a steep purchase at 500 points, but can easily pay back dividends if you snag a player with a high OVR and then flip them for some of the easiest coins you can earn in the game. While Quick Sell is a viable method, do the work and put them up on the Auction House. Pass Progression The sporting equivalent of Battle Passes, the Field Pass is peppered with coin offerings and more high OVR players whom you can flip for their coin value at the Auction House. In order to level up the Field Pass, just grind away for XP like you normally do, while you naturally complete most dailies and chunks of seasonal objectives. Events House Rules Events are game modes available for a limited-time but contribute quick XP towards your Field Pass, which is the most surefire method for collecting coins, as previously mentioned. Rewards can also include coins or packs. Challenges These Ultimate Team missions are some of the simplest around and will net you several thousand coins as well as players and items that you can dispose of, in exchange for their coin value, if you are not inclined to retain them. Solo Seasons Of all the game modes, this one is the most stable and quick source for coin farming. Even final failures still net you thousands of coins, over and above the thousands you earn just getting there. The packs can have something sellable for profit as well. All these methods combined and performed consistently, day in and day out, can net you close to one hundred thousand coins each week. Those are all the ways you can farm coins in EA Sports College Football 26 without spending any real cash or getting banned for botting.

According to Digital Foundry, Donkey Kong Bananza suffers from in-surface aliasing, as well as an overall soft look for everything.

While it is no secret that the Nintendo Switch 2 is capable of making use of Nvidia’s DLSS technology thanks to the company having helped Nintendo in designing the chip powering the console, it looks like one of the major first-party releases doesn’t actually use the technology. According to analysis of the graphics of the recently-released Donkey Kong Bananza by Digital Foundry, the title instead makes use of AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) instead. “They’re leveraging technology that has been with us for years at this point rather than taking advantage of what the hardware can do,” notes John Linneman of Digital Foundry in the video analysis, which you can check out below. “I’m mainly talking about image quality here. The Switch 2 supports technologies such as DLSS, and we’ve seen them in numerous games. But Nintendo does not take advantage of it at all. Instead we simply have this combination of AMD’s FSR 1 with SMAA—a post-process anti-aliasing.” Linneman does go on to note that the game still looks excellent. He believes, however, that it could have looked better while also keeping a stable framerate if Nintendo had instead made use of DLSS. “The issue here is that while edge coverage is pretty good, in-surface aliasing remains an issue, and finer details sort of break apart,” he explained. “Plus, everything looks rather soft. It’s not helped by the rather low target resolution either.” He went on to note that, typically, Donkey Kong Bananza will swing between 1080p up to 1200p in the course of regular play thanks to dynamic resolution scaling. He also said that the game is able to maintain a resolution of 1080p in handheld mode, noting that this means that the image quality is better when Donkey Kong Bananza is played in handheld mode when compared to docked mode. The developers of Donkey Kong Bananza—the same studio that also made Super Mario Odyssey—had previously confirmed that development on the title began all the way back in 2017. In an interview, producer Kenta Motokura and director Kazuya Takahashi revealed that the game had been in development for eight years, with work on it starting right after the team was done with Super Mario Odyssey. Motokura had also confirmed that, originally, Donkey Kong Bananza was envisioned as a game for the original Switch, rather than being a release for the Switch 2. This decision, according to the producer, came down to the fact that the team wanted to make use of voxel technology to allow for environmental destruction. Unfortunately, the hardware powering the original Switch just couldn’t keep up with what the studio wanted. While we can’t know for sure one way or another, the long development cycle along with originally making the game for the Switch might be some of the reasons why Donkey Kong Bananza ultimately still makes use of the older AMD FSR 1 rather than more modern and vastly-improved versions of technology like Nvidia’s DLSS. For more details about Donkey Kong Bananza, check out what critics have to say about the game.

Some suspect that the teaser could be for Jurassic Park: Survival or John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, both horror titles.

A new mysterious countdown website is live, which shouldn’t be surprising in this day and age. “July-22-2025” promises an announcement on the same date at 1 PM UTC/6 AM PST and is styled as some security footage. What makes this so interesting is that Saber Interactive is behind the hype. Furthermore, it tweeted out a different teaser, which showcases a TV surrounded by candles in a room. Various screams are heard before a beast-like roar. What this could be is anyone’s guess, but there are two leading theories: A new update on Jurassic Park: Survival or an announcement for John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Announced in December 2023, Survival is set on Isla Nublar, the location from the first Jurassic Park film, though a release date has yet to be confirmed. Toxic Commando recently saw images and details leak from its closed beta, and the teaser’s horror framing could suit its zombie-slaying action better. Both titles are in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, so stay tuned for more details. 👀https://t.co/eSE5OSAZKu pic.twitter.com/oVlqQHgBb6 — Saber Interactive (@SaberGames) July 17, 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...

Read More “Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal – Excited? Disappointed? A Little of Both.” »

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...

Read More “Review: Sailor Moon Super Live – North America Tour (Pittsburgh, PA)” »

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...

Read More “AIR is Finally in English—A Dream Come True for Visual Novel Fans” »

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...

Read More “Is 2025 The Best Year Ever For Gamer Girls? I Think So. Here’s Why:” »

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...

Read More “Movie Review: Here Starring Tom Hanks – A Deeply Emotional and Philosophical Journey” »

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...

Read More “Apple’s Latest Event: IPhone 16 and All the New Announcements You Need to Know” »

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...

Read More “Is Lydia Deetz Dead? Crazy Fan Theories About Beetlejuice Beetlejuice That Will Change How You See the Movie Forever!” »

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...

Read More “A Ghost Story Review: A Bizarre Journey to an Unexpectedly Profound Ending” »

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...

Read More “Is Fields of Mistria the Ultimate Nostalgic Farming Sim for ’90s JRPG Fans?” »

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...

Read More “Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is Shutting Down—Here’s What You Need to Know About the Transition and the Future of the Franchise” »

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...

Read More “Sailor Moon Cosmos: An Ultimate Guide for Fans Old and New—What Makes It Shine?” »

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...

Read More “How Machine Translations Are Giving Small Japanese Developers a Chance to Reach English-Speaking Gamers” »

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...

Read More “Top Laptops That Can Run InZoi: Minimum and Recommended Specs Explained” »

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...

Read More “Is the Steam Deck Still Worth It in 2024? A Cozy Gamer Girl’s Guide” »

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https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CG_216-How-do-you-prep-final.mp3 Join Ang and JT as Matt leads the questions on how to prep for our games and how to make that easier for yourself. Links: Ashes and Embers Scapple JT’s D&D Tools

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CG_216-How-do-you-prep-final.mp3 Join Ang and JT as Matt leads the questions on how to prep for our games and how to make that easier for yourself. Links: Ashes and Embers Scapple JT’s D&D Tools

When forming a new group to play RPGs with, there are quite a few considerations to take into account. So many, in fact, that I don’t think I can hit them all. I’m also certain I can’t even think of them all. However, I have a list below that covers the major areas. Also, this […]

When forming a new group to play RPGs with, there are quite a few considerations to take into account. So many, in fact, that I don’t think I can hit them all. I’m also certain I can’t even think of them all. However, I have a list below that covers the major areas. Also, this list is formulated under the assumption that you are a GM building a brand new group. Schedule/Location Advertise your day/time/location up front. When advertising for a group, make sure you post a location and a set of days/times that will work for you. This will allow people to self-select out if they can’t make it to the location or aren’t available during those times. Once you have a sizable enough collection of responses, check with everyone on their best day/time and frequency of gaming. Once you have that list, finalize a good time to play and get that back to the group. If a few people can’t make the final time, but you still have enough people, you’re in good shape. Don’t make anyone feel bad because Real Life or Adulting gets in the way of the chosen time. Overall RPG Experience Check on the players’ comfort levels with RPGs. Once you have a solid group that can meet up, check with everyone to find out what their overall RPG experience is. This is not to play gatekeeper or to insult someone for being new (or completely fresh) to RPGs, but so you can tailor the experience you’re going to provide to everyone. People with less experience need to sit next to the more experienced players (or the GM) with the understanding that the veterans will assist the rookies as needed, but not stomp all over the agency of the new players at the table. Experience Within Chosen Genre Know your genre well. Do your players? I recommend having a genre, setting, and game system in mind before advertising for a new group. If you want to shift to something different after the group is established, that’s always an option. It’s good to know what exposure your players have to the chosen genre. This doesn’t have to be limited to RPGs. It can include any kind of media: TV, movies, comics, novels, short stories, anthologies, RPGs, graphic novels, and so on. Learning how comfortable your players are in your chosen genre will also allow you to tailor what tropes, cliches, ideas, and story elements you’ll bring to the table and how to bring them to the table in a clear manner. Experience With The Setting Be familiar with the setting. If you’re doing a home brew world, this section probably doesn’t apply to you. However, if you’re running in a published setting (Forgotten Realms, Firefly, Greyhawk, Blade Runner, The Expanse, and so on), it’s another good idea to learn how familiar the players are with the setting. This will allow you to judge what kind of introductory material to provide to the players in the form of brief setting details, handouts, references, and maybe some online resources for them to peruse before gaming starts up. Experience With The Game System How well do your players know the game? Since you’re coming to the table with a game system in mind, you’ll also want to know if the players have experience in the specific system you’ve chosen. Again, this will allow you to tailor rules references, handouts, cheat sheets, the player-facing side of the GM screen, and so on to the players. If they’re all veterans of the system, great. Dive in. Hit the rules heavy and fast. If not, you’ll want to customize the opening handful of scenes to slowly introduce rules and subsystems to the players, so they’re not completely overwhelmed by 300+ pages of rules. Why do they (want to) play RPGs? What are your players’ motivations for gaming? If someone has never played RPGs before, you’ll want to know what their expectations are of the game. If they have some misconceptions about how gaming really goes at the table (as opposed to watching highly-produced and curated actual play games online), then this is your chance to set expectations for them about what happens in reality without editors involved. If someone is a current (or returning) player, you’ll also want to know what they enjoyed about RPGs in the past and why they want to join the group. Stay positive here if possible. Everyone has a horror story from the trenches of RPGs, but try to guide the conversation into what they loved and currently desire out of the game with you. What experiences do they want? What do they want? Ask your players some guided questions about what experiences they want from the game via their characters. Do they want four-color comic vibes or the gritty street hero stories? Do they want epic fantasy where larger than life heroes take on powerful villains? Or do they want to be a team of thieves going on endless heists and solving puzzles? The choices here are near endless, and will only be constrained by the genre, system, and your collective imaginations. Lines and Veils Be safe! This is a strong safety tool to use at the table. These conversations are usually reserved for session zero, but I like having them as the new group forms. Collecting lines and veils from your new players will allow you to customize your adventures (published or self-written) to avoid areas of concern for your new players. This can be time-consuming, so I advise getting this information sooner than later to allow you the necessary time to make adjustments. Phil has a great article on safety tools in general, and he covers the concepts of lines and veil in that article. What Tropes/Cliches/Archetypes do you want included/excluded? What do they want in or out of the game? If your players can answer this question in an educated manner, listen to them. If they’re not sure what tropes or cliches exist within the chosen genre, that’s perfectly fine. They’ll quickly learn what they enjoy and don’t enjoy. If you do between-session feedback gathering, you can learn what they’re loving and not getting much out of. This will allow you to adjust your campaign material accordingly to provide the greatest chance at having fun with the group. Just as an example, I had a new player in a new group who very much up front told me, “No artifacts. No Elminster. No Liches.” It kind of surprised me, but he was so adamant in his exclusion list, I ran with those limitations and didn’t use any of those three. Unfortunately, he refused to take the “easy hook” I threw to the group at the start of the initial adventure. The rest of the group moved on with the adventure while he continued to argue with the “hook giver” about the veracity of the hook giver’s statements for why the PCs needed to go adventuring. At the end of a very contentious first session, I decided he wouldn’t fit. He got bumped from the group in a polite way, and the rest of us went on to clear a goblin scourge from Cormyr. (PS: Near the end of the campaign, they did kill a lich at Elminster’s request and found an artifact in the loot.) Conclusion Like I said at the top of the article, there are many more facets to starting up a new group, but this is what I have for you today. If you have other considerations to take into account, feel free to drop a comment below.

Part 3 of a 3 part series on dice analysis: a suggested analysis

Over the last few weeks we’ve been looking at the the analysis done for the Kickstarter for “Honest Dice | Precision Machined Metal Dice You Can Trust” as a case study. We’ve gone over the general idea of how one would go about testing dice and presenting results. We’ve also gone over the analysis that was done and what was wrong with it. This week we’re looking at how it might have been done and what conclusions we can actually draw from the testing that was done and the data that was collected. Using the template established earlier an ideal analysis would look something like this: The intent of our testing is to show that Honest Dice are fairer, that is closer to the ideal distribution than several other die options. Since we’re testing dice against each other, the appropriate test is the Chi Square Test of Homogeneity. This test is specifically designed to test if sets of dice or other phenomenon have the same distribution or not. Specifically this test checks the hypothesis H0: all dice have the same distribution. Statistical significance in this test will tell us that at least one of the dice has a different distribution. Since the base test only determines if at least one die is different, if a difference is detected in the D20s or the D4s, follow up tests of homogeneity will need to be performed to determine where the differences lie. While there are 6 possible pairings of dice that might be different for the d20s and 3 possible pairings for the d4s, each additional test increases our potential family wise error rate and we’re really only interested in differences between the Honest Dice and the other dice being tested if a difference is detected in the D20s, we’ll do three follow up tests: the Honest Dice D20 vs the three other D20 options. For the D4s, if a difference is detected we’ll do two follow ups: the Honest D4 vs each of the other D4 options. Finally, with these follow up tests, significance is still only showing a difference in the two dice, not which is better. In those cases, it’s finally time to do goodness of fit tests to test the two dice against another. In this final set of tests we don’t need to worry about thresholds or family wise error rates because we’re (finally! just looking to compare the two P-values. This comparison of P-values is only valid if the preceding tests showed significance.) For these tests, we’re going to use a .05 threshold for significance. This is a common middle of the road threshold. Given the probabilities involved in D20s (.05 chance of rolling any given side, a .1 threshold seems unreasonably high. .05 frankly seems high too, but because of limited data (see below) going with .01 seems unlikely to give a fair chance for finding significance. If I were designing this test from scratch, I would use a .01 threshold and simply increase sample size but that’s unfortunately not an option. For the follow up tests, since we have Family Wise Error Rate concerns, we need to pick an adjustment to our significance threshold to account for it. Since all of our follow up tests are going to be the Honest Die option vs another die, it’s reasonable to assume that if the Honest Die is the one with the different distribution then the follow up tests are not independent of one another. Thus for a raw threshold number, we’ll use the Bonferroni adjustment, which is to just to divide the intended threshold by the number of tests. Thus for the D20 follow ups with three tests, our threshold will be .05/3=.017 and for the D4 follow ups with two tests, our threshold will be .025. We’ll also use the Holm’s step down procedure which is similar to the Bonferroni adjustment and which makes fewer assumptions about distribution than alternative step tests. We don’t need to use two options, and in fact two options may give us conflicting results, but I’m interested in using both these techniques as I don’t have experience with them, and I don’t want to use both options and only report one. For our D20 tests, our sample size will be 2000, for our D6 tests we’ll use a sample size of 1000 and for our D4 tests we’ll use a sample size of 500. We’re using these sample sizes because that’s the size of the data set we have available, not because those are ideal minimum sample sizes. To determine ideal minimum sample sizes we need to know Effect size (.1), significance threshold (.05, .017, or .025 as appropriate), desired power (.05) and degrees of freedom ( faces-1*dice-1) for each test to feed them into G*Power. Thus for each test the ideal sample sizes I’d like to have for both .05 and .01 base threshold are: Test Threshold Degrees of Freedom Sample Size .05 Sample Size .01 D20 Test .05 (20-1)*(4-1)=57 4533 5647 D20 Follow ups .017 (20-1)*(2-1)=19 3571 4354 D6 Test .05 (6-1)*(2-1)=5 1979 2577 D4 Test .05 (4-1)*(3-1)=6 2086 2705 D4 Follow ups .025 (4-1)*(2-1)=3 1962 2491 Performing all these tests requires a data set. Others doing follow up analysis like this is precisely why providing your data set is a best practice. However, despite the fact that a data set was not shared, one can be reverse engineered from the graphs provided using the following method: Take the image of the graph provided and find the y coordinate of the pixel that forms the 0 line on the graph. For each bar, find the y coordinate of the pixel that forms the top of the bar. For each bar, subtract the top of bar coordinate from the 0 line coordinate. This gives you the height of each bar in pixels. Sum the total pixels for all bars. For each bar, divide the bar height by the total pixels for all bars. This gives you the proportion of all pixels contained in that bar. For each bar, multiply the proportion of pixels in the bar by the total number of rolls and round to a whole number. This gives an approximate number of rolls for that die result. Find the weighted average roll across all bars, compare to the reported mean roll of the die to verify that your estimated roll set closely approximates the original data. With everything planned, here is our test results: For the D20s, our first test is a Chi-Square test of homogeneity with 57 degrees of freedom. This test results in a Chi Square test statistic of 83.41 which equates to a p-value of .013. This is lower than our threshold of .05, so this result is statistically significant and we can say that evidence exists to reject the hypothesis that all D20s that were tested share the same distribution. Our next step is to do our three follow up tests. Each of these is a Chi-Square test of homogeneity with 19 degrees of freedom. To control for family wise error rate we’re using a threshold of .017 for each of these tests. Our test statistics for the Honest Dice D20 vs each of the other dice are 22.78 for CNC #1, which equates to a p-value of .247, 20.15 for CNC #2, which is a p-value of .386, and 31.85 for the plastic D20, which is a p-value of .032. None of these are lower than our threshold so none of these are significant and we cannot say there is any evidence that the Honest Dice D20 is any different than any of the other D20s. Test df Chi-Sq P-Val Threshold Conclusion All D20s 57 83.41 .013 .05 Evidence exists to suggest at least one difference vs CNC1 19 22.78 .247 .017 No evidence of difference vs CNC2 19 20.15 .386 .017 No evidence of difference vs plastic 19 31.85 .032 .017 No evidence of difference We come to the same conclusion with the Holms step-down procedure. With this procedure, we order our p-values lowest to highest, compare them to a set of increasing thresholds and reject the lowest p-values until we find one where the p value is greater than the threshold. Index Test p-val Threshold = .05/(3+1-index)) Conclusion – Fail to reject where: 1st where p-val > threshold and those after 1 vs plastic .032 .017 p-val > threshold: fail to reject 2 vs CNC1 .247 .025 failed to reject above: fail to reject 3 vs CNC2 .386 .05 failed to reject above: fail to reject How does this happen? How do we reject that all dice are the same, yet we don’t find any differences between individual dice? There are two possible explanations here. First, it’s possible that due to the sample size deficiencies, there simply is insufficient power to detect differences that are there. Another possibility is that since there are four dice included in the initial test of “at least one difference” but we’re only doing the three follow up tests that are of interest to minimize Family Wise Error Rate, that the difference is found in one of the three other combinations of dice that we didn’t test (CNC1 vs CNC2, CNC1 vs plastic, or CNC2 vs plastic). Given the p-values calculated in the follow up tests, it seems highly likely this is a sample size power issue caused by the higher level of precision required to avoid Family Wise Error Rate. In any case, further testing is recommended for these D20s. For the D6s, our first test is a Chi-Square test of homogeneity with 5 degrees of freedom. This test results in a Chi Square test statistic of 1.10 which equates to a p-value of .954. This is higher than our threshold of .05, so this result is not statistically significant and we have not found any evidence to suggest any difference between the two D6s tested. Test df Chi-Sq P-Val Threshold Conclusion All D6s 5 1.10 .954 .05 No evidence of difference For the D4s, our first test is a Chi-Square test of homogeneity with 6 degrees of freedom. This test results in a Chi Square test statistic of 17.18 which equates to a p-value of .009. This is lower than our threshold of .05, so this result is statistically significant and we can say that evidence exists to reject the hypothesis that all D4s that were tested share the same distribution. Our next step is to do our two follow up tests. Each of these is a Chi-Square test of homogeneity with 3 degrees of freedom. To control for family wise error rate we’re using a threshold of .025 for each of these tests. Our test statistics for the Honest Dice D4 vs each of the other dice are 1.98 for the CNC die, which equates to a p-value of .576, and 9.25 for the plastic die, which is a p-value of .026. Neither of these are lower than our threshold so neither of is significant and we cannot say there is any evidence that the Honest Dice D4 is any different than any of the other D4s. Test df Chi-Sq P-Val Threshold Conclusion All D4s 6 17.18 .008 .05 Evidence exists to suggest at least one difference vs CNC 3 1.98 .576 .025 No evidence of difference vs plastic 3 9.25 .026 .025 No evidence of difference We come to the same conclusion with the Holms step-down procedure. With this procedure, we order our p-values lowest to highest, compare them to a set of increasing thresholds and reject the lowest p-values until we find one where the p value is greater than the threshold. Index Test p-val Threshold = .05/(3+1-index)) Conclusion – Fail to reject where: 1st where p-val > threshold and those after 1 vs plastic .026 .025 p-val > threshold: fail to reject 2 vs CNC .576 .05 failed to reject above: fail to reject This is a very similar situation to the D20s. Evidence exists that suggests some difference between the dice tested, but not when follow up tests to determine where that difference is are performed. Again it seems highly likely that this is a sample size power issue caused by the higher level of precision required to avoid Family Wise Error Rate. Further testing is recommended for these D4s. Our final conclusion is fairly straightforward: Evidence exists to suggest some differences between dice but in general sample sizes were insufficient due to the demands of the Chi-square test of homogeneity and Family Wise Error Rate. Further testing with larger sample sizes is recommended. Hopefully this deep dive into the best practices of dice analysis will be helpful for those looking for a resource on how to do their own analysis in the future as well as those reading analysis put out by others. First week was part 1: General Approach. Second week was part 2: Review of the Honest Dice Analysis.

During your tenure GMing, your life is going to force you to change your GMing style several times. There are style changes, such as learning to run games a certain way. I am not talking about that; you can always change your style willingly, and honestly, it’s good to do so. I am talking about […]

During your tenure GMing, your life is going to force you to change your GMing style several times. There are style changes, such as learning to run games a certain way. I am not talking about that; you can always change your style willingly, and honestly, it’s good to do so. I am talking about times when your lifestyle is not congruent with your GMing style, and the friction of those things creates issues with your gaming. It could be too little time to prep, disruptions to concurrent sessions, changes in the kinds of games you run, or how you run them. For the vast majority of us, GMing is a hobby and as such, has to fit into the spaces within our lives that are unoccupied. The trick is not to resist the change and try to desperately hang onto how you’ve always done it, but rather, see the time for change and embrace it. So, let’s talk about it. When Change Arrives On Your Doorstep Change is a constant in life. As someone who adores constants, I am also wise enough to know that a constant is a calm stretch of road before the bumps and curves start again. You enjoy it while you have it. We rarely are proactive about the major changes in life that affect our gaming. Often, the change occurs, and then when we realize it is affecting our gaming and set about making changes. Only once in my GMing tenure did I get a warning about an upcoming change to my life that would necessitate a change to my GMing (that you can read in the foreword of Never Unprepared). In most cases, you are going to be reacting to what the change has done to your gaming. The most common sign is not having enough time for your prep or your game. Before, you had the time you needed to both prep and run the game. Now, you seem to always be strapped for time, which is creating a bit of stress to get the game going. That is what recently happened to me. Earlier this year, I was promoted to a management position and became part of the leadership team at my company. I was able to do so without a significant change to my work hours. I pretty much work the same amount of time each day. What I failed to recognize was the added stress and emotional labor of the position, which resulted in my getting home more drained than before the promotion. So while I had time to prep, I did not have the energy to do so, and it was getting harder to get sessions to the table. I was feeling the stress of trying to get the game together. At first, I did not recognize what was going on. Months went by, and I struggled to get games to the table, only aided by the fact that my group was having scheduling problems, resulting in a lot of missed sessions, giving me more time to get my prep done. … if things were working and now you are struggling, you may have encountered a change, and it might be time to re-evaluate. The takeaway is that if things were working and now you are struggling, you may have encountered a change, and it might be time to re-evaluate. Reflection Time Months after my promotion I realized that I was struggling to get my games to the table. I now needed to figure out what was wrong before I could fix it. So I sat and thought about it, and looked at my recent behavior and actions. This requires some time to think and to be honest with yourself. For me, the struggle was that I am literally the Never Unprepared guy. While my players don’t hold that over me, I do. I could not bear the idea that I could not get prepared for a game. So when I realized that it was prepping the game that was getting to me, I had to be honest and admit the problem. I did not have that flash of insight right away; in fact, it was the last insight I had. My first conclusions about my problems were external; I was blaming the lack of consistent sessions for dampening the emotional commitment to the game, leading to my struggling. But the more I picked at the issue, and the more honest I became, I realized that my issues were feeling like I did not have the time or energy to prep during the week. Listing Requirements Once I had discovered my problem, I was nearly ready to work on solutions. In order to better focus my efforts, I made a list of requirements and constraints. Requirements are things that I need, and constraints, the external factors that I have to work within. So my main requirement was that I needed a game that required low-to-no prep. I need a game that requires me to use less than 2 hours during the week to get a session together. There were two constraints I had to deal with. One, my group is going through a thing where not all of us can make it to the game, so the game we play has to be highly resistant to missing players, in both rules and play style. Second, my gaming group averages about 2.5-3 hours of play per session, based on when we can play and that we like to have a shared meal and socialize before the game. I did not want to, at this time, put any requirements or constraints on systems, genre, etc, but those are things you might need to list. The reason for having this list is so that you can be clear on what you are trying to fix and what things you need to factor into your solution. Work the Problem Starting with my requirement, I looked at what I would need to do to solve this problem; the need for a low-to-no prep game. The most obvious choice for me was to find a game that had this built in. A game whose mechanics supported this style of play. It’s not the only solution to this. I could have gone the route of keeping a system and making more drastic cuts to my prep. I could have also favored published adventures over anything homemade, but my experience is that there is still plenty of prep in a prepared adventure, it’s just different than writing one. With a solution in mind, I made a quick list of games that supported low-to-no prep, and quickly arrived at Forged in the Dark games. Their system is great for low-to-no prep gaming. Now I needed to see if my solution supported my constraints. First, 2.5-3 hr play sessions. FitD games work great in this timeframe, you can easily get through one Score, Downtime, and some Freeplay (for Blades) in that timeframe. Second, the missing player problem. The solution to this is to run a complete cycle of play each time we meet so that players who can’t make it to the next session are not stuck in the middle of the story. As mentioned above, if we run a full cycle each session, then the player can miss the following session. In addition, the Score does not require specific playbooks, so if someone is missing, the game won’t grind to a halt because of missing abilities. By coming up with a solution and making sure it fits inside your constraints, you ensure that your solution solves all your problems without creating others. My Solution After working the problem a bit and coming to the players with some game ideas, we eventually selected Blades in the Dark. We are going to structure our sessions to be one full play cycle (Score, Downtime, Free Play). We also set our Quorum to allow for more players to miss the sessions and keep the game running, even if multiple people can’t make it. I have some work to do about adapting my prep for this game, but my focus is going to be on only spending 1-2 hours to produce a session, which will be one play cycle. For running the game, I will have to make sure we keep good focus, to keep the sessions productive, so that we complete that cycle each session. Now’s The Time For Change People want to know the secret to remaining in the hobby for so long. Mine is to change with change. I have changed systems and styles of play over my 43 years of gaming. When life changes come, embrace the change, don’t resist it. If you are getting married, having a kid, starting your first career job, or taking that new position, recognize that with it, your life is going to change, and change your gaming so that it always has a place in your life. If you can be proactive, that is great, but even if you find yourself reacting, seeing yourself struggling to game, embrace the change. Take some time to reflect on what is and is not working, list your requirements and your constraints, and then work the problem. Make the necessary changes and keep a space in your life for gaming. When has your life changed in a way that affected how you gamed? What was the change? What did you change in your gaming?

Paragons of an honorable code, antisocial loners forced to socialize, and gremlins looking to set the world on fire. When I started the Challenging the Tropes series, I thought it would be a fun examination of character types. I didn't realize just how much it would teach me about improving the ways I run games and tell stories.

Paragons of an honorable code, antisocial loners forced to socialize, and gremlins looking to set the world on fire. When I started the Challenging the Tropes series, I thought it would be a fun examination of character types. I didn’t realize just how much it would teach me about improving the ways I run games and tell stories. During extended lulls in between sessions, I do my best to check in with my players. See how they’re enjoying the campaign. If there’s something they want to explore in more detail or a change they’d like to make. As a blogger, I do the same thing with long-running article series, and when I did that for this series, I was sort of surprised. Enough that I thought it was worth sharing with the whole class. So here’s “What I Did on My Summer Vacation: or How Diving Into Tropes Taught Me About Game Mastering.” The First Thing I Learned: What to ask in Session Zero So, I loooove session zeroes. Some people build extra characters in their free time. I read articles and listen to podcasts about session zeroes. There’s something about a group of people coming together to brainstorm a world into existence that gets my blood pumping. So trust me when I say there’s a lot of great information out there about running them. What these trope deep dives have taught me is that after safety talks and after you’ve aligned the table on setting expectations, the most important question you can ask your players is what they want to get out of their characters. To put it another way: What is their character fantasy? And then the important trick, I figured out, was to actually listen. Because, confession time, since I read and listen to a lot of GMing advice, I have a tendency to assume too much. When someone says, “I want to play a character based on Obi-Wan Kenobi,” my mind jumps to conclusions and I say, “Groovy. Let’s f’in go!” What I should be saying is, “What version of Obi-Wan?” The brash padawan? The Jedi Council investigator? Seasoned war veteran? Exiled hermit struggling with PTSD? The cheeky ghost? My point is that even when we’re using the same touchstones, our mental pictures can be widely different, and I need to get better at making sure what’s in my head matches what’s in my player’s noggin. The Second Thing I Learned: How to Break Down a Trope Once, probably eight years ago, I watched a Gordon Ramsey video tutorial on carving a chicken. Now, at every Thanksgiving, I’m in charge of carving the turkey. I feel the same thing happened when I started breaking down tropes for these articles. I learned how to do it more efficiently and take the best cuts for my session planning. When I was analyzing the three tropes — chaos gremlin, paladin, and loner — I found the most inspiration (the best meat) when I was coming up with lists of pop culture characters who fit into those tropes. This taught me (and hopefully it will now teach you) how to look at the characters more abstractly, like poring over a mechanical schematic made out of motivation and inspiration. If the world’s always ending, then the threat loses its teeth. Once you’ve talked with your players about their characters, brainstorm parallel characters in other forms of media that you’re familiar with and mine those pop culture references for inspiration for your players’ arcs. I’m not saying copy those arcs, but use them to figure out the bits that align with your player’s character fantasy. Then take the juiciest bits and turn them into obstacles. The Last Thing I Learned: How to Build a More Personal Obstacle The world is always ending in my games. Which is big, and it’s epic, but what it’s not is personal. If the world’s always ending, then the threat loses its teeth. It’s the epitome of the wonderfully fourth-wall-breaking quote from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, “Dawn’s in trouble? Must be Tuesday.” This series was a well-needed reminder that we need to make the obstacles they face more personal, so we can give them a reason to connect with the world before it ends. Organizing the characters’ journeys by way of their tropes has helped me tailor-make obstacles specifically meant to challenge not just their mechanical skills, but their narrative arcs, allowing for a deeper connection to the setting and the story. And it’s also shown me ways I can plan for stories that aren’t world-shattering. Or, at least, not literally. Sometimes, shattering their personal worlds is just as effective, if not more effective, than threatening their actual world. Some Further Reading If you’re looking for some more ways of tapping into character arcs, I highly recommend checking out Monte Cook’s Your Best Game Ever (or Invisible Sun). Both have ways of systematizing character arc progression. Slugblaster is another more recent game that focuses heavily on the character’s arc and making sure it’s a key component of the campaign. If you’ve got suggestions for other tropes we can explore, leave them in the comments!

Part 2 of a 3 part series on dice analysis: Review of Honest Dice Analysis

In last week’s article we looked at a general approach to doing stat analysis on dice. This week we’re going to look at the analysis that was done in the Kickstarted for “Honest Dice | Precision Machined Metal Dice You Can Trust” and see how it stacks up to this ideal. As is the case with many things, there isn’t one right way to do a statistical test, analysis, and presentation but there are quite a few wrong ways to do it. I’m just going to go down the general structure from last week with notes where applicable. Purpose: It’s clear that the intent here is to test the fairness of Honest Dice against a selection of other dice to see which die is better. Tests: The test chosen was a collection of Chi-Square Goodness of Fit tests. This is a poor choice of test because it can’t actually test the stated purpose, thus many of the conclusions made are invalid. The creator links a StackExchange outlining the method they use, but the problem is that that site is outlining a test to answer the question: “Is this particular die fair?” and not the question “Is this die more fair than these others?” and those questions require different tests. Threshold for Significance: There were multiple errors in this part of the analysis. First, their tests completely ignored presenting P-Values. That’s most likely because the site they’re using for reference doesn’t make any mention of them explicitly. It does provide lookup tables similar to a P-Value lookup table, but doesn’t mention the term. Again, this is probably because the reference is answering a question about a home application of testing a single die. In that case, you could probably skip the step of calculating your P-Values to compare to a threshold and instead compare test Chi-Square results to Chi-Square critical values. The two processes are mathematically identical. But for an application where you’re presenting multiple tests, with multiple Chi-Square critical values, standardizing everything to P-Values that are easily understood and compared to one another is essential. They also failed to choose and stick to a single threshold for significance across their tests. You can see in the D20 tests. For example, they point out that some dice were above the critical value for 1% rarity. Other dice they criticized for being above the critical value for 10% rarity. But something you see here perfectly illustrates the need to choose and be consistent with your threshold. They say: “CNC d20 #1 and #2 didn’t do great either, both landing near the 27.204 level that a fair die would have a <10% chance of exceeding.” That “landing near” is an interesting enough turn of phrase to go look up what the test statistics of those two dice were. CNC #1 was 28.5 while CNC #2 was 26. 26 is below the threshold chosen here, so “being near” the threshold in this case doesn’t mean “almost failed” as it’s being presented. It means “passed”. Sample Size: The first issue with sample size here is the statement: “I rolled 11,500 times in total to test these dice.” Phrased in that way, the statement is technically correct, but misleading. The correct statement would be “I rolled between 500 and 2000 times in total to test these dice.” Why the distinction? The total number of times you rolled for a given test is an indicator of the power your tests have. The total number of times you rolled across all tests is irrelevant and easily misinterpreted as a per test sample size. The other issue is that the sample sizes that were rolled are insufficient for the level of accuracy being claimed by this analysis. The d4s were rolled 500 times each, the d6s 1000 times each, and the d20s 2000 times each. Generally I’m a proponent of being lazy with sample sizes because my personal philosophy is that “table fair” dice are more than sufficient. However, since this is an attempt to prove the accuracy levels of very accurate machined dice VS other very accurate machined dice and the results are being held up as evidence of superior accuracy it makes more sense to make sure the tests have sufficient power to detect deviations. We need four things to calculate sufficient sample size. Since we want to be able to detect differences between highly accurate dice we should use the .1 standard for effect size. Our degrees of freedom are dictated by the test being performed. That just leaves us to decide on threshold and power. As I don’t know which of those was intended for these tests, I ran all six combinations for each die type. For the d4s, 500 rolls is insufficient to give us even .8 power to detect at .1 rarity. IE: if you want the ability to detect die rolls that are 10% likely or rarer 80% of the time they occur, you need 880 sample rolls. If you want more power to detect even rarer events, you need as many as 2268 rolls. For the d6s which had 1000 rolls, the situation is similar. 1045 rolls are needed for even the lowest power to detect even the weakest rarity. For a better test, 2577 rolls would be required. With the D20s, the 2000 rolls that were collected were sufficient to catch .1 rarity events a .8 proportion of the time, but for better accuracy, 3822 rolls or more should have been collected. So it’s safe to say that while the tests that were performed may have caught some deviation from the ideal distribution, more rolls were needed to provide sufficient detection power. For a d4 (3 degrees of freedom) Power\Threshold .1 .05 .01 .8 880 1091 1546 .95 1458 1717 2268 For a d6 (5 degrees of freedom) Power\Threshold .1 .05 .01 .8 1045 1283 1787 .95 1691 1979 2577 For a d20 (19 degrees of freedom) Power\Threshold .1 .05 .01 .8 1706 2056 2765 .95 2618 3018 3822 Collecting Data: Nothing was provided on the way in which the rolls were collected. Since the objective here is researching the accuracy of the true distribution of the dice involved, the correct approach would be to roll in lab like settings, maximizing bounce and holding conditions as static as possible for every roll. Analysis: The math done and the pure numerical results seem to be correct. The table provided contains rolled mean, ideal mean, and the difference between them which is unnecessary as those numbers don’t hold any value for analysis but that’s easily ignored. More importantly, the table is missing P-values but those are easily looked up. Here is what the table should have looked like: Die Rolls Chi Square Test Stat P-Value Honest Dice Aluminum d20 2000 10.16 .9489 CNC machined aluminum d20 #1 2000 28.5 .0743 CNC machined aluminum d20 #2 2000 26 .1302 Soft edge plastic d20 2000 40.5 .0028 Honest Dice Titanium d6 1000 2.64 .7553 CNC machined titanium d6 1000 3.18 .6723 Honest Dice Aluminum Hex d4 500 3.15 .3691 CNC Machined aluminum tetrahedron d4 500 5.78 .1228 Shard plastic d4 500 11.38 .0098 Providing the P-values allow for both easy intuition of the results and comparison of the dice not just against other dice in their die type but also in general. For example, with P-values we can say that the soft edge plastic D20 produced the results furthest from its ideal distribution of all these dice followed by the shard plastic d4. Looking at these P-values very few of them show statistical significance at any common or reasonable threshold. Presentation: Despite the issues described above, the biggest problem with this analysis is in the presentation of results. While parts of the presentation were quite good, other parts had serious issues. Discussing Intent: Intent was never explicitly stated which isn’t good, but it was made clear enough from the way the results were presented and phrased and from the conclusions drawn. Explaining the Plan: There were several problems with the way the plan for analysis was explained. The test performed is never named. A source is given and those who already know how to do various tests will easily recognize the test being advised as the Chi-Square Goodness of Fit test but this is never stated in the Kickstarter. It’s not mentioned in the source either except in a footnote by someone other than the original author. Since a Chi-Square test is not a test but a family of tests based around a Chi-Square distribution, simply saying a Chi-Square test is insufficient. An exact test must be specified. The threshold for significance is completely omitted from discussion at all. As noted in an earlier section, this omission led to moving goalposts for test results. Again, this is because the source used only mentions the concept tangentially, but for analysis it needs to be stated explicitly and stuck to. Aside from the aforementioned presentation of a total sample size across all tests which is irrelevant and misleading, sample sizes are presented clearly both in the table of results and in the presentation text. While a discussion of why sample sizes were chosen and the factors involved in those decisions would be welcome, what was given was sufficient. In general it’s best to assume that unless you expect your audience to consist entirely of statisticians or other people who routinely deal with stats a sizable proportion of your audience minimally needs a refresher in various statistical terms being used. In this case, several terms were defined as they were used. This can be sufficient but it is often more cumbersome to do than providing a brief description before presentation of analysis begins. A particularly important error here is use of the phrase “significantly outperformed” in several places. This is a problem for several reasons. The word significant is both a general word in the English language and a word with a special definition within statistics. When performing a statistical analysis, readers will assume the word is being used in its technical capacity and not as just another word. Thus, making the claim that your dice “significantly outperformed” another die should only ever be done if the claim is true in a statistical sense. If that is not the case another word should be used instead. In this case, the correct test to make such a claim wasn’t performed so no such result should have been implied. However, even given a misunderstanding of that fact, making the claim based on the tests given still should not have been done since making the claim would imply that the Honest dice had produced a test statistic that was not statistically significant (greater that the chosen threshold) and that all competitor’s dice had produced test statistics that were statistically significant (lower than the chosen threshold). While it was true that no tests performed on Honest Dice were statistically significant, only three competitor’s dice produced results that could be said to be statistically significant by any reasonable measure of the word. Thus the end claim of the analysis that Honest Dice significantly outperformed all other dice is at best poorly worded, and at worst false. The graphs that were provided with the analysis were very useful and a helpful visual representation of the distribution of the data. It would have been nice if a copy of the data set used had been provided, but while that’s a good general best practice it’s not essential. The final part of presentation is actually going over the test results and explaining them. This section of the analysis contained some fluff that wasn’t strictly necessary but also didn’t hurt anything. However much of this section was misleading and should have been presented differently or omitted entirely. Here are some examples: Most tests had discussions of the mean roll for each die and how they compared to the ideal mean roll and each other. That entire discussion is irrelevant and misleading and should have been omitted. For discussion’s sake, the standard deviation of the average of an ideal die’s rolls is known and can be calculated. Since the average of an ideal die’s rolls quickly can be approximated with the normal distribution as number of rolls increases, there’s little reason to be suspicious of an average sample roll unless it falls outside of the ideal mean ∓ 1.96*standard deviations and generally we would never know if that was the case anyway because average sample roll is not our statistic of interest and thus we cannot draw conclusions from it without a test designed for it. Including it and trying to draw inference from it is simply a waste of time. For the record, the standard deviation of the average of n ideal die’s rolls is σ/√n=√((sides2 -1)/12)/√n. Only the precision d4 tested has a sample mean that falls outside of a range we would expect to see and that’s because you can see from the bar charts provided that while the variance of its roll totals aren’t the worst, the roll that it’s shortest on is 4, which of course has a greater impact on its average than an unusual number of 2s or 3s would. Incidentally, this is precisely why we use a chi-square test and not the average roll to test dice. Values further from the mean have more leverage than rolls closer to the mean (Ie: they impact the average more) and thus with the average as a test value a die that rolls far too many of a number close to the mean reports as fairer than a die with a much smaller deviation of extreme numbers. Most tests had comparisons of each die’s Chi square test statistics. In absence of P-values, this will have to do. However, the only comparison that is of any value here is comparing the Chi-square test statistic against the single Chi-square critical value that corresponds to the chosen threshold for significance. Mistakes that were made here include: Comparing test statistics against each other directly Cherry picking different critical values to find more significant values Claiming a test statistic is low because it’s “close to” a critical value without exceeding it Claiming a test statistic is worse because it is 20% higher than another. This is particularly egregious because the comparison is completely meaningless. The probability distribution of a Chi-square value is uneven starting low at 0 with a hump in the middle and an infinite low tail to the right. Because of this shape the amount of probability held between a test statistic and a statistic 20% larger depends entirely on what those numbers happen to be. For d6s where this comparison was made, the difference between test statistics of 4.6 and 5.5 nets you about the largest difference you can get: about .11 p-value. However, the difference between the values of test statistics of 15 and 18 (also 20% off) is very close to 0. The only way to determine what a 20% increase in test statistic means is to first convert them to p-values and then compare those, which is what should have been done in the first place. In the case of the d6s where this comparison was made, the p-values in question are .7553 and .6723 and neither are near any reasonable threshold for significance. In this case the 20% difference in test statistic makes a little over a .08 difference in p-value but both p-values are so large that this difference is irrelevant. Depending on the threshold chosen the presentation should have boiled down to one of the following: At .1 (10%) threshold for significance: “Evidence exists to suggest that the CNC machined aluminum d20 #1 and the two plastic dice tested have statistically significant differences from their ideal distributions.” At the .05 (5%) or .01 (1%) threshold: “Evidence exists to suggest that the two plastic dice tested have statistically significant differences from their ideal distributions.” Those are the only conclusions that the statistics that were done support. Given that the incorrect tests were performed and the resulting statistics were badly misinterpreted, the conclusion from the analysis performed is completely unsupported. However it is important to note that from the statistics that were performed, all the Honest Dice had strong p-values that suggest they are close to fair dice (or undetectably unfair since fair dice are technically impossible). There is also a question of if the problems with the analysis done stem from a combination of inexperience with the conventions of statistics and overzealous salesmanship or if they stem from intentional misrepresentation. Here is why I am prepared to say these errors aren’t malicious: First, the resource that was cited was an excellent resource but was woefully insufficient for the analysis and presentation required (providing a better source was one of the main drivers behind writing this article). Second, if we assumed malicious behavior, then the results of the d6 test make no sense. The p-value of the competitor’s die is .6723. This is so high that it inspired some very creative massaging of the results to try and claim the Honest D6 is better. Why would a malicious actor go to those lengths when they could simply re-collect their competitor’s d6 data or even more simply just falsify data? Thus it is far easier to assume the test stats calculated are honest data and the excellent results from Honest Dice are legitimate. There is definitely room for further tests and study. Because of the problems outlined with sample size the tests performed don’t have as much ability to detect deviations from the ideal distribution as we would like and it would be interesting to see the results of the correct tests to check the claims that Honest Dice are better than their competitors but that will have to wait. I will leave with one final bit of evidence that Honest Dice are in fact good quality dice. The results calculated show the Honest Die in each die type to have the highest p-value in the group. Let’s assume for a moment that all dice of each type have the same distribution. If x dice all have the exact same distribution, it seems intuitive that if we do a goodness of fit test for each die, each die has an equal chance (1/x) of getting the highest p-value. Thus if there is no difference in the d20s, the chance of the Honest Die getting the highest p-value would be 1/4. For the d6s that would be 1/2. For the d4s that would be 1/3. Since we assume each type of die is all the same we can also safely assume the results across die type would be independent. If these assumptions are true then the probability of getting the highest p-value in all three die types would be the individual probabilities multiplied together. This would be 1/4 * 1/2 * 1/3 = 1/24 ~ .042. Thus given H0: All dice are all the same, the probability of observing the collection of Honest Die p-values we observed is .042. This is lower than a reasonable .05 threshold for significance (.05 is the usual default. It makes sense to use it here). Thus evidence exists to reject H0: all the dice of each type share a distribution. Last week was part 1: General Approach. Next week is part 3: Suggested Analysis.

