Title: Unearthed Demon’s Souls Prototype Footage Reveals FromSoftware’s Original First-Person Take On The Souls Formula Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:00:07 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/demons-souls-from-software-prototype-first-person-2000722570 As fascinating as this prototype footage is, I'm sure we can all agree that it's good FromSoft ultimately went in a different direction

Title: Robert Pattinson’s Impression of Chris Hansen In Primetime Is The Creepiest Thing In A Movie Full Of Creeps Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:40:02 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/primetime-trailer-robert-pattinson-chris-hanson-impression-2000722584 Pattinson is doing what he does best: playing guys on the verge of Losing It

Title: The RAM Is All Gone, Folks Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:18:12 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-ram-is-all-gone-folks-2000722562 Also: Black Ops quietly won the summer

Title: Id Software Dev Says Xbox Doesn’t ‘Understand Art’ And That After Layoffs It Is ‘Impossible’ To Make Big Games Like Doom: The Dark Ages Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:29:07 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/id-software-dev-says-xbox-doesnt-understand-art-and-that-after-layoffs-it-is-impossible-to-make-big-games-like-doom-the-dark-ages-2000722563 id Software vet Chris Hays says entire departments have been 'gutted'

Title: Everything We Know About Haunted Chocolatier, The Stardew Valley Creator’s Next Game Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:10:42 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/haunted-chocolatier-everything-we-know-about-the-stardew-valley-creators-next-game-2000722445 Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

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: Fortnite’s Item Shop Has Become An Increasingly Annoying Labyrinth Of Frustration Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:36:56 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnites-item-shop-has-become-an-increasingly-annoying-labyrinth-of-frustration/ The Fortnite item shop has always been kind of annoying, because it's never had a consistent inventory you could browse like a normal store. There are more than 2,000 Fortnite skins that have been sold in the item shop, but only a few dozen are available on any given day. But Epic has never been content with just the FOMO angle--the company has been dinged by regulatory agencies all over the world for its "dark patterns" and coercive sale techniques. In some very significant ways, the Fortnite item shop is in much better shape now because of the changes those agencies forced Epic to implement--like being able to cancel an errant purchase, and knowing exactly when an item will leave the shop. Still, though, Epic continues to come up with new ways to make the Fortnite shopping experience more complicated and annoying, particularly in the past year. Let's break it down. Fortnite gift cards no longer exist You used to be able to buy a Fortnite gift card that would redeem directly for V-Bucks, but Epic stopped making those in 2025. While Epic does still have an item that it refers to as a "Fortnite Gift Card - Powered by the Epic Games Store," these are not actually Fortnite products at all. Instead, a current "Fortnite gift card" simply grants you credit in the Epic Games Store, and you can spend it on anything they sell on mobile or PC, including V-Bucks. So in reality these are EGS gift cards, and there is no current way to gift V-Bucks directly. This distinction is important because the physical "Fortnite gift cards" that are sold in stores (in denominations of $15, $30, $50, and $100) don't line up with any V-Buck purchase amounts. So if you receive a $30 card for your birthday, you can buy a 2,400 pack of V-Bucks and have $7 left over, or you can throw in $7 of your own money and get a 4,500 pack. Epic gift cards do have the added benefit of a 20% rebate in EGS credit when you put it toward Fortnite--but that's still an additional layer of stuff you have to think about beyond the original purchase, and all it really does is make you take extra steps to counter the most recent V-Buck price increase.  Oh, and if you play on Switch or Switch 2, you can't even use V-Bucks purchased with an EGS gift card on your device, because your V-Buck balance doesn't transfer to Nintendo's systems. Instead, you'll have to shop in a web browser and then restart your game to receive the items. More extra steps. Prices are a mess since the latest price change The latest price increase, back in the spring, was an example of shrinkflation--the prices stayed the same, but the amounts of V-Bucks you'd receive for your purchase went down. It used to be that $23 got you 2,800 V-Bucks, but now it's 2,400, and the other standard amounts have been adjusted similarly. On top of that, Epic added a new "exact purchase" feature that would allow you to purchase only the specific amount required for the thing you want to buy. That sounds good in theory, but it's a horrendous value given the way Epic implemented it. How it works is that it charges you two different rates within the same transaction. Let's use the new Lil Tecca bundle, which costs 2,600 V-Bucks, as an example. If you use the "exact amount" feature to purchase 2,600 V-Bucks, you'll pay $27--the first 2,400 costs $23 ($.95 per 100 V-Bucks), and the other 200 costs $4 ($2 per 100 V-Bucks). That might be tolerable in small amounts, but the value becomes increasingly terrible the more you're spending. Fortnite caps the price to use the "exact amount" just below that of the next tier of V-Bucks, meaning that if you're buying less than 4,500 V-Bucks with the "exact amount" feature, you will always pay less than the $37 that a 4,500 pack costs. But since using this feature is so exorbitantly expensive, you'll reach that cap by purchasing just 3,100 V-Bucks. And that means that using the "exact amount" feature to purchase any amount of V-Bucks between 3,100 and 4,400 will cost exactly $36.49. So if you were to use this feature to buy the Addison Rae bundle for 3,600 V-Bucks, you'd be shorting yourself 900 V-Bucks to save 50 cents. The price change and the expensive top-up are changes that work in tandem, because so many past shop bundles were oriented around the 2,800 V-Buck pack. I suspect that was one of the reasons Epic opted to shrink the V-Buck packs instead of raising prices again, because it theoretically pushes folks toward the unreasonable "exact amount" purchase or encourages them to get a bigger pack of V-Bucks instead. Fortunately for players, Epic has been offering more new shop bundles that actually line up with the new V-Buck amounts--Harley and Ivy, The Odyssey, Spider-Man, and David Beckham all received bundles that cost 2,400 or less, taking most of the friction out of the process for those items. But there are still plenty of new bundles that go beyond that price, like the recent Addison Rae, Lil Tecca, and Supergirl bundles. Shop FOMO is out of control There are more than 2,000 item shop skins, and just over half of them have appeared in the item shop at any point in the past four months. There are only a few dozen skins available to buy on any given day, there seems to be a limit on how many collabs they can have available at the same time, and the most popular Fortnite-original items rotate through over and over (like Aura, who appears in the shop several days every month) while less popular ones disappear indefinitely (like this cool bag man, who first appeared in the shop for three days last June and has never returned). Even collabs frequently suffer a similar fate--just ask any of the Attack on Titan or Transformers or God of War fans who've been waiting years to see those skins return. Similarly, they seem to only sell Star Wars cosmetics in May now.  The takeaway here is that it's not easy to shop for the things you want in Fortnite, because only a tiny portion of the game's cosmetics are available at a time. For Epic, that's always been the point--the FOMO system encourages you to watch the shop change every day and leap into action when something you want comes back. But if there's too much friction in that process, or if buying stuff routinely requires too much math and other mental effort, it can sour folks on the shop entirely. Other shenanigans Along with these broad, all-encompassing strategies, it appears that Epic has also been trying various other, more low-key techniques to boost sales both directly and indirectly. Since the Great AdiraFNInfo Incident back in the spring, in which Epic sued one of its former contractors for leaking upcoming collaborations, the Fortnite leaks scene has pretty much disappeared. This makes it harder to plan ahead, because we have much less of a sense of whether there's anything on the way worth saving our V-Bucks for. Epic has been frequently bringing back items individually, without the accessories that go with them or the bundles they belong to, which has been frustrating for folks who like having the full set. Sometimes they even return a skin and all its accessories but still leave out the bundle anyway, which essentially raises the price of the set. Over the past few months I've noticed a lot of strangely jumbled shop sections, like the above tab from the Toon Takeover section on June 15. It's impossible to tell with any confidence if the way this whole section was arranged--the above was one of six tabs of items and bundles from Futurama, Adventure Time, and Phineas and Ferb that were seemingly tossed together in a random order--was on purpose or just incompetence. But putting things in an order that people can't make sense of and deemphasizing the bundles so they look like just another item in the pile sounds more like a sales technique than it does an accident. Fortunately, we haven't seen this phenomenon pop up since Hot Bat Summer began in late July, so either they fixed the problem or stopped using this strategy, whatever the case actually was. The thing you have to keep in mind about all of this is that every irritation we've talked about here compounds with each other, and it ultimately creates a buying experience in which discerning customers are constantly frustrated, and undiscerning customers are overpaying without realizing it.

