Title: Killing Discs Could Mean More Expensive Games, And Fewer Discounts: ‘This Move Is All About Profitability And Control’ Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:29:42 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/analysts-say-sonys-termination-disc-game-one-step-closer-death-physical-games-2000712106 A few more nails in a nail-heavy coffin

Title: World Of Warcraft Is Finally Fixing Its Stupidest Settings Problem After 22 Years Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:15:58 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/world-of-warcraft-finally-fixing-auto-loot-2000712079 I do not have time to pick up all of these Rust-Covered Blunderbusses

Title: Stars Of Netflix’s Skywalkers Climb Empire State Building, Call For Peace, Agree To Get Married, Then Get Arrested Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:45:12 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/stars-of-netflixs-skywalkers-climb-empire-state-building-call-for-peace-agree-to-get-married-then-get-arrested-2000712071 Other content creators take note

Title: GameStop Is Inflating Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Card Prices By Insane Amounts Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:30:01 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/pokemon-30-anniversary-gamestop-cards-prices-tcg-etb-2000712074 Scalpers get scalped, I guess?

Title: This Terrifying New Horror Game Wants You To Dig Up That Which Should Stay Buried Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:12:53 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/horror-game-mole-steam-review-2000712068 Mole is an unforgettably unsettling game that asks some profound ethical questions

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: “Profoundly Disappointed:” Companies Respond To Sony’s Decision To End Disc Support Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:50:19 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/profoundly-disappointed-is-this-companys-response-to-sonys-decision-to-end-disc-support/ A number of companies have responded to the news that Sony will no longer support physical PlayStation discs beginning in 2028. That includes iam8bit, a company known for its physical gaming collectibles, which said it is "profoundly disappointed" by the news. "Physical games are vital to games preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, values that have guided iam8bit since our first physical release in 2016," the company said. The company added that it remains committed to these values. "Long live physical media," iam8bit said in its sign-off. iam8bit collaborates with numerous game companies like Blizzard, Remedy, Capcom, Annapurna, and Xbox on physical games and merch. The company also releases vinyl soundtracks for games like Arc Raiders and Persona. The company also funds and publishes games through its iam8bit Presents label. GameFly, the game-rental service, also expressed its disappointment and used the opportunity to promote an opportunity for certain ex-subscribers to renew for $2.50. "We are disappointed in the news today about the future of PlayStation video games," the company wrote. "GameFly is run by people who believe physical products still matter. It is a belief that has been at the core of our company since day one." https://twitter.com/GameFly/status/2072404434529710540?s=20 Another company, the independent game developer Aeternum Game Studios, reacted to Sony's announcement as well, saying its commitment to physical editions of its games remains intact. "We pledge to work urgently to bring every game we create--and those already on the way--tangibly to your shelves before that fateful early 2028 deadline," the company said. It added: "The industry may try to change its course but we will not let go of your hand. Your shelves will keep being filled with stories." The Video Game History Foundation director Frank Cifaldi also lamented the "unfortunate news" with regard to consumer rights and other related areas, but noted that for professional preservationists, "this doesn't have as much of an impact as you might expect." https://bsky.app/profile/gamehistoryorg.bsky.social/post/3mpm6jzps6k2i PlayStation fans are also among those to express their disappointment with the news, with many expressing their support for physical media. Sony continues to sell many, many millions of physical, disc-based games, but the number it sells each year continues to drop, and that trend is expected to continue for Sony and other game companies. Against this backdrop, Sony will no longer support disc-based games starting in January 2028, and the implication here is that the PS6 also won't work with disc-based games. A recent report said Microsoft's new console, Project Helix, may not support discs, either.

