Title: 9 Perfectly Ice-Cold Video Games To Help You Survive The Summer Heat Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:00:07 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/hot-out-play-nice-cold-video-games-2000712347 Frozen, or on the rocks

Title: Hollywood Is Desperate For The Next Backrooms As Studios Buy Up Film Rights To More Creepy Online Media Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:30:33 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/hollywood-is-desperate-for-the-next-backrooms-2000712351 Movie studios are hoping popular online horror content like The Mandela Catalogue will win young people over

Title: Suicide Squad Devs Open Up About The Game’s Struggles: ‘I Started Feeling Like I Wasn’t Making Games Anymore, I Was Following A Spreadsheet’ Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:04:29 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/suicide-squad-devs-open-up-about-the-games-struggles-i-started-feeling-like-i-wasnt-making-games-anymore-i-was-following-a-spreadsheet-2000712357 Kill the Justice League's prolonged development proved fatal for creativity

Title: Microsoft Announces New AI Company Days Before Mass Layoffs: ‘A Learning Loop In Which Human Capital And Token Capital Compound’ Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:30:20 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/microsoft-announces-new-ai-company-days-before-mass-layoffs-a-learning-loop-in-which-human-capital-and-token-capital-compound-2000712342 Read the room

Title: Captain America’s Bulge Won’t Stop Jiggling In His New Marvel Rivals Summer Skin Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:00:36 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/marvel-rivals-captain-america-summer-skin-physics-2000712337 Steve Rogers got the shield and the hammer

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 Online Beginner’s Guide Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:39:38 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-online-beginners-guide/ With the GTA 6 release date creeping up ever faster, you might want to scratch the GTA-shaped itch that we're all getting. GTA Online has been around for years, but there's never been a better time to jump into the sprawling sandbox. If you've never stepped foot in Rockstar's shared open-world multiplayer experience, here's a full guide on how to get started. What is GTA Online? GTA Online is an open-world shared multiplayer experience for servers of up to 32 people. It's set in Los Santos, which is a representation of Los Angeles, California. You can choose to play in private, invite-only lobbies or lobbies that are exclusive to your crew. Crews are similar to clans; anybody can create one, and it's free to do so. The aim of GTA Online is to get as much money as you can, and invest that in properties and businesses. In turn, this will allow you to get even more money, or make it easier to do so. You can use that money to buy vehicles, from supercars to military armored trucks, as well as other things like mansions. There is a ranked progression system, and you can be placed in lobbies against players of varying levels. You can opt for a pacifistic approach, but there's always the chance of other players taking a slightly more violent route. Passive mode is a good way to avoid hostile players. As a new player, everyone will have better stuff than you. But that's where we come in to help--we've got an extensive GTA Online guides hub with advice on everything from making more money to which businesses are the best ones to buy early on. Create your character When you first start GTA Online, you'll be prompted to create your custom character. You won't need to worry too much about getting every detail perfect, as your appearance can be changed later. Many of your decisions in the early game will have little-to-no long-term impact. Complete the tutorial If this is your first experience with GTA Online, we'd really recommend that you complete the tutorial. It'll introduce you to several key mechanics, including combat, driving, shopping, missions, how multiplayer works, and gives you some useful starter rewards. GTA$ GTA$ is the game's primary currency, used to buy vehicles, weapons, properties, businesses, upgrades, cosmetics, clothing, and more. Almost every activity in GTA Online either requires or rewards you with GTA$, making it the most important resource. After all, the long-term goal is to be rich. RP RP, or Reputation Points, are rewarded for completing activities. These points function as GTA Online's experience system, and the more RP you have, the higher level you will be. As you earn RP and rank up you can gain access to new weapons, vehicle upgrades, equipment, and activities. Aim to increase your rank alongside your cash balance, as it'll give you access to tools to make gaining money even easier. What to do first in GTA Online After you've completed the tutorial, you'll want to focus on several options. Claim all of your starter rewards to give yourself the best advantage. Complete any and all introductory missions that pop up. Buy snacks to help replenish health, and armor to take less damage from the more hostile players on your server. Complete the most profitable activities and begin saving for your first business, as this will provide you with a reliable method of passive income. Invest in businesses early. It's definitely tempting to buy a flashy car right away, but the business is more likely to help you increase your GTA$ balance faster, meaning the cars can wait. How to earn your first million GTA$ This should be considered your first major milestone in GTA Online, and it's easier than it sounds. You'll have to complete missions, look for contact missions as they give a good amount of cash and help you learn about combat and mission mechanics at the same time. You'll also want to play the weekly bonus activities. These reset each week and contain missions that will grant double or triple rewards for a quick boost to your balance. There's no limit to the number of times you can replay these missions, so you could grind them until you get to a million if you really wanted. The Cluckin Bell Farm Raid missions are a good way to make money. The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid is a great series of missions to complete entirely solo, requires zero up front capital to start, and rewards $500,000. A run through should take between 45 and 60 minutes, so it's a small time sink to your first million if that's the path you choose. Invest in a business We've got more detailed GTA Online business guides, but as a general rule, choosing the right first business is key. Some recommendations include the Acid Lab, since it's relatively affordable but has strong profits and is solo-friendly to run, and the Agency, since it offers story content and consistent money-making opportunities. Having said that, there are definitely businesses to avoid early on. Steer clear of anything commercial and expensive, or businesses that require a lot of upgrading before they'll become profitable, like the Document Forgery Office or the Vehicle Warehouse. Getting your vehicles The Armored Kuruma is one of the best mission vehicles in the game since it has exceptionally strong bullet protection. It'll make your early missions significantly easier. The Duke O'Death is a durable, relatively affordable muscle car. The Buzzard Attack Chopper will be the best way to get around the map. You don't need a garage full of supercars to succeed in GTA Online ... although I will concede that it's much more fun to do so. Weapons and firepower You'll want to have a small collection of reliable weapons. It's more useful and cost-efficient than owning every gun. The best ones to grab early on are the Special Carbine, AP Pistol, Homing Launcher, and Heavy Sniper. Always carry snacks Snacks are healing items, and one of the biggest mistakes new players make is ignoring them. They'll help you out in a pinch by restoring health instantly. Similarly, armor provides additional protection in combat. You should be stocked up on these items before every mission. Session types There are several different session types in GTA Online. Public sessions are open lobbies containing up to 32 players. They're unpredictable, but if you want the most authentic GTA Online experience, go for this option. Invite-only sessions are private lobbies available only to invited players. You can create an invite-only session, or get invited to an existing one. Businesses and activities can still be completed here if you'd prefer to make your money solo. Activities are a reliable source of income. Friend sessions are restricted to those on your friends list, and work in a similar way to invite-only sessions. Crew sessions are designed for members of the same crew, but you won't have any control over exactly which crew members are included. Avoiding griefers Not everyone in Los Santos wants to play fair. If you're trying to earn money efficiently, there are several things you'll want to keep in mind. You can use invite-only sessions to have full control of the players in the lobby and eliminate unwanted interruptions. Passive mode can also be enabled, where you won't be able to take incoming damage from other players. Bear in mind though, you also won't be able to dish out any pain. Make sure to deposit your cash in the bank regularly, as you'll lose GTA$ every time you die. Depositing money means it's safe in the bank, so reduces potential losses if you get into a war with other players. Using armored vehicles can also help to improve your survivability, as they'll take more incoming damage before being destroyed. That's pretty much it for the basics of getting started in GTA Online. Remember the golden rules and you'll be fine: don't spend your first million on a supercar, invest in business early, play weekly bonus activities, carry snacks and armor, and focus on long-term progression over instant wealth. The game can seem intimidating for a beginner, but remember that passive mode is always an option, and our GTA Online guides hub has got you covered for every question you'll have.