Most RPGs tell a story of some kind. Some are deeper than others, but there is a story hiding under the cover of the mechanics somewhere. Since most RPGs are played in a group, this makes the storytelling collaborative. At least, it should be collaborative. If it’s not, then the person telling the story to […]

Most RPGs tell a story of some kind. Some are deeper than others, but there is a story hiding under the cover of the mechanics somewhere. Since most RPGs are played in a group, this makes the storytelling collaborative. At least, it should be collaborative. If it’s not, then the person telling the story to the group may as well be sitting at a campfire and telling the others a ghost story. While that’s perfectly fine for entertainment purposes, that’s not the point of playing a role playing game. To help everyone make their tales more collaborative, I’ve come up with the concept of a storytelling loop that I’ll explain below. While this loop might sound like hard and fast instructions, please don’t treat them as such. If the loop needs to be adjusted based on circumstances, do so. This is not an instruction manual for assembling a set of shelves or a desk. This is guidance via a framework to help you think more clearly about how things could flow. Group Effort T0 collaborate you need a group. Obviously, to collaborate you need a group. This means everyone in the group should be involved in the telling of the tales. Some people will shine at times while others fade to supporting roles. This is perfectly natural, but the GM (and other players) should be aware of when an individual shines too much or too brightly and refocus the attention on another person. This is called “spotlight management” and there are several other articles here on Gnome Stew that delve more deeply into this topic. Just search for that phrase, and you’ll find a wealth of information. No One Side of the Screen is Responsible Use both sides of the screen. As is implied by the above “group effort” section, the GM is not solely responsible for the storytelling loop. It’s a back-and-forth with handoffs and flowing between GM-provided narrative and information and the PCs responding to that new information. Flow State Even though what I’m going to present below implies a smooth handoff between GM and PCs, this is not always the case. The GM may have a PC do something that interrupts the loop or the PCs may latch onto something the GM has presented that breaks the flow. That’s perfectly fine. From my experience, however, what I’m outlining below is the typical flow for the storytelling elements that come into play. Yes, And To keep the flow going, don’t just agree with another player’s idea. Tack onto it. Add to it. Build upon what they’ve offered up and keep the story going. No, But If someone puts something out there and you (either as GM or player) don’t fully think it’ll fit into the current story that’s being told, don’t just hard stop the idea. Take the concept and redirect it with a “but” clause that gets it back into the flow state of the story. The Storytelling Loop Framework GM Introduces Scenario Optional: PCs React to Scenario GM Triggers Events PCs React to Events PCs Make Choices PCs Take Actions GM Reacts to PCs’ Actions GM Triggers New Story Events Repeat Steps 4 through 8 1) GM Introduces the Scenario Time, place, NPCs, and scenario are introduced. The start of any decent story introduces a time, place, maybe some NPCs, and a scenario that is unfolding (or has just occurred). This is the initial setup of the adventure where the PCs band together (if they’re not already together) to face a threat, goal, situation, enemy, or to set out toward a destination. 2) Optional: PCs React to Scenario What are you going to do about it? Once the scenario is established, the PCs might want to do some prep work. This could be divination, research, travel, acquiring provisions and equipment, talking to NPCs, formulating a plan, or coming up with ideas on what might come next. This doesn’t always happen, because the “GM Triggers Events” can sometimes happen immediately after the scenario is established. This is common in the “in media res” style of storytelling where the action hits close on the heels of the story’s introduction. 3) GM Triggers Events Trigger action in your PCs. The GM then sets up and triggers some events that impact the PCs. These events could be an attack, the start of a heist, a critical discovery, acquisition of a map, gaining new information, or witnessing something happening that the PCs want to aid or prevent. The key here is not what kind of event is triggered, but to ensure at least a few of the PCs have a motivation to interact with the event being presented. If a man is resisting arrest in front of the PCs, there might not be any motivation attached to stop the man or the authorities. However, if the man is a close friend of several of the PCs, they might want to at least interrogate the reason for the arrest, if not stop it. On the flip side, if the man is a dire enemy and appears to be close to escaping his arrest, the PCs will want to step in and ensure he doesn’t get away. 4) PCs React to Events React and choose! The event presented by the GM should cause some flavor of reaction in the PCs. It is preferable that this be an emotional reaction combined with a physical one. A mere physical response out of necessity is not as visceral or deep as actions taken because of an emotional attachment. 5) PCs Make Choices The PCs must decide (sometimes quickly; sometimes methodically) on what their next actions will be in response to the presented event. The timeframe of how quickly the PCs must react will depend on the type of story being told and the urgency of the event put in front of them. 6) PCs Take Actions Don’t over analyze. Act now! Once the PCs have reacted and made some choices, they have to put their plans into action. This could be as straightforward as drawing steel against the orc raiders to save the kidnapped prince. If the prince was just discovered kidnapped and the trail has grown cold, then the PCs’ actions might involve an investigation of the crime scene, or tracking the kidnappers, or talking with witnesses to gather more information in order to find where the kidnappers took the missing prince. The number of actions available to the PCs are countless, but should be guided and focused by the event in front of them. I call this a “creative compass.” What I mean by this, is that the GM should provide some hints or choice options to limit the amount of “analysis paralysis” the PCs will go through. If the PCs merely know “the prince is missing” then they don’t really have enough information to formulate an intelligent response. If the event is “the prince is missing and several people saw a squad of orcs carrying a bound child through the darkness at the edge of town to the north,” then the PCs can do a minor amount of investigation before delving into the wilderness to the north. 7) GM Reacts to the PCs’ Actions The only constant is change. Depending on what the PCs actions are, there are numerous effects they’ll have on the story. I’ve grouped these changes into the following buckets: Story arc change of direction Setting changes NPC changes/additions/losses Enemy changes/additions/losses Ally changes/additions/losses Consequences and Adverse Effects for the PCs Potential Rewards for the PCs Treasure Experience Allies Favors Social Status These changes to the story, I hope, are self explanatory. If someone out there wants me to delve deeper into these, I can do so in another article along these lines. Just drop a comment below and let me know. 8) GM Triggers New Story Events Inspire more action with a fresh event. As with step 3 above, the GM will introduce a new event based on what has changed in the story. These changes will be based on the outcome of the PCs’ actions. Instead of moving forward with a pre-written response to the action outcomes, the GM should adjust things as necessary to make sure the new story event aligns with what just happened. Sometimes, your pre-written event will work perfectly. Most of the time, GMs will have to make minor adjustments. There are rare cases, however, where the pre-written prep the GM has done will need to be massively reworked or thrown out. 9) Repeat the Process Rinse and repeat as needed. Clearly, if the story has not come to a satisfactory conclusion (returning the kidnapped prince from the clutches of the orc raiders and back to the royal castle), the story must continue. Repeating steps four through eight will keep the flow going on the story. Once the story arc, character arc, or campaign arc has come to a conclusion, the GM should wrap things up with the PCs and not introduce a new event. If the GM does introduce a new event, this is an indication of a fresh story/campaign arc that is about to be told. Addendum: Automated Triggers on a Timer Tick tock goes the clock. There are some external factors that can modify GM events or PC actions. Many of these run on a timer, but some may be pseudo-random. Examples of automated triggers are: Weather Changes NPC actions Enemy plans and actions Movement of celestial bodies Random encounters Random treasure Conclusion I hope this description of a collaborative storytelling loop helps you identify where you’re getting things right, and maybe areas for improvement. If nothing else, I hope this article gave you something to mentally chew on and apply in your role playing games.

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GC_215_tryingnewgames-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Jared and Tomas as they talk about how to get a group stuck on playing one particular game to try something else. Links: Wildmage Press Deerstalker Pictures The Forever DM Hearth Magazine

https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GC_215_tryingnewgames-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Jared and Tomas as they talk about how to get a group stuck on playing one particular game to try something else. Links: Wildmage Press Deerstalker Pictures The Forever DM Hearth Magazine

Part 1 of a 3 part series on dice analysis: a general approach

Recently the Kickstarter for “Honest Dice | Precision Machined Metal Dice You Can Trust” ended, having successfully funded for over half a million dollars. The Kickstarter was sent to me in the final few hours, so while I initially had some strong opinions about the content and the dice, there wasn’t time to do the proper review, analysis, and commentary that was warranted. Having had some time since to digest and do a fair amount of math, I approach this as a case study, similar to the ones my business and stat teachers were fond of handing out: What analysis was done? Was it the right analysis? Was it done correctly? The point of a case study is a roleplaying exercise. You are taking the role of a pretend consultant and are handed a situation in progress. What do you do? There’s a lot to unpack here so this article is part 1 of a 3 part series. I wanted to write this article for two reasons: First, reviewing what was done and suggesting areas for improvement provides a resource for those doing this type of analysis in the future. The internet is full of resources explaining how to do a chi-square Goodness of Fit test. Less common are resources explaining how to do a test of homogeneity. Rarer still are resources that explain why you would do one test or the other, and how to prevent and express the results. Second, this is a half million dollar Kickstarter for game accessories, which puts it in a small subset of Kickstarters. Kickstarter’s own stats break their funding categories into 100k to less than a million and million plus. At the time of this writing, there have only ever been 4,268 100k plus gaming Kickstarters, putting Honest Dice in a small and impactful group. It only makes sense to review its claims and analysis carefully. Before I start the actual statistics case study, there are a few points I’d like to make that fall outside the statistics: Disclaimer: I have not bought, received, or even ever seen in person or touched any of these dice. I have not collected my own rolls, and cannot truly vouch for them. However, I’m inclined to take the evidence that has been presented at face value. You’ll see later during the review of the statistics why I think their collected data is likely to be legitimate and because of this, I feel pretty comfortable saying that these seem to be high quality, attractive, highly durable dice. They’re also expensive, even more expensive than you might expect for what they are. As such, if you like the look of them, if you like their unique features, and if you’re comfortable dropping the kind of cash the creator is asking for them, I have no reasons to tell you to not buy them. While the Kickstarter is already over, late pledges are still open. Also, the creator has a web store where you can buy many of their existing dice. There were several non-stat issues I had with claims that were made in the Kickstarter. Most were inconsequential enough to leave out here, but one in particular struck me as disingenuous enough that while I am writing this article I felt I had to address it. At the start of their statistical analysis they make this statement: “I decided not to name the brands of the other dice. While I’m in favor of complete transparency, I’m also not trying to throw shade at other dice companies.” That’s admirable. The part I feel is disingenuous is that they immediately directly quote marketing slogans from the competitor in question, which is effectively exactly the same thing as naming the company outright. One cannot have this both ways. A company can name their competitor during comparison or not, but attempting to frame not naming them as taking a moral position makes an immediate violation of that stance into a moral position as well. Finally, I’d like to briefly touch on the mathematical balancing of the numbers on the die faces that is a major feature of these dice. I think this is a very interesting topic and a similarly interesting topological problem. The section of the Kickstarter where they discuss how they determined their optimal arrangement is fascinating. In addition, I feel that this is something that could potentially enhance the fairness of some dice and that the particular arrangement of faces they came up with and the process of solving for optimal arrangements is something they should patent immediately if that is indeed a thing that can be patented. However, I do feel I have to point out that if the manufacturing standards to which the dice are held successfully create a die with probabilities very close to the ideal distribution, then rolling the die will result in a random distribution of faces very close to the ideal distribution as well. If the distribution of rolled faces are very close to the ideal distribution, then which number is engraved on which face doesn’t matter. So this ideal arrangement of numbers doesn’t do much to help the accuracy of an already highly accurate die. On the other hand, this arrangement of faces might ironically be highly useful to a company making lower quality lower accuracy dice. So to start our case study, let’s look at what one ideally would do for a project like this: Consider Purpose: The first thing you would do is decide what you want to accomplish with your testing. Do you want to test your own dice for table fairness? Do you want to make an aggressive test of your dice to really assess their accuracy? Do you want to be really certain about your results or are you okay with some wiggle room? Do you want to test your dice against a competitor’s dice? How much time and effort do you want to put into this? All these things are going to impact decisions you make later. Design/Choose Tests: Once you have a good idea of what you want to do, it’s time to start designing your analysis. You’ll need to decide on how you’re collecting data, how much data you’re collecting and what tests you’re going to perform. Typically at this point you’re also choosing your threshold for statistical significance. It’s probably easiest to choose these elements in this order: Tests/Questions: Every test is based on a pair of Hypotheses. One of these, called H0 or null hypothesis is a default assumption and always includes an equal sign. The math of the test assumes this hypothesis is true and the results of the test are the likelihood that one would observe a sample as unusual as the data that was collected, if that hypothesis were true. If we see a really rare event, then we have evidence our assumption was wrong and we reject H0. The typical tests for dice are: Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test: This is a test of the hypothesis that the distribution of the die you are testing is equal to the ideal distribution for a die of that type. So, for example, for a D20, H0 is “The probability of rolling each face of the die is 1/20” and observing a rare event rejects that hypothesis. Chi-Square Test of Homogeneity: This is a test that the distribution of two or more dice (or other phenomenon) are the same. So for a relevant example, you would use this test to check if the distribution of a precision machined metal D4 is the same as the distribution of a low impact plastic cast tumble painted D4. Your H0 would be “The probability distribution for all of the dice in this test are the same.” and observing a rare event rejects that hypothesis. Why don’t we just test each die with the Goodness of Fit test and see which one tests better? Well, imagine a situation where your high quality expensive precision D4 has a random string of unusual rolls. Maybe you roll a bunch more 4s than you would expect. At the same time your low quality cheap inaccurate D4 has a string of really good rolls. If you look at those samples together it might look like your low quality die was better than your high quality die. But really, all you did was observe two rare samples back to back. That happens from time to time, but two separate goodness of fit tests have no way of determining if that might be the case. The test of homogeneity on the other hand takes into account the variance of the dice to help prevent these incorrect assessments. Remember that when you perform a test of your dice you’re only selecting one possible set of rolls of that size and set of results all range from very likely to very unlikely. The only way you know which set you have observed is to observe multiple samples or observe large enough samples. A single small to medium sized sample is an indication of what your true value may look like but isn’t always consistent. Note that the test of homogeneity only tests “H0: All of these dice are distributed exactly the same.” and rejecting that hypothesis only concludes that there is evidence that at least one of them is different than the others. Unless you are only testing two dice against one another, the test makes no claim about which ones are different from each other and the magnitude of those differences. Those follow up questions will require additional tests of their own and you should have those tests planned and accounted for before you run the first test. If the original test that tests all dice against each other finds no significance, there’s no need to actually run any of the planned follow up tests since there’s no evidence of individual differences to find if the first test isn’t significant. We’ll see an example of this later. Chi-Square Test of Independence: Sometimes you’ll find explanation of this test alongside the Test of Homogeneity. If you’re saying to yourself “Huh. The statement ‘These dice all have homogenous distributions’ and the statement ‘the distribution of these die rolls is independent of which die they came from’ sure sound exactly the same.” congrats. That’s an astute observation. These tests are really poorly named. In general you almost never use the test of independence for die testing, but here are a few facts that will help make up your mind: Mathematically, the tests of Homogeneity and Independence are identical, so if you’ve accidentally done the wrong test, no big deal. You’ve also done the right one. The Test of Homogeneity tests if two different samples have the same distribution. Since they’re two different samples, they don’t have to have the same sample size. You can roll your first die 500 times and your second die 5000 times. It’ll make any attempt to do power calculations (the math to see how often you detect differences if they exist) weird but you can do it. Which means you can in theory trawl the internet picking up random D20 data sets from various manufacturers and mush them into one giant test of homogeneity. The Test of Independence on the other hand tests multiple factors collected from a single sample. For example you might want to test if suit and number in a deck of cards are independent or if the temperature at which dice are rolled impact distribution, or some other combination of factors. Unlike Homogeneity, with this test every time you do a test it generates a set of data with a measurement of each factor of interest. Thus it would be really hard to have different sample sizes for different factors. Other Tests: Those are the most common tests that are performed in dice evaluation but others might be used if you’re trying to answer questions other than “How well does my die match the ideal distribution?” or “Is one of these dice better than another?” In fact, you can make up your own tests as long as you can define a hypothesis and then are able to figure out the math for: Assuming the hypothesis is true, what is the probability we observe a sample as or more rare than the sample we actually observed? Threshold for Significance: A test is said to be “Significant” if we assume that H0 is true and, if that is the case our collected data is too rare. What is “too rare”? Well, that’s up to you. You can set this threshold wherever you want, but there are some factors to consider: Pick Before You Test: You should run no risk of your collected data influencing where you place your threshold for significance. If your test results show an observed rarity of 2%, do you want to wait till that moment to decide if 5% or 1% is your threshold for too rare? Use One Threshold: Once you’ve chosen a threshold, that should be the threshold for your entire set of tests unless there’s a good reason to change from test to test (we’ll discuss that shortly). Without excellent justification, changing thresholds, especially if your data is borderline and you change in such a way to find results that are favorable to you, smacks of dishonesty and an attempt to manipulate results in your favor. Use Common Standards: The standard thresholds are .1 (10%), .05 (5%), or .01 (1%). It’s possible to use other thresholds, nothing’s stopping you. However, larger thresholds come with larger chances of making an error (we’ll discuss that in a moment) and start detecting common results as “too rare”. Remember that rolling a 1 on a d10 for example has a 10% chance of occurring. Does it really make sense to say that an event more common than a standard d10 roll is so rare that observing them must mean your assumptions are wrong? On the other end of the spectrum, there are applications where thresholds smaller than .01 are appropriate. These are commonly seen in applications where lives or large sums of money may be on the line such as medical research or insurance calculations. In general, die testing doesn’t warrant this level of accuracy unless you have extraordinary amounts of money riding on them. I haven’t even heard of casinos testing their dice to levels of accuracy tighter than .01 but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did. Consider Family-Wise Error Rate: Let’s say you decide your threshold for significance in a test of goodness of fit is .05 which is the same as 1 in 20. That means that if you assume your die has the ideal distribution and your set of rolls are as or rarer than 1 in 20, you’ll say the results are significant and reject that the die is fair. Now let’s say you have 100 identical ideally distributed dice and you test each of them, rejecting each die for which you see a sample with 1 in 20 rarity. How many of those 100 tests are you going to reject, on average? You’d expect to see an event of 1 in 20 rarity about 1 20th of the time, so in our theoretical 100 tests of fair dice, you would expect to reject 5 of them specifically because they follow the expected distribution. These are called Type 1 errors. When you choose your threshold of significance, another way of thinking about it is that your threshold is the proportion of time you’re willing to make these Type 1 errors. But if you’re performing more than one test at a given threshold then as in our example above, your chance of making at least one Type 1 error increases over your desired threshold as the number of tests increases. This increased chance of error is called your Family-Wise Error Rate and you can control for it in a number of ways. One such way is mathematically calculating a new threshold for individual tests that result in your overall Family-Wise Error Rate being equal to your original desired threshold. Another is using step by step procedures to reject individual tests and fail to reject others based on p-values and other factors. Discussion of individual methods is beyond our scope here other than to say: be careful when deciding if you can assume individual tests are independent or not. Explanation of a handful of procedures can be found here. To determine if you need to worry about Family-Wise Error Rate, ask yourself if any of your tests are related groups of tests and if increasing the number of tests will increase the chance of accidental error. Sample Size: Now that you know what kind of tests you’ll be performing and at what level of significance, you can finally determine the size of the sample you’ll need to generate in order to properly run your tests. Remember that the more data you have, the smaller a difference you can detect with greater accuracy. Unfortunately, most of the tests you’ll use in die testing are chi-square tests and determining necessary sample sizes for chi-square tests can’t reasonably be done without software. If you’re confident in your R or Python abilities, several packages exist for those. However, a stand-alone product exists for those who don’t want to bother installing a programming language and code editor and figuring out how to code a solution themselves. G*Power has good reviews online, is a simple stand-alone product and will handle what we need. If you choose to use G*Power, once you download it and start it up, you’ll need to choose Test Family=X2, Statistical Test=Goodness of Fit Tests: Contingency Tables, and Type of Power Analysis=A Priori: Compute Required Sample Size – Given alpha, power, and effect size. Then simply enter the requested information and click calculate. Effect Size: For Chi-Square tests standard effect sizes are .1=small, .3=medium, and .5=large. A smaller effect size means that you’ll be able to detect smaller differences between the distributions you’re comparing to one another. Alpha Err Prob: This is your threshold for significance discussed above. Remember that if you’re dealing with Family-Wise-Error, even if you’re planning on using step procedures to deal with determining significance, you’ll still need an actual alpha here. Depending on if your tests can be said to be independent or not, the easiest option are the Bonferroni or Sidak procedure. Power (1-Beta err prob): Power is the probability that you’ll be able to detect the difference of interest if it actually exists. Sampling involves a lot of random noise so even if the difference you’re looking for exists some samples you generate will make it look like it doesn’t. The higher your Power, the more samples will detect differences correctly, but also the bigger those samples will have to be. Standards include .8 (detects differences 80% of the time if they exist) and .95 (detects them 95% of the time if they exist.) Df: This is the degrees of freedom of your test. For Goodness of fit tests it’s the number of faces your die has -1. For tests of homogeneity it’s (number of faces-1)(number of dice you’re comparing-1). So for example a goodness of fit test on a d20 has 19 degrees of freedom, while comparing a set of 4 different d20s together has 19*3=57 degrees of freedom. Collect Data: Now that you know how much data you need and what you’re going to do with it, it’s finally time to start collecting data. This order is important because you neither want too little nor too much data. Too little and you have insufficient power to detect deviations. Too much data and you’re going to detect really tiny differences. That sounds great until all your dice test as not fair because you collected 15,000 rolls each. When you collect data, in general it’s easiest to simply keep a running tally of the count of each face rolled. Some people like to keep an actual record of every roll that was made. That’s fine too, although the first thing you will do with a list of rolls is tabulate it into a count of each face. Here are two potential approaches you could take with data collection. Either way is fine. You’re just measuring slightly different things: In one approach you could attempt to gather data in the environment that best describes your use case. Sit at your dining room table, maybe scatter some books, papers, and soda cans around as obstacles and get rolling. The idea here is that your data will do a good job representing the performance that the average home user sees. In the other, you can attempt to gather data in an ideal environment: attempting to optimize for bouncing, well lit for accurate reading of results, and using as close to the same force and angle for each throw as possible for consistency. This approach is an attempt to capture as close to the true distribution of faces of the die as possible. The fact that the end user will never experience these idealized results is irrelevant. Analysis: Surprisingly there’s not much to say here. You have your planned tests. You have your parameters. You have your collected data. The analysis is just math. The math is simple enough for most Chi-Square tests that you can literally do it with pencil and paper (and if you’re like me you’d find that fun but would also make dozens of simple errors and then have to hunt them down.) In practice, this is almost exclusively done via one form of software or another. The end result of analysis is almost always a p-value and a statement about the original claim for each test, something like: “p-value=.003 Evidence exists to reject the claim that all the dice tested share the same distribution.” We use p-value for most test results because they are familiar to many people, they are fairly simple to understand, and they are standardized such that completely different tests, even different types of test can be compared easily. P-values by the way literally mean “If our H0 hypothesis is true, this is the probability of observing data as or more rare than we did.” For the final statement, keep in mind that actually proving something with statistics is almost impossible. Disproving things is sometimes just as hard. Instead most statistical results make use of phrases like “Evidence exists in support of the claim that…” or “Data suggest that…” Presentation: Sharing your results is a straightforward process. You simply walk through this same process and explain what you did. Discuss what you were attempting to test. This part can be in plain language. Explaining the problem or question. Explain your analysis plan including tests, threshold for significance, and sample size. You may want to discuss why you designed your plan the way you did. This is also a good place to discuss common statistics concepts and definitions if you feel your audience may not be familiar with them. If you did anything fancy for data collection, you will probably want to share it. You may want to share graphs of simple descriptive statistics of your data. It’s also a good practice to provide your actual data set if there’s no good reason not to. Go over each test you performed and their results. As mentioned earlier, if possible, these should mostly be just p-values and statements of what those p-values say about your initial claims. At the end you may wish to close with an overview especially if your results show an important trend or pattern. Even if your results aren’t particularly impressive, a conclusion like “Results are inconclusive, further testing with larger sample sizes is needed.” can be useful as well as suggestions for follow up tests that could be performed. So that’s the general approach for testing dice. This isn’t comprehensive. There are quite a few bits I glossed over but for our case study it’s a sufficient framework to work with. Next week is part 2: Review of the Honest Dice Analysis. The week after that is part 3: Suggested Analysis.

If you’ve done some tabletop and dabbled in or heard about some larp, there’s one thing I think everyone who appreciates a good collaborative, mechanics light game has picked up on: the conversations about safety in larp are lightyears ahead of what we’re talking about at the table. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking […]

If you’ve done some tabletop and dabbled in or heard about some larp, there’s one thing I think everyone who appreciates a good collaborative, mechanics light game has picked up on: the conversations about safety in larp are lightyears ahead of what we’re talking about at the table. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about safety at my tables, but I remain in full learning mode when larping – but the best part is, the work that is happening in larp largely translates back. What is different about larp safety? I am still thinking about how I want to bring this to my tabletop session, but it feels like it would help particularly in situations where I’m playing with folks who haven’t played together before. When I say that larp safety is lightyears ahead of TTRPG safety, I don’t mean all larp safety. In the same way that there are games and facilitators who run safer or less safe games at the table, so there are larps that consider safety in the design and facilitators who make sure that it’s part of the setup, and those who do not. No matter where and how you play, you will still encounter a gamut of folks at different places in their journey of understanding safety, and people who may or may not realize why they should care. (This is not an article about why you should care, and it is not an article that will try to convince you to. I will only say, as I have said before and as has been said many places before by many people – being able to create an environment in which it is expected that humans have boundaries and will enforce them creates a space where it’s much easier to play more intensely, closer to those boundaries than we might otherwise want to engage. If that’s not the gaming experience you want, or if the concept of clear consent is a problem for you, I invite you to move along and not waste your time on the rest of this article as it will only make both of us upset.) My personal interest in larp mimics my interest in TTRPGs: mechanics light or negotiation based, Nordic-inspired games with strong intended emotional experiences. My most major experience with this to date, which only emphasized to me that I want desperately to do it again, was the Dresden Files 1920s larp by Mooney Bin Entertainment. If you haven’t played in an organized larp before, there’s some additional session 0 style work to do before you play. Yes, we talked through character relationships and touched base on the connections, and then we spent some serious time on safety in a way we don’t usually do it at the table: practicing. Why practice for something to go wrong? The best thing you can have in your back pocket for an emergency is a plan. When your prefrontal cortex goes into full react mode is not the time to be trying to figure out what to do – it’s the time when you already want to have a plan in place, or instincts that will see you through. If all goes well and you never have to use the plan or the practice? Awesome! I didn’t need to at Dresden – but knowing how to react if I did was the best safety net I could have asked for. Practice at Dresden, led by the brilliant Ericka Skirpan, meant putting ourselves intentionally in uncomfortable and escalating situations: yelling, physical impact, etc. so that we could feel our boundaries and tap out of the situation. It was practice for the feeling, the action, and being completely cool at accepting the other person enforcing their boundaries. Okay, how do we practice at the table? I am still thinking about how I want to bring this to my tabletop sessions, but it feels like it would help particularly in situations where I’m playing with folks who haven’t played together before. With a long standing group, we’ve built the trust and practices over time simply by length of association. At a convention or running a one shot, or even at the beginning of a new campaign, what is the best way for me to take these practices and make them work for the table? This is a brainstorm of my thoughts on the concept so far. Things I am already doing: When you are the facilitator, engage the in-game safety tool you’re using early in the game on a low risk topic. This is a good way to lead by example, and I usually do it on something I’ve brought up myself – naming an NPC something that I wouldn’t actually want in the game and then using the X card to edit it out is one of the easiest. In setting up Lines and Veils, I am always ready with content in case no one jumps in first, and usually once we’ve started talking folks will get more comfortable about adding things to the list. In tabletop, we can use safety tools as a shortcut to structuring a conversation about content in our games. They already have rules and expectations to help make them easier to use, based on the type of tool itself. With Lines and Veils, we know we’re setting up the boundaries of the space we’re going to play in. With the X card, we know we’re going to edit content. The structures can be helpful but in the end, what we’re really trying to do is have a conversation – to negotiate how we’re going to play together. The good news is that we already do this! When we’re negotiating how our characters know each other, or deciding what kind of setting we’re playing, or why these two are always fighting, we’re negotiating. It’s easy and seamless to bring that energy to your game itself, because hopefully you’ve already started as part of the default set up for your game. In game, it looks very similar – instead of “what if our characters are siblings,” you might say “what if we had a scene here where we fought about…” Plenty of mechanically light games already assume this: anywhere you’re setting a scene, you’re already doing it when you build it together. It is much easier to slip in and out of character at the table, so take advantage of it. Things I could be doing: Referencing very directly, I think volume and intensity are something we could practice quickly at the table. This might also include practicing appropriate volume for the space you’re in – a cafe or a convention space may be different than around your kitchen table. (If you really want people to scream at each other, angry sounding compliments are one great way to do this.) Have everyone throw out something they’d like to edit, and hit the X card for it. Maybe this could be part of the ritual around creating Lines and Veils – it practices the physical action, the edit, and validates that everyone can reach the card (or, my preference, say it/make an x with fingers etc. because reaching is less than ideal, so whatever you expect from a revoking of consent with your tools for your game). Practice saying no. What if we all turned to the person next to us, offered up a wild idea, and then they just got to say no? Then reverse. Just practice the act of saying no – it’s not something a lot of us are good at (especially folks of varying marginalizations and life experiences). (Source: Be Prepared to Set Boundaries) I definitely have more thoughts on specifics we can and should bring to the tabletop conversation from negotiation-based larps, but I’ve kept my content here limited to the act of practicing. Worth your time to read, from Ericka Skirpan (the article that made me think about this): https://thespacebetweenstories.com/2025/06/02/safety-is-personal-wearing-your-larp-seatbelt/ Do you have ideas about things we could practice at the table before getting into play?

All things Indie Games

In this part of the walkthrough we look for Annie and escape the Bucket Butcher.

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Welcome to our walkthrough of The Drifter, a point and click adventure from Powerhoof Studios.... The post The Drifter Walkthrough – Chapter 5 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this part of the walkthrough we look for Annie and discover the ties between Trinity, Dr. Roth and Dr. Nazari

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Welcome to our walkthrough of The Drifter, a point and click adventure from Powerhoof Studios.... The post The Drifter Walkthrough – Chapter 4 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this part of the walkthrough we meet the Monster and escape the hospital.

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Welcome to our walkthrough of The Drifter, a point and click adventure from Powerhoof Studios.... The post The Drifter Walkthrough – Chapter 3 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this walkthrough, we will go chapter by chapter, detailing step-by-step solutions to every point-and-click puzzle in this game.

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Welcome to our walkthrough for The Drifter, a Pulp Adventure Thriller from Powerhoof Studios, that... The post The Drifter Walkthrough appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this part of the walkthrough we go to the Herald and the Cemetery.

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Welcome to our walkthrough of The Drifter, a point and click adventure from Powerhoof Studios.... The post The Drifter Walkthrough – Chapter 2 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this part of the walkthrough we meet Bill and Angela, die for the first time and escape being drowned.

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Welcome to our walkthrough of The Drifter, a point and click adventure from Powerhoof Studios.... The post The Drifter Walkthrough – Chapter 1 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

In this part of the walkthrough we learn how to escape from the train car.

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Welcome to Part 4 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. After...

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Welcome to Part 4 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. After... The post Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson Walkthrough Part 4 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Welcome to Part 3 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. In...

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Welcome to Part 3 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. In... The post Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson Walkthrough Part 3 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Welcome to Part 2 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. This...

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Welcome to Part 2 of our walkthrough for Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. This... The post Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson Walkthrough Part 2 appeared first on Into Indie Games.

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HBO and its representatives have stated multiple times that the plan was for its live-action adaptation of The Last of Us to span at least four seasons. The show just wrapped up its second season, covering roughly the first half of The Last of Us Part II’s story, and showrunner Craig Mazin has said he plans to…

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Dune: Awakening’s desert is filled with raw resources like crystals, metals, ore, stone, and even corpses, that lend their essence to crafting useful survival tools and equipment. One of the most important materials is Iron. It’s a raw resource found in two key zones outside of the starter area, and you’ll need plenty…

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Is Donkey Kong Bananza the Super Mario Odyssey-sized adventure the Switch 2 needs? That’s the question players have been asking ever since the 3D sandbox smasher was first revealed earlier this year. Based on early reviews, it just might be. With rave assessments and perfect scores from some outlets, Nintendo’s first…

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During April’s big Switch 2 Direct, where the console was revealed in all its glory for the very first time, Nintendo showed off an in-house game that supported the new console’s Joy-Con-as-mice feature. Drag x Drive, a wheelchair basketball game, was a complete surprise, and things have been pretty quiet since. But…

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We’re more than halfway through 2025, and as we head into the summer lull, what better time than the present to look back at some of the incredible games we’ve played this year? A whole new console launch happened since we last updated this list, and if that’s not a reason to give our Best Games of 2025 So Far list a…

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Candy Crush maker, King, which Microsoft acquired along with Activision Blizzard back in 2023, was the first hit when mass layoffs were announced across the company earlier this month. Now some impacted staff say morale is at an all time low, as AI they’ve been training for years is potentially used to replace them.

