Title: Gaming’s Console War Has Been Replaced By An ‘Attention War’ With Gambling, Porn, And Memes Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:11:49 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/why-the-video-game-industry-is-dying-2000671338 A new industry report paints a harsh picture of gaming's present challenges and future prospects for growth

Title: God Of War Actor Just Revealed Things He Probably Wasn’t Supposed To About The Remakes, Next Game Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:50:10 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/god-of-war-remake-christopher-judge-combat-new-game-2000671357 Christopher Judge was approached by a fan at a convention and talked about the remakes and what he's doing next

Title: Destiny 2 Is In Real Trouble After More Big Delays And Promises Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:30:47 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-shadow-order-roadmap-delay-update-2000671302 The loot shooter's entire calendar has been pushed back another three months

Title: Ubisoft Says Don’t Worry About Splinter Cell Remake As It Lays Off More Developers Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:59:53 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-toronto-splinter-cell-remake-lays-off-more-developers-fired-2000671331 40 devs have been laid off at Watch Dogs, Far Cry studio Ubisoft Toronto

Title: New Mario ‘Game’ From Nintendo Lets Kids Torture The Poor Plumber For 12 Minutes At A Time Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:56:17 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/new-free-mario-game-phone-switch-2-face-head-my-mario-app-kids-2000671322 Hello, Mario is free to download and out now on phones and the Nintendo Switch

Title: Genshin Impact Luna 5 takes the squad back to Mondstadt, finally makes Varka playable Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:23:10 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/genshin-impact-luna-5-varka-return-to-mondstadt The latest big content update has been revealed for HoYoverse's breakout game, Genshin Impact. Version Luna 5, which has the unusually long and needlessly layered title — Song of the Welkin Moon: Variation - Homeward, He Who Caught the Wind — is set to arrive February 25. Read more

Title: You're not crazy, trying to heal in Nioh 3 sometimes doesn't work - and Team Ninja is fixing it Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:56:12 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/nioh-3-patch-1-03-01-elixir-healing-bug-crash-fixes Nioh 3 has received a hot new update that brings plenty of bug fixes to very specific issues, but it also implements fixes for a few of the most common - and incredibly annoying - bugs. Patch 1.03.01 arrived earlier on all platforms, and it comes with a chunky set of notes. Read more

Title: Watch the Battlefield 6 Season 2 gameplay reveal here Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:34:14 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/battlefield-6-season-2-reveal-watch-times After a one-month delay, we’re finally days away now from the start of Battlefield 6’s Season 2 of live service. The second season is being revealed today, following weeks of teasers, and some Battlefield Labs testing of the first new map arriving with the new season. Read more

Title: Diablo 4’s next class is the Warlock, but you can sort of play it today in Diablo 2: Resurrected’s new DLC Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:10:04 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/diablo-4-warlock-reveal-diablo-2-anniversary-spotlight Diablo 4’s segment in the big Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight was among the biggest, even if the reason most of us tuned in was somewhat spoiled earlier in the same livestream. Blizzard unveiled the Warlock, the second of two classes coming to the game with the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion. Read more

Title: Battlefield 6's next season will speed up battle pass progression, and make it so Redsec players who don't own the game can actually make progress Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:04:13 +0000 Link: https://www.vg247.com/battlefield-6-season-2-major-goals-gameplay-changes Ahead of the start of Battlefield 6’s Season 2 next week, Battlefield Studios has shared some insight into a few of the major goals the developer has with the Season 2 patch. The game’s second season was delayed in mid-January, and the developer even brought back Battlefield Labs to test out some of the new content and features coming with the new season. Read more

Title: Ubisoft's Splinter Cell Studio Hit By Layoffs, Game Still In Development Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:33:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisofts-splinter-cell-studio-hit-by-layoffs-game-still-in-development/1100-6538282/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Roughly 40 developers have been laid off from Ubisoft Toronto, the company announced this week. Despite that and a bevy of other cancellations happening at Ubisoft right now, the long-awaited Splinter Cell remake remains in development.MobileSyrup was the first to report on this round of layoffs, which are part of the larger restructuring Ubisoft has been going through to begin 2026. "This decision was not taken lightly and does not in any way reflect the talent, dedication, or contributions of the individuals affected," Ubisoft explained in a statement to MobileSyrup. "Our priority now is to support them through this transition with comprehensive severance packages and robust career placement assistance."In January, Ubisoft revealed its plans to restructure the company into several different Creative Houses focused on certain franchises. This came alongside a wave of layoffs, a return-to-office mandate, and several project cancellations that have caused developers to go on strike and demand CEO Yves Guillemot's resignation.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Battlefield 6 And Four Other Games Are Free On Xbox Right Now Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:27:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/free-xbox-games-you-can-play-right-now-and-how-to-get-them/2900-7437/ Microsoft's Free Play Days event returns this weekend, allowing Xbox users to play a handful of games for the low, low price of $0. Or at least nothing extra beyond a Game Pass membership.Importantly, a Game Pass membership is required. But it can be Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, or Game Pass Essential.Those who purchase the games after the free weekend can retain their progress and Gamerscore, which is a nice thing to know for people who want to keep playing.Read on to see all the games that are free this weekend, spanning February 19-22.If you're looking for even more free games, you can check out GameSpot's rundown of some of the best free games out there.How to get the free gamesThe Free Play Days games can be be downloaded on console by navigating to the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and finding the Free Play Days collection. These are available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Alternatively, you can follow the links in this gallery to queue up your download remotely. Battlefield 6The newest entry in the series, Battlefield 6, is free right now on Xbox. And it's good timing considering that the big Season 2 update just arrived.What's more, Battlefield 6 is on sale for $45.50 right now.Battlefield 6 is free until February 22 Get Battlefield 6 on Xbox Chip 'n Clawz vs. The BrainioidsChip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainiods is free on Xbox now. The action-strategy game has players building a base and commanding an army of robots.The game is also marked down to just $21 right now.Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainiods is free until February 22 Get Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainiods on Xbox SunderfolkThe tactical co-op RPG Sunderfolk is free on Xbox this weekend. The game has players using a smartphone to control the action, and people only need one copy to play with a group. Players must download a free phone or tablet app to play.Sunderfolk is also on sale for $28 right now. Sunderfolk is free until February 22 Get Sunderfolk on Xbox Polterguys: Possession PartyPolterguys: Possession Party is a supernatural multiplayer game that supports up to eight players, and it's free right now on Xbox.The game is also on sale for $4.50.Polterguys: Possession Party is free until February 22. Get Polterguys: Possession Party on Xbox Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed ClashThe 2v2 action game based on the anime series is free on Xbox this weekend. Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is also marked down to $19.79 right now.Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is free until February 22. Get Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash on Xbox