Title: GTA Online Doesn’t Tell You These Things, But It Should Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:36:06 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-online-doesnt-tell-you-these-things-but-it-should/ If you've been playing GTA Online for a little while now, you might be familiar with the basics but there's so much more hidden under the surface. The game has come a long way since its 2013 launch, adding new businesses, heists, vehicles, and other improvements that make Los Santos more accessible than ever. Whether you're fairly new to the game or returning to GTA Online in anticipation of the GTA 6 release date, there are plenty of mechanics, shortcuts, and money-saving tricks that Rockstar barely mentions. Here are 15 things that you might not know about GTA Online. In This Article You can run most businesses in invite-only sessionsMaking your first million is more important than getting your first supercarSnacks are basically health packsFocus on passive incomeThe Oppressor Mk II is worth the grindYou don't need to play GTA Online with friendsDon't ignore the weekly bonusesArmored vehicles are better than fast carsDon't think of the nightclub as a nightclubThere are lots of freebies, actuallyRanking up isn't pointlessInsurance is everythingDon't be afraid to call for helpThe fastest route isn't always the bestThere's not that much Grand Theft Auto in GTA online You can run most businesses in invite-only sessions In its initial years, you could only make money from activities in public lobbies. This forced players to deal with griefers and ran the risk of random attacks, but this is no longer the case. Many businesses, including the Acid Lab, Bunker, Agency, and Nightclub, can be managed entirely in invite-only sessions. If you're a solo player or just want a more relaxed experience, you can make your millions in peace this way. Making your first million is more important than getting your first supercar The dream is logging into GTA Online, jumping into a flashy car, and blitzing around the map. Don't do that. Filling your garage with exotic cars can come later. Invest your first million dollars in a profitable business, and watch your balance multiply faster down the line. Snacks are basically health packs While GTA Online briefly introduces snacks, it doesn't reiterate their importance down the line. All experienced players are stocked up on snacks at all times since they give an instant burst of healing during combat. They can be the difference between completing a difficult mission and being forced to reload a checkpoint. Businesses are a good way to maximize your income. Focus on passive income If you're a new player, you're probably surviving solely on income from missions. While missions are important and definitely fun, the richest players in GTA Online have established a reliable passive income stream. Invest in something like the Acid Lab, Nightclub, or Bunker, and they'll continue to generate profit while you're doing other activities, allowing for a valuable income boost. The Oppressor Mk II is worth the grind The Oppressor Mk II is an expensive end-game hover vehicle. While the barriers to obtaining it are pretty high, its value comes in dramatically reducing the time it takes to traverse the map. It's even got homing missiles to handle any unexpected PvP situations that pop up. It'll set you back a cool $8 million via Warstock Cache and Carry, but it's worth it. You don't need to play GTA Online with friends While the multiplayer aspect of GTA Online can be fun, and it's true that certain activities benefit from teamwork, you can complete a large portion of GTA Online solo if you want to. Many businesses, contracts, missions, and activities are designed with solo players in mind. Don't avoid GTA Online because you don't have a regular group of friends to log on with. Don't ignore the weekly bonuses Sure, Rockstar is pretty good at advertising its weekly bonuses, but don't forget to complete them. Every week, payouts are boosted for specific activities, and those bonuses can completely change your personal economy. An activity that pays average rewards one week might become one of the best money-making opportunities the next week. Check which activities currently offer double or triple rewards when you next log in. Armored vehicles are better than fast cars If you're looking for survivability, armored vehicles are the way to go. While supercars are good at winning races, unless that's all you're focusing on then turn your attention to armored vehicles. The Armored Kuruma is one of the most popular vehicles in the game for a reason, and it'll help to make PvE content dramatically easier. Don't think of the nightclub as a nightclub We all have an image of a nightclub in our minds as soon as the word comes up, but don't think about it as a place for dancing, drinking, and making friends. Instead, use it as a central warehouse for your other businesses. It'll safely store cash and bring in resources from your other businesses while you barely need to think about it. In that way, it's more like the nightclub in The Sopranos--it's your office. There are lots of freebies, actually While GTA Online does focus on making money, and making it fast, there are lots of useful free services dotted around Los Santos. Head to the ammunition stores, clothing shops, vehicle customization garages, property access points, and mission hubs to see what you can get. Secondly, checking updates, events, and challenges can get you some freebies. The Duke O'Death can be a reward for returning players on some platforms, and if you link a Rockstar Social Club account, you'll get the Elegy RH8. Completing missions and collectibles will get you the Navy Revolver, Double-Action Revolver, Stone Hatchet, and more. There are more freebies than you think. Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack owners get a free bunker, office, clubhouse, and more. Some event weeks offer free or heavily discounted properties, too. You can get free GTA$ from daily objectives, treasure hunts, collectibles, weekly challenges, career progress rewards, promotional bonuses, and seasonal event rewards. As a brand-new player, the treasure hunts can earn you hundreds of thousands of GTA$. You can refill your snacks and armor from the Agency snack bar, Arcade snack bowl, Kosatka gallery, and Auto Shop for free. Ranking up isn't pointless Higher ranks unlock new weapons, equipment, vehicle upgrades, and other features, so focus on your level where possible. You might have access to better tools with a higher rank but lower bank balance. Insurance is everything Yes, it's fun to grief other players and shoot a rocket launcher into their expensive supercar, but if it's insured it'll cost you. Likewise, losing your own uninsured vehicle can be an expensive lesson. Pay attention to insurance before taking any risks. Similarly, taking a low-value civilian car off the street to your garage and insuring it will imply ownership. Sorry, random NPC. Don't be afraid to call for help There are a multitude of NPCs in your phone waiting to offer you help. Try calling for a vehicle delivery, ammunition, transportation, mission support, or for removing wanted levels. They'll make some tricky situations easier to handle. The fastest route isn't always the best If you're looking for the best GTA Online money method, you might be focused on the amount of profit you can make per hour. That might not be the most fun way though, and burning yourself out via the maximum efficiency methods can suck the fun out of the game. Instead, choose activities that you enjoy that are also profitable. The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid series of missions is a fun yet worthwhile activity, for example. There's not that much Grand Theft Auto in GTA online Sure, you can steal civilians' cars and make them your own, and of course there's a lot of other crime such as robbing banks and completing other heists, but it's actually more like a management simulator if you're doing it right. The richest players aren't constantly pulling off heists, they're managing businesses and optimizing their income streams. If you want a garage packed full of supercars, you'd do the same. While it may have evolved into a massive multiplayer experience with deep levels, Rockstar expects players to figure that out for themselves pretty much. Once you understand these hidden systems and the best ways to spend your time, you'll be gloating with the game's richest.