Title: Magic: The Gathering Has A Kickass Video Game You Probably Don’t Know About Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:45:54 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/magic-the-gathering-has-a-kickass-video-game-you-probably-dont-know-about/ We’re currently experiencing a huge renaissance of Magic: The Gathering popularity. The 33-year-old card game designed by Richard Garfield introduced the world to the concept of the trading card game itself: a game where players would collect individual game pieces and craft a deck that represented spells they would cast and creatures they would summon. It was a wild new form of player expression that greatly impacted the world of tabletop gaming for all time. Magic: The Gathering also told players a story--a narrative of powerful wizards known as Planeswalkers that would traverse multiple universes and duel with other powerful wizards in search of power and glory. So it would make sense that one day, Magic: The Gathering would come to video games. While the game’s digital client Magic: The Gathering - Arena is the premier way to electronically play the game nowadays, there’s a title from Magic’s early years that’s influence is being felt to this very day. Released in 1997 for personal computers and developed by Microprose, the eponymously named Magic: The Gathering sought to capture the excitement of the tabletop game to players all across the digital realm. Coming off the heels of an unprofitable era for the company, the developers sought the challenge of adapting the increasingly complex game into a single-player role-playing game. You read that right. Magic: The Gathering’s first video game was a single-player RPG. Magic: The Gathering followed the story of the Planeswalker (the player-character) travelling to the plane of Shandalar to save it from a great and powerful evil. The plane is invaded by five mage lords who are using their combined power to cast the “Spell of Dominion” that will allow them to summon the demon lord Arzakon, who is a Planeswalker himself. Microprose adapted aspects of the paper game in interesting ways. For example, Magic: The Gathering is often represented by colors that correspond to the game’s resource systems and playstyles. These colors are represented in-game by each of the evil mage lords: White, Black, Blue, Red, and Green. The player will choose one of these colors for their starting spell book, and traverse the overworld in search of more powerful spells to add to their knowledge in hopes of attaining enough power to stop the Spell of Dominion.  Magic: The Gathering (1997) While exploring the overworld, players will take on quests and visit towns. These quests will often task the Planeswalker with obtaining a specific powerful card or defeating an enemy. All battles in Shandalar are done using Magic’s robust gameplay rule system, and allows players to hone their card playing skills and decide what works and what doesn’t in their decks. In addition to quests, players can also encounter difficult dungeons that offer the iconic “Power-9” as rewards for completion. To this day, these cards are some of the most powerful cards ever printed and are a priceless tool in player’s arsenals. When the Planewalker is finally successful in defeating the mage lords, they learn that they’re too late, as Arzakon has been successfully summoned to Shandalar for a climatic final battle. Arzakon provides the greatest challenge in the game as he has the highest life total, the most powerful spells in the game, and access to all five colors of Magic. Though the Planeswalker is unable to fully defeat Arzakon, they are successful in sealing him away for a set number of years, depending on how much damage they are able to land in the final battle. In the real world, this damage is also used to calculate the player’s final score. Magic: The Gathering for PC was a critical and financial success for Microprose and received long-term support. Spells of the Ancients was the first expansion and improved on the game’s engine and UI and added cards from the Magic: The Gathering sets Arabian Nights and Antiquities that vastly improved its cardpool. This was eventually followed up with another expansion called Duel of the Planeswalkers that added cards from the sets Legends and The Dark.  The game’s life didn’t end there, though. For many years, the game has been modded to add more and more cards from modern sets. These modded versions of the game, often nicknamed “Shandalar,” introduce modern mechanics and designs into the single-player RPG framework that Microprose built all the way back in 1997. The game was also one of the first acting roles for Rhea Seehorn, now known for the critically acclaimed show Plurbius. She plays one of the tutorial mages in the game’s fantastically retro FMV cutscenes. The game can also be seen as an influence on CD Projekt Red’s Thronebreaker, a spin-off of The Witcher that used the in-universe card game Gwent as the foundation for its gameplay and combat while using a similar single-player RPG framework. Magic: The Gathering (1997) But perhaps Shandalar’s greatest tribute now comes in the form of an actual playable Magic: The Gathering card. Arzakon will be depicted on a card in the upcoming Mystery Booster: Commander set. A five-color Planeswalker card, players can use his abilities to either deal three damage to any target--like the iconic card Lightning Bolt--create a Black Lotus token that they can sacrifice for three mana of any one color, or force all players to shuffle their hands and graveyards into their decks like the powerful Timetwister. Arzakon is also one of the few Planewalkers that players will be able to use as their commander in Magic’s most popular format. Shandalar was Magic’s first foray into the digital space and laid the groundwork for telling deeper stories using the ruleset that was created in 1993. It proved there was an appetite to play the game on screens and not just tables. It laid the foundation for later titles such as Magic Online and even Arena while also being kept alive and updated by a dedicated fanbase. With Mystery Booster: Commander, it's a wonderful moment to allow players to reflect on a small but important part of this wonderful game.

