Title: Fans Created A 2D Demake Of Metroid Prime In Celebration of Metroid Turning 40 Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:43:26 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/metroid-prime-origins-2d-demake-remake-fans-2000723548 And no, they didn't use generative AI to do it

Title: Xbox Boss Asha Sharma Says Elder Scrolls VI Looks Great, So Stop Talking About That Giant Rat Outside Bethesda’s Office Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:21:11 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/xbox-boss-asha-sharma-says-elder-scrolls-vi-looks-great-so-stop-talking-about-that-giant-rat-outside-bethesdas-office-2000723542 The newly appointed Xbox CEO posted on social media that the upcoming RPG looks 'incredible'

Title: New Steam Game Is For All You GoldenEye And Perfect Dark Sickos Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:00:52 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/new-steam-game-is-for-all-you-goldeneye-and-perfect-dark-sickos-2000723517 Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a boomer shooter for people who grew up with an N64 controller in their hands

Title: I Played This Brutal PS2 Action RPG For Ten Hours And Only Died To Poison Like 50 Times Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:30:04 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/kings-field-4-kill-you-like-it-2000722569 Beware: Poison

Title: In Protest Of Mass Layoffs, Bethesda Devs Greet Xbox Leadership With A Giant Inflatable Rat Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:45:04 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/xbox-protests-zenimax-studios-maryland-scabby-cwa-2000723471 'We heard that Microsoft leadership was coming to our office this week, and decided to make our presence visible'

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: Star Wars Zero Company Is Good But Seems To Play Things Too Safe – Preview Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:45:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/videos/star-wars-zero-company-is-good-but-seems-to-play-things-too-safe-preview/ I was hoping "XCOM but Star Wars" would have been a little bit more than just Star Wars painted over XCOM.

Title: The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Have An 8-Letter Subtitle Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:57:04 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-might-have-an-8-letter-subtitle/ The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of Microsoft's biggest upcoming games, but it remains largely a mystery, despite being announced more than eight years ago. Today, August 11, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma provided an update on it, saying she witnessed a "live playthrough" of the game. She also teased the game's subtitle, or at least that's what it seems like. "The scale and grandeur are incredible. The story is even greater," she said. Those are buzzwords that do not mean much of anything. More intriguingly, Sharma included asterisks in her post that suggest she's referring to the game's subtitle. Her post used eight characters, and people are theorizing as to what it could be, if that is indeed what she is teasing in the first place. The Elder Scrolls 6 is indeed likely to have a subtitle, as all previous games in the main series also did. These include The Elder Scrolls: Arena, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. https://twitter.com/asha_shar/status/2087258678000779664 In July, Bethesda provided an update on The Elder Scrolls 6, saying it understands "it's been a very long wait for the sequel." "The next chapter is on the way. We’re where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing it every day," the studio explained. This statement came after the mass layoffs and upheaval at Xbox related to the "reset" of the business. The layoffs hit Bethesda as well, and staff at the studio said they fear further delays for The Elder Scrolls 6 and have expressed concerns about the "crushing effect on morale" related to the layoffs. The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of multiple new games in the works at Bethesda and its supporting teams. Some of the others include remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, while Obsidian is working on some other new Fallout game. Fallout 5 is also in the works.

Title: No Man’s Sky Could Have Made So Much Money From DLC And Microtransactions, Sean Murray Says Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:40:45 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/no-mans-sky-could-have-made-so-much-money-from-dlc-and-microtransactions-sean-murray-says/ The head of No Man's Sky developer Hello Games, Sean Murray, has said it would be a bad idea for his mental health to think about how much money the studio could have made by charging for the game's various expansions or by selling microtransactions. "I'm sure somebody could take me aside, take me into a room and show me some PowerPoint and show me that we could have made more money if we had done in-app purchase or, you know, if we had done DLC or something like that," Murray told GamesRadar. "'And maybe that would be true. I never want to see that PowerPoint." Murray and the team decided against this, though, because the studio wanted players to have access to all of the post-release content together. "What I know is that I really, really enjoy--and I think the team really gets a kick out of--working on an update and knowing that what I'm working on, everyone is going to experience this," he explained. "Every player that we have is going to experience this. And I think we really enjoy the journey, and the journey is only possible because every update compounds." He went on to say that a feature like the Xeno Arena, a turn-based creature-battle mode, would not work "if you're fragmenting your audience." "It's a big part of our motivation, what gets us out of bed in the morning," Murray said. "So it doesn't matter if it's not the most commercially efficient thing that we can do. I think what matters is that it makes us still excited about working on it 10 years out." No Man's Sky recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and Murray separately said players have only discovered 1% of the game's world, even now. Hello Games is now working on a new game called Light No Fire, an ambitious-looking game with dragons; it has no release date yet.