Title: Explore Space And The Afterlife In This Week's Epic Games Store Freebies Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:05:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/free-games-epic-games-store/1100-6476419/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f The Epic Games Store continues to give away a free game each week, and this week's offering is another nice find at a price that can't be beat. Every Thursday at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET, Epic offers at least one free PC game (and sometimes even as many as two or three). All you need to do to claim the free games is create a free Epic account and enable two-factor authentication. You have a week to add the freebies to your library before the new one(s) take their place. At this point, Epic has given away hundreds of free games, and there's no sign that the program will stop any time soon. The company has also extended its freebies to Android devices, and you can claim a free game every week here as well. We keep this article up to date weekly to highlight both the current free games and next week's offerings.If you're looking for more freebies, you can check out our list of the 25 best free PC games to play right now, or for more options, the 25 best free games to play on multiple platforms.Current free games at Epic Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Blue Prince Creator Worked 80 Hours A Week For Eight Years, And He Won't Do It Again Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:43:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-prince-creator-worked-80-hours-a-week-for-eight-years-and-he-wont-do-it-again/1100-6538280/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f Blue Prince was one of 2025's best games, and making it took a toll on its creator. Tonda Ros said in an interview that he was working about 80 hours per week for eight straight years to get the puzzle game out the door. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't plan to do that again."I was working, I think, 80 hours a week for eight years straight," he told Aftermath. He went on to say he does not plan to put himself through the same struggle for whatever he makes next."It was an incredibly long journey, so it might take as much time [to make my next game], but I certainly won't be working as hard. ... That's just not sustainable now. It's a young man's game," he said.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Magic: The Gathering's Turtle Team-Up Is Part Co-Op Clash, Part Magic Tutorial Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0800 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/magic-the-gatherings-turtle-team-up-is-part-co-op-clash-part-magic-tutorial/1100-6538262/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f With every new Magic: The Gathering expansion comes new card designs, new alternate art variants, and new strategies to enhance your latest deck builds. Not every set, however, offers a whole new way to play the 30-year-old card game, as the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles expansion is bucking that trend with Turtle Team-Up, a co-op experience for up to four players and the first co-op MTG product since 2017.GameSpot can exclusively reveal everything you need to know about Turtle Team-Up, including every card included in the box, how each deck is constructed, and how the rules of the game play out. We have images of every card, including the Bosses players will face off against, and we have a rundown of all of the rules you'll need to get started.Along with this, we sat down with Turtle Team-Up's lead designer Corey Bowen, TMNT set design lead Eric Engelhard, and TMNT narrative design lead Crystal Frasier, to learn more about the choices that went into designing not only this new co-op product, but the TMNT set as a whole.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Title: Pokémon TCG Pocket is getting a Paldea-themed booster pack Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:30:54 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-tcg-pocket-paldean-wonders/ Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is getting a new booster pack next week, and it's all about the Paldea region. Paldean Wonders is coming to the mobile game on Feb. 26, adding more cards built around monsters from Scarlet and Violet. That includes the dreaded Gholdengo, who is getting immortalized as a new ex card.

Title: Diablo 2 Warlock review: something truly new for a 26-year-old game Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:30:17 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/diablo-2-reign-of-the-warlock-review/ On the face of it, Reign of the Warlock is a stunt for Diablo’s 30th anniversary celebrations as well as an extravagant bit of marketing for Diablo 4, which also gets a Warlock class in its next expansion, Lord of Hatred, in April. Mobile game Diablo Immortalwill get its own version of the Warlock later this year. (Pity poor Diablo 3 players, who get absolutely nothing for the 30th anniversary — except the satisfaction of knowing that they’re playing the secret best Diablo game, of course.)

Title: Overwatch's Charming 76 skin bug makes Soldier almost impossible to hit Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:24:14 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/overwatch-soldier-76-charming-valentines-skin-bug/ They say charm can get you anywhere in life, and in Overwatch's case, that apparently means saving you from bullets, too. Blizzard released its annual batch of Loverwatch skins last week, a set of Valentine's Day-themed outfits for a handful of characters, and Soldier: 76's "Charming 76" skin is making him almost impossible to kill. Sometimes.

Title: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's photo mode is creating pure nightmare fuel Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:18:55 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/clair-obscur-expedition-33-photo-mode-monstrosities/ Oblivion Remastered's player-made faces are total nightmare fuel, but they've got nothing on the monstrosities Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers created while testing the game's new photo mode — or the horrors players have created since gaining access to it.