Title: Who Gets Left Behind In Sony’s All-Digital Future? Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:28:50 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/who-gets-left-behind-in-sonys-all-digital-future/ When Sony dropped the announcement that it was going to be ending physical disc production for PlayStation 5 in early 2028, I saw many posts on social media lamenting how this decision would have an outsized impact on certain groups and institutions. People without reliable internet, lending libraries, gaming tournament organizers, gamers in developing countries--how would the decision to move to download-only games affect these people? I reached out to several folks, some of whom I knew while others I'd yet to meet, to ask them all the same question: How do you expect physical discs going away will affect gaming in your particular region or walk of life? While I'd expected to hear many lamentations and concerns, the actual responses were surprising. If anything, the reactions seemed very mixed. Some had already anticipated the digital-only shift, some were, expectedly, annoyed, and others brought up factors and considerations that I wasn't even aware of.  One of the most obvious areas of concern is access to games for people who live in rural areas with spotty local internet access. With game sizes ballooning, how are they supposed to download games reliably? Slow internet, but fast to adapt? I asked gamer Shana Gardner, who is located in a rural area of Wisconsin, for her input. She said she had already switched to digital-only purchases upon getting a PlayStation 5.  "I don't have much storage space for physical media and don't trade in games, so it made sense for me to switch to downloads," she said.  However, the choice came with some downsides.  "I have bought games that take multiple days to download over [a] DSL [internet connection], or preordered games with an early-download perk just so I could still possibly play on day one. I have spent evenings kicking everything else off the internet so I could download the bulk of a game overnight to minimize impact on my other online activities the next day." What does she feel about the plight of other gamers in rural areas with physical discs?  "I don't think that discontinuing physical media will necessarily disproportionately affect rural gamers; with the advent of services like Starlink, many of them have options for speeds greater than the 15Kbps I've lived with for way too long," Gardner said. "Patches already provide their own challenges with downloading, as do games that don't have physical media releases (though the latter are thankfully not prone to being enormous). We've already struggled with laggy online multiplayer games for years. Removing physical media entirely raises more concerns for me with the lack of ownership than it does internet speeds." "Honestly, though, with enormous patches and DLC being increasingly common, even buying physical media isn't much of an advantage as far as accessibility goes." The hidden burden of library game collections Another big concern for some is how the lack of physical discs would affect public libraries. Much like other media such as movies and music, certain library systems also loan video games to patrons. Whether a library offers games varies widely depending on the city or county where it's located: My county's library system, the Multnomah County Library, doesn't offer video games for loan at all, while the nearby City of West Linn does. I was surprised to learn that, alongside many libraries simply not handling games at all, many have already been scaling back their game offerings. Games are expensive compared to books and movies, and compared to other media, they're more commonly "lost" by borrowers, leading libraries to cut down on their purchases. Some libraries have observed dwindling popularity of game checkouts when compared to kids simply using the library's PCs and tablets to play games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox. One person I asked about the situation was Colleen Kemps, who worked and volunteered at the libraries in Meridian, Idaho. She said that games were often theft targets, and also mentioned that most games were checked out by parents rather than the kids themselves.  "Most teens and adults did not check out games because the library was slow to buy the newest games," she pointed out. "Games only served a small section of the community," she continued. "Compared to DVDs and audio books, we had much less invested in games. Also, because of the various number of newer gaming systems that were constantly being released, the older games were outdated very quickly. The expense of buying new games wasn’t cost-effective for a limited (library) budget." Overall, the feeling I got was that, while being able to check out physical games at the library is a great and cost-effective way for players to enjoy various titles, they also put a big burden on the systems through their high costs. Many library workers I spoke to who handled games wouldn't mind if their libraries pared down physical video game collections, since many children and teens seemed to prefer playing online games at the library anyway.  The global reality of going digital Video games are a global hobby, but the gaming experience for those in developing nations is significantly different from those in North America. Many countries don't even have their own official PlayStation Store--they rely instead on making accounts assigned to other territories and using credit to purchase games digitally. So, how would discontinuing physical games affect gaming in those territories? "I think that it will basically kill any gaming-specific shops, like BTgames (a well-known South African specialty retailer)," an avid gamer from South Africa, who opted not to have their name published, told me. "Considering the limited spending power here, casual gamers will be pissed they can't swap games or trade them in for credit, while hardcore gamers will be concerned that they don't really own the game," he said. "I wonder if people here, particularly in lower LSMs (Living Standards Measure, a South African research term similar to the concept of socioeconomic class), actually rely on the used games market to get into gaming because they can't necessarily afford new systems or games. Even in my LSM, I look for used games and heavy discounts." "I think most local gamers here are used to the always online mentality and the need to download updates," he continued. "I don't think there are tons of console gamers without at least decent internet connections." Another gamer and business owner in Ghana, also unnamed, shared their perspective.  "There's actually a growing e-gaming industry, so I don't know if digital games and connectivity are as big a deal as they used to be.Secondhand games aren't really a thing because here, [and] lots of people pirate games. You're more likely to get a free hand-me-down than have to buy a discount title. Also, you can pirate a disc for about $15 or pay someone to install them on your console for a similar price, instead of getting the full-priced version. Loads of pirated discs are on the market." It might seem, then, that going strictly digital might be a way for Sony to combat piracy in these markets, but that might not be the case, either.  "With digital games, (the pirates) basically log on with their accounts, download and install your requested games onto your console, and switch accounts again. All it costs them is the internet bandwidth," they said. One Kenyan fan, a public relations manager, seemed more concerned about the future of gaming accessibility in their country.  "From a Kenyan perspective, I think a move to all-digital could make PlayStation gaming less accessible for a lot of people," he said. "There is definitely a secondhand market here, not just for consoles but also for physical game discs. Many gamers buy used PlayStations and then exchange or resell games once they're done. For a lot of people, that's the only affordable way to keep playing new titles." He seemed a bit less concerned about internet availability, however. "On connectivity, it's a bit of a mixed picture. In Nairobi and other major towns, internet connectivity is generally good, with fibre and 4G/5G widely available. The bigger issue is the cost of downloading games. Modern AAA titles can easily be 80-150GB, and not everyone has an unlimited home fiber connection. Large downloads can still be expensive, especially outside major urban areas." "The affordability aspect is probably the biggest factor," he continued. "Buying a physical disc gives you something you can lend, sell, or trade. If everything becomes digital, you're locked into the PlayStation Store and its pricing, which removes the secondhand economy that many Kenyan gamers rely on. Digital gaming is definitely growing among wealthier gamers who own the latest consoles, have reliable home internet, and can buy games online using international payment methods. "Console gaming itself is still relatively niche in Kenya compared to mobile gaming, (and) tend to be concentrated in urban centers, and many people first experience PlayStation through gaming cafés rather than owning a console. Those cafés also often rely on physical discs or shared game libraries, so a fully digital future could change how they operate as well. "Overall, I think an all-digital strategy makes sense in markets where broadband is cheap and disposable income is high," he concluded. "In Kenya, affordability and the ability to buy, share and resell physical games remain important parts of the gaming ecosystem." Are fighting game players KO'd? As a fighting game player, being able to go to local and regional meetups and tournaments is very important. Many of these events are run by individuals or groups of local tournament operators (“TOs”) who volunteer their consoles to be used during the events. This often requires having many copies of games to run. After seeing some speculation online that gaming tournaments could be hurt by the digital-only mandate, I wondered, does not having discs as an option make running tournaments harder? In truth: not really.  Tabby is a frequent TO and event volunteer who helps run the Just Block tournament series for the Pacific Northwest fighting game community. She said that discs going away  wasn't a big deal at all.  "Discs are an extra thing to be misplaced or stolen at events, and don't actually allow you to run the game on more consoles than current digital offerings," she said.  Discs can also be one more thing to worry about during event setup and teardown. "(Games going digital) currently doesn't affect most TOs, especially as you scale up," she continued. "The only thing that will affect them greatly is if Sony breaks the workarounds people use for consoles having multiple shared accounts."  She described a method she uses to boot the same digital copy of the game on two separate consoles for offline play--a critical workaround for multiple setups and a lifesaver for budget-conscious TOs who often have to run events out of pocket. There currently isn't a program for small-scale or local tournament operators to buy multiple digital game licenses at a discount. Digital games do need to "phone home" every so often by connecting to the internet to verify their licenses, but Tabby said that isn't generally an issue for TOs, either. "(Previously) there was a pretty long window … you could get away with (being offline) for months, but I think they just changed it so that purchases need to be connected to the internet every 30 days to check licenses. For your average local TO running monthly events, it shouldn't be an issue." So will the end of physical PlayStation discs completely disrupt certain gaming communities? Going from these responses, the answer seems to be "not really," but this is a very small look at a very large topic. Regardless, it seem as though many have started to begrudgingly embrace an all-digital future, even if it's inconvenient for them. Others are finding ways to get around some of the restrictions the digital DRM imposes on them, or even just turning to outright piracy. Some expressed a bit of relief of not having to worry about discs being lost or stolen anymore. But, notably, not even the people who found discs a hassle seemed keen on the decision to kill consumer choice. Even if this decision doesn't lead to friction between gamers and actually playing their games, it still reflects concerning views on ownership. Digital media feels impermanent, no matter how it's consumed, since it can be snatched away at a whim. And as convenient and profitable as digital media may be--and no matter how much companies push global consumers in that direction--the satisfaction of owning something tangible is something that cannot be replaced.