Title: Battlefield 6 Trailer Shows Off New Version Of Wake Island, And It Looks Incredible Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:47:24 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-6-trailer-shows-off-new-version-of-wake-island-and-it-looks-incredible/ EA and Battlefield Studios have released a new trailer for Battlefield 6 that shows off the upcoming fan-favorite map Wake Island, which arrives on August 18 alongside a Top Gun-themed crossover event. Wake Island, which first appeared in Battlefield 1942, is inspired by the real-life Wake Atoll in the Pacific ocean where a World War II battle took place, and it's among the most beloved Battlefield maps ever. The newest version of the map for Battlefield 6 looks pretty incredible, at least based on the newly released gameplay footage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4tHPByfAZk EA said Wake Island was "rebuilt" for Battlefield 6, and that includes a stronger focus on naval warfare, along with updates to the land- and air-based combat. The new update for Battlefield 6 coming on August 18 also adds the F/A-81F Super Spectre and F-74A Seacat two-seat jets, bringing back a feature not seen since Battlefield 2 some 21 years ago. Three characters from Top Gun are coming to Battlefield 6 in the update, and they are voiced by their original actors. These include Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd (Lewis Pullman), and Adm. Solomon “Warlock” Bates (Charles Parnell). The game will also get Top Gun-inspired cosmetics. Battlefield 6 was also in the news recently after the game's successful launch helped EA CEO get a higher bonus. EA also laid off a number of developers who helped make Battlefield 6 a major success, and now the franchise is owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund by way of its buyout of EA.

Title: Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Biggest Competition Might Be Halo Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:03:25 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-campaign-evolved-biggest-competition-on-pc-might-be-halo/ Halo Campaign Evolved is a celebration of the franchise, but not many people are attending that party. New estimates peg sales at 1.2 million copies sold across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 so far, around $67 million in revenue, which isn't the best start for this remake of the original Halo campaign. Also available via Xbox Game Pass, the game is estimated to have 2.1 million players through the subscription service. According to Alinea Analytics' head of market analysis, Rhys Elliott, there are several reasons for this. Sales are split almost down the middle between Xbox Series X|S and PS5 at 42% and 41%, respectively, while Steam accounts for 17% of sales. This is up from its launch-week sales, but not by much. So what's the reason behind the lukewarm sales of the classic first-person shooter, which has gotten a new coat of paint and some fine-tuning under the gameplay hood? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LimYD3Ycwo As Elliott noted, Halo: Campaign Evolved's biggest competition on PC might be another Halo--specifically, Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The Halo game compilation offers better value for money and includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a 2015 remake that's pretty solid in its own right. Throw in options for multiplayer and more Halo games to the mix, and the $40 price tag makes it a much more tempting offer compared to the $50 required for Halo: Campaign Evolved, which is more barebones in comparison. Shinier graphics, extra co-op missions, and the ability to sprint in that game just aren't enough, it seems. "The price is too high for a port like this one, and the Halo brand--candidly--has lost a lot of cache, Elliot wrote. "A lot of Steam users already own Master Chief Collection--8.5 million copies sold on Steam, as per our estimates--which offers more content for less. On PS5, Halo: Campaign Evolved is estimated to have sold 544,000 copies so far, neck and neck with Xbox despite the Sony platform having a larger userbase than its Microsoft rival. Elliot explained that while plenty of PS5 owners jumped in thanks to the nostalgia factor of Halo, sales were driven by an "older, nostalgia-driven crowd" that encompasses players who are roughly 32-40 years old. Many of these people were likely former Xbox 360 owners who had since moved to PlayStation hardware, but the game didn't make a big dent with a "fresh" PlayStation audience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woUnTCVv9JU Shooters, remakes, and legacy-leaning titles still sell well on the platform, as the audience overlap skews heavily toward the late PS2, Xbox 360, and early PS4 eras, Elliot explained. While Halo: Campaign Evolved didn't achieve the same velocity as several other Xbox ports did on PlayStation, bringing the Master Chief Collection with its multiplayer suite to that platform would have "certainly" done better, Elliot wrote. "At the very least, if the rumored Halo 2 remake ships with online multiplayer, it’ll sell a great deal more, assuming it comes to PlayStation at all." The co-creator of Halo and designer of Master Chief, Marcus Lehto, also shared his opinion on the remake recently, saying that he has a few issues with it but is generally happy with how it came out. Following the final update for Halo: Infinite in November 2025, Halo Studios has now begun work on new Halo projects.