Title: Amazing Humble deal includes 39 Terry Pratchett Discworld books for $16 Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:12:10 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/terry-pratchett-discworld-books-deal-humble-bundle/ Back in 2014, Humble Bundle introduced a package deal that includes digital copies of nearly every Discworld book by bestselling, beloved British fantasy writer Terry Pratchett. That deal is back as part of the "Best of Humble" rotation, and it's gotten better — the base price is now cheaper, and the bundle includes one additional Pratchett book that was excluded from the first round. Whether you first heard about Pratchett when the Good Omens adaptation got its long-awaited TV adaptation, you're a longtime fan, or you're completely unfamiliar with his work, this is a convenient way to get most of his books in one place. The bundle includes 39 fantasy novels, for as little as $16. To access the books, you’ll need to create a Kobo.com account, or log in to your existing account.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Screens Into a Gaming Machine Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:58 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-amazon-fire-tv-app/ The GeForce NOW sixth-anniversary festivities roll on this February, continuing a monthlong celebration of NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service. This week brings even more reasons to join the party, as GeForce NOW launches on a new platform with support for Amazon Fire TV devices, and eight new games to keep the streaming going strong. The new app brings GeForce NOW directly to select Amazon Fire TV devices, so members can jump into their PC game libraries on the biggest screen in the house using a compatible controller. The Cloud Turns Up the Heat GeForce NOW continues to expand access across devices, supporting multiple platforms with the latest additions of Linux. From PCs and Macs to smartphones, browsers and smart TVs, the cloud delivers high-performance gaming to nearly any screen, on more devices than ever. Members tap into GeForce RTX power on the screens they already own, extending the value of their membership without extra hardware or complexity. That reach expands again with the launch of the GeForce NOW app on Amazon Fire TV. GeForce NOW is powering up the living room with the launch of the GeForce NOW app on Amazon Fire TV streaming sticks, leveling up big-screen gaming with PC-quality performance. GeForce RTX performance on Amazon Fire TV. The GeForce NOW app on Fire TV is available now with initial support for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2nd Gen) with Fire OS 8.1.6.0 and later and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)with Fire OS 8.1.6.0 and later, and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Gen) with Fire OS 7.7.1.1 and later, streaming at up to 1080p60 with standard-dynamic-range graphics using H.264 video encoding and stereo audio. Fire TV owners now have an even more powerful way to play on the big screen. Connect a controller, open the app and stream favorite titles instantly with RTX power behind every pixel — no console required. Cloud gaming has never felt more at home. Stories From the Ninth World Words hit harder than weapons. Torment: Tides of Numenera, inXile Entertainment’s story-focused role-playing game, puts emphasis on choices, characters and dialogue, mixing science fiction and fantasy into a strange, colorful world where every conversation and decision matters. The adventure takes place in the “Ninth World,” a far-future version of Earth built on the ruins of incredibly advanced civilizations. Step into the role of the Last Castoff, a person connected to a powerful, mysterious figure, and get pulled into a mystery that asks one big question: What does a single life truly mean? Expect memorable companions, tough moral choices and plenty of odd, fascinating situations rather than a typical hero-saves-the-world story. On GeForce NOW, this story-heavy experience is easy to jump into, no high-end rig required. Gaming sessions can pick up right where they left off across supported devices, making it simple for gamers to sink back into the Ninth World whenever the story calls. Pixel-Powered Punch Arcade icons and blue‑bomber brawls light up GeForce NOW this week with a retro‑powered surge from Capcom, featuring Mega Man 11, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Capcom Fighting Collection, and the Capcom Beat ’Em Up Bundle. Members can catch them in the cloud, reliving the glory arcade days and timeless showdowns — now streaming anywhere to members’ devices. Gear up, power up, save the future. Mega Man is back — Mega Man 11 is the latest entry in the iconic series that blends classic, challenging 2D platforming action with a fresh visual style. Hadoukens never age. Celebrate Street Fighter’s historic legacy with the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. In this collection of a dozen Street Fighter titles, four groundbreaking titles let gamers play with friends and relive the arcade experience through the online Arcade Mode. Where legends throw down. Capcom Fighting Collection includes 10 of Capcom’s most popular arcade games in one bumper collection, from series such as Street Fighter and Darkstalkers to Cyberbots and the first home console port of Red Earth. It’s the perfect collection for arcade veterans and newcomers alike. Grab a friend and clear the streets. Relive the glory days of cooperative arcade games with the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle. This comprehensive collection includes seven classic titles, each with various multiplayer options and online capabilities. Time to Play Twisted. Reanimal is a twisted little nightmare that leans into creepy-cute horror with a co-op twist. Guide a scrappy brother-sister duo through a haunting, off-kilter world where every shadow hides something worse, every puzzle feels like a dare and “sticking together” isn’t just smart — it’s survival. In addition, members can look for the following: Disciples: Domination (New release on Steam, Feb. 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) REANIMAL (New release on Steam, Feb. 13, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 13) Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle (Steam) Capcom Fighting Collection (Steam) Mega Man 11 (Steam) Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (Steam) Torment: Tides of Numenera (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Our Reddit community is hosting a giveaway! Here's your chance to win: HOTAS Thrustmaster OneAmazon Fire TV SticksG515 KeyboardG522 HeadsetG502X MouseRacing Wheels (G920/G29) How to enter https://t.co/fZ9mKx9p61#6YearsofGFN — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) February 11, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Celebrates Six Years of Streaming With 24 Games in February Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:00:53 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-feb-2026-games-list/ Break out the cake and green sprinkles — GeForce NOW is turning six. Since launch, members have streamed over 1 billion hours, and the party’s just getting started. Throughout February, members can look forward to new games, fresh ways to play across more devices and even more ways to bring RTX power to every screen in the house. There’s plenty to celebrate: the February games list kicks off with 24 new games. Start with the 10 new games in the cloud this week, including the launch of Team Jade’s Delta Force and the newest title launching in the PUBG universe, PUBG: BLINDSPOT. Reporting for Duty The ultimate extraction. Delta Force, now boots on the ground and fully deployed on GeForce NOW, brings the tactical first‑person shooter from Team Jade (TiMi Studio Group) to the cloud. The game features high-stakes extraction with an all-out warfare mode, giving players a playground of open environments, vehicles and gadgets to pull off coordinated assaults. Players join elite units tasked with tackling high‑risk missions across sprawling maps, from tight urban incursions to rugged open‑terrain operations. Expect strategic objectives, combined‑arms combat with land, air and sea vehicles, and tense firefights where teamwork and planning are just as important as quick reflexes. On GeForce NOW, Delta Force leans into its high‑octane personality: fast drops, big maps and cinematic engagements that look sharp and feel responsive across devices. Members can squad up from almost anywhere, enjoy high‑resolution streaming and smooth performance, and stay ready for every op without waiting on downloads or big updates before jumping into the next mission. New Mission Squad up. PUBG: BLINDSPOT, a new spin-off set in the PUBG universe from Krafton, expands the franchise with a standalone 5v5 top-down tactical shooter. Set across tightly designed maps, matches focus on information, positioning and coordinated team play, with squads clearing angles, locking down objectives and outmaneuvering opponents in fast, round-based firefights. Every callout and ability use matters, turning each round into a layered tactical puzzle rather than a simple test of reflexes. On GeForce NOW, responsive streaming and sharp RTX-powered visuals keep every angle, rotation and clutch play feeling precise, even on lower-powered devices. With support across a wide range of screens, the cloud makes it easy for the gaming squad to jump right into the action, without lengthy downloads or updates getting in the way. Feelin’ February Kick off GeForce NOW’s anniversary month in style. Here’s what’s in store to start the celebration, with this week’s 10 new additions: Indika (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 3) Menace (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Feb. 5, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition (New release on Battle.net, Feb. 5) PUBG: BLINDSPOT (New release on Steam, Feb. 5, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Carmageddon: Rogue Shift (New release on Steam, Feb. 6, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Delta Force (Steam) Fallout Shelter (Steam) Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Roadcraft (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Wildgate (Epic Games Store) In addition to this week’s additions of Menace, PUBG: BLINDSPOT and Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, this game will also be GeForce RTX 5080-ready this week: HumanitZ (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the rest of the month: Disciples: Domination (New release on Steam, Feb. 12) REANIMAL (New release on Steam, Feb. 13) Kingdom Come Deliverance (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass Feb. 13) Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass Feb. 17) Norse: Oath of Blood (New release on Steam, Feb. 17) Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown (New release on Steam, Feb. 18) Styx: Blades of Greed (New release on Steam, Feb. 19) Ys X: Proud Nordics (New release on Steam, Feb. 20) Resident Evil: Requiem (New release on Steam, Feb. 26) Arc Raiders (Xbox) DEVOUR (Steam) Torque Drift 2 (Steam) Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power (Epic Games Store) Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince (Epic Games Store) January in the Books In addition to the 14 games announced last month, 21 more joined the GeForce NOW library: Ancient Farm (Steam) The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Blood West (Epic Games Store) Bladesong (Steam) Cairn (Steam) The Gold River Project (Steam) Half Sword (Steam, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (Steam) The Midnight Walkers (Steam) Paradise Killer (Epic Games Store) Prototype (Ubisoft Connect) Prototype 2 (Ubisoft Connect) Rustler (Epic Games Store) Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft Connect, now available on Xbox Game Pass) Styx: Shards of Darkness (Epic Games Store) Styx: Master of Shadows (Epic Games Store) Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store) Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (Steam, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Warhammer 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 (Xbox, available on Game Pass, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Waterpark Simulator (Steam) Nova Roma is now set to launch in March and will arrive in the cloud when it debuts. Stay tuned to GFN Thursday for more details. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Hopping into this convo. 2016 vs. 2026 For @CandraHastings, it looks like growth – share yours. pic.twitter.com/o9p3oBBQYD — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) February 3, 2026