Title: Battlefield 6 Almost Made A Great Change, Twice, But Both Were An “Error” Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:23:11 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-6-almost-made-a-great-change-twice-but-both-were-an-error/ Battlefield 6's latest update almost introduced a great change to XP boosts, only for developer Battlefield Studios to state it was an "error" and walk it back. Even more confusing--it's actually the second time the exact same mistake has been made in three weeks.  As part of Battlefield 6's June 30 update, one that overhauled the game's gunplay and introduced a new mode, a surprising, but welcome, message greeted players who logged in: "XP Boost Update: Now Based On In-Game Time." Since Battlefield 6's launch, XP boosts have counted down in real time. Considering how long it takes to find a match or load into a game, players would often lose valuable minutes of double XP for no reason at all. Someone who needed to log off while an XP boost was still active or do something quick around the house between matches was simply out of luck. A change to make XP boost count down during an actual match has been a frequent ask by the community, and it seemed like Battlefield Studios was finally listening.  https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlefield6/comments/1ujnpt3/thats_a_neat_surprise/ The message in full read: "To improve how useful XP boosts are to you, XP boosters will now count down based on in-game time instead of real time. We will track what percentage of the length of the match you have an XP booster active, then multiply the final Match Bonus XP by the appropriate percentage for each. If your XP booster expires mid-match, don't worry. Your match bonus will still get a boost, based on the duration that your boost was active during the match. Plus, for easier tracking and activation, the Booster menu is now located in the lobby." Players on Reddit reacted to the "neat surprise." However, much to the community's confusion, they quickly discovered nothing about how XP boosts worked in-game had actually been changed as part of the update. A Battlefield Comms social media account quickly clarified that the in-game message was in error and no changes had been made.  https://x.com/BattlefieldComm/status/2071966104939864144 "That message has now been removed, and there are no changes to how XP boosters currently work," the Battlefield Comms account stated. Such an easy win actually being a mistake is bad enough, but that wasn't the first time almost the exact same scenario had played out. Just a few weeks earlier on June 11, the Battlefield Comms account made a similar statement clarifying an inaccurate in-game message regarding XP boosts. "We're aware of an incorrect in-game text description for XP boosters that was introduced with the latest update," the statement reads. "XP boosters count down in real time, as they have since launch." https://x.com/BattlefieldComm/status/2064866700265492973 With two separate instances of XP boost change notification mistakes, it seems likely an actual, real change to how they work is on the way. After all, a detailed description of how XP boosts are being changed doesn't just magically appear in game, twice, for no reason at all. The real question is why Battlefield Studios doesn't announce such a change is still being worked on but is not quite ready just yet, instead of continually pulling the rug out from the community. Battlefield 6 Season 3 is currently still in full swing, with its upcoming Season 4 set to bring back Wake Island for the 11th time in the franchise's history.

Title: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Just Showed Up In A Very Unexpected Place Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:45:10 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4-just-showed-up-in-a-very-unexpected-place/ Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is expected to be one of 2026's biggest game releases alongside GTA 6, and the company is expected to go all-out with its marketing and promotion campaign for it. That may have already begun, but not in the way anyone might have expected. World Cup fans have spotted a curious detail on the French men's national team bus--luggage that appears to carry the Modern Warfare 4 branding. You can clearly see the branding in the image below. We don't know if this is an official marketing effort from Activision or something else, but in any event, it's getting people to talk about Modern Warfare 4. It's not the only sports-related marketing beat for Modern Warfare 4, as the game will be playable at the Fanatics Fest in New York City this month. https://twitter.com/ForwardLeaks/status/2072180124913471745 Modern Warfare 4 releases this October, about a month before GTA 6 arrives. The game takes place on the Korean peninsula as North Korea launches an invasion that "threatens to destabilize the world." You play as Private Park (portrayed by The Last of Us actor Young Mazino) while a second story focusing on Captain Price takes place simultaneously in other parts of the world. "As Price’s off-book mission collides with the forces behind the invasion, the war spreads beyond anyone’s control," reads a line from the game's description. Ahead of release, Activision will host a multiplayer beta for Modern Warfare 4, and you can get in early by preordering. Unlike the previous two games in the series, Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, Modern Warfare 4 will not be on Game Pass at launch. That's something Activision is reminding players in ads for the game. In a major development, Modern Warfare 4 will be available on Nintendo Switch 2. It will mark the first time since 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts that a Call of Duty game has come to a Nintendo platform.