Title: Overwatch Season 4’s Battle Pass Changes Make You Grind Even More for Free Currency Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:30:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/overwatch-battle-pass-season-4-changes-free-currency-locked/ Blizzard revamped Overwatch's battle pass in season 4, and most of the changes are welcome, even long overdue — except for one. The new battle pass divides itself into tracks, where each track ends in a new skin and includes a smattering of other rewards along the way. The idea, as product director Chris McCabe said in a blog post, is to give you more control over the rewards you get. The kicker is that Blizzard's also moved a big chunk of the free (and even paid) currency to the very end of the pass.

Title: Nintendo Officially Confirms Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:35:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-switch-2-announcement/ The rumors were true: Nintendo is remaking The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2. The remake of the Nintendo 64 classic, widely hailed as one of the best games of all time, will arrive in 2026 to mark The Legend of Zelda series' 40th anniversary.

Title: 'Lord of the Rings: War in the North' Just Shadow Dropped, and More Remasters Have Been Teased Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:24:21 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/lord-rings-war-north-surprise-remaster-aspyr/ Pack your bags, because we're heading back to Middle-earth. On Tuesday a new (old) The Lord of the Rings game was surprise released. Re-released by Aspyr, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is now available for modern consoles.

Title: 'Overwatch’ Season 4 Makes a Controversial Change to Lifeweaver’s Life Grip Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:04:19 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/overwatch-lifeweaver-signature-ability-change/ Every new season of Overwatch brings plenty of changes, from new heroes and maps to the inevitable round of buffs and nerfs that can shake up how its growing roster plays. The headline addition to Season 4, which launches today, is D.Mon, aka Yuna Lee, a new tank who serves alongside D.Va as a member of the MEKA Squad. Unlike D.Va, D.Mon favors a more up-close defensive playstyle, using her Plasma Saber and Power Barrier to protect teammates while cutting through enemies.

Title: 'House of the Dragon' Star Officially Breaks Silence About Season 4 Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-3-steve-toussaint-interview/ Things get worse for Corlys when he's abducted by the enemy and held as a hostage. That puts him in perhaps the worst place possible as House of the Dragon season 3 reached its climax with the violent Battle of Tumbleton, though he manages to play a pivotal role both before and after the fighting.