Title: What To Buy First In GTA Online Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:32:19 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-to-buy-first-in-gta-online/ If you're new to GTA Online, or just coming back ahead of the GTA 6 release date, you might want to know the best first purchases. Joining, or rejoining, the game can feel a bit overwhelming due to its size and the number of regular updates GTA Online has had since its release in 2013. While it might be tempting to fill a garage with supercars, there are several purchases you should focus on that might help to increase your GTA$ rather than drain it. After you've read through our GTA Online beginner tips, you'll want to check out our breakdown of the best early purchases, what they do, how much they cost, and where to buy them. Armored Kuruma Armored Kuruma Price: $698,250 Where to buy: Southern San Andreas Super Autos This heavily-armored sports car adds an additional layer of protection against incoming gunfire, making it an effective PvE mission vehicle. Difficult early missions will become safer as a result of the armored protection, and it can absorb most incoming NPC fire thanks to the roof and cabin bulletproof panels. It has bulletproof windows and protective frames over the lights for additional protection. The Acid Lab Acid Lab Price: $750,000 Where to buy: Freakshop The Acid Lab is actually an upgrade for the 6x6 Brickade. To get the Brickade, you'll need to complete the First Dose missions, and then it's unlocked for free. If you don't want to do that, you can purchase the Brickade for $1,450,000 from Warstock Cache and Carry. Then, use the Freakshop interaction area to purchase the Acid Lab upgrade for $750,000. This mobile drug production business will generate passive income, making it one of the best early purchases if you're looking to make money fast. The Agency The Agency Price: $2-2.8 million, depending on location Where to buy: Dynasty 8 Executive The Agency is a high-end property that unlocks multiple missions. You can purchase only one from a selection of available agency locations, with optional extras such as an armory, vehicle workshop, and accommodation. After purchase, it is the central hub of the F. Clinton and Partner business. If you've played the main GTA 5 story, you'll recognize F. Clinton as Franklin. The Agency will unlock multiple jobs from Franklin's clients, which scale as you complete more of them. The top earner, though, is the Dr. Dre VIP Contract, which rewards $1 million upon completion and comes with a ton of story content. Buzzard Attack Chopper Nagasaki Buzzard Attack Chopper Price: $1,750,000 Where to buy: Warstock Cache and Carry While the Buzzard reduces travel time between GTA Online locations, it can also be used for combat thanks to its minigun and missiles. If you own a CEO office, you can spawn it instantly from the CEO menu after purchasing it. You can also spot the Buzzard being flown by Jason Duval through the Grassrivers in the second GTA 6 trailer, so it'll continue to be relevant way into the future. This time around, it has a side-mounted gun, so we may see updates to it in GTA Online soon. CEO Office entry CEO Office Price: $1 million and over Where to buy: Dynasty 8 Executive You'll be able to buy one office location from a selection via Dynasty 8 Executive, with optional extras including gun lockers, safes, or accommodation. You can customize your interior, too. But the reason it's one of our recommended early-game purchases is the unlocks it comes with. You'll get access to the Volatus CEO vehicle, and you can start an organization. You can also access special cargo, vehicle cargo, and special vehicle work via the office PC. If you have the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, the Maze Bank West office is completely free. The most expensive office is Maze Bank Tower at $4 million, but your most affordable entry route is paying $1 million for Maze Bank West (if you don't have the Criminal Enterprise pack). Special Carbine Special Carbine Price: $14,750 Where to buy: Ammu-Nation The Special Carbine rifle is a highly reliable assault rifle that performs well in most combat scenarios. You'll be getting into a lot of these, so you'll need a go-to weapon to take with you on missions, heists, and in general PvP combat. It's got a great balance of damage and accuracy, and it's pretty affordable. Grab it as soon as you can. AP Pistol AP Pistol Price: $5,000 Where to buy: Ammu-Nation You'll find yourself in need of a fast-firing pistol for shooting while driving, or drive-by missions. Its name is short for Armor-Piercing Pistol, and it does what it says on the tin. Grab the AP Pistol early on from any Ammu-Nation store. Snacks restore HP Snacks and Armor Price: Free to low cost for snacks, $500 to $5,000 for armor Where to buy: Convenience stores, Ammu-Nation These consumable items are used for protection during combat. Snacks act as a health pack, instantly restoring HP in tight situations. Armor protects against receiving that damage in the first place, often saving missions from failure.