Title: Existing Unauthorized Steam Machine Companion Cubes Are Being Destroyed After Release Fiasco Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:36:41 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/existing-unauthorized-steam-machine-companion-cubes-are-being-destroyed-after-release-fiasco/ The unlicensed Companion Cube engineered, illegally, for Valve's Steam Machine will never go on sale again, with those who preordered already being refunded. But what about the handful that made it out of the door and into the hands of journalists, influencers, and content creators? Instead of becoming collector's items, it seems they're all being destroyed. The fate of the existing Companion Cubes wasn't covered in the lengthy statement describing the entire fiasco, which was published by manufacturer Dbrand earlier this week. But it seems that the company is requesting existing samples to be sent back to them so that they can be destroyed, mimicking the fate of many of the cubes across both Portal titles. At least that's what's happening to the sample sent to The Verge, who captured the entirety of the cube's design and elaborate packaging before it was ripped away. The detailing, from the Portal iconography to the actual reproduced cube itself, shows exactly why Valve would've been extremely irate at a company making money on one of its IP without consent. Dbrand admitted that it made a mistake attempting to sell the Steam Machine accessory without explicit permission from Valve, but also didn't do itself any favors with the cube's advertising, which even hints at a non-existent Half-Life 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfITSn5pcrQ The Steam Machine launches next week for those lucky enough to have secured the chance to throw lots of money Valve's way, with the base 512GB model without a Steam Controller starting at $1,050. Valve says this is much more than it originally wanted the compact computer to cost, and cannot promise that it'll come down in the future, either.

