Title: Low-Budget Animated Movie About A Cow Gets So Popular Theaters Are Using Ridiculous Hand-Drawn Posters Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:15:21 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/niu-law-cow-film-meme-hand-drawn-posters-2000724980 Here comes the cow!!

Title: Avengers: Doomsday Moviegoers Are Being Told To Watch Over 41 Hours Of MCU Movies And TV Shows Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:40:10 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/avengers-doomsday-disney-plus-marvel-what-to-watch-homework-2000725003 Please remember to take notes, and there will be a test

Title: Body Horror Bon Vivant And Game Designer Screaming Mad George Dies At 69 Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:21:18 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/body-horror-bon-vivant-and-game-designer-screaming-mad-george-dies-at-69-2000725022 The special-effects sorcerer conjured his specific brand of big-screen grotesqueries through Freddy Krueger, Predator, and the PlayStation’s most surreal pinball game

Title: The Toy Maker Behind Barbie And Hot Wheels Wants To Make Its Own Video Games Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:00:06 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968 Mattel is looking to succeed where Hasbro failed

Title: When Is The PS6 Coming Out? Even Sony Doesn’t Know The Answer Yet Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:50:03 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/the-ps6-launch-date-is-still-up-in-the-air-2000725002 Scheduling is happening amid an unprecedented cost crisis for gaming

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: GTA 6 Does Look A Bit Different In New PS5 Promo Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:29:08 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-does-look-a-bit-different-in-new-ps5-promo/ Sony is flexing its video game muscle with a new "It Happens On PS5" ad campaign, and the one-minute video features arguably the most anticipated title ever: Grand Theft Auto VI. Now, to be clear, there are only snippets of old footage for the open-world experience. But you should know by now that won't stop the internet from poring over every single little detail. For example, the X account DriftRespawn notes that letterboxing has been removed in the new PS5 promo from a clip where Jason Duval is hanging on to the back of a convertible, with Lucia driving the car. This scene first appeared in GTA 6's Trailer 2 from May 2025. The "It Happens On PS5" video is full screen instead of having black horizontal bars at the top and bottom.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Su0IfHRms That's not all, either. The scene does seem lighter in the PS5 ad, and Lucia's face has a few minor differences. Her eyebrows are less pronounced and her hair color appears browner, though this might be because of the changed lighting in general.  It's important to keep in mind that video games change as development proceeds, so these tiny differences could just be part of that process for GTA 6. We shouldn't be shocked to find out about other alterations when the GTA 6 "Extended Look" trailer hits Netflix on August 27, either. We're now fewer than 100 days away from GTA 6, and the hype train shows no signs of slowing down.. GTA 6 won't arrive on a disc, and Sony is killing disc production in 2028--which has caused a major backlash, at least on social media. However, it doesn't seem to be impacting GTA 6 preorders.  Last but not least, it's not just GTA 6 in the new PS5 commercial. Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey also get some of the spotlight. Meanwhile, GTA 6 is set to launch November 19. GTA 6: 241 Screenshots To Ease The Wait View Images

Title: Star Wars Zero Company – Official Final Trailer Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:01:53 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/videos/star-wars-zero-company-official-final-trailer/ “I’m asking you to join me in going after Fathom with everything we got.” Command an elite squad through a gritty and authentic story in Star Wars Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game launching on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 27, 2026. Each tactical decision you make on the battlefield could be the difference between life and death for Zero Company Operators in this cinematic original story set in the twilight of the Clone Wars Era. Lead the Clone Wars’ Most Cunning Operatives - Command the galaxy’s finest in tactical operations, investigations and other heart-pounding missions through a cinematic original story set in the Clone Wars era. Choose Your Path to Victory - Strategize and adapt at both your base of operations and an ever-shifting battlefield to make every move count. The outcomes of your decisions make each playthrough different. Engage in Tactical Star Wars Combat - Deploy a team of operatives composed of a wide variety of character archetypes ranging from scoundrels to astromechs, or even a Jedi, choosing from an arsenal of tactical abilities to outmaneuver and defeat your foes. Forge Deep Bonds with your Squad - Improve your squad’s skills as you deploy them on missions, where they learn to work together and unlock new combat synergies that could be the difference between victory and defeat. Personalize Your Fight - Customize your combat specialization and appearance for Hawks, then fill out your team with original and custom-made Star Wars characters, tailoring their appearances, loadouts, and abilities to fit your unique playstyle.

Title: Welcome To GameSpot Cheap Week Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/welcome-to-gamespot-cheap-week/ Gaming is expensive. That's always been true, even if other hobbies could be worse in that regard, but recent years have seen the situation only become more extreme. Enter GameSpot Cheap Week. All this week, we'll be publishing assorted features looking at how we got here--why are consoles so expensive, what goes into game pricing--and ways in which you can play more while spending less, be it through mods, libraries, or games that just don't cost an arm and a leg. Check back with this page as we publish more all throughout the week! Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FatSqS3VYY

