Title: Olive Garden Brings Back $100 Pasta Pass 6 Years Later Only For It To Sell Out In Minutes Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:11:52 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/olive-garden-100-unlimited-pasta-pass-sold-out-2000716753 'It's cooked'

Title: GameStop CEO Says Physical Games Don’t Matter Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:49:01 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/gamestop-ceo-says-physical-games-dont-matter-2000716758 Ryan Cohen also claims that if GameStop and eBay merged it could create a $1 trillion business

Title: Rockstar Added Two Trees To GTA Online And It Led To A Lot Of Anger And Confusion Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:23:44 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/rockstar-added-two-trees-to-gta-online-and-it-led-to-a-lot-of-anger-and-confusion-2000716733 How much online anger could two tiny trees create?

Title: New Final Fantasy Resonance Trailer Is Peak Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:00:47 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-resonance-new-trailer-brave-exvius-2000716703 I could get used to seeing new Final Fantasy games look like this all the time

Title: Marathon Promises An Even Bigger PvE Mode In The Fall Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:50:07 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/marathon-promises-an-even-bigger-pve-mode-in-the-fall-2000716734 A roguelite version of Cryo Archive is set to debut in the meantime

Title: Monopoly Go x The Simpsons crossover is almost here Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:41:21 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/monopoly-go-the-simpsons-crossover-details Monopoly Go players have been looking forward to a major crossover event for what felt like months, and though most of the details ended up leaking, nothing actually beats official information. Read more

Title: Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 will take us deeper into the World in Canvas and make Mortenax Blade playable Date: Fri, 22 May 2026 13:43:44 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/honkai-star-rail-version-4-3-all-details HoYoverse has today delivered full details on the next major update for Honkai: Star Rail. Version 4.3, dubbed The Lethe Below the Living, will be available for all players on June 1. The upcoming update adds a new chapter to the Planarcadia arc, and introduce a new playable character. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 explodes on Steam even before it's officially out Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:02 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-steam-numbers-big-launch Steam is abuzz this week with a couple of long-anticipated launches, but in Forza Horizon 6’s case, at least, the game isn’t even out for what will be most of its players. The anticipated sequel in the open-world driving game series doesn’t officially launch until May 19, but owners of its most expensive version - the Premium Edition - can play it right now. Read more

Title: Mystic Messenger's most loyal players are getting banned in droves for seemingly playing the game too much Date: Fri, 15 May 2026 10:02:10 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/mystic-messenger-ban-wave-thousands-of-hourglasses-anniversary Mystic Messenger, arguably one of the best dating sims around, has been dormant for about seven years. Despite not receiving new content or any meaningful updates in all that time, the game remains popular with its core fans, many of whom just woke up to some shocking news about their accounts. Read more

Title: Forza Horizon 6 review - The driving game for everyone still can’t seem to escape its car-collecting legacy Date: Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:03 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/forza-horizon-6-review There is this idea that, for a long-running series to remain as consistently popular as Forza Horizon has been, it needs to diminish itself somewhat with each new entry, gradually losing more and more of its edge in a bid to appeal to the widest possible audience. Read more

Title: Luigi Replaces Mario Due To Immigration Issue Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:52:12 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/luigi-replaces-mario-due-to-immigration-issue/ French metal band Gojira has confirmed that its drummer, Mario Duplantier, will not be able to perform on some upcoming shows, and he's being temporarily replaced by Luigi Paraventi. That's right, Luigi is stepping in for Mario. In its announcement, Gojira played up the gaming angle, writing, "Player 2 has entered game. RESPECT!" The band also included an image of Mario and Luigi from the Mushroom Kingdom in its post. Gojira's US tour kicks off today, July 16, at Rock Fest in Wisconsin, continuing with a string of summer festival shows that wrap up in September. Mario Duplantier could not make it due to an "immigration issue that has made it impossible for him to travel to the US" in time for the shows, the band wrote. "Mario is heartbroken not to be here with us and has fought hard every step of the way to find a solution." No further details on the immigration issue were provided. His replacement, Luigi Paraventi, plays with the band Paleface Swiss and is known for his covers that he posts across social media, like the Gojira video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfLejFcr69c

Title: New Street Fighter 6 Fragrances Let Your Room Smell Like Juri’s Feet Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:44:06 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-street-fighter-6-fragrances-let-your-room-smell-like-juris-feet/ There's a new Street Fighter 6 collaboration about to drop in mid-October that comes with three scents inspired by the "signature moves" of three brawlers from Capcom's fighting game, which, of course, includes Juri--in case you wanted your room to smell like her. The Japanese fragrance company CODE Meee revealed on July 16 that it will produce three scents through its perfume brand Gaming Fragrance based on three Street Fighter 6 characters: Ingrid, Ed, and Juri. All three fragrance oils are unique to the characters they represent, with Ingrid's evoking her "optimal stock management," Ed's inducing his "pokes that can't be whiff-punished," and Juri's conjuring her "precise hit confirms." CODE Meee made it clear that these scents aren't just translations of the character's image, but representations of what it's like playing them and using their signature moves. Both Ed and Ingrid's fragrances are "citrus woody scent[s]." Designed to "enhance clarity in stock accumulation and release timing," Ingrid's oil smells like grapefruit, leafy green, rose, jasmine, cedarwood, amber, and musk. Meanwhile, Ed's has hints of bergamot, clove, spearmint, rosemary, vetiver, and amber, and is created to "let you throw out counter pokes without getting whiff-punished." Juri's is perhaps the star of the show--and not just because you can imagine the scent emanating off her feet as she shoves her toes in your face during her long combos. With notes of raspberry, passionfruit, violet, blueberry, strawberry, and musk, the brutal South Korean taekwondo martial artist's fragrance was "crafted to make your hit-confirm feels razor-sharp." Game director Takayuki Nakayama commented on the collaboration, expressing his excitement for the scents and how they'll help you focus on Juri's Foothajin--I mean, Fuhajin and nailing her level 2 super, Feng Shui Engine, perfectly. "This is an item that dramatically deepens your sense of unity with the characters you love," Nakayama said. "The fragrances deliver both the focus essential for long gaming sessions and a refreshing sensation that gently soothes a mind heated by intense matches. Perfect for switching between on and off, it will make your time in battle feel even more special. The beautiful package art, which expresses each character's charm to the fullest, is also a must-see. Thank you for creating such a wonderful product." All three scents cost 6,850 yen (roughly $43), ship in mid-October, and come with the wood diffuser and the fragrance oil.