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Nintendo and Miyamoto have just announced the two lead actors in 2027's live-action Zelda movie. We now know that both lead roles will be played by British actors, with Link portrayed by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio) and Bo Bragason (Three Girls) appearing as Zelda .

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Pokémon TCG Pocket is already nine months old, because time has come loose from its moorings and there’s a global conspiracy to cover up this chronological catastrophe. Over its three-quarters of a year, the mobile version of the collectible card game has introduced many new sets of cards, a new ranked tournament…

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We may never get another Deus Ex game featuring Elias Toufexis’ lovely voice as Adam Jensen again, but right now you can snag Human Revolution, the debut of our sunglass-wearing badass cyborg, for less than five bucks and, since it’s on GOG, there’s no DRM, meaning you can back up copies of it, responsibly lend it to…

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It often feels like the entire world around you is conspiring to bring about your demise. On Arrakis, that’s true. Between the sandworms and the other deadly players, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone or anything friendly. Even worse, your only haven—the base you build—isn’t free or safe. You owe money to the local…

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There is a twinkling sound every time you turn on the original Destiny that lives on in the hearts of anyone who spent hundreds of hours playing it. Over a decade later, Destiny 2's newest expansion transported players back to those fond early days by re-using the old menu music for The Edge of Fate’s login screen.

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Since my review of 150 hours spent in Starfield at launch, my opinion on the game has only soured. The added survival mechanics were of fleeting interest to me, and there are a handful of neat mods to toy with. However, nothing I’ve heard of the game’s singular expansion since its 2023 release–from the inclusion of…

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Remember that really catchy but also very annoying Jack Black song “Lava Chicken” from the Minecraft movie? If you are a parent with kids under the age of 16, you likely do, and you are probably so happy to finally be free of it. Well, bad news: The song was just added to the actual Minecraft game. Sorry.

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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 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

Video Game Reviews, Features, and Gaming News

Kakao Games is ready to unleash a new kind of action-RPG experience with Goddess Order, a side-scrolling mobile adventure that combines nostalgic pixel-art visuals with console-style combat. Today, the South Korea-based publisher revealed the game’s first global teaser trailer, offering fans around the world a sneak peek at its explosive combat, charming characters, and intriguing […]

Hell is about to get divine intervention. Indie developer Tale Era Interactive has officially announced that Holy Shoot, their high-octane, roguelike first-person shooter, will enter Early Access on July 30, 2025, exclusively on Steam. A Heavenly Arsenal vs. Hell’s Worst Set in a chaotic, satirical version of Hell, Holy Shoot puts players in the holy […]

The war for the forest floor just escalated. Microids and Tower Five have officially deployed Swarm Together, the first major free update for Empire of the Ants, the RTS adaptation of Bernard Werber’s cult sci-fi saga. Available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, this robust patch introduces a host of new content that […]

Step into a dark thriller and unravel a conspiracy while solving practical adventure game puzzles in The Drifter. The Drifter Developer: Powerhoof Price: TBA Platform: PC (reviewed) MonsterVine was supplied with a PC code for review. Back in 2019, I previewed a demo of the point-and-click adventure game The Drifter, although I had forgotten that […]

Maplers, it’s time to dive into something a little fishier than usual. As part of the Stargazer update, MapleStory has teamed up with Dave the Diver for a fully integrated collaboration event that brings deep-sea exploration and sushi-serving chaos to the shores of Maple World. This oceanic crossover is live now and will run through […]

Things are heating up at Strange Scaffold. The indie studio behind CLICKOLDING has revealed its latest title, Co-Op Kaiju Horror Cooking, a frantic online multiplayer horror game that launches July 29 on PC via Steam. In it, you and up to three other medieval monks must prepare improvised meals and launch them into the gaping […]

SEGA has just dropped a brand-new customization trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, showing off the full extent of the game’s tricked-out, boost-happy possibilities. The trailer highlights a staggering amount of vehicle personalization, including over 40 unique vehicles, 70+ gadgets, and 100+ parts and decals, allowing players to build their dream racing machine tailored to their […]

Surgent Studios, the acclaimed team behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, is returning with a sharp left turn into psychological horror. Dead Take, a mind-bending thriller set in the glitzy, rotten core of the entertainment industry, officially launches July 31 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Backed by Pocketpair Publishing (the team behind […]

Square Enix is making it easier than ever to experience one of the most emotionally powerful video game franchises in modern gaming. Today, the publisher announced the Life is Strange Collection — a PlayStation 5-exclusive, physical-only box set that bundles together all five Life is Strange games and their DLC into one definitive package. The […]

Microids is turning up the heat this summer with a fresh gameplay trailer for Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening, the modern video game adaptation of Buichi Terasawa’s iconic space opera. Developed by Magic Pockets, this faithful take on the 1982 anime is set to launch on August 26 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, […]

N4G: news feed

LLC: "Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is a musical RPG with spectacular combat, a lot of build options, and more musical charm than you can handle."

"TRON: Catalyst nails the vibe and tale - but repetition, unevolving combat and reliance on series language and lore ultimately hold it back." - Stuart Cullen, TechStomper

LLC: "Shadow Labyrinth is a dark and gritty Pac-Man spinoff that somehow manages to be one of the best Metroidvanias in recent memory."

Gareth writes: Somber Echoes fits well into its Metroidvania category. It has an explorable map with secrets to find, fast platforming, and hard combat.

Gareth writes: Youll be left impressed by Antro. Theres some great story set-up, and the gameplay is fast, fun and easy to get your head around.

Over 4,800 items are included in the huge PlayStation Store Summer Sale promotion, and it includes some huge AAA discounts.

What would you do if you had a second chance? Take one right now and read our review of The Drifter.

RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business Review - This standalone experience stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Rogue City.

Using this simple Marvel Rivals trick, you'll be able to take down more enemies and win more games.

Medals are a neat way to show off your achievements in the game, but some go a bit too far. The First Descendant players wonder if the infamous 50-slot weapons Medal is worth the hassle (and the inescapable sanity loss).

Your source for news, information, product releases, events, sports, entertainment & exclusive content relating to Xbox

The post Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 17, 2025 Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds Lauren May, Lead Community Manager, Planet Coaster In Planet Coaster 2, you can push the boundaries of your creativity like never before. With enhanced and improved building tools, you can design a true water and theme park paradise that will delight and thrill your guests. The latest free updates have included many new features for players to explore including modular souvenir shops, on-ride photos for guests to take home their memories, and tasty sit-down restaurants that can be fully customised to fit any theme in your park. Returning themes from the original Planet Coaster have also unlocked even more creative possibilities! With this in mind, we’ve picked some of our favourite Xbox community creations from the Frontier Workshop to get you inspired and we can’t wait to share them with you! These blueprints and park builds show off the fantastic tools and features you can use to create amazing theme and water parks in Planet Coaster 2, which can be downloaded into your game. 1. Lazy River by Baaty Share Code – 62T-9L7-44L A lazy river is a classic staple in any water park! The use of scenery items like the inflatables scattered around the pool add a fun moment of realism to the paradise created by the trees and plants along the water’s edge. A great example of the scenery brush, a tool that gives you the ability to place lots of objects in a short amount of time! 2. Ragnarök Ridge – Viking Themed Coaster by BluerRoosterUK Share Code – 1NY-G28-19L Building rides in Planet Coaster 2 isn’t only about the visuals! This epic build doesn’t just look great as a focal point for any park, it boasts excellent stats, making it ideal for Franchise Mode. It also features amazing custom animatronics that breathe life into this fierce Viking-themed rollercoaster. 3. Shabadoo’s Electric Garden by Daypass Share Code – 3JG-Y3Y-S3Y Dark rides are a fantastic way to play with the lighting in your park, and this ride shows that off brilliantly with a range of glowing scenery pieces and lights that really stand out! The number of lights and effects in Planet Coaster 2 allow you to create awesome dark ride experiences that your guests (and you – thank you first person mode!) can enjoy. 4. AquaAdventure World by SplashZone Share Code – 2Z6-8J0-PJT This theme park is what Planet Coaster 2 is all about! Using rocks, water and terrain tools allows you to add levels to the space, instead of having a flat theme park. The fantastic mix of coaster and water park elements on an epic scale looks amazing and goes down well with your guests too. 5. Fantasy Building by Birtie Share Code – 1F2-J6W-016 Planet Coaster 2’s themes have wonderful versatility for creating details in your parks. By using the Aquatic, Mythology and Viking themes, this park building adds the perfect fantasy flair with all the little details – we want to walk around here ourselves! If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your wonderful and wacky park building ideas, check out the Planet Coaster 2 community page to see the Featured Creators and Workshop Creations we’re loving right now. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and create a splash. Planet Coaster 2 Frontier Developments ☆☆☆☆☆ 138 ★★★★★ $49.99 Get it now Create a splash with Planet Coaster 2 – sequel to the world’s best coaster park simulator! Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests. Dive in now! EMBRACE CREATIVITY Expand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. It’s never been easier to bring your dream park to life. Create the ultimate theme park: Dive into a world of creativity with nine distinct themes, from returning classics like Pirate and Western, to exciting new additions in Viking and Mythology. With thousands of themed customisable pieces at your fingertips, every creation will be truly unique. Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before! Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember. Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes. Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity. MASTER MANAGEMENT Find the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget – populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master. Take care: Provide for your guests’ health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool. Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new ‘heat maps’ feature lets you understand the wider park’s needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park. SHARE THE RIDE Create together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save! Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards! Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand – explore their worlds in first person as a park guest! Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in other’s creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online. Related Stories for “Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds” Category: Games Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet Category: Games Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops Category: ID@Xbox All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox The post Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 17, 2025 Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet Cryss Leonhart, Lead Community Manager, Nacon Summary RoboCop: Rogue City is available today with Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC. RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, the standalone follow-up to last year’s game, is available today for Xbox Series X|S. Unfinished Business sees RoboCop heading to the OmniTower, the latest OCP project turned deathtrap, after a group of mercenaries has seized control and turned it into a fortress. I’m going to do that thing people don’t like, where I remind you about the inevitable passage of time. If that’s the sort of thing that does about as much damage to you as failing to comply when ordered by ED-209, then look away now. Today marks 38 years since RoboCop’s debut and what better way to celebrate than with a double feature. On the surface, “RoboCop” might feel like a gratuitous action flick, but that would be ignoring the deep worldbuilding, themes, and characterization explored across these movies. It’s also deeply satirical and not afraid to have fun, with some iconic jokes, gags, and one-liners. These were a must when it came to building RoboCop: Rogue City, a first-person shooter that launched at the end of 2023 and is available today with Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC! As RoboCop, you can hit the streets, interrogate witnesses, and complete objectives in alignment with your moral compass. If you’ve still not checked out Rogue City, now’s the perfect time. Rogue City was a fantastic success for us, and that’s down to the passionate fans. Their support also gave us the opportunity to work on a follow-up, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business. If Rogue City is a little more about downtime, exploring Old Detroit, and experiencing the life of RoboCop, then Unfinished Business can be considered playing a high intensity RoboCop movie. Unfinished Business begins with a group of mercenaries tearing through the Metro West Precinct, bodies and bullets left in their wake. With components stolen from RoboCop’s chair, their objective is clear: the OmniTower. Combine these with the technology at the top, and they can seize control of all OCP technology, including RoboCop. The stakes are high and since the OmniTower is outside the Detroit Police Department’s jurisdiction, it means RoboCop is going in alone. Unfinished Business follows on from Rogue City, and both games sit between “RoboCop 2” and “RoboCop 3” on the timeline. This gives us a lot of lore to draw from, it means we can introduce new enemies, like the katana wielding androids (those don’t look like OCP tech), or jetpack users, who rain fire down from above. These threats turn each level of the OnniTower into a puzzle that needs to be solved. How will you navigate the turrets, drones, and the small army of heavily armored mercs standing between you and the summit. One of the most important things for players is that they feel the power of being RoboCop, we’ve kept the option to toss enemies and objects with ease, but we’ve also added powerful environmental finishers where the camera pulls back and see RoboCop in action. This was in response to feedback from our players who wanted to see more of the iconic hero. Another thing we wanted to do with Unfinished Business is to dive deeper into the man in the machine. Humanity has always been a core theme in this series, and while the bulk of the story takes place in the OmniTower, levels that put you into the shoes of different characters present new gameplay styles that serve as a change of pace throughout the campaign. When playing as Alex Murphy back when he was a beat cop, players will need to alter their playstyle without RoboCop’s powerful armor serving as a shield. Ammo counts become important when you can’t fall back on the Auto-9, but more than that, it’s an opportunity for us to build on Murphy’s story. The link between Murphy and RoboCop was a crux in the films, something that Peter Weller was known for doing so well, and the reason we needed to get him back for the standalone — welcome back to Old Detroit, Murphy. It’s a great day for RoboCop fans! RoboCop: Rogue City is available today with Game Pass and the action-packed standalone follow-up, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, is available now for Xbox Series X|S! RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business Nacon ☆☆☆☆☆ 12 ★★★★★ $29.99 Get it now ROBOCOP IS BACK ON DUTY TO SETTLE UNFINISHED BUSINESS FIGHT YOUR WAY TO THE TOP FLOOR Following RoboCop's decisive victory over Detroit's gangs, a new chapter unfolds in this standalone extension set after the events of RoboCop: Rogue City. The New Guy in Town has been defeated, but the streets are still riddled with crime. A spark of hope comes from OCP’s latest project: OmniTower – a massive housing complex designed specifically to provide for the needs of the residents of Old Detroit. But when a group of highly trained mercenaries armed with cutting-edge weapons takes control of the building and turns it into their deadly fortress, RoboCop must take action to put a stop to their plans and uphold the law. FACE A DEADLIER CLASS OF CRIMINALS Prepare to take on a new breed of enemies: OmniTower is packed with high-tech threats. From flying drones to exploding bots and anti-personnel turrets, every floor is riddled with deadly traps, and heavily armed elite troops. Expect to face minigun-toting armoured squads, special forces equipped with jet packs or even katana-wielding foes who look more machine than man. RESTORE ORDER WITH JUSTICE SERVED COLD When it’s too late to shout "freeze", you can rely on RoboCop’s arsenal to to cool down enemies' ambitions. Choose from a wide range of powerful weapons to serve Justice, including the iconic Auto-9 or the all-new Cryo Cannon. Unleash RoboCop's unmatched strength to deliver devastating finishing moves – whether smashing an opponent’s skull against a concrete wall or into the nearest drinks vending machine. PLAY AS ALEX MURPHY AND ED-209 Experience unique missions with familiar faces which reveal more of the storyline of Unfinished Business. Before becoming RoboCop, he was plain old police officer Alex Murphy, brave and resolute, but all too vulnerable on the beat in Old Detroit. Discover a different side of the legendary law enforcer, voiced by Peter Weller. Step into the big boots of ED-209 and make the mercs know the efficiency of the iconic urban pacifier in action. This time, criminals won’t have 20 seconds to comply. RoboCop: Rogue City Nacon ☆☆☆☆☆ 365 ★★★★★ $59.99 $47.99 Get it now PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and bring justice to the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit. Uphold the law by any means necessary: With your powerful Auto-9 or one of the other 20 weapons available, eradicate criminals throughout this explosive first-person adventure. Your cyborg strength and cybernetic abilities can be upgraded as you progress, to make you an even more formidable law enforcement officer. It's up to you to decide how to fulfil your prime directives: Explore open areas and complete your objectives according to your own sense of justice. Finding evidence, interrogating suspects and maintaining public order are just some of your daily tasks as a police officer. But don't take decisions lightly: your choices can determine the fate of citizens and the result of your mission. An original story set in the world of RoboCop: The city of Old Detroit has been hit by a crime wave, with a new enemy threatening the peace and order. Your investigation leads you right into the heart of a shadowy conspiracy in an original story that takes place between RoboCop 2 and 3, with striking locations to explore and familiar faces to meet. Peter Weller, the original RoboCop actor, is even back on duty to voice the cybercop. Get ready to… PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND UPHOLD THE LAW RoboCop: Rogue City – Alex Murphy Edition Nacon ☆☆☆☆☆ 924 ★★★★★ $69.99 $6.99 Get it now The ''Alex Murphy'' Edition throws you into the thick of the action for an even more exhilarating experience. It includes: – The base game – The ''OCP Shotgun'' side arm – The hero's damaged armour, taken from the first RoboCop film (cosmetic) – The ''Prototype'' version of the Auto-9 gun (cosmetic) – Early access to the game, 48 hours before the official launch – The digital artbook containing 100 pages of images, with comments from the game developers Related Stories for “Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet” Category: Games Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds Category: Games Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops Category: ID@Xbox All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox The post Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 17, 2025 Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops Kyle Ocean, Marketing Manager, Xbox Clear out all your plans, we got a jam-packed weekend with Free Play Days! Breakout Beyond and Atomicrops are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday July 17 until Sunday, July 20 Skull & Bones will be available for all Xbox members to try until July 21 through Free Play Days for All. Destiny 2 expansions (Final Shape, Lightfall, Witch Queen, Forsaken Pack, Shadowkeep and Beyond Light) will be unlocked for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days. Blades of Fire will be available for all Xbox Members to try with a 10-hour timed trial with Free Play Days for All. How To Start Playing Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page 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, Standard and Core 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 and 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 (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required) Breakout Beyond Atari ☆☆☆☆☆ 14 ★★★★★ $14.99 $11.99 Get it now Breakout Beyond Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Breakout is back! Choice Provisions (Bit.Trip) has flipped the legendary series on its head. Or rather side. In this neon-drenched take on the classic, you’ll need to literally break through each puzzle by clearing bricks to breach the final goal. Longer play will rack up a combo and increase the intensity of the effects creating a spectacular light show as a reward for the most skilled players. Atomicrops Raw Fury ☆☆☆☆☆ 215 ★★★★★ $14.99 $2.99 Get it now Atomicrops Atomicrops is an action-packed roguelite farming simulator where you must cultivate and defend the last farm in the post-apocalypse wasteland. Farm mutated crops, marry townsfolk, and kill every mutant creature that tries to invade! Free Play Days For All Skull and Bones Ubisoft ☆☆☆☆☆ 374 ★★★★★ $39.99 $7.99 Get it now Free Trial Skull & Bones Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Set sail into the vibrant open world of Skull and Bones, a naval online action RPG where you rise to become the most fearsome pirate kingpin. Customize your fleet, craft unique ships, and forge formidable weapons to dominate in exhilarating sea battles. From July 17–21, play the full game for free—and if you love it, grab it at 80% off! Destiny 2 Bungie ☆☆☆☆☆ 2013 ★★★★★ Get it now Xbox One X Enhanced Destiny 2 (Expansions) Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Blades of Fire 505 Games ☆☆☆☆☆ 45 ★★★★★ $59.99 $47.99 Get it now Blades of Fire (10-hour trial) Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Are you ready to Forge Your Legend? From the award-winning studio MercurySteam, Blades of Fire is a new action-adventure where you forge your own weapons and face fierce enemies in a unique combat system. Experience the first 10 hours of Blades of Fire as part of Free Play Days. What’s more, enjoy 20% off the full game for a limited time! Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core 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. The post Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: ID@Xbox July 17, 2025 All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox Ruizhao Chen, Designer, MechAlmond Summary Find out what makes BattleCap so addictive. A deep dive into the physics behind this chaotic couch co-op. Learn how to customize your warships and heat up the competition. Ahoy, Captains! Ruizhao Chen here, designer of BattleCap – the naval combat party game that transforms your living room into a bottle cap battleground. After years of sweat, laughter, and way too many “last rounds” with our dev team, I’m thrilled to announce: BattleCap launches today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One! Why our Team Couldn’t Stop Playing During development, our golden standard was simple: If our team didn’t get hooked during testing, players wouldn’t either. We’d promise “one last match” only to keep hitting “Start Game.” This obsession shaped every decision: Team-wide enjoyment: We refined mechanics until programmers and artists loved them – not just designers. Accessible depth: Simple controls hide strategic depth. Kids to grandparents can enjoy it. Perfect session length: Matches fit a lunch break but deliver maximum laughter. Social chaos: Backstabs and comeback victories make players “scream, laugh, and stomp.” Physics: our Biggest Challenge and Triumph BattleCap’s soul is its real-time physics simulation. Every interaction follows physical rules: Elastic Warships: Connect bottle caps with bubblegum adhesive. Attacks make ships wobble and deform. Clever players exploit this to steal enemy caps mid-battle by breaking connections. Environmental Strategy: Ride wind currents to dodge or chase. Avoid deadly whirlpools that pull ships toward destruction. True Projectile Physics: Cannonballs arc with gravity. Lasers pierce targets. Flamethrowers have short range. Smart Enemies: Foes use line-of-sight physics. Hide behind obstacles to ambush them! Months of tuning ensured these systems feel intuitive yet strategically rich. What Awaits on the High Seas Build Custom Warships Collect scattered bottle caps to assemble multi-functional warships that deform, extend, or split apart. Adapt your strategy on the fly! Conquer three Battle Zones Mysterious Ruins: Navigate ancient hazards. Stormbreaker Bay: Harness tactical winds. Devil’s Whirlpool: Lure enemies into the maelstrom. Choose Your Combat Four-Player Local PVP: Compete in chaotic “triple-match championships” across dynamic maps. Roguelite PVE: Team up against sea monsters! Collect random blessings and relics (like Tidal Shields) to upgrade your ship each run. Set Sail Today! BattleCap delivers fresh naval combat where physics rules and bottle caps reign. Perfect for: Chaotic couch co-op nights. Strategic shipbuilders. Players seeking “easy to learn, hard to master” depth. Grab your crew. Fair winds, Captains! BattleCap E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ $11.99 $9.59 Get it now The naval combat party game "BattleCap" is now available! This innovative party game, supporting 1-4 players, will take you into an exciting naval battle. Here, you can use various bottle cap modules to create your own unique warship, engage in intense battles with friends, or team up to challenge powerful sea monsters. The unique flexible physics engine makes every ship collision dynamic and fun, offering a refreshing combat experience! In the game, players will find themselves in three major themed combat zones, ranging from mysterious ruins to the devil's whirlpool. Each map is filled with tactical changes and mechanical challenges. By collecting scattered bottle cap modules, you can assemble multi-functional warships that can deform, extend, or even break apart. Adapt your strategy flexibly in battle and enjoy the unique fun of ship assembly. The game also features rich Roguelite elements, allowing you to strengthen your warship with randomly dropped blessings and relics. Whether you want to compete with friends in party mode or team up to fend off angry sea monsters in cooperative mode,"BattleCap" has something for you. The local PVP mode offers a tense and exciting triple-match championship, while the PVE mode is filled with strategy and teamwork, challenging your operational and tactical limits. Join BattleCap: Clashing Wars now and embark on a new and fun naval battle experience with your friends! Build your custom warship and face endless adventure and challenges! Related Stories for “All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox” Category: ID@Xbox Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever Category: Xbox Game Pass Coming to Game Pass: Grounded 2 (Game Preview), Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Farming Simulator 25, and More Category: ID@Xbox Irem Collection Vol. 3 Brings 3 Upgraded Retro Shoot ’em Ups to Xbox The post All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Playtests July 16, 2025 The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders! Jon, Xbox Program Manager Are you ready for the ultimate first-person shooter? The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today! Dive into the high-stakes extraction and the epic Warfare today in the Xbox Insider Playtest, available now on Xbox Series X|S. About the Game: Delta Force is the definitive free-to-play modern team-based tactical shooter coming to consoles on August 19. As the latest installment of the classic series that has defined the genre for 25 years, Delta Force is back with 3 main game modes: large-scale multiplayer PvP – Warfare, next-gen extraction shooter – Operations, and classic PvE campaign mode – Black Hawk Down. 3 Experiences in One: Experience the all-out 32 Vs. 32 Warfare mode, the next-gen extraction mode, and the cinematic Black Hawk Down campaign mode in one game. 1 Account, 3 Battlefronts: Progression shared among console, PC, and mobile. Cross-play available between console and PC version. Free-to-Play: 3 modes, 10+ Operators, 10+ maps, tons of rewards, all for free. Learn more about Delta Force here: https://playdeltaforce.com Playtest Times: Start: Wednesday, July 16th, 6 PM PT (9 PM ET / July 17th, 1 AM UTC) End: Saturday, July 20, 6 PM PT (9 PM ET / July 21st, 1 AM UTC) How To Participate Sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary) Navigate to Previews > Delta Force BETA Select Join Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install Delta Force Beta for CBT Xbox NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served. NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X|S consoles. NOTE: This playtest is only available to users in Canada, Mexico and the United States. How to Provide Feedback: If you experience any issues while playing GOALS, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate: Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller. Select Report a problem. Select the Games category and Delta Force Beta for CBT Xbox subcategory. Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation. Chat, share your thoughts and feedback on the Delta Force Discord here. You can also reach out for customer support via email: service@playdeltaforce.com See FAQ about The Delta Force Technical Test here. Other resources: Get the Xbox Insider Hub app Xbox Insider FAQ How to provide feedback as an Xbox Insider For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit. Related Stories for “The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders!” Category: Xbox Insider Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC App Category: Xbox Insider Xbox Insiders – Aggregated Gaming Library is Coming to the Xbox PC app Category: Playtests GOALS – Xbox Insider Playtest is Available Today! The post The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 16, 2025 Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know Shyla Schofield, Senior Communications Manager, Obsidian Entertainment Summary Grounded 2 launches July 29, 2025, in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud, in Early Access on Steam, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass —get ready to shrink down and dive in! And with Xbox Play Anywhere, a single purchase lets you play with Xbox consoles and Xbox PC with full cross-saves – at no additional cost. Suit up with the Founder’s Edition — the Standard Edition with additional content including four cosmetic character skins, custom emotes, and a digital artbook plus soundtrack to flex your style. Play your way with accessibility options like Arachnophobia Safe Mode, Read to Me, and more from day one! Everyone gets a gift! The Tools of Yore decorative set is free for all players jumping into Grounded 2. The countdown to Grounded 2 is nearly over, and we’re gearing up to welcome players back to Brookhollow — only this time, the world is bigger, the bugs are bolder, and the park is ready to play in so saddle up! As we get closer to the Game Preview/Early Access launch on July 29, 2025, we’re excited to announce the Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants: Oh My! Founder’s Edition, available for purchase starting at launch. This edition is packed with stylish cosmetics to help you stand out while exploring Brookhollow Park. You’ll get the game plus unlock four premium character skins, each with their own custom emotes: the mighty Minotaur, the stoic Myrmidon, the elusive Rogue, and the fearsome Mant. You’ll also get access to “ONYX-PRO, Inside the Game” — a digital artbook and soundtrack that takes you behind the scenes of Grounded 2’s development and will be updated throughout Game Preview/Early Access — and a decorative set of Tool Effigies called the Tools of Yore, perfect for showing off your adventuring spirit at home base. Correction — almost perfect. The Tools of Yore aren’t actually exclusive to the Founder’s Edition. They’re a gift to every player who joins us in Grounded 2, whether you’re playing through Game Pass, purchasing the standard edition, or picking up the Founder’s Edition down the line. It’s a simple “thank –you” from the team, for stepping back into the tiny world with us. Players can always start their adventure with the Standard Edition of Grounded 2, or by playing day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. If they decide they want the additional cosmetic items — none of which affect gameplay or progression — and the digital artbook and soundtrack, the Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants: Oh My! Founder’s Edition will be available as a Founder’s Pack upgrade as well. In addition to new cosmetic options and the digital artbook and soundtrack, we’re also continuing our commitment to accessibility. Grounded 2 will launch into Game Preview and Early Access with a wide array of features designed to support different playstyles and player needs. This includes Arachnophobia Safe Mode, colorblind options, subtitle customization, narration through Read to Me, adjustable reticles, control settings, and more. We’re also committed to supporting the same localized languages from the original Grounded, starting with English, French, Castilian Spanish, German, Italian, Latin American Spanish, and Simplified Chinese at Game Preview/Early Access—with more languages to be added over time. These tools and options are just the beginning — we’ll continue building on them with community input throughout development. Grounded 2 launches July 29, 2025, in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Xbox Cloud, in Early Access on Steam, and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. And with Xbox Play Anywhere, a single purchase lets you play with Xbox consoles and Xbox PC with full cross-saves – at no additional cost. The Standard Edition during the Game Preview/Early Access period is $29.99 USD while the Founder’s Edition will be available for $39.99 USD, and the Founder’s Pack upgrade will be available for $10.00 USD. We’re incredibly excited to explore what comes next with you. This world is meant to grow and evolve, and that only happens with your feedback, creativity, and curiosity. So, grab your gear, round up your team, and meet us in the park. And don’t forget to join the conversation in our official Discord — we’ll be there, keeping an eye out for your base builds, bug tales, and all the wild stories that only Grounded 2 can deliver. Grounded 2 Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ Get it now Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. Survive a sprawling open world alone or in co-op with friends. Craft weapons, forge armor, and build bases while exploring the park on your trusty Buggy mounts. Unravel hidden mysteries and face unexpected threats. But something else is out there—and it hasn’t forgotten you. Shrunk to the size of an ant, you’ll find once-familiar spaces turned into a sprawling, uncharted frontier. Survive alone or in co-op with friends, crafting weapons, forging armor, and building bases as you explore manmade playgrounds overgrown by nature. Traverse this new realm on trusty Buggy mounts—your capable allies—and uncover the mysteries lurking beneath bright colors and towering structures. But stay wary: something else is out there, and it hasn’t forgotten you. Survive, Adapt, Overcome The world is relentless, but so are you. Shape your adventure with unique archetypes, each offering distinct abilities to match your playstyle. Whether you rely on precision, cunning, or sheer strength, you’ll need every advantage to survive against the threats lurking in the park. Stronger Together The perils of the park are daunting alone, but with friends, every challenge becomes an adventure. Work together to build, fight, and uncover the secrets buried beneath the grass. Whether you’re facing danger side by side or continuing your journey in a shared world, survival is always better with allies. Because Walking is Bogus They scurry, they fight, and now—they help you survive. Hatch, raise, and ride your own insect friends – Buggies! Saddle up and traverse through the park, fight on them or alongside them in battle, or use them to gather resources and build your base. The right partner could mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving. A Shadow That Follows You The threat is always there—watching, learning, waiting. You don’t know where it’s coming from, only that it never leaves. The deeper you dig, the closer it gets. Some mysteries should stay buried, but it’s too late now. It knows you’re looking. And it’s ready. Every answer drags you deeper, every step invites something closer. You were never alone. You thought you were in control. You were wrong. Related Stories for “Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know” Category: Games Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds Category: Games Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet Category: Games Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops The post Grounded 2 (Game Preview) Lands July 29 – Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: ID@Xbox July 16, 2025 Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever Calvin Parsons, CEO Sunscorched Studios With Ratshaker, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake the cartoon Rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, Ratshaker ensures your space stays problem-free in no time. But make no mistake, this is no ordinary game. This is a ritual. You must perform it. It is coming for us. Launching today on Xbox Series X|S, this $3.49 nightmare will burn itself into your psyche. You are not prepared. You never were. To celebrate this momentous occasion, our most unhinged Rat-gineers have curated ten of the most rat-tastic, most cursed reasons why Ratshaker will change your life—forever. 1. Ratshaker Deceives Your Mind You will be lulled into a state of confusion as the world around you is not what it seems. You will see a Ratshaker Meter overhead while a 2D cartoon Rat rests firmly in your fist. Gaze upon The Pale Fields and despair, for you are not ready for the descent into self-destruction you will endure in just a few shakes. 2. A Balance of Horror and Humour Ratshaker will mercilessly throw you into a blend of liminal dread and absurdism that you need to experience. You’ll wonder why you’re laughing at all. Maybe the game is laughing at you. It knows what you have done. 3. The Golden Voice of the Rat Did you expect the Rat in Ratshaker to have a deep, silky, posh voice as it screams with every shake? Of course it does! Not only does the Rat look absurd, it talks! The Rat offers its commentary as you spiral. You can skip the Rat’s commentary with just a quick squeeze! 4. Many Have Been Cast Into the Basement Countless content creators have willfully given in to the strange call from the other side of the meat wall—beckoned to open the door with a fist full of Rat and jump right in. From Markiplier’s climactic playthrough of the original build, to that guy from two doors down who just hates having fun, many of them went on to make videos—scared and confused—about what Ratshaker is. They could not stop shaking. They loved it. They had to. 5. Feel the Burn. Wiggle Until It Hurts. Can You Endure? Ratshaker will challenge your “I can press the A button really fast” championship that you and your friends made up. Unnecessary quick time events have nothing on the finger punishment that is shaking this cartoon cross-eyed Rat. Seriously, it calls for some real handwork. Shake it! 6. Nostalgia Will Snare You. You Can’t Escape Its Trap. Don’t let the pixelated visuals fool you! There’s something in the walls, something shaped like your guilt. You know what you did (or are going to do)! You can shake (and/or squeeze) that silly Rat all you want, it’s not going to save you. Your surroundings might look familiar—but there is something waiting around the next corner. Always. 7. Completionists Love Shaking the Rat You’ve done this before. What’s a few more shakes? Collect everything to fill that Rat-shaped hole in your soul. From clever achievement names to two different outcomes you deserve, Ratshaker gives you the feeling that maybe it really was all your fault, and you need to go back. Go back and face it again and again and again and again and again. Over and over. Forever. 8. Secrets That Only Appear on Special Occasions Ratshaker will regularly drag you back to your favourite suffering chamber, 2778-B. During those cold winter months, remember who gave you a gift? That’s right. Ratshaker. Boot the game up during the festive season and receive a twisted surprise. Come Valentine’s Day, fire it up again and receive something even stranger! 9. No Matter How Fast You Are, It Never Ends They tried to run through as fast as possible—all just to start again. What about you? Do you prefer ripping it off like a sticky bandage, or do you just like to take it all in? Sink deeper into the atmosphere, feel the negative space pulse with every inch it gets closer to you. Maybe you should try to clear it in seven minutes. Don’t let it get you. 10. The Hive Mind Is Growing. Join Us Take the first real breath in six years. Go on. Breathe in. Breathe out. There are people out there with eyes like ours. You and I are the same. You want Ratshaker, I want Ratshaker for you. We’ve already tasted the cycle of eternity. What about you? You don’t want to be left out here alone, out here in The Pale Fields. Something is out here. Something is watching. Just. Shake. The. Rat. Join us. Ratshaker, Ratshaker, Rat, Rat, Rat. Ratshaker can soon be yours! Don’t miss the gaming phenomenon that is the simple act of shaking a cartoon Rat and walking through your personalised torment. All for the low, low price of a coffee… Ratshaker Dark Product ☆☆☆☆☆ 17 ★★★★★ $3.49 Get it now RATSHAKER – The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems! Tired of pests taking over your space? Say goodbye to them for good with RATSHAKER, the revolutionary new way to deal with unwanted pests! Just take and shake, and RATSHAKER does the rest. No traps, no mess, no unmarked disposal barrels! With RATSHAKER, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake that rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, RATSHAKER ensures your space stays problem-free in no time. Related Stories for “Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever” Category: ID@Xbox All Caps on Deck. BattleCap Sets Sail Today on Xbox Category: Xbox Game Pass Coming to Game Pass: Grounded 2 (Game Preview), Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Farming Simulator 25, and More Category: ID@Xbox Irem Collection Vol. 3 Brings 3 Upgraded Retro Shoot ’em Ups to Xbox The post Shake It! Ten Rat-Tastic Reasons Why Ratshaker Will Change Your Life Forever appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post We Talk, Shoot, and Sneak Our Way Through The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 16, 2025 We Talk, Shoot, and Sneak Our Way Through The Outer Worlds 2 Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor “Cool!” immediately popped into my head as I fired off another round from my Bio-Mass Shotgun, dealing heavy corrosive damage to an enemy soldier and watching them effectively melt before my eyes. I steadily rotated between it, an SMG, and a heavy machine gun, dishing damage to all the inhabitants of a deep space research station — because that’s just how I roll as a special agent of the Earth Directorate. But boy did that shotgun stay with me long after my hands-on session at Xbox Games Showcase was over. As we previously detailed, The Outer Worlds 2 is set in the space colony of Arcadia, which is having a moment. Between space-time rifts, shifting alliances, and three factions in a conflict for control, there is a lot going on. And the main thing: my choice to approach this situation as an all-action, acid-throwing maniac is just one way to take this on. As you enter the picture, you’re asked to assist Arcadia in any way you see fit, and the demo I tried offered build options geared toward stealth and espionage, a slick tongue, or rampant destruction. So I decided “Why not try all three?” Tracking Down a Rift Anomaly Modulator The overall vibe of The Outer Worlds 2 is keeping in step with the excellent original, mixing some high sci-fi concepts with social commentary and a dash of absurdist humor. The mission for this hands-on demo asked us to track down (e.g. steal) a Rift Anomaly Modulator, a complex device that has the power to restore rift-affected areas of the base (more on what that means in a moment), before escaping the lab it’s being held in. I started my time with a combat oriented build option, and felt gratifyingly OP as I cycled between three very powerful weapons – enemies I encountered didn’t stand much of a chance, but I appreciated their penchant for survival by finding and shooting from cover on the rare occasion they avoided my first flurry of bullets. Combat feels improved from the original – the guns felt varied and weighted, while movement was crisp, giving the impression of a satisfying first-person shooter underneath all the robust RPG trappings. There’s a lot here that I want to return to – for example, I’ve read about a weapon that shrinks your enemies. I’m into that. We Found It! Now What? It wasn’t long until we finally uncovered the Rift Anomaly Modulator and I immediately fired it up to see what the fuss was about – turns out it’s a time-displacement device that can restore sections of levels that had collapsed due to the emergence of these so-called rifts. Interact with any of them and crumbled platforms emerge for you to jump on, seemingly replicating what was there before they were destroyed. And coincidently, being able to jump on these platforms would allow me to access locations that were previously unavailable. The effect of seeing these platforms reappear was impressive, and it was a nice flex from Obsidian’s creative artists and level designers to show off what they’ve been able to do bigger and better in the new game. Best of all, not every rift needs to be used to reach your ultimate goals here – some can be stumbled upon and investigated simply because you happen to have come to the right place.. But What If We Talked Our Way Through? You might want to be more of a smooth talker than a quick shooter. On a separate save file, I was able to restart the demo with a character that had been built more for charming their way through a dangerous situation and less for simply blowing it up. While I was still able to take down rooms of guards when necessary (aided by an extremely nifty, ice-encrusted freeze shotgun), my key concern was talking first and shooting later. Pretty quickly, I found my way to a scientist with… grievances against her boss, who just so happened to be my key to escaping with the stolen Modulator. This character is always available to find, but I’d simply never seen her in that first playthrough – testament to how much extra detail there is to find if you go looking for it. After getting her onside through a series of conversation checks, she set me off to break into the boss’ office, crack into his computer, and recover evidence that he was behind the sabotage of a botched experiment that had landed her in trouble with the authorities. Returning with the information, she gave me a whole new option for making my escape. Rather than simply taking on the boss (toting a custom mech suit, naturally), she’d distract him while I snuck round the edges of a warehouse, hacking into the security turret controls, and changing their targeting priorities. What followed was a very fun set piece in which enemy forces were scattered and destroyed in short order, all while I watched (and occasionally fired a homing rocket or two) from the rafters. It’s a perfect demonstration of how far The Outer Worlds 2 will let you push the expected order of things – and even made clear how much of this I could have found myself, even if I’d never met my new scientist friend. This single, self-contained level is stuffed with added detail for you to prod at and see how it might help or hinder your approach. If you had a stealth oriented build, for instance, you could probably find your way to these added points of interest even more easily than I did with guidance – speaking of which… How About Stealth? Opening up a third save file, I took on the role of a stealth-focused character option. My change in tactics from blasting everyone in sight to trying to not make a sound was quite the transition. In fact, I found myself really appreciating the layout of the levels and trying to discover the most efficient path to take out every enemy in the room without being detected. I was getting some Deus Ex vibes as I noticed the variety of air vents that I could potentially access, giving me the option to forgo encounters altogether and just move to my objective. Of course I was eventually detected, at which point I would unsheathe my sword, Murder’s Best Friend, and carve up any remaining enemies in the room before it could escalate further. And even if my approach resulted in a firefight, my sniper rifle, the Last Whisper, was more than effective at taking enemies out at a distance. I think I personally still preferred the combat approach – the guns were very fun – so that might be my preferred route to go down, but it’s nice to know there’s a well-designed stealth route to give us an abundance of choice in how everyone wants to play The Outer Worlds 2. More, More, and More My time with the game has obviously been brief, but if this morsal from the larger plate of adventure is anything to go by, I could already feel how much more this sequel is leaning into encouraging more player experimentation and varied combat approaches than the original. Now it seems both the RPG and shooting systems have levelled up, giving us a more robust, balanced role-playing experience in this incredible sci-fi universe. There’s still so much more for us to tinker with here, like exploring other combat tactics, dialog paths, or how diving into becoming the sneakiest of sneaks can play out. It won’t be long until we can explore what the rest of Arcadia has in store for us when The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam and day one with Game Pass Ultimate. The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 9 ★★★★★ $99.99 Pre-order Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack. The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes: – The Outer Worlds 2 base game – Up to 5 days early access – DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions* – Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack – Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack * Story expansions available as released The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness! As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust. Explore a New Frontier The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink! Your Commander, Your Way Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb! Enlist Your Companions Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together. The Outer Worlds 2 Standard Preorder Edition Xbox Game Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 9 ★★★★★ $79.99 Pre-order Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 now to receive the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack at launch. The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness! As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust. Explore a New Frontier The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink! Your Commander, Your Way Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb! Enlist Your Companions Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together. Related Stories for “We Talk, Shoot, and Sneak Our Way Through The Outer Worlds 2” Category: Games Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds Category: Games Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet Category: Games Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops The post We Talk, Shoot, and Sneak Our Way Through The Outer Worlds 2 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Games July 16, 2025 New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief Wherever you look, Minecraft is doing something new right now. From a blockbuster movie to some huge game drops and upgrades, there’s never been a livelier time for fans to jump in and try something new. In fact, there’s so much, we thought it might be a good idea to round up everything in one place. From happy ghasts to smash hit songs, here’s every piece of news from the world of Minecraft this summer: Chase the Skies Game Drop – Out Now Minecraft’s latest game drop isn’t just focused on what’s under your feet, but what’s above your head. Chase the Skies introduces the happy ghast, a new rideable mob that lets you take to the air alone or with friends. While exploring the Nether, you can now come across a dried ghast – return it to the Overworld, then hydrate it with water, and you’ll net yourself a ghastling, who will then grow into your new flying mount after you’ve waited long enough, or fed it enough snowballs. Just make sure you also have a ghast harness to use your smiley new ride! Chase the Skies also introduces a number of new features, from craftable saddles, to new Amos Roddy music tracks, to a player locator bar to help make playing with friends that little bit easier, and even the ability to leash multiple mobs together like you’re the Overworld’s strangest dog walker. Why not leash a boat to your new happy ghast and help carry even more players through the skies? Vibrant Visuals – Out Now for Compatible Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Devices One of the biggest shifts in Minecraft history is here – Vibrant Visuals transforms the look of the Bedrock Edition, retaining the game’s iconic style while adding improved graphical elements – directional lighting, volumetric fog, pixelated shadows and reflections, and much more. It’s a truly stunning change, turning Minecraft into the game you’ve always imagined in your head (but, if you like the original look, you can always switch back!). You can read all about the upgrade on Xbox Wire, but trust me, you really should play it for yourself. Vibrant Memories Camera Add-On – Out Now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Want to make the most of those Vibrant Visuals vistas? The Vibrant Memories camera add-on (available in the Minecraft Marketplace) introduces multiple features to let you take the perfect shot – from saving camera angles, to changing the weather, or controlling time itself. Each shot will be saved to your personal album, and you can even add music to capture the perfect mood. Realms Plus – New Content Available Now Realms Plus subscribers can now add Chase the Skies and Vibrant Visuals content to their own personal servers – and there are also new Marketplace drops included in your subscription. The One Slime Block Adventure world by Mush Co throws you into an adventure featuring 5 unique boss battles, 6 dimensions, and a lot of slime, from enemies to weaponry. Meanwhile the Aquaculture add-on by Team Metallurgy will turn you into the ultimate angler, adding 60 new underwater creatures, rare equipment, new cooking mechanics, and more. Both are included as part of Realms Plus. A Minecraft Movie – Now Streaming on HBO Max This year’s blockiest buster is available to stream now. After becoming a phenomenon in theaters, with an HBO Max subscription, you can now watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at home. Join Garrett (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) – four misfits who are pulled through a portal to Minecraft’s Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. After meeting Steve (Jack Black), they’ll need to harness the power of creativity to repel a Piglin invasion and return to the real world. Whether it’s your first time venturing into the live-action Overworld, or you already know all the words to Steve’s Lava Chicken, it’s easier than ever to watch. Steve’s Lava Chicken Remix Music Disc and Dennis Painting – Out Now Speaking of Steve’s Lava Chicken, you’ve got two new ways of listening to the song inspired by the movie. It’s available to stream now, and in Minecraft. Get your blocky hands on a music disc that will let you play the song from your jukebox. Plus, pay tribute to man’s (well, Steve’s) best friend by crafting a new painting of Dennis, the pale wolf hero of ‘A Minecraft Movie’. Claim Your Community Challenge Rewards In its latest Community Challenge, Mojang asked the Minecraft community to work together to spawn 50 million happy ghasts in Creative mode, and feed snowballs to 1 million ghastlings in Survival mode – and you delivered! As your reward, every Bedrock Edition player can now access the Ghast Rider Floatie and the Happy Ghast Pilot Gear in the Dressing Room, while every Java Edition player can download the Ghast Riding Swimmer and Happy Ghast Pilot skins here. Minecraft Microsoft Studios ☆☆☆☆☆ 2006 ★★★★★ $19.99 $15.99 Get it now Xbox One X Enhanced Xbox Game Pass CREATE Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough. EXPLORE Discover biomes, resources and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game. SURVIVE Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions. PLAY TOGETHER Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile and PC. Connect with millions of players on community servers or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server. EXPERIENCE MORE Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace. Subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more – refreshed monthly. Related Stories for “New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer” Category: Games Planet Coaster 2: Fuel Your Park Inspiration with Frontier’s Favorite Xbox Community Builds Category: Games Unfinished Business: How Nacon Created RoboCop’s Most Difficult Assignment Yet Category: Games Free Play Days – Skull & Bones, Destiny 2, Breakout Beyond, Blades of Fire and Atomicrops The post New Content, New Looks, and Movie Tie-Ins: Minecraft Is More Lively Than Ever This Summer appeared first on Xbox Wire.