Title: Best Teams For Dynasty Rebuild In College Football 27 Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:07:02 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-teams-for-dynasty-rebuild-in-college-football-27/ College Football 27 offers players a variety of game modes, but the most popular is Dynasty Mode. Dynasty allows players to completely take over a university's program, becoming the head coach and gaining access to all of the school's resources. While some players might opt to select their favorite college team or one that's set up to dominate the country for years to come, other players like to take on a total rebuild. Usually, these types of Dynasty playthroughs consist of picking a low-rated team and building it up to become a true threat to win the College Football Playoffs. If you're looking to go this route in CFB 27, you're in luck, as we've handpicked six teams that are in a prime position for a Dynasty rebuild. UMass Minutemen - 71 OVR First up, we have perhaps the worst college football team of the 2020s. While the University of Massachusetts isn't the lowest-rated team in CFB 27, it comes extremely close. UMass has been rated 69 OVR in the previous two games, so while they're improved slightly, they're nowhere near ready to compete in a vast majority of games. One of the biggest challenges in selecting the Minutemen for Dynasty is being located in the northeast part of the country. This region usually doesn't offer the best crop of talent, and it's harder to entice players from other regions to join the program. So, in addition to developing the current roster, you have an uphill battle when it comes to recruiting --not to mention UMass isn't exactly flush with resources. Its stadium looks worse than a Texas high school football field, and it has very little NIL money to work with. Still, UMass has some decent uniforms and a couple of speedy wide receivers on the roster, so hope isn't totally lost. UL Monroe Warhawks - 69 OVR Naturally, we couldn't make this list without including the lowest-rated team in CFB 27, and that dreary distinction belongs to none other than UL Monroe. The Warhawks are the worst team in the country, both offensively and defensively, but they're particularly poor on defense. Don't get your hopes up for the offense, though, as UL Monroe's top offensive player is a 77 OVR wide receiver. While Warhawks' current roster is the worst in the country, bar none, it has a few things going for it. Located in Louisiana, you'll have plenty of hometown talent to recruit if you take over UL Monroe. Of course, NIL money will be at a premium, so that's still a challenge. Aside from the roster, UL Monroe doesn't have a great stadium, but they have several uniform combinations. The Warhawks also play a relatively easy schedule in 2026, so you won't be bombarded with ranked teams right away. East Carolina Pirates - 74 OVR East Carolina is one of the higher-rated teams we have on our list at 74 OVR. The roster isn't in complete disarray, and the offense should actually be threatening in 2026. The Pirates have three wide receivers in the low 80 OVR range, one of whom has a 93 speed rating. You'll likely want a new QB beyond 2026, and the defense could use some help, but ECU is in a decent spot all things considered. We're picking the Pirates as a rebuild option in CFB 27 due to a variety of external factors. ECU consistently rates as one of the best environments in college football, with the fans and stadium playing a large role in that. ECU also has tremendous uniforms with a cool name and mascot. Of course, it's not all flowers and rainbows. ECU opens 2026 against Alabama and plays some decent teams throughout the year, like USF and Memphis. However, this just adds to the fun of playing as the Pirates and makes you want to rebuild them quicker. Georgia State Panthers - 73 OVR Over the years, a surprising number of NFL players have come out of Georgia State, which is the fourth-best college team in the state. The Panthers often attract downtrodden prospects who were rated highly coming out of high school, but didn't find their fit at Power Five programs. While GA State won't have near the resources of Georgia Tech or Georgia, you'll still be able to attract a number of hometown players to play for you. Many of these players will likely be three or four-star recruits who didn't get lucrative offers from the other in-state schools. A major bonus of selecting the Panthers in Dynasty is that you get to play in a much larger stadium than other schools on this list. GA State plays at the former Turner Field, which was previously home to the Atlanta Braves. It's a huge stadium, and it looks spectacular when filled with fans in CFB 27. Wyoming Cowboys - 73 OVR Let's take things out west, where the Wyoming Cowboys reside as one of the lowest-rated teams in CFB 27. Wyoming only has a 73 OVR offense and 72 OVR defense, meaning they need major work all over the roster. Unfortunately, as is the case with most schools in the Mountain West, talent isn't readily available for Wyoming. It's hard to recruit players from most regions, leaving you with slim pickings until you can turn the program around. What the Cowboys lack in roster construction and resources, though, they make up for in aesthetics. Wyoming has a fantastic stadium with a tremendous atmosphere and some underrated uniforms. It's a tough job taking over the program in Laramie, but with enough work, you can hopefully find the school's next Josh Allen. North Dakota State Bison - 75 OVR The North Dakota State Bison are the highest-rated team on our list, coming in at 75 OVR in CFB 27. However, it's not their rating that makes them an interesting rebuild candidate in Dynasty. This is the first year the Bison are in a College Football game and their first year as a full-fledged FBS program. Joining the Mountain West, NDSU looks primed to contend for the conference championship in 2026. The Bison have some solid players, including a great offensive line and starting running back, but you'll have some serious recruiting to do in your first couple of years with the program. Making a school FBS-ready isn't an easy task, but you'll have an easy schedule in 2026 to help NDSU make the leap. NDSU also plays in one of the coolest stadiums in the country, the Fargodome, and has some classic uniforms.

Title: 'Across the Threshold' quest walkthrough in Diablo 4 Season 14 Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:56:56 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/diablo-4-d4-across-the-threshold-quest-walkthrough-season-14-realmwalker/ "Across the Threshold" is a seasonal quest in Diablo 4Season 14 quest line. To complete it, you must find and kill a Realmwalker. These massive, powerful Pandemonium creatures may eventually appear in Sanctuary after closing a Surging Rupture. However, there is a guaranteed method to make them spawn and finish the mission to claim your rewards.

Title: PlayStation ending physical discs won't just impact game collectors Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:15:19 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/playstation-physical-games-impact-analysis/ The reality, though, is much more complicated. The impending loss of PlayStation discs is an existentially troubling move for an industry that has been slowly chipping away at what it means to own a game for quite some time. The consequences of that won’t just be felt by enthusiasts with shelves to fill. Even if your library is fully digital, the loss of physical PlayStation games could have knock-on effects that you’ll feel one way or another come 2028.

Title: Peacock’s new horror comedy is so good, it’s already renewed for season 2 Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:19:29 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/burbs-season-2-announcement-release-date/ As people who grew up in suburbia know, sometimes your neighbors can be a little… odd. Now imagine if those quirks hid something much darker. Would you investigate, or would you leave well enough alone? That’s the premise behind Peacock’s new horror comedy series — a show that proved so popular with audiences it was renewed for a second season.