Title: All Phasmophobia Difficulty Levels And Differences Explained Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:29:43 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-phasmophobia-difficulty-levels-and-differences-explained/ Phasmophobia offers five preset difficulty options, plus a custom and challenge mode, for you to choose from. But these difficulty levels don’t simply dictate how aggressive the ghost will be; they also influence critical aspects such as how much official evidence you can gather, how quickly your Sanity drains, the number of cursed possessions, how long (if any) set-up time you get, and, most importantly, your rewards. That doesn’t mean you should jump to Insanity, the hardest preset difficulty level in Phasmophobia, as soon as you have a few successful contracts. Beginners should start on Amateur mode, where you’re offered a bit more leniency. Then, once you begin leveling up, unlocking higher-tier equipment, and becoming more comfortable gathering evidence, escaping the ghost, and identifying unique ghost abilities, you should gradually increase your difficulty level. Higher difficulty levels, like Nightmare and Insanity, are when a lot of Phasmophobia’s tips and tricks are particularly important to know, as investigations are much more challenging and the ghosts more lethal--with some difficulty levels offering only one or two pieces of official evidence. But once you graduate to these higher levels and can complete these contracts successfully with ease, the rewards are huge, with Insanity offering a x6 multiplier on your normal cash and experience payout. If you're feeling particularly brave, you can adjust Custom settings to take on the game's Apocalypse Challenges. Below, we break down all the available difficulty options in Phasmophobia, including the player level required to unlock them, their settings, and reward multipliers. In This Article AmateurAmateur player settingsAmateur ghost settingsAmateur contract settingsIntermediateIntermediate player settingsIntermediate ghost settingsIntermediate contract settingsProfessionalProfessional player settingsProfessional ghost settingsProfessional contract settingsNightmareNightmare player settingsNightmare ghost settingsNightmare contract settingsInsanityInsanity player settingsInsanity ghost settingsInsanity contract settingsChallenge ModeCustomApocalypse ChallengesApocalypse player settingsApocalypse ghost settingsApocalypse contract settings Amateur Beginners, start here. Amateur is unlocked for all players immediately. This difficulty level is best for beginners as it offers a long set-up time (how long you get before the ghost can hunt), long grace period (cooldown between hunts), and short hunt duration. Sanity pills also restore a lot of sanity and you can regain half of your lost equipment if you die.   Amateur player settings Reward multiplier (cash and experience)x1Insurance50%Starting sanity100Sanity Pill restoration 40%Sanity drain speed100%SprintingOnPlayer speed100%FlashlightsOnLose items and consumablesOn Amateur ghost settings Ghost speed100%Roaming frequencyMediumChanging favorite roomNo chanceActivity levelHighEvent frequencyLowFriendly ghostOffGrace period5 secondsHunt durationLowKills extend huntsOffEvidence given3Fingerprint chance100%Fingerprint duration120 seconds Amateur contract settings Set-up time300 secondsWeatherRandomDoors starting open NoneNumber of hiding placesVery highSanity monitorOnActivity monitorOnFuse box at start of contractOnFuse box visible on mapOnCursed Possessions quantity1Cursed Possession #1Random Intermediate Once you feel a bit more comfortable, move up a level. Intermediate difficulty is unlocked at player level 10 and is best for those who have outgrown Amateur, but are still learning the ropes. This standard-level mode offers an average set-up time, hunt grace period, and hunt duration. In addition, sanity pills restore some sanity, but the fuse box starts off, there are fewer places to hide, and you'll only regain some of your lost equipment if you die. Intermediate player settings Reward multiplier (cash and experience)x2Insurance25%Starting sanity100Sanity Pill restoration 35%Sanity drain speed150%SprintingOnPlayer speed100%FlashlightsOnLose items and consumablesOn Intermediate ghost settings Ghost speed100%Roaming frequencyMediumChanging favorite roomNo chanceActivity levelMediumEvent frequencyMediumFriendly ghostOffGrace period4 secondsHunt durationMediumKills extend huntsOffEvidence given3Fingerprint chance100%Fingerprint duration120 seconds Intermediate contract settings Set-up time120 secondsWeatherRandomDoors starting open LowNumber of hiding placesHighSanity monitorOnActivity monitorOnFuse box at start of contractOffFuse box visible on mapOnCursed Possessions quantity1Cursed Possession #1Random Professional Unlock at player level 20, Professional is for those who feel pretty comfortable in their ghost hunting abilities, but still have some trouble identifying a ghost without evidence. On this difficulty level, the ghost's room can change (albeit rarely), there's no set-up time, hunts are longer, and the grace period between hunts is shorter. In addition, there are much fewer hiding places, you'll lose all your equipped items when you die, and the fuse box will always be off when you start a contract. Professional player settings Reward multiplier (cash and experience)x3InsuranceNoneStarting sanity100Sanity Pill restoration 30%Sanity drain speed200%SprintingOnPlayer speed100%FlashlightsOnLose items and consumablesOn Professional ghost settings Ghost speed100%Roaming frequencyHighChanging favorite roomLowActivity levelLowEvent frequencyMediumFriendly ghostOffGrace period3 secondsHunt durationHighKills extend huntsOffEvidence given3Fingerprint chance100%Fingerprint duration120 seconds Professional contract settings Set-up timeNoneWeatherRandomDoors starting open MediumNumber of hiding placesMediumSanity monitorOnActivity monitorOnFuse box at start of contractOffFuse box visible on mapOnCursed Possessions quantity1Cursed Possession #1Random Nightmare Step up the challenge with Nightmare. Unlocked at player level 30, Nightmare difficulty is for ghost hunters who want to seriously increase the challenge. If you're comfortable engaging with long ghost hunts with limited hiding places, smudging, and identifying ghosts without three pieces of evidence, then this may be the difficulty level for you.  Nightmare player settings Reward multiplier (cash and experience)x4InsuranceNoneStarting sanity100Sanity Pill restoration 25%Sanity drain speed200%SprintingOnPlayer speed100%FlashlightsOnLose items and consumablesOn Nightmare ghost settings Ghost speed100%Roaming frequencyHighChanging favorite roomMediumActivity levelLowEvent frequencyHighFriendly ghostOffGrace period2 secondsHunt durationHighKills extend huntsLowEvidence given2Fingerprint chance100%Fingerprint duration120 seconds Nightmare contract settings Set-up timeNoneWeatherRandomDoors starting open HighNumber of hiding placesLowSanity monitorOffActivity monitorOffFuse box at start of contractOffFuse box visible on mapOffCursed Possessions quantity1Cursed Possession #1Random Insanity Are you feeling brave? Unlocked at player level 40, Insanity is for those who are feeling brave. This is the most challenging of the preset difficulty modes in Phasmophobia, offering little to no hiding spaces, only one piece of evidence, no cursed objects, and longer hunts that increase in duration every time the ghost kills a member of your team. Insanity player settings Reward multiplier (cash and experience)x6InsuranceNoneStarting sanity75Sanity Pill restoration 20%Sanity drain speed200%SprintingOnPlayer speed100%FlashlightsOnLose items and consumablesOn Insanity ghost settings Ghost speed100%Roaming frequencyHighChanging favorite roomHighActivity levelLowEvent frequencyHighFriendly ghostOffGrace period2 secondsHunt durationHighKills extend huntsLowEvidence given1Fingerprint chance100%Fingerprint duration60 seconds Insanity contract settings Set-up timeNoneWeatherRandomDoors starting open HighNumber of hiding placesLowSanity monitorOffActivity monitorOffFuse box at start of contractOffFuse box visible on mapOffCursed Possessions quantity0 Challenge Mode The challenge changes every week, so you better act fast. Challenge Mode is a limited time difficulty level that changes every week. There are 26 challenge mode possibilities, each with its own difficult settings, forced equipment loadout, and task to complete a set number of times. Completing the challenge grants you $5,000 and 5,000 XP, so it's worth trying them.  Custom Making the difficulty too easy will stop you earning rewards. Custom does what it says on the tin. You can adjust all the player, ghost, and contract settings to your liking, with the reward multiplier automatically calculated based on how challenging the settings you’ve chosen are. However, activating certain settings that make the contract far too easy, such as 'Friendly Ghost' (where the ghost doesn’t hunt), will result in no rewards. Apocalypse Challenges Apocalypse Challenges are not for the faint-hearted. In Phasmophobia, Apocalypse Challenges are extremely tough single-player challenges you can find on the event board, with each offering a special trophy, ID card, and badge to those who complete them. Unlockable at player level 50, there are three Apocalypse Challenges, each requiring you to identify the ghost, complete all optional objectives, and take a photo of the ghost during one contract.  The hardest part? You need to be playing Sunny Meadows Mental Institution by yourself, on the highest difficulty level--which can be set through Custom difficulty--with Apocalypse I requiring x6 or higher rewards multiplier, Apocalypse II requiring x10 or higher, and Apocalypse III requiring x15 (the highest custom difficulty in the game). If you want to take it on, here are the settings you can use. Apocalypse player settings Apocalypse IApocalypse IIApocalypse IIIReward multiplier (cash and experience)x6x10x15InsuranceNoneNoneNoneStarting sanity75500Sanity Pill restoration 20%5%0%Sanity drain speed200%200%200%SprintingOffOffOffPlayer speed100%75%50%FlashlightsOnOnOffLose items and consumablesOnOnOn Apocalypse ghost settings Apocalypse IApocalypse IIApocalypse IIIGhost speed150%150%150%Roaming frequencyHighHighHighChanging favorite roomHighHighHighActivity levelLowLowLowEvent frequencyLowLowLowFriendly ghostOffOffOffGrace period2 seconds2 secondsNoneHunt durationHighHighHighKills extend huntsHighHighHighEvidence given210Fingerprint chance100%100%N/AFingerprint duration60 seconds60 secondsN/A Apocalypse contract settings Apocalypse IApocalypse IIApocalypse IIISet-up timeNoneNoneNoneWeatherRandomHeavy RainHeavy RainDoors starting open HighHighHighNumber of hiding placesNoneNoneNoneSanity monitorOnOffOffActivity monitorOnOffOffFuse box at start of contractOnBrokenBrokenFuse box visible on mapOffN/AN/ACursed Possessions quantity100Cursed Possession #1RandomN/AN/A