The post Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC App  appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Category: Xbox Insider July 15, 2025 Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC App Anu Reddy, Senior Product Manager, Xbox Platform Exciting updates for PC players! Starting today, Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview who are also Game Pass Ultimate members can stream select console games they own beyond the Game Pass catalog on the Xbox PC app in the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is supported. Earlier this year, we rolled the “Stream your own game” feature out to Game Pass Ultimate members on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, TVs, Meta Quest Headsets as well as other browser supported devices like PCs, smartphones and tablets. Now, we’re bringing that same flexibility to PC, allowing you to stream eligible games you already own without needing to install them directly from the Xbox PC app. This saves time, conserves hard drive space, and gives you more flexible access to your library through cloud gaming. Even better, this feature includes console-only games that previously couldn’t be played using the Xbox PC app. Just head to the Cloud Gaming section in the Xbox PC app, look for the Stream your own game catalog, choose a supported title you own, and start playing instantly. You can see the full list of over 250+ supported games here. You can expect even more games including console-only games and Xbox Play Anywhere titles to be added to the collection over time. You choose how and where to play. We’re just making it easier to get there—with more flexibility, more access, and more games at your fingertips. How to Get Xbox Insider Support and Share Your Feedback We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. Your feedback is a key part of our process. If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We recommend adding to threads with the same topic before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! If you aren’t part of the Xbox Insider Program yet and want to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and keep an eye on this blog for all the latest news. Other resources: Get the Xbox Insider Hub app Xbox Insider FAQ How to provide feedback as an Xbox Insider For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit. Related Stories for “Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC App “ Category: Playtests The Delta Force Technical Test is LIVE today for Xbox Insiders! Category: Xbox Insider Xbox Insiders – Aggregated Gaming Library is Coming to the Xbox PC app Category: Playtests GOALS – Xbox Insider Playtest is Available Today! The post Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC App appeared first on Xbox Wire.

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Heading off on a trip, Dracula tasks his kids with protecting pumpkins from an endless onslaught of insects in Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden. It's a difficult '80s arcade throwback, but that's par for the course at Flynn's Arcade.

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Dracula’s a pumpkin farmer. I would not have guessed that. He’s also a somewhat negligent dad, which I would’ve guessed. Heading off on a trip, he tasks his kids with protecting the pumpkins from an endless onslaught of insects, basically setting them up to fail in Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden. I’m not implying that the game fails; it’s actually quite fun. I’m implying that it’s difficult, but that’s par for the course at Flynn’s Arcade. Their published titles are usually reminiscent of ’80s arcade games, and Flora & Fang is no different. You’ll get a brief introduction, a few easy levels, then a difficulty ramp meant to rob you of your quarters. But unlike the classic arcade machines, Flora & Fang develops more like an ’80s take on tower defense. Gameplay should be somewhat familiar (for me, it goes all the way back to Buzz Bombers on the Intellivision). The pumpkins you’re defending are spread across levels at the bottom of the screen. The insects intent on stealing them descend slowly from the top—for now, anyway. Flora and/or Fang (single and multiplayer are available) will hop from level to level to spray the bugs with insect repellent. Hit them a few times, and you can then jump into them to kill them. Doing so often shatters them into coins to collect, which you can use to purchase much-needed equipment upgrades. Now, why Dracula thought Flora and Fang could handle all of this is beyond me, because this game is quite hard. It’s especially difficult in single-player mode, as there don’t seem to be any adjustments in enemy behavior if you’re on your own. There also don’t seem to be any adjustments to your rankings; my wife and I found it almost impossible to score above a C no matter how efficient we were, whereas I could obtain Ss when playing on my own. Is Dracula making Flora and Fang split their allowance? But no matter; our only interest was in advancing to the next level, of which there are many. Too many, in fact, to restrict gameplay to simply attacking bugs with a bug sprayer. So, you’re also given the ability to move the pumpkins to safer areas. You’ll eventually be able to purchase and set traps—great for handling the crawling bugs. There’s even the occasional mini-game to help you earn additional coins. And, of course, you’ll engage in boss battles. These are quite challenging, but they offer a nice break from the arcade action / pseudo-tower defence of the main levels. All combined, Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden is a chore, but in a fun and frantic way that keeps you engaged, especially when playing as a duo (local co-op only). All this is presented via the pixelated graphics and tight controls of early arcade games. Despite the restrictions of the era, the developers found ways to change up the formula to keep the visuals and gameplay interesting (and, in some cases, nostalgic). Things are a bit dark, however. That’s appropriate for the spooky theme, but it causes everything to feel drab after a while. Although Flora & Fang’s target audience is retro arcade gamers, it should also appeal to tower defense strategy fans. It doesn’t dig too deeply into this arena, but enough to allow the game to remain interesting throughout. ’80s arcade games were designed to drive you off through difficulty or repetition. Flora & Fang would rather you stick with it, and changes things up just enough throughout to make that possible. Just be sure to bring a friend along; work in the Vampire Garden feels less like a chore when you’re polluting it with CFCs together. The post Review: Flora & Fang: Guardians of the Vampire Garden (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition was one of the first third-party games released on the Switch 2. Originally released on other platforms in 2023, this is a relatively

The post Review: Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition (Switch 2) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition was one of the first third-party games released on the Switch 2. Originally released on other platforms in 2023, this is a relatively recent title to be ported to Nintendo’s flashy new hybrid console. And, oh boy, are we glad to see it here. The Street Fighter series has been around a long time. Like, a really long time. The original entry was released in 1987, with the now-famous Street Fighter II appearing in 1991. Street Fighter II became the dominant force in fighting titles, with many others following in its footsteps. Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and even Smash Bros. entered the scene and remain popular to this day. It turns out we love the fighting genre. This begs the question; how do you keep this simple formula feeling fresh after all these years? Essentially, we’ve been virtually bashing each other (and literally bashing our controller) for almost forty years now. Graphics may improve, new characters might appear, but what keeps us coming back for more? Street Fighter 6 does an excellent job of answering that very concern. On the surface, Street Fighter 6 has all the bells and whistles of its predecessors. Competitive fighting, one and two-player local modes, online battles, even quirky settings like bouts based on how much energy the real-life player exerts while bashing that controller. And they’re all great. What Street Fighter 6 adds—and what makes it truly stand out—is a brand-new mode called World Tour. World Tour might as well be a completely separate game; it’s such a departure from anything I’ve experienced from the Street Fighter franchise before. To help convince you, the main menu is even split into three distinct paths: World Tour, Battle Hub, and Fighting Ground. Things in World Tour begin with one of the most robust avatar-creation tools I’ve ever used. You can select the usual height, weight, skin tone, facial expression, etc., but you can also choose tattoos, piercings, scars, and muscle density on almost any part of your body. It’s terrific. And, if you don’t feel like spending hours creating your character, you can simply stick with one of the templates on offer to get you in battle faster. Perfect. The story starts in a gym where you’re met by your new instructor, Luke. After a quick tutorial, it’s off to the streets to, well, fight. And level up. And fight some more. It’s not quite an open-world situation, but the multiple areas are large and ripe for exploring. Along the way are hidden items, shops, food trucks, and missions, giving you plenty to do. Countless NPCs wander about, just itching to take you on. It’s all in good fun, though, with most fights serving as friendly encounters between people who just love to brawl. Each bout is confined to one round, meaning you’re not bogged down in overly long fights, but can balance these forays with your exploration time. Most battles are initiated by you, too, so you can pick and choose with whom to compete and how often. NPCs have a visible fighting level hovering above their head, allowing you to take on less challenging folk while you’re still leveling up. There’s more to just picking fights, though. The main cast of legendary Street Fighter characters is also milling about, ready to impart their wisdom to you. This is where things shine even brighter. Since your fighter is unique to you (thanks to that avatar tool), it feels only right that you can pick and choose your moves. Starting off at Luke’s gym, you’ll already have his moves under your belt, but perhaps you prefer one of Chun Li’s? Once you’ve trained with her, you can keep Luke’s uppercut, for example, and also equip Chun Li’s Spinning Bird Kick. It’s amazing. Let’s revisit some of those standard modes I mentioned earlier because, even though we expect them, we still need to judge them by 2025 standards. The traditional arcade story mode features a number of options. Obviously, you can choose your fighter, but you can also choose your fighting style and the color of your outfit. Plus, you can choose the number of battles, rounds, time limit, and more, which is a great way to cater the experience for those looking for different ways to play. The online area is worth mentioning simply because we know the humble Switch had its fair share of issues with connectivity. I’m happy to report that Street Fighter 6 fares well here, allowing players to choose their fighter, customize them, and set out to find someone to beat up. It’s quick to load, and there was no noticeable lag in my testing. I also appreciate that you can choose between ranked and casual battles, allowing you to practise or play a little more competitively. The Switch 2 version boasts two exclusive modes as well: Gyro Battle and Calorie Count. Gyro battles utilize motion controls so that, instead of pressing buttons, players rely on moving the Joy-Con to control their character. This simplified way to play allows you to tilt the controller left or right to control movement, shake it up and down to perform attacks, and tilt back to block. It might not be my favorite way to play, but it’s a neat distraction from any hardcore battles with AIs or pros. It’s also entertaining as a party game, particularly with new players. In Calorie Count, fights are measured by the amount of calories your character (virtually) burns during each round. The winner is determined not by depleting your opponent’s health, but by moving more than them. This mode also uses motion controls, so it (kinda) feels like you’re getting some real exercise. Either way, it’s a unique twist on the typical gameplay format, and adds another silly way to play with friends. Graphically, Street Fighter 6 looks glorious. This is a true highlight for the Switch 2, showing off the vibrant colors and resolution of Nintendo’s new console. It also moves smoothly, with battles performing at a sweet 60 fps. Well, except for the World Tour. To be honest, I didn’t even notice the drop, but it’s true that World Tour runs at 30 fps. It’s also true that this isn’t limited to the Switch 2 version. So, do with that information what you will. It all looks terrific and plays well, and that’s what’s important. Overall, Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition does something very right with the series, taking the classic style we know and love and introducing a deeper RPG-like story mode. There’s so much to do in this game, it’s likely to be one of those titles brought out regularly over the course of the Switch 2’s lifespan. Ready? Fight! The post Review: Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition (Switch 2) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Cattle Country is described as a “Cozy Cowboy Adventure Life Sim.” While “cozy” has become quite a common gaming term in recent years, especially on Nintendo Switch, the cowboy angle

The post Review: Cattle Country (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Cattle Country is described as a “Cozy Cowboy Adventure Life Sim.” While “cozy” has become quite a common gaming term in recent years, especially on Nintendo Switch, the cowboy angle is something unique. Ignore the buzzword, as we take a closer look at this Wild West title. The life sim (not to be confused with simulation) takes place in the late 1800s. Your character (that you can name) starts with a plot of land in a mining settlement (that you also can name). You’ll meet a few key NPCs and then get left to your own devices, introducing yourself to others and getting familiar with the lay of the land. Despite seeing horses hitched to posts, and buzzards flying and attacking from overhead, the period isn’t overly evident. It often looks like a life sim of an indistinct time. Even close-up character art, when engaging in conversations, often lacks a distinct Wild West look. It’s thematically more apparent when you encounter bandits. Sometimes, walking along the road, a bush or tree will rattle and a baddie or two will pop up. You’ll want to be quick and accurate to take them out. If you prefer not to have enemies in the overworld, you can disable them entirely. It might rob the game of some personality, but it’s a thoughtful touch all the same. Despite the conservative approach to embracing the time period, the retro pixel look works well. Transitions from day to night, seasons changing, and little animations bring welcomed diversity, although there is some stutter, at least on the original Switch model. It’s a cute-looking game. The music sounds more Wild West, but tends to be subdued, if not silent. I thought it was just because it defaults lower, giving more emphasis to sound effects of birds or whatnot. But even cranking it to 100%, it still was a letdown. The game offers plenty of expected tasks to keep you busy, besides the initial clearing of the land, cutting trees, and busting rocks. Crafting will have you making sprinklers to water crops, furniture to decorate your house… and a hard-boiled egg? Farming will have you digging, planting seasonally appropriate seeds, picking them, and selling them. As you expand, you’ll get more animals, too. Fishing is just what it sounds like, but the speed and a small margin for error (similar to the bandit fights) might make you less into it than expected, in which case, use “water traps”. Mining might be the most unique and intriguing part. You collect treasure in the depths of the earth, all while getting attacked by bats, snakes, and so forth (you can also disable enemies here if you prefer). It’s a favorite, but the best stuff is down low, and your headlamp has limited range. So, make sure you have torches to fight some of the darkness. Also, make sure you’ve cooked some meals, as this is where your green stamina bar can really deplete. You don’t want to find yourself waking up in the doctor’s office, as it’s not free. For all those things, it’s building relationships with the townsfolk that will let you expand your settlement into a full town. You need to interact with them and become friends. Get friendly with the banker, for instance, and he’ll expand the bank to hold more money. Make friends with the woman at the saloon, and she’ll eventually build a restaurant. There’s a board in town with a calendar of different events for residents, but making friends basically means giving them what they want (reminding me of something like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp). It’s not the most exciting approach. Worse, it’s also not that intuitive. While making friends seems like it would be straightforward enough, we found ourselves wondering why hearts were so slow to increase. Giving them things they like, they’ll say something such as “you’ve made my week,” or a little heart will pop up, but the overall friendship levels stay low. That’s presuming you can even find them. They wander, often saying the same thing depending on where they are, which is also hard to get excited about. Maybe I’m missing something, but that leads me to another point… The game doesn’t make it obvious what you need to do next to really get going. This approach isn’t inherently wrong, but here the lack of certain information proves frustrating. Even 25 hours in, progress felt minimal. I’m far from a life sim expert, but my wife, who is a fan, concurred. One big failing here, compared to other life sims, is pacing. While Cattle Country is likable and has kept us busy, it’ll also be easy to move on once this review is published and the next thing comes along. It’ll also be easy to move along since this game has issues. Some are subjective. I feel the user interface could be better optimized, and I miss touchscreen support. Not that the top-down control (or side-scrolling in mines) is bad. Even with a learning curve, it’s fairly forgiving, but there are a lot of tiny icons. Also, not being able to capture a screenshot or video is weak. Larger are the glitches. Seeing a “Software closed because of an error” message is never fun, especially when you see it multiple times. At least the glass-crafting bug was patched. While the Wild West theme is unique to this type of game, Cattle Country offers little you haven’t seen elsewhere. A lack of originality isn’t surprising for this genre, but it’s still disappointing. The non-innovative approach would be less of an issue were this game refined, but multiple quirks and outright bugs show that’s not the case. The game could use more polish, so genre fans might be best waiting for a sale. The post Review: Cattle Country (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk delve into the latest Donkey Kong Bananza, which hits the Switch 2 this week.

Last week, we discussed the

The post Donkey Kong Bananza preview! Pure Nintendo Podcast E120 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk delve into the latest Donkey Kong Bananza, which hits the Switch 2 this week. Last week, we discussed the latest Mario Kart World update, which seems to have polarized fans. This week, we talk about the next big game from Nintendo in the form of Donkey Kong Bananza. This lovely looking title will be released on July 17, and Jemma even had some hands-on time with the game. What does she think so far? We discuss our time with the Switch 2, which has been out for over a month now. How are we enjoying ths system? What more do we want? And will we see that rumored Nintendo Direct this month? We delve into what we think Nintendo might be planning next. We also revisit our sports report from last week with the news that NBA 2K26 is heading to the Switch and Switch 2 this September. Plus there’s news of a new collection for JRPG fans, with Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy DX coming to Switch 2 later this year. Meanwhile, what are we playing this week? We delve into the motorcycle stylings of Moto GP 25 and compare the Switch and Switch 2 versions of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma. Enjoy the show! 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 over the coming months and years. There’s so much to look forward to in 2025 alone with the Nintendo Switch 2 out now. 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! We’re putting together the next issue of the Pure Nintendo Magazine, so stay tuned for when that will be heading to your mailbox in the near future! Until next time, game on everyone! The post Donkey Kong Bananza preview! Pure Nintendo Podcast E120 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

When Nintendo unveiled the mouse controls for Switch 2, Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition is the type of game that popped into my mind. I took this review specifically to test out the Switch 2's Joy-Con mouse functionality, and it makes a world of difference.

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When Nintendo unveiled the mouse controls for Switch 2, this is the game that first popped into my mind. Well, maybe not Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition specifically, but this type of game; the type clearly made for keyboard/mouse controls, not a gamepad. I took this review specifically to test out the Switch 2’s Joy-Con mouse functionality, and let me tell you, it makes a world of difference. We reviewed Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening for Nintendo Switch in July of 2023. It did not score well with us, largely due to its severe complexity and lack of adequate guidance. Those issues remain, and they are what they are. The real-time empire management of a Nobunaga’s Ambition game is aimed squarely at those who like to pore over instruction manuals, data sheets, card decks, and maybe pewter playing pieces. It’s Risk with all the instructions in effect while everyone else is playing Sorry! As Bill Stiteler stated in our earlier review: The number of things you must keep track of is staggering. There are policies (which must have someone in charge of them), policy chiefs who oversee the kingdom (another retainer), diplomacy, covert actions, plans to develop towns, plans for castles, general territory goals, the labor available to accomplish all these, food, money, and trade. That doesn’t even account for war, which, of course, is exceptionally important. Nobunaga’s ambition—vaulting as it may be—is to unify Japan’s warring states. So, it’s not just a matter of developing a strategy to do so, it’s about funding the strategy. And staffing the strategy. And feeding the strategy. And training the strategy. And…you get the idea. Back in my youth, it wasn’t uncommon for games to revel in these complexities. I used to play a flight sim that had a manual the size of a trade paperback. I recall placing game manuals inside my textbooks so I could read them during class (which partially explains why I had to take psychology three times). The key word here, of course, is “manual,” which Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition does not have in printed form. But there is an Internet, where KOEI TECMO has set up a rather helpful web manual. Pulling this up on my iPad while I played certainly helped, but I found it even more useful to rely on fan-based strategy guides while finding my bearings early on. Again, though, all of this was available when the game was first released for Switch in 2023. Do the mouse controls change things up that much? Before I answer that, consider that this version also includes six new scenarios, the previously released early purchase and pre-order bonus content, and Kou Shibusawa’s 40th Anniversary Commemorative Officer Data Set. Players also get the best-looking graphics this franchise has delivered on a Nintendo device. Everything offers tremendous visual detail, from the animations to the character art to the maps and menus themselves. Working through this world is like tinkering with an HO scale train set (or N scale, in handheld mode, which I do not recommend at all). Finally, the mouse controls are an absolute blessing. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition marks the first time I ever utilized a TV tray table to play on a gaming console, but the setup worked. The mouse functionality makes it much easier to precisely drill down through the game’s stacks of menu levels to access the details you need to reach. You’re not fumbling about with combos of buttons and sticks. This not only allows you to focus on the task at hand, but it makes it easier to explore your available options. Remaining focused is no longer a struggle. I still would have preferred a keyboard to access command shortcuts, but that’s what the PC version is for. Considering there’s no Mac version, the Switch 2 is the best option many will have. Everything Bill said in our previous review still stands. The early levels—and even the tutorials themselves—will be incredibly confusing to anyone who’s not already up to full speed with the series. If you’re going to dig in, prepare to do so for at least a couple dozen hours. But at least now you’re not stuck digging with a shovel. The mouse controls are your backhoe, providing a much more efficient method of getting to the options you need. That doesn’t mean you’ll know what to do with those options when you get to them, of course; prepare to seek plenty of online guidance and to figure out how to apply that guidance. But by removing that one major element of frustration, KOEI TECMO has greatly improved the overall experience. If you’re looking for a strategy game to which you can dedicate countless hours studying and playing, there’s less to get in the way. Unfortunately, you can’t just upgrade to the Switch 2 version if you already paid for the Switch release of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening. You also can’t transfer your save data if you do decide to double dip. So, if you want mouse control, you’ll have to start counting those countless hours all over again. I can’t imagine that’s sitting well with fans of the game. But if you’re new to Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening—either because you’ve never tried it before or tried and left in humbling frustration—this is definitely the way to play it (short of a PC). Just don’t be afraid to seek the help that’s out there. The post Review: Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition (Switch 2) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week’s eShop roundup includes the one and only Tony Hawk, with Pro Skater 3 + 4 making its way to the Switch and Switch 2. This marks the first

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This week’s eShop roundup includes the one and only Tony Hawk, with Pro Skater 3 + 4 making its way to the Switch and Switch 2. This marks the first time these classic titles have appeared on a Nintendo device, making it a special moment for fans as we take our mad skating skills into handheld mode. This outing features new and returning modes, along with cross-platform online play, plus HD graphics. Patapon 1+2 is another collection heading our way this week, bringing the rhythm-based action to the Switch. This is also the first time this pair of games has appeared on a Nintendo console, though we’re not sure why Patapon 3 wasn’t included with this collection. Either way, the cute art style and addictive gameplay are welcome additions to the Switch library. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Music app also continues to expand, this week bringing us the lovely tunes from Ocarina of Time. This classic game is fondly remembered by many players, and now you can listen to the soundtrack on your smart device whenever you like. There’s also a long list of new Switch titles to contemplate, along with a title specifically for the Switch 2 in the form of Arcade Archives AIR COMBAT 22. There’s never a dull moment on the eShop, so check out the new releases (and the sales) to see what picques your interest. Be sure to let us know what you’re playing this weekend, and tune in to the Pure Nintendo Podcast to hear about the games we’re playing. Highlights Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Alert the neighborhood watch and grab your skate buddies cause the shred’s not dead! Get hyped for the legendary franchise, now revamped with more skaters, new parks, gnarlier tricks, sick tunes, plus a whole lot more. Reunite the crew in new and returning game modes with cross-platform online multiplayer for up to eight skaters. Drop in to new parks or tear it up across classics from both Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, authentically remade in HD resolution. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 shreds onto the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems on July 11. The Standard Edition is available to pre-order on Nintendo eShop. Early access is also available now with purchase of the Digital Deluxe Edition on Nintendo eShop. PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY – Remasters of the classic rhythm action games Patapon and Patapon 2 are coming to Nintendo Switch! The mysterious yet endearing creatures known as Patapon are guided on their adventures by the rhythm of four drums. Play these drums to the beat to give different commands to your Patapon army. There are different classes of Patapon, including the shield-wielding Tatepon and the horse-riding Kibapon, allowing for different tactical approaches as you battle a variety of fierce foes! PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY marches onto Nintendo Switch July 11. Nintendo Music Songs of Time – Prepare for more timeless tracks from the Great Deku Tree! The soundtrack for the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D game is available now on Nintendo Music, the smart-device app for Nintendo soundtracks. Take an auditory journey through Link’s classic adventure between the past and the future of Hyrule. View more info. Activities Summer Deals at Retail – From now through July 19, save $20 on select Nintendo Switch games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 3, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Super Mario RPG, Pikmin 4 and more at participating retailers! Shop deals online now at Best Buy, Target or Walmart. View more information. Nintendo eShop sales Check out the full list of deals available this week. Also new this week on Nintendo Switch 2 Arcade Archives AIR COMBAT 22 Also new this week on Nintendo Switch 3 Card Poker – Available July 11 3 on 3 Soccer – Available July 11 Animal Kingdom 3 Arcade Archives AIR COMBAT 22 BAD END THEATER BeatQuest – Rhythm Riders Become the Smartest in the Room! Brain Power Boost Plan Bendy and the Dark Revival – Available July 11 Best Served Cold Boost Zero Canine – Available July 11 Cats Away Clutter Puzzle Magazine Vol. 15 No. 1 Collector’s Edition Colorizing: Satisfaction Cozy Adventures Daily Relaxation & Mindfulness Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – Available July 15 EGGCONSOLE ZANAC EX MSX2 Everdeep Aurora FISHING SIMULATOR 2025 – Available July 12 Fiz and the Rainbow Planet Flora & Fang: Guardians of the vampire garden GLITCH: Dead Loop Horror Griffin – Available July 11 Hogtie HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT – Available July 16 Ice Princess Crystals ISLANDERS: New Shores Lush Season Neon Noodles – Available July 16 Not Not & Not Not 2 Our Summer Festival 2 Racing Rebels Mud Clash Scholar’s Mate Solitaire Dreamscapes Sweet Home: Look and Find 3 Collector’s Edition System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Turbo Circuit: Sports Car Racing The post Tony Hawk joins this week’s eShop roundup appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

The "myth-fueled bullet heaven" Achilles: Survivor will launching on PC and those other consoles this month, but that doesn't mean Switch players won't get their chance to tear through it. They'll just have to wait until Q3 2025 to do so.

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The “myth-fueled bullet heaven” Achilles: Survivor will launching on PC and those other consoles this month, but that doesn’t mean Switch players won’t get their chance to tear through it. They’ll just have to wait until Q3 2025 to do so. The game puts players in a fight against the armies of Hades, which—as one would expect—requires fast-paced combat, base-building and trap crafting, and roguelite progression to survive. Thankfully, Achilles will be getting help from some unlikely allies along the way. In Achilles: Survivor, ancient legends clash with arcade intensity as you fight to escape the claws of death itself. Risen from the underworld and betrayed by Hades, Achilles now leads a rebellion of the damned-–joined by warriors both noble and absurd, ranging from cyclopes to divine poultry. You’ll battle through arenas straight from the myths, like Troy and Tartarus, whilst laying traps, building shrines, and unleashing a storm of steel and magic against hordes of unholy foes. With every run, your heroes grow mightier, unlocking new abilities and uncovering more of the war-torn afterlife that they now rule. Achilles: Survivor will feature: Survival bullet heaven with building mechanics: Expand your arsenal with traps and fortifications. Diverse characters: Choose from numerous heroes, each with unique combat powers. Dynamic action: Slay thousands of enemies, develop your character, and return stronger. Various bosses and enemies: Face powerful bosses and hundreds of enemy types in different biomes. Meta progression: Return from each expedition with treasures that make you even stronger. Achilles: Survivor is not yet listed in the eShop, but Switch owners can learn more via Steam and in the community Discord. The post Achilles: Survivor heads to Switch later this year appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an interactive introduction to Nintendo’s newest console. Think of it as a playable instruction booklet that delves into the inner working of the system

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Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an interactive introduction to Nintendo’s newest console. Think of it as a playable instruction booklet that delves into the inner working of the system in fun and quirky ways. With quizzes, minigames, demos, and collectibles, there’s plenty to do, and guess what? It’s absolutely worth the admission price. Before we get to that sensitive topic, though, let’s look at the game itself. It’s evident almost immediately there’s a lot more to Welcome Tour than meets the eye. You begin at the entrance to what appears to be a unique type of amusement park. Here you can choose from a seemingly infinite variety of avatars to represent yourself (this can be changed later) before entering the park and starting your quest for knowledge. Yes, knowledge! The idea behind this title is to learn about the Switch 2. What Welcome Tour does well is balance this scholastic approach with a light-hearted, even cartoony vibe. The game is divided into twelve sections, each based on a particular physical aspect of the Switch 2. Your journey begins in Area A with the left Joy-Con before Area B opens up to reveal the Switch 2 console itself. Your avatar can wander all over the place, including the occasional stairway into a hidden nook or cranny. You can rotate your view with the R-stick while controlling yourself with the L-stick, allowing you to get the best view for the area you’re in. Along the way you can interact with any other characters visiting the park, conversing briefly with them about their surroundings. Welcome Tour features four main objectives. Firstly, there are quizzes. These present you with several screens of information to read (it’s not arduous, I promise) before it’s time to answer a few simple questions. These details are super interesting, teaching you facts about the Switch 2 you would never have even considered before. For example, you know how the Joy-Cons snap into place via magnetism? Well, did you know that the magnets are only on the console side of things, not the Joy-Cons themselves? Learning how the touch screen works, the mouse controls, and more is going to appeal to anyone who loves reading and learning. The quizzes are deliberately easy, although I somehow messed up a couple of times when I wasn’t paying attention and took a guess. You’ll need to answer every question correctly to earn your stamp, but the friendly quizmaster is happy to let you try again as many times as you like. They even highlight the information you should re-read before answering. With a whopping 170 trivia questions to work through, there are plenty of chances to test your knowledge. Next up are minigrames. These are arguably the most important aspect to most players as these are designed to keep you coming back for more. Each minigame is centered on a specific feature, such as mouse controls or the touchscreen. Whether it’s dodging space rocks or trying to touch on-screen colors in a crazy version of Twister, there are multiple medals to earn, high scores to beat, and further levels to unlock. There are 20 minigames to discover, providing plenty of variety. There are also demos to try. These feel more like toned-down minigames that highlight another feature of the Switch 2 in a non-competitive, interactive way. For example, the demo on HDR allows you to launch fireworks into the night sky by pressing a button. You can also pause these fireworks, which demonstrates the screen’s capabilities as you toggle between HDR and SDR. It’s simple, neat, intuitive, and interesting. The final aspect is collectible stamps. These are scattered all over the place in the form of invisible booths that appear when you move close. There’s a ridiculously high number of these to collect with 150 in total. Although this is the simplest aspect, they can be tricky to find. They also serve as the means to unlock the next area. Graphically, Welcome Tour features a deliberately simple aesthetic that’s reminiscent of the Wii U’s Mii Plaza. The colors border on pastel in their hues, but everything is clean and crisp with plenty of white space that doesn’t detract from the main attraction of the Switch 2 itself. Alright, let’s talk about that controversial element of the price tag. The thing is, objectively speaking, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour presents tremendous value at only $10. There’s plenty to do in this simplistic world, which will take many hours to complete. The setup is like a completionist’s dream, with checklists to complete as you go. Although the technical aspects won’t appeal to everyone, they’re presented in a way that makes them fun and appealing. Nothing is ever presented in a way that’s too hard to understand, making it as accessible as possible. On the other hand, there’s been so much backlash from the community about whether or not this title should have been a pack-in that its reputation was tainted before it was even released. Not only are most people not willing to pay for it, but the reviews tend to reflect the price alone and not the game itself. Just check the low user scores on Metacritic; there are plenty of zeroes present, driving the score down. And this game is certainly worth more than a zero. At the end of the day, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour probably should have been a pack-in release; not because it’s not worth the money, but because it’s turned into a PR nightmare. It also feels like the perfect game to include with a new system. Having said that, it’s not free and it most likely never will be. Nintendo does what Nintendo does. So, here’s my final opinion on the matter: if you have any interest in diving into the inner workings of your shiny new Switch 2, please give Welcome Tour a chance. If it doesn’t interest you, leave it alone. Someone at Nintendo worked hard to put this together, and I, for one, am glad I was able to experience it. The post Review: Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (Nintendo Switch 2) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk delve into all things Nintendo, from the Bandai Namco showcase to the controversy around the latest Mario Kart World update.

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This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk delve into all things Nintendo, from the Bandai Namco showcase to the controversy around the latest Mario Kart World update. Last week, we looked into the upcoming Nintendo title Drag x Drive. This week, we’ve got a TON of news to cover. We start with a look at the latest news from Bandai Namco, including news on Little Nightmares III and an enhanced version of Little Nightmares – and what that means for Switch 2 players. Plus, Shadow Labyrinth is coming soon, and it looks great! We discuss this interesting take on Pac-Man. Mario’s in the news this week, with bouncy new tunes on Nintendo Music that Jemma just loves. Plus, Nintendo has revealed the teams behind both Donkey Kong Bananza and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – it’s not surprising, but it’s nice to know who to thank, and what it could mean for the next 3D Mario game. We also look into sports games on the Switch 2, with the announcement that WWE 2K25 is heading our way this month. It’s a coup for Nintendo and its fans since it’s been many years since this franchise was available on a Nintendo console. It opens up the conversation for a look at Madden and hockey titles – what will we see on the Switch 2 in the future? Next up is the somewhat controversial topic of Mario Kart World’s latest update. It seems some online players are unhappy with the way Nintendo has changed the results of random selections in versus mode. We try our best to explain the situation and understand the issue, so let us know if this is something that’s affected you! Enjoy the show! 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 over the coming months and years. There’s so much to look forward to in 2025 alone with the Nintendo Switch 2 out now. 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! We’re putting together the next issue of the Pure Nintendo Magazine, so stay tuned for when that will be heading to your mailbox in the near future! Until next time, game on everyone! The post What’s with the latest Mario Kart World update? Pure Nintendo Podcast E119 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Wannabe action hero Klaus Lee may not have stood a chance in the '80s, but gamers can finally experience his platforming adventures (and his magnificent mustache) in Klaus Lee - Thunderballs.