Title: Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)? Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-are-video-game-consoles-so-expensive-these-days-and-games-historically-cheap/ Gaming has never been more expensive. We're here to investigate why, and help you play more while spending less. Welcome to GameSpot Cheap Week. Like seemingly everything else in life these days--from gas and groceries to coffee and ground beef--video games and the systems they're played on are getting more expensive. There are numerous reasons for this, and the overall picture for the near future is a bleak one.  "A few separate pressures all landed at once, and it's the pile-up, not any single one, that's made gaming feel suddenly expensive," Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics told GameSpot. As part of GameSpot's Cheap Week, we're running through the history and context of how we got here, the facts on the ground, and what comes next. What's going on? There are numerous factors at play that have contributed to the situation the industry now finds itself in. US President Donald Trump's controversial tariff plan, announced in April 2025 (on the very same day as the official Switch 2 reveal, to boot), is one reason. In short, the Trump administration's actions led to higher costs borne by console manufacturers. In the environment of line-must-always-go-up capitalism, those increased costs were passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices at retail. All the while, companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo raked in gigantic profits, paying executives massive sums along the way.  The tariffs were deemed illegal in 2026 by the United States Supreme Court. Subsequently, companies like Nintendo and others were able to seek refunds, but no one should expect the companies to return any recouped money to consumers who paid higher prices. Nintendo recently said in court that it bears no legal obligation to pass along any refund (plus interest) that it gets back from the government to people who paid more. Making its case, Nintendo's legal team said people who paid higher prices due to tariffs "received exactly what they bargained and paid for." Microsoft and Sony have not commented on plans for any tariff refunds it may receive, though Sony touted the positive impact in its financial results. Many people are dismayed by these results, seeing it as a situation where companies charged people more to cover the cost of tariffs, got the money back, and then kept it. Nintendo may have a legal case to keep any refunded tariff money, but that doesn't mean regular people who paid the Trumped-up prices are going to be happy about it. Another factor driving up prices for game hardware is the AI-fueled demand for RAM, storage, and processors, which has led to a nasty and dire situation known as "RAMageddon." Many companies big and small are ramping up investment in AI and data centers, betting, speculatively in many cases, on a future where AI is a major economic driver. These investments, including AI data centers, require vast amounts of memory and GPUs--cutting into the same limited supply needed for consoles and gaming PCs. And thus, the squeeze.  Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said earlier this year that the company is experiencing a "hardware component crisis," and many have pointed out the irony being that Xbox's parent company, Microsoft, is one of the biggest players in the AI race and has contributed to the crisis Xbox finds itself in. Putting that aside, Sharma said that when she joined Xbox in February 2026, the price Microsoft paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as the company paid in Fall 2025. Since then, the costs doubled again, she said. For Holiday 2026, Sharma said Microsoft expects "another significant increase," taking us over 5x the prices that Microsoft paid just two years prior.  "Memory costs have followed a broadly similar trajectory. While the entire industry is facing a components crisis, we believe we have been impacted more greatly than many of our peers due to the choices we made over the last half decade," Sharma said. "We are currently unable to make as many consoles as players want to buy, and we need a new business model and partnerships for hardware as we remain committed to Helix." "A structural problem with the model itself" Also at play here is what Elliott called a "structural problem with the model itself" for video game consoles. Historically, a company like Microsoft or Sony would sell their consoles at a loss and then make up the difference with more margin-rich products like games and accessories.  "That model only works if you can fabricate the box cheaply enough to subsidize it. When components cost what they do now, subsidizing hardware is impossible, so the loss-leader console ain’t happening viably. The whole economic engine of the console business is seizing up," he said. It wasn't always like this Historically, video game consoles got cheaper over time. Enthusiasts would pay full price at launch, but after a period of time, companies like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft would be able to produce consoles at a lower cost, due to manufacturing efficiencies and other cost-reduction efforts, in turn passing those savings along to the consumer in the form of price cuts. This was a regular practice for The Big Three, and it held true for years. People could reliably expect a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo console to be available for $50 or $100 less just a couple years after launch. In turn, at this stage in a particular console's lifecycle, a price drop would help drive adoption further to an even wider audience with the overall aim of funneling people into where the real money is made: games and accessories (and, in the past two decades, services). That formula no longer holds true.  After the latest PS5 price hike went into effect this past April, the same digital edition of the PS5 that launched at $400 in 2020 is now $600--a whopping $200 price increase. Xbox Series X|S consoles, meanwhile, have gone up by more than $200. The Switch 2 is getting a price hike to $500 this September. The original Switch, meanwhile, launched in 2017 at $300 and now costs $340--and that's for a nine-year-old console. Valve's Steam Deck has gone up, too, launching at $400 in 2022 and now going for $790.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FatSqS3VYY Mistaking a bubble for a baseline Elliott told GameSpot that the "pandemic boom" for video games, when people were stuck inside and turned to gaming, is partly to blame. He said the executives at gaming companies made the wrong bets during this time. "The industry foolishly mistook a bubble for a new baseline," he said. "Developers staffed up and increased production budgets, [and] companies, fueled in part by historically low interest rates, went on acquisition sprees. "A lot of folks thought the number would keep going up," Elliott said. Then reality set in. Interest rates began climbing again, cost-of-living concerns took off, and all of the growth in gaming compiled during the pandemic "went to shit," Elliott said.  "So you've got an industry with a bloated cost base suddenly under pressure to make its money back. Sadly, the two go-to levers for the powers that be are charging more and cutting staff. We've seen a brutal amount of both," he said. When might things get better? Experts generally agree that AI is a bubble that is set to burst, with a select few "winners" emerging but many more falling by the wayside, just like the dot-com bubble. No one knows when or if the general market conditions surrounding memory and component availability could improve, but the consensus is that it won't be anytime soon. South Korean semiconductor company SK Hynix recently said 2027 will be the "worst year in the industry's history from the supply perspective." The company's chief executive made these comments on the very same day that SK Hynix started trading in the American stock market, and the comments were perceived by many to be an effort to juice the SK Hynix stock. Whatever the case, analysts and experts have consensus around the idea that the memory and component crisis is not ending anytime soon.  “Would I be surprised to see further price increases, potential shortages, or other complications? Not in the slightest,” Circana's Mat Piscatella told The New York Times. Elliott expects things to get worse for gaming hardware in the near term. "The component squeeze won’t ease until at least 2029, or when the AI bubble finally pops, so hardware stays expensive," he said. The impact on PS6 and Project Helix Microsoft has announced its next-generation platform, Project Helix, and Sony has hinted at plans for a future console, which for the purposes of this story we will call the PlayStation 6.  Experts believe the AI-fueled component and memory crisis has led Sony to rethink its plans and possibly delay the PlayStation 6. Sharma, the CEO of Xbox, said this year that gaming consoles have become too expensive and that "radically different" plans are needed. Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball, meanwhile, said, “The crisis is not yet getting better,” acknowledging that he may have underestimated how bad things could get. “The window in which we and others are gonna have to work through is getting longer, and that is going to constrain the category." “We are working very hard to rethink everything that we can about Helix," he added. For the PS6, Elliott said it would be "madness" for Sony to launch a new console into this market, given what is going on. He also pointed out that Sony's announcement that it will stop supporting physical game discs in January 2028 is a tell that the PS6 is not launching before then. Sony is killing off discs first because people are increasingly shifting their spending to digital--this has been evident for years, at Sony and basically every other major game company in the world. Sony might still sell many millions of physical game discs annually, and people are understandably upset and worried about game-preservation and ownership generally. But the math is the math, and Sony, like any other corporation, is in the business of making money. Industry analysts have also suggested that Sony is killing off discs in part because it foresees a future where game hardware, like the PS6, will be a high-end, premium product with a price point to match. If Sony ends up selling fewer systems as a result, it will protect some profit by exclusively selling digital games, where it keeps nearly 100% of the profit from first-party games and 30% from third-party games sold on the PlayStation Store. When discs go away, the secondhand market will die, too, further enriching Sony in the process.  Knock-on effects Data already shows that gaming is becoming increasingly a hobby for richer households, and Elliott said he foresees a future where this only drifts further. Whereas game consoles were at one point mass-market devices, they are swiftly becoming items for the "premium enthusiast." This could lead to a split in the gaming audience where casual and lower-income players simply opt out of buying a PS6, Helix, or Switch 3, and instead stick with whatever hardware they already have, or spend more time and money on PC, mobile, and free-to-play games. A second knock-on effect is that platform holders and publishers will try to "squeeze more from a smaller premium base," with an aim of focusing more on ARPU--or average revenue per user. This likely won't result in the kind of consumer-friendly future many hope to see. As mentioned before, the secondhand market for buying games more cheaply could evaporate, advertising-based gaming programs and in-game ads could proliferate, and Buy Now Pay Later services could only creep further into what Elliott said "used to be a clean, premium experience." Already, this is happening, as Microsoft touted Buy Now Pay Later in a blog post announcing the latest round of Xbox price hikes.  "I'm not thrilled about ads and payment plans in my living room, but given the economics, that's the reality," Elliott said.  What about the price of games? Some predicted it would be EA or Ubisoft, but it was Nintendo, of all companies, that caused a stir in 2025 when it announced that Mario Kart World would be priced at $80. Nintendo's justification for upping the price from the going market rate of $70 for a top-line new release was that Mario Kart World simply offered that much value. Multiple more Switch 2 games, like Elden Ring and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, will cost $80 as well on Switch 2. The biggest release of 2026, Rockstar's GTA 6, will also cost $80 upon release in November, and you won't be able to buy the game on a disc.  Elliott said the "AAA arms race did its own damage" as it relates to pricing for big new games. The biggest games today can cost "hundreds of millions of dollars" to produce, and with so much capital spent, companies want to see a significant return on investment. In turn, this has led to risk-averse decision making, along with developers pumping out remakes and sequels that have a higher likelihood of turning a profit. This has contributed to an environment where companies charge $80 for new games, fill games with what some call gross microtransactions, and stack on more add-on content than the cost of a game itself, as was the case recently with the Black Flag remake. At the same time, big new video games are cheaper than they've ever been, at least if you view things through a certain economic lens. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick said major new releases have actually come down in price over the years when you consider how inflation has affected pretty much everything else you buy these days. The $60 in 2013 dollars that GTA 5 cost at launch is now more than $85 in 2026 dollars, for example. Nintendo's iconic Super Mario 64 launched at $60 back in 1997, and that's about $125 today.  The world has changed a lot since then. If people's pay matched or exceeded inflation rates, increasing costs might be more palatable. Economic data does not paint a clear picture on whether or not Americans' wages have kept up with inflation. Beyond that, historical data is just that--historical. People are living in the here and now, with whatever money they have, and that money is simply not going as far as it used to, creating the cost-of-living crisis we are in today. Whatever the case, people like former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden have said for years that companies refusing to raise prices was actually detrimental and has caused numerous systemic problems, contributing to the situation the industry finds itself in. Layden said the price of new games ought to have gone up $10 for each new console generation, and when that didn't happen, companies made efforts to extract more money from people with things like microtransactions, battle passes, and subscriptions. “I think it’s because everyone’s afraid,” he told GI.biz. “No one wants to be the first one to raise the price, because you’re afraid to lose traffic. So what you do is you just end up eating into your operating income, your profit margin. There were more sports cars in the parking lot in the PS1 era than there were in the PS4 era, because if you’re selling 20 million units at $60 for something that only cost you $10 million to make, that’s different than selling 20 million units at $60 for something that cost you $160 million to make.” On the flip side, if more companies raise prices to $80 like Rockstar is doing with GTA 6, that doesn't mean developers will stop hawking things like microtransactions, DLC, and battle passes. Instead, these efforts to increase ARPU will likely continue in concert with price hikes because why would a company cut off, or scale back, a revenue stream? Gaming is not dying Buying the latest consoles might be more expensive than ever, but gaming is not dying. "Far from it," Elliott said.  Gaming, as an overall market, is becoming broader and, for many people, cheaper than ever thanks to games bundled into subscription services, free games, and inexpensive games. Meccha Chamelon, for example, was recently released for $6, and it became June 2026's No. 2 overall best-selling game in the US measured by revenue. It beat out titles like 007 First Light, Star Fox, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and MLB The Show 26. "The premium tier is getting pricier and narrower. Gaming as a whole is getting broader and, for most people, cheaper. Both things are true," Elliot said.  "Still, what a bloody mess."