Title: Battlefield 6 Is Getting A Feature Not Seen In 21 Years And A Top Gun Crossover Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:30:33 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-6-is-getting-a-feature-not-seen-in-21-years-and-a-top-gun-crossover/ Battlefield 6's next big update, 1.4.1.0, is launching on July 21, introducing Season 4 : Pacific Front and a naval warfare system. The update also brings back a feature that Battlefield hasn't had since 2005's Battlefield 2, and it looks like a Top Gun crossover is coming as well. The old feature that's coming back is two-seater, fixed-wing jets. No Battlefield game since Battlefield 2 has had those, according to Eurogamer, but they are finally coming back, or at least that's what fans are surmising based on the Season 4 announcement trailer. As for the Top Gun crossover, at the end of the trailer, it's plainly obvious that EA is teasing this with Harold Faltermeyer's Top Gun music and general Top Gun imagery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc3cxBPwaLU As for what is explicitly confirmed for Season 4, players can expect a new map, Tsuru Reef, which takes place in a massive Pacific archipelago with land, naval, and air warfare possibilities. That's fitting because Season 4 introduces naval combat to the game, along with a wave system that makes your boat rock up and down to alter sightlines and make combat more challenging. Another map, the fan-favorite Wake Island, is making a return in Battlefield 6's new Season 4 as well, but not at launch. The new vehicles in Season 4 are the four-seat RCV-90 patrol boat and the 7.7m NSW RHIB: a fast, four-seat boat featuring a mounted machine gun. There are new weapons as well, including the BROD 3, EF88, and VSMM, along with more attachments. Season 4 launches on July 21. You can see the full patch notes below. Battlefield 6 Season 4 patch notes PLAYER: Slide activation now requires a slightly higher movement speed, reducing cases where sliding could trigger without sprinting first or while crouch-sprinting. Sliding no longer retriggers when the crouch hold input remains held after an initial slide. Sliding no longer triggers when landing from a fall or jump if the crouch hold input was released before touching the ground. Soldier visual effects while swimming and resurfacing have been updated Spawning on a squad mate in crouch stance now deploys you in crouch stance as well. The soldier no longer slowly blends into position after mounting an object in the world. Weapon attachments are now less likely to appear floating when using soldier skins. Zipline and flash effect animations now behave as intended while spectated in first-person. Swimming has been revamped for Season 4, with reworked animations, updated physics, improved wave behaviour, and support for Drag and Revive in water. Aim assist now fully supports enemy targets while they are swimming. Fall damage is now slightly reduced when falling into shallow water. Parachutes now deploy as expected when nearing the water surface. Players can now drag and revive squad mates in water. Players can now spawn on squad mates who are swimming in deep water. VEHICLES: Helicopter rotor wash now affects vegetation more realistically. Tank driver aiming now behaves more consistently between third-person view and first-person scoped view when aiming upwards on steep slopes. The visual effects of Boats, Amphibious-, and Ground vehicles interacting with water have been improved. Vehicle zoom behaviour now correctly follows the player’s “Toggle Zoom” setting after spawning. GADGETS: Aiming with the Incendiary Airburst Launcher in third-person no longer causes the launcher’s optic to disappear. Launchers that discard their tubes now continue to reload even if they are no longer the active weapon. RPG detonations underwater no longer create dirt impact effects. The EOD Bot Arm and the Sledgehammer can no longer be used while swimming. The MAS 148 Glaive can no longer lock on to vehicles through rocks or cliffs. The Sledgehammer can no longer be used for quick swings while swimming. WEAPONS: Muzzle visual effects now align correctly when using the Compensator attachment on the UMG-40, SCW-10, and PW5A3. Projectile behaviour when interacting with water has been updated. Bullets now lose damage while travelling through water, and may deal no damage after travelling far enough underwater. SS26 Incendiary Rounds no longer ignite the ocean floor when fired underwater. MAPS & MODES: Adjusted objects near Objectives B, C, and E on Railway to Golmud to prevent players from getting stuck. Commander Tactical Advice has returned to Obliteration and Tactical Obliteration and now works alongside Player-Placed Tactical Advice. Commander attack markers now only appear on M-COMs while your team is carrying the bomb. Operation Firestorm Team Death Match spawn points have been adjusted to prevent players from spawning inside objects. UI & HUD: Battle Pass points and path text no longer overlap on the End of Round screen. Bomb Carriers in Obliteration no longer receive a “Bomb Dropped” notification instead of “Terminated” after being eliminated or when the bomb times out. Category icons now appear correctly in the Challenges menu during gameplay. Challenge reward icons now appear correctly when unlocked during gameplay. Corrected a typo in the description for the “Mercy Stroke” weapon package. Improved the readability of the Anti-cheat watermark. Incoming hit radial blur has been reduced near the screen centre and now attenuates more towards the screen edges, making damage feedback less intrusive. Increased the size of the bomb icon in the Obliteration game mode HUD. Interior map details now appear correctly on the minimap. Kill indicators now expand outwards and fade out faster, reducing how long they remain in view. Magazine attachment indicator alignment has been improved when customising the M/60. Magazine attachment indicator alignment has been improved when customising the SL9. Main menu tiles now remain visible as intended when returning to the menu after a match. Muzzle attachment indicator alignment has been improved when customising the DB-12 with no muzzle attachment equipped. Muzzle attachment UI alignment has been improved when customising the Vz.61. PP-19 weapon tags now appear correctly in the front end. Resolved an occasional client-side crash that could occur when the tutorial system updated. Responding to “Quick Message” notifications no longer also triggers in-game actions. Reward icons for Season 2 Hardware Assignments now appear correctly during gameplay. Reward icons for Season 3 Hardware Assignments now appear correctly across Challenges, the pause menu, and the End of Round screen. Reward icons now appear correctly in in-game challenge completion notifications. Selecting an empty statistics slot in the Player Profile now takes players to the intended location on the statistics page. Sight attachment indicator alignment has been improved when customising the RPK-74M and M39 EMR with Iron Sights. Spotting is now blocked while underwater: players can no longer spot enemies while deep underwater, and spotted players are cleared from the world and minimap when they dive into it. The “Backwoods Battler” character skin now displays the correct icon artwork. The “Chemical Agent” character skin now displays the correct icon artwork. The Bomb Timeout timer on the Bomb Carrier HUD in Obliteration now updates correctly and displays the correct remaining time. The Challenges button has been removed from the in-game attachment screen to prevent UI overlap. The crosshair now displays correctly when aiming the Defibrillator at a revivable teammate. The filter selection on the Season Stats page no longer resets when switching between seasons. The LTLM II Portable Laser Designator crosshair now appears correctly after redeploying. The pre-game lobby background video no longer gets stuck after opening and closing the pause menu from the class selection screen. Tutorial prompts no longer remain on screen after redeploying or being eliminated. SETTINGS: Add support for NVIDIA DLSS Multi Frame Generation x5, x6. Add support for NVIDIA DLSS Dynamic Multi Frame Generation. Add support for Vsync with NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation. Corrected an issue where setting Primary Mouse Button to “Right” in Windows could cause the Right Mouse Button to fire and zoom at the same time in-game. The “Game Settings” page no longer appears blank when accessed through the “Voice Chat” section. PORTAL: A “Default Combat Area” is no longer added automatically when a Spatial Editor experience already contains Sectors. Added a warning that “Players Required to Start Lobby Timer” is linked to “Max Player Count” for Battle Royale experiences. Added missing help text for Impulse blocks in the Rules Editor. Added support for the “IsClosed” property on Waypoint Paths. Added the “GetPlayer” and “GetVehicle” functions. Additional Season 3 weapons, attachments, and gadget have been added to Portal. Andy’s Custom Breakthrough Template has been added to the SDK. Corrected errors that could occur when publishing the Moving Platform Example. “Create Custom Mode” now generates the files needed for “Import from File”. “GetPlayerVehicleSeat” and “GetVehicleFromPlayer” now both return undefined when the player is not in a vehicle. HQ team colours now display correctly. “IsCurrentMap” now works correctly for remotely hosted games. Multiple mutators in the “Teams” tab now display their correct names, descriptions, and dropdown options. “SetUIWidgetAnchor” and “GetUIWidgetAnchor” now use the correct enums. The “ForceBombDrop” action can no longer be used when there is no bomb carrier. The “mod.GetSpawner” function now accepts arguments correctly. The M-COM “Requires Carriable to Arm” setting in the SDK now works correctly. The Railway to Golmud train capture point now follows the train correctly on the map. AUDIO: Added Commander voice-over lines for arming and defusing M-COM bombs in Obliteration. Added female soldier voice-over lines for drowning and surfacing. Added new Commander voice lines for the Foxtrot, Golf, and Hotel M-COMs in Obliteration. Added new Season 4 Battle Pass radio station music. Added new soldier voice-over lines after breaching and resurfacing from underwater. Commander voice-over now plays as intended during Overtime in Obliteration. Corrected a phasing issue with stationary launcher audio while aiming down sights. Improved audio responsiveness for sea vehicles moving through waves. Improved audio responsiveness for stationary turret movement. Third-person death efforts from underwater soldiers can no longer be heard by other players. Vehicle audio now plays more reliably, resolving several causes of missing vehicle sounds. AI: With the arrival of naval warfare in Season 4, Bots have received a broader behaviour pass to better support combat and traversal around water. Bots can now swim to shore, use boats to reach objectives, respond to pick-up requests, leave beached boats behind, and cross shallow water more reliably with land vehicles. Bots can now swim and will move towards shore after ending up in water. Bots can now use boats to navigate to objectives. Bots can now use land vehicles to cross rivers and very shallow water. Bots no longer eliminate themselves after falling into certain pools on Eastwood. Bots no longer immediately drive boats away at the start of a round, giving players time to join as passengers. Bots no longer take all available boats at the start of new rounds, leaving boats available for players. Bots now abandon boats that become beached. Bots will now respond to “Request Pick-Up” requests while navigating boats. REDSEC PLAYER: Opening a tank container while parachuting in Gauntlet no longer prevents the tank from spawning. “Squad Wipe” score events now trigger correctly after eliminating an enemy squad. UI & HUD: In-world icons no longer flicker on the Big Map when hovering over them in Battle Royale. Neutral vehicle map icons now remain visible as intended when entering a vehicle underground in Battle Royale. Selecting “Edit Favourite Weapons” in Battle Royale now opens the “Favourite Weapons” tab directly. Squad colours now display correctly on the Gauntlet End of Round screen. The Tactical Armory can now be pinged correctly in Battle Royale. AUDIO: The Handler briefing now plays as intended during the Battle Royale insertion cinematic. The Handler no longer warns players who are underground about parachuting enemies nearby. COMPETITIVE: “End of Round” now combines RP earned from confirmed kills and confirmed assists with their respective cap reductions for improved clarity. “End of Round” RP progress now displays correctly when a player’s RP value drops below zero. Improved the clarity of player Ranks and Class during the Pre-Round sequence in Ranked Battle Royale. Players now receive RP correctly when a downed enemy disconnects before the kill is confirmed. Updated “End of Round” RP tally animations to improve scoring clarity. Vehicle Keycards, Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) are now removed in Ranked Battle Royale. VEHICLES: The Emergency Repair ability on APC vehicles has been replaced by the Smoke Generator ability in Battle Royale modes. WEAPONS: M320A1 Level 2 Grenadier Trait Removed the bonus M320A1 HE ammunition previously granted immediately upon reaching Level 2. Reduced the M320A1 HE maximum ammunition increase from 5 to 4. Level 3 Cluster Munitions Trait Reduced the number of submunitions created from 6 to 3. Reduced submunition maximum blast damage from 30 to 20. Reduced submunition blast radius from 2m to 1.5m. Reduced maximum damage distance from 0.6m to 0.3m. Updated submunition dispersion so bomblets spread more effectively after impact, reducing the likelihood of multiple explosions occurring in the same location. Adjusted submunition bounce behaviour to further reduce clustering after impact.