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

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

Title: GeForce NOW Sets Sail With ‘Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame’ Joining the Cloud Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:00:16 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-path-of-exile-allflame/ Lock in and load up the cloud. GFN Thursday brings fresh updates and new adventures, all ready to play without waiting for downloads. Set sail in Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame and charge in Battlefield 6 Season 4 both launching major content for members this week. Then revisit Capcom legends like Breath of Fire IV, Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, jump into Halo: Campaign Evolved Advanced Access and discover nine titles arriving on GeForce NOW. The Curse Calls Prepare to brave the unforgiving waters of Wraeclast. Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame launches Friday, July 24, sending Exiles into the perilous Frozen Seas. Guided by formidable corsair captain Valerie and her cursed navigator Vesper, gamers must piece together scattered treasure charts, board the legendary vessel — the Sovereign — and chart a course into the abyss. Descend into the depths using Allflame Lanterns to uncover valuable relics while surviving the dangers lurking beneath the waves. The update introduces sweeping changes, including a complete rework of sockets and links. The Scion also gains the all-new Luminary Ascendancy, the Mercenaries of Trarthus return alongside mysterious Atlas Anomalies, and the preexisting Abyss, Legion and Talisman mechanics receive revitalized gameplay and exclusive rewards. GeForce NOW members can dive in the moment it launches across their devices, no downloads needed. Learn more about the latest additions on the Path of Exile website. Rise Through the Ranks The next operation begins. Battlefield 6 takes the fight further with Season 4, bringing new battlegrounds, expanded progression and new ways to play.  Take to the land, air and sea with the massive Tsuru Reef and the return of the fan-favorite Wake Island, coming in phase two. Both feature aircraft carriers with operational flight decks, new naval vehicles and a dynamic wave system that helps move every match. The update also introduces Custom Lobbies and Spectator Mode, delivering more ways to play. From large-scale multiplayer battles to intense vehicle combat, GeForce NOW lets members deploy across nearly any device. Ultimate members can stream with GeForce RTX 5080-powered performance across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more. Whether returning to the frontlines or enlisting for the first time, members can leap into the latest Battlefield update the moment it arrives on GeForce NOW — without waiting for patches. Dragons and Dinosaurs — on Any Device Classic adventures, now in the cloud. Three iconic Capcom adventures arrive on GeForce NOW this week, ready for longtime fans to revisit and new players to discover. Journey through the rich fantasy world of Breath of Fire IV, a role-playing game following the intertwining stories of Ryu and Fou-Lu. Master an array of skills and magic to unlock strategic victories in battle and go head to head with unique enemies using powerful Dragon Transformations.  Raw instinct takes over in Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, the survival-horror series that combines pulse-pounding action, resource management and thrilling dinosaur encounters. Pursued by a relentless prehistoric terror, players fight to survive from the facility to the world of the Cretaceous Period. Whether reliving unforgettable moments or discovering these legendary titles for the first time, gamers on GeForce NOW can experience gaming history on supported devices like Chromebooks, Fire TV and Steam Deck — no legacy hardware required. Spartans — Start Early Spartans don’t have to wait. Players who prepurchase the Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved can suit up for Advanced Access before the game’s global launch on Tuesday, July 28.  Start the weekend with all the new games arriving on GeForce NOW: ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) Dinoblade (New release on Steam, available on July 23) Breath of Fire IV (Steam) CloverPit (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Dino Crisis (Steam) Dino Crisis 2 (Steam) The last word goes to the Community Corner. One GeForce NOW member recently shared they found themselves back on GeForce NOW Ultimate because they missed the flexibility of gaming across devices like Steam Deck. Their post sparked a discussion about why members tap into cloud gaming, whether as a backup, a travel companion or their primary way to play. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: Sharpen the Sword, Skip the Downloads — ‘Onimusha: Way of the Sword’ Is Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:34 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-onimusha-coming/ Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming to GeForce NOW at launch, with the playable demo available this week. It’s joined by Denshattack! rolling in with five new games arriving in the cloud. Plus, GeForce NOW officially launches in India, moving from beta to public availability — meaning gamers can sign up without a waitlist. Pick Up the Oni Gauntlet Cloud-powered. Samurai-approved. Capcom’s next legendary action adventure is coming to GeForce NOW. Onimusha: Way of the Sword will arrive on the cloud at launch on Thursday, Sept. 3.  Members can jump into the action even sooner with the demo now available to stream. Set in a dark fantasy vision of Edo Japan, follow a lone samurai wielding the legendary Oni Gauntlet against relentless demonic Genma. Master precise swordplay, unleash powerful abilities and absorb the souls of fallen enemies as supernatural battles unfold across a haunting world filled with mystery and danger. Ultimate members can experience every clash with GeForce RTX 5080-class performance in the cloud across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices and TVs. From the first swing in the demo through launch day, GeForce NOW lets members step into battle the moment it’s available — no downloads, storage space or expensive hardware required. Gamers can find the demo in the GeForce NOW app demo row and add the title to their wishlists today to be ready when the blade is drawn.  India Levels Up The wait is over. GeForce NOW has officially exited beta in India, bringing the world’s highest-performance cloud gaming service to more gamers across the country.  This week, gamers can choose from monthly Performance and Ultimate memberships, flexible day passes or the basic, free offering — making it easier than ever to experience GeForce RTX-powered cloud gaming. GeForce NOW now supports UPI payments, giving gamers across India a fast, secure and convenient way to purchase memberships and day passes.  Premium memberships unlock GeForce RTX-powered features like ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex, along with higher resolutions, faster frame rates and priority access to streaming. With thousands of supported games — from blockbuster releases and free-to-play favorites to indie hits — members can enjoy PC games they already own without the cost of upgrading to high-end gaming hardware. Join the conversation with the GeForce NOW community on Reddit.  Go Off the Rails This Weekend “Denshattack!” is pulling into the cloud. Denshattack! — the off-the-rails, train‑wrecking action game — is now available to stream on GeForce NOW, letting members embrace pure chaos from almost any device.  Take control of runaway trains and send them barreling through crowded tracks, explosive obstacles and delightfully destructive layouts, chaining spectacular crashes with just the right mix of precision and pandemonium. Its colorful, tongue‑in‑cheek presentation and physics‑driven mayhem turn every run into a highlight reel of derailments — perfect for quick sessions, score‑chasing and laughing at just how wrong a single turn can go when the throttle never lets up. In addition, members can look for the following to play this week: Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass on July 17) Onimusha: Way of the Sword DEMO (Steam) The GeForce NOW community keeps discovering new games to play, with members discussing the most beautiful games on the service. What game has impressed you most on GeForce NOW? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: GeForce NOW Turns Up the Heat With New GeForce RTX 5080-Powered Toronto Server Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:55 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-toronto-expansion/ This GFN Thursday brings more games, more power and more ways to play on GeForce NOW.  The cloud gaming service is expanding with a new GeForce RTX 5080-powered server in Toronto, bringing dedicated high performance in the cloud closer to members across the region. NTE: Neverness to Everness also gets an update in the cloud, making it even easier to jump into the latest content from the supernatural adventure without a single download or more storage space needed. It leads the way for GeForce NOW bringing native touch control to the game, coming soon. There’s even more to explore with three new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week.  Take It to the Next Level in Toronto The forecast is looking cloudy in Canada. A new GeForce RTX 5080-powered GeForce NOW server is coming to Toronto, expanding service in the region and bringing dedicated cloud gaming performance closer to local members. The new server will roll out within days, giving more players access to top-tier cloud gaming across Canada. Ultimate members can stream across PCs, Macs, handhelds, mobile devices, TVs and more with GeForce RTX 5080-class power in the cloud. Enjoy up to 4K resolution and beyond on supported ultrawide displays, up to 120 frames per second, plus NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex technologies.  Bring on the ‘999 Nights’ Reality bends — on any device. Step into the surreal world of NTE: Neverness to Everness with the NTE Version 1.2 “999 Nights” update.  This version introduces a massive gameplay evolution, plunging players into an immersive, tabletop-inspired fantasy role-playing game on the Warren Continent — a new permanent game mode featuring its own dedicated progression system. This narrative and mechanical expansion is elevated by the debut of two powerful characters, Shinku and Iroi, alongside an unprecedented fashion upgrade featuring a sweeping collection of 19 new character outfits. To top it off, exploration gets a high-octane upgrade with Draco, a revolutionary new motorcycle vehicle, making this version an absolute playground for combat strategy, stylish customization and high-speed urban traversal.  Plus, GeForce NOW will soon be rolling out native touch controls to NTE: Neverness to Everness, which will make it even easier to explore the city’s mysteries from supported mobile devices. Look for the game in the GeForce NOW app to seamlessly jump between devices and continue the adventure — no downloads, storage space or expensive additional hardware required. Embark on Expanded Adventures The journey continues in Granblue Fantasy: Relink with the Endless Ragnarok expansion. Known for its dynamic combat, diverse roster of Skyfarers and thrilling online co-op, Relink returns with fresh story content as mysterious beings known as the Ragnalia threaten the Zegagrande Skydom. Strange gateways, powerful new foes — including the mighty Beelzebub — and fresh challenges await across the skies. The expansion also introduces additional ways to play, including summon abilities that add another layer of combat strategy, co-op quest tiers and a solo mode filled with unpredictable encounters. Master traits offer more opportunities to customize favorite characters, giving both longtime Skyfarers and newcomers plenty of reasons to take flight. Jump into the latest action with the following games to play this week: Esports Manager 2026 (New release on Steam, available July 6) Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo (Steam) As GeForce NOW continues to expand, so does the community discovering cloud gaming. One new Ultimate member summed up their first impressions: “Finally caved and got GFN Ultimate… and wow.” Another longtime PC gamer shared how GeForce NOW completely changed their perspective after years of skepticism, calling it “a good alternative” for casual players and encouraging others to “try the one month and upgrade to the yearly before the sale ends.” What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