Title: Phasmophobia Sanity Explained: How To Increase It And Prevent Drain Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:27:58 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phasmophobia-sanity-explained-how-to-increase-it-and-prevent-drain/ In Phasmophobia, keeping an eye on your Sanity level is critical, as it impacts important game aspects, including when a ghost can start hunting and whether you can safely use a cursed object. There are two measures of Sanity in Phasmophobia: a player’s individual sanity level and the average sanity level of your team. You can track each player’s Sanity level using the Sanity Monitor in the van, as long as you’re playing on a difficulty level that has it enabled. Your individual Sanity level, which can be tracked via your character’s watch, affects whether you can use a cursed object, as you need to ‘pay’ a certain amount of Sanity per interaction, and having an insufficient amount to do so will result in a cursed hunt (a longer, more aggressive hunt). However, the average sanity level measures the mean sanity level of all the alive players on your team, so even if your Sanity level is high, your friend could have a much lower level, dragging the overall average down. This is important as each ghost has an average player sanity threshold that, when reached, allows it to attempt to hunt. This is typically 50%, though there are some exceptions, with the Demon able to hunt at 80% and Banshee hunts triggered by its target’s individual Sanity level. So, if you want to delay a ghost hunt as long as possible and continue using cursed objects, you need to keep your Sanity level up. Unfortunately, that’s not so easy, as it can begin to drain from the moment you open the door to a property, with certain conditions, unique ghost abilities, and player deaths zapping your Sanity level even further. Below, we break down how your Sanity level is drained in Phasmophobia, how to increase it, and how to prevent drain. In This Article How Sanity is drainedHow Sanity is drained passivelyHow Sanity is drained by ghost abilities and eventsHow Sanity is drained by cursed objectsHow to prevent Sanity drain--and when you shouldn'tHow to increase your Sanity level How Sanity is drained In Phasmophobia, Sanity is drained in one of three ways: passively, as a result of ghost abilities and events (including killing a player), or by using cursed objects. How Sanity is drained passively Wandering around in the dark is a good way to lose Sanity quickly. Passive Sanity drain primarily applies when you are inside the investigation area, with the main lights of your current room (any lights connected to a wall switch) turned off. The longer you stand in the dark, the more Sanity you lose. The drain rate depends on the size of the map you’re playing, the sanity drain percentage of the difficulty level you’re playing, and whether you’re in the set-up phase. On smaller maps, such as Tanglewood, the drain rate is 0.09% per second during the setup period and 0.12% per second normally. On medium maps, like Point Hope, it’s 0.05% per second during setup and 0.08% normally. On larger maps, like Sunny Meadows, it's 0.03% per second during the setup phase and 0.05% normally. You must also account for the Sanity drain percentage speed of your difficulty level, with Insanity, for example, doubling how quickly your Sanity drains as the speed is set to 200%. In addition, if you’re playing a contract with the Blood Moon weather condition, passive sanity drain is increased by 100%. Note that passive Sanity drain is paused when you're outside the investigation area, and inside the brightly lit van, but other drain effects can still apply.  How Sanity is drained by ghost abilities and events Certain ghost abilities will further drain your Sanity. Ghosts can also zap your Sanity level. If you’re targeted by a ghost event, such as a manifestation, and happen to collide with the ghost or a mistball, causing it to disappear prematurely, you’ll instantly lose 10% Sanity. If you’re unlucky enough to walk into a singing Banshee or an Oni during a ghost event, the Sanity drain is larger, with the Banshee zapping 15% and the Oni claiming 20%. Certain ghosts can also drain your Sanity through their unique abilities. Below are the ghosts that can drain your sanity, how much they drain, and how they do it. GhostAbilitySanity DrainPoltergeistWhen it throws multiple items, nearby players lose sanity.Sanity decreased 2% x number of objects thrown. YureiCloses an open door in its room and drains the sanity of all nearby players.15%PhantomDrains sanity if within 10 meters of manifested Phantom and within its line-of-sight.0.5% per second in its sight.MoroiCan curse players by successfully responding on the Spirit Box or Parabolic Microphone, or through a sound recording.Doubles player's Sanity drain, which cannot be prevented by standing in lit rooms. JinnCan drain a nearby player's sanity when the breaker is turned on.25% How Sanity is drained by cursed objects The Haunted Mirror will drain your Sanity fast. Cursed objects can be very useful when trying to gather evidence or identify the ghost, but many of them negatively impact your Sanity level when used. While the Tarot Cards and Monkey Paw only have a possibility to drain your Sanity--depending on the Tarot Card you pull or Monkey Paw wish you make--the other five objects zap your Sanity with every use. For example, every successful Ouija Board question you ask (except “Hide and seek?”) drains your Sanity 5%-20%. Just make sure you have enough Sanity to perform these interactions, or the object may break, triggering a cursed hunt. How to prevent Sanity drain--and when you shouldn't Use wall switches like this to turn on main lights. The main way to prevent passive Sanity drain is to turn on the main lights in your current room, as this pauses normal passive Sanity drain—except for that caused by the Moroi’s curse. By main lights, we mean lights that can be toggled with a light switch, not table lamps, TVs, computers, or other small light sources. If you’re playing on a larger map, you cannot fully stop passive sanity drain in bigger rooms like corridors by turning on main lights, but the passive drain will be reduced to 80% of its usual rate. Passive drain can also be slowed down by standing within two meters of a lit Firelight, with Tier 1 providing a 33% per second reduction, Tier 2 a 33% per second reduction, and Tier 3 a 66% per second reduction. Just remember to take a lighter with you and to relight the Firelight if the ghost blows it out or it burns out. To prevent Sanity drain from cursed objects, you can simply avoid using them or use the Monkey Paw without wishing for a Sanity boost or weather change—though you’ll still have to deal with its other consequences. Preventing a ghost from draining your Sanity is trickier, and we actually don’t advise it. That’s because allowing the ghost to drain your Sanity can actually be beneficial, as it can help you identify a ghost’s unique ability and therefore the ghost. For example, if a door in the ghost room slams shut, and your Sanity level suddenly drops 15%, you know you likely have a Yurei, or if you notice that your sanity dropped 25% when the ghost got near you, and the breaker is on, you likely have a Jinn. How to increase your Sanity level Sanity Medication is the best way to top up your level. If your Sanity level is on the low side, there are a few things you can do to instantly top it up. The most obvious is using Sanity Medication, which increases your individual Sanity by a certain percentage. That percentage is determined by the difficulty level you’re playing on (higher difficulty levels offer smaller increases) and the Tier of the pills you have equipped. On standard 40% Sanity restoration settings, Tier 1 restores 40% Sanity in 20 seconds. Tier 2 and Tier 3 work faster, restoring the same amount in 10 seconds--with Tier 3 also providing a useful 10-second sprint boost. However, you can only equip a maximum of four Sanity Medications to your team’s loadout (which works out at one each for a full team if you're keeping the overall average up), so you may need to resort to cursed objects for a Sanity boost. There are two cursed possessions that can boost sanity: the Monkey Paw and the Tarot Cards. The Monkey Paw boost is a double-edged sword, as you can wish for Sanity, which increases all players’ Sanity levels to 100%, but it increases the passive Sanity Drain by 50%. The Tarot Cards are also risky, as only two cards in the 10-card deck can increase your Sanity: The Sun (sets Sanity to 100%) and a green-burning The Wheel of Fortune (which grants 25% Sanity).  However, if you draw The Moon or The Wheel of Fortune burns red, you lose Sanity, with the former dropping your level to 0% and the latter deducting 25%.

Title: Dwayne Johnson's Jumanji movies are better than Robin Williams' — and it's not even close Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:00:19 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/best-jumanji-movie-dwayne-johnson-the-rock-vs-robin-williams/ Back in 2017, when Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle came out, I assumed it would be yet another pale imitation of a movie I loved from my youth. The idea of Jumanji being a video game instead of a board game just seemed wrong. How could a video game ever give off the ancient, haunted vibes the original board game had? Plus, I’m not really a huge fan of either Dwayne Johnson or Kevin Hart. They’re fine, but they’ve got nothing on Robin Williams, the biggest comedic voice of my childhood and someone whose movies still make me laugh today.

Title: The Ninth Jedi trailer reveals a future for Star Wars beyond the Skywalker saga Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2026 02:30:45 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/new-article-1783041545/ For five years, Star Wars: Visions has been home to some of the franchise’s boldest ideas, but few episodes have lingered in fans’ minds quite like volume 1 episode 5, “The Ninth Jedi." Kenji Kamiyama’s sweeping tale of a galaxy where lightsabers have become legend stood taller even than some of Lucasfilm's own projects. Now, The Ninth Jedi is back as an eight-episode series, premiering Aug. 5 on Hulu and Disney Plus. Fans got a sense of what to expect at Anime Expo, where Lucasfilm unveiled the first trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.

Title: Dragon Strikers gets surprise season 2 2027 release date by Disney Plus Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:26:50 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/dragon-striker-season-2-release-date/ Dragon Striker quietly premiered on Disney Plus in June, and it's one of the easiest recommendations I'll make all year. Disney barely marketed the fantasy sports series to its Lilo & Stitch-enamored mainstream audience, but without exaggerating, it deserves to be mentioned alongside the best family animation on television.

Title: Mushuko Tensei season 3 looks like its most devastating season yet Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:49:45 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/mushuko-tensei-season-3-anime-expo/ Few modern anime have evolved as dramatically as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. What began as the story of a deeply flawed man getting a second chance in another world has steadily transformed into an expansive fantasy saga about consequences and growing up, without ever losing sight of the messy humanity at its core.

Title: Amazon Prime members can now stream 2025 superhero hit Dispatch Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:18:10 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/amazon-gaming-luna-july-2026-dispatch-12-free-games/ Each month, Amazon Prime members get two new batches of games: one to keep, and one to stream via Luna. Its cloud gaming library includes some standout titles, like Control, Hollow Knight, and the Tomb Raider Survivor trilogy. The latest edition is Dispatch, one of the best superhero video games around.