Title: 007 First Light Almost Turned James Bond Into “Mr. Gadget” Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:47:06 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/007-first-light-almost-turned-james-bond-into-mr-gadget/ 007 First Light strikes a key balance between keeping James Bond grounded while also placing him in believably outlandish sequences, but for longtime fans of the franchise, the lack of any over-the-top gadgets was sorely missed in the game. That's not to say that developer IO Interactive didn't consider giving Bond some extra black ops hardware during the development of the game, but these gadgets were cut back so that Bond's arsenal would more accurately reflect the world he was living in--which meant no alligator submarine, flamethrower bagpipes, or a boombox rocket launcher. "We had things in it that we thought were going to be cool, but when you play it, it turns out it's not cool, it just looks silly," senior combat designer Tom Marcham said to GameSpot. "There was definitely a point where it felt like he'd become Mr. Gadget, and we had to tune it back." Bond's gadgets in 007 First Light focus primarily on espionage and creating windows of opportunity, something Marcham said suited the close-quarters nature of the gameplay and Bond's character. "We didn't want to go into overly gamey stuff where he was always using tasers or sleep darts. It didn't seem to fit the character. So that led us down this route of having this close combat element," Marcham explained. That's not to say that IO Interactive isn't considering expanding on Bond's field kit, as the studio is always experimenting with ways to add another layer of replayability to 007 First Light. "I think we'll continue to expand with ways you can replay encounters and play about with the ruleset so that we can get more out of the campaign that we have," Marcham said. "We're still messing around with the gadget side of stuff. I think there's a whole world that you can explore with who Bond is and why he uses gadgets." One of the big hits of 2026, 007 First Light sold 1.5 million units in its first 24 hours. Similar to its work on the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy, IO Interactive has a year's worth of post-launch content lined up, including new challenges and upgrades, photo mode, new game plus mode, and a story expansion featuring the game's worst character, Lenny Kravitz's pirate king Bawma. For more on the making of 007 First Light, you can read our in-depth interview with Marcham and explore how its soundtrack came together.

Title: Hack And Bash: How 007 First Light Mixes High-Tech Gadgets With Old-School Brawling Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:46:12 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hack-and-bash-how-007-first-light-mixes-high-tech-gadgets-with-old-school-brawling/ From the iconic gun-barrel sequence to his depictions in formative first-person shooters like GoldenEye, James Bond and guns have, historically, gone hand-in-hand. What's been refreshing about 007 First Light, then, is how it leans much more on physical brawling combat. This was partly due to the game being an origin story for Bond, allowing players to see him as a young man before joining the double-0 program. "Our younger version of Bond hasn't gone cold yet, so that leant us towards this idea that the game shouldn't be where you walk into a room, see someone, and you shoot them in the back of the head," says the game's senior combat designer Tom Marcham. "We also knew that Bond is quite a direct force, and not necessarily the guy you send to sneak in entirely silently. He's very indiscrete in his methods, and more of a blunt tool that causes some destruction around him. That led us down the route of not killing but having lots of non-lethal fist-fighting." Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Marcham about First Light and how it presented new territory for IO Interactive. In IO's Hitman series, when Agent 47 is out of stealth he resorts to shooting; Marcham's prior experience at studios like Creative Assembly and Splash Damage have also been focused in the shooter genre. Not counting those who played GoldenEye with only hand-slapping, melee combat hasn't really been seen in a Bond game either, the exception being 2005's From Russia With Love, based on the Sean Connery-starring film. But for initial inspiration, the team looked towards a much more recent incarnation of Bond. Daniel Craig as Bond. "We used similar stuff to the Daniel Craig movies, which is a mix of a boxing style based on what you might have learned if you were the kind of guy to get into a fight on the street," Marcham explains. "We had this idea that our Bond has probably got some slightly repressed anger issues from being an orphan and those would probably come out on a night out or two where he's throwing fists. Then we mixed that with the kind of military martial arts you would learn from the SAS [Special Air Services], which is fairly brutal, very effective, and professional-looking." While Craig's Bond is arguably a colder incarnation than the fresh-faced and more heroic Bond of First Light, another aspect to the former that Marcham found interesting was his sense of vulnerability. "There is a messiness to the fight that gives us this kind of grounded element where he does get beaten down a lot and he seems very mortal in a lot of it--he's not infallible," he adds. "That ended up being an element we brought into the combat. It's very improvisational, you're using the environment, and those elements basically helped us build something quite unique." When it came to taking inspiration from other games, the mass appeal of Bond meant that First Light needed to have "an accessible base," where the target audience would range "from hardcore gamers to someone's dad in his 60s who's probably never played a game before but just really likes Bond." So while mass blockbuster hits like Uncharted and Batman: Arkham Asylum--particularly the latter's counter-parry system--were an important template, Marcham notes that the team also examined more hardcore titles like the martial arts-based Sifu and cult favourite Sleeping Dogs. According to Marcham, Sleeping Dogs in particular was inspirational for the game's environmental takedowns, as well as Bond's ability to grab-rush enemies in close quarters. Bond attends a gala in 007 First Light. Still, even with a brawler-first approach, where it's possible to contain the situation in the immediate vicinity before other enemies are alerted, the action can still escalate to the point where you unlock your 'license to kill' and it turns into a shooter. It was also important to have both elements working in tandem so that it didn't feel like the team was developing two games. Even then, I was rather surprised by which third-person shooter Marcham said was an inspiration. "We actually looked at Vanquish, a movement-based shooter where you have rockets propelling from the back of your legs," he says. "While we took only a little bit, we tried to get as much of the general idea of flowing from melee to ranged combat and how that could feel." While not as simulated-driven as Hitman: World of Assassination, there's nonetheless a lot of underlying systems in First Light that see a space transform depending on your approach. Taking too long to resolve a fistfight, for example, can lead to someone pulling out their gun and finding yourself in a sudden all-out shoot-out.  "One of my favourites is in Mauritania, in an area called Logistics B, which is a very mundane name for a very extreme space," Marcham explains. "If you play through it, you can have it play like a very long stealth encounter, but if you go into a firefight, it's suddenly this huge long-range firefight with all kinds of chaos going on." Iterating and perfecting that switch between stealth and combat encounters was First Light's most challenging design issue. But while in a game like Hitman, escalating to hostile combat almost guarantees you'll just reload your checkpoint, it never feels like failure in First Light. "It's been quite cool seeing a lot of YouTubers when they fail stealth and they start throwing punches--they don't seem upset when they 'fail,' they seem like they're ready to have a good time," says Marcham. "I think that was a success that we worked really hard for and I'm glad that it's gone down pretty well." 007 First Light's training montage has earned critical acclaim. He was also especially pleased with how many of First Light's mechanics were executed in the widely praised training montage during Bond's training in Malta, which becomes more than just a tutorial but one of the game's highlights. "It was an unbelievable amount of work involved," he recalls. "The first version of it I saw was all blockout models and placeholder music, and when you played it, you were like, this is amazing. Why has no one ever done this before? And then we found out later why no one had done it before because it was incredibly difficult to do! But then we made it, and it's one of those things that when we saw it, we were like, yeah, we're making a James Bond game. And it was still just part of the tutorial." One element that some Bond fans might lament from this more grounded version of Bond is the absence of wackier gadgets, even if you do eventually unlock the powerful missile pen. Marcham admits they did try testing a lot more gadgets in the game, but it was ultimately about finding which ones felt suitable for this world. "We had things in it that we thought were going to be cool, but when you play it, it turns out it's not cool, it just looks silly," he explains. "There was definitely a point where it felt like he'd become Mr. Gadget, and we had to tune it back." A look at Q's Lab in 007 First Light. However, Marcham doesn't rule out more gadgets making their way into First Light or other ways to leverage the depth of Bond's combat. IO Interactive has already announced a roadmap with at least a year of updates, which includes expanding on TacSim mode, a new game plus mode, as well as a story expansion featuring pirate king Bawma. "I think we'll continue to expand with ways you can replay encounters and play about with the ruleset so that we can get more out of the campaign that we have," says Marcham. "We're still messing around with the gadget side of stuff. I think there's a whole world that you can explore with who Bond is and why he uses gadgets." There's still the Switch 2 version to come later this year, but after that, Bond's future is unclear--especially as Amazon, the current rights-holder of the Bond franchise, has hinted at becoming more involved with any potential sequels, and IO has suffered layoffs. In any case, 007 First Light's success so far surely hints of even more unlocked potential in this young, brawny Bond.