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Wannabe action hero Klaus Lee never stood a chance. Maybe it’s the way his name belied his origins. Maybe it’s that his seedy, ’70s vibe just didn’t gel in Reagan’s “Just Say No” ’80s. Maybe it’s because his eyeball lasers were only effective at up to six feet. Regardless, gamers can finally experience his platforming adventures in Klaus Lee – Thunderballs. Said adventures involve working your way through over 100 platforming levels. Gameplay is a classic mixture of puzzle solving, precision timing, and careful execution as Klaus navigates through monster-infested caverns. We’re not exactly told why he’s doing this. Maybe it has something to do with an electrical bolt warping him into his TV? It’s never really made clear. But there are people to save, so let’s get to it. Klaus has a few different tools at his disposal as he navigates his way through over 100 levels of underground action. First and foremost is his jetpack. It’s much handier than, say, a double jump, but it can run out of gas. I wasn’t aware of this initially, and ended up running out and having to restart the level. You’re generally provided with enough to complete each level, but don’t be wasteful. The jetpack is used not only to reach higher platforms, but also to descend safely and to cross dangerous chasms. It’s also helpful for lining up shots with Klaus’ laser eyes. Enemies can be dispatched with this power, but the lasers have a limited range. So, Klaus will have to get close and line up his shots to be effective. Thankfully, the controls are laid out in a manner that aids precision: A for your jetpack, ZR for lasers. Finally, Klaus will get limited access to dynamite (ZL) that can be used to blast open new pathways and eliminate enemies. Those enemies become more numerous and effective as you progress, of course, but the real interference is run by the levels themselves. As with any good chasm, it seems to have been designed specifically to prevent people from using it. For example, numerous color-coded lasers block Klaus’ path, and it’s up to you to disarm or bypass them. Most of the puzzles are pretty easy to figure out, but the combination of enemies will make it quite difficult to flip the proper switches, as it were. It wasn’t the set traps that often led to Klaus’ demise as I played through, but rather the creatures the traps guided me into. Getting encased by a spider or having your head swallowed by a snake is a good way to go, sure, but it’s best to clear out such enemies before attempting the trickier puzzles and navigation segments. It begs the question, though, of whether this can be entertaining across 100+ levels. Each is its own puzzle, after all. Although levels involve multiple screens, there’s no backtracking à la Castlevania, you just clear a stage and move on. You can replay levels to try to beat your previous time and get better medals, but I never felt the incentive to do so. Honestly, I don’t think the gold medals are even humanly possible. More intriguing is the built-in level editor. It’s fairly simple to use (and begs for Switch 2 mouse control support), but I have no skill for platforming level design and wasn’t able to develop anything I thought would be fun for others. Such tools are better utilized on a PC, anyway. Thankfully, there’s already a decent amount of rated, user-generated content to download and try out. But you may not even need it, as the provided levels are plenteous and will keep platforming fans engaged for quite some time. They’re frustrating in all the proper ways, and finally working through a particularly bothersome challenge is rewarding. As with most games of this type, it’s easy to get caught up in the “one more level” trap, so the developers have obviously done something right. I also quite enjoyed the game’s visuals, which are retro without being retro. They look the part of an ’80s remaster, even though this is a new game. The audio is pretty good, too, with appropriately energetic music and comical audio effects. Is Klaus listening to Vickie Sue Robinson in the intro? It all combines to create a fun, nostalgic experience that’s worth the asking price. The game’s likely not enough to lift Klaus Lee into the pantheon of action heroes he wants to join, but if he and Barry Steakfries were to team up, I’d pay to watch/play that. The post Review: Klaus Lee – Thunderballs (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

All Steam news, all the time!

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

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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

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 No Gloves style for the Consigliere's Coverup Added missing Versus Saxton Hale kill icons Added some tournament medals Fixed Taunt: Curtain Call voice lines overlapping with other Spy voice lines Fixed the Playful Aurora and Frisky Morning Unusual effects not moving correctly Updated Aurora Skies Unusual effect to fix a timing issue Updated the Necroprancer to fix an issue with the materials Updated the Dusk Duster to fix an issue with the materials Updated the Dapper Noel Remade normal map to be compatible with OpenGL Re-baked Diffuse & updated backpack icon to reflect above changes Removed misplaced ambient occlusion Fixed problematic face flexes Fixed an issue where Engineer's beard was protruding from his goggles Fixed an issue with the jigglebones being disabled Rigged Sniper's hat to be compatible with his melee taunt Updated Scrooge McDoc Transparent lenses are rigged to the correct bone (prp_glasses instead of bip_head) so it should now work correctly with taunts that move the glasses Improved scarf rigging and positioning to allow for better compatibility with shirt cosmetics Updated the backpack icon Updated koth_overcast_final Fixed an issue with the models/materials Added back snow coverings (now using displacements) to some props that were missing them Fixed misaligned textures in various places Fixed weird lighting bug on a wall in blue spawn Fixed 'Hotel' sign not displaying properly Added back indicators under some health and ammo kits that were missing them Updated cp_fortezza Removed sniper window leading into last Fixed Engineer being able to build in some doors Fixed some props being solid Slight art pass update Updated vsh_maul Players can no longer hide from Saxton in the dark Fixed props inside other props Fixed z-fighting brushes Fixed missing particle effects for the water feature Fixed orientation of water feature particles Minor lighting changes around the cinema Adjusted LOD change distances for Cinema sign Updated VSH logic Grounded levitating props Aligned misaligned textures Fixed mis-textured walls Clipped upper metal beams Fixed clip brushes sticking out from walls that could be walked on Players will now be pushed off of the fire bell Adjusted cinema sign shadow Used spell check on Saxton's Package sign Updated how music is activated and deactivated Fixed clipping on the hanging big ornaments

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: Happy Smissmas 2024! All players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Stuffed Stocking as a gift! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries. Featuring 6 new community maps: Overcast, Fortezza, Penguin Peak, Patagonia, Cutter, and Maul Added the Winter 2024 Cosmetic Case Contains 23 new community-contributed items The Festivizer can be found as a bonus drop when opening the case Added 3 new community-contributed taunts to the Mann Co. Store Taunt: Fore-Head Slice Taunt: Peace! Taunt: Curtain Call Added 18 new community-created Unusual effects 9 new effects for Unusual hats 9 new effects for Unusual taunts All cosmetic and taunt cases will grant Smissmas 2024 Unusual effects instead of their normal Unusual effects during the event. This does not include crates. Mann Co. Store winter sale! Smissmas runs through January 7th, 2025 General Fixed a client crash when previewing imported items in the Workshop dialog Fixed showing an error model when equipping the Scottish Resistance Fixed The Executioner not hiding the Scout's dog tags Updated the Mountebank's Masque to fix a problem with the materials Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated vsh_distillery, vsh_nucleus, vsh_outburst, vsh_skirmish, and vsh_tinyrock General Added the gamemode intro movie (made by Lacry, thanks) Improved the delivery of VSH-related voice lines for Soldier, Engineer and Sniper Updated some VSH-related voice lines for Saxton, Soldier, Engineer and Sniper (thanks The Rat Man) Added Hale's kill icons Visual improvements to Hale's Ability HUD (thanks Funicular) Added a visual cue signaling an upcoming Saxton Punch! Minor visual improvements to Saxton Hale and his particle effects Fixed the boss bar sometimes starting invisible Fixed a rare crash caused by seeing blood decals on Hale while playing on low graphics quality settings Fixed a rare bug when Hale's Ability HUD textures become missing Balance Changes - Saxton Hale Added Brave Jump Fatigue. Each consecutive jump will be less powerful, requiring a short break to restore to full strength Weightdown ability is disabled during Jump Fatigue Increased Hale's health by ~100HP per opponent Adjusted Hale's health formula against 24+ opponents - Hale now gains 2000HP for every opponent past 23 (thanks Megascatterbomb) Hale's resistance to knockback reduced from 75% to 35% Head Stomp damage now scales with Hale's downward speed, dealing between 64 and 193 damage (previously dealt flat 195 damage) Balance Changes - Mercenaries Explosives and fire now deal 50% more damage against Hale The 40% minigun damage penalty now applies to full crits only Broken Demoman shields now retain the charge ability Demoman shields now absorb only 50% of the incoming damage upon breaking (a would-be-lethal blow will leave the Demo at 1HP) Greatly decreased sticky trap damage reduction Removed Scottish Resistance's 20% damage penalty Baby Face's Blaster now loses 20% of its boost upon Wall Climbing Updated vsh_tinyrock (additional changes) Improved performance Fixed odd clipping at one of the spawns Updated vsh_distillery (additional changes) Improved performance Updated vsh_nucleus (additional changes) Fixed setup time ending five seconds too early Improved detailing in some areas Improved clipping on staircases Increased control point capture time to 15 seconds Removed collision on some lights Changed damage model and damage amount of the toxic waste pit and puddles Updated vsh_skirmish (additional changes) Fixed setup time ending five seconds too early Fixed an issue where Engineers could build in the crocodile pit Fixed not being able to wall climb certain trees in the main arena Fixed some lighting issues on stalactites and other props Parts of Hale's intro sequence no longer play while waiting for players Improved optimization and detailing in some areas Improved clipping on spiral stairs (Thanks Aar!) Updated security system Updated cp_brew The shortcut from RED spawn to the "A" point now has a nobuild trigger Added floor indicator for the health kit in the "A" point wooden shack Adjusted "A" point wooden shack to allow more breathing room Fixed getting stuck on the "A" gate's frame Fixed teletrap near "A" point ditch route Fixed being able to place buildings inside an out-of-bounds room outside "A" point Fixed some stuck spots near "B" point Fixed being able to shoot through a crack in the BLU forward spawn Fixed floating props in the diner Fixed one way door not forcing itself closed Cleaned up some collisions and clipping across the map Improved lighting on all of the archways Updated koth_krampus Fixed missing trees in skybox Improved look of waterfall texture near full health-kit Fixed minor visual errors Minor NPC clipping changes Fed krampus some oats Updated pl_emerge Switched on the cart light Fixed RED players being able to sit on the edge of an exit of BLU's starting spawn Fixed some doors showing incorrect textures Fixed the final capture point displaying an incorrect string Fixed the map occasionally playing incorrect ambient sounds Minor visual and performance tweaks Updated cp_carrier The Carrier now has full crits rather than mini-crits The Carrier now uses the robot voice lines Improved hearability of the Carrier's voice lines and footsteps Fixed visual bugs with the boss bar Fixed the Carrier sometimes becoming invisible while taunting Fixed animation glitches when a Demoman Carrier holds a Stickybomb Launcher Fixed occasional phasing through the elevator platform at BLU spawn Decreased size of the frog

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: Improved matchmaking performance Improved matchmaker behavior for users with less-than-ideal ping levels. The matchmaker should now be quicker to put you in the best available region. Improved matchmaker decision making for cross-region parties Added error messages when being ejected from the matchmaking queue due to connectivity or authentication failures, rather than the queue simply silently vanishing Fixed the matchmaking settings dialog frequently failing to display any datacenters Fixed multiple cases of in-progress casual matches abruptly terminating or failing to be assigned any new players if the game server ever loses connection to Steam Updated the Mountebank's Masque, Courtier's Collar, and Harlequin's Hooves cosmetic items to fix issues with their paint regions Updated cp_gravelpit_snowy Fixed a script issue Improved performance Improved clipping

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 Guano and Batbelt cosmetic items hiding the Scout's dog tags Fixed The Beacon from Beyond incorrectly hiding a bunch of bodygroups Fixed the Quoth cosmetic item hiding the Scout's headphones Fixed some broken materials for some props_farm gib models Adding "Hat" style for the Fuel Injector Updated the Clue Hairdo to fix broken smoke effect Updated koth_synthetic_event Edited nav mesh to minimize the Toastmaster running diving into the grinder/death pit Updated pd_farmageddon Revoked scarecrow gym membership which lowered their health from 500 to 350 Updated zi_atoll, zi_blazehattan, zi_devastation_final1, zi_murky, zi_sanitarium, and zi_woods Fixed an exploit allowing some players to respawn as a human or play as a human on the Zombie team

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 BLU Scout pants fix because it conflicts with too many existing cosmetics Updated the Fleet Commander again to fix import problems from the previous update Updated the Phantom Plague and Haunting Haze Unusual effects to fix sometimes spawning away from the player Updated cp_freaky_fair Fixed issues related to the gamemode logic Reapplied check that was mistakenly removed to check if the player is actively buying upgrades in a station or not Implemented new custom system to refund upgrades to hopefully address inconsistencies both in-round and across rounds Implemented logic to handle mismatches in recorded vs actual currency values when leaving the upgrade trigger and having not accepted de-bought upgrades Reverted code to do with Ghosts and Sentry busters to fix bugs related to their effects not de-applying Implemented a way to force kill players to address edge cases where you could survive as the sentry buster past their explosion (Thanks MilkMaster!) Improved the logic which checks if you can apply a new potion effect to yourself to address bugs where effects can overlap Fixed sniper and demo shields not having their upgrades cleared Fixed canteens not having their values cleared when refunding whilst not equipped Increased the height of the skybox Increased last point capture time from 6s to 7s Changed some clipping to stop giants from building on roofs Smoothed out a divot (Thanks Midnite!) Updated zi_atoll, zi_blazehattan, zi_devastation_final1, zi_murky, zi_sanitarium, and zi_woods General Re-encoded all Zombie Infection sound effects as .WAV This fixes issues with sound effects not playing correctly and spewing errors in the console Bug fixes Fixed a bug that caused Sniper's Spit Pool to deal much more damage than intended Fixed a bug that caused team names to not display correctly when playing on mp_tournament mode Fixed a bug where Engineer would sometimes scream like a charging Demoman while throwing an EMP Grenade Zombie Changes Sniper's Spit Pool damage vs Survivors no longer stacks when standing in multiple zones Zombie Heavy is no longer immune to Critical Hits Zombie Heavy's max health raised to 525 (from 450) Zombie Pyro's max health raised to 250 (from 175) Zombie Pyro now drops a medium health kit on death Survivor Changes Crossbow weapons no longer have a flat damage multiplier against Zombies The B.A.S.E Jumper can no longer be deployed if you are one of the last three survivors Jumper Weapons can no longer store reserve ammunition Updated zi_murky (additional changes) Added more respawn room triggers around the new spawn zones

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 list of authors for arena_lumberyard_event Fixed the Crook Combatant hiding the Scout's dog tags Fixed some sound script entries not playing because they were looking for .wav instead of .mp3 Fixed BLU Scout using the incorrect team color pants Fixed some props_farm models using an incorrect surfaceprop setting Updated the large version of the backpack image for The Fast Learner to be consistent with the small version Updated the schema entries for The Hound's Hood and the Thrilling Tracksuit to remove unused settings Updated a couple of the community console images to fix missing nomip/nolod settings Updated Freaky Fair's expert contract to be "Win a round on Freaky Fair" Updated the Fleet Commander and Delldozer to fix import problems from the previous update Updated arena_lumberyard_event Fixed mini-crits being removed from the last player standing if they used the Crit-a-Cola Added missing navigation mesh Fixed areaportal windows in spawn fading in too early Fixed cases where players would get stuck on the setup doors Adjusted prop fades Updated cp_darkmarsh Lowered spell spawn timer (from 180 seconds to 120 seconds) Spells that spawn outside respawn rooms will disappear after 30 seconds of not being picked up Added several more pumpkin bomb spawn points Fixed portcullis doors turning pitch black when opening Lowered RED respawn wave time for the last point (from 10 to 8) Updated tow_dynamite Fixed an ammo pick-up differ on BLU side Added a missing wagon wheel on BLU side Added Tug of War objective strings Made the jump pad's deathpits deeper A new critter has arrived Updated pd_circus Fixed spell books being prompted despite none spawning in the map Reduced points per player from 6 to 5 Reduced distracting lighting and details around the inaccessible areas of the circus Fixed being able to place teleporters too close to spawn doors Fixed erroneous collisions Fixed small displacements cutting through walls Fixed some gaps in geometry

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 an issue with Blazehattan contracts Fixed an issue with Outburst contracts Fixed an invalid Soul Gargoyle location on Mann Manor Fixed players not being able to select a class and spawn after watching an intro video Recompiled props_farm\box_cluster03.mdl to fix a problem with the material Updated the Dusk Duster to adjust the rigging a bit to reduce distortion Updated the Triboniophorus Gentlemannus Fixed clipping Updated texture to fix mipmapping Added jigglebone Added attachment for genteel smoke effect Updated the Clue Hairdo to fix a rim mask problem with the 'Case Open' style Updated the Fleet Commander Fixed white seams when moving camera away from character Improved position of Style Selection camera by deleting unused bones Updated the Delldozer to fix a problem with the specular map for the Re-Mastered and Re-Engineered styles Updated The Witch Doctor to fix a problem with the diffuse textures and normal maps Updated Taunt: Commending Clap to fix some issues with sounds and timing Updated zi_atoll, zi_blazehattan, zi_devastation_final1, zi_murky, zi_sanitarium, and zi_woods Reduced Zombie Engineer's EMP Grenade Cooldown from 10 seconds to 9 seconds Adjusted Zombie Pyro's death explosion to briefly ignite players hit by the blast Fixed a bug that allowed Zombie Medic to spawn infinite dispenser entities (Thanks Psychicpie!) Fixed Zombie Heavy's ability appearing as an active instead of a passive on the HUD (Thanks NeoDement!) Fixed a bug that caused Zombie Heavy's knockback effect to trigger on afterburn damage when quickly swapping from Pyro to Heavy Updated zi_blazehattan (additional changes) Fixed top roof having no collisions, causing players to 'sink in' Made the brick decoration near the wooden ramp slightly lower to make jumping to the top roof easier Removed some redundant clip brushes Changed the round timer from 6 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds Fixed missing textures behind the windows of the warehouse building Fixed rendering issue in the A Gate zombie spawn (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed several instances where players could stand on top of clip brushes and in high places (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed floodlight stuck spot near B Gate (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed troll teleporter spots (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed telephone pole collision (Thanks Midnite!) Added no-build triggers on top of barrel clusters at the top of the containers for consistency Added barrel clusters and wood debri on top of the red container with the floodlight to make it more apparent engineers can't build there, as well as to provide cover for zombies Various small changes Updated tow_dynamite Doubled the chances of a Jump Spell drop Fixed the main gates killing players when touched on the side Fixed the main gates killing you prematurely before they are fully closed Fixed HUD textures going missing on occasion (Thanks Aar) Fixed the rooftop fire being too strong Fixed multiple locations that allowed players to build out of bounds Fixed an overly aggressive propfade in front of spawn Fixed edge bugs on multiple roofs that allowed players to remain alive Updated vsh_outburst Improved performance Fixed menu images Fixed a minor visual issue Fixed being able to stick to the invisible walls Updated koth_sawmill_event Reduced the amount of skeletons that spawn Added a new pathway to the secret underworld exit Redid some detailing near Reds base Improved lighting near some shacks near mid Fixed clipping for a shack Reworked where Soul Gargoyles spawn, now favoring Mid more often Made some new greener water for Mids lumber place New spectator cams Updated cp_freaky_fair Fixed issues related to the gamemode logic Fixed players being able to retain upgrades on their weapons by putting them in their loadout before the round changes and then switching back to them Fixed some currency bugs related to players having upgrades pending but not accepted, and then leaving the upgrade trigger Fixed players being able to retain their upgrades when switching classes inside the upgrade trigger after having refunded Fixed character upgrades being occasionally set to incorrect quantities Changed uber and kritz potions so they use the equivalent lakeside conditions to allow Medics to switch weapons and maintain their effects Fixed players being able to put a class into a massive debt Several minor fixes Merasmus is very talkative, so we asked him to talk a bit differently Merasmus will only sometimes say something after he already talked about his financial problems during the first seconds of setup time Merasmus will no longer say something that is too long to say before he needs to announce something else, he will say something different now Merasmus now has more things to say Merasmus will now announce overtime, stalemate and last control point being captured instead of the Administrator Made changes to the upgrades Ghost Potion: ghost spooking radius reduced from 512 hu to 384 hu Ghost Potion: ghost spooking frequency increased from 5 to 7 secs (this is a nerf) Sentry Firing Speed: removed redundant 3rd level Disposable sentry: Maximum amount reduced from 4 to 3 Crit boost on kill: Now disabled Shield Recharge Rate bonus: Maximum level reduced from 4 to 2 Shield Recharge Rate bonus: Price increased from $150 to $250 Rocket Specialist: Price increased from $300 to $450 Rocket Specialist: Maximum level reduced from 4 to 3 Crit damage resistance: Resist reduced from 30% to 25% per level (this is a nerf) Crit damage resistance: Maximum Resist reduced from 90% to 75% (this is a nerf) Thermal Thruster impact stun: Price increased from $600 to $750 Explosive Headshot: Price increased from $350 to $450 Mad Milk and Jarate speed on target debuff: Debuff reduced from 35% to 25% Mark For Death: Price reduced from $500 to $300 Fixed several roof spots players were able to stand on (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed several teleporter stuck spots (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed floating pumpkins and planks (Thanks Midnite!) Fixed several spots that could be abused to spawncamp enemy team (Thanks Midnite!) Removed some visible dev textures (Thanks Midnite!) Removed stool from the arcade that was blocking the path previously Fixed being able to deal splash damage through metal grates Clipped the attic in respawn room to prevent players from getting and building there Clipped several beams in the lobby room Fixed missing wooden board near Red respawn room door Moved Merry-Go-Round sound source closer to make it louder Brightened several dark spots Closed the tree gap

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 broken path for community_maps_5 in the ConTracker Renamed Team Blackout war paint to Blackout Fixed the names of the Delightful Doves, Ravenous Ravens, and Vicious Vampires Unusual effects Updated Toxic's second objective to be 'Collect a Halloween Pumpkin on Toxic' Updated the School Nuisance to update the backpack icon and fix some clipping issues on the LODs Updated the Sear Seer to fix a paintability problem with the 'Dusk - No Lenses' style Updated the Heavy Rain Unusual taunt effect to improve visual quality of the effect in dark environments Updated cp_darkmarsh to reduce fog intensity Updated zi_atoll, zi_blazehattan, zi_devastation_final1, zi_murky, zi_sanitarium, and zi_woods Fixed missing overlay material for Sniper's Spit ability Fixed missing particle effects for Pyro's Dragon's Breath ability Fixed a bug that would cause players to get stuck in spectate mode when attempting to join a game in progress

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 vsh_outburst to fix a problem with sounds not playing correctly Added missing strings for the new Strange Filters

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 XVI has arrived! Featuring 7 new community maps: Toxic, Darkmarsh, Freaky Fair, Dynamite, Circus, Outburst, and Blazehattan Added the Terrifying Trove Case Contains 21 new community-created cosmetic items that make up the Terrifying Trove Collection Has a chance to give a taunt Unusualifier as a bonus item Added 4 new community-contributed taunts to the Mann Co. Store Taunt: Crushing Defeat Taunt: Peace Out Taunt: Commending Clap Taunt: The Punchline Added 22 new community-created Unusual effects 12 new effects for Unusual hats 10 new effects for Unusual taunts Added the Scream Fortress XVI War Paint Case Contains 12 new community-created War Paints that make-up the Scream Fortress XVI War Paint Collection Has a chance to give a taunt Unusualifier as a bonus item 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 Terrifying Trove 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 2024 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 XVI runs through November 7th, 2024 General Added UI scaling based on resolution for better HiDPI support Fixed the reload speed attribute in Mann vs. Machine not scaling projectile speed and gravity correctly for the Huntsman (community fix from Marxvee) Fixed the damage bonus attribute in Mann vs. Machine not scaling correctly for the Huntsman (community fix from Marxvee) Fixed not being able to pickup currency in MvM if it's on a teleporter Fixed Keyless Winter 2016 Case not playing the special winter case sound Recompiled some skybox models to fix UV issues Updated the Scariest Mask EVER to fix some issues with clipping Updated Sapped Unusual effect to fix the animation playing at the wrong speed Added check to prevent copying a disguise target's action slot item when disguised as them Exposed CTFBaseBoss::SetResolvePlayerCollisions() for VScript users Updated/Added some tournament medals Updated Sapped Unusual effect to fix the animation playing at the wrong speed Updated several maps to fix localization issues Updated zi_murky, zi_devastation_final1, zi_atoll, zi_woods, zi_sanitarium General Changes Zombies no longer spawn instantly- their respawn timer is now dependant on the map Changed team names to "Survivors" and "Zombies" (Instead of "RED" and "BLU") Note: this change is only visible in casual mode or servers with mp_tournament set to 1 Survivor Spy can now disguise as a Zombie and will be seen as a Zombie by the enemy team (Thanks Sprinkles!) Note: disguised Survivor Spies will still be highlighted by Zombie Spy’s “Reveal” ability The Pomson 6000 now puts Zombie abilities on cooldown on hit Survivor Pyro can now destroy Zombie Engineer's EMP Grenade by hitting it with the Homewrecker Walking in to Zombie Sniper's Spit now consumes the Spycicle and prevents initial damage Standing in Zombie Sniper's Spit now emits additional sound effects and a burning green HUD overlay Added new kill icons for every zombie attack Zombie Changes Removed the out-of-combat speed buff from all Zombies Zombie Pyro Zombie Pyro has a new ability - "Dragon's Breath" Fires a Dragon's Fury fireball The initial cast of the fireball can reflect projectiles and airblast enemies Zombie Pyro now deals mini-crits to burning players on melee hit Zombie Pyro now creates a small explosion on death, knocking back enemies in a 125 hu radius Zombie Pyro no longer emits a Gas Passer cloud on death Zombie Demoman Added new sound effects to telegraph Zombie Demoman's Blast Charge ability Zombie Heavy Zombie Heavy's health reduced to 450 (from 600) Zombie Heavy now drops a Medium Health Kit on death Zombie Sniper Zombie Sniper's Spit damage vs buildables is now reduced by half Zombie Sniper's Spit now applies a screen overlay to players standing in the pool Zombie Medic Zombie Medic now emits health like a dispenser to nearby Zombies Zombie Medic can no longer attack while using Heal Added a new sound effect for Zombie Medic's Heal ability Zombie Spy Zombie Spy no longer emits particle effects while cloaked, making him fully invisible when not attacking. Jumpscare warning! Zombie Scout With other zombies getting slower, Zombie Scout's speed stands out more than ever before Bug Fixes Fixed a bug that allowed Zombie Demoman to survive his own Blast Charge (Thanks gasous nebule!) Fixed a bug that caused Zombie Demoman to not receive kill credit when killing players with Blast Charge Fixed a bug that caused Zombies to not gib correctly Fixed a bug that caused Zombie cosmetics to persist on RED players after the round restarts Fixed a bug that caused Zombie Sniper's Spit Pool to nudge players slightly in certain circumstances Fixed a bug that caused players to have the incorrect player skin when respawning at round start Fixed a bug that would cause players to become stuck in spectate mode when attempting to join a game in progress Fixed an issue with "game_text" entities not being correctly cleared after round reset Updated zi_murky (additional changes) Survivors now spawn across the map in multiple small groups instead of all at the sewage plant Added a life preserver shop to connect to the lonely shack in the southern end of the map Added a new dock network with a series of platforms leading to the roof of the central boathouse Added a small ramp to the left-most sewer pipes Removed some awkward ladder-ramps and replaced them with proper docks De-cluttered the roofs across the map Removed the floating large medkit Removed expensive reflections from the water Reduced color correction intensity Clipping improvements Updated zi_atoll (additional changes) Set a culling distance to most props Added occluders on the lighthouse to improve performance Updated zi_woods (additional changes) Fixed the announcer not being silenced when time is added Updated zi_sanitarium (additional changes) The roof is now accessible Added several routes to the roof Slightly reduced the intensity of the fog Added more pumpkin bombs Raised the skybox height Updated cp_gravelpit_snowy Improved performance by combining props Improved clipping Increased volume of laser gun finale Miscellaneous improvements Updated koth_sawmill_event Fixed an overlay Updated koth_undergrove_event Fixed several out-of-bounds exploits in the Underworld (thanks MN!) Adjusted overworld pumpkin bomb placement and increased maximum bomb count to 6 Fixed an incorrect texture on RED's side Updated koth_synthetic_event Moved spells away from mid Detail adjustments Clipping fixes Very minor lighting changes Updated pd_mannsylvania Added even more Bats! Added more spawnpoints for pumpkin-bombs Added new nag voiceline for if Dracula does not receive any blood donations Removed setup time, replaced it with a normal countdown instead Increased duration of the Vampire Powerup after leaving Dracula's Castle from 15 -> 20 seconds Decrease dropped blood bag timer from 15 -> 10 seconds Decreased respawn wave times for the losing team from 4 -> 2 seconds Decreased respawn wave times during a neutral gamestate from 4 -> 2 seconds Changed the main spawn doors to have windows Removed Rare Spell spawn by the graveyard area, replaced with Common Spell Health and ammo pickup adjustments Clipped stairs by the Castle's exit portal Minor visual updates Updated ctf_applejack Fixed the projectile weapons from not working inside the buildings Removed bullet collision from the intelligence room handrails Removed the prop jump up to the sniper balcony, to help snipers feel more comfortable there Removed the vents with missing textures Fixed the bug with being able to get stuck in the blue shed Fixed a stuck spot in mid shed (ty Midnite!) Fixed a texture being weird in the intel rooms Fixed a black displacement in the red intel yard Removed the collision from the food in the red spawn table Updated cp_ambush_event Fixed exploit where players were able to build into RED 1st base (Thanks MN!) Improved lighting at RED base in stage3 Fixed lantern being clipped into cliff wall in cavern at stage1 Fixed odd shadows cast by some props Fixed coffin from being non-solid in stage2 Fixed spawncamping spot in stage2 at RED indoor exit Fixed few hovering lamp props Fixed some prop fading too soon Fixed rare issue where players fell of directly to lava on underworld teleportation Clipped few crates to make it easier to jump on them Updated arena_lumberyard_event Recreated the game mode in VScript Significantly increased server performance Instead of using the best-of-seven round system on top of casual's best-of-three system, the map will simply run 15 traditional game rounds like ZI and VSH Updated the healing ghost appearance for RED team Text pop-ups are now drawn in chat instead of in the middle of your screen Reduced volume of the incoming spell Removed the random Skeleton King and the Horseless Headless Horseman Removed the rare spell given to the last player standing Converted some medium health kits into small health kits Removed small health kits from the second story of both churches Fixed a pumpkin bomb that was stuck in the terrain Updated pl_embargo Fixed an exploit that allowed BLU to teleport to RED spawn (thanks Jameson) Fixed the lack of countdown at the end of the round

Dragami Games has confirmed that, thanks to a new partnership with IP company Nada Holdings, new Lollipop Chainsaw projects are on the way.
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Dragami Games has confirmed that, thanks to a new partnership with IP company Nada Holdings, new Lollipop Chainsaw projects are on the way. Read this article on TechRaptor

Roblox has introduced new child safety tools aimed at making teens' experiences on the platform safer, including age verification and more.
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Roblox has introduced new child safety tools aimed at making teens' experiences on the platform safer, including age verification and more. Read this article on TechRaptor

A new report confirms that the long-awaited Assassin's Creed live-action series is finally moving ahead at Netflix, although we don't know when yet.
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A new report confirms that the long-awaited Assassin's Creed live-action series is finally moving ahead at Netflix, although we don't know when yet. Read this article on TechRaptor

Shiro Games has released a new Wartales roadmap for the rest of 2025, and it's promising fief management DLC, new gear, and much more.
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Shiro Games has released a new Wartales roadmap for the rest of 2025, and it's promising fief management DLC, new gear, and much more. Read this article on TechRaptor

Virtuos, the studio behind Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is reportedly laying off hundreds of its employees.
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Virtuos, the studio behind Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is reportedly laying off hundreds of its employees. Read this article on TechRaptor

Charlie Cleveland has revealed the full public text of his Subnautica 2 lawsuit, just as Krafton reportedly extends its bonus period to 2026.
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Charlie Cleveland has revealed the full public text of his Subnautica 2 lawsuit, just as Krafton reportedly extends its bonus period to 2026. Read this article on TechRaptor

Osprey Games has announced Frostgrave Limited Deluxe Edition. A fancy, updated version of the multi-award-winning fantasy skirmish miniatures game.
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Osprey Games has announced Frostgrave Limited Deluxe Edition. A fancy, updated version of the multi-award-winning fantasy skirmish miniatures game. Read this article on TechRaptor

Our Co-Op Kaiju Horror Cooking Preview will give you an inside scoop on the upcoming friendslop title from Strange Scaffold.
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Our Co-Op Kaiju Horror Cooking Preview will give you an inside scoop on the upcoming friendslop title from Strange Scaffold. Read this article on TechRaptor

It takes a bit of work to get Palia's free pet during the Nurturer of Shadows quest line.
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It takes a bit of work to get Palia's free pet during the Nurturer of Shadows quest line. Read this article on TechRaptor

Surgent Studios has announced that its upcoming horror game Dead Take will launch in late July, and some big names have joined the cast too.
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Surgent Studios has announced that its upcoming horror game Dead Take will launch in late July, and some big names have joined the cast too. Read this article on TechRaptor

Freehold Games has revealed that it's planning "at least three" major Caves of Qud expansions, and big updates will come alongside those packs too.
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Freehold Games has revealed that it's planning "at least three" major Caves of Qud expansions, and big updates will come alongside those packs too. Read this article on TechRaptor

Nintendo has announced that a Drag x Drive demo will be released in August, but you'll need to be a Switch Online member to play it.
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Nintendo has announced that a Drag x Drive demo will be released in August, but you'll need to be a Switch Online member to play it. Read this article on TechRaptor

The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie has cast its Link and Princess Zelda ahead of its May 2027 release, Nintendo has announced.
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The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie has cast its Link and Princess Zelda ahead of its May 2027 release, Nintendo has announced. Read this article on TechRaptor

Wizards of the Coast has announced that their new Dungeons & Dragons Heroes of the Borderlands starter set is now available for pre-order.
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Wizards of the Coast has announced that their new Dungeons & Dragons Heroes of the Borderlands starter set is now available for pre-order. Read this article on TechRaptor

Critical Role has announced their City Echoes of Exandria Tour. The tour will feature a unique one-shot in Exandria with surprise guests and special merch.
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Critical Role has announced their City Echoes of Exandria Tour. The tour will feature a unique one-shot in Exandria with surprise guests and special merch. Read this article on TechRaptor

Square Enix has revealed that it has no plans for a Switch 2 upgrade path for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and save data won't be transferrable either.
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Square Enix has revealed that it has no plans for a Switch 2 upgrade path for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and save data won't be transferrable either. Read this article on TechRaptor

Recently laid-off employees at Microsoft subsidiary King are reportedly being replaced by AI tools they helped to create, and morale is apparently very low.
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Recently laid-off employees at Microsoft subsidiary King are reportedly being replaced by AI tools they helped to create, and morale is apparently very low. Read this article on TechRaptor

Publisher Big Fan Games and developer Bithell Games have announced that John Wick Hex will be delisted in just a couple of days.
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Publisher Big Fan Games and developer Bithell Games have announced that John Wick Hex will be delisted in just a couple of days. Read this article on TechRaptor

The co-op Bomb Busters board game ended up winning this year's Spiel des Jahres award, disrupting the commercial darling, Flip 7.
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The co-op Bomb Busters board game ended up winning this year's Spiel des Jahres award, disrupting the commercial darling, Flip 7. Read this article on TechRaptor

11 bit studios has announced a Frostpunk 2 modding contest, and if you win the top prize, you'll get a seriously hefty cash sum.
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11 bit studios has announced a Frostpunk 2 modding contest, and if you win the top prize, you'll get a seriously hefty cash sum. Read this article on TechRaptor

Gaddy Games has announced that terraforming management sim Plan B: Terraform is set to leave Early Access in late August.
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Gaddy Games has announced that terraforming management sim Plan B: Terraform is set to leave Early Access in late August. Read this article on TechRaptor

Magic Inn, a cute tavern management sim with a wizardly twist, is launching on PC via Steam next month, developer Purpledoor Studios has revealed.
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Magic Inn, a cute tavern management sim with a wizardly twist, is launching on PC via Steam next month, developer Purpledoor Studios has revealed. Read this article on TechRaptor

Summer Games Done Quick 2025 is over, and it's raised a ton of money for medical charity Doctors Without Borders once again.
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Summer Games Done Quick 2025 is over, and it's raised a ton of money for medical charity Doctors Without Borders once again. Read this article on TechRaptor

As a result of Diamond Comic Distributors recently filing for bankruptcy, Green Ronin Publishing is seeking funds for legal representation to continue operations.
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As a result of Diamond Comic Distributors recently filing for bankruptcy, Green Ronin Publishing is seeking funds for legal representation to continue operations. Read this article on TechRaptor

Eremite Games and Hooded Horse have announced the release date for Against the Storm's Nightwatchers DLC, and it's just around the corner.
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Eremite Games and Hooded Horse have announced the release date for Against the Storm's Nightwatchers DLC, and it's just around the corner. Read this article on TechRaptor

The Bushido Risen Sun 2-player starter set included 2 rival houses, who now call for aid, and our Bushido Civil Hands Unclear review answers.
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The Bushido Risen Sun 2-player starter set included 2 rival houses, who now call for aid, and our Bushido Civil Hands Unclear review answers. Read this article on TechRaptor

The Oni in Bushido are powerful demons, but to gain their full power, they need to earn it through battle, in our Bushido Ring of Fire review.
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The Oni in Bushido are powerful demons, but to gain their full power, they need to earn it through battle, in our Bushido Ring of Fire review. Read this article on TechRaptor

The folks behind the original Subnautica (and its upcoming sequel) are suing Krafton following their dismissal from Unknown Worlds.
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The folks behind the original Subnautica (and its upcoming sequel) are suing Krafton following their dismissal from Unknown Worlds. Read this article on TechRaptor

Like your samurai with an undead twist? Then the next Bushido Cult of Yurei starter set is for you. We check it out in our Bushido The Wretched review.
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Like your samurai with an undead twist? Then the next Bushido Cult of Yurei starter set is for you. We check it out in our Bushido The Wretched review. Read this article on TechRaptor

After buying up so many studios and producing only mass layoffs and closures, has Xbox Game Studios failed at turning a profit?
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After buying up so many studios and producing only mass layoffs and closures, has Xbox Game Studios failed at turning a profit? 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!

The trailer for Mortal Kombat 2 reveals Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, showcasing his underdog journey and impressive fight scenes. With a bigger budget and tournament presence, it promises fun and nostalgia.

It seemed like it wouldn't happen, but Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 +4 is here and brings with it the excellent skating of the first remake. But this second collection has to tackle Pro Skater 4, a game which changed the series, and which has lost its magic here.

Ubisoft's new subsidiary, co-led by Charlie Guillemot and Christophe Derennes, is backed by Tencent's €1.16 billion investment and aims to manage Ubisoft's major IPs while addressing financial issues.

Xbox Game Pass is adding notable titles this month, including RoboCop: Rogue City and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, along with Grounded 2 launching in Game Preview for players to enjoy.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 features numerous goals across diverse levels, including regular and Pro Goals. Completing all basic challenges unlocks Pro Goals, leading to additional challenges and hidden rewards.

Arkane Studios announced the development of Blade, a game based on Marvel's vampire hunter, but recent financial reports indicate it's just entered production, pushing the release likely to late 2026 or beyond.

What immediately pulls you into a giant bear hug is Ruffy and the Riverside’s visual style. Character models heavily resemble the Paper Mario series, their flatness and white outlines making them look like they’re animated stickers running around the world. In contrast, the environment has a chunky 3D style that harkens back to stuff like […]

Multiple Fallout games are in development, including potential remakes or sequels, confirmed by Jordan Middler. However, no titles will be available soon, with releases likely by the end of 2026.

The anticipated Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake/remaster has been hinted through leaks and updated Steam features, suggesting notable changes unlike the original. Its release is speculated for late 2025 or 2026.