Title: Metroid Ravenous seemingly leaked by ratings board Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:14:25 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/metroid-ravenous-leak-brazil-game-rating-nintendo-switch-2/ The next Metroid game may be coming out sooner than nearly anyone expected. As spotted by a member of the Famiboards forum, Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security (which handles the country's ratings) appears to have leaked the next entry in the series, Metroid Ravenous.

Title: Civ 7's new updates convinced me the strategy game's future is bright Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:00:19 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/civilization-7-updates-test-of-time/ A couple of majorCivilization 7 updates this year have transformed the 4X game, mostly for the better, and reignited my hope for its future. Firaxis launched the hefty Test of Time update in late May with dramatic changes to how the game plays. At the end of June, it pushed a smaller update with tweaks to the happiness system and how governments work. It's not quite reaching its full potential yet. Some elements, like diplomacy, still feel like shadows of what they're meant to be. But for the first time in a long time, it looks like Firaxis has a strong vision forCiv 7 and a way to translate that into gameplay.

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: 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: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: PS5 Pro enhancements detailed Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:00:27 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/29/assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-ps5-pro-enhancements-detailed/ Released first on the PlayStation 3 and as a launch title for the PlayStation 4, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag has remained a defining entry in the series for more than a decade. When we first explored the idea of bringing Edward Kenway’s journey to modern hardware, it quickly became clear that a traditional remaster wouldn’t be enough to do it justice. Play Video Instead, we rebuilt the game from the ground up on the latest version of the Anvil engine, modernizing nearly every system while preserving the spirit and identity of the original game. The result is an experience tailored for modern PlayStation hardware, with 60 FPS options, HDR support, Dolby Atmos, DualSense haptic feedback, and plenty of other improvements. You can find the list of graphics modes available at launch for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro below. With all these new features and graphics options, we’ve been able to take full advantage of the PlayStation 5 hardware and deliver the best experience possible for players when the game launches on July 9. In this article, we’d like to take a closer look at some of the technologies that bring this new version of the Caribbean to life. A more reactive Caribbean with ray tracing In Resynced, our goal was to make the world feel more alive, more dynamic, and more responsive to the player’s journey. A major part of that comes from our updated lighting system, now fully dynamic and powered by hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Instead of relying on precomputed lighting, the world reacts in real time to changes in time of day, weather, and environment. Interiors respond more accurately to outdoor light sources, and weather conditions dramatically reshape the mood of the world. Ray-traced diffuse lighting allows light to bounce across surfaces, creating natural color bleeding and more consistent shading throughout environments. Meanwhile, Ray-Traced Specular Reflections enhance surfaces like wet wood, metal, and ocean spray, helping the Caribbean feel more physically grounded and reactive. To ensure a consistent experience, Ray-Traced Global Illumination is enabled in all graphics modes on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. Ray-Traced Specular Reflections are available in Balanced and Fidelity modes on PS5, and across all graphics modes on PS5 Pro. Play Video Continuous detail with micropolygon geometry One of the key visual improvements in Black Flag Resynced comes from how we handle geometry at scale. Traditional rendering pipelines rely on discrete levels of detail, switching between simplified models as the player moves through the world. While effective, this approach can sometimes introduce noticeable visual popping. With our Micropolygon geometry pipeline, we take a different approach. Instead of switching between fixed models, geometry is continuously refined based on distance, visibility, and camera perspective. This continuous level of detail is enabled by the PlayStation 5’s ultra-high-speed SSD, which allows Anvil to instantly stream, virtualize, and render tiny geometric clusters. This lets environments and assets scale smoothly from close-up detail to distant silhouettes without noticeable transitions. Play Video PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements The PlayStation 5 Pro includes all the features of the base PlayStation 5 but adds significantly more GPU power and enhanced ray‑tracing performance, giving additional headroom for higher fidelity and more stable performance. Across all graphics modes, players on PS5 Pro benefit from extended ray tracing support, including both Ray-Traced Global Illumination and Ray-Traced Specular Reflections. This enables richer lighting and reflection quality while maintaining higher performance targets across Performance, Balanced, and Fidelity modes. We’ve also expanded our strand-based hair on PS5 Pro. Rather than relying solely on traditional hair cards, the engine can simulate and render individual strands for more natural motion and response to wind. All of this allows us to get a very realistic hair render for our characters. On PS5 Pro, strand-based hair is available for Edward in all modes. In Fidelity mode, nearby crowd characters also benefit from strand simulation during gameplay, while cinematics use strand-based hair for all characters regardless of mode. In addition, Black Flag Resynced supports the latest version of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), helping deliver better image quality and improved reconstruction, reducing the visual gap between performance and fidelity modes. A living world driven by Anvil’s Atmos Black Flag Resynced simulates weather in real time through Atmos, the systemic weather simulation framework in our Anvil engine. Rather than treating weather as a set of isolated effects, Atmos continuously simulates variables such as temperature, humidity, wind, and vapor density. These systems evolve over time and influence one another, producing more coherent and dynamic weather. This same simulation extends into gameplay and environmental interaction. Wind affects not only cloud movement and storms at sea, but also vegetation, cloth, particles, sails, and character hair. The result is a world that doesn’t just look alive but feels physically connected as well. A richer ocean The ocean has always been at the heart of Black Flag, and modernizing its rendering was a key focus for this project. Black Flag Resynced introduces a fully modernized water system, based on a physically based rendering pipeline. New tessellation technique, volumetric foam generation, and dynamic bubble systems add more details to the water surface. These updates allow the sea to respond more naturally to wind conditions, weather, and ship movement. The sea now plays an even greater role in shaping both the mood and moment-to-moment experience of navigation and combat. Prepare for a more immersive experience When rebuilding Assassin’s Creed Black Flag on the latest version of Anvil, our goal wasn’t only to modernize technology. We wanted to strengthen the sense of immersion, adventure, and discovery that made Edward Kenway’s journey so memorable in the first place. PlayStation 5 hardware has given us the opportunity to push that experience further than ever before, from the way the world looks and sounds, to how it feels. Whether you’re returning to relive a favorite adventure, or setting sail with Edward for the first time, we’re excited to welcome you to the Caribbean when Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches on July 9 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.