Title: GeForce NOW Brings GeForce RTX Gaming to Linux PCs Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:00:49 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-linux/ Get ready to game — the native GeForce NOW app for Linux PCs is now available in beta, letting Linux desktops tap directly into GeForce RTX performance from the cloud. Alongside the expansion comes ten new games, including The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut and The Bard’s Tale Trilogy for a leveled-up gaming weekend. And operators can squad up in Team Jade’s Delta Force when it deploys in the cloud on February 3, bringing high-stakes tactical action to nearly any device with no downloads required. Linux Just Got RTX Gaming on Linux just got a major RTX upgrade. Starting with support for Ubuntu 24.04 and later, the new app delivers a seamless native experience that fits right into Linux desktop workflows. It transforms compatible Linux systems into high-performance GeForce RTX-powered rigs, streaming supported PC titles directly from the cloud at up to 5K resolution  and 120 frames per second, or 1080p at 360 fps. This new desktop-focused app goes beyond the earlier Linux experience that was tuned specifically for Steam Decks, which targeted handheld-friendly resolutions and up to 1200p at 90 fps. The beta Linux app is built for PCs and notebooks, offering an experience similar to the existing GeForce NOW app on Windows and macOS. With GeForce NOW, rendering happens in the cloud, so demanding titles run on a wider range of devices. Experience how RTX technologies — including ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS 4 and more — bring games to life with RTX 5080 performance from the cloud. Linux PCs and devices join the GeForce NOW native app family that also supports Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, mobile devices, smart TVs and more — unlocking flexible, on-demand gaming anywhere. Download the app today. For more details, check out all knowledge base articles on the GeForce NOW Linux beta app here. A Tale of the Cloud Adventure calls twice with two legendary journeys from inXile entertainment packed with wit, wonder and a few well-placed lute solos. Sing loud, fight hard and out-charm enemies. Get ready to sing, slash and swindle through the wild world of Caith in The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut. This dungeon-crawling role-playing game serves up clever puzzles, tactical turn-based battles and a hearty helping of bardic humor. Whether belting out battle tunes or charming foes into submission, gamers can enjoy an adventure that’s never sounded this good. Relive the songs and chaos that started it all. Plus, step back to where the saga began with The Bard’s Tale Trilogy. This remastered collection revives the classic, old-school dungeon crawling and tongue-in-cheek charm that started it all — now with smoother gameplay and polished visuals. It’s nostalgia wrapped in pure fantasy fun. Hot off the Cloud One mountain, countless close calls. Cairn is a survival-climbing adventure from The Game Bakers that pushes pro climber Aava up the unforgiving face of Mount Kami, a sheer giant that no one has ever managed to summit. Realistic climbing systems, resource management and route-planning turn each wall into a tense, puzzle-like challenge — blending simulation detail with atmospheric storytelling. In addition, members can look for the following: The Midnight Walkers (New release on Steam, Jan. 28, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Cairn (New release on Steam, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Prototype (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29) Prototype 2 (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29) Warhammer 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2 (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 29, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Half Sword (New release on Steam, Jan.30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (New release on Steam, Jan. 30, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Name a food item that gives you… +20 health-2 Dexterity — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 28, 2026

Title: Flight Controls Are Cleared for Takeoff on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:00:53 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-flight-controls/ The wait is over, pilots. Flight control support — one of the most community-requested features for GeForce NOW — is live starting today, following its announcement at CES earlier this month. Virtual captains can now bring dedicated flight gear into the cloud and feel every roll, yaw and throttle change with even more precision, starting with the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One. Time is running out on our T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition + 1 month of @NVIDIAGFN Ultimate giveaway! How to enter 1. Follow both @TMThrustmaster and @NVIDIAGFN accounts on social2. Repost this and share on your feed 5 winners will be chosen – ends 1/24. pic.twitter.com/B89mGwJoNQ — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 19, 2026 Remember to enter the giveaway for a chance to score a T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition and one month of a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership — follow Thrustmaster and GeForce NOW, and repost the giveaway post to enter before Saturday, Jan. 24. Also on the horizon, Delta Force from Team Jade (TiMi Studio Group) is coming soon to GeForce NOW, adding another big-name title to the cloud lineup. Get ready for all the action by streaming the four new games in this cloud this week. Pilots Wanted Members can now jump into their favorite flight and space simulation games with a full stick-and-throttle setup streamed right from the cloud. It’s all about dialing in that authentic, hands-on flying experience while keeping latency low and gameplay responsive on GeForce NOW. Full throttle in the cloud. To get right to flying, members can look for a dedicated row in the GeForce NOW app highlighting games that support flight controls, making it simple to spot great titles for putting their new setup through its paces. This initial flight control support rollout is just the beginning, with plans to keep tuning the experience and expand compatibility to more peripherals. Fire up the rig, plug in the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One and get ready to take off — the cloud cockpit is open and ready for flight. Your Next Mission: ‘Delta Force’ Team Jade’s Delta Force is coming soon to the cloud, ready to drop players into high-stakes extraction with an all-out warfare mode where coordination and precision matter just as much as raw firepower. When it launches on GeForce NOW, members will be able to jump into the action instantly from almost any device, taking advantage of high‑performance streaming to stay locked at smooth frame rates even in the most chaotic firefights. Get ready to squad up, Delta Force is inbound soon. On GeForce NOW, every long‑range shot, helicopter insertion and tense objective push can feel crisp and responsive, whether playing on low‑powered laptops, Macs or mobile devices. The cloud makes it easy to squad up, drop in and get straight to the mission without worrying about downloads, patches or local hardware. New in the Cloud A graceful little robot having the worst day in the universe. MIO: Memories in Orbit is a neon-tinged metroidvania about a nimble little robot waking up on a massive, overgrown ark called the Vessel with nothing but fractured memories and a whole lot of trouble coming its way. Dart through low-gravity corridors, chain together elegant wall-runs, glides and grapples, and tangle with rogue machines as the Vessel itself quietly steals the spotlight — moody, decaying and just alive enough to keep a few secrets. In addition, members can look for the following: MIO: Memories in Orbit (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 20) Bladesong (New release on Steam, Jan. 22) Rustler (New release on Epic Games Store, free starting Jan. 22) The Gold River Project (New release on Steam, Jan. 23, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. If you could fly to any video game destination, where would it be? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 21, 2026