Title: First look at Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories  Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/11/first-look-at-marvels-wolverine-limited-edition-ps5-console-bundle-and-accessories/ Last month, the team at Insomniac Games and Marvel Games shared lots of new details and reveals at San Diego Comic-Con for Marvel’s Wolverine. Today, we’re giving a first look at the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle, which features a PS5 Digital Edition that captures the raw ferocity of Wolverine alongside a matching DualSense wireless controller and a game code for Marvel’s Wolverine. Play Video View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Inspired by Insomniac’s Battle Reborn suit and claws, the PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle will be available globally and channels Logan’s unmistakable intensity through a bold yellow finish. The design brings in Wolverine’s exposed claw marks and lets players peek under the hood of the PS5 Digital Edition and see what’s underneath. The DualSense wireless controller also features furious slashes inspired by his famous claws, giving players a striking way to bring the game into the palm of their hands.  The DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition will also be available for standalone purchase globally. It was important for us to capture the primal energy of Wolverine in this new look for the PS5 console, and it has been fantastic collaborating with Insomniac Games and Marvel Games on the design. We worked alongside Jock, the Scottish graphic artist who contributed to the key art for Marvel’s Wolverine and whose work across comics helped inspire the bold, graphic tone of this limited edition design: “I wanted to show Wolverine at his fiercest for Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories. I still draw all my artwork traditionally, so the opportunity to marry cutting-edge hardware with the energy and looseness of hand-drawn ink is incredibly exciting. I’m stunned by how well the console and accessories captured the raw energy of the drawing, bringing Wolverine to life in a completely unique way. ” – Jock, Graphic Artist “His [Jock] illustrative works have the energy and dynamics needed to capture the kinetic and violent nature of our hero. One whose primary interaction with the world is with unbreakable Adamantium claws. Jock’s illustrations are grounded and raw and perfectly personify Wolverine.” – Marcus Smith, Insomniac Games View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image If you already own a PS5 (model group – slim) or PS5 Pro console, you’ll be able to purchase PS5 and PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition directly from PlayStation where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities through select retailers outside of these regions. These console covers include covers for both PS5 consoles with disc drives, and consoles without disc drives. 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 We’re also revealing another special PS5 Pro console cover design for players looking to channel another side of Wolverine. Inspired by the adamantium bonded to Logan’s skeleton and claws, the PS5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition feature the same dramatic claw-slashed details with a premium metallic finish that evoke Wolverine’s raw power and let players peer into the PS5 Pro console. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image A matching DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition also features the same metallic finish and will be available for separate standalone purchase. You can purchase the Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition PS5 Pro console covers and DualSense wireless controller design where direct.playstation.com is available* and in limited quantities through select retailers outside of these regions.  Insomniac Games is bringing an all-new original action-packed experience with Marvel’s Wolverine, and we hope you enjoy these designs inspired by the game and character. We can’t wait for players to experience Marvel’s Wolverine on PS5 when it launches beginning September 15, 2026.  View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition Bundle and Accessories Purchase Information Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 Digital Edition bundle and accessories are available for pre-order starting August 19 at 10 AM local time. The following are available at direct.playstation.com* and through select retailers. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle  $649.99 US / £569.99 GBP/ €649.99 EUR / ¥96,980 JPY RRP DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition $84.99 US / £74.99 GBP/ €84.99 EUR / ¥12,480 JPY RRP The following are exclusively available through direct.playstation.com in regions where it is available* and select retailers outside of these regions: PlayStation 5 Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP / €74.99 EUR / ¥9,980 JPY RRP PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP/ €74.99 EUR / ¥9,980 JPY RRP PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers –Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition $74.99 US / £64.99 GBP / €74.99 EUR RRP DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition $84.99 US / £74.99 GBP/ €84.99 EUR RRP Marvel’s Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 Console bundle and accessories will be available beginning September 15 in limited quantities. Check our website for more details. *Regions where direct.playstation.com is available: U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Austria. Visit direct.playstation.com for more details. direct.playstation.com Purchase Information:     Starting August 19, 2026 at 7:00am PT / 10:00am ET in the U.S., and 10:00am local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, players will be able to pre-order Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 Digital Edition Console bundle and accessories through direct.playstation.com, while supplies last.  When ordering directly from PlayStation, enjoy free launch day delivery for eligible pre-orders. Visit direct.playstation.com for more details. 