Title: A Call Of Duty Studio Could Work On Halo, Report Says Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:57:25 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-call-of-duty-studio-could-work-on-halo-report-says/ After Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, one of the first things people theorized was that the company would have one of Activision's numerous Call of Duty studios work on Halo. That already happened, according to a new report, and though it hasn't led to anything yet, that could change down the road. According to Rebs Gaming, who has accurately reported on unannounced Halo news before, Microsoft enlisted Sledgehammer Games to help develop a Halo multiplayer game. Halo Infinite Sledgehammer reportedly began work on a prototype in June of this year, but whatever this was ended up getting canceled in July--only basic gameplay elements like player movement were said to have been tested. That doesn't mean the idea of a Call of Duty studio working on a Halo game is gone forever, however. The report said, "Microsoft is still exploring the proposition, but they have not greenlit anything yet." In July, Windows Central reporter Jez Corden said he heard a "crazy rumor" that Microsoft "might put Halo under Activision." He said this wasn't a sure thing, but it could be part of a larger restructuring to help Halo "start delivering on the level of potential that it actually has." The Halo series has fallen from its heights, with many fans saying the series, under Halo Studios, has been unable to achieve the same critical and commercial success as it did under Bungie. The latest game in the main series, Halo Infinite, was a disappointment to many. The latest remaster of the original Halo game, this July's Halo: Campaign Evolved, didn't resonate with everyone, either, and the lack of multiplayer support cofounded many, including the franchise's co-creator. Campaign Evolved didn't get off to the best sales start, either, it appears. No new Halo games have been announced, but Halo Studios is said to be working on a new Halo multiplayer game that is "like Fortnite" in terms of its live-service approach.