Title: Survive the Quarantine Zone and More With Devolver Digital Games on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:35 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-quarantine-zone/ NVIDIA kicked off the year at CES, where the crowd buzzed about the latest gaming announcements — including the native GeForce NOW app for Linux and Amazon Fire TV sticks, community-requested flight-control support and a stacked AAA lineup for the year. Check out what the creators of the YouTube channels Cloud Gaming Battle and Anytime Anywhere Gaming had to say in their latest videos exploring GeForce NOW at CES: Plus, read what the community said about the upcoming native GeForce NOW app on Linux. The energy continues this GFN Thursday with the launch of Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Devolver Digital’s most haunting and atmospheric release yet. Check it out along with other top Devolver Digital games on GeForce NOW and nine new games in the cloud this week. Here’s your chance to win a T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition + 1 month of @NVIDIAGFN Ultimate. How to enter 1. Follow both @TMThrustmaster and @NVIDIAGFN accounts on social2. Repost this and share on your feed 5 lucky winners will be chosen – good luck! pic.twitter.com/DDxzcGwt8I — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) January 14, 2026 And flight sim fans can soar even higher with a Thrustmaster giveaway, featuring the T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition and one month of a GeForce NOW Ultimate membership for free — follow Thrustmaster and GeForce NOW, and repost the giveaway post for a chance to win before Jan. 24. Welcome to the Zone Trust no one, file everything. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check drops into the cloud this week, bringing the eerie isolation and grim decision-making of its Steam debut to any device powered by GeForce NOW. Armed with advanced screening tools and instincts, players are put in charge of a critical checkpoint during a zombie outbreak — where one wrong choice could let the infection slip past the post. Screen survivors, manage scarce resources and hold back the undead. Holding the line is only the beginning — reinforce defenses and keep the camp alive as chaos intensifies with each passing day. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check streams at full GeForce RTX 5080 power for GeForce NOW Ultimate members, bringing razor-sharp visuals and ultrasmooth performance to every tense border crossing. Every document check, difficult decision and late-night shift in the guard booth hits harder with maxed-out settings and buttery frame rates, all without long installs or hardware worries getting in the way of the paranoia. No trip through the Devolver catalog would be complete without revisiting its eclectic, chaotic hits already streaming on GeForce NOW. Check out Cult of the Lamb, Ball x Pit, Hotline Miami, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Inscryption and Enter the Gungeon — where every dodge roll matters and every chest hides mayhem. Each of these titles showcases Devolver’s knack for daring design and unforgettable worlds — now all one click away through GeForce NOW. Time to Play Sink into the shadows and steal everything that isn’t nailed down. Styx: Shards of Darkness sneaks back in with a signature goblin grin and a dagger never too far from trouble. Published by Focus Home Interactive, this stealth adventure leans into vertical level design, tight shadows and sarcastic commentary from gaming’s most lovable little assassin. Expect big, open environments to pick apart, a toolkit full of invisibility tricks, traps and clones, and plenty of chances to turn a quiet infiltration into chaotic improv when plans go sideways. In addition, members can look for the following: Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (New release on Steam, Jan. 12, GeForce RTX 5080-ready) Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft Connect, now available on Xbox Game Pass) The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (New release on Steam, Jan. 15) Styx: Shards of Darkness (New release on Epic Games Store, free on Jan. 15) Styx: Master of Shadows (New release on Epic Games Store, free on Jan. 15) Guild Wars: Reforged (Steam) Mon Bazou (Steam) Tavern Keeper (Steam) Waterpark Simulator (Steam) For Game Pass titles on Ubisoft Connect, reference this article on how to log in. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Rager brings the beat to PlayStation VR2 on March 5 Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:00:29 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/19/rager-brings-the-beat-to-playstation-vr2-on-march-5/ Hello again, PlayStation VR2 players! We’re bringing Rager to PS VR2 on March 5, and we can’t wait for you to feel what rhythm-driven combat really means. Rager is a music-driven VR brawler where the rhythm is never background noise. Every strike, block, and dodge is tied directly to the soundtrack. Enemies attack in sync with pounding basslines and war drums, and your survival depends on whether you can match that timing with precision. This is combat built on control and awareness. You step into a shifting digital arena as robotic adversaries close in from every direction. The world forms around you as the music builds, then collapses back into the void when the fight is over. The next track begins, and the pressure starts again. No room for hesitation At launch on PS VR2, Rager includes a full campaign of 12 hand-built levels and three boss fights that escalate the pressure with every track. Each level locks you into a specific weapon and forces you to commit. There is no switching mid-fight. You adapt or you fail. The weapon in your hands changes the fight completely. Sword and Mace demand precision, striking independently with clean, deliberate timing. Axe and Hammer require both hands and full-body movement, rewarding committed swings with crushing impact. Claws and Fists pull you into close range, where attacks come faster and hesitation disappears. Every weapon shifts your stance, your reach, and your rhythm. You are reading the beat while reading the enemy, adjusting your timing in real time as attacks come from every direction. Freestyle mode opens another 12 levels from the start, giving you the freedom to choose your weapon and push your limits. Online leaderboards track every run. When a fight ends, you know exactly where you lost time. If your timing slips, you feel it. If you land clean, you feel that too. Rager rewards discipline. The tighter your movement, the harder it hits.  The PS VR2 experience Rager is built around clarity, feedback, and physical commitment. On PS VR2, those elements come through at full strength. The game runs at a native 90Hz, keeping movement smooth and responsive during the fastest exchanges. When attacks come from multiple directions and the beat accelerates, you need stability. Native 90Hz ensures that what you see and what you feel stay locked together, frame by frame. HDR support deepens the contrast of the arena, sharpening silhouettes and impact flashes against the darkness. Dynamic foveated rendering powered by eye tracking keeps your focus crisp exactly where you’re looking, so telegraphed strikes stay readable even in chaotic moments. Then there’s the feedback. Advanced haptics in the PS VR2 Sense controllers reinforce timing in your hands. A clean strike lands with weight. A blocked attack sends resistance through your grip. Headset rumble adds force to heavy blows and boss slams, grounding you in the center of the arena. The result is combat that feels anchored. When you commit to a swing, you feel the consequence. For players who chase mastery, Rager includes a full trophy list, culminating in a Platinum trophy that rewards precision, discipline, and complete control of the rhythm. On PS VR2, every strike carries weight, every block carries resistance, and every mistake carries consequence.  The arena opens March 5 Rager rewards players who stay sharp under pressure. When the tempo rises and attacks close in from every direction, hesitation costs you. Clean timing wins fights. Control keeps you standing. We’re proud to bring Rager to PlayStation VR2, and we’re excited to see how this community rises to the challenge. If you’re ready to test your timing, your stamina, and your control, we’ll see you in the arena on March 5.