Title: The Best Otome Games To Play That Aren’t Love And Deepspace Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:07:39 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-otome-games-to-play-that-arent-love-and-deepspace/ Otome has a long history, as vibrant and complex as any other video game subgenre. For decades, most of that history has been obscured in North America. The good news is now is the best possible time to get into Otome. The massive success of Love and Deepspace has more than proven that there is a huge audience for games focused on romances with men, and more of these games get translated (and made in English) than ever before. And, should you get interested in retro offerings, there are now fan translations aplenty, making it significantly easier to play through many of the genre's best offerings. For the purposes of this list though, we'll focus on games that are commercially available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and/or mobile with official English translations. If Love and Deepspace’s controversies have turned you off, or you just want to get away from its microtransactions, this list will give you plenty of alternatives to choose from. Mystic Messenger You could describe this as the original Love In Deepspace, in that it borrows an Otome structure and packages it into a free-to-play mobile game. But where Love in Deepspace is a sci-fi epic with a massive budget, Mystic Messenger is a charmingly low-rent game focused around texting. The game operates in real-time, which means it can slot into your regular phone use and might be a bit less of a concentrated time-sink than the other Otome games on this list. In fact, Mystic Messenger is designed around a phone's unique properties and assets. It's cutesy, joyful, and intimate in the way only texting a crush can be. Taisho X Alice As you might guess from the title, Taisho X Alice is an Alice in Wonderland riff, but the population of its looking-glass world are a bevy of gender-swapped princes, like Cinderella and Red Riding Hood, who vie for your affections. But don't let its lush art fool you. This is also one of a few Otome on this list that trade in darker themes. If you are looking for something with all the bittersweet edge of a fairy tale, Taisho X Alice is preparing a tea party just for you. Even If Tempest Look, Otome is full of nice boys. There's nothing wrong with that. But what if you want something darker, edgier, more complex? Chilled black coffee, instead of a sugary sweet latte? Even If Tempest opens with its protagonist burned at the stake and dives further into witch trials and criminal investigations. Its romantic interests are princes and inquisitors, people with relentless power over the protagonist, and some of them prove to be monstrous in more literal ways. It's an Otome with real edge and an ornate, gothic vibe to match. Collar X Malice Speaking of mysteries, Collar X Malice drops the Otome into a supernatural police procedural. After being attacked and chained with a poison collar, the protagonist becomes embroiled with a group of ex-police officers trying to solve related cases. Romance does take a back seat here, but if you enjoy visual novels like Dangonronpa, Ace Attorney, or Of The Devil, and wish those games were way more focused on interacting with cutie anime boys, Collar X Malice may be just the ticket. Variable Barricade With a premise befitting musical theater and romance novel alike, Variable Barricade is one of the sillier entries on this list. Protagonist Hibari is the lone heir of a massive fortune, but her grandfather wants her to get married and so moves her into a luxurious mansion with four eligible bachelors. The game-show-like theming and bright, cartoonish art gives this the feel of a zany romantic comedy. Obscura I wanted to include at least one English Otome, a subgenre worthy of its own dedicated attention. Otome-inspired games developed in North America or Europe tend to soften Otome's genre conventions. For example, while every one of Obscura's romantic interests is masculine, you can select the protagonist's gender at the start. But the game's interests are clearly aligned with several others on this list. Obscura is set in a black market, where masked visitors trade and sell what cannot be bought anywhere else. Obscura's men all have interests of their own and navigating their desires, as well as yours, is where the game's drama is. With every mask comes an ulterior motive. Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds Hakuoki is an example of historical fiction Otome, set in Kyoto during the waning days of the Edo era. This is an expansive one, with 12 bachelors to court and 30 endings, which fits its monumental historical scale. Any direct comparison to novels or film is a little reductive. However, if you like your romance to be grand and convoluted, full of political intrigue and sword fights, a la Outlander, Hakuoki will more than fit the bill. If you still can't get enough, this one has a sequel, Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms. Cafe Enchante This list has tended a little darker, emphasizing the genre's forays into mystery and drama. But there's plenty of cozy escapism in Otome, too. Cafe Enchante follows, well, a mystical cafe that is a crossroads between worlds. You can court angels, demons, firebenders, and even the Men-In-Black-esque bureaucrats who monitor the cafe, all while serving up delicious looking coffee and food. If you've enjoyed visual novels like Coffee Talk or VA-11 Hall-A, or cozy games like Stardew Valley or Tiny Bookshop, this could be right up your alley. Bustafellows Like Collar X Malice, Bustafellows is mystery-flavored Otome, with a bevy of "dangerous" men all trying to solve a mystery together. But where Collar has a hard criminal edge, Bustafellows is noirish and exaggerated. The courtable boys include a crooked lawyer, two underground surgeons, and a hacker--the cream of the crop of the criminal underworld. The protagonist's supernatural powers give its otherwise grounded mystery a fun, time-traveling flair. Bustafellows has two follow-ups; one is already out and another is on the way. Jack Jeanne If there is any game on this list I would recommend to anyone, regardless of their personal interest in visual novels or Otome, Jack Jeanne would be it. It follows Kisa Tachibana, whose only dream is to enter the all-boys theater school Univeil. A chance encounter with the school's principal lets her dream come true, but only if she can keep her true gender a secret and win the school's highest performing honor at the end of the year. Jack Jeanne stands out for a few reasons. For one, Jack Jeanne's boys make up a robust ensemble cast, all of whom must work together to put on the game's many performances. This gives it the sometimes-buoyant, sometimes-heartbreaking energy of the best sports anime. The art, from Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida, is verdant and cutting. Some light "raising" mechanics a la Umamusume or Princess Simulator and a surprisingly sharp pair of rhythm minigames round out a robust and heartfelt visual novel.

Title: I Replaced All My Consoles & PC With A Steam Machine For A Month Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/videos/i-replaced-all-my-consoles-pc-with-a-steam-machine-for-a-month/ Can the Steam Machine truly become my all in one solution for gaming?

Title: Contrapoints devours forbidden, decadent games | Shelf Quest Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:00:20 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/video/contrapoints-devours-forbidden-decadent-games-shelf-quest/ YouTuber Natalie Wynn, known as streamer and video essayist ContraPoints, viewed gaming as a forbidden delicacy when she was a kid. But that only made her want it more.

Title: 10 Sci-Fi Shows on Netflix Where Every Episode is a Masterpiece Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/best-sci-fi-shows-on-netflix/ Far too often, when you’re watching a series on Netflix and you’re really getting into it, you reach a point where the show suddenly goes way downhill. Even if things improve again later, the lull messes with the overall experience. Take The Walking Dead (currently available on Netflix). There are plenty of lulls you have to work through to get back to the good stuff and the show is downright unwatchable after Andrew Lincoln leaves. Or Lost, once that show started doing flash-forwards, it lost its edge. And Stranger Things, of course, suffered a massive decline after season 3.

Title: Tom Holland knows how to keep MCU secrets now Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:47:53 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/video/tom-holland-knows-how-to-keep-mcu-secrets-now/ What Marvel character do you think he was adamant about adding to Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Title: Sadie Sink can't say anything about Spider-Man: Brand New Day Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:35:29 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/video/sadie-sink-can-t-say-anything-about-spider-man-brand-new-day/ This seems like a good use of everyone's time.

Title: All treasure map locations in Pokémon Pokopia's Bubbly Basin DLC Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:35:22 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-pokopia-treasure-map-reward-location-rewards-mermaid-gym-starmie-habitat/ Treasure maps in Pokémon Pokopia are collectibles you can obtain by digging shining spots that spawn daily on the Bubbly Basin map.