Title: Emberville voice cast includes Ben Starr, Doug Cockle, Jennifer English, and more Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:38:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/emberville-voice-cast-full/ There have been dozens of Stardew Valley-inspired indie games over the years, to varying degrees of success, and Emberville is the next one showing some serious promise. And while it looks incredibly solid mechanically, it also has an absolutely stacked voice cast.

Title: GTA 6 leaker trolls internet straight from prison after long hospital stay Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:37:34 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/gta-6-leak-hacker-what-happened-trial-burner-phone-selfies-hospital/ After unleashing an unprecedented leak of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2023, the alleged hacker behind it, Arion Kurtaj, was put under indefinite custody at a secure hospital in the UK. Now, over two years later, Kurtaj has been released and sent back to prison — where he awaits trial.

Title: How to get Kindling in Palworld Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:20:22 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/palworld-guides/24050848/kindling-how-to-get/ Kindling is an essential skill in Palworld, necessary for a wide array of early-game tasks. But first, you’ll need to find an accommodating Pal with the Kindling work suitability.

Title: How to get ancient civilization parts in Palworld Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:04:23 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/palworld-guides/24051901/ancient-civilization-parts-how-to-get-locations-drops-bosses/ To progress in Palworld, you’ll need ancient civilization parts to build upgrades for your character and base. Quite a few things need ancient civilization parts, including egg incubators, shields, sphere launchers, and other helpful items.

Title: Cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood gives major Studio Ghibli vibes in latest trailer Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:58:31 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/cocoon-one-summer-of-girlhood-trailer-gkids-studio-ghibli/ People like to throw around the phrase "Ghibli-esque" when describing all types of media, including video games. It can be overused and misunderstood, but when it comes to Cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood, the descriptor fits. Made by a team of Studio Ghibli veterans, Cocoon is shaping up to be one of the most interesting film releases of the year.