Title: 11 indie gems to look forward to in 2026 Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:01:27 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/18/11-indie-gems-to-look-forward-to-in-2026/ This year is promising some great PlayStation 5 games – our Most Wanted Games of Early 2026 is easy proof of that. But we’re only just getting started. There’s so much more on the way, and with PS5 not only home to the biggest releases but also an exciting hotbed of super cool indie titles, it’s only fair to give you an enticing glimpse at why we’re so hyped for the coming months. Coffee Talk Tokyo | May 21 | PS5 If you’ve ever wanted to safely talk to yokai about their lives (or afterlives) over a cup of joe, then pull up a seat at the Tokyo cafe Chorus Worldwide has set up. If you’re not familiar with the lovely Coffee Talk series, this iteration continues its calming narrative, where you prepare and serve drinks to supernatural customers seeking chilled conversation and warm contemplation. Fishbowl | April TBD | PS5 Play Video As odd as its title might sound, Fishbowl carries a depth that’s already caught the eyes and tugged at the hearts of those who’ve played it. Exploring a journey of grief and self-discovery, the two-person studio of imissmyfriends promises a thoughtful and emotional visual novel. A coming-of-age tale set over a month, Fishbowl features sorting-and-matching puzzle gameplay elements, but, most importantly, it aims to teach players that taking things one day at a time is sometimes the only way to move forward. Hela | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video It’s entirely possible that when you first heard the title of this 3D co-op adventure, images of Nordic fire and brimstone came to mind. But never fear, Hela is pretty much the opposite. In fact, the only Scandinavian landscapes that have inspired this wholesome journey are those that have you reaching for the Create button for a revisit. Windup’s beautiful-looking escapade of puzzles and teamwork – via either local split-screen or online if you want to bring a buddy – lets you become a sickly witch’s mousey familiar, brewing healing potions and helping the local village with acts of kindness. Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories | April TBD | PS5 Play Video Need space for a cosy gaming experience? Nagai Industries has you covered with this nostalgic slice-of-life narrative, where human connections created by everyday events are entirely the point. Inspired by early 1990s Japan, Inkobini sets you in a small-town convenience store where you not only go through the meditative routine of preparing the shop for customers, but also hear their tales and forge relationships. The branching narrative shapes your conversations as you help the neighbourhood grow and thrive. Mina the Hollower | Spring 2026 | PS5, PS4 Play Video One of the most anticipated titles of 2026, Yacht Club Games’ action-adventure blends an 8-bit aesthetic with modern design sensibilities, a combination that helped Shovel Knight become such a beloved indie darling. Genius inventor Mina isn’t just a dab hand with weapons like her Nightstar whip and daggers, but can also use her hollowing ability to burrow underground – perfect for mixing up combat and traversal in the many dungeons of the cursed Tenebrous Isle. Fan favourite musicians Jake Kaufman (the Shantae series) and Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage/Shinobi series) are also along for the adventure’s infectiously slick soundtrack. Mortal Shell II | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video Let’s step away from the cosy side for a spell, and get our hands a little dirty with the sequel to Cold Symmetry’s original action-RPG. While standalone from its predecessor, Mortal Shell II continues to deliver the unflinching fights, nightmarish enemies, and haunting open world that fans previously enjoyed. The corpses of departed warriors are yours to awaken and possess to utilize their many abilities. Finishers have been upgraded, and the stamina gauge has been removed to speed up combat. Oh, and there are firearms, too, so your bloody quest to reclaim the Undermether’s stolen eggs gives you a chance to introduce the likes of shotguns and rapid-fire crossbows to your foes. Mouse P.I. For Hire | March 19 | PS5 Play Video Evoking the hand-drawn aesthetic of classic 1930s cartoons, Fumi Games’s first-person shooter blends detective noir storytelling with all-action blasting. If you like jazz, machine guns, grizzled narration, and oversized white gloves, then Mouseburg will be your home away from home. But be warned – just like the animation it apes, this is a game where almost anything can happen. Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | March 5 | PS5, PS4 Play Video There’s something special about a game that knows how endearing it is, and this vibrant 2D search action roguelike truly owns its charm – or should that be ‘curse’? Simply put, you control a magical hat with the power to possess your foes and use their abilities to venture through ruins, botanical gardens, and more, to help rebuild your ruined village. And what’s better than one cursed hat? Well, bring three friends along for the multiplayer mode and find out. Ontos | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video When Frictional Games announced it would be unleashing the spiritual successor to 2015 sci-fi horror Soma, any eager anticipation was rewarded with the first glimpses of Ontos. Swapping underwater chills for a desolate moon base, this disturbing narrative-driven adventure challenges you to scavenge materials, operate machinery, and make moral choices that could result in grave consequences as you delve deeper into the mystery of a failed mining colony. Out of Words | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video Easily one of the most unique-looking games in this list due to its eye-catching stop-motion and handcrafted visuals, Out of Words lives up to its title with two protagonists without mouths. In a quest to restore their voices, you and a friend take control of Kurt and Karla in a co-op platform adventure packed with puzzles and environmental challenges, testing your communication and coordination. And beneath the giant fish, tense set pieces, and physics-defying traversals, beats a tender story of connection and love, too. Over the Hill | TBD 2026 | PS5 Play Video It couldn’t have been easy to follow the stylish racing game art of rally, but developers Funselektor Labs and Strelka Games have made something decidedly different, albeit still on four wheels. Over the Hill focuses on exploration and discovery, with a deliberately paced drive through a wilderness of dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and terrain deformation. It’s not a race – it’s all about the journey, upgrading and customizing your vehicle, taking in the scenery, and even joining up to three friends to see what awaits past the sunset.    We might be buzzing to get our hands on these games (and many more, coming), but what about you? Which indie titles are you looking forward to playing in 2026?

Title: How open world Soulslike deckbuilder Death Howl was built Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/16/how-open-world-soulslike-deckbuilder-death-howl-was-built/ When we first started working on Death Howl, if you had told me we were building an “open world, soulslike deckbuilder,” I would have looked at you with a fair bit of confusion. It sounds like a recipe made out of components that don’t naturally fit together. Yet, as we prepare to bring the journey of Ro to a new audience on PlayStation 5 from February 19, I’ve been reflecting on how this genre blend came to be. The truth is, the “soulslike” tag wasn’t part of the original design document. A foundation of cards and tactics At its core, Death Howl began as a prototype that I made as a school project back in 2015 after playing the unique and brilliant game called Dream Quest. I’ve always been inspired by Magic: The Gathering and the idea of traversing a world to collect materials for crafting power. Our initial goal was to create an alternative to the traditional roguelite deckbuilder – something that traded linear, “always-start-from-beginning” runs for a free-roaming open world. We also looked at the character skill building where cards replaced traditional weapons and spells, with all combat taking place on a grid. Play Video The accidental Soulslike In general, we never intended to blend so many genres. At its core, Death Howl is an open world deckbuilder. But to achieve that vision, many different designs had to merge. We combined tactical, grid-based combat with deck building. We merged open world exploration with turn-based battles. And as the design evolved, other genre elements emerged organically – including soulslike mechanics. Honestly, I wasn’t even especially familiar with soulslike games when we started. It was something that came about from testers telling us it felt like one. Some elements were already in place. “Sacred Groves” – checkpoint locations much like the bonfires you might know from other games-allow you to heal, but they also respawn all enemies. We had designed these early on. But testers pointed to other traces of the genre in our game. They felt Death Howl earned the soulslike label because of how it rewards pattern recognition. You need to observe enemy behaviors – learning to avoid the frontal charge of a boar, for instance – and embrace the punishing but fair loop of death and adaptation. We made one key adjustment to fit our card-based structure. Instead of sending players back to the last checkpoint, dying in Death Howl returns you to the moment just before the encounter you lost. When Ro dies, she drops “Death Howls” – the currency earned from defeating enemies, used to craft new cards and upgrade abilities. These can be retrieved after respawning, much like souls in other games. This mechanic was perhaps the biggest direct inspiration we took from the genre once we became more familiar with it. The rest emerged more indirectly. But embracing the soulslike direction as an overall concept helped us add even more layers to the experience. For me, it’s still an open world deckbuilder. For others, it’s a soulslike card battler. Both are true. Balancing the dark and the ethereal Genre-blending is one part of Death Howl’s identity. The other is its mood. The world of Death Howl is a spirit realm born from grief, distant memories, and the unknown. To capture that otherworldly feeling, we leaned into a “linocut” or woodcut art style-inspired by heavy metal t-shirts and old-school Scandinavian illustrations – all rendered in minimalistic pixel art. This visual approach mirrors the gameplay in a way. Just as shapes emerge from deep shadows in our art, players must piece together the narrative of Ro’s quest to reunite with her son. The pixel art forces the viewer to imagine the details left in the darkness, creating space for their own interpretation. A journey to PlayStation Building Death Howl taught us that creating something unique often means combining elements that don’t obviously fit together. The result is a game that balances the calm of exploration with the intensity of turn-based combat, all wrapped in a story of resilience and loss. As we bring this experience to PlayStation 5 on February 19, we’re incredibly excited for a new community to step into our Spirit World and discover its secrets. Whether you’re a deckbuilding veteran or a soulslike fan looking for a tactical twist, we hope you’ll find something here that resonates. Death Howl is more than the sum of its genres-it’s a reflection of the creative journey that shaped it.