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

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

Title: Save Big and Play Bigger: GeForce NOW Summer Sale Brings Major Membership Savings Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:00:17 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-summer-sale-2026/ The GeForce NOW summer sale kicked off today with limited-time savings of up to $70 off a 12-month membership, making now the perfect time to upgrade to get the best of the cloud and see just how far Ultimate gaming can go. PC gamers are driven by one thing: the love of the game. But getting there can be complicated — setups take space, hardware takes planning and downloads take time. GeForce NOW removes the barriers and delivers instant access to games, high-performance GeForce RTX power in the cloud and the ability to play across nearly any device — all with one membership. Regular upgrades and new features continue to expand the experience, building the value of that membership over time.  Plus, GeForce NOW is always delivering new games — including epic adventures across Tyria. Guild Wars 3 is coming to GeForce NOW, bringing its next-generation massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) experience to the cloud at launch. While awaiting its arrival, the journey begins today with Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars Reforged, along with limited-time exclusive rewards. Instantly Elevate Every Device PC gaming demands more from players than ever. Bigger game files and more frequent updates can turn the urge to play into a long list of to-dos. GeForce NOW streamlines that experience. Installs, patches and updates are handled in the cloud, so games are ready to launch in just a click. Time that would’ve been spent waiting on progress bars can go back into playtime, making it easier to fit gaming into quick breaks on busy days. High-performance NVIDIA GPUs in the cloud means access to always-ready GeForce RTX performance without having to purchase new hardware. Members can tap into powerful servers that meet rising game requirements and keep pace with today’s games. And memberships continue to improve with platform upgrades — like the free Ultimate upgrade to the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture — extending their value, as well as the life of gamers’ devices, over time. All of the gaming. Laptops, phones, tablets and TVs — devices most gamers have at home and already use for school, work and everyday life — can all act as gaming screens. Streaming means not having to worry about hard drive space for installs and updates, or needing the latest devices.  Level up playing on Linux. These benefits are reinforced by continuous quality-of-life improvements like smoother sign-ins, new platforms — like Linux and Amazon Fire TV — and refinements that make it faster and easier to get into a gaming session. Together, these benefits make GeForce NOW the easiest way to enjoy PC gaming both instantly and over time, while keeping the focus on what matters most to gamers: getting into the game. The Biggest Gaming Upgrade, the Best Price of the Year Sale-ing into summer with huge savings. For a limited time this summer, GeForce NOW memberships are available at some of the year’s best pricing — with major savings on 12-month memberships: $35 off a 12-month Performance membership $70 off a 12-month Ultimate membership The Performance membership delivers smooth, high-quality cloud gaming across devices, with streaming up to 1080p at 60 frames per second (fps) and access to RTX-powered servers for supported games. The Ultimate membership steps things up with RTX 4080‑ or 5080‑class performance in the cloud, supporting up to 4K and beyond on ultrawide displays, up to 120 fps, and advanced features like ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex for a more responsive, visually rich experience. These limited-time discounts won’t last long — beat the heat and jump into GeForce NOW.  A New Legend Rises One of the best things about the cloud is that every week, new games become available to stream — including new AAA games at launch and the latest content and rewards.  The land of Orr awaits. Guild Wars 3 marks the next adventure in Tyria — an action-adventure MMORPG where fluid combat, deep character building and a living world of magic and mystery shape every journey. Alliances are forged, spirits awaken and every step forward leaves a lasting mark on an untamed frontier. Be among the first to raise the banner. Gamers can add Guild Wars 3 to their wishlist today and stay up to date on every reveal as it marches toward launch. While the next chapter in Tyria prepares to unfold, its legacy is ready to be played today. Return to adventure in Guild Wars 2 and Guild Wars Reforged, and unlock exclusive in-game rewards for a limited time — available for GeForce NOW Premium members today through Saturday, July 11, and free to all members beginning Friday, June 12. Be on the lookout for an email with codes to redeem.  In Guild Wars 2, the “Masterpiece Emote Tome” turns every victory into a moment of flair — a chef’s kiss to triumph. Start playing by applying the code through an ArenaNet account or during account creation, then log in to access the emote. In Guild Wars Reforged, the “Vision of Lyssa” costume brings elegance and illusion to life and includes an account upgrade. Inspired by the twin goddess, this striking ensemble can be worn over any armor. Redeem by adding the code in game, then visit a Costume Maker NPC to claim the reward. But Wait, There’s More Duet Night Abyss from Hero Games makes a splash on GeForce NOW, plunging players into a submerged world where survival is shared. Control a synchronized duo tethered by fragile oxygen lines, navigate glowing reefs, drowned ruins and shadowy chasms where every move demands trust and timing. The game’s moody visuals and tense, cooperative focus give each dive the feel of a playable deep-sea thriller. GeForce NOW is kicking off a new Community Corner for the summer, spotlighting stories and creations from members across the globe. This week, a community story takes the spotlight as a Linux gamer on Reddit shares how GFN has helped them with accessibility gaming, saving storage space on massive titles and minimizing upgrades. In addition, members can look for the following: NBA THE RUN (New release on Steam, available on June 9) Witchspire (New release on Steam, available on June 10) SpaceCraft (New release on Steam, available on June 11) Duet Night Abyss (Launcher) DOOM Eternal (Epic Games Store) The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Farever (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Wargaming) Finally, Pro Cycling Manager 26 is now scheduled to launch on Monday, June 15, and Denshattack! is now expected to launch on Wednesday, July 15.  What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: NVIDIA, KRAFTON, NC and Reigning ‘League of Legends’ Champions T1 Celebrate RTX Spark at Korea’s PC Bangs Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2026 07:00:15 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/krafton-nc-t1-korea-gaming-pc-bang-rtx-spark/ At GTC Taipei at COMPUTEX last week, NVIDIA unveiled RTX Spark, the superchip that reinvents Windows PCs for the era of personal AI agents. On the heels of this announcement, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang headed to South Korea, where he introduced RTX Spark to the nation’s passionate gaming community. Leading game developers — including Korea’s KRAFTON and NC — are already working to bring their titles to RTX Spark-powered systems.  Designed for local AI, creating and gaming, RTX Spark brings together 30 years of NVIDIA innovation to slim Windows laptops with all-day battery life and small, ultraefficient desktop PCs.  With the superchip, gamers can play AAA games at 1440p resolution and over 100 frames per second with NVIDIA ray tracing, DLSS and Reflex technologies. In addition, RTX Spark supports all NVIDIA RTX technologies, including the recently announced DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, which features a second-generation transformer model for realistic image quality.  RTX Spark Ignites Korea’s Gaming Community Korea has played a major role in spearheading esports and driving the boom in PC bangs, or internet and gaming cafes. With longstanding collaborations rooted in the country, NVIDIA in October celebrated 25 years of GeForce in Korea with a free festival for gamers, highlighting the rich gaming ecosystem that has been built over decades.    On Friday, Huang headed to T1 Base Camp — a PC bang owned by T1, one of Korea’s top esports teams. There, he met with T1’s reigning League of Legends World Champion team, including six-time World Champion Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok to unveil RTX Spark.  NVIDIA and Riot Games — developer of League of Legends — are collaborating to bring the title as well as VALORANT to RTX Spark, expanding gamers’ access to high-performance gaming on slim laptops.  To mark the occasion, T1 Base Camp attendees had the chance to win RTX Spark laptops, League of Legends and T1 merch signed by Huang and Faker, as well as GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs.  Surprising PC-Bang Gamers  Later, Huang headed to Seoul’s Gangnam district, where he surprised PC-bang gamers with a first look at RTX Spark with KRAFTON and NC.  At the first stop, Optimum Zone PC, Huang and KRAFTON Chairman Byung-gyu Chang showcased PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and Subnautica 2 on RTX Spark to a captivated crowd of gamers.  Gamers then got the surprise chance to play with the unreleased PUBG Ally, a co-playable character built with NVIDIA ACE technologies on RTX Spark laptops. PUBG Ally resulted from AI research and development at KRAFTON and NVIDIA, part of an initiative to create next-generation game characters that act like teammates and enable more meaningful, immersive engagements with players. Next, Huang stopped at another PC bang, Portal PC, where he showcased NC’s CINDER CITY and AION 2 on RTX Spark, with support from Taekjin Kim, co-CEO of NC.  NC and NVIDIA began working together in the early 2000s on the Lineage franchise and have since collaborated to integrate RTX technology into many of NC’s flagship games, including Lineage 2, AION, Blade & Soul, AION 2 and CINDER CITY.  Gamers at Portal PC were given the chance to play a demo of NC’s highly anticipated open-world massively multiplayer online tactical shooter CINDER CITY on GeForce RTX-powered PCs.   CINDER CITY will support the DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and Super Resolution features at launch. Plus, gamers will be able to experience the title on slim RTX Spark laptops and compact desktops when the game is released later this year.  In addition to KRAFTON, NC, and Riot Games, 100+ Windows software providers and game developers are embracing RTX Spark. These partners include NetEase, Remedy Entertainment and XBOX.  Learn more about RTX Spark and its launch partners.