Title: 'Lanterns' Episode 1 Ending Explained: What That Big Twist Means for Hal Jordan and John Stewart Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:15:09 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/lanterns-episode-1-cliffhanger-hal-jordan-death-2026-timeline/ From the very beginning, HBO’s Lanterns has been playing around with multiple points in time, fueling easy comparisons to neo-noir series like True Detective and Watchmen. While most of the series’ action takes place in 2016, Lanterns opens on a sequence from 1996 when Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) is a relatively new Green Lantern and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) is still just a young boy. Hal lost his father at a young age, and that made him fearless enough to accept the Green Lantern ring. We also learn that Stewart was essentially programmed by his parents to be completely fearless so he could one day become the Green Lantern.

Title: Fortnite's New Star Wars Skin Requires Going to Disneyland Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:12:21 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-star-wars-free-disney-park-skin-expensive/ Fortnite and Disney are once again collaborating to bring more Star Wars content to the game, but this time around, the cosmetics are even more exclusive. Epic Games revealed Fortnite's Forsworn Trooper skin and how to get it this weekend, which will require players to visit Galaxy's Edge.

Title: Marvel Officially Confirms a Star Wars Fan Favorite as Its Next Great X-Men Villain Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:11:05 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/sinister-x-men-live-action-adam-driver/ Numerous classic and relatively new X-Men villains have appeared on the big screen since Fox’s film series kicked off in 2000, including Magneto, Cassandra Nova, Sebastian Shaw, and Bolivar Trask. However, one of the most iconic evil Mutants in comic-book history has never appeared before on the silver screen, and Marvel Studios found the perfect actor to bring this character to life.

Title: Castlevania's Underrated Mobile Game is About to be Shutdown Forever Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:04:39 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/castlevania-grimoire-of-souls-end-of-service-announced/ Another mobile game is biting the dust. Konami has announced that it will be delisting Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls from Apple Arcade before the service is terminated soon after. When the servers go offline, Grimoire of Souls will be completely unplayable.