Title: Sharpen the Sword, Skip the Downloads — ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ Is Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-onimusha-coming/ Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming to GeForce NOW at launch, with the playable demo available this week. It’s joined by Denshattack! rolling in with five new games arriving in the cloud. Plus, GeForce NOW officially launches in India, moving from beta to public availability — meaning gamers can sign up without a waitlist. Pick Up the Oni Gauntlet Cloud-powered. Samurai-approved. Capcom’s next legendary action adventure is coming to GeForce NOW. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will arrive on the cloud at launch on Thursday, Sept. 3.  Members can jump into the action even sooner with the demo now available to stream. Set in a dark fantasy vision of Edo Japan, follow a lone samurai wielding the legendary Oni Gauntlet against relentless demonic Genma. Master precise swordplay, unleash powerful abilities and absorb the souls of fallen enemies as supernatural battles unfold across a haunting world filled with mystery and danger. Ultimate members can experience every clash with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices and TVs. From the first swing in the demo through launch day, GeForce NOW lets members step into battle the moment it’s available — no downloads, storage space or expensive hardware required. Gamers can find the demo in the GeForce NOW app demo row and add the title to their wishlists today to be ready when the blade is drawn.  India Levels Up The wait is over. GeForce NOW has officially exited beta in India, bringing the world’s highest-performance cloud gaming service to more gamers across the country.  This week, gamers can choose from monthly Performance and Ultimate memberships, flexible day passes or the basic, free offering — making it easier than ever to experience GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming. GeForce NOW now supports UPI payments, giving gamers across India a fast, secure and convenient way to purchase memberships and day passes.  Premium memberships unlock GeForce RTX-powered features like ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex, along with higher resolutions, faster frame rates and priority access to streaming. With thousands of supported games — from blockbuster releases and free-to-play favorites to indie hits — members can enjoy PC games they already own without the cost of upgrading to high-end gaming hardware. Join the conversation with the GeForce NOW community on Reddit.  Go Off the Rails This Weekend “Denshattack!” is pulling into the cloud. Denshattack! — the off-the-rails, train‑wrecking action game — is now available to stream on GeForce NOW, letting members embrace pure chaos from almost any device.  Take control of runaway trains and send them barreling through crowded tracks, explosive obstacles and delightfully destructive layouts, chaining spectacular crashes with just the right mix of precision and pandemonium. Its colorful, tongue‑in‑cheek presentation and physics‑driven mayhem turn every run into a highlight reel of derailments — perfect for quick sessions, score‑chasing and laughing at just how wrong a single turn can go when the throttle never lets up. In addition, members can look for the following to play this week: Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 17) Onimusha: Way of the Sword DEMO (Steam) The GeForce NOW community keeps discovering new games to play, with members discussing the most beautiful games on the service. What game has impressed you most on GeForce NOW? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Up the Heat With New GeForce RTX 5080-Powered Toronto Server Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:55 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-toronto-expansion/ This GFN Thursday brings more games, more power and more ways to play on GeForce NOW.  The cloud gaming service is expanding with a new GeForce RTX 5080-powered server in Toronto, bringing dedicated high performance in the cloud closer to members across the region. NTE: Neverness to Everness also gets an update in the cloud, making it even easier to jump into the latest content from the supernatural adventure without a single download or more storage space needed. It leads the way for GeForce NOW bringing native touch control to the game, coming soon. There’s even more to explore with three new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week.  Take It to the Next Level in Toronto The forecast is looking cloudy in Canada. A new GeForce RTX 5080-powered GeForce NOW server is coming to Toronto, expanding service in the region and bringing dedicated cloud gaming performance closer to local members. The new server will roll out within days, giving more players access to top-tier cloud gaming across Canada. Ultimate members can stream across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce RTX 5080-class power in the cloud. Enjoy up to 4K resolution and beyond on supported ultrawide displays, up to 120 frames per second, plus NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies.  Bring on the ‘999 Nights’ Reality bends — on any device. Step into the surreal world of NTE: Neverness to Everness with the NTE Version 1.2 “999 Nights” update.  This version introduces a massive gameplay evolution, plunging players into an immersive, tabletop-inspired fantasy role-playing game on the Warren Continent — a new permanent game mode featuring its own dedicated progression system. This narrative and mechanical expansion is elevated by the debut of two powerful characters, Shinku and Iroi, alongside an unprecedented fashion upgrade featuring a sweeping collection of 19 new character outfits. To top it off, exploration gets a high-octane upgrade with Draco, a revolutionary new motorcycle vehicle, making this version an absolute playground for combat strategy, stylish customization and high-speed urban traversal.  Plus, GeForce NOW will soon be rolling out native touch controls to NTE: Neverness to Everness, which will make it even easier to explore the city’s mysteries from supported mobile devices. Look for the game in the GeForce NOW app to seamlessly jump between devices and continue the adventure — no downloads, storage space or expensive additional hardware required. Embark on Expanded Adventures The journey continues in Granblue Fantasy: Relink with the Endless Ragnarok expansion. Known for its dynamic combat, diverse roster of Skyfarers and thrilling online co-op, Relink returns with fresh story content as mysterious beings known as the Ragnalia threaten the Zegagrande Skydom. Strange gateways, powerful new foes — including the mighty Beelzebub — and fresh challenges await across the skies. The expansion also introduces additional ways to play, including summon abilities that add another layer of combat strategy, co-op quest tiers and a solo mode filled with unpredictable encounters. Master traits offer more opportunities to customize favorite characters, giving both longtime Skyfarers and newcomers plenty of reasons to take flight. Jump into the latest action with the following games to play this week: Esports Manager 2026 (New release on Steam, available July 6) Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo (Steam) As GeForce NOW continues to expand, so does the community discovering cloud gaming. One new Ultimate member summed up their first impressions: “Finally caved and got GFN Ultimate… and wow.” Another longtime PC gamer shared how GeForce NOW completely changed their perspective after years of skepticism, calling it “a good alternative” for casual players and encouraging others to “try the one month and upgrade to the yearly before the sale ends.” What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Joyride Through July With 12 Games Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-july-2026-games-list/ Summer is heating up — and GeForce NOW is taking players along for the ride. Start the month with Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, bringing a galaxy far, far away to the iconic board-game franchise, alongside 12 new games joining the cloud this month.  Plus, don’t let the sun set on the biggest GeForce NOW savings of the year. Level up for less before the deals disappear. Light Side, Dark Side, Cloud Side  The Force is strong with this one. Rule the board, you must. Choose a side in Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, the classic property-trading board game reimagined with legendary characters, locations and rivalries from across the Star Wars universe. Play as iconic heroes or infamous villains — each with unique abilities — to assemble a team and experience cinematic moments while competing with family and friends across locations from every era of the saga. Every roll of the dice brings new opportunities to build an empire and claim victory. GeForce NOW makes it easy to take the battle between the light and dark sides across nearly any device. Jump into a match on a low-powered PC, Mac, phone, TV, tablet or handheld device and keep the fun going across the galaxy. Check out what’s available this week: Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (New release on Steam and Ubisoft, available June 30) Meccha Chameleon (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 17) ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, Available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Juicy Extras From June In addition to the 18 games announced last month, 10 more came to the cloud.  Deer & Boy (Steam) DOOM Eternal (Epic Games Store) Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (Steam) EMPULSE (Steam) The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox, available on Game Pass) NBA THE RUN (Steam) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (Steam) Voidling Bound (Steam) Witchspire (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Wargaming) Last Call for Cloud Summer Savings The clock is ticking. Get gaming at the best price of the year. The final days of the GeForce NOW Summer Sale are here. Before the savings disappear, gamers can save $35 on a 12-month Performance membership or $70 on a 12-month Ultimate membership — unlocking GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices they already own. The Performance membership delivers smooth, high-quality gaming with RTX-powered servers, making it easy to jump into favorite titles across PCs, Macs, phones, handhelds and TVs. The Ultimate membership takes cloud gaming to the max with RTX 4080‑ or 5080‑class performance. Experience cinematic visuals, ultralow latency and responsive gameplay powered by technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex — all without the cost of a new gaming rig. Hear directly from the GeForce NOW Community. One GeForce NOW member recently called the Summer Sale “quite significant” after realizing the savings were even larger than expected in their local currency. By locking in a year of Ultimate, they calculated their monthly cost dropped from roughly 29 CAD to 17 CAD – showcasing how GeForce NOW continues to help gamers around the world enjoy the games they love, wherever they choose to play. Plus, check out this spreadsheet, made by a community member, featuring discounted games streaming on GeForce NOW  and build out a bigger library at the best bargains during the Steam Summer Sale. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: The Ultimate Summer Sale Pairing: Steam Sale Meets GeForce NOW Discounts Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-steam-summer-sale-2026/ Summer savings are heating up. From the Steam Summer Sale to GeForce NOW membership discounts, this week’s GFN Thursday delivers double the deals and more ways to get the most value from cloud gaming. Plus, Dark Scrolls joins the growing Devolver lineup, alongside Square Enix’s The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. They lead the charge for six new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. Steam Dreams Are Made of These Add to cart, not to storage. The Steam Summer Sale is here, bringing discounts across thousands of PC games as one of the year’s biggest opportunities to grow a gaming library. Supported Steam games can be streamed across devices with GeForce NOW, making it easy to buy a game once, keep progress synced and pick up where the gameplay left off on PCs, Macs, handheld devices, phones, TVs and more. In other words, the Steam Summer Sale brings the deals; GeForce NOW adds the flexibility.  As new titles expand collections, storage demands and hardware requirements expand with them. GeForce NOW helps remove those barriers by streaming supported games from powerful GeForce RTX servers in the cloud, allowing members to enjoy today’s biggest games on devices they already own. Since downloads and installs are handled in the cloud, games can be added to the cart without being added to storage. Check out the “Sales & Special Offers” row in the GeForce NOW app to discover the discounts today. The Ultimate Upgrade to Level Up for Less The upgrade every game deserves. The deals don’t stop there. Pair GeForce NOW’s summer sale with the Steam Summer Sale to spend less time waiting on downloads, managing storage or needing pricey hardware upgrades — and more time gaming. Get $70 off a 12-month Ultimate membership or $35 off a 12-month Performance membership and experience GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices. The Ultimate membership unlocks GeForce RTX 4080- and 5080-class performance in the cloud with up to 4K resolution, up to 120 frames per second (fps) and advanced technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex. Dig Into Devolver Written in chaos. Dark Scrolls, the kinetic action roguelite from Devolver Digital, arrives on GeForce NOW with its blend of fast combat, evolving builds and unapologetic chaos. Set in a warped fantasy world that doesn’t take itself too seriously, players battle through shifting arenas packed with enemies, hazards and power-ups that can turn a run from fragile to unstoppable in seconds. Stack abilities, experiment with wild combinations and adapt on the fly as the game constantly raises the stakes — rewarding bold play as much as careful movement. On GeForce NOW, Dark Scrolls is ready the moment players are, streaming across devices with no downloads or setup required. It joins a growing lineup of Devolver Digital titles on the service — Cult of the Lamb, Hotline Miami, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Inscryption, Enter the Gungeon and Ball x Pit — each delivering that distinct mix of style, surprise and controlled chaos, and just a click away with GeForce NOW. A Storybook Across Centuries The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales arrives on GeForce NOW, delivering a charming, narrative-driven adventure filled with mystery and discovery. With a hand-crafted world and a focus on exploration, it blends classic adventure gameplay with modern, character-driven storytelling. Follow Elliot — a curious traveler bound to a mysterious Millennium Core — as he’s pulled across eras in a journey that spans neon skylines, forgotten ruins and quiet villages on the edge of legend. Each era has its own rules and rhythms, with Elliot’s reactions and scribbled journal notes giving the story a warm, personal touch. Stream the cinematic-quality visuals and responsive gameplay with GeForce RTX power in the cloud for Ultimate members. Experience Elliot’s time-twisting journey in sharp detail across supported devices — no high-end rig, patches or paradox prep required. Just jump in and pick up from wherever the last chapter left off. In addition, members can look for the following: Dark Scrolls (New release on Steam, available June 22) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (New release on Steam, available June 22) Deer & Boy (New release on Steam, available June 23) EMPULSE (New release on Steam, available June 24) The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (Steam) FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (Steam) Leaving the last word to the Community Corner, one GeForce NOW member recently shared being “so impressed” by GeForce NOW. They gave the service a spin because of affordable pricing and took a lower-end PC from 20-30 fps on low settings to 60+ fps with settings maxed out — really putting the WoW in their World of Warcraft.  What are you planning to play this weekend? Maybe even more importantly, what device are you planning to play on? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Sync and Stream: GeForce NOW Connects to Members’ Game Libraries Across Devices Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:32 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-game-stores/ Play favorite titles from popular game libraries, keep progress synced and jump back into gaming sessions on virtually any device. That’s the power of GeForce NOW cloud gaming. From providing access to members’ favorite game libraries to offering some of the season’s best membership pricing, GeForce NOW is making it easier than ever to get more from the cloud this summer. Plus, check out the seven new games arriving in the GeForce NOW library this week. Hit Play Across Top Game Stores That’s a whole lotta ways to play. Whether it’s blockbuster franchises, competitive shooters, sprawling role-playing games (RPGs) or indie gems, GeForce NOW supports thousands of games from leading PC game stores, making it easy to bring existing game libraries to the cloud. Connect supported game store accounts and stream titles with GeForce RTX power. Games that include cloud-save functionality help keep progress intact across devices. Start a game on one screen, pick up where playtime left off on another and spend less time managing installs and storage space. Jump into fan favorites like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt streaming through GOG. These sci-fi and fantasy favorites support cloud saves, making it easy to continue where play left off. GOG single sign-on and game library syncing — coming this summer — will make that process even smoother. Explore ancient mysteries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise or team up for tactical action in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege through Ubisoft+, delivering iconic worlds and competitive experiences to the cloud.  Whether joining massive, all-in combat in Battlefield 6 or shaping the fate of Thedas with compelling companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the EA app offers action-packed experiences and beloved RPGs. Find them in the GeForce NOW app by simply searching and filtering by store. Choose the Screen, Keep the Adventure Gaming doesn’t always happen at a desk — community members are sharing how GeForce NOW lets them play across their favorite devices. GeForce NOW Ambassador and cloud gaming creator Anytime Anywhere Gaming recently showcased Dead as Disco — a PC title without a native mobile version — running on an iPhone through the cloud. As he put it: “One of the coolest benefits of GeForce NOW is I can take the same copy of the game I own on Steam and carry it to my iPhone … it’s super awesome being able to play a game on a multitude of devices without having to buy it again.” That flexibility extends beyond mobile. One GeForce NOW member on Reddit shared being “blown away” by the experience of playing on Mac through the cloud, highlighting how GeForce RTX-powered gaming can be enjoyed across devices, no upgrades required. Whether via phone on the go, on a MacBook between work meetings or on a TV in the living room, GeForce NOW helps make PC gaming accessible across nearly every screen. Upgrade and Unlock More This Summer Summer lovin’, havin’ a sale. For a limited time, annual memberships are available at the best prices of the year: $35 off a 12-month Performance membership $70 off a 12-month Ultimate membership Performance memberships deliver high-quality cloud gaming across devices, while Ultimate unlocks GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud with up to 5K resolution, up to 120 frames per second and advanced technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex. Pair these special prices with thousands of supported games across top PC game stores. Plus, with GeForce NOW, spend less time downloading, upgrading hardware and managing storage — and more time gaming. New on the Cloud  In addition, members can look for the following: Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (New release on Steam, available June 13) Pro Cycling Manager 26 (New release on Steam, available June 15) Aphelion (Steam) Citizen Sleeper (Epic Game Store, free from June 18-25) Megastore Simulator (Steam) OPERATOR (Steam) Super Meat Boy 3D (Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Everything you need to know about MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:03:31 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/16/everything-you-need-to-know-about-marvel-tokon-fighting-souls-open-beta/ The wait is almost over. The MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta is nearly here, and we can’t wait for players to jump into the action. Whether you’re returning after last year’s Closed Betas or stepping into the fight for the very first time, here’s everything you need to know before the Open Beta begins. Play Video Open beta schedule The Open Beta will run for 72 hours, starting on: Start: July 24, 12:00am PT / 8:00am BST / 4:00pm JST End: July 26, 11:59pm PT / July 27, 7:59am BST / 3:59pm JST The Open Beta will be available on PlayStation 5 console, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. No registration is required: simply download the Open Beta from your platform store and start playing. Pre-downloads will be available two hours before the Open Beta goes live, so you can be ready to play as soon as the servers open. A PlayStation Plus subscription is not required. However, all players will need an internet connection and an Account for PlayStation  to access the Open Beta on both PS5 and PC.   15 playable Heroes and Villains Fifteen of the game’s twenty launch characters will be available during the Open Beta, including Blade who becomes playable for the very first time. Fighting Avengers Captain America Iron Man Black Panther  Unbreakable X-Men Storm Magik Wolverine Danger  Amazing Guardians Spider-Man Ms. Marvel Star-Lord Peni Parker  Samurai Outriders Ghost Rider Blade  Knights of Doom Doctor Doom Magneto  Players will also be able to battle across six iconic stages, each inspired by legendary Marvel locations: Marvel’s New York (Day), Savage Land, X-Mansion, Knowhere, Wakanda, and Marvel’s New York (Night).   More than online battles Many of you have already experienced online matches during the Closed Betas. This time, we also want to give you a taste of the additional modes and features waiting for you in the full game when it launches on August 6. Online Casual and Ranked Matches Jump into Casual Match to quickly face opponents of a similar skill level or test yourself in Ranked Match and climb the competitive ladder against the best of players. Want to battle locally? Versus Mode will let you challenge friends on the same system or practice against the CPU whenever you like.  Explore the open lobby The Open Lobby is your hub between battles, featuring miniature versions of the game’s iconic stages. Choose from 16 unique avatars, each with four color variations, then explore the lobby, meet other players, and communicate using free chat, preset messages, stamps, and emotes. Ready for another fight? Head over to one of the arcade cabinets scattered throughout the lobby to challenge other players. Practice time New to MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls? Start with Start Up Battle, an interactive tutorial designed to introduce the game’s core mechanics. Learn the fundamentals of 4v4 combat, understand team-based systems, and put your new skills to the test in a trial match before jumping into the action. Whether you’re learning the basics or mastering advanced combos, Training Mode gives you all the tools you need. Experiment with every character, practice combos, learn game mechanics, and customize a wide variety of training scenarios and dummy settings to sharpen your skills. Experience Episode Mode For the first time, players will also get an early look at Episode Mode. Play through the three first chapters of the Amazing Guardians storyline as Spider-Man begins assembling his team to confront a mysterious threat descending upon Earth. Experience how beautifully illustrated motion-comic storytelling blends seamlessly with explosive battles. Finally, the Open Beta will reflect the full localization players can expect at launch, featuring localized voice-over and text in US English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese (Mandarin VO). Text-only support will also be available in UK English, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, and Traditional Chinese.  If you played during last year’s Closed Betas, you’ll notice that MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls has continued to evolve.  Based on community feedback, we’ve refined gameplay, improved mechanics, and made numerous adjustments across the experience to deliver an even more exciting and accessible tag fighter. We’re incredibly excited to welcome both returning players and newcomers into the fight and can’t wait for everyone to experience the ultimate 4v4 tag team fighter when the Open Beta begins on July 24. Assemble your dream team and get ready to fight!