Romero Games faced turmoil after losing funding and staff layoffs, but officially confirmed it is not closed and received interest from other publishers to continue development of their game.

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

KILLER INN promises a fresh twist on the social deduction genre, combining intense action gameplay with classic murder mystery elements.

Playable with up to 24-players, KILLER INN is an asymmetrical multiplayer game where players are divided into wolves and lambs for a night of suspense and survival. It promises an innovative approach to conflict resolution. Rather than relying on voting mechanics, players must physically confront … Read More

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

DarkSwarm is an intense tactical co-op shooter genre that challenges players to defend humanity’s distant colonies from an alien threat.

As synthetically enhanced operators, in DarkSwarm teams of players must coordinate their unique class abilities to complete missions in procedurally generated environments. The game promises an emphasis on strategic gameplay. Players can approach objectives through stealth, hacking, or direct combat, with semi-destructible environments adding an … Read More

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SuperWEIRD is a delightfully offbeat co-op automation adventure where players find themselves in a mysterious location where nothing quite makes sense – including a peculiar pig wearing sunglasses.

From the creators of while True: learn(), SuperWEIRD’s core mechanic revolves around directing armies of rusty robots using flag markers, creating elaborate automation systems to harvest resources and craft items. Players can arm their mechanical … Read More

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CLOWNOUT transforms the classic game of tag into a chaotic multiplayer combat game where clowns armed with sledgehammers chase pranksters across 10 wild maps.

Supporting up to 6 players in various game modes, in CLOWNOUT players can experience everything from raft-building escape attempts to candy-collecting challenges, all while avoiding the pursuing clowns. The 60-second rounds keep the action intense, with players switching roles between hunter … Read More

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PAIN-TO-WIN is a brutal top-down horror-shooter set in a dystopian megaprison overflowing with killers, lunatics, and body-mod fanatics.

In PAIN-TO-WIN you’re an organ extractor – part bounty hunter, part butcher – earning cash by taking down the worst of the worst. Inspired by PS1-era cult classics like Loaded and Thrill Kill, PAIN-TO-WIN promises explosive gunfights, destructible environments, and gory mayhem that leaves every level … Read More

The post PAIN-TO-WIN – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Hold Your King is a physics-based co-op platforming game where two players carry an impatient monarch through perilous medieval obstacle courses.

After a cannonball blast leaves the king stranded, in Hold Your King players must work together to transport him safely back to his throne room. Players must carefully coordinate their movements to keep the royal passenger balanced. Every step, jump, and pivot affects the … Read More

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PARADISE is an online multiplayer open world life simulation game set in a meticulously crafted island nation where players have freedom to shape their digital lives.

All the NPCs in PARADISE are AI-powered, with unique personalities, voices, and daily routines, creating unprecedented levels of immersion. Players can interact with these characters through text or voice chat, experiencing genuine conversations and emotional responses.

The game’s world … Read More

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

Paleolith transports players 40,000 years back in time, offering a realistic survival experience in prehistoric Europe.

This first-person survival game of Paleolith strips away modern conveniences, leaving players to rely solely on primitive skills and natural instincts to stay alive. In this unforgiving wilderness, players must master authentic Stone Age survival techniques – from crafting basic tools and building shelters to hunting wildlife and making … Read More

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

GOD PLEASE HELP ME is an incredibly weird roguelike action game that blends retro aesthetics with modern horror in a distinctively chaotic way.

GOD PLEASE HELP ME uses an eccentric fusion of 8-bit pixels, 64-bit graphics, and crude MS Paint artwork, creating a deliberately jarring aesthetic that adds to its unsettling atmosphere. Players navigate through procedurally generated levels, where they can transform into orange liquid, … Read More

The post GOD PLEASE HELP ME – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Medic: Pacific War thrusts players into the harrowing role of an American field medic during World War II’s Pacific campaign.

An intense survival medical simulation game, Medic: Pacific War challenges players to navigate bullet-riddled battlefields while making split-second decisions that impact both individual soldiers’ lives and the broader course of battle. As a combat medic, players must treat wounded comrades using period-accurate medical knowledge and … Read More

The post Medic: Pacific War – Beta Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

She’s Leaving is a first person survival horror adventure where a policeman uses forensic analysis techniques to unravel a blood-soaked mystery.

In She’s Leaving you step into the shoes of Charles Dalton, a forensics expert whose routine investigation spirals into a nightmare. Set in the snow-shrouded Tudor mansion of House Haywood, the game blends authentic forensic analysis with heart-pounding survival horror as you investigate the … Read More

The post She’s Leaving – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Black Vultures: Prey of Greed is a realistic tactical FPS that throws players into intense three-way battles where strategic thinking is as crucial as shooting skills.

Survival isn’t just about having the fastest trigger finger in Black Vultures: Prey of Greed. The game’s unique Life Ticket system adds a layer of strategy, forcing players to carefully consider each engagement. Teams must balance aggressive plays … Read More

The post Black Vultures: Prey of Greed – Alpha Sign Up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Ledgerbound is a narrative-driven tongue-in-cheek twist on traditional tactical turn-based RPG where you take on the role of an insurance adjuster tasked with denying claims of heroes who have died in combat.

Currently in development by the writer of Helldivers 2, Ledgerbound transforms the mundane role of an insurance adjuster into an extraordinary adventure. Players step into the shoes of a desk-dwelling professional thrust … Read More

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

What Has Come Before is a very unique first person puzzle game that uses perspective manipulation as you guide your reticule through 3D environments.

Set in a haunting black and white world inspired by David Lynch’s surreal cinematography, What Has Come Before is a unique game that challenges players to navigate through limbo using only their senses of sight and hearing. The game’s core mechanic … Read More

The post What Has Come Before – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Day of the Shell: Prologue is a fast-paced and easily accessible turn-based tactical roguelite genre with innovative “one-click, one-turn” gameplay mechanics.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where divine wrath has left only scattered islands above water, in Day of the Shell players control a determined monster huntress seeking to challenge and appease the gods. The prologue version features 13 distinct islands to explore, armed with … Read More

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Gunny Ascend features a clever blend of platforming, roguelite and block-stacking puzzle gameplay as you control a character who has to adapt to the hazards that are dropped from above.

In Gunny Ascent players control Gunny, a construction worker who becomes entangled in an interdimensional conflict with mysterious beings called The Collectors. The game combines traditional falling-block gameplay with real-time movement and tactical platforming. Players … Read More

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Lonelight is an atmospheric action RPG that introduces players to a haunting post-apocalyptic world known as Earth-3.

In Lonelight players navigate through diverse, richly detailed environments, each with its distinct atmosphere and soundtrack. It features an innovative combat system centered around Light Points, which serve as both health points and a tactical resource for bypassing ability cooldowns. It challenges players to face off against security … Read More

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Wander Stars is an anime-styled turn-based RPG adventure where you battle your opponents by combining words into powerful phrases.

In Wander Stars players join Ringo, a young martial artist searching for her brother, and Wolfe, a mysterious fugitive, as they embark on an interstellar adventure across 10 episodic chapters. Aside from the superb Anime-styled visuals, the game’s standout feature is its Kiai combat system, where … Read More

The post Wander Stars – Beta Demo first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

ASV Soccer is a 22 player arcade football game where each player takes control of an individual player in their 11 player teams.

Featuring 11v11 matches with seamless drop-in/drop-out functionality, ASV Soccer allows you to play a real game of team football. The game features physics-based ball mechanics and comprehensive control system, eschewing predetermined animations and auto-aim in favor of genuine player skill. The game … Read More

The post ASV Soccer – Open Beta first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Milo is a love letter to the classic early Call of Duty: Zombies games, harkening back to a simpler time when it was focused on World War trenches, shooting zombies and buying guns.

Set in a World War-era nightmare, in Milo players wake up mysteriously tattooed and trapped in a hellscape ruled by Milo, the deranged leader of a bizarre cult obsessed with a … Read More

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OFFERING APP presents a uniquely unsettling psychological horror experience, rendered in haunting hand-drawn visuals that blur the line between helpful software and digital nightmare.

OFFERING APP masquerades as a self-help app but quickly descends into something far more sinister. Players navigate through hand-drawn 2D environments, facing challenging obstacles that test both reflexes and determination. The game’s nonlinear narrative unfolds through a series of disturbing mini-games, … Read More

The post OFFERING APP – Beta Sign up first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Dead Exhale is a first person horror game where players have to physically hold their breath to survive encounters with sophisticated AI monsters.

Incorporating players’ actual breathing through microphone detection, Dead Exhale is an innovative horror game where players hold their breath to survive monster encounters. The game’s unique mechanic allows players to interact with anomalies through their real-world breathing patterns, promising an unprecedented level … Read More

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Blind Descent is an open world survival crafting game that sends players into a living subterranean ecosystem on Mars, where a routine search mission transforms into a desperate struggle for survival.

In Blind Descent, as one of four pioneers sent to locate a missing crew, you’ll discover that Mars harbors secrets far beyond human understanding. The underground realm isn’t merely a setting – it’s … Read More

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Skopje ’83 is an alternate history open world FPS where an unexplained catastrophe has transformed Yugoslavia’s third-largest city into a nightmare realm of mutated horrors.

Skopje ’83 is a stylish first-person shooter that combines bold comic book visuals with rogue-lite mechanics, creating a uniquely replayable apocalypse. Your mobile sanctuary – a customizable bus called the DOM – serves as both refuge and vehicle, allowing you … Read More

The post Skopje ’83 – Open Beta first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Duneborn is a Mad Max inspired open world survival game where players build war vehicles to traverse a scorching wasteland where resources are scarce and alliances fragile.

Playable in single-player or online multiplayer, in Duneborn your customized vehicle becomes your lifeline as you capture camps, scavenge for precious fuel and metal, and establish dominance. Join powerful factions to control resource-rich territories or strike out as … Read More

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Isles of Krom is a top-down action roguelike that blends Souls-like combat intensity with deep roguelike progression systems as you navigate a world corrupted by an ancient evil.

In Isles of Krom players assume the role of a Ward of Corvus, navigating the treacherous Risacca Archipelago, a constantly shifting landscape corrupted by evil. The game features a dynamic gameplay structure, where each run presents new … Read More

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Kernel Hearts is a unique twist on the magical girl genre, blending cyberpunk aesthetics with religious mythology in a multiplayer co-op roguelike action RPG.

In Kernel Hearts players join the M.A.H.O.U Unit – a group of magical girls tasked with scaling the Tower of Babel to challenge divine authority in a world consumed by ash. The game features dynamic combat where players can combine attacks, … Read More

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

17.waves is a cooperative tower defense experience where up to four players must protect the colonies of Exo-Planet W4-V35 from relentless alien invasions.

In 17.waves players are challenged to survive through 17 increasingly difficult waves of alien hordes. Players work together to build and maintain defensive towers while managing resources and collecting coins dropped by defeated enemies. Each team member can specialize in one of … Read More

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Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts is a creative simulation game that transports players to the vibrant world of medieval book illustration, where they can establish and run their own manuscript workshop.

In Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts you fulfill commissions from an eccentric cast of clients, ranging from nobles requesting epic battle scenes to peculiar patrons with unusual demands. Players have access to over 1,000 historically-inspired design … Read More

The post Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts – Open Beta first appeared on Alpha Beta Gamer.

Bladesong is an innovative weapon crafting simulation that puts players in the role of a master swordsmith within the mysterious Eren Keep, humanity’s last sanctuary in a ruined world.

The gameplay in Bladesong combines intricate weapon crafting mechanics with rich narrative storytelling, set against the backdrop of political intrigue under the rule of the enigmatic Masked King. Players utilize a sophisticated freeform blade-shaping system and … Read More

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After yesterday's teaser, Warner Bros. dropped the first official Mortal Kombat 2 film trailer today, and its loaded with blood, action, and uncaged fury.

After yesterday’s teaser, Warner Bros. dropped the first official Mortal Kombat 2 film trailer today, and its loaded with blood, action, and uncaged fury. Wanrer Bros. has finally given fans a fresh (and complete) new look at its upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 sequel film, and it showcases a whole lot of Karl Urban’s take on the B-list actor, Johnny Cage. While Cage is front and center, other newcomers include Sindel (Ana Thu Nguyen), Jade (Tati Gabrielle), Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), and Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) shown in action. Kitana is shown throwing her bladed fans at Cage, Jade wields her signature bow staff, and Sindel is deploys a vicious scream to an unfortunate victim, all in line with what can be seen in the iconic video game series. Returning cast members include Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Cole Young (Lewis Tan), Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), the fan-favourite Kano (Josh Lawson) and Hiroyuki Sanada’s Scorpion can be seen flitting through hell, and cutting what appears to be Noob Saibot in half from the waist up. Shao Kahn is also shown deploying a brutal stab through the back of a background character to show audiences what the Emperor of Outworld is capable of. With all of the gratuitous violence, Mortal Kombat 2 is shaping up to be as faithful as possible to the video games this time around, and the trailer can be seen below in all of its glory. When speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon said “”His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. He’s a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He’s adding his own flare to it, but I think it’ll feel fresh. There’s like a novelty factor in there,” and Boon explains audiences this time around will experience the film through the POV of Cage instead of the first Mortal Kombat’s focus through the lens of Cole Young. To help with video game and film immersion, new movie-accurate skins of the film’s characters, including Urban’s Johnny, Rudolph’s Kitana, and Ford’s Shao Kahn, are coming to the Mortal Kombat 1 video game later this year. Mortal Kombat 2 will launch in theatres on October 24.

The streaming giant Netflix just announced they're making a live-action Assassin's Creed TV series adaptation that will be headed to streaming.

The streaming giant Netflix just announced they’re making a live-action Assassin’s Creed TV series adaptation that will be headed to streaming. Netflix just dropped a bombshell on Tudum. The next Netflix Original TV series will be a live-action adaptation of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed universe, and the announcement is nearly five years in the making. The live-action adaptation is the first series to be developed under Netflix’s agreement with Ubisoft, the agreement that was signed way back in 2020. Netflix’s Vice President of Scripted Series, Peter Friedlander reveals this was always the plan, stating “When we first announced our partnership with Ubisoft in 2020, we set out with an ambitious goal to bring the rich, expansive world of Assassin’s Creed to life in bold new ways,” adding “Now, after years of dedicated collaboration, it’s inspiring to see just how far that vision has come. Guided by the deft hands of Roberto Patino and David Wiener, the team has carefully crafted an epic adventure that both honors the legacy of the Assassin’s Creed franchise and invites longtime fans and newcomers alike to experience the thrill of the Brotherhood as never before.” Emmy nominees Roberto Patino (DMZ, Westworld, Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (Halo, Homecoming, The Killing) will serve as multi-tool project leads as the creators, showrunners, and executive producers. Executive producers include Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin, Austin Dill for Ubisoft Film & Television, and Matt O’Toole. “We’ve been fans of Assassin’s Creed since its release in 2007. Every day we work on this show, we come away excited and humbled by the possibilities that Assassin’s Creed opens to us,” Wiener and Patino jointly said, adding “Beneath the scope, the spectacle, the parkour and the thrills is a baseline for the most essential kind of human story — about people searching for purpose, struggling with questions of identity and destiny and faith. It is about power and violence and sex and greed and vengeance.” Netflix has greenlit the live-action Assassin's Creed series! Robert Patino and David Wiener will co-showrun. Learn more here: https://t.co/BVYw5yADD1 pic.twitter.com/Y68JEwjPWr — Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) July 17, 2025 The show seemingly seeks to explore the humanity expressed in the universe, with the project lead duo expressing the show is about “the value of human connection, across cultures, across time,” with Wiener and Patino concluding “we’re committed to creating something undeniable for fans all over the planet.” Netflix has been on a hot streak with bringing video games new life, with former and upcoming series showing the streaming giant’s commitment to gaming adaptations. Castlevania, Devil May Cry, and the upcoming second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners show what Netflix Originals is capable of, so fans can let out a sigh of relief that Assassin’s Creed is in good hands.

Virtuos, the studio that brought the highly touted Oblivion Remaster to consoles this year, is now facing layoffs despite success and upcoming projects.

Virtuos, the studio that brought the highly touted Oblivion Remaster to consoles this year, is now facing layoffs despite continued success and upcoming projects. According to a post on Bluesky, the developer behind the hit Oblivion Remastered, Virtuos, has gotten substantially smaller due to layoffs. The news broke from co-founder of French publication Origami, Gauthier Andres, and was corroborated by Virtuos’ own public statement published this morning. The statement titled “Adapting for the Future of Game Development” reads “Virtuos is evolving to meet the changing needs of our partners and the industry,” continuing with “This evolution involves a rebalancing of roles across our studios and geographies. Approximately 7% of Virtuos’ global workforce was affected,” due to layoffs conducted today. The studio is responsible for notable success recently, as Oblivion Remastered launched to a “mostly positive” reception from fans on Steam. The development studio has also helped develop the recently announced Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3, which unlocks new vehicles for gamers to tinker with, and currently has Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater‘s release (which is close to its August 28 finish line) to get out the door. With everything going on for the developer, 7% staff reduction reaches ~300 staffers. The layoffs are detailed in depth by the announcement, and it says those affected are “primarily in teams facing lower occupancy and slower demand due to structural shifts in the industry. This includes about 200 roles in Asia and 70 roles in Europe, including fewer than 10 in France, where the core team working on Oblivion Remastered is located.” It was reported “over 4 million of you have already ventured into Cyrodiil with Oblivion Remastered” by Bethesda on X, three days after release. The X post can be seen below. We are so grateful to the over 4 million of you that have already ventured into Cyrodiil with Oblivion Remastered. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/Fz1lo7XZtM — Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) April 25, 2025 Despite the layoff announcement, Virtuos said “We are grateful for the contributions of those impacted. We are providing separation packages, career transition assistance, and opportunities for redeployment across our global network where possible. The company’s immediate focus is on managing this transition with care, transparency, and respect” about those affected.

Can we expect to see any GTA VI characters, locations, or storylines that pay homage to the original Vice City over 20 years on?

Twelve years it’s been, twelve long years since the release of GTA V while we wait for GTA VI. It was a seismic event in the history of video gaming. Although the misunderstood GTA IV was equally as anticipated following on from the remarkable success of Vice City and San Andreas, GTA V showcased Rockstar’s ability to remain gaming pioneers in a completely fresh gaming environment, a world of microtransactions, eSports, and the vastness of online gaming. When Grand Theft Auto: Vice City first hit shelves in 2002, it was a gaming revelation. Not only did it amaze critics and gamers alike, but it also took the franchise to a new level. Vice City, based on Miami in the 1980s, opened up a new dimension in the GTA world. It included a much broader map than its predecessors, a more in-depth set of missions and storylines, and Tommy Vercetti, of course, voiced by the immortal Ray Liotta. So, can we expect to see any of these elements in GTA VI to take a trip down memory lane? Navigating Modern Gaming Advances Rockstar showcased with GTA V that they have the design capacity to continue bringing cutting-edge features into the world of console gaming. It’s going to be fascinating to see how they adapt to the way the gaming industry has changed since the release of GTA V over a decade ago. In the modern market, playing at a casino online is part and parcel of the broader industry. Back when Vice City and San Andreas came out, the idea of mini-games and casino games was a complete novelty and added value to the game. Now, they’re a multi-billion-dollar market on their own. GTA V adapted to online gaming, but it was a proactive update that has improved over time, rather than being integrated into the original design. GTA VI will have to incorporate it from the beginning of the game, which presents a different challenge entirely. The Malibu Club While the Malibu in GTA VI and Vice City will have many different distinctions, the first trailer all but confirms that we will see a new and revamped version of the iconic Vice City club. Vice City Stories, one of the more underrated games, branched out into the familiar map and setting, albeit with different characters, just four years after the legendary Vice City. The delay Rockstar announced, which pushed back GTA VI’s release to 2026, was likely due to schedule adjustments and tweaks to the game design, rather than any issues with the roadmap they’ve laid out for the release. We can’t even imagine the level of detail and design that is going into this game, not only is it one of the most hotly anticipated games of all time, but it coud set the bar for new games to follow suit — which is something Rockstar have done several times, not just within the GTA franchise, but with their other iconic games such as Red Dead Redemption 2. Diaz’s Mansion Is it Diaz’s mansion, or is it the Vercetti mansion? Perhaps once the GTA VI story unravels, we will be able to get a glimpse into Vice City lore, and those players who were too young to remember Vice City will get a glimpse of the game that laid the foundations for GTA VI. Starfish Mansion, if we are to call it by its proper title, was an integral part of the original Vice City; it’s where all the action took place, it felt like the epicentre of the first portion of the game before they reopened the bridge and allowed Tommy to explore other parts of the game. With the game set to smash revenue records, and some gaming experts predicting first-week sales that could exceed $3 billion, there are going to be some remarkable innovations, and it’s going to push the capabilities of the PS5 to its limits. Well, that’s if the other GTA games are anything to go by. A Homage To Old Characters? Some of these predictions have been as far-ranging as characters wearing AirPods, sharks in the water, undercover police cars, pet lizards, seismic weather events like flooding, and wild animals like mountain lions and raccoons. However, the main character, Jason, does bear a resemblance to Tommy Vercetti, and other characters who have featured in the trailer, Raul Batista wears a white suit, like Lance Vance, the iconic Vice City character, and Brian Header has a shirt that has an uncanny look of Diaz’s floral shirt. So, while we might not be seeing the literal return of these characters, or their lore, they live on through classy homages that Rockstar has become well known for over the last quarter of a century. Waiting With Bated Breath May 2026 feels like a lifetime away at the moment, and hopefully, this is the only delay we see with the game. Take-Two Interactive shares took a 5% hit when they announced the last delay, and although it’s not a good idea to rush games to market just to help the share price, fans will become restless. However, all will be forgotten if the game can capture the adulation and acclaim of the original, and while it might be nostalgic for us to get a glimpse of some of the 1980s Vice City designs, we expect GTA VI to come into its own and meet the standard that so many Rockstar Games titles have set before. Given that they have free rein and carte blanche to go down any artistic avenue, it’s going to be fascinating to see what the final product looks like and what homages they pay to the original PS2 game from all those years ago.

After being fired this month, Krafton studio founders have filed a suit alleging Krafton has breached contract in the name of profit to delay Subnautica 2.

After being fired this month, Krafton studio founders have filed a suit alleging Krafton has breached contract in the name of profit to delay Subnautica 2. For the uninitiated, on July 2nd, the founders of Unknown Worlds were fired by Krafton after the publisher alleged Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire abandoned their responsibilities on Subnautica 2 which led to “repeated confusion in direction and significant delays” as reported by Kotaku. Those fired founders have now banded together to slam Krafton with a lawsuit that claims the publisher is in breach of their initial agreement when Krafton purchased Unknown Worlds back in October 2021. The lawsuit (posted by Aftermath) explains the founders signed a deal that “involved a $500 million up front payment, plus an earnout that could reach $250 million depending on Unknown Worlds’ performance through 2025” adding that Krafton’s decision to fire the studio’s founders and delay the title’s early access out of 2025 a decision that is based purely on greed. The lawsuit directly conflicts with Krafton’s statements on July 2nd, when they shared Unknown Worlds’ founders were replaced by Steve Papoutsis (who is serving as Striking Distance Studios CEO) due to Krafton’s initial claims the founder trio ‘abandoned’ the project. On July 9th, Krafton pushed Subnautica 2‘s early access release window out of 2025 and into 2026. According to the delay announcement, Subnautica 2 was in good shape (which the founders corroborated), but Krafton said closed testing revealed “some insight that there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world,” and that pushed the game into 2026. The former studio executives now claim this was done strictly in the name of profit, $250 million in profit. The lawsuit filed by Unknown Worlds co-founders says “Krafton’s actions have already severely damaged fan anticipation and undermined the potential release of Subnautica 2,” adding the decision to fire the studio executives was designed to strip Unknown Worlds of their autonomy, allowing Krafton to delay the title which was (according to the original contract) only Unknown Worlds’ decision to make. The lawsuit continues by saying “Krafton flagrantly breached both the letter and the spirit of the promises at the very core of its agreement to purchase Unknown Worlds,” the damning lawsuit alleges Krafton broke every single promise they made when signing their publishing agreement with Unknown Worlds. Ultimately, the lawsuit concludes with “Krafton knew that allowing the Founders to launch Subnautica 2 as planned would generate enormous commercial success and require Krafton to pay the $250 million earnout. By firing the Founders and delaying the launch, Krafton can capture (what’s left of) the game’s commercial success without paying the Unknown Worlds team a penny of the earnout.” It’s worth mentioning that this entire legal saga goes against everything Krafton claimed when it acquired Hi-Fi Rush in September 2024. Krafton’s CEO Changhan ‘CH’ Kim explained, “Tango Gameworks are creative. They want to try something new, and we want to do more of that,” and their decision to purchase Tango Gameworks was one based on “legacy, not profit.” While this messy legal battle plays out, Subnautica 2 is still scheduled to release its early access period sometime in 2026.

Taking a trip back to 1996, Razer launches the Pokémon Collection in partnership with The Pokémon Company International, featuring Pikachu and the beloved Kanto starters.

Taking a trip back to 1996, Razer launches the Pokémon Collection in partnership with The Pokémon Company International, featuring Pikachu and the beloved Kanto starters. Today is quite a lucky day for many first-generation Pokémon fans. Razer has launched its latest Pokémon Collection in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, following its successful debut in Asia. The Pokémon Collection sets include Razer BlackWidow V4 X, Kraken V4 X, Cobra, and Gigantus V2 (Medium), plastered with Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and, of course, the adorable Pikachu. For PC users looking to upgrade their setup and are fans of the 29-year-old franchise, here’s a list of peripherals included in the Razer | Pokémon Collection: Razer BlackWidow V4 X – Pokémon Edition For those looking to grab a new keyboard, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X – Pokémon Edition features Razer Mechanical Switches Gen-3, six macro keys, multi-function roller and secondary media keys, Doubleshot ABS Keycaps for label resistance, sound-dampening foam and lubricated stabilizers to enhance the keyboard experience, Razer Snap Tap, and the iconic Razer Chroma RGB. In addition to its features, the keyboard impresses with the Kanto Pokémon design on the casing and custom Pokémon keycaps on the start and spacebar buttons. The Razer BlackWidow V4 X – Pokemon Edition will be available on the Razer website for $169.99 USD / €199.99 MSRP. Razer Kraken V4 X – Pokémon Edition Alongside the Razer BlackWidow V4 X, the Kraken V4 X – Pokémon Edition received a new fresh coat of paint, featuring a black and yellow chassis that symbolizes Pikachu and the Kanto starters on the headband. Focusing on the specification, the headset features Razer Triforce 40mm Drivers, a Retractable Razer Hyperclear Cardioid Mic, 7.1 Surround Sound, Hybrid Fabric and Leatherette Memory Foam Cushions, and Razer Chroma RGB. The Razer Kraken V4 X – Pokemon Edition will be available on the Razer website for $99.99 USD / €109.99 MSRP. Razer Cobra – Pokémon Edition Electrifying the Razer Cobra wired mouse, the Pokémon Edition features a yellow and black casing, with the adorable Kanto Pokémon scattered across the left and right buttons. In addition to its unique design, the 58g mouse features Razer Chroma RGB, Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3, and Razer 8500 DPI Optical Sensor. The Razer Cobra – Pokémon Edition will be available on the Razer website for $59.99 USD / €69.99 MSRP. Razer Gigantus V2 (Medium) – Pokémon Edition To go along with the new mouse, the Razer Gigantus V2 (Medium) – Pokémon Edition pops out with all the Kanto Pokémon together with Pikachu plastered in the middle to show off its adorable face. Alongside the design, the mousepad is crafted with a textured micro-weave cloth surface for fast and smooth movement. The Razer Gigantus V2 (Medium) – Pokémon Edition will be available on the Razer website for $29.99 USD / €39.99 MSRP. With the launch of Razer | Pokémon Collection, the Global Head of Lifestyle Division at Razer, Addie Tan, shared: “This launch celebrates the incredible community that has supported both Razer and Pokémon over the years. Our partnership with The Pokémon Company International has allowed us to create something truly special—gear that resonates across generations. More than just peripherals, this collection is a cultural crossover that fuses iconic Pokémon with Razer’s signature innovation, uniting gamers and Trainers through a shared passion of adventure and high-performance play.” Time to grab your Pokéball, fellow trainers, as the Razer | Pokémon Collection will be available on the Razer website.

Genshin Impact account suspensions begin July 18th unless age verification is completed, thanks to a forced FTC age verification in May.

Genshin Impact account suspensions begin July 18th unless age verification is completed, thanks to a forced FTC age verification in May. Last month, as part of a settlement between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and HoYoverse, Genshin Impact is required to have all its US-based players verify their age by July, and the deadline of July 18 is in two days. The reason for the requirement is due to the federal judgment forbidding HoYoverse from selling loot boxes to anyone under the age of 16 without expressed parental consent, and the forced age verification is how HoYoverse is complying with the ruling. The looming suspension deadline is happening as Genshin Impact Version 5.7 is underway. In the latest update titled “A Space and Time for You,” the long-anticipated debut of Skirk (Childe’s mysterious master) finally occurs, as well as new story content that delves deeper into the Traveller twins’ destinies. A new banner featuring the master herself, Skirk (Sword/Cryo), and a support character, Dahlia (Sword/Hydro), who synergizes well with Skirk, leads the charge. With that in mind, the steps below are how you can avoid getting your Genshin Impact account suspended. How to Complete Genshin Impact Age Verification First things first, the age verification is currently only being enforced in the USA (for now), so if you don’t reside in the 50 States, you don’t have to worry. If you do, go to your official Genshin Impact account linked email and find the “Last Reminder: Your account will be suspended by July 18, 2025,” then click the big LOG IN button inside of that email to streamline the process. Or, fans can just head to this link. On the second page, there is a big VERIFY MY AGE button, and after navigating through, you will have to log in to your Genshin Impact account. After logging in, the user simply has to type their birth month and year into the prompt menu, and after hitting verify, verification will be complete. It’s important to note that while this process is tedious, it’s important to complete it before July 18, as account suspensions will start then. After accounts begin to receive suspensions, HoYoverse warns further that “If the verification is not completed by July 20, affected accounts will be SUSPENDED, and important personal data will be PERMANENTLY DELETED if no further action is taken.” Fans can find more information on the official website.

CD PROJEKT RED sat down to talk about the 2.3 update coming to Cyberpunk 2077 with a massive focus on vehicles.

Fans of Cyberpunk 2077 can look forward to the game getting a lot more interesting with the newest 2.3 update. In a livestream on the official Cyberpunk 2077 YouTube page, CD PROJEKT RED announced the game’s 2.3 update, which brings massive changes to the game. Associate Game Director Paweł Sasko and Lead Designer at Virtuos Adrien Jouannet spoke about the new update, saying the game was in a pretty good place, but they wanted to make the game feel fresher and playable. Some of the main features of the updates in the Cyberpunk 2077 2.3 update center around vehicles and traversal. Three new cars and one new motorcycle will be available with additional quests to unlock them, alongside an Auto-Drive and Delamain Taxi Service. Alongside this, almost every vehicle will now have expanded customization options. As Jouannet explains, Auto-Drive allows players to select a point on the map and let the game take care of all the traversal for them. This feature will be available in every vehicle; however, Auto-Drive will only work on roads. While players can go to dedicated points in Night City, Auto-Drive will also feature a “Wander Mode,” which will cause the vehicle to drive endlessly. On top of this, players will be given an expanded suite of features for Cyberpunk 2077’s Photo Mode, including better control of Time of Day, Frame skipping for more dynamic action shots, improved lighting control, and a host of additional characters, outfits, stickers and frames for players to really showcase their personality through Photo Mode. On the technical side, the Cyberpunk 2077 2.3 update will allow for SSR 3.1 Frame Generation support as well as SSR 4 Frame Generation on PC, however, SSR 4 will come at a later date with an AMD driver update. The update will also support Intel XeSS 2.0 Frame Generation, as Sasko said the team wants to support as many new technologies as possible to best suit the individual needs of every player. The Cyberpunk 2077 2.3 Update releases July 17th to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and recently Mac. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the 2.3 update will be released at a later date.

The first trailer for the final season of the critically acclaimed Netflix original, Stranger Things, has dropped, and it shows Hawkins under siege.

Netflix uncorked their second trailer for the final season of the critically acclaimed original, Stranger Things, and it shows Hawkins under siege as the party prepares for the final showdown. It’s been a long time since Netflix gave fans anything regarding the next and final season of Stranger Things. Last we heard, Netflix slapped a big adult warning onto season five back in November 2024, and interestingly enough, the showrunners at that time confirmed the final season only takes place four years in-universe after the events of season one. Considering Stranger Things premiered in 2016, a lot more real-life time has passed, which has led to the cast quite literally growing up in that time. Today, Netflix showed why the season has that adult warning with a new trailer that inspires terror, and the series’ big bad, Vecna, hellbent on destruction. The trailer can be seen below. The official description Netflix gave for the final season last month reads, “The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna,” adding, “As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.” Stranger Things final season hearkens back to where it all began in season one, the disappearance of Will Byers. Stranger Things season five will be split into two parts. Volume 1 airs with all episodes on November 26 at 8:00 p.m. EST, and Volume 2 launches on Christmas Day at 8:00 p.m. EST. The Finale is reserved for New Year’s Eve, and it will air at 8:00 p.m. EST.

After months of fan speculation and hopeful casting decisions, Nintendo and Sony's live-action Legend of Zelda film has found its cast for Zelda and Link.

It’s official. After months of fan speculation and hopeful casting decisions, Nintendo and Sony’s live-action The Legend of Zelda film has found its casting choices for Zelda and Link. After the live-action Legend of Zelda movie was officially announced in November 2023, there has been virtually no news regarding the film. But that didn’t stop fans from working up a sweat on internet forums with speculation regarding the film’s casting decisions. In May 2025, rumours spread regarding the casting choice for Princess Zelda, and speculation led to an industry insider claiming Euphoria‘s Hunter Schaefer was ‘being seriously considered for the role.’ Today, all speculation has ended as Link and Zelda have been officially cast. Back in June 2025, out of nowhere, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto made a quick post on X (formerly Twitter) detailing the film’s sudden production change. The movie was initially set to arrive on March 26, 2027, and will now arrive on May 7th, 2027. Miyamoto said then, “For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027. It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be. Thank you for your patience.” That fan patience has now paid off, as Shigeru Miyamoto has taken to Nintendo’s official X account, once again, to update fans on The Legend of Zelda’s live-action adaptation. The post reads, “This is Miyamoto. I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.” Miyamoto’s original post can be seen below. This is Miyamoto. I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/KA5XW3lwul — 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025 Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason will be Link and Princess Zelda respectively, and both cast members in The Legend of Zelda are of English descent and have less than 10 film and TV credits according to their respective IMDb pages. This may be by design. Allowing less famous actors to embody immediately recognizable roles in gaming could add to the film’s immersive aspect. The Legend of Zelda live-action film is scheduled to hit theatres on May 7, 2027.

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Think your AI data is safe? Learn the proven steps to fortify your defenses and stay ahead of evolving cyber risks.

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Secure your organization's AI PCs with multiple layers of defense. Dell Trusted Workspace can help.

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High-quality data is the key to quality AI outcomes, though how to cultivate it isn’t always clear. This playbook can help.

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A Site About Video Games

Hunting data pads may not have been in your schedule when The Edge of Fate released, but the Data Pad Discovery Part One seasonal challenge may push you away from Kepler and into Empire Hunts instead.

In addition to sending you into Encore and Kell's Fall within the Portal, Strikes and Vanguard activities, plus the new Solo Ops activities, the seasonal challenge requires you to pay a brief visit to Europa by redoing some Empire Hunts. They also give you some new Portal loot and can bump your power. You can add some challenging modifiers for better drops or just breeze through these missions at the easiest difficulty, since the data pads appear in all levels. We've located them below.

Where to find all Empire Hunt Data Pads in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate

While other missions may contain more than one data pad, there's only one device in each Empire Hunt (The Technocrat, The Warrior, and The Dark Priestess). Here's where you can find them.

The Technocrat Empire Hunt Data Pad location

The data pad (not visible here) is just before the platform leading to the boss room. Screenshot by Destructoid

Hunting down Praksis will take you through the BrayTech facility in Europa, and there are plenty of locations to hide a data pad. Fortunately for players, though, this datapad is at the end of the mission, just before the boss room. Find it on top of a crate in the hallway with Fallen snipers positioned on mine-laden platforms.

The Dark Priestess Empire Hunt Data Pad location

Cross the teleport and look to your left. Screenshot by Destructoid

Kridis is one of Eramis' most loyal soldiers, rising up after the former leader of House Salvation was frozen solid at the end of Beyond Light. Clear the room with the Darkness Splinter in Riis-Reborn, then enter the teleporter and look for this datapad on your left once you come out on the other side.

The Warrior Empire Hunt Data Pad location

This is on the mandatory path. Screenshot by Destructoid

The data pad in The Warrior Empire Hunt is at the beginning of the mission, off the Nexus zone. Instead of taking a left (which would lead you to the Glassway), the mission leads you to the right side. Clear out the Vex and shoot a Conflux to open the way to the rest of the mission, disabling a barrier around the door. Pick up this data pad sitting by a beam just in front of you before advancing.

The post All Empire Hunt Data Pad locations in Destiny 2 Edge of Fate (Data Pad Discovery Part 1) appeared first on Destructoid.

Hunting data pads may not have been in your schedule when The Edge of Fate released, but the Data Pad Discovery Part One seasonal challenge may push you away from Kepler and into Empire Hunts instead. In addition to sending you into Encore and Kell's Fall within the Portal, Strikes and Vanguard activities, plus the new Solo Ops activities, the seasonal challenge requires you to pay a brief visit to Europa by redoing some Empire Hunts. They also give you some new Portal loot and can bump your power. You can add some challenging modifiers for better drops or just breeze through these missions at the easiest difficulty, since the data pads appear in all levels. We've located them below. Where to find all Empire Hunt Data Pads in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate While other missions may contain more than one data pad, there's only one device in each Empire Hunt (The Technocrat, The Warrior, and The Dark Priestess). Here's where you can find them. The Technocrat Empire Hunt Data Pad location The data pad (not visible here) is just before the platform leading to the boss room. Screenshot by Destructoid Hunting down Praksis will take you through the BrayTech facility in Europa, and there are plenty of locations to hide a data pad. Fortunately for players, though, this datapad is at the end of the mission, just before the boss room. Find it on top of a crate in the hallway with Fallen snipers positioned on mine-laden platforms. The Dark Priestess Empire Hunt Data Pad location Cross the teleport and look to your left. Screenshot by Destructoid Kridis is one of Eramis' most loyal soldiers, rising up after the former leader of House Salvation was frozen solid at the end of Beyond Light. Clear the room with the Darkness Splinter in Riis-Reborn, then enter the teleporter and look for this datapad on your left once you come out on the other side. The Warrior Empire Hunt Data Pad location This is on the mandatory path. Screenshot by Destructoid The data pad in The Warrior Empire Hunt is at the beginning of the mission, off the Nexus zone. Instead of taking a left (which would lead you to the Glassway), the mission leads you to the right side. Clear out the Vex and shoot a Conflux to open the way to the rest of the mission, disabling a barrier around the door. Pick up this data pad sitting by a beam just in front of you before advancing. The post All Empire Hunt Data Pad locations in Destiny 2 Edge of Fate (Data Pad Discovery Part 1) appeared first on Destructoid.

Limbus Company is arguably one of the best gachas on the entire market if you consider the ease of getting new characters, and you can find plenty of them across your save.

Unlike most gachas on the market, there are just 12 characters. However, each one has multiple Identities (IDs in short) that you can get from banners (or extract with their respective shards). While all IDs can be pretty effective when you train them up, some are better than the rest. Let's take a look at which IDs are top of the chain and which are pretty mediocre at best.