Title: Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game Spirit Wilds stage revealed Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:01:12 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/29/avatar-legends-the-fighting-game-spirit-wilds-stage-revealed/ Yip yip. Pre-orders for Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game are now live on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5. The wait is almost over. To celebrate, we’re taking a closer look at pre-orders, incentive previews, plus a sneak peek at a brand-new stage. Enter the Spirit Wilds We’re excited to reveal Spirit Wilds, a brand-new stage coming to Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game. One of the most mysterious corners of the Avatar universe, Spirit Wilds provides a visually striking battleground for elemental clashes. Launch opponents skyward with airbending or control space with earthbending in this new arena with a beautiful backdrop for every fight. Peep the exclusive Spirit Wilds video reveal and match video below. Play Video Play Video At launch, players will have access to 12 playable characters, a roster of support characters, eight unique stages, and multiple ways to play. Whether you’re looking to jump online, sharpen your skills in Training Mode, or experience the game’s original story, there are no shortages of ways to begin your journey. Pre-order details Players who pre-order either the Standard Edition or Deluxe Edition will receive a collection of exclusive bonuses: Gold color variants for Aang, Korra, Zuko, Katara, Toph, and Sokka Samurai Appa Support Character Skin Voting rights for a Year 1 Pass character Access to the Closed Beta running July 2-5 The Samurai Appa skin gives Aang’s faithful flying companion a tough new look when selected as a support character. 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 Pre-ordering also unlocks exclusive gold variants for Aang, Korra, Toph, Zuko, Katara and Sokka, giving players striking golden outfits that ensure they look their sharpest while bending. Perhaps most exciting of all, pre-ordering grants players the opportunity to help shape the future of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game. Players will be able to vote on one of the characters joining the Year 1 Pass roster. Choose your edition Standard edition vs Deluxe edition Year 1 Pass Join us in the Closed Beta Players who pre-order either edition of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game will receive access to the Closed Beta from July 2 through July 5. The Beta will feature Aang, Korra, Katara, Toph, Zuko, Sokka, and Azula, giving players an early opportunity to experience the game’s fast-paced combat and support character system. Pre-orders are available now on the PlayStation Store, and we’re excited to continue sharing additional updates and surprises as we get closer to launch. Thanks for all your support, and we’re stoked to see you in the Beta.