Title: No Man’s Sky developer Hello Games celebrates 10-year anniversary Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:00:33 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/10/no-mans-sky-developer-hello-games-celebrates-10-year-anniversary/ I feel surprisingly emotional today. Ten years ago, on 9th August 2016, PlayStation Travellers across the universe set foot on their first alien planet in No Man’s Sky. The first words from their exosuit rang out in their helmet: “Hazard protection active”. Perhaps you were there ten years ago, or perhaps you joined later. All around the universe, other Travellers have woken up on countless other planets, light years apart from each other. They took their first steps on their first planet and brought a new unexplored universe into existence together.Since then, millions of players have made No Man’s Sky their home, built insane bases, built communities, made friends, and created custom ships that look like everything from Spongebob Squarepants to entire Cathedrals. Play Video Over the last decade, the No Man’s Sky players have joined us in another type of journey as we grew, expanded and deepened what No Man’s Sky could be. With now 40 major updates, all free, we have expanded our sandbox universe with base-building, exocraft, settlements, mechs, pets, living ships, expeditions and rebuilt the universe several times over. On PlayStation we introduced support for PSVR, then PS5, and then PSVR2. Allowing players to immerse themselves in the universe in much deeper ways. PlayStation Travellers have been there since the dawn of this new universe; it’s kind of our Big Bang moment! Since then, tens of millions of Travellers have spent hundreds of millions of hours exploring and sharing their discoveries and the universe is more vibrant now than it ever has been. Voyagers released last year saw more players than we’ve had since launch… and still, all these years later players have explored less than 1% of the planets in No Man’s Sky.In a similar way our small team feels we have a lot left to explore in what No Man’s Sky can be. In the background we are busy cooking on our next game Light No Fire, and big things for the future of No Man’s Sky. More will follow!Our journey continues. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image