Title: Forecast: Fun Ahead — 18 Games Join in June to Stream on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:27 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-june-2026-games-list/ June’s forecast with GeForce NOW: 100% chance of gaming. GeForce NOW is lining up new adventures for the month, from big-name blockbusters to quirky indies ready for the spotlight. Members can dive into fresh worlds, squad up in new playlists and discover “just one more run” favorites — all streaming from the cloud, no downloads or upgrades required.  Eighteen games are coming this month, starting with the 10 games arriving this week with the highly requested Neverness to Everness.  A World Beyond City limits end where reality bends. Step into a surreal, supernatural open world in NTE: Neverness to Everness from Hota Studio. Reality bends, streets twist into impossible angles and the uncanny waits around every corner. Play as an anomaly hunter drawn into a strange metropolis alive with anomalies, cosmic oddities and dreamlike encounters. Explore the city’s districts at street level or from impossible heights, uncovering secrets, side stories and hidden paths woven through the tangled skyline. Combat and exploration blend together as players move between quiet, eerie spaces and sudden bursts of action.  Every alleyway and rooftop hides something strange and new, from bizarre characters to otherworldly phenomena that reshape the environment in unexpected ways. Streaming with GeForce NOW lets the game’s distinctive art direction and atmospheric lighting shine, keeping the city’s moody glow, deep shadows and supernatural effects crisp and sharp.  Whether wandering its streets on a big screen or checking in from a laptop, NTE: Neverness to Everness stays fluid and immersive — powered by the cloud. June Games Juicing Up the Cloud A legend returns. Return to the Valley of Mines in Gothic 1 Remake, a faithful rebuild of the original experience that expands the world with more detailed questlines, additional nonplayer character routines and reactions, new traversal abilities and a fully modernized combat system. Step into the role of the Nameless Hero and explore a dangerous prison colony filled with rival factions, ancient magic, deadly creatures and choices that shape the journey ahead.  Whether revisiting a classic or discovering it for the first time, GeForce NOW makes it easy to jump into the adventure instantly across nearly any device, no downloads required. Check out what all is available this week: Jurassic World Evolution 3 (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass) Fatekeeper (New release on Steam, available June 2) House Flipper Remastered Collection (New release on Steam, available June 4) Pro Cycling Manager 26 (New release on Steam, available June 4) GOALS (New release on Steam, available June 4) Gothic 1 Remake (New release on Steam, available June 5) NTE: Neverness to Everness (Launcher) The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (Epic Games Store) XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions (New release on Steam, June 11) SpaceCraft (New release on Steam, June 11) Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, June 17) The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (New release on Steam, June 18) Dark Scrolls (New release on Steam, June 22) Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (New release on Steam and Ubisoft, June 30) Farever (Steam) FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (Steam)  More From May In addition to the 16 games announced last month, 18 more joined the GeForce NOW library: Alchemy Factory (Steam) Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (Steam) Blades of Fire (Steam) BeamNG.drive (Epic Games Store) Directive 8020 (Steam) Disco Elysium (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure (Epic Games Store) Ostranauts (Steam) Planet Coaster 2 (Epic Games Store) PowerWash Simulator 2 (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Resident Evil Requiem Demo (Steam) Romestead (Steam) SPLITGATE: Arena Reloaded (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Subnautica 2 (Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Sunderfolk (Epic Games Store) TerraTech Legion (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know X or in the comments below.

Title: Players’ Choice: Vote for June 2026’s best new game Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:00:04 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/02/players-choice-vote-for-june-2026s-best-new-game/ Last month was filled with fighting, sports, and adventure! Some big new releases included The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round, and NBA The Run. Which game was your favorite?   How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog. What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake. How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll. View Poll

Title: What Dune: Awakening brings to PlayStation 5 Sept 22 Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/02/what-dune-awakening-brings-to-playstation-5-sept-22/ On September 22, Dune: Awakening is coming to PlayStation 5. Dune: Awakening is an open world survival game set on the most legendary planet in the universe: Arrakis. Rise from survival to greatness, as you explore, build, craft, and unravel a cinematic Dune story that asks the mind-bending question: what if Paul Atreides was never born? Dune: Awakening has been available on PC since last year, and during that time we’ve added a ton of content and enhanced core gameplay systems. The game is better than ever, and with its debut on PlayStation 5, we’re adding even more including a full single-player mode. PlayStation gamers will be treated to the best version of Dune: Awakening yet. All the enhancements and additions that we’ve been working on for the past year will be on PlayStation day one. We’ve put together a Developer Deep Dive video exploring what’s coming in the PlayStation 5 version of the game. Check it out: Play Video Optimized for PlayStation 5 The team has spent a lot of time and effort making sure the experience on PlayStation 5 is the best it can be. UI and controls have been tailored to the console experience, and we’ve put a lot of focus on making sure the game is highly optimized for both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. On the base PlayStation 5, Performance Mode will run at 60fps with frame-gen. On PlayStation 5 Pro, Performance Mode runs at 60fps without frame-gen. Quality Mode will run at 30fps on both systems. The game runs in upscaled 4K on both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, in both Performance and Quality Mode. We’ll provide more specific technical details as we get closer to launch, including an overview of native resolutions. Survival games generally have a reputation for being complex and challenging to learn. With Dune: Awakening, our design philosophy from day one has been to make it a more accessible survival experience. Not less challenging, but less challenging to learn. We’ve implemented systems that teach you the game and ease you into its core elements, and there is also a strong narrative thread that guides you through the journey from survivalist to hero instead of just dropping you in the middle of a literal sandbox. To put it like this: if you’re skeptical about survival games, Dune: Awakening is a great portal for you into the genre! Single-player mode: a game changer The biggest new addition PlayStation 5 gamers can look forward to is the single-player mode. Right now, on PC, the game is exclusively multiplayer and single-player mode is by far one of the top-requested features. Making an inherently multiplayer game work in full single-player has not been an easy task. The team has spent months making sure the experience translates well. It’s not just removing multiplayer functionality; every aspect of the game needs to make sense in a single-player format. For example, in multiplayer, the endgame in Dune: Awakening is built around players competing over specific objectives to make sure their faction – House Atreides or House Harkonnen – gains control over the Landsraad. Controlling the Landsraad gives them the ability to make decisions that can impact gameplay for everyone across the server. In single-player, instead of removing or downscaling this part of the game, we’re instead simulating other players competing for these objectives, making sure it’s still a compelling and engrossing part of the experience. We’re also introducing a wide range of gameplay customization options, allowing you to scale the difficulty to your liking. Want to harvest resources faster or even disable the sandworm? That’s your choice. You can also customize all these options if you choose to rent a private server for you and your friends. The new single-player mode allows you to play the game the way you want to, at your own pace. Available in digital and physical format We’re also excited to share that we’ll be releasing a physical edition of Dune: Awakening. We’re teaming up with Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe who will put the game on shelves in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and with Solutions 2 GO for North and South America. It will also be released in retail in Japan, with a publisher to be announced later. In Japan, the game is expected to release in October, with pre-orders commencing soon. With the third installment in Denis Villeneuve’s and Legendary Entertainment’s epic Dune franchise coming to theatres in December, the physical edition can be a great holiday gift for Dune fans around the globe. Can you survive on Arrakis? Arrakis is a test that few will survive, and Dune: Awakening represents the ultimate survival fantasy. On September 22 it’s time to prove whether you can survive the most dangerous planet in the universe. Dune: Awakening can be wishlisted and pre-ordered today.