Complete Limbus Company tier list

The characters of Limbus Company are divided into five tiers.

• SS-class: The strongest IDs you can find in Limbus Company, and they're the ones you should look to have in your squad. If you obtain one or more of them, try to make them the foundation of your squad.
• S-class: Amazing characters who are only weak compared to the names on the SS-tier. Make no mistake, a well-built S-tier ID can be as valuable as an SS, but its potential will be slightly limited.
• A-class: Good IDs who can even surpass the S-tier characters on certain occasions. They're great filler choices to have if you're looking to have balance.
• B-class: Decent IDs who are good at the beginning of the game. Most of them are niche in nature, which reduces the scope of their usability.
• C-class: Beginner IDs who won't stay viable for a long time. You can find some mileage with them with Uptie.

Limbus Company SS-tier list

• Yi-Sang (The Ring Pointillist Student)
• Yi Sang (Lobotomy E.G.O. Solemn Lament)
• Ishmael (Molar Boatworks Fixer)
• Meursault (Blade Lineage Mentor)
• Heathcliff (Wild Hunt)
• Heathcliff (R Corp. 4th Pack Rabbit)
• Meursault (The Thumb East Capo IIII)
• Rodio (The Princess of La Manchaland)
• Rodio (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4)
• Don Quixote (T Corp. Class 3 Collection Staff)
• Ishmael (Zwei. Assoc. West Section 3)
• Rodion (Lobotomy E.G.O. The Sword Sharpened With Tears)
• Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate)

Limbus Company S-tier list

• Hong Lu ( Tingtang Gang Gangleader)
• Faust (The One Who Grips)
• Ryoshu (Lobotomy E.G.O. Red Eyes & Penitence)
• Gregor (Firefist Office Survivor)
• Heathcliff (Multricrack Office Fixer)
• Hing Lu (Full-Stop Office Rep)
• Faust (Heishou Pack-Mao Branch Adept)
• Don Quixote (The Manager of La Manchaland)
• Don Quixote (W Corp. L3 Cleanup Agent)
• Sinclair (The One Who Shall Grip)
• Rodion (T Corp. Class 2 Collection Staff)
• Sinclair (Dawn Office Fixer)
• Ishamel (Kurokumo Clan Captain)
• Faust (ICE E.G.O. Ardor Blossom Star)
• Sinclair (The Thumb East Soldato II)
• Ryoshu (W Corp. L3 Cleanup Agent)
• Yi Sang (Effloresced E.G.O Spicebrush)
• Outis (Heishou Pack Mao Branch)
• Ryoshu (Heishou Pack Mo Branch)
• Yi Sang (Liu Association South Section 3)
• Gregor (Priest of La Manchaland)

Limbus Company A-tier list

• Hong Lu (K Corp. Class 3 Excision Staff)
• Outis (The Ring Pointillist Student)
• Heathcliff (Seven Assoc. South Section 4)
• Faust (Lobotomy E.G.O Regret Faust)
• Don Quixote (Lobotomy E.G.O. Lantern)
• Rodion (Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3)
• Sinclair (Devyat Assoc. North Section 3)
• Ryoshu (Edgar Family Chief Butler)
• Hong Lu (Kurokumo Clan Wakashu)
• Outis (Molar Office Fixer)
• Ryoshu (R.B. Chef de Cuisine)
• Gregor (Edgar Family Heir)
• Outis (W Corp.L3 Cleanup Captain)
• Yi Sang (W Corp.L3 Cleanup Agent)
• Meursault (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4 Director)
• Gregor (Zwei Association Section 4)
• Ishmael (The Pequod Captain)
• Outis (Lobotomy E.G.O. Magic Bullet)
• Faust (Wuthering Heights Butler)
• Outis (The Barber of La Manchaland)
• Hong Lu (R Corp. 4th Pack Reindeer)
• Yi Sang (N Corp. E.G.O Fell Bullet)
• Heathcliff (Kurokumo Clan Wakashu)
• Gregor (Heishou Pack Si Branch)

Limbus Company B-tier list

• Sinclair (Zwei Assoc. West Section 3)
• Ryoshu (Seven Association South Section 6)
• Outis (Seven Assoc. South Section 6 Director)
• Ishmael (Liu Assoc. South Section 4)
• Meursault (Liu Association South Section 6)
• Rodion (Liu Assoc. South Section 4)
• Ishmael (LCCB Assistant Manager)
• Ryoshu (Kurokumo Clan)
• Ishmael (Edgar Family Butler)
• Hong Lu (District 20 Yurodivy)
• Outis (Wuthering Heights Chief Butler)
• Sinclair (The Middle Little Brother)
• Ishmael (Shi Association South Section 5)
• Faust (Seven Assoc. South Section 4)
• Ishmael (Family Heirarch Candidate)
• Hong Lu (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4)
• Meursault (Cinq Assoc. West Section 3)
• Don Quixote (Cinq Assoc. East Section 3)
• Faust (Blade Lineage Salsu)
• Rodion (Heishou Pack Si Branch)
• Ishmael (R Corp. 4th Pack Reindeer)
• Don Quixote (The Middle Little Sister)
• Gregor (Twinhook Pirates First Mate)
• Meursault (W Corp.L2 Cleanup Agent)
• Rodion (Rosespanner Workshop Rep.)
• Meursault (R Corp. 4th Pack Rhino)
• Heathcliff (Oufi Assoc. South Section 3)
• Meursault (W Corp.L2 Cleanup Agent)

Limbus Company C-tier list

Any characters not mentioned on the tiers above fall under the C-tier category. I have still added a few notable names that might fill in niche roles on your squad.

• Don Quixote (LCB Sinner)
• Meursault (LCB Sinner)
• Heathcliff (LCB Sinner)
• Ishamel (LCB Sinner)
• Gregor (LCB Sinner)
• Dox Quixote (N Corp. Mittelhammer)
• Ryoshu (LCCB Assistant Manager)
• Meusault (Liu Assoc. South Section 6)
• Meursault (Rosespanner Workshop Fixer)
• Meursault (Dead Rabbits Boss)
• Ishmael (Lobotomy E.G.O. Sloshing)
• Rodio (N Corp. Mittelhammer)
• Rodio (Zwei Assoc. South Section 5)
• Sinclair (Los Mariachis Jefe)
• Sinclair (Molar Boatworks Fixer)
• Outis (Blade Lineage Salsu)
• Gregor (Kurokumo Clan Captain)
• Meursault (N Corp. Groshammer)
• Yi Sang (LCB Sinner)
• Faust (LCB Sinner)
• Rodion (LCB Sinner)
• Sinclair (SLC Sinner)
• Rodion (LCCB Assistant Manager)
• Sinclair (Zwei Assoc. South Section 6)
• Gregor (R. B. Sous-chef)

New characters continue to be added with fresh updates, and Limbus Company is certainly one of the most generous gachas available on the market.

The post Limbus Company Tier List appeared first on Destructoid.

Limbus Company is arguably one of the best gachas on the entire market if you consider the ease of getting new characters, and you can find plenty of them across your save. Unlike most gachas on the market, there are just 12 characters. However, each one has multiple Identities (IDs in short) that you can get from banners (or extract with their respective shards). While all IDs can be pretty effective when you train them up, some are better than the rest. Let's take a look at which IDs are top of the chain and which are pretty mediocre at best. Complete Limbus Company tier list The characters of Limbus Company are divided into five tiers. SS-class: The strongest IDs you can find in Limbus Company, and they're the ones you should look to have in your squad. If you obtain one or more of them, try to make them the foundation of your squad. S-class: Amazing characters who are only weak compared to the names on the SS-tier. Make no mistake, a well-built S-tier ID can be as valuable as an SS, but its potential will be slightly limited. A-class: Good IDs who can even surpass the S-tier characters on certain occasions. They're great filler choices to have if you're looking to have balance. B-class: Decent IDs who are good at the beginning of the game. Most of them are niche in nature, which reduces the scope of their usability. C-class: Beginner IDs who won't stay viable for a long time. You can find some mileage with them with Uptie. Limbus Company SS-tier list Yi-Sang (The Ring Pointillist Student) Yi Sang (Lobotomy E.G.O. Solemn Lament) Ishmael (Molar Boatworks Fixer) Meursault (Blade Lineage Mentor) Heathcliff (Wild Hunt) Heathcliff (R Corp. 4th Pack Rabbit) Meursault (The Thumb East Capo IIII) Rodio (The Princess of La Manchaland) Rodio (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4) Don Quixote (T Corp. Class 3 Collection Staff) Ishmael (Zwei. Assoc. West Section 3) Rodion (Lobotomy E.G.O. The Sword Sharpened With Tears) Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate) Limbus Company S-tier list Hong Lu ( Tingtang Gang Gangleader) Faust (The One Who Grips) Ryoshu (Lobotomy E.G.O. Red Eyes & Penitence) Gregor (Firefist Office Survivor) Heathcliff (Multricrack Office Fixer) Hing Lu (Full-Stop Office Rep) Faust (Heishou Pack-Mao Branch Adept) Don Quixote (The Manager of La Manchaland) Don Quixote (W Corp. L3 Cleanup Agent) Sinclair (The One Who Shall Grip) Rodion (T Corp. Class 2 Collection Staff) Sinclair (Dawn Office Fixer) Ishamel (Kurokumo Clan Captain) Faust (ICE E.G.O. Ardor Blossom Star) Sinclair (The Thumb East Soldato II) Ryoshu (W Corp. L3 Cleanup Agent) Yi Sang (Effloresced E.G.O Spicebrush) Outis (Heishou Pack Mao Branch) Ryoshu (Heishou Pack Mo Branch) Yi Sang (Liu Association South Section 3) Gregor (Priest of La Manchaland) Limbus Company A-tier list Hong Lu (K Corp. Class 3 Excision Staff) Outis (The Ring Pointillist Student) Heathcliff (Seven Assoc. South Section 4) Faust (Lobotomy E.G.O Regret Faust) Don Quixote (Lobotomy E.G.O. Lantern) Rodion (Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3) Sinclair (Devyat Assoc. North Section 3) Ryoshu (Edgar Family Chief Butler) Hong Lu (Kurokumo Clan Wakashu) Outis (Molar Office Fixer) Ryoshu (R.B. Chef de Cuisine) Gregor (Edgar Family Heir) Outis (W Corp.L3 Cleanup Captain) Yi Sang (W Corp.L3 Cleanup Agent) Meursault (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4 Director) Gregor (Zwei Association Section 4) Ishmael (The Pequod Captain) Outis (Lobotomy E.G.O. Magic Bullet) Faust (Wuthering Heights Butler) Outis (The Barber of La Manchaland) Hong Lu (R Corp. 4th Pack Reindeer) Yi Sang (N Corp. E.G.O Fell Bullet) Heathcliff (Kurokumo Clan Wakashu) Gregor (Heishou Pack Si Branch) Limbus Company B-tier list Sinclair (Zwei Assoc. West Section 3) Ryoshu (Seven Association South Section 6) Outis (Seven Assoc. South Section 6 Director) Ishmael (Liu Assoc. South Section 4) Meursault (Liu Association South Section 6) Rodion (Liu Assoc. South Section 4) Ishmael (LCCB Assistant Manager) Ryoshu (Kurokumo Clan) Ishmael (Edgar Family Butler) Hong Lu (District 20 Yurodivy) Outis (Wuthering Heights Chief Butler) Sinclair (The Middle Little Brother) Ishmael (Shi Association South Section 5) Faust (Seven Assoc. South Section 4) Ishmael (Family Heirarch Candidate) Hong Lu (Dieci Assoc. South Section 4) Meursault (Cinq Assoc. West Section 3) Don Quixote (Cinq Assoc. East Section 3) Faust (Blade Lineage Salsu) Rodion (Heishou Pack Si Branch) Ishmael (R Corp. 4th Pack Reindeer) Don Quixote (The Middle Little Sister) Gregor (Twinhook Pirates First Mate) Meursault (W Corp.L2 Cleanup Agent) Rodion (Rosespanner Workshop Rep.) Meursault (R Corp. 4th Pack Rhino) Heathcliff (Oufi Assoc. South Section 3) Meursault (W Corp.L2 Cleanup Agent) Limbus Company C-tier list Any characters not mentioned on the tiers above fall under the C-tier category. I have still added a few notable names that might fill in niche roles on your squad. Don Quixote (LCB Sinner) Meursault (LCB Sinner) Heathcliff (LCB Sinner) Ishamel (LCB Sinner) Gregor (LCB Sinner) Dox Quixote (N Corp. Mittelhammer) Ryoshu (LCCB Assistant Manager) Meusault (Liu Assoc. South Section 6) Meursault (Rosespanner Workshop Fixer) Meursault (Dead Rabbits Boss) Ishmael (Lobotomy E.G.O. Sloshing) Rodio (N Corp. Mittelhammer) Rodio (Zwei Assoc. South Section 5) Sinclair (Los Mariachis Jefe) Sinclair (Molar Boatworks Fixer) Outis (Blade Lineage Salsu) Gregor (Kurokumo Clan Captain) Meursault (N Corp. Groshammer) Yi Sang (LCB Sinner) Faust (LCB Sinner) Rodion (LCB Sinner) Sinclair (SLC Sinner) Rodion (LCCB Assistant Manager) Sinclair (Zwei Assoc. South Section 6) Gregor (R. B. Sous-chef) New characters continue to be added with fresh updates, and Limbus Company is certainly one of the most generous gachas available on the market. The post Limbus Company Tier List appeared first on Destructoid.

According to rumors, Call of Duty is getting a whole new subfranchise in 2027, this time developed by Sledgehammer Games. This new series won't be futuristic (God forbid) nor a continuation of SG's previous titles like Advanced Warfare, nor, unfortunately, put this tired old franchise on a hiatus.

As reported by Insider Gaming, Sledgehammer Games is allegedly going to spearhead an entirely new Call of Duty subfranchise set in modern times, probably akin to the rebooted Modern Warfare games. This new series will put movement at its core and will not feature devil-spawned jetpacks that everyone hates. What's more, the rumors also say martial arts could feature in the game, with stuff like "karate chops" coming to the series. Big sigh.

If its new game is equal to MW3, they should kill that subfranchise right now. Image via Sledgehammer

Though we should really not fan the flames with rumors and such until we get official information, if anything above is true (or if Activision doesn't put CoD on pause after this next one comes out) we're going to go down the same old, tiresome, and beaten path of new year - new CoD.

We've had countless "subfranchises" either come or be attempted, from the MW reboot, the billionth Black Ops installment, Advanced and Infinite Warfare, Ghosts, and so on. Most of these were so good that, if the above is real, Activision outright gave up on them, trying for the umpteenth time to start a new one, as if we haven't seen enough of this game already.

And yes, I said game deliberately, as MW2019 was the last time anything fundamentally changed in CoD. The stuff in between went from bad to worse, what with Vanguard, MW3, Cold War, and BO6 all being borderline the same regurgitated thing, aspiring to be as flashy as possible by using the new engine and providing literally nothing else.

New or not, this apparent upcoming subfranchise won't provide enough of a shake-up, the karate chops be damned. Activision genuinely needs to press pause on this entire series and rethink how it approaches its development. Having so many studios with so many visions (and, honestly, varying artistic capabilities) produce the same series is simply not working. Either let Infinity Ward handle the whole thing once every few years (like DICE and Battlefield) or just kill it altogether.

Either way, people only stand to win, as CoD hasn't been CoD for a very, very long time.

The post CoD reportedly getting new subfranchise in 2027, as if there haven’t been too many of them already appeared first on Destructoid.

According to rumors, Call of Duty is getting a whole new subfranchise in 2027, this time developed by Sledgehammer Games. This new series won't be futuristic (God forbid) nor a continuation of SG's previous titles like Advanced Warfare, nor, unfortunately, put this tired old franchise on a hiatus. As reported by Insider Gaming, Sledgehammer Games is allegedly going to spearhead an entirely new Call of Duty subfranchise set in modern times, probably akin to the rebooted Modern Warfare games. This new series will put movement at its core and will not feature devil-spawned jetpacks that everyone hates. What's more, the rumors also say martial arts could feature in the game, with stuff like "karate chops" coming to the series. Big sigh. If its new game is equal to MW3, they should kill that subfranchise right now. Image via Sledgehammer Though we should really not fan the flames with rumors and such until we get official information, if anything above is true (or if Activision doesn't put CoD on pause after this next one comes out) we're going to go down the same old, tiresome, and beaten path of new year - new CoD. We've had countless "subfranchises" either come or be attempted, from the MW reboot, the billionth Black Ops installment, Advanced and Infinite Warfare, Ghosts, and so on. Most of these were so good that, if the above is real, Activision outright gave up on them, trying for the umpteenth time to start a new one, as if we haven't seen enough of this game already. And yes, I said game deliberately, as MW2019 was the last time anything fundamentally changed in CoD. The stuff in between went from bad to worse, what with Vanguard, MW3, Cold War, and BO6 all being borderline the same regurgitated thing, aspiring to be as flashy as possible by using the new engine and providing literally nothing else. New or not, this apparent upcoming subfranchise won't provide enough of a shake-up, the karate chops be damned. Activision genuinely needs to press pause on this entire series and rethink how it approaches its development. Having so many studios with so many visions (and, honestly, varying artistic capabilities) produce the same series is simply not working. Either let Infinity Ward handle the whole thing once every few years (like DICE and Battlefield) or just kill it altogether. Either way, people only stand to win, as CoD hasn't been CoD for a very, very long time. The post CoD reportedly getting new subfranchise in 2027, as if there haven’t been too many of them already appeared first on Destructoid.

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate added a new campaign, location, and raid, but there are also some new triumphs and quests to grind as part of refreshing older content in the game.

As part of seasonal Triumphs and unlocking new rewards, Data Pads can be found all over the Portal's activities, including Fireteam Ops. Here are the locations of all of the Data Pads as part of Vanguard Data Pad Investigation triumphs and quests in Destiny 2's Season 27: Reclamation.

Table of contents

• Destiny 2 Edge of Fate - All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations
  • Destiny 2 Vanguard Data Pad Investigation - Part I

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate - All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations

There should be several weeks of Data Pads to find during season 27 of Destiny 2. This article will be updated with their locations whenever they are added to the game.

Destiny 2 Vanguard Data Pad Investigation - Part I

Screenshot by Destructoid

The Glassway Data Pad locations

While on the "Prevent the Vex From Swarming Europa" step, the first Data Pad can be found off to the right off where you fight the first miniboss in the Strike, a large Fallen named Warrior's Enforcer. It's location is pictured below.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The second Data Pad is found in the large open room shortly after you fight the second miniboss, another large Fallen named Technocrat's Assistant. It's found on the far right side of the room at the end of a platform sticking out from the rest, shown in the image below.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Inverted Spire Data Pad locations

The first Data Pad is found on this platform below you before you drop down into the section of the Strike where you get inside of tanks.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The second Data Pad is found after the section where you must stand on three plates and climb upwards towards the drill. You can see it on the left side of the area before jumping up.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Battleground: Conduit Data Pad locations

At the very beginning of the activity, jump down the ramp and slide into this room where the Data Pad can be found on the left side before dropping into the hole.

Screenshot by Destructoid

After hacking and defending the conflux and right before moving into the area with the final boss, this Data Pad is found on the right side of the pathway.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Battleground: Delve Data Pad locations

The first Data Pad is found immediately when you spawn in. Drop down and run up a little ways near the Radiolarian river and it can be found to your left at the base of a small pillar.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The second Data Pad is right before you enter the final boss room, on a ledge to the left of the walkway into the encounter area.

Screenshot by Destructoid

This article will be updated with new information whenever necessary.

The post All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations in Destiny 2 Edge of Fate – Vanguard Data Pad Investigation appeared first on Destructoid.

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate added a new campaign, location, and raid, but there are also some new triumphs and quests to grind as part of refreshing older content in the game. As part of seasonal Triumphs and unlocking new rewards, Data Pads can be found all over the Portal's activities, including Fireteam Ops. Here are the locations of all of the Data Pads as part of Vanguard Data Pad Investigation triumphs and quests in Destiny 2's Season 27: Reclamation. Table of contents Destiny 2 Edge of Fate - All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations Destiny 2 Vanguard Data Pad Investigation - Part I Destiny 2 Edge of Fate - All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations There should be several weeks of Data Pads to find during season 27 of Destiny 2. This article will be updated with their locations whenever they are added to the game. Destiny 2 Vanguard Data Pad Investigation - Part I Screenshot by Destructoid The Glassway Data Pad locations While on the "Prevent the Vex From Swarming Europa" step, the first Data Pad can be found off to the right off where you fight the first miniboss in the Strike, a large Fallen named Warrior's Enforcer. It's location is pictured below. Screenshot by Destructoid The second Data Pad is found in the large open room shortly after you fight the second miniboss, another large Fallen named Technocrat's Assistant. It's found on the far right side of the room at the end of a platform sticking out from the rest, shown in the image below. Screenshot by Destructoid Inverted Spire Data Pad locations The first Data Pad is found on this platform below you before you drop down into the section of the Strike where you get inside of tanks. Screenshot by Destructoid The second Data Pad is found after the section where you must stand on three plates and climb upwards towards the drill. You can see it on the left side of the area before jumping up. Screenshot by Destructoid Battleground: Conduit Data Pad locations At the very beginning of the activity, jump down the ramp and slide into this room where the Data Pad can be found on the left side before dropping into the hole. Screenshot by Destructoid After hacking and defending the conflux and right before moving into the area with the final boss, this Data Pad is found on the right side of the pathway. Screenshot by Destructoid Battleground: Delve Data Pad locations The first Data Pad is found immediately when you spawn in. Drop down and run up a little ways near the Radiolarian river and it can be found to your left at the base of a small pillar. Screenshot by Destructoid The second Data Pad is right before you enter the final boss room, on a ledge to the left of the walkway into the encounter area. Screenshot by Destructoid This article will be updated with new information whenever necessary. The post All Fireteam Ops Data Pad locations in Destiny 2 Edge of Fate – Vanguard Data Pad Investigation appeared first on Destructoid.

The first trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie is out, starring Karl Urban as an aging Johnny Cage fighting as much with otherworldly beings as his dwindling fame. With no powers whatsoever, Cage is tackling recognizable characters and locales in one of the better-looking game adaptations I've seen.

The new R-rated Mortal Kombat 2 movie, slated to release on Oct. 24, got its first trailer, showcasing the huge cast of recognizable faces and places, alongside a ton of references to the games. Karl Urban takes the center stage, playing the protagonist Johnny Cage, an aged actor selected to duke it out with strange creatures in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Raiden, Baraka, Shao Khan, Kitana, Jax, Scorpion and countless others (re)appear in the sequel.

https://twitter.com/MKMovie/status/1945877516503453730

The locales chosen for the film and shown in the trailer are also numerous, ranging from rainy forests to flaming hellscapes, just like in the Mortal Kombat games. It is packed to the brim with references, and even fatalities, all of which are stock-full of gruesome gore and over-the-top violence.

As adaptation fatigue is slowly setting in, this trailer has me genuinely excited. It looks pretty good, the CGI and effects are eye-catching, and Karl Urban simply rocks as Johnny Cage. His recent experience playing Billy Butcher in The Boys will certainly help him with depicting this one-liner-intensive character, and the trailer itself already has plenty of them.

If everything falls into place, we might be looking at a proper, good live-action adaptation. The first film was loved by fans of the series, even if it wasn't the best movie of all time, and if this new trailer is anything to go by, MK players are in for a true treat.

And that's amid the incredible oversaturation of video game movie adaptations, the likes of which we haven't seen since the early 2000s.

The post First Mortal Kombat 2 movie trailer shows Karl Urban uncaging the Cage—and it’s looking pretty awesome appeared first on Destructoid.

The first trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie is out, starring Karl Urban as an aging Johnny Cage fighting as much with otherworldly beings as his dwindling fame. With no powers whatsoever, Cage is tackling recognizable characters and locales in one of the better-looking game adaptations I've seen. The new R-rated Mortal Kombat 2 movie, slated to release on Oct. 24, got its first trailer, showcasing the huge cast of recognizable faces and places, alongside a ton of references to the games. Karl Urban takes the center stage, playing the protagonist Johnny Cage, an aged actor selected to duke it out with strange creatures in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Raiden, Baraka, Shao Khan, Kitana, Jax, Scorpion and countless others (re)appear in the sequel. https://twitter.com/MKMovie/status/1945877516503453730 The locales chosen for the film and shown in the trailer are also numerous, ranging from rainy forests to flaming hellscapes, just like in the Mortal Kombat games. It is packed to the brim with references, and even fatalities, all of which are stock-full of gruesome gore and over-the-top violence. As adaptation fatigue is slowly setting in, this trailer has me genuinely excited. It looks pretty good, the CGI and effects are eye-catching, and Karl Urban simply rocks as Johnny Cage. His recent experience playing Billy Butcher in The Boys will certainly help him with depicting this one-liner-intensive character, and the trailer itself already has plenty of them. If everything falls into place, we might be looking at a proper, good live-action adaptation. The first film was loved by fans of the series, even if it wasn't the best movie of all time, and if this new trailer is anything to go by, MK players are in for a true treat. And that's amid the incredible oversaturation of video game movie adaptations, the likes of which we haven't seen since the early 2000s. The post First Mortal Kombat 2 movie trailer shows Karl Urban uncaging the Cage—and it’s looking pretty awesome appeared first on Destructoid.

The presence of different coaching Archetypes in College Football 26 allows you to apply different upgrades in the Dynasty Mode, and there's plenty to look at.

While every coach has a base Archetype to choose from, there are advanced options. All Archetypes have their dedicated skill tree to unlock and upgrade, but it's impossible to get all the improvements. This automatically means that you'll have to min-max your resources and how you spend them.

While there's always a subjective nature when it comes to the best ability upgrades, the table below will include ten perfect choices for almost any coach in Dynasty Mode.

10 Best College Football 26 Coach Upgrade Abilities in Dynasty Mode

While you start a save with a chosen Backstory, you're not restricted to it. As you gain more experience on your Dynasty save, you can unlock skills from different base and advanced Archetypes. Here are some of the best abilities that you can unlock to improve your coach.

Ability Archetype Benefits Star Maker Talent Developer Starting (position) will gain XP faster. Very good if you're looking to improve your roster quickly. Put In Work Motivator (Position wise) Players get an off-season training boost. Great if you have a roster that's already half elite. Last Dance Strategist Chance at Instant commit when offering scholarships as their top school, making it easier to tap great talents. Hometown Discount Program Builder Recruits from your Primary Pipeline gain extra influence boosts, making it easier during recruitment. CEO Dream School Chance at Instant commit when offering scholarship as their top school. Limitless Architect Chance to increase a random skill cap when leveling up Locked In Motivator (Position-wise) Payers start the 4th quarter "hot" in close games Always be Crootin' Recruiter Increased starting interest (available position-wise) Magnetic Personality Recruiter Gain additional interest for every 10 hours spent (available position-wise), which can sometimes be the difference in case of top talents. Lasting Impression Recruiter Bonus interest (position-wise) for every turn the player has taken before visiting you

Just like last year, my favorite one is Always be Crootin'. I don't like playing with top-tier teams, and it can be hard to attract the top-rated talents. This ability will raise the starting interest of an athlete towards joining your program.

Do note that some of the abilities mentioned here are part of advanced Archetypes, and they will take longer to unlock. Keep playing the games, but focus more on the objectives, as that will quicken up the entire process of getting new abilities.

The post Best College Football 26 Coach Upgrade Abilities in Dynasty Mode appeared first on Destructoid.

The presence of different coaching Archetypes in College Football 26 allows you to apply different upgrades in the Dynasty Mode, and there's plenty to look at. While every coach has a base Archetype to choose from, there are advanced options. All Archetypes have their dedicated skill tree to unlock and upgrade, but it's impossible to get all the improvements. This automatically means that you'll have to min-max your resources and how you spend them. While there's always a subjective nature when it comes to the best ability upgrades, the table below will include ten perfect choices for almost any coach in Dynasty Mode. 10 Best College Football 26 Coach Upgrade Abilities in Dynasty Mode While you start a save with a chosen Backstory, you're not restricted to it. As you gain more experience on your Dynasty save, you can unlock skills from different base and advanced Archetypes. Here are some of the best abilities that you can unlock to improve your coach. Ability Archetype Benefits Star Maker Talent Developer Starting (position) will gain XP faster. Very good if you're looking to improve your roster quickly. Put In Work Motivator (Position wise) Players get an off-season training boost. Great if you have a roster that's already half elite. Last Dance Strategist Chance at Instant commit when offering scholarships as their top school, making it easier to tap great talents. Hometown Discount Program Builder Recruits from your Primary Pipeline gain extra influence boosts, making it easier during recruitment. CEO Dream School Chance at Instant commit when offering scholarship as their top school. Limitless Architect Chance to increase a random skill cap when leveling up Locked In Motivator (Position-wise) Payers start the 4th quarter "hot" in close games Always be Crootin' Recruiter Increased starting interest (available position-wise) Magnetic Personality Recruiter Gain additional interest for every 10 hours spent (available position-wise), which can sometimes be the difference in case of top talents. Lasting Impression Recruiter Bonus interest (position-wise) for every turn the player has taken before visiting you Just like last year, my favorite one is Always be Crootin'. I don't like playing with top-tier teams, and it can be hard to attract the top-rated talents. This ability will raise the starting interest of an athlete towards joining your program. Do note that some of the abilities mentioned here are part of advanced Archetypes, and they will take longer to unlock. Keep playing the games, but focus more on the objectives, as that will quicken up the entire process of getting new abilities. The post Best College Football 26 Coach Upgrade Abilities in Dynasty Mode appeared first on Destructoid.

Limbus Company is one of those rare gacha games without PvP, but you'll still have to rely on online connectivity to play.

Project Moon's gacha adventure requires a persistent online connection despite all the modes being PvE. If you get disconnected at any point in time, you're likely going to lose your progress on a quest. This makes it crucial for you to be aware of the server maintenance and when it takes place. Having the knowledge will prevent you from having interrupted sessions and losing progress in the process.

How to know about Limbus Company's server status

Limbus Company has periodic server maintenance that takes place at short notice. The best way to stay aware of it is from within the game. If you're new and just getting started, checking the official notices is pretty straightforward.

Screenshot by Destructoid

• Open and let the game load after establishing a connection (this process will be incomplete if your network is down or there's server maintenance).
• On the home screen, press the icon that resembles a mic. It's to the left of the message icon.
• If there's a new in-game message, the icon will be highlighted.
• Press on the icon, and it will open two different sets of notifications.
• System Notifications include all messages about upcoming server maintenance.
• You'll find details about all updates, including the downtimes.
• The timings are always displayed in Korean Standard time, so you'll need to calculate the applicable numbers for your local time zone.

This is the easiest way to keep track of all upcoming and ongoing maintenance, as the servers are always going to be taken down. An additional source of such information is the subreddit. It's the largest English-speaking community of the game, and it's also a good place to stay aware of when the servers are down.

You can also use a third-party website like Downdetector to find out if the servers are down. If all the methods mentioned here have no instances of server downtime, but you can't connect, chances are that the problems are at your end.

The post How to check Limbus Company server status appeared first on Destructoid.

Limbus Company is one of those rare gacha games without PvP, but you'll still have to rely on online connectivity to play. Project Moon's gacha adventure requires a persistent online connection despite all the modes being PvE. If you get disconnected at any point in time, you're likely going to lose your progress on a quest. This makes it crucial for you to be aware of the server maintenance and when it takes place. Having the knowledge will prevent you from having interrupted sessions and losing progress in the process. How to know about Limbus Company's server status Limbus Company has periodic server maintenance that takes place at short notice. The best way to stay aware of it is from within the game. If you're new and just getting started, checking the official notices is pretty straightforward. Screenshot by Destructoid Open and let the game load after establishing a connection (this process will be incomplete if your network is down or there's server maintenance). On the home screen, press the icon that resembles a mic. It's to the left of the message icon. If there's a new in-game message, the icon will be highlighted. Press on the icon, and it will open two different sets of notifications. System Notifications include all messages about upcoming server maintenance. You'll find details about all updates, including the downtimes. The timings are always displayed in Korean Standard time, so you'll need to calculate the applicable numbers for your local time zone. This is the easiest way to keep track of all upcoming and ongoing maintenance, as the servers are always going to be taken down. An additional source of such information is the subreddit. It's the largest English-speaking community of the game, and it's also a good place to stay aware of when the servers are down. You can also use a third-party website like Downdetector to find out if the servers are down. If all the methods mentioned here have no instances of server downtime, but you can't connect, chances are that the problems are at your end. The post How to check Limbus Company server status appeared first on Destructoid.

We've all heard the standard "Netflix adaptations suck" phrase. And, to be clear, they very often do. However, sometimes a Netflix production can provide new life to the adapted franchise (just remember Cyberpunk: Edgerunners), which could be exactly what the dwindling Assassin's Creed series needs.

Assassin's Creed has been in the pits for several years now. Ever since Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, we haven't really seen great games in the series. Sure, Unity and Syndicate were fine, but once Ubisoft made the switch to RPG instead of immersive stealth, things started falling apart.

Assassin's Creed is in the trenches and really needs a helping hand. Image via Ubisoft Montreal

They retained all the glee usually associated with Ubisoft—sprawling open worlds, beautiful graphics, and so on. But the gameplay, stories, and everything in between generally lacked the quality of the older titles.

Anyone who's been around gaming for a spell knows the name Ezio Auditore. Many know Altair. Some may even know Connor and Edward. But few can remember the characters of later games, especially those like Mirage that Ubisoft seems to have treated as some kind of random content drop rather than a full-blown game.

So, this is where the Netflix series comes in.

Yes, yes, I know it's being produced by the Halo adaptation guy, and we've already had a subpar live-action Assassin's Creed. All valid points of concern.

However, a Netflix adaptation could provide a lot of vigor to a genuinely dying series. If done right (and that's a big if), it could even open Assassin's Creed up to more people, make those sales start coming in again, and give Ubisoft, partnered with Tencent, more reasons to keep chugging along.

After all, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did just about the same with CDPR's title. The game suffered a lot of bad rep for years by the time the anime launched, the numerous patches, fixes, and updates notwithstanding. Post-Edgerunners, however, things started looking up. People started revisiting the game, CDPR kicked into overdrive to provide as much content (especially Edgerunners-themed stuff), and Cyberpunk 2077 finally started seeing green.

The same could happen to Assassin's Creed, and honestly, it's probably the series' best bet. Ubisoft surely understands this.

What's more, so does Tencent, which played no small part in making Arcane a thing, and we all know just how successful that turned out to be.

The post Hear me out—Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed adaptation could be exactly what the franchise needs appeared first on Destructoid.

We've all heard the standard "Netflix adaptations suck" phrase. And, to be clear, they very often do. However, sometimes a Netflix production can provide new life to the adapted franchise (just remember Cyberpunk: Edgerunners), which could be exactly what the dwindling Assassin's Creed series needs. Assassin's Creed has been in the pits for several years now. Ever since Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, we haven't really seen great games in the series. Sure, Unity and Syndicate were fine, but once Ubisoft made the switch to RPG instead of immersive stealth, things started falling apart. Assassin's Creed is in the trenches and really needs a helping hand. Image via Ubisoft Montreal They retained all the glee usually associated with Ubisoft—sprawling open worlds, beautiful graphics, and so on. But the gameplay, stories, and everything in between generally lacked the quality of the older titles. Anyone who's been around gaming for a spell knows the name Ezio Auditore. Many know Altair. Some may even know Connor and Edward. But few can remember the characters of later games, especially those like Mirage that Ubisoft seems to have treated as some kind of random content drop rather than a full-blown game. So, this is where the Netflix series comes in. Yes, yes, I know it's being produced by the Halo adaptation guy, and we've already had a subpar live-action Assassin's Creed. All valid points of concern. However, a Netflix adaptation could provide a lot of vigor to a genuinely dying series. If done right (and that's a big if), it could even open Assassin's Creed up to more people, make those sales start coming in again, and give Ubisoft, partnered with Tencent, more reasons to keep chugging along. After all, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did just about the same with CDPR's title. The game suffered a lot of bad rep for years by the time the anime launched, the numerous patches, fixes, and updates notwithstanding. Post-Edgerunners, however, things started looking up. People started revisiting the game, CDPR kicked into overdrive to provide as much content (especially Edgerunners-themed stuff), and Cyberpunk 2077 finally started seeing green. The same could happen to Assassin's Creed, and honestly, it's probably the series' best bet. Ubisoft surely understands this. What's more, so does Tencent, which played no small part in making Arcane a thing, and we all know just how successful that turned out to be. The post Hear me out—Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed adaptation could be exactly what the franchise needs appeared first on Destructoid.

All around the island, there are lots of characters you can team up with or speak with to unlock special items in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. If you know where to find them, these NPCs can offer you powerful advantages or join your team to help you seize victory.

The island is quite large, so tracking down the many characters wandering around it can be a tricky task. It's much easier if you know where to look, so here's where to find all NPCs in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three.

Table of contents

• All NPCs and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3
• Characters you can hire in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3

All NPCs and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3

Screenshot by Destructoid

There are 19 NPCs you can find all around the vast island in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. More may be added as the season progresses, and existing ones may move around, so if any changes occur, we'll add them here.

NPC Image Location Where to find Services Morgan Myst Supernova Academy Wandering around the very north end of Supernova Academy. Offers Myst Gauntlets for 300 gold bars. Shadow Blade Hope Fortress of Solitude Inside the icy Fortress of Solitude near the very southwest end of the island. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Deadeye DMR for 300 gold bars. Vengence Jones Utopia City Near the west end of Utopia City. Offers a Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars and Shield Bubble Jr. for 300 gold bars. Outlaw Midas Utopia CIty Near the east end of Utopia City, standing on a balcony. Offers an Outlaw Shotgun for 300 gold bars or a Chug Jug for 400 gold bars. Killswitch Foxy Floodgate Wandering around the bridge overlooking Foxy Floodgate. Can be hired as a Scout Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Tracking Visor for 200 gold bars. Haylee Skye Pumped Power Near the north end of Pumped Power, close to the pool of water. Can be hired as a Heavy Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Sentinel Pump Shotgun for 300 gold bars and Shockwave Grenades for 300 gold bars. Ziggy Shining Span At the gas station near the north end of the massive Shining Span bridge. Can be hired as a Medic Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Med Kit for 75 gold bars. Synthwave Resistance Base West of the Resistance Base, standing at the edge of the bay. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers Bass Boost for 300 gold bars. Lightrider Shiny Shafts Near the south edge of Shining Span. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Med-Mist Smoke Grenade for 125 gold bars. Robin Demon's Domain Inside the gas station northeast of Demon's Domain, close to the colorful flower fields nearby. Can be hired for 500 gold bars. He also offers the Mythic Wingshot Grappler for 600 gold bars. Kendo Shogun's Solitude Near the northeast end of the Shogun's Solitude mountain. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Spire Rifle for 300 gold bars. Jade Shogun's Solitude Standing on the small hill north of Shogun's Solitude. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Large Shield Potion for 150 gold bars. Superman Fortress of Solitude Inside his secret hideout, the icy Fortress of Solitude, which is located near the very southwest end of the island. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars. Night Rose Supernova Academy South of Supernova Academy, close to the road. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Fury Assault Rifle for 300 gold bars. Skillet Lonewolf Lair Near the north end of Lonewolf Lair, close to the pool. Offers Shockwave Grenade for 300 gold bars and Twinfire Auto Shotgun for 300 gold bars. The Brat Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to Big Dill. Offers Fury Assault Rifle for 600 gold bars. Big Dill Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to The Brat. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 300 gold bars. DJ Yonder Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Bop. Offers Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars. DJ Bop Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Yonder. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 600 gold bars.