Title: PlayStation Store: July 2026’s top downloads Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/10/playstation-store-july-2026s-top-downloads/ It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped last month’s download charts. In July, Call of Duty: Black Ops II dominated the charts for PS5 and PS4 in the US and EU. While I Am Cat became the number one PS VR2 game in the US and EU. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? PS5 Games US/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black OpsEA Sports College Football 27Assassin’s Creed Black Flag ResyncedAssassin’s Creed Black Flag ResyncedEA Sports FC 26EA Sports FC 26PalworldHalo: Campaign EvolvedMinecraftPalworldHalo: Campaign EvolvedNBA 2K26Escape the BackroomsMinecraftNBA 2K26Escape the Backrooms007 First LightUFC 6UFC 6The Mound: Omen of CthulhuThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt007 First LightIt Takes TwoEchoes of AincradGrand Theft Auto VMLB The Show 26Resident Evil 4Grand Theft Auto VBackrooms: Escape TogetherAvatar Legends: The Fighting GameThe Mound: Omen of CthulhuBattlefield 6Forza Horizon 5Call of Duty: Black Ops 7Gran Turismo 7It Takes TwoBattlefield 6 *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games US/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: Black Ops IIIEA Sports FC 26Batman: Arkham KnightRed Dead Redemption 2Red Dead Redemption 2Batman: Arkham KnightCall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black OpsGang BeastsA Way OutCall of Duty: Modern WarfareThe ForestEA Sports FC 26Call of Duty: Modern WarfareThe ForestCall of Duty: Black Ops IIIDestiny – The CollectionAssassin’s Creed OdysseyMortal Kombat XMortal Kombat XNBA 2K26God of WarA Way OutUnravel TwoMinecraftMinecraftGod of WarGang BeastsDevil May Cry HD CollectionThe Last of Us RemasteredDying LightDevil May Cry HD CollectionMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarDying LightBloodborneMiddle-earth: Shadow of WarResident Evil 5Mafia: Trilogy *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR2 Games* US/CanadaEUI Am CatI Am CatSynapseJob SimulatorBeat SaberCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionJob SimulatorMetro AwakeningThe Walking Dead: Saints & SinnersBeat SaberCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionAlien: Rogue Incursion VRAlien: Rogue Incursion VRHorizon Call of the MountainAmong Us 3D: VRArizona Sunshine VR RemakeZero Caliber VREscape – Backrooms Horror VRArizona Sunshine VR RemakeAmong Us 3D: VR *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) US/CanadaEURobloxFortniteFortniteRobloxMarvel RivalsRocket LeagueRocket LeagueeFootballCall of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: WarzoneTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessFall GuyseFootballValorantApex LegendsAsphalt LegendsFall GuysTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessAsphalt LegendsStumble Guys