Title: Fields of Mistria Time Mods Let You Freeze or Speed Up Your Day Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/fields-of-mistria-time-mods/ You’re bashing through ore on level 59 of the mines, you’ve happened upon a shelf of intriguing new products at the general store, or you’ve just worked up the nerve to talk to Valen. That’s always when you notice the sky purpling and the 8 o’clock bell ringing. Another day in Fields of Mistria, the cozy farming sim from NPC Studio, has come to an end. There’s still so much to do — which is a good problem to have. But it does lead to the never-ending “just one more day” spiral. And sometimes, to get a handle on your foraging or fishing tasks, it feels like it’d be better to have another hour in your current day, instead of the opportunity to go to sleep and try again.

Title: Class Is in Session: GeForce NOW Levels Up Linux, Chromebooks and More Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:00:33 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-linux-native-app/ GeForce NOW is giving cloud gaming an extra-credit upgrade just in time for back-to-school season. The native Linux app for GeForce NOW is officially out of beta. GeForce NOW is also delivering new cloud optimizations that make Frame Generation feel even more responsive while streaming. On top of that, Performance members will see higher frame rates in demanding games thanks to a CPU performance adjustment.  Plus, learn how GeForce NOW can add high-performance GeForce RTX gaming to the Chromebooks students already rely on for school – and how eligible new owners can take advantage of Chromebook Fast Pass. It all adds up to more ways to move from assignments to adventures across nearly any device. The only homework left is to decide what to play. This week, nine new games join the GeForce NOW library. The Cloud Gets Extra Credit GeForce NOW keeps getting better. The native Linux app for GeForce NOW has officially graduated from beta. Built on months of community feedback, the release focuses on performance, stability and polish while continuing to support Ubuntu 24.04 and later. A new Flatpack repository makes getting started and receiving future updates even easier. Visit the download page for more information and instructions. The cloud handles the rendering, so Linux gamers can tap into the latest GeForce RTX performance while staying on their preferred setup — without local hardware upgrades, compatibility headaches or complicated workarounds. Smooth gameplay makes the grade. GeForce NOW has also optimized DLSS Frame Generation in the cloud, reducing latency and making games feel more responsive. The improvements are especially noticeable when streaming at 60 or 120 frames per second in 1440p and 4K, helping every mouse movement and camera pan feel more immediate. Performance members will also enjoy additional server software optimizations to improve frame rates in select CPU-intensive games, helping demanding titles run more smoothly while delivering an even better gameplay experience. The cloud-side upgrade happens automatically, with nothing for members to install or configure, and at no additional cost. From Class Mode to Game Mode Class dismissed. Game on. Chromebooks already in backpacks can double as a PC gaming powerhouse, with GeForce NOW giving everyday school setups extra credit.  Chromebooks handling lectures, group projects and browser tabs can transform into high-performance GeForce RTX gaming PCs in just a few clicks. When class is out, open a supported browser or app and stream more than 2,000 supported PC games from existing libraries, with the cloud handling the heavy lifting. The same flexibility extends to Macs, Surface devices, everyday laptops, Steam Deck and mobile devices. Plus, eligible new Chromebook and Chromebook+ owners can claim a year of GeForce NOW at no cost with Chromebook Fast Pass, with priority access and no ads.  Study. Stream PC games. Same device.  Ready for the Weekend Follow the chain of command, streaming from the cloud. In addition, members can look for the following new games streaming this week: Car Wash Simulator (New release on Steam, Aug. 10) Pax Autocratica (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, Aug. 13) Cat Mail Co. (Steam) Misery (Steam) Monster Hunter Wilds Prologue Demo (Steam) Pratfall (Steam) To cap things off, a creator known as “Madelyn” recently shared how GeForce now makes cloud gaming affordable and accessible across nearly all her devices, calling it “a game changer” in her video: What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

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: New It Happens on PS5 campaign highlights the biggest moments of play Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:25 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/17/new-it-happens-on-ps5-campaign-highlights-the-biggest-moments-of-play/ There’s never been a better time to play on PS5. With a lineup of iconic games available now and coming soon, players have plenty of unforgettable experiences to look forward to. From new stories featuring legendary Marvel characters in Marvel’s Wolverine as well as 007 First Light, and God of War Laufey, to the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the most-exciting adventures ahead will happen on PS5. Today, we’re launching a new It Happens on PS5 hero advert highlighting what’s available on PS5 as well as what’s ahead for players in the coming months. The advert invites players to discover what PS5 makes possible, taking viewers on a fast-paced journey through bold and unexpected moments, featuring larger-than-life scenes, from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elite basketball skills that get the streets bouncing to a high-speed jet ski chase. Play Video Across the world, It Happens on PS5 comes to life beyond the screen through creators, special installations, and activations. With Marvel’s Wolverine launching on September 15, players may encounter game-inspired experiences, including Marvel’s Wolverine challenge pods in France and a Berserker Mode activation in Australia. Players in the UK, Canada, and Spain may also find larger-than-life Sentinel head installations, with other locations celebrating memorable moments from fan-favorite PS5 games. We look forward to seeing what players discover next and celebrate play on PS5. 