Title: Subnautica 2 legal battle ends with reinstated CEO stepping down, as Krafton and Unknown Worlds founders agree settlement Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:02:48 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/subnautica-2-legal-battle-ends-with-reinstated-ceo-stepping-down-as-krafton-and-unknown-worlds-founders-agree-settlement Shake hands with the nearest underwater critter. The Subnautica 2 legal dispute appears to finally have reached its ultimate conclusion, with a settlement agreed between publishers Krafton and the three Unknown Worlds leaders they fired last year. One of those three leads, Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, was reinstated to his post via a judge's orders in March. So, naturally, now the settlement's been reached, he's stepping down voluntarily. Read more

Title: Lullabies Made of Static is a quieter, slower, but still quite welcome addition to PC gaming's brutalist walking sim canon Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:56:14 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lullabies-made-of-static-is-a-quieter-slower-but-still-quite-welcome-addition-to-pc-gamings-brutalist-walking-sim-canon Brutalism serves one of two purposes in games: either as a source of concrete projectiles, or much more commonly, as a backdrop to quietly wander around, feeling morose. Personally I’m a fan of both, hence Lullabies Made of Static – which is out today – tickling the same neurons as my favourite grey walking sim, Fugue in Void. Read more

Title: Grand strategy game Terra Invicta is getting two new scenarios - a Fallout-style nuclear wasteland, and an early noughties world of UFO sceptics Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:27:36 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/grand-strategy-game-terra-invicta-is-getting-two-new-scenarios-a-fallout-style-nuclear-wasteland-and-an-early-noughties-world-of-ufo-sceptics I had been feeling guilty about not completing my first bout of sci-fi grand strategy game Terra Invicta – six months on from my 1.0 write-up, I'm still trying to colonise my first asteroid - and now here come developers Pavonis Interactive to smother us in nuclear fire. And swanky new spaceship designs. Read more

Title: Behold my range of handmade Steam Machine faceplates: tasteful fan-covering, on the cheap Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:19:02 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/behold-my-range-of-handmade-steam-machine-faceplates-tasteful-fan-covering-on-the-cheap Say you’ve sprung for a Steam Machine, and are pondering how to put a personal mark on your new black cube. Upgrading the internals? Bit of a faff, it turns out. Playing with the lighting strip? Maybe, but it’s blue by default, and research has shown that blue is already the best colour. No, aquamarine only came fifth. That front faceplate, though, is ripe for replacement, and there are already certain retailers and craftspeople who’ll happily charge you to cover your Steam Machine in acrylic flowers. Or make it look like a GameCube attending the Wii U’s funeral. However, this first wave of third-party covers appears to span anywhere between 15 and 40 quid, an unpleasant aftershock to the economic blow of the Machine itself. Luckily, more affordable faceplates are possible, as I shall now demonstrate with a selection of cheap household items, a small pack of craft magnets, and some off-brand superglue. Read more

Title: GTA 6 devs have to opt-out of crunch, claim Rockstar North insiders, because it's baked into their contracts Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:24:31 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gta-6-devs-have-to-opt-out-of-crunch-claim-rockstar-north-insiders-because-its-baked-into-their-contracts Three current Rockstar employees in the UK have accused the Grand Theft Auto 6 studio of effectively baking crunch into their contracts, overseeing a widening gender pay gap, and weaponising bonuses to make workers more compliant, in a new report. It comes as Rockstar gear up for the much-trumpeted console release of GTA 6 this November. Read more