Title: GeForce NOW Shakes Up August With 26 New Games Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:00:11 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-august-2026-games-list/ August is here, bringing 26 new games for GeForce NOW members.  Command the seas in World of Warships: Legends and discover what’s next in the GeForce NOW library, starting with the eight newly added games this week.  In addition, GeForce NOW is at the QuakeCon gaming conference this week in Grapevine, Texas, with hands-on experiences awaiting attendees. Return to QuakeCon  Visit the NVIDIA booth at QuakeCon to experience GeForce RTX 5080-powered Ultimate cloud gaming in action, with demos showcasing stunning visuals at up to 5K 120 frames per second on an ultrawide display, as well as seamless gameplay on the Lenovo Legion Go S handheld device. Conference attendees can see how thousands of PC games, including fan-favorite Bethesda titles, can move effortlessly across laptops, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more — letting members pick up where they left off on nearly any supported screen. Gamers not at the show can try out Ultimate cloud gaming in action with a day pass and jump into Bethesda titles from any device. All Games on Deck Sail the seas from nearly any screen. World of Warships: Legends drops anchor on GeForce NOW this week, bringing free-to-play naval combat. Captains can command destroyers, cruisers and battleships across massive multiplayer battles while exploring the latest update, featuring the Pacific Hammer Campaign, a new line of U.S. destroyers and more. Chart a course straight into the latest content across devices today without any installs needed, and check out all the games available this week: Big Walk (New release on Steam Aug. 4) Beacon Pines (Free on Epic Games Store Aug. 6) Sovereign Tower (New release on Steam Aug. 6) Expeditions: Samurai (New release on Steam Aug. 7) The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (Xbox, available on the Microsoft Store) The Incident at Galley House (Steam) Machine Party (Steam) World of Warships: Legends (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Pax Autocratica (New release on Steam Aug. 10) Car Wash Simulator (New release on Steam Aug. 10) Clawed (New release on Steam Aug. 13) Hell Let Loose: Vietnam (New release on Steam Aug. 13) Sandustry (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Aug. 13) The Sinking City 2 (New release on Steam Aug. 18) Mortal Shell II (New release on Steam Aug. 20) Gallipoli (New release on Steam, Aug. 20) Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 (New release on Steam Aug. 25) Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Aug. 27) Breathedge 2 (New release on Steam Aug. 30) World of Warships: Legends (Steam) High on Life (Steam) High on Life 2 (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Paradise Killer (Steam) Misery (Steam) Pratfall (Steam) Starvester (Steam) Extra Joy From July In addition to the dozen games announced last month, 15 more joined the GeForce NOW library.  Breath of Fire IV (Steam) Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Ubisoft Connect) CloverPit (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Dinoblade (Steam) Dino Crisis (Steam) Dino Crisis 2 (Steam) Esports Manager 2026 (Steam) Funnel Runners (Steam) Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo (Steam) Halo: Campaign Evolved (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Mistfall Hunter (Steam) Onimusha: Way of the Sword DEMO (Steam) Pathogenic (Steam) Sudden Attack Zero Point (Steam) The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian (Steam) Mistfall Hunter didn’t make it this month. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for the latest updates. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Share a game screenshot or clip that perfectly sums up your day so far. — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) August 4, 2026

Title: Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:20 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-back-to-school-2026/ Back to school means balancing assignments, deadlines and downtime. GeForce NOW makes it easy to have it all. With cloud gaming, everyday laptops used for class can also become GeForce RTX-powered gaming setups.  When it’s time to switch from studying to gaming, members can jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved, as GeForce NOW is bringing one of the gaming world’s most celebrated titles to nearly any device through the cloud, alongside eight total games joining the GeForce NOW library this week. From A+ to AAA Gaming  This back-to-school season, the easiest upgrade isn’t replacing laptops in backpacks. It’s unlocking even more from these same laptops, from creating to gaming. With a GeForce NOW membership, Chromebooks, Macs and Surface devices can become GeForce RTX-powered gaming PCs in the cloud. The GeForce NOW library features thousands of supported PC games, letting members stream titles they already own from digital stores like Steam, Xbox PC Game Pass and Epic Games Store in just a few clicks. The cloud keeps games up to date and ready to play, making it easy to jump into a match between classes, after homework or whenever there’s free time. Time spent waiting on downloads, patches and installs becomes time spent in game instead. The Ultimate membership enables best-in-class experiences by delivering 5080-class performance in the cloud with NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies for responsive, visually rich gameplay — all on the hardware gamers already own. A creator known as “Menguiny” recently put this to the test after picking up a MacBook Neo. GeForce NOW turned the laptop — usually the creator’s go-to for editing videos and everyday work — into a top-notch gaming machine, too. Another creator, “TechWithSeong” highlighted that same versatility GeForce NOW offers. Rather than juggling separate devices for work and gaming, he used GeForce NOW Ultimate to stream supported PC games across the devices he already owns — from a MacBook used for editing to gaming on the go with handheld devices. Gamers can start with a day pass and experience all the premium benefits without a monthly commitment. Plus, the cost of a day pass can be applied toward a first membership purchase — it’s like earning a little extra credit along the way. Everyone, at Their Stations Needlers never looked so sharp. Experience the Master Chief’s iconic journey on GeForce NOW in Halo: Campaign Evolved — a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign — rebuilt with high-definition visuals, updated cinematics and refined gameplay. Whether discovering Halo for the first time or returning after 25 years to finish the fight, it’s as the Master Chief says: “We’re just getting started.” Crash-land on the mysterious ringworld alongside Cortana and uncover great secrets while battling overwhelming Covenant forces. Fight through the rebuilt campaign, then continue the adventure with three brand-new missions featuring the Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson. Expanded weapons, iconic vehicles, hijackable Wraith tanks and optional Skull modifiers offer even more ways to play. Suit up across PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce NOW Ultimate, powered by GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud. Experience Halo with NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies delivering higher frame rates and ultralow latency that keep every firefight feeling responsive and worthy of a Spartan. From solo gaming to online co-op modes, GeForce NOW cloud saves let members log in and pick up exactly where they left off across supported devices — no lengthy downloads, extra storage space or expensive hardware upgrades required. The only thing left to carry is the mission. Let’s Play Today In addition, members can stream the following games this week: Halo: Campaign Evolved (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 28) Mistfall Hunter (New release on Steam July 29) Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (New release on Ubisoft Connect July 30) Sudden Attack Zero Point (New release on Steam, July 30) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Funnel Runners (Steam) Pathogenic (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Which game lore are you so familiar with that you can give a school presentation on it? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 29, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Sets Sail With ‘Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame’ Joining the Cloud Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:00:16 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-path-of-exile-allflame/ Lock in and load up the cloud. GFN Thursday brings fresh updates and new adventures, all ready to play without waiting for downloads. Set sail in Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame and charge in Battlefield 6 Season 4 both launching major content for members this week. Then revisit Capcom legends like Breath of Fire IV, Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved Advanced Access and discover nine titles arriving on GeForce NOW. The Curse Calls Prepare to brave the unforgiving waters of Wraeclast. Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame launches Friday, July 24, sending Exiles into the perilous Frozen Seas. Guided by formidable corsair captain Valerie and her cursed navigator Vesper, gamers must piece together scattered treasure charts, board the legendary vessel — the Sovereign — and chart a course into the abyss. Descend into the depths using Allflame Lanterns to uncover valuable relics while surviving the dangers lurking beneath the waves. The update introduces sweeping changes, including a complete rework of sockets and links. The Scion also gains the all-new Luminary Ascendancy, the Mercenaries of Trarthus return alongside mysterious Atlas Anomalies, and the preexisting Abyss, Legion and Talisman mechanics receive revitalized gameplay and exclusive rewards. GeForce NOW members can dive in the moment it launches across their devices, no downloads needed. Learn more about the latest additions on the Path of Exile website. Rise Through the Ranks The next operation begins. Battlefield 6 takes the fight further with Season 4, bringing new battlegrounds, expanded progression and new ways to play.  Take to the land, air and sea with the massive Tsuru Reef and the return of the fan-favorite Wake Island, coming in phase two. Both feature aircraft carriers with operational flight decks, new naval vehicles and a dynamic wave system that helps move every match. The update also introduces Custom Lobbies and Spectator Mode, delivering more ways to play. From large-scale multiplayer battles to intense vehicle combat, GeForce NOW lets members deploy across nearly any device. Ultimate members can stream with GeForce RTX 5080-powered performance across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more. Whether returning to the frontlines or enlisting for the first time, members can leap into the latest Battlefield update the moment it arrives on GeForce NOW — without waiting for patches. Dragons and Dinosaurs — on Any Device Classic adventures, now in the cloud. Three iconic Capcom adventures arrive on GeForce NOW this week, ready for longtime fans to revisit and new players to discover. Journey through the rich fantasy world of Breath of Fire IV, a role-playing game following the intertwining stories of Ryu and Fou-Lu. Master an array of skills and magic to unlock strategic victories in battle and go head to head with unique enemies using powerful Dragon Transformations.  Raw instinct takes over in Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, the survival-horror series that combines pulse-pounding action, resource management and thrilling dinosaur encounters. Pursued by a relentless prehistoric terror, players fight to survive from the facility to the world of the Cretaceous Period. Whether reliving unforgettable moments or discovering these legendary titles for the first time, gamers on GeForce NOW can experience gaming history on supported devices like Chromebooks, Fire TV and Steam Deck — no legacy hardware required. Spartans — Start Early Spartans don’t have to wait. Players who prepurchase the Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved can suit up for Advanced Access before the game’s global launch on Tuesday, July 28.  Start the weekend with all the new games arriving on GeForce NOW: ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian (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) Dinoblade (New release on Steam, available on July 23) Breath of Fire IV (Steam) CloverPit (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Dino Crisis (Steam) Dino Crisis 2 (Steam) The last word goes to the Community Corner. One GeForce NOW member recently shared they found themselves back on GeForce NOW Ultimate because they missed the flexibility of gaming across devices like Steam Deck. Their post sparked a discussion about why members tap into cloud gaming, whether as a backup, a travel companion or their primary way to play. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