Characters you can hire in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3

There are six characters you can hire to fight by your side in Fortnite. These characters are:

• Robin
• Synthwave
• Ziggy
• Lightrider
• Killswitch
• Haylee Skye

While you're exploring the island to meet these characters, be sure to pick up the quests they offer. Some quests you need to tackle are the Trials of Morgan Myst, Shadows of the Shard, Heart of the Sprites, and Brothers of Mask and Blade.

The post All Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 NPC locations appeared first on Destructoid.

All around the island, there are lots of characters you can team up with or speak with to unlock special items in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. If you know where to find them, these NPCs can offer you powerful advantages or join your team to help you seize victory. The island is quite large, so tracking down the many characters wandering around it can be a tricky task. It's much easier if you know where to look, so here's where to find all NPCs in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. Table of contents All NPCs and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 Characters you can hire in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 All NPCs and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 Screenshot by Destructoid There are 19 NPCs you can find all around the vast island in Fortnite Chapter Six, season three. More may be added as the season progresses, and existing ones may move around, so if any changes occur, we'll add them here. NPC Image Location Where to find Services Morgan Myst Supernova Academy Wandering around the very north end of Supernova Academy. Offers Myst Gauntlets for 300 gold bars. Shadow Blade Hope Fortress of Solitude Inside the icy Fortress of Solitude near the very southwest end of the island. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Deadeye DMR for 300 gold bars. Vengence Jones Utopia City Near the west end of Utopia City. Offers a Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars and Shield Bubble Jr. for 300 gold bars. Outlaw Midas Utopia CIty Near the east end of Utopia City, standing on a balcony. Offers an Outlaw Shotgun for 300 gold bars or a Chug Jug for 400 gold bars. Killswitch Foxy Floodgate Wandering around the bridge overlooking Foxy Floodgate. Can be hired as a Scout Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Tracking Visor for 200 gold bars. Haylee Skye Pumped Power Near the north end of Pumped Power, close to the pool of water. Can be hired as a Heavy Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Sentinel Pump Shotgun for 300 gold bars and Shockwave Grenades for 300 gold bars. Ziggy Shining Span At the gas station near the north end of the massive Shining Span bridge. Can be hired as a Medic Specialist for 800 gold bars. He also offers a Med Kit for 75 gold bars. Synthwave Resistance Base West of the Resistance Base, standing at the edge of the bay. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers Bass Boost for 300 gold bars. Lightrider Shiny Shafts Near the south edge of Shining Span. Can be hired as a Supply Specialist for 800 gold bars. She also offers a Med-Mist Smoke Grenade for 125 gold bars. Robin Demon's Domain Inside the gas station northeast of Demon's Domain, close to the colorful flower fields nearby. Can be hired for 500 gold bars. He also offers the Mythic Wingshot Grappler for 600 gold bars. Kendo Shogun's Solitude Near the northeast end of the Shogun's Solitude mountain. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Spire Rifle for 300 gold bars. Jade Shogun's Solitude Standing on the small hill north of Shogun's Solitude. Offers a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars and a Large Shield Potion for 150 gold bars. Superman Fortress of Solitude Inside his secret hideout, the icy Fortress of Solitude, which is located near the very southwest end of the island. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Rift To Go for 450 gold bars. Night Rose Supernova Academy South of Supernova Academy, close to the road. Offers a Patch Up for 200 gold bars and a Fury Assault Rifle for 300 gold bars. Skillet Lonewolf Lair Near the north end of Lonewolf Lair, close to the pool. Offers Shockwave Grenade for 300 gold bars and Twinfire Auto Shotgun for 300 gold bars. The Brat Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to Big Dill. Offers Fury Assault Rifle for 600 gold bars. Big Dill Crime City On a rooftop near the west end of Crime City, close to The Brat. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 300 gold bars. DJ Yonder Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Bop. Offers Hyperburst Pistol for 300 gold bars. DJ Bop Utopia City On a rooftop near the east end of Utopia City, close to DJ Yonder. Offers Veiled Precision SMG for 600 gold bars. Characters you can hire in Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 There are six characters you can hire to fight by your side in Fortnite. These characters are: Robin Synthwave Ziggy Lightrider Killswitch Haylee Skye While you're exploring the island to meet these characters, be sure to pick up the quests they offer. Some quests you need to tackle are the Trials of Morgan Myst, Shadows of the Shard, Heart of the Sprites, and Brothers of Mask and Blade. The post All Fortnite Chapter 6, season 3 NPC locations appeared first on Destructoid.

The Enchanted by Nature expansion pack for The Sims 4 expands the game with a ton of fairy and nature-themed content you can explore. Some features are initially locked behind gameplay, but you can easily skip ahead to enjoy everything right away using cheats.

There are many different kinds of cheats that work for this pack, so there are plenty of options for enhancing your gameplay experience. Here are all of the best cheats to use for Enchanted by Nature in The Sims 4.

Table of contents

• Best cheats for The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature
• Fairy cheats for The Sims 4
• Apothecary cheat for The Sims 4
• Natural Living cheat for The Sims 4
• Are there cheats for Ailments in The Sims 4?

Best cheats for The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature

Screenshot by Destructoid

Here's a breakdown of all the best cheats to accompany your Enchanted by Nature gameplay. Before you attempt to use any of them, make sure you have cheats turned on for The Sims 4.

This list includes both base game cheats that will make your experience easier and those exclusive to the pack. We're also still experimenting with cheats, so we may add more to this list in the future if we discover any additional ones.

Cheat Effect Uses motherlode Grants your active household 50,000 Simoleons. Gives you a large amount of funds to start off with for building. money # Sets your household funds to a specific number. You can choose the exact amount of Simoleons you want to start with by replacing the "#" with your desired number. This is useful if you want to start with more or less than what you're initially given. freerealestate on Makes all available lots free to move into. Allows you to buy any available lot you want to live on for free. cas.fulleditmode Enables full edit mode in CAS. Grants you full customization of your Sims, including the ability to change them into a Fairy, design their fFairy form, paint their wings, and any other such modifications you may want to make. bb.moveobjects on Allows you to move objects wherever you want. Helpful for building as it allows you to place items anywhere you like without restrictions. bb.showhiddenobjects Grants access to locked items. Unlock access to Build/Buy items you can't otherwise use to help build the Fairy house of your dreams. bb.showliveeditobjects Grants access to locked environmental items. Unlock access to environmental items found around Innisgreen. bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement Unlocks all career and progression items. Grants you immediate access to any items locked behind careers or gameplay. trait_BohemianStyle_NaturesBestBud Grants the Nature's Best Bud reward trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_ProblemFairy Grants the Problem Fairy trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_NaturalMeds_HealsWithPills Grants the Well-Balanced Practitioner reward trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_HolisticHealer Grants the Holistic Healer trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. aspirations.complete_current_milestone Complete the current Aspiration milestone. Helps you tackle all Enchanted by Nature Aspirations faster. careers.promote Naturopath Promotes your Sim in the Naturopath career. Can be used to quickly rise through the Naturopath career.

Fairy cheats for The Sims 4

Screenshot by Destructoid

There's just one cheat you can use to modify your Fairy abilities, although you can change it up a bit to achieve your desired outcome. This cheat is as follows.

• stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP X

In place of the X, you can choose an amount of Fairy experience you wish to gain. The bigger the number you enter, the more levels your Fairy will climb. Certain experience levels help you ascend to the next rank.

Cheat Fairy level stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 4270 Radiant stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 2650 Brilliant stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 1400 Glimmering stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 500 Glowing stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 0 Faint

If you can download mods for your game, I recommend considering grabbing the UI Cheats mod by Weerbesu to enhance the options for cheating Fairy abilities. With this mod installed, you can essentially click to change the number of Fairy points you have, how much XP you've earned, and what level you are. It simplifies the cheating process a lot while also granting you access to abilities you wouldn't otherwise have. It makes activating all kinds of cheats much easier if that's what you're after.

Apothecary cheat for The Sims 4

Screenshot by Destructoid

Proficiency in the Apothecary skill is essential for success in the Naturopath career. To change your Sims' level in this skill, you can activate the following cheat.

• stats.set_skill_level major_apothecary X

Pick any number from one to 10 to replace the X with when typing this cheat. The higher the number you pick, the more skilled your Sim will become at Apothecary.

Natural Living cheat for The Sims 4

Quickly raising your Natural Living skill is crucial if you want your Sim to survive and thrive outdoors, and luckily, there's a simple cheat to do so. You can use the following command to modify your skill level.

• stats.set_skill_level skill_NLS X

Just like in other cheats, replace the "X" in this one with your desired new level for the Natural Living skill. It's a full 10-level skill, so you can input any number between one and 10.

Are there cheats for Ailments in The Sims 4?

So far, there are no cheats for adding or removing Ailments without the assistance of mods. You can, however, decrease how often they occur by opening "Settings," clicking "Pack Settings," and selecting the "Enable Balance & Imbalance" option.

The post Best The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature cheats appeared first on Destructoid.

The Enchanted by Nature expansion pack for The Sims 4 expands the game with a ton of fairy and nature-themed content you can explore. Some features are initially locked behind gameplay, but you can easily skip ahead to enjoy everything right away using cheats. There are many different kinds of cheats that work for this pack, so there are plenty of options for enhancing your gameplay experience. Here are all of the best cheats to use for Enchanted by Nature in The Sims 4. Table of contents Best cheats for The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature Fairy cheats for The Sims 4 Apothecary cheat for The Sims 4 Natural Living cheat for The Sims 4 Are there cheats for Ailments in The Sims 4? Best cheats for The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature Screenshot by Destructoid Here's a breakdown of all the best cheats to accompany your Enchanted by Nature gameplay. Before you attempt to use any of them, make sure you have cheats turned on for The Sims 4. This list includes both base game cheats that will make your experience easier and those exclusive to the pack. We're also still experimenting with cheats, so we may add more to this list in the future if we discover any additional ones. Cheat Effect Uses motherlode Grants your active household 50,000 Simoleons. Gives you a large amount of funds to start off with for building. money # Sets your household funds to a specific number. You can choose the exact amount of Simoleons you want to start with by replacing the "#" with your desired number. This is useful if you want to start with more or less than what you're initially given. freerealestate on Makes all available lots free to move into. Allows you to buy any available lot you want to live on for free. cas.fulleditmode Enables full edit mode in CAS. Grants you full customization of your Sims, including the ability to change them into a Fairy, design their fFairy form, paint their wings, and any other such modifications you may want to make. bb.moveobjects on Allows you to move objects wherever you want. Helpful for building as it allows you to place items anywhere you like without restrictions. bb.showhiddenobjects Grants access to locked items. Unlock access to Build/Buy items you can't otherwise use to help build the Fairy house of your dreams. bb.showliveeditobjects Grants access to locked environmental items. Unlock access to environmental items found around Innisgreen. bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement Unlocks all career and progression items. Grants you immediate access to any items locked behind careers or gameplay. trait_BohemianStyle_NaturesBestBud Grants the Nature's Best Bud reward trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_ProblemFairy Grants the Problem Fairy trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_NaturalMeds_HealsWithPills Grants the Well-Balanced Practitioner reward trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. trait_HolisticHealer Grants the Holistic Healer trait. Gives your Sim a trait that's otherwise usually locked behind gameplay. aspirations.complete_current_milestone Complete the current Aspiration milestone. Helps you tackle all Enchanted by Nature Aspirations faster. careers.promote Naturopath Promotes your Sim in the Naturopath career. Can be used to quickly rise through the Naturopath career. Fairy cheats for The Sims 4 Screenshot by Destructoid There's just one cheat you can use to modify your Fairy abilities, although you can change it up a bit to achieve your desired outcome. This cheat is as follows. stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP X In place of the X, you can choose an amount of Fairy experience you wish to gain. The bigger the number you enter, the more levels your Fairy will climb. Certain experience levels help you ascend to the next rank. Cheat Fairy level stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 4270 Radiant stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 2650 Brilliant stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 1400 Glimmering stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 500 Glowing stats.set_stat rankedStatistic_FairyOccult_FairyXP 0 Faint If you can download mods for your game, I recommend considering grabbing the UI Cheats mod by Weerbesu to enhance the options for cheating Fairy abilities. With this mod installed, you can essentially click to change the number of Fairy points you have, how much XP you've earned, and what level you are. It simplifies the cheating process a lot while also granting you access to abilities you wouldn't otherwise have. It makes activating all kinds of cheats much easier if that's what you're after. Apothecary cheat for The Sims 4 Screenshot by Destructoid Proficiency in the Apothecary skill is essential for success in the Naturopath career. To change your Sims' level in this skill, you can activate the following cheat. stats.set_skill_level major_apothecary X Pick any number from one to 10 to replace the X with when typing this cheat. The higher the number you pick, the more skilled your Sim will become at Apothecary. Natural Living cheat for The Sims 4 Quickly raising your Natural Living skill is crucial if you want your Sim to survive and thrive outdoors, and luckily, there's a simple cheat to do so. You can use the following command to modify your skill level. stats.set_skill_level skill_NLS X Just like in other cheats, replace the "X" in this one with your desired new level for the Natural Living skill. It's a full 10-level skill, so you can input any number between one and 10. Are there cheats for Ailments in The Sims 4? So far, there are no cheats for adding or removing Ailments without the assistance of mods. You can, however, decrease how often they occur by opening "Settings," clicking "Pack Settings," and selecting the "Enable Balance & Imbalance" option. The post Best The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature cheats appeared first on Destructoid.

As a Destiny player since the very beginnings of the game back in 2014, I have seen and done it all in the franchise in the 11 years since.

I've run Strikes for hours on end, grinded the Crucible and Trials of Osiris, got stuck on Raid encounters into the wee hours of the morning, and built friendships with people all around the world for over a decade. But even with all of that prior knowledge and experience, Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate found a way to surprise me.

Screenshot by Destructoid

It's no secret that I, along with many other players, have strayed away from Destiny over the years after originally fostering a habitual relationship with the looter shooter. I used to play the game literally every day for four-plus hours a day, but over the past year or so, that interest heavily waned.

After the events of The Final Shape, which felt like an endpoint to many, I was convinced that The Edge of Fate wouldn't be all that interesting or find a way to engage me in the universe again. And boy, oh boy, was I wrong. Some story spoilers are to follow, so back out to orbit if you wish to avoid them.

The campaign was incredibly well done, which is not a surprise. But what is a surprise to me is how much I'm so back into the new direction after defeating The Witness in The Final Shape. Everything from the revelations of the past (The Nine have been controlling fate for some time, to the extent of killing a woman to have her become a Guardian named Ikora Rey), to the wonderful new character Lodi and his excellent performance (huge props to actor Brian Villalobos for bringing him to life), to how the stage has been set for the next story beats in the saga has me so excited again.

The rest of the DLC? Eh, not so much. Kepler is likely the worst destination added to the game thus far, Matterspark is an annoying and cumbersome gameplay mechanic, and having to yet again re-learn new systems for weapons and armor is tiresome. And it's for these reasons and others that I don't play the game as often as I used to.

Matterspark really was just disastrous to me. I didn't have as much of an issue with the Relocator or Mattermorph as mechanics, but the incessant switching into a little electric ball to navigate around the area or kill enemies was a drag. It feels like Bungie took the game's MetroidVania inspiration and took it literally by saying "hey, we want to roll around in a ball just like Samus, no matter what." It's brutal.

And Kepler itself is quite maze-like, to its overall detriment. I found myself getting lost frequently especially in sections where there were no objective markers, which seems to be a design decision to make the game feel less linear, but the environment of Kepler wasn't fun to explore in either way.

Image via Bungie

But man, they got me again with the story. And just like that, we have a whole new saga to look forward to. With III's instructions to "bind The Nine" and "prevent extinction," whatever that means, we have a solid direction for whatever is to come next. A lot of that is shrouded in secrecy, but I'm all in again.

I likely won't be playing Destiny 2 every single day ever again, but for now, I will once again be looking forward to weekly story beats, quests, new exotic missions, and new expansions, just like I have been since 2014.

For me, that makes this franchise special, and I hope it continues on for the foreseeable future. But with Bungie's current uncertainty surrounding Marathon, that's another story entirely.

The post Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate DLC surprised even this 11-year series veteran, in both good and bad ways appeared first on Destructoid.

As a Destiny player since the very beginnings of the game back in 2014, I have seen and done it all in the franchise in the 11 years since. I've run Strikes for hours on end, grinded the Crucible and Trials of Osiris, got stuck on Raid encounters into the wee hours of the morning, and built friendships with people all around the world for over a decade. But even with all of that prior knowledge and experience, Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate found a way to surprise me. Screenshot by Destructoid It's no secret that I, along with many other players, have strayed away from Destiny over the years after originally fostering a habitual relationship with the looter shooter. I used to play the game literally every day for four-plus hours a day, but over the past year or so, that interest heavily waned. After the events of The Final Shape, which felt like an endpoint to many, I was convinced that The Edge of Fate wouldn't be all that interesting or find a way to engage me in the universe again. And boy, oh boy, was I wrong. Some story spoilers are to follow, so back out to orbit if you wish to avoid them. The campaign was incredibly well done, which is not a surprise. But what is a surprise to me is how much I'm so back into the new direction after defeating The Witness in The Final Shape. Everything from the revelations of the past (The Nine have been controlling fate for some time, to the extent of killing a woman to have her become a Guardian named Ikora Rey), to the wonderful new character Lodi and his excellent performance (huge props to actor Brian Villalobos for bringing him to life), to how the stage has been set for the next story beats in the saga has me so excited again. The rest of the DLC? Eh, not so much. Kepler is likely the worst destination added to the game thus far, Matterspark is an annoying and cumbersome gameplay mechanic, and having to yet again re-learn new systems for weapons and armor is tiresome. And it's for these reasons and others that I don't play the game as often as I used to. Matterspark really was just disastrous to me. I didn't have as much of an issue with the Relocator or Mattermorph as mechanics, but the incessant switching into a little electric ball to navigate around the area or kill enemies was a drag. It feels like Bungie took the game's MetroidVania inspiration and took it literally by saying "hey, we want to roll around in a ball just like Samus, no matter what." It's brutal. And Kepler itself is quite maze-like, to its overall detriment. I found myself getting lost frequently especially in sections where there were no objective markers, which seems to be a design decision to make the game feel less linear, but the environment of Kepler wasn't fun to explore in either way. Image via Bungie But man, they got me again with the story. And just like that, we have a whole new saga to look forward to. With III's instructions to "bind The Nine" and "prevent extinction," whatever that means, we have a solid direction for whatever is to come next. A lot of that is shrouded in secrecy, but I'm all in again. I likely won't be playing Destiny 2 every single day ever again, but for now, I will once again be looking forward to weekly story beats, quests, new exotic missions, and new expansions, just like I have been since 2014. For me, that makes this franchise special, and I hope it continues on for the foreseeable future. But with Bungie's current uncertainty surrounding Marathon, that's another story entirely. The post Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate DLC surprised even this 11-year series veteran, in both good and bad ways appeared first on Destructoid.

Iridescent Shards in DBD are a means to getting those sweet Survivors and Killers without having to spend a dime. Though not every single character can be purchased with them, they sure do help relieve your bank account whenever you want to try something new.

Since it's such a valuable currency (and available for free), here's how you can get Iridescent Shards and minimize your real expenditure in DBD.

How to get Iridescent Shards in DBD

Playing Survivors in DBD can get you more XP overall. Image via Behaviour Interactive

The primary way to obtain Iridescent Shards is to level up in the game. Leveling takes XP, and XP is earned by simply playing matches. The more you play, the quicker you'll level up, but there are layers to this as well. Per-match XP is capped at 600 XP, which comes to about 10 minutes of gameplay. If your match goes on for longer, you're simply wasting time if your only objective is to farm XP.

This means the optimal way to earn as much XP as possible, as quickly as possible, is to play Survivors almost exclusively. You can try hard in the game until you're near the 10-minute mark and let the Killer, well, kill you and boot you out of the match. Killers will tend to be around for the 10 minutes or even longer, as they cannot quit the game until it's over. Survivors, however, can—all it takes is sacrifice.

Leveling up isn't the only way to earn Iridescent Shards. The currency is also awarded to players who've signed up for Behaviour's Stat Tracker, or completed missions in the Free Rift Pass.

The more missions you complete in the latter, the more Shards you'll get. The Rift Pass resets monthly, just like most battle passes, so make sure you squeeze every bit of Iridescent Shards you can in time.

The post How to get Iridescent Shards in Dead by Daylight appeared first on Destructoid.

Iridescent Shards in DBD are a means to getting those sweet Survivors and Killers without having to spend a dime. Though not every single character can be purchased with them, they sure do help relieve your bank account whenever you want to try something new. Since it's such a valuable currency (and available for free), here's how you can get Iridescent Shards and minimize your real expenditure in DBD. How to get Iridescent Shards in DBD Playing Survivors in DBD can get you more XP overall. Image via Behaviour Interactive The primary way to obtain Iridescent Shards is to level up in the game. Leveling takes XP, and XP is earned by simply playing matches. The more you play, the quicker you'll level up, but there are layers to this as well. Per-match XP is capped at 600 XP, which comes to about 10 minutes of gameplay. If your match goes on for longer, you're simply wasting time if your only objective is to farm XP. This means the optimal way to earn as much XP as possible, as quickly as possible, is to play Survivors almost exclusively. You can try hard in the game until you're near the 10-minute mark and let the Killer, well, kill you and boot you out of the match. Killers will tend to be around for the 10 minutes or even longer, as they cannot quit the game until it's over. Survivors, however, can—all it takes is sacrifice. Leveling up isn't the only way to earn Iridescent Shards. The currency is also awarded to players who've signed up for Behaviour's Stat Tracker, or completed missions in the Free Rift Pass. The more missions you complete in the latter, the more Shards you'll get. The Rift Pass resets monthly, just like most battle passes, so make sure you squeeze every bit of Iridescent Shards you can in time. The post How to get Iridescent Shards in Dead by Daylight appeared first on Destructoid.

Popular gacha Limbus Company has surpassed 100,000 peak concurrent players on Steam alone, and the sudden rise is all thanks to the 6th Walpurgisnacht event and its Target Extraction banner.

For the newly initiated, any Walpurgisnacht (or Walpurgis Night) banner is pretty overpowered thanks to their featured Identities. While there are just 12 characters in the game, you'll want to get the stronger IDs. The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction Banner has two featured IDs and one featured E.G.O. So, how well does this current Walpurgis Night banner rank, and is it worth spending your Tickets and Lunacy on it?

Is The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction banner worth opening in Limbus Company?

Suppose you're a beginner and just getting started. In that case, you'll have three options at your hand (excluding the beginner banner): The 6th Walpurgis Night Target Extraction Banner, The 1st - 2nd Bokgak Walpurgis Night Target Extraction Banner, and the Standard Extraction. Your focus, especially as a beginner, is the first banner.

Here are the featured items of the banner.

• Rodion (Lobotomy E.G.O:: The Sword Sharpened With Tears)
• Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate)
• Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate E.G.O.)

Let's first discuss Rodion's latest ID, which is absurdly strong. I am assessing both IDs at Uptie 3 (which isn't challenging to reach), so you can improve them further. She inflicts Sinking on her targets, and the skills scale up in power. Moreover, she gains more Coin Power as her Sinking stacks on enemies increase.

Screenshot by Destructoid

She also has some amazing Passives. Her first Passive has status effects on both Plus and Minus Coin Skills. Whispers of the Betrayed Knight protects SP loss from plenty of factors that allow her to use E.G.O. more frequently. Finally, she counters enemies with Piercing Sword with the help of Break, Tear, and Pierce by inflicting Sinking instead.

In the Name of Love and Hate is arguably the best ID for Don Quixote. Her skills are reliant on Love/Hate counts and scale up similarly to Rodion's. From heals to raw damage, this Don Quixote ID can do it all (including healing your allies).

Screenshot by Destructoid

Most importantly, both of these characters are absurdly strong in Mirror Dungeons. Mirror Dungeon is your gateway to getting amazing in-game resources, including shards. Both In the Name of Love and Hate and Lobotomy E.G.O:: The Sword Sharpened With Tears are incredible in the Season 6 Mirror Dungeons.

If you've sufficient levels and Uptie 3 on both top-tier characters, chances are that Mirror Dungeon runs shouldn't be a problem, at least in the normal difficulty. You won't have to bother leveling up as Mirror Dungeon automatically levels them to 55. Even adding one of them to your roster of 7 should be good enough, and a combo of both will radically increase your chances of clearing all the floors on a Dungeon run.

Summing up, yes, you should spend as many tickets and Lunacy as possible on the 6th Walpurgis Night banner in Limbus Company, and more so as a beginner. It's better to reroll for at least one of them and grind hard to keep opening the banner till it expires on July 31.

The post Should you pull on The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction banner in Limbus Company? appeared first on Destructoid.

Popular gacha Limbus Company has surpassed 100,000 peak concurrent players on Steam alone, and the sudden rise is all thanks to the 6th Walpurgisnacht event and its Target Extraction banner. For the newly initiated, any Walpurgisnacht (or Walpurgis Night) banner is pretty overpowered thanks to their featured Identities. While there are just 12 characters in the game, you'll want to get the stronger IDs. The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction Banner has two featured IDs and one featured E.G.O. So, how well does this current Walpurgis Night banner rank, and is it worth spending your Tickets and Lunacy on it? Is The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction banner worth opening in Limbus Company? Suppose you're a beginner and just getting started. In that case, you'll have three options at your hand (excluding the beginner banner): The 6th Walpurgis Night Target Extraction Banner, The 1st - 2nd Bokgak Walpurgis Night Target Extraction Banner, and the Standard Extraction. Your focus, especially as a beginner, is the first banner. Here are the featured items of the banner. Rodion (Lobotomy E.G.O:: The Sword Sharpened With Tears) Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate) Don Quixote (In the Name of Love and Hate E.G.O.) Let's first discuss Rodion's latest ID, which is absurdly strong. I am assessing both IDs at Uptie 3 (which isn't challenging to reach), so you can improve them further. She inflicts Sinking on her targets, and the skills scale up in power. Moreover, she gains more Coin Power as her Sinking stacks on enemies increase. Screenshot by Destructoid She also has some amazing Passives. Her first Passive has status effects on both Plus and Minus Coin Skills. Whispers of the Betrayed Knight protects SP loss from plenty of factors that allow her to use E.G.O. more frequently. Finally, she counters enemies with Piercing Sword with the help of Break, Tear, and Pierce by inflicting Sinking instead. In the Name of Love and Hate is arguably the best ID for Don Quixote. Her skills are reliant on Love/Hate counts and scale up similarly to Rodion's. From heals to raw damage, this Don Quixote ID can do it all (including healing your allies). Screenshot by Destructoid Most importantly, both of these characters are absurdly strong in Mirror Dungeons. Mirror Dungeon is your gateway to getting amazing in-game resources, including shards. Both In the Name of Love and Hate and Lobotomy E.G.O:: The Sword Sharpened With Tears are incredible in the Season 6 Mirror Dungeons. If you've sufficient levels and Uptie 3 on both top-tier characters, chances are that Mirror Dungeon runs shouldn't be a problem, at least in the normal difficulty. You won't have to bother leveling up as Mirror Dungeon automatically levels them to 55. Even adding one of them to your roster of 7 should be good enough, and a combo of both will radically increase your chances of clearing all the floors on a Dungeon run. Summing up, yes, you should spend as many tickets and Lunacy as possible on the 6th Walpurgis Night banner in Limbus Company, and more so as a beginner. It's better to reroll for at least one of them and grind hard to keep opening the banner till it expires on July 31. The post Should you pull on The 6th Walpurgisnacht Target Extraction banner in Limbus Company? appeared first on Destructoid.

The stink of the 2016 Assassin's Creed movie has nearly worn off, so Ubisoft is ready for more. Today the company announced that a live-action Netflix series adaptation of the franchise has officially been greenlit.

It's been five years since Ubisoft and Netflix entered into an agreement to produce something based on the hugely popular game series, so it's been a long time coming. But with two showrunners revealed, the hype must be tempered.

Image via Ubisoft

Roberto Patino and David Wiener will be creators, showrunners, and executive producers on the series. If those names don't ring a bell, don't worry. Well, yes, worry, because Mr. Wiener was one of the minds behind the tragic Halo series. He also worked on Homecoming and The Killing, so he has some successes under his belt, but man, please don't harpoon another video game adaptation.

"We've been fans of Assassin's Creed since its release in 2007," Wiener and Patino said in a joint statement. "Every day we work on this show, we come away excited and humbled by the possibilities that Assassin's Creed opens to us. Beneath the scope, the spectacle, the parkour and the thrills is a baseline for the most essential kind of human story - about people searching for purpose, struggling with questions of identity and destiny and faith. It is about power and violence and sex and greed and vengeance. But more than anything, this is a show about the value of human connection, across cultures, across time. And it's about what we stand to lose as a species, when those connections break. We've got an amazing team behind us with the folks at Ubisoft and our champions at Netflix, and we're committed to creating something undeniable for fans all over the planet."

Patino previously worked on shows like DMZ, Westworld, and Sons of Anarchy, so the duo's mileage may vary when it comes to their past. Either way, I think it's fair for everyone to be skeptical of what's to come.

"We are so excited to work alongside Roberto, David, and our Netflix partners to bring this beloved franchise to series," said Margaret Boykin, executive producer and head of content at Ubisoft Film & Television. "We look forward to delivering an experience that speaks to the heart of what fans love about Assassin's Creed, while introducing its unforgettable worlds and timeless themes to new audiences worldwide."

To think positively for a second, we've seen a number of very strong game adaptations into series of late, with shows like Fallout and The Last of Us being big examples, along with some others like Arcane and Castlevania as some popular animated series at Netflix. But this one will be live action, so hopefully the company can find some success in that realm too.

Video game adaptations are always a tough nut to crack. Do you expand on the world built by the games? Do you build your own world mildly inspired by it? Do you just throw away the source material and make something as Hollywood as possible? We've seen it all.

There's no timetable for the Assassin's Creed series' release, but it's likely several years away from hitting TV screens. Please, just give us Ezio.

The post Assassin’s Creed Netflix series is officially in the works, but one of its creators gives legitimate reason to panic appeared first on Destructoid.

The stink of the 2016 Assassin's Creed movie has nearly worn off, so Ubisoft is ready for more. Today the company announced that a live-action Netflix series adaptation of the franchise has officially been greenlit. It's been five years since Ubisoft and Netflix entered into an agreement to produce something based on the hugely popular game series, so it's been a long time coming. But with two showrunners revealed, the hype must be tempered. Image via Ubisoft Roberto Patino and David Wiener will be creators, showrunners, and executive producers on the series. If those names don't ring a bell, don't worry. Well, yes, worry, because Mr. Wiener was one of the minds behind the tragic Halo series. He also worked on Homecoming and The Killing, so he has some successes under his belt, but man, please don't harpoon another video game adaptation. "We've been fans of Assassin's Creed since its release in 2007," Wiener and Patino said in a joint statement. "Every day we work on this show, we come away excited and humbled by the possibilities that Assassin's Creed opens to us. Beneath the scope, the spectacle, the parkour and the thrills is a baseline for the most essential kind of human story - about people searching for purpose, struggling with questions of identity and destiny and faith. It is about power and violence and sex and greed and vengeance. But more than anything, this is a show about the value of human connection, across cultures, across time. And it's about what we stand to lose as a species, when those connections break. We've got an amazing team behind us with the folks at Ubisoft and our champions at Netflix, and we're committed to creating something undeniable for fans all over the planet." Patino previously worked on shows like DMZ, Westworld, and Sons of Anarchy, so the duo's mileage may vary when it comes to their past. Either way, I think it's fair for everyone to be skeptical of what's to come. "We are so excited to work alongside Roberto, David, and our Netflix partners to bring this beloved franchise to series," said Margaret Boykin, executive producer and head of content at Ubisoft Film & Television. "We look forward to delivering an experience that speaks to the heart of what fans love about Assassin's Creed, while introducing its unforgettable worlds and timeless themes to new audiences worldwide." To think positively for a second, we've seen a number of very strong game adaptations into series of late, with shows like Fallout and The Last of Us being big examples, along with some others like Arcane and Castlevania as some popular animated series at Netflix. But this one will be live action, so hopefully the company can find some success in that realm too. Video game adaptations are always a tough nut to crack. Do you expand on the world built by the games? Do you build your own world mildly inspired by it? Do you just throw away the source material and make something as Hollywood as possible? We've seen it all. There's no timetable for the Assassin's Creed series' release, but it's likely several years away from hitting TV screens. Please, just give us Ezio. The post Assassin’s Creed Netflix series is officially in the works, but one of its creators gives legitimate reason to panic appeared first on Destructoid.

Marvel Rivals has many tricky achievements that ask you to engage with special map elements. These are some of the toughest ones to get done since it's hard to balance them with staying focused on the battle. One such achievement is Echoes of the Abyss.

Completing achievements helps you gain access to some special rewards, so getting as many done as you can is crucial. If this one has you stumped, here's how to complete the Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals.

Table of contents

• How to get Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals
• Listen to All-Black's voice in Klyntar: Celestial Husk in Marvel Rivals

How to get Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals

Screenshot by Destructoid

To complete the Echoes of the Abyss achievement, you need to listen to All-Black's voice on the Klyntar: Celestial Husk map. There are three different sections of this map you may travel to throughout each round, but only one has the objective you need. To tackle this task, you must be in the Celestial Vault section.

You'll know you're at the right spot if you see "Capture the All-Black area" and "Prepare to head to the Celestial Vault" in the upper left corner. The three sections of this map are randomized, and depending on who wins and loses, you may not visit all of them during a round. This means luck and RNG play a massive role in how easy or difficult it is to get this achievement done. If both aren't on your side, it may take several tries to get it done, but if they are, you may complete it as soon as you step foot on the right map.

Make sure you're playing Quick Match or Competitive to get this task done. You can't complete achievements in any other modes, so choosing one of these is crucial if you want to get it done. It's generally best to stick to Quick Match since the stakes are a lot less serious, although you can passively work on this one by just staying close to the point, so it can be done fairly easily in Competitive too.

Listen to All-Black's voice in Klyntar: Celestial Husk in Marvel Rivals

You can listen to All-Black's voice by approaching the massive sword in the middle of the Celestial Vault area and waiting for it to talk. There's no way to force All-Black to talk, so it's simply a waiting game once you find the right area.

Screenshot by Destructoid

To get this task done, it's generally best to prioritize focusing on the battle and staying close to the objective at all times, as All-Black will almost certainly have something to say as the match unfolds. Stick to the circular area marked with a light outline to ensure you're close enough to hear what the sword has to say. This achievement was completed without me actually hearing them talk when I was trying to work on it, as I was focused on the battle and claiming the objective instead. As long as you stick close to the point, you'll probably finish this one without even trying.

You can also keep an eye on the dialogue near the bottom middle of the screen if you have subtitles turned on. As soon as you see any dialogue by All-Black, this achievement will be complete. There are plenty of other tough ones you may want to tackle next, like Days of Future Past, Arrako Goes Analog, Mutant and Proud!, and Whispers in Pieces.

The post How to complete Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals appeared first on Destructoid.

Marvel Rivals has many tricky achievements that ask you to engage with special map elements. These are some of the toughest ones to get done since it's hard to balance them with staying focused on the battle. One such achievement is Echoes of the Abyss. Completing achievements helps you gain access to some special rewards, so getting as many done as you can is crucial. If this one has you stumped, here's how to complete the Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals. Table of contents How to get Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals Listen to All-Black's voice in Klyntar: Celestial Husk in Marvel Rivals How to get Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals Screenshot by Destructoid To complete the Echoes of the Abyss achievement, you need to listen to All-Black's voice on the Klyntar: Celestial Husk map. There are three different sections of this map you may travel to throughout each round, but only one has the objective you need. To tackle this task, you must be in the Celestial Vault section. You'll know you're at the right spot if you see "Capture the All-Black area" and "Prepare to head to the Celestial Vault" in the upper left corner. The three sections of this map are randomized, and depending on who wins and loses, you may not visit all of them during a round. This means luck and RNG play a massive role in how easy or difficult it is to get this achievement done. If both aren't on your side, it may take several tries to get it done, but if they are, you may complete it as soon as you step foot on the right map. Make sure you're playing Quick Match or Competitive to get this task done. You can't complete achievements in any other modes, so choosing one of these is crucial if you want to get it done. It's generally best to stick to Quick Match since the stakes are a lot less serious, although you can passively work on this one by just staying close to the point, so it can be done fairly easily in Competitive too. Listen to All-Black's voice in Klyntar: Celestial Husk in Marvel Rivals You can listen to All-Black's voice by approaching the massive sword in the middle of the Celestial Vault area and waiting for it to talk. There's no way to force All-Black to talk, so it's simply a waiting game once you find the right area. Screenshot by Destructoid To get this task done, it's generally best to prioritize focusing on the battle and staying close to the objective at all times, as All-Black will almost certainly have something to say as the match unfolds. Stick to the circular area marked with a light outline to ensure you're close enough to hear what the sword has to say. This achievement was completed without me actually hearing them talk when I was trying to work on it, as I was focused on the battle and claiming the objective instead. As long as you stick close to the point, you'll probably finish this one without even trying. You can also keep an eye on the dialogue near the bottom middle of the screen if you have subtitles turned on. As soon as you see any dialogue by All-Black, this achievement will be complete. There are plenty of other tough ones you may want to tackle next, like Days of Future Past, Arrako Goes Analog, Mutant and Proud!, and Whispers in Pieces. The post How to complete Echoes of the Abyss achievement in Marvel Rivals appeared first on Destructoid.

I want to preface straight away that everything from this point is a spoiler. I have deliberately not used an image in the whole article in case anyone scrolls through it or gets flashbanged with it, and don't want to ruin anyone's day one experience of Donkey Kong Bananza. In that essence, you have been warned, but I had to gush now that I am free from my review embargo to gush about this moment in-game!

And no, this article is not about Diddy or Dixie Kong. So once again, spoilers ahead.

I had been playing Donkey Kong Bananza for a few days at this time, slowly jotting notes for my review as I made my way deep into the planet's core. I had faced Void, Grumpy, and Poppy plenty of times and had come across what I figured was the final world with a battle against Void Kong. After defeating Void in the cutscene playing, I paused a bit at what I thought would be the final moments of the game as DK was turned to stone, Pauline sang to save him, and Void rushed the Bandium Root to what, I figured, would transform him into a final form of some kind.

And then everything changed when the King awoke from his slumber. Void was knocked away, and from the dust and nearly 20 years since his last appearance (outside of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), King K. Rool returned.

https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1945755412235485544

I had to pause the game and immediately take in what had just happened. Remember, for most of the time, Nintendo has been using other enemies for the DK Country Returns games, and I had thought that K Rool (and the Kremlins who appear in one final world below this one) were an enemy lost to time. But nope, here they were! Right in front of my eyes!

It did make me emotional to see K. Rool again, and seeing others discover that he and the Kremlin army were in the game, including classic soundtracks remade for this title, has been making a ton of people happy. My only pet peeve is that we see them for a fraction of the story, but it did make for a nice surprise and even gave us a canonical reason why we hadn't seen them in quite a while.

Someone said to me that Cranky fortells the return of K. Rool through his dialogue if you find him in each world, but I was skipping through that to get the Gem, so that's my only fault for not seeing the signs. K. Rool also makes for a fantastic final boss. My only hope is that it won't take another 20 years to see him in a mainly DK game again.

The post I cried when this nefarious Rare character returned in Donkey Kong Bananza appeared first on Destructoid.