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

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

Title: As Peak gets its final big update, developers Landfall and Aggro Crab explain why it isn't a "forever game" Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:54:38 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/as-peak-gets-its-final-big-update-developers-landfall-and-aggro-crab-explain-why-it-isnt-a-forever-game We have reached peak Peak. By that I mean, the final major update that was teased last week, The Final Ascent, is here and ready for you to try out. The big thing here is the two new variant biomes, Gloom and The Citadel. Gloom, unsurprisingly, is an incredibly foggy area filled with massive trees, mysterious bells and ominous spikes, whereas The Citadel is mostly just that; a castle-like structure with swinging spiky balls, secret arrow traps and those floors where a bunch of spears shoot upwards and you have to time walking across them just right. Read more

Title: "I think that might be a misread": Thief designer on why making a triple-A immersive sim doesn't really work Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:50:23 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-think-that-might-be-a-misread-thief-designer-on-why-making-a-triple-a-immersive-sim-doesnt-really-work Broadly speaking, it's fine for something to exist as a niche. Whatever form of media a thing might be, to fulfil a niche is to meet the expectations of at least a handful of people with a particular taste that many others don't, and I think that's a delightful thing to do. In video games, immersive sims might not be the most niche genre in the world, but they've historically not done gangbusters sales wise, meaning that triple-A takes don't quite make their money back. If you ask Randy Smith Evergreen, a designer on Thief: The Dark Project, perhaps avoiding the world of triple-A is the way to go for immersive sims. Read more

Title: As Xbox head Asha Sharma reportedly visits Bethesda HQ, workers put up red flags representing laid off staff and a giant inflatable rat outside Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:03:21 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/as-xbox-head-asha-sharma-reportedly-visits-bethesda-hq-workers-put-up-red-flags-representing-laid-off-staff-and-a-giant-inflatable-rat-outside It's probably a weird day to be working at Bethesda's Rockville headquarters. In a week's time, on August 18th, the Communications Workers of America have organised numerous rallies across the US and Canada in support of Xbox workers, 1600 of which may lose their jobs over the next year, on top of the 1600 who have already been laid off. Today, as shared by Game Developer's Chris Kerr, CWA union members have already initiated a protest outside Bethesda HQ in the form of a giant inflatable rat, and a huge number of planted red flags, each one representing a laid off worker, as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly. Read more

Title: Paralives' latest update throws out its wonderfully awful homunculi babies and makes it so that dead bodies should no longer litter the streets Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:30:59 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/paralives-latest-update-throws-out-its-wonderfully-awful-homunculi-babies-and-makes-it-so-that-dead-bodies-should-no-longer-litter-the-streets The beauty of an early access game is being able to look at something funky, say "that's not right," and as long as you're correct and not an irritating know-it-all making feedback that's not actually helpful, see it changed in (very slow) real-time. Paralives' latest update is here, and with it comes an improvement (?) to the life sim's babies after a number of people complained at how they looked. Read more

Title: I'm enjoying leaving my body behind in Project Looking Glass, an astral horror game in which you telewarp around a map of your terrible memories Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/im-enjoying-leaving-my-body-behind-in-project-looking-glass-an-astral-horror-game-in-which-you-telewarp-around-a-map-of-your-terrible-memories The great enemy of my sanity is 4.15pm. That's 45 minutes of workday remaining - just enough time to find and turn around a news story before Julian sounds the Thrice-Girdled Klaxon of Labour's End. The sensible thing to do would be to pick a nice, easy write-up like "Developers XYZ are still making that videogame they were making before, say it's going pretty well". But inevitably, my appetite defeats my reason, and I find myself firing up the demo for something like Project Looking Glass, a cathode ray horror game in which you are a grieving woman participating in secret Cold War astral projection experiments. Read more