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: Share of the Week: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – Jackdaw Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:00:18 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/07/share-of-the-week-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-jackdaw/ Last week, we asked you to share moments about Edward Kenway’s pirate ship, the Jackdaw, using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: _GenieCrazy_ shares the Jackdaw facing off against a British ship gh_holy_mash shares the Jackdaw sailing into the rising sun WarDragon989 shares a smoky view of the pirate flag waving off the Jackdaw during a battle lucaslu_ckli shares Edward crouched on the ship’s bow Photomode_Raro shares a view of a whale breaching as Edward steers the ship 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: Big WalkSUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 12, 2026  Next week, grab some friends and share moments spent puzzling together in Big Walk, available now as a PlayStation Plus Monthly game. Use #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Title: Celebrate 30 years of Quake with a brand-new episode, available today Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:15:30 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/celebrate-30-years-of-quake-with-a-brand-new-episode-available-today/ In 1996, id Software smashed through to another dimension – in one sense of the word, pioneering first-person shooters in the third dimension with the release of Quake, and in another, hurtling players feet-first into Quake’s otherworldly realm – a place beyond our reality where kinetic combat and a moody eldritch setting took FPS players to new heights. 30 years later, Quake has inspired countless hours played and frags tallied locally or online in Deathmatch, not to mention real-world connections and a major role in the rise of FPS esports with QuakeCon, North America’s largest LAN party (also celebrating the big 3-0 this year!). To ring in the 30th anniversary of Quake, just in time for the 30th anniversary of QuakeCon, MachineGames, in collaboration with id Software, return to bring you a brand-new episode for the iconic FPS: Play Video Available today as a free update for Quake on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Dawn of the Machine features a full 19-map campaign accompanied by a brand-new soundtrack and Deathmatch map.  Dawn of the Machine is a celebration of Quake’s history and influence on the developers at MachineGames and id Software. Following the team’s work on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants DLC, Lead Level Designer Andrew Yoder at MachineGames approached the studio’s Game Director Jerk Gusfafsson about an expansion for Quake. Gustafsson, Yoder and the rest of the team that worked on similar projects – dubbed internally as Quake Club – set forth three major goals for what would become Dawn of the Machine. First and foremost, of course, was celebrating Quake’s 30th anniversary. “We wanted to create something that felt authentic to the spirit of the original game: Horror! Action! Madness!” says Yoder. As such, players will face deadly twists on familiar entries from Quake bestiary such as the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog, and Blood Shambler, rising to the challenge with new weapon variants like ricochet-blasting Laser Cannon and the lightning-infused Super Axe for classic, fast-paced Quake carnage. The second goal the team pursued was giving veteran Quake players a new experience. Previous Quake episodes released by MachineGames alongside id Software, such as Call of the Machine and Dimension of the Machine, featured a traditional hub structure which reset the player’s progression between major areas. Instead, Dawn of the Machine has players battle through a continuous episode with continuous progression, which according to Yoder provided the team with “a challenge, requiring much more coordination and iteration to create.” To set the stage for its design, Dawn of the Machine has players back in the boots of Quake’s battle-hardened protagonist Ranger as he escapes an illusory dimension where time folds back onto itself. As the looping cycle of time progresses, so too will players as they discover ways to break the loop, uncover upgrades to their health and ammunition supplies and eventually take down The Nightmare Machine, the source of Ranger’s planar prison. “Nothing you see can be trusted,” says Yoder, “but there is a path to break through the illusion, defeat the schemes of the outer gods and escape.”  An early boss battle concept (left), plus early level plans (right) for what would become The Matriarch of Decay. Both underwent significant iteration during the production of Dawn of the Machine. The third goal in developing Dawn of the Machine was allowing the multifaceted and multitalented team at MachineGames and id Software to exercise their skills collaboratively on a smaller project compared to a modern AAA video game project. Some members of the Quake Club have made their own maps since the game’s release in ‘96 while others, including Yoder, have joined in more recently, making Quake Club a place for anyone on the team to contribute something to the project. “Quake Club has always been an opportunity for the team to learn and have fun,” says Yoder, adding that high-quality modding tools and Quake’s relative visual simplicity to the photorealism of modern day AAA titles allow team members to pitch in their expertise, even for tasks normally outside their area of specialization. As one example, Dawn of the Machine’s new soundtrack came about from an offer from Christian Plogfors, Advanced Level Designer at MachineGames. In addition to contributing two levels to the episode, Plogfors created a soundtrack with a dark, ambient tone expertly suited to the trippy, ethereal world of the expansion. “Christian proceeded to make a fantastic set of tracks that give the episode its own identity,” says Yoder. “The whole episode is so much stronger thanks to his contribution, stepping outside his normal role and bringing his other skills and passions to serve the project.” Reflecting on 30 years of Quake, Yoders says the opportunity to make Dawn of the Machine has been a privilege. “The team here owes a lot to Quake and its legacy,” he says, “Quake Club and our work wouldn’t exist without the wider Quake community and our friends at id Software.”