Title: PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for July – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II, CrossCode Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:30:05 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/playstation-plus-monthly-games-for-july-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-for-the-king-ii-crosscode/ July PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup brings blockbuster thrills, high fantasy adventure and retro-inspired 2D RPG action to all PlayStation Plus members* from Tuesday July 7 until Monday August 3.  Let’s take a closer look at each of the games.  View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III – Cross-Gen Bundle | PS5, PS4 Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image For the King II | PS5, PS4 Once beloved by her people, Queen Rosomon has turned against her subjects, casting them into servitude in the darkness of Fahrul’s mines whilst building alliances with sinister and malevolent forces. Gather your party in four player co-op or adventure alone through Fahrul as you risk everything to fight the tyrannical queen and bring an end to her oppressive reign. From the creators of For The King, the much-loved RPG that blends roguelite and tabletop gameplay comes a new chapter in Fahrul’s history, designed on an updated engine bringing innovation and gameplay refinement for returning heroes and new adventurers alike. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image CrossCode | PS5, PS4 This retro-inspired 2D action RPG might outright surprise you. CrossCode combines 16-bit style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story. CrossCode is all about how it plays! Take the best out of two popular genres, find a good balance between them and make a great game. That’s what CrossCode does. You get the puzzles of old school Action Adventure dungeons and are rewarded with the great variety of equipment you know and love from RPGs. During the fast-paced battles you will use the tools you find on your journey to reveal and exploit the enemies’ weaknesses and at the same time will be able to choose equipment and skills for a more in-depth approach in fighting your enemies. *PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day for more information. 

Title: An update on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:58:05 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/an-update-on-playstation-store-for-ps3-and-ps-vita/ After nearly two decades of supporting the PS3 console generation, we wanted to let you know we will be closing the PlayStation Store on PS3, as well as on PS Vita. PlayStation Store on PS3 will close in select markets starting this year, followed by global closures for PS3 and PS Vita next year. That means new content purchases will no longer be possible once the PlayStation Store closes on these devices. To ease the transition, players will still be able to download previously purchased content after the closing date for the foreseeable future.  As the PlayStation Store continues to evolve to support modern commerce systems, including updated payment processing standards, PS3 and PS Vita are no longer able to support these updates at the level required. As a result, we will need to close PlayStation Store on these devices in the timeframes as follows: Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting August 2026. Additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting late 2026. In all other countries, PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027. We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming. PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision for us to make.  As we continue to expand the PlayStation experience on newer devices that most of our users are playing on today, we need to focus more resources on delivering the best gaming experiences on these platforms as we look ahead towards the future.  To our amazing players, we want to give our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing passion and support, which has helped inspire us to shape PlayStation into what it is today. We are excited for the future ahead as we continue to push the boundaries of play. We look forward to having you on this journey with us as we explore new game worlds and new adventures that have yet to come.  For an important update on physical disc production for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles announced today, please click here.

Title: Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles  Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:58:03 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/ As consumer preferences and the broader entertainment industry continue to shift away from physical discs to digital, physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028.  Following this date, new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only. This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format.   This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs. This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today.   We’ll continue to prioritize our resources to drive innovation in how players can access games and provide choices as to where players prefer to purchase new games, whether that’s at retailers or PlayStation Store. We remain committed to delivering a world-class gaming experience to our fans and we thank you for your continued support.   For important updates on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita announced today, please click here.

Title: "I could feel myself coming apart at the seams": Suicide Squad leads on almost leaving the games industry after its failure Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:26:20 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-could-feel-myself-coming-apart-at-the-seams-suicide-squad-leads-on-almost-leaving-the-games-industry-after-its-failure Crikey, remember Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League? That sure was a mess. It was a public mess too, one where there were seemingly some attempts to save the game, but none that could have shifted it away from its inherent flaws. But for the game's co-director Axel Rydby and associate design director Johnny Armstrong, the behind the scenes events were enough to almost turn them off from the games industry entirely. Read more

Title: Ithaca is a road trip RPG about climate resistance and dealing with the hostage you have in your trunk Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:24:07 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ithaca-is-a-road-trip-rpg-about-climate-resistance-and-dealing-with-the-hostage-you-have-in-your-trunk The ethical quandaries around car usage aside, we can all agree there's nothing like a road trip, right? When better a time is there to think about every single decision you've ever made in life than on an open stretch of road with only other cars to stop you? It feels like a great setting for a video game, despite there not being very many road trip games. But another one is entering the fray and it's called Ithaca, a "narrative road-trip with RPG elements about environmental resistance." Read more

Title: That's a bummer: Frictional's Soma follow-up Ontos has been delayed into 2027 Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:07:52 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/thats-a-bummer-frictionals-soma-follow-up-ontos-has-been-delayed-into-2027 To be truthful, these days it's generally surprising when a game isn't delayed these days, whether that be for a month, months, or even a full year. But perhaps in a year like this one, where a certain game that promises to engulf every other game around it like that black hole it truly is is due for release in November, you can't blame a studio opting to delay to get things in ship shape. Which is exactly what Frictional are doing with Ontos, pushing their next game from this year into 2027. Read more

Title: Seoul-set MMO shooter Cinder City halves its RAM requirements, after initial specs listed 64GB of memory Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:43:30 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/seoul-set-mmo-shooter-cinder-city-halves-its-ram-requirements-after-initial-specs-listed-64gb-of-memory RAMnarök may not be a literal cataclysm, of the kind that smashed Cinder City’s version of Seoul into dirty bits, but it ironic that the upcoming tactical shooter MMO seemingly spent much of the past day oblivious to the fact that there’s a worldwide memory crisis going on. Upon yesterday’s launch of its Steam page, Cinder City declared a set of system requirements that listed 32GB of RAM among the minimum specs – twice what you’d typically see for a modern, well-budgeted 3D game – and a honking 64GB in the recommended specs. I contacted a representative for publishers NC (formerly NCsoft), because, I mean, yeesh, and a day later, and have not received clarification either way. However, as of this afternoon, those recommended specs have silently changed: the GPU requirement rising from a RTX 4060 to an RTX 4070, but RAM dropping from 64GB to somewhat less outrageous 32GB. Read more

Title: The Video Game History Foundation calls on the ESA to offer "meaningful solutions" for preserving digital-only games Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:11:06 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-video-game-history-foundation-calls-on-the-esa-to-offer-meaningful-solutions-for-preserving-digital-only-games While it's not really all that relevant to us PC lot, you've still probably heard word from Sony "How To Lend Games To Your Friends" PlayStation about them no longer printing new games to discs come 2028. It's awful for a whole host of reasons, and of course the concern of preservation comes at the top of the list. This move from Sony in turn prompted a response from the Video Game History Foundation's Frank Cifaldi, who had some bigger fish to fry than just what Sony are doing in calling on the Entertainment Software Association to help facilitate more "meaningful solutions for archives and museums to legally preserve digital-only content." Read more