Title: Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 545: Walk and Talk Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:51:30 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/14/official-playstation-podcast-episode-545-walk-and-talk/ Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download here Hey, everybody! Sid, Tim, Kristen, and I are back this week to discuss a major milestone for No Man’s Sky, which got its start on PlayStation 4, new content for Ghost of Yōtei, exploring Big Walk, and more Stuff We Talked About Next week’s release highlights: Starsand Island The Sinking City 2 Mexican Ninja Mortal Shell II No Man’s Sky Anniversary  — Hello Games celebrates 10 years of exploring the unknown with over 40 major free updates in No Man’s Sky since launch. Learn about the humble beginnings to the present day, and a look into the future of what is next for the title. Phantom Blade Zero — Phantom Blade Zero gameplay deep dive State of Play is coming on August 17, and pre-orders are live today. Get nearly 20 minutes of action gameplay before the game launches on October 29. Helldivers 2  — Helldivers 2 is now part of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, and the new Devoid of Liberty update  is now live. Journey through the void and take on new enemies with an upgraded arsenal to deal out justice.  Ghost of Yōtei  — A new narrative expansion, Echoes of Sekigahara, and combat survival mode, Most Wanted, are coming on October 1. Experience mainland Japan and meet some new faces as the story unfolds in both the past and present, and take on a roguelike mode where you have to take on high-profile bounties. The Cast View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image O’Dell Harmon Jr. – Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Title: Share of the Week: Big Walk Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:00:05 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/14/share-of-the-week-big-walk/ Last week, we asked you to grab some friends and explore the world of Big Walk, available now as a PlayStation Plus Monthly Game, using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: rorottino shares them and some friends standing in a circular window by the sea darc262000 shares two friends holding hands on the ski lift call_me_xavii shares a sunny view of the valley and body paint station xenobitz shares a mirror selfie while changing body colors cenrice shares a friend sitting down and watching the sunset 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: KatanaSUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 19, 2026  Next week, unsheathe and wield a katana from the game of your choice and share using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Title: Hands-on report: Marvel’s Wolverine Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:00:03 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/13/hands-on-report-marvels-wolverine/ It’s been a big week for fans of Marvel’s Wolverine, starting with the announcement of sharp-looking PS5 hardware and accessories. Now, with just over a month away until its September 15 launch, Insomniac is sharing a deep dive on the game’s story, combat, and exploration thanks to an extensive hands-on session with the game.   Our two-hour session kicked off with the game’s opening mission in the wilds of Telambang, where Wolverine has reunited with Team X to carry out a critical mission infiltrating the facility of anti-mutant industrialist Bolivar Trask. After slicing our way to a daring rescue, we jumped ahead in the game to a bombastic boss fight and a taste of Madripoor’s Lowtown. Between brutal barrages, stealthy scouting, and a range of rage-filled takedowns, we got to cut to the bone of the game’s story, flesh out Wolverine’s allies and foes, and uncover a piece of his buried past.   Taking on Trask  From the game’s opening moments flashing back to a feral, mangy-haired, and memory-wiped Wolverine, every sequence tested the balance between his rage and humanity. The first mission reunites him with Team X, a mutant task force formed by Nathaniel Essex to help protect mutants. Wolverine had stepped away from the group, something that has rankled his teammates, a wry Mystique and ever-savage Sabretooth.   Their mission takes them from the hidden facility of billionaire Bolivar Trask to the seedy backstreets of Madripoor, presenting Wolverine with the grim reality of what mutants in this world are facing. With mutants largely unknown by society, Trask has been spending his billions abducting, studying, and cruelly disposing of mutants with little regard for his victims in a quest to maintain human superiority. As the nefarious reality of the facility’s purpose becomes clearer, the horror Wolverine feels quickly pools into an unbridled rage. That rage drives him forward through throngs of Reaver enemies and a run in with Omega Red to eventually free Essex, who has been held captive by Trask.   Essex is the one who found Wolverine years before in that feral state, and formed Team X to protect mutants and build a world where mutants can be open. Between Essex and Trask, Wolverine is faced with the lengths some will go to protect the future of their kind, and will challenge him to face what kind of person he wants to be in this future.   Sink your claws in  Between storylines and set pieces, my biggest takeaway from my time with Marvel’s Wolverine was that it feels dang good to sink those claws in. Wolverine doesn’t just attack enemies, he catapults himself at them, targeting and launching himself from across the room to stun or barrage. Every combat encounter becomes a furious flurry, where my adrenaline feels directly tied to Wolverine’s increasing rage.  While a simple parry and barrage can get the job done, Wolverine can unlock a number of Special Techniques, skills that can be upgraded and mapped to the directional buttons for an extra flair in a fight. In my playthrough, I could cleave through a group surrounding me with Tornado Spin, or interrupt enemy attacks with Knee Breaker. Players can also unlock Adaptations, which upgrade long-term effects and skills like Logan’s health and rage meter.  That rage will come in handy. Successful combos build up Wolverine’s rage meter, which rises through three Rage Tiers to dramatically alter his fighting style. As Wolverine enters Rage Tier 2, his combos become more powerful and he unlocks Last Stand, which allows him to use his rage to heal his body if fully downed. But things really go over the edge when Wolverine’s meter fills to Rage Tier 3. His attacks become significantly more powerful, while brutal critical strikes become available. His vision seems to close in, his breathing getting louder and more primal as he darts between enemies, slicing and dicing with ease. Those critical strikes can lead to some dangerously fun takedowns, like snatching a member of The Hand’s katana or bow to slam back into them.   Sometimes, Wolverine needs a more methodical approach. He can use his Enhanced Senses to track and takedown enemies more stealthily. Trask also has Ability Inhibitors at his disposal that block Wolverine and his teammates from using their abilities. In these moments, he must work past the pain and fight without healing, focusing on taking enemies down with classic combat moves and destroying the Inhibitors before it’s too late.  It took all the skills I had gathered so far to take on the looming Sentinel Prototype towards the end of my preview. Built by Trask to detect and destroy mutants, this fight took all of Wolverine’s patience and strategy, dodging or parrying the Sentinel’s powerful attacks, while waiting for the perfect moments to strike. This sequence was thrilling both to use Wolverine’s abilities to their fullest potential, and to watch as he worked in tandem with Mystique and Sabretooth. By the time I was busting through the Sentinel’s head victorious, I had a wild grin on my face and felt amped and ready to take on anyone.   More to explore  Luckily after that fight, there was still more to explore. In Madripoor, surrounded by allies new and old, we took a moment of respite in Princess Bar (run by Tyger). Here we got to interact with newly acquired ally Jean Grey, and the mutant teens she has been protecting. Though they are still a mystery to one another, Jean and Wolverine’s connection is immediate. It’s with her that he can admit that his anger sometimes scares him and that he wants to be better.  I enjoyed that Wolverine also makes time here for his teammates Mystique and Sabretooth. Mystique stays focused and on mission during combat, shifting through identities when needed. Here in Princess Bar, she can just be herself, and encourages Wolverine to do the same through a friendly but vulnerable game of Never Have I Ever. Sabretooth spends most of the game’s opening antagonizing Wolverine and calling him a runt, which is fair enough given he stands about as tall as Sabretooth’s navel. But it’s clear their relationship runs deeper, and Sabretooth feels spurned by Wolverine’s original exit from the group.   While exploring the streets of Lowtown, I could take the time to check out some of Wolverine’s other looks and claw types, which ranged from a classic undershirt and jeans outfit to a Weapon X helmeted style. While walking around the Princess Bar, Wolverine’s Enhanced Senses could pick up on conversation or music that could guide him to specific rooms, or trail a teammate’s scent to find where they’ve run off to. Exploring each room sometimes led to a conversation, or finding easter eggs, like Mystique’s wedding pictures, or an IOU written on an ace of spades card from one Remy LeBeau.   Take the time to explore each new location, as Wolverine can discover hidden crates with raw upgrade materials or collectable whisky bottles. Logan can also stumble across Nightmare Doors, which transport him to a dreamlike cabin to take part in a Nightmare Trial. These timed speed trials reimagine different locations from the game into a vertical fever dream, where he can race to the end to unlock a forgotten memory from his past.   Players can sink their claws into Wolverine’s story and tap into his rage when Marvel’s Wolverine launches September 15 on PS5 consoles.