Title: Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites – Everything you need to know Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:48 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/ghost-recon-wildlands-last-rites-everything-you-need-to-know/ Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites is a major free update out now on PS4 and PS5. It revitalizes the game with new content, including a thrilling linear story mission, gameplay customization features, 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro, and more. To learn more about what you can expect, we spoke with Ubisoft Bordeaux’s Creative Director Olivier Leonardi and Live Strategy & Analytics Director Yossef Benzeghadi in a new interview. Play Video Wildlands launched nearly a decade ago. What can you tell us about the community still engaging with the game? Yossef Benzeghadi: Wildlands is a beloved gem within the Ghost Recon community, and taking down the Santa Blanca Cartel is fondly remembered. Either Solo or up to four players co-op, it’s a unique blend of open world and a fun immersive tactical military third person shooter that really stood the test of time. Back in the day, I was part of the Wildlands live team, and we really took the time to picture all the gameplay behaviors, player profiles, and playstyles we could see emerging in the game from the whole community. It acted as our golden compass throughout postlaunch. It led to the release of various fan-favorite content, still available today of course, such as our challenging Ghost Mode, or multiple Clancy-verse missions featuring Splinter Cell or Rainbow Six Siege. There was one key element that really stuck to me to this day – a group we initially called “Sandbox Players.” To be honest, at first, we did not really understand what the heck they were doing in our Bolivian Wildlands. Digging more, and more, notably thanks to community interviews and data-informed playtests, it finally clicked: they were role playing, ranging from cooperative mil-sim to simply adding extra optional layers of challenges on top of the game just for fun, taking hours to complete one mission perfectly. We had tons of players leveraging everything the game had to offer to transcend their gameplay experience to the next level. The level of customization and the overall freedom of choice the game offers were praised all around and for us that’s one of the main reasons players are still engaging with Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands today. With Last Rites, we are following up on that legacy, and there’s never been a better time to jump in. First, break down the features you’re adding in Last Rites, and why you added them. Yossef: First, and by popular demand, we are very happy to confirm 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro. To allow even more flexibility for role play fans and to bring more accessibility and freedom of choice to everyone, we are also adding various new settings to experiment with. With our new Ghost Parameters in the game’s Options menu, you can enable instant death or limitless revives, choose to have one or two primary weapons, and decide whether you keep remaining unused ammo when reloading or not. With our new World and Session Settings in the game’s Lobby page, you control the world itself. From the weather and time of day to alarms and jammers and even the rate of enemy patrols, you can craft your very own experience. You can even enable friendly fire in co-op, either to enhance realism, or allow some light PvP role play scenarios with your friends should you want to. We are also expanding existing categories from the Options menu with increased player agency. HUD and UI are more customizable than ever, and our new Difficulty settings now allow players to deep dive and tweak various elements such as Enemy Perception, Endurance, Vehicle Breakability and much more. Then, there’s Last Rites itself. It’s a brand-new story-driven mission you can jump into right away. Set in a darker, more oppressive Bolivia, the Ghosts enter a region controlled by Los Penitentes, a new fanatical cult united by faith, sacrifice, and violent justice. Coming from all walks of life, its members turn the environment into a constant threat, drawing the Ghosts into a tense narrative of betrayal and moral ambiguity. They are led by an enigmatic new foe, La Llorona. In addition, we’ve added tons of customization for your Ghost character and teammates, and many weapons and equipment have been unlocked for free, including previously unreleased camos and unobtainable challenge rewards. All Ghost War PvP classes can now be unlocked for free in the in-game store alongside many other items. And yes, we are adding some new Character Smith items to celebrate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 25th Anniversary, with a mysterious Operator Skin you unlock by completing Last Rites. A special thanks to the talented team at Ubisoft Bordeaux who made it all possible. Finally, PlayStation Plus members can get their hands on a brand-new exclusive Iconic Skin of La Llorona, unlock the powerful P416 Micteca, and embrace their presidential chic with the new 4-SHUR Blue Leader Sunglasses.  Last Rites has been created in part due to that community feedback. How did you actually gather and prioritize that? Olivier Leonardi: We met our community leaders and had a very open conversation with them. The goal was to turn raw community feedback into actionable insights that improved player experience while supporting the game’s core principles. We did so across multiple channels, structured it into themes, and prioritized based on player impact, intensity, and alignment with several player profiles. We know that a large part of our community are avid role players, so we crafted some of the features around their requests. Yossef: Working on Last Rites was quite an archaeological ride. Very early on the project, we broadly shared all insights and knowledge we gathered on Ghost Recon Wildlands during its postlaunch at the time, which was extremely valuable for the team. It served as a mirror to reflect on what we could do and explore on Last Rites, a vision which we fine-tuned over time thanks to those precious community discussions we had that Olivier mentioned. Notice we have been talking a lot about role play so far; this is the prime example of something we would have loved to explore further back in the day and are very happy we could prioritize now. At the same time, and for the same reasons, we know a lot of our players just love well-crafted and story-driven missions, and that’s why we are also delivering on that front with Last Rites. Talk to us about the new story content – Where did La Llorona come from, conceptually? Olivier: La Llorona has become an untouchable icon, a resurrected arbiter of justice, revered by the Bolivian people almost as a saint. Gathering devoted followers to her cause, she compels them to wear masks, erasing their individuality and demanding absolute obedience. These disciples, known as Los Penitentes, act as the ruthless executors of her will, delivering merciless retribution to anyone connected to the events that sealed her fate. We wanted this new antagonist to be quite dark and complex, but also someone that was deeply wounded, betrayed by the people she loved and trusted. La Llorona survived, but survival came at a cost. The betrayal destroyed her sense of belonging, leaving her suspended between who she was and what she’s becoming. Her vengeance isn’t just directed outward; it’s a way to reclaim control, to make sense of that pain, after what she experienced. She becomes a force of raw justice and destruction. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The mission is described as “unsettling” and the narrative shifts as players progress. How far did you push the tone, and why did you want to go darker this time? Olivier: We wanted to introduce this new mission as a very standard incursion, putting players back into Nomad’s boots, leading the Ghosts to do what they do very efficiently, but things quickly turn into something else; the familiar Bolivian environment becomes weird and the Ghosts start witnessing the wrath of La Llorona, aiming at anyone who might be accountable for what happened to her, especially the corrupt Bolivian government and its armed wing: Unidad. The more the Ghosts advance in her territory, the more they discover her twisted personality and how devoted her disciples are. Through different documents and audio recordings scattered across the world, players will be able to discover more about her goals and what she represents for the Bolivian people. Predator content returns with this update. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image What do you hope players take away from Last Rites – is there a single experience or moment you’re most proud of? Olivier: I think the moment at Varga’s villa, the reveal of La Llorona with her weeping widow mask, the confrontation with her Los Penitentes cultists, and what Nomad discovers there is both a strong gameplay and story moment. That changes everything for Nomad, and he’s confronting Emily Price, his CIA handler, trying to understand what causes this brutal transformation. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New to the game?  Play Ghost Recon Wildlands with Ubisoft+ Classics, available as a standalone subscription, and included for PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium members. Ghost Recon Wildlands Standard and Definitive Editions are also available for purchase at PlayStation Store.  The new Definitive Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass, and the Year 2 Pass, alongside 4 additional content packs: Quick Start, Deluxe, Nightfall Protocol, and Cold Eye. For current owners, a Definitive Edition Upgrade is also available.

Title: Onimusha: Way of the Sword opens up in the final preview Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:00:47 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-opens-up-in-the-final-preview/ At the outset of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Miyamoto Musashi is fixated on freeing himself from the Oni Gauntlet. This mystical artifact, through a strange twist of fate, has become bound to our hero. But the stubborn young samurai doesn’t want the gauntlet’s powers. Musashi’s sole desire is to prove himself by his hands alone. However, as the journey unfolds, Musashi’s views gradually shift and expand. He begins to embrace the path he’s found himself on, becoming more open to his new place in the world. Play Video The action game starts to open up after the early moments. Missions with tighter scopes flow into a wider location that offers new challenges to overcome and more room to explore our growing arsenal of abilities. This final gameplay preview picks up right where the Onimusha: Way of the Sword Demo leaves off. After Musashi duels rival swordsman Sasaki Ganryu on the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, he’s transported to an otherworldly dimension, the “Oni Refuge.” It’s a surreal landscape where gravity is a suggestion. Islands float in the sky, and we conjure ruins from thin air. Then the Genma barge in. Invading from the depths of hell, these demons clash with the sacred scenery, but they’ll soon meet Musashi’s blade. We swiftly cut them to shreds. When our katana connects with Genma, they’re carved apart at the angles our sword travels through their twisted forms. We call it dynamic dismemberment. This system splits them in two across the torso, hacks them from head to toe, and… well, you get the picture. Before long, Musashi plucks an Oni Bow from the wreckage of this realm. Finally, we can return fire against Genma archers. The bow also allows us to solve environmental puzzles that require range. Our arrows can trigger traps, too. Eventually, they’ll even come in handy during a duel, severing a boss from its power source, once Musashi returns to Kyoto. After excising the Genma from the Oni Refuge, the clouds of Malice looming above Kyoto begin to lift. Yet darkness still lingers here. Our next stop in Japan’s ancient capital is Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple. It’s one of many real-life locations in the game. Legends say it exists at the crossroads between our world and the gates of hell. For Musashi and his allies, this sanctuary becomes home. It’s their base of operations in the fight to save the city. Kyoto is a vast location far larger than anywhere we’ve seen in the game. However, our ability to wander and explore its streets has bounds at the moment. Hellish structures erupt from the earth and a toxic fog sweeps through town, forming blockades that imprison any locals who haven’t yet fled the demonic corruption. Our quest to liberate Kyoto begins by sealing rifts where Genma manifest in our dimension. These creatures spawn in all shapes and sizes, but Musashi slays them and absorbs their souls all the same. We’ll make use of these. Alongside treasures we discover, souls help us upgrade gear and unlock new abilities to face what awaits on the path ahead. This trail eventually leads to Kiyomizu-zaka slope, a pilgrim road that climbs up the hillside to the temple where we started this journey. Here lies the key to unlocking much of Kyoto. But to even enter this place we must first face some truly formidable foes. Back in the Oni Refuge, we had a run-in with Daidara, a towering Genma with a hulking frame and bottomless appetite. The gluttonous giant’s hunger even extends to devouring our hard-earned souls. We’re forced to make tactical decisions in the heat of battle about when to absorb souls, or risk losing them to Daidara’s ravenous maw. This isn’t the only Genma after something of ours. Another offers to free Musashi from his gauntlet… at the cost of his entire arm. Our hero considers this deal, if only for a moment. Though Musashi has warmed up to his Oni Gauntlet, he still hopes to remove it. It’s a wish Rasho-gan is only too glad to grant. This multi-armed monster has been posing as a deity at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Here, he fulfills worshipers’ desires in the worst possible ways. Constructed from the body parts of his victims (like the leg of a man who longed to be rid of knee pain), Rasho-gan wields his extra limbs to throw everything he has at us, including uprooting trees, boulders, and even entire buildings to crush Musashi. Escaping Rasho-gan’s clutches with our lives drives us to make full use of the game’s deep arsenal of combat techniques. For our efforts, the shrine guardians reward us with Oni Strength. Musashi accepts this new power, and we can now tear down the demonic barriers around Kyoto. Now it’s time to take down the source of the toxic fog choking the city. This life-sapping mist emerges from eerie plants, and it clears when we chop them down. However, Byakue stands in the way of our gardening. Before we can fell the final tree, this animalistic Genma charges in. As we brawl, the brute gets coated in its own blood and grows wilder. Skill alone may allow Musashi to outlast this creature, but another strategy proves wise. Delivering fewer but more devastating blows soon tames the beast. After completing the mission, the evil haze over much of Kyoto clears. The townsfolk come out and rejoice. Now, more of the city is open for us to explore. This is just the start of our action-packed adventure. It’s one that players can look forward to experiencing for themselves when Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches for PlayStation 5 on September 4. Pre-orders for the game are available now at PlayStation Store.