Title: God of War Sons of Sparta – Mega Cat Studios discuss origins of Kratos and company’s name Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:04:11 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/16/god-of-war-sons-of-sparta-mega-cat-studios-discuss-origins-of-kratos-and-companys-name/ When Mega Cat Studios sat down to dream big, one name sat at the very top of their wishlist: God of War. Years later, that long-shot ambition has become God of War Sons of Sparta, a newly released prequel developed in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio (SMS). Set at the earliest point in the series timeline, the game casts players as a young, devout Kratos before he knows his true nature as a demi-god, weaving a story about brotherhood and the meaning of being Spartan. Sons of Sparta pairs retro action-adventure design with an emotional God of War story. Mega Cat Studios Founder and CEO James Deighan and Game Director Zack Manko also discuss the origins of the game’s title and the name of the studio. For the full conversation listen to the latest Official PlayStation Podcast episode. Play Video PlayStation Blog: What can you share about the origins of this collaboration with Santa Monica Studio? James Deighan: So one of the things we’ve always done at Mega Cat are these leadership retreats where we talk about what we want to do… what we want to be known for… what inspired us to join the games industry. And one of the things that we’ve maintained, kind of ceremonially, is this “wishlist” of franchises we wish we could collaborate on. And we’ve had God of War listed as number one since the very beginning. And part of that wishlist is also the probability of us being able to do that, which we’ve always had listed very low. And as we continued to grow and make bigger, better games, and got a lot more confidence we started taking bigger swings, and eventually we just made a pitch and reached out and got really lucky that somebody read it, and they were open to having a conversation about what our idea was for a prequel and some kind of pixel art treatment extension of the franchise that we all adore. …so it really is just on multiple layers, a dream come true, working with such a talented team [at Santa Monica Studio], with a franchise we adore. How is Kratos’ relationship with the Greek gods at this point in his life? Zack Manko: This is Kratos as a boy. So it’s pre-god powers. He doesn’t even know he’s a god. But that also means he has a very different relationship with the gods. He’s very devout. He has this faith that he leans on and turns to when things look darkest. And in Sons of Sparta, you see how that pays off. You get Gifts of Olympus, these artifacts blessed by the gods, that allow you to do all these crazy puzzles, exploration, and combat. Ultimately, seeing Kratos as this devout, faith-filled figure, and knowing what comes later with his relationship with the gods…adds a new dimension as well. What went into the decision to set the game at the earliest point in the series’ timeline? Manko: I think there are two reasons, really. First, like you said, it’s a prequel. Our initial pitch was, you know, imagine what God of War would have looked like on [the original PlayStation], you know, what a God of War zero, if you will, would look like. So I think with that in mind the narrative team at SMS thought this time period you know, Kratos as a boy, his formative years, would be interesting to explore, because the events here and what he goes through and what he experiences, it really adds a texture to his character that kind of you can see throughout the rest of the saga. It certainly adds a new lens onto him [when looking back at the Greek games]. Early on, we did think about maybe [making the story] a little bit closer to the events of the Greek saga games that fans are familiar with. But again, I think the writers at SMS thought this is what we need to go to, because seeing Kratos as a boy here resonates throughout the rest of the series, not only with the Greek games, but also, you know, the Norse saga, where you see Kratos as a father with Atreus, and how the events in Sons of Sparta may influence that. And the same sort of, same sort of context, the influences on Kratos as a boy, how that lines up with Kratos’ parenting style in the Norse saga. These formative years of Kratos, this character, seeing all these things that happen and these influences on him. It just adds so much to this character that fans are familiar with throughout the rest of the games. 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 Meet Mega Cat, the feline the God of War: Sons of Sparta studio is named after. What can you tell us about the origins of the game’s title and name of the studio itself? Manko: James wanted to name it something Greek yogurt themed, you know, high protein, fitting for Kratos [laughs]. But, um, no, in all seriousness, God of War Sons of Sparta was chosen because it just encapsulates the main themes in the game so well. You know, Kratos and Deimos are the sons of Sparta, and they’re discovering what that means. What it means to be a Spartan, what are the demands there, what’s the cost? Deighan: [Regarding the studio name Mega Cat Studios] we had a beloved cat that I had as a pet that passed. One of our [team members’ now-wife] volunteers at a local animal shelter here, and she was serving a few bottle babies. [Bottle babies] are whenever the shelters are completely overburdened with animals, the trained [certified] volunteers can take [cats] home and help raise them. I was dealing with some pet-loss heartbreak, as you do, and [the shelter had] this one, really aggressive runt in the litter that we ended up taking home and bottle feeding and spending some time with. That was Mega Cat.  So when we first came up with a list of many ideas and names for the company, we included [“Mega Cat”] on the list and started voting and sharing it around with our friends, family, and colleagues. And there was this really overwhelmingly positive response [to the name]… which kind of rolls off the tongue. Early years, it really worked to our advantage, because people confused us with Mad Catz [laughs]. We had all these names that we really went deep on, and we added a Mega Cat at the end of the list. Even our UPS driver was like, “that one’s awesome, man.” God of War Sons of Sparta is available now on PS5.