Title: Pro Jank Footy brings classic arcade chaos August 12 Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:41 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/16/pro-jank-footy-brings-classic-arcade-chaos-august-12/ Australian Rules Football, Australia’s favourite sport, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players, where they chase a ball on a cricket oval, and score goals by kicking the ball between two gigantic posts. For many, Aussie Rules sounds like a completely made-up sport – and that’s where our game comes in: we redefine the rules of Aussie Rules Football. Welcome to Pro Jank Footy, launching August 12 on PlayStation 5. Play Video I’m David Ashby, Creative Director for Pro Jank Footy, a love letter to Aussie Rules Footy, retro sports games of the 90s, and our cultural irreverence. Now, there have been many “Footy” games over the years, but there was never one that leaned into the high-energy arcade sensibility shared by titles such as NBA Jam or NHL ‘94. We leaned right into both the fun and absurdity of our sport and I’m excited to share more about it with the PlayStation Community. The “jank” Aussie Rules Footy is a high-scoring game, akin to basketball and hockey, which makes it fast by design, which allows us to implement a simple core mechanic whereby whenever a player scores a goal, the opponent gets to choose one of three random power-ups. This is how we put the jank in Pro Jank Footy. There are over 150 power-ups in the game. These powers range from making your team better, making the opposition team worse, or changing the rules of the game. Not only does this allow players to bounce back, but it also allows players to change the game from retro sports into pure, unhinged, janky chaos. Personally, I suck at sports games. There’s nothing worse than just sitting there, taking an absolute belting. With our power system, you’re rewarded for losing. Tyler Roach, who co-created this game with me, is a genuinely dominant player (and to be fair, he did make the game). When we play each other, my only tactic is to concede a bunch of goals so I can get a decent power-up build to turn the tide (note: he still beats me most of the time). There are simple power-ups that make your team faster or gigantic. There are brutal powers that reset the scores. There are even powers that add a third team to the game or turn all the players into seagulls (a very real fixture of Australian football, who hang around ovals to eat everyone’s food). One of my favourites turns one of your players into your dad’s beat-up sedan. There’s even a trophy you can pop if you ram it into a shopping trolley. There are also power-ups that are deliberately vague, such as Burnt DVD and Where’s the Remote? – figuring out what they do is part of the fun! From a challenge to reality The project started as a dare in 2024, when I was challenged to get into video games by Cam Rogers, an entertainment lawyer (who later came on board as producer), while at a fantasy football league BBQ. Cam made the argument that there aren’t a lot of funny video games being made, despite the appetite, and I should give it a go. It occurred to me pretty quickly that footy was the answer. Like that fantasy draft, we had to put a team together. In addition to Tyler and Cam, there’s Broden Kelly, known for his work with Australian comedy collective Aunty Donna. He performs in-game commentary and completely understands the intent and humour, bringing a performance that is both sincere and comically absurd. Hyemin Yoo, a Korean artist based in Adelaide, animated all the amazing goal celebration cut scenes. Not only did she bring a voice of authenticity to the project, but her humour and distinct visual style really elevates the project to a whole other level. Oscar Armstrong-Davies singlehandedly built the online functionality for the game, and Dario Russo composed all the music, including all the team songs. Umbrella Entertainment, a film distributor looking to branch into games, is supporting us as well. Through them, we’ve even started rolling custom arcade cabinets into pubs around Australia to build a real tournament scene, created by Louie Roots, the cabs can run on car batteries so they can be played anywhere, and they even have AM radio transmitters so you can tune in your radio to the game audio for that true footy experience. Get ready to have a ball There are multiple game modes in Pro Jank Footy. You have the option to play the true “Pro Jank Footy” experience, with all the power-ups activated, or you can play the appropriately named “Normal Footy” which is, as the name suggests, normal Aussie Rules footy without power-ups. The game is designed to be a couch co-op experience, but you can play solo against bots, and you can play online too. There’s also a single-player Season Mode, where you start the campaign with a random set of powers and fight your way through ten increasingly ridiculous teams – one team of giants, one made entirely of cars, one that’s just a single unstoppable player – to become Pro Jank World Champion. There’s also a Watch Mode where you can just watch the AI battle it out (which is surprisingly entertaining) and a Kick-to-Kick Mode, which is a throwback to the classic “Aussie Rules Footy” game. We’ve found that a lot of younger kids gravitate towards this game mode more than anything else. Pro Jank Footy is both a love letter to arcade sports games from the ‘80s and ‘90s, and to a sport that is arguably Australia’s game, one that is worth sharing with the rest of the world for all its charm and absurdity.  We can’t wait for the PlayStation community to share a slice of Australia when Pro Jank Footy comes to PS5 on August 12.