Title: (For Southeast Asia) Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition Comes to PS5 October 2 Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:24:15 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/12/20260813-goy/ We are so excited to announce that even more new content is coming to Ghost of Yōtei! On October 2, we’ll have a new narrative expansion, new single-player combat survival mode, and new quality of life updates all coming in Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition!1 Play Video Before we dive in, we want to take a moment to thank everyone for an incredible year since Ghost of Yōtei launched. We are so proud of our incredible community, and grateful for all of the fan art, cosplays, virtual photographs, combat montages, Twitch streams, Jubei thirst posts…we promise we’ve seen it all and love to share it around the studio. Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition will launch just in time for our 1-year anniversary, and we can’t wait for another year of new creations from all of you! In the coming weeks we’ll have much more to share, but wanted to give you a few early looks today at the new content in Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition: View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei: Echoes of Sekigahara is our new narrative expansion. Split between the present day and flashbacks to Atsu’s time on the mainland, you’ll meet Nagato, a figure from Atsu’s past who has arrived in Ezo. In the present, you’ll explore a previously unseen valley once inhabited by The Snake and his gang of loyal followers, the Vipers. In the past, you’ll experience Atsu’s time in the Battle of Sekigahara and a key moment in her life before she returned home for her quest for vengeance. You’ll meet new enemies and find new heavy weapons, new armor sets, new dyes, and more. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Ghost of Yōtei: Most Wanted is a brand new single-player combat survival mode, our spin on a roguelike. You’ll accept bounties in order to start new runs, where taking down enemies will earn you perks, as well as unlock additional characters to play as. We’ll have much more to show soon, but as you can see in the trailer today, Atsu is a master with the dual katana, while Oyuki excels with the kusarigama, and Nagato shines with a yari. We love to watch the amazing combat reels that have been shared with us on social media, and can’t wait to see you all try to perfect these runs. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image If you haven’t experienced Atsu’s journey yet, you can purchase Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition for SGD 89.90 (Disc Version) / SGD 97.90 (Digital Version) / MYR 299 (Disc/Digital Version) / IDR 1,169,000 (Disc Version) / IDR 1,142,000 (Digital Version) / THB 2,290 (Disc/Digital Version) / PHP 4,099 (Disc Version) / VND 1,799,000 (Disc Version). In addition to Echoes of Sekigahara and Most Wanted, this includes the award-winning main Ghost of Yōtei game as well as Ghost of Yōtei Legends, our online co-op experience with support for up to four players and multiple gameplay modes culminating in a Raid.2 If you purchase the Complete Edition, you can immediately start playing the main game and Legends, and Echoes of Sekigahara and Most Wanted will arrive with a patch on October 2. Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition also includes all of the in-game content previously included in the Ghost of Yōtei Digital Deluxe Edition, as well as the Charm of Hokkyokusei. If you purchase by September 30, you’ll also get an early unlock of the Sakai Armor on October 2 for Atsu to wear, a throwback to Jin’s family armor from Ghost of Tsushima.1 View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image If you already own Ghost of Yōtei, you can get Echoes of Sekigahara and Most Wanted by purchasing the Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition Upgrade (Digital Only) for SGD 20.27 / MYR 60.11 / IDR 220,890 / THB 524 If you don’t already own the Digital Deluxe Edition and Charm of Hokkyokusei you’ll immediately unlock that content upon pre-ordering. And if you pre-order by September 30, on October 2 you’ll also get the early unlock of the Sakai Armor.  View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Beyond the new content listed above, Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition includes new tracks for Watanabe Mode that will be available throughout the entire game when the mode is enabled. There’s also new photo mode stamps, additional cosmetics for New Game+, and new Trophies for both Echoes of Sekigahara and Most Wanted.  For anyone who owns Ghost of Yōtei, even without purchasing the Complete Edition upgrade, a new patch on October 2 will add the new Beauty of Yōtei mode, which allows for a screensaver-like view of the environments of Ezo to keep on and relax at home (and take stunning new Photo Mode captures). There will also be new quality of life features including the option to keep an armor set’s appearance while using a different set’s stats, as well as a new high contrast accessibility option.1  Thank you again to everyone for an amazing year since Ghost of Yōtei launched! We’ll have more to share about Most Wanted and Echoes of Sekigahara as we get closer to launch on October 2, so be sure to follow our social media channels and keep an eye out! 1 Available via patch v.2.0 on October 1, 2026 globally, and October 2, 2026 in some territories, including Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Internet connection and account for PlayStation required to download. 2 Online multiplayer requires a PlayStation Plus subscription. PS Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Full terms: play.st/psplus-usageterms.