Title: The Power of Motherhood Amid Chaos – 1998: The Toll Keeper Story Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:53:23 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/04/20260805-toll/ In Indonesia, there is a saying that perfectly captures the core concept of our game, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story—”A mother’s love knows no bounds, spanning across all time.” This beautiful sentiment slowly but surely transforms into a harsh reality when that very maternal instinct is tested against a backdrop of escalating, threatening chaos. This is Dewi’s story. While deeply inspired by our own homeland’s history, the events of 1998 in Indonesia, where a severe monetary crisis triggered widespread social unrest that victimized innocent groups, remain tragic yet universally relevant today. It often feels as though the world refuses to learn from the mistakes of the past. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dewi, alongside other characters like Heru and Sinta, does not stand there to fight a massive tide that is far beyond her control. Day after day, from inside the toll booth she operates, she witnesses the raw human struggle for survival, all while fighting tooth and nail to keep her own baby safe and healthy. This entire conflict unfolds through a document and currency-checking mechanic that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Papers, Please. Amidst the routine, Dewi’s toll booth becomes a sanctuary where affected citizens air their grievances, regardless of whether they support or oppose the government of that era. The choices Dewi makes will ultimately shape the conclusion of her story. Without ever intending to romanticize the tragedy that inspired it, this narrative will be brought to life through hand-drawn cutscenes, rendered in the GameChanger Studio’s signature art style. A diary at the end of each day will also serve as a space to reflect on the deep anxieties Dewi faces, both as a woman and as a mother. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image With the features offered by the PlayStation 5, we are confident we can make Dewi’s journey even more immersive. The answer to this ambition lies in the Haptic Feedback technology, which will adapt uniquely to the various types of vehicles passing through Dewi’s booth. These vibrations will serve not only as vital gameplay clues but also as a physical representation of the earth-shattering challenges Dewi must endure while navigating her pregnancy. We hope that the emotions and message we wish to convey through Dewi’s journey in 1998: The Toll Keeper Story will leave a lasting, profound impression on you when you experience it on the PlayStation 5. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Trailer link: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YT-R7l6wM Store link: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10018178/

Title: Space News Network is No Man's Sky but you're a roving journalist, blasting bandits while trying to keep your subscribers happy Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:02:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/space-news-network-is-no-mans-sky-but-youre-a-roving-journalist-blasting-bandits-while-trying-to-keep-your-subscribers-happy Yet again, friends, I am escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism. They have need of journalists up there, no matter what that dafty Musk might prefer. Or so I understand from Space News Network - a No Man's Sky-esque exploration game in which you play a starpilot reporter, rocketing between strange new worlds in search of the next scoop. You'll brave pirate blockades, descend through the atmosphere and tangle with unidentified fauna, all in the name of such Pulitzer Prize-baiting bulletins as "Cisiom: it's glowy, it's blue. Is it safe to touch?" Read more

Title: "Machines that weren't game machines before will become game machines": Take-Two CEO predicts that streaming will help fix the industry's hardware pricing problem Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:17:48 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/machines-that-werent-game-machines-before-will-become-game-machines-take-two-ceo-predicts-that-streaming-will-help-fix-the-industrys-hardware-pricing-problem Gaming hardware costs an absolute megaton, right now, but don't you worry, says Strass Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive – we'll soon be playing all our games via streaming services anyway. Speaking during the company's latest investor call, Strauss suggested that the games industry will "be in commercial streaming mode within three years" - that's to say, people will be accustomed to streaming live gameplay from potent central computers over low latency connections, and all of this RAMnarök stuff will be a thing of the past. Haha, look at you gawping! You are thinking a word in your head, and it rhymes with "Nadia". Read more

Title: "Ideas like this usually just die": Inside generative AI’s effect on modding, and how host sites struggle to maintain transparency Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:19:46 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ideas-like-this-usually-just-die-inside-generative-ais-effect-on-modding-and-how-host-sites-struggle-to-maintain-transparency I’ve been scrolling through Nexus Mods near enough every weekday morning for three or four years now. On a good day, I might spot a couple of new mods potentially worth writing news about and a couple, usually Skyrim player homes, I might fancy checking out in my free time. Historically, browsing for mods was largely just a matter of gauging which looked complex or unique enough to be worth investigating further, and making sure nothing about them appeared offensive or otherwise dodgy. Usually, new quests, new mechanics, or substantial overhauls which can turn a game on its head got the nod. Then, a few years ago, AI-generated voices started popping up in the former. Skyrim, being the most actively modded game, was ground zero. Read more

Title: "Credible military storytelling": Ubisoft announce playtests for new Ghost Recon game alongside a sizeable Wildlands update and a Future Soldier giveaway Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:15:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/credible-military-storytelling-ubisoft-announce-playtests-for-new-ghost-recon-game-alongside-a-sizeable-wildlands-update-and-a-future-soldier-giveaway Much like the CIA spreading misinformation ahead of a cheeky little regime change, Ubisoft have begun talking about their next proper Ghost Recon game. According to live producer Irina-Gabriela Popa, it'll be "a fun, fresh experience that stays true to everything that defines Ghost Recon – tactical action, large scale operations, credible military storytelling and, of course, the Ghost Unit.” Read more

Title: Co-op climber Peak finally reaches the summit, with its last major update bringing two foreboding new biomes next week Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:44:12 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/co-op-climber-peak-finally-reaches-the-summit-with-its-last-major-update-bringing-two-foreboding-new-biomes-next-week Just over a year of post-launch additions for climbing with your mates game Peak will end with one last update next week. In what's called the Final Ascent, devs Aggro Crab and Landfall are wheeling out two spooky new biomes as a challenge to round out the scaling of rugged landscapes. Read more