Title: Explore horror’s furthest sensations in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:01:01 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/16/explore-horrors-furthest-sensations-in-clive-barkers-hellraiser-revival/ Hi, I’m Emil Esov from Saber Interactive, and we are excited to have Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival coming to PlayStation 5 on October 8, 2026! The team has been hard at work over the past 4+ years creating a game that brings life to Clive Barker’s unique style of horror and we’ve got the first look at an exclusive behind-the-scenes developer diary to share with you that covers what building this game has been like for us: Play Video Hellraiser separates itself from other pieces of horror media by having villains, the Cenobites, who aren’t so easily viewed as being morally bad. As the Hell Priest (aka Pinhead) explains in the original Hellraiser movie, they are “Explorers in the further regions of experience. Demons to some, angels to others”. We like to think of them as monks – whether it comes to extreme pain or pleasure, they are interested in exploring sensations and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.  Your Hellraiser: Revival experience will come from the perspective of Aidan Lynch, our story’s protagonist. He first encounters the Cenobites after his girlfriend Sunny activates the Genesis Configuration, a mysterious puzzle box with unknown power and purpose. The Cenobites appear and unceremoniously tear Sunny in half. At first this seems like some kind of fever dream to Aidan, but he quickly comes to learn that Sunny’s soul can still be saved and that the Cenobites are integral to accomplishing that goal. While Cenobites exist as godlike explorers of experience from another realm, there are people in the real world who are seeking that same kind of enlightenment. This is where one of the groups of enemies that you’ll face in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival come in… the members of the Scarlet Church. Led by a charismatic figure named Marlowe, this cult is working to establish contact with the Cenobites and seeks to use the Genesis Configuration in order to create a debauched paradise for themselves. But the cultists of the Scarlet Church aren’t the only people that will stand in Aidan’s way. There are people, maybe now better described as wretches, who once sought out greater experiences but were denied by Leviathan, the creator of the Cenobites and ruler of the otherworldly Labyrinth. We call these creatures, who are essentially Hell’s rejects, the Unworthy. They are drawn to the Genesis Configuration as a potential path to redemption, and will instinctively seek out Aidan in an effort to obtain it. You’ll be able to fight back against the cultists of the Scarlet Church and the Unworthy by attacking while dual-wielding weapons (R2) and Genesis Configuration powers (L1). Aidan’s journey fighting against these groups will be full of pain, pleasure and everything in between. In a way, this mirrors our experience developing the game over the past few years. Some of us have even uncovered our own fears and phobias through the development process. I found out that I suffer from trypophobia, a condition where you feel sick from looking at clusters of holes or bumps! Luckily, if you run into anything you find too disturbing or find yourself needing to make a quick escape away from a certain Cenobite, you can either turn your Flashlight off (R3) and hope the problem goes away… or make a quick 180 degree turn (Left Stick + L3) and run for your life!  If you’ve made it this far into the blog, congratulations! You might be exactly the type of person who will enjoy exploring that which Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival has to offer. But I’m not one to pass judgment – Leviathan is the ultimate decider. Will you be worthy? We’ll find out on October 8 when Hellraiser: Revival launches both digitally and on physical media.

Title: Arknights: Endfield on PS5 Pro: Upgraded PSSR launches with Version 1.4 Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:00:37 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/15/arknights-endfield-on-ps5-pro-upgraded-pssr-launches-with-version-1-4/ Arknights: Endfield will support upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) on PlayStation 5 Pro as part of the Version 1.4 update. Designed to take advantage of the latest PS5 Pro enhancements, the upgraded PSSR delivers sharper image quality, improved temporal stability, and smoother performance as you explore Endfield’s expansive sci-fi world. Sharper character detail With the upgraded PSSR enabled on PS5 Pro, character outfits and material textures appear noticeably sharper. Fine costume details, layered materials, and surface textures retain greater definition, allowing the game’s distinctive character designs to stand out with improved clarity throughout exploration, combat, and story scenes. Greater clarity for Endfield’s stylized world Arknights: Endfield’s stylized environments also benefit from the upgraded PSSR. Lush vegetation, sprawling industrial facilities, and the wildlife peacefully inhabiting natural environments all maintain stable, crisp detail, making exploration across the game’s diverse maps even more immersive. Crisp and stable visuals during fast-paced gameplay During fast-paced movement, the upgraded PSSR more effectively preserves image integrity and clarity while reducing visible instability. On PS5 Pro, the system can more consistently maintain higher frame rates at 4K resolution, delivering a gameplay experience that balances smoothness and visual quality. “Integrating upgraded PSSR required very little engineering effort, while improving image clarity and temporal stability across a wide range of gameplay scenarios. It allows us to present the world of Arknights: Endfield with greater visual consistency, preserving the smooth exploration and combat experience while bringing the rich details of Talos-II to life.” – David Gu, CTO, Hypergryph About Arknights: Endfield Version 1.4 – Companionship Celebration: Homecoming Version 1.4, Companionship Celebration: Homecoming, is the biggest content update since launch, bringing a major story expansion, new operators, gameplay systems, challenge modes, and Half-Anniversary rewards. Continue the main story with Chapter 3: Acts 1 & 2 as the Wuling storyline reaches its dramatic conclusion. Explore two brand-new regions—Yinglung Pass and the North Wuling Exclusion Zone—each featuring unique environmental mechanics and culminating in an epic confrontation against the powerful new boss, Alleikhreos. With Version 1.4, players will learn more about Arcane, an operator who has already made her appearance in the story, while also meeting a remarkable new companion, Liino. Arcane, a Nature Caster specializing in Corrosion and crowd control, further strengthens Nature-based team compositions with powerful battlefield control. Meanwhile, Liino, an Electric Supporter with healing and amplification abilities, joins the roster with her distinctive idol-inspired style and strong team support capabilities. Version 1.4 also introduces several major gameplay additions. Experience Echoes of War, a permanent seasonal challenge mode that rewards skillful play with exclusive titles. Venture into The Rooted Realm, a brand-new roguelike mode featuring progressively unlocked stages and unique rewards. Team up with a friend in Heat Rage! Mega Arena!, a limited-time co-op challenge where only two operators can be deployed. The update expands the AIC Factory with a new Gas production chain, introduces new progression systems including Story Skip for new players, Birthday rewards, Talosite collectibles, and an upgraded Photo Mode with adjustable poses. Celebrate the Half Anniversary with generous in-game rewards, including a free 6★ weapon, Oroberyl, recruitment permits, limited-time events, and multiple sign-in campaigns. The upgraded PSSR will be available as part of the Arknights: Endfield Version 1.4 update, which launches on July 16.