Title: God of War Sons of Sparta: What you need to know Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:51:53 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/02/13/god-of-war-sons-of-sparta-what-you-need-to-know/ God of War Sons of Sparta is a brand-new entry to the series available now for the PlayStation 5!  Developed by our partners at Mega Cat Studios, Sons of Sparta takes God of War staples and translates them like never before into a retro-inspired 2D action platformer. Looking to learn more before embarking on a journey back to ancient Greece this weekend? Here’s what you need to know about God of War Sons of Sparta!  Duty, honor & brotherhood Sons of Sparta is a canon story that takes place in Kratos’ youth from the writing team that brought you God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, and God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla.  Set during the brutal training period Spartan cadets undergo at the Agoge – Kratos, alongside his brother Deimos, must traverse far beyond the home they know into the beautiful yet dangerous region of Laconia that surrounds the familiar walls of Sparta.  Kratos and Deimos must overcome threats that will put all their training to the test while challenging them to confront the true meaning of duty, honor, and brotherhood.   Play Video Heartfelt performances  Sons of Sparta features a fantastic vocal cast whose performances bring the depth and emotion fans expect from God of War games.  We’re thrilled to have two actors who have both portrayed Kratos in the Greek saga reprise their roles for this game. TC Carson returns as the adult version of Kratos who serves as our story’s narrator, while Antony Del Rio portrays the younger version of Kratos, which he also did in God of War: Ghost of Sparta back in 2010!  We’re also excited to have newcomers join the series, including Scott Menville, as the voice of our young Deimos.  Play Video God of War combat in 2D  Sons of Sparta brings God of War’s kinetic combat to a brand-new genre. Customize your weapons, learn new skills, and harness powerful divine artifacts using the Gifts of Olympus to end your foes with brutal finishers.  Play Video A Spartan’s first weapons Kratos’ spear and shield can each be enhanced and adapted using different attachments. Each attachment comes with its own upgrade path, so you can tailor your build to empower whichever playstyle you enjoy.   Kratos also has access to three primary skill trees where he can learn new abilities to improve his offensive, defensive, and movement kits.  Gifts of Olympus  Throughout his adventures in Laconia, Kratos will acquire Gifts of Olympus, divine artifacts that can turn the tide in combat through their special and super attacks. Some of the Gifts excel in ranged combat – striking with precision from afar or launching an exploding projectile to hit multiple creatures. Others come with their own devastating melee combo to supplement Kratos’ spear attacks.  Myths and legends Sons of Sparta features the return of many iconic creatures from the Greek saga, including hulking minotaurs, nimble satyrs, and undead legionnaires. We worked closely with the team at Mega Cat Studios to faithfully translate the original animations to their 2D representations in-game.  On top of the classics, MCS has also brought in many new creatures from Greek mythology didn’t have the chance to explore in the originals. Explore Laconia  Stunning high-definition pixel art environments will take you on a journey through a variety of locations that bring Kratos’ homeland to life with incredible detail.  As you progress through the main story, you’ll find that Laconia is also full of content that rewards exploration – optional quests, hidden encounters, and loot await! Play Video The sound of Sparta  Bear McCreary returns to score Sons of Sparta with an incredible soundtrack that melds retro aesthetics with God of War’s signature sweeping orchestral and choral style. Get it today The Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions are both available for purchase digitally at PlayStation Store: Standard Edition of God of War Sons of Sparta is $29.99 USD / €29.99 / £24.99 / ¥3480 Digital Deluxe Edition of God of War Sons of Sparta is $39.99 USD / €39.99 / £32.99 / ¥4480 Thank you to all the God of War fans for your continued support, we hope you’ll enjoy Sons of Sparta! 

Title: Following layoffs, Highguard devs Wildlight announce it's getting a new airship base and door-opening dart gun Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:23:34 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/following-layoffs-highguard-devs-wildlight-announce-its-getting-a-new-airship-base-and-door-opening-dart-gun When the website of Highguard suddenly began blaring that it was "unavailable" not long after news broke of layoffs at developer Wildlight, you could have been forgiven for thinking a Concord-style pulling offline might be in the shooter's near future. That doesn't look to be the case, though, with the studio having just announced a couple of new additions set to arrive in the game this week. Read more

Title: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties mod swaps Goh Hamazaki's face, ditching likeness of actor accused of sexual assault Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:29:39 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yakuza-kiwami-3-dark-ties-mod-swaps-goh-hamazakis-face-ditching-likeness-of-actor-accused-of-sexual-assault There's now a mod for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties which swaps out the likeness of actor Teruyuki Kagawa. Kagawa's casting in the remake, which saw him lend both his voice and likeness to secondary villain Goh Hamazaki, caused fan backlash due to a 2022 report from Shukan Shincho detailing sexual assault allegations against the actor. Kagawa apologised at the time, but didn't specify what he was apologising for or confirm the events reported in the article. Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties director Ryosuke Horii recently said Kagawa's casting was the result of developers RGG Studio having "tried to think of someone who makes you go, 'This guy's a creep'". Read more

Title: Train! Stunt! Game! Denshattack! Has! A! Demo! On! Steam! Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:42 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/train-stunt-game-denshattack-has-a-demo-on-steam For months, I’ve been keeping an eye out for Denshattack!, an enticingly loud stunt-action game that’s somewhere between an autorunner and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, if Tony Hawk was an electric locomotive and not a man of mortal flesh. I played it last year and was instantly smitten with its speedy, tricksy rail riding, and now that there’s a newly released Steam demo, perhaps you will be too. Read more

Title: ZA/UM's Zero Parades is Schrodinger's Disco Elysium follow-up, and it keeps yelling at me about communism Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/zaums-zero-parades-is-schrodingers-disco-elysium-follow-up-and-it-keeps-yelling-at-me-about-communism "Since the last round of EMTERR ‘stabilisation’, they’ve been trying to force us lifers out," the phantom line engineer tells Zero Parades protagonist Hershel Wilk. "We can’t be fired, not easily, but they can take away the work that made us stay in the first place,” he continues. “I have two options. I could falsify my reports and declare line 9 safe for construction anyway, or I could quit. Either way, the company can’t lose." Approximately 15 minutes later, I’m talking to a monkey sat atop a pile of goods in a random abandoned house. "YOUR PRESENCE IS WEAK. FATE DELIVERS ME AN UNWORTHY ADVERSARY," it says, before declaring its name to be the KING OF TRADE. Immediately, one of voices in Herschel’s inner chorus, dubbed Statehood, starts shouting back about needing to defeat the forces of capitalism. Both of these are scenarios I ran into while playing the Next Fest demo of the spy CRPG finally emerging from ZA/UM, following years of reported bad times and discord at and around the Disco Elysium studio. Both of them feel simultaneously like encounters you could plausibly have run into in the original Disco, and like they could just as easily be pale imitations dressed up to resemble that first game’s much quoted trenchcoat of surrealist detecting. Read more

Title: Destiny 2's next big update has been delayed so it can undergo "large revisions" so large and revisiony it'll need a new name Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:32:28 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/destiny-2s-next-big-update-has-been-delayed-so-it-can-undergo-large-revisions-so-large-and-revisiony-itll-need-a-new-name The next big update to Destiny 2, Shadow and Order, has been delayed as it undergoes a substantial round of tweakage and expansion. Such a substantial round of tweakage and expansion, in fact, that it'll no longer be called Shadow and Order when it returns. Read more