Title: The US Senate are investigating Roblox for prioritising "revenue and engagement metrics over the safety and well-being of our children" Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:30:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-us-senate-are-investigating-roblox-for-prioritising-revenue-and-engagement-metrics-over-the-safety-and-well-being-of-our-children US senators have launched an investigation of game creation platform Roblox on a broad charge of putting money before child safety. They accuse Roblox of being a venue for "sexually explicit (and often violent) virtual 'experiences' with children", and have requested a range of documents and records, including details of the company's collaborations with Sesame Street, the NFL and FIFA. Read more

Title: I'm not saying Bethesda are trolling me specifically, but Fallout 4 and Skyrim updates are imminent just as I've modded up the latter for the first time in ages Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:51:22 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fallout-4-and-skyrim-updates-are-imminent-just-as-ive-modded-up-the-latter-for-the-first-time-in-ages Right, just a couple more location overhauls and there we go. A fresh Skyrim load order created for my first modded toe-dip into Tamriel for quite a while, outside of grabbing the odd article image. Phew, now to relax and sink another 50 hou-wait. Fallout 4 and Skyrim updates are inbound, say Bethesda? Well, that would be my luck, wouldn't it? Read more

Title: Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a '90s PC game Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:33:22 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/mortal-shell-2-review-a-monumental-heavy-metal-sequel-with-the-spirit-of-a-90s-pc-game A few hours into your sojourn across Mortal Shell 2's harsh realm of Fainweald, you might stumble upon a tavern called The One Legged Wolf. In a monstrous land inhabited by pasty-faced brigands who refer to you as "brev" right before shanking you, this watering hole exudes novelty. Here, said thugs congregate to make merry and listen to the strums of the shirtless lute-player on stage. Even if you do as I did, and accidentally massacre the guy with a shot from your sidearm, nobody minds. The One Legged Wolf is a weird, memorable place where folk are free to do their own thing. In many ways, The One Legged Wolf is emblematic of Mortal Shell 2, a sequel that stands out from the pack by melding the modern dark fantasy Soulslike with a willingness to ditch genre formula, a cheeky sense of humour, and the DNA of a PC-only game from yesteryear. The result is a goth cousin of more mainstream fare like Elden Ring, not to mention a phenomenal effort that outclasses its predecessor in a manner that we probably haven't seen since The Witcher III. Read more

Title: Boardroom beat-em-up Stick It to the Stickman punches its way out of early access next month, complete with neurolinkage and an "absolutely absurd finale" Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:01:07 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/boardroom-beat-em-up-stick-it-to-the-stickman-punches-its-way-out-of-early-access-next-month-complete-with-neurolinkage-and-an-absolutely-absurd-finale Fetch your finest presentation materials about lines on graphs going upwards and proceed to try and beat your colleagues to death with them. Stick It to the Stickman, the roguelite beat ’em up which Anger Foot devs Free Lives have been bashing into shape for a year and a bit is set to emerge from early access on September 23rd. Read more

Title: Sraëka Lillian's one-a-week RPG "sketches" are a lovely series of experiments with hoary old conventions from Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:39:43 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sraeka-lillians-one-a-week-rpg-sketches-are-a-lovely-series-of-experiments-with-hoary-old-conventions-from-final-fantasy-and-dragon-quest There's a running joke in the world of THEA-TAH that Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play made up entirely of quotations. I often get the same feeling when I play a fantasy RPG, and especially a fantasy RPG created with toolkits such as EasyRPG or RPG Maker that come with their own freely reusable assets, resulting in a slew of homebrew RPGs that can seem interchangeable, on the surface. Read more