Title: Everything to know about Modern Warfare 4’s ever-changing Kill Block Multiplayer mode Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:15:23 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/15/everything-to-know-about-modern-warfare-4s-ever-changing-kill-block-multiplayer-mode/ In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, launching October 23, developer Infinity Ward is amping up the Multiplayer experience with Kill Block, an adaptive live-fire training environment where modular battlegrounds reconfigure before every match, creating hundreds of unique configurations. Let’s take a closer look. Introducing Kill Block Deploy to the West Bridge Training Facility in Kill Block, a new dynamic combat space where sightlines, pathways, and cover objects shift between matches, forcing Operators to adapt in real time. Launching with both 3v3 Gunfight and the all new 10v10 Gunfight mode, Kill Block will offer over 500 possible configurations. The building blocks The West Bridge Training facility is an unrivaled example of military engineering, a self-contained compound featuring an array of concrete towers, electronics, motors, and pulley systems allowing regular reconfigurations of the map as various pieces, or “Slabs,” are moved around dictating the overall layout for the next deployment. The core design for Kill Block is based on three modular sections, including two outer End Slabs attached to a Central Slab, that combine into new battlegrounds between matches and even after certain Gunfight rounds. Most of these sections are brand-new while others are inspired by iconic locations from the Modern Warfare series such as Crash, Storage Town, Shoot House, and others. Each Slab is rectangular in shape, and when all three Slabs are connected a play space roughly the size of Shoot House from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is created. To quicken your intake of the environment, look for section markers around the perimeter and spray-painted signs helping to orient your position in the map. Learn the layout and adapt when it changes… or die trying. Play it your way No matter your playstyle, there’s room for it on Kill Block as the changing layout offers creative challenges with variations on vertical positioning, sightlines, flank routes, and more. For example, in one match you may be fighting within close-quarters trenches, while in the next you’re firing downrange across rooftops, or some mixture of the two. Luckily, with Modern Warfare 4’s refined and fluid movement mechanics, improved player agency, and tactical decision-making, there are countless ways to approach the field, no matter its form. Shifting weather patterns It’s not just the terrain that changes, but the weather, too. Some Slabs are fitted with military-grade weather simulation arrays outfitted with powerful fans to propel rainfall and snow flurries across the map. Weapons are additionally affected by the weather, with water and ice particles building up on the weapon until you swap armaments or reload. Beyond Kill Block Kill Block is just one part of the greater Multiplayer offering for Modern Warfare 4 at launch as players also deploy across 12 Core 6v6 maps that span the globe. Each location features a distinct visual identity and tactical flow, with two additional favorites arriving just after launch. At launch, players can expect a full suite of Core modes and Hardcore variants, as well as Party Modes. In addition to that, players can jump into large-scale battles across additional expansive maps, delivering intense combined-arms warfare. Immersive features on PS5 and PS5 Pro Modern Warfare 4 takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro through use of adaptive triggers, haptics, 3D audio, HDR, and 4K visuals. 120Hz HFR and VRR support ensure high fidelity play, while Remote Play support gives greater control over where you play and Low Energy Mode reduces overall power consumption. On PS5 Pro, players will additionally benefit from upgraded PSSR support, increased graphics quality for 120Hz and 60Hz, and an unlocked framerate when VRR and 120Hz are enabled. Pre-order Modern Warfare 4 on PlayStation 5 and gain Early Access to the Open Beta, Campaign Early Access, and more. MW4 launches on October 23.

Title: Marathon's experimental PvE roguelite mode is, bafflingly, only around for two weeks when it drops next week Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:58:21 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/marathons-experimental-pve-roguelite-mode-is-bafflingly-only-around-for-two-weeks-when-it-drops-next-week Marathon's already announced mid-season 2 update is set to arrive next week, bringing with it the shooter's first proper, albeit experimental, PvE mode, Vault Breaker. A new blog post has gone into a bit more detail as to what you can expect with the new update, with a teaser trailer showing off some extra bits, but the biggest bummer is the fact that Vault Breaker will only be around for a short while. Read more

Title: Fix up your van with a bunch of your best pals and escape an onslaught of tornados in survival co-op game Funnel Runners Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:10:38 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fix-up-your-van-with-a-bunch-of-your-best-pals-and-escape-an-onslaught-of-torandos-in-survival-co-op-game-funnel-runners Outside of the entirety of the ocean, the thing that probably scares me most about the things the world produces are natural disasters. You're telling me that sometimes the wind gets so fast it can pick up a dang cow? I'm smaller than a cow! I'd have no chance. And it's this fear that I, and I assume many of you, have that sits at the core of Funnel Runners, an online co-op game where you have to fix up a fan to escape a massive tornado. Read more

Title: Roguelike bullet heaven Divine Comedy but with anime girls Hell Maiden is out today in early access Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:04:59 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/roguelike-bullet-heaven-divine-comedy-but-with-anime-girls-hell-maiden-is-out-today-in-early-access As strange as it might sound, there truly might be no better piece of writing to turn into an anime girl roguelike than Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. It's the original self-insert fic after all (arguably, anyway), so why shouldn't Hell Maiden put its own little spin on it? That's the nature of these sorts of works. And today, you'll be able to get a bigger taste of the game and see if it's able to pull all of this off, as it's now out in early access. Read more

Title: Roblox announce plans to let people AI generate basic games using text prompts stuck into a mobile app, but claim that won't fill their homepage with AI slop Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:32:31 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/roblox-announce-plans-to-let-people-ai-generate-basic-games-using-text-prompts-stuck-into-a-mobile-app-but-claim-that-wont-fill-their-homepage-with-ai-slop "Play is humanity's oldest technology for connection and learning," Roblox's CEO yells at me through my monitor. "Before agriculture, before commerce, before civilization, we played together." Right, so, where's this going? Oh. They're rolling out a tool on their mobile app which allows people to generate basic games by sticking a text prompt into an AI model, then do some light rearranging of said game so they can pretend it's in any way unique or artful before they publish it for others to give a go. The tool's called Build. Read more

Title: Thief Gold with updated graphics and integrated modern controller support is the latest addition to GOG's preservation program, ahead of Nightdive's full remaster Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:04:27 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/thief-gold-with-updated-graphics-and-integrated-modern-controller-support-is-the-latest-addition-to-gogs-preservation-program-ahead-of-nightdives-full-remaster GOG, famed revampers of classic PC games, have done just that to the Gold edition of beloved purse-snatching stealth romp Thief: The Dark Project. Through the storefront's preservation program, the GOG version of Thief Gold boasts a number of handy tweaks to help it run seamlessly on modern